Geen leger, is onbetaalbaar = No Belgian armed forces is unaffordable. Egmont Security Policy Brief No. 61, February 2015

In this Security Policy Brief Jo Coelmont examines the challenges Belgium is facing at present. On the one hand there is the declared political objective to henceforth provide its defence forces with the means of achieving all of its tasks and, furthermore, to develop a new Strategic Plan, while taking decisions on replacing its current fleet of F16 fighter aircraft and determine strategic orientations on the replacement of frigates, mine hunter vessels and other major equipment programmes. On the other hand, the already taken austerity measures impose severe structural cuts on its defence budget for the upcoming five years. In this context the author is proposing some « dos and don’ts«.

Between continuation and adaptation: The Baltic states’ security policy and armed forces. OSW COMMENTARY 190/23.11.2015

The Baltic states have responded to the annexation of Crimea and the increased Russian military activity in the Nordic and Baltic region by taking measures to strengthen their own military potential. At the same time, they have intensified efforts to have the USA and NATO step up their military presence on their respective territories. Changes concerning the security policies and the armed forces of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have included increases in defence spending, the number of soldiers and members of volunteer Territorial Defence Forces, speeding up modernisation programmes, and – in the case of Lithuania – the reintroduction of conscription. In the coming years the Baltic states will focus on developing those of their military capabilities directly related to the defence of the country’s territory. However, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia will not stop participating in the foreign missions of NATO, which is the guarantor of their security. The extent to which these plans can be implemented will depend primarily on the economic and demographic situations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

Real Driving Emissions: analisi e sperimentazione di metodologie di selezione dei percorsi su strada e di definizione di cicli di laboratorio

La presente tesi si occupa di identificare la metodologia utilizzata per la definizione di percorsi Real Driving Emissions. Nel particolare sono stati individuati due percorsi, uno in piano, definite RDE Moderate Track ed uno in quota, definito RDE Extended Track. Si è anche eseguita una analisi dei cicli su banco a rulli NEDC e WLTC in ottica Real Driving Emissions.

Application of phosphatidylethanol (PEth) in whole blood in comparison to ethyl glucuronide in hair (hEtG) in driving aptitude assessment (DAA)

For driving aptitude assessment (DAA), the analysis of several alcohol biomarkers is essential for the detection of alcohol intake besides psycho-medical exploration. In Switzerland, EtG in hair (hEtG) is often the only direct marker for abstinence monitoring in DAA. Therefore, the suitability of phosphatidylethanol (PEth) was investigated as additional biomarker. PEth 16:0/18:1 and 16:0/18:2 were determined by online-SPE-LC-MS/MS in 136 blood samples of persons undergoing DAA and compared to hEtG, determined in hair segments taken at the same time. With a PEth 16:0/18:1 threshold of 210 ng/mL for excessive alcohol consumption, all (n = 30) but one tested person also had hEtG values ≥30 pg/mg. In 54 cases, results are not in contradiction to an abstinence as neither PEth (<20 ng/mL) nor hEtG (<7 pg/mg) was detected. In eight cases, both markers showed moderate consumption. Altogether, PEth and hEtG were in accordance in 68 % of the samples, although covering different time periods of alcohol consumption. With receiver operating characteristic analysis, PEth was evaluated to differentiate abstinence, moderate, and excessive alcohol consumption in accordance with hEtG limits. A PEth 16:0/18:1 threshold of 150 ng/mL resulted in the best sensitivity (70.6 %) and specificity (98.8 %) for excessive consumption. Values between 20 and 150 ng/mL passed for moderate consumption, values <20 ng/mL passed for abstinence. As PEth mostly has a shorter detection window (2-4 weeks) than hEtG (up to 6 months depending on hair length), changes in drinking behavior can be detected earlier by PEth than by hEtG analysis alone. Therefore, PEth helps to improve the diagnostic information and is a valuable additional alcohol marker for DAA.

National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month: program planner. Strengthening safe communities.

Mode of access: Internet.

National survey of speeding and other unsafe driving actions. Volume I: methodology.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Research and Traffic Records, Washington, D.C.

National survey of speeding and other unsafe driving actions. Volume II: driver attitudes and behavior.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Research and Traffic Records, Washington, D.C.

Develop and test messages to deter drinking and driving.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Driving performance after an extended period of travel in an automated highway system.

Federal Highway Administration, Office of Safety and Traffic Operations, Washington, D.C.

Public acceptability of highway safety countermeasures. Volume II: safe driving conformance research. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Operational and safety effects of driving on paved shoulders in Texas. Final report.

Texas State Department of Highways and Public Transportation, Transportation Planning Division, Austin

Computer simulation of the effect of road roughness on tire-pavement forces for an articulated vehicle performing braking and cornering maneuvers. Phase report.

Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C.

State laws on early license revocation for driving while under the influence.

Mode of access: Internet.