Public opinion and environmental policy output: a cross-national analysis of energy policies in Europe

This article studies how public opinion is associated with the introduction of renewable energy policies in Europe. While research increasingly seeks to model the link between public opinion and environmental policies, the empirical evidence is largely based on a single case: the US. This limits the generalizability of findings and we argue accordingly for a systematic, quantitative study of how public opinion drives environmental policies in another context. Theoretically, we combine arguments behind the political survival of democratic leaders with electoral success and environmental politics. Ultimately, we suggest that office-seeking leaders introduce policies that seem favorable to the domestic audience; if the public prefers environmental protection, the government introduces such policies in turn. The main contribution of this research is the cross-country empirical analysis, where we combine data on the public's environmental attitudes and renewable energy policy outputs in a European context between 1974 and 2015. We show that as public opinion shifts towards prioritizing the environment, there is a significant and positive effect on the rate of renewable energy policy outputs by governments in Europe. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic, quantitative study of public opinion and environmental policies across a large set of countries, and we demonstrate that the mechanisms behind the introduction of renewable energy policies follow major trends across European states

Exposure to dioxin and nonneoplastic mortality in the expanded IARC international cohort study of phenoxy herbicide and chlorophenol production workers and sprayers.

The authors studied noncancer mortality among phenoxyacid herbicide and chlorophenol production workers and sprayers included in an international study comprising 36 cohorts from 12 countries followed from 1939 to 1992. Exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin or higher chlorinated dioxins (TCDD/HCD) was discerned from job records and company questionnaires with validation by biologic and environmental measures. Standard mortality ratio analyses suggested a moderate healthy worker effect for all circulatory diseases, especially ischemic heart disease, among both those exposed and those not exposed to TCDD/HCD. In Poisson regression analyses, exposure to TCDD/HCD was not associated with increased mortality from cerebrovascular disease. However, an increased risk for circulatory disease, especially ischemic heart disease (rate ratio [RR] 1.67, 95% confidence interval [Cl] 1.23-2.26) and possibly diabetes (RR 2.25, 95% Cl 0.53-9.50), was present among TCDD/HCD-exposed workers. Risks tended to be higher 10 to 19 years after first exposure and for those exposed for a duration of 10 to 19 years. Mortality from suicide was comparable to that for the general population for all workers exposed to herbicides or chlorophenols and was associated with short latency and duration of exposure. More refined investigations of the ischemic heart disease and TCDD/HCD exposure association are warranted

Mitochondrial DNA copy number variation, leukocyte telomere length, and breast cancer risk in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study.

Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) copy number and deletions have been proposed as risk markers for various cancer types, including breast cancer (BC)

Physical activity of subjects aged 50–64 years involved in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)

Objective: To describe physical activity of participants in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). Design: A cross-sectional analysis of baseline data of a European prospective cohort study. Subjects: This analysis was restricted to participants in the age group 50-64 years, which was represented in all EPIC centres. It involved 236 386 participants from 25 centres in nine countries. In each EPIC centre, physical activity was assessed by standardised and validated questions. Frequency distribution of type of professional activity and participation in non-professional activities, and age-adjusted means, medians and percentiles of time dedicated to non-professional activities are presented for men and women from each centre. Results: Professional activity was most frequently classified as sedentary or standing in all centres. There was a wide variation regarding participation in different types of non-professional activities and time dedicated to these activities across EPIC centres. Over 80% of all EPIC participants engaged in walking, while less than 50% of the subjects participated in sport. Total time dedicated to recreational activities was highest among the Dutch participants and lowest among men from Malmo (Sweden) and women from Naples (Italy). In all centres, total time dedicated to recreational activity in the summer was higher than in the winter. Women from southern Europe spent the most time on housekeeping. Conclusions: There is a considerable variation of physical activity across EPIC centres. This variation was especially evident for recreational activities in both men and women

Comparison of general obesity and measures of body fat distribution in older adults in relation to cancer risk: meta-analysis of individual participant data of seven prospective cohorts in Europe

Background: We evaluated the associations of anthropometric indicators of general obesity (body mass index, BMI), an established risk factor of various cancer, and body fat distribution (waist circumference, WC; hip circumference, HC; and waist-to- hip ratio, WHR), which may better reflect metabolic complications of obesity, with total obesity-related and site-specific (colorectal and postmenopausal breast) cancer incidence. Methods: This is a meta-analysis of seven prospective cohort studies participating in the CHANCES consortium including 18 668 men and 24 751 women with a mean age of 62 and 63 years, respectively. Harmonised individual participant data from all seven cohorts were analysed separately and alternatively for each anthropometric indicator using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Results: After a median follow-up period of 12 years, 1656 first-incident obesity-related cancers (defined as postmenopausal female breast, colorectum, lower oesophagus, cardia stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, endometrium, ovary, and kidney) had occurred in men and women. In the meta-analysis of all studies, associations between indicators of adiposity, per s.d. increment, and risk for all obesity-related cancers combined yielded the following summary hazard ratios: 1.11 (95% CI 1.02–1.21) for BMI, 1.13 (95% CI 1.04–1.23) for WC, 1.09 (95% CI 0.98–1.21) for HC, and 1.15 (95% CI 1.00–1.32) for WHR. Increases in risk for colorectal cancer were 16%, 21%, 15%, and 20%, respectively per s.d. of BMI, WC, HC, and WHR. Effect modification by hormone therapy (HT) use was observed for postmenopausal breast cancer ( P interaction o 0.001), where never HT users showed an B 20% increased risk per s.d. of BMI, WC, and HC compared to ever users. Conclusions: BMI, WC, HC, and WHR show comparable positive associations with obesity-related cancers combined and with colorectal cancer in older adults. For postmenopausal breast cancer we report evidence for effect modification by HT use

Genótipos de capim-corrente em condições de luminosidade para sistemas integrados no Semiárido brasileiro.

Resumo: Objetivou-se avaliar genótipos de Urochloa mosambicensis sob duas condições de luminosidade com o intuito de selecionar acessos para o programa de melhoramento de forrageiras para o Semiárido brasileiro. Foram estudados nove genótipos de capim-corrente e dois genótipos de Urochloa brizantha, como testemunha em duas condições ambientais (pleno sol e sombra artificial, de 50%), em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 11 × 2, com quatro repetições (vasos). Para tanto, avaliaram-se as trocas gasosas e a fluorescência da clorofila A, o fluxo de biomassa e os componentes de biomassa. A taxa de fotossíntese foliar (A) foi superior nos genótipos em ambiente pleno sol, otimizando as trocas gasosas das plantas. Para o fator genótipo, foram observadas menores A nos acessos UmCo-8 (1) UmCO-11 (2), UmCO-14 (2) e UspCO-25 (1), com média de 12,88 ?mol.m-1.s-1. As TAlF, TAlC e TSFT foram afetadas pelo ambiente com maiores taxas nos genótipos mantidos sob sombra artificial. O desdobramento da interação ambiente x genótipo para TSFT revelou que os genótipos UmCO-1 (2), UmCO-2 (2) e UmCo-14 (2) apresentaram maiores TSFT em ambientes sombreados em relação ao sol pleno, conferindo menor tempo de vida das folhas. No ambiente sombreado, os genótipos UmCO-2 (2), UmCO-6 (2), UspCO-23 (1) e UspCO-25 (1) apresentaram as menores perdas por senescência. Não foi observado efeito de ambiente sobre a TApF, com média de 0,18 fol.perf.dia-1. As maiores TAF foram obtidas nos genótipos UmCO-1 (2), UmCO-8 (1) e BRS Paiaguás. A BFT apresentou efeito do fator ambiente, com maior produção de biomassa nos genótipos mantidos sob sombra artificial. A BCV apresentou superioridade dos genótipos no ambiente sob sombra artificial. A interação ambiente x genótipo para PPerRep, mostrou que os acessos UmCO-4 (1), UmCO-6 (2) e UmCO-14 (2) apresentaram maior percentual de perfilhos reprodutivos em ambiente de pleno sol. A EUA dos genótipos de Urochloa mosambicensis foi superior em ambiente sombreado. Os genótipos mantidos em ambiente de sol apresentaram maior BRAIZ. Os genótipos de Urochloa mosambicensis apresentam capacidade de adaptação ao ambiente sombreado, refletindo em taxas de produção e de acúmulo de forragem semelhantes às cultivares comerciais avaliadas, à exceção do UmCO-11 (2). [Sabi grass genotypes in luminosity conditions for integrated systems in the Brazilian semi-arid region]. Abstract: The objective was to evaluate Urochloa mosambicensis genotypes under two light conditions in order to select accessions for the forage breeding program for the Brazilian semi-arid region. Nine genotypes of Urochloa mosambicensis, and two genotypes of Urochloa brizantha as a control, were studied in two environmental conditions (full sun and artificial shade, 50%), in a completely randomized experimental design in an 11 × 2 factorial arrangement, with four replications. For this purpose, gas exchange and chlorophyll-a fluorescence, biomass flow and biomass components were evaluated. The leaf photosynthesis rate (A) was higher in genotypes in full sun, optimizing plant gas exchange. For the genotype factor, smaller A were observed in the UmCo-8 (1), UmCO-11 (2), UmCO-14 (2) and UspCO-25 (1) accessions, with an average of 12.88 ?mol.m-1.s-1. The TAlF, TAlC and TSFT were affected by the environment with higher rates in the genotypes kept under artificial shade. The unfolding of the environment x genotype interaction for TSFT revealed that UmCO-1 (2), UmCO-2 (2) and UmCO-14 (2) genotypes presented higher TVF in shaded environments in relation to full sun, conferring a shorter lifespan of the leaves. In the shaded environment, UmCO-2 (2), UmCO-6 (2), UspCO-23 (1) and UspCO-25 (1) genotypes showed the lowest losses due to senescence. There was no effect of environment on TApF, with an average of 0.18 leaf.tiller.day-1. The highest TAF were obtained in UmCO-1 (2), UmCO-8 (1) and BRS Paiaguás genotypes. The BFT showed an effect of the environment factor, with greater biomass production in the genotypes kept under artificial shade. The BCV showed superiority of the genotypes in the environment under artificial shade. The environment x genotype interaction for PPerRep, showed that the accessions UmCO-4 (1), UmCO-6 (2) and UmCO-14 (2), presented a greater number of reproductive tillers in full sun environment. The EUA of Urochloa mosambicensis genotypes was superior in shaded environment. The genotypes kept in a sunny environment showed higher BRAIZ. The Urochloa mosambicensis genotypes have the ability to adapt to the shaded

Menstrual And Reproductive Factors, Hormone Use, And Risk Of Pancreatic Cancer: Analysis From The International Pancreatic Cancer Case-control Consortium (Panc4)

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the relation between menstrual and reproductive factors, exogenous hormones, and risk of pancreatic cancer (PC). Methods: Eleven case-control studies within the International Pancreatic Cancer Case-control Consortium took part in the present study, including in total 2838 case and 4748 control women. Pooled estimates of odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a 2-step logistic regression model and adjusting for relevant covariates. Results: An inverse OR was observed in women who reported having had hysterectomy (ORyesvs.no, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.91), remaining significant in postmenopausal women and never-smoking women, adjusted for potential PC confounders. A mutually adjusted model with the joint effect for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and hysterectomy showed significant inverse associations with PC in women who reported having had hysterectomy with HRT use (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.48-0.84). Conclusions: Our large pooled analysis suggests that women who have had a hysterectomy may have reduced risk of PC. However, we cannot rule out that the reduced risk could be due to factors or indications for having had a hysterectomy. Further investigation of risk according to HRT use and reason for hysterectomy may be necessary

Tobacco smoking-associated genome-wide DNA methylation changes in the EPIC study.

Epigenetic changes may occur in response to environmental stressors, and an altered epigenome pattern may represent a stable signature of environmental exposure