Not Again. The fear factor in policy complementarity

Cette étude revisite la question de la gouvernance concernant la politique économique. Les agents au sein de l’économie politique cherchent à produire la stabilité politico- économique à travers la création de complémentarités institutionnelles. C’est le cas lors de moments de reconfiguration de la politique économique alors que ces changements défient des intérêts établis. La complémentarité institutionnelle est comprise comme une situation dans laquelle une institution profite de la présence d’une autre institution afin de remplir son rôle structurant dans l’économie politique. Nous démontrons que la gouvernance économique est crucialement affectée par la crainte de répéter des traumatismes institutionnels passées qui ont perturbé la stabilité économique et politique et les routines des processus des politiques publiques. L’hypothèse est que la menace de reproduire les conditions des traumatismes institutionnels passés conduit les acteurs à mettre en œuvre des réformes institutionnelles qui s’appuient sur la présence d’autres institutions afin de structurer la stabilité de l’économie politique, c’est à dire qu’ils créent des complémentarités institutionnelles. Cette thèse examine trois cas de processus de libéralisation en Amérique Latine ; le Brésil, le Chili, et le Mexique. Ces pays ont connu des crises économiques profondes dans les années 1980, en partie comme conséquence de la disparition définitive du modèle précédent. Ensuite, les trois pays ont mis en œuvre des réformes de libéralisation dans les décennies qui ont suivi. Dans les processus des réformes, la menace de l’instabilité est apparue dans ces trois pays avec une intensité différente. Lorsque la menace était imminente, la complémentarité institutionnelle était consolidée, alors que lorsqu’elle a disparu, aucune complémentarité institutionnelle n’a été effectivement constituée. La méthodologie utilisée est une comparaison croisée d’études de cas qui emploiera le traçage de processus visant l’élaboration d’une théorie puisque ceci est suggéré lorsque les causes menant à un résultat donné ne sont pas connues, mais qui peuvent être généralisées par la suite. Bien que le concept de complémentarités institutionnelles ait été largement utilisé en économie politique comparée, peu d’études ont été faites pour comprendre les raisons pour lesquelles elles sont créées.This study revisits the question of governance regarding economic policy. Agents within the political economy will seek to produce political-economic stability through the creation of institutional complementarities. This is specially the case in moments of reconfiguration of economic policy when such changes challenge significant vested interests. Institutional complementarity is understood as the situation in which one institution takes advantage of other institution’s presence to fulfill its structuring role in the political economy. We demonstrate that economic governance is crucially affected by the fear of repeating past institutional traumas that disrupted economic and political stability and policymaking routines. The central hypothesis is that the threat of reproducing the conditions of past institutional traumas leads actors to carry institutional reforms that take advantage of other institutions’ presence to structure stability in the political economy, that is, they create institutional complementarities. The dissertation examines three cases of liberalization processes in Latin America: Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. These countries suffered profound economic crises in the 1980s partially as a consequence of a final demise of the previous model. Subsequently all implemented liberalizing reforms for the next decades. In the process of reform, the threat of instability appeared in those countries with a different intensity. When the threat was imminent the institutional complementarity consolidated, whereas when it disappeared no institutional complementarity was effectively constituted. The methodology used is a cross- comparison of case studies within which theory-building process tracing will be used in so far as this method is used when we do not know the causes leading to a given outcome, which in turn can be generalizable. While the concept of institutional complementarities has been used extensively in comparative political economy, not much has been done yet to understand why in some cases institutional complementarities appear, yet not in others

O risco doméstico das parcerias com a china: a condicionalidade cruzada e a construção de coalizões

Chinese credits became a viable, and preferred, alternative during the pink tide in part because it lacked traditional conditionality clauses. However, these financial operations, as well as others, often imply the existence of cross-conditionality. In opposition to traditional variants of conditionality, cross-conditionality implies that operations in the realms of trade, finance, or aid for development can be jeopardized as a response to decisions taken by national authorities that change previously agreed conditions in parallel projects. The main objective of this study is to explore the possible consequences of cross-conditionality, particularly the political consequences, in the realm of Latin American domestic affairs. The hypothesis is that cross-conditionality represents a similar risk than the one that traditional conditionality represented in terms of national autonomy insofar as national governments would still have their hands tied, although for different reasons. We find that cross-conditionality affects the coalition-building efforts of national governments since it can be used to affect key government partners. In Brazil, agribusiness, a key partner of the current government, is the sector that could be potentially affected if the Chinese government decides to implement cross-conditionality as a retaliatory measure to hostile policies or declarations of the Brazilian government vis-à-vis Chinese interests.Empréstimos chineses se tornaram alternativas viáveis de financiamento durante a onda rosa devido à ausência de cláusulas de condicionalidade tradicionais. No entanto, essas operações financeiras, além de outras de diversos tipos, implicam com frequência a condicionalidade cruzada. Contrário à condicionalidade tradicional, a condicionalidade cruzada implica que operações nas áreas de comércio, financeira ou de ajuda ao desenvolvimento sejam prejudicadas em resposta a decisões de autoridades nacionais que mudem condições de projetos paralelos. O objetivo do presente trabalho é explorar as possíveis consequências políticas da condicionalidade cruzada nos assuntos domésticos dos países da América Latina. A hipótese é que a condicionalidade cruzada representa um risco similar àquele da condicionalidade tradicional em termos de autonomia nacional, mas por motivos diferentes.  Se conclui que a condicionalidade cruzada afeta os esforços governamentais de construção de uma coalizão de governo devido aos impactos potenciais que ela possa ter sobre parceiros importantes do mesmo. No Brasil, o setor agroexportador, parceiro chave da coalizão de governo atual, seria aquele que poderia ser potencialmente afetado se o governo chinês decide implementar a condicionalidade cruzada como medida de retaliação a políticas ou declarações hostis do governo brasileiro a respeito de interesses chineses

Warm inflation in presence of magnetic fields

We present preliminary results on the possible effects that primordial magnetic fields can have for a warm inflation scenario, based on global supersymmetry, with a new-inflation-type potential. This work is motivated by two considerations: first, magnetic fields seem to be present in the universe on all scales, which rises the possibility that they could also permeate the early universe; second, the recent emergence of inflationary models where the inflaton is not assumed to be isolated but instead it is taken as an interacting field, even during the inflationary expansion. The effects of magnetic fields are included resorting to Schwinger proper time method.Comment: Published in AIP Conf. Proc. 1548, 288 (2013), IX Mexican School on Gravitation and Mathematical Physics: Cosmology for the XXIst Centur

Lead time for improving the delivery of urban goods, competitiveness and sustainability

Toda cadena de suministros está enfocada a satisfacer las necesidades de los clientes finales, obteniendo un balance entre los costos operacionales de la cadena de valor y el nivel de servicio ofrecido al cliente, para ello se llevan a cabo diferentes metodologías en cada eslabón de la cadena. La logística de distribución ha avanzado de manera exponencial en nuevas tecnologías y estrategias que buscan disminuir los tiempos de entrega o Lead Time que se le ofrece al cliente en el momento de la adquisición de bienes; dentro de este artículo se encontraran algunas de esta metodologías utilizadas en el mundo moderno, como lo son la implementación de centros de distribución anexos, que permitan disminuir los tiempos operativos de traslado entre puntos, limitaciones logísticas a la expansión de stock-keeping unit (SKU), desarrollo de estrategias innovadoras que permitan mejoras en el procesamiento de los pedidos y atención a los clientes (E-Commerce), implementación de outsourcing a operadores logísticos con flotas dedicadas, tecnologías de punta en la recepción y despacho de mercancías, optimización de rutas lógicas para entrega de pedidos e información en línea de los estados de los pedidos.The entire supply chain is focused on satisfying the needs of end customers, obtaining a balance between the operational costs of the value chain and the level of service provided to the customer, this will perform different methodologies in each link of the chain. Distribution logistics has advanced exponentially in new technologies and strategies that seek to reduce delivery times or Lead Time which is offered to the customer at the time of acquisition of property; in this article some of the methodologies used in the modern world are found, such as the implementation of Annexes distribution centers, enabling lower operating travel times between points, logistical expansion limitations stock-keeping unit (SKU ), development of innovative strategies to improve the processing of orders and customer service (E-Commerce), implementation of outsourcing logistics operators with dedicated fleets, technologies in receipt and dispatch of goods, route optimization delivery orders logical and information online state orders

Evaluation of \u3cem\u3eIn Situ\u3c/em\u3e Bioremediation of 1, 4-Dioxane Under Aerobic and Anaerobic Conditions

1,4-Dioxane is a widely distributed contaminant within the U.S. along with chlorinated solvents, specifically 1,1,1-trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA) and other compounds. Due to its apparent recalcitrance and carcinogenicity, it is a contaminant that has raised considerable concerns because of its potential adverse effects on health. The physical and chemical properties and behavior of 1,4-dioxane create challenges for its characterization and treatment. It is highly mobile and does not readily biodegrade in the environment. Therefore, remediation for 1,4-dioxane has gained an increasing importance. The current leading technologies for remediation are energy and chemically intensive and ineffective for mass removal, whereas in situ bioremediation is a suitable alternative due to its lower overall cost for implementation. Given the gaps in knowledge from the scientific literature, and in order to expand the understanding of 1,4-dioxane biodegradation and its potential in situ bioremediation applications, the objectives of this study include: 1) Evaluate the cometabolic biodegradation potential of high concentrations of 1,4-dioxane (i.e., \u3e 5 mg·L-1) by propanotrophs; 2) Isolate and characterize two isolated bacteria that can metabolize 1,4-dioxane obtained from contaminated sites; 3) Evaluate the potential loss of essential genes for aerobic biodegradation of 1,4-dioxane in the presence of other substrates other than 1,4-dioxane; 4) Evaluate the movement of 1,4-dioxane degrading microbes through porous media; 5) Develop and validate a protocol to directly measure rate constants for natural biodegradation of 1,4-dioxane in groundwater using 14C-labeled 1,4-dioxane; 6) Apply the 14C-assay for actual contaminated sites; 7) Evaluate the potential for anaerobic biodegradation of 1,4-dioxane by the use of groundwater and soil samples from contaminated sites. The first objective was accomplished by the construction of microcosms to evaluate the potential of cometabolic degradation of 1,4-dioxane, using the mixed propanotrophic culture ENV487 for one site contaminated with high levels of 1,4-dioxane (\u3e1,000 mg·L-1). Indigenous propanotrophs were confirmed in the site using bottles supplemented with propane only. Inoculated bottles with the culture showed an enhanced degradation rate for 1,4-dioxane. Complete degradation of 1,4-dioxane was achieved in most of the bottles, and in a few cases, nutrients were needed to resume and complete the degradation process. A 1,4-dioxane degrader was confirmed in the site after adding nutrients. Overall, cometabolism of 1,4-dioxane at high concentrations by propanotrophs is a feasible method to remediate sites contaminated with this compound. The second objective was addressed by obtaining the whole genome sequence of the isolated strains BERK-1A and BERK-1B. Whole genomes were annotated and used to compared against annotated genes from another 1,4-dioxane-degrader, Pseudonocardia dioxanivorans CB1190. Third objective was accomplished by performing tests to estimate kinetic parameters using strain BERK-1A. Kinetic parameters were compared against the known 1,4-dioxane metabolizer P. dioxanivorans CB1190. The fourth objective was fulfilled by developing a method to quantify rate coefficients based on product accumulation for 1,4-dioxane biodegradation, using a radio-isotope (14C) assay to confirm natural attenuation in groundwater. Pseudo-first order rate coefficients were quantified by fitting the product accumulation data to a mass balance model for 14C products. To achieve the fifth objective, microcosms were set up with groundwater and soil from four contaminated sites at which the field data suggests that 1,4-dioxane is undergoing anaerobic biodegradation. The samples did not contain a significant amount of chlorinated solvents. Samples from one site were amended with 14C-1,4-dioxane to characterize degradation products. Amendments included Fe(III) oxide, Fe(III)-ethylene-diaminetetraacetic acid (Fe(III)-EDTA), anthraquinone disulfonate (AQDS), nitrate, sulfate and oxygen. There was no evidence to support biodegradation of 1,4-dioxane under anaerobic conditions. Further laboratory studies are needed to determine the feasibility of anaerobic biodegradation of 1,4-dioxane. Until then, aerobic treatment remains the only viable bioremediation alternative. Aerobic biodegradation of 1,4-dioxane was demonstrated in up-, mid- and down-gradient microcosms with soil and groundwater from a site in Europe. The up-gradient location has 1,4-dioxane concentrations of ~1,500 mg·L-1, among the highest reported for an aquifer. Biodegradation required amendment with propane. Although indigenous propanotrophs were able to co-oxidize 1,4-dioxane, higher rates were achieved following bioaugmentation with the mixed propanotrophic culture ENV487. Nutrient addition was essential for stimulating biodegradation activity. First order rate coefficients were similar to ones reported for a field study of propane biosparging. Transformation yields were lower than values obtained under ideal conditions (i.e., medium instead of groundwater and soil), but were notably higher than the transformation yields for chlorinated ethenes and ethanes. Evidence for the presence of microbes cable of degrading 1,4-dioxane as a sole source of carbon and energy was obtained with the mid-gradient microcosms. Using microcosms prepared with soil and groundwater from two contaminated sites, enrichment cultures were developed that aerobically consumed 1,4-dioxane as a major source of carbon and energy. Isolates were obtained from both enrichments; both are strains of Pseudonocardia dioxanivorans. This is the second reported pure culture of a Pseudonocardia spp. capable of metabolizing 1,4-dioxane that comes from a contaminated aquifer. Molecular tools confirmed that the two isolates are the same strain (designated BERK-1), and they are different from strain CB1190. The kinetics for growth of BERK-1 on 1,4-dioxane are similar to those of CB1190. Minimal morphological differences were observed between P. dioxanivorans strains CB1190 and BERK-1 according to cell surface analysis by SEM. Curing of plasmids from strains CB190 and BERK-1 that carry essential genes for initiating aerobic biodegradation of 1,4-dioxane was only possible following growth in a rich medium (LB). Curing did not occur following growth on lactate and emulsified vegetable oil (EVO). This indicates that excess electron donor used to anaerobically remediate chlorinated solvent plumes will not trigger the loss of essential genes for aerobic biodegradation of 1,4-dioxane. BERK-1 was able to move at a slightly higher rate than CB1190 through sand and silt without the aid of recirculation. This is consistent with a lower level of clumping and adherence to surfaces by BERK-1 following growth in medium. However, further tests with continuous flow columns should be implemented to corroborate these results. The whole genome for BERK-1 was successfully assembled and provided enough differences to discern it from the well-known 1,4-dioxane degrader P. dioxanivorans CB1190. The draft genome sequence and annotation have been deposited in the DDBJ/ENA/GenBank database under the accession no. PJPW00000000. The version described in this dissertation is PJPW02000000. A 14C assay was developed that enables quantification of first order biodegradation rate coefficients in groundwater microcosms. A method was verified for purification of 14C-1,4-dioxane by passage through an HPLC column. The 14C assay was validated with metabolic and cometabolic cultures (i.e., CB1190 and ENV487, respectively). Detection limits for rate coefficients were on the same order of magnitude, with half-lives of 43 and 33 years for CB1190 and ENV487, respectively. Further validation of the 14C assay included the ability to block biodegradation by addition of acetylene to microcosms, or incubation in the absence of oxygen. These treatments verify the involvement of monooxygenases in aerobic biodegradation of 1,4-dioxane. This suggests it may be possible to correlate monooxygenase genes quantified in groundwater to first order rate coefficients, as has been done with aerobic co-oxidation of TCE. Of the 49 groundwater samples evaluated, statistically significant rate coefficients were determined using the 14C assay for 15; no significant rate of degradation was observed in 34 of the samples. The median rate coefficient observed using the 14C assay was 0.0061 yr-1 (half life = 114 yr); the maximum rate coefficient was 0.096 yr-1 (half-life = 7.2 yr). These results indicate that for most of the wells examined, biodegradation of 1,4-dioxane is occurring at a relatively slow rate or not at all. There appears to be good correlation between results from the 14C assay and other lines of evidence for the occurrence of biodegradation being gathered as part of an ESTCP project. Nutrients may be a limiting factor in the 14C assay. Adding nutrients had a significant impact on metabolic and cometabolic cultures. Nutrient limitation must therefore be considered when interpreting rate coefficients from the 14C assay based only on groundwater, i.e., in the absence of soil. For this reason, the assay may be most useful as a screening tool to help decide if it would worthwhile to resample a site and collect both soil and groundwater. Collecting soil cores is considerably more costly but may allow for determination of more accurate rate coefficients. This is the first study to report formate as a significant soluble product from co-oxidation of 1,4-dioxane by a propanotrophic culture. This was confirmed by co-elution on an HPLC column with authentic material and application of a formate dehydrogenase assay. A pathway for co-oxidation is proposed, with ethylene glycol being a likely precursor to formate. Other presumptive products identified by co-elution on the HPLC were acetate, glycerate, glycolaldehyde, ethylene glycol, and glycolate. Although identification of formate as a product from propanotrophic co-oxidation of 1,4-dioxane is of interest, formate is not likely to serve as a useful marker for biodegradation in situ, since many microbes biodegrade formate and there are many sources of formate in addition to co-oxidation of 1,4-dioxane. Anaerobic biodegradation of 1,4-dioxane was evaluated for seven sets of microcosms prepared with groundwater or MSM and soil from four contaminated sites. Reducing conditions were established with a variety of anaerobic electron acceptors. There was no compelling evidence for anaerobic biodegradation, even in microcosms that were incubated as long as seven years and with the benefit of using 14C-1,4-dioxane to facilitate detection of degradation products. These results are in contrast to compelling field evidence for the occurrence of anaerobic biodegradation of 1,4-dioxane

Labour flexibility and productivity in the hotel sector

In this paper, we analyze the effect of labour flexibility on productivity in the Andalusian hotel industry using raw data of our own database and applying an expanded version of the standard production function by distinguishing between part-time, temporary, and full-time labour inputs. Our results show that productivity is lower the higher the percentage of temporary and part-time workers and there are no differences between the impacts on productivity of both types of labour contract. Future studies should analyze the differential impact of all the types of contracts discussed on the mean cost per employee in this sector.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech