The Oviedo Convention in the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights

In this talk I explore the interrelation between the Oviedo Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine and the European Convention on Human Rights. The starting point of the analysis is to highlight the difference between the two treaties regarding their enforceability. An attempt is then made to identify which of the rights safeguarded in the European Convention of Human Rights involve issues raised in the Oviedo Convention. Admittedly, the most commonly referred to provision in the case-law of the Strasbourg Court is Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights (right to respect for private and family life), under the ambit of which the issues of consent, private life and right to information as well as the human genome are dealt with. In addition, the talk addresses other issues within the scope of the Oviedo Convention, which have been raised under Articles 2, 3, 5 and 10 in the Strasbourg case-law. In the final analysis, one is tempted to consider whether the outcome of such an interrelation between the two Conventions is satisfactory

Zero energy for the Cyprus house

The thesis aims at the optimization of the regulatory systems inherent in domestic architecture through choice of orientation, building materials and the use of natural resources of energy, to achieve comfort conditions without the need for mechanical heating and cooling for the Cypriot climate. The thesis is classified in six chapters as follows: CHAPTER 1 In this chapter, analysis of the energy situation in Cyprus to investigate the potential for energy saving in houses and the possible environmental improvement is carried out. For this, existing and newly built houses are evaluated to identify deficiencies in the regulatory systems inherent in the built form that result in heating and cooling demands. CHAPTER 2 The prevailing climatic conditions in Cyprus are analyzed, in this chapter, to assess how energy demands for heating and cooling arise in domestic buildings and to evaluate the free energy systems available to contribute to these requirements. Moreover in this chapter standards of comfort for single family detached houses in Cyprus are established, through investigation of current thermostat settings and reviews of thermal comfort studies, so that they may be taken as a basis in the optimization study. CHAPTER 3 This chapter deals with the optimization of a specific house type, to be designed in an ideal environment, to the point of zero fuel consumption for heating and cooling with the aid of microcomputer programmes for thermal analysis. Initially simplified thermal calculations are carried out by using "Method 5000°, a well established method adopted by the Commission of the European Community Handbook. These are followed by detailed hourly simulations of selected variants using dynamic simulation model SERIRES. CHAPTER 4 This chapter also makes use of thermal calculations as chapter 3, and concludes to comparative assessment of results obtained under chapter 3, and design recommendations for new houses through economic analysis of the varied design measures. From those the profile of the "Zero Energy House for Cyprus" is outlined. CHAPTER 5 The study in this chapter identifies the occupants' factors that influence the efficiency of building performance and the thermal environmental conditions of the "Zero Energy House". It analyses the intervention of the occupants in the design, which is reflected in the variable of fenestration. The analysis is carried out interdependently, in various combinations of shading and ventilation profiles, in computer simulations using thermal analysis programme "AGRI". A case-study further investigates the thermal effects of the user interaction with the building and confirms the validity of the simulation results. The proposed strategies, at the end of the chapter, aim at reducing the operational counter-effects on the building design. CHAPTER 6 The conclusions are outlined in the form of criteria for the selection of different design alternatives. These are based on flexibility, operational ease, potential thermal efficiency and elimination of constraints for securing optimal performance for "Zero Energy Houses" for Cyprus

Design synthesis for Canard-Delta combat aircraft

This . thesis pr*esents the development of a computerized Design Synthesis for canard-delta combat aircraft. This is complementary to and followas the philosophy of an existing RAE system for conventional combat aircraft with swept wings (Ref. 1). The background to the work and the Research Progra objectives and limitations are initially examined. The design of a baseline canard-delta combat aircraft is then described together with all the assumptions and decisions which led to its final configuration. The philosophy behind the progressive evolution of the aircraft geometry and packaging modules from the baseline configuration, is explained in detail. The development of detailed modules'for the estimation of the aircraft aerodynamics and performance is then presented. A full description of the investigations into the effects of canard-delta interference on the aircraft aerodynamics, is also included. The mathematical content of the aircraft geometry, packaging, aerodynamics and performance modules is presented separately in the appendices, in greater detail. The development and architecture of the Design Synthesis and graphics programs are finally presented and the program operation is described with the aid of flow- charts. A comprehensive user's manual and a design example are also provided

The Case for the Use of PPARγ Agonists as an Adjunctive Therapy for Cerebral Malaria

Cerebral malaria is a severe complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection associated with high mortality even when highly effective antiparasitic therapy is used. Adjunctive therapies that modify the pathophysiological processes caused by malaria are a possible way to improve outcome. This review focuses on the utility of PPARγ agonists as an adjunctive therapy for the treatment of cerebral malaria. The current knowledge of PPARγ agonist use in malaria is summarized. Findings from experimental CNS injury and disease models that demonstrate the potential for PPARγ agonists as an adjunctive therapy for cerebral malaria are also discussed

Challenges in regional approaches: Lessons from Energy Poverty research in a small scale European member state

Energy poverty is an issue now widely recognised for its detrimental impacts and research in Europe has intensified over the last decade. Many different methodologies of examining the topic have surfaced, with a common one being based on regional-based practices. Open source data are extremely useful for such approaches, because they offer unlimited access to information. The Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) is a framework for data collection on different geographic levels that provides different levels of statistical analysis for regions within a single country. It was set up in the 1970's by the European Union, and existing research work has already explored the valuable application of the NUTS system in certain areas. Nevertheless, the constraints of open source data (such as data based on NUTS regions), in reference to small scale member states, have not been exhaustively addressed. In this study the shortcomings of open source data are explored, by examining energy poverty in an area where the efficacy of the NUTS system is restricted. Cyprus is a member state in the European Union and is represented by a single NUTS category, for all levels of classification, unlike the majority of the rest. Data therefore exists only at the national level - something which contradicts the purpose of the different NUTS levels. In effect, for the case of Cyprus, this results in lack of differentiation among distinct climatic regions and disregarding the urban-rural dichotomy. It essentially renders this classification system inapt for Cyprus, while research activities become limited to the extent of data obtained through other means. Therefore, the study highlights the challenges researchers have to face when approaching a topic for Cyprus from a regional lens. To this end, geographical information systems software is used to observe a simplistic composite indicator of energy poverty in a medium-scale country (where NUTS is applicable), in relation to Cyprus. The effectiveness and potential impact of the outcomes in relation to public awareness, decision-making for policy makers and initiatives of local agents are examined and discussed. Ultimately, the study highlights that even when high quality indicators of energy poverty exist at the European Union level (Eurostat), under current circumstances they cannot be employed effectively to examine energy poverty regionally within Cyprus. Recommendations are proposed to overcome data access limitations in areas where popular open access databases are inadequate

Energy poverty policies and measures in 5 EU countries: a comparative study

Energy Poverty (EP) is the inability to attain a socially and materially necessitated level of domestic energy services. In the EU this occurs primarily due to low incomes, poor energy performance of buildings and high energy costs. The impacts of EP range from impaired social lives to unhealthy living conditions, with further consequences in the physical and mental health of energy poor individuals. Member states have been assigned by the EU with the responsibility of dealing with EP within their own territories. This is attainable mainly by creating effective policies, while also encouraging synergies among policies of different fields. However, scientific knowledge is gathered and action is taken on a national level only in a limited number of EU countries. For this reason, this paper aims to fill in the gap and capture snapshots from five EU countries (Cyprus, Spain, Portugal, Bulgaria and Lithuania) where EP has not been exhaustively examined. The study provides an overview of selected policies and measures directly or indirectly targeting EP alleviation and analyses their history and evolution at an EU level as well as at national level. It considers the different geographical dimensions, conditions and aspects (e.g. national or regional) where EP is encountered, in an attempt to identify any variances or similarities in the approaches adopted. Through this comparative study, strengths and weaknesses of national strategies are identified and analysed. Conclusively, based on this analysis, recommendations are made on how to utilise policy tools and provide the most efficient support to energy poor households in the corresponding countries

A phase I clinical study of inhaled nitric oxide in healthy adults

AbstractBackgroundNitric oxide (NO) is an approved pulmonary vasodilator for neonates and full term infants up to a dose of 80ppm. At 100ppm to 200ppm, NO has potent antimicrobial activities in vitro and in animal studies which suggest its therapeutic use for infectious diseases in humans. However, whether inhaled NO is safe at 160ppm in healthy human adults is unknown. The aim of the phase I study was to assess the safety of delivery and the physiologic effects of intermittent 160ppm NO in healthy human adults.MethodsTen healthy adult volunteers (5 males, 5 females; 20–62years) were recruited and inhaled 163.3ppm (SD: 4.0) NO for 30min, 5 times daily, for 5 consecutive days. Lung function and blood levels of methemoglobin, nitrites/nitrates, prothrombin, pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were determined before and during treatment.ResultsAll individuals tolerated the NO treatment courses well. No significant adverse events occurred and three minor adverse events, not attributable to NO, were reported. Forced expiratory volume in 1sec % predicted and other lung function parameters, serum nitrites/nitrates, prothrombin, pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine levels did not differ between baseline and day 5, while methemoglobin increased significantly during the study period to a level of 0.9% (SD: 0.08) (p<0.001).ConclusionThese data suggest that inhalation of 160ppm NO for 30min, 5 times daily, for 5 consecutive days, is safe and well tolerated in healthy individuals

Adjunctive therapy for severe malaria: a review and critical appraisal.

BACKGROUND: Despite recent efforts and successes in reducing the malaria burden globally, this infection still accounts for an estimated 212 million clinical cases, 2 million severe malaria cases, and approximately 429,000 deaths annually. Even with the routine use of effective anti-malarial drugs, the case fatality rate for severe malaria remains unacceptably high, with cerebral malaria being one of the most life-threatening complications. Up to one-third of cerebral malaria survivors are left with long-term cognitive and neurological deficits. From a population point of view, the decrease of malaria transmission may jeopardize the development of naturally acquired immunity against the infection, leading to fewer total cases, but potentially an increase in severe cases. The pathophysiology of severe and cerebral malaria is not completely understood, but both parasite and host determinants contribute to its onset and outcomes. Adjunctive therapy, based on modulating the host response to infection, could help to improve the outcomes achieved with specific anti-malarial therapy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In the last decades, several interventions targeting different pathways have been tested. However, none of these strategies have demonstrated clear beneficial effects, and some have shown deleterious outcomes. This review aims to summarize evidence from clinical trials testing different adjunctive therapy for severe and cerebral malaria in humans. It also highlights some preclinical studies which have evaluated novel strategies and other candidate therapeutics that may be evaluated in future clinical trials