Sceloporus olivaceus

Number of Pages: 4Integrative BiologyGeological Science

Molecular mechanisms regulating perivascular adipose tissue - potential pharmacological targets?

No abstract available

Epidemiological Baseline of Influenza Virus in Wild Aquatic Birds in Hong Kong during the Pre-H5N1 Endemic Era

Influenza virus surveillance was conducted on wild ducks and shorebirds in Hong Kong at the Mai Po Nature Reserve to determine whether East Asian wild aquatic birds passing through or overwintering in Hong Kong are reservoirs of H5N1 influenza viruses and to establish an epidemiological baseline of influenza virus in wild aquatic birds during the pre-H5N1 endemic era. Three influenza viruses were isolated from 3178 faecal samples collected over three sampling periods from 1988 to 2001 during the southern and northern migration periods. The isolation rates and viruses were, respectively 0.08% (H10N5) in 1988 – 1990, 0.12% (H11N1) in 1998 and 0.09% (H3N8) in 1999 – 2001. Whereas tracheal and intestinal colon explants from representative shorebirds were susceptible to in vitro infection by the H10N5 virus, orally infected shorebirds were apparently not. Genetic analyses indicated that the nucleoprotein, matrix and nonstructural genes of the three viruses were related to those of aquatic bird viruses in Asia, but not to those of the human H5N1 virus. The present study provided epidemiological baseline information for future influenza virus surveillance in wild aquatic birds in southeast China

Contribution of poor blood pressure control to strokes

No abstract available

Bilateral Trade and Economic Growth: The Empirical Evidence Between U.S. and South Korea

This paper analyzes the relationships between bilateral trade and economic growth in the U.S. and Korean economies. Using quarterly data from 1990 to 2008, the theoretical procedures utilize Ordinary Least Square (OLS) and Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR) models under the static model assumption, an Impulse Response Function (IRF) and Forecast Error Variation Decomposition (FEVD) under the Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model, and Granger causality tests. Empirical results indicate a causal relationship between bilateral export growth and economic growth for the U.S. and Korean economies. The export-led growth (ELG) hypothesis is strongly supported by the results of Granger causality tests on Korean exports.export-led growth, bilateral trade, Granger causality, South Korea, United States, International Relations/Trade, Political Economy, Production Economics,

The Impact of Central American Free Trade Area (CAFTA) on the United States sugar market

This paper tries to estimate the impact of establishment of CAFTA on the United States sugar market. We use the United States sugar demand elasticity and the amount of increase in the U.S. sugar import quota under CAFTA agreement to estimate the magnitude of this effect. This study shows that these increased imports will result in a decrease in the U.S. domestic sugar price of about 1.7 cents, or approximately 8.6 percent. Although it amounts to only pennies per pound, this decrease in the domestic price could result in the incursion of significant U.S. government expenditures given the current structure of the U.S. non-recourse loan program.International Relations/Trade,

The Exchange Rate and Inward Foreign Direct Investment in Mexico

This paper analyzed the exchange rate and inward foreign direct investment (FDI) in Mexico from the 25 developed countries comprising the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Our empirical result does not support the significant relationship between exchange rate and exchange rate volatility to determine FDI in Mexico. The wages, export, and distance are found to be significant variables to determine FDI in Mexico which is supported by literatures.Exchange rate, Foreign direct investment, Mexico, OECD, International Relations/Trade,

Empirical Evidences from a Coffee Paradox: An Export Supply/Price Asymmetry Approach

This paper aims to determine the solidity of the notion of the "coffee paradox" using annual data from 1977 to 2007. In the confines of an export supply model, we analyze the effects of export coffee price on export volume. Price and profit equation are used to determine the effects of market power on export coffee price and measure changes in the retail and export price. We also estimate the elasticity of transmission and price asymmetry as a means of verifying the "coffee paradox." Ordinary Least Square (OLS), Instrumental Variables (IV), and simultaneous equation with Seemingly Unrelated Regressions (SUR) methods of econometric analysis are employed. Empirical results suggest that the world coffee market is characterized by "coffee paradox" due to different changes between retail and export prices of coffee, and that it is the existence of market power in importing countries that is the main contributor to the condition of price asymmetry.export supply model, coffee paradox, elasticity of transmission, price asymmetry, price equation, profit equation, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Consumer/Household Economics, Demand and Price Analysis, International Relations/Trade,

Production Response to Increased Imports: The Case of U.S. Sugar

This paper considers how the welfare of U.S. sugar producers can be affected by the use of production controls in the presence of rising sugar imports and falling sugar prices, taking into account the negative externalities associated with U.S. sugar production. Even if production controls are used, producer welfare can be affected negatively under rising imports.import quota, production quota, supply management, U.S. sugar, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, International Relations/Trade, Production Economics, Productivity Analysis, F13, F14, Q17,