The new financial stability architecture in the EU

After the introduction of the euro in 1999, the debate on the financial stability architecture in the EU focused on the adequacy of a decentralised setting based on national responsibilities for preventing and managing crises. The Financial Services Action Plan in 1999 and the introduction of the Lamfalussy process for financial regulation and supervision in 2001 enhanced the decentralised arrangements by increasing significantly the level of legal harmonisation and supervisory cooperation. In addition, authorities adopted EU-wide MoUs to safeguard cross-border financial stability. In this context, the financial crisis has proved to be a major challenge to the ongoing process of European financial integration. In particular, momentous events such as the freezing of interbank markets, the loss of confidence in financial institutions, runs on banks and difficulties affecting cross-border financial groups, questioned the ability of the EU financial stability architecture to contain threats to the integrated single financial market. In particular, the crisis has demonstrated the importance of coupling to micro-prudential supervision a macro dimension aimed at a broad and effective monitoring and assessment of the potential risks covering all components of the financial system. In Europe, following the de Larosière Report, the European Commission has put forward proposals for establishing a European System of Financial Supervision and a European Systemic Risk Board, the latter body to be set up under the auspices of the ECB. While the details for the implementation of these structures still need to be spelt out, they should reinforce significantly – ten years after the introduction of the euro – the financial stability architecture at the EU level

Development of a Dual-Band Radio Repeater to be Carried by a Fixed-Wing small Unmanned Aerial System

With the continued rise in wildfires in California, and around the world, technological advancements are needed to improve the safety and effectiveness of wildland firefighters. One area that provides an opportunity for such development is the deployment of temporary communications networks. Currently, radio repeaters are set up on mountain tops in the response area; such repeaters do not provide flexibility once installed, still have blind spots, and require the time of valuable assets like helicopters to install. This thesis will establish the feasibility of airborne radio repeaters for wildland firefighting. In order to successfully demonstrate the feasibility of such an airborne system, the resulting system should be rapidly deployable, improve communications range and reliability, and be compatible with existing regulations and guidelines. The design process for the repeater payload is described, as well as important troubleshooting steps. The resulting product is then compared to the initial requirements through testing and observation. Although audio filtering provided by off-the-shelf handheld radios prevented the repeater from functioning as intended, the proposed 2m/70cm dual-band digital communications relay was capable of being carried by the Altavian Nova and was able to successfully demonstrate the feasibility of such a system. As such it will be an important contribution to communications needed for fighting future wildfires

Understanding Current Signals Induced by Drifting Electrons

Consider an electron drifting in a gas toward a collection electrode. A common misconception is that the electron produces a detectable signal only upon arrival at the electrode. In fact, the situation is quite the opposite. The electron induces a detectable current in the electrode as soon as it starts moving through the gas. This induced current vanishes when the electron arrives at the plate. To illustrate this phenomenon experimentally, we use a gas-filled parallel plate ionization chamber and a collimated $^{241}$Am alpha source, which produces a track of a fixed number of ionization electrons at a constant distance from the collection electrode. We find that the detected signal from the ionization chamber grows with the electron drift distance, as predicted by the model of charge induction, and in conflict with the idea that electrons are detectable upon arrival at the collection plate.Comment: 21 pages, 12 figure

National policies and the field of food and nutrition in collective health : the current scenario

É apresentado um balanço da implementação das diretrizes da Política Nacional de Alimentação e Nutrição (PNAN) contextualizando as ações no cenário do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Aos dez anos de sua publicação, a PNAN se defronta com desafios tanto para expandir como para qualificar as ações de alimentação e nutrição na saúde, e também para se apresentar como interlocutora e representante legítima da área da saúde, no contexto político e institucional da segurança alimentar e nutricional. Questões relacionadas à articulação da PNAN e da futura Política Nacional de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional são analisadas para demonstrar a confluência de agendas entre as prioridades para a garantia da SAN. São apontadas as potencialidades desse campo de ação, a partir do atual cenário institucional, e a necessidade de soluções abrangentes que atendam à complexidade da alimentação e nutrição em Saúde Coletiva.It is presented a review of the guidelines implementation of the National Food and Nutrition Policy (PNAN) contextualizing the actions in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) scenario. At ten years of its publication, PNAN faces challenges both to expand and qualify the shares of food and nutrition on health. It is challenging to stand as interlocutor and legitimate representative of the area of health, political and institutional context of food security and nutrition. Issues related to the articulation of PNAN and future National Policy on Food and Nutrition Security will be analyzed to demonstrate the convergence of agendas among the priorities for the guarantee of the SAN. The authors identify the potential of this field of action, from the current institutional setting, and the need for comprehensive solutions that address the complexity of food and nutrition in health

Long-term Lactobacillus rhamnosus BMX 54 application to restore a balanced vaginal ecosystem: a promising solution against HPV-infection

Background: Over recent years, a growing interest has developed in microbiota and in the concept of maintaining a special balance between Lactobacillus and other bacteria species in order to promote women's well-being. The aim of our study was to confirm that vaginal Lactobacilli long-lasting implementation in women with HPV-infections and concomitant bacterial vaginosis or vaginitis might be able to help in solving the viral infection, by re-establishing the original eubiosis.Methods: A total of 117 women affected by bacterial vaginosis or vaginitis with concomitant HPV-infections were enrolled at Department of Gynecological Obstetrics and Urological Sciences, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy between February 2015 and March 2016. Women were randomized in two groups, standard treatment (metronidazole 500 mg twice a day for 7 days or fluconazole 150 mg orally once a day for 2 consecutive days) plus short-term (3 months) vaginal Lactobacillus implementation (group 1, short probiotics treatment protocol group, n = 60) versus the same standard treatment plus long-lasting (6 months) vaginal Lactobacillus rhamnosus BMX 54 administration (group 2, treatment group, n = 57).Results: After a median follow up of 14 months (range 9-30 months) the chance to solve HPV-related cytological anomalies was twice higher in probiotic long-term users (group 2) versus short probiotics implementation group (group 1) (79.4% vs 37.5%, p = 0.041). Moreover, a total HPV-clearance was shown in 11.6% of short schedule probiotics implementation patients compared to a percentage of 31.2% in vaginal Lactobacilli long term users (p = 0.044), assessed as negative HPV-DNA test documented at the end of the study period.Conclusions: The consistent percentage of clearance of PAP-smear abnormalities and HPV-clearance obtained in long-term treatment group has been interestingly high and encouraging. Obviously, larger and randomized studies are warranted to confirm these encouraging results, but we believe that eubiosis re-establishment is the key to tackle effectively even HPV-infection

Social Media and Evolving Marketing Communication Using IT

American Power Conversion (APC) was formed in 1981 by three MIT graduates. Its business scope has evolved from standard uninterruptible power supply systems (UPS) products to customized products to full data center solutions. Its name has become synonymous with UPS. Currently, it is part of the European multinational firm Schneider Electric. APC has always been at the cutting edge of using information systems. This case study covers the evolution of their marketing communication function using information technology. They began with implementing database-driven marketing, which was supplemented with Siebel CRM. In order to exploit the marketing data that this platform was generating, they implemented a business intelligence platform. They have developed a collaborative project execution application to drive relationship building with business partners. The case describes the challenges APC has faced in exploiting the power of social media channels and integrating them into existing operations

Diversity of cervical microbiota in asymptomatic chlamydia trachomatis genital infection: a pilot study

Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection continues to be an important public health problem worldwide due to its increasing incidence. C. trachomatis infection can lead to severe sequelae, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, obstructive infertility, and preterm birth. Recently, it has been suggested that the cervico-vaginal microbiota may be an important defense factor toward C. trachomatis infection as well as the development of chronic sequelae. Therefore, the investigation of microbial profiles associated to chlamydial infection is of the utmost importance. Here we present a pilot study aiming to characterize, through the metagenomic analysis of sequenced 16s rRNA gene amplicons, the cervical microbiota from reproductive age women positive to C. trachomatis infection. The main finding of our study showed a marked increase in bacterial diversity in asymptomatic C. trachomatis positive women as compared to healthy controls in terms of Shannon's diversity and Shannon's evenness (P = 0.031 and P = 0.026, respectively). More importantly, the cervical microbiota from C. trachomatis positive women and from healthy controls significantly separated into two clusters in the weighted UniFrac analysis (P = 0.0027), suggesting that differences between the two groups depended entirely on the relative abundance of bacterial taxa rather than on the types of bacterial taxa present. Furthermore, C. trachomatis positive women showed an overall decrease in Lactobacillus spp. and an increase in anaerobes. These findings are part of an ongoing larger epidemiological study that will evaluate the potential role of distinct bacterial communities of the cervical microbiota in C. trachomatis infection

Incorporación de la perspectiva de género en las Políticas de infancia en Uruguay : el caso del Plan CAIF - Centros de Atención a la Infancia y a la Familia (2008-2018)

El Plan Centros de Atención a la Primera Infancia y la Familia (Plan CAIF) en Uruguay es la principal política pública de atención a la primera infancia y sus familias, con más de treinta años de trayectoria ininterrumpida. La presente investigación tuvo como principal objetivo analizar el proceso de incorporación de la perspectiva de género en el diseño e implementación de esta política pública, considerando especialmente el período 2008-2018 cuando el Estado uruguayo puso en marcha una serie de medidas para la transversalización de la equidad de género en sus políticas. Para ello, se realizó un estudio de tipo exploratorio y descriptivo en base a una metodología cualitativa, tomando como método el estudio de caso y utilizando las técnicas de entrevista y análisis documental mediante el Modelo de Continuum de Género como herramienta metodológica de análisis. Se utilizó el análisis documental y entrevistas semidirigidas en profundidad a distintos actores involucrados en el proceso de elaboración, reorientación e implementación de la política referida. Desde la visión de los distintos actores involucrados, se realizó un proceso de identificación de los principales hitos de la política, considerando el contexto de institucionalización del género en las políticas públicas por parte del Estado uruguayo a partir de la implementación de la Ley N° 18.104 “Igualdad de Derechos y Oportunidades entre Hombres y Mujeres en la República” del año 2007. Desde las contribuciones de la Psicología Social en diálogo con los Estudios de Género, en especial aquella que examina la relación entre política pública y subjetividad, se buscó analizar el proceso de incorporación de la perspectiva de género en los abordajes de política pública dirigida a la atención de niños/as, y sus familias, poniendo de relieve los obstáculos y facilitadores que se observan en su incorporación. Entre el período 1980 - 1996, que corresponde al surgimiento de esta política, se observó que la figura de la mujer=madre es predominante en la concepción de la política. Entre 1997 y 2007, desde los Centros se perciben desigualdades de género en prácticas de cuidado y crianza, pero no se utiliza información para comprender el contexto y las estructuras sociales que las generan. En el período entre 2008 y 2014, se observaron los primeros pasos de una integración del enfoque de género mediante el cuestionamiento de las desigualdades, y una serie de movimientos instituyentes sobre la articulación de la perspectiva de género en un programa de infancia. Finalmente, el período desde 2015 al 2018, autoridades del Plan y un conjunto de asociaciones de la sociedad civil avanzan en dimensiones “transformadoras” de las prácticas, y en un mismo contexto persisten lógicas de un enfoque “acomodador de género” en tareas socio-educativas en la temprana infancia.The Early Childhood and Family Care Centres Plan (CAIF Plan) in Uruguay is the main public policy for early childhood and family care, with an uninterrupted track record of more than 30 years. The main objective of this research was to analyze the process of mainstreaming the gender perspective in the design and implementation of this public policy, especially considering the period 2008-2018 when the Uruguayan State implemented a series of initatives to mainstream gender equity in its policies. To achieve this, an exploratory and descriptive study was carried out using a qualitative methodology, using the case study as a method and using the interview and documentary analysis techniques through the Gender Continuum Model as a methodological tool of analysis. Documentary analysis and semi-directed in-depth interviews were used with different actors involved in the process of elaboration, reorientation and implementation of the aforementioned policy. From the viewpoint of the various stakeholders, a process was undertaken to identify the main milestones of the policy, taking into account the context of the institutionalization of gender in public policy by the Uruguayan State following the implementation of Law No. 18,104 "Equal Rights and Opportunities for Men and Women in the Republic" in 2007. From the contributions of Social Psychology in dialogue with Gender Studies, especially that which examines the relationship between public policy and subjectivity, we sought to analyze the process of incorporating the gender perspective in public policy approaches to the care of children and their families, highlighting the obstacles and facilitators observed in its incorporation. Between 1980 and 1996, which corresponds to the birth of this policy, it was observed that the figure of the woman=mother is predominant in the conception of the policy. Between 1997 and 2007, the Centres perceived gender inequalities in care and upbringing practices, but no information was used to understand the context and social structures that generated them. In the period between 2008 and 2014, the first steps were taken to integrate the gender perspective by questioning inequalities, and a series of institutional movements on the articulation of the gender perspective in a children's programme were observed. Finally, during the period from 2015 to 2018, the Plan's authorities and a number of civil society associations are making progress in "transformative" dimensions of practices, and in the same context, the logic of a "gender mainstreaming" approach to socio-educational tasks in early childhood persists

Food risk regulation : the tensions of the Brazilian Health Surveillance System

Este artigo aborda a dinâmica das práticas da vigilância sanitária de alimentos no Brasil, destacando as suas particularidades quanto aos riscos e modalidades de intervenção, assim como ressaltando os recentes instrumentos adotados para o controle dos riscos relativos à composição nutricional dos alimentos e suas repercussões no âmbito institucional. Instituída no Brasil desde a Primeira República, essa prática vem se remodelando ao longo dos anos, tanto pela complexidade crescente dos riscos, quanto pela introdução de novos instrumentos institucionais. Nos últimos anos, evidencia-se um esvaziamento da competência regulatória quando da adoção dos instrumentos, acordos e termos de compromisso, firmados entre o governo e as indústrias para lidar com os riscos de ordem nutricional dos produtos alimentícios. Instrumentos construídos sem a participação dos consumidores, com elasticidade de prazos para cumprimento pelas indústrias e ineptos para a fiscalização, denotando retrocessos na construção democrática e na prática da regulação sanitária de alimentos no Brasil.This article addresses the dynamics of Brazilian food control practices, highlighting their special risk-related features and the types of intervention, as well as the recently adopted instruments to control risks related to the nutritional composition of food and their institutional repercussions. Food regulation in Brazil dates back to the First Republic. The practice has been remodeled over the years, due to both the increasing complexity of the risks and the introduction of new institutional operational mechanisms. In recent years, with the adoption of instruments such as agreements and terms of commitments established between government and industry and designed to control risks, it has become possible to identify widening gaps in regulatory competence. The adoption of mechanisms without the participation of consumers, with elastic deadlines for compliance by industries and insusceptible to inspection, represents a setback in the democratic process and the practice of health regulation of food currently under way in Brazil