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Aim: The present study aimed to map and summarise the research on children, aged 0-18 years, with Marfan syndrome, identify research gaps and point to research agendas.Methods: A scoping review was systematically performed by searching multiple databases from January 1996 to April 2019. Primary studies presenting results on at least six individuals aged 0-18 years with Marfan syndrome, diagnosed according to the Ghent nosology, were selected.Results: From 2341 de-duplicated records, 92 papers were included, mapped and described. Their topics were diagnostics (12%), cardiovascular matters (50%), skeletal matters (22%), ocular matters (9%), other medical aspects (5%) and psychosocial perspectives (2%). Most studies were from Europe and North America and published between 1999 and 2019 in subject-specific or paediatric journals, while a few were published in genetics journals. All studies had quantitative designs, and very few were multicentre studies. Each study had six to 608 subjects for a total of approximately 5809.Conclusion: A wide range of research topics on adolescent and paediatric Marfan syndrome was found, but qualitative studies and a focus on psychosocial matters were lacking. Future investigations addressing noncardiovascular consequences and patient experiences are needed, as well as studies reaffirming or replicating existing intervention study results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Much of what is known about invasion biology is based on research conducted in North America and Europe, leading to limitations and potential biases in our knowledge. We address these limitations by conducting a systematic review to assess the literature on ecological studies of two major tropical and subtropical invasive plant species, Ageratina adenophora and Chromolaena odorata. Our goals were to: (1) collect the literature on the invasion biology of these species by broadly searching five databases (one international and four regional); (2) determine limitations to the international literature available in the ISI Web of Science (WOS); (3) quantitatively summarize the scope of the invasion literature on the two species; and (4) propose future studies based on what we found. Location: Global. Methods: Using specific search terms, we searched the literature for A. adenophora and C. odorata in the ISI WOS, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Indian Journals, Nepal Journals Online and African Journals Online (AJOL). We extracted information on journal titles, publication years, study area locations, habitats investigated and study focus. Results: We found 101 papers for A. adenophora and 61 papers for C. odorata, published from 1987 to 2015. A high percentage of the studies were conducted in China, western and southern Africa, and India. Studies from WOS most frequently focused on the mechanism of invasion, while studies from CNKI and AJOL focused on the impacts of the invader. Main conclusions: Web of Science is not sufficient for generalizing about the invasion biology literature, particularly if the goal is a comprehensive assessment that includes areas other than North America, Hawaii, Europe, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. In future systematic reviews, other databases should be used if possible, including those in languages other than English. For future research, several research areas should be studied more thoroughly for A. adenophora and C. odorata invasions, including possible multiple factors responsible for invasion, and impacts of co-occurring invasive species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research demonstrates that relationships are key when working to support young people affected by sexual violence. Within these relationships, young people show a preference for non‐judgemental, flexible, consistent and informal support. Peer support – defined here as support provided by those with similar experiences – is however an uncharted area for assisting young people affected by sexual violence. This paper draws on interviews with 25 respondents with knowledge and experience of setting up, supervising and/or participating in peer support initiatives for young people impacted by different forms of sexual violence in Europe and North America. The article highlights how one form of peer support, peer or 'survivor' mentoring, can provide emotional and social support; create space for 'normality'; and give choices to young people. It outlines three unique dimensions to the support provided by peers more generally: relatability, credibility and translatability. The discussion reflects on what this might mean for traditional support provided by professionals. It also draws attention to the significance of recognising both the variety of experience and identity of young survivors of sexual trauma and the impact this may have on promoting relatability within relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Warming climate and precipitation changes induce notable shifts in climate zones. In this study, the latest generation of global climate models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) and the previous generation CMIP5 under high‐emission scenarios are used together with observations and applied to the Köppen‐Geiger climate classification. The aim is to shed light on how projected warming and changes in precipitation will influence future climate zones and their associated ecosystems while revealing differences between the two model generations. Compared to CMIP5 models, CMIP6 models exhibit slightly improved performance in replicating the observed Köppen‐Geiger map for the historical (1976–2005) period and similar inter‐model agreement for the future. The models show major changes in climate zones with a range of projections depending on which ensemble subset is used: 37.9%–48.1% of the global land area is projected to change climate zone by the end of the century, with the most pronounced changes expected over Europe (71.4%–88.6%) and North America (51.2%–65.8%). CMIP6 models project a higher rate of areal climate zone change (km2/year) throughout the 21st century, which is mainly driven by their greater global land warming rates. Using a likely equilibrium climate sensitivity subset of CMIP6 models that is consistent with the latest evidence constrains the climate zone shifts, and their projections better match the results of CMIP5 simulations. Although the high warming rates of some CMIP6 models are less credible, the risks associated with them are greater, and they heighten the need for urgent action to preserve terrestrial ecosystems. Plain Language Summary: Köppen‐Geiger climate classification is a tool to map regional climate zones based on a region's temperature and precipitation. In recent decades, increasing temperatures and changing precipitation trends have started to affect the distribution of those climate zones, and more extensive changes are expected throughout the 21st century. In this paper, we assess the observed and expected changes in the global distribution of Köppen‐Geiger climate zones using observations along with the latest and the previous generation of global climate model projections. We find that shifts in climate zones are more pronounced in the latest generation of models due to their questionable greater global warming rate projections. Depending on which subset of model projections is used, up to half of the Earth's land area faces the risk of shifting to a different climate zone by the end of the century, with the greatest changes expected in Europe and North America. The rate of change (affected area per year) is also projected to accelerate through the 21st century, suggesting that vulnerable species and agricultural practices might have less time to adapt to changes in climate zones than previously projected. Key Points: Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) exhibits slightly improved performance in simulating the globally observed historical Köppen‐Geiger climate zones compared to CMIP5By the end of the century, 38%–48% of the global land area is projected to be in a different climate zone than todayThe rate of climate zone change is projected to accelerate, with more pronounced rates in CMIP6 due to considerably higher warming rates [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parents play a central role in the treatment of childhood stuttering. Addressing parental attitudes toward stuttering is helpful therapeutically. The extent to which differences in attitudes toward stuttering exist on the basis of sex, geographical region and parental status (e.g., parent of a stuttering child, parent of a nonstuttering child, nonparent) is unclear. Many studies investigating such factors have used the Public Opinion Survey of Human Attributes–Stuttering (POSHA–S) questionnaire. A large POSHA–S database has collected responses from over 20 000 people from 49 countries. Aims: The aim of this study was to use the POSHA‐S database to examine the extent to which the following variables influence attitudes toward stuttering: (a) parents' sex (mothers vs. fathers), (b) geographic region (Middle East vs. Europe and North America), (c) parents' children (stuttering vs. nonstuttering) and (d) parental status (parents versus nonparents). Methods & Procedures: Data used in this study were extracted from selected, relevant studies that administered the POSHA–S to respondents. The Overall Stuttering Scores were compared on the basis of sex and parent status (i.e., mothers and fathers; nonparent women and men) and were then compared within and across the two geographical areas. Group comparisons were performed using analysis of variance followed by independent t tests, and Cohen's d was calculated to determine effect sizes. Outcomes & Results: Statistically significant differences were observed upon the basis of geographical region. In general, male parents and nonparents tend to have more positive stuttering attitudes among the Middle Eastern samples while female parents and nonparents tend to show more positive attitudes in European and North American samples in the POSHA–S database. Effect sizes were small for all comparisons. Conclusions & Implications: The effect of geographic region and culture may predict sex‐based differences among mothers' and fathers' attitudes toward stuttering; however, the clinical significance is unclear. Additional research is needed to better understand how children who stutter are affected by their parents' attitudes toward stuttering. What this paper adds: What is already known on this subject: The research clearly indicates that attitudes toward stuttering vary according to geographical region. Less clear is whether mothers and fathers from geographically diverse backgrounds hold different attitudes toward stuttering and the extent to which parental status (being a parent, parent of a child who stutters or nonparent) affects attitudes toward stuttering. What this study adds: This study's findings confirm that geographical differences do influence attitudes toward stuttering. Male parents and nonparents tend to have equal or more positive attitudes toward stuttering in Middle Eastern samples, whereas non‐Middle Eastern female parents and nonparents tend to show hold more positive attitudes. What are the clinical implications of this work?: In addition to being culturally sensitive when working with parents of children who stutter, clinicians should also consider that mothers and fathers may have some differences in attitudes and behaviours toward their child's stuttering. These differences should be considered when designing treatment plans. It should also be noted that, despite statistical significance, the effect sizes in this study were low, suggesting that further research as well as close collaboration with parents of children who stutter is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that the internal structure in complex, multi-unit organizations such as a multinational corporation (MNC) is not homogeneous throughout the organization, but is systematically differentiated so as to 'fit' the different environmental and resource contingencies faced by the different national subsidiaries. Based on a survey of 66 of the largest European and North American MNCs, yielding data on 618 cases of headquarters-subsidiary relations, it is shown that the different contextual conditions faced by the different subsidiaries of the MNC can be meaningfully classified into four generic situations. Furthermore, for each of these situations the exchange relation between the MNC headquarters and the subsidiary is characterized by a 'fit' governance structure consisting of a different combination of structural elements such as centralization of authority, formalization of rules and systems, and normative integration of members. Following the existing literature, these 'fit' structures are labeled in this paper as hierarchical, federative, clan and integrative. The multinational is then described as an internally differentiated organization in which each headquarters-subsidiary link corresponds to one or the other of these administrative forms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How do you design a sustainable urban area from scratch? A growing number of urban development projects, marketing themselves as sustainable or 'eco' cities, claim to have the answer. This paper focuses on the companies who create the masterplans that guide the development of such sustainable urban projects. While these projects are appearing in a diverse array of locations around the world, they are largely conceived and designed by a small, elite group of international architecture, engineering and planning firms based in North America and Europe sometimes referred to as the global intelligence corps (GIC). Drawing on research into these firms, the paper examines the contemporary drivers of internationalisation in sustainable urban planning and design. These include enhanced professional reputations and satisfaction for designers and branding benefits for clients with a desire to be seen as modern and 'global'. The paper then considers the role of international masterplanners in the global dissemination of ideas in this area, concluding that the GIC and the plans they develop are playing a significant role in the development of an international model of sustainable urbanism. However, the way in which this model is actually expressed in material form is strongly influenced by the demands and priorities of the GIC's international clients. The paper concludes by reflecting on what this research demonstrates about what it means for a planning model to be both relational and territorial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the status of the Finnish chemical industry in 2008. According to Finnish Chemical Industry Federation (CIF), the sector is facing tough times in 2008, and weak demand for paper in Europe and North America, high wood prices, and the U.S. recession have all hit hard. It mentions that the sector grew 4.5 in 2007, but reduced capacity in the paper and pulp industry, and is expected to hit the bottom line in 2008. Also, the output of the plastics sector declined almost 4% in 2007, because of the slowdown in the construction industry.

The analysis of international and collaborative publication trends in prominent behavior‐analytic journals has been a topic of interest for behavioral researchers. This paper focuses on publication trends from 1997 through 2020 in three prominent journals: Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior (JEAB), Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA), and Perspectives on Behavior Science (PBS). The variable of interest was the percentage of articles published per geographical category—Australasia/East Asia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East, North America, and Africa. The results showed that 79, 96, and 87% of the published articles in JEAB, JABA, and PBS, respectively, were conducted by researchers with a North American affiliation. Furthermore, 12, 4, and 4% of the articles in JEAB, JABA, and PBS, respectively, were coauthored by at least two researchers from different geographical categories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information about various articles published in the May 2001 issue of the "Journal of Community Psychology." Papers in this special issue represent psychological research that has taken place on four continents: North America, South America, Europe, and the Middle East, across inner city, urban, rural, and refugee camp populations, and within stable, less stable, and newly forming nations. In all cases, however, investigators have focused on effects of violence on children. These papers range in focus from abuse and conflict within the home and family, to neighborhood and community levels of violence, and national levels of upheaval and conflict in Chile and the Palestinian territories. In addition, the commentary by author James Garbarino also provides a national and international perspective.

Religion has historically been a pronatalist force, but because it fosters traditional gender role attitudes, its importance for fertility may wane where gender equity is thought to be emerging as the new natalism. In this study, I used World Values Survey and European Values Survey data from 1989 to 2018 to determine whether more religious Northern countries are slower to develop the widespread egalitarian gender role attitudes associated with fertility recovery. I concluded that the "old natalism" and the "new natalism" do not compete with each other as much as their negative association implies that they might. By tracing the evolution of country‐level gender equity in more‐ and less religious countries of Europe and North America, I showed how country‐level religiosity does not dampen the potential for a gender equity‐stimulated fertility recovery. This paper also contributes by showing that the curvilinear relationship between gender equity and fertility has continued into more recent time periods than covered by previous work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Vegetation structure is a key determinant of animal diversity and species distributions. The introduction of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) has enabled the collection of massive amounts of point cloud data for quantifying habitat structure at fine resolution. Here, we review the current use of LiDAR‐derived vegetation metrics in diversity and distribution research of birds, a key group for understanding animal–habitat relationships. Location: Global. Methods: We review 50 relevant papers and quantify where, in which habitats, at which spatial scales and with what kind of LiDAR data current studies make use of LiDAR metrics. We also harmonize and categorize LiDAR metrics and quantify their current use and effectiveness. Results: Most studies have been conducted at local extents in temperate forests of North America and Europe. Rasterization is currently the main method to derive LiDAR metrics, usually from airborne laser scanning data with low point densities (<10 points/m2) and small footprints (<1 m diameter). Our metric harmonization suggests that 40% of the currently used metric names are redundant. A categorization scheme allowed to group all metric names into 18 out of 24 theoretically possible classes, defined by vegetation part (total vegetation, single trees, canopy, understorey, and other single layers as well as multi‐layer) and structural type (cover, height, horizontal variability and vertical variability). Metrics related to canopy cover, canopy height and canopy vertical variability are currently most often used, but not always effective. Main conclusions: Light Detection and Ranging metrics play an important role in understanding animal space use. Our review and the developed categorization scheme may facilitate future studies in the selection, prioritization and ecological interpretation of LiDAR metrics. The increasing availability of airborne and spaceborne LiDAR data and the development of voxel‐based and object‐based approaches will further allow novel ecological applications, also for open habitats and other vertebrate and invertebrate taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the decades following the Second World War super markets and retail outlets in North America, Western Europe, and Australasia became the most important sites for the sale of food products. This dominance in food saIes was generally confined to the retail sector as super-markets tended to act as a nexus or distribution point between agri-food producers and consumers. In the 1970s this relationship began to break down as supermarkets moved up the chain of production. Supermarkets began to directly source materials from producers to use in "own" brand and generic products, which soon came to compete with the branded products of agri-food manufacturers. This paper traces the beginnings of these shifts and investigates the consequences of globally-sourced super-market goods in the context of the Australian agri-food system, with pineapples and wine as case studies The paper concludes that the increasing size and scope of supermarket buying power and the presence and growth of "own" brands suggests that capital organized through retail channels is coming to rival manufacturing capital as a significant fraction of the Australian agri-food system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global pellet market is growing but with different characteristics in different countries and regions. In this paper we trace developments between 2008 and 2016. For 2008, production was reported at 9.8 Tg, expanding globally to 14.3 Tg in 2010 and surpassing 26 Tg in 2015. Global hot spots are North America (production) and Europe (consumption). Sustainability certification was applied for about 9 Tg in 2016. Nevertheless, projections for future development are difficult as low pellet prices and uncertain sustainability obligations may hinder further expansion. In general, there is a strong dependency of the pellet market on the policy framework. © 2018 The Authors. Biofuels, Bioproducts, and Biorefining published by Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims Prohibitions on producing, distributing and selling cannabis are loosening in various jurisdictions around the world. This paper describes the diversification of cannabis supply laws and discusses the challenges to and opportunities for learning from these changes. Methods We document changes in cannabis supply laws that de jure legalized cannabis production for medical and/or non-medical purposes (excluding industrial hemp) in Australasia, Europe, North America and South America. We also highlight challenges to evaluating these legal changes based on our experiences studying cannabis laws and policies in the United States. Findings As of August 2016, two countries have passed laws to legalize large-scale cannabis production for non-medical purposes at the national (Uruguay) or subnational level (four US states). At least nine other countries legally allow (or will soon allow) cannabis to be supplied for medicinal purposes. Most of the changes in cannabis supply laws have occurred since 2010. The data available in most countries are inadequate for rigorously evaluating the changes in cannabis supply laws. Conclusion The evidence base for assessing changes in cannabis supply laws remains weak. Efforts should focus upon collecting information about quantities consumed and market transactions as well as validating self-report surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Question: Can the biodiversity of fens in Europe and North America be maintained through the use of grazing (especially cattle grazing), fire, and/or cutting? Location: European and North American fens. Methods: This paper is a review of the literature on the effects of grazing, fire and cutting on fens, to explore the relationship between management and biodiversity in fens. Results: A reduction of cattle grazing, mowing and burning in fens has led to a reduction in biodiversity in fens. The vegetation of abandoned fens shifts to trees and shrubs after 10-15 years, which shade the smaller and rarer species of these wetlands. While careful use of fire is used to manage fens in North America, it is not widely used in European fens, perhaps because the peat of drained fens may catch fire. Cattle grazing cannot be considered a natural disturbance in North America, since cattle did not evolve on that continent. In Europe, cattle do not generally graze in unaltered fens, but they do use slightly drained fen meadows. Conclusions: Three approaches have been used to control the dominance of tall woody and herbaceous species in abandoned fens, including the re-introduction of cattle, mowing, and burning. Overgrazing results in a permanent reduction in biodiversity, therefore cattle re-introduction must be approached cautiously. In Europe, but not in North America, mowing has been an important management tool, and mowing has been successful in maintaining species richness, particularly in fens that have been mowed annually for centuries. Fire has been the most common and successful management tool in North America although it is not effective in removing shrubs that have become large. Because the problems and solutions are similar, the literature of both European and North American fen management can be analyzed to better assess the management of fens on both continents. Many management questions require further study and these are listed in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The variable ecological response of lakes to reduced nutrient loading (oligotrophication) at sites in Europe and North America was discussed at a workshop held in Silkeborg (Denmark) in January 2003. Studies of lake oligotrophication were presented based on both long-term monitoring and data generated by palaeolimnological methods. 2. This introduction to the special issue provides short summaries of a series of the papers presented and their limnological context. Results show that the majority of lakes had approached a new equilibrium of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) concentrations 10–15 years (P) and 0–5 years (N) after a major reduction in loading, irrespective of hydraulic retention time. Phytoplankton biomass decreased and a shift towards meso-oligotrophic species dominance occurred. The fish responded surprisingly fast to the loading reduction in most lakes. As a result, the percentage of piscivores increased and total fish biomass declined markedly, which may explain an increase in the body size of cladocerans and an increase in the zooplankton to phytoplankton biomass ratio seen in many of the lakes. 3. Monitoring has in general been initiated after the effects of eutrophication became apparent. In this context palaeolimnological techniques become very useful because they allow limnologists to extend time scales of coverage and to define restoration targets and baseline conditions. Moreover, lake sediments pre-dating anthropogenic disturbance can be used to examine ecological response to, for instance, climate variability, allowing problems associated with multiple stressors to be addressed. 4. It is concluded that there is a great need for a synthetic, holistic approach to studying lake oligotrophication, combining multiple techniques of palaeolimnological sediment analysis with detailed but temporally limited long-term monitoring of chemical and biological variables. This is important, not least to assess future responses to nutrient loading reductions, as global warming will interact with a range of external stressors and ultimately affect lake management strategies to deal with the resultant feedbacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the negotiation of international and European environmental regulations, the industry sector typically raises the issue of the cost of compliance. It is often maintained that the cost of complying with environmental regulations restricts business profitability and competitiveness. This paper provides an overview of the cost of compliance by considering the arguments, strategies and cost estimates that were presented by industry during the negotiations of several different environmental regulations in Europe and North America, and at the global level. It examines the difficulties associated with comparing costs using pre- and post-regulation cost data and discusses the strategies adopted during the negotiations of the regulation and once the regulation was implemented. The paper concludes that although some proposals for regulation may impose burdens on industry, which it will oppose, industry has come to recognize that environmental regulation does not necessarily mean increased costs at the level anticipated. While regulation cannot guarantee innovation or lead to greater competitiveness and higher productivity for all firms, those that seize the opportunities will usually gain benefits. The paper reinforces the view that the EU should give careful consideration to the costs presented by industry as in the past it has tended to overestimate costs of compliance and underestimate the potential for the development of new technology. The introduction of independent cost assessments and technology assessments may be one way of overcoming this problem. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first systematic review of the literature on farmer time preference measurements across Europe and North America. We synthesize methodological developments, summarize the empirical findings, and discuss challenges and potential areas for further research. The average reported discount rate of the farmers in Europe and North America is 23% per annum. Farmer time preferences are, however, highly heterogeneous within and across studies. Moreover, we identify methodological challenges and knowledge gaps to be addressed in future research. We draw conclusions for policymakers and researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aims to synthesize the factors associated with nurse emigration from lower and middle‐income countries. Design: Integrative review. Methods: An in‐depth search of registries and five databases yielded 9466 records. Using the PRISMA guidelines, 11 were chosen after screening by two authors independently. The mixed methods appraisal tool (MMAT) was used to assess the risk of bias. Results: The destination countries were Europe and North America, with an inclination for nurse migration of 14.3%–85%. Emigration factors were poor salary, working conditions, poor quality healthcare infrastructure; outdated healthcare technologies, lack of employment opportunities, younger age, relationship status (single), living environment, social pressure, urban residence, work experience, insecurity, high crime rates, political corruption and foreign language skills. Public Contribution: Healthcare authorities and nursing leaders must implement practical measures to minimize nurse emigration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale, aims, and objectives: Online modified Delphi (OMD) panel approaches can be used to engage large and diverse groups of clinical experts and stakeholders in developing health services performance measures. Such approaches are increasing in popularity among health researchers. However, information about their acceptability to participating experts and stakeholders is lacking but important to determine before recommending widespread use of online approaches. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to explore acceptability of the OMD panel approach from the participants' perspective. Method: We use data from participants in three OMD panels designed to develop performance measures for use in arthritis research and quality improvement efforts. At the end of each online panel, we surveyed clinical experts and stakeholders who shared their experiences with the OMD process by answering 13 close-ended questions using 7-point Likert-type scales. A mean of 5 or higher on a given question was treated as an indication of acceptability. Results: Ninety-eight clinical experts and stakeholders (92% participation rate) answered survey questions about the online process. They considered the OMD panel approach to be acceptable, particularly the ease of using the online system (mean = 5.3, standard deviation = 1.3) and the understanding gained from online discussions (mean = 5.2, standard deviation = 1.0). Participants also felt that participation in the Delphi study was interesting (mean = 5.6, standard deviation =1.1). Conclusion: These findings illustrate likely acceptability and a potential for a more widespread use of OMD panel approaches by stakeholders in developing health services performance measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social psychology appears to be in a golden age. It is a prestigious and productive area in which droves of bright young people, a sufficiency of middle-aged colonels and a few grand old men are pursuing their research with a confidence and energy that is found in those who know where they are going. It is certainly no coincidence that the ascent of European social psychology as a strong force in the field also happened during the seventies. By sapling the self-confidence of North American social psychology, the crisis made researchers receptive for new and different solutions, which Europeans were ready to provide. Thus, the work on inter-group conflict of different psychologists and research on minority influence had an immediate impact on the field and stimulated a great deal of further research. The self-reflexive attitude toward science led psychologists to reduce the topic of social psychology and the meaning of research in it. Social behavior should itself be seen as the discursive activity leading to the construction of meaning.

The International Psycho-oncology Society (IPOS) has just celebrated its 30th anniversary. The growth of psychosocial oncology has been exponential, and this relatively new field is becoming a core service that focuses on prevention, reducing the burden of cancer, and enhancing the quality of life from time of diagnosis, through treatment, survivorship, and palliative care. Looking back over the past 30 years, we see that cancer care globally has evolved to a new and higher standard. Today, 'cancer care for the whole patient' is being accomplished with an evidence-based model that addresses psychosocial needs and integrates psycho-oncology into the treatment and care of patients. The President's Plenary Session in Lisbon, Portugal, highlighted the IPOS Mission of promoting global excellence in psychosocial care of people affected by cancer through our research, public policy, advocacy, and education. The internationally endorsed IPOS Standard of Quality Cancer Care, for example, clearly states the necessity of integrating the psychosocial domain into routine care, and that distress should be measured as the sixth vital sign after temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, and pain. The plenary paper also discussed the global progress being made in Europe, North America, and Australia in providing quality cancer care for the whole patient. Collaborative partnerships between IPOS and organizations such as the European Partnership Action Against Cancer and the World Health Organization are essential in building capacity for the delivery of high-quality psycho-oncology services in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Dietetics as a form of study predates medicine, but the profession did not emerge until the nineteenth century and is still in an emergent stage today in many parts of the world. This paper seeks to demonstrate how the impact of leaders has been critical in terms of the growth and development of the profession. Methods: A narrative review was formed from searching the published literature. Results: The published literature is silent on many aspects of dietetics. In modern times, the majority of written works have come from North America and Western Europe. No work on historical or developmental aspects of dietetics from other parts of the world could be located. Leadership within the profession is well researched, but leadership by the profession in the broader arena of national and international policy and practice is harder to identify. There are calls for curricula to keep pace with the needs of modern healthcare systems if the profession is to flourish. Conclusion: Despite all the changes and the evolution of the profession, much remains unchanged. There are recurring themes throughout the literature reviewed here, those of the breadth of dietetics, the need for evolving curricula, the need for business acumen, the need for diversity and, in more recent times, the ability to work with interdisciplinary teams. But the profession has what it takes. It has within its ranks leaders of today and tomorrow. It is up to the profession to allow those leaders to emerge and take the profession to the next level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Please cite this paper as: De Vleeschauwer et al. (2011) Cross-protection between antigenically distinct H1N1 swine influenza viruses from Europe and North America. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 5(2), 115-122. An avian-like H1N1 swine influenza virus (SIV) is enzootic in swine populations of Western Europe. The virus is antigenically distinct from H1N1 SIVs in North America that have a classical swine virus-lineage H1 hemagglutinin, as does the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus. However, the significance of this antigenic difference for cross-protection among pigs remains unknown. We examined protection against infection with a North American triple reassortant H1N1 SIV [A/swine/Iowa/H04YS2/04 (sw/IA/04)] in pigs infected with a European avian-like SIV [A/swine/Belgium/1/98 (sw/B/98)] 4 weeks earlier. We also examined the genetic relationships and serologic cross-reactivity between both SIVs and with a pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus [A/California/04/09 (Calif/09)]. After intranasal inoculation with sw/IA/04, all previously uninfected control pigs showed nasal virus excretion, high virus titers in the entire respiratory tract at 4 days post-challenge (DPCh) and macroscopic lung lesions. Most pigs previously infected with sw/B/98 tested negative for sw/IA/04 in nasal swabs and respiratory tissues, and none had lung lesions. At challenge, these pigs had low levels of cross-reactive virus neutralizing and neuraminidase inhibiting (NI) antibodies to sw/IA/04, but no hemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies. They showed similar antibody profiles when tested against Calif/09, but NI antibody titers were higher against Calif/09 than sw/IA/04, reflecting the higher genetic homology of the sw/B/98 neuraminidase with Calif/09. Our data indicate that immunity induced by infection with European avian-like H1N1 SIV affords protection for pigs against North American H1N1 SIVs with a classical H1, and they suggest cross-protection against the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For over a century, white pine blister rust ( Cronartium ribicola) has linked white pines ( Strobus) with currants and gooseberries ( Ribes) in a complex and serious disease epidemic in Asia, Europe, and North America. Because of ongoing changes in climate, societal demands for forests and their amenities, and scientific advances in genetics and proteomics, our current understanding and management of the white pine blister rust pathosystem has become outdated. Here, we present a review and synthesis of international scope on the biology and management of blister rust, white pines, Ribes, and other hosts. In this article, we provide a geographical and historical background, describe the taxonomy and life cycle of the rust, discuss pathology and ecology, and introduce a series of invited papers. These review articles summarize the literature on white pines, Ribes, and blister rust with respect to their status, threats, and management through genetics and silviculture. Although the principal focus is on North America, the different epidemics in Europe and Asia are also described. In the final article, we discuss several of the key observations and conclusions from the preceding review articles and identify prudent actions for research and management of white pine blister rust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines long-term eddy covariance data from 18 European and 17 North American and Asian forest, wetland, tundra, grassland, and cropland sites under non-water-stressed conditions with an empirical rectangular hyperbolic light response model and a single layer two light-class carboxylase-based model. Relationships according to ecosystem functional type are demonstrated between empirical and physiological parameters, suggesting linkages between easily estimated parameters and those with greater potential for process interpretation. Relatively sparse documentation of leaf area index dynamics at flux tower sites is found to be a major difficulty in model inversion and flux interpretation. Therefore, a simplification of the physiological model is carried out for a subset of European network sites with extensive ancillary data. The results from these selected sites are used to derive a new parameter and means for comparing empirical and physiologically based methods across all sites, regardless of ancillary data. The results from the European analysis are then compared with results from the other Northern Hemisphere sites and similar relationships for the simplified process-based parameter were found to hold for European, North American, and Asian temperate and boreal climate zones. This parameter is useful for bridging between flux network observations and continental scale spatial simulations of vegetation/atmosphere carbon dioxide exchange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, is a major biofouling pest of water treatment works, irrigation systems and power stations in Europe and North America. This paper documents current problems associated with zebra mussels in English waterworks. Questionnaires and manual surveys conducted between 2001 and 2003 have revealed that over 30 water treatment works in England suffer problems associated with zebra mussels. Hundreds of tonnes of mussels are being removed each year from raw water intakes, pipelines and reservoirs. Problems have increased in the last five years, due to a spread in the range of zebra mussels around England and the cessation of chemical treatment at the intakes of many treatment facilities during the 1990s. The importance of taking control of zebra mussels into account in planning new water supply schemes is highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper seeks to analyse the influence of migrants' families on return and the transfer of financial, human and social capital by West African migrants who have lived in Europe and North America. Based on a survey of over 600 ‘elite’ and less‐skilled return migrants to Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, as well as qualitative research with migrants remaining in London and Paris, the paper argues that families play an important role in return migration, remittances, and aspects of human, social and financial capital acquisition and investment. Using Cerase's typology of return migration, the analysis seeks to discriminate between migrants whose return decisions were affected by their families – considered as ‘return of conservatism’ – and those who made individual return decisions – considered as ‘return of innovation’. The findings reveal that the relationship between the type of return (and extent of family involvement in this decision), and the extent of financial, human and social capital transfers, varies between countries and across groups of migrants. Although those whose return is influenced by their families might be considered to have made more ‘conservative’ return decisions, this group was found to be more likely to have transferred financial capital to their home country, and more likely to have maintained social capital gained abroad after their return. They were also as likely as ‘innovative’ returnees to have promoted changes in family life or in the workplace. The paper concludes by exploring several policy implications. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In almost all subfields of political science in the last third of the twentieth century, it was claimed that we are witnessing a transformation of political order from hierarchies to networks. This paper traces institutional change during the twentieth century by examining structures and modes of interaction in transboundary regions in Europe and North America. First, it challenges functionalist explanations of institution-building and institutional change. Instead, the impact of general discourses and ideas is highlighted. Second, it takes a closer look at the hierarchies-to-networks transformation thesis. Whereas this thesis can be confirmed if we define hierarchies and networks as patterns of interaction, if we define hierarchies and networks in terms of modes of interaction this is less certain. De jure, institutional elements implying a “hierarchical order” have been supplanted in newer institutions by provisions allowing for “majority voting.” De facto, nothing has changed, since these modes of interaction have never actually been used. In practice, the only way to achieve joint action has always been and still is through “agreement” or “consent.” What has changed over the years, though, is the institutionalized approach to reaching “agreement.” The older approach uses a technocratic-deductive logic. In recent years, we have been able to observe various new approaches in cross-border regions: a symbolic-inductive logic in Western Europe, a utilitarian-evolutionary logic along the U.S.-Mexican border, and a normative-constructivist logic along the U.S.-Canadian border. Based on the empirical findings, I conclude that institutional theory should pay more attention to the fact that many political institutions provide orientation, shape identities, and mobilize activities through emotional symbols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How have the technology intelligence approaches of large technology-intensive companies changed in the last 30 years? This paper aims to answer this question through case study research in 26 leading European and North American companies in the pharmaceutical, telecommunication equipment and automobile/machinery industries. The empirical results show that technology intelligence approaches have closely followed the changes in R&D organization, project selection and technology planning. Three generations of technology intelligence management can be distinguished. Furthermore, the contingency factors for the location of technology intelligence within technology intensive companies are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Editorial. Focuses on the issues fundamental to the social policy and social policy making in Canada. Information on the issues of federal and provincial relations in social policy making writ large; Implications of the issues for certain regions or sectors of policy in the country.

Winter cold spells over North America have been correlated with European wind extremes, but the physical mechanisms behind such "pan‐Atlantic" compound extremes have not been clarified yet. In this study, we propose that pan–Atlantic cold and windy extremes occur following two possible dynamical pathways. The first one involves the propagation of a Rossby wave train from the Pacific Ocean, associated with windstorms over north‐western Europe in the 5–10 days after the cold spell peak. The second is associated with a high‐latitude anticyclone over the North Atlantic and an equatorward‐shifted jet, leading to windstorms over south‐western Europe already in the days preceding the cold spell peak. European windstorms are thus systematically tied to North American cold spells according to the different flow configuration. The analysis underscores that apparently similar surface extremes might be driven by different processes, and conflating them together could lead to misleading conclusions. Plain Language Summary: Previous research noticed that cold spells over North America and windstorms over Europe tend to occur within a few days of each other. This connection is supported by the fact that winds usually blow from west to east over the North Atlantic, so that cyclones forming off the coast of North America move toward western Europe. However, the chain of processes behind this connection remained not fully clarified. Here we explain the complex relationship between the occurrence of North American cold spells and European windstorms. While previous work tried to identify a single physical mechanism, we suggest that two separate pathways can connect the two types of extremes. The first pathway involves the propagation of a train of cyclones and anticyclones from the North Pacific to the North Atlantic, leading to a cold spell over central North America and, a few days later, to windstorms over north‐western Europe. The second pathway, on the other hand, involves an anomalous anticyclone over the North Atlantic, which acts to induce cold spells over North America and windstorms over south‐western Europe roughly at the same time: this still leads to a correlation between the two extremes, but without a clear causality direction. Key Points: North American cold extremes and European windy extremes can be connected physically by two distinct dynamical pathwaysThe first pathway involves Rossby wave propagation from the North Pacific and the cold spell preceding the European windstormThe second pathway features both extremes occurring roughly at the same time thanks to an upper‐level anticyclone west of Greenland [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the results of an evaluation research project into the Doncaster Nursing Management Audit scheme. The scheme, in line with similar 'nursing audits' in Europe and North America, has the objective of improving the quality of nursing care. This quality is dependent on both clinical and administrative procedures working correctly. At Doncaster there exists the nursing care audit (for nursing staff below the supervisory grade) and the nursing management audit (for staff at and above the supervisory grade). The Doncaster Nursing Management Audit distinguishes itself from other types of nursing audit in two main ways. Firstly, it focuses on the management aspects of a nurse's responsibilities and secondly, the scheme allows the nurse to self-assess her own performance. The findings of the evaluation suggest that nurses see the audit as particularly valuable in developing them as managers and making them aware of their own potential. The single most unfavourable outcome of using audit was found to be the frustration created amongst nursing staff by their inability to change some nursing practices. The study showed that nursing staff who were occupationally mobile, whose supervisors had a strong interest in the use of audit and who were receiving a large amount of feedback on their performance were benefiting more from audit than their colleagues. Certain factors connected with the introduction and conduct of audit were found to have an important effect on its success. These included the manner in which audit was introduced into the organization, the way it was linked up with staff appraisal and the frequency with which it was conducted. The results indicate that audit has a great potential contribution to make to the improvement of the quality of nursing management provided it is used flexibly and adapted to the needs of the organization to which it is applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes a simulation of the Arctic winter 2016–2017 with focus on multi‐step vertical coupling (MSVC) by primary, secondary, and higher‐order gravity waves (GWs). We employ the HIgh Altitude Mechanistic general Circulation Model with nudging of the large scales to MERRA‐2 reanalysis. Simulation results confirm the well‐known effects from primary GWs in the winter middle atmosphere regarding strong westward GW drag and a warm winter polar stratopause during the strong‐vortex period in late December 2016, as well as weak eastward GW drag and mesospheric cooling during the sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) in late January and early February 2017. Since the amplitudes of the primary GWs that dissipate in the middle atmosphere are weaker for a reversed or weakened polar vortex, the theory for secondary GW generation predicts reduced MSVC in this case. This is confirmed by strongly reduced secondary and higher‐order GW amplitudes during the SSW and the weak‐vortex period in February. The wintertime higher‐order GWs show partial concentric ring structures above their sources in the lower thermosphere. We find that mostly those higher‐order GWs propagate to higher altitudes that have horizontal propagation directions against the tidal winds. The simulated GWs at 300 km height and observed perturbations of total electron content over Europe and North America during selected days of low geomagnetic activity show very good agreement regarding (a) the wave characteristics and (b) the reduction of amplitudes during the SSW and early February as compared to late December. Plain Language Summary: We analyze the Arctic winter 2016–2017 using a whole atmosphere model with resolved gravity waves (GWs) and nudging of the large scales to MERRA‐2 reanalysis. Model results confirm the well‐known effects from primary GWs in the winter middle atmosphere regarding strong westward GW drag and a warm winter polar stratopause during the strong‐vortex period in late December 2016, as well as weak eastward GW drag and mesospheric cooling during the sudden stratospheric warming (SSW), which started in late January 2017 and was followed by a weak vortex in February. Since secondary and higher‐order GWs are the predominant GWs in the winter mesopause region and thermosphere, the vertical coupling from the lower to the upper atmosphere by GWs is termed multi‐step vertical coupling (MSVC). We find that MSVC is strongly reduced during and after the SSW. The simulated GWs at 300 km height and observed total electron content (TEC) perturbations over Europe and North America during days of low geomagnetic activity show very good agreement regarding the wave characteristics. Furthermore, we find a clear reduction in the TEC perturbation amplitudes during and after the SSW. This agreement between model and observations strongly suggests that quiet‐time TEC perturbations in the winter thermosphere are caused by GWs from MSVC. Key Points: Wintertime thermospheric gravity waves (GWs) simulated by a whole atmosphere model are strongly reduced during the January 2017 sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) and the subsequent weak‐vortex periodObserved quiet‐time total electron content (TEC) perturbations show reduced amplitudes during the SSW and weak‐vortex period as wellPropagation directions, wavelengths, and periods of the simulated thermospheric GWs agree with observed quiet‐time TEC perturbations [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Floodplains are some of the most ecologically important and human‐impacted habitats throughout the world. Large efforts are underway in North America, Europe, Australia, and elsewhere to restore floodplain habitats, not only to increase fish and aquatic biota but to restore ecological diversity. As the scale, number, and complexity of floodplain restoration projects has increased, so has the need for rigorous monitoring and evaluation to demonstrate effectiveness and guide future floodplain restoration efforts. Moreover, technological advances in remote sensing, genetics, and fish marking have been evolving rapidly and there is need to update guidance on the best methods for monitoring physical and biological response to floodplain restoration. A comprehensive review of the restoration literature located 180 papers that specifically examined the effectiveness of various floodplain restoration techniques. The various methods that were historically and currently used to evaluate the physical (channel and floodplain morphology, sediment, flow, water quality [temperature and nutrients]) and biological (fish, invertebrates, and aquatic and riparian plants) effectiveness of floodplain restoration were reviewed and used to provide recommendations for future monitoring. For each major physical and biological monitoring method, we discuss their importance, how they have historically been used to evaluate floodplain restoration, newer methodologies, and limitations or advantages of different methodologies and approaches. We then discuss monitoring the effectiveness of small (<2 km in main channel length) and large (>2 km of main channel length) floodplain projects, with recommendations for various study designs, parameters, and monitoring methodologies. This article is categorized under:Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and AwarenessWater and Life > Methods [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non‐pharmacologic interventions might be effective to reduce the incidence of delirium in pediatric intensive care units (PICU). Aim: To explore expert opinions and generate informed consensus decisions regarding the content of a non‐pharmacologic delirium bundle to manage delirium in PICU patients. Study design: A two‐round online Delphi study was conducted from February to April 2021. PICU experts (nurses, physicians, researchers, physical therapists, play specialists, and occupational therapists) located in Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Australia participated. Results: We developed a questionnaire based on the outcomes of a comprehensive literature search in the domains: 1) cognition support; 2) sleep support; and 3) physical activity support. Under these domains, we listed 11 strategies to promote support with 61 interventions. Participants rated the feasibility of each intervention on a 9‐point Likert scale (ranging from 1 strongly disagree to 9 strongly agree). A disagreement index and panel median were calculated to determine the level of agreement among experts. In the second round, participants reassessed the revised statements and ranked the interventions in each domain in order of importance for age groups: 0–2, 3–5, and 6–18 years of age. During the first Delphi round, 53 of 74 (72%) questionnaires were completed, and in the second round 45 of 74 (61%) were completed. Five of the highest ranked interventions across the age groups were: 1) developing a daily routine, 2) adjusting light exposure according to the time of day, 3) scheduling time for sleep, 4) providing eyeglasses and hearing aids if appropriate, 5) encouraging parental presence. Conclusions: Based on expert consensus, we developed an age‐specific non‐pharmacologic delirium bundle of interventions to manage delirium in PICU patients. Relevance to Clinical Practice: An age‐specific Non‐Pharmacological Delirium bundle is now ready to be tested in the PICU and will hopefully reduce pediatric delirium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective From May to September 2014, Epilepsia conducted an online survey seeking opinions on whether consciousness should be used in describing focal and generalized seizures, and what terms should be applied to describe focal seizures with loss of awareness and amnesia. This study reports the findings of that survey. Methods Two questions asked if consciousness should be used to classify seizures and what terms should be applied. Another four questions addressed demographic information. Results Of 209 individuals that started the poll, 147 (70.3%) completing it, and most that completed it were epileptologists (66%) from Europe (41%) and North America (27%). A majority (64%) indicated that the presence or absence of consciousness should be used to describe focal and generalized seizures, whereas 23% said it should not be used. When asked what term should be used to describe focal seizures with altered awareness and amnesia, 36% said focal impaired consciousness seizures ( FICS), 30% selected complex partial seizures ( CPS), and 16% answered focal dyscognitive seizures. Significance This survey indicates that most responders prefer that consciousness be considered in the description of focal and generalized seizures, despite the difficulty in determining awareness clinically. Furthermore, responders could not agree on a single term that could be used to define focal seizures with loss of awareness and amnesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to validate the Erasmus Guillain–Barré Syndrome Respiratory Insufficiency Score in the International Guillain–Barré Syndrome Outcome Study cohort, and to improve its performance and region‐specificity. Methods: We examined data from the first 1,500 included patients, aged ≥6 years and not ventilated prior to study entry. Patients with a clinical variant or mild symptoms were also included. Outcome was mechanical ventilation within the first week from study entry. Model performance was assessed regarding the discriminative ability (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve) and the calibration (observed vs predicted probability of mechanical ventilation), in the full cohort and in Europe/North America and Asia separately. We recalibrated the model to improve its performance and region‐specificity. Results: In the group of 1,023 eligible patients (Europe/North America n = 842, Asia n = 104, other n = 77), 104 (10%) required mechanical ventilation within the first week from study entry. Area under the curve values were ≥0.80 for all validation subgroups. Mean observed proportions of mechanical ventilation were lower than predicted risks: full cohort 10% versus 21%, Europe/North America 9% versus 21%, and Asia 17% versus 23%. After recalibration, predicted risks for the full cohort and Europe/North America corresponded to observed proportions. Interpretation: This prospective, international cohort study validated the Erasmus Guillain–Barré Syndrome Respiratory Insufficiency Score, and showed that the model can be used in the full spectrum of Guillain–Barré syndrome patients. In addition, a more accurate, region‐specific version of the model was developed for patients from Europe/North America. ANN NEUROL 2022;91:521–531 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers news briefs related to addiction as of 2016. The unregulated cannabidiol (CBD) market in Great Britain has been halted by the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The public is supporting minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol products in Great Britain. A World Health Organization (WHO) report has found that the alcohol-attributable mortality burden has increased slightly in Europe since 1990.

SUMMARY Vector autoregressive methods have been used to model the interrelationships between job vacancy rates, job separation rates and job-finding rates using tools such as impulse response analysis. We investigate whether such impulse responses change across the business cycle or over time, by estimating time-varying parameter-vector autoregressions for data from North America (the USA and Canada) and Europe (France, Spain and the UK). While the adjustment process of the labour market to shocks in Canada and the USA is similar, we find the adjustment process differs much more across the European countries, with greater persistence in shocks relative to the USA and Canada. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Requirements engineering is a software development discipline, executed by requirements analysts (RAs), that includes requirements elicitation, analysis, specification and validation. Its successful outcome is very often essential to overall project success. However, there is a lack of systematically conducted empirical research on the competencies of RAs. This paper addressed this gap by conducting 64 interviews at eight major North American and European financial services companies. Our qualitative research design follows an interpretive approach and uses critical incident technique. We develop a competency model, which specifies 16 critical competencies, and integrates contextual and situational factors as well as results variables. 'Consulting others', 'Testing assumptions and investigating' and 'Explaining concepts and opinions' were the most frequently identified competencies. This indicates that for an effective analyst, close interaction and communication with customers is indeed crucial - but of equally importance is the critical questioning of the expressed needs. Surprisingly, applying specific tools and advanced techniques did not seem to play a significant role from the interviewees' perspective. This study contributes to theory as it is the first to elaborate a competency model for RAs. It also provides a foundation for the development of competency-based training in companies and universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author responds to the comments made on their paper about naturopathy and critical medical anthropology (CMA). He says that he agrees with the assertion of a group of discussers that naturopathic practice in Europe and Australia resembles that in North America, but they minimize the political differences. He also argues on the comment that because CMA lacks significant political influence, it has little impact on the health of individuals and populations.

Abstract: Using a unique proprietary data set of 1980 realized and unrealized buyouts completed between 1986 and 2010, we examine entry and exit pricing in buyouts and its influence on private equity (PE) sponsors'' returns. We find that besides leverage and operational improvements, EBITDA multiple expansion (i.e. the difference between entry and exit pricing) is a fundamental factor in explaining equity returns and the result of skill rather than pure luck. We also provide evidence that more experienced PE sponsors use more debt to finance a PE transaction and debt is positively related to entry buyout pricing. However, for a transaction with a given leverage level, more experienced PE sponsors are able to negotiate lower prices. In addition, our results show that deals conducted by first time funds which are realized in a later stage of a fund''s life cycle are associated with lower exit prices which can be explained by the increased exit pressure for the PE sponsor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Significant differences exist between the European and North American treatment protocols for Wilms' tumor and neuroblastoma. There are variations in biopsy technique, timing and extent of initial surgery, chemotherapy protocols and dosage routines, as well as the type of salvage therapy. With the consolidation of the two major North American study groups into a single entity (Children's Oncology Group), the European and North American study groups represent the only remaining large-scale venues for treatment comparison. It is important to study and understand the variation in treatment protocols in order to maintain an open forum of scientific investigation that will lead to improving the care and outcome of children with cancer. It is anticipated that the unification of the North American groups will lead to greater interest and scientific cooperation with the European study group. This paper will serve as a forum for such a discussion at a local level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Old‐growth, mesic temperate forests are often assumed to be structured by gap‐phase processes, resulting in quasi‐equilibrial long‐term dynamics. This assumption influences management focused on simulation of natural disturbance dynamics and is embedded in most models of forest successional dynamics. We use multi‐decade monitoring of permanent plots in old‐growth forests to assess demographic assumptions directly with respect to tree mortality rates. Location: Sixteen sites in mesic, temperate old‐growth forests in eastern North America and Europe with multi‐decade monitoring. Time period: Variable across sites, spanning c. 20–78 years from 1936 to 2014. Major taxa studied: Tree species of late‐successional, cool‐temperate forests of Europe and eastern North America. Methods: We calculated and compared the annualized mortality rates (m), with confidence intervals, by species, size class and measurement interval, for tree species of sufficient abundance. Results: Retrospective analysis shows dynamic and diverse demographic properties across populations and sites. Stand‐scale mortality rates of 0.7–2.5%/year average higher than previous estimates for old‐growth temperate forests. Variations among species, over time and among size classes, suggest that gap‐phase models are inadequate to explain stand dynamics, implying instead that rare disturbance events of moderate severity have long‐lasting effects in old‐growth forests and that indirect anthropogenic influences affect old‐growth, unlogged forests. Main conclusions: Multi‐decade baseline data, essential for understanding community assembly and long‐term dynamics in these "slow systems," are rare and poorly integrated. Our analysis demonstrates the value of the few long‐term, "legacy" data sets. Results suggest that differences in life history interact with complex disturbance histories, resulting in non‐equilibrial dynamics in old‐growth temperate tree communities, and that changes in disturbance patterns through anthropogenic climate change might, therefore, be an important driver of ecosystem change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This study focuses on foodborne outbreaks of microbial infection associated with fresh produce in Europe and North America from this millennium. A total of 277 outbreaks with 44 524 individual cases were identified. Foodborne pathogens associated with the most outbreak frequency include Cryptosporidium (20.5%) in Europe and Salmonella (52.2%) in North America although Norovirus (54.3%) and Salmonella (61.3%) were associated with the number of cases in Europe and North America, respectively. Vegetables were the most implicated fresh produce category with outbreak frequencies of 34.1% in Europe and 47.4% in North America. Increased consumption of fresh produce in Europe and North America, as measures to improve diets, correlates with the increased fresh produce‐related outbreaks of microbial infection. This systematic review suggests the need for more rapid methodologies for traceback investigations in order to determine trends and epicentres of foodborne infections related to fresh produce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent spurt of scholarly interest in the emergence of new "States" and "nations" has given rise, on the one hand, to a renewed interest in the historical study of similar phenomena in older States and, on the other, to a considerable effort at formulating general theories and models which can provide guide-lines for an understanding of these phenomena. By and large the initiative for these efforts has come from North American and European scholars. More recently, scholars from the developing nations have also joined in this work. Subsequent co-operation between these two groups of scholars from differing historical backgrounds and socio-cultural contexts has led to a series of questions concerning (a) the relevance of prevailing conceptual frameworks for an explanation of variations in the behavior of social and political phenomena; (b) the empirical validity of these frame-works in different historical settings; (c) the methodological assumptions underlying the whole effort at general theory; and (d) basic issues of teleology and directionality, determinacy and choice, in comparative theory.