Output-based incentive regulation in electricity distribution: evidence from Italy

Incentive regulation in electricity distribution is expected to enlarge its scope, from an input-oriented instrument to one that includes additional, output-based incentives. This creates a potential conflict with more traditional concerns for productive efficiency. In the case of Italy, together with input-oriented instruments, output-based incentives have been applied to indicators of quality for over a decade. Using micro-data from the largest Italian distribution company, we conduct an assessment of the effects of this regulatory framework. The aim of this word is threefold. First, we measure performance in terms of cost-efficiency and find that similar cost-reducing efforts were exercised in all distribution units. Second, we measure performance with respect to the overall regulatory framework. Using quality-related rewards and penalties, we find that more cost-efficient areas were also more successful in earning rewards/avoiding penalties: favorable external conditions have similar, positive effects on both cost and quality performance. Using the cost of the energy not supplied, we find no evidence of a conflict between cost efficiency and social cost efficiency. Results indicate, however, that is preferable to use social costs when measuring a single unit's performance. From these results we derive specific policy indication

Harvesting Season and Botanical Origin Interferes in Production and Nutritional Composition of Bee Pollen

ABSTRACT We aimed to evaluate the frequency of bee pollen production, its botanical origin and chemical composition when collected in different seasons. Our results indicate that higher proteins (22.80 ± 3.09%) and flavonoids (2789.87 ± 1396.00 μg 100g-1) levels were obtained in the winter season, which also showed greater pollen production (134.50 ± 35.70 grams) and predominance of the Myrtaceae family. As for spring we found high concentrations of lipids (4.62 ± 2.26%) and low ash content (2.22 ± 0.39%). Regarding the amino acid composition and vitamin C content, we found no differences between the averages throughout the seasons. Our results highlight the importance of understanding not only the botanical origin and the chemical composition of bee pollen, but also the harvesting frequency of this product by bees, so that it becomes possible to supplement the colonies in times of natural food resources shortage

Serial blood cytokine and chemokine mRNA and microRNA over 48 h are insult specific in a piglet model of inflammation-sensitized hypoxia-ischaemia.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to inflammation exacerbates injury in neonatal encephalopathy (NE). We hypothesized that brain biomarker mRNA, cytokine mRNA and microRNA differentiate inflammation (E. coli LPS), hypoxia (Hypoxia), and inflammation-sensitized hypoxia (LPS+Hypoxia) in an NE piglet model. METHODS: Sixteen piglets were randomized: (i) LPS 2 μg/kg bolus; 1 μg/kg infusion (LPS; n = 5), (ii) Saline with hypoxia (Hypoxia; n = 6), (iii) LPS commencing 4 h pre-hypoxia (LPS+Hypoxia; n = 5). Total RNA was acquired at baseline, 4 h after LPS and 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 h post-insult (animals euthanized at 48 h). Quantitative PCR was performed for cytokines (IL1A, IL6, CXCL8, IL10, TNFA) and brain biomarkers (ENO2, UCHL1, S100B, GFAP, CRP, BDNF, MAPT). MicroRNA was detected using GeneChip (Affymetrix) microarrays. Fold changes from baseline were compared between groups and correlated with cell death (TUNEL) at 48 h. RESULTS: Within 6 h post-insult, we observed increased IL1A, CXCL8, CCL2 and ENO2 mRNA in LPS+Hypoxia and LPS compared to Hypoxia. IL10 mRNA differentiated all groups. Four microRNAs differentiated LPS+Hypoxia and Hypoxia: hsa-miR-23a, 27a, 31-5p, 193-5p. Cell death correlated with TNFA (R = 0.69; p < 0.01) at 1-3 h and ENO2 (R = -0.69; p = 0.01) at 48 h. CONCLUSIONS: mRNA and miRNA differentiated hypoxia from inflammation-sensitized hypoxia within 6 h in a piglet model. This information may inform human studies to enable triage for tailored neuroprotection in NE. IMPACT: Early stratification of infants with neonatal encephalopathy is key to providing tailored neuroprotection. IL1A, CXCL8, IL10, CCL2 and NSE mRNA are promising biomarkers of inflammation-sensitized hypoxia. IL10 mRNA levels differentiated all three pathological states; fold changes from baseline was the highest in LPS+Hypoxia animals, followed by LPS and Hypoxia at 6 h. miR-23, -27, -31-5p and -193-5p were significantly upregulated within 6 h of a hypoxia insult. Functional analysis highlighted the diverse roles of miRNA in cellular processes

The association between genetically elevated polyunsaturated fatty acids and risk of cancer

BACKGROUND: The causal relevance of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) for risk of site-specific cancers remains uncertain. METHODS: Using a Mendelian randomization (MR) framework, we assessed the causal relevance of PUFAs for risk of cancer in European and East Asian ancestry individuals. We defined the primary exposure as PUFA desaturase activity, proxied by rs174546 at the FADS locus. Secondary exposures were defined as omega 3 and omega 6 PUFAs that could be proxied by genetic polymorphisms outside the FADS region. Our study used summary genetic data on 10 PUFAs and 67 cancers, corresponding to 562,871 cases and 1,619,465 controls, collected by the Fatty Acids in Cancer Mendelian Randomization Collaboration. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) for cancer per standard deviation increase in genetically proxied PUFA exposures. FINDINGS: Genetically elevated PUFA desaturase activity was associated (P < 0.0007) with higher risk (OR [95% confidence interval]) of colorectal cancer (1.09 [1.07-1.11]), esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (1.16 [1.06-1.26]), lung cancer (1.06 [1.03-1.08]) and basal cell carcinoma (1.05 [1.02-1.07]). There was little evidence for associations with reproductive cancers (OR = 1.00 [95% CI: 0.99-1.01]; Pheterogeneity = 0.25), urinary system cancers (1.03 [0.99-1.06], Pheterogeneity = 0.51), nervous system cancers (0.99 [0.95-1.03], Pheterogeneity = 0.92) or blood cancers (1.01 [0.98-1.04], Pheterogeneity = 0.09). Findings for colorectal cancer and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma remained compatible with causality in sensitivity analyses for violations of assumptions. Secondary MR analyses highlighted higher omega 6 PUFAs (arachidonic acid, gamma-linolenic acid and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid) as potential mediators. PUFA biosynthesis is known to interact with aspirin, which increases risk of bleeding and inflammatory bowel disease. In a phenome-wide MR study of non-neoplastic diseases, we found that genetic lowering of PUFA desaturase activity, mimicking a hypothetical intervention to reduce cancer risk, was associated (P < 0.0006) with increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease but not bleeding. INTERPRETATION: The PUFA biosynthesis pathway may be an intervention target for prevention of colorectal cancer and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma but with potential for increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease. FUNDING: Cancer Resesrch UK (C52724/A20138, C18281/A19169). UK Medical Research Council (MR/P014054/1). National Institute for Health Research (NIHR202411). UK Medical Research Council (MC_UU_00011/1, MC_UU_00011/3, MC_UU_00011/6, and MC_UU_00011/4). National Cancer Institute (R00 CA215360). National Institutes of Health (U01 CA164973, R01 CA60987, R01 CA72520, U01 CA74806, R01 CA55874, U01 CA164973 and U01 CA164973)