Regression analysis with its many modifications and extensions plays a dominant role as an analytical tool in economic research. The linear regression model with random coefficients (hereafter RCR for random coefficient regression) provides a generalization of the classical linear regression model and permits a more realistic specification of the real world than does the classical model. As a consequence RCR will probably play an increasingly important role in econometric analysis of a wide class of problems-particularly as probabilistic micro-economic theory develops.
Keith O. Fugtie and David E. Schimmelpfennig, eds. Public-Private Collaboration in Agricultural Research: New Institutional Arrangements and Economic Implications. Ames: Iowa State University Press, 2000, xv + 354 pp., Indexed, $84.95 hardcover. ISBN 0-8138-2789-2. - Volume 32 Issue 3
Population pressures, currency devaluations, and fertilizer subsidy removal programs in many African countries have caused renewed concern about soil degradation and loss of soil fertility. Advances in food production are further constrained by the invisibility factor, i.e., women do most of the food farming in sub-Saharan Africa, but have little access to the means necessary to significantly increase output and yields. We call this the invisibility factor because agricultural experts commonly do not acknowledge that most of Africa's smallholders are women, and women's yields, women's adoption, and women's use of inputs are rarely reported. Gendered differences in wealth result in women's lowered access to cash and credit, needed to acquire both organic and inorganic fertilizers. The solution to this problem, we believe, lies in better collection of gender-desegregated data as well as better programs and policies that take into consideration the severe cash constraints women farmers face and that target women farmers with crucial inputs of production such as fertilizers. Because women lack cash, we recommend as a general objective achieving low application rates of about 25 kg nutrient ha-1, depending upon soil and climatic conditions. Options proposed to target women farmers with greater fertilizer inputs include fertilizer vouchers, providing fertilizer in small bags in local markets, microcredit, free grants of fertilizer, use of organic materials, biological N2 fixation technologies, combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers, and improving women's access to cash-crop markets. As part of USAID's Soils Management Collaborative Research Support Program, we propose to test these different methods in several African contexts from 1997 to 2002.
Abstract Agricultural industrialization and sustainable development issues are important contemporary areas of debate. This paper argues that the two processes are a consequence of a set of forces operating in our global system. It outlines a number of conceptual interactions between the two phenomena and examines economic development and sustainable development policy implications that appear to be logical extensions of the arguments presented.
Previously, splenoportography with 18-gauge needles provided excellent portal imaging. However, because of concern about bleeding, this technique was replaced with arterial portography and noninvasive techniques, which are not always accurate. We present a modification of splenoportography using CO2 and an ultrafine needle in eight patients whose previous imaging studies were inconclusive.CO2 splenoportography is safe and expedient and provides adequate visualization of the portal system for surgical planning in selected patients.
A 10-week-old girl was admitted for evaluation and management of acute fulminant hepatic failure. She had been healthy until she presented with acholic stool and jaundice at the age of 9 weeks. A work up showed ALT 787 U/L, total bilirubin 14.9 mg/dL, and severe coagulopathy with an INR of 3.4. Metabolic disorders and autoimmune liver disease were ruled out. Though viral etiology was strongly suspected, serologies were negative for Hepatitis A, B, and C viruses, Ebstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, etc. She underwent plasma exchange to control coagulopathy. Her condition continued to worsen with the onset of encephalopathy, progressive ascites, and seizure activity. Due to the deteriorating condition, she was approved for liver transplant. The patient underwent liver transplantation using full-sized graft without complications on hospital admission day 10. Pathology on the native liver showed massive hepatic necrosis. No viral cytopathic changes were identified. Initial postoperative course was uneventful until postoperative day (POD) 14 when AST and ALT began to elevate. Over the next several days, her mental status and transaminase worsened significantly. Biopsy showed severe acute hepatitis suspicious for viral origin. She developed acute renal failure due to foscarnet and cidofovir, and was placed on central venovenous hemodialysis (CVVHD) on POD 26. She developed pulmonary hemorrhage and respiratory failure on POD 27. Various ventilatory maneuvers including high frequency oscillatory ventilation and use of nitric oxide failed. A 15 Fr. cannula was inserted to her right internal jugular vein and venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was installed with a flow of 0.2–0.8 l/min. She was relisted for liver transplantation. On POD 28, she underwent second liver transplantation while on ECMO. Transplantation was performed uneventfully and ECMO was weaned and successfully discontinued. Total length of ECMO use was 4 days. Although she needed the third and fourth liver transplantation due to portal vein thrombosis and intrahepatic arteriovenous fistula respectively, she is currently doing fine 15 months after the last transplantation. Indication of ECMO has been applied for patients with acute, potentially reversible, life-threatening respiratory failure which is unresponsive to conventional therapies. ECMO is currently used as a bridging device to lung and heart transplantation (1). One report showed that ECMO support after heart, lung, heart-lung, and liver transplants has yielded a 57% survival to discharge (2). ECMO has been used after liver transplant for critical pulmonary embolism which occurred during transplantation (3,4). To the best of our knowledge, however, this is the first case report that liver transplantation was performed successfully while the patient was on ECMO. Due to acute renal failure and pulmonary hemorrhage, the present patient was on CVVHD and ECMO during the second liver transplantation. Experience of device usage and satisfactory support system are essential in successful application of ECMO to such patients with critical conditions. Our case shows the extended efficacy and indication of ECMO as a bridge to pediatric orthotopic liver transplantation. Shiro Fujita Alan W. Hemming Takahisa Fujikawa Alan I. Reed Richard J. Howard Max R. Langham Jr. Department of Surgery University of Florida College of Medicine Gainesville, FL David W. Kays Department of Pediatrics University of Florida College of Medicine Gainesville, FL Michael A. Froelich Department of Anesthesiology University of Florida College of Medicine Gainesville, FL Fumiki Kushihata Jota Watanabe Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine University of Florida College of Medicine Gainesville, FL
