Lessons from MENA: appraising EU transfers of military and security equipment to the Middle East and North Africa: a contribution to the review of the EU common position

This publication analyses EU arms exports to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), in recent years both from an overarching perspective as well as detailing specific transfers. While the particular timing and nature of the Arab Spring itself could not be predicted, the potential for trouble at some point and the responding State repression could hardly be a surprise given the nature of these authoritarian regimes. While civil society over the years has questioned a number of arms sales to undemocratic regimes with a history of violating human rights, the Arab Spring appeared to be a necessary condition for EU governments to recognise that the implementation of their export control policies had failed on numerous occasions. This analysis probes the level of caution EU exporting authorities demonstrated. The aim is to identify patterns of poor decision-making on arms exports where they exist, to consider why such patterns exist and to suggest remedies. Demands for socio-economic improvements as well as civil liberties, as they emerged in numerous Arab countries over the past year, are not likely to die soon, nor are these demands constrained to the Arab world

Evaluation of factors associated with bulk milk somatic cell count and total plate count in Indonesian smallholder dairy farms

Increasing milk quality in smallholder dairy farms will result in a greater quantity of milk being delivered to milk collection centers, an increased milk price for farmers and consequently an improved farmers’ livelihood. However, little research on milk quality has been performed on smallholder farms in Southeast Asia. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors associated with somatic cell count (SCC) and total plate count (TPC) in Indonesian smallholder dairy farms. One dairy cooperative in West Java, Indonesia was selected based on its willingness to participate. All 119 member farmers in the cooperative, clustered in six groups, were interviewed and a bulk milk sample from all farms was collected in April 2022. Risk factors associated with dairy farms’ SCC and TPC were investigated using multivariable population-averaged generalized estimating equations (GEE) models. The mean geometric SCC and TPC from these farms were 529,665 cells/mL of milk and 474,492 cfu/mL of milk, respectively. Five risk factors including manure removal frequency, receiving mastitis treatment training, washing the udder using soap, number of workers, and ownership of the pasture area were associated with SCC. Two risk factors, manure removal frequency and dairy income contribution, were associated with TPC. These findings can therefore be used as a starting point to improve udder health and milk quality in Indonesia and other countries where smallholder farmers play a significant role in milk production

Ambulatory Function and Perception of Confidence in Persons with Stroke with a Custom-Made Hinged versus a Standard Ankle Foot Orthosis

Objective. The aim was to compare walking with an individually designed dynamic hinged ankle foot orthosis (DAFO) and a standard carbon composite ankle foot orthosis (C-AFO). Methods. Twelve participants, mean age 56 years (range 26–72), with hemiparesis due to stroke were included in the study. During the six-minute walk test (6MW), walking velocity, the Physiological Cost Index (PCI), and the degree of experienced exertion were measured with a DAFO and C-AFO, respectively, followed by a Stairs Test velocity and perceived confidence was rated. Results. The mean differences in favor for the DAFO were in 6MW 24.3 m (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.90, 43.76), PCI −0.09 beats/m (95% CI −0.27, 0.95), velocity 0.04 m/s (95% CI −0.01, 0.097), and in the Stairs Test −11.8 s (95% CI −19.05, −4.48). All participants except one perceived the degree of experienced exertion lower and felt more confident when walking with the DAFO. Conclusions. Wearing a DAFO resulted in longer walking distance and faster stair climbing compared to walking with a C-AFO. Eleven of twelve participants felt more confident with the DAFO, which may be more important than speed and distance and the most important reason for prescribing an AFO

Genderrol gedrag bij meisjes met congenitale adrenogenitale hyperplasie

In the literature (Ehrhardt et al. 1974) the difference in gender role behaviour between CAH girls and control girls is described as tomboy behaviour. By tomboy behaviour in girls with CAH is meant: - expression of physical energy in outdoor games and sports - preference for playing with boys' toys rather than with girl s and girls' toys little interest in marriage, pregnancy, motherhoed and caring for young children - a preferenee for casual clothes (particularly trousers) and a minimal interest in jewelry, makeup and different hairstyles - the wish to be a boy rather than a girl. The explanation of this tomboy behaviour is sought by Ehrhardt et al. in the action of the male hormone. According to these authors, prenatally the male hormone has an imprinting effect on the central nerveus system, which gives rise to tomboy behaviour. As there has been na research into the influence of psychosocial factors, particularly sickness factors and parents' doubts about the sex of the child as aresult of the deviant genitalia, our research has been directed to the study of these factors. A group of girls with CAH was compared with a group of healthy girls (control girls), a group of sick girls (girls with diabetes) and a group of sisters of CAH children. Similarly, CAH boys were compared with control boys, boys with diabetes and brathers of CAH children. In order to be able to measure the gender role behaviour of CAH girls an instrument was developed - the Sophia test - 'Ihich is based on the aspects of gender role behaviour distinguished by Erhardt et al. The Sophia test is composed of 5 parts: - pictures - assertions - questions - Osgood - drawin