bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Communicating With Dying Patients and Their Families: Multimedia Training in End-of-Life Care
Authors: Chappell Phylliss M. , Healy Jennifer , Lee Shuko , Medellin Glen , Sanchez-Reilly Sandra
Published: July 2016

Background:

The need for end-of-life (EOL), high-impact education initiatives to prepare medical students to communicate with dying patients and their families and to cope with issues of death and dying, is well recognized.

Methods:

Third-year medical students (n = 224), during their ambulatory rotation, completed a multimedia EOL curriculum, which included pre-/posttests, an online case-based module, didactic presentation, and a tablet computer application designed to demonstrate the signs and symptoms seen in the last hours of life for families of dying patients. Pre- and posttests were compared using Pearson χ2 or Fisher exact test, and improvement was measured by weighted κ coefficient.

Results:

On preintervention surveys, the majority of students demonstrated positive attitudes toward the care of dying patients and their families. Despite this high pretest positive attitude, there was a statistically significant overall positive attitude change after the intervention. The lowest pretest positive attitudes and lowest posttest positive attitude shifts, although all statistically improved, involved addressing the thoughts and feelings of dying patients and in coping with their own emotional response.

Conclusions:

Medical students exposure to this multimedia EOL curriculum increases positive attitudes in caring for dying patients and their families.
Cross-Validation of Two Commonly Used Self-Stigma Measures, Taiwan Versions of the Internalized Stigma Mental Illness Scale and Self-Stigma Scale–Short, for People With Mental Illness
Authors: Chang Chih-Cheng , Lin Chung-Ying , Gronholm Petra C. , Wu Tsung-Hsien
Published: July 2016

Self-stigma instruments investigate how people with mental illness internalize public stigma. However, information is limited for the psychometric properties of their scores, especially cross-validating scores from different instruments. Thus, we used confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) and item-response theory (IRT) models to examine the Internalized Stigma Mental Illness (ISMI) scale and the Self-Stigma Scale–Short (SSS-S). Participants with mental illness ( n = 347) completed both instruments. The CFAs that simultaneously accounted for both the instrument (ISMI and SSS-S) and the trait (Affect, Cognitive, and Behavior concepts) effects outperformed those that accounted only for the instrument effect or only the trait effect. All item scores fit the IRT model and were fit with ordered, progressing hierarchies in their step difficulties. We conclude that both instruments are feasible for measuring the self-stigma and that future research can combine the items of both.
Use of aluminum foam core sandwich structures to improve the blast-mitigation performance of light tactical vehicle side-vent-channel solution
Authors: Grujicic M , Yavari R , Snipes JS , Ramaswami S
Published: July 2016

In our recent work, a side-vent-channel blast-mitigation concept/solution for light tactical vehicles was proposed. As a part of this solution, side-vent channels are attached to the V-shaped vehicle underbody, in order to promote venting of the soil ejecta and gaseous detonation products and, in turn, generate a downward thrust on the targeted light tactical vehicle. As a consequence, the blast loads resulting from a shallow-buried mine detonated underneath a light tactical vehicle are mitigated, improving the probability for vehicle survival. The concept was motivated by the principles of operation of the so-called “pulse detonation” rocket engines. To quantify the utility and blast-mitigation capacity of this concept, use was made of several computational and design optimization methods and tools in our prior work. It was found that the capacity of the proposed blast-mitigation solution is relatively small, but still noteworthy. The present work focuses on further improvements in the blast-mitigation capacity of the side-vent-channel solution. Specifically, the benefits offered by substitution of the all-steel side-vent channels with side-vent channels made of sandwich structures (consisting of steel face-sheets and aluminum foam core) for all-steel side-vent channels are explored. The results obtained clearly demonstrated that this substitution can improve the blast-mitigation efficiency of the side-vent-channel solution. In addition, through the use of a design optimization analysis, it was established that this improvement can be further increased through proper grading of the aluminum foam density profile through the sandwich structure core.
Challenging Anatomy Predicts Mortality and Complications After Endovascular Treatment of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Authors: Baderkhan Hassan , Gonçalves Frederico M. Bastos , Oliveira Nelson Gomes , Verhagen Hence J. M. , Wanhainen Anders , Björck Martin , Mani Kevin
Published: July 2016

Purpose: To analyze the effects of aortic anatomy and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) inside and outside the instructions for use (IFU) on outcomes in patients treated for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAA). Methods: All 112 patients (mean age 73 years; 102 men) treated with standard EVAR for rAAA between 2000 and 2012 in 3 European centers were included in the retrospective analysis. Patients were grouped based on aortic anatomy and whether EVAR was performed inside or outside the IFU. Data on complications, secondary interventions, and mortality were extracted from the patient records. Cox regression analysis was performed to assess predictors of mortality and complications; results are presented as the hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Of the 112 patients examined, 61 (54%) were treated inside the IFU, 43 (38%) outside the IFU, and 8 patients lacked adequate preoperative computed tomography scans for determination. Median follow-up of those surviving 30 days was 2.5 years. Mortality at 30 days was 15% (95% CI 6% to 24%) inside the IFU vs 30% (95% CI 16% to 45%) outside (p=0.087). Three-year mortality estimates were 33.8% (95% CI 20.0% to 47.5%) inside the IFU vs 56% (95% CI 39.7% to 72.2%) outside (p=0.016). At 5 years, mortality was 48% (95% CI 30% to 66%) inside the IFU vs 74% (95% CI 54% to 93%) outside (p=0.015). Graft-related complications occurred in 6% (95% CI 0% to 13%) inside the IFU and 30% (95% CI 14% to 42%) outside (p=0.015). The rate of graft-related secondary interventions was 14% (95% CI 4% to 22%) inside the IFU vs 35% (95% CI 14% to 42%) outside (p=0.072). In the multivariate analysis, neck length <15 mm (HR 8.1, 95% CI 3.0 to 21.9, p<0.001) and angulation >60° (HR 3.1, 95% CI 1.0 to 9.3, p=0.045) were independent predictors of late graft-related complications. Aneurysm neck diameter >29 mm (HR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1 to 5.9, p=0.035) was an independent predictor of overall mortality. Conclusion: Long-term mortality and complications after rEVAR are associated with aneurysm anatomy. The role of adjunct endovascular techniques and the outcome of open repair in cases with challenging anatomy warrant further study.
Voltage-dependent sodium (NaV) channels in group IV sensory afferents
Authors: Ramachandra Renuka , Elmslie Keith S
Published: July 2016

Patients with intermittent claudication suffer from both muscle pain and an exacerbated exercise pressor reflex. Excitability of the group III and group IV afferent fibers mediating these functions is controlled in part by voltage-dependent sodium (NaV) channels. We previously found tetrodotoxin-resistant NaV1.8 channels to be the primary type in muscle afferent somata. However, action potentials in group III and IV afferent axons are blocked by TTX, supporting a minimal role of NaV1.8 channels. To address these apparent differences in NaV channel expression between axon and soma, we used immunohistochemistry to identify the NaV channels expressed in group IV axons within the gastrocnemius muscle and the dorsal root ganglia sections. Positive labeling by an antibody against the neurofilament protein peripherin was used to identify group IV neurons and axons. We show that >67% of group IV fibers express NaV1.8, NaV1.6, or NaV1.7. Interestingly, expression of NaV1.8 channels in group IV somata was significantly higher than in the fibers, whereas there were no significant differences for either NaV1.6 or NaV1.7. When combined with previous work, our results suggest that NaV1.8 channels are expressed in most group IV axons, but that, under normal conditions, NaV1.6 and/or NaV1.7 play a more important role in action potential generation to signal muscle pain and the exercise pressor reflex.
A critical discourse analytic approach to discursive construction of Islam in Western talk shows: The case of CNN talk shows
Authors: Sharifi Mahdi , Ansari Nafiseh , Asadollahzadeh Mina
Published: July 2016

The present research aimed at examining the discourse of CNN as a mainstream media, through the application of critical discourse analysis. The goal of this research was to uncover CNN’s orientation in covering Muslim-related issues and to uncover how the elements described by van Dijk (2001) play their role in constructing the discourses of Islamophobic ideologies in CNN’s talk shows. To this end, an analysis was conducted at two textual and contextual levels, including 34 programs, out of 50 GPS talk shows aired in 2013. The textual analysis was done regarding the three levels of meaning, argumentation, and style and the contextual analysis with regards to levels of access and participants. The findings revealed that CNN’s representation of Muslim-related issues was biased and stereotypical at all levels; textual and contextual and the scope of the talk show was in line with the Islamophobic ideologies which prevail the Western media today.
Infection risks associated with peripheral vascular catheters
Authors: Zhang Li , Cao Siyu , Marsh Nicole , Ray-Barruel Gillian , Flynn Julie , Larsen Emily , Rickard Claire M
Published: July 2016

Background:

Peripheral vascular catheters (PVC) are the most frequently used invasive medical devices in hospitals, with 330 million sold each year in the USA alone. One in three UK inpatients at any one time has at least one PVC in situ according to the Scottish National Prevalence survey.

Method:

A narrative review of studies describing the infection risks associated with PVCs.

Results:

It is estimated that 30–80% of hospitalised patients receive at least one PVC during their hospital stay. Despite their prevalence, PVCs are not benign devices, and the high number of PVCs inserted annually has resulted in serious catheter-related bloodstream infections and significant morbidity, prolonged hospital stay and increased healthcare system costs. To date, PVC infections have been under-evaluated. Most studies focus on central venous catheter rather than PVC-associated bloodstream infections. Risks associated with PVC infection must be addressed to reduce patient morbidity and associated costs of prolonged hospital admission and treatment.

Discussion:

This article discusses the sources and routes of PVC-associated infection and outlines known effective prevention and intervention strategies.
Reaction aureoles around uraninites within biotite and plagioclase: evidence of low-temperature sequential fluid alteration andLREE-mobilization from monazite
Authors: Ozha Manoj K. , Mishra Biswaji , Jeyagopal Aiveliagaram V.
Published: July 2016

Optical microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and electron probe microanalyses were conducted on a migmatitic metapelite to investigate the effects of alpha radiation and subsequent alteration at the interface between uraninite inclusions and the host minerals biotite, chlorite and albitic plagioclase. The study reveals (1) anomalous colouration under the polarizing microscope; (2) pertinent changes in the characteristic Raman spectra of host phases; (3) reaction aureoles, composed of secondary phases (viz. chlorite and K-feldspar) of various sizes (∼15–45 μm) within biotite and plagioclase, respectively; (iv) K-feldspatization and sericitization of plagioclase at the grain boundaries; (5) agreement between the observed α-penetration depths and the Monte-Carlo simulation results; and (6) dissolution textures within the matrix monazites. Analysis of the compositions of the reaction aureoles in albitic plagioclase reveals a systematic distribution of K-feldspar-, LREE- and clay-rich zones; while the same in biotite is composed of secondary chlorite. The growth sequence of the secondary phases indicates an influx of a K-rich fluid, following intense radiation damage, efficiently superimposed by LREE-metasomatism and later acidic alteration. These changes took place under low-temperature (≤150°C) conditions, wherein radial cracks (within plagioclase) and cleavages/fractures (within biotite) favoured fluid infiltration-circulation into the reaction aureoles. Depletion of the LREEs from the dissolved matrix monazites and their enrichment as a discrete LREE phase within the damaged aureoles in plagioclase demonstrate micrometre-scale LREE mobility.
Targeted delivery of nerve growth factor to the cholinergic basal forebrain of Alzheimer’s disease patients: application of a second-generation encapsulated cell biodelivery device
Authors: Eyjolfsdottir Helga , Eriksdotter Maria , Linderoth Bengt , Lind Göran , Juliusson Bengt , Kusk Philip , Almkvist Ove , Andreasen Niels , Blennow Kaj , Ferreira Daniel , Westman Eric , Nennesmo Inger , Karami Azadeh , Darreh-Shori Taher , Kadir Ahmadul , Nordberg Agneta , Sundström Erik , Wahlund Lars-Olof , Wall Anders , Wiberg Maria , Winblad Bengt , Seiger Åke , Wahlberg Lars , Almqvist Per
Published: July 2016

Background

Targeted delivery of nerve growth factor (NGF) has emerged as a potential therapy for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) due to its regenerative effects on basal forebrain cholinergic neurons. This hypothesis has been tested in patients with AD using encapsulated cell biodelivery of NGF (NGF-ECB) in a first-in-human study. We report our results from a third-dose cohort of patients receiving second-generation NGF-ECB implants with improved NGF secretion.

Methods

Four patients with mild to moderate AD were recruited to participate in an open-label, phase Ib dose escalation study with a 6-month duration. Each patient underwent stereotactic implant surgery with four NGF-ECB implants targeted at the cholinergic basal forebrain. The NGF secretion of the second-generation implants was improved by using the Sleeping Beauty transposon gene expression technology and an improved three-dimensional internal scaffolding, resulting in production of about 10 ng NGF/device/day.

Results

All patients underwent successful implant procedures without complications, and all patients completed the study, including implant removal after 6 months. Upon removal, 13 of 16 implants released NGF, 8 implants released NGF at the same rate or higher than before the implant procedure, and 3 implants failed to release detectable amounts of NGF. Of 16 adverse events, none was NGF-, or implant-related. Changes from baseline values of cholinergic markers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) correlated with cortical nicotinic receptor expression and Mini Mental State Examination score. Levels of neurofilament light chain (NFL) protein increased in CSF after NGF-ECB implant, while glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) remained stable.

Conclusions

The data derived from this patient cohort demonstrate the safety and tolerability of sustained NGF release by a second-generation NGF-ECB implant to the basal forebrain, with uneventful surgical implant and removal of NGF-ECB implants in a new dosing cohort of four patients with AD.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01163825. Registered on 14 Jul 2010.
Memorial
Authors: Harkins Curtis P.
Published: July 2016

RALPH SEMMES JACKSON, of Beeville, Texas, died on November 1, 1963, in a Houston, Texas, hospital after an illness of five days. He underwent an operation on Monday, October 28, for the correction of a detached retina, and apparently the operation was successful. Two days later he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, and his condition remained critical until his death.
Preface
Authors: Silverman Daniel
Published: July 2016

In recent years there has been a great surge of interest in the geophysical industry in the digital processing of seismic data. This activity involves the application of statistical methods of analysis of time series. In a way it is a part of the general subject of communication theory. However, the direction this work has taken is in many respects quite divergent from communication theory as it is used in the communications industry. The divergence is so great, in fact, that if it were not for a small group of workers in this field in the early 1950's, it is doubtful whether we would today be in a position to do what is now rapidly becoming standard operating practice in the geophysical industry.
Increased mortality among people with anxiety disorders: total population study
Authors: Meier Sandra M. , Mattheisen Manuel , Mors Ole , Mortensen Preben B. , Laursen Thomas M. , Penninx Brenda W.
Published: July 2016

Background

Anxiety disorders and depression are the most common mental disorders worldwide and have a striking impact on global disease burden. Although depression has consistently been found to increase mortality; the role of anxiety disorders in predicting mortality risk is unclear.

Aims

To assess mortality risk in people with anxiety disorders.

Method

We used nationwide Danish register data to conduct a prospective cohort study with over 30 million person-years of follow-up.

Results

In total, 1066 (2.1%) people with anxiety disorders died during an average follow-up of 9.7 years. The risk of death by natural and unnatural causes was significantly higher among individuals with anxiety disorders (natural mortality rate ratio (MRR) = 1.39, 95% CI 1.28–1.51; unnatural MRR= 2.46, 95% CI 2.20–2.73) compared with the general population. Of those who died from unnatural causes, 16.5% had comorbid diagnoses of depression (MRR = 11.72, 95% CI 10.11–13.51).

Conclusions

Anxiety disorders significantly increased mortality risk. Comorbidity of anxiety disorders and depression played an important part in the increased mortality.
Surgical Management of Breast Cancer in Africa: A Continent-Wide Review of Intervention Practices, Barriers to Care, and Adjuvant Therapy
Authors: Sutter Stephanie A. , Slinker Aaron , Balumuka Deo Darius , Mitchell Katrina B.
Published: July 2016

Breast cancer has emerged as a leading cancer among women in Africa, necessitating improved understanding of its management across the continent. Although previous studies have described regional trends in therapy, this review aims to summarize continent-wide management and focus specifically on surgical interventions. Current literature shows that the rates of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy vary across different countries and institutions, indicating the need for greater use of standardized cancer treatment guidelines. Surgery, primarily modified radical mastectomy, is the most common form of therapy described. When chemotherapy is offered, the limited availability and cost of treatment lead to high rates of interruption and premature termination of cycles. Few patients have access to radiation or hormonal therapy because these treatments are not available in many countries. Significant delays in seeking treatment are common and contribute to patients presenting with advanced disease. Although limited infrastructure favors surgical management, interventions to improve early detection behavior, provide timely referrals to medical care, and initiate early treatment with access to clinically justified neo-adjuvant and adjuvant therapy are key to improving prognosis.
IMP2 axonal localization, RNA interactome, and function in the development of axon trajectories
Authors: Preitner Nicolas , Quan Jie , Li Xinmin , Nielsen Finn C. , Flanagan John G.
Published: July 2016

RNA-based regulatory mechanisms play important roles in the development and plasticity of neural circuits and neurological disease. Developing axons provide a model well suited to the study of RNA-based regulation, and contain specific subsets of mRNAs that are locally translated and have roles in axon pathfinding. However, the RNA-binding proteins involved in axon pathfinding, and their corresponding mRNA targets, are still largely unknown. Here we find that the RNA-binding protein IMP2 (Igf2bp2) is strikingly enriched in developing axon tracts, including in spinal commissural axons. We used the HITS-CLIP approach to perform a genome-wide identification of RNAs that interact directly with IMP2 in the native context of developing mouse brain. This IMP2 interactome was highly enriched for mRNA targets related to axon guidance. Accordingly, IMP2 knockdown in the developing spinal cord led to strong defects in commissural axon trajectories at the midline intermediate target. These results reveal a highly distinctive axonal enrichment of IMP2, show that it interacts with a network of axon guidance-related mRNAs, and reveal that it is required for normal axon pathfinding during vertebrate development.
Delineation of proteolytic and non-proteolytic functions of the membrane-anchored serine protease prostasin
Authors: Szabo Roman , Lantsman Taliya , Peters Diane E. , Bugge Thomas H.
Published: July 2016

The membrane-anchored serine proteases prostasin (PRSS8) and matriptase (ST14) initiate a cell surface proteolytic pathway essential for epithelial function. Mice expressing only catalytically inactive prostasin are viable, unlike prostasin null mice, indicating that at least some prostasin functions are non-proteolytic. Here we used knock-in mice expressing catalytically inactive prostasin (Prss8Ki/Ki) to show that the physiological and pathological functions of prostasin vary in their dependence on its catalytic activity. Whereas prostasin null mice exhibited partial embryonic and complete perinatal lethality, Prss8Ki/Ki mice displayed normal prenatal and postnatal survival. Unexpectedly, catalytically inactive prostasin caused embryonic lethality in mice lacking its cognate inhibitors HAI-1 (SPINT1) or HAI-2 (SPINT2). Proteolytically inactive prostasin, unlike the wild-type protease, was unable to activate matriptase during placentation. Surprisingly, all essential functions of prostasin in embryonic and postnatal development were compensated for by loss of HAI-1, indicating that prostasin is only required for mouse development and overall viability in the presence of this inhibitor. This study expands our knowledge of non-proteolytic functions of membrane-anchored serine proteases and provides unexpected new data on the mechanistic interactions between matriptase and prostasin in the context of epithelial development.
Pc-Give and David Hendry'S Econometric Methodology
Authors: Ericsson Neil R. , Campos Julia , Tran Hong-Anh
Published: July 2016

This paper summarizes David Hendry's empirical econometric methodology, unifying discussions in many of his and his co-authors' papers. Then, we describe how Hendry'S suite of computer programs PC-GIVE helps users implement that methodology. Finally, we illustrate that methodology and the programs with three empirical examples: post-war narrow money demand in the United Kingdom, nominal income determination in the United Kingdom from Friedman and Schwartz (1982), and consumers' expenditure in Venezuela. These examples help clarify the methodology'S central concepts, which include cointegration, error-correction, general-to-simple modelling, dynamic specification, model evaluation and testing, parameter constancy, and exogeneity.
Diferencias Sectoriales de Salarios Entre Trabajadores Privados Urbanos en Uruguay
Authors: Bucheli Marisa
Published: July 2016

The objective of this paper is to estimate sectorial wage differences for Uruguay (1988), controlling for individual characteristics and geographical region. The estimations were made for all the men of the private urban sector and for different occupational groups. The wage structure doesn't differ subsfantially accross those groups, but women present a differente one: segmentation between men and women seems to be important.
Co-Integração e suas Representações: Uma Resenha
Authors: Pereira Pedro L. Valls
Published: July 2016

This survey article presents some possible representations of multivariate co-integrated processes. The concept of multivariate co-integration allows the existence of linear relationship between integrated variables which has order of integration smaller than the variables that belong to this relationship. Most of the literature has studied the case in which the relationship between the variables ia a stationary variable, i.e. I(0), because, in this case, the convencional regression approach can be used. It is presented several representations of co-integrated processes, and from the econometric point of view, the most important is the Error Correction Model approach, which allows adjustment to some long-run equilibrium described by economic theory. The short-run adjustment is a "servomechanism" which econometricians are free to model pragmatically.
Tarifas e Quotas: Uma Análise com Teoria dos Jogos
Authors: Oliveira André Luís Rossi de
Published: July 2016

This paper tries to demonstrate that the traditional result of the equivalence of tariffs and quotas, as described in the theory of international trade, is no longer valid when we are in the context of finitely repeated games with average payoffs. In this way, we show that the tariffs game with average payoffs has subgame perfect equilibria on the payoffs possibilities frontier, while the only subgame perfect equilibrium of the quotas game is the repetition of the one shot Nash equilibrium. This leads us to the conclusion that, using whatever available definition, there is no equivalence of tariffs and quotas whem we think about the international trade as a finitelly repeated game with average payoffs. This result already exists in the literature for games with discounted payoffs.
Componentes Principais Estocasticamente Restritos
Authors: Boff Hugo Pedro
Published: July 2016

The main scope of this paper is to extend the Restricted Principal Camponent Analysis (ACP-R) firstly proposed by D'Ambra and Lauro (1982) and Amato (1988) to a stochastic framework. After presenting the ACP-R (Section 2), we show how the stochastic restrictions can be inserted into the classical analysis of the General Linear Madel. Theoretical and empirical matrices for stochastically restricted principal components (ACP-RA) are derived for both cases of known and unknown matrix-norm for directed projections of analytical variables on the restriction's subspace. Section 3 present applications of ACP-RA matrices for a particular structure of residual variability, namely, the autoregressive process. In Section 4 the ACP-RA approach is extended to more general structures of residual variability applied in a context of multiple restrictions' subspaces.
Análise Espectral de Séries Temporais Através de Pontos Fixos
Authors: Lopes Sílvia
Published: July 2016

This article analyzes the mixed spectrum statiemary process (...) where p is not necessarily known, A1, ... ,Ap are unknown constants, wl, ..., wp are unknown frequencies with values in (...) is a white noise process with mean O and variance (...) are independent random variables uniformly distributed in (...) and are independent of the noise processo. The goal of this paper is to estimate each discrete frequency. The estimate is obtained from a recursive method with updated parameters. The cosine of each discrete frequency is obtained as an attracting fixed point of a certain map.
O Índice de Atkinson e a Sensibilidade das medidas de Desigualdade a Transferências Regressivas
Authors: Hoffmann Rodolfo
Published: July 2016

The paper shows how to estimate the inequality within classes when computing Atkinson's index from a frequency distribution table. The sensitivity of inequality measures to regressive transfers with a given ratio between the two incomes is discussed and it is argued that this sensitivity should decrease with the income level, which is a more restrictive criteria than the one proposed by Shorrocks and Foster (1987).
Técnicas Empíricas de Decomposição: Uma Abordagem Baseada em Simulações Contrafactuais
Authors: Barros Ricardo , Jeronymo Renata , Mendonça Rosane , Pero Valéria , Santos Eleonora , Trindade Cláudia
Published: July 2016

The purpose of the paper is to describe an empirical decomposition technique. Since this technique is not based on a model but on an identify, it allows the separation of empirical investigation from a priori theoretical considerations. In particular, it makes possible to organize the empirical evidence of a given phenomenon without imposing a theoretical structure. The paper illustrates with a series of examples situations where the decomposition technique revels certain aspects that facilities the understanding of the economic problem at hard. The paper argues that the potential contribution of decomposition techniques in the economic literature has been systematically underestimated.
A Distribuição de Probabilidade dos Retornos das Ações no Brasil: Uma Abordagem Não-Paramétrica
Authors: Delgado Sylvia
Published: July 2016

In this paper we estimate the probability distribution function of the daily return on stock of four Brazilian companies, using a non-parametric method, namely, the kernel estimator. Besides, as a comparison, we have performed three normality tests: Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Chi-Square and Jarque-Bera. We have concluded that the density function of the return of Eletrobras, Petrobras, Paranapanema and Telebras cannot be considered normally distributed.
Uma Metodologia Geral dara Corrigir Distribuições de Estatísticas
Authors: Cordeiro Gauss M. , Ferrari Silvia L. P.
Published: July 2016

The object of this paper is to show that for any test statistic satisfying fairly general regularity conditions, we can easily construct an adjusted statistic which has the same distribuition to arder O(n-1) of an arbitrary first-order approximating distribution, where n is the sample size. This paper extends the result of the c1osely related paper by Cordeiro and Ferrari (1991) to cape with several other important tests in Econometrics.
Profit Sharing With Heterogeneous Entrepreneurial Prowess
Authors: Cardoso Renato Fragelli
Published: July 2016

This paper analyses the impact of the compulsory adoption of profit sharing on the incentives that individuals face to set up their own business. It presents a model of capital accumulation in which individuals are equally skilled to be workers but differ in their abilities to manage a firm. It is shown that the mandatory imposition of profit sharing can inhibit entrepreneurial initiatives, reducing the number of firms in operation, the aggregate output and the economy's long run capital stock. It is also shown an example where, despite its deleterious consequences. mandatory profit sharing could be introduced in a democratic society if this choice were put to vote.
Política Ambiental: A Utilização de Taxas Pigouvianas no Caso Dinâmico
Authors: Ramos Francisco S. , Tulkens Henry
Published: July 2016

The adoption of instruments of environmental policy (to correct the problems posed by pollution) is approached generally in a static context. The objective is normally to find out the optimal level of a control variable. If this variable is represented by taxes, firms face additional costs, and can be forced to go out from the market. However, given that relative prices of inputs change, it is expected that occurs a process of substitution. In this paper, the objective is the determination of a dynamic process that, through a succession of feasible states to the economy, can bring it from an inefficient situation to an optimum state. To do this, Pigovian taxes are used.
Remarks Concerning Graphical Models for Time Series and Point Processes
Authors: Brillinger David R.
Published: July 2016

A statistical network is a collection of nodes representing random variables and a set of edges that connect the nodes. A probabilistic model for such is called a graphical modeL These models, graphs and networks are particularly useful for examining statistical dependencies based on conditioning as often occurs in economics and statistics. In this paper the nodal random variables will be time series or point processes. The cases of undirected and directed graphs are focussed on.
Educação, Investimentos Externos e Crescimento Econômico: Evidências Empíricas
Authors: Issler João Victor , Gonzaga Gustavo M. , Marone Guilherme C.
Published: July 2016

Using a sensible permanent/transitory decomposition of private output, consumption, and gross investment, we calculate potential output for the Brazilian economy and show that permanent shocks explain almost 100% of the variation of private GDP. We then investigate if potential output has a long-run relationship with the number of years of schooling of the Brazilian labor force, the illiteracy rate of Brazilian labor force, and with direct foreign investment in Brazil. In all three cases we found non-trivial long-run elasticities. Examining the exogeneity status of these variables, jointly with potential output, shows that the latter is strongly exogenous in the sense of Engle, Hendry, and Richard (1983). Policy issues are then discussed.
A Random Coefficient Var Transition Model of the Changes in Land Use in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Andersen Lykke E. , Granger Clive W.J. , Reis Eustáquio J.
Published: July 2016

This paper shows how a VAR transition model can be estimated from panel data, taking into account that the transition coefficients may not be identical across regions. The method is applied to a model of dynamic land use changes in Brazil's Amazon region. The model is intended to shed light on the deforestation process in the world's largest remaining rain forest.
Um Modelo para a Previsão Conjunta do PIB, Inflação e Liquidez
Authors: Moreira Ajax R. Bello , Fiorencio Antonio , Lopes Hedibert Freitas
Published: July 2016

This paper analyses an empirical relationship between Brazilian GNP, inflation and liquidity using structural VEC models. The main points of the paper are the following. First, we started from a relatively large set of possible liquidity indicators and searched for the most parsimonious representation in this set. We split the model into a marginal and a conditional block, using the Granger causality test for integrated variables as the separating criterium. This resulted in a marginal and a conditional model. Secondly, we estimated the marginal model in its VEC representation and could not reject the hypothesis that the marginal model has three common trends. One identifYing criterium of the model is the separation between the shocks that have permanent effects and the ones that only have transitory effects. Thirdly, we used additional restrictions, to identify the structural model and to interpret each permanent shock as an exogenous change in economic policy. We identified a real interest shock, an inflationary shock and a real shock. Finally, we show the impulseresponse functions to the identified permanent shocks.
Integração, Crescimento E Bem-Estar
Authors: Silva Marcelo Leite de Moura e , Ferreira Pedro Cavalcanti
Published: July 2016

We present a model of growth for the case of two economies with integrated markets and where transportation costs in the form of iceberg costs are imposed. These costs will have negative impact on growth rates after integration, but will play a key role, together with scale factors, on the location of the firms of the intermediate sector. It is shown, however, that the final effect of the integration of markets over growth rates is positive, because of the increase in the number of intermediate factors available and the increase in the size of markets. The welfare effect of integration is ambiguous. It will depend on discount rates and the level of per capita consumption right after integration, which is a function of the endowments of each country. A simulation of the model for the case of Argentina and Brazil ís also presented.
The Demand and Supply of Money Under High Inflation: Brazil 1974-1994
Authors: Tourinho Octávio A. F .
Published: July 2016

A specification for the demand for money in economies where inflation is high and stochastic is presented. It uses a generalized functional form and includes the variance of the inflation rate as an explanatory variable, and is estimated for Brazil in the period 1974-1994 under the assumption that the monetary policy is passive and that expectations are adaptive. The supply of money is then specified as a generalization to a stochastic environment of the rule proposed by Cagan (1956). The money demand and supply equations are then estimated simultaneously, under rational expectations, by using the Johansen (1991) VEC procedure and interpreting the two cointegrating vectors which arise as the supply and demand equations. The restrictions suggested by the hypothesized theoretical models for the money market equilibrium in high inflation processes are tested and accepted for this data.
Time-Series Properties and Empirical Evidence of Growth and Infrastructure
Authors: Issler João Victor , Ferreira Pedro Cavalcanti
Published: July 2016

After more than forty years studying growth, there are two classes of growth models that have emerged: exogenous and endogenous growth models. Since both try to mimic the same set of long-run stylized facts, they are observationally equivalent in some respects. Our goals in this paper are twofold. First, we discuss the time-series properties of growth models in a way that is useful for assessing their fit to the data. Second, we investigate whether these two models successfully conform to post-war U.S. data. We use cointegration techniques to estimate and test long-run capital elasticities, exogeneity tests to investigate the exogeneity status of TFP, and Granger-causality tests to examine temporal precedence of TFP with respect to infrastructure expenditures. The empirical evidence is robust in confirming the existence of a unity long-run capital elasticity. The analysis of TFP reveals that it is not weakly exogenous in the exogenous growth model. Granger-causality test results show unequivocally that there is no evidence that TFP for both models precede infrastructure expenditures not being preceded by it. On the contrary, we find some evidence that infrastructure investment precedes TFP. Our estimated impact of infrastructure on TFP lay roughly in the interval (0.19, 0.27).
Risk Aversion and Optimal Trade Dependency
Authors: Cabral Celia C.
Published: July 2016

This paper shows that a highly indebted country's (HIC) optimal dependency on international trade depends on the country's degree of risk aversion. Risk aversion affects optimal trade dependency directly through consumption smoothing across different states of the world (intratemporally) and indirectly through consumption smoothing across different time periods (intertemporally). When the probability of default is high (low) and the interest rate on consumption borrowing is large (small) relatively to the discount rate, optimal openness to international trade increases (decreases) with risk aversion while optimal consumption borrowing decreases (increases). Otherwise, results are uncertain.
Robust Estimation for ARCH Models
Authors: Mendes Beatriz Vaz de Melo , Júnior Antonio Marcos Duarte
Published: July 2016

This article introduces the class of the constrained M-estimators for ARCH models. The new estimators are defined based on the minimization of a bounded function of the squared residuals standardized by a robust scale. Their robustness and efficiency properties are derived. Using Monte Carlo experiments, it is shown that under small percentages of contaminations the robust estimates are still able to capture the dynamics of the process. The robust procedure is used to estimate the volatility of four Brazilian financial series.
THE SLIPPERY SLOPE: EXPLAINING THE INCREASE IN EXTREME POVERTY IN URBAN BRAZIL, 1976-1996
Authors: Ferreira Francisco H. G. , Barros Ricardo Paes de
Published: July 2016

Despite tremendous macroeconomic instability, Brazil's urban income distributions in 1976 and 1996 appear, at first glance , deceptively similar. Mean household income per capita was stagnant, with a minute accumulated grovrth of 4.3% over the two decades. The Gini coefficient hovered just above 0.59 in both years, and poverty incidence (with respect to a poverty line of R$60/month in 1996 prices) was effectively unch anged at 22%. Yet, behind this apparent stability, a powerful combination of labour market, demographic and educational dynamics were at work, one effect of which was to generate a substantial increase in extreme urban poverty. Using a micro-simulation-based decomposition methodology which endogenizes labor incomes, individual occupational choices and education decisions, we show that the distribution of incomes was being affected, on the one hand, by a decline in average returns to both education and experience, a negative 'growth' effect and immiserizing changes in the structure of o ccupations and labor force participation (all of which tended to increase poverty) , and on the other hand by an increase in educational endowments across the distribution, and a progressive reduction in dependency ratios (both of which tended to reduce poverty). The net effect was small (and negative) for overall measured inequality, and negligible for poverty incidence with respect to 'high' poverty lines. But it was substantially positive (increasing) for extreme poverty, suggesting the creation of a group of urban households excluded from any labour market, and trapped in indigence.
DETERMINAÇÃO DE SALÁRIOS NO BRASIL: DUALIDADE OU NÃO-LINEARIDADE NO RETORNO À EDUCAÇÃO?
Authors: Soares Rodrigo Reis , Gonzaga Gustavo
Published: July 2016

The objective of this paper is to test the existence of duality in the Brazilian labor market. The method af analysis is to evaluate to what extent one can observe wage differences among workers that are not explained by differences in their productive skil1s. Data from the annual Brazilian household survey (Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios - IBGE) from 1988 are analyzed according to the methodology proposed by Dickens and Lang (1985 and 1992), that endogenously determines the dual sectors based on a switching-regression model. The results suggest that there is no dualíty in the Brazilian labor market. Although the dual model does a better job in explaining wages than a linear competitive model, its performance is inferior to a competitive model with nonlinear returns to education. The evidence supports the idea that education is the main determinant of access to good jobs in Brazil.
SUSTAINABLE CLUBS UNDER VARIABLE PARTICIPATION
Authors: Menezes Flavio M. , Silva Emilson C. D.
Published: July 2016

In this paper we examine a two-period static club economy where individuals of distinct types decide whether or not to subscribe to clubs at each period. We show that neither facility sizes nor consumption group sizes are affected by variable participation rates because all individuals agree over the benefits of club quality. Variable participation rates and identical preferences for club quality, however, require the coexistence of part-time and full-time clubs. With an example, we show that the full-time clubs of the standard multiple-visit club model may not be sustainable.
Global Price Caps and the Regulation of Access
Authors: Laffont Jean-Jacques , Tirole Jean
Published: July 2016

It is generally agreed that an intelligent interconnection policy is the key to an harmonious development of competition in the telecommunications industry. The paper first warns against some hazards associated with the dominant regulatory paradigms. By treating retail and wholesale prices asymmetrically, these paradigms may distort the structure of relative prices. They may further provide incumbents with incentives to exclude and to cross-subsidize. These perverse incentives generate a legitimate suspicion and lead regulators or courts to substitute their judgment fot the operators' business judgment. Second, the paper explains the intellectual underpinnings of an alternative mode of regulation, which consists in putting the operator's retail and wholesale activities into a single basket and thus in subjecting the firm to a global price cap. It provides an extensive discussion of the costs and benefits of global price caps, and shows that they do not distort the structure of retail and wholesale prices. Last, global price caps eliminate or substantially reduce the incentives for exclusionary behaviors and cross-subsidies, and thus allow a light-handed regulation.
The Political Economy of Non Convergence
Authors: Kanczuk Fabio
Published: July 2016

I analyze the joint dynamics of distortionary taxation and economic growth in an environment where taxes are set by self-interested kleptocratic politicians competing for electoral success. The incumbent's incentive to appropriate resources is tempered by a desire to get reelected which would allow him to steal in future periods. Weak electoral control (or high agency costs) is consistent with "distortion-liberalization cycles" - oscillatory movements in economic activity - and also with endogenous "political risk", which reduces private investment. Agency costs can therefore account for permanent differences in international growth rates and for the phenomenon of conditional "non-convergence".
Cycles, Steady States and Sunspot Equilibrium in Models with Memory
Authors: Maldonado Wilfredo Leiva
Published: July 2016

In this paper I provide necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of Markovian sunspot equilibrium around a cycle or multiple steady states in models with lagged variables. These conditions are numerically tested in three endogenous growth models and it is shown the non-existence of these stochastic equilibria in a neighborhood of the cycle or multiple steady states.
Estimating Relative Risk Aversion, the Discount Rate, and the Intertemporal Elasticity of Substitution in Consumption for Brazil Using Three Types of Utility Function
Authors: Issler João Victor , Piqueira Natalia Scotto
Published: July 2016

Using the generalized method of moments, we estimate structural parameters related to relative-risk aversion, the discount rate of future utility, and the intertemporal elasticity of substitution in consumption for the Brazilian economy. Estimates are provided for three types of utility function based on the consumption capital asset pricing model: constant relative risk aversion utility, utility with external habit, and Kreps-Porteus utility. These results are analyzed and then compared to previous results using Brazilian and U.S. data. Moreover, we perform over-identifying restrictions tests of all estimated models to investigate the possible existence of the equity premium puzzle in Brazil. The overall results show that Brazilian consumers have a relatively high discount rate, a low intertemporal elasticity of substitution, and a high relative risk aversion coefficient. Also, there is no evidence of the existence of the equity premium puzzle in Brazil.