European Platform Research Articles

Nutrition Care in Cancer: An Overlooked Part of Patient-Centered Care.

Robust evidence highlights the crucial role of nutrition for people with cancer, and international organizations recognize it as a basic human right linked to health and food. Within this context, we aim to emphasize the critical role of nutrition care for cancer patients and to highlight the essential contributions of nurses in providing patient-centered nutrition care. This opinion paper synthesizes evidence and perspectives from peer-reviewed articles and position papers. Furthermore, insights were drawn from the European Commission's Health Policy Platform thematic network "Integrated Nutrition Cancer Care". Implementation of nutrition care is inconsistent, which can lead to inequalities in care. In oncology, nutrition care is vital as nutrition-related issues significantly impact clinical and patient outcomes. Studies show that cancer nurses can effectively integrate and manage nutrition care. Failure to address nutrition issues negatively impacts an array of patient outcomes and reduces quality of life. Thus, integrating nutrition care throughout routine cancer care is essential. Cancer nurses, as core multidisciplinary team members, are often the initial and consistent contact for cancer patients. They are ideally positioned to play a key role in securing nutrition care throughout the trajectory of cancer care. Cancer nurses should be empowered and enabled to manage all aspects of nutrition care in tandem with dietitians. This approach can improve patient outcomes, enhance quality of life, and ensure equitable access to essential nutrition care for all cancer patients.

SEISMICITY of the RUSSIAN PART of EAST EUROPEAN PLATFORM and ADJACENT TERRITORIES in 2020

On the Russian territory of the East European Platform, seismic observations were carried out by 47 stationary seismic stations. In 2020, 36 seismic events of tectonic and technogenic-tectonic nature were registered. As before, weak natural and man-made seismicity was recorded on the territory of the Voronezh crystalline massif and the Baltic Shield: in Karelia, border areas with Finland, near the Kandalaksha Bay, within the Khibiny, Kovdor massifs and in the Vite-Guba area of Imandra lake on the Kola Peninsula. A feature of seismicity in 2020 is the occurrence of earthquakes in the paleorift structures of the northeast of the East European Platform: in the Kirov Kazhim and Central Russian aulacogens. The total volume of seismic energy released in 2020 is Е=7.16·109 J, which is 2 times lower than in 2019, but 2 times more than the energy released in 2018.

The Vendian and Early Cambrian of the Southwest, West and Northwest of the Eastern European Platform: categories of rivers that formed sedimentary

Based on data on the geochemical characteristics ((La/Yb)N, Eu/Eu* and content of Th) of clay rocks of Podolian Transnistria, South-Eastern Poland, Belarus and Volyn, Lithuania, the vicinity of St. Petersburg, South-Eastern White Sea region and Arctic Norway, categories of rivers that transported fine-grained aluminosiliconclastics to sinks that existed during the Vendian and Early Cambrian were reconstructed in the west of the East European Platform. The distribution of data points of clay rocks of the Volynian time on the (La/Yb)N–Eu/Eu* diagram with the fields of the composition of pelitic fraction of bottom sediments in the estuary of modern rivers of various categories allows us to assume that for Lithuania and Podolian Transnistria the feeding provinces were, among other things, paleowatersheds composed of volcanic formations. For Eastern Belarus and the South-Eastern White Sea region, the influence of erosion products supplied by rivers flowing through igneous/metamorphic terranes (crystalline basement) is noticeable. A significant part of the clastic material was carried by rivers that drained sedimentary formations, as well as large rivers, i.e. rivers whose length exceeded 1000 km and whose drainage area was more than 100,000 km2. The existence of the latter is confirmed by the presence of detrital zircon in the rocks of the Zhukov Formation of South-Eastern Poland, borrowed possibly from the rocks of Fennoscandia. In the Redkinian time, along with large rivers (rivers category 1) and rivers fed by the products of erosion of sedimentary formations (rivers category 2), transport of fine-grained clastics was also carried out by rivers that drained rocks of the crystalline basement ((rivers category 3; this is typical of Belarus and Volyn, the South-Eastern White Sea and Arctic Norway) and by rivers flowing through areas of distribution of volcanic associations (rivers category 4). The distribution of data points of the clay rocks of the Kotlin stage on the (La/Yb)N–Eu/Eu* diagram suggests that the main agents of transport of fine-grained aluminosiliconclastics to sinks at that time were large rivers and rivers fed by fine particulate matter due to the erosion of predominantly sedimentary rocks. The Early Cambrian paleowatersheds were apparently composed not only of crystalline rocks, but also of sedimentary formations. All of the above is in fairly good agreement with the previously established fact of a gradual increase in the contribution of erosion products of sedimentary rocks to the formation of Vendian–Early Cambrian sedimentary sequences from Podolian Transnistria to Arctic Norway.

Geological structure and faunistic characteristics of the Mansurovo unique locality of early triassic tetrapods and ichnofossils, Orenburg Region

The geological features of the Mansurovo unique locality of the remains of tetrapods and ichnofossils, Orenburg Region (Gostevskaya Formation, Lower Olenekian Substage, Ustmylian Horizon) are considered. A layer-by-layer description cross-section of 16 ditchs and their correlation with the section construction along the line of ditchs are provided. The Mansurovo section, based on biostratigraphic (Wetlugasaurus malachovi grouping of the Wetlugasaurus Fauna) and lithologic-facies data, correlates with the middle part of the stratotype section of the Gostevskaya Formation (Buzuluk Depression of the East European Platform). The geological features of the locality indicate a heterogeneous structure of the identified four geological units of channel-floodplain genesis within the study area, which correspond to alternating sedimentation cycles. The genesis of deposits was clarified using structural-textural analysis and microlithological analysis of rocks in thin sections. The faunistic complex of tetrapods and macroflora, as well as unique complex of ichnofossils were also characterized. Based on the data of lithological-facial analysis, a sedimentation model of the genesis of the locality is presented, showing the uneven nature of sedimentation pattern due to the wandering of river branches and their periodic drying out in a hot and arid climate during the Early Olenekian. Taking into account paleontological data, taphonomy was analyzed, indicating the burial process in the river setting in strong current condition and the possible death of Temnospondyli in subaquatic conditions.

Assessment of Economic Surplus Generated at the European Balancing Platforms

Assessment of Economic Surplus Generated at the European Balancing Platforms

Structural Features of the Muscular Crests of the Parasphenoid in Early Triassic Capitosauromorphs (Amphibia: Capitosauromorpha) of the East European Platform as a Reflection of Adaptive Differences

Structural Features of the Muscular Crests of the Parasphenoid in Early Triassic Capitosauromorphs (Amphibia: Capitosauromorpha) of the East European Platform as a Reflection of Adaptive Differences

Exploring peer-to-peer lending: key influences of firm uncertainty, loan features and venture quality

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify the determinants of success in peer-to-peer (P2P) lending campaigns, especially amid global financial disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing a notable gap in current research, we explore how factors such as firm uncertainty, loan characteristics (interest rates and maturity) and venture quality (human, social and intellectual capital) influence P2P lending effectiveness. Using multiple regression analysis on data from 523 projects on the October platform, our study aims to enhance the understanding and operational efficiency of P2P platforms, contributing to a more resilient financial ecosystem.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs a quantitative research design using multiple regression analysis to examine the impact of specific variables on the success of P2P lending campaigns. Data were collected from 523 concluded P2P lending projects on the October platform, spanning from 2015 to 2021. Variables of interest include the level of uncertainty of the firm, loan characteristics such as interest rate and maturity and the quality of the venture assessed through human, social and intellectual capital. This method allows for a robust analysis of the factors contributing to the success of P2P lending within a dynamic financial context.FindingsThe findings of this study reveal that the success of P2P lending campaigns is significantly influenced by the level of uncertainty of the firm, the interest rate of the loan and the quality of the venture. Specifically, higher uncertainty in firms correlates negatively with campaign success, while competitive interest rates positively impact funding outcomes. Furthermore, ventures that demonstrate robust human capital, particularly those with management teams that possess diverse skills and high qualifications, tend to attract more funding. These results underscore the critical role of strategic financial and human resource planning in enhancing the effectiveness of P2P lending platforms.Originality/valueThis study contributes uniquely to the literature by integrating multiple variables – firm uncertainty, loan characteristics and venture quality – into a comprehensive analysis of success factors in P2P lending. It addresses the scarcity of research examining the combined effects of these factors, particularly in the context of global financial disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic. By focusing on a specific European platform during a dynamic period, this research provides new insights into how P2P lending can adapt to and thrive amid financial crises. The findings offer valuable guidance for both practitioners and policymakers aiming to optimize P2P lending practices in uncertain economic landscapes.

Strengthening ecosystems

Abstract The mission of THCS activities with respect to strengthening ecosystems is based on the understanding that the actual transformation of health and care systems is dependent on the ability of numerous actors to align their goals and actions so that they are complementary. At the same time, it is also true that the transformation takes place at national, regional and local levels, making activities and support at these levels essential for the success of THCS. Therefore, the focus lies on connecting and supporting the broad community and other stakeholders in developing ecosystem-wide approaches and creating awareness and urgency among ecosystem layers and components, thus serving as a platform for transformation. One strand of activities for strengthening ecosystems aims at identifying, analysing, describing and disseminating key learnings from successful transformative ecosystems (TE’s). TE’s are broad constellations of interacting organisations and people who are committed, and through aligned actions, able to reach joint, explicitly defined goals in long-term. Making not only the most successful TE’s but also the dynamics explaining their achievements visible, value is being added through three main routes. Firstly, the experiences are distributed widely on European arenas and platforms as well as through national, regional and local channels to inspire ecosystem building processes in earlier stages of maturity. Secondly, collaboration between identified forerunner ecosystems is supported to enable mutual peer-learning. Thirdly, the examples are used to give guidance and inspiration to consortia that are applying for or receiving THCS project funding. As strategic partners of the ecosystem strengthening activities, other work packages of the THCS programme as well as the THCS National Mirror Groups are of great importance.

Towards digitalization of the circular economy in the furniture industry

Fashionable, cheap furniture of questionable quality is often used for short-term economic gain. If the furniture is not liked, it is quickly discarded. The need to reduce CO2 emissions, dwindling resources and social and political demands contradict this practice and require the implementation of closed-loops material cycles and the introduction of circular business models. A systematic literature review and a case study were conducted to provide a comprehensive overview of current circular economy strategies (e.g. reuse, refurbishment and recycling) implemented in the furniture industry in relation to various key activities of platform companies. As part of the case study, interviews were conducted with stakeholders and experts from the furniture and interior design industry. The European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform was also consulted. The literature review and the case study show that the furniture industry is in a state of transition. By incorporating designs that allow for improved remanufacturing, refurbishment and reuse, companies in the industry are increasingly starting to consider circular economy patterns. Increasing digitization and servitization are driving new circular business models. Another key finding is that digital platforms are suitable for connecting stakeholders such as manufacturers, service providers and consumers, taking into account the relevant business models. The study also identified motivations, barriers and requirements for the implementation of circular and digital business models in the furniture and interior design industry. There is still a large gap between what can be achieved with a circular economy and its actual implementation.

Rare Earth Elements in Fe oxyhydroxides from biofilms containing iron-oxidizing bacteria

Fe oxyhydroxides extracted from modern-day biofilms with iron-oxidizing bacteria Arthrobacter spp., Gallionella spp и Leptothrix ochracea in the north-west of the East European platform display the enhanced content of rare earth elements – up to 1100 ppm. REE concentration in bacterial oxyhydroxides increase by one order in magnitude during 1 year suggesting the high sorption capacity of newly formed Fe mineral phases. La/YbN, Ce and Y anomalies in bacterial oxyhydroxides are consistent with geochemistry of the surface water facies where bacterial communities live. Isotopic composition of Nd in studied bacterial oxyhydroxides is controlled by the lithology of the Q-R underlying sediment and ambient water. 143Nd/144Nd values in Fe minerals of bacterial origin vary from 0.511570 to 0.512220 (eNd(0) from –21.8 to –9.2), the high proportion of radiogenic Nd is typical for the samples located on platform cover with Palaeozoic carbonate sediment.

EarthCODE – ESA’s Earth Science Collaborative Open Development Environment

Abstract. Earth Observations (EO) have become crucial for advancing climate and Earth System research, enabling significant scientific discoveries. Advanced EO missions, such as ESA’s Earth Explorers and the EU's Copernicus Programme, provide vast data volumes and continuous and global observations with cutting-edge technology, a vital resource for understanding processes and interactions within Earth's sub-systems, offering critical evidence of climate change impacts on society and ecosystems. Open access to such data products has been instrumental in facilitating global scientific collaboration and innovation. Reproducibility in Earth Science is essential for validating discoveries, enabling the scientific community to trust and build upon each other’s work. Open data, coupled with open-source software, is key to achieving this reproducibility, ensuring transparency, and facilitating peer review. Addressing scientific challenges requires collaborative efforts supported by fit-for-purpose technology to enable new insights and ensuring they are FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable), trustable and up to date, supporting long-term climate studies and action-driven science. Several initiatives within ESA’s Earth Observation Programme are fostering FAIR and Open Science. EarthCODE is one such initiative, focusing on implementing ESA’s vision of EO Open Science and Innovation by adopting FAIR and Open principles in Earth Science activities funded by ESA’s FutureEO Programme. EarthCODE leverages existing European platform solutions for effective cloud-based analyses of EO data and higher-level geospatial products. It aims to ensure the persistence of end-to-end scientific workflows and provide means for managing open research data, including data, code, and documentation. EarthCODE aims to make Earth Science research more reproducible, transparent, and collaborative, driving progress in understanding and addressing global environmental challenges.

PALEOZOIC INTRAPLATE MAGMATISM OF THE EAST EUROPEAN PLATFORM: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE PRIPYAT-DNIEPER-DONETS RIFT ZONE AND THE KOLA-ARKHANGELSK PROVINCE

This paper presents a comparative analysis of geochronological, geochemical, Sr-Nd isotopic data and geodynamic conditions for the Devonian magmatism of the East European Platform, using as an example the Pripyat-Dnieper-Donets rift zone in the south of the platform and the Kola alkaline province in the north.The Late Paleozoic rifting in the south of the platform was accompanied by magmatism, which formed a wide range of rocks, from alkaline-ultramafic lamprophyres and orangeites, non-diamondiferous kimberlites and carbonatites to typical tholeiites, trachyandesites, and trachyrhyodacites. Activation of rifting processes in the north of the platform has also produced a compositional diversity of magmatic occurrences dominated by kimberlites, in particular diamondiferous (Arkhangelsk diamond-bearing province), which is the main distinctive feature of the place. The Pripyat-Dnieper-Donets rift zone is subject to reverse lateral geochemical zonality of the mantle sources – from those depleted in the axial zone of the Dnieper-Donets trough to more enriched in the marginal parts – trough shoulders (Azov region, Voronezh crystalline massif): along the southeast to northwest axis of the rift zone to the Zhlobin saddle (orangeites, alkaline picrites of the Zhlobin alkaline-ultramafic complex) and in the Pripyat trough (Pripyat alkaline and subalkaline mafic complex) as well was perpendicular to the axis from the central part of the Dnieper-Donets trough to the southwest towards the Eastern Azov region (non-diamondiferous kimberlites) and to the northeast towards the Voronezh crystalline massif.Currently available petrological-mineralogical and isotopic-geochemical data on magmatites of both large magmatic structures suggest significant lithospheric heterogeneity, different types of sources of formation of rocks, and a significant influence exerted by the crustal component both in the southern and northern parts of the East European platform.

A New Earthquake in the Central Part of the East European Platform (in the Vicinity of Rybinsk)

A New Earthquake in the Central Part of the East European Platform (in the Vicinity of Rybinsk)

Oil and gas potential of ancient Riphean sediments of the East European Platform (Mezen syneclise) based on basin analysis

Oil and gas potential of ancient Riphean sediments of the East European Platform (Mezen syneclise) based on basin analysis

Строение центральной части палеопротерозойского Лосевского террейна по данным плотностного моделирования

The results of detailed three-dimensional density modeling of the upper crust of the central part of the Losevsky terrane located in the northern part of the Voronezh crystal massif are considered. The distribution of absolute crustal density values of to a depth of 16 km was obtained as a result of the inversion of local anomalies of the gravitational field in the Bouguer reduction. The solution of the inverse problem of gravimetry was implemented within the framework of the initial model, which was formed using digital geological and geophysical data from the study area: the regional density model of the East European Platform lithosphere and its corresponding regional gravity field; the field of local gravity anomalies, representing the difference between the observed and regional fields of the lithosphere model; generalized information on the density of sedimentary cover rocks and the crystal basement; the thickness scheme of the «gravity-active» layer, obtained on the basis of statistical analysis of the anomalous field; geological and topographic information. Quantitative interpretation of the gravimetry data allowed us to obtain fundamentally new information about the geological structure of the upper crust of the study area. The reliability of the obtained results is confirmed by the consistency of a priori data and the correspondence of the total model (local plus regional) and observed gravitational fields.

The Vendian and Early Cambrian of the Southwest, West, and Northwest of the Eastern European Platform: Categories of Rivers That Formed Sedimentary Sequences

The Vendian and Early Cambrian of the Southwest, West, and Northwest of the Eastern European Platform: Categories of Rivers That Formed Sedimentary Sequences

New findings of the Ginkgoales in the Middle Jurassic of the East European platform

Representatives of ginkgoaleans from the Middle Jurassic of the Stoilensky opencast mine in the Belgorod Region and the Mikhailovsky opencast mine in the Kursk Region, European Russia are described for the first time. Remains of ginkgoaceous affinity dominate in some samples and are represented by leaf fragments of Sphenobaiera angrenica (Samylina) Nosova, originally described from the Middle Jurassic Angren Formation in Uzbekistan where they are associated with female reproductive structures (collar complexes) of Nagrenia samylinae Nosova. Rare fragments of the collars were also found in the Stoilensky mine. These remains are assigned to Nagrenia sp. As well as in the Angren Formation, seeds of Allicospermum budantsevii Gordenko are recorded in the Stoilensky mine.

INNOVATIVE BUSINESS MODELS IN THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY: AN ANALYSIS OF GOOD PRACTICES FOR ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT ON THE EUROPEAN CIRCULAR ECONOMY STAKEHOLDER PLATFORM

The pervasive integration of electronic technologies in the contemporary digital landscape underscores the significance of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). Beyond their utility in daily life, certain components within EEE, hold classification as critical raw materials (CRMs) and transforms cities into urban mines. This issue highlights the necessity of optimizing its sustainable consumption and production patterns at all stages of the life cycle and across various sectors. The optimization of the complete product life cycle serves as a foundational pillar of the circular economy (CE). While the transition from a linear to a CE has been a longstanding objective promoted by the EU, a comprehensive mapping elucidating potential shortcoming in the effective implementation of this transition in Europe for the field of EEE remains elusive. This paper seeks to investigate the state-of-the-art of CE good practices for EEEs in Europe, shedding light on potential strengths and challenges to be addressed. To obtain an empirical perspective, the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ECESP) serves as a tool to delineate the trajectory of progress throughout the transition to a CE. The analysis encompasses both life cycle phases and the production sector. The findings underscore a prevailing focus on the product's end-of-life phase and sectors associated with recycling and waste management, while the initial life cycle phase remains underexplored in terms of eco-design solutions or innovative processes. On a positive note, several instances of new business models have emerged, redirecting consumption emphasis towards services.

Herding in equity crowdfunding

AbstractWe build a model of equity crowdfunding that incorporates the two major funding models: all‐or‐nothing (AoN) and keep‐it‐all (KIA). Both informed and uninformed investors arrive sequentially and rationally choose whether and how much to invest. The KIA solution turns out to be a reduced version of AoN without signalling. We test predictions using data from a leading European equity crowdfunding platform and find support. Results are consistent with rational information aggregation. However, negative information cascades may still appear. The AoN crowdfunding mechanism might therefore fail to finance a nonnegligible percentage of positive NPV projects.

Privacy-Preserving Linkage of Distributed Pseudonymised Datasets in a Virtual European Rare Disease Platform.

Secondary use of data for research purposes is especially important in rare diseases (RD), since, per definition, data are sparse. The European Joint Programme on Rare Diseases (EJP RD) aims at developing an RD infrastructure which supports the secondary use of data. Significant amounts of RD data are a) distributed and b) available only in pseudonymised format. Privacy-Preserving Record Linkage (PPRL) concerns the linking of such distributed datasets without disclosing the participant's identities. We present a concept for linking a PPRL Service to the EJP RD Virtual Platform (VP). Level 1 (resource discovery) connection is provided by running an FDP within the PPRL Service. On Level 2 (data discoverability), the PPRL Service can represent both, an individual and a catalog endpoint. Our solution can count patients in PPRL-supporting resources, count duplicates only once, and count only patients registered to multiple resources. Currently, we are preparing the deployment within the EJP RD VP.