Results

Evaluation of well being, quality of life and functionality in frail elderly

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

University of Bristol
This work package addressed physical activity, psychological well-being, quality of life and links with functionality in the frail elderly. The study provided the largest European data set on objectively measured (accelerometry) physical activity in older people aged 70 and over. This was accompanied by estimates of mental well-being and quality of life through standardised questionnaires. Older people have very low levels of daily activity, particularly at a level of intensity that would improve health. This indicates that there is a lot of scope for programmes and policy designed to enhance walking and other forms of activity. Mental health is weakly and positively related to daily physical activity. Qualitative and quantitative data showed that engagement in the standardised exercise training programme improved aspects of mental well-being. It was seen as a very positive experience by participants. However, we found no evidence that the programme outcomes translated into greater levels of daily activity. Further analyses are currently being conducted as agreed in the initial contract. More research is needed to assess determinants of daily physical activity and physical independence in this population. Results are summarised in a dissemination document made available to leading non governmental and governmental organisations concerned with the health of elderly people.
LIFE QUALITY

Test board to evaluate lead-free soldering process and materials

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Thomson R&D France
To allow a systematic and precise evaluation of new EFSOT solder paste, a test board was developed, it is used to validate all kinds of very fine pitch printing and soldering as well as more specific needs such as: cleaning feasibility, insulation properties, power components soldering, compatibility of various PCB finishing (Imm Tin, Imm Silver, Gold, OSP, thickfilm Ag/Cu) with LF solder etc... The design did contain the different standard pattern of TTA, Philips and AB for comparison and has been used intensively by TTA, Philips and AB to manufacture boards and validate the soldering processes (Screen printing parameters and cleaning, paste deposite, demolding and abandon time, Oven profiles) This test is a major support for implementing high yield lead-free processes. The window framing design of AB was found to give best results in high volume production using AOI.
GROWTH

Analysis of rural development impact of case-study organic marketing initiatives

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

University of Wales Aberystwyth
Our study of Organic Marketing Initiatives (OMIs) was designed to explore the extent to which the benefits of organic production are secured and multiplied for the rural environment and the communities that depend on it by marketing and processing activities. We used a comparative case study approach (informed by Actor Network Theory) particularly as examples of rural development driven by organic production are as yet relatively rare. Four case study OMIs were selected in Austria, France, Italy and the United Kingdom, and the process involved both local teams and researchers from other countries, and an Advisory Committee of local actors. Fieldwork was carried out consecutively in October and November 2002. The key contributions of the OMIs to rural development of all OMIs studied are relatively modest in terms of direct income and employment generation, although their indirect or softer contributions are considerable, supporting and embedding confidence and raising regional profile. They also provide a model for improved impacts in the future, particularly if marketing management can be improved. Most operate in peripheral areas valued for their culture, landscape and production of traditional, typical regional products; most have good transport links to thriving markets. Institutional conditions provide a key dimension to rural development success. However, other initiatives capitalising on regional image have bypassed organic producers, who have tended to concentrate on more specialised opportunities; tensions exist as to whether organic agriculture should be promoted as a mainstream opportunity or market niche. We use Actor Network Theory (ANT) to explore interdependence between initiatives and regional institutional actors in rural development processes. The main process analysed by the ANT is the growth and extension of spheres of influence and power, through processes of translation or enrolment. Translation follows four stages: an actor analysing a situation, defining the problem and proposing a solution; other actors becoming interested in the solution proposed and changing their affiliation to a group in favour of the new actor; the solution becomes accepted as a new concept and a new network of interests generated; and finally, the new network operating to implement the proposed solution. This framework is increasingly used for analysis of rural change processes, showing how rural networks function, and exploring their ability to involve various stakeholders into a common set of interests. Case study OMIs have not been particularly active in introducing their ideas and solutions to institutional structures, though the prevailing institutional climate plays a key role in the nature and extent of the cooperation. OMIs should attempt to become more open-minded: internally, they need to absorb newly converted organic farmers whose perceptions and experience is likely to be different from that of the existing membership; externally, in the framework of intensifying competition, partnership between OMIs is required in consumer education, promoting the wider social, cultural and environmental benefits of organic food. Conflict and misunderstanding between regional policymakers and OMIs need to be resolved through a process of dialogue and integration; this will help to reinforce public sector support for the process of new OMI formation, and also to take advantage of Structural Funds. National governments have a clearly defined role in supporting the organic sector, in regulating organic standards, providing conversion aids, carrying out research and providing extension services. A broader perspective, concentrating on the position of primary organic production in the supply chain, would assist OMIs; specifically by investigating the market potential of supply chains extending beyond home regions, and provision of supportive infrastructure; and contributing their own resources to supplement the likely shortfall in the Rural Development Plans funding. All the OMIs we investigated had a keen interest in and a desire to learn from the experience of others. The European Commission, in consultation with national governments, should act to establish a continent-wide network of producer initiatives, which market sustainably produced primary products to disseminate best practice.
LIFE QUALITY

Whole blood-oxygen binding properties of 4 cold-temperate fishes: Blood-affinity is independent of pH-dependent binding, routine swimming and hypoxia

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

University of Copenhagen
The relationship between whole blood-oxygen affinity (P50) and pH-dependent binding (i.e. cooperativity and the Bohr (F) and Root effects) was examined statistically under standardized conditions (10.0C) in four unrelated cold-temperate marine fishes that differ widely in their swimming performance and their expected responses to hypoxia: Cod (Gadus morhua), herring (Clupea harengus), mackerel (Scomber scombrus) and plaice (Pleuronectes platessa). An unexpected difference in blood oxygen affinity was found (herring > plaice > mackerel > cod) and this was independent of both swimming performance and the predicted low O2 response of each species. The ecotype of the four marine species was also unrelated to pH dependent binding because no difference in the Bohr effect was apparent (F varied insignificantly from -0.90 to -1.06) and differences in the magnitude of the cooperative binding reaction was associated only with the presence of the Root effect. Although several reviews propose a generalized link between blood-oxygen affinity and pH-dependent binding, our results advise against overestimating the adaptive functional properties of haemoglobin across unrelated species.
LIFE QUALITY

CrossROAD prototype

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Institute for Informatics and Telematics (IIT)
CrossROAD represents an optimised p2p system for ad hoc networks, based on the Pastry overlay network model. Specifically it exploits a cross-layer architecture, using network routing table information in order to maintain a correspondence between the physical network topology and the logical address space, where nodes and data are mapped. In order to have a complete and updated knowledge of the network topology, a proactive routing protocol is needed, and for this reason we selected an open source implementation of OLSR (Unik-OLSR v.0.4.8) that allows the definition of libraries dynamically loaded by the routing daemon at the startup, in order to export routing information to other applications, or to define additional information to be sent on the network through the proactive flooding of routing packets. These libraries are called plugins. In our prototype a plugin, called XL-plugin, has been defined in order to encapsulate additional information in routing packets. This information is represented by services identifiers, used to associate to each node the list of services locally provided. When OLSR receives a routing message containing this additional information, it passes the contents to XL-plugin that provides to store services identifiers of other nodes in its local data structures. For this reason XL-plugin maintains two local data structures: LocalService Table and GlobalService Table. Specifically, the LocalService Table maintains the list of services provided by the local node, while the GlobalService Table maintains, for each service present in the network and currently running on CrossROAD, the list of nodes providing it. All entries are timed out in order to preserve the consistency of the service information. In this way, when a node starts running an application on top of CrossROAD, it declares its service identifier and CrossROAD directly establishes a local connection to the plugin in order to receive the list of nodes taking part to that specific overlay. Then, when the local application sends a message with a specified key value, CrossROAD first checks the consistency of its internal data structures with the list provided by the plugin, then it determines the best destination for that key and directly sends the message to it. More details on software architecture of CrossROAD and XL-plugin can be found in deliverable D13.
IST

Demonstration of the functional response of olfactory receptors in nanosomes deposited on solid supports by surface plasmon resonance

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

NOPA / NOeMI Research Unit
We used Surface Plasmon Resonance technique for monitoring the functional response of the olfactory receptors in the nanosomes once immobilized on solid suports. The procedure consisted on two steps: in the first step immobilization of the nanosomes on the sensorchip was verified while in the second specific response of the immobilized nanosomes to odorants were monitorized. Previuous test experiments with bovine rhodopsine membrane fraction were performed. For the verification of the nanosome immobilization the membrane fraction corresponding to yeast cells expressing rat I7 was injected on top of a L1 sensor chip (gold surface covered with dextran modified with lipophilic compounds). Then subsequently the polyclonal anti-I7 antibody was injected. No detection could be obtained, even for highly concentrated membrane fraction deposition. One possible explanation is that the specific IgG is not concentrated enough within the anti-I7 polyclonal antibody. Even though no response was obtained in this case, the functional response tests proceeded. The straightforward idea would be to inject the odorant solution on the BIAcore sensor chip after immobilisation of the membrane fraction containing the olfactory receptor. However, since the odorants used are so small, their binding to the receptors of the membrane fraction cannot be directly detected. We thus decided to use a procedure set up by Vogel (Bieri et al.) to follow activation of rhodopsin. Golf departure is indeed detected upon heptanal (5mM) stimulation of the I7 receptor present in the membrane fraction deposited on the L1 sensor chip (0.004mg/ml total protein concentration in membrane fraction deposited), in the presence of 10mM GTP. In summary, the olfactory receptor is indeed still in its active form in the membrane fraction deposited onto the sensor chip. Golf is still present in the membrane fraction, pre-associated with the olfactory receptor. Stimulation of the olfactory receptor by its odorant ligand induces its conformational change, and thus its interaction with the a subunit (Golf) of the G protein, which dissociates from the trimer. This event is detected by the BIAcore.
IST

Phonetically sorted Greek and Swedish speech therapy libraries

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Kungl Tekniska Hogskolan
Library of Greek and Swedish phonemes, words and sentences to be used for speech therapy. The aim of speech therapy is to teach new speech patterns, increase the intelligibility of speech, and establish automaticity and to transfer skills to untrained situations. The OLP word-list (library) was needed to adequately sample the full range of expected expressions and to allow for automatic evaluation support and therapy design for the client groups. When constructing the library two aspects were considered. The material had to be quite large to represent the language as much as possible. On the other hand the spoken material should not be too long especially in the case of clients with speech difficulties. Therefore the use of the same word for different phonemes and for different positions was used in order to reduce the number of words. The Greek and Swedish libraries were constructed in such a way to fully cover all possible deviations made. This means that the libraries are language-dependent, systematically constructed and based on the phonetics and phonology of the Greek and Swedish language respectively. Selection criteria for the construction of the Greek and Swedish libraries were that all vowels should occur in mono- and polysyllabic words and that all consonants should occur in all possible positions (initial, medial, final), followed by both rounded and unrounded vowels (if applicable) At least three examples of each condition were included. Content of the Greek library to be used for speech therapy: - Isolated speech sounds (26 consonants, 5 vowels) - CV, CCV and VC, VCC syllables (128) - 2-syllable words with the target phoneme in initial position (129) - 3-syllable words with the target phoneme in initial position (128) - 2-syllable words with the target phoneme in medial position (142) - 3-syllable words with the target phoneme in medial position (119) - 2-syllable words with the target phoneme in final position (35) - 3-syllable words with the target phoneme in final position (35) - Clusters in initial position (92) - Phrases (91) - Sentences (50) Content of the Swedish library to be used for speech therapy: - Isolated speech sounds (18 consonants, 22 long and short vowels) - CV, CCV and VC, VCC syllables (339) - Rate drills repeating the same consonant (18) - Rate drills repeating alternating consonant (12) - Monosyllabic words and clusters in initial and final position (947) - Polysyllabic words: 2 syllables and 3-4 syllables (247, 257) - Phrases and short sentences (109)
LIFE QUALITY

High power amplifier for piezo dampers

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Cedrat Technologies SA
A new high power linear amplifier has been developed for piezoelectric dampers. The new technology used in the prototype permits to multiply by 10 the available electrical power of standard power supplies available on the market and dedicated to piezoelectric actuators and dampers. The direct consequence is a larger bandwidth for the active vibration and noise control of structures. The second one is the possibility to supply larger piezoelectric actuators or several actuators in parallel. Know-how and the technology are now available at Cedrat Technologies for the industrialisation of a new product, which will permit to access to a new market. It will also directly increase the sell of standard piezoelectric actuators.
GROWTH

Simulation methods

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Swerea SICOMP AB
The filling process of moulds is simulated, which are carrying fibre and textile reinforcements for the produced components. Methods to model non-Newtonian fluid flow through fibre beds. A two-phase continuum constitutive model has been developed and FE-implemented for simulation of the HTex process, which involves simultaneous impregnation and forming A new method to determine thermal contact conductance between metal tooling and composite has been developed. Using the method a set of thermal contact conductance data has been generated. The thermal contact conductance is of importance both for JETex and HTex process simulations. A thermo-chemo-mechanical process model has been developed for the JETex process and implemented in the FE-program ANSYS. The model includes both thermal and mechanical part-tool interaction.
GROWTH

Use of chemical and biological additives with grass containing high levels of WSC (< 20-25% WSC/g DM) for effective conservation of WSC in ensiled (grass and grass : legume mixtures) forage

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences
The overall objective of the project was to provide sound scientific evidence for the advantages (production and environment) of using novel ryegrasses bred for their high water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content (using conventional plant breeding programmes) in grassland-based, sustainable ruminant production systems. Previous proof of principle work funded nationally in the UK demonstrated significant production responses and beneficial alteration in N-partitioning (improved nitrogen use efficiency; NUE) in zero-grazed dairy and beef cattle, and in grazing lambs offered an experimental ryegrass bred to express relatively high concentrations of WSC. The SweetGrass project examined this phenomenon in more detail using commercially available (AberDart: NIAB-certificated) high-WSC forage and more realistic grazing and conservation settings. The results can be summarised as follows: - Ability of grasses high in WSC to alter N-utilisation efficiency and reduce N-pollution from faeces and urine, - Ability to conserve WSC in silage made from grass high in WSC. Each areas corresponds to an exploitable result and this section provides a summary of the work behind the exploitation of area 2 (area 1 is covered in analogous parts of the etip) The concentration of WSC in forage for ensilage is important to ensure that the crop is acidified rapidly by lactic acid producing bacteria thereby conserving nutrients, reducing losses and providing effective preservation of the ensiled herbage on long-term (over-wintering) storage of the ensiled herbage. Lack of availability of WSC or an inappropriate epiphytic microbial population on the crop often results in the production of silages of poor nutritional and hygienic quality and reduced aerobic stability and this can have a profoundly negative effect on the productivity of silage-fed livestock. Enhancing the WSC in forage grasses through conventional plant breeding provides for the opportunity to improve silage quality, particularly where the conservation process is managed take maximal advantage of the additional WSC in the herbage. Management strategies include (a)wilting procedures after harvest but prior to ensilage to ensure that WSC levels are concentrated in the herbage and(b) the application of appropriate acidifying chemical additives or homofermentative lactic acid bacteria to herbage during harvest to rapidly acidify (conserve) the crop. While both of these strategies can result in dramatic improvements silage quality, where WSC concentration in herbage are high enough to exceed that required for optimal conservation, it is conceivable that WSC can be conserved and made available subsequently, upon feed-out, as a rapidly fermentable energy source for the rumen microbial population. A major objective within this project was to devise and demonstrate improved conservation strategies which take advantage of elevated levels of WSC in grass and grass-legume mixture. Improvements in silage quality were measured in terms of (a)nutritional quality, (b)hygienic status, (c)aerobic stability and (d)the ability to conserve WSC in silage for subsequent utilisation by the rumen microbial population. From the research conducted the following conclusions were drawn: - Fast efficient wilting with a minimum of losses in the field due to respiration or leaching was shown to be the most important pre-condition for successful ensiling of grasses with high WSC content. - If, due to inclement weather, wilting was not an option, chemical additives, either acid based or combinations of ingredients active against clostridia, were the most effective treatments for improving high WSC, wetter silages. Where making silage when no additive is used (the case for most EU farmers) using a grass of elevated WSC will greatly enhance the probability of achieving good preservation. This is particularly evident with wetter forages (results confirm this). - In silages of high DM content, biological inoculants usually contributed to lower fermentation losses and ammonia concentrations, although they also increased the tendency for aerobic spoilage in the resultant higher quality silages. - Co-ensiling mixtures containing up to 50% legume (red clover or lucerne were studied) enhanced silage quality and aerobic stability and reduced fermentation losses. In terms of the impact of these results on grassland-based, livestock agriculture, it is concluded that the farming community will derive considerable economic benefit by ensuring that high WSC grasses are used for re-seeding swards and by adopting some/all of the management strategies advocated above. In addition to financial reward, it is also considered that these improved conservation practises will lead to reduced waste and more hygienic conserved crops, thus having a positive impact on the environment, on animal welfare and on the quality of life of livestock producers and consumers.
LIFE QUALITY

Baseline data analysis report

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Department of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan
Anamnestic variables: All ultrasonic variables have been investigated. Analyses have been performed without and with adjustment for confounders. Results: Ultrasonic variables are significantly greater in men than in women and greater in north than in south Europe; Age, Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse pressure are strong determinants of ultrasonic variables; Diastolic Blood pressure (DBP) is a determinant of bulb-IMTmean, ICA-IMTmean and IMTmean; Height, Hip, Waist/Hip ratio and heart-rate are not independent determinants of carotid IMT; Weight is a determinant of CC-IMTmean and ICA-IMTmean; BMI and Waist are determinants of CC-IMTmean; Sonographers and readers are associated to IMT, thus they have been considered as confounders in all the analyses; Smoking status, Pack-years, smoke duration, N° of cigarettes smoked per day and Years elapsed since smoking cessation (YEARSQU) are strong and independent determinants of carotid IMT; AGE-smoking-start is not a determinant of carotid IMT. All smoking results were confirmed also by trend analyses. Nutrition: Wine, beer and spirit are not associated with carotid IMTs; whereas the total amount of alcohol consumed (irrespective of derived from wine, beer or spirit) is a determinant of bulb-IMTmax, IMTmax and bulb-IMTmean; Meat, fish, Eggs, Fruit, Milk and tea consumption are not associated to carotid IMTs; Coffee consumption is an independent determinant of ICA-IMTmax, and IMTmean; Years of diet is an independent determinant of CC-IMTmax, and CC-IMTmean. Blood count: Leucocytes are strong determinants of carotid IMT, whereas Monocyte, Erythrocytes, Haemoglobin, Haematocrit, MCH, MCHC, MCV, Platelets, Neutrophils, Eosinophils and Basophils are not; HDL-C is an independent determinant of CC-IMTmean, ICA-IMTmean and IMTmean; LDL-C is an independent determinant of ICA-IMTmean and IMTmean; Creatinine is an independent determinant of ICA-IMTmax, IMTmax and IMTmean-max.; After adjustment for confounders C Reactive Protein is an independent determinant of almost all ultrasonic variables. Blood glucose, Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides and Uric acid are not independent determinants of carotid atherosclerosis. Physical activity: In the whole group Physical Activity is not an independent determinant of carotid atherosclerosis. Before the adjustment for confounders the relationship between Physical Activity and IMTs was surprisingly positive (the higher the physical activity the higher the atherosclerosis). This trend is probably due to an effect of confounders, in fact, after data adjustment for confounders, even if not significant, the relationship follow the expected direction. Physical activity stratified by center: In the Milan group the analyses adjusted for age, gender, sonographer, reader and smoking habits show an association between Physical Activity and IMTmax (not confirmed in the analyses for trend) and for ICA-IMTmean (just in the analyses for trends); Physical Activity was also associated with bulb-IMT (both mean and max) in the group of Kuopio (CR3) and with CC-IMTmax and bulb-IMTmean in the group of Perugia (CR6); No association was found when the second group of Kuopio (CR2), or the groups of Stockholm (CR4), Groeningen (CR5) and Paris (CR7) were considered. Carotid IMT and personal history of disease: The status of Asthma, Respiratory Diseases, Cardiac Diseases, Ulcer, Gastrointestinal Diseases, Gout, Endocrine/Metabolic-diseases, Renal disease, Genital/Urinary disease, Ocular/Ophthalmic diseases, Immunological diseases, Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoartrosis, Inflammatory disease, Cutaneous disease Hypothyroidism is not an independent determinant of carotid atherosclerosis; Gallstones was associated with ICA-IMTmax and ICA-IMTmean; Tuberculosis is associated with ICA-IMTmax, CC-IMTmean and IMTmean; The status of Neurological disease is associated with IMTmax, IMTmean and IMTmean-max; The status of Hypersensitivity/Allergy is associated with CC-IMTmax and IMTmean-max. Carotid IMT and personal history of a number of diseases: Family history of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hemoragic stroke, hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia and obesity is not associated to carotid IMT. In fact, although associated with several IMT variables in the unadjusted analyses, all statistical significances disappeared when analyses were adjusted for confounders. In the adjusted analyses the unique variables maintaining a statistical significance as determinants of carotid atherosclerosis were: Family history of cerebrovascular diseases (associated with ICA-IMTmean), Family history of peripheral vascular diseases (associated with ICA-IMTmean and ICA-IMTmax) and Family history of hypertension (associated with Bulb-IMTmax, Bulb-IMTmean and IMTmax).
LIFE QUALITY

Ocean model protocol document

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:01 GMT

LSCE/IPSL, Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement
A protocol has been developed for use by all ocean modellers involved in this project to make standard simulations of inter-annual to decadal variability. This protocol stipulates i) forcing with NCEP reanalysed atmospheric data (1948-2001), ii) model code, and iii) output routines. The protocol document has been published on the NOCES project web site (http://www.ipsl.jussieu.fr/projets/NOCES). This protocol is also likely to be adopted by those taking on similar ocean simulations in the future. By doing so, modellers will be able to compare their new results to those obtained in this international comparison.
EESD

Validated engineering model for residual strength prediction

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:01 GMT

HSIC
The laminate strength after (partial-lifetime) fatigue is measured at pre-determined life fractions. Apart from providing useful insights in the material strength behaviour, this forms the basis of strength degradation modelling, which can be used in lifetime prediction methods. Using strength degradation models, lifetime prediction can be improved relative to the "classical" Miner damage rule, by taking into account the effect of loading sequence. The OPTIMAT database contains results from more than 700 tests on two different laminate lay-ups, a unidirectional (UD) material and a multi-directional (MD) glass-epoxy laminate (see OPTIMAT specimen definition). The UD material was tested both longitudinally and transversely. Three R-ratios (R=10, R=0.1, and R=-1) were tested for each material, except where buckling instablity proved a problem. The database includes specimens, which failed prematurely during the fatigue phase of the test as well as the residual strength of surviving specimens at three life fractions (20%, 50%, and 80%). This data forms the basis for the model developments reported in the references.
EESD

Organic market dimensions in Europe

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences
Results of two surveys of national organic markets in Europe (all EU member states, two accession countries, the Czech Republic and Slovenia, and two EFTA countries, Norway and Switzerland) in the years 2000 and 2001 provide information on organic agricultural production, consumption, supply deficits, imports, exports and farmer and consumer prices. Products covered included cereals, oilseeds, olives, potatoes, vegetables, fruit, wine, milk, beef, sheep and goat meat, pork, poultry and eggs. The aim of this study was to analyse all important aspects of the organic market, in order to provide both market actors and agricultural policymakers with reliable advice about its development in Europe, and about general factors that promote or hamper market growth. By adopting a coherent approach and cross-checking, the estimates reported can be used to assess, in broad order of magnitude terms, the significance of the organic market in the countries studied. The share of organic products in total agricultural production in the EU remains low, ranging from 0.3% for organic pork and poultry, up to 4.9% for organic olives. Information about organic consumption as a percentage of the total consumption of different food products (market share by volume) ranged from 0.3% for organic pork and poultry, to 1.8% for organic cereals. The organic share of total food sales on average in the EU was 1.0%; however, differences between countries surveyed range from 0.1% in the Czech Republic to 3.5% in Denmark and 3.7% in Switzerland. Foreign trade was also investigated, though few experts were able to confidently estimate the amount of organic products involved. For plant products, in 2001 the EU was a net importer of organic cereals, potatoes, vegetables and fruit, but a net exporter of organic olives and organic wine. The importance of organic animal products in international trade was rather less. The EU was a net importer of organic beef and poultry, but a net exporter of organic milk (especially of cheese), pork and eggs. Product groups for which supply deficits were expected in many countries for the years 2003 and 2004 are organic fruit and vegetables, pork, and organic animal feed. Considerable price differences, even between neighbouring countries, show that market transparency for organic food was particularly poor. The EU average for consumer price premiums in 2001 varied from 28% for organic baby food in glass jars, up to 163% for organic cucumbers. Price premiums also varied between different countries, and distribution through different sales channels played an important role in this regard: in countries where general food shops were very active in the marketing of organic food, consumer price premiums were usually lower than in those countries where organic food shops or direct sales provided the main sales channels. The importance of general food shops as a sales channel for organic products is underlined by the fact that consumer price premiums were lower in countries with a high involvement of general food retailers. One contributing factor is lower distribution costs; it is cheaper to transport larger volumes of organic products, together with conventional products, to bigger distribution centres and on to major retailers, than it is to transport small volumes to many small specialist organic food shops. With such market data, producers, processors or traders can identify where there are deficits and oversupply in the market and, hence, which products are worth producing and selling. It is relatively difficult for agricultural producers to respond quickly to evolving customer demand, due to lengthy production cycles and climatic factors. For conventional farmers deciding to switch to organic methods, the two-year conversion period further delays the appearance of the product on the market. Reliable market data, collected systematically over several years, helps to predict the development of consumer demand. Agricultural policymakers also need reliable advice about organic sector development in Europe, and about general factors that promote or hamper market growth. An urgent need exists for more regular, consistent data collection at a European level, and progress on this issues is being achieved through a subsequent FP5 project (QLK5-CT-2002-02400 EISFOM) to support improved data quality, standardization and detail on specific commodities.
LIFE QUALITY

ROV derived video data and seismic data from Gullfaks, Tommeliten and Nyegga, physical and biological effects of hydrocarbon seeps in northern waters

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:01 GMT

STATOIL ASA
Result description: Since the early 1980's Statoil has conducted research on seepage of hydrocarbons in northern waters. The current METROL initiative (2002-2005) was incorporated as part of this endeavour. Main results from the Statoil/METROL work show that: - Both micro- and macro-seeps are self-sealing, where the formation of bacterial mats and carbonate represent major steps in the sealing process, - Focussed hydrocarbon seeps are long-lived and reach a steady-state flux situation, - Bacterial mats are used as nutrients to macro organisms (hermite crabs), - Large amounts of carbonate can form sub-surface, - Hydrate-pingoes modify the seabed topography. 'Hydrate pingoes' form part of this landscape. They are up 1 m high mounds and have four main characteristics: - They are sediment-covered - They have a 'carpet' of tubeworms - They are partly covered by bacterial mats - They have 'corrosion pits' where soil has become fluidised. Hydrate pingoes only form at locations where there is a continuous supply of 'guest molecules' from below (i.e., where there is seepage of light hydrocarbons). They are a direct result of local formation and disintegration of sub-surface gas hydrates. ROV-operations: During METROL methane bubbling through the seafloor at Tommeliten and Gullfaks was detected by the use of hull-mounted single beam echosounder. ROVs were used to document these 'macro' seeps visually on the seafloor. In addition to visible macroseeps, there also occurs 'invisible' microseepage of fluids through the seafloor. These are very difficult to document without the use of ROVs. At Nyegga there are only microseeps. At microseep locations which occur at all sites Tommeliten, Gullfaks and Nyegga, bacterial mats form on the seafloor due to anoxic water flowing up to the seafloor. ROV-operations conducted by Statoil at the three sites resulted in the visual documentation of the exact location of bacterial mats and microseepage. These ROV-operations have been conducted using dynamically positioned (DP) operated surface vessels and high accuracy underwater position keeping. Key innovations: Key innovations are that hydrate pingoes and bacterial mats show the exact locations where active micro-seepage occurs. At Nyegga, we have for the first time documented the existence of a gas hydrates submarine 'tundra' landscape on the seafloor. The very irregular landscape is suspectedly caused by the formation and disintegration of sub-seafloor gas hydrates, much in the same fashion as sub-surface ice in a true tundra landscape on land. Current applications: The results help Statoil and other users of the seafloor to improve our field development strategy and designs, and to improve our understanding of the natural chemical environments and their effects on biology. Users: All the results are utilized by Statoil to improve the knowledge on the hydraulics of the seafloor in association with field development and pipeline construction. Further users interested in these results are: engineers, exploration geophysicists, biologists, environmental and drilling safety specialists, marine geologists. Expected benefit: Statoil scientist working within METROL is an advisory member of the IOPD committee since 1986, funded by Texas A&M University, and esp responsible for safety problems in drilling. METROL results are expected to feed into increased safety and improved environmental issues (less impact) in drilling, as it becomes more and more know, which pockets can be drilled into and which are too dangerous and should be left alone.
EESD