Economic Efficiency, Environmental Effectiveness and Political Feasibility of Energy Efficiency Rebates: The Case of the Spanish Energy Efficiency 'Renove' Plan

29 p.

On innate and specific aspects of human language

Mixel Aurnague, Kepa Korta and Jesus M. Larrazabal (eds.)

Alienação e transcendência: da insuficiência do Estatuto da Cidade para a constituição de um Direito da Cidade com viés crítico

O instituto da gestão democrática da cidade ocupa lugar central nos debates e nas reflexões acerca do Direito da Cidade e do Estatuto da Cidade. Especificamente no que se refere ao conteúdo dessas reflexões, a gestão democrática alcança impressionante consenso, não sendo coisa fácil encontrar razões no sentido de negar a validade da construção de uma cidadania ativa para gestão dos negócios urbanos. Este trabalho quer entender, concretamente, a razão do citado consenso, ancorado em uma concepção crítica que tenta chamar atenção para aspectos do social que não costumam ser contemplados pela análise realizada entre os juristas que se dedicam ao tema. Neste sentido, questões como a da alienação do trabalho e sua relação com a alienação política e a situação real das cidades a partir da categoria de análise da FES (formação econômica e social) não devem ser ignoradas quando das discussões sobre as possibilidades de efetivação de atuação citadina ativa nas cidades brasileiras. Em tempo, é necessário, a partir das categorias destacadas, analisar criticamente os instrumentos do Estatuto da Cidade para que não se permitam maiores ilusões acerca do estado de coisas aqui discutido.

Mechanistic aspects of the Ziegler-Natta polymerization

The isotope effect on propagation rate was determined for four homogeneous ethylene polymerization systems. The catalytic system Cp_2Ti(Et)Cl + EtA1Cl_2 has a k^H_p/k^D_p = 1.035 ± 0.03. This result strongly supports an insertion mechanism which does not involve a hydrogen migration during the rate determining step of propagation (Cossee mechanism). Three metal-alkyl free systems were also studied. The catalyst I_2 (PMe_3)_3Ta(neopentylidene)(H) has a k^H_p/k^D_p = 1.709. It is interpreted as a primary isotope effect involving a non-linear a-hydrogen migration during the rate determining step of propagation (Green mechanism). The lanthanide complexes Cp*_2LuMe•Et_2O and Cp*_2YbMe•Et_2O have a k^H_p/k^D_p = 1.46 and 1.25, respectively. They are interpreted as primary isotope effects due to a partial hydrogen migration during the rate determining step of propagation.

The presence of a precoordination or other intermediate species during the polymerization of ethylene by the mentioned metal-alkyl free catalysts was sought by low temperature NMR spectroscopy. However, no evidence for such species was found. If they exist, their concentrations are very small or their lifetimes are shorter than the NMR time scale.

Two titanocene (alkenyl)chlorides (hexenyl 1 and heptenyl 2 were prepared from titanocene dichloride and a THF solution of the corresponding alkenylmagnesium chloride. They do not cyclize in solution when alone, but cyclization to their respective titanocene(methyl(cycloalkyl) chlorides occurs readily in the presence of a Lewis acid. It is demonstrated that such cyclization occurs with the alkenyl ligand within the coordination sphere of the titanium atom. Cyclization of 1 with EtAlCl_2 at 0°C occurs in less than 95 msec (ethylene insertion time), as shown by the presence of 97% cyclopentyl-capped oligomers when polymerizing ethylene with this system. Some alkyl exchange occurs (3%). Cyclization of 2 is slower under the same reaction conditions and is not complete in 95 msec as shown by the presence of both cyclohexyl-capped oligomers (35%) and odd number α-olefin oligomers (50%). Alkyl exchange is more extensive as evidenced by the even number n-alkanes (15%).

Cyclization of 2-d_1 (titanocene(hept-6-en-1-yl-1-d_1)chloride) with EtA1Cl_2 demonstrated that for this system there is no α-hydrogen participation during said process. The cyclization is believed to occur by a Cossee-type mechanism. There was no evidence for precoordination of the alkenyl double bond during the cyclization process.

Ecological aspects of New Forest streams, draining one of Britain's unique areas

This article describes the streams of this unique area of Britain and reviews the published and some unpublished information that is currently available. None of the rivers in the New Forest are more than 30 km long. Many reaches have been artificially straightened, channelized and regraded since the 1840's. The stream waters are typically base-poor, with low nutrient concentrations. Primary productivity and standing crops of algae are predictably low when compared with other streams carrying higher concentrations of minerals and nutrients. The earliest records on the macroinvertebrate fauna go back to the late 19th Century. By 1940, over 20 species of Trichoptera and 10 species of Plecoptera had been recorded, but only four species of Ephemeroptera. Twenty species of fish occur in the streams of the New Forest of which the most common are brown trout, minnow, bullhead, stone loach, brook lamprey and eel.

Limnological aspects of three man-made lakes in Sri Lanka

An investigation was undertaken to study the physicochemical characteristics, phytoplankton and fish fauna of three major deep lakes on the River Mahaweli: Kotmale, Victoria and Randenigala. These lakes were created mainly for hydroelectric purposes during the period 1984 to 1986. In all three lakes, thermoclines were present during most months of the year, but did not appear to be very stable. They tended to disappear during January - February but were well established in August - November. Fifteen species of blue-green algae were identified as well as 27 desmid species and 25 non-desmid green algae. Melosira granulata and M. undulata were the dominant diatom species. The family Cyprinidae dominated the fish fauna by number of species, but by biomass the exotic cichlids (tilapias) were dominant.

The importance of organic detritus in lotic ecosystems: Aspects of trophic interactions

Very little research has been carried out on detrital energetics and pathways in lotic ecosystems. Most investigations have concentrated on the degradation of allochthonous plant litter by fungi, with a glance at heterotrophic bacteria associated with decaying litter. In this short review, the author describes what is known of the detrition of plant litter in lotic waters, which results from the degradative activities of colonising saprophytic fungi and bacteria, and goes on to relate this process to those invertebrates that consume coarse and/or fine particulate detritus, or dissolved organic matter that aggregates into colloidal exopolymer particles. It is clear that many of the key processes involved in the relationships between the physical, chemical, biotic and biochemical elements present in running waters are very complex and poorly understood. Those few aspects for which there are reliable models with predictive power have resulted from data collections made over periods of 20 years or more. Comprehensive research of single catchments would provide a fine opportunity to collect data over a long period.

Regiões metropolitanas brasileiras e autonomia municipal: eficácia da norma constitucional brasileira e de experiências estrangeiras na gestão dos interesses regionais

O atendimento às demandas de determinada parcela da população que vive nas chamadas Regiões Metropolitanas no Brasil tem apresentado acentuada dificuldade em obter resultados satisfatórios, na medida em que estes espaços territoriais estejam situados em diferentes jurisdições político-territoriais. Tais dificuldades têm origem, sobretudo, na necessidade da composição de arranjos governamentais que possam atuar de forma conjunta e coordenada, abrangendo Estados e Municípios envolvidos nesta dinâmica metropolitana, e que abrange aspectos fiscais, sociais, ambientais e jurídicos. O presente trabalho analisa este último aspecto, sobretudo, em relação à questão das competências constitucionais dos entes envolvidos e o papel a ser desempenhado por cada um na regulação do solo urbano, um dos aspectos mais relevantes em relação ao tema metropolitano. Se a dependência de um eventual acordo entre os entes federativos tem se mostrado raro na história federativa brasileira, tal fato não pode constituir-se em um fator impeditivo do alcance dos direitos fundamentais estabelecidos pela Constituição Federal, principalmente levando-se em consideração que uma regulação adequada do solo urbano em uma perspectiva regional (metropolitana) é uma meio fundamental para o alcance de vários direitos, como moradia, meio ambiente equilibrado. Identificando o Estado-Membro como figura principal deste mister, por meio de uma interpretação sistemática e teleológica da Constituição, e reconhecendo o cenário de constitucionalização do direito administrativo atual bem como da chamada crise da lei, verifica-se que este ente federativo pode e deve assumir plenamente suas competências, elaborando um estudo técnico de planejamento regional, não necessariamente aprovado por lei formal, e vinculante para os Municípios.