European countries' vulnerability to COVID-19: multicriteria decision-making techniques

[EN] COVID-19 has triggered an unprecedented health crisis, crippling economic activity around the world. The aim of this paper is to analyse European countries' vulnerability to the associated consequences. The analysis will focus on three areas that a priori are expected to be most severely affected by the pandemic - health, society and work - examining the possible relationship with countries' wealth. The multicriteria decision-making Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) will be used to generate a ranking of countries based on criteria that define each of these three areas. The findings will provide authorities with quantitative information to guide their aid policies. The results show that Eastern European countries should direct their resources towards addressing health-related and social issues. Conversely, those that have higher GDP per capita and that have been hardest hit by coronavirus will have to make changes to their labour systems in order to minimize the fallout.Martí Selva, ML.; Puertas Medina, RM. (2021). European countries' vulnerability to COVID-19: multicriteria decision-making techniques. Economic Research-Ekonomska Istrazivanja. 34(1):3309-3320. https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2021.1874462S3309332034

Link between structural risk factors for adverse impacts of COVID-19 and food insecurity in developed and developing countries

[EN] COVID-19 has had serious consequences for world food security; lockdowns and social distancing have led to changes in global food value chains, primarily afecting the poorest of the planet. The aim of this research is to analyse the relationship between food insecurity and the structural risk factors for adverse impacts of COVID-19. To that end, 12 contingency tables are constructed to identify the association between the pillars of the food insecurity index and the INFORM COVID-19 Risk Index. We use the Gamma coefcient as a measure of association. In addition, this paper proposes a synthetic index produced by applying the TOPSIS method, using the pillars of the two aforementioned indices (criteria) to establish a ranking of 112 countries (alternatives) ordered from highest to lowest risk faced in the key year of the pandemic, 2020. The results show that the two problems are connected, indicating to international organizations that countries with worse food insecurity will sufer more serious consequences from extreme situations such as the one experienced during the pandemic. The ranking established directs international organizations¿ attention to countries such as Haiti, Zambia and Burundi, highlighting their greater need for an injection of fnancial aid than other emerging economies. Conversely, Switzerland is the country with the lowest combined risk.Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature. This work was supported by: Grant RTI2018-093791-B-C22 funded by MCIN/AEI/https://doi.org/10.13039/501100011033 and by ERDF A way of making Europe.Martí Selva, ML.; Puertas Medina, RM. (2022). Link between structural risk factors for adverse impacts of COVID-19 and food insecurity in developed and developing countries. Environment, Development and Sustainability (Online). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-022-02749-

Regional analysis of the sustainable development of two Mediterranean countries: Spain and Italy

[EN] The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) require the implementation of 167 targets aimed at eradicating poverty, protecting the planet and improving the quality of life of humankind. The United Nations calls for uniform sustainable development at the global, local and individual levels. This research pursues a twofold objective: first, to obtain evidence on the extent to which the achievement of the (SDGs) may be uniform across territories; second, to identify the socioeconomic characteristics that contribute to sustainable development. The empirical analysis has been carried out using clustering, cross efficiency and contingency tables applied to statistical information from 101 municipalities in Spain and Italy. The results provide evidence of inequalities between territories, revealing that only in the dimensions People (SDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) and Prosperity (SDGs 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11) has the desired homogeneity been attained. Notable differences are found in the degree of compliance with the other SDGs. Furthermore, it is shown that the socioeconomic characteristics associated with the geographical location contribute substantially to the gap between municipalities. In order to ensure countries' sustainable development, there is a need for environmental policies adapted to the specific features of each region.Puertas Medina, RM.; Martí Selva, ML. (2023). Regional analysis of the sustainable development of two Mediterranean countries: Spain and Italy. Sustainable Development. 31(2):798-811. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.242079881131

Determinants of tourist arrivals in European Mediterranean countries: Analysis of competitiveness

[EN] This research employs a gravity framework to evaluate the tourism in European Mediterranean countries. The paper analyses the destination competitiveness as a means for tourism attraction and also verifies whether more competitive countries can be used as a point of reference for the development of those lagging behind. The gravity equations are used because of their proven effectiveness in estimating other similar studies fields. The study focuses on the Mediterranean European countries, mainly due essentially, to the wide span of their positions along the TTCI ranking (Spain ranks first, whereas Montenegro is in 67th place). Results reveal that these European destinations are not efficiently exploiting their tourism capacity and they need apply policies to foster this economic activity and enable the transformation of competitiveness into greater numbers of visitors.Martí Selva, ML.; Puertas Medina, RM. (2017). Determinants of tourist arrivals in European Mediterranean countries: Analysis of competitiveness. European Journal of Tourism Research. 15:131-142. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/109185S1311421

Factors determining the trade costs of major European exporters

[EN] The aim of this paper is to analyse the determining factors of trade costs in the top European exporting nations (Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Sweden). For this purpose, we have estimated a trade costs equation to evaluate the importance of logistical performance and other variables that may be key in determining trade costs. Our results reveal the great importance of logistics, even greater than the effect of distance on trade costs, and they also show that in those countries where trade costs are lower, logistics becomes more decisive in international trade. This analysis allows one to draw conclusions on the type of improvements necessary for cost reductions and, therefore, for greater international competitiveness. The research has been conducted for 2 years, thus facilitating the detection of possible changes that can in turn reveal the existence of a trade pattern in these countries.Martí Selva, ML.; Puertas Medina, RM. (2019). Factors determining the trade costs of major European exporters. Maritime Economics & Logistics. 21(3):324-333. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41278-017-0093-5S32433321

Nitric Oxide Level Is Self-Regulating and Also Regulates Its ROS Partners

This work was supported by the EX12-BIO-296 grant from the Andalucian Regional Government (Consejería de Economía, Innovación, Ciencia y Empleo) and by ERDF-cofinanced grant BIO2012-36742 (MINECO) in Spain. The authors would like to thank Mr. Michael O'shea for the English editing.Peer reviewedPeer Reviewe

Protein S-nitrosylation in plants under abiotic stress: an overview

Abiotic stress is one of the main problems affecting agricultural losses, and understanding the mechanisms behind plant tolerance and stress response will help us to develop new means of strengthening fruitful agronomy. The mechanisms of plant stress response are complex. Data obtained by experimental procedures are sometimes contradictory, depending on the species, strength, and timing applied. In recent years nitric oxide has been identified as a key signaling molecule involved in most plant responses to abiotic stress, either indirectly through gene activation or interaction with reactive oxygen species and hormones; or else directly, as a result of modifying enzyme activities mainly by nitration and S-nitrosylation. While the functional relevance of the S-nitrosylation of certain proteins has been assessed in response to biotic stress, it has yet to be characterized under abiotic stress. Here, we review initial works about S-nitrosylation in response to abiotic stress to conclude with a brief overview, and discuss further perspectives to obtain a clear outlook of the relevance of S-nitrosylation in plant response to abiotic stress.Peer reviewedPeer Reviewe

The development trough tourism agenda in Peru and its relationship with international interests

Este ensayo evidencia la relación entre la agenda para el desarrollo a través del turismo en Perú y los intereses internacionales en torno al desarrollo en este campo. Para ello, se emplea elementos teóricos desde la perspectiva constructivista acerca del desarrollo, de las políticas públicas y las relaciones internacionales, partiendo de una descripción de antecedentes históricos en la construcción política y económica del estado Peruano. Se señala rasgos principales en la configuración de la política exterior del Perú en el s.XXI y se identifica la agenda nacional para el desarrollo a través del turismo, conformada por normas, estrategias, aparatos técnicos y programas que muestran intersubjetividades y vínculos con intereses internacionales. La información se obtuvo mediante entrevistas en profundidad y consultando documentos oficiales y publicaciones. Se espera aportar al mejor conocimiento de ideas a vinculadas a paradigmas del desarrollo, compartidas por actores globales y locales, así como elementos para el análisis crítico del turismo.This essay puts in evidence the relationship between development through tourism agenda in Peru and international interests related to development in this field. With that aim, we use theoric elements on development, public policies and international relationships, starting from the description of historic information of politic and economic construction of Peruvian state. We point out main features in international policies of Peru in the XXI century and identify the national agenda of development through tourism, formed by norms, strategies, technical apparatus and programmes that show intersubjectivities and links with international interests. The information was obtained using in -depth interviews and reviewing official documents and publications. We hope to contribute to achieve a better knowledge of ideas linked to development paradigms that are shared by both local and global actors, as well as in the critical analysis of tourism

Actions for adaptation to tourism: the creation of a new spirit of capitalism in the Coca Valley (Arequipa, Peru)

The article uses an interdisciplinary perspective to analyze the creation of a new spirit of capitalism. This is put in evidence trough institutional documents analysis, historic contextualization and the characterization of the adaptive dynamics of actors, under the frame of national policies, programs and projects for tourism development. The main findings, at the exploratory level, show the responses of the actors and the logics to which their actions correspond, taking into account what happened in Colca Valley (Arequipa, Peru) around tourism and their desires of entering in the market, diversify their economies as well as to participate in development projects.El artículo emplea una perspectiva interdisciplinaria para analizar la creación de un nuevo espíritu del capitalismo. Esto se evidencia a través del análisis de documentos institucionales, la contextualización histórica y la caracterización de dinámicas de adaptación de los actores, en el marco de políticas nacionales, programas y proyectos de desarrollo turístico. Los hallazgos a nivel exploratorio señalan respuestas de los actores y las lógicas a las que corresponden sus acciones, tomando en cuenta lo ocurrido en el Valle del Colca (Arequipa, Perú) en torno al turismo y sus deseos de ingresar al mercado, diversificar sus economías así como participar en proyectos de desarrollo

Relevance of trade facilitation in emerging countries exports

The objective of this article is to analyse trade flows in emerging nations with a maritime boundary, where trade facilitation plays a decisive role in their international development. In order to detect possible patterns in performance, we apply the economic approach of gravity models using the World Bank Logistic Performance Index (LPI) as a good proxy of trade facilitation. The results of the estimation lead to the conclusion that the more complex the transportation of goods is, the more influential the logistics indicator, trade facilitation being most prominent in Middle East exporters.Martí Selva, ML.; Puertas Medina, RM.; García Menéndez, L. (2012). Relevance of trade facilitation in emerging countries exports. Journal of International Trade and Economic Development. 23(2):202-222. doi:10.1080/09638199.2012.698639S202222232Behar, A. and Manner, P. Logistics and exports. African Economics Working Paper Series 293. CSAE WPS/2008-13. Oxford: University of Oxford.Bergstrand, J. H. (1989). The Generalized Gravity Equation, Monopolistic Competition, and the Factor-Proportions Theory in International Trade. The Review of Economics and Statistics, 71(1), 143. doi:10.2307/1928061Bergstrand, J. H. (1985). The Gravity Equation in International Trade: Some Microeconomic Foundations and Empirical Evidence. The Review of Economics and Statistics, 67(3), 474. doi:10.2307/1925976Clark, X., Dollar, D., & Micco, A. (2004). Port efficiency, maritime transport costs, and bilateral trade. Journal of Development Economics, 75(2), 417-450. doi:10.1016/j.jdeveco.2004.06.005Decreux, I. and Fontagne, L. A quantitative assessment of the outcome of the Doha development agenda. CEPII Working Paper 2006–10. CEPIIDennis, A. The impact of regional trade agreements and trade facilitation in the Middle East and North Africa region. World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 3837. Washington, DC: World Bank.Djankov, S., Freund, C. and Pham, C. Trading on time. World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 3909. Washington, DC: World Bank.Freund, C. L., & Weinhold, D. (2004). The effect of the Internet on international trade. Journal of International Economics, 62(1), 171-189. doi:10.1016/s0022-1996(03)00059-xHanson, G. and Xiang, C. The home market effect and bilateral trade patterns. NBER Working Paper Series, Working Paper 9076. Cambridge, MA: 02138. July.Hausman, W., Lee, H L. and Subramanian, U. Global logistic indicators, supply chain metrics, and bilateral trade patterns. World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 3773. Washington, DC: World Bank.Henderson, J. V., Shalizi, Z., & Venables, A. J. (2001). Geography and development. Journal of Economic Geography, 1(1), 81-105. doi:10.1093/jeg/1.1.81Hoekman, B., & Nicita, A. (2010). Assessing the Doha Round: Market access, transactions costs and aid for trade facilitation. The Journal of International Trade & Economic Development, 19(1), 65-79. doi:10.1080/09638190903327476Hoekman, B., & Nicita, A. (2011). Trade Policy, Trade Costs, and Developing Country Trade. World Development, 39(12), 2069-2079. doi:10.1016/j.worlddev.2011.05.013Iwanow, T., & Kirkpatrick, C. (2009). Trade Facilitation and Manufactured Exports: Is Africa Different? World Development, 37(6), 1039-1050. doi:10.1016/j.worlddev.2008.09.014Krugman, P. (1991). Increasing Returns and Economic Geography. Journal of Political Economy, 99(3), 483-499. doi:10.1086/261763Korinek, J. and Sourdin, P. To what extent are high-quality logistics services trade facilitating? OECD Trade Policy Working Papers 108. Paris: OECD Publishing.Limao, N. (2001). Infrastructure, Geographical Disadvantage, Transport Costs, and Trade. The World Bank Economic Review, 15(3), 451-479. doi:10.1093/wber/15.3.451Martínez-Zarzoso, I., Pérez-García, E. M., & Suárez-Burguet, C. (2008). Do transport costs have a differential effect on trade at the sectoral level? Applied Economics, 40(24), 3145-3157. doi:10.1080/00036840600994179Moïsé, E., Orliac, T. and Minor, P. Trade facilitation indicators: The impact on trade costs. OECD Trade Policy Working Papers 118. Paris: OECD Publishing.Nordas, H. and Piermartini, R. Infrastructure and trade. WTO Economic Research and Statistics Division Staff, Working Paper ERSD-2004-04. Geneva: WTO.Portugal-Perez, A. and Wilson, J S. Export performance and trade facilitation reform. Policy Research Working Paper 5261. Washington, DC: World Bank. AprilPrabir, D. Impact of trade costs and trade: Empirical evidence from Asian countries. Working Paper Series 27. Asia-Pacific Research and Training Network on Trade. New York: United Nations. JanuaryShepherd, B. and Wilson, J. Road infrastructure in Europe and Central Asia: Does network quality affect trade? Bank Policy Research Working Paper 4104. Washington, DC: World Bank.Soloaga, I., Wilson, J S. and Mejía, A. Trade facilitation reform and Mexican competitiveness. World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 3953. Washington, DC: World Bank. JuneTang, D. (2005). Effects of the Regional Trading Arrangements on Trade: Evidence from the NAFTA, ANZCER and ASEAN Countries, 1989 – 2000. The Journal of International Trade & Economic Development, 14(2), 241-265. doi:10.1080/09638190500093562Wilmsmeier, G., Hoffmann, J., & Sanchez, R. J. (2006). The Impact of Port Characteristics on International Maritime Transport Costs. Research in Transportation Economics, 16, 117-140. doi:10.1016/s0739-8859(06)16006-0Wilson, J. S., Mann, C. L., & Otsuki, T. (2005). ASSESSING THE POTENTIAL BENEFIT OF TRADE FACILITATION: A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE. Quantitative Methods for Assessing the Effects of Non-Tariff Measures and Trade Facilitation, 121-160. doi:10.1142/9789812701350_0008Wilson, J S. and Otsuki, T. Regional integration in South Asia: What role for trade facilitation? World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 4423. Washington, DC: World Bank. Decembe