Spain

During spring, ammonium oxidation and nitrite oxidation rates were measured in the NW basin of the Mediterranean Sea, from mesotrophic sites (Ligurian Sea and Gulf of Lions) to oligotrophic sites (Balearic Islands). Nitrification rates (average values for 37 measurements) ranged from 72 to 144 nmol of N oxidised/l/d, except in the Rh?ne River plume area where the rates increased to 264-504 nmol/l/d because of the riverine inputs of nitrogen. Maximal rates were located around the peak of nitrite within the nitracline at about 40 to 60 m and just above the phosphacline.

Neogene deposits from Belorado (Province de Burgos, Spain) in the NE border of the Duero Basin have been analyzed. The palynologic analysis of the samples suggests the existence of arboreal landscapes associated with the herbaceous cover creating belts of vegetation around restricted aquatic areas (marshy and lacustrine environments). The characteristics of the palynomorph assemblages allow to define a warm-template climate with strong seasons. The age of these deposits could be included in the middle Miocene (Aragonian).

This round of Eurobarometer surveys diverged from the standard Eurobarometer measures and queried respondents on the following major areas of focus: (1) discrimination, (2) radioactive waste, and (3) purchasing in the European Union (EU). For the first major focus, discrimination, respondents were queried about how widespread various types of discrimination were, how common they were compared with five years ago, if in the past year they had personally felt discriminated against or witnessed discrimination, and the existence of multiple discrimination.

This round of Eurobarometer surveys diverged from the Standard Eurobarometer measures and queried respondents on the following major areas of focus: (1) European Union policy and decision-making, (2) corruption, (3) civil justice, (4) e-communications, (5) agriculture, and (6) environmental protection.

The authors review the empirical literature that studies the relationship between foreign direct investment, productivity, and growth using aggregate data, and focus on two questions: (1) is there evidence of a positive relationship between foreign direct investment and national growth? and (2) does the output of the "multinational sectors" exhibit higher labor productivity? The authors also briefly discuss how the microeconomic evidence and a number of aggregation and composition problems might help explain the ambiguous results in this literature.

This round of Eurobarometer surveys queried respondents on standard Eurobarometer measures, such as how satisfied they were with their present life, whether they attempted to persuade others close to them to share their views on subjects they held strong opinions about, whether they discussed political matters, what their country's goals should be in the next 10 to 15 years, and how they viewed the need for societal change.

The Survey on Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) is a multidisciplinary and cross-national panel database of micro data on the health, socio-economic status, and social and family networks of older adults (aged 50 years and over) throughout Europe. Designed to provide a full picture of the aging process, SHARE collects data on a range of topics including health conditions, physical and cognitive functioning, mental health, life satisfaction, employment, income, education, social networks, and social support mechanisms.

This annual survey, fielded June to December 2004, was conducted in over 50 countries to solicit public opinion on social and political issues. Respondents were asked what they thought was the most important goal for the world as a whole, whether they trusted people from their ethnic group more than people from other ethnic groups, if they heard about various global institutions, and their thoughts of these institutions. They were also asked for their overall opinion of various countries.

This annual survey, fielded August to October 1999, was conducted in over 50 countries to solicit public opinion on social and political issues. Respondents were asked to give their opinion on the environment. Questions included the overall state that the environment is in, if the government has done too much, too little, or just the right amount concerning the environment, and the biggest threat to the environment for future generations.

This annual survey, fielded November 2003 to January 2004, was conducted in over 50 countries to solicit public opinion on social and political issues. Respondents were asked about the safety and economic prosperity of their country, the economic prosperity of their own family, whether they expected that the world would be safer for the next generation, and whether the next generation would be more economically prosperous. Views were also sought on international security, environmental security, national security, and economic security.