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Around a third of the total population of Europe suffers from mental disorders. The use of electroencephalography (EEG) together with Machine Learning (ML) algorithms to diagnose mental disorders has recently been shown to be a prominent research area, as exposed by several reviews focused on the field. Nevertheless, previous to the application of ML algorithms, EEG data should be correctly preprocessed and prepared via Feature Engineering (FE). In fact, the choice of FE techniques can make the difference between an unusable ML model and a simple, effective model. In other words, it can be said that FE is crucial, especially when using complex, non-stationary data such as EEG. To this aim, in this paper we present a Systematic Mapping Study (SMS) focused on FE from EEG data used to identify mental disorders. Our SMS covers more than 900 papers, making it one of the most comprehensive to date, to the best of our knowledge. We gathered the mental disorder addressed, all the FE techniques used, and the Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithm applied for classification from each paper. Our main contributions are: (i) we offer a starting point for new researchers on these topics, (ii) we extract the most used FE techniques to classify mental disorders, (iii) we show several graphical distributions of all used techniques, and (iv) we provide critical conclusions for detecting mental disorders. To provide a better overview of existing techniques, the FE process is divided into three parts: (i) signal transformation, (ii) feature extraction, and (iii) feature selection. Moreover, we classify and analyze the distribution of existing papers according to the mental disorder they treat, the FE processes used, and the ML techniques applied. As a result, we provide a valuable reference for the scientific community to identify which techniques have been proven and tested and where the gaps are located in the current state of the art. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a 'position paper' elaborated by Working Group 2 (wg2) 'Quality and Recognition in Engineering Education' of the EU-supported Thematic Network 'Higher Engineering Education for Europe' (H3E), operative from January 1997 to July 1999. G. Heitmann was the Rapporteur, and G. Augusti the Chairman of wg2. Before approval at the H3E final Congress in Budapest (July 1999), the paper had been discussed at several wg2 and public meetings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we describe the STEAM pedagogy developed under the European Union's Horizon 2020 project iMuSciCA (interactive music science collaborative activities). We present the pedagogical model this interdisciplinary pedagogy is based on and we give a concrete example of lesson scenario in which this pedagogy is applied. In particular we show how this interdisciplinary pedagogy can strengthen the understanding of physics concepts and processes by connecting them to corresponding concepts and procedures typical of other disciplines like engineering and music.

Developing optimum solutions to engineering problems typically relies on structured and complex thought processes that require evaluation, interpretation and opinion. Well-developed critical thinking (CT) skills are essential for dealing with the multi-dimensional nature of these problems. CT in an engineering context is well reported in teaching and learning academic literature. However, much of this is framed within theoretical and conceptual frameworks. Practical approaches of how CT skills are best promoted in engineering curricula are less common. A state-of-art review of practical interventions that target the development of CT in engineering students is presented. The review draws on 25 selected peer-reviewed journal articles in established engineering databases and focusses on teaching strategies where their effects in promoting CT skills in students are measured. Considerable variability in the reviewed literature was apparent. CT interventions and strategies are often reported, but metrics of their success in enhancing students' CT is often limited to qualitative, subjective inferences. To more robustly and holistically ensure that CT is clearly embedded in university curricula, there needs to be well-funded research programmes that allow different methods to be developed and trialled over extended periods in higher education engineering programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, reinforced concrete (RC) is the most commonly used construction material in Turkey. It first emerged in Europe in the 1850s and was adopted in a number of Late Ottoman period structures, mostly in İstanbul, during the first two decades of the twentieth century. During the Early Turkish Republic (1923-1938), RC appeared in public-use buildings in Ankara, such as the Ethnographic Museum, which was the first in the new capital to feature RC elements, leading the way for many more structures to come. Despite the fact that Turkish and foreign civil engineers faced a series of economic, social, cultural, political, educational and technical challenges during the transition from masonry and timber construction to RC, its adoption was facilitated by the fact that as a European building technology, it became symbolically important to the new republic. Equated with modernity, RC would allow its capital, Ankara, to construct an identity that would contrast with İstanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire. This transition would also be catalyzed by the rise of a professional class of Turkish civil engineers who deployed RC to reinforce their authority as trained specialists and agents of modernization., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Individual products and models on the market must be specifically differentiated from the rest to meet user demand. In terms of consumer purchasing behaviour, consumers increasingly base their decisions on subjective terms or the impression that the product leaves on them, both in terms of functionality, usability, safety, and price adequacy, and regarding the emotions and feelings that it triggers in them. This demand has lead both Asia and Europe to implement new methodologies to develop new products, such as "emotional design" or Kansei engineering. This paper presents a systematic literature review (SLR) on the most relevant methodologies based on Kansei engineering and their relevant results in the specific discipline of product design, addressing these five questions: (RQ1) How many studies on KE and emotional design are there in the Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases from 1995 to February 2021? (RQ2) Which research topics and types of KE are addressed? (RQ3) Who is leading the research on KE and emotional design? (RQ4) What are the benefits and drawbacks of using and applying the methodology? (RQ5) What are the limitations of the current research? We analysed 87 studies focusing on the Kansei methodology used for product design and device technologies (e.g., shape design, actuators, sensors, structure) and aesthetic aspects (e.g., Kansei words selection, the quantification of measured emotions of results, and detected shortcomings), and provided the database with all the collected information. One identified and highlighted sector in the results is the electronic-technological-device sector. Results confirm that this type of methodology has a majority and direct application in these sectors, and they are widely represented in the automotive and electronics industries. Lastly, this SLR provides researchers with a guide for comparative emotional-design work, and facilitates future designers who want to implement emotional design in their work by selecting the specific type according to the results of the SLR.

Featured Application: The engineering properties obtainable during the construction of road pavement layers using reactive stabilising agents are traditionally determined using a trail-and-error approach based on material indicator tests, some developed more than a century ago. These tests inhibit the limitations associated with an empirically derived test or method, often leading to costly failures. The introduction of proven and applicable nanotechnologies to treat or stabilise granular material for use in pavement layers could result in the rejection of these technologies if not based on the understanding of the basic chemistry of both the stabilising agent and the mineralogy of the granular materials. This article gives a basic explanation of elementary chemistry that will affect the physical engineering properties (stresses and strains) that can be expected using available, proven and cost-effective nanotechnologies to improve granular materials for use in a pavement structure. Nanoscale organofunctional silanes have been developed, tested and successfully applied to protect stone buildings in Europe against climatic effects since the 1860s. The same nanotechnologies can also be used in pavement engineering to create strong chemical bonds between a stabilising agent and granular material. The attachment of the organofunctional silane to a material also changes the surface of the material to become hydrophobic, thereby considerably reducing future chemical weathering. These properties allow naturally available materials to be used in any pavement layer at a low risk. In the built environment, scientists soon determined that the successful use of an organo-silane depends on the type and condition of the stone to be treated. The same principles apply to the implementation of applicable nanotechnologies in pavement engineering. Understanding the basic chemistry, determining the properties of the stabilising agent and the organofunctional modifying agent and the chemical interaction with the primary and secondary minerals of the material are essential for the successful application of these technologies in pavement engineering. This paper explains some basic chemistry, which fundamentally influences engineering outputs that can be achieved using New-age (Nano) Modified Emulsions (NME) stabilising agents with naturally available granular materials in all road pavement layers below the surfacing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite sustained efforts to promote engineering careers to young women, it remains the most male-dominated academic discipline in Europe. This paper will provide an overview of UK data and research on women in engineering higher education, within the context of Europe. Comparisons between data from European countries representing various regions of Europe will highlight key differences and similarities between these nations in terms of women in engineering. Also, drawing on qualitative research the paper will explore UK students’ experiences of gender, with a particular focus on the decision to study engineering and their experiences in higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Across the European research area and beyond, efforts are being mobilized to align research and innovation processes and products with societal values and needs, and to create mechanisms for inclusive priority setting and knowledge production. A central concern is how to foster a culture of "Responsible Research and Innovation" (RRI) among scientists and engineers. This paper focuses on RRI teaching at higher education institutions. On the basis of interviews and reviews of academic and policy documents, it highlights the generic aspects of teaching aimed at invoking a sense of care and societal obligation, and provides a set of exemplary cases of RRI-related teaching. It argues that the Aristotelian concept of phronesis can capture core properties of the objectives of RRI-related teaching activities. Teaching should nurture the students' capacity in terms of practical wisdom, practical ethics, or administrative ability in order to enable them to act virtuously and responsibly in contexts which are often characterized by uncertainty, contention, and controversy.

The paper contains a discussion of the inelastic dynamic magnification of seismic shear forces in cantilever walls with rectangular cross-sections. An extensive parametric study was performed in order to determine the reliability of the procedure in Eurocode 8 (EC8). A large number of single cantilever walls which are characteristic for the design practice in Europe and designed to satisfy all the EC8 requirements were analysed. The results obtained with the (modified) code procedures were compared with the results of inelastic response history analyses. If properly applied, the EC8 procedure for DCH walls usually yields good results for the base shears. However, as presently formulated and understood in the EC8, it can yield significantly incorrect results (overestimations of up to 40%). For this reason three modifications were introduced: (1) Keintzel's formula, which is adopted in EC8, should be used in combination with the seismic shears obtained by considering the first mode of the excitation only; (2) the upper limit of the shear magnification factor should be related to the total shear force; and (3) a variable shear magnification factor along the height of the wall should be applied. The present procedure in EC8 for DCM structures (using a constant shear magnification factor of 1.5 for all walls) is non-conservative. For DCM walls it is strongly recommended that the same procedure as required for DCH walls be used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a previous paper the author described the present situation and recent advances regarding accreditation of engineering programmes in Europe. This paper contains an attempt at examining perspectives from a global viewpoint. While the variety of educational approaches within European higher education is to be considered a great asset of the European cultural background, the ‘Bologna Process’ is working to build up the ‘European Higher Education Area’ (EHEA) and ‘a system of easily readable and comparable degrees’ in the context of making Europe ‘the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world’. In this framework a pan-European system of accreditation of engineering programmes and qualifications will be essential in order for European engineers to be competitive on a global scale. While the merely ‘professional’ aspects of recognition are covered by the European Directive 2005/36/EC ‘on the recognition of professional qualifications’ (which replaces all previous Directives on the subject, including the 1989 General Directive 89/48/EEC), little progress has been made towards trans-European accreditation of educational programmes as the entry route to a profession. This is particularly damaging in highly internationalized professions, like engineering. Several initiatives have been put forward in recent years to remedy this situation: in particular, this paper will illustrate the current EUR-ACE (EURopean ACredited Engineer) project, which is working towards the establishment of a European system for accreditation of engineering educational programmes based on a network of spontaneous agreements between national and regional bodies and associations concerned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper summarizes the phenomenon of offshore outsourcing and relates it to the history and current state of engineering education and the engineering profession in Europe and the USA. In order to assess the climate affecting employment decisions by and about engineers we have used as sources mostly the serious press, with an emphasis on material dating from 2004 forward. The authors conclude that despite anxiety about the out-migration of engineering and technical jobs to places such as India and China, there is reason to see offshoring as the result of Western investment in capacity building in developing countries and to believe that the creation of new jobs will outpace the rate of job loss in Europe and the USA. The paper should serve as a prod to policy-makers and educators to set about creating an environment in which highly educated engineers and technical employees can continue a pattern of economic revitalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Big technological projects have long been an object of study within the history of technology. This paper looks at large transnational projects in Europe during the 20th century, a class of projects not dealt with so far in any comprehensive way. It is argued that such transnational projects have characteristics distinct from national ones and that they have, in different ways, contributed to the creation of Europe in the 20th century. After a thematic outline, the paper deals with projects in Europe in a chronological order, indicating that the number of transnational projects increased dramatically during the Cold War period. Some perspectives for further research are then discussed, including areas such as military projects and the role of European institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 'Bologna process' is promoting fundamental changes throughout European higher education. Education ministers appear determined to reach, by 2010, a significant convergence of the national educational systems. This implies the necessity of adapting curricula in terms of structures, contents, learning attributes, learning tools and assessment methods. The EC 'Tuning' project was set up in order to investigate the feasibility of this process on the basis of 'available experience and recent developments in several of the Member states… particularly from previous and on-going European co-operation in the context of the Socrates programme'. The Tuning project, initially aimed at five areas only (mathematics, geology, business, history, educational sciences), was later extended to other areas, including engineering: synergy groups were formed for this purpose. This paper summarizes the final report of the Engineering Synergy Group, which examined the 'tuning' of engineering education (EE) into European higher education, taking advantage of the work of previous and current thematic networks, such as H3E, EUCEET and E4. A set of recommendations is presented in the final section of the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In Europe, energy and climate policies started to take shape from the 1990s onwards culminating with the ambitious 20–20–20 climate goals and the Low-Carbon Europe roadmap 2050. The European Commission empower the importance of achieving the objective of the recast Directive on energy performance of buildings (EPBD) that new buildings built from 2021 onwards will have to be nearly zero-energy buildings. The general belief is that the energy performance optimization of buildings requires an integrated design approach and cross-disciplinary teamwork to optimize the building's energy use and quality of indoor environment while satisfying the occupants' needs. In this context, there is a substantial need for professionals such as architects and engineers specifically trained and educated in integrated design approach and trained to work in cross-disciplinary teams. To be able to push forward the development, it is essential that educational institutions foster professionals with such knowledge, skills and competences. An initiative toward this direction is the EU-project of IDES-EDU: “Master and Post-Graduate education and training in multi-disciplinary teams”. The paper describes the necessity of more integrated and cross-disciplinary approaches to building design through state-of-the-art of the building sector and educational initiatives in the participating countries in the project, and through theory of design processes. The paper also communicates the results of newly developed cross-disciplinary education established by fifteen different educational institutions in Europe. Finally, the paper explains and discusses the challenges encountered during development and implementation of the education across different professions and countries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article announces the launching of the "Education for Chemical Engineers" (ECE), an online journal from the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), with the aim of becoming the principal international journal for chemical, process and biomolecular engineering education. ECE has been declared the official journal of the European Federation of Chemical Engineering. Doctor David Shallcross of the University of Melbourne, Australia, is the editor of the journal supported by an international editorial board. The journal has already established a global subscriber base and published papers from Europe, Australasia, and North America.

Outsourcing design and engineering tasks in product development is increasingly popular. However, firms that outsource design and engineering tasks often experience problems. So far, no satisfactory answer exists regarding the question to what extent design and engineering tasks can be outsourced before negative consequences occur. We address this gap. This paper identifies the limits of design and engineering outsourcing in product development, and the sources of these limits. To do so, it investigates the organizational challenges that a major European automotive manufacturer faced when it decided to adopt an extreme form of design and engineering outsourcing. Based on an in-depth case study, we identify the sources of problems with outsourcing design and engineering tasks in product development, and shed light on the limits of design and engineering outsourcing in product development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, three universities compare their work on the integration of sustainable development into their educational programmes. The purpose is to show examples of how this can be done and to illustrate important generalised success factors. Methods used to achieve embedding of sustainability in curricula through individual interaction with teachers and other actors are described. The three universities are all technical universities with relatively high ambitions for their activities in relation to sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Declaration of Bologna and subsequent documents have drastically changed the European university panorama and the future role of universities as providers of continuous education for a lifelong learning. There will be a convergence not only in academic titles, but also in the way we see university education. The previous EEE symposium gave some clues on the approaches taken by different European countries: organization of EE studies, integration of graduates into the market, and interaction with professional bodies. Bologna's outcomes were sold in Spain as a change into an American (USA) model, which, as any other model, has advantages and drawbacks. This paper deals with an open reflection on the future of university studies in Europe.

Presents a calendar of events for engineers, scientists and practitioners in the U.S. and Europe from August 2004 to February 2005. 7th European Adhesion Conference; Macromolecules and Interfaces at Virginia Tech: A Showcase of Emerging Science and Technology; 28th Annual Meeting of The Adhesion Society Inc.

Presents updates on issues related to quality engineering in Europe as of March 2001. Winners of the 2002 European Quality Award; Information on the initiative called the European Customer Satisfaction Index Programme that has been undertaken by pan-European organizations; Background on the public consultation on environmental issues related to polyvinyl chloride, launched by the European Commission.

Abstract: Architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) projects are characterized by a large variation in requirements and work routines. Therefore, it is difficult to develop and implement information systems to support projects. To address these challenges, this paper presents a project-centric research and development methodology that combines ethnographic observation of practitioners working in local project organizations to understand their local requirements and the iterative improvement of information systems directly on projects in small action research implementation cycles. The paper shows the practical feasibility of the theoretical methodology using cases from AEC projects in North America and Europe. The cases provide evidence that ethnographic–action research is well suited to support the development and implementation of information systems. In particular, the paper shows that the method enabled researchers on the cases to identify specific problems on AEC projects and, additionally, helped these researchers to adapt information systems accordingly in close collaboration with the practitioners working on these projects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The European Union proposes two different concepts of helium-cooled blanket for testing in ITER, one with ceramic breeder and beryllium, the second with lithium lead as breeder and multiplier. Test blanket modules (TBM) for both blanket concepts and their auxiliary systems have being designed in the last 2 years; this paper presents the status of this work as reached in January 2005. In particular the design of the two TBMs is discussed pointing out the common original architecture and the differences in the design choices due to different functionality, test necessities and adaptation to the ITER boundary conditions. The integration of these systems in ITER is presented in the second part of this paper. A new proposal for the integration of the TBMs inside the port plug, their replacement in the hot cell and the arrangement of the auxiliary systems in the ITER buildings is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Helium Cooled Pebble Bed (HCPB) Blanket is one of the reference concepts for the European Breeding Blanket Programme for DEMO. In the reference blanket module, alternate layers of lithiated ceramics and beryllium pebbles act, respectively, as tritium breeder and neutron multiplier. The thermo-mechanical behaviour of both the pebble beds and their performances in reactor relevant conditions are also dependent on the pebble size and cell geometries (bed thickness, pebble packing factor, bed thermal conductivity). Therefore, in the EU Fusion Technology Programme, several out-of-pile experimental test campaigns have been performed to determine these behaviours. Theoretical calculations have been also launched for the prediction of the thermal and mechanical performances of the pebble beds under different testing conditions. More recently, among the EU Associations involved in the ceramic breeder qualification, a benchmark exercise has been launched to select the pebble bed thermal mechanical constitutive models to be implemented in a FEM computer code. This paper describes the activities, carried out by ENEA and DIN, University of Palermo (I), for the first comparison with the results of the experiments carried out at HE-FUS 3 facility of ENEA Brasimone on the HELICA mock-up. The paper describes the test conditions and also presents the main experimental results and its first comparison with the theoretical calculations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

'Must try harder' is the UK engineering community's verdict on government plans for the energy sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Favoring innovation by making timely medical technology available to people and by securing patients' safety is a challenge. The new European Medical Device Regulation (MDR) will have a central implication in the development of new devices and could affect their innovation and availability, as well as discourage investment in research within Europe. Start-ups and small companies might not be able to cope with the increasing complexity and the required changes of perspective. Health-care institutions are facing an increasing availability of complex technologies, while data on their clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness are rarely provided. A partnership/collaboration between health-care institutions, academia, and private industries will enhance their own specific interests with the common goal of improving overall health and quality of life. The complexity of the subject combined with the variety of specialists and stakeholders involved requires the implementation, in hospital centers of clinical excellence, of units dedicated to the whole path of the medical device innovation. Stakeholders should quickly provide adequate measures to facilitate the complex medical device innovation path under the more stringent MDR aimed to increase safety and quality of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses corrosion communication. The British Institution of Corrosion Science and Technology (ICorrST) is endeavouring to increase awareness through its meetings, seminars and training courses. ICorrST is a combination of learned society, professional institution and forum for the industry. It also organizes an annual conference and exhibition which it runs with the Corrosion Control Engineering, a joint venture of the U.S. based National Association of Corrosion Engineers. The British Corrosion Conference is the largest of its kind in Europe and features hundreds of papers being presented by experts from all over the world.

Abstract: The integration of the HCPB Test Blanket Module (TBM) systems into ITER has been investigated with the aim to check the compatibility between the considered systems and ITER. In particular the requirement of a simple and quick TBM replacement is considered in this paper. It presents the systems and operations in hot cell and port cell for the integration and exchange of the four different TBMs in succession during operation into the ITER-circuits. This concept shows that TBM integration using three interfaces is a simple and quick way that is compatible with ITER environment and systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents the last results obtained in the ITER First Wall (FW) development work programme performed in Europe on beryllium (Be), copper (Cu) alloys and 316L(N) stainless steel (SS) joining by Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIPping). It reports first the performances under high heat flux testing of CuCrZr/316L(N) SS mock-ups and compares them with those obtained earlier with CuAl25/316L(N) SS mock-ups. It reports then the results of the last developments done on Be/Cu alloy HIPped joints. In particular it presents the results of high heat flux testing of Be/CuCrZr FW mock-ups and compares them with those obtained earlier with Be/CuAl25 FW mock-ups. It gives the status of on-going thermal fatigue tests of Be/Cu alloy FW mock-ups and presents the result of a neutron irradiation experiment performed on Be/CuAl25 mock-ups. The results obtained so far with FW mock-ups made from CuCrZr alloys have exceeded those obtained earlier with CuAl25 alloys. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Joint European Torus (JET) fusion machine is the only device capable of operation with tritium and of handling Be and therefore is best suited to the study of tritium and fusion-related issues. A large variety of activities are performed within the JET fusion technology task force (FT-TF). In this paper, some topics such as erosion/deposition and material transport, characterisation of flakes and detritiation techniques are highlighted. Recent examples of results obtained on waste management studies are also given. Data on some ITER-relevant components that have been tested at JET, such as a pumping cryopanel and hardened optics fibers, are presented. In all fields, the work to be addressed in future JET work programmes is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Contribution: An analysis of the extent to which sustainability is present in the syllabi, project briefs, report templates, and student final reports of the three Iberian European project semester (EPS) providers, over a five-year period. Background: EPS is a one-semester capstone project framework that adopts project-based learning and multicultural, multidisciplinary teamwork. Educating engineers for sustainable development requires fostering critical and ethical thinking and a desire for equity, solidarity and preservation of natural resources, and cultural and genetic diversity. Existing engineering capstone design programs emphasize solving real world problems, hands-on training, and soft skills, but few focus on sustainability aspects of engineering design. The three Iberian EPS providers adopt project-based learning and teamwork methodologies, promoting the development of transversal skills and addressing sustainability in a multicultural and multidisciplinary background. Intended Outcomes: To show that the three Iberian EPS providers follow these recommendations and contribute to raising students’ awareness of sustainable development. Application Design: The proposed sustainability learning assessment method collects evidence from syllabi, project briefs, report templates, and final reports to extract faculty and student perspectives. The sustainability-related terms collected were processed into word cloud format, allowing a simple and intuitive interpretation of students’ understanding of sustainability, and in co-occurrence network format, to understand if sustainability has a pervasive or confined presence within the reports. Findings: Iberian EPS faculty and students are aware of the social, economic, and environmental impact of their projects, in terms of quality of life, social responsibility, the use of resources, and environmentally friendly technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents an update on robotic projects in Europe, as of June 2005. Robotics and automation projects that have emerged from the Commission of the European Union's 6th Research and Technological Development Framework Programme; Structure, activities, and philosophies of the thematic networks known as the European Robotics Network and the Climbing and Walking Robots project; Biorobotics projects.

Our subject is how the experience of Americans with a certain funding criterion, 'broader impacts' (and some similar criteria) may help in efforts to turn the European concept of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) into a useful guide to funding Europe's scientific and technical research. We believe this comparison may also be as enlightening for Americans concerned with revising research policy. We have organized our report around René Von Schomberg's definition of RRI, since it seems both to cover what the European research group to which we belong is interested in and to be the only widely accepted definition of RRI. According to Von Schomberg, RRI: '... is a transparent, interactive process by which societal actors and innovators become mutually responsive to each other with a view to the (ethical) acceptability, sustainability and societal desirability of the innovation process and its marketable products (in order to allow a proper embedding of scientific and technological advances in our society).' While RRI seeks fundamental changes in the way research is conducted, Broader Impacts is more concerned with more peripheral aspects of research: widening participation of disadvantaged groups, recruiting the next generation of scientists, increasing the speed with which results are used, and so on. Nevertheless, an examination of the broadening of funding criteria over the last four decades suggests that National Science Foundation has been moving in the direction of RRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the Workshop on Diagnostic Services in Network-on-Chips (NoCs) held at the 2007 Design, Automation and Test in Europe Conference (DATE). The workshop focused on test, debugging, and online monitoring of NoCs. Complete paper presentations were made at each of two sessions, followed by a panel discussion.

The aim of this study is to examine the labour market returns to field of study for tertiary graduates in two countries with post-socialist heritage: Poland and Estonia. So far, research focusing on the employment chances of graduates in Western countries has emphasized the benefits of engineering. We would like to revisit this conclusion and find out if the same can be generalized for all other societies, including Central and Eastern Europe. We use micro-level data, which include detailed information about the type of education gained and early career development. We examine the following outcomes: the chances of finding a job within the first half-year of graduation and the quality of the first job and its salary. Our findings suggest that in Estonia and Poland, the effects of completing engineering courses are quite different to Western Europe. We discuss possible explanations for the lack of advantage for engineering graduates. We pay special attention to the role of licensing, i.e. institutional barriers to entry into the occupation of engineer. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Much work remains to be done on the role of engineers in Europe in the eighteenth century and we do not, in this short introductory survey, claim to offer an exhaustive historical perspective. Instead, we try to provide a framework within which to capture, by means of examples, the main lines of development. At this stage, it is not possible to cover all the national cases, nor even to provide a fully comparative analysis of those studies that have been undertaken. The aim is more modest: to suggest some hypotheses based on individual research and wide reading. For its initial results and a large bibliography on the question: Vérin and Gouzévitch, Sobre la Institucion y el Desarrollo de la Ingeneria, 2005, 115–64.  The century of European enlightenment (1697–1815), characterized by exchanges between scientists and academies, is also that of economic rivalry, technical competition, political conflict, and war. All these factors combine to produce in Europe a new practice of engineering in the midst of transformation. Yet, depending upon the country, we can observe significant differences in the strategies of knowledge appropriation in order to promote the growth of technology, a great variety in the training of engineers as well as in the exercise of their profession, their social status, even their title of engineer. Some common points are: the importance of military engineering which profits from the attentions of governments, the very progressive introduction of sciences in the practice of engineers, and the creation of special schools. But, once again, depending upon the country, these schools are grafted onto particular traditional teachings. Accordingly we propose a typology of the country-specific training and education of engineers in eighteenth century Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information from various aspects of the field of international serials and electronic resource management. Abstracts for several research articles are included on topics such as scholarly electronic books (e-books) and open source data in academic publishing. Additionally, awards and grants presented by the American Library Association (ALA) in 2011 are highlighted along with notes on the reorganization of the United Kingdom Serials Group (UKSG). Brief information regarding the 2012 conference for the UKSG and a list of online resources related to serials librarians are also included.

BACKGROUND In recent years, engineering education research (EER) has emerged as an internationally connected field of inquiry through the establishment of EER conferences, interest groups within engineering education societies, Ph.D. programs, and departments and centers at universities. Improving the preparation and training of engineers through EER is critical to solving major engineering challenges in sustainability, climate change, civil infrastructure, energy, and public health. PURPOSE The purpose of this article is twofold: (1) to introduce EER as a field of inquiry, and (2) to describe the U.S. and Northern and Central European approaches to EER as two examples of the diversity of approaches. SCOPE/METHOD The article is organized around a framework from the European didaktik tradition, which focuses on answering the w-questions of education. The major sections describe what, why, to what end, where, who, and how EER is conducted. CONCLUSION Northern and Central European educational approaches focus on authentic, complex problems, while U.S. approaches emphasize empirical evidence. Additionally, disciplinary boundaries and legitimacy are more salient issues in the U.S., while the Northern and Central European Bildung philosophy integrates across disciplines toward development of the whole person. Understanding and valuing complementary perspectives is critical to growth and internationalization of EER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eurocode 7 on geotechnical design consists of two parts: General rules (Part 1) and Ground investigation and testing (Part 2). The conversion of the two parts into full European Standards (ENs) has been completed and they are now being implemented in European countries. The contents and main principles of Part 1 of Eurocode 7 are described and it is shown how the standard fits into the concept of limit states in the system of the ten structural Eurocodes. Some aspects of particular interest are presented, such as ultimate limit state verifications in persistent and transient design situations. Eurocode 7 gives a number of options which have to be decided upon by the national standards bodies, such as three design approaches for the verification of geotechnical ultimate limit states in persistent and transient situations and the values of the partial factors. On the one hand, this is of course a shortcoming for a code but, on the other hand, it constitutes an openness which makes adoption of the code attractive not only in Europe but also worldwide. However, in future, further harmonisation will be necessary to improve the competitiveness of the construction industry. The evaluation of questionnaires dealing with the issue of which of the three design approaches has been selected for the verification of geotechnical ultimate limit states in the various European countries and which values of the partial factors have been chosen is presented. It shows that there is great potential for the harmonisation of geotechnical design in Europe which must be investigated by research to support and prepare the next steps of further standardisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes how various complementary technologies play a key role in advancing minimally invasive surgical interventions and training simulators in Europe. It examines the tools and systems supporting manipulation controlled by the surgeon, including camera holders to support minimally invasive techniques. Several training methods available to train minimally invasive surgical skills outside the operating room include Pelvitrainers and virtual reality trainers.

The article focuses on the biomedical engineering aspects in creating the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) under the Bologna Declaration. The declaration asks for the promotion of European in quality assurance with a view to developing comparable criteria and methodologies. The article describes the six actions related to employability, mobility, compatibility and quality assurance to be completed by 2010.

The article outlines the benefits of the partnership initiative "Engineering for Health" that is being pursued by the European Alliance for Medical and Biological Engineering and Science (EAMBES). Several areas of focus by medical and biological engineering and science (MBES) include the advancement of fundamental concepts in engineering, biology and medicine and improvement of human health and quality of life. A brief history of MBES in Europe is given.

The article looks at activities in biomedical informatics (BMI) and Grid technologies in Europe. Several European efforts related to BMI include the BIOINFOMED study and the seminal conference "Access and integration of remote genetic and medical databases: Knowledge empowering individualized healthcare and well-being." It provides a background on developments in genomic medicine.

This article reviews the performance of an optical-label-controlled packet routing node as implemented in the European FP5-IST STOLAS project including a set of general engineering rules. Experimental networking scenarios and results from a STOLAS based network emulator supporting optical overspill routing are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]