236 research outputs found
Gesundheitsforschung am DIW Berlin
Das Gesundheitssystem und die verschiedenen Gesundheitsmärkte sind durch eine Vielfalt von Merkmalen gekennzeichnet, die ein hohes Maß an staatlicher Regulierung erforderlich machen. Allen Teilen der Bevölkerung Zugang zu Gesundheitsleistungen zu verschaffen und dies wirtschaftlich effizient und finanzierbar zu gestalten, stellt eine politische Herausforderung dar, die im Zug der demografischen Alterung der Gesellschaft noch größer werden wird. Damit gewinnt auch die wissenschaftliche Analyse und Evaluation von gesundheitspolitischen Maßnahmen an Bedeutung. Das DIW Berlin wird seine gesundheitsökonomische und gesundheitssoziologische Forschung daher weiter ausbauen. Im Mittelpunkt steht dabei die Analyse staatlicher Interventionen im Gesundheitsbereich. Darüber hinaus werden die mit Gesundheit und Krankheit verbundenen Lebenslagen untersucht.The health system and the various healthcare markets are characterized by a number of special features requiring a high degree of government regulation. Giving all sections of the population access to healthcare services, and doing this cost-effectively and affordably, is a political challenge that will become even more difficult as a result of society's aging demographic. Consequently, the scientific analysis and evaluation of healthcare policy is becoming increasingly important. DIW Berlin will therefore further develop its economic and sociological research into health. It will focus on analyzing government intervention in the field of healthcare and how this affects the wellbeing of individuals
Side-effects of a number of insecticides on predatory mites in apple orchards
Background: Amblyseius andersoni is a common predatory mite occurring in fruit orchards located in Europe and North America. Its role in preventing spider mite outbreaks is widely recognized, in particular when selective pesticides are used. The compatibility between plant protection products and predatory mites is crucial to preserve their activity. There is a need to investigate the effects of pesticides on beneficials using multiple approaches. Objectives: Field and laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of a number of insecticides on A. andersoni. Methods: The effects of neonicotinoids (i.e., acetamiprid, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, thia-methoxam) were compared with those of pyrethroids (i.e., tau-fluvalinate), well known for their negative impact on predatory mites. Insecticides were applied 1-3 times in an experimental fruit orchard located in Northern Italy. Laboratory trials focused on their effects on the survival and the fecundity of predatory mite females. Results: Field experiments showed a decline in predatory mite numbers in plots treated with neonicotinoids or tau-fluvalinate compared to the untreated control. However, predatory mites in neonicotinoid plots reached higher densities compared to those recorded in tau-fluvalinate plots. Spider mite (Panonychus ulmi) populations reached moderate to high densities in plots treated with tau-fluvalinate while their densities were negligible in the remaining plots. Amblyseius andersoni survival was moderately affected by some neonicotinoids in the laboratory while they significantly reduced predatory mite fecundity. In contrast tau-fluvalinate exerted severe effects on survival and fecundity of predatory mites. Finally, escaping rate increased after pesticide exposure suggesting possible alterations in predatory mite behavior. Conclusions: Neonicotinoid applications significantly affected predatory mite densities in field conditions and this phenomenon appeared to be influenced by their impact on female fecundity. Their effects on survival were less severe. Implications of these results for IPM tactics in fruit orchards are discusse
Editorial: Ecosystem Services and Disservices Provided by Plant-Feeding Predatory Arthropods
Editorial of the Research Topic issue on Ecosystem Services and Disservices Provided by Plant-Feeding Predatory Arthropod
Short-wave diathermy in the clinical management of musculoskeletal disorders: a pilot observational study
Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common cause of pain and functional limitation in the general population. The study aim was to evaluate short-wave diathermy (SWD) effects on pain and quality of life in people with musculoskeletal disorders. Eighty participants (31 men, mean age 56 \ub1 12.49 years) were enrolled, recruiting from outpatient clinics at the Rehabilitation Unit, University Hospital, Padova. Inclusion criteria were pain lasting more than 15 days, pain visual analog scale (VAS) score higher than 50/100 mm, and a diagnosis of osteoarthritis, neck/back pain, or tendinopathies. All participants underwent ten sessions of percutaneous SWD, 3 times/week. Each session lasted 15\u201320 min, with frequencies of 4 or 8 MHz and heat intensity between 40 and 60 W. Outcomes were assessed before and after treatment. Primary outcome was pain reduction, evaluated by short form McGill pain questionnaire, which includes VAS and present pain intensity (PPI). Secondary outcome was improvement in social and work-related activity limitations. Participants were grouped based on classification of pain [nociceptive and neuropathic pain (group A) vs nociceptive only (group B)]. VAS and PPI improved significantly (p < 0.01). No difference in pain reduction (VAS and PPI) emerged between the groups. Limitations due to pain in work-related and non-work-related activities decreased (p < 0.01); use of pain medications was reduced at T1 vs T0 (p < 0.01). Our results suggest that SWD is effective\ua0in reducing musculoskeletal pain in the short term, providing relief and improving quality of life
Effects of Aculus schlechtendali (Acari: Eriophyidae) population densities on Golden Delicious apple production
Field trials were carried out in order to evaluate the seasonal abundance and the impact on yields of the Apple Rust Mite (ARM) Aculus schlechtendali (Acari: Eriophyidae) in an experimental fruit orchard located in northern Italy (Trentino region). The effect of ARM on yield and market quality parameters were assessed on Golden Delicious apple fruits. Fruit size, fruit weight, round colour hue, presence of russet as well as inside quality, i.e. soluble solids, acidity and Perlim index, were evaluated over two seasons considering three population levels of ARM that were determined applying different pesticide strategies. Effects of rust mites on return bloom and yield efficiency were also evaluated. ARM seasonal abundance showed a peak in mid-summer. Relationships between ARM and predatory mites were weak. Moderate to high ARM densities affected fruits size, fruit weight, and round colour hue of Golden Delicious fruits. In contrast, ARM populations did not affect russet on fruits, return bloom and yield efficiency. Additional studies were conducted in the laboratory, on detached Golden Delicious apple leaves, to evaluate the potential for population increase at temperatures close to those recorded in field conditions. These studies evidenced a high potential for population increase
Is Eriophyes mali Nalepa present in Italy?
In the last few years, blistering symptoms were observed on apple plants in commercial orchards. Blisters are commonly found on apple leaves as well as on small fruits. This symptom is compatible with that described for apple blister mites belonging to the genus Eriophyes (Eriophyidae). To assess the identity of the etiological agent, leaf blisters and buds of symptomatic apple and, as a control, pear plants were examined under the dissection microscope and eriophyoid mites were collected. Specimens were examined using both molecular and morphological approaches. The analysis of sequences confirmed that eriophyoid mites collected from symptomatic apple and pear plants are genetically different. Our analyses highlight a complex scenario inside the genus Eriophyes that is worth to be studied in more detai
Efficacy of Conventional and Organic Insecticides against Scaphoideus titanus: Field and Semi-Field Trials
Scaphoideus titanus is the main vector of phytoplasmas associated with Flavescence dorée (FD), one of the most serious threats to viticulture in many European countries. To minimize the spread of this disease, mandatory control measures against S. titanus were decided in Europe. In the 1990s, the repeated application of insecticides (mainly organophosphates) proved to be an effective measure to control the vector and the related disease in north-eastern Italy. These insecticides and most of the neonicotinoids were recently banned from European viticulture. Serious FD issues detected in the recent years in northern Italy could be related to the use of less effective insecticides. Trials aimed at evaluating the efficacy of the most used conventional and organic insecticides in the control of S. titanus have been performed in semi-field and field conditions to test this hypothesis. In efficacy trials, carried out in four vineyards, etofenprox and deltamethrin proved to be the best conventional insecticides, while pyrethrins were the most impactful among organic insecticides. Insecticide residual activity was evaluated in semi-field and field conditions. Acrinathrin showed the most significant residual effects in both conditions. In semi-field trials, most of the pyrethroids were associated with good results in terms of residual activity. However, these effects declined in field conditions, probably due to high temperatures. Organic insecticides showed poor results in terms of residual efficacy. Implications of these results in the context of Integrated Pest Management in conventional and organic viticulture are discussed
Collusion through Joint R&D: An Empirical Assessment
This paper tests whether upstream R&D cooperation leads to downstream collusion. We consider an oligopolistic setting where firms enter in research joint ventures (RJVs) to lower production costs or coordinate on collusion in the product market. We show that a sufficient condition for identifying collusive behavior is a decline in the market share of RJV-participating firms, which is also necessary and sufficient for a decrease in consumer welfare. Using information from the US National Cooperation Research Act, we estimate a market share equation correcting for the endogeneity of RJV participation and R&D expenditures. We find robust evidence that large networks between direct competitors – created through firms being members in several RJVs at the same time – are conducive to collusive outcomes in the product market which reduce consumer welfare. By contrast, RJVs among non-competitors are efficiency enhancing
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