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This paper assesses the environmental ambition of 2023-2027 Common Agricultural Policy in France. Since conditionality and agri-environment-climate measures are only marginally improved relative to the previous period, attention is focused on the new environmental instrument of the eco-scheme that in France targets the whole farm. Results suggest low environmental progress since almost all French farms would reach the standard level of the eco-scheme by one of the three access paths with unchanged farming practices, and 85% of them would reach the superior level. The percentage of farms at the superior level would be lower for farms specialized in annual crops than for cattle farms. We then show that the payment difference of €20 per hectare between the standard and superior level is probably insufficient for farms specialized in cereals, oilseeds and protein crops to offset the additional cost of the change in farm practices required to move from the standard to the superior level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time, this paper investigates the influence of ordoliberalism (OL) at both the ideational and regulative levels of European integration processes regarding agricultural policy (i.e. CAP), competition policy, and economic and monetary policy (i.e. EMU) in comparison. The analytical key is an operationalisation of OL into five elements. The paper generally confirms the hypotheses proposed that OL was and remains an ideational influence of some importance, without exaggerating this influence, for European integration processes, both at the constitutive level as well as – but less so – at the practical level. However, there are differences in the degree of influence across the various policy areas. The influence is weakest in CAP and strongest in competition policy, but only since the Internal Market was proposed in the mid-1980s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digitalization makes its way into the agri-food sector; thus, new technologies provide conditions for sustainable agricultural production, contributing to "greening" of the agricultural sector. In this paper, we highlight EU as an actor that is able to form networks enhancing cooperation between the main economic and productive actors that seem to be critical for agricultural transition to digitalization. On the other hand, this proves to be a particular tool to achieve the goal of "greening" of the agri-food chain. Emphasis is laid on the extent to which this process is integrated in the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). For the purposes of the article we rely on relational and network-based approaches, providing a holistic framework on the role the EU plays to conceptualize change for sustainable agriculture and agri-food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the main political objectives of Western Balkan (WB) countries/territories is accession into the European Union (EU). From the perspective of the agricultural sector, this implies that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) represents the benchmark for setting their future agricultural policy. This paper analyzes the structure of the currently implemented agricultural policies in the WBs, and their level of harmonization with the CAP. The uncertain nature of the final date of EU accession, and changing nature of the CAP, may imply that the agricultural policy choice in the WBs is an outcome of the EU's accession requirements and domestic political pressures. We developed a conceptual framework to define the key harmonization principles of agricultural policiesand the Agricultural Policy Measures (APM) classification scheme to gain a detailed understanding of the existing agricultural support in the WBs. While the WBs is committed to adhere to the CAP in future, the agricultural policies actually implemented depart from this declared future planning, and rather reflect domestic political economy interests. The pressures of the EU accession negotiations, and the EU pre-accession support, are the key elements of the EU accession process which push the WBs to adapt their agricultural policies to the CAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

External shocks and policy spillovers have facilitated a gradual shift away from the exceptionalism (exclusive role of agricultural interests) in the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). This article argues that post-Lisbon decision-making rules and procedures, against some of the expectations, slowed this process. First, the parallel veto-based negotiations on the bloc's finances gave status quo actors the opportunity to influence the CAP indirectly (by blocking the redistribution of CAP funds) and directly (through package deals). Second, the co-decision procedure allowed the ministers of agriculture and the European Parliament's Committee of agriculture to change the proposals of the more reform-minded Commission more easily. The argument is supported by the case of the CAP 2023–2027 reform, which resulted in limited changes given the Brexit-related cut in CAP funding (external shock) and the inclusion of environmental targets as part of the European Green Deal (policy spillover effects). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the problems that arise when seeking to evaluate policies for the multifunctionality of agriculture (MFA) and rural areas. The focus is on the conceptual frameworks, methods, tools and data that are used to evaluate policies and regulations that impact upon or are targeted at agriculture and rural space. The paper builds upon a review of policy evaluation practice and experiences in six different EU member states and a summary review among Central and Eastern European Countries, carried out as part of the EU-funded MULTAGRI research project (for more information on the project see www.multagri.net). The evaluation methods and the agricultural functions that the policies address differ widely between countries. Until now, the focus of MFA has primarily been on nature protection, environmental concerns and landscape conservation. Other dimensions of multifunctionality, such as community services, renewable energy sources, recreation and leisure and linkages with non-agricultural development (for example in gastronomy and tourism) have been largely neglected. As a result, multifunctionality is not yet understood as a way of addressing concerns about economic, social and environmental sustainability. This paper argues that classic evaluation tools, such as cost-benefit analysis and other economic models are not, by themselves sufficient to evaluate the MFA and rural areas. It argues that more comprehensive and integrated approaches need to be adopted, that are more focussed on the potential of agriculture to fulfil new societal goals, contribute to rural employment and improve the viability of rural, particularly less favoured areas (this potential of MFA is described in more detail in the introductory article to this issue). The concluding section argues the need to build better links between quantitative tools and qualitative, discursive and consultative approaches. Ways are sketched out for developing more comprehensive and integrated evaluation approaches that might provide more detailed insights into the complex interrelationships between policy impacts, the MFA and rural areas and their future development. The suggested improvements draw on the notions of joint learning, holistic systems approaches and trans-disciplinary knowledge production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that the Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture (URAA) introduced the market liberal paradigm as the ideational underpinning of the new farm trade regime. Though the immediate consequences in terms of limitations on agricultural support and protection were very modest, the Agreement did impact on the way in which domestic farm policy evolves. It forced EU agricultural policy makers to consider the agricultural negotiations when reforming the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The new paradigm in global farm trade resulted in a process of institutional layering in which concerns raised in the World Trade Organization (WTO) were gradually incorporated in EU agricultural institutions. This has resulted in gradual reform of the CAP in which policy instruments have been changed in order to make the CAP more WTO compatible. The underlying paradigm, the state-assisted paradigm, has been sustained though it has been rephrased by introducing the concept of multifunctionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has undergone different reforms often presented as a historical evolutionary process in which old policy instruments are replaced by new measures. In this paper we explore the current nature and developments of the CAP by interviewing experts closely involved in the reforms either as commentators or lobbyists. The results show a policy historically built by an additive process of layering specific instruments on top of the others. This multilayered nature implies structural challenges. Interviews reveal a strong dispute between powerful lobby groups and their paradigms for more space within the CAP. Current developments include the effort for incorporating environmental issues within the CAP promoted by environmentalists and the proposal for sustainable intensification promoted by farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Towards a Policy Model of Multifunctional Agriculture and Rural Development project explored the complex interrelationships between policies, the multiple functions of farming, the development of rural regions and the quality of life of their inhabitants. It demonstrated that the same policy interventions in different regions could lead to varying outcomes depending on the local economic, social and environmental contexts.This paper builds on previous work by Johnson et al. and Bryden et al. It further explores these relationships and evaluates the extent to which social, economic and environmental variables are affected by the implementation of policy in different jurisdictions. We compare Hordaland in Norway with Västerbotten in Sweden. Results support the conclusions of Bryden et al. and sustain the notion that Hordaland agriculture is more ‘multifunctional’ than Västerbotten and stress the link between rural and agricultural policies, and quality of life in rural regions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

SPEP-NC information offers new possibilities for object-oriented data management. A strong need for high information content and the increasing object-oriented CAM software requires a new information level for preparation and execution tasks in part manufacturing. This paper describes applications of different intelligent methods especially to support distributed technological data management. The problem of current technological databases will be solved with the help of agent technology and machine learning for distributed information on the shop floor and in planning departments. The authors introduce a combination of agent-based organization and self-learning of feature-based technological information. The prototype includes three components for coordination, data acquisition and preprocessing of technological information to assist human engineers in planning and manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing multidimensionality of agriculture, linking the domain with environmental, trade and food safety concerns, has mobilized new policy actors bringing new preferences and ideas into the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) debate. This article investigates the extent to which this has contributed to Environmental Policy Integration (EPI) in the CAP. It puts forward the claim that an incomplete transformation in European agricultural policy from exceptionalism to post-exceptionalism explains the limited extent of EPI in the CAP. This claim is substantiated by a longitudinal comparative analysis of the CAP reforms over the last two decades, applying a multidimensional concept of EPI as process (how the formal and informal procedures and institutions in place allow for the integration of environmental concerns in policy deliberation), output (the translation of such concerns in changes in policies) and outcome (the performance of the new policies in terms of environmental benefits). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study reflects on the conceptualisation of wild animals as co-creators. Its purpose is to encourage reflection about the role of animals in wildlife tourism. Therefore, to this end – and in the belief that diversity and creativity are important elements in critical thinking – the study was developed by a research team with diverse professional backgrounds. It adopts a fictional methodological approach, employing a fictive dialogue between a tourist joining a swim-with-dolphins tour and a dolphin and draws upon recent scholarly contributions on animals from the perspective of various disciplines, including philosophy, biology and tourism, The study's most important contribution comes in the form of a discussion of the co-creation concept from a critical perspective, based on innovative and explicitly-described ontological, epistemological and methodological considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Colonoscopy reduces the risk of colorectal cancer, by interrupting the adenoma-carcinoma sequence enabling the detection and removal of adenomas before they turn into colorectal cancer. Colonoscopy has its limitations as adenoma miss rates as high as 25% have been reported. The reasons for missed pathology are complicated and multi-factorial. The recent drive to improve adenoma detection rates has led to a plethora of new technologies. Areas covered: An increasing number of advanced endoscopes and distal attachment devices have appeared in the market. Advanced endoscopes aim to improve mucosal visualization by widening the field of view. Distal attachment devices aim to increase adenoma detection behind folds by flattening folds on withdrawal. In this review article, we discuss the three following distal attachment devices: the transparent cap, the Endocuff, and the Endoring. Expert commentary: The authors believe that the distal attachment devices will have a greater benefit for endoscopists with low baseline adenoma detection rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction; Adults, particularly those with underlying chronic conditions, eg, cardiovascular, liver, and pulmonary diseases and diabetes mellitus, have a persistent pneumococcal disease burden. Thirteen-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) is recommended in the United States for all adults aged ≥65 years and immunocompromised adults aged <65 years to protect against vaccine-serotype (VT) invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and pneumonia. PCV13 is not recommended for immunocompetent adults aged ≥18 years with comorbidities associated with increased pneumococcal disease risk. Areas covered: This US-focused review summarizes PCV13-type IPD and community-acquired pneumonia burden in adults aged <50 years, PCV13 immunogenicity and safety in this population, and adult pneumococcal vaccination recommendations. Expert commentary: Considering (i) PCV13 has demonstrated efficacy against VT-IPD and pneumonia in adults aged ≥65 years (with or without underlying chronic conditions), and (ii) immune responses to PCV13 in younger adults are comparable or better than in older adults, PCV13 would likely have similar efficacy in adults aged <50 years. Recommending PCV13 for at-risk adults aged <50 years would provide direct immunologic benefit of a conjugate vaccine and could address an important unmet medical need for pneumococcal pneumonia prevention. Although not directly addressed here, this benefit would likely extend to at-risk adults aged 50–64 years. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The study aims to explore the potential of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) in improving the topical delivery of capsaicin (CAP) by in vitro and in vivo studies. The lipidic nanoparticles were prepared by solvent diffusion method and were characterized for average particle size, zeta potential and entrapment efficiency. TEM photomicrographs revealed that the particles were nanometric in size. Higher amount of CAP can be encapsulated in the NLCs (87.4 ± 3.28) as compared with SLNs (79.7 ± 2.93%). The cumulative amounts of CAP permeated through the skin and retained in the SC were higher in the case of NLCs as compared with plain drug solution and SLNs. SLNs and NLCs exhibited minimum to no irritation. All the results concluded that NLCs and SLNs have shown a good ability to increase drug accumulation in the various skin layers but NLCs may be a more potential carrier for topical delivery of CAP for an effective therapy of psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document presents the 2012 evidence based guidelines of the Swedish Society of Infectious Diseases for the in- hospital management of adult immunocompetent patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The prognostic score 'CRB-65' is recommended for the initial assessment of all CAP patients, and should be regarded as an aid for decision-making concerning the level of care required, microbiological investigation, and antibiotic treatment. Due to the favourable antibiotic resistance situation in Sweden, an initial narrow-spectrum antibiotic treatment primarily directed at Streptococcus pneumoniae is recommended in most situations. The recommended treatment for patients with severe CAP (CRB-65 score 2) is penicillin G in most situations. In critically ill patients (CRB-65 score 3-4), combination therapy with cefotaxime/macrolide or penicillin G/fluoroquinolone is recommended. A thorough microbiological investigation should be undertaken in all patients, including blood cultures, respiratory tract sampling, and urine antigens, with the addition of extensive sampling for more uncommon respiratory pathogens in the case of severe disease. Recommended measures for the prevention of CAP include vaccination for influenza and pneumococci, as well as smoking cessation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wide spread variation in measurement results of total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) confounds international efforts to develop evidence-based clinical guidelines. Accordingly, NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) in collaboration with CDC National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Ghent University established the Vitamin D Standardization Program (VDSP) in November 2010. VDSP objectives include: (1) standardize 25(OH)D concentration measurements in national health surveys around the world, (2) evaluate survey differences, (3) extend standardization efforts to assay manufacturers, and to clinical, commercial, and research laboratories, (4) promote standardization of emerging metabolites of vitamin D status, and (5) enable the use of standardized data in patient care and public health. An interlaboratory comparison study is being conducted to assess measurement variability among current assays. Participants include national health surveys from Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, South Korea, UK and USA, 15 assay manufacturers, and two external quality assurance programs. CDC will implement a formal laboratory certification program. Standardization activities will use single-donor, fresh-frozen serum collected using the CLSI C37 protocol. Initial assay performance criteria, based on biological variability data, are ≤10 % imprecision and ≤5 % bias in relation to the reference values. An ancillary study on commutability of NIST SRM 972a, external quality assurance testing materials is included. To increase the comparability of existing data from different national surveys, master equations will be developed to facilitate the conversion of already existing national survey data to the NIST-Ghent University reference measurement procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preparation of pH-dependent, time-based and enzyme degradable pellets was investigated for use as an oral colonic drug delivery system. It was expected that drug would be released immediately once the pellets reached the colon. The pellets were prepared using extrusion-spheronizing equipment and subsequently coated with three layers of three functional polymers by an air-suspension technique. The core consisted of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) as a model drug, CaP as an enzyme-degradable material and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as an additive. As far as the three coated layers were concerned, the outer layer was coated with Eudragit L30D-55 for protection against gastrointestinal juices, the intermediate layer was coated with ethylcellulose (EC) to inhibit drug release during passage through the small intestine, and the inner film was coated with pectin for swelling and enzyme-degradation, which required a 30, 10, and 12% weight gain, respectively. Several micromeritic properties of the core pellets, including particle size distribution, particle size, degree of circularity, and friability, were evaluated to investigate the effects of the formulations of the cores and preparation conditions. Also, dissolution testing of the cores showed that the presence of calcium pectinate (CaP) markedly increased the drug release rate from the cores, as determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In-vitro release studies indicated that the coated pellets completely protected the drug release in 0.1 mol/L HCl, while the drug release was delayed for 3-4 hr in pH 6.8 PBS. A synergistic effect of enzyme dependence for the coated pellets was seen following removal of the coated layer and during contact with colonic enzymes. Consequently, it was possible to achieve colon-specific drug delivery using this triple-dependence system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Static load tests on pile group with prototype size were carried out in order to study the behavior and the working properties of the cap—pile group—soil interaction in the pile group foundation. The soil resistance under the cap, the pile shaft resistance and the tip resistance were measured by installing various measuring gauges. Based on these test results, the cap—pile group—soil interaction characteristics were analyzed. The regulations of the soil reaction on the cap, the shaft resistance and the tip resistance of pile, the mechanism of load transfer have been discussed with comparison to the result of the single pile tests. The bearing capacity of pile group is greater than the sum of the bearing capacity of the single pile obtained from testing in the same site in pile group foundation in the case presented here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyses the 2003 reform of the EU Common Agricultural Policy. On the basis of rational choice theory, it addresses to two basic questions: first, which processes led to the 2003 CAP reform? And second, how can the actual content of the reform — with, for example, increased bureaucratisation and more diffuse implementation — be accounted for? The article concludes that it is possible to rationally answer the two questions and that the external pressure resulting from the impending WTO negotiations represented a necessary, if insufficient, condition for reform. In order to arrive at an adequate explanation, an account of the policy entrepreneurship on the part of Commissioner Franz Fischler must also be given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymers usually utilized for gastroresistant film coating of tablets or pellets such as cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP), cellulose acetate trimellitate (CAT), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalate (HPMCP), and Eudragit L and S were used in the preparation of drug/polymer matrix tablets. These tablets were prepared either by direct compression of both powders or by the formulation of microspheres that were then compressed. The microspheres were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X-ray diffractometry analyses. Dissolution studies were finally carried out to verify if the tablets possessed gastroresistant or controlled-release characteristics. Except for Eudragit L, the polymers can be used under certain conditions in the formulation of modified-release tablets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]