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[Display omitted] • Sensitivity analysis in packaging EoL modeling to evaluate influence in EoL impacts. • Take-back presents environmental benefits due to paper and glass recycling. • Incineration with energy recovery reduces EoL impacts from pharmaceutical packaging. • Smaller pharmaceutical packaging and EoL valorization reduces impacts. • Decisions at packaging early design stage influence EoL impacts. Pharmaceutical packaging waste has increased due to a higher global demand for pharmaceutical products, leading to more waste generation and associated environmental impacts. The main goal of this article is to present a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment of pharmaceutical packaging, evaluating end-of-life (EoL) alternatives, aiming to identify hotspots and opportunities for improvement. A life cycle model was implemented for three types of pharmaceutical packaging (blisters, sachets, bottles; 23 packaging). The functional unit is the storage and delivery of medicines containing the same active pharmaceutical ingredient, dosage, and amount of medicines. Two EoL analyses were performed: 1) compare take-back (recycling and incineration) with domestic waste collection (landfill or incineration); and 2) assess different EoL situations of pharmaceutical packaging in Europe. A life cycle impact assessment was performed for 13 categories. Analysis 1 shows that take-back presents lower environmental impacts than domestic waste collection for seven out of 13 categories due to paper and glass recycling benefits. Analysis 2 shows that in the take-back, higher amounts of packaging are recycled or incinerated, which leads to lower EoL impacts. A sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of parameters and assumptions in packaging EoL impacts. Packaging production contributes significantly to life cycle impacts, followed by transportation, EoL, and packing process. Ecodesign initiatives are recommended, such as packaging with less material and volume, using materials with lower impacts to significantly reduce the impacts of pharmaceutical packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The population is ageing rapidly worldwide, which is particularly apparent in Europe. Therefore, there is a shrinking working-age population per retiree, which has profound implications for society. In response to this challenge, the EU-funded project OSIRIS is developing a collaborative digital platform that allows the creation of new innovative solutions to tackle the ageing population's challenges and help them live independent and active life. Effective project management is crucial for the success of such a project. In this paper, we describe the project management structure of the OSIRIS project, analyze the project management plan, identify gaps and provide recommendations to improve the project management practices. The paper highlights the lessons learned from the perspective of project management methodologies, enterprise architecture management and from creating generalized customer journeys for such a platform. Our findings suggest that effective project management practices, including proper planning, risk management, communication and stakeholder engagement, are imperative for the projects' success. Overall, by sharing our experience and insights, this paper aims to provide valuable guidance for future research and development projects in the silver economy and technology field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Green Deal has set a target for Europe to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, necessitating a transition to more sustainable energy sources. Hydrogen gas (H 2) has emerged as a promising solution, with methane pyrolysis presenting a viable method for its production. This study explores the optimization of methane plasma pyrolysis for hydrogen and high-quality carbon production. Employing a statistical approach by a design of experiment software, critical process parameters are systematically analyzed to predict their impact within a defined range. Additionally, the paper conducts comprehensive characterization of the solid carbon produced during pyrolysis using imaging, spectroscopic and elemental analysis, and gas sorption analysis methods. The experimental investigation was conducted using a thermal plasma reactor with several settings of influential parameters including methane gas (CH 4) content in the plasma gas, electric current, and arc length. The DC-transferred plasma arc is formed using a variable gas mixture of argon gas (Ar) and CH 4, with a constant flow rate of 5 Nl/min. Thirteen tests were designed, evaluating responses such as power input, process stability, and H 2 yield. The H 2 yield indicates the hydrogen produced from CH 4 , with 100% representing total conversion. While the process exhibited inconstancy, attributed to reactor design constraints, a high H 2 yield of 67%–100% was achieved. The results indicate that a higher CH 4 content in the plasma gas and extended arc lengths disturb the plasma arc, hence reducing the H 2 yield. Increased power input, achieved through higher amperage levels, and a wider reaction zone eased by extending the arc length both led to an improved H 2 yield. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) revealed microstructural differences, with carbon samples from the filter exhibiting finer textures and carbon samples from the reactor larger sizes and dendritic particles. Raman spectroscopy confirmed crystalline graphitic-like structures with low defect concentrations, a finding supported by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) analysis confirmed high-purity carbon with slight impurities from initial filter contamination. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area calculations based on gas sorption analysis showed significant variations, with filter-collected samples exhibiting 40–170 m2/g and reactor-collected ones showing 7–30 m2/g. [Display omitted] • This study investigates a unique approach to optimizing the thermal plasma pyrolysis of methane. • A H 2 yield of 67%–100% was achieved utilizing a DC-transferred plasma arc furnace and an Ar and CH 4 mixture plasma gas. • A lower CH 4 content in the plasma gas and an optimized arc length improve the plasma arc and the H 2 yield. • The carbon shows crystalline graphitic-like structures with low defect concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We study whether distributed ledger technology (DLT) can disintermediate banks. • Early modern economies developed effective peer-to-peer lending based on notaries. • We compare cryptolending and notarial loans: actors, uses, rates, risks, guarantees. • Smart contracts cannot substitute trust intrinsically involved in financial relations. • Cryptolending is a complement rather than an alternative to banks. The application of distributed ledger technology (DLT) in the financial sector has fostered the development of new services that are frequently referred to collectively as 'decentralized finance', or DeFi. In the wake of these recent developments many observers and practitioners regard DLT as a major technological disruption to the financial system, possibly leading to the complete disintermediation of banks and to their substitution with a network of bilateral relations between borrowers and lenders recorded in a common ledger. Recent historiography has shown that a potentially analogous system existed in Ancien Régime societies whereby finance was provided not only by specialized intermediaries, but also by an 'informal' credit network where debtors and creditors entered directly into relationship through notaries. In this paper, we carry out a systematic comparison between cryptolending, an extreme form of DeFi at the technological frontier, and the early system of peer-to-peer lending represented by notarized loans in the early modern period. Our aim is to assess the true novelty of current practices and to understand if, and in what sense, the technological innovation represented by DLT can effectively produce a structural change in the functioning of the financial system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The participation of women in sports and the management of women's sports teams have gained significant attention in recent years, underscoring the need to understand the dynamics and organizational aspects of women's sports. However, there is a noticeable lack of comprehensive bibliometric analyses in this domain, hindering a thorough exploration of the existing literature and the identification of key trends and knowledge gaps. This study aims to address this gap by conducting a rigorous bibliometric analysis of sports management competencies in women's semi-professional teams in Europe. Using the VOSviewer software, advanced data analysis techniques, including citation and co-citation analysis, were employed to gain insights into the research landscape, influential authors, seminal papers, and key research trends. The results of the analysis revealed clusters of research topics related to women's semi-professional sports, including performance, gender, football, and sports. The findings of this analysis will contribute to the advancement and success of women's semi-professional teams by informing the development of tailored training programs, educational curricula, and professional initiatives for sports management roles. Ultimately, this study aims to enhance the understanding of sports management competencies in women's semi-professional teams and guide future research endeavors in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The railway sector is an important part of the transportation industry as well as of the economic activity in Europe. It is interesting that digitalization of this sector has been triggered in several European countries by regulatory compliance obligations. The Technical Specification for Interoperability relating to Telematics Applications for Freight/Passenger Services as well as other related standards have created opportunities for the digital transformation of the players participating into this market. Apart from achieving a base minimum compliance to the standards, there are prerequisites and questions to be answered at organizational and technological level if railway sector players are to embark on the digital transformation journey. This research study provides explanations on the argument the regulatory compliance may act as a driver for digital transformation, using the example of the railway sector in Europe and presents some important prerequisites for this market's players to take the opportunity for digital transformation. The ultimate goal of this research, whose foundations are set up in this research paper, is to formulate a digital maturity model for the actor of the railway sector, for the benefit of their retail and business clients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the increasing burden of liver cancer in Europe, it is crucial to investigate how social determinants of health (SDoH) affect liver cancer risk factors and access to care in order to improve health outcomes equitably. This paper summarises the available evidence on the differential distribution of liver cancer risk factors, incidence, and health outcomes in the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom from an SDoH perspective. Vulnerable and marginalised populations have low socio-economic and educational levels and are the most affected by liver cancer risk factors. Reasons for this include varied access to hepatitis B virus vaccination and limited access to viral hepatitis B and C screening, harm reduction, and treatment. Additionally, alcohol-related liver disease remains highly prevalent among individuals with low education, insecure employment, economic instability, migrants, and deprived populations. Moreover, significant variation exists across Europe in the proportion of adults with steatotic liver disease, overweight/obesity, and diabetes, based on geographical area, gender, socio-economic and educational background, and density of ultra-processed food outlets. Inequities in cirrhosis mortality rates have been reported, with the highest death rates among individuals living in socio-economically disadvantaged areas and those with lower educational levels. Furthermore, insufficient healthcare access for key populations with primary liver cancer is influenced by complex healthcare systems, stigmatisation, discrimination, low education, language barriers, and fear of disclosure. These challenges contribute to inequities in liver cancer care pathways. Future studies are needed to explore the different SDoH-interlinked effects on liver cancer incidence and outcomes in European countries. The ultimate goal is to develop evidence-based multilevel public health interventions that reduce the SDoH impact in precipitating and perpetuating the disproportionate burden of liver cancer in specific populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudomonas aeruginosa , a ubiquitous opportunistic pathogen considered one of the paradigms of antimicrobial resistance, is among the main causes of hospital-acquired and chronic infections associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This growing threat results from the extraordinary capacity of P. aeruginosa to develop antimicrobial resistance through chromosomal mutations, the increasing prevalence of transferable resistance determinants (such as the carbapenemases and the extended-spectrum β-lactamases), and the global expansion of epidemic lineages. The general objective of this initiative is to provide a comprehensive update of P. aeruginosa resistance mechanisms, especially for the extensively drug-resistant (XDR)/difficult-to-treat resistance (DTR) international high-risk epidemic lineages, and how the recently approved β-lactams and β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations may affect resistance mechanisms and the definition of susceptibility profiles. To address this challenge, the European Study Group for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (ESGARS) from the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases launched the 'Improving Surveillance of Antibiotic-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Europe (ISARPAE)' initiative in 2022, supported by the Joint programming initiative on antimicrobial resistance network call and included a panel of over 40 researchers from 18 European Countries. Thus, a ESGARS-ISARPAE position paper was designed and the final version agreed after four rounds of revision and discussion by all panel members. To provide an update on (a) the emerging resistance mechanisms to classical and novel anti-pseudomonal agents, with a particular focus on β-lactams, (b) the susceptibility profiles associated with the most relevant β-lactam resistance mechanisms, (c) the impact of the novel agents and resistance mechanisms on the definitions of resistance profiles, and (d) the globally expanding XDR/DTR high-risk lineages and their association with transferable resistance mechanisms. The evidence presented herein can be used for coordinated epidemiological surveillance and decision making at the European and global level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent launch of Landsat-9 satellite enriches the opportunities to work with dense time series of multispectral medium-resolution images. The integration of Landsat-9 in a multi-constellation series with Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 requires a harmonization of the surface reflectance values that can be obtained from the official Level-2 products. This paper proposes the coefficients of the optimal linear transformations for the European continent, which allow to integrate Landsat-9 with the similar operating missions. These coefficients are based on a regression over 30 independent random extractions of 240,000 samples from images of the same areas but acquired by different sensors within two days. The coefficients were validated on an independent dataset. Furthermore, the effects of the proposed harmonization were tested on four popular vegetation indices, by evaluating the distributions of the differences in values obtained from each sensor pair. Finally, a test on a local scale was carried out with a spectroradiometer survey on 16 locations to collect some reference spectra to be compared with the reflectance values provided by the images. The results demonstrate the interoperability of Landsat and Sentinel-2 missions, since reflectance differences are in most cases within the accuracy specifications of the sensors. However, some discrepancies are observed in the blue and SWIR bands, probably due to inconsistencies in the atmospheric correction processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessments of the bike-sharing industry traditionally focus on its effects on other markets, municipalities, or general well-being. This paper deviates from this on how the market is organised. Using information on the aggregate number of firms in cities and greater cities across Europe, we found non-proportional changes in market size with respect to changes in market structure. This is crucial information inferring changes in profits, costs, or degree of product differentiation. To distinguish between these three sources, we utilised additional firm-level data on capacity and type of service provided. Our results suggest that the non-proportional increase in market size after an entry is most likely associated with increased intensity of competition and new forms of offered services, i.e. product differentiation. We did not find evidence that newcomers have been entering with substantially larger capacities per capita compared to incumbents. From a policy perspective, entry into the bike-sharing industry has benefited consumers through market expansion and caused a potential decrease in profits. • A non-proportional market size increase after the entry of the second and third firms. • No association for entry barriers; no entries with larger capacity. • Increases likely associated with differentiation: entrants likely dockless or e-bikes. • Entry and competition benefited consumers through market expansion and may decrease profits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Road is the dominant mode of transport, and most investment in road infrastructure is undertaken by governments. Fiscal policy considerations exert therefore a profound impact on the size and quality of road networks. To understand the observed steep downtrends and volatility in road infrastructure investment in Europe since the financial crisis, this paper presents long- and shorter-term panel data analyses of their determinants. The results suggest that investment in road infrastructure is used by governments as an instrument to address fiscal debt sustainability concerns and to smooth out swings in government debt. Investment in road infrastructure also competes with other types of government investment, with a high negative elasticity with respect to investment in health and education. These results are striking in light of the high social cost of congestion, accidents, and other related negative externalities, but their welfare implications are not straight-forward to infer, including as higher road infrastructure investment may only have a limited and variable impact on congestion due to induced travel demand. • Road infrastructure investment has plummeted in Europe since the financial crisis. • That downtrend reflects fiscal sustainability concerns. • Investment in roads also competes for funds against other government investment. • New road capacity alone will not resolve Europe's high congestion costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

District heating and cooling systems have been present on the European market for more than a century, constantly evolving into more efficient energy infrastructures important for decarbonization of the heating and cooling sectors. With roughly 17,000 operational district heating systems, serving over 70 million citizens, currently, the final energy consumption attributed to district heating in Europe is estimated at over 450 TWh. As the European district heating and cooling sector varies extensively in every analyzed aspect, there are vast differences between European countries regarding technical preferences, technological development, market structure and regulatory frameworks of these systems. The main purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of the present status of the district heating and cooling systems in Europe with insight(s) and suggestions into future trends. In addition, the provided data serves as a valuable baseline for future research. Finally, this paper draws attention to the new socio-demographic approach, observed when analyzing the district heating and cooling systems, that has been recently introduced into the scientific community. This new approach also reveals the opportunity for creating new indicators that will influence the modeling of existing and future district heating and cooling systems. • Provides a review on ongoing trends in European district heating and cooling sector. • Analyses European DHC systems from technological, market, and regulatory aspect. • Provides an overview on commonly used performance indicators and energy models. • Discusses the possibility of creating new DHC indicators. • Discusses the trends in future DHC development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydropower has played an important role in Europe in recent decades, offering a unique combination of safe, low-cost, and clean power generation. Today, it is still one of the largest renewable energy sources (RES), accounting for about 35 % of RES electricity generation. However, grid stability is threatened by the increasing amount of undispatchable RES. Flexibility and dynamics such as energy storage and rapid response are urgently needed to achieve EU policy goals. In such a context, hydropower can play a key role, not only as a provider of regulated renewable energy but also due to its ability to balance a renewable energy system in the short term and the medium/long term by pumped storage technology. All these aspects underline the new role of hydropower, which aims to strengthen grid stability and power supply resilience and to enable higher penetration of volatile RES. In this context, the aim of this paper is to demonstrate the role of hydropower at the European level as well as the needs and opportunities of modernization to fully exploit its potential. In particular, this study provides, the assessment of the today flexibility offered by hydropower to the power system at the European level by leveraging a database of information collected through the participants to the working groups of the COST Action Pen@Hydropower which includes stakeholders in the hydropower sector of 34 European countries. The study confirms the key role of hydropower in future energy scenarios with 30 % of the flexibility demand at all time scales met by hydropower. Furthermore, the paper presents a review of the digitalization solutions and innovative technologies that support the growth of a new generation of sustainable hydropower together with the modernization opportunities for existing hydropower plants. The results of this work have practical implications for stakeholders in the hydropower sector and policymakers as it provides evidence at the European scale of the role of hydropower technology in balancing the power system and the need to have supportive frameworks and adequate markets to fully exploit the European hydropower potential to achieve the energy transition goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) is an essential index to measure international dry bulk shipping freight, which can reflect global economic changes to a certain extent. Accurate forecasting of BDI supports shipping market participants in grasping risks and making scientific decisions. Based on the Prophet model, this paper considers the impact of multi-dimensional significant events related to the shipping industry and conducts BDI forecasting research. Firstly, we simulate the most momentous events in the world in recent years, namely the 2008 Global Financial Crisis and the 2019 New Crown Epidemic, and utilize the Prophet model to decompose the BDI sequence into three parts: trend, seasonality, and momentous event shocks. Secondly, we extensively collect other multi-dimensional significant event uncertainty indexes to establish a "significant event database". The Maximal Information Coefficient and Boruta methods were employed to extract the uncertainty index particularly correlated with BDI as an exogenous variable for forecasting. Then, we employ the K-Shape method to cluster exogenous variables and explore the combined sense of clustering. Finally, we utilize the Prophet model to forecast BDI in stages. It discusses the influence of exogenous variables and their cluster combinations on the forecasting effect individually and sequentially. Empirical results show that considering the two momentous events of the Financial Crisis and COVID-19 can remarkably improve the accuracy of BDI forecasting. In addition, the study of exogenous variable significance found that during the Financial Crisis, economic policy uncertainty in Europe and the Americas greatly impacted BDI forecasting. During COVID-19, global and developed economic policy uncertainty was noteworthy in the BDI forecasting. The comparative experimental results show the Prophet model has an exemplary forecasting result and strong robustness. It also performs excellently in model generalization and interpretability. This paper proposes a reliable and advanced algorithm for shipping freight rate index forecasting, which has noteworthy reference value for shipping market participants to make investment decisions and risk avoidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historical masonry arch bridges constitute the backbone of many existing transportation networks in different countries in Europe and worldwide. They represent valuable cultural heritage assets and play an essential social and economic role. Since construction, old masonry bridges have accumulated structural damage from traffic and environmental actions. Furthermore, depending on their geometrical and mechanical characteristics, they may be particularly vulnerable to extreme events like earthquakes. Thus, accurate structural assessment under different loading conditions is critical for the conservation of these structures. Realistic assessment requires suitable numerical models to represent the characteristic 3D behaviour. The complexity of this task is further compounded by the practical difficulty in obtaining essential information on the internal bridge structure and the masonry mechanical parameters, which are vital to achieve accurate response predictions against service and extreme actions. This paper presents an advanced calibration procedure for a refined macroscale bridge model, allowing for the anisotropic nature of the masonry material. The proposed calibration approach is applied to an actual multi-span masonry viaduct, where sonic, ultrasonic, and ground penetrating radar tests are conducted to investigate the internal structure of the viaduct and determine the elastic properties of the masonry materials. In addition, the dynamic characteristics of the bridge are evaluated through in-situ measurements under environmental vibrations and used for model validation. The results from a standard simplified model calibration and an enhanced calibration are compared considering the vibration modes of the bridge. Simplified calibration is carried out using the results from in-situ tests, while a statistic inference procedure and numerical optimisation are adopted in the refined calibration to achieve improved accuracy. Although the paper focuses on a specific case study, the adopted methodology can be easily applied to studying other masonry bridges and cultural heritage masonry structures. • An advanced calibration procedure for a refined bridge macroscale model is presented. • The proposed calibration approach is applied to a multi-span masonry viaduct. • In-situ non-destructive tests are used to evaluate the internal structure of the bridge and the elastic material parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The study compares children's participation in child protection (CP) legislative and policy frameworks of Bulgaria, Ireland, Malta, Norway and Serbia. • The study is based on a comparative case study analysis. • The participation of children in child protection service is framed by a complex set of factors, with the necessary infrastructure in terms of legislation and policy and contextually framed resources, knowledge and awareness being central. • Facilitating the implementation of children's participation in the context of child protection requires the necessary financial and human resources. • The exchange of good practices and experiences between countries with more developed CP systems and those who have a shorter history of CP could create innovation to find solutions for better participation of children. This paper compares children's participation in child protection (CP) legislative and policy frameworks and how this is then reflected in practice among five European countries namely Bulgaria, Ireland, Malta, Norway and Serbia. Literature suggests that whereas many countries have adapted their legislative and policy frameworks, there exists a gap between these frameworks and what happens in practice (Wilson et al., 2020; Jensen et al., 2020). This paper will address this gap by considering the contextual forces that facilitate the participation of children in formal CP services, where listening to their voices and involving them in decision-making processes is important. The authors draw on the Eurofamnet national reports (Abela and Dudova, 2021) to provide an overview of the history of child protection, and other important indicators such as poverty. A case study approach is adopted. The comparative analysis of the five countries suggests that whereas all five countries have adapted their legislation to achieve child participation and CP policies are increasingly becoming child-centered, there exists a gap between the legislative and policy frameworks and what is on offer in practice. The participation and protection of children is interdependent on a child protection service with the necessary infrastructure in terms of legislation and policy but also necessitates contextually framed resources, knowledge and awareness about the benefits of such a policy for the wellbeing of children and their families. The exchange of good practices, knowledge and experiences in terms of child participation between countries with more developed CP systems and those with a shorter history of CP practices could create long-term collaborations and innovation in the area for those countries who most need it. The influential role of international institutions is also an important driving force, especially for those countries who may not have a welfare regime context that is supportive of entering into a conversation with children when they most need protection and support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An approach for identifying and selecting sustainability indicators for assessing technologies at low TRL. • Three distinct screening tools – a framework, a questionnaire for actor priorities, and a list of indicator selection criteria – are developed and employed to select indicators. • From an initial pool of 382 indicators, the study narrows down to a set of 26 representative indicators deemed essential for assessing the considered system at its early stages. • The new approach outlined in the paper is found to be practical to implement and time- and resource-efficient, when no standard set of indicators exists. In Europe, a decrease in the availability of phosphate rock resources has led to the development of emerging technologies for phosphorus recovery, with the purpose of generating products that can be used as fertilisers. An innovative conceptual system dedicated to the phosphorus recovery from dairy wastewater is considered in the paper. New technologies need to be assessed using relevant sustainability indicators. In this study, we developed an approach for identifying and selecting indicators. Based on searches of literature and expert interviews, three different tools were developed: an indicator screening framework, a questionnaire for finding actor priorities, and a list of indicator selection criteria. The new approach was successfully used to narrow down an initial set of 382 indicators identified in the literature to 26 that were considered representative and practicable for the assessment of the considered system. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper scrutinises European methods developed since 2010 for identifying urban, rural, and intermediate areas, addressing the need for locally relevant and internationally comparable methodologies. The inadequacy of the traditional urban-rural dichotomy methods in describing peri-urbanisation and the demand for efficient fund allocation and international performance comparisons has driven the proliferation of these methods by European institutions, national governments, and statistical offices. Since a comprehensive study of such methods is lacking, the paper analyses their characteristics (through the variables and statistical techniques used, along with the spatial unit of reference), as well as their local relevance and international comparability. The analysis reveals the predominance of a multi-scalar approach emphasising territorial discontinuity patterns and challenging traditional administrative boundaries. While these methods are effective for local policymaking with variables such as demographic dynamics and economic specialisation, they exhibit limited international comparability. Instead, methods relying solely on demographic data demonstrate harmonization, enabling more robust statistical comparisons due to their inherent simplicity. • There is a need for delimitation that is locally relevant and internationally comparable contemporarily. • National governments and statistical offices, as well as scholars propose some original methods to settle this dispute. • More articulated methods provide a solid evidence-based policymaking but less reliable statistical comparisons. • Demographic methods are the most widely used for comparable statistical information due to their reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing evidence that diversified cropping systems can contribute to the fundamental reorientation of food production. However, actors involved in crop diversification (CD) initiatives often lack concrete action perspectives, i.e., ideas and expectations on what they can do to achieve their goals. Indeed, various authors have pointed out the lack of operational guidance by high-level theories on innovation governance for actors in innovation niches that have to cope with complexity and unpredictability. This paper aims to fill this gap by studying and cross-analysing the enactment of 25 Case Studies (CSs) consisting of multi-actor CD initiatives spread across 10 European countries. We developed a heuristic framework that aimed to unpack the key components in the CSs' ways of working towards CD (motivations, participants, intervention levels, activities and learnings). Data collection was based on reflexive self-assessment documents produced by the CSs as part of the actor-oriented co-innovation approach. We cross-analysed the data to highlight patterns among the CSs in their ways of working towards CD using both qualitative and quantitative (Multiple Factor Analysis) approaches, in order to provide a diversity of insights to support action perspectives. Seven groups of CSs were defined and qualified through the qualitative approach. Group 1 worked on fostering co-learning between farmers and developing participatory approaches. Group 2 specifically worked on enhancing cooperation between farmers. Group 3 promoted strip cropping through the development of a community of practice. Group 4 was concerned with gradually removing lock-ins to support the introduction of diversifying crops. Group 5 worked at aligning actors to create value chains to enhance grain legume production. Group 6 was about fostering locally integrated food systems for legumes and vegetables. And, Group 7 gathered CSs searching for ways out of wicked situations. The results from the MFA partially confirmed these similarities between the CSs but also revealed major differences between some CSs that were identified as similar with the qualitative approach. In this paper, we propose a framework to describe how actors within innovation niches organized themselves, worked and learned together to stimulate a transition towards more sustainability in food systems. We assume that this framework, is usable by other project leaders of innovation niches to monitor and analyse their change processes towards sustainability jointly with practitioners. Grouping the CSs is a way to scale out these learnings and contribute to the production of action perspectives and mobilizing impact that are useful for people both inside and outside our project. [Display omitted] • Actors involved in crop diversification initiatives often lack of action perspectives to manage complexity and uncertainty. • The enactment of crop diversification in 25 innovations niches was studied using a quali-quantitative comparative approach. • Seven groups were defined through a qualitative approach and then tempered based a the Multi-Factor Analysis. • This analysis contributed to reduce task uncertainty within the case studies of the project by informing social learning. • By making explicit the processes and by comparing them, we provided guidance to actors in coping with complex situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few years, energy communities initiatives have gained traction in Europe as a means to achieve energy transition goals, allowing citizen involvement in energy production, consumption, and distribution. Following the 2018 European directive RED II, these projects have rapidly increased across the continent, showcasing their potential for creating sustainable local energy systems. While studies highlight economic, environmental, and social benefits, barriers such as regulatory challenges, finance access, and low public awareness remain. This paper presents the results of a systematic literature review that explores the state-of-the-art of the academic research on energy communities. The study adopts a systematic approach to examine the body of literature on the topic to provide a comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon on the basis of rigorous and replicable research criteria. The reviewed material consists of 140 articles collected through the Scopus database, evaluated using specific structural dimensions to group the literature into analytical categories. The analysis of scientific papers published between 2018 and 2022 shows a growing attention towards Renewable Energy Communities, particularly those based on solar energy for electricity production, often combined with storage systems and heat pumps, whereas attention towards energy communities based on thermal energy production is still limited. Furthermore, most scholars focused on analysing specific territorial contexts; comparisons between different regions allows to highlight common features and elements characterizing each model. It emerged that the development of energy communities depends mainly on regulatory, financial, and managerial barriers that require an adequate institutional and legal framework capable of promoting their diffusion. Most studies address the topic from an economic perspective, often in association with incentivizing community models. However, a social perspective should be included by introducing the concept of energy sharing and methodologies for its distribution among all members of the community. The scientific community is called upon to continue investigating and supporting the development of community energy initiatives by providing evidence-based recommendations to policymakers, industry stakeholders, and local communities. This can help to overcome existing barriers and facilitate the diffusion of energy communities models, contributing to the achievement of sustainable and inclusive energy transition goals. • Systematic literature review exploring academic research on energy communities in Europe. • Structural dimensions and related analytical categories as framework to review 140 journal articles. • Most studies concern ECs based on renewable energy sources, with solar power being the predominant source. • Most employed technologies are related to the production of electricity from photovoltaic with batteries and heat pumps. • Most studied focus on Renewable Energy Community, while Citizens Energy Community are less considered in academic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Family Support as an approach to supporting and protection children, young people and parents. • Pan-European issues involved in family support. • A social justice perspective on supporting and protection children, young people and parents. • Implications for policy, practice, research, evaluation and academia. • Based on a wider range of academic, policy and practice contributions. Family support as an approach to working with children, youth, parents, and families is widely practiced across Europe albeit with a range of diverse meanings and interpretations. This paper responds to this ambiguity and provides a conceptual understanding of the delivery of family support in Europe. In doing so it applies a social justice approach critically examining the extent to which Family Support reflects the right of families, children, youth, and parents to be supported. It identifies and critically examines similarities and differences in the meaning and application of family support as a key concept in the European context. It is based on a comprehensive review of literature, mapping multi-disciplinary approaches to the provision of support, based on academic material from 2015 to 2020 and adopting a broad and inclusive definition of family. The paper considers the complexities in developing a universally accepted understanding of family support that: has value for practitioners and managers; is selected as a focus by policy makers; is open to evaluation and research; is compatible with academic research; and most importantly provides responsive and effective support to children, youth, parents and families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Value system of a society is often shaped by its constitution, affecting how society perceives family. • Modern constitutional provisions on family implicitly lean towards traditional family forms. • The notion of Family Support is rarely expressly mentioned in constitutions of European countries. • Family Support is seen as a part of supervision authority or general duty of states to assist families. • More inclusive constitutional provisions with a constructive, rights-based approach are needed. This paper aims to explore the extent in which contemporary constitutional concepts of the family influence the recognition of the importance and the implementation of family support in European context. The authors start from the premise that constitutions lay the foundation for national legislation and policy, at the same time indicating a state's recognition of internationally agreed standards in a given field. Considering family support as a human right, the authors reflect on the meaning of constitutional protection vis a vis policies and practices of providing support to children and families and look into family related constitutional provisions of various European countries. Building upon the work of the European Family Support Network – COST Action 18123, the key elements of constitutional protection of families are identified, having a direct effect on the conceptualization and delivery of family support. In conclusion, considering the place and significance afforded to family support in national constitutions, the paper offers a classification of constitutions in that respect and evaluates the implications of constitutional regulation on family support policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper measures environmental efficiency and productivity change to then carry out a decomposition analysis of an environmental efficiency index and a productivity change index. The paper includes a novel comparative assessment to determine the drivers of environmental efficiency and the sources of productivity change of the manufacturing sector in Europe, Asia and the whole world. We explore the capability to convert in an environmentally efficient way, selected inputs into desirable and undesirable outputs. Our estimation results of environmental efficiency confirm that Europe is ahead the world's average. Our analysis shows, however, a slowdown of Europe compared with the productivity growth of Asia. The latter shows a better performance in management capabilities, optimal resource allocation, and economies of scale. The analysis carried out in a second stage using the dynamic effects of the generalized method of moments also shows that the annual growth rate of manufacturing value added and manufacturing exports positively influence the level of environmental efficiency in both Asia and Europe. Therefore, the internationalization and extroversion of manufacturing can be crucial for sustainable development in Europe and Asia. • Benchmarking the strategy for sustainable development in Asia and Europe. • Decomposition of environmental efficiency indices and productivity change. • Effect of manufacturing value added and exports on environmental efficiency. • Benchmarking the manufacturing sector in Asia and Europe. • Showing Asia's best practices and European pillar of industrial restructuring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this FEPSAC Position Statement is to summarize current knowledge about athletes' dual careers (DCs) in the European context and propose recommendations for future DC research, practice, and policy. Inspired by the European Union's Guidelines on Dual Careers of Athletes (European Commission, 2012), researchers, practitioners, and policy makers collaborated over the last decade to create the European DC discourse as a context-informed and negotiated body of DC knowledge. In this paper, we proceed from analyzing this body of knowledge using recent review papers and European DC psychological research projects to formulating seven postulates summarizing DC research findings on factors influencing athletes in their striving for DC excellence. These factors include (1) context, (2) pathways and transitions, (3) challenges, (4) resources and coping, (5) support and empowerment, (6) student–athletes' mental health, and (7) DC development environments. In the final section, we acknowledge the contributions of European DC discourse in serving athletes in their pursuit of DC excellence and European DC culture. We also provide a critical discussion on DC knowledge gaps and, on behalf of FEPSAC, offer recommendations for DC research, practice, and policy in Europe. • Role of FEPSAC and European Commission in promoting dual career topic is stressed. • Current knowledge on athletes' dual careers in the European context is summarized. • Pursuit of dual career excellence is supported by seven research-based postulates. • Recommendations for future dual career research, practice, and policy are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the body of knowledge on the first human occupations predating MIS 21 in the Atapuerca karst system. These occupations are described in terms of their ecological, cultural and technological context based on the Sima del Elefante and Gran Dolina sites. This paper focuses on the lower units of these sedimentary infills, specifically Unit TE9 of Sima del Elefante and Unit TD4 of Gran Dolina. In addition, evidence of the earliest human settlements in Europe is reviewed and hypotheses about the dynamics and intensity of that settlement are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Europe, increasing the area of legume crops has been identified as a key measure to achieve the objectives set by the European Green Deal and transition toward more sustainable food systems. Although the role of grain legumes in climate change mitigation has been closely examined, little research has focused on how climate change will challenge the development of these crops. This article systematically reviews recent simulation studies to assess the impact of climate change on grain legume performances in Europe and the effect of adaptation strategies. Forty papers using process-based, ecological niche, or statistical models were selected to simulate the response of eight grain legume species to future climate (2020–2100) in Europe. The lack of data on adaptation strategies in Europe was compensated for by enlarging the study area to climatically similar regions. The review highlights a notable imbalance between research about soybean versus other grain legumes, with soybean representing approximately 80% of selected studies. Studies focused on soybean found good agreement, with yield or suitability gains found in northern Europe and a higher probability of yield losses in southern and south-eastern Europe. While a similar spatial pattern may be expected for other grain legumes, the scarcity of data makes this result more uncertain. The review also shows that several adaptation strategies have the potential to mitigate the negative impact of climate change on grain legume performances or enhance its positive impact. The most promising strategies tested include irrigation, change in sowing date, and cultivar choice. In addition, we identify several knowledge gaps that, if addressed, would support legume development in Europe. In particular, key species such as field pea, faba bean, lentil, and chickpea remain blind spots, despite their prominent role in European environmental, agricultural, and nutritional policies. Other knowledge gaps include a lack of accounting for crop response to elevated CO 2 , ozone, and future biotic pressure, and a limited range of adaptation strategies tested and indicators assessed. Implementing multi-criteria analyses that involve stakeholders would help identify relevant inputs and outputs for future simulations. • We review 40 papers assessing grain legume response to climate change in Europe. • Grain legumes other than soybean are blind spots despite their role in policies. • For soybean, yield gains are expected in the north and yield losses in the south. • Adaptation strategies can mitigate the impact of climate change on grain legumes. • We identify several knowledge gaps, including a lack of data on key legume species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agri-food and rural development sector in Europe is undergoing digitalization, and therefore becoming increasingly data-dependent. However, limited experience in implementing Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) data principles has restricted knowledge sharing and reusability. This study aims to investigate the existing FAIR Data Management practices in the agri-food and rural development sector by assessing the FAIRness of project outputs from recent H2020-funded Multi-Actor Projects (MAPs). We conducted a FAIRness assessment of project outputs using both semi-automatic and manual framework, and we also carried out a comprehensive review of the data sharing practices among selected MAPs. Of the investigated MAPs, <10% have achieved FAIR compliance and applied FAIR data management practices. The measured FAIRness of project products, including journal articles, conference papers, and books, is higher than that of other product types such as videos, audios, and presentations. The study highlights the critical need for standardizing the adoption of FAIR data principles and data management practices across both the agri-food and rural development sector but also across bureaucratic data management throughout Europe more widely. Such a change would facilitate broader utilization and re-use of MAPs outputs and results, enhancing decision-making and agri-food and rural development practices. [Display omitted] • The agri-food and rural development sector in Europe is becoming increasingly data-dependent. • The Open Science and the FAIR Data principles enhance decision-making by promoting FAIRness of agri-food research outputs. • The research community in the agri-food and rural development sector has limited experience in applying these principles. • Assessed FAIRness of project outputs in EU-funded agri-food and rural development MAPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is acknowledged that the identification of a successor within the family farm can affect the farm development, which is conventionally referred to as the succession effect. This dynamic is of particular relevance in Europe, where fostering generational renewal towards increased farm modernization and innovation is on top of policy agenda. Yet, the succession effect on the farmers' decision-making has been poorly substantiated with empirical and quantitative evidence, whereas the current policy framework mostly disregards this phenomenon. This paper aims to verify whether and to what extent the identification of a successor within the family farm affects the farmer's strategic choices, and to identify which management strategies are privileged by farmers having identified a successor. Based on a cross-sectional dataset of 768 farms from across nine European countries, a control function model is employed to test the succession effect on the farmer's decision-making, while parametric tests, odds analysis and multivariate probit regressions are applied to identify main strategies. The results confirm that the identification of a successor has a significant impact on farmers' choices, leading to an average increase of about two additional strategies adopted, and that strategies like agricultural and non-agricultural diversification, cooperation and technology adoption are privileged by farmers having a successor. The paper discusses how the current policies could be improved to better leverage the succession effect, and identifies possible strategies. • The farm succession effect on the farmers' management choices is investigated. • Count data and multivariate probit analyses are used on a sample of European farms. • The identification of a successor leads to an increase in strategies adopted. • The succession effect promotes diversification, cooperation and technology adoption. • The policy could leverage the succession effect to boost farm modernization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2008, members of the TEPARG provided first insights into the legal and ethical framework governing body donation in Europe. In 2012, a first update followed. This paper is now the second update on this topic and tries to extend the available information to many more European countries. For this second update, we have asked authors from all European countries to contribute their national perspectives. By this enquiry, we got many contributions compiled in this paper. When we did not get a personal contribution, one of us (EB) searched the internet for relevant information. Perspectives on the legal and ethical framework governing body donation in Europe. We still see that a clear and rigorous legal framework is still unavailable in several countries. We found national regulations in 18 out of 39 countries; two others have at least federal laws. Several countries accept not only donated bodies but also utilise unclaimed bodies. These findings can guide policymakers in reviewing and updating existing laws and regulations related to body donation and anatomical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Applications emitting radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF; 100 kHz to 300 GHz) are widely used for communication (e.g. mobile phones), in medicine (diathermy) and in industry (RF heaters). The objective is to systematically review the effects of longer-term or repeated local and whole human body radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure on the occurrence of symptoms. Primary hypotheses were tinnitus, migraine and headaches in relation to RF-EMF exposure of the brain, sleep disturbances and composite symptom scores in relation to whole-body RF-EMF exposure. Eligibility criteria: We included case-control and prospective cohort studies in the general population or workers estimating local or whole-body RF-EMF exposure for at least one week. Information sources: We conducted a systematic literature search in various databases including Web of Science and Medline. Risk of bias: We used the Risk of Bias (RoB) tool developed by OHAT adapted to the topic of this review. Synthesis of results: We synthesized studies using random effects meta -analysis. Included studies: We included 13 papers from eight distinct cohort and one case-control studies with a total of 486,558 participants conducted exclusively in Europe. Tinnitus is addressed in three papers, migraine in one, headaches in six, sleep disturbances in five, and composite symptom scores in five papers. Only one study addressed occupational exposure. Synthesis of results: For all five priority hypotheses, available research suggests that RF-EMF exposure below guideline values does not cause symptoms, but the evidence is very uncertain. The very low certainty evidence is due the low number of studies, possible risk of bias in some studies, inconsistencies, indirectness, and imprecision. In terms of non-priority hypotheses numerous exposure-outcome combinations were addressed in the 13 eligible papers without indication for an association related to a specific symptom or exposure source. Limitations of evidence: This review topic includes various challenges related to confounding control and exposure assessment. Many of these aspects are inherently present and not easy to be solved in future research. Since near-field exposure from wireless communication devices is related to lifestyle, a particular challenge is to differentiate between potential biophysical effects and other potential effects from extensive use of wireless communication devices that may compete with healthy behaviour such as sleeping or physical activity. Future research needs novel and innovative methods to differentiate between these two hypothetical mechanisms. Interpretation: This is currently the best available evidence to underpin safety of RF-EMF. There is no indication that RF-EMF below guideline values causes symptoms. However, inherent limitations of the research results in substantial uncertainty. Funding: This review was partially funded by the WHO radioprotection programme. Registration: The protocol for this review has been registered in Prospero (reg no CRD42021239432) and published in Environment International (Röösli et al., 2021) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• IGRT for children varies in frequency and imaging modality. • A range of dose exposure settings is observed between institutions. • Major consensus was seen for brain/head sites in the applied protocols. • Despite literature on low-dose CBCT protocols (in paediatrics), implementation is limited yet. Implementation of daily cone-beam CT (CBCT) into clinical practice in paediatric image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) lags behind compared to adults. Surveys report wide variation in practice for paediatric IGRT and technical information remains unreported. In this study we report on technical settings from applied paediatric CBCT protocols and review the literature for paediatric CBCT protocols. From September to October 2022, a survey was conducted among 246 SIOPE-affiliated centres across 35 countries. The survey consisted of 3 parts: 1) baseline information; technical CBCT exposure settings and patient set-up procedure for 2) brain/head, and 3) abdomen. Descriptive statistics was used to summarise current practice. The literature was reviewed systematically with two reviewers obtaining consensus The literature search revealed 22 papers concerning paediatric CBCT protocols. Seven papers focused on dose-optimisation. Responses from 50/246 centres in 25/35 countries were collected: 44/50 treated with photons and 10/50 with protons. In total, 48 brain/head and 53 abdominal protocols were reported. 42/50 centres used kV-CBCT for brain/head and 35/50 for abdomen; daily CBCT was used for brain/head = 28/48 (58%) and abdomen = 33/53 62%. Greater consistency was seen in brain/head protocols (dose range 0.32 – 67.7 mGy) compared to abdominal (dose range 0.27 – 119.7 mGy). Although daily CBCT is now widely used in paediatric IGRT, our survey demonstrates a wide range of technical settings, suggesting an unmet need to optimise paediatric IGRT protocols. This is in accordance with the literature. However, there are only few paediatric optimisation studies suggesting that dose reduction is possible while maintaining image quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine litter and non-degradable plastic pollution is of global concern. Regular monitoring programs are being established to assess and understand the scale of this pollution. In Europe, the goal of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) is to assess trends in Good Environmental Status and support large-scale actions at the regional level. Marine litter monitoring requires tailored sampling strategies, protocols and indicators, that align with specific objectives and are tailored for local or regional needs. In addition, the uneven spatial and temporal distributions of marine litter present a challenge when designing a statistically powerful monitoring program. In this paper, we critically review the existing marine litter monitoring programs in Europe. We discuss the main constraints, including environmental, logistical, scientific, and ethical factors. Additionally, we outline the critical gaps and shortcomings in monitoring MSFD beaches/shorelines, floating litter, seafloor litter, microplastics, and harm. Several priorities must be established to shape the future of monitoring within the MSFD. Recent developments in analytical approaches, including optimizing protocols and sampling strategies, gaining a better understanding of the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of litter and its implications for survey design and replication, and the inclusion of newly validated methodologies that have achieved sufficient technical readiness, must be considered. Although there are well-established methods for assessing beaches, floating and seafloor litter, it will be necessary to implement monitoring schemes for microplastics in sediments and invertebrates as robust analytical methods become available for targeting smaller particle size classes. Furthermore, the inclusion of indicators for entanglement and injury to marine organisms will have to be considered in the near future. Moreover, the following actions will enhance the effectiveness of monitoring efforts: (1) creating an inventory of accumulation areas and sources of specific types of litter (e.g., fishing gear), (2) monitoring riverine inputs of litter, (3) monitoring atmospheric inputs including microplastics, (4) accidental inputs during extreme weather events, and (5) studying how species at risk may be transported by litter. We provide recommendations to support long-term, effective, and well-coordinated marine litter monitoring within the MSFD to achieve a comprehensive and accurate understanding of marine litter in EU waters. This will allow the development of measures to mitigate the impacts of marine pollution and eventually to evaluate the success of the respective measures. • Monitoring of marine litter performed in Europe within MSFD has been reviewed. • - Marine litter monitoring gaps and critical points were identified. • Recommendations for improving future monitoring of marine litter within MSFD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent technological developments make perovskite solar cells (PSCs) particularly suitable for building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) applications on vertical building envelopes, but the relatively short lifespan of PSCs requires frequent replacement, thereby generating substantial waste. Careful consideration of circularity credentials of this novel technology is therefore essential prior to the extensive implementation of vertical PSCs in building envelopes. This paper provides a circular economy approach for the implementation of PSCs in vertical envelopes and assesses its economic feasibility by life cycle cost analysis in Europe. The process of recycling PSC is developed. The economic performance of PSC envelopes is provided and compared to that of the conventional rigid BIPV system. Uncertainty analysis and sensitivity analysis of economic indicators are then performed to identify the influential parameters. The findings indicate that the PSC envelope has a significant potential for circular BIPV components and that PSCs applied on vertical envelope are economically viable. • LCCA of vertical PSC envelopes with recycling strategy is analyzed in Europe. • Recycling strategy of PSC is explored before diffusion to overcome PSC's short lifespan. • PSC price is the most influential factor for the deviation of LCOE. • PSC envelope has potential to achieve profitability in most regions of Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a set of digitalisation indicators focused on measuring the different digital capabilities and infrastructure of electricity distribution systems, as opposed to previous indicators which have mainly focused on performance and quality of service aspects. The indicators are classified according to the pillars of digitalisation: sensor and actuator, connectivity, data processing, and digital culture. They are use-case-agnostic and do not require a huge amount of information. In addition to this, three possible new applications of these indicators for distribution system operators and regulatory authorities are identified and discussed. The extensive use of these indicators in Europe could allow the development of fruitful collaborations between distribution system operators, allow the identification of cause–effect relations between grid performance and digital infrastructure, and improve the replicability of innovative smart grid solutions. However, this will only be possible if regulators promote the adoption of the proposed indicators and the dissemination of their results. • Smart grid indicators are required by European Directive 2019/944. • Indicators on sensors/actuators, connectivity, data processing, and digital culture. • Indicators to provide an overview of the distribution grid. • Indicators to study relation between performance and digital infrastructure. • Indicators to generate information for the replicability of solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel approach to determining the disappearance time of deformation increase after the conclusion of mining activity using Knothe's time function and persistent scatterer interferometric synthetic aperture radar (PSInSAR). As a result, a method was proposed for determining a parameter of the function, the time coefficient c , using SAR data. The area of study was a strongly urbanised (city centre) post-mining region within the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB), located in central-eastern Europe (Poland), which was characterised by intense hard coal mining that was concluded in 2015. The study analysed ground displacements generated directly after the conclusion of extraction as well as the time after which the rock mass assumes a relatively calm state. The obtained results were validated based on the results of classic geodesic measurements. The average time coefficient c determined by the developed method was 0.84, while the average time coefficient based on classic geodesic measurements was 1.01. So the theoretical disappearance time of deformation increase was, respectively, 5 years and 6 months and 4 years and 7 months. The research revealed that the developed method is helpful in determining the parameter in Knothe's function and enables a more accurate definition of the disappearance time of deformation increase after the conclusion of extraction. This has great significance in the context of safety and the potential limitation of damage generated as a result of the negative influence of underground mining on the ground surface as well as for the spatial planning of post-mining areas. • Developed method to determine coefficient c Knothe's time function using SAR data. • PSI-based approach enhances theoretical disappearance time accuracy. • PSI yields lower deviation (1.7 %) vs. geodesic measurements (34 %). • Methodology shows disappearance time: 5 years, 6 months, matching ground subsidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Provide an in-depth evolution analysis in the practical development of shore power. • Conduct a systematic bibliometric analysis of pivotal shore power-related publications. • Coordinate practical shore power applications with academic research to highlight the predominant trends. • Divide shore power research into four categories to understand its progress and trends. • Establish well-reasoned remarks, implications, and agenda for future studies. Shore power not only reduces ship emissions and noise in berthing but also has shown practical implications for maritime competitiveness. However, the existing literature and industry reports reveal that a limited number of ships have access to shore power. This highlights the need for research into the constraints faced by the sector and the development of solutions to enhance its adoption. Addressing these issues will enable the port and shipping industries to enjoy the associated benefits. Currently, existing research on shore power remains dispersed, yet it fully addresses such questions and lacks an integrated framework, making it challenging to extract pivotal insights. This paper aims to conduct a state-of-the-art review of shore power by the Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus databases as a pivotal solution to shipping emissions reduction in ports and advancing the maritime sector towards carbon neutrality. This analysis is grounded in a bibliometric analysis of existing literature on this topic, with a focus on the need to devise robust strategies to fully harness the potential of shore power for carbon neutrality. The valuable findings are revealed, including (i) The adoption of shore power by ports is predominantly propelled by regulatory mandates and incentives, inclusive of government subsidies in leading regions such as China, the U.S., and Europe; (ii) Due to the implementation of Emission Control Areas and carbon neutrality regulations, an increasing number of port operators in Europe are turning to shore power to fulfil both the governmental or industrial requirements, especially regarding cruise ships; (iii) The literature on shore power primarily delves into four main research areas: the inherent features of shore power, emission inventory assessments, practical applications of shore power, and energy management strategies; and (iv) Emerging directions in shore power research include cooperative optimisation among stakeholders, integration of new technologies into shore power, a holistic evaluation of the multifaceted advantages of diverse emission reduction strategies, and critical examinations of any unintended consequences stemming from shore power adoption. They offer invaluable insights on enhancing the adaptation and effectiveness of shore power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of the 4.4 million people diagnosed with cancer in Europe each year, around 36 % are of working age. Return-to-work rates vary across Europe. Work is important for the individual, as well as for society, and this review aims to provide an overview of the predictors for the return to work (RTW) process in European cancer survivors of working age. A systematic literature search was conducted. The present review included quantitative and qualitative study designs published since 2013. In total, the review included 85 papers examining cancer survivors with various cancer diagnoses in 18 European countries. Identified predictive factors for RTW related to the social system, treatment, disease, health behavior, the individuals' psychosocial, work, and sociodemographic situations. There is a need for a standardized definition and operationalization of RTW. Providers can use these results to identify survivors at risk and support cancer survivors in their RTW process. [Display omitted] • Cancer survivors' RTW is associated with various predictors. • The predictors vary over time and differ between cancer entities and countries. • Predictors can be used to identify survivors at risk and to extent support programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper conducts a detailed exploration of projected trends in the demolition and recycling of the European ship fleet, in light of the dismantling capacity in Europe. Utilizing a robust predictive model based on the Weibull distribution, the study synthesizes historical data and current operational metrics to forecast trends up to the year 2050, such as ship typologies, their average age, and recycling frequency. By estimating the rate and volume of ships reaching their end-of-life (EOL), the study aims to delineate the required capacity for ship recycling in Europe over the coming decades. The analysis reveals the key factors influencing the demolition trajectory and provide essential insights for future planning and policy formulation in the field of ship recycling. The study also underscore the importance of developing adaptive strategies in ship dismantling catering to the anticipated shifts in fleet composition and evolving environmental regulations, offering a foundation for informed decision-making and policy development in the maritime industry. • 70% of the current European fleet has more than 10 years of activity. • By 2045, it is estimated that 75% of the current European fleet will have been recycled. • 2042 will be the year with the highest frequency of demolition of ships. • The current theoretical and authorized capacity of recycling from the European lists is not sufficient in the next decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To optimize the scheduling scheme of tramp vessels between Asia and Europe, considering the opening of the Arctic route, a vessel scheduling management optimization model is developed from the perspective of shipping companies. Based on meeting the shippers' requirements for transportation between Asian and European ports, minimizing the total cost of multi-period operation of tramp vessels, the specific transport scheduling scheme for ships is obtained. We found that shipping companies building their Vessels with Ice-breaking Ability (VIA) can reduce the total cost of ships operating Asia-Europe routes throughout the year. Furthermore, in the event of a half increase in fuel prices, opting for Arctic routes during the winter season proves to be more cost-effective for shipping companies. • This paper studies the tramp vessel scheduling of the NSR/SCR. • Building vessels with or without ice-breaking ability is considered. • A nonlinear integer programming model is proposed. • A linearization method is developed. • A case study is conducted to analyze the studied problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retrofitting the building stock is pivotal to achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Most of the existing research on energy efficiency focuses on new residential buildings. The focus must shift to multi-building retrofits, thereby more frequently including non-residential buildings. As multi-building and non-residential projects are given a lighthouse role in achieving current global climate goals, more research should focus on this potential. This study covers single- and multi-building retrofitting projects. It also explores the role of non-residential projects, typical project settings, energy reduction achievements and the added complexity of the multi-building scale. The chosen methodology combines a systematic literature search with a subsequent critical metadata and full-text review of more than 80 peer-reviewed scientific papers. The results show that the number of studies in the research field has increased substantially in the last few years, while the research mostly originates from Europe and focuses on the residential building typology. This research is partly transferable to similar climate zones elsewhere, while a large proportion of climate zones remains unexplored. The current body of definitions and requirements regarding energy retrofitting is an impediment to the comparability of projects, and particularly the multi-building scale is in need of international guidance. Future research should focus on making retrofit measures more applicable internationally, while unifying project boundaries. The stronger inclusion of non-residential retrofitting projects as lighthouse projects including social aspects is needed. Retrofitting that covers energy production and sharing has great potential and should be seen as an opportunity. [Display omitted] • Multi-building retrofitting is emerging but requires clearer international guides. • Europe stands for most publications, motivated by policies and climate goals. • Most of the reported energy retrofits do not satisfy "deep retrofitting" goals. • Multi-building retrofitting results in added social and technical difficulties. • Clearer international guidelines and best practices needed to reach climate goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• ESTRO members value access to high-quality scientific content alongside networking opportunities. • A 2023–4 ESTRO strategy review re-evaluated strategic priorities in the wake of a black swan event. • Key ESTRO strategic goals for the years 2024–2026 focused on improving research impact, strengthening and diversifying ESTRO's educational offerings and fostering proactive and mutually beneficial partnerships. • The ESTRO Board approved these objectives, alongside prioritising digital innovation, financial sustainability, and community engagement for ESTRO's continued growth and development. • In essence, ESTRO aims to advocate, empower, expand, and diversify its community, with the overarching goal of enhancing cancer care for patients in Europe, and beyond. In 2019, the European Society of Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) published its 2030 Vision "Radiation Oncology, Optimal Health, For All, Together". However, in 2020, the global pandemic, coinciding with the Society's 40th anniversary, had long-term consequences on global behaviours and on the financial environment for scientific associations worldwide. In 2022, ESTRO conducted a survey among its members, revealing their strong appreciation for networking opportunities and the creation of high-quality interdisciplinary scientific content. In response to the survey findings and to address the evolving landscape following the COVID pandemic, ESTRO initiated a strategic review process to respond to, and refocus on, the opportunities and challenges ahead. This paper, marking a turning point in ESTRO's strategy for achieving its Vision 2030 in a post-pandemic era, describes the 2022–23 strategic review process, discussions, and consequent recommendations. The comprehensive strategic review process involved: (i) pre-meeting preparations with surveys and strategic documents; (ii) a carefully themed three-day retreat in Brussels incorporating a blend of plenary sessions, workshops focusing on ESTRO's role, value creation and capture, strategic objectives; and (iii) a post-retreat phase including qualitative analysis and development of action plans. The strategic review emphasized the need for adaptive tactics for scientific associations to remain current and productive in the face of changing global conditions. The development of key strategic goals for the years 2024–2026 focused on improving research impact, strengthening and diversifying ESTRO's educational offerings and fostering proactive and mutually beneficial partnerships. The Board approved these objectives, alongside prioritising digital innovation, financial sustainability, and community engagement for ESTRO's continued growth and development. In essence, ESTRO aims to advocate, empower, expand, and diversify its community, with the overarching goal of enhancing cancer care for patients in Europe, and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Investigation focuses on coupling link inspection, integral safety components to train screw coupling systems. • Plastic deformation increase, during operational use, did not affect yield stress or ultimate tensile strength. • Fractured links showed ductile fractures with distinctive surface structures. • 83 % of links, tested after 30 years in operation, exceeded the minimum breaking force. • Train brake analysis suggests a decrease in link failures due to other component issues. This paper presents an analysis of train screw coupling used mainly in Europe as mechanical connection of wagons in train. An analysis of train breaks apart incidents revealed that less than 30 % of the cases were caused by elements of the screw coupling, with coupling links accounting for only 5 % of the failures. Therefore, the investigation focused on testing the coupling links, which are safety elements of the screw coupling. The coupling links underwent various inspections, including visual inspection, dimensional control, non-destructive testing, examination of chemical composition, and mechanical tests. Dimensional control found longitudinal plastic deformations of the links. Chemical examination revealed that the links were made of different material than recommended, but their mechanical properties generally met the recommended values. However, variations were observed among different links, likely due to different rates of deformation during testing and operational conditions. Overall, the analysis and inspections provided insights into the condition and performance of coupling links in the screw coupling system, highlighting the importance of monitoring and maintaining these elements to ensure safe and efficient railway operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue is one feasible option to preserve female fertility prior to cancer treatment. The slow freezing protocol represents the current standard approach, while vitrification has been suggested as a promising alternative. This paper reports the follow-up and first successful delivery after retransplantation of vitrified, rapid warmed ovarian tissue in Europe. After the patient received a diagnosis of breast cancer, ovarian tissue was removed laparoscopically and sent via overnight transportation to University Hospital Bonn for vitrification on site. The patient was treated with chemotherapy, leading to ovarian failure. After 2 years, retransplantation of the vitrified, rapid warmed tissue was conducted on site. Two months after grafting, the patient reported regular menstrual cycles. After 1 further month a clinical pregnancy occurred, which ended in a spontaneous abortion at the 8th week of pregnancy. Six months after grafting, another naturally conceived pregnancy was determined, resulting in the birth of a healthy boy 14 months after retransplantation of the ovarian tissue. Complementing the successful deliveries reported by the groups of Suzuki (Japan) and Silber (USA) regarding vitrified tissue, the current results confirm the high potential of this cryopreservation method in a clinical routine setting as an alternative approach to the widespread slow freezing method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policies aim to increase the penetration of renewable energy resources (RERs) to minimize the dependence on fossil fuels, have compelled different countries to devise their diverse blueprints by transforming smart grids infrastructure into futuristic grids or super smart grids (SSGs). Europe is taking the lead by developing SSGs by 2050, based on two exclusive alternatives, i.e., totally based on RERs and dispersed large decentralized networks. Critically assessing tensions in balancing load flow associated with RERs is a complicated task in SSGs. To solve this concern, the advanced probabilistic model is adopted in this research to observe the variations in demand and response profiles and mitigate it through transmission network planning using a super smart node transmission network topology (SSN). The proposed SSN transmission network topology outperforms the power synergy hub (PSHub) topology used in the existing literature through achieving an optimal load flow balancing in SSGs power infrastructure. This is also verified through simulation results, which provides an effective utilization of continuous spinning reserves (CSRs) and vehicle to grid (V2G) topologies integrated in an SSN transmission network topology for managing an optimized load flow balancing in SSGs. Additionally, this research work also provides a comprehensive overview of technical challenges in SSGs in terms of power flow control, their possible solutions, and future prospects. Finally, this paper concluded with the 2050 framework of futuristic SSGs, which provides a road map path for a sustainable and green energy environment for European infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Venosa-Notarchirico is a musealized Lower Paleolithic site in southern Italy (Basilicata), where a human femoral shaft was discovered in 1985. The fossil specimen can be evaluated in the new light of excavations started in 2016, which provide a more updated and extensive picture of the site, including the crucial Ar/Ar date of 661-614 ka for the human specimen. This makes the fossil diaphysis from Venosa-Notarchirico (Vn-H1) the oldest fossil hominin found so far in the Italian peninsula, associated with the earliest evidence of genuine Acheulean in Europe. In this paper, we report a comparative morphometric analysis of this femur, as well as a paleopathological reappraisal of the periosteal alteration that affects the specimen, supported by an unpublished histological analysis. Vn-H1 represents the proximal two-thirds of a right femur lacking the epiphyseal region. We argue it belonged to an immature individual, possibly a juvenile (late adolescent). Its features suggest that the specimen may refer to an archaic (i.e. , non-modern) human species, also showing morphological differences compared to fossil samples of the Neanderthal lineage. We also support the identification of a pathological condition affecting Vn-H1, particularly evident in some preserved portions of the mid-shaft as described here. Its etiology is discussed after differential diagnosis, which led us to suggest an alteration of inflammatory origin, viewed as a nonspecific periosteal response. This pathology may have been roughly concomitant with the death of the individual. • Vn-H1 represents the oldest human fossil specimen ever found in Italy within one of the earliest Acheulean sites in Europe. • The age of Vn-H1, dated Ar/Ar at 661-614 ka, takes advantage of the recent new excavations at the Venosa-Notarchirico site. • Both morphology and morphometry of the human specimen suggest an age at death of the individual to the late adolescence. • Palaeopathological observations, supported by unpublished histological data, suggest the nature of the periosteal alteration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a review of the trends and geographic variation of impacts of reactive nitrogen (N) inputs on in Europe through impacts on air, soil and water quality. It illustrates those impacts, by assessing temporal and spatial variation in air, soil and water quality indicators and their exceedances of critical thresholds in view of impacts on human health, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, during 1990-2019. Trends are derived from regular inventory and monitoring data and from simulated trends in air quality using the EMEP model. Well quantified adverse impacts of increased N use are: (i) the effects on human health due to increased tropospheric concentrations of NO x and ozone, and N-induced increases in fine particulate matter, (ii) the contribution of N 2 O to climate change and stratospheric ozone depletion, (iii) the loss of plant and faunal diversity both in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems via direct and soil mediated impacts, (iv) the acidification of forest soils, with impacts on tree forest nutrition, tree growth and tree vitality, and (v) the eutrophication of marine ecosystems, and associated biodiversity loss and occurrence of harmful algae blooms. Over the period 1990-2019, N inputs to agriculture stayed relatively constant, but the emissions of ammonia (NH 3) decreased by 27%, while emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO x) decreased by 57%. In response to those reductions, concentrations of NO x , and of N in particulate matter also declined, although less than 50%. In contrast, the reduction in NO x -induced ozone concentrations and ozone related indicators (AOT40, SOMO35 and POD) was much less (ca 15-20%). Exceedances of critical ozone concentrations for human health and of critical AOT40 and POD vales for vegetation reduced in a similar order of magnitude. Despite decreasing NH 3 emissions, NH 3 concentrations showed a slight and steady increase from 1995 onwards, due to the large reduction in SO x emissions. Nitrogen deposition and exceedances of critical N loads for terrestrial ecosystems decreased by ca 60%, but the area exceeding critical N loads only reduced by ca 10%. Unlike N, the area exceeding critical acid loads has declined by more than 90% due to high reduction in SO x and NO x emissions. Trends in nitrate (NO 3) concentrations in groundwater varied across Europe, but showed overall limited changes over the last two decades. However, N concentrations in surface water and the area exceeding critical levels in view of aquatic biodiversity has decreased and the same holds for N concentrations in coastal regions. Nevertheless, the eutrophication condition of coastal waters has overall not improved due to adverse impacts of elevated phosphorus inputs. Finally the negative impacts of N induced N 2 O emissions on climate are estimated to be outweighed by the positive effects of N induced CO 2 sequestration, mainly in forests, and this holds for the whole period 1990-2019. Nitrogen hotspots, being areas with high exceedances in critical levels and loads of N compounds in air and water, are concentrated in intensive agricultural areas with high livestock densities and in urban region with strong industrial and traffic activities. Cost-benefit analysis shows that environmental costs of reactive N release to the environment are substantial and tend to exceed the direct economic benefits for agriculture. Given the relevance of N for safeguarding food production it is key to develop integrated and targeted plant nutrition strategies following a food system approach and practices that minimize trade-offs between productivity and the environment. In addition, targeted strategies to further reduce NO x emissions are needed to reduce air quality related health and biodiversity impacts. • Adverse impacts of reactive nitrogen are most evident for human health and for aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. • Effects of nitrous oxide emissions on climate are largely counteracted by N induced carbon sequestration. • Ecosystem restoration in response to declined N inputs in Europe since 1995 shows a time lag. • There is large spatial variation across Europe in N impacts, requiring regional policies. • Environmental costs of reactive nitrogen varied from 0.4 to 6.8 euro per kg N. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent geopolitical conflicts in Europe have underscored the vulnerability of the current energy system to the volatility of energy carrier prices. In the prospect of defining robust energy systems ensuring sustainable energy supply in the future, the imperative of leveraging renewable indigenous energy sources becomes evident. However, as such technologies are integrated into the existing system, it is necessary to shift from the current centralized infrastructure to a decentralized production strategy. This paper presents a method to identify a panel of technological solutions at the district level, intended to reduce complexity for the integration of decentralized models into a national-scale model. The framework's novelty lies in combining a global sensitivity analysis for solution generation with clustering to identify typical configurations. The global sensitivity analysis is performed on a mixed integer linear programming model, which optimally sizes and operates district energy systems. The sensitivity analysis determines the most influential parameters of the model using the Morris method and provides a representative sampling of the solution space by leveraging the Sobol sampling strategy. The latter is then clustered using a density-based algorithm to identify typical solutions. The framework is applied to a suburban and residential Swiss neighborhood. The first outcome of the research is the high sensitivity of the model to energy carrier prices. As a result, Sobol's sampling space separates itself into two system types: those based on a natural gas boiler and those relying on a combination of electrical heaters and heat pumps. For both types, the electricity demand is either fulfilled by PV panels or electricity imports. The identified configurations showcase that the framework successfully generates a panel of solutions composed of various system configurations and operations being representative of the overall solution space. • Energy carriers' retail prices are the most influential parameters of a district energy system. • Energy system configurations differ according to the consumed energy carrier and PV penetration. • PV deployment is affected by electricity tariffs but not by technological implementations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shear reinforcement design has changed over time, along with the knowledge about the shear behaviour of reinforced concrete structures. Until the 1970s, the shear design in Europe was based on empirical limits for shear stress. The rules stipulated by the design standards often resulted in designs of concrete slabs with shear reinforcement consisting only of bent-up bars without any additional stirrups. Today, truss models are widely used to design shear reinforcement. However, in the structural assessment of bridges with bent-up bars, it is difficult to apply such models due to their specific detailing requirements. In order to evaluate the applicability of current design standards and to span the knowledge gap between the load-bearing behaviour of small-size specimens and actual structures, four shear tests on two full-scale replica bridge slabs containing bent-up bars are presented in this paper. The applied load configuration represents two-axle and four-wheel loads of the current load models for railway bridges stipulated by Eurocode 1–2 and train load model UIC 71. The load distribution due to a track superstructure consisting of a track, sleepers and ballast was investigated. A comparison of the obtained results with those of preliminary tests on narrow slab strips shows differences in the load-bearing behaviour of small-format laboratory tests. The results of the analysis of the bridge slabs according to various design standards show the potential of the newly developed potential shear crack model for the assessment of slab bridges with bent-up reinforcing bars. • Four shear tests on two full-scale replica bridge slabs containing bent-up bars. • Experimental investigation of the load distribution effect due to a complete track superstructure on the shear strength. • Comparison of the load-bearing behaviour of full-size slabs with small-format laboratory tests with a tenth of the width. • Analytical verification of the test results and discussion of shear models of various standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper delves into an econometric analysis to uncover the differences between Nordic European Countries - NEC (Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden) and South-East European Countries - SEEC (Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary). The focus is on exploring the interplay among electricity generation from Renewable Energy Sources (RES), CO 2 emissions, urban population and GDP per capita in these two European regions. The study employs cross-sectional dependence, first and second-generation panel unit root tests, Pedroni panel and Westerlund panel cointegration tests, ARDL, Dumitrescu-Hurlin causality test to establish the relation among variables. The findings reveal that in both regions, CO 2 emissions are significantly influenced by GDP per capita, urbanization and RES generation. Furthermore, urbanization plays an important role. When examining causality in SEEC, three bidirectional relationships are observed: urbanization and CO 2 , urbanization and GDP, urbanization and generation from RES, and two unidirectional causalities: CO 2 and GDP, generation from RES and CO 2. In contrast, for the NEC, there are two bidirectional causalities: urbanization and CO 2 , urbanization and generation from RES, and two unidirectional causalities: GDP and CO 2 , generation from RES and CO 2. These results highlight the nuanced and varied nature of environmental and economic dynamics across various European regions. • Relationship between CO 2 emissions, GDP per capita and electricity production from RES. • Investigating two groups of EU countries located in the North and SE Europe. • Estimations with Fully Modified and Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares. • Causality and cointegration between variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]