Implementing a New Trade Paradigm: Opportunities for Agricultural Trade Regionalism in the Pacific Rim

The objective of this paper is to analyze the economic implications for American food producers, consumers, and society of alternative Pacific Rim free trade region (FIR) configurations.International Relations/Trade,

Screen-Printed Carbon Electrodes Modified with Cobalt Phthalocyanine for Selective Sulfur Detection in Cosmetic Products

Cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) films were deposited on the surface of a screen-printed carbon electrode using a simple drop coating method. The cyclic voltammogram of the resulting CoPc modified screen-printed electrode (CoPc/SPE) prepared under optimum conditions shows a well-behaved redox couple due to the (CoI/CoII) system. The CoPc/SPE surface demonstrates excellent electrochemical activity towards the oxidation of sulfur in a 0.01 mol·L−1 NaOH. A linear calibration curve with the detection limit (DL, S/N = 3) of 0.325 mg·L−1 was achieved by CoPc/SPE coupled with flow injection analysis of the sulfur concentration ranging from 4 to 1120 mg·L−1. The precision of the system response was evaluated (3.60% and 3.52% RSD for 12 repeated injections), in the range of 64 and 480 mg·L−1 sulfur. The applicability of the method was successfully demonstrated in a real sample analysis of sulfur in anti-acne creams, and good recovery was obtained. The CoPc/SPE displayed several advantages in sulfur determination including easy fabrication, high stability, and low cost

First-time mothers’ experiences of pregnancy and birth following assisted reproductive technology treatment in Taiwan

Background Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) treatment tends to involve significant physical and emotional commitments that can impact maternal, infant and family health and well-being. An in-depth understanding of experiences is necessary to provide adequate support for women and their families during pregnancy and transition to parenthood following ART treatment. The aim of this study was to explore first-time mothers’ experiences of pregnancy and transition to parenthood following successful ART treatment in Taiwan. Method Twelve first-time mothers who conceived and gave live birth using ART treatment were purposively selected from a fertility centre in Taipei, Taiwan. Women’s experiences in pregnancy and in their transition to motherhood were explored using semi-structured in-depth interviews. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using the Colaizzi strategy. Results The mothers’ accounts reflected three main themes: ‘being different from mothers who became pregnant naturally’; ‘ensuring health and safety of the foetus’; and ‘welcoming new lives with excitement’. The difference mothers felt about themselves was evident in four subthemes: becoming pregnant after a long wait, feeling vulnerable during pregnancy, relying on family’s assistance and support, and worrying about the impact of ART on health. The theme on ‘ensuring health and safety of the foetus’ encompassed three subthemes: activities to protect the unborn baby, monitoring foetal movement constantly to maintain peace of mind, and receiving foetal reduction for the sake of the pregnancy. Narratives around ‘welcoming new lives with excitement’ reflected four subthemes: overcoming hardship for worthwhile results, realising one’s life and dreams, proving to be fertile enough to give birth, and return to normal life track. Conclusion Findings indicate the need for educational and psychosocial interventions to support women and their families physically and psychologically during ART treatment. The stigma related to infertility and the psychosocial support from family are aspects to consider while planning intervention programmes

Economic Implications of Cleaning Corn in the United States

Although foreign buyers prefer low-BCFM (broken corn and foreign material) corn, cleaning is not the solution to quality issues associated with U.S. corn cleanliness. The cost of cleaning corn above the current level at the least net-cost locations, both inland subterminals and river elevators, exceeds domestic benefits by $49 million. Because of the breakage susceptibility of corn kernels, the BCFM level in U.S. corn increases as corn moves toward ports. Thus, cleaning at the current level would still need to occur at every point in the marketing channel along with the additional cleaning to lower the BCFM level. The best approach to address the corn cleanliness issue is to reduce breakage susceptibility in corn through careful selection of drying systems and developing genotypes or hybrid varieties less prone to breakage

Costs and Benefits of Cleaning U.S. Corn: Overview and Implications

Although foreign buyers show a strong preference for clean corn, cleaning is not the solution to the U.S. corn cleanliness issue. The cost of cleaning corn above and beyond the current level at the least net-cost locations, at both inland subterminals and river elevators, would exceed all benefits by $49 million per year. Costs of additional cleaning would exceed benefits in both domestic and international markets at all points in the production-marketing system. Corn price, not quality, was regarded as the most important criterion in importers' purchase decisions in most importing countries included in this study. The best way to address the corn cleanliness issue is to reduce breakage susceptibility in corn through carefully selecting drying systems and developing genotypes or hybrid varieties that are less prone to breakage

Costs and Benefits of Cleaning U.S. Corn: Overview and Implications

Although foreign buyers show a strong preference for clean corn, cleaning is not the solution to the U.S. corn cleanliness issue. The cost of cleaning corn above and beyond the current level at the least net-cost locations, at both inland subterminals and river elevators, would exceed all benefits by $49 million per year. Costs of additional cleaning would exceed benefits in both domestic and international markets at all points in the production-marketing system. Corn price, not quality, was regarded as the most important criterion in importers' purchase decisions in most importing countries included in this study. The best way to address the corn cleanliness issue is to reduce breakage susceptibility in corn through carefully selecting drying systems and developing genotypes or hybrid varieties that are less prone to breakage

Philippines: Determinants of Wheat Import Demand

The Philippines relies entirely on imports to meet all of its wheat demand. Wheat marketing and distribution have been controlled by the private sector since 1986. The milling industry consists of 2 milling associations and 12 mills. The key factor in wheat importers' purchasing decisions is the price of wheat, with quality being the second most important factor. Between two high-quality sources, price is the more important factor; however, between an inferior and superior source, quality factors override price considerations. Protein and moisture are the most important quality characteristics. In general, dockage was not listed as one of the top five quality factors determining the country supplier. Selling cleaner U.S. wheat would result in possible premiums, although the amount of the premium is not known. In terms of the trade effects of cleaner U.S. wheat, all millers indicated that lower dockage levels, at the current price, would not result in an increase in demand for U.S. wheat imports in the short term

Implementing a New Trade Paradigm: Opportunities for Agricultural Trade Regionalism in the Pacific Rim

The objective of this paper is to analyze the economic implications for American food producers, consumers, and society of alternative Pacific Rim free trade region (FIR) configurations

Economic Implications of Cleaning Wheat in the United States

The costs of cleaning wheat exceed the domestic benefits of cleaning wheat. The absence of net domestic benefits from cleaning wheat suggests that the U.S. wheat market is responding efficiently to domestic market signals for less dockage and foreign material in wheat. An overall reduction in dockage and foreign material could benefit the U.S. wheat industry only if cleaner U.S. wheat induces sufficient trade benefits to overcome the net domestic cost. Barring any benefits from increased sales and premiums on the international market, there is no basis for mandatory cleaning requirements in the United States based on the costs and benefits of cleaning wheat. The least-cost alternative of cleaning wheat is at the subterminal elevator, which had a $23 million net cost