131,210 research outputs found
The unbalanced Ururguay Round outcome : the new areas in future WTO negotiations
No full textThe Uruguay Round involved a grand North-South bargain: The North reduced import barriers, particularly in textiles and agriculture. The South adopted new domestic regulations in such areas as services and intellectual property-changes that would lead to increased purchases from the North. In mercantilist economics, apples for apples-imports for imports. In real economics, apples for oranges. The authors argue that while the North's reduction of import barriers benefits both the North and the South, the new domestic regulations adopted by countries of the South could prove costly to those countries. To begin with, the regulations will be expensive to implement. And while the cost side of their impact is secured by a legal obligation (in the case of intellectual property rights, for example, the cost is higher prices for patented goods), the benefits side is not so secured.Environmental Economics&Policies,Economic Theory&Research,Payment Systems&Infrastructure,Decentralization,Rules of Origin,Economic Theory&Research,Environmental Economics&Policies,TF054105-DONOR FUNDED OPERATION ADMINISTRATION FEE INCOME AND EXPENSE ACCOUNT,Trade and Regional Integration,World Trade Organization
What can the developing countries infer from the Uruguay Round models for the Millennium Round positions?
No full textThis paper discusses the results from general equilibrium trade models executed towards the end of the Uruguay Round, reporting both aggregate and regional gains. These results were generated some 5 years ago, and were important to the debates at the end of the Uruguay Round as to what would be the foregone gains were the Round not to conclude. The paper argues that there are substantial, and at times hard to explain inconsistencies across model results. One model shows most of the gains come from agricultural liberalization, another from textiles, and yet another from tariff cuts. One model shows developing countries account for around 10% of the total gain, another shows them to gain over 50%. One model shows developing countries losing from elimination of the MFA, another shows them as large gainers. One model shows that imperfectly competitive and scale economy effects double global gains, another shows almost no impact. These differences occur even where similar data sets, and benchmark years are used, and are hard to explain on the basis of parametric specifications for models seemingly used though these are frequently poorly exposited. The paper also discusses the verification of models relative to behaviour since the Round concluded, expressing skepticism as to its feasibility for reasons set out in the paper. It also attempts to discuss what, if any, are the implications for the developing countries, and the possible ways forward in making these models more useable in the Millennium Round
Low Reynolds Number Effects on Jets from Round, Square and Elliptical Orifices
No full textAn experimental study was undertaken to investigate low Reynolds number effects on mixing characteristics and turbulent transport phenomena in the near and intermediate regions of free orifice jets. The cross-sections examined were round, square and ellipse of aspect ratio 3. For each orifice cross-section, detailed velocity measurements were obtained at the following 4 Reynolds number based on the equivalent diameter and maximum velocity: 2500, 4300, 8500 and 17000. A high resolution particle image velocimetry was used to conduct measurements in the symmetry planes that extend from the exit to 15 equivalent diameters. Preliminary results show that an axis-switching happens at 2.7 equivalent diameters in the case of ellipse nozzle which leads to a higher spread rate compared to square and round ones. Also increase in Reynolds number decreases the jet widths
Development of a simulated round of golf
No full textPurpose
The aim of this study was to develop a laboratory-based treadmill simulation of the on-course physiological demands of an 18-hole round of golf and to identify the underlying physiological responses.
Methods
Eight amateur golfers completed a round of golf during which heart rate (HR), steps taken, and global positioning system (GPS) data were assessed. The GPS data were used to create a simulated discontinuous round on a treadmill. Steps taken and HR were recorded during the simulated round.
Results
During the on-course round, players covered a mean (±SD) of 8,251 ± 450 m, taking 12,766 ± 1,530 steps. The mean exercise intensity during the on-course round was 31.4 ± 9.3% of age-predicted heart rate reserve (%HRR) or 55.6 ± 4.4% of age-predicted maximum HR (%HRmax). There were no significant differences between the simulated round and the on-course round for %HRR (P = .537) or %HR max (P = .561) over the entire round or for each individual hole. Furthermore, there were no significant differences between the two rounds for steps taken. Typical error values for steps taken, HR, %HRmax, and %HRR were 1,083 steps, ±7.6 b·min?1, ±4.5%, and ±8.1%, respectively.
Conclusion
Overall, the simulated round of golf successfully recreated the demands of an on-course round. This simulated round could be used as a research tool to assess the extent of fatigue during a round of golf or the impact of various interventions on golfers
INTERESTS AND OPTIONS OF DEVELOPING AND LEAST-DEVELOPED COUNTRIES IN A NEW ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS
No full textNegotiating interests and options have to be identified against the background of the possible agenda of a new round. Several important elements of this agenda are codified in what is referred to as the "built-in agenda", including: (i) an assessment of the implementation of Uruguay Round Agreements (RAS); (ii) specific reviews of particular agreements that were mandated by the Uruguay Round; and, as the core of a new round, (iii) new negotiations on agriculture, GATS, and Trips. Possible further components of the agenda could be negotiations on trade and investment, competition policy, trade facilitation, transparency in government procurement, environmental and labour standards, and further liberalization of industrial tariffs, and textiles and clothing. Many developing and least-developed countries are reluctant to support such a comprehensive agenda, because they are still pre-occupied with difficult administrative, institutional and financial problems arising from the implementation of various RAS. They also have difficulties in articulating the strategies that could underpin the identification of their negotiating interests and options. Their preparation for a new round is likely to be mostly inadequate owing to a lack of human knowledge and institutional capacity that an effective participation in the WTO process requires. They will thus have to take decisions on complex issues that they may not have adequately analyzed and understood. But a new trade round will also present an important opportunity for developing countries to press for enhanced market access and to undo some of the damages imposed by the RAS dealing with rules and standards. They have taken on many mandatory obligations in exchange for non-binding and "best endeavour" concessions from the developed countries. Rebalancing this situation should be a major concern for both the developing and the least-developed countries. The new round should also offer the low-income countries an opportunity to be more pro-active in terms of defining its agenda, for instance in proposing multilaterally negotiated decisions regarding the criteria for categorizing WTO member countries, as well as the form and context of "special and differential treatment" for the developing and least-developed countries. This paper discusses the trade-strategy options of low-income countries, the areas of greatest interest to developing countries, as well as those that are to pose the greatest difficulties, the question of how developing countries can enhance the effectiveness of their participation in the new Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations, and also makes some suggestions on how to change WTO governance and management structures in order to ensure that the concerns of flow-income members are given greater prominence in the organization´s activities.
Examining the effects of year-round education: a literature review
No full textPlan BYear-Round Education (YRE) has been a largely debated topic in recent years. The literature reveals varied results pertaining to the effects of year-round programs, including its promise in alleviating summer learning loss. Some research proposes that summer learning loss is a real phenomenon, while others purport that it simply doesn’t exist. Nonetheless, an increasing number of school districts are implementing forms of year-round schooling and reporting positive academic results. Further, many argue YRE’s logistic and financial benefits. Nonetheless, continued research on YRE, using growth sensitive measures, is essential to lead future educational practice
External Intermittency Simulation in Turbulent Round Jets
No full textAbstract to study passive scalar mixing and intermittency in turbulent round jets. Both simulation techniques are applied to the case of a low Reynolds number jet with Re between time-averaged results for the scalar field of the low Re case demonstrate reasonable agreement between the DNS and LES, and with experimental data and the predictions of other authors. Scalar probability density functions (pdfs) for this jet derived from the simulations are also in reasonable accord, although the DNS results demonstrate the more rapid influence of scalar intermittency with radial distance in the jet. This is reflected in derived intermittency profiles, with LES generally giving profiles that are too broad compared to equivalent DNS results, with too low a rate of decay with radial distance. In contrast, good agreement is in general found between LES predictions and experimental data for the mixing field, scalar pdfs and external intermittency in the high Reynolds number jet. Overall, the work described indicates that improved sub-grid scale modelling for use with LES may be beneficialDirect numerical and large eddy simulation (DNS and LES) are applied= 2,400, whilst LES is also used to predict a high Re = 68,000 flow. Compariso
T-Res Delphi Round 1 questions
No full textThis semi-structured interview schedule formed Round 1 of a Delphi study designed to gain consensus on the challenges faced and resource needs of autistic children and young people during the COVID-19 pandemic. It forms part of a larger project (Autism Specific Transition Resources; T-Res) funded by the Health Research Board
Edith and Selma Bloom beside Model T automobile, Williamson County, Texas
No full textPhotograph shows Edith (left) and Selma Bloom standing beside an early Model T Ford on farm near Round Rock, Texas
Dating Scotland's Neolithic non-megalithic round mounds: new dates, problems and potential
No full textThe purpose of this contribution is to review briefly the non-megalithic round mounds of definite and probable Neolithic date in Scotland, and to draw attention to some accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dates, relating to the use of four of these monuments - Midtown of Pitgalssie, one of the cairns of Atherb, East Finnercy and Pitnacree - that have been commissioned by the author over the past seven years as part of an ongoing and broad-ranging, National Museums Scotland (NMS) radiocarbon dating initiative. The issues involved in obtaining these dates, and in seeking to obtain others for Scottish non-megalithic round mounds, will be outlined. Where the potential exists to obtain further new dates, this is pointed out
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