Analysis of the socio-economic impact of the tobacco CMO reform on italian tobacco sector

The Tobacco CMO (Common Market Organization) is involved in a intense debate between the European tobacco industry and those who are against to a crop whose transformed product is dangerous to the health. European institutions have shown a strong interest in this complex issue introducing two Reforms (1992 and 1998) and one revision in 2004. This paper aims to analyse and investigate the socio-economic impact of the tobacco CMO Reform of 2004 in Italy, across the scenarios proposed by the EC Commission (2004), both on the tobacco production and processing sector. The considered socio-economic indicators are harvested surfaces, farm income and overall employment, while the sample of farms used in this research belong to the FADN–Italy sample.Tobacco CMO, CAP reform, decoupling, Positive Mathematical Programming

Adherence to the mediterranean diet in association with self-perception of diet sustainability, anthropometric and sociodemographic factors: A cross-sectional study in italian adults

The adoption of sustainable dietary models, such as the Mediterranean Diet (MD), can be a valuable strategy to preserve ecosystems and human health. This study aims to investigate in an Italian adult representative sample the adherence to the MD and to what extent it is associated with the self-perceived adoption of a sustainable diet, the consideration of the MD as a sustainable dietary model, and anthropometric and sociodemographic factors. By applying an online survey (n = 838, 18–65 years, 52% female), an intermediate level of MD adherence (median: 4.0, IR: 3.0–4.0) in a 0–9 range was observed. Only 50% of the total sample confirmed the MD as a sustainable dietary model, and 84% declared no or low perception of adopting a sustainable diet. Being female, having a higher income and education level, considering the MD as a sustainable dietary model, as well as the perception of having a sustainable diet were the most relevant factors influencing the probability of having a high score (≥6) of adherence to the MD. This study suggests a gradual shift away from the MD in Italy and supports the need to address efforts for developing intervention strategies tailored to adults for improving diet quality. Furthermore, a public campaign should stress the link between a diet and its environmental impact to foster nutritionally adequate and eco-friendly dietary behaviors

Consumer Preferences for Cheese Products with Quality Labels: The Case of Parmigiano Reggiano and Comté

Simple Summary A number of food quality schemes may be associated with dairy products, promoting specific production methods (e.g., organic) as well as products obtained from a narrow area of origin (e.g., protected designation of origin, PDO). The coexistence of multiple labels is less investigated in the literature, even if its role in consumer studies could reveal interesting hints for both the stakeholders in the production chains (e.g., to target marketing strategies) and for consumers, who could access more precise information about the origin and the production processes. In this study, we provide evidence of consumers' preferences and willingness to pay for cheese products (Comte and Parmigiano Reggiano) in two EU countries (France and Italy, respectively). We found how consumers' choices varied by combining the PDO label with other quality features (i.e., the organic label in France, and the Mountain Product label in Italy). Still, price remained the most important factor influencing consumers' decisions; however, we found how combined food quality labels could influence consumers' choices. We found different market segments in the two countries presenting more positive attitudes towards quality-labeled food products, thus providing stakeholders with helpful information on how to develop tailored marketing strategies. The paper examined the potential demand for a food specialty dairy product, cheese, with alternative multiple labels. A random-parameter logit model was applied to interpret the results of online discrete choice experiments (DCE) for the elicitation of the preference of the cheese consumers surveyed in two European countries, France (n = 400) and Italy (n = 408). We analyzed consumers' choices of quality-labeled cheeses, i.e., protected-designation-of-origin (PDO)-labeled Parmigiano Reggiano and Comte. Other features were tested, such as organic (Comte) and Mountain Product (Parmigiano Reggiano) labels, companies' brands and price. The paper contributes to the literature on credence attributes by examining consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) for differentiated cheese products in two EU countries, and by identifying the effects of personal characteristics, in terms of socio-demographics and level of product involvement, on the differences in preferences. The results show that price was the most important attribute in both countries, followed by the PDO quality label, particularly when paired with the second quality feature. Two cheese consumer segments were identified via latent class models in each country, helping producers to improve their marketing of agri-food products with a high gastronomic value and differentiation potential

Qualification and spillover effects for geographical indications: the case of Prosciutto di Parma PDO

The study analyses the spillover effect from Prosciutto di Parma (Parma Ham) PDO to non-PDO ham in the Prosciutto di Parma district. Two distinct networks are identified: a Parma Ham PDO network and a Parma-type ham network. The Parma-type ham network includes producers and a production process similar to the PDO product network but lacking compliance with the PDO code of practice. The paper shows the relationships between the two networks, identifying the geographical and reputational spillover that benefits the Parma type ham producers, their process and reputation.Ce travail analyse les effets d‟entraînement dits spillover dans le district du jambon de Parme AOP et les relations qui en suivent parmi les produits AOP et non AOP. L‟étude a permis d‟identifier dans le district du jambon de Parme deux réseau distincts: le premier concerne exactement le jambon AOP et le second concerne le jambon façon Parme qui utilise une technique productive similaire à celle de l‟AOP, mais ne respecte pas les termes du cahier des charges AOP. L‟article montre les relations entre ces deux réseaux, en particulier les effets d‟entraînement géographiques et réputationnels dont bénéficient les producteurs du jambon façon Parme dans leurs procédés et leur réputation.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Designing CIGS solar cells with front-side point contacts

In this work we show how 2D numerical simulations can be used to design and optimize front-side point contacts in surface-passivated CIGS cells. Detailed analysis of the combinations of passivation thickness, point contact size and pitch can help identifying solutions able to boost the performance of otherwise surface-limited cells: efficiencies close to those of cells with ideal (i.e., trap-free) CdS/CIGS interface can be achieved by the optimization of point contact features in the low nm range. The effect of varying the CIGS and CdS doping densities on the cell performance has also been analyzed

Cardiac Surgery in Jehovah's Witnesses Patients and Association With Peri-Operative Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Strategies for blood conservation, coupled with a careful preoperative assessment, may be applied to Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) patients who are candidates for cardiac surgery interventions. There is a need to assess clinical outcomes and safety of bloodless surgery in JW patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing JW patients with controls undergoing cardiac surgery. The primary endpoint was short-term mortality (in-hospital or 30-day mortality). Peri-procedural myocardial infarction, re-exploration for bleeding, pre-and postoperative Hb levels and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time were also analyzed. Results: A total of 10 studies including 2,302 patients were included. The pooled analysis showed no substantial differences in terms of short-term mortality among the two groups (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.74-1.73, I2=0%). There were no differences in peri-operative outcomes among JW patients and controls (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.39-2.41, I2=18% for myocardial infarction; OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.51-1.25, I2=0% for re-exploration for bleeding). JW patients had a higher level of preoperative Hb (Standardized Mean Difference [SMD] 0.32, 95% CI 0.06-0.57) and a trend toward a higher level of postoperative Hb (SMD 0.44, 95% CI -0.01-0.90). A slightly lower CPB time emerged in JWs compared with controls (SMD -0.11, 95% CI -0.30-0.07). Conclusions: JW patients undergoing cardiac surgery, with avoidance of blood transfusions, did not have substantially different peri-operative outcomes compared with controls, with specific reference to mortality, myocardial infarction, and re-exploration for bleeding. Our results support the safety and feasibility of bloodless cardiac surgery, applying patient blood management strategies

COULD THE ENDOSCOPIC RESECTION OF A LARGE RECTAL LEIOMYOMA BE AN EFFETCIVE AND SAFE TECHNIQUE?

Summary. Rectal leiomyomas are a rare conditions, with low reported incidence in literature and constitute about 0.1% of rectal tumours; in fact rectal leiomyomas occur in approximately 1 out of 2000-3000 rectal tumors. We report on a patient with a 3 cm semi-pedunculated colonic leiomyoma, which was successfully removed by endoscopic polypectomy after normal saline-epinephrine submucosal injection. When we encounter a tumor during a colonoscopic examination, we usually evaluate the tumor carefully and perform an endoscopic resection when we judge it is appropriate. When a symptomatic smooth muscle tumors smaller than 2 cm are incidentally found on colonoscopy, surgical resection is unnecessary. Furthermore, if a tumor can be lifted with a snare and it is either pedunculated or semi-pedunculated, endoscopic resection might be a safe option. For those tumors with wide-based or exoluminal growth, endoscopic removal should be avoided due to the higher risks of bleeding and perforation. The histological findings of the resected tumor are important. If there is any malignant element that can not be completely eradicated, we would suggest surgical treatment. We believe our process allows to avoid unnecessary surgery and reduces medical costs

Mechanical thrombectomy in patients with proximal occlusions and low NIHSS: Results from a large prospective registry

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy is now standard of care for treatment of acute ischemic stroke secondary to large vessel occlusion in the setting of high NIHSS. We analysed a large nationwide registry focusing on patients with large vessel occlusion and low NIHSS on admission to evaluate the efficacy and safety of thrombectomy in this patient population Methods: 2826 patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy were included in a multicentre registry from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2015. We included patients with large vessel occlusion and NIHSS ≤ 6 on admission. Baseline characteristics, imaging, clinical outcome, procedure adverse events and positive and negative outcome predictors were analysed. Results: 134 patients were included. 90/134 had an anterior circulation and 44 a posterior circulation stroke. One patient died before treatment. Successful revascularization (mTICI 2b-3) was achieved in 73.7% (98/133) of the patients. Intraprocedural adverse event was observed in 3% (4/133) of cases. Symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage rate was 5.3% (7/133). At three months, 70.9% (95/134) of the patients had mRS score 0-2, 15.7% (21/134) mRS 3-5 and 13.4% (18/134) mRS 6. Age and successful recanalization were significant predictors of a good clinical outcome on both univariate (p= 0.005 and p=0.007) and multivariable (p=0.0018 and p=0.009 [nat log]) analysis. Absence of vessel recanalization and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage were independent predictors of poor outcome (p=0.021). Conclusions: Our study suggests that patients with large vessel occlusion and low NIHSS score on admission can benefit from mechanical thrombectomy. Randomized trials are warranted