125 research outputs found

    A Residential Energy Demand System for Spain

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    Sharp price fluctuations and increasing environmental and distributional concerns, among other issues, have led to a renewed academic interest in energy demand. In this paper we estimate, for the first time in Spain, an energy demand system with household microdata. In doing so, we tackle several econometric and data problems that are generally recognized to bias parameter estimates. This is obviously relevant, as obtaining correct price and income responses is essential if they may be used for assessing the economic consequences of hypothetical or real changes. With this objective, we combine data sources for a long time period and choose a demand system with flexible income and price responses. We also estimate the model in different sub-samples to capture varying responses to energy price changes by households living in rural, intermediate and urban areas. This constitutes a first attempt in the literature and it proved to be a very successful choice.households, energy, demand, spain, location

    A Macro and Microeconomic Integrated Approach to Assessing the Effects of Public Policies

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    Most public policies have not only efficiency but also distributional effects. However, there is a kind of trade-off between modeling approaches suitable for calculating each one of these impacts on the economy. For the former, most of the studies have been conducted with general equilibrium models, whereas partial equilibrium models represent the main approach for distributional analysis. This paper proposes a methodology which enables us to carry out an analysis of the distributional and efficiency consequences of public policies. In order to do so, we have integrated a microeconomic household demand model and a computable general equilibrium model for the Spanish economy. We illustrate the advantages of this approach by simulating a revenue-neutral reform in Spanish indirect taxation, with a reduction of VAT and a simultaneous increase of energy taxes. The results show that the reform brings about significant efficiency and distributional effects, in some cases counterintuitive, and demonstrate the academic and social utility of this approximation.Taxes, general equilibrium, micro modeling, efficiency, distribution

    Taxing Tourism in Spain: Results and Recommendations

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    This paper analyses the foundations, possible applications and the effects of tourism taxation in Spain. The article begins with an analysis of the economic and environmental reasons for taxing tourism, which would seem to call for taxes based on the principle of benefit, for either revenue or corrective purposes. Subsequently, we describe the praxis of tourism taxation in Spain, with special mention being given to the now repealed Balearic ecotasa. Finally, the effects of two fiscal modifications with revenue or corrective objectives are studied through the use of an applied general equilibrium model developed for the Spanish economy. We thus see that a 10% tax on lodging brings in significant public receipts, increases social welfare and has no effect on the environment. On the other hand, an increase of VAT rates on tourism-related sectors could have the same effects on tourist expenditure but at the costs of greater impact for Spain’s economy.Taxes, Tourism, Environment, Spain

    La imposición ambiental gallega

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    Este traballo comeza fundamentando teóricamente a imposición ambiental, cun resumo das principais razóns económicas para a aplicación destes instrumentos e a análise da súa asignación xurisdiccional. A continuación situamos os tributos próprios ambientais da comunidade galega (canon de saneamento e imposto sobre a contaminación atmosférica) tanto no contexto español como internacional. Neste senso, o relato pormenorizado e valorativo do deseño regulatório escollido nos tributos ambientais galegos e dos seus efeitos económicos e ambientais constitúe o núcleo do traballo. Finalmente a aportación conclúe cunha reflexión global sobre o presente da imposición ambiental galega e de cómo, ao noso entender, deberian discorrer os seus desenvolvementos futurosThis paper first deals with the theoretical foundations of environmental taxes, with a summary of the main economic reasons to apply these instruments and an analysis of the jurisdictional allocation. We then put in context (within Spain and internationally) the environmental taxes introduced by the Galician government (charge on water discharges and tax on air pollution). In this sense, the in-depth description and assessment of the regulatory design of Galician environmental taxes constitutes the paper's core. Finally, the article concludes with a global comment on the present and future of Galician environmental taxation and of how, in our view, should be future developmentsEste trabajo comienza fundamentando teóricamente la imposición ambiental con un resumen de las principales razones económicas para la aplicación de estos instrumentos y con el análisis de su asignación jurisdiccional. A continuación, situamos los tributos propios ambientales de la comunidad gallega (canon de saneamiento e impuesto sobre la contaminación atmosférica) tanto en el contexto español como en el internacional. En este sentido, el relato pormenorizado y de valoración del diseño regulador escogido en los tributos ambientales gallegos y de sus efectos económicos y ambientales constituye el núcleo del trabajo. Finalmente, este artículo concluye con una reflexión global sobre el presente de la imposición ambiental gallega y de cómo, a nuestro entender, deberían discurrir sus desarrollos futurosS

    Improving growing substrates by adding the seaweed Cystoseira baccata

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    We examined the impact of adding the seaweed Cystoseira baccata (Ochrophyta, Sargassaceae) in various forms to two different growing substrates: pine bark and gorse compost. Specifically, we examined the influence of the seaweed on the physical and chemical properties of the substrates, and on their agronomic performance on a lettuce crop. The seaweed was used in a 20% (v/v) proportion and three different forms, namely: fresh (FS), washed fresh (WFS), and washed and dried (WDS). The mixed substrates exhibited no signs of instability. FS and DWS increased the total water retention capacity of pine bark by 20% and 27%, respectively. Adding the seaweed in any of its three forms to this type of substrate, which is poor in nutrients and has a low electrical conductivity (EC), significantly increased its P, K, Mg and Na contents, as well as its EC (from 0.08 dS m–1 in the control substrate to 0.69, 0.12 and 0.27 dS m–1 in those containing FS, WFS and WDS, respectively). On the other hand, only in fresh form (FS) altered the salinity and total K content of a substrate rich in nutrients and salts such gorse compost (from 0.89 to 1.42 dS m−1 in terms of EC and 0.59% to 0.98% in K). All mixtures performed well as substrates for a lettuce crop. Those containing DWS increased aerial mass in gorse compost, while any of the tested formats increased aerial mass in pine barkOpen Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer NatureS

    Autoantibodies against ACE2 and angiotensin type-1 receptors increase severity of COVID-19

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    The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a major role in COVID-19. Severity of several inflammation-related diseases has been associated with autoantibodies against RAS, particularly agonistic autoantibodies for angiotensin type-1 receptors (AA-AT1) and autoantibodies against ACE2 (AA-ACE2). Disease severity of COVID-19 patients was defined as mild, moderate or severe following the WHO Clinical Progression Scale and determined at medical discharge. Serum AA-AT1 and AA-ACE2 were measured in COVID-19 patients (n = 119) and non-infected controls (n = 23) using specific solid-phase, sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Serum LIGHT (TNFSF14; tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 14) levels were measured with the corresponding assay kit. At diagnosis, AA-AT1 and AA-ACE2 levels were significantly higher in the COVID-19 group relative to controls, and we observed significant association between disease outcome and serum AA-AT1 and AA-ACE2 levels. Mild disease patients had significantly lower levels of AA-AT1 (p < 0.01) and AA-ACE2 (p < 0.001) than moderate and severe patients. No significant differences were detected between males and females. The increase in autoantibodies was not related to comorbidities potentially affecting COVID-19 severity. There was significant positive correlation between serum levels of AA-AT1 and LIGHT (TNFSF14; rPearson = 0.70, p < 0.001). Both AA-AT1 (by agonistic stimulation of AT1 receptors) and AA-ACE2 (by reducing conversion of Angiotensin II into Angiotensin 1-7) may lead to increase in AT1 receptor activity, enhance proinflammatory responses and severity of COVID-19 outcome. Patients with high levels of autoantibodies require more cautious control after diagnosis. Additionally, the results encourage further studies on the possible protective treatment with AT1 receptor blockers in COVID-19Axencia Galega de Innovación (IN845D 2020/20). Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (RTI2018-098830-B-I00). Spanish Ministry of Health (PI17/00828, RD16/0011/0016 and CIBERNED). Galician Government (XUGA, ED431C 2018/10, ED431G/05). FEDER (Regional European Development Fund)S

    El uso de la imposición energético-ambiental en un escenario de consolidación fiscal: una estimación de efectos recaudatorios y distributivos para España

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    El inicio del siglo XXI ha transcurrido sin novedades destacables en la reforma fiscal internacional. La evolución de los parámetros básicos de las estructuras tributarias reflejó hasta 2007 una situación estable, sin apenas cambios en los modelos fiscales aplicados, culminando el proceso de adaptación asociado al fuerte periodo de expansión económica iniciado en la década de los 90. En 2008, sin embargo, ese proceso fue bruscamente interrumpido. El escenario económico sufrió un vuelco radical y arrastró consigo las políticas fiscales y presupuestarias

    Effects of Rho Kinase Inhibitors on Grafts of Dopaminergic Cell Precursors in a Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease.

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    In models of Parkinson’s disease (PD), Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitors have antiapoptotic and axonstabilizing effects on damaged neurons, decrease the neuroinflammatory response, and protect against dopaminergic neuron death and axonal retraction. ROCK inhibitors have also shown protective effects against apoptosis induced by handling and dissociation of several types of stem cells. However, the effect of ROCK inhibitors on dopaminergic cell grafts has not been investigated. In the present study, treatment of dopaminergic cell suspension with ROCK inhibitors yielded significant decreases in the number of surviving dopaminergic neurons, in the density of graft-derived dopaminergic fibers, and in graft vascularization. Dopaminergic neuron death also markedly increased in primary mesencephalic cultures when the cell suspension was treated with ROCK inhibitors before plating, which suggests that decreased angiogenesis is not the only factor leading to cell death in grafts. Interestingly, treatment of the host 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats with ROCK inhibitors induced a slight, nonsignificant increase in the number of surviving neurons, as well as marked increases in the density of graft-derived dopaminergic fibers and the size of the striatal reinnervated area. The study findings discourage treatment of cell suspensions before grafting. However, treatment of the host induces a marked increase in graft-derived striatal reinnervation. Because ROCK inhibitors have also exerted neuroprotective effects in several models of PD, treatment of the host with ROCK inhibitors, currently used against vascular diseases in clinical practice, before and after grafting may be a useful adjuvant to cell therapy in PDMinisterio de Salud PI12/00798; RD12/0019/0020Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad BFU2012-370

    Effects of Rho kinase inhibitors on grafts of dopaminergic cell precursors in a rat model of Parkinson's Disease

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    In models of Parkinson’s disease (PD), Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitors have antiapoptotic and axonstabilizing effects on damaged neurons, decrease the neuroinflammatory response, and protect against dopaminergic neuron death and axonal retraction. ROCK inhibitors have also shown protective effects against apoptosis induced by handling and dissociation of several types of stem cells. However, the effect of ROCK inhibitors on dopaminergic cell grafts has not been investigated. In the present study, treatment of dopaminergic cell suspension with ROCK inhibitors yielded significant decreases in the number of surviving dopaminergic neurons, in the density of graft-derived dopaminergic fibers, and in graft vascularization. Dopaminergic neuron death also markedly increased in primary mesencephalic cultures when the cell suspension was treated with ROCK inhibitors before plating, which suggests that decreased angiogenesis is not the only factor leading to cell death in grafts. Interestingly, treatment of the host 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats with ROCK inhibitors induced a slight, nonsignificant increase in the number of surviving neurons, as well as marked increases in the density of graft-derived dopaminergic fibers and the size of the striatal reinnervated area. The study findings discourage treatment of cell suspensions before grafting. However, treatment of the host induces a marked increase in graft-derived striatal reinnervation. Because ROCK inhibitors have also exerted neuroprotective effects in several models of PD, treatment of the host with ROCK inhibitors, currently used against vascular diseases in clinical practice, before and after grafting may be a useful adjuvant to cell therapy in PDThis work was supported by Spanish Ministry of Health (PI12/00798 and RD12/0019/0020) and Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (BFU2012-3708)S

    AT1 receptor autoantibodies mediate effects of metabolic syndrome on dopaminergic vulnerability

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    The metabolic syndrome has been associated to chronic peripheral inflammation and related with neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, including Parkinson’s disease. However, the responsible mechanisms are unclear. Previous studies have involved the brain renin-angiotensin system in progression of Parkinson’s disease and the angiotensin receptor type 1 (AT1) has been recently revealed as a major marker of dopaminergic vulnerability in humans. Dysregulation of tissue renin-angiotensin system is a key common mechanism for all major components of metabolic syndrome. Circulating AT1 agonistic autoantibodies have been observed in several inflammation-related peripheral processes, and activation of AT1 receptors of endothelial cells, dopaminergic neurons and glial cells have been observed to disrupt endothelial blood -brain barrier and induce neurodegeneration, respectively. Using a rat model, we observed that metabolic syndrome induces overactivity of nigral pro-inflammatory renin-angiotensin system axis, leading to increase in oxidative stress and neuroinflammation and enhancing dopaminergic neurodegeneration, which was inhibited by treatment with AT1 receptor blockers (ARBs)S
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