a b s t r a c tRecent developments in international trade theory have placed considerable and growing emphasis on the quality of the exported products, showing that it affects both the direction of trade and the countries' export performances. However, as quality is unobservable, a measurement problem clearly emerges. In this paper we review and apply some of the most recent methods developed in the international trade literature to estimate quality of traded products. We focus on the food sector, where the growing attention on quality and safety issues is leading to an increase in the demand for high quality products. In the first part of our empirical analysis, we investigate the properties of the estimated qualities, drawing some interesting results. In particular we find that, in contrast with what is often assumed in the literature, quality and prices are imperfectly correlated. The second empirical section is dedicated to the study of the relationship between price vs. quality and trade costs. What emerges is that, interestingly, the price and the quality of food exports are influenced differently by ad valorem and specific trade costs. Moreover, the magnitude of this relationship changes according to the level of product differentiation.

IMPORTANCE Black patients with hypertension often have the lowest rates of blood pressure (BP) control in clinical settings. It is unknown to what extent variation in health care processes explains this disparity.OBJECTIVE To assess whether and to what extent treatment intensification, scheduled follow-up interval, and missed visits are associated with racial and ethnic disparities in BP control. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTSIn this cohort study, nested logistic regression models were used to estimate the likelihood of BP control (defined as a systolic BP [SBP] level <140 mm Hg) by race and ethnicity, and a structural equation model was used to assess the association of treatment intensification, scheduled follow-up interval, and missed visits with racial and ethnic disparities in BP control. The study included 16 114 adults aged 20 years or older with hypertension and elevated BP (defined as an SBP level Ն140 mm Hg) during at least 1 clinic visit between January 1, 2015, and November 15, 2017. A total of 11 safety-net clinics within the San Francisco Health Network participated in the study. Data were analyzed from November 2019 to October 2020.

h i g h l i g h t s• We study the relation between the diffusion of food standards and the quality of EU imports.• We find that on average, the diffusion of standards boosts the rate of quality upgrading.• We find heterogeneity considering primary vs. processed products and ISO vs. non-ISO standards. a r t i c l e i n f o b s t r a c tThis paper investigates the relationship between the diffusion of EU standards and product quality upgrading using highly disaggregated import data to the EU in the food industry. Results show that, on average, the diffusion of EU voluntary standards boosts the rate of quality upgrading. However, the results are heterogeneous when moving from primary to processed foods, and from ISO to non-ISO standards.

Andreas (2020) The effect of financial crises on air pollutant emissions: an assessment of the short vs. medium-term effects. Science of the Total Environment, 698. p. 133614.