Do Palestinian Workers' Remittances from Israel and its Volatility Matter for the Palestinian Economy?

This paper studies the impact of Palestinian workers' remittances from Israel and its volatility on Palestinian economic growth using quarterly data over the period 2000-2016. A joint estimation of a vector error correction and multivariate generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity models are applied for such purpose. Cointegration tests provide evidence of a long-run positive equilibrium relationship between remittances and output growth. Results also indicate that remittances have influence on both first and second moments of Palestinian GDP. Further, findings suggest that while Palestine GDP has no influence on the first moment of Palestinian workers' remittances from Israel, it can cause an increase in its volatility

Non-parametric and Parametric Modeling of Biodiesel - Sunflower Oil - Crude Oil Price Relationships

Multivariate local linear regression and parametric error correction models are applied to assess price linkages and price transmission patterns between food and energy prices in Spain. Weekly biodiesel, sunflower and crude oil prices observed from November 2006 to October 2010 are used in the empirical analysis. Results suggest the existence of a long-run equilibrium relationship between the three prices studied. Biodiesel is the only variable that adjusts to deviations from this long-run parity. Local linear regression techniques show that the speed of adjustment of biodiesel prices is higher when biodiesel is cheap than when it is expensive. Energy prices are also found to influence sunflower oil prices through the short-run price dynamics.Price transmission, local linear regression, biodiesel, Spain, Demand and Price Analysis, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

An assessment of the impacts of recent food market shocks on food prices using price transmission analysis

Los mercados mundiales agroalimentarios se han visto recientemente afectados por shocks importantes tales como crisis alimentarias y el estallido del mercado de los biocombustibles. La presente tesis contribuye de forma significativa a la literatura existente sobre la transmisión de precios, analizando los impactos que estos shocks de mercado han tenido sobre los niveles de precios de los alimentos y la estabilidad de los mismos. Para ello se aplican modelos de econometría de series temporales recientemente desarrollados. La tesis estudia tres cuestiones principales en tres artículos científicos, que constituyen el elemento central de la misma. En el primer artículo, un modelo de corrección del error de cambio de régimen se aplica a series de precios mensuales para determinar el impacto de la crisis de la EEB sobre la dinámica de los precios del bovino a lo largo de la cadena comercial en España. Diferentes regímenes dentro del modelo representan diferentes comportamientos de precios ante distintas condiciones de mercado. Para esclarecer si el efecto de la EEB sobre la transmisión vertical de precios depende de la magnitud de la crisis, se construye un índice de información sobre la EEB que se utiliza para determinar el cambio de régimen. Los resultados sugieren que la crisis de la EEB afecta a los productores de carne y a los minoristas de forma diferente. Mientras que los precios al consumo no se ajustan ante la crisis, los precios al ganadero sí que lo hacen. La magnitud del ajuste depende de la magnitud de la crisis de la EEB. En el segundo artículo, un modelo bivariante de corrección del error de transición suave se aplica al estudio de los precios mensuales de las aves de corral para analizar los efectos que la gripe aviar ha tenido sobre la transmisión de los precios a lo largo de la cadena comercial de aves en Egipto. Al igual que en el artículo anterior, se construye un índice para reflejar el nivel de información que los consumidores tienen sobre la crisis, el cual se utiliza en el modelo como variable de transición entre distintos regímenes. Si bien los índices de información se han utilizado ampliamente para estudiar los impactos de las crisis alimentarias en los países desarrollados, este trabajo es el primero en utilizarlos para estudiar los efectos de estas crisis en países en vías de desarrollo. Nuestros resultados sugieren que los ajustes de precios ante desequilibrios del mercado dependen de la magnitud de la crisis de la gripe aviar. Además, estos ajustes tienen consecuencias muy diferentes para el equilibrio del mercado: durante la crisis los minoristas utilizan su poder de mercado para aumentar los márgenes de comercialización. Por el contrario, los márgenes del mayorista disminuyen. Los resultados también sugieren que los índices de información sobre las crisis contribuyen a una mejor comprensión de los efectos económicos de las mismas en los países en desarrollo.Food markets worldwide have been strongly affected by recent shocks such as food scares and the outbreak of the biofuels market. The present thesis makes a significant contribution to the existing literature on price transmission by shedding light on the impacts that these food market shocks have had on food price levels and stability. To do so, recent developments in time series econometrics are applied. Three specific objectives have been pursued in three papers that constitute the main body of the dissertation. In the first paper, a regime-switching vector error correction model is applied to monthly price data to assess the impact of BSE outbreaks on price relationships and patterns of transmission among farm and retail markets for bovine in Spain. Different regimes within the model represent different price behavior under different market conditions. To evaluate whether different magnitudes of the BSE food scare elicit different food price responses, a BSE food scare information index is developed and used as the variable determining regime-switching. Results suggest that BSE scares affect beef producers and retailers differently. While consumer prices are not found to respond to BSE scares, producer prices are adjusted as a response to the crisis. The magnitude of the adjustment is found to depend on the magnitude of the food scare. In the second paper, a bivariate smooth transition vector error correction model is applied to monthly poultry price data to analyze the effects that avian influenza has had on price transmission along the Egyptian poultry marketing chain. As in the previous paper, in order to reflect consumer awareness of the crisis, an avian influenza food scare information index is developed and used within the model as a transition variable. While food scare information indices have been used to assess the economic impacts of food scares on developed countries, ours is the first attempt to use them in the context of a developing country. Our results show that price responses to deviations from the market equilibrium parity depend on the magnitude of the avian influenza crisis. Further, these adjustments are found to have very different implications for market equilibrium: during the crisis retailers use their market power to increase marketing margins. In contrast, wholesaler margins are found to decline. Results also suggest that food safety information indices contribute to a better understanding of the economic effects of food scare crises in developing countries. In the last paper, error correction models estimated both using multivariate local linear regression and conventional parametric techniques are applied to assess price linkages and price transmission patterns between food and energy prices in Spain. More specifically, the models study the links between biodiesel, sunflower and crude oil prices. Results suggest the existence of a longrun, equilibrium relationship between the three prices studied. Biodiesel is the only variable that adjusts to deviations from this long-run relationship. Local linear regression techniques show that the speed of adjustment of biodiesel prices is faster when biodiesel is relatively cheap than when it is expensive. Energy prices are found to influence sunflower oil prices through short-run price dynamics

Harmonic generation of noble-gas atoms in the Near-IR regime using ab-initio time-dependent R-matrix theory

We demonstrate the capability of ab-initio time-dependent R-matrix theory to obtain accurate harmonic generation spectra of noble-gas atoms at Near-IR wavelengths between 1200 and 1800 nm and peak intensities up to 1.8 X 10(14) W/cm(2) . To accommodate the excursion length of the ejected electron, we use an angular-momentum expansion up to Lmax = 279. The harmonic spectra show evidence of atomic structure through the presence of a Cooper minimum in harmonic generation for Kr, and of multielectron interaction through the giant resonance for Xe. The theoretical spectra agree well with those obtained experimentally.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

The Impact of Avian Influenza on Vertical Price Transmission in the Egyptian Poultry Sector

In recent years, health risks have received increasing attention among consumers and created interest in analysing the relationship between food scares, food consumption and market prices. One of the most relevant and recent food scares is the avian influenza that has had important effects not only on human and animal health, but also on the economy. We assess effects of avian influenza on price transmission along the Egyptian poultry marketing chain. Although Egypt has been one of the most affected countries by avian influenza, this article is the first attempt to understand this food scare’s impacts on Egyptian poultry markets. In doing so, a multivariate smooth transition vector error correction model (STVECM) is applied to monthly poultry price data. In order to reflect consumer awareness of the crisis, an avian influenza food scare information index is developed and used within the model as a transition variable. Our results suggest that price adjustments to deviations from the market equilibrium parity depend on the magnitude of the avian influenza crisis. Results also suggest that food safety information indices, that have been widely used to assess the economic impacts of food scare crises in developed countries, also contribute to understanding the economic effects of food scare crises in developing countries.Food scare, avian influenza, price transmission, Egypt., Production Economics, C22, Q13,

Role of Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP) and TNFSF15 SNPs on TL1A in CD

Tumor Necrosis Factor-Like Ligand 1a (TL1A) is a cytokine encoded by Tumor Necrosis Factor Super Family 15 gene (TNFSF15) gene mostly in endothelial cells which binds to T-cells and foments the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1b, IFN- γ and IL-13. TL1A level is elevated in inflammatory diseases including Crohn\u27s Disease (CD). Although Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in TNFSF15 have been reported in CD, no studies have investigated the effect of these SNPs on TL1A, inflammation, and susceptibility to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) infection. MAP is a strong candidate in CD pathogenesis. This study is designed to elucidate the combined effect of MAP and SNPs in TNFSF15 (rs4263839, rs7848647, rs6478108, or rs6478109) on TL1A secretion and downstream effect on pro-inflammatory cytokines. Peripheral blood from CD and healthy subjects was analyzed for MAP DNA, TNFSF15 genotyping, circulating TL1A level, and IFN- γ and TNF-α gene expression. Our data is first to report that rs4263839, rs7848647, rs6478108, and rs6478109 in TNFSF15 resulted in increase in circulating TL1A level in healthy and CD samples. Specifically, in CD samples with rs7848647, the average TL1A level was 146.9 pg/mL ± 124.5 compared 62.4 pg/mL ± 82.8 in normal samples. Similarly, TL1A level in CD samples with rs6478109 was 141.9 pg/mL ± 127.7 compared to 71.5 pg/mL ± 88.4 in normal samples (p \u3c 0.05). All 4 SNPs resulted in significant elevation in TL1A level in healthy samples (p \u3c 0.05). Moreover, IFN-γ expression was significantly higher, by approximately 1.6-fold in CD patients with SNPs relative to CD patients with no SNPs (p \u3c 0.05). Interestingly, SNPs in TNFS15 had no significant effect on TNF-α expression. MAP was detected in the blood of 63% of CD compared to 6% healthy subjects (p \u3c .001). The data did not support a correlation between MAP presence and circulating TL1A levels, and no correlation between SNPs in TNSF15 and MAP susceptibility. This study strongly suggests, that SNPs in TNFSF15 increase TL1A levels and may be a contributory factor to the inflammation experienced by CD patients. Over all, the study emphasizes the need for a pharmacogenomic approach in treatment delivery for patients with CD by using TNFSF15 SNPs to identify patients that would benefit from biologics targeting TL1A rather than TNF-α for more efficacious treatment regiments for CD patients

Nursing trauma, harvesting data : refugee knowledge and refugee labour in the international humanitarian regime

Non peer reviewe

The Causal Relationship between Exports, Imports and Economic Growth in Palestine

The relationship between exports, imports and economic growth is investigated for the Palestinian economy over the period 2000-2018, using quarterly data. To do so, cointegration test using Johansen's approach as well as vector error correction technique are used. Findings confirm the presence of long-run equilibrium relationship between exports, imports and output growth. Results also support the existence of bidirectional long-run causality between exports, imports and output growth. As for the short-run causality, findings support both the export-led import and the import-led export hypotheses. Further, imports are found to Granger cause economic growth. Policy makers should be aware of the importance of trade to stimulate economic growth

Senescence of cytotoxic lymphocytes: functional changes and role of CMV

1. Introducción o motivación de la tesis. Inmunosenescencia es el deterioro de la inmunidad como resultado de los cambios asociados a la edad. Estos cambios relacionados con la edad tales como alteraciones del fenotipo y función de las células inmunes se han asociado clínicamente con la disminución de la eficacia de las vacunas, aumento de la frecuencia y gravedad de las enfermedades infecciosas, así como un aumento de la incidencia de cáncer, trastornos inflamatorios crónicos y autoinmunidad (1), (2). La inmunosenescencia afecta tanto a la inmunidad innata como a la adaptativa, siendo esta última la más afectada en este proceso (2). Existe evidencia de la asociación de la infección crónica por citomegalovirus humano (CMV) con un envejecimiento acelerado del sistema inmunológico y varias enfermedades relacionadas con la edad, por lo que se le ha considerado tradicionalmente un factor importante implicado en el proceso de immunosenescencia (3). En este trabajo de tesis me he centrado en estudiar el efecto de la edad y la infección por CMV sobre la frecuencia, función y fenotipo de diferentes subconjuntos de células T. 2. Contenido de la investigación. Los resultados del presente trabajo mostraron que tanto la frecuencia como la respuesta al superantigeno Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB) por parte de la subpoblación de linfocitos T CD8+CD56+ (NKT-like), así como la polifuncionalidad de dichas células, aumenta con la edad en el contexto de la infección por CMV. Además, las células NKT-like que expresan CD57 se expanden en individuos CMV-seropositivos y son más polifuncionales que las CD57−. Por otro lado, la infección por CMV tiene un efecto diferencial con la edad sobre la expresión de los marcadores CD57, CD300a y CD161 en diversos tipos de células T. Pudimos observar que en todas las subpoblaciones de células T estudiadas, CD57 y CD300a aumentan con la edad en individuos CMV-seropositivos, mientras que CD161 disminuye. También se observamos que, en individuos jóvenes CMV-seropositivos, la expresión de CD57 aumenta sólo en las células T CD4+ y CD8+, y la de CD300a en CD4+ y CD4-CD8- (DN). Además, la expansión de células T CD57+ que coexpresan CD300a es un sello distintivo de la infección por CMV. Así mismo, nuestros resultados mostraron que el porcentaje de células T que expresan Eomes y T-bet es mayor en las células T CD8+ y CD4hiCD8lo que en las células T CD4+. Los linfocitos CD57+ siempre expresan T-bet con o sin Eomes, pero nunca al contrario. También observamos que las células T CD4+CD57+ sólo se encuentran en individuos CMV-seropositivos independientemente de su edad. Así mismo, la infección por CMV también se asoció a un aumento del porcentaje de células T CD4hiCD8lo T-bet+. En individuos CMV-seropositivos, la edad se asoció a un aumento en los niveles de T-bet y Eomes en la subpoblacion CD8+. 3. Conclusión. Estos resultados demuestran que la edad y la infección por CMV tienen un profundo impacto en el fenotipo y función de las células T y que el efecto del CMV varía según el tipo celular y la edad del individuo. Por tanto, el presente trabajo subraya la importancia de tener en cuenta ambos factores (edad y CMV) en cualquier estudio del sistema inmune y su deterioro

(Re)tuning Statelessness

Academic knowledge production on Palestine and its people has been very resonant for decades. Yet, and despite the high frequency of production, some aspects of Palestine and Palestinians have not been investigated nor brought together thus far. This composition fuses three reverberations that accompany Palestinians living away from their homeland: statelessness, diasporisation, and (de)mobilisation. The dissertation is approaching the study of the Palestinian diaspora as a musical composition which has not been heard yet, for that the study of Palestinians as a diaspora is yet to generate audible sounds, the study of stateless diasporas in general still falls under the category of abnormal, an investigation of the Palestinian diaspora’s political mobilisation is nonexistent, and the study of Palestinian statelessness under a non-legal lens has been mute so far, leaving a wide gap deserving further investigation. By studying the cases of Palestinian diasporisation in the heterogeneous settings of Belgium, Jordan, and Lebanon, and fusing a set of methodological approaches including taxonomy of analysis, (participant) observation, exploring verbal and nonverbal communication via interviews, and examining space & material culture, this research aims to investigate the effects of statelessness on the shapes, intensities, and dynamics of diaspora organisation and mobilisation. Investigating the heterogeneities of the Palestinian diaspora’s political mobilisation in the three studied cases echoed the criticality of the role of statelessness in homogenising what would otherwise remain heterogeneous due to the immense differences in the settings enabling or disabling movement. The effects of this statelessness, this absence of a backbone, touch various diaspora-specific elements including Palestinian-ness, historiographies, geographies, temporalities, autonomization, organisation, and mobilisation. All of which are aspects this composition investigates thematically by mapping theory to empirical findings. Fusing statelessness, diasporisation, and political mobilisation can open alternative doors to understanding peoples belonging to homelands not enjoying a state status in the era of states, examples of which are Kurds, Circassians, and Roma, to name a few. It helps comprehend the actions of peoples attempting to embrace their homeland by mobilising for its causes despite being isolated from it. Furthermore, studying the abnormal is a way to understanding both abnormal and normal alike; therefore, studying the stateless diasporas can help in reaching to better understandings of the stateless and the state-linked diasporas