The Benefits and Limitations of European Union Membership as a Security Mechanism

With the fall of the Berlin Wall, the end of the post-1945 ‘pax Sovietica’ led not to the ‘end of history’, but rather to an ‘awakening of history’. The wider Europe that emerged in 1989 is facing changing security concerns, which affect both the new democracies and the European Union. Internal security has become increasingly important and has been affected by external security concerns. In particular, threats other than military ones have emerged, leading to the rethinking of the institutional framework entrusted with the safeguarding of security in Europe. EU membership appears to be an effective tool for ensuring European security. This paper highlights the new internal and external political and economic security concerns in transition economies in order to evaluate the benefits and limitations of EU enlargement as a way of addressing these changing security concerns. Several countries, particularly Poland and Romania, are used to exemplify the EU’s role in enhancing security in the applicant countries. The article concludes with policy recommendations for dealing with the limitations of EU membership, and for using the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) as a tool for ensuring security beyond the EU enlargement

Ultrafast Surface Plasmonic Switch in Non-Plasmonic Metals

We demonstrate that ultrafast carrier excitation can drastically affect electronic structures and induce brief surface plasmonic response in non-plasmonic metals, potentially creating a plasmonic switch. Using first-principles molecular dynamics and Kubo-Greenwood formalism for laser-excited tungsten we show that carrier heating mobilizes d electrons into collective inter and intraband transitions leading to a sign flip in the imaginary optical conductivity, activating plasmonic properties for the initial non-plasmonic phase. The drive for the optical evolution can be visualized as an increasingly damped quasi-resonance at visible frequencies for pumping carriers across a chemical potential located in a d-band pseudo-gap with energy-dependent degree of occupation. The subsequent evolution of optical indices for the excited material is confirmed by time-resolved ultrafast ellipsometry. The large optical tunability extends the existence spectral domain of surface plasmons in ranges typically claimed in laser self-organized nanostructuring. Non-equilibrium heating is thus a strong factor for engineering optical control of evanescent excitation waves, particularly important in laser nanostructuring strategies

Pheochromocytoma – clinical manifestations, diagnosis and current perioperative management

Pheochromocytoma is a neuroendocrine tumor characterized by the excessive production of catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine). The diagnosis is suspected due to hypertensive paroxysms, associated with vegetative phenomena, due to the catecholaminergic hypersecretion. Diagnosis involves biochemical tests that reveal elevated levels of catecholamine metabolites (metanephrine and normetanephrine). Functional imaging, such as 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy (123I-MIBG), has increased specificity in identifying the catecholamine-producing tumor and its metastases. The gold-standard treatment for patients with pheochromocytoma is represented by the surgical removal of the tumor. Before surgical resection, it is important to optimize blood pressure and intravascular volume in order to avoid negative hemodynamic events

The interplay between foreign direct investment, security and European integration by comparing Poland and Romania

This work investigates the factors that have led to Poland and Romania's different evolutionary paths during the process of accession to the EU, placing an emphasis on security concerns, foreign direct investment and the interplay between the two. We identify two sets of determinants of the accession process, one in the political sphere and one in the economic sphere. Each set of determinants, be it in the political or economic sphere, has the potential to constitute a vicious or a virtuous circle which includes the prospect of EU membership itself. Furthermore, each of these circles is self reinforcing and can reinforce the corresponding circle in the other sphere. Finally, political and economic elements of the circles considered here can constitute security concerns for each of the countries analysed, while FDI represents a main element of the economic circle. We find that until 1996 Romania has been trapped in a combination of two vicious circles in both the political and economic spheres, while Poland has benefited from a combination of two virtuous circles since 1993. We test the hypothesis that, by changing perceptions of security and enhancing FDI, the prospect of EU membership can break the vicious economic circle of high perceptions of insecurity, low FDI, slow reforms, poor prospects for EU integration and hence high perceptions of insecurity in which Romania has been trapped. This is achieved firstly by a qualitative comparative analysis between Poland and Romania with regard to the determinants of FDI and the nature of their security concerns. Secondly, an econometric model assesses the determinants of FDI in ten transition countries candidates for EU membership and in particular the role of security and European integration variables. Our results support the hypothesis that, by creating positive perceptions of security of the candidate countries (especially of poor reformers), the prospect of EU membership may enhance FDI, thus speeding up economic reforms, leading to full membership of the Union and hence positive perceptions of security.It also appears that the prospect of EU membership can lead to a virtuous circle in the economic sphere through providing motivation for economic reforms and through financial aid and its impact on foreign direct investment and economic reforms

Breast reconstruction on actinic affected territory by using of the latissimus dorsi flap plasty and dermotension (Case report)

Clinica de Chirurgie Plastică și Microchirurgie Reconstructivă, USMF “Nicolae Testemițanu”, Chișinău, Republica Moldova, Al XII-lea Congres al Asociației Chirurgilor „Nicolae Anestiadi” din Republica Moldova cu participare internațională 23-25 septembrie 2015Caz clinic: Lucrarea reflectă cazul clinic al unei femei de 33 ani supusă amputației totale de sîn pe motiv oncologic. Postoperator a urmat 3 cure de radioterapie. La 6 luni de la intervenția chirurgicală primară a susținut un examen complex după care a primit acordul medical la refacerea plastică a sânului. La momentul examinării în Clinica de chirurgie plastică prezenta dureri în regiunea cicatricei rămase după amputația sânului. La prima etapă de tratament s-a decis înlăturarea cicatricelor aderate agresiv de hemitorace și plastia defectului rămas cu un lambou insular din latissimus dorsi. Etapa a doua a urmat după obținerea regenerării primei etape – implantarea unui expander tisular cu un volum maximal de 500 ml. Etapa a treia a avut loc după umplerea balonului expandat. Sub surplusul tegumentar în schimbul expanderului am plasat o proteză mamară. Cunoscând că un component al tratamentului a fost iradierea actinică, temerea pentru înlaturarea cicatricei și plastia defectului cu țesuturi locale era argumentată. Astfel motivați am decis să folosim lamboul insular latissimus dorsi din regiunea sănătoasă. Dimensiunile lui maxime au permis expandarea, care a rezultat cu refacerea sânului prin punerea unui implant mamar. Concluzii: Utilizarea metodelor de chirurgie plastică-reconstructivă și estetică într-o consecutivitate corectă permit refacerea sânului după amputații oncologice, chiar dacă regiunea marcată este tratată actinic.Clinical case: We present a clinical case of 33 years old female, which was subjected to total breast amputation. After surgery she followed 3 cycles of radiation therapy. At 6 months after primary surgery she underwent a comprehensive examination after which has received medical agreement for plastic restoring of the breast. At the moment of the examination she has been complaining on pain in the region of the scar. In the first stage of the treatment it was decided to remove the aggressive adhered on hemithorax scars and to do the plasty of the defect with a free latissimus dorsi flap. The second stage was constituted of implanting a tissue expander. The third stage: under the tissue’s excess instead of expander we have placed a mammary prosthesis. Knowing that one of the treatment factors was actinic radiation, the fear for the removal of the scar and the plasty of the defect with local tissues was substantiated. Thus, we decided to use latissimus dorsi flap from the healthy region. Its maximal dimensions have allowed expanding resulting with restoration of the breast by placing a mammary implant. Conclusion: Using the methods of plastic-reconstructive and aesthetic surgery in a correct order allows the rebuilding of the breast after oncological amputations, even if the region was exposed to actinic treatment

Treatment of the posttraumatic damage of the pelvic limb in patients with diabetes

Catedra de ortopedie și traumatologie, USMF ”Nicolae Testemițanu”, Clinica de chirurgie plastică și microchirurgie reconstructivă a locomotorului, IMSP IMU, Chișinău, Republica Moldova, Conferința stiințifică „Nicolae Anestiadi – nume etern al chirurgiei basarabene” consacrată centenarului de la nașterea profesorului Nicolae Anestiadi 26 august 2016Introducere. Riscul de fractura a piciorului la persoanele cu diabet zaharat este legat de existenta neuropatiei diabetice periferice, ce reprezintă un factor important in dezvoltarea defectelor piciorului, infecțiilor si amputațiilor de membre inferioare Scop. Analiza defectelor posttraumatice in asociere cu polineuropatia diabetica a membrului pelvin si posibilități de acoperire a acestora. Material și metodă. Cei 15 pacienți au fost împărțiți in 4 categorii: lambouri de vecinătate, lambouri la distanta, plastie cu piele libera despicata, amputație. Parametrii urmăriți sunt: vârsta, sex, tipul diabetului zaharat, localizarea. Rezultate. 4 femei si 11 bărbați au fost repartizați in 4 categorii după tipul intervențiilor chirurgicale: plastii cu lambouri de vecinătate 4, lambouri la distanta 2, plastie cu piele libera despicata 7, amputație 2. Din lotul total de pacienți cu diabet zaharat tip II au fost 12 pacienți, iar 3 pacienți cu diabet zaharat insulin-dependent. Cei 15 pacienți, care au beneficiat de reconstrucții prin lambouri, au avut defecte la gamba distala si picior, iar pacienții care au suferit amputație per primam, au avut leziuni la nivelul gambei proximale, care au constat in necroze tegumentare si de părți moi, cu afectare osoasa si osteita, semn al gradului avansat al afectării vasculare. La pacienții care au beneficiat de plastie cu piele libera despicata, majoritatea defectelor au fost la nivelul gambei si erau prezente leziuni tegumentare. Concluzii. Defectele posttraumatice la pacienții cu polineuropatii diabetice a membrului pelvin pot fi rezolvate prin plastie cu piele libera despicata, reconstrucții prin lambouri, astfel rata amputațiilor scade.Introduction. Leg fracture risk at people with diabetes is related to the existence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, which is an important factor in the development of foot defects, infections and amputations of lower limb. Purpose. Analysis of the posttraumatic damage coupled with diabetic polyneuropathy of the pelvic limb and possibilities of healing the defects. Material and methods. The 15 patients were divided in 4 subgroups according to the type of surgical procedure performed: split skin grafts, the neighboring flaps, distant flaps, amputation at different levels. The descriptive parameters included: age, gender, the presence of type I or type II diabetes, the location. Results. 15 patients included in this study, out of which 4 women and 11 men were divided into four subgroups based on type of performed surgeries: the neighboring flaps - 4, distant flaps - 2, split skin grafts - 7, amputation in 2 cases. 12 patients had diabetes of type II, and the remaining 3 patients were insulin dependent. The 6 patients who had reconstruction through flaps, had distal defects (foot or ankle), whereas the patients who suffered per primam amputation had lesions at the ankle which were skin and soft tissue necrosis, with bone disease and osteitis, with signs of severe vascular disease. The majority of patients who had benefited from split skin grafts, suffered from skin lesion at the ankle level. Conclusions. Posttraumatic defects in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy of the pelvic limb can be treated through flaps or split skin grafts, so the amputation rate decreases significantly

Demand-led approaches to drive post-harvest innovation and nutritious RTB products

Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB) Strategy Development Workshop Report

The relationship between gut microbiota and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in patients with liver cirrhosis - a literature review

Gut microbiota is an essential component in the pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis and its complications. There is a direct relationship between the gut and the liver called the gutliver axis through which bacteria can reach the liver through the portal venous blood. However, it remains unclear how bacteria leave the intestine and reach the fluid collection in the abdomen. A series of mechanisms have been postulated to be involved in the pathogenesis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) and other complications of liver cirrhosis, including bacterial translocation, bacterial overgrowth, altered intestinal permeability and dysfunctional immunity. The hepatic function may also be affected by the alteration of intestinal microbiota composition. Current treatment in SBP is antibiotic therapy, but lately, probiotics have been the useful treatment suggested to improve the intestinal barrier and prevent bacterial translocation. However, studies are contradictory regarding their usefulness. In this review, we will summarize the literature data on the pathogenesis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis concerning the existence of a relationship with the microbiota and the useful use of probiotics

On the feasibility of N2 fixation via a single-site FeI/FeIV cycle: Spectroscopic studies of FeI(N2)FeI, FeIV=N, and related species

The electronic properties of an unusually redox-rich iron system, [PhBPR 3]FeNx (where [PhBPR 3] is [PhB(CH2PR2)3]−), are explored by Mössbauer, EPR, magnetization, and density-functional methods to gain a detailed picture regarding their oxidation states and electronic structures. The complexes of primary interest in this article are the two terminal iron(IV) nitride species, [PhBPiPr 3]FeN (3a) and [PhBPCH2Cy 3]FeN (3b), and the formally diiron(I) bridged-Fe(μ-N2)Fe species, {[PhBPiPr 3]Fe}2(μ-N2) (4). Complex 4 is chemically related to 3a via a spontaneous nitride coupling reaction. The diamagnetic iron(IV) nitrides 3a and 3b exhibit unique electronic environments that are reflected in their unusual Mössbauer parameters, including quadrupole-splitting values of 6.01(1) mm/s and isomer shift values of −0.34(1) mm/s. The data for 4 suggest that this complex can be described by a weak ferromagnetic interaction (J/D < 1) between two iron(I) centers. For comparison, four other relevant complexes also are characterized: a diamagnetic iron(IV) trihydride [PhBPiPr 3]Fe(H)3(PMe3) (5), an S = 3/2 iron(I) phosphine adduct [PhBPiPr 3]FePMe3 (6), and the S = 2 iron(II) precursors to 3a, [PhBPiPr 3]FeCl and [PhBPiPr 3]Fe-2,3:5,6-dibenzo-7-aza bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene (dbabh). The electronic properties of these respective complexes also have been explored by density-functional methods to help corroborate our spectral assignments and to probe their electronic structures further

Do MNEs from developed and emerging economies differ in their location choice of FDI? A 36-year review

This study examines the extent to which MNEs from developed (DMNEs) and emerging (EMNEs) economies differ in Location behaviour. Studies on MNE location choices have failed to capture the changing FDI landscape and leave the inconsistent findings unexplained. We address this gap by systematically reviewing the extant literature on location choices of DMNEs and EMNEs over the past 36 years – from the introduction of the OLI model to 2016. Key themes emerging from the review reflect a comprehensive picture, capturing the impact of multiple factors affecting location choices of DMNEs and EMNEs. Future research is challenged by: a. adopting an integrated approach examining three levels – individual (managerial), firm (ownership structure, type of FDI, internationalisation stages, and the different nature of ownership advantage), and context of location decisions (home, host, sub-national, regional, supranational, and networking); b. refining or developing theories to capture the dynamic picture of MNE internationalisation