Estimating the Effects of U.S. Distortions in the Ethanol Market Using a Partial Equilibrium Trade Model

In this paper we assess the impact of the elimination of trade distortions on imports from Brazil to the U.S. For this purpose, we estimate a partial equilibrium trade model an ethanol export supply function for Brazil and an ethanol import demand function for the U.S.-, based on annual data from 1975 to 2006, and use the results to compute a back-of-the-envelope measure of the deadweight loss derived from those trade distortions as well as one derived from producing the 35 billion gallons proposed in the Twenty in Ten 2007 State of the Union Policy Initiative assuming the distortions are not eliminated. Two-stage least squares is used to estimate both functions, the world price of ethanol being treated as endogenous. This paper supports the idea that the U.S. and Brazil would reap gains from trade if trade distortions were eliminated.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

THE EFFECTS OF TRADE DISTORTIONS: THE CASE OF THE SUGARCANE-ETHANOL INDUSTRY IN BRAZIL VERSUS THE CORN-ETHANOL INDUSTRY IN THE U.S.

In order to compensate for the gap in price competitiveness derived from fossil fuel production still being more price-competitive than production of biofuels, the ethanol industry is heavily subsidized inside and protected from the outside in both the U.S. and Brazil. In this paper we assess the impact of the elimination of trade distortions, in particular, the 2.5 percent ad valorem tax, and a secondary tariff of 54 cents-per-gallon on imports from Brazil to the U.S., imposed to offset the 51 cents-per-gallon domestic subsidy to corn-ethanol production. For this purpose, we estimate a partial equilibrium trade model – an ethanol export supply curve for Brazil and an ethanol import demand curve for the U.S.-, based on annual data from 1975 to 2005. Two-stage least squares is used to estimate both curves, the world price of ethanol being treated as endogenous. The results show Brazilian export supply to be very sensitive to changes in prices, thus it is very likely that elimination of trade distortions in the ethanol market will result in a more than proportionate increase in ethanol exports from Brazil due to the rise in the world price. Moreover, according to this model, if the U.S. increases its demand for imports from Brazil, there will be a positive impact of the U.S. in driving the world price up. Therefore, this paper supports the idea that the U.S. and Brazil reap gains from trade when trade distortions are eliminated

NeuroBoricuas: a novel approach for incorporating neuroscience education in schools of Puerto Rico

[EN] Puerto Rico is in dire need of transforming its education system to counter the current economic recession and ensure a future with talented Puerto Ricans at the forefront of scientific research and technology development.  Here we present a group of neuroscientists and educators, the NeuroBoricuas, committed to revolutionize the scientific culture of Puerto Rico by incorporating neuroscience research training and inquiry-based activities in public and private schools. We carry out our vision through diverse methods, such as community outreach activities, where we promote neuroscience literacy using diverse learning activities. In parallel, we are designing a neuroscience course and textbook with educators to be implemented in schools. We also established neuroscience laboratories in K-12 schools and trained science teachers to manage such laboratories, using equipment from the company “Backyard Brains”. These laboratory experiences are integrated into the academic curriculum in high schools and the equipment is also available for students interested in designing their independent research projects. Lastly, we are expanding a network of committed scientists who partner with educators to help nurture future neuroscientists early in their academic endeavors. Here, we describe our trajectory and our approach to transform scientific education in Puerto Rico.We thank Dr. Gregory J. Quirk, Dr. Daniel Colon-Ramos and Dr. Mark Miller for their support. We thank Tim Marzullo, from Backyard Brains, for supporting NeuroBoricuas. We also thank Palabreria, Digi-Serv and Puerto Rico 4.0 for their constant support. We thank all the NeuroBoricuas that selflessly work hard for a better Puerto Rico. This work has been supported by generous donations from the Puerto Rican people, a grant from the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus’ Chancellor’s office, and the Grass Foundation.http://ocs.editorial.upv.es/index.php/HEAD/HEAD18Bravo-Rivera, C.; Díaz-Ríos, M.; Aldarondo-Hernández, A.; Santos-Vera, B.; Ramos-Medina, L.; De Jesús-Burgos, M.; Bravo-Rivera, H.... (2018). NeuroBoricuas: a novel approach for incorporating neuroscience education in schools of Puerto Rico. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1447-1455. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAD18.2018.8223OCS1447145

Dystrophinopathy Phenotypes and Modifying Factors in Exon 45-55 Deletion

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) exon 45-55 deletion (del45-55) has been postulated as a model that could treat up to 60% of DMD patients, but the associated clinical variability and complications require clarification. We aimed to understand the phenotypes and potential modifying factors of this dystrophinopathy subset. This cross-sectional, multicenter cohort study applied clinical and functional evaluation. Next generation sequencing was employed to identify intronic breakpoints and their impact on the Dp140 promotor, intronic long noncoding RNA, and regulatory splicing sequences. DMD modifiers (SPP1, LTBP4, ACTN3) and concomitant mutations were also assessed. Haplotypes were built using DMD single nucleotide polymorphisms. Dystrophin expression was evaluated via immunostaining, Western blotting, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and droplet digital PCR in 9 muscle biopsies. The series comprised 57 subjects (23 index) expressing Becker phenotype (28%), isolated cardiopathy (19%), and asymptomatic features (53%). Cognitive impairment occurred in 90% of children. Patients were classified according to 10 distinct index-case breakpoints; 4 of them were recurrent due to founder events. A specific breakpoint (D5) was associated with severity, but no significant effect was appreciated due to the changes in intronic sequences. All biopsies showed dystrophin expression of >67% and traces of alternative del45-57 transcript that were not deemed pathogenically relevant. Only the LTBP4 haplotype appeared associated the presence of cardiopathy among the explored extragenic factors. We confirmed that del45-55 segregates a high proportion of benign phenotypes, severe cases, and isolated cardiac and cognitive presentations. Although some influence of the intronic breakpoint position and the LTBP4 modifier may exist, the pathomechanisms responsible for the phenotypic variability remain largely unresolved. ANN NEUROL 2022;92:793-80

Determinants of enhanced vulnerability to coronavirus disease 2019 in UK patients with cancer: a European study

Despite high contagiousness and rapid spread, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to heterogeneous outcomes across affected nations. Within Europe (EU), the United Kingdom (UK) is the most severely affected country, with a death toll in excess of 100,000 as of January 2021. We aimed to compare the national impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the risk of death in UK patients with cancer versus those in continental EU. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the OnCovid study database, a European registry of patients with cancer consecutively diagnosed with COVID-19 in 27 centres from 27th February to 10th September 2020. We analysed case fatality rates and risk of death at 30 days and 6 months stratified by region of origin (UK versus EU). We compared patient characteristics at baseline including oncological and COVID-19-specific therapy across UK and EU cohorts and evaluated the association of these factors with the risk of adverse outcomes in multivariable Cox regression models. Findings: Compared with EU (n = 924), UK patients (n = 468) were characterised by higher case fatality rates (40.38% versus 26.5%, p < 0.0001) and higher risk of death at 30 days (hazard ratio [HR], 1.64 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.36-1.99]) and 6 months after COVID-19 diagnosis (47.64% versus 33.33%; p < 0.0001; HR, 1.59 [95% CI, 1.33-1.88]). UK patients were more often men, were of older age and have more comorbidities than EU counterparts (p < 0.01). Receipt of anticancer therapy was lower in UK than in EU patients (p < 0.001). Despite equal proportions of complicated COVID-19, rates of intensive care admission and use of mechanical ventilation, UK patients with cancer were less likely to receive anti-COVID-19 therapies including corticosteroids, antivirals and interleukin-6 antagonists (p < 0.0001). Multivariable analyses adjusted for imbalanced prognostic factors confirmed the UK cohort to be characterised by worse risk of death at 30 days and 6 months, independent of the patient's age, gender, tumour stage and status; number of comorbidities; COVID-19 severity and receipt of anticancer and anti-COVID-19 therapy. Rates of permanent cessation of anticancer therapy after COVID-19 were similar in the UK and EU cohorts. Interpretation: UK patients with cancer have been more severely impacted by the unfolding of the COVID-19 pandemic despite societal risk mitigation factors and rapid deferral of anticancer therapy. The increased frailty of UK patients with cancer highlights high-risk groups that should be prioritised for anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Continued evaluation of long-term outcomes is warranted

Estimating the Effects of U.S. Distortions in the Ethanol Market Using a Partial Equilibrium Trade Model

In this paper we assess the impact of the elimination of trade distortions on imports from Brazil to the U.S. For this purpose, we estimate a partial equilibrium trade model - an ethanol export supply function for Brazil and an ethanol import demand function for the U.S.-, based on annual data from 1975 to 2006, and use the results to compute a 'back-of-the-envelope' measure of the deadweight loss derived from those trade distortions as well as one derived from producing the 35 billion gallons proposed in the 'Twenty in Ten' 2007 State of the Union Policy Initiative assuming the distortions are not eliminated. Two-stage least squares is used to estimate both functions, the world price of ethanol being treated as endogenous. This paper supports the idea that the U.S. and Brazil would reap gains from trade if trade distortions were eliminated

Estimating the Welfare Effects of U.S. Distortions in the Ethanol Market Using a Partial Equilibrium Trade Model

In this paper the impact of distortions on U.S. imports of ethanol from Brazil are calculated. This is achieved by using two-stage least squares to estimate a partial equilibrium trade model based on annual data from 1975 to 2006. From this the derived export supply and import demand elasticities are used to derive "back-of-the-envelope" measures of the static and cumulative deadweight losses, assuming the distortions are not eliminated. The results presented support the hypothesis that the U.S. and Brazil would reap gains from trade if distortions in the U.S. ethanol market were eliminated.

Brain tyrosinase overexpression implicates age-dependent neuromelanin production in Parkinson’s disease pathogenesis

In Parkinson's disease (PD) there is a selective degeneration of neuromelanin-containing neurons, especially substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons. In humans, neuromelanin accumulates with age, the latter being the main risk factor for PD. The contribution of neuromelanin to PD pathogenesis remains unknown because, unlike humans, common laboratory animals lack neuromelanin. Synthesis of peripheral melanins is mediated by tyrosinase, an enzyme also present at low levels in the brain. Here we report that overexpression of human tyrosinase in rat substantia nigra results in age-dependent production of human-like neuromelanin within nigral dopaminergic neurons, up to levels reached in elderly humans. In these animals, intracellular neuromelanin accumulation above a specific threshold is associated to an age-dependent PD phenotype, including hypokinesia, Lewy body-like formation and nigrostriatal neurodegeneration. Enhancing lysosomal proteostasis reduces intracellular neuromelanin and prevents neurodegeneration in tyrosinase-overexpressing animals. Our results suggest that intracellular neuromelanin levels may set the threshold for the initiation of PD

Excerpta Botanica Pharmaceutica

Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona. Ensenyament: Grau de Farmàcia, Assignatura: Botànica Farmacèutica, Curs: 2013-2014, Coordinadors: Carles Benedí i Joan SimonEl disseny de l’activitat ha estat a càrrec del Grup d’Innovació Docent de Botànica Aplicada a les Ciències Farmacèutiques (GIBAF), i s’emmarca en el Projecte d’Innovació Docent «Excerpta Botanica Pharmaceutica: creació de recursos docents en obert pels propis estudiants com a nova estratègia d’innovació docent» (codi 2014PID-UB/010) del Programa de Millora i Innovació Docent (PMID) de la Universitat de Barcelona.Amb el nom genèric d’Excerpta Botanica Pharmaceutica (extracte de Botànica Farmacèutica), agrupem els treballs (guies d’estudi) que han redactat de forma tutorizada els estudiants del grup T3 de l’assignatura Botànica Farmacèutica (curs 2013-14). Els objectius específics han estat: aprendre a utilitzar correctament la nomenclatura botànica en la denominació de les espècies, saber redactar ordenadament la descripció d’una espècie amb la terminologia botànica adequada, cercar utilitzar i integrar la informació botànica de referència i proposar-ne d’addicional comentades i fomentar l’aprenentatge autònom i col·laboratiu en Botànica farmacèutica. Els objectius transversals han estat: estimular el compromís ètic (imatges incloses de llicència lliure), desenvolupar una capacitat de síntesi escrita i de tenir visions globals integradores (la monografia aportada), mantenir una pulcritud en el treball i compromís per la feina ben feta (responsabilitat en el futur material d'ús docent per als seus companys, dipòsit digital UB) i fomentar la apacitat autocrítica (la seva autoavaluació)