Multinationals and Linkages: An Empirical Investigation

Several recent papers have used plant-level data and panel econometric techniques to carefully explore the existence FDI externalities. One conclusion that emerges from this literature is that it is difficult to find evidence of positive externalities from multinationals to local firms in the same sector (horizontal externalities). In fact, many studies find evidence of negative horizontal externalities arising from multinational activity while confirming the existence of positive externalities from multinationals to local firms in upstream industries (vertical externalities). In this paper we explore the channels through which these positive and negative externalities may be materializing, focusing on the role of backward linkages. In particular, we criticize the common usage of the domestic sourcing coefficient as an indicator of a firm?s linkage potential and propose an alternative, theoretically derived indicator. We then use plant-level data from several Latin American countries to compare multinationals? linkage potential to that of domestic firms. We find that multinational?s linkage potential in Brazil, Chile and Venezuela is higher than for domestic firms. For Mexico, we cannot reject the hypothesis that foreign and local firms have similar linkage potential. Finally, we discuss the relationship between this finding and the conclusions that emerge from the recent empirical literature.Foreign Direct Investment, Multinational Firms, Linkages, Spillovers, Economic Development.

Highly dynamically evolved intermediate-age open clusters

We present a comprehensive UBVRI and Washington CT1T2 photometric analysis of seven catalogued open clusters, namely: Ruprecht 3, 9, 37, 74, 150, ESO 324-15 and 436-2. The multiband photometric data sets in combination with 2MASS photometry and Gaia astrometry for the brighter stars were used to estimate their structural parameters and fundamental astrophysical properties.We found that Ruprecht 3 and ESO 436-2 do not show self-consistent evidence of being physical systems. The remained studied objects are open clusters of intermediate age (9.0 ≤ log(t yr-1) ≤ 9.6), of relatively small size (rcls ~ 0.4-1.3 pc) and placed between 0.6 and 2.9 kpc from the Sun.We analysed the relationships between core, half-mass, tidal and Jacoby radii as well as half-mass relaxation times to conclude that the studied clusters are in an evolved dynamical stage. The total cluster masses obtained by summing those of the observed cluster stars resulted to be ~10-15 per cent of the masses of open clusters of similar age located closer than 2 kpc from the Sun. We found that cluster stars occupy volumes as large as those for tidally filled clusters.Fil: Piatti, Andres Eduardo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Dias, Wilton S.. Universidade Federal de Itajuba; BrasilFil: Sampedro, Laura M.. Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía; España. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasi

Nutritional analysis of school meals in some Saskatoon elementary schools

Canadian scientific literature lacks quantitative information on school meals, which, in Can-ada, are not regulated by law and do not have any national nutritional standard. Nutritional stan-dards and guidelines are essential in evaluation and monitoring studies to maintain—or im-prove—school meals’ quality. This research looked at the nutritional quality of meals served by some elementary schools running a school meal program administered by CHEP Good Food Inc., a non-profit organization, in Saskatoon, SK. Data collected from 1997 until 2006 were combined to those collected in the 2007/08 school-year. Lunches were compared to 1/3 Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI), and breakfasts and snacks, to ¼ DRI. Using one-sample t-tests and ANOVA, p< 0.05, we evaluated nutrients that were suggested to be below the standard. Sas-katchewan’s food-based standards were also used to evaluate food group content according to the Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating. On-site observations in selected schools shed light on children’s choices and plate waste. Focus groups with selected nutrition coordinators (NC) provided insight into their practices. Overall, lunches and breakfasts had a good nutrient profile but were low mainly in energy, vitamin E, potassium, and, in some years, folate and calcium, particularly for 9-13 year-olds. Findings suggested that snacks seem to be below the DRI stan-dards, but they can be an opportunity for nutrition education. We observed no clear or significant trend across the years. All meals offered good amounts of fruits and vegetables, grains, and dairy products. Plate waste was low and related to NCs’ practices. Analysis of the interviews exposed some possible explanations for the quantitative results and allowed some recommendations. Findings from this study provide support for future establishment of school meals’ nutritional standards and for possible changes and improvements of the program, and will enrich knowledge regarding school meals

Academic quality measurement: A multivariate approach

This paper applies a new quality measurement methodology to measure the quality of the postgraduate courses. The methodology we propose is the Academic Quality Measurement (AQM). The model is applied to several simulated data sets where we know the true value of the parameters of the model. A nonparametric model, based in Nearest Neighbours combined with Restricted Least Squared methods, is developed in which students evaluate the overall academic programme quality and a set of dimensions or attributes that determine this quality. The database comes from a Spanish Public University post graduate programme. Among the most important conclusion we say the methodology presented in this work has the following advantages: Knowledge of the attribute weights allow the ordering of the attributes according to their relative importance to the student, showing the key factors for improving quality. Student weights can be related to student characteristics to make market segmentation directly linked to quality objectives. The relative strengths and weaknesses of the service (high educations) can be determined by comparing the mean value of the attributes of the service to the values of other companies (Benchmark process or SWOT analysis).Quality Measurement, Postgraduate Programme, Nonparametric Model.

Effects of Spin-Orbit Resonance in Stability for Low Altitude Mars Orbits

Orbit stability has been thoughtfully studied in various celestial bodies. The increasing interest in Mars orbiters brings the question of the likelihood of natural decay in low altitude regimes. This paper studies the shape change of low altitude Mars orbits by carrying out large sets of numerical high fidelity simulations. Results showed that various configurations of the orbital elements gave perturbations that resulted in unstable orbits. The paper also studies the potential causes of the observed unstable regions. We computed theoretical spin-orbit resonances to study their implications in the stability at low altitudes. The resonances were tested at different initial Longitudes of the Ascending Node (LAN) and orbit inclinations to check the potential existence of latitude/longitude implications on the stability

El aprendizaje de empuje y sus variaciones contextuales: un análisis de caso desde la teoría de clases de coordinación

Un fenómeno relevado en numerosas oportunidades en el ámbito de la investigación en educación en física, es que la utilización de conceptos físicos durante la resolución de problemas está inexplicablemente relacionada a las diferencias contextuales de los problemas. En este trabajo se adopta la Teoría de Clases de Coordinación (diSessa y Wagner, 2005) para entender cómo dos contextos diferentes están involucrados en la coordinación del concepto de empuje de dos alumnos universitarios de física. Las nociones de proyección y de alineamiento, junto con la consideración de que definiciones diferentes pueden proveer diferentes familias de proyecciones han permitido abordar dos cuestiones en este estudio de caso: a) Por qué los estudiantes pueden resolver un problema y no otro siendo que ambos involucran el mismo concepto, y b) Por qué las explicaciones generadas por el entrevistador, aunque correctas y variadas, no les ayudan a superar su confusión.There is plenty of evidence that indicates that the use of physical concepts during problem solving depends on context. There is not as yet an understanding of why this happens. Coordination Class Theory (diSessa y Wagner, 2005) is adopted here to illuminate how two different contexts are involved during the coordination of buoyancy by two university physics students while they solve two problems. The theoretical ideas involved in the description of the case study presented are those of alignment, concept projection and that each definition provides a family of projections. This allowed to address two issues: a) Why these students can solve one buoyancy problem and not another one; and b) Why the interviewer’s explanations, both correct and diverse, did not help students overcome their misunderstanding.Fil: Buteler, Laura Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Matemática, Astronomía y Física; ArgentinaFil: Coleoni, Enrique Andres. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Matemática, Astronomía y Física; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola; Argentin

Hubble Space Telescope Observations of Novae in M49

A search for novae in M49 (NGC 4472) has been undertaken with the Hubble Space Telescope. A 55-day observing campaign in F555W (19 epochs) and F814W (five epochs) has led to the discovery of nine novae. We find that M49 may be under-abundant in slow, faint novae relative to the Milky Way and M31. Instead, the decline rates of the M49 novae are remarkably similar to those of novae in the LMC. This fact argues against a simple classification of novae in "bulge" and "disk" sub-classes. We examine the Maximum-Magnitude versus Rate of Decline (MMRD) relation for novae in M49, finding only marginal agreement with the Galactic and M31 MMRD relations. A recalibration of the Buscombe-de Vaucouleurs relation gives an absolute magnitude 15 days past maximum of M_{V,15} = -6.36+/-0.19, which is substantially brighter than previous calibrations based on Galactic novae. Monte Carlo simulations yield a global nova rate for M49 of 100{+35}{-30} per year, and a luminosity-specific nova rate in the range \nu_K = 1.7-2.5 per year per 10^{-10} L_K,solar. These rates are far lower than those predicted by current models of nova production in elliptical galaxies and may point to a relative scarity of novae progenitors, or an increased recurrence timescale, in early-type environments.Comment: ApJ, accepted. Scheduled to appear in the December 20, 2003 issu

Exploring the Relation Between Intuitive Physics Knowledge and Equations During Problem Solving

Solving many quantitative problems does not necessarily lead to an improved Physics understanding. However, physicists, who have learned physics largely through quantitative problems solving, often have a refined physical intuition. Assuming that the refinement of physical intuitions occurs, to a great extent, during problem solving, the question that guides this study is: how do equations contribute (or not) to the refinement of students’ intuitions? We approach this study within a knowledge-in-pieces perspective and we describe intuitions using diSessa’s (1993) phenomenological primitives. We present a study in which two cases, corresponding to two groups of students solving a problem involving buoyancy are compared. We discuss how the use of equations does or does not contribute to the refinement in students’ intuitions.Fil: Buteler, Laura Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Matemática, Astronomía y Física; ArgentinaFil: Coleoni, Enrique Andres. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Matemática, Astronomía y Física; Argentin