AN ANALYSIS OF A UNITED STATES-CANADA-MEXICO FREE TRADE AGREEMENT

This is one of two papers commissioned by the International Agricultural Trade Research Consortium on various aspects related to the agricultural sector of a prospective North American Free Trade Agreement. The companion paper to this one has been prepared by a working group chaired by Richard Barichello, University of British Columbia. To minimize duplication with the Barichello paper this paper has given greater attention to the role of Mexico, currency exchange rates, and explicit modeling of the trade relationship.International Relations/Trade,

Frog model on biregular trees

Orientador: Elcio LebensztaynTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Matemática Estatística e Computação CientíficaResumo: O {\emph{modelo dos sapos}} é um sistema de partículas, a tempo discreto, cujos agentes realizam passeios aleatórios simples em um grafo com probabilidade de desaparecimento $(1-p)$ antes de cada salto. Inicialmente, cada vértice do grafo contém um número aleatório de partículas. Aquelas posicionadas na raiz do grafo encontram-se acordadas, as demais adormecidas. Cada vez que uma partícula acordada visita uma partícula adormecida, a última é acordada. Resultados de transição de fase com respeito à sobrevivência e recorrência do modelo são apresentados para $(d_{1},d_{2})$-árvores birregulares. Para o modelo com configuração inicial de uma partícula por vértice, determinamos a correta ordem de magnitude da probabilidade crítica com respeito à sobrevivência do modelo quando $d_{1}$ e $d_{2}$ tendem para infinito. Provamos um novo limitante superior para a probabilidade crítica do modelo dos sapos em $d$-árvores homogêneas, que melhora os resultados previamente conhecidos. Esse limitante superior foi conjecturado em Lebensztayn et al. (\emph{J. Stat. Phys., 119(1-2), 331-345,2005}). Também damos uma fórmula explícita para o limitante superiorAbstract: The \emph{frog model} is a discrete time particle system whose agents perform simple random walks on a graph with probability of disappearance $(1-p)$ before each jump. Initially, each vertex of the graph contains a random number of particles. Those positioned at the root of the graph are awake, the others are sleeping. Each time an awakened particle visits a sleeping particle, the latter particle is awakened. Phase transition results with respect to survival and recurrence of the model are presented for $(d_{1}, d_{2})$-biregular trees. For the model with initial configuration of one particle per vertex, we determine the correct order of magnitude for the critical probability of survival of the model as $d_{1}$ and $d_{2}$ approaches infinity. We prove a new upper bound for the critical probability of the frog model on $d$-homogeneous trees, which improves the previously known results. This upper bound was conjectured in Lebensztayn et al. (\emph{J. Stat. Phys., 119 (1-2), 331-345, 2005}). We also give an explicit formula for the upper boundDoutoradoEstatisticaDoutor em Estatística140887/2017-2CNPQCAPE

Outcomes after endovascular repair of arterial trauma

BackgroundEndovascular repair of peripheral arterial trauma using covered stent grafts is a minimally invasive alternative to open surgery in selected patients. Although the technical feasibility of endovascular repair has been established, there are a paucity of data regarding outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term outcomes of endovascular repair in patients with peripheral arterial trauma.MethodsA review of a prospectively collected institutional trauma registry captured all patients with peripheral arterial injury who underwent endovascular repair from August 2004 to June 2012. Data collected included demographics, Injury Severity Score (ISS), mechanism, location and type of injury, imaging modality, intervention type, complications and reintervention, length of stay, and follow-up. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis.ResultsDuring the study period, we performed endovascular repair in 28 patients with peripheral arterial injuries. There were 20 male patients (71%) with a median age of 39 years (range, 13-88 years). The mean ISS was 17.2 (range, 9-41). The mechanism of injury was penetrating in 21 (75%) and blunt in seven (25%). The anatomic locations of the 28 arterial injuries were carotid (3 [11%]), subclavian (7 [25%]), axillary (6 [22%]), iliac (3 [11%]), and femoral/popliteal (9 [32%]). Findings consistent with injury on imaging included pseudoaneurysms (9 [32%]), extravasations (9 [32%]), occlusions (6 [22%]), and arteriovenous fistulas (4 [14%]). Technical success was achieved in all patients. The overall complication rate was 21%, with six patients requiring a secondary procedure. Two patients underwent a planned, elective conversion to open repair during the initial hospitalization. Four patients required conversion secondary to stent graft thrombosis. Three conversions were early (<30 days) and one was late (>30 days). The mean length of stay was 18.4 ± 22.9 days (range, 1-93 days), with a median follow-up of 13 months (range, 1-60 months). The overall limb salvage rate was 92% at 45 days and 79% at 93 days.ConclusionsThe present study outlines our early experience with endovascular repair of peripheral arterial injuries in a variety of anatomic locations. Overall complication rates are appreciable but can be effectively detected and managed with additional intervention. The inclusion of endovascular modalities in algorithms of trauma care holds considerable promise. The need to better define optimal algorithms for utilization and determine long-term outcomes of intervention requires significant additional study

Análisis del emprendimiento turístico en Ecuador y su impacto en la sociedad. Caso de estudio: empresas familiares en la parroquia de Mindo

Mindo is a parish located at San Miguel de los Bancos, next to the Preservation Forrest Mindo, Nambillo. It is positioned as a touristic destination, diverse in flora and fauna. This dynamism has generated the development of touristic ventures, most of them managed by families that contribute to the destination offer. Even though Mindo is considered an important destination in Ecuador, it does not generate enough income for a local sustainable development. The aim of this study is to analyze the tourism entrepreneurship of the parish of Mindo, as well as examine actual conditions in which they develop. Qualitative, quantitative and descriptive approach were used in the study, and the following variables were analyzed: individual trust, innovation, risk assumption, decision making, business creation, types of ventures and relations between clients, providers, and competitors who contributed with the study. The most relevant conclusions determine that innovation is a key factor that is not perceived at Mindo’s touristic dynamics; the lack of technical risk analysis gives poor information to make decisions. Finally, the parish and groups of interest are not working together with a defined horizon, this generates nonexistence of agreements and decisions that does not allow Mindo to become a competitive destination.Mindo es una parroquia del cantón San Miguel de los Bancos, ubicada en el valle del Bosque Protector Mindo Nambillo; cuenta con gran diversidad de flora y fauna que la han posicionado como un destino turístico de naturaleza. Esta dinámica ha generado el desarrollo de emprendimientos turísticos, en su mayoría familiares, que aportan con la oferta del destino. Sin embargo, a pesar de ser un destino turístico importante para el país no ha podido despuntar con sus emprendimientos y mantiene una oferta comercial limitada. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de la presente investigación es analizar el emprendimiento turístico en Ecuador, enfocado en la parroquia de Mindo, y su impacto en la sociedad actual en la que se desenvuelve, examinando la dinámica de los emprendimientos turísticos familiares. Para ello se consideró una metodología con enfoque cualitativo y cuantitativo de carácter descriptivo. Se levantó información apegada a variables como: confianza individual, innovación, asunción de riesgo, toma de decisiones, creación de empresa, tipos de emprendimientos y relaciones entre clientes, proveedores y competidores que aportan con el análisis del mismo. Entre las principales conclusiones que se obtuvieron del estudio se encontró que la innovación es un factor fundamental y un elemento que no se percibe en la dinámica turística de la parroquia; &nbsp;que la falta de análisis técnicos de riesgos no aporta con &nbsp;información pertinente para una toma de decisiones acertada; y, finalmente, que el trabajo conjunto entre los actores del turismo en la parroquia no apunta a objetivos conjuntos lo cual genera una falta de consensos y decisiones que permitan el desarrollo de un destino turístico competitivo

The Influence of Functional Flywheel Resistance Training on Movement Variability and Movement Velocity in Elite Rugby Players

The aim of this study was to identify the changes in movement variability and movement velocity during a six-week training period using a resistance horizontal forward-backward task without (NOBALL) or with (BALL) the constraint of catching and throwing a rugby ball in the forward phase. Eleven elite male rugby union players (mean ± SD: age 25.5 ± 2.0 years, height 1.83 ± 0.06 m, body mass 95 ± 18 kg, rugby practice 14 ± 3 years) performed eight repetitions of NOBALL and BALL conditions once a week in a rotational flywheel device. Velocity was recorded by an attached rotary encoder while acceleration data were used to calculate sample entropy (SampEn), multiscale entropy, and the complexity index. SampEn showed no significant decrease for NOBALL (ES = -0.64 ± 1.02) and significant decrease for BALL (ES = -1.71 ± 1.16; p p

ECOLOGICAL NICHE OF SEMIDOMESTICATED POPULATIONS OF Capsicum pubescens RUIZ & PAV. BASED ON ACCESSIONS FROM VERACRUZ, MEXICO

Para cultivar una especie silvestre es necesario modificar el esquema genético resultante de los procesos de selección natural a uno adaptado a las condiciones manejadas por el hombre, e implica detectar áreas geográficas similares a aquellas donde se originó la especie. En este estudio se analiza un modelo de áreas geográficas potenciales para la adaptación de Capsicum pubescens Ruiz & Pav. con el objetivo de detectar las condiciones de nicho ecológico apropiado, determinar zonas potenciales en México y describir las relaciones entre el medio ambiente y las características morfológicas del fruto. Se utilizó el algoritmo reciente de máxima entropía (MaxEnt) para modelar el nicho de C. pubescens dentro de una región de importancia en el centro de Veracruz, México. Se utilizó un total de 44 sitios de presencia y cuatro variables bioclimáticas para detectar nichos adecuados para la especie; así mismo, se realizó un análisis de regresión por mínimos cuadrados parciales (PLS) combinando los sitios de presencia, variables bioclimáticas y características morfológicas del fruto. Se construyó un mapa final de idoneidad identificando las áreas adecuadas para el crecimiento de C. pubescens. Las contribuciones de las variables predictoras al modelo fueron preipitación anual (Bio12) 43.9 %, capa de potasio (K) 23 %, altitud (DEM) 22.3 % y temperatura media anual (Bio1) 10.7 %, con valor del área bajo la curva de 99.7 %. Los mínimos cuadrados parciales corroboraron la importancia de las covariables, que intervienen en la expresión de características morfológicas del fruto, ayudando a entender mejor las relaciones entre especies y el medio ambiente. Áreas aún no exploradas arrojaron probabilidades de ocurrencia mayores a 90 %, principalmente en las zonas montañosas de Chihuahua, Tamaulipas, Nuevo León y la Sierra de Santa Martha al sur del estado de Veracruz. Se identificó un grupo de accesiones sobresalientes que podrían servir como base para iniciar un programa de mejoramiento genético en esta especie

Genome diversification within a clonal population of pandemic <i>Vibrio parahaemolyticus </i>seems to depend on the life circumstances of each individual bacteria

Artículo de publicación ISIBackground: New strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus that cause diarrhea in humans by seafood ingestion periodically emerge through continuous evolution in the ocean. Influx and expansion in the Southern Chilean ocean of a highly clonal V. parahaemolyticus (serotype O3:K6) population from South East Asia caused one of the largest seafood-related diarrhea outbreaks in the world. Here, genomics analyses of isolates from this rapidly expanding clonal population offered an opportunity to observe the molecular evolutionary changes often obscured in more diverse populations. Results: Whole genome sequence comparison of eight independent isolates of this population from mussels or clinical cases (from different years) was performed. Differences of 1366 to 217,729 bp genome length and 13 to 164 bp single nucleotide variants (SNVs) were found. Most genomic differences corresponded to the presence of regions unique to only one or two isolates, and were probably acquired by horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Some DNA gain was chromosomal but most was in plasmids. One isolate had a large region (8,644 bp) missing, which was probably caused by excision of a prophage. Genome innovation by the presence of unique DNA, attributable to HGT from related bacteria, varied greatly among the isolates, with values of 1,366 (ten times the number of highest number of SNVs) to 217,729 (a thousand times more than the number of highest number of SNVs). Conclusions: The evolutionary forces (SNVs, HGT) acting on each isolate of the same population were found to differ to an extent that probably depended on the ecological scenario and life circumstances of each bacterium.FONDECYT 114073

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis due to vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia in middle-income countries

Background: Adenovirus-based COVID-19 vaccines are extensively used in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Remarkably, cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis due to vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (CVST-VITT) have rarely been reported from LMICs. Aims: We studied the frequency, manifestations, treatment, and outcomes of CVST-VITT in LMICs. Methods: We report data from an international registry on CVST after COVID-19 vaccination. VITT was classified according to the Pavord criteria. We compared CVST-VITT cases from LMICs to cases from high-income countries (HICs). Results: Until August 2022, 228 CVST cases were reported, of which 63 were from LMICs (all middle-income countries [MICs]: Brazil, China, India, Iran, Mexico, Pakistan, Turkey). Of these 63, 32 (51%) met the VITT criteria, compared to 103 of 165 (62%) from HICs. Only 5 of the 32 (16%) CVST-VITT cases from MICs had definite VITT, mostly because anti-platelet factor 4 antibodies were often not tested. The median age was 26 (interquartile range [IQR] 20–37) versus 47 (IQR 32–58) years, and the proportion of women was 25 of 32 (78%) versus 77 of 103 (75%) in MICs versus HICs, respectively. Patients from MICs were diagnosed later than patients from HICs (1/32 [3%] vs. 65/103 [63%] diagnosed before May 2021). Clinical manifestations, including intracranial hemorrhage, were largely similar as was intravenous immunoglobulin use. In-hospital mortality was lower in MICs (7/31 [23%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 11–40]) than in HICs (44/102 [43%, 95% CI 34–53], p = 0.039). Conclusions: The number of CVST-VITT cases reported from LMICs was small despite the widespread use of adenoviral vaccines. Clinical manifestations and treatment of CVST-VITT cases were largely similar in MICs and HICs, while mortality was lower in patients from MICs.</p

Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV: Mapping the Milky Way, Nearby Galaxies, and the Distant Universe

We describe the Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV (SDSS-IV), a project encompassing three major spectroscopic programs. The Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment 2 (APOGEE-2) is observing hundreds of thousands of Milky Way stars at high resolution and high signal-to-noise ratios in the near-infrared. The Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) survey is obtaining spatially resolved spectroscopy for thousands of nearby galaxies (median $z\sim 0.03$). The extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS) is mapping the galaxy, quasar, and neutral gas distributions between $z\sim 0.6$ and 3.5 to constrain cosmology using baryon acoustic oscillations, redshift space distortions, and the shape of the power spectrum. Within eBOSS, we are conducting two major subprograms: the SPectroscopic IDentification of eROSITA Sources (SPIDERS), investigating X-ray AGNs and galaxies in X-ray clusters, and the Time Domain Spectroscopic Survey (TDSS), obtaining spectra of variable sources. All programs use the 2.5 m Sloan Foundation Telescope at the Apache Point Observatory; observations there began in Summer 2014. APOGEE-2 also operates a second near-infrared spectrograph at the 2.5 m du Pont Telescope at Las Campanas Observatory, with observations beginning in early 2017. Observations at both facilities are scheduled to continue through 2020. In keeping with previous SDSS policy, SDSS-IV provides regularly scheduled public data releases; the first one, Data Release 13, was made available in 2016 July