bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genomica funzionale e proteomica: recenti sviluppi della ricerca nelle malattie poligeniche e considerazioni etiche
Authors: Bompiani Adriano
Published: October 2020

L’autore compie una rassegna anzitutto delle metodiche che vengono ricomprese sotto le denominazioni di genomica funzionale e proteomica, ne illustra l’applicazione per la migliore conoscenza delle malattie poligenichemultifattoriali e pertanto complesse a larga diffusione (più dell’1% della popolazione adulta) e causa di elevata morbillità e mortalità.

Le possibilità offerte dei DNA-microarrays nell’analisi dei polimorfismi dei nucleotidi, correlate alle potenzialità offerte dai supporti bioinformatici, caratterizzano la genetica che ha fatto seguito al sequenziamento del DNA, consentendo l’analisi dei “profili di espressione genica”.Lo sviluppo delle moderne tecniche di indagine sulle proteine permette, a sua volta, di riconoscere le proteine che sono correlate a stati morbosi attraverso loro livelli di espressione alterati se confrontati con quelli provenienti da soggetti sani.

Queste linee di ricerca, appena al loro inizio, offrono certamente positivi giudizi se valutate sotto il profilo della conoscenza scientifica, ma non sono prive di rischi e riserve sotto il profilo etico. L’autore ne esamina i vari aspetti che riguardano sia la singola persona che la comunità: se - in casi ben circoscritti - possono stimolare comportamenti favorevoli alla prevenzione di malattie ad insorgenza tardiva, sono da paventarsi - sul piano culturale - forme di riduzionismo di natura sociobiologica, pericoli di discriminazione e soprattutto - in epoca prenatale - espressioni ancora più estese di quell’eugenismo che caratterizza negativamente la società contemporanea.
Criteri etici per il ricovero e la dimissione dalla rianimazione
Authors: Antonini Cleto
Published: October 2020

L’articolo affronta il delicato tema dei criteri in base ai quali decidere di ricoverare o dimettere un malato da un reparto di rianimazione.

L’autore esamina i principi che animano l’erogazione dei servizi sanitari nazionali e regionali; il problema della definizione di equità in campo sanitario, l’analisi dei criteri prognostici e degli obiettivi della medicina intensiva.

Vengono illustrati, infine, i dati relativi all’anno 2002 della struttura di appartenenza dell’autore.
Riflessioni sulla “legge imperfetta”: il caso della procreazione artificiale in Italia
Authors: Casini Carlo
Published: October 2020

Questo articolo vuole essere un contributo per cercare di applicare nel modo più corretto possibile il pensiero del Santo Padre espresso nell’Enciclica Evangelium Vitae (paragrafo n. 73) alla materia della procreazione artificiale umana con specifico riferimento alla situazione italiana. L’analisi si articola su tre fronti: giuridico, politico, educativo-culturale.

Per quanto riguarda l’ambito della scienza giuridica, l’Autore, - dopo aver chiarito che “vuoto legislativo” non significa “vuoto normativo” - effettua un’opera di ricognizione per vedere quali sono le norme dell’ordinamento giuridico italiano che regolano oggi la nuova materia della procreazione artificiale. Questa “fotografia” è finalizzata a capire qual è il livello di miglioramento e di peggioramento giuridico introdotto da una ipotizzabile legge confrontando in questo senso la normativa vigente con la riforma approvata dalla Camera il 18 giugno 2002.

L’indagine nel campo politico muove dall’intento di valutare il comportamento del parlamentare cattolico che intende modificare con una legge una situazione ingiusta già esistente. A tal fine vengono inizialmente ripercorse le tappe delle procedure dell’iter legislativo e poi vengono considerate le condizioni politiche che possono farlo progredire e giungere a compimento.

Gli aspetti educativo-culturali riguardano l’esigenza di fare chiarezza in ordine ai valori in gioco nella loro interezza. In sostanza l’appoggio ad una legge “imperfetta” migliorativa dell’esistente e comunque espressione del massimo bene possibile raggiungibile nel dato momento storico, deve accompagnarsi ad un’opera di illuminazione delle coscienze. E’ questo compito soprattutto dell’azione pastorale della Chiesa, ma anche del parlamentare cattolico la cui posizione deve “essere chiara e a tutti nota”. Per questo, conclude Casini, “l’azione educativa non deve sentirsi estranea all’impegno per ottenere una legge, che, per quanto ‘imperfetta’, si muova nella direzione dello stesso valore che presiede al messaggio educativo e culturale. In definitiva spiegare anche le ragioni della legge ‘imperfetta’ i limiti e gli obiettivi finali irrinunciabili, è, anch’esso, un aspetto di rilevante significato educativo e culturale”.
Profili bioetici della neurostimolazione
Authors: Borghi Luca
Published: October 2020

Le tecniche di neurostimolazione e neuromodulazione cerebrale, mediante elettrodi collegati a stimolatori elettrici sottocutanei, vanno progressivamente consolidandosi come una delle più promettenti branche della neurochirurgia. Alle indicazioni terapeutiche tradizionali riguardanti il Parkinson e altri disturbi motori, se ne vanno aggiungendo di nuove che spaziano dai disturbi della coscienza alla terapia del dolore, dall’epilessia a numerose patologie neuropsichiatriche. È ormai frequente l’accostamento di tali tecniche alla problematica esperienza della psicochirurgia, dalla quale tuttavia esse sembrano distinguersi per l’assenza del principale inconveniente di quella che, com’è noto, era l’irreversibilità degli effetti negativi. Ma “modulare” artificialmente il sistema nervoso vuol dire in qualche modo “modulare” la mente umana, ovvero curarla innanzitutto, ma anche saggiarne i limiti, potenziarla, trasformarla. Una tale possibilità “manipolatoria” di ciò che costituisce il nucleo distintivo della persona umana non può prescindere da un’attenta valutazione etica, che tenga conto non solo delle applicazioni attuali di questa tecnologia ma anche delle sue potenzialità future. La sperimentazione e l’utilizzo clinico di tali tecniche sono stati invece finora accompagnati solo da sporadiche, ancorché interessanti, riflessioni etiche, quasi sempre a carico degli stessi scienziati che se ne occupavano. Il presente contributo cerca di fornire gli elementi necessari per avviare un’approfondita riflessione bioetica su questo argomento che, per le ragioni accennate, appare particolarmente urgente.
Privacy fetale
Authors: Bellieni Carlo V.
Published: October 2020

Nuovi scenari clinici si stanno affermando nel settore della medicina prenatale. In alcuni casi le conseguenze sono patologiche per la prole. Vengono esaminati alcuni degli effetti di tre scenari: abuso della diagnosi prenatale a fini di selezionare embrioni paradossalmente portatori di anomalie, diagnosi prenatale invasiva e fecondazione in vitro. L’autore fa delle considerazioni sui loro effetti collaterali, sul modo con cui talora sono utilizzati e sulla necessità di tutelare il feto, che porterà poi le conseguenze di eventuali, seppur rari, effetti collaterali. Infatti, se stanno aumentando le possibilità di “scelta” per i genitori, diminuiscono le garanzie per chi nascerà. Le conseguenze di questo “consumismo prenatale” non sono più solo la soppressione del nascituro, ma un rischio di disabilità per chi nasce. Viene poi considerato il problema dell’intrusione nella sfera della privacy del feto, del suo patrimonio genetico, del suo rischio di essere portatore di malattie nel corso della vita. Spesso infatti queste informazioni non hanno lo scopo di curare, ma di prevenire la nascita di feti affetti da caratteristiche che i genitori non vogliono. Siamo di fronte ad un atto medico fatto nell’interesse del paziente o ad un abuso che mai sarebbe possibile compiere su un essere già nato? Una volta decodificate, le informazioni sulla salute non saranno più una proprietà privata del paziente, ma già saranno note ai suoi genitori e possibilmente a lui stesso quando sarà nato, senza che egli/lei lo abbia richiesto. Queste informazioni possono essere ritorte contro di lui sia dal punto di vista di rischio per la sua soppressione prenatale, che da quello della coscienza di sé che già dall’età infantile potrebbe conoscersi predestinato a possibili tendenze e patologie.
Il personalismo nell’area culturale dell’America Latina
Authors: Bochatey Alberto
Published: October 2020

L’Autore, nel suo articolo, compie un’indagine di ampio respiro sullo sviluppo della bioetica nell’area culturale dell’America Latina. Fortemente influenzata da quanto accade negli USA, la storia della bioetica in queste zone è stata legata allo sviluppo del principialismo di T.L. Beauchamp e J.F. Childress, applicato ad una serie di campi specifici quali l’assistenza e la cura del malato, la procreazione e l’aborto, la morte encefalica (principalmente in vista del trapianto di organi), l’etica della ricerca, l’ecologia.

La Bioetica personalista ontologicamente fondata è ritenuta essere un campo assai propizio per proporre ed orientare verso la persona e la sua realtà trascendente e sociale, verso il bene comune e lo sviluppo nel campo medico. L’America Latina è il continente della speranza e anche la Bioetica latinoamericana può esserlo (specialmente attraverso la personalizzazione del “bios” e la rivendicazione della dimensione comunitaria e sociale dell’“ethos”). In tal senso la Bioetica personalista può contribuire alla costruzione d’un “ponte verso il futuro” e all’integrazione e alla cooperazione latinoamericana.

L’articolo concentra la sua attenzione, in particolare, su tre temi particolarmente significativi: la scienza e la tecnologia, l’identità cristiana e il ruolo dell’educazione, i comitati etici ospedalieri. Per questi ed altri campi, il riferimento al personalismo è una vera sfida che comporta una risposta, un impegno ed azioni concrete.
Qualche riflessione sopra la legge italiana sulla procreazione assistita
Authors: Fiori Angelo , Sgreccia Elio
Published: October 2020

Non disponibile.
Wernicke Encephalopathy in a Child with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with Atypical Neuroimaging Findings
Authors: Cornelius Leema , Paulraj Asir , Elango Neeraj
Published: October 2020

Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is characterized by a clinical triad of ataxia, ophthalmoplegia, and altered mental state. It is said to be a rare entity in infants and children. We describe the case of a 2-year-old child with acute leukemia on chemotherapy who presented with acute encephalopathy. Blood parameters and cerebrospinal fluid analysis were normal, and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed isolated cranial nerve nuclei involvement. There was remarkable improvement in sensorium following thiamine therapy. A high index of suspicion is necessary to diagnose WE in high-risk patients such as leukemia.
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm in a young female: Rare and challenging
Authors: Modak Ketan , Garg Jeevan Kumar , Mishra Deepak Kumar , Radhakrishnan Vivek S
Published: October 2020

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare hematopoietic malignancy with an aggressive behavior, seen commonly in the elderly age group and usually involves the skin. Evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment pose unique challenges with poor outcomes. We report a case of an 18-year-old female who presented with lymphadenopathy and bicytopenia. The diagnosis of BPDCN was an initial challenge. She thereafter received intensive chemotherapy followed by an allogenic partially mismatched sibling donor hematopoietic cell transplantation, only to relapse in a few months. Beginning from the diagnosis, the management of this rare disorder and its relapse until her last followup provided several learning opportunities.
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Relapse Presenting as Isolated Neurolymphomatosis of the Brachial Plexus - A Case Report
Authors: Parashar Yatendra , Hasan Faheema , Bishnu Arijit , Kashyap Rajesh
Published: October 2020

Neurolymphomatosis is a rare manifestation of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and is characterized by infiltration of the nerves by neoplastic lymphoid cells and is seen in up to 0.2% of all NHL cases. Diagnosing this syndrome is quite a challenge to the hematologists given the vague symptoms and signs and the low incidence. Newer imaging modalities such as positron emission tomography–computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have enabled early diagnosis with a sensitivity reaching up to 100%. Despite a variety of therapies reported in the literature for the treatment, the prognosis is very poor. We report a 46-year-old male diagnosed to have NHL–diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisolone (R-CHOP) therapy who presented with left brachial plexus neurolymphomatosis as the initial feature of disease relapse.
A report of an unusual case of pediatric eosinophilia associated with platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta rearrangement
Authors: Moothedath Abdul Wajid , Sahoo Debasish , Seth Rachna , Meena Jagdish Prasad , Gupta Aditya Kumar
Published: October 2020

Eosinophilia is a common finding in the pediatric age group. While the majority of mild eosinophilia cases are benign and due to reactive causes, persistent hypereosinophilia is uncommon and requires prompt clinical evaluation because of the potential risk of end-organ damage associated with it. Given the broad differential diagnoses of eosinophilia, it is essential to have a systematic approach to the evaluation of unexplained eosinophilia in children. Here, we discuss the case of a 2-year-old child who presented with very high eosinophil counts. A systematic workup of the case helped us in arriving at a rare diagnosis of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta (PDGFRB)-rearranged clonal eosinophilia. Identification of such an entity is important as it has therapeutic implications, and early recognition helps in preventing associated end-organ damage by instituting appropriate therapy. Such cases of eosinophilia associated with platelet-derived growth factor receptor-alpha and PDGFRB rearrangement respond dramatically to imatinib.
Oral mucositis with abiraterone acetate: A therapeutic dilemma
Authors: Valame Shaunak , Chandra G Sharat , Panda Dipanjan , Sharma Atul
Published: October 2020

Mucositis is a common complication of cancer treatment. Mucositis has varied etiology. Here, we describe a case of 71-year-old male with metastatic castrate-resistant carcinoma prostate who developed mucositis with the use of targeted therapy, and this particular scenario led to the therapeutic dilemma.
Обобщенная формула следа для полиномов, ортогональных в континуально-дискретных пространствах Соболева
Authors: Osilenker Boris Petrovich
Published: October 2020

В континуально-дискретных пространствах Соболева получена обобщенная формула следа для ортогональных полиномов $\{\widehat{q}_n\}_{n=0}^\infty$. Доказательство основано на представлении ядра Фейера системы $\{\widehat{q}_n\}_{n=0}^\infty$. В качестве следствия установлена обобщенная формула следа для полиномов Гегенбауэра-Соболева в дискретном пространстве Соболева.
Imidazole and carbazole derivatives as potential anticancer agents: molecular docking studies and cytotoxic activity evaluation
Authors: Taheri B. , Taghavi M. , Zarei M. , Chamkouri N. , Mojaddami A.
Published: October 2020

Carbazoles and imidazole represent two important classes of heterocycles which exhibit diverse biological activities such as antitumor properties. In this study, imidazole (C1-C3) and carbazole (C4 and C5) derivatives were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against three human cancer cell lines namely, MCF7 (human breast cancer), HT29 (human colon cancer), and HeLa (human cervical cancer). Carbazole derivatives (C4 and C5) with IC50 < 10 µM showed greater cytotoxic effect than imidazole derivatives (C1-C3). Furthermore, all compounds exhibited better anticancer activity against MCF-7 than other two cell lines (HT-29, HeLa) and compound C4 was the most potent compound with the IC50 values of 2.5, 5.4 and 4.0 µM, against MCF-7, Hela and HT-29 cell lines, respectively. Physicochemical properties of compounds were calculated and their correlation with the IC50 values on MCF-7 cell line investigated. Surface area and polarizability of compounds showed good correlation by R2 = 0.8396 and R2 = 0.834, respectively. Docking studies of these compounds were also performed on the DNA as proposed target to comprehend their binding interactions and binding energies. The docking energy of compounds ranged from - 11.32 to -13.48 kcal/mol. Compound C3 with energy of -13.48 kcal/mol had the highest docking energy. Docking results indicated that these compounds (C1-C5) had strong affinity in binding to the DNA.

                   

KEY WORDS: Imidazole, Carbazole, Molecular docking, Cancer, MTT assay

 

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2020, 34(2), 377-384

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v34i2.14
Production and characterization of biodiesel and glycerine pellet from macroalgae strain: Cladophora glomerata
Authors: Firemichael D. , Hussen A. , Abebe W.
Published: October 2020

Biodiesel was prepared by extracting oil from Cladophora glomerata green algae followed by transesterification of the oil using NaOH as a catalyst. The algae Oil extraction was carried out using two different techniques (Soxhlet and refluxing) and similar oil yield was obtained (23-24%). The resulting biodiesel showed desirable physical and chemical properties. Specific gravity, acid value, iodine value, ash content and calorific value of the algae biodiesel were within the specification of American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and European Standards (EN). The analysis of fatty acid methyl ester composition revealed, 63, 27 and 10% for 9-octadecodenoic, hexadeconic and octadeconoic acid methyl ester, respectively. From the production line, two waste streams (glycerol and residual biomass) were combined to form a glycerine pellet. The measured energy content of the glycerine pellet was found to be comparable with firewood. Therefore, C. glomerata could potentially be utilized for the production of both biodiesel and glycerine pellet with no net waste in the transesterification process.

                   

KEY WORDS: Algae oil, Biodiesel, Transesterification, Glycerine pellet, Macroalgae, Cladophora glomerata

 

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2020, 34(2), 249-258

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v34i2.4
Spawning aggregations of fish in Cabo Delgado, Northern Mozambique: An interview-based survey of artisanal fishers
Authors: Machaieie Sidonio , Silva Isabel M.
Published: October 2020

Seasonal aggregations at specific sites are common among some fish species. Experienced fishermen know where and when these aggregations happen, often targeting these spawning sites to increase their catch. This strategy can further contribute to endangering the survival of these species, especially for those already threatened by other forms of pressure. This study contributes knowledge to the spawning aggregation of fish in the north of Mozambique following survey work conducted around Cabo Delgado Province in six coastal villages in 2016, 2017 and 2018. The objectives of the study were 1) to identify the species and sites of spawning aggregation and 2) to determine the timing of spawning aggregations. Data collection consisted of interviews targeting the most experienced fishermen to obtain information on these subjects. The results indicate that out of 124 fishermen interviewed, 59% had knowledge of spawning aggregations. The information collected from fisher interviews revealed that there are at least six spawning locations and at least eight species aggregate to spawn (Leptoscarus vaigensis, Lethrinus harak, Lethrinus nebulosus, Lethrinus obsoletus, Lethrinus olivaceus, Plectorhinchus gaterinus, Plectorhinchus schotaf, Siganus sutor). Only Siganus sutor was reported to spawn in at least one of the fishing areas used by every village. The timing of spawning aggregations most reported by fishermen was during the Kusi (South) monsoon period.
The Use of Mitigation Devices in Heritage Learners of Chinese
Authors: Li Qiong , Zhang Haomin , Taguchi Naoko
Published: October 2020

This study investigated the pragmatic competence of Chinese heritage learners (CHLs) on the use of three Chinese-specific mitigation devices: Chinese sentence final particles (SFPs), yixia/xia “for a while”, and reduplication of verbs. Their performances were compared with those of foreign language learners of Chinese (CFLs) and native Chinese speakers (NSs). Twenty-three NSs and 60 Chinese language learners in the intermediate and advanced-level classes (31 CHLs and 29 CFLs) participated in the study. Participants completed a computerized written production task that included two types of situations (PD-low and high situations) based on two contextual factors: the power relationship (P) and social distance (D). The statistical findings showed no notable significant heritage advantage; however, the post-hoc analysis revealed the unique nature of CHLs’ pragmatic competence, vacillating between CFLs and NSs. Specifically, CHLs outperformed CFLs in the use of SFPs and yixia/xia in both PD-low and high situations, but they fell behind the
NSs in certain aspects, especially in their linguistic knowledge on SFPs and yixia/xia.
Bridging Two Worlds: Experiences of Chinese and Taiwanese Americans
Attending Chinese Heritage Schools in Houston
Authors: Liao Li-Yuan , Larke Patricia , Hill-Jackson Valerie
Published: October 2020

This qualitative case study presents the reflections of ten Chinese and Taiwanese Americans on their experiences in community-based Chinese Heritage Schools (CHS) in Houston, Texas. Five themes emerged from the in-depth interviews with the participants: (1) self-perceptions of being Chinese/Taiwanese Americans, (2) motivations for learning Chinese, (3) key learning experiences at CHS, (4) perspectives on CHS, and (5) suggestions proposed by the participants.
EFFECT OF ADOPTION OF INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC SECTOR ACCOUNTING STANDARDS (IPSAS) IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR OF DELTA STATE
Authors: Nzewi Nzewi , Faith Enuenwemba
Published: October 2020

The study prompted by the inconsistent and contradictory findings from the previous studies; ranging from positive to negative, hence some authors are seeing it as a welcome development while others are having a contrary view to it. This study therefore, determined the effect of international public sector accounting standards (IPSAS) on Delta State ministry of finance with emphasis on accountability and, transparency among public officers in Delta State. Survey research design will be adopted. A sample of one hundred and eighty five (185) was drawn from a population of three hundred and forty three (343) staff from Delta State Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Data was obtained from questionnaire administered on the sample population. Data obtained was analyzed using five point likert’s scale and the formulated hypotheses were tested using regression analysis with aid of SPSS Version 20.0. From the analysis of the data the adoption of International public sector accounting standards leads to accountability and transparency among public officers in the ministry. Based on this, the study recommends that Nigerian government should provide the necessary requirements for full implementation and sustenance of IPSASs in the public sector if it is actually sincere and serious about tackling corruption in the country.
OBASANJO’S ADMINISTRATION ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN IN NIGERIA AND SALIENT GOVERNANCE IMPLICATIONS
Authors: Ojonemi Salisu , Yakubu Ali , Apeh Grace
Published: October 2020

Anti-corruption campaign among successive administration has been attempting to curb the hydra-headed monster and clog in the wheel of the development progress of developing countries at large and Nigeria in particular. Essentially, the poverty and menace of poor development programmes’ delivery, which Nigeria witnessed in the pre-1999 era made the Obasanjo Administration to fight the war headlong. The methodology adopted is qualitative with the usage of secondary data and observation as conscious citizens of the country who witnessed the activities of the administration against corrupt practices. This essay is therefore divided into introduction; a review of anti-corruption war; the success of institutional approach; salient lessons; conclusion and recommendations that centre on the promotion of entrepreneurship, traditional value system, honesty, sacrifice, selflessness, and discipline.
Aplicación de la plataforma moodle y rendimiento académico de los educandos del nivel c1 advanced
Authors: Saavedra Jaramillo Delma Ines , Rondan Zamata Felicitas , De La Cruz Reyes Luis Alberto , Torrejón Cuno Jesús Hernán , Asencios Trujillo Ettson Diomedes
Published: October 2020

La investigación pretendió demostrar que la aplicación de la Plataforma Moodle influye en el rendimiento académico de los educandos del nivel C1 Advanced del CEP Mixto Peruano-Alemán Reina del Mundo, La Molina, para obtener el certificado C1 Advanced de la Universidad de Cambridge. Esta investigación desarrolló un enfoque cuantitativo, tipo experimental, con diseño pre experimental. La población fue de 14 educandos del 5° grado de Educación Secundaria; para la recolección de datos de la variable aplicación de la Plataforma Moodle se aplicó como técnica de recolección de datos a través de una encuesta y el instrumento cuestionario Colles de escala politómica. Por otro lado, para la variable rendimiento académico de los educandos del nivel C1 Advanced se empleó la técnica, encuesta, como instrumento una prueba. En los resultados obtenidos, se observó que el pre test del rendimiento académico de los educandos del nivel C1 Advanced, presentaron una media de 87,36 y una desviación estándar de 13,293, y una media estándar de 3,553. En el post test, el rendimiento académico de los educandos del nivel C1 Advanced presentaron una media de 110,29 y una desviación estándar de 13,798, y una media estándar de 3,688; lo que permitió rechazar la hipótesis nula. Por ende, se concluyó que el rendimiento académico de los educandos del nivel C1 Advanced fue bueno, debido a las diferencias de medias fue de 22,93 superiores al pre test.
Transparency for sustainable development - Impulses for learning processes in the value chain and in consumer behaviour
Authors: Lennartz Leonie
Published: October 2020

This article is a report on the closing event of the project "Consumer behaviour and innovations for sustainable chemistry (KInChem)". The Evangelical Academy in Loccum organized the conference "Transparency for sustainable development – impulses for learning processes in the value creation process and consumer behaviour" which took place on the 26th and 27th of September 2018. Co-organizers of the conference were the Society for Institutional Analysis (sofia), the Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences and the University of Göttingen. The KInChem project shaped the framework of the event content. In addition there were numerous contributions from speakers from other contexts, including several projects from the BMBF's "Research for Sustainable Development" programme (Fona), giving the conference the character of a synthesis conference at the same time.
The Avosetta Group
Authors: Winter Gerd
Published: October 2020

The Avosetta Group is a small informal group of lawyers whose main purpose is to further the development of environmental law in the European Union and Member States. "Avosetta" is the Latin name of a rare bird which caused the European Court of Justice to establish far reaching principles of European Nature Protection Law in the German Dike-Case. The group was inaugurated in January 2001, on the initiative of Professors Jan Jans, Ludwig Krämer, Richard Macrory, Peter Pagh, and Gerd Winter who since then have served as trustees of it. This article presents the group.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it? Commission efforts to manage the definitions of waste, recycling and recovery, and to switch from a waste streams to a materials approach
Authors: van Calster Geert
Published: October 2020

Discussion on the EU definitions of ‘waste’, as well as ‘recovery’ and ‘disposal’ of waste have been, to paraphrase a standing expression, plentiful and hard on each other’s heels. Ever since the 1991 amendments to the 1975 framework directive, attempts have been made to disprove the usefulness of the definition of waste, and to question the lack of proper definition of the concepts of recovery and disposal. In order to assess the recently issued Commission Proposal for a (renewed) directive on waste, this contribution reviews first of all, succinctly, the nature and limitations of the ‘old’ (existing) definitions, subsequently it reviews the proposed changes.
The new strategy of the CEN Environmental Helpdesk
Authors: Klemola Nina
Published: October 2020

In 1999, the CEN Environmental Helpdesk (hereinafter referred to as ‘EHD’) was set up by the CEN Technical Board. This Helpdesk started its activities in September 1999, with the aim of supporting the various CEN TCs in their task of incorporating environmental aspects when drafting product standards, and raising awareness amongst the TCs. It was intended that the EHD would screen draft standards with respect to their environmental implications and then provide comments to the TC or Working Group preparing the draft standard. On the other hand, the TCs would be able to contact the EHD for environmental advice and expertise, as needed.
Promoting eco-innovations: The Environmental Technologies Action Plan (ETAP) of the EU Commission
Authors: Dross Miriam , Hederich Wiebke
Published: October 2020

In 2004, the European Commission introduced a new instrument to its environmental policy: The Environmental Technologies Action Plan (ETAP) was adopted in January 2004 (COM (2004) 38). It includes an overview of promising technologies which could address major environmental problems; an analysis of the market and institutional barriers that are holding back development and use of specific technologies; and a targeted package of measures, building on existing instruments, to address these barriers. With the help of ETAP, the Commission wants to make the development of environmental technologies a fundamental part of its environmental strategy. Along the lines of the Lisbon strategy, which tries to yoke together economic growth, job creation and a better environment, ETAP wants to improve the situation for business, jobs and the environment simultaneously. Given the contribution that environmental technologies make to economic growth and employment, this program intends to protect the environment and, at the same time, enhance innovation and competitiveness in Europe. In this way, the Commission is also reacting to a widespread view, which holds that command and control approaches should be complemented by other instruments, if not given up all together. A first assessment by the Commission and extensive stakeholder consultations proved the complexity of switching from traditional to new technologies. During this process, insufficient access to capital was identified as a key barrier to a broader use of environmental technologies. As a result, ETAP attempts to tackle the barriers by both an effective information policy and diverse financial instruments.
The New European Regulatory Impact Assessment - In Theory and Practice
Authors: Hofmann Ekkehard
Published: October 2020

With its communication on impact assessment of June 5, 2002, the European Commission has initiated a new era concerning the preparation and explanation of European legislative action. The Commission now strives for an integrated assessment of all major initiatives, taking into account each and every segment concerned. The Commission expressly thought of the introduction of the “Regulatory Impact Assessment” (RIA) as a means of justifying a chosen policy option. The impact assessment process is part of the Commission’s efforts to implement the subsidiarity principle (Art. 5 section 2 TEEC) in the area of governance and better lawmaking. According to the Secretariat General, the process aims to improve the quality of Commission proposals as well as to improve and simplify the regulatory environment.
This paper explicates the basic features of the Commission’s approach, illustrated by three examples for impact assessments that have been carried out under the new regime: it focuses on the question as to how recent impact assessment practice fared compared to the standards set by the Commission itself. However, the (potential) role of assessment reports as a means to foster transparency even in the judicial context seems to be underdiscussed in the literature. Hence, the article examines the material legal requirements concerning the substance of governmental reasoning, and legal demands as to whether and how to present explanatory statements under Community law. In the end, there is an attempt to assess the pros and cons of using assessment reports as statements of basis and purpose pursuant Art. 253 TEEC.
Agrobiodiversity on the agenda
Authors: Wolff Franziska
Published: October 2020

With the 9th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity’s coming up, the debate on biodiversity is spilling over from the circles of the ‘usual suspects’ to a broader public. Agricultural biodiversity, or ‘agrobiodiversity’, as an important component of biological diversity, however, remains an unknown quantity for most people. It means the variety and variability of farm animals and cultivated plants as well as the agroecosystems in which they thrive. Starting out with some background information on the loss of agrobiodiversity, this contribution goes on to discuss recent international policy developments and the challenges that lie ahead pertaining to the reversal of this trend.
UN Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Bonn - The environmental programme
Authors: Stahl Hartmut , Kukatz Katja
Published: October 2020

When Germany hosts the 9th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in May 2008, approximately 5000 participants from 190 Member States are expected in Bonn. The delegates of the UN discuss possibilities for stopping the ongoing worldwide destruction of nature. In the run-up to the conference, about 1200 experts hold a prior meeting; besides the experts, about 120 environment ministers are expected. This means not only a tremendous challenge for the organisers but also for the environment. Experts are anticipating, for instance, additional greenhouse gas emissions of around 20,000 tons of CO2-equivalent, mainly caused by the international flights of the delegates.
As a result, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity as well as the German Federal Government are aiming to create a suitable framework which gives consideration to the concerns of biodiversity and, more generally, to the protection of nature and the environment. On behalf of the Federal Environment Ministry, Öko-Institut is developing a comprehensive environmental programme for the Conference, thereby undertaking an exemplary role. One of the declared goals of the Federal Government is to hold the Conference in a carbon-neutral manner. Key areas that are addressed by the environmental programme for the UN Conference in Bonn comprise waste management, the environmentally friendly transportation of the participants, the conservation of resources in the area of energy and water as well as a catering service that makes a contribution to the promotion of agrobiodiversity. From a global perspective, climate protection is currently one of the greatest challenges of environmental policy and therefore plays a key role in the environmental programme.
Regulation of Nanomaterials under present and future Chemicals legislation Analysis and regulative options
Authors: Merenyi Stefanie , Führ Martin , Ordnung Kathleen
Published: October 2020

Nanotechnology has already entered our everyday life. It finds application in a large number of industrial areas, for instance in the automobile industry, in energy and environmental technology, mechanical engineering, the chemicals and pharmaceuticals industry, in medicine, cosmetics and the food industry. Nanoscale titanium dioxide in sunscreen products, for example, provides UV protection, car tyres contain – not only recently – nanoscale carbon black, and many scratchproof, antireflection, non-stick and de-misting surfaces are manufactured with the help of nanomaterials. What distinguishes nanomaterials from previously used substances and processes is, above all, their large and active surface in proportion to their volume. The small particle size can result in modified chemical properties and functionalities compared to conventional substance in a non-nanoscale form, which can range from varied melting and boiling points to greater hardness, magnetism and catalytic effects. Nanotechnology is regarded as a key technology of the 21st century. Considerable economic expectations are attached to its further development. Due to its low consumption of resources and high energy efficiency, nanotechnology also offers potential ecological relief that should be exploited. At the same time, little is presently known about risks to human health and the environment associated with nanotechnology. The modified properties of nanoscale substances can lead to different risk assessment compared to conventional materials. Early knowledge in this respect has been available for some time. As far as titanium dioxide is concerned, the suspicion has been confirmed: This material, which has been manufactured and used as white pigment for many years, was regarded as unproblematic before its appearance in this small particle size, since tests carried out with non-nanoscale particles were negative. Results of tests on titanium dioxide in the nanoscale form showed, however, that these particles could have ecotoxic effects. In view of this conflict between expected benefits and potential risks, the question arises as to which legal requirements nanotechnology is subject to. In the spring of 2006 the Federal Environmental Agency commissioned a legal appraisal of the present framework of environmental legislation with regard to nanotechnologies and the drawing up of proposals for initial action should regulatory gaps be identified. The main focus of this analysis was chemicals law, and its findings are presented in this article.
The Phase-Out of Hazardous Substances in Troubled Waters
Authors: Scheuer Stefan
Published: October 2020

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) of 2000 is the EU's first law establishing legal obligations to move towards eliminating the emission of hazardous substances into EU's waters within 20 years. This recognises that the safe way to deal with substances which can cause long-term or irreversible damage is to aim at zero or background concentrations rather than setting tolerable limits as favoured by conventional chemical risk assessment methods. There is a long way to go from the WFD's respective legal obligations to ultimately achieving zero emissions for selected hazardous substances. In 2010 Greenpeace undertook a first spot check of the quality of implementing those obligations for the pollutant nonylphenol (NP), a hazardous water pollutant which has been severely restricted in the EU since 2003.
Based on these findings this paper analyses the repercussions from a broader perspective of the legal situation, including whether and when legal breaches are likely to occur and what the consequences are for the political objectives of chemical safety management. To this end, the paper examines the shared obligations between the EU and its Member States and the links to the new EU chemical safety management rules under REACh.
The genome editing technique is covered by Directive 2001/18 - Comment on Advocate Bobek’s Opinion in case C-528/16
Authors: Krämer Ludwig
Published: October 2020

The question, whether or not plants that were obtained by genome editing are covered by Directive 2001/181 is at present the subject of proceedings before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). In this case, Advocate General (AG) Bobek has just issued his Opinion. He concluded that such plants are exempted from the provisions of the Directive, as genome editing is a form of mutagenesis, so that the exemption of Art. 3(1) of the Directive, read in conjunction with its Annex I B, applied. The application of the precautionary principle does not lead, in his opinion, to a different result.
The Opinion of the AG is not binding for the CJEU. However, it has a considerable weight, as it is the first factual and legal analysis of the case made by someone else than one of the Parties, and as the AG is an eminent lawyer with a rich professional experience and who is in rank equal to a judge at the CJEU.
This contribution argues that the Opinion of the AG comes to conclusions which are contrary to the wording and the purpose of Directive 2001/18, and that genome editing must be understood as being covered by the provisions of that Directive.
The ECJ Rules Environmental NGOs Must Have Access to Justice in Water Law Procedures
Authors: Kern Summer , Schamschula Gregor
Published: October 2020

The Aarhus Convention was adopted in 1998 within the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, following Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development. This principle states that “[e]nvironmental issues are best handled with the participation of all concerned citizens [...]”. The Convention is an international treaty with three pillars, namely (1) Access to Information; (2) Public Participation; and (3) Access to Justice. As the Implementation Guide makes clear: “The three pillars depend on each other for full implementation of the Convention’s objectives.” The Convention has as of the date of this publication 47 Parties. Austria ratified the treaty in early 2005, as did the EU. As made clear by the EU’s declaration upon ratification, implementation of the Aarhus Convention partly falls within the competence of the EU and partly within the competence of the Member States. With regards to Art. 9(3) in particular, the EU declared upon approval of the Convention that “the legal instruments in force do not cover fully the implementation of the obligations.” Yet the EU has recognized the drawbacks of this lack of implementation at the EU level repeatedly, and most recently issued a Notice on Access to Justice for the Member States so as to achieve better implementation and consistency within the Member States. This article assesses the current developments of implementation with regard to Access on Justice in Austrian Water Law. The ruling in question can certainly be seen as milestone in environmental case law.
BİLİNÇLİ TÜKETİM VE ANNELERİN BİLİNÇLİ TÜKETİME YÖNELİK TUTUM VE DAVRANIŞLARI
Authors: ÜNAL KESTANE Serpil
Published: October 2020

Bu araştırmanın amacı, geleceğimizi yetiştiren annelerin bilinçli tüketim konusundaki tutum ve davranışlarının belirlenmesidir. Araştırmada nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme tekniği uygulanmıştır. Literatür taramasıyla edinilen bilgiler çerçevesinde bilinçli tüketim ve bilinçli tüketim boyutlarını kapsayan, 18 sorudan oluşan bir görüşme formu hazırlanmıştır. Değişik meslek ve yaşlarda bulunan toplam 13 anne ile yüz yüze görüşmeler yapılmıştır. Araştırmanın diğer araştırmalardan farkı ve önemi, bilinçli tüketim konusunda yapılan nitel bir araştırma olması, annelerin bu konuda çocuklarına ne tür bir müdahale ve uyarıda bulunduklarının belirlenmeye çalışılmasıdır. Araştırmaya katılanların annelerde, bilincin daha çok aile bütçesini korumaya yönelik ve tüketim boyutunda olduğunu belirtmek mümkündür.
NATO’DA EFEKTİF LİDERLİK SORUNU
Authors: DUMAN Gökhan , KURTULMUS Bekir Emre
Published: October 2020

Bu çalışma genel hatlarıyla liderlik kavramını açıklamakta, liderlik tiplerinin değişimini belirtmekte ve NATO örneği üzerinden uluslararası örgütlerdeki liderlik pozisyonunu tartışmaya açmaktadır. Liderlik kavramının özelliklerini ve çeşitlerini açıkladıktan sonra uluslararası örgütlerin uluslararası sistem içerisindeki yerini de açıklayan bu çalışma, NATO örneğinden yola çıkarak uluslararası örgütler içerisindeki liderlik yapısını incelemektedir. Genellikle Genel Sekreterlik şeklinde karşımıza çıkan uluslararası örgütlerdeki liderlik pozisyonunun ne kadar etkili olduğu tartışılmaktadır. NATO’nun örgüt yapısı açıklandıktan sonra Genel Sekreterin görev ve yetkileri incelenmekte ve ortaya konan liderlik tiplerinden hangisine daha uygun olduğu belirtilmektedir.
Veblen, Braudel ve Foucault ile Neoliberal İktidara Karşı Yeni Bir Teknoloji ve Maddi Kültür Perspektifine Doğru
Authors: GÜRKAN Ceyhun
Published: October 2020

Bu yazı Thorstein Veblen, Fernand Braudel ve Michel Foucault’nun maddi yaşam, maddi kültür ve teknoloji üzerine getirdikleri yaklaşımlarını inceleyerek neoliberal iktidarın eleştirisi için bir eleştiri hattı geliştirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Disiplinler-ötesi bir yaklaşıma sahip çıkan bu inceleme maddi kültür, maddi/gündelik yaşam ve teknoloji ilişkisini toplumsal değişim, iktidar ve kapitalist ekonominin yapısı bağlamında mikro ve makro düzeylerde aralarındaki ilişkinin unsurlarını ve dinamiklerini göstermekte ve açıklamaktadır. Yazı teknoloji ve maddi kültür ilişkisini toplumsal değişim ile süreklilikler ve süreksizlikleri içeren çoğul süreçler meselesi olarak ele almaktadır. Bu değişim ve süreçleri yorumlayan ve açıklayan bir yaklaşım olarak öncelikle Veblen’den hareketle kurumsal ve evrimsel bir çerçeve çıkarılmıştır. Braudel’den hareketle yapısal ve global bir tarih çerçevesinde konu incelenmekte; ardından konu Foucault’nun politik rasyonalite ve iktidar ilişkileri ile kiplerinin çerçevesine taşınmaktadır.
Hidrocefalia de presión normal o síndrome de Hakim y Adams: reporte de dos casos
Authors: Zamora Bastidas Tomas Omar , Cáceres Acosta Manuel Felipe , Cerón Cortes Nathalia Andrea , Zúñiga Cerón Luisa Fernanda , Prado Carlos Andrés
Published: October 2020

Introducción: El término hidrocefalia de presión normal se utiliza para describir el síndrome caracterizado por un aumento del tamaño de los ventrículos y una presión normal del líquido cefalorraquídeo. Existen datos epidemiológicos limitados y aunque puede ser diagnosticada a cualquier edad, la hidrocefalia ocurre generalmente entre la sexta y séptima décadas de la vida. Los criterios diagnósticos incluyen 1) más de un síntoma clásico de la tríada clínica, 2) hallazgos magenológicos y 3) medición de presión de líquido cefalorraquídeo. Aunque existen múltiples estrategias de manejo, la cirugía es la alternativa definitiva; la derivación ventrículo-peritoneal (DVP) es efectiva al retirar el líquido cefalorraquídeo de la cavidad. Descripción de casos: En este artículo se presentan dos casos de pacientes que presentaron hidrocefalia de presión normal y evolución prolongada. Además, se documenta la presencia de la triada clínica y la utilidad terapéutica de la derivación ventrículo-peritoneal.
Pensar los saberes ligados a nuestra práctica docente
Authors: Chois Pilar
Published: October 2020

La contratación de profesores universitarios suele estar sustentada en su especialidad disciplinar y su trayectoria investigativa, pues usualmente se considera que la práctica docente en la educación superior se reduce a técnicas para transmitir información. Por ello, no siempre los directivos consideran indispensable que quienes aspiran a ser docentes en las instituciones que dirigen cuenten con formación en didáctica o pedagogía, ni que tengan experiencia de ese tipo para poder orientar cursos en este nivel.