scholarly journals Arthropod-borne viruses transmitted by Phlebotomine sandflies in Europe: a review

2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Depaquit ◽  
M Grandadam ◽  
F Fouque ◽  
PE Andry ◽  
C Peyrefitte
Keyword(s):  
Field Work ◽  
Epidemiological Surveillance ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Toscana Virus ◽  
Viral Isolation ◽  
Phlebotomine Sandflies ◽  
Mediterranean Europe ◽  
Medical Importance ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Vectorial Competence

Phlebotomine sandflies are known to transmit leishmaniases, bacteria and viruses that affect humans and animals in many countries worldwide. These sandfly-borne viruses are mainly the Phlebovirus, the Vesiculovirus and the Orbivirus. Some of these viruses are associated with outbreaks or human cases in the Mediterranean Europe. In this paper, the viruses transmitted by Phlebotomine sandflies in Europe (Toscana virus, Sicilian virus, sandfly fever Naples virus) are reviewed and their medical importance, geographical distribution, epidemiology and potential spreading discussed. Data on vertebrate reservoirs is sparse for sandfly fever viruses. The factor currently known to limit the spread of diseases is mainly the distribution areas of potential vectors. The distribution areas of the disease may not be restricted to the areas where they have been recorded but could be as wide as those of their vectors, that is to say Larroussius and P. papatasi mainly but not exclusively. Consequently, field work in form of viral isolation from sandflies and possible reservoirs as well as laboratory work to establish vectorial competence of colonised sandflies need to be encouraged in a near future, and epidemiological surveillance should be undertaken throughout the European Union.

After Kalanke and Marschall: Affirming Affirmative Action

1998 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 199-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Fredman
Keyword(s):  
Affirmative Action ◽  
European Court Of Justice ◽  
Reverse Discrimination ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Advocate General ◽  
Affirmative Action Policy ◽  
Court Of Justice ◽  
European Court ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Action Case

Is it legitimate to use discriminatory policies to achieve equality? As official support for reverse discrimination or affirmative action policies becomes more common among member states of the European Union, so does the potential for legal challenge. Yet no clear answer has yet been given by the European Court of Justice. The controversial European Court of Justice decision in Kalanke, striking down an affirmative action policy, was followed only two years later by that in Marschall, which signalled a significant change in approach to affirmative action policies. This change of attitude is likely to be tested in a variety of different ways in the near future. The next affirmative action case, Badeck, is now awaiting the opinion of the Advocate General, and a Swedish case is waiting in the wings. Both these cases are likely to take the Court into far stormier waters than those already traversed in Kalanke and Marschall.

scholarly journals Human and entomological surveillance of Toscana virus in the Emilia-Romagna region, Italy, 2010 to 2012

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (48) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Calzolari ◽  
P Angelini ◽  
A C Finarelli ◽  
R Cagarelli ◽  
R Bellini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Viral Meningitis ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Toscana Virus ◽  
Entomological Surveillance ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
Phlebotomine Sandflies ◽  
Emilia Romagna Region ◽  
Human Infections

Toscana virus (TOSV), transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies, is recognised as one of the most important causes of viral meningitis in summer in Mediterranean countries. A surveillance plan based on both human and entomological surveys was started in 2010 in the Emilia-Romagna region, Italy. Clinical samples from patients with neurological manifestations were collected during 2010 to 2012. The surveillance protocol was improved during these years, allowing the detection of 65 human infections. Most of these infections were recorded in hilly areas, where sandflies reach the highest density. Entomological sampling around the homes of the patients resulted in a low number of captured sandflies, while later sampling in a hilly area with high number of human cases (n=21) resulted in a larger number of captured sandflies. Using this approach, 25,653 sandflies were sampled, of which there were 21,157 females, which were sorted into 287 pools. TOSV RNA was detected by real-time PCR in 33 of the pools. The results highlighted the role of Phlebotomus perfiliewi as the main vector of TOSV and a potential link between vector density and virus circulation. This integrated system shows that an interdisciplinary approach improves the sensitiveness and effectiveness of health surveillance.

scholarly journals Explaining the European Union’s Changing Position towards the Gibraltar Question after the Brexit Referendum

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (4-1) ◽  
pp. 21-30
Author(s):  
Uğur Burç Yıldız İ ◽  
Anıl Çamyamaç
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Political Parties ◽  
International Law ◽  
Social Constructivism ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Member States ◽  
Policy Choices ◽  
Near Future ◽  
First Time

Abstract Having previously remained impartial on the Gibraltar question between Spain and Britain since both were member states, the European Union suddenly changed its position after the Brexit referendum in favor of the Spanish government at the expense of breaching international law. In doing so, the European Union, for the first time, created a foreign policy on the long-standing Gibraltar question. This article explores the reasons behind the creation of this foreign policy in support of Spain. The European Union feared that the idea of Euroscepticism may escalate among remaining member states after the Brexit referendum because of wide-spread claims that it would dissolve in the near future, fuelled by farright political parties. The European Union therefore created a foreign policy regarding Gibraltar in Spain’s favor in order to promote a “sense of community” for thwarting a further rise in Euroscepticism. While making its analysis, the article applies the assumption of social constructivism that ideas shape interests, which then determine the foreign policy choices of actors.

Peculiarities of the course of toxoplasmosis and toxocarosis in modern conditions of the сovid-19pandemic and their prevention

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 46-56
Author(s):  
O. V. Bobrova ◽  
◽  
N.G. Mikhanovska ◽  
K. A. Krivonos ◽  
S. M. Vorobyov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Acute Stage ◽  
Epidemiological Surveillance ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
National Program ◽  
Disease Treatment ◽  
Modern Methods ◽  
Near Future

The article is devoted (dedicated) to topical problems of socially significant parasitosis, peculiarities of toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, measures of prevention of these parasitic invasions. Ways of infection, clinical features of chronic toxoplasmosis in the acute stage, and toxocariasis are described. An overview of modern methods of diagnosis of toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis is presented, the necessity of line-blot analysis in our country is described, first of all, to clarify the stage of the disease in congenital toxoplasmosis, as well as for differential diagnosis of stages of this disease. treatment of patients with toxoplasmosis invasion. Indications for examination of patients with toxoplasmosis are presented. The main measures for the prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis, which is dangerous for newborns, are outlined. Preventive measures to prevent toxocariasis infection are described, which is a necessary basis for improving the system of epidemiological surveillance for the spread of toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis in all regions of our country. Emphasis was placed on the need to strengthen control by government agencies to prevent parasitological pollution, the urgency of establishing a National Program for surveillance of parasitic infestations in the near future to control their spread and prevent serious consequences for the health of infected, the need and feasibility of specialized treatment centers. and rehabilitation of patients with parasitic infestations, primarily toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis. The necessity of dispensary observation for persons from risk groups for severe toxoplasmosis – pregnant women, immunocompromised persons, persons with immunodeficiency of different genesis, the main solutions for the prevention of these parasites.

14. Key elements of the patent system

2020 ◽  
pp. 230-245
Author(s):  
Ian J. Lloyd
Keyword(s):  
Patent Protection ◽  
World Trade Organisation ◽  
Patent System ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
System P ◽  
To Come ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Near Future

This chapter considers the nature and manner of operation of the patent system. Patents date back to around the 14th century. For the United Kingdom they began as a means to encourage the importation of foreign skills and technology, fell into disrepute as they were used by monarchs to confer monopolies in respect of the sale of well-known objects such as playing cards and eventually from the late seventeenth century settled into their present role of granting temporary monopolies to those who make inventions. The chapter examines the criteria that will be applied in determining whether an invention is eligible for patent protection and the procedures that will required to be followed in order to obtain this. Unlike copyright which applies effectively on a global basis, the patent system has operated on a national basis. A UK patent will be valid and enforceable in the UK but nowhere else. There are international agreements, however, designed to simplify the task of obtaining protection in a range of countries and the operation of these will be considered as well as the treatment of intellectual property within the General Agreement on Trade in Services and the World Trade Organisation. Within the European Union, the possible introduction of a unitary patent has been the subject of discussion for many years and appears likely to come to fruition in the near future although the involvement of the UK post Brexit is uncertain.

Methodology of Comparative Studies on Air-Handling Units with Heat Recuperation

2015 ◽  
Vol 237 ◽  
pp. 148-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanisław Kozioł ◽  
Szymon Zacharski
Keyword(s):  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Energy Effect ◽  
Air Handling Unit ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
Air Handling Units ◽  
Heat Recuperation ◽  
Save Energy ◽  
Near Future

The increasing prices of energy and the drive to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere observed in the recent years have contributed to the intensive development of research on how to reduce the energy consumption of buildings. The confirmations of the current trends are the formal and legal regulations of the European Union that require the buildings to be passive and “zero-energy” in the near future. The introduction of new elements helping one to save energy in the structure of a building requires their formal verification and the confirmation of their safety, effectiveness, and parameters crucial from the point of their application in residential buildings and offices. The authors present an original prototype of an innovative device and a methodology of conducting studies on air-handling units with heat recuperation used in passive and energy-saving buildings. They also discuss the structure and the modus operandi of the system that reconstructs the actual operating conditions of a tested object. The system was used for tests on the tightness of several air-handling units, which also aimed at the verification of their thermal efficiency and the effectiveness of the recuperation of humidity. Air-handling unit tests came from different manufacturers, and they all had the function of heat recuperation. The authors present the results of their investigations that enabled the assessment of the safety of the objects tested, and they also facilitated the comparison of their performance parameters deciding on the energy effect. The tests also formed the foundation for the verification of the developed research system.

Potential of on-board colour imaging for in-field detection and counting of grape bunches at early fruiting stages

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 505-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Abdelghafour ◽  
B. Keresztes ◽  
C. Germain ◽  
J. P. Da Costa
Keyword(s):  
Real Number ◽  
Texture Features ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Wine Industry ◽  
Field Detection ◽  
The Real ◽  
Flowering Season ◽  
Detection And Counting ◽  
Near Future

In order to enable the wine industry to anticipate in field work and marketing strategies, it is necessary to provide early assessments of vine productivity. The proposed method is designed for the detection and the measurement of grape bunches between the flowering season and the early fruition stages, before ‘groat-size’. The method consists of determining the affiliation of a pixel to a grape cluster based on colorimetric and texture features, using an SVM supervised classifier. The eventual affiliation of the pixels is achieved with an average reliability above 75%, which lets us envision in the near future the possibility of estimating the real number of grape bunches.

scholarly journals A Comparative Analysis of the Legislation Evolution for Drone Use in OECD Countries

Drones ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolaos Tsiamis ◽  
Loukia Efthymiou ◽  
Konstantinos P. Tsagarakis
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Ethical Dilemmas ◽  
Oecd Countries ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Intensive Use ◽  
Legislative Framework ◽  
Catch Up ◽  
Legal Frameworks ◽  
Near Future

Drones have been employed for multiple uses, such as for military, surveillance, recreational, scientific, and research purposes. Their presence inside civil areas has necessitated the need to regulate their use. Towards this direction, many countries worldwide have issued national legislations, which vary on vehicle categorization according to the size, weight, flight altitude, purpose of use, and restrictions. In this study, we pursued the first comparative analysis of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries’ national legislations, in order to explore the similarities and differences in drone use and recommend improvements and homogenization. Some of the examined countries issued legislation during recent years of drone application, while others amended their existing legislative framework in order to catch up with drone technology evolution. Although from the 35 OECD countries 22 belong to the European Union, we observed much diversity among national legal frameworks. The intensive use of drones has led to severe ethical dilemmas that policy makers will need to address in the near future. We conclude with a proposal regarding the basic legislation for different uses according to the criteria that have been developed so far, followed by limitations and restrictions.

10 After Kalanke and Marschall: Affirming Affirmative Action

1998 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 199-215
Author(s):  
Sandra Fredman
Keyword(s):  
Affirmative Action ◽  
European Court Of Justice ◽  
Reverse Discrimination ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Advocate General ◽  
Affirmative Action Policy ◽  
Court Of Justice ◽  
European Court ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Action Case

Is it legitimate to use discriminatory policies to achieve equality? As official support for reverse discrimination or affirmative action policies becomes more common among member states of the European Union, so does the potential for legal challenge. Yet no clear answer has yet been given by the European Court of Justice. The controversial European Court of Justice decision in Kalanke, striking down an affirmative action policy, was followed only two years later by that in Marschall, which signalled a significant change in approach to affirmative action policies. This change of attitude is likely to be tested in a variety of different ways in the near future. The next affirmative action case, Badeck, is now awaiting the opinion of the Advocate General, and a Swedish case is waiting in the wings. Both these cases are likely to take the Court into far stormier waters than those already traversed in Kalanke and Marschall.

A Concise Overview of Penology and Penal Practice in Slovenia

2011 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 398-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gorazd Meško ◽  
Chuck Fields ◽  
Tomaž Smole
Keyword(s):  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Criminal Court ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Benefit Analysis ◽  
Inmate Population ◽  
Prison Overcrowding ◽  
History Of ◽  
Probation Service ◽  
Near Future

Although Slovenia has one of the lowest incarceration rates in the world, there are not enough facilities to house the current inmate population, and prison overcrowding is becoming a serious problem in the country. This article addresses this issue, beginning with an in-depth history of penology and penal practices in Slovenia and concluding with suggestions to deal with this potentially disastrous situation. If the imprisonment rate in Slovenia does not decrease in the near future, or if Slovenia cannot create more capacity, prison overcrowding will grow beyond acceptable standards. The present situation in Slovene prisons calls for a multidisciplinary research and cost/benefit analysis. The Slovenian prison administration is challenged by its budget and staff resources. However, it is argued that the problem goes beyond this capacity and requires a serious reconsideration of penal policy, criminal court practice, and parole committee practices as well. It is also necessary to emphasize that Slovenia is the only country in the European Union without a probation service system.

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