FISCAL POLICY AND LONG-TERM ECONOMIC GROWTH: LESSONS FROM THE EURO AREA

At the beginning of 2020, the European Union embarked on a process of reviewing its macroeconomic policy strategy and economic governance framework. While the review of the monetary policy framework was approved in July 2021, the review of the fiscal policy framework was put on hold as a result of the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic crisis. The Covid-19 crisis led to a breach of fiscal rules in the European Union and an unprecedented increase in the size of fiscal imbalances. In this context, there is a need for a radical reform of the fiscal rules still in force to allow for a more active role of national fiscal policies and to avoid the serious economic problems resulting from the fiscal austerity policies emanating from the Maastricht Treaty, the Stability and Growth Pact and the successive reforms of the latter.At the beginning of 2020, the European Union embarked on a process of reviewing its macroeconomic policy strategy and economic governance framework. While the review of the monetary policy framework was approved in July 2021, the review of the fiscal policy framework was put on hold as a result of the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic crisis. The Covid-19 crisis led to a breach of fiscal rules in the European Union and an unprecedented increase in the size of fiscal imbalances. In this context, there is a need for a radical reform of the fiscal rules still in force to allow for a more active role of national fiscal policies and to avoid the serious economic problems resulting from the fiscal austerity policies emanating from the Maastricht Treaty, the Stability and Growth Pact and the successive reforms of the latter

Synchrotron X-ray photoabsorption spectroscopy of plasmas

Theoretical X-ray opacities are used in numerous radiative transfer simulations of plasmas at different temperatures and densities, for example astrophysics, fusion, metrology and EUV and X-rays radiation sources. However, there are only a reduced number of laboratories working on the validation of those theoretical results empirically, in particular for high temperature plasmas (mayor que 1eV). One of those limitations comes from the use of broad band EUV- X ray sources to illuminate the plasma which, among other issues, present low reproducibility and repetition rate [1]. Synchrotron radiation facilities are a more appropriate radiation source in that sense, since they provide tunable, reproducible and high resolution photons. Only their ?low? photon intensity for these experiments has prevented researchers to use it for this purpose. However, as new synchrotron facilities improve their photon fluxes, this limitation not longer holds [2]. This work evaluates the experimental requirements to use third generation synchrotron radiation sources for the empirical measurement of opacities of plasmas, proposing a pausible experimental set-up to carry them out. Properties of the laser or discharge generated plasmas to be studied with synchrotron radiation will be discussed in terms of their maximum temperatures, densities and temporal evolution. It will be concluded that there are encouraging reasons to pursue these kind of experiments which will provide with an appropriate benchmark for theoretical opacitie

Yield of new hemp varieties for medical purposes under semi-arid Mediterranean environment conditions

Under the effects of climate change new drought tolerant crops are imperative to introduce in irrigated agricultural areas of Mediterranean countries. In this sense, hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) represents an alternative in many semi-arid agricultural areas of Mediterranean basin because of its low water requirements and cost effectiveness when it is developed under non controlled conditions. The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential yield of five new hemp varieties (Sara, Pilar, Aida, Theresa, and Juani) cultivated under high tunnel conditions in a semi-arid Mediterranean area, and also to study the effect of plant density on active biomass production and cannabinoids biosynthesis (cannabidiol, CBD and cannabigerol, CBG) at different plant positions. The trial was conducted under plastic macro-tunnels during two seasons (2014 and 2015), from May to October. The agronomic response and the chemical profiles of the studied varieties were evaluated at the end of each season. Moreover, it was monitored the differentiation in terms of active biomass production and cannabinoids biosynthesis in different plant organ positions (at upper, medium, and lower). Additionally, during the second season, three different plant densities (PD1, 9,777; PD2, 7,333; and PD3, 5,866 plants· ha-1) were tested in order to define the the best of them for maximizing CBD and CBG productions. The findings highlighted significant differences in yield between cultivars within the CBD and CBG. Moreover, plant density was a determinant factor related to active biomass production and cannabinoids contents, PD3 representing a suitable strategy to maximize the cannabinoids production minimizing the requirements of rooted apical cuttings. These results allowed concluding that these new hemp cultivars together with the adopted agronomic practices in this experience would be very appropriate for CBD and CBG productions, being determinant to consider the plant density and the cultivar for both studied chemotypes.Under the effects of climate change new drought tolerant crops are imperative to introduce in irrigated agricultural areas of Mediterranean countries. In this sense, hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) represents an alternative in many semi-arid agricultural areas of Mediterranean basin because of its low water requirements and cost effectiveness when it is developed under non controlled conditions. The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential yield of five new hemp varieties (Sara, Pilar, Aida, Theresa, and Juani) cultivated under high tunnel conditions in a semi-arid Mediterranean area, and also to study the effect of plant density on active biomass production and cannabinoids biosynthesis (cannabidiol, CBD and cannabigerol, CBG) at different plant positions. The trial was conducted under plastic macro-tunnels during two seasons (2014 and 2015), from May to October. The agronomic response and the chemical profiles of the studied varieties were evaluated at the end of each season. Moreover, it was monitored the differentiation in terms of active biomass production and cannabinoids biosynthesis in different plant organ positions (at upper, medium, and lower). Additionally, during the second season, three different plant densities (PD1, 9,777; PD2, 7,333; and PD3, 5,866 plants· ha-1) were tested in order to define the the best of them for maximizing CBD and CBG productions. The findings highlighted significant differences in yield between cultivars within the CBD and CBG. Moreover, plant density was a determinant factor related to active biomass production and cannabinoids contents, PD3 representing a suitable strategy to maximize the cannabinoids production minimizing the requirements of rooted apical cuttings. These results allowed concluding that these new hemp cultivars together with the adopted agronomic practices in this experience would be very appropriate for CBD and CBG productions, being determinant to consider the plant density and the cultivar for both studied chemotypes

MBW complexes impinge on anthocyanidin reductase gene regulation for proanthocyanidin biosynthesis in persimmon fruit

[EN] MBW protein complexes containing MYB, bHLH and WD40 repeat factors are known transcriptional regulators of secondary metabolites production such as proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins, and developmental processes such as trichome formation in many plant species. DkMYB2 and DkMYB4 (MYB-type), DkMYC1 (bHLH-type) and DkWDR1 (WD40-type) factors have been proposed by different authors to take part of persimmon MBW complexes for proanthocyanidin accumulation in immature fruit, leading to its characteristic astringent flavour with important agronomical and ecological effects. We have confirmed the nuclear localization of these proteins and their mutual physical interaction by bimolecular fluorescence complementation analysis. In addition, transient expression of DkMYB2, DkMYB4 and DkMYC1 cooperatively increase the expression of a persimmon anthocyanidin reductase gene (ANR), involved in the biosynthesis of cis-flavan-3-ols, the structural units of proanthocyanidin compounds. Collectively, these data support the presence of MBW complexes in persimmon fruit and suggest their coordinated participation in ANR regulation for proanthocyanidin production.This work was funded by the Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA)-FEDER (grant no. RF2013-00043-C02-02 and RTA2017-00011-C03-01). FG-M was funded by a fellowship co-financed by the Generalitat Valenciana and European Social Fund (2014 2020) (grant no. ACIF/2016/115).Gil Muñoz, F.; Sanchez Navarro, JA.; Besada Ferreiro, CM.; Salvador Perez, AA.; Badenes Catala, M.; Naval Merino, MDM.; Rios Garcia, G. (2020). MBW complexes impinge on anthocyanidin reductase gene regulation for proanthocyanidin biosynthesis in persimmon fruit. Scientific Reports. 10:1-11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-60635-wS11110Dixon, R. A., Xie, D.-Y. & Sharma, S. B. Proanthocyanidins–a final frontier in flavonoid research? New Phytol. 165, 9–28 (2005).Yonemori, K. & Matsushima, J. 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Role of anthocyanidin reductase, encoded by BANYULS in plant flavonoid biosynthesis. Science 299, 396–399 (2003).Ikegami, A., Eguchi, S., Kitajima, A., Inoue, K. & Yonemori, K. Identification of genes involved in proanthocyanidin biosynthesis of persimmon (Diospyros kaki) fruit. Plant Science 172, 1037–1047 (2007).Akagi, T. et al. Expression balances of structural genes in shikimate and flavonoid biosynthesis cause a difference in proanthocyanidin accumulation in persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) fruit. Planta 230, 899–915 (2009).Baudry, A. et al. TT2, TT8, and TTG1 synergistically specify the expression of BANYULS and proanthocyanidin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant J. 39, 366–380 (2004).Xu, W. et al. Complexity and robustness of the flavonoid transcriptional regulatory network revealed by comprehensive analyses of MYB-bHLH-WDR complexes and their targets in Arabidopsis seed. New Phytol. 202, 132–144 (2014).Xu, W., Dubos, C. & Lepiniec, L. Transcriptional control of flavonoid biosynthesis by MYB-bHLH-WDR complexes. Trends Plant Sci. 20, 176–185 (2015).Hichri, I. et al. The basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor MYC1 is involved in the regulation of the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway in grapevine. Mol. Plant 3, 509–523 (2010).Schaart, J. G. et al. Identification and characterization of MYB-bHLH-WD40 regulatory complexes controlling proanthocyanidin biosynthesis in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) fruits. New Phytol. 197, 454–467 (2013).Gesell, A., Yoshida, K., Tran, L. T. & Constabel, C. P. Characterization of an apple TT2-type R2R3 MYB transcription factor functionally similar to the poplar proanthocyanidin regulator PtMYB134. Planta 240, 497–511 (2014).Naval, M. et al. A WD40-repeat protein from persimmon interacts with the regulators of proanthocyanidin biosynthesis DkMYB2 and DkMYB4. Tree Genet. Genomes 12, 13 (2016).Akagi, T. et al. DkMyb4 is a Myb transcription factor involved in proanthocyanidin biosynthesis in persimmon fruit. Plant Physiol. 151, 2028–2045 (2009).Akagi, T., Ikegami, A. & Yonemori, K. DkMyb2 wound-induced transcription factor of persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.), contributes to proanthocyanidin regulation. Planta 232, 1045–1059 (2010).Su, F., Hu, J., Zhang, Q. & Luo, Z. Isolation and characterization of a basic Helix–Loop–Helix transcription factor gene potentially involved in proanthocyanidin biosynthesis regulation in persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.). Sci. Hortic.-Amsterdam 136, 115–121 (2012).Hribal, J., Zavrtanik, M., Simćić, M. & Vidrih, R. Changes during storing and astringency removal of persimmon fruit Diospyros kaki L. Acta Aliment. Hung. 29, 123–136 (2000).Nesi, N., Jond, C., Debeaujon, I., Caboche, M. & Lepiniec, L. The Arabidopsis TT2 gene encodes an R2R3 MYB domain protein that acts as a key determinant for proanthocyanidin accumulation in developing seed. Plant Cell 13, 2099–2114 (2001).Zhao, M., Morohashi, K., Hatlestad, G., Grotewold, E. & Lloyd, A. The TTG1-bHLH-MYB complex controls trichome cell fate and patterning through direct targeting of regulatory loci. Development 135, 1991–1999 (2008).Weill, U. et al. Assessment of GFP tag position on protein localization and growth Fitness in yeast. J. Mol. Biol. 431, 636–641 (2019).Wang, P. et al. A sucrose-induced MYB (SIMYB) transcription factor promoting proanthocyanidin accumulation in the tea plant (Camellia sinensis). J. Agric. Food Chem. 67, 1418–1428 (2019).Baudry, A., Caboche, M. & Lepiniec, L. TT8 controls its own expression in a feedback regulation involving TTG1 and homologous MYB and bHLH factors, allowing a strong and cell-specific accumulation of flavonoids in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant J. 46, 768–779 (2006).Albert, N. W. et al. A conserved network of transcriptional activators and repressors regulates anthocyanin pigmentation in eudicots. Plant Cell 26, 962–980 (2014).Bellini, E. Cultural practices for persimmon production. In Options Méditerranéennes. Série A: Séminaires Méditerranéens (CIHEAM) (eds. Bellini, E. & Giordani, E.) 51. 39–52 (CIHEAM-IAMZ, 2002).Taira, S. Astringency in Persimmon. In Fruit Analysis (eds. Linskens, H. F. & Jackson, J. F.) 97–110 (Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 1995).Arnal, L. & Rio, M. A. D. Quality of persimmon fruit cv. Rojo brillante during storage at different temperatures. Span. J. Agric. Res. 2, 243–247 (2004).Akagi, T., Henry, I. M., Tao, R. & Comai, L. A Y-chromosome–encoded small RNA acts as a sex determinant in persimmons. Science 346, 646–650 (2014).Doyle, J. J. & Doyle, J. L. A rapid DNA isolation procedure for small quantities of fresh leaf tissue. Phytochemical Bulletin 19, 11–15 (1987).Herranz, M. C., Sanchez-Navarro, J. A., Aparicio, F. & Pallás, V. Simultaneous detection of six stone fruit viruses by non-isotopic molecular hybridization using a unique riboprobe or ‘polyprobe’. 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An aphasia research agenda - a consensus statement from the collaboration of aphasia trialists.

Coordination of international aphasia research would minimise duplication of effort, support synergistic international activities across languages and multidisciplinary perspectives, and promote high-quality conduct and reporting of aphasia research, thereby increasing the relevance, transparency, and implementation of findings. The Collaboration of Aphasia Trialists (CATs) sought to develop an aphasia research agenda to direct future research activities, based on priorities shared by people with aphasia, family members, and healthcare professionals. Our established international research network spanning 33 countries contributed to this activity. Research literature reporting the priorities of stakeholders was reviewed and synthesised (phase 1). Representatives from Working Groups on Aphasia Assessment & Outcomes, Prognosis & Predictors of Recovery, Effectiveness of Interventions, and Societal Impact & Reintegration participated in a two-day research agenda setting meeting. The CATs expert panel refined research objectives and identified constituent components of research and methodological developments required to address these research components. The objectives and research components were grouped into overarching themes (phase 2). The resultant list was then circulated to more than 180 CATs members for review, revision, and approval. Consensus on the final aphasia research agenda and road-map was reached by CATs executive committee (phase 3). The expert panel identified five overarching research themes: (i) evidence-based interventions for people with aphasia, (ii) effective interventions to support those communicating with people with aphasia, (iii) cross-linguistic assessment and core outcomes for aphasia research, (iv) predictors of language recovery, and (v) clinical implementation of research findings. Within these broad themes, 30 research objectives and 91 individual aphasia research components were identified and sequentially ordered. This agenda builds on research priorities identified by people with aphasia and their families, and includes priorities of healthcare professionals and researchers, and will support the rehabilitation and recovery of people with aphasia. Our internationally relevant research agenda promotes rigour in methodology, considers international applicability, synergistic activities, and sharing of resources and expertise

Higher COVID-19 pneumonia risk associated with anti-IFN-α than with anti-IFN-ω auto-Abs in children

We found that 19 (10.4%) of 183 unvaccinated children hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia had autoantibodies (auto-Abs) neutralizing type I IFNs (IFN-alpha 2 in 10 patients: IFN-alpha 2 only in three, IFN-alpha 2 plus IFN-omega in five, and IFN-alpha 2, IFN-omega plus IFN-beta in two; IFN-omega only in nine patients). Seven children (3.8%) had Abs neutralizing at least 10 ng/ml of one IFN, whereas the other 12 (6.6%) had Abs neutralizing only 100 pg/ml. The auto-Abs neutralized both unglycosylated and glycosylated IFNs. We also detected auto-Abs neutralizing 100 pg/ml IFN-alpha 2 in 4 of 2,267 uninfected children (0.2%) and auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-omega in 45 children (2%). The odds ratios (ORs) for life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia were, therefore, higher for auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-alpha 2 only (OR [95% CI] = 67.6 [5.7-9,196.6]) than for auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-. only (OR [95% CI] = 2.6 [1.2-5.3]). ORs were also higher for auto-Abs neutralizing high concentrations (OR [95% CI] = 12.9 [4.6-35.9]) than for those neutralizing low concentrations (OR [95% CI] = 5.5 [3.1-9.6]) of IFN-omega and/or IFN-alpha 2

Forward-central two-particle correlations in p-Pb collisions at root s(NN)=5.02 TeV

Two-particle angular correlations between trigger particles in the forward pseudorapidity range (2.5 2GeV/c. (C) 2015 CERN for the benefit of the ALICE Collaboration. Published by Elsevier B. V.Peer reviewe

Event-shape engineering for inclusive spectra and elliptic flow in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S=2.76 TeV

Peer reviewe

Azimuthal anisotropy of charged jet production in root s(NN)=2.76 TeV Pb-Pb collisions

We present measurements of the azimuthal dependence of charged jet production in central and semi-central root s(NN) = 2.76 TeV Pb-Pb collisions with respect to the second harmonic event plane, quantified as nu(ch)(2) (jet). Jet finding is performed employing the anti-k(T) algorithm with a resolution parameter R = 0.2 using charged tracks from the ALICE tracking system. The contribution of the azimuthal anisotropy of the underlying event is taken into account event-by-event. The remaining (statistical) region-to-region fluctuations are removed on an ensemble basis by unfolding the jet spectra for different event plane orientations independently. Significant non-zero nu(ch)(2) (jet) is observed in semi-central collisions (30-50% centrality) for 20 <p(T)(ch) (jet) <90 GeV/c. The azimuthal dependence of the charged jet production is similar to the dependence observed for jets comprising both charged and neutral fragments, and compatible with measurements of the nu(2) of single charged particles at high p(T). Good agreement between the data and predictions from JEWEL, an event generator simulating parton shower evolution in the presence of a dense QCD medium, is found in semi-central collisions. (C) 2015 CERN for the benefit of the ALICE Collaboration. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Peer reviewe