Structural heterogeneity, and endogeneity of elasticites on the balance-of-payments constrained growth model

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that, especially in developing countries, changes in the real exchange rate affect both the structure of production and the income elasticities of the demand for imports and exports – and, as a result, the balance-of-payments constraint to growth in the fashion of Thirlwall’s Law. If the latter is weakened, then these countries are able to reach a higher long-term growth rate. Thus, following Dosi, Pavitt e Soete (1990), we show how a devaluation of the real exchange rate affects an economy’s productive heterogeneity, by reducing its real wages. In addition, we demonstrate that the elasticities are endogenous, based on the argument that maintaining an undervalued exchange rate encourages research and innovation. This is due to its positive impact on self-financing conditions and on the access to credit, making it possible to modernise and diversify the structure of production. In the long-term, this implies an expansion of the export capacity and a reduction of the dependence on imports. Furthermore, based on Kaldor and Mirrlees (1962), we present a model that formalises the endogeneity of the elasticities by making them dependent on the average age of the capital stock of the economy. Lastly, we show how the approach suggested in this article is an improvement on the Structural Economic Dynamics (SED) approach, by demonstrating how variations in the real exchange rate alter the sectoral composition of the economy. In the final considerations, we present a series of arguments supporting the hypothesis that elasticities are endogenous to the real exchange rate.Balance-of-Payments Constraints, Real Exchange Rate, Structural Heterogeneity.

Restrição externa, câmbio e crescimento em um modelo com progresso técnico endógeno

The aim of this paper is to present some preliminary considerations of the relationship between exchange rates, external constraints and economic growth from a formal model that considers two regions, one developed and other developing countries, which interact via international trade. It is assumed that the external constraint acts on the developing economy and that it is affected by exchange rate policies, to the extent that changes in these policies affect the functional distribution of income and, therefore, the decisions of the planned spending on business innovation. The findings go to show that devaluations have a positive effect to relax the external constraint in this region.External constraints, Economic growth and Exchange Rates

Câmbio, crescimento e heterogeneidade produtiva num modelo keynesiano-estruturalista

The aim of this paper is to show theoretically and empirically that undervalued real exchange rate has positive effects over economic growth on developing countries. We analyze the relationship between growth, exchange rate and productive heterogeneity by means of a Keynesian-Structuralist model. We depart from the Bhaduri and Marglin model, which establishes a connection between accumulation regimes and growth. The standard model will be modified by means of the introduction of a non-linear function of capital accumulation in which investment is a quadratic function of real exchange rate. In this setting, changes in the real exchange rate can affect expenditure decisions of the firms, mainly the expenditure in innovation. Besides, following the work of Dosi, Pavitt and Soete, income elasticities of exports and imports 0will depend on real exchange rate. It is shown that a real exchange rate devaluation, by means of a reduction of real wages, will affect the level of productive heterogeneity of the economy. Finally, it is presented a long-run solution and some empirical evidences about the relation between real exchange rate and income elasticities of exports. The long-run solution finds multiple equilibrium, showing that a higher growth rate is possible only by means of a devaluate real exchange rate. The empirical results show a positive relation between income elasticity of exports and real exchange rate for all countries in the sample, which means that, independently of technological gap, devaluation of real exchange rate can increase long-run growth.exchange rate, growth, multiple equilibria, keynesian, structuralist

Avaliação de mourões de Corymbia citriodora Hill & Johnson tratados com CCA-C após 6 anos em ensaio de campo de apodrecimento.

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Wettability of plasma treated furfurylated solid pine wood.

Este estudo objetivou investigar o efeito do tratamento por plasma na molhabilidade da madeira furfurilada de pinus por meio da técnica de ângulo de contato. Amostras de Pinus taeda livres de defeitos foram imersas em pressão atmosférica em duas soluções de álcool furfurílico com o intuito de obter-se dois níveis de ganho percentual de massa, 15 e 40%. A superfície das amostras controle e furfuriladas foi modificada com tratamento por plasma em um reator alimentado por radiofrequência (RF). O tratamento por plasma de argônio foi realizado em baixa pressão com uma potência de 80 W durante 120 s. Os parâmetros de molhabilidade foram mensurados pela técnica não-destrutiva de ângulo de contato, utilizando-se o método de gota séssil. As mensurações foram realizadas após 1, 4, 8, 12 e 20 dias do tratamento por plasma. Determinou-se o ângulo de contato aparente, o trabalho de adesão e a energia livre de superfície. Tanto a molhabilidade da madeira não tratada como a molhabilidade da madeira furfurilada aumentaram após o tratamento por plasma. O ângulo de contato aparente diminuiu e a superfície da madeira de pinus tornou-se mais molhável. O tratamento por plasma converteu a superfície hidrofóbica da madeira furfurilada de pinus em uma superfície hidrofílica. A madeira furfurilada de pinus recuperou parcialmente a sua hidrofobicidade natural ao longo dos dias de exposição. No entanto, mesmo com os efeitos da exposição prolongada, o alto nível de molhabilidade obtido após o tratamento por plasma pode ser um importante fator para futuras aplicações em processos industriais

Enhancing mechanical and surface properties of eucalyptus wood

Eucalyptus is one of the most fast-growing trees. Therefore, in the last decades it has been extensively planted and harvested so that nowadays Eucalyptus is one of the most popular trees of the planet. There are many genres of this plant and they are often treated as a large bunch of the same timber characterized by moderate mechanical and surface properties which hinder their usage for any sight application (e.g. flooring, cladding, ceiling). In this study four species of Eucalyptus: E. grandis, E. dunnii, E. cloeziana and E. tereticornis were undergone to densification through hydro-thermo-mechanical treatment (HTM) first and then to oil heat-treatment (OHT) in order to improve their mechanical properties and hydrophobicity. It was observed that low density species (E. grandis) reaches higher compression degrees while heavier species (E. tereticornis) reach densities over 800 kg/m³; however, HTM decrease the variability of the properties. Treatments at higher temperature (160 °C) involves higher compression degree, lower set-recovery and higher surface hydrophobization, but also weaker mechanical properties. The hot oil post- treatment helps to contain the springback effect and to reduce the wettability of each specimen. Densified samples present similar surface hardness. The tailored application of the two treatments improves the properties of every Eucalyptus which can gain market also for nobler end-usages

Genetic evaluation of Jatropha curcas: an important oilseed for biodiesel production.

Jatropha curcas, internationally and locally known, respectively, as physic nut and pinhão manso, is a highly promising species for biodiesel production in Brazil and other countries in the tropics. It is rustic, grows in warm regions and is easily cultivated. These characteristics and high-quality oil yields from the seeds have made this plant a priority for biodiesel programs in Brazil. Consequently, this species merits genetic investigations aimed at improving yields. Some studies have detected genetic variability in accessions in Africa and Asia. We have made the first genetic evaluation of J. curcas collected from Brazil. Our objective was to quantify genetic diversity and to estimate genetic parameters for growth and production traits and seed oil content. We evaluated 75 J. curcas progenies collected from Brazil and three from Cambodia. The mean oil content in the seeds was 31%, ranging from 16 to 45%. No genetic correlation between growth traits and seed oil content was found. However, high coefficients of genetic variation were found for plant height, number of branches, height of branches, and stem diameter. The highest individual narrow-sense heritabilities were found for leaf length (0.35) and width (0.34), stem diameter (0.24) and height of branches (0.21). We used a clustering algorithm to genetically identify the closest and most distant progenies, to assist in the development of new cultivars. Geographical diversity did not necessarily represent the genetic diversity among the accessions collected. These results are important for the continuity of breeding programs, aimed at obtaining cultivars with high grain yield and high oil content in seeds

The role of services in economic development and the core-periphery relationship

The literature on productive structure and economic growth shows the relevance of industry in expanding gross domestic product (GDP) in developed and developing countries. Recent studies suggest that the modern services sector (professional services) contributes to innovation, increased productivity, and, consequently, economic growth. This paper presents a theoretical discussion on the importance of the modern services sector for Latin America in order to update the central thesis of the Latin American structuralist approach. The data suggest that even in the context of a productive transformation characterized by a fall in the share of manufacturing and the rise of the services sector, international division of labour is perpetuated, based on the centre-periphery relationship. The results show that structuralist thinking is adequate to explain the persistent underdevelopment of Latin American countries from a perspective focused on the service economy

Genetic characterization of an elite coffee germplasm assessed by gSSR and EST-SSR markers.

Coffee is one of the main agrifood commodities traded worldwide. In 2009, coffee accounted for 6.1% of the value of Brazilian agricultural production, generating a revenue of US$6 billion. Despite the importance of coffee production in Brazil, it is supported by a narrow genetic base, with few accessions. Molecular differentiation and diversity of a coffee breeding program were assessed with gSSR and EST-SSR markers. The study comprised 24 coffee accessions according to their genetic origin: arabica accessions (six traditional genotypes of C. arabica), resistant arabica (six leaf rust-resistant C. arabica genotypes with introgression of Híbrido de Timor), robusta (five C. canephora genotypes), Híbrido de Timor (three C. arabica x C. canephora), triploids (three C. arabica x C. racemosa), and racemosa (one C. racemosa). Allele and polymorphism analysis, AMOVA, the Student t-test, Jaccard?s dissimilarity coefficient, cluster analysis, correlation of genetic distances, and discriminant analysis, were performed. EST-SSR markers gave 25 exclusive alleles per genetic group, while gSSR showed 47, which will be useful for differentiating accessions and for fingerprinting varieties. The gSSR markers detected a higher percentage of polymorphism among (35% higher on average) and within (42.9% higher on average) the genetic groups, compared to EST-SSR markers. The highest percentage of polymorphism within the genetic groups was found with gSSR markers for robusta (89.2%) and for resistant arabica (39.5%). It was possible to differentiate all genotypes including the arabica-related accessions. Nevertheless, combined use of gSSR and EST-SSR markers is recommended for coffee molecular characterization, because EST-SSRs can provide complementary information

El papel de los servicios en el desarrollo económico y la relación centro-periferia

La literatura sobre estructura productiva y crecimiento económico muestra la relevancia de la industria en la expansión del PIB en países desarrollados y en desarrollo. Estudios recientes indican que el sector de los servicios modernos (servicios profesionales) contribuye a la innovación, al aumento de la productividad y, en consecuencia, al crecimiento económico. Este artículo plantea una discusión teórica sobre la importancia del sector de los servicios modernos para América Latina a fin de actualizar la tesis central del enfoque estructuralista latinoamericano. Los datos indican que, aun en el contexto de una transformación productiva caracterizada por una menor participación de la manufactura y el auge del sector terciario, se perpetúa la división internacional del trabajo, sobre la base de la relación centro-periferia. Los resultados muestran que el pensamiento estructuralista resulta adecuado para explicar el persistente subdesarrollo de los países latinoamericanos desde una perspectiva centrada en la economía de servicios