From bargaining solutions to claims rules: a proportional approach

Is it important to negotiate on proportions rather than on numbers? To answer this question, we analyze the behavior of well-known bargaining solutions and the claims rules they induce when they are applied to a "proportionally transformed" bargaining set SP -so-called bargaining-in-proportions set. The idea of applying bargaining solutions to claims problems was already developed in Dagan and Volij (1993). They apply the bargaining solutions over a bargaining set that is the one de ned by the claims and the endowment. A comparison among our results and theirs is provided. Keywords: Bargaining problem, Claims problem, Proportional, Constrained Equal Awards, Constrained Equal Losses, Nash bargaining solution. JEL classi fication: C71, D63, D71.

The equity core and the Lorenz-maximal allocations in the equal division core

In this paper, we characterize the non-emptiness of the equity core (Selten, 1978) and provide a method, easy to implement, for computing the Lorenz-maximal allocations in the equal division core (Dutta-Ray, 1991). Both results are based on a geometrical decomposition of the equity core as a finite union of polyhedrons. Keywords: Cooperative game, equity core, equal division core, Lorenz domination. JEL classification: C71

The Geographical Scope of Industrial Location Determinants: An Alternative Approach

This paper considers the estimation of the geographical scope of industrial location determinants. While previous studies impose strong assumptions on the weighting scheme of the spatial neighbour matrix, we propose a exible parametrisation that allows for di fferent (distance-based) de finitions of neighbourhood and di fferent weights to the neighbours. In particular, we estimate how far can reach indirect marginal e ffects and discuss how to report them. We also show that the use of smooth transition functions provides tools for policy analysis that are not available in the traditional threshold modelling. Keywords: count data models, industrial location, smooth transition functions, threshold models. JEL-Codes: C25, C52, R11, R30.

Supply Multipliers in Two Regional Economies

This paper focuses on the analysis of the economic impact that sectorial total factor productivity ��� or valued added - gains have on two regional Spanish economies (Catalonia and Extremadura). In particular it is studied the quantitative effect that each sector���s valued added injections has on household welfare (real disposable income), on the consumption price indices and factor relative prices, on real production (GDP) and on the government and foreign net income. To do that, we introduce the concept of supply multiplier. The analytical approach consists of a computable general equilibrium model, in which it is assumed perfect competition and cleared markets of goods and factors. All the parameters and exogenous variables of the model are calibrated by means of two social accounting matrices, one for each region under study. The results allow identifying those sectors with the greatest multipliers impact on consumer welfare as the key sectors in the regional economies. Keywords: efficiency gains, supply multipliers, key sectors, computable general equilibrium. JEL Classification: C68, R13.

A non-interventional phase IV Belgian survey to assess the antiviral effectiveness of pegylated interferon-alpha-2b and ribavirin treatment according to the stage of liver fibrosis in previously untreated patients with genotype 1/4/5/6 chronic hepatitis C (PRACTICE).

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: This was an observational, non-interventional, multicenter, phase IV study, in patients with genotype 1/4/5/6 chronic hepatitis C (CHC). The primary objectives were to evaluate SVR in patients with no or minimal fibrosis (METAVIR F0-F1) versus well established fibrosis (F2-F4), and to estimate response on Weeks 12, 24 and 48 on treatment in previously untreated patients with genotypes 1/4/5/6 CHC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 538 patients treated with pegylated interferon alfa 2b 1.5 mcg/kg in combination with ribavirin 800-1200 mg/day were enrolled in 55 sites in Belgium and Luxembourg, 505 being considered for the analysis. 40% of the patients were female and 60% male, the average age was 47.5 years, 10.5% were 65 or older. RESULTS: SVR was observed in 35% of the patients, EVR in 68%, of which pEVR in 33% and cEVR in 35%. SVR was observed in 43% of the low fibrosis group (F0, F1) and 30% of the high fibrosis group (F2, F3, F4) (p = 0.005). SVR rates were 34% for genotype 1, 37% for genotype 4, and 47% for genotype 5 (NS). Multivariate analysis showed that EVR and baseline METAVIR score are independent prognostic factors for SVR. CONCLUSIONS: This trial confirms that fibrosis stage and early viral response are the most important key-factors to predict sustained response, suggesting that the earlier patients are treated, the better the outcome. Non-invasive techniques enable us to closely monitor progression of fibrosis, allowing a better selection of patients for antiviral treatment in the DAA-era.

PCR-RAPD and PCR-RFLP polymorphisms detected in Anopheles cruzii (Diptera, Culicidae)

The aim of the present study was to examine genetic variability in populations of An. cruzii by employing PCR-RAPD and PCR-RFLP markers. All analyses were carried out using individuals of the F1 generation of wild caught females obtained in Santa Catarina State (Florian��polis and S��o Francisco do Sul), Paran�� State (Morretes, Paranagu�� and Guaratuba) and S��o Paulo State (Canan��ia). In the PCR-RAPD experiments, seven primers were used for comparisons within and among populations. The restriction profile of the ITS2 including a fragment of both 5.8S and 28S regions of the rDNA was obtained with the enzymes BstUI, HaeIII, TaqI, HhaI, Sau96I, HinfI, HincII and NruI. The PCR-RAPD method detected a large number of polymorphic bands. Genetic distance among populations of An. cruzii varied from 0,0214 to 0,0673, suggesting that all individuals used in the analyses belong to a single species. The number of migrants per generation (Nm) was 4.3, showing the existence of gene flow among populations. The restriction profile of the ITS2, 5.8S and 28S gene regions was similar in all An. cruzii samples, whereas the results obtained by using HhaI and NruI are indicative that the individuals analyzed have nucleotide sequences distinct from those of An. cruzii samples from Peru��be and Juquiazinho deposited in GenBank.

Epidemiologia Molecular, Evolu����o Viral e Perfil de Resist��ncia aos Antirretrovirais em uma Popula����o de Pacientes Infectados por Hiv-1 e/ou Hiv-2 Residentes em Diferentes Ilhas do Arquip��lago de Cabo Verde

O diagn��stico sorol��gico da infec����o pelo HIV-1 e HIV-2 teve in��cio em Cabo Verde em 1987, mas pouco se sabe a respeito da diversidade gen��tica desses v��rus nessas ilhas, localizadas na costa Ocidental Africana. Neste estudo, caracterizamos a epidemiologia molecular do HIV-1 e HIV-2 em Cabo Verde, analisamos a origem dos principais clados de HIV introduzidos no pa��s e descrevemos a ocorr��ncia de muta����es de resist��ncia aos antirretrovirais (DRM) em indiv��duos virgens de tratamento (ARTn) e pacientes em tratamento (ARTexp) oriundos das diferentes ilhas. Amostras de sangue, dados sociodemogr��fico e cl��nico-laboratoriais foram obtidos de 221 indiv��duos HIV positivos entre 2010-2011. As amostras foram sequenciadas na regi��o da polimerase (1300 pares de bases) e an��lises filogen��ticas e de bootscan foram realizadas para a subtipagem viral. Os algoritmos disponibilizados nos sites Stanford HIV Database e HIV-GRADE e.V. Algorithm Homepage foram utilizados para avaliar a exist��ncia de DRM em pacientes positivos para HIV-1 e HIV-2, respectivamente. Os estudos evolutivos e filogeogr��ficos foram realizados atrav��s do programa BEAST. Entre os 221 pacientes analisados, sendo 169 (76,5%) HIV-1, 43 (19,5%) HIV-2 e 9 de (4,1%) co-infectados pelo HIV-1 e pelo HIV-2, 67% eram do sexo feminino. As medianas de idade foram de 34 (IQR = 1-75) e 47 (IQR = 12-84) para o HIV-1 e HIV-2, respectivamente. A infec����o pelo HIV-1 �� causada pelo subtipo G (36,6%), CRF02_AG (30,6%), subtipo F1, (9,7%), URFs (10,4%), subtipo B (5,2%), CRF05_DF (3,0%), subtipo C (2,2%), CRF06_cpx (0,7%), CRF25_cpx (0,7%) e CRF49_cpx (0,7%), e todas as infec����es por HIV-2 pertencem ao grupo A. De acordo com as an��lises filogeogr��ficas e de origem do HIV, estima-se que o HIV-2 foi o primeiro tipo viral introduzido em Cabo Verde e possui rela����es filogen��ticas com sequ��ncias refer��ncias de Portugal. O HIV-1 entrou no pa��s mais tarde, primeiramente pelo subtipo G, evidenciando rela����es com sequ��ncias da ��frica Central e de Portugal. Transmiss��o de DRM (TDRM) foi observada em 3,4% (2/58) de pacientes HIV-1 ARTn (1,7% NRTI, NNRTI 1,7%), mas n��o entre os infectados com HIV-2. Entre os pacientes ARTexp, DRM foi observada em 47,8% (33/69) dos infectados pelo HIV-1 (37,7% NRTI, NNRTI 37,7%, 7,4% de PI, 33,3% para duas classes) e 17,6% (3/17) nos infectados pelo HIV-2 (17,6%, 11,8% NRTI PI, 11,8% para ambas as classes). Este estudo indica que Cabo Verde tem um cen��rio epidemiol��gico molecular complexo e ��nico dominado pelo HIV-1 subtipo G, CRF02_AG e F1 e HIV-2 grupo A, sendo esse o primeiro tipo viral introduzido em Cabo Verde. A ocorr��ncia de TDRM e o n��vel relativamente elevado de DRM entre os pacientes tratados constituem uma preocupa����o, pelo que o monitoramento cont��nuo dos pacientes em ARTexp, incluindo genotipagem s��o pol��ticas p��blicas a serem implementadas.

Loss of phenotypic plasticity generates genotype-caste association in harvester ants.

Caste differentiation and reproductive division of labor are the hallmarks of insect societies. In ants and other social Hymenoptera, development of female larvae into queens or workers generally results from environmentally induced differences in gene expression. However, several cases in which certain gene combinations may determine reproductive status have been described in bees and ants. We investigated experimentally whether genotype directly influences caste determination in two populations of Pogonomyrmex harvester ants in which genotype-caste associations have been observed. Each population contains two genetic lineages. Queens are polyandrous and mate with males of both lineages , but in mature colonies, over 95% of daughter queens have a pure-lineage genome, whereas all workers are of F1 interlineage ancestry. We found that this pattern is maintained throughout the colony life cycle, even when only a single caste is being produced. Through controlled crosses, we demonstrate that pure-lineage eggs fail to develop into workers even when interlineage brood are not present. Thus, environmental caste determination in these individuals appears to have been lost in favor of a hardwired genetic mechanism. Our results reveal that genetic control of reproductive fate can persist without loss of the eusocial caste structure.

Molecular epidemiology and evolution of HIV-1 in Portugal and portuguese speaking african countries

The aims of this thesis were to better characterize HIV-1 diversity in Portugal, Angola, Mozambique and Cape Verde and to investigate the origin and epidemiological history of HIV-1 in these countries. The impact of these issues in diagnosis, disease progression and susceptibility to ARV therapy was also investigated. Finally, the nature, dynamics and prevalence of transmitted drug resistance (TDR) was determined in untreated HIV-1 infected patients. In Angola, practically all HIV-1 genetic forms were found, including almost all subtypes, untypable (U) strains, CRFs and URFs. Recombinants (first and second generation) were present in 47.1% of the patients. HIV/AIDS epidemic in Angola probably started in 1961, the major cause being the independence war, subsequently spreading to Portugal. In Maputo, 81% of the patients were infected with subtype C viruses. Subtype G, U and recombinants such as CRF37_cpx, were also present. The results suggest that HIV-1 epidemic in Mozambique is evolving rapidly in genetic complexity. In Cape Verde, where HIV-1 and HIV-2 co-circulate, subtype G is the prevailed subtype. Subtypes B, C, F1, U, CRF02_AG and other recombinant strains were also found. HIV-2 isolates belonged to group A, some being closely related to the original ROD isolate. In all three countries numerous new polymorphisms were identified in the RT and PR of HIV-1 viruses. Mutations conferring resistance to the NRTIs or NNRTIs were found in isolates from 2 (2%) patients from Angola, 4 (6%) from Mozambique and 3 (12%) from Cape Verde. None of the isolates containing TDR mutations would be fully sensitive to the standard first-line therapeutic regimens used in these countries. Close surveillance in treated and untreated populations will be crucial to prevent further transmission of drug resistant strains and maximize the efficacy of ARV therapy. In Portugal, investigation of a seronegative case infection with rapid progression to AIDS and death revealed that the patient was infected with a CRF14_BG-like R5-tropic strain selectively transmitted by his seropositive sexual partner. The results suggest a massive infection with a highly aggressive CRF14_BG like strain and/or the presence of an unidentified immunological problem that prevented the formation of HIV-1-specific antibodies. Near full-length genomic sequences obtained from three unrelated patients enabled the first molecular and phylogenomic characterization of CRF14_BG from Portugal; all sequences were strongly related with CRF14_BG Spanish isolates. The mean date of origin of CRF14_BG was estimated to be 1992. We propose that CRF14_BG emerged in Portugal in the early 1990s, spread to Spain in late 1990s as a consequence of IDUs migration and then to the rest of Europe. Most CRF14_BG strains were predicted to use CXCR4 and were associated with rapid CD4 depletion and disease progression. Finally, we provide evidence suggesting that the X4 tropism of CRF14_BG may have resulted from convergent evolution of the V3 loop possibly driven by an effective escape from neutralizing antibody response.

Bioactivity of Indonesian mahogany, Toona sureni (Blume) (Meliaceae), against the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae)

Bioactivity of Indonesian mahogany, Toona sureni (Blume) (Meliaceae), against the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae). The insecticidal activity of Toona sureni (Blume) Merr. was evaluated considering repellency, mortality and progeny production of F1 adults of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst, 1797) (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae). Dried extract of seeds of T. sureni was dissolved in acetone to prepare solution of various concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0%). To test for repellency, the insects were exposed to treated filter paper. Mortality of larvae, pupae and adults was evaluated by the treatment of spraying the insects with different concentrations of T. sureni extract. Residual effect of the extract was also evaluated considering the production of progeny of F1 adults. The highest repellency (93.30%) of T. castaneum occurred at the highest concentration (5.0% suspension of T. sureni); while the lowest (0.0%) repellency occurred at 0.5% suspension after 1 day of treatment. The highest mortality against adults (86.71%), larvae (88.32%) and pupae (85%) occurred at 5% suspension at 8 days after application. There was a negative correlation between the concentrations of T. sureni and the production of F1 adult's progeny of T. castaneum. The highest number of progeny (147) of T. castaneum occurred in the control at 7 days after treatment; and the lowest number of progeny (43) occurred at 5.0% concentration in 1 day after treatment. The results show that T. sureni is toxic to T. castaneum and has the potential to control all stages of this insect in stored wheat.

A PERCE����O DE QUALIDADE DE SERVI��O DOS CLIENTES EMPRESAS: O CASO BCA

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi estudar a perce����o que os clientes empresas t��m em rela����o a qualidade de servi��o prestado por um Banco em Santiago, Cabo Verde. Procurou-se saber se existe gap entre as expetativas dos clientes e a perce����o do servi��o recebido. No estudo utilizou-se um dos modelos muito usado nos servi��os de marketing, o SERVQUAL, desenvolvido por Parasuraman et al. (1985 e 1988). O modelo �� baseado na perce����o de gaps entre a qualidade de servi��o recebido e esperado amplamente adotado para explicar a perce����o da qualidade dos servi��os pelos consumidores. No estudo utilizou-se um question��rio estruturado com perguntas fechadas. Uma amostra de 90 empresas constitui o n��mero de inquiridos. A pesquisa foi conduzida na ilha de Santiago, Rep��blica de Cabo Verde. Cinco carater��sticas da qualidade de servi��os foram analisadas: Tangibilidade, Confiabilidade, Atendimento, Seguran��a e Empatia. Ficou evidente que existe gap entre as expetativas e perce����es das empresas inquiridas. A limita����o do estudo prende-se com o tamanho da amostra e de estar restrito �� ilha de Santiago, pertencente ao grupo de Sotavento do arquip��lago de Cabo Verde.

Crocidura cossyrensis Contoli, 1989 (Mammalia, Soridiae): karyotype, biochemical genetics and hybridization experiments

Crocidura cossyrensis Contoli, 1989 (Mammalia, Soricidae): karyotype, biochemical genetics and hybridization experiments. - The shrew Crocidura cossyrensis Contoli, 1989 from Pantelleria (I), a Mediterranean island 100 km south of Sicily and 70 km west from Tunisia, was investigated in order to understand its origin and its relationship with C. russula from Tunisia, Morocco and Switzerland. With the exception of a single heterozygote centric fusion, C. cossyrensis had a karyotype identical with that of C russula from Tunisia (2N = 42, NF = 70 to 72), but it differed from C russula from Morocco and Switzerland (2N = 42, NF = 60). The former have 5-6 pairs of chromosomes with small arms that are acrocentric in the latter. Genetic comparisons with allozyme data revealed small genetic distance (0.04) between C cossyrensis and C russula from Tunisia. In contrast, this eastern clade (Tunisia and Pantelleria) is separated from the western clade (Switzerland and Morocco) by a genetic distance of 0.14. A hybridization experiment between shrews from Pantelleria and Switzerland lead rapidly to an F1 generation. From 12 F1 hybrids that were backcrossed, females reproduced normally, but none of the males did so. Concluding from the results, C. cossyrensis from Pantelleria and C. russula cf. agilis from Tunisia belong to the same taxon that may have reached the differentiation of a biological species within the C. russula group. More geographic samples are needed to determine the definitive taxonomic positions of these shrews.

An observational study of the 7 September 2005 Barcelona tornado outbreak

This paper presents an observational study of the tornado outbreak that took place on the 7 September 2005 in the Llobregat delta river, affecting a densely populated and urbanised area and the Barcelona International airport (NE Spain). The site survey confirmed at least five short-lived tornadoes. Four of them were weak (F0, F1) and the other one was significant (F2 on the Fujita scale). They started mostly as waterspouts and moved later inland causing extensive damage estimated in 9 million Euros, three injured people but fortunately no fatalities. Large scale forcing was provided by upper level diffluence and low level warm air advection. Satellite and weather radar images revealed the development of the cells that spawned the waterspouts along a mesoscale convergence line in a highly sheared and relatively low buoyant environment. Further analysis indicated characteristics that could be attributed indistinctively to non-supercell or to mini-supercell thunderstorms.

Distribui����o do am��nio, nitrato, pot��ssio e f��sforo em colunas de latossolos fertirrigadas

Na fertirriga����o, �� conveniente aplicar os nutrientes de forma a conseguir sua localiza����o na profundidade mais adequada para absor����o por parte das culturas: em maior profundidadepara a cultura perene e, mais superficialmente, nas culturas de ciclo curto. Com os objetivos de estabelecer em que fra����o da l��mina de irriga����o devem ser aplicada as doses de N (NH4+ e NO3-); K+ e H2PO4-, de investigar qual o melhor fracionamento de suas doses, de modo a localiz��-los na profundidade adequada, e de determinar a distribui����o na coluna de NH4+, NO3-, K+ e H2PO4- aplicados por fertirriga����o, foi realizado um experimento em laborat��rio, utilizando colunas de percola����o. Os tratamentos corresponderam a um fatorial 4 (1 + 7), sendo quatro Latossolos de Minas Gerais [dois Latossolos Vermelho-Amarelos distr��ficos (LVAd1 e LVAd2), um Latossolo Vermelho distrof��rrico (LVdf) e um Latossolo Vermelho distr��fico (LVd)], uma testemunha (aplica����o de ��gua deionizada) e sete formas de aplica����o de 1 mmol dm-3 de NH4+, 1 mmol dm-3 de NO3-, 2 mmol dm-3 de K+ e 0,667 mmol dm-3 de H2PO4-. A l��mina de ��gua foi dividida em cinco fra����es iguais (F1 a F5) e a dose dos nutrientes aplicada integralmente (D), ou fracionada em duas (D1/2) ou em tr��s vezes (D1/3). Assim, a aplica����o dos nutrientes foi feita segundo o esquema: F2D, F3D, F4D, F2D1/2F3D1/2 , F3D1/2F4D 1/2, F2D1/2F4D1/2 ou F2D1/3F3D1/3 F4D1/3. Subamostras foram utilizadas na an��lise de NH4+; NO3-; K+ e H2PO4-, determinando-se a distribui����o desses nutrientes na coluna de solo. A mobilidade apresentou a seguinte ordem nos solos LVAd1, LVAd2 e LVd: NO3- > NH4+ > K+ > H2PO4-. J�� para o solo LVdf, a ordem foi NH4+ > NO3- > K+ > H2PO4-. A ordem de risco de contamina����o de ��guas subterr��neas por NO3- foi a seguinte: LVAd1 > LVAd2 > LVdf > LVd. A quantidade de ��gua acrescentada a cada coluna, inferior a meio volume de poros, n��o foi suficiente para deslocar o H2PO4- al��m do primeiro anel. Para os outros ��ons em estudo, a localiza����o em maior profundidade, quando aplicados como pulso ��nico, foi verificada com a maior concentra����o no pulso (D > D1/2 > D 1/3) e com a maior l��mina de ��gua posterior �� sua aplica����o (F2D > F3D > F 4D e F2D1/2F3D1/2 > F3D1/2F4D1/2 ). Os resultados evidenciam que a mobilidade diferencial de N (NH4+ e NO3-) e K+ exigiria escolha cuidadosa das doses desses nutrientes na solu����o, a fim de evitar perdas de N (NH4+ e NO3-) por lixivia����o, ou localiza����o excessivamente superficial do K+. A baixa mobilidade do H2PO4- mostra que a fertirriga����o n��o seria uma t��cnica apropriada para sua incorpora����o no perfil do solo, visando �� fertiliza����o das culturas.

Fra����es oxid��veis do carbono org��nico em argissolo vermelho-amarelo sob sistema de aleias

O aporte de mat��ria org��nica ao solo via leguminosas em sistemas de aleias pode ser uma alternativa para o uso sustent��vel do tr��pico ��mido. O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar o aporte de mat��ria org��nica facilmente oxid��vel proveniente da combina����o de res��duos de diferentes leguminosas utilizadas em sistemas de condu����o de culturas em aleias sob Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo. Foram avaliadas duas esp��cies de leguminosas de alta qualidade de res��duos - leucena (Leucaena leucocephala) e guandu (Cajanus cajan), e duas esp��cies de baixa qualidade de res��duos - sombreiro (Clitoria fairchildiana) e ac��cia (Acacia mangium), combinadas entre si, nos seguintes tratamentos: sombreiro + guandu; leucena + guandu; ac��cia + guandu; sombreiro + leucena; leucena + ac��cia e testemunha sem leguminosa. As amostras de solo foram coletadas nas profundidades de 0-5 e 5-10 cm, nas entrelinhas. Foi quantificado e fracionado o C org��nico total (COT), estratificado em quatro fra����es (F1, F2, F3 e F4) com graus decrescentes de oxida����o. As ��reas com sombreiro/leucena, ac��cia/leucena e ac��cia/guandu apresentaram os maiores teores de COT (0-5 cm), e a ��rea testemunha, os menores (5-10 cm). A maior propor����o do COT estava nas fra����es F1+F2; a ��rea testemunha teve os menores teores de C nessas fra����es. O tratamento ac��cia/guandu apresentou maiores teores de C na fra����o F1 nas duas profundidades. O tratamento leucena/guandu apresentou as maiores propor����es do COT nas fra����es F3 + F4. Os resultados indicam que, no cultivo em sistema de aleias, a combina����o de leguminosas de alta e baixa qualidade de res��duos (ac��cia/guandu) favorece o aumento de mat��ria org��nica facilmente decompon��vel, enquanto o uso de leguminosas de alta qualidade de res��duos favorece maiores propor����es de C somente nas fra����es mais resistentes (F3 + F4).