Study of essential and toxic elements content in medicinal herbs harvested in Ukraine

Purpose: Medicinal plants can origin both from their cultivation, and from collection in natural locations, therefore investigation of their chemical composition is indispensable for assuring the appropriate quality. Thus, the aim of the studies was evaluation of medicinal plants collected in natural locations in Ukraine in the light of their elemental contents, taking into consideration both essential elements - P, Cu, Zn, Fe, and toxic – Cr, Pb, Cd and Ni. Methods: The microwave-assisted digestion was applied for preparation of the samples prior to analysis of plant samples to quantitative determination of investigated elements by the flame technique of atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results: The results of studies show that there is a large differentiation of medicinal herbs originating from Ukraine from the point of view of their elemental contents. In many cases, e.g. birch leaves, the impact of botanical plant species on the level of elements was crucial. Hence, the loadings of principal components confirmed that the highest influence on the differentiation of studied plant samples had the concentrations of Cr, Zn, Cd and Fe. The impact of a place of growth on the level of selected elements such as Cd and Fe in St John’s wort was noticed, too. The analysis of toxic metals concentration in all studied plant samples has also shown that Pb and Cd level didn’t exceed the norms established by the European Union Commission in 2006. Conclusion: It is recommended to monitor heavy metals concentrations in medicinal herbs originating from Ukraine available in the European pharmaceutical market.

The impact of crowdsourcing and online collaboration in professional translation

The emergence of crowdsourcing has opened up novel ways to initiate, produce and deliver translations in our digitally connected world. New practices and processes brought up by these phenomena have undeniably impacted different collectives with an interest in translation, such as language service providers (LSPs), professionals, and Translation Studies (TS). It has also been argued that crowdsourcing can impact public perceptions of translation, rising ethical concerns, issues related to the visibility of translation, or whether everyone can potentially translate (McDonough-Dolmaya 2012). This paper analyzes its potential impact on the realm of professional translation, an issue raised several years ago by a European Union Commission publication (2012, 37–38). It critically analyzes whether the much-feared socioeconomic and socio-professional impact on working conditions of professionals is underway or not. It represents an attempt at charting the potential influence of crowdsourcing on the profession through a critical review of existing literature and industry publications.

Evaluation of the effect of cooling on the microbiological quality of lamb carcasses

This study aimed to determine the effects of cooling on microbiological quality of lamb carcasses. Total Aerobic Bacteria Count (TABC), Enterobactericeae counts and the presence of Salmonella spp. were investigated in accordance with the Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Microbiological Criteria and European Union Commission Regulation 2073/2005. Sampling was carried out on aseptic conditions from the surface of 25 randomly selected lambs brought to slaughterhouse. The results showed that the mean TABC were 2.24±0.087 log cfu/cm2 before cooling and 2.41±0.061 log cfu/cm2 after cooling (P>0.05). The mean Enterobactericeae count was 0.21±0.11 log cfu/cm2 before cooling and 0.69±0.13 log cfu/cm2 after cooling (P<0.01). Furthermore, Salmonella spp. were determined on 3 carcasses before cooling and one another carcass after cooling. The influence of cooling on categorisation according to the legislations presented that it could potentially improve the numbers of acceptable carcasses for TABC and Salmonella spp. Nevertheless, the results exhibited that the hygiene and cooling stage of the slaughter line must be re-evaluated in terms of HACCP requirements and that corrective measures/actions must be taken.

European Insurance Markets in the Face of the 2007 Financial Crisis

This study compares the development of insurance markets in countries such as Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain to mature markets in countries such as the UK and Germany during the 2007 financial crisis. Markets are examined from the product innovation perspective. The market in a country is assessed using taxonomic measures, such as distance and similarity. Markets are described by a set of features divided into five groups: market structure, technical sphere, finance and investment, effectiveness, and product. The measures are calculated at two points in time, 1997 and 2010. The data were gathered from publications of the World Bank, European Union Commission (statistics offices), National Polish Bank and insurance associations. The financial crisis has slowed the speed of market development and influenced other spheres. In countries like Greece and Portugal, progress was even slower than in post-Soviet states, like Poland. The crisis has not imposed structural changes within the selected markets and the influence of the crisis is visible. The sectors were not very innovative, particularly in the product sphere. The literature on the influence of the crisis on insurance is contradictory. This study’s novelty is that it applies multidimensional analysis when comparing insurance-market innovativeness and development.

New Hydrogen Strategies of Germany and the EU and Prospects for Cooperation with Russia

In June 2020, Germany adopted a national hydrogen strategy. A month later, when Germany assumed the EU Council presidency, the European Union Commission presented a similar document. Both strategies acknowledge the need to import hydrogen to meet the demand of the EU countries as an essential prerequisite for the transition to a climate-neutral economy. In parallel, the Government of the Russian Federation adopted the Energy Strategy of the Russian Federation until 2035, which sets the goal of turning our country into one of the global players in the world hydrogen market. Despite Russia's obvious competitive advantages in this relatively new segment of the energy market, Berlin and Brussels do not mention it as a potential partner. The article provides an assessment of the main provisions of these strategic documents. The author explores the prospects and possibilities of Germany and the EU cooperating with the Russian Federation in the production and supply of hydrogen, analyzes the content of the position documents of the German-Russian Chamber of Commerce and the Eastern Committee of the German Economy on these issues, draws conclusions and formulates recommendations for interested parties.

3 Third Party Intervention

This chapter focuses on the rights of third parties to intervene in competition proceedings in the High Court (and appellate courts) and in the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT). It first considers intervention by third parties in the High Court under Rule 19.2 of the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 (CPR), intervention in judicial review proceedings, and intervention in appeal proceedings. It then discusses intervention in CAT, placing emphasis on appeals and reviews (applying for permission to intervene, the time limit for making an application to intervene, the role played by intervener at the hearing). It also explains how compensation claims are made under CAT rule 16 before concluding with an analysis of intervention by competition authorities, namely the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and the European Union Commission.

What’s the abuse? A quest for the appropriate legal test in product design cases under Article 102 TFEU

In recent years, vastly changing technology markets have posed challenges to the application of well-established rules and principles in European Union competition law. In particular, the integration of technical functionalities appears to have opened new possibilities for dominant firms to leverage market power. Aware of these developments but often oblivious to the apparent overlap, the European Union Commission and the Court of Justice of the European Union engaged in clear-cut analyses under one or the other well-established theory of harm. In particular, the dividing line between the two standalone concepts on refusals to deal and tying practices appears to have been either repositioned or misapplied in the Microsoft Saga, which marks the peak of this development. In classifying the respective conduct as abusive tying practices in the Microsoft Saga, it is questionable whether the Commission was granted a shortcut by the Court itself, passing (unsuccessful) refusal to deal cases disguised as (successful) tying cases. Considering the significantly lower standard of proof applicable to tying practices as opposed to refusals to deal, stakeholders can be expected to exploit the vague boundaries. With this concern in mind, this essay aims to identify the boundaries between refusal to supply and tying cases, where product integration risks resulting in anti-competitive foreclosure on technology markets. On a more fundamental level, this essay will question whether the peculiar features of technology markets justify a different treatment.

THE TACTIC OF ASSESSMENT IN ECONOMIC DISCOURSE (THE CONCEPT OF SINGLE MARKET)

The aim of the article is to describe the trends ongoing in modern economic discourse. Economic discourse is considered to be a part of business discourse texts united by the topic of commerce and economic relations. The author looks into speech influence means used by the participants of online communication in social media posts. The work is carried out in the framework of functional pragmatic paradigm. Studying the correlation between the speech forms and their functions, this approach allows to identify the main speech strategies and tactics used by specialists in economics and ordinary people discussing economic issues. The tactic of assessment is the object of the current study. The excerpts from social media involving debate on single market issue were chosen by method of continuous sampling. They included the posts from accounts of European Union Commission, EU Finance, Confederation of British Industry, BBC Politics et al. The author singles out speech means characterizing the phenomenon from a positive and negative perspective. They are treated as a reflection of collective consciousness of Europeans and demonstrate an attitude of doubt and skepticism towards the single market. To conclude, online communication in the field of economics and business proves to be a valuable object for linguistic research. New mass media play an important role in formation of discourse field and a powerful tool for expressing public opinion.

Rebalancing international investment agreements in favour of host states

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the nature of the protection afforded to foreign investors and whether this protection has been exercised to the detriment of host states. In other words, is the regulatory authority of host states being compromised by the content of the investment agreements entered into? If so, is there scope for reform? The need to reform investor-state arbitration was recently pushed forward by the European Union Commission in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. Design/methodology/approach It is conceptual. Findings It proposed an investment court system as a replacement for investor-state arbitration. However, there is great ambivalence on whether these reforms would result in a rebalance of investment agreements in favour of host states. Thus, this paper provides a range of solutions to the challenges posed by investor-state arbitration through proposals for a regional and world investment court. Research limitations/implications The findings made in this research will inform both academics and practitioners in the field of international law on whether the investment court proposal will bring about the desired changes. Originality/value Secondary sources

Selecting of heating by gas radiant heaters in relation to the new ecodesign requirements on the example of large–cubage halls

According to the schedule of the European Commission’s product efficiency policy in force, as specified in European Union Commission Regulation of 28 April 2015, new requirements for local space heaters are in effect from 1 January 2018. The paper provides current definitions of appliances, including gas radiant heaters, intended for commercial applications. The requirements resulting from current regulations and respective changes substantial for manufacturers and investors are presented. Gas consumption cost calculations and accumulated cost analysis for 10–year period for two types of heaters, those of the lowest and the highest value of seasonal space heating energy efficiency, are exhibited. This is a reliable parameter essential for selecting the appliance, and its value is calculated and presented according to new regulations.