bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tax Design and The Meddling Factor: Lessons From Hawaii's Liquor Tax
Authors: Suyderhoud Jack P. , Seo K.K. 
Published: October 2003

Tax design decisions are subject to many influences, including economic and political realities. Those who make tax policy at the state level are under constant pressure to modify taxes and tax structures at the margin. In making their decisions, policy makers must assess and weigh the often conflicting advice that results from varying outlooks and interests among, as well as within, the groups providing such input.Using Hawaii's liquor tax as a case study, this paper illustrates how seemingly innocuous policy meddling can turn a good tax into a bad one. The events that led the Hawaii Legislature to decide to substitute a flawed gallonage levy for a successful ad valorem tax are reviewed. The relative merits of ad valorem and per‐unit liquor taxes are discussed. Implications of adoption of the gallonage tax are presented. Finally, the article discusses the reasons why meddling may be attractive to both taxpayers and those who levy the tax, and it concludes that tax design criteria should include disincentives to meddle as a reasonable principle of taxation.
The evolution of preferences and competition: a rationalization of Veblen's theory of invidious comparisons
Authors: Eaton B. Curtis , Eswaran Mukesh 
Published: October 2003

Abstract. We examine how preferences evolve by natural selection in a competitive environment similar to that characterizing much of our evolutionary past. We find that the evolutionarily stable preferences in this context exhibit a concern not only for absolute payoffs but also for relative payoffs, and that this intensifies the degree of competition relative to what obtains when players consider only absolute payoffs. We argue that this has consequences for the equilibrium population size. We argue that the premise of this analysis is consistent with the available anthropological evidence, and that the prediction is broadly consistent with the findings of experimental game theory. JEL Classification: C70Evolution des préférences et concurrence: une rationalisation de la théorie des comparaisons désobligeantes de Veblen. Les auteurs examinent comment les préférences évoluent par sélection naturelle dans un environnement concurrentiel qui ressemble à celui qui a caractérisé notre passéévolutionnaire, c’est‐à‐dire, un environnement de chasseurs et de cueilleurs. On découvre que les préférences évolutionnairement stables dans ce contexte révèlent un intérêt non seulement pour les résultats en termes absolus mais aussi pour les résultats en termes relatifs, et que cela intensifie le degré de concurrence par rapport à ce qui se passerait si les joueurs prenaient en compte seulement les résultats en termes absolus. En travaillant contre l’espèce si l’on peut dire, la sélection naturelle des préférences réduit les niveaux d’équilibre des populations en deçà de ce qui aurait prévalu si les préférences n’avaient pas évolué. Le postulat de base sur lequel cette analyse se fonde est compatible avec les résultats des travaux anthropologiques et les prédictions sont compatibles avec les résultats des travaux en théorie des jeux expérimentale.
A cross‐country comparison of the cyclicality of real wages
Authors: Liu Haoming 
Published: October 2003

Abstract.  This paper contains the first cross‐country comparison of the cyclical behaviour of real wages using microdata. After controlling for changes in labour quality, I find that real wages are strongly procyclical in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In contrast, the cyclicality of government‐published real aggregate hourly wages varies substantially across these three countries. The disparity suggests that a direct comparison of the cyclical behaviour of real aggregate wages is misleading. Finally, I show that variations in labour quality also bias the cross‐country correlation of several key labour market variables. JEL classification: J3, E3Une comparaison transversale entre pays du caractère cyclique des salaires réels.  Ce mémoire présente la première comparaison entre pays du comportement cyclique des salaires réels à l’aide de micro‐données. Après normalisation pour tenir compte des changements dans la qualité du travail, cette étude montre que les salaires réels sont pro‐cycliques au Canada, au Royaume‐Uni et aux Etats Unis. Au contraire, le caractère cyclique des données sur les salaires horaires agrégés varie substantiellement entre ces trois pays. Cette disparité suggère qu’une comparaison directe du comportement cyclique des salaires réels agrégés peut être trompeuse. Finalement, cette étude montre que les variations dans la qualité du travail biaisent aussi les corrélations entre pays de plusieurs variables du marché du travail.
An estimated Canadian DSGE model with nominal and real rigidities
Authors: Dib Ali 
Published: October 2003

Abstract.  We develop a dynamic, stochastic, general‐equilibrium (DSGE) model due to Ireland (1997) and others and estimate it for the Canadian economy to analyse the real effects of monetary policy shocks. To generate high and persistent real effects, the model combines nominal frictions in the form of costly price adjustment with real rigidities modelled as convex costs of adjusting capital and/or employment. The structural parameters identifying transmission channels are estimated econometrically using a maximum‐likelihood procedure with a Kalman filter. The estimated nominal and real rigidities impart substantial and persistent real effects following a monetary policy shock. Furthermore, the results suggest that the monetary authority has accommodated technology shocks and has successfully offset the real effects of money‐demand shocks, by actively responding to these shocks. JEL classification: E31, E32, E52Un modèle d’équilibre général dynamique et stochastique doté de rigidités nominales et réelles et calibré avec des données canadiennes.  Dans la présente étude, nous développons un modèle d’équilibre général dynamique et stochastique (EGDS), élaboré par Ireland (1997) et d’autres, et estimons ce modèle pour l’économie canadienne. Afin de générer des effets réels considérables et persistants des chocs monétaires, nous intégrons à ce modèle des frictions nominales et réelles sous la forme de coûts d’ajustement des prix, du capital et de l’emploi. En utilisant la méthode du maximum de vraisemblance et le filtre de Kalman, nous estimons les paramètres structurels du modèle avec des données canadiennes. Les versions du modèle d’EGDS doté de rigidités nominales et réelles génèrent des effets réels significatifs et persistants en réaction à des chocs de politique monétaire. De plus, les résultats suggèrent que l’autorité monétaire réussit bien à contenir les chocs technologiques et à annuler les effets des chocs de la demande de monnaie.
Policy rule Nash equilibria
Authors: Sorger Gerhard 
Published: October 2003

Abstract. We study how different types of instrument rules affect the outcome of a monetary policy game between the central bank and the private sector. Policy rules can be independent of output and a shock, functions of the shock, or functions of output. We rank the Nash equilibria generated by different types of policy rules according to the central bank's ex ante expected loss. If both players can condition on output, then the following is true: no equilibrium exists if the central bank cares much about output stability and little about price stability, and infinitely many equilibria exist otherwise. JEL classification: E52, E61Equilibres à la Nash des règles de politique. L’auteur étudie comment le choix de divers types de règles instrumentales a un effet sur le résultat d’un jeu de politique monétaire entre la banque centrale et le secteur privé. Les règles de politique peuvent être indépendantes de la production ou d’un choc, être fonction d’un choc ou de la production. On établit un ordre des équilibres à la Nash engendrés par ces divers types de règles de politique selon la taille des pertes anticipées ex ante par la banque centrale. Si les deux joueurs fondent leur comportement sur la production, il s’ensuit que — aucun équilibre n’existe si la banque centrale est très préoccupée par la stabilité du niveau de production et peu préoccupée de la stabilité des prix, et autrement, une infinité d’équilibres existent.
Strategic policy for product R&D with symmetric costs
Authors: Jinji Naoto 
Published: October 2003

Abstract.  In this paper I examine strategic policy for product R&D in an international duopoly where domestic and foreign firms are identical. It is shown that strategic R&D policy is described by a subsidy schedule contingent on firms’ quality choices. Unilateral policy enables its domestic firm to produce a high‐quality product, making equilibrium outcome unique. With two active governments, in equilibrium they implement different subsidy schedules. Two equilibrium outcomes exist, which are identical except for the identity of the countries. Thus, both countries have an equal chance to become the high‐quality exporter. Both Bertrand and Cournot cases are examined. JEL classification: F12, F13Politique stratégique pour le R&D dans le développement de nouveaux produits quand les coûts sont symétriques.  Ce mémoire examine la politique stratégique pour le R&D dans le développement de produits nouveaux dans un duopole international où les entreprises domestique et étrangère sont identiques. On montre que cette politique est décrite par cédules de subventions qui dépendent des choix du niveau de qualité des entreprises. Une politique unilatérale permet à l’entreprise domestique de manufacturer un produit de haute qualité– ce qui engendre des résultats d’équilibre uniques. Si deux gouvernements sont actifs, en équilibre, ils mettent en place des cédules de subventions différentes. Deux résultats d’équilibre existent qui sont identiques sauf pour l’identité des pays. Donc les deux pays ont une chance égale de devenir l’exportateur du produit de haute qualité. On examine les cas de figure à la Bertrand et à la Cournot.
Breast cancer risk in airline cabin attendants: a nested case-control study in Iceland: Table 1
Authors: Rafnsson V , Sulem P , Tulinius H , Hrafnkelsson J 
Published: October 2003

Aims:To investigate whether length of employment as a cabin attendant was related to breast cancer risk, when adjusted for reproductive factors.Methods:Age matched case-control study nested in a cohort of cabin attendants. The cases were found from a nationwide cancer registry (followed up to end of year 2000) and the reproductive factors (age at first childbirth and number of children) from a registry of childbirth, in both instances by record linkage with the cabin attendants’ identification numbers. The employment time of the cabin attendants at the airline companies and the reproductive factors had been systematically recorded prior to the diagnosis of breast cancer in the cohort. A total of 35 breast cancer cases and 140 age matched controls selected from a cohort of 1532 female cabin attendants were included in the study.Results:The matched odds ratio from conditional logistic regression of breast cancer risk among cases and controls of cabin attendants was 5.24 (95% CI 1.58 to 17.38) for those who had five or more years of employment before 1971 compared with those with less than five years of employment before 1971, adjusted for age at first childbirth and length of employment from 1971 or later.Conclusions:The association between length of employment and risk of breast cancer, adjusted for reproductive factors, indicates that occupational factors may be an important cause of breast cancer among cabin attendants; the association is compatible with a long induction period.
Cancer incidence in airline cabin crew: experience from Sweden
Authors: Linnersjö A , Hammar N , Dammström B-G , Johansson M , Eliasch H 
Published: October 2003

Aims:To determine the cancer incidence in Swedish cabin crew.Methods:Cancer incidence of cabin crew at the Swedish Scandinavian Airline System (SAS) (2324 women and 632 men) employed from 1957 to 1994 was determined during 1961–96 from the Swedish National Cancer Register. The cancer incidence in cabin crew was compared with that of the general Swedish population by comparing observed and expected number of cases through standardised incidence ratios (SIR). A nested case-control study was performed, including cancer cases diagnosed after 1979 and four controls per case matched by gender, age, and calendar year.Results:The SIR for cancer overall was 1.01 (95% CI 0.78 to 1.24) for women and 1.16 (95% CI 0.76 to 1.55) for men. Both men and women had an increased incidence of malignant melanoma of the skin (SIR 2.18 and 3.66 respectively) and men of non-melanoma skin cancer (SIR 4.42). Female cabin attendants had a non-significant increase of breast cancer (SIR 1.30; 95% CI 0.85 to 1.74). No clear associations were found between length of employment or cumulative block hours and cancer incidence.Conclusions:Swedish cabin crew had an overall cancer incidence similar to that of the general population. An increased incidence of malignant melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer may be associated with exposure to UV radiation, either at work or outside work. An increased risk of breast cancer in female cabin crew is consistent with our results and may in part be due to differences in reproductive history.
Risk factors for cutaneous malignant melanoma among aircrews and a random sample of the population
Authors: Rafnsson V , Hrafnkelsson J , Tulinius H , Sigurgeirsson B , Hjaltalin Olafsson J 
Published: October 2003

Aims:To evaluate whether a difference in the prevalence of risk factors for malignant melanoma in a random sample of the population and among pilots and cabin attendants could explain the increased incidence of malignant melanoma which had been found in previous studies of aircrews.Methods:A questionnaire was used to collect information on hair colour, eye colour, freckles, number of naevi, family history of skin cancer and naevi, skin type, history of sunburn, sunbed, all sunscreen use, and number of sunny vacations.Results:The 239 pilots were all males and there were 856 female cabin attendants, which were compared with 454 males and 1464 females of the same age drawn randomly from the general population. The difference in constitutional and behavioural risk factors for malignant melanoma between the aircrews and the population sample was not substantial. The aircrews had more often used sunscreen and had taken more sunny vacations than the other men and women. The predictive values for use of sunscreen were 0.88 for pilots and 0.85 for cabin attendants and the predictive values for sunny vacation were 1.36 and 1.34 respectively.Conclusion:There was no substantial difference between the aircrew and the random sample of the population with respect to prevalence of risk factors for malignant melanoma. Thus it is unlikely that the increased incidence of malignant melanoma found in previous studies of pilots and cabin attendants can be solely explained by excessive sun exposure.
Occupational risk factors for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation; a case-control study
Authors: Seidler A , Bolm-Audorff U , Siol T , Henkel N , Fuchs C , Schug H , Leheta F , Marquardt G , Schmitt E , Ulrich P T , Beck W , Missalla A , Elsner G 
Published: October 2003

Background:Previous studies mostly did not separate between symptomatic disc herniation combined with osteochondrosis/spondylosis of the lumbar spine and symptomatic disc herniation in radiographically normal intervertebral spaces. This may at least in part explain the differences in the observed risk patterns.Aims:To investigate the possible aetiological relevance of physical and psychosocial workload to lumbar disc herniation with and without concomitant osteochondrosis/spondylosis.Methods:A total of 267 cases with acute lumbar disc herniation (in two practices and four clinics) and 197 control subjects were studied. Data were gathered in a structured personal interview and analysed using logistic regression to control for age, region, nationality, and diseases affecting the lumbar spine. Cases without knowledge about osteochondrosis/spondylosis (n=42) were excluded from analysis. Risk factors were examined separately for those cases with (n=131) and without (n=94) radiographically diagnosed concomitant osteochondrosis or spondylosis.Results:There was a statistically significant positive association between extreme forward bending and lumbar disc herniation with, as well as without concomitant osteochondrosis/spondylosis. There was a statistically significant relation between cumulative exposure to weight lifting or carrying and lumbar disc herniation with, but not without, concomitant osteochondrosis/spondylosis. Cases with disc herniation reported time pressure at work as well as psychic strain through contact with clients more frequently than control subjects.Conclusions:Further larger studies are needed to verify the concept of distinct aetiologies of lumbar disc herniation in relatively younger persons with otherwise normal discs and of disc herniation in relatively older persons with structurally damaged discs.
Healthy worker effect and changes in respiratory symptoms and lung function in hairdressing apprentices
Authors: Iwatsubo Y , Matrat M , Brochard P , Ameille J , Choudat D , Conso F , Coulondre D , Garnier R , Hubert C , Lauzier F , Romano M C , Pairon J C 
Published: October 2003

Aims:To compare the prevalence and incidence of respiratory symptoms and lung function values between hairdressing apprentices and office apprentices.Methods:A total of 322 hairdressing apprentices and 277 office apprentices (controls) were studied. Two cross sectional surveys were conducted in 1994 and 1996/97 with longitudinal follow up for a subgroup of apprentices (191 hairdressing apprentices and 189 office apprentices).Results:In the initial phase, the prevalence of respiratory symptoms was significantly lower among hairdressing apprentices than among office apprentices. Lung function test results showed significantly higher values for hairdressing apprentices. Non-specific bronchial reactivity was similar in the two groups. In the final phase, results for respiratory symptoms were similar. The incidence of respiratory symptoms was not significantly different between hairdressing apprentices and office apprentices. Subjects who dropped out had lower values for FVC and FEV1in the initial phase than those who completed the final phase. There was a significant deterioration of FEV1and FEF25–75%in hairdressing apprentices compared to office apprentices. There was a link between atopy and the incidence of most of the respiratory symptoms (day/night cough, wheezing, dyspnoea, mucosal hyperresponsiveness) and between smoking and the incidence of bronchial hyperreactivity. There was no significant correlation between change in lung function tests and specific hairdressing activities reported at the end of the apprenticeship or with environmental working conditions in hairdressing salons.Conclusions:Although a healthy worker effect can be suspected, results showed a significant deterioration of baseline values of lung function tests in the hairdressing apprentice group. However, no clear link was shown between change in lung function tests and specific parameters of occupational activities.
Effects of a home exercise programme on shoulder pain and functional status in construction workers
Authors: Ludewig P M , Borstad J D 
Published: October 2003

Background:Repetitive or sustained elevated shoulder postures have been identified as a significant risk factor for occupationally related shoulder musculoskeletal disorders. Construction workers exposed to routine overhead work have high rates of shoulder pain that frequently progresses to functional loss and disability. Exercise interventions have potential for slowing this progression.Aims:To evaluate a therapeutic exercise programme intended to reduce pain and improve shoulder function.Methods:Construction worker volunteers were screened by history and clinical examination to test for inclusion/exclusion criteria consistent with shoulder pain and impingement syndrome. Sixty seven male symptomatic workers (mean age 49) were randomised into a treatment intervention group (n = 34) and a control group (n = 33); asymptomatic subjects (n = 25) participated as an additional control group. Subjects in the intervention group were instructed in a standardised eight week home exercise programme of five shoulder stretching and strengthening exercises. Subjects in the control groups received no intervention. Subjects returned after 8–12 weeks for follow up testing.Results:The intervention group showed significantly greater improvements in the Shoulder Rating Questionnaire (SRQ) score and shoulder satisfaction score than the control groups. Average post-test SRQ scores for the exercise group remained below levels for asymptomatic workers. Intervention subjects also reported significantly greater reductions in pain and disability than controls.Conclusions:Results suggest a home exercise programme can be effective in reducing symptoms and improving function in construction workers with shoulder pain.
Respiratory status in dairy farmers in France; cross sectional and longitudinal analyses
Authors: Chaudemanche H , Monnet E , Westeel V , Pernet D , Dubiez A , Perrin C , Laplante J-J , Depierre A , Dalphin J-C 
Published: October 2003

Aims:To compare respiratory status in dairy farmers with that of non-farming controls.Methods:Longitudinal study in the Doubs (France). From a cohort constituted in 1994 (T1), 215 (81.1%) dairy farmers and 110 (73.8%) controls were reevaluated in 1999 (T2). The protocol comprised a medical and occupational questionnaire, spirometric tests at both evaluations, allergological tests at T1, and a non-invasive measure of blood oxygen saturation (Spo2) at T2.Results:In 1999 analyses, the prevalence of chronic bronchitis was higher (p = 0.013), and FEV1/VC (p < 0.025) and Spo2(−0.7%, p < 0.01) lower in dairy farmers than in controls. In a multiple linear regression model, farming, age, and smoking were significantly and inversely correlated with Spo2. In the whole population, the mean annual decline in FEV1and FEV1/VC was −13.4 ml and −0.30%, respectively. Farming was associated with an accelerated decline in FEV1/VC (p < 0.025) after adjustment for covariates. No relation between allergy and respiratory function changes was observed, except for FEF25–75.Conclusions:This prospective study shows that dairy farming is associated with an excess of chronic bronchitis, with a moderate degree of bronchial obstruction and a mild decrease in Spo2.