Search Results (294)

Renewable energy is a key driver of the sustainable energy transition. To accelerate deployment, the Renewable Energy Directive was amended by Directive (EU) 2023/2413, commonly referred to as ‘RED III’, which raised the Union’s renewable energy target and introduced territorial instruments such as coordinated mapping and renewables acceleration areas. This article examines the legal mechanisms of RED III that have a territorial impact and assesses their interaction with spatial-planning, asking how implementation reshapes the relationship between EU-level regulatory influence and Member State discretion. Utilising doctrinal legal research and concepts from spatial-planning scholarship, the article analyses how RED III operationalises these area-based planning instruments and links them to project authorisation. Lithuania is used as an illustrative implementation example. The findings suggest that RED III does not establish an EU spatial-planning system but strengthens the territorially oriented governance of renewables by connecting plan-level choices to permitting. At the same time, it leaves Member States with substantial discretion over legal form and integration into national planning hierarchies. The article concludes that RED III is a turning point in a specific sense: it makes territorial steering a more explicit and legally structured component of EU renewables governance, without harmonising national spatial planning systems. Full article

Determining the age and origin of the “Huoshan Sandstone” holds significant geological implications for the stratigraphic division and correlation of Precambrian sequences in the North China Craton, provenance analysis, reconstruction of tectonic–sedimentary patterns, and paleogeographic settings restoration. This paper investigates the petrology, zircon U-Pb dating, Hf isotopes analysis, and zircon microzonation geochemistry of the “Huoshan Sandstone”. The “Huoshan Sandstone” is grayish-white, light gray, light yellow, purplish-red quartzitic sandstone and quartz sandstone, with a quartz content ranging from 85.5% to 97.8%. The quartz grains exhibit relatively straight contact edges, characteristic of low-grade metamorphosed quartzite. The protolith of the “Huoshan Sandstone” is a medium-grained quartz sandstone with dominant grain sizes of 0.30~0.50 mm, exhibiting well-rounded to subrounded grains and highly developed siliceous cementation characterized by secondary overgrowth. The zircon Th/U ratio confirms that the zircons in the “Huoshan Sandston” are mainly magmatic zircons. Most zircons exhibit extreme HREE enrichment and left-sloping REE patterns, and show significant positive Ce anomalies (Ce/Ce* of 1.06~290.68) and negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* of 0.065~0.61). The age range of zircon ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb is 1770 ± 20~2732 ± 16 Ma, and there are two obvious peaks at 1800 and 2500 Ma in the U-Pb age frequency histogram, the age of the intersection point on the concordia line is 2521 ± 31 Ma, and the age of the intersection point on the lower part of the line is 1829 ± 22 Ma. These two ages correspond to the timing of Neoarchean TTG gneiss formation through oceanic crust partial melting in the central North China Craton, and the ~1.85 Ga Paleoproterozoic thermal metamorphic event recorded in the Zhongtiao Group of the same region, respectively. The maximum depositional age of the “Huoshan Sandstone”, constrained by the youngest detrital zircon U-Pb ages at 1770 ± 20 Ma, indicates that its sedimentation occurred after 1770 ± 20 Ma (Late Late Paleoproterozoic). Furthermore, as it underlies the red shales of the Cambrian Mantou Formation as a distinct tectonic layer, it must have formed prior to the deposition of the Cambrian Mantou Formation. In addition, in situ Lu-Hf isotopic analyses of these zircons yielded two-stage model ages, mainly between 2.5 and 2.8 Ga, suggesting the provenance to be the Precambrian basement of the Zhongtiao Mountain region in the central North China Craton. It is inferred that the Precambrian strata in the Zhongtiao Mountain area were involved in the process of subduction, collage, and collision of the two continental blocks of the eastern and western parts of the North China Craton, and further confirmation is provided that the final collision of the two continental blocks to form the central orogenic belt occurred in the late Palaeoproterozoic. Full article

Heavy metal contamination poses concerns for managing Twaite shad (Alosa fallax) populations, yet data remain sparse. Intermittent capture as bycatch, with negligible prospects for post-release survival and IUCN Red listing, provides a compelling case for investigation. Concentrations of six trace metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn) in the dorsal muscle tissue of A. fallax from the Curonian Lagoon (Lithuania) and the Elbe Estuary (Germany) were analyzed to evaluate size-related patterns and compliance with international safety standards. Overall, metal levels were uniformly low, with Cd and Pb below EU limits. Cu exhibited a weak negative correlation with fish weight (ρ = −0.35; p < 0.05), while Zn tended to increase in larger individuals, reflecting its essential physiological role. Comparing both adult populations, Cr and Zn, which provide nutritional benefits, were higher in the Curonian Lagoon, whereas toxic As and Pb were higher in the Elbe Estuary. All concentrations complied with EU and FAO thresholds, indicating acceptable risk for human consumption. The findings provide baseline information for A. fallax as a potential bioindicator. Constraints on the number of A. fallax sampled, given its IUCN status, exclusion of Hg and lack of environmental parameters, limit conclusions, but would be mostly remediable by future research. Full article

Boro-antimonite glasses doped with Eu³⁺ and having the general composition (90-x) Sb₂O₃–xB₂O₃–10Li₂O-0.5Eu₂O₃ (x = 0 to 60 in 10 mol. % increment) were prepared using the melt quenching method. The influence of B₂O₃/Sb₂O₃ substitution on the spectroscopy and photoluminescence of Eu³⁺ ions was analyzed by studying the measured and calculated properties of these glasses. The relative value of a given property was shown to increase or decrease by up to 26% with the addition of up to 60 mol. % B₂O₃, while the number of Eu³⁺ ions per unit volume increased by approximately 32%. Strong emissions were obtained in association with the transitions of Eu³⁺ (⁵D₀→⁷F_j, j = 1–4). A weak, broad emission centered at 450 nm was also detected. This emission is clearly linked to the glass composition. It originates from a potential presence of Eu²⁺ ions. This enhances ⁵D₀ level emission via charge transfer. The radiative and experimental lifetimes of the ⁵D₀ level increase linearly with B₂O₃ content. This results in high quantum efficiency (η) ranging from 74 to nearly 84%. Tunable chromaticity, as defined by the CIE 1931 standard, was achieved, resulting in a warm orange-red color with high brightness. These new glasses have a variety of potential laser-related applications. 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

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

This article provides a detailed comparative analysis of the transposition and implementation of the Renewable Energy Directives II and III (RED II and RED III), REPowerEU Plan, and the ‘Fit for 55’ package in France, Italy, and Germany. The analysis highlights the objectives, key legislative provisions, and national-scale achievements, challenges, advantages, and disadvantages—including implications for investment conditions and renewable energy financing mechanisms—associated with these pivotal European Union legislative frameworks, which, to a certain extent, induced a paradigm shift with varying degrees of impact in every Member State. The work is divided into four parts that follow this brief introductory outline of the problem. The introduction presents legal developments in renewable energy law in the European Union. The second part offers a comprehensive and in-depth examination of the European Union’s renewable energy regulatory framework and research gaps that hinder doctrinal tensions within the EU’s renewable energy legislative framework. In the third part, we analyze the transposition and implementation of each mentioned directive in the selected countries. The last part highlights commonalities, divergences, challenges, best practices, and lessons learned from each nation’s approach. This comparative analysis predicts that implementation success is inversely linked to administrative divergence, with France’s centralized legal system facilitating effective bureaucratic streamlining and higher predicted deployment, while the fragmented governance structures of Germany and Italy serve as structural impediments that critically undermine the EU’s acceleration mandate. Full article

This study investigates phase formation in the Sr–Zn–Eu³⁺ orthophosphate system, focusing on double- and triple-phosphates. The isomorphisms and phase formation in Sr_3–1.5xEu_1+x(PO₄)₃, Sr_9–1.5xZn_1.5Eu_x(PO₄)₇, Sr_9.5–1.5xZnEu_x(PO₄)₇, Sr_3–xZn_xEu(PO₄)₃, and Sr_3–xZn_x(PO₄)₂ series were studied using powder X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement. A ternary phase diagram was constructed, identifying concentration limits for pure phases and multi-phase regions as well as areas of stabilization of strontiowhitlockite-, palmierite-, eulytite-, and strontiohurlbutite-type phases. The combinatorial complexity of Sr-based phosphates is discussed. The β-Sr₃(PO₄)₂ isostructural to whitlockite was found to exhibit the highest isomorphic capacity for Eu³⁺ cations, which is advantageous for its application as a red-emitting phosphor. Photoluminescence properties were studied, and analyzed based on structural data. Photoluminescence studies confirmed intense red-emission dominated by the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺, with the β-Sr₃(PO₄)₂-based phosphor showing the highest emission intensity. Full article

Calcium phosphates are one of the main materials used in biomedicine for bone regeneration purposes. To improve the properties of biocompatible β-Ca₃(PO₄)₂, doping by bioactive, antibacterial is actively used, as well as luminescent ions. Co-doped phosphates Ca_8−xSr_xZnEu(PO₄)₇ with a β-Ca₃(PO₄)₂ (β-TCP)-type structure were synthesized through solid-state synthesis. The β-TCP-type structure was confirmed using X-ray powder diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy. Photoluminescence data, including excitation and emission spectra, decay curves, lifetime values and quantum yields, were collected for all samples. Ca_8−xSr_xZnEu(PO₄)₇ phosphates exhibit strong red-emission due to 4f-4f transitions of Eu³⁺ ions in disordered oxygen surrounding, with quantum yields reaching 54%. The phosphates demonstrated biocompatibility through MTT assay, with successful differentiation of aMSCs into the osteogenic lineage. Antibacterial activity was tested against four bacteria (E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and E. faecalis) and a fungus (C. albicans). It was found that the samples demonstrated antibacterial properties. The growth of E. coli and E. faecalis is significant inhibited by Ca_8−xSr_xZnEu(PO₄)₇ samples with 0 ≤ x ≤ 6.0. Analysis of mixed salt solubility using Eu³⁺ ions as a fluorescent probe showed that increasing Sr²⁺ concentration in Ca_8−xSr_xZnEu(PO₄)₇ delays both β-TCP phase resorption and HAP phase precipitation. These results demonstrate the potential of Ca_8−xSr_xZnEu(PO₄)₇ phosphates for bioimaging and bone healing control. Full article

Trichinella spp. are zoonotic nematodes with a global distribution, primarily maintained through wildlife reservoirs which complicates eradication efforts. In Europe, four species—T. spiralis, T. britovi, T. nativa, and T. pseudospiralis—circulate in wild carnivores and omnivores, with T. britovi and T. spiralis being the most prevalent in wild and domestic hosts. This study aimed to assess the presence and species distribution of Trichinella spp. in wild mammals. This study presents the results of five years of wildlife surveillance carried out within the long-standing monitoring program implemented in the Emilia-Romagna region, northern Italy, which has been in place since 2006. Between 2020 and 2024, a total of 104,338 wild mammals, including red foxes, wolves, and wild boar, were tested using the magnetic stirrer digestion method in accordance with EU regulations. A total of 12 animals (0.011%) were found to be infected with Trichinella larvae. Molecular identification of positive samples, performed at the European Union Reference Laboratory for Parasites, showed the presence of T. britovi in 11 animals, while one isolate remained unidentified. T. britovi was detected primarily in wolves and red foxes. No infections were identified in wild boar during the study period. Overall, the low prevalence observed confirms that Trichinella spp. infections in wildlife in Emilia-Romagna are sporadic but persistently present. Only T. britovi was detected, supporting its role as the predominant species in this area. These findings highlight the importance of long-term surveillance for early detection and risk assessment within a One Health framework. Full article

Two new 2-N-phenylamino-5-nitropyridine—4-methyl (2PA5N4MP) and 2-N-phenylamino-5-nitropyridine-6-methyl (2PA5N6MP) isomers were synthesized and comprehensively characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR/Raman spectroscopy, UV–Vis absorption, and photoluminescence measurements. DFT and TD-DFT calculations were also carried out to support the experimental results. The X-ray analysis revealed significant structural differences: 2PA5N6MP adopted an almost planar conformation (pyridine–phenyl dihedral ~3°), whereas 2PA5N4MP was markedly twisted (~45°), leading to distinct hydrogen-bonding motifs (N–H⋯N dimers vs. N–H⋯O interactions). These geometric disparities influenced their electronic properties: 2PA5N6MP exhibited a narrower HOMO–LUMO gap (≈2.45 eV) than 2PA5N4MP (≈3.77 eV), which was consistent with a pronounced bathochromic shift in absorption. Both isomers showed broad UV–Vis absorption (200–520 nm), but the 6-methyl derivative featured an additional low-energy charge–transfer band around 460 nm (with a maximum at ~500 nm) compared to ~355 nm in the 4-methyl isomer. Likewise, their photoluminescence spectra differed as follows: 2PA5N4MP emitted in the violet–blue region (bands at ~415 and 450 nm), whereas 2PA5N6MP had an extra orange band peaking at ~560 nm (in addition to a ~450 nm band). The red-shifted 560 nm emission of 2PA5N6MP was attributed to intersystem crossing into triplet states, in line with TD-DFT predictions. Furthermore, both isomers readily formed complexes with Eu³⁺ ions, and the Eu³⁺ chelates exhibited the characteristic red f–f emissions (⁵D₀ → ⁷F transitions ~590–700 nm), demonstrating efficient sensitization of Eu³⁺ luminescence. Overall, the position of the methyl substituent strongly modulates the compounds’ optical behavior, and these isomers show promise as tunable organic dyes and effective ligands for luminescent lanthanide complexes. Full article

It is important to develop a tetracycline (TC) detection method with a simple synthesis method, high sensitivity, and fast detection speed. Herein, a novel sensor was designed using europium-doped boron nitride (BN-Eu) for evaluation on tetracycline (TC). BN-Eu was synthesized by a simple one-step hydrothermal method. Based on the dual-emission fluorescence signal characteristics of BN-Eu, the content of tetracycline was detected by ratio fluorescence sensing. When the TC concentration increased, the fluorescence emission of BN at 449 nm remained nearly constant, the characteristic emission peak of Eu³⁺ at 618 nm was enhanced due to the antenna effect(AE). The ratiometric fluorescence detection of TC in the range of 0.010–1.0 μmol L⁻¹ was achieved with a detection limit of 4.0 nmol L⁻¹. In addition, the detection system underwent a color shift from blue to red under an irradiation of 365 nm as the TC concentration increased. Based on this, TC visual detection was achieved. The colorimetric signal versus the concentration of TC in the range from 0 to 50 μmol L⁻¹ had a good linear relationship with a detection limit of 1.4 μmol L⁻¹. The probe showed good detection performance through the determination of tetracycline content in tetracycline ointment. The prepared BN-Eu probe has fast response, good sensitivity to TC, and has good potential in detecting tetracycline content in complex samples. Full article

Poland, as a leading apple producer in the EU, must maintain high fruit quality during prolonged storage and distribution, which is crucial for exports to distant markets. Therefore, it is essential to clearly identify which factors most strongly affect quality and the magnitude of their effects in order to make informed choices about pre- and postharvest practices, storage technology, and logistics. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of selected factors on the quality of apples of the ‘Gala Schniga^® SchniCo Red(s)’ cultivar after long-term storage. The study analyzed the effects of harvest date (optimal and delayed), three variants of 1-methylcyclopropene application (control-0 µL·L⁻¹ 1-MCP, Harvista™, SmartFresh™, and Harvista™ + SmartFresh™), storage period (5, 7, and 9 months), simulated trading period (0 or 7 days at 20 °C) and storage technology (ULO: 1.2% CO₂: 1.2% O₂; DCA: 0.6% CO₂: 0.6% O₂) in two consecutive seasons (2022/2023 and 2023/2024). Five quality parameters were evaluated: flesh firmness (F), soluble solid content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), SSC/TA ratio, and the concentration of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC). Backward-elimination stepwise regression and partial eta squared (η²) calculations were used to analyze the data to determine the factors with the greatest impact. The post-harvest application of 1-MCP had the strongest effect in terms of maintaining firmness (η² = 70.4%) and acidity (η² = 38.0%) and reducing ACC content (η² = 21.3%). Harvista™ preparation had a weaker or negligible effect on ACC content, but reduced SSC (η² = 22.7%). Harvest date, storage duration, and shelf life significantly influenced all traits, with controlled-atmosphere regime further modulating outcomes. By integrating preharvest maturity with treatment timing and CA storage, we disentangled the relative contributions of harvest timing, treatment, and storage. The results provide actionable inputs for a decision-support tool to help producers maintain target quality—firmness, SSC, TA, SSC/TA, and ACC—through optimized practice, storage technology choice, and logistics. Full article

Background/Objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents a growing public health burden in the European Union (EU), largely driven by modifiable lifestyle factors such as diet. This systematic review aimed to synthesize observational evidence on the associations between nutritional exposures and incident T2DM across the EU-28, with a focus on regional heterogeneity and implications for EU-level nutrition policy. Methods: The review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020219994). Searches were conducted in different databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science) identifying 23,437 records, from which 104 observational studies were included. Eligible studies involved adults (≥18 years) without T2DM at baseline and assessed dietary exposures in relation to T2DM incidence. Data extraction and methodological quality assessment were performed in duplicate using the NHLBI tool in Covidence. Results: Most included studies were cohort studies (77.9%), primarily conducted in Western, Northern, and Southern Europe. Diets characterized by high consumption of whole and minimally processed foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and fermented dairy, consistently showed associations with lower T2DM risk. In contrast, high intake of red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, and ultra-processed foods was linked to higher risk. Adherence to Mediterranean or plant-based dietary patterns was associated with lower risk, whereas high animal-protein dietary patterns were detrimental. Conclusions: Nutritional determinants play a decisive role in shaping T2DM risk in the EU. Evidence supports prioritizing dietary patterns rich in plant-based and minimally processed foods while reducing ultra-processed and meat-based products. Tailored region-specific policies are needed to address the T2DM epidemic and guide effective prevention strategies. Full article

Spirit drink, known in Central and Eastern Europe as ‘okowita’ (its official designation is ‘spirit’), is obtained by distilling fermented plant raw materials. Unlike vodka, which is produced from highly purified ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, ‘okowita’ is characterised by the preservation of the natural aromatic and flavour compounds originating from the raw material and produced during the process of alcoholic fermentation. The study aimed to assess the impact of production technology on the quality of potato spirits. The effects of the methods used for the pretreatment of raw material, starch hydrolysis and fermentation, and yeast strains were examined in relation to the fermentation efficiency and the chemical composition of the distillates. The yeast strains were the key factor determining fermentation efficiency. The SafSpirit and Pinnacle yeast strains provided the highest fermentation yields (85.0–97.7% of the theoretical), while the Ethanol Red strain provided the lowest yield (<83%). No advantage of separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) over simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) was observed. A characteristic feature of potato distillates was their high isobutyl alcohol content, ranging from 557 to 1437 mg/L of 100% v/v alcohol, i.e., more than twice that of 3-methyl-1-butanol. Methanol concentrations remained below the limit specified in EU Regulation 2024/1143 (≤1000 g/hL of 100% v/v alcohol). The results are promising in terms of the potential for the production of craft potato spirit drinks. Full article