The political economy of a tradable GHG permit market in the European Union

The EU has committed itself to meet an 8% greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction target level following the Kyoto agreement. Therefore, the EU Commission has just proposed a new directive establishing a framework for GHG emissions trading within the European Union. This proposal is the outcome of a policy process started by the EU Commission and its Green Paper from March 2000. The main industrial stakeholders all had the opportunity to comment on the Green Paper and from their positions we will analyse how far they are winners or losers compared to the final directive proposal. Here, we find that the dominant interest groups indeed influenced the final design of an EU GHG market. This industrial rent-seeking most prominently lead to a grandfathered permit allocation rule like the one found in the US tradable permit systems.Rent-seeking; European Union; political economy; Kyoto protocol; greenhouse gases; permit trading; grandfathering

Eutrophication Scenaria from Reduced Nutrient Loads to the North Sea

The environmental effects of river nutrient loads to the North Sea have been investigated using a numerical biophysical model, NORWECOM, to perform different reduction scenarios. The simulations demonstrate that the river nutrients have a significant contribution on the annual primary production, both in the southern North Sea, in Skagerrak and along the Norwegian west coast. A 50% reduction in the loads of N and P reduces the primary production with 10-30% in the southern North Sea, and 5-10% in Skagerrak and along the Norwegian west coast. Scandinavian rivers only contribute to the 1-2% level in these reductions, thus continental rivers has the major effect on the environment in all downstream areas. However, it should be noted that this reduction, even in the southern North Sea, is less than the natural variability of the production of phytoplankton. A reduction only in the P values, shows that the production regime in the southern North Sea is phosphorous limited, while nitrogen is the limiting nutrient in the northern North Sea. Focusing on the N/P ratio as a possible proxy for eutrophication, a reduction in the N and P loads reduces this ratio by a similar factor, while a reduction in the P loads only, increases it. Based on this it is proposed to use the N/P ratio for eutrophication assessment

Environmental status of the Skagerak and North Sea 2000

An environmental status for year 2000 of the North Sea and Skagerrak has been done based on outputs from a biophysicaf model (NORWECOM). The model results suggests that in year 2000 the mean annua1 primary production in the North Sea was the highest in the period 1985-2000, and that the net inflow through the English Channel, due to an extreme strong influx in the fourth quarter, was the highest on an annua1 basis in the period 1955-2000. Also the oxygen levels and sedimentation rates in the North Sea and Skagerrak have been examined, and a eutrophication assessment conclude that, except for the winter values of nitrate, eutrophication is not a big problem in most of the Skagerrak and Kattegat area. Key words : Skagerrak, North Sea, environmental status NORSK SAMMENDRAG: En koblet fysisk, kjemisk og biologisk havmodell (NORWECOM) er brukt for å simulere år 2000 i Nordsjøen og Skagerrak. Resultatene fra denne modelkjøringen er så brukt for å lage en miljøstatus for dette året. I statusen presenteres blant annet verdier for primærproduksjon, oxygen-nivå, sedimenteringsrate og vanntransport inn til Nordsjøen. Til slutt blir det gitt en vurdering av eutrofieringsgraden i Skage- rak og Kattegat basert på referanseverdier foreslått av svenske miljøstyresmakter

Simulation-based training for colonoscopy:establishing criteria for competency

The aim of this study was to create simulation-based tests with credible pass/fail standards for 2 different fidelities of colonoscopy models. Only competent practitioners should perform colonoscopy. Reliable and valid simulation-based tests could be used to establish basic competency in colonoscopy before practicing on patients. Twenty-five physicians (10 consultants with endoscopic experience and 15 fellows with very little endoscopic experience) were tested on 2 different simulator models: a virtual-reality simulator and a physical model. Tests were repeated twice on each simulator model. Metrics with discriminatory ability were identified for both modalities and reliability was determined. The contrasting-groups method was used to create pass/fail standards and the consequences of these were explored. The consultants significantly performed faster and scored higher than the fellows on both the models (P < 0.001). Reliability analysis showed Cronbach α = 0.80 and 0.87 for the virtual-reality and the physical model, respectively. The established pass/fail standards failed one of the consultants (virtual-reality simulator) and allowed one fellow to pass (physical model). The 2 tested simulations-based modalities provided reliable and valid assessments of competence in colonoscopy and credible pass/fail standards were established for both the tests. We propose to use these standards in simulation-based training programs before proceeding to supervised training on patients

Modelling the variability of the drift of blue whiting larvae and its possible importance for recruitment

The first 8 months of the drift of blue whiting larvae has been simulated and studied for the 20 year period 1976-1994, using the 3-dimensional numerical model system NORWECOM (the NORWegian ECOlogical Model system). The model particles assumed to represent larvae are released identically in space and time each year according to best "average" knowledge. Large variations in the drift pattems are seen from year to year, but generally much larger amounts of larvae than expected seems to drift southward from the Porcupine Bank area west of Ireland to the Bay of Biscay. Many of these larvae drift into deep water where chances of survival are assumed to be small. Typically larvae hatched on the northem side of the Porcupine Bank drift northwards through the Faeroe-Shetland Channel, and most of these larvae are located on the shelf. Several distribution parameters are selected and compared with ICES time-series of recruitment

Automatic and unbiased assessment of competence in colonoscopy:exploring validity of the Colonoscopy Progression Score (CoPS)

Background and aims: Colonoscopy is a difficult procedure to master. Increasing demands for colonoscopy, due to screening and surveillance programs, have highlighted the need for competent performers. Valid methods for assessing technical skills are pivotal for training and assessment. This study is the first clinical descriptive report of a novel colonoscopy assessment tool based on Magnetic Endoscopic Imaging (MEI) data and the aim was to gather validity evidence based on the data collected using the “Colonoscopy Progression Score” (CoPS). Methods: We recorded 137 colonoscopy procedures performed by 31 endoscopists at three university hospitals. The participants performed more than two procedures each (range 2 – 12) and had an experience of 0 – 10 000 colonoscopies. The CoPS was calculated for each recording and validity was explored using a widely accepted contemporary framework. The following sources of validity evidence were explored: response process (data collection), internal structure (reliability), relationship to other variables (i. e. operator experience), and consequences of testing (pass/fail). Results: Identical set-ups at all three locations ensured uniform data collection. The Generalizability coefficient (G-coefficient) was 0.80, and a Decision-study (D-study) revealed that four recordings were sufficient to ensure a G-coefficient above 0.80. We showed a positive correlation between CoPS and experience with Pearson’s r of 0.61 (P < 0.001). A pass/fail standard of 107 points was established using the contrasting group method to explore the consequences of testing. Conclusion: This study provides evidence supporting the validity of the CoPS for use in assessing technical colonoscopy performance in the clinical setting. Study registration: NCT01997177

Effects of harmful algal blooms on fish: Insights from Prymnesium parvum

Blooms of the planktonic alga Prymnesium parvum pose a global threat, causing fish kills worldwide. Early studies on the exposure of fish to P. parvum indicate that toxic effects are related to gill damage. The more strictly defined concept of adverse outcome pathways has been suggested as a replacement for the mode of action in toxicology studies. In this study, rainbow trout (Onchorhyncus mykiss) were exposed to P. parvum. During exposure, oxygen consumption was determined by respirometry, and ventilation and coughing rate were determined via video surveillance. Per breath oxygen consumption was calculated to assess the ventilation effort to obtain a unit of oxygen. A second experiment monitored fish behavior to assess recovery. The results indicated that oxygen consumption initially increased, but on average fell below the standard oxygen consumption at 70% relative exposure. Being a function of ventilation frequency and oxygen consumption, the per breath oxygen consumption decreased throughout exposure. Behavioral results determined that short-term P. parvum exposure subsequently caused the exposed fish to seek flow refuge immediately and to a greater extent than unexposed fish. The adverse outcome pathway of P. parvum on rainbow trout is that P. parvum acts as a gill irritant resulting in non-recoverable respiratory failure