Search Results (1,647)

Evidence-based prioritization is essential for effective specialization strategies (RIS3). However, there is a scarcity of evidence on whether regions are leveraging their own strengths or mimicking other policies. This study examines 236 EU regions, 178,314 publications, 116,336 projects and 470 RIS3 energy priorities (2021–2027) across 112 energy-related topics. We measure capability potential in two dimensions: proven areas of activity (inside strengths) and related areas with similar technologies (adjacent frontiers). Selective behavior is described using exploitation and exploration indicators, a stretch indicator and portfolio–priority adjustment indicators. Our findings reveal that surface rationality masks deep mimicry. Capabilities drive the direction of selection but not its scale. Regions select less than 10% of available strengths or adjacent areas. Instead, 40.3% of priorities are in ambitious areas, such as hydrogen and offshore wind energy, that exceed the potential opportunities. The portfolio–priority alignment is minimal at 0.10, and the wishful gaps are close to the maximum at 1.85 out of 2.0. Conversely, regions leave 93% of their potential untapped. RIS3 energy priorities indicate a greater desire to follow priorities than an ability to act. We suggest that policymakers should conduct capability audits to confirm absorptive capacity before setting priorities, establish benchmarks in strategy monitoring to measure the exploitation and exploration of regional assets and provide financial incentives that reward choices based on capabilities rather than historical alignment. Future research should examine whether capability-based priorities outperform choices that merely mimic others. Full article

This study examines the regime-dependent threshold between fiscal and monetary policy interactions across the EU-27 states, utilizing quarterly data from 2000 to 2025. A fixed-effects panel threshold regression model has been adopted in this study, using endogenously determined debt thresholds, to assess how budget, debt, money supply, inflation, and fluctuations in interest rates interact under different debt regimes. This analysis also incorporates shock dummy variables following mild recessions and inflationary pressures, the global financial crisis, the sovereign debt crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and recent energy price and inflationary shocks. Consequently, three major findings emerge: firstly, fiscal deficits increase unemployment across both regimes, but their positive contribution is significantly reduced by 81% in high-debt regimes. Therefore, conventional Ricardian equivalence has been supported throughout this study in terms of precautionary savings and crowding-out impacts, which further contribute to intensifying with alternative debt regimes. Secondly, monetary variables, in this paper, have demonstrated limited direct effects on unemployment mitigation that highlight the transmission mechanisms under high-debt regimes. Thirdly, the effectiveness of crisis response critically depends on existing fiscal spaces, while the debt regime is interconnected with labor market outcomes. The main findings of the study provide empirical support for the Maastricht debt criterion of 60% as a structural threshold, which is a benchmark for a fundamental shift in the policy transmission mechanism. This study has identified rules and regulations for uniform fiscal consolidation as insufficient; rather, state-contingent governance frameworks have been highly recommended for managing asymmetrical fiscal–monetary policy interactions across different debt regimes. Furthermore, it contributes to the reformation of the more impactful fiscal and monetary policy interaction rule under a monetary union. Full article

District heating systems are central to Europe’s decarbonisation strategy and its 2050 climate-neutrality objective. However, district heating is deeply embedded in the socio-economic system and the built environment. This makes compliance with policy targets at the local level particularly challenging. The issues are attributable to two factors. Firstly, the process is characterised by a high degree of complexity and multidimensionality. Secondly, there is a scarcity of local resources (e.g., land, surface waters, waste heat, etc.). In Bucharest, Romania, the largest district heating system in the European Union, the process of decarbonisation represents a particularly complex challenge. The system is characterised by large physical dimensions, high technical wear, heavy dependence on natural gas, significant heat losses and complex governance structures. This paper presents a strategic planning exercise for aligning the Bucharest system with the Energy Efficiency Directive 2023/1791. Drawing on system data, investment modelling, and local resource mapping from the LIFE22-CET-SET_HEAT project, the study evaluates scenarios for 2028 and 2035 that shift heat generation from natural gas to renewable, waste heat, and high-efficiency sources. The central objective is the identification of opportunities and issues. Options include large-scale heat pumps, waste-to-energy, geothermal and solar heat. Heat demand profiles and electricity price dynamics are used to evaluate economic feasibility and operational flexibility. The findings show that the decarbonisation heat supply in Bucharest is technically possible, but financial viability hinges on phased investments, interinstitutional coordination, regulatory reforms and access to EU funding. The study concludes with recommendations for staged implementation, coordinated governance and socio-economic measures to safeguard heat affordability and system reliability. Full article

In 2022, Austria experienced a significant surge in Syrian arrivals. Unlike refugees arriving to Europe in 2015/2016, who predominantly embarked on direct journeys from Syria, most of the recently admitted cohort experienced protracted displacement in Turkey. During these prolonged periods in transit, individuals’ fundamental rights and essential economic, social, and psychological needs frequently remained unmet, due to the weak Temporary Protection Status they were granted in Turkey and rising tensions with the local population. To assess protracted displacement histories of recently arrived Syrians in Austria, we employ a qualitative approach with four qualitative focus group discussions, 17 semi-structured interviews (in total N = 29) and an additional online questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics to support the qualitative data collection. Furthermore, expert interviews (N = 21) help to contextualize the situation of recently arrived Syrians in Austria and assess differences to the first cohort of arrivals (2015–2016). Our results reflect the marginalizing dynamics encountered by Syrians who underwent impermanent settlement experiences and their multidimensional experience of socio-economic marginalization in Turkey. This includes limited employment opportunities and economic deprivation, limited access to education as well as experiences of racial discrimination, harassment, violence, and state-sanctioned deportations. These have added to their eventual secondary migration to the EU. Our study allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the (im)permanent settlement challenges faced by refugee populations with Temporary Protection such as applied to Syrians in Turkey. Full article

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater monitoring has become an additional tool in the surveillance of infectious diseases. Many EU countries put wastewater surveillance systems (WSS) in place to track SARS-CoV-2 and its variants and other pathogens, such as the influenza virus or Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). In Germany, several research and pilot projects funded by the EU, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the Federal Ministry of Health, and projects at Federal State level have been launched in the last four years. In Germany, wastewater monitoring was not implemented as a public health tool before the COVID-19 pandemic, but in September 2022, it has been legally determined in the German infection protection act (Infektionsschutzgesetz, IfSG). As Germany is a federal state, competencies in epidemic management partly belong to the 16 federal states (“Länder”). In the federal states, the local health authorities at the county (“Kreise”) level also have specific risk management and communication competencies. Furthermore, WSS has been incorporated into the revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (EU) 2024/3019. For this reason, the federal states and local health authorities play a pivotal role in successfully implementing wastewater monitoring as a supplementary component of disease surveillance in Germany. Between November 2021 and August 2022, the federal state of Thuringia, Germany, supported a pilot study to implement a surveillance system for SARS-CoV-2-RNA in wastewater of 23 wastewater treatment plants in 17 counties in Thuringia. Here, we describe the study design and the system behind the logistics and the planning, and we provide an overview of the options for involving the public health service. Furthermore, the possibilities for IT concepts and approaches to innovative AI solutions are shown. We also aim to explore the feasibility and potential barriers to further implementing wastewater surveillance as a supplementary public health tool in Thuringia. Full article

Digitalisation is reshaping commercial systems in Europe, yet the joint evolution of national digital capabilities, e-commerce and macroeconomic performance remains imperfectly understood. This article develops a parsimonious Digital Maturity Index for the EU-27 over 2015–2023 and examines its association with the share of enterprise turnover generated through e-commerce using a systems-oriented econometric design. Two-way fixed-effects and dynamic panel models show that e-commerce turnover is strongly persistent within countries and systematically higher in more trade-open economies and in labour markets with slightly higher unemployment, after controlling for income and unobserved heterogeneity. The marginal effect of digital maturity on e-commerce intensity is small and statistically fragile, suggesting that digital capabilities act more as a slow-moving state variable than as a direct short-run driver of online sales. The marginal within-country effect of digital maturity on e-commerce intensity is small and statistically fragile once unobserved heterogeneity is controlled for, whereas trade openness and labour-market conditions remain robust correlates. The PVAR results suggest a stable system with strong persistence in e-commerce and digital maturity, limited spillovers to growth and a pronounced temporary contraction in output during the COVID-19 shock. Full article

This study proposes a systematic framework for establishing ethical guidelines for GeoAI (Geospatial Artificial Intelligence), which integrates AI with spatial data science, GIS, and remote sensing. While general AI ethics have advanced through the OECD, UNESCO, and the EU AI Act, ethical standards tailored to GeoAI remain underdeveloped. Geospatial information exhibits unique characteristics, spatiality, contextuality, and spatial autocorrelation—and consequently entails distinct risks such as geo-privacy, spatial fairness and bias, data provenance and quality, and misuse prevention related to mapping and surveillance. Following PRISMA 2020, a systematic review of 32 recent international policy documents and peer-reviewed articles was conducted; through content analysis with intercoder reliability verification (Krippendorff’s α ≥ 0.76), GeoAI ethical principles were extracted and normalized. The analysis identified twelve ethical axes—Geo-privacy, Data Provenance and Quality, Spatial Fairness and Bias, Transparency, Accountability and Auditability, Safety (Security and Robustness), Human Oversight and Human-in-the-Loop, Public Benefit and Sustainability, Participation and Stakeholder Engagement, Lifecycle Governance, Misuse Prevention, and Inclusion and Accessibility—each accompanied by an operational guideline. These axes together form a practical framework that integrates universal AI ethics principles with spatially specific risks inherent in GeoAI and specifies actionable assessment points across the GeoAI lifecycle. The framework is intended for direct use as checklists and governance artifacts (e.g., model/data cards) and as procurement and audit criteria in academic, policy, and administrative settings. Full article

Copper is a strategic raw material and an important component in electric motors, widely used across industries because of its excellent conductivity and recyclability. It plays an important role in the transformation from fossil fuel-based systems to green, electrified systems. However, substantial material losses continue throughout the lifecycle of electric motors, even with copper’s intrinsic capacity for circularity. Also, copper’s increasing demand, which is driven by the emergence of electric vehicles, industrial electrification, and renewable energy infrastructure, poses questions regarding its sustainable supply. The recovery of secondary copper sources from end-of-life (EoL) products is becoming more and more important in this context. However, it is still difficult to achieve circularity of copper, especially from industrial electric motors. This study investigates the challenges of closing the loop for copper during the lifecycle of motors in industrial applications. Based on an examination of EoL strategies, material flow insights, and practical investigation, the research pinpoints significant inefficiencies in the current processes. The widespread use of scraping as an approach of end-of-life management is one significant issue. Most of the electric motors are not built to separate their components, which makes both mechanical and manual disassembly difficult. The quality of recovered copper is thus compromised by the dominance of mixed metal shredding methods in the recycling step. This study highlights the need for systemic changes in addition to technical solutions to address copper circularity issues. It requires a focus on circularity in designing, giving disassembly and metal recovery a priority. This study focuses on circularity and its technological challenges in a value chain of copper. It not only identifies different processes such as supply chain disconnections and design constraints, but it also suggests workable solutions to close the copper flow loop in the electric motor sector. Copper quality and recovery is ultimately a problem involving design, technology, and cooperation, in addition to resources. This study supports the transition to a more sustainable and circular electric motor industry by offering a basis for directing such changes in industry practices and prospective EU regulations. Full article

The shift towards the integration of and transition to renewable energy has led to an increase in renewable energy communities (RECs) and smart grids (SGs). The significance of these RECs is mainly energy self-sufficiency, energy independence, and energy autonomy. Despite this, in low- and middle-income countries and regions like Pakistan and the Middle East, SGs and RECs are still in their initial stage. However, they have potential for green energy solutions rooted in their unique geographic and climatic conditions. SGs offer energy monitoring, communication infrastructure, and automation features to help these communities build flexible and efficient energy systems. This work provides an overview of Pakistani and Middle Eastern energy policies, goals, and initiatives while aligning with European comparisons. This work also highlights technical, regulatory, and economic challenges in those regions. The main objectives of the research are to ensure that residential service sizes are optimized to maximize the economic and environmental benefits of green energy. Furthermore, in line with SDG 7, affordable and clean energy, the focus in this study is on the development and transformation of energy systems for sustainability and creating synergies with other SDGs. The paper presents insights on the European Directive, including the amended Renewable Energy Directive (RED II and III), to recommend policy enhancements and regulatory changes that could strengthen the growth of RECs in Asian countries, Pakistan, and the Middle East, paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable energy future. Additionally, it addresses the main causes that hinder the expansion of RECs and SGs, and offers strategic recommendations to support their development in order to reduce dependency on national electric grids. To perform this, a perspective study of Pakistan’s indicative generation capacity by 2031, along with comparisons of energy capacity in the EU, the Middle East, and Asia, is presented. Pakistan’s solar, wind, and hydro potential is also explored in detail. This study is a baseline and informative resource for policy makers, researchers, industry stakeholders, and energy communities’ promoters, who are committed to the task of promoting sustainable renewable energy solutions. Full article

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most lethal malignancies, with limited treatment options for patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided intra-tumoral radioactive implantation has emerged as a minimally invasive approach to enhance local tumor control while minimizing systemic toxicity. Among the available isotopes, phosphorus-32 (³²P) microparticle brachytherapy has demonstrated promising outcomes, including significant tumor regression, reductions in CA 19-9, and higher rates of tumor downstaging and surgical conversion when combined with systemic chemotherapy. Compared with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), ³²P delivers higher intratumoral radiation doses, spares adjacent healthy tissues, and can be administered during ongoing chemotherapy without treatment interruption. Additionally, preliminary evidence suggests that ³²P may modulate the tumor microenvironment, improving vascularity and enhancing chemotherapy efficacy. The procedure shows high technical success and a favorable safety profile, with minimal serious adverse events. Future directions include prospective randomized trials to validate its impact on survival, optimize dosing, and establish treatment protocols. EUS-guided intra-tumoral ³²P brachytherapy holds potential as a key component of multimodal therapy, bridging local tumor control and systemic disease management in PDAC. Full article

Methane emissions from underground coal mines are a significant source of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and a major safety concern. In highly methane-prone operations, a large proportion of emissions comes from low-content abandoned mine methane (LCAMM) accumulated in post-mining goafs, where concentrations usually stay below 30% CH₄. Building on the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS) REM project, this paper presents a cost–benefit analysis of a comprehensive scheme for capturing, transporting, and utilising LCAMM from post-mining goafs for electricity generation. The concept involves long-reach directional boreholes drilled behind isolation dams, a dedicated methane-reduced drainage system connected to a surface methane drainage station, and four 2 MWe gas engines designed to run on a 20–40% CH₄ mixture. Greenhouse gas performance is evaluated by comparing a “business-as-usual” scenario in which post-mining methane is combusted in gas engines to produce electricity without further GHG cost–benefit consideration. The results indicate that the project can achieve a positive net present value, highlighting the role of LCAMM utilisation for methane-intensive coal mines. The paper also explores the monetisation of non-emitted methane using the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), as well as social cost benchmarks and penalty levels consistent with the emerging EU Methane Emissions Regulation (EU MER). Full article

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) remains technically challenging. Device-assisted ERCP (DAE-ERCP) is widely used for uncomplicated pancreaticobiliary disease but is associated with prolonged procedure times and high failure rates. Endoscopic ultrasound-directed transgastric ERCP (EDGE) offers high technical success but introduces additional cost and the risk of a persistent fistula. We aimed to prospectively identify intra-procedural predictors of DAE-ERCP failure and define an actionable, real-time threshold for early cross-over to EDGE. Methods: We prospectively evaluated consecutive RYGB patients undergoing DAE-ERCP at a tertiary referral center. Patients with established pre-procedural features associated with complex or low-yield DAE-ERCP were triaged directly to EDGE and excluded. Intra-procedural variables were recorded in real time. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression identified predictors of DAE-ERCP failure. Received operating characteristic (ROC) analysis determined optimal cutoffs for cross-over. Results: A total of 94 patients with RYGB underwent ERCP. Amongst these, 42 patients (11 males, 31 females) were included in the analysis and underwent DAE-ERCP with a success rate of 73.8% (n = 31). Significant risk factors of DAE-ERCP failure included excessive resistance to scope advancement (p < 0.0001), failure to reach the ampulla (p < 0.0001), patient position (p = 0.009), BMI (p = 0.004), and time to reach the jejuno-jejunal (J-J) anastomosis (p < 0.0001). Additionally, time needed to reach the J-J anastomosis of ≥23 min [OR 1.360 (95% CI: 1.079–1.713), p = 0.009], excess resistance to scope advancement [OR 2.223 (95% CI: 2.001–4.167)], and failure to reach the ampulla [OR 9.929 (95% CI: 2.004–4.033)] were statistically significant predictors of DAE-ERCP failure. When ≥2 predictors of BA-ERCP failure were present, the likelihood of DAE-ERCP failure was 2.370 with 95.50% sensitivity and 90% specificity with AUC= 0.929 (p = 0.0001). Conclusions: DAE-ERCP remains an effective first-line strategy in appropriately selecting RYGB patients without pre-procedural high-risk features. Real-time intra-procedural predictors can reliably identify impending failure. A structured algorithm incorporating both pre-procedural triage and intra-procedural checkpoints supports timely transition to EDGE, optimizing efficiency, safety, and resource utilization. Full article

This study critically examines the sectoral dynamics of renewable energy (RE) adoption across the EU-27 from 1990 to 2023, addressing the persistent gap between electricity generation and end-use sectors. Utilizing Eurostat energy balance data, the research employs a robust multi-methodological framework. We apply the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) decomposition to isolate driving factors, and the Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) of Kohonen to cluster countries with similar transition structures. Furthermore, the Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR) is used to estimate heterogeneous drivers across the distribution of RE shares. The empirical findings reveal a sharp dichotomy: while the share of renewables in the electricity generation mix (RES-E-Renewable Energy Share in Electricity) reached approximately 53.8% in leading member states, the aggregated share in the transport sector (RES-T) remains significantly lower at 9.1%. This distinction highlights that while power generation is decarbonizing rapidly, end-use electrification lags behind. The MMQR analysis indicates that economic growth drives renewable adoption more effectively in countries with already high renewable shares (upper quantiles) due to established market mechanisms and grid flexibility. Conversely, in lower-quantile countries, regulatory stability and direct infrastructure investment prove more critical than market-based incentives, highlighting the need for differentiated policy instruments. While EU policy milestones (RED I–III-) align with progress in power generation, they have failed to accelerate transitions in lagging sectors. This study concludes that achieving climate neutrality requires moving beyond aggregate targets to implement distinct, sector-specific interventions that address the unique structural barriers in transport and thermal applications. Full article

Weeds pose a significant threat to crop yields, both in quantitative and qualitative terms. Modern agriculture relies heavily on herbicides; however, their excessive use can lead to negative environmental impacts. As a result, recent research has increasingly focused on Integrated Weed Management (IWM), which employs multiple complementary strategies to control weeds in a holistic manner. Nevertheless, large-scale adoption of this approach requires a solid understanding of the underlying tactics. This systematic review analyses recent studies (2013–2022) on herbicide alternatives for weed control across major cropping systems in the EU-27 and the UK, providing an overview of current knowledge, the extent to which IWM tactics have been investigated, and the main gaps that help define future research priorities. The review relied on the IWMPRAISE framework, which classifies weed control tactics into five pillars (direct control, field and soil management, cultivar choice and crop establishment, diverse cropping systems, and monitoring and evaluation) and used Scopus as a scientific database. The search yielded a total of 666 entries, and the most represented pillars were Direct Control (193), Diverse Cropping System (183), and Field and Soil Management (172). The type of crop most frequently studied was arable crops (450), and the macro-area where the studies were mostly conducted was Southern Europe (268). The tactics with the highest number of entries were Tillage Type and Cultivation Depth (110), Cover Crops (82), and Biological Control (72), while those with the lowest numbers were Seed Vigor (2) and Sowing Depth (2). Overall, this review identifies research gaps and sets priorities to boost IWM adoption, leading policy and funding to expand sustainable weed management across Europe. Full article

Source plasma centers sustain hematology therapeutics by safeguarding testing, traceability, and cold-chain integrity before fractionation. Despite regulatory requirements (21 CFR 606/640; EU Directive 2005/62/EC), published pre-operational validation frameworks demonstrating deviation-readiness before first collections remain sparse. We conducted a simulation-based pre-operational validation of an electronic quality management system (eQMS) with an Incident → Deviation → Corrective Action and Preventive Action (CAPA) pathway at a new source plasma center, performing 20 chairside mock runs, 3 freezer-alarm drills, and a document-control stress test. Primary endpoints were anomaly rate, alarm-response time relative to a 15 min service-level agreement (SLA), and deviation-closure SLA compliance. Analyses were descriptive and designed to demonstrate system functionality, not long-term process stability. Minor anomalies occurred in 6/20 mock runs (30.0%; 95% CI 11.9–54.3); no major/critical events were observed (0/20; 95% CI 0–16.8). Deviation-closure SLAs were met in 6/6 tests (100%; 95% CI 54.1–100). Alarm-response times averaged 7.0 min (SD 1.0; range 6–8 min; 95% CI 4.5–9.5), and all drills met the 15 min vendor SLA, illustrating a preliminary readiness margin (Cpu ≈ 2.7) rather than a statistically stable capability estimate. Simulation-based pre-operational validation produced inspection-ready documentation and quantitative acceptance criteria aligned to U.S./EU expectations, supporting reproducible multi-site deployment. By protecting cold-chain integrity and traceability before first collections, the validated QMS helps preserve supply reliability for plasma-derived therapeutics central to hematology care and establishes the measurement infrastructure for post-operational performance validation. Full article