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Learning design is growing in importance but is not yet widely adopted by teachers. This paper describes the development of a scenario‐led learning design process, divided into two stages, which was implemented with over 500 teachers altogether from 15 European countries. Activity theory is used to explore the contradictions that arose when such changes were introduced into the established activity system of lesson planning. Data were collected through interviews and questionnaires from a small sample of participants including national coordinators (stage 1: n = 8; stage 2: n = 13) and teachers (stage 1: n = 13; stage 2: n = 23). These participants perceived that the scenario‐led learning design process, involving a wide range of stakeholders, was collaborative, supportive and innovative (compared to previous lesson planning practices). However, a number of contradictions were identifiable between: (1) the shift to collaborative learning design from teachers preparing their lessons alone; (2) the new tools and the existing rules of the national/regional education systems; (3) the time required to both understand and implement learning design, and the impact of competing demands. This paper discusses the challenges faced when attempting to scale‐up European school teachers' development of digital pedagogy. The structured (yet flexible) approach was welcomed and the tools promoted teacher reflection but, as commonly noted, the complexity and time‐constraints were major issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The term skills mismatch is very broad and can relate to many forms of labour market friction, including vertical mismatch, skill gaps, skill shortages, field of study (horizontal) mismatch and skill obsolescence. In this paper, we provide a clear overview of each concept and discuss the measurement and inter‐relatedness of different forms of mismatch. We present a comprehensive analysis of the current position of the literature on skills mismatch and highlight areas which are relatively underdeveloped and may warrant further research. Using data from the European Skills and Jobs Survey, we assess the incidence of various combinations of skills mismatch across the EU. Finally, we review the European Commission's country‐specific recommendations and find that skills mismatch, when referring to underutilized human capital in the form of overeducation and skills underutilization, receives little policy attention. In cases where skills mismatch forms part of policy recommendations, the policy advice is either vague or addresses the areas of mismatch for which there is the least available evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides new interpretations of the effects of rising economic turbulence—an increase in the rate of skill depreciation upon job loss—and its interaction with labor market institutions. We have three main results, based on a life‐cycle model with labor market frictions and labor force participation decisions. First, rising economic turbulence during the 1970s and 1980s accounts for the decline in employment among older workers in the United States. Second, the interaction between turbulence and institutions explains most of the reduction in labor force participation among older workers in Europe over this period, but ultimately explains little of the rise in unemployment. Third, only a small share of the increase in unemployment can be attributed to the early retirement policies that were implemented in Europe from the 1970s up until the early 1990s. Our analysis indicates that incorporating an operative labor supply choice can pose serious challenges to theories aiming to explain the European unemployment problem. [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]

The article presents a conference paper in response to another paper published in this same issue titled "What Can Europe Do For Itself?," by Calvin B. Hoover. The author agrees with Hoover's assessment and concern about the control of inflation in Europe and presents a solution that involves grants-in-aid which would allow the U.S. some control in controlling inflation through central banks. Discussion of trade barriers and price controls is also presented.

Whilst the link between young people's well‐being and the creative arts is strengthening, there is a lack of research which focuses on the roles that artists play to help teachers and parents engage young people in the creative arts. This paper explores the benefits of and barriers to artists working in education in six European countries (England, Iceland, Germany, Greece, Italy and Austria). Using the '5A's model of creativity' and a view of professional development taking place within 'landscapes of practice', the data were analysed in order to explain how creativity is operationalised in the different contexts. Our study highlights the need for policy at a national and transnational level to value the creative arts in order to help teachers cross boundaries and utilise the full potential of the creative arts in schools. Our study also highlights that further research is needed into how artists shape teaching and curriculum and how schools engage parents in the creative arts in order to build an evidence‐base relating to young people's positive mental health that can affect policy at these levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

We analyse the nature of contemporary societal conflict in Europe, conceptualizing conflict in terms of oppositional identities, represented by the archetypal extreme corner positions between which contestation takes place. By analysing key characteristics of 28,565 Europeans from seven countries in four distinct time periods, we find three archetypal corner positions. Each archetype represents an ideal‐typical configuration of values, attitudes and socio‐demographic characteristics which people identify more or less with. The first archetype (which we label Postmodern Cosmopolitan) represents an urban, higher‐educated person with cosmopolitan values and attitudes. The other two archetypes (Rural traditionalist and Urban Precariat) present images of Europe that are more nationalistic and differ in their political‐economic ideological position. Western and Eastern European countries differ markedly in the distribution of these archetypes over time. The novelty of this paper is our conceptualization and operationalization of the changing nature of societal conflict as changes in oppositional identities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is increasing the severity and frequency of droughts around the globe, leading to tree mortality that reduces production and provision of other ecosystem services. Recent studies show that growth of mixed stands may be more resilient to drought than pure stands. The two most economically important and widely distributed tree species in Europe are Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), but little is known about their susceptibility to drought when coexist.This paper analyses the resilience (resistance, recovery rate and recovery time) at individual‐tree level using a network of tree‐ring collections from 22 sites along a climatic gradient from central Europe to Scandinavia. We aimed to identify differences in growth following drought between the two species and between mixed and pure stands, and how environmental variables (climate, topography and site location) and tree characteristics influence them.We found that both the timing and duration of drought drive the different responses between species and compositions. Norway spruce showed higher vulnerability to summer drought, with both lower resistance and a longer recovery time than Scots pine. Mixtures provided higher drought resistance for both species compared to pure stands, but the benefit decreases with the duration of the drought. Especially climate sensitive and old trees in climatically marginal sites were more affected by drought stress.Synthesis. Promoting Scots pine and mixed forests is a promising strategy for adapting European forests to climate change. However, if future droughts become longer, the advantage of mixed stands could disappear which would be especially negative for Norway spruce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gymnopus fusipes (syn. Collybia fusipes; syn. Agaricus fusipes) is an agaricomycete fungus known to cause root rot on a number of economically important tree species, including oak, where it has been linked to the development of chronic oak decline. Due to lack of correlation between above‐ground decline symptoms and G. fusipes infection, its presence can often go undiagnosed until mortality. Although G. fusipes was first described over 200 years ago, there is still a paucity of information on the biology and ecology of this species, which represents a barrier to understanding its impacts on tree health. The aim of this review was to synthesize existing knowledge on the biology, ecology, host range and host interactions of G. fusipes. Using a systematic search, five online databases were used to obtain published literature resulting from the search terms 'Gymnopus fusipes', 'Collybia fusipes' and 'Agaricus fusipes'. After a strict filtering process, the papers were examined for data pertaining to the biochemistry, distribution, ecology, genomic information, host range, infection biology, morphology and phylogeny of the species. The results reveal that there is a large amount of ambiguous and sometimes spurious citation of G. fusipes in the literature. However, it can be confirmed that G. fusipes is a facultative saproparasite, found in several countries, mainly in Europe, and is associated with several socioeconomically important host species, including oak, chestnut, and fir. Gymnopus fusipes has repeatedly been investigated with regard to oak decline in Europe, where it is believed to play a crucial role in the early stage of decline development. Key knowledge gaps highlighted in this review include a lack of information on the basic biology of the species, including its life cycle, which is crucial to fully understanding G. fusipes infection and epidemiology. Further work is needed to assess G. fusipes distribution, phylogeny and host range through molecular identification. There is also a need to characterize the pathogen–host interaction at a molecular level, with identification of active genes and therefore the mechanisms of infection. A combination of culture‐based and molecular techniques should be utilized in order to close these key knowledge gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some fossil seed cones from the European Neogene identified to the genus Cathaya and published as a fossil‐species, Cathaya vanderburghii, are shown not to belong to Cathaya. In this paper, fossil C. vanderburghii is transferred to Nothotsuga and recombined as Nothotsuga vanderburghii comb. nov. An amended diagnosis and detailed description of N. vanderburghii are given. The fossil cones are characterised by ovoid to conical shape, rhombic to suborbicular and auriculate scales, and slightly exserted ligulate‐spathulate bracts with dentate margin and acute apex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This paper explores if re‐partnering leads to less traditional divisions of domestic work by comparing men and women in different European countries. Background: Divorce and re‐partnering have become more common, and we question if they are opening the scope for more gender‐balanced arrangements at home and new theoretical approaches. Method: Using the two available waves of the Gender and Generation Survey for Western (France, Germany, and Austria) and Eastern European countries (Bulgaria, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic) for dual‐earner couples, we ran a series of logistic regressions to measure the probability of having traditional divisions of housework. Results: We found less traditional arrangements among re‐partnered individuals, although we observed different patterns in each country. Respondents in Western Europe were less likely to have traditional divisions after separation than those who never experienced a breakup, suggesting that men's and women's successive unions differ from the previous ones in terms of housework sharing. However, in Eastern Europe, this association was only significant for men and not for women. Conclusions: We provided empirical support for a less traditional division of housework among re‐partnered individuals, but the West/East divide was only observed among females. Implications: Our results support the three classic theories that attempted to explain the division of housework between men and women. Nonetheless, they also suggest that among re‐partnered couples, we can consider the additional hypothesis of adaptative strategy, especially among men. This has implications for gender equality and family theories, as it opens the door to consider new theoretical perspectives to explain gender dynamics after union dissolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sedimentary rocks are inherently anisotropic and prone to strain localization. While the influence of rock anisotropy on the brittle/dilative regime has been studied extensively, its influence on the ductile/compactive regime is much less explored. This paper discusses the anisotropic behavior of a high‐porosity carbonate rock from central Europe (the Maastricht Tuffeau). A set of triaxial tests with concurrent x‐ray tomography has been performed at different confining pressures. The anisotropic characteristics of this rock have been investigated by testing samples cored at different inclinations of the bedding, thus revealing non‐negligible effects of the coring direction on yielding and compaction behavior. Specifically, samples cored perpendicular to bedding display higher strength and longer stages of post‐yielding deformation before manifesting re‐hardening. Despite such alterations of the inelastic response, Digital Image Correlation has revealed that the strain localization mode is independent of the coring direction, thus being primarily affected by the confinement level. To capture the observed interaction between material anisotropy and compaction behavior at the continuum‐scale, an elastoplastic constitutive law has been proposed. For this purpose, a set of tensorial bases has been introduced to replicate how the oriented rock fabric modulates the yielding and plastic flow characteristics of the material. The analyses show that the impact of the coring direction on yield function and plastic flow rule is fundamentally different, thus requiring the use of distinct projection strategies (a strategy here defined heterotopic mapping). The performance of the model, studied through parametric analyses and by calibrating the experimental results, illustrates the improved capability of the proposed constitutive approach when applied to strongly anisotropic porous rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we assess the development of financial participation schemes, employee share ownership and profit‐sharing in selected European countries and the degree to which they are correlated with strategic human resource management, and industrial relations, that is collective bargaining, unionization and works councils, and national context. This study adds a more dynamic perspective to the literature on the incidence of financial participation by using a longitudinal approach rarely found before. Our hypotheses are based on the theoretical frameworks of strategic human resource management (HRM), industrial relations and institutional approach. We use data drawn from the waves of the Cranet surveys on Human Resource Management: 1999/2000, 2005/06, 2010/11 and 2015/16. We find that both time and national location are important. The national context matters in particularly for profit‐sharing and less for employee share ownership. For both forms of financial participation, the country regulative context is also more important than industrial relations factors and HRM strategies. In general, industrial relation factors gain importance over time and become more important than the HRM strategy for employee share ownership (ESO) but not for profit‐sharing (PS). In general, over the whole period, commitment HRM is more important for the incidence of ESO and PS than control HRM, but the relative importance of these strategies varies per year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the availability and accessibility of medically assisted reproduction (MAR) for people living with HIV in Europe, including the feasibility of cross‐border care. Methods: We used a polymorphous engagement approach, primarily based on digital and email‐based interviews with representatives of national HIV organizations, clinical researchers (infectious disease and/or infertility specialists), European and national professional societies (fertility and/or infectious disease), national regulatory authorities and individual clinics in 14 countries in the WHO European region. The research design and results were also informed by two surveys and a review of the secondary literature, news articles and clinic websites. Results: Although MAR is possible for people living with HIV in 12 out of the 14 countries mapped, accessing services can be challenging for logistical or financial reasons. People living with HIV also face barriers to MAR independent of their HIV status, such as limitations on single women and same‐sex couples accessing services. Cross‐border care is available for most patients who are self‐financing but is limited for publicly funded patients. Conclusions: Even when MAR is available to and accessible for people living with HIV, there may still be barriers to treatment. Further research on patient experiences is needed to understand these discrepancies between availability and accessibility on paper and in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why are legume crops rare in Europe even though they grow well there? This opinion paper brings together concepts from crop physiology, classical economics and sociotechnical theory to address this question. It argues for increased focus on research and innovation on crop performance. The starting point is that trade policy no longer explains the marginalisation of legumes. A more recent premise that mutually supporting social, technical and agricultural factors have combined over time to establish and maintain the current cropping systems is also incomplete. However, these propositions have led to significant investment in research on niche value chains in the hope that these will combine within transition pathways to break through system incumbency that "locks out" legumes. It is argued here that this approach is incomplete for crops because the scaling up and agglomeration of niche processing and marketing activities does not improve the fundamental crop resource capture and conversion processes in the field upon which farm productivity depends. Reconsideration of some economic and crop physiological basics is required. Farmers aim to make rational decisions and to focus on what they do best. The principles behind international trade described in the 19th century and the fundamental biophysical crop‐level processes that were elucidated in the 1960s together explain the cropping choices many European farmers make. We need more focus on raising the on‐farm performance and competitiveness of the legume crops themselves and the farming systems in which they are grown. Efficient, productive legume crops are important also if we are to avoid a trade‐off between environmental gains in Europe and disbenefits elsewhere because of effects on global trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

The Paris Agreement goals require net‐zero CO2 emissions by mid‐century. The European Commission in its recent proposal for climate and energy strategy for 2050 indicated the need for more intensified actions to substantially improve the energy performances of buildings. With the rate of new construction in Europe, the challenge is to increase both the pace and depth of building energy renovations. Several barriers inhibit the wide uptake of comprehensive energy renovations, including the inability or inertia to finance upfront costs of energy renovations. Despite various policies implemented to address some of these barriers, current investments in buildings remain at suboptimal levels. The paper reviews current financing practices for energy renovations and investigates some innovative instruments with a special focus on their applicability to residential buildings. In addition to "traditional" financial schemes such as subsidies, tax incentives, and loans, the paper assesses innovative financing schemes: On property tax and on‐bill financing, energy efficiency mortgages, and energy efficiency feed‐in tariffs. The paper also investigates the concept of one‐stop shops for building renovations and crowdfunding. The paper offers an assessment of the characteristics, benefits, and challenges of each analyzed financing instrument and provides policy recommendations for their successful implementation. In general, as financing instruments involve different stakeholders and due to complex nature of the sector, there is no single solution to accelerate energy renovation investment in buildings. The emerging financial models offer the potential to address the long‐standing barriers to investment in energy efficiency. This article is categorized under:Energy Efficiency > Economics and PolicyEnergy Efficiency > Climate and EnvironmentEnergy and Climate > Economics and Policy [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relocation of more polluting industries in poorer countries owing to gaps in environmental standards is known as the pollution haven effect, whereby the scale and the composition of output change across countries. Changes in the composition of the output mix might translate into changes of comparative advantages across countries, as revealed by trade flows. This paper focuses on this issue, looking at the changes in the structure of bilateral trade over the period 1996-2006 between China and 14 EU countries (EU14) as a measure of revealed comparative advantage (RCA). Using industry-level data on bilateral trade, air- and water-pollution intensity, and several measures of environmental stringency, we find that, after controlling for other factors (such as labor costs) on average our EU14 countries have kept or improved their RCA with respect to China in both water-polluting industries (such as paper and agro-based) and air-polluting industries (such as basic metals and chemicals), while they have lost competitiveness in the more clean industries (such as machinery and fabricated metals). Thus, we find no evidence of a pollution haven effect on the bilateral trade pattern between Europe and China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This article introduces the subject of this special issue and presents the papers that follow. It traces the origins of the label 'transit migration' to discussions of what was called the 'new migration' in the early 1990s. These migrations related to the particular geopolitical context at the end of the Cold War. Though they established the pre-emptive rationale whereby concern is focused as much on potential migration as on actual movement, there have been four substantial changes since then. As the geopolitical context has changed, so has the geographies of migration, with a general shift of attention from east-west to south-north; the technological supports of migration have improved, allowing migrants easier, cheaper access to different routes; the categories of migrant have proliferated and finally similar movements may be observed all over the world though only those in the vicinity of Europe are labelled as 'transit'. This leads us to a critical stance around the term 'transit' that is common to all papers in this special issue. Nevertheless, despite the problematic term, there is something worthy of attention amongst these new developments around the fringes of Europe. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [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]

This short paper applies the pitch template developed by Faff (2015a), for a proposed accounting research project on financial reporting of European banks and the global financial crisis. I begin by giving a brief background to writing the pitch. I then give a brief commentary on my pitch, followed by a few key personal reflections on the pitch exercise itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy developments in the post-Communist states of Eastern and Central Europe (ECE) have a major impact on global energy security and sustainability, thanks to this region's key geographical position between the energy-exporting states of the former Soviet Union, on the one hand, and the energy-importing states of Western and Southern Europe, on the other. At the same time, post-socialist reforms of energy industries in this region provide unique insights into the complex relations of power, economic transformation and spatial inequality that govern energy production and consumption. This paper therefore aims to provide an initial look at some of the theoretical and policy issues that underpin the emergent ‘geographies’ of energy reform in ECE, as well as their embeddedness in relations of power stemming from organisational, infrastructural and economic inequalities in the region. It employs an analysis of local news reports, policy papers and statistical data to examine the intricate institutional networks and spatial formations that have governed the energy transformation process. In broader terms, the paper aims to emphasise the important role that human geography can play in making sense of the territorial differences and frictions that have emerged during the post-socialist reform process, while challenging the idea of a ‘neat’ neoliberal transition from a centrally planned to a market-based mode of energy regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are few studies on bullying in skin diseases. Persons with skin diseases are especially prone to bullying., Objectives: This component of the project 'Bullying among Dermatologic Patients' aimed to study the prevalence and nature of bullying in patients with skin diseases from different countries and age groups., Methods: Data were collected from participants of international social media groups for patients with skin diseases, in-patients and out-patients with skin diseases, and parents of children with skin diseases from six European countries. School and university students from Poland and Ukraine were asked to answer the question: Have you been bullied because of skin problems?, Results: Bullying was reported in 1016 patients with 36 different skin diseases. Prevalence of self-reported and parental-reported bullying was quite heterogeneous among different countries In total, self-reported bullying was noted by 25.6% of patients with skin diseases during face-to-face consultations, by 63.7% of respondents from international patients' groups and by 12.2% of school and university students. Parental-reported bullying was detected in 34.5% of 3-4 years old children with skin diseases. The peak of bullying prevalence occurred between the ages of 13 and 15. The most prevalent forms of bullying were verbal abuse and social isolation. Physical abuse was the least often reported form of bullying. Only 33.2% of participants talked to anyone about being bullied. Negative long-term effects of bullying were reported by 63% of respondents., Conclusions: Skin disease-related bullying was reported by patients in all centres of the project. The main manifestations of bullying were similar in different countries and among patients with different skin diseases. International activities aimed to decrease or prevent skin disease-related bullying in different age groups are needed. These activities should be multidirectional and target teachers, parents of classmates and classmates of children with skin diseases, patients' parents and patients themselves., (© 2023 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.)

In this paper we argue that the collective grandness of small business is often underestimated in CSR research and policy-making. We emphasize the importance of understanding the contexts and the ways in which small- and medium-sized companies engage in CSR and how they differ from multinational companies. We suggest that it might be that researchers and practitioners are asking the wrong questions in their ambitions to prove ‘the business case for CSR’. Perhaps we should rather focus on the ‘how’ and the ‘with what impact’ questions to understand better the SME engagement in CSR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

This paper responds in its first sections to a series of articles in which Rainer Schmalz-Bruns developed a concept of legitimate governance beyond the constitutional state, which he called ‘deliberative supranationalism’ and contrasted with what Jürgen Neyer and the present author had suggested under the same title. The Epilogue of the paper first comments on more recent critiques brought forward especially by contributors to this Special Issue of the ELJ and then on the programmatic rejection of comitology by the European Commission’s White Paper on Governance in the EU. Our querelles allemandes were not specifically Teutonic: while Schmalz-Bruns presented his approach as a systematic elaboration of the theories of deliberative democracy, based, in particular, on recent contributions by Joshua Cohen, Michael Dorf, and Charles Sabel, Jürgen Neyer and I had offered an interpretation of institutional innovations and decision-making practices as observed in the European market-building project. This discussion has had precursors and follow-ups in various contexts, among both lawyers and political scientists. This essay should hence be understood as a contribution to an ongoing debate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nations are faced today with a new set of social and economic challenges: economic globalisation has intensified bringing with it a more intense phase of cultural interconnectedness and political interdependence. Nation‐states see their sovereign powers eroded and are transformed to post‐national states as the political space they govern is no longer congruent with the socio‐economic space which transcends the national borders. Nonetheless, the nation continues to be a powerful source of identity and legitimacy. We are actually witnessing in Europe and worldwide a comeback of nationalism oftentimes in an aggressive, nativist and populist guise. This paper seeks to offer a new analytical lens through which to make sense of this new tide of nationalism. It therefore reviews critically the ethnic vs civic and perennialist, primordialist, modernist and ethnosymbolist approaches to suggest that they are no longer fit for purpose in explaining where nations and nationalism come from and where they are headed to. The paper proposes a new analytical framework which distinguishes between plural and neo‐tribal nationalism, focusing on how nations interact with diversity and permeability in the 21st century context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The film industry is closely linked to the nation's culture and economy. With globalization, however, it has become more engaged in international operations through film co‐production. Paradoxically, this instrument emerged as a type of discriminatory measure as well as reflected growing interest in regionalism, notably among European countries facing the dominance of US films. To strengthen this scheme, state subsidies have been widely offered, which has led to it being positively adopted in Europe and beyond. Given this political context, the double‐facet of co‐production should be carefully understood when this scheme is implemented to promote the film industry. In this regard, it is important to understand clearly how co‐production functions and crucially its real impact on the film industry. This paper reveals that in contrast to the common perception, co‐production leads easily to cultural paucity, rather than cultural diversity across various aspects. Additionally, subsidies to promote co‐production distort it further and make it easier to be exploited. Therefore, such a consideration should be taken into account when redesigning the co‐production scheme if governments wish to help promote the national film industry and cultural diversity in the era of globalization. With recognition of the film industry's increasing globalization, co‐production has been considered to be an effective way to support both the local film industry and the national economy as well as the broader goal of cultural diversity including film sources, produced films, and film screenings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents discussion papers on the economy of Europe. `International Interest Rate Linkages: A Time Varying Parameter Approach,' by G. Williams; `Unemployment Dynamics in UK,' by S.G.B. Henry and J. Nixon; `Estimation of Fractional Arima Models for the UK Unemployment,' by L.A. Gil-Alana.

Introduction: Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is mandatory in most European countries and evidence shows a move towards mandatory CPD across all Member States in the near future. Malta is one of seven Member States where dental CPD is still voluntary. Discussion: Although dental CPD is a legal requirement for recertification in many countries, integral aspects of dental CPD remain under debate, like whether CPD is truly effective. This is because the methods with which CPD programmes are evaluated are not sufficiently robust to give concrete evidence to determine whether CPD will actually improve quality of care, treatment outcomes and safety for the public. Evaluating the effect of CPD programmes on the public is an extremely difficult task that would require an enormous amount of resources and logistics. The minimum requirements for the number of compulsory CPD hours imposed by regulatory bodies are not evidence‐based but purely arbitrary, and the core topics selected for CPD programmes, although supported by research to some extent, may not reflect the public's and profession's needs. The Dental Association of Malta recognised need for further research on dental CPD and embarked on a 3‐year Dental CPD Research Project. This project will be presented in a two‐part series of articles. This first article is focused on the background of dental CPD in Europe. An understanding of the current issues with CPD and flaws in methods of evaluation formed the basis of the Malta CPD Pilot Project, which will be covered in the next paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability is becoming the main character of the financial industry in Europe, especially after the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) 2019/2088, which came into force on March 10th, 2021. However, despite the top‐down indications for disclosing and reporting sustainability practices provided by this new policy, financial actors still lack a comprehensive framework on how to track and measure their social and environmental contributions within the perimeter of this novel institutional context. This paper discusses the implications for financial actors brought by the SDFR and builds a conceptual link with social impact measurement practices. In particular, the article provides a comprehensive framework that identifies strategic approaches and measurement tools for financial actors for building a more sustainable finance, that is a finance focused on the purest dimension of blended value and more attentive to sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines religious change of immigrants from Poland, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Spain in the first years after their arrival in the Netherlands––one of the least religious countries in the world. Religiosity is measured by attendance, praying, and subjective religiosity. Multiple‐group latent growth models are estimated based on four waves spanning a total of 4 years (n = 3354 at Wave 1) to identify religious trajectories. Results show an initial increase in attendance that levels off and ultimately reverses and a steady decrease in subjective religiosity across all immigrant groups. A group‐specific pattern is visible on the praying dimension: Turks show an initial increase that levels off over time and then reverses, whereas the other groups show no substantial change. The analysis suggests that differences in opportunities to attend and exclusion experiences are unlikely to be the main drivers of the immigrants' religious trajectories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on investors' trading behaviors around ex‐dividend dates in Europe. The sudden decrease in the number of companies paying dividends reduced the opportunities to capture dividends. Thus, the firms that maintained dividend payments during the pandemic attracted more interest than before. This led to a doubling in the magnitude of stock return patterns usually observed around ex‐dividend days. Our evidence indicates that dividend‐seeking investors are likely to be the main driver of the price patterns observed around ex‐dividend dates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Europe, cardiovascular disease is one of the predominant causes of mortality and morbidity among older people over 65 years. The occurrence of cardiovascular disease can have a negative impact on the quality of life of older patients and their families and family health overall. Assuming that illness is a family affair shaped by culture and health care systems, we explored European health care practices and interventions toward families of older patients with cardiovascular disease and heart failure. Aims: This paper aimed to determine the extent, range, and variety of practices and interventions in Europe directed to families of older patients and to identify knowledge gaps. Materials & Methods: A scoping review was conducted including studies published in Medline, CINHAL, or Cochrane library between 2009 and mid‐2020. Results: A total of 22 articles from 17 studies were included, showing diverse practices and interventions. The interventions targeted the family as a unit (six studies), dyads (five studies), patients alone, but assessed family members' reactions (five studies) or the family member primarily, but assessed the reaction of the patient (one study). Target outcomes were family caregiver burden; health‐related QoL; and perceived control in patients; and family functioning and changes in health behavior or knowledge in both, family members and patients. Most studies did not include an integral view of the family as the unit of care but rather had a disease‐centered approach. Discussion: This scoping review provides insight into a variety of healthcare practices towards families of older patients with cardiovascular disease in Europe. Clarifying underlying assumptions to involve families is needed. More studies with family‐focused approaches as integral models could lead to practices that improve families' well‐being. Exploring integral models for their acceptance in health care and family systems appears pertinent to develop European policy to support and add to family health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the relationship between the ESG score and market values. Specifically, we test the moderating role of CSR committee defined as organizational subcommittees of boards of directors that make social and environmental recommendations to the boards of directors and support members in their CSR‐related tasks. We built a panel data set with all the listed companies in STOXX Europe 600, covering the period 2014–2020. Firms' data come from Refinitiv Eikon database which contains financial and ESG scores data of all EU listed companies. Our sample of firm‐level data contains a dataset of 600 European listed companies which are part of the STOXX Europe 600 Index. We included ESG data of STOXX Europe 600 Index components in the period 2014–2020. Our dataset contains a total of 4800 firm‐year observations. We found a negative relationship between ESG score and stock prices while the presence of CSR committee as moderating variable generates no significant evidence of ESG score. The presence of CSR committee is not considerably supporting ESG in achieving higher market performance. The CSR committee plays an essential role in monitoring management activities. This may support management practitioners in better understanding and reacting to stakeholder expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we present daily mean wind speed as a new variable in the publicly accessible E‐OBS gridded datasets. Each of the variables in the E‐OBS dataset is provided at a spatial resolution of 0.1° × 0.1° and 0.25° × 0.25°. The variable "daily mean wind speed" starts from 1980 and is updated every month. The main method that we apply is the use of adaptive covariate selection to model the monthly mean wind speed as a function of covariates, like altitude, distance to coast and surface roughness. Then, we use Gaussian process regression to interpolate the daily anomalies from the station locations to the grid locations. In addition, we develop ensemble dispersion improvement auto‐tune (EDIT) to improve the reliability of the local ensemble spread. In order to communicate the methodological uncertainty in the resulting dataset, the E‐OBS wind speed grid is provided as a 20‐member ensemble of random realizations. As part of a preliminary analysis, we investigate the hypothesized wind speed stilling effect in recent decades. Indeed, we do find a small yet significant wind speed stilling effect in the E‐OBS dataset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prominent theories claim that young Europeans are increasingly socialist as well as divided from their elders on non‐economic issues. This paper asks whether age‐based polarisation is really growing in Europe, using new estimates of the ideological positions of different age groups in 27 European countries across four issue domains from 1981 to 2018. The young in Europe turn out to be relatively libertarian: more socially liberal than the old in most countries but also more opposed to taxation and government spending. These age divides are not growing either: today's differences over social issues and immigration are similar in size to the 1980s, and if anything are starting to fall. Analysis of birth cohorts points to persistent cohort effects and period effects as the explanation for these patterns; there is little evidence that European cohorts become uniformly more right‐wing or left‐wing with age. Hence age‐based polarisation need not be a permanent or natural feature of European politics but is dependent on the changing social, political and economic climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the interest rate pass‐through of euro area monetary policy to retail rates outside the euro area, contributing to the literature on the consequences of unofficial financial euroization and on the transmission channels of monetary policy spillovers. The results suggest that in the long run, more than the one‐third of all euro retail rates in euroized countries of central, eastern, and south‐eastern Europe is linked to the euro area shadow rate. Compared with euro area monetary policy, the share of cointegration of the domestic monetary policy rate is on average lower, suggesting that domestic central banks in euroized countries with independent monetary policy can only partially control the "euro part" of the interest rate channel. Furthermore, euro area monetary policy shocks are fast and persistently transmitted into euro retail rates outside the euro area, which constitutes an additional channel of international shock transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper analyses the short‐ and long‐run effects of trade openness on financial development in a panel including data on 35 European countries over the period 2001–2019. For this purpose, it uses the pooled mean group (PMG) estimator for dynamic panels developed by Pesaran et al. (Journal of the American Statistical Association, 1999;94:621). The results differ depending on the income, governance and financial development level of the countries considered. In particular, it appears that in the middle‐income countries trade openness tends to strengthen financial development in the long run but to have an adverse effect in the short run. By contrast, in the case of high‐income countries with better institutions and a higher level of financial development, there is a positive and significant impact in the short run. Some policy implications of these findings are drawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes descriptions of Ukrainian refugees in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Findings of previous research on news media descriptions of refugees point to problematic descriptions of refugees that downgrade their deservingness of refuge and treat refugee status as an inherent feature of fleeing individuals instead of as contingent on external circumstances. However, there is a widespread perception that Ukrainian refugees are being reported on in a more positive light. We therefore examine how news media describe these refugees. Our corpus includes English media news coverage from February 25, 2022, to March 25, 2022, the initial period of the invasion. A discursive psychological analysis of news interactions where hosts elicit information from correspondents about current ongoings with Ukrainian refugees shows that Ukrainian refugees are constructed as vulnerable, and their actions are treated as reasonable given the situation. These descriptions construct Ukrainian refugees as those who are only contingently refugees and legitimate help‐giving by other parties. Our findings, therefore, highlight distinct, previously unanalyzed ways that refugees are constructed: contingent refugees. We discuss implications of our findings for understanding refugee inclusion and exclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hazards, ageing, damaging, and traffic loads increase are some of the growing risks that bridge infrastructures in Europe face throughout their design life. Key issues of the asset management plan are the safety assessment of existing structures, the prioritization of the interventions and the optimization of the maintenance schedules. As such, to enable appropriate diagnostics and cost‐effective decisions on assessment/repairs, timely and accurate information from monitoring, inspection and testing is essential. This paper outlines the strategic role of SHM systems to identify the actual condition and future performance of the infrastructures, supporting an effective maintenance plan to meet the target reliability requirements. This contribution describes the use of dense sensing on an Italian bridges network of over 100 bridges, to account for monitoring in safety assessment, facilitating the application of proactive maintenance strategies through a deeper knowledge of the structural behaviour over time. Multiple case studies are detailed, where MEMS sensors have been installed with the purpose of monitoring the evolution of deterioration process, supporting a data‐informed structural diagnostics as well as providing evidence of the effectiveness of strengthening interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the fatigue design of steel railway bridges in Europe, the European standards EN 1991‐2 and EN 1993‐2 provide a factored Load Model '71, called the lambda model. The stress range in the fatigue detail of study should be determined with this model. Engineers can easily verify their structural design for fatigue by comparing this stress range to the fatigue reference strength of the detail. This paper compares the load effect caused by the lambda model with the load effect of actual trains measured with 'Weigh In Motion' systems during 7 years at 81 locations in the rail network of The Netherlands. Locations with heavy loads are selected and their load effects in terms of stress ranges and fatigue damage are determined for various influence lines, including one, two and three span beams with spans ranging between 1 and 150 m. The design (i.e. elastic section modulus) is optimized such that the calculated fatigue damage using the damage accumulation rule of Palmgren Miner equals 1 for a 100 years design life for these locations. This elastic section modulus is compared to the elastic section modulus obtained by designing according to the lambda model. Improvements are proposed to the lambda model based on this comparison, such that the resulting design gives a reasonable agreement with the design based on measured loads, while maintaining the current ease of use of the lambda model. Uncertainties such as possible changes in axle loads and train speeds in future are taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lattice towers are extensively built in Europe and worldwide to serve power transmission purposes. Their members mainly consist of single angle profiles, while built‐up sections, such as star‐battened ones, are usually preferred for the strengthening of individual members or in case of very high compression loads. Recent upwards developments of the power grid requests also lead to the need to use high strength steels (HSS) for the design and construction of higher and heavier loaded steel lattice transmission towers. Within the present paper, investigations conducted on the bearing capacity of a star‐battened member made of two S460 L250×250×28 angles are presented, even if the conclusions may be extended to any angle size and steel grade. Firstly, a critical review of the current European normative documents (EN 50341, EN1993‐1‐3, prEN1993‐3) is made and the buckling resistance of the above‐mentioned member is evaluated. Secondly, the results of an experimental compression test performed on the studied member are presented; these results are complemented by a full non‐linear finite element numerical simulation. All the obtained results are finally compared and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, construction has faced new challenges, especially related to the reduction of environmental footprint. Measurement of construction performance in this domain is mainly done through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Steel and composite beams are affecting the height and the weight of buildings and one very effective solution is cellular beam. This attractive solution is not fully integrated in the current design standard. This paper presents how the second generation of Eurocodes; EN1993 and EN1994 will be adapted to enable structural engineers to design cellular beams. A technical description of the specific failure modes and concepts for design are presented in more details. A comprehensive case study developed in agreement with the future parts of Eurocode along with a comparison of different structural solutions for a typical building is shown. Typical composite designs are compared to solutions made of cellular beams. A Life Cycle Assessment, shows that up to 35% of CO2 eq. emissions can be saved by choosing the right solution. It is not only the structural solution but also the material that influences the environmental impact. Comparisons include high strength steel vs mild steel, hot‐rolled vs welded beams, and XCarb® ‐ steel made from high levels of recycled steel using 100% renewable electricity in an electric arc furnace versus average steel in Europe. [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.

One of the objectives of the newly adopted European Child Guarantee is to ensure effective and free access to at least one healthy meal each school day for all children at risk of poverty and social exclusion in Europe. However, little is known about the starting point of Member States in terms of school meal provision. This paper aims to fill this information gap. It maps the current free school meal provision in the 27 Member States, reviews existing relevant evidence to illustrate the expected impact and presents estimates of the public budget needed to meet the Child Guarantee's objective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AAC, already produced since the 1920's, has been subject to continuous innovation and evolution over the history of its product life. The same applies to the AAC production process. Recently, the need for innovation has become more apparent than ever, driven by a serious energy crisis in Europe, combined with an increasing shortage of available labor and an increasing awareness of workers safety. Since the 70's, Aircrete Europe founding roots were highly involved in driving innovation in the AAC industry, with an emphasis on AAC panels. In every project designed by Aircrete top‐class innovation and the highest level of sustainability are always a top priority and are considered already from the very early design phase. As a result of this, Aircrete factories can be operated with the highest level of automation and energy‐saving initiatives to ensure higher operator safety, larger operating efficiency, and a minimized carbon footprint. This paper outlines how decades of experience from being involved in its own AAC operations result in how Aircrete can design a factory that is not only able to meet today's highest safety, regulatory, and environmental standards but is also future‐proof for the anticipated global trends in the industrial manufacturing and construction markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigate how the intergenerational transmission of entrepreneurship varies between sons and daughters and whether such a process depends on living in a country characterized by a high gender gap. Using the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe data set, we find that the effect on daughters' entrepreneurial choices of having an entrepreneur as father is lower than the one on sons only in countries with a high gender gap. Moreover, it is just in countries with high gender inequality that the effect of having an entrepreneurial mother is different between sons and daughters, with the impact being positive for daughters only. We also develop an individual‐level indicator of gender gap within countries that corroborates our findings, which we interpret as evidence of the presence of a role‐modeling mechanism. However, we find evidence of convergence across time of the intergenerational transmission process to the gender‐independent transfer typical of more gender‐equal countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]