The Challenge of Resilience in a Globalised World

Resilience determines the capacity to successfully deal with difficult events and to adapt and overcome adversity. It creates stability in a changing world which in turn promotes job creation, economic growth and environmental sustainability. Resilience is a fundamental prerequisite for Europe as the largest integrated economic area in the world and has an important social dimension which requires the active cooperation of all stakeholders; citizens, the private sector, governments and NGOs included. This report discusses the concept of resilience from different perspectives and the role of science in the continuous process of building a resilient, stable, competitive and prosperous Europe.JRC.G-Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen (Ispra

Terpenoid biotransformations by Mucor species

Terpenoids are natural products of great interest due to their widespread use in agrochemicals, drugs, fragrances, flavouring and pigments. Biocatalysts are increasingly being used in the search for new derivatives with improved properties especially to obtain structurally novel leads for new drugs which are difficult to obtain using conventional organic chemical methods. This review, covering up to the end of 2012, reports on the application of Mucor species as catalysts in terpenoid biotransformation to obtain new drug targets, enhance pharmacological activity or decrease the unwanted effects of starting material

Brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) damage and abundance in a New Zealand Pinus radiata plantation: A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Hons.) at Lincoln University

Field trials were undertaken during summer 1996/1997 in a Pinus radiata plantation near Whangamata, New Zealand, to assess the levels of possum damage and determine how this was related to stand maturity, understorey composition and possum abundance. Based on a review of previous surveys, a new damage scoring system was developed. Using this system, the overall proportion of pine trees (greater than 3 years of age) with possum damage was found to be very low (3.6 % of 1744 trees surveyed). However, damage levels varied markedly between plantation blocks (0% - 30%; 36 blocks). The majority of possum damage involved needle clipping and damage to lateral branches. Damage levels were related to the maturity of the stand and understorey species composition, rather than possum density per se. Possum densities were highest near plantation block margins, so these margins are likely to be effective sites to implement possum control. Given the low damage levels recorded, the cost-effectiveness of current possum control efforts in pine plantations is uncertain and would benefit from further economic analysis

Community dynamics can modify the direction of simulated warming effects on crop yield

Climate change affects agriculture through a range of direct and indirect pathways. These include direct changes to impacts of pests and diseases on crops and indirect effects produced by interactions between organisms. It remains unclear whether the net effects of these biotic influences will be beneficial or detrimental to crop yield because few studies consider multiple interactions within communities and the net effects of these on community structure and yield. In this study, we created two experimental grapevine communities in field cages, and quantified direct and indirect effects of key pest and disease species under simulated climate change conditions (elevated temperature and reduced humidity). We found that the net impact of simulated climate change on total yield differed for the two communities, with increased yield in one community and no effect in the other. These effects, and the interactions between pests and pathogens, may also have been affected by the prevailing abiotic conditions, and we discuss how these may contribute to our findings. These results demonstrate that future research should consider more of the interactions between key organisms affecting crops under varying abiotic conditions to help generate future recommendations for adapting to the effects of climate change

Community dynamics can modify the direction of simulated warming effects on crop yield

Climate change affects agriculture through a range of direct and indirect pathways. These include direct changes to impacts of pests and diseases on crops and indirect effects produced by interactions between organisms. It remains unclear whether the net effects of these biotic influences will be beneficial or detrimental to crop yield because few studies consider multiple interactions within communities and the net effects of these on community structure and yield. In this study, we created two experimental grapevine communities in field cages, and quantified direct and indirect effects of key pest and disease species under simulated climate change conditions (elevated temperature and reduced humidity). We found that the net impact of simulated climate change on total yield differed for the two communities, with increased yield in one community and no effect in the other. These effects, and the interactions between pests and pathogens, may also have been affected by the prevailing abiotic conditions, and we discuss how these may contribute to our findings. These results demonstrate that future research should consider more of the interactions between key organisms affecting crops under varying abiotic conditions to help generate future recommendations for adapting to the effects of climate change

Business Ethics, Consumerism, and the Fashion Industry

This contribution attempts to provide a very schematic overview of some of the most pressing issues related to fashion consumerism, including its social and environmental impacts, and examples of the global efforts being made to achieve a more ethical and responsible business