Polytechnic University of Valencia

About: Polytechnic University of Valencia is a education organization based out in Valencia, Spain. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Catalysis & Population. The organization has 16282 authors who have published 40162 publications receiving 850234 citations.

The importance of the Logistics Performance Index in international trade

Abstract: Logistics and transport increasingly play a pivotal role in international trade relations. The Logistics Performance Index (LPI) analyses differences between countries in terms of customs procedures, logistics costs and the quality of the infrastructure for overland and maritime transport. The aim of this article is to analyse the impact that each of these components has on trade in emerging economies using a gravity model. Furthermore, the study also attempts to detect possible advances in logistics in developing countries, which are grouped into five regions (Africa, South America, Far East, Middle East and Eastern Europe) by comparing the first LPI data published in 2007 with the most recent data, released in 2012. The results obtained reveal that improvements in any of the components of the LPI can lead to significant growth in a country’s trade flows. Specifically, LPI components are becoming increasingly important for international trade in many countries in Africa, South America and Eastern Europe.

Influence of particle size on physical and chemical properties of coconut coir dust as container medium

Abstract: The influence of particle size (diameter between 2 mm) on the physical, physico-chemical and chemical properties of a coconut coir dust from Mexico was studied. Particle size significantly affected the physical properties, especially the air–water relationships. Air content increased and water-holding capacity (total and readily available) decreased with increasing particle diameter. The easily-available water content did not reveal a clear pattern of variation, showing the largest value in the fraction 0.125–0.25 mm. Particle size equivalent to 0.5 mm brought about an important and highly significant change in the physical properties studied. Coconut coir dust particle size also affected the physico-chemical and chemical characteristics, but to a lesser degree. Both the electrical conductivity and the available macro- and micro-element concentrations were significantly higher in the smaller size ranges, the largest values being obtained in the finest particle size fraction (<0.125 mm).