The growth of transport cector CO2 emissions and underlying factors in Latin America and the Caribbean

This study examines the factors responsible for the growth of transport sector carbon dioxide emissions in 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries during 1980-2005 by decomposing the emissions growth into components associated with changes in fuel mix, modal shift, and economic growth, as well as changes in emission coefficients and transportation energy intensity. The key finding of the study is that economic growth and the changes in transportation energy intensity are the main factors driving transport sector carbon dioxide emissions growth in the countries considered. The results imply that fiscal policy instruments - such as subsidies to clean fuels and clean vehicles - would be more effective in reducing emissions in countries where the economic activity effect is the primary driver for transport sector carbon dioxide emissions growth. By contrast, regulatory policy instruments - such as vehicle efficiency standards and vehicle occupancy standards - would be more effective in countries where the transportation energy intensity effect is the main driver of carbon dioxide emissions growth. Both fiscal and regulatory policy instruments would be useful in countries where both economic activity and transportation energy intensity effects are responsible for driving transport sector carbon dioxide emissions growth.Transport Economics Policy&Planning,Energy Production and Transportation,Oil Refining&Gas Industry,Environment and Energy Efficiency,Energy and Environment

Biofuels : markets, targets and impacts

This paper reviews recent developments in biofuel markets and their economic, social and environmental impacts. Several countries have introduced mandates and targets for biofuel expansion. Production, international trade and investment have increased sharply in the past few years. However, several existing studies have blamed biofuels as one of the key factors behind the 2007-2008 global food crisis, although the magnitudes of impacts in these studies vary widely depending on the underlying assumptions and structure of the models. Existing studies also have huge disparitiesin the magnitude of long-term impacts of biofuels on food prices and supply; studies that model only the agricultural sector show higher impacts, whereas studies that model the entire economy show relatively lower impacts. In terms of climate change mitigation impacts, there exists a consensus that current biofuels lead to greenhouse gas mitigation only when greenhouse gas emissions related to land-use change are not counted. If conversion of carbon rich forest land to crop land is not avoided, the resulting greenhouse gas release would mean that biofuels would not reduce cumulative greenhouse gas emissions until several years had passed. Overall, results from most of the existing literature do not favor diversion of food for large-scale production of biofuels, although regulated production of biofuels in countries with surplus land and a strong biofuel industry are not ruled out. Developments in second generation biofuels offer some hope, yet they still compete with food supply through land use and are currently constrained by a number of technical and economic barriers.Energy Production and Transportation,Renewable Energy,Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases,Food&Beverage Industry,Environmental Economics&Policies

Why have CO2 emissions increased in the transport sector in Asia ? underlying factors and policy options

Rapidly increasing emissions of carbon dioxide from the transport sector, particularly in urban areas, is a major challenge to sustainable development in developing countries. This study analyzes the factors responsible for transport sector CO2 emissions growth in selected developing Asian countries during 1980-2005. The analysis splits the annual emissions growth into components representing economic development; population growth; shifts in transportation modes; and changes in fuel mix, emission coefficients, and transportation energy intensity. The study also reviews existing government policies to limit CO2 emissions growth, particularly various fiscal and regulatory policy instruments. The study finds that of the six factors considered, three - economic development, population growth, and transportation energy intensity - are responsible for driving up transport sector CO2 emissions in Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Vietnam. In contrast, only economic development and population growth are responsible in the case of China, India, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. CO2 emissions exhibit a downward trend in Mongolia due to decreasing transportation energy intensity. The study also finds that some existing policy instruments help reduce transport sector CO2 emissions, although they were not necessarily targeted for this purpose when introduced.Transport Economics Policy&Planning,Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases,Energy Production and Transportation,Climate Change Economics,Transport and Environment

Application of machine learning algorithm to measure a firm's performance.

Machine learning techniques are an emerging field in today’s world. The objective of this thesis was to use machine learning methodology to measure a company’s per-formance by using forecasting techniques in financial statements. This information can be useful for investors, managers, and analysts. The financial statement data collected were from 250 companies from the United States of America. The method-ology that was applied was Long Short-Term Memory. The forecasting method used was time-series forecasting. The software used for running the code was Juypter. The conclusion of the study shows that machine learning algorithms can be applied for forecasting firm performance. The program shows the results for the future predic-tion of the performance of companies

Understanding Credit Crunch of 2018: A System Dynamics Study of Nepalese Banking Sector

Master's Thesis in System DynamicsGEO-SD351MASV-SYSD

World oil price and biofuels : a general equilibrium analysis

The price of oil could play a significant role in influencing the expansion of biofuels. However, this issue has not been fully investigated yet in the literature. Using a global computable general equilibrium model, this study analyzes the impact of oil price on biofuel expansion, and subsequently, on food supply. The study shows that a 65 percent increase in oil price in 2020 from the 2009 level would increase the global biofuel penetration to 5.4 percent in 2020 from 2.4 percent in 2009. A doubling of oil price in 2020 from its baseline level, or a 230 percent increase from the 2009 level, would increase the global biofuel penetration in 2020 to 12.6 percent. The penetration of biofuels is highly sensitive to the substitution possibility between biofuels and their fossil fuel counterparts. The study also shows that aggregate agricultural output drops due to an oil price increase, but the drop is small in major biofuel producing countries as the expansion of biofuels would partially offset the negative impacts of the oil price increase on agricultural outputs. An increase in oil price would reduce global food supply through direct impacts as well as through diversion of food commodities and cropland toward the production of biofuels.Energy Production and Transportation,Climate Change Economics,Markets and Market Access,Renewable Energy,Food&Beverage Industry

Performance of Initial Coin Offerings, before and during COVID-19: A comperative analysis of [CO performance before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

The research carried out in this thesis looks at the performance of Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. ICOs listed before and after COVID-19 pandemic were collected and later compared to find significant differences. Collected ICO information were used to estimate a multivariate regression model to examine how different independent variables -funding predictors, raised capital and industry categorycontribute to ICOs' initial return. Findings were then compared between ICOs listed before the pandemic with ICOs listed after the pandemic. We find that ICOs listed before the pandemic had significantly less initial return for investors compared to ICOs listed after the pandemic. Additionally, after comparing the long-term post ICO returns, our results indicate that the post ICO performance/long-term holding period returns were significantly more positive for ICOs listed and traded after pandemic.nhhma

Developmental anomalies affecting the morphology of teeth – a review

Introduction: The development of tooth is a complex process wherein there is series of interactions between the ectoderm and ectomesenchyme. The role of genes in determining the shape and form of a specific tooth has already been defined, the alterations in which can lead to a variety of anomalies in regards to number, size, form, shape, structure, etc. Objective: To review the literature on the developmental anomalies of teeth. Literature review: The developmental anomalies affecting the morphology exists in both deciduous & permanent dentition and shows various forms such as gemination, fusion, concrescence, dilacerations, dens evaginatus, dens invaginatus, enamel pearls, taurodontism or peg laterals. These anomalies have clinical significance concerning esthetics, malocclusion and more importantly predisposing the development of dental caries and periodontal diseases. Conclusion: Knowledge of various diagnostic criteria for identification of these developmental anomalies is significant for early diagnosis and pertinent treatment

Comparison of Bipolar Diathermy with Thunder-beat Device in Surgical Outcome of Tonsillectomy

Background:. To compare the thunder-beat device with bipolar diathermy in surgical outcome of tonsillectomy. Methods: In this prospective study 75 patients who underwent tonsillectomy on one side using thunder beat device and on the other side using bipolar diathermy, were included . The intra-operative blood loss, operative time, post-operative pain and post-operative haemorrhage were taken for analysis in both the surgical procedures. Results: Among the seventy five patients, the age groups ranged from 19-36 years with mean age 25.36+/-5.54 years. Out of 75 patients, 21 were male and 54 were female.The comparison of operation time and intra-operative blood loss between thunder- beat and bipolar diathermy showed statistically significant differences. The comparison of pain score showed statistically significant result with better pain results in bipolar diathermy whereas the secondary haemorrhage was common in thunder beat device. Conclusion: The thunder-beat use in tonsillectomies is less time consuming with decreased intra-operative blood loss. But, the post-operative pain is more as compared to bipolar diathermy. Though, it is safe and effective in performing tonsillectomy but its cost is the main drawback for its regular use