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European Union (EU) policy and initiatives are driving both building renovation and the uptake of low-embodied carbon and circular design in the construction sector. The European Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) recast (2021) introduces global warming potential (GWP) methodology, and the future state will likely be embodied carbon targets for which life cycle assessment (LCA) of buildings will be required. External wall insulation (EWI) will have an important role to play in meeting targets. In this context, this paper compares the carbon emission payoff of three alternative EWI strategies that address conventional, low-carbon and circular solutions to EWI respectively, in the retrofit of an existing dwelling. The circular strategy is based on design for disassembly (DfD). Whereas standard LCA is based on a single building life cycle, the literature reviewed shows that the environmental impact assessment of DfD requires a multi-life cycle approach. In the absence of standardised methods for assessment, four multi-cycle LCA methods are selected and applied holistically in a case study investigation. Three allocation methods, 100:0, linear degressive (LD) and enhanced linear degressive (CELD), provide a range of emissions from 'conservative' to 'best case' over three building life cycles and the fourth method, the Van Gulck method, assesses the benefits of circularity through the concept of 'multi-cycling' based on one building life cycle. As each method of assessment will deliver different results, carbon emission payoff is not a fixed value. Findings show that with multiple use, the circular strategy pays off due to avoided production emissions and benefits from end-of-life (EoL) processes that DfD facilitates, that the upfront carbon cost of the circular strategy is minor relative to the carbon emission savings that reuse brings, and that the margin of improvement relative to the alternative strategies increases with each subsequent reuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the requirements of the EU EPBD (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive) for counting the carbon footprint (especially in Scope 3) and including it in construction projects from 2030. The obligation to count the carbon footprint will burden mainly designers, who are increasingly using BIM (Building Information Modelling) in the design process. Performing analysis and calculation of the carbon footprint in BIM models is hampered by the lack of non-graphical information on the subject in library components. The paper explains the concept of CO2 in 3 scope, also discusses currently available tools for counting the carbon footprint, and examines how many components available on the Internet already contain non-graphical information on emissions, as well as ideas for implementing this directive. The advantages and disadvantages of these approaches were presented from the perspective of various stakeholders in the planning and investment and construction processes. The aim of the paper was to present possible solutions, ensuring compliance with the EU directive by proposing specific techniques, enabling the calculation of the Scope 3 carbon footprint, using BIM. In addition to a review of existing ideas, an authorial proposal for a national repository of carbon footprint information taking into account all stakeholders was presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We report the first case of pancreatic stent (PS) migration placed early into the main pancreatic duct (MPD) during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) due to subsequent endoscopic papillary balloon dilation. A 74‐year‐old woman who complained of fever and abdominal pain was diagnosed with acute calculous cholangitis. On ERCP, a needle‐knife precut papillotomy was performed from the orifice because of difficult cannulation. Because of unintentional guidewire insertion into the MPD from the orifice, a PS with bilateral flaps was promptly placed to prevent post‐ERCP pancreatitis. After successful biliary cannulation from the orifice alongside the PS, endoscopic papillary balloon dialtion was performed, leading to PS migration into the MPD during the dilation. Two days after the first ERCP, the migrated PS was successfully removed on the second ERCP. The strategy of early PS placement in the ERCP session appears theoretically promising for preventing post‐ERCP pancreatitis. However, early PS placement during the ERCP session should be noted to pose the risk of migration into the MPD, especially when pushing the device into the bile duct.

The construction sector plays a pivotal role in reducing carbon emissions, facilitating the transition to renewable energy and promoting sustainable development. In the European Union, where decarbonization strategies are currently proving most incisive, legislative measures such as the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) have catalyzed a marked increase in the prevalence of energy-efficient buildings. In terms of decarbonization, such efforts can be achieved by massively applying Renewable Energy Sources (RES) both in new buildings as well as in existing ones, which represent the majority of the EU building stock. For such reasons, Building-Integrated/Applied Photovoltaic (BIPV/BAPV) systems offer a promising avenue for providing clean energy to the building sector. Nonetheless, despite their potential, the practical implementation of these systems on buildings faces feasibility constraints, mainly due to the limitation of the available installation surface. In such a framework, this study conducts a comprehensive evaluation of BIPV/BAPV installations potential to fulfill the electricity needs of residential buildings (i.e. achieve the net zero energy target), with a particular focus on multi-family structures within the European contest. A reference high-performance building, already assessed by the authors and therefore very well documented, was used as a test bed through detailed dynamic energy simulations. According to obtained results, the net zero energy target can be achieved for energy-efficient buildings with up to 3 and 5 storeys, in Nordic and Mediterranean climatic conditions, respectively. Assuming instead reference maximum consumption thresholds (resulting in higher energy consumption), achievable results are more restrictive, since zero-energy buildings are limited to a maximum of less than 2 storeys in Nordic climates and 3 in Mediterranean climates. In this particular historical period, the outlined results take on considerable relevance, as the highlighted feasibility limitations could jeopardise the implementation of zero emission targets, but they can also be used to properly orient energy policies under development. • An assessment of BIPV/BAPV potential of residential buildings is presented. • Net zero energy target can be achieved for buildings with up to 5 storeys. • Assuming thresholds proposed by the EPBD draft, achievable results allow less flexibility. • In some limited cases, it is required to turn to neighborhood- or city-scale solutions. • Our findings contribute to properly define supportive regulatory framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]