Responsiveness of the Effective Consumer Scale (EC-17)

Objective. The Effective Consumer Scale (EC-17) comprises 17 items measuring the main skills and behaviors people need to effectively manage their healthcare. We tested the responsiveness of the EC-17. Methods. Participants, in 2 waves of a 6-week Arthritis Self-Management Program (ASMP) from Arthritis Ireland, received a questionnaire at the first and last week of the weekly ASMP. The questionnaire included the EC-17 and 10 other measures for arthritis. Deficits, mean change, and standard deviations were calculated at baseline and Week 6. The EC-17 scores were compared to the Arthritis Self-Efficacy (ASE) and Patient Activation Measure (PAM) scales. Results were presented at OMERACT 9. Results. There is some overlap between the EC-17 and the ASE and PAM; however, most items of greatest deficit in the EC-17 are not covered by those scales. In 327 participants representing both intervention waves (2006 and 2007), the EC-17 was more efficient than the ASE but less efficient than the PAM for detecting improvements after the ASMP, and was moderately correlated with the PAM. Conclusion. The EC-17 appears to measure different skills and attributes than the ASE and PAM. Discussions with participants at OMERACT 9 agreed that it is worthwhile to measure the skills and attributes of an effective consumer, and supported the development of an intervention (such as proposed online decision aids) that would include education in the categories in the EC-17.

From Francovich to Köbler and beyond : The evolution of a State liability regime for the EC

The aim of this paper is to present the evolution of the Francovich doctrine within the European legal order. The first part deals with the gradual development of the ECJ's case law on State liability in damages for breach of EC law. Starting from the seminal Francovich and Brasserie du Pêcheur, the clarification of the criteria set by the Court is attempted with reference to subsequent case law, whereas issues concerning the extent and form of the compensation owned are also mentioned. The second part concerns one of the more recent developments in the field, namely State liability for breaches of Community law attributed to national judiciary. The Court's ruling in Köbler is examined in connection with two other recent judgments, namely Commission v. Italy of 2003 and Kühne & Heitz, as an attempt of the ECJ to reframe its relationships with national supreme courts and appropriate for itself the position of the Supreme Court in the European legal order. The implications on State liability claims by the ruling in Commission v. France of 1997 constitute the theme of the third part, where it is submitted that Member States can also be held liable for disregard of Community law by private individuals within their respected territories. To this extent, Schmidberger is viewed as a manifestation of this opinion, with fundamental rights acquiring a new dimension, being invoked by the States, contra the individuals as a shield to liability claims. Finally, the third part examines the relationship between the Francovich doctrine and the principle of legal certainty and concludes that the solutions employed by the ECJ have been both predictable and acceptable by the national legal orders. Keywords: State liability, damages, Francovich, Köbler, Schmidberger

The EC context for private forestry incentive evaluation.

XVIII IUFRO World Congress, Ljubljana 1986.

Trade Blocs and the Cold War : The CMEA and the EC challenge, 1969-1976

The coherence of the Soviet bloc was seriously tested at the turn of the 1970s, as the Soviet Union and its allies engaged in intensive negotiations over their relations with the European Communities (EC). In an effort to secure their own national economic interests many East European countries began independent manoeuvres against the wishes of their bloc leader. However, much of the intra-bloc controversy was kept out of the public eye, as the battle largely took place behind the scenes, within the organisation for economic cooperation, the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA). The CMEA policy-making process vis-à-vis the EC is described in this study with reference to primary archival materials. This study investigates the negotiating positions and powers of the CMEA member states in their efforts to deal with the economic challenge created by the progress of the EC, as it advanced towards the customs union. This entails an analysis of the functioning principles and performance of the CMEA machinery. The study traces the CMEA negotiations that began in 1970 over its policy toward the EC. The policy was finally adopted in 1974, and was followed by the first official meeting between the two organisations in early 1975. The story ends in 1976, when the CMEA s efforts to enter into working relations with the EC were seemingly frustrated by the latter. The first major finding of the study is that, contrary to much of the prior research, the Soviet Union was not in a hegemonic position vis-à-vis its allies. It had to use a lot of its resources to tame the independent manoeuvring of its smaller allies. Thus, the USSR was not the kind of bloc leader that the totalitarian literature has described. Because the Soviet Union had to spend so much attention on its own bloc-politics, it was not able to concentrate on formulating a policy vis-à-vis the EC. Thus, the Soviet leadership was dependent on its allies in those instances when the socialist countries needed to act as a bloc. This consequently opened up the possibility for the USSR s allies to manoeuvre. This study also argues that when the CMEA did manage to find a united position, it was a force that the EC had to reckon with in its policy-making. This was particularly the case in the implementation of the EC Common Commercial Policy. The other main finding of the study is that, although it has been largely neglected in the previous literature on the history of West European integration, the CMEA did in fact have an effect on EC decision-making. This study shows how for political and ideological reasons the CMEA members did not acknowledge the EC s supranational authority. Therefore the EC had no choice but to refrain from implementing its Common Commercial Policy in full.

Aza-induced cardiomyocyte differentiation of P19 EC-cells by epigenetic co-regulation and ERK signaling

Stem cells in cell based therapy for cardiac injury is being potentially considered. However, genetic regulatory networks involved in cardiac differentiation are not clearly understood. Among stem cell differentiation models, mouse P19 embryonic carcinoma (EC) cells, are employed for studying (epi)genetic regulation of cardiomyocyte differentiation. Here, we comprehensively assessed cardiogenic differentiation potential of 5-azacytidine (Aza) on P19 EC-cells, associated gene expression profiles and the changes in DNA methylation, histone acetylation and activated-ERK signaling status during differentiation. Initial exposure of Aza to cultured EC-cells leads to an efficient (55%) differentiation to cardiomyocyte-rich embryoid bodies with a threefold (16.8%) increase in the cTnI(+) cardiomyocytes. Expression levels of cardiac-specific gene markers i.e., Isl-1, BMP-2, GATA-4, and alpha-MHC were up-regulated following Aza induction, accompanied by differential changes in their methylation status particularly that of BMP-2 and alpha-MHC. Additionally, increases in the levels of acetylated-H3 and pERK were observed during Aza-induced cardiac differentiation. These studies demonstrate that Aza is a potent cardiac inducer when treated during the initial phase of differentiation of mouse P19 EC-cells and its effect is brought about epigenetically and co-ordinatedly by hypo-methylation and histone acetylation-mediated hyper-expression of cardiogenesis-associated genes and involving activation of ERK signaling.

Evaluación de dosis del herbicida Pyribenxozim (Pyanchor 5 ec) aplicados en post emergencia temprana, para el control de arvenses en época seca en el cultivo de arroz (Oryza sativa L) Timal, Tipitapa, 2006

El presente estudio se realizó en febr ero del año 2006, en Tipi tapa, municipio del departamento de Managua, Km 26 carretera norte. En la zona arrocera el Timal, finca del pivote 34, del señor Freddy González, con el objetivo de ev aluar la eficiencia de tres dosis del herbicida Pyribenxozim (pyanc hor 5 EC) aplicado en post emergencia temprana para el control de arvenses en el cultivo de arroz (Oryza sativa L), de riego en época seca. El experimento se estableció en un lote comercial, en un Diseño de Bloque Completo al Azar (BCA), con cinco tratamientos y cuatro repeticiones. Las variables evaluadas en este estudio fueron: composición florística, cobertura, Efectividad del herbicida sobre las arvenses selectividad (Fitotoxicidad) y rendimiento. Las dosis del producto evaluado en el ensayo fueron: T1- (Pyribenxozim 5 EC 0.8 l/ha), T2 - (Pyribenxozim 5 EC 1.0 l/ha), T3 - (Pyribenxozim 5 EC 1.2 l/ha), T4 - (Testigo comercial Bispiribac Sodico (Nominee) 40 SC 1.0 l/ha) (muy utilizado en la zona) y T5 - (Testigo absoluto). En los resultados, se identificaron las arvenses que predominaban en el cultivo, las principales familias predominantes fueron las Poaceae. Los mayores porcentajes de c obertura se encontraron en T1- (Pyribenxozim 5 EC 0.8 l/ha) y el T5 - (Testigo absoluto). Los tres tratamientos evaluados de pyanchor 5 EC controlaron eficientemente las principales arvenses presentes. Sin embargo el mejor resultado sobre el detrimento de las arvenses fue la dosis de 1.2 l/ ha de Pyanchor 5 EC en la que se encontró un 97 % de control. En cuanto a la efectividad sobre el tipo de especies, se observó, que ninguna de las dosis estudiadas logro afectar a las especies Leptochloa filiformis L y Eclipta alba L mismo efecto se observó en el tratamiento en el que se uso el producto comercial Bispir ibac Sodico (Nominee) 40 SC 1.0 l/ha. El herbicida Pyribenxozim (pyanchor 5 EC), es un producto selectivo con respecto al cultivo de arroz. Según esto s resultados, en el rendimien to del cultivo ninguno de los tratamientos afecto su calidad y cantidad según características de la variedad. En cuanto a la probación y registro del producto por el MAG FOR, basado en los resultados obtenidos este actualmente fue aceptado y esta siendo aplicado por los productores de arroz.

Implicações da não aprovação da lei complementar, a que se refere o § 3º do art. 198 da Constituição Federal (EC Nº 29/2000), nos gastos federais com saúde

Nome do autor na folha de rosto: Sidney A. Bittencourt.

Medidas provisórias : efeitos da caducidade e da rejeição após a EC 32/2001

Propõe analisar a situação das relações jurídicas decorrentes de medida provisória que foi rejeitada ou caducou. Observou-se a história do surgimento da medida provisória no ordenamento jurídico brasileiro e foi feita a análise da medida provisória no texto original da Constituição Federal e no texto constitucional modificado pela Emenda Constitucional nº 32 de 2001. Além disso, fez-se o estudo do caso específico da Medida Provisória nº 82/2002, que não foi convertida em lei. A metodologia utilizada foi a corrente de pensamento dialética e o método monográfico de pesquisa com a análise do artigo 62 da CF, de registros e posicionamentos do Supremo Tribunal Federal, o estudo de artigos de revistas, e, especialmente, de material doutrinário de juristas e especialistas em processo legislativo.

Control of insect infestation in smoked West African sardines Sardinella maderensis 'Sawa' using actellic 50 EC solution

Fish which has been cured or are in the process of being cured by traditional methods are usually infested by insects, posing a real problem to traders and processors, especially in Nigeria. The effects of 0.03% actellic 50 EC solution and vegetable oil on insect infestion were studied using West African sardines, Sardinella maderensis. Actellic solution was more effective in combating insect infestation than vegetable oil. Appearance and perceived smoked fish flavour of fish treated with Actellic and vegetable oil differed (P<0.05), while taste was unaffected by treatment. Actellic 50 EC solution though effective, could be subject to abuse

The EC Water Framework Directive and its implications for the Environment Agency

The bulk of the European Community's water policy legislation was developed between the mid 1970s and the early 1990s. These directives addressed specific substances, sources, uses or processes but caused problems with differing methods definitions and aims. The Water Framework Directive (WFD) aims to resolve the piecemeal approach. The Environemnt Agency (EA) welcomes and supported the overall objective of establishing a coherent legislative framework. The EA has been discussing the implications of the WFD with European partners and has developed a timetable for the implementation and a special team will commission necessary research.

Preparation for implementing the proposed EC Water Framework Directive in Finland

Finland reorganised its environmental administration in 1995 when thirteen Regional Environmental Centres (RECs) and one national agency called the Finnish Environment Institute (FEI) were created. The REC's and the FEI have been entrusted with functions related to water resources management. RECs and FEI together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Foresty have appointed a steering group which will supervise the implementation of the EC Water Framework Directive in Finland

Monitoring fish populations in Lower Lough Erne, Northern Ireland: applicability of current methods and implications for future monitoring under the EC Water Framework Directive

The proposed EC Water Framework Directive (WFD) will require member states to monitor both biotic and abiotic components of lake environments. With adoption of the WFD some measurement of fish populations will also be required. This paper describes work carried out since 1971, and particularly since 1991, on the status of fish populations in Lower Lough Erne, Northern Ireland, with an emphasis on defining change over time due to human impacts on the lake. This offers a reasonable starting point from which to develop a monitoring programme suitable for the needs of the WFD in this lake. The implications for as yet unmonitored fish populations in lakes are also determined.

The EC Water Framework Directive and monitoring lakes in the Republic of Ireland

The authors of the article explore and discuss the effects of implementing the EC Water Framework Directive (WFD) in the Republic of Ireland. They also summarise some of the findings from a survey of 31 lakes sampled regularly between March 1996 and December 1997. The lakes were sampled regularly for a range of physico-chemical and biotic variables that probably would be important for monitoring programmes implemented under the WFD. The authors discuss problems of monitoring lake types with varying seasonal patterns.