bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GLUT4 Recycles via atrans-Golgi Network (TGN) Subdomain Enriched in Syntaxins 6 and 16 But Not TGN38: Involvement of an Acidic Targeting Motif
Authors: Shewan Annette M. , van Dam Ellen M. , Martin Sally , Luen Tang Bor , Hong Wanjin , Bryant Nia J. , James David E.
Published: March 2003

Insulin stimulates glucose transport in fat and muscle cells by triggering exocytosis of the glucose transporter GLUT4. To define the intracellular trafficking of GLUT4, we have studied the internalization of an epitope-tagged version of GLUT4 from the cell surface. GLUT4 rapidly traversed the endosomal system en route to a perinuclear location. This perinuclear GLUT4 compartment did not colocalize with endosomal markers (endosomal antigen 1 protein, transferrin) or TGN38, but showed significant overlap with the TGN target (t)-solubleN-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) Syntaxins 6 and 16. These results were confirmed by vesicle immunoisolation. Consistent with a role for Syntaxins 6 and 16 in GLUT4 trafficking we found that their expression was up-regulated significantly during adipocyte differentiation and insulin stimulated their movement to the cell surface. GLUT4 trafficking between endosomes and trans-Golgi network was regulated via an acidic targeting motif in the carboxy terminus of GLUT4, because a mutant lacking this motif was retained in endosomes. We conclude that GLUT4 is rapidly transported from the cell surface to a subdomain of thetrans-Golgi network that is enriched in the t-SNAREs Syntaxins 6 and 16 and that an acidic targeting motif in the C-terminal tail of GLUT4 plays an important role in this process.
Myo3A, One of Two Class III Myosin Genes Expressed in Vertebrate Retina, Is Localized to the Calycal Processes of Rod and Cone Photoreceptors and Is Expressed in the Sacculus
Authors: Dosé Andréa C. , Hillman David W. , Wong Cynthia , Sohlberg Lorraine , Lin-Jones Jennifer , Burnside Beth
Published: March 2003

The striped bass has two retina-expressed class III myosin genes, each composed of a kinase, motor, and tail domain. We report the cloning, sequence analysis, and expression patterns of the long (Myo3A) and short (Myo3B) class III myosins, as well as cellular localization and biochemical characterization of the long isoform, Myo3A. Myo3A (209 kDa) is expressed in the retina, brain, testis, and sacculus, and Myo3B (155 kDa) is expressed in the retina, intestine, and testis. The tails of these two isoforms contain two highly conserved domains, 3THDI and 3THDII. Whereas Myo3B has three IQ motifs, Myo3A has nine IQ motifs, four in its neck and five in its tail domain. Myo3A localizes to actin filament bundles of photoreceptors and is concentrated in the calycal processes. An anti-Myo3A antibody decorates the actin cytoskeleton of rod inner/outer segments, and this labeling is reduced by the presence of ATP. The ATP-sensitive actin association is a feature characteristic of myosin motors. The numerous IQ motifs may play a structural or signaling role in the Myo3A, and its localization to calycal processes indicates that this myosin mediates a local function at this site in vertebrate photoreceptors.
Roles of NUDE and NUDF Proteins ofAspergillus nidulans: Insights from Intracellular Localization and Overexpression Effects
Authors: Efimov Vladimir P.
Published: March 2003

The NUDF protein of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans functions in the cytoplasmic dynein pathway. It binds several proteins, including the NUDE protein. Green fluorescent protein-tagged NUDF and NUDA (dynein heavy chain) localize to linearly moving dashes (“comets”) that coincide with microtubule ends. Herein, deletion of the nudE gene did not eliminate the comets of NUDF and NUDA, but affected the behavior of NUDA. Comets were also observed with the green fluorescent protein-tagged NUDE and its nonfunctional C-terminal domain. In addition, overexpressed NUDA and NUDE accumulated in specks that were either immobile or bounced randomly. Neither comets nor specks were observed with the functional N-terminal domain of NUDE, indicating that these structures are not essential for NUDE function. Furthermore, NUDF overproduction totally suppressed deletion of the nudEgene. This implies that the function of NUDE is secondary to that of NUDF. Unexpectedly, NUDF overproduction inhibited one conditionalnudA mutant and all tested apsA mutants. An allele-specific interaction between the nudF andnudA genes is consistent with a direct interaction between NUDF and dynein heavy chain. Because APSA and its yeast homolog Num1p are cortical proteins, an interaction between thenudF and apsA genes suggests a role for NUDF at the cell cortex.
Analysis of Na+,K+-ATPase Motion and Incorporation into the Plasma Membrane in Response to G Protein–coupled Receptor Signals in Living Cells
Authors: Bertorello Alejandro M. , Komarova Yulia , Smith Kristen , Leibiger Ingo B. , Efendiev Riad , Pedemonte Carlos H. , Borisy Gary , Sznajder Jacob I.
Published: March 2003

Dopamine (DA) increases Na+,K+-ATPase activity in lung alveolar epithelial cells. This effect is associated with an increase in Na+,K+-ATPase molecules within the plasma membrane ( Ridge et al., 2002 ). Analysis of Na+,K+-ATPase motion was performed in real-time in alveolar cells stably expressing Na+,K+-ATPase molecules carrying a fluorescent tag (green fluorescent protein) in the α-subunit. The data demonstrate a distinct (random walk) pattern of basal movement of Na+,K+-ATPase–containing vesicles in nontreated cells. DA increased the directional movement (by 3.5 fold) of the vesicles and an increase in their velocity (by 25%) that consequently promoted the incorporation of vesicles into the plasma membrane. The movement of Na+,K+-ATPase–containing vesicles and incorporation into the plasma membrane were microtubule dependent, and disruption of this network perturbed vesicle motion toward the plasma membrane and prevented the increase in the Na+,K+-ATPase activity induced by DA. Thus, recruitment of new Na+,K+-ATPase molecules into the plasma membrane appears to be a major mechanism by which dopamine increases total cell Na+,K+-ATPase activity.
Mechanism of a Transcriptional Cross Talk between Transforming Growth Factor-β–regulated Smad3 and Smad4 Proteins and Orphan Nuclear Receptor Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor-4
Authors: Chou Wan-Chih , Prokova Vassiliki , Shiraishi Keiko , Valcourt Ulrich , Moustakas Aristidis , Hadzopoulou-Cladaras Margarita , Zannis Vassilis I. , Kardassis Dimitris
Published: March 2003

We have shown previously that the transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ)-regulated Sma-Mad (Smad) protein 3 and Smad4 proteins transactivate the apolipoprotein C-III promoter in hepatic cells via a hormone response element that binds the nuclear receptor hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 (HNF-4). In the present study, we show that Smad3 and Smad4 but not Smad2 physically interact with HNF-4 via their Mad homology 1 domains both in vitro and in vivo.The synergistic transactivation of target promoters by Smads and HNF-4 was shown to depend on the specific promoter context and did not require an intact β-hairpin/DNA binding domain of the Smads. Using glutathione S-transferase interaction assays, we established that two regions of HNF-4, the N-terminal activation function 1 (AF-1) domain (aa 1–24) and the C-terminal F domain (aa 388–455) can mediate physical Smad3/HNF-4 interactions in vitro. In vivo, Smad3 and Smad4 proteins enhanced the transactivation function of various GAL4-HNF-4 fusion proteins via the AF-1 and the adjacent DNA binding domain, whereas a single tyrosine to alanine substitution in AF-1 abolished coactivation by Smads. The findings suggest that the transcriptional cross talk between the TGFβ-regulated Smads and HNF-4 is mediated by specific functional domains in the two types of transcription factors. Furthermore, the specificity of this interaction for certain target promoters may play an important role in various hepatocyte functions, which are regulated by TGFβ and the Smads.
Organization and Dynamics of Growing Microtubule Plus Ends during Early Mitosis
Authors: Piehl Michelle , Cassimeris Lynne
Published: March 2003

A stable cell line expressing EB1-green fluorescent protein was used to image growing microtubule plus ends at the G2/M transition. By late prophase growing ends no longer extend to the cell periphery and were not uniformly distributed around each centrosome. Growing ends were much more abundant in the area surrounding the nuclear envelope, and microtubules growing around the nucleus were 1.5 fold longer than those growing in the opposite direction. The growth of longer ends toward the nucleus did not result from a localized faster growth rate, because this rate was ∼11 μm/min in all directions from the centrosome. Rather, microtubule ends growing toward the nucleus seemed stabilized by dynein/dynactin associated with the nuclear envelope. Injection of p50 into late prophase cells removed dynein from the nuclear envelope, reduced the density of growing ends near the nuclear envelope and resulted in a uniform distribution of growing ends from each centrosome. We suggest that the cell cycle-dependent binding of dynein/dynactin to the nuclear envelope locally stabilizes growing microtubules. Both dynein and microtubules would then be in a position to participate in nuclear envelope breakdown, as described in recent studies.
Human Acyl-Coenzyme A:Cholesterol Acyltransferase Expressed in Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells: Membrane Topology and Active Site Location
Authors: Lin Song , Lu Xiaohui , Chang Catherine C.Y. , Chang Ta-Yuan
Published: March 2003

Acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) is a membrane-bound enzyme that produces cholesteryl esters intracellularly. Two ACAT genes (ACAT1 and ACAT2) have been identified. The expression of ACAT1 is ubiquitous, whereas that of ACAT2 is tissue restricted. Previous research indicates that ACAT1 may contain seven transmembrane domains (TMDs). To study ACAT2 topology, we inserted two different antigenic tags (hemagglutinin, monoclonal antibody Mab1) at various hydrophilic regions flanking each of its predicted TMDs, and expressed the recombinant proteins in mutant Chinese hamster ovary cells lacking endogenous ACAT. Each tagged ACAT2 was expressed in the endoplasmic reticulum as a single undegraded protein band and was at least partially active enzymatically. We then used cytoimmunofluorescence and protease protection assays to monitor the sidedness of the hemagglutinin and Mab1 tags along the ER membranes. The results indicated that ACAT2 contains only two detectable TMDs, located near the N terminal region. We also show that a conserved serine (S245), a candidate active site residue, is not essential for ACAT catalysis. Instead, a conserved histidine (H434) present within a hydrophobic peptide segment, may be essential for ACAT catalysis. H434 may be located at the cytoplasmic side of the membrane.
An XML infrastructure for archives, libraries and museums: resource discovery in the COVAX project
Authors: Yeates Robin
Published: March 2003

Although the idea of collaborative distributed resource discovery systems in libraries, museums and archives is not new, XML (extensible markup language) offers a new technical basis for development. Contemporary Culture Virtual Archive in XML (COVAX) is a project that has used XML to build ‘’middleware” that enables integrated searches via the Web for materials held in libraries, archives and museums, including electronic resources. Materials described in so‐called legacy systems have been converted to XML formats, using publicly available standards, including MARC, EAD (Encoded Archival Description), Amico‐2‐in‐1 and TEI (Text Encoding Initiative). A metasearch engine has been developed to allow searching of distributed repositories that store records in native XML format collections using database products such as TEXTML or TAMINO. Benefits and disadvantages of XML technology are discussed and the COVAX architecture and end‐user prototype solution are described.
Strategic positioning of the Web in a multi‐channel market approach
Authors: Simons Luuk P.A. , Steinfield Charles , Bouwman Harry
Published: March 2003

Firms often perceive the Web as a threat for their physical channel assets. However, it is becoming clear that synergies can be obtained between electronic and physical channels. Characteristics of “information economics” (i.e. low reproduction costs and strong scale advantages) in combination with channel economics can help explain how electronic channels are taking up some of the functions traditionally performed through physical channels. Two processes in which channel restructuring is most apparent are: sales (including pre/after‐sales support, financing, etc.) and physical distribution (including product returns, installation, etc.). Our case study analysis shows that channels have different strengths depending on the type of customer interaction.
CEO pay, firm size, and corporate performance: evidence from Canada
Authors: Zhou Xianming
Published: March 2003

Executive compensation of 755 Canadian firms is examined over the period 1991–95, and evidence is obtained consistent with previous studies: CEO pay rises with firm size and compensation is tied to company performance. In addition, executives in utilities earn lower pay, and their compensation is less responsive to performance, than is true for their counterparts in other industries. Some novel findings are also documented. First, the sales elasticity of CEO compensation is greater in larger firms. Second, while CEO turnover probability is generally negatively related to the firm's stock performance, the threat of dismissal appear to be less pronounced in small firms. JEL Classification: G35, J33

Salaire des PDG, taille de l'entreprise et performance des sociétés: résultats pour le Canada. En étudiant le salaire des PDG de 755 entreprises canadiennes au cours de la période 1991–95, l'auteur confirme certains résultats d'études antérieures: le salaire du PDG croît avec la taille de l'entreprise, et il est liéà la performance de l'entreprise. Il appert aussi que les cadres dans les entreprises de service public gagnent moins relativement parlant, et que leur salaire est moins sensible aux écarts de performance que dans les autres secteurs. On met aussi à jour certains résultats inédits. D'abord, il semble que l'élasticité du salaire du PDG par rapport au niveau des ventes est plus forte dans les plus grandes entreprises. Ensuite, alors que la probabilité de roulement est en général co‐reliée négativement à la performance des actions en bourse de l'entreprise, la menace de renvoi semble moins prononcée dans les petites entreprises.
On estimating the option value of preserving a wilderness area
Authors: Forsyth Margaret
Published: March 2003

In this paper option pricing theory is used to analyse whether or not to preserve a wilderness area. A numerical approach is demonstrated that can be applied to any generalized stochastic process. The impact of assuming that amenity value follows a logistic process, rather than geometric Brownian motion, is considered. The calculation of critical levels for amenity value necessary to justify preserving a wilderness area such as the Killarney Provincial Park in Ontario or the Headwaters Forest in California is demonstrated. The impact of changing the assumed growth and volatility of amenity value is also examined. JEL Classifcation: D81 Q26

Ce mémoire utilise la théorie de la tarification d'une option pour analyser si on doit préserver un espace naturel. On utilise une approche numérique qui peut être appliquée à tout processus stochastique généralisé. On examine l'impact de possibilités que le profil de la valeur de la ressource dans la temps suive un processus logistique plutôt qu'un pattern géométrique de type Brownien. Le texte montre le calcul des niveaux critiques de la valeur de la ressource qui seraient nécessaires pour justifier la préservation d'une espace naturel comme le parc provincial Killarney en Ontario ou les forêts Headwaters en Californie. L'impact de postulats différents quant à la croissance et à la volatilité de la valeur de la ressource est examiné.
Employment and child‐care choices in Canada and the United States
Authors: Michalopoulos Charles , Robins Philip K.
Published: March 2003

In this paper we examine employment and child‐care choices of two‐parent families with young children in the United States and Canada, using a pooled data set based on recent national surveys in each country. We find that the employment and child‐care choices of Canadian families are similar to those of U.S. families. Estimates of a model of employment and child‐care choices indicate significant effects of child‐care subsidies, child‐care prices, and wage rates on employment and child‐care choices. However, none of these factors helps to explain the differences in employment and child‐care choices between the two countries.

Ce mémoire examine le choix de l'emploi et du soin des enfants dans les familles où il y deux parents aux Etats‐Unis et au Canada en utilisant des données d'études récentes dans les deux pays. Il appert que les choix des familles canadiennes sont semblables à ceux des familles américaines. Les calibrations d'un modèle de ces choix montrent les effets significatifs des subventions au soin des enfants, du prix des soins des enfants, et des taux de salaires sur ces choix. Cependant, aucun de ces facteurs n'explique les diffrences dans les patterns de choix entre les deux pays.
Renewable resource management with environmental prediction
Authors: Costello Christopher , Polasky Stephen , Solow Andrew
Published: March 2003

Variations in environmental conditions affect renewable resource growth. The ability to predict such variations is improving, providing scope for improved management. We generalize a common stochastic stock recruitment model to explore how optimal management changes with environmental prediction. We obtain three main results. First, while it might seem that a prediction of adverse future conditions should lead to more conservative management, the opposite may be true. Second, optimal management requires only a one‐period‐ahead forecast, suggesting forecast accuracy is more important than forecast lead time. Finally, we derive conditions on environmental fluctuations guaranteeing positive optimal harvest in every period.

Gestion d'une ressource renouvelable quand on prédit les conditions futures de l'environnement. Les variations dans les conditions de l'environnement affectent la croissance de la ressource renouvelable. La capacitéà prévoir ces variations s'améliore et ouvre la possibilité d'améliorer la gestion de la ressource. Les auteurs utilisent un modèle de ressource renouvelable avec croissance stochastique et obtiennent trois résultats. D'abord, alors qu'il peut sembler que des prévisions pessimistes de conditions difficiles dans l'avenir peuvent conduire à une gestion plus conservatrice, le contraire peut être vrai. Ensuite, la gestion optimale requiert seulement une prédiction pour la prochaine période: voilà qui suggère qu'il est plus important d'avoir une prévision exacte que d'avoir des prévisions à plus long terme. Enfin, on développe les conditions pour les fluctuations de l'environnement qui garantissent une récolte positive optimale à chaque période.
Price discrimination and quality improvement
Authors: Glass Amy Jocelyn
Published: March 2003

This paper models quality improvements when multiple quality levels can sell, owing to differences in consumers' valuations of quality improvements. Firms can collude to price discriminate, so that consumers with high valuations pay a price premium, while others receive a quality level below the highest available. Imposing minimum quality standards or price ceilings can ensure that only the highest quality level of each product is sold. Such intervention reduces the quality‐adjusted price paid by consumers but also reduces the incentives for firms to innovate. When enough consumers have high valuations, such intervention must be welfare reducing, owing to reduced innovation. JEL Classification: O31, L16

Discrimination par les prix et amélioration de la qualité. Ce mémoire présente un modèle d'amélioration de la qualité quand on peut vendre des produits à divers niveaux de qualitéà cause des différences dans les évaluations d'amélioration de qualité par les consommateurs. Les entreprises peuvent entrer en collusion pour faire de la discrimination par les prix de manière à ce que les consommateurs qui apprécient davantage la qualité paient une prime pendant que les autres consommateurs reçoivent une qualité au‐dessous de ce qui est la meilleure qualité disponible. Si on impose des normes de qualité minimale ou des plafonds aux prix, on peut s'assurer que seuls les produits de la plus haute qualité seront vendus. De telles interventions réduisent le niveau de prix ajusté pour la qualité payé par les consommateurs, mais réduisent aussi les incitations des entreprises à innover. Quand un nombre suffisant de consommateurs apprécient beaucoup la qualité, de telles interventions peuvent réduire le niveau de bien‐être à cause des innovations moins importantes.
Does trade liberalization harm the environment? A new test
Authors: Dean Judith M.
Published: March 2003

Some believe that relatively lenient environmental standards give developing countries a comparative advantage in pollution–intensive goods. Thus, freer trade will harm their environment. This paper brings together the literature on openness and growth, and on the environmental Kuznet’s curve, to demonstrate that the opposite may be true. A simultaneous–equations system is derived which incorporates multiple effects of trade liberalization on the environment. Estimation using pooled provincial data on Chinese water pollution, suggests that freer trade aggravates environmental damage via the terms of trade, but mitigates it via income growth. Simulations suggest that the net effect in China was beneficial. JEL Classification: Fl3, Q28, 0l9

Est–ce que la libéralisation du commerce est nuisible pour l’environnement? Un nouveau test. Certains croient que des normes environnementales relativement peu contraignantes donnent un avantage comparatif aux pays en voie de développement dans la production de biens qui polluent intensivement. Donc, un commerce plus libre contribuera à nuire à l’environnement. Ce mémoire synthétise la littérature spécialisée sur l’ouverture des marchés et la croissance, ainsi que sur la courbe de Kuznets, pour montrer que l’inverse est vrai. On dérive un système d’équations simultanées qui incorpore les multiples effets de la libéralisation du commerce sur l’environnement. La calibration de ce système, en utilisant de manière intégrée les données provinciales de pollution de l’eau en Chine, suggère qu’un commerce plus libre aggrave l’état de l’environnement par le truchement du jeu des termes d’échange, mais que cet effet est mitigé par l’effet de croissance des revenus. Des simulations suggèrent que l’effet net en Chine est positif.
Local Preferences for Economic Development Outcomes: Analytical Hierarchy Procedure
Authors: Cox Anna M. , Alwang Jeffrey , Johnson Thomas G.
Published: March 2003

Governments frequently formulate policies designed to stimulate regional economic development. Rarely, however, are efforts made to measure local preferences for economic development outcomes. While the political process should eventually sort out how well local governments are meeting the needs of their constituents, the irreversible nature of many development outcomes makes it preferable to incorporate local preferences directly into the decision making process. This paper presents a straightforward means of measuring preference trade‐offs. The analytical hierarchy procedure is applied to local economic development outcomes in three Virginia counties and is shown to improve the targeting of industries by incorporating local preferences in the targeting process. The method has wide applicability for different development decisions.
Endogenous Processes in European Regional Growth: Convergence and Policy
Authors: Cheshire Paul , Magrini Stefano
Published: March 2003

The traditional empirical approaches to the analysis of economic growth,cross‐section and panel data regressions are substantially uninformative withrespect to the issue of convergence. Whether national or regional economies appear to converge in terms of per capita income or productivity levels (the so‐called β‐convergence) critically depends on the way in which the empirical model is specified. Traditional specifications witness a disproportionate presence of proxies for forces leading towards divergence among the conditioning variables. It is therefore hardly surprising that these analyses find a positive and statistically significant value for the estimate of the speed of convergence.

A more constructive use of cross‐section and panel data regressions is in the analysis of the determinants of growth. The present paper therefore builds on recent work on the role of different growth determinants (Cheshire and Carbonaro 1996) and analyses the growth performance of 122 Functional Urban Regions (FURs)over the period 1978–1994. This model explicitly recognizes growth as amultivariate process. In this new formulation it incorporates a spatialized adaptation of Romer's endogenous growth model (Romer 1990), developing the work of Magrini (Magrini 1997). Magrini's model originated from the view that technological knowledge has a very important tacit component that has been neglected in formal theories of endogenous growth. This tacit component, being the non‐written personal heritage of individuals or groups, is naturally concentrated in space. As a result, technological change is profoundly influenced by the interaction between firms and their local environments.

The present paper reports the results of the estimation of a fully specified model of regional growth in per capita income. Particular attention is played to the role of research and development (R&D) activities, and to the influence of factors such as Universities that shape the local environments and have important policy implications.

These results are then applied to quantifying the scope for policy to influence the growth process. Several simulations are presented deriving alternative growth outcomes across European regions that would have been obtained if those variables over which policy might have control—including the contribution of human capital—had had alternative values reflecting the realistic scope of policy makers' influence. The implications for convergence/divergence in regional per capita income levels are then analyzed using a Markov chain approach (Quah 1993 and 1996; Magrini 1999).
Evolutionary Economic Theories of Sustainable Development
Authors: Mulder Peter , Van Den Bergh Jeroen C.J.M.
Published: March 2003

Sustainable development has become the dominant concept in the study of interactions between the economy and the biophysical environment, as well as a generally accepted goal of environmental policy. So far, economists have predominantly applied standard or neo‐classical theory to environmental economic problems. In this article it will be argued that to fully understand a transformation of the economic system towards sustainability, standard environmental economics needs to be complemented by an evolutionary approach, that focuses the attention on irreversible, path‐dependent change and long‐run mutual selection of environmental and economic processes and systems. The article provides an overview of the main existing evolutionary contributions to environmental economics. Furthermore, a number of research directions of an evolutionary approach in environmental economics are discussed. It is suggested that such an approach should go beyond evolutionary theories of technical change, which dominate evolutionary economics so far, by including co‐evolution of economy and environment, sustainable consumption, endogenous preference change, and climate change modeling.
The Impact of Tax Incentives: Do Initial Economic Conditions Matter?
Authors: Goss Ernest P. , Phillips Joseph M.
Published: March 2003

Do the returns to business tax incentives differ according to the initial economic conditions of the area providing tax relief? Past research studies have provided conflicting answers to this question. Bartik (1991) concluded that rates of return to business tax incentives are likely to be greater for less affluent areas than for wealthier areas offering equivalent incentives. In contrast, Fisher and Peters (1998) determined that tax incentives tend only to offset higher taxes on businesses located in low income areas. This study examines this issue using a unique data set that allows for a fresh look at this issue. We find that the returns to subsidized investment are greater in lower unemployment and higher income areas. This suggests that tax incentives reinforce pre‐existing economic differences across areas.
Forging Ahead and Falling Behind: Changing Regional Inequalities in Post‐reform China
Authors: Lu Max , Wang Enru
Published: March 2003

This study analyzes the evolution of China’s regional inequalities during the reform period of 1978–1998 based on three geographical scales, both output and livelihood indicators of economic well‐being and three measures of inequality. The results indicate that interprovincial and regional inequalities declined between 1978 and 1990, but have widened steadily since 1990. Urban‐rural disparity diminished before 1984, then experienced a decade‐long surge afterwards to peak in 1994 at a much higher level and since 1994, it has been declining again. The levels of regional inequalities in China appear to be sensitive to changes in government development strategies and regional policies. Differential growth of the provincial economies shaped by the coast‐oriented and urban‐biased development strategies as well as selective open‐door policy implemented by the Chinese government after the reform is the key to understanding the wax and wane in China’s regional inequalities. This paper discusses the factors that account for the changing regional inequalities in post‐reform China and argues that government policies are likely to continue to influence the future trajectories of inequality change.
The Use of Situation Theory in Context Modeling
Authors: Akman Varol , Surav Mehmet
Published: March 2003

At the heart of natural language processing is the understanding of context dependent meanings. This paper presents a preliminary model of formal contexts based on situation theory. It also gives a worked‐out example to show the use of contexts in lifting, i.e., how propositions holding in a particular context transform when they are moved to another context. This is useful in NLP applications where preserving meaning is a desideratum.
Regularity‐based Perceptual Grouping
Authors: Feldman Jacob
Published: March 2003

This paper investigates perceptual grouping from a logical point of view, defining a grouping interpretation as a particular kind of logical expression, and then developing an explicit inference theory in terms of such expressions. First, a regularity‐based interpretation language is presented, in which an observed configuration is characterized in terms of the regularities(special configurational classes, e.g. nonaccidental properties) it obeys. The most preferred interpretation in such a system is shown to be the most‐regular (maximum “codimension”) model the observed configuration obeys, which is also the unique model in which it is generic(typical). Inference then reduces to a straiightforward exercise in LogicProgramming. Because generic model assignment involves negation, this reduction requires that a version of the Closed World Assumption (CWA) be adopted.

Next, this entire regularity‐based machinery is generalized to the grouping problem: here an interpretation is a hierarchical recursive) version of a model called a parse tree.For a given number of dots and a fixed choice of regularity set, it is possible to explicitly enumerate the complete set of possible grouping interpretations, partially ordered by their degree of regularity (codimension). The most preferred interpretation is the one with maximum codimension (i.e., the most regular interpretation), which we call the qualitative parse. An efficient procedure (worst case $O(n^2)$) for finding the qualitative parse is presented. The qualitative parse has a unique epistemic status: given a choice of regularity set, it is the only grouping interpretation that both (a) is maximally regular, and (b) satisfies the CWA. This unique status, it is argued, accounts for the perceptually compelling quality of the qualitative parse.
Process and Policy: Resource‐Bounded NonDemonstrative Reasoning
Authors: Loui Ronald P.
Published: March 2003

This paper investigates the appropriateness of formal dialectics as a basis for nonmonotonic reasoning and defeasible reasoning that takes computational limits seriously. Rules that can come into conflict should be regarded as policies, which are inputs to deliberative processes. Dialectical protocols are appropriate for such deliberations when resources are bounded and search is serial.

AI, it is claimed here, is now perfectly positioned to correct many misconceptions about reasoning that have resulted from mathematical logic's enormous success in this century: among them, (1) that all reasons are demonstrative, (2) that rational belief is constrained, not constructed, and (3) that process and disputation are not essential to reasoning. AI mainly provides new impetus to formalize the alternative (but older) conception of reasoning, and AI provides mechanisms with which to create compelling formalism that describes the control of processes.

The technical contributions here are: the partial justification of dialectic based on controlling search; the observation that nonmonotonic reasoning can be subsumed under certain kinds of dialectics; the portrayal of inference in knowledge bases as policy reasoning; the review of logics of dialogue and proposed extensions; and the preformal and initial formal discussion of aspects and variations of dialectical systems with nondemonstrative reasons.
Strategies in Human Nonmonotonic Reasoning
Authors: Ford Marilyn , Billington David
Published: March 2003

Although humans seem adept at drawing nonmonotonic conclusions, the nonmonotonic reasoning systems that researchers develop are complex and do not function with such ease. This paper explores people's reasoning processes in nonmonotonic problems. To avoid the problem of people's conclusions being based on knowledge rather than on some reasoning process, we developed a scenario about life on another planet. Problems were chosen to allow the systematic study of people's understanding of strict and nonstrict rules and their interactions. We found that people had great difficulty reasoning and we identified a number of negative factors influencing their reasoning. We also identified three positive factors which, if used consistently, would yield rational and coherent reasoning—but no subject achieved total consistency. (Another possible positive factor, specificity, was considered but we found no evidence for its use.) It is concluded that nonmonotonic reasoning is hard. When people need to reason in a domain where they have no preconceived ideas, the foundation for their reasoning is neither coherent nor rational. They do not use a nonmonotonic reasoning system that would work regardless of content. Thus, nonmonotonic reasoning systems that researchers develop are expected to do more reasoning than humans actually do!
Non‐Governmental Policy Transfer: The Strategies of Independent Policy Institutes
Authors: Stone Diane
Published: March 2003

Discussions of policy transfer have primarily focused on official actors and networks. The non‐governmental mode of policy transfer via foundations, think tanks and non‐governmental organizations is a relatively neglected dimension. Accordingly, this paper addresses the role of think tanks in promoting the spread of policy ideas about privatization. The importance of think tanks to policy transfer is their ability to diffuse ideas by (1) acting as a clearing‐house for information; (2) their involvement in the advocacy of ideas; (3) their involvement in domestic and transnational policy networks; and (4) their intellectual and scholarly base providing expertise on specialized policy issues. Concepts from comparative public policy and international relations such as “social learning” and “epistemic communities” are used to outline the way think tanks advocate innovative policy ideas. However, not only have think tanks been effective in promoting the transfer of policy ideas, the international spread of think tanks also exhibits organizationaltransfer.
Rebuilding Policy Capacity in the Era of the Fiscal Dividend: A Report from Canada
Authors: Bakvis Herman
Published: March 2003

After two decades of focusing on deficit reduction and restructuring of operations, governments in many areas of the world are once again contemplating new policies and expenditures. In Canada, where budgetary surpluses have recently replaced deficits, the federal government has been asking whether it still has the capacity to make informed choices about new programs. This article examines Canada’s recent efforts in rebuilding its policy capacity. It asks, first, to what extent and in what way was policy capacity originally lost. Second, it appraises the adequacy of new policy “networks,” consisting of think tanks, consultants and government officials, as “virtual replacements” for former government‐controlled advisory bodies, royal commissions, and in‐house policy units. Finally, it notes the relative absence of parliamentarians, and even the political executive, from capacity‐rebuilding activities, a deficiency that in the long run may undermine the legitimacy and effectiveness of such efforts.
Banishing Bureaucracy or Hatching a Hybrid? The CanadianFood Inspection Agency and the Politics of Reinventing Government
Authors: Prince Michael J.
Published: March 2003

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is a means to overcoming long‐standing bureaucratic politics while attaining some major policy ends.Contrary to some of the new public management bravado of transforming the public sector, the CFIA is not a bureaucratic revolution in reshaping the Canadian State. Changes in scientific staffing, funding, and inspection have been more incremental than fundamental. Moreover, the CFIA is something less than the special and separate operating agency models discussed in the alternative service delivery literature in terms of autonomy and market orientation, but something more autonomous and entrepreneurial than traditional government departments. These organizational and managerial reforms are modest extensions providing a means for achieving economies and enhanced effectiveness in carrying out the mandate of safety, consumer protection, and market access for Canadian food, animal, plant, and forestry products.
End of Big Government: Is It Happening in the Nordic Countries?
Authors: Micheletti Michele
Published: March 2003

This paper offers a discussion on how to assess government in the Nordic countries. It shows that an answer to the question of whether big government is ending in the Nordic countries depends on how the words ‘big’ and ‘government’ are defined. ‘Bigness’ can be defined in terms of size or largeness (i.e., number of employees, relative costs, and spheres of involvement). It can also be defined in terms of its importance in society, which concerns the quality of government service (i.e., output and outcome of governmental effort), representation of the will of the people, and social representation. An understanding of the term government also influences how the question of the end of big government is formulated. Classical definitions focus on the need for government to be in control of its territory and in command of the tasks in its sphere of responsibility. Government ability to control and command are now being challenged by unclear horizontal and vertical separation of powers, regionalization and globalization, decentralization and devolution, and involvement of nongovernmental units in the policy steering process (i.e., governance). The general conclusions offered in the paper are that there are trends toward the end of large‐size Nordic government at the central level but not at the other government levels. Government is even becoming larger at the lower levels. Also, the European level is becoming bigger in terms of certain measures of size. A different answer isgiven for government importance. All layers of government still show high levels of efficiency and effectiveness and education levels for civil servants, good reflection of the will of the people as well as improving social representation of women. Social representation is more problematic for other marginalized groups in society. Government control and command is impacted at all levels by the trends mentioned above. Nordic government is more porous, and this is changing the prerequisites for Nordic big government. The results of the study should not be interpreted to mean that the extensive welfare states in the Nordic area are without problems. There are problems with citizen efficacy and public trust.
The Networked Polity: Regional Development in Western Europe
Authors: Ansell Chris
Published: March 2003

Drawing together work in comparative politics, public administration, organization theory, and economic sociology, this article describes a distinctive form of modern polity‐the ‘networked polity’. In the networked polity, states are strongly embedded in society and pursue their objectives by operating through networks of societal associations. Both state agencies and societal associations take the form of ‘network’ or ‘organic’ organizations‐decentralized, team‐based organizations with strong lateral communication and coordination that crosses functional boundarieswithin and between organizations. These organizations are then linked together by means of cooperative exchange relationships around common projects. The role of the state is to empower stakeholders and facilitate cooperation among them. The concept is illustrated through an examination of regional development strategies in Western Europe.
The Limits of Design: Explaining Institutional Origins and Change
Authors: Pierson Paul
Published: March 2003

Political scientists have paid much more attention to the effects of institutions than to issues of institutional origins and change. One result has been a marked tendency to fall back on implicit or explicit functional accounts, in which the effects of institutions explain the presence of those institutions. Institutional effects may indeed provide part of such an explanation. Yet the plausibility of functional accounts depends upon either a set of favorable conditions at the design stage or the presence of environments conducive to learning or competition. Exploring variability in the relevant social contexts makes it possible to both establish the restricted range of functional accounts and specify some promising lines of inquiry into the subject of institutional origins and change.
Paradoxes of Public Sector Customer Service
Authors: Fountain Jane E.
Published: March 2003

The use of customer service ideas in government continues to be widespread, although the concept and its implications for public sector service production and delivery remain poorly developed. This paper presents a series of paradoxes related to customer service and its use in government. The central and most troubling paradox is that customer service techniques and tools applied to government may lead to increased political inequality even as some aspects of service are improved. The argument is structured by examination of the following: the predominant structural features of service management in theprivate sector, the assumption that customer satisfaction is a central objective of service firms, the understanding of customer service that informs current federal reform efforts, and the operational and political challenges of customer service as a public management objective.
The Council: An Institutional Chameleon?
Authors: Wallace Helen
Published: March 2003

Council reform is a topic that has become a key issue in the wider discussion about reshaping the institutions of the European Union. This article explores five different images of the Council: as a partner of the Commission; as a club of governments; as a venue for competition and bargaining between governments and other political actors; as an arena for networked governance; and as a consortium for developing “transgovernmental” collaboration. It is conventional to examine the Council as both executive and legislative in character. More interesting, perhaps, is its evolving practice as a forum for experimentation.
Leaving the Australian Labor Force: An Extended Encounter with the State
Authors: Castles Francis G.
Published: March 2003

This article seeks to demonstrate the way in which labor market choices are shaped by institutional arrangements devised by the state. Since these arrangements differ markedly from country to country, much that is distinctive about national labor market outcomes is a function of diverse encounters with the state. This argument is illustrated by an account that explains why Australia, a country which apparently devotes little in the way of public resources to the old, manifests an exceptionally high level of early retirement. This account shows that, in contrast to the standard European welfare state strategy of public pensions, the Australian state has over many decades tackled the need for provision for the old by encouraging retirement strategies that are not subsidized directly from the public purse. These strategies include the encouragement of widely dispersed home ownership and occupational pensions. Read broadly, the article suggests that the extremity of contrasts frequently made between the advanced welfare states of Western Europe and the miserable social policy outcomes in the democracies of the New World have been far too extreme. The article experiments with novel presentational techniques designed to focus attention on individual choices and on policy outcomes for the individual rather than policy outputs by governments.
Understanding Ripple Effects: The Cross–National Adoption of Policy Instruments for Bureaucratic Accountability
Authors: Bennett Colin J.
Published: March 2003

This article examines different explanations for the cross–national diffusion of three recent innovations in bureaucratic accountability—the institution of the ombudsman, freedom of information legislation and data protection (information privacy) law. The first two explanations are based on the assumption that these innovations are by–products of modernization, either the growth of the state or democratization. The third assumes that policy is shaped through processes of international communication. A combination of methodologies is employed to conclude that while the growth of government and liberal democratic values are necessary conditions for the adoption of all three policy instruments, they are not sufficient conditions. The pattern of adoption observed is best explained by examining how evidence about these respective policies flows from adopting states to non–adopters. In the case of the ombudsman, this process can be characterized as one of lesson–drawing; for freedom of information, evidence is used for legitimation purposes; for data protection, the diffusion is attributable to harmonization through international organizations. Policy transfer is hence a multi–faceted concept that embraces a number of distinct processes of transnational learning and communication.