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The European Regional policy was started in 1989. After 20 years, a sound review of its results can be done. In 2013 the Italian Mezzogiorno will probably come out from Objective 1 of the Structural Funds (it involves those regions in which GDP per head does not reach 75% of the average for the Union), that is almost 25 years after the beginning of the EU cohesion policy. Has such policy been a successful one for the Italian Mezzogiorno? Even if it may appear a bit provocative, this question is quite legitimate if you look more at the quality and stability of the actual outcomes rather than simply at the quantity of the funds granted within the various cycles (four). The goal of this article is double: to offer some analytical categories (policy learning, institutional performance; assessment and evaluation) and verify, by means of a comparative analysis between the period 1994-1999 and 2000-2006, whether the outcomes reached are coherent to the objectives of the Structural Funds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present study investigated the occurrence of endoparasites in pet squirrels in southern Italy. Fresh fecal samples were collected from 50 asymptomatic pet squirrels belonging to five different species (Callosciurus finlaysonii, n =6, C. prevosti, n =6; Tamias striatus, n =26, T. sibiricus, n =10; Sciurus carolinensis, n =2) housed both in pet shops and/or in private residences. All fecal samples were processed using the FLOTAC pellet technique to identify and count helminth eggs/larvae and protozoan cysts/oocysts. In addition, to detect Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. the samples were analyzed by the Remel Xpect® immunoassay. Helminth eggs were detected in 9 out of 50 squirrels. Specifically, eggs of Dicrocoelium dendriticum were found in 5 squirrels (C. finlaysonii, n =2; C. prevosti, n =2; T. striatus, n =1); eggs of the pinworm Syphacia spp. in 3 squirrels (C. prevosti, n =2; T. striatus, n =1); and eggs of gastrointestinal nematoda (Nippostrongylus-like) were found in 1 subject (C. prevosti). Finally, two squirrels (C. prevosti) had multiple parasitic infections with D. dendriticum and Capillaria hepatica, and with D. dendriticum and Strongyloides spp., respectively. None of the samples were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. or Giardia spp. or any other protozoa (e.g. Eimeria). To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of a D. dendriticum natural infection in pet rodents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]