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The population is ageing rapidly worldwide, which is particularly apparent in Europe. Therefore, there is a shrinking working-age population per retiree, which has profound implications for society. In response to this challenge, the EU-funded project OSIRIS is developing a collaborative digital platform that allows the creation of new innovative solutions to tackle the ageing population's challenges and help them live independent and active life. Effective project management is crucial for the success of such a project. In this paper, we describe the project management structure of the OSIRIS project, analyze the project management plan, identify gaps and provide recommendations to improve the project management practices. The paper highlights the lessons learned from the perspective of project management methodologies, enterprise architecture management and from creating generalized customer journeys for such a platform. Our findings suggest that effective project management practices, including proper planning, risk management, communication and stakeholder engagement, are imperative for the projects' success. Overall, by sharing our experience and insights, this paper aims to provide valuable guidance for future research and development projects in the silver economy and technology field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The participation of women in sports and the management of women's sports teams have gained significant attention in recent years, underscoring the need to understand the dynamics and organizational aspects of women's sports. However, there is a noticeable lack of comprehensive bibliometric analyses in this domain, hindering a thorough exploration of the existing literature and the identification of key trends and knowledge gaps. This study aims to address this gap by conducting a rigorous bibliometric analysis of sports management competencies in women's semi-professional teams in Europe. Using the VOSviewer software, advanced data analysis techniques, including citation and co-citation analysis, were employed to gain insights into the research landscape, influential authors, seminal papers, and key research trends. The results of the analysis revealed clusters of research topics related to women's semi-professional sports, including performance, gender, football, and sports. The findings of this analysis will contribute to the advancement and success of women's semi-professional teams by informing the development of tailored training programs, educational curricula, and professional initiatives for sports management roles. Ultimately, this study aims to enhance the understanding of sports management competencies in women's semi-professional teams and guide future research endeavors in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The railway sector is an important part of the transportation industry as well as of the economic activity in Europe. It is interesting that digitalization of this sector has been triggered in several European countries by regulatory compliance obligations. The Technical Specification for Interoperability relating to Telematics Applications for Freight/Passenger Services as well as other related standards have created opportunities for the digital transformation of the players participating into this market. Apart from achieving a base minimum compliance to the standards, there are prerequisites and questions to be answered at organizational and technological level if railway sector players are to embark on the digital transformation journey. This research study provides explanations on the argument the regulatory compliance may act as a driver for digital transformation, using the example of the railway sector in Europe and presents some important prerequisites for this market's players to take the opportunity for digital transformation. The ultimate goal of this research, whose foundations are set up in this research paper, is to formulate a digital maturity model for the actor of the railway sector, for the benefit of their retail and business clients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudomonas aeruginosa , a ubiquitous opportunistic pathogen considered one of the paradigms of antimicrobial resistance, is among the main causes of hospital-acquired and chronic infections associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This growing threat results from the extraordinary capacity of P. aeruginosa to develop antimicrobial resistance through chromosomal mutations, the increasing prevalence of transferable resistance determinants (such as the carbapenemases and the extended-spectrum β-lactamases), and the global expansion of epidemic lineages. The general objective of this initiative is to provide a comprehensive update of P. aeruginosa resistance mechanisms, especially for the extensively drug-resistant (XDR)/difficult-to-treat resistance (DTR) international high-risk epidemic lineages, and how the recently approved β-lactams and β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations may affect resistance mechanisms and the definition of susceptibility profiles. To address this challenge, the European Study Group for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (ESGARS) from the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases launched the 'Improving Surveillance of Antibiotic-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Europe (ISARPAE)' initiative in 2022, supported by the Joint programming initiative on antimicrobial resistance network call and included a panel of over 40 researchers from 18 European Countries. Thus, a ESGARS-ISARPAE position paper was designed and the final version agreed after four rounds of revision and discussion by all panel members. To provide an update on (a) the emerging resistance mechanisms to classical and novel anti-pseudomonal agents, with a particular focus on β-lactams, (b) the susceptibility profiles associated with the most relevant β-lactam resistance mechanisms, (c) the impact of the novel agents and resistance mechanisms on the definitions of resistance profiles, and (d) the globally expanding XDR/DTR high-risk lineages and their association with transferable resistance mechanisms. The evidence presented herein can be used for coordinated epidemiological surveillance and decision making at the European and global level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) is an essential index to measure international dry bulk shipping freight, which can reflect global economic changes to a certain extent. Accurate forecasting of BDI supports shipping market participants in grasping risks and making scientific decisions. Based on the Prophet model, this paper considers the impact of multi-dimensional significant events related to the shipping industry and conducts BDI forecasting research. Firstly, we simulate the most momentous events in the world in recent years, namely the 2008 Global Financial Crisis and the 2019 New Crown Epidemic, and utilize the Prophet model to decompose the BDI sequence into three parts: trend, seasonality, and momentous event shocks. Secondly, we extensively collect other multi-dimensional significant event uncertainty indexes to establish a "significant event database". The Maximal Information Coefficient and Boruta methods were employed to extract the uncertainty index particularly correlated with BDI as an exogenous variable for forecasting. Then, we employ the K-Shape method to cluster exogenous variables and explore the combined sense of clustering. Finally, we utilize the Prophet model to forecast BDI in stages. It discusses the influence of exogenous variables and their cluster combinations on the forecasting effect individually and sequentially. Empirical results show that considering the two momentous events of the Financial Crisis and COVID-19 can remarkably improve the accuracy of BDI forecasting. In addition, the study of exogenous variable significance found that during the Financial Crisis, economic policy uncertainty in Europe and the Americas greatly impacted BDI forecasting. During COVID-19, global and developed economic policy uncertainty was noteworthy in the BDI forecasting. The comparative experimental results show the Prophet model has an exemplary forecasting result and strong robustness. It also performs excellently in model generalization and interpretability. This paper proposes a reliable and advanced algorithm for shipping freight rate index forecasting, which has noteworthy reference value for shipping market participants to make investment decisions and risk avoidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few years, energy communities initiatives have gained traction in Europe as a means to achieve energy transition goals, allowing citizen involvement in energy production, consumption, and distribution. Following the 2018 European directive RED II, these projects have rapidly increased across the continent, showcasing their potential for creating sustainable local energy systems. While studies highlight economic, environmental, and social benefits, barriers such as regulatory challenges, finance access, and low public awareness remain. This paper presents the results of a systematic literature review that explores the state-of-the-art of the academic research on energy communities. The study adopts a systematic approach to examine the body of literature on the topic to provide a comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon on the basis of rigorous and replicable research criteria. The reviewed material consists of 140 articles collected through the Scopus database, evaluated using specific structural dimensions to group the literature into analytical categories. The analysis of scientific papers published between 2018 and 2022 shows a growing attention towards Renewable Energy Communities, particularly those based on solar energy for electricity production, often combined with storage systems and heat pumps, whereas attention towards energy communities based on thermal energy production is still limited. Furthermore, most scholars focused on analysing specific territorial contexts; comparisons between different regions allows to highlight common features and elements characterizing each model. It emerged that the development of energy communities depends mainly on regulatory, financial, and managerial barriers that require an adequate institutional and legal framework capable of promoting their diffusion. Most studies address the topic from an economic perspective, often in association with incentivizing community models. However, a social perspective should be included by introducing the concept of energy sharing and methodologies for its distribution among all members of the community. The scientific community is called upon to continue investigating and supporting the development of community energy initiatives by providing evidence-based recommendations to policymakers, industry stakeholders, and local communities. This can help to overcome existing barriers and facilitate the diffusion of energy communities models, contributing to the achievement of sustainable and inclusive energy transition goals. • Systematic literature review exploring academic research on energy communities in Europe. • Structural dimensions and related analytical categories as framework to review 140 journal articles. • Most studies concern ECs based on renewable energy sources, with solar power being the predominant source. • Most employed technologies are related to the production of electricity from photovoltaic with batteries and heat pumps. • Most studied focus on Renewable Energy Community, while Citizens Energy Community are less considered in academic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Applications emitting radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF; 100 kHz to 300 GHz) are widely used for communication (e.g. mobile phones), in medicine (diathermy) and in industry (RF heaters). The objective is to systematically review the effects of longer-term or repeated local and whole human body radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure on the occurrence of symptoms. Primary hypotheses were tinnitus, migraine and headaches in relation to RF-EMF exposure of the brain, sleep disturbances and composite symptom scores in relation to whole-body RF-EMF exposure. Eligibility criteria: We included case-control and prospective cohort studies in the general population or workers estimating local or whole-body RF-EMF exposure for at least one week. Information sources: We conducted a systematic literature search in various databases including Web of Science and Medline. Risk of bias: We used the Risk of Bias (RoB) tool developed by OHAT adapted to the topic of this review. Synthesis of results: We synthesized studies using random effects meta -analysis. Included studies: We included 13 papers from eight distinct cohort and one case-control studies with a total of 486,558 participants conducted exclusively in Europe. Tinnitus is addressed in three papers, migraine in one, headaches in six, sleep disturbances in five, and composite symptom scores in five papers. Only one study addressed occupational exposure. Synthesis of results: For all five priority hypotheses, available research suggests that RF-EMF exposure below guideline values does not cause symptoms, but the evidence is very uncertain. The very low certainty evidence is due the low number of studies, possible risk of bias in some studies, inconsistencies, indirectness, and imprecision. In terms of non-priority hypotheses numerous exposure-outcome combinations were addressed in the 13 eligible papers without indication for an association related to a specific symptom or exposure source. Limitations of evidence: This review topic includes various challenges related to confounding control and exposure assessment. Many of these aspects are inherently present and not easy to be solved in future research. Since near-field exposure from wireless communication devices is related to lifestyle, a particular challenge is to differentiate between potential biophysical effects and other potential effects from extensive use of wireless communication devices that may compete with healthy behaviour such as sleeping or physical activity. Future research needs novel and innovative methods to differentiate between these two hypothetical mechanisms. Interpretation: This is currently the best available evidence to underpin safety of RF-EMF. There is no indication that RF-EMF below guideline values causes symptoms. However, inherent limitations of the research results in substantial uncertainty. Funding: This review was partially funded by the WHO radioprotection programme. Registration: The protocol for this review has been registered in Prospero (reg no CRD42021239432) and published in Environment International (Röösli et al., 2021) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent technological developments make perovskite solar cells (PSCs) particularly suitable for building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) applications on vertical building envelopes, but the relatively short lifespan of PSCs requires frequent replacement, thereby generating substantial waste. Careful consideration of circularity credentials of this novel technology is therefore essential prior to the extensive implementation of vertical PSCs in building envelopes. This paper provides a circular economy approach for the implementation of PSCs in vertical envelopes and assesses its economic feasibility by life cycle cost analysis in Europe. The process of recycling PSC is developed. The economic performance of PSC envelopes is provided and compared to that of the conventional rigid BIPV system. Uncertainty analysis and sensitivity analysis of economic indicators are then performed to identify the influential parameters. The findings indicate that the PSC envelope has a significant potential for circular BIPV components and that PSCs applied on vertical envelope are economically viable. • LCCA of vertical PSC envelopes with recycling strategy is analyzed in Europe. • Recycling strategy of PSC is explored before diffusion to overcome PSC's short lifespan. • PSC price is the most influential factor for the deviation of LCOE. • PSC envelope has potential to achieve profitability in most regions of Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a set of digitalisation indicators focused on measuring the different digital capabilities and infrastructure of electricity distribution systems, as opposed to previous indicators which have mainly focused on performance and quality of service aspects. The indicators are classified according to the pillars of digitalisation: sensor and actuator, connectivity, data processing, and digital culture. They are use-case-agnostic and do not require a huge amount of information. In addition to this, three possible new applications of these indicators for distribution system operators and regulatory authorities are identified and discussed. The extensive use of these indicators in Europe could allow the development of fruitful collaborations between distribution system operators, allow the identification of cause–effect relations between grid performance and digital infrastructure, and improve the replicability of innovative smart grid solutions. However, this will only be possible if regulators promote the adoption of the proposed indicators and the dissemination of their results. • Smart grid indicators are required by European Directive 2019/944. • Indicators on sensors/actuators, connectivity, data processing, and digital culture. • Indicators to provide an overview of the distribution grid. • Indicators to study relation between performance and digital infrastructure. • Indicators to generate information for the replicability of solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of the 4.4 million people diagnosed with cancer in Europe each year, around 36 % are of working age. Return-to-work rates vary across Europe. Work is important for the individual, as well as for society, and this review aims to provide an overview of the predictors for the return to work (RTW) process in European cancer survivors of working age. A systematic literature search was conducted. The present review included quantitative and qualitative study designs published since 2013. In total, the review included 85 papers examining cancer survivors with various cancer diagnoses in 18 European countries. Identified predictive factors for RTW related to the social system, treatment, disease, health behavior, the individuals' psychosocial, work, and sociodemographic situations. There is a need for a standardized definition and operationalization of RTW. Providers can use these results to identify survivors at risk and support cancer survivors in their RTW process. [Display omitted] • Cancer survivors' RTW is associated with various predictors. • The predictors vary over time and differ between cancer entities and countries. • Predictors can be used to identify survivors at risk and to extent support programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Investigation focuses on coupling link inspection, integral safety components to train screw coupling systems. • Plastic deformation increase, during operational use, did not affect yield stress or ultimate tensile strength. • Fractured links showed ductile fractures with distinctive surface structures. • 83 % of links, tested after 30 years in operation, exceeded the minimum breaking force. • Train brake analysis suggests a decrease in link failures due to other component issues. This paper presents an analysis of train screw coupling used mainly in Europe as mechanical connection of wagons in train. An analysis of train breaks apart incidents revealed that less than 30 % of the cases were caused by elements of the screw coupling, with coupling links accounting for only 5 % of the failures. Therefore, the investigation focused on testing the coupling links, which are safety elements of the screw coupling. The coupling links underwent various inspections, including visual inspection, dimensional control, non-destructive testing, examination of chemical composition, and mechanical tests. Dimensional control found longitudinal plastic deformations of the links. Chemical examination revealed that the links were made of different material than recommended, but their mechanical properties generally met the recommended values. However, variations were observed among different links, likely due to different rates of deformation during testing and operational conditions. Overall, the analysis and inspections provided insights into the condition and performance of coupling links in the screw coupling system, highlighting the importance of monitoring and maintaining these elements to ensure safe and efficient railway operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policies aim to increase the penetration of renewable energy resources (RERs) to minimize the dependence on fossil fuels, have compelled different countries to devise their diverse blueprints by transforming smart grids infrastructure into futuristic grids or super smart grids (SSGs). Europe is taking the lead by developing SSGs by 2050, based on two exclusive alternatives, i.e., totally based on RERs and dispersed large decentralized networks. Critically assessing tensions in balancing load flow associated with RERs is a complicated task in SSGs. To solve this concern, the advanced probabilistic model is adopted in this research to observe the variations in demand and response profiles and mitigate it through transmission network planning using a super smart node transmission network topology (SSN). The proposed SSN transmission network topology outperforms the power synergy hub (PSHub) topology used in the existing literature through achieving an optimal load flow balancing in SSGs power infrastructure. This is also verified through simulation results, which provides an effective utilization of continuous spinning reserves (CSRs) and vehicle to grid (V2G) topologies integrated in an SSN transmission network topology for managing an optimized load flow balancing in SSGs. Additionally, this research work also provides a comprehensive overview of technical challenges in SSGs in terms of power flow control, their possible solutions, and future prospects. Finally, this paper concluded with the 2050 framework of futuristic SSGs, which provides a road map path for a sustainable and green energy environment for European infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shear reinforcement design has changed over time, along with the knowledge about the shear behaviour of reinforced concrete structures. Until the 1970s, the shear design in Europe was based on empirical limits for shear stress. The rules stipulated by the design standards often resulted in designs of concrete slabs with shear reinforcement consisting only of bent-up bars without any additional stirrups. Today, truss models are widely used to design shear reinforcement. However, in the structural assessment of bridges with bent-up bars, it is difficult to apply such models due to their specific detailing requirements. In order to evaluate the applicability of current design standards and to span the knowledge gap between the load-bearing behaviour of small-size specimens and actual structures, four shear tests on two full-scale replica bridge slabs containing bent-up bars are presented in this paper. The applied load configuration represents two-axle and four-wheel loads of the current load models for railway bridges stipulated by Eurocode 1–2 and train load model UIC 71. The load distribution due to a track superstructure consisting of a track, sleepers and ballast was investigated. A comparison of the obtained results with those of preliminary tests on narrow slab strips shows differences in the load-bearing behaviour of small-format laboratory tests. The results of the analysis of the bridge slabs according to various design standards show the potential of the newly developed potential shear crack model for the assessment of slab bridges with bent-up reinforcing bars. • Four shear tests on two full-scale replica bridge slabs containing bent-up bars. • Experimental investigation of the load distribution effect due to a complete track superstructure on the shear strength. • Comparison of the load-bearing behaviour of full-size slabs with small-format laboratory tests with a tenth of the width. • Analytical verification of the test results and discussion of shear models of various standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper delves into an econometric analysis to uncover the differences between Nordic European Countries - NEC (Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden) and South-East European Countries - SEEC (Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary). The focus is on exploring the interplay among electricity generation from Renewable Energy Sources (RES), CO 2 emissions, urban population and GDP per capita in these two European regions. The study employs cross-sectional dependence, first and second-generation panel unit root tests, Pedroni panel and Westerlund panel cointegration tests, ARDL, Dumitrescu-Hurlin causality test to establish the relation among variables. The findings reveal that in both regions, CO 2 emissions are significantly influenced by GDP per capita, urbanization and RES generation. Furthermore, urbanization plays an important role. When examining causality in SEEC, three bidirectional relationships are observed: urbanization and CO 2 , urbanization and GDP, urbanization and generation from RES, and two unidirectional causalities: CO 2 and GDP, generation from RES and CO 2. In contrast, for the NEC, there are two bidirectional causalities: urbanization and CO 2 , urbanization and generation from RES, and two unidirectional causalities: GDP and CO 2 , generation from RES and CO 2. These results highlight the nuanced and varied nature of environmental and economic dynamics across various European regions. • Relationship between CO 2 emissions, GDP per capita and electricity production from RES. • Investigating two groups of EU countries located in the North and SE Europe. • Estimations with Fully Modified and Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares. • Causality and cointegration between variables. [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]

The EU has committed to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Reaching this objective requires massive changes in the region. The biggest challenge is that the green transition happens without sacrificing economic progress and guaranteeing justice and inclusiveness. This pledge implies that every country be capable of addressing the trade-offs between targets while remaining committed towards the common decarbonisation goal. Our paper analyses the success with which countries are carrying out the energy transition. We propose an enhanced hyperbolic distance function and a stochastic frontier analysis approach to model the joint attainment of economic development, environmental sustainability, and energy equity. We apply our model to an unbalanced panel dataset of 29 European countries for the period 2005–2018. Our estimates show that the average performance of the economies has improved over time. The results also highlight the pivotal role of a sustainable economic development with clean energies for both slashing CO 2 emissions and fostering energy equity. Moreover, we find convergence in countries' performance, being this convergence slightly higher for the EU-15 countries compared to the rest. Finally, we show that a higher share of renewable energy sources helps countries that are lagging behind to reach their optimal performance level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reduced water availability poses risks for many economic activities. This paper studies how water risks affect hydroelectricity generation in Europe and the US and whether these risks are priced in by financial markets. To this end, we build a novel dataset for the period 2015–2022, which combines plant-specific hydroelectricity generation with geo-specific water physical risks and equity returns. We find that water risks, measured using model-based aggregate water risk metrics as well as precipitation anomalies, are significantly associated with reduced electricity generation, although the effect disap- pears after two months. We then link the power plants in our sample to the equity returns of their owners to investigate whether financial markets adequately price water risks. Using a portfolio sorts approach, we find weak evidence of a negative risk pre- mium. Given the real negative effect of water risks on generation, we conclude that the lack of a positive risk premium amounts to mispricing of water risks by financial markets. [Display omitted] • Hydroelectricity is key for the energy transition but faces challenges from fluctuations in water availability. • Higher water risk is associated with a 9% reduction in hydroelectricity generation in the driest year of our sample, 2022. • The occurrence of a precipitation anomaly leads to an 18% drop in hydroelectricity generation. • Despite the real negative effect of water risks, these risks are not priced in by financial markets. • The mispricing of water risks by financial markets calls for closer scrutiny by financial supervisors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen is among the energy carriers, which are most often considered for bringing about a sustainable energy system. Yet, so far, hydrogen has not delivered as an energy carrier. The core objective of this paper is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the state-of-the-art and the future prospects of green hydrogen in the European energy system from economic, energetic and CO 2 emissions point-of-view. The analysis shows that there are some increasing opportunities for hydrogen use in industry and in the transport sector, when electrification is not possible or is too expensive, as well as a storage in the European electricity system. However, a hydrogen-based energy system will remain a vision at least over the next decades. The major reason for this is the unfavorable economics mostly due to high investment costs in the whole supply chain. In addition, the overall efficiencies in the hydrogen chains are moderate in general. The full environmental benignity of hydrogen as an energy carrier is only provided when renewable energy sources are used for hydrogen production. However, in Europe, the potentials for green hydrogen are very limited due to the insufficient expansion of renewable electricity generation. For this reason, many European countries are considering options for green hydrogen import. The future of hydrogen is highly dependent on the supporting policy framework. To reduce the risk in the investment in hydrogen infrastructure, as well as to justify the promotion of green hydrogen, it is very important that Europe works out a very clear and realistic long-term implementation strategy. • Hydrogen might have potential in the European energy system, yet a hydrogen-based energy system stays visionary. • Green hydrogen from renewable electricity via electrolyzers is key for environmental benefits and decarbonization. • Hydrogen should be prioritized for uses where electrification is not feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While concentrations of most air pollutants have been decreasing in Europe over the last 20 years, O 3 is showing variable trends, with increasing average and decreasing peak concentrations. The complexity of O 3 chemistry adds to the difficulty of understanding both the trends observed and how concentrations can be mitigated. This paper tries to answer the following questions: which emission sectors should be targeted and what levels of reduction could be achieved? To address these reflections, an Atlas of O 3 chemical regimes has been constructed. For this Atlas, 22 European cities were selected and the surrogate model Air Control Toolbox (ACT) was used to evaluate the simulated changes in several ozone metrics as a result of reductions in road transport and industrial emissions. O 3 chemical regimes have been classified and put in perspective with meteorological and emission data at each city location and around. The O 3 sensitivity to road transport and industrial emissions differ from one city to another, but also for the same city when considering different ozone metrics and seasons (e.g., annual means versus SOMO35 or summer peaks). Counterproductive impacts yielding O 3 increase when emissions are reduced are mainly encountered in regions or periods where O 3 concentration are relatively low. In terms of meteorological factors, O 3 chemical regimes are mostly impacted by the amount of solar radiation received but wind speed also has a considerable impact. Most cases show a higher sensitivity to emission reductions from road transport or equal sensitivity to emission reductions from road transport and industry. Very few cases are more sensitive to emissions from the industrial sector. However, the response of annual or seasonal average O 3 metrics to industrial and road transport emissions can be considered relatively low with a maximum reduction of 33% for a 100% reduction of both industrial and road transport emissions. This is because anthropogenic emission can only mitigate ozone above a substantial natural tropospheric background. It is precisely this incremental anthropogenic ozone, which should be targeted by efficient policies as we also demonstrate that none of the cities studied would exceed the European target value with a 100% reduction in emissions. • An atlas of ozone chemical regimes has been constructed for 22 European cities. • O 3 sensitivity to road transport and industrial emissions differ when considering different ozone metrics and different periods of the year. • Counterproductive effects of precursors emission reductions on ozone are a concern where and when ozone concentrations are low. • On the contrary, significant reductions of precursor emissions are found to reduce the number of exceedances of the EU target limit value. • In most cities, mitigation of road transport yields larger benefit to ozone air pollution than mitigation of the industrial sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Investigation of GHG pollutants persistence in Europe and major economic areas. • Mean reversion properties and the integration factor is examined for CO2, CH4, and NO2 (2000-2021) • Empirical evidence of mean reversion in CO2 emissions across all countries. • CH4 and NO2 show reduced persistence and not all countries exhibit mean reversion properties. • These empirical findings highlight policy progress, but underscore the need for further efforts. This paper investigates the persistence of GHG in Europe, evaluating the effectiveness of government policies, including the Kyoto Protocol and the EU Council commitment. Mean reversion properties, and the structure of the integration factor were examined to determine the degree of persistence across markets and assess policy effectiveness. The analysis focuses on CO 2 , CH 4 , and NO 2 pollutants, with monthly data starting in January 2000 and ending in December 2021 from major European countries, and the US, Japan, Brazil, China, and India for comparison purposes. Empirical results show clear evidence of mean reversion in CO 2 emissions observed across all countries, indicating certain degrees of stabilization. Similar patterns are seen for CH 4 , and NO 2 , observing reduced persistence of these pollutants; however not all countries exhibit mean reversion properties. Thus, these findings highlight policy progress in stabilizing GHG emissions, particularly for CO 2 , but underscore the need for further efforts to achieve a substantial emissions reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eutrophication by human activities is increasingly affecting ecosystem functioning and plant community composition. So far, studies mainly focus on the effects of atmospheric nitrogen deposition, surface water eutrophication or soil nutrient accumulation. Groundwater pollution of spring habitats, however, has received much less attention, although numerous papers report groundwater nutrient enrichment worldwide. This study presents a survey on groundwater pollution (with emphasis on nitrate and phosphate) and bryophyte composition in 51 ambient petrifying springs in 5 NW European countries, which were compared to published data from 173 other sites in 11 European countries. The reviewed dataset covers a broad range of unpolluted to heavily polluted springs with nitrate concentrations between 0.7 and 3227 μmol l−1. Most petrifying springs in the rural lowlands of NW Europe were found to have elevated concentrations of nitrate and phosphate with the most polluted springs occurring in The Netherlands. The cover of individual characteristic bryophyte species significantly correlates with groundwater nutrient concentrations indicating that nutrient pollution of spring waters affects bryophyte composition. Palustriella commutata, Eucladium verticillatum and Brachythecium rivulare prefer unpolluted petrifying springs whereas Cratoneuron filicinum and Pellia endiviifolia show a much broader tolerance to groundwater pollution. In order to sustain at least the basic conditions for the typical bryophyte composition of petrifying springs habitats, threshold values of 288 μmol (18 mg l−1) NO 3 − l−1 and 0.42 μmol (0.04 mg l−1) ortho-PO 4 3- l−1 were defined. Data analysis of the spring water composition indicates that the main source for nutrient and nutrient induced base cation enrichment are nitrate losses from intensively used agricultural fields. The anthropogenically induced but regionally different chemical processes in subsoil and aquifers can result in different levels of nutrient pollution in springs. Further regulations for nitrate and phosphate application are required to conserve and restore groundwater fed ecosystems in Europe. • A study on Groundwater pollution of petrifying springs. • A correlative study on 51 springs in NW-European countries. • Including data from 173 sites in 11 European countries. • Threshold values of 288 μmol NO 3 − l−1 and 0.42 μmol ortho-PO 4 2- l−1 were defined. • Main source of groundwater pollution are nitrate losses from agricultural. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the immense pressure of environmental pollution, economic growth and energy usage, green growth is recognized as the fundamental development strategy in Europe. This paper assesses environmental efficiency (ENE) of 54 industries from 28 European countries across the three sectors of an economy over the 2000–2014 period using a non-radial directional distance function (DDF). The aim of this study is to shed light and provide a deeper understanding of the different levels of technological heterogeneity that exist among industries by incorporating the metafrontier approach under distinct sector and country-specific production frontiers. The results reveal that industries present higher levels of environmental efficiency within their sectors while manufacturing industries achieve the lowest progress in environmental efficiency. Thus, it is critical to introduce and implement sector-oriented policies rather than common guidelines for all European countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Iron-based Shape Memory Alloy rebars are available in the construction sector. • They can generate recovery stresses easily due to the shape memory effect. • Hollow Core Slabs structural floors improve their behaviour with continuity. • An active continuity of these structural floors can be achieved with Fe-SMA. • The experimental results ensure an improvement in Service Limit State. Despite the relatively recent introduction of Iron-based Shape-Memory Alloys (Fe-SMA) into structural engineering, more than 150 real applications have been performed to date in Central Europe, especially in retrofitting projects. Thanks to the Shape-Memory Effect, a prestrained and correctly anchored Fe-SMA bar can generate recovery stresses when heated up to 160 °C (activation) or more, and then cooled down. This paper presents research results about using Fe-SMA reinforcing bars as active (prestressed) continuity reinforcement in the hogging bending moment region of Hollow Core Slabs structural floors (HCS-sf). An experimental campaign was designed and carried out on eight HCS-sf specimens, four with concrete topping and four without, and two different slab heights. Using the HCS-sf specimens with the activated Fe-SMA bars resulted in better behaviour in the Service Limit State, which preliminarily proved the effectiveness of the proposed methodology for the specimens with concrete topping, although construction problems arose with the specimens without concrete topping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]