Search

Recurring themes in the literature on European environmental policy-making is the leader–laggard spectrum and regulatory competition. European environmental policy is driven towards expansion because certain states take up leadership roles and manage to have their preferred regulatory solution adopted by the relevant European policy-making institution. During the policy process, leaders face 'laggards', states that do not favour ambitious regulation and drag their feet. The leader–laggard spectrum is volatile. States play different roles depending on the issue of interest, and over time their roles shift as well. This article investigates the role of relatively small-scale national events on the position of states on the spectrum. The regulatory competition involved in the leader–laggard spectrum may create an amplification effect of national problems: Through the efforts of the state afflicted by it, they acquire a European dimension they might otherwise not have had. They can cause member states to exhibit an extraordinary interest in a certain policy field and certain type of regulation for a brief period of time, shaping it considerably. After that, specific national problem has been solved or has blown over though they withdraw, leaving a gap for new contenders to fill. Yesterday's champions may be the laggards of tomorrow and vice versa. New champions bring their specific regulatory styles, their favourite solutions and their policy-making philosophy to bear on EU environmental regulation, exacerbating the already patchy character of this policy field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the year 2013 we will celebrate the first ten years of the Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy Pool (GAMMAPOOL), the European collaboration for γ-ray spectroscopy research. During these years the experimental resources of GAMMAPOOL have been distributed to several large-scale facilities and infrastructures to allow spectroscopy campaigns, producing a large amount of excellent physics results. But before describing GAMMAPOOL in detail, it is worth to say some words about its genesis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article presents an exploration into the intellectual history of the concept of the human observer within the field of optics and its implications on epistemology during the first half of the 17th century. The author highlights the gradual disappearance of the observer as a key figure within the research of the German astronomer Johannes Kepler and its philosophical connections to the idea of perspective. The full manifestation of this trend is then examined through the essays of philosopher Rene Descartes in his assertions of relative being.

Abstract: The Late Glacial dune complex at Opgrimbie (NE Belgium) is thought to represent a complete record of the Late Pleniglacial to Holocene change at the southernmost part of the coversand area. In this work, the chronology of the site was reinvestigated using quartz-based single-aliquot optical dating. Nine samples in total were collected from sediments above and below a bleached horizon, the Opgrimbie layer, which laterally passes into a sandy peat layer; earlier radiometric radiocarbon dating and pollen analyses showed the latter to be of Bølling age (14.8–14.1 ka cal. BP). The sampled sequence is overlain by a second horizon, the Usselo horizon, for which an Allerød age (14.0–13.0 ka cal. BP) was deduced from one radiometric 14C age and palynological evidence. This was confirmed by AMS data obtained as part of this study. All nine quartz samples showed satisfactory luminescence characteristics, and yielded an internally consistent set of optical ages. The dataset contains no clear outliers and the observed variation is not much larger than that expected from uncertainties. The sediments over- and underlying the lowermost bleached horizon are dated at 12.9±0.9 ka (n =6) and 13.0±0.8 ka (n =3), respectively. These ages do not confirm the Bølling age that was previously established for this horizon; the optical ages are, however, consistent with the chronostratigraphical position of the sediments below the Usselo soil of Allerød age. As such, the OSL ages question if the Lateglacial aeolian succession is fully developed at Opgrimbie, and they challenge its significance as a type locality. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: In Europe, driving a passenger car is prohibited if binocular best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) is below 0.5 (20/40). Some US states allow people with reduced visual acuity to use a bioptic telescope system when driving. The aim of our study is to introduce a bioptic telescope system for driving in the Netherlands and to investigate whether it enables people with reduced visual acuity to gain sufficient practical fitness to drive in a European setting. Results: Out of 378 persons who applied for information following media attention for the project, 160 candidates volunteered to participate. Based on the available information, 36 subjects (binocular BCVA: 0.16-0.5 [20/125-20/40]) were invited for assessment (vision, mobility, cognitive function, and driving skills). Of these, 16 did not meet the inclusion criteria and 2 decided not to participate. The remaining 18 subjects were trained in the use of a monocular bioptic telescope (3× magnification). They all completed the predriving training successfully and received driving lessons from specialized professional driving instructors. Eventually, 9 subjects passed the official on-road test of practical fitness to drive, 7 were excluded after a number of driving lessons, and another 2 withdrew on their own initiative. Conclusion: This is the first study in Europe to prepare subjects with reduced visual acuity to drive with the use of a bioptic telescope system. About 55% of the preselected subjects fulfilled all inclusion criteria. Half of the subjects who entered the bioptic training program passed the official fitness to drive test, demonstrating that they could drive smoothly and safely in Dutch traffic using a bioptic telescope system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a detailed data set of prices of consumer goods in European cities from 1990 to Spring 2003, we investigate the question of whether the introduction of the euro in January 1999 increased integration of consumer markets as reflected by consumer prices. In fact, we find no tendency for prices to converge after January 1999. This finding holds even when we control for a number of factors that might affect price dispersion. On the other hand, we find that there has been a significant reduction in price dispersion throughout the decade of the 1990s, suggesting that efforts to reduce economic barriers initiated early in the decade may have in fact had the effect of significantly increasing the integration of consumer markets. — Charles Engel and John H. Rogers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research and development results achieved in Eastern Europe in the field of lightwave-microwave combined technology are reported. Optical control of FETs, amplifiers, and oscillators; microwave modulation of lasers; lightwave-microwave phase detection, conversion, and synchronization; and optical control of phase-locked oscillators are surveyed. Application possibilities in beam forming of phased arrays, multichannel TV transmission and personal communications networks are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on meetings and conferences related to optics and photonics. At SPIE Photonics Europe 2014 was held in Brussels, Belgium, from April 14-17. April 2014, 77 companies showcased their latest products and innovations. LASYS 2014: Laser Production Systems Become More Precise will be held in Stuttgart, Germany, from June 24-26. EOSAM 2014 Optics and Photonics for Future will take place in Berlin, Germany, from September 15-19, 2014, and September 2014

Deadlined for proposals by 15 October, photonics in Europe should see a big boost with the allocation of a €45m fund. The European Commission has earmarked this for photonics-related research projects selected in the second call of its Sixth Framework Programme (FP6). The finance results from a new strategic objective for “optical, optoelectronic and photonic functional components” from the Information Society Technologies directorate, with the investment intended to support forward-thinking optics projects.This is a short news story only. Visit www.three-fives.com for the latest advanced semiconductor industry news. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]