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Dynamics of phytoplankton communities in the Baltic Sea: insights from a multidimensional analysis of pigment and spectral data: part II, spectral dataset
No full textThe use of hyperspectral satellite missions opens new opportunities for integrated approaches to the study of phytoplankton communities. The Baltic Sea, with its distinct mixture of marine and freshwater characteristics, is a natural laboratory for understanding marine ecosystems. In this study, we analyzed a dataset from the Baltic Sea containing simultaneous phytoplankton pigment concentrations and absorption spectra. We applied spectral derivative analysis and unsupervised machine learning techniques to identify the unique statistical relationships among phytoplankton pigments and inherent optical properties. The statistical analysis of the absorption spectra provides the basis for a predictive model to assess pigment concentrations from optical measurements. Additionally, we compare our results to know assessment methods, such as Gaussian spectral decomposition, that link the spectral analysis with phytoplankton pigment content. This study investigates the potential of statistical, data-driven analytical approaches in the development and validation of models for retrieving phytoplankton community composition. The integration of these findings with existing research contributes to the advancement of remote sensing capabilities for monitoring marine ecosystems in the Baltic Sea.JRC.D.2 - Ocean and Wate
A Role Play on the Use of Wearable Data in the European Health Data Space
Get PDFThis brief describes a role play on the use of wearable data in the European Health Data Space. Designed by the Data Space Support Centre with support from the Data Sharing Innovation Lab of the Joint Research Centre, the play explored how said data can be made available for secondary use.
A role play can prove a useful tool to identify key stakeholders, potential barriers, and critical aspects needed to implement future scenarios related to new policies, technologies or legal frameworks.
Key takeaways: role plays are well suited to simulate the set up of a data space, especially in the early stages of conceptualization, because they allow a better understanding of which stakeholders may have a key role in the process and highlight challenges and opportunities that different cultures could pose when it comes to the sharing of sensitive data.JRC.T.4 - Data Governance and Service
Updated EU Bio-based industry dashboard
Get PDFBiorefineries integrate biomass conversion processes to manufacture a variety of products, sometimes also producing bioenergy. They are, therefore, a key element in European bioeconomy and often part of bio-based value chains. They are also essential to the circular economy, using waste or residues from other chains as feedstock for their manufacturing processes. In addition, they also play a major role in the green transition as some of their production can replace fossil-based products with bio-based alternatives. To support the European Union green transition initiatives, it is important to understand the landscape of bio-based plants in the EU, as well as the feedstock they utilise and the products they produce. The EU Bio-based industry dashboard is a valuable tool to visualise these aspects. In 2025, this interactive dashboard has been upgraded to enhance the user visibility and navigation experience, while also been updated with some recent datasets.JRC.D.4 - Economics of the Food Syste
Homogeneous U0.89Pu0.11O2 mixed oxide by use of PuO2 nanopowders
No full textWe show that a homogeneous single-phase mixed oxide is obtained by blending and sintering commercial UO2 and nanocrystalline PuO2 powder; whereas, under the same conditions, conventional PuO2 powder obtained from oxalate precipitation and composed of platelets, yields two-phase mixed oxide. The use of nanometric PuO2 results in a larger final grain size.JRC.G.I.5 - Nuclear Science and Innovation for Energy and Healt
Material streams from wind energy decommissioning to 2050
Get PDFThis report provides a comprehensive assessment of decommissioned material waste streams from the wind energy sector in the EU until 2050, based on total wind installations in the EU until 2023. Our research focuses on 15 materials, including structural materials, electronic materials, the composite materials present in blades, and materials present in the permanent magnets; and explores each of these materials’ recyclability. By developing a robust decommissioning model and analysing the material intensities of various wind turbine components, we strive to provide a detailed picture of the quantities and types of materials that will be decommissioned in the coming years. The findings of this study will enable policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers to better anticipate the EU's recycling needs and develop effective strategies for managing the growing volume of wind energy waste streams.JRC.C.7 - Energy Transition Insights for Polic
Rethinking the Role of Universities in Place-Based Innovation Policies for Sustainability Transitions
Get PDFTerritorial manifestations of multiple crises and the shift of place-based innovation policies towards tackling sustainability challenges have far-reaching implications for the role of universities in regional development. Drawing on various literatures on the contributions of universities to regional development, we explore the strategies and practices that would define a revised role for universities in light of increasing environmental, social but also economic challenges. The aim of this concept paper is to outline new tasks for universities, which enable them to leverage their potential to make significant contributions to regional sustainability transition processes and policies.JRC.B.7 - Innovation Policies and Economic Impac
Is Regulatory Science Ready for Artificial Intelligence?
No full textGlobal regulators discussed the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with regulatory science in the 14th Global Summit on Regulatory Science (GSRS24). Although the benefits of such integration were recognized for enhanced public health and safety, a balanced approach was stressed to address critical concerns related to trust. For that, the "TREAT" principle—Trustworthiness, Reproducibility, Explainability, Applicability, and Transparency—as a framework for responsible AI implementation were explored. In addition, challenges and considerations were discussed to realize AI’s transformative potential in regulatory application with specific emphasis on AI-human interaction, quality of data, model validation, and accountability/responsibility. It was agreed that, at this stage, AI should not be seen as a replacement for regulators, but rather as a tool to augment decision-making in regulatory settings. Successful adoption of AI requires continuous dialogue and adaptive strategies to consider the dynamic and evolving nature of AI and to extend its regulatory potential. By developing a workforce with knowledge in AI, global regulators will be in a better position to realize AI's potential to meet regulatory responsibilities in the 21st-century and beyond.JRC.F.3 - Systems Toxicolog
Developmental neurotoxicity (DNT): a call for implementation of new approach methodologies for regulatory purposes: Summary of the 5th international conference on DNT testing
No full textThe 5th International Conference on Developmental Neurotoxicity (DNT) Testing (DNT5) took place in April 2024 in Konstanz, Germany, organized by CAAT-Europe, the University of Konstanz, and scientists from the US EPA, SCAHT, and CAAT at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. The conference convened experts from regulatory agencies, industry, and academia to explore the latest advancements in DNT testing and the integration of animal-free new approach methodologies (NAMs) into next-generation risk assessment (NGRA). The key topic was the application and further development of the recently established DNT in vitro test battery (DNT-IVB). To support this, OECD held a satellite meeting to discuss necessary next steps for implementation of the DNT-IVB in regulatory contexts. Validation of DNT test methods and use of their data for in vitro-to-in vivo extrapolations in physiologically based kinetic models were important themes. The conference addressed the need for comprehensive biological and chemical coverage; the need for additional testing data was recognized. Context-specific validation approaches for the entire DNT-IVB and the potential for intelligent combinations of assays to enhance the predictive power of the test battery were also addressed. Many presentations demonstrated the field’s embrace of novel developments, including the use of multi-endpoint embryonic zebrafish tests, the development of artificial intelligence-driven computational approaches, and the establishment of complex, electrically active brain organoids and other self-organizing structures. Through its highly interactive format, DNT5 promoted extensive collaborative efforts in advancing the field toward more human-relevant, scientifically reliable, and ethical toxicological assessments.JRC.F.3 - Systems Toxicolog
Environmental impact, novel foods, and urban well-being
Get PDFThe conceptual framework of the EU Bioeconomy Monitoring System (BMS) was designed to assess the EU’s progress towards a circular and sustainable bioeconomy. Indicators were selected to cover the various parts of the framework but gaps in the knowledge or data still exist.
This document describes the progress made in filling gaps in the indicators that had been identified as being important to understand the progress of the EU Bioeconomy. In 2023, the gaps of environmental impacts of bioeconomy, novel foods and urban well-being were identified.
In this report we describe the background and rationale of including these indicators, and describe the approaches to derive indicators from different data sources. To monitor the environmental impacts of bioeconomy, we take a Life Cycle Assessment approach, which includes both the consumption and environmental impact intensity of a representative basket of bio-based products. We find that a dashboard of environmental impacts may be preferred to a single indicator for this particular approach. Novel foods should also be included in the representative basket of products, but beyond that, we describe how consumer uptake is also an important factor to consider when monitoring bioeconomy. In a final section, we discuss the relevance of the well-being in urban areas, using urban green spaces as a proxy.
Despite the identified gaps and defining potential indicators to be considered in the EU Bioeconomy Monitoring System, no indicator has been considered suitable to be included in the BMS yet. The limitations outweigh a meaningful metric. The limitations are detailed in the following sections more closely.JRC.D.1 - Forests and Bio-Econom
Assessing Uranium Enrichment Levels Using Digital Autoradiography
No full textBackground: Assessing uranium (U) enrichment levels in uranium dioxide (UO2) pellets is critical for nuclear forensics and ensuring compliance with non-proliferation policies. This study presents a novel analytical method utilising digital autoradiography with a commercial imaging plate scanner to enhance the assessment of U enrichment levels. By comparing various imaging plates and exposure times, the study aims to establish optimal conditions for measurement accuracy and reproducibility.
Results: The research involved a comparison of Duerr NDT and Fujifilm BAS-TR2025 imaging plates across different exposure durations. Utilising custom Python software facilitated efficient data management, enabling precise extraction of quantitative information from sample contours and pixel signal intensities. An internal standardisation technique based on specific activity was developed, resulting in a notable reduction of the relative standard deviation (RSD) from 20 % to approximately 2.2 % for natural and low-enriched uranium samples. The findings indicated a systematic shift of merely - 1.1 % for these samples, demonstrating high accuracy. However, underestimation was observed in depleted uranium samples. Background signals from cosmic rays and hot pixels were found to be negligible, further validating the method’s reliability.
Significance: This study establishes a rapid and reliable quantitative digital autoradiography method for assessing uranium enrichment in UO2 pellets. The findings significantly enhance measurement precision, making this approach a valuable tool for nuclear forensics.JRC.G.II.8 - Nuclear Safeguards and Securit