bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oligopsonistic Landlords, Segmented Labor Markets, and the Persistence of Tied‐Labor Contracts
Authors: Basu Arnab K. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThis article examines contractual labor arrangements in agrarian economies that persist as a consequence of market power on the part of landlords faced with output uncertainty. We show that a segmented labor market characterized by tied‐labor contracts and involuntary unemployment in the lean season are optimal as compared to a labor hiring arrangement that guarantees full employment of labor in both seasons. Government intervention in the form of a specific subsidy targeted toward the hiring of permanent laborers may raise the welfare of all laborers while a specific subsidy directed toward the hiring of casual laborers or the institution of relief programs that absorb the rural unemployed in the lean season leads to the casual laborers in the economy being worse off.
The Contribution of Unmeasurable Inputs to Fisheries Production: An Analysis of Technical Efficiency of Fishing Vessels in the English Channel
Authors: Pascoe Sean , Coglan Louisa 
Published: March 2003

AbstractVariations in the efficiency of demersal trawlers operating in the English Channel were examined through the estimation of a stochastic frontier production function. The most important measurable factor affecting efficiency was the age of the vessel. However, unmeasurable factors accounted for about 65% of the variation in efficiency, and as much as 9% of the total variation in catches between boats. It is postulated that most of this variation was due to differences in skipper and crew skill. In contrast, “luck” accounted for around 11% of the variation in catches between boats.
Induced Innovation in United States Agriculture, 1880–1990: Time Series Tests and an Error Correction Model
Authors: Thirtle Colin G. , Schimmelpfennig David E. , Townsend Robert E 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAn error correction model (ECM) of induced innovation, based on the two‐stage CES production function allows direct tests of the inducement hypothesis, which are applied to U.S. data for 1880–1990. The time series properties of the variables include a structural break in 1920, cointegration is established and an ECM constructed, which allows factor substitution to be separated from technological change. Causality tests show that the factor‐price ratios and R…D are Granger‐prior to the factor‐saving biases of technological change. The inducement hypothesis is corroborated, and identified as one factor in the complex development of U.S. agriculture.
Rural Population Growth, 1950–1990: The Roles of Human Capital, Industry Structure, and Government Policy
Authors: Huang Tzu‐Ling , Orazem Peter F. , Wohlgemuth Darin 
Published: March 2003

AbstractHuman capital raises rural incomes, but this effect is swamped by higher returns to human capital in urban markets. This leads to “brain drain” from rural areas. Populations grow more rapidly in rural counties that have a diversified employment base. Farm population grows faster (or declines more slowly) in counties with relatively high farm income, and nonfarm populations grow faster in counties with relatively high nonfarm income. However, higher farm incomes lead to slower nonfarm population growth and vice versa. Rural county government services financed by local taxes or debt have neutral or negative effects on population growth.
Producer Experience, Learning by Doing, and Yield Performance
Authors: Goodwin Barry K. , Featherstone Allen M. , Zeuli Kimberly 
Published: March 2003

AbstractCurrent crop insurance rating procedures consider only performance for the individual crop in question. Recent farm legislation has given producers considerable planting flexibility and, as a result, many have shifted to new crops. Producers without a production history for the new crop may be offered levels of insurance that do not accurately reflect their expected yields. Likewise, premium rates may not reflect a producer's actual risk for a new crop. We examine the extent to which information about expected yields may be gleaned from a consideration of historical performance on other crops. We also consider the extent to which yield performance exhibits learning by doing such that yields improve with experience. Though the results are mixed, we generally find that yield performance tends to improve with experience. However, when yields are conditioned on historical yield performance for other crops, the importance of experience is diminished significantly. Yield performance is related to a number of farm characteristics. Finally, we examine the extent to which yield variability is correlated across crops for individual farmers. Implications for crop insurance rating practices are discussed. The results demonstrate robust correlation between a farm's historical yield on other crops and a newly produced crop—a factor largely ignored in current crop insurance contracts.
Primal/Dual Positive Math Programming: Illustrated Through an Evaluation of the Impacts of Market Resistance to Genetically Modified Grains
Authors: Preckel Paul V. , Harrington David , Dubman Robert 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe goal of Howitt's positive mathematical programming procedure is to calibrate a mathematical programming model so that it will reproduce a set of base data for the primal variables. This article develops an analogous procedure allowing one to specify the levels of both primal and dual variables. This article also sheds light on a potential ambiguity of Howitt's procedure (with attendant policy evaluation impacts). The procedure is illustrated through application to an equilibrium displacement model focused on evaluating the consequences of the reluctance of U.S. trading partners to accept genetically modified crop products for U.S. production patterns and net farm income.
Robust Comparisons of Malnutrition in Developing Countries
Authors: Sahn David E. , Stifel David C. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe use Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) to make international and inter‐temporal welfare comparisons. While most poverty analyses rely on expenditures or income, we use anthropometric measures of nutrition as indicators of living standards. The advantages are that we observe individual—not household—well‐being, deflators and exchange rates are unnecessary, and measurement techniques are similar across surveys. We test the robustness of the headcount results, and find that applying higher order Foster‐Greer‐Thorbecke poverty measures adds little information; although stochastic dominance testing of nutrition distributions reveals that changes in malnutrition are sensitive to the choice of the “nutrition poverty line”.
Effective Costs and Chemical Use in United States Agricultural Production: Using the Environment as a “Free” Input
Authors: Morrison Paul Catherine J. , Ball V. Eldon , Felthoven Ronald G. , Grube Arthur , Nehring Richard F. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractA cost‐function‐based production model is used to represent patterns of input use and output production in U.S. agriculture, and the implied costs of induced reductions in risk from agricultural chemicals (“bad outputs”). We estimate and evaluate shadow values for these harmful outputs, and the implied input‐ and output‐specific substitution patterns, with a focus on the impacts on pesticide demand and its quality and quantity components. Using state‐level data we find these measures to be statistically significant, vary substantively by region, and imply increased demand for effective pesticides associated with improvements in quality from embodied technology.
Partial Market Liberalization and the Efficiency of Policy Reform: The Case of the European Dairy Sector
Authors: Bouamra‐Mechemache Zohra , Chavas Jean‐Paul , Cox Thomas L. , Réquillart Vincent 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThis article analyzes the efficiency of partial market liberalization and policy reform with an application to the European dairy sector. In a second best world, partial moves toward market liberalization are not always efficiency improving. We develop a general equilibrium model to investigate the efficiency implications of discrete changes in government policy. The analysis covers price and quantity instruments used in both domestic and trade policy. We derive simple cnditions under which partial market liberalization is efficiency improving. We apply the approach to agricultural policy reform in the European dairy sector and identify market liberalization scenarios that are “not” efficiency improving.
The Adoption and Profitability of rbST on Connecticut Dairy Farms
Authors: Foltz Jeremy D. , Chang Hsiu‐Hui 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThis work estimates probit and tobit models of the adoption of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) on Connecticut dairy farms and then endogenizes that adoption in estimates of milk production and farm profit rates. The work improves on the current literature by allowing the rbST decision to be both continuous and contingent on other technology adoption decisions. The results show that larger farms, with more productivity technologies, and with younger, more educated farmers, are more likely to adopt rbST. While rbST is shown to significantly increase milk production, there is no evidence that it increases profits on a per cow basis.
Does Capital Market Structure Affect Farm Investment? A Comparison using French and British Farm‐Level Panel Data
Authors: Benjamin Catherine , Phimister Euan 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThis article considers whether differences in the structure of agriculture credit markets in France and the United Kingdom alters the investment sensitivity to financial variables particularly cash flow. Using two panel datasets of French and British farms, three approaches are used to test the sensitivity of investment to internal finance, an inventory investment model, a fundamental q‐model, and Euler equations for machinery investment. The results suggest that the contrasting capital markets structures do induce differences in overall investment sensitivity to cash flow and its pattern across both farms with varying levels of collateral and between inventory and machinery investment.
Consumer Protection in Islam: The Case of Pakistan
Authors: Khan Kishwar , Aftab Sarwat 
Published: March 2003

Consumers whether in an Islamic State or otherwise face similar problems that need to be taken care of by the government and the individuals themselves. Islam as a religion gives a comprehensive framework for conducting business and protecting the consumers' rights. Apparently, this framework seems similar to the commercial laws but glaring differences between the two exist: commercial laws are a relatively new phenomena and are made by humans for the sake of convenience only. Islamic law on the other hand, provided such guidelines 1500 years ago which are based on divine principles set by Allah. Moreover, there is no reward in complying with the commercial laws but Allah promised the believers rewards both in this world and the Hereafter for complying with Islamic principles.Pakistan is an Islamic State but the area of consumer protection has remained neglected so far. This paper explores how an environment can be created in Pakistan whereby the interests of consumers are best protected under the teachings of Islam. The Qur'anic principles are delineated with reference to: guidelines for Muslim businessmen and consumers; the role of state and institutions.
Horizontal Mergers and Merger Waves in a Location Model
Authors: Matsushima Noriaki 
Published: March 2003

We consider sequential mergers in a spatial model with Cournot competition. This model is suitable for explaining the behaviour of some industries where several brands of the same product are delivered by plants. The automobile and oil product industries are examples. To discuss sequential mergers, we use the method of Nilssen and Sørgard (1998). We show that if the transportation cost per length is large relative to market size, a merger wave occurs. In addition, it might improve social surplus. On the other hand, if the transportation cost per length is relatively small, a merger wave does not occur even though firms would be better off with sequential mergers.We also compare our model to that of Levy and Reitzes (1992) who consider horizontal mergers with spatial price competition. We show that in a merger of neighbouring firms the merged firm's profit decreases. This result is opposite to that of Levy and Reitzes (1992).Finally, we consider how a regulator affects sequential mergers. When each merger occurs, the regulator assesses each merger. In this case, there is a possibility that the existence of the regulator deters welfare‐improving sequential mergers.
Measuring the Impact of Child Care Subsidies on the Incomes of Mothers Returning to Work
Authors: Schofield Deborah , Polette Josh 
Published: March 2003

The cost of child care is one of the greatest financial barriers faced by mothers returning to work. In recognition of this cost, the federal government provides child care subsidies to assist families to meet the cost of child care.This paper models the use of child care services and the provision of child care subsidies to determine how effective the Australian government child care support programs are in reducing the financial barriers that make returning to work difficult for many mothers. Both childcare assistance and the newer childcare cash rebate are modelled. The impact of these assistance measures is examined for couples and sole parents on different incomes with one or two children in child care.It was found that child care subsidies are highly progressive and make a substantial contribution to vertical equity by offsetting child care costs related to employment. They also contribute to horizontal equity, by providing greater assistance in meeting child care costs for families with more than one child in care, in recognition of their greater need. Sole parents derived the greatest benefit from child care subsidies, particularly those on low incomes working full‐time and with two children in care.
Monitoring the Performance of Government Trading Enterprises
Authors: Waters II W.G. , Street John 
Published: March 2003

Total factor productivity (TFP) was used for some years as a single indicator for measuring performance of government trading enterprises in Australia. More recently there has been a shift in emphasis towards financial criteria, with little or no mention of TFP. But it is well known that financial measures can be inappropriate for enterprises with market power.We show that it is important to monitor both TFP and financial performance. TFP performance alone can be misleading and be achieved at the expense of financial performance—this is illustrated for Australian National Railways during the 1980s. TFP and financial performance can be directly linked, and this provides a better framework for performance assessment over time. We explore the relationship between productivity, price performance, and various financial measures.
Can Supply‐Side Policies Reduce Unemployment? Lessons from North America
Authors: Burtless Gary 
Published: March 2003

North America offers lessons about policies that help sustain low unemployment. This article examines the effects of ‘supply‐side’ policies, which boost the skills of the workforce and improve microeconomic incentives facing workers and employers. Two supply‐side policies were expanded after the mid‐1980s. First, the United States increased earnings supplements, payable to low‐income workers, to encourage adults to find and keep jobs. Second, social assistance programs limited the duration of transfer payments and linked support benefits to workers' participation in job search, occupational training, and community work experience programs. These measures increased job holding among economically disadvantaged adults. In the 1980s and 1990s the United States also maintained strong incentives for employers to create jobs for the hard‐to‐employ. Payroll tax and regulatory burdens on employers were kept low, and the modest legal minimum wage was allowed to fall in real terms. US experience suggests that selective supply‐side policies can boost the employment rates of the hard‐to‐employ and help maintain a low rate of structural unemployment.
Australian Cars in a Global Economy
Authors: Garnaut Ross 
Published: March 2003

Lobbyists for car industry protection argue that Australia should delay reducing tariffs until trading partners have ‘reciprocated’, but in reality, trade liberalisation and import expansion have been increasing East Asian and global markets for competitive Australian suppliers of automotive products. This reality is one reason why the car industry is a success story of Australian reform, with quality improving, real value added rising and exports increasing strongly over the past decade, as protection has fallen rapidly.The recent government decision to suspend the reduction in protection from 2000 to 2005, and over the five years taken as a whole greatly to reduce the rate of decline, is a symbol of a more general reform malaise in Australia.The car manufacturers said that they would have ‘accepted’ larger reductions in protection in the context of more vigorous pursuit of efficiency‐raising reform in other areas, notably in taxation. It is time for the government to take the industry at its word: to commit itself to replacement of more distorting indirect taxes by a value added tax; and to use this congenial context to restore momentum in the reduction of protection.
Anti–protein Z antibodies in women with pathologic pregnancies
Authors: Gris Jean-Christophe , Amadio Cécile , Mercier Eric , Lavigne-Lissalde Géraldine , Déchaud Hervé , Hoffet Médéric , Quéré Isabelle , Amiral Jean , Dauzat Michel , Marès Pierre 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Protein Z deficiencies have recently been described in women with unexplained early fetal loss. Using a new, specifically elaborated, commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we performed a case-control study on anti–protein Z immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies in 191 nonthrombotic, nonthrombophilic women with consecutive pathologic pregnancies. Levels of anti–protein Z antibodies were categorized in 3 strata (percentiles 1 through 74, 75 through 97, 98 through 100 among controls). The 2 upper levels of IgG and IgM anti–protein Z antibodies were associated with the risk of unexplained recurrent embryo loss or fetal death independently from habitual antiphospholipid/anticofactor antibodies, and a dose-effect relationship between antibody levels and the clinical risks was evidenced. In women, enhanced immune-complex formation with protein Z may play a role in unexplained embryo losses and, from the 10th week of gestation, may favor hypercoagulability in the maternal placenta side.
Severe telomere shortening in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria affects both GPI– and GPI+ hematopoiesis
Authors: Karadimitris Anastasios , Araten David J. , Luzzatto Lucio , Notaro Rosario 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
A most distinctive feature of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is that in each patient glycosylphosphatidylinositol-negative (GPI–) and GPI+ hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) coexist, and both contribute to hematopoiesis. Telomere size correlates inversely with the cell division history of HSCs. In 10 patients with hemolytic PNH the telomeres in sorted GPI– granulocytes were shorter than in sorted GPI+ granulocytes in 4 cases, comparable in 2 cases, and longer in the remaining 4 cases. Furthermore, the telomeres of both GPI– and GPI+ hematopoietic cells were markedly shortened compared with age-matched controls. The short telomeres in the GPI– cells probably reflect the large number of cell divisions required for the progeny of a single cell to contribute a large proportion of hematopoiesis. The short telomeres of the GPI+ cells indicate that the residual hematopoiesis contributed by these cells is not normal. This epigenetic change is an additional feature shared by PNH and aplastic anemia.
Urinary leukotriene E4, eosinophil protein X, and nasal eosinophil cationic protein are not associated with respiratory symptoms in 1‐year‐old children
Authors: Wojnarowski C. , Halmerbauer G. , Mayatepek E. , Gartner C. , Frischer T. , Forster J. , Kuehr J. ,   the Collaborative SPACE Team
Published: March 2003

Background: Eosinophilic airways inflammation forms the pathophysiologic basis for a proportion of children at risk of developing recurrent wheezing. Early preventive measures and/or anti‐inflammatory treatment may be guided by the identification of such children. We aimed to study the relationship between respiratory symptoms and indirect markers of airway inflammation. Methods: We measured eosinophil protein X (EPX) and leukotriene E4 (LTE4) in urine, as well as eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in nasal lavages, in a random sample of 1‐year‐old children with a family history of atopy who participated in an international multicenter study on the prevention of allergy in Europe. For urine analyses, 10 children with upper respiratory illness and 19 healthy children without a family history of atopy were also enrolled. Endogenous urinary LTE4 was separated by HPLC and determined by enzyme immunoassay with a specific antibody. The concentrations of nasal ECP and urinary EPX were determined by RIA analysis. Results: One hundred and ten children (mean age: 1.05±0.1 years) were enrolled. Prolonged coughing during the first year of life was reported in 29 children, wheezy breathing in 17 children, and dry skin in 33 children. A doctor's diagnosis of wheezy bronchitis was given to 17 children. Sensitization to dust mites (specific IgE ≥1.43 ML/units) was detected in two children. Children with a doctor's diagnosis of atopic dermatitis within the first 12 months of life (n=6) had significantly higher urinary EPX than children without this (66.7 vs 30.1 µg/mmol creatinine, P=0.01). Urinary excretion of EPX and LTE4 showed a weak correlation (r=0.22, P=0.02). There were no significant differences in urinary excretion of EPX and LTE4 or nasal ECP between children with and without respiratory symptoms (P>0.1). Conclusions: At the age of 1 year, urinary EPX is increased in children with atopic dermatitis. With regard to respiratory symptoms, urinary and nasal inflammatory parameters are not helpful in characterizing the phenotype of a single patient.
Definition of the flight period of Lasioderma serricorne (F.) in stored tobacco
Authors: Papadopoulou S.Ch. , Buchelos C.Th. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract A 4‐year (1996 – 99) survey of the biology of L. serricorne (F) (Coleoptera, Anobiidae) on stored tobacco has taken place in Thessaloniki, northern Greece. For the trapping of the adults, pheromone (‘New Serrico’ and ‘Black Stripe Moth’) as well as electric (black light) traps were used. The first generation adults emerging from larvae hibernating inside the tobacco bales appeared flying on the 17/5, 16/5, 28/4, and 30/4 of the years 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999, respectively. In parallel observations, adults inside the bales were found on the 14/5, 12/5, 23/4, and 26/4 of the above‐mentioned years, respectively. Termination of flights, in all the years concerned, took place during October or November, while the last flights of November were recorded in temperatures of about 13 °C.