American Specialists Research Articles

Changing Regional Inequalities in United Germany

An American geographer and specialist on Germany analyzes temporal patterns of regional socioeconomic inequalities within Germany since unification. The results, based on analysis of changing distributional characteristics of GDP per capita, infant mortality, and unemployment, indicate a lack of progress in reducing regional inequalities within the country. Although the inequalities are not particularly severe by EU standards, promises made at the time of unification and the German constitution's requirement that regional equality be achieved are among pressures confronting German politicians and regional policy makers in achieving equality across the country. The author notes a number of domestic and international conditions that complicate and impede regional equality. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: O18, O52, R11, R12. 2 figures, 6 tables, 70 references.

National and Regional Population Trends in Georgia, 1989-2002: Results from the 2002 Census

An American geographer and specialist on urbanization and population change in the countries of the former USSR summarizes major results of the first post-Soviet census of Georgia, only recently released. After describing sources of census data and methodological issues warranting attention (e.g., exclusion of most of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and movements of internally displaced persons), he reviews significant national- and regional-level developments in population size, urban and rural distribution, and ethnic affiliation in the country. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: J11, O18, R23. 3 figures, 3 tables, 34 references.

Resource Rents and the Russian Economy

The paper, by two prominent American specialists on the Soviet and post-Soviet economies, explores the role of Russia's energy resources. The authors offer a more inclusive definition of oil and gas rents than is traditionally given and analyze how the mechanisms for distributing those rents have changed over time. They show how fluctuations in the level of rents have played a key role in Russian economic performance. Oil rents, in particular, are shown to have varied widely over the past 35 years. The paper also examines how the distribution of rents affects the sustainability of production. It concludes with some reflections on the proper organization of the energy sector. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: E60, O13, O17, Q43. 6 figures, 23 references, 2 appendices.

The Cost of Illness, Disability, and Premature Mortality to Russia's Economy

An American specialist on Russia's health and demographic situation calculates the economic burden of morbidity, disability, and premature death on the country's economy in 2003, applying a cost-of-illness model commonly used in Western settings. The paper disaggregates direct costs (spending specifically on health care) and indirect costs (productivity lost due to illness and death, measured in terms of lost wages), and distinguishes between current-year versus out-year losses and the costs incurred due to different categories of illness. The paper first analyzes the situation for Russia as a whole before briefly exploring regional variations in elements of cost of illness. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: I12, I18, J28, O15. 10 figures, 6 tables, 46 references.

Islam, Territory, and Contested Space in Post-Soviet Russia

A noted American specialist on nationalism and identity politics in the former USSR reviews the political, institutional, and territorial complexities identified with the Muslim minority in the Russian Federation. Coverage includes the size and distribution of Muslim communities, the government's approach to the diverse adherents of Islam (including Wahhabis), fragmentation of Islamic institutions, and federal policies before and after the October 2004 terrorist attack on the school in Beslan, North Ossetia. Considerable attention is devoted to differences between Islamo-internationalism and Islamo-nationalism in Chechnya, as well as similarities and differences among approaches to Muslim affairs in Russia and other parts of Europe. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: O15, O18, Z13. 1 table, 53 references.

Relations and Transitions - An Interview with

Professor Davidson, you are one of the dominant figures in analytic philosophy, your articles and papers are read worldwide and long gone are the times when only a few American specialists knew about what you were doing. So today, there is no need to ask you to in introduce your philosophy in “ten sentences that everybody can understand”. Rather, I would like to give your readers the chance to get an impression of the person behind the philosophy as well as a somewhat closer look at some of that person's current philosophical attitudes. What I am interested in, to put it in a nutshell, are all sorts of relations and transitions -relations between your philosophy and that of others, and transitions your thinking and interests, philosophical and otherwise, underwent over the years. Let me start with a couple of “historical” questions: What were the earliest philosophical problems that you were interested in? In the long run, you have become especially well known as the inventor of Anomalous Monism – have you always a physicalist of some sort?

Russian Agriculture During Putin's First Term and Beyond

An American specialist on Russian agriculture surveys developments during Putin's first term in office, as well as the challenges that loom for the future. The focus is on how economic growth more broadly, and agrarian reform policy more specifically, have led to increasing agricultural output and improved financial stability of farms, with emphasis on the large-farm sector (former state and collective farms). Among the at least partially successful stabilization measures described in some detail are development of reliable sources of farm credit, debt restructuring and cancellation, greater fulfillment of state budget obligations, state intervention in grain markets, and trade protectionism. The paper also assesses the agenda for increasing Russian agriculture's global competitiveness in Putin's second term. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: F13, O18, Q10. 3 tables, 61 references.

Clinical Evaluation of EMD (EMDOGAIN) Applied to Vertical Osseous Resorption in Periodontal Disease at Multi Clinics in Japan

Objectives : The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of EMDOGAIN® treatment through a multiple-clinic survey.Methods : The probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL,) and radiographic bone level (RBL) of 256 single-rooted teeth with partial vertical osseous defects in 185 clinics were evaluated at baseline and 8 months after surgical application of EMDOGAIN®. The number of walls, depth, and width of intrabony defects were measured.Results : At 8 months post-surgery, a PPD reduction of 3.58mm and a clinical attachment (CA) mean value of 2.87mm were obtained. The bone gain along the axis of the teeth determined in terms of RBL was on average 2.15mm. The deeper the PPD and bone defect depth, the greater the PPD reduction, the gain of CA, and the level of bone regeneration. The number of walls and defect width did not affect the post-surgery reduction of PPD, gain in CA or bone gain.Conclusion : The results of the present study showed no great difference with those obtained in studies performed in European and North American specialist clinics. The constant improvement regardless of number of walls or width of intrabony defects suggest that EMDOGAIN® should be indicated more widely than bone graft or GTR therapy.

Geographic disparities in diagnostic screening for metastatic uveal melanoma

To evaluate current practice patterns in diagnostic screening for asymptomatic metastatic uveal melanoma. Survey. Ocular oncologists practicing in North America (United States, Canada) and Europe. Questionnaire sent to specialists participating in the Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study (COMS) or listed in the Ophthalmic Oncology Task Force of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer. Methods used to screen patients with uveal melanoma for asymptomatic metastasis at initial presentation and follow-up. Thirty-six of 43 (84%) North American (COMS) specialists and 57 of 103 (55%) European specialists responded to the survey. At presentation, 6 of 36 (17%) North American specialists, versus 54 of 57 (95%) European specialists, performed at least one type of liver imaging study (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography, or nuclear medicine) (P<0.0001). On follow-up, only 1 of 36 (3%) North American specialists, versus 45 of 57 (79%) European specialists, obtained a liver imaging study (P<0.0001). Thirty-six of 36 (100%) North American specialists, versus 49 of 57 (86%) European specialists, ordered chest x-rays at presentation (P<0.02). This disparity was greater at the time of follow-up, when 28 of 36 (78%) North American specialists, versus 28 of 57 (49%) European specialists, ordered chest x-rays (P<0.01). Similar proportions of specialists in North America and Europe obtained a physical examination and liver function tests at the time of presentation and on subsequent follow-up examination. Significant differences exist between ocular oncologists in North America and Europe in the use of techniques to screen for metastatic uveal melanoma. North American COMS centers rely primarily upon liver function tests and chest x-rays. The majority of European centers use liver ultrasonography at initial diagnosis and continue to do so every 6 months. Cost-effective screening protocols for patients with uveal melanoma should be designed and implemented uniformly among ocular oncologists.

Designing an Anglophone University Undergraduate Library Collection for a Francophone West African Environment

SUMMARY In 1997, the Office of West Africa Programs at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, and the Ministry of Education of Cote d'Ivoire embarked on a venture called Project Link to develop an English-speaking international university in Grand Bassam, Cote d'Ivoire. The mission of the proposed International University for Development in West Africa in Cote d'Ivoire is to offer educational opportunities based on the American Higher Education Model presented in English to Ivorians and other West African students within the West Africa region. The proposed undergraduate university curriculum is designed to offer life-long educational opportunities that appeal to the whole West African region as well as to the prospective students living in and near Grand Bassam, Abidjan, and Yammousoukro. In January 2002, the Agency for Education and Development of Abidjan, one of the sponsors of the international university, invited a group of six specialists from Georgia State University (GSU) to visit the proposed site and work with an Ivorian team of technology and curriculum experts to produce a work plan for the renovation of an existing campus in the scenic coastal town of Grand Bassam about 50 miles east of Abidjan. In addition to recommending physical and technical upgrades to the campus site, the American and Ivorian specialists were to advise AED on the administrative organization of the proposed institution, develop a curriculum model and suggest resources for the university library. This paper will highlight the role of the GSU Collection Development Specialist during the 10-day site visit in January 2002 and provide an update since the 2002 site visit.

National and Regional Population Trends in Ukraine: Results from the Most Recent Census

An American specialist on urbanization and population dynamics in the countries of the former Soviet Union examines changes in Ukraine's population revealed by analysis of that country's first post-Soviet census (2001). Among the more salient developments examined in this second-largest post-Soviet republic are extremely high rates of natural population decrease among Ukrainians and Russians alike, a substantial exodus of ethnic Russians from Ukraine (and in some cases their ethnic re-identification as Ukrainians) with major implications for nationality distribution both at the national and regional levels, and interesting trends involving other minority nationalities such as (Crimean) Tatars, Armenians, and Jews. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: J11, O18, R23. 3 figures, 7 tables, 25 references.

A República em tempos de reforma universitária: o desafio do Governo Lula

O artigo propõe-se a analisar a legislação sobre educação superior ao longo da Republica no Brasil, com ênfase em dois períodos-chave: durante o Governo Provisório de Vargas (1931), que instituiu as regras para o desenvolvimento das instituições universitárias publicas e privadas e viabilizou o atual sistema de instituições públicas federais (IFES), e durante o regime militar (1968), que reorganizou o sistema universitário, implantou a pós-graduação e suas formas de financiamento público. O texto toma como referência o conceito de reforma universitária enraizado na tradição de Córdoba (1918), nas mobilizações universitárias no Brasil (1960-1963) e analisa o novo contexto da reforma em curso, destacando que é realizada pela primeira vez num regime democrático, com uma metodologia de elaboração buscando envolver a comunidade universitária, suas entidades representativas e os setores da sociedade civil organizada. Analisa os desafios a serem enfrentados pela proposta governamental em curso por meio da discussão da literatura pertinente produzida por especialistas latino-americanos e adverte sobre as estratégias adotadas pelos organismos internacionais, especialmente o Banco Mundial. Finalmente, aponta como condição para a viabilidade da proposta do MEC o encaminhamento de questões criticas por meio de uma nova Lei Orgânica da Educação Superior: a efetiva implementação da autonomia universitária prevista na Constituição de 1988, a ampliação do financiamento publico objetivando recuperar e expandir as instituições públicas federais e a implantação de um sistema mais completo de avaliação que busque qualificar academicamente a educação superior brasileira em seu conjunto.

Anders in Wonderland: Comments on Russia's Economic Transformation under Putin

A prominent American specialist on the Russian economy comments on economic policy under Putin in light of a preceding paper on the subject by Anders Åslund. While suggesting that Åslund's paper represents "a remarkably detailed and convincing description of Vladimir Putin's economic reform," the author proceeds to counter most aspects of Åslund's characterization and analysis. Russia's economic growth since Putin's ascent to power is largely attributed to the jump in world oil prices and windfall profits from oil exports. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: E60, E63, F13, H20, H60, P21. 1 figure, 1 table, 9 references.

Perspectives on the Potential of Russian Oil

A prominent American specialist on the economy of the former USSR comments on Russian oil in light of a preceding paper on the subject. Noting the congruence of Russia's economic growth with world oil prices, the author points out that the country's growth is endangered by sharp declines in those prices. He also recalls how an oil windfall shaped Russian thinking in the 1970s, questions how long Russia can pump oil at its maximum level by invoking the American experience from 1859 through the peak in 1970 until the present, analyzes the two corporate models in the Russian oil sector, and briefly outlines Putin's new approach to foreign investment in the sector. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: L71, O13, O18. 3 figures, 8 references.

Funding Economic Transition in China: The Privatization Option

An American specialist on the economy of China examines whether gradual and partial privatization remains a viable option for the future, or whether rapid privatization of remaining state-owned enterprises is now necessary. The paper presents estimates indicating that rising expenditures stemming from changes in the country's economy, demographics, and technology will increase fiscal pressure on government revenues, resulting in fiscal shortfalls and exposing other vulnerabilities. Privatization is then assessed in terms of its potential to generate additional resources to support the next round of economic growth in China. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: E62, H10, P20. 1 table, 54 references.

National and Regional Population Trends in Azerbaijan

An American specialist on urbanization and population dynamics in the countries of the former Soviet Union examines changes in Azerbaijan's population revealed by analysis of that country's first post-Soviet (1999) census and official 2002 population estimates. Particular attention is devoted to the ongoing conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the contested territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, in terms of its effects on total population size (mortality and refugee flows into and out of the country) and the internal distribution of population within the country (involuntary migration of internally displaced persons). Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: J11, O18, R23. 2 figures, 4 tables, 44 references.

Russian Peasant Farms and Household Plots in 2003: A Research Note

An American specialist on Russian agriculture surveys the current legal status of peasant farms and subsidiary agriculture ("private plots") in Russia following the enactment of two important new laws in 2003. In the process, he highlights differences between peasant farms and subidiary plots in terms of the quantity and type of food produced, the size of land plots utilized, and their legal status. Also reviewed are selected aspects of the recent economic perfomance of these two pillars of private-sector agriculture. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: O13, O18, Q15. 16 references.

The Aftertaste of Hope: Elements for a Historical Approach to the Study of Collectives in Mongolia and Buryatia

AbstractThis review essay concerns the collective farms in Mongolia and Buryatia. What is considered here is not collectivisation per se, but the way it has been studied by European and American specialists in this field, between the end of the 1960s and the beginning of the 1980s.

Abrasion–Resistant Parts for Cat Crackers. Experience in Manufacture and Operation

Type 1A/1M, GK–3, and G–43–107 cat crackers (CC) with pulverized catalysts are important in the oil refining industry. A special feature of these cat crackers is the presence of parts subject to significant abrasive wear at 400–700°C. In the last ten years, CC have been actively revamped with the participation of the leading American firms (in Ryazan' and Yaroslavl') and domestic specialists (in Angarsk, Ufa, Lisichansk, and Turkmenbashi) to improve the process parameters. After revamping, the rate of movement of the catalyst in transport lines and cyclones and consequently the rate of abrasive wear increase, and this must be taken into consideration in designing and manufacturing CC. This article reports the experience of Aliter–Aksi CJSC in manufacturing abrasion–resistant parts obtained since the mid–1980s.

Iran: The Pivotal State of Southwest Asia

An American geographer and specialist on Iran and Southwest Asia surveys the key geographic, historic, and political factors highlighting Iran's geostrategic importance at the crossroads between the petroleum-rich Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf regions. Focusing on contemporary socioeconomic and sociopolitical developments since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, the author also discusses Iran's complex relations with its 15 neighbors. Coverage (through mid-February 2003) includes material on procurement of nuclear and missile technology from Russia and jurisdictional disputes over economic zones in the Caspian. Also noted are Iran's concerns in light of the prospective military operations in Iraq by the U.S.-led coalition. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: O11, O15, O53. 4 figures, 4 tables, 149 references.