Explaining factors leading to community acceptance of wind energy. Results of an expert assessment

The present article deals with two key drivers of social acceptance of wind energy: procedural justice and distributional justice. It is based on a comparative expert assessment carried out in the frame of the Horizon 2020 project WinWind covering six European countries. The focus of the paper is on procedural and financial participation of citizens and local stakeholders in wind energy projects. The first part covers institutional arrangements for public engagement in two areas of the decision-making process—wind turbine zoning/siting in spatial plans and authorization procedures. Here, three levels of public involvement—information, consultation and participation—were analyzed. The second part examines active and financial participation of citizens and local stakeholders. Here, we distinguish between two different modes of governance: institutionalized forms of public governance and voluntary forms of corporate governance. The outcomes suggest that concrete paths to the social acceptance of wind energy are fostered via appropriate institutional spaces for public engagement. Furthermore, missing opportunities for active and passive financial participation can have strong negative consequences for community acceptance

Calibración y validación de un modelo de crecimiento para alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

En el presente trabajo se modificó un modelo de crecimiento generado por McCall y Bishop-Hurley para pasturas compuestas de gramíneas templadas perennes (Modelo McCall). El objetivo fue desarrollar un modelo de crecimiento capaz de representar el crecimiento aéreo de pasturas de alfalfa (Modelo Alfalfa) sujetas a diferentes condiciones ambientales y de manejo de la defoliación. Se trabajó con pasturas puras de alfalfa sin reposo invernal en la región central de Argentina (localidades de Manfredi, Rafaela, Susana, Marcos Juárez y Paraná). En la etapa de calibración se realizaron modificaciones para representar el crecimiento de pasturas de alfalfa que crecieron sin limitantes hídricas y nutricionales y de pasturas sometidas a distintas frecuencias de defoliación. Se modificó: 1) la relación entre temperatura media diaria del aire y la eficiencia de uso de la radiación solar global para crecimiento aéreo (parámetro α); 2) la ecuación que considera la importancia de las reservas en raíz utilizadas por las plantas durante el rebrote; y 3) el parámetro α para simular pasturas sujetas a defoliaciones de distinta frecuencia. En la etapa de validación, se observó que el Modelo Alfalfa representó adecuadamente variaciones en crecimiento asociadas tanto a variaciones en la disponibilidad de agua como a variaciones en el manejo de la defoliación. Se concluye que el Modelo Alfalfa es capaz de representar los cambios en el crecimiento causado por variaciones en los principales factores bióticos (defoliación) y abióticos (clima) del ambiente.A model originally developed by McCall and Bishop-Hurley to predict the growth of temperate perennial grasses (Modelo McCall) was modified. The aim was to develop a model capable to describe the aboveground growth of alfalfa pastures (Modelo Alfalfa) subjected to several climate and defoliation conditions. We used winter-active alfalfa pastures growing at a central region of Argentina (cities of Manfredi, Rafaela, Susana, Marcos Juárez and Paraná). Modifications realized at calibration step were made to represent the growth of alfalfa pure stands growing under non limiting conditions (i.e. irrigated and fertilized pastures) and that of pastures subjected to different defoliation frequencies. We modified: 1) the relationship between mean air daily temperature and solar radiation use efficiency (parameter α); 2) the equation taking account the use root reserves during a regrowth; and 3) parameter α to simulate pastures subjected to contrasting defoliation frequencies. At the validation step, we observed that Modelo Alfalfa adequately describe changes in aerial growth associated to variations in both, water availability and defoliation management. It was concluded that the Modelo Alfalfa is capable of representing the variations in growth caused by variations of mains biotic (defoliation) and non-biotic (climate) environmental factors.EEA BalcarceFil: Berone, German Dario. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Di Nucci, Elena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; ArgentinaFil: Fernández, H. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Gastaldi, Laura Beatriz. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela; ArgentinaFil: Mattera, Juan. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Pergamino; ArgentinaFil: Spada, María del Carmen. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Manfredi; Argentin

Essential oils utility implications in symptomatic Burning Mouth Syndrome

Introduction. Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a clinical condition characterized by the presence of chronic pain in absence of clinically visible lesions of the oral mucosa. The etiology is uncertain and the therapeutic strategies still controversial. The objective of this prospective study is to analyze the efficacy of essential oils-based mouthwashes in the therapy of BMS. Material and method. This study included 16 patients affected by BMS who were treated with essential oils-based mouthwashes and glucose solution on alternated days for 30 days. Symptomatology was evaluated after 15, 30 and 90 days. Results and discussions. A the end of the treatment, most of the patients (67%) referred an improvement of symptoms up to complete remission in 90 days. Conclusions. Based on this study, essential oils-based mouthwashes could represent a valid aid in the treatment of BMS. Further studies are necessary in order to identify effective and standardized therapeutic protocols. Keywords: Burning Mouth Syndrome; oral rinse; essential oils; therapeutic strategies

Informe técnico. Indicadores de calidad de suelo. EA. El Destino (Montoya, Entre Ríos)

Se determinaron indicadores de calidad de suelo en un Vertisol (Peluderte árgico de la Serie Don Mercier (en Anexo la descripción técnica de los suelos), tres situaciones de uso: inalterado, lote agrícola y lote con pastura consociada.EEA ParanáFil: Wilson, Marcelo G. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; ArgentinaFil: Sasal, María Carolina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; ArgentinaFil: Brassesco, Raul Francisco. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná. Agencia de Extensión Rural Victoria; ArgentinaFil: Vallejos, Maximiliano. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná. Agencia de Extensión Rural Victoria; ArgentinaFil: Gabioud, Emmanuel Adrian. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná. Departamento Recursos Naturales y Gestión Ambiental; ArgentinaFil: Bedendo, Dante Julian. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; ArgentinaFil: Di Nucci, Elena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; ArgentinaFil: Oszust, José Daniel. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Schulz, Guillermo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; ArgentinaFil: Hasenauer, Juan Carlo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; ArgentinaFil: Alday, Paulo Javier. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; Argentin

Mainstreaming Community Energy: Is the Renewable Energy Directive a Driver for Renewable Energy Communities in Germany and Italy?

By 30 June 2021, EU Member States were expected to transpose the recast Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) which includes provisions for renewable energy communities (RECs) and to develop an enabling framework to promote the development of RECs. Although there is a growing number of studies analysing the emergence of various forms of community energy, comparative studies investigating the transposition and creation of enabling frameworks for RECs in a multi-level governance (MLG) perspective are scarce. This article examines the transposition in Germany and Italy and compares elements of the respective enabling frameworks. Key methods include context and MLG analysis combined with methods of descriptive (legal) studies. Insights and participatory observations of the stakeholder desks established in the Horizon2020 project COME RES complement the spectrum of methods deployed. Although community energy development is more advanced in Germany, the transposition of the RED II provisions has been slow and piecemeal so far. Conversely, in Italy, RED II played a catalyst role; the transposition has been rather dynamic and encouraged a continuous growth of REC initiatives. Nevertheless, a widespread uptake of RECs requires structural adjustments of the governance system in both countries and attention to MLG as well as vertical policy coordination

Forage production and leaf proportion of lucerne in subtropical environments: cultivar, cutting frequency and canopy effects: Forage production and nutritive value of lucerne in subtropical environments

In subtropical and humid environments the ‘winter-active’ cultivars of lucerne usually produce more forage with lower leaf proportion (i.e. leaf to stem ratio) than the ‘winter-dormant’ ones. Present research analyze (i) if differences in forage production changes with cutting frequency, and (ii) if differences in leaf proportion are intrinsic (i.e. ‘cultivar differences’) or are due to variations in plant morphology (i.e. ‘aerial biomass and canopy height’). In two subtropical locations a factorial experiment including three alfalfa cultivars (FD4= ‘winter-dormant’, FD6=‘semi-dormant’, FD9=‘winter-active’) and three cutting frequencies (‘high’, ‘intermediate’ and ‘low’) was established. As the cutting frequency decrease (i.e. from ‘high’ to ‘low’) the more winter-active cultivars were more productive than the more winter-dormant ones (FD9>FD6>FD4) due mainly to a higher stem production. However, differences between cultivars disappear (FD9=FD6=FD4) as the cutting frequency increases (i.e. from ‘low’ to ‘high’ cutting frequency). Compared at similar canopy height, differences between cultivars in leaf proportion were practically irrelevant. We confirm that (i) in subtropical and humid environments, the differences in forage production between cultivars contrasting in their winter activity depend of the cutting frequency, and that (ii) the leaf proportion depends mainly of plant morphology, especially canopy height’, being irrelevant the cultivar and the environment. Highlights This paper shows that (i) differences in forage production between cultivars of lucerne depend on the cutting frequency, and that (ii) leaf proportion is governed by plant morphology, especially canopy height. Forage production was similar between cultivars at high cutting frequency but at low cutting frequency winter-active and semi-dormant cultivars (FD6 and FD9) produce more forage than winter dormant (FD4) ones. Lucerne cultivars showing the same leaf proportion when they were compared at similar canopy height suggesting that leaf proportion is not an intrinsic trait Changes in leaf proportion were better explained by changes in canopy height than by changes in thermal time.In subtropical and humid environments the ‘winter-active’ cultivars of lucerne usually produce more forage with lower leaf proportion (i.e. leaf to stem ratio) than the ‘winter-dormant’ ones. Present research analyze (i) if differences in forage production changes with cutting frequency, and (ii) if differences in leaf proportion are intrinsic (i.e. ‘cultivar differences’) or are due to variations in plant morphology (i.e. ‘aerial biomass and canopy height’). In two subtropical locations a factorial experiment including three alfalfa cultivars (FD4= ‘winter-dormant’, FD6=‘semi-dormant’, FD9=‘winter-active’) and three cutting frequencies (‘high’, ‘intermediate’ and ‘low’) was established. As the cutting frequency decrease (i.e. from ‘high’ to ‘low’) the more winter-active cultivars were more productive than the more winter-dormant ones (FD9>FD6>FD4) due mainly to a higher stem production. However, differences between cultivars disappear (FD9=FD6=FD4) as the cutting frequency increases (i.e. from ‘low’ to ‘high’ cutting frequency). Compared at similar canopy height, differences between cultivars in leaf proportion were practically irrelevant. We confirm that (i) in subtropical and humid environments, the differences in forage production between cultivars contrasting in their winter activity depend of the cutting frequency, and that (ii) the leaf proportion depends mainly of plant morphology, especially canopy height’, being irrelevant the cultivar and the environment. Highlights This paper shows that (i) differences in forage production between cultivars of lucerne depend on the cutting frequency, and that (ii) leaf proportion is governed by plant morphology, especially canopy height. Forage production was similar between cultivars at high cutting frequency but at low cutting frequency winter-active and semi-dormant cultivars (FD6 and FD9) produce more forage than winter dormant (FD4) ones. Lucerne cultivars showing the same leaf proportion when they were compared at similar canopy height suggesting that leaf proportion is not an intrinsic trait Changes in leaf proportion were better explained by changes in canopy height than by changes in thermal time

Il disegno per la ricostruzione della storia. Progetti di architettura sacra in Italia e Polonia tra le due guerre/The Representation for Reconstructing History Sacred Architecture Projects in Italy and Poland between the two World Wars

Tra le due guerre, il tema dell’architettura sacra in Italia, come anche in Polonia, è per diverse ragioni di grande complessità. In questo quadro il proposito di affrontarlo attraverso l’analisi di due soli progetti elaborati per due importanti concorsi: il Tempio della Divina Provvidenza a Varsavia del 1931 e la Chiesa a Galati della Diocesi di Messina del 1932. Rispetto alla complessità dell’argomento la visuale è certo molto limitata, ma riteniamo l’esperienza capace di indicare lo specifico contributo della disciplina del Disegno alla restituzione di frammenti di questa particolare storia, contribuendo più in generale alla ricomposizione di uno dei tanti tasselli della storia di un periodo che ancora si sente riecheggiare nel presente.The theme of sacred architecture in Italy and Poland between the two World Wars is very complex for different reasons. In this framework, the aim is to address this architecture by analysing only two projects developed for two important competitions: the Temple of Divine Providence in Warsaw, built in 1931, and the Galati Church in the Diocese of Messina, from 1932. With respect to the complexity of the topic, the visuals are certainly very limited, but we maintain that the experience is able to indicate the specific contribution of the discipline of Representation to rendering fragments of this particular history, more generally contributing to recomposing one of the many tiles in the history of a period that still echoes in the present

Mainstreaming Community Energy: Is the Renewable Energy Directive a Driver for Renewable Energy Communities in Germany and Italy?

By 30 June 2021, EU Member States were expected to transpose the recast Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) which includes provisions for renewable energy communities (RECs) and to develop an enabling framework to promote the development of RECs. Although there is a growing number of studies analysing the emergence of various forms of community energy, comparative studies investigating the transposition and creation of enabling frameworks for RECs in a multi-level governance (MLG) perspective are scarce. This article examines the transposition in Germany and Italy and compares elements of the respective enabling frameworks. Key methods include context and MLG analysis combined with methods of descriptive (legal) studies. Insights and participatory observations of the stakeholder desks established in the Horizon2020 project COME RES complement the spectrum of methods deployed. Although community energy development is more advanced in Germany, the transposition of the RED II provisions has been slow and piecemeal so far. Conversely, in Italy, RED II played a catalyst role; the transposition has been rather dynamic and encouraged a continuous growth of REC initiatives. Nevertheless, a widespread uptake of RECs requires structural adjustments of the governance system in both countries and attention to MLG as well as vertical policy coordination

Factor-V HR2 haplotype and thromboembolic disease

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of HR2 polymorphism among patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) and healthy subjects. BACKGROUND: Polymorphism in the factor V gene named HR2 has been described as a possible risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE) development. Contradictive results on this association have been reported. METHODS: Eighty-five patients admitted for PE and 72 healthy subjects were included in the study. Thrombophilia screening using genetic tests for factor V Leiden (G1691A/Leiden and HR2 haplotype) and other genetic mutations were investigated. RESULTS: Of 85 patients with PE, 20 (23.53%) carried the HR2 haplotype. Further, a majority of the patients with HR2 haplotype had recurrent venous thrombosis or PE (15 out of 20 patients). The HR2 haplotype was detected in 6 (8.3%) out of 72 healthy subjects. Patients had significantly higher HR2 haplotype frequency than healthy controls (P = 0.001). HR2 carriers had a three-fold increase in risk of developing PE (OR = 3.38, 95% CI = 1.27-8.96, P = 0.011). After adjustment for other tested defects for thrombophilia, HR2 haplotype was associated with increased risk of thromboembolic events (OR = 3.05, 95% CI = 1.11-8.35, P = 0.03). However, after adjustment for sex and age, HR2 polymorphism was no longer associated with the risk of thromboembolic event (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 0.34-4.38, P = 0.76). CONCLUSIONS: Our study does not support the notion that factor V HR2 haplotype might be a risk factor for thrombosis despite its high prevalence among patients with PE