514 research outputs found

    Complementarity and Increasing Returns in Intermediate Inputs: A Theoretical and Applied General-Equilibrium Analysis

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    Conventional analysis in the trade-industrial-organization literature suggests that, when a country has some market power over an imported good, some small level of protection must be welfare improving. This is essentially a terms-of-trade argument that is reinforced if the imported goods are substitutes for domestic goods produced with increasing returns to scale, goods that are initially underproduced in free-trade equilibrium. This paper notes that this result may not hold when (1) the imports are intermediates used in a domestic increasing-returns industry, and/or (2) the intermediates are complements for domestic inputs produced with increasing returns. We then demonstrate such an outcome with respect to Mexican protection against imported auto parts using an applied general-equilibrium model of the North American auto industry.

    Temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis. Review of the literature

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    The treatment of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is still controversial. TMJ arthrocentesis represents a form of minimally invasive surgical treatment in patients suffering from internal derangement of the TMJ, especially closed lock. It consists of washing the joint with the possibility of depositing a drug or other therapeutic substance. Resolution of symptoms is due to the removal of chemical inflammatory mediators and changes in intra-articular pressure. Numerous clinical studies regarding this technique have been published. The goal of this paper is to review all clinical articles that have been published with regard to the critique of this technique. 19 articles with different designs fulfilling selection guidelines were chosen. A series of clinical and procedure variables were analyzed. Although the mean of improvement was higher that 80%, further research is needed to determine more homogeneous indications for TMJ athrocentesis

    Predictability of the resonance frequency analysis in the survival of dental implants placed in the anterior non-atrophied edentulous mandible

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    Background: Dental primary implant stability is considered essential in the success of the osseointegration process. The recent advent of the resonance frequency analysis (RFA) seems to effectively measure primary implant stability, although its relationship with implant survival has to be further established. Patients and Methods: Seventy patients with complete mandibular edentulism underwent dental implant rehabilitation by means of the placement of 68 dental implants within the interforaminal region and subsequent placement of an overdenture. Primary implant stability was measured by means of RFA and it was expressed in terms of implant stability quotient (ISQ) on the day of the implant insertion and at the time of the healing abutment placement in a conventional implant two-stage surgical procedure. Results: Overall implant survival rate was 97.1% at the end of the follow-up period. The mean ISQ value for 3.75 and 4.25 mm diameter implants was 78.4 ± 5.46 and 80.83 ± 5.35 respectively, at the time of the implant placement; and 76.68 ± 4.34 and 78.22 ± 6.87 respectively, at the second surgical stage. No statistical differences were observed in relation to changes in mean ISQ value along the healing process Conclusions: No statistical differences in terms of primary and secondary implant stability measured by RFA exists between 3.75 mm and 4.25 mm diameter implants in the conventional implant two-stage surgical procedure in patients with non-atrophied edentulous mandible being restored with an overdenture. Furthermore, no statistical association between RFA and the implant insertion torque was observed for endosseous dental implant placement at the first surgical stage. © Medicina Oral

    The exotic weevil Stenopelmus rufinasus Gyllenhal, 1835 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) across a "host-free" pond network

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    The presence of the exotic weevil Stenopelmus rufinasus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is closely related to the occurrence of the exotic red water fern, Azolla filiculoides. In this paper, we present the first records of S. rufinasus in Doñana National Park (SW Spain), based on sampling of macroinvertebrates in 91 temporary ponds, including monthly samples of 22 ponds, during two successive years (2005-2007). The exotic weevil was present in 21% of the sampled ponds where the host plant, A. filiculiodes, was not detectable. Because A. filiculoides can reach high densities in an adjacent area of marsh, we suggest that the occurrence of the exotic weevil in these ponds is a consequence of dispersal from nearby marshes. Our study demonstrates that S. rufinasus adults can occur at relatively high densities in ponds where the host plant is not present, suggesting that such apparently “host-free” sites may act as stepping stones for the spread of this speciesLa presencia de la especie de gorgojo exótico Stenopelmus rufinasus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) está íntimamente rela- cionada con la planta acuática exótica Azolla filiculoides. En este estudio se registró por primera vez la presencia de S. rufinasus en el Parque Nacional de Doñana (SO España) tras realizar un muestreo de macroinvertebrados en 91 lagunas que incluye muestreos mensuales de 22 de las mismas durante dos años consecutivos (2005-2007). El gorgojo exótico estuvo presente en el 21% de las lagunas muestreadas a pesar de que su supuesto hospedador, A. filiculiodes, no fue detectado. Dado que A. filiculiodes puede alcanzar grandes densidades en la marisma adyacente, sugerimos que la presencia del gor- gojo exótico en las lagunas temporales se debe a su dispersión desde la marisma. Este estudio demuestra que individuos adultos de S. rufinasus pueden aparecer con densidades relativamente altas en lagunas donde su hospedador potencial no está presente, lo que sugiere que estos sitios libres de hospedador podrían actuar como zonas de paso para la dispersión de la especiePeer reviewe

    Interannual variation in filling season affects zooplankton diversity in Mediterranean temporary ponds

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    In Mediterranean temporary ponds, the timing of annual flooding is highly variable and depends on heavy seasonal rains. Ponds can flood in the autumn, winter, or spring, and thus the environmental conditions faced by emerging zooplankton can be very different. We performed an experiment in a climatic chamber where we simulated annual variation in natural temperature and light conditions to study how differences in pond-filling season affected zooplankton assemblage composition. We sampled sediments from a temporary pond and placed them in aquariums that were filled with water during three different seasons: autumn (October), winter (January), and spring (March). Zooplankton abundance, species richness, diversity, and assemblage composition differed significantly among treatments, and post-inundation temperature and pH appeared to be the main drivers of these differences. Diversity was highest in the winter treatment. It was lower in the autumn treatment and the spring treatment, and no indicator species were present in the latter. Our results suggest that interannual variability in initial inundation conditions favours the emergence of different species and thus contributes to high species richness in the egg bank. However, climate change and/or groundwater drawdown could delay pond flooding, impoverishing the zooplankton assemblage in the long ter

    Distribution of Greenland Halibut and By-catch Species that Overlap the 200-mile Limit Spatially and in Relation to Depth – Effect of Depth Restrictions in the Fishery. Distribution of the Fishable Biomass of the Main Commercial Species of Fish in Relation to Depth

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    It is thought that measures currently in operation in the NAFO Regulatory Area are not adequate for the protection of the juvenile fish. The largest fishery in the NRA and thus the one of greatest concern is that directing for Greenland halibut. As well, the need to reduce by-catch of any species in the Greenland halibut and other fisheries has been noted. Because of the range of depths currently fished, the Greenland halibut fishery not only focuses on the juvenile component of the population but also takes significant by-catch. This paper is a compendium of 12 papers presented recently to Scientific Council. Information on the distribution of Greenland halibut including distribution of undersized (below 35 cm, the Canadian minimum landing size) and mature and immature components of the population based on both survey and commercial information is presented. The paper also elaborates on the distribution of other commercial species that occur in the NRA, those that may be taken as by-catch in the directed Greenland halibut or other NRA fisheries, including those that overlap the Southeast Shoal

    El conflicto de tierras en la zona transístmica de Panamá entre la Compañía del ferrocarril y la República de la Nueva Granada, años 1850-1901

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    La amplia concesión que la Panamá Rail Road Company obtuvo del Estado colombiano al firmar los contratos de operación del ferrocarril transísmico, en lo relativo a la utilización de las tierras baldías y particulares para el funcionamiento de la empresa, amen de las interpretaciones manipuladas que la misma le dio al pacto, fueron motivos de constantes conflictos que aún tiene eco en el presente con cientos de familias, descendientes de aquellos despojados, que hoy le reclaman al Estado Nacional ser indemnizados por las propiedades de sus antepasados. En ambos contratos la Compañía ferrocarrilera tuvo un amplio margen para utilizar las tierras, no solo de la Nación, sino también particulares y cuando algún impedimento legal pudo confrontar, impuso su propia interpretación. El presente trabajo abarca algunos de los hechos que, a nuestro juicio, fueron los más sobresalientes en el periodo comprendido entre 1855-1901, es apenas un prolegómeno aproximativo de lo acontecido en torno no solo a las tierras cercanas a la propia vía ferrocarrilera, si no también aquellas distantes geográficamente de su centro vital de operación como lo es Chimina. Con este escrito no pretendo llegar a conclusiones apodícticas, por el momento. Su propósito es tener cierta aproximación a esa realidad y, hasta donde sea posible, demostrar a través de los diferentes casos, las interpretaciones unilaterales de la Compañía con respecto a las clausulas de los dos contratos, particularmente el Totten-Gutiérrez de Lara. Igualmente intentare dejar establecido la especulación en la cual estuvo involucrada la Compañía, de los lotes o terrenos que el Estado otorgaba a la misma y como esta situación fue empujando a la población de menos recursos a las zonas cenagosas de la Isla Manzanillo. Es decir, el drama social que giraba en torno a estas ocupaciones

    Reflectarray antennas for dual polarization and broadband telecom satellite applications

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    A reflectarray antenna with improved performance is proposed to operate in dual-polarization and transmit-receive frequencies in Ku-band for broadcast satellite applications. The reflectarray element contains two orthogonal sets of four coplanar parallel dipoles printed on two surfaces, each set combining lateral and broadside coupling. A 40-cm prototype has been designed, manufactured, and tested. The lengths of the coupled dipoles in the reflectarray cells have been optimized to produce a collimated beam in dual polarization in the transmit and receive bands. The measured radiation patterns confirm the high performance of the antenna in terms of bandwidth (27%), low losses, and low levels of cross polarization. Some preliminary simulations at 11.95 GHz for a 1.2-m antenna with South American coverage are presented to show the potential of the proposed antenna for spaceborne antennas in Ku-band

    First record of Neoscopelus macrolepidotus Johnson, 1863 (Actinopterygii: Myctophiformes: Neoscopelidae) from Irish waters (Porcupine Bank, north-eastern Atlantic)

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    The blackchin, Neoscopelus macrolepidotus Johnson, 1863 (known also as large-scaled lanternfish), originally discovered at Madeira, is a globally distributed benthopelagic fish species that inhabits depths between 300 and 1100 m in the tropical and subtropical regions. Despite the sampling site of the original description, the species seems to be very rare in the eastern Atlantic, particularly at northern latitudes. The worldwide distribution of the species seems to be restricted to latitudes lower than 45º either in the Southern and Northern Hemisphere. During the Porcupine 2016 bottom trawl survey a specimen of N. macrolepidotus was collected at a depth of 628 m and latitude 51ºN in the Porcupine Bank, situated in the north-eastern Atlantic, approximately 204 km off the west coast of Ireland. This is the first record of the species in the Porcupine Bank. It significantly extends the distribution range of N. macrolepidotus and represents the highest latitude reported for this species either in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere. This extended distribution may have been facilitated by the course of the Mediterranean Outflow Water, which on its way to the north-eastern Atlantic reaches the slope of the Bank at depths where N. macrolepidotus is usually distributedVersión del editor0,54

    Identification of the direct regulon of NtcA during early acclimation to nitrogen starvation in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803

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    In cyanobacteria, nitrogen homeostasis is maintained by an intricate regulatory network around transcription factor NtcA. Although mechanisms controlling NtcA activity appear to be well understood, its regulon remains poorly defined. To determine the NtcA regulon during the early stages of nitrogen starvation for the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation, followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq), in parallel with transcriptome analysis (RNA-seq). Through combining these methods, we determined 51 genes activated and 28 repressed directly by NtcA. In addition to genes associated with nitrogen and carbon metabolism, a considerable number of genes without current functional annotation were among direct targets providing a rich reservoir for further studies. The NtcA regulon also included eight non-coding RNAs, of which Ncr1071, Syr6 and NsiR7 were experimentally validated, and their putative targets were computationally predicted. Surprisingly, we found substantial NtcA binding associated with delayed expression changes indicating that NtcA can reside in a poised state controlled by other factors. Indeed, a role of PipX as modulating factor in nitrogen regulation was confirmed for selected NtcA-targets. We suggest that the indicated poised state of NtcA enables a more differentiated response to nitrogen limitation and can be advantageous in native habitats of Synechocystis.Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (MINECO) [BFU2013-41712, BIO2016-75634]; Junta de Andalucia-European Regional Funds (FEDER) [BIO-284, P12-BIO-1119]; FCT (Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia) [PTDC/BIA-MIC/4418/2012, IF/00881/2013, UID/BIM/04773/2013-CBMR, UID/Multi/04326/2013-CCMAR]; School of Biomedical & Healthcare Sciences, Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistryinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
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