Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and Its Role in U.S. Trade Policy

[Excerpt] When Congress passed the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act (RTAA) of 1934, it reflected an important transition in “national trade policy” away from “protectionism” toward greater “trade liberalization.” This shift continues to be the dominant, but hardly uncontested, trade policy of the United States. The substantial national gains from trade have long been recognized, yet trade liberalizing legislation often faces strong political opposition because related costs, although much smaller, affect a vocal and concentrated constituency. Congress first addressed this inherent tension with legislation that allowed for the reimposition of tariffs and other trade barriers when domestic industries were threatened or hurt by imports. In 1962, however, Congress adopted an additional approach by providing trade adjustment assistance (TAA) directly to trade-affected firms and workers. It remains a controversial pillar of U.S. trade policy today. This report discusses the role of TAA in U.S. trade policy, from its inception as a legislative option in the early 1950s, to its core role as an alternative to import relief that many argue has served to promote the long-term U.S. trade liberalization agenda. It will also consider the extent to which TAA has been linked to both renewal of trade agreements authority, and passage of trade agreement implementing legislation. TAA has become an integral part of an increasingly complex U.S. trade policy. Understanding the origins of TAA, the historical congressional debate, and legislative options considered by Congress over the past 50 years may help inform the current discussion of TAA reauthorization

Produção de nanofibras luminescentes e sistemas emissores de branco baseados em lanthanide organic framework

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Química, Programa de Pós-Graduação, 2013.Esse trabalho descreve a obtenção de luz branca com a dopagem de íons lantanídeos em uma matriz cromófora, utilizando-se a abordagem tricromática, RGB, Lanthanide Metal Organic Frameworks foram sintetizadas reagindo-se o ácido 2,6-piridinodicarboxilato com lantanídeos em diferentes proporções de íons lantanídeo, obtendo MOF’s isoestruturais com fórmula geral Ln2(DPA)3(H2O)3. Os polimeros de coordenação foram caracterizados por raio-X de monocristal e espectroscopia na região do infravermelho. Os compostos forma uma rede de coordenação 3D com dois centros metálicos diferentes. Um deles é nonacoordenado e forma um dímero com duas moléculas de ligante e duas de água. O outro, é octacoordenado com apenas uma molécula de água em sua coordenação.Os polímeros de coordenação apresentam alta luminescência e altos tempos de vida. O estudo espectroscópico da luminescência mostrou mecanismos de transferência de energia entre os íons Eu3+ e Tb3+, e luz branca foi obtida com a excitação de um dos MOF’s. Nanofios foram preparados utilizando-se os polímeros de coordenação disperses emu ma matriz de PVA, com uma técnica simples, denominada electrospinning. Esses nanocompostos apresentaram luminescência, mas a transferência de energia entre o ligante e os centros metálicos foi suprimida pelo PVA. ________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThis work describes the obtaining of white light with the doping of lanthanides inside a cromophore matrix, using the RGB (red, green, blue) approach. Lanthanide Metal Organic Frameworks were synthesized by reacting 2,6-dipiridinedicarboxilic acid with different proportion of lanthanide ions, obtaining isostructural MOFs whose general formula is Ln2(DPA)3(H2O)3 characterized by single crystal x-ray and infrared spectroscopy. The compounds present a 3D-MOF with two different lanthanide centers. One is nine coordinated and forms a dimer with two molecules of ligand and two molecules of water. The other one is eight coordinated with only one water molecule. The coordination polymers present high luminescence with high lifetime. The spectroscopy study of luminescence showed energy transfer mechanisms between Eu3+ and Tb3+, and one of the MOF presented white light. Nanowires were prepared using the coordination polymers in one PVA matrix, using a simple technique named electrospinning. These nanocompounds presented luminescence, but the energy transference between the ligand and the metallic centers was suppressed by the PVA

Resonant formation of Lambda(1405) by stopped-K- absorption in deuteron

To solve the current debate on the position of the quasi-bound K^-p state, namely, "Lambda(1405) or Lambda*(1420)", we propose to measure the T_{21} = T_{Sigma-pi \leftarrow Kbar-N} Sigma-pi invariant-mass spectrum in stopped-K- absorption in deuteron, since the spectrum, reflecting the soft and hard deuteron momentum distribution, is expected to have a narrow quasi-free component with an upper edge of M = 1430 MeV/c^2, followed by a significant "high-momentum" tail toward the lower mass region, where a resonant formation of Lambda(1405) of any mass and width in a wide range is revealed. We introduce a "deviation" spectrum as defined by DEV = OBS (observed or calculated) / QF (non-resonant quasi-free), in which the resonant component can be seen as an isolated peak free from the QF shape.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure

Economic viability of installing a system of growing hydroponic lettuce in Tijucas – Santa Catarina

TCC (graduação) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Centro de Ciências Agrárias. Curso de Agronomia.Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar a viabilidade econômica de um projeto destinado à produção de alface hidropônica no município de Tijucas, Santa Catarina. Para a coleta de dados foram realizadas dez entrevistas com representantes de supermercados e restaurantes da região da Grande Florianópolis e, com base nessas informações determinou-se o volume do produto ofertado nos referentes estabelecimentos. Foi desenvolvido um projeto de uma estufa para a produção de alface hidropônica suficiente para suprir a demanda identificada, a qual está em torno de 3.840 cabeças de alface/mês. O investimento inicial para a implantação do projeto foi estimado em R$54.352,42, os custos anuais do sistema estão em torno de R$33.091,57 e a receita bruta anual é de R$62.208,00. A viabilidade econômica foi analisada utilizando-se os indicadores econômicos: Valor Presente Líquido (VPL), Taxa Interna de Retorno (TIR) e Payback descontado. Também se realizou a análise de risco do investimento utilizando-se a Análise de sensibilidade. Constatou-se que o projeto para produção de alface hidropônica em Tijucas é economicamente viável, pois o VPL obtido foi de R$140.830,44, a TIR foi de 53% e o tempo de recuperação do investimento foi de 2 anos e 3 meses.This study aimed to verify the economic viability of a project of hydroponic lettuce production in Tijucas, Santa Catarina. For the data collect ten interviews were done with representatives of supermarkets and restaurants located in the metropolitan area of Florianópolis and, based on these information, it was determined the volume of sales of that product in those companies. A project of a greenhouse was developed that could produce enough to attend the identified demand of hydroponic lettuce, which is around 3.840 heads of lettuce/month. The initial investment for the implementation of the project was estimated at R$54.352,42, the annual costs of the system are around R$33.091,57 and the annual gross revenue is R$62.208,00. The economic viability was analyzed using the economic indicators Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and discounted Payback. It was also performed the risk analysis of the investment using the sensitivity analysis. It was concluded that the project to produce hydroponic lettuce in Tijucas is economically viable, because the the NPV obtained was R$140.830,44, the IRR was 53% and the recovery time of the investment was 2 years and 3 months

Searching for Modeling of Stravinsky\u27s \u3cem\u3ePetroushka\u3c/em\u3e in Poulenc\u27s \u3cem\u3eRapsodie Nègre\u3c/em\u3e: Poulenc\u27s Use of Popular Forms and Techniques in His Earliest Work

Why does the view that French composer Francis Poulenc was a musical hack and a fraud continue to be discussed today? To get to the bottom of this, we need to look at the evidence available and find proof to back up these claims. In the predominant research on Poulenc, many scholars mention musical themes and quotations linked to other composers, but most of these claims aren’t backed up with specific examples or score studies. Therefore, in this paper I attempt to trace the “crime” to its source by showing Poulenc’s possible borrowing of harmonies, thematic material, styles, and rhythms in his first published musical work, Rapsodie Nègre. Specifically, I delve into one of Igor Stravinsky’s earliest scores that Poulenc himself confesses he had under his arm at their 1916 meeting, Petroushka (for Four Hand Piano). By doing this, I show that, although Poulenc certainly borrowed styles and thematic material, these borrowings were transformed by Poulenc into something wholly different than the source material. Poulenc is original, even if clearly influenced by his contemporaries. The true draw to Poulenc’s music is its ability to weave the sounds and techniques of contemporary movements into his compositions

Visualization of program performance on concurrent computers

A distributed memory concurrent computer (such as a hypercube computer) is inherently a complex system involving the collective and simultaneous interaction of many entities engaged in computation and communication activities. Program performance evaluation in concurrent computer systems requires methods and tools for observing, analyzing, and displaying system performance. This dissertation describes a methodology for collecting and displaying, via a unique graphical approach, performance measurement information from (possibly large) concurrent computer systems. Performance data are generated and collected via instrumentation. The data are then reduced via conventional cluster analysis techniques and converted into a pictorial form to highlight important aspects of program states during execution. Local and summary statistics are calculated. Included in the suite of defined metrics are measures for quantifying and comparing amounts of computation and communication. A novel kind of data plot is introduced to visually display both temporal and spatial information describing system activity. Phenomena such as hot spots of activity are easily observed, and in some cases, patterns inherent in the application algorithms being studied are highly visible. The approach also provides a framework for a visual solution to the problem of mapping a given parallel algorithm to an underlying parallel machine. A prototype implementation applied to several case studies is presented to demonstrate the feasibility and power of the approach

Analysis of sugars and phenolic compounds in bio-oil

The overall goal of this research is to develop methods for analyzing and recovering sugars and phenolic compounds from bio-oil. Specific objectives include (1) adapting analytical methods developed for sugar analysis in the food industry to measure total water-soluble sugars in the aqueous phase of bio-oil; (2) adapting analytical methods developed for total phenolic analysis of wine to measure total phenolic content of bio-oil; (3) separate the heavy fraction of bio-oil into a concentrated sugar solution and a phenolic oligomer-rich raffinate; and (4) determine the effect of pyrolysis temperature on the yield of sugars and phenolic compounds in bio-oil. Recent research at Iowa State University suggests that bio-oil may be the most economical approach to advanced biofuels production. Produced from the fast pyrolysis of biomass, bio-oil contains hundreds of chemical compounds that complicate their accurate and cost-effective chemical analysis. Among the most commercially important components of bio-oil are sugars and phenolic compounds. Both are difficult to analyze because of the large number of variations that can occur and potential interferences with other bio-oil components. The approach to this research was to adapt chemical analysis methods developed by food chemistry to quantify total sugars and phenolic compounds using standardized test methods. The Association of Analytical Communities, Inc. (AOAC) Official Method of Analysis 988.12 (44.1.30) Phenol-Sulfuric Acid Assay for Total Carbohydrate Determination was utilized to quantify water-soluble sugars and the Folin-Ciocalteu (FC) colorimetry method was used to quantify total phenolic compounds in bio-oil. Bio-oil produced from fast pyrolysis of biomass contains sugars originating from cellulose. Traditional quantification of sugars in bio-oil is accomplished by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) via derivatization, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), ion chromatography (IC), or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methodologies. These techniques are highly specific for each sugar, tedious to perform, expensive, and involve the use of hazardous solvents. A standardized test method developed for food and agriculture applications, the Association of Analytical Communities, Inc. (AOAC) Method 988.12 (44.1.30) Phenol-Sulfuric Acid Assay for Total Carbohydrate Determination, was utilized to quantify total sugars in the water-soluble fraction of bio-oil. This study investigated accuracy relative to matrix effects caused by non-sugar compounds using positive and negative controls. Positive controls included levoglucosan, D-glucose, D-mannose, D-xylose, D-fructose, D-galactose, L-arabinose, L-fucose, and cellobiosan. Negative controls included phenol, acetic acid, formic acid, propionic acid, glycolic acid, acetol, furfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5HMF), furfuryl alcohol, 2-methylfuran and 2(5H)-furanone. Potential interference with the quantification of total water-soluble sugars by the AOAC Method 988.12 (44.1.30) was calculated for all positive and negative controls by using data obtained when adding the contributor (positive controls) and the interferent (negative controls) into the water-soluble fraction of bio-oil with typical concentrations found in bio-oil. It was found that furfural, 2(5H)-furanone, 5HMF, and furfuryl alcohol influenced results with a range of potential errors of 9.56-29.7%, 9.52-29.8%, 2.91-24.8%, and 1.34-11.9%, respectively. A correction factor of 0.76 wt% was established to reduce or eliminate this influence. Total water-soluble sugars content in bio-oil detected by AOAC Method 988.12 (44.1.30) was comparable to the quantity of sugars detected using hydrolysis with quantification by HPLC. The uncertainty of measurement of water-soluble sugars in bio-oil at 95% confidence was ¡À2.0% using AOAC Method 988.12 (44.1.30) when the correction factor was employed. Bio-oil from fast pyrolysis of biomass contains phenolic compounds derived from the lignin portion of the biomass. Traditional testing for total phenolic compounds in bio-oil is based on either a rough estimate of the weight percent water-insolubles in bio-oil or on tedious liquid-liquid extraction methods. The Folin-Ciocalteu (FC) colorimetry method used for quantifying total phenols in wine was used to determine total phenols in bio-oil. This method, based on the oxidation of phenolic compounds by the FC reagent, is fast and easy to perform. This study evaluated its accuracy relative to interferents by the use of positive and negative controls. Positive controls included phenol, 4-methylphenol, 3-ethylphenol, guaiacol, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol and eugenol. The negative controls included sugars, furfural, and acids. Potential interferents with the quantification of total phenols by the FC method was calculated for all positive and negative controls by using data obtained when adding the contributor (positive controls) and the interferent (negative controls) into bio-oil using typical concentrations found in bio-oil. The positive and several of the negative controls produced strongly correlated linear relationships between the indicated phenolic content of the bio-oil and the amount of contributor or interferent added. However, the slopes of these relationships for the negative controls were much smaller than those for the positive controls, indicating that the error in the prediction of phenolic content was small even for large concentrations of interferent compounds. For typical concentrations of non-phenolic compounds in bio-oil, the error in predicted phenolic content as a result of their presence was ¡Ü 5.8%. Total phenolic content in bio-oil detected by the FC method was comparable to the quantity of total phenolic compounds obtained by liquid-liquid extraction. All results fell within the margin of error and the uncertainty of the measurement by the FC method indicating there was no significant difference in the results between the two methods. The FC method uncertainty of measurement was ¡À1.1% at the 95% confidence level. An investigation of sugar and phenolic oligomer recover from the heavy ends of fractionated bio-oil is performed. This study explores the separate recovery of sugars and phenolic oligomers produced during the fast pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass. The experiments were conducted in an 8 kg/h fluidized bed pyrolysis process development unit. Bio-oil fractionation was accomplished with a five-stage system that recovers bio-oil according to ¡°dew points¡± of the constituent compounds. The first two stages capture ¡°heavy ends¡± consisting mostly of water soluble sugars derived from polysaccharides and water insoluble phenolic oligomers derived from lignin. Exploiting differences in water solubility, a sugar-rich aqueous phase and a phenolic-rich raffinate were recovered. The soluble sugars were effectively washed from the phenolic oligomers allowing the production of ¡°pyrolytic sugars¡± and a carbohydrate-free raffinate comprised of phenolic oligomers that readily flowed at room temperature. Over 93 wt% sugars were removed with two wash stages for stage fractions (SF) 1 and 2. The separated sugars from SF 1 and 2 are suitable for either fermentation or catalytic upgrading to biofuels. The phenolic oligomer-rich raffinate, which represents 44-47 wt% dry basis (db) of both SF1 and 2, is less sticky and viscous than the unwashed stage fractions. It has potential for production of fuels, aromatic chemicals, unique polymers, resins, binders, coatings, adhesives, asphalt, and preservatives. Iowa State University¡¯s fluidized bed pyrolysis process development unit (PDU) with a condenser collection system is utilized to evaluate physicochemical properties of bio-oil produced at 350, 400, 450, 500, and 550 ¡ãC. A study of temperature effects on the production and distribution of specific chemical families and or chemicals is pertinent to quality bio-oil with specific end-use applications. The red oak biomass gave maximum bio-oil yield at 400¡ãC, highest non-condensable gases (NCG) yield at 550¡ãC, with the highest char yield at 350¡ãC. Carbon monoxide increased at the expense of carbon dioxide at 550¡ãC. There was a slight increase in methane as well. A higher conversion of cellulose and hemicellulose content to sugars resulted at 400¡ãC and was condensed in stage fractions (SF) 1-2. Total phenolic production was highest at 350¡ãC with the majority being larger lignin derived oligomers which condensed in SF1-2. The phenolic monomers were the most prevalent at 550¡ãC with the highest concentration condensed in SF3.The insolubles ranged from 40-45 wt% at 500-550¡ãC in SF1-2. Moisture content was highest at 550¡ã in SF5

Entraves para a certificação orgânica do leite numa central cooperativa de agricultores familiares do oeste catarinense.

O artigo analisa entraves para a transição agroecológica e adequação às normas de certificação orgânica, em unidades familiares produtoras de leite, a partir do caso de uma central de cooperativas de agricultores familiares, a qual possui 73 propriedades em transição. Os principais entraves identificados derivam da ausência de alternativa para venda do leite orgânico, do desconhecimento dos agricultores sobre normas e técnicas específicas para a produção orgânica, e da falta de apoio técnico e organizacional para geração de alternativas que seriam difíceis de implementar à escala de uma só unidade produtiva. Conclui-se que a precariedade da transição agroecológica colocaria os agricultores em risco, caso se aplicasse com rigor a legislação para a produção orgânica

Uma análise dos processos relevantes de empresas brasileiras: características que afetam a mudança na probabilidade de perda de provisões e passivos contingentes

The aim of this research is to identify characteristics that influence the change in the probability of provisions and contingent liabilities of Brazilian companies. This has been widely observed in specific industries that disclose more information on provisions and contingent liabilities, namely: oil, gas and biofuels, non-cyclical consumption and public utility. The data consisted of 6,194 observations, of which 2,058 lawsuits were mentioned in more than one period, and there were 228 changes in the probability of loss in the period from 2010 to 2016. A logistic regression model with panel data was applied, counting on 11 explanatory variables for the change in the probability of loss, which are divided into two perspectives: (a) characteristics of the companies and, (b) characteristics of the lawsuits. The results indicate that companies listed as ‘New Market’, ADR issuers, change the audit firms, respond to environmental, labor and civil lawsuits with large amounts in dispute, and have financial materiality in terms of risk expectation regarding losses and the duration of the legal process – are more likely to affect the change in the probability of loss. Conversely, the lawsuits in the first or superior instances are more likely not to change the probability of loss.O objetivo desta pesquisa é identificar características que influenciam a mudança na probabilidade de provisões e passivos contingentes de empresas brasileiras. Isso tem sido amplamente observado em setores específicos que divulgam mais informações sobre provisões e passivos contingentes, a saber: petróleo, gás e biocombustíveis, consumo não cíclico e utilidade pública. Os dados consistiram em 6.194 observações, das quais 2.058 ações foram citadas em mais de um período, e houve 228 alterações na probabilidade de perda no período de 2010 a 2016. Foi aplicado um modelo de regressão logística com dados em painel, com 11 variáveis ​​explicativas para a mudança na probabilidade de perda, que são divididas em duas perspectivas: (a) características das empresas e (b) características dos processos judiciais. Os resultados indicam que as empresas listadas como 'Novo Mercado', emissores de ADR, que alteram as firmas de auditoria, respondem a processos ambientais, trabalhistas e cíveis com grandes quantias em disputa, com materialidade financeira quanto a expectativa de risco em caso de perda e o tempo decorrido do processo têm maior probabilidade de afetar a mudança na chance de perda. Por outro lado, os processos que estão em 1ª instância ou em instâncias superiores têm maior probabilidade de não mudar a chance de perda, analisado pela significância e coeficiente negativo, esperados para esta pesquisa