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The burden of tuberculosis (TB) in migrant children and young people (CYP) is commonly overlooked, despite the increasing incidence of TB in migrant populations in the European region. This study aimed to examine the distribution and disease characteristics of TB among migrant and native-born CYP through analysis of data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) surveillance system (TESSy). Retrospective database analysis. A retrospective database analysis was conducted on all CYP TB cases (0–17 years) reported to TESSy (1995–2017), exploring distribution, site of TB, and presence of MDR-TB using multivariate analysis in R statistical software. Of the 73,176 CYP TB cases reported in the EU/EFTA (1995–2017), 24.4% (n = 17,879) occurred in migrant CYP and 75.6% (n = 55,297) occurred in native-born CYP. Migrant CYP were more likely (P < 0.001) to have pulmonary TB (OR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.74–2.09) and unsuccessful treatment outcomes (OR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.74–2.40) compared to native-born CYP. The proportion of extrapulmonary TB, compared to pulmonary TB across total CYP cases was higher than the existing evidence base. Overall, there were significant differences in the site of TB and treatment outcomes between migrant and native-born CYP. To improve outcomes, TB screening and detection practices should focus on facilitating care in migrant CYP. However, to better understand the implications of these findings on broader TB control, TB among CYP should be addressed more frequently in reports and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine timebound prison healthcare governance amendments and current structures in Europe two decades after the World Health Organization (WHO) Declaration on Prison Health as part of Public Health adopted in Moscow on 24 October 2003 (Moscow Declaration), which recommended prison health care be closely linked with public health systems to ensure quality prison health care, connected health surveillance, and continuity of care. We present here a regional evolutionary mapping of the Council of Europe Member State transfer of prison healthcare governance to the auspices of the Ministry of Health. The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture database and WHO Regional Office for Europe Health In Prison European Database were scrutinised for Council of Europe (CoE) Member State status regarding the Ministry responsible for prison healthcare governance and if this had changed since the adoption of the Moscow Declaration in 2003. As of October 2023, completed transfer of governance to the Ministry of Health nationally is documented in 13 CoE Member States and in one CoE Member State candidate (Kosovo). Partial transfer is documented in Spain (Catalonia and Basque Autonomous Community) and Switzerland (cantons of Geneva , Valais , Vaud , Neuchatel , and Basel-Stadt). Three CoE Member States operate joint governance of prison health care between Ministries (Malta, Portugal, Türkiye). Transfer is a lengthy process (up to 10 years). Successful transition requires political commitment, cooperation, needs assessment, resourcing, and evaluation. Monitoring of cost and prison healthcare standards, due process for complaints, and cooperation with independent/Committee against Torture inspections is critical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe cloud storms that produce hail (hailstorms) are common across Europe and pose major episodes of meteorological risk. The study presents all the methodological steps that were followed to develop a Deep machine learning Neural Network (DNN) model for hail detection (in terms of hail probability of occurrence), using the Meteosat multispectral infrared (IR) imagery, exclusively. The DNN model was trained using numerous cases of hail events as they were recorded from the European Severe Weather Database (ESWD). In each pixel with a recorded hail event, a set of parameters was calculated which were used to train the DNN model. Among them, a new remote sensing index named Hail Potential Index (HPI) was used to achieve optimal accuracy of the proposed DNN model in hail detection. The accuracy assessment of the DNN model was found satisfactory, with a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 1.16%. Also, the DNN model was applied in two different case studies (hail episodes) with satisfactory efficiency. The accuracy achieved allows its operational mode for hail detection using multispectral IR information from modern meteorological satellites worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last three decades, cancer mortality has shown favourable patterns in Europe. Patterns and trends however have been less favourable for most eastern countries. We computed cancer mortality rates in western (WE) and eastern European (EE) countries using the official mortality database of the World Health Organisation, using joinpoint regression models to identify significant changes in trends over time. Cancer mortality declined by 1–1.4% annually in WE since 1990, to reach an age-standardised rate (world standard) of 125.4/100,000 men and 81.3/100,000 women in 2016. In contrast, EE rates only started to decline around the 2000s in men and remained stable in women, to reach 171.9/100,000 men and 98.2/100,000 women. Lung cancer rates were 30.8/100,000 men and 14/100,000 women in WE versus 47.1/100,000 men and 15.2/100,000 women in EE. In relative terms, the mortality excess in EE increased from 32 to 37% in men and from 15 to 21% in women, compared with WE. The largest percent excesses were for cancers of the upper respiratory tract, stomach, intestines and lung in men and uterus in women. Prostate cancer rates increased in EE to reach 12.7/100,000 in 2016, whereas they decreased to 10.2/100,000 in WE. Compared with rates in 1990, over the period 1991–2016, about 3.9 million cancer deaths were avoided in WE, but no notable improvements was seen in EE. If cancer mortality rates in EE had been those observed in WE, over 55,000 deaths would have been avoided in 2016. Differences in lifestyle patterns, mainly smoking and alcohol, besides different roll-out of improvements in cancer diagnosis and management are the key determinants of the persisting difference in cancer mortality between western and eastern Europe. There is no evidence for the gap to close. • There is a persistent cancer mortality excess in central-eastern versus western Europe. • The gap between eastern and western has increased in relative terms. • Between 1990 and 2016, 3.9 million cancer deaths were avoided in western Europe. • In the same period, no material advancement was observed in eastern Europe. • In 2016, over 55,000 (18%) cancer deaths would have been avoided in eastern Europe by closing the gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The capability to predict tritium retention and permeation by accurate and reliable tritium transport models for the breeding blanket design development is one of the most relevant objectives of the European Test Blanket Module (TBM) Programme. This also represents a key aspect for the development and licensing of next-future fusion systems and power plants, including the European DEMO. Tritium analyses can be performed using either system-level models to calculate global blanket and the related ancillary system performances or detailed 3D models for spatially limited areas and critical regions: the choice between these two modelling approaches depend on the objective of each analyse. When looking at the accuracy of tritium transport simulations, two main aspects have to be considered: the first one is the completeness of the description of the physical phenomena participating to the tritium transport dynamics; the second one is the reliability of the tritium transport material property values used in the simulation activities. In this context, this paper has the objective to carry out a critical analysis on the status of the integration of the most relevant multi-physics elements, providing recommendations on the approach to follow, with a particular focus on the system-level codes. Moreover, a set of data and correlations on tritium transport materials properties is proposed as a first step towards a material property database to be shared within the breeding blanket community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to identify the global prevalence and factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in wild birds. Six bibliographic databases (Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Chinese Journal Database, Wanfang Data, PubMed, Web of science and ScienceDirect) were searched from inception to February 2023. The search yielded 1220 records of which 659 articles underwent full-text evaluation, which identified 49 eligible articles and 16,030 wild bird samples that were included in the meta-analysis. The estimated pooled global prevalence of T. gondii infection in wild birds was 16.6%. Out of the variables tested, publication year after 2020 and climate type were significantly associated with T. gondii infection (P<0.01). Our data indicate that the prevalence of T. gondii in wild birds can be influenced by epidemiological variables. Further research is needed to identify the biological, environmental, anthropogenic, and geographical risk factors which impact the ecology and prevalence of T. gondii in wild birds. [Display omitted] • Meta-analysis of global Toxoplasma gondii prevalence in wild birds. • The estimated pooled prevalence of T. gondii infection was 16.6%. • Of all continents, Europe had the highest prevalence of T. gondii. • Birds of prey Strigiformes and Falconiformes had the highest prevalence. • Publication year and climate type were significantly correlated with T. gondii prevalence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meeting the 2035 WHO targets of reducing tuberculosis incidence by 90% from 2015 levels requires the implementation of country-specific tuberculosis control strategies. This systematic review aims to identify factors that facilitate or impede the implementation of such strategies in EU and European Economic Area (EEA) settings. Focusing on providers of care, health system constraints, and social and political factors, this Review complements available evidence on the accessibility of tuberculosis services to recipients of care. Databases were searched for EU and EEA articles published between Jan 1, 1997, and Nov 6, 2020, that presented empirical data on tuberculosis policies, strategies, guidelines, or interventions. 2061 articles were screened and 65 were included. The most common barrier to tuberculosis control strategies described the divergence of health-care practices from guidelines, often related to inadequate knowledge or perceived usefulness of the guidelines by clinicians. The most commonly identified enabler to tuberculosis control strategies was the documented positive attitudes of health-care workers towards tuberculosis programmes. Divergence between clinical practice and guidelines was described in most EU and EEA settings, indicating the need for a focused review of guideline adherence. Strengths of this study involve its broad inclusion criteria and wide range of tuberculosis control strategies analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human noroviruses (HuNoVs) are the most predominant viral agents of acute gastroenteritis. Vegetables are important vehicles of HuNoVs transmission. This study aimed to assess the HuNoVs prevalence in vegetables. We searched the Web of Science, Excerpta Medica Database, PubMed, and Cochrane databases until June 1, 2023. A total of 27 studies were included for the meta-analysis. Statistical analysis was conducted using Stata 14.0 software. This analysis showed that the pooled HuNoVs prevalence in vegetables was 7 % (95 % confidence interval (CI): 3–13) worldwide. The continent with largest number of studies was Europe, and the highest number of samples was lettuce. As revealed by the results of the subgroup meta-analysis, the prevalence of GI genogroup was the highest (3 %, 95 % CI: 1–7). A higher prevalence was seen in vegetables from farms (18 %, 95 % CI: 5–37), while only 4 % (95 % CI: 1–8) in retail. The HuNoVs prevalence of ready-to-eat vegetables and non-ready-to-eat vegetables was 2 % (95 % CI: 0–8) and 9 % (95 % CI: 3–16), respectively. The prevalence by quantitative real time RT-PCR was 8 % (95 % CI: 3–15) compared to 3 % (95 % CI: 0–13) by conventional RT-PCR. Furthermore, the HuNoVs prevalence in vegetables was 6 % (95 % CI: 1–14) in ISO pretreatment method and 8 % (95 % CI: 1–19) in non-ISO method, respectively. This study is helpful in comprehensively understanding the prevalence of HuNoVs contamination in vegetables worldwide. • Field studies on human noroviruses (HuNoVs) contamination in vegetables worldwide were reviewed. • We found a higher prevalence of HuNoVs GI than GII in vegetables. • Prevalence of HuNoVs in vegetables varied across packagings and between sources. • Most of samples testing were done in accordance with the standard ISO, compared to other methods. • We urge studies monitoring HuNoVs in vegetables to help with management and control of this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied changes in vascular plant species occurring in Central European (Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Hungary, Northern Italy, Slovenia and Croatia) arable fields and their edges from 1930 to 2019. To correct for bias in the data, we used occupancy modeling to analyze changes in the occupancy, i.e., distribution ranges sizes, of the 359 most common species in the AgriWeedClim database. We used ecological indicator values, native versus alien (archaeophyte, neophyte) status, and species affinity to arable habitats to assess changes in the occupancy of species with different environmental preferences and biogeographic origins. We found only a small decline in overall species occupancy over time, with a median occupancy change of −0.1 %, possibly due to the exclusion of rare species from modeling. Species turnover was more pronounced, with 72 species decreasing to less than half of their initial occupancy and 77 species more than doubling their initial occupancy. Species with environmental preferences for nutrient-rich sites with neutral pH increased in occupancy whereas species typical for arable fields decreased. No response to climate change (i.e., increased occupancy of thermophilous or drought-tolerant species) was detected. Archaeophytes and native species decreased whereas neophytes increased in occupancy. Taken together, results suggest that the biodiversity of arable fields is changing largely in response to anthropogenic habitat changes. • We used occupancy modeling to analyze biodiversity trends in arable fields. • Anthropogenic land use change has caused biodiversity change. • Neophyte species are expanding their range. • Typical arable species are in decline in Central Europe. • The changes foreshadow extinctions as well as biotic homogenization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding and reversing biodiversity decline in the Anthropocene requires robust data on species taxonomic identity, distribution, ecology, and population trends. Data deficits hinder biodiversity assessments and conservation, and despite major advances over the past few decades, our understanding of bee diversity, decline and distribution in Europe is still hampered by such data shortfalls. Using a unique digital dataset of wild bee occurrence and ecology, we identify seven critical shortfalls which are an absence of knowledge on geographic distributions, (functional) trait variation, population dynamics, evolutionary relationships, biotic interactions, species identity, and tolerance to abiotic conditions. We describe "BeeFall," an interactive online Shiny app tool, which visualizes these shortfalls and highlights missing data. We also define a new impediment, the Keartonian Impediment, which addresses an absence of high-quality in situ photos and illustrations with diagnostic characteristics and directly affects the outlined shortfalls. Shortfalls are highly correlated at both the provincial and national scales, identifying key areas in Europe where knowledge gaps can be filled. This work provides an important first step towards the long-term goal to mobilize and aggregate European wild bee data into a multi-scale, easy access, shareable, and updatable database which can inform research, practice, and policy actions for the conservation of wild bees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of social, political and economic transformation, which took place in Central and Eastern Europe in the early 90's, has affected many spheres of Europeans' lives, including health-associated issues. These changes also had an impact on mortality rates due to cervical cancer (CC). Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse CC mortality trends in Europe after 1990. Data on death due to CC, uterine cancers and unspecified uterine cancers, in women aged 20–44, were taken from the WHO Mortality Database. Trends in European countries between 1990 and 2017 were assessed using the Joinpoint Regression Program. Most of the countries experienced a decrease in CC mortality. Although the lowest rates were observed in EU15 Member States, the highest decreases were observed in Central and Eastern Europe. However, there are still differences in mortality in these countries. There are also a few countries like Belarus, Latvia and Ukraine, which experienced an increase in mortality. The range of mortality across Europe in 2017 was between 0.6 and 5.2/100,000 women. It is essential to introduce well-organised screening programmes for early detection of CC with coverage of a correspondingly high percentage of the population, particularly in East-Central Europe, as well as to introduce high-coverage HPV vaccination in all European countries. • Cervical cancer mortality in most of the European countries is decreasing. • The highest decrease in the mortality is observed in Eastern and Southern Europe. • Mortality rates in East-Central Europe are still higher than in Western Europe. • Latvia and Belarus are two European countries with a steady increasing trend. • In Western Europe, epidemiological transition of cervical cancer is completed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluate the influence of social factors on admission to aged residential care (ARC) facilities using a national comprehensive geriatric assessment database in New Zealand. Time-to-event analysis of a continuously recruited national cohort. An anonymized data extract from a large national database for home care assessments (June 2012–December 2015) was matched with data on mortality and admissions into ARC. Four key components of psychosocial risk in relation to ARC admission were used for analysis: living alone, negative social interactions, perceived loneliness, and carer stress. Exploratory data analysis was conducted for each of the variables of interest and demographics. Unadjusted and adjusted competing risk regressions were then performed with admission into ARC being the primary outcome, death the competing risk, and remaining at home the survival case. After data cleaning, matching, and applying exclusions, the study population consisted of 54,345 eligible participants. Mean age of participants was 81.9 years (standard deviation 7.4), 62.1% were female, and 88.7% identified as European ethnicity. In the adjusted model, all 4 social factors remained significantly associated with ARC admission, namely: living alone [subhazard ratio (SHR) = 1.43 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.37–1.50]; negative social interactions (SHR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.15–1.30); perceived loneliness (SHR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.13–1.24); and carer stress (SHR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.23–1.34). Interventions targeted at social factors in the context of delaying ARC admission merit further development and evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practice indicators (PI) measure provided care making use of real-world data. This study describes trends and variations in adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer (EBC) using the European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists (EUSOMA) database. The analysis was conducted on anonymous cumulative data registered by 56 certified breast centres, which all entered at least 500 new diagnoses in the database in the 10-year period 2010–2019. Practice trends of radiotherapy, endocrine treatment, chemotherapy, and anti-HER2 therapy were evaluated. The association with age group (<50, 50–69, ≥70) and geographical area of the centre (Northern, Central, Southern Europe; NE, CE, SE) was assessed with the Pearson Chi2 test for independence in contingency tables. In total, 150,150 patients with EBC were selected. Overall, radiotherapy was administered more frequently in NE centres, and conversely, endocrine, chemo-, and anti-HER2 therapy were used more frequently in SE centres (p < 0.001). 46.9% of the pN1 patients received postmastectomy radiotherapy, with significant differences by age and geographical region (p < 0.001). Adjuvant endocrine treatment for endocrine-sensitive carcinoma in situ was administered in 46.1%, with a decreasing trend during the study period (58.5–34.5%; p < 0.001). Anti-HER2 therapy was delivered in 75.6% of all patients with HER2BC T1a/bN0, patients older than 70 received anti-HER2 in 67.6% in SE compared to 31.3% in NE centres. Important variations in EBC management between European certified breast centres have been demonstrated. PI using real-world data can help to monitor, evaluate, and eventually guide and align good clinical practice in the management of breast cancer. • Real-world data on early breast cancer management in Europe are informative. • Postmastectomy radiotherapy for pN1 breast cancer varies noticeably across Europe. • Adjuvant endocrine therapy for in situ breast cancer varies noticeably across Europe. • HER2 therapy is used in 76% of patients with HER2+ breast cancer ≤1 cm and N0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides the most-accurate sea-level index points (SLIPs) for the Rhine-Meuse Delta (RMD), The Netherlands, identified amidst a wealth of data accumulated in sixty years of research. Following documented protocols, 106 selected radiocarbon dates from peat beds from transgressed valley floor, upper estuarine and back-barrier lagoonal settings were first listed individually, then screened in ensemble on quantified age-depth position and inshore palaeotidal setting. The database contains 50 SLIPs and 56 upper limiting data points spanning a depth range of −34 to −1.5 m. The dates in the database originate from dedicated sea-level research, which kept surface elevation and sampling depth uncertainty small, and sampling of basal-peat beds was favoured, keeping compaction uncertainties small too. The SLIPs cover an age-range of 8.8–3.0 ka BP and are available from Greater Rotterdam and its near offshore. For upper limiting data points, the coverage extends offshore, tracing the Rhine palaeovalley, and reaches back to 11.5 ka BP. The age-depth data density and spatial concentration of subsets of dates allow to perform Bayesian radiocarbon calibration and to reduce temporal uncertainty by 25% for the average sample (1σ age uncertainty ≈ 75 cal. yr), when depth position and rates of relative sea-level rise (RSLR) are used to assign sequence order. Between 8.0–4.5 ka BP, rates of RSLR gradually decreased from 9 to 1 mm/yr. In the millennium before, rates of RSLR were much higher, on average 10 mm/yr, and marked by a sea-level jump between 8.45–8.2 ka BP. A two-phased nature of this jump starts to be resolved, with local magnitudes of 1.7 ± 0.6 m (1σ, first phase) and 0.2 ± 0.2 m (second phase), corresponding to globally-averaged jumps of 2.5 m ± 0.9 m for the first and 0.3 ± 0.3 m for the second phase. For the pre-9 ka BP period, only offshore upper limiting data points are currently available. Until new offshore data are gathered, trends of RSLR before 9 ka BP can only be estimated, fed with global insights in post-glacial eustasy, regional estimates regarding rates of glacio-isostatic adjustments and tectonic subsidence, and sedimentary geological interpretations of scattered basal-peat presence. Image 1 • New Holocene geological sea-level database for the Rhine-Meuse Delta. • Contains 50 sea-level index points and 56 upper limiting data points spanning 11.5–3 ka BP. • 95% of the database entries are derived from basal peat: compaction uncertainties are small. • Relative SLR rates decelerated from 10 mm/yr around 9 ka BP to 1 mm/yr around 4.5 ka BP. • A two-phased 8.44–8.2 ka sea-level jump structure is suggested, the first phase measuring 1.7 ± 0.6 m (= 2.5 ± 0.9 globally). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed at describing the trends in antidepressants use (AD) by age and sex, during 2007-2011, in 5 European settings (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Catalonia and Veneto), and to assess whether the differences found across settings could be related to economic, social and cultural determinants.Methods: We collected data of AD use expressed in defined daily doses (DDD). Data were retrieved from population-based databases. We calculated DDD/1000 inhabitants/day. We analysed which economic, social, and cultural covariates determined between-settings differences in AD consumption.Results: The use of AD showed an increasing trend during the study period, being Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors the most consumed, followed "others AD". Women and the elderly showed the highest AD consumption. Between-settings variability in AD consumption showed a positive correlation with pharmaceutical expenditure and a negative one with general practitioner's rate. After adjusting by pharmaceutical expenditure and general practitioners rate Masculinity, Long-Term Orientation and Individualism cultural dimensions were associated with AD use by using the Hofstede´s cultural dimensions model.Limitations: This study has been conducted in administrative databases, with no information on AD use by indication; differences among AD use could be related to their prescription for other disorders. Analyses were based on a small dataset and none of the results reached statistical significance.Conclusions: AD use increased through 2007-2011. Pharmaceutical expenditure and General Practitioners rate, Masculinity, Long-Term Orientation and Individualism explained the differences in AD use between countries. People's attitude should be considered when designing national campaigns to improve antidepressant use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Spectral radiance and imaging measurements at a dark site are presented. • At sites free of light pollution the night sky radiance varies with airglow and other phenomena. • The importance of multispectral and hyperspectral measurements is highlighted. • A dark sky reference site for Central Europe is proposed. A critical measure of the extent of light pollution is the amount of artificial light in the night sky. Some recommendations for light pollution regulation use the ratio of artificial-to-natural night sky radiance or luminance. However, the spectral radiance of the natural sky changes constantly due to changes in the airglow. In addition, the radiances of oxygen, sodium and hydroxyl lines can vary between different locations since Earths magnetic field, and the atmospheric structure is not homogenous. While it has long been known that the night sky radiance is constantly changing, it is still challenging to make a general prediction about the exact night sky background radiance at a given location. To fill this knowledge gap, measurements at sites unaffected by light pollution are urgently needed. However, it is hard to find places not affected by significant light pollution in continental Europe to perform such measurements. Our 2021 Central-European survey found a promising candidate for an easily reachable dark reference location. Based on recent measurements, we propose the Sȵlktler Naturpark in the Austrian Alps as a long-term monitoring site to obtain information on the spectral variation of the natural night sky. The spectroradiometric and all-sky radiometric measurements can provide a reference database for interpreting data at other locations.Here we show the first spectral and imaging data from the proposed reference site. The pure zenith radiance data obtained from our measurements do not describe the quality of the night sky well, as it gives brighter values than expected for a dark location. However, the excess in sky radiance has resulted from natural sources. We prove that spectroradiometric observations best estimate the artificial-to-natural sky radiance ratio. Long-term measurements at the reference site will help in better understanding the variation of sky radiance at other locations with low levels of light pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polypharmacy, a common condition among the elderly, is associated with adverse outcomes, including increased healthcare costs, due to higher mortality, falls and hospitalizations rates, adverse drug reactions, drug–drug reactions and medication nonadherence. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and factors related to polypharmacy in older adults across 17 European countries, plus Israel. In this cross-sectional analysis, we used data from participants aged 65 or more years from Wave 6 of the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) database. Polypharmacy was defined as the concurrent use of five or more medications. Age, gender, education, physical inactivity, number of limitations with activities of daily living, network satisfaction, quality of life, depression, number of chronic diseases and difficulty taking medication variables were found to be associated with polypharmacy. Our results showed a prevalence of polypharmacy ranging from 26.3 to 39.9%. Switzerland, Croatia and Slovenia were the countries with the lowest prevalence, whereas Portugal, Israel and the Czech Republic were the countries where the prevalence of polypharmacy was the highest. Age, gender, number of limitations with activities of daily living, number of chronic diseases, quality of life, depression, physical inactivity, network satisfaction, difficulty in taking medications, years of education and shortage of money were significant variables associated with polypharmacy. Polypharmacy is a highly prevalent condition in the elderly population. Identification of variables associated with polypharmacy, such as those identified in this study, is important to identify and monitor elderly groups, which are most vulnerable to polypharmacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Accurate assessment of polyphenol intakes is needed in epidemiologic research in order to study their health effects, and this can be particularly challenging in international study settings. Objective: The purpose of this work is to describe the procedures to prepare a comprehensive polyphenol food-composition database that was used to calculate standardized polyphenol intakes from 24-h diet recalls (24HDRs) and dietary questionnaires (DQs) in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). Design: With the use of the comparable food classification and facetdescriptor system of the computerized 24HDR program EPIC-Soft (renamed GloboDiet), foods reported in the 24HDR (n = 74,626) were first aggregated following a stepwise process. Multi-ingredient and generic foods were broken down into ingredients or morespecific foods with consideration of regional consumption habits before matching to foods in the Phenol-Explorer database. Foodcomposition data were adjusted by using selected retention factors curated in Phenol-Explorer. DQ foods (n = 13,946) were matched to a generated EPIC 24HDR polyphenol-composition database before calculation of daily intakes from the 24HDR and DQ. Results: Food matching yielded 2.0% and 2.7% of foods with missing polyphenol content in the 24HDR and DQ food data sets, respectively. Process-specific retention factors for 42 different polyphenol compounds were applied to adjust the polyphenol content in 35 prioritized Phenol-Explorer foods, thereby adjusting the polyphenol content in 70% of all of the prepared 24 food occurrences. A detailed food-composition database was finally generated for 437 polyphenols in 19,899 aggregated raw and prepared foods reported by 10 EPIC countries in the 24HDR. Conclusions: An efficient procedure was developed to build the most-comprehensive food-composition database for polyphenols, thereby standardizing the calculations of dietary polyphenol intakes obtained from different dietary assessment methods and European populations. The whole database is accessible online. This procedure could equally be used for other food constituents and in other cohorts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review article offers an analysis of research on Roma and education. A total of 151 peer-reviewed research articles were sampled through systematic searches in four databases, covering the period 1997–2016. Inspired by critical approaches in policy analysis, we draw on the concept of problem representations to identify dominant discourses in the research material. The analysis identifies nine problem representations; absence from school, academic achievement, socioeconomic issues, cultural differences, invisibility, teachers’ competencies, hostility, segregation and misguided policy and action. The content of these problem representations suggests that Roma is often framed as either victims or problems in educational research, and that cultural differences are much more dominant as a problem representation in the field than structural aspects such as socioeconomic issues. This critical review can contribute to raise awareness regarding how we frame research questions in the field of Roma and education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the main sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues for separated young migrants. Study design We conducted a rapid review. Methods The search for articles published between 2000 and June 2017 including peer-reviewed and 'grey' published literature from a range of databases including MEDLINE, AMED, Embase, ASSIA, Scopus, Web of Science and websites of international organisations (Missing Children Alliance, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Human Rights Watch, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and FBX Centre for Health and Human Rights) took place over 4 months. Themes emerging from the included studies and articles were synthesised. Results We found 44 articles from a range of countries of which 64% were peer-reviewed and 36% were from 'grey' literature. Structural violence and marginalisation were the key analytical themes that emerged and included young people's vulnerability to violence, unmet knowledge and service needs, barriers and stigma and poor SRH outcomes. Conclusions This is the first known review to summarise the key SRH issues for separated young migrants. As Europe hosts the greatest number of separated young people in recent history, their unique SRH concerns risk being overlooked. Public health practitioners and policy makers are encouraged to challenge the gaps that exist in their services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a new storm impact database for European coastlines that facilitates the upload, browsing and download of a broad range of physical and impact information related to historical and recent marine storm events. The database is transparent in terms of open access to raw data and metadata, makes use of version control systems through the OpenEarth repository and promotes the use of international standards. A total of 298 storm events are currently stored in the database from the ten RISC-KIT case study sites, including historical events dating back to the sixteenth century. To demonstrate the application of the tool, examples of typical event data contained within the database as well as the ability of the database to identify impacts of events across regions are presented. It is envisaged that this database will expand beyond the ten case study sites, with the aim of promoting and greatly improving the collection and reporting of extreme hydro-meteorological events across Europe into the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of the study The European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists (EUSOMA) has fostered a voluntary certification process for breast centres to establish minimum standards and ensure specialist multidisciplinary care. Prospectively collected anonymous information on primary breast cancer cases diagnosed and treated in the units is transferred annually to a central EUSOMA data warehouse for continuous monitoring of quality indicators (QIs) to improve quality of care. Units have to comply with the EUSOMA Breast Centre guidelines and are audited by peers. The database was started in 2006 and includes over 110,000 cancers from breast centres located in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Austria, The Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and Italy. The aim of the present study is assessing time trends of QIs in EUSOMA-certified breast centres over the decade 2006–2015. Materials and methods Previously defined QIs were calculated for 22 EUSOMA-certified breast centres (46122 patients) during 2006–2015. Results On the average of all units, the minimum standard of care was achieved in 8 of 13 main EUSOMA QIs in 2006 and in all in 2015. All QIs, except removal of at least 10 lymph nodes at axillary clearance and oestrogen receptor–negative tumours (T > 1 cm or N+) receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, improved significantly in this period. The desirable target was reached for two QIs in 2006 and for 7 of 13 QIs in 2015. Conclusion The EUSOMA model of audit and monitoring QIs functions well in different European health systems and results in better performance of QIs over the last decade. QIs should be evaluated and adapted on a regular basis, as guidelines change over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Cancer registries (CRs) are fundamental for estimating cancer burden, evaluating screening and monitoring health service performance. Stage at diagnosis—an essential information item collected by CRs—has been made available, for the first time, by CRs participating in EUROCARE-5. We analysed the quality of this information and estimated stage-specific survival across Europe for CRs with good data quality. Data and methods Sixty-two CRs sent stage (as TNM, condensed TNM or extent of disease) for 15 cancers diagnosed in 2000–2007. We assessed the quality, partly by comparing stage according to the three systems. We also developed procedures to reconstruct stage (categories: local, regional, metastatic and unknown) using information from all three systems, thus minimising the amount of missing information. Results Moderate-to-excellent stage concordance was found for practically all 24 CRs, for which it was possible to compare at least two staging systems. However, since stage was often incorrectly assigned, and information on the presence/absence of metastases was often lacking, data on only 7/15 cancers from 34/62 CRs (15 countries) were of sufficient quality for further analysis. Cases diagnosed ≥70 years had more advanced (or lacking) stage– and worse stage-specific survival than those <70 years. Conclusions Many European CRs collect and record reasonably accurate stage information. Others have difficulties. Both the completeness of primary data and the accuracy of stage coding need to be improved in order for CRs to fulfil their expanding roles in cancer control. We propose our stage reconstruction/checking procedures as a means of fully exploiting the stage information provided by EUROCARE CRs. More advanced (or lacking) stage at diagnosis plus poorer stage-specific survival in the elderly are worrying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Oncology represents a major sector in the field of orphan drug development in Europe. The objective was to evaluate whether children and adolescents with cancer benefited from the Orphan Drug Regulation. Methods Data on orphan drug designations (ODDs) and registered orphan drugs from 8th August 2000 to 10th September 2016 were collected from the Community Register of medicinal products for human use. Assessment history, product information and existence of paediatric investigation plans were searched and retrieved from the European Medicine Agency website. Results Over 16 years, 272 of 657 oncology ODDs (41%) concerned a malignant condition occurring both in adults and children. The five most common were acute myeloid leukaemia, high-grade glioma, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, graft-versus-host disease and soft-tissue sarcomas. 74% of 31 marketing authorisations (MAs) for an indication both in adults and children (26 medicines) had no information for paediatric use in their Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) at the time of the first MA. Furthermore, 68% still have no paediatric information in their most recently updated SmPC, at a median of 7 years after. Only 15 ODDs (2%) pertained to a malignancy occurring specifically in children and only two drugs received an MA: Unituxin for high-risk neuroblastoma and Votubia for sub-ependymal giant-cell astrocytoma. Conclusion The Orphan Drug Regulation failed to promote the development of innovative therapies for malignancies occurring in children. Major delays and waivers occurred through the application of the Paediatric Medicines Regulation. The European regulatory environment needs to be improved to accelerate innovation for children and adolescents dying of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Written history allows tracing back Mediterranean and European medical traditions to Greek antiquity. The epidemiological shift triggered by the rise of modern medicine and industrialization is reflected in contemporary reliance and preferences for certain herbal medicines. Materials and methods We sketch the development and transmission of written herbal medicine through Mediterranean and European history and point out the opportunity to connect with modern traditions. Results An ethnopharmacological database linking past and modern medical traditions could serve as a tool for crosschecking contemporary ethnopharmacological field-data as well as a repository for data mining. Considering that the diachronic picture emerging from such a database has an epidemiological base this could lead to new hypotheses related to evolutionary medicine. Conclusion The advent of systems pharmacology and network pharmacology opens new perspectives for studying past and current herbal medicine. Since a large part of modern drugs has its roots in ancient traditions one may expect new leads for drug development from novel systemic studies, as well as evidence for the activity of certain herbal preparations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates the impact of board characteristics on environmentally friendly production. The current research uses secondary data extracted from the Refinitiv Eikon database. The data is extracted from the database for a sample of 8094 corporates from 2 continents, Asia and Europe, from 2016 to 2021. Panel data analysis with fixed effect models is used to estimate the results. The findings reveal that board size, independence, and industry expertise significantly impact environmentally friendly production. The results also indicate that board diversity correlates positively with environmentally friendly production in European corporates but negatively in Asian corporates. Findings show that the moderating role of environmental teams has a greater interaction effect with board characteristics in Europe than in Asia. Finally, the results also show that higher environmental performance and environmental, social, and governance scores lead to higher levels of environmentally friendly production. The study has valuable insights and implications for board members, practitioners, academicians, and policymakers. Further, the study contributes to the strand literature by investigating the role of environmental teams on the relationship between board characteristics and environmentally friendly production. The findings are supported by agency, legitimacy, and stakeholder theories, which contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between board characteristics and environmentally friendly production. The evidence about this issue is still unknown and critical, particularly in the context of developing countries where there is a lack of regulatory enforcement related to environmental, social, and governance disclosures. [Display omitted] • Examines the moderating effect of environmental teams on the relationship between board characteristics and environmentally friendly production. • Larger board size, independence, diversity, and industry expertise significantly and positively impact environmentally friendly production. • There is a significant association between greater environmental, social, and governance, and higher levels of environmentally friendly production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital technologies nowadays play a major role in innovation within the agri-food domain. The evolution of IT systems has currently arrived at a level that involves complex systems integration and business ecosystems in which many stakeholders in different roles are involved. A new paradigm for digital innovation is needed that copes with this increased complexity. This paper presents an empirically informed framework for analysing and designing viable, sustainable digital innovation ecosystems in the agri-food domain. The research is based on a series of European large-scale public-private innovation projects from 2011 to 2021 with a total budget of 73 M€. They involved hundreds of stakeholders that were developing a large number of digital solutions through which a digital innovation ecosystem for agri-food was formed. In a longitudinal study, a conceptual framework was used to analyse these projects and describe how the digital innovation ecosystem has developed. Lessons learnt are translated into a number of design principles and an organizational approach to foster digital innovation ecosystems in agri-food. The conceptual framework consists of 6 key concepts: (i) innovation strategy, (ii) innovation organization, (iii) innovation network that contains (iv) the innovation process and (v) the innovation object and finally (vi) an innovation infrastructure. Along these 6 concepts, lessons learnt and in total 21 design principles are derived from analysing the projects forming a basis for the organizational framework. At the core of this framework is a lean multi-actor approach to trials and use case development interacting with a set of multidisciplinary activities: (i) developing a common technical collaboration infrastructure, (ii) identifying value streams with user engagement, (iii) engaging the right partners and stakeholders at the right time supported by strategic project planning and dynamic management. The most important conclusion is that effective, successful and quick use of appropriate IT in agri-food requires that actors should not be analysed in isolation from both their technological and business environment. Another consequence is that a 'minimal viable ecosystem' only emerges after considerable time, resources and ingenuity is invested and may require outside (government) intervention. Results from this paper can be used both by public and private stakeholders to diagnose and improve digital innovation projects and develop viable, sustainable digital innovation ecosystems in agri-food. [Display omitted] • A data economy for food systems based on data spaces requires understanding and optimizing digital innovation ecosystems. • A conceptual framework is used to analyse the development of large digital innovation ecosystems in agri-food in Europe. • Lessons learnt are translated into design principles and approach to organize digital innovation ecosystems in agri-food. • The core is a lean multi-actor approach in use case development interacting with multidisciplinary activities. • The framework, design principles and approach can be used by stakeholders to foster viable digital innovation ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Terrorists have used the explosive device successfully globally, with their effects extending beyond the resulting injuries. Suicide bombings, in particular, are being increasingly deployed due to the devastating effect of a combination of high lethality and target accuracy. The aim of this study was to identify trends and analyse the demographics and casualty figures of terrorist bombings worldwide.Methods: Analysis of the Global Terrorism Database (GTD) and a PubMed/Embase literature search (keywords "terrorist", and/or "suicide", and/or "bombing") from 1970 to 2014 was performed.Results: 58,095 terrorist explosions worldwide were identified in the GTD. 5.08% were suicide bombings. Incidents per year are increasing (P<0.01). Mean casualty statistics per incidents was 1.14 deaths and 3.45 wounded from non-suicide incidents, and 10.16 and 24.16 from suicide bombings (p<0.05). The kill:wounded ratio was statistically higher in suicide attacks than non-suicide attacks, 1:1.3 and 1:1.24 respectively (p<0.05). The Middle East witnessed the most incidents (26.9%), with Europe (13.2%) ranked 4th. The literature search identified 41 publications reporting 167 incidents of which 3.9% detailed building collapse (BC), 60.8% confined space (CS), 23.5% open space (OS) and 11.8% semi-confined space (SC) attacks. 60.4% reported on suicide terrorist attacks. Overall 32 deaths and 180 injuries per incident were seen, however significantly more deaths occurred in explosions associated with a BC. Comparing OS and CS no difference in the deaths per incident was seen, 14.2(SD±17.828) and 15.63 (SD±10.071) respectively. However OS explosions resulted in significantly more injuries, 192.7 (SD±141.147), compared to CS, 79.20 (SD±59.8). Extremity related wounds were the commonest injuries seen (32%).Discussion/conclusion: Terrorist bombings continue to be a threat and are increasing particularly in the Middle East. Initial reports, generated immediately at the scene by experienced coordination, on the type of detonation (suicide versus non-suicide), the environment of detonation (confined, open, building collapse) and the number of fatalities, and utilising the Kill:Wounded ratios found in this meta-analysis, can be used to predict the number of casualties and their likely injury profile of survivors to guide the immediate response by the medical services and the workload in the coming days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) has decreased in many countries in the past 10 years. This is a consequence of the initial publication of the results of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) randomized trial of estrogen plus progestin. In various countries, further studies then analyzed the incidence of breast cancer (BC) in relation to changes in MHT use. Some reported a decreased BC incidence following cessation of MHT, but others did not. This may reflect differences in BC incidence, in MHT use or in confounding factors, but also in study methodology.Aim: To analyze the changes in BC incidence and MHT use, using the same methodology, in 11 European countries.Materials& Method: We limited the study to women between the ages of 45 and 69. BC incidence data were provided from cancer registries. MHT sales data were extracted from health sales databases for the years 2003-2013. The association between BC incidence and the rate of MHT use during the past year in Europe was assessed using linear mixed models.Results: A drop in MHT sales was consistent in all countries for the whole period of follow-up. This was not the case for BC incidence. We found no evidence of a relation between BC incidence and MHT sales in the past year, except for sales of tibolone.Conclusions: The longer observation period did not confirm the results of studies that had a shorter follow-up, except in relation to tibolone. The role of confounding factors needs to be clarified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess health economics evidence published to date on malnutrition costs in institutionalized or community-dwelling older adults. Design A systematic search of the literature published until December 2013 was performed using standard literature, international and national electronic databases, including MedLine/PubMed, Cochrane Library, ISI WOK, SCOPUS, MEDES, IBECS, and Google Scholar. Publications identified referred to the economic burden and use of medical resources associated with malnutrition (or risk of malnutrition) in institutionalized or community-dwelling older adults, written in either English or Spanish. Costs were updated to 2014 (€). Results A total of 9 studies of 46 initially retrieved met the preestablished criteria and were submitted to thorough scrutiny. All publications reviewed involved studies conducted in Europe, and the results regarding the contents of all the studies showed that total costs associated with malnutrition in institutionalized and community-dwelling older adults were considerably higher than those of well-nourished ones, mainly due to a higher use of health care resources (GP consultations, hospitalizations, health care monitoring, and treatments). Interventions to reduce the prevalence of malnutrition, such as the use of oral nutritional supplements, showed an important decrease in-hospital admissions and medical visits. Conclusion Malnutrition is associated with higher health care costs in institutionalized or community-dwelling older adults. The adoption of nutritional interventions, such as oral nutritional supplements, may have an important impact in reducing annual health care costs per patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Universities play a key role in the development of society, and their involvement in sustainable development will be crucial in changing current practices in society towards sustainable development. Thus, information about the measures and actions taken towards sustainable development needs to be communicated to all university stakeholders. Sustainability reporting is a voluntary tool for disclosing efforts towards sustainable development, but little research has analysed the diffusion of sustainability reporting among universities. This study uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to explain the worldwide diffusion of sustainability reporting in universities. At the macro level, regressions using logistic curves showed the stage of diffusion regarding sustainability reporting for different regions around the world. At the micro level, two types of data were analysed to assess the sustainable practices used among universities: (i) data from the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) sustainability reporting database and (ii) sustainability reports from the GRI database. The results indicate that the diffusion of sustainability reporting is still at an early stage in universities, and no massive diffusion is expected based on the current data, despite the increasing concerns about sustainability in young people and other university stakeholders. Some actions need to be taken to persuade universities to adopt reporting standards and to highlight the benefits and necessity of sustainability reporting. Some European universities, which are the most active universities in providing sustainability reports, have improved their visibility by adopting the GRI, thus increasing their endowments and facilitating their ability to raise funds for future sustainability activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since 25 years the EUROCARE study monitors the survival of cancer patients in Europe through centralised collection, quality check and statistical analysis of population-based cancer registries (CRs) data. The European population covered by the study increased remarkably in the latest round. The study design and statistical methods were also changed to improve timeliness and comparability of survival estimates. To interpret the EUROCARE-5 results on adult cancer patients better here we assess the impact of these changes on data quality and on survival comparisons. Methods: In EUROCARE-5 the survival differences by area were studied applying the complete cohort approach to data on nearly nine million cancer patients diagnosed in 2000-2007 and followed up to 2008. Survival time trends were analysed applying the period approach to data on about 10 million cancer cases diagnosed from 1995 to 2007 and followed up to 2008. Differently from EUROCARE-4, multiple primary cancers were included and relative survival was estimated with the Ederer II method. Results: EUROCARE-5 covered a population of 232 million resident persons, corresponding to 50% of the 29 participating countries. The population coverage increased particularly in Eastern Europe. Cases identified from death certificate only (DCO) were on average 2.9%, range 0-12%. Microscopically confirmed cases amounted to over 85% in most CRs. Compared to previous methods, including multiple cancers and using the Ederer II estimator reduced survival estimates by 0.4 and 0.3 absolute percentage points, on average. Conclusions: The increased population size and registration coverage of the EUROCARE-5 study ensures more robust and comparable estimates across European countries. This enlargement did not impact on data quality, which was generally satisfactory. Estimates may be slightly inflated in countries with high or null DCO proportions, especially for poor prognosis cancers. The updated methods improved the comparability of survival estimates between recently and long-term established registries and reduced biases due to informative censoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Virtual Observatory Euro-VO has been coordinating European VO activities through a series of projects co-funded by the European Commission over the last 15 years. The bulk of VO work in Europe is ensured by the national VO initiatives and those of intergovernmental agencies. VO activities at the European level coordinate the work in support of the three “pillars” of the Virtual Observatory: support to the scientific community, take-up by the data providers, and technological activities. Several Euro-VO projects have also provided direct support to selected developments and prototyping. This paper explains the methodology used by Euro-VO over the years. It summarises the activities which were performed and their evolutions at different stages of the development of the VO, explains the Euro-VO role with respect to the international and national levels of VO activities, details the lessons learnt for best practices for the coordination of the VO building blocks, and the liaison with other European initiatives, documenting the added-value of European coordination. Finally, the current status and next steps of Euro-VO are briefly addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the European-Peruvian ION4RAW project (Horizon 2020 framework programme of the European Commission), which aims at developing mineral-processing technology to recover selected by-products (e.g., Te, Bi, Co, Re, Mo, Pt, Sb, Ge, Se, In) from primary Cu-Ag-Au deposits, we assessed a geographical inventory of selected elements. However, not all elements of economic interest today have been systematically assayed and/or studied in the past, and the existing European databases commonly are incomplete from a 2022 viewpoint. The DataBase Querying (DBQ) geostatistical mineral prospectivity method helps address this gap between potential mineral occurrences and 'piecemeal' historical inventories. In addition to a 'classical' application of the DBQ method, we developed a new approach. This is based on the assessment of more global predictive metallogenic-signature aspects (e.g., VMS, orogenic, epithermal), by clustering studied elements known to occur in various metallogenic families, using ArcGIS software. Development of this method at a continental scale allowed identifying several areas of great interest in Europe for exploration of the targeted by-products. It also helps in assessing the favourability for the occurrence of commodities that are 'by-products' in their parageneses and that were, until recently, rarely reported in geochemical studies. • The DBQ approach applied at the Europe scale for prospectivity mapping. • Addressing gaps between potential metal occurrence and historical piecemeal records. • Assessment of predictive metallogenic signature • Identification of great interest areas for mining prospection [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The distribution of the wood pellet plants in Europe was analysed using a geo-statistical kernel based approach, in order to identify and define cluster-regions with high concentration of pellet production capacity. For that, a database with the location of pellet plants, as well as its capacity, was constructed, identifying 378 pellet plants with annual capacities over 1000 t, and an aggregated production of 11.5 million t. The geo-statistical methods facilitated the analysis of the plants with regards to their market position at global and local level. At a European level, four main production areas were identified, defined as: “Central Europe” (Bavaria, Austria, and neighbouring areas of France, Switzerland and Italy), “Scandinavia”, “Finland”, and the “Baltic”. These areas concentrated over 50% of the pellet production, although presented different characteristics regarding market establishment and development, their role in the global pellet trade and their raw material availability. The paper provides with methodological tools to identify and characterise the main pellet production areas in Europe that can have further economic and policy applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper we explore the drivers of different types of eco-innovation in European SMEs. Drawing upon a database of 27 European countries, empirical evidence is found for the different roles of supply-side, demand-side and regulatory factors in encouraging the adoption of different types of eco-innovation. Our empirical strategy consists of the estimation of a trivariate probit model. Our results show that those entrepreneurs who give importance to collaboration with research institutes, agencies and universities, and to the increase of market demand for green products are more active in all types of eco-innovations. Supply-side factors seem to be a more important driver for environmental processes and organizational innovations than for environmental product innovations. The results also show that market share only has a significant positive influence on eco-product and eco-organizational innovations, while cost-savings are solely significant for eco-process innovations. Finally, prioritizing existing regulations shapes eco-product and eco-organizational innovations while expected regulations and access to subsidies and fiscal incentives do not have any significant effect on the decision to eco-innovate in Europe at the firm-level. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Hourly and daily solar radiation data are crucial for the design of energy systems based on the solar source. Global irradiance, measured on the horizontal plane, is, generally, available from weather station databases. The direct and diffuse fractions are measured rarely and should be analytically calculated for many geographical locations. Aim of this paper is to present a multi-location model to estimate the expected profiles of the horizontal daily diffuse component of solar radiation. It focuses on the European (EU) geographical area joining data from 44 weather stations located in 11 countries. Data are collected by the World Radiation Data Centre (WRDC) between 2004 and 2007. Different analytic functions, correlating the daily diffuse fraction of solar radiation to the clearness index, are calculated and compared to outline the analytic expressions of the best fitting curves. The effect of seasonality on solar irradiance is considered developing summer and winter scenarios together with annual models. Similarities among the trends for the 4years are, further, discussed. The most adopted statistical indices are used as key performance factors. Finally, data from three locations not included in the dataset considered for model development allow to test the proposed approach against an independent dataset. Obtained results show the effectiveness of adopting a multi-location approach to estimate solar radiation components on the horizontal surface instead of developing several single location models. This is due to the increase of the geographical range of applicability without a significant decrease of the accuracy. The percentage gap between single and multi-location model performances is lower than 20% for the most of the statistical indices adopted for both the model development and ex-post validation through the three independent datasets. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper is written as a consequence of building monitoring in a longer time period in the area of Southeast Europe. This had resulted in creation of the software program for the preventive building maintenance. The software program “Base-FM”, presented in the paper, increases the quality of building maintenance by enabling better building control. Its application also reduces the maintenance costs since it facilitates the maintenance activity planning. The base of the program is a digital database about building elements. The overview of the database can present characteristic problems on certain building types and their elements, which can then be avoided with adequate designing in the future. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS) is a web application for the estimation of the performance of photovoltaic (PV) systems in Europe and Africa, which has become widely used by the PV community in Europe. We here present the results of adapting the solar radiation data calculated from satellite data in the Climate Monitoring Satellite Application Facility (CM-SAF) to PVGIS. The CM-SAF solar radiation database is characterized by very low overall bias and shows good accuracy at validation sites. The application to PVGIS brings important improvements relative to the existing solar radiation databases within PVGIS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: With a worldwide prevalence of about 1%, epilepsy is one of the most common serious brain diseases with profound physical, psychological and, social consequences. Characteristic symptoms are seizures caused by abnormally synchronized neuronal activity that can lead to temporary impairments of motor functions, perception, speech, memory or, consciousness. The possibility to predict the occurrence of epileptic seizures by monitoring the electroencephalographic activity (EEG) is considered one of the most promising options to establish new therapeutic strategies for the considerable fraction of patients with currently insufficiently controlled seizures. Here, a database is presented which is part of an EU-funded project “EPILEPSIAE” aiming at the development of seizure prediction algorithms which can monitor the EEG for seizure precursors. High-quality, long-term continuous EEG data, enriched with clinical metadata, which so far have not been available, are managed in this database as a joint effort of epilepsy centers in Portugal (Coimbra), France (Paris) and Germany (Freiburg). The architecture and the underlying schema are here reported for this database. It was designed for an efficient organization, access and search of the data of 300 epilepsy patients, including high quality long-term EEG recordings, obtained with scalp and intracranial electrodes, as well as derived features and supplementary clinical and imaging data. The organization of this European database will allow for accessibility by a wide spectrum of research groups and may serve as a model for similar databases planned for the future. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A key environmental concern is pollution loads released from human activity, since excessive pollutant loads can cause significant public health and/or environmental impacts. A principal objective of environmental regulation is therefore to minimise pollutant releases. The most common approach to assessing and monitoring pollutant loads is through pollutant release databases, with such systems now operating throughout Europe, North America and Australia. This paper has compiled and analysed an extensive data set on Australian coal mining and associated pollutant emissions reported through the National Pollutant Inventory (NPI). In Australia, the coal industry has been growing rapidly over recent decades, and this is causing significant community concerns over cumulative environmental impacts. The pollutant loads and intensities from coal mining are analysed in conjunction with production data. The trends identified in this paper provide an important basis to understand the value of pollutant release and transfer registers, such as the NPI, and demonstrate the critical need to integrate such data with ongoing trends in industry and environmental management initiatives. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: VMStools is a package of open-source software, build using the freeware environment R, specifically developed for the processing, analysis and visualisation of landings (logbooks) and vessel location data (VMS) from commercial fisheries. Analyses start with standardized data formats for logbook (EFLALO) and VMS (TACSAT), enabling users to conduct a variety of analyses using generic algorithms. Embedded functionality handles erroneous data point detection and removal, métier identification through the use of clustering techniques, linking logbook and VMS data together in order to distinguish fishing from other activities, provide high-resolution maps of both fishing effort and -landings, interpolate vessel tracks, calculate indicators of fishing impact as listed under the Data Collection Framework at different spatio-temporal scales. Finally data can be transformed into other existing formats, for example to populate regional databases like FishFrame. This paper describes workflow examples of these features while online material allows a head start to perform these analyses. This software incorporates state-of-the art VMS and logbook analysing methods standardizing the process towards obtaining pan-European, or even worldwide indicators of fishing distribution and impact as required for spatial planning. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and survival of Extramammary Paget’s disease (EMPD) and to describe the possible increased risk of tumours after EMPD. All invasive cases diagnosed between 1990 and 2002 were selected from the RARECARE database. Incidence was expressed in European standardized rates. Relative survival was calculated for the period 1995–1999, with a follow-up until 31st December 2003. Standardized incidence ratios of second primary tumours were calculated to reveal possible increased risk after EMPD. European age standardized Incidence of EMPD within Europe is 0.6 per 1000,000 person years. Five-year relative survival for invasive EMPD was 91.2% (95%CI; 83.5–95.4), 8.6 percent of the EMPD patients developed other malignancies. The highest increased risk of developing a second primary tumour was found in the first year of follow-up (SIR:2.0 95%CI; 1.3–2.9), living in the South European region (SIR:2.3 95%CI; 1.5–3.5) or being female (SIR:1.5 95%CI; 1.1–1.9). Female genital organs displayed greatest increased risk of developing a second primary tumour after EMPD (SIR:15,1 95%CI; 0.38–84.23). Due to the increased risk of a second primary tumour after EMPD a thorough search for other tumours during their follow-up is recommended. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A landslide inventory is the most important information source for quantitative zoning of landslide susceptibility, hazard and risk. It should give insight into the location, date, type, size, activity and causal factors of landslides as well as resultant damage. In Europe, many countries have created or are creating national and/or regional landslide databases (LDBs). Yet little is known on their contents, completeness, format, structure, language use and accessibility, and hence on their ability to perform national or transnational landslide zoning. Therefore, this study presents a detailed analysis of existing national LDBs in the EU member states, EU official candidate and potential candidate countries, and EFTA countries, and their possible use for landslide zoning. These national LDBs were compared with a subset of 22 regional databases. Twenty-two out of 37 contacted European countries currently have national LDBs, and six other countries have only regional LDBs. In total, the national LDBs contain 633,696 landslides, of which 485,004 are located in Italy, while Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, and the UK also have >10,000 landslides in their LDBs. National LDBs are generally created in the official language of each country and 58% of them contain other natural hazards (e.g. floods and sinkholes). About 68% of the LDBs contain less than 50% of all landslides in each country, but a positive observation is that 60% of the LDBs are updated at least once a year or after a major event. Most landslide locations are collected with traditional methods such as field surveys, aerial photo interpretation and analysis of historical records. Currently, integration of landslide information from different national LDBs is hampered because of differences in language and classification systems for landslide type and activity. Other problems are that currently only half of the national LDBs have a direct link between spatial and alphanumeric information, and that public access is generally restricted or limited. A minimum set of features to be included in national LDBs is suggested, and a flow chart is presented that classifies European countries by ability to perform national-scale landslide susceptibility, hazard and risk analyses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An overview is given of research in the major countries of Europe in the area of renewable energies. The analysis used the Scopus (Elsevier) database of scientific literature, calculating bibliometric indices (primary production, average citations per document, percentage variation, SJR, etc.) for the geographical domain of Europe during the period 2002–2007. The aim of the study is to supplement previous works on the subject which have mostly been limited to a particular type of energy without addressing the area as a whole, as well as to expand their methodological approaches in both the data retrieval strategy and the calculation of indices. The results show Europe to be well positioned globally in this scientific field – in production, in citations, and in impact. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Maintenance of biodiversity requires spatial planning for the conservation of species habitats. In this study, the distribution of the White-backed Woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos) in Poland was used to assess the usefulness of a demographic model compared to an area-based model for predicting the occurrence of breeding pairs in local landscapes. The models were applied to the European Forest Map and to CORINE land cover data, two spatial databases derived from remote sensing. We tested the performance of the models by comparing predicted occurrence of the species with actual occurrence in 10km×10km of the Polish Ornithological Atlas Database (POAD). Both models proved useful for identifying areas with high potential for hosting breeding woodpeckers. However, the demographic model performed consistently better at predicting the presence of at least one breeding pair in local landscapes. In north-eastern and south-eastern Poland, expected occurrences coincided with the actual occurrence of the species according to POAD. In north-western Poland, however, occurrence was predicted but not confirmed by the atlas data. The eastern regions are situated at the border to Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine and Slovakia. These countries hold large areas of high conservation value forests and large populations of White-backed Woodpecker. This pattern evokes the need for cross-border governance, and planning with an eco-regional perspective that considers both EU and non-EU countries. Moreover, the results stress the need to incorporate population requirements when assessing the distribution of forests with high conservation value. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Indoor and outdoor air concentrations as well as personal exposure concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been measured during 2003–2008 in public buildings, schools, kindergartens and private homes in eleven cities over Europe covering geographic areas in north, central and south Europe during different seasons within the frame of the AIRMEX (European Indoor Air Monitoring and Exposure assessment) study. A database is presented containing the results for 23 VOCs based upon approximately 1000 samples taken from 182 different working environments (offices, classrooms, waiting halls) in public buildings, schools and kindergartens, from 103 private homeplaces and from adult volunteers (148 samples). The statistical analysis of the data demonstrated that sources in the indoor environment are prevailing for most of the investigated VOCs with indoor/outdoor (I/O) concentration ratios following the order: hexanal ≈ d-limonene ≫ formaldehyde > acetone > 1-butoxy-2-propanol > acetaldehyde > propanal > 1-butanol > n-undecane > methylcyclohexane > n-dodecane. For aromatic hydrocarbons the main impact was shown to be penetration from outdoor air as indicated by I/O ratios near one and is characterised by significantly higher indoor as well as outdoor concentrations in the south of Europe with respect to the north. For the terpenes, the lowest indoor concentrations were measured during the warm season, which may be explained by higher ventilation rates and reactions with ozone penetrated from outdoor air. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Biologics are an important addition to the conventional care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Poor persistence with and adherence to biologics can undermine the effectiveness of these medications. There are no standardized methods to track persistence with and adherence to biologics. Objective: The goal of this systematic review was to assess the methods of measurement and reported rates of persistence with and adherence to biologic regimens in patients with RA in clinical practice. Methods: Observational studies that evaluated persistence with and adherence to biologic treatments in patients with RA were identified by searching Medline and SCI-Expanded for observational studies published in English between January 1995 and May 2009, using the following search terms: adalimumab, adherence, arthritis, biologics, compliance, discontinuation, etanercept, infliximab, persistence, RA, treatment retention, and TNF. The articles were independently reviewed to identify relevant studies and abstracted data. Results: Of the 52 studies identified, 73% were based in Europe and 21% were set in the United States. All but 1 study reported measures of persistence, such as median drug survival and rates of discontinuation and retention. Four studies reported on adherence, all of which were conducted in the United States and used administrative claims data. Methods of persistence and adherence measurement were unclear or, if recorded, varied considerably across studies. Although various continuation rates (persistence) were reported across studies, the overall range of continuation at 12 months was 32.0% to 90.9%. Continuation rates were generally higher with the addition of methotrexate or other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Conclusion: The data from the available studies on RA treatments suggest a need for better methods for tracking persistence and adherence, for examining prescribing patterns, and for identifying interventions to improve adherence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In order to develop paleoecological studies involving many fossil sites, there is a need to establish a consistent time framework, which enables us to arrange the fossil associations according to a sequence of biotic events and subsequently to test a relationship with paleoenvironmental changes. The nature of the continental fossil record has given rise to much controversy with regard to the establishment of general biostratigraphical scales. Additionally, biochronological scales are sometimes all that can be proposed. The primary goal of the present paper is to present a time arrangement for the Iberoccitanian micromammalian fossil sites from the latest Middle Miocene to the Mio–Pliocene boundary, spanning around 7millionyears (approximately 12.61–4.95Ma). Herein we study over one hundred faunal lists of rodents from the Iberoccitanian Region, compiled from the literature. Previous research has described two biogeographical provinces in our study area: a northern one (Vallès–Penedès and southeast France) and a southern one (all the Iberian basins, except the Vallès–Penedès). We therefore conducted Alroy''s Maximum Likelihood Appearance Event Ordination (ML AEO) methodology, applying it to the database compiled for each province. Finally, using available numerical dates for a quarter of the sites, we obtained a calibrated ordination for all localities. In each analysis, the results obtained are roughly coherent with the Mammalian Neogene units (MN) and allow estimation of the numerical ages for the entire set of fossil sites included in the study. Nevertheless, our results show severe diachrony between the two biogeographic provinces of the Iberoccitanian Region in relation to the MN boundaries, which might be linked to the existence of a refuge area associated with more humid environments in the northern province. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]