European Association of Echocardiography recommendations for training, competence, and quality improvement in echocardiography

in European Journal of Echocardiography (2009), 10(8), 893-905

The main mission statement of the European Association of Echocardiography (EAE) is ‘to promote excellence in clinical diagnosis, research, technical development, and education in cardiovascular ... [more ▼]

The main mission statement of the European Association of Echocardiography (EAE) is ‘to promote excellence in clinical diagnosis, research, technical development, and education in cardiovascular ultrasound in Europe’. As competence and quality control issues are increasingly recognized by patients, physicians, and payers, the EAE has established recommendations for training, competence, and quality improvement in echocardiography. The purpose of this document is to provide the requirements for training and competence in echocardiography, to outline the principles of quality measurement, and to recommend a set of measures for improvement, with the ultimate goal of raising the standards of echocardiographic practice in Europe. [less ▲]

European bioclimatic affinity groups: Data-model comparisons

in Global and Planetary Change (2008), 61(1-2), 28-40

Global vegetation models are remarkably effective when considering large areas such as Europe. However, their accuracy at finer scales remains to be tested. In this paper, we validate the simulation of ... [more ▼]

Global vegetation models are remarkably effective when considering large areas such as Europe. However, their accuracy at finer scales remains to be tested. In this paper, we validate the simulation of modem potential vegetation by the CARbon Assimilation In the Biosphere (CARAIB) model in Europe. Then, in order to evaluate the simulation of tree group distributions at a finer scale, in France, we present a comparison between observed distributions, distributions reconstructed from palynological data, and model simulated ranges. The results will help to validate past vegetation simulations. For this analysis, we use Bioclimatic Affinity Groups (BAGs), based on vegetation groups' climatic tolerances and requirements. The CARAIB model was adapted to simulate the net primary productivity (NPP), biomass and range of the arboreal BAGs. In Europe, at a 30' latitude/longitude grid scale, simulated NPP of BAGs are used to define classes of vegetation as being present or absent, with a classification rule, based on Kappa statistics. In France, at a 10' lat./long. scale, a second discriminant analysis, based on Classification And Regression Tree (CART), allows for a similar classification with BAG pollen percentages. At each palynological sampling site, we then compared the simulation to the reconstruction from pollen data. With 30' lat./long. resolution, most thresholds that discriminate NPP into absence or presence classes are low, ranging from 1 to 77 g/m(2). Agreement indices between observed and simulated distributions range from 0.4 to 0.83, with broad scale BAG potential patterns and boundaries being accurately simulated by CARAIB. In France, on the 10' lat./long. scale, pollen percentages correctly account for BAG presence/absence despite non-linear pollen-vegetation relationships. Agreement ratios between observed and reconstructed patterns range from 0.53 to 0.95. At the 10' lat./long. scale, the validation of simulated ranges with pollen data is reliable for 9 of 13 arboreal BAGs and acceptable for three more BAGs. The discrepancies highlight the gap between potential and actual distribution areas. The filling of simulated potential ranges, such as the Atlantic coast and near Mediterranean border, are uncompleted as actual ranges are limited by a number of climate and dispersal constraints related to competition as well as historical, geographical and anthropogenic factors. Our results suggest that the simulation of these constraints would be a major improvement for the CARAIB model. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

European Citizenship Practice - A. Wiener

in Nations & Nationalism (2001), 7(1), 121-122

European College of Rabbit Medicine and Surgery?

in Veterinary Record : Journal of the British Veterinary Association (2004), 154(13), 412-412

European Construction Law and the Draft Common Frame of Reference : Selected Topics

in European Review of Private Law (2009), (4), 675-702

Chapter IV.C-3 of the academic “Draft Common Frame of Reference”, published in February 2009, deals with the specific construction contract (articles IV.C-3:101 to IV.C.-3:108), i.e. the contract “under ... [more ▼]

Chapter IV.C-3 of the academic “Draft Common Frame of Reference”, published in February 2009, deals with the specific construction contract (articles IV.C-3:101 to IV.C.-3:108), i.e. the contract “under which one party, the constructor, undertakes to construct a building or other immovable structure, or to materially alter an existing building or other immovable structure, following a design provided by the client” (article IV.C.-3:101). The aim of this paper is firstly to set out some points of comparison, in relation with the building of immovable structures only, between the solutions provided under the Draft Common Frame of Reference and under Belgian law to the same legal issue (especially the variations ordered by the client, the delivery procedure and the liability for defects which appear after delivery of the works) and then to discuss the specific rules existing in Belgium regarding the acquisition by consumers of buildings (houses or apartments) under construction. Finally, I will discuss the question as to whether it could also be useful to take further steps towards harmonising consumer protection in the field of construction law. [less ▲]

European contract law and the building industry in the light of the 2011 proposal for a regulation on a common european sales law

in International Construction Law Review (2012), 29

European COST action F3 on structural dynamics. Working group 3: identification of non-linear systems. Introduction and conclusions

in Mechanical Systems & Signal Processing (2003)

European design recommendations for simple joints in steel structures

Book published by ECCS (European Convention for Constructional Steelwork) (2009)

This document intends to provide European recommendations for the design of simple joints in steel structures. Eurocode 3 Part 1-8 “Design of Connections” gives precise guidelines for the design of ... [more ▼]

This document intends to provide European recommendations for the design of simple joints in steel structures. Eurocode 3 Part 1-8 “Design of Connections” gives precise guidelines for the design of structural joints aimed at transferring bending moments. But for simple joints, information is only provided in Eurocode 3 for some specific failure modes. The way on how internal forces distribute amongst the various components within the joints is also not explicitly described. The present publication fills this gap by proposing practical guidelines for the design of simple joints commonly used in Europe. The design rules presented in this document are in full agreement with the principles of Eurocode 3, and in particular of Eurocode 3 Part 1-8. This document has been prepared at Liège University, editorially checked by Prof. D. Anderson from Warwick University and approved by the Technical Committee TC10. [less ▲]

European development of seismic design guidelines for composite steel concrete structures

in Proceedings of the First International Conference on Steel and Composite Steel Concrete Structures (ICSCS'01) (2001)

European elections, the unimportant election on the 7th of June - Reading note, Belgium : Le Soir

Article for general public (2009)