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The necrotrophic plant pathogenic bacterium Dickeya solani emerged in the potato agrosystem in Europe. All isolated strains of D. solani contain several large polyketide synthase/non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (PKS/NRPS) gene clusters. Analogy with genes described in other bacteria suggests that the clusters ooc and zms are involved in the production of secondary metabolites of the oocydin and zeamine families, respectively. A third cluster named sol was recently shown to produce an antifungal molecule. In this study, we constructed mutants impaired in each of the three secondary metabolite clusters sol, ooc, and zms to compare first the phenotype of the D. solani wild-type strain D s0432-1 with its associated mutants. We demonstrated the antimicrobial functions of these three PKS/NRPS clusters against bacteria, yeasts or fungi. The cluster sol, conserved in several other Dickeya species, produces a secondary metabolite inhibiting yeasts. Phenotyping and comparative genomics of different D. solani wild-type isolates revealed that the small regulatory RNA ArcZ plays a major role in the control of the clusters sol and zms. A single-point mutation, conserved in some Dickeya wild-type strains, including the D. solani type strain IPO 2222, impairs the ArcZ function by affecting its processing into an active form. Author summary: The development of new antibacterial molecules is critical in tackling the emergence of new pathogens or bacterial strains resistant to already available antibiotics. Bacterial phytopathogens can potentially synthesize novel compounds capable of targeting a specific type of microorganism. Dickeya solani is the only of the twelve described Dickeya species that has the three secondary metabolic pathways sol, ooc and zms. An investigation of the functions of these three clusters allowed us to identify the anti-yeast activity of the sol cluster, a potential new molecule of clinical importance. By comparing the antimicrobial activity of several Dickeya solani strains, we identified the small RNA regulator ArcZ as a critical regulator in the activation of the sol and zms clusters. Our study showed that single-nucleotide polymorphisms of sRNA encoding genes can have huge impacts on bacterial phenotypes. It is thus critical to pay attention to the allele diversity of sRNA genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, I focus on connections between textbook revision forums between 1947 and 1952. I examine the interrelations between the textbook activities of UNESCO, the World Movement of Trade Unions, the international historian conferences in Speyer and two Franco-German co-operation projects. I thus try to understand how these interrelations impacted on the development of each of these forums and on textbook revision in general. I argue that the revision projects were not just embedded within a diplomatic and institutional framework but also in a set of relations that closely linked them, irrespective of their institutional and ideological foundations. Further, I propose to conceive of textbook revision not as an entirely fragmented mosaic of bilateral and multilateral projects, but as a more or less coherent transnational field.

To improve high-resolution numerical environmental prediction, it is essential to represent ocean–atmosphere interactions properly, which is not the case in current operational regional forecasting systems used in western Europe. The objective of this paper is to present a new forecast-oriented coupled ocean–atmosphere system. This system uses the state-of-the-art numerical models AROME (cy43t2) and NEMO (v3.6) with a horizontal resolution of 2.5 km. The OASIS coupler (OASIS3MCT-4.0), implemented in the SurfEX surface scheme and in NEMO, is used to perform the communications between models. A sensitivity study of this system is carried out using 7 d simulations from 12 to 19 October 2018, characterized by extreme weather events (storms and heavy precipitation) in the area of interest. Comparisons with in situ and L3 satellite observations show that the fully coupled simulation reproduces the spatial and temporal evolution of the sea surface temperature and 10 m wind speed quantitatively well. Sensitivity analysis of ocean–atmosphere coupling shows that the use of an interactive and high-resolution sea surface temperature (SST), in contrast to actual numerical weather prediction (NWP) where SST is constant, modifies the atmospheric circulation and the location of heavy precipitation. Simulated oceanic fields show a large sensitivity to coupling when compared to the operational ocean forecast. The comparison to two distinct forced ocean simulations highlights that this sensitivity is mainly controlled by the change in the atmospheric model used to drive NEMO (AROME vs. IFS operational forecast), and less by the interactive air–sea exchanges. In particular, the oceanic boundary layer depths can vary by more than 40 % locally, between the two ocean-only experiments. This impact is amplified by the interactive coupling and is attributed to positive feedback between sea surface cooling and evaporation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive and semi-extensive production based on local swine breeds such as Majorcan Black Pig, Cinta Senese, Gascon, Krškopolje and Turopolje is becoming extremely rare and on the verge of disappearing in Europe. In this context, the main aim of this study was to assess the potential feasibility of marketing strategies to act as guidelines for stakeholders along the supply chain to create and improve added value and match market demands. The sustainability of five production systems was evaluated together with 60 stakeholders representing five local swine breeds, using a World Café (WC) method combined with an Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP). The results showed that the proposed strategies could differ slightly depending on each system, while the product strategy was a common marketing priority for most of the stakeholders and represented all the systems evaluated. Diversifying production toward quality, innovative products, enhanced standardization, and quality labeling or seals of guarantee, such as the protected geographical indication or the protected designation of origin, would contribute to the sustainability of these chains. Advertising the storytelling of the meat products and emphasizing their healthier properties were also considered as positive strategies. To this effect, promotion should involve improving knowledge of the local systems and raising the profile of the meat products via public relations (networks, web pages, food and gastronomic events, workshops and so on) in the Hotels, Restaurants and Catering (HORECA) sector, stores selling top-quality products and local food shops. Better showcasing of these products and keeping the price in the premium segment would indirectly help the primary sector. By way of conclusion, other more developed local swine systems could be strong competitors, hence it is extremely important to effectively identify and trace all autochthonous swine breed products throughout the production chain. Furthermore, the entire chain must place greater emphasis on grazing (extensive or semi-extensive), the origin of the swine and their meat products. However, of utmost importance is cooperation between farms, firms and institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In order to acquire a new military transport aircraft in the 2000s, why did France decide to choose European minilateralism (A400M) rather than the alternative of Franco- American bilateralism (C-17 and C-130)? A "configurational" argument with regard to this decision is developed, using an approach that looks at the historical sociology of a political economy in arms procurement in Europe, derived from the work of Norbert Elias. This argument explains France's choice of a minilateral Europe as resulting from the effect of social interdependence that is conceptualised by the notion of "configuration". Establishing the positions adopted by French state and industrial actors required two years of fieldwork (2012 --2014). A total of 105 semi-structured interviews were conducted with French actors (political, military, administrative, and industrial) who took part in the negotiations from the mid-1970 to the early 2000s. Beyond presenting this data, this article contributes to the development of international political sociology by making the concept of configuration operational. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gem-bearing reliquary known as the Talisman of Charlemagne is closely associated with the history of Europe. Its legend follows such figures as Charlemagne, Napoleon I, Empress Josephine, Hortense de Beauharnais, Napoleon III, and Empress Eugénie. This study provides new historical information collected in France, Germany, and Switzerland about the provenance of this exceptional jewel, which contains a large glass cabochon on the front, a large blue-gray sapphire on the back, and an assortment of colored stones and pearls. The first scientific gemological analysis of this historical piece, carried out on-site at the Palace of Tau Museum in Reims, France, has made it possible to identify the colored stones and offer insight into their possible geographic origins. Based on our data and comparison with similar objects of the Carolingian period, we propose that the blue-gray sapphire is of Ceylonese (Sri Lankan) origin, that the garnets originate from India or Ceylon, and that most of the emeralds are from Egypt except for one from the Habachtal deposit of Austria. The estimated weight of the center sapphire is approximately 190 ct, making it one of the largest known sapphires as of the early seventeenth century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Innovative Medicines Initiative is a public-private partnership between the European Union and the pharmaceuticals industry that was established in 2008, with an overall budget of €5.3 billion from 2008 until 2024. The objective of the initiative is to boost pharmaceutical innovation in Europe and speed up the development of innovative medicines, vaccines and medical technologies, in particular in areas with high unmet needs. This article discusses the objectives of the initiative, its governance and main results and impact. The initiative has proved to be a unique platform for multi-stakeholder collaborations across Europe. It has contributed to the acceleration of the development process for medicines, from drug discovery to clinical development. The initiative has made important steps towards accessing and using real-world evidence for pharmaceutical research and development, and for healthcare decision-making. Several projects have contributed to a better understanding of the causes of diseases, and some are already delivering results, such as a vaccine against Ebola virus. The initiative has also significantly contributed to building capacity and resources for open use by the broader research and innovation community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to secure their fishery products market share in the EU, third countries, especially the developing ones, tend to transplant EU requirements into their domestic legal order. In reality, theses transplanted laws do not correspond to measures to reach a level of protection needed by the country of destination. Based upon the case of Benin, this paper intends to show that when these legal transplants are adversely made, they can in some cases have disastrous effects. It can be argued that an unintended result of EU policy was that it contributed to the collapse of the shrimp industry in Benin. The paper moreover argues that despite the stringency of the EU requirements, the implementation of its control policy might inadequately protect European consumers of shrimp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the challenges posed by an extraterritorial application of the Chinese anti-monopoly law that avoids trade conflicts. It describes the emergence of extraterritorial application of antitrust law in the U.S. and Europe and presents a comparison of both the approaches. It reflects on the economic implications related with extraterritorial application of antitrust laws.

This paper analyzes the preferences of European defense actors vis-a-vis the European security and defense policy (ESDP) with a view to identifying the main ideational points of convergence and fault lines that structure this policy domain. In an exploratory analysis that relies on an original data-set compiled from systematic interviews conducted with 73 ESDP actors in France, the UK, Germany, and Brussels, we address two research questions. First, what do ESDP actors think about ESDP? Second, can we classify their preferences according to sociological factors that underpin the ESDP domain? To conceptualize the belief system of ESDP actors, we propose a typology that distinguishes (1) the social context in which ESDP actors are embedded and (2) the specific ESDP aspects about which preferences are shaped. Our results suggest that both national and occupational variables play an important role in explaining the preferences of ESDP actors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cereal–legume intercrops are gaining increasing interest in Europe. Modelling, by taking into account the complexity of species interactions, can be a very useful tool to study such systems and to test new strategies in various soil and climatic conditions. The present work describes the adaptation of an intercrop model for pea–barley intercrops through the extrapolation of the STICS sole crop model and its parameterisation from experimental data recorded on sole crops. Several improvements have been added to the existing crop model to allow an inversion of dominance in height between species during the crop cycle and a trophic link between crop growth rate and the potential for N2 fixation. A 2-year dataset on pea and barley sole crops grown under non-limiting water conditions and with full crop protection was first used for calibration. The intercrop model was subsequently tested on experimental datasets of pea–barley intercrops grown under the same conditions as the sole crops. The intercrop experiments used to test the intercrop model differed in soil type, soil N supply and plant densities of each species. The development of the intercrop model through the extrapolation of the sole crop model and its parameterisation from experimental data recorded in sole crops allowed an accurate simulation of the interactions for nitrogen between intercropped species. The simulated crop growth, N accumulation and N2 fixation in intercrops were in agreement with the observations from the experimental dataset. Moreover the behaviour of the model was consistent with the general knowledge about those intercropping systems. However the simulation of competition for light needs to be improved, especially the simulation of height growth. A thorough validation on many data sets, independent of those used for parameterisation, is still required. This model needs to be tested under a wider range of situations and for other limiting factors than nitrogen occurring in low-input farming systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The coverage of catastrophic risks, and in particular of industrial and technological risks, raises multiple questions. As nuclear risk is considered to be a special risk, its coverage is not provided in a traditional way. One of the problems in coverage of the nuclear risk is that operators today still to a large extent rely upon insurers. However, nuclear insurance is provided through national pools that operate on a non-competitive basis. These pools are costly for operators and the damage covered remains insufficient. Given their dissatisfaction with these insurance pools, many nuclear operators are now looking for alternatives. Relying on the previous work of Faure and Skogh, the goal of this paper is to examine whether a risk-sharing by nuclear operators could constitute a serious alternative for the current coverage system. In order to examine this alternative we will place it in a concrete context of nuclear operators in Europe. Moreover, we do not merely want to sketch the theoretical possibilities of a risk-sharing by operators (as this has been done before in the literature). We will in addition also examine the financial consequences for nuclear operators in Europe of such a risk-sharing agreement.The Geneva Papers (2008) 33, 288–322. doi:10.1057/gpp.2008.7 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the various approaches legislators may use to compensate victims of catastrophes. Traditional law and economics of insurance literature, with respect to government relief and insurance solutions towards financial compensation, is used to analyze (highly diverging) approaches in Europe and the United States. First, the importance of liability (insurance) is discussed in cases where a liable injurer can be identified; second, the possibilities of first-party insurance are examined, whereby various regulatory solutions (particularly the French model of providing mandatory coverage for catastrophes) is critically discussed. The (first-party) insurance solution is compared with public intervention, and a distinction is made between ad hoc government relief on an ex-post basis and structural compensation funds. The solutions applied and discussed in many countries are critically analyzed for their ability to provide adequate compensation at low costs and their effects on incentives for prevention and for developing private (insurance) solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of management methods based on so-called positive approaches is growing apace in the United States and beginning to make inroads in Europe, buoyed by an ever-increasing body of research both underlining their effectiveness and providing their theoretical base. Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is one of the most frequently used among these new approaches and has often been reported as successful in generating "transformational" change, i.e., a change that leaves the organization demonstrably different. Since the ability to effect periodic transformational change is vital to the survival of any organization, the claims made for the greater efficacy of AI compared to traditional methods should be evaluated and the methodology understood so that it may be used to best effect. This article has been written from a practitioner's point of view. It is intended to demonstrate what made the use of AI successful in generating transformational change in a number of cases, while providing some practical guidance that may be of use to organizations wishing to effect similar transformational changes in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The existence of a large-scale population structure was investigated in Arabidopsis thaliana by studying patterns of polymorphism in a set of 71 European accessions. We used sequence polymorphism surveyed in 10 fragments of ∼600 nucleotides and a set of nine microsatellite markers. Population structure was investigated using a model-based inference framework. Among the accessions studied, the presence of four groups was inferred using genetic data, without using prior information on the geographical origin of the accessions. Significant genetic isolation by geographical distance was detected at the group level, together with a geographical gradient in allelic richness across groups. These results are discussed with respect to the previously proposed scenario of postglacial colonization of Europe from putative glacial refugia. Finally, the contribution of the inferred structure to linkage disequilibrium among 171 pairs of essentially unlinked markers was also investigated. Linkage disequilibrium analysis revealed that significant associations detected in the whole sample were mainly due to genetic differentiation among the inferred groups. We discuss the implication of this finding for future association studies in A. thaliana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the compensation for oil pollution damage as arranged in the international conventions from a law and economics perspective. Details of oil spill incidents in Europe and the U.S.; Discussion of the Coase theorem and the liability rule; Reason behind the creation of the International Convention on Civil Liability Convention for Oil Pollution Damage of 1969 and the International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Oil Pollution Damage of 1971.

Abstract In order to update the epidemiological and mycological profile of candidaemia in Europe, the European Confederation of Medical Mycology conducted a prospective, sequential, hospital population-based study from September 1997 to December 1999. A total of 2,089 cases were documented by 106 institutions in seven European countries. Rates of candidaemia ranging from 0.20 to 0.38 per 1,000 admissions were reported. Candida albicans was identified in 56% of cases. Non-albicans Candida species were most frequently isolated from patients with haematological malignancies (65%). With increasing age, an increasing incidence of Candida glabrata was seen. The 30-day mortality rate was 37.9%. The survey results underline the burden of candidaemia in a wide range of patient populations, confirm the importance of non-albicans species, and provide baseline data for future surveillance studies at a European level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Argues that the duty towards criminal enforcement seems ineffective and can potentially even be counter productive in Europe. Theoretical foundation for a European intervention in the area of environmental criminal law; Focus on the proposal for a directive presented by the European Commission in 2001; Competence of the Commission under the so-called 'first pillar.'

The possibility of gene flow between cultivated and wild species of different crops was assessed, focussing on sunflower and its wild relatives or cultivated forms (annual Helianthus annuus, H. argophyllus, H. bolanderi, H. petiolaris, and perennial H. rigidus, H. tuberosus). Data were compiled from the literature and an attempt was made at determining the efficiency of possible crosses between annual and perennial species. The risk of a cultivated allele escaping from sunflower to uncontrolled forms (volunteers, H. annuus and H. tuberosus feral forms) was addressed, the fate of such alleles in the wild also being examined. An attempt was made to define some of the pressures likely to limit the spread of wild forms in nature, or that could prevent or impede the spread and increase the frequency of alleles from cultivated plants. Risks of spread of transgenes from sunflower varieties in Europe where feral forms are present but no natural Helianthus species were assessed. The emergence of transgenic or biologically engineered varieties of sunflower demands that attention be focussed on this field. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper some studies with respect to empirical socio-economic research which has been undertaken in Belgium and the Netherlands concerning the functioning of legal rules and institutions are discussed. The paper focuses on the domains of criminal law, civil procedure, liability and insurance. The paper argues that contrary to the overwhelming economic literature on liability and insurance, the empirical results in that domain are poor. More research is undertaken in the area of criminal law and apparently it is overwhelming in the area of civil procedure. The latter studies are, however, mainly undertaken by socio-legal scholars and less by economists. The general conclusion of the empirical studies discussed seems to be that while the empirical literature on the effect of changes in the decision making environment on rational actions in the legal system is rich and provocative, there is much less empirical testing of the effects of legal rules as such on allocational outcomes. The paper argues that much more effort should be devoted to the latter issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines whether there are economic reasons for a harmonization of product safety and product liability in Europe. Mode by which Europe has traditionally justified harmonization of product liability and product safety; Analysis of the areas which may be centralized at the European level; Effectiveness of the European product liability directive.

Argues against the exemption of the insurance industry from the applicability of the antitrust rules implemented by the European Commission. Author's assertion that the conditions for an exemption are not met; Concern over the impact of the exemption on the liberalization of insurance markets.

Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) is a bacterium that causes black rot of crucifers. The greatest losses of brassica crop production usually result from seed-borne infection, but carry-over of inoculum in field soil may also be possible. The aim of this study was to monitor persistence of Xcc in field soil in central Europe using a conventional PCR assay with hrpF primers and a two-step nested real-time PCR assay using Zur primers. The work has demonstrated that nested real-time PCR can be used to improve the analytical sensitivity for detection of Xcc in soil compared to conventional PCR, and that Xcc may persist in soil for up to two years following an infected brassica crop in central European climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pectobacterium brasiliense (Pbr) is considered as one of the most virulent species among the Pectobacteriaceae. This species has a broad host range within horticulture crops and is well distributed elsewhere. It has been found to be pathogenic not only in the field causing blackleg and soft rot of potato, but it is also transmitted via storage causing soft rot of other vegetables. Genomic analysis and other cost-effective molecular detection methods such as a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) are essential to investigate the ecology and pathogenesis of the Pbr. The lack of fast, field deployable point-of-care testing (POCT) methods, specific control strategies and current limited genomic knowledge make management of this species difficult. Thus far, no comprehensive review exists about Pbr, however there is an intense need to research the biology, detection, pathogenicity and management of Pbr, not only because of its fast distribution across Europe and other countries but also due to its increased survival to various climatic conditions. This review outlines the information available in peer-reviewed literature regarding host range, detection methods, genomics, geographical distribution, nomenclature and taxonomical evolution along with some of the possible management and control strategies. In summary, the conclusions and a further directions highlight the management of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction:  The aim of this study was to assess the management of short-bowel syndrome (SBS) at the time of primary surgery, and the strategies used to facilitate enteral autonomy depending on the institutional expertise., Materials and Methods:  An online questionnaire was sent in 2019 to members of The European Pediatric Surgeons' Association., Results:  Among the 65 responding members (26 countries, 85% from university hospitals), 57% manage less than three new patients with SBS per year (group A), and 43% at least three patients (group B). The cut-off of three patients treated yearly used in our study was defined after statistical analysis of different cut-offs. A multidisciplinary intestinal rehabilitation program is significantly more frequent in group B than in group A (85 and 53%, respectively; p  = 0.009). Considering the primary surgical management of multiple intestinal atresia and congenital ultra-short bowel with jejunal atresia, primary surgical strategies to optimize bowel length are more often used in group B than group A ( p  = 0.09 and p  = 0.04, respectively). A minimum of one intestinal lengthening procedure every 2 to 3 years is significantly more frequent in group B than group A (95 and 45%, respectively; p  = 0.0013). Among the strategies used to promote intestinal adaptation, group B (35%) uses significantly more often glucagon-like peptide 2 analogs than group A (10%) ( p  = 0.02)., Conclusion:  Based on our survey, a minimum number of SBS patients treated yearly is required to manage this challenging disease according to up-to-date medical and surgical strategies. However, whatever their level of expertise is in managing SBS, most of pediatric surgeons are involved in the primary surgery. Medical education programs about SBS should be more largely available to pediatric surgeons., Competing Interests: None declared., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)