Bio-fuel Chains – An Overview on the Structure and the Value Chain Organization

Structural change in the agricultural sector as well as in the whole agricultural value chain is an ongoing dynamic process and creates a number of diverse phenomena. The EU Strategy for Biofuels (2006) and the Biomass action plan (2005) set a clear signal that the EU wishes to establish and to support the bio energy-industry. The perceivable aim of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) consists in reducing food production and in enlarging the non-food production. Another driver for the attractiveness of bio-energy and bio-fuel production is the recent development of prices of crude oil and natural gas. Furthermore bio-energy is seen as one of the key options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and substitute fossil fuels.Agribusiness, Industrial Organization,

The Iconoclast as Reformer: Jerome Frank\u27s Impact on American Law

A Review of The Iconoclast as Reformer: Jerome Frank\u27s Impact on American Law by Robert Jerome Glenno

Glutathione accelerates sodium channel inactivation in excised rat axonal membrane patches

The effects of glutathione were studied on the gating behaviour of sodium channels in membrane patches of rat axons. Depolarizing pulses from –120 to –40 mV elicited sodium currents of up to 500 pA, indicating the simultaneous activation of up to 250 sodium channels. Inactivation of these channels in the excised, inside-out configuration was fitted by two time constants ( h1=0.81 ms; h2= 5.03 ms) and open time histograms at 0 mV revealed a biexponential distribution of channel openings ( short=0.28 ms; long=3.68 ms). Both, the slow time constant of inactivation and the long lasting single channel openings disappeared after addition of the reducing agent glutathione (2–5 mM) to the bathing solution. Sodium channels of excised patches with glutathione present on the cytoplasmatic face of the membrane had inactivation kinetics similar to channels recorded in the cell-attached configuration. These observations indicate that redox processes may contribute to the gating of axonal sodium channels

A Case-Control Study of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome during an Outbreak in the Southwestern United States

In May 1993, an outbreak of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome( HPS) occurred in the south-western United States. A case-control study determined risk factors for HPS. Seventeen case-patients were compared with 3 groups of controls: members of case-patient households( household controls), members of neighboring households( near controls), and members of randomly selected households ≥ 24 km away ( far controls). Investigators trapped more small rodents at case households than at near ( P = .03) or far control households( P = .02). After the number of small rodents was controlled for,case-patients were more likely than household controls to hand plow (odds ratio [OR], 12.3; 95% confidence interval [ CI], 1.1-143.0) or to clean feed storage areas (OR, 33.4; 95% CI, 1.7-666.0). Case-patients were more likely than near controls to plant( OR, 6.2; 95% CI, 1.1-34.0) and more likely than far controls to clean animal sheds( OR, 11.9;95% CI, 1.4-103.0). Peridomestic cleaning, agricultural activities, and an increased number of small rodents at the household were associated with HPS

A Case-Control Study of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome during an Outbreak in the Southwestern United States

In May 1993, an outbreak of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome( HPS) occurred in the south-western United States. A case-control study determined risk factors for HPS. Seventeen case-patients were compared with 3 groups of controls: members of case-patient households( household controls), members of neighboring households( near controls), and members of randomly selected households ≥ 24 km away ( far controls). Investigators trapped more small rodents at case households than at near ( P = .03) or far control households( P = .02). After the number of small rodents was controlled for,case-patients were more likely than household controls to hand plow (odds ratio [OR], 12.3; 95% confidence interval [ CI], 1.1-143.0) or to clean feed storage areas (OR, 33.4; 95% CI, 1.7-666.0). Case-patients were more likely than near controls to plant( OR, 6.2; 95% CI, 1.1-34.0) and more likely than far controls to clean animal sheds( OR, 11.9;95% CI, 1.4-103.0). Peridomestic cleaning, agricultural activities, and an increased number of small rodents at the household were associated with HPS

Levy: Origins of the Fifth Amendment

A Review of Origins of the Fifth Amendment by Leonard W. Lev

Decydująca noc z 26 na 27 czerwca 1697 roku, czyli co przesądziło o wyborze Augusta II na tron polski

The text continues the reflections (“In the Realm of Myth, or What Did Not Determine the 1697 Election of Augustus II to the Polish Throne” [KH 129, 2022, 4, pp. 797–821]). Its purpose is to establish what really decided in the last days of the 1697 Election Sejm that, in a split election, the Polish nobility chose, alongside French Prince François Louis de Conti, the least expected candidate – a convert from Lutheranism, the Saxon Elector Friedrich August I Wettin (August II). The author reconstructs the last days of the Sejm, confronting diplomatic and diary relations with the records of the Sejm proceedings.Tekst jest kontynuacją rozważań (W kręgu mitów, czyli o tym, co nie zadecydowało o wyborze Augusta II na tron polski w 1697 roku [KH 129, 2022, 4, s. 797–821]). Celem jest ustalenie, co rzeczywiście w ostatnich dniach sejmu elekcyjnego 1697 r. zadecydowało, że w rozdwojonej elekcji obok ks. francuskiego Franciszka Ludwika (François Louis) de Conti szlachta polska dokonała wyboru kandydata najmniej spodziewanego – konwertyty z luteranizmu, saskiego elektora Fryderyka Augusta I Wettyna (Augusta II). Autorka odtwarza przebieg ostatnich dni sejmu, konfrontując relacje dyplomatyczne i pamiętnikarskie z zapisami diariuszy sejmowych

A qualitative study on HIV risk behaviors and medical needs of sex workers in a China/Myanmar border town

Ruili is a small border town between China and Myanmar where drugs and commercial sex are common, and rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including HIV, are high. A qualitative study was carried out on 89 commercial sex workers there in 2001 to understand more about their HIV awareness, medical-seeking behaviors and needs. We found that the sex workers were young and the turnover rates were high. Contrary to common belief, many came from nearby villages or cities, but were probably reluctant to participate in organized activities. Their medical knowledge was very limited, often acquired from peers and self-medication was common. The contraception they used was inappropriate and screening for cervical cancer was nonexistent. They were very stigma conscious. Condoms were purchased in small quantities when required and used only if the clients were agreeable. These findings have strong implications for the future planning of services and HIV/STD prevention.published_or_final_versio