PRESSURE FACTORS AFFECTING LOMBARDY AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM: THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE FISCHLER REFORM

This paper presents a regional model, based on Positive Mathematical Programming, which aims to evaluate the consequences of Fischler reform on the agricultural sector of the Lombardy irrigated lowland (Northern Italy). The model main focus is to quantify the agricultural land use changes due to the farmers reaction to the CAP reform main issues, such as single payment, and to simulate possible scenarios for the future. The model takes into account also the Water Frame Directive principles, in order to combine the assessment of both CAP issues and the potential irrigation water supplies reduction, which could deeply affect the area. The model input are obtained by means of the integration between FADN and SIARL (Agricultural Information System of Lombardy Region) information, in order to fit the territorial dimension. The simulation results of 11 different scenarios are discussed.CAP modelling, Fischler Reform, Positive Mathematical Programming, Regional model, Water Frame Directive, Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, Q18, Q15, C61,

Definition of input data to assess GHG default emissions from biofuels in EU legislation: Version 1c - July 2017

The Renewable Energy Directive (RED) (2009/28/EC) and the Fuel Quality Directive (FQD) (2009/30/EC), amended in 2015 by Directive (EU) 2015/1513 (so called ‘ILUC Directive’), fix a minimum requirement for greenhouse gas (GHG) savings for biofuels and bioliquids for the period until 2020, and set the rules for calculating the greenhouse impact of biofuels, bioliquids and their fossil fuels comparators. To help economic operators to declare the GHG emission savings of their products, default and typical values for a number of spefic pathways are listed in the annexes of the RED and FQD. The EC Joint Research Center (JRC) is in charge of defining input values to be used for the calculation of default GHG emissions for biofuels, bioliquids, solid and gaseous biomass pathways. An update of the GHG emissions in Annex V has been carried out for the new Proposal of a Directive on the Promotion of the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources (COM(2016)767 - RED-2), for the post-2020 framework. This report describes the assumptions made by the JRC when compiling the new updated data set used to calculate default and typical GHG emissions for the different biofuels pathways as proposed in the new RED-2 document.JRC.C.4-Sustainable Transpor

Brief on the use of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate environmental impacts of the bioeconomy

This brief on the use of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate environmental impacts of the bioeconomy is one out of a series of briefs from the EC's Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy which intend to provide independent evidence for EU policy in this field. The following are the key results: 1. Potential environmental impacts of bioeconomy sectors and the use of bio-based commodities must be monitored, evaluated and forecast in order to ensure that the bioeconomy operates within safe ecological limits. 2. LCA is a structured, comprehensive and internationally standardised method used to assess potential environmental impacts associated with a product’s life cycle. 3. Different modelling principles allow for the development of approaches suited to a broad range of contexts and scales. The LCA modelling approach should carefully consider the goal and scope of the assessment in order to avoid misinterpretation of the results. Benchmarking products, checking compliance with regulatory requirements and evaluating the impacts of strategic decisions may require different approaches. 4. LCA that supports the implementation of policies should be easy to calculate, have well-defined rules, use a well-defined inventory and be of general validity across temporal and spatial scales. Elements of consequential thinking will benefit LCA that supports impact assessment of strategic policies. 5. An open database with attributional LCA results for bio-based commodities, calculated or assembled by the JRC is available. The updated Bioeconomy Strategy will help generate more and higher quality data. 6. Despite the uncertainties and limitations, life-cycle-based approaches provide the most comprehensive, structured, consistent and robust means of assessing the environmental performance of bio-based products and systems within safe ecological limits.JRC.D.1-Bio-econom

Definition of input data to assess GHG default emissions from biofuels in EU legislation

Directive EU 2018/2001 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources has been officially ratified in December 2018 for the post-2020 framework. It is a new iteration of the Renewable Energy Directive RED, the so-called ‘recast’, work on which began in 2016. The Directive fixes a minimum requirement for greenhouse gas (GHG) savings for biofuels and bioliquids for the period from 2021 to 2030, and sets the rules for calculating the greenhouse impact of biofuels, bioliquids and their fossil fuels comparators. To help economic operators to declare the GHG emission savings of their products, default and typical values for a number of specific pathways are listed in the annexes of the RED-recast (Annex V). The EC Joint Research Center (JRC) is in charge of defining input values to be used for the calculation of default GHG emissions for biofuels, bioliquids, solid and gaseous biomass pathways. An update of the GHG emissions in Annex V has been carried out for the new Directive on the Promotion of the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources (Directive 2018/2001), for the post-2020 framework. This report describes the assumptions made by the JRC when compiling the new updated data set used to calculate default and typical GHG emissions for the different biofuels pathways as proposed in the new directive.JRC.C.2-Energy Efficiency and Renewable

MUNDUS project : MUltimodal neuroprosthesis for daily upper limb support

Background: MUNDUS is an assistive framework for recovering direct interaction capability of severely motor impaired people based on arm reaching and hand functions. It aims at achieving personalization, modularity and maximization of the user’s direct involvement in assistive systems. To this, MUNDUS exploits any residual control of the end-user and can be adapted to the level of severity or to the progression of the disease allowing the user to voluntarily interact with the environment. MUNDUS target pathologies are high-level spinal cord injury (SCI) and neurodegenerative and genetic neuromuscular diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Friedreich ataxia, and multiple sclerosis (MS). The system can be alternatively driven by residual voluntary muscular activation, head/eye motion, and brain signals. MUNDUS modularly combines an antigravity lightweight and non-cumbersome exoskeleton, closed-loop controlled Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for arm and hand motion, and potentially a motorized hand orthosis, for grasping interactive objects. Methods: The definition of the requirements and of the interaction tasks were designed by a focus group with experts and a questionnaire with 36 potential end-users. Five end-users (3 SCI and 2 MS) tested the system in the configuration suitable to their specific level of impairment. They performed two exemplary tasks: reaching different points in the working volume and drinking. Three experts evaluated over a 3-level score (from 0, unsuccessful, to 2, completely functional) the execution of each assisted sub-action. Results: The functionality of all modules has been successfully demonstrated. User’s intention was detected with a 100% success. Averaging all subjects and tasks, the minimum evaluation score obtained was 1.13 ± 0.99 for the release of the handle during the drinking task, whilst all the other sub-actions achieved a mean value above 1.6. All users, but one, subjectively perceived the usefulness of the assistance and could easily control the system. Donning time ranged from 6 to 65 minutes, scaled on the configuration complexity. Conclusions: The MUNDUS platform provides functional assistance to daily life activities; the modules integration depends on the user’s need, the functionality of the system have been demonstrated for all the possible configurations, and preliminary assessment of usability and acceptance is promising

PRESSURE FACTORS AFFECTING LOMBARDY AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM: THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE FISCHLER REFORM

This paper presents a regional model, based on Positive Mathematical Programming, which aims to evaluate the consequences of Fischler reform on the agricultural sector of the Lombardy irrigated lowland (Northern Italy). The model main focus is to quantify the agricultural land use changes due to the farmers reaction to the CAP reform main issues, such as single payment, and to simulate possible scenarios for the future. The model takes into account also the Water Frame Directive principles, in order to combine the assessment of both CAP issues and the potential irrigation water supplies reduction, which could deeply affect the area. The model input are obtained by means of the integration between FADN and SIARL (Agricultural Information System of Lombardy Region) information, in order to fit the territorial dimension. The simulation results of 11 different scenarios are discussed

Database of LCA results for bio-based commodities

This database accompanies the JRC Science for Policy report 'Biomass production, supply, uses and flows in the European Union. First results from an integrated assessment', EUR 28993 EN. As well as the JRC Factsheet entitled "Life Cycle GHG impacts of bio-based commodities". It contains a list of 380 pathways characterized by LCIA results for multiple impact categories and various biobased commodities. All the LCIA were either completely calculated or re-elaborated within the JRC.JRC.C.4-Sustainable Transpor

Forecasting the potential impacts of CAP-associated land use changes on farmland birds at the national level

International audiencetThe European Farmland Bird Indicator (FBI) has been adopted as a Structural and Sustainable Develop-ment Indicator by the EU. It identifies farmland bird trends and uses them as a proxy for wider farmlandbiodiversity health. This study analyzed the potential impacts of future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)land uses on the abundances of the 20 farmland bird species included in the French FBI. Four agricul-tural policy scenarios were studied using the Common Agricultural Policy Regionalized Impact analysis(CAPRI) agricultural model. These four scenarios describe the most likely changes in crop areas and includeregional bird population data from the French Breeding Bird Survey. A habitat association model was usedto predict the potential effects that changes to five crop categories, as well as the total arable area, wouldhave on species indices and the FBI. Our study demonstrates that the relative abundances of specialistfarmland bird species depend on both crop cover type and the total crop area. Model predictions show ageneral decline in the abundance of farmland birds between 2007 and 2020. However, the loss of farmlandbirds is predicted to be less pronounced in the ‘CAP Greening’ scenario, although the predicted FBI valueshave relatively large errors. Moreover, whatever the forecasted CAP, such uniform agricultural changesdo not affect bird populations or the FBI equally across all regions. The FBI’s geographical variability inresponse to applied agricultural changes clearly indicates that a nationwide policy will not yield equalresults but will instead depend on where in the country the agricultural changes occur. To optimize theeffectiveness of the CAP on biodiversity at the national and continental levels, policies should be tested atsmaller spatial levels, such as regions or farmlands, and then, the policies that represent the best optionsfor biodiversity at these sublevels should be combined to create a national plan

Clinical, Cognitive and Behavioural Assessment in Children with Cerebellar Disorder

Cerebellar disorders are characterised clinically by specific signs and symptoms, often associated with neurodevelopmental disorder. While the clinical signs of cerebellar disorders are clearly recognisable in adults and have a precise anatomo-functional correlation, in children the semiotics are less clear and vary with age because of the particular nature of the cerebellum’s maturation. Unlike other structures of the central nervous system, this begins at a later stage of foetal development and extends over a longer period of time, even after birth. As a result, the typical signs of cerebellar dysfunction will only become evident when the cerebellar functions have become integrated into the complex circuits of the central nervous system. This means that poor motor coordination in the very early years of life may not necessarily correlate with cerebellar dysfunction, and this may also be encountered in healthy children. The cerebellum’s role in cognitive and emotional functions relies on its structure and the complexity of its connections. Cognitive and behavioral impairment in cerebellar disorders can be the results of acquired lesions or the action of genetic and environmental risk factors, to which the cerebellum is particularly vulnerable considering its pattern of development. In the pathological setting, early evidence of cerebellar damage may be very vague, due, partly, to spontaneous compensation phenomena and the vicarious role of the connecting structures (an expression of the brain’s plasticity). Careful clinical assessment will nonetheless enable appropriate instrumental procedures to be arranged. It is common knowledge that the contribution of neuroimaging is crucial for diagnosis of cerebellar conditions, and neurophysiological investigations can also have a significant role. The ultimate goal of clinicians is to combine clinical data and instrumental findings to formulate a precise diagnostic hypothesis, and thus request a specific genetic test in order to confirm their findings, wherever possible