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Much of the Baltic Sea is currently classified as ‘affected by eutrophication’. The causes for this are twofold. First, current levels of nutrient inputs (nitrogen and phosphorus) from human activities exceed the natural processing capacity with an accumulation of nutrients in the Baltic Sea over the last 50–100 years. Secondly, the Baltic Sea is naturally susceptible to nutrient enrichment due to a combination of long retention times and stratification restricting ventilation of deep waters. Here, based on a unique data set collated from research activities and long-term monitoring programs, we report on the temporal and spatial trends of eutrophication status for the open Baltic Sea over a 112-year period using the HELCOM Eutrophication Assessment Tool (HEAT 3.0). Further, we analyse variation in the confidence of the eutrophication status assessment based on a systematic quantitative approach using coefficients of variation in the observations. The classifications in our assessment indicate that the first signs of eutrophication emerged in the mid-1950s and the central parts of the Baltic Sea changed from being unaffected by eutrophication to being affected. We document improvements in eutrophication status that are direct consequences of long-term efforts to reduce the inputs of nutrients. The reductions in both nitrogen and phosphorus loads have led to large-scale alleviation of eutrophication and to a healthier Baltic Sea. Reduced confidence in our assessment is seen more recently due to reductions in the scope of monitoring programs. Our study sets a baseline for implementation of the ecosystem-based management strategies and policies currently in place including the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directives and the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan.

The variable fractional-delay (FD) filter structure by Tassart and Depalle performs Lagrange interpolation in an efficient way. We point out that this structure directly corresponds to Newton's interpolation (backward difference) formula, hence we prefer to refer to it as the Newton FD filter. This structure does not function correctly when the fractional delay is made time-variant, e.g., in sample rate conversion. We present a simple modification that enables time-variant usage such as fractional sample rate conversion and nonuniform resampling. We refer to the new structure as the Newton (interpolator) structure. Almost all advantages of the Newton FD structure are preserved. Furthermore, we suggest that by transposing the Newton interpolator we obtain the transposed Newton structure which can be used in decimation as well as reconstruction of nonuniformly sampled signals, analogously to the transposed Farrow structure. The presented structures are a competitive alternative for the Farrow structure family when low complexity and flexibility are required.

Background: A two-year action project to establish the indicators for mental health monitoring in Europe started in 1999 under the sponsorship of the EC Health Monitoring Programme. Aims: This paper reports the results of a pilot survey conducted to test the feasibility of the set of survey indicators proposed. The test phase of the implementation of the set of mental health indicators involved five of the Active Partners (France, Germany, Greece, Finland, and Norway) of the Mental Health Indicators Project. Method: The sample consists of 2059 subjects, 923 men (44.8%) and 1136 (55.2%) women. The number of subjects interviewed in each country ranged between 378 (Norway) and 441 (France). Results: The coverage of collected data was good. However, telephone interviews did not appear to be the method-of-choice for conducting surveys regarding mental health indicators in the future. The prevalence figures of major depression and risk of having a problem with alcohol are in agreement with the major European studies. Conclusions: The set of indicators could be easily incorporated into general health surveys, as the interviews conducted were not time-consuming. The results supported the view that the citizens interviewed have found the survey easily acceptable. Declaration of interest: None. © Shadowfax Publishing and Informa UK Ltd.

Background: This paper is a part of the work of the group that carried out the report "The state of the mental health in Europe" (European Commission, DG Health and Consumer Protection, 2004) and deals with the mental health issues related to the migration in Europe. Methods: The paper tries to describe the social, demographical and political context of the emigration in Europe and tries to indicate the needs and (mental) health problems of immigrants. A review of the literature concerning mental health risk in immigrant is also carried out. The work also faces the problem of the health policy toward immigrants and the access to health care services in Europe. Results: Migration during the 1990s has been high and characterised by new migrations. Some countries in Europe, that have been traditionally exporters of migrants have shifted to become importers. Migration has been a key force in the demographic changes of the European population. The policy of closed borders do not stop migration, but rather seems to set up a new underclass of so-called "illegals" who are suppressed and highly exploited. In 2000 there were also 392.200 asylum applications. The reviewed literature among mental health risk in some immigrant groups in Europe concerns: I) highest rate of schizophrenia; suicide; alcohol and drug abuse; access of psychiatric facilities; risk of anxiety and depression; mental health of EU immigrants once they returned to their country; early EU immigrants in today disadvantaged countries; refugees and mental health. Due to the different condition of migration concerning variables as: motivation to migrations (e.g. settler, refugees, gastarbeiters); distance for the host culture; ability to develop mediating structures; legal residential status it is impossible to consider "migrants" as a homogeneous group concerning the risk for mental illness. In this sense, psychosocial studies should be undertaken to identify those factors which may under given conditions, imply an increased risk of psychiatric disorders and influence seeking for psychiatric care. Comments and remarks: Despite in the migrants some vulnerable groups were identified with respect to health problems, in many European countries there are migrants who fall outside the existing health and social services, something which is particularly true for asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants. In order to address these deficiencies, it is necessary to provide with an adequate financing and a continuity of the grants for research into the multicultural health demand. Finally, there is to highlight the importance of adopting an integrated approach to mental health care that moves away from psychiatric care only. © 2005 Carta et al; licensee BioMed Central. Ltd.

Publication in the conference proceedings of EUSIPCO, Toulouse, France, 2002