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In October 2018, the European Union (EU) launched an updated bioeconomy strategy with the aim of encouraging the substitution of fossil carbon with biomass feedstock in the industry and in energy production while preserving ecosystem services. The objective of the paper is to analyse the links between the EU bioeconomy strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and to assess what could be the main points of synergies and tensions between bioeconomy-related SDG targets. By semantically mapping the action plan of the 2018 EU bioeconomy strategy with the SDG targets, the paper finds that the bioeconomy strategy is aligned with 53 targets distributed in 12 of the 17 SDGs. Ex-post correlation analysis on bioeconomy-related SDGs indicators for 28 EU Member States (1990–2018) shows a predominance of synergies over trade-offs. More intense synergetic past developments (positive correlations) are found among clean energies (SDG 7), recycling (SDG 11), ecosystem preservation (SDG 15) and most of all other bioeconomy-related SDGs. Negative correlations are observed between agro-biodiversity (SDG 2), domestic material consumption of biomass (SDG 8 and 12), agriculture and industrial developments (SDG 2 and SDG 9) and a wide array of bioeconomy-related SDG indicators. The hotspots of strong correlations identified might be useful in further enrichment of ex-ante simulation models. From a policy coherence perspective, a wide range of policy instruments are already in place in the EU to foster synergies and may bring co-benefits. Policies oriented at preventing trade-offs are already in place but they have not overcome the antagonisms observed in this study yet. Change in practices, technical and technological innovations and the application of circular and 'cascading principles' are the most common fields of action.

Aim of study: With the increasing protagonism of non-tariff measures (NTMs) in trade policy, better indexes are needed to depict the prevalence and similarity of NTMs across countries for further use in trade impact assessments.Area of study: Worldwide, with special focus on the European Union (EU)Material and methods: Using the TRAINS database on NTMs, we calculated and proposed some indicators, stressing both regulatory intensity and diversity, as well as similarity of regulatory patterns between trade partners. Our application focuses on pork trade and main importers, amongst which, the EU is singled out.Main results: We found a high level of heterogeneity in NTMs' application, both, in the number and variety of measures. The bilateral similarity was relatively low, such as only 30% of sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) and 20% of technical barriers to trade were shared, providing ground and incentive for discussing trade policy harmonization. Our analysis suggests that SPS regulations prevail in those sectors and countries more engaged in trade, while a negative correlation with tariffs raises protectionism concerns. Our bilateral indicators rank country pairs according to the similarity of their regulatory patterns. The EU, for instance, is closer in SPS regulations to China or USA than to Canada or New Zealand, which will require actions in the context of the bilateral trade agreements in course.Research highlights: The low similarity of regulatory patterns evidence the challenges faced by policy makers to streamline technical regulations. For an accurate representation of regulatory patterns and their impact on trade, both uni- and bilateral indicators need to be considered.

In October 2018, the European Union (EU) launched an updated bioeconomy strategy with the aim of encouraging the substitution of fossil carbon with biomass feedstock in the industry and in energy production while preserving ecosystem services. The objective of the paper is to analyse the links between the EU bioeconomy strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and to assess what could be the main points of synergies and tensions between bioeconomy-related SDG targets. By semantically mapping the action plan of the 2018 EU bioeconomy strategy with the SDG targets, the paper finds that the bioeconomy strategy is aligned with 53 targets distributed in 12 of the 17 SDGs. Ex-post correlation analysis on bioeconomy-related SDGs indicators for 28 EU Member States (1990–2018) shows a predominance of synergies over trade-offs. More intense synergetic past developments (positive correlations) are found among clean energies (SDG 7), recycling (SDG 11), ecosystem preservation (SDG 15) and most of all other bioeconomy-related SDGs. Negative correlations are observed between agro-biodiversity (SDG 2), domestic material consumption of biomass (SDG 8 and 12), agriculture and industrial developments (SDG 2 and SDG 9) and a wide array of bioeconomy-related SDG indicators. The hotspots of strong correlations identified might be useful in further enrichment of ex-ante simulation models. From a policy coherence perspective, a wide range of policy instruments are already in place in the EU to foster synergies and may bring co-benefits. Policies oriented at preventing trade-offs are already in place but they have not overcome the antagonisms observed in this study yet. Change in practices, technical and technological innovations and the application of circular and 'cascading principles' are the most common fields of action.

With the rise of anti-free-trade sentiment on both sides of the Atlantic, there is a growing urgency by trade negotiators to conclude the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations. The harmonisation of non-tariff restrictions is a key component of the talks, whilst global modelling databases typically lack a price compatible representation of these measures, which lends a degree of bias to ex-ante modelling assessments. In the gravity literature, there is (limited) evidence of non-tariff ad-valorem equivalent (AVE) estimates of agriculture and food, although disaggregated agri-food activities and/or bilateral EU-US route specific estimates are still in relatively short supply. Using panel data, this study consolidates both of these issues, whilst also proposing an 'indirect' gravity method as a basis upon which to provide econometric non-tariff AVE estimates compatible with the degree of sectoral concordance typically found in global modelling databases. On a general note, the results revealed the presence of significant behind the border trade costs on both sides of the Atlantic, which exceed their tariff counterparts. Using simple aggregated averages, our estimates are comparable with 'direct' gravity method studies. Furthermore, rigorous qualitative and quantitative comparisons on a sector-by-sector basis showed that a number of bilateral non-tariff AVEs are also found to be plausible, although in some cases, with recourse to relevant policy documents and expert opinion, it is debatable whether the EU or the US is more restrictive. Further work could focus on refining the sector specificity of each gravity equation to improve the model's predictive capacity.

INTRODUCCIÓN La comunicación que aquí se presenta recoge los resultados de una investigación impulsada en el marco de la Cátedra de Ética Económica y Empresarial de la Universidad Pontificia Comillas. El propósito es conocer en qué medida las instituciones españolas de educación superior, firmantes de distintos compromisos por el Bien Común, se están involucrando en el impulso de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible, acuerdo transnacional auspiciado por Naciones Unidas, evaluando el avance dieciocho meses después de su firma. JUSTIFICACIÓN En Septiembre de 2015 un total de 192 países firmaron en Nueva York un compromiso conjunto para trabajar por mejorar el mundo en el que vivimos. Tras un largo periodo de consultas, se acordó establecer una agenda a 15 años vista que incluía la definición de 17 objetivos por los que trabajar para un desarrollo más sostenible para todos los habitantes del planeta. Con el propósito de medir el desempeño en la consecución de metas concretas asociadas a cada objetivo, se definieron hasta 169 indicadores que debían permitir mostrar hasta qué punto se han involucrado de forma eficaz los diferentes agentes políticos, económicos y de la sociedad civil. Desde entonces, se vienen sucediendo planteamientos estratégicos para alcanzar los objetivos marcados, compaginando el trabajo individual con propuestas en equipo que se impulsan a través de la colaboración entre las partes. Una labor que responde al llamamiento global que realizan con frecuencia grandes líderes mundiales, como es el caso del Papa Francisco, quien, junto a otros referentes mundiales, aboga por un mundo más justo, más igualitario, más cuidadoso con la naturaleza y, en definitiva, más sostenible. En línea con los esfuerzos descritos, el Pacto Mundial viene liderando la búsqueda de consenso en un foro multistakeholder pero principalmente orientado a empresas. Se pretende así dinamizar un espacio para compartir experiencias y hallar nuevo conocimiento sobre algunos objetivos concretos que se amplían cada año. En él participan, además de organizaciones empresariales, instituciones académicas y organizaciones del Tercer Sector interesadas en impulsar alianzas colaborativas. Por lo que respecta a las instituciones académicas, no es ésta la única manera de hacer explícito el compromiso con el Desarrollo Sostenible. También instituciones firmantes de los Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) vienen centrando esfuerzos por dar visibilidad en sus reportes al trabajo que realizan para fomentar la sostenibilidad en sus centros. Y lo hacen poniendo el foco a dos niveles: ad intra, mediante la gestión interna, y ad extra, a través de la formación, la investigación y las diferentes actuaciones de extensión universitaria que cada vez más se vienen desarrollando en colaboración con organizaciones del Tercer Sector y con otros agentes sociales. Se cruzan así los puntos cardinales de lo que se denomina la Responsabilidad Social Universitaria con el compromiso por los ODS, a resultas del cual las universidades y escuelas de negocios vienen rindiendo cuentas a través de distintos informes y memorias, no integrados hasta la fecha. Ello a pesar de la iniciativa puesta en marcha en España y Portugal para impulsar un modelo de reporte que fusione los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible con los PRME a través de una matriz de indicadores mixtos que permitan responder al tiempo a los correspondientes objetivos y principios. ; INTRODUCTION The communication presented here reflects the results of a research carried out within the framework of the Chair of Economic and Business Ethics of the Universidad Pontificia Comillas. The purpose is to know to what extent the Spanish institutions of higher education, signatories of different commitments for the Common Good, are being involved in the promotion of the Sustainable Development Goals, a transnational agreement sponsored by the United Nations, evaluating the progress eighteen months after his signature. JUSTIFICATION In September 2015 a total of 192 countries signed a joint commitment in New York to work oon the improvement of our world. After a long period of consultations, it was agreed to establish a 15-year agenda that included the definition of 17 goals for working towards a more sustainable development for all the world's inhabitants. In order to measure performance in achieving specific goals associated with each objective, up to 169 indicators were defined that should show how effectively the different political, economic and civil society actors have been involved. Since then, strategic approaches have been developedto achieve the goals, combining the individual work with associated proposals that are promoted through the collaboration between the parties. A task that responds to the global call often made by great world leaders, as is the case of Pope Francis, who, together with other world leaders, advocates a world that is more just, more egalitarian, more careful with nature and, ultimately , more sustainable. In line with the efforts described, the Global Compact has been leading the search for consensus in a multistakeholder forum, but mainly corporate oriented. The aim is to stimulate a space to share experiences and find new knowledge on some concrete objectives that are extended each year. It includes, in addition to business organizations, academic institutions and organizations of the Third Sector interested in promoting collaborative alliances. As far as academic institutions are concerned, this is not the only way to make explicit the commitment to Sustainable Development. Furthermore, institutions that have signed the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) have been focusing their efforts on making their reports visible to the work they do to promote sustainability in their centers. And they do this by putting the focus on two levels: ad intra, through internal management, and ad extra, through training, research and the various university extension actions that are increasingly being developed in collaboration with organizations from the Third Sector and with other social partners. The cardinal points of what is called University Social Responsibility are crossed with the commitment by the ODS, as a result of which universities and business schools are accountable through different reports and reports, not integrated to date. This despite the initiative launched in Spain and Portugal to promote a reporting model that fuses the Sustainable Development Objectives with the PRME through an array of mixed indicators that allow time to respond to the corresponding objectives and principles. ; info:eu-repo/semantics/draft

The concept of 'bioeconomy' is gathering momentum in European Union (EU) policy circles as a sustainable model of growth to reconcile continued wealth generation and employment with bio-based sustainable resource usage. Unfortunately, in the literature an economy-wide quantitative assessment covering the full diversity of this sector is lacking due to relatively poor data availability for disaggregated bio-based activities. This research represents a first step by employing social accounting matrices (SAMs) for each EU27 member encompassing a highly disaggregated treatment of traditional 'bio-based' agricultural and food activities, as well as additional identifiable bioeconomic activities from the national accounts data. Employing backward-linkage (BL), forward-linkage (FL) and employment multipliers, the aim is to profile and assess comparative structural patterns both across bioeconomic sectors and EU Member States. The results indicate six clusters of EU member countries with homogeneous bioeconomy structures. Within cluster statistical tests reveal a high tendency toward 'backward orientation' or demand driven wealth generation, whilst inter-cluster statistical comparisons by bio-based sector show only a moderate degree of heterogeneous BL wealth generation and, with the exception of only two sectors, a uniformly homogeneous degree of FL wealth generation. With the exception of forestry, fishing and wood activities, bio-based employment generation prospects are below non bioeconomy activities. Finally, milk and dairy are established as 'key sectors'.

The study of brain communication based on fMRI data is often limited because such measurements are a mixture of session-to-session variability with subject- and condition-related information. Disentangling these contributions is crucial for real-life applications, in particular when only a few recording sessions are available. The present study aims to define a reliable standard for the extraction of multiple signatures from fMRI data, while verifying that they do not mix information about the different modalities (e.g., subjects and conditions such as tasks performed by them). In particular, condition-specific signatures should not be contaminated by subjectrelated information, since they aim to generalize over subjects. Practically, signatures correspond to subnetworks of directed interactions between brain regions (typically 100 covering the whole brain) supporting the subject and condition identification for single fMRI sessions. The key for robust prediction is using effective connectivity instead of functional connectivity. Our method demonstrates excellent generalization capabilities for subject identification in two datasets, using only a few sessions per subject as reference. Using another dataset with resting state and movie viewing, we show that the two signatures related to subjects and tasks correspond to distinct subnetworks, which are thus topologically orthogonal. Our results set solid foundations for applications tailored to individual subjects, such as clinical diagnostic. ; This work was supported by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme/Human Brain Project (grant FP7-FET-ICT-604102 to MG and GD; H2020-720270 HBP SGA1 to GD) and the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action (grant H2020-MSCA-656547 to MG). A.I. is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness Flag-ERA APCIN project CHAMPMouse (PCIN-2015-127). GD also acknowledges funding from the ERC Advanced Grant DYSTRUCTURE (#295129), the Spanish Research Project PSI2016-75688-P and the Catalan Research Group Support 2017 SGR 1545. DM was supported by the KU Leuven Special Research Fund (grant C16/15/070). SK has been funded by a Heisenberg grant from the German Science Foundation (DFG KU 3322/1-1), the European Union (ERC-2016-StG-Self-Control-677804) and a Fellowship from the Jacobs Foundation (JRF 2016-2018). This work has in part been funded by the German Science Foundation (SFB 936/C7).

Over the past 2,500 years, contemplative traditions have explored the nature of the mind using meditation. More recently, neuroimaging research on meditation has revealed differences in brain function and structure in meditators. Nevertheless, the underlying neural mechanisms are still unclear. In order to understand how meditation shapes global activity through the brain, we investigated the spatiotemporal dynamics across the whole-brain functional network using the Intrinsic Ignition Framework. Recent neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that different states of consciousness differ in their underlying dynamical complexity, i.e., how the broadness of communication is elicited and distributed through the brain over time and space. In this work, controls and experienced meditators were scanned using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during resting-state and meditation (focused attention on breathing). Our results evidenced that the dynamical complexity underlying meditation shows less complexity than during resting-state in the meditator group but not in the control group. Furthermore, we report that during resting-state, the brain activity of experienced meditators showed higher metastability (i.e., a wider dynamical regime over time) than the one observed in the control group. Overall, these results indicate that the meditation state operates in a different dynamical regime compared to the resting-state. ; AE is supported by a Francisco J. Varela Award from the Mind and Life Europe. AS is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness Grant FPDI2013-17045. GD is supported by the Spanish Ministry Research Project PSI2016-75688-P (AEI/FEDER), by the European Union's Horizon 2020 FET Flagship Human Brain Project 785907 HBP SGA2, by the Catalan Research Group Support 2017 SGR 1545 and by the Foundation Marato TV3 2016.