If diversity counteracts solidarity, as welfare state scholarship commonly concludes, then how did the expansion of European welfare states in the postwar period coexist with (post)colonial... Show moreIf diversity counteracts solidarity, as welfare state scholarship commonly concludes, then how did the expansion of European welfare states in the postwar period coexist with (post)colonial migrations? Through a historical-interpretivist lens, this dissertation studies the inclusion of migrants from the Caribbean, Algeria, and present-day Indonesia in post-war British, French, and Dutch welfare states respectively. It documents a variety of inclusions on unequal terms in French and Dutch welfare states. While those who qualified as repatriates received aid under targeted assistance schemes and expedited access to social security, many who had been disadvantaged under colonial legal codes were directed towards paternalistic arms of the welfare state aimed at surveillance and cultural conversion. In the UK, street-level discrimination and restricitonist immigration law marred the promise of equality under the Beveridgean welfare state for Caribbean citizens. These patterns were racialised, but not inevitable. Ideological efforts to construct certain migrants as deserving cultural insiders have important explanatory power. This dissertation improves the theoretical toolkit available to welfare state scholars interested in inclusion, and elucidates the relationship between race and redistribution. Diversity neither caused retrenchment, nor threatened solidarity. Rather, (post)colonial migrations offered contemporaries an opportunity to consciously and manually create it. Show less
This article focuses on hunter-gatherer impact on interglacial vegetation in Europe, using a case study from the Early Holocene (9200–8700 BP). We present a novel agent-based model, hereafter... Show moreThis article focuses on hunter-gatherer impact on interglacial vegetation in Europe, using a case study from the Early Holocene (9200–8700 BP). We present a novel agent-based model, hereafter referred to as HUMLAND (HUMan impact on LANDscapes), specifically developed to define key factors in continental-level vegetation changes via assessment of differences between pollen-based reconstruction and dynamic global vegetation model output (climate-based vegetation cover). The identified significant difference between these two datasets can be partially explained by the difference in the models themselves, but also by the fact that climate is not the sole factor responsible for vegetation change. Sensitivity analysis of HUMLAND showed that the intensity of anthropogenic vegetation modification mainly depended on three factors: the number of groups present, their preferences for vegetation openness around campsites, and the size of an area impacted by humans. Overall, both climate and human activities had strong impacts on vegetation openness during the study period. Our modelling results support the hypothesis that European ecosystems were strongly shaped by human activities already in the Mesolithic. Show less
While discourse about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has primarily focused on 'whether the goals' are achieved, there remains limited understanding of how developed countries organize... Show moreWhile discourse about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has primarily focused on 'whether the goals' are achieved, there remains limited understanding of how developed countries organize their monitoring and evaluation (M & E) systems, which play a crucial role in tracking progress towards the SDGs. In this contribution, we unpack the M & E frameworks of Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. To do so, we have devised an analytical heuristic that combines insights from the literature on policy performance measurement and measurement infrastructures with the more specific literature on SDG governance. Through document analysis and elite interviews conducted in 2021, our findings highlight similarity in underdeveloped M & E frameworks, rather than significant variation across the three case studies. The results do not suggest a linkage between SDG performance and the development of M & E frameworks. Show less
PurposeTo provide an overview of trauma system maturation in Europe.MethodsMaturation was assessed using a self-evaluation survey on prehospital care, facility-based trauma care, education/training... Show morePurposeTo provide an overview of trauma system maturation in Europe.MethodsMaturation was assessed using a self-evaluation survey on prehospital care, facility-based trauma care, education/training, and quality assurance (scoring range 3-9 for each topic), and key infrastructure elements (scoring range 7-14) that was sent to 117 surgeons involved in trauma, orthopedics, and emergency surgery, from 24 European countries. Average scores per topic were summed to create a total score on a scale from 19 to 50 per country. Scores were compared between countries and between geographical regions, and correlations between scores on different sections were assessed.ResultsThe response rate was 95%. On the scale ranging from 19 to 50, the mean (SD, range) European trauma system maturity score was 38.5 (5.6, 28.2-48.0). Prehospital care had the highest mean score of 8.2 (0.5, 6.9-9.0); quality assurance scored the lowest 5.9 (1.7, 3.2-8.5). Facility-based trauma care was valued 6.9 (1.4, 4.1-9.0), education and training 7.0 (1.2, 5.2-9.0), and key infrastructure elements 10.3 (1.6, 7.6-13.5). All aspects of trauma care maturation were strongly correlated (r > 0.6) except prehospital care. End scores of Northern countries scored significantly better than Southern countries (p = 0.03).ConclusionThe level of development of trauma care systems in Europe varies greatly. Substantial improvements in trauma systems in several European countries are still to be made, especially regarding quality assurance and key infrastructure elements, such as implementation of a lead agency to oversee the trauma system, and funding for growth, innovation and research. Show less
Reliable quantitative vegetation reconstructions for Europe during the Holocene are crucialto improving our understanding of landscape dynamics, making it possible to assess the past effectsof... Show moreReliable quantitative vegetation reconstructions for Europe during the Holocene are crucialto improving our understanding of landscape dynamics, making it possible to assess the past effectsof environmental variables and land-use change on ecosystems and biodiversity, and mitigatingtheir effects in the future. We present here the most spatially extensive and temporally continuouspollen-based reconstructions of plant cover in Europe (at a spatial resolution of 1 1) over theHolocene (last 11.7 ka BP) using the ‘Regional Estimates of VEgetation Abundance from Large Sites’(REVEALS) model. This study has three main aims. First, to present the most accurate and reliablegeneration of REVEALS reconstructions across Europe so far. This has been achieved by including alarger number of pollen records compared to former analyses, in particular from the Mediterraneanarea. Second, to discuss methodological issues in the quantification of past land cover by usingalternative datasets of relative pollen productivities (RPPs), one of the key input parameters ofREVEALS, to test model sensitivity. Finally, to validate our reconstructions with the global forestchange dataset. The results suggest that the RPPs.st1 (31 taxa) dataset is best suited to producingregional vegetation cover estimates for Europe. These reconstructions offer a long-term perspectiveproviding unique possibilities to explore spatial-temporal changes in past land cover and biodiversity. Show less
Cooperation between central banks has been crucial for stabilising the international financial system during the Global Financial Crisis in 2008 and the COVID-19 crisis in 2020. For students of... Show moreCooperation between central banks has been crucial for stabilising the international financial system during the Global Financial Crisis in 2008 and the COVID-19 crisis in 2020. For students of international political economy, understanding why and how central banks cooperate is thus a highly relevant concern. This doctoral dissertation studies central bank cooperation in Europe during and after the Global Financial Crisis. It is based on 25 elite interviews, original archival material and other primary and secondary sources. It reconstructs how central banks came to the decision to conclude credit lines with one another, engaged in Balance-of-Payments assistance programmes, and built new regional institutions to coordinate crisis management and macroprudential policy measures. It finds that central banks motivated their decisions to cooperate not merely on the expected consequences of their actions, but also on their perceptions of appropriateness. Bilateral cooperation was often motivated by norms, such as solidarity, rather than being based predominantly on self-interest; regional financial governance takes the form of inclusive deliberations and consensus-building, rather than clashing national interests. These findings support the conclusions that central banks’ agency, and the ideas that guide their behaviour, need to be better understood to grasp the dynamics of international monetary cooperation. Show less
Background The aim of this study was to identify trends in total, deceased donor (DD) and living donor (LD) kidney transplantation (KT) rates in European countries. Methods The European Renal... Show moreBackground The aim of this study was to identify trends in total, deceased donor (DD) and living donor (LD) kidney transplantation (KT) rates in European countries. Methods The European Renal Association (ERA) Registry and the Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation (GODT) databases were used to obtain the number of KTs in individual European countries between 2010 and 2018. General population counts were obtained from Eurostat or the national bureaus of statistics. The KT rate per million population (p.m.p.) and the average annual percentage change (APC) were calculated. Results The total KT rate in the 40 participating countries increased with 1.9% annually [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5, 2.2] from 29.6 p.m.p. in 2010 to 34.7 p.m.p. in 2018, reflecting an increase of 3.4 p.m.p. in the DD-KT rate (from 21.6 p.m.p. to 25.0 p.m.p.; APC 1.9%; 95% CI 1.3, 2.4) and of 1.5 p.m.p. in the LD-KT rate (from 8.1 p.m.p. to 9.6 p.m.p.; APC 1.6%; 95% CI 1.0, 2.3). The trends in KT rate varied widely across European countries. An East-West gradient was observed for DD-KT rate, with Western European countries performing more KTs. In addition, most countries performed fewer LD-KTs. In 2018, Spain had the highest DD-KT rate (64.6 p.m.p.) and Turkey the highest LD-KT rate (37.0 p.m.p.). Conclusions The total KT rate increased due to a rise in the KT rate from DDs and to a lesser extent from LDs, with large differences between individual European countries. Show less
El-Hassar, L.; Amara, A.; Sanson, B.; Lacatus, O.; Belhouchet, A.A.; Kroneman, M.; ... ; Sacconi, S. 2023
Background:Telemedicine (TM) contributes to bridge the gap between healthcare facilities and patients’ homes with neuromuscular disease (NMD) because of mobility issues. However, its deployment is... Show moreBackground:Telemedicine (TM) contributes to bridge the gap between healthcare facilities and patients’ homes with neuromuscular disease (NMD) because of mobility issues. However, its deployment is limited due to difficulties evaluating subtle neurological signs such as mild weakness or sensory deficits. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted healthcare delivery worldwide, necessitating rapid measures implementation by health care providers (HCPs) to protect patients from acquiring SARS-CoV-2 while maintaining the best care and treatment.Objectives:Given the challenges faced by remote healthcare assistance of NMD patients, we aim to evaluate the use of TM in NMD during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods:Based on the Model for Assessment-of-Telemedicine-Applications (MAST), we conducted a survey amongst clinicians of the ERN EURO NMD (European-Reference-Network-for-Rare-Neuromuscular-Diseases).Results:Based on 42 responses over 76 expected ones, our results show that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased the number of HCPs using TM (from 60% to 100%). The TM types most used during the COVID-19 period are teleconsultation and consultation by phone, particularly in the context of symptoms worsening in NMD patients with COVID-19 infection. Most European HCPs were satisfied when using TM but as a complementary option to physical consultations. Many responses addressed the issue of technical aspects needing improvement, particularly for elderly patients who need caregivers’ assistance for accessing the TM platform.Conclusions:TM has been essential during COVID-19, but its use still presents some limitations for NMD patients with cognitive deficits or for first-time diagnosis. Thus, TM should be used as complement to, rather than substitute, for face-to-face consultations. Show less
The purpose of this study was to provide an estimate of the number of current and future patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in Europe. We systematically searched 11 literature... Show moreThe purpose of this study was to provide an estimate of the number of current and future patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in Europe. We systematically searched 11 literature databases on 18 May 2022 for studies on the prevalence of PCV among a consecutive and representative group of patients with suspected neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Prevalence of PCV in patients with suspected neovascular AMD was summarized and included in a prevalence meta-analysis. We then used current population data and population forecasts by Eurostat and the Office for National Statistics to determine current and future number of patients with neovascular AMD in Europe. Then, we calculated the number of patients with PCV with our calculated estimate of the prevalence of PCV among Europeans suspected with neovascular AMD. A total of five eligible studies were identified which included a total of 1359 patients. All these studies used the gold standard of indocyanine green angiography as a routine part of their diagnostic approach. Among patients undergoing detailed retinal examination for suspected neovascular AMD, our meta-analysis calculated the prevalence of PCV to be 8.3% (95% confidence interval: 6.8-9.8%). Our population estimates find that a total of 217,404 patients with PCV exist in Europe in the year 2022, which constitutes 0.04% of the entire population of Europe. This number is estimated to increase to 287,517 patients in the year 2040. Our estimates are important for different healthcare stakeholders, especially when planning and allocating expensive resources. Show less
Around 1900 the artisan became a national symbol throughout Europe. While the peasant had been lionized ever since the Romantic era, the craft guilds were denigrated as remnants of feudalism. This... Show moreAround 1900 the artisan became a national symbol throughout Europe. While the peasant had been lionized ever since the Romantic era, the craft guilds were denigrated as remnants of feudalism. This changed with the Arts and Crafts movement. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, the artisan began to appear as a representative of the nation at international exhibitions, which focused increasingly on vernacular arts and traditions. In this way, craft products became a part of the national heritage, while artisans were cherished as sources of national authenticity. In the early twentieth century, traditional crafts were increasingly appreciated by artists, collectors and consumers, and many of their most extraordinary products were seen as embodying the nation’s Volksgeist or folk-spirit. Show less
Recent historical studies tend to confirm the antimodernist interpretation, emphasizing the strong premodern roots of nations and nationalism. However, a broad comparative analysis of the rise of... Show moreRecent historical studies tend to confirm the antimodernist interpretation, emphasizing the strong premodern roots of nations and nationalism. However, a broad comparative analysis of the rise of the nation-state during the Age of Revolution shows that earlier notions of nationhood did not have a significant role in the creation of nation-states in Europe and the Americas. They were not the consequence of a glorious national revolt, but of a clash between the Old Regime and new ideals of political legitimacy. Many of these conflicts led to civil wars and the survival of the nation-state was mostly determined by the geopolitical constellation. The boundaries of the nation were defined in terms of civilization, whereas language and culture were largely irrelevant. Within these new nation-states, a universalist nationalization process began. In many instances, citizenship was awarded easier to foreigners than to “uncivilized” inhabitants, while Classical Antiquity was preferred over the national past. Show less
Sikonja, J.; Groselj, U.; Scarpa, M.; Marca, G. la; Cheillan, D.; Kolker, S.; ... ; Bonham, J.R. 2022
Although individual rare disorders are uncommon, it is estimated that, together, 6000+ known rare diseases affect more than 30 million people in Europe, and present a substantial public health... Show moreAlthough individual rare disorders are uncommon, it is estimated that, together, 6000+ known rare diseases affect more than 30 million people in Europe, and present a substantial public health burden. Together with the psychosocial burden on affected families, rare disorders frequently, if untreated, result in a low quality of life, disability and even premature death. Newborn screening (NBS) has the potential to detect a number of rare conditions in asymptomatic children, providing the possibility of early treatment and a significantly improved long-term outcome. Despite these clear benefits, the availability and conduct of NBS programmes varies considerably across Europe and, with the increasing potential of genomic testing, it is likely that these differences may become even more pronounced. To help improve the equity of provision of NBS and ensure that all children can be offered high-quality screening regardless of race, nationality and socio-economic status, a technical meeting, endorsed by the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, was held in October 2021. In this article, we present experiences from individual EU countries, stakeholder initiatives and the meeting's final conclusions, which can help countries attempting to establish new NBS programmes or expand existing provision. Show less
The construction sector is the biggest driver of resource consumption and waste generation in Europe. The European Union (EU) is making efforts to move from its traditional linear resource and... Show moreThe construction sector is the biggest driver of resource consumption and waste generation in Europe. The European Union (EU) is making efforts to move from its traditional linear resource and waste management system in the construction sector to a level of high circularity. Based on the theory of circular economy, a new paradigm called waste hierarchy was introduced in the EU Waste Framework Directive. This work uses the framework of the waste hierarchy to analyze the practice of construction and demolition waste (CDW) management in Europe. We explore the evolution of the waste hierarchy in Europe and how it compares with the circular economy. Then, based on the framework, we analyze the performance of CDW management in each EU member state. Innovative treatment methods of CDW, focusing on waste concrete, is investigated. This brings insight into optimizing and upgrading the CDW management in light of advanced technologies and steering the pathway for transitioning the EU towards a circular society. Show less
Hecke, S. van; Walle, B. van de; Bouckaert, G.; Pattyn, V.E. 2022
In European and many African, Middle Eastern and southern Asian populations, lactase persistence (LP) is the most strongly selected monogenic trait to have evolved over the past 10,000 years1. Alth... Show moreIn European and many African, Middle Eastern and southern Asian populations, lactase persistence (LP) is the most strongly selected monogenic trait to have evolved over the past 10,000 years1. Although the selection of LP and the consumption of prehistoric milk must be linked, considerable uncertainty remains concerning their spatiotemporal configuration and specific interactions2,3. Here we provide detailed distributions of milk exploitation across Europe over the past 9,000 years using around 7,000 pottery fat residues from more than 550 archaeological sites. European milk use was widespread from the Neolithic period onwards but varied spatially and temporally in intensity. Notably, LP selection varying with levels of prehistoric milk exploitation is no better at explaining LP allele frequency trajectories than uniform selection since the Neolithic period. In the UK Biobank4,5 cohort of 500,000 contemporary Europeans, LP genotype was only weakly associated with milk consumption and did not show consistent associations with improved fitness or health indicators. This suggests that other reasons for the beneficial effects of LP should be considered for its rapid frequency increase. We propose that lactase non-persistent individuals consumed milk when it became available but, under conditions of famine and/or increased pathogen exposure, this was disadvantageous, driving LP selection in prehistoric Europe. Comparison of model likelihoods indicates that population fluctuations, settlement density and wild animal exploitation—proxies for these drivers—provide better explanations of LP selection than the extent of milk exploitation. These findings offer new perspectives on prehistoric milk exploitation and LP evolution. Show less
Age-at-death estimation is an essential step in both bioarchaeological and forensic studies when human remains are found, as this can also contribute to the identification of the individual. It is... Show moreAge-at-death estimation is an essential step in both bioarchaeological and forensic studies when human remains are found, as this can also contribute to the identification of the individual. It is critical that age-at-death methods be tested verified in various populations, to obtain the most accurate estimation, making research into new age-at-death methods also imperative. Since osteophyte formation on the vertebral column increases with age, this can be used as a possible method of age-at-death estimation. Snodgrass (2004), Watanabe and Terazawa (2006) and Praneatpolgrang et al. (2019) have tested this method before and have provided promising results. We test the efficacy of Snodgrass (2004), Watanabe and Terazawa (2006), and Praneatpolgrang et al. (2019) on a 19th-century archivally recorded Dutch population. A total of 88 individuals, 40 males, and 48 females were scored for the degree of osteophyte formation on the vertebral column. In addition to testing the three methods above, population-specific regression equations were developed and tested. Accuracy percentages for estimating the age-at-death based on the mean osteophyte score of the entire vertebral column were obtained for all three methods (73.86%, 76.14%, and 72.73%, respectively). In this study, a general pattern of osteophyte formation could be established, which is useful for estimating the age at death. We therefore recommend that this method can be used, cautiously as a means of age-at-death estimation. Show less
Western Europe has been confronted with several terrorist attacks over the past years. This dissertation investigates what happens after such attacks. Scholars emphasise that terrorism is not just... Show moreWestern Europe has been confronted with several terrorist attacks over the past years. This dissertation investigates what happens after such attacks. Scholars emphasise that terrorism is not just about killing, as terrorists want to capture the attention of the audience. Yet, what these audiences do after attacks has remained understudied. This dissertation looks into the meaning-making process after jihadist attacks in Brussels, Nice, Berlin and Manchester (2016-2017). The study focuses on two core actors groups - the authorities and citizens - and the use of frames, rituals and symbols. Special attention is paid to the first day, the first week and the first anniversary of the attack, for which the author has visited the commemorations. Overall, this dissertation shows how terrorism is not a successful communication strategy. After performing the opening acts, the terrorists are quickly pushed off stage, doomed to stand behind the curtains and watch a different play unfold. Show less
