Market Interconnection and Wages

We study the impacts of terms trade changes on absolute and the real wages of skilled and unskilled labor and their gaps for an economy specialized in export production. We show an interesting result where wage behavior as well as the skilled-unskilled wage gap depend on elasticity of import demand, unlike in 3x2 classical-neoclassical specic-factor model of trade. Although, our analysis is in the spirit of Stolper-Samuelson theorem, given the structure of our model, factor intensity plays no role in our results as in the specic-factor model.skilled-unskilled labor, wage gap, terms of trade

International Migration and Real Wages

We provide an analysis of the impact of migration on the skilled- unskilled wage gap. In particular, we show the possibility of a rise in the wage gap following the migration of skilled (unskilled ) labor.

A Simulation Experiment of a Customs Union

Here a numerical simulation model, implemented in Excel, that can be used to expand student understanding of the theory of customs unions is presented. The model allows examination of core customs union issues including trade creation, trade diversion, and the KempWan theorem. By responding to an experimental assignment that guides them through the simulation, students are able to learn the theory in a hands-on manner. We also attempt to measure the effectiveness of our approach, and find evidence to suggest exposure to simulation improves student outcomes.

Does Foreign Aid Impede Foreign Investment?

This paper investigates the impact of foreign aid on foreign investment when foreign aid is used to finance a public consumption good. By formulating and analyzing a three-good general equilibrium model, we show that such foreign aid could crowd out foreign investment, given a factor intensity condition

Foreign Direct Investment, Non-Traded Goods and Real Wages

Using a three‐sector general equilibrium model with non‐traded goods, we investigate the impact of foreign direct investment on the real wages of skilled and unskilled workers. We show that foreign direct investment increases the real wages of skilled and unskilled workers alike, but widens the gap between the two under plausible conditions

Income Distribution and Trade Pattern

Motivated by recent insights from behavioral economics and social psychology, we present a theory of trade that seeks to explain inter-industry trade between countries that are similar in their production sides, but dier in their income distribution. By assuming status-dependent preferences that are non-homothetic, we show that income inequality dierential can be a basis for inter-industry trade between otherwise similar economies. JEL: F11 Abstract Motivated by recent insights from behavioral economics and social psychology, we present a theory of trade that seeks to explain inter-industry trade between countries that are similar in their production sides, but dier in their income distribution. By assuming status-dependent preferences that are non-homothetic, we show that income inequality dierential can be a basis for inter-industry trade between otherwise similar economies

Monitoring the cell wall characteristics of degraded beech wood by white-rot fungi: Anatomical, chemical, and photochemical study

Meticulous chemical analysis of decaying xylem and linking it to corresponding anatomical modification at the cellular level can improve our understanding of the decay process. The aim of this study was to monitor the histological, chemical, photochemical, and progression of wood degradation by two white-rot fungi at different intervals. Oriental beech wood (Fagus orientalis) blocks were exposed to Pleurotus ostreatus and Trametes versicolor to investigate the degradation capabilities of these two fungi. Light microscopy was used to study the decay patterns in wood. Decayed wood samples were also analyzed to determine lignin, cellulose and sugar contents and also evaluated at two week intervals by FT-IR spectroscopy to study chemical alterations. According to chemical analyses lignin is the most degraded polymer followed by cellulose and hemicelluloses for both white rot fungi. However, both test fungi tended to consume lignin more than cellulose. FT-IR spectra changes for  lignin and carbohydrates in beech wood supported chemical alteration and indicated that both fungi decay wood in a simultaneous pattern.&nbsp

Association between obesity categories with cardiovascular disease and its related risk factors in the MASHAD cohort study population

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Obesity is an important CVD risk factor and is increasing in prevalence. Methods In this study, 3829 men and 5720 women (35‐65 years) were enrolled as part of the MASHAD cohort study. Four categories were identified according to body mass index and waist circumference that was defined by the World Health Organization. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for the occurrence of CVD, and Cox regression model was used to evaluate the association of obesity with CVD incidence. Results We found that the higher risk groups defined by categories of adiposity were significantly related to a higher prevalence of a high serum total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TG), and lower high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and higher fasting blood glucose (FBG) in both genders and a higher low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) in women (P < .001). Additionally, a high percentage of participants with dyslipidemia, high LDL, high TC, and low HDL and a high percentage of participants with metabolic syndrome, diabetes, hypertension, and a high serum TG were observed across obesity categories (P < .001). Moreover, women with the very high degrees of obesity had a greater risk of CVD (HR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.06‐3.43, P = .03). Conclusion Obesity strongly predicts several CVD risk factors. Following 6 years of follow‐up, in individuals within increasing degrees of obesity, there was a corresponding significant increase in CVD events, rising to approximately a twofold higher risk of cardiovascular events in women compared with men

Age- and sex-specific reference intervals for superoxide dismutase enzyme and several minerals in a healthy adult cohort

Introduction The aim of this study was to establish RIs for clinically important markers including superoxide dismutase (SOD), serum copper, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and phosphate in a cohort of healthy Iranian adults. Materials A subsample from MASHAD cohort study was used to assess serum SOD, copper, zinc, calcium, magnesium and phosphate. Serum SOD was measured according to its inhibitory potential of pyrogallol oxidation. Micro- and macro-minerals were measured using flame atomic absorption spectrometry and a BT3000 autoanalyzer, respectively. Sex- and age-specific RIs were then calculated based on CLSI Ep28-A3 guidelines. Results Reference value distributions for studied parameters did not demonstrate any age-specific differences that were statistically significant. In addition, sex partitioning was not required for all parameters, apart from serum magnesium, which showed a wider range in females (0.81–1.26 mg/dl) compared with males (0.82–1.23 mg/dl). Conclusion The RIs established in this study can be expected to improve mineral assessment and clinical decision-making in the Iranian adult population