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This study provides a systematic literature review of research in the field of teaching and learning mathematics through Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL), Content-Based Instruction (CBI), and English Medium Instruction (EMI). The review aims to examine the most relevant literature with a focus on mathematics and CLIL, CBI, or EMI in Scopus and Web of Science per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) guidelines. Based on 151 sources, 52 papers were selected according to predefined selection criteria. The papers were analysed and coded according to the following categories: (1) geographical productivity, (2) diachronic productivity growth, (3) main objectives, (4) methodology, and research design, (5) variables and measurement instruments, (6) context and sample details, and (7) main findings. The results reveal that most of the research analysed has been carried out in the Asian continent, followed by Europe. The analysis of diachronic productivity shows that the study of the application of CLIL, CBI, and EMI programs in the teaching-learning process of mathematics has notably increased in recent years, especially in the last triennium (2020–2022). Regarding the objectives of the selected corpus, the majority aimed at teaching practices and learning processes, and outcomes in mathematics and language proficiency in CLIL, CBI, and/or EMI classrooms. The corpus analysed fits within one or more of the following categories: empirical, qualitative, descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional. The samples utilized in different studies differ significantly, both in terms of quantity –ranging from one person to 700– and in the educational level being studied, which would be primary, secondary, or tertiary education. The main variables studied in the corpus focus on mathematical competence, language proficiency, teaching practices, teacher training, science competence, and teachers' perceptions. The most widely used instruments have been objective tests, such as questionnaires, together with standardized tests to measure some aspects related to mathematical competence and language proficiency. They are followed by an analysis of documents (academic records, teaching materials, official documents...), participant or non-participant observation, interviews, and video and audio recordings. In summary, in the scientific literature analysed, a positive or neutral view predominates on the effects of the CLIL, CBI, and EMI approaches on the learning of mathematics and the L2. This can be due to methodological issues fundamentally related to the methodology, research design, sample, and measurement instruments. Thus, we must highlight that some of the results from the selected papers must be interpreted with caution. Taking this factor into consideration, further comparative studies on a wider scale are required to examine thoroughly the effects of CLIL, CBI, and EMI on the teaching and learning of mathematics in an L2. Besides, it is important to study in greater depth the different levels of language acquisition since the research analysed shows that these have not been sufficiently addressed in the mathematical field of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social work (SW) is criticized for its (i) inconsistent ontology, epistemology, and methodology and (ii) co-dependency with the capitalist hegemony, which is the main cause of multiple crises that primarily affect the most vulnerable. Addressing these issues is of paramount importance if SW is to achieve its core mandate of promoting social change, social development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. The purpose of this paper is to assert that SW can address these issues by learning from the (i) Settlement House Movement (SHM), especially the Hull-House tradition of SW; and (ii) current endeavors of the Social Solidarity Economy (SSE). We were led to this assertion because we noticed in our research, in the area of SSE of vulnerable groups and SW, remarkable similarities and potentials of these two approaches to help transform SW. Our argument is based on data and insight gained from (i) a narrative literature review on the history of SW and the nature of SSE; and (ii) a systematic scoping review of the SSE of People of African Descent (PAD) in Europe. In this paper, we elaborate on our key arguments and provide examples and recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses and underlines the importance of investigations on post-medieval shipwrecks, particularly for wrecks where archival documentation is also available, in relation to gaining a better knowledge of tin-glazed tableware produced in Montelupo (Florence, Tuscany). The case of the Mortella II wrecks is interesting in this sense and also shows how an exact dating of the wreck can allow for a revision of the chronologies of the ceramic classes found on board. In the case of the majolica of Montelupo, the revision of the dating of these ceramics with great diffusion (Europe, Americas, Africa) has major repercussions on international archaeological research. This paper presents a preliminary study of the Montelupo tin-glazed tableware found in the 2021 excavation researches conducted on the Mortella II wreck. The interest in the pottery recovered is high, for several reasons: (A) The dating of the wreck to 1527, clarified thanks to the discovery of a written document related to the sinking of the two Genoese "twin" ships off Saint-Florent (Haute-Corse), which are conventionally defined as Mortella II and III. (B) The almost exclusive presence of Montelupo majolica, a ceramic class among the most important between the 16th and 17th centuries, with a very wide dispersal throughout in the Mediterranean and Europe, as well as internationally. (C) The variety of decorations of the majolica of Montelupo documented thus far in the wreck (at least nine) makes this first sample a reference site for the study of this ceramic class in the first quarter of the 16th century, especially for the precise date of closure for the context (1527). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews research on education and childbearing in Europe over the last decade. Early demographic research attributed declining fertility in advanced economies in the second half of the twentieth century to increasing female educational levels. The twenty-first century has witnessed further increases in educational attainment coupled with trend reversals in fertility. The relationship between education and fertility has become more complex, sparking renewed interest in the interplay between the two life domains. We examine how educational enrolment and attainment influence individuals' fertility behaviour - both fertility timing and level - and how the relationship between education and fertility is shaped by contextual factors such as family policies, macroeconomic shocks, and normative changes in gender attitudes. We also summarise the recent literature on educational gradients in male fertility and review methodological developments to address issues of self-selection and unmeasured heterogeneity in the study of education and fertility. Finally, this paper identifies and discusses challenges and important areas for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim is to identify important factors for immigrants' health and well-being and for their use (or non-use) of primary health care (PHC) and other non-specialised services, and for possible ways that PHC can support healthy ageing of immigrants. Background: Older persons are an increasing share of the immigrant population in the global north, frequently in contact with various forms of health services, (PHC services most of all. Consequently, PHC services are in a particularly unique position to support healthy ageing of immigrants. Methods: The position paper builds on five international, multi-professional and cross-disciplinary small group discussions as well as an international workshop early summer. During the discussions and the workshop, topics were arrived at as to factors related to the health situation of older immigrants, their needs, and health-seeking behaviour, and to how PHC professionals could support healthy ageing in immigrants. Those main topics in turn guided search for relevant research literature and informed the selection of the main research questions of this paper. Findings: Several factors, in addition to culture and cultural differences, are important to for PHC professionals and decision-makers to take into consideration in encounters with older immigrants. The socio-economic position of the older immigrant and close relatives, inter-generational relationships within the immigrant communities, country-specific factors in the host country like health care expenditure, and communication skills in health professionals are all examples of factors playing an important role regarding the health and health-seeking behaviour of older immigrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper strives to answer the research question of whether Treaty change is necessary to build stronger mechanisms of EU values protection. It analyses the current toolkit of available values protection mechanisms, demonstrates that those mechanisms have not proven to be very effective, and concludes that the EU is ill equipped to find convincing responses. Following on from this, it reflects on the key proposals made in the academic and institutional debate to improve the current values protection framework. Nevertheless, the paper concludes that these proposals merely represent individual puzzle pieces unlikely to change the course of backsliding if taken in isolation and not providing for a comprehensive and concerted strategy. The paper therefore opts for a broader perspective, relying on the idea of reconceptualising the framework of EU values protection pursuing the path of Treaty change. This path rests on three different dimensions: structural, institutional, and substantive reforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzymatic pretreatment of cellulose is generally considered to be a new area of research, but in fact it was a standard step in European preindustrial papermaking between 1300 and 1800. Specialized handmade papers are routinely prepared in our Center for use in the care and conservation of rare books and manuscripts. Our attempts to replicate some of the early papers have led us to an investigation of retting (or fermentation) of hemp and cotton fiber as a pre-beating step. Results of twenty-two production runs show that increased fermentation time gives increased Canadian Standard Freeness and improved formation quality while permitting a decrease in beating time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heraldic traditions in southeast European countries are similar, as are the histories of their state emblems and coat of arms. Their development could be classified into three periods: (1) from the founding of the states until the end of World War II; (2) the socialist period; and (3) the period of democratisation after the collapse of socialism. The focus of this work is the processes of the adoption of coats of arms. The descriptions are taken from the appropriate legal documents. This paper examines the emblems and coats of arms of modern southeastern European, or Balkan states, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Slovenia, and Serbia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring the condition (water quality, biodiversity, hydromorphology) of small water bodies presents a challenge for the relevant authorities in terms of time and resources (labour and financial) due to the extensive length of the stream network or the sheer number of small standing water bodies. Citizen science can help address information gaps, but the effort required should not be underestimated if such projects are to generate reliable and sustained data collection. The overall aim of this paper is to propose a framework for operationalisation of citizen science targeting collection of data from small water bodies. We first consider the data gaps and the elements (water chemistry, ecology, hydromorphology) to be addressed, in order to define where citizen science could best make an impact. We review examples of tools and methods that are appropriate for small water bodies, based on experience from a selection of freshwater citizen science projects, and the support that is needed for effective and sustained small water body projects across Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research background: Digitalization in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated significantly across Europe, including in regions that are at the stage of catch-up development. However, as innovative technologies are intensively integrated into everyday life, the digital gap between the EU countries is increasing. The widening digital gap is becoming a serious threat to achieving the EU's sustainable development goals and building a sustainable European society. Purpose of the article: The purpose of the article was to empirically substantiate the inclusiveness and convergence of the digital strategy in the EU countries. Methods: Using the method of fuzzy sets, the level of asymmetry in access to transactional (e-commerce), information (cloud computing), operational (artificial intelligence) technologies in the EU countries was assessed. The negative impact of the digital gap within the countries (the gap between small, medium, large companies) and the global digital gap (the gap between EU countries) on the competitiveness of countries was established, for which correlation analysis and the Granger causality test were used. Findings & value added: The findings of this study contribute to the literature of digital transformation and digital gap of European countries. The impact of the digital gap in transactional, information, operational technologies on the competitiveness of countries is differentiated depending on the level of digitalization of the country. Cluster groups of countries are determined by the convergence of digitalization and ways to ensure long-term competitiveness. The directions for reducing the digital gap in the EU countries are substantiated by changing the priorities of spending on innovation and increasing productivity, diversifying the digital technologies used. The empirical results obtained can serve as a basis for improving the effectiveness of the digitalization policy in the EU countries in accordance with individual convergence goals. The main added value of the paper is related to the presented research procedure, which can be used in analyses of digital technologies development also for other countries. The results provide valuable insights into evaluating the digital technologies in European countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently there has been a spate of interest in Max Scheler's social phenomenology (Schloßberger, 2016; Szanto & Moran, 2016; Cusinato, 2018). In this paper I aim to show that his philosophical contribution on Europe and Europeanism has its focal point on the concepts of rebuilding (Wiederaufbau) and rebirth (Wiedergeburt). My idea is that, for Scheler, the essential condition of any attitude towards socio-cultural change (Umkehr) have its center in the idea of the formation and the development of the personal singularity (Personbildung) (Scheler, 2009a; Scheler, 2010a; Scheler, 2013). And this means the growth and the expression, in a solidaristic perspective, of one's own ethical singularity (An-sich-Gutes für mich) and of one's own vocations. The idea of solidarity declined in terms of Bildung is therefore strictly interdependent on the testimony coming from Otherness-exemplar (Vorbild) (Scheler, 2009f). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on Max Scheler's political-programmatic writings produced during and after World War I, this contribution intends to examine the content and consistency of the ideal of a cultural-spiritual unity of Europe (as distinct from its political, legal, or economic unity), and to provide a basis for discussing its plausibility and fruitfulness for the present time. About 100 years ago, the philosopher thought about the future of Europe, and claimed to be able to infer concrete orientations for political action from fundamental philosophical insights. Thus, the paper proceeds from conceptual foundations to their application to concrete practical problems. The first section intends to outline the concept of cultural unity and the principle of solidarity between cultural unities; this makes it possible, in the second part, to distinguish the European cultural sphere from others; the final section gives a positive determination of the specific unity of European culture, including some educational consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic land use and land cover change (LULCC) is a major driver of environmental changes. The biophysical impacts of these changes on the regional climate in Europe are currently being extensively investigated within the World Climate Research Program (WCRP) Coordinated Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) Flagship Pilot Study (FPS) Land Use and Climate Across Scales (LUCAS) using an ensemble of different regional climate models (RCMs) coupled with diverse land surface models (LSMs). In order to investigate the impact of realistic LULCC on past and future climates, high-resolution datasets with observed LULCC and projected future LULCC scenarios are required as input for the RCM–LSM simulations. To account for these needs, we generated the LUCAS Land Use and land Cover change (LUC) dataset version 1.1 at 0.1 ∘ resolution for Europe with annual LULC maps from 1950 to 2100 (10.26050/WDCC/LUC_hist_EU_v1.1, , 10.26050/WDCC/LUC_future_EU_v1.1,), which is tailored to use in state-of-the-art RCMs. The plant functional type (PFT) distribution for the year 2015 (i.e. the Modelling human LAND surface Modifications and its feedbacks on local and regional cliMATE – LANDMATE – PFT dataset) is derived from the European Space Agency Climate Change Initiative Land Cover (ESA-CCI LC) dataset. Details on the conversion method, cross-walking procedure, and evaluation of the LANDMATE PFT dataset are given in the companion paper by. Subsequently, we applied the land use change information from the Land-Use Harmonization 2 (LUH2) dataset, provided at 0.25 ∘ resolution as input for Coupled Modelling Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) experiments, to derive LULC distributions at high spatial resolution and at annual time steps from 1950 to 2100. In order to convert land use and land management change information from LUH2 into changes in the PFT distribution, we developed a land use translator (LUT) specific to the needs of RCMs. The annual PFT maps for Europe for the period 1950 to 2015 are derived from the historical LUH2 dataset by applying the LUT backward from 2015 to 1950. Historical changes in the forest type changes are considered using an additional European forest species dataset. The historical changes in the PFT distribution of LUCAS LUC follow closely the land use changes given by LUH2 but differ in some regions compared to other annual LULCC datasets. From 2016 onward, annual PFT maps for future land use change scenarios based on LUH2 are derived for different shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) and representative concentration pathway (RCP) combinations used in the framework of CMIP6. The resulting LULCC maps can be applied as land use forcing to the new generation of RCM simulations for downscaling of CMIP6 results. The newly developed LUT is transferable to other CORDEX regions worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the implementation and validation of the torus mapping, a method to dealias radial wind observations by meteorological radars is presented. We apply the procedure to data from the Operational program for exchange of weather radar information (OPERA) over central part of Europe for the whole year 2021. The quality of the resulting radar winds is assessed by a comparison to colocated radiosonde and aircraft observations and also through analysis of first guess departures using a regional numerical weather prediction model. Performance of quality control on dealiased radial wind data is also evaluated.We show that the torus mapping method is a robust procedure on data with a sufficiently low amount of measurement noise. It produces datasets of comparable quality for a wide range of Nyquist velocity values and has potential for operational applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses a central issue linked to research conducted on an eclectic conglomeration of people connected in various ways to the principal European site of the Japanese new religion of Tenrikyō. Although the center itself is in a Parisian suburb and the majority of its key actors are Japanese, the people connected to this center and its associated social world span beyond the Paris region and include various nationalities, countries of residence, and even religious identities. Moreover, the people connected to this center and the presence of the Tenrikyō religion in Europe are largely one and the same, but not entirely. A question commonly posed to the researcher by "outsiders" is how many Tenrikyō "members" there are in Paris, France, and/or Europe, and if they are Japanese or the nationality of the local country (French, German, etc.) The complexities of answering such questions are the focus of this discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is urgent to make a change of strategy that successfully faces the energy transition to achieve the 2030 sustainable development goals, the armed conflict in Europe, the high price of energy supply and the high energy dependence at European and national level. In this scenario, the energy community, as a new legal entity, driven by European regulations, can be considered an effective tool to fight against climate change, accelerating the energy transition and guaranteeing a fair and inclusive energy system so necessary in our country. At the national level, the legal framework that regulates energy communities is insufficient. Thus, is it necesary a legal, technical and financial development to promote the constitution of such entities. In this paper, we study their legal nature, proposing, within the framework of Social Economy organisations, the associations and cooperatives as suitable legal formula. They have similar characteristics, provide environmental, social and economic benefits for their members, under principles of voluntary, inclusive and democratic participation; in order to improve the quality of life of citizens; in short, to work on behalf of people and our planet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To meet the 2050 EU decarbonization goals, there is a need for new and innovative ideas to increase energy efficiency, which includes reducing the energy consumption of buildings and increasing the use of on-site renewable energy sources. One possible solution for achieving efficient thermal energy transition in the building sector is to assign new functionalities to the building envelope. The building envelope can function as a thermal energy storage system, which can help compensate for irregularities in solar energy availability. This can be accomplished by utilizing phase change materials as the energy storage medium in the building envelope. In this paper, two phase change materials with different melting temperatures of 21 °C and 28 °C are compared for their application in a dynamic solar building envelope. Both experimental and numerical studies were conducted within the scope of this study. The laboratory testing involved simulating the conditions of the four seasons through steady-state and dynamic experiments. The performance of the phase change materials was evaluated using a small-scale PASLINK test stand that imitates indoor and outdoor conditions. A numerical model of a small-scale building envelope was created using data from laboratory tests. The purpose of this model was to investigate how the tested phase change materials perform under different climate conditions. The experimental findings show that RT21HC is better at storing thermal energy in the PCM and releasing it into the indoor area than RT28HC. On the other hand, the numerical simulation results demonstrate that RT28HC has an advantage in terms of thermal storage capacity in climates found in Southern Europe, as it prevents overheating of the room. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize is one of the most important food and feed sources at the worldwide level. Due to this importance, all the pathogens that can infect this crop can harm both food safety and security. Fungi are the most important pathogens in cultivated maize, and Fusarium spp. are one of the most important families. Reduction in yield and production of dangerous mycotoxins are the main effects of Fusarium spp. infection. Fusarium graminearum (part of the Fusarium graminearum species complex) is one the most important fungi that infect maize, and it is the causative agent of Gibberella ear rot (GER). The main characteristics of this species include its ability to infect various species and its varying infection pressures across different years. This fungus produces various harmful mycotoxins, such as deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, butanolide, and culmorin. Infection can start from silk channels or from ear wounds. In the first case, the environmental conditions are the most important factors, but in the second, a key role is played by the feeding action of lepidopteran larvae (in Europe, Ostrinia nubilalis). All these factors need to be taken into account to develop a successful management strategy, starting from cropping methods that can reduce the source of inoculum to the direct control of the fungus with fungicide, as well as insect control to reduce ear wounds. But, the most important factor that can reduce the effects of this fungus is the use of resistant hybrids. Different studies have highlighted different defensive methods developed by the plant to reduce fungal infections, like fast drying of silk and kernels, chemical compounds produced by the plant after infection, and mechanical protection from insects' wounds. The aim of this paper is to review the scientific evidence of the most important management strategies against GER in maize and to highlight the genetic basis which is behind hybrid resistance to this disease, with a focus on genes and QTLs found in studies conducted across the world and with different types of maize from tropical cultivars to European flint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Time-varying relationships between two atmospheric oscillation modes and precipitation (rainfall and snow) in the western portion of the Carpathian Mountains and the northern part of the Pannonian Plain are investigated in this paper. The Arctic Oscillation (AO) and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) modes were used to explain the intra-annual variability of monthly rainfall totals and new snow over a 36-year period (1981-2017) observed at a dense network of 177 rain gauges and 33 snow rods located throughout the investigated area, respectively. The Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT) was deployed as a band-pass fllter to quantify the spectral coherence and attribution (based on signal-to-noise ratio) of the NAO and AO modes to the precipitation variability. The temporal and spatial patterns of NAO and AO-related signal variance in monthly rainfall totals and fresh snowpack were evaluated on seasonal and monthly bases. The NAO mode explained the major historically observed snow calamities, such as the snowy cold spell of January 1985 that hit central and southern Europe, bringing heavy snowfall to the investigated region and many other parts of Europe. This event was the beginning of a prolonged cold wave in Europe, with extremely low air temperatures across the continent. Our analyses showed that the AO mode appears to have only a limited effect on the overall variability of new snowpack in late winter. The attribution of NAO and AO modes to the variability of monthly rainfall totals is less pronounced compared to new snowpack. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Standards and Codes of Practice for designing new constructions and for assessing and strengthening existing ones are usually based on uniform hazard maps, where different Limit States (LSs) are associated with different hazard-exceedance probabilities. This approach yields non-homogeneous LS-exceedance probabilities across a territory, thus failing to achieve the goal of uniform risk throughout a territory. Such lack of uniformity stems from estimating the probability of failure using capacity and demand models. If the capacity of new constructions—or the capacity increase of strengthened existing constructions—are designed based on a prescribed hazard-exceedance probability, then the seismic risk depends on both the structure (depending on the design philosophy and corresponding design objectives), through the capacity model, and the location, through the hazard model. The aim of this study is threefold. First, it provides a seismic probability assessment formulation and a risk-targeted intensity measure based on a linear model in log–log coordinates of the hazard, under the assumption of log-normal capacity and demand. The proposed framework introduces a factor that multiplies the code hazard-based demand to account either for intentional (from design) over-capacity or for undesired (e.g., in existing constructions) under-capacity. Second, this paper shows an application to peak ground accelerations in Europe considering parameters taken from Standards and Codes of Practice. The developed framework is used to determine the risk-target levels of peak ground acceleration used for design in Europe, for both new and existing constructions. Third, the obtained target risk levels are used to determine a risk-based intensity modification factor and a risk-based mean return period modification factor, which can be readily implemented in current Standards to achieve risk-targeted design actions, with equal LS-exceedance probability across the territory. The framework is independent of the chosen hazard-based intensity measure, be it the commonly used peak ground acceleration or any other measure. The results highlight that in large areas of Europe the design peak ground acceleration should be increased to achieve the proposed seismic risk target and that this is particularly significant for existing constructions, given their larger uncertainties and typical low capacity with respect to the code hazard-based demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The genus Diopatra is a major driver in sedimentary systems, altering the structure of habitats and changing the frequency of refugia and predator access to prey. It is taken as prey by a variety of shorebirds, crustaceans, and fish and used worldwide as bait. Diopatra are quite charismatic, with iridescent colour patterns and a willingness to be fed by hand by entranced biologists, and their larvae can only be described as 'cute'. One might expect then that given their importance to sedimentary systems, the bait trade, etc. that we would know more than we do about their reproductive modes, physiological tolerances, etc. than we do. The recent discovery that the predominant onuphid of the very well-known Atlantic coast of Europe, D. neapolitana, is a protandric sequential hermaphrodite is startling. This special volume dedicated to Diopatra will hopefully stimulate more investigations and further insights. The annelid genus Diopatra occurs in all major oceans but is best represented in the shallow depths of warmer waters, where it lives in elaborately decorated tubes. This paper provides an introduction to the animals, discussing their history and diversity. We describe and illustrate its morphology and geographic distribution. While they were thought to be predominantly gonochoristic, recent reproductive studies show that several species are protandric simultaneous hermaphrodites. Development is by broadcast spawning with a brief pelagic stage or direct development in the parental tube or egg mass attached to it. Diopatra is a key ecosystem engineer, altering water flow and deposition and increasing the availability of refugia. We also discuss its harvesting as fishing bait, its role as an alien or introduced species, its capacity to regenerate, its therapeutic potential, and its applications as a bioindicator species for climate change, geographic distribution changes, and dispersal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public policies and regulations strongly influence research and manufacturing in pharmaceutical sector. Therefore, it is of critical importance that these policies and regulations are of high quality as well as appropriately balanced between general rules and detailed solutions. The process of public consultations prolongs adoption of novel documents. On the other hand, comments from different stakeholders like academia, industry, public administration and patients allow 360-degree critical evaluation of the document and a better understanding of the topic. This mini-review summarizes the contributions of numerous members of ORBIS project team in open consultations of draft regulatory documents published by European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH). ORBIS project feedback on the Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe is also presented. ORBIS project members contributed to open consultations of two ICH draft guidelines, and three EMA draft documents. ORBIS project was also active during the European Commission's efforts to develop Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe. The interaction between representatives of academic and industrial sectors allowed to form balanced comments. We hope that this paper will inspire more researchers to participate in future open consultations on public policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stigma is the terminal part of the carpel which receives pollen during the pollination process. Although the role of the stigmas in pollination is the same for all angiosperms, stigmas structures are very diverse. This study aimed to evaluate intraspecific, interspecific and intergeneric stigmas variability and then find differences of the stigma morphology amongst 24 holoparasitic Orobanche and Phelipanche species and provide new insights into its potential taxonomic value. This paper was also focused on selecting the best diagnostic features that would be used for future stigma analysis in other species of Orobanchaceae. These analyses were conducted with fresh, dry and fixed material using stereomicroscopy from different locations from Central Europe. Twenty-one quantitative or qualitative morphological features were analysed. This study highlights the variation of stigma morphology and characters which are useful to improve the taxonomic understanding of problematic taxa. Thus, two main types of stigmas were established, based on tested features: 1–oval, rarely hemispherical in shape, most often one-coloured with lobes separated in Phelipanche stigmas; 2–spherical to hemispherical, rarely oval, multi-coloured with partially fused or separated lobes in Orobanche stigmas. The best diagnostic features of the stigmas for distinguishing the Orobanchaceae are the type and subtype of stigma, the length and area of the stigma, the width of single lobes, the width in the middle part of the stigma, the length of upper and lower separation in the middle part between lobes and the angle between lobes in the upper and lower part. The morphological features of the stigmas are important criteria for distinguishing genera, sections and subsections, as well as related species. In this study, we present the first stigma morphological studies for the most numerous genera from the tribe Orobancheae and this paper may determine features possible to use in solving certain taxonomic problems and evolutionary relationships of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to high electricity prices and possible shortages of gas and other energy commodities, various fluctuations in electricity generation will need to be regulated. Given the increasing expansion of wind power plants in Europe and worldwide. It is necessary and essential to put power regulation into practice, as mandated by regulation 2016/631 EU. A significant power balance problem may arise on the grid, which may lead to cyclical and recurring blackouts in the future. The motivation for this paper is to raise awareness of the controllability of wind turbines and to highlight the gentle pace of research in this area for pitch angle control. Therefore, the chief idea of the paper is to develop a proposal for wind power plant power control by changing the rotor blade rotation, following previous research in this area, and determining the shortcomings and possibilities. The paper provides a numerical method for controlling the power output of a wind power plant, for which an algorithm has been proposed. This control is intended to provide a framework for the design and implementation of a wind power plant control program. Coordination between the multiple sources will fulfil a leading role in smooth power management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, Vehicle Make and Model Recognition (VMMR) has attracted a lot of attention as it plays a crucial role in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). Accurate and efficient VMMR systems are required in real-world applications including intelligent surveillance and autonomous driving. The paper introduces a new large-scale dataset and a novel deep learning paradigm for VMMR. A new large-scale dataset dubbed Diverse large-scale VMM (DVMM) is proposed collecting image-samples with the most popular vehicle brands operating in Europe. A novel VMMR framework is proposed which follows a two-branch architecture performing make and model recognition respectively. A two-stage training procedure and a novel decision module are proposed to process the make and model predictions and compute the final model prediction. In addition, a novel metric based on the true positive rate is proposed to compare classification confusion of the proposed 2B–2S and the baseline methods. A complex experimental validation is carried out, demonstrating the generality, diversity, and practicality of the proposed DVMM dataset. The experimental results show that the proposed framework provides 93.95 % accuracy over the more diverse DVMM dataset and 95.85 % accuracy over traditional VMMR datasets. The proposed two-branch approach outperforms the conventional one-branch approach for VMMR over small-, medium-, and large-scale datasets by providing lower vehicle model confusion and reduced inter-make ambiguity. The paper demonstrates the advantages of the proposed two-branch VMMR paradigm in terms of robustness and lower confusion relative to single-branch designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central Europe is usually defined as a 'cleavage' between the East and the West, or as a conflict zone that was affected by two tendencies in its historical past; the idea of unity that implies a homogeneous region and resistance to these efforts, and the struggle for autonomy of the people living in Central Europe. Thus, this dual perception appears in its in-between position that allows adopting Western values while keeping Eastern traditions at the same time. The purpose of the paper is to examine whether the postmodern perception of borders, the problem of a "borderless Europe", and the perception of Orientalism as a critical framework originally aimed at understanding Western (imperialist) mechanisms, can be adapted to grasp identity-building issues in our region. This paper aims to examine how the perception of "East", and "Central" appears in the post-totalitarian world, the legacy of post-colonialism, and the growing geopolitical importance of orientation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The opening up of the railway to competition in Europe has been accompanied by many technical challenges never before seen in the railway field. One of these challenges concerns precise energy metering. As European railways have been a monopoly until now, the current systems can only measure the energy consumption of a single operator. In accordance with European law, the installation of an energy meter has been mandatory in new or refurbished rolling stocks since 2014. Nevertheless, these energy meters are still not fully reliable, with misreadings and missing readings being common occurrences. To address the problem of energy metering data reliability, this paper presents a method for validating the reading measurement based on a physical model and validates it in two different case studies. For the issue of energy metering data availability, different estimators are developed, and their performance are shown with the aim of calculating the missing consumptions for both case studies. Finally, the paper suggests how these methods may be implemented in other types of trains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Erasmus+ FIELDS project aims to contribute to skill enhancement of workers in the agriculture, food industry and forestry sectors, to be able to make full use of the opportunities and comply with requirements of the "Twin" Green and Digital transition. The FIELDS project focuses on the domains Digitalization, Sustainability, Bio-Economy and Management & Entrepreneurship. Skills include "hard"/measurable and technology-based skills as well as "soft" / transversal skills. This paper reports on key challenges and prerequisites for the development of a European Agri-Food and Forestry Skills Strategy. Starting with the results of a European agri-food-forestry trend analysis and focus groups discussion on skill and training needs in 10 European countries, this paper presents the results of a follow-up survey among key stakeholders of the European skills ecosystem, including the following topics: prerequisites for the development of training programs, harmonization challenges in the European agri-food and forestry skills ecosystem, and monitoring and key performance indicators the European agri-food and forestry skills ecosystem. The paper develops directions for a EU strategy on agri-food and forestry skills, including:. - In the development of training programs in Europe special attention should be paid to management/entrepreneurship and soft skills, the position of training in practice, possibilities for online training, and attention to underprivileged groups. - For the harmonization of the agri-food and forestry European skills ecosystem a common European catalogue and repository of training programs, linked to national systems, together with a system of micro credentials, is needed. This should be aligned with a harmonized certification system for VET courses/programs and VET providers. Agreement between public and private parties on the catalogue and certification system is essential. - A supra-national institute should be responsible for design and maintenance of a monitoring infrastructure for skills. The system to be designed should be smart, user friendly, upgradeable and interoperable. The newly established Agri-food Pact for Skills can play a central role in the establishment and governance of an "Agri-food Skills Observatory". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gender gap in voting for far-right parties is significant in many European countries. While most studies focus on how men and women differ in their nationalist and populist attitudes, it is unknown how the socio-economic and political promotion of women is associated with the gender gap in far-right political orientation. The following paper compares the effect of four different spheres of gender equality on this gender gap. By estimating multilevel logit models for more than 25 European countries and testing the mechanism via a socially conservative attitude toward gendered division of work, I find that the visible field of representation in particular—measured by the share of women in parliament and women on boards—is associated with a gender gap in far-right orientation. This paper contributes to the literature in two important ways: first, it combines policy feedback with cultural backlash theory, enlarging the scope of both theories; second, it demonstrates the importance of gender equality policies for the study of the far-right gender gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Service providers throughout Europe have identified the need to define how high-quality community-based mental health care looks to organize their own services and to inform governments, commissioners and funders. In 2016, representatives of mental health care service providers, networks, umbrella organizations and knowledge institutes in Europe came together to establish the European Community Mental Health Services Provider (EUCOMS) Network. This network developed a shared vision on the principles and key elements of community mental health care in different contexts. The result is a comprehensive consensus paper, of which this position paper is an outline. With this paper the network wants to contribute to the discussion on how to improve structures in mental healthcare, and to narrow the gap between evidence, policy and practice in Europe. Main text: The development of the consensus paper started with an expert workshop in April 2016. An assigned writing group representing the workshop participants built upon the outcomes of this meeting and developed the consensus paper with the input from 100 European counterparts through two additional work groups, and two structured feedback rounds via email. High quality community-based mental health care: 1) protects human rights; 2) has a public health focus; 3) supports service users in their recovery journey; 4) makes use of effective interventions based on evidence and client goals; 5) promotes a wide network of support in the community and; 6) makes use of peer expertise in service design and delivery. Each principle is illustrated with good practices from European service providers that are members of the EUCOMS Network. Conclusions: Discussion among EUCOMS network members resulted in a blueprint for a regional model of integrated mental health care based upon six principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban waste heat recovery, in which low temperature heat from urban sources is recovered for use in a district heat network, has a great deal of potential in helping to achieve 2050 climate goals. For example, heat from data centres, metro systems, public sector buildings and waste water treatment plants could be used to supply 10% of Europe's heat demand. Despite this, at present, urban waste heat recovery is not widespread and is an immature technology. Based on interviews with urban waste heat stakeholders, investors interested in green investments, and experience from demonstrator projects, a number of recommendations are made. It is suggested that policy raising awareness of waste heat recovery, encouraging investment and creating a legal framework should be implemented. It is also recommended that pilot projects should be promoted to help demonstrate technical and economic feasibility. A pilot credit facility is suggested aimed at bridging the gap between potential investors and heat recovery projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Europe, 50%–70% of former natural grassland area has been destroyed during the past 30 years due to land use changes, losses are expected to increase in the future. Restoration is thought to reverse this situation by creating suitable abiotic conditions. In this paper, we investigate the effects of sod translocation with specific vegetation to facilitate the restoration of a former intensive agricultural field into a wet meadow. First, starting conditions were optimized including modification of the local hydrology, removal of the fertilized topsoil, application of liming, and translocation of fresh clippings as a seed source. The second part aimed at restoring the habitat for the butterfly species Phengaris (Maculinea) teleius, one of the species that was especially affected by the loss of wet meadows. This species engages in a complex myrmecophilous relationship with one host plant, Sanguisorba officinalis, and one obligate host ant, Myrmica scabrinodis. We used sod translocation to create islands of habitat to promote host plant and host ant colonization. After 4 years following the restoration, we observed that plants spread from the transplanted sods to the surroundings. The vegetation composition and structure of the transplanted sods attracted colonization of Myrmica ants into the restored areas. Following the increase in vegetation cover and height, Myrmica ant colonies further spread into the restored areas. Therefore, sod translocations can be considered an effective restoration method following topsoil removal in the process of restoring wet meadows to provide a starting point for ant colonization and plant dispersion. With these findings, this paper contributes to the evidence‐based restoration of wet meadows on former agricultural fields, including complex interactions between invertebrates and their required ecological relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper addresses a real-time optimization-based reference calculation integrated with a control structure for Modular Multilevel Converters (MMC) operating under normal and constrained situations (where it has reached current and/or voltage limitations, as it may occur during system faults). Firstly, a nonlinear optimization problem has been developed in which it prioritizes to satisfy the AC grid current set-points imposed by the transmission System Operator (TSO). The constrained nonlinear optimization problem is formulated based on the steady-state model of the MMC, whereby the prioritization is achieved through distinct weights defined in the Objective Function’s (OF) terms. The resultant optimization problem, however, is highly nonlinear requiring high computation burden to be solved in real-time. To cope with this issue, this paper applies a Linear Time-Varying (LTV) approximation, which permits to represent the nonlinear dynamics of the system as constant parameters, while a Linear Time-Invariant (LTI) system is used to formulate the optimization constraints. The converter’s current references are determined in real-time by solving a constrained linearized optimization problem at each control time step, which considers the TSO’s demands, the current MMC operating point and its physical limitations. Theoretical analyses comparing the responses of the linear and nonlinear optimization problems are performed to validate the accuracy of the LTV approximation. Finally, the linearized-optimization problem is integrated with the MMC controllers, evaluated under different AC and DC network conditions and compared with conventional control strategies, where it is shown that the presented method can be potentially employed to obtain the MMC current references for distinct network scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there was almost always a war going on somewhere on the planet, Europe has known relatively peaceful times, since the end of the World War II. All this period, in Europe, we have mainly seen crime (in its different shapes) as a main menace to societal prosperity. However, a war has the potential to produce considerably more profound effects. This is why it seems important to analyse the relation between crime and war, to see how these two factors interact, to see if they influence each other, and, if possible, to find out if there are common traits in addressing both issues. This paper analyses the relation between crime and war, starting from the observation that both crime and war have a deep impact on societies. In our quest, we will take into account different perspectives on crime and war. As regards crime and, at a larger scale, organised crime, often fighting against them has been deemed as a true war, and this adds a new dimension to the nexus between crime and war. We will analyse as well if there is a variation in the type and number of certain crimes in times of war. Overall, in this paper we will try to clarify some aspects regarding the nexus between crime and war, as a clear image on their relation is extremely important in order to identify some methods which can be used to prevent or, at least, to mitigate the effects of these two seriously impairing factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Spring in Europe has been trending earlier for almost half a century. Long-distance migrant birds, such as the Willow Warbler and Pied Flycatcher, which breed in Europe, have arrived earlier too. It is broadly accepted that warming springs in temperate regions explain the earlier arrival of migrants. However, migration started weeks earlier and thousands of kilometres away. There must be additional cues elsewhere triggering migration. Meteorologists have developed measures of atmospheric circulation which are related to climate variability in wide regions. One of them is the Southern Oscillation Index, which reflects El Niño/La Niña that cause droughts and floods in the southern hemisphere. Other atmospheric circulation patterns, measured by the North Atlantic Oscillation Index and Indian Ocean Dipole, help predict total rainfall for a whole season in various parts of Africa and Europe. Good rains are associated with plant growth and with insect abundance. Insects provide food for most of these migrants. Therefore, this paper asks the question: "Is the timing of arrival of long-distance migrants in spring related to the climates they experience in the places where they are over the year prior to arrival in Europe?" This paper says the answer is "Yes". Earlier springs in temperate regions since the 1980s, attributed to climate change, are thought to influence the earlier arrival of long-distance migrant passerines. However, this migration was initiated weeks earlier in Africa, where the Southern Oscillation, Indian Ocean Dipole, North Atlantic Oscillation drive climatic variability, and may additionally influence the migrants. Multiple regressions investigated whether 15 indices of climate in Africa and Europe explained the variability in timing of arrival for seven trans-Saharan migrants. Our response variable was Annual Anomaly (AA), derived from standardized mistnetting from 1982–2021 at Bukowo, Polish Baltic Sea. For each species, the best models explained a considerable part of the annual variation in the timing of spring's arrival by two to seven climate variables. For five species, the models included variables related to temperature or precipitation in the Sahel. Similarly, the models included variables related to the North Atlantic Oscillation (for four species), Indian Ocean Dipole (three), and Southern Oscillation (three). All included the Scandinavian Pattern in the previous summer. Our conclusion is that climate variables operating on long-distance migrants in the areas where they are present in the preceding year drive the phenological variation of spring migration. These results have implications for our understanding of carry-over effects. [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]

The Mediterranean basin is one of the most vulnerable regions worldwide due to its population density, the concentration of economic activities along the coasts and borderline climatic balance. It is identified as one of the most critical erosion hotspots in Europe, mainly due to the degradation of coastal areas, overexploitation and unsustainable practices affecting beach tourism, agriculture and fishing. The region is also affected by other phenomena such as storms and floods, which are exacerbated by climate change. To mitigate and adapt to these environmental and climatic changes, Nature based Solutions (NbSs) are considered a promising step-forward. However, despite their global recognition in both research and policy, few scientific papers and documents on the state of NbSs implementation for coastal risk management in the Mediterranean exist. This paper aims to provide an understanding of the status of NbS adoption for coastal risk management in the Mediterranean through a literature review. Out of 162 scientific papers and documents, only 23 were found to be relevant to the study. Through the definition and support of an innovative matrix-based approach, the analysis of the state of adoption of NbSs have been performed. Despite the limited information on the state of the adoption of NbSs for coastal risk management in the Mediterranean due to the low numbers of scientific research and documents available, some key considerations have been revealed. • The Mediterranean basin is the most critical erosion hotspots in Europe. • NbSs are recognized a promising step-forward in coastal risk management. • Novel framework for the analysis of past and present NbS implementation. • Few studies report the adoption of NbSs for Mediterranean coastal risk management. • NbS for coastal risk management in the Mediterranean is still in an experimental phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve observations of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL), Europe's network of meteorological and hydrological services EUMETNET as well as the European Research Infrastructure ACTRIS are currently working on building networks of microwave radiometers (MWRs). Elevation-scanning MWRs are well suited to obtain temperature profiles of the atmosphere, especially within the ABL. Understanding and assessing measurement uncertainties of scanning MWRs is therefore crucial for accurate temperature profiling. In this paper we discuss measurement uncertainties due to the instrument setup and originating from external sources, namely (1) horizontal inhomogeneities of the atmosphere, (2) pointing errors or a tilt of the instrument, (3) physical obstacles in line of sight of the instrument, and (4) radio frequency interference (RFI). Horizontal inhomogeneities from observations at the Jülich Observatory of Cloud Evolution (JOYCE) are shown to have a small impact on retrieved temperature profiles (< |0.22 K| in the 25th/75th percentiles below 3000 m). Typical instrument tilts, that could be caused by uncertainties during the instrument set-up, also have a very small impact on temperature profiles and are smaller than 0.1 K below 3000 m for up to 1° of tilt. Physical obstacles at ambient temperatures and in line of sight and filling the complete beam of the MWR at the lowest elevation angle of 5.4° have to be at least 600 m away from the instrument in order to have an impact of less than 0.1 K on obtained temperature profiles. If the obstacle is 5 K warmer than its surroundings then the obstacle should be at least 2700 m away. Finally, we present an approach on how to detect RFI with an MWR with azimuth and elevation scanning capabilities. In this study we detect RFIs in a water vapor channel that does not influence the temperature retrieval, but would be relevant if the MWR were used to detect horizontal humidity inhomogeneities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper endeavors to answer the question of who defines Islam as an academic discipline. Firstly, it discusses the epistemic authority of producers and transmitters of knowledge about Islam. It is argued here that, despite modernization, religious scholars and learning centers in the Muslim world still define, to a certain extent, the main curriculum of texts and interpretations of the Muslim tradition within the discipline of Islamic studies. Furthermore, Western scholars of Islamic studies must navigate between the demands of politics and identity, which put pressure on the discipline. Secondly, this article maps the major models and approaches of Islamic studies at work today. In particular, this section highlights the diversity of research norms and practices in Europe. Finally, multiple critiques produced by decolonial, historicist, and theological views within the field of Islamic studies are shown to be complementary rather than exclusivist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expansion of bio-based value chains is prioritized through various European Union (EU) policy initiatives. Due to the growing awareness of the importance of a sustainable bioeconomy in Europe, the need to increase the availability and quality of statistics is increasing. There are several essential aspects lacking, including (i) comprehensive databases and statistics for bio-based sectors; (ii) transparent methodology for bio-based data collection; and (iii) integrated value chain data and indicators that illustrate the flows of different bio-based commodities. The aim of this paper is to develop a bio-based material flow monitor to measure the physical contribution of industries to the bioeconomy. The material flow monitor describes physical material flows (including biomass) to, from, and within the economy. It is recorded in the form of supply and use tables. To measure the bioeconomy, the BioSAM database, along with disaggregated commodities and activities, are used. Data regarding waste generation/treatment and CO2 emissions/sequestrations are added to assess the impact on climate change. The results indicate that the bioeconomy in the EU is underreported due to a lack of data, leading to an insufficient understanding of its contribution to the economy. It can also be concluded that the data from the BioSAM tables are the most complete and have the highest disaggregation level for commodities and sectors, allowing one to measure the significance of the bioeconomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article addresses the importance of Internationalization Policies in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and aims to describe the technical-methodological aspects taken into account in the construction of Strategic Internationalization Plans within the framework of the project called "Development of Internationalization Policies". Internationalization in Higher Education Institutions" (DHIP2) and reflect them in marketing actions to improve services. The institutional international strategy, the structure of the International Relations Offices (ORIs), international mobility, the internationalization of the curriculum, the internationalization of research, synergy with the territorial context and visibility, were the priorities addressed, therefore, the conclusions refer to the continuous improvement of the internationalization process related to these priorities and how they contribute to the quality of the ORIs services. For the elaboration of this paper, a qualitative approach of documentary analysis was taken into account. Horizontal cooperation between HEIs, both from Latin America, Europe, and also from other regions of the world, constitutes an essential tool for the achievement of the Policies that are designed in each HEI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides estimates of COVID-19 transmission rates and explains their evolution for selected European countries since the start of the pandemic taking account of changes in voluntary and government mandated social distancing, incentives to comply, vaccination and the emergence of new variants. Evidence based on panel data modeling indicates that the diversity of outcomes that we document may have resulted from the nonlinear interaction of mandated and voluntary social distancing and the economic incentives that governments provided to support isolation. The importance of these factors declined over time, with vaccine uptake driving heterogeneity in country experiences in 2021. Our approach also allows us to identify the basic reproduction number, R 0 , which is precisely estimated around 5, which is much larger than the values in the range of 2.4–3.9 assumed in the extant literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a novel mandatory constituent of breast-milk-substitute infant formula in Europe. The aim of the present narrative review was to summarize available data in connection with the background of the novel European mandatory dietary recommendation to add at least 20 mg/100 kcal (4.8 mg/100 kJ) DHA to infant formula. The literature search with the expression "docosahexaenoic acid with (infant or human milk or formula)" revealed nearly 2000 papers, including more than 400 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). DHA is a persistent constituent of human milk (HM) with a worldwide mean level of 0.37% (standard deviation: 0.11%) of all fatty acids in HM. RCTs on supplementing DHA to lactating women showed some indications, though no direct evidence of the beneficial effect of enhanced HM DHA on the development of breastfed infants. The most-recent Cochrane review of RCTs investigating the effect of DHA supplementation to infant formula for full-term infants reported no evidence for recommending supplementation. The controversy between the Cochrane view and the actual recommendation may be related to the numerous hurdles in organizing high-quality studies in this field. On the basis of the official food composition recommendation, today in Europe, DHA should be considered as a fatty acid essential for infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several recent studies suggest that the home advantage, that is, the benefit competitors accrue from performing in familiar surroundings, was—at least temporarily—reduced in games played without spectators due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. These games played without fans during the Pandemic have been dubbed 'ghost games'. However, the majority of the research to date focus on soccer and no contributions have been provided for indoor sports, where the effect of the support of the fans might have a stronger impact than in outdoor arenas. In this paper, we try to fill this gap by investigating the effect of ghost games in basketball with a special focus on the possible reduction of the home advantage due to the absence of spectators inside the arena. In particular, we test (i) for the reduction of the home advantage in basketball, (ii) whether such reduction tends to disappear over time, (iii) if the bookmakers promptly adapt to such structural change or whether mispricing was created on the betting market. The results from a large data set covering all seasons since 2004 for the ten most popular and followed basketball leagues in Europe show, on the one hand, an overall significant reduction of the home advantage of around 5% and no evidence that suggests that this effect has been reduced at as teams became more accustomed to playing without fans; on the other hand, bookmakers appear to have anticipated such effect and priced home win in basketball matches accordingly, thus avoiding creating mispricing on betting markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last two decades, the tidal energy industry has laid the groundwork for creating commercially viable tidal power generation projects to strengthen sustainable energy policies around the world. At the end of 2021, the cumulative installation of tidal stream technology that has been deployed in Europe reached 30.2 MW, where the majority of the installations are by small and medium-sized companies. Due to a growing demand among investors related to the global tidal energy industry, the reliability and safety of operational-stage tidal energy systems' components are becoming increasingly important. In this context, companies, universities and research institutes are focusing on conducting large- and small-scale tests of tidal turbine elements to validate their projected design life, and major attention is being given to assessing the structural integrity of turbine blades. This review paper focuses on structural tests that have been reported for axial flow tidal turbine blades manufactured using composite materials around the world, highlighting the testing standards, equipment and instrumentation required. Overall, this review article discusses the state of the art in the structural testing of tidal turbine blades. In addition, it highlights the global concerns and research gaps to ensure the long-term sustainability of axial flow tidal turbine blades. In addition, the information contained in this article will be useful for formulating a smooth and reliable mechanism to enhance the evaluation process of the structural properties of tidal turbine blades in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The question of God is one of the central themes of religious education. Therefore, research in the field of concepts of knowledge and faith can provide a substantial basis for the work of educators and teachers and, thus, for the foundation of Islamic religious education. The following paper presents the results of a qualitative study on Muslim children's relationships with God. The results provide impulses for rethinking Islamic religious education in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The loss of archaeological heritage continues today, because of both natural disasters and human-made actions. Alarmingly, a significant amount of the destruction is perpetrated by looters and illegal excavations. This problem is not a new one. However, it has increased exponentially in recent years, especially in countries which witnessed internal turmoil (i.e., the Arab Spring) but also throughout Europe. Local authorities struggle to provide adequate controls because of a lack of human resources, budget constraints or technological know-how. This paper describes a multimodal documentation and monitoring workflow applied to an archaeological site for which, due to the sensitivity of the topic, no specific details can be publicly disclosed. The techniques used include UAV aerial surveys, image-based modelling, change detection, relief visualization and GIS mapping. Thanks to the analysis of the multitemporal datasets, it was possible to assess the extension and spatial progression of illegal excavation over a two-year period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) are experiencing a transition era in which research and innovation are mainly pushed by environmental issues: emission reduction and fuel saving are indispensable requirements of the new technologies, otherwise the end of ICE is proposed in Europe. Modifications, in reality, are under discussion by 2026 but the environmental issues are anyway welcomed. In the transportation sector, today dominated by ICEs, it appears that the reduction in the propulsion power, hybridization at various degrees, and exhaust post-treatment improvements will guarantee technological solutions able to support the transition in the next couple of decades toward full electric propulsion. Waste Heat Recovery (WHR) is a very interesting opportunity since almost two-thirds of fuel energy is not converted into mechanically useful energy. Moreover, the integration with other thermal streams on board (cooling and lubricating mediums, EGR cooling) can add further value to the recovery opportunity as well as the concept of managing the engine thermal management which can produce a sensible contribution that is appreciated mainly during urban driving. A huge scientific effort is underway, and a great expectation is perceptible. More generally, the technological options that can achieve a reduction in overall fuel consumption and, thus, the improvement of global engine efficiency, are the most valuable when they can be introduced without massive changes to the engine layout. This happens in all the energy applications in which ICEs are involved since the recovery unit can be introduced in the exhaust line. The mechanical energy recovered can be easily transformed into electrical energy, so represents an interesting integration with the hybrid propulsion powertrains. In this paper, a review of the most important technologies referred to the WHR is presented, outlining advantages and drawbacks, and setting up the presently available technologies referred to the transportation sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this paper is to critically re-appraise the published trials assessing amitriptyline for migraine prophylaxis. Methods: We report our methods and results following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA), by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov for randomized trials of pharmacologic treatments for migraine prophylaxis. We included randomized trials that compared amitriptyline with placebo for migraine prophylaxis in adults. Our outcomes of interest were informed by the Outcome Set for preventive intervention trials in chronic and episodic migraine (COSMIG) and include the proportion of patients who experience a 50% or more reduction in migraine days per month, migraine days per month, and adverse events leading to discontinuation. We assessed risk of bias by using a modified Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool and the certainty of evidence by using the GRADE approach. Results: Our search yielded 10.826 unique records, of which three trials (n = 622) were eligible for data synthesis and analysis. We found moderate certainty evidence that amitriptyline increases the proportion of patients who experience a 50% or more reduction in monthly migraine days, compared to placebo (relative risk: 1.60 (95% CI 1.17 to 2.19); absolute risk difference: 165 more per 1,000 (95% CI 47 more to 327 more). We found moderate certainty evidence that amitriptyline increases the proportion of patients who discontinue due to adverse events compared to placebo (risk difference: 0.05 (95% CI 0.01 to 0.10); absolute risk difference: 50 more per 1,000 (95% CI 10 more to 100 more). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis showed that amitriptyline may have a prophylactic role in migraine patients, however these results are far from robust. This warrants further large-scale research to evaluate the role of amitriptyline in migraine prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]