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This is part of a new series in this regular feature regarding trends in the provision of information by health science libraries. By sharing expertise and drawing together relevant trends the series intends to serve as a road map for both health science librarians and health informatics professionals. This article shows how a medical and biomedical research library changed practices, and reassessed user needs for the COVID‐19 emergency. Discusses changes to online education (and collaborative working) to provide user‐friendly services, researcher support tailored to need and re‐visioning library space. J.M. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Germany has a long tradition of health libraries. From their origin in monasteries, they became centres of knowledge and education. In modern times, this tradition has been continued by the Central Library of Medicine. In addition, as a specialty in Germany, special collection areas and special libraries that focus on one topic were established. Those services were transformed to specialized information services and portals as part of the digital transformation process. One of such projects is OPEN-CAM, which provides literature on integrative medicine in a specialist library and hosts the literature database CAMbase. Based on this example, we show how digital transformation has influenced the library landscape and its structures in Germany., (© 2023 The Authors Health Information and Libraries Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Health Libraries Group.)

This article is part of a new series in this regular feature. The series intend to serve as a road map by sharing expertise and drawing together trends that are relevant to both health science librarians and health informatics professionals. The present article is a collaboration of six medical and health sciences libraries in Belgium and the Flemish library and archive association (VVBAD, n.d., https://www.vvbad.be/). It aims to elucidate the extended, user‐tailored approach provided by medical and health sciences libraries in Belgium motivated by the recent changes in user expectations and behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The integration of evidence‐based practice (EBP) into speech and language therapy (SLT) curricula has been increasingly encouraged in recent years. Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate whether an educational module on EBP for undergraduate SLT students can improve their EBP competencies. Methods: The EBP module, taught by a SLT faculty member and a librarian, was delivered over 2 months. All fourth year SLT students (trained group) and all fourth year psychology students (control group) of the University of Liège (Belgium) were asked to participate in the study. Their performance on an adapted Fresno test was measured before and after the module. In addition, the SLT students took a computer‐based searching task. They were also asked to share their perceptions towards the module. Results: All the 47 SLT students and 57/108 psychology students took the pre‐ and post‐tests. Although both groups performed similarly at the baseline, only the trained students gained new skills and knowledge. Furthermore, 36 SLT students shared their perceptions on the module and offered suggestions on ways to improve it. Discussion‐Conclusion: Trained students improved their EBP competencies. Nevertheless, the module could be strengthened along with better integration of EBP into clinical modules and across the curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature on integrated care is limited with respect to practical learning and experience. Although some attention has been paid to organizational processes and structures, not enough is paid to people, relationships, and the importance of these in bringing about integration. Little is known, for example, about provider engagement in the organizational change process, how to obtain and maintain it, and how it is demonstrated in the delivery of integrated care. Based on qualitative data from the evaluation of a large-scale integrated care initiative in London, United Kingdom, we explored the role of provider engagement in effective integration of services. Using thematic analysis, we identified an evolving engagement narrative with three distinct phases: enthusiasm, antipathy, and ambivalence, and argue that health care managers need to be aware of the impact of professional engagement to succeed in advancing the integrated care agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this study we investigated the moral dilemmas and strategies of a group of Danish parents who were trying to help their overweight children lose weight. Data were drawn from repeated semistructured interviews carried out over a period of 2 years with 12 families with overweight children. Using a narrative approach, we show the moral dilemmas parents found themselves in when trying to further the two seemingly incompatible goals of helping their children lose weight and simultaneously strengthening their self-worth. When the children were young, the parents tried to hide the fact that they needed to lose weight to protect them from feeling stigmatized. As the children grew older, the parents became more forthright about weight loss so the children would take on more responsibility. We suggest that for parents, weight loss is experienced as a risky undertaking because they perceive their children’s self-worth as being in jeopardy during the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Education is an important factor in health equity, but many students still do not complete high school. A focus on the school context rather than on individual problems might help to create a supportive environment for health and learning. In this study we explored factors that promote health and learning from the perspective of vocational and low-achieving high school students in Sweden. We used grounded theory with a constructivist orientation, informed and sensitized by the concept of salutogenesis. Students from a school in a mid-sized municipality in Sweden participated, and we collected data using the photovoice method and interviews. Students identified general factors as significant to their well-being and success in school. The main theme, “promoting driving forces for health and learning,” emerged from the categories “longing to be seen by teachers,” “longing for support,” and “longing for recuperation.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Andrei Korenevskii's article focuses on the problem of comparison of Western medieval civilization with Eastern one, which is approached through analysis of relationship between the secular authority and Church. A traditional view holds that the difference between the medieval West and East was encapsulated in the autonomous position of the Papal Church and its attempts to subdue the secular authority. The author scrutinizes ideological legitimation of Popes' claims for supremacy, i.e. the Donatio Constantini and officium stratoris, reconstructing the emergence of the latter as a separate and central ritual with which the Catholic Church overpowered the claims of the Holy Roman Emperors for both religious and secular authority. Korenevskii analyzes the reception of the officium stratoris in the Byzantium, suggesting that this myth and ritual epitomized the heresy of the Catholics in the eyes of the Eastern Church. Though that attitude as well as the Byzantium theocratic doctrine were shared by the Russian Orthodox Church, it too practiced a similar ritual in the 17th century, which was called "The Procession on a Mule." Korenevskii places the ritual of "The Procession on a Mule" in a historical context of relationship between the tsar and the patriarch and reconstructs the genealogy of that ritual and the legend behind it. The author argues that despite a different symbolic frame (evoking a biblical story of Christ's entering Jerusalem) the Russian ritual was a result of importation of officium stratoris to a Russian soil, on which a similar contestation between the secular authority and Church was happening in the 15th and 17th centuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese Pres Jiang Zemin talks about the socio-economic and political stability achieved by China as a result of opening up and reform policies, and the need for strengthening Sino-West European ties based on four principles aimed at benefitting both the sides. China and West Europe should continue bilateral cooperation in the 21st century, cooperate in international issues, resolve their differences and work toward common development. Both China and West European Countries such as France have the potential to improve bilateral trade and economic ties.

The influence of the planned European Union carbon/energy tax on West European energy markets is analyzed using a sectoral European energy model. It is shown that the electricity power production regulation and taxes which are already in place have a distorting effect on fuel prices. It is suggested that a deregulation of the thermal power production industry could boost the demand for natural gas in the region.

The fascist legacy in Western Europe is now most visible in the growing legitimacy of politicians' populist appeals. Fascism and racism are evident to some degree in voting, violence, and propaganda distribution throughout Europe. Their growing strength is, however, diffuse and complex. Jewish groups and journalists tend to overstate the problem, as there is little likelihood of mass fascist paramilitary movements re-emerging. More dangerous is the emergence of a Fortress Europe, buttressed by populism and organized against Islam and immigrants from North Africa and Eastern Europe.

There are large structural differences in pricing conditions between the same industries in different European Community countries, and these must be taken into account when considering pan-European pricing in a common market. However, consumer goods manufacturers are increasingly standardising and aligning their prices as the European retail industry becomes more international in character. It is now increasingly important that pricing in Europe is coordinated, and not left in the hands of managers in individual countries.

An overview of periodical literature on the medieval era is provided. Covering articles published in 1992, it touches on works by Traux, Hyams and Roffe covering the economic life of the early middle ages, from 1400-1100 A.D. The overview also covers research conducted by Cosgel, Jones, Piper and Campbell on life in the years from 1100 to 1350 A.D. Studies by Postles and Lock on the period from 1350-1500 are also reviewed.

As European Community countries become more integrated, there is a growing need for reliable statistics on Community-wide topics. Eurostat, the statistical division of the European Commission, must meet this demand while facing increasing financial difficulties. The Community's statistical work must be carefully planned, and a reliable legal framework for this work is essential if the necessary statistics are to be made available. All Community statistical activities must have a basis in one of the Treaties, with the most commonly used Treaty being the Treaty of Rome.

Statistics are extremely important, serving to make information available to the general public, put political pressure on governments and record important trends, according to John Wright, who has been seconded from the Central Statistical Office to Eurostat, where he is responsible for communicating with the news media. Until now, the media has shown little interest in European statistics, but there are many benefits to be gained by the general public from being aware of key data. Wright has found that it has been relatively easy to produce press releases which attract the attention of journalists.

The emergence of radical right-wing populist parties in Western European democracies such as Germany, Sweden, Italy and Switzerland, is a result of the people's disappointment with the leftist experience, and reveals the extent to which the rightist party system has penetrated Western Europe. The success of the radical right-wing parties is due to people's ability to express their dissent, and their capacity to face challenges posed by the developed Western European democracies, where the economic, social and cultural scenario has been transformed.

Japanese investment in Western Europe and the US is mainly driven by a desire to gain proximity to larger markets. There are two main misconceptions about direct Japanese investment in Western Europe. Government inducements and comparative benefits do not determine investment in Europe. Japanese companies also do not invest to avoid potential European trade barriers. Compaines would invest without trade barriers to liberate domestic resources for new products and to defend market share from growing competition. Vernon's product cycle hypothesis is used to dispel the misconceptions.

The study examines access problems to Combined Transport (CT) in the European Community (EC.) CT is the use of 2 or more of different transport methods, such as railways, shipping, barge and road. The study examines the different national transport systems. It shows that freedom does not automatically improve accessibility. Barriers exist in the EC because of low profits and restrictions over upstream and downstream resources. Access will not be improved as long as trucking remains cheap and resources remain nationalised.

The taxation policy for the European Community depends on the form that European unity takes in future, in particular to what extent the concept of subsidiarity is applied, and economic and monetary harmonisation. Evidence shows that increasing the fiscal powers of the EC is not necessary to extending its political powers. Furthermore, tax harmonisation between member states may not solve discrepancies resulting from the tax policy decisions of member states.

Western Europe needs a model law to cover the handling and disposal of hazardous waste, since national enforcement fails to prevent accidents. The law would assign liability for accidents to the most responsible party; thus those who stored waste would pay first if the accident occurred at their facility. The law would also create a bankruptcy trust fund to cover any cleanup costs which the polluters could not pay, financed by permit fees.

The text of a lecture given by Tony Atkinson at the Annual Gemeral Meeting of the Institute of Fiscal Studies on Jun 8, 1992 is presented. The European Community has pledged its committment to combat poverty, introduce a minimum level of social protection and increase the scope of social protection. The implications of the agreement may be lessened by the principle of subsidiarity in the European Community, whereby decisions must be taken at the lowest appropriate level. Furthermore, the level of social protection in each member country may be not apparent and difficult to measure.

This article analyses value changes in Western Europe in relation to changes in social institutions. Important institutional changes have been that families have become smaller and more fragile and the labour market has become larger and more heterogenous, especially because of the increase in the number of married women having paid jobs. Finally, globalization has resulted in a double trend of heterogenization and localism. These changes have influenced the values of the population in Western Europe. The overall change is an increase in individualization and a more fragmented value system which means, eg, that there are no clear political cleavages. The value changes can be summarized in three processes: from industrial to green values; from authoritarian values to libertarian values; and from church-oriented to personal religious values. These trends suggest that we are approaching a society with a diversity of lifestyles where many value structures are competing. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

The absence of war within Western Civilization since World War II may not be the result of nuclear deterrence. It may be that nuclear weapons have not been used because of structural factors that are responsible for the peace. Measured in several ways, the present period looks as though it may be the most peaceful one in the past quarter millennium, probably the most peaceful in modern Western history. The factors behind this peace may have to do with the combination of long-term fluctuations that produces alternate crises and |ages', and with a particular way of seeing that is as characteristic of the present period as what we now perceive as |Victorian' was for the period between the Congress of Vienna and World War I. If that should be the case, we may expect short-term pressures for arms reduction, but long-term factors that would increase tension and danger several decades hence.

The emergence of commercial television in Western Europe has delineated Western European public broadcasting from its traditional role and has given rise to two contrasting positions. Marjoritarians aim to offer viewers as much choice as possible, while pluralists want to customize programming to audience profiles. For public television to function effectively in its new role, it must compete by offering what private television does not. Continued public service and a programming approach that underlines quality will further strengthen its position in a commercial setting.