Investment climate and firm’s economic performance: econometric methodology and application to Turkey's investment climate survey

Government policies and behavior exert a strong influence on the investment climate through their impact on costs, risks and barriers to competition. Key factors affecting the investment climate through their impact on costs are: corruption, taxes, the regulatory burden and extent of red tape in general, factor markets (labor, intermediate materials and capital), the quality of infrastructure, technological and innovation support, and the availability and cost of finance. While the investment climate surveys are quite useful in identifying major issues and bottlenecks as perceived by firms, the data collected is also meant to provide the basic information for an econometric assessment of the impact or contribution of the investment climate (IC) variables on productivity. We believe that improving the investment climate (IC) is a key policy instrument to promote economic growth and to mitigate the institutional, legal, economic and social factors that are constraining the convergence of per capita income and labor productivity of Turkey relative to more developed countries. For that, we need to identify the main investment climate variables that affect economic performance measures like total factor productivity, employment, wages, exports and foreign direct investment and this is the main goal of this paper. In turn, that quantified impact is used in the advocacy for, and design of, investment-climate reforms

Investment climate assessment based on demean Olley and Pakes decompositions: methodology and application to Turkey's investment climate survey

Most empirical studies show strong detrimental evidence that regulatory, and administrative, barriers to entry have on productivity and on firm growth. In this paper we evaluate and measure the total factor productivity (TFP) impacts of having; low quality physical infrastructures (electricity, telecommunications, transport, customs, etc.) and bad social infrastructures (rules of law, informality, corruption, etc.). We suggest evaluating the impact on average productivity (TFP) and on the allocative efficiency of production among firms based on several versions of the Olley and Pakes (O&P) decompositions. We evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each the O&P decomposition in terms of their IC explanatory power. Once we have measured those IC impacts, we compare them with other sources of empirical information obtained from firm’s perceptions on main bottlenecks for firm growth and from doing business reports of the World Bank (2007). For the econometric analysis, we use firm level data bases from Turkey’s manufacturing sector based on Investment Climate surveys (ICs) done by the World Bank. These ICs are done in many other developing countries and therefore we propose to make crosscountry comparisons based on a new demean concept of TFP that also reduces the heterogeneity if using several robust productivity measures within each country

Investigating the role of miRNA binding in B-cell lymphoma

249 p.En el presente trabajo se ha estudiado la función de los microRNAs en linfoma de célula B. Por un lado se analizó la presencia de mutaciones en sitios de unión de microRNAs que habían sido identificadas en pacientes con linfoma folicular y que habían sufrido una transformación a un linfoma de alto grado. El análisis funcional de dichas mutaciones reveló que mutaciones en genes clave en linfomagénesis como son EZH2 y BCL2 afectan a la unión del microRNA que los regula y por tanto promueven la desregulación de los mismos. Por otro lado, se identificó el targetoma del microRNA-155, conocido oncomiR en linfoma B, mediante la técnica experimental denominada PAR-CLIP con el fin de identificar biomarcadores de clasificación de los subtipos moleculares del linfoma B difuso de célula grande aplicables en la clínica. Estos subtipos difieren, entre otras cosas, en la expresión de este microRNA. Los resultados mostraron que los genes diana identificados en el subtipo más agresivo participan en vías de señalización que, al ser inhibidas promoverían la progresión tumoral. Los resultados de esta tesis doctoral demuestran la relevancia de los microRNAs en linfoma B y la importancia de la identificación de sus genes diana para comprender el significado biológico de la expresión disfuncional de microRNAs a menudo identificada en cáncer.Biodonosti

Investment climate and firm’s economic performance: econometric methodology and application to Turkey's investment climate survey

Government policies and behavior exert a strong influence on the investment climate through their impact on costs, risks and barriers to competition. Key factors affecting the investment climate through their impact on costs are: corruption, taxes, the regulatory burden and extent of red tape in general, factor markets (labor, intermediate materials and capital), the quality of infrastructure, technological and innovation support, and the availability and cost of finance. While the investment climate surveys are quite useful in identifying major issues and bottlenecks as perceived by firms, the data collected is also meant to provide the basic information for an econometric assessment of the impact or contribution of the investment climate (IC) variables on productivity. We believe that improving the investment climate (IC) is a key policy instrument to promote economic growth and to mitigate the institutional, legal, economic and social factors that are constraining the convergence of per capita income and labor productivity of Turkey relative to more developed countries. For that, we need to identify the main investment climate variables that affect economic performance measures like total factor productivity, employment, wages, exports and foreign direct investment and this is the main goal of this paper. In turn, that quantified impact is used in the advocacy for, and design of, investment-climate reforms.Investment climate, firm level determinants of TFP, Employment, Wages, Exports and FDI, Mean contributions of investment climate

Investment climate assessment based on demean Olley and Pakes decompositions: methodology and application to Turkey's investment climate survey

Most empirical studies show strong detrimental evidence that regulatory, and administrative, barriers to entry have on productivity and on firm growth. In this paper we evaluate and measure the total factor productivity (TFP) impacts of having; low quality physical infrastructures (electricity, telecommunications, transport, customs, etc.) and bad social infrastructures (rules of law, informality, corruption, etc.). We suggest evaluating the impact on average productivity (TFP) and on the allocative efficiency of production among firms based on several versions of the Olley and Pakes (O&P) decompositions. We evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each the O&P decomposition in terms of their IC explanatory power. Once we have measured those IC impacts, we compare them with other sources of empirical information obtained from firm’s perceptions on main bottlenecks for firm growth and from doing business reports of the World Bank (2007). For the econometric analysis, we use firm level data bases from Turkey’s manufacturing sector based on Investment Climate surveys (ICs) done by the World Bank. These ICs are done in many other developing countries and therefore we propose to make crosscountry comparisons based on a new demean concept of TFP that also reduces the heterogeneity if using several robust productivity measures within each country.Total factor productivity, Investment climate, Firm level determinants of allocative efficiency, Robust productivity impacts, Cross country comparisons of demean TFP

Envolvimento dos receptores neurocinérgicos NK1 do septo lateral na modulação da ansiedade experimental avaliada no teste do odor de gato

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências Biológicas. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia.O presente estudo investigou a participação dos receptores NK1 do septo lateral de ratos avaliados no modelo experimental de odor de gato. Para realizar este objetivo primeiramente o teste foi padronizado nas condições experimentais do nosso laboratório. Nesta etapa foi feita a padronização farmacológica do teste do odor de gato com o benzodiazepínico midazolam, sendo escolhida a dose de 0,25 mg/Kg i.p. a mais eficaz em inibir os comportamentos de defesa dos animais após a exposição ao odor. Na etapa seguinte, foi realizada uma curva dose-resposta ao antagonista de receptores taquicinérgicos do tipo NK1, o WIN51,708. A dose de 10 pmol, administrada centralmente (icv) antes da exposição ao odor, mostrou-se eficaz na diminuição do comportamento defensivo de ratos frente ao odor de gato. A última etapa de nosso trabalho consistiu na administração de 10 pmol do WIN51,708 no septo lateral de ratos antes da exposição ao odor. Este tratamento foi capaz de modificar todos os parâmetros comportamentais dos ratos expostos ao odor de gato, indicando uma atividade do tipo ansiolítica. Este resultado evidencia a participação dos receptores NK1 presentes no septo lateral na modulação do comportamento de defesa de ratos e um papel tônico da substância P endógena na modulação destes comportamentos

Investigating the role of miRNA binding in B-cell lymphoma

249 p.En el presente trabajo se ha estudiado la función de los microRNAs en linfoma de célula B. Por un lado se analizó la presencia de mutaciones en sitios de unión de microRNAs que habían sido identificadas en pacientes con linfoma folicular y que habían sufrido una transformación a un linfoma de alto grado. El análisis funcional de dichas mutaciones reveló que mutaciones en genes clave en linfomagénesis como son EZH2 y BCL2 afectan a la unión del microRNA que los regula y por tanto promueven la desregulación de los mismos. Por otro lado, se identificó el targetoma del microRNA-155, conocido oncomiR en linfoma B, mediante la técnica experimental denominada PAR-CLIP con el fin de identificar biomarcadores de clasificación de los subtipos moleculares del linfoma B difuso de célula grande aplicables en la clínica. Estos subtipos difieren, entre otras cosas, en la expresión de este microRNA. Los resultados mostraron que los genes diana identificados en el subtipo más agresivo participan en vías de señalización que, al ser inhibidas promoverían la progresión tumoral. Los resultados de esta tesis doctoral demuestran la relevancia de los microRNAs en linfoma B y la importancia de la identificación de sus genes diana para comprender el significado biológico de la expresión disfuncional de microRNAs a menudo identificada en cáncer.Biodonosti

Breast cancer: cereditary breast cancer, prevention and palliative cares

RESUMEN: El cáncer de mama es una de las enfermedades más prevalentes en la mujer. A día de hoy, gracias a los avances y a las nuevas técnicas de prevención y detección temprana, su tasa de incidencia ha disminuido aumentando, de esa manera, la supervivencia de la población. También es conocido por ser de predisposición genética, por lo que debemos conocer los métodos de prevención a la predisposición familiar siempre y cuando exista un riesgo. La prevención primaria y secundaria juegan un papel fundamental en la detección del cáncer de mama hereditario disminuyendo su mortalidad. Como agente de salud, el personal de enfermería es imprescindible en lo que al paciente se refiere. Es necesario un amplio conocimiento sobre la patología: desde los problemas fisiológicos del paciente hasta aquellos que afecten a la esfera bio-psico-social.ABSTRACT: Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent disease in women. Today, thanks to advantages and new techniques of prevention and early detection of its incidence rate has decreased the survival of the population. This cancer is also known to be genetically predisposed, so we need to know what prevention requirements are needed if there is such a family risk. Primary and secondary prevention play a key role in detecting hereditary breast cancer by decreasing mortality. As a health agent, nurses play an important role in with the patient. Due to this, extensive knowledge of the pathology is necessary from the physiological problems of the patient to those that affect the bio-psico-social sphere.Grado en Enfermerí

First glimpse on sheep welfare in the state of Parana and the case of tail docking

Orientador : Profª. Drª. Carla Forte Maiolino MolentoCo-orientadores : Prof. Dr. Marcelo Beltrão Molento, Profª. Drª. Simone Tostes de O. StedileDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Agrárias, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias. Defesa: Curitiba, 21/03/2016Inclui referências ao final de cada capítuloÁrea de concentração : Ciências veterináriasResumo: No Brasil existem poucos estudos com relação ao bem-estar dos ovinos, portanto, constante avaliação dos animais nas propriedades é necessária para identificar problemas e aprimorar o manejo dos mesmos, promovendo o bem-estar animal (BEA). Um ponto crítico de bem-estar reconhecido na ovinocultura é a caudectomia, procedimento que consiste na remoção da cauda. Não há um consenso na literatura para justificar esse procedimento, e existem evidências científicas de que a caudectomia tem impactos negativos no BEA. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi colaborar para a solução do ponto crítico caudectomia e avançar no conhecimento com relação ao grau de bem-estar de ovinos no Estado do Paraná. Este estudo foi dividido em cinco capítulos: (1) Apresentação; (2) Percepção dos produtores com relação à caudectomia em ovinos e razões para acabar com este procedimento; (3) Escore de sujidade e ocorrência de miíases comparando ovelhas sem e com cauda; (4) Bem-estar de ovinos em cabanhas e em fazendas para produção de carne, avaliado com o protocolo Animal Welfare Indicators (AWIN); (5) Considerações finais. O capítulo 2 teve o objetivo de compreender a percepção dos ovinocultores em relação ao bem-estar de ovinos e procedimentos relativos à caudectomia no estado do Paraná, facilitando a discussão e as implicações em cessar a prática da caudectomia em ovinos. O estudo foi realizado por meio de entrevistas com 146 ovinocultores. Nossos resultados sugerem que os ovinocultores reconhecem que ovinos são animais sencientes e que a caudectomia causa dor. Porém, a maioria dos respondentes cortava a cauda dos animais pelo principal motivo de higiene, e apenas 5,1% utilizavam anestesia. No capítulo 3, foi avaliado o escore de sujidade, ou seja, a matéria fecal aderida à lã na região posterior, e a prevalência de miíase comparando 28 ovelhas sem cauda e 28 ovelhas com cauda em quatro propriedades que criam ovinos no Paraná e em Santa Catarina. Houve diferença no escore de sujidade quando comparadas ovelhas sem e com cauda (P = 0,0001), sendo que ovelhas com cauda apresentaram maior sujidade. No entanto a prevalência de miíase foi baixa (0,46%). Considerando os capítulos 2 e 3, devido ao fato de alguns produtores relatarem viabilidade de manter ovelhas lanadas com cauda, baixa prevalência de miíase em rebanhos de ovinos e o sofrimento dos animais, sugere-se a descontinuidade da caudectomia como procedimento no manejo de ovinos. No entanto, nossos resultados sugerem necessidade de estratégias de compensação para limpeza da região posterior após o abandono da prática. O capítulo 4 forneceu informações sobre o bem-estar de ovinos comparando ovelhas criadas em cabanhas e ovelhas criadas para gerar cordeiros para abate, utilizando o protocolo de BEA AWIN. Dezesseis propriedades criadoras de ovinos foram visitadas em 2015, no Paraná. De maneira geral, o BEA foi aparentemente maior em cabanhas considerando características da lã. Espera-se que resultados do presente trabalho encorajem produtores e pessoas que trabalham diretamente com animais a questionarem práticas culturais que afetam o BEA, como a caudectomia, e que exista constante avaliação do bem-estar de ovinos, identificando problemas e aprimorando o manejo desses animais. Palavras-chave: Caudectomia. Dor. Escore de sujidade. Protocolo de avaliação. Ovelhas.Abstract: In Brazil there are few studies in relation to sheep welfare, therefore, constant assessment of sheep on farm is necessary to identify problems and improve animals' management, promoting animal welfare. One critical point recognized in sheep farms is tail docking, a procedure that consist in the removal of the tail. There is no consensus in the literature to justify this procedure, and there is scientific evidence that tail docking negatively impacts sheep welfare. Therefore, the objective of the present work was to collaborate to the resolution of the critical point tail docking and to advance the knowledge about sheep welfare in the state of Parana. This study is divided in five chapters: (1) Presentation; (2) Farmer perceptions concerning sheep tail docking and reasons to end this management procedure; (3) Dag score and fly strike prevalence comparing ewes with docked and undocked tail; (4) Sheep welfare in stud and meat farms measured with the Animal Welfare Indicators (AWIN) protocol; (5) Final considerations. Chapter 2 had the objective to better understand farmer perception regarding sheep welfare and procedures concerning the tail docking of sheep in the State of Parana, South of Brazil, to facilitate discussion of this procedure and the implications of ceasing tail docking of sheep. Study was carried out through interviews with 146 sheep farmers. Our results suggest that farmers in Parana recognize that sheep are sentient animals and that tail docking causes pain. However, most of the farmers docked their sheep tails for the main reason of hygiene, and only 5.1% used anesthesia during docking. On chapter 3 it was evaluated dag score, i.e. faecal material adhering to the wool surrounding the breech, and the prevalence of fly strike comparing 28 wool ewes with docked tail and 28 wool ewes with undocked tail in four farms that raise sheep in the States of Parana and Santa Catarina. There was a significant difference in dag score when comparing docked to undocked ewes (P = 0.0001), with undocked ewes presenting higher dag score. However, prevalence of fly strike was low (0.46%). Considering chapters 2 and 3, due to the fact that some farmers reported the viability of maintaining wool sheep with undocked tail, the low prevalence of fly strike in sheep flock and the suffering involved, we suggest ceasing tail docking as a regular management procedure for sheep. However, our results suggest necessity of compensation strategies after ceasing of tail docking procedure. Chapter 4 provided information about sheep welfare comparing ewes raised in stud farms and ewes raised to generate lambs for meat purposes, using AWIN protocol. Sixteen sheep farms were visited in 2015, in Parana. Overall welfare seems higher in stud farms considering fleece characteristics. It is hoped that results of the present study encourage farmers and people directly involved to animals to question cultural practices that affect animal welfare, as tail docking in sheep, and to constantly assess sheep welfare, identifying problems and improving sheep management. Key words: Assessment protocol. Dag score. Ewes. Pain. Tail docking

Envellir en femení

[cat]L’envelliment i la longevitat són assoliments de la humanitat; i les dones són majoria del seu grup d’edat. Concretament, a Espanya, el 2016, hi havia 8.657.705 persones de 65 anys o més, de les quals 4.940.008 eren dones. No obstant això, i tot i que l’esperança de vida en néixer i passats els 65 anys és major en elles, són més vulnerables per qüestions —a més de la ja esmentada esperança de vida en néixer i als 65 anys— com el risc de pobresa, la cura dels fills i el suport a la família, l’educació superior, les llars unipersonals, la bretxa salarial i la violència domèstica i la violència de gènere. L’anàlisi de les últimes dades nacionals publicades sobre aquestes variables ens fa concloure que: (i) s’han d’incorporar qüestions d’envelliment en les polítiques de gènere i a l’inrevés; (ii) s’ha de treballar sobre els nivells de vulnerabilitat, pobresa i exclusió social als quals està exposada la dona; (iii) s’han de reduir les diferències salarials entre homes i dones; (iv) s’han de millorar les condicions de les dones pensionistes; i (v) s’ha de pal·liar qualsevol tipus de violència exercida contra la dona, mitjançant la legislació, les accions i les estratègies adequades.[spa]El envejecimiento y la longevidad son logros de la humanidad; y las mujeres son mayoría de su grupo de edad. Concretamente, en España y en 2016, había 8.657.705 personas de 65 años o más, de las cuales 4.940.008 eran mujeres. Sin embargo, y a pesar de que la esperanza de vida al nacer y pasados los 65 años sea mayor en ellas, son más vulnerables por cuestiones —además de la ya mencionada esperanza de vida al nacer y a los 65 años— como el riesgo de pobreza, el cuidado de los hijos y el apoyo a la familia, la educación superior, los hogares unipersonales, la brecha salarial y la violencia doméstica y la violencia de género. El análisis de los últimos datos nacionales publicados sobre dichas variables nos hace concluir que: (i) se deben incorporar cuestiones de envejecimiento en las políticas de género y a la inversa; (ii) se debe trabajar sobre los niveles de vulnerabilidad, pobreza y exclusión social a los que está expuesta la mujer; (iii) se deben reducir las diferencias salariales entre hombres y mujeres; (iv) se deben mejorar las condiciones de las mujeres pensionistas; y (v) se debe paliar cualquier tipo de violencia ejercida contra la mujer, a través de la legislación, las acciones y las estrategias adecuadas