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Objective: The Scale of Emotional Development--Short (SED-S) is an instrument to assess the level of emotional development (ED) in people with intellectual and developmental disability. Index cases are developed as a didactic tool to standardize the application of the scale. Method: In a stepwise process, a European working group from six countries developed five index cases, one for each level of ED. All cases were first scored by 20 raters using the SED-S and then rephrased to reduce inter-rater variations (SD > 0.5). Results: All five index cases yielded overall ratings that matched the intended level of ED. Across the range of ED, "Regulating Affect" needed rephrasing most to ensure a distinct description within each level of ED. Conclusions: The tri-lingual, cross-cultural evolution of five index cases contributes to a standardized application of the SED-S and can serve as training material to improve the inter-rater reliability of the SED-S across different cultures and languages.

Europe has faced a massive spread of the varicella-zoster virus through the years. Since the introduction of an effective vaccine, complications and severe forms of chickenpox have been restricted. Nevertheless, among the population, some categories need specific care, such as pregnant women, who present one of the most fragile conditions facing this infection, both for the mother and the fetus. In this review, we highlight how the varicella-zoster virus can be dangerous during pregnancy, underlining the problem of treatment and vaccination, and collect information about the European epidemiology among this particular category of women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Courts decisions following the VW diesel emissions scandal, widely known as 'dieselgate', reveal a serious lack of European harmonization in the enforcement of Consumer Law thereby undermining consumer protection and uniformity across member states. This article presents an overview of the legal implications of the cheating emission scandal in the US and EU. Focusing on the EU perspective on the 'dieselgate' scandal, the essay analyses the first Italian judgment that awarded limited compensation to the buyer of a vehicle who was misled by the emission cheating device. The outcomes of the Italian litigation, especially when compared with successful US class actions, suggest that there is a need to strengthen consumer rights in Europe. The article further suggests that sustainability declarations contained in advertisements need to be better regulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intellectual disability (ID) has consequences at all stages of life, requires high service provision and leads to high health and societal costs. However, ID is largely disregarded as a health issue by national and international organisations, as are training in ID and in the health aspects of ID at every level of the education system. Specific aim: This paper aims to (1) update the current information about availability of training and education in ID and related health issues in Europe with a particular focus in mental health; and (2) to identify opportunities arising from the initial process of educational harmonization in Europe to include ID contents in health sciences curricula and professional training. Method: We carried out a systematic search of scientific databases and websites, as well as policy and research reports from the European Commission, European Council and WHO. Furthermore, we contacted key international organisations related to health education and/or ID in Europe, as well as other regional institutions. Results: ID modules and contents are minimal in the revised health sciences curricula and publications on ID training in Europe are equally scarce. European countries report few undergraduate and graduate training modules in ID, even in key specialties such as paediatrics. Within the health sector, ID programmes focus mainly on psychiatry and psychology. Conclusion: The poor availability of ID training in health sciences is a matter of concern. However, the current European policy on training provides an opportunity to promote ID in the curricula of programmes at all levels. This strategy should address all professionals working in ID and it should increase the focus on ID relative to other developmental disorders at all stages of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perturbations induced by edge density fluctuations on electron cyclotron wave beams propagating in fusion plasmas are studied by means of a quasi-optical code. The effects of such fluctuations are illustrated here by showing the beam propagation in the case of single harmonic perturbations to the wave phase front. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]