Testing The Convergence Hypothesis Using Time Series Techniques: The Case Of Greece 1971-1996

Over the last five years, few issues have proven more controversial in empirical economics than the so-called convergence hypothesis.  This paper considers the issue of convergence across Greek regions, using time series techniques.  Our empirical results support the popular view prevailing in Greece about the existence of dualism across the Southern and Northern regions of Greece.  A possible explanation for this may be the lack of experience that the poor countries (like Greece) have in comparison with the rich ones.  The rich countries have the combined ability to educate themselves as they grow rich and the endogenous ability to accumulate the knowledge upon which these efforts are made.  Also, the same argument can be used as an explanation for the regional differences -the fact that the poor regions do not have previous experience and knowledge for efficient investments

Regenerative Endodontic Technique using a combination of Amoxicillin and Metronidazole. A review and report of two cases

The management of non vital anterior permanent teeth in children is a challenge for the clinicians. Once the tooth becomes non vital, the root development ceases, which renders the tooth weak and unable to withstand the physiological forces of mastication. This results in a high fracture rate, and therefore a poor prognosis in the medium to long term. Recently there has been a paradigm shift in the approach to this clinical problem through the use of regenerative endodontics. Despite many case reports, and a few case series that have been reported, the procedure is still shrouded in uncertainty as differing interventions have been used, though broadly based on similar principles. In the Department of Paediatric Dentistry at the Leeds Dental Institute we have used a particular regenerative endodontic technique (RET), using a mixture of two antibiotics (Amoxicillin and Metronidazole). In this paper, we aim to present the rationale for this technique and present two cases successfully treated and followed for up to two years

DEVELOPING A METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE PARTICIPATORY MEASUREMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY

The measurement of sustainability can provide significant information in order to plan and implement environmental policies. Several methods have been proposed in the literature in order to select the appropriate indicators along with a variety of techniques for their measurement. These methods are often divided in two main categories: a) a top-down approach where the selection of sustainability indicators is often based on the decision of scientists and policy-makers and b) a bottom-up approach where local stakeholders influence the selection and the measurement of indicators. In this paper we propose a methodological framework which allows the selection of sustainability indicators based on scientific research but at the same time allows citizens to influence both the selection of indicators and their measurement. The benefits of the specific methodological framework are two: a) to incorporate in different stages of the measurement the opinions of local stakeholders, b) to assist in policy decision-making through the assessment of the current situation of sustainability

Comparative transcriptome analysis of equine alveolar macrophages

Reasons for performing study: Alveolar macrophages (AMs) are the first line of defence against pathogens in the lungs of all mammalian species and thus may constitute appropriate therapeutic target cells in the treatment and prevention of opportunistic airway infections. Therefore, acquiring a better understanding of equine macrophage biology is of paramount importance in addressing this issue in relation to the horse. Objectives: To compare the transcriptome of equine AMs with that of equine peritoneal macrophages (PMs) and to investigate the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on equine AM. Study design: Gene expression study of equine AMs. Methods: Cells from both bronchoalveolar and peritoneal lavage fluid were isolated from systemically healthy horses that had been submitted to euthanasia. Cells were cryopreserved. RNA was extracted and comparative microarray analyses were performed in AMs and PMs, and in AMs treated and untreated with LPS. Comparisons with published data derived from human AM studies were made, with particular focus on LPS-induced inflammatory status. Results: The comparison between AMs and PMs revealed the differential basal expression of 451 genes. Gene expression analysis revealed an alternative (M2) macrophage polarisation profile in AMs and a hybrid macrophage activation profile in PMs, a phenomenon potentially attributable to a degree of induced endotoxin tolerance. The gene expression profile of equine AMs following LPS stimulation revealed significant changes in the expression of 240 genes, including well-known upregulated inflammatory genes. This LPS-induced gene expression profile of equine AMs more closely resembles that of human rather than murine macrophages. Conclusions: This study improves current understanding of equine macrophage biology. These data suggest that the horse may represent a suitable animal model for the study of human macrophage-associated lung inflammation and data derived from human macrophage studies may have significant relevance to the horse

Assessment of listing and categorisation of animal diseases within the framework of the Animal Health Law (Regulation (EU) 2016/429): Bacterial kidney disease (BKD)

Bacterial kidney disease (BKD) was assessed according to the criteria of the Animal Health Law (AHL), in particular the criteria of Article 7 on disease profile and impacts, Article 5 on its eligibility to be listed, Annex IV for its categorisation according to disease prevention and control rules as laid out in Article 9 and Article 8 for listing animal species related to BKD. The assessment was performed following the ad hoc method on data collection and assessment developed by AHAW Panel and already published. The outcome reported is the median of the probability ranges provided by the experts, which indicates whether each criterion is fulfilled (lower bound <= 66%) or not (upper bound >= 33%), or whether there is uncertainty about fulfilment. Reasoning points are reported for criteria with an uncertain outcome. According to this assessment, BKD can be considered eligible to be listed for Union intervention according to Article 5 of the AHL (66-90% probability). According to the criteria in Annex IV, for the purpose of categorisation related to the level of prevention and control as in Article 9 of the AHL, the AHAW Panel concluded that BKD does not meet the criteria in Sections 1, 2 and 3 (Categories A, B and C; 1-5%, 33-66% and 33-66% probability of meeting the criteria, respectively) but meets the criteria in Sections 4 and 5 (Categories D and E; 66-90% and 66-90% probability of meeting the criteria, respectively). The animal species to be listed for BKD according to Article 8 criteria are provided

Assessment of listing and categorisation of animal diseases within the framework of the Animal Health Law (Regulation (EU) 2016/429): infection with Gyrodactylus salaris (GS)

Infection with Gyrodactylus salaris was assessed according to the criteria of the Animal Health Law (AHL), in particular, the criteria of Article 7 on disease profile and impacts, Article 5 on its eligibility to be listed, Annex IV for its categorisation according to disease prevention and control rules as laid down in Article 9 and Article 8 for listing animal species related to infection with G. salaris. The assessment was performed following the ad hoc method for data collection and assessment previously developed by AHAW panel and already published. The outcome reported is the median of the probability ranges provided by the experts, which indicates whether each criterion is fulfilled (lower bound >= 66%) or not (upper bound <= 33%), or whether there is uncertainty about fulfilment. Reasoning points are reported for criteria with an uncertain outcome. According to the assessment here performed, it is uncertain whether infection with G. salaris can be considered eligible to be listed for Union intervention according to Article 5 of the AHL (33-70% probability). According to the criteria in Annex IV, for the purpose of categorisation related to the level of prevention and control as in Article 9 of the AHL, the AHAW Panel concluded that Infection with G. salaris does not meet the criteria in Section 1 and 3 (Category A and C; 1-5% and 10-33% probability of fulfilling the criteria, respectively) and it is uncertain whether it meets the criteria in Sections 2, 4 and 5 (Categories B, D and E; 33-80%, 33-66% and 33-80% probability of meeting the criteria, respectively). The animal species to be listed for infection with G. salaris according to Article 8 criteria are provided