Update of vegetative filter strip scenarios for pesticide risk assessment in Europe.

ABSTRACT This article examines how interest groups sustain political inclusion under democratic backsliding. While existing research documents how organized interests respond to a shrinking civic space, evidence on which strategies succeed remains limited. Using original survey data from over 400 interest groups operating in Poland, Hungary, Czechia and Slovenia, the article evaluates three responses to democratic regression: organizational professionalization, inter-organizational cooperation, and engagement at the European level. The findings show that democratic backsliding creates a more polarized and exclusionary lobbying environment, disadvantaging ideologically non-aligned groups and reinforcing clientelistic access patterns. However, exclusion is neither automatic nor uniform. Multivariate analyses demonstrate that organizational strategies significantly shape inclusion outcomes. Professionalization consistently improves access across contexts, though its benefits are more limited for oppositional organizations where governments selectively subsidize allied actors. Inter-organizational cooperation proves the most robust strategy, enabling even regime-critical groups to reduce or eliminate inclusion gaps, including where deliberative institutions have eroded. European-level engagement does not directly enhance national inclusion but has important indirect effects by promoting learning, domestic cooperation and professionalization. The article advances research on interest groups and democratic backsliding by shifting focus from adaptation to effectiveness and highlighting the constrained yet persistent agency of organized interests under democratic erosion.

Occurrence and exposure assessment of aflatoxins in cocoa-derived products marketed in Spain.

Investigating the effect of different additives on the acrylamide formation process in bread tahdig: A health risk assessment study

Pesticide residue contamination in peppers is a food safety concern due to intensive production practices and frequent consumption. In this study, 182 sweet Italian-type and jalapeño pepper samples collected in Türkiye were analyzed for 260 pesticide residues using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Residues were detected in 52.6% of sweet Italian-type and 48.1% of jalapeño samples, with European Union maximum residue level exceedances of 15.8 and 5.7% of all samples, respectively. Deterministic and probabilistic assessments indicated that cumulative chronic dietary exposure remained well below safety thresholds for adults. Monte Carlo simulations consistently identified lambda-cyhalothrin and acetamiprid as the dominant contributors to chronic exposure. Acute risk was generally low; however, high-end exposure scenarios indicated a potential concern associated with lambda-cyhalothrin in jalapeño peppers.

Oral diseases represent a significant public health burden, with major implications for quality of life, productivity, and healthcare expenditures borne by individuals, families, and society. In this context, integrating oral health into primary healthcare services and developing efficient financial protection mechanisms are essential directions for improving access to dental care. Considerable differences persist at both European and national levels regarding dental service coverage, while the absence of unified guidelines contributes to maintaining significant inequalities in access to care. Limited reimbursement of dental services and the high proportion of out-of-pocket expenditures may lead to delayed treatment and worsening oral conditions.The present study analyses the perception of the general population regarding dental health insurance, the utilization of dental services, and the role of financial barriers in accessing such services. The results highlight the need to expand reimbursement mechanisms and improve public awareness regarding compensated and free dental services.

Beyond emergency response: extending international cooperation frameworks for the post-accident management of the marine environment after a nuclear accident.

ABSTRACT This paper examines the performance of regional innovation across 220 European regions. A poset-based approach is adopted to obtain a ranking of the European regions, which is then compared with the results described in the Regional Innovation Scoreboard 2019 (RIS 2019). The poset-based approach is based on the theory of partially ordered sets; it respects the ordinal nature of data, maintains a high standard of objectivity and avoids compensation effects caused by averaging indicators, possibly leading to different positions for some regions. The poset-based ranking indeed reveals a geographical map of innovation that differs from the RIS19. The results show that seven regions located in Italy, Austria and Romania have improved their position in the ranking, whereas six regions located in Denmark, United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Ireland have worsened their position in the ranking in comparison with the RIS19. The findings highlight the role of methodological choices in shaping regional innovation rankings and provide evidence useful for policymakers and regional stakeholders interested in understanding innovation performance without aggregation bias.

Food waste in European Households: A Meta-Analysis of behavioural drivers and quantitative trends.

ABSTRACT Functional cross-border integration in Europe has intensified over recent decades as liberalization processes have increased border permeability. Given its policy relevance, the underlying mechanisms have been widely studied. However, existing approaches to measuring cross-border functionality and identifying cross-border functional areas (CBFAs) remain fragmented and methodologically diverse. The lack of pan-European data at a fine scale has also limited comprehensive quantitative analysis. Building on a scoping review of functional cross-border integration, this article examines how cross-border functionality can be measured. To address gaps in the literature, the study measures cross-border functionality across Europe using municipal-level data and a multi-sectoral set of indicators designed to capture cross-border interactions as accurately as possible. It also presents the first systematic approach to delineating CBFAs across EU and EFTA countries. By providing a robust empirical basis, the study supports targeted border-regional policies through a better understanding of cross-border functional patterns.

To monitor community-level consumption of 20 illicit drugs across urban areas of England using wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) surveillance at high temporal resolution. This study was conducted over a 12-month period in 2022 sampling 24-hour composite wastewater samples at 15 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) covering catchment population equivalents ranging from ~100 000 to >1 million. Analysis was conducted using rapid liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methods. The sampled WWTPs collectively covered 21% of the national population. Primary data outcomes were the population-normalised daily loads (PNLs) entering the WWTP, estimated population-normalised consumption (both in mg/1000 people/day) and total mass (g/day) of 20 targeted illicit drugs and total mass in each catchment, quantified using suitable drug target residue markers in 1746 wastewater samples. Covariables included temporal indicators (e.g. public holidays, events) and regional factors. Presence, quantity and correlation of WBE-derived drug use data were used to infer drug use patterns. Of the 20 illicit drugs investigated, 18 were detected in at least one sample. Cocaine exhibited the highest average daily PNL (2770 ± 829 mg/1000 people/day), followed by heroin (382 ± 248), ketamine (287 ± 183), amphetamine (272 ± 268), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) (80 ± 57) and methamphetamine (60 ± 99) across 2022. When comparing PNLs to Sewage analysis CORe group-Europe (SCORE) and European Drugs Agency WBE data for 109 other WWTPs across Europe from March to May, 2022 cocaine and ketamine PNLs from sites in England were ranked statistically higher [cocaine: Wilcoxon rank-sum test statistic (W) = 971, adjusted P = 0.000115; ketamine: W = 264, adjusted P = 0.0000389]. Importantly, seven English WWTPs recorded higher mean ketamine PNLs than any other European site over the same period in 2022. Temporal spikes in drug consumption aligned with public holidays and major events. A notable decrease in cocaine use coincided with a 3.7-t UK seizure. Strong inter-drug correlations were observed across catchments, particularly for benzoylecgonine/ketamine and benzoylecgonine/cocaethylene. Extrapolation to generate a representative national average consumption estimate is not recommended, as the WWTPs studied were mostly classified as urban areas and found not to be representative of the entire population of England. Wastewater analysis revealed widespread and temporally variable illicit drug use across England in 2022, with ketamine use exceeding European levels at multiple sites. The findings highlight wastewater-based epidemiology's capacity to monitor drug use trends and identify community-level impacts of interventions and events.

This article analyzes the main features of the social insurance system in the countries of the European Union, its structure, financing mechanisms, and coordination rules at the European level. Although each member state has the right to independently establish its national social insurance system, common coordination rules have been introduced to ensure the free movement of European Union citizens and the protection of their social rights. The article compares the share of social protection expenditures in gross domestic product (GDP), key policy directions, and various social models. The results of the study indicate that the social insurance system in European Union countries serves as an effective mechanism for protecting the population from social risks; however, due to population aging and increasing financial pressures, it requires continuous reforms

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) and the mycotoxin patulin (PAT) serve as crucial chemical markers for evaluating the quality and safety of fruit-derived beverages, particularly pomegranate juice. This study aimed to quantify the occurrence of 5-HMF and PAT in commercial reconstituted pomegranate juices and assess the associated dietary exposure risks. A total of 154 commercial samples, collected from a Turkish processing facility during the 2024-2025 production seasons, were analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection. 5-HMF was detected in 152 samples (98.7%) at concentrations ranging from 1.03 to 10.79 mg/kg, with only two samples (1.3%) exceeding the critical threshold of 10 mg/kg. PAT was found in 57 samples (37.0%), with concentrations between 3.61 and 50.69 µg/kg, and only one sample (0.6%) exceeded the European Union maximum level established for fruit juices. Estimated mean daily intakes for adults and children ranged from 0.374 to 2.362 and 1.139 to 8.546 µg/kg bw/day for 5-HMF, and from 0.001 to 0.006 and 0.002 to 0.021 µg/kg bw/day for PAT, respectively. Risk characterisation based on hazard quotient values indicated that PAT exposure did not pose a significant health risk for either population group, highlighting the overall safety of the analysed products.

ABSTRACT This article adopts a temporal and multi-level perspective on the phenomenon of covidfencing, which emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic of the early 2020s and led to widespread ‘re-bordering’ across European cross-border regions. It explores how different regions experienced covidfencing and analyzes the processes that produced divergent outcomes, considering developments at regional, national, and European levels. By assessing the situation several years after the initial crisis, the article examines the persistence of changes to the constitutionalization and everyday functioning of cross-border regions. Drawing on qualitative research in the Geneva Basin, Greater Saar-Lor-Lux, and Öresund regions, it identifies tangible reforms in taxation, social security, and remote work frameworks that have reshaped cross-border mobility and governance. The article also looks ahead to evaluate what institutional changes have been made to improve crisis preparedness and which lessons from the covidfencing period remain unaddressed. In doing so, it contributes to current debates on regional governance resilience, offering insights into how the experiences of the early 2020s have influenced the evolving role and structure of cross-border regions in Europe today.

Access to affordable medicines is a cornerstone of equitable healthcare, yet escalating drug prices increasingly strain national healthcare systems. Cost-based pricing can be a useful complement to value-based pricing, provided that relevant variables are considered. We applied the International Association of Mutual Benefit Societies (AIM) Fair Pricing Model to ten market-protected medicines authorized by the European Medicines Agency between 2015 and 2018, covering oncology, rare diseases, and chronic conditions. Analyses were conducted across six European countries-Belgium, Estonia, Germany, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Switzerland-to assess discrepancies between calculated fair prices and actual market prices. Fair prices were calculated using a standardized research and development (R&D) lump sum of €800 million per medicine with sensitivity analyses at €250 million and €2.5 billion. Fair prices were compared with 2020 list prices, and where available, estimated net prices. Potential budgetary savings were estimated by deriving a weighted reduction percentage from the expenditure gap between actual prices and fair prices and applying this to national spending on newly marketed medicines. The analysis demonstrated that fair prices were up to 97% lower than list prices, and on average, 53% lower. When confidential discounts were considered, fair prices remained on average 33% below net prices. Applying fair prices to the ten selected medicines resulted in an average weighted reduction of 77% in gross expenditures and 73% in net expenditures of the six participating countries. When extrapolated to the European level, this corresponds to potential annual net savings of €27 billion for new medicines. These findings align with previous studies in Germany and Belgium, which reported potential savings of more than €13 billion and €1 billion, respectively (with R&D costs of €250 million). Currently, the model supports price negotiations of Dutch insurers and is being integrated into the Horizon Europe funded project ASCERTAIN. Overall, AIM's model offers a useful framework for both innovative and repurposed medicines, improving transparency and fairness in pricing. Current prices paid for new medicines are not justified by the underlying costs of research or their therapeutic value. Therefore, applying this model can generate substantial savings for European health systems.

ABSTRACT Railway stations play a key role in sustainable mobility transitions. They not only provide transport infrastructure, but also serve as hubs of social and economic activity – often centrally located and tightly integrated into the urban fabric of their catchment areas. Station classification has emerged as a tool to support the development of these areas, particularly in the context of sustainable land-use and transport policy integration, and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). Over the years, a wide variety of classification approaches have been developed. However, despite the growing importance of rail travel and TOD at the European level, no uniform approach to classifying railway stations currently exists. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic literature review of European station classification studies. Of the 1,675 studies screened, 31 met our eligibility criteria and were analysed in depth. We examined the similarities and differences as well as rationales among the classification approaches identified, focusing on (i) general characteristics like objectives and catchment areas (ii) the classification criteria used and (iii) the resulting classes. Even though we found a wide variety both for criteria and classes, we were able to identify recurrent emergent themes that can help developing a unified European classification framework. We conclude with an outline of policy changes necessary to achieve such a framework. Our analysis presents a first step toward a more standardised and inclusive approach to station classification, helping to define shared station (area) transformation pathways and engage diverse stakeholder groups in shaping a more sustainable future in Europe and beyond.

Corruption remains a significant constraint for firms in Europe, despite ongoing institutional reforms. The main goal of this paper is to obtain a list of firm-level variables that can serve as predictors of corruption perception using a machine learning approach. Drawing on agency and institutional theory, we analyse firm-level data from European firms from the World Bank Enterprise Survey (WBES). We employ a Random Forest classifier, which is well-suited for high-dimensional, categorical survey data, capturing non-linear relationships and interactions often missed by traditional models. The model achieves strong predictive performance (ROC AUC = 0.755; Accuracy = 79%). Results show that the most important prediction factors of corruption perception include firm age, size, ownership concentration, legal form, external financial audits, bribery experiences, sector, country group (EU vs. WB), innovation activity, and informal sector competition. The findings support the design of risk-based audits and encourage reforms to reduce informality through streamlined registration processes. The study contributes methodologically by applying machine learning to the field of political economy and expands theoretical insights into firm-level institutional barriers. It is one of the first research to apply Random Forest to firm-level corruption perception in both EU and Western Balkans.

This article examines the principle of judicial independence through the lens of the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights, using the judicial reforms in the Republic of Poland as a case study. The aim of the research is to identify and systematise the differences in the approaches adopted by the European courts in assessing violations of judicial independence, as well as to analyse the methods of legal interpretation applied in the relevant judgments. The study provides a detailed review of the texts of key judgments of the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights concerning judicial appointments, guarantees of judicial independence, institutional autonomy of judicial bodies, and the right to effective judicial protection. It demonstrates that the CJEU focuses primarily on the functional dimension of judicial independence in the context of the application of European Union law and compliance with the requirements of Article 19(1) TEU, whereas the ECtHR adopts a broader, systemic approach by assessing judicial independence as an integral element of the right to a fair trial under Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Particular attention is paid to differences in the standard of review, the depth of institutional analysis, and the role of the national constitutional context in the case law of both courts. The article argues that these divergences lead to different legal consequences for the Member State concerned and affect the effectiveness of the protection of judicial independence at the European level. It is concluded that a comparative analysis of the case law of the CJEU and the ECtHR not only allows for a deeper understanding of the nature of contemporary threats to judicial independence, but also reveals both the limits and the potential of European mechanisms for safeguarding the rule of law in the context of constitutional transformations within Member States.

The Patriarchy Index ten years after: the United States around 1900 and the European comparison

Civic evaluation can be defined as action-research conducted by citizens, through the use of established tools. When citizens, despite their alleged lack of expertise in the public sphere, organise themselves and act together on public policies, they are able to produce and use information from experts and other sources, as well as from their direct experience with the issue being addressed. The case study ‘Civic monitoring of vaccination services’ - promoted in Italy by the NGO Cittadinanzattiva - is a concrete example of the role of citizens in supporting vaccination policies. Particularly at the European level, it is crucial to recognise and strengthen the involvement of civil society in vaccination, also for a swift implementation of the Council Conclusions on vaccination of December 2022, focusing on two areas of action: tackling vaccination hesitancy and preparing for the next challenges through EU cooperation.