Diversification through trade

A widely held view is that openness to international trade leads to higher GDP volatility, as trade increases specialization and hence exposure to sector-specific shocks. We revisit the common wisdom and argue that when country-wide shocks are important, openness to international trade can lower GDP volatility by reducing exposure to domestic shocks and allowing countries to diversify the sources of demand and supply across countries. Using a quantitative model of trade, we assess the importance of the two mechanisms (sectoral specialization and cross-country diversification) and provide a new answer to the question of whether and how international trade affects economic volatility

SELF-THINNING, FEMALE/MALE PLANTS RATIO AND MORPHOLOGICAL TRAITS OF INDUSTRIAL HEMP DEPENDING ON SOWING DENSITY AND NITROGEN FERTILIZATION

Cilj istraživanja provedenih na pokušalištu Visokoga gospodarskog učilišta u Križevcima tijekom 2003.-2005. godine bio je utvrditi utjecaj gustoće sjetve i gnojidbe dušikom na samoregulaciju sklopa, odnos ženskih i muških biljaka i morfološka svojstva industrijske konoplje uzgajane primarno za vlakno. U pokusu je korištena mađarska sorta Kompolti. Istraživane su tri gustoće sjetve (100, 200 i 300 klijavih sjemenki/m2) i četiri razine gnojidbe dušikom (0, 60, 120 i 180 kg N/ha). Postavljanje pokusa izvedeno je po split-blok metodi u pet ponavljanja. U sve tri godine istraživanja gustoća sjetve, gnojidba dušikom kao i njihova interakcija značajno su utjecali na sva istraživana svojstva. Povećanjem gustoće sjetve kao i povećanjem količine dušika u gnojidbi statistički značajno se povećao broj propalih biljaka u usjevu. U usjevu konoplje u sve tri godine istraživanja utvrđen je veći udio ženskih biljaka u odnosu na muške (57:43, 61:39, 57:43). Veća gustoća sjetve i veće količine dušika rezultirale su većim udjelom ženskih biljaka. Gustoća sjetve, gnojidba dušikom i njihova interakcija značajno su utjecali na sva istraživana morfološka svojstva. Gušća sjetva (200 i 300 klijavih sjemenki/m2) i gnojidba s manjim količinama dušika (maks 60 kg/ha) pogodni su pri uzgoju konoplje za vlakno budući da rezultiraju optimalnom debljinom stabljike i zadovoljavajućom visinom, tehničkom dužinom te dužinom internodija.The goal of the investigation carried out at College of Agriculture at Križevci experimental field during 2003-2005 was to determine the impact of plant density and nitrogen fertilization on self-thinning, female/male plant ratio and morphological traits of industrial hemp grown primarily for fibre. The Hungarian cultivar Kompolti was used in the experiment. Three different sowing densities (100, 200 and 300 viable seeds/m2) and four nitrogen rates (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg N/ha) were investigated in the experiment. The experiment was set up according to split-block method in five replications. Sowing densities, nitrogen rates and their interactions had a significant influence on all investigated traits in all three years. Increasing sowing density and amount of nitrogen fertilization significantly increased the number of plant mortalities in the crop. The hemp established larger proportion of female compared to male plants (57:43; 61:39; 57:43) in all three years. Proportion of female plants in the crop increased with increasing sowing density and amount of nitrogen fertilization. Sowing density, nitrogen fertilization and their interactions significantly influenced all investigated morphological traits. Higher sowing density (200 and 300 germinated seeds/m2) and fertilization with smaller amounts of nitrogen (max 60 kg/ha) are suitable for hemp cultivation for fiber because they result in optimal stem thickness and satisfactory height, technical length and internode length

Application of conventional and high-pressure extraction techniques for the isolation of bioactive compounds from the aerial part of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) assortment Helena

In this work, different extraction techniques (soxhlet extraction, hydrodistillation, subcritical water extraction and supercritical carbon dioxide extraction followed by conventional extraction) were employed for the isolation of bioactive compounds from the areal parts of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.). The extraction process parameters, time and temperature for subcritical water extraction and pressure, temperature and time for supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, on the extraction yield and the content of bioactive compounds from hemp were examined. As the plant material after supercritical carbon dioxide still contains hydrophilic compounds, conventional extraction was used for isolation of these. The content of cannabidiol, the main cannabinoid present in hemp, in supercritical carbon dioxide extracts was between 71.84–163.11 mg/g, while in soxhlet extract it was much lower (64.40 mg/g). In comparison to these the significantly lower cannabidiol content was detected in subcritical water extracts, ranging from 0.0039 to 0.0183 mg/mL. Comparing all applied extraction techniques, supercritical carbon dioxide followed by conventional extraction was selected as the most valuable process for bioactive compounds isolation for hemp

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe

Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies

There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity

Omecamtiv mecarbil in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, GALACTIC‐HF: baseline characteristics and comparison with contemporary clinical trials

Aims: The safety and efficacy of the novel selective cardiac myosin activator, omecamtiv mecarbil, in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is tested in the Global Approach to Lowering Adverse Cardiac outcomes Through Improving Contractility in Heart Failure (GALACTIC‐HF) trial. Here we describe the baseline characteristics of participants in GALACTIC‐HF and how these compare with other contemporary trials. Methods and Results: Adults with established HFrEF, New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA) ≥ II, EF ≤35%, elevated natriuretic peptides and either current hospitalization for HF or history of hospitalization/ emergency department visit for HF within a year were randomized to either placebo or omecamtiv mecarbil (pharmacokinetic‐guided dosing: 25, 37.5 or 50 mg bid). 8256 patients [male (79%), non‐white (22%), mean age 65 years] were enrolled with a mean EF 27%, ischemic etiology in 54%, NYHA II 53% and III/IV 47%, and median NT‐proBNP 1971 pg/mL. HF therapies at baseline were among the most effectively employed in contemporary HF trials. GALACTIC‐HF randomized patients representative of recent HF registries and trials with substantial numbers of patients also having characteristics understudied in previous trials including more from North America (n = 1386), enrolled as inpatients (n = 2084), systolic blood pressure < 100 mmHg (n = 1127), estimated glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (n = 528), and treated with sacubitril‐valsartan at baseline (n = 1594). Conclusions: GALACTIC‐HF enrolled a well‐treated, high‐risk population from both inpatient and outpatient settings, which will provide a definitive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of this novel therapy, as well as informing its potential future implementation

Diversification through trade

A widely held view is that openness to international trade leads to higher income volatility, as trade increases specialization and hence exposure to sector-specific shocks. Contrary to this common wisdom, we argue that when country-wide shocks are important, openness to international trade can lower income volatility by reducing exposure to domestic shocks and allowing countries to diversify the sources of demand and supply across countries. Using a quantitative model of trade, we assess the importance of the two mechanisms (sectoral specialization and cross-country diversification) and show that in recent decades international trade has reduced economic volatility for most countries

Replication Data for: 'Diversification Through Trade'

The data and programs replicate tables and figures from "Diversification Through Trade", by Caselli, Koren, Lisicky, and Tenreyro. Please see the Readme file for additional details

STEM YIELD OF HEMP CULTIVAR KOMPOLTI IN RELATION TO PLANT DENSITY AND NITROGEN FERTILIZATION

Cilj ovih istraživanja bio je utvrditi optimalnu gustoću sjetve i gnojidbu dušikom za industrijsku konoplju sorte Kompolti uzgajanu primarno radi stabljike. Istraživanja su provedena kroz poljske pokuse postavljene na pokušalištu Visokog gospodarskog učilišta u Križevcima u 2003., 2004. i 2005. godini. Istraživane su tri gustoće sjetve (100, 200 i 300 klijavih sjemenki/m2) i četiri razine gnojidbe dušikom (0, 60, 120 i 180 kg/ha). Pokus je postavljen po split-blok metodi u pet ponavljanja. Sorta Kompolti postigla je vrlo visok prosječan prinos ukupne biomase (34,6 t/ha) i prinos zrako-suhe stabljike (14,3 t/ha) u tri klimatski vrlo različite godine istraživanja. Rezultati ovih istraživanja pokazuju da ukoliko nam nije važna količina i kvaliteta vlakna, za ostvarenje visokih prinosa stabljike, trebalo bi sijati 300 klijavih sjemenki/m2 uz gnojidbu sa 180 kg/ha dušika.The aim of the study was to determine the optimum sowing density and nitrogen fertilization for hemp cultivar Kompolti grown for stem. The investigations were carried out by means of field experiments on the College of Agriculture in Križevci experimental station in years 2003., 2004. and 2005. The Hungarian cultivar Kompolti was used in the experiment. Three different sowing densities (100, 200 and 300 viable seeds/m2) and four nitrogen rates (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg N/ha) were investigated in the experiment. The experiment was set according to the split-block method in five replications. Cultivar Kompolti achieved very high total biomass and air-dry stems yield (average 34.6 t / ha and 14.3 t / ha) in all three climatically very different experimental years. The results of the study show that in order to achieve high yields of the stem 300 viable seeds/m2 should be sown and fertilized with 180 kg N/ha, if quantity and quality of fiber is not important