Cutting through the 'misfit' jungle: can a re-consideration of the goodness-of-fit hypothesis help us understand the transposition of EU anti-discrimination directives in Austria?

'In der Forschung zur Umsetzung von EU-Richtlinien herrscht oft Uneinigkeit darüber, welche Faktoren zur Erklärung der divergierenden Umsetzungsergebnisse in den Mitgliedstaaten herangezogen werden müssen und wie das tatsächliche Ausmaß des Implementationsdefizits in der EU festgestellt werden kann. Einer der am häufigsten verwendeten, aber zugleich unklarsten und verwirrendsten Faktoren, die in diesem Zusammenhang ins Feld geführt werden, ist der Grad der Übereinstimmung zwischen EU-Anforderungen und nationalem Status Quo. Gemäß der so genannten Misfit-Hypothese hat dieser 'Goodness-of-fit'-Faktor entscheidenden Einfluss auf Erfolg oder Scheitern der Umsetzung von EU-Richtlinien. Diese Hypothese ist jedoch aufgrund verschiedenster empirischer Resultate äußerst umstritten, was zu einer lebhaften Debatte zwischen Befürwortern und Kritikern dieser Sichtweise geführt hat. Der vorliegende Beitrag greift diese Debatte auf und schlägt eine neue Konzeptionalisierung und Operationalisierung des Misfit-Begriffs vor. Die Nützlichkeit der dabei neu entwickelten Messinstrumente für die verschiedenen Misfit-Ebenen wird am Beispiel der Umsetzung von zwei Anti-Diskriminierungsrichtlinien in Österreich dargestellt.' (Autorenreferat)'Research in the field of EU transposition studies has often been divided about the nature and number of independent variables that would be needed to understand actual patterns of 'differential' transposition across Europe. In turn, extant approaches can only partially explain the observed transposition and implementation gap in the European Union. One of the most common, yet most contentious independent variables used in the discipline is the so-called 'misfit hypothesis'. The misfit looks at how much EU requirements match the domestic status quo and, in turn, how this match impacts upon transposition processes and outcomes. Empirically, however, the argument has proven inconclusive. A vibrant debate has recently been launched among proponents and detractors of the argument. This paper seeks to contribute to this debate by proposing a comprehensive theoretical re-evaluation of the hypothesis, both from a conceptual and operational perspective. Only by 'cutting through the jungle' of existing misfit definitions and operationalisations can a path be cleared for a future, more successful use of the hypothesis. The paper presents a novel conceptualisation of the hypothesis, relevant for the study of transposition processes and outcomes. The conceptualisation is illustrated through the Austrian transposition experience of two EU Anti-discrimination directives.' (author's abstract)

Transposition Beyond Policy Legacies and Veto Players? The Case of Anti-Discrimination Policy in Austria

The transposition of European Union directives involves the reconciliation of domestic and European interests. More often than not, domestic politics overrule European requirements to comply in a timely and correct manner. This domestication of the transposition process has often been observed in states belonging to the “world of domestic politics”, one of the least researched country clusters in the “worlds of compliance” typology developed by Falkner et al. (2005). This paper provides additional empirical evidence on how domestic politics overrule European demands once a conflict between both levels occurs. This is done with the study of the transposition of two EU Anti-discrimination directives in Austria. There, transposition had to overcome two types of conflict. On the one hand, a policy legacy diametrically opposed to anti-discrimination; on the other hand, an actor constellation ideologically contrary to anti-discrimination law. Based on the empirical material presented here, the paper suggests a number of strategies on how to further extant theoretical contributions in the field of transposition studies

Post-Franco Theatre

In the multiple realms and layers that comprise the contemporary Spanish theatrical landscape, “crisis” would seem to be the word that most often lingers in the air, as though it were a common mantra, ready to roll off the tongue of so many theatre professionals with such enormous ease, and even enthusiasm, that one is prompted to wonder whether it might indeed be a miracle that the contemporary technological revolution – coupled with perpetual quandaries concerning public and private funding for the arts – had not by now brought an end to the evolution of the oldest of live arts, or, at the very least, an end to drama as we know it

Cutting through the "misfit" jungle: Can a re-construction of the goodness-of-fit hypothesis help us understand the transposition of EU anti-discrimination directives in Austria? IHS Politcal Science Series Paper No. 117, October 2008

Research in the field of EU transposition studies has often been divided about the nature and number of independent variables that would be needed to understand actual patterns of “differential” transposition across Europe. In turn, extant approaches can only partially explain the observed transposition and implementation gap in the European Union. One of the most common, yet most contentious independent variables used in the discipline is the so-called “misfit hypothesis”. The misfit looks at how much EU requirements match the domestic status quo and, in turn, how this match impacts upon transposition processes and outcomes. Empirically, however, the argument has proven inconclusive. A vibrant debate has recently been launched among proponents and detractors of the argument. This paper seeks to contribute to this debate by proposing a comprehensive theoretical re-evaluation of the hypothesis, both from a conceptual and operational perspective. Only by “cutting through the jungle” of existing misfit definitions and operationalisations can a path be cleared for a future, more successful use of the hypothesis. The paper presents a novel conceptualisation of the hypothesis, relevant for the study of transposition processes and outcomes. The conceptualisation is illustrated through the Austrian transposition experience of two EU Anti-discrimination directives

Cutting through the "misfit" jungle: Can a re-consideration of the goodness-of-fit hypothesis help us understand the transposition of EU anti-discrimination directives in Austria?

Abstract: Research in the field of EU transposition studies has often been divided about the nature and number of independent variables that would be needed to understand actual patterns of "differential" transposition across Europe. In turn, extantapproaches can only partially explain the observed transposition and implementation gap in the European Union. One of the most common, yet most contentious independent variables used in the discipline is the so-called "misfit hypothesis". The misfitlooks at how much EU requirements match the domestic status quo and, in turn, how this match impacts upon transposition processes and outcomes. Empirically, however, the argument has proven inconclusive. A vibrant debate has recently been launched among proponents and detractors of the argument. This paper seeks to contribute to this debate by proposing a comprehensive theoretical re-evaluation of the hypothesis, both from a conceptual and operational perspective. Only by "cutting through the jungle" of existing misfit definitions and operationalisations can a path be cleared for a future, more successful use of the hypothesis. The paper presents a novel conceptualisation of the hypothesis, relevant for the study of transposition processesand outcomes. The conceptualisation is illustrated through the Austrian transposition experience of two EU Anti-discrimination directives.

Intento autolítico con arma de fuego en domicilio

El mecanismo elegido para cometer el suicidio depende de numerosos factores personales y sociales. Presenta-mos una imagen del tipo de intento autolítico más mediático, aunque no por ello el más frecuente en nuestro medio. La variabilidad en la forma de los orificios de entrada y salida por arma de fuego depende de la distancia, tipo de arma y región anatómica, por lo que pueden presentar una morfología muy variada.Cuando el disparo se produce a cañón tocante, el orificio de entrada está constituido por una herida contusa, irregular y sobre una cavidad anfractuosa debido al despegue de los tegumentos. La línea que une el orificio de en-trada y el orificio donde está alojado el proyectil corresponde con la trayectoria de aquel, pero por la resistencia que se encuentra, al penetrar en tejidos de diferente resistencia y elasticidad, le imprimen desviaciones que hacen que el trayecto no se cumpla en el plano teóricamente calculado, factores que conllevan que el recorrido de un proyectil sea imprevisible.Cuando un proyectil llega a las masas musculares, por acción de las ondas de choque, las expande producien-do una cavidad de duración temporaria directamente proporcional a la energía cinética que presenta el proyecti

Aromatic Interactions in Glycochemistry: From Molecular Recognition to Catalysis

Aromatic platforms are ubiquitous recognition motifs occurring in protein carbohydrate-binding domains (CBDs), RNA receptors and enzymes. They stabilize the glycoside/ receptor complexes by participating in stacking CH/π interactions with either the α-or β-face of the corresponding pyranose units. In addition, the role played by aromatic units in the stabilization of glycoside cationic transition states has started being recognized in recent years. Extensive studies carried out during the last decade have allowed the dissection of the main contributing forces that stabilize the carbohydrate/aromatic complexes, while helping delineate not only the standing relationship between the glycoside/ aromatic chemical structures and the strength of this interaction but also their potential influence on glycoside reactivity.This study was supported by research grants of the Spanish “Plan Nacional” (MINECO) CTQ2016-79255- P and PID2019-107476GB-I00, as well as an EU commission MSCA-IF postdoctoral fellowship. Spanish Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad and Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades provided an FPI fellowship each (BES-2014- 070232 and BES-2017-080618

Illuminating a Solvent-Dependent Hierarchy for Aromatic CH/π Complexes with Dynamic Covalent Glyco-Balances

CH/π interactions are prevalent among aromatic complexes and represent invaluable tools for stabilizing well-defined molecular architectures. Their energy contributions are exceptionally sensitive to various structural and environmental factors, resulting in a context-dependent nature that has led to conflicting findings in the scientific literature. Consequently, a universally accepted hierarchy for aromatic CH/π interactions has remained elusive. Herein, we present a comprehensive experimental investigation of aromatic CH/π complexes, employing a novel approach that involves isotopically labeled glyco-balances generated in situ. This innovative strategy not only allows us to uncover thermodynamic insights but also delves into the often less-accessible domain of kinetic information. Our analyses have yielded more than 180 new free energy values while considering key factors such as solvent properties, the interaction geometry, and the presence and nature of accompanying counterions. Remarkably, the obtained results challenge conventional wisdom regarding the stability order of common aromatic complexes. While it was believed that cationic CH/π interactions held the highest strength, followed by polarized CH/π, nonpolarized CH/π, and finally anionic CH/π interactions, our study reveals that this hierarchy can be subverted depending on the environment. Indeed, the performance of polarized CH/π interactions can match or even outcompete that of cationic CH/π interactions making them a more reliable stabilization strategy across the entire spectrum of solvent polarity. Overall, our results provide valuable guidelines for the selection of optimal interacting partners in every chemical environment, allowing the design of tailored aromatic complexes with applications in supramolecular chemistry, organocatalysis, and/or material sciences.This investigation was supported by research grants PID2019-107476GB-I00 and PID2022-141085NB-I00, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by ERDF A way of making Europe. A.G.S. is grateful for grant RYC2021-031704-I funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by European Union NextGeneration EU/PRTR. L.D.-C. and A.V. respectively are grateful for grants BES-2017-080618 and PRE2020-093392, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by ESF Investing in your future, for a predoctoral contract each.Peer reviewe

Single-Step Glycosylations with 13C-Labelled Sulfoxide Donors: A Low-Temperature NMR Cartography of the Distinguishing Mechanistic Intermediates

Glycosyl sulfoxides have gained recognition in the total synthesis of complex oligosaccharides and as model substrates for dissecting the mechanisms involved. Reactions of these donors are usually performed under pre-activation conditions, but an experimentally more convenient single-step protocol has also been reported, whereby activation is performed in the presence of the acceptor alcohol; yet, the nature and prevalence of the reaction intermediates formed in this more complex scenario have comparatively received minimal attention. Herein, a systematic NMR-based study employing both C-labelled and unlabelled glycosyl sulfoxide donors for the detection and monitoring of marginally populated intermediates is reported. The results conclusively show that glycosyl triflates play a key role in these glycosylations despite the presence of the acceptor alcohol. Importantly, the formation of covalent donor/acceptor sulfonium adducts was identified as the main competing reaction, and thus a non-productive consumption of the acceptor that could limit the reaction yield was revealed.This investigation was supported by research grants of the Spanish “Plan Nacional” (MINECO)CTQ2016-79255-P,PID2019- 107476GB-I00 and RTI2018-094862-B-100. A.G.S. thanks the EU commission for aMSCA-IF postdoctoral fellowsh ip (H2020- MSCA-IF-2018, 841824). L.M.-J.and L.D.-C. thank the Spanish Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad and Minis- terio de Ciencia,Innovación y Universidades foranFPI fellow- ship each (BES-2014-070232 and BES-2017-080618)

De Novo Design of Selective Quadruplex–Duplex Junction Ligands and Structural Characterisation of Their Binding Mode: Targeting the G4 Hot‐Spot

10 pags., 6 figs. -- In memory of Enrique PedrosoTargeting the interface between DNA quadruplex and duplex regions by small molecules holds significant promise in both therapeutics and nanotechnology. Herein, a new pharmacophore is reported, which selectively binds with high affinity to quadruplex–duplex junctions, while presenting a poorer affinity for G‐quadruplex or duplex DNA alone. Ligands complying with the reported pharmacophore exhibit a significant affinity and selectivity for quadruplex–duplex junctions, including the one observed in the HIV‐1 LTR‐III sequence. The structure of the complex between a quadruplex–duplex junction with a ligand of this family has been determined by NMR methods. According to these data, the remarkable selectivity of this structural motif for quadruplex–duplex junctions is achieved through an unprecedented interaction mode so far unexploited in medicinal and biological chemistry: the insertion of a benzylic ammonium moiety into the centre of the partially exposed G‐tetrad at the interface with the duplex. Further decoration of the described scaffolds with additional fragments opens up the road to the development of selective ligands for G‐quadruplex‐forming regions of the genome.This investigation was supported by research grants from the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (CTQ2016-79255-P, PID2019-107476GB-I00, BFU2017-89707-P and RTI2018-099592-B-C21). A.G.S. acknowledges the Ministerio deCiencia, Innovación y Universidades for a Juan de la Cierva contract. L.D.-C., I. S-R and L.M.-J. acknowledge the Ministeriode Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades for FPI contracts. NMR experiments were performed in the ‘‘Manuel Rico’’ NMR laboratory (LMR), a node of the Spanish Large-Scale National Facility (ICTS R-LRB).Peer reviewe