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.

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.

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

The prognostic impact of EGFR, ErbB2 and MET gene amplification in human gastric carcinomas as measured by quantitative Real-Time PCR

Purpose: Identification of critical genes which play pivotal roles in controlling tumor growth and survival will establish the basis for developing therapeutic targets. In this study, we focused on frequencies of EGFR, ErbB2 and MET gene amplification in gastric cancer patients to develop personalized medicine to improve the treatment. Method: EGFR, ErbB2 and MET gene amplification, and mRNA expression were analyzed by the quantitative Real-Time PCR in paraffin-embedded samples from 115 patients with gastric cancer. Results: EGFR, ErbB2 and MET genes were amplified in 11.3 % (13/115), 6.1 % (7/115) and 19.1 % (22/115) of cancerous specimens, respectively. The correlation coefficient test clearly indicated that gene amplification in these three genes was positively correlated with mRNA transcription (EGFR: R = 0.631, p = 0.009; ErbB2: R = 0.652, p = 0.023; MET: R = 0.715, p < 0.001). EGFR and MET gene amplification was significantly associated with Ki-67 MI (p = 0.022 and p = 0.015). MET amplification was also significantly associated with age of ≥60 years (p = 0.021) and tumor size of ≥5 cm (p = 0.032). MET amplification, but not EGFR and ErbB2, was a significant prognostic factor in poor survival among patients with gastric cancer. Conclusions: EGFR, ErbB2 and MET genes are frequently amplified in gastric carcinoma. EGFR, ErbB2 and MET gene amplification is positively correlated with mRNA transcription. MET gene amplification correlates with a poor prognosis and poor survival in gastric carcinomas. © 2015, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

The study of relationship between addiction potentiality and personality characteristics, conformity and gender among pre-university students

زمینه و هدف: ویژگی های شخصیتی و همنوایی از عوامل روان شناختی مهم در گرایش به رفتارهای پر خطر از جمله اعتیاد به شمار می روند. این پژوهش با هدف بررسی رابطه اعتیادپذیری با شخصیت، همنوایی و نقش جنسیت در بین دانش آموزان مقطع متوسطه شهر کرمان انجام شده است. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه توصیفی-تحلیلی 118 دانش آموز مقطع پیش دانشگاهی ناحیه 2 شهر کرمان با روش نمونه گیری خوشه ای انتخاب شدند. ابزارهای پژوهش شامل: آزمون پنج عامل بزرگ شخصیت (فرم کوتاه)، همنوایی ال₇₂ و اعتیاد پذیری بود. داده ها به کمک ضریب همبستگی پیرسون، رگرسیون چند متغیره و آزمون t مورد تحلیل قرار گرفتند. یافته ها: بین همنوایی و اعتیاد پذیری رابطه مثبت معنادار وجود داشت (01/0>P). همچنین اعتیاد پذیری با ویژگی شخصیتی روان رنجوری رابطه مثبت و معنی‌دار و با ویژگی های شخصیتی وجدانی بودن و توافق گرایی رابطه منفی معنی دار وجود داشت (01/0>P). نتایج تحلیل t نشان داد که از لحاظ همنوایی در بین دختران و پسران تفاوتی وجود ندارد (05/0P). نتیجه گیری: افراد همنوا و افرادی که از لحاظ شخصیتی آسیب پذیرند مستعد اعتیاد می باشند. بنابراین ضروری است که در برنامه های آموزشی، پیشگیری و درمانی اعتیاد بر این ویژگی های روانشناختی تأکید گردد

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

Mapping Immigrant Children’s Ethnoracialized Identities in Canada: K–5 Muslim Students Share Stories with their Mothers

This study investigates the schooling experiences of K–5 Muslim immigrant children to address the underexplored area of post-migration schooling within the Canadian context. Centered on the stories K–5 children share with their mothers, the study focuses on students’ identity formation, sense of belonging, and academic performance. Theoretically grounded in critical race theory and decolonial education as conceptual frameworks, the research explores the multi-dimensional experiences of immigrant children, moving beyond the monolithic narratives often enacted by dominant power structures. Utilizing a qualitative methodological approach, the study engages 10 Muslim-identifying mothers in semi-structured interviews, revealing insights about the role of mothers as knowledge holders and validating K–5 immigrant students’ schooling experiences. Findings indicate key themes including subtractive teacher practices, subversive allyship, racialization, marginalization, and the interplay of identity and religion. The study proposes targeted recommendations for school-based supports, teaching practice, and programs of teacher education to address post-migration schooling challenges.Cette étude analyse les expériences scolaires d’enfants immigrants musulmans, de la maternelle à la 5e année au Canada, axées sur la formation de l’identité, le sentiment d’appartenance et la performance scolaire. Basée sur la théorie critique de la race et l’éducation décoloniale, elle explore les expériences multidimensionnelles des enfants, allant au-delà des récits monolithiques véhiculés par les structures de pouvoir dominantes. Utilisant une approche méthodologique qualitative, l’étude implique 10 mères musulmanes dans des entretiens semi-structurés, révélant le rôle des mères en tant que détentrices de savoir et validant les expériences scolaires des élèves immigrants. Les résultats mettent en évidence des thèmes clés tels que les pratiques soustractives des enseignants, l’alliance subversive, la racialisation, la marginalisation, et l’interaction entre l’identité et la religion. L’étude propose des recommandations ciblées pour les soutiens scolaires, les pratiques pédagogiques, et les programmes de formation des enseignants afin d’aborder les défis de la scolarisation post-migratoire

Production of Fermentable Sugars from Energy Cane Bagasse

Lignocellulosic biomass contains cellulose and hemicellulose which are composed of hexose and pentose sugars. These sugars can be used in the sustainable production of fuels and chemicals. However, the recalcitrant nature of lignocellulosic biomass makes this conversion a challenging process. An effective pretreatment can remove lignin, solubilize the hemicellulose, decrease cellulose crystallinity, and prepare the biomass for enzymatic hydrolysis and conversion into green renewable chemicals. The research study presented in this dissertation addressed some of the challenges associated with the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into green fuels and chemicals. This study was divided into three main goals. The first goal was to optimize a liquid ammonium hydroxide pretreatment for energy cane bagasse for maximum sugar yields via Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Optimum pretreatment conditions for maximum glucose yield were 208°C, for 36 min and ammonium hydroxide to biomass ratio of 0.4:1. A yield of 30.77 g glucose and 3.99 g xylose was predicted per 100 g of untreated biomass (dry weight). The quadratic models were found reliable within the design space. The second goal of this study was to evaluate the interaction effect of cellulase (Cellic® CTec2), xylanase (Cellic® HTec2), and laccase along with a non-ionic surfactant (Tween® 80) on the cellulose digestibility of unwashed and post-washed pretreated substrate. Highest cellulose digestibilities observed were 84.30% and 97.10% for values set within the design range for the unwashed and washed biomass, respectively. Optimum enzymatic hydrolysis conditions for unwashed substrate were 19.39% CTec2, 12.04% HTec2, 46.32 IU/g laccase, and 10.15% Tween® 80; and for washed substrate were 16.90% CTec2, 14.17% HTec2, 34.64 IU/g laccase, and 14.86%Tween® 80. The third and last goal of this research study involved assessing six hydrophobic imidazolium-based ionic liquids in the liquid-liquid extraction and recovery of non-sugar compounds (i.e., phenolic compounds, organic acids, and furans) from enzymatically hydrolyzed dilute ammonia pretreated energy cane bagasse hydrolysates. Phenolic compounds were considerably removed from the hydrolysates by all six ionic liquids, followed by furfural and 5-HMF; however, formic acid and acetic acid failed to partition. No more than two regenerations of these ionic liquids are recommended

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

Neoliberal Elements in Canadian Teacher Education: Challenges and Possibilities

This article offers a critical reflection of the changes experienced in teacher education across Canada in light of the neoliberal impact on educational spaces. It also seeks to disrupt the neoliberal narrative and problematize a rationality that has permeated teacher education programs. The article maintains that the neoliberal agenda is incompatible with critical educational practices. As a mode of critical resistance to educational instrumentalism, the paper offers recommendations as part of its critique on the deleterious impact of neoliberalism.Cet article offre une réflexion critique des changements découlant de l’impact néolibéral sur les milieux éducatifs qui touchent la formation des enseignants partout au Canada. L’article veut également perturber la théorie néolibérale et problématiser une rationalité qui s’est infiltrée dans les programmes de formation des enseignants. L’article affirme que le programme néolibéral est incompatible avec des pratiques éducatives cruciales. Comme élément de sa critique de l’impact néfaste du néolibéralisme, l’article propose des recommandations en guise de moyens de résistance critique à l’instrumentalisme en éducation.Mots clés : néolibéralisme, formation des enseignants justice sociale, instrumentalisme