Marginal regions and new methods for development in the EU: Comparing Garfagnana in Italy and Kuusamo - Koillismaa in Finland 1

In 1999, the European Union (EU) approved 3 rapid methods for the testing of bovine brain samples for the presence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). The evaluation that led to the approval did not include an analysis of autolyzed material. Member states of the EU have active surveillance programs for BSE, which target fallen stock as well as other categories of cattle. Autolysis is a common feature of fallen stock samples because there can be a considerable delay between death and collection of samples. Therefore, it is important to know whether these tests perform optimally on autolyzed samples. The Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) selected 250 positive fallen stock samples. These had been detected during routine testing using the Prionics®-Check Western blot and confirmed as BSE cases by immunohistochemistry or electron microscopy. Samples were graded according to the degree of autolysis and then tested by the 3 methods: Prionics®-Check Western blot, Platelia test, and Enfer test. All 3 methods correctly classified the samples as positive BSE cases, therefore alleviating doubt about their ability to do so. Subsequent EU validation exercises, such as those conducted in 2002–2003, have included the testing of autolyzed material. It is important that all new methods be evaluated on autolyzed tissue before approval for official use.

Download Full-text

An Equifinality Energy Management Framework in Terms of Benchmarking Practices and Expectations: The EnerMan Project Outlook

Systems ◽

10.3390/systems10010002 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 2

Author(s):

Panagiotis Katrakazas ◽

Marco Costantino ◽

Federico Magnea ◽

Liam Moore ◽

Abdelgafar Ismail ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Management ◽

Management Practices ◽

Initial Conditions ◽

Systems Design ◽

Industrial Sector ◽

Management Framework ◽

New Methods ◽

Funded Project ◽

The Eu ◽

Current Practices

Background: The Industry 4.0 wave is leading the changes in existing manufacturing and industrial processes across the world. This is especially important in the formulation of the smart-factory concept with an outlook to energy sustainable processes. In viewing and identifying the foundational elements of such a transformation, the initial conditions and current practices in a cross-sectoral manner is considered a first, yet crucial step in the EU-funded project EnerMan. Methods: In this paper, we identify and analyse the key common features and characteristics of industrial practices set in a perspective of similar and identical functions with a focus to three key energy areas: sustainability, management, and footprint. The examination of different industrial sector cases is performed via distributed questionnaires and then viewed under the prism of the equifinality state via a text-mining analysis approach. Results: identification of common themes and benchmarking of current practices in a cross-industry manner led to the creation of a common systemic framework within energy management related aspects, which is hereby presented. Conclusions: use of an equifinality approach in energy management practices should be further pursued to open up new methods of ideation and innovation and communicate systems’ design in tandem with each industrial set goals.

Download Full-text

New Methods of Integration in the EU

Labour Laws and Global Trade ◽

10.5040/9781472563286.ch-009 ◽

2014 ◽

Keyword(s):

New Methods ◽

The Eu

Download Full-text

Agency Work – from Marginalisation towards Acceptance? Agency work in EU Social and Employment Policy and the “implementation” of the draft Directive on Agency work into German law

German Law Journal ◽

10.1017/s2071832200013195 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 5 (10) ◽

pp. 1233-1257 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Dagmar Schiek

Keyword(s):

National Level ◽

German Law ◽

Specific Reference ◽

Employment Policy ◽

Relative Growth ◽

New Methods ◽

Eu Directive ◽

German Legislation ◽

Definition Of ◽

The Eu

During the last few years, agency work has received heightened legislative attention in Europe, on an EU level as well as on national level, since the early 1990s. This interest was spurred by the relative growth of the sector as well as by the hope that agency work might offer solutions to unemployment by providing enhanced flexibility. As a result, agency work is no longer considered as a form of employment to be shunned, but has gained in acceptance. This article undertakes to analyse the legislative development towards acceptance of agency work by comparing the EU approach with the German approach. Over and above the specific issue of agency work, the question whether needs for flexibility of employers and employees are capable of being reconciled by recourse to new methods of organising work and what regulatory policy is most likely to achieve this, forms a background to our considerations.After giving an overview of the definition of agency work with a specific reference to the inherent risks and the potential of enhancing flexibility and resulting regulatory approaches, we will consider the EU strategy on regulating agency work, especially within the conceptual framework of the EU employment policy. The next step is to analyse the German case with reference to the historical development of the approach towards agency work and an analysis of the latest legislative reform and its practical consequences. The conclusion assesses whether the German legislation complies with the draft directive, which national peculiarities shape its practical effects and what recommendations may be referred for the final version of the draft EU directive.

Download Full-text

Gene drives and the EU

elni Review ◽

10.46850/elni.2020.001 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 2-6

Author(s):

Ludwig Krämer

Keyword(s):

Dengue Fever ◽

Agricultural Production ◽

Genetically Modified ◽

Gene Drive ◽

International Consensus ◽

New Methods ◽

Deliberate Release ◽

Gene Drives ◽

Genetically Modified Animals ◽

The Eu

With the discovery of the CRISPR/Cas9 method in 2012, the global research on gene drives - the deliberate release of genetically modified animals and plants into the environment - increased spectacularly, as the new methods are seen in particular as means to extinct vector-transmitted diseases such as malaria or dengue fever, or support agricultural production. The contribution examines the legality of gene drive releases within the EU and describes the efforts to find some international consensus on gene drive releases. As genetically modified animals, such as mosquitoes, which are released elsewhere, might also reach and spread in Europe, the EU has an interest to actively participate in the international discussions and bring in its experience with GMO legislation.

Download Full-text

P-TRAP - Diffuse phosphorus input to surface waters

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-7857 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sylvia Walter ◽

Thilo Behrends ◽

Keyword(s):

Surface Waters ◽

Circular Economy ◽

Surface Water Quality ◽

Drinking Water Treatment ◽

Agricultural Systems ◽

Eutrophic Lakes ◽

New Methods ◽

Agricultural Areas ◽

P Fluxes ◽

The Eu

Phosphate (P) as an essential resource for food production is becoming scarce. Its uncontrolled loss from agricultural areas is in conflict with the principles of a circular economy. Enhanced loading of surface waters with P is the main cause for eutrophication and presents a key challenge in meeting the objectives of the EU Water Framework Directive. Understanding and controlling environmental P fluxes therefore is key to target both problems, to develop new methods and approaches to manage environmental P fluxes, and to improve surface water quality.In March 2019 the EU Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network P-TRAP has been launched. P-TRAP establishes a framework of partners from multiple science and engineering disciplines. Integration of non-academic partners from various stakeholder groups into the P-TRAP consortium paves the way for direct implementation of the acquired knowledge. The project is targeting the diffuse flux of phosphate (P) into surface waters, i.e. the problems of understanding and controlling environmental P fluxes. P-TRAP aims to develop new methods and approaches to trap P in drained agricultural areas and in the sediments of eutrophic lakes. Trapping of P involves the application of iron(Fe)-containing by-products from drinking water treatment. P-TRAP aspires the ideas of a circular economy and aims at recovering the retained P in agricultural systems. Novel microbial technologies will be developed to convert P-loaded Fe-minerals into marketable fertilizers whose suitability will be evaluated. The P-TRAP technologies have in common that they rely on the naturally strong connection between P and Fe and the innovative P-TRAP strategies will be underpinned by process-orientated investigations on the behaviour of P during the transformation of Fe minerals. The latter are key in trapping and recycling of P in agricultural systems and lakes. The poster will present the structure and the planned research of the project, including a first overview of achievements of the first year.

Download Full-text

Competitive factors for microenterprises in the process of marketing and logistic management based on the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship

Przedsiebiorczosc i Zarzadzanie ◽

10.2478/eam-2014-0019 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 93-105

Author(s):

Danuta Janczewska

Keyword(s):

Growth And Development ◽

Management Process ◽

The European Union ◽

Interesting Aspect ◽

Difficult Situation ◽

Economic Dimension ◽

New Methods ◽

Logistic Management ◽

New Phenomena ◽

The Eu

Abstract Upon accession to the European Union, the SME sector in Poland found itself in a much more difficult situation than that of similar enterprises which had operated in the EU for years. New phenomena have occurred in this environment, including globalization, with not only its economic dimension, but also structural and functional ones, which comprehensively affects all fields of enterprises’ operations. Growth of competitiveness of SMEs, in particular of microenterprises, is a very interesting aspect and questions arise as to possible new methods of management which could help achieve this goal. This article presents the author's own research on SMEs in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship from the perspective of competitive factors in the management process. The factors of chief significance to growth and development are presented as exemplified by marketing and logistic management process in a microenterprise.

Download Full-text

P-TRAP – Reducing diffuse phosphorus input to surface waters

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-3317 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Thilo Behrends ◽

Sylvia Walter

Keyword(s):

Surface Waters ◽

Circular Economy ◽

Surface Water Quality ◽

Drinking Water Treatment ◽

Agricultural Systems ◽

Eutrophic Lakes ◽

New Methods ◽

Agricultural Areas ◽

P Fluxes ◽

The Eu

Phosphate (P) as an essential resource for food production is becoming scarce. Its uncontrolled loss from agricultural areas is in conflict with the principles of a circular economy. Enhanced loading of surface waters with P is the main cause for eutrophication and presents a key challenge in meeting the objectives of the EU Water Framework Directive. Understanding and controlling environmental P fluxes therefore is key to target both problems, to develop new methods and approaches to manage environmental P fluxes, and to improve surface water quality.In March 2019 the EU Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network P-TRAP has been launched. P-TRAP establishes a framework of partners from multiple science and engineering disciplines. Integration of non-academic partners from various stakeholder groups into the P-TRAP consortium paves the way for direct implementation of the acquired knowledge. The project is targeting the diffuse flux of phosphate (P) into surface waters, i.e. the problems of understanding and controlling environmental P fluxes. P-TRAP aims to develop new methods and approaches to trap P in drained agricultural areas and in the sediments of eutrophic lakes. Trapping of P involves the application of iron(Fe)-containing by-products from drinking water treatment. P-TRAP aspires the ideas of a circular economy and aims at recovering the retained P in agricultural systems. Novel microbial technologies will be developed to convert P-loaded Fe-minerals into marketable fertilizers whose suitability will be evaluated. The P-TRAP technologies have in common that they rely on the naturally strong connection between P and Fe and the innovative P-TRAP strategies will be underpinned by process-orientated investigations on the behaviour of P during the transformation of Fe minerals. The latter are key in trapping and recycling of P in agricultural systems and lakes. Here we will present the structure and the planned research of the project, including a first overview of achievements of the first two years.&#160;

Download Full-text

Concepts Mapping in the Legal Domain: Some Reflections

Legal Information Management ◽

10.1017/s1472669611000867 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 268-271 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ginevra Peruginelli

Keyword(s):

Research Council ◽

National Research Council ◽

Legal Information ◽

Government Services ◽

New Methods ◽

Automatic Mapping ◽

Legal Domain ◽

Cross Language ◽

Practical Level ◽

The Eu

AbstractThis paper, by Ginevra Peruginelli, examines the general issue of mapping concepts of different legal orders, with a focus on legal terminology and semantics of the law. Interoperability between legal thesauri is a possible operative solution in so far as it meets two important functions: cross-collection retrieval and cross-language retrieval. At a practical level a feasibility study, carried out by the Institute of Legal Information Theory and Techniques of the National Research Council of Italy is described. The study aims at aligning a number of thesauri used in e-government services within the EU, while testing new methods of automatic mapping.

Download Full-text

Replication of Wet Objects and Cells

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100050524 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 32 ◽

pp. 102-103

Author(s):

S. Basu ◽

D. F. Parsons

Keyword(s):

Water Vapor Pressure ◽

High Vacuum ◽

Polystyrene Latex ◽

Vacuum System ◽

Saturated Water Vapor ◽

Replication Method ◽

New Methods ◽

Saturated Water ◽

Water Vapors ◽

Intermediate Chamber

We are approaching the invasiveness of cancer cells from the studies of their wet surface morphology which should distinguish them from their normal counterparts. In this report attempts have been made to provide physical basis and background work to a wet replication method with a differentially pumped hydration chamber (Fig. 1) (1,2), to apply this knowledge for obtaining replica of some specimens of known features (e.g. polystyrene latex) and finally to realize more specific problems and to improvize new methods and instrumentation for their rectification. In principle, the evaporant molecules penetrate through a pair of apertures (250, 350μ), through water vapors and is, then, deposited on the specimen. An intermediate chamber between the apertures is pumped independently of the high vacuum system. The size of the apertures is sufficiently small so that full saturated water vapor pressure is maintained near the specimen.

Download Full-text