Carbon leakage from unilateral Environmental Tax Reforms in Europe, 1995–2005

Studies of the effects of the Kyoto Protocol have shown carbon leakage (typically from tax and permit schemes with lump-sum revenues recycling) to be in the range of 5–20% using static Computable General Equilibrium models. However, in practice, researchers have found that carbon leakage from the implementation of the EU ETS is unlikely to be substantial because transport costs, local market conditions, product variety and incomplete information all tend to favour local production. This study investigates potential carbon leakage from six EU Member States (MSs) that implemented Environmental Tax Reform (ETRs) unilaterally over the period 1995–2005. The study uses the large-scale multisectoral integrated energy–environment–economy (E3) model of 27 European countries, energy–environment–economy model of Europe (E3ME), to undertake a dynamic comparative analysis to assess any carbon leakage effects over the longer term 1995–2012. A counterfactual Reference case is constructed, assuming that the six countries did not introduce ETRs; then alternative scenarios are developed to assess the effects of the ETRs, including effects on CO₂ emissions for the EU25 economies. Most MSs recorded a reduction in CO₂ emissions when comparing the Baseline case to the Reference case. The results show that carbon leakage is very small and in some cases negative, due to technological spillover effects.     

Experimental Determination of the Sn-Cu-Ni Phase Diagram for Pb-Free Solder Applications

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B - The rapid increase of scrapped electrical products disposed in landfill sites is significantly influencing the environment because of the composition of...     

Turbulent Flow over Step with Rounded Edges: Experimental and Numerical Study

The study of turbulent flow over man-made obstacles and natural bed forms is an area of active research. This investigation was conducted to explore the differences between flow over a backward facing step and flow over a step with gradual transitions. Detailed measurements of longitudinal mean velocity and turbulence intensity were obtained using a one component LDV system. A turbulence-based numerical model was implemented to reproduce the measured flow variables and to explore additional flow characteristics, including Reynolds stresses and eddy viscosity. The separation that takes place in the rounded expansion plays a significant role in the flow pattern. In contrast to flow over a backward facing step, flow over a step with rounded edges shows a relatively shorter separation bubble and a slower return to the developed flow condition.     

Age and gender differences in oppositional behavior and conduct problems: A cross-sectional household study of middle childhood and adolescence.

Behavior problems among youths cannot be understood without explaining their age and gender differences, but age and gender differences cannot be explained until they have been accurately described. In a household survey of 1,285 youths aged 9 to 17 years, there were no gender differences in oppositional behavior, but aggression, property offenses, and status offenses were more common among boys. Levels of oppositional behavior were greater at younger ages, aggression peaked near the middle of this age range, and property and status offenses were more prevalent at older ages. These findings are generally consistent with developmental models of conduct problems but are inconsistent with a recent model of gender differences and raise questions about the external validity of current taxonomies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Adherence to antiretroviral medications in HIV: Differences in data collected via self-report and electronic monitoring.

Controversy remains regarding the reliability of methods used to determine adherence to antiretroviral medication in HIV. In this study the authors compared adherence rates of 119 HIV-positive participants during a 6-month study, as estimated via electronic monitoring (EM) and self-report (SR). Adherence for both short (4-day) and long (4-week, or intervisit) periods was examined, as well as factors that underlie discrepancies between EM and SR. Results showed that intervisit EM estimates were consistently lower than those of SR. SR estimates based on shorter periods (4 days) were closer to those of EM. Higher discrepancies between EM and SR estimates were associated with lower cognitive functioning and externalized locus of control. These findings lend support for using both EM and SR methods; however, study design (e.g., length) and other factors (e.g., cognitive status, cost) should be considered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The use of clozapine in the treatment of aggressive schizophrenia

The effect of coadministration of ritonavir and didanosine (ddI) on the pharmacokinetics of these drugs was investigated in a single-center, three-period, crossover study. Eighteen asymptomatic, HIV-positive men were assigned randomly to 6 different sequences of 3 regimens: ddI (200 mg every 12 hours) alone for 4 days, ritonavir (600 mg every 12 hours) alone for 4 days, and 4 days of ddI with ritonavir under dose-staggering conditions. Although not statistically significant, ritonavir concentrations were slightly higher on average (<10%) with concurrent administration of ddI compared with those of ritonavir alone. In contrast, ddI concentrations were lower with concurrent administration compared with those of ddI alone; maximum concentration and area under the concentration-time curve were reduced by about 15% (p < .05). The ddI elimination rate constant was unaffected by ritonavir, suggesting no change in ddI's systemic metabolism. Adverse events were similar between regimens. The relatively minor changes in ritonavir and ddI pharmacokinetics are probably not clinically relevant; therefore, dosage adjustment of either compound appears unnecessary when administered concurrently. However, the combination regimen of ddI and ritonavir continue to be evaluated clinically.     

Production of a quasi-travelling wave in silicon membranes with a thin deposited layer of sol-gel PZT

In this paper, we present the excitation of travelling waves in a rectangular silicon membrane covered with a thin sol—gel PZT layer. We first describe the process of deposition and poling of the PZT layer and the measurements of its electro-mechanical properties. Then, we have generated travelling waves in the membrane using a single-phase drive on the piezoelectric stack and we characterized the deformation modes using a special interferometer technique. Finally, we show that, by generating micron scale amplitudes of vibration, it will be possible to realise micro-actuators using this principle.     

A Hyperbolic Theory for Advection-Diffusion Problems: Mathematical Foundations and Numerical Modeling

Linear parabolic diffusion theories based on Fourier’s or Fick’s laws predict that disturbances can propagate at infinite speed. Although in some applications, the infinite speed paradox may be ignored, there are many other applications in which a theory that predicts propagation at finite speed is mandatory. As a consequence, several alternatives to the linear parabolic diffusion theory, that aim at avoiding the infinite speed paradox, have been proposed over the years. This paper is devoted to the mathematical, physical and numerical analysis of a hyperbolic convection-diffusion theory.     

On line estimation of matte grade in a copper smelter

This study deals with the design of an inferential estimator to predict matte grade in a copper smelter. A novel mathematical model for the dynamics of the smelter is presented and used as the basis of the on-line estimators. Two different types of estimators are proposed: an estimator with fixed parameters and an estimator with parameters which adapt in time based on infrequent process measurements. Several configurations of the adaptive and fixed estimators, based on different combinations of parameters and measurements, have been designed and compared to plant data. Conclusions are drawn regarding the most accurate configuration.