Impact of Foreign Investment on Economic Growth in OECD's Members: A Panel Data Model, 1977-2017

Motivation: This paper is aimed at analyzing the impact of foreign investment (FI) on economic growth (EG) in Australia, Canada, Germany, Spain, Finland, France, United Kingdom, Greece, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, and USA.Novelty: The research is: 1) concentrated in countries belonging to the OECD; 2) based on a greater number of countries, variables and periods; and 3) addressed to correcting multicollinearity and autocorrelation of data.Methodology: A Granger causality analysis is carried out and both static and dynamic panel data models are estimated.Data and Empirical Analysis: Data is obtained from World Bank for the period 1977-2017. The causality of Granger reveals that during the first 10 years there is a unidirectional relationship from FI toward EG. In the following 15 years, there is empirical evidence of a bidirectional causal relationship. Moreover, during the whole period of study, 7 years have a unidirectional causality from EG toward FI. Finally, estimates of both static and dynamic panel data models show that FI has a positive impact on EG in all the studied economies.Policy Considerations: A set of recommendations for policy designers and decision makers is provided to build the appropriate instruments and incentives to encourage the attraction of FI to boost EG and, therefore, to enhance social welfare

Medición de Satisfacción de los Servicios Prestados por la Cámara de Comercio de Bucaramanga en Las Provincias de Guanentá y Comunera

Es de gran importancia conocer el grado de satisfacción en la prestación deservicios a matriculados y afiliados de la Cámara de Comercio de Bucaramangaen las provincias Guanentá y Comunera, teniendo en cuenta el reconocimiento yposicionamiento que ha logrado esta institución en las diferentes poblaciones enlas cuales hace presencia, ubicadas en las provincias del departamento deSantander. Este nivel de satisfacción dará a conocer las debilidades y fortalezas que se presentan en la prestación del servicio; insumo para la toma de decisiones, construcción de planes de mejora y creación de estrategias para mejorar los aspectos negativos, así como fortalecer positivos. De igual forma los directores de las seccionales de las provincias Guanentá y Comunera contarán con herramientas que les ayudarán a posicionar el nombre de la Cámara de Comercio de Bucaramanga entre los matriculados y afiliados de la región. Para conocer este grado de satisfacción se debe determinar el nivel de conocimiento del portafolio de servicios, la importancia de éstos para los matriculados y afiliados, y establecer cuáles son los servicios más usados. Esto evidenciará si se usan y si no los están usando cuál es la razón que los lleva a esta situación. La investigación es de tipo exploratoria descriptiva, dentro de un enfoque mixto, aunque predominarán los elementos cualitativos. (Explorable, 2017). A través de las encuestas realizadas se pudo evidenciar que no todos los servicios que están dentro del portafolio de la entidad son conocidos y, por ende, poco usados por sus afiliados. Aun así, se observa un alto grado de satisfacción con la calidad de los servicios prestados los cuales generan un valor agregado en los procesos de las empresas y son prestados de forma oportuna, con valores asequibles

Bioinformatic approaches for the genetic and phenotypic characterization of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae wine yeast collection

The objective of the present study was to compare genetic and phenotypic variation of 103 Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains isolated from winemaking environments. We used bioinformatics approaches to identify genetically similary strains with specific phenotypes and to estimate a strain's biotechnological potential. 
A S. cerevisiae collection, comprising 440 strains that were obtained from winemaking environments in Portugal has been constituted during the last years. All strains were genetically characterized by a set of eleven highly polymorphic microsatellites and showed unique allelic combinations. Using neural networks, a subset of 103 genetically most diverse strains was chosen for phenotypic analysis, that included growth in synthetic must media at various temperatures, utilization of carbon sources (glucose, ribose, arabinose, xylose, saccharose, galactose, rafinose, maltose, glycerol, potassium acetate and pyruvic acid), growth in ethanol containing media, evaluation of osmotic and oxidative stress resistance, H2S production and utilization of different nitrogen sources. Using supervised data mining approaches we have found that genotype represented with presence/absence of eleven microsatellites relates well with geographical location (performance evaluation using leave-out-out technique resulted in high performance scores; e.g., area under ROC curve was above 0.8 for a number of standard machine learning approaches tested). To find relations between phenotypes and genotypes, we used a two-step approach which first hierarchically clusters the strains according to their phenotype, and then tests if the resulting sub-clusters are identifiable using strain’s genetic data. Several groups of strains with similar phenotype profiles and common features in genotype were identified this way, and they are subject to further investigations. 

Financially supported by the programs POCI 2010 (FEDER/FCT, POCTI/AGR/56102/2004) and AGRO (ENOSAFE, Nº 762).
&#xa

USE OF ANTIFUNGAL SAPONIN SC-2 OF SOLANUM CHRYSOTRICHUM FOR THE TREATMENT OF VULVOVAGINAL CANDIDIASIS: IN VITRO STUDIES AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCES

Saponin SC-2 from Solanum chrysotrichum showed antifungal activity, demonstrated in vitro, which inhibited the growth of dermatophytes, and in vivo, to be effective in the treatment against tinea pedis and pityriasis capitis. Fungistatic and fungicidal activity of saponin SC-2 on Candida albicans and other Candida species, fluconazole and ketoconazole resistaent strains was demostrated. SC-2-associated ultrastructural alterations in several Candida species were observed. An exploratory clinical, randomized, double-blind, and controlled ketoconazole study of ketoconazole was conducted with the aim of assessing the effectiveness and tolerability of an herbal medicinal product containing SC-2, on women with Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). The results exhibited a percentage of therapeutic clinical effectiveness similar to that of ketoconazole (X2, p ≥0.30), but obtained a smaller percentage of mycological effectiveness, and 100% tolerability. In conclusion, saponin SC-2 possesses fungicidale and fungistatic activity on Candida albicans and other multi resistant Candida species, causes morphological changes and fungal death, and it is an alternative therapy for the treatment of VVC

BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF JATROPHA NEOPAUCIFLORA PAX

Background: Ethnopharmacological relevance. Jatropha neopauciflora (Pax) is an endemic species of the Tehuacan- Cuicatlan Valley, Mexico. This species has long been used as a remedy to alleviate illnesses of bacterial, fungal and viral origin. Aim of the study. Experimentally test the traditional use of Jatropha neopauciflora in Mexican traditional medicine. Materials and methods. The methanol extract (MeOH1), of Jatropha neopauciflora (Euphorbiaceae) was obtained by maceration. Next, the methanol (MeOH2) and hexane (H) fractions were obtained. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation. The extract, fractions and essential oil were analyzed by GC-MS. The antimicrobial activity was measured by the disc diffusion agar and radial inhibition growth methods. Results: The extract and fractions showed antibacterial activity against eleven strains (five Gram-positive and six Gramnegative) and a bacteriostatic effect in the survival curves for Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio cholerae. The extract and fractions were also shown to have antifungal activity, particularly against Trichophyton mentagrophytes (CF50 = MeOH1: 1.07 mg/mL, MeOH2: 1.32 mg/mL and H: 1.08 mg/mL). The antioxidant activity of MeOH1 (68.6 g/mL) was higher than for MeOH2 (108.1 g/mL). The main compounds of the essential oil were -pinene, 1,3,8-p-menthatriene, ledene, mmenthane, linalyl acetate and 3-carene. The main compounds of MeOH1 were β-sitosterol, lupeol and pyrogallol; the main compounds of MeOH2 were β-sitosterol, spathulenol, coniferyl alcohol and lupeol; and the main compounds of H were β- sitostenone, -sitosterol and stigmasterol. Conclusions: This study indicates that Jatropha neopauciflora is a potential antibacterial and antifungal agent

ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF THE FIBER PRODUCED BY “POCHOTE” CEIBA AESCULIFOLIA SUBSP. PARVIFOLIA

Background: The cotton-like fiber from the fruit of Pochote (Ceiba aesculifolia subsp. parvifolia) can be applied to wounds for healing purposes. As microorganisms can infect wounds and hamper the wound healing process, the aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of the methanolic extract of Pochote fiber. Materials and Methods: The methanolic extract was tested against bacteria and fungi. For bacteria, the Kirby-Baüer disc diffusion and broth dilution methods were employed to determine the MIC and MBC. In addition, bactericidal kinetic curves were generated. The antifungal activity was determined by the radial diffusion method. The antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, and the flavonoid content were determined. Bioassay guided fractionation was also performed. Results: The methanolic extract showed activity against Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio cholerae (cc). The tested V. cholerae strains were the most sensitive strains, and exhibited a clear CFU size reduction from the bactericidal kinetic curves. The methanolic extract had activity against T. mentagrophytes and R. lilacina . The antioxidant activity (SC50= 36.42 μg/mL) was related to the total phenolic (74.4 mg eAG/g) and flavonoid content (21.982 mg (eQ)/g). The bioassay guided fractionation results suggested that the antimicrobial properties of the extract may act through synergism because the total extract had higher activity against bacteria compared to the collected fractions. Conclusion: This study scientifically validates the application of the fruit fiber from Pochote as a part of a traditional medicine approach to alleviate infections caused by bacteria and fungi

Comparison of the vascular exotic flora in continental islands: Sardinia (Italy) and Balearic Islands (Spain)

[EN] This paper provides a comparison of the vascular exotic flora of Sardinia and that of the Balearic Islands, both territories belonging to the Western Mediterranean biogeographic subregion. The study has recorded 531 exotic taxa in Sardinia (18.8% of the total flora) while 360(19%) in the Balearic Islands; 10 are new to Sardinia (3 of which for Italy) and 29 to the Balearic Islands. The alien flora of Sardinia is included in 99 families; Fabaceae is the richest (49 taxa), followed by Poaceae (33) and Asteraceae (31) while in the Balearic Islands in 90 families, with a predominance of Fabaceae (32), Asteraceae (31) and Poaceae (27). The comparison of the biological spectra reveals that in Sardinia phanerophytes are the most represented in Sardinia and therophytes in the Balearic Islands. A detailed analysis shows that most of the exotic taxa (246) are shared by both territories with a clear dominance of neophytes rather than archaeophytes. A study of the geographical origin shows supremacy of the American element over the Mediterranean. The majority of introduced exotic taxa are a result of intentional human introductions (76% SA, 77% BL), mainly for ornamental use (43% SA, 45% BL). The most occupied habitats are the semi-natural, agricultural and synanthropic for both territories, but attending to invasive plants, coastal habitats in Sardinia and wetlands in the Balearic Islands are the most sensitive. A part of the work deals with the causes of fragility and low resilience of the different habitats.[ES] Se presenta un estudio comparativo de la flora vascular exótica de Cerdeña y de las Baleares, dos sistemas insulares pertenecientes a la subregión biogeográfica Mediterránea Occidental. En Cerdeña se han contabilizado 531 táxones exóticos (18,8% del total de su flora), mientras que en las Baleares 360 (19%), siendo 10 citas nuevas para Cerdeña (3 de las cuales para Italia) y 29 para Baleares. La flora exótica de Cerdeña está incluida en 99 familias, y Fabaceae es la más rica (49 táxones), seguida por Poaceae (33) y Asteraceae (31), frente a 90 familias para las Baleares, con predominio de Fabaceae (32), Asteraceae (31) y Poaceae (27). Se han encontrado diferencias respecto a los tipos biológicos, con un predominio de los fanerófitos en Cerdeña y de los terófitos en las Baleares. Un análisis detallado muestra que buena parte de estos táxones (246) son compartidos por ambos territorios, así como una dominancia de los neófitos frente a los arqueófitos. Respecto al origen geográfico, ambos territorios presentan una preeminencia del elemento americano sobre el mediterráneo. En referencia a las vías de introducción, la mayor parte de los táxones ha sido introducida por parte del hombre de forma intencionada (76% SA, 77% BL) en particular para uso ornamental (43% SA, 45% BL). Los hábitats más afectados son los seminaturales, agrícolas y sinantrópicos en ambos territorios, aunque atendiendo a la flora invasora, son los litorales los más sensibles en Cerdeña y los humedales en Baleares. Una parte del trabajo aborda las causas de la fragilidad y baja resiliencia de los diferentes hábitats.Podda, L.; Fraga Arguimbau, P.; Mayoral García-Berlanga, O.; Mascia, F.; Bacchetta, G. (2010). Comparación de la flora exótica vascular en sistemas de islas continentales: Cerdeña (Italia) y Baleares (España). Anales del Jardín Botánico de Madrid. 67(2):157-176. doi:10.3989/ajbm.2251S157176672Mack, R. N., Simberloff, D., Mark Lonsdale, W., Evans, H., Clout, M., & Bazzaz, F. A. (2000). BIOTIC INVASIONS: CAUSES, EPIDEMIOLOGY, GLOBAL CONSEQUENCES, AND CONTROL. Ecological Applications, 10(3), 689-710. doi:10.1890/1051-0761(2000)010[0689:bicegc]2.0.co;2Madon*, O., & Médail, F. (1997). Plant Ecology, 129(2), 189-199. doi:10.1023/a:1009759730000Mansion, G., Rosenbaum, G., Schoenenberger, N., Bacchetta, G., Rosselló, J. A., & Conti, E. (2008). Phylogenetic Analysis Informed by Geological History Supports Multiple, Sequential Invasions of the Mediterranean Basin by the Angiosperm Family Araceae. Systematic Biology, 57(2), 269-285. doi:10.1080/10635150802044029MILBAU, A., & STOUT, J. C. (2008). Factors Associated with Alien Plants Transitioning from Casual, to Naturalized, to Invasive. Conservation Biology, 22(2), 308-317. doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2007.00877.xO’Dowd, D. J., Green, P. T., & Lake, P. S. (2003). Invasional «meltdown» on an oceanic island. Ecology Letters, 6(9), 812-817. doi:10.1046/j.1461-0248.2003.00512.xOlesen, J. M., Eskildsen, L. I., & Venkatasamy, S. (2002). Invasion of pollination networks on oceanic islands: importance of invader complexes and endemic super generalists. Diversity Distributions, 8(3), 181-192. doi:10.1046/j.1472-4642.2002.00148.xPauchard, A., Cavieres, L. A., & Bustamante, R. O. (2004). Comparing alien plant invasions among regions with similar climates: where to from here? Diversity and Distributions, 10(5-6), 371-375. doi:10.1111/j.1366-9516.2004.00116.xPyšek, P., Richardson, D. M., Rejmánek, M., Webster, G. L., Williamson, M., & Kirschner, J. (2004). Alien plants in checklists and floras: towards better communication between taxonomists and ecologists. TAXON, 53(1), 131-143. doi:10.2307/4135498Randall, J. M., Morse, L. E., Benton, N., Hiebert, R., Lu, S., & Killeffer, T. (2008). The Invasive Species Assessment Protocol: A Tool for Creating Regional and National Lists of Invasive Nonnative Plants that Negatively Impact Biodiversity. Invasive Plant Science and Management, 1(1), 36-49. doi:10.1614/ipsm-07-020.1REASER, J. K., MEYERSON, L. A., CRONK, Q., DE POORTER, M., ELDREGE, L. G., GREEN, E., … VAIUTU, L. (2007). Ecological and socioeconomic impacts of invasive alien species in island ecosystems. Environmental Conservation, 34(2), 98-111. doi:10.1017/s0376892907003815REICHARD, S. H., & WHITE, P. (2001). Horticulture as a Pathway of Invasive Plant Introductions in the United States. BioScience, 51(2), 103. doi:10.1641/0006-3568(2001)051[0103:haapoi]2.0.co;2Richardson, D. M., & Pyšek, P. (2006). Plant invasions: merging the concepts of species invasiveness and community invasibility. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment, 30(3), 409-431. doi:10.1191/0309133306pp490prRichardson, D. M., Pysek, P., Rejmanek, M., Barbour, M. G., Panetta, F. D., & West, C. J. (2000). Naturalization and invasion of alien plants: concepts and definitions. Diversity Distributions, 6(2), 93-107. doi:10.1046/j.1472-4642.2000.00083.xRosenbaum, G., Lister, G. S., & Duboz, C. (2002). Reconstruction of the tectonic evolution of the western Mediterranean since the Oligocene. Journal of the Virtual Explorer, 08. doi:10.3809/jvirtex.2002.00053Sanz-Elorza, M., Mateo, R. G., & Bernardo, F. G. (2008). The historical role of agriculture and gardening in the introduction of alien plants in the western Mediterranean. Plant Ecology, 202(2), 247-256. doi:10.1007/s11258-008-9474-2Schippers, P., van Groenendael, J. M., Vleeshouwers, L. M., & Hunt, R. (2001). Herbaceous plant strategies in disturbed habitats. Oikos, 95(2), 198-210. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0706.2001.950202.xSchnitzler, A., Hale, B. W., & Alsum, E. M. (2007). Examining native and exotic species diversity in European riparian forests. Biological Conservation, 138(1-2), 146-156. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2007.04.010Speranza, F., Villa, I. M., Sagnotti, L., Florindo, F., Cosentino, D., Cipollari, P., & Mattei, M. (2002). Age of the Corsica–Sardinia rotation and Liguro–Provençal Basin spreading: new paleomagnetic and Ar/Ar evidence. Tectonophysics, 347(4), 231-251. doi:10.1016/s0040-1951(02)00031-8Suehs, C. M., Affre, L., & Médail, F. (2003). Invasion dynamics of two alien Carpobrotus (Aizoaceae) taxa on a Mediterranean island: I. Genetic diversity and introgression. Heredity, 92(1), 31-40. doi:10.1038/sj.hdy.6800374Towns, D. R., & Ballantine, W. J. (1993). Conservation and restoration of New Zealand Island ecosystems. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 8(12), 452-457. doi:10.1016/0169-5347(93)90009-eVila, M., Tessier, M., Suehs, C. M., Brundu, G., Carta, L., Galanidis, A., … Hulme, P. E. (2006). Local and regional assessments of the impacts of plant invaders on vegetation structure and soil properties of Mediterranean islands. Journal of Biogeography, 33(5), 853-861. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2699.2005.01430.xVITOUSEK, P. M., WALKER, L. R., WHITEAKER, L. D., MUELLER-DOMBOIS, D., & MATSON, P. A. (1987). Biological Invasion by Myrica faya Alters Ecosystem Development in Hawaii. Science, 238(4828), 802-804. doi:10.1126/science.238.4828.802Wittenberg, R., & Cock, M. J. W. (Eds.). (2001). Invasive alien species: a toolkit of best prevention and management practices. doi:10.1079/9780851995694.000