Limitations in the determination of maximum residue limits and highest residues of pesticides: Part I

The pesticide usages are controlled by comparing residue concentrations in treated commodities to legally permitted maximum levels (MRLs) determined based on supervised trials designed to reflect likely maximum residues occurring in practice following authorised use. The number of trials available may significantly affect the accuracy of estimated maximum residues. We conducted a study with synthetic lognormal distributions with mean of 1 and standard deviations of 0.8 and 1.0, which reflect the residue distributions observed in practice. The likely residues in samples were modelled by drawing random samples of size 3, 5, 10 and 25 from the synthetic populations. The results indicate that the estimations of highest residues (HR), used for calculation of short-term intake, and the MRLs, serving as legal limits, are very uncertain based on 3–5 trials indicated by the calculated HR_0.975/HR_0.025 and MRL_0.975/MRL_0.025 ratios of 12 and 9, and 13 and 10, respectively, which question the suitability of such trials for the intended purpose. As the 95% range of HR and MRL rapidly decreases with number of trials, ideally ≥15 but minimum 6–8 trials should be used for estimation of HR and MRL according to the current typical practice of Codex Alimentarius.     

Intraventricular haemorrhage in a fetus with cerebral cytomegalovirus infection

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the leading infectious cause of prenatal neurological damage, which is particularly severe when primary maternal infection occurs during the first 16 weeks of gestation, at the time of organ development and neuronal migration. Vascular involvement has been suggested to be among thepossible pathogenic mechanisms of virus-induced pathology, in addition to direct viral effects. We report on a fetus with cerebral CMV infection, which had intraventricular haemorrhage, together with oligohydramnios and hyperechogenic bowel, following maternal primary CMV infection. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Assessing the value of pastoral farming in the Alps using choice experiments: evidence for public policies and management

Alpine livestock farms consist of pastures, buildings, people and animals, and are a key element for the economy in the Alps. Pastures and huts are often owned by the local municipalities, who lease them to private tenants. However, this activity is often no longer profitable, and thus pastures and huts remain unused and abandoned. This research provides an economic estimate of pastoral farming using the choice experiment (CE) method, also assessing the willingness to pay (WTP) for pastoral farming functions. The study examines different scenarios of upland farm management in order to provide recommendations for public owners on how to better manage these assets. The case study is located in an alpine area in northern Italy. Our results show a higher WTP for the attributes related to the traditional Alpine agricultural economy, with an emphasis on grazing. Several policy implications regarding agricultural renewal and support for mountain livelihoods are highlighted in the conclusions.     

Controlling pollution in rural areas by economic instruments

The most interesting economic instruments for the control of environmental pollution belong to the categories of taxes (or charges) and of tradeable pollution permits. After the basic theoretical propositions of the seventies and their early applications, the search now is for practical methodologies and for a correct and effective use of such instruments. With this aim in view, the paper begins by introducing the concepts of environmental externality and of optimal level of pollution, then illustrates the two main options of control (taxation and market of tradeable permits) and briefly discusses their application in reducing pollution in wide rural areas.Sections 1, 2, 3, e 4.Section 5.     

Biodegradation of oxygenated and non-oxygenated imidazolium-based ionic liquids in soil

Aerobic biodegradation of ionic liquids in soil was monitored for the first time. The tests, followed over six months according to ASTM D 5988-96, were carried out on the four ionic liquids obtained from 1-R-3-methylimidazolium cations, with R=CH(3)(CH(2))(3) and CH(3)O(CH(2))(2), and the tetrafluoroborate and dicyanamide counter anions. The n-butyl derivatives, after an induction period of about two months, were found to be degradable, although the degradation rate with the dicyanamide anion was smaller. In contrast, no significant production of CO(2) was observed in the tests with the methoxyethyl derivatives. Calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level were carried out to characterize the atomic charge distributions and frontier orbital structures of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cations and point out the changes caused by replacement of a CH(2) group of the alkyl chain with an oxygen atom. The calculations predict an overall negative charge on the nitrogen atoms of the imidazolium-based cations. The energies of the highest occupied (pi) MO and lowest empty (pi( *)) MO are only slightly perturbed by the length and nature of the alkyl chain. However, the electron-donor properties of the oxy derivatives are radically increased. The HOMO becomes a lone pair orbital mainly localized on the oxygen atom, and its ionization energy is sizeably smaller than that of the outermost ring pi MO.     

Supporting mountain agriculture through “mountain product” label: a choice experiment approach

Environment, Development and Sustainability - The valorization of typical food products contributes to local economy sustainability. The European Union introduced the optional "mountain...