A Framework for Estimating U.S. WTO Domestic Support to 2015

The framework allows comprehensive and consistent measurement and classification of U.S. domestic support to 2015 under different assumptions. Projections of future U.S. domestic support patterns are made with estimates published in the USDA Agricultural Baseline Projections. We also use information from the OECD, FAPRI, NASS, and our own estimates. We present key elements and an overview of our analytical framework, assumptions of a baseline scenario, and some analytical results and observations arising from our analysis. The baseline scenario extends the classification of programs in WTO notifications to 2015. The framework consists of 65 spreadsheets, which are grouped into 4 analytical stages: calculation of program estimates by commodity; calculation of product-specific aggregate measurement of support by commodity; estimates of major U.S. agricultural programs; and estimates for WTO boxes and the overall value of production. The main results of the baseline scenario suggest that the United States would be able to maintain its Uruguay Round commitments under relatively optimistic USDA Baseline assumptions. Because the U.S. overall value of production is projected to increase by almost 40% from 2002 to 2015, de minimis allowances will rise to US$26 billion by 2015. The framework allows us to calculate possible U.S. domestic support expenditures under alternative assumptions about rules and commitments resulting from the Doha negotiations, such as reductions in de minimis percentages, commitments on Total AMS and overall support. This enables us to better understand implications for WTO negotiations.agriculture, AMS, de minimis, domestic support, WTO, framework, International Relations/Trade, F1, Q1, Q17, Q18, F13,

Flow estimation in a steel pipe using guided waves

In this investigation, a flow rate estimation guided wave based scheme in pipes is proposed. The effect of the fluid over the propagation of longitudinal waves has been experimentally studied by using several laminar flows of water transported by a steel pipe. Results have shown a decrease of the guided wave pattern repeatability and the signal energy as the flow rate increase as a result of the energy leakage from the pipe to the fluid. A Matlab® script is used to excite the PZT actuator via picoscope 2208 of Picotech®, the captured signal is acquired also by the picoscope and the data is processed in Matlab. The test bench utilized is composed by a 1” sch 40 A-106 pipe, a needle valve and a centrifugal pump provides the flow energy. A couple of PZTs are used in a picth-catch configuration to produce and capture the longitudinal waves along the cross section of the pipe.Postprint (author's final draft

Temperature robust PCA based stress monitoring approach

In this paper, a guided wave temperature robust PCA-based stress monitoring methodology is proposed. It is based on the analysis of the longitudinal guided wave propagating along the path under stress. Slight changes in the wave are detected by means of PCA via statistical T2 and Q indices. Experimental and numerical simulations of the guided wave propagating in material under different temperatures have shown significant variations in the amplitude and the velocity of the wave. This condition can jeopardize the discrimination of the different stress scenarios detected by the PCA indices. Thus, it is proposed a methodology based on an extended knowledge base, composed by a PCA statistical model for different discrete temperatures to produce a robust classification of stress states under variable environmental conditions. Experimental results have shown a good agreement between the predicted scenarios and the real onesPostprint (author's final draft

Center of Mass and spin for isolated sources of gravitational radiation

We define the center of mass and spin of an isolated system in General Relativity. The resulting relationships between these variables and the total linear and angular momentum of the gravitational system are remarkably similar to their Newtonian counterparts, though only variables at the null boundary of an asymptotically flat spacetime are used for their definition. We also derive equations of motion linking their time evolution to the emitted gravitational radiation. The results are then compared to other approaches. In particular one obtains unexpected similarities as well as some differences with results obtained in the Post Newtonian literature . These equations of motion should be useful when describing the radiation emitted by compact sources such as coalescing binaries capable of producing gravitational kicks, supernovas, or scattering of compact objects.Comment: 16 pages. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Convergence Clubs in Latin America: A Hisotical Appoach

Literature on convergence among Latin American countries is still scarce compared to other regions. Almost none of the research connects convergence to the economic history of Latin America and the usual finding is one speed of convergence assuming one globally stable steady-state. In this paper I analyze 32 countries and 108 years, more observations than any other study, which allows me to use chronological events to explain, analyze and validate the historical convergence clubs in Latin America, assuming multiple steady-states. The chronological time-line is divided into three important known phases, from which I find two to three convergence clubs. Following Thorp (1998), the first phase, called “the exporting phase” goes from 1900 to 1930, the second, “the industrialization phase” from 1931 to 1974, and the last one, “the globalization phase” from 1975 to 2007. During the last two phases, I find strong evidence of convergence among those clubs that succeeded in industrializing and or building good institutions. The reason may be that technology diffusion and capital accumulation is easier when these two phenomena occur. Furthermore, I find no evidence that geographical aspects nor integration processes helped countries to converge.Latin America, economic history, convergence, growth.