Pochi studi hanno analizzato I prezzi delle droghe in Europa nonostante I risultati forniti da questo tipo di analisi in altri paesi. In America, l’analisi sui prezzi delle droghe costituisce la base dell’attuale conoscenza su domanda e offerta del mercato delle droga e dell’effetto delle forze di polizia. Questa tesi analizza il prezzo delle droghe illecite (eroina e cocaina) in Europa. In particolare questo studio ha due obiettivi 1) identificare quali fattori influenzano i prezzi delle droghe; 2) identificare quali fattori hanno portato al declino dei prezzi delle droghe negli ultimi venti anni. In linea con la precedente letteratura, questo studio ha impiegato un’analisi della variazione geografica e temporale dei prezzi, un “Risk and price model” ed una analisi panel. I risultati mostrano che le forze di polizia e il livello di violenza hanno un effetto marginale sul prezzo delle droghe e non sono capaci di spiegare il loro declino negli anni. La globalizzazione sembra la principale spiegazione. La globalizzazione ha tagliato i costi nel traffico di droga, riducendo le inefficienze causate dalla sua illegalità (per esempio nel trasporto). Di conseguenza la globalizzazione può essere considerata la componente principale nello spiegare il declino dei prezzi delle droghe in Europa. / There are few studies on drug prices in Europe, despite the insight this type of analysis has provided in other countries. In the USA, the examination of drug prices has improved the knowledge of the demand and supply in drug markets and the impact of law enforcement. The dissertation aims to analyze the prices of illicit drugs (heroin and cocaine) in Europe. The study has two objectives: (1) identifying which factors affect drug prices; (2) analyzing which factors drove the price decline in the last twenty years. In line with the previous literature, the methods include the analysis of the trends of prices over time and across countries, a risk and price model, and a panel regression. The results show that law enforcement and violence have marginal impact on drug prices and they are unable to explain the decline over time. In fact, globalization is the key explanatory factor. Globalization has likely cut the costs of the drug trade, reducing the inefficiencies caused by illegality (e.g. transportation). As a result, it may be regarded as the most important factor in the price decline in European drug markets.

Submitted by Camila Loscha (camila.loscha@uniceub.br) on 2016-05-06T20:08:30Z No. of bitstreams: 1 61001290.pdf: 2130659 bytes, checksum: d533a86ef58d799bec06f7c914668238 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Heres Pires (heres.pires@uniceub.br) on 2016-07-25T20:25:14Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 61001290.pdf: 2130659 bytes, checksum: d533a86ef58d799bec06f7c914668238 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-25T20:25:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 61001290.pdf: 2130659 bytes, checksum: d533a86ef58d799bec06f7c914668238 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-05-06 / O objetivo geral desta dissertação é analisar, de forma interpretativa, como as Preocupações Comerciais Específicas podem colaborar para coibir a adoção, pelos países, de barreiras não-tarifárias travestidas de medidas sanitárias, assim como sua eficiência para remover tais barreiras. O setor agropecuário brasileiro se modernizou, alcançou patamares de referência internacional, entretanto, esse crescimento pode ser mitigado pelas políticas adotadas pelos países, nas quais criam regulamentos limitando o fluxo comercial dos produtos, incluindo os brasileiros. A ampliação da agenda do comércio internacional ocasionou, entre outros efeitos, a assinatura do Acordo sobre Aplicação de Medidas Sanitárias e Fitossanitárias (SPS). O Acordo SPS reconhece o direito dos Membros em adotar medidas com base em princípios científicos necessários para garantir a segurança alimentar, para proteger a vida e a saúde das pessoas e animais ou de preservação de plantas, ou para proteger o território de uma praga ou doença, prevendo duas maneiras de administrar os conflitos entre os Membros. Uma delas é formal e definida pelo Entendimento sobre Solução de Controvérsias e a outra possui um caráter informal, estabelecida no Comitê do Acordo SPS, denominada como Preocupações Comerciais Específicas, que é um procedimento com especificidades técnicas e jurídicas, o qual se orienta por normas formais e informais, condicionando de certa forma o comportamento de seus Membros. / http://repositorio.uniceub.br/retrieve/22967/61001290.pdf

Il presente lavoro di ricerca indaga i rapporti tra la disciplina delle Relazioni Internazionali (RI) e la tradizione filosofica americana del Pragmatismo (PP), focalizzandosi sui possibili contributi che quest’ultimo può fornire alle RI, guardando sia allo sviluppo del dibattito paradigmatico della disciplina sia alla dimensione delle politiche. In particolare, dopo aver fornito un quadro generale dei principi fondamentali del pragmatismo e averne evidenziato la positiva influenza sullo sviluppo della disciplina delle Relazioni Internazionali, il lavoro di ricerca si concentra sul tema del pragmatismo applicato alla dimensione della politica estera, qui concepita come sottolivello delle RI multifattoriale, multidisciplinare e nel quale l’agente/attore specifico assume un ruolo centrale. In linea con questa impostazione, la ricerca si concentra sull’elaborazione della politica estera del 44° Presidente americano, Barack Obama, mettendone in luce gli explanans, la cui applicazione viene poi testata nell’ambito di due casi-studio particolari: le relazioni degli Stati Uniti con Cuba, da un lato, e Israele, dall’altro. Attraverso l’analisi della letteratura esistente, in gran parte piuttosto recente, di documenti ufficiali rilasciati dall’Amministrazione Obama e dai discorsi ufficiali del Presidente stesso, il lavoro mira a dimostrare l’effettiva importanza del Pragmatismo sia per gli studiosi delle RI che per i policy-makers. / This research work aims at addressing the relations between the discipline of International Relations (IR) and the American philosophical tradition of Pragmatism (PP), investigating the possible contributions PP can provide IR with, both at a theoretical and a policy level. In particular, once given an overview of the basic principles of PP and the positive inputs it can provide to the discipline of the IR, the research work addresses the issue of whether pragmatism can direct and explain the formulation of a foreign policy (FP) – conceived as the sublevel of IR which is actor-specific, agent-oriented, multifactorial, multilevel, and multidisciplinary. In order to do so, an interpretative actor perspective is adopted, and the foreign policy of former U.S. President Barack Obama is analyzed, focusing on the explanans of his foreign policy making and vision. Their application is then tested on two case-studies: U.S.-Cuba relations and U.S.-Israel relations, in the timeframe of the Obama Presidency. Through the analysis of the existing literature – some of which quite recent, official documents released by the Obama Administrations and speeches given by the President, the research work tries to demonstrate that PP can indeed constitute a useful tool-kit for both IR scholars and policy-makers.

Afin d’éviter le relâchement d’iode 129 (déchet de moyenne activité à vie longue) dans l’environnement, un nouveau matériau incorporant l’iodate dans une hydroxyapatite phosphocalcique a été étudié. Deux méthodes de préparation de ce matériau ont été développées : élaboration par précipitation suivi d’un frittage SPS et élaboration par voie cimentaire. Une quantité pondérale d’iode (taux d’incorporation maximal de 10%mass.) est incorporé uniquement sous forme iodate dans la structure apatitique préparée à partir des deux méthodes d’élaboration. Un monolithe ayant un taux de densification de 88,6 % a été obtenu après mise en forme de poudres précipitées par frittage SPS. Ce matériau présente une résistance à la lixiviation satisfaisante, caractérisée par une vitesse d’altération initiale en eau pure à 50 °C de 10-2 g.m-2.j-1 (comparable à celle d’un verre R7T7 lixivié dans les mêmes conditions) et par une vitesse d’altération résiduelle à 50 °C de 10-5 g.m-2.j-1 dans l’eau souterraine d’un site potentiel de stockage. Dans l’ensemble, ce matériau est un candidat potentiel pour un conditionnement de l’iode radioactif. / In order to avoid the release of 129I (long-lived intermediate-level waste) in the environment, we describe a novel material incorporating iodate in a calcium phosphate based hydroxyapatite. This material is prepared by two synthetic processes: a wet precipitation route followed by a spark plasma sintering and a cementitious route. A high iodine content (with a maximum incorporation rate of 10 wt.%) is reached for both processes, by incorporation of the iodate in the apatitic structure. A monolith with relative density of 88.6% was obtained after shaping of the precipitated powders by spark plasma sintering. This material reveals satisfactory leaching properties, with an initial leaching rate in pure water at 50 °C of 10-2 g.m-2.j-1, and a residual leaching rate at 50 °C of 10-5 g.m-2.j-1 in underground water of potential geological repositories. All in all, this material is a potential candidate for the conditioning of radioactive iodine.

Les céramiques polycristallines transparentes de YAG (Yttrium Aluminium Garnet, Y3Al5O12) et de YAG dopé par des lanthanides (Nd, Er, Ho, etc.) ont des propriétés optiques comparables aux monocristaux et peuvent être utilisées comme milieu laser solide dans les lasers solides à haute capacité calorifique. L’utilisation de ces céramiques polycristallines transparentes présente de nombreux avantages comparés aux monocristaux. Ces matériaux ont une meilleure conductivité thermique et sont fabriqués à plus faible coût tout en présentant des propriétés mécaniques améliorées et ce, sur des pièces de plus grandes dimensions. De plus, il est possible d’atteindre de plus forts taux de dopage avec une répartition uniforme du dopant. Le dopage du YAG par l’erbium (0.25 %at.) permet une émission laser « eye-safe » de 1645nm. De plus, un faible taux de dopage permet d’éviter le phénomène d’upconversion lors de l’effet laser.Les conditions pour obtenir la transparence sont, entre autres, l’absence de défauts, une très grande pureté (>99.9%), une répartition de taille de grains homogène et une densité très élevée (>99.9%).Les céramiques transparentes sont obtenues par la voie métallurgie des poudres. La synthèse par voie chimique (co-précipitation, sol-gel, voie hydrothermale…) permet la production de poudres très pures, avec une taille de particules homogène et nanométrique, comparée à la synthèse par voie mécanique (broyage d’oxydes). Le frittage SPS (Spark Plasma Sintering) permet quant à lui une densification rapide, à plus basse température, empêchant ainsi une croissance excessive et anormale des grains lors de la densification. L’application d’un courant électrique de forte intensité associée à une charge uniaxiale permet d’accélerer la cinétique de frittage comparé aux méthodes de frittage conventionelles.Ce travail porte sur l’élaboration de céramiques polycristallines transparentes Er:YAG par la voie métallurgie des poudres. La synthèse de poudre est réalisée par co-précipitation inverse d’une solution de nitrates dans l’hydrogénocarbonate d’ammonium. L’influence des paramètres de synthèse tels que le pH, la concentration, le temps de maturation ou encore le cycle de calcination a été étudiée. Après optimisation des conditions de synthèse, des particules d’Er:YAG pur présentant une taille moyenne de 50nm ont été obtenues. L’étude des mécanismes réactionnels a été menée en associant différentes techniques de caractérisations en température telles que la spectrométrie IR, la diffraction des rayons X, ainsi que des analyses thermo-gravimétriques et différentielles. La formation de la phase YAG à 1050°C passe par la formation d’une phase intermédiaire, le YAP (Yttrium Aluminium Perovskite, YAlO3) à 900°C.Les poudres synthétisées ont ensuite été frittées par frittage flash SPS. L’étude de l’influence du cycle de frittage (température, charge, rampe, maintien) sur la microstructure et son optimisation a été réalisée à partir de poudre commerciale et a permis l’obtention de céramiques transparentes de diamètre 30mm et d’épaisseur 3mm. Un changement d’échelle a également été réalisé permettant la réalisation d’échantillons de diamètre 60mm d’une part, et d’épaisseur 6mm d’autre part / Yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG, Y3Al5O12) transparent ceramics have attracted much attention since it can replace single crystals as host materials in solid state heat capacity lasers. These polycrystalline ceramics present improved mechanical and spectroscopic properties, as well as a better heat conductivity, lower fabrication costs for larger size materials. Furthermore, it is possible to reach higher doping concentrations as well a uniform distribution. Doping YAG with Erbium (Er:YAG) allows eye-safe emission at 1645nm. Moreover, a low doping rate (0.5%at.) enables upconversion process during laser operation. Conditions for transparency are amongst others, the absence of defects, a high purity (>99.9%), an homogeneous grain size as well as a high density (>99.9%).Transparent polycrystalline ceramics can be obtained by powder metallurgy route. Powders, synthesized by chemical reactions such as sol-gel process, co-precipitation or hydrothermal methods, present some advantages like high purity, homogeneity and nano-sized particles compared to those obtained by solid-state reactions. A recent process called Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) is presented to be a promising technique for the densification of nanostructured materials. Indeed, high current and pressure allow sintering at lower temperatures in shorter sintering time than in regular processes. Besides, rapid heating enables to limit excessive grain growth.In this study, Er:YAG nanopowders have been synthesized by co-precipitation using nitrates as precursors and ammonium hydrogen carbonate as precipitant. The influence of precipitation parameters such as pH, concentration, aging time, or even calcination temperature, has been studied. Er:YAG nanoparticles, with an average grain size of 30nm have been successfully synthesized. The reaction mechanisms have been investigated using different techniques such as infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, thermal analyses… The YAG phase is formed around 1050°C passing through an intermediate phase called YAP (Yttrium Aluminium Perovskite, YAlO3) at 900°C.Synthesized and commercial powders have been sintered to transparency using SPS device. Optimisation of the sintering conditions (temperature, load, heating rate, dwell time) have been realized using commercial powder. Transparent polycrystalline ceramic specimens with a 30mm diameter and 3mm thickness have been successfully obtained. A scale-up study enabled to produce samples with a diameter up to 60mm and also with 6mm thickness

The World Trade Organisation Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO SPS) provide the rights and obligations for members to take phytosanitary measures to protect animal, plant and human life or health. Using the guidelines of the WTO SPS Agreement Article 7 this study evaluated the current SPS transparency capacity of the South African regulatory system. Based on the outcome of the evaluation a Best Practice Model for WTO SPS notification and information management was develop to improve WTO SPS compliance for South Africa Phytosanitary capacities of regulatory systems are challenged with increased global agricultural trade and a proliferation of international and regional phytosanitary standards. International Standards for Phytosanitary measures (ISPMs) are developed by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). The concept of phytosanitary capacity was analysed and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation (PCE) tool evaluated in terms of its scope, purpose and usefulness. South Africa has attempted to address some of its phytosanitary capacity challenges system and organisational challenges by restructuring and strengthening the capacity of its National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) in order to meet the demands of international phytosanitary obligations and commitments. This study evaluates the phytosanitary capacity of South Africa and uses the IPPC Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation (PCE) tool to identify and assess the current constraints impacting on the capacity. Based on the outcome of the PCE recommendations to address information management and capacity constraints are made. The study the used the IPPC Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation (PCE) tool to evaluate phytosanitary regulatory capacity constraints impacting on the phytosanitary capacity of Malawi. The results from the PCE for Malawi was compared with the results obtained from the PCE for South Africa. The results highlighted the different levels of phytosanitary capacity between a developing country such as South Africa and a Least Developed Country such as Malawi and made recommendations to address the country specific constraints. / Dissertation (MInstAgrar)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Microbiology and Plant Pathology / unrestricted

Les batteries au lithium tout solide présentent un grand intérêt pour le développement de systèmes de stockage de grande densité (volumique) d'énergie et sûrs notamment en raison de leur excellente stabilité thermique par rapport aux technologies lithium-ions à électrolyte liquide. Cependant, avec l'épaisseur de la batterie, de fortes limitations cinétiques sont observées, en raison i/ de la relativement faible mobilité des ions dans les matériaux inorganiques et ii/ de la présence de joints de grains généralement bloquants aux interfaces solide/solide. De plus au cours de la charge/décharge de la batterie, les matériaux actifs (réservoir de l'énergie) changent de volume ce qui induit des contraintes mécaniques interfaciales qui provoquent la formation de micro-fractures très dommageables à la cyclabilité de ces systèmes. Cette thèse concerne la réalisation et la caractérisation de batteries inorganiques monolithiques (avec les électrodes composites) en utilisant une méthode de frittage: Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). La formulation des électrodes composites est fondamentale car ce sont de multi-matériaux qui doivent présenter de nombreuses fonctionnalités: 1) une grande densité d'énergie 2) une bonne percolation électronique (resp. ionique) enfin 3) une bonne tenue mécanique avec des interfaces électrodes/electrolyte stables afin d'assurer la durée de vie des cellules.Le principal objectif est de trouver des relations, pour des matériaux donnés, entre la texture des poudres initiales, la microstructure des céramiques obtenues par frittage SPS et les propriétés électriques (électronique et ionique) ainsi que les performances électrochimiques. / All-solid batteries with inorganic solid electrolytes are attractive candidates in electrochemical energy storage since they offer high safety, reliability and energy density. Aiming to increase the surface capacity strong efforts have been made to increase the thickness of the electrode. However, the thicker electrode, the more stress is generated at the solid/solid interfaces because of the volume change of the active material during lithium insertion/desinsertion upon cycling, which leads to formation of micro-cracks between the components and finally a bad cycling life. The possible answer to this issue is to build in place of a dense phase pure electrode, a composite electrode which is a multifunctional material. This composite electrode should contain a lot of electrochemically active material, the reservoir of energy; together with electronic and ionic conductor additives, to ensure efficient and homogeneous transfer of electrons and ions in the electrode volume.The main scope of this thesis was to develop all-solid-state batteries prepared by SPS method for applications at elevated temperatures. These batteries consist of a two composite electrodes separated by the NASICON-type solid electrolyte Li1.5Al0.5Ge1.5(PO4)3. The main objective was to find relationships, for given materials, between the initial powder granulometry (grain size, size distribution, agglomeration), the microstructure of ceramics obtained by SPS sintering, and the electrochemical performances of the final batteries. By creating electrodes with novel materials and better composition, the trade-off of power density and energy density can be minimized.

Il presente lavoro di tesi, realizzato su mandato della cooperativa C.T.A. di Milano, discute i risultati di una ricerca partecipativa realizzata per approfondire il percorso di ricerca delle origini da parte di persone adottate con adozione nazionale. Per la realizzazione della ricerca, in accordo con i principi dell’approccio partecipativo, sono stati coinvolti quattro esperti per esperienza -adulti adottati che hanno fatto esperienza di ricerca delle proprie origini- i quali, lavorando in gruppo insieme al ricercatore, hanno definito le domande di ricerca, valutato la scelta dello strumento per la raccolta dei dati, costruito la traccia dell’intervista e infine analizzato i dati raccolti. Dalle 16 interviste realizzate sono emersi risultati che evidenziano la complessità del percorso di ricerca delle origini: quali significati assume per le persone adottate, le modalità con cui avviene, da parte di chi le persone adottate si sentono supportate nel corso delle ricerche, il rapporto con la famiglia adottiva, con altre persone adottate, con i Tribunali per i Minorenni e con gli operatori sociali. Questi risultati forniscono numerosi elementi utili non solo per approfondire la conoscenza del fenomeno, ma anche per immaginare l’attivazione di forme di sostegno specifiche per coloro che necessitano di ricostruire il puzzle della propria storia. / This thesis, carried out under the mandate of CTA Milan, shows the results of a participatory research on the process of reconstruction of pre-adoptive history by Italian adult adoptees. According to the participatory model, four experts by experience were involved in a research group (steering group), and work in tandem with the researcher on all the research project. Integrating researcher’ s technical skills with experiential skills of co-researchers, we defined the research question and decided to use semi-structured interviews to collect data. Text analysis of the transcripts of the 16 interviews carried out, was also made in the steering group, according to the literature review and to the personal experience of co-researchers. The interviews analysis shows the whole complexity of the origins’ research process: what is the meaning of origins’ research in the view of adoptees; how Italian adoptees try to find the identity of their birth family; by whom they have been supported during this research process; the relationships with adoptive family, with other people who live adoptive experiences, with the Juvenile Court and social workers. With these results we could learn more about origins’ research and provide significant suggestions on how adopted people could be supported in their experience of research.

Cette thèse a consisté en la fabrication d’électrodes de charbon actif frittées par SPS destinées aux supercondensateurs à double couche électrochimique. L’influence des paramètres de frittage (température, pression, durée du palier isotherme et vitesses de chauffe et de refroidissement) sur les propriétés structurales et microstructurales des pastilles de charbon actif a été évaluée par diffraction des rayons X, microscopie électronique à balayage et en transmission, spectrométrie de photoélectrons X, mesures de surface spécifique et de volume microporeux et détermination des propriétés mécaniques. Les performances électrochimiques des pastilles de charbon actif frittées sélectionnées pour leurs bonnes propriétés de volume microporeux, de résistance mécanique à l’électrolyte et de masse volumique élevée ont été déterminées par mesures galvanostatiques et de spectrométrie d’impédance. Un gain en capacité volumique de 31% a été obtenu pour un supercondensateur composé d’électrodes de charbon actif pur de 200 μm d’épaisseur frittées à 1100°C – 50 MPa par rapport à un supercondensateur composé d’électrodes de production de Blue Solutions. Cependant sa résistance série est deux fois supérieure à celle d’un supercondensateur de production de volume identique. Des résultats prometteurs de frittage multi-pastilles, possédant des propriétés microstructurales proches, indiquent une voie possible d’industrialisation du procédé SPS pour la fabrication d’électrodes frittées de charbon actif destinées aux supercondensateurs. / This thesis has consisted in the manufacturing of activated carbon electrodes sintered by SPS for Electric Double-Layer Capacitors (EDLCs). The influence of sintering parameters (temperature, pressure, isothermal dwell duration, heating and cooling rates) on structural and microstructural properties of sintered activated carbon pellets has been evaluated by X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectrometry, specific area and microporous volume measurements and determination of mechanical properties. The electrochemical performances of sintered activated carbon pellets selected for their good properties in terms of microporous volume, mechanical resistance in the electrolyte and high density were determined by galvanostatic and impedance spectrometry measurements. A 31% increase of the volumetric capacity was obtained for a supercapacitor composed of 200 μm thick electrodes of pure activated carbon sintered at 1100°C – 50 MPa, relative to a supercapacitor composed of industrial electrodes from Blue Solutions company. However, its serial resistance is twice larger than that of an industrial of identical volume. Promising results of multi-pellet sintering, possessing close microstructural properties, indicate a possible way of industrialization of SPS process for the manufacturing of sintered activated carbon electrodes for supercapacitors.

This thesis gives a comprehensive characterization of lightweight non-oxide ceramic materials for ballistic applications, an overview of production technologies and processing of boron carbide B4C and its ceramic-based composites. A framework for evaluating the ballistic resistance of the material based on mechanical properties is shown there. It can be used in experiments without normalized equipment. The experiments including B4C + Si, B4C + Ti composites, and application of Spark plasma sintering (SPS) were designed according to outputs from the theoretical part. The volume fractions of Si, Ti dopants were optimized based on ongoing chemical reactions during sintering. The obtained samples were subjects of mechanical testing which results were compared to identify the ideal ratio of matrix and reinforcement. As the best suited material for ballistic protection, B4C + 1,0 obj. % reaches these values of parameters; hardness = 3502 ± 122 HV1; fracture toughness KIC = 2,97 ± 0,03 MPam^0,5.