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The current challenge facing the European pulp and paper industry is how to materialize the transformation to a bio-economy, as well as to realize the necessary new green innovations. The risks, costs and constraints of doing business will increase, thereby further intensifying competition, but at the same time new business opportunities will open up. This study adopts a three-round dissensus-based Delphi approach in order to explore our key research question of how the pulp and paper industry may change strategically, and what is the potential for value creation in the year 2030. According to our expert panel, the main drivers of competitiveness in 2030 will include energy and material efficiency, sustainability, as well as new innovations in products to serve customer needs better. According to the projected 2030 scenario, the pulp and paper industry will produce more diversified products, focus on higher value-added, and aim at consumer segments with higher environmental awareness. On average, 40 percent of the turnover will according to the panel come from genuinely new products. Strategic cross-sectorial partnerships will have a key role in making this big leap, while simultaneously acknowledging the changing needs of sustainability-conscious customers and other stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• EFIM publishes a position paper about Environment Degradation and Climate Change. • Health industry should reduce its ecological footprint. • Internists should be involved in policy decisions related to climate change. • Internists must be active agents in advocating sustainable practices for the environment. • Internists should be role models in the adoption of environmentally friendly behavior. The current data on climate change and environmental degradation are dramatic. The consequences of these changes are already having a significant impact on people's health. Physicians — as advocates of the patients, but also as citizens — have an ethical obligation to be involved in efforts to stop these changes. The European Federation of Internal Medicine (EFIM) strongly encourages the Internal Medicine societies and internists across Europe to play an active role in matters related to climate change and environmental degradation. At a national level, this includes advocating the adoption of measures that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and environmental degradation and contributing to policy decisions related to these issues. At a hospital level and in clinical practice, supporting actions by the health sector to reduce its ecological footprint is vital. At the level of EFIM and its associated internal societies, promoting educational activities and developing a toolkit to prepare internists to better care for citizens who suffer from the consequences of climate change. In addition to advocating and implementing effective actions to reduce the ecological footprint of the health industry, recommending the introduction of these themes in scientific programs of Internal Medicine meetings and congresses and the pre- and postgraduate medical training. At a personal level, internists must be active agents in advocating sustainable practices for the environment, increasing the awareness of the community about the health risks of climate change and environmental degradation, and being role models in the adoption of environmentally friendly behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic, social and environmental sustainability are becoming more important in urban and territorial development policies in Europe and internationally. Recently, the United States and Europe have put forth the green deals proposing programmatic provisions for achieving territorial sustainability through the redevelopment of brownfield land into Sustainable Industrial Areas (SIAs). This opinion paper presents the benefits of the European Green Deal (EGD) policies as support for brownfield land redevelopment, SIA implementation and urban regeneration in light of the experiences of many countries in the European Union (EU). Moreover, this paper makes policy recommendations and discusses future research directions. • The European Green Deal provisions inspire the brownfield land redevelopment from a sustainable perspective. • The redevelopment of industrial area in Sustainable Industrial Area (SIA) provides economic, environmental-social benefits. • SIA experiences in Europe can provide decision-makers with guidelines for the conversion of brownfield land. • Urban regeneration actions for SIA by the European Green Deal can cover multi-dimensional areas, from small to large scale. • Using natural elements can foster sustainable urban development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue, published in 2008 by the Council of Europe, is one of the first European level attempts to provide a common guideline for diversity politics in Europe. It introduces the idea of ‘intercultural dialogue’ as a new focus and a method of governing diversity. Our paper aims to investigate the explicit and implicit meanings included in the idea of ‘intercultural dialogue’ and how the idea is rhetorically operationalized as a policy in the White Paper. The investigation is conducted with a lexical and semantic analysis of the text in the White Paper and a discourse analysis of its rhetoric, in order to explore how the ‘intercultural dialogue’ as a policy relies on a mixture of ideas borrowed from different political discourses. The investigation revealed how the concept of intercultural dialogue and other related concepts, such as culture and diversity, embrace power hierarchies. The meanings of these concepts are produced from a hegemonic point of view which grants the ‘intercultural dialogue’ with the power positions of a dialoguer and a dialoguee . The policy rhetoric in the White Paper emphasizes social cohesion in Europe. Its policy discourse does not recognize the societal, cultural, historical, religious, or linguistic differences between European societies, but offers unified – and profoundly Western European – views for the governance of diversity. Formulating a common and generic diversity policy for Europe as a whole inevitably simplifies the idea of diversity in Europe and produces new hierarchies between the subjects and objects of these policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has become pandemic, reaching almost one million death worldwide. At present standard treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is not well defined because the evidence, either from randomized or observational studies, with conflicting results, has led to rapid changes in treatment guidelines. Our aim was to narratively summarize the available literature on the management of COVID-19 in order to combine current evidence and interpretation of the data by experts who are treating patients in the frontline setting. The panel conducted a detailed review of the literature and eventual press releases from randomized clinical trials for each possible available treatment. Inductive PubMed search waws performed for publications relevant to the topic, including all clinical trials conducted. The result was a flowchart with treatment indications for patients with COVID-19. After 6 months of a pandemic situation and before a possible second coronavirus wave descends on Europe, it is important to evaluate which drugs proved to be effective while also considering that results from many randomized clinical trials are still awaited. Indeed, among treatments for COVID-19, only glucocorticoids have resulted in an association with a significant decrease in mortality in published randomized controlled trials. New therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper-based materials, due to their availability, environmental benefits and high thermal properties, have already been implemented in several building envelope designs. However, most of them either did not optimise the use of the material or did not provide sufficient thermal insulation for use in permanent buildings. The presented research analyses six original paper-based building envelope core proposals, suitable for use in permanent buildings in temperate climate of Europe, in terms of thermal and environmental efficiency. Proposals include cores with embedded paper tubes structural elements, timber-cardboard studs and sandwich designs. The heat transfer coefficient of the envelopes was obtained for repeatable modules via 2D computer simulations (ThermCAD software), and the environmental impact was assessed for a representative square metre of the envelope via LCA analysis, based in ecoinvent 3.8 database. All analysed designs showed high thermal insulation properties and met the requirements for U max = 0.20 W/m2K, did not cause the risk of surface condensation, nor have excessive thermal bridges. The analysed building envelope designs based on embedded frame wall structure showed environmental superiority over conventional envelopes (timber frame and SIP panels). The research may serve as a proof of concept, for using paper-based building envelopes in sustainable architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccines against human papillomavirus (HPV) are available in Europe since 2006. They have been highly effective in preventing infection and disease caused by the vaccine types. Clinical efficacy data are available for cervical, vulvovaginal and anal precancer and invasive cervical cancer. Disease reduction is best with early vaccination and a coverage of more than 70%. Gender-neutral vaccination provides direct protection for all men and improves the coverage. A good coverage is followed by herd protection of the unvaccinated men and women. School-based programs appear to be most effective; under the age of 15 years, two doses with an interval of 6–12 months are sufficient. From the age of 15 years, the standard regimen with three doses is recommended. A broad catch-up program for young adult women and men improves the effectiveness. The vaccines are also effective in sexually active women and men with previous but cleared infections. Vaccination in addition to local treatment of HPV-related disease appears to reduce recurrent or subsequent HPV-related disease. Combination of HPV vaccination and screening with HPV testing is the most effective approach to prevention of cervical cancer. The screening intervals may increase in the vaccinated cohorts. The upper age limit for vaccination remains to be evaluated, is country specific and depends on cost-effectiveness. The European Society of Gynaecologic Oncology and the European Federation for Colposcopy strongly support gender-neutral vaccination programs for children and young adolescents, with a catch-up program for young adults. • Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is highly effective in preventing cervical disease caused by the vaccine types. • It further reduces the burden of other HPV-related cancers, such as anal, oropharyngeal, vulvar and vaginal cancer. • School-based programs appear to be more cost-effective. • The vaccines have excellent safety profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[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]

In recent decades cancer care has seen improvements in the speed and accuracy of diagnostic procedures; the effectiveness of surgery, radiation therapy and medical treatments; the power of information technology; and the development of multidisciplinary, specialist-led approaches to care. Such innovations are essential if we are to continue improving the lives of cancer patients across Europe despite financial pressures on our healthcare systems. Investment in innovation must be balanced with the need to ensure the sustainability of healthcare budgets, and all health professionals have a responsibility to help achieve this balance. It requires scrutiny of the way care is delivered; we must be ready to discontinue practices or interventions that are inefficient, and prioritise innovations that may deliver the best outcomes possible for patients within the limits of available resources. Decisions on innovations should take into account their long-term impact on patient outcomes and costs, not just their immediate costs. Adopting a culture of innovation requires a multidisciplinary team approach, with the patient at the centre and an integral part of the team. It must take a whole-system and whole-patient perspective on cancer care and be guided by high-quality real-world data, including outcomes relevant to the patient and actual costs of care; this accurately reflects the impact of any innovation in clinical practice. The European CanCer Organisation is committed to working with its member societies, patient organisations and the cancer community at large to find sustainable ways to identify and integrate the most meaningful innovations into all aspects of cancer care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study focuses on the implementation of a self - assessment procedure in a Physics class, extended during a seven weeks period in a European secondary level school. The researchers used three modes of assessment based on paper and pencil, computer-web and mobile devices respectively. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of each mode of assessment on students' motivation and achievement. Analysis of pre- and post-motivation tests revealed a more positive motivational orientation of students towards computers and mobile devices as assessment delivery mediums. Also, student evaluation implemented after the phase of the experimental procedure showed a significant increase in learning achievement for low-achieving students who participated in the mobile-based and computer-based assessment. The positive effects of computers and mobile devices on students' learning motivation suggest that they can be used as a promising alternative to paper and pencil assessment procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The forest sector is vital in Europe, providing economic and social benefits to communities. However, this sector is also responsible for some environmental impacts, and it is crucial to ensure that these impacts do not outweigh the benefits described. For this reason, this paper proposes an environmental and economic assessment of three forest wood products – uncoated woodfree paper, natural cork stoppers, and particle boards. The life cycles of these products were modeled using foreground data and a life cycle assessment was conducted to determine the environmental impacts associated with these three life cycles. For the economic assessment, the net present value method was adopted. From the results, it is possible to conclude that the utilization of 1 ha of forest land for 100 years to plant Eucalyptus globulus used in the production of uncoated woodfree paper generates the least environmental impact per euro. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine the reliability of the results achieved given the uncertainty associated with the data used to model the three life cycles. The same critical impact categories and the same critical life cycle stage (raw materials' extraction) were identified for the three systems under study. Given these similarities, an effort must be made by the forest sector to reduce the impacts of these categories and this life cycle stage. To assist on this task, a set of generic and industry-specific recommendations is provided for companies operating in the forest sector. • An environmental and economic assessment of three forest wood products is performed. • The life cycle assessment methodology and the net present value method are used. • The production of uncoated woodfree paper generates the least environmental impact per euro of NPV. • Using sensitivity analysis, the results were found to be reliable. • Recommendations for different stakeholders in the forest sector are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper by ESMO “The current and future role of the medical oncologist in the professional care for cancer patients: a position paper by the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)” conveys some important key messages for the whole oncology community. A working group (WG) involving 21 oncology and related societies would like to comment on the ESMO position paper from a multidisciplinary perspective. The letter focuses on the concept of multidisciplinarity and how collaboration is the ideal situation for the best care of patients: the guidance to the patient must be given in accordance with agreements based on the outcome of discussions within the multidisciplinary team. The commentary therefore wants to highlight those statements that the working group shares and supports, identifying the common ground from where to start a constructive dialogue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The chemical aspects of alum rosin sized paper degradation were described. • Direct influence of H 3 O+ ions formed during hydrolysis of aluminium(III) species. • Influence of pH variation on the redox potential of reactive oxygen species acting as oxidizing agent. In Europe, the use of aluminium(III) compounds, namely AlK(SO 4) 2 ·12H 2 O and later on Al 2 (SO 4) 3 ·18H 2 O for hardening gelatin sizes was recorded as early as the 16th century. This review is focused on the critical assessment of published data concerning the following chemical aspects of paper degradation: direct influence of H 3 O+ ions formed during hydrolysis of aluminium(III) species; influence of low-molecular organic acids formed within degradation processes; influence of pH variation on the redox potential of reactive oxygen species acting as oxidizing agent; consequences of the absorption of gaseous NO 2 and SO 2 present in the air for paper degradation; involvement of aluminium species in redox radical oxidation catalytic processes; possible effect of the coordination of Al(III) with small radius and high charge on oxygen atoms of cellulose carboxyl or hydroxyl groups. It is indicated how the understanding of the above mentioned effects can help slow down paper degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paralleling the global epidemic of obesity figures in the general population, the incidence of maternal obesity (BMI>30kg/m(2) at the start of pregnancy) has been rising over the last world. While most European countries do not systematically report obesity figures in their pregnant population, the prevalence of maternal obesity varies from 7 to 25% and seems strongly related to social and educational inequalities. Obesity during pregnancy represents an important preventable risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes and is associated with negative long-term health outcomes for both mothers and offspring. These effects are often aggravated by the high incidence of abnormal glucose tolerance and excessive gestational weight gain found in this group. The main controversies around the management of the obese pregnant women are related to (1) the value of repeated weighing during pregnancy, (2) the optimal gestational weight gain to advise and the lifestyle messages to deliver in order to achieve this, (3) the optimal strategy and timing of screening for gestational diabetes (GDM) and (4) the optimal timing and mode of delivery. These controversies are reviewed in this review, with the exception of screening for gestational diabetes that is discussed extensively elsewhere in this issue (Benhalima et al.). An agenda for research is proposed with the hope that it will catch the attention of policy-makers and funders and ultimately lead to the development of European-wide evidence-based guidelines for clinicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of gestational diabetes (GDM) is rising globally and it represents an important modifiable risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes. GDM is also associated with negative long-term health outcomes for both mothers and offspring. Acceptance and implementation of the 2013 World Health Organization (WHO) criteria varies globally and within Europe. There is at present no consensus on the optimal approach to GDM screening in Europe. More uniformity in GDM screening across Europe will lead to an opportunity for more timely diagnosis and treatment for GDM in a greater number of women. More targeted research is necessary to evaluate optimal screening strategies based on the 2013 WHO criteria across different European populations with a focus on implementation strategy. Future research should address these important questions so that solid recommendations for GDM screening can be made to European health organizations based on screening uptake rates, maternal well-being, maternal and neonatal health outcomes, equity and cost-effectiveness. Here we describe the ongoing controversy on GDM screening and diagnosis, and provide an overview of important topics for future research concerning GDM screening in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are revolutionising fields of science and engineering. In recent years, process engineering has widely benefited from this novel modelling and optimisation approach. The open literature can offer several examples of their applications to chemical engineering problems. Increasing investments are devoted to these techniques from different industrial areas, but insufficient information on a structured course covering these topics in a chemical engineering curriculum could be found. The course in this paper intends to reduce this gap. We introduce one of the first courses on artificial intelligence applications in a chemical engineering curriculum. The course targets Master's students with a chemical engineering background and insufficient knowledge of statistical approaches. It covers the main aspects by utilising frontal lectures and hands-on exercises with active learning methods. This paper shows the methodology we adapted to introduce students to machine learning techniques and how they responded to each class. The student performances for each test are shown, as well as the survey results based on student feedback and suggestions. This work contains essential guidelines for educators who will provide an artificial intelligence course in a chemical engineering curriculum. • An AI course for chemical engineers is given as one of the first attempts in Europe. • The course is structured into frontal and hands-on lessons. • Modelling and optimisation techniques via AI were shown to the students. • Applications of developed models were explained to the students. • Students can apply basic AI in chemical engineering tasks after this course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Wood waste collected at mechanical treatment plant in various periods of the year. • Organosolv treatment to produce a cellulose pulp for manufacturing containerboard. • Results show good reproducibility of the organosolv process applied to wood waste. • Obtained a pulp with an average cellulose content of about 76%. Wood waste is a valuable material that could constitute an abundant and inexpensive source for the production of new materials the recovery of energy. In Europe, about 46% of wood waste is recycled to particleboard and fiberboard, while the other fraction is incinerated. However, a considerable quantity of wood waste shows potential for its transformation into value-added products due to its compositional quality. In this work, wood waste collected at a mechanical treatment plant underwent organosolv treatment to produce a cellulose pulp suitable for manufacturing containerboard. Three variables (temperature, acid concentration, and ethanol concentration) were investigated to find an optimal solution to produce wood pulp by means of Design of Experiment. Wood waste was microwave-heated at 160 °C for 15 min using an acidified ethanol–water solution (2% w/w H 2 SO 4 and 0.8 w/w ethanol concentration), producing pulp with an average cellulose content of 76% where 93% of initial cellulose was retained. Thanks to a one-pot approach, ethanol was totally recovered, 62% of initial lignin was precipitated, and 20 g/l of hemicellulose-derived sugars solution was obtained. Finally, three wood waste samples collected in different periods of the year yielded comparable outcomes, suggesting a good reproducibility of the organosolv process. ANOVA test with a significance level of 0.01 showed a p-value of 0.029 and 0.235 for cellulose content and cellulose recovery, respectively. This study paves the way for an industrial symbiosis between recycling centers and paper mills located in the same territory. [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]

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]

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]

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]

Finding pathways to enhance the resilience of farming systems (FSs) in Europe is key, given the increasing challenges threatening them. FSs are complex socio-ecological systems in which social and ecological components are strongly linked. Social actors have the capacity to shape the FSs' resilience, but there is a knowledge gap about how they can best do it. The aim of this paper is to analyse the roles played by the actors in FSs when dealing with challenges and assess how these roles may contribute to the resilience attributes (conditions that enable resilience) and resilience capacities (robustness, adaptability, and transformability). To this end, ten focus groups have been conducted across FSs in Europe. Results suggest that each actor in the FSs can shape and strengthen different resilience attributes which in turn result in combinations of resilience capacities that are specific to the FS. Thus, enabling resilience is best accomplished with actors taking different roles and jointly configuring the most adequate combination of capacities, which differs across FSs. This paper provides a set of resilience-enabling roles that delineate the pathways to make FSs more resilient. The diversity of actors and resilience-enabling pathways require flexible, coordinated and comprehensive policies that encompass the complexity of the socio-ecological systems. • Enabling resilience of farming systems is best accomplished with actors taking different roles. • Improving farming systems' resilience requires enhancing their transformability capacity. • The actors enhance resilience by reinforcing human capital, response diversity, social organization and learning. • This paper provides a set of resilience-enabling roles that delineate the pathways to make farming systems more resilient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the EU-SILC 2008 module on over-indebtedness and financial exclusion, this paper analyses how perceived future-orientated economic insecurity alters individual self-assessed health (SAH), once controlling for past and current financial situation in a range of European countries. Those effects differ by gender and by country. Our results also suggest that country characteristics explain a larger part of the unknown variability of individual levels of SAH than individual-household characteristics. Thus, our findings might be of help in designing the most effective policies intended to alleviate the individual welfare costs of perceived financial insecurity provoked by upcoming business-cycle downturns. • There is a significant effect of past financial strain on current levels of self-assessed health (scarring effect). • Perceived future-orientated economic insecurity alters individual self-assessed health (loss aversion). • Those effects differ by gender and by country. • Country characteristics explain a larger part of the unknown variability of self-assessed health. • The importance of country characteristics varies by gender, being more relevant for females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusion for Energy (F4E), the European Domestic Agency for ITER, is responsible for the procurement of the divertor inner vertical target (IVT) and the cassette body (CB). Both IVT and CB have been supported by extensive Research and Development (R&D) work programmes, implemented over more than 15 years in Europe, to validate design, develop various fabrication technologies, assess thermo-mechanical and thermohydraulics performances and RH installation and maintainability. This paper presents the work performed and the technical challenges associated to the fabrication of the CB prototypes, the results of the prototype qualification as well as the lessons learned. [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]

Importing green chemical energy carriers is crucial for meeting European climate targets. However, estimating the costs of supplying these energy carriers to Europe remains challenging, leading to a wide range of reported supply-cost estimates. This study analyzes the estimated supply costs of green chemical energy carriers at the European border using a dataset of 1050 data points from 30 studies. The results reveal significant variations in supply costs, with a projected four-fold difference in 2030 and a five-fold difference in 2050 across all energy carriers. The main drivers of cost differences are varying production costs, particularly influenced by the weighted average costs of capital and capital expenditures of renewable energy sources, electrolyzers, and carrier-specific conversion processes. Transport costs also contribute to variations, mainly influenced by the choice of energy carrier and the weighted average costs of capital. To optimize cost-efficiency and sustainability in the chemical energy carrier sector, this paper recommends prioritizing transparency and sensitivity analyses of key input parameters, classifying energy carriers based on technological and economic status, and encouraging research and development to reduce production costs. • Meta-Analysis of 30 studies on the supply costs of chemical energy carriers to Europe. • Database of supply costs, cost components, and their parametric assumptions. • The supply costs of all energy carriers vary fourfold in 2030 and fivefold in 2050 and are dominated by production costs. • Most significant parameters for production costs are the weighted average costs of capital and capital expenditures of electrolyzers and conversion. • Transport costs depend significantly on the choice of energy carrier and the weighted average costs of capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous small mammal localities assigned to the beginning of the Late Middle Pleistocene (Holstein, Likhvin, Hoxne Interglacial) were discovered in Europe during the last years. The stratigraphical position of a number of these faunas and the regional differences are discussed in the paper. The new Likhvin small mammal locality Rybnaya Sloboda (Lower Kama basin, Volga basin, Russia) is the easternmost site of this age in Europe. The rich fauna was discovered in fluvial deposits of the 3rd terrace (III) of the Kama River; sediments that are covered by loess deposits with a series of paleosols. The Rybnaya Sloboda fauna includes 16 species of insectivores, lagomorphs and rodents. Remains of the archaic water vole Arvicola cantianus and the Middle Pleistocene steppe lemming Lagurus transiens dominate the fossils assemblage. The evolutional level of the Arvicolinae remains permits the assignment to the Gun'kovian small mammal assemblage and a correlation with the Likhvin Interglacial (MIS 11) (∼424–374 ka BP). The ecological features of the small mammal assemblage indicate a forest-steppe landscape in the lower Kama basin during MIS 11. The comparison with, and the analysis of numerous European Likhvin (= Holsteinian, = Hoxnian) small mammal faunas indicate a geographical biozonation that shows similarities with the biozonation reconstructed for the Eemian (= Mikulino, MIS 5e) Interglacial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing evidence suggests that napping is associated with cognitive impairment and dementia, but the conclusions are inconsistent. Moreover, the extent of the risk is uncertain. We therefore conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the connection between napping and cognitive impairment. We performed a systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library for studies that were published up to June 2023, and assessed associations between napping and cognitive impairment. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated as the effect sizes for all studies. Heterogeneity and potential publication biases were assessed. A total of 4535 papers were retrieved, with 20 reports assessing the relationships between napping and cognitive impairment. Pooled analysis indicated that napping was associated with dementia (OR = 1.14; 95% CI: 1.07−1.21). Importantly, we found that those napping longer than 30, 45, and 60 min/day were 35%, 41%, and 40%, respectively, more likely to have an increased risk of cognitive impairment (30 min: OR = 1.35; 95% CI: 1.24−1.48; 45 min: OR = 1.41; 95% CI: 1.27−1.58; 60 min: OR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.26−1.56). North America and Europe showed that associations existed between napping and cognitive impairment (North America: OR = 1.15; 95% CI: 1.04−1.27; Europe: OR = 1.13; 95% CI: 1.08−1.18). This meta-analysis indicated associations between long napping durations and cognitive impairment or dementia, suggesting that longer napping might be a potential risk factor of adverse cognitive outcomes. • Meta-analyses of studies relating napping and cognitive impairment. • Longer daytime napping was associated with cognitive impairment. • Links between napping and cognitive impairment varied by region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development and production of cell gene and tissue (CGT)-based therapies requires a specialized workforce. Entering the CGT arena is complex because it involves different scientific and biomedical aspects (e.g., immunology, stem cell biology and transplantation), as well as knowledge of regulatory affairs and compliance with pharmaceutical quality standards. Currently, both industry and academia are facing a worldwide workforce shortage, whereas only a handful of educational and training initiatives specifically address the peculiarities of CGT product development, the procurement of substances of human origin, the manufacturing process itself and clinical monitoring and biovigilance. The training offered by traditional Master's and PhD programs is not suited for training a skilled workforce ready to enter the increasingly fast-growing CGT field. Indeed, typically these programs are of long duration and only partially cover the required competencies, whereas the demand for a specialized workforce relentlessly increases. In this paper, we (i) present and discuss our understanding of the roots of current growth acceleration of the CGT field; (ii) anticipate future workforce needs due to the expected increase of marketed CGT-based therapies and (iii) evaluate potential solutions that seek to adapt, develop and implement current educational and training initiatives. Importantly for these solutions, we call for scientific societies, such as the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy, to play a more active role and act as catalysers for new initiatives, building bridges between academia and Industry to establish effective educational and training programs that will engage and prepare a new generation of qualified professionals for entry into the CGT field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We exploit daily information on flight traffic between 37 European countries from 2019 to 2022 to identify the drivers of air travel demand during and after the pandemic. By applying two-way fixed-effects regressions on daily data at the route-level, we find that the strict lockdown orders reduced bilateral flights by about 17% on average. Our results suggest that the fall in flight traffic from the first and second lockdowns was about 10% and 12%, respectively, while the third lockdown led to a massive reduction corresponding to 22%. The results also reveal that a one-unit change in the aggregate stringency index led to 0.2% decrease in flight frequency, while reducing the number of passengers by 0.7%. The empirical evidence suggests that a substantial change in travel patterns was explained by the spread of the virus itself, as well as voluntary actions based on individual preferences and fear of infection. The main findings of this paper have important policy implications for a more coherent response to any future virus outbreak as it affects airlines and the general economy. • We assess the drivers of bilateral flights and passenger demand during COVID-19. • European flight data observed from 2019 to June 2022 are used. • Lockdowns and stringent measures explained less than 50% of flight reductions. • Individual preferences and voluntary actions also matter. • Incentives for vaccination uptake and for reducing the fear of infection are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the relationship between logistics, intermodality and airport efficiency. To this end, using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), the efficiency of the 21 largest European airports has been estimated over the 2009–2014 period. In a second stage, this research analyses the effect of Logistics and Modal Integration on airport efficiency. The airport's ability to compete globally depends, greatly, on the passengers and cargo' access to efficient networks. The results show evidence of the positive impact of the quality of the national logistics system on Airport efficiency. The effect of Logistics on overall airport efficiency is estimated at 0.15% for every 1% increase in the Logistic Performance (LPI), ceteris paribus. Furthermore, airports that have a direct link to a High-Speed Rail (HSR) network are expected to perform, on average, 27 per cent above the rest of the airports. Finally, airports that offer more facilities to optimise the interface between airport and aircraft are expected to achieve higher efficiency levels. • Airport's ability to compete globally depends on the access to efficient networks. • This paper find evidence of the positive impact of the quality of the national logistics system on Airport efficiency. • The effect of Logistics on airport efficiency is estimated at 0.15% for every 1% increase in the Logistic Performance. • Having Direct link to a High-Speed Rail (HSR) is crucial for hub airports efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discloses an innovative methodology for the generation and update of technology roadmaps to support strategic decisions for future hypersonic transportation systems, specifically targeting non-profit oriented R&D. The methodology is fully integrated into up-to-date conceptual design activity flows. It consists of five main steps that through mathematical and logical models moves from stakeholders' analysis up to planning definition and results evaluation. Complementary to the traditional experts-based methodologies, the rational process here presented allows for a well-structured logical definition of activities and/or missions required to enhance the readiness level of technologies, including a more accurate and reliable budget and time resources estimation to support the technology development plan. This methodology is exploited in the framework of the H2020 STRATOFLY Project to assess the potential of hypersonic civil vehicles to reach Technology Readiness Level 6 by 2035 with respect to key technological, societal and economical aspects. The paper discloses a unique assessment of the readiness level of the European air-breathing propulsive technologies. The final results confirm the crucial role of air-breathing propulsive technologies in the development of future hypersonic transportation system and highlight the urgent need to invest in in-flight demonstration missions with increasing functionalities, to target 2050 as entry in to service of the first Mach 8 civil transport. • Innovative Technology Roadmap Methodology for Hypersonic Transportation Systems. • Accurate time and budget resources estimation for each TRL transit. • Guidelines for the definition of activities, demonstrative missions or in-flight missions. • Technology Assessment of air-breathing propulsive technologies in Europe. • High-speed air-breathing technologies: TRL6 by 2035 and TRL9 by 2050 are confirmed. [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 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]

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 Water Framework Directive (WFD 2000/60/EU) is a mandatory standard that aims to improve and protect water quality in Europe. It covers, among other issues, the need to establish particular reference conditions for assessing river ecosystems and defines the ecological status of water bodies and conserve the hydromorphological characteristics of rivers. The quality of riparian vegetation is an important component of stream status and contributes directly to a river's ecological stability. QBR index ("Qualitat del Bosc de Ribera") is one of the most widely used methods of evaluating riparian quality. This paper presents a new methodological version of the QBR index (QBR-GIS) to assess the ecological status of riparian forests. For this purpose, we have considered the four major conceptual blocks of the QBR index (total vegetation cover, cover structure, cover quality and channel alteration) using geographically referenced information, remote sensing and machine learning techniques. To obtain the cover quality indicator, several vegetation indices were calculated and a sensitivity analysis was performed. The QBR-GIS was validated from the results obtained from the QBR index. QBR-GIS provides greater reliability and objectivity in the results. Furthermore, it reduces the time spent on field visits and increases accuracy in obtaining the status of riparian quality. Furthermore, it is a useful tool for landscape planning and management, improved ability to apply the QBR Index to larger areas of the river catchment, resulting in more information on riparian quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-energy systems that combine different energy sources and carriers to improve the overall technical, economic, and environmental performance can boost the energy transition. In this paper we posit an innovative multi-energy system for green hydrogen production that achieves negative carbon emissions by combining bio-fuel membrane-integrated steam reforming and renewable electricity electrolysis. The system produces green hydrogen and carbon dioxide, both at high purity. We use thermo-chemical models to determine the system performance and optimal working parameters. Specifically, we focus on its ability to achieve negative carbon emissions. The results show that in optimal operating conditions the system can capture up to 14.1 g of CO 2 per MJ of stored hydrogen and achieves up to 70% storage efficiency. Therefore, we prove that a multi-energy system may reach the same efficiency of an average electrolyzer while implementing carbon capture. In the same optimal operating conditions the system converts 7.8 kg of biogas in 1 kg of hydrogen using 3.2 kg of oxygen coming from the production of 6.4 kg of hydrogen through the electrolyzer. With such ratios we estimate that the conversion of all the biogas produced in Europe with our system, could result in the installation of additional dedicated 800 GWp - 1280 GWp of photovoltaic power, or of 266 GWp - 532 GWp of wind power, without affecting the distribution grid and covering yearly the 45% of the worldwide hydrogen demand while removing from the atmosphere more than 2% of the European carbon dioxide emissions. • A Multi-energy system that produce hydrogen with negative CO 2 emissions. • More than 800 GWp of new photovoltaic power without grid burdens. • More than 800 GWp of new wind power without grid burdens. • Capture 56 Mton/year of CO 2 from the atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide about 550 hydrogen refueling stations (HRS) were in operation in 2021, of which 38% were in Europe. With their number expected to grow even further, the collection and investigation of real-world station operative data are fundamental to tracking their activity in terms of safety issues, performances, maintenance, reliability, and energy use. This paper analyses the parameters that characterize the refueling of 350 bar fuel cell buses (FCB) in five HRS within the 3Emotion project. The HRS are characterized by different refueling capacities, hydrogen supply schemes, storage volumes and pressures, and operational strategies. The FCB operate over various duty cycles circulating on urban and extra-urban routes. From data logs provided by the operators, a dataset of four years of operation has been created. The results show a similar hydrogen amount per fill distribution but quite different refueling times among the stations. The average daily mass per bus and refueling time are around 14.62 kg and 10.28 min. About 50% of the total amount of hydrogen is dispensed overnight, and the refueling events per bus are typically every 24 h. On average, the buses' time spent in service is 10 h per day. The hydrogen consumption is approximately 7 kg/100 km, a rather effective result reached by the technology. The station utilization is below 30% for all sites, the buses availability hardly exceeds 80%. • Small/medium-sized hydrogen refueling stations performance analysis. • Investigation of fuel cell buses operation under real-world conditions. • Actual demand is lower than the planned maximum capacity suggesting future bus fleets ramp up potentiality. • On average, the fuel cell buses consume 7 kg H2 /100 km, meeting the EU targets. • The majority of the refuelings are performed overnight from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. to secure capacity and availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel approach for regional ionosphere grid model with high spatial-temporal resolution is suggested. • The results of the new model is analyzed at different disturb geomagnetic and solar conditions. • A comparative analysis between the results of new model, GIM, NeQuick and GPS-TEC is made. In this paper, a novel approach based on C1 finite element (FE) interpolation is used to construct a regional ionospheric grid model (RIGM) with high spatio-temporal resolution over Europe. The spatial resolution of the new model is 0.50 for a longitude and latitude and a temporal resolution is 15 min. Observations of 38 GPS stations at different days and seasons with different geomagnetic and solar activity conditions are used to evaluate the new method. All stations are used to discretize the whole domain of the problem into separate triangular patches using a Delaunay triangulation algorithm. In this case, GPS stations would be the vertices of the triangular patches. Also, the position of stations in sun-fixed coordinate system with coordinates of latitude and longitude are chosen in order to consider the temporal variations of vertical total electron content (VTEC). To model the behavior of VTEC in each triangular patch, a particular shape function is defined which is fitted to VTEC values at three vertices of each triangle while it satisfies C1 continuity of VTEC at the common edges of the adjacent triangles. The results of the new model are compared with the VTEC of GPS at 4 control stations as well as global ionosphere map (GIM) and NeQuick models. Statistical parameters, including correlation coefficient, root mean square error (RMSE), standard deviation and dVTEC = |VTEC GPS - VTEC model | have been used to evaluate the error of the models. In low geomagnetic activity (KP < 4), the average RMSE at 4 control stations for FE, GIM and NeQuick models are 0.89, 1.05 and 6.42 TECU, respectively, while in the high geomagnetic activity (KP > 4), they are 1.24, 1.68 and 7.62 TECU, respectively. For further analysis, the accuracy of three models in precise point positioning (PPP) has been also evaluated. In PPP method, there is an improvement of about 1–16 mm compared to GIM and NeQuick models at coordinate components of control stations in high geomagnetic activity. The results of the analysis performed in this paper show that the FE model has a very high capability and accuracy in regional VTEC modeling in high and low geomagnetic conditions. The regional accuracy of this model is higher than GIM and NeQuick models and therefore can be considered as a new model for the ionosphere. [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] This paper proposes an introductory review of the historical evolution of urban stormwater management, as well as of current trends, challenges, and changes of paradigm. It reminds us first that most of the existing urban stormwater infrastructures in developed cities are based on the modern urban sewer systems developed in the second half of the 19th century in Europe. They have been built and for decades managed almost solely by urban sanitation and water specialists, relatively independently of other technical services and, more generally, of other stakeholders in cities. They contributed significantly to public health and fast conveyance of stormwater outside the cities. However, at the turn of the 1970s, it became evident with increasing urbanisation that they also had drawbacks: artificialisation of soils, reduction of aquifer recharge, pollution of surface water and ecological impacts, etc. The paper indicates how new concepts and paradigms thereafter emerged to manage stormwater by means of more sustainable and integrated approaches, aiming to solve the problems engendered by the previous approaches. This integration embraces more and more disciplines and issues, far beyond the traditional field of urban water engineers and specialists. The paper attempts to explain the need for this evolution, making urban stormwater management more much complex, dealing and interacting with ecology, biodiversity, bioinspiration, architecture, landscape and water values, citizens' well-being, history, culture, and socio-economic aspects. [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]

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]