The Price Stabilisation Effects of the EU import regime of fruit and vegetables: the case of tomatoes

The paper assesses the stabilization effects of the EU import regime for fresh fruit and vegetables based on the entry price system. The analysis is carried out on the EU prices of tomatoes and those of imports from Morocco, the main competing country on the EU domestic markets. It is based on the estimation of a threshold vector autoregressive econometric model that is shown capable of taking the workings of the import regime into account. The model shows that when prices of tomato imports are below the trigger entry prices the EU tomato market becomes isolated. However, the contribution of the import regime on price stabilization is rather limited. Since tomato imports from Morocco are granted zero tariff if their price is higher than the trigger entry price within a yearly quota that is completely filled, the largest contribution to market stabilization may well come from the size of the quota.fruit and vegetables, European Union , entry prices, trade preferences, price stabilization , tomatoes

Identification from flight data of the Italian Unmanned Space vehicle

Identification methodologies for processing flight data are frequently used to validate and improve a pre-flight aerodynamic data-base and, specifically, to reduce the associated uncertainties. This paper describes the process applied for the identification of the aerodynamic model of the Italian Unmanned Space Vehicle. The identification problem is solved through a multi-step approach, where the aerodynamic coefficients are identified first and, in a following phase, a set of model parameters are updated. The methodology was applied to actual flight data, gathered during the second flight test performed by the Italian Aerospace Research Centre

The price stabilization effects of the EU entry price scheme for fruits and vegetables

The paper assesses the stabilization effects of the EU import regime for fresh fruit and vegetables based on the entry price system. The analysis is carried out on the EU prices of tomatoes and lemons and those of imports from some of the main competing countries on the EU domestic markets: Morocco, Argentina and Turkey. It is based on the estimation of a threshold vector autoregressive econometric model that is shown capable of taking the workings of the import regime into account. The model shows that prices behave differently when import prices are above/below the trigger entry price. This paper allowed to highlight the cases for which the isolation effect of EPS seems reached and the resulting stabilization effects

The price stabilization effects of the EU entry price scheme for fruits and vegetables

The paper assesses the stabilization effects of the EU import regime for fresh fruit and vegetables based on the entry price system. The analysis is carried out on the EU prices of tomatoes and lemons and those of imports from some of the main competing countries on the EU domestic markets: Morocco, Argentina and Turkey. It is based on the estimation of a threshold vector autoregressive econometric model that is shown capable of taking the workings of the import regime into account. The model shows that prices behave differently when import prices are above/below the trigger entry price. This paper allowed to highlight the cases for which the isolation effect of EPS seems reached and the resulting stabilization effects.Fruit and vegetables; Entry price system; stabilisation effects; TVAR

Correlates of calcaneal quantitative ultrasound parameters in patients with diabetes: the study on the assessment of determinants of muscle and bone strength abnormalities in diabetes

OBJECTIVE: Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) provides an estimate of bone mineral density (BMD) and also evaluates bone quality, which has been related to increased fracture risk in people with diabetes. This study aimed at assessing the correlates of calcaneal QUS parameters in diabetic subjects encompassing various degrees of micro and macrovascular complications and a wide-range of peripheral nerve function. METHODS: Four hundred consecutive diabetic patients were examined by QUS to obtain values of broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), the speed of sound (SOS), quantitative ultrasound index (QUI), and BMD. RESULTS: Among surrogate measures of complications, sensory and motor nerve amplitude and heart rate response to cough test and standing correlated with QUS parameters at univariate analysis, together with age, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, lipid profile, and renal function. Multivariate analysis revealed that BUA, SOS, QUI, and BMD were independently associated with age, male gender, hemoglobin A1c, BMI (or fat, but not fat-free mass), and somatic and autonomic nerve function parameters. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that peripheral nerve dysfunction is associated with worse QUS parameters, possibly contributing to increased fracture risk in diabetes. The positive relation of QUS measures with adiposity needs further investigation. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01600924)

GNC Post Flight Analysis of the Italian Dropped Transonic Flight Tests

The Italian Aerospace Research Centre (CIRA), in the framework of the Unmanned Space Vehicles (USV) Program, has developed several advanced Guidance, Navigation and Control technologies for the Terminal Area Energy Management (TAEM) phase of a re-entry ight. These technologies were in-flight tested during the first two dropped transonic flight tests (DTFT1 and DTFT2) of the program. These missions allowed CIRA to investigate critical technological aspects related to the autonomous execution of a typical TAEM phase of a re-entry flight, from a velocity of about Mach 2 down to the typical Approach/Landing Interface speed of Mach 0.5 and below. This paper presents flight tests results and post flight data analysis of these missions. How technological innovations in the Guidance, Navigation and Control domain can contribute to a more autonomous, more safe and less costly future generation of reusable launch vehicles is well stated in open literature. In the USV program, focus was given to adaptive guidance with on-line trajectory re-planning capabilities and to robust and fault tolerant control, as key enabling technologies for atmospheric re-entry and hypersonic flight. Obviously, the complexity of such missions also required dedicated research on advanced methodologies in the field of robustness analysis, design and verification of GNC systems for highly uncertain and non-linear systems. Methodologies for vehicle model identification from flight data have been also included in this technological road map to maximize the scientific return from the flight tests. Model identification methodologies for processing flight data are frequently used to validate and improve a pre-flight aerodynamic data-base and, specifically, to reduce the associated uncertainties. However in this field conventional techniques need to be improved because the USV flight tests have a non-stationary trajectory and specific identification manoeuvres should be avoided being hazardous for the mission. More specifically, the problem of the identification of the aerodynamic model of the Italian Unmanned Space Vehicle was solved through a multi-step approach, where the aerodynamic coefficients are identified first and, in a following phase, a set of model parameters are updated. The methodology was applied to actual flight data, acquired during the two dropped transonic flight tests

Appropriateness and efficacy of Spa therapy for musculoskeletal disorders. A Delphi method consensus initiative among experts in Italy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to identify the main aspects concerning appropriateness and efficacy of Spa therapy for musculoskeletal pathologies. METHODS: A committee of 8 experts from Italian universities, public hospitals, territorial services, research institutes and patient associations was set up. Clinicians from Italian medical centers specialized in rheumatology, rehabilitation and thermal medicine took part in a Delphi process aimed at obtaining consensus statements among the participants. RESULTS: Large consensus was obtained for statements grouped under the following main themes: treatment indications; choice of treatment modality and treatment efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: The experts developed a number of consensus statements which may be used as a practical reference to guide the choice of physicians to treat musculoskeletal diseases with Spa therapy

Multi-step strategy for rotorcraft model identification from flight data

The availability of suitable methods for system identification from flight data of rotorcraft models is a key factor to enhance the competitiveness of the rotorcraft industry in the development process of new vehicles. Indeed, reliable simulation models provided by the identification techniques can be used for the design and validation of the vehicle flight control system. It allows minimizing the number of in flight experimental tests and consequently reducing costs and risks related to flight testing. Identification methodologies generally fall into two categories: frequency-domain and time-domain. Each approach has inherent strengths and weaknesses. Much of the published works on rotorcraft identification deals primarily with frequency-domain methods, which work well at mid and high frequencies associated with the dynamics of the vehicle control inputs and the aero-elastic behaviour of the blades. On the other hand, time-domain methods, which are well assessed for the identification of fixed wing aircraft, provide accurate models at the low frequency scale that is related to the vehicle flight mechanics. In this paper a hybrid time-frequency identification approach is described. The identification process was carried out in the framework of a multi-step strategy and a specific methodology was selected to comply with each step objective. The hybrid time-frequency approach allowed exploiting the advantage of both time and frequency methods, maximizing the information content extracted from the flight data and obtaining an identified model applicable in the whole frequency range of interest. Furthermore the multi-step strategy decomposed the complex starting problem in simplified sub-problems, which are easier to be solved. The proposed methodology was applied to simulated data of the UH60 Black Hawk, generated using the FLIGHTLAB multi-body simulation environment. Preliminary results showed the effectiveness of the proposed identification strategy in terms of convergence and capability of extracting from flight data relevant information on the vehicle dynamic behaviour. Future works will be focused on the refinement of the structure of the rotorcraft model used for identification purpose and on the application of the proposed methodology to set of data gathered during actual rotorcraft flight tests

Spine-Ghost: A New Bioactive Cement for Vertebroplasty

An innovative, resorbable and injectable composite cement (Spine-Ghost) to be used for augmentation and restoration of fractured vertebrae was developed. Type III α-calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CSH) was selected as the bioresorbable matrix, while spray-dried mesoporous bioactive particles (SD-MBP, composition 80/20% mol SiO2/CaO), were added to impart high bioactive properties to the cement; a glass-ceramic containing zirconia was chosen as a second dispersed phase, in order to increase the radiopacity of the material. After mixing with water, an injectable paste was obtained. The developed cement proved to be mechanically compatible with healthy cancellous bone, resorbable and bioactive by soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF), cytocompatible through in-vitro cell cultures and it could be injected in ex-vivo sheep vertebra. Comparisons with a commercial control were carried out