Regional economic dynamics and convergence in the European Union

This paper uses an alternative approach to convergence analysis, which, in our opinion, is richer than those traditionally proposed. We believe that the evolution of the whole regional distribution is what matters, not that of an average or representative economy, implicit in the or convergence concepts. Moreover, when analyzing inequality among regional economies, geographic space acquires a preeminent role. We therefore apply spatial association tests recently developed in the spatial econometrics literature and relate them to convergence analysis. Specifically, we apply this methodology to the analysis of regional dynamics and convergence in the European Union (EU). In this context, the progress made in the integration process has highlighted the question of economic disparities at regional level. The process of convergence came to an end in the late seventies, coinciding with major changes in economic activity. This paper shows how these factors appear to have provoked a regionally differentiated response which, though significant, did not, in all likelihood, exacerbate the decrease in regional inequalities.     

Isothermal crystallization study on a biodegradable segmented copolymer constituted by glycolide and trimethylene carbonate units

The isothermal crystallization behavior of a segmented copolymer constituted by hard blocks of polyglycolide and soft segments derived from the copolymerization of glycolide and trimethylene carbonate was investigated. This polymer has applied relevance because it is one of the most widely used for bioabsorbable surgical sutures. Calorimetric, optical microscopy, and infrared techniques were combined to understand the thermal properties and the different factors that influence the crystallization process. Basically, only the hard blocks crystallized, although certain processing conditions allowed performing an additional crystallization associated with small lamellar domains of the soft segment. Crystallization from both the melt and the glass state rendered positive spherulites with a fibrillar texture. The observed unusual sign of birefringence was a consequence of the close packing structure of polyglycolide, which was also corroborated by electron diffraction patterns. Crystallization was characterized by an athermal nucleation, which allowed accurate estimation of the secondary nucleation parameter by using the calorimetric data only. Significant differences in the Avrami exponent (from 2.32 to 1.45) were found between the cold and hot isothermal crystallizations. The stronger geometric constraints observed in the crystallization from the glass state were also corroborated by FTIR analyses. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

On the accuracy of the diffusion coefficient measurements using different initial shear cell configurations at low and moderate Rayleigh numbers

Three different shear cell arrangements are considered here in order to discuss and compare the accuracy of their measurements at low and moderate Rayleigh number, that is to say, in reduced gravity environments. To do so, specific numerical procedures have been designed in order to quantitatively estimate the corresponding associated errors as a function of time and at the end of the diffusive process. The present work clearly shows that the interdiffusion-couple configuration is, from the point of view of accuracy, the worst one.     

Antioxidant properties of garden strawberry leaf extract and its effect on fish oil oxidation

The present study characterises garden strawberry leaf extract and reports its effect on shelf life and quality characteristics of fish oil. Radical scavenging capacity of the extract in DPPH^? and ABTS^?+ assays was equivalent to 1207 and 1579 μmol g^?1 of trolox equivalents, respectively, total phenolic content was 257 mg g^?1 of gallic acid equivalents. Phenolic and volatile constituents were analysed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The extract was added to fish oil and its oxidation was followed during 42 days: peroxide, p‐anisidine values and hexanal concentration were lower in the samples with extract, particularly at the end of storage. The effect of extract on fatty acid composition was not significant, however the changes in the percentages of some individual acids were observed. Fish oil containing 5% of extract had lower levels of lipid oxidation in comparison to other samples. The results indicate that strawberry leaves could be a potential source of natural antioxidants.     

Dendritic Cells and Multiple Sclerosis: Disease,Tolerance and Therapy

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a devastating neurological disease that predominantly affects young adults resulting in severe personal and economic impact. The majority of therapies for this disease were developed in, or are beneficial in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the animal model of MS. While known to target adaptive anti-CNS immune responses, they also target, the innate immune arm. This mini-review focuses on the role of dendritic cells (DCs), the professional antigen presenting cells of the innate immune system. The evidence for a role for DCs in the appropriate regulation of anti-CNS autoimmune responses and their role in MS disease susceptibility and possible therapeutic utility are discussed. Additionally, the current controversy regarding the evidence for the presence of functional DCs in the normal CNS is reviewed. Furthermore, the role of CNS DCs and potential routes of their intercourse between the CNS and cervical lymph nodes are considered. Finally, the future role that this nexus between the CNS and the cervical lymph nodes might play in site directed molecular and cellular therapy for MS is outlined.