The importance of energy price stickiness and real wage inflexibility for the time paths of rebound effects

There has been some controversy over the relative sizes of the short- and long-run rebound effects associated with energy efficiency improvements. Theoretical analysis by Wei (2007) and Saunders implied that the rebound effects would always be greater in the long-run than in the short-run. However, Allan et al (2007) and Turner (2009) found evidence from Computable General Equilibrium simulations that contradicted this result. In this paper we systematically explore the impact of energy price stickiness and real wage inflexibility for the evolution of rebound effects. We find that: the degree of energy price, but not wage, stickiness is an important determinant of the time path of rebound effects and of its relative size in the short- and long-runs; and that there is considerable variation in the scale of rebound effects through time, even where short-run rebound effects are lower than in the long-run. However, the most significant finding overall is that rebound reflects the system-wide interaction between energy producing and energy using sectors

Do sticky energy prices impact the time paths of rebound effects associated with energy efficiency actions?

There is broad consensus in the policy and academic communities regarding the importance of energy efficiency actions in reducing energy requirements and subsequent greenhouse gas emissions. However, there is also a requirement to understand the extent to which the technically possible energy savings from exogenously introduced efficiency improvements might be eroded by knock-on economic effects which will further change energy use. These effects strongly influence the way this ‘rebound’ phenomenon evolves over time. While economy-wide drivers of rebound effects are well understood, there has been some controversy over the relative sizes of the short- and long-run rebound effects associated with energy efficiency improvements. Theoretical analysis predicted that rebound effects would always be greater in the long run than in the short run. However, numerical general equilibrium simulations have contradicted this result. A principal driver of the simulation results is the fully flexible response of energy supply prices to shifting demand. However, in practice, there are a number of reasons for arguing that energy prices are likely to be ‘sticky’. In this paper we systematically explore the effects of energy price stickiness on the evolution of rebound effects. We find that price stickiness is an important determinant of the time path of rebound effects and of their relative size in the short and long runs. Moreover, there is considerable variation in the scale of rebound effects through time, especially where short-run rebound is lower than its long-run counterpart. However, the most significant overall finding is that rebound reflects the system-wide interaction between energy producing and energy using sectors

Bullous central serous chorioretinopathy: A rare and atypical form of central serous chorioretinopathy. a systematic review

Bullous central serous chorioretinopathy (bCSCR) is a rare variant of the central serous chorioretinopathy, complicated by an exudative retinal detachment with shifting fluid. This systematic review aims to present the epidemiology, the pathogenesis, the clinical presentation, the imaging, the differential diagnosis, and the latest treatments of this disease. A total of 60 studies were identified following a literature search adhering to PRISMA guidelines. After full-text evaluation, 34 studies about bCSCR were included. bCSCR usually affects middle-aged men, and the principal risk factor is corticosteroid medications. Pathogenesis is related to an increased choroidal vessel and choriocapillaris permeability, with subsequent subretinal fluid accumulation, rich in fibrin, which may provoke the exudative retinal detachment. Clinical presentation and imaging are fundamental to distinguish bCSCR from other pathologies, avoiding unappropriated treatment. Corticosteroid withdraws (if assumed) and laser photocoagulation of leakage sites seen at angiography may speed up retinal reattachment. Verteporfin photodynamic therapy, transpupillary thermal therapy, oral eplerenone and scleral thinning surgery are other therapeutic options. An early diagnosis might prevent disease progression due to harmful medications as well as unnecessary surgery

A Clinical Picture of the Visual Outcome in Adamantiades-Behçet’s Disease

Adamantiades-Behc¸et’s disease is a multisystemic vasculitis with multiorgan involvement. Ocular disorders occur often in this syndrome typically in the form of a relapsing-remitting panuveitis and vasculitis and can lead to blindness as one of its most disabling complications if left untreated. There are known risk factors related with the worst visual prognosis, which require early and intensive treatment in order to obtain a rapid suppression of inflammation and to prevent future relapses. The management strategy to avoid vision loss and blindness currently involves the use of local and systemic drugs including steroids and immunosuppressive and biologic agents.This review aims to demonstrate how the introduction and the use of biologic agents improves the visual outcome of patients with Adamantiades-Behc¸et’s diseas

What is the impact of intraoperative microscope-integrated oct in ophthalmic surgery? Relevant applications and outcomes. a systematic review

Background: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has recently been introduced in the operating theatre. The aim of this review is to present the actual role of microscope-integrated optical coherence tomography (MI-OCT) in ophthalmology. Method: A total of 314 studies were identified, following a literature search adhering to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. After full-text evaluation, 81 studies discussing MI-OCT applications in ophthalmology were included. Results: At present, three microscope-integrated optical coherence tomography systems are commercially available. MI-OCT can help anterior and posterior segment surgeons in the decision-making process, providing direct visualization of anatomic planes before and after surgical manoeuvres, assisting in complex cases, and detecting or confirming intraoperative complications. Applications range from corneal transplant to macular surgery, including cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery, paediatric examination, proliferative diabetic retinopathy surgery, and retinal detachment surgery. Conclusion: The use of MI-OCT in ophthalmic surgery is becoming increasingly prevalent and has been applied in almost all procedures. However, there are still limitations to be overcome and the technology involved remains difficult to access and use

Ophthalmological emergencies and the SARSCoV-2 outbreak

Since the end of 2019, an outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), originating in the Chinese city of Wuhan has spread rapidly worldwide causing thousands of deaths. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is supported by SARS-CoV-2 and represents the causative agent of a potentially fatal disease that is of great global public health concern. Italy has been the first European country recording an elevated number of infected forcing the Italian Government to call for total lockdown. The lockdown had the aim to limit the spread of infection through social distancing. The purpose of this study is to analyze how the pandemic has affected the patient’s accesses to the Ophthalmological Emergency Department of a tertiary referral center in central-northern Italy, during the lockdown period. The charts of all patients that came to the Emergency Department during the lockdown period (March 10 –May 4, 2020) have been retrospectively collected and compared with those in the same period of 2019 and the period from 15 January– 9 March 2020. A significant reduction of visits during the lockdown has been observed, compared with those of pre-lockdown period (reduction of 65.4%) and with those of the same period of 2019 (reduction of 74.3%). Particularly, during the lockdown, minor and not urgency visits decreased whereas the undeferrable urgency ones increased. These pieces of evidence could be explained by the fear of patients to be infected; but also revealed patients misuse of emergency services

Correlated electron-hole plasma in organometal perovskites

Organic-inorganic perovskites are a class of solution-processed semiconductors holding promise for the realization of low-cost efficient solar cells and on-chip lasers. Despite the recent attention they have attracted, fundamental aspects of the photophysics underlying device operation still remain elusive. Here we use photoluminescence and transmission spectroscopy to show that photoexcitations give rise to a conducting plasma of unbound but Coulomb-correlated electron-hole pairs at all excitations of interest for light-energy conversion and stimulated optical amplification. The conductive nature of the photoexcited plasma has crucial consequences for perovskite-based devices: in solar cells, it ensures efficient charge separation and ambipolar transport while, concerning lasing, it provides a low threshold for light amplification and justifies a favourable outlook for the demonstration of an electrically driven laser. We find a significant trap density, whose cross-section for carrier capture is however low, yielding a minor impact on device performance

Resilience in a behavioural/Keynesian regional model

This paper constructs a regional dynamic macroeconomic model with an eclectic, broadly Keynesian and behavioural flavour. The model, which is parameterized on Scottish data, is used to identify the impact of expectations and business confidence on regional resilience. Simulations compare the evolution of the regional economy after a temporary negative export shock under a range of investment functions. The mainstream perfect foresight formulation generates a reduction in activity, which is small and is limited to the duration of the shock. The heuristic-based, imperfect-information investment models produce more negative, longer-lasting and unstable adjustment paths

Insights on the Choice and Preparation of the Donor Nerve in Corneal Neurotization for Neurotrophic Keratopathy: A Narrative Review

The article introduces neurotrophic keratopathy (NK), a condition resulting from corneal denervation due to various causes of trigeminal nerve dysfunctions. Surgical techniques for corneal neurotization (CN) have evolved, aiming to restore corneal sensitivity. Initially proposed in 1972, modern approaches offer less invasive options. CN can be performed through a direct approach (DCN) directly suturing a sensitive nerve to the affected cornea or indirectly (ICN) through a nerve auto/allograft. Surgical success relies on meticulous donor nerve selection and preparation, often involving multidisciplinary teams. A PubMed research and review of the relevant literature was conducted regarding the surgical approach, emphasizing surgical techniques and the choice of the donor nerve. The latter considers factors like sensory integrity and proximity to the cornea. The most used are the contralateral or ipsilateral supratrochlear (STN), and the supraorbital (SON) and great auricular (GAN) nerves. Regarding the choice of grafts, the most used in the literature are the sural (SN), the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve (LABCN), and the GAN nerves. Another promising option is represented by allografts (acellularized nerves from cadavers). The significance of sensory recovery and factors influencing surgical outcomes, including nerve caliber matching and axonal regeneration, are discussed. Future directions emphasize less invasive techniques and the potential of acellular nerve allografts. In conclusion, CN represents a promising avenue in the treatment of NK, offering tailored approaches based on patient history and surgical expertise, with new emerging techniques warranting further exploration through basic science refinements and clinical trials