CO2 emissions and global value chains indicators: new evidence for 1995–2018

Globalization and the configuration of production processes around Global Value Chains (GVCs) have become key factors for explaining the recent evolution of environmental and economic indicators. Indeed, previous research found evidence on the significant impact of GVCs indicators (participation and position) on CO2 emissions. Additionally, results obtained in previous literature vary depending on the time period and geographical areas considered. In this context, the main aims of this paper are to analyze the role the GVCs in explaining the evolution of CO2 emissions, and to identify possible structural breaks. This study uses the Multiregional Input-Output framework to calculate a position indicator and two different measures of participation in GVCs (interpreted either as trade openness or international competitiveness). The analysis useS Inter-Country Input-Output tables (ICIO) as main database, which includes 66 countries and 45 industries and covers the period 1995–2018. It is first concluded that upstream positions in GVCs are associated to lower global emissions. Additionally, the effect of participation depends on the measure used: trade openness is linked to lower emissions, while a higher competitiveness in international trade leads to higher emissions. Finally, two structural breaks are identified in 2002 and 2008, revealing that position is significant in the two first subperiods, while participation becomes significant from 2002 onwards. Thus, policies to mitigate CO2 emissions might to be different before and after 2008: currently, reductions in emissions can be achieved by increasing value-added embodied in trade while decreasing the volume of transactions

Criterios de diferenciación entre potros sépticos y potros inmaduros

Dos de las principales causas del síndrome de debilidad generalizada y falta de reflejo de succión, el cual constituye el principal motivo de ingreso en la clínica neonatológica equina, son la sepsis y la inmadurez. Aunque en muchos casos están asociadas en el mismo paciente, no siempre ocurre, por lo que pensamos que es de gran utilidad establecer los criterios de diferenciación entre potros sépticos e inmaduros, con el objeto de ser capaces de diagnosticarlos correctamente. En el trabajo se definen ambos conceptos: potro séptico como aquel que padece un proceso infeccioso, y potro inmaduro como aquel con una falta de desarrollo. Asimismo, se expone un caso clínico de cada uno de los dos tipos, a modo de ejemplo. Finalmente, se concluyen una serie de puntos básicos a tener en cuenta para comparar y diferenciar ambos casos, tanto a nivel de diagnóstico como de tratamiento. Así, la sintomatología de un potro séptico es la de hiperdinamia o shock, dependiendo de la fase en que se encuentre, mientras que en el potro inmaduro se observaran rasgos característicos, como la laxitud de tendones o la persistencia de las membranas en los cascos, indicativos de falta de desarrollo antes del momento del parto. En lo relativo al tratamiento, se basa, además de en la estabilización básica del paciente, en la antibioterapia en los potros sépticos, y en la utilización de corticoides en los inmaduros, siempre que no sea posible el tratamiento con surfactante artificial, cosa que debido al elevado coste económico no suele ser posible en prácticamente ningún caso.Two of the main causes of the generalized weakness syndrome/lack of suction (main reason of admission in the equine neonatologycal clinic) are sepsis and immaturity. Therefore, we think that is very interesting for the equine vet to differentiate septic from immature foals and to make a correct diagnosis. In our project we define both concepts (septic foal- those with an infection- and immature foal- with a lack of development). To take as an example, two real cases are explained. Finally, we identify several basics points to take into account in order to compare and differentiate both cases, pointing up symptoms (hiperdinamy/shock, depending on the phase, in septic foal; lack of development in the immature), and treatment (based in antibiotherapy in septic foals, and in corticoids in some cases in immature foals, if is not possible to treat with artificial surfactant)

A Practical Approach to the Development of Ontology-Based Information Fusion Systems

Proceedings of: NATO Advanced Study Institute (ASI) on Prediction and Recognition of Piracy Efforts Using Collaborative Human-Centric Information Systems, Salamanca, 19-30 September, 2011Ontology-based representations are gaining momentum among other alternatives to implement the knowledge model of high-level fusion applications. In this paper, we provide an introduction to the theoretical foundations of ontology-based knowledge representation and reasoning, with a particular focus on the issues that appear in maritime security –where heterogeneous regulations, information sources, users, and systems are involved. We also present some current approaches and existing technologies for high-level fusion based on ontological representations. Unfortunately, current tools for the practical implementation of ontology-based systems are not fully standardized, or even prepared to work together in medium-scale systems. Accordingly, we discuss different alternatives to face problems such as spatial and temporal knowledge representation or uncertainty management. To illustrate the conclusions drawn from this research, an ontology-based semantic tracking system is briefly presented. Results and latent capabilities of this framework are shown at the end of the paper, where we also envision future opportunities for this kind of applications.This research activity is supported in part by Projects CICYT TIN2008-06742-C02-02/TSI, CICYT TEC2008-06732-C02-02/TEC, CAM CONTEXTS (S2009/TIC-1485) and DPS 2008-07029-C02-02.Publicad

Topological Properties in Ontology-based Applications

Proceedings of: 11th International Conference on Intelligent Systems Design and Applications, Córdoba, Spain, 22 – 24 November, 2011.Representation and reasoning with spatial properties is essential in several application domains where ontologies are being successfully applied; e.g., Information Fusion systems. This requires a full characterization of the semantics of relations such as adjacent, included, overlapping, etc. Nevertheless, ontologies are not expressive enough to directly support widely-use spatial or topological theories, such as the Region Connection Calculus (RCC). In addition, these properties must be properly instantiated in the ontology, which may require expensive calculations. This paper presents a practical approach to represent and reason with topological properties in ontology-based systems, as well as some optimization techniques that have been applied in a video-based Information Fusion application.This work was supported in part by Projects CICYT TIN2008-06742-C02-02/TSI, CICYT TEC2008-06732-C02-02/TEC,CAM CONTEXTS (S2009/ TIC-1485) and DPS2008-07029-C02-02.Publicad

Odpowiedź na dożylne podawanie rt-PA u pacjentów w podeszłym wieku z udarem mózgu

Użycie rekombinowanego tkankowego aktywatora plazminogenu (rt-PA, recombined tissue plasminogen activator) u pacjentów powyżej 80. roku życia z udarem mózgu pozostaje kontrowersyjne i wciąż trwa debata nad istnieniem różnic w odpowiedzi na rt-PA, zależnych od płci. Autorzy ocenili kliniczną wartość terapii trombolitycznej u osób powyżej 80. roku życia (grupa osób starszych) w porównaniu z grupą osób młodszych oraz oszacowali obecność różnic w odpowiedzi na rt-PA wynikających z różnicy płci. Wszystkich kolejno przyjmowanych pacjentów (n = 157), leczonych rt-PA, oceniano prospektywnie od lipca 2001 roku, włączając 49 chorych w podeszłym wieku, którzy spełnili kryteria Narodowego Instytutu Zaburzeń Neurologicznych i Udaru (NINDS, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke). Grupy starszych i młodszych osób porównano pod kątem: zmian w punktacji Skali Udaru Narodowego Instytutu Zdrowia (NIHSS, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale) w 1. godzinie, w 24. godzinie oraz 7. dnia po podaniu rt-PA; korzystnego rezultatu 90. dnia ([wg zmodyfikowanej Skali Rankina {mRS, modified Rankin Scale}] mRS 0–1 lub 2, jeżeli mRS = 2 przed udarem); objawowych krwawień oraz odsetka zgonów. Za pomocą regresji logistycznej wykazano, że wyjściowa punktacja w NIHSS (iloraz szans [OR, odds ratio] 0,59; 95-procentowy przedział ufności [CI, confidence interval] 0,41-0,84) była niezależnym czynnikiem prognostycznym korzystnego rezultatu, ale nie płeć (OR 0,72; 95% CI 0,33-1,56) lub wiek powyżej 80 lat (OR 0,74; 95% CI 0,32-1,70). Wskaźniki poprawy klinicznej, śmiertelności czy objawowego krwawienia do ośrodkowego układu nerwowego również nie wiązały się z wiekiem ani z płcią. Podsumowując, odpowiedź na dożylne podanie rt-PA nie jest upośledzona u starszych pacjentów z udarem mózgu, a wrażliwość na leczenie jest taka sama u mężczyzn i u kobiet. Polski Przegląd Neurologiczny 2008; 4 (1): 36-3

Context-based scene recognition from visual data in smart homes: an Information Fusion approach

Ambient Intelligence (AmI) aims at the development of computational systems that process data acquired by sensors embedded in the environment to support users in everyday tasks. Visual sensors, however, have been scarcely used in this kind of applications, even though they provide very valuable information about scene objects: position, speed, color, texture, etc. In this paper, we propose a cognitive framework for the implementation of AmI applications based on visual sensor networks. The framework, inspired by the Information Fusion paradigm, combines a priori context knowledge represented with ontologies with real time single camera data to support logic-based high-level local interpretation of the current situation. In addition, the system is able to automatically generate feedback recommendations to adjust data acquisition procedures. Information about recognized situations is eventually collected by a central node to obtain an overall description of the scene and consequently trigger AmI services. We show the extensible and adaptable nature of the approach with a prototype system in a smart home scenario.This research activity is supported in part by Projects CICYT TIN2008-06742-C02-02/TSI, CICYT TEC2008- 06732-C02-02/TEC, CAM CONTEXTS (S2009/TIC-1485) and DPS2008-07029-C02-02.Publicad

Ontological representation of time-of-flight camera data to support vision-based AmI

Proceedings of: 4th International Workshop on Sensor Networks and Ambient Intelligence, 19-23 March 2012, Lugano ( Switzerland)Recent advances in technologies for capturing video data have opened a vast amount of new application areas. Among them, the incorporation of Time-of-Flight (ToF) cameras on Ambient Intelligence (AmI) environments. Although theperformance of tracking algorithms have quickly improved, symbolic models used to represent the resulting knowledge have not yet been adapted for smart environments. This paper presents an extension of a previous system in the area of videobased AmI to incorporate ToF information to enhance sceneinterpretation. The framework is founded on an ontologybased model of the scene, which is extended to incorporate ToF data. The advantages and new features of the model are demonstrated in a Social Signal Processing (SSP) application.This work was supported in part by Projects CICYT TIN2011-28620-C02-01, CICYT TEC2011-28626-C02-02, CAM CONTEXTS (S2009/TIC-1485) and DPS2008-07029- C02-02.Publicad

Applying the Dynamic Region Connection Calculus to Exploit Geographic Knowledge in Maritime Surveillance

Proceedings of: 15th International Conference on Information Fusion (FUSION 2012), Singapore, 9-12 July 2012.Concerns about the protection of the global transport network have risen the need of new security and surveillance systems. Ontology-based and fusion systems represent an attractive alternative for practical applications focused on fast and accurate responses. This paper presents an architecture based on a geometric model to efficiently predict and calculate the topological relationships between spatial objects. This model aims to reduce the number of calculations by relying on a spatial data structure. The goal is the detection of threatening behaviors next to points of interest without a noticeable loss of efficiency. The architecture has been embedded in an ontology-based prototype compliant with the Joint Directors of Laboratories (JDL) model for Information Fusion. The prototype capabilities are illustrated by applying international protection rules in maritime scenarios.This work was supported in part by Projects CICYT TIN2011-28620-C02-01, CICYT TEC2011-28626-C02-02, CAM CONTEXTS (S2009/TIC-1485) and DPS2008-07029- C02-02.Publicad

Ontological Representation of Light Wave Camera Data to Support Vision-Based AmI

This article belongs to the Special Issue Sensors and Wireless Sensor Networks for Novel Concepts of Things, Interfaces and Applications in Smart SpacesRecent advances in technologies for capturing video data have opened a vast amount of new application areas in visual sensor networks. Among them, the incorporation of light wave cameras on Ambient Intelligence (AmI) environments provides more accurate tracking capabilities for activity recognition. Although the performance of tracking algorithms has quickly improved, symbolic models used to represent the resulting knowledge have not yet been adapted to smart environments. This lack of representation does not allow to take advantage of the semantic quality of the information provided by new sensors. This paper advocates for the introduction of a part-based representational level in cognitive-based systems in order to accurately represent the novel sensors' knowledge. The paper also reviews the theoretical and practical issues in part-whole relationships proposing a specific taxonomy for computer vision approaches. General part-based patterns for human body and transitive part-based representation and inference are incorporated to an ontology-based previous framework to enhance scene interpretation in the area of video-based AmI. The advantages and new features of the model are demonstrated in a Social Signal Processing (SSP) application for the elaboration of live market researches.This work was supported in part by Projects CICYT TIN2011-28620-C02-01, CICYT TEC2011-28626-C02-02, CAM CONTEXTS (S2009/TIC-1485) and DPS2008-07029-C02-02.Publicad

The Potential Role of Everlasting Flower (Helichrysum stoechas Moench) as an Antihypertensive Agent: Vasorelaxant Effects in the Rat Aorta

Helichrysum stoechas (L.) Moench (H. stoechas) is a medicinal plant traditionally used in the Iberian Peninsula to treat different disorders such as arterial hypertension. The aim of this study was to investigate the vascular effects of a polyphenolic methanolic extract of H. stoechas, which has high antioxidant activity, and its mechanism of action. Isometric myography studies were performed in an organ bath with rat aortic rings with intact endothelium. The H. stoechas extract produced vasorelaxation in the aortic rings that were precontracted by phenylephrine or KCl. L-NAME and Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS but not indomethacin or H-89; it also reduced the relaxant response evoked by H. stoechas extract on the phenylephrine-induced contractions. H. stoechas extract reduced the response to CaCl2 similar to verapamil and reduced the phenylephrine-induced contractions comparable with heparin. TRAM-34, apamin and glibenclamide reduced relaxation induced by the H. stoechas extract. The combination of L-NAME+TRAM-34+apamin almost completely inhibited the H. stoechas-induced effect. In conclusion, the relaxant effect of the H. stoechas extract is partially mediated by endothelium through the activation of the NO/PKG/cGMP pathway and the opening of Ca2+-activated K+ channels. Furthermore, the decrease in the cytosolic Ca2+ by the inhibition of Ca2+ influx through the L-type Ca2+ channels and by the reduction of Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum via the IP3 pathway is also involved. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland