A Cointegration Analysis of the Long-Run Supply Response of Spanish Agriculture to the Common Agricultural Policy

Using cointegration techniques, we estimate two models that capture the long-term relationship between Spanish prices and agricultural production. The models were estimated over Spanish agricultural data from 1970 to 2000, a period spanning Spain’s implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy in 1986 and the application of the MacSharry Reforms in 1992. The models, as well asplausible counterfactual scenarios constructed to assess the production changes induced by the CAP, lead to three principal results. First, we find that Spanish agricultural output is responsive to agricultural prices. Second, we find that the MacSharry reforms have been instrumental in restraining agricultural production. Third, we find that Spanish agricultural output would have been higher if Spain had not applied the CAP. These results are important and have broad implications. First, they strengthen the position of those reformers both within and outside of Europe that argue for lower price supports as an appropriate policy for stemming European agricultural surpluses. Second, they indicate that recent EU reforms, which have in effect extended the MacSharry reforms, are appropriate measures for curbing European agricultural surpluses

Agricultural productivity in the United States: catching-up and the business cycle

This paper examines the relation between the business cycle and convergence in levels of total factor productivity (TFP) across states. First, we find evidence of convergence in TFP levels across the different phases of the business cycle, but the speed of convergence was much greater during periods of contraction in economic activity than during periods of expansion. Second, we find that technology embodied in capital was an important source of productivity growth in agriculture. As with the rate of catch-up, the embodiment effect was much stronger during low economic activity phases of the business cycle.Agriculture, Convergence, Total factor productivity

The Guitar as a Laboratory for Experimentation

In this article, I will discuss the role of the electric guitar in the conception, development and composition of three recent works: Recessional Motion, Flexidra IV, and Volpi/Formentera. In Recessional Motion, I will address compositional, technical and notational issues to explain the underlying creative process. In Flexidra IV, all the pre-compositional materials were the result of extensive experimentation sessions with electric guitars, pedals and found objects that subsequently were extrapolated to other instruments to generate the instrumental textures. In Volpi/Formentera, the electric guitar is at the centre of the compositional processes and all the musical parameters orbit around it. I will examine in detail how the different preparations and instrumental textures were derived from my own "˜exploratory sessions' presenting possible solutions to notate the necessary actions to produce the sounds in the guitar

Observaciones petrográficas y tectónicas sobre las ofitas del área de Aulet (Prepirineo meridional, prov. de Huesca)

Se describen las diversas facies petrográficas y se indica su distribución en dos de las masas ofíticas del afloramiento de materiales triásicos de los alrededores de Aulet (Huesca). Se expresa su composición quimica que refleja elevada uniformidad y escasa diferenciación, mostrando analogía con los basaltos toleíticos continentales. Se ratifica su edad (Keuper-Lías) por el método óptico de la dispersión de la birrefringencia (Kd) y se adjunta una breve exposición de los fundamentos del método. Finalmente se analiza la fracturación y su comportamiento en relación con las deformaciones que afectan a la cobertera supratriásica

Nota preliminar sobre la presencia de estructuras fluidales en las ofitas del area de Estopiñán (Provincia de Huesca)

Se describen las estructuras fluidales halladas en las ofitas del afloramiento de Trías de Estopiñán (Hesca) y se discute su significado en relación con la polaridad, la edad y el modo de emplazamiento de estas rocas

Nota preliminar sobre la presencia de estructuras fluidales en las ofitas del area de Estopiñán (Provincia de Huesca)

Se describen las estructuras fluidales halladas en las ofitas del afloramiento de Trías de Estopiñán (Hesca) y se discute su significado en relación con la polaridad, la edad y el modo de emplazamiento de estas rocas

Observaciones petrográficas y tectónicas sobre las ofitas del área de Aulet (Prepirineo meridional, prov. de Huesca)

Se describen las diversas facies petrográficas y se indica su distribución en dos de las masas ofíticas del afloramiento de materiales triásicos de los alrededores de Aulet (Huesca). Se expresa su composición quimica que refleja elevada uniformidad y escasa diferenciación, mostrando analogía con los basaltos toleíticos continentales. Se ratifica su edad (Keuper-Lías) por el método óptico de la dispersión de la birrefringencia (Kd) y se adjunta una breve exposición de los fundamentos del método. Finalmente se analiza la fracturación y su comportamiento en relación con las deformaciones que afectan a la cobertera supratriásica

Agricultural productivity in the United States: catching-up and the business cycle

This paper examines the relation between the business cycle and convergence in levels of total factor productivity (TFP) across states. First, we find evidence of convergence in TFP levels across the different phases of the business cycle, but the speed of convergence was much greater during periods of contraction in economic activity than during periods of expansion. Second, we find that technology embodied in capital was an important source of productivity growth in agriculture. As with the rate of catch-up, the embodiment effect was much stronger during low economic activity phases of the business cycle