The complexities of European strategy design – The case of agriculture

In this paper we intend to analyse a number of agricultural documents to see if they mesh with the EU’s sustainable development policy. The documents in question were prepared at different times and involved different organizations which reflected the interests of various social and economic stakeholders. After demonstrating the still existing conflict between the Lisbon and the Gothenburg Strategy, we will summarize the thematic strategies concerning EU agriculture. The relationship between agricultural policy and the two basic strategies may have implications for other sectoral strategies (e.g. energy, transport, tourism). If the EU is subsequently able to make headway regarding its strategies, it will also facilitate resolution of this problem at the national strategy level. We will review how the documents’ content concurs or differs regarding the EU’s sustainable development strategy. Finally we will analyse the factors causing the differences and the contradictions and suggest conditions leading to harmony

Adalékok a megújuló energiaforrásokra alapozott projektek fenntarthatósági értékeléséhez

A globális ökológiai problémák a fenntarthatóság felé való átmenetet sürgetik, ennek eredményessége érdekében azonban a környezet- és fejlesztéspolitikai tervezésben a megújuló energiaforrások értékelését a lehető legalaposabban, komplex módon kell elvégezni. Tanulmányunk célja a megújuló energiaforrásokra alapozott technológiák összehasonlítása az alapján, hogy mennyire járulnak hozzá a környezeti állapot megóvásának, a gazdaság és a társadalom fejlődésének együttes igényéhez – tehát a fenntartható fejlődéshez. Munkánk során felmértük a hazai szakértők véleményét a megújuló energetikai technológiák fenntarthatósági jellemzőinek fontosságáról. A megkérdezettek a területigényt és a társadalmi vonatkozásokat tartották a leglényegesebbnek. Ezt követően 23 magyar projekt elemzése alapján arra a következtetésre jutottunk, hogy előnyben részesítendők a helyi jövedelmet fokozottan termelő beruházások, valamint hogy kiemelten támogatandó projektek a nagyobb szélerőműparkok, a geotermikus távfűtés, illetve a kisléptékű biomassza-tüzelés. ------------------------------------------------- Transition toward sustainability is being driven by the global ecological problems. For planning the efficiency of this transition in environmental and development policies the assessment of renewable energy sources in an elaborate and complex way is required. The aim of the study is to consider the contribution of renewable energy based technologies to environmental protection and socio-economic development – and thus to sustainable development. The opinion of Hungarian experts regarding the attributes of renewable energy based technologies was examined. The primacy of land demand as well as social aspects was stated. An analysis of numerous Hungarian renewable energy based projects was then undertaken. We concluded that the profitability on the local market was the priority of the investors. Also the advantages of large-scale wind utilisation, the geothermal district heating and the small-scale biomass burning were shown

The complexities of European strategy design – The case of agriculture

In this paper we intend to analyse a number of agricultural documents to see if they mesh with the EU’s sustainable development policy. The documents in question were prepared at different times and involved different organizations which reflected the interests of various social and economic stakeholders. After demonstrating the still existing conflict between the Lisbon and the Gothenburg Strategy, we will summarize the thematic strategies concerning EU agriculture. The relationship between agricultural policy and the two basic strategies may have implications for other sectoral strategies (e.g. energy, transport, tourism). If the EU is subsequently able to make headway regarding its strategies, it will also facilitate resolution of this problem at the national strategy level. We will review how the documents’ content concurs or differs regarding the EU’s sustainable development strategy. Finally we will analyse the factors causing the differences and the contradictions and suggest conditions leading to harmony.EU Sustainable Development Strategy, Lisbon Strategy, agriculture, thematic strategies, Agricultural and Food Policy,

ASPECTS OF THE SUSTAINABLE UTILIZATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

The aim of this paper is to analyze the main approaches to sustainability and to present an alternative interpretation for the issues involved in the utilization of RES. The utilization technologies can be described by the average values of several technological parameters. Some significant parameters were chosen which are the most relevant for the issue of sustainability. The group of attributes was composed of these parameters in the analysis, which was conducted by the choice experiment (CE) methodology. The examination of each attributes’ influence on the individual’s preferences and choices was made possible by this method and the preferences of the relevant experts were determined. The weight of the attributes was defined by experts according to the importance of each attribute regarding RES-based technologies. The importance of sustainability attributes implies the significance of sustainability in the case of RES technologies, which thus highlights the characteristics of the more prosperous technological parameters regarding sustainable development

Comparison of Single-Level Open and Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusions Presenting a Learning Curve

Background. Comparison of single-level open and minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusions (O-TLIF and MI-TLIF) of a single surgeon and presentation of his MI-TLIF learning curve in a retrospective observational cohort study. Methods. 27 MI-TLIF and 31 O-TLIF patients, performed between 03/01/2013 and 03/31/2018, were compared regarding the operative time, blood loss, blood transfusion frequency, postoperative length of stay (LOS), and adverse events. An overall comparison of pre- and postoperative Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) results and Visual Analog Score (VAS) results of low back and leg pain was performed in the case of the two techniques. For a learning curve presentation, the MI-TLIF cases were compared and the optimal operative time was determined. Results. The gender ratio and age did not differ in the groups. Operative time showed no difference (P=0.88) between the MI-TLIF (161.2 ± 33.7 minutes) and O-TLIF groups (160 ± 33.6 minutes). Intraoperative blood loss was less (P≤0.001) in the MI-TLIF group (288.9 ± 339.8 mL) than in the O-TLIF group (682.3 ± 465.4 mL) while the incidence of blood transfusion was similar (P=0.64). The MI-TLIF group had shorter LOS (2.7 ± 1.1 days vs. 5 ± 2.7, P≤0.001). The frequencies of the surgical site infections (SSI), durotomy, new motor, and sensory deficit were not significantly different (P=0.17, 0.5, 0.29, 0.92). All the ODI, the VAS low back pain, and the VAS leg pain scores improved in both groups significantly (P≤0.001, P≤0.001, and P≤0.001 in the MI-TLIF group and P≤0.001, P≤0.001, and P≤0.001 in the O-TLIF group). The comparison of the pre- and postoperative results of the ODI and VAS questionnaires of the two techniques showed no significant difference regarding the improvement of these scores (MI-TLIF versus O-TLIF pre- and postoperative ODI difference p=0.64, VAS low back pain P=0.47, and VAS leg pain P=0.21). Assessing the MI-TLIF learning curve, operative time was shortened by 63 minutes (P=0.04). After the 14th MI-TLIF case, the surgical duration became relatively constant. Comparing the 14th and previous MI-TLIF cases to the later cases, LOS showed reduction by 1.03 days (P=0.01), while the other parameters did not show significant changes. Conclusions. Similar operative time and postoperative quality of life improvement can be achieved by MI-TLIF procedure as with O-TLIF, and additionally LOS and blood loss can be reduced. When comparing parameters, MI-TLIF can be an alternative option for O-TLIF with a similar complication profile. The learning curve of MI-TLIF can be steep, although it depends on the circumstances

Certain aspects of structural change in rural areas. The experience of selected countries

Operative instruments supporting the multifunctionality of agriculture. The influence of social capital on the economic and social development of the Czech countryside. Serbia at the gates of the European Union – comparative analysis. Rural population decline in the Visegrad Four countries and Romania. Development prospects of agriculture and rural areas in Poland

Role Of Hexadecupole Deformation In The Shape Evolution Of Neutron-rich Nd Isotopes

Theory-NuclInternational audienceA new isomer with ms half-life was observed in 160Nd at RIBF, RIKEN Nishina Center by usingin-flight fission of a 238U beam and a cluster-type Ge detector array, EURICA. The experimentalresults and a PSM calculation indicate that the isomer in 160Nd is a 2 quasi-particle excitation ofneutrons with a configuration of n 1=2[521]n 7=2[633] as the case in other N = 100 isotones.The E(4+)=E(2+) ratio of the ground-state band, 3.29, shows the 160Nd is well deformed and theground band has a rotational nature. The 4_ excitation of 160Nd showed an increase in energy by-_100 keV compared to that of 162Sm as predicted by the PSM calculation. A PSM calculationwas performed by changing input b4 value and confirmed that the large hexadecupole deformationin Nd was responsible for the increase of the isomer energy