Procompetitive Losses from Trade

We argue that the procompetitive effect of international trade may bring about significant welfare costs that have not been recognized. We formulate a stylized general equilibrium model with a continuum of imperfectly competitive industries to show that, under plausible conditions, a trade-induced increase in competition can actually amplify monopoly distortions. This happens because trade, while lowering the average level of market power, may increase its cross-sectoral dispersion. Using data on US industries, we document a dramatic increase in the dispersion of market power overtime. We also show evidence that trade might be responsible for it and provide some quantifications of the induced welfare cost. Our results suggest that, to avoid some unpleasant effects of globalization, trade integration should be accompanied by procompetitive reforms (i.e., deregulation) in the nontraded sectors.

On Globalization and the Growth of Governments

This paper investigates the relationship between trade openness and the size of government, both theoretically and empirically. We show that openness can increase the size of governments through two channels: (1) a terms of trade externality, whereby trade lowers the domestic cost of taxation and (2) the demand for insurance, whereby trade raises risk and public transfers. We provide a unified framework for studying and testing these two mechanisms. First, we show how their relative strength depends on a key parameter, the elasticity of substitution between domestic and foreign goods. Second, while the terms of trade externality leads to inefficiently large governments, the increase in public spending due to the demand for insurance is optimal. We show that large volumes of trade may result in welfare losses if the terms of trade externality is strong enough while small volumes of trade are always beneficial. Third, we provide new evidence on the positive association between openness and the size of government and test whether it is consistent with the terms of trade externality or the demand for insurance. Our findings suggest that the positive relationship is remarkably robust and that the terms of trade externality may be the driving force behind it, thus raising warnings that globalization may have led to inefficiently large governments.

Adenosine A2B receptor-mediated leukemia inhibitory factor release from astrocytes protects cortical neurons against excitotoxicity.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Neuroprotective and neurotrophic properties of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) have been widely reported. In the central nervous system (CNS), astrocytes are the major source for LIF, expression of which is enhanced following disturbances leading to neuronal damage. How astrocytic LIF expression is regulated, however, has remained an unanswered question. Since neuronal stress is associated with production of extracellular adenosine, we investigated whether LIF expression in astrocytes was mediated through adenosine receptor signaling. METHODS: Mouse cortical neuronal and astrocyte cultures from wild-type and adenosine A2B receptor knock-out animals, as well as adenosine receptor agonists/antagonists and various enzymatic inhibitors, were used to study LIF expression and release in astrocytes. When needed, a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Bonferroni post-hoc test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: We show here that glutamate-stressed cortical neurons induce LIF expression through activation of adenosine A2B receptor subtype in cultured astrocytes and require signaling of protein kinase C (PKC), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs: p38 and ERK1/2), and the nuclear transcription factor (NF)-κB. Moreover, LIF concentration in the supernatant in response to 5'-N-ethylcarboxamide (NECA) stimulation was directly correlated to de novo protein synthesis, suggesting that LIF release did not occur through a regulated release pathway. Immunocytochemistry experiments show that LIF-containing vesicles co-localize with clathrin and Rab11, but not with pHogrin, Chromogranin (Cg)A and CgB, suggesting that LIF might be secreted through recycling endosomes. We further show that pre-treatment with supernatants from NECA-treated astrocytes increased survival of cultured cortical neurons against glutamate, which was absent when the supernatants were pre-treated with an anti-LIF neutralizing antibody. CONCLUSIONS: Adenosine from glutamate-stressed neurons induces rapid LIF release in astrocytes. This rapid release of LIF promotes the survival of cortical neurons against excitotoxicity.

VOLUMES RELIES du Cabinet des titres : recherches de noblesse, armoriaux, preuves, histoires généalogiques. Extraits de titres de diverses maisons de Champagne, Vendômois, Touraine, Poitou et Languedoc.

Contient : « Extraits des titres des registres du greffe des insinuations de Ste-Menehould, en Champagne. » (1668) ; Autres extraits de titres de différentes maisons de Champagne, de Vendômois, de Touraine et de Poitou ; « Catalogue général des gentils hommes de la province de Languedoc,... par Henry de Caux, habitant de la ville de Pezenas... A Pezenas, 1677, » in-fol. (impr) ; Liste des « lettres de noblesse registrées en la Chambre des Comptes de Montpellier. » (1540-1675)

Problemas entomológicos na cultura do tomate em Cabo Verde. Estudo de caso na Ilha de Santiago

O tomate (Lycopersicon esculentum) é uma das principais hortícolas produzidas na Ilha de Santiago, Cabo Verde. Com o objectivo de se identificar as principais pragas associadas a esta cultura e de se acompanhar a evolução ao longo do ciclo fenológico, instalaram-se parcelas experimentais em São Jorge dos Órgãos, São Domingos e Tarrafal. No presente trabalho caracterizou-se a agricultura cabo-verdiana e ilustrou-se a importância do sector hortícola na agricultura. Descreveu-se sucintamente a cultura do tomate e as variedades utilizadas. Apresentou-se uma revisão bibliográfica para as pragas referenciadas neste país e para as potenciais, incidindo-se principalmente nos meios de protecção. Para a concretização dos objectivos propostos realizaram-se amostragens semanais nas parcelas instaladas. Identificaram-se algumas espécies anteriormente referenciadas como pragas e outras que foram observadas a infestar a cultura: Aphis sp., Brachycaudus sp., cicadelídeo, Megalurothrips sp. e Tuta absoluta. Acompanhou-se a evolução da incidência e da população de tripes, mosquinhas-brancas, lagartas, minas de larvas mineiras, afídeos e mirídeos no período de observação e analisou-se a sua distribuição vertical na planta. Identificou-se Tuta absoluta em campos de agricultores e avaliaram-se os estragos provocados por esta praga, através da realização de inquéritos por questionário aos agricultores afectados.

Pertinence d'un programme de remédiation cognitive pour patients schizophrènes : l'hypothèse de la plasticité cérébrale

L'importance des déficits neurocognitifs des patients schizophrènes a conduit la section «E. Minkowski» du Département universitaire de psychiatrie adulte de Lausanne à développer un programme de remédiation cognitive pour jeunes patients schizophrènes. Les résultats préliminaires de ce programme indiquent une très nette amélioration des performances cognitives chez la plupart des patients. Les mécanismes cérébraux responsables de ces progrès ne sont cependant pas élucidés. De nouveaux éléments concernant les mécanismes de plasticité synaptique sont évoqués pour expliquer les modifications cérébrales associées aux fonctions cognitives exercées.

Desenvolvimento Profissional dos Professores do Ensino Básico em Cabo Verde

A educação tem sido um factor privilegiado no processo do desenvolvimento dos recursos humanos. Falar do desenvolvimento da educação implica necessariamente falar da capacitação, qualificação e valorização dos docentes. Quanto maior for a importância atribuída à educação, entendida como um todo, seja com vista à transmissão valores como a coesão, justiça social ou os valores inerentes ao desenvolvimento dos recursos humanos, tão caros nas economias modernas baseadas na tecnologia e no conhecimento. O engajamento que se espera dos professores nesse processo passa pelo seu desenvolvimento profissional, o que se pressupõe um maior grau de motivação na classe. A aquisição de qualificações adequadas para se ser um bom professor sempre foi uma condição indispensável para o sucesso do processo ensino/aprendizagem. É fundamental compreendermos que este sucesso será conseguido quando o professor se sentir plenamente motivado. Convém realçar que em Cabo Verde os professores têm aderido, prontamente, às acções de formação, seminários, works-shops e entre outras acções propostas pelo Ministério da Educação, não só para estarem á altura de acompanhar as demandas do sistema educativo e da nova revisão curricular em curso, mas também para se desenvolverem profissionalmente e poderem sentir-se mais capacitados para o exercício da missão que escolheram. II. Justificação da escolha do tema A escolha do tema, “ Desenvolvimento Profissional dos Docentes do Ensino Básico em Cabo Verde” no período compreendido entre 2000 a 2006, justifica-se pelo contributo que pretendemos dar ao subsistema de formação de professores, evidenciando alguns indicadores que permitam delinear com mais rigor o processo de desenvolvimento pessoal e profissional. Pretendemos também analisar a problemática do desenvolvimento profissional dos professores do ensino básico, realçando os progressos, estagnação e seus efeitos ao nível da satisfação e motivação laboral, bem como a repercussão do processo normativo no desenvolvimento da carreira. Atendendo que o desenvolvimento profissional dos docentes do ensino básico em Cabo verde tem constituído uma preocupação para a classe, constituindo tema de habituais debates em vários fóruns, merecendo, por outro lado, tratamento e questionamento diferenciado, também por parte do organismo governamental que tutela a Educação. O presente trabalho surge da consciência que se tem da necessidade de conhecer a real situação do desenvolvimento profissional dos docentes, decorrendo desse conhecimento que se pretende obter a apresentação de sugestões e propostas de melhorias capazes de contribuírem para a omissão de constrangimentos, visando o melhoramento profissional dos docentes do modo em geral. O período em estudo decorre de 2000 a 2006, é marcado pela institucionalização do sistema multipartidário em Cabo Verde, consubstanciada com a aprovação de uma Constituição da República que garante a todos os cidadãos, neste caso particular os professores, a liberdade de questionarem o seu desenvolvimento profissional, ao mesmo tempo lhes consagra o direito, o dever e os instrumentos para se reivindicarem.

Bibliothèque universelle des dames. Médecine domestique, ou Moyens simples de conserver sa santé. Tome 1 / ; par M. Roussel, doct. en médecine. Tome premier [-troisieme]

Collection : Bibliothèque universelle des dames

Bibliothèque universelle des dames. Médecine domestique, ou Moyens simples de conserver sa santé. Tome 2 / ; par M. Roussel, doct. en médecine. Tome premier [-troisieme]

Collection : Bibliothèque universelle des dames

Bibliothèque universelle des dames. Médecine domestique, ou Moyens simples de conserver sa santé. Tome 3 / ; par M. Roussel, doct. en médecine. Tome premier [-troisieme]

Collection : Bibliothèque universelle des dames

The skill bias of world trade

Under plausible assumptions about preferences and technology, the model in this papersuggests that the entire volume of world trade matters for wage inequality. Therefore,trade integration, even among identical countries, is likely to increase the skill premium.Further, we argue that empirical evidence of a falling relative price of skill-intensive goods can be reconciled with the fast growth of world trade and that the intersectoral mobility of capital exacerbates the effect of trade on inequality. We provide new empirical evidence in support of our results and a quantitative assessment of the skill bias of world trade.

Neuroprotection by inhibiting the c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway after cerebral ischemia occurs independently of interleukin-6 and keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC/CXCL1) secretion.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral ischemia is associated with the activation of glial cells, infiltration of leukocytes and an increase in inflammatory mediators in the ischemic brain and systemic circulation. How this inflammatory response influences lesion size and neurological outcome remains unclear. D-JNKI1, an inhibitor of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway, is strongly neuroprotective in animal models of stroke. Intriguingly, the protection mediated by D-JNKI1 is high even with intravenous administration at very low doses with undetectable drug levels in the brain, pointing to a systemic mode of action, perhaps on inflammation. FINDINGS: We evaluated whether D-JNKI1, administered intravenously 3 h after the onset of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), modulates secretion of the inflammatory mediators interleukin-6 and keratinocyte-derived chemokine in the plasma and from the spleen and brain at several time points after MCAO. We found an early release of both mediators in the systemic circulation followed by an increase in the brain and went on to show a later systemic increase in vehicle-treated mice. Release of interleukin-6 and keratinocyte-derived chemokine from the spleen of mice with MCAO was not significantly different from sham mice. Interestingly, the secretion of these inflammatory mediators was not altered in the systemic circulation or brain after successful neuroprotection with D-JNKI1. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that neuroprotection with D-JNKI1 after experimental cerebral ischemia is independent of systemic and brain release of interleukin-6 and keratinocyte-derived chemokine. Furthermore, our findings suggest that the early systemic release of interleukin-6 and keratinocyte-derived chemokine may not necessarily predict an unfavorable outcome in this model.