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This paper seeks to provide a historically informed analysis of Europe, understood as an ‘essentially contested concept’, whereby Turkey is interpreted as a critical point of reference that evokes different discursive constructions of Europe, either including or excluding Turkey. At first, the theoretical-methodological section of this paper will introduce a discourse analytical research programme which utilizes the radically constructivist notion of communication as formulated by Niklas Luhmann in order to analyze the processes of inclusion and exclusion built into various constructions of Europe. Then, the empirical section of this paper analyzes more than 40 years of British and German news coverage (1960–2004). One of the main empirical findings is that Turkey is neither seen as a stable European ‘Other’ nor as a European ‘Self’. Instead, Turkey is predominantly interpreted as ‘the thing on the (European) doorstep’, thereby stimulating various differing constructions of Europe.Journal of International Relations and Development (2009) 12, 223–250. doi:10.1057/jird.2009.13 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author presents a response to a comment by Anke Franz and colleagues on her article "British Policy on Teenage Pregnancy and Childbearing: The Limitations of Comparisons With Other European Countries." Franz and colleagues observes that comparative research can be advantageous and that sexual openness and sex education are important determinants of teenage pregnancy. It compares Great Britain with Germany and other European countries in terms of fertility culture, income inequality and youth transitions.

Changes in European and German social and labour market policies have particular consequences for the transition into adulthood of disadvantaged young people. This paper discusses these effects, especially as they impinge upon those who, as a result of such changes, leave social care earlier than planned. In so doing, they often come under the provisions of the employment promotion system, which provides insufficient support for them in light of their difficult life circumstances. By employing autobiographical narratives and reconstructions, the consequences of these sociopolitical changes are described in detail. Three typical ''trap situations'' are created under such conditions for young adults and their educational facilitators. These will be explained with reference to case studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The headscarf issue became an arena of heated controversies over the politics of integration and religious and cultural differences since the mid-1980s. Most interestingly, these struggles are deeply connected to gender differences. Although all European countries are consolidated, liberal democracies, different institutional settings have translated into different approaches of headscarf policies. The main aim of this paper is first to explain differences and similarities in regulating the headscarf issue by analyzing three paradigmatic countries: Germany, the Netherlands and Austria. By selecting these countries, the paper aims, secondly, to contribute to a refined methodology explaining the different types of headscarf regulation. The third aim is to detect the gendered narrative of the policy debates. The comparison shows that an ethno-cultural citizenship regime does not always lead to a prohibitive regulation (Austria) and cooperative state-church relations do not always result in the accommodation of the headscarf (Germany). To explain headscarf regulations, it is important to take gender equality and antidiscrimination policies and women's movements into account, especially the cooperation of majority and minority women's movement actors. Finally, the analysis shows that gendering the issue is used as a strategy to construct a different 'other.' [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although expenditure on wages represents a major element of costs in financial services firms, there is a dearth of studies analysing wage levels in the sector. This paper examines reservation wage levels in the sector by utilising maximum likelihood selection and stochastic frontier methodologies in two leading European economies: UK and Germany. Our results show that wage achievement is higher in the UK than Germany. At first glance, this seems counter-intuitive, given that actual wage costs and the overall cost-income ratio is higher in Germany than the UK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking the cue from the controversial speech of Pope Benedict XVI at the University of Regensburg in 2006, this paper explores the connection between the apparently divergent positions taken by the Catholic Church and the European secular establishment on the question of European identity and Islam. The argument is advanced that the proceduralism of the European secular establishment contributes to breed its nemesis, a conservative politicised church, but also converges with it in identifying Islam as 'the Other.' It is thus asked whether a critical valorisation of Europe's emotional attachments may not actually strengthen its capacity to embrace the 'difference' represented by Islam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regional financial arrangements and monetary integration in East Asia and Europe have made considerable progress in recent years. This paper discusses whether governments in both regions, Japan and Germany as the most advanced regional economies in particular, can use the new dynamics as levers to raise their status vis-à-vis the United States. It will be argued that activities are defensive rather than offensive, aiming at protecting the respective region from financial risk. Japan, in particular, would find it difficult to raise its status vis-à-vis the United States significantly by promoting regional financial and monetary integration, principal reasons being actor heterogeneity, the role of China, hesitation to bear burden and risk, and the historical legacy of a bank-oriented system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With more than 10 million Muslims living in Western Europe, states are struggling to accommodate the religious needs of Muslims in state-supported institutions. Such issues include whether to fund separate Islamic schools and how or whether to teach Islam in state-supported schools. Despite these common concerns, national governments vary widely in their response to the religious needs and practices of Muslim citizens and permanent residents. This paper looks at how Britain, France and Germany have resolved these issues. We explore how pre-existing Church-State practices and institutional arrangements structured the politics of state accommodation of Muslims' religious needs in each country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the opportunities and constraints regarding the effective implementation of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) in the area of diffuse nitrate pollution. Owing to the subsidiarity principle and a new procedural mode of governance, the WFD only sets distinct environmental targets, leaving most decisions on how to operationalize and institutionalize the reduction of diffuse nitrate pollution to the member states. This is a particular challenge for Germany, where lower scale regions have become the main implementers of European water policy. Successful implementation of the WFD, i.e. the actual improvement of water quality, depends on a series of key contextual and contingent factors, operating at a regional scale. In a Northwest German region with intensive agriculture and severe nitrate pollution, we analyse the historical and economic context and actor network of the region as well as the influence of environmental groups on public participation, the potential of biogas technology and new financial options. Besides the specific influence of these factors on the implementation process, we explore the uncertainties and difficulties surrounding European legislation and its operationalization in Germany and on a regional scale. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the relationships between the migratory policies of the EU countries with more experience of immigration and their national political cultures. It focuses on France, Germany and the United Kingdom. It then looks at Italy, a relatively new country of immigration, which, with 3,000,000 legal immigrants, has become the fourth country of immigration in Europe and the first in the Mediterranean basin. In its final part it highlights the incipient process of 'communitarisation' of the immigration policies of EU countries in the last decade. This process, which has already entailed a significant convergence of their migratory policies, is expected to continue after the recent enlargement of the European Union. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Europe is reorganizing its international value chain. I document these changes in Europe's international organization of production with new survey data of Austrian and German firms investing in Eastern Europe. I show estimates of the share of intrafirm trade between Austria or Germany on the one hand and Eastern Europe on the other. Furthermore, I present empirical evidence of the drivers of the new division of labor in Europe. I find among other things that falling trade costs and reduced levels of corruption as well as improvements in the contracting environment in Eastern Europe are affecting the level of intrafirm imports from that region. These factors also favor outsourcing over offshoring. In contrast, low organizational costs of hierarchies and large costs of holdup (when there are no alternative investors in Old Europe or no alternative suppliers in Eastern Europe) favor offshoring over outsourcing. Tax holidays granted by host countries in Eastern Europe also mildly affect the organizational choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the recent interest in Berlin in the English-language urban studies journals over the past decade. It argues that welcome though this interest may be, the narrowness of its focus says much about the limitations of current Anglophone urban and regional studies. Following on from the recent set of Euro-commentaries in this journal, and using recent writing on Berlin as a case-study, it suggests Anglophone urban studies has much to gain from: (a) placing greater value on the plurality of Europe's urban tradition; and (b) paying greater attention to the plurality of urban narratives that lie outside the existing analytic consensus within Anglophone urban and regional studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional wisdom blames Germany's ongoing economic and fiscal crisis on the unification shock of the early 1990s and structural problems in labour markets. Challenging this view, this paper offers a fresh assessment that focuses on macroeconomic demand management. It is shown that Germany's fiscal crisis cannot be attributed to unification per se; it arose as a consequence of ill-guided macroeconomic policies pursued in response to that event. Many structural problems that popped up along the way were mere symptoms of persistent macroeconomic mismanagement and protracted domestic demand stagnation. Arguably, systematically ill-guided macroeconomic policies of this type are potent enough to wreck any real world economy, no matter how flexible it may be. Because Germany provided the blueprint for Europe's stability-oriented macroeconomic policy regime, it comes as no surprise that a peculiar repeat of certain symptoms that started to arise in Germany a decade ago may now be observed across the euro area--protracted domestic demand weakness and inflation stickiness because of 'tax-push inflation' in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regions have attempted to influence the emerging constitutional order of the EU for around 20 years. The German Länder have made a particular impact in sensitising the Union to regional concerns at successive Intergovernmental Conferences since Maastricht. They were also the leading regional voice in shaping debates at the Convention on the Future of Europe, though the Scottish government also succeeded in leaving an imprint on the Constitution for Europe. This article contrasts the different understandings in Germany and Scotland of how regions should make their interests felt. The German Länder have opted for a strategy focused heavily on using the structure of the member state to limit EU regulation of their fields of competence, while the Scottish government developed a more open-ended and flexible strategy based also in constructive engagement beyond the member state at the EU level. In the light of the Scottish approach the article questions whether the Länder strategy is too one-dimensional, leaving them over-dependent on the German federal government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper questions the view of a narrow connection between global constraints and internal policy choices of European nation states according to which 'Deregulation' and the reduction of state expenditure are seen as the only possibilities that decision-makers in labour market and social policy have at their disposal. Theoretically, it is argued that countries with relatively high taxes can remain attractive for international capital as long as they offer a highly qualified labour force able to produce high quality commodities. Different productivity levels then correspond with a spectrum of post-Fordist growth strategies the ends of which are characterised as 'capital-oriented flexibility' and 'negotiated flexibility'. Empirically, the paper interprets recent reforms of labour markets and welfare states in the Netherlands, the UK, Sweden, Spain, and Germany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on the mixing of Euro coins from different countries of origin in Europe, which started on 1 January 2002. There is an interesting conclusion: that the mobility of small and large denominations is different. The long-term behaviour of the mixing process is studied using a simple deterministic model and data from Germany, France and the Netherlands. The analysis leads to predictions about the future progress of the mixing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with youth unemployment trends in Europe since the mid-1980s in general, and regards individual risk factors in the mid-1990s for Germany and the United Kingdom in particular. The study of the two selected countries shows that the individual risk of (long-term) unemployment is not equally high for all young people, but rather depends on various socioeconomic and structural factors like gender, education, nationality and region of residence. The individual level of education is an important determinant of occupational success, while the country-specific organization of educational systems and labour market institutions also affects different occupational outcomes. In addition, the welfare state structures and policies may determine labour market outcomes. Germany and the United Kingdom responded to the increasing problems of youth unemployment with the active labour market programs 'JUMP' and 'New Deal for Young People'; the concepts and results of these are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several attempts have been made to develop strategies for an effective control of workplace hazards. This paper will focus on the results of a European project called Solbase, which is a databank for solutions to occupational hazards and risks. The Safety Science Group of Delft University of Technology in collaboration with TNO Work and Organisation (formerly NIA-TNO) designed Solbase in a series of projects funded by the Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment and the European Commission. It consists of the design of and software for a databank with an intelligent navigation system allowing users two principal entry points, which correspond to two basic types of solutions. The first entry point is based on the production process, subdivided into the production principle and production function. This entry point provides the dissemination of solutions within and between branches of industry. The second entry point includes the hazard and its emission and transmission as an access point for more conventional occupational hygiene control measures. With the partners of the consortium, from Spain, Italy, Ireland, Germany, the UK and The Netherlands, 535 new and existing solutions throughout Europe and the world were gathered to test the software and the solutions during a field study. Despite the relatively small number of ‘test solutions’ used, 54% of the search actions in the field study resulted in a useful and suitable solution which the company could actually put into practice. The companies characterized the software as very user friendly. The reproducibility of the coding system for solutions, the classification tree, was satisfactory. Most coders chose the same keywords from the classification tree to describe a corresponding solution. Solbase is a good searching machine for workplace solutions. Especially, the classification of production processes is an inherent guarantee of an exchange of information across the borders of a specific company or branch of industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

summary objective the proportion of elderly people in the population has been increasing during the last few decades. in 1995, 16% of the middle european population was older than 65 years, and through the year 2010 this value should increase to 22%. german investigations have shown that 1/3 of the population older than 65 years suffers from 3-4 chronic diseases, 98% of the population older than 80 years from one chronic disease. thus, the number of old patients admitted to icus is increasing. the aim of the following paper was to evaluate the treatment and outcome of very old patients (over 85 years) at a medical icu of a general hospital over an 18month period. results and outcome 739 patients were admitted to the icu during the study period, 40 (5.3%) older than 85 years. at admission the apache ii score ranked between 6 and 38. indications were mainly cardial (23), metabolic (7), gastrointestinal (4), outside cpr (4) and acute respiratory failure (2). eleven patients had been mechanical ventilated (1-8d/mean 2.7d), 6 patients received a cardiac pacemaker, 5 underwent endoscopical interventions, 4 thrombolysis (ami, 100mg alteplase "front loaded"), 2 patients ptca/iabp and one female patient acbg. duration of stay was 4.0d (overall 5.6), mortality 28% (overall 14.8%). conclusion comorbidity and mortality were higher in patients older than 85 years compared to all patients. six months after the icu stay, 22 patients (57.5%) were still alive with good quality of life. despite higher mortality, very old patients benefit from icu stay and interventions. zusammenfassung der anteil älterer personen in der gesamtbevölkerung nimmt seit jahrzehnten zu. waren 1995 noch 16% der bevölkerung mitteleuropas über 65 jahre alt, so werden es im jahr 2010 bereits 22% sein. deutschen untersuchungen nach leidet 1/3 aller über 65-jährigen an 3-4 chronischen erkrankungen, 98% aller über 80-jährigen an mindestens einer chronischen erkrankung. dadurch nimmt auch der anteil älterer patienten an der intensivstation zu. ziel folgender arbeit war es, behandlung und outcome sehr alter, über 85-jähriger patienten einer medizinischen intensivstation über den zeitraum von 18 monaten zu dokumentieren. 739 patienten wurden an der intensivstation aufgenommen, 40 (5,3%) älter als 85 jahre. der apache-ii-score betrug zum aufnahmezeitpunkt 6-38 punkte. indikationen zur aufnahme waren hauptsächlich kardiale ursachen (23), metabolisch (7), gastrointestinal (4) auswärtig durchgeführte cpr (4) und akute exacerbation bei copd (2). 11 patienten mussten invasiv beatmet werden (1-8d/durchschnitt 2,7d), 6 patienten erhielten ein schrittmachersystem, bei 5 patienten war eine endoskopische intervention indiziert, 4-mal eine systemische thrombolyse wegen akuten myokardinfarkts, 2 patienten wurden einer perkutanen koronarintervention unter intraaortalem ballonpumpenschutz unterzogen und eine patientin nach aortokoronarer bypassoperation übernommen. die durchschnittliche aufenthaltsdauer lag bei 4,0 tagen (overall 5,6), die mortalität bei 28% (overall 14,8%). komorbidität und mortalität sind bei den sehr alten patienten naturgemäß wesentlich höher im vergleich zu den anderen patienten. 6 monate nach ihrem intensivaufenthalt befanden sich 22 (57,5%) der patienten am leben. trotz höherer mortalität profitieren auch sehr alte patienten von intensivmedizinischen maßnahmen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focusing on the second half of the nineteenth century, this paper examines the development of and changes in movement cultures and how these were influenced by the general conditions prevailing in a particular society at a particular time. Due to mutual influences of society and physical culture, differing concepts of physical exercise developed in the different countries of Europe. In Germany, in the second half of the nineteenth century, there was enormous rivalry between German Turnen, Swedish gymnastics and modern sport. This article analyzes the arguments and strategy used by the adherents of each of these forms of physical exercise and examines the background, the effects as well as the sportification of physical culture.

In several (large) states of the European continent, particularly in Germany, progress in bringing down high unemployment has been slow. In contrast, 'employment miracles' occurring in a number of countries of the Western world receive increasing attention and raise the question of what can be learned from their obviously more successful political strategies and institutional reforms for attaining better employment performance. The first part of the paper discusses different criteria for evaluating 'successful' employment performance in comparative perspective. After looking into the 'employment miracles' and the policies and policy changes which are commonly ascertained as having been conducive to success - concentrating mainly on the Netherlands, Denmark and the USA - the question of transferability is addressed by examining which elements could be transferred to Germany and other countries of the European continent. The conclusion is that, apart from modernizing (active) labour market policy, there is not much to copy from others. However, successful institutional arrangements and policy innovations implemented elsewhere may be informative with regard to the hindrances of reform in one's own country and the search for possible 'functional equivalents'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decline of human fertility that occurred in Europe and North America in the nineteenth century, and elsewhere in the twentieth, remains a topic of debate largely because there is no accepted explanation for the event. This paper uses district-level data from Bavaria to study the correlates of the decline of fertility in that German kingdom in the nineteenth century, Bavaria's fertility transition was later and less dramatic than in other parts of Germany. Our results for Bavaria indicate that the European Fertility Project was right about the role of religion and secularization, but missed an important role for the economic and structural effects stressed by economic historians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Using the concepts of national and regional innovation systems as an analytical framework for analysing the cross-border networking activities between Baden and Alsace, the empirical analysis presented in this paper reveals that despite the political promotion of cross-border relations the reality in innovation networking looks different. In the industry sample used for empirical analysis, no firm in Baden had research contacts with an Alsatian research institute, while at least 7% of the Alsatian firms cooperated with research and transfer institutes in Baden. Although spatial distance does not matter, cultural and institutional distance does. The neighbouring region is not looked at as a significant knowledge source for firms in both regions. Despite technological and economic internationalization, for many firms innovation-relevant learning still takes place mainly within their own national and regional system of innovation. For the two regions under review, the Rhine is still a cultural and institutional barrier which needs more networking bridges to be crossed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In Europe, more than 15 million people live with heart failure (HF). It imposes an enormous social, organizational and economic burden. As a reaction to impending impact on healthcare provision, different country-specific structures for HF-care have been established. The aim of this report is to provide an overview and compare the HF-care approaches of Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and the UK, and to open the possibility of learning from each other's experience. Methods A mixed methods approach was implemented that included a literature analysis, interviews and questionnaires with HF-patients and caregivers, and expert interviews with representatives from healthcare, health service research and medical informatics. Results The models of HF-care in all countries analyzed are based on the European Society of Cardiology guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of HF. Even though the HF-models differed in design and implementation in practice, key challenges were similar: (i) unequal distribution of care between urban and rural areas, (ii) long waiting times, (iii) unequal access to and provision of healthcare services, (iv) information and communication gaps and (v) inadequate implementation and financing of digital applications. Conclusion Although promising approaches exist to structure and improve HF-care, across the four countries, implementation was reluctant to embrace novel methods. A lack of financial resources and insufficient digitalization making it difficult to adopt new concepts. Integration of HF-nurses seems to be an effective way of improving current models of HF-care. Digital solutions offer further opportunities to overcome communication and coordination gaps and to strengthen self-management skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of the study was to test the psychometric properties of the Facilitative Student–Patient Relationship (FSPR) Scale in clinical practicum in hospital settings within six European countries. Design: A multi‐country, cross‐sectional survey design was applied. Methods: A convenience sample of graduating nursing students (N = 1,796) completed the FSPR Scale. Psychometric testing was carried out through explorative factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Results: Both validity and reliability of the scale were confirmed. The explorative factor analysis yielded a two‐factor construct explaining 47.7% of the total variance, identifying two sub‐scales: caring relationship and learning relationship. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the two‐factor structure. The Cronbach alpha coefficients (0.8–0.9) indicated acceptable reliability of the scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the relationships between carbon emissions and their main determinants such as energy consumption, real income and international trade, in 15 European countries, employing data for the period 1960-2015, and in Germany, for that of 1970-2015. The purpose of this paper is to examine the environmental Kuznets curve in subregimes in the presence of structural shifts. Two complementary unit root tests are employed to examine the stationarity of employed variables. The Ng and Perron Econometrica 69: 1519-1554 (2001) and the Zivot and Andrews J Bus Econ Stat, 10(3), 251-270 (1992) unit root tests, both allow for a structural break. To estimate the parameters of the regression model and to detect structural breaks in the model, the Kejriwal and Perron J Econ, 146(1), 59-73, (2008), J Bus Econ Stat, 28(4), 503-522, (2010a), J Time Ser Anal, 31, 305-328, (2010b)) structural break test is employed. When structural breaks are allowed in estimations, the empirical results provide strong evidence of fluctuating relationships between CO 2 emissions and income expressed by the U-shape in every subregime, which contradicts early findings in the literature of inverse U-shape environmental Kuznets curve.

The article discusses the science research done by North and Western Europe. Topics include the research and finance of Germany, the research and development initiative of the European Union, and the researcher strength of various European countries. Great Britain leading in researches in life sciences, and those conducted by universities across Europe are also mentioned. Several charts listing the research detains of the European nations are also given.

Objective: The development and current state of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) over the past 40 years are analyzed in this study, along with explored and discovered the hotspots and frontiers in the field, which serve as the foundation for future investigation., Methods: CiteSpace and VOSviewer analysis software were used to visually analyze the literature data on HFRS from 1980 to 2022, including the annual number of publications, countries and research institutions, authors, co-cited literature and keywords., Results: The number of pertinent papers published in the field of HFRS displayed an overall upward trend from 1980 to 2022. The United States, China, Germany, Sweden, and France are the top 5 countries in terms of publishing volume, with high intermediate centrality mainly concentrated in Europe and the United States. The top 10 co-occurring keywords were hemorrhagic fever, renal syndrome, infection, virus, epidemic, nephropathia epidemical, disease, hantavirus, outbreak, and transmission. According to keyword cluster analysis, there were 4 main research fields. In the HFRS-related study, there were mainly 21 notable keywords and "Korean hemorrhagic fever" had the highest hemorrhagic value (28.87)., Conclusion: The United States, China, Germany, Sweden and other countries attached great importance to the HFRS-related research. Moreover, the collaboration between authors and institutions in various collaborator clusters should be strengthened. In recent decades, investigations have focused on the study of viral infection and the clinical symptoms and pathophysiology of HFRS. Future research may concentrate on factors affecting host population distribution and density, such as vaccine development and meteorological factors pertaining to virus transmission., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Simple Summary: Pathogenic nematode Ostertagia leptospicularis, as the sole member of the subfamily Ostertagiinae, occurs in both cervid and bovid host species. The broad host specificity of this parasite draws special attention and requires a more in-depth investigation. This study was carried out to find out whether the differences in the nematode morphology were only due to the host influence, or whether genetic differences should be taken into account. To resolve this issue, the classification of O. leptospicularis was raised and discussed based on its host specificity, as well as morphological and genetic characteristics. A combined morphological–molecular approach was used to compare specimens resembling O. leptospicularis collected from naturally infected hosts of various ruminant species (roe deer, red deer, fallow deer, and cattle). Both morphological and molecular analyses highlighted the distinctiveness of O. leptospicularis collected from cattle in Germany, and therefore should now be considered to be a different strain that those collected form cervids in central Europe. Ostertagia leptospicularis Assadov, 1953 was formally described in roe deer Capreolus capreolus and has been reported in a wide range of ruminants, including other Cervidae, as well as Bovidae. Nematode specimens derived from various host species exhibit morphological similarity; however, some differences can be observed. It is unclear if this is due to the differential reaction of one nematode species in different host species (i.e., host-induced changes) or because of distinct nematode species in these hosts (i.e., species complex). This paper focuses on specimens resembling O. leptospicularis f. leptospicularis and its closely related species (Ostertagia ostertagi f. ostertagi) collected from various hosts. Morphometric and molecular techniques were applied to assess host-induced changes in nematode morphology and to clarify its systematic classification. There was an overall effect of host species on measurements of nematodes resembling O. leptospicularis (both males and females), but the distinctiveness of the specimens from cattle Bos taurus were highlighted. The results obtained may suggest that the specimens of O. leptospicularis from cattle in Germany and cervids in central Europe belong to different strains. Furthermore, nematodes from the cervid strain appear to circulate within particular host species, which can be seen in the stated morphological variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Public attitudes toward depression and help-seeking behaviour are important factors influencing depressed people to obtain professional help and adequate treatment. OSPI-Europe is a multi-level suicide prevention programme including a public awareness campaign. It was implemented in four regions of four European countries (Germany, Hungary, Ireland and Portugal). This paper reports the results of the evaluation of the campaign, including its visibility and effects of the campaign on stigma associated with depression and help-seeking behaviour.Methods: A representative general population survey (N=4004) including measures on personal stigma, perceived stigma, openness to help, perceived value of help, and socio-demographic variables was conducted in the four intervention and four control regions in a cross-sectional pre-post design.Results: The public awareness campaign was considerably more visible in Germany and Portugal compared to Ireland and Hungary. Visibility was further affected by age and years of schooling. Personal stigma, perceived stigma and openness toward professional help varied significantly across the four countries. Respondents in the intervention regions showed significantly less personal depression stigma than respondents in the control regions after the campaign. Respondents of the intervention region who were aware of the campaign reported more openness toward seeking professional help than respondents who were unaware of it.Conclusion: The OSPI-Europe awareness campaign was visible and produced some positive results. At the same time, it proved to be difficult to show strong, measurable and unambiguous effects, which is in line with previous studies. Public awareness campaigns as conducted within OSPI-Europe can contribute to improved attitudes and knowledge about depression in the general public and produce synergistic effects, in particular when the dissemination of awareness campaign materials is simultaneously reinforced by other intervention levels of a multi-level intervention programme.Limitations: The survey was cross-sectional and based on self-report, so no causal inferences could be drawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT In the late 1980s and early 1990s the German Federal government signed a number of bilateral agreements providing the framework for the recruitment of workers from Central and East European countries. This article analyzes the goals, instruments and (planned as well as unintended) implications of these policies. The analysis is based on the hypothesis that this is--far from a radical reappraisal--just a conservative modernization of the German migration regime. The new regulations combine piecemeal reactions to the global political changes with provisions intended to support the growth of the German economy. Methodologically the paper combines official employment statistics with information .from exploratory interviews conducted with commuters in the German-Czech border region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a 24-month ethnographic case study of the opening of the first Islamic bank in Germany, we make three contributions to the institutional theory literature. First, we outline "polysemy" and "polyphony" as mechanisms that dynamically engage conflicting logics through an organizational–individual interplay. Borrowing from paradox theory, we explain how hybrids can empower individuals to fluidly separate and integrate logics when neither structural compartmentalizing nor organizational blending is feasible because management cannot prescribe a specific balance of logics. Second, we explain the state of "elastic hybridity," constituted through the recursive, multilevel relationship between polysemy and polyphony. Elastic hybrids maintain unity in diversity. They are capable of institutionally bending without organizationally breaking and thus enable individuals to practice more of their personal convictions at work while still experiencing a sense of shared organizational purpose. Third, we show how contested hybrids can be made to last. By dynamically making logics either less central or more compatible, elastic hybrids become less conflict prone and more resilient without permanently becoming more aligned or estranged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are two ways of approaching this question of revisions of European debt settlements. One is by an appeal to historical, legal, sentimental, and certain long-run economic considerations, the method that has been followed in the two papers preceding this. The other is to examine the drift of events which may conceivably have much to do with settling the argument. It is possible that the matter may be taken out of our hands, so to speak, and that new adjustments may occur while one is still debating. One will be remembered that in May 1921, claims against Germany were finally set at some 132 milliards of gold marks, including A, B and C bonds, and that attempts were made to collect 5 per cent interest plus 1 per cent sinking fund charges on the A and B bonds or a total of three milliards of marks per year. Against this effort disinterested economists everywhere protested. The Ruhr invasion and the collapse of Germany bear witness to the folly of demanding the impossible. Today the discussion rages around the possibility of collecting only 2.5 milliards per year which is a 6 per cent return on only 41,666,000,000 marks.

Chernozems/Phaeozems are important agricultural resources and have been intensively used for millennia. However, their origin and age are still controversial. In Europe, the westernmost widespread Chernozem/Phaeozem area is located in Central Germany. In contrast to other German regions with anthropogenic Chernozems/Phaeozems, their natural origin is suggested in connection with intensive bioturbation. Yet, radiocarbon is unsuitable for decoding Chernozem/Phaeozem formation so this hypothesis remains untested, whereas single-grain luminescence dating allows to discriminate between different soil sub-processes and formation phases. We applied single-grain feldspar luminescence to a Central German Chernozem that was buried during the Bronze Age and subsequently protected from pedogenic processes. For the first time, we could directly determine timing and rate of Chernozem/Phaeozem formation in Central Europe by dating bioturbation as the dominant soil forming process. Accordingly, Chernozem/Phaeozem formation started at the latest in the Early Holocene prior to Neolithic settlement indicating a natural origin of Central German Chernozems/Phaeozems, and Chernozem/Phaeozem formation ceased around 6–5 ka when the regional climate became more humid. Our effective soil reworking rates show that earthworm bioturbation in Chernozems/Phaeozems is more intense than ant-dominated bioturbation, but significantly less intense than bioturbation by lugworms or ploughing. The latter effect allows to identify prehistoric ploughing in paleosols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wind-blown dust (WBD) emitted by the Earth's surface due to sandblasting can potentially have important effects on both climate and human health via interaction with solar and thermal radiation, reducing air quality. Apart from the main dust "centres" around the world, like deserts, dust can be emitted from partly vegetated mid- and high-latitude areas like Europe if certain conditions are suitable (strong winds, bare soil, reduced soil moisture, etc.). Using a wind-blown dust model (WBDUST) along with a chemical transport model (Comprehensive Air-quality model with Extensions, CAMx) coupled to a regional climate model (Weather Research and Forecasting, WRF), this study is one of the first to provide a model-based estimate of such emissions over Europe as well as the long-term impact of WBD emissions on the total particulate matter (PM) concentrations for the 2007–2016 period. We estimated average WBD emissions of about 0.5 and 1.5 Mgyr-1km-2 in fine and coarse modes. Maximum emissions occur over Germany, where the average seasonal fine- and coarse-mode emission flux can reach 0.5 and 1 gs-1km-2 , respectively. Large variability is seen in the averaged daily emissions with values of up to 2 gs-1km-2 for the coarse-mode aerosol on selected days. The WBD emissions increased the modelled winter PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations by up to 10 and 20 µgm-3 , respectively, especially over Germany, where the highest emissions occur. The impact on other seasons is lower. Much higher impacts are modelled, however, on selected days when occasionally the urban PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations are increased by more than 50 and 100 µgm-3. The comparison with measurements revealed that if WBD is considered, the summer biases are reduced; however, the winter PM is overestimated even more greatly (so the bias increases). We identified a strong overestimation of the modelled wind speed (the maximum daily wind is almost 2 times higher in WRF than the measured ones) suggesting that WBD emissions are also overestimated – hence the enhanced winter PM biases. Moreover, we investigated the secondary impacts of the crustal composition of fine WBD particles on secondary inorganic aerosol (SIA): sulfates (PSO 4), nitrates (PNO 3) and ammonium (PNH 4). Because the water pH value, and thus the uptake of the gaseous precursors of SIA, is perturbed and because the increased aerosol surface serves as an oxidation site, we modelled seasonal PSO 4 and PNO 3 concentrations increased by up to 0.1 µgm-3 and PNH 4 ones decreased by up to -0.05 µgm-3 , especially during winter. In terms of average daily impact, these numbers can, however, reach much larger values of up to 1–2 µgm-3 for sulfates and nitrates, while the decrease in ammonium due to WBD can reach -1 µgm-3 on selected days. The sensitivity test on the choice of the inorganic equilibrium model (ISORROPIA vs. EQuilibrium Simplified Aerosol Model V4, EQSAM) showed that if EQSAM is used, the impact on SIA is slightly stronger (by a few 10 %) due to larger number of cations considered for water pH in EQSAM. Our results have to be regarded as a first estimate of the long-term WBD emissions and the related effects on PM over Europe. Due to the strong positive wind bias and hence strong WBD emissions, we should consider these results as an upper bound. More sensitivity studies involving the impact of the driving meteorological fields, WBD model choice and the input data used to describe the land surface need to be carried out in future to better constrain these emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fodder maize cultivation under low mountain conditions in Central Europe presents obstacles for organic dairy farmers; low temperatures and high precipitation values in spring delay the juvenile development of maize, which leads to lower and fluctuating yields. Increasing the soil temperature during the critical growth phase of maize in spring is beneficial for maize cultivation. For this reason, 0.15 m high ridge-row cultivation (RCM) of maize was compared to a typical flat surface cultivation method (FCM) with 0.75 m row spacing in three environments (En) in 2017, 2018 and 2020 on-farm at low mountain sites in Germany. In the experiment, with randomised block design and one-factorial arrangement, soil temperature (ST) at 0.05 m soil depth at midday, field emergence (FE) 4, 8, 16 and 20 days after sowing (DAS), dry matter yields (DM) in every En and plant development and N, P, K content in En 2020 were investigated. RCM led to a significantly higher ST 4 DAS in every En, 12 and 20 days in 2018 and 8 and 16 DAS in 2020. RCM did not accelerate maize FE but positively impacted plant development and starch content. RCM generated a higher dry matter (DM) yield of whole maize plants and corn cobs, and a higher protein yield than FCM. RCM slightly increased the plant-available P and Mg content from 0 to 0.3 m and influenced significantly the mineral N content from 0 to 0.3 m at the beginning of grain development. RCM, a simple cultivation technique, demonstrated benefits for maize cultivation, particularly for climatically marginal locations in Germany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a WRF-Chem simulation over central Europe with a high spatial resolution of 3 km × 3 km and a focus on nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). A regional emission inventory, issued by the German Environmental Agency, with a spatial resolution of 1 km × 1 km is used. We demonstrate, that by precise temporal modulation of the emission data (use of 'temporal profiles'), significant improvement in model accuracy over existing simulations is achieved. Simulated NO₂ surface concentrations are compared to measurements from a total of 275 in-situ measurement stations in Germany, where the model was able to reproduce average noontime NO₂ concentrations with a bias of +0.9 % and R = 0.76. A comparison between modelled NO₂ vertical column densities (VCDs) and satellite observations from TROPOMI (TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument) is conducted, where crucial aspects of the observation process, such as altitude-dependent NO₂ sensitivity as well as the influence of clouds and a priori assumptions of the retrieval, are taken into account. Simulations and satellite observations are shown to agree with a model bias of −6.6 % and R = 0.84 for monthly means. Lastly, simulated NO₂ concentration profiles are compared to profiles obtained from Multiaxis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) measurements of five European ground stations using the profile retrieval algorithms from the Mexican MAX-DOAS fit (MMF) and the Mainz Profile Algorithm (MAPA). For stations within Germany, biases of −5.9 % to +50.3 % were obtained when comparing average noontime NO₂ concentrations at different altitudes. Outside of Germany, where lower resolution emission data was used, biases of up to +78.6 % were observed. Overall, the study demonstrates that temporal modulation of emission data is crucial for modelling tropospheric NO₂ realistically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As future employers, nurse managers are in a key position to assess the correspondence between the competence of graduating nursing students and work life demands. The aim of the present study was to assess the competence of graduating nursing students from the perspective of managers, and analyze the factors linked to it. Among European managers in six countries, a cross-sectional survey design with a convenience sample was applied. Data were collected using the Nurse Competence Scale. The study was reported using the STROBE guidelines. Managers (n =538, 65.8%) assessed the level of competence of graduating nursing students as good, but there were statistically significant differences between countries. In a multivariable analysis, managers who had a Doctoral/Master’s degree and were dissatisfied with the nursing program in their country assessed the level of competence as lower. Overall, graduating nursing students seem to meet the competence demands of current work life rather well. Further research is needed to confirm the connection between the managers’ competence assessment and their individual background factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study of the problems hindering improvement of the system of training through standardization of qualification requirements is relevant because, in a globalized system of teaching staff and high rates of migration, not only national but also international requirements for employees should be considered. This increases the competitiveness of university and college graduates in different countries. The purpose of this paper is to develop recommendations for the creation of a system of lifelong learning through the application of professional standards. Design/methodology/approach: The leading method in the study of this problem is the comparative analysis of the experiences of different countries to improve the training system based on the use of qualification frameworks. Findings: The paper offers science-based measures of integration and the international experience of lifelong learning, through the application of standards of World Skills International, as well as the requirements of professional standards. Originality/value: The authors formulate the conceptual directions for the application of professional standards in not only the continuous training and qualification of personnel, which allows identifying "gaps" in the competences, but also building individual educational trajectory. Article submissions are of practical value to the organization, personnel training as well as scientists engaged in the study of international best practice using standardization requirements for the qualification of personnel in education.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to review the use of "competence" as a concept and through the use of occupational competence standards in six European countries. Design/methodology/approach: Partners in an Erasmus+ project in each of the six countries prepared a review of the use of "competence" in their countries using a common template. The authors of this paper reviewed additional literature, summarised the individual country reviews and provided an analysis and commentary. Findings: "Competence" is becoming a widely used concept across Europe, but its interpretation and application both vary. Between them, the countries in the study illustrate the use of separate occupational standards, both as a national strategy and developed by self-governing professions; as well as competence embedded directly in qualification and training specifications. The use of separate standards as a mandatory component in national vocational education and training systems is questioned, while the use of appropriate standards for licensing and qualified status is largely endorsed. Research limitations/implications: The country reviews were conducted principally from the perspective of informing the developments taking place in the project, so were not comprehensive and also differed in emphasis between countries. Practical implications: The study points to the need to avoid promoting any particular model of occupational competence at a European level, as opposed to seeking common ground that will aid mutual recognition of qualifications. It also cautions against the uncritical transfer of models and policies from one national system to another. Originality/value: The paper provides additional evidence against "policy borrowing" without careful consideration of context, and contrasts the use of competence standards as part of a system-wide strategy with their tailored application for specific purposes.

The 11th International Conference of the International Association for Citizenship, Social and Economics Education IACSEE, took place the 2nd-4th of July 2015 at Georg-August-Universitaet Goettingen, Germany. The conference addressed the role and potential of citizenship, social and economic education, both theoretically and empirically in the challenging times that citizens are currently witnessing. The debate questions which roles really can and should be adopted by citizenship. Social and economics education was the leading question of this international three-day conference. This article presents the keynote address delivered by Thomas Krüger, President of the German Federal Agency for Civic Education (Bonn). Kruger warns the conference attendees that citizenship education is in danger of becoming an "empty and artificial process." He discusses a need to embrace controversy more vigorously in European citizenship education as he shares five points which he considers relevant to the on going debate: (1) The mission of the Federal Agency for Civic Education; (2) Reflections on citizenship education in times of global change; (3) How citizenship education can be our response to democracy fatigue; (4) The thinking behind the initiative "Networking European Citizenship Education" (NECE); and (5) Some concluding thoughts on the future of citizenship education.

The paper contains a presentation of new approaches to solving the problem of identifying critical infrastructure elements in the railway sub-sector. The research objective was to analyse the procedures which are used to identify the potential elements of critical infrastructure in the transportation sector. Specific attention is paid to criteria of methods developed in Germany, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The objective of the work is based on the analysis of the current state of art. The research also attempted to design an effective methodology which allows assessing the significance of rail infrastructure elements. The developed methodology should help to set a group of potential elements of critical infrastructure in the railway sub-sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are prevalent in Europe but occurrence in primary care and the proportion of treated cases are understudied. This study reports prevalence of AUDs and their treatment in European primary health care settings and compares them with general population estimates.Procedure. We sampled 358 general practitioners (GPs, refusal rate: 56.4%) across six European countries (Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Poland, and Spain) who assessed 13,003 patients including providing AUD diagnoses. A subsample of 8,476 patients (refusal rate: 17.8%) was interviewed subsequently, assessing DSM-IV AUD diagnoses via the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Final AUD diagnoses combined GP and patient interview information.Findings. Past year AUDs were prevalent with 11.8% (95% CI: 11.2–12.5%) across all regions, which is 1.6 times the European general population AUD estimate. Of those diagnosed with AUDs, 17.7% (95% CI: 15.4–20.0%) received professional help. Compared to general population estimates, AUDs and their treatment were more prevalent in primary care settings in most countries, with disproportionally high AUD rates in Italy and Spain and unexpectedly low AUD rates in Hungary.Conclusions. We found higher prevalence and treatment rates of AUDs in primary health care compared to general population surveys, with large variability between the observed countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ambient measurements of nitryl chloride (ClNO 2) were performed at a rural site in Germany, covering three periods in winter, summer, and autumn 2019, as part of the JULIAC campaign (Jülich Atmospheric Chemistry Project) that aimed to understand the photochemical processes in air masses typical of midwestern Europe. Measurements were conducted at 50 m aboveground, which was mainly located in the nocturnal boundary layer and thus uncoupled from local surface emissions. ClNO 2 is produced at night by the heterogeneous reaction of dinitrogen pentoxide (N 2 O 5) on chloride (Cl -) that contains aerosol. Its photolysis during the day is of general interest, as it produces chlorine (Cl) atoms that react with different atmospheric trace gases to form radicals. The highest-observed ClNO 2 mixing ratio was 1.6 ppbv (parts per billion by volume; 15 min average) during the night of 20 September. Air masses reaching the measurement site either originated from long-range transport from the southwest and had an oceanic influence or circulated in the nearby region and were influenced by anthropogenic activities. Nocturnal maximum ClNO 2 mixing ratios were around 0.2 ppbv if originating from long-range transport in nearly all seasons, while the values were higher, ranging from 0.4 to 0.6 ppbv for regionally influenced air. The chemical composition of long-range transported air was similar in all investigated seasons, while the regional air exhibited larger differences between the seasons. The N 2 O 5 necessary for ClNO 2 formation comes from the reaction of nitrate radicals (NO 3) with nitrogen dioxide (NO 2), where NO 3 itself is formed by a reaction of NO 2 with ozone (O 3). Measured concentrations of ClNO 2 , NO 2 , and O 3 were used to quantify ClNO 2 production efficiencies, i.e., the yield of ClNO 2 formation per NO 3 radical formed, and a box model was used to examine the idealized dependence of ClNO 2 on the observed nocturnal O 3 and NO 2 concentrations. Results indicate that ClNO 2 production efficiency was most sensitive to the availability of NO 2 rather than that of O 3 and increased with decreasing temperature. The average ClNO 2 production efficiency was highest in February and September, with values of 18 %, and was lowest in December, with values of 3 %. The average ClNO 2 production efficiencies were in the range of 3 % and 6 % from August to November for air masses originating from long-range transportation. These numbers are at the high end of values reported in the literature, indicating the importance of ClNO 2 chemistry in rural environments in midwestern Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]