Different Stages Of Integration Research Articles

France’s Grand Design for Europe and the Elusive Quest for European Sovereignty

In the context of the Liberal International Order crisis amplified bythe Trump Administration’s America First doctrine and a retreat ofmultilateralism, President Macron was emboldened to carry further hisvision for a Sovereign Europe (Europe-Puissance) capable of ensuringits own strategic autonomy and acting as an independent actor onthe international stage. However, President Macron faces the task ofarticulating a coherent way of achieving this goal, especially givingGermany’s reluctance to accept any changes in the postwar defensestatus quo, and East-Central European anxieties regarding a possibleRussian rapprochement pursued by the French president. Early inhis presidency, Macron proposed his Grand Design for a concentricand multi-speed Europe with different stages of integration, anddifferent levels of functioning, a plan which was met with a degree ofunwillingness from East-Central European capitals.

RETRACTED] Legal Bases of the Association in the Relations of the European Union with Third Countries as a Step Towards ‘Europeanisation’

Abstract The impact of international law on national legal systems varies considerably according to the forms not only of each national legal system, but also of specific regions. The highest level of influence has been traced on the European continent, especially the European Union (EU). The author investigates the acts of the European Union institutions and concludes that they can serve as a model for national legal regulation. In the relations of the European Union with third countries, there is a tendency to more actively promote the ideas of European integration and with different regions at different stages of integration. The aim of the paper is to analyze the legal capacity of the EU with third countries and its implementation in association agreements with third countries, which determine the first step towards “Europeanization”. Thus, the most common form of EU cooperation with third countries is association agreements. The authors carefully examine the features of associative agreements in the practice of the European Union’s external relations and pay great attention to the association as a special partnership of EU Member States with a third country.

ПРОБЛЕМА ВСТУПЛЕНИЯ В ЕС БАЛКАНСКИХ СТРАН И РАСШИРЕНИЯ ЕС В КОНТЕКСТЕ ЦЕННОСТНОЙ МОДЕЛИ ЕВРОПЕЙСКОГО СОЮЗА

The article examines a wide range of the problems associated with the boundless enlargement of the European Union which makes it possible to place the Balkans in the context of general European development. To become a member of the EU is the important goal of the post-socialist countries of the Balkans/South-Eastern Europe. Bulgaria, Romania, and the post-Yugoslavian states of Slovenia and Croatia became full members of the EU. Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Albania are still at different stages of integration into the European community. This accession is the logical completion of the processes of social, political, economic and legal transformation of the Balkan countries, in which they themselves and the European Union as a whole and its individual member states are interested for reasons of geopolitics and geoeconomics. However, the accession to Europe (or the return to Europe) of the Balkan states with their authoritarian and socialist past includes not only the reform of the economic, political and legal systems, but also a change in value orientations. While in the states of the so-called «founding fathers» of the EU a Western European corporate civic identity is being formed, in the countries of the former Eastern Europe and the Balkan region, ethnic identity remains remains largely in the mainstream of public consciousness. The author examines axiological, ideological and psychological aspects of the accession of post-socialist countries to the EU, and also analyzes specific foreign policy problems associated with this process and the role of regional international organizations in the «europeanization» of the Balkans and in the settlement of ethnic and interstate conflicts in the region that still remain acute. Negative tendencies, first of all - the strengthening of populist sentiments and the coming to power of politicians reflecting these sentiments, pose challenges and threats not only to the European Union, but also to Russia.

Runaway electron modelling in the self-consistent core European Transport Simulator

Relativistic runaway electrons are a major concern in tokamaks. Although significant theoretical development had been undertaken in recent decades, we still lack a self-consistent simulator that could simultaneously capture all aspects of this phenomenon. The European framework for Integrated Modelling (EU-IM) facilitates the integration of different plasma simulation tools by providing a standard data structure for communication that enables relatively easy integration of different physics codes. A three-level modelling approach was adopted for runaway electron simulations within the EU-IM. Recently, a number of runaway electron modelling modules have been integrated into this framework. The first level of modelling (Runaway Indicator) is limited to the indication if runaway electron generation is possible or likely. The second level (Runaway Fluid) adopts an approach similar to e.g. the GO code, using analytical formulas to estimate changes in the runaway electron current density. The third level is based on the solution of the electron kinetics. One such code is LUKE that can handle the toroidicity-induced effects by solving the bounce-averaged Fokker–Planck equation. Another approach is used in NORSE, which features a fully nonlinear collision operator that makes it capable of simulating major changes in the electron distribution, for example slide-away. Both codes handle the effect of radiation on the runaway distribution. These runaway-electron modelling codes are in different stages of integration into the EU-IM infrastructure, and into the European Transport Simulator (ETS), which is a fully capable modular 1.5D core transport simulator. The ETS with Runaway Fluid was benchmarked to the GO code implementing similar physics. Coherent integration of kinetic solvers requires more effort on the coupling, especially regarding the definition of the boundary between runaway and thermal populations, and on consistent calculation of resistivity. Some of these issues are discussed.

The new role of Indian seaports as integral parts of global supply chains with special reference to Andhra Pradesh Sea Ports

In the contemporary environment of globalization, it is important for ports to be considered as integral parts of supply chains that have an important role to play in supply chain integration by serving and facilitating multi-modal transport intersection, operating as a logistics centre, adding value, linking flows, and creating supply chain patterns and processes of their own. (Bichou and Gray, 2005) This paper provides a theoretical analysis of the new strategic role of seaports in maritime logistics and supply chain management. The importance of the supply chain orientation for seaports and the consequent maximization of maritime logistics value are examined by means of a literature review. A conceptual framework highlighting the different stages of integration of seaports in the supply chain is discussed and finally the implications thereof for maritime logistics are inferred.

Operational antecedents of integrated patient planning in hospitals

Purpose – Hospitals struggle to integrate the planning from different departments; resulting in unacceptable waiting times for patients. The literature mainly addresses general, organizational factors inhibiting or enabling integration and omits important factors stemming from the care delivery process. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to uncover operational antecedents and to assess their effect on the integration of hospital planning. Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on a three-hospital multi-case study. The main findings stem from over 40 in-depth interviews with specialists, nurses, planners, and managers of four specialties that are all involved in the orthopedic internal supply chain. Findings – This study identifies five critical operational antecedents: performance management, shared resources, information technology, process visibility, and uncertainty/variability. The latter two are of specific importance in a healthcare context. Three distinctive roles are identified; initiating (performance management and process visibility), facilitating (information technology), and inhibiting (shared resources and uncertainty/variability). Practical implications – The authors address how integration can be achieved, rather than merely prescribing integration as a means to improve performance. The identification of specific operational antecedents and their role help managers to find tangible ways to effectively integrate hospital planning which increases hospital performance. Originality/value – First, the identified operational antecedents are essential supplementary factors to more common organizational and behavioral antecedents. Second, in contrast to earlier contributions the authors show the effects of antecedents on three different stages of integration, rather than on integration in general.

Integration in microalgal bioprocess development: Design of efficient, sustainable, and economic processes

The use of microalgae as a production system has gained huge interest in recent years. Recent research has concentrated on single aspects, such as the microalgal cells or the photobioreactors. The design of sustainable, effective, and economic processes for microalgal products requires the integration of microalgal biology including strain selection and genetic engineering, process, and reactor design and integration into environmental mass and energy fluxes. This involves tools of biotechnology and process engineering. Several attempts of such integrated processes have been developed. This review groups the integration aspects into several degrees of integration with respect to the classical upstream, bioreaction, and downstream steps. The integration levels consider metabolic, process, environmental, and social integration. At the end, the following question remains: How far can microalgal biotechnology help to solve the problems of feed, food, and fuel supply and contribute to a better society? Overall, this review gives an overview of the different stages of integration in microalgal processes. It is a guide towards conceptual positioning and planning of microalgal plants. Furthermore, it is a decision guide to support microalgal technologies.

Diversity of Neural Responses in the Brainstem during Smooth Pursuit Eye Movements Constrains the Circuit Mechanisms of Neural Integration

Neural integration converts transient events into sustained neural activity. In the smooth pursuit eye movement system, neural integration is required to convert cerebellar output into the sustained discharge of extraocular motoneurons. We recorded the expression of integration in the time-varying firing rates of cerebellar and brainstem neurons in the monkey during pursuit of step-ramp target motion. Electrical stimulation with single shocks in the cerebellum identified brainstem neurons that are monosynaptic targets of inhibition from the cerebellar floccular complex. They discharge in relation to eye acceleration, eye velocity, and eye position, with a stronger acceleration signal than found in most other brainstem neurons. The acceleration and velocity signals can be accounted for by opponent contributions from the two sides of the cerebellum, without integration; the position signal implies participation in the integrator. Other neurons in the vestibular nucleus show a wide range of blends of signals related to eye velocity and eye position, reflecting different stages of integration. Neurons in the abducens nucleus discharge homogeneously in relation mainly to eye position, and reflect almost perfect integration of the cerebellar outputs. Average responses of neural populations and the diverse individual responses of large samples of individual neurons are reproduced by a hierarchical neural circuit based on a model suggested the anatomy and physiology of the larval zebrafish brainstem. The model uses a combination of feedforward and feedback connections to support a neural circuit basis for integration in monkeys and other species.

Integración económica y desequilibrios territoriales en la Unión Europea

Given the lack of theoretical consensus about the spatial effects of economic integration processes, this paper studies the impact of European economic integration on regional disparities from an empirical perspective. The analysis highlights that different stages of integration are associated with conv ergence among European states in inflation and unemployment rates and in economic cycles, as well as with convergence in GDP per capita. However, when the analysis is performed taking into account the distortions linked to the state effect, conv ergence gives way, in numerous cases, to divergence. From this point of view, European integration is fostering the economic dynamism of core areas, whereas many peripheral regions are encountering increasing difficulties to compete in integrated markets.

A new role for BiP: closing the aqueous translocon pore during protein integration into the ER membrane.

In mammalian cells, most membrane proteins are inserted cotranslationally into the ER membrane at sites termed translocons. Although each translocon forms an aqueous pore, the permeability barrier of the membrane is maintained during integration, even when the otherwise tight ribosome–translocon seal is opened to allow the cytoplasmic domain of a nascent protein to enter the cytosol. To identify the mechanism by which membrane integrity is preserved, nascent chain exposure to each side of the membrane was determined at different stages of integration by collisional quenching of a fluorescent probe in the nascent chain. Comparing integration intermediates prepared with intact, empty, or BiP-loaded microsomes revealed that the lumenal end of the translocon pore is closed by BiP in an ATP-dependent process before the opening of the cytoplasmic ribosome–translocon seal during integration. This BiP function is distinct from its previously identified role in closing ribosome-free, empty translocons because of the presence of the ribosome at the translocon and the nascent membrane protein that extends through the translocon pore and into the lumen during integration. Therefore, BiP is a key component in a sophisticated mechanism that selectively closes the lumenal end of some, but not all, translocons occupied by a nascent chain. By using collisional quenchers of different sizes, the large internal diameter of the ribosome-bound aqueous translocon pore was found to contract when BiP was required to seal the pore during integration. Therefore, closure of the pore involves substantial conformational changes in the translocon that are coupled to a complex sequence of structural rearrangements on both sides of the ER membrane involving the ribosome and BiP.

The Integration of Transition Economies into the World Trading System

L’intégration des pays en transition au système du commerce mondial La politique commerciale d’un pays constitue un maillon essentiel dans la transmission des signaux de prix émis par le marché mondial au processus d’allocation des ressources nationales et à l’intégration effective de l’économie concernée aux échanges mondiaux. L’intégration effective des pays en transition dépend non seulement de leurs propres politiques et institutions commerciales, mais aussi de celles de leurs partenaires commerciaux qui ont une incidence sur l’accès aux marchés et sur les termes de l’échange. L’objectif de cette étude est de faire le point de la situation actuelle des différents PECO et pays de l’ex-URSS s’agissant de leur politique commerciale et de l’état d’avancement de leur intégration aux échanges mondiaux. Nous mettrons l’accent sur les défis que ces pays doivent relever et axerons notre propos sur les ex-Républiques soviétiques où ils sont les plus importants. Classification JEL : F10, P20, P33

Behavioural Sequences and Strategies of Female Crab-Eating Monkeys, Macaca Fascicularis Raffles, 1821, During Group Formation Studies

Abstract Through introductions, reintroductions and fusion experiments with fourteen adult Macaca fascicularis (one male, thirteen females) we were able to demonstrate the following: 1. During introductions the alpha male and the alpha female perform special functions, and this corresponds to their behaviour in the group. 2. The relationships between the alpha male and the newly introduced animal develop according to a fixed rule with different stages of integration. Stage 1, 'pursuit', is followed by stage 2, 'presenting', stage 3, 'mounting', stage 4, 'biting on the back' and finally stage 5, 'mutual allogrooming'. The same rule applies to dyadic relationships in the females-only group. 3. The alpha female bites the newly introduced animal right at the beginning of the introduction - before or after the male. 4. Among the females there appears to be a natural ranking of animals into high-ranking and low-ranking individuals. Later rank is additionally dependent on various factors, such as time of introduction and relations with other animals. 5. To attain a higher rank, females use certain strategies. Two of these were recognized as the principal ones: avoiding of agonistic altercations and establishment of mutual allogrooming relations with higher-ranking animals.