THE EFFECTS OF SECTORAL AND ECONOMY-WIDE POLICIES ON TOBACCO PRODUCTION IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

This study analyses the effects of specific agricultural and exchange rate policies on tobacco production in the Dominican Republic. Direct protection resulting from output and input subsidies and taxes was positive on average from 1966 to 1988, but total protection was negative when exchange rate policies are considered. Tobacco policies were quite volatile and resulted in increasing production in the 1970s but decreasing production in the 1980s. Overall, tobacco production was 4.8 percent less than it would have been had there been no policy interventions. Several reasons are provided for the policies.Dominican Republic, Nominal rate of protection, Tobacco policies, Agricultural and Food Policy, Production Economics,

Distortions to Agricultural Incentives in the Dominican Republic

Distorted incentives, agricultural and trade policy reforms, national agricultural development, Agricultural and Food Policy, International Relations/Trade, F13, F14, Q17, Q18,

Improving Clinical Knowledge on the Efficacy of Brachial Plexus Blocks with Perineural Dexmedetomidine as an Adjunct Agent to Ropivacaine Compared to Brachial Plexus Blocks with Ropivacaine as a Sole Agent: An Educational Module

ABSTRACT Impact Statement: Ultrasound-guided Brachial Plexus Nerve Blocks (BPNBs) using Ropivacaine and Dexmedetomidine have been proven to shorten the block’s onset, prolong the duration of action, and enhance the analgesic efficacy. Background: Ultrasound-guided Brachial Plexus Nerve Blocks (BPNB) are commonly used as an alternative to general anesthesia. Research suggests that adding Dexmedetomidine 1mcg/kg to 15ml of 0.5% ropivacaine shortens the onset and prolongs the duration of the block. Methods: A concise search strategy was implemented to identify suitable studies using Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL) and PUBMED. Eleven articles remained, of which 6 studies met all the specifics of the literature review objectives. A virtual educational module was delivered to Florida International University’s alumni CRNAs, along with a pre and post survey to evaluate gained knowledge. Results: Of the 8 total participants (N = 8), 50% (n = 4) demonstrated gained knowledge, 25% (n = 2) had no change, and 25% (n = 2) exhibited a decrease in understanding. The results are neither favorable nor unfavorable. Discussion: There was a significant improvement on the likelihood of considering perineural dexmedetomidine. The small sample size, the project’s cybernetic dependence, and the virtual aspect of delivery were limitations of this project. Conclusion: Considering the ambiguity of the results and the project’s limitations, it is recommended that further research is conducted to educate, guide, and possibly alter current practice standards. Keywords: brachial plexus block; supraclavicular; interscalene; infraclavicular; neuraxial dexmedetomidine; precedex; perineural dexmedetomidine; ropivacaine, regional anesthesia

A unifying approach to Weyl type theorems for Banach space operators

Weyl type theorems have been proved for a considerably large number of classes of operators. In this paper, by introducing the class of quasi totally hereditarily normaloid operators, we obtain a theoretical and general framework from which Weyl type theorems may be promptly established for many of these classes of operators. This framework also entails Weyl type theorems for perturbations f(T+K), where K is algebraic and commutes with T, and f is an analytic function, defined on an open neighborhood of the spectrum of $T+K, such that f is non constant on each of the components of its domain

Tunable Optical Filters Using Compound Ring Resonators for DWDM

The device is based on a loop mirror in a ring resonator. The loop mirror allows tuning by changing the coupling coefficient of a directional coupler. The loop mirror is implemented using a Sagnac configuration to have the same optical path between the signals to be interfered (copropagating and counterpropagating ones). The filter structure allows optical integration for having higher free-spectral ranges. Simple design equations for the filter parameters and the tuning are reported. Measurements on a passive optical fiber tunable filter are presented. There is a good agreement between measurements and theory.Publicad

Measurements On Passive Tunable Optical Filters For DWDM

WFOPC 2002 IEEE/LEOS Workshop on Fibre and Optical Passive Components, University of Glasgow, Scotland, on 5th-6th June 2002.Measurements on a passive optical fibre tunable filter are presented. The device is based on a loop mirror in a ring resonator. The loop mirror allows tuning by changing the coupling coefficient of a coupler. The novel filter structure allows planar optical integration for having higher free spectral ranges. Novel and simple design equations for the filter parameters and the tuning process are reported. There is a good agreement between measurements and theory.Universidad Carlos III de MadridPublicad

The Effect of Child-Centered Play Therapy on Academic Achievement with Normal Functioning School Children

This examination of normal functioning second grade students investigated the effect of child-centered play therapy (CCPT) on academic achievement. The treatment group was provided with biweekly play therapy sessions consisted of 30 minutes for a period of eight weeks. The results demonstrated the second graders who participated within the study (n=27) exhibited a statistically significant increase on the Woodcock Johnson III Total Brief Achievement Score (Mather & Woodcock, 2001) in comparison to the children within the waitlist control group (n=23). Findings advocate the usage of CCPT as an intervention for academic achievement