bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tariff Revenue Competition in a Free Trade Area: The Case of Asymmetric Large Countries
Authors: Furusawa Taiji , Jinji Naoto 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe striking result has been shown by Richardson that tariff revenue competition between two symmetric member countries of a free trade area (FTA) results in complete elimination of external tariffs if there exists a pure‐strategy Nash equilibrium at all. Richardson also conjectures without building a model that if member countries are asymmetric in market size, there exists a pure‐strategy Nash equilibrium in which both countries set positive external tariffs. We explicitly extend his tariff competition model into the case of asymmetric FTA member countries, and confirm his conjecture. We also show that there exists a mixed‐strategy Nash equilibrium in the case of symmetric countries.
How Effective are Emissions Taxes in an Open Economy?
Authors: Ishikawa Jota , Kuroda Tomohiro 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis paper compares emissions taxes with other taxes from the viewpoint of emissions reduction in an open economy. Using a simple monopoly model, we show that emissions taxes may not be very effective to protect the environment because of the spillover effects between markets stemming from non‐constant marginal costs and transboundary externalities. Other taxes such as production taxes and tariffs are more effective under certain conditions. Thus, an easy application of emissions taxes should be discreet in the open economy framework.
Moral Hazards, Bankruptcy Costs, and International Financial Capital Mobility*
Authors: Banerji Sanjay , Van Long Ngo 
Published: April 2007

AbstractUsing a model with moral hazard and bankruptcy costs, we show that the direction of intertemporal trade between countries depends on differences in their autarkic distributions of wealth. We also examine the consequences of redistribution policies and bail‐out policies in this framework. We show that, in the presence of bankruptcy cost and capital market imperfections due to moral hazard, the very rich and the very poor do not undertake any risk and choose to be passive lenders. Only individuals whose wealth lies within an intermediate range choose to become entrepreneurs. Redistributive policies influence the supply of entrepreneurship and autarkic interest rates.
A New Dynamic Trade Model of Increasing Returns and Monopolistic Competition
Authors: Kikuchi Toru , Shimomura Koji 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis paper formulates a two‐country by two‐factor by two‐good dynamic Chamberlin–Heckscher–Ohlin model of international trade with endogenous time preferences. After proving the existence, uniqueness and local saddle‐point stability of the steady state, we examine the relationship between initial factor endowment and trade patterns in the steady state. It will be shown that (i) given that the representative household in each country supplies an equal amount of labor, only intra‐industry trade occurs in the steady state and (ii) other things being equal, the country with higher labor efficiency becomes the net exporter of the labor‐intensive good.
Quasi‐Competitive Cournot Oligopoly with Product Differentiation and Symmetric Firms
Authors: Okuguchi Koji 
Published: April 2007

AbstractSince Vives (1984), Cheng (1985) and Okuguchi (1987), the equilibria in Bertrand and Cournot oligopolies with product differentiation have been known to differ. Okuguchi (2005) has shown that Bertrand price‐adjusting oligopoly with product differentiation and symmetric firms is quasi‐competitive but not perfectly competitive in the limit state of infinite number of firms. This paper formulates and analyzes two types of Cournot output‐adjusting oligopoly with product differentiation and symmetric firms, in one of which symmetric firms producing the same goods are assumed to collude, and in the other, collusion is ruled out. The limit states are shown to be different in two oligopolies but they are both quasi‐competitive.
Endogenous Timing in a Strategic Trade Policy Game: A Two‐Country Oligopoly Model with Multiple Firms
Authors: Supasri Yordying , Tawada Makoto 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis paper examines strategic trade policy games where the number of firms in the importing and exporting countries differs and all firms play as Cournot oligopolies. Under the assumption of linear demand and constant marginal cost, we show that, if the number of firms in the exporting country exceeds that in the importing country by more than three, the government of the exporting country chooses to move as a leader, imposing an export tax on firms. The government of the importing country then becomes a follower and imposes an import tariff. This lies contrary to the previous study, which assumed that there is only one firm in each country.
State interventions and natural resource management: A study on social interfaces in a riverine fisheries setting in Kerala, India
Authors: Sunil D. Santha 
Published: April 2007

Abstract This article attempts to analyse the social interface between formal institutions and local fishing communities along the Pamba‐Achankovil River Basin in Kerala, India. It examines primarily the nature of the relationship between state agencies and traditional fishing communities in the context of (i) enforcing certain formal regulations of resource use and (ii) implementing resource enhancement programmes. The article also analyses the nature of social interfaces that emerge when local level formal organizations, such as cooperatives and gram panchayats, take up resource management or community welfare schemes on behalf of the traditional fisherfolk in the study region. Social interfaces can be understood in terms of social processes, such as cooperation, accommodation and conflicts between various actors involved in fisheries management. The article is based on ethnographic fieldwork. Interview guides and focus group discussions were the primary tools of data collection. The findings show that the relationships between formal institutions and traditional riverine fishing communities lack mutual trust. Conflicts between fishing communities and state agencies emerge when the formal institutions threaten or contradict those elements of local culture that sustain livelihood needs. Conflicts and discontent with a particular formal institution can also lead to the modification or violation of coexisting institutional arrangements.
A systematic integrated approach for crafting poverty reduction and sustainable development projects
Authors: Downs Timothy J. 
Published: April 2007

Abstract Poverty reduction and sustainable development programmes lack a systematic, integrated approach that serves to frame issues, simplify complexity and guide action. Responding to five common challenges yields such an approach: 1) How diverse groups can work together effectively, mitigating power inequities and corruption; 2) How to prioritize problems more objectively; 3) How to build sufficient contextual understanding of problems; 4) How to compare alternative solutions for relative sustainability; and 5) How to build sufficient societal capacity to sustain solutions. The approach weaves together five strands: Social learning theory and participatory methods to build collaboration; Vulnerability theory to prioritize problems; Systems thinking to understand context; Sustainability assessment to compare alternative solutions; and integrated capacity building to sustain the preferred solution: SVSSC for short. Existing projects often fail to recognize several of these strands and synergy is not exploited, undermining progress. Globally, the approach seeks to strengthen Agenda 21 and Millennium Project plans that are prescriptive. The literature foundation is complemented by case study applications: urban industrial poverty and health risks in Massachusetts, USA (design and implementation using SVSSC); malaria in the Lake Victoria Region, East Africa (framing and design); and watershed stress in Central Mexico (framing and design). The SVSSC model can strengthen governance, can be scaled up or down, applied across different sectors, tailored to existing contexts yet remain adaptive to change.
Eruptive Post‐Chemotherapy In Situ Melanomas and Dysplastic Nevi
Authors: Reutter Jason C. , Long Erin M. , Morrell Dean S. , Thomas Nancy E. , Groben Pamela A. 
Published: April 2007

Abstract:  A 22‐year‐old white man without a personal or family history of atypical nevi had received chemotherapy for pre‐B‐cell acute lymphocytic leukemia at age 17 that included l‐asparaginase, prednisone, methotrexate, mercaptopurine, daunorubicin, and cytoxan. Two to three months after completing maintenance chemotherapy, the patient reports he developed many moles, which remained stable for approximately 2 years.Upon examination, two dark, atypical appearing plaques with irregular borders and numerous pink papules of varying shapes and sizes were noted on his chest, back, and abdomen. Histology of specimens of both types of lesions revealed three moderately atypical compound dysplastic melanocytic nevi and three in situ melanomas. The lesions with only features of dysplastic nevi exhibited dermal fibrosis, cytologic atypia, junctional shoulders, lentiginous spread, and focal pigmentation. The lesions with in situ melanomas in addition demonstrated pagetoid spread, extension down adnexal structures, and more severe cytologic atypia.Malignant melanoma has been associated with chronic immunosuppression, and benign nevi have been reported to erupt after chemotherapy. We report an occurrence of multiple eruptive dysplastic nevi and in situ melanomas appearing shortly after completion of chemotherapy.
MRI Evaluation of Local Myocardial Treatments: Epicardial Versus Endocardial (Cell‐Fix Catheter) Injections
Authors: CHACHQUES JUAN C. , AZARINE ARSHID , MOUSSEAUX ELIE , EL SERAFI MOHAMED , CORTES‐MORICHETTI MIGUEL , CARPENTIER ALAIN F. 
Published: April 2007

Aims:
We compared two procedures for local myocardial treatment: transepicardial versus transendocardial catheter injection. Transepicardial injections were performed under direct surgical visualization whereas transendocardial injections were performed using electrophysiological guidance.
Methods:
A left ventricle (LV) myocardial infarction (MI) was surgically created in 14 sheep. At 3 months, gadolinium was injected IV followed by the injection of super paramagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) into MI. Animals were divided in two groups: transepicardial injection (Group I) versus transendocardial (Group II) using “Cell‐Fix” catheter injection. This catheter was developed to identify by electrophysiology the infarcted area and to stabilize injections suctioning the device to the endocardium. Postgadolinium delayed‐enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to stain the infarct size. SPIO injections were used to assess the magnitude of the treated area. The ratio between SPIO black stained treatment areas and white gadolinium stained infarcted areas was calculated using MRI.
Results:
The electrophysiological recordings by the catheter for the MI versus normal LV wall were: R wave amplitude 4.16 versus 12.08 mV (P = 0.003), slew rate (slope of the signal) 0.36 V/s versus 1.04 V/s (P = 0.008). The ratio of the SPIO diffusion into the MI was 41.2 ± 8.1% for surgical and 63.7 ± 8.2% for percutaneous endocardial injections (P = 0.0132).
Conclusion:
MRI allows evaluation of the extent of local myocardial treatments. The differences shown between epicardial and endocardial injections concerning the distribution of SPIO can be justified by the methodology of injection and by a more precise MI detection by electrophysiology. In conclusion, electrophysiological recordings to guide injections is superior to direct surgical visualization in terms of injecting into infarcted tissue.
Effects of narrowband UV‐B on pharmacodynamic markers of response to therapy: an immunohistochemical study over sequential samples
Authors: Carrascosa Jose‐Manuel , Tapia Gustavo , Bielsa Isabel , Fuente Maria‐Jose , Ferrandiz Carlos 
Published: April 2007

Background:  To evaluate the effects of narrow‐band UV‐B (NBUVB) on the immunohistochemical markers of cellular and cytokine activation as well as of abnormal epidermal differentiation and proliferation – pharmacodynamic markers of response to therapy (PMT)– in psoriatic lesions.Methods:  Clinical assessments and immunohistological staining of formalin‐fixed paraffin sections of biopsies from psoriatic skin were done at baseline and at the end of the treatment period.Results:  Ten patients with chronic plaque‐type psoriasis were included. After treatment with NBUVB, the total number of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was reduced by an average of 86.6%, 86% and 85% in the epidermis and 70.3%, 70% and 62% in the dermis, respectively. Only the decrease in the number of epidermal CD4+ cells was statistically related with long‐lasting remissions. The mean reduction in the expression of keratinocyte proliferation markers after NBUVB was 62%, 68% and 81% for Ki‐67, cyclin A and cyclin B, respectively. Expression of suprabasal keratin 16 and filaggrin was almost normalized in most cases. All patients in whom expression of keratin16 remained after finishing UV‐B therapy had an early relapse.Conclusions:  NBUVB is associated with changes in PMT close to those seen after remittive therapies. The normalization of immunohistochemical parameters of differentiation and the reduction/depletion in epidermal CD4+ cells was the most important markers of long‐lasting remissions.
The effect of tobacco consumption on blood cholinesterase levels among workers exposed to organophosphorus pesticides
Authors: Mishra Gauravi A 
Published: April 2007

This is a cross-sectional study of workers in the pesticide industry, engaged in the formulation and packaging of organophosphorus compounds. A detailed history was taken of all study participants. Investigations carried out were the measurement of haemoglobin levels and estimation of whole blood cholinesterase levels. The prevalence of tobacco consumption in the industry is 76.09%. The mean age of employees was 42.8 years and the mean duration of service was 16.6 years. The study concludes that tobacco consumption increases the risk of toxicity due to organophosphorus pesticides, as indicated by a decrease in the blood cholinesterase levels. In this study, the age of employees and duration of service in the pesticide industry played no role in increasing the risk of toxic effects when exposed to organophosphorus pesticides. Toxicology and Industrial Health 2006; 22: 399-403.
Kinetics of mobilization and differentiation of lymphohematopoietic cells during experimental murine schistosomiasis in galectin-3−/− mice
Authors: Oliveira F L , Frazão P , Chammas R , Hsu D K , Liu F T , Borojevic R , Takiya C M , El-Cheikh M C 
Published: April 2007

AbstractGalectin-3 (gal-3), a β-galactoside-binding animal lectin, plays a role in cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. Extracellular gal-3 modulates cell migration and adhesion in several physiological and pathological processes. Gal-3 is highly expressed in activated macrophages. Schistosoma mansoni eggs display a large amount of gal-3 ligands on their surface and elicit a well-characterized, macrophage-dependent, granulomatous, inflammatory reaction. Here, we have investigated the acute and chronic phases of S. mansoni infection in wild-type and gal-3−/− mice. In the absence of gal-3, chronic-phase granulomas were smaller in diameter, displaying thinner collagen fibers with a loose orientation. Schistosoma-infected gal-3−/− mice had remarkable changes in the monocyte/macrophage, eosinophil, and B lymphocyte subpopulations as compared with the infected wild-type mice. We observed a reduction of macrophage number, an increase in eosinophil absolute number, and a decrease in B lymphocyte subpopulation (B220+/high cells) in the periphery during the evolution of the disease in gal-3−/− mice. B lymphopenia was followed by an increase of plasma cell number in bone marrow, spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes of the infected gal-3−/− mice. The plasma IgG and IgE levels also increased in these mice. Gal-3 plays a role in the organization, collagen distribution, and mobilization of inflammatory cells to chronic-phase granulomas, niches for extramedullary myelopoiesis, besides interfering with monocyte-to-macrophage and B cell-to-plasma cell differentiation.
High Radiosensitivity of Germ Cells in Human Male Fetus
Authors: Lambrot Romain , Coffigny Hervé , Pairault Catherine , Lécureuil Charlotte , Frydman René , Habert René , Rouiller-Fabre Virginie 
Published: April 2007

AbstractContext: Germ cells formed during human fetal life are essential for fertility of the adult, and several studies have described an increasing frequency of male reproductive disorders, which may have a common origin in fetal life and which are hypothesized to be caused by endocrine disruptors. However, factors inducing a genotoxic stress may also be implicated.Objectives: We investigated the effect of γ-irradiation on the functions of human fetal testis during the first trimester of gestation by using an organ culture system. Then we focused on the role of the p53 pathway in the observed effects.Results: Germ cells were highly sensitive to irradiation even at doses as low as 0.1 and 0.2 Gy. Indeed, for these doses, one third of germ cells died by apoptosis. Other germ cells were blocked in their cycle, but no repair seemed to occur, and longer culture with the highest dose used showed that they were destined to die. Sertoli cells were less affected, although their proliferation and the level of anti-Müllerian hormone were reduced. Irradiation had no effect on testosterone secretion or on the expression of steroidogenic enzymes by Leydig cells. After irradiation, p53 phosphorylated on serine 15 was detected from 1–24 h in all cell types. This activation of p53 was accompanied by an increase in mRNA levels of proapoptotic factors Bax and Puma, whereas that of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 remained unchanged. P21, which is responsible for cell cycle arrest, was also up-regulated 6, 30, and 72 h after irradiation. Finally, when we added pifithrin-α, a specific inhibitor of p53 functions, a significant decrease in irradiation-induced apoptosis in both germ and Sertoli cells was observed, indicating the involvement of the p53 pathway in irradiation-induced apoptosis.Conclusions: This study demonstrated here for the first time the great sensitivity of human fetal germ cells to genotoxic stress caused by ionizing radiation.
Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 in Subcutaneous Abdominal Adipose Tissue: Characterization of Interstitial Concentration and Regulation of Gene Expression by Insulin
Authors: Murdolo Giuseppe , Hammarstedt Ann , Sandqvist Madeléne , Schmelz Martin , Herder Christian , Smith Ulf , Jansson Per-Anders 
Published: April 2007

Abstract
Context: The chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is implicated in obesity-associated chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and atherosclerosis.
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to: 1) characterize the interstitial levels and the gene expression of MCP-1 in the sc abdominal adipose tissue (SCAAT), 2) elucidate the response of MCP-1 to acute hyperinsulinemia, and 3) determine the relationship between MCP-1 and arterial stiffness.
Design: Nine lean (L) and nine uncomplicated obese (OB) males were studied in the fasting state and during a euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp combined with the microdialysis technique. Interstitial and serum MCP-1 (iMCP-1 and sMCP-1, respectively) levels, pulse wave analysis, and SCAAT biopsies were characterized at baseline and after hyperinsulinemia.
Results: OB showed elevated sMCP-1 (P &lt; 0.01) but similar iMCP-1 levels as compared with L. Basal iMCP-1 concentrations were considerably higher than sMCP-1 (P &lt; 0.0001), and a gradient between iMCP-1 and sMCP-1 levels was maintained throughout the hyperinsulinemia. At baseline, SCAAT gene expression profile revealed a “co-upregulation” of MCP-1, MCP-2, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, and CD68 in OB, and whole-body glucose disposal inversely correlated with the MCP-1 gene expression. After hyperinsulinemia, MCP-1 and MCP-2 mRNA levels significantly increased in L, but not in OB. Finally, sMCP-1 excess in the OB positively correlated with the stiffer vasculature.
Conclusions: These observations demonstrate similar interstitial concentrations and a differential gene response to hyperinsulinemia of MCP-1 in the SCAAT from L and OB individuals. In human obesity, we suggest the SCAAT MCP-1 gene overexpression as a biomarker of an “inflamed” adipose organ and impaired glucose metabolism.
Dopamine Agonist Cabergoline Reduces Hemoconcentration and Ascites in Hyperstimulated Women Undergoing Assisted Reproduction
Authors: Álvarez Claudio , Martí-Bonmatí Luis , Novella-Maestre Edurne , Sanz Roberto , Gómez Raúl , Fernández-Sánchez Manuel , Simón Carlos , Pellicer Antonio 
Published: April 2007

Abstract
Context: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) results from increased vascular permeability (VP) caused by ovarian hypersecretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which activates its receptor-2. In animals, the dopamine receptor 2 agonist cabergoline (Cb2) inactivates VEGF receptor-2 and prevents increased VP.
Objective: Our objective was to test whether Cb2 reduces VP and prevents OHSS in humans.
Design: We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind study on oocyte donors at risk of developing OHSS (&gt;20 follicles, &gt;12 mm developed, and &gt;20 oocytes retrieved).
Interventions: Cb2 0.5 mg/d (n = 37) or a placebo (n = 32) was administered from the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (d 0) until d 8. Ascites (a pocket of peritoneal fluid &gt; 9 cm2 in lithotomy position), hemoconcentration, and serum prolactin were recorded. Pharmacokinetic studies with magnetic resonance employing the transfer constant rate (Ktrans, measure of permeability) and the extravascular extracellular space (υe, marker of cellular leakage) were performed to measure VP objectively.
Results: Hematocrit (P &lt; 0.01), hemoglobin (P = 0.003), and ascites (P = 0.005) were significantly lower on d 4 and 6 after treatment with Cb2 as compared with placebo. The incidence of moderate OHSS was 20.0 and 43.8%, respectively (P = 0.04). Magnetic resonance studies showed an increase in VP and extravascular leakage of fluid 5 d after human chorionic gonadotropin injection that was significantly prevented with Cb2 (KtransP = 0.04 and υeP = 0.001, respectively).
Conclusions: Given that Cb2 is a well-established and safe medication, this study provides proof of concept for the use of dopamine agonists in the prevention of OHSS in women undergoing assisted reproduction.