Overview Of Important Developments Research Articles

Language policy in Lithuania: current issues in the legal framework

ABSTRACT The paper analyses the current situation of the Lithuanian language policy in the 2-3rd decade of the twenty-first century, which, as in some other European countries, has been determined by the confrontation between nationalistic and neoliberal attitudes of the society and the Seimas (Parliament). The reasons for updating language policy are discussed: high emigration after EU accession and immigration from post-Soviet countries because of military tensions, as well as intensive globalisation and the development of IT. The article therefore provides an overview of important developments in the legal framework for language policy, some of which have been implemented and some of which have been discussed for decades. One of the subjects of this debate is the updating of the State Language Law itself and the revision of its fundamental statements. The impact of the solutions to the above-mentioned problems of the language policy on the prestige of the state Lithuanian language in society is discussed.

History of Envenoming Therapy and Current Perspectives.

Each year, millions of humans fall victim to animal envenomings, which may either be deadly or cause permanent disability to the effected individuals. The Nobel Prize-winning discovery of serum therapy for the treatment of bacterial infections (tetanus and diphtheria) paved the way for the introduction of antivenom therapies for envenomings caused by venomous animals. These antivenoms are based on polyclonal antibodies derived from the plasma of hyperimmunized animals and remain the only specific treatment against animal envenomings. Following the initial development of serum therapy for snakebite envenoming by French scientists in 1894, other countries with high incidences of animal envenomings, including Brazil, Australia, South Africa, Costa Rica, and Mexico, started taking up antivenom production against local venomous animals over the course of the twentieth century. These undertakings revolutionized envenoming therapy and have saved innumerous patients worldwide during the last 100 years. This review describes in detail the above-mentioned historical events surrounding the discovery and the application of serum therapy for envenomings, as well as it provides an overview of important developments and scientific breakthroughs that were of importance for antibody-based therapies in general. This begins with discoveries concerning the characterization of antibodies, including the events leading up to the elucidation of the antibody structure. These discoveries further paved the way for other milestones in antibody-based therapies, such as the introduction of hybridoma technology in 1975. Hybridoma technology enabled the expression and isolation of monoclonal antibodies, which in turn formed the basis for the development of phage display technology and transgenic mice, which can be harnessed to directly obtain fully human monoclonal antibodies. These developments were driven by the ultimate goal of producing potent neutralizing monoclonal antibodies with optimal pharmacokinetic properties and low immunogenicity. This review then provides an outline of the most recent achievements in antivenom research, which include the application of new biotechnologies, the development of the first human monoclonal antibodies that can neutralize animal toxins, and efforts toward creating fully recombinant antivenoms. Lastly, future perspectives in the field of envenoming therapies are discussed, including rational engineering of antibody cross-reactivity and the use of oligoclonal antibody mixtures.

SEC permits abbreviated tender and exchange offers for non-convertible high-yield and investment-grade debt securities

Purpose – To advise companies of a recent SEC no-action letter relating to tender and exchange offers for certain debt securities. Design/methodology/approach – Reviews various conditions allowing an issuer to use a shortened timeframe in which certain debt tender/exchange offers need be kept open for as few as five business days. Findings – The abbreviated debt tender/exchange offer structure contemplated by the no-action letter provides a more efficient mechanism for conducting debt tender/exchange offers in certain circumstances. Practical implications – Issuers conducting a debt tender/exchange offer should consider whether the new abbreviated structure is more effective in achieving their objectives than the more traditional structures. Originality/value – Practical guidance from experienced securities regulatory lawyers that gives an overview of important developments in debt tender/exchange offer practice.

The digital challenge for the book industry: a viewpoint of Frankfurt Book Fair

PurposeThis article seeks to give an overview of important developments in the book and media industry, from the specific viewpoint of the Frankfurt Book Fair.Design/methodology/approachThe article is a viewpoint, a summary of the studies, market research and surveys which the Frankfurt Book Fair has conducted into the situation of the book market, and which it has used to develop its current profile.FindingsThe content business is opening up new areas of great potential – digital rights and multimedia formats are taking place alongside the international trade in translation rights. Traditionally linear value chains are becoming intermeshed to form multidimensional “value spaces”. The industry focuses today on cooperating with new partners on new multimedia formats and ideas, involving the creative industries of films, games, books as well as the ICT sector. Knowledge and exchange will become relevant factors. At the same time, digitisation is strengthening the situation of authors and other content producers. By consequence, publishers, agents and booksellers are repositioning themselves.Originality/valueThe Frankfurt Book Fair must always anticipate today what will be influencing the book industry tomorrow. Its purpose is to reflect the book industry while at the same time providing orientation in a world where change is becoming a constant. This article examines the Frankfurt Book Fair's own view of the developments and trends in the industry.

EU Aviation Scene: Major Developments April 2007–July 2007

This article gives an overview of important developments on the EU aviation scene between 1 April 2007 and 31 July 2007. During this period, the main developments were: – The report of the European Parliament on the Commission’s proposal for a Regulation on common rules for the operation of air transport services in the EU, combining and simplifying the current three common market regulations; – The Commission’s decision to block the proposed acquisition of Aer Lingus by Ryanair; – The outcome of the comments on the Commission’s Consultation Paper on the possible revision of the CRS Code of Conduct; – The abolition of the IATA passenger block exemption for IATA passenger tariff conferences for interlining on routes between EU and non-EU countries; and – The conclusion of a final EU/US deal on the exchange of PNR data.

EC Aviation Scene: Major Developments November 2006 - February 2007

This article gives an overview of important developments on the EU aviation scene between 1 November 2006 and 31 March 2007. In addition to the general overview (section 1), the following major developments will be covered in detail in sections 2 to 4: ? The EU/US Air Transport Agreement concluded by European and US negotiators on 2 March 2007 and adopted by the Council of EU Transport Ministers on 22 March 2007 (section 2); ? The airport package proposed by the European Commission (the Commission), including the proposed Directive on airport charges, the assessment of the impact of ground-handling liberalization and the Commission?s Communication on an action plan for airport capacity, efficiency and safety in Europe (section 3). In the discussion relating to the Communication, section 3 will also summarize the main findings of the November 2006 study by Mott MacDonald on the impact of secondary slot trading; and ? The Commission’s Consultation Paper on the possible revision of the CRS Code of Conduct (section 4).

American Women Writers and the First World War

AbstractTraditionally, the literary representation of the First World War has been the preserve of the male author. In particular, it is the account of the combat experienced soldier, most often the English soldier poets, which has been privileged. For more than two decades, however, critics have been actively engaged in establishing a more inclusive canon of war literature along gendered and national lines. Feminist scholars, in particular, have vigorously explored the complex intersection between war, writing and gender, recovering and re‐evaluating women's narratives of war, recognising them as important literary, social and historical documents. This article will address both gendered and national concerns, offering an overview of important developments in the study of American women's writings from the First World War. It will also engage with current critical debates which address issues such as the development of distinctly female modernisms and the presentation of war through the female gaze.

Mental Health Policy and Practice H. Lester, J. Glasby, Palgrave Macmillan, 2006, £18.99, 260 pp. ISBN: 1403935432

![][1] This clearly written book by two academics (one a general practitioner and the other with a social work background) seeks to provide an overview of important developments in mental healthcare. Two introductory chapters set the scene, providing the reader with a somewhat

EC Aviation Scene (Major 2006 Developments)

This article gives an overview of important developments on the EC aviation scene in 2006 (up to 31 October 2006). It then examines in more detail two specific developments, namely (a) the review by the European Commission (Commission) of the block exemption exempting IATA passenger tariff conferences and slot and scheduling conferences; and (b) the judgement of the European Court of First Instance, rejecting easyJet’s appeal against the Commission’s clearance (subject to conditions) of the Air France/KLM merger.

Indonesia: Setting the Stage for Soeharto´s Re‑election

For Indonesians in general, the year 1995 marked a memorable milestone at the fiftieth anniversary of the country's independence from colonial rule. Viewed from the Pesta Rakyat (Celebrations for the People) occurring everywhere in the country, with an obvious highlight in its capital city of Jakarta, one could not help but appreciate the past accomplishments of the country and yet, at the same time, be aware of the challenges to come. The President's current term ends in 1998. His achievements are well docu mented. He succeeded where Soekarno failed because he.used his power to nurture a consistent economic policy suited to local conditions, yet founded on a managed opening of the economy to international investment and trade. Government investment in infrastructure and the improvement of educational and social standards have been among the legacies of the Soeharto era. These successes, coupled with a formidable system of state power used periodically to curb dissent, have delivered to Indonesia internal stability and given it the credibility to play a pivotal role in international organizations like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). The underlying theme in this article is that in 1995, rather than contemplat ing the end of the Soeharto era, Indonesia was indeed preparing itself for the likelihood of the President continuing to a seventh term in 1998. The article also provides an overview of important developments in the fields of politics, the economy and international affairs which impacted on the nation during the year.

The Body in Question

Based on a British Broadcasting Corporation television series, this imaginative, beautifully illustrated historical overview of important developments in medicine looks like a "coffee-table" book and reads like an adventure story. It is, however, a serious work that carries, among others, two important, albeit controversial, messages. Miller contends that medicine's progress owes less to therapeutic advances than to discoveries of how the body functions and that these insightful discoveries derive from metaphors usually extrapolated from mechanical models. Harvey's discovery of the circulation was evoked by the model of fire pumps, Sherrington's discovery of neural autoregulation by that of automated machines. Whether or not one agrees with Miller, one need not forego the pleasure of reading his book, which, although not intended primarily for physicians, cannot fail to interest and delight them.