Capital Accumulation, External Restriction, Technology Gap and Structural Change: Theory and the Brazilian Experience

Brazilian economy was the most dynamic in terms of growth among developed and developing economies from post-War until 1980, when a severe external constraint interrupted this trend. We propose in this paper a model, based on Kaldor, where capital accumulation, technological gap and long run external constraint are connected. Our hypothesis is that capital accumulation, under certain circumstances, can overcome external constraint if the accumulation effort promotes structural change increasing the importance of sectors more technological-intensive. It is expected that the structural change in this direction will contribute to an increase in the income-elasticity of exports and to a decrease in income-elasticity of imports, resulting in the increase in the growth rate of real product compatible with the balance of payments equilibrium in the long period. The last part of the paper shows that the high investment rate observed in the Brazilian economy from the post-War until the end of the 1970s resulted in the deepening of the import substitution process, what, in our interpretation, contributed to partially increase the long run growth rate of the Brazilian economy compatible with the balance of payment equilibrium.structural change, technological progress, industrialization, external restriction

Perivascular adipose tissue as a relevant fat depot for cardiovascular risk in obesity

Obesity is associated with increased risk of premature death, morbidity, and mortality from several cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including stroke, coronary heart disease (CHD), myocardial infarction, and congestive heart failure. However, this is not a straightforward relationship. Although several studies have substantiated that obesity confers an independent and additive risk of all-cause and cardiovascular death, there is significant variability in these associations, with some lean individuals developing diseases and others remaining healthy despite severe obesity, the so-called metabolically healthy obese. Part of this variability has been attributed to the heterogeneity in both the distribution of body fat and the intrinsic properties of adipose tissue depots, including developmental origin, adipogenic and proliferative capacity, glucose and lipid metabolism, hormonal control, thermogenic ability, and vascularization. In obesity, these depot-specific differences translate into specific fat distribution patterns, which are closely associated with differential cardiometabolic risks. The adventitial fat layer, also known as perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT), is of major importance. Similar to the visceral adipose tissue, PVAT has a pathophysiological role in CVDs. PVAT influences vascular homeostasis by releasing numerous vasoactive factors, cytokines, and adipokines, which can readily target the underlying smooth muscle cell layers, regulating the vascular tone, distribution of blood flow, as well as angiogenesis, inflammatory processes, and redox status. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge and discuss the role of PVAT within the scope of adipose tissue as a major contributing factor to obesity-associated cardiovascular risk. Relevant clinical studies documenting the relationship between PVAT dysfunction and CVD with a focus on potential mechanisms by which PVAT contributes to obesity-related CVDs are pointed out

T-TIP against the wall: feasibility, resistance, and consequences for third countries

The objective of the article is to analyze the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) as a new model of international agreements, the reasons for resistance and the consequences for third countries that are dependent on trade with the United States and the European Union (EU). Special attention is given to the relationship between Brazil and the EU in the context of this new trend of trade partnerships. Using a theoretical approach based on neoliberal institutionalism (KEOHANE, 2005; KEOHANE, NYE, 1989, 2002), the article presents a historical overview of the transatlantic negotiations and a critical analysis of the innovative aspects it brings. Even considering the potential unfeasibility of the T-TIP, it must be understood as part of a new generation of trade and investments (BALDWIN, 2011, 2008). Similar to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, the T-TIP aims to introduce a robust regulatory framework that would affect multilateralism. These “big treaties” include commitments that are not covered by the World Trade Organization and mandates that are not traditionally attributed to international institutions. Therefore, they bring to light new elements in international trends that are yet to be fully understood.

Healthy aging: a data-driven approach to Indicators of Compromise decaying models

Indicadores de Comprometimento (IoC) são a base do campo de inteligência de ameaças. Eles são utilizados em monitoradores de rede, gerando alertas quando uma correspondência é encontrada, permitindo que seja possível reagir a essas ameaças. No entanto, uma quantidade enorme de IoCs são gerados todo dia, tornando impossível monitorar cada IoC na mesma escala a longo prazo, além de aumentar a possibilidade de gerar alertas falsos. Neste trabalho, nos utilizamos de dados de rede reais de IoCs, e seus avistamentos, para modelar o decaimento da pontuação de IoCs ao longo do tempo. Começamos com a caracterização do nosso conjunto de dados e explicamos suas especificidades. Em seguida, apresentamos nossos modelos de tempo de vida (TTL), que podem receber como parâmetro uma porcentagem aceitável de perdas de avistamentos ou custos associados de monitoramento e de perda de um avistamento. Quando os valores absolutos dos custos associados ao monitoramento e perdas não estão disponíveis, mas a razão entre os mesmos pode ser estimada, propomos um terceiro modelo a ser adotado. Dada a razão entre custos, e o traço de avistamentos, o modelo fornece limiares além dos quais medidas extremas passam a ser ótimas. Em particular, quando a razão entre custos é menor que o limiar inferior, sempre monitorar todos os IoCs passa a ser ótimo. Similarmente, quando a razão entre custos é maior que o limiar superior calculado usando o modelo, a estratégia ótima consiste em nunca monitorar os IoCs

Nonadiabatic Generator-coordinate Calculation Of H2+

We report on a nonadiabatic calculation of the few lowest J=0 states in the H2+ molecule done within the framework of the generator-coordinate method. Substantial accuracy is achieved with the diagonalization of matrices of very modest dimensions. The resulting wave functions are strongly dominated by just a few basis states. The computational scheme is set up so as to take the best advantage of good analytical approximations to existing adiabatic molecular wave functions. © 1983 The American Physical Society.28253854

Chazuta: subnational governments and internationalization of the agro-industrial value chain

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the role and contribution of San Martin and Chazuta subnational governments in promoting development and internationalization of the cocoa and chocolate value chain from the stakeholders’ perceptions. This work was based on a qualitative approach in which information triangulation method, information processing with evaluation rubric and WebQDA software were used. The results showed that stakeholders of both value chains perceive that the subnational government’s actions taken to develop and internationalize these value chains are poorly valued and insufficient. Likewise, six internationalization barriers were identified in which two are perceived as the main limitations: low productivity levels and access to innovations and technology. These results contribute to enrich the decision-making process of political authorities and public officials from the San Martin subnational governments. Moreover, they provide information, according to the Peruvian national requirements, on the perceptions needed to rethink and improve the governmental services available, especially productive activities in the rainforest area (Presidencia del Consejo de Ministros, 2015; Wiener Fresco, 2010). This can improve or create new extension services to increase the quality of the Chazuta’s cocoa and chocolate products and to facilitate their entry into more demanding and profitable markets (Shapira, y otros, 2015). Design/methodology/approach – This paper has been developed by using a qualitative approach with an exploratory and descriptive scope. The objective was to examine a study case of how subnational governments contribute in the promotion of development and internationalization of agro-industrial value chains as alternatives to illicit crops (Hernandez, Fernandez, & Baptista, 2010). The Chazuta case was selected because it is representative of the region in terms of coca eradication and is located between two regions of high biodiversity – Cordillera Escalera Regional Conservation Area and Cordillera Azul National Park. Findings – One of the issues hindering the ability of the Chazuta cocoa and chocolate producers is based on their perception that the subnational governments’ efforts are focused on meeting already-established goals and little emphasis is placed on solving productive problems. On the other hand, at an articulation level, the most relevant efforts have been connecting the cocoa and chocolate customers to Chazuta producers through events. In spite of this, such events are not considered a permanent activity and the producers do not perceive that these mechanisms enable them to maintain these long-term trade relationships. This can be explained by the fact that Chazuta cocoa and chocolate organizations recognize that they still have incipient productive capacities to meet the foreign market’s demand. Furthermore, associations, cooperatives and SMEs are not able to maintain constant levels of production quality, except the family-based business. Knowledge and techniques provided by subnational governments and private organizations are not fully used or implemented by the associations’ members. This low level of knowledge application can be explained by cultural factors and also because the producers receive multiple and sometimes contradictory information from various providers of technology extension services. This leads to inadequate use or non-implementation of productivity improvements, thus generating a virtuous circle in which production and quality of the goods remain at low levels, which hinders their entry into demanding and profitable markets. Research limitations/implications – This paper has been developed with a qualitative approach considering an exploratory and descriptive scope. Chazuta case was selected because it is representative of the region in terms of eradication achievements and it is located between two regions of high biodiversity. A rubric is an evaluation method of individuals or organizations performance, taking into consideration the evaluator’s pre-established criteria to determine if the objectives and goals are being met. Based on these criteria, evidence and performance information is collected. Following, performance is graded based on the researcher’s predetermined criteria and finally a merit-based judgment is made on the performance. Practical implications – The results contribute to enrich decision making of political authorities and public officials from San Martin subnational governments. They provide information, according to Peruvian national requirements, on the perceptions needed to rethink and improve provided government services, especially in rainforest area productive activities. This adds up to improvement or creation of new extension services to increase the quality of Chazuta’s cocoa and chocolate products, and to facilitate their entry into more demanding and profitable markets. Social implications – The situation of San Martín region and Chazuta district is contextualized and emphasis is given to socioeconomic conditions and the value of cocoa as an alternative crop to coca. From 1980 to early 2000, Peru lived a period of generalized violence due to narcoterrorism, which had large-scale outreach in southern highland and rainforest areas. To deal with this situation, subnational governments in collaboration with international cooperation decided to consolidate agro-industrial value chains in order to generate legal income for rural populations. For this purpose, alternative crop policies were implemented and San Martin region achieved the best results. Originality/value – This fieldwork was carried out as part of the undergraduate thesis but after fieldwork, with the use of online software tool WebQDA, codes were created to systematize and quantify the collected information in the content manager. The codes were created taking into account assessment and evaluation variables. Each value represented a code referred to a performance level as perceived by Chazuta cocoa and chocolate value chains stakeholders

Moldova’s eu rapprochement

The geopolitical condition in Eastern Europe brings about a new dynamic of governance. The neighbourhood matters for the EU, even more so after the 2000’s enlargements. This paper analyses the Europeanisation dynamics in the Republic of Moldova as a case for a critical view of the EU’s modern external governance to the Eastern borders.publishersversionpublishe