Lawyers' ethics in Italy – an historical treatment with some comments on recent changes in approach

This article examines the code of ethics of Italian lawyers in a historical perspective. It takes account of the many books on lawyers' ‘etiquette’ published along the centuries, varied according the different roles of lawyers, solicitors, assistants in the administration of justice and client's interests protection. It focuses the attention of the reader on the statutory rules enacted in the corporative legal system, and then by rules of the Italian Bar Council, which are equated to normative rules, according to the jurisprudence of the Italian Constitutional Court and the Italian Supreme Court. The essential content of the code of ethics concerns general principles of behavior, the relationship among lawyers, the attitude of the lawyer toward their clients, the contacts with judges. Also problems of competition are investigated and the permanent conflict of the Italian Bar Council with the Competition Administrative Authority.     

A review of developments and changes in the world＇s constitutions

The constitution is a living document, which being the case, there is a need to increase the understanding of the constitution through systematic research and teaching at various levels. This paper aims to be a catalyst that inspires creative action to claim and advance certain new constitutional rights encapsulated in various world＇s constitutions. It seeks to raise awareness of new constitutional rights. World＇s most constitutions have incorporated constitutional provisions that ensure the entrenched new fundamental human rights. The latest constitutions, including South African constitution of 1996 are advanced and have included significant number of rights which were left out in the old constitutions. The courts are given the widest possible powers to develop and forge new remedies for protection of constitutional rights and the enforcement of constitutional duties.     

On an accident by liquid nitrogen — histological changes of skin in cold

Two young researchers were found lying beside 3 Dewar flasks for liquid nitrogen in a cold experimental room of a university. They were sent to a hospital but died 1.5 h after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. One of the cadavers had dark red discoloration of the skin on the left arm at autopsy. By the histological investigation of the discolored region karyopyknosis and vacuolation of the keratinocytes were noticeably observed in the epidermis. In addition, hyperemia and edematous changes were seen. Hemoglobin (Hb) was not immunodetected in the skin tissue except intravascular erythrocytes. Therefore, these histological findings of the discolored skin can indicate that the skin damage was produced by cold due to liquid nitrogen before death. The cause of death was asphyxia due to oxygen deficiency. There were few autopsy findings which showed the participation of liquid nitrogen in the accident. But, the histological findings of the discolored region demonstrate that liquid nitrogen was involved in this accident.     

Analysing the application of Brussels I in regulating e-commerce jurisdiction in the European Union – Success,deficiencies and proposed changes

This article analyses the regulatory framework of e-commerce jurisdiction in the European Union (EU). Firstly, it discusses and analyses the current regime under the Brussels Regulation, highlighting its success in consumer protection and the deficiencies for e-commerce jurisdiction, which need to be addressed. Secondly, the article compares the EU regime with that of the United States (US). It is argued that the US courts follow uncertain and distinct approaches compared to the clear rules of the Brussels Regulation. Their present approach of minimum contacts analysis as followed in the Yahoo! case poses problems for a transnational EU litigant in similar cases. Thirdly, the article examines the recent proposals adopted by the European Commission to remedy the deficiencies in the Regulation. The most important change proposed is the inclusion of third-state defendants within its ambit. It is argued that the changes to be adopted by the European Parliament are insufficient, and the author therefore provides recommendations. Lastly, the article highlights the inability of the proposed changes to address the deficiencies identified by the discussion.     

Structural changes in Central and Eastern European economies: breaking news or breaking the ice?

This paper extends the sparse existing literature on structural breaks in emerging markets in Central and Eastern Europe by analyzing structural breaks in the intercept, trend and variance of monthly key macroeconomic variables, such as industrial production, inflation, monetary aggregates, nominal exchange rates and series related to the labor market. Using the Bayesian procedure developed by Wang and Zivot (2000, A Bayesian time series model of multiple structural changes in level, trend and variance. J Busi Econom 18:374–386), we provide strong evidence in favor of multiple structural breaks in the series under study. As most of the existing empirical literature on European emerging markets does not sufficiently deal with structural breaks, the instability found in this paper has important implications for macro-econometric modeling as well as the ensuing recommendations for economic policy.     

“Sex change” in skeletal remains: Assessing how heat-induced changes interfere with sex estimation

The true impact of heat-induced changes in human bone regarding their sex estimation has not been comprehensively documented having a potentially negative impact on forensic anthropology. The objective of this paper was to evaluate how heat exposure affects sex estimation based on both morphological and metric features. The study focused in both low-to-medium intensity burns and high intensity burns. Selected sexually dimorphic features were analysed in 51 experimentally burnt skeletons from the 21st Century Identified Skeletal Collection. Bones were burnt to maximum temperatures between 450 °C and 1050 °C achieved after 75 to 257 min. Morphological methods tested in this study comprised the recommendations for hipbone features from Buikstra and Ubelaker (1994) and from Bruzek (2002). On the other hand, metric references tested here were the ones from Wasterlain (2000), Curate et al. (2016) and Gonçalves et al. (2013) focused on the humerus, femur, calcaneus and talus. Agreement was tested with Gwet’s AC1 test and was further assessed by calculating the relative amount of perfect agreements. Results demonstrated that heat-induced changes affected not only the scoring of morphological features burnt at high temperatures but also the scoring of features burnt at lower intensities. On the other hand, metric features were only considerably affected in high intensity burns, no major changes being documented for low-to-medium intensity burns. For low-to-medium intensity burns, the Bruzek and Curate et al. methods revealed a better agreement between the pre- and post-burning scores. For high intensity burns, better agreement was obtained by using the Bruzek (2002) and Gonçalves et al. (2013) methods. As expected, heat-induced warping, fracture and metric change had a major impact on the pre- and post-observations’ agreement. Contrary to what has been systematically assumed over the years, this impact is also quite substantial in bones burnt at low-to-medium burn intensities so caution is advised during the analysis of this kind of burnt skeletal material.     

How Chinese enterprises live in freedom,competition under the rule of law —on the current changes of Corporate Law and Competition Law in China1

China has thoroughly amended its corporate law and hastens to formulate an anti-monopoly law. To rebound then deny the planned economy once adopted, China firmly practices marketization reform. However, common-recognized rules haven t taken shape without sufficient gaming and, lots of quick introduced legislations are only superficial provisions. As the trend of corporate legal system in developed countries, freedom and responsibility are the two contraries but not contradictory directions during the recent reform of China s corporate law. One is deregulation, e.g., introducing one-person company and the transition from approval system to registration system for the establishment of a company; while the other is adding various provisions of responsibility and liability to the Company Law for controlling shareholders, actual controllers, directors, supervisors and top managers. The Anti-Unfair Competition Law of China not only prescribes unfair competition but also counters monopoly. In general, it mainly focuses on anti-monopoly provisions, to popularize the concept and value of free market, making systematic regulations on any kinds of monopoly. This article reviews its background, process, meaning as well as the problems encountered. As there remains somewhat a mystery that China rapidly develops, it may also reflect a fringe of the reason.     

Will EMTALA changes leave emergency patients dying on the hospital doorstep?

Despite charges that it is at times ambiguous and overly burdensome, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) remains an important protection for patients, and a valuable instrument for enforcing public policy goals in the area of emergency healthcare services. The 250 Yard Rule is a small but crucial part of EMTALA, extending the statute's protections to emergency patients who have narrowly failed to reach the hospital's entrance. Following recent revisions to EMTALA's implementing regulations, some health-care law practitioners and senior federal regulators have opined that enforcement of the 250 Yard Rule will be dramatically curtailed. This Article explores the legal and public policy origins of the 250 Yard Rule and their continuing applicability in the current regulatory environment. The Article concludes that the regulatory basis for the 250 Yard Rule remains intact and that the legislative intent behind EMTALA, as well as ongoing public policy goals, dictate that the 250 Yard Rule be preserved.     

Do exchange rate changes have threshold effects on the trade balance? Evidence from Tunisia

Economic Change and Restructuring - The main objective of this paper is to shed new light on the nonlinear relationship between exchange rate changes and trade balance. Different from...     

Developments in household patterns in three towns in Navarre,Spain, 1786–1986

Contrary to what has been observed in other regions of Spain, the households of Sangüesa, Yesa, and Lesaca have undergone a set of transformation in their composition and structure in the last 200 years. These changes are closely linked to the economic changes that have taken place in Navarre during this period. The chief characteristic of the developments over the past two centuries has been the rise of the household with a simply structure (married couples with or without children), to which category most households now belong. A further noteworthy features is the fact that domestic servants have now almost completely disappeared.     

Developments in household patterns in three towns in Navarre,Spain, 1786–1986

Contrary to what has been observed in other regions of Spain, the households of Sangüesa, Yesa, and Lesaca have undergone a set of transformation in their composition and structure in the last 200 years. These changes are closely linked to the economic changes that have taken place in Navarre during this period. The chief characteristic of the developments over the past two centuries has been the rise of the household with a simply structure (married couples with or without children), to which category most households now belong. A further noteworthy features is the fact that domestic servants have now almost completely disappeared.     

Correction to: Do exchange rate changes have threshold effects on the trade balance? Evidence from Tunisia

Economic Change and Restructuring - In the original publication of the article, abstract section contains errors.     

Trends in the Reaction on Crime in Criminal Justice Systems in Europe in 1990–2007: A Comparison of Four European Regions

Recorded crime and prison populations seem to be increasing in Europe. Some explanations for this situation can be related to changes in the reaction on crime by the Criminal Justice Systems. The information collected in the European Sourcebook of Crime and Criminal Justice Statistics (ESB) provides a good opportunity to look in more detail at the changes in the various stages of the Criminal Justice Systems in more than 40 European countries over the period 1990 to 2007. In this study we look mainly at the changes over time of recorded crimes, the offender ratio, the conviction ratio and punitivity in Europe where the countries are clustered into four regions: North/West, South, Central and East Europe. It was found that the increase in the number of recorded drug crimes and a possible higher priority for violent crimes could help explain the increase in recorded crimes during the last two decades. The Criminal Justice Systems in Europe, with some differences between regions within Europe and despite not having more police resources, succeed in finding more offenders. The conviction ratio appeared to be increasing as well, mainly in Central Europe. While punitivity for Europe as a whole is stable, there are vast differences in the levels and trends between the regions.     

Forensic Psychiatric Examination in Criminal Cases in the United States

作者介绍了美国司法精神病鉴定的一些一般情况．美国法医精神病学家常受法院的委托，对刑事被告人进行精神状态鉴定和诉讼行为能力、责任能力评定．本文阐述了在美国的刑事案件审理过程中，对各种诉讼行为能力（包括受审能力、接受处决能力、放弃法定权利能力等）的认识及评定要点。论述了美国法律对判断有无刑事责任能力的历史发展变化．美国联邦及各州法律对刑事被告人责任能力评定中辨认和控制两要素存在不同看法，在司法实践中各州不尽相同，有些州只要鉴定人检查被告人有无辨认能力；有些州只强调有无控制能力；还有些州则要求鉴定人检查被告人有无辨认能力和控制能力，即两种能力都要．鉴定人检查被告人在作案当时有无精神病，主要根据临床经验及病史材料．     

Dynamics in Legislative Budgeting in Italy: 1982–2001

For much of the First Republic, the Italian parliament was notorious for its fiscal irresponsibility. However, using data over a 20-year period we note that the performance of the parliament during the passage of the national budget changed over time. During most of the 1980s the parliament always spent more than the final amount specified in the government's Budget Bill. But this trend slowed towards the late 1980s, and of particular interest is that for several years during the 1990s the parliament actually voted to spend less than the government had originally proposed. We explain this anomaly using institutional theories and contextual explanations.