Amor, justicia y relación. Bases de la economía según la encíclica Caritas in veritate

The encyclical letter Caritas in veritate had, when published, an unprecedented reception by mass media. But not many knew how to read the message of the encyclical in its proper context. This work aims to make explicit the triple context of the encyclical: theological, philosophical and economic and thus clearly show the depth of Benedict XVI’s message for the world of economists. At the core of that message is the concept of «relationship» that Benedict XVI draws from his theological thought. Even when it has a theological origin, this doesn’t mean that “relationship” is a strange element for the economy. The studies of Economia Civile, the Italian movement that gives the insights into the problems of the economy to the encyclical, show that the concept of relationship has always been an issue that the economy has faced, either to reject or to include. What determines its rejection or inclusion? The way the thought about the economy activity has of considering the justice and love between men. Mainstream economic thought inherits that conception from Adam Smith. And the understanding of love and justice of Smith’s proposal are tied to his theological thought, which he inherits from the Protestant tradition of natural jurisprudence. Some of the contemporary shortcomings in the practice of the economy have those foundations as causes. That’s why is justified the call of Benedict XVI to rethink the foundations of modern economic thought, beginning with love and justice.La encíclica Caritas in veritate tuvo, al ser publicada, una acogida mediática sin precedentes. Pero no muchos supieron interpretar el mensaje de la encíclica en su contexto adecuado. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo hacer explícito el triple contexto de la encíclica: teológico, filosófico y económico y de esta manera mostrar con claridad la profundidad del mensaje de Benedicto XVI para el mundo de los economistas. El núcleo de ese mensaje es el concepto de «relación», que Benedicto XVI extrae de su pensamiento teológico. Pero que su procedencia sea teológica, no significa que sea un elemento extraño para la economía. Los estudios de la Economia Civile, movimiento italiano que le proporciona a la encíclica una visión de los problemas de la economía, muestran que la relación ha sido siempre un tema que la economía ha debido enfrentar, ya sea para rechazar o para incorporar. ¿De qué depende su rechazo o incorporación? De la forma que el pensamiento sobre la actividad económica ha concebido la justicia y el amor entre los hombres. El pensamiento económico predominante (mainstream economics) hereda esa concepción de Adam Smith. A su vez, la comprensión del amor y la justicia en la propuesta de Smith están ligadas a su pensamiento teológico, que hereda de la tradición protestante de la jurisprudencia natural. Esta forma de pensar es la causa de algunos de los defectos que actualmente posee la práctica de la economía. Por eso se justifica la llamada de Benedicto XVI a repensar las bases del pensamiento moderno de la economía, comenzando por el amor y la justicia

Distribution modelling of wild rabbit hunting yields in its original area (S Iberian Peninsula)

In this work we used the information of the Annual Hunting Reports (AHRs) to obtain a high-resolution model of the potential favourableness for wild rabbit harvesting in Andalusia (southern Spain), using environmental and land-use variables as predictors. We analysed 32,134 AHRs from the period 1993/2001 reported by 6049 game estates to estimate the average hunting yields of wild rabbit in each Andalusian municipality (n5771). We modelled the favourableness for obtaining good hunting yields using stepwise logistic regression on a set of climatic, orographical, land use, and vegetation variables. The favourability equation was used to create a downscaled image representing the favourableness of obtaining good hunting yields for the wild rabbit in 161 km squares in Andalusia, using the Idrisi Image Calculator. The variables that affected hunting yields of wild rabbit were altitude, dry wood crops (mainly olive groves, almond groves, and vineyards), temperature, pasture, slope, and annual number of frost days. The 161 km squares with high favourableness values are scattered throughout the territory, which seems to be caused mainly by the effect of vegetation. Finally, we obtained quality categories for the territory by combining the probability values given by logistic regression with those of the environmental favourability function

A proposed bidirectional three-level DC-DC power converter for applications in smart grids: an experimental validation

The integration of renewable energy sources (RES), energy storage systems (ESS), and electric mobility into smart grids requires the use of DC-DC back-end power converters for adjusting voltage levels. Although a DC-DC converter applied for RES only operates in unidirectional mode, when applied to ESS or EM, the bidirectional mode is a fundamental requisite for exchanging power with the electrical power grid. In this context, this paper presents an experimental validation of a proposed bidirectional three-level DC-DC converter considering its application for smart grids. Traditionally, the DC-DC power converters of such applications are two-level converters. However, by employing a three-level topology, it is possible to improve the quality of the variables controlled by the power converter. Moreover, since the proposed DC-DC converter is controlled to produce a controlled current, the proposed current control and modulation strategies are introduced and described. A complete analysis of the operation principle of the proposed bidirectional three-level DC-DC power converter is presented, supported by experimental validation, employing a laboratory prototype.This work has been supported by FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the Project Scope: UID/CEC/00319/2019. This work has been supported by FCT Project DAIPESEV PTDC/EEI-EEE/30382/2017, and by the FCT Project newERA4GRIDs PTDC/EEI-EEE/30283/2017. Tiago Sousa is supported by the doctoral scholarship SFRH/BD/134353/2017 granted by FCT

Sliding mode control of an innovative single-switch three-level active rectifier

This paper presents the sliding mode control (SMC) applied to an innovative active rectifier. This proposed active rectifier is constituted by a single-switch, and operates with three voltage levels, evidencing a set of advantages when compared with conventional approaches of power factor correction topologies. Taking into account the diversity of applications for this type of power converter, the SMC is used in order to obtain a robust current tracking. Since the active rectifier is controlled according to the ac grid-side current, the error between such current and its reference is determined, and by employing the SMC, this error is minimized during each sampling period with the objective of selecting the state of the single-switch. A comprehensive description about the SMC implementation, supported by the overall operation of the active rectifier, is presented throughout the paper. The obtained computational results for a set of different operating conditions, comprising significant power ranges and sudden variations, confirm the accurate application of the SMC when applied to the proposed single-switch three-level active rectifier. A comparison is also established with other current control, allowing to confirm the precise application of the SMC strategy.This work has been supported by FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the Project Scope: UID/CEC/00319/2019. This work has been supported by FCT Project newERA4GRIDs PTDC/EEI-EEE/30283/2017, and by the FCT Project DAIPESEV PTDC/EEI-EEE/30382/2017. Tiago Sousa is supported by the doctoral scholarship SFRH/BD/134353/2017 granted by FCT

A novel multilevel converter for on-grid interface of renewable energy sources in smart grids

The on-grid interface of renewable energy sources involves a dc-ac converter for controlling the injected current. In this perspective, a novel topology of grid-tied converter is proposed, assuming as main feature the produced multilevel voltages (five-levels). The proposed grid-tied converter is intended for on-grid interfaces, which is controlled for guaranteeing sinusoidal currents for all grid voltage conditions. The dc-side can be linked directly to a dc-to-dc intermediary converter, responsible for interfacing renewable energy sources, as solar photovoltaic or wind power systems. Throughout the paper, a complete examination of the operation principle and the adopted control theory, including current control, as well as hardware project, are comprehensively presented. An accurate computational simulation validation is presented, comprising realistic operating conditions in terms of grid voltage disturbances and operating power. The obtained results prove the advantages of the proposed grid-tied multilevel converter, and establish a comparison with the classical solutions.This work has been supported by FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the Project Scope: UID/CEC/00319/2019. This work has been supported by FCT Project newERA4GRIDs PTDC/EEI-EEE/30283/2017, and by the FCT Project DAIPESEV PTDC/EEI-EEE/30382/2017. Tiago Sousa is supported by the doctoral scholarship SFRH/BD/134353/2017 granted by FCT

Generation and characterization of a recombinant chimeric protein (rCpLi) consisting of B-cell epitopes of a dermonecrotic protein from Loxosceles intermedia spider venom

AbstractA chimeric protein was constructed expressing three epitopes of LiD1, a dermonecrotic toxin from the venom of Loxosceles intermedia spider. This species is responsible for a large number of accidents involving spiders in Brazil. We demonstrated that the chimeric protein (rCpLi) generated is atoxic and that antibodies previously developed in rabbits against synthetic epitopes reactive with rCpLi in ELISA and immunoblot assays. The antibody response in rabbits against the rCpLi was evaluated by ELISA and we have detected an antibody response in all immunized animals. Overlapping peptides covering the amino acid sequence of the rCpLi were synthesized on a cellulose membrane, and their recognition by rabbit anti-rCpLi serum assessed. Three different antigenic regions were identified. The percentage of inhibition of the dermonecrotic, hemorrhagic and edematogenic activities caused by the recombinant protein LiD1r in naïve rabbits was assessed by pre-incubation with anti-rCpLi antibodies. Anti-rCpLi induced good dermonecrotic and hemorrhagic protection. The levels of protection were similar to the antiboides anti-LiD1r. In summary, we have developed a polyepitope recombinant chimeric protein capable of inducing multiple responses of neutralizing antibodies in a rabbit model. This engineered protein may be a promising candidate for therapeutic serum development or vaccination

Intratumoral injection of bone-marrow derived dendritic cells engineered to produce interleukin-12 induces complete regression of established murine transplantable colon adenocarcinomas

Stimulation of the antitumor immune response by dendritic cells (DC) is critically dependent on their tightly regulated ability to produce interleukin-12 (IL-12). To enhance this effect artificially, bone marrow (BM)-derived DC were genetically engineered to produce high levels of functional IL-12 by ex vivo infection with a recombinant defective adenovirus (AdCMVIL-12). DC-expressing IL-12 injected into the malignant tissue eradicated 50-100% well established malignant nodules derived from the injection of two murine colon adenocarcinoma cell lines. Successful therapy was dependent on IL-12 transfection and was mediated only by syngeneic, but not allogeneic BM-derived DC, indicating that compatible antigen-presenting molecules were required. The antitumor effect was inhibited by in vivo depletion of CD8+ T cells and completely abrogated by simultaneous depletion with anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 mAbs. Mice which had undergone tumor regression remained immune to a rechallenge with tumor cells, showing the achievement of long-lasting systemic immunity that also was able to reject simultaneously induced concomitant untreated tumors. Tumor regression was associated with a detectable CTL response directed against tumor-specific antigens probably captured by DC artificially released inside tumor nodules. Our results open the possibility of similarly treating the corresponding human malignancies