Shocks in economic growth = shocking effects on agricultural markets?

Projections on the development of agricultural commodity markets underlie a given set of assumptions on economic growth. However, recent economic and financial crisis, as well as signs of quicker recovery in emerging economies, increase uncertainty in the forecasts of macroeconomic developments. This paper analyses the effects of different economic growth scenarios on agricultural commodity markets. In particular we assess the potential impacts of a faster economic growth in emerging economies on the one hand and of a replication of the recent economic downturn on the other hand. The empirical analysis uses the AGLINKCOSIMO model and builds upon the recently published European agricultural outlook of the EU Commission. The simulation results demonstrate that higher economic growth influences demand more than supply, resulting in higher world market prices. Emerging economies tend to import more and stock less in order to cover their demand needs, while the rest of the world increases its exports. In total the ending stocks decrease and combined with the increased consumption, the stock-to-use ratio decreases. Replication of an economic downturn affects the markets differently, depending on how elastic or inelastic the markets react to price signals. Livestock markets appear more stable and do not regain their baseline levels within a 5-year period. The magnitude of the effects is smaller the longer the simulated time path is and certainly depends on the introduced shock.economic growth, agricultural commodity markets, AGLINK-COSIMO, International Relations/Trade,

Ex vivo gene transfer in the years to come

Synovial fibroblasts (SFs) have become a major target for ex vivo gene transfer in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but efficient transduction of RA-SFs still is a major problem. The low proliferation rate and heterogeneity of RA-SFs, together with their lack of highly specific surface receptors, have hampered a more extensive application of this technique. Improving transduction protocols with conventional viral vectors, therefore, as well as developing novel strategies, such as alternative target cells, and novel delivery systems constitute a major challenge. Recent progress in this field will lead to the achievement of high transgene expression, and will facilitate the use of gene transfer in human trials

Shocks in economic growth = shocking effects for food security?

The recent economic and financial turmoil raises the question on how global economic growth affects agricultural commodity markets and, hence, food security. To address this question, this paper assesses the potential impacts of faster economic growth in developed and emerging economies on the one hand and a replication of the recent economic downturn on the other hand. The empirical analysis uses AGLINK-COSIMO, a recursive-dynamic, partial equilibrium, supply-demand model. Simulation results demonstrate that higher economic growth influences demand more than supply, resulting in higher world market prices for agricultural commodities. Emerging economies tend to import more and to stock less in order to cover their demand needs, while the rest of the world increases its exports. The modelled faster economic growth also helps developing countries to improve their trade balance, but does not necessarily give them the incentive to address domestic food security concerns by boosting domestic consumption. A replication of an economic downturn leads to lower world prices, and while the magnitude of the effects decreases over time, markets do not regain their baseline levels within a 5-year period. Due to the lower world market prices, developing countries import more and increase their per capita food calorie intake. However, as developing countries become more import dependent, this also implies that they become more vulnerable to disruptions in agricultural world markets.JRC.J.4-Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom

Don't touch my hair : an ode to Black girls everywhere

This exhibit and catalog were produced by the Max Chambers Library, Archives & Special Collections. The exhibition featured art works created by D.B. Brown, James Ere, Jaiye Farrell, Edward Grady, Skip Hill, Nathan Lee, G. Mesfin, and Gay Pasley

Cells of the synovium in rheumatoid arthritis. Synovial fibroblasts

For some time synovial fibroblasts have been regarded simply as innocent synovial cells, mainly responsible for synovial homeostasis. During the past decade, however, a body of evidence has accumulated illustrating that rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts (RASFs) are active drivers of joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis. Details regarding the intracellular signalling cascades that result in long-term activation and synthesis of proinflammatory molecules and matrix-degrading enzymes by RASFs have been analyzed. Molecular, cellular and animal studies have identified various interactions with other synovial and inflammatory cells. This expanded knowledge of the distinct role played by RASFs in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis has moved these fascinating cells to the fore, and work to identify targeted therapies to inhibit their joint destructive potential is underway

Groundwater Laws and Regulations: A Preliminary Survey of Thirteen U.S. States (Second Edition)

This report presents results of a study investigating the groundwater laws and regulations of thirteen U.S. states. The report is actually the second edition of the study following amendments made to the first edition in response to extensive feedback and reviews solicited from practitioners, academics, and other professionals working in the field of water law from across the country. The purpose of the project is to compile and present the groundwater laws and regulations of every state in the United States that could then be used in a series of comparisons of groundwater governance principles, strategies, issues, and challenges. Professor Gabriel Eckstein at Texas A&M University School of Law and Professor Amy Hardberger at Saint Mary’s University Law School developed a matrix to ascertain chief components and characteristics of the groundwater legal regime of each state. Student researchers then used the matrix to respond to a standardized set of questions about the groundwater laws and regulations of a selection of states. In the near future, additional volumes with surveys of other U.S. states will be issued