Farm economic sustainability in the European Union: A pilot study

The measurement of farm economic sustainability has received intermittent academic interest in recent times, while the conceptual discussions are often quite limited. Moreover, this concept receives more attention at periods of diffi culty for the sector. The measurement of farm viability is an important precondition to enrich these discussions. Therefore, it is necessary todevelop more comprehensive and detailed measurement techniques to provide more clarity on viability and vulnerability levels in the sector. This paper refocuses attention on this issue, using a pilot dataset collected at farm level across a range of EU Member States which facilitates the assessment of an additional category of viability, namely that of economically sustainablefarms, i.e. farms that are economically vulnerable but which are deemed sustainable by the presence of off-farm income. Differences in viability and economic sustainability across the eight surveyed Member States are shown. The analysis is sensitive to the factors included in the measurement of viability as well as to the threshold income used to defi ne viability. Although this is a pilot study, it enhances our understanding of the factors affecting cross-country evaluation of viability and sustainability, and the policy instruments that could improve viability levels

The certification of different mass fractions of DAS-44406-6 in soya seed powder: ERM®-BF436a, ERM®-BF436b, ERM®-BF436c, ERM®-BF436d and ERM®-BF436e

This report describes the production of a set of Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) ERM BF436a, b, c, d and e, certified for their DAS-44406-6 mass fractions. The material was produced following ISO Guide 34:2009. Genetically modified (GM) seeds of the soya event DAS-44406-6 and of a non-GM soya variety were milled to obtain GM and non-GM powders. Gravimetric mixtures of non-GM and GM soya powder were prepared by dry-mixing. Between-unit homogeneity was quantified and stability during dispatch and storage were assessed in accordance with ISO Guide 35:2006. The certified value was obtained from the gravimetric preparations, taking into account the purity of the base materials and their water mass fraction. The certified values were confirmed by event-specific real-time PCR as independent verification method (measurements within the scope of accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025:2005). Uncertainties of the certified values were calculated in compliance with the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) and include uncertainties related to possible inhomogeneity (Section 4), instability (Section 5) and characterisation (Section 6). The materials are intended for the calibration or quality control of methods. As any reference material, they can be used for establishing control charts or validation studies. The CRMs are available in glass vials containing at least 1 g of dried soya seed powder and closed under argon atmosphere. The minimum amount of sample to be used is 200 mg. The CRMs were accepted as European Reference Material (ERM®) after peer evaluation by the partners of the European Reference Materials consortium.JRC.D.2 - Standards for Innovation and sustainable Developmen

The certification of different mass fractions of the GM event 73496 in rapeseed powder: Certified Reference Materials ERM®-BF434a, ERM®-BF434b, ERM®-BF434c, ERM®-BF434d and ERM®-BF434e

This report describes the production of the set of Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) ERM-BF434a, b, c, d and e. These are matrix materials certified for their 73496 rapeseed mass fractions. The material has been produced following ISO Guide 34:2009. Genetically modified (GM) rapeseeds of the event 73496 and of a non-GM rapeseed variety were ground to obtain GM and non-GM base powders. Gravimetric mixtures of non-GM and GM rapeseed powder were prepared by dry-mixing. The between unit-heterogeneity has been quantified and stability during dispatch and stability during storage have been assessed in accordance with ISO Guide 35:2006. The certified value was obtained from the gravimetric preparations, taking into account the purity of the base materials and their respective water mass fraction. The certified values were confirmed by event-specific real-time PCR as an independent verification method (measurements within the scope of accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025:2005). Uncertainties of the certified values were calculated in compliance with the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) and include uncertainties related to possible inhomogeneity (Section 4), instability (Section 5) and characterisation (Section 6). The materials are intended for the calibration or quality control of 73496 rapeseed identification and quantification methods. As any reference material, they can also be used for control charts or validation studies. The CRMs are available in glass vials containing at least 1 g of dried rapeseed powder closed under argon atmosphere. The minimum amount of sample to be used is 200 mg. The CRM has been accepted as European Reference Material (ERM®) after peer evaluation by the partners of the European Reference Materials consortium.JRC.D.2-Standards for Innovation and sustainable Developmen

The Certification of Reference Materials of Maize Seed Powder with different Mass Fractions of the Maize Event 3272. Certified Reference Materials ERM-BF420 (ERM-BF420a, ERM-BF420b, ERM-BF420c)

This report describes the processing and certification of maize Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) with different mass fractions of genetically modified (GM) Event 3272 maize seed powder (CRMs ERM-BF420a, ERM-BF420b, ERM-BF420c). The CRMs are intended to be used for the quality control or calibration of methods for the quantification of the Event 3272 maize mass fraction in food and feed. The GM maize mass fractions of ERM-BF420 were verified by an event-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR) method. The CRMs are available in glass bottles containing 1 g of dried maize powder closed under argon atmosphere.JRC.D.2-Reference material

Certification of Reference Materials of Potato Powder with Different Mass Fractions of the Event AM04-1020 - Certified Reference Materials ERM®-BF430 (ERM®-BF430a, ERM®-BF430b, ERM®-BF430c,ERM®-BF430d, ERM®-BF430e)

This report describes the processing and certification of five potato powder Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) containing different mass fractions of genetically modified (GM) AM04-1020 potato (ERM-BF430a,b,c,d,e). The materials were processed and certified in 2011 by the European Commission, Joint Research Centre, The Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM, Geel, Belgium), according to the principles of ISO Guide 34JRC.D.2 - Standards for Innovation and sustainable Developmen

Precision of test methods to assess the release of organic substances from construction products

The precision of the methods developed by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) to assess the release of dangerous organic substances from construction products was evaluated as part of the validation of the methods aiming to convert them in EU standards. This evaluation of precision was done by an interlaboratory comparison organised by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, in support of the Regulation 305/2011/EU (Construction Products Regulation). The present study focused on organic substances since inorganic substances were studied in previous work. The objective of this work was to evaluate for organic substances the precision (repeatability and reproducibility) of the methods developed by CEN Technical Committee 351 on dynamic surface leaching and up-flow percolation procedures from construction products, analysis of leachates/eluates and content analysis. This was done by comparing the results obtained by different laboratories when they analysed samples obtained from the same materials using the CEN methods under validation. The materials and analytes were proposed by CEN Technical Committee 351 to cover a reasonable range of products and substances at measurable levels. Validation plans were drawn up by the JRC in agreement with CEN/TC351. The tested substances were biocides, phthalates, mineral oil, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); and the selected construction products were render, sealant, asphalt aggregate and recycled aggregate. The methods assessed were horizontal dynamic surface leaching test CEN/TS 16637-2; horizontal up-flow percolation test CEN/TS 16637-3; content of organic substances – methods for extraction and analysis CEN/TS 17331; and analysis of organic substances in eluates CEN/TS 17332. Specific methods were used for the determination of biocides (WI 351035) and PAHs (WI 351034). Raw materials were obtained from industrial providers and processed to obtain laboratory samples at the JRC premises in Geel, Belgium. This interlaboratory test was open to expert laboratories from all Member States. Despite all efforts to recruit a higher number of participants, eventually 12 laboratories registered to the study and reported results; between 5 and 7 laboratories analysed each of the product following the CEN methods mentioned above. Precision of the reported results was evaluated according to ISO 5725-2. The obtained values for repeatability and reproducibility are shown in the annexes of this JRC report, together with the content levels, for each construction product and analyte within this study. For the dynamic surface leaching test CEN/TS 16637-2, relative repeatability standard deviation (RSDr) was 6 % and relative reproducibility standard deviations (RSDR) was 54 % (median values). Because of limited stability of biocides in water, it is recommended to assess their release at leaching times shorter than 64 days and to store the leachates in dark glass bottles at 4ºC. For the up-flow percolation test CEN/TS 16637-3, RSDr of 20 % and RSDR of 70 % were obtained as median values. For the analysis of eluates, RSDr were 2-32 % and RSDR were 23-51 %. And for content analysis, the values for RSDr are 6-9 % and for RSDR 27-63%. Due to the limited number of participants, any conclusion or recommendation must be made with the utmost care. However, despite the limited number of participants which might affect the robustness of this study, the results obtained for organic substances are consistent with the ones obtained for inorganic substances. Therefore it seems reasonable to incorporate the RSD values for organic substances to the standard methods.JRC.F.6-Reference Material

Interlaboratory comparison to evaluate the precision of test methods for the assessment of the release of inorganic substances from construction products

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) organised the interlaboratory validation of methods developed by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) on leaching, content and eluate analysis procedures to assess the release of inorganic hazardous substances from construction products. This work was done in support of the Regulation 305/2011/EU (Construction Products Regulation). The CEN Technical Committee 351 Construction Products - Assessment of release of dangerous substances had the mandate to develop leaching procedures and procedures to analyse the leachates for organic and inorganic substances, taking into account the intended conditions of use of the product. It is split into several working groups (WGs); among them, WG1 focuses on "Release from construction products into soil, ground water and surface water" and it has developed horizontal leaching and percolation procedures; and WG5 focuses on "Content and Eluate analysis" and it has developed horizontal standardized procedures for the analysis of leachates/eluates and content analysis. This interlaboratory test was open to expert laboratories from all Member States. The materials, analytes and validation plans were agreed by CEN/TC351. Raw materials were obtained from industry providers and further processed at the JRC premises in Geel. Additionally leachates and eluates were prepared in-house following CEN/TS 16637-2 and 3. 23 laboratories from seven countries registered to the test and reported results. 13 – 18 laboratories participated in leaching/percolation test and 12-16 laboratories in leachate analysis or total content analysis. Repeatability and reproducibility of the reported results were evaluated according to ISO 5725-2 and using ProLab software. For the dynamic surface leaching test and up-flow percolation test, repeatability standard deviations (RSDr) and reproducibility standard deviations (RSDR) were 20-40 % and 40-65 %, respectively, except for the monolithic copper slag which showed higher variations. These standard deviations also account for homogeneity of the materials. For the analysis of aqua regia digests and eluates, RSDr were <5 % and RSDR were <25 %, showing that the final quantification plays a minor role in the variation of results. The release of organic hazardous substances from construction products will be tested at a later stage.JRC.F.6 - Reference Material

Practice patterns and clinical outcomes in acute appendicitis differ in the elderly patient

Background: Appendicitis is the most frequent global abdominal surgical emergency. An ageing population, who often exhibit atypical symptoms and delayed presentations, challenge conventional diagnostic and treatment paradigms. Objectives: This study aims to delineate disparities in presentation, management, and outcomes between elderly patients and younger adults suffering from acute appendicitis. Methods: This subgroup analysis forms part of ESTES SnapAppy, a time-bound multi-center prospective, observational cohort study. It includes patients aged 15 years and above who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy during a defined 90-day observational period across multiple centers. Statistical comparisons were performed using appropriate tests with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The study cohort comprised 521 elderly patients (≥65 years) and 4,092 younger adults (18–64 years). Elderly patients presented later (mean duration of symptoms: 7.88 vs. 3.56 days; p < 0.001) and frequently required computed tomography (CT) scans for diagnosis (86.1% vs. 54.0%; p < 0.001). The incidence of complicated appendicitis was higher in the elderly (46.7% vs. 20.7%; p < 0.001). Delays in surgical intervention were notable in the elderly (85.0% operated within 24 h vs. 88.7%; p = 0.018), with longer operative times (71.1 vs. 60.3 min; p < 0.001). Postoperative complications were significantly higher in the elderly (27.9% vs. 12.9%; p < 0.001), including severe complications (6.9% vs. 2.4%; p < 0.001) and prolonged hospital stays (7.9 vs. 3.6 days; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings highlight significant differences in the clinical course and outcomes of acute appendicitis in the elderly compared to younger patients, suggesting a need for age-adapted diagnostic pathways and treatment strategies to improve outcomes in this vulnerable population

Vaporisation Coulometric Karl Fischer Titration: A Perfect Tool for Water Content Determination of Difficult Matrix Reference Materials

Volumetric Karl Fischer titration (V-KFT) is the reference method to determine the water content in a whole range of organic and inorganic matrices. Nevertheless, the method has several important drawbacls such: as a high solvent consumption, and a rather large measurement uncertainty when determining the water content in starch containing reference and candidate reference materials (e.g. maize, toasted bread, etc.). It is also labour intensive for routine measurements. In order to overcome these disadvantages, a relatively new method of coulometric Karl Fischer titration, equipped with a fully automated oven system, has been established and optimised. The objective of this study was to establish the robustness of the vap-C-KFT method and to compare measurement uncertainties with those obtained by V-KFT. The overall results obtained with the proposed vap-C-KFT method and to compare measurement uncertainties with those obtained by V-KFT. The overall results obtained with the proposed vap-C-KFT methods correlate will with the results obtained by V-KFT R2 = 0.998). Because of the good repeatability and intermediate precision of the vap-C-KFT methods compared to V-KFT, significant lower measurement uncertainties were obtained from vap-C-KFT measurements.JRC.D.2-Reference material