The Impact of Domestic and Global Biofuel Mandates on the German Agricultural Sector

The aim of this work is to evaluate the impact of domestic and global biofuel policies on Germany's agricultural sector. The central part of our study is divided into four sections. Section 2 presents in detail the issues that make biofuels a debated topic in today's economic policies. Fundamental aspects of our energy consumption patterns and the geographic location of our natural resources are highlighted together with a quantitative analysis of the recent surge in biofuels output capacity and estimates of their near-future deployment. An introduction to current and future biofuels production technologies is coupled with an overview of recent studies that assess their net contribution to harmful gaseous emissions and energy efficiency. The concerns associated with rising food prices and their likely causes are then briefly examined. Section 3 provides a thorough description of the subsidy, taxation and protection measures granted to biofuels across the world. Current governmental policies in the EU and its member states are given special attention. Section 4 presents the current literature on economic modelling and focuses on partial equilibrium (AGLINK-COSIMO, Impact, Esim, etc.) and general equilibrium frameworks (EPPA, GTAP, etc.). Section 5 simulates the impact of domestic and global biofuel policies in Germany within a Computable General Equilibrium framework. The LEITAP model is introduced. A description of the analysed scenarios is given on the basis of the envisaged biofuel blending mandates described in section 3. The simulation results are then evaluated with respect to production, prices, international trade and land use of the relevant commodities. The outcome clearly indicates that current biofuels policies significantly affect food markets as well as land allocation. The conclusion summarizes the main findings of our study and draws a comparison with results of other publications.

Impact of different biofuel policy options on agricultural production and land use in Germany

biofuel, Environmental Economics and Policy, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Quality, usability and economical aspects in a medical web-based training service

The paper describes activities and results achieved on quality, usability and economical aspects by the project named EETAH-on-line (European Education, Training and Accreditation in Hematology on-line). The goal is to improve and harmonize professional skills and competences in this medical field. The target users are: students, physicians, nurses and technical staff involved in the hematological education and training; expert hematologists who need continuing training; all physicians of linked specialties who may take advantage of these scientific contents; institutions running certified programs in the hematological education, training and accreditation.The paper describes activities and results achieved on quality, usability and economical aspects by the project named EETAH-on-line (European Education, Training and Accreditation in Hematology on-line). The goal is to improve and harmonize professional skills and competences in this medical field. The target users are: students, physicians, nurses and technical staff involved in the hematological education and training; expert hematologists who need continuing training; all physicians of linked specialties who may take advantage of these scientific contents; institutions running certified programs in the hematological education, training and accreditation.Invited Submission

El análisis de contenido como dispositivo didáctico para la enseñanza de la historia de la arquitectura

Ante el desafío el facilitar a nuestros estudiantes instrumentos conceptuales para el tratamiento de los abundantes relatos disponibles; el análisis de contenido es conceptualizado aquí, como dispositivo didáctico para que realicen una lectura bibliográfica crítica. Tras justificar la pertinencia de dicho uso; este trabajo ilustra sobre las herramientas y empleo habitual del análisis de contenido, con un estudio propio sobre la revista La Habitación Popular. Luego, pone a prueba la operatividad de este instrumento como dispositivo didáctico, describiendo su aplicación áulica, y analizando trabajos realizados por alumnos de la Cátedra Molinos de la FADU. A partir de lo anterior, se reflexiona sobre las potencialidades y limitaciones de su manejo para el fin operativo de apoyo a la investigación histórica en el taller.In this work, analysis of content is conceptualized as a didactic tool in order that students of the course History of Architecture realize a bibliographical critical reading, because we have the challenge to facilitate the conceptual instruments for the critical treatment of the abundant statements. This work justificates the appropriateness of that use. Then, it makes an introduction to the positions and discussions concerning this technique. Afterward, it illustrates about the tools and habitual employment of the analysis of content with a study of the magazine La Habitación Popular. Then it proves the usefulness of this tool as a didactic device, analizing classroom´s dinamics and pupil`s bibliographical works at the Chair Molinos of the FADU. To close this work, we think over the potentials and limitations of that application.Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanism

El análisis de contenido como dispositivo didáctico para la enseñanza de la historia de la arquitectura

Ante el desafío el facilitar a nuestros estudiantes instrumentos conceptuales para el tratamiento de los abundantes relatos disponibles; el análisis de contenido es conceptualizado aquí, como dispositivo didáctico para que realicen una lectura bibliográfica crítica. Tras justificar la pertinencia de dicho uso; este trabajo ilustra sobre las herramientas y empleo habitual del análisis de contenido, con un estudio propio sobre la revista La Habitación Popular. Luego, pone a prueba la operatividad de este instrumento como dispositivo didáctico, describiendo su aplicación áulica, y analizando trabajos realizados por alumnos de la Cátedra Molinos de la FADU. A partir de lo anterior, se reflexiona sobre las potencialidades y limitaciones de su manejo para el fin operativo de apoyo a la investigación histórica en el taller.In this work, analysis of content is conceptualized as a didactic tool in order that students of the course History of Architecture realize a bibliographical critical reading, because we have the challenge to facilitate the conceptual instruments for the critical treatment of the abundant statements. This work justificates the appropriateness of that use. Then, it makes an introduction to the positions and discussions concerning this technique. Afterward, it illustrates about the tools and habitual employment of the analysis of content with a study of the magazine La Habitación Popular. Then it proves the usefulness of this tool as a didactic device, analizing classroom´s dinamics and pupil`s bibliographical works at the Chair Molinos of the FADU. To close this work, we think over the potentials and limitations of that application.Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanism

El análisis de contenido como dispositivo didáctico para la enseñanza de la historia de la arquitectura

Ante el desafío el facilitar a nuestros estudiantes instrumentos conceptuales para el tratamiento de los abundantes relatos disponibles; el análisis de contenido es conceptualizado aquí, como dispositivo didáctico para que realicen una lectura bibliográfica crítica. Tras justificar la pertinencia de dicho uso; este trabajo ilustra sobre las herramientas y empleo habitual del análisis de contenido, con un estudio propio sobre la revista La Habitación Popular. Luego, pone a prueba la operatividad de este instrumento como dispositivo didáctico, describiendo su aplicación áulica, y analizando trabajos realizados por alumnos de la Cátedra Molinos de la FADU. A partir de lo anterior, se reflexiona sobre las potencialidades y limitaciones de su manejo para el fin operativo de apoyo a la investigación histórica en el taller.In this work, analysis of content is conceptualized as a didactic tool in order that students of the course History of Architecture realize a bibliographical critical reading, because we have the challenge to facilitate the conceptual instruments for the critical treatment of the abundant statements. This work justificates the appropriateness of that use. Then, it makes an introduction to the positions and discussions concerning this technique. Afterward, it illustrates about the tools and habitual employment of the analysis of content with a study of the magazine La Habitación Popular. Then it proves the usefulness of this tool as a didactic device, analizing classroom´s dinamics and pupil`s bibliographical works at the Chair Molinos of the FADU. To close this work, we think over the potentials and limitations of that application.Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanism

La protezione dei lavoratori in caso di insolvenza del datore di lavoro: potenzialità e contraddizioni delle tutele europee

Il saggio esamina la disciplina europea in materia di tutela del lavoratore in caso di insolvenza del datore di lavoro, facendo particolare riferimento alla direttiva 2008/94/CE e alla giurisprudenza della Corte di Giustizia. L’obiettivo è evidenziare quale sia la posizione assunta dal Giudice di Lussemburgo rispetto alla tutela di lavoratori e come questo aspetto si collochi – in termini più generali – rispetto alla protezione dei diritti sociali. / ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ . ℎ . 2008/94/ ℎ . ℎ ℎℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ – – ℎ ℎ

Importance of a Rapid and Accurate Diagnosis in Strongyloides Stercoralis and Human T-Lymphotropic Virus 1 Co-infection: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Strongyloides (S.) stercoralis and Human T-Lymphotropic Virus 1 (HTLV-1) share some endemic regions such as Japan, Jamaica, and South America and are mostly diagnosed elsewhere in immigrants from endemic areas. This co-infection has not been documented in Argentina although both pathogens are endemic in the Northwest. We present a case of S. stercoralis and HTLV-1 co-infection with an initial presentation due to gastrointestinal symptoms which presented neither eosinophilia nor the presence of larvae in stool samples in a non-endemic area for these infections. A young Peruvian woman living in Buenos Aires attended several emergency rooms and finally ended up admitted in a gastroenterology ward due to incoercible vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and weight loss. Gastrointestinal symptoms started 3 months before she returned to Argentina from a trip to Peru. She presented malnutrition and abdominal distension parameters. HIV-1 and other immunodeficiencies were discarded. The serial coproparasitological test was negative. Computed tomography showed diffuse thickening of duodenal and jejunal walls. At the beginning, vasculitis was suspected and corticosteroid therapy was initiated. The patient worsened rapidly. Skin, new enteral biopsies, and a new set of coproparasitological samples revealed S. stercoralis. Then, HTLV-1 was suspected and infection was confirmed. Ivermectin and albendazole were administrated, until the stool sample remained negative for 2 weeks. Larvae were not observed in fresh stool, Ritchie method, and agar culture 1 week post-treatment. Although she required initial support with parenteral nutrition due to oral intolerance she slowly progressed favorably. It has been highly recommended to include a rapid and sensitive PCR strategy in the algorithm to confirm Strongyloides infection, which has demonstrated to improve early diagnosis in patients at-risk of disseminated strongyloidiasis.Fil: Quintero, Olga. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Berini, Carolina Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Waldbaum, Carlos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Avagnina, Alejandra. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Juarez, María. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Repetto, Silvia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; ArgentinaFil: Sorda, Juan. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Biglione, Mirna Marcela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; Argentin

Caspofungin activity against clinical isolates of azole cross-resistant Candida glabrata overexpressing efflux pump genes

Objectives: Several studies have documented the potent in vitro activity of caspofungin against Candida spp. This is of special concern for Candida glabrata infections that are often resistant to many azole antifungal agents and, consequently, difficult to treat. The aim of the present study was to expand the data on the in vitro activity of caspofungin against azole-resistant isolates of C. glabrata. Methods: A total of 50 clinical isolates of C. glabrata were tested for susceptibility to caspofungin. The isolates were cross-resistant to multiple azoles, including fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole and voriconazole. Expression of the resistance-related CgCDR1 and CgCDR2 genes was evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR analysis. The MICs of caspofungin were determined by using the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards M27-A2 reference method. Results: C. glabrata isolates exhibited increased expression of the CDR efflux pump(s), and this was in accordance with their high-level azole resistance. In contrast, all the isolates were highly susceptible to caspofungin (100% of isolates were inhibited at ≤1 mg/L). Conclusions: Our results represent further evidence for the excellent antifungal potency of caspofungin, particularly against C. glabrata isolates expressing cross-resistance to azole

Aromatase and 5-alpha reductase gene expression: modulation by pain and morphine treatment in male rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The steroid hormone testosterone has been found to be greatly reduced by opioids in different experimental and clinical conditions. The purpose of this study on male rats was to determine the effects of a single injection of morphine (5 mg/Kg) on persistent pain (formalin test) and the single or combined effects on p450-aromatase and 5-alpha reductase type 1 mRNA expression in the brain, liver and testis. Testosterone was determined in the plasma and in the brain, morphine was assayed in the plasma.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the morphine-treated rats, there were increases of 5-alpha reductase mRNA expression in the liver and aromatase mRNA expression in the brain and gonads. Morphine was detected in the blood of all morphine-treated rats even though there were no clear analgesic affects in the formalin-treated animals three hours after treatment. Testosterone was greatly reduced in the plasma and brain in morphine-treated subjects.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>It appears that morphine administration can induce long-lasting genomic effects in different body areas which contribute to the strong central and peripheral testosterone levels. These changes were not always accompanied by behavioral modifications.</p