Shale gas in Europe: much ado about little? Egmont Paper No. 64, March 2014

Introduction. Shale gas is an unconventional form of gas1 because its extraction is more difficult or less economical than that of conventional natural gas. It has become an important item of energy policy during the last years since new processes have allowed its extraction. In the medium term, shale gas should foster a reinforcement of the gas part in the world’s energy mix. In 2011, the IEA released an influential report entitled “Are we entering a golden age of gas?” This report suggests that shale gas could help substantially boost global gas use.2 It also warns at the same time that this success could bring into question the international goal of limiting the long-term increase in the global temperature to 2° C above pre-industrial levels. In the world economy, the impact of shale gas is increasing rapidly (especially in the USA, albeit apparently not as significantly as expected3). In the EU, its perspectives remain uncertain, for many reasons. Estimates are not reliable. Shale gas exploitation remains a controversial issue due to geology, lack of infrastructure and also fears for the environment and public health. The EU institutions seem to have a favorable attitude towards shale gas development while the Member States’ attitude seems to vary from enthusiasm to hesitation or opposition. Public opinion on the issue appears quite divided everywhere. This brief paper will examine various estimations of potential resources in the EU (§ 1), the potential costs and benefits (§ 2), the initiatives taken by the EU institutions (§ 3) and the national authorities (§ 4), and finally the emerging EU framework (§ 5). The conclusion is, rather surprisingly, that whatever happens on this front, this will not modify the present structural challenges of the EU in the domains of climate and energy.4

Influencia del acceso abierto en las revistas de América Latina en el contexto internacional de la ciencia

El Acceso Abierto en la comunicación académica se viene desarrollando por dos grandes vías: la ruta verde y la ruta dorada. Algunos estudios analizan la extensión y la magnitud de este fenómeno, pero pocos muestran los efectos en términos de impacto y visibilidad. Nuestro objetivo es analizar estos efectos desde la perspectiva del modelo económico de las revistas incluidas en la base de datos Scopus, en Latinoamérica. Los resultados muestran que tanto a nivel internacional como temático, la presencia de las revistas que contribuyen al desarrollo de la "ruta verde" sobrepasan el porcentaje de las revistas de la ruta dorada. Mientras en las regiones periféricas y emergentes, estas últimas revistas predominan ocupando las últimas posiciones de las distribuciones de impacto

Prospect for development of Open Access in Argentina

This perspective article presents an overview of the Open Access movement in Argentina, from a global and regional (Latin American) context. The article describes the evolution and current state of initiatives by examining two principal approaches to Open Access in Argentina: golden and green roads. The article will then turn its attention to: the support that Open Access receives from governmental sources; collaboration with international projects; and the perspective of Argentine authors regarding Open Access and self-archiving. It concludes with a reflection on the outlook, the main barriers and opportunities for Open Access in Argentina

Dedication of Michigan Union wing

Irving Kane and Allen B. Pond, architects. Plans for the Union were on a scale unknown at the time for "club houses" in American colleges and universities: 250 feet long and 200 feet wide. Construction began in 1916 and owing to war time difficulties was not ready to be used by students until 1919. Two new wings to the south were completed in 1936 and 1938. Verso: Dedication of $2,900,000 Union Wing Oct. 30, 1954. Edward Parker, first Union president, Tom Leopold, "55, Union president. 10 AM stone laying ceremony part of the weekend observance of the Golden Anniversary of the Union.