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In March 2020, the French President called to war against the COVID‐19 which was followed by the launch of a military operation called Operation Resilience. This use of martial rhetoric initiated an effective mobilisation consisting in logistical assistance to the health sector. While armies are increasingly used to deal with environmental disasters, aside from their traditional role, this paper postulates that the geography of the French and international military engagement can be used to analyse both the institutional strategy of crisis management and the message governments send to their population. Military involvement differs in terms of missions given and of the amount of troops mobilised. It first questions the use of the military in the name of national resilience in the political discourse and the way it displays a symbolic message to the population, before analysing the role of armies in the crisis through the spatiality of their interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The calcareous tufa sequence and associated Palaeolithic site of Caours were discovered in 2002 during a test‐pit campaign aimed at identifying last interglacial (MIS 5e) archives in the fluvial terrace system of the Somme basin, northern France. The presence of an outstanding stratigraphical succession with four in situ Palaeolithic layers within the tufa sequence has motivated archaeological excavations of the site since 2005. The first malacological studies and U‐series ages quickly showed that the sequence was mainly deposited during the Eemian interglacial (MIS 5e). After 20 years of investigations, we propose here a summary of this multidisciplinary research project including stratigraphy, sedimentology, geochronology, geochemistry, malacology, mammals, palaeovegetation and archaeology. By combining 25 dates obtained by U‐series, ESR/U‐series, TL and OSL methods, the Caours calcareous tufa sequence is securely dated to the Eemian (123.1±2.8 ka). Based on the summary of the whole information, we propose a robust and detailed reconstruction of the modification of the valley environments between the Late Saalian and the Early Weichselian. At the scale of northwestern Europe, Caours provides a reference terrestrial molluscs record for the Eemian interglacial, including the climatic optimum, that is also described in the same layers by δ18O and δ13C analyses on calcite and by mammal remains. Moreover, the 300‐m‐long transect crossing the fluvial terrace covered by the tufa sequence and the bottom valley formation, combined with the chronology established from U‐series and OSL ages, shows that the incision of the present‐day valley, leading to the setting of the Very Low Terrace, was achieved during the first stages of the Early Weichselian (MIS 5d–5c). From an archaeological point of view, the configuration of the Caours site is unique at the scale of western Europe and demonstrates the adaptation of Neandertals to a forested environment and to fully temperate conditions during the Eemian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is already having impacts on biodiversity within Europe, with habitats and species needing to change and adapt to rising global temperatures and shifts in bio-climatic zones. Spatial planning represents an important intervention to further European, national and local biodiversity objectives for climate change adaptation. Drawing on case-studies of plans for inland and coastal areas, and involving stakeholder workshops, this paper reports on a trans-national study examining the scope of spatial plans in the Netherlands, England and France in addressing the impact of climate change. It concludes that spatial planning is making provision for biodiversity and dynamic natural processes. However, while good practice in planning for biodiversity under conditions of climate change is developing, systematic use is not being made of available procedures. The paper examines some of the barriers to implementation of this new policy commitment to climate change adaptation. Recommendations are made covering policy development to include climate change impacts upon biodiversity, modified procedures for plan-making and the appraisal of plans and projects. Amongst the specific measures recommended are the climate-proofing of projects and plans through the use of EIA and SEA; the integration of plans through adoption of common objectives and review of time horizons and boundaries; and an ecosystem-based planning approach. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though the impact of EC law on the legal status of national powers has been fairly well examined, little attention has been paid to the overall evaluation of the relations developed between national authorities. The paper argues that the mutation of the Judiciary and the Executive role vis-à-vis the Legislature appears to be an application of an emerging doctrine in EC public law that conspicuously resembles the 'Checks and Balances' theory of American constitutionalism. The action of one public authority is— or must be—countered by the reaction of another for the benefit of EC law. Apart from identifying the features of this 'principle' in comparison to its equivalent American doctrine, the paper deals with the question of a possible coexistence of this new model of governance with the traditional one. The comparative perspective is necessary here. Whereas in Germany the constitutional model appears to cope with European demands, in France it seems largely opposed to such a dynamic conception of the separation of powers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale, aims and objectives Differences in the performance of medical care may be due to variation in the introduction and diffusion of medical innovations. The objective of this paper is to compare seven European countries ( United Kingdom, the Netherlands, West Germany, France, Spain, Estonia and Sweden) with regard to the year of introduction of six specific pharmaceutical innovations (antiretroviral drugs, cimetidine, tamoxifen, cisplatin, oxalaplatin and cyclosporin) that may have had important population health impacts. Methods We collected information on introduction and further diffusion of drugs using searches in the national and international literature, and questionnaires to national informants. We combined various sources of information, both official years of registration and other indicators of introduction (clinical trials, guidelines, evaluation reports, sales statistics). Results and conclusions The total length of the period between first and last introduction varied between 8 years for antiretroviral drugs and 22 years for cisplatin. Introduction in Estonia was generally delayed until the 1990s. The average time lags were smallest in France (2.2 years), United Kingdom (2.8 years) and the Netherlands (3.5 years). Similar rank orders were seen for year of registration suggesting that introduction lags are not only explained by differences in the process of registration. We discuss possible reasons for these between-country differences and implications for the evaluation of medical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migration is a widespread strategy that enables animals to escape harsh winter conditions. It has been well documented that migration phenology in birds is changing in response to recent climate warming in the northern hemisphere. Despite the existence of large temporal and geographical scale ringing data on birds in Europe, changes in migration strategies in relation to climate warming have not been well studied, mainly because of a lack of appropriate statistical methods. In this paper, we develop a method that enables us to investigate temporal changes in migration strategies from recoveries of dead ringed birds. We estimated migration probability as the ratio between recovery probabilities of conspecific birds originating from different countries but potentially wintering in the same country. We applied this method to two European thrushes: the entirely migrant redwing Turdus iliacus, and the partially migrant blackbird T. Merula. We tested for an immediate and a 1-year lagged relationship between our migration probability and climatic covariates (i. E. Mean winter temperature in France and the North Atlantic Oscillation). Using ringing-recovery data collected in Finland, Germany, Switzerland and France from 1970 to 1999, we detected contrasting responses in these two species, likely related to their different migratory behaviours. Both species showed a decline in the probability for northern and eastern birds to winter in France. The entirely migratory redwing exhibited a year-to-year plastic response to climate, whereas the decline in the partially migrant blackbird was smooth, suggesting underlying genetic processes. The proposed method, thus, allows us to identify useful indicators of climatic impacts on migration strategies, as well as highlighting differences between closely related species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides further evidence of price and volume effects associated with index compositional changes by analysing the inclusions (exclusions) from the French CAC40 and SBF120 indices, as well as the FTSE100. I find evidence supporting the price pressure hypothesis associated with index fund rebalancing, but weak or no evidence for the imperfect substitution, liquidity and information hypotheses. The results improve on recent evidence from the S&P500 index. The evidence for the FTSE100 additions shows, in particular, that markets learn about an imminent inclusion and incorporate this information into prices, even before the announcement date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sociologia Ruralis is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper presents some empirical evidence, for Belgium, the Netherlands and France, on the so-called 'administrative inflation' hypothesis. The hypothesis might be defined as saying that price increases are higher in more concentrated industries, given positive changes in demand and costs. Empirically speaking, it implies that, for a cross-section of industries, wholesale-price changes are a positive function of concentration ratios, for given increases in demand and unit costs. Although any relevant evidence would be an interesting contribution to the present discussion about the Common Market's antitrust policy, the hypothesis has never been confronted-to my knowledge-with data from European Economic Community (E.E.C.) countries. The evidence presented in this paper is limited to the 1958-65 period, because of the difficulty in collecting comparable data form earlier years. As we were more familiar with Belgian data, Belgium was selected as a test case to detetmine the most appropriate empirical specification of the hypothesis. A few changes in Weiss's approach proved to be beneficial and are discussed in section it together with the data and results obtained for Belgium. In section III, results for the Netherlands are compared with the Belgian evidence on the basis of an analysis of covariance. Section IV introduces France while the last section draws some conclusions as to the validity of the hypothesis in a European framework.

Background: The effectiveness of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) in seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis (AR) depends on the definition of pollen exposure intensity or time period. We recently evaluated pollen and symptom data from Germany to examine the new definitions of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) on pollen season and peak pollen period start and end. Now, we aim to confirm the feasibility of these definitions to properly mirror symptom loads for grass and birch pollen-induced allergic rhinitis in other European geographical areas such as Austria, Finland and France, and therefore their suitability for AIT and clinical practice support., Methods: Data from twenty-three pollen monitoring stations from three countries in Europe and for 3 years (2014-2016) were used to investigate the correlation between birch and grass pollen concentrations during the birch and grass pollen season defined via the EAACI criteria, and total nasal symptom and medication scores as reported with the aid of the patient's hay-fever diary (PHD). In addition, we conducted a statistical analysis, together with a graphical investigation, to reveal correlations and dependencies between the studied parameters., Results: The analysis demonstrated that the definitions of pollen season as well as peak pollen period start and end as proposed by the EAACI are correlated to pollen-induced symptom loads reported by PHD users during birch and grass pollen season. A statistically significant correlation (slightly higher for birch) has been found between the Total Nasal Symptom and Medication Score (TNSMS) and the pollen concentration levels. Moreover, the maximum symptom levels occurred mostly within the peak pollen periods (PPP) following the EAACI criteria., Conclusions: Based on our analyses, we confirm the validity of the EAACI definitions on pollen season for both birch and grass and for a variety of geographical locations for the four European countries (including Germany from a previous publication) analyzed so far. On this basis, the use of the EAACI definitions is supported in future clinical trials on AIT as well as in daily routine for optimal patient care. Further evaluation of the EAACI criteria in other European regions is recommended., (© 2019 The Authors. Allergy published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The article reports on the 13th Seminar on Family Research and its focus on the family life cycle as a social system. The conference, organized by the International Sociological Association's Committee on Family Research and the Centre d'Ethnologie Francaise, was held in Paris, France in September 1973. Four themes prevailed: changes in family cycle in Europe since the 18th century, social stratification and urban-rural differences, family life cycle theory, and research methods in social science.

Copyright of Journal of Family Therapy is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Questionnaire surveys have been undertaken worldwide to investigate practices and knowledge related to deep carious lesion (DCL) management in permanent teeth, and there is a lack of data in primary teeth. Aim: A cross‐sectional questionnaire survey was undertaken to describe the management strategies for DCL of vital primary teeth, focusing on the different caries removal techniques, among dentists practicing pediatric dentistry (DPPDs) in France. Their behavior was compared to members one registered to European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (EAPD). Design: A questionnaire was electronically administrated (2018–2019) to members of the Collège des Enseignants en Odontologie Pédiatrique (CEOP), the Société Française d'Odontologie Pédiatrique (SFOP), and the EADP. Descriptive and statistical analyses were performed. Results: Response rate was, respectively, for CEOP, SFOP, and EAPD about 74%, 29%, and 15%. About half of the respondents (53%) would perform a complete caries removal into one step when 12% would indicate a stepwise technique: 68% of the DPPDs practicing in France would perform complete caries removal in one step when the preferred option in the other EAPD members was the selective excavation (44%) (P <.001). Conclusions: Complementary education of French dentists in the domain of caries management appears necessary regarding current recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé: Les auteurs étudient les disparités salariales chez les jeunes (25–40 ans) dans trois pays européens (Allemagne, France et Italie) en utilisant les statistiques de l'EU‐SILC (2010). La méthode fait appel à des régressions fondées sur la fonction d'influence recentrée et à des techniques d'estimation par repondération. Elle vise à faire apparaître le rôle des caractéristiques relatives à l'individu et au poste de travail aux différents points de la répartition des salaires. La part de l'écart qui reste inexpliquée est considérable en Italie, pour tous les centiles. En France, elle s'atténue dans le haut de la répartition. En Allemagne, elle n'est jamais significative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This medical history historic literature review aims at understanding the evolution of the medical existence of burning mouth syndrome (BMS) over times. Three historic research tools were used (Medic@, IndexCat, Gallica) with several keywords, exploring the years 1800–1950. One hundred and fifty documents were obtained dating from 1803 to 1937, including 55 reviews, 44 original articles, 40 quotations, and 11 medical dictionaries. A total of 199 cases of BMS were reported which allowed for a narrative review of the early history of BMS (1800–1950). This review spans from the description of the first clinical cases by several authors in Europe to the creation of the syndrome by the French Academy of Medicine, its intellectual sponsorship by the emerging discipline of neuropsychiatry, to its subsequent evolution until the conceptual shift of the American authors. A better knowledge of the evolution of the nosology of BMS throughout history should bring a better understanding of current approaches for treating such an affection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main role of a depositary is to protect investors by providing safekeeping and monitoring services. In Europe in general and in France in particular, it is common for funds and their depositary belong to the same financial group. This ownership linkage between funds and their depositary can affect the effectiveness of the depositary services, and investors might not be well protected. Using a sample of 1,515 French equity funds designed for retail investors, I investigate the effects of the dependence of depositaries on investor protection by comparing performance, risk taking and fees between independent and dependent‐depositary funds. The results show that an independent depositary seems to approve more ‘fair’ fees than a dependent depositary. However, there is no significant difference in performance or in risk taking between these two types of funds. Nevertheless, retail investors seem to care about the independence of the depositary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the far-reaching liberalization of the French banking system over the past quarter century, French banks suffered far less in the international financial crisis (2007-2009) than banks in the United Kingdom and Germany. However, the French system also suffered far more-at least in the first stages of the crisis-than the banking systems of Southern Europe. By several measures, French banks were world leaders in financial innovation, and the French banking system was highly exposed to international market movements. The limited impact of the crisis, however, owed to the specificities of French 'market-based banking.' Deliberate state action over the two decades prior to the crisis created a specific kind of banking system and encouraged forms of financial innovation, the unintentional consequence of which was the limited exposure to the securitization that caused the damage wrought during the financial crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The neonicotinoid class of insecticides is a key component of pest management strategies used by stone fruit producers in Europe. Neonicotinoids are currently one of the most important tools for control of the peach-potato aphid ( Myzus persicae). Overreliance on neonicotinoids has led to the development of resistance through a combination of metabolic and target-site resistance mechanisms in individual aphids. A resistance monitoring project was conducted by Syngenta in 2010 to determine the resistance status of M. persicae populations collected from France and Spain, and to determine the frequency of the target-site mutation in those populations. RESULTS: Resistance monitoring suggests that resistance to neonicotinoids is relatively widespread in populations of M. persicae collected from peach orchards in the Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur and Rhone-Alpes regions of France, and resistance can be associated with the frequency of the target-site mutation (R81T). The R81T mutation in its heterozygous form is also present in Spanish populations and is associated with neonicotinoid resistance. CONCLUSION: The widespread nature of neonicotinoid resistance in southern France and the potential for resistance development in northern Spain highlight the need for a coordinated management strategy employing insecticides with different modes of action to reduce the selection pressure with neonicotinoids. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about several topics discussed at the meeting of European Nutrition Foundations in Madrid on April 2010 is presented. Topics of the meeting include the nutrition in the school curriculum and regulations on foods and drinks provided in schools. The meeting features various executives including Juan Ballasteros.

Cet article propose une étude du rôle croissant que joue l'évaluation dans la gouvernance des services à domicile en Europe. L'introduction de quasi-marchés dans plusieurs pays européens va de pair avec un processus d'autonomisation de la fonction d'évaluation qui devient un véritable outil de régulation de la concurrence. Une analyse comparée des situations en Belgique, France et Royaume-Uni, tant de la demande que de l'offre de services, met en évidence les tensions récurrentes dans les objectifs de l'évaluation (qualité des services, maîtrise des budgets sociaux, création d'emploi), la faible prise en compte de la qualité de l'emploi ainsi que les limites des dispositifs standardisés d'évaluation au regard de la rhétorique du libre choix de l'usager (consommateur). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to increasing care needs, the reform or development of long-term care (LTC) systems has become a prominent policy issue in all European countries. Cash-for-care schemes-allowances instead of services provided to dependents-represent a key policy aimed at ensuring choice, fostering family care, developing care markets, and containing costs. A detailed analysis of policy documents and regulations, together with a systematic review of existing studies, was used to investigate the differences among six European countries (Austria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden). The rationale and evolution of their various cash-for-care schemes within the framework of their LTC systems also were explored. While most of the literature present cash-for-care schemes as a common trend in the reforms that began in the 1990s and often treat them separately from the overarching LTC policies, this article argues that the policy context, timing, and specific regulation of the new schemes have created different visions of care and care work that in turn have given rise to distinct LTC configurations. A new typology of long-term care configurations is proposed based on the inclusiveness of the system, the role of cash-for-care schemes and their specific regulations, as well as the views of informal care and the care work that they require. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geographical indications (GIs) are remarkably different from other instruments of intellectual property rights (IPRs). Their acreage to the local provides an original scheme of governance. Contrary to other IPRs, GIs have only been homogenized in a very small way in the international legal framework. The issue is whether GIs are implemented as any other IPR, due to their collective and public dimensions. In particular, what is the role conferred to the state in the protection of GIs? The French legal framework, which largely influenced the European legal framework, is based on long traditions of protection of the appellations of origin and GIs where the role of the state has been declining, in order to give more responsibilities to the producer groups. The control task has been transferred from the state to the certification bodies to increase the guarantee of quality. The Indian experience, a post-TRIPS Agreement (the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) example, shows a state and its agencies which are very active in the process of filing GI applications, including being themselves the applicant and eventually the proprietor. This might be justified by the lack of strong producer organization. These different roles of the state between France/Europe and India give a new understanding of the legal nature of GIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Although reservoirs are common aquatic habitats in Europe, there is little quantitative information on the spatial organisation of fish assemblages inhabiting their littoral zones. Consequently, we characterised fish assemblage structure in the littoral zone of a reservoir (Lake Pareloup) in SW France during late spring, summer and early autumn (the growing season). 2. We measured the relative abundance of fish weekly, from mid-May to mid-October, using point abundance sampling by electrofishing. We identified temporal patterns in assemblage structure using hierarchical cluster analysis, and then characterised the spatial distribution of 17 defined ecospecies using a Kohonen self-organising map (SOM, an unsupervised Artificial Neural Network). 3. Our analyses revealed three distinct faunal structures within the littoral zone. From mid-May to mid-July, adults and young-of-the-year (0+) occupied separate habitats, with most 0+ fish in vegetated habitats and adults in open water. From mid-July to late August, some 0+ co-occurred with adults, but most 0+ fishes remained in vegetated areas. Finally, from late August to mid-October, most fish (both 0+ and adults) left the vegetation for unvegetated littoral habitats, the exception being fish species known to be dependent on macrophytes. 4. Contrary to patterns for adult fishes, the 0+ fish assemblage was dynamic. These dynamics were driven by ontogenetic species-specific habitat changes. Consequently, there was little evidence of stable assemblages or strong assemblage–habitat relationships that would be expected of an ‘interactive’ assemblage. It is likely that the patterns observed are a result of species-specific response to habitat availability in the lake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers the author's views on the November 2005 events in French urban periphery. Being a French citizen, he feels impelled to discuss the issues like names, violence, postcolony, religion, race and class, citizenship, and politics/antipolitics that affect people on the outskirts of the country. He refers to movements of social and racial exclusion in European and American society.

The article examines the agenda for the future structure and direction of the European Union. France and the Netherlands voted against the European constitution project in 2005. But this does not mean the Union will be reduced to a state of political crisis. Constitutional treaties can be calculated in both material and symbolic terms and social effects in terms of political morality. The Amsterdam and Nice treaty left unfinished institutional business in the face of the pending European Union enlargement.

The article reports that although the European constitution project was rejected, Europe has long since had a constitution in the European treaties. In May and June 2005, France and the Netherlands citizens decided to vote against the proposed constitution. Several reasons why the European treaties represent a constitution for the Union is cited. The European treaties from Rome to Nice constitutionalize a union of democratic legal communities, not an arbitrary hereditary monarchy. These treaties though, are not an egalitarian constitution for the citizenry of Europe.

The article examines the 2005 rejection of the European Constitution Project in a referenda held in France and the Netherlands. For those who voted against the project, it was an awareness that the European Union's free market system was not favoring Europe's middles and working classes. The perception was that Europe's elites were using EU policies to destroy national welfare systems, privatize public services and weaken regulatory devices. The approval of the constitution would have accelerated enlargement of the Union to include Turkey.

The article examines the European Constitution Project after it was rejected in a popular referenda. Although the project was not abandoned, it was placed in a state of suspension to allow a period of reflection for a year before any further decision or action is taken. Fourteen of the 25 member states of the European Union have ratified the project which includes Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Germany, Italy, Greece and Hungary. It was rejected by France and the Netherlands. Since France and the Netherlands were two of the founding members of the European Union, their no vote alone placed the project in its current state.

The article examines the battles, prejudices and future perspectives of Turkey and the European Union. At the September 2004 American Academy of Berlin meeting, then German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer comments that Turkey's accession to the European Union would take place in ten to fifteen years' time. He also expresses that the entry of Turkey, who has a population of 70 million Muslims, would pose difficulties for the shape of things to come in Europe. French President Jacques Chirac and his party promised its people that Turkish accession, if it comes to pass, would be subject to a referendum among the French population.

The world's obligate cave-dwelling fauna holds considerable promise for biogeographic analysis because it represents a large number of independent evolutionary experiments in isolation in caves and adaptation to subterranean life. We focus on seven north temperate regions of at least 2000 km2, utilizing more than 4300 records of obligate cave-dwelling terrestrial invertebrates. In North America, highest diversity was found in northeast Alabama while in Europe highest diversity was found in Ariège, France, and in southeast Slovenia. Based on these regions as well as more qualitative data from 16 other regions, we hypothesize that a ridge (ca 42°–46° in Europe and 34° in North America) of high biodiversity occurs in temperate areas of high productivity and cave density. This may reflect a strong dependence of cave communities on long term surface productivity (as reflected in actual evapotranspiration), because the subterranean fauna relies almost entirely on resources produced outside caves. This dependence may explain the unique biodiversity pattern of terrestrial cave invertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the global economy as of 2005, the drive for corporate competitiveness and flexibility has led to sweeping changes in the ways enterprises are organized, economically, financially and in terms of their workforce. Developments such as the emergence of global financial networks, outsourcing, relocation and the establishment of networks of enterprises have had far-reaching consequences for labor relations and labor law enforcement. Therefore, this article examines a few of the issues raised by these transformations together with the ways in which they could be managed in law, particularly with reference to the experience of France and Europe.

Addresses the response of Great Britain and France to the prospect of integrating their Islamic minorities and their approach to groups within their borders. Complications of the process of homogenization, differentiation and emerging identities of minorities; Role of religion in shaping the European identity; History of Europe's opposition and continued hostility toward Islam; Emphasis of Islam on women's role in society; Development of the educational system of European countries.

The sustainable development (SD) strategies of two successive French governments, led by Prime Ministers Jospin (1997–2002) and Raffarin (from 2002), are compared and analysed in relation to three debates: (i) the influence of institutional settings and levels of continuity between international, European and national policy frameworks; (ii) compatibility between SD policy frames, national policy style and institutional capacity and (iii) relationships between traditional political discourses and SD discourse. Difficulties in achieving a good ‘fit’ are identified in each of these areas, explanations are offered and implications for future developments outlined. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the European Community (EC) policy-making in education and the conceptualization of policy processes in the creation and development of EC policy activity in higher education. Changes and development in EC Higher Education Policy from 1955-1987; Impact of the agreement between France and Italy on the principle of EC educational cooperation and on the European University issue; Development in the policy design for EC education from 1973-1976; Characteristics of the process launched by the EC at the meeting in Lisbon, Portugal in 2000.

Reports on the dispute in the World Trade Organization between European communities and Canada over a French ban on the import of asbestos and asbestos-containing products in 1996. Background on the dispute; Analysis of a French decree that bans toxic products; Relevance of asbestos toxicity to the discussion on international trade.

The article discusses the national product and structural change in the French economy. During the last two decades national income and social accounting has emerged as a meaningful tool of economic analysis and an instrumentality for the formulation of public policy. After World War II nearly all of the nations of western Europe resorted to social accounting to some extent, a development which resulted in a wealth of empirical data, and provided, as well, valuable theoretical insights into the basic problems of national income analysis. This is true of France. In conjunction with the endeavor to rehabilitate the economy through the modernization and equipment plan (i.e. the "Monnet Plan"), a vigorous effort was made to develop an adequate system of national accounts. Now, the stress placed upon national accounting is such that the annual "economic budget" is one of the key instruments for economic planning, and ranks in importance with the fiscal budget among the documents a government presents to the National Assembly.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the French Alcohol Society's clinical guidelines entitled "Alcohol misuse: Screening, diagnosis and treatment" and the guidelines' efforts to circumvent differences id diagnostics between "The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" and the International Classification of Diseases.

The article reports that French President Nicolas Sarkozy went to Algeria on July 10, 2008 as his first visit outside Europe to promote his idea of a Mediterranean Union and enhance their energy-business relationship. Sarkozy was welcomed by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and he is also expected to promote the widening of trade links in the region which has been the French commercial preserve and is also opening to U.S. and Chinese investors. Moreover, Sarkozy was determined to create military cooperation and is open to more sales of arms to Algeria.

Reports on the potential conflict between the U.S. and Europe over an International Criminal Court (ICC). France's drafting of a United Nations resolution calling for the ICC to prosecute war crimes in Darfur, Sudan; Possible success of the French move.

The Eurasian perch,Perca fluviatilisL., has good potential as a candidate for inland aquaculture diversification in Europe. To aid the development of this new product, we define a quality reference based on attributes of wild perch, and compare the quality of perch reared in three different culture systems:(1) extensive(pond),(2) semi-extensive(tank) and(3) intensive(re-circulation system). In order to define a precise quality reference, it is necessary to characterize the spatial and seasonal variability in quality attributes of wild fish. To do so, wild perch were harvested every three month for a full biological cycle from two different natural systems(Lake Geneva in France and the River Rhine in the Netherlands). Two components of quality were taken into account: organoleptical(colour of skin and fillets(L*C*H° system; 12 variables), seven morphological measurements) and six technological components(viscero, hepato and gonadosomatic index, perivisceral fat index, fillet yield and condition factor K2). Using Principal Component Analysis, we show that within-season variability is high, particularly for Rhine perch. Perch from the Rhine have a compact body and caudal fin, and possess a longer mouth and head than perch from Lake Genva. Reared fish possess wild-like characteristics except for technological variables. Fish from extensive and semi-extensive system show similar attributes, while fish from intensive rearing systems show a higher viscerosomatic and perivisceral fat index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the findings of a genetic analysis conducted by Evelyne Picard-Meyer, et al, on a European bat lyssavirus type 1a isolate from a serotine bat in central France. Number of different genotypes of lyssaviruses that have been identified around the world; Comparison of the isolate with isolates from rabid bats and reference strains.