Real Exchange Rate and Human Capital in the Empirics of Economic Growth

This paper discusses the relative importance of transitional dynamics and steady state issues in growth. A new perspective is proposed about this debate, marked by different views. We argue that it is also important to consider the dynamics of economies, given the presence of low speed of convergence. We use the real exchange rate and take into account a model where all variables like GDP have the same dynamics. Moreover, we explicitly derive a role for human capital in growth regressions.

Financial globalization, convergence and growth

We provide evidence that the composition of foreign capital, measured by the ratio foreign direct investment over total liabilities, a.ects growth directly and through the speed of convergence. Developing countries benefit relatively more as their initial GDP is smaller. The dataset comprises the period 1970-2004 and 96 countries, and the results are robust to di.erent measures of the composition of foreign capital, restricted time period, developing countries, and alternative explanations of convergence and growth. These results are consistent with the neoclassical growth model with credit constraints presented in this paper, in which the composition of foreign capital a.ects the transition dynamics through a positive e.ect on the speed of convergence and steady state GDP.composition of foreign capital; speed of convergence; growth.

Nutrition and malnutrition in kidney transplant recipients

Kidney transplantation is the preferred treatment for end-stage kidney disease, offering better quality of life and life-expectancy compared to dialysis. Nevertheless, life expectancy remains considerably lower compared to the general population. Nutrition is increasingly being recognized as an actionable risk-factor for the prevention and management of chronic diseases and we explored whether nutritional factors could serve as potentially modifiable risk-factors after kidney transplantation. We investigated the associations between dietary intake of marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids, fruit and vegetable intake, adherence to healthy dietary patterns such as the DASH- and Mediterranean diet and nutritional status with long-term outcomes after kidney transplantation. A higher intake of marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids and high vegetable intake were associated with lower mortality risk after kidney transplantation. Moreover, higher vegetable consumption was associated with a lower risk for development of diabetes after kidney transplantation, notwithstanding the use of diabetogenic medication, i.e steroids. Also, adherence to healthy dietary patterns such as the DASH- and Mediterranean diet was beneficial, as apparent from a lower risk for kidney function decline and graft failure after transplantation. Moreover, 1 out of 10 outpatient kidney transplant recipients were malnourished and that quality of life and life-expectancy was significantly worse in these patients, further underlining the importance of nutrition after kidney transplantation. In conclusion, evaluation of nutrition data revealed multiple targets for intervention, some hitherto unexpected, that can improve outcome in kidney transplant recipients. Monitoring of nutrition and nutritional status should become part of routine care after kidney transplantation, to guide better nutrition counseling, and eventually, better outcomes

Diagnostic and field investigations in Mycoplasma hyosynoviae and Mycoplasma hyorhinis

Swine mycoplasmas are acknowledged for their potential to contribute to several swine disease complexes. In addition, mycoplasma-associated arthritis has recently been recognized as a re-emergent issue in the swine industry. Reports from Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories suggest an increasing incidence of cases occurring in the major regions of swine production in the U.S. Although previous studies reproduced polyarthritis by inoculating pigs with either Mycoplasma hyosynoviae or M. hyorhinis, there is a lack of information regarding the epidemiology of these microorganisms within swine populations. In addition, although new diagnostic tools have become available, information regarding the application and performance of these assays is lacking. Therefore, a major objective of the work described in this thesis was to review and to provide new information regarding the use of diagnostic methods in the detection of M. hyosynoviae and M. hyorhinis. In order to evaluate the performance of a new real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), a comparison of various DNA extraction methods using different clinical specimens was conducted in the laboratory. Thereafter, a field study was carried using RT-PCR- and antibody-based assays to monitor the infection dynamics of these microorganisms in a wean-to-finish population

Filosofia, poesia e resistência: sobre a unidade entre epistemologia e militância política em tempos de crise

The recent social crisis in Brazil has given political players of a certain leaning the excuse they needed to make political maneuvers of a suspicious nature. Backed by corporations, the mainstream media and agribusiness, such measures, which have also been called “reforms,” have been hastened by members of the legislature in collusion with the highest-ranking government leaders. Their scheme was hatched at the height of the crisis of President Dilma’s government and culminated with her impeachment. Shortly after the usurpation of the executive branch, much of the Brazilian public began to perceive it as a farce created by the privileged classes with the ideological support of the mass media. In light of this context, the goal of this paper is to reflect critically on the Brazilian scenario, endorsing alternative interpretations to those espoused by the mainstream media. The paper begins with the problematization of the concept of crisis in Bobbio (2004) and Santos (2007) in order to gain insight into the reasons behind of the offensive waged by the privileged classes in command of Brazil. Next the paper examines the concept of conscientization found in Gramsci (2011) and Freire (2006), which interprets knowledge as a means to resist oppression via political engagement. The paper concludes by recovering the concept of politics from the outworn view of it as an art to the understanding of politics, per Arendt (2002), as an instrument of humanization and social inclusion