bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinicopathological study of nodular goiter and thyroid malignancy in Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Rakesh Raj E , Ray G. , Vengadesh Sri , Basavanadswami C H
Published: April 2022

Nodular goiter is a clinicopathological entity characterized by an increased volume of the thyroid gland with formation of nodules. Nodular goiter occurs due to repeated hyperstimulation of thyroid gland due to iodine deficiency, goitrogens, anti-thyroid drugs and genetic defects. Nodular goiter can have different complications which include tracheal compression, retrosternal extension, malignancy and secondary thyrotoxicosis. The present study attempted to study clinical presentation of nodular goiter and to determine the incidence of thyroid cancer in solitary nodular goiter and multinodular goiter in patients admitted in surgery ward of IGMCRI, Puducherry. Retrospective record-based study and single-center study was carried out between January-2011 to December-2019 on consecutive 230 patients admitted in surgery ward with nodular goiter and age above 18 years. Ethics approval was obtained from Institute Ethics Committee (IEC) of IGMCRI. Demographic variables (age and gender), Diagnosis, FNAC, BIOPSY and Carcinoma frequency was assessed in the present study. Data was entered in Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and the data underwent analysis using descriptive statistics involving tables, graphs and bar diagrams. In our study, majority of the study participants (90.4%) belonged to female gender. Maximum patient cases (34.78%) belonged to adult range within 31-40 years.
Semantics and linguocultural characteristics of some Uzbek lexemes
Authors: Raimovna Kadirova Barno , Akhmetovna Nasirova Nargiza , Botiralievna Umarova Dilfuza , Sottikhonovna Tolipova Dildora
Published: April 2022

At a time when international relations are developing and interaction is intensifying, the study of languages ​​and cultures of different nations remains one of the urgent tasks. By the end of the twentieth century, linguistics had assumed that "language is not only connected with culture, but also a means by which it has grown out of culture and expressed it." At the same time, language plays an important role in the creation, development and preservation of culture (in the form of texts). Today in the world the priority role of language in knowing the world, its active influence on the real being, consciousness, is recognized as the main factor and the main source in all spiritual and cognitive activity of the person, this fact forms a solid basis of anthropocentric approach to language. The anthropocentric approach to language has been interpreted in almost all of the research and educational literature on linguoculturology, although it has been interpreted as re-emerging in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. it is emphasized that the background goes back to Humboldt’s famous ideas.
Study to evaluate the socio-demographic and environmental factors affecting morbidity and mortality of community acquired pneumonia in children <5years
Authors: Pande Vineeta , Jadhav Renuka , Tripathi Kriti , Agarkhedkar Sharad
Published: April 2022

Aim: To evaluate the socio demographic and environmental factors affecting morbidity and mortality of community acquired pneumonia in children <5years. Materials and methods: The present Observational longitudinal study was carried in the Department of Paediatrics, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Pune, among 70 children less than 5 years of age admitted in the In-patient department , Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit diagnosed as community acquired pneumonia of either sex in the hospital. The study was carried out from may 2019-september 2021. The children who fulfilled the WHO criteria of Community Acquired Pneumonia were in addition to the Chest x-ray and investigations findings suggestive of CAP were enrolled. The details of the patient's personal and demographic profile, clinical presentation, underlying condition, laboratory investigations, therapy and course in the hospital, and the final outcome were all recorded on a pre-designed proforma. Results: Mean age of children presenting with pneumonia (31.92 months) was approximately similar with those presenting with severe pneumonia (30.37 months).
Pandemic discourse and cultural healing
Authors: Sunalini K. K. , Nair Dinesh Kumar , Sumalatha M. , Merugu Indrani , Slathia Marvi , Kumari Ch. Jyostna
Published: April 2022

COVID-19 pandemic has brought new social and discursive contexts with the metaphorization and gothification of the virus for many purposes ranging from reporting to politics. This discursive reality is similar to Lawrence Buell’s notion of toxic discourse. The discourse of the pandemic, like toxic discourse, is both useful and harmful in the ‘risk society’ that is exposed to both the infection and economic downslide. While on the one hand this discourse is integral in raising awareness and infection control measures, it also results in the monsterization of virus in press, social media and political rhetoric. This paper attempts to analyze various texts that have emerged in the backdrop of the pandemic to show how the social media humor, advertisement metaphors, masking and sanitizing of language and the serio-comic use of language have evolved as discursive strategies of the contemporary pandemic-hit society. The study also focuses on how literary/poetic use of language becomes a part of cultural healing. Linguistic and literary tropes that have mutated and evolved in the pandemic time are also analyzed.
How technology is transforming innovative education and providing solutions during a pandemic disruption
Authors: Sjahruddin Herman , Maruf Irma Rachmawati , Fatmawati Endang , Bangkara B.M.A.S. Anaconda , Rusiadi Rusiadi
Published: April 2022

The existence of technology, especially in education, is an undeniable fact; especially technology can transform education into more innovative and creative and provide solutions when various crises, including pandemics, disrupt the educational journey. The author believes that it is better to examine various critical literature in answering the above problems. For this reason, this study has reviewed more than 100 discussion topics and succeeded in obtaining approximately 50 topics summarized in a literature review involving a data coding system, in-depth data interpretation, and concluding that we believe the data is valid and reliable in answering the study problems. Based on the exposure and discussion of our final findings, we can say that technology, especially digital applications, has transformed world education during times of crisis towards innovative, creative, and solution-oriented education. Based on the capabilities possessed by technology, its existence, especially digital applications, has become a solution for carrying out global education during the pandemic that hit the world. The findings of this study will be helpful for future similar studies.
Determination of some nutrient minerals in the meats of three species of fishes brought from the Blue Nile and the White Nile, Sudan
Authors: Tahany Abdel Gader El Shareef Malik  , Yasir Mohamed Abdelrahim  , Ayda Ali Khalifa  , Mutaman Ali A. Kehail  , Zahir Abbas Hilmi
Published: April 2022

Various fish species are found in fish-markets that trigger the need to evaluate the quality of various fish meat products to answer the consumer needs. This study evaluated some mineral elements in the meats of Baiad (B), Tilapia (T) and Nile Perch (NP) fish species. These fish species were brought from the fish market of Wad Medani City (Blue Nile Fishes; BN), and from Kosti fish market (White Nile Fishes; WN). The preparation of fish meat-ashes and the determination of minerals (through Atomic Absorption), were run in the Food Analysis Laboratory, and the Central Laboratory - University of Gezira. The results showed high concentration of Cu element in WN samples was high in B-meat (0.434 mg/L) and in BN sample in T-meat (0.115 mg/L). Mn element in WN samples was high in B-meat (0.282 mg/L) and in BN sample in T-meat (0.292 mg/L). Fe (0.788 mg/L) and Zn (0.950 mg/L) elements were high in NP-meat of WN, while Fe (3.261 mg/L) and Zn (5.123 mg/L) were high in B-meat of BN. WN samples were highly contaminated with Pb which was about 24-folds more than the maximum tolerable limit (0.025 mg/L), while BN samples were still about third that standard. It was cleared that, BN fish samples were relatively rich in Fe and Zn, while WN samples were relatively rich in Cu and Mn elements.The contamination of fish meat of WN with Pb should be seriously studied, and the meat quality of all fish species should be determined.
Internal Control System and Performance of Financial Institutions in Rwanda: A Case of Bank of Kigali in Nyarugenge District
Authors:   Mount Kenya University, Kigali, Rwanda, Mukandoli Annie , Rusibana Claude ,   Mount Kenya University, Kigali, Rwanda
Published: April 2022

The general objective of the study was to analyze the effects of internal control system on financial performance in Bank of Kigali. In methodology, descriptive research design was used to accumulate quantitative and qualitative information. The target populations of 398 BK personnel of headquarter where 191 respondents were selected by the formula of Krejcie and Morgan (1970). The data collection instrument such as questionnaires was used to accumulate information from the field. After processing the data, the last closing end result summarized in the structure of statistical tables such as descriptive statistical tables, regression tables and correlation analyzes for the use of the SPSS version 21.0 and the researcher gave an interpretation of the results. The study findings have proved a positive and significant relationship internal control system and financial performance because all calculated p-values are less than 0.01 significance level for instance the relationship between risk assessment and return on asset with p=.962 and sig=.000, between risk assessment and return on investment with p=.872 and sig=.000, between control activities and monitoring of operation with p=.917 and sig=.000, between control activities and return on equity with p=.937 and sig=.000, between control activities and return on asset with p=900 and sig=.000, between monitoring of operations and return on investment with p= 877 and sig=.000, between return on asset and return on investment with p=.889 and sig=.000, between return on asset and return on equity with p=.922 and sig=.000. Thus, implies that internal control system has an impact on financial performance in Bank of Kigali. Basing on the findings the research recommends BK to tackle all factors of internal control system in order to gather the information to enhance financial performance of Bank of Kigali. Keywords: Internal control system, Performance, financial institutions, Bank of Kigali, Rwanda
An Intelligent Optimization Model for Fragment Assembly Problem
Authors:   Faculty of Engineering, Fayoum University, Fayoum , Egypt, admin admin
Published: April 2022

problem as it requires rebuilding the original sequence of DNA from a massive number of fragments. This paper introduces an efficient hybridization between Harris Hawks Optimization (HHO) and Problem Aware Local Search (PALS) to be utilized in solving DNA Fragment Assembly Problem (FAP). The efficiency of the proposed hybrid algor In computational molecular biology, the sequencing of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) is a very challenging ithm (PHHO) is compared with the original PALS, Firefly Algorithm (FA), Genetic Algorithm (GA), Artificial Bee Colony (ABC), and GAG50. The experimental results show the efficiency of the proposed algorithm compared to other approaches.
Lépések az igazság egy pluralista korrespondenciaelmélete felé
Authors: Ónya Balázs
Published: April 2022

Egyaránt igaznak tartjuk a következő kijelentéseket: „A víz nem más, mint dihidrogén-monoxid”, „Egy személy 18 éves korától számít nagykorúnak”. Ha arra keresünk választ, hogy minek köszönhetően igazak ezek a kijelentések, akkor – az igazság korrespondenciaelmélete szerint – tényekre kell hivatkoznunk. Miközben az első kijelentés esetében egy objektív természeti tényt tartunk igazságalkotónak, a második kijelentés esetében egy nehezen meghatározható ontológiai státusszal bíró társadalmi tényre kellene hivatkoznunk, ugyanis a nagykorúság nem egy, a természetben megtalálható tulajdonság, hanem emberek egy csoportja által definiált és elfogadott szabály következménye. Azonban a társadalmi tényeket, ha vannak egyáltalán, olyan kulturálisan eltérő ember alkotta konstrukcióknak tartjuk, amelyek – legalábbis az igazság objektivitását biztosítani kívánó korrespondenciaelmélet szerint – nem tűnnek alkalmasnak arra, hogy a társadalmi valóságot leíró kijelentéseink igazságalkotói legyenek. Tanulmányomban mégis amellett érvelek, hogy a korrespondenciaelmélet egy sajátos pluralista változata alkalmas lehet arra, hogy számot adjunk a társadalmi valóságunkról tett kijelentések igazságértékéről.
Millaista kestävää arvoa voidaan luoda kuluttajille kiertotaloutta edistävällä Vaatteet palveluna -mallilla?
Authors: Antikainen Maria , Knuutila Henna , Vehmas Kaisa , Kulju Minna , Heikkilä Pirjo
Published: April 2022

Vaateteollisuus on yksi saastuttavimmista teollisuudenaloista. Sekä yritykset että kuluttajat ovat tottuneet ’ota-käytä-heitä pois’ -toimintamalliin, joka realisoituu usein heikkolaatuisen pikamuodin kautta. Alalla tarvitaan radikaali muutos uusiin kestäviin kiertotalouden liiketoimintamalleihin. Jotta voidaan luoda menestyksekkäitä liiketoimintamalleja, on keskeistä ymmärtää, miten näistä uusista liiketoimintamalleista saadaan kuluttajille houkuttelevia. Vaatteet palveluna -malli on yksi kiertotalouden malleista, jota yritykset ovat alkaneet toteuttaa. Tässä tutkimuksessa pyrimme ymmärtämään, millaista arvoa yritykset tuottavat Vaatteet palveluna -mallilla kuluttajille sekä millaisia hyötyjä ja esteitä kuluttajat kokevat kyseiselle mallille. Aineistomme on koottu kuluttajakyselyllä ja yritystyöpajassa. Tutkimuksessamme rakennetaan viitekehys asiakasarvon ulottuvuuksista Vaatteet palveluna- mallille. Tutkimus tuottaa konkreettista ymmärrystä siitä, millaista rahallista, toiminnallista, emotionaalista, sosiaalista sekä ympäristöön liittyvää hyötyä voidaan kuluttajille Vaatteet palveluna -mallin avulla tuottaa sekä toisaalta millaisia uhrauksia kuluttajat kokevat mallin valitsemisesta.
Assembling temperature sensors: thermocouples and resistance temperature detectors RTD (Pt100)
Authors:   Aalborg University, Johra Hicham
Published: April 2022

Temperature is one of the most common physical quantities (measurand) to be measured in experimental investigations, monitoring and control of building indoor environment, thermal comfort and building energy performance. The most common temperature sensors are the thermocouples and the resistance temperature detectors (RTDs). These analog sensors are cheap, accurate, durable and easy to replace or to repair. The cable of these sensors can easily be shortened or extended. These sensors have a simple, monotonic and stable correlation between the sensor’s temperature and their resistance/voltage output, which makes them ideal for temperature measurement with electronic logging equipment. This technical report aims at providing clear guidelines about how to assemble and mount type-K thermocouples and Pt100 RTDs. These are the most common temperature sensors used in the Laboratory of Building Energy and Indoor Environment at the Department of the Built Environment of Aalborg University.
Dietary Practices against diabetic patient
Authors: Koser Hafiza Nazia , Jaffer Hafiza Madiha , Mubasahar Hooria
Published: April 2022

Diabetes is a persistent disease described by raised degrees of blood glucose, along with interrupted metabolism of fatty and aminoacids. As a consequence, the level of glucose raises in blood as it cannot be consumed in the cellular pathways. The reason is the failure of pancreatic insulin production or impotency of the cells to utilize the synthesized insulin. Diabetes is categorized into 3 main types: Type 1, where pancreas is unable to synthesize insulin; Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM)-here the body cells are not able to utilize the delivered insulin through pancreas and consequently, the production of insulin reduces sequentially; Type 3- Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), it happens in pregnancy and is responsible for maternal and fetal complications during pregnancy, at birth and soon after delivery. Type 1 is prevalent in children, teenagers and young adults. However, the etiology and mechanisms are unknown. Genetic predisposition and environmental aspects jointly play a role in the complex mechanisms of diabetes. The contributing factors for T2DM are known better than other types. Risk factors include age, obesity, inactive lifestyle, smoking and diet. These are modifiable risk factors and an individual can manage this type of diabetes by managing the life style factors.
Dietary practices, for example, intake of high carbohydrate and cholesterol rich diet have likewise been connected to increased risk of T2DM. GDM risk factors are not just like those for T2DM - family history, age, overweight and obesity, sedentary lifestyle yet additionally included extra weight gain during pregnancy. Uncontrolled diabetes causes problems in numerous organs. Destruction to large and small blood vessels and nerves causes vision loss and kidney dysfunction, coronary failures, strokes, and lower appendage removals. Diabetes causes handicap and abbreviates lives. Substandard mindfulness and restricted diabetic training administration are viewed as obstructions to seek better treatment results. Primary care suppliers need to provide consistent diabetes information to the public in order to prevent the progression of disease as it is worldwide endemic ailment. As indicated by the World Health Organization, it can be forestalled and overseen by doing proper physical activity and eating healthy diet. It is fundamental for the administration to put resources into ways of forestalling and help in the early discovery of such disease by performing public screening and instruction programs.
Frequency of Micro-organisms in Different Biological Samples of Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Lahore, Pakistan
Authors: Abbas Ansar , Khalid Sidra , Jafri Syeda Uroosa
Published: April 2022

Bacterial infections are one of the leading causes of illness and death across the world. In this context, the spread of resistant microbes plays a key role. Due to insufficient treatment choices and the sluggish discovery of new antibiotic classes, the rapid emergence of multidrug resistance in bacteria poses a serious threat to global public health. Objective: To determine the frequency of clinical isolates in various samples. Methods: A cross-sectional investigation was undertaken at the Pathology Department of the Fatima Memorial Hospital in Lahore, Pakistan. The study lasted one year. A total of 1,200 samples (sputum, wound swabs, blood, urine, pus, cerebrospinal fluid, and semen) were collected. Each sample was taken in a sterile container. The sample container was labeled with the source, date, and time of collection within one hour of collection and brought to the laboratory for analysis. Bacteria were identified using traditional culture and biochemical testing. Results: A total of 1200 clinical isolates were identified. Positive cultures obtained from 1200 biological samples were mostly from Urine (71.1%). 55.3% of the positive sample were male and 73% of the clinical isolates were gram-negative. Among Gram-negative isolates, the most common pathogen was Klebsiella species (42.9%) and among Gram-Positive isolates, the most common pathogen was Staphylococcus Aureus 68.5%. Conclusions: Gram-negative bacterial isolates were prevalent, with 55% frequency distribution and Staphylococcus aureus was frequent in different samples of patients.
Microbiological Analysis of Meat and Their Control
Authors: Rafi Uzma , Mazhar Sumaira , Noureen Saba
Published: April 2022

The current study was performed in order to check the microbial load of beef and chicken collected from the retail shops of an open area and market where that is available in preserved form. Objective: To compare the microbial load between the meat of an open market area and commercially preserved meat (chicken and beef). The antibiotic resistance profile of isolated pathogens was also checked. Methods: Ten samples of each meat specie (beef and chicken) were analyzed for the presence of different pathogens like Salmonella, Shigella, and pathogenic Escherichia coli mainly. The microbial load was approximately the same in beef as well as chicken. The obtained isolates were then subjected to antimicrobial resistance testing by disc diffusion method. Resistance to chloramphenicol, ampicillin and trimethoprim was determined most frequently. Results: In contrast, the bacterial isolates from beef samples were rarely tested resistant or simply non-resistant as compared to that off chicken samples. The bacterial isolates from chicken samples were tested highly resistant against chloramphenicol, trimethoprim and ampicillin. Conclusion: The significant importance of our findings is resistant rate against bacterial pathogens in chicken seems to be much higher than in beef samples found in variety of environment (different localities).
Comparative Analysis of Heavy Metal Accumulation Pattern and Genotoxicity in Water Fowl
Authors: Riaz Muhammad Ahsan , Riaz Ayesha , Rasheed Amna , Ilyas Madiha , Asif Hina , Rafi Uzma
Published: April 2022

Waterfowl spend their lives mostly on water bodies include ducks, geese, and swans, also include birds such as coots, grebes, moorhens, shorebirds and seabirds etc. Wetlands in Pakistan offer habitat to a variety of migratory birds. Bird’s diversity facing problems due to loss of natural habitat and hunting causing serious issues to bird’s territories. Objective: To investigate bioaccumulation of heavy metals and genotoxicity in waterfowl. Methods: This study investigated bioaccumulation of heavy metals and genotoxic effects that could result from exposure of waterfowl to heavy metals in the Chenab River, Punjab, Pakistan. The three different species, common teal (Anas crecca), little egret (Egretta garzetta) and mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) were obtained from head Marala, River Chenab. The liver, kidneys, heart, muscle, blood, and feathers of birds were collected for the purpose of determining the presence of heavy metals. The study investigated the most common heavy metals Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr indicating higher concentrations of heavy metals in blood and feathers from the study site. At study sites Pb Cr, Ni concentrations were high (P ≤ 0.05). Results: The results in the current study revealed metals concentration in different species trend as Anas crecca > Egretta garzetta > Anas platyrhynchos. The deposition of heavy metals in organ trends as Pb>Cr>Ni>Cd. The level of metals in blood trends as Pb>Cr>Ni>Cd. Metal concentrations in feathers trend as Pb>Cr>Ni>Cd. Conclusions: Expression analysis of anti-apoptosis Bcl-2 made for Egretta garzetta and genotoxicity results showed that the effect of metals in study groups found negative for the expression of the Bcl2 gene.
Knowledge Regarding Dengue Vector Control Among the Community of Tehsil Sahiwal, Sargodha
Authors: Aslam Muhammad , Faridi Tallat Anwar , Hameed Sajid
Published: April 2022

Dengue virus infection is a vector borne illness which causes epidemics and urges for serious policies and steps to devise control stretegies Objectives: The objectives of the study are to assess the knowledge regarding dengue vector control among community of Tehsil Sahiwal, District Sargodha Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted in community of Tehsil Sahiwal of District Sargodha. A total of 384 residents were enrolled in this study by simple random sampling technique. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to ask knowledge related questions regarding dengue vector control program. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 20.0. Tables and figures were used to present the data Results: Mean age of the respondents was 37.35 + 11.67 years, out of these 69.8% were males and remaining were females, 69.8% respondents were males, 38.1% were matric and above, 51.1% were working in private firms and 62.2% respondents had family monthly income less than 20,000 rupees. Among respondents, 53.9% had overall good knowledge and 46.1% had poor knowledge. 25.0% acquired information from television and 35.1% from health personnel counseling. Among 177 respondents who had overall poor knowledge, 24(6.3%) had good attitude and 153 (39.8%) had poor attitude. The result was found statistically significant (P=0.000) Conclusions: Knowledge of the residents regarding dengue vector control program was satisfactory (53.9%).
Group Actions in Civil Lawsuits: The New Law in the Netherlands
Authors: Klik P
Published: April 2022

Despite strong reservations in the Dutch Parliament, a new law gives rights of action to representative groups. But the new Act may in fact be no more liberal than the case law already developed; the most important changes are that informal interest groups do not have standing, and that groups which do qualify must confer with opposing parties before commencing proceedings.
IPPC: Update on the German Presidency's Initiative
Authors: Schnutenhaus Jorn
Published: April 2022

An update on developments concerning the German Presidency's draft IPPC Directive, discussed in the article which appears at [I994] EELR 323. Here, a further revised draft of October 1994 is described.
Exemption from Harmonization Measures under Article 100a(4): The Second Authorization of the German Ban on PCP
Authors: Sloan Robert D.
Published: April 2022

This article assesses the legality of the Commission's second Decision authorizing Germany to maintain its PCP ban on the basis of Article 100a(4) of the EEC Treaty. After reviewing the content of Directive 911173 on the restrictions on marketing and use of PCP and Germany's more restrictive regime, this article focuses on the compliance of the Commission's Decision with Articles 190 and 100a(4) of the Treaty. Specifically, it examines the conditions under which the Commission may authorize a Member State to derogate from a harmonization measure. It contends that since Germany failed to demonstrate that its regulation banning PCP meets the necessity and proportionality tests under Article 100a(4), the Commission erred in granting an exemption from Directive 911173. Finally, this article provides a brief overview of the pending review process under the PCP Directive.
Economic Instruments in German Environmental Policy
Authors: Bongaerts Jan C.
Published: April 2022

This paper describes and evaluates the economic instruments currently used in environmental policy-making in Germany. After a brief overview of policy-making in Germany. After a brief overview of through various legal instruments, a description is given of the economic instruments in environmental given of the economic instruments in environmental given of the economic instruments in environmental given of the economic instruments in environmental the public authorities. Moreover, German environmental policy-making has aha adopted other "economic" instruments which do not entail direct payment by the polluters to the public authorities but which may have an effect on environmental policy-making at source. These instruments include eco labelling and environmental liability. Eco-labelling is deaIt with in Section 6. Finally, some conclusions are drawn.
Ecobalances: Outlines of a General Regulation in Shaping Future Environmental Policy
Authors: Corino Carsten
Published: April 2022

The concept of an ecobalance as a compilation of environmental influences within a particular system; comprehensiveness of the approach; reasons for legislating for ecobalances; methods of preparing an ecobalance - inventory, impact analysis and aggregation, notes and report, verification, central services, information; types, form - laws, private standards or a combination - and level of regulation; assessing draft regulations in terms of economic functionality, legal aspects and the likelihood of political acceptance.
Environmental Impact Assessment: Bund Naturschutz, GroBkrotzenburg and the Commission's Retreat on the "Pipe-line" Point
Authors: Jacobson Brolvne , Kunzlik Peter
Published: April 2022

Environmental impact assessment; the recent decisions of the European Court of Justice in the cases of Bund Naturschutz and Grofikrotzenburg; the Commission's subsequent decision to withdraw certain EIA enforcement proceedings. The facts and decisions in the cases, neither having, strictly, concerned a "pipe-line" case; erroneous interpretation of the Grofikrotzenburg case by the Commission. Flaws in the Opinions of the Advocates-General, being overly based on practical consequences and failing to take account of all the provisions of the EIA Directive.
Environmental Crimes in Spain: The New Criminal Code
Authors: de Miguel Carlos , Aguirre Idoya
Published: April 2022

Early Spanish legislation on environmental crimes and criticisms of it; revisions to the Criminal Code, effective from 24 May 1996, which enlarge the number of offences and increase the penalties; Article 325\ essentially reproducing an earlier provision on the "basic environmental offence" but with revised penalties; circumstances which aggravate the basic offence; Article 328, introducing new offences in respect of spills or deposits which may cause serious harm to the environment; and Article 329, on breach of trust by public servants; the penalties: fines, imprisonment and "special professional disqualification"; the nature of the offences; related criminal offences; personal liability of representatives; consequences in civil law.
Environmental Standards: EMAS and IS0 14001 Compared
Authors: Thimme Peter M , Palomares-Soler Manuela
Published: April 2022

Environmental management systems (EMSs) are a prominent topic in the business world today. Companies, organizations and legal bodies have apparently accepted they have to tread more carefully and somehow cope with the environmental impact of their business dealings. Although a number of initiatives are under way (for example, Agenda 21, one of the documents agreed at the 1992 Earth Summit, puts forward some guidelines for sustainable business conduct; and the Responsible Care programmes of national chemical industry associations, which give environmental performance guidelines), two capture public attention to a greater extent: EMAS and ISO 14001. Both feature EMS standards, thus overlapping with each other. To avoid this overlap, which would create trade distortions and other problems, the European Commission has the difficult task of accepting other standards as compatible with EMAS. The Comite Europeen de Normalisation (CEN) is therefore revising the ISO 14001 Draft International Standard to develop a "bridge" document, closing the gap between the two standards. Is this task feasible?
The 1994 Directive on the Incineration of Hazardous 16 Waste, "Substitute Fuels" and Trans-Scientific Choices
Authors: Layard Antonia
Published: April 2022

This article examines the provisions of the 1994 Directive on Hazardous Waste Incineration and its implementation in the UK. It considers the controversial exemption for co-incinerators and the use of "substitute fuels" to produce the high temperatures required for cement production. It considers the nature of "trans-scientific choices" and the importance of determining base line levels of protection when trade-offs are inevitable, concluding that epidemiological and other research is long overslue.
Access to Information on the Environment in Spain
Authors: Kimber Cliona , De la Torre Maria
Published: April 2022

Access to information on the environment is central to an effective environmental protection policy. Citizens need to be able to find out information about the state of their environment in order to participate in its protection. This was recognized by the European Union with its enactment of Directive 90/313 on Freedom of Access to Environmental Information which was recently incorporated into Spanish law. The aims of this paper are to set out the legal regime on access to information on the environment in Spain, to assess whether it has correctly implemented EC legislation, and to consider whether it has the potential to improve access to information.
EC Noise Legislation and Policy
Authors: van Calster Geert
Published: April 2022

The EC's noise policy is primarily aimed at enhancing the free movement of goods. Noise pollution is tackled by combating pollution at source. Technical harmonisation is the most wickly used route. The Fifth Environmental Action Programme sets out an ambitious EC noise policy, completing the internal market objectives with a true environmental aim. The 1996 Commission Green Paper on Future Noise Policy sets out concrete measures which are to be realised in the near future. The ambition to implement a full-scale noise policy might have to be rethought in the light of the principle of subsidiarity.
The New Directive on Ambient Air Quality Assessment and Management
Authors: Lefevere Jürgen G J
Published: April 2022

A review of existing Community legislation on air quality; problems arising out of the earlier directives, leading to the new directive; its objectives; its framework nature; substances covered; timetable for daughter directives; factors to be taken into account when setting limit values, target values and alert thresholds; other provisions; critical comments - application of the subsidiarity principle, the removal of the "standstill" clause, desirability of setting uniform quality objectives, duties to inform the public, cross-border aspects; conclusion that the new directive is more of a harmonizing than an innovative measure and that anything more radical will have to come from the daughter directives.
The Single Market and the Environment: the European Union's Dilemma: The Example of the Packaging Directive
Authors: Long Antoinette
Published: April 2022

The quest fir balance between the single market and enhanced environmental protection in the context of the Packaging Directive; key elements of the Directive; difficulties in implementation; the requirement to notify draft legislation to the Commission and the large number of detailed opinions submitted; progress in implementation; problems - mandatory preferences for reusable packaging, higher recycling and recovery targets than those set by the Directive, ecotaxes; the example of mandatory reuse quotas in Germany; likelihood that the validity of general preferences for reusable packaging will be examined by the European Court of Justice.
Gabcikovo-Nagymaros: The Evidentiary Regime on Environmental Degradation and the World Court
Authors: Verhoosel Gaetan
Published: April 2022

The International Court of Justice is expected to give judgment in the Gabcikovo - Nagymaros case during the Autumn of this year. The article takes this case as a starting point to examine whether or not a different evidentiary standard for potential environmental degradation should be set by the Court. After briefly reviewing the traditional standard applied in international litigation, it outlines and analyses the three determinants of evidentiary assessment. It concludes from this analysis that, in general, a changed standard can be justified, in the light of the precautionary principle. Although this conclusion does not apply to Gabcikovo-Nagymaros, the author takes the view that this will not necessarily prevent the Court fiom being sensitive to potential environmental degradation, given the nature of the Court's evidentiary regime.
Old and New EMAS: Challenges for the European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme
Authors: Grafk-Buckens Anne
Published: April 2022

Much experience of EMAS has been gained since the adoption of the Regulation, which is now in the process of being revised. "Old" EMAS has taken off at a reasonable rate (847 registered sites and 204 verifiers at the end of June 1997) and has shown both some benefits and some difficulties and/or shortcomings. The revision process leading to a new" EMAS involves ad hoc meetings and a series of consultation seminars with the various interested actors in the Member States. Current discussions, which centre on the need to improve the efficiency of EMAS and increase the participation of companies, suggests a need for some clarification of provisions which have presented barriers and difficulties. Beyond any technical differences, the issues at stake include the credibility of the commitment to continuous improvement of a company's environmental performance any technical differences, the issues at stake include the credibility of the commitment to continuous improvement of a company's environmental performance (the international standard on environmental management systems). The latter would involve extending the scope of the Regulation from "site" to company level, from "manufacturing" industry to "services" and from "processes" to "products". A further aspect for revision is the improvement of the accreditation aspects while guaranteeing their credibility and refining adequately the requirements relating to the environmental statement. At the centre of the debate on revision is the need to emphasise the dynamic on revision is the need to emphasise the dynamic promote the elements that will make it "attractive". Revising the contents of the environmental statement will be of key importance as a catalyst for change.
An Assessment of The Proposed European Legislation for End-of-Life Vehicles
Authors: Pocklington David
Published: April 2022

The proposed Directive on End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs); its relationship with existing mandatory and voluntary measures; the environmental issues - high recyclability of end-of-life vehicles, relationship with the life-cycle; The legislative background; Key features of the proposal; The legal issues - costs of compliance, implementation, legal basis, retroactivity, legislative controls and vehicle disposal, the legal status of vehicles, stakeholder liabilities; Definitions - stakeholder liabilities, de minimis provisions, information, recycling targets, certificates of destruction, air bags; Conclusion that the targeting of EL Vs for mandatory control is inconsistent with moves towards voluntary control in other areas and that mandatory controls "offer little added value in terms of environmental benefit yet have the potential for imposing a significant and generally counterproductive burden on the economic sectors involved".
The New Directive on the Legal Protection of Biotechnological Inventions
Authors: van de Kamp Gert-Jan
Published: April 2022

The changing concept of "invention"; the background to the Directive on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions; the role of patent law and its applicability to biotechnological inventions; Article 53(a) and (b) of the European Patent Convention, excluding patentability on the grounds of "ordre public" or morality; and of plant or animal varieties or essential biological processes for the production of plants and animals; the "Onco mouse case"; the provisions of the Directive - grounds for patent protection, requirements for patentability, provisions concerning the human body, plant and animal varieties, exception in respect of immoral inventions, the "farmer'sprivilege"; conclusion that the Directive provides useful guidance.
The German End-of-Life Vehicles Ordinance (Altauto-Verordnung)
Authors: Martens Claus-Peter
Published: April 2022

Background to the German End-of-Life Vehicles Ordinance; its application to those in possession of end-of-life vehicles, who are now required to hand over such vehicles to certain recognised enterprises; the obligation, on those enterprises, once a vehicle has been accepted, to treat it in accordance with requirements relating to environmental protection and public welfare; the absence from the Ordinance of any obligation on the part of the recognised enterprises to accept end-of-life vehicles, this being dealt with instead by a voluntary environmental agreement; enforceability of the voluntary agreement; differences between the provisions of the ordinance and the those contained in the Commission's proposal for a Directive on end-of-life vehicles.
The Biocidal Products Directive
Authors: Van Maldegem Koen
Published: April 2022

A more detailed review of the provisions of the Biocidal Products Directive than that appearing at [1998] EELR 204. The position in the Member States. The background to the Directive. Scope; definitions. Procedures for EU authorizations of active substances and for Member State authorizations of products containing active substances; data to be included in application dossiers - basic and specific data.

Procedure for the inclusion of an active substance in Annex I, I A or IB: who may apply; the dossier on the active substance and on at least one product containing the active substance; evaluation by the reviewing Member State - completeness check, evaluation, report; Commission proposal and decision on the application; duration and renewal of listing; terms of listing; consequences of refusal of an application. Comparative assessment of active substances leading to refusal of listing or de-listing of an active substance where an alternative substance, posing less risk, is already listed - a shift from risk assessment to risk management; proposed technical guidance on comparative assessment.

Product authorization by Member States. Mutual recognition of product authorizations; procedure; refusal to grant mutual recognition; recognition subject to restrictions; modifications to original authorization.

Technical aspects: principles for the evaluation of active substances and products; extensive data requirements; risk assessment based on the identification of hazards, assessment of exposure and likelihood that hazards will arise. Classification, packaging, labelling and safety data sheets in respect of biocidal products and active substances.

The expense of meeting the data requirements for listing; confidentiality to be observed by the competent authorities if so requested by the applicant; justification for such a request; data protection and its consequences; differences between confidentiality and data protection; periods of data protection; access to the data of other applicants by agreement. "Task forces" and cooperation in the use and development of data - advantages and disadvantages.

Ten-year transitional period and review of existing active substances; Enforcement by the Member States; their discretion; interpretation of the Directive, which is based on Article 100(a), EC Treaty (the internal market).
The WTO Shrimp/Turtle Report: Marine Conservation v GATT Conservatism?
Authors: van Calster Geert
Published: April 2022

A WTO Panel held that unilateral US measures to protect sea turtles outside its territory, by regulating trade in shrimp and shrimp products, are incompatible with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). The Panel's conclusions are based on the alleged overall negative impact of the widespread use of such measures on international trade. No due consideration would seem to have been given to the facts of the case, and the Panel's application of the Headnote Ad GATT Article XX would not seem to be generally satisfactory. The Panel does not address the issue of like products under Article HI of the GATT and the difficult relationship of this article with environmental measures based on production processes and methods (PPMs). The Panel expresses a firm belief in international environmental co-operation without giving carte blanche for such co-operation. It hints at a need for the better design of unilateral environmental measures in order to guarantee a more favourable GATT approach.
Shipments of Waste: Challenges to Transnational Cooperation
Authors: Veldkamp A M E
Published: April 2022

As a result of the differing costs of waste processing within the Community, the shipment of waste offers waste brokers, collectors and processors opportunities to profit. Cheap processing is not, however, always environmentally sound. Regulation (EEC) No 259/93 on the supervision and control of shipments of waste should guarantee that waste will be transported and processed without negative consequences for the environment. Nevertheless, in many countries persons and undertakings evade the Regulation and other Community legislation on the processing of waste.

Transnational co-operation in both implementation and enforcement seems to be a conditio sine qua non for the effective operation of the Regulation. This article shows the cooperation which the Regulation requires, and the legal framework for this cooperation, which is not wholly adequate, it offers the Member States.

The Netherlands and Germany (Nordrhein-Westfalen and Hessen) have more or less changed their national implementation and enforcement structures and policies in the way the Regulation demands. Yet the transnational cooperation contemplated in the Regulation is unlikely to be achieved unless far-reaching harmonisation of environmental standards for waste-processing and legal instruments for cooperation in enforcement are created at Community level.
Environmental Risks on Acquiring a Company in Possession of Contaminated Land
Authors: Rosembuj Flavia , Berger Matthias , Aitchison Karen , Al-Shajlawi Amel , Martens Bob , Empereur Els , Kern Bruno , Vienne Dominique
Published: April 2022

Environmental risks on the acquisition of a company in possession of contaminated land; the possible transmission of liabilities from a subsidiary company to a parent company; a comparative study of Belgium, France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom, examining the legal framework and the corporate liability regime in each; conclusion that there is an increasing view that soil protection is more likely to be best regulated by effective administrative law than by a system of civil liability.
Shaping the EC Regime on Liability for Environmental Damage: Progress or Disillusionment?
Authors: Poli Sara
Published: April 2022

the draft White Paper of March 1999 proposing an EC civil liability regime in respect of environmental damage; the historical background; the reasons for establishing a regime; the possible legal basis; the options for a way forward-accession to the Lugano Convention, a regime on transboundary damage, a Recommendation or a Directive; the Commission's chosen strategy. The main elements of the proposed regime: scope; identifying the liable party; multiple parties; strict liability; possible defences; causation; criteria for requiring damage to be remedied; "significant" damage only to be covered; access to justice; financial security; comparison with the US Superfund scheme. The interest groups: the attitudes of the business world, the environmental bodies and the Member States. Conclusion that the draft White Paper represents progress in certain respects, but that the proposal is weaker than might have been hoped.
Proposals for International Environmental Liability in Respect of Waste and Biotechnology Products
Authors: Bergkamp Lucas
Published: April 2022

An overview of the proposed Liability Protocol under the Basel Convention on Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, and of the proposed rules on liability pursuant to the UN Biodiversity Convention; a short evaluation of the proposals - whether the problem is serious enough to warrant legislative intervention, balancing costs and incentives; conclusion that the proposals would require that the polluter pay twice, and need to be seriously reconsidered with a view to avoiding "overly ambitious, inefficient" schemes.
Hungary and the Green Accession
Authors: Savoia Remo
Published: April 2022

Summary: As 10 new members prepare to join the European Union in May 2004, this article analyses and clarifies the major issues and outcomes of the enlargement process from the environmental legal viewpoint, the so-called green accession, for Hungary. Following a general description of the enlargement process the author describes Hungary's process for approximation to the EC environmental accession acquis and the accession talks; then highlights potential problems for enforcement at a regional level.