Identifying the science and technology dimensions of emerging public policy issues through horizon scanning

Public policy requires public support, which in turn implies a need to enable the public not just to understand policy but also to be engaged in its development. Where complex science and technology issues are involved in policy making, this takes time, so it is important to identify emerging issues of this type and prepare engagement plans. In our horizon scanning exercise, we used a modified Delphi technique [1]. A wide group of people with interests in the science and policy interface (drawn from policy makers, policy adviser, practitioners, the private sector and academics) elicited a long list of emergent policy issues in which science and technology would feature strongly and which would also necessitate public engagement as policies are developed. This was then refined to a short list of top priorities for policy makers. Thirty issues were identified within broad areas of business and technology; energy and environment; government, politics and education; health, healthcare, population and aging; information, communication, infrastructure and transport; and public safety and national security.Public policy requires public support, which in turn implies a need to enable the public not just to understand policy but also to be engaged in its development. Where complex science and technology issues are involved in policy making, this takes time, so it is important to identify emerging issues of this type and prepare engagement plans. In our horizon scanning exercise, we used a modified Delphi technique [1]. A wide group of people with interests in the science and policy interface (drawn from policy makers, policy adviser, practitioners, the private sector and academics) elicited a long list of emergent policy issues in which science and technology would feature strongly and which would also necessitate public engagement as policies are developed. This was then refined to a short list of top priorities for policy makers. Thirty issues were identified within broad areas of business and technology; energy and environment; government, politics and education; health, healthcare, population and aging; information, communication, infrastructure and transport; and public safety and national security

Transmission Electron Microscopy Reveals Distinct Macrophage- and Tick Cell-Specific Morphological Stages of Ehrlichia chaffeensis

Background: Ehrlichia chaffeensis is an emerging tick-borne rickettsial pathogen responsible for human monocytic ehrlichiosis. Despite the induction of an active host immune response, the pathogen has evolved to persist in its vertebrate and tick hosts. Understanding how the organism progresses in tick and vertebrate host cells is critical in identifying effective strategies to block the pathogen transmission. Our recent molecular and proteomic studies revealed differences in numerous expressed proteins of the organism during its growth in different host environments. Methodology/Principal Findings: Transmission electron microscopy analysis was performed to assess morphological changes in the bacterium within macrophages and tick cells. The stages of pathogen progression observed included the attachment of the organism to the host cells, its engulfment and replication within a morulae by binary fission and release of the organisms from infected host cells by complete host cell lysis or by exocytosis. E. chaffeensis grown in tick cells was highly pleomorphic and appears to replicate by both binary fission and filamentous type cell divisions. The presence of Ehrlichia-like inclusions was also observed within the nucleus of both macrophages and tick cells. This observation was confirmed by confocal microscopy and immunoblot analysis. Conclusions/Significance: Morphological differences in the pathogen’s progression, replication, and processing within macrophages and tick cells provide further evidence that E. chaffeensis employs unique host-cell specific strategies in support of adaptation to vertebrate and tick cell environments

The ageing workforce: A health issue?

Considers whether similarities between age groups outweigh the differences, with respect to health affected at work.Due to demographic changes, the average age of the working population in the UK is rising. Research shows that physicaland mental ability changes with age.There are small differences between the age groups considering their reportedill health across occupations and industries. Workers in administrative professions and sales and customerservice occupations are less likely to be affected by work than their overall share in the workforce would suggest. Olderemployees who are working long hours are less likely to report negative effects on their health than other employees orthan the share of employees working these hours. Overall, the data and literature show that similarities betweenthe age groups with respect to their health being affected by work outweigh the differences. Economic & Labour Market Review (2007) 1, 30–35; doi:10.1057/palgrave.elmr.1410026

Schattenwirtschaft, Informelle Oekonomie und Dritter Sektor als Teile eines groesseren Ganzen Zusammenfassung des Workshops und Ansatzpunkte fuer eine Europaeische Forschungsstrategie

In dem Beitrag wird zunaechst beispielhaft dargestellt, wie wenig wir ueber den Bereich der Schwarzarbeit, der informellen konomie und der Freiwilligenarbeit wissen und warum die Politik Anstrengungen unternehmen sollte, diese Forschungsluecken zu schliessen. Daran anschliessend werden Beispiele fuer den bestehenden Begriffswirrwarr gegeben, die Abgrenzungsprobleme beschrieben und auf die Notwendigkeit tragfaehiger Taxonomien hingewiesen. Der folgende Exkurs wirft einen Blick auf die Situation in den mittel- und osteuropaeischen Transformationsstaaten. Abschliessend wird gefordert, forschungsleitende Fragestellungen aus dem interdisziplinaeren Zusammenwirken der Wissenschaft heraus zu definieren. (IAB)SIGLEAvailable from StaBi Berlin(1)-6A37383 / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekDEGerman

Trade and Industrial Upgrading in Countries of Central and Eastern Europe: Patterns of Scale- and Scope-Based Learning

This paper explores mechanisms linking trade and restructuring in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries through learning and industrial upgrading. These are reflected in changes in the composition of trade through changes in the relative shares of particular products and clusters in exports (scale), and in the number of products exported (scope). An analysis of export clusters shows the decreasing importance of commodities (homogeneous resource-based goods) and a shift toward technology and labor-intensive products to be a common trend. However, differences between the countries are strong with respect to changes in both scale and scope in technology and labor-intensive activities. These differences show that trade-based learning mechanisms have strong effects on differences in industrial upgrading between CEE economies.catching up, Central and Eastern Europe, industrial restructuring, international trade,