Conditions for a contribution by the Structural Funds to real convergence of the Recently Acceded Member States

The recent EU enlargement poses immense challenges for EU regional policy in terms of increased necessity of priority setting and achieving allocative efficiency. In this context, the focus of this paper will be whether – or more precisely under which conditions – EU structural funds can be effective in making a significant contribution to real convergence in Europe. Based on theoretical insights and experiences in the incumbent Member States, conclusions will be drawn (though not exclusively) for the new Member States. In view of the very limited budgetary means of EU cohesion policy, representing less than 0.5 per cent of the EU-15 GDP, the following conditions will be identified as being important for maximising the impact: First, sound and supportive national policies, including macroeconomic policies, national regional policies and good governance, are an essential precondition for the achievement of a real impact. Second, the scarce financial means must be concentrated spatially, i.e. on the poorest Member States and regions and particularly in these countries they must be focused on national growth and growth poles rather than on equalising living conditions across the country and (more) dispersion of economic activity. Third, the strategic design of Structural Funds programmes must allow for a concentration on those types of expenditures most likely to lead to growth and employment. Fourth, ways have to be found to achieve the most effective use of EU Structural Funds. Before these conditions for maximising the impact of Structural Funds are described, empirical evidence and methods for assessing their contribution to real convergence in Europe will be discussed.

New economy - Wunschtraum oder Realität?

Die US-Volkswirtschaft ist seit einigen Jahren durch ein inflationsfreies Wachstum bei gleichzeitig niedriger Arbeitslosigkeit gekennzeichnet - eine Konstellation, die als New Economy bezeichnet wird. Handelt es sich dabei um eine grundlegende Veränderung der bisher vorherrschenden volkswirtschaftlichen Entwicklungsverläufe? --

The Different Function of Single Phosphorylation Sites of Drosophila melanogaster Lamin Dm and Lamin C

Lamins' functions are regulated by phosphorylation at specific sites but our understanding of the role of such modifications is practically limited to the function of cdc 2 (cdk1) kinase sites in depolymerization of the nuclear lamina during mitosis. In our study we used Drosophila lamin Dm (B-type) to examine the function of particular phosphorylation sites using pseudophosphorylated mutants mimicking single phosphorylation at experimentally confirmed in vivo phosphosites (S25E, S45E, T435E, S595E). We also analyzed lamin C (A-type) and its mutant S37E representing the N-terminal cdc2 (mitotic) site as well as lamin Dm R64H mutant as a control, non-polymerizing lamin. In the polymerization assay we could observe different effects of N-terminal cdc2 site pseudophosphorylation on A- and B-type lamins: lamin Dm S45E mutant was insoluble, in contrast to lamin C S37E. Lamin Dm T435E (C-terminal cdc2 site) and R64H were soluble in vitro. We also confirmed that none of the single phosphorylation site modifications affected the chromatin binding of lamin Dm, in contrast to the lamin C N-terminal cdc2 site. In vivo, all lamin Dm mutants were incorporated efficiently into the nuclear lamina in transfected Drosophila S2 and HeLa cells, although significant amounts of S45E and T435E were also located in cytoplasm. When farnesylation incompetent mutants were expressed in HeLa cells, lamin Dm T435E was cytoplasmic and showed higher mobility in FRAP assay

Regional Economic Policy in Europe: new challenges for theory, empirics and normative interventions

Regional Economic Policy in Europe presents a tightly focused selection of policy, empirical and theoretical perspectives on contemporary dimensions of regional economic policy in the EU. It concentrates on three areas; the dissimilarities and resulting convergence of disparate regions within the EU; the localisation of economic activities and how regions can understand and manage them and, finally, the experiences and lessons that can be drawn from European regional policy. While exploring EU cohesion and regional development more widely, the book also examines Spanish, Belgian and Eastern European experiences on growth, human capital, foreign investment and technological spillovers.\ud \ud This up-to-date and thoroughly researched study is one that will be appreciated by academics and researchers of European studies and regional economics in Europe. Policymakers will also find the conclusions reached within the pages of this book invaluable

New challenges in regional economics: an overview

[Extract] Since its beginnings, regional economics has tried to explain the uneven economic development across the spatial landscape, and the different behaviour of regions in response to local and global changes. The main challenges for this discipline are, thus, the identification of the sources of varying regional performances, and the provision of assistance to policy makers for dealing with social and economic problems arising from regional disparities.\ud \ud Especially with the accession of twelve new Member States between 2004 and 2007, the disparities within the EU in economic, social and territorial terms have increased tremendously. For instance the GDP per capita in Luxembourg in purchasing power parities was, in 2006, more than 280 percent of the EU27 average, while Bulgaria and Romania were both about 60 percent below that average (Eurostat 2007). But also within single Member States, growth performance is concentrated in the most dynamic regions as, for example, capital regions and urban centres, and lagging behind in, above all, rural and peripheral areas

Bedingungen für einen Beitrag der EU-Strukturfonds zur realen Konvergenz in Europa

EU-Strukturfonds haben das Potential, einen Beitrag zur realen Konvergenz in Europa zu leisten, dessen Realisierung aber von Bedingungen abhängt. Ausgehend von theoretischen Überlegungen sowie Erfahrungen der “alten“ Mitgliedsländer werden Schlussfolgerungen (nicht nur) für die neuen Mitglieder gezogen: Erstens müssen die knappen Mittel räumlich konzentriert werden, (a) auf jene Länder und Regionen mit dem größten Aufholbedarf, (b) auf dynamische Regionen und (c) auf Wachstumspole und existierende Cluster. Zweitens ist eine thematische Konzentration erforderlich. Investitionen in Humankapital sind dabei eine Schlüsselgröße für langfristiges Wachstum. Eine ausreichende Infrastrukturausstattung ist dagegen eine notwendige, nicht aber eine hinreichende Bedingung für Wirtschaftswachstum. Wirtschaftsförderungsmaßnahmen sollten auf das wirtschaftliche Umfeld konzentriert sein, während Staatsbeihilfen stark limitiert bleiben sollten. Die Förderung des ländlichen Raums hat die abnehmenden Bedeutung des Agrarsektors in Rechnung zu stellen; Projekte mit unklaren ökonomischen Wirkungen sollten unterbleiben. Drittens ist eine effektive Implementierung der Strukturfonds nötig. Schließlich: Strukturfonds können nur in einem soliden makroökonomischen Umfeld wirksam sein, in dem Strukturreformen vorangetrieben werden und adäquate institutionelle Rahmenbedingungen gegeben sind. Die Erreichung realer Konvergenz bleibt damit eine nationale Verantwortung. Abstract EU structural funds can potentially contribute to real convergence in Europe. However, realising potential depends on several conditions. Starting from theoretical insights and experiences in the old member states, conclusions are drawn (though not exclusively) for the new Member States: First, the scarce resources have to be concentrated spatially, (a) on countries and regions with the highest need, (b) on dynamic regions and (c) on growth centres and existing clusters. Second, a thematic concentration is essential. Here, investment in human resources can be regarded as key to long term growth while an adequate infrastructure endowment is a necessary, but not a sufficient condition for growth. Support for the private sector should be concentrated on the business environment. In contrast, state aid should be very limited. Support for rural development should reflect the declining importance of the agricultural sector and projects with dubious economic impact should be avoided. Third, an effective implementation of structural funds is necessary. Finally: structural funds can only be effective in a solid macro-economic environment with advanced structural reforms and an adequate institutional framework. Consequently, real convergence remains a national responsibility

Autograft regurgitation and aortic root dimensions after the ross procedure - The German ross registry experience

Background - Autograft regurgitation and root dilatation after the Ross procedure is of major concern. We reviewed data from the German Ross Registry to document the development of autograft regurgitation and root dilatation with time and also to compare 2 different techniques of autograft implantation. Methods and Results - Between 1990 and 2006 1014 patients (786 men, 228 women; mean age 41.2 +/- 15.3 years) underwent the Ross procedure using 2 different implantation techniques (subcoronary, n = 521; root replacement, n = 493). Clinical and serial echocardiographic follow up was performed preoperatively and thereafter annually (mean follow up 4.41 +/- 3.11 years, median 3.93 years, range 0 to 16.04 years; 5012 patient- years). For statistical analysis of serial echocardiograms, a hierarchical multilevel modeling technique was applied. Eight early and 28 late deaths were observed. Pulmonary autograft reoperations were required in 35 patients. Initial autograft regurgitation grade was 0.49 (root replacement 0.73, subcoronary 0.38) with an annual increase of grade 0.034 (root replacement 0.0259, subcoronary 0.0231). Annulus and sinus dimensions did not exhibit an essential increase over time in both techniques, whereas sinotubular junction diameter increased essentially by 0.5 mm per year in patients with root replacement. Patients with the subcoronary implantation technique showed nearly unchanged dimensions. Bicuspid aortic valve morphology did not have any consistent impact on root dimensions with time irrespective of the performed surgical technique. Conclusions - The present Ross series from the German Ross Registry showed favorable clinical and hemodynamic results. Development of autograft regurgitation for both techniques was small and the annual progression thereof is currently not substantial. Use of the subcoronary technique and aortic root interventions with stabilizing measures in root replacement patients seem to prevent autograft regurgitation and dilatation of the aortic root within the timeframe studied

Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events after the ross procedure: A report from the german-dutch ross registry

Background-: The purpose of the study is to report major cardiac and cerebrovascular events after the Ross procedure in the large adult and pediatric population of the German-Dutch Ross registry. These data could provide an additional basis for discussions among physicians and a source of information for patients. Methods and results-: One thousand six hundred twenty patients (1420 adults; 1211 male; mean age, 39.2±16.2 years) underwent a Ross procedure between 1988 and 2008. Follow-up was performed on an annual basis (median, 6.2 years; 10 747 patient-years). Early and late mortality were 1.2% (n=19) and 3.6% (n=58; 0.54%/patient-year), respectively. Ninety-three patients underwent 99 reinterventions on the autograft (0.92%/patient-year); 78 reinterventions in 63 patients on the pulmonary conduit were performed (0.73%/patient-year). Freedom from autograft or pulmonary conduit reoperation was 98.2%, 95.1%, and 89% at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Preoperative aortic regurgitation and the root replacement technique without surgical autograft reinforcement were associated with a greater hazard for autograft reoperation. Major internal or external bleeding occurred in 17 (0.15%/patient-year), and a total of 38 patients had composite end point of thrombosis, embolism, or bl