CHANGES IN THE U.S. DEMAND FOR SUGAR AND IMPLICATIONS FOR IMPORT POLICIES

The thrust of this paper is to identify and measure structural changes in the U.S. demand for sugar and to derive subsequent implications for import restriction policies. Empirical results indicate that changes in consumer preferences and the availability of closer and cheaper sweeteners in food processing, especially high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), are exerting a downward pressure on sugar demand. As the U.S. demand for sugar decreases and the food industry adjusts faster to sweetener choices, the U.S. government would have to impose more restrictive import barriers to maintain prices to domestic sugar and HFCS producers. Furthermore, the welfare impact of U.S. sugar policy options on domestic consumers and food processors will be lessened.Demand and Price Analysis, International Relations/Trade,

Does Enhancing Mind Perception Affect Conspiracy Belief?

This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of a novel mind perception manipulation. Mind perception is currently theorized to be an essential aspect of a number of human social psychological processes. Thus, a successful manipulation would allow for the causal study of those processes. This manipulation was created in an attempt to explore the downstream impact of mind perception on the endorsement of conspiracy theories. Conspiracy theories are steadily becoming more and more prominent in social discourse. Endorsement of conspiracy theories are beginning to show real world ramifications such as a danger to human health (e.g., in the anti-vaccination movement). A sample of college students (valid N = 53) from a large rural institution in the southeastern United States participated for course credit. These participants completed a mind perception pretest, were randomly assigned to either the manipulation in question (in which participants are asked to consider the ‘mind’ of several targets and write their thoughts about them) or the control condition, and then they completed a posttest. The mixed ANOVA revealed that the interaction term between Time and Condition was not significant. Because the manipulation did not work, other analyses were aborted, in accord with the pre-registration. My Discussion focuses on the procedures and potential shortcomings of this manipulation, in an effort to lay the groundwork for a successful one

A Theoretical Rationale for the Fiscal Gap Model of Equalization Transfers

Equalization transfers are a common and noteworthy feature of fiscal decentralization systems around the world, especially in developing countries. However, the way in which they are designed and implemented is not clearly rooted in mainstream public finance theory. In this paper we develop a formal framework to explain the rationale of the fiscal gap model (the difference between expenditure needs and fiscal capacity of a jurisdiction), arguably the most popular model used by applied economists for the design of equalization transfer programs. First we take into account the problem of accountability. If government authorities are selfinterested, transfers from upper levels are shown to reduce their responsiveness to taxpayers’ preferences. Next, we use a normative approach to derive the conventional fiscal gap formula. We argue that equalization transfers should only be used to finance limited types and amounts of public expenditures, called here standard public expenditures. In contrast, discretional public expenditures (not subject to equalization) should be financed exclusively with own revenues. Last, we describe the conditions that ensure the affordability of the system. We conclude that the fiscal gap model of equalization is sufficient to efficiently allocate the available funds across jurisdictions, setting the marginal cost of funds at the appropriate level. However, no information on the marginal cost of funds is required. Policymakers can simply rely on estimates of expenditure needs and fiscal capacity to design an optimal equalization transfer program

Hydrocracking of long paraffins over Pt-Pd/WO3-ZrO2 in the presence of sulfur and aromatic impurities

The hydrocracking of long paraffins in the presence of sulfur and aromatic impurities using Pt–Pd/WO3–ZrO2 was assessed. The catalysts were tested for n-hexadecane hydrocraking in the presence and absence of several poisons, benzothiophene, quinolein, carbon disulfide, benzene, and naphthalene. At small impurity levels, aromatics are beneficial for the hydrocracking of long paraffins because they increase the liquid yield and reduce the cracking to light gases. Sulfur compounds were strong poisons of the activity. Benzothiophene was the strongest, producing the highest decline in activity and being more strongly chemisorbed than basic quinolein. Sulfur poisoning drastically affected the hydrocracking activity, indicating that acid isomerization cracking on WO3–ZrO2 follows a bifunctional mechanism with a big influence of the metal function. Incorporation of Pd to Pt/WO3–ZrO2 reduced the sulfur poisoning, with Pt–Pd (3:1)/WO3–ZrO2 being the best catalyst for stable hydrocracking of long paraffins in the presence of sulfur. This catalyst retained most of the activity of the Pt/WO3–ZrO2 parent material while being less affected by sulfur.Fil: Busto, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Investigaciones en Catálisis y Petroquímica "Ing. José Miguel Parera". Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Investigaciones en Catálisis y Petroquímica "Ing. José Miguel Parera"; ArgentinaFil: Grau, Javier Mario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Investigaciones en Catálisis y Petroquímica "Ing. José Miguel Parera". Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Investigaciones en Catálisis y Petroquímica "Ing. José Miguel Parera"; ArgentinaFil: Sepulveda, Jorge H.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Investigaciones en Catálisis y Petroquímica "Ing. José Miguel Parera". Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Investigaciones en Catálisis y Petroquímica "Ing. José Miguel Parera"; ArgentinaFil: Tsendra, Oksana. National Academy of Sciences. Chuiko Institute of Surface Chemistry; UcraniaFil: Vera, Carlos Roman. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Investigaciones en Catálisis y Petroquímica "Ing. José Miguel Parera". Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Investigaciones en Catálisis y Petroquímica "Ing. José Miguel Parera"; Argentin

Intergovernmental Transfers in Latin America: A Policy Reform Perspective

This paper reviews some of the main issues with intergovernmental transfers in Latin America. The analysis is set against the backdrop of the basic normative principles of revenue assignments and the practice of sub-national government financing in the region. Own revenue collections and an equalization transfer program are key components of a sound sub-national fiscal structure. However, in most Latin American countries own revenue collections represent a minor share of sub-national revenues and equalization programs, if present, are generally not properly designed. Instead, sub-national finances in the region heavily rely on revenue sharing schemes with often multiple and unclear objectives and with negative effects on equity and economic efficiency. In this paper we provide a critical analysis of those revenue sharing schemes utilized in Latin America, and propose an alternative approach to the structuring of the transfer systems and more generally of the sub-national revenue systems in the region

Explaining Property Tax Collections in Developing Countries: The Case of Latin America

This paper analyzes the problem of collecting property taxes in fiscally decentralized developing economies. The property tax is arguably the most important source of own revenues for local governments around the world, and economists generally agree that, although imperfect, the property tax is a good local tax. In practice, however, the property tax does not always become a productive revenue source and local governments do not gain the fiscal autonomy required to realize the benefits of fiscal decentralization. This problem is rather common among developing economies and particularly severe in Latin America. One of the main reasons for the poor tax performance of Latin American countries seems to be the lack of administrative capacity at the local level. This problem is notably aggravated, we argue, by a deficient design of the fiscal decentralization system. We also identify the main determinants of property tax performance in Latin American countries, and provide guidance for future reforms in the region

Toward a More General Theory of Revenue Assignments

Despite the extensive international experience with the assignments of revenue sources to different levels of government, the public finance literature still lacks a general theory of revenue assignments. Two sets of arguments have been separately developed in the literature to explain and guide the practice of revenue assignments. The first is based on Musgrave and Oates’ tradition, and emphasizes the benefit principle and other means for increasing accountability and efficiency in the allocation of public expenditures. The second is based on optimal taxation principles, which emphasizes the marginal cost of public funds and the correct mix of revenue instruments. The two approaches provide important insights to the problem, but they remain practically unconnected. This paper develops a theory of revenue assignments that integrates the two approaches. We discuss the validity and scope of currently applied revenue assignment rules, and provide practical recommendations to implement an optimal assignment of revenue sources

Sepúlveda Mucientes, Cristian y Moraga Calvo, Jorge. 2013. La rítmica corporal: 16 Repertorio y Propuesta Metodológica. Seminario de título, Profesor Especializado en Teoría General de la Música

Este seminario de titulo corresponde a un trabajo de creación, enmarcado en el área de la educación musical especializada, el cual tiene por finalidad proveer de material musical como apoyo a la labor docente específica de la rítmica corporal. Este trabajo surge desde la práctica y representa la integración de los conocimientos adquiridos en el transcurso de la carrera de Licenciatura en Artes con mención en Teoría de la Música (Facultad de Artes, Universidad de Chile)