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

Green Competition, Hybrid Equilibrium, And Establishment of a Resale Market

This paper investigates competition between firms whose choices of how much green effort to devote to building their reputations as socially responsible producers are determined in the contexts of simultaneous-move and hybrid simultaneous/sequential-move Bertrand equilibria. We derive conditions under which (1) the inter-temporal, green-effort reaction function of the firm with the less-aggressive green strategy is non-monotonic, (2) the level of green effort chosen by the firm with the more-aggressive green strategy increases when it views itself as the leader in a hybrid game rather than moving concurrently in a simultaneous-choice game, and (3) the establishment of a resale market by the more aggressive firm acts as a substitute for its choice of green-effort level. The sufficiency conditions underlying these results impose qualitative restrictions on the more-aggressive firm\u27s lagged (i.e., reputational) and contemporaneous cross effects of its green effort on demand for the less-aggressive firm\u27s product, as well as on the less-aggressive firm\u27s price markup and marginal cost associated with its production and green-effort choices, respectively

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

A New Measure of Economic Distance

This paper defines a new measure of economic distance. Using consistent cross-country data, we estimate local unit costs for 35 sectors in 40 countries. The distance between two countries is the largest percentage difference in unit costs among all sectors. If all goods are traded, this distance is the smallest uniform ad valorem tariff that shuts down bilateral trade. The network induced by the closest 10% of these distances has one large component, consisting primarily of the advanced industrial economies. China, India, and several other countries are isolated components, indicating that their unit costs are idiosyncratic. We also introduce a new measure of revealed comparative advantage

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