Interception Practices in Europe and Their Implications

The dilemma of reconciling migration control functions and State obligations for refugee protection has underlined much of the immigration and asylum debate in the European Union. In recent years, numerous measures have been introduced to block access to refugee status determination. This paper focuses on EU policies of non-entrée as they relate to the interception of individuals en route to Europe. It argues that there is a fundamental imbalance in the Union’s activities relating to asylum and migration management with recent measures having the effect of undermining the right to seek asylum and effectively blocking access to protection.Les débats au sein de l’Union européenne sur les questions de l’immigration et du droit d’asile ont été marqués par la problématique de comment réconcilier les fonctions de contrôle de l’immigration et les obligations de l’état en matière de protection des réfugiés. De nombreuses mesures ont été adoptées au cours des dernières années pour bloquer l’accès au processus de détermination du droit d’asile. Cet article examine les politiques de non entrée de l’Union Européenne, tout spécialement en relation avec la pratique d’interception d’individus en route pour l’Europe. L’article soutient que les activités de l’Union Européenne en matière de gestion de la question de l’immigration et du droit d’asile souffrent d’un déséquilibre fondamental, et que les mesures récentes ont eu pour conséquence d’affaiblir le droit d’asile et d’interdire l’accès à la protection

Polyunsaturated fatty acids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease

Background: Evidence on the health effects of total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is equivocal. Fish oils are rich in omega-3 PUFA and plant oils in omega-6 PUFA. Evidence suggests increasing PUFA-rich foods, supplements or supplemented foods can reduce serum cholesterol, but may increase body weight, so overall cardiovascular effects are unclear. Objectives: To assess effects of increasing PUFA intake on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality in adults. Search method: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE and Embase to April 2017 and ClinicalTrials.com and World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform to September 2016, without language restrictions. We checked trials included in relevant systematic reviews. Selection criteria: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing higher with lower PUFA intakes in adults with or without CVD that assessed effects over ≥12 months. We included full-text, abstracts, trials registry entries and unpublished data. Outcomes were all-cause mortality, CVD mortality and events, risk factors (blood lipids, adiposity, blood pressure), and adverse events. We excluded trials where we could not separate effects of PUFA intake from other dietary, lifestyle or medication interventions. Data collection and analysis: Two authors independently screened titles/abstracts, assessed trials for inclusion, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. We wrote to authors of included studies for further data. Meta-analyses used random-effects analysis, sensitivity analyses included fixed-effects and limiting to low summary risk of bias. We assessed GRADE quality of evidence. Main result: We included 49 RCTs randomising 24,272 participants, with duration of one to eight years. Twelve included trials were at low summary risk of bias, 33 recruited participants without cardiovascular disease. Baseline PUFA intake was unclear in most trials, but 3.9% to 8% of total energy intake where reported. Most trials gave supplemental capsules, but eight gave dietary advice, eight gave supplemental foods such as nuts or margarine, and three used a combination of methods to increase PUFA. Increasing PUFA intake probably has little or no effect on all-cause mortality (risk 3.4% vs 3.3% in primary prevention, 11.7% vs 11.5% in secondary prevention, risk ratio (RR) 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.89 to 1.07, 24 trials in 19290 participants), but probably reduces risk of CVD events from 5.8% to 4.9% in primary prevention, 23.3% to 20.8% in secondary prevention (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.01, 20 trials in 17,073 participants), both moderate quality evidence. Increasing PUFA may reduce risk of CHD events from 13.4% to 7.1% primary prevention, 14.3% to 13.7% secondary prevention (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.06, 15 trials, 10,076 participants), CHD death (5.2% to 4.4% primary prevention, 6.8% to 6.1% secondary prevention, RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.06, 9 trials, 8810 participants) and may slightly reduce stroke risk (2.1% to 1.5% primary prevention, RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.44, 11 trials, 14,742 participants), but has little or no effect on cardiovascular mortality (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.26, I2 31%, 16 trials, 15,107 participants) all low quality evidence. Effects of increasing PUFA on major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events and atrial fibrillation are unclear as evidence is of very low quality. Event outcomes were all downgraded for indirectness, as most events occurred in men in westernised countries. Increasing PUFA intake reduces total cholesterol (MD -0.12 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.23 to -0.02, I2 79%, 8072 participants, 26 trials) and probably decreases triglycerides (TG, MD -0.12 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.20 to -0.04, I2 50%, 3905 participants, 20 trials), but has little or no effect on HDL (MD -0.01 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.01, I2 0%, 4674 participants, 18 trials) and LDL (MD -0.01 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.09 to 0.06, I2 44%, 3362 participants, 15 trials). Increasing PUFA probably causes slight weight gain (MD 0.76 kg, 95% CI 0.34 to 1.19, I2 59%, 7100 participants, 12 trials). Effects of increasing PUFA on serious adverse events such as pulmonary embolism and bleeding are unclear as the evidence is of very low quality. Authors' conclusions: Increasing PUFA intake probably reduces risk of CVD events, may reduce risk of CHD events and CHD mortality,and may slightly reduce stroke risk, but has little or no effect on all-cause or CVD mortality. The mechanism may be via lipid reduction, but increasing PUFA probably slightly increases weight

Omega-3 fatty acids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease

Background: Researchers have suggested that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from oily fish (long-chain omega-3 (LCn3), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)), as well as from plants (alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)) benefit cardiovascular health. Guidelines recommend increasing omega-3-rich foods, and sometimes supplementation, but recent trials have not confirmed this. Objectives: To assess effects of increased intake of fish- and plant-based omega-3 for all-cause mortality, cardiovascular (CVD) events, adiposity and lipids. Search methods: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE and Embase to April 2017, plus ClinicalTrials.gov and World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry to September 2016, with no language restrictions. We handsearched systematic review references and bibliographies and contacted authors. Selection criteria: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that lasted at least 12 months and compared supplementation and/or advice to increase LCn3 or ALA intake versus usual or lower intake. Data collection and analysis: Two review authors independently assessed studies for inclusion, extracted data and assessed validity. We performed separate random-effects meta-analysis for ALA and LCn3 interventions, and assessed dose-response relationships through meta-regression. Main results: We included 79 RCTs (112,059 participants) in this review update and found that 25 were at low summary risk of bias. Trials were of 12 to 72 months' duration and included adults at varying cardiovascular risk, mainly in high-income countries. Most studies assessed LCn3 supplementation with capsules, but some used LCn3- or ALA-rich or enriched foods or dietary advice compared to placebo or usual diet. Meta-analysis and sensitivity analyses suggested little or no effect of increasing LCn3 on all-cause mortality (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.03, 92,653 participants; 8189 deaths in 39 trials, high-quality evidence), cardiovascular mortality (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.03, 67,772 participants; 4544 CVD deaths in 25 RCTs), cardiovascular events (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.04, 90,378 participants; 14,737 people experienced events in 38 trials, high-quality evidence), coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.09, 73,491 participants; 1596 CHD deaths in 21 RCTs), stroke (RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.16, 89,358 participants; 1822 strokes in 28 trials) or arrhythmia (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.05, 53,796 participants; 3788 people experienced arrhythmia in 28 RCTs). There was a suggestion that LCn3 reduced CHD events (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.88 to 0.97, 84,301 participants; 5469 people experienced CHD events in 28 RCTs); however, this was not maintained in sensitivity analyses - LCn3 probably makes little or no difference to CHD event risk. All evidence was of moderate GRADE quality, except as noted. Increasing ALA intake probably makes little or no difference to all-cause mortality (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.20, 19,327 participants; 459 deaths, 5 RCTs),cardiovascular mortality (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.25, 18,619 participants; 219 cardiovascular deaths, 4 RCTs), and it may make little or no difference to CHD events (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.22, 19,061 participants, 397 CHD events, 4 RCTs, low-quality evidence). However, increased ALA may slightly reduce risk of cardiovascular events (from 4.8% to 4.7%, RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.07, 19,327 participants; 884 CVD events, 5 RCTs, low-quality evidence), and probably reduces risk of CHD mortality (1.1% to 1.0%, RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.26, 18,353 participants; 193 CHD deaths, 3 RCTs), and arrhythmia (3.3% to 2.6%, RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.10, 4,837 participants; 141 events, 1 RCT). Effects on stroke are unclear. Sensitivity analysis retaining only trials at low summary risk of bias moved effect sizes towards the null (RR 1.0) for all LCn3 primary outcomes except arrhythmias, but for most ALA outcomes, effect sizes moved to suggest protection. LCn3 funnel plots suggested that adding in missing studies/results would move effect sizes towards null for most primary outcomes. There were no dose or duration effects in subgrouping or meta-regression. There was no evidence that increasing LCn3 or ALA altered serious adverse events, adiposity or lipids, although LCn3 slightly reduced triglycerides and increased HDL. ALA probably reduces HDL (high- or moderate-quality evidence). Authors' conclusions: This is the most extensive systematic assessment of effects of omega-3 fats on cardiovascular health to date. Moderate- and high-quality evidence suggests that increasing EPA and DHA has little or no effect on mortality or cardiovascular health (evidence mainly from supplement trials). Previous suggestions of benefits from EPA and DHA supplements appear to spring from trials with higher risk of bias. Low-quality evidence suggests ALA may slightly reduce CVD event risk, CHD mortality and arrhythmia

The Lower Cretaceous “Vigla” Shales Potentiality to Be Source Rocks in the Ionian Basin, Greece

As Lower Cretaceous “Vigla” shales have been suggested as one of the main source rocks for the Ionian Basin in Greece, a geochemical analysis was performed for “Vigla” shales in Kastos Island and the Araxos peninsula, far from the already studied areas. Results, based on Rock-Eval VI analysis, sample fractionation, and biomarkers analysis, showed that the studied rocks could be of low production capacity, are type II/III of kerogen, and can produce liquid and gas hydrocarbons for Kastos Island. Organic matter (total organic carbon-TOC 0.02–3.45%) of the studied samples is thermally immature, in the early stages of diagenesis, and was accumulated in an anoxic environment. Additionally, the geochemical analyses confirmed the combination of marine and terrestrial origin of the organic matter. On the other hand, TOC (0.01–0.72%) from the Araxos peninsula shows fair oil potential and type IV kerogen. The results based on the Odd–Even Predominance, OEP (27–31), OEP (2), and OEP (1), valued for samples AG1, AG2, AG5, and AG6, indicated an anoxic deposition environment. As the Ionian Basin was sub-divided into three sub-basins (internal, middle, and external) during its syn-rift evolution, different depositional conditions were developed from one sub-basin to the other, with different sedimentary thicknesses within the same sub-basin or among different sub-basins and with different amounts of TOC. The fact that there is a great difference in geochemical indices between the two studied areas during the same period suggests that probable different depositional conditions could exist. It seems that the richness in Kastos Island could be related to the neighboring Apulian Platform, whereas the poorness in the Araxos peninsula could be related to the Gavrovo platform, or the differences could be related to restrictions produced regions. The comparison with previous studies indicates that different quality and quantity of organic matter could be accumulated either within the same sub-basin or from one sub-basin to the other

The Lower Cretaceous “Vigla” Shales Potentiality to Be Source Rocks in the Ionian Basin, Greece

As Lower Cretaceous “Vigla” shales have been suggested as one of the main source rocks for the Ionian Basin in Greece, a geochemical analysis was performed for “Vigla” shales in Kastos Island and the Araxos peninsula, far from the already studied areas. Results, based on Rock-Eval VI analysis, sample fractionation, and biomarkers analysis, showed that the studied rocks could be of low production capacity, are type II/III of kerogen, and can produce liquid and gas hydrocarbons for Kastos Island. Organic matter (total organic carbon-TOC 0.02–3.45%) of the studied samples is thermally immature, in the early stages of diagenesis, and was accumulated in an anoxic environment. Additionally, the geochemical analyses confirmed the combination of marine and terrestrial origin of the organic matter. On the other hand, TOC (0.01–0.72%) from the Araxos peninsula shows fair oil potential and type IV kerogen. The results based on the Odd–Even Predominance, OEP (27–31), OEP (2), and OEP (1), valued for samples AG1, AG2, AG5, and AG6, indicated an anoxic deposition environment. As the Ionian Basin was sub-divided into three sub-basins (internal, middle, and external) during its syn-rift evolution, different depositional conditions were developed from one sub-basin to the other, with different sedimentary thicknesses within the same sub-basin or among different sub-basins and with different amounts of TOC. The fact that there is a great difference in geochemical indices between the two studied areas during the same period suggests that probable different depositional conditions could exist. It seems that the richness in Kastos Island could be related to the neighboring Apulian Platform, whereas the poorness in the Araxos peninsula could be related to the Gavrovo platform, or the differences could be related to restrictions produced regions. The comparison with previous studies indicates that different quality and quantity of organic matter could be accumulated either within the same sub-basin or from one sub-basin to the other

Comparative geochemical study of potential source rock formations in Greece

Περίληψη: Η έρευνα του πετρελαίου αποσκοπεί στην αναζήτηση νέων κοιτασμάτων. Πέρα από τις γεωλογικές και γεωφυσικές μελέτες και τις ερευνητικές γεωτρήσεις, για την εκμετάλλευση κοιτασμάτων είναι απαραίτητη η γεωχημική έρευνα, η οποία προσφέρει ιδιαίτερα σημαντικές πληροφορίες για την ποσότητα και ποιότητα της οργανικής ύλης, τη θερμική της ωριμότητα και τις συνθήκες εναπόθεσης της στα ιζήματα. Στην παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία, μελετάται το δυναμικό πετρελαιογένεσης σε δύο περιοχές της Ελλάδος. Συγκεκριμένα, ερευνάται το δυναμικό των Νεογενών σχηματισμών στην περιοχή «Πλουτή» Ηρακλείου Κρήτης, που ανήκει στη λιθστρωματογραφική ενότητα «Ελληνικό» και το πετρελαϊκό δυναμικό των σχηματισμών του Κατώτερου Κρητιδικού στο νησί «Καστός» του Ιονίου Πελάγους, που συγκεκριμένα ανήκει στην εξωτερική Ιόνια ζώνη. Αρχικά, μέσω της γεωχημικής ανάλυσης Rock-Eval αναλύθηκαν 17 δείγματα για κάθε περιοχή μελέτης, με σκοπό τον χαρακτηρισμό της ποσότητας και της ποιότητας του οργανικού υλικού των δειγμάτων σχηματισμών πετρωμάτων. Έπειτα, σύμφωνα με τα αποτελέσματα που προέκυψαν, επιλέχθηκαν για περαιτέρω ανάλυση 4 δείγματα, από κάθε περιοχή. Στα δείγματα πραγματοποιήθηκε εκχύλιση με τη μέθοδο εκχύλισης Soxhlet και στη συνέχεια από το εκχύλισμα απομακρύνθηκαν ταβαριά συστατικά (ασφαλτένια) με τη μέθοδο της απασφάλτωσης. Έπειτα, τοαπασφαλτωμένο κλάσμα, διαχωρίστηκε με τη μέθοδο Υγρής Χρωματογραφίας σετρία επιμέρους κλάσματα. Ακολούθως, το κλάσμα των κορεσμένων συστατικών πουσυλλέχθηκε αναλύθηκε με Αέρια Χρωματογραφία – Φασματοσκοπία Μάζας (GCMS). Σύμφωνα με τα αποτελέσματα που προέκυψαν, υπολογίστηκαν γεωχημικοίδείκτες (βιοδείκτες), με σκοπό τον προσδιορισμό των συνθηκών εναπόθεσης και της θερμικής ωριμότητας της περιεχόμενης οργανικής ύλης των δειγμάτων. Τέλος, σύμφωνα με τα αποτελέσματα των γεωχημικών αναλύσεων και σε συνδυασμό με τις γεωλογικές συνθήκες της εκάστοτε περιοχής, συμπεραίνεται πως πρόκειται για δείγματα με περιορισμένο πετρελαϊκό δυναμικό, θερμικά ανώριμη οργανική ύλη και αναγωγικό περιβάλλον απόθεσης και για τις δύο περιοχές. Βέβαια,τα δείγματα της περιοχής «Πλουτή» αποτελούνται από ιλυολίθους και αργιλολίθους με περιεχόμενη οργανική ύλη χερσαίου έως λιμναίου περιβάλλοντος με θαλάσσια συνεισφορά, ενώ τα δείγματα της νήσου «Καστού» προέρχονται από ανθρακικά πετρώματα, και συγκεκριμένα ασβεστόλιθους και σχιστόλιθους, θαλάσσιας προέλευσης με περιορισμένη χερσαία συνεισφορά.Summarization: Hydrocarbon exploration (oil and gas exploration) aims at the search of new deposits of hydrocarbons. In addition to geological and geophysical studies, geochemical research is necessary for the exploitation of deposits, which provides particularly important information on the quantity and quality of organic matter, its thermal maturity and the conditions of its deposition in sediments. In the diploma thesis, the potential of oil production in two regions of Greece is studied. Specifically, the potential of Neogene formations in the “Plouti” area of Heraklion, Crete, which belongs to the lithographic unit “Hellenicon” and the oil potential of the Lower Cretaceous formations on the island of “Kastos” of the Ionian Sea. Initially, through the Rock-Eval analysis, seventeen surface samples were analyzed for each study area, in order to characterize the quantity and quality of the organic matter of the rock formations. Then, according to the results obtained, four samples from each region were selected for further analysis with Soxhlet extraction. This was followed by asphaltene removal of the extract and then separation by the Liquid Chromatography method into three separate fractions. Then, the fraction of the saturated components collected was analyzed by Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). According to the results, geochemical indicators (biomarkers) were calculated in order to determine the deposition conditions and the thermal maturity of the organic matter contained in the samples. Finally, the results of the geochemical analyses in combination with the geological conditions of each region, led to the conclusion that these are samples with limited petroleum potential, thermally immature organic matter and reducing deposition environment for both areas. However, the samples of the “Plouti” consist of siltstones and claystones with terrestrial to lacustrine environment with marine contribution, while the samples of the island “Kastos” consist of carbonate source rocks, limestones and shales, with marine organic matter with limited terrestrial contribution