Academic literature on the topic 'Group identity – Europe'
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Journal articles on the topic "Group identity – Europe"
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Jokubaitis, Alvydas. "The Other Europe: Identity Problems of Central Europe." Politeja 15, no. 6(57) (August 13, 2019): 81–89. http://dx.doi.org/10.12797/politeja.15.2018.57.05.
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Philosophers in Central Europe are highly dependent on the Western European tradition of philosophy, while politicians in the region tend to use arguments that are often foreign to the ones used in Western Europe. The philosophical tradition of Central Europe is dependent on Western European tradition – it would be impossible to speak about any kind of distinct regional philosophical paradigm. The situation with political self‑understanding in the region is very different. The politicians in the region are aware of the various differences between the two cultural and political traditions. Today these differences have become especially clear in various disagreements between politicians from the Visegrád Group and their colleagues in Western Europe. Politicians from Central Europe propose their own understanding of the meaning of Western civilization. This phenomenon can be described as a new political Messianism. The old Messianims of the 19th century today are being replaced by new consciousness of the specific mission of the region. Conservative politicians propose an understanding of the region which is based on cultural differences from Western Europe. Various conceptions about the singular identity of the region that were developed in the ninth decade of the 20th century by Czesław Miłosz, Milan Kundera and György Konràd today are gaining a new political significance.
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Imhoff, Roland, Ron Dotsch, Mauro Bianchi, Rainer Banse, and Daniël H. J. Wigboldus. "Facing Europe." Psychological Science 22, no. 12 (November 14, 2011): 1583–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0956797611419675.
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Individuals perceive their own group to be more typical of a shared superordinate identity than other groups are. This in-group projection process has been demonstrated with both self-report and indirect measures. The two studies reported here extend this research to the visual level, specifically, within the domain of faces. Using an innovative reverse-correlation approach, we found that German and Portuguese participants’ visual representations of European faces resembled the appearance typical for their own national identity. This effect was found even among participants who explicitly denied that one nation was more typical of Europe than the other (Study 1). Moreover, Study 2 provides experimental evidence that in-group projection is restricted to inclusive superordinate groups, as the effect was not observed for visual representations of a category (“Australian”) that did not include participants’ in-group. Implications for the in-group projection model, as well as for the applicability of reverse-correlation paradigms, are discussed.
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Buchholz, Peter. "Religious Foundations of Group Identity in Prehistoric Europe: The Germanic Peoples." Scripta Instituti Donneriani Aboensis 15 (January 1, 1993): 321–34. http://dx.doi.org/10.30674/scripta.67218.
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The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of myth as a foundation for group identity in Germanic societies. Religious foundations of group identity can, in the Germanic field in any case, only be proven with the help of written sources, and at best further confirmed or illustrated by archaeological and pictorial material.
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Aydın-Düzgit, Senem. "European parliament ‘doing’ Europe." Discourse analysis, policy analysis, and the borders of EU identity 14, no. 1 (May 26, 2015): 154–74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1075/jlp.14.1.08ayd.
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This article focuses on the discourses of the main centre-right political party group (EPP-ED, EPP) in the European Parliament on Turkey’s accession to the European Union. It utilises the analytical framework of the Discourse-Historical Approach in Critical Discourse Analysis to mainly concentrate on the articulations of ‘culture’ and ‘cultural identity’ in the discussions over Turkish accession in official parliamentary debates and in-depth personal interviews with the members of this group. It is argued that a relational theorising of identity allows for analysis of the ways in which a cultural ‘Europe’ is articulated through current discussions on Turkey in the mainstream right-wing European Parliament discourse and thus reveals the cultural borders that are enacted with reference to Turkish membership within this group.
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Mahamatov, T. M., and A. Nakova. "Objective Ground of National and Ethnic Identity as self-consciousness of an Ethnic Group." Humanities and Social Sciences. Bulletin of the Financial University 10, no. 1 (November 3, 2020): 57–62. http://dx.doi.org/10.26794/2226-7867-2020-10-1-57-62.
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The Globalisation process and its achievements have exacerbated migration problems, creating a demographic crisis in the European Union and the Russian Federation. The authors of the article from the position of social philosophy and sociology examine the impact of the increasing migration flow from the problem regions of Asia and Africa to the more prosperous countries of Europe on the concepts of national and ethnic identity and tolerance, as well as on social capital and public trust in political leadership. The article draws attention to the borderline nature of the movement of identarism formed in the countries of Scandinavia, Western and Eastern Europe, with right-wing and extreme nationalist movements.
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Huber, Konrad J. "The Roma: Group Identity, Political Activism, and Policy Response in Post-1989 Europe." Helsinki Monitor 4, no. 3 (1993): 44–51. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/157181493x00272.
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Espaliú Berdud, Carlos. "European identity: roots and scope." Cuadernos Europeos de Deusto, no. 02 (February 27, 2019): 27–34. http://dx.doi.org/10.18543/ced-02-2019pp27-34.
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The current landscape of Europe requires an urgent reflection on whether a European identity exists or not, and on the consequences the answers to this question may hold. For two years, we members of the Research Group on critical issues of contemporary international society of the Faculty of Law of the International University of Catalonia, together with a number of professors from other Spanish and international universities, have attempted to provide answers to these questions. This special issue of Cuadernos Europeos de Deusto is the result of this research project. We have approached the topic from a multidisciplinary perspective, and more specifically Philosophy, History and Law. In particular, we have focused on the roots and scope of the European identity, which, once determined, can shed light on the relations between people and groups of different races, religions, cultures, etc. in Europe. Several of the authors have addressed the issue of human rights, a key element of that European identity.Published online: 27 February 2019
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Wodak, Ruth. "Language, power and identity." Language Teaching 45, no. 2 (March 25, 2011): 215–33. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0261444811000048.
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How are identities constructed in discourse? How are national and European identities tied to language and communication? And what role does power have – power in discourse, over discourse and of discourse? This paper seeks to identify and analyse processes of identity construction within Europe and at its boundaries, particularly the diversity of sources and forms of expression in several genres and contexts. It draws on media debates on Austrian versus Standard High German, on focus group discussions with migrants in eight European countries and on public and political debates on citizenship in the European Union which screen newly installed language tests. The analysis of different genres and publics all illustrate the complexity of national and transnational identity constructions in a globalised world. What is experienced as European or as outside of Europe is the result of multiple activities, some of them consciously planned in the sense of political, economic or cultural intervention, others more hidden, indirect, in the background. Such developments are contradictory rather than harmonious, proceeding in ‘loops’ and partial regressions (rather than in a linear, uni-directional or teleological way). Thus, an interdisciplinary approach suggests itself which accounts for diverse context-dependent discursive and social practices.
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Guseletov, Boris. "On the Future Prospects of «Identity and Democracy»." Scientific and Analytical Herald of IE RAS, no. 18 (December 1, 2020): 66–73. http://dx.doi.org/10.15211/vestnikieran620206673.
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This article analyzes the phenomenon of the emergence of a new pan-European political «Identity and Democracy» in the political arena of Europe. Its predecessor was the European party the «Movement for a Europe of Nations and Freedoms», MENF was formed in 2015 by a number of nationalist and far-right parties from EU member states, and the group «Europe of Nations and Freedoms» in the European Parliament, which emerged in 2015, as a result of the merger of MEPs from the «Freedom» parties from Austria and the Netherlands, «Flemish interest», Belgium, «Northern League», Italy, «Congress of the New Right», Poland and «National Front», France. In 2019, the pan-European party «Identity and Democracy» was created, which is characterized by a commitment to nationalist values and a radically Eurosceptic view of the EU’s development prospects. The author tried to identify the causes of this political force and its future prospects.
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Shope, Bradley. "Anglo-Indian Identity, Knowledge, and Power: Western Ballroom Music in Lucknow." TDR/The Drama Review 48, no. 4 (December 2004): 167–82. http://dx.doi.org/10.1162/1054204042442053.
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From the 1920s to the 1940s, Anglo-Indians relished Western popular music. For this marginalized group, this music was a way of promoting respectability. And though the music mimicked styles from America and Europe, its celebration was distinctly local
Dissertations / Theses on the topic "Group identity – Europe"
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Aiello, Giorgia. "Visions of Europe : the semiotic production of transnational identity in contemporary European visual discourse /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/6206.
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Popa, Cătălin Nicolae. "Uncovering group identity in the Late Iron Age of South-East Europe." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2014. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.648861.
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Tunkis, Peter Jan. "Strength in Numbers: Social Identity, Political Ambition, and Group-based Legislative Party Switching." The Ohio State University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1524563343963192.
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Hauswedell, Tessa. "The formation of a European identity through a transnational public sphere? : the case of three western European cultural journals, 1989-2006 /." St Andrews, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10023/789.
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Hauswedell, Tessa C. "The formation of a European identity through a transnational public sphere? : the case of three Western European cultural journals, 1989-2006." Thesis, University of St Andrews, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10023/789.
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This thesis analyses processes of discursive European identity formation in three cultural journals: Esprit, from France, the British New Left Review and the German Merkur during the time periods 1989-92, and, a decade later, during 2003-06. The theoretical framework which the thesis brings to bear on this analysis is that of the European Public Sphere. This model builds on Jürgen Habermas’s original model of a “public sphere”, and alleges that a sphere of common debate about issues of European concern can lead to a more defined and integrated sense of a European identity which is widely perceived as vague and inchoate. The relevancy of the public sphere model and its connection to the larger debate about European identity, especially since 1989, are discussed in the first part of the thesis. The second part provides a comparative analysis of the main European debates in the journals during the respective time periods. It outlines the mechanisms by which identity is expressed and assesses when, and to what extent, shared notions of European identity emerge. The analysis finds that identity formation does not occur through a developmental, gradual convergence of views as the European public sphere model envisages. Rather, it is brought about in much more haphazard back-and-forth movements. Moreover, shared notions of European identity between all the journals only arise in moments of perceived crises. Such crises are identified as the most salient factor which galvanizes expressions of a common, shared sense of European identity across national boundaries and ideological cleavages. The thesis concludes that the model of the EPS is too dependent on a partial view of how identity formation occurs and should thus adopt a more nuanced understanding about the complex factors that are at play in these processes. For the principled attempt to circumscribe identity formation as the outcome of communicative processes alone is likely to be thwarted by external events.
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Orr, Scott David. "Democratic identity the role of ethnic and regional identities in the success or failure of democracy in Eastern Europe /." The Ohio State University, 2005. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1117652333.
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Li, Xin. "European identity, a case study." Thesis, University of Macau, 2009. http://umaclib3.umac.mo/record=b2555548.
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IWASA, Takuro. "West European academic images and stereotypes of Japan since the 1970s." Doctoral thesis, European University Institute, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/1814/10399.
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Defence date: 26 October 2007Examining Board: Prof. Akira Kudo (University of Tokio) ; Prof. Willfried Spohn (Katholische Universität Eichstätt) ; Prof. Bo Stråth (Helsinki University and former EUI/Supervisor) ; Prof. Martin Van Gelderen (EUI)
PDF of thesis uploaded from the Library digital archive of EUI PhD theses
The aim of this thesis is to analyse the changes through the time of the West European academic images and stereotypes of Japan since the 1970s, and to study how Japan has been produced and constructed for Europe in some major academic disciplines, that is, economics, business management studies, social sciences, and across these disciplines. Therefore, it is a thesis to clarify the European imaginations and stereotypisations of Japan as reflected in the West European academic debate. It also aims to illuminate the European conceptualisation of Japan. How have the European academics perceived and interpreted the Japanese economy, its business management, society and historical backdrop since the 1970s? How have the images and stereotypes of Japan been constructed and developed for Europe as a model, as a threat or as the Other? Do any remarkable shared features or differences between images and stereotypes exist within each period or each academic discipline? These questions are addressed in the thesis. The thesis was born out of an academic interest in the development of the civilisational dialogue between Europe and Japan. Europe had always presented the models to emulate for the other non-Western nations, including - at least previously - Japan. After a century of Japanese interest in emulating European models of modernisation, in the 1970s influences started to operate in the reverse direction. It was during the 1970s that the West Europeans faced their serious economic, social and identity crises, and when the Europeans started to look to Japan for an alternative model with much more interest and close attention. Over the period since the 1970s Japan has provided itself to be the first non-Western nation in modern history that has demonstrated the alternative economic and social models from which Europe can learn or with which it can contrast itself for the first time.
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Kimura, Aya. "Discrimination, Group Identity, and Mental Health: A Comparative Study of African Americans, Caribbean Americans, and European Americans." University of Akron / OhioLINK, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1208187915.
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Martin, Nicole. "Discrimination and ethnic group identity as explanations of British ethnic minority political behaviour." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2015. http://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:22c28eef-4f30-4174-89f9-392b4ab7bc1d.
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This thesis looks at the role of discrimination and ethnic group identity as explanations of political behaviour of ethnic minorities in Britain. Chapter 2 examines vote choice and partisanship, arguing that a group utility heuristic explains the high level of support for the Labour party among ethnic minorities. I provide individual-level evidence of this heuristic by showing that ethnic minority voters support the Labour party to the extent that they are (i) conscious of the experiences of their ethnic group members with regards to discrimination, and (ii) believe that the Labour party is the best political party to represent their interests. These two attitudes mediate the effects of group-level inequalities. Chapter 3 asks whether Muslims are alienated from mainstream politics by Islamophobia and British military intervention in Muslim countries. I find that perceptions of Islamophobia are linked with greater political alienation, to a greater likelihood of non-electoral participation, but also to a lesser likelihood of voting. Likewise, disapproval of the war in Afghanistan is associated with greater political alienation and a greater likelihood of some types of non-electoral participation. I also provide strong evidence that Muslims in Britain experience more religious discrimination than adherents of other minority religions. Chapter 4 considers the interaction between the extreme right and ethnic minority political attitudes and behaviour. I find evidence that the extreme right British National Party (BNP) increases voting for the Labour party, at the expense of minor parties and abstention. Surprisingly, the BNP effect also benefits the other main parties. Although they do not benefit in increased vote share, Liberal Democrat and Conservative party and leader evaluations are more positive where the BNP stood and performed better in 2010, which I suggest is due to the electoral contrast provided by the BNP. Chapter 5 looks at the mobilisation effect of ethnic minority candidates on ethnic minority voters. I find a positive mobilisation effect of Pakistani and Muslim Labour candidates on Pakistani and Muslim voters, conditional on someone trying to convince the respondent how to vote. I also find a demobilisation effect of Labour Muslim candidates on Sikh voters.
Books on the topic "Group identity – Europe"
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Group Identity in the Renaissance World. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011.
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Dusche, Michael. Identity politics in India and Europe. New Delhi: Sage, 2010.
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Dusche, Michael. Identity politics in India and Europe. New Delhi: Sage, 2010.
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Wojciehowski, Hannah Chapelle, and Hannah Chapelle Wojciehowski. Group Identity in the Renaissance World. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011.
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Philomena, Murray, and Holmes Leslie, eds. Citizenship and identity in Europe. Aldershot, Hants, England: Ashgate, 1999.
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Nationalism and territory: Constructing group identity in Southeastern Europe. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2000.
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Identity politics in India and Europe. New Delhi: Sage, 2010.
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von, Benda-Beckmann Keebet, Verkuyten M, and European Research Centre on Migration and Ethnic Relations (Rijksuniversiteit te Utrecht), eds. Nationalism, ethnicity and cultural identity in Europe. Utrecht: European Research Centre on Migration and Ethnic Relations, Utrecht University, 1995.
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Haseler, Stephen. The English tribe: Identity, nation, and Europe. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Macmillan Press, 1996.
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Heuven, Marten Van. Europe in 1995: Identity, architecture, and commitment. Santa Monica, CA: Rand, 1995.
Find full textBook chapters on the topic "Group identity – Europe"
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Săndulescu, Valentin. "Generation, Regeneration, and Discourses of Identity in the Intellectual Foundations of Romanian Fascism: The Case of the Axa Group." In 'Regimes of Historicity' in Southeastern and Northern Europe, 1890-1945, 210–29. London: Palgrave Macmillan UK, 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/9781137362476_11.
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McLaren, Lauren M. "Group Conflict Theory and European Integration." In Identity, Interests and Attitudes to European Integration, 49–68. London: Palgrave Macmillan UK, 2006. http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/9780230504240_4.
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McLaren, Lauren M. "Precursors to Group Conflict and Symbolic Threat: Rationality?" In Identity, Interests and Attitudes to European Integration, 93–109. London: Palgrave Macmillan UK, 2006. http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/9780230504240_6.
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Lähdesmäki, Tuuli, and Aino-Kaisa Koistinen. "Explorations of Linkages Between Intercultural Dialogue, Art, and Empathy." In Dialogue for Intercultural Understanding, 45–58. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-71778-0_4.
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AbstractIn the 2000s, European societies have transformed quickly due to the networked global economy, deepening a European integration process, forced and voluntary movement of people to and within Europe, and influence of social media on culture, communication, and society. Europe has become an increasingly diverse and pluricultural continent where many people simultaneously identify with multiple different cultural and social groups. In such “super-diversified” (Vertovec in New complexities of cohesion in Britain: Super-diversity, transnationalism and civil-integration, Communities and Local Government Publications, Wetherby, 2007) European societies diversity itself is broad, multidimensional, and fluid (Vertovec in New complexities of cohesion in Britain: Super-diversity, transnationalism and civil-integration, Communities and Local Government Publications, Wetherby, 2007; Blommaert and Rampton in Language and Superdiversity. Diversities 13(2):1–21, 2011). Different social locations and identities intersect within them—whether cultural, ethnic, national, social, religious, or linguistic. At the same time, however, European societies have faced the rise of diverse populist and radical right-wing movements promoting profoundly monoculturalist views and cultural purism. What are the means to confront this polarization of views and attitudes in Europe?
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Tulmets, Elsa. "Foreign Policy Consistency Through the Presidencies of the Visegrád Group and of the EU Council." In East Central European Foreign Policy Identity in Perspective, 185–219. London: Palgrave Macmillan UK, 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/9781137315762_6.
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Danisi, Carmelo, Moira Dustin, Nuno Ferreira, and Nina Held. "SOGI Asylum in Europe: Emerging Patterns." In IMISCOE Research Series, 421–44. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-69441-8_10.
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AbstractThis chapter brings together some of the recurring but not always visible phenomena relating to SOGI asylum that have remained below the surface in the previous chapters. We are keen not to conflate or homogenise what are often very different individual experiences in Germany, Italy and the UK. Rather, we identify themes and common factors that may take diverse forms but that, at the same time, shaped the experiences of our participants and are the basis for the targeted recommendations in our final chapter. We group these phenomena under four headings: identities, discrimination, place and agency. By doing so, this chapter draws together the recurring or more significant findings from the chapters that constitute Part II, and presents and analyses them using the theoretical approaches in Chap. 10.1007/978-3-030-69441-8_3 to show that what may appear to be discrete phenomena in fact derive from systemic failures to apply an intersectional, queer, feminist and human rights based understanding to SOGI asylum.
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Tardieu, Hubert. "Role of Gaia-X in the European Data Space Ecosystem." In Designing Data Spaces, 41–59. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-93975-5_4.
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AbstractThe Gaia-X project was initiated in 2019 by the German and French Ministers of Economy to ensure that companies would not lose control of their industrial data when it is hosted by non-EU cloud service providers.Since then, Gaia-X holds an international association presence in Belgium with more than 334 members, representing both users and providers across 20 countries and 16 national hubs and 5 candidate countries.The Association aims to increase the adoption of cloud services and accelerate data exchanges by European businesses through the facilitation of business data sovereignty with jointly approved (user and provider) policy rules on data portability and interoperability.Although for many enterprises, data sovereignty is seen as a prerequisite for using the cloud, a significant driver to boost the digital economy in business is incentivizing business data sharing. Two decades of cost optimization have constrained business value creation, driving many companies to neglect the opportunity to create shared value within a wider industry ecosystem.Now, thanks to the participation of large numbers of cloud users in the domains of Finance, Health, Energy, Automotive, Travel Aeronautics, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Mobility, among others, Gaia-X is ideally positioned to help industries define appropriate data spaces and identify/develop compelling use cases, which can then be jointly deployed to a compliant-by-design platform architecture under the Gaia-X specifications, trust, and labeling frameworks.The creation of national Gaia-X hubs that act as independent think tanks, ambassadors, or influencers of the Association further facilitates the emergence of new data spaces and use/enabler cases at a country level, before these are subsequently extended to a European scope and beyond. Gaia-X partners share the view that data spaces will play a similar role in digital business as the web played 40 years ago to help the Internet take off.The Gaia-X Working Groups are at the core of the Gaia-X discussions and deliverables. There are three committees: the Technical, the Policies and Rules, and the Data Spaces and Business.The Technical Committee focus on key architectural elements and their evolution, such as and not limited to: Identity and Access Management: bridge the traditional X509 realm and new SSI realm, creating a decentralized network of identity federations Service Composition: how to assemble services in order to create new services with higher added value Self-Description: how to build digital trust at scale with measurable and comparable criteria The Policy and Rules Committee creates the deliverables required to develop the Gaia-X framework (compliance requirements, labels and qualification processes, credentials matrix, contractual agreements, etc.): The Labels and Qualification working group defines the E2E process for labels and qualification, from defining and evolving the levels of label, the process for defining new labels, and identifying and certifying existing CABS. The Credentials and Trust Anchors working group will develop and maintain a matrix of credentials and their verification methods to enable the implementation of compliance through automation, contractual clauses, certifications, or other methods. The Compliance working group collects compliance requirements from all sources to build a unique compliance requirements pool. The Data Spaces Business Committee helps the Association expanding and accelerating the creation of new Gaia-X service in the market: The Finance working group focuses on business modeling and supports the project office of the Association. The Technical working group analyzes the technical requirements from a business perspective. The Operational Requirements working group is the business requirements unit. The Hub working groups hold close contact with all Gaia-X Hubs and support the collection and creation of the Gaia-X use and business cases. These working groups maintain the international list of all use cases and data spaces and coordinate the Hubs.
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Kalogeraki, Stefania. "Attitudes Towards Syrian Refugees During the ‘Refugee Crisis’ in Greece." In IMISCOE Research Series, 91–111. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-11574-5_5.
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AbstractDuring the recent ‘refugee crisis’ Greece became one of the major entry points by sea as high numbers of refugees and asylum seekers, primarily originating from Syria, entered its territory en route to wealthier European countries. The unprecedented arrival of refugees has triggered mixed reactions towards newcomers raising socio-economic and cultural concerns about the potential impacts of refugees on the host country. The chapter uses survey data from the EU-funded TransSOL project and incorporates realistic group conflict and social identity theories to explore potential determinants shaping different attitudes towards Syrian refugees entering Greece. The descriptive analysis indicated that opposition attitudes towards Syrian refugees are widespread in Greece. Results from a multinomial logistic regression analysis demonstrated that individual determinants related to social identity theory are particularly important in understanding different levels of Greeks’ opposition towards Syrian refugees, whereas strong opposition towards the specific ethnic group was associated with an amalgamation of individual factors related to both realistic group conflict and social identity theory. The findings stress the necessity of implementing policy interventions that promote the intercultural dialogue and aim to mitigate the main sources of negative stances towards refugees.
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Gouriet, Martine, Hervé Barancourt, Marianne Boust, Philippe Calvez, Michael Laskowski, Anne-Sophie Taillandier, Loïc Tilman, Mathias Uslar, and Oliver Warweg. "The Energy Data Space: The Path to a European Approach for Energy." In Designing Data Spaces, 535–75. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-93975-5_33.
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AbstractTrusted data spaces supporting energy services and fostering collaboration between all stakeholders are a cornerstone of the decarbonization of the sector. Today, a broad representation of European energy companies and academic and technological partners has joined GAIA-X to build the European energy data space. The group represents all segments of the energy value chain and is from all around Europe.Through this data space, we aim to address the following challenges: accelerate the deployment of low carbon energy solutions, foster energy efficiency and sector coupling (power, gas, and heating, integration of mobility and building/heating systems, etc.), enable more flexibility and renewable energy integration to the European electric system, accelerate the sector digitalization, and ultimately support Europe competitiveness, thanks to low energy costs.To achieve these goals, strong collaboration between the actors is needed to identify and launch valuable use cases on key topics: renewables, hydrogen, nuclear, energy efficiency, electric vehicles, local energy communities, networks, or compliance and traceability.The article is a collaborative effort, initiated in February 2021, from the French, German, and Belgium energy communities within GAIA-X national hubs. The intention is to provide insight on the work of the GAIA-X energy Domain, to share widely our ecosystem’s expectations, and to provide an overview of use cases identified.
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D’Acunto, David, and Serena Volo. "Cultural Traits in the Consumption of Luxury Hotel Services." In Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 2021, 269–79. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65785-7_24.
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AbstractThis study investigates luxury hotel guests’ online reviews to explore how ratings, language and sentiment differ according to guests’ culture of origin. The study considers three large cultural groups (Asian, North American, and European) examining hotel guests in their reviews to identify the most recurring themes in association with luxury tourism.The study uses automated text analysis to explore 16,415 hotel reviews from 22 luxury hotel brands belonging to nine global hotel chains located across six European cities over a period of 10 years. In particular, this exploratory study combines LIWC, Leximancer and SPSS analytic tools to shed light on: i) the extent luxury hotel guests’ reviews vary in terms of rating, language metrics and sentiment according to reviewers’ culture of origin; ii) the main themes of luxury hotel service discussed by guests, of different cultures of origin, in their reviews.The main findings reveal that Asians guests are particularly analytical when reviewing online and are the less satisfied about their stays in luxury hotels in Europe. North Americans are the most satisfied luxury hotel guests; however, their reviews show low level of sentiment descriptions. Instead, Europeans embed more sentiment when posting a review. The three cultures examined also tend to associate luxury to different attributes.
Conference papers on the topic "Group identity – Europe"
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Viscenheski, Juliana, Artur Ziviani, and Thiago H. Silva. "Estudo de Preferências por Receitas do AllRecipes pelo Mundo." In Anais Estendidos do Simpósio Brasileiro de Sistemas Multimídia e Web. Sociedade Brasileira de Computação - SBC, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.5753/webmedia_estendido.2021.17611.
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A considerable part of the culture and behavior of societies are derived from the habits and preferences built up over time. One representative characteristic that a group can present is the preference for certain food groups, thus, building the gastronomic identity of each region around the world. With the increasingly broad connections established by social networks, it is now more feasible to analyze such preferences on a large scale. This study examines recipes from Allrecipes.com network in three continents: America, Europe, and Asia. Based on the evaluations made by the users, a score was developed, allowing the separation of the recipes in two broad groups: well evaluated and poorly evaluated. All the ingredients of these recipes were extracted and used to assemble a network whose links were made via pointwise mutual information. This measure of association, used in pairs of ingredients, allowed us to find the main ingredients common to the countries. Our study may help to better understand the success, or otherwise, of a recipe, in a specific locality, based on its main ingredients. Thus, one of the main utilities envisioned for this work is to establish better recommendations for recipes.
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Herlo, Dorin. "ELEARNING IN INTERCULTURAL LEARNING." In eLSE 2015. Carol I National Defence University Publishing House, 2015. http://dx.doi.org/10.12753/2066-026x-15-160.
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The process of promoting intercultural learning was accelerated in the 1990s, by the European Council, and coincided with the acknowledgment of its relevance not only in the countries of Western Europe that were the most important targets for migration, but also in other parts of Europe, such as the southern countries or the countries of Central and Eastern Europe where issues of cultural diversity have become very important after the fall of the communist regimes in this area. In nowadays the educators face with intercultural challenges in many learning situations, for which they have not been prepared sufficiently in their own training, because intercultural issues are only on the teacher curriculum agenda since a couple of years. For this reason, it need to form and develop the intercultural competence - one of the eight key competence needed for every young and every educator of our days - by initial and continuous training. If the general objective of intercultural learning activities is to equip young people and adults with necessary competences for living in a intercultural society, its specific objectives refer to: a) knowledge about culture in general and its impact on individual and group behaviour, about one's own culture(s) and about the cultures of others; b) skills related to life in a intercultural society (become aware of one's own cultural determinations, of prejudices and stereotypes and identifying them to the others, ability to take different viewpoints, communicative and relational skills, etc); c) attitudes, such as respect for cultural diversity and for the other's cultural identity, reject discrimination and intolerance; d) stimulating action for promoting intercultural society, for combating discrimination and intolerance. This article aims to analyse some aspects of applied strategies, including e-learning activities, in intercultural learning, used in initial training courses with the students from bachelor and master level, which led to accomplish those specific objectives.
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Zaeem, Razieh Nokhbeh, Monisha Manoharan, and K. Suzanne Barber. "Risk Kit: Highlighting Vulnerable Identity Assets for Specific Age Groups." In 2016 European Intelligence and Security Informatics Conference (EISIC). IEEE, 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/eisic.2016.014.
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Soare, Ioanlaurian, and Mariacristina Munteanubanateanu. "MULTILINGUALISM AND MINORITY LANGUAGE TEACHING. BETWEEN TRADITION AND REVITALIZATION." In eLSE 2019. Carol I National Defence University Publishing House, 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.12753/2066-026x-19-130.
Full textAbstract:
Language variety (multilingualism) gains today more and more significance in our community. Children in their early school years have already access to different language sources. There is a friendly educational environment that allows further students fit into new practices whereas languages are able to help them (re)orienting their educational frame. In times past the rigid curriculum of the school system restricted language variety. The decision to exclude Low German (Niederdeutsch) in schools in the 19th century led to a partial extinction of the language and its dialects in Northern Germany nowadays, whereas miles away in South Europe the Basque language reshaped its ideological terrain and turned from a banned language in Franco's dictatorship (about 40 years ago) into a co-official regional language in nowadays Spain with an increasing number of speakers. This paper investigates firstly the status of a language as a minority/local/regional language in opposition to a dominant/national/official language, whereas denominations such as: minority or official languages need further explanations. In Ireland the Irish language has the status of an official language, on the other hand the number of people who declared they speak the language amounts to 6-7% in the whole population. This gives Irish both a minority and an official status, nevertheless: the name of a so called minority language can vary depending on region and tradition. Low German, also known as Nether German or Low Saxon (Niederdeutsch, Plattdeutsch, Nedersaksisch) is still competing for an official name. Whereas in Spain there is Euskera or el Vasco. Secondly, the paper analyses the role of two minority languages within the national educational system of Spain, France and Germany. The two languages are: the Basque language which is spoken in Northern Spain (more exactly in the Basque Country and northern Navarre) and France (in the French Basque Country), the second language is: Low German (spoken mainly in northern parts of Germany). Thirdly, the present paper concludes the fact that within a multilingual/bilingual/monolingual milieu of nowadays Europe a revitalization of a minority language can be achieved due to certain social mechanisms. There is the school system on one hand, then the tradition and identity values a certain group of people may perform and of course there are the authorities and the language policies they develop on the other hand. Accordingly, by means of a collaboration of these mechanisms a revitalization of the Basque language was possible in Spain, respectively because of a malfunction of these structures we notice a decline of Low German in Germany.
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De las Heras Molina, Javier, Juan Gómez Sánchez, and José Manuel Vassallo Magro. "Electronic Toll Collection Systems and their Interoperability: The State of Art." In CIT2016. Congreso de Ingeniería del Transporte. Valencia: Universitat Politècnica València, 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.4995/cit2016.2016.3186.
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The European Electronic Toll Service (EETS) was created in 2004 with the aim of ensuring interoperability among the existing electronic toll collection (ETC) systems in Europe. However, the lack of cooperation between groups of stakeholders has not made possible to achieve this goal ten years later. The purpose of this research is to determine the better way to achieve interoperability among the different ETC systems in Europe. Our study develops a review of the six main ETC systems available worldwide: Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Satellite systems (GNSS), Tachograph, and Mobile communications tolling systems. The research also provides some insight on different emerging technologies. By focusing on different operational and strategic aspects offered by each technology, we identify their main strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and makes different recommendations to improve the current framework. The research concludes that given the diversity of advantages and inconveniences offered by each system, the selection of a certain ETC technology should also take into account its potential to overcome the weaknesses in the current ETC framework. In this line, different policy recommendations are proposed to improve the present ETC strategy at the EU.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4995/CIT2016.2016.3186
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Nitu, E. C., O. Cirstina, F. I. Lupu, M. Leu, A. Nicolae, and M. Carciumaru. "PORTABLE ART OBJECTS DISCOVERED IN THE UPPER PALEOLITHIC OF ROMANIA." In Знаки и образы в искусстве каменного века. Международная конференция. Тезисы докладов [Электронный ресурс]. Crossref, 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.25681/iaras.2019.978-5-94375-308-4.22-23.
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In addition to their undeniable aesthetic value, ornaments are the element that may differentiate the various social groups or individuals belonging to certain groups. More specifically, body decoration is closely related to social identity. The ornament, as a form of communication, has a certain advantage over other means of communication because, once displayed, perhaps even more than language itself, the individual wearing it need not make any effort to deliver his/her message, social sta-tus, their belonging to a group etc. The first adornments used during the Paleolithic are beads, while perforated shells are among the earliest examples of this sort. In a few cases, the perforated shells come from species rarely used in the Paleolithic, brought from long distances, in terms of the settlements in which they were found so, apart from individualizing and characterizing a certain group, they may represent important documents regarding migrations over wide areas and even regarding the origin of a culture. This is shown by new discoveries made in an early Gravettian layer at the Poiana Cireului site (Piatra Neam, north-eastern Romania), dated between 30 ka and 31 ka BP (Niu et al., 2019). The ornaments discovered here include a unique association of perforat-ed shells represented by three species of mollusks: Lithoglyphus naticoide, Litho-glyphus apertus and Homalopoma sanguineum (an exclusively Mediterranean spe-cies). This occupation differs from Central and Eastern European Gravettian tradi-tions through the symbolic behavior of the communities, defined by the use of perfo-rated shells of freshwater and marine (Mediterranean origin) mollusk belonging to species very rarely used in the Palaeolithic. Poiana Cireului is one of the very few Gravettian sites where perforated Homalopoma sanguineum shells were found and is the only Gravettian settlement where Lithoglyphus naticoides shells were used. We present the ornaments discovered and the results of analysis performed to identify the perforation methods and the use-wear traces. The presence of a Mediterranean species at the Poiana Cireului settlement located more than 900 km from the nearest source suggests the connection of communities here with the Mediterranean area. In the light of these new findings, the origin and diffusion of the Gravettian from the Mediterranean to the east of the Carpathians are a hypothesis that should be considered. Niu, E.-C., Crciumaru, M., Nicolae, A., Crstina, O., Lupu, F. I., Leu, M. (2019). Mobility and social identity in the Early Upper Palaeolithic: new personal ornaments from Poiana Cireului site (Piatra Neam, Romania). PLOS ONE, 14 (4), e0214932. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0214932
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Nitu, E. C., O. Cirstina, F. I. Lupu, M. Leu, A. Nicolae, and M. Carciumaru. "PERSONAL ORNAMENTS DISCOVERED IN THE EARLY UPPER PALEOLITHIC OF POIANA CIREȘULUI-PIATRA NEAMȚ (ROMANIA)." In Знаки и образы в искусстве каменного века. Международная конференция. Тезисы докладов [Электронный ресурс]. Crossref, 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.25681/iaras.2019.978-5-94375-308-4.20-21.
Full textAbstract:
In addition to their undeniable aesthetic value, ornaments are the element that may differentiate the various social groups or individuals belonging to certain groups. More specifically, body decoration is closely related to social identity. The ornament, as a form of communication, has a certain advantage over other means of communication because, once displayed, perhaps even more than language itself, the individual wearing it need not make any effort to deliver his/her message, social sta-tus, their belonging to a group etc. The first adornments used during the Paleolithic are beads, while perforated shells are among the earliest examples of this sort. In a few cases, the perforated shells come from species rarely used in the Paleolithic, brought from long distances, in terms of the settlements in which they were found so, apart from individualizing and characterizing a certain group, they may represent important documents regarding migrations over wide areas and even regarding the origin of a culture. This is shown by new discoveries made in an early Gravettian layer at the Poiana Cireului site (Piatra Neam, north-eastern Romania), dated between 30 ka and 31 ka BP (Niu et al., 2019). The ornaments discovered here include a unique association of perforat-ed shells represented by three species of mollusks: Lithoglyphus naticoide, Litho-glyphus apertus and Homalopoma sanguineum (an exclusively Mediterranean spe-cies). This occupation differs from Central and Eastern European Gravettian tradi-tions through the symbolic behavior of the communities, defined by the use of perfo-rated shells of freshwater and marine (Mediterranean origin) mollusk belonging to species very rarely used in the Palaeolithic. Poiana Cireului is one of the very few Gravettian sites where perforated Homalopoma sanguineum shells were found and is the only Gravettian settlement where Lithoglyphus naticoides shells were used. We present the ornaments discovered and the results of analysis performed to identify the perforation methods and the use-wear traces. The presence of a Mediterranean species at the Poiana Cireului settlement located more than 900 km from the nearest source suggests the connection of communities here with the Mediterranean area. In the light of these new findings, the origin and diffusion of the Gravettian from the Mediterranean to the east of the Carpathians are a hypothesis that should be considered. Niu, E.-C., Crciumaru, M., Nicolae, A., Crstina, O., Lupu, F. I., Leu, M. (2019). Mobility and social identity in the Early Upper Palaeolithic: new personal ornaments from Poiana Cireului site (Piatra Neam, Romania). PLOS ONE, 14 (4), e0214932. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0214932
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Pagel, James W., Stephen Lambacher, Hisayo Kikuchi, and Sachiho Mori. "Student and instructor attitudes toward CALL and MALL in the L2 classroom." In Fourth International Conference on Higher Education Advances. Valencia: Universitat Politècnica València, 2018. http://dx.doi.org/10.4995/head18.2018.8108.
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As part of an ongoing study focusing on language learner and instructor attitudes toward the use of computers and mobile devices in second language (L2) learning contexts, the authors attempt to identify to what degree language instructors value the use of computers and mobile devices in their teaching. We compare the responses of a survey administered to an “in-house” group of instructors within two faculties of a private university in Tokyo, Japan, with the responses collected from a similar survey administered to instructors solicited through various CALL organizations. The number of respondents of the “in-house” survey during the first three years was relatively low; however, in the final year was considerably much higher, with the number from both full-time and part-time staff totaling 34. The total number of survey respondents from the CALL organizations totaled 121, with the participants’ places of employment ranging from Europe to the Asia Pacific Rim. In addition to offering an interpretation of a sampling of the Likert scale items found on the surveys, the authors focus on comparing the responses offered by both groups of instructors regarding which skills they focused on in the CALL classroom, as well as what mobile applications they encouraged their students to use.
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Zoltan, Kato, and Doru alexandru Plesea. "E-LEARNING, INTERCULTURAL DIMENSION AND DIFFERENCES." In eLSE 2013. Carol I National Defence University Publishing House, 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.12753/2066-026x-13-089.
Full textAbstract:
All across Europe, schools and universities have been setting up new training methods in order for students to develop intercultural skills and competence. In multilingual societies the pedagogical assumptions of e-learning environments need to be made explicit. World Wide Web with the rapid development of Information and Communication Technologies in Romania has caused changes in the way teaching and learning is viewed increasing the diversity of the beneficiary population. Romania is a country with a multicultural and multilingual society. In these societies the implicit pedagogical assumptions of e-learning environments need to be made explicit. Two different cultural dimensions of educational practices are more specifically concerned: the pedagogical culture and the values, beliefs, attitudes, theories and models involved; and the digital culture and the emerging transformations related to knowledge and pedagogical modeling. This article focuses on examining the various effects of cultural factors regarding the e-learning process in Romania. An e-learning environment is one where the educational practices are based on information and communication technology. There can be a combination of online and offline, solitary and group learning. As Internet culture existing in cyberspace is not geographically tied, learning through e-learning is no longer bound by location (school, training center) or time, but is actually dependent on technology. Examining the relationship between culture and language we discover that they are closely linked to the issue of national identity. After the Dutchman Geert Hofstede, researcher of corporate culture, national culture is the software of the mind, specific and learned patterns of thought and behavior, relatively clear limiting potential answers to basic questions of existence, sets the example, modus operandi for survival, and it is necessary for us to be successful persons. Overviews of cultural considerations (linguistic, national and individual aspects) can help build and implement effective e-learning. After examining the sociolinguistic distribution will explore the learning process in terms of culture-dependent characteristics, and possible ways of customization. The development of intercultural abilities can lead the way to an enhanced experience of learning. Considering that ensuring equal opportunities is important to know what to do with e-learning software - acquired abroad or produced locally - by introducing a limited market (the speakers of Hungarian / Rromani). Finally, the paper analyses the e-learning platforms offered by the major Romanian Universities and the way they respond to the needs of Hungarian and Romani minorities, taking in account their cultural and pedagogical peculiarity. The aimed scope of this paper is to submit to the universities and to the Ministry of National Education some solutions to increase the access of Hungarian and Rromani minorities to on-line learning higher education.
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Roman, Monica, Bogdan Ileanu, and Mihai Roman. "A comparative analysis of remittance behaviour between East European and North African migrants." In International Conference on Eurasian Economies. Eurasian Economists Association, 2010. http://dx.doi.org/10.36880/c01.00189.
Full textAbstract:
The labour migration in Europe is a phenomenon with multiple effects, both positive and negative. Money sent by emigrants to their families is increasing their quality of life and has positive effects on the family relations; therefore it can be identified an increasing interest in the literature in studying such aspects.
The purpose of the paper is to conduct a comparative analysis of the migrants’ propensity to sending money to the origin country.
The study is based on data coming from the National Immigrant Survey of Spain (in Spanish: Encuesta Nacional de Inmigrantes – 2007). A total of 15,475 interviews were carried out. Moroccans, Romanians, and Ecuadorians represent 30% of the total number of immigrants resident in Spain.
We employ a binary logistic regression model in order to identify the impact of socio-demographical factors on the probability of sending money abroad from Spain. Our aim is to identify cultural discrepancies in remittances sending, according to origin of migrants. We are mainly focusing on two large groups of respondents, which are North African and South Eastern Europe migrants. The variables employed are age of respondent, education, Intention to return in the country of origin, The period spent in Spain, gender of respondent, and the relation with the country of origin defined by the frequency of visits in the country. We identified similar patterns and also significant differences among the two groups.
Reports on the topic "Group identity – Europe"
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Morville, Anne-Le, Janice Jones, Michal Avrech-Bar, Teena Clouston, Mona Dür, Nicole Ilper, Anna Röschel, Steve Whitcombe, and Hanne Kristensen. A scoping review protocol on Occupational Science Research in European Contexts. INPLASY - International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols, July 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.37766/inplasy2022.7.0056.
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Review question / Objective: Researchers may conduct scoping reviews instead of systematic reviews where the purpose of thereview is to identify knowledge gaps, scope a body of literature, clarify concepts or to investigate research conduct. While useful in their own right, scoping reviews may also be helpful precursors to systematic reviews and can be used to confirm the relevance of inclusion criteria and potential questions. (Munn et al. BMC Medical Research Methodology (2018) 18:143) The aim of this review is to scope the empirical-based and peer-reviewed European OS research literature and map identified research methods, theories or theoretical concepts, and target groups to obtain a status quo overview of OS research undertaken in Europe between 2015 and 2020. Research questions: • What recent development is seen when mapping the empirical-based and peer-reviewed European OS research literature in accordance with publication volume, publication date and geographical context? • What characterizes the identified research methods, theories or theoretical concepts, and target groups applied in the peer-reviewed OS research literature?
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Jordan, Ramon L., Abed Gera, Hei-Ti Hsu, Andre Franck, and Gad Loebenstein. Detection and Diagnosis of Virus Diseases of Pelargonium. United States Department of Agriculture, July 1994. http://dx.doi.org/10.32747/1994.7568793.bard.
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Pelargonium (Geranium) is the number one pot plant in many areas of the United States and Europe. Israel and the U.S. send to Europe rooted cuttings, foundation stocks and finished plants to supply a certain share of the market. Geraniums are propagated mainly vegetatively from cuttings. Consequently, viral diseases have been and remain a major threat to the production and quality of the crop. Among the viruses isolated from naturally infected geraniums, 11 are not specific to Pelargonium and occur in other crops while 6 other viruses seem to be limited to geranium. However, several of these viruses are not sufficiently characterized to conclude that they are distinct agents and their nomenclature and taxonomy are confusing. The ability to separate, distinguish and detect the different viruses in geranium will overcome obstacles te developing effective detection and certification schemes. Our focus was to further characterize some of these viruses and develop better methods for their detection and control. These viruses include: isolates of pelargonium line pattern virus (PLPV), pelargonium ringspot virus (PelRSV), pelargonium flower break virus (PFBV), pelargonium leaf curl (PLCV), and tomato ringspot virus (TomRSV). Twelve hybridoma cell lines secreting monoclonal antibodies specific to a geranium isolate of TomRSV were produced. These antibodies are currently being characterized and will be tested for the ability to detect TomRSV in infected geraniums. The biological, biochemical and serological properties of four isometric viruses - PLPV, PelRSV, and PFBV (and a PelRSV-like isolate from Italy called GR57) isolated from geraniums exhibiting line and ring pattern or flower break symptoms - and an isolate ol elderbeny latent virus (ELV; which the literature indicates is the same as PelRSV) have been determined Cloned cDNA copies of the genomic RNAs of these viruses were sequenced and the sizes and locations of predicted viral proteins deduced. A portion of the putative replicase genes was also sequenced from cloned RT-PCR fragments. We have shown that, when compared to the published biochemical and serological properties, and sequences and genome organizations of other small isometric plant viruses, all of these viruses should each be considered new, distinct members of the Carmovirus group of the family Tombusviridae. Hybridization assays using recombinant DNA probes also demonstrated that PLPV, PelRSV, and ELV produce only one subgenomic RNA in infected plants. This unusual property of the gene expression of these three viruses suggests that they are unique among the Carmoviruses. The development of new technologies for the detection of these viruses in geranium was also demonstrated. Hybridization probes developed to PFBV (radioactively-labeled cRNA riboprobes) and to PLPV (non-radioactive digoxigenin-labeled cDNAs) were generally shown to be no more sensitive for the detection of virus in infected plants than the standard ELISA serology-based assays. However, a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay was shown to be over 1000 times more sensitive in detecting PFBV in leaf extracts of infected geranium than was ELISA. This research has lead to a better understanding of the identity of the viruses infecting pelargonium and to the development of new tools that can be used in an improved scheme of providing virus-indexed pelargonium plants. The sequence information, and the serological and cloned DNA probes generated from this work, will allow the application of these new tools for virus detection, which will be useful in domestic and international indexing programs which are essential for the production of virus-free germplasm both for domestic markets and the international exchange of plant material.
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Fox, Clive J., L. Valcic, and Andrea Veszelovszki. Evidence gathering in support of sustainable Scottish inshore fisheries: work package (4) final report: a pilot study to define the footprint and activities of Scottish inshore fisheries by identifying target fisheries, habitats and associated fish stocks. Edited by Mark James and Hannah Ladd-Jones. Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland (MASTS), 2015. http://dx.doi.org/10.15664/10023.24673.
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[Extract from Executive Summary] This work was conducted under Work package 4 of the European Fisheries Funded program “Evidence Gathering in Support of Sustainable Scottish Inshore Fisheries”. The overall aim of the program was to work in partnership with Marine Scotland Fisheries Policy and with the Scottish Inshore Fisheries Groups to help develop inshore fisheries management. Specifically the program aims were to establish the location of fishing activities within inshore areas; to identify catch composition and associated fishery impacts; to define the environmental footprint and availability of stocks; to develop economic value within local fisheries and; to establish an information resource base to assist the development of inshore fisheries management provisions.
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ADAS, RSK. Nitrate Surveillance Monitoring Program (Annual Report May 2021 - March 2022). Food Standards Agency, December 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.46756/sci.fsa.uau489.
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Every Member State is required to monitor and report levels of nitrate in specified foodstuffs as part of the European Commission regulation and the UK also requires this information as part of the collection of data to support the review of retained EU law in the UK and inform the setting of policy around maximum nitrate levels. The requirement to carry out monitoring for nitrate in lettuce, spinach and rocket is being met by the UK Nitrate Surveillance Programme. Results are presented for the period between 1st April 2021 and 31st March 2022. A total of 202 samples were collected within the sampling period, comprising of 130 lettuce, 9 rocket, 26 spinach samples. A further 37 samples categorised at “Other Green Leafy Vegetables”, which comprised of samples including mustard, mizuna, celery, Pak Choi and cabbage. The lowest average nitrate concentration was recorded in summer-grown iceberg lettuce (935.2 mg/kg), and no iceberg samples exceeded the maximum nitrate concentration. The highest average nitrate concentration was seen in winter grown non-iceberg lettuce grown under protection within the lettuce group (3242.2 mg/kg), and in winter-grown rocket overall (4271.2 mg/kg). The number of samples exceeding the maximum threshold increased this year to 7 samples – 2 samples of open-air non-iceberg lettuce sampled in the summer, 1 sample of protected non-iceberg lettuce in the summer, and 3 samples of spinach. A further 4 samples were within 10% of the maximum threshold. Consistent with previous years of this project, a strong correlation was found between nitrate concentration and sampling date, with samples collected later in the season showing greater concentrations, indicating potential interactions between nitrate accumulation and climate – particularly light levels and available soil moisture and the accumulation of nitrate in the soil through subsequent fertiliser applications with successive planting. Furthermore, there was significant interaction between nitrate accumulation, product type and cultivation type, which could be further explored to better identify risk factors associated with nitrate accumulation in leafy vegetables grown in the UK.
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Corriveau, L., J. F. Montreuil, O. Blein, E. Potter, M. Ansari, J. Craven, R. Enkin, et al. Metasomatic iron and alkali calcic (MIAC) system frameworks: a TGI-6 task force to help de-risk exploration for IOCG, IOA and affiliated primary critical metal deposits. Natural Resources Canada/CMSS/Information Management, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.4095/329093.
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Australia's and China's resources (e.g. Olympic Dam Cu-U-Au-Ag and Bayan Obo REE deposits) highlight how discovery and mining of iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG), iron oxide±apatite (IOA) and affiliated primary critical metal deposits in metasomatic iron and alkali-calcic (MIAC) mineral systems can secure a long-term supply of critical metals for Canada and its partners. In Canada, MIAC systems comprise a wide range of undeveloped primary critical metal deposits (e.g. NWT NICO Au-Co-Bi-Cu and Québec HREE-rich Josette deposits). Underexplored settings are parts of metallogenic belts that extend into Australia and the USA. Some settings, such as the Camsell River district explored by the Dene First Nations in the NWT, have infrastructures and 100s of km of historic drill cores. Yet vocabularies for mapping MIAC systems are scanty. Ability to identify metasomatic vectors to ore is fledging. Deposit models based on host rock types, structural controls or metal associations underpin the identification of MIAC-affinities, assessment of systems' full mineral potential and development of robust mineral exploration strategies. This workshop presentation reviews public geoscience research and tools developed by the Targeted Geoscience Initiative to establish the MIAC frameworks of prospective Canadian settings and global mining districts and help de-risk exploration for IOCG, IOA and affiliated primary critical metal deposits. The knowledge also supports fundamental research, environmental baseline assessment and societal decisions. It fulfills objectives of the Canadian Mineral and Metal Plan and the Critical Mineral Mapping Initiative among others. The GSC-led MIAC research team comprises members of the academic, private and public sectors from Canada, Australia, Europe, USA, China and Dene First Nations. The team's novel alteration mapping protocols, geological, mineralogical, geochemical and geophysical framework tools, and holistic mineral systems and petrophysics models mitigate and solve some of the exploration and geosciences challenges posed by the intricacies of MIAC systems. The group pioneers the use of discriminant alteration diagrams and barcodes, the assembly of a vocab for mapping and core logging, and the provision of field short courses, atlas, photo collections and system-scale field, geochemical, rock physical properties and geophysical datasets are in progress to synthesize shared signatures of Canadian settings and global MIAC mining districts. Research on a metamorphosed MIAC system and metamorphic phase equilibria modelling of alteration facies will provide a foundation for framework mapping and exploration of high-grade metamorphic terranes where surface and near surface resources are still to be discovered and mined as are those of non-metamorphosed MIAC systems.
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Ferreira, Nuno, Judith Townend, William McCready, Erika Carrière, Hannah Farkas, and Samantha Robinson. Developing a cost-free legal advice service for asylum seekers and migrants in Brighton and Hove. University of Sussex Migration Law Clinic, November 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.20919/wptu7861.
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In 2018, a team of University of Sussex undergraduate law students working under the supervision of academic staff, conducted the Migration Law Clinic Pilot Study. This was in response to growing and grave concerns about the lack of availability of legal support and services for those seeking asylum and other forms of leave to remain in the UK. These concerns have only heightened in the intervening period: most recently, in response to the government’s publication of a draft Bill of Rights to repeal and replace the Human Rights Act 1998, which would make it much more difficult for potential deportees to rely on Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to prevent removal and might have a wider impact on the rights and status of vulnerable groups of migrants in the UK; and, among other initiatives, the government’s intention to involuntarily relocate asylum seekers to Rwanda, which will then be responsible for processing the asylum claim and for providing asylum in successful cases. The purposes of the study were: i) To better understand some of the challenges faced by asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants living in Brighton and Hove when applying for asylum, and other forms of leave to remain and leave to enter. ii) To identify the extent and reasons for any shortfall in cost-free immigration and asylum law advice and representation in Brighton and Hove. iii) To gauge whether there was demand for additional free legal advice in the form of a university law clinic, specialising in immigration and asylum law. The team undertook a review of the legal framework that governs the provision of legal aid for immigration and asylum law matters and of relevant academic commentary on its impact. The team also gathered new empirical data based on interviews with a range of local stakeholders. This report sets out the team’s findings, describes how it informed the development of the clinic, and makes recommendations both for the further development of the Clinic and for changes to the provision of legal aid. Finally, it offers advice to other universities contemplating setting up their own clinic in this area.
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Smit, Amelia, Kate Dunlop, Nehal Singh, Diona Damian, Kylie Vuong, and Anne Cust. Primary prevention of skin cancer in primary care settings. The Sax Institute, August 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.57022/qpsm1481.
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Overview Skin cancer prevention is a component of the new Cancer Plan 2022–27, which guides the work of the Cancer Institute NSW. To lessen the impact of skin cancer on the community, the Cancer Institute NSW works closely with the NSW Skin Cancer Prevention Advisory Committee, comprising governmental and non-governmental organisation representatives, to develop and implement the NSW Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy. Primary Health Networks and primary care providers are seen as important stakeholders in this work. To guide improvements in skin cancer prevention and inform the development of the next NSW Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy, an up-to-date review of the evidence on the effectiveness and feasibility of skin cancer prevention activities in primary care is required. A research team led by the Daffodil Centre, a joint venture between the University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW, was contracted to undertake an Evidence Check review to address the questions below. Evidence Check questions This Evidence Check aimed to address the following questions: Question 1: What skin cancer primary prevention activities can be effectively administered in primary care settings? As part of this, identify the key components of such messages, strategies, programs or initiatives that have been effectively implemented and their feasibility in the NSW/Australian context. Question 2: What are the main barriers and enablers for primary care providers in delivering skin cancer primary prevention activities within their setting? Summary of methods The research team conducted a detailed analysis of the published and grey literature, based on a comprehensive search. We developed the search strategy in consultation with a medical librarian at the University of Sydney and the Cancer Institute NSW team, and implemented it across the databases Embase, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, Scopus, Cochrane Central and CINAHL. Results were exported and uploaded to Covidence for screening and further selection. The search strategy was designed according to the SPIDER tool for Qualitative and Mixed-Methods Evidence Synthesis, which is a systematic strategy for searching qualitative and mixed-methods research studies. The SPIDER tool facilitates rigour in research by defining key elements of non-quantitative research questions. We included peer-reviewed and grey literature that included skin cancer primary prevention strategies/ interventions/ techniques/ programs within primary care settings, e.g. involving general practitioners and primary care nurses. The literature was limited to publications since 2014, and for studies or programs conducted in Australia, the UK, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, Western Europe and Scandinavia. We also included relevant systematic reviews and evidence syntheses based on a range of international evidence where also relevant to the Australian context. To address Question 1, about the effectiveness of skin cancer prevention activities in primary care settings, we summarised findings from the Evidence Check according to different skin cancer prevention activities. To address Question 2, about the barriers and enablers of skin cancer prevention activities in primary care settings, we summarised findings according to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). The CFIR is a framework for identifying important implementation considerations for novel interventions in healthcare settings and provides a practical guide for systematically assessing potential barriers and facilitators in preparation for implementing a new activity or program. We assessed study quality using the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) levels of evidence. Key findings We identified 25 peer-reviewed journal articles that met the eligibility criteria and we included these in the Evidence Check. Eight of the studies were conducted in Australia, six in the UK, and the others elsewhere (mainly other European countries). In addition, the grey literature search identified four relevant guidelines, 12 education/training resources, two Cancer Care pathways, two position statements, three reports and five other resources that we included in the Evidence Check. Question 1 (related to effectiveness) We categorised the studies into different types of skin cancer prevention activities: behavioural counselling (n=3); risk assessment and delivering risk-tailored information (n=10); new technologies for early detection and accompanying prevention advice (n=4); and education and training programs for general practitioners (GPs) and primary care nurses regarding skin cancer prevention (n=3). There was good evidence that behavioural counselling interventions can result in a small improvement in sun protection behaviours among adults with fair skin types (defined as ivory or pale skin, light hair and eye colour, freckles, or those who sunburn easily), which would include the majority of Australians. It was found that clinicians play an important role in counselling patients about sun-protective behaviours, and recommended tailoring messages to the age and demographics of target groups (e.g. high-risk groups) to have maximal influence on behaviours. Several web-based melanoma risk prediction tools are now available in Australia, mainly designed for health professionals to identify patients’ risk of a new or subsequent primary melanoma and guide discussions with patients about primary prevention and early detection. Intervention studies have demonstrated that use of these melanoma risk prediction tools is feasible and acceptable to participants in primary care settings, and there is some evidence, including from Australian studies, that using these risk prediction tools to tailor primary prevention and early detection messages can improve sun-related behaviours. Some studies examined novel technologies, such as apps, to support early detection through skin examinations, including a very limited focus on the provision of preventive advice. These novel technologies are still largely in the research domain rather than recommended for routine use but provide a potential future opportunity to incorporate more primary prevention tailored advice. There are a number of online short courses available for primary healthcare professionals specifically focusing on skin cancer prevention. Most education and training programs for GPs and primary care nurses in the field of skin cancer focus on treatment and early detection, though some programs have specifically incorporated primary prevention education and training. A notable example is the Dermoscopy for Victorian General Practice Program, in which 93% of participating GPs reported that they had increased preventive information provided to high-risk patients and during skin examinations. Question 2 (related to barriers and enablers) Key enablers of performing skin cancer prevention activities in primary care settings included: • Easy access and availability of guidelines and point-of-care tools and resources • A fit with existing workflows and systems, so there is minimal disruption to flow of care • Easy-to-understand patient information • Using the waiting room for collection of risk assessment information on an electronic device such as an iPad/tablet where possible • Pairing with early detection activities • Sharing of successful programs across jurisdictions. Key barriers to performing skin cancer prevention activities in primary care settings included: • Unclear requirements and lack of confidence (self-efficacy) about prevention counselling • Limited availability of GP services especially in regional and remote areas • Competing demands, low priority, lack of time • Lack of incentives.
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Rankin, Nicole, Deborah McGregor, Candice Donnelly, Bethany Van Dort, Richard De Abreu Lourenco, Anne Cust, and Emily Stone. Lung cancer screening using low-dose computed tomography for high risk populations: Investigating effectiveness and screening program implementation considerations: An Evidence Check rapid review brokered by the Sax Institute (www.saxinstitute.org.au) for the Cancer Institute NSW. The Sax Institute, October 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.57022/clzt5093.
Full textAbstract:
Background Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer death worldwide.(1) It is the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia (12,741 cases diagnosed in 2018) and the leading cause of cancer death.(2) The number of years of potential life lost to lung cancer in Australia is estimated to be 58,450, similar to that of colorectal and breast cancer combined.(3) While tobacco control strategies are most effective for disease prevention in the general population, early detection via low dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening in high-risk populations is a viable option for detecting asymptomatic disease in current (13%) and former (24%) Australian smokers.(4) The purpose of this Evidence Check review is to identify and analyse existing and emerging evidence for LDCT lung cancer screening in high-risk individuals to guide future program and policy planning. Evidence Check questions This review aimed to address the following questions: 1. What is the evidence for the effectiveness of lung cancer screening for higher-risk individuals? 2. What is the evidence of potential harms from lung cancer screening for higher-risk individuals? 3. What are the main components of recent major lung cancer screening programs or trials? 4. What is the cost-effectiveness of lung cancer screening programs (include studies of cost–utility)? Summary of methods The authors searched the peer-reviewed literature across three databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Embase) for existing systematic reviews and original studies published between 1 January 2009 and 8 August 2019. Fifteen systematic reviews (of which 8 were contemporary) and 64 original publications met the inclusion criteria set across the four questions. Key findings Question 1: What is the evidence for the effectiveness of lung cancer screening for higher-risk individuals? There is sufficient evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses of combined (pooled) data from screening trials (of high-risk individuals) to indicate that LDCT examination is clinically effective in reducing lung cancer mortality. In 2011, the landmark National Lung Cancer Screening Trial (NLST, a large-scale randomised controlled trial [RCT] conducted in the US) reported a 20% (95% CI 6.8% – 26.7%; P=0.004) relative reduction in mortality among long-term heavy smokers over three rounds of annual screening. High-risk eligibility criteria was defined as people aged 55–74 years with a smoking history of ≥30 pack-years (years in which a smoker has consumed 20-plus cigarettes each day) and, for former smokers, ≥30 pack-years and have quit within the past 15 years.(5) All-cause mortality was reduced by 6.7% (95% CI, 1.2% – 13.6%; P=0.02). Initial data from the second landmark RCT, the NEderlands-Leuvens Longkanker Screenings ONderzoek (known as the NELSON trial), have found an even greater reduction of 26% (95% CI, 9% – 41%) in lung cancer mortality, with full trial results yet to be published.(6, 7) Pooled analyses, including several smaller-scale European LDCT screening trials insufficiently powered in their own right, collectively demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in lung cancer mortality (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.73–0.91).(8) Despite the reduction in all-cause mortality found in the NLST, pooled analyses of seven trials found no statistically significant difference in all-cause mortality (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.90–1.00).(8) However, cancer-specific mortality is currently the most relevant outcome in cancer screening trials. These seven trials demonstrated a significantly greater proportion of early stage cancers in LDCT groups compared with controls (RR 2.08, 95% CI 1.43–3.03). Thus, when considering results across mortality outcomes and early stage cancers diagnosed, LDCT screening is considered to be clinically effective. Question 2: What is the evidence of potential harms from lung cancer screening for higher-risk individuals? The harms of LDCT lung cancer screening include false positive tests and the consequences of unnecessary invasive follow-up procedures for conditions that are eventually diagnosed as benign. While LDCT screening leads to an increased frequency of invasive procedures, it does not result in greater mortality soon after an invasive procedure (in trial settings when compared with the control arm).(8) Overdiagnosis, exposure to radiation, psychological distress and an impact on quality of life are other known harms. Systematic review evidence indicates the benefits of LDCT screening are likely to outweigh the harms. The potential harms are likely to be reduced as refinements are made to LDCT screening protocols through: i) the application of risk predication models (e.g. the PLCOm2012), which enable a more accurate selection of the high-risk population through the use of specific criteria (beyond age and smoking history); ii) the use of nodule management algorithms (e.g. Lung-RADS, PanCan), which assist in the diagnostic evaluation of screen-detected nodules and cancers (e.g. more precise volumetric assessment of nodules); and, iii) more judicious selection of patients for invasive procedures. Recent evidence suggests a positive LDCT result may transiently increase psychological distress but does not have long-term adverse effects on psychological distress or health-related quality of life (HRQoL). With regards to smoking cessation, there is no evidence to suggest screening participation invokes a false sense of assurance in smokers, nor a reduction in motivation to quit. The NELSON and Danish trials found no difference in smoking cessation rates between LDCT screening and control groups. Higher net cessation rates, compared with general population, suggest those who participate in screening trials may already be motivated to quit. Question 3: What are the main components of recent major lung cancer screening programs or trials? There are no systematic reviews that capture the main components of recent major lung cancer screening trials and programs. We extracted evidence from original studies and clinical guidance documents and organised this into key groups to form a concise set of components for potential implementation of a national lung cancer screening program in Australia: 1. Identifying the high-risk population: recruitment, eligibility, selection and referral 2. Educating the public, people at high risk and healthcare providers; this includes creating awareness of lung cancer, the benefits and harms of LDCT screening, and shared decision-making 3. Components necessary for health services to deliver a screening program: a. Planning phase: e.g. human resources to coordinate the program, electronic data systems that integrate medical records information and link to an established national registry b. Implementation phase: e.g. human and technological resources required to conduct LDCT examinations, interpretation of reports and communication of results to participants c. Monitoring and evaluation phase: e.g. monitoring outcomes across patients, radiological reporting, compliance with established standards and a quality assurance program 4. Data reporting and research, e.g. audit and feedback to multidisciplinary teams, reporting outcomes to enhance international research into LDCT screening 5. Incorporation of smoking cessation interventions, e.g. specific programs designed for LDCT screening or referral to existing community or hospital-based services that deliver cessation interventions. Most original studies are single-institution evaluations that contain descriptive data about the processes required to establish and implement a high-risk population-based screening program. Across all studies there is a consistent message as to the challenges and complexities of establishing LDCT screening programs to attract people at high risk who will receive the greatest benefits from participation. With regards to smoking cessation, evidence from one systematic review indicates the optimal strategy for incorporating smoking cessation interventions into a LDCT screening program is unclear. There is widespread agreement that LDCT screening attendance presents a ‘teachable moment’ for cessation advice, especially among those people who receive a positive scan result. Smoking cessation is an area of significant research investment; for instance, eight US-based clinical trials are now underway that aim to address how best to design and deliver cessation programs within large-scale LDCT screening programs.(9) Question 4: What is the cost-effectiveness of lung cancer screening programs (include studies of cost–utility)? Assessing the value or cost-effectiveness of LDCT screening involves a complex interplay of factors including data on effectiveness and costs, and institutional context. A key input is data about the effectiveness of potential and current screening programs with respect to case detection, and the likely outcomes of treating those cases sooner (in the presence of LDCT screening) as opposed to later (in the absence of LDCT screening). Evidence about the cost-effectiveness of LDCT screening programs has been summarised in two systematic reviews. We identified a further 13 studies—five modelling studies, one discrete choice experiment and seven articles—that used a variety of methods to assess cost-effectiveness. Three modelling studies indicated LDCT screening was cost-effective in the settings of the US and Europe. Two studies—one from Australia and one from New Zealand—reported LDCT screening would not be cost-effective using NLST-like protocols. We anticipate that, following the full publication of the NELSON trial, cost-effectiveness studies will likely be updated with new data that reduce uncertainty about factors that influence modelling outcomes, including the findings of indeterminate nodules. Gaps in the evidence There is a large and accessible body of evidence as to the effectiveness (Q1) and harms (Q2) of LDCT screening for lung cancer. Nevertheless, there are significant gaps in the evidence about the program components that are required to implement an effective LDCT screening program (Q3). Questions about LDCT screening acceptability and feasibility were not explicitly included in the scope. However, as the evidence is based primarily on US programs and UK pilot studies, the relevance to the local setting requires careful consideration. The Queensland Lung Cancer Screening Study provides feasibility data about clinical aspects of LDCT screening but little about program design. The International Lung Screening Trial is still in the recruitment phase and findings are not yet available for inclusion in this Evidence Check. The Australian Population Based Screening Framework was developed to “inform decision-makers on the key issues to be considered when assessing potential screening programs in Australia”.(10) As the Framework is specific to population-based, rather than high-risk, screening programs, there is a lack of clarity about transferability of criteria. However, the Framework criteria do stipulate that a screening program must be acceptable to “important subgroups such as target participants who are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from disadvantaged groups and people with a disability”.(10) An extensive search of the literature highlighted that there is very little information about the acceptability of LDCT screening to these population groups in Australia. Yet they are part of the high-risk population.(10) There are also considerable gaps in the evidence about the cost-effectiveness of LDCT screening in different settings, including Australia. The evidence base in this area is rapidly evolving and is likely to include new data from the NELSON trial and incorporate data about the costs of targeted- and immuno-therapies as these treatments become more widely available in Australia.
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Altstein, Miriam, and Ronald Nachman. Rationally designed insect neuropeptide agonists and antagonists: application for the characterization of the pyrokinin/Pban mechanisms of action in insects. United States Department of Agriculture, October 2006. http://dx.doi.org/10.32747/2006.7587235.bard.
Full textAbstract:
The general objective of this BARD project focused on rationally designed insect neuropeptide (NP) agonists and antagonists, their application for the characterization of the mechanisms of action of the pyrokinin/PBAN (PK-PBAN) family and the development of biostable, bioavailable versions that can provide the basis for development of novel, environmentally-friendly pest insect control agents. The specific objectives of the study, as originally proposed, were to: (i) Test stimulatory potencies of rationally designed backbone cyclic (BBC) peptides on pheromonotropic, melanotropic, myotropic and pupariation activities; (ii) Test the inhibitory potencies of the BBC compounds on the above activities evoked either by synthetic peptides (PBAN, LPK, myotropin and pheromonotropin) or by the natural endogenous mechanism; (iii) Determine the bioavailability of the most potent BBC compounds that will be found in (ii); (iv) Design, synthesize and examine novel PK/PBAN analogs with enhanced bioavailability and receptor binding; (v) Design and synthesize ‘magic bullet’ analogs and examine their ability to selectively kill cells expressing the PK/PBAN receptor. To achieve these goals the agonistic and antagonistic activities/properties of rationally designed linear and BBC neuropeptide (NP) were thoroughly studied and the information obtained was further used for the design and synthesis of improved compounds toward the design of an insecticide prototype. The study revealed important information on the structure activity relationship (SAR) of agonistic/antagonistic peptides, including definitive identification of the orientation of the Pro residue as trans for agonist activity in 4 PK/PBANbioassays (pheromonotropic, pupariation, melanotropic, & hindgut contractile) and a PK-related CAP₂b bioassay (diuretic); indications that led to the identification of a novel scaffold to develop biostbiostable, bioavailable peptidomimetic PK/PBANagonists/antagonists. The work led to the development of an arsenal of PK/PBAN antagonists with a variety of selectivity profiles; whether between different PKbioassays, or within the same bioassay between different natural elicitors. Examples include selective and non-selective BBC and novel amphiphilic PK pheromonotropic and melanotropic antagonists some of which are capable of penetrating the moth cuticle in efficacious quantities. One of the latter analog group demonstrated unprecedented versatility in its ability to antagonize a broad spectrum of pheromonotropic elicitors. A novel, transPro mimetic motif was proposed & used to develop a strong, selective PK agonist of the melanotropic bioassay in moths. The first antagonist (pure) of PK-related CAP₂b diuresis in flies was developed using a cisPro mimetic motif; an indication that while a transPro orientation is associated with receptor agonism, a cisPro orientation is linked with an antagonist interaction. A novel, biostablePK analog, incorporating β-amino acids at key peptidase-susceptible sites, exhibited in vivo pheromonotropic activity that by far exceeded that of PBAN when applied topically. Direct analysis of neural tissue by state-of-the-art MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry was used to identify specific PK/PK-related peptides native to eight arthropod pest species [house (M. domestica), stable (S. calcitrans), horn (H. irritans) & flesh (N. bullata) flies; Southern cattle fever tick (B. microplus), European tick (I. ricinus), yellow fever mosquito (A. aegypti), & Southern Green Stink Bug (N. viridula)]; including the unprecedented identification of mass-identical Leu/Ile residues and the first identification of NPs from a tick or the CNS of Hemiptera. Evidence was obtained for the selection of Neb-PK-2 as the primary pupariation factor of the flesh fly (N. bullata) among native PK/PK-related candidates. The peptidomic techniques were also used to map the location of PK/PK-related NP in the nervous system of the model fly D. melanogaster. Knowledge of specific PK sequences can aid in the future design of species specific (or non-specific) NP agonists/antagonists. In addition, the study led to the first cloning of a PK/PBAN receptor from insect larvae (S. littoralis), providing the basis for SAR analysis for the future design of 2ⁿᵈgeneration selective and/or nonselective agonists/antagonists. Development of a microplate ligand binding assay using the PK/PBAN pheromone gland receptor was also carried out. The assay will enable screening, including high throughput, of various libraries (chemical, molecular & natural product) for the discovery of receptor specific agonists/antagonists. In summary, the body of work achieves several key milestones and brings us significantly closer to the development of novel, environmentally friendly pest insect management agents based on insect PK/PBANNPs capable of disrupting critical NP-regulated functions.