Bowl Effect Research Articles

Harmonizing Dispute Resolution Mechanisms: Enhancing Efficiency and Synergy between WTO and ISDS System

This research article explores aligning and optimizing dispute resolution mechanisms in international law, particularly within the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) contexts. Addressing challenges arising from the "spaghetti bowl effect" of multiple treaty regimes, it examines the interplay between WTO and ISDS systems, aiming for harmonization and reduced jurisdictional inconsistencies. Traditional coordination methods are evaluated, revealing limitations in adapting to this evolving paradigm. Instead, an "articulation clause" and the "principle of comity" are proposed as innovative approaches for rationalizing dispute resolution. These strategies aim to transcend rivalry between WTO and ISDS mechanisms, expediting impasse resolution in the WTO Appellate Body. The study promotes a strategic shift, encouraging stakeholders to view dual mechanisms as mutually advantageous. This pragmatic outlook empowers informed decision-making, enhancing the global rule of law's predictability, efficiency, and integrity. The ultimate goal is strengthening the WTO's dispute resolution framework and ISDS mechanism, contributing to a more streamlined and cohesive international dispute resolution landscape. The qualitative research methodology has been applied to the following article.

Camera Self-Calibration with GNSS Constrained Bundle Adjustment for Weakly Structured Long Corridor UAV Images

Camera self-calibration determines the precision and robustness of AT (aerial triangulation) for UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) images. The UAV images collected from long transmission line corridors are critical configurations, which may lead to the “bowl effect” with camera self-calibration. To solve such problems, traditional methods rely on more than three GCPs (ground control points), while this study designs a new self-calibration method with only one GCP. First, existing camera distortion models are grouped into two categories, i.e., physical and mathematical models, and their mathematical formulas are exploited in detail. Second, within an incremental SfM (Structure from Motion) framework, a camera self-calibration method is designed, which combines the strategies for initializing camera distortion parameters and fusing high-precision GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) observations. The former is achieved by using an iterative optimization algorithm that progressively optimizes camera parameters; the latter is implemented through inequality constrained BA (bundle adjustment). Finally, by using four UAV datasets collected from two sites with two data acquisition modes, the proposed algorithm is comprehensively analyzed and verified, and the experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can dramatically alleviate the “bowl effect” of self-calibration for weakly structured long corridor UAV images, and the horizontal and vertical accuracy can reach 0.04 m and 0.05 m, respectively, when using one GCP. In addition, compared with open-source and commercial software, the proposed method achieves competitive or better performance.

Influence of product variety on work allocation and server distribution of flexible manufacturing lines

Mass customization involves medium volume production of a high variety of products where flexible manufacturing systems can cope with it. The work allocation problem of assigning the work content of each workstation in a manufacturing line is formulated as the design problem of capacity allocation across the line by looking for the throughput maximization and/or simultaneous work-in-process containment or minimization. The bowl phenomenon refers to the distribution shape of work across the workstations in unpaced flow line (asynchronous flow) with buffers, experimentally observed and conjectured back in the 1960’s, but with theoretical roots not successfully established up today. The increasing value of flexible capability for mass customization makes worthy the research of the phenomenon in the presence of product variety, beyond the classical model of balanced dedicated flow lines. The three problems of workload, buffer, and server allocation are closely related, and they have been previously studied in queuing networks with metaheuristics. This paper faces the effect of product variety (service time variability) impact on the performance of the flow line, researching the bowl effect through experimental analysis. The results show a main influence of the coefficient of variation of the service times with the secondary effect of the buffer size.

A Study on the Effects of Restrictiveness of FTA Rule of Origin on the Spaghetti Bowl Effects and Trade Diversion Effects Between FTA Member Countries

Purpose - This paper analyzes the possibility of strategic behavior of the importing country which attempts to facilitate the restrictiveness of rule of origin to the member countries of FTA equally or discriminately. Design/Methodology/Approach - For this purpose, we introduced the 2-stages game which described the importing country’s strategic behavior for maximizing social welfare, and by using the backward induction approach, we attempt to solve the Subgame Perfect Nash Equilibrium(SPNE). Findings - As a result of this study, it was found that the multilateral FTA system in which importing countries facilitate the more restrictive rules of origin to the member countries of FTA equally will help encourage the free trade between intra-FTA members and make the international production system more efficient. However, if the importing country’s government seeks to utilize the FTA rules of origin strategically, none of them will have the incentive to voluntarily facilitate the multilateral FTA system to all the exporting countries because they suffer a decrease in social welfare such as a decrease in tariff revenue. Research Implications - These findings suggest that to applying a multilateral FTA system that facilitates the same and equal restrictiveness of rule of origin to all the member countries, it is necessary to develop a reasonable incentive that could attract the importing country to the multilateral FTA system.

When Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement(RCEP) Meets Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement(CPTPP): Considering the “Spaghetti Bowl” Effect

ABSTRACT This paper constructs a large-scale computable general equilibrium model with 26 countries and regions. The model is embedded in the global value chain, trade costs are introduced, and the trade effects of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (CPTPP) under three different scenarios are simulated and analyzed. The simulation results show that in the context of superimposed consideration of the global value chain and the “spaghetti bowl” effect, the trade promotion effect of RCEP and CPTPP on member states has declined. The trade effect of some members may still be impaired, but at the same time, the trade agreement’s “exclusive effect” will also decline. Becoming a joint member of RCEP and CPTPP will result in greater benefits than joining only one trade agreement or not joining a trade agreement. Therefore, it is valuable to speed up the construction of a trade agreement network. When the spaghetti bowl effect is not taken into consideration, the trade promotion effects of RCEP and CPTPP are more prominent than when the spaghetti bowl effect is considered. For nonmembers, regardless of the situation, joining a trade agreement can result in greater benefits.

The Stumbling and Building of Noodle Bowl Effect of Convergence of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)

The study focus on convergence in 12 countries TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) and 16 countries RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) member countries, particularly in respect to total trade for the period 2000-2017. This study uses the non-linear approach model, transition Path, and log t-test by Philip and Sul. The Trans-Pacific Partnership’s overall convergence among member countries shows it is diverging, and clustered themselves into four convergence clubs. As for Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership’s overall convergence reflects it is converging though could be interpreted as a weak convergence, and clustered themselves into four convergence clubs. The study concludes that it is keen towards RCEP, as it shows more similarities and unity among participating member as to compare with TPP.

Rectification of Bowl-Shape Deformation of Tidal Flat DEM derived from UAV Imaging.

It is necessary to periodically obtain topographic maps of the geographical and environmental characteristics of tidal flats to systemically manage and monitor them. Accurate digital elevation models (DEMs) of the tidal flats are produced while using ground control points (GCPs); however, it is both complicated and difficult to conduct GPS surveys and readings of image coordinates that correspond to these because tidal flat areas are not easy to access. The position and distribution of GCPs affect DEMs, because the entire working area cannot be covered during a survey. In this study, a least-squares height-difference (LHD) DEM matching method with a polynomial model is proposed to increase the number of DEM grids while using a presecured precise DEM to rectify the distortion and bowl effect produced by unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) images. The most appropriate result was obtained when the translation parameters were quadratic curve polynomials with an increasing number of grids and the rotation parameters were constant. The experimental results indicated that the proposed method reduced the distortion and eliminated the error caused by the bowl effect while only using a reference DEM.

SIMULATION AND ANALYSIS OF PHOTOGRAMMETRIC UAV IMAGE BLOCKS: INFLUENCE OF CAMERA CALIBRATION ERROR

Abstract. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are increasingly used for topographic mapping. The camera calibration for UAV image blocks can be performed a priori or during the bundle block adjustment (self-calibration). For an area of interest with flat, corridor configuration, the focal length of camera is highly correlated with the height of camera. Furthermore, systematic errors of camera calibration accumulate on the longer dimension and cause deformation. Therefore, special precautions must be taken when estimating camera calibration parameters. In this paper, a simulated, error-free aerial image block is generated. error is then added on camera calibration and given as initial solution to bundle block adjustment. Depending on the nature of the error and the investigation purpose, camera calibration parameters are either fixed or re-estimated during the bundle block adjustment. The objective is to investigate how certain errors in the camera calibration impact the accuracy of 3D measurement without the influence of other errors. All experiments are carried out with Fraser camera calibration model being employed. When adopting a proper flight configuration, an error on focal length for the initial camera calibration can be corrected almost entirely during bundle block adjustment. For the case where an erroneous focal length is given for pre-calibration and not re-estimated, the presence of oblique images limits the drift on camera height hence gives better camera pose estimation. Other than that, the error on focal length when neglecting its variation during the acquisition (e.g., due to camera temperature increase) is also investigated; a bowl effect is observed when one focal length is given in camera pre-calibration to the whole image block. At last, a local error is added in image space to simulate camera flaws; this type of error is more difficult to be corrected with the Fraser camera model and the accuracy of 3D measurement degrades substantially.

Continental Free Trade Area of Africa: Challenges and Prospects

The Africa countries signed Abuja treaty, which entered into force in 1994, with the aim establish an African Economic Community composed of all African states using preexisting Regional Economic Communities as a building block over a period of 34 years and using six stages of integration. Despite such endeavors, however, the Africa’s economy has remained fragmented, intraregional trade has remain low, and the integration has been shallow, inter alia, due to low level of infrastructure development, complexity arise out overlapping multiple membership in RECs, low industrial production, lack sufficient trade finance, and the state-centric nature of the integration efforts. The decision to establish the Continental Free Trade Area and Action Plan Boosting Intra-Africa Trade (BIAT) was adopted as means of fast tracking the integration process and boosting intra-Africa trade. The absence of clear rule on the status of RECs and the relationship between the existing regional economic communities and the to-be-formed African Economic community has also contributed to the uncertainty in the integration process and “spaghetti bowl effect” of RECs Free Trade Area . In view of these challenges, the formation of the Continental Free Trade Area is one of timely grand initiatives of African to solve the problem of African integration process. The multilateral trading system crisis with death of Doha Development Agenda and profleration of Mega Regional Agreements make Africa’s Continental Free Trade Area a matter of necessity to survive in competitive globalized world. Despite the fact the CFTA’s potential is promising, the task at hand is also immense. In light of the difficulties encountered by most of Africa’s RECs in advancing their integration processes at the sub-regional level, one quickly realizes that establishing a functional single market between all 55 African Union (AU) member states will be uniquely complex. Finally yet importantly, the CFTA alone may not resolve the multifactor Africa’s integration problem. Therefore, so as maximize the benefit of the CFTA, its operation shall be complemented by other initiatives like Action Plan on BIAT, NEPAD, and PIDA so as solve the others bottleneck of Africa’s integration process like political instability, low industrial production, poor infrastructure and trade finance which may not addressed by the CFTA agreements.

Suggestions to Limit Geometric Distortions in the Reconstruction of Linear Coastal Landforms by SfM Photogrammetry with PhotoScan® and MicMac® for UAV Surveys with Restricted GCPs Pattern

Owing to the combination of technological progress in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and recent advances in photogrammetry processing with the development of the Structure-from-Motion (SfM) approach, UAV photogrammetry enables the rapid acquisition of high resolution topographic data at low cost. This method is particularly widely used for geomorphological surveys of linear coastal landforms. However, linear surveys are generally pointed out as problematic cases because of geometric distortions creating a “bowl effect” in the computed Digital Elevation Model (DEM). Secondly, the survey of linear coastal landforms is associated with peculiar constraints for Ground Control Points (GCPs) measurements and for the spatial distribution of the tie points. This article aims to assess the extent of the bowl effects affecting the DEM generated above a linear beach with a restricted distribution of GCPs, using different acquisition scenarios and different processing procedures, both with PhotoScan® software tool and MicMac® software tool. It appears that, with a poor distribution of the GCPs, a flight scenario that favors viewing angles diversity can limit DEM’s bowl effect. Moreover, the quality of the resulting DEM also depends on the good match between the flight plan strategy and the software tool via the choice of a relevant camera distortion model.

The ‘Noodle Bowl Effect’ of Investment Treaties in Asia: The Phenomenon, the Problems, the Practical Solutions

<i>The ‘Noodle Bowl Effect’ of Investment Treaties in Asia: The Phenomenon, the Problems, the Practical Solutions</i>

Analysis of The Potential Impact of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership on the ASEAN Member Countries

This paper aims to analyze the potential impacts of the RCEP concept developed in the working group and the potential impact on market expansion. Based on the results achieved in the working group dis-cussions, we used a qualitative approach. We put together a simulation of how the impact on trade and mar-ket development has been the goal of the establishment of RCEP. We concluded that the unification of the 16 countries in the RCEP expected to reduce the spaghetti bowl effect caused by a number of free trade agree-ments followed by a country. However, because RCEP does not eliminate regional free trade agreements that exist, RCEP tend to add to the chain's new spaghetti bowl. In addition, the opening of market access among partner countries in the ASEAN-expected results in increased trade intra-ASEAN partner countries so that the impact on economic growth in the region in general and ASEAN in particular.

Utilization of Structure from Motion for processing CORONA satellite images: Application to mapping and interpretation of archaeological features in Liangzhu Culture, China

Remote sensing has been supporting archaeology since the early 20th century. Recent high-resolution satellites have enabled the detailed observation and mapping over wide areas enhancing the importance of remote sensing techniques. Besides its severe geometric skewness, CORONA satellite image, the reconnaissance satellite of United States operated during the 1960 to 1972, has provided a wealth of historical information. From CORONA satellite images, archaeologists can begin to understand the original landscape of sites worldwide that have undergone rapid urban expansion. However, most previous archaeological studies of CORONA satellite images have focused on homogeneously textured arid condition with little vegetation. The present study maps and analyzes the Liangzhu sites group near Shanghai, China, which occupies a low wet environment in the temperate climatic zone. The CORONA satellite images were orthorectified by the Structure from Motion technique and subjected to digital surface model (DSM). The accuracy of the orthorectified image was confirmed by evaluating the root means square error. However, the extracted DSM suffered from speckled noise and the so-called bowl effect distortion. >80% of the known sites were successfully detected through stereoscopic interpretation and additional unknown features were metrically mapped. The parallel dike-like features of the Tangshan complex were reconstructed and their likely function suggested.

Multinational Firm’s Production Decisions under Overlapping Free Trade Agreements: Rule of Origin Requirements and Environmental Regulation

In this paper, we study the impact of the rule of origin (ROO) requirements accompanied by free trade agreements (FTAs), which specify the minimum portion of supplies that should satisfy the origin requirement, on a multinational firm’s production decisions. We consider a multinational firm who exports its product to multiple countries and analyze its production decision in the presence of multiple free trading agreements (FTAs). The ROO requirements in FTAs not only refer to the origin of supplies but are also involved with an environmental regulation of a country of the supplies. As such, meeting multiple ROO requirements can be costly since it may be involved with an adjustment of production facility and suppliers according to different environmental standards. We investigate a multinational firm’s choice of the ROO level in its production decision under multiple FTAs. It is well known that, in the presence of overlapping FTAs, the firm may strategically choose not to comply with the minimum ROO requirements in the FTAs. Instead, the firm may choose to comply with an ROO level that is higher than required, or pay the tariff instead without enjoying tariff exemption by the FTA in the new country. Such unintended outcomes in the FTAs are called the Spaghetti Bowl Effect. We characterize and quantify two types of such Spaghetti Bowl Effects with the optimal production decisions of a multinational firm under multiple ROO requirements and derive policy implications.

Development of Regionalism : New Criteria and Typology

This study examines the development of regionalism and the different typologies of Regional Trade Agreements. Beginning with Balassa’s typology, it conducts an overview of commonly used typologies of regionalism and emphasizes that the previous typologies do not reflect the different features of Regional Trade Agreements, for example, the external factors that make it possible to differentiate between seemingly similar types of Regional Trade Agreements. After noticing these limitations, we propose a new typology of Regional Trade Agreements and its criteria by combining the existing methods and the new one. Recent Regional Trade Agreements can be regarded as responses to a new trade environment: Multilateral negotiations agenda and globalization. This is probably why recent Regional Trade Agreements are often termed as World Trade Organizationplus.In the context of emerging mega-Regional Trade Agreements, such as the Trans Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, this study calls for more efforts toward harmonizing the different Regional Trade Agreements or creating a template of standard Regional Trade Agreements in order to prevent a spaghetti bowl effect. Meanwhile, Mega-Regional Trade Agreements also seem to be influenced by the consequences of the 2008~2009 global financial crisis.

A World Trade Organization for the 21st Century: The Asian Perspective

A World Trade Organization for 21st Century: The Asian Perspective. Edited By Richard Baldwin, Masahiro Kawai and Ganeshan Wignaraja. Cheltenham, UK and Northampton, USA: Edward Elgar, 2014. Pp. 429. As an increasing proportion of world economic activity shifts to Asian continent and various regional trade agreements proliferate, a book focusing on future role of World Trade Organization (WTO) is a delight to any intellectual mind aspiring to dig deep into issues related to international trade. The book touches upon all issues that are central to shaping current global trade architecture. It specifies that governance of international trade in present day has to address the intertwining of trade, investment, intellectual property and --something that has not been able to address convincingly till date. The chapters of book may be roughly divided into four groups. Although book does not divide these groups explicitly, a brief roadmap is provided in introductory chapter. To address changing paradigm of international trade, first group (Chapters 2 and 3) define concept of value-added trade and supply chain trade, an issue that is particularly relevant while talking about trade in East and Southeast Asia. The challenges of not having kept up with changing times and need for WTO 2.0 are mentioned. In second group, Chapters 4 and 5 deal with question of firm level determinants in joining global supply chain, and industrial policies to facilitate trade in value chains. The question of firm size as a determinant to join a supply chain is investigated rigorously and results are shown to vary by region across East and Southeast Asia. The role of investment in technology and technology upgradation stands out as a significant determinant. The role of government in formulating policies to facilitate small-medium enterprises (SMEs) joining supply chain is postulated. It concludes that a strong role of government in infrastructure development in close coordination with private actors is most suitable. In third group (Chapters 6 to 10), focus shifts to policies relevant for international transactions. Specifically, Chapters 6 and 7 analyse exchange rate policies and responses to economic crises through protectionism. The protectionist stance taken as a reaction to recent financial crises is found to have been higher in developed countries than developing ones in Asian region. The style of protectionism is also outside governing areas and span areas of discrimination against foreign firms, services and workers, just to name a few. On exchange rate policies, trend across partners in a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) of maintaining stable currencies amongst FTA members is observed, highlighting distortionary effects on trade outside bloc. This is followed by analysing trends towards regional integration through policy challenges in context of Asian FTAs and mega regional trade agreements (RTAs) like Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The pivotal role of Rules of Origin (ROO) in context of any FTA in determining preference given to FTA members is analysed while addressing other challenges of integrating famous Asian noodle bowl effect. The prospects of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)--the impediments and integrating factors and its effects--are further discussed. …

The Noodle Bowl Effect: Stumbling or Building Block?

Although it is well-known that a global trade regime best ensures economic welfare, there has nevertheless been a proliferation of free trade agreements (FTAs) between individual countries. This poses the challenge known as the “noodle bowl effect” — stemming from different rules of origins and technical standards. In this paper, we explore an economy’s incentive for entering an FTA rather than anticipating a global trade regime. Using basic game theories, we show that in order for an equilibrium number of FTA participants to be obtained, the negative impact of FTAs should be significant. Globally, the side effects of FTAs centered on noodle bowl effects could contribute to inducing a global free trade regime — and also increase the viability of such regime once established. Ironically, then we need to encourage more FTAs across countries to facilitate the spread of greater noodle bowl effects instead of trying to curb the rush to FTAs to promote a global trade regime.

UAV LINEAR PHOTOGRAMMETRY

Abstract. The photogrammetric treatment of images acquired on a linear axis is a problematic case. Such tricky configurations often leads to bended 3D models, described as a bowl effect, which requires ground measurements to be fixed. This article presents different solutions to overcome that problem. All solutions have been implemented into the free open-source photogrammetric suite MicMac. The article presents the lasts evolutions of MicMac's bundle adjustment core, as well as some extended calibration models and how they fit for the camera evaluated. The acquisition process is optimized by presenting how oblique images can improve the accuracy of the orientations, while the 3D models accuracies are assessed by producing a millimeter accurate ground truth from terrestrial photogrammetry.

Analysis of Bowl Effects on Stochastic Assembly Line

In this study, variation of the task times, and precedence relation effects are investigated to evaluate the line performance. A new solution procedure based on queueing networks and constraint programming is proposed to model and solve the Assembly Line Balancing Problem (ALBP). Station utilization, total average number of jobs and smoothness index are used as performance measures. Bowl effect, inverted bowl effect and variability imbalance which are seen in balanced lines are examined by using proposed procedure. Also effects of the variability on the line performance are reviewed. Literature data sets are utilized to assess the effectiveness of the procedure.

Regionalism as an Engline of Multilateralism: A Case for a Single East Asian FTA

As East Asia becomes increasing integrated through market-driven trade and FDI, free trade agreements (FTAs) are proliferating. Consodildation of mutiple and overlapping FTAs into a single East Asian FTA can help mitigate the harmful noodle bowl effects of different or competing tariffs, standards and rules. A region-wide FTA will also encourage participation of low-income countries and reduce trade-related business costs, particularly for small and medium enterprises. A computable general equibrium (CGE) model examines the economic impact of various types of FTAs in East Asia (among ASEAN 1's, ASEAN 3, and ASEAN 6) finding that consolidation at the ASEAN 6 level would yield the largest gains to East Asia among plausible regional trade agreements.