Ein ergokryptinreiches Wildgrasmutterkorn

The Science of Nature -     

Using chemical process simulation to design industrial ecosystems

Chemical process simulation (CPS) software has been widely used by chemical (process) engineers to design, test, optimise, and integrate process plants. It is expected that industrial ecologists to bring these same problem-solving benefits to the design and operation of industrial ecosystems can use CPS. This paper provides industrial ecology researchers and practitioners with an introduction to CPS and an overview of chemical engineering design principles. The paper highlights recent research showing that CPS can be used to model industrial ecosystems, and discusses the benefits of using CPS to address some of the technical challenges facing companies participating in an industrial ecosystem. CPS can be used to (i) quantitatively evaluate and compare the potential environmental and financial benefits of material and energy linkages; (ii) solve general design, retrofit, or operational problems; (iii) help to identify complex and often counter-intuitive solutions; and (iv) evaluate what-if scenarios. CPS should be a useful addition to the industrial ecology toolbox.     

Die Anwendung von molekulargenetischen Techniken in der Neurochemie

Research in molecular neurobiology has recently entered a new phase of rapid development as a result of the application of the techniques of molecular genetics. This is illustrated by recent work on the electric ray (Torpedo marmorata and T. californica), whose electric organ is a rich source of cholinergic synapses. Other examples from recent literature of the application of the recombinant DNA technique to the mammalian central nervous system are given and possible future developments are discussed.     

Climate Change Policy in European Countries and its effects on industry

In this paper we discuss the effects ofdifferent climate change policies onindustrial activity and on welfare. Wecompare the effects of carbon taxes andgrandfathered permits and the effects ofexemptions for energy-intensive industries.We survey first the insights from economictheory and from model experiments for theUS. Next we use a general equilibrium modelto assess the effect of different climatechange policies on industrial activity persector and per member country in the EU. Wepay particular attention to the effects ofpolicies where one EU member state exemptsits energy-intensive sectors from abatementefforts. The main findings are that, in theEU, the effects on industrial activity andthe welfare costs of tradable permits orcarbon taxes are small when no industrialsectors are exempted. When one membercountry exempts its energy intensivesector, this will reduce somewhat theimpact on its activity level but willgenerate an extra welfare cost for theEU.     

The importance of chorionic villus sampling after first trimester diagnosis of cystic hygroma

The prenatal diagnosis of The Turner Syndrome is described at a menstrual age of 12 weeks. Detection of cystic hygroma was followed by vaginal chorionic villous sampling (CVS) which revealed a 45,X karyotype. Early documentation of fetal karyotype in the presence of a cystic hygroma is essential for accurate diagnosis and genetic counselling.