Latin American Region Research Articles

Edificaciones resilientes para las urbes latinoamericanas. MIC (BIM) como metodología integradora

Latin American region suffers continuously from several natural disasters, basically due to two types of phenomena: earthquakes in countries such as Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Mexico, as well as hurricanes, mainly in the Caribbean. Just remember the events in Haiti in 2010 and 2016 and in the Bahamas in September 2019. Institutions around the world, particularly in countries that suffer from significant seismic activity (Japan, Iran, Chile, United States and Mexico) have proposed what its known as “Structural Resilience” which establishes that both people and buildings resume their daily activities in the hours or days after a seismic or meteorological event, buildings such as hospitals must remain in operation during and after the event considering a magnitude of about 9 degrees on the Richter scale. We believe that Building Information Modeling (in Mexico MIC) should be the methodology that integrates these criteria and concepts to take them to their materialization. This process considers the digital modeling of all specialties, the collaborative work between them, and the generation of a database during the planning, design, construction and management stages of the buildings.

The poverty-environment nexus in developing countries: Evidence from heterogeneous panel causality methods, robust to cross-sectional dependence

The impact of poverty on environmental quality, or the reverse impact, has already been addressed in many studies. In these earlier studies, CO2 emissions were frequently used to measure environmental quality, and inappropriate analysis methods were employed. Against this backdrop, the present study aimed to reinvestigate the relationship between poverty and the environment from a causality point of view, using a sample of 91 developing countries between 1990 and 2015. This study utilised the ecological footprint (EFP) to capture environmental quality instead of CO2 emissions. Second-generation tools were employed that addressed/mitigated heterogeneity and cross-sectional dependence when analysing the panel data. The results showed evidence of dependency between the cross-sections and the sample was found to be heterogenous. The heterogeneous panel causality analysis results showed that while a bidirectional causality relationship between poverty and the ecological footprint was discovered for the global panel and the African region, no causality was detected for the developing countries in the Asian and Latin American & Caribbean regions.

1165. Seroprevalence of Chagas Disease among Latin American Children Living in New York

BackgroundApproximately 300,00 individuals in the United States are estimated to have Chagas disease. To date, only one seroprevalence study in the US has included children. Diagnosis during childhood prevents irreversible sequelae and is better tolerated than during adulthood. Seropositive children may be difficult to identify, as those infected vertically may have never visited an endemic region. We sought to identify children with Chagas disease through a pilot study of serology and risk factors.MethodsParticipants were recruited from Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) or an ambulatory pediatric office, both in Suffolk County, New York (population: 1,476,000; 20.2% Hispanic or Latino). Study participants were 1 - 25 years old, resided in Suffolk County, and either the child and/or the child’s mother was born in or had long-term residence (≥ 3 years) in Latin America. T. cruzi serum IgG was determined with a Chagatest ELISA (Weiner Lab) or a Chagas Detect Plus Rapid Test (InBios). Positive screens were confirmed with a second serologic test at the CDC. Participants completed a survey of demographics and Chagas disease knowledge and risk factors, in English or Spanish. Descriptive statistics were applied. SBUH IRB provided study approval.ResultsWe enrolled 93 children (Table 1). Three (3.2%) had a positive IgG screen, of which only one had a confirmed infection (1.1%). This was a 17-year-old who had lived in a rural adobe home and moved to the US at 8 years old. No children or their mothers recalled being bitten by or seeing triatomine insects in their Latin American homes. Of 27 children whose mothers had been screened for infection, 13 were born to 3 mothers with confirmed Chagas disease; all 13 children were seronegative. Of 8 participants reporting other family members with Chagas disease, all were seronegative.Demographics of 93 participants screened for Chagas disease SDstandard deviation; US: United StatesConclusionWithout reliable tools for identifying those at greatest risk of Chagas disease, universal screening of children born in high-risk Latin American regions remains a reasonable strategy. In addition, screening mothers born in Latin America is likely a more cost-efficient means to evaluate second-generation children. A tremendous knowledge gap of pediatric Chagas disease in the US remains.Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Possible Cooperations and Mutual Advances between the Republic of Korea and Latin America: Focused on Knowledge Sharing and Pro-environmental Development

This paper proposes mutual advances and cooperations between the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and Latin America with focus on knowledge sharing and pro-environmental development, analyzing the possible advantages, obstacles and risks involved. The lack of capital in Latin American region and the geographical distance between the two does pose as an obstacle to such cooperation. However, the geopolitical intervention from powerful economies such as the United States, the intransparent public administration in Latin American countries, the lack of industrial technology and the U.S. dependent economy of the region are identified as greater obstacles that impede the entry of multinational corporations of other countries for the development of Latin Amercia. Korea would be a suitable nation that Latin Amercia could form mutually beneficial bonds of cooperation among other developed nations in Asia, not only considering its economic and technological level, but also for the fact that it would better empathize with developing countries than the mentioned global super powers. Neverthelless, there are matters, other than economic and technological, that must be dealt with if any serious form of cooperation or commitment is to take place as part of a complementary cooperation.

A Systemic Perspective for Understanding Digital Transformation in Higher Education: Overview and Subregional Context in Latin America as Evidence

Since virtual education has increased from a local to a global audience, it is of great importance to understand the role that cultural and social backgrounds play in the transition to digital education. Therefore, a review of preferences and evidence among different Latin American regions and nations increases understanding. This digital transformation can be assessed under several categories of cultural, social, and economic situations. Traditionally, universities are known as formal institutions with emerging education trends, but it is mandatory to address the managerial work and implications of the institutions themselves. Particularly, universities play a relevant role in understanding the effective digital transformation in communities, but the profile of the educational system is very important for configuring this process. This research points out the main dimensions that prevent societies from increasing their educational level. By using comparative data analysis and documentary references, this paper highlights a systemic perspective for understanding the digital transformation in higher education, but it also expands the range to managerial decisions about the role educational ecosystems play in this transformation. Moreover, this study provides an overview of how relational elements configure management in higher education institutions.

An integrative water quality evaluation in two surface water bodies from a tropical agricultural region in Cartago, Costa Rica.

A monitoring study was carried out in two micro-catchments in the Reventazón basin, in Northern Cartago, Costa Rica; pesticide occurrence and water quality were analyzed. Twelve pesticides were detected, five insecticides (chlorpyrifos, carbofuran, cypermethrin, imidacloprid, and oxamyl), four fungicides (carbendazim, imazalil, metalaxyl, and thiabendazole), and three herbicides (diuron, linuron, and terbutryn); eight of them presented risk quotients RQ >1, which implies a high risk for the environment. The water quality evaluation included fourteen physicochemical and microbiological parameters, out of which thermotolerant coliforms, nitrate, and total phosphorus exceeded a selected threshold value in every sample. Five metals were also included in the evaluation, Pb was the most frequent, followed by few detections of Cd, Cu, and Cr. Four water quality indexes (WQIs) were applied, two of them, the CCME WQI, based on physicochemical parameters, and the BMWP-CR WQI, based on benthic macroinvertebrate recount adapted to Costa Rican species, categorized all the sampling points as "bad" and "very bad" quality. This work of monitoring is important in the Latin American region, where there is a lack of information for regulation improvement and management decisions. These results showed poor management of the micro-catchments in this agricultural rural area.

Accuracy of different cutoffs of the waist-to-height ratio as a screening tool for cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy studies.

The present systematic review with meta-analysis sought to estimate the accuracy of different waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) cutoff ranges as risk indicators for cardiometabolic health in different populations of children and adolescents. Systematic searches were undertaken to identify studies in apparently healthy participants aged 3-18 years that conducted receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and reported area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for WHtR with any cardiometabolic biomarker. Forty-one cross-sectional studies were included in the meta-analysis, including 138,561 young individuals (50% girls). Higher area under summary receiver operating characteristic (AUSROC) values were observed in cutoffs between 0.46 and 0.50 (AUSROC = 0.83, 95%CI: 0.80-0.86) and ≥0.51 (AUSROC = 0.87, 95%CI: 0.84-0.90) (p < 0.001 in comparison with cutoffs 0.41 to 0.45), with similar results in both sexes. The AUSROC value increased in the East and Southeast Asian regions using a WHtR cutoff of ≥0.46 (AUSROC = 0.90, 95%CI: 0.87 to 0.92). A cutoff of ≥0.54 was optimal for the Latin American region (AUSROC = 0.96, 95%CI: 0.94-0.97). Our meta-analysis identified optimal cutoff values of WHtR for use in children and adolescents from different regions. Despite the widely accepted WHtR cutoff of 0.50, the present study indicated that a single cutoff value of WHtR may be inappropriate.

Governance frameworks for COVID-19 research ethics review and oversight in Latin America: an exploratory study

BackgroundResearch has been an essential part of the COVID-19 pandemic response, including in Latin American (LA) countries. However, implementing research in emergency settings poses the challenge of producing valuable knowledge rapidly while upholding research ethical standards. Research ethics committees (RECs) therefore must conduct timely and rigorous ethics reviews and oversight of COVID-19 research. In the LA region, there is limited knowledge on how countries have responded to this need. To address this gap, the objective of our project is to explore if LA countries developed policies to streamline ethics review and oversight of research in response to the pandemic while ensuring its adherence to ethical standards, and to analyze to what extent these governance frameworks are in accordance with international guidance.MethodsWe conducted a descriptive and exploratory study assessing the COVID-19 research ethics governance frameworks of 19 LA countries, considering 4 dimensions based on international COVID-19 ethics guidance documents: (i) ethics review organizational model adopted, (ii) measures to coordinate between RECs and other research stakeholders, (iii) operational guidance for RECs, and (iv) key ethical issues for review and oversight of COVID-19 research.Results10 out of 19 LA countries have some policy to streamline ethics review of COVID-19 research. Of these countries only 6 issued comprehensive documents following international guidance that contemplate strategies with recommendations for concrete actions for a timely and rigorous review.ConclusionLA countries adopted partial strategies and operational guidance that may demonstrate a lack of a comprehensive view of research ethics for the review and oversight of COVID-19 research. Continuing efforts should be directed to strengthen LA countries' research capacity to respond timely and ethically to future health emergencies. Past lessons and the ones from this pandemic should be the basis to develop international standards and operational guidelines for ethics review and oversight of any research for public health emergencies.

Assessment of carwash wastewater reclamation potential based on household water treatment technologies

This paper assesses a bench-scale carwash wastewater treatment system's removal efficiency based on coagulation-flocculation and a household-type activated carbon filter and water ozonator. For the experiment, the wastewater that went through an oil/water separator (OWS) from a medium-sized carwash facility located in a dense commercial area in Barranquilla, Colombia, was collected. The study evaluates the following parameters: water quality indicators recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and literature related to carwash water reclamation. The treatment results are compared to related regional studies in Latin America and Colombian legislation in force. Experimental results evidence that reclaimed water's characteristics are similar to those of a groundwater source for most analyzed variables, and the system was able to reduce organic matter concentrations considerably. Regarding the organoleptic characteristics, the system eliminated foaming and generated a transparent and odorless product. The coliform test showed that reclaimed water has an average total coliform count of around 5800 MPN/100 ml, which is above the proposed health risk limit per most international standards for water reuse; but as it complies with industrial wastewater and non-food irrigation purposes in Colombia, additional disinfection is recommended depending on the reuse purpose. The results from this research may assist future carwash wastewater reclamation regulations in Colombia and the Latin American region.

The Protean Identity of English-medium Writing Centers in the AsiaPacific Region: A Literature Review

This paper addresses how the Writing Center, a common writing support service originated in the USA, takes shape and evolves as it finds new homes in universities in the Asia-Pacific Region. Using the available literature on existing writing centers in scholarly databases, the paper explores the motivations behind the establishment of these institutional writing centers, their roles in supporting the programs of their host university, their organizational operation, types of services provided, as well as innovative programs (i.e., bilingual support during consultation and the addition of tutors who are content experts). Taken together, the findings offer a sketch of how these Writing Centers takes on different shapes to match the local realities and make them more relevant to the community they serve. Consequently, it may offer guidance to other universities outside North America (e.g., other regions of Asia and Latin American regions) planning to conceptualize or initiate a Writing Center.

Every Dog Has Its Data: Evaluation of a Technology-Aided Canine Rabies Vaccination Campaign to Implement a Microplanning Approach

Background: Robust dog vaccination coverage is the primary way to eliminate canine rabies. Haiti conducts annual canine mass vaccination campaigns, but still has the most human deaths in the Latin American and Caribbean region. We conducted an evaluation of dog vaccination methods in Haiti to determine if more intensive, data-driven vaccination methods, using smartphones for data reporting and geo-communication, could increase vaccination coverage to a level capable of disrupting rabies virus transmission.Methods: Two cities were designated into “Traditional” and “Technology-aided” vaccination areas. Traditional areas utilized historical methods of vaccination staff management, whereas Technology-aided areas used smartphone-supported spatial coordination and management of vaccination teams. Smartphones enabled real time two-way geo-communication between campaign managers and vaccinators. Campaign managers provided geographic instruction to vaccinators by assigning mapped daily vaccination boundaries displayed on phone handsets, whilst vaccinators uploaded spatial data of dogs vaccinated for review by the campaign manager to inform assignment of subsequent vaccination zones. The methods were evaluated for vaccination effort, coverage, and cost.Results: A total of 11,420 dogs were vaccinated during the 14-day campaign. The technology-aided approach achieved 80% estimated vaccination coverage as compared to 44% in traditional areas. Daily vaccination rate was higher in Traditional areas (41.7 vaccinations per team-day) compared to in technology-aided areas (26.8) but resulted in significantly lower vaccination coverages. The cost per dog vaccinated increased exponentially with the associated vaccination coverage, with a cost of $1.86 to achieve 25%, $2.51 for 50% coverage, and $3.19 for 70% coverage.Conclusions: Traditional vaccination methods failed to achieve sufficiently high vaccination coverages needed to interrupt sustained rabies virus transmission, whilst the technology-aided approach increased coverage above this critical threshold. Over successive campaigns, this difference is likely to represent the success or failure of the intervention in eliminating the rabies virus. Technology-aided vaccination should be considered in resource limited settings where rabies has not been controlled by Traditional vaccination methods. The use of technology to direct health care workers based on near-real-time spatial data from the field has myriad potential applications in other vaccination and public health initiatives.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder misdiagnosis among mental healthcare providers in Latin America

Mental healthcare professionals often have limited awareness of different obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptom presentations, which may contribute to years between OCD symptom onset and treatment initiation. While research has identified high rates of OCD misdiagnosis among clinicians from the United States and Canada, research on OCD symptom awareness among healthcare providers in Latin American (LATAM) regions is limited. In this study, LATAM mental healthcare providers (N = 83) provided diagnostic impressions based on five OCD vignettes: three with symptoms centered on taboo thoughts (sexual, harming others, and religion/scrupulosity) and two about contamination or symmetry obsessions. Rates of incorrect (non-OCD) diagnoses were significantly higher for the taboo thoughts vignettes (sexual, 52.7%; harm/aggression, 42.0%; and religious, 34.7%) vs. contamination obsessions (11.0%) and symmetry obsessions (6.9%). The OCD vignette depicting sexual obsessions was often attributed to a paraphilic disorder (36.5%). Bachelor's level clinicians had significantly lower odds of accurately identifying all three vignettes related to taboo thoughts compared to respondents with a graduate degree. Accurate identification of the three taboo vignettes was also associated with first-line psychological treatment recommendations (i.e., cognitive-behavioral therapy) even when controlling for respondents' theoretical orientation. Exposure was rarely mentioned when clinicians were prompted to provide treatment recommendations for each vignette (8–9% of the time for symmetry and contamination vignettes, 5–7% for taboo though vignettes). Like clinicians in the United States and Canada, mental health professionals in LATAM may misidentify OCD symptom presentations, particularly sexual obsessions, highlighting a need for education and training.

Abstract 1122‐000139: Impact of COVID‐19 on Acute Ischemic Stroke Treatment in Latin America

Introduction : Acute ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the lower and middle income countries (LMIC). The emergence of COVID‐19 has negatively impacted medical care, specifically AIS treatment, in many parts of the world. In this study, we investigated AIS treatment barriers in high COVID‐19 incidence regions in Latin America. Methods : In our study, we organized the 21 Latin American regions based on the number of COVID‐19 cases from the highest to the lowest. In August 2020, Brazil had the highest number of COVID‐19 cases which was 2,736,298 while Belize had the lowest number of COVID‐19 cases which was 57. Taking the top 5 countries with the highest COVID‐19 cases (Brazil, Peru, Chile, Colombia, and Argentina), we compiled a list of neurologists, neurosurgeons, and neurointerventionalists involved in stroke care. We then sent 100 of these clinicians a survey to understand the effects of the pandemic on stroke treatment in their hospitals. Following the survey, we requested the doctors to set up an interview to delve deeper into the barriers to access to AIS treatment. Out of the 100 clinicians contacted, 16 filled out the survey and 14 doctors set up an interview with us. Results : Using the survey results and the interview data, the top‐5 barriers mentioned were transportation, disease awareness, rehabilitation, shortages in staff, and fear among the public about contracting COVID‐19 at the hospital. About 62% of the doctors indicated that people are scared of coming to the hospital due to the high COVID‐19 cases. Furthermore, 60% of the doctors mentioned that there has been a lack of staff at hospitals which causes a reduction in the number of treatment procedures performed, especially mechanical thrombectomies. Moreover, 50% of the doctors said that the main barrier was transportation delay, which results in time lost before treatment. About 50% of the doctors also mentioned that most of the population does not know what AIS is or its symptoms, resulting in fewer patients seeking appropriate care. Finally, 50% of the doctors said that there has been no sufficient rehabilitation. Many rehab units/hospitals have been converted into COVID‐19 hospitals due to the large number of COVID‐19 patients. Therefore, after a patient has received stroke treatment, they have not been able to recover back to their original healthy status. These barriers have overall decreased AIS treatments in hospitals and have negatively impacted patients who have experienced AIS. Conclusions : Overall, the emergence of COVID‐19 has negatively impacted AIS treatment in regions in Latin America with the highest COVID‐19 cases. Hospitals faced several barriers during the pandemic making it difficult for staff to adjust to those specific circumstances. Based on recommendations that doctors have provided us, we are currently working with doctors in Peru to launch an app that tackles the transportation, educational, and rehabilitation barriers. This app will allow patients to connect with doctors online and perform rehabilitation exercises at the comfort of their home while also being able to learn more about stroke.

Análisis de la publicación académica sobre estudios organizacionales en Latinoamérica (2009-2019)

La administración parece interesarse en las organizaciones, pero pocas veces considera realmente los diversos aspectos humanos y sus interacciones en ellas. Los estudios organizacionales (EO) pretenden abordarlas más allá de las utilidades prácticas, económicas y financieras mientras reconocen la necesidad de estudiarlas en su complejidad. Así, la visión administrativa tradicional se centra en las empresas y entiende a sus miembros solo como recursos con fines productivos. Contrariamente, los EO se acercan a las organizaciones en general, desde una perspectiva humanista, una visión contextual e histórica, una postura crítica, una diversidad metodológica y una concepción compleja. En Latinoamérica se requiere desarrollar una línea de base del conocimiento sobre EO que evidencie las dinámicas regionales de las organizaciones y las diversas miradas al respecto, que difieren de las existentes en otras regiones del mundo y en las vertientes principales de la administración, cuestión que no se ha desarrollado aún, a pesar de la importancia que esto reviste. Aquí se hace una revisión y análisis general de las publicaciones sobre EO en el ámbito latinoamericano como un aporte original al campo de estudio y un referente fundamental para trabajos posteriores, tanto a nivel regional como en contexto de cada uno de los países. Para ello se llevó a cabo una investigación interpretativa, cualitativa, teórica y descriptiva, que empleó técnicas de análisis documental sobre textos seleccionados mediante consulta de artículos científicos en bases de datos de acceso libre y por suscripción. Algunas de las limitaciones de la investigación se relacionan con el campo de estudio mismo y con los mecanismos actuales para la difusión de la ciencia, particularmente en la región.

Overstretching or Overreaction? China’s Rise in Latin America and the US Response

This article examines how the Chinese elites are interpreting China’s growing presence in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region and the various ways in which the United States is responding to China’s expanding activity in the region. Some of China’s elites caution that China’s international posturing could be overly assertive. Regarding China’s growing role in the LAC, they have made a note of US sensitivities, in addition to China’s challenges and limitations in various Latin American countries. Regarding the US response, some US concerns may be legitimate, and others are less valid. Looking ahead, even though US–China interactions in the LAC will remain competitive, the US and China could potentially avoid counterproductive policies while also pursuing pragmatic co-operation. While China does not yet face a serious problem of strategic overstretching in the LAC, China’s domestic debate on the topic will provide feedback to China’s policymakers and promote fruitful China–LAC relations.

The Latin American and Caribbean Counter-Mobilization Against the UN Food Systems Summit: Magdalena Ackermann in Conversation with Saúl Vicente and Sofía Monsalve.

What is the diagnosis of the main problems of the Latin American and Caribbean region, including the corporate capture of food systems? How did the regional counter-mobilization against the UN Food Systems Summit arise? What were the positions of the Latin American governments and regional organizations on the Summit? What is the common vision for overcoming corporate food systems? These are some of the questions that are discussed in this thought-provoking conversation with Sofía Monsalve and Saúl Vicente, in which they share their insights and experiences on the challenges of the Latin American region and the outcomes of the regional counter-mobilization against the UN Food Systems Summit.

The Emergence of New Rotavirus Strains in America

Rotavirus infections are the most common causes of infectious diarrhea in young children and animal worldwide. In some countries in Latin American specifically in Central American and Caribbean countries, rotavirus infections are not subject to specific surveillance. This review is about the unusually strains detected and potential zoonotic of rotavirus in Latin American. Although, interspecies transmission has not been documented to occur directly, an increase of the number of reports of atypical rotavirus genotypes; apparently derived from transmission between animal of farm, domestic and wild with humans, has been reported in some Latin American countries and the world. We consider that the rapid increase in the detection of new unusual strains with genetic heterogeneity, raises interesting questions about the evolution of rotavirus in The Latin American region. The emergence of novel strains derived from interspecies transmission has implications for the design and implementation of successful human rotavirus vaccine strategies.

A Survey on One Health Approach in Colombia and Some Latin American Countries: From a Fragmented Health Organization to an Integrated Health Response to Global Challenges.

The “One Health” (OH) approach has been recognized by world health authorities such as FAO/OIE/WHO, advocating for effective, multi-sectoral, and transdisciplinary collaboration. However, there is a lack of published evidence of the awareness of the OH concept in Colombia and other countries in the Latin American Region. In order to explore existing collaboration amongst the animal health, human-public health, environmental health sectors, and to describe the perception, knowledge, and barriers on OH in Colombia and other countries of Latin America, an online questionnaire-based survey was distributed among key professionals representing the three OH pillars (August 2018–August 2020). Overall, 76 key respondents from 13 countries (Colombia, México, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Perú, Guatemala, Nicaragua Uruguay, and Venezuela) completed the questionnaire. Respondents worked in institutions of animal (59%), public (20%), human (7%), and environmental health (7%); they mainly belonged to higher academic institutions (59%), followed by ministries (11%), and research organizations (9%). Most participants (92%) were familiar with the OH term and 68% were aware of the formal cooperation among sectors in their countries, mostly on zoonoses; in 46% of the cases, such connections were established in the last 5 years. The main reported limiting factors to intersectorality were the lack of commitment of policy-makers, resources, and budget for OH (38%) and the “siloed approach” of sectors and disciplines (34%). Respondents ranked a median score of 3.0 (1–5 scoring) in how good OH activities are implemented in their countries, and a median score of 2.0 in the citizen awareness on OH as regards their countries. The most important OH issues were identified in vector-borne diseases, rabies, wrong and/or improper use of antimicrobials, emerging viral diseases, food-borne diseases, neglected parasitic diseases, deforestation, and ecosystem fragmentation. Although there is a high-perceived importance on conjoint cooperation, OH implementation, and operationalization remain weak, and the environmental component is not well-integrated. We consider that integration and implementation of the OH Approach can support countries to improve their health policies and health governance as well as to advocate the social, economic, and environmental sustainability of the Region.

Assessing the Commodity Market Price and Terms of Trade Exposures of Macroeconomy in Emerging and Developing Countries

ABSTRACT This paper provides novel evidence on commodity market exposure, i.e., the impacts of commodity price and terms of trade fluctuations on macro performance amongst 46 emerging and developing countries (EMDCs) in Africa, Asia and the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region. We estimate the exposure of six macroeconomic variables to the commodity prices and terms of trade. Our results indicate that in overall terms, there is a strong and statistically significant long-run relationship between the vector of analyzed world trade prices and macro variables in all EMDCs. However, based on the short-term reactions, only about 10% of the macroeconomic variation amongst the EMDCs is due to commodity market-related exposures. Our results also indicate that the commodity market exposure is not unanimous across countries, amongst regions, or especially between measures of exposure.

Prospects of Ukraine’s foreign economic policy concerning Latin America

The objective of the research was to analyze the perspectives of Ukraine's foreign economic policy with respect to Latin America. An overview of the economic and political situation in Latin America is characterized by intensification of inflation in the region, reduction of exports and foreign investment, erosion of the level of business and consumer confidence. She used the following research methods: methods of analysis and synthesis, systematic approach, methods of induction and deduction, generalization, and systematization, economic, etc. Defined strategic orientations have been identified to improve foreign economic cooperation between Ukraine and Latin America to seek new foreign markets and increase foreign trade, such as: opening representative offices of Ukrainian companies in Latin America; active participation of Ukrainian companies in trade fair and exhibition events taking place in the countries of the region; establishment of bilateral industrial cooperation in the territory of MERCOSUR member countries. It concludes on the need to develop a long-term strategy to activate trade and economic cooperation between Ukraine and the countries of the Latin American region with the identification and justification of sectoral priorities.