NATO, the military organisation that already clasps most of the EU's members together, is poised to expand too, with formerly neutral states as well as ex-Soviet satellites already linked in partnership.The continent as a whole, whatever the disappointments that have followed the fall of communism, is slowly becoming safer, richer and more hopeful.
Exposure to a different frequency of light causes the DNA to relax into its natural shape again, deactivating the thrombin.The technology is still in its early days, but the goal is to inject patients with the microscopic clasps and use different frequencies of infra-red light to activate and deactivate the clotting clasps in specific locations.
Other than vases, surviving artworks include only some simple, bronze, safety-pin-like clasps called fibulae and some primitive clay figures showing clear Minoan influence; but the evidence of the vases shows a new art developing out of a ruined civilization, a new ability to discipline hand and eye that evolved into the Geometric style.
In medieval Europe, garments were laced together or fastened with brooches or clasps and points, until buttonholes were invented in the 13th century.
The art of granulation probably reached its peak with the Etruscans between the 7th and 6th centuries bc, in the elaborately granulated and embossed earrings, pronged shoulder clasps (for cloaks) modeled with gold-granulated sphinxes and lions, and beads found in Etruscan tombs.
Representative objects of this period include vases, small bronze and clay figurines, elaborately decorated safety-pin-like clasps, or fibulae, and limestone seals.
However, they disintegrated when wet, stained the contents, and the clasps soon broke so we went sensible and bought lightweight, stiff, black plastic cases.
Attempts to stop cheating were so stringent that even metal bra clasps were banned.
Streamline your bag Take your inspiration from Céline's Classic Box Bag and the Hermès Constance, with their sleek satchel shape and understated clasps, and jettison any big bags.
This uses a handmade upholstered pillow and two leather straps with metal clasps that do up around your stack to create an unusual, cool-looking solution.
Clio's crown of laurel denotes honour, glory and eternal life; her trumpet stands for fame, and the thick folio she clasps, perhaps a volume of Thucydides, symbolises history.
