bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimating Yield Distributions with a Stochastic Trend and Nonnormal Errors
Authors: Moss Charles B. , Shonkwiler J. S. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractRandomness in crop yields can be decomposed into two broad modeling focuses: the estimation of the mean or central tendency of the distribution and the dispersion around that central tendency. We propose modeling the central tendency of the distribution with a stochastic trend model and allowing for nonnonnality within the stochastic trend through an inverse hyperbolic sine distribution. Results are consistent with this construction. First, residuals around the stochastic trend model are found to be non normal. Second, the inverse hyperbolic sine modification of the stochastic trend model corrects both skewness and kurtosis of corn yields.
Product Aggregation, Market Integration, and Relationships between Prices: An Application to World Salmon Markets
Authors: Asche Frank , Bremnes Helge , Wessells Cathy R. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractRelationships between prices of goods offer motives of interest in at least two areas: market integration and product aggregation. There is a close relationship between market integration and aggregation, which may increase the usefulness of market integration studies. In this article, these relationships are developed and illustrated by an application to the world salmon market. It is shown that the Law of One Price holds for an international market with five salmon species. This result has significant implications for the world salmon market regarding both product aggregation in demand analyses and international trade policy.
Privatization, Market Liberalization, and Learning in Transition Economies
Authors: Goodhue Rachael E. , Rausser Gordon C. , Simon Leo K. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractPrivatization and market liberalization are widely considered to be complementary reforms in transition economies. This article challenges this view and the closely related “big bang” approach: when pursued too vigorously, privatization may impede the transition process following liberalization. Our result is based on an explicit model of market learning. Compared to a mature market, a market in transition is characterized by greater uncertainty regarding market conditions, including equilibrium prices and quantities. Economic actors must learn about these conditions through their participation in the market process. Less than full privatization is optimal if the costs of learning are sufficiently important.
Generalized Models of Japanese Demand for Fish
Authors: Eales James , Durham Catherine , Wessells Cathy R. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractGiven a relative lack of knowledge about Japanese consumer preferences for fish, Japanese fish demand is modeled using both Marshallian (ordinary) and inverse demand systems, each of which nests a number of competing specifications. Results indicate that the inverse demand systems dominate the ordinary demand systems in forecasting performance and in nonnested tests. The inverse system suggests that Japanese fish prices are less responsive to changes in consumption than found in previous studies.
Intellectual Property Rights and the Welfare Effects of Agricultural R…D
Authors: Moschini Giancarlo , Lapan Harvey 
Published: July 2006

AbstractWe review intellectual property rights in agriculture and outline a modeling framework that accounts for relevant institutional features of agricultural R…D. The analysis emphasizes vertical market linkages whereby agricultural innovations adopted by farmers are produced upstream by input suppliers. It is argued that the conventional assumption of competitive pricing cannot hold when new technologies are produced by private firms because such innovations are typically protected by intellectual property rights (such as patents) that confer (limited) monopoly rights to discoverers. The implications of intellectual property rights for the welfare evaluation of agricultural R…D are derived, and it is shown that conventional methods usually overestimate the welfare gains from agricultural innovations.
Are Eco‐Labels Valuable? Evidence From the Apparel Industry
Authors: Nimon Wesley , Beghin John 
Published: July 2006

AbstractUsing apparel catalog data from the United States, we estimate hedonic price functions to identify market valuation of environmental attributes of apparel goods. We identify a significant and robust premium for the organic fibers embodied in the apparel goods. We also find a discount for the “no‐dye” label. We do not, however, find any evidence of a premium for environment‐friendly dyes. We further investigate the pricing behavior of apparel suppliers for potential heterogeneous pricing of the organic‐fiber attribute and find no evidence of different premia across firms.
Adverse Selection in Crop Insurance: Actuarial and Asymmetric Information Incentives
Authors: Just Richard E. , Calvin Linda , Quiggin John 
Published: July 2006

AbstractAdverse selection is often blamed for crop insurance indemnities exceeding premiums plus subsidies. However, nationwide empirical evidence has been lacking or based on inadequate county‐level data. This article uses nationwide farm‐level data on corn and soybeans to decompose incentives for participation in U.S. multiple peril crop insurance into a risk‐aversion incentive (the conventional justification for insurance), an actuarial or subsidy incentive (reflecting government subsidization), and an asymmetric information incentive (which reflects farmers' information advantage). Results show that the risk‐aversion incentive is small. Farmers participate in crop insurance primarily to receive the subsidy or because of adverse selection possibilities.
On Interpreting Inverse Demand Systems: A Primal Comparison of Scale Flexibilities and Income Elasticities
Authors: Park Hoanjae , Thurman Walter N. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractScale flexibilities in inverse demand systems describe how marginal valuations change with expansions in the consumption bundle. Such effects clearly are related to income elasticities in direct demand systems. However, the connection is not so close as it first appears. We argue that the link between scale flexibilities and income elasticities is tight only if preferences are homothetic, a situation where neither measure is interesting, or if all elasticities of substitution are unitary. We make clear the relationship between the two measures in a coordinate system focusing on how marginal rates of substitution change with consumption scale and proportion.
A Two‐Stage Analysis of the Effectiveness of Promotion Programs for U.S. Apples
Authors: Richards Timothy J. , Van Ispelen Pieter. , Kagan Albert 
Published: July 2006

AbstractExport promotion programs are intended to help U.S. exporters enter, maintain, and expand foreign markets, but little is known of their success in achieving each of these goals. In this paper we attempt to determine the effectiveness of export promotion in increasing both U.S. market share and total import consumption using apple imports by Singapore and the United Kingdom as case studies. Estimates of a two‐stage Linear Expenditure System (LES)/Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) model show that promotion increases consumption of apples in both the United Kingdom and Singapore, but increases U.S. market share only in the United Kingdom. The results suggest that free‐riding on U.S. promotion can be significant.
Economic Evaluation of the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
Authors: Just Richard E. , Weninger Quinn 
Published: July 2006

AbstractA framework is developed to evaluate food assistance programs and is applied to the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program—a program intended to increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables (F…V) by providing coupons and information. Because individuals differ, some coupons are unused, some replace existing consumption and simply enhance income, and some induce increased consumption. Results show that coupons alone reduce social welfare because recipients value F…V less than society. However, when coupons are used as a lure to distribute information, demand increases. In a household production framework the program is shown to enhance social welfare by correcting a market failure.
Allocation and Pricing at the Water District Level
Authors: Brill Eyal , Hochman Eithan , Zilberman David 
Published: July 2006

AbstractEfficient water pricing schemes are introduced for nonprofit water agencies, where members have property rights based upon historical usage. The existing average cost rate design is compared with the proposed designs, “active trading” and “passive trading.” Both schemes lead to efficiency, but “passive trading” has operational advantages since it generates less transaction costs than “active trading.” Block rate pricing is shown to be suboptimal and inferior to “passive trading.” An example from the Israeli water economy is used as an empirical illustration.
A Cointegration Analysis of Canadian Wood Pulp Prices
Authors: Alavalapati Janaki R.R. , Adamowicz Wiktor L. , Luckert Martin K. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe effects of the Canada‐U.S. exchange rate, the U.S. pulp price, and the domestic use of pulp on the Canadian pulp price are investigated using a cointegration analysis. Results suggest that the U.S. pulp price is more important than other variables in determining the price of pulp in Canada. The incomplete pass‐through of the exchange rate indicates that Canadian pulp producers may not have market power to increase their price of pulp. The temporary increase in the price of Canadian pulp in response to a devaluation of the Canadian dollar may be due to short‐term contracts which Canadian pulp producers have with their importers.
An Integrated Model of Québec‐Ontario‐U.S. Northeast Softwood Lumber Markets
Authors: Bernard Jean‐Thomas , Bouthillier Luc , Catimel Jérôme , Gélinas Nancy 
Published: July 2006

AbstractWe analyze an interregional softwood lumber trade model for the three main species (spruce, pine, and fir [SPF]) which are indigenous to Québec, Ontario, and the U.S. Northeast. Demand for SPF softwood lumber is price elastic in Ontario and the U.S. Northeast, but not in Québec. It is inelastic with respect to residential construction. Supply price elasticities are less than one. Policy instruments such as exchange rate, export taxes, Canadian federal sales tax, and cost of logs change exports and imports but with minor effects on prices. Export (import) duties are more effective in redirecting trade than is a stumpage fee applied by the provinces.
Forest Management, Conservation, and Global Timber Markets
Authors: Sohngen Brent , Mendelsohn Robert , Sedjo Roger 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThis article develops a global timber market model which captures how timber supply reacts to future predicted increases in the demand for timber. Higher future demand is expected to increase prices, increase investments in regeneration, increase establishment of plantations, and expand output. Dynamic market responses imply a greater reliance on plantations in productive regions, allowing large areas of natural forest in low‐valued regions to remain largely intact. Sensitivity analysis suggests that price, harvest, and management are most sensitive to the rate of demand increase, the interest rate, the cost of plantations, and access costs of natural forests. Two forest conservation strategies are examined which predict the system‐wide implications of forest conservation in Europe and North America. The policies indicate that whereas set asides can induce net conservation, harvests increase elsewhere, particularly in natural forests.
The Importance of Learning in the Adoption of High‐Yielding Variety Seeds
Authors: Cameron Lisa A. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractTo date, due to the lack of panel data, most micro‐level empirical studies of technology adoption have used cross‐sectional data. These studies cannot examine the dynamic processes of adoption such as learning. This article uses panel data to study the adoption of a new high‐yielding variety seed. First, it establishes that learning is an important variable in the adoption process. Second, it establishes that cross‐sectional estimates of a dynamic process are biased but that the extent of this bias may be small. Third, it illustrates the econometric methods needed to estimate a dynamic model when controlling for unobserved household heterogeneity.
International Marketing Margins for Agricultural Products: Effects of Some Nontariff Trade Barriers
Authors: Gallagher Paul 
Published: July 2006

AbstractTrade uncertainty occurs when quality changes or when Administrative Trade Barriers (ATBs) cause a chance that a commodity will not enter the import market. Trade uncertainty adversely affects marketing firms and commodity trade. But arbitrage still precludes the distribution of rents to middlemen. An exporter subsidy may correct price distortions and expand trade towards the highest world welfare. The case for intervention appears strongest in thin markets with a low number of trade transactions and perishable commodities. Nonetheless, promoting trade liberalization before other interventions may still make sense when ATBs are present because reduced trade uncertainty also improves world welfare.
Fringe Benefits Provision by Rural Small Businesses
Authors: Variyam Jayachandran N. , Kraybill David S. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractWe examine the relationship between employer size and the provision of fringe benefits in a large sample of rural businesses. A clear employer size‐benefits relationship exists only in the case of health insurance, while other benefits are not strongly linked to employer size. The negative relationship between employer size and health insurance is weaker, though still existent, in businesses whose employees have relatively high skill levels. Single, independent establishments and sole proprietorships are less likely to provide fringe benefits than multi‐establishment and corporate firms.
The Effects of Breeding Stock Productivity on the U.S. Beef Cattle Cycle
Authors: Marsh John M. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe effects of breeding stock productivity on the U.S. beef cattle cycle were econometrically estimated. Growth in output per beef cow was hypothesized to impact inventory response via cattle prices and marketing alternatives. Beef productivity included carcass weights of steers, heifers, and cull cows but excluded carcass weights of dairy cattle and cattle imports. Results indicate that from ten years to an equilibrium period, the beef cow herd averaged 0.5% to 2.5% smaller compared to if zero productivity growth had occurred. In addition, productivity growth decreased the inventory elasticity of supply by 18% between 1960–74 and 1975–96.
Economics of Antipoaching Enforcement and the Ivory Trade Ban
Authors: Bulte Erwin H. , van Kooten G. Cornelis 
Published: July 2006

AbstractA model of elephant conservation that includes illegal poaching, enforcement effort, and legal culling is used to analyze enforcement and elephant populations for alternative policies, with and without legal trade in ivory. Consistent with previous theoretical models, banning trade may increase or decrease equilibrium stocks. As an empirical application, information for Zambia, along with sensitivity analysis, are used to show that the ivory trade ban is more effective in conserving the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) than in permitting open trade. However, in all situations, current elephant populations likely exceed optimal levels as perceived by the range states, and further reductions in elephant numbers might be expected.
An Analysis of Ill‐Posed Production Problems Using Maximum Entropy
Authors: Paris Quirino , Howitt Richard E. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractProduction economics problems are often ill‐posed. This means that the number of parameters to be estimated is greater than the number of observations. In this article we show how to recover flexible cost functions from very limited data sets using a maximum entropy approach. We also argue that there exists a continuum of analysis between mathematical programming and traditional econometric techniques which is based solely upon the available information. The limiting case of a multi‐output cost function recovered using only a single observation of a farmer's allocation decisions can be easily extended to handle more than one observation.
Nonparametric Estimation of Crop Yield Distributions: Implications for Rating Group‐Risk Crop Insurance Contracts
Authors: Goodwin Barry K. , Ker Alan P. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractWe use nonparametric density estimation procedures to evaluate county‐level crop yield distributions. Implications for rating area‐yield crop insurance contracts are discussed. The procedures developed are used to measure yield risk and calculate insurance premium rates for wheat and barley in the 1995–96 Group Risk Program.
Allocative Efficiency, Traditional Agriculture, and Risk
Authors: Dillon John L. , Anderson J. R. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractA decision theory approach is presented for the assessment of allocative efficiency from cross‐section production function estimates. Reappraisal of some of the evidence previously adduced gives only mixed support to the hypothesis of profit‐maximizing behavior by farmers in traditional agricultures. It is suggested that scope remains for investigation of the alternative hypothesis of utility maximization which, unlike profit maximization, explicitly allows for subjective risk considerations and might therefore provide a more realistic basis for policies aimed at the modernization of traditional agricultures.
Cognitive Reactivity to Sad Mood Provocation and the Prediction of Depressive Relapse
Authors: Segal Zindel V. , Kennedy Sidney , Gemar Michael , Hood Karyn , Pedersen Rebecca , Buis Tom 
Published: July 2006

ContextEpisode remission in unipolar major depression, while distinguished by minimal symptom burden, can also be a period of marked sensitivity to emotional stress as well as an increased risk of relapse.ObjectiveTo examine whether mood-linked changes in dysfunctional thinking predict relapse in recovered patients who were depressed.DesignIn phase 1 of this study, patients with major depressive disorder were randomly assigned to receive either antidepressant medication or cognitive behavior therapy. In phase 2, patients who achieved clinical remission underwent sad mood provocation and were then observed with regular clinical assessments for 18 months.SettingOutpatient psychiatric clinics at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario.ParticipantsA total of 301 outpatients with major depressive disorder, aged 18 to 65 years, participated in phase 1 of this study and 99 outpatients with major depressive disorder in remission, aged 18 to 65 years, participated in phase 2.Main Outcome MeasureOccurrence of a relapse meetingDSM-IVcriteria for a major depressive episode as assessed by the longitudinal interval follow-up evaluation and a Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score of 16 or greater.ResultsPatients who recovered through antidepressant medication showed greater cognitive reactivity following the mood provocation than those who received cognitive behavior therapy. Regardless of type of prior treatment, the magnitude of mood-linked cognitive reactivity was a significant predictor of relapse over the subsequent 18 months. Patients whose mood-linked endorsement of dysfunctional attitudes increased by a minimum of 8 points had a significantly shorter time to relapse than those whose scores were not as elevated.ConclusionsThe vulnerability of remitted depressed patients for illness relapse may be related to the (re)activation of depressive thinking styles triggered by temporary dysphoric states. This is the first study to link such differences to prognosis following successful treatment for depression. Further understanding of factors predisposing to relapse/recurrence in recovered patients may help to shorten the potentially lifelong course of depression.
Controlled blunt microdissection for percutaneous recanalization of lower limb arterial chronic total occlusions: A single center experience
Authors: Mossop Peter J. , Amukotuwa Shalini A. , Whitbourn Robert J 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground: Percutaneous techniques for the revascularization of symptomatic lower limb arterial chronic total occlusions (CTOs) remain suboptimal due to difficulty in safely and reliably crossing these heavily calcified lesions using standard guidewire and balloon technology. Objectives: The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the technical success and safety of controlled blunt microdissection (CMD) for the treatment of resistant peripheral CTOs. Methods: This series enrolled 36 patients (26 men; mean age 67 ± 12 years), with 44 symptomatic CTOs (2 terminal aortic, 24 iliac, 16 femoral, and 2 popliteal), which had previously failed conventional percutaneous revascularization. CMD was carried out using a specialized prototype catheter. Actuation of the hinged jaws of this CMD catheter created a channel within the occluded arterial segment for guidewire passage, and subsequent angioplasty and stenting using standard procedures. The problem of subintimal CMD catheter passage, creating an eccentric channel, was addressed using a second novel device, the true‐lumen reentry (LRE) catheter, which allowed reentry into the downstream lumen. Results: Procedural success, evaluated angiographically, was achieved in 40 (91%) of the 44 CTOs. Fourteen (35%) of these 40 successful recanalizations required guidewire redirection, using the LRE catheter for lesion traversal. There were no complications related to CMD per se; although one patient experienced acute in‐stent thrombosis, managed successfully with intra‐arterial thrombolysis. Conclusions: We therefore conclude that CMD can be used safely and successfully to facilitate recanalization of resistant CTOs in the pelvic and lower limb arteries. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Feasibility study of the use of the TandemHeart® percutaneous ventricular assist device for treatment of cardiogenic shock
Authors: Burkhoff Daniel , O'Neill William , Brunckhorst Corinna , Letts Dustin , Lasorda David , Cohen Howard A. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground: The mortality of cardiogenic shock (CGS) remains high despite currently available pharmacological and mechanical treatment options. The standard of care in medically refractory situations has been the insertion of an intra‐aortic balloon pump. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility, safety, and hemodynamic impact of the TandemHeart® percutaneous left ventricular assist device (pVAD) in CGS. Methods: Thirteen patients from five centers in the US with the diagnosis of CGS were enrolled in the study. Hemodynamic measurements, including cardiac index (CI), mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), and central venous pressure (CVP) were performed presupport, during support and after device removal. Patients were monitored for 6 months. Results: The pVAD was successfully implanted in all 13 patients, with duration of support averaging 60 ± 44 hr. During support, CI increased from 2.09 ± 0.64 at baseline to 2.53 ± 0.65 (P = 0.02), MAP increased from 70.6 ± 11.1 to 81.7 ± 14.6 (P = 0.01), PCWP decreased from 27.2 ± 12.2 to 16.5 ± 4.8 (P = 0.01), and CVP from 12.9 ± 3.7 to 12.6 ± 3.6 (P = NS). Ten patients survived to device explant, 6 of whom were bridged to another therapy. Seven patients survived to hospital discharge and were all alive at 6 months. The two most common adverse events were distal leg ischemia (n = 3) and bleeding from the cannulation site (n = 4). Conclusion: The TandemHeart® PTVA System may be a useful complementary treatment for patients with CGS, especially as a bridge to another treatment. Further study is needed to definitively establish safety and efficacy. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.