The new OECD arrangement on export credits: Breakthrough or bad compromise?

Data Availability Statement: Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analysed in this study.Public export credits and trade insurance require a global framework of institutions, rules and regulations to avoid subsidies and a race to the bottom. The extensive modernisation of the Arrangement on Officially Supported Export Credits (Arrangement) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development intends to re-level the playing field. This Practitioner Commentary describes the demand for adequate government interventions, considers the need for the reform and discusses key aspects of the new Arrangement. We argue that there is a breakthrough in several important areas such as tenors, repayment terms and green finance. However, we also find that the modernisation falls short in areas such as the interplay between different rulebooks, pre-shipment instruments' regulations and climate action.Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL

Efectos y beneficios del entrenamiento de fuerza en pacientes con cáncer: revisión sistemática de la literatura

Introduction: cancer is among the diseases having the greatest mortality rates and the cause of many disabilities worldwide. The practice of exercise is developed as an adjuvant therapy along with the cancer treatment to reduce mortality and disability in the different types of cancer.Objective: to identify the effects of strength training on cancer patients.Methods: a complete review of the medical literature was conducted until December 2018, scientific articles published in indexed bases from 2015 to 2018. The studies included were in population over 18 years old with cancer diagnosis regardless of sociodemographic characteristics, type or stage of cancer. The data extracted were on the population, intervention and control groups, type of cancer, period, frequency of intervention and results.Results: during the first search 36071 titles of clinical study were found in specialized journals. 10 experimental studies were chosen. Multiple positive effects were found, as well as components that should be taken into account when performing strength training on cancer patients or cancer survivors.Conclusions: strength training in patients with cancer or survivors of this disease, helps them to improve their symptoms as well as their quality of life, strength, improved mobility and pain, among others. Also, strength training is beneficial to patients without causing adverse effects or long-term complications.Introducción: El cáncer se encuentra entre las enfermedades con mayor mortalidad y causante de un gran número de discapacidades a nivel mundial. El ejercicio surge como un coadyuvante del tratamiento oncológico para disminuir la mortalidad y discapacidad en los diferentes tipos de cáncer.Objetivo: Identificar los efectos del entrenamiento de fuerza en pacientes con cáncer.Método:  Se realizó una revisión de la literatura hasta diciembre del 2018, de artículos científicos publicados en bases de indexadas desde 2015 y hasta 2018. Los estudios incluidos fueron en población mayor a 18 años con diagnóstico de cáncer sin importar características sociodemográficas, tipo o estadio del cáncer. Los datos extraídos fueron sobre la población, grupos de intervención y control, tipo de cáncer, periodo, frecuencia de la intervención y resultados.Resultados: Durante la primera búsqueda 36071 títulos de estudios clínicos fueron encontrados en revistas especializadas. Al final 10 estudios de carácter experimental fueron seleccionados. En dichos estudios, múltiples efectos fueron encontrados, así como componentes que se deben tener en cuenta a realizar un entrenamiento de fuerza en pacientes con cáncer o sobrevivientes del mismo.Conclusiones: El entrenamiento de fuerza en pacientes con cáncer o sobrevivientes de esta enfermedad, les ayuda a mejorar su sintomatología al igual que su calidad de vida, fatiga, fuerza, mejoría en la movilidad y el dolor, entre otros. Así mismo, el entrenamiento de fuerza es beneficioso para los pacientes sin causar efectos adversos o complicaciones a largo plazo

Performance of Distributed Bagged Stone Dust Barrier in Combating Coal-Dust Explosions

The Kloppersbos Research Facility of the CSIR\u27s Division of Mining Technology has developed a new method of building stone dust barriers. The new barrier makes use of a previous concept of containing stone dust in a bag, but incorporates a new method of rupturing the bag. This was achieved by adapting the closing mechanism and by balancing the stone dust content with the void in the bag. The bagged barrier was extensively tested in the 200-m test gallery. During these tests, it became evident that these bags could be made to rupture and spread stone dust when subjected to smaller forces than those required for the most commonly used passive barrier, the polish light barrier. To validate this, as well as to gain international acceptance of this new barrier, tests were conducted in the German experimental mine, DMT Tremonia, Dortmund. The barrier was evaluated against numerous methane-initiated coal-dust explosions. The paper describes the successful inhibition of coal-dust explosions at Kloppersbos and DMT Tremonia. The barrier has been proven successfully for static pressures of 44 to 82 kpa, dynamic pressures of 12 to 36 kpa and for flame speeds as low as 23 m/s. This barrier is now accepted by the South African government and has been implemented in numerous South African collieries

Navigating New Trade Horizons: Supporting Exporters in a World of Change

In a dynamic global landscape, the role of UK Export Finance (UKEF) and other export credit agencies (ECAs) has never been more important. Access to finance is critical for exporters as it enables them to invest in production, expand operations, manage cash flow and mitigate trade risks. However, businesses face challenges in securing export finance and trade credit insurance as geopolitical and trade megatrends lead to increased political, market and credit risks. Drawing on qualitative data from 35 semi-structured interviews and expert discussions and based on the Futures Triangle analytical framework, this white paper analyses the geopolitical and trade megatrends that UKEF and other ECAs will face in the coming years. It presents novel findings about the implications for ECA mandates, strategies, products and operations: The evolution of mandates towards a “growth promoter”, the need to further scale up operations, the use of big data and artificial intelligence for risk analysis and forecasting, and the need to balance multiple and conflicting priorities, including export growth, support for small and medium-sized exporters, inclusive trade, climate action, and positive impact in developing markets