1,721,063 research outputs found
The case for global regulation of carbon capture and storage and artificial intelligence for climate change
No full textThis article investigates the trends in the global law-making process as it relates to carbon capture and storage (CCS) and associated technology. It detects regulatory deficiencies and makes a case favouring robust global regulation of such technology in realizing climate aspirations. CCS is recognized as an indispensable ally in the worldwide enterprise that seeks to limit carbon dioxide emissions. This article probes the relatively new and developing area of international regulation of the process of CCS and related technology, in particular Artificial Intelligence (AI), a dimension that promises noteworthy results on the climate change front. It presents a case for the broader deployment of the CCS technology - including more advanced AI options - to enhance in a more radical fashion the prospect of meeting global climate goals and thus stabilising global temperature (that is, achieving net zero CO2 emissions globally in the early 2050s), identifies the need for new and revised sets of rules to govern the development, design and deployment of such technology, and argues in favour of the applicability of existing general sustainable development principles
The dollar/euro exchange rate and a comparison of major models
Full text linkThis article analyzes the behaviour of the USD/EUR exchange rate based on four major models. Using the mean absolute percent error (MAPE) as a criterion, the extended Mundell‐Fleming model performs best, followed by the PPP model using the relative PPI, the monetary model, the PPP model using the relative CPI, and the UIP model. The widely used log‐log form in the PPP model based on the relative PPI or CPI can be rejected at the 5% level. The insignificant coefficients or unexpected signs of some variables in the monetary and other models may pose some challenges in applications.
First Publish Online: 09 Jun 201
Energy efficiency in leading emerging and developed countries
No full textThis paper defines the diverging interests of multiple actors in typically achieving and advancing energy efficiency. Gaps in the literature include the short elaboration of energy efficiency factors and conditions and the lack of information about developed and developing countries and thorough consideration of their specific features, impeding the development and implementation of detailed energy efficiency management strategies. It is against this backdrop that this paper seeks to identify the essence of energy efficiency and developing specific recommendations for achieving the most beneficial effect and well-balanced energy efficiency on the global scale, within the achievements of international goals in sustainable development. The paper exposes the critical factors of energy efficiency, accurately models the best energy efficiency characteristics, and settles the best energy consumption structure. The methodological purpose is to find different energy efficiency scenarios and disentangle fundamental differences in energy efficiency in developed and developing countries. The paper indicates that the reasonable likelihood of noteworthy achievement results in energy efficiency with insignificant mid-term changes. We give recommendations about well-balanced energy efficiency on the global scale and global progress in sustainable development
L’analisi della curva di apprendimento della chirurgia dell’otosclerosi può aiutare a predirre i risultati funzionali?
Full text linkOver the last 20 years, the number of stapes operations performed has decreased steadily. This inadequate exposure to stapes surgery poses problems for both trainees and trainers. We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of stapedotomy performed by a young physician at the ENT Clinic of the “A. Gemelli” Hospital of Rome. We used the technique of “one-shot” CO2 Laser stapedotomy using a titanium-Teflon piston. For data analysis, we considered the audiograms obtained 24 hours preoperatively and at the last follow-up examination (mean 45 months). Air conduction (AC) and bone conduction (BC) PTA were calculated for 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz thresholds. Air bone gap (ABG) were obtained from ACPTA and BCPTA. Postoperative hearing gain was calculated from the ABG before the operation minus the ABG at late follow-up examination. Analysis of outcomes did not show a clear endpoint for the learning curve; complete closure of the ABG was obtained in a large number of patients at the beginning followed by patients who showed a higher ABG. Fortunately, we did not observed any “dead ear”. The study supports a learning curve in stapes surgery, but the results can vary widely among surgeries with excellent results followed by others that are not fully satisfactory. Stapes surgery should not be one of the first ear surgeries performed by a young otologist due to the functional outcome expected by patients and the lack of necessary surgical skills
Consuming Gastronomy while Travelling: What Do Tourists Want?
No full textThis contribution explores the demand side of gastronomy tourism, in particular the characteristics of travellers who are driven by their gastronomic interest. Such ‘passionate tourists’ gain a number of experiences from gastronomy within their holidays, and these ranges from enjoyment to socialization and learning. Regardless their motivation to travel, gastronomic experiences are often taken in conjunction with other activities available (especially those related to culture). Practical implications for destinations include improvements in thematic offerings (both in terms of variety and authenticity), cross-marketing activities and promotion. In doing so, they need to become aware of the diversity of consumption patterns of these tourists
Early Hearing Assessment After "One Shot" CO2 Laser Stapedotomy: Is It Helpful to Predict Inner Ear Damage and the Functional Outcome?
No full textOBJECTIVE:: Auditory testing is not routinely performed within 4 to 6 weeks after stapedotomy because hearing acuity is thought to be transiently depressed. The early postoperative effects of the 1-shot carbon dioxide (CO2) laser have never been reported. The purpose of this study is to present data for auditory thresholds measured within 2 days of laser stapedotomy and at the last follow-up. STUDY DESIGN:: The study was prospective and unblinded. SETTING:: The study was conducted at the "A. Gemelli" University Hospital. METHODS:: From January to December 2008, 58 subjects underwent "1-shot" CO2 laser stapedotomies for otosclerosis. Pure-tonal audiometric test was performed preoperatively 2 days after surgery and at least 1 month after surgery during the follow-up. RESULTS:: The closure of air-bone gap began in the early postoperative period and continued to improve through the late postoperative period. Bone-conduction hearing thresholds were stable even in the early postoperative follow-up and remained stable trough all the course of the study. CONCLUSION:: Our data, supported by the literature, suggest that 1-shot CO2 laser stapedotomy is an effective and safe procedure for the treatment of otosclerosis
A new corruption index based on individual attitudes
No full textThe aim of this paper is to propose a new corruption index based on
individual attitudes referring to the European citizens. The index is defined by
means of the person location parameters estimated by a Partial Credit Model
(PCM). This model is particularly suitable since the synthetic value of the
interest latent variable ‘Corruption Perception’ is first evaluated at individual
level; its estimated scores are then naturally aggregated to higher levels in order
to obtain a measure at Europe and nation-wide
How do equity markets react to COVID-19? Evidence from emerging and developed countries
No full textBased on the supply of stock market returns hypothesis, we argue that the unprecedented adverse shock of COVID-19 on the countries’ economic growth translates into a negative shock to the stock markets. According to the institutional theory, we also argue that the impact of COVID-19 in emerging countries is different from developed countries. Based on the overreaction hypothesis, we expect that the market reaction during the stabilizing period of COVID-19 spread is different from the market reaction during the infection period. Using high-frequency daily data across 53 emerging and 23 developed countries from January 14 to August 20, 2020, we find that COVID-19 cases and deaths adversely affect stock returns and increase volatility and trading volume. Cases and deaths affected stock returns and volatility in the emerging markets, while only cases of COVID-19 affected stock returns, volatility, and trading volume in the developed markets. COVID-19 cases and deaths are related to returns, volatility, and trading volume for emerging countries during the rising infection of COVID-19 (pre-April 2020), while cases and mortality rates are related to returns, volatility, and trading volume in developed countries during the stabilizing spread (post-April 2020). Therefore, the emerging markets’ investors seem to react to COVID-19 cases and mortality rates differently from those in the developed markets across two different periods of COVID-19 infection
Long-term follow-up after “one-shot” CO2 laser stapedotomy: is the functional outcome stable during the years?
No full textThe use of “one-shot” CO2 laser technique for a primary small-fenestra stapedotomy is well established, but few papers report the long-term functional results. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 198 patients, treated for otosclerosis from January 2008 to December 2011, at the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Catholic University of Rome. Statistical comparison between audiological thresholds obtained 24 h preoperatively, at early (4 weeks) and late postoperative examinations (mean time 45 months), was performed. Comparison of preoperative vs both early and late postoperative ACPTA showed a statistically significant difference (respectively 55 vs 33 and 31 dB; p  0.05). Both early and late postoperative ABG improved significantly compared to the preoperative one (respectively 10 and 9 vs 32 dB; p  0.05), early vs late postoperative ABG (respectively 10 vs 9 dB; p > 0.05) and early vs late ABG gain (respectively 22 vs 23 dB; p > 0.05). No subjects developed postoperative complications requiring revision surgery or late deterioration of hearing threshold. The analysis of our data suggests that “one-shot” CO2 laser stapedotomy is an effective and safe procedure: it allows a rapid stapedotomy without damages for the inner ear and optimal functional results that remain stable during the years
Minimally invasive surgical removal of an intracochlear schwannoma causing an intractable paroxysmal positional vertigo
No full textIntracochlear schwannomas are rare tumours. Diagnosis is based on high-resolution MRI, which should be used for accurate determination of the location of tumours. We report a case of a cochlear schwannoma that presented with profound hearing loss and intractable paroxysmal positional vertigo, which was diagnosed with gadolinium-enhanced MRI and removed using a transcanal minimally-invasive transotic approach
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