bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expandiendo el uso de la valorización del suelo: La captura de plusvalías en América Latina y el Caribe
Authors: Mendive Carlos , Ortiz Juan Pablo , Hurtado Tarazona Adriana , Muñoz Miranda Andrés , Sandroni Paulo , Carrión Diego , Blanco Blanco Andrés , Fretes Cibils Vicente , Reese Eduardo , Pérez Carlos A.
Published: March 2024

Si bien existe una larga y diversa tradición en el diálogo de política, la legislación y la aplicación práctica, la captura de plusvalías en América Latina y el Caribe está todavía lejos de alcanzar su potencial. Esta publicación analiza el nivel de implementación actual y el potencial de los mecanismos de recuperación de plusvalía como herramientas de financiación y regulación urbana. Se presentan 17 experiencias en la región que han empleado distintos instrumentos para el financiamiento de infraestructura urbana, planificación de la ciudad y gestión el suelo urbano. Los casos muestran que la recuperación de plusvalías ha aumentado la recaudación de ingresos municipales, promovido la densificación y diversificación del uso del suelo en importantes sectores de las ciudades, y contribuido al financiamiento de vivienda e infraestructura básica para poblaciones vulnerables. En su conjunto, este trabajo demuestra que se puede y se debe usar la valorización del suelo para financiar de manera fiscalmente más sostenible la infraestructura urbana y de promover un desarrollo más eficiente y ordenado de las ciudades.
Institucionalidad y eficiencia del transporte vial en América Latina y el Caribe: Un marco teórico para su análisis
Authors: Alberti Juan , Pereyra Andrés
Published: March 2024

El estudio que se resume aquí ha procurado determinar qué indicadores de desempeño de agencias viales y qué características y/o atributos institucionales y organizacionales deben tenerse en cuenta para poder desarrollar un análisis de la relación entre ambas cuestiones en ALC. Particularmente, su objetivo ha sido determinar un modelo teórico de análisis, basado en un set de variables factibles de recopilar o construir, para estudiar cómo afectan las instituciones a la eficiencia del sector de transporte vial con un enfoque cuantitativo.
Institucionalidad y eficiencia del transporte vial en América Latina y el Caribe: Un análisis de casos múltiples para la determinación de variables organizacionales relevantes
Authors: Alberti Juan , Pereyra Andrés
Published: March 2024

Este documento resume el primer paso de un esfuerzo desarrollado por el Banco Inter-Americano de Desarrollo para estudiar el impacto de la institucionalidad asociada a las agencias viales en la eficiencia del sector de transporte carretero en América Latina y el Caribe. Aquí se expone el resultado del trabajo realizado para determinar qué variables organizacionales son potencialmente relevantes para estudiar el tema antepuesto, considerando las diferencias que existen en los países de la región y los resultados que estos obtienen. Se utiliza un estudio de casos múltiples para descartar algunas cuestiones usualmente consideradas por la bibliografía relacionada a estos temas y para determinar qué variables sí deben considerarse. Se concluye que los asuntos externos a las agencias viales que deben incluirse son: su relacionamiento con los ministerios o secretarías de transporte, la existencia de un inventario vial, la correcta asignación de responsabilidades sobre la red, la institucionalidad asociada a las PPP, la existencia de un plan macro de transporte vial y la existencia de un fondo específico para el mantenimiento de la red. Por otra parte, las variables internas que también deben incluirse son: la utilización de indicadores de desempeño asociados a actividades de construcción y conservación, la relación contractual de los funcionarios de la agencia, la afectación de los salarios de los funcionarios por rendimiento, la existencia de planes de capacitación para los recursos humanos, la utilización de un sistema de información para la proyección de nuevas obras, la existencia de un sistema de información con datos de IRI para la red primaria, y la tercerización de las actividades asociadas a la revisión de calidad de las obras realizadas o encargadas por la agencia. Este trabajo abre el camino para que se desarrolle un análisis, incluyendo el set antepuesto de variables organizacionales potencialmente relevantes y plausibles de construir y recolectar. Con una base de datos que incluya las variables aquí propuestas se podrá dar un paso importante en el estudio profundo de este tema, con un enfoque cuantitativo, de enorme utilidad, dada la notoria relevancia de los desafíos existentes en el sector de transporte carretero en la región.
Remesas e inclusión financiera: Análisis de una encuesta de migrantes de América Latina y el Caribe en España
Authors: Izaguirre Vizcaya María , González Ferrer Amparo , Font Joan , Cases José Ignacio , Arenal Pérez Cristina , Myrem Allison , Pasadas Sara , Rinken Sebastián , Trujillo Manuel , Méndez Mónica
Published: March 2024

El presente informe tiene el propósito de dar a conocer la situación actual del mercado de remesas o "envíos de dinero" desde España hacia ciertos países de América Latina y el Caribe (ALC). Fue realizado gracias al financiamiento del FOMIN, que apoyó la elaboración de una encuesta de migrantes latinoamericanos en España. Nuestro objetivo específico es ofrecer información relevante sobre las necesidades de los migrantes en relación con los envíos de dinero, y sobre los problemas y desafíos a los que se enfrenta el sector, a fin de que los principales actores que brindan estos servicios en España puedan mejorar e innovar sus productos y, en última instancia, contribuyan a fortalecer la inclusión financiera tanto de la población migrante latinoamericana como la de sus familiares en los países receptores.
La ley y los hidrocarburos: Comparación de marcos legales de América Latina y el Caribe
Authors: Tarre Gustavo , Espinasa Ramón , Medina Ramón
Published: March 2024

Este estudio tiene como objeto comparar los marcos regulatorios de América Latina, centrándose en Brasil, Colombia, México y Venezuela, con la finalidad comprender cómo afectan el panorama petrolero.
Evaluation des Systèmes de Pompage D'Eau: Manuel d'évaluation de l'efficacité énergétique
Authors: Rosas Ramón , Pedraza Arturo
Published: March 2024

Afin d'améliorer l'approvisionnement en eau potable dans les pays d'Amérique latine et des Caraïbes, l'initiative pour l'énergie durable et le changement climatique (SECCI) de la banque interaméricaine de développement (BID) a financé l'élaboration d'une méthodologie régionale visant à améliorer l'efficacité énergétique et la maintenance des compagnies des eaux dans le cadre de la coopération technique de la BID « Energy Efficiency for Caribbean Water and Sanitation Companies » (Efficacité énergétique pour les compagnies des eaux et d'assainissement des Caraïbes). Cette méthodologie, élaborée par les cabinets de consultants Econoler International et Alliance to Save Energy, se concentre principalement sur le rendement électromécanique des systèmes de pompage dans les Caraïbes et porte sur un jeu de quatre outils : un manuel d'évaluation de l'efficacité énergétique, un manuel de maintenance, une feuille de calcul et le présent document, qui est un guide pour la feuille de calcul.
Derrubando a parede: Comércio e integração entre Brasil e Colômbia
Authors: Mesquita Moreira Mauricio
Published: March 2024

A ultima década tem sido marcada por crescentes manifestações por parte de lideres do Brasil e da Colômbia sobre a importância e urgência da integração dos dois países sul-americanos. O ex-presidente da Colômbia Álvaro Uribe, por exemplo, chegou a declarar: "não parecia que tínhamos uma fronteira, mas sim uma parede". O Brasil e a Colômbia, assim como o resto da America Latina, sofrem as conseqüências de modelos econômicos que, de uma forma ou outra, eliminaram os incentivos para a integração regional. Desde a abertura comercial na década de 90, países como Brasil e Colômbia enfrentam dois grandes desafios para integrar-se: desmantelar as barreiras do comercio tradicional e melhorar a infraestrutura de transporte que os conecta. Este documento discute as tendências atuais da integração e cooperação entre Brasil e Colômbia, como eles estão trabalhando juntos para superar esses desafios e as perspectivas para o progresso futuro.
Cidades em transformação: Experiências de desenvolvimento urbano no Brasil apoiadas pelo Procidades
Authors: Provedello Maysa , Eguino Huáscar
Published: March 2024

O objetivo desta publicação é a disseminação dos aprendizados extraídos das operações de desenvolvimento urbano financiadas pelo Banco Interamericano de Desenvolvimento mediante o mecanismo creditício Procidades no Brasil. Partimos de uma apresentação da dinâmica do crescimento urbano no país, dando especial destaque ao surgimento das cidades de porte médio e à discussão dos seus principais desafios. Apresentamos, em uma segunda parte, a forma como o Banco respondeu às necessidades de financiamento e apoio técnico dessas cidades, descrevendo os aspectos inovadores e operacionais do Procidades. A seguir, apresentamos as experiências e aprendizados obtidos em oito cidades que receberam financiamento do BID, dando destaque às diferentes formas de aplicar os conceitos de integralidade do desenvolvimento urbano, sustentabilidade e participação do cidadão. Por fim, a publicação inclui um conjunto de reflexões sobre o mecanismo Procidades respondendo a quatro perguntas: Valeu a pena estabelecer o Procidades? Além das obras, o que ficou para as cidades? O que poderia ter sido feito diferentemente? e Quais são as novas tendências de demandas das cidades na busca de soluções para o desenvolvimento urbano sustentável?
Open Government and Targeted Transparency: Trends and Challenges for Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Ramírez Alujas Álvaro V. , De Michele Roberto , Bellettini Cedeño Orazio J. , Molina Ezequiel , Narciso de Barros Amon , Elena Sandra , Vieyra Juan Cruz , Riaño Juanita , Restrepo Hung Marcela , Díaz Frers Luciana , Casadei Estefanía , Dassen Nicolás , Tschorne Berestesky Sonia , Alvim Camargo Thiago
Published: March 2024

Transparency and integrity are key factors in consolidating democratic governance and deepening the modernization of the state. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has been supporting country efforts to achieve open government, providing technical support and knowledge on transparency in the LAC region. With the support of the Norwegian government, the IDB created the Anticorruption Activities Trust Fund (AAF), aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity of the Bank's borrowing countries in their efforts to prevent and control corruption. After four years in operation, the fund has gained recognition, both inside and outside the Bank, as a source of innovation and best practices in terms of access to information and targeted transparency. This publication compiles some of the experiences and lessons learned from five different countries (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Guatemala), with direct support from the AAF.
Sexual and Reproductive Health for Youth: Review of Evidence for Prevention
Authors: Vivo Sigrid , López-Peña Paula , Saric Drina
Published: March 2024

This report systematizes existing knowledge of effective interventions in the area of juvenile sexual and reproductive health. Its goal is to provide information for designing effective programs, particularly those related to teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and risky sexual behaviors in Latin America and the Caribbean. Drawing on rigorous evidence, this innovative tool provides background information on key characteristics and operational components of the various chosen interventions. Innovative and noteworthy components of the selected programs include communication techniques that promote and encourage youth participation; thematic reinforcement through socio-emotional development; creation of incentives for risk aversion through the promotion of self-regulation mechanisms; and attention to the interaction and influence of parents and peers.
The Imperative of Innovation: Creating Prosperity in Latin America and the Caribbean: 2nd Edition
Authors: Zuñiga Pluvia , Navarro Juan Carlos
Published: March 2024

In 2010, the IDB published The Imperative of Innovation, a survey of the status of science, technology, and innovation in the Latin American and Caribbean region. The regions technological progress was found to be uneven and insufficient, especially in relation to other regions of the world. The main purposes of this document are to present updated information and to introduce some of the new research and policy know-how accumulated in the course of IDB lending and technical assistance operations in science, technology, and innovation. Most of the original diagnostic remains unchanged, mostly in the initial section, although figures have been updated reflecting the most recently available data. The new figures and indicators presented in this edition are derived from the Compendium of science, technology, and innovation indicators compiled by the IDB in late 2010.
State of the Tax Administration in Latin America: 2006-2010
Authors: Cremades Luis ,   Inter American Development Bank, Vázquez Oscar , Barreix Alberto Daniel , Pecho Miguel , Velayos Fernando , Diaz Yubero Fernando
Published: March 2024

In order to achieve social equity and strengthen democratic system functionality, nations must have tax systems that promote equitable economic development, also fiscal capacity to fund an adequate level of public spending, as well as redistributive capacity to ensure Government institution's operationality and thus provide to citizens and businesses the necessary public goods and services.
Overview of Early Childhood Development Services in Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Araujo María Caridad , López Bóo Florencia , Puyana Juan Manuel
Published: March 2024

This study collects and systematizes detailed, updated and comparable information about the design, management, funding and quality of child development services in Latin America and the Caribbean. It focuses on two types of programs serving children from 0 to 3 years of age and their families: (a) those that provide child care through institutional and community modalities and (b) parenting programs. Through a varied set of interventions, the two types of programs studied aim to make an impact on the environment of care that children are exposed to during a particularly vulnerable period of their lives.
Dictionary for Civil Registration and Identification
Authors: Harbitz Mia Elisabeth , Arcos Axt Iván , Kentala Kristo
Published: March 2024

In the world today, there are more than 400 million native English speakers and probably at least three times as many who speak English as a second language. Communicating with precision and clarity can be daunting, particularly in an area like civil registration and identification, which is becoming increasingly important as a tool for strengthening institutions and democracies around the globe. Furthermore, identity and identification is being recognized as a factor in aid distribu- tion and sustainable development. This dictionary is an attempt to develop a common understanding of existing terminology and terms that have not been described anywhere else by combining them all in one document. To produce this technical dictionary, we were fortunate to enlist the support of a group of renowned experts and practitioners.
A City for All: The Future of Human Settlements in Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors:   United Nations,   Latin American and Caribbean Commission on Human Settlements,   Inter American Development Bank
Published: March 2024

The report presents a regional synopsis on the state of urban management in Latin America and the Caribbean for participants of the Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) in Istanbul (1996). It was prepared by the Latin American and Caribbean Commission on Human Settlements, which was created in 1995, under the auspices of the Inter-American Development Bank and the United Nations Development Programme. A set of strategies are presented to meet the future challenges of housing, productivity and quality of life in cities in Latin America and the Caribbean. Best practices in the region are discussed and a summary of political positions for Habitat II are proposed. The following cases are discussed in detail: urban planning in Curitiba, the Council for the Integration of Grassroots Improvement Programs in the State of Ceará, the National Affordable Housing Fund (El Fondo Nacional de Habitaciones Populares, FONHAPO) of Mexico, and the formalization of informal property in Peru.
Governing to Deliver: Reinventing the Center of Government in Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Alessandro Martín , Santiso Carlos , Lafuente Mariano
Published: March 2024

Center of Government institutions, which work directly with the Head of the Executive Branch at any level of government, are essential to provide direction and coherence to the government and to ensure the delivery of its priorities and results for citizens. This publication presents the knowledge produced by the IDB on this topic, and includes a novel conceptual framework on this subject, an analysis of the regional trends of Center of Government performance in the region, two case studies of recent innovations at the national (Chile) and subnational (Pernambuco, Brazil) levels, and policy recommendations based on these analyses and on some of the best international practices. The publication also presents a methodological tool (the Institutional Development Matrix) that allows decision makers to diagnose the actual performance of Center of Government functions in their countries, in order to tailor reform initiatives to their specific context and challenges.
Women's Voter Mobilization Campaign in Guatemala: A Field Experiment
Authors: Vega Gabriela , Rodríguez-Tejedo Isabel , Roza Vivian , Cruz-Aguayo Yyannu , Monje Silva Andrea
Published: March 2024

To test the effectiveness of a public awareness campaign on women's political participation in a developing country, we conducted a randomized field experiment across 40 municipalities in Guatemala. The goal of the campaign was to raise awareness about the importance of women's civic and political participation within the context of the 2011 general elections in Guatemala. We found no measurable impact, but provide lessons learned that can be helpful to other teams undertaking similar initiatives. We also fill a void in the literature given that this is one of the few studies that integrates an experimental design to explore the impact of a public campaign on women's political participation in a developing country.
Weathering the Storm: Policy Options for Central America and the Dominican Republic in an Uncertain Environment
Authors: Manzano Osmel , Lagarda Guillermo , Quijada José Alejandro , Maldonado Leonardo
Published: March 2024

Central America and the Dominican Republic are enjoying a favorable external environment. The U.S. economic recovery, the main trade partner of the region, and the marked fall in oil prices has made it possible to keep up flows of remittances and investment, improve the terms of trade, and to contribute to the strengthening of the external position of the region and its economic growth. However, the relative quality of the regional export basket has receded and few advances have been made in its modernization, which has limited the gains. In this environment, risks remain. Economic deceleration in China or upward adjustment of the U.S. interest rate could negatively impact the balance of payments of the countries. Meanwhile, in the framework of the Free Trade Agreement between the Dominican Republic, Central America and the United States, some agricultural products protected until 2015 will begin to enter markets free of tariffs, which could unveil the fragility of regional competitiveness. The above urges both to prioritize structural reforms to exploit trade complementarities and to coordinate policies with the private sector. The promotion scheme for local industry and direct investment should be reviewed, avoiding the use of tax breaks to compensate for competitive weaknesses. It is pertinent to develop the non-traditional export basket with the aim of drawing more benefit from U.S. growth, diversifying trade risk and generating local horizontal spillovers. Facing threats of less favorable conditions, external scenarios testing the regional performance are explored. Each country should decide between being bystanders of external swings or protagonists of policies which lead to lasting national benefits.
Infrastructure and Export Performance in the Pacific Alliance
Authors: Molina Danielken , Heuser Cecilia , Mesquita Moreira Mauricio
Published: March 2024

The launch of negotiations over the Pacific Alliance (PA) in 2011 gave new life to regional integration in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). With more pragmatic, market-oriented expectations and a more functional architecture than prior agreements, the PA offers a clear way out of the predicaments currently being faced by other integration initiatives in the region. It has broken new ground by embracing issues that have traditionally been neglected by trade negotiations, even when the data suggested that these issues should be contemplated. This has been the case, for instance, with transport costs, which have long overtaken tariffs to become the most important obstacle to trade in the region. PA leaders have been quick to move beyond declarations of intent and have set up a fund to address the PA's most pressing infrastructure needs.
Infrastructure and Export Performance in the Pacific Alliance: Appendices
Authors: Molina Danielken , Heuser Cecilia , Mesquita Moreira Mauricio
Published: March 2024

This document contains the appendices to the study "Infrastructure and Export Performance in the Pacific Alliance". It includes: a) Theoretical Setup, b) Estimation Strategy, c) Transport Costs, d) Estimation Results, e) Selected Projects, f) Simulations, and g) Regional Groupings.
Trade and Integration Monitor 2016: Downshifting: Latin America and the Caribbean in the New Normal of Global Trade
Authors: Ramos Martínez Alejandro , Giordano Paolo
Published: March 2024

The Trade and Integration Monitor 2016 analyzes the different aspects of a downshifting in world trade and its effects on Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). This is the most recent edition of a series of reports elaborated by the Trade and Integration Sector of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) that study the evolution of the insertion of LAC into the world trading system, making use of data available in INTrade, the information system of the IDB on trade and integration. The present study explains how a historic deterioration in the terms of trade, as well as fluctuations in the already slow growth of trade volumes, have depressed the value of regional exports and generated deficits in the current account of the balance of payments of most countries. Subsequently, these trends are disaggregated by country, subregion, product, and export destination, and the regional trade outlook is analyzed for the short- and the long-term, taking into account the impact of the exchange rate realignments and the structural transformations occurring in the world trading system in the last two decades.
Running Out of Tailwinds: Opportunities to Foster Inclusive Growth in Central America and the Dominican Republic
Authors: Solera Marco , Manzano Osmel , López Arnoldo , Lagarda Guillermo , Loo-Kung Rudy , Linares Jennifer , Prat Jordi , Maldonado Leonardo
Published: March 2024

The macroeconomic context of Central America and the Dominican Republic has been characterized by positive perspectives. The economic recovery of United States, lower commodity prices, and the low and stable international interest rates were the main determinants of this behavior. However, even though the recent economic forecast for United States has been positive, the last three years updates have suffered downward adjustments. The economic integration with the rest of the world, can exposure the region to international context changes. It is worth to mention that the world economic perspectives, the increasing in trade aversion, changes in commodity prices, as well as Federal Reserve decisions regarding interest rates, are some of the variables that would impact the region economic perspectives. Thus, taking advantage of lower energy prices could benefit the households¿ disposable income and firms costs, and these in turn, economic growth. On the other hand, the region could take advantage of its relative young population, the population shift could by itself, increase the economic dynamic, but it can also be maximized through transversal policies, in which future workers are trained with the necessary tools to enhance their productivity, with the idea to insert them in high added value employment.
Trade and Integration Monitor 2017: Beyond the Recovery: Competing for Market Share in the Digital Era
Authors: Michalczewsky Kathia , Ramos Martínez Alejandro , Giordano Paolo , Ramos Barbara
Published: March 2024

The Trade and Integration Monitor 2017 analyzes the current trade recovery and assesses the capacity of the region to compete in global markets. It argues that, having overcome the longest trade contraction in recent history, Latin American and Caribbean countries face a trade outlook substantially less favorable than the one prevailing before the crisis. The end of the commodity price super cycle signals the urgent need for policies aimed at boosting competitiveness and at taking advantage of the opportunities provided by disruptive technologies such as e-commerce.
IDB External Feedback System 2016 Report
Authors:   Inter American Development Bank
Published: March 2024

The 2016 IDB External Feedback System (EFS) captured perceptions from 5,483 client and partners surveyed during 2016 from government, civil society, public, and private sectors. These perspectives, from national leaders to those directly responsible for implementing projects in the field, as well as academics and representatives of other development agencies, represent a critical asset. Listening to our partners is a core element of our commitment to continuous improvement. The key findings and trends presented in this report reflect the needs of our partners and will help us improve the products we offer and the way in which these products are delivered.
Practical Guidebook: Parking and Travel Demand Management Policies in Latin America
Authors: Vicentini Vera Lucia , Acevedo-Daunas Rafael M. , Ríos Flores Ramiro Alberto
Published: March 2024

This guidebook is the result of a study carried out in 12 cities across five countries throughout Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico) looking at parking and travel demand management (TDM) policies. It serves two main objectives: to present the general findings of the fieldwork carried out in the focus cities, comparing their policies to similar policies implemented in other cities around the world (Europe, Asia, and North America), and to propose recommendations for implementing TDM, specifically, parking policies in Latin American cities looking to reduce traffic congestion, improve economic development, and provide greater benefits to their inhabitants. The guidebook serves to inform various government entities, decision-making stakeholders, and transportation planners who may be considering implementation of TDM measures in their city. This practical guidebook presents the current state of TDM strategies in Latin America, analyzes global experiences, and provides ideas for improving these strategies. It also defines the basic concepts of TDM and presents the current state of measures that have been put into effect throughout the region. Additionally, it includes recommendations for effective implementation of measures to efficiently manage travel demand in a city. The guidebook also includes tools for cities to incentivize automobile drivers to use their cars less and promote shorter trips. Challenges to parking policies and the implementation of effective TDM policies will also be addressed.
Road Safety Strategy-IDB: Closing the Gap: Reducing Road Traffic Deaths in Latin America and the Caribbean: Action Plan 2010 - 2015
Authors: De la Peña Mendoza Sissi Maribel ,   Inter American Development Bank, Deza de la Vega Camilo , Taddia Alejandro Pablo , Diez-Roux Esteban
Published: March 2024

The Inter-American Development Bank assigns high priority to this problem and consequently has launched its road safety strategy which aspires to minimize human, social and economic losses resulting from inadequate road safety practices. The strategy is directed at providing support to member countries in the development and execution of plans and actions that strengthen road safety. The Bank is promoting initiatives that encourage coordinated policies and programs that incentivize the participation of all sectors, to prevent and reduce road fatalities and injuries within the region.
Going Global: Promoting the Internationalization of Small and Mid-Size Enterprises in Latin America and the Caribbean: Executive summary
Authors: Gordon Reena B. ,   Inter American Development Bank, Suominen Kati
Published: March 2024

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are notably underrepresented in the external sector of Latin America and Caribbean (LAC), despite their importance in the regions economies: relatively few of them export, and those that do export tend to sell only a few products to a very small number of markets.The countries of the region can expand and diversify their exports to promote economic growth by internationalizing those SMEs with a strong potential to succeed abroad. To this end, countries must address a series of obstacles that firms face when attempting to venture into international markets: high trade costs associated with tariffs, rules of origin, transport, customs clearance, and information; limited capabilities of the firms themselves; and difficulties in accessing credit. This report offers practical recommendations for policymakers, companies, and practitioners on how to reduce each one of these barriers. It also presents three areas that can be leveraged to internationalize SMEs: global value chains, the LAC diaspora in the United States, and e-commerce. Recognizing the synergistic effect that these policies would have in reducing export barriers, the report suggests that countries shift their attention from providing isolated support mechanisms to firms, to adopting a coordinated set of policies and introducing consistent institutional innovations
Rental Housing Wanted: Policy Options for Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Muñoz Miranda Andrés , Blanco Blanco Andrés , Fretes Cibils Vicente
Published: March 2024

This study emphasizes the importance of the rental housing market and its potential as a tool for solving the main housing problems in the Latin American and Caribbean region, such as quantitative and qualitative deficits, limited affordability, and spatial segregation. Currently, one out of every five households in the region rents their home, with greater prevalence among some of the fastest growing population groups, such as youth, one-person households, divorced people, and the elderly. This suggests that support of the rental housing market may be a better way to satisfy the housing demand and increase residential and labor mobility.
Simplifying Lives: Quality and Satisfaction in Public Services
Authors: Pareja Alejandro , Fernández Cecilia , Blanco Bárbara , Theobald Katharina , Martínez Alejandra
Published: March 2024

The Simplifying Lives project aims at contributing to the improvement of the delivery of public services to citizens. For this, a new methodology for measuring both the quality with which services are managed and the satisfaction that citizens experience when receiving them was designed. A first measurement was applied in a pilot mode in six countries of Latin America and the Caribbean and for six transactional services (procedures). It is the first time that such a measurement has been carried out on a regional scale. The results allow identifying specific improvement opportunities, taking into account what citizens value the most and suggesting the type of projects to be implemented in each case. It is expected that the information collected will be used from now on to make decisions regarding programs of administrative rationalization and improvement of citizen attention.
Development and Validation of Simple and Stable LCMS Method for the Quantification of Potential Genotoxic Impurities in Ozenoxacin Pure Drug and its Commercial Preparations
Authors: Rao P. G. Phaneendra , Rao Battula Sreenivasa , Bharathi Nagulapati Manjula
Published: March 2024

Ozenoxacin is an antibiotic drug prescribed to treat various skin infections caused by various bacteria. Various chemical mechanisms such as stille coupling, Buchwald–Hartwig coupling, cyclization and saponification are involved during the process of synthesis of Ozenoxacin. In the process of synthesis, there is a possibility of the formation of related impurities and among them, some are genotoxic impurities. To date, in literature, there is no method reported for analysing Potential Genotoxic Impurities (PGIs) in Ozenoxacin and hence this study was initiated to develop an LCMS method for quantification of two genotoxic impurities of Ozenoxacin viz., nitroso impurity, ester impurity. The analytes were resolved on Alltima C18 column (150×4.6mm; 5 μm particle size) using 0.01 mM ammonium acetate at pH 4.8 and methanol in 80:20 (v/v) at 0.5 mL/min flow rate and 10 μ sample injection volume. The multiple reaction monitoring of the mass fragments confirms the parent ion at m/z of 364, 393 and 496 for Ozenoxacin, Nitroso and Ester impurity respectively with characteristic product ion at m/z 196. The method has a linearity range of 0.05 μg/mL to 1.0 μg/mL for three analytes with detection limits of 0.015, 0.011 and 0.015 μg/mL for Ester impurity, Ozenoxacin and Nitroso impurity respectively. The method was validated and produces acceptable results and can successfully separate the potential genotoxic impurities in spiked commercial samples. Based on the findings, it was concluded that this method can be practically useful for the identification and quantification of potential genotoxic impurities and may apply to the safe use of Ozenoxacin in clinical treatment.
Disposition Kinetics and Tissue Distribution of Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) Nanoparticles Following Single Exposure in Male Wistar Rats
Authors: Shivaprasad G. R. , Prakash Nadoor , Waghe Prashant Kumar , Pavithra B. H. , Santhosh C. R. , Rajashekaraiah Rashmi , Muralidhar Y. , Prasad T. N. V. K. V. , Sunilchandra U. , Vijaykumar M. , Manjunath S. S. , Vaibhavi K.
Published: March 2024

Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles are one among the several environmental contaminants essentially due to their widespread applications in food, medicine, cosmetics, electronics, and several other applications. The current experimental study was undertaken to determine the toxicokinetic variables and tissue distribution profile of titanium (Ti) following single intraperitoneal (i.p) administration of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) in male Wistar rats. The Tmax(obs.), Cmax (obs.), the elimination half-life (t1/2k10), the area under the curve (AUC0-336), and AUC0-∞ of TiO2 following single i.p administration of TiO2 NPs in whole blood was 0.5h, 0.26 ± 0.03 μg.ml-l, 486.31 ± 39.66 h, 48.81 ± 0.54 μg/ml*h and 128.28 ± 7.17 μg/ml*h, respectively. The mean Titanium (Ti) concentration ratio for tissue(s)- to whole blood measured at 336 h as well as the Cmax(obs.) was in the order of liver > spleen > lung > kidney > testis > brain following single i.p administration. The elimination half-life (t1/2k10) was in the order of spleen > kidney > liver > lung. The toxicokinetic and tissue distribution profile TiO2 NPs thus derived would serve as baseline data to execute long-term studies with toxicoepidemiological relevant concentration so as to re-visit safety pharmacology governing TiO2 -nanoparticles exposure from various sources including pharmaceuticals.
Segmentation of Skin Lesions Using Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Firdaus Firdaus , Fachrurrozi Muhammad , Rachmatullah Muhammad Naufal , Chayanti Dewi , Darmawahyuni Annisa , Islami Anggun , Sapitri Ade Iriani , Tutuko Bambang
Published: March 2024

Skin lesions play a crucial role as the initial clinical symptoms of diseases such as chickenpox and melanoma. By employing digital image processing techniques for skin cancer detection, it becomes feasible to diagnose these conditions without the need for physical contact with the skin. However, the automatic analysis of dermoscopy images, which exhibit characteristics like residue (hair and ruler markers), indistinct borders, varying contrast, and variations in shape and color, poses significant challenges. To overcome these difficulties, effective hair removal through segmentation has been explored extensively in the literature. In this study, we present a skin lesion segmentation system developed using the Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) method with the U-Net architecture. The model was constructed and evaluated using the HAM10000 Dataset. The results achieved by the best-performing model were outstanding, with a Pixel Accuracy, Intersection over Union (IoU), and F1 Score of 95.89%, 90.37%, and 92.54%, respectively
Artificial Intelligence Readiness Status of Medical Faculty Students
Authors: EMİR Büşra , YURDEM Tulin , OZEL Tulin , SAYAR Toygar , UZUN Teoman Atalay , AKAR Umit , COLAK Unal Arda
Published: March 2024

Objective: This research aims to examine the knowledge level and awareness of Faculty of Medicine students about medical artificial intelligence technologies.

Methods: In this study involving students studying at Medical Faculties in Turkey, descriptive questionnaire, and the Medical Artificial Intelligence Readiness Scale for Medical Students (MAIRS-MS) were used. The suitability of continuous variables for normal distribution was tested with the Shapiro-Wilk test. Descriptive statistics for continuous variables are presented as mean and standard deviation or median (Q1-Q3). Descriptive statistics for categorical variables are reported as frequencies and percentages. Homogeneity of variances was evaluated with the Levene test. Mann Whitney U test was used to compare the scale subdimension and total scores according to two independent groups; One-way Analysis of Variance or Kruskal Wallis test was used to compare the scale subdimensions and total scores according to more than two independent groups. Dunn-Bonferroni test was used for multiple comparisons if there was a significant difference between the groups. The relationship between MAIRS-MS subdimensions and MAIRS-MS score was evaluated with the Spearman correlation coefficient. MAIRS-MS reliability was determined by Cronbach alpha value. The value of p
The Interrelation between the Principle of Dualism and Legal Relations in the Russian Copyright Sub-Institution
Authors:   Postgraduate Student of the Russian State Academy of Intellectual Property, Akhramkina Kira A.
Published: March 2024

This article examines the relationship between legal relations and the principle of dualism in Russian copyright law. In the course of the research the author draws conclusions about the relationship between the principle of dualism and the evaluative categories of its objects, which act as causal reasons in the separation of property and non-property legal relations as components of copyright. The author gives an example of the difference between the monistic system of German copyright law and the requirements to the protectability of the copyright object under Russian law in the context of consideration of primary and secondary legal relations.
A RELAÇÃO ENTRE O DESMONTE DA POLÍTICA NACIONAL DE PARTICIPAÇÃO SOCIAL E AS POLÍTICAS AMBIENTAIS
Authors: De Souza Renata
Published: March 2024

Diante do desmonte da política ambiental brasileira realizada no governo do ex-presidente Jair Messias Bolsonaro, este artigo busca estabelecer relações entre os desmantelamentos realizados em outra política pública, a Política Nacional de Participação Social (PNPS). A participação tem como objetivo assegurar à sociedade civil a equidade na decisão das políticas públicas e o controle social do Estado. Com o desmonte da PNPS, muitas instituições participativas foram limitadas, incluindo os conselhos ligados à questão ambiental. Este trabalho realizou uma análise institucional nas normas e documentos que regem três conselhos: o Conselho Nacional de Meio Ambiente (CONAMA) o Conselho Nacional de Recursos Hídricos (CNRH) e o Conselho Deliberativo do Fundo Nacional do Meio Ambiente. Esses conselhos foram alterados no ano de 2019, por meio do Decreto n. 9.806/2019, do Decreto n. 10.000/2019 e do Decreto n. 10.224/2020. Os dados demonstraram que ocorreram muitas supressões no número de representantes desses conselhos, principalmente dos representantes da sociedade civil, observados no CONAMA e no CNRH, ao passo que no Conselho Deliberativo do Fundo Nacional do Meio Ambiente a representação da sociedade civil foi extinta em sua totalidade. Assim, tanto a paridade quanto a pluralidade dos conselhos foram suprimidas dessas instituições.
Evidence of morphological variation in an isolated refuge population of the Sonoyta pupfish (Cyprinodon eremus) (Teleostei: Cyprinodontidae)
Authors: Gutíerrez-Barragán Alexsandre , BALLESTEROS CORDOVA CARLOS ALONSO , Varela-Romero Alejandro , Ruiz-Campos Gorgonio , Grijalva-Chon José Manuel
Published: March 2024

The Sonoyta pupfish (Cyprinodon eremus) is an endangered species endemic to the Sonoyta River basin in northwestern Mexico and southwestern United States. To assist the conservation efforts for this species in Mexico, a refuge population was established in an artificial pond in 1988 at Centro Ecológico de Sonora in Hermosillo, Sonora by translocating individuals from the Sonoyta River population. We used multivariate morphometric methods to delineate body shape variations in the refuge population after 29 years of isolation in comparison with wild individuals collected from the same sample. Significant variations were observed in the body shape between the refuge and wild populations. These variations are potentially attributable to different environmental conditions that influenced the refuge and wild populations.
Sprawozdanie z Pierwszej Herstorycznej Konferencji w Pałacu Generała Dąbrowskiego w Winnej Górze pt. „Herstorie. Praca Organiczna Kobiet”, Winna Góra, 4–5 października 2022 r.
Authors: Olesiejuk Oliwia
Published: March 2024

Konferencja „Herstorie. Praca organiczna kobiet” odbyła się w październiku 2022 r. jako pierwsze w pełni herstoryczne wydarzenie organizowane w Pałacu Generała Dąbrowskiego w Winnej Górze, instytucji kultury Samorządu Województwa Wielkopolskiego. Tematem konferencji stały się herstorie wielkopolskich organiczniczek, których działalność może inspirować do rozwiązywania aktualnych problemów. Punktem wyjścia stała się wymiana doświadczeń pomiędzy kobietami zaangażowanymi społecznie, reprezentującymi różne dziedziny i profesje. Zaproszone do dzielenia się swoim doświadczeniem uczestniczki zaprezentowały własne doświadczenia pracy społecznej, kulturalnej i edukacyjnej; podzieliły się także wiedzą na temat pozyskiwania środków i współpracy z jednostkami samorządowymi. Istotnym elementem konferencji było podkreślenie znaczenia odkrywania i włączania herstorii jako narracji współtworzącej narodową tożsamość oraz inspirującej do walki o szeroko rozumianą sprawiedliwość społeczną. Wydarzeniu towarzyszyła wystawa prac artystycznych i rzemieślniczych lokalnych twórczyń z Powiatu Średzkiego: członkiń Kół Gospodyń Wiejskich i indywidualnych artystek. Drugiego dnia konferencji odbyły się warsztaty dla kobiet mieszkających lokalnie konferencji o tematyce ekofeministycznej.
Investigating an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Exposure Therapy Intervention in Treatment-Refractory OCD and Related Disorders: Changes in Psychological Flexibility, Treatment Engagement, and Treatment Perceptions
Authors: Gruner Nate G. , Cullen Jenifer M. , Crosby Jesse M. , DeCross Stephanie N. , Mathes Brittany , Garner Lauryn , Gironda Christina , Hu Yuanjun , Krompinger Jason W. , Elias Jason A. , Twohig Michael P.
Published: March 2024

While exposure therapy is the most effective psychological treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, and traumatic stress-related disorders, it is not universally effective, indicating a need for further treatment optimization. This study investigated a shift in approach to exposure therapy with 29 treatment-refractory adults in an OCD clinic not responding to standard treatment, comprising habituation-based exposure therapy. Participants completed standard exposure as a continuation of standard clinic treatment, followed by an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) consultation session to assess psychological inflexibility processes interfering with treatment progress, and then an ACT-based exposure targeting behavior change through increasing psychological flexibility. After each exposure, participants and independent raters reported levels of psychological flexibility, rituals, distress, treatment engagement, and treatment perceptions. We observed that the shift to ACT-based exposure was associated with greater psychological flexibility, treatment engagement, treatment acceptability, and treatment preference. These findings suggest that there may be situations where ACT-based exposure has particular utility.
Unravelling and Countering Backlash: Uganda’s Sexual Offences Legislation
Authors: Mwiine Amon Ashaba , Ahikire Josephine
Published: March 2024

Considerable progress has been seen in Ugandan women’s collective advocacy for their rights since independence. Notably, women activists’ efforts in the early 1990s culminated in the institutionalisation of gender equality in Uganda’s constitution and a subsequent resurgence of the women’s movement. Despite these efforts, certain egalitarian and inclusive policy reforms have been postponed, stripped of clauses that question patriarchal power, watered down, bureaucratically frustrated, or outrightly rejected. This article draws on ongoing contestations around the stalled Sexual Offences Bill, 2019 to address the following questions: How do we understand the current and recent swell of anti-feminist backlash? What motivates backlash against gender equity reforms? And what will it take to counter these oppositional forces? The article reveals overt and covert forms of backlash in the sexual offences legislative process, the ways in which gender justice actors countered these, and the implications for understanding and countering backlash in Uganda and beyond.
Efecto de nanopartículas de hidroxiapatita en el desarrollo y germinación de Cucumis Sativus L.
Authors: López-Martínez Guadalupe , Ruiz-Torres Norma Angélica , Diaz-Barriga-Castro Enrique , Lira-Saldívar Ricardo Hugo , López-Hernández Isaías , Luna-Anguiano Jesús , Flores-Hernández Eduardo Arón
Published: March 2024

Las nanopartículas de hidroxiapatita (nHAp) tienen el potencial de estimular el crecimiento de plantas y actuar como nanofertilizante. El objetivo de este bioensayo fue evaluar el efecto de la nHAp sobre la germinaci.n de semillas y algunos aspectos fisiol.gicos de plantulas de pepino (Cucumis sativus L). Los tratamientos consistieron en dosis crecientes de nHAp (0, 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 y 2000 mg L−1. La utilizacion de la nHAp causo efectos significativos para las variables longitud de pl.mula y biomasa seca. La longitud de rad.cula, germinaci´óny vigor fue favorecida con la concentracion de 25 mg L−1; mientras que con 200 mg L−1 se detect. una inhibici.n. La diferencias detectadas se atribuyen a la atracci.n electrost.tica entre nanopart.culas, al observarse que concentraciones superiores a 200 mg L−1 se aglomeraron formando micropart.culas, lo que limita su absorci.n por la planta por las barreras de las paredes y membranas celulares.