Revisiting The Original Ghosh Model: Can It Be More Plausible?

We reconsider in this paper the alleged implausibility of Ghosh’s model and we do so reformulating the model to incorporate an alternative closure rule. Our proposed closure rule is in line with the original allocation rules defined by A. Ghosh. The closure solves, to some extent, the implausibility problem that was pointed out by Oosterhaven for then value–added is correctly computed and responsive to allocation changes resulting from supply shocks. Some numerical examples illustrate the sectoral and aggregate consistency of the allocation equilibrium.Multi-sectoral Input-Output Models, Market Economy, Planned Economy

BUDGET CONSTRAINED EXPENDITURE MULTIPLIERS

We show that standard expenditure multipliers capture economy-wide effects of new government projects only when financing constraints are not binding. In actual policy making, however, new projects usually need financing. Under liquidity constraints, new projects are subject to two opposite effects: an income effect and a set of spending substitution effects. The former is the traditional, unrestricted, multiplier effect; the latter is the result of expenditure reallocation to upheld effective financing constraints. Unrestricted multipliers will therefore be, as a general rule, upward biased and policy designs based upon them should be reassessed in the light of the countervailing substitution effects.Government multipliers, fiscal stimulus, expenditures substitution effects

RETHINKING ECONOMY-WIDE REBOUND MEASURES: AN UNBIASED PROPOSAL

In spite of having been first introduced in the last half of the ninetieth century, the debate about the possible rebound effects from energy efficiency improvements is still an open question in the economic literature. This paper contributes to the existing research on this issue proposing an unbiased measure for economy-wide rebound effects. The novelty of this economy-wide rebound measure stems from the fact that not only actual energy savings but also potential energy savings are quantified under general equilibrium conditions. Our findings indicate that the use of engineering savings instead of general equilibrium potential savings downward biases economy-wide rebound effects and upward-biases backfire effects. The discrepancies between the traditional indicator and our proposed measure are analysed in the context of the Spanish economy.

A COMPARISON OF INPUT-OUTPUT MODELS:GHOSH REDUCES TO LEONTIEF (BUT 'CLOSING' GHOSH MAKES IT MORE PLAUSIBLE)

Ghosh's model is discussed in this paper under two alternative scenarios. In an open version we compare it with Leontief's model and prove that they reduce to each other under some specific productive conditions. We then move onto reconsidering Ghosh's model alleged implausibility and we do so reformulating the model to incorporate a closure rule. The closure solves, to some extent, the implausibility problem very clearly put out by Oosterhaven for then value-added is correctly computed and responsive to allocation changes resulting from supply shocks.Multi-sectoral Input-Output Models, Market Economy, Planned Economy.

A NON-POSSIBILITY THEOREM FOR JOINT-STABILITY IN INTERINDUSTRY MODELS

Joint-stability in interindustry models relates to the mutual simultaneous consistency of the demand-driven and supply-driven models of Leontief and Ghosh, respectively. Previous work has claimed joint-stability to be an acceptable assumption from the empirical viewpoint, provided only small changes in exogenous variables are considered. We show in this note, however, that the issue has deeper theoretical roots and offer an analytical demonstration that shows the impossibility of consistency between demand-driven and supply- driven models.: Interindustry modeling, joint-stability, demand-driven, supply-driven.

Functional ecology of the biological soil crust in semiarid SE Spain: sun and shade populations of Diploschistes diacapsis (Ach.) Lumbsch

The Tabernas badlands in semiarid south-east Spain is one of the driest regions in Europe with a mean annual precipitation of c. 240 mm. The landscape is deeply dissected, with canyons, ramblas and sparsely vegetated eroded badland slopes. The vegetation is predominantly a biological soil crust consisting of different types of lichen-rich communities, one of the more conspicuous being dominated by Diploschistes diacapsis (Ach.) Lumbsch. This lichen is mainly restricted to the north- facing slopes, where it forms extensive whitish carpets and probably plays an important role in preventing erosion of the slopes and allowing plant colonization. South-facing slopes are much more eroded and generally lack vegetation. %The photosynthetic performance of north (shade) and south-facing (sun) populations of D. diacapsis was studied to determine if these different populations showed any adaptations to the microclimatic conditions of their individual habitats. The response of CO2 exchange to light intensity, temperature and water content was measured under controlled conditions in the laboratory. Dry weight-based net photosynthetic rates were higher in the southern-exposed population but quantum efficiency, and light compensation points were similar. Thallus weight per unit area (LMA) was considerably higher for shade specimens but maximum water content and optimal water content were very similar and chlorophyll content on a dry weight basis was also similar. Chlorophyll content on an area basis was higher in the northern-exposed population and always much larger than those reported in other studies on the same species (up to 8 times larger) with the result that NP values on a chlorophyll basis were relatively low. The larger LMA meant that shade thalli stored more water per unit area which should ensure longer active periods than sun thalli. The results support a strategy pair of high NP and short active time versus low NP and long active time, both having been reported for other soil crust species. However, the visibly larger biomass of the shade D. diacapsis suggests that the lichen is at the limit of its adaptability in these habitats

An operational, nonlinear input-output system

We develop a scale-dependent nonlinear input-output model which is a practical alternative to the conventional linear counterpart. The model contemplates the possibility of different assumptions on returns to scale and is calibrated in a simple manner that closely resembles the usual technical coefficient calibration procedure. Multiplier calculations under this nonlinear version offer appropriate interval estimates that provide information on the effectiveness and variability of demand-driven induced changes in equilibrium magnitudes. In addition, and unlike linear multipliers, the nonlinear model allows us to distinguish between physical and cost effects, the reason being that the traditional dichotomy between the price and quantity equations of linear models no longer holds. We perform an empirical implementation of the nonlinear model using recent interindustry data for Brazil, China and United States. When evaluating the robustness of the derived marginal output multipliers and the induced costs effects under the nonlinear approach, the results indicate that marginal indicators in physical terms can be perfectly used to infer average impacts; this is not the case, however, for the derived costs effects where average measures are seen to be more adequate. At the computational level, the analysis proves the operational applicability of the nonlinear system while at the methodological level shows that scale effects are relevant in determining sectoral multiplier

Identification and Characterization of White Grape Varieties Autochthonous of aWarm Climate Region (Andalusia, Spain)

The high sensitivity of one of the most important crops in the world, such as vine (Vitis vinifera L.), to particular changes caused by the phenomena associated with global warming, is encouraging the wine industry to place value on grape varieties that are autochthonous to each production area. These are generally conserved in germplasm banks and may pose a useful tool to counteract the effects of climate change. In order to determine the actual resource that such varieties constitute, this research has carried out a genetic identification, a morphological characterization, and an analysis of the grape musts obtained from four autochthonous varieties (Cañocazo, Castellano, Mantúo de Pilas, and Palomino Fino). This genetic analysis has allowed the identification of autochthonous varieties with different genotypes. However, all of them had similar phenotypic characteristics in terms of high hair density in adult leaves. With respect to the physicochemical composition of the musts, significant differences have been observed between the autochthonous varieties, with respect to the control variety of Palomino Fino. Nevertheless, all of them have exhibited an adequate physicochemical composition to produce quality white wines. For all of the above reasons, these local varieties should be considered suitable for cultivation in areas with warmer and drier climates, such as Andalusia (Spain)

Ciudad y ciudadanía. Un análisis de los planes estratégicos de desarrollo urbano desde la perspectiva de género

This study focuses on urban planning policies from the standpoint of gender. It stems from the idea that the inclusion of women in public space could be clashing with a design of cities in which the old sexual division of work still weighs heavily. According to it an area of the city corresponds to men (where they work), and another area of the city corresponds to women (where they live). Not only is this an obstacle for the inclusion of women on equal conditions, but also for the conciliation of family and work life.Based on this assumption, the article examines to what degree the strategic and urban plans of Spanish cities (Bilbao, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Malaga and Jaen) take into consideration the gender perspective. Specifically, the study analyses if these plans include the recommendations made by international organisations since the 1990s –mainly the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UNHabitat)– as regards the transversal inclusion of gender in public policies of urban planning, with the aim of making “conciliatory cities.”Este estudio se enmarca dentro delanálisis de las políticas de planificación urbana desde la perspectiva degénero. Parte de la idea de que la inclusión de las mujeres en el espaciopúblico podría estar chocando con un diseño de las ciudades en el que aún pesamucho la vieja división sexual del trabajo, según el cual a los hombrescorresponde una zona de la ciudad (en la que ellos trabajan) y a las mujeres,otra (en la cual ellas residen), haciendo muy difícil, no sólo la inclusión de lasmujeres en pie de igualdad, sino también la conciliación tanto por parte devarones como de mujeres.A partir de aquí, el artículo examinaen qué medida los planes estratégicos y urbanísticos de ciudades españolas(Bilbao, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Málaga y Jaén) han incluido la perspectiva degénero. Concretamente, analiza si los planes recogen las recomendacionesdictadas desde los años noventa por los organismos internacionales–fundamentalmente el Programa de las Naciones Unidas para los Asentamientos Humanos,ONU-Habitat- de cara a la inclusión del género de forma transversal en laspolíticas de planificación urbana con el fin de hacer “ciudades conciliadoras”

Sistema hidropónico en seco para pequeñas o medianas producciones.

Proyecto de Graduación (Bachillerato en Ingeniería en Diseño Industrial). Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica. Escuela de Ingeniería en Diseño Industrial, 2010.La producción de múltiples cultivos de calidad que permita a pequeños y medianos productores ampliar su mercado, y la diferenciación de sus productos en el mercado es de suma importancia. En cuanto a mantener los parámetros de calidad se ha considerado necesario establecer centros productivos dentro de las zonas de consumo, esto porque es más factible para el pequeño - mediano productor establecer sus contactos directos sin intermediarios, y disminuir los costos por transporte, así también se asegura un producto fresco y con menos manipulación de agentes externos. Uno de los interesados en establecer este sistema propuesto es el sector hotelero, según el ICT de aproximadamente 2300 hoteles registrados, existen 98 en el país Certificados para la Sostenibilidad (CST) y buscan una interacción equilibrada de tres factores: la administración apropiada de los recursos naturales y culturales; la mejoría de la calidad de vida de las comunidades vecinas y el éxito económico el cual contribuye a otros programas del desarrollo nacional. La implementación en hoteles es tomado como plan piloto, ya que nos permite establecer la demanda según la temporada del año y cantidad de personal, tomamos en cuenta aspectos necesarios en cuanto a disponibilidad de recursos, parámetros de calidad, sostenibilidad ambiental y reglamentación del ICT. Eventualmente puede ser aplicado en restaurantes o Instituciones interesadas. De ahí nuestro interés de desarrollar un sistema de producción hidropónica en seco que ayude a incentivar una producción agrícola regional de las hortalizas de mayor demanda que permita involucrar a poblaciones excluidas en el desarrollo económico de la zona donde viven, esto al brindarle sus productos a hoteles que desean tanto incorporarse al CST como los que desean aumentar de categoría. Algunos de los retos que se pueden identificar a este nivel del proyecto son: lograr una unidad y mayor eficiencia del sistema, con carácter funcional y estético mejorado