Are Preferential Agreements Stepping Stones To Other Markets?

This paper investigates whether preferential trade agreements (PTA) promote exports to third nations through the expansion of the extensive margin (i.e. larger number of export goods). The analysis covers 11 South- South and South-North PTAs involving 36 countries that exported to 118 different destinations during the 5 years before and after the PTA. Using a conditional logit model, and trade data at the SITC 5-digit level, we estimate the effect of new within-PTA exports on the subsequent exports to thirdnation markets. The results suggest that PTAs have a positive indirect effect, i.e. spillover-effect, on exports to third countries. Previous export experience in a given product in the preferential area is shown to have a positive effect on the probability that the same product is subsequently exported to a nonmember market. The size of the effect, however, varies across PTAs.Trade policy, spillovers, market entry

Are preferential agreements stepping stones to other markets?

This paper investigates whether preferential trade agreements (PTA) promote exports to third nations through the expansion of the extensive margin (i.e. larger number of export goods). The analysis covers 11 South-South and South-North PTAs involving 36 countries that exported to 118 different destinations during the 5 years before and after the PTA. Using a conditional logit model, and trade data at the SITC 5-digit level, we estimate the effect of new within-PTA exports on the subsequent exports to thirdnation markets. The results suggest that PTAs have a positive indirect effect, i.e. spillover-effect, on exports to third countries. Previous export experience in a given product in the preferential area is shown to have a positive effect on the probability that the same product is subsequently exported to a nonmember market. The size of the effect, however, varies across PTAs

The DR-CAFTA and the extensive margin : a firm-level analysis

This paperexamines the export behavior of Dominican Republic exporters following the implementation of the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement in 2007. Using a firm-level dataset for 2002-2009, the authors investigate the effects of a tariff reduction on the extensive margin. The analysis distinguishes the impact on the entry of new firms, exports of new products, and entry into the Agreement’s markets. The paper analyzes whether the agreement prevents incumbent exporters from exiting the market. The results suggest that tariff cuts had a positive although very small effect on the extensive margin. A decline in tariffs also seems to reduce the probability of exit, but the effect is also small. The evidence calls for complementary policies aiming at helping exporters maximize the benefits of the agreement.Free Trade,Markets and Market Access,Debt Markets,Export Competitiveness,Trade Policy

The determinants of trade survival

The aim of this paper is to explore the patterns of trade duration across regions and to identify its determinants. Using an extended Cox model, we evaluate the effects of country and product characteristics, as well as of trade cost variables on the duration of trade relationships from 96 countries from 1995 to 2004. Our results suggest first that the duration of trade relationships increases with the region level of development: trade relationships from richer economies face lower hazard rates i.e. longer duration. Second, the type of product matters for export survival, trade relationships involving differentiated products show a hazard rate that is 11% to 13% lower than trade relationships involving homogeneous goods. Third, high export costs increase the probability of export failure in all regions but the effect diminishes with time, thus suggesting that export experience matters. Finally, the size of exports also matters: the larger the transaction, the higher the probability of survival

TBT provisions in Regional Trade Agreements: To what extent do they go beyond the WTO TBT Agreement?

This paper investigates whether TBT provisions included in RTAs differ from those under the WTO TBT Agreement, and, if they do, whether they entail broader commitments. Our analysis covers 238 RTAs, of which 171 include at least one provision, and focuses on the provisions on technical regulations, conformity assessment procedures, transparency, dispute settlement, marking and labelling and sector-specific commitments. We find that all RTAs signed since 2010 systematically include TBT provisions and that the most frequent provisions are those referring to the TBT Agreement and transparency. Moreover, even if there are RTAs that include new or broader commitments than the TBT Agreement, our study shows that their number remains very limited. For instance, relatively few RTAs have included provisions to better implement WTO provisions in the area of transparency or provisions requiring the equivalence or harmonization of technical regulations among the parties or even the recognition of conformity assessment results. RTAs with a dispute settlement provision that applies exclusively to TBT issues are also very few. These RTAs give in general exclusive jurisdiction to the WTO DSM over TBT related disputes. Finally, also only a minority of RTAs include provisions on new issues such as marking and labelling or sector-specific provisions, typically for electric and electronic products, pharmaceuticals or vehicles

Multi-agent simulations for emergency situations in an airport scenario

This paper presents a multi-agent framework using Net- Logo to simulate humanand collective behaviors during emergency evacuations. Emergency situationappears when an unexpected event occurs. In indoor emergency situation, evacuation plans defined by facility manager explain procedure and safety ways tofollow in an emergency situation. A critical and public scenario is an airportwhere there is an everyday transit of thousands of people. In this scenario theimportance is related with incidents statistics regarding overcrowding andcrushing in public buildings. Simulation has the objective of evaluating buildinglayouts considering several possible configurations. Agents could be based onreactive behavior like avoid danger or follow other agent, or in deliberative behaviorbased on BDI model. This tool provides decision support in a real emergencyscenario like an airport, analyzing alternative solutions to the evacuationprocess.Publicad

Habitat Variation in Vernal Pool Ecosystems on Both Sides of the Strait of Gibraltar

We studied vernal pool (VP) ecosystems along a latitudinal gradient crossing the Strait of Gibraltar in order to determine its role in the distribution of VP plant communities. We analyzed flora, vegetation, physical–chemical water parameters, and climatic data from two vernal pool areas on both the European (Iberian) and African (Moroccan) sides of the Strait. Despite the minor distance between both territories, the pools clearly differed in species composition and ecology. However, they showed a similar vegetation zonation in growth forms, including isoetid, batrachiid, and helophytic vegetation. The distribution of the plant communities was related to nutrient load, temperature, and precipitation. Water nitrate concentration was higher in Morocco, where VPs are characterized by Isoetes velata subsp. adspersa and Ranunculus saniculifolius communities. Iberian VPs had lower water nitrate content, and were characterized by Isoetes velata subsp. velata and Ranunculus peltatus communities. We think this nutrient difference is likely to be caused by the different land management regime on each side of the Strait, with more intensive agriculture in Morocco. Long-term (historical) and present-day (ecological) processes have been proposed to account for the habitat variation in vernal pool ecosystems on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar

Incidencia de problemas relacionados con medicamentos durante la estancia hospitalaria.

49 Páginas.Los errores de medicación constituyen el 20% de los eventos adversos a nivel hospitalario; afectan la seguridad de los pacientes, prolongan estancia hospitalaria y generan costos adicionales. La incidencia de los problemas relacionados con medicamentos (PRM) ha encendido alarmas de preocupación a nivel mundial, y se han convertido en un indicador de la calidad del cuidado sanitario, estimulando la implementación de estrategias para prevenir o reducir el daño a los pacientes. La realización de este proyecto permitió una aproximación a la realidad fármacoepidemiológica de la Clínica Universidad de La Sabana y fortaleció el sistema de uso seguro de medicamentos. El 39% de los pacientes tuvieron mínimo un PRM durante la estancia hospitalaria. Los problemas de indicación fueron los más frecuentes

Učinkovitost liječenja mišićnih vlakana minisvinja monocitima iz koštane srži nakon izloženosti bisfenolu A

Bisphenol-A (BPA) has been described as an endocrine disruptor that impairs human and animal health. As BPA is present in food and drink, due to leaching from polycarbonate containers or aluminum cans, humans are constantly exposed to it. Due to the importance for public health of unconscious exposure to BPA, we conducted a study of its rapid action on muscle tissue and its possible treatment with bone marrow monocytes. For this purpose, 16 minipigs were randomly distributed (n = 4) to one of the following experimental groups: the control group treated with BPA (for 4 months), the BPA-withdrawal group (treated for 2 months with BPA and two months without), and the bone marrow monocytes (MN) group (treated for 2 months with BPA, after which it was withdrawn and MN treatment began lasting 2 months). At the end of the treatments, biopsy of the longissimus lumbaris (LL) was carried out. The samples were analysed by optical and electron microscopy. In our study, it was observed that after continuous exposure to BPA some alterations appeared both in the muscle fibres and in the collagen fibres of their sheaths. The group from which BPA was withdrawn for two months exhibited a reversible degenerative action, with a partial recovery of both the muscle and the collagen fibres. In the last study group, we evaluated the action of the bone marrow monocytes on the modified muscle tissue, and observed that they presented a notable recovery action since practically all the muscle and collagen fibre alterations which had appeared were reversed.Bisfenol A (BPA) uzrokuje endokrine poremećaje koji narušavaju zdravlje ljudi i životinja. Kako se BPA, uz svoju prisutnost u polikarbonatnim posudama i aluminijskim limenkama, nalazi i u hrani i piću, ljudi su mu stalno izloženi. Zbog važnosti u javnome zdravstvu i nepostojanja svijesti o izloženosti BPA-u, istražilismo njegovo brzo djelovanje na mišićna tkiva i mogućnosti liječenja monocitima iz koštane srži. U tu je svrhu 16 minisvinja nasumično raspoređeno u četiri skupine (n = 4): 1. kontrolnu skupinu, 2. skupinu koja je bila izložena BPA-u četiri mjeseca, 3. skupinu koja je dva mjeseca bila izložena BPA-u, a zatim joj je uskraćen, 4. skupinu koja je dva mjeseca bila izložena BPA-u, a zatim je dva mjeseca liječena monocitima iz koštane srži. Na kraju liječenja učinjena je biopsija longissimus lumborum (LL). Uzorci su analizirani optičkom i elektronskom mikroskopijom. Istraživanje je pokazalo da nakon kontinuirane izloženosti BPA-u postoje promjene i u mišićnim i u kolagenskim vlaknima. Skupina kojoj je BPA uskraćen nakon dva mjeseca pokazala je reverzibilni degenerativni učinak, s djelomičnim oporavkom i mišićnih i kolagenskih vlakana. U posljednjoj ispitivanoj skupini procijenili smo učinak monocita iz koštane srži na promijenjena mišićna tkiva i promatrali ima li znatnijeg oporavka s obzirom na to da su se gotovo sva promijenjena mišićna i kolagenska vlakna regenerirala

Oral microbiome associated with peri-implant infections – a review

Dental treatments using dental implants have been well documented over the past 40 years and with great success. The dental implant installed in the place of missing teeth should always involve proper forecasting by the dentist. Namely, it is important to know the microbiome surrounding the implant, from its planning till final rehabilitation. The exact time of microbiome formation, as well as microorganisms involved, are essential for the proper implementation and success of the implant. However, internal contaminations of the rehabilitated implants, the extracellular components of microorganisms, such as endotoxins, have a huge influence on implant success. In addition, it is also very important the knowledge concerning implants surfaces and associated microorganisms. This study conducted a literature review on the oral microbiome and its relationship with the peri-implant infection, with the discussion of several classical and current studies. Although it can be concluded that the peri-implant microbiome is characterized by the microbiome present before dental implant placing, more studies are required to better elucidate the planning and the longevity of dental implant treatment.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio