Eco-label Adoption in an Interdependent World

The growing popularity of national efforts to promote eco-labeling raises important questions. In particular, developing countries fear that the eco-label can deliberately impose the environmental concern of (high income) importing countries on their production methods. Yet, empirical studies of the adoption of eco-labelling schemes at the cross-country level are scarce due to the lack of data availability. In this paper, the decision to introduce an eco-label is analyzed through a heteroskedastic Bayesian spatial probit, which allows the government’s decision to introduce an eco-label to be influenced by the behaviour of the neighbouring countries. The estimation is performed by extending the joint updating approach proposed by Holmes & Held (2006) to a spatial framework. Empirical evidence highlights the importance of a high stage of development, innovation experience and potential scale effects in the implementation of an eco-label scheme. In addition, results confirm the existence of a strategic interdependence in the eco-label decision.Bayesian Spatial Probit, International Trade, Environmental Policy, Eco-labelling

Does Lax Environmental Regulation Attract FDI when accounting for "third-country" effects?

This paper investigates if differences in environmental regulations can influence FDI flows in a multi-country setting taking into account the so-called "third-country" effects. We examine bilateral FDI flows using a new extended OECD investment database which covers great number of host countries and a long sample period (1981-2005). The findings based on a spatial gravity-like model are largely plausible across specifications and confirm the existence of a negative relationship between FDI and environmental stringency, once we correct for endogeneity and spatial dependence. The evidence of a positive "third-country" effect for FDI suggests the prevalence of complex FDI from developed to developing countries. The spatial structure of the model allows also to underline the possible existence of competition in environmental standards between countries to attract FDI.Complex FDI; Pollution Haven; Spatial Econometrics

Eco-label Adoption in an Interdependent World

The growing popularity of national efforts to promote eco-labeling raises important questions. In particular, developing countries fear that the eco-label can deliberately impose the environmental concern of (high income) importing countries on their production methods. Yet, empirical studies of the adoption of eco-labelling schemes at the cross-country level are scarce due to the lack of data availability. In this paper, the decision to introduce an eco-label is analyzed through a heteroskedastic Bayesian spatial probit, which allows the government’s decision to introduce an eco-label to be influenced by the behaviour of the neighbouring countries. The estimation is performed by extending the joint updating approach proposed by Holmes & Held (2006) to a spatial framework. Empirical evidence highlights the importance of a high stage of development, innovation experience and potential scale effects in the implementation of an eco-label scheme. In addition, results confirm the existence of a strategic interdependence in the eco-label decision

Does Lax Environmental Regulation Attract FDI when accounting for "third-country" effects?

This paper investigates if differences in environmental regulations can influence FDI flows in a multi-country setting taking into account the so-called "third-country" effects. We examine bilateral FDI flows using a new extended OECD investment database which covers great number of host countries and a long sample period (1981-2005). The findings based on a spatial gravity-like model are largely plausible across specifications and confirm the existence of a negative relationship between FDI and environmental stringency, once we correct for endogeneity and spatial dependence. The evidence of a positive "third-country" effect for FDI suggests the prevalence of complex FDI from developed to developing countries. The spatial structure of the model allows also to underline the possible existence of competition in environmental standards between countries to attract FDI

Does Lax Environmental Regulation Attract FDI when accounting for "third-country" effects?

This paper investigates if differences in environmental regulations can influence FDI flows in a multi-country setting taking into account the so-called "third-country" effects. We examine bilateral FDI flows using a new extended OECD investment database which covers great number of host countries and a long sample period (1981-2005). The findings based on a spatial gravity-like model are largely plausible across specifications and confirm the existence of a negative relationship between FDI and environmental stringency, once we correct for endogeneity and spatial dependence. The evidence of a positive "third-country" effect for FDI suggests the prevalence of complex FDI from developed to developing countries. The spatial structure of the model allows also to underline the possible existence of competition in environmental standards between countries to attract FDI

Spatial Dynamic Panel Model and System GMM: A Monte Carlo Investigation

Since there is so far no estimator that allows to estimate a dynamic panel model that includes a spatial lag as well as other potential endogenous variables. This paper wants to determine if it is suitable to instrument the spatial lag variable (which is by de�finition endogenous/simultaneous) using the instruments proposed by system GMM, i.e. lagged spatial lag values. The Monte Carlo investigation highlights the possibility to estimate a dynamic spatial lag model using the extended GMM proposed by Arellano and Bover (1995) and Blundell and Bover (1998), especially when N and T are large

Seismic performance assessment of conventional steel and steel-concrete composite moment frames using CFST columns

[EN] The research reported in this paper focuses on the assessment of the seismic performance of conventional steel moment-resisting frames (MRFs) and steel-concrete composite moment-resisting frames employing circular Concrete-Filled Steel Tube (CFST) columns. Two comparable archetypes (i.e. one steel MRF, with steel columns and steel beams; and one composite MRF, with circular CFST columns and steel beams) are designed, and used as the basis for comparison between the seismic performance associated with each typology. Both structures are designed against earthquake loads following the recommendations of Eurocode 8. The comparison of the obtained design solutions allows concluding that the amount of steel associated with the main structural members is higher for the steel-only archetype, even though the composite MRF has the higher level of lateral stiffness. This aspect is particularly relevant when one considers that a minimum level of lateral stiffness (associated with the P-Δ inter-storey drift sensitivity coefficient, θ), is imposed by the European code, which may ultimately govern the design process. The two case-studies are then numerically modelled in OpenSees, and their seismic performance is assessed through fragility assessment for a number of relevant limit states, and, finally, earthquake-induced loss estimation. In general, the results obtained clearly indicate that the composite MRF with circular CFST columns exhibits better seismic performance than the equivalent steel-only archetype. This is noticeably shown in the comparison of the fragility curves associated with the collapse limit state, which tend to show substantially higher probabilities of exceedance, at similar levels of 1st-mode spectral acceleration, for the steel-only case. Furthermore, seismic losses at several seismic intensity levels of interest tend to be higher for the steel MRF.Silva, A.; Jiang, Y.; Macedo, L.; Castro, JM.; Monteiro, R. (2018). Seismic performance assessment of conventional steel and steel-concrete composite moment frames using CFST columns. En Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Advances in Steel-Concrete Composite Structures. ASCCS 2018. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 685-692. https://doi.org/10.4995/ASCCS2018.2018.7165OCS68569

Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Post-Flutter Limit Cycle Oscillations on a Cantilevered Flat Plate

Futuristic aircraft designs and novel aircraft such as High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) involve a higher level of structural flexibility than in conventional aircraft. Even at present, the trends in the aviation industry are to increase wing length (to reduce induced drag) and maxi- mize use of composites, which lead to increased structural flexibility. This necessitates a rethink of conventional (linear) aeroelastic analysis, since the increased flexibility results in coupling between the flight dynamic and aeroelastic dynamics, and consequently, limit-cycle oscillations of the structure. In this paper, a new three-dimensional low-order model for unsteady aerody- namics that accounts for large oscillation amplitudes and nonplanar wakes is developed. An experiment with a cantilevered flat plate at low Reynolds number is set up and used to validate the low-order model, as well as to study post-flutter limit-cycle oscillations. Results from the low-order model are promising, but show that aerodynamic nonlinearities such as flow sepa- ration and leading-edge vortex shedding must also be modeled in order to predict all possible limit-cycle oscillations of the aeroelastic system

Caracterização do pão regional do distrito de Viseu e de Pão São

Dissertação de Mestrado em Qualidade e Tecnologia AlimentarO objectivo deste estudo visa a caracterização de diferentes amostras de pão Regional e pão São, procurando encontrar semelhanças e identificar os elementos diferenciadores dos mesmos. As amostras de pão Regional foram recolhidas no distrito de Viseu: Carregal do Sal, Cabanas de Viriato, Santar, Viseu, Mangualde, São Pedro do Sul e São Cipriano. No caso do pão São as amostras foram fornecidas pela empresa produtora, Fábrica do Pão localizada em Seia. Procedeu-se à caracterização física, química e sensorial, tendo sido avaliadas as diferentes propriedades em termos de média e desvio padrão das réplicas efectuadas. Posteriormente, procedeu-se a uma análise estatística, para comparação de médias e avaliação da significância das diferenças, tendo para tal sido usado o teste de Tuckey HSD. Foram ainda calculados os coeficientes de correlação de Pearson. Os resultados foram analisados recorrendo ao software SPSS para o Windows versão 19.0 e Statistic versão 6., sendo realizado o teste de análise de variância "one-way" (ANOVA). Numa fase posterior, os valores obtidos para as características do pão foram sujeitos a uma análise de componentes principais (PCA) e uma análise de Cluster. Em relação aos parâmetros químicos analisados no pão Regional, as amostras apresentaram algumas semelhanças e algumas diferenças, assim como também a nível físico e sensorial. No entanto, no que respeita à análise sensorial, as amostras foram, de modo geral, percepcionadas da mesma forma pelos provadores, não sendo detectadas diferenças significativas. Ainda assim, em termos de apreciação global a amostra preferida foi a da pastelaria Flor de Cabanas. Em relação aos parâmetros químicos, físicose sensoriais do pão São, as amostras mostraram-se semelhantes entre si, o que pode ser explicado por terem basicamente a mesma constituição em termos de ingredientes. Contudo, será de assinalar algumas diferenças em termos de fibra, hidratos de carbono, proteína e cloretos, devido à presença de farinha de tremoço numa das amostras. Quando comparadas as amostras de pão Regional com as de pão São, verificou-se que estas se apresentaram bastante diferentes, quer em termos químicos, físicos ou nível sensorial. Foi possível observar que ao nível sensorial os pães Regionais foram os preferidos pelos provadores.ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is the characterization of different samples of regional bread and healthy bread, trying to identify the similarities and contrasting elements in them. The regional bread samples were collected in the District of Viseu: Carregal do Sal, Cabanas de Viriato, Santar, Viseu, São Pedro do Sul and São Cipriano. The healthy bread samples were provided by the production company "Fábrica do Pão", located in Seia. The physical, chemical and sensory characterization was undertaken, having been avaluted the different proprerties in terms of mean value and standard deviation of the replicas made. Later, we proceeded to a statistical analysis for comparison of means and assessing the significance of the differences, having been used for this the Tukey HSD test. We also calculated the Pearson correlation coefficients. The results were analyzaed using the SPSS software version 19.0 for Windows and Statistica version 6, having been performed an analysis of variance "one way"(ANOVA). At a later stage, the values obtained for the characteristics of bread were subjected to principal components analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis. Regardind the chemical parameters analyzed in the regional bread, the samples showed some similarities and differences, as well as regarding the physical and sensory parameters. However, concerning the sensory analysis, the samples were generally perceived by the panelists in the same way, and no significant differences were observed. Still, in terms of the same way preferred by the panelists the sample from pastry "Flor de Cabanas". With respect to chemical, physical and sensory parameters of the healthy bread, the samples were similar, which can be explained by having basically the same constitution in terms of ingredients. However, there can be noted some differences in terms of fiber, carbohydrates, protein and chlorides, due to the presence of lupine flour in one sample. When comparing the regional bread samples with the healthy bread ones, it was found that they quite different, either at the chemical, physical or sensory levels. It was observed that at the sensory level the regional breads were those preferred by the tasters

Pêras Secadas, Promoção de um Produto Agro-Alimentar Tradicional Utilizando Metodologia Científica.

O Projecto intitulado “Pêras secadas, promoção de um produto agro-alimentar tradicional utilizando metodologia científica” é financiado pela Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, tendo-se iniciado em Maio de 2007 e prolongando-se até Maio de 2010. O mesmo tem duas vertentes, uma de investigação fundamental em que se procura estudar as relações entre o estado de maturação e a cinética de secagem, bem como as transformações (macro)moleculares e macroestruturais durante o processo de secagem; e outra de investigação tecnológica aplicada, com o desenvolvimento de diferentes tipos de sistemas de secagem específicos para frutos. O projecto tem ainda como objective final o aumento da capacidade de criação de valor económico por parte do sector agro-alimentar