Market Familiarity and the Location of South and North MNEs

We use a systematic empirical analysis of the determinants of South-South (SS) and North-South (NS) foreign direct investment (FDI) as a canvas to explore how multinational enterprises’ (MNEs) location decisions are shaped by better acquaintance with a foreign market resulting from bilateral ties, experience of international expansion, and knowledge of how to deal with poor governance. We find that these various aspects of market familiarity, which can interact together, are important to explain and differentiate the location behaviours of South MNEs (S-MNEs) and North MNEs (N-MNEs) in developing countries.

Institutional Quality and FDI to the South An Analytical Approach

We ask whether MNEs’ experience of institutional quality and political risk within their “home” business environments influences their decisions to enter a given country. We set out an explicit theoretical model that allows for the possibility that firms from South source countries may, by virtue of their experience with poor institutional quality, derive a competitive advantage over firms from North countries with respect to investing in destinations in the South. We show that the experience gained by such MNEs of poorer institutional environments may result in their being more prepared to invest in other countries with correspondingly weak institutions.

Competition for FDI and profit shifting: On the effects of subsidies and tax breaks

We investigate competition for FDI within a region when a foreign multinational rm can profitably exploit differences in statutory corporate tax rates by shifting taxable pro ts to lower-tax jurisdictions. In such framework we show that targeted tax competition may lead to higher welfare for the region as a whole than lump-sum subsidies when the difference in statutory corporate tax rates and/or their average is high enough. Tax competition is also preferable from an efficiency point of view (overall surplus) by changing the firm's investment decision when pro t shifting motivations induce the rm to locate in the (before tax) least pro table country.

Clinical review: practical recommendations on the management of perioperative heart failure in cardiac surgery.

Acute cardiovascular dysfunction occurs perioperatively in more than 20% of cardiosurgical patients, yet current acute heart failure (HF) classification is not applicable to this period. Indicators of major perioperative risk include unstable coronary syndromes, decompensated HF, significant arrhythmias and valvular disease. Clinical risk factors include history of heart disease, compensated HF, cerebrovascular disease, presence of diabetes mellitus, renal insufficiency and high-risk surgery. EuroSCORE reliably predicts perioperative cardiovascular alteration in patients aged less than 80 years. Preoperative B-type natriuretic peptide level is an additional risk stratification factor. Aggressively preserving heart function during cardiosurgery is a major goal. Volatile anaesthetics and levosimendan seem to be promising cardioprotective agents, but large trials are still needed to assess the best cardioprotective agent(s) and optimal protocol(s). The aim of monitoring is early detection and assessment of mechanisms of perioperative cardiovascular dysfunction. Ideally, volume status should be assessed by 'dynamic' measurement of haemodynamic parameters. Assess heart function first by echocardiography, then using a pulmonary artery catheter (especially in right heart dysfunction). If volaemia and heart function are in the normal range, cardiovascular dysfunction is very likely related to vascular dysfunction. In treating myocardial dysfunction, consider the following options, either alone or in combination: low-to-moderate doses of dobutamine and epinephrine, milrinone or levosimendan. In vasoplegia-induced hypotension, use norepinephrine to maintain adequate perfusion pressure. Exclude hypovolaemia in patients under vasopressors, through repeated volume assessments. Optimal perioperative use of inotropes/vasopressors in cardiosurgery remains controversial, and further large multinational studies are needed. Cardiosurgical perioperative classification of cardiac impairment should be based on time of occurrence (precardiotomy, failure to wean, postcardiotomy) and haemodynamic severity of the patient's condition (crash and burn, deteriorating fast, stable but inotrope dependent). In heart dysfunction with suspected coronary hypoperfusion, an intra-aortic balloon pump is highly recommended. A ventricular assist device should be considered before end organ dysfunction becomes evident. Extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation is an elegant solution as a bridge to recovery and/or decision making. This paper offers practical recommendations for management of perioperative HF in cardiosurgery based on European experts' opinion. It also emphasizes the need for large surveys and studies to assess the optimal way to manage perioperative HF in cardiac surgery.

Relationship between Health-Related Quality of Life, Pain, and Functional Disability in Neuropathic Pain Patients with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome.

ABSTRACT Objectives: Patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) and chronic neuropathic pain experience levels of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) that are considerably lower than those reported in other areas of chronic pain. The aim of this article was to quantify the extent to which reductions in (leg and back) pain and disability over time translate into improvements in generic HRQoL as measured by the EuroQoL-5D and SF-36 instruments. Methods: Using data from the multinational Prospective, Randomized, Controlled, Multicenter Study of Patients with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome trial, we explore the relationship between generic HRQoL-assessed using two instruments often used in clinical trials (i.e., the SF-36 and EuroQol-5D)-and disease-specific outcome measures (i.e., Oswestry disability index [ODI], leg and back pain visual analog scale [VAS]) in neuropathic patients with FBSS. Results: In our sample of 100 FBSS patients, generic HRQoL was moderately associated with ODI (correlation coefficient: -0.462 to -0.638) and mildly associated with leg pain VAS (correlation coefficient: -0.165 to -0.436). The multilevel regression analysis results indicate that functional ability (as measured by the ODI) is significantly associated with HRQoL, regardless of the generic HRQoL instrument used. On the other hand, changes over time in leg pain were significantly associated with changes in the EuroQoL-5D and physical component summary scores, but not with the mental component summary score. Conclusions: Reduction in leg pain and functional disability is statistically significantly associated with improvements in generic HRQoL. This is the first study to investigate the longitudinal relationship between generic and disease-specific HRQoL of neuropathic pain patients with FBSS, using multinational data.

Integración de empresas: planificación y gestión del cambio

Este proyecto nace de la necesidad de realizar una integración de los sistemas informáticos de una empresa en una multinacional; las empresas disponen de servicios de outsourcing en sistemas de información. Al tratarse de una integración operativa, sólo trataremos de trasladar los servicios de centro de atención al usuario, soporte local y ofimática desde un outsourcing de servicios a otro, añadiendo los cambios de procesos necesarios para disponer de un único entorno de trabajo. El cambio de entorno de trabajo se ha de realizar sin perdida de disponibilidad ni de información.

On making causal claims: A review and recommendations

Social scientists often estimate models from correlational data, where the independent variable has not been exogenously manipulated; they also make implicit or explicit causal claims based on these models. When can these claims be made? We answer this question by first discussing design and estimation conditions under which model estimates can be interpreted, using the randomized experiment as the gold standard. We show how endogeneity--which includes omitted variables, omitted selection, simultaneity, common methods bias, and measurement error--renders estimates causally uninterpretable. Second, we present methods that allow researchers to test causal claims in situations where randomization is not possible or when causal interpretation is confounded, including fixed-effects panel, sample selection, instrumental variable, regression discontinuity, and difference-in-differences models. Third, we take stock of the methodological rigor with which causal claims are being made in a social sciences discipline by reviewing a representative sample of 110 articles on leadership published in the previous 10 years in top-tier journals. Our key finding is that researchers fail to address at least 66 % and up to 90 % of design and estimation conditions that make causal claims invalid. We conclude by offering 10 suggestions on how to improve non-experimental research.

Study design for technology assessment: critical issues.

The epidemiological methods have become useful tools for the assessment of the effectiveness and safety of health care technologies. The experimental methods, namely the randomized controlled trials (RCT), give the best evidence of the effect of a technology. However, the ethical issues and the very nature of the intervention under study sometimes make it difficult to carry out an RCT. Therefore, quasi-experimental and non-experimental study designs are also applied. The critical issues concerning these designs are discussed. The results of evaluative studies are of importance for decision-makers in health policy. The measurements of the impact of a medical technology should go beyond a statement of its effectiveness, because the essential outcome of an intervention or programme is the health status and quality of life of the individuals and populations concerned.

La correspondencia entre Robert Moray y Christiaan Huygens (1661-1669): encuentros y desencuentros en la promoción del conocimiento

Sir Robert Moray (1608/9-1673) fue un soldado, cortesano y "hombre de ciencia" escocés, que estuvo en el exilio durante el período de Oliver Cromwell. Poco después de su regreso a Inglaterra en 1660 y gracias en gran medida a su amistad con Carlos II, aparece vinculado al grupo que formará la Royal Society de Londres y será nombrado el primer presidente de la institución durante los primeros meses. Moray ha sido reconocido como una figura imprescindible para entender la consolidación de la Royal Society. Establece, además, una correspondencia muy importante con Christiaan Huygens, en donde aparecen tratados temas de gran relevancia en la década de 1660, tales como la determinación de la longitud en el mar mediante el uso del reloj de péndulo y la construcción y experimentación con la máquina neumática (emblema del proyecto experimental de Robert Boyle). En esta correspondencia aparecen reflejadas, así mismo, las tensiones sobre los problemas de prioridad en diferentes áreas de conocimiento. Una de estas agrias polémicas es la que enfrenta a James Gregory y a Huygens, que acabará con la relación epistolar entre Moray y el sabio holandés.

Experimentació a distància de la física per a enginyers (EDFE)

El laboratori de física és el lloc que permet apropar la Física i la seva realitat quotidiana, tant la tecnològica com la científica, a l'estudiantat mitjançant experiències i demostracions motivadores. En general, les pràctiques de laboratori se solen realitzar per parelles, encara que no necessàriament, propiciant un treball en equip. Ara bé, pensant en aquelles estudiantes i aquells estudiants que no poden seguir el calendari de sessions presencials establert, per raons justificables, s’ha generat un material docent innovador consistent en la filmació de vídeos d’algunes de les pràctiques que actualment s'estan duent a terme en el laboratori de Física de l'EPSEM. Les filmacions van acompanyades per uns tutorials que permeten introduir la pràctica i il·lustrar tots els conceptes teòrics que hi intervenen i algunes simulacions. A més, també hi ha disponible uns tests d'autoavaluació i d'avaluació que acreditin l'aprenentatge de l'estudiant. L’objectiu és procurar, a partir d’una experimentació virtual, minimitzar la manca d’adquisició d’algunes habilitats pròpies de l’experimentació real al laboratori. Els productes creats han estat inclosos en el web del Departament de Física Aplicada de la UPC a l'EPSEM, on es proporciona tot un conjunt d’eines i informacions pensades per facilitar una millor forma de treballar en un laboratori. En aquest web es poden trobar, les normes generals per a la realització de les pràctiques i per a l’elaboració dels informes preceptius, el guió i l’esquema del muntatge de cada experimentació, així com enllaços a webs relacionats amb la física, que poden resultar molt útils per a l’alumnat. El pas endavant que suposa el material desenvolupat, ampliable en un futur, és sens dubte una alternativa educativa complementaria per garantir una formació més integral de les nostres estudiantes i dels nostres estudiants, en correspondència amb l’esperit de fomentar l'autoaprenentatge que traspua el procés d'integració a l'EEES. Veure: http://www.epsem.upc.edu/~practiquesfisica/

Aprendre a Ensenyar a Resoldre Problemes

La finalitat general del projecte és la millora de la formació dels estudiants de magisteri i de professorat, pel que fa a la seva visió i els seus coneixements sobre l'ensenyament i aprenentatge de les matemàtiques, a partir d'una redefinició de les diferents assignatures de didàctica de les matemàtiques. Es pren l'aprenentatge de l'ensenyament de la resolució de problemes com a eix vertebrador de les assignatures, introduint la realitat de l'aula per mitjà de la interpretació de casos professionals gravats en videoclips. El projecte pretén elaborar materials docents així com dissenyar i experimentar noves metodologies, tant en l'àmbit presencial com virtual, i al mateix temps fomentar la coordinació del professorat que imparteix les assignatures de didàctica. Tot el material es recollirà en una base de dades en l'ADRE, que permetrà la consulta tant presencial com virtual dels materials docents i casos professionals recollits per parts de l'alumnat i professorat. Els objectius a assolits responen a la finalitat del projecte i estan relacionats amb moltes de les prioritats de la convocatòria, ja que impliquen, entre altres coses, la producció de material docent, l’experimentació de noves metodologies i la interrelació entre teoria i pràctica professional.

Expérimentation générique et dialogisme intertextuel. Perrault, La Fontaine, Apulée, Straparola, Basile

EXPERIMENTATION GENERIQUE ET DIALOGISME INTERTEXTUEL: PERRAULT, LA FONTAINE, APULEIUS, STRAPAROLA AND BASILE. Les contes en vers et en prose de Perrault relèvent, selon l'hypothèse présentée dans cette étude, d'un dialogisme intertextuel très complexe avec les formes génériques du conte déjà existantes dans les littératures européennes. L'académicien s'adonne à une véritable «expérimentation générique » au cours de laquelle il crée de nouvelles formes génériques, de nouvelles intrigues et de nouvelles figures à partir de la fabella de Psyché enchâssée dans les Métamorphoses d'Apulée, et de sa récriture galante par La Fontaine dans Les Amours de Psiché et de Cupidon en 1669. Ce double dialogue intertextuel est encore sous-tendu par le recours aux favole de Straparola (Le Piacevole notti) et aux cunti (Lo cunto de li cunti) de Basile, célèbres narrateurs italiens, qui avaient déjà reconfiguré de façon originale certains épisodes et personnages de la fabella de Psyché. Ce processus dialogique complexe est ici mis en évidence par l'analyse (inter)textuelle successive des trois premiers contes en prose, La Belle au bois dormant, Le Petit Chaperon rouge et La Barbe bleue. L'analyse comparative montre que Perrault les invente à partir des trois moments successifs de l'épreuve la plus difficile que Vénus inflige à Psyché, celle de la descente aux Enfers. En introduisant des différences significatives par rapport aux textes latins, italiens et français, l'académicien parvient à créer une nouvelle variation générique : le conte pseudo-naïf doté d'un sens crypté qui se découvre « plus ou moins selon le degré de pénétration de ceux qui les lisent ».GENERIC EXPERIMENTATION AND INTERTEXTUAL DIALOGISM: PERRAULT, LA FONTAINE, APULEIUS, STRAPAROLA AND BASILEAccording to Ute Heidmann, Perrault's tales have very complex inter- textual relations with other generic forms which already existed in other European literatures. Heidmann demonstrates here how Perrault experi- ments "generically" with the fairy tale and how he creates new generic forms from other tales by Apuleus, Straparola, Basile, or La Fontaine. This dialogic process is here underlined by the analysis of three particular fairy tales, Sleeping Beauty in the Woods, Little Red Riding Hood and Blue Beard. Heidmann shows how, by introducing key differences with the Latin, Italian and French models, Perrault succeeds in creating a new generic variation of the fairy tale: "the pseudo-naïve fairy tale".

Market-Based Instruments for ecosystem services: institutional innovation or renovation?

Recent years have seen widespread experimentation with market-based instruments (MBIs) for the provision of environmental goods and ecosystem services. However, little attention has been paid to their design or to the effects of the underlying pro-market narrative on environmental policy instruments. The purpose of this article is to analyze the emergence and dissemination of the term "market-based instruments" applied to the provision of environmental services and to assess to what extent the instruments associated are genuinely innovative. The recommendation to develop markets can lead in practice to a variety of institutional forms, as we show it based on the example of payments for environmental services (PES) and biodiversity offsets, two very different mechanisms that are both presented in the literature as MBIs. Our purpose is to highlight the gap between discourse and practice in connection with MBIs.

Aggregating brain cell cultures for neurotoxicological studies.

Because of the limited accessibility of the brain for experimentation, but also for ethical and economical reasons, there is considerable interest in culture models suitable for neurotoxicological research. Although it is generally accepted that in vitro models cannot cover the entire spectrum of brain functions, they have proven to be indispensable for investigations in the life sciences since the early work of Harrison (1). To date, many in vitro models of various complexity are available, ranging from monolayer cultures of immortalized cell lines to organotypic cultures. Each of these culture systems has its particularities, therefore, it is of great importance to select the model that is most appropriate for the question to be solved.