Episturmian morphisms constitute a powerful tool to study episturmian words. Indeed, any episturmian word can be infinitely decomposed over the set of pure episturmian morphisms. Thus, an episturmian word can be defined by one of its morphic decompositions or, equivalently, by a certain directive word. Here we characterize pairs of words directing a common episturmian word. We also propose a wa...

A "living will" is a type of health care document known as an "Advance Medical Directive." An advance directive is a generic term for a form or document which expresses your preferences in the event you are physically and mentally unable to make medical care decisions for yourself. That is, an Advance Medical Directive is a method of letting others know your wishes about treatment if you are un...

T he cancer community is hoping for important revisions to how clinical trials are run in Europe as the European Commission (EC) sets about overhauling the much-criticized Clinical Trials Directive. Adopted in 2001 and implemented by all EU member states in 2004, the directive aimed to create a harmonized framework for clinical research, as well as to improve patient safety and procedures for e...

The European Patent Organization not being a EU member state is not subject to this formal requirement of implementing the Directive. It is, however, highly desirable to have a common standard throughout Europe regarding the patenting of biotechnological inventions. The European Patent Organization recently decided to implement the rules of the Directive into the Implementing Regulations to the...