Famine in North Korea: Causes and Cures

In this paper we start from incomplete data ridden with gross measurement errors to construct the underlying data base for a computable general equilibrium model (CGE) of the North Korean economy using cross-entropy estimation techniques. This model incorporates fragmentary information in a rigorous way and allows us to examine the implications of a number of alternative scenarios. First, we model a production-oriented recovery program as the restoration of flood-affected lands. We then model an external assistance program as the acquisition of all food aid necessary to attain the United Nations organizations' estimates of minimum human needs. The trade-oriented recovery program is modeled as a relaxation of agricultural import quotas and the importation of food on commercial terms. Finally, we model a systemic reform program as the elimination of quantitative restrictions on all external trade.

Modeling Korean Unification

For North Korea, product market integration would generate large welfare gains, sufficient to end the famine. Additional gains could be had through military demobilization. For the South, the impact of product market integration would be trivial, but the impact of factor market integration would be considerable, affecting the composition of output, distribution of income, and rate of growth. Given moderately rapid technological convergence, expected levels of cross-border migration, and equalization of rates on return on capital, per capita incomes in the North would remain well below those in the South for an extended period.

Dissection and Exposure of the Whole Course of Deep Nerves in Human Head Specimens after Decalcification

The whole course of the chorda tympani nerve, nerve of pterygoid canal, and facial nerves and their relationships with surrounding structures are complex. After reviewing the literature, it was found that details of the whole course of these deep nerves are rarely reported and specimens displaying these nerves are rarely seen in the dissecting room, anatomical museum, or atlases. Dissections were performed on 16 decalcified human head specimens, exposing the chorda tympani and the nerve connection between the geniculate and pterygopalatine ganglia. Measurements of nerve lengths, branching distances, and ganglia size were taken. The chorda tympani is a very fine nerve (0.44 mm in diameter within the tympanic cavity) and approximately 54 mm in length. The mean length of the facial nerve from opening of internal acoustic meatus to stylomastoid foramen was 52.5 mm. The mean length of the greater petrosal nerve was 26.1 mm and nerve of the pterygoid canal was 15.1 mm

The 1941 Iowa corn yield test

The Iowa Corn Yield Test attempts to supply performance records to the buyer and producer of various hybrids offered for sale to the Iowa farmer. Iowa has become “hybrid corn conscious” since 1935 when 3.1 percent of the Iowa corn acreage was planted to hybrid seed. In 1941, 95 percent of the corn acreage was estimated to have been planted to hybrid seed. Each year the Iowa farmer is confronted with the problem of knowing which hybrid to buy. The Iowa Corn Yield Test may help in solving this problem by giving some indication of the performance of various hybrids in different parts of the state. Records are determined for acre yield, percent stand, lodging, moisture, dropped ears and damaged kernels. Significant differences in yield and in other characteristics between hybrids, providing they are equal in stand, grown under the same environmental conditions may be attributed to genetic differences

The 1940 Iowa corn yield test

The Iowa Com Yield Test makes available to purchasers and producers alike the performance records of different kinds of corn. Many of these kinds are offered for sale to Iowa farmers. If these performance records are properly studied they should help the purchaser to select the com best adapted for his purposes. The testing fields of the Iowa Com Yield Test were located in 12 systematically scattered areas of the state. The data should, therefore, be helpful to the seed producer by indicating the range of adaptation of the different strains and hybrid combinations and the performance under different soil and climatic conditions. Nine out of 10 corn acres in Iowa are planted to hybrid corn. It is, therefore, important to determine the adaptation and performance of various combinations in different parts of the state. The data presented in this bulletin include acre yield, lodging, maturity, dropped ears and damaged kernels. Significant differences in yield between different kinds of corn with equal stands, grown in adequately replicated tests, may be attributed to genetic differences under the environmental conditions of the test

1938 Iowa corn yield test

A total of 1,110 district entries was made in the 12 fields of the 1938 Iowa Corn Yield Test. These were divided into three groups on the basis of the indicated seed grown by the entrant in 1937; Regular Open-Pollinated, Regular Hybrids, and Experimental Hybrids

1939 Iowa corn yield test

1. The purpose of the 1939 Iowa Corn Yield Test was to determine for each district and section of the state those kinds of corn which perform best. 2. The state was divided into four sections for the tests. Each section was composed of three districts in each of which was located a testing field. 3. A total of 1,214 district entries was made in the 12 fields. These entries were divided into two classes, regular and experimental, depending upon the quantity of seed indicated to have been grown by the entrant in 1938. 4. The seed for planting the entries in the regular class was obtained by the Iowa Corn and Small Grain Growers’ Association from warehouses, on the open market and from farmers who had purchased the seed to plant. The seed for planting the experimental entries was supplied by the entrant. 5. Each regular entry was planted in 10 plots and each experimental entry in five plots in each field where tested. 6. Data were obtained for each entry on percentage stand, ear height, acre yield, percentage lodging, moisture content, percentage of dropped ears and damaged kernels. 7. A performance score was computed for each entry. In computing this score the yield was weighted 50 percent, dry corn 20 percent, and lodging resistance, ears on stalks and undamaged kernels 10 percent each. The entries are arranged in tables 7 to 22, inclusive, according to their performance score. 8. The difference in yield necesary to be considered significant was calculated and is included in the performance data for each district and each section. Because of the increased number of replications in the regular classes the bushels necessary for significance are generally smaller than in the experimental classes. 9. The average yield, moisture percentage and percentage of lodged plants for those section entries which were in the 1939 test and in tests of the same previous years were calculated. These data offer a more reliable basis for predicting the future performance of these entries than the results of any one year. 10. The long ripening season of 1939 permitted late, unadapted kinds of corn to mature in the Northern Section where they normally would be too late. Many of the hybrids which performed well in the Northern and North Central sections might be wholly unsatisfactory in a season with a less favorable fall. 11. The average yield of all hybrids was greater than that of the open-pollinated varieties in each of the 12 districts. The average advantage of the hybrids for the entire state was 14.0 percent. All of the hybrids in the test, however, were not superior. In 6 of the 12 districts the lowest yield was made by an open-pollinated variety, in 2 by an experimental hybrid and in 4 by a regular hybrid. 12. Differences in yield between hybrids with identical pedigrees may be largely accounted for by differences in percentage of stand. The use of proper seed stock, proper isolation and good detasseling are very necessary, but the maximum yield from a certain combination can be obtained only when the seed is processed and planted in such a manner that a high germination results. 13. The Banner Trophy was awarded to William Dockendorff & Sons on the basis of the performance of an entry of Iowa Hybrid 939 made by them in the Northern Section. This hybrid had a performance score of 108.73. It yielded 16.9 percent more than the average of the entries in its class and exceeded the yield of the average of the open-pollinated varieties by 20.8 bushels to the acre. This entry had a higher than average percentage of dropped ears and a lower than average percentage of lodged plants