91. The role of natural science collections in the biomonitoring of environmental contaminants in apex predators in support of the EU’s zero pollution ambitionPaola Movalli, Jan Koschorreck, Gabriele Treu, Jaroslav Slobodnik, Nikiforos Alygizakis, Andreas Androulakakis, Alexander Badry, Emanuel Baltag, Fausto Barbagli, Kevin Bauer, Koos Biesmeijer, Al Vrezec, 2021, other scientific articles Abstract: The chemical industry is the leading sector in the EU in terms of added value. However, contaminants pose a major threat and significant costs to the environment and human health. While EU legislation and international conventions aim to reduce this threat, regulators struggle to assess and manage chemical risks, given the vast number of substances involved and the lack of data on exposure and hazards. The European Green Deal sets a ‘zero pollution ambition for a toxic free environment’ by 2050 and the EU Chemicals Strategy calls for increased monitoring of chemicals in the environment. Monitoring of contaminants in biota can, inter alia: provide regulators with early warning of bioaccumulation problems with chemicals of emerging concern; trigger risk assessment of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic substances; enable risk assessment of chemical mixtures in biota; enable risk assessment of mixtures; and enable assessment of the effectiveness of risk management measures and of chemicals regulations overall. A number of these purposes are to be addressed under the recently launched European Partnership for Risk Assessment of Chemicals (PARC). Apex predators are of particular value to biomonitoring. Securing sufficient data at European scale implies large-scale, long-term monitoring and a steady supply of large numbers of fresh apex predator tissue samples from across Europe. Natural science collections are very well-placed to supply these. Pan-European monitoring requires effective coordination among field organisations, collections and analytical laboratories for the flow of required specimens, processing and storage of specimens and tissue samples, contaminant analyses delivering pan-European data sets, and provision of specimen and population contextual data. Collections are well-placed to coordinate this. The COST Action European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility provides a well-developed model showing how this can work, integrating a European Raptor Biomonitoring Scheme, Specimen Bank and Sampling Programme. Simultaneously, the EU-funded LIFE APEX has demonstrated a range of regulatory applications using cutting-edge analytical techniques. PARC plans to make best use of such sampling and biomonitoring programmes. Collections are poised to play a critical role in supporting PARC objectives and thereby contribute to delivery of the EU’s zero-pollution ambition. Keywords: zero pollution, biomonitoring, chemicals of emerging concern, Apex predator, raptor, marine mammal, otter Published in DiRROS: 06.08.2024; Views: 162; Downloads: 117
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92. Why do only males of Mawia benovici (Pelagiidae: Semaeostomeae: Scyphozoa) seem to onhabit the Northern Adriatic seaValentina Tirelli, Tjaša Kogovšek, Manja Rogelja, Paolo Paliaga, Massimo Avian, Alenka Malej, 2021, other scientific articles Abstract: This manuscript presents four new observations of the jellyfish Mawia benovici in the Adriatic Sea. This new species was recently identified as Pelagia benovici by Piraino et al. (2014) and then placed in the new genus Mawia by Avian et al. 2016. This species is rare and is almost exclusively observed in the Adriatic Sea. Interestingly, the majority of observations refer to males only. Few studies have addressed the issue of sex determination in Syphozoa in particular, as sex identity can only be determined at the medusa stage. Unfortunately, the rarity of M. benovici and the lack of female specimens have so far prevented indispensable laboratory studies to clarify its life cycle. Still, we tried to propose an explanation for our field observations.
Keywords: jellyfish, sex ratio, Mediterranean Sea Published in DiRROS: 06.08.2024; Views: 156; Downloads: 127
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93. A new tool for faster construction of marine biotechnology collaborative networksAna Rotter, Susana P. Gaudêncio, Katja Klun, Jan-Niklas Macher, Olivier Thomas, Irem Deniz, Christine Edwards, Ernesta Grigalionyte-Bembič, Z. Ljubešić, Johan Robbens, Giovanna Cristina Varese, Marlen I. Vasquez, 2021, other scientific articles Abstract: The increasing and rapid development in technologies, infrastructures, computational power, data availability and information flow has enabled rapid scientific advances. These entail transdisciplinary collaborations that maximize sharing of data and knowledge and, consequently, results, and possible technology transfer. However, in emerging scientific fields it is sometimes difficult to provide all necessary expertise within existing collaborative circles. This is especially true for marine biotechnology that directly addresses global societal challenges. This article describes the creation of a platform dedicated to facilitating the formation of short or mid-term collaborative networks in marine biotechnology. This online platform (https://www.ocean4biotech.eu/map/) enables experts (researchers and members of the marine biotechnology community in general) to have the possibility to showcase their expertise with the aim of being integrated into new collaborations/consortia on the one hand, or to use it as a search tool to complement the expertise in planned/running collaborations, on the other. The platform was created within the Ocean4Biotech (European transdisciplinary networking platform for marine biotechnology) Action, funded under the framework of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST). To build the platform, an inquiry was developed to identify experts in marine biotechnology and its adjunct fields, to define their expertise, to highlight their infrastructures and facilities and to pinpoint the main bottlenecks in this field. The inquiry was open to all experts in the broad field of marine biotechnology, including non-members of the consortium. The inquiry (https://ee.kobotoolbox.org/single/UKVsBNtD) remains open for insertion of additional expertise and the resulting interactive map can be used as a display and search tool for establishing new collaborations.
Published in DiRROS: 06.08.2024; Views: 158; Downloads: 105
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94. A schematic sampling protocol for contaminant monitoring in raptorsSilvia Espín, Jovan Andevski, Guy Duke, Igor Eulaers, Pilar Gómez-Ramírez, Gunnar Thor Hallgrimsson, Al Vrezec, 2021, other scientific articles Abstract: Birds of prey, owls and falcons are widely used as sentinel species in raptor biomonitoring programmes. A major current challenge is to facilitate large-scale biomonitoring by coordinating contaminant monitoring activities and by building capacity across countries. This requires sharing, dissemination and adoption of best practices addressed by the Networking Programme Research and Monitoring for and with Raptors in Europe (EURAPMON) and now being advanced by the ongoing international COST Action European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility. The present perspective introduces a schematic sampling protocol for contaminant monitoring in raptors. We provide guidance on sample collection with a view to increasing sampling capacity across countries, ensuring appropriate quality of samples and facilitating harmonization of procedures to maximize the reliability, comparability and interoperability of data. The here presented protocol can be used by professionals and volunteers as a standard guide to ensure harmonised sampling methods for contaminant monitoring in raptors. Keywords: best practices, birds of prey, falcons, large-scale biomonitoring, owls, Pan-European network Published in DiRROS: 06.08.2024; Views: 155; Downloads: 93
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95. Editorial : The role of immune cells in the progression of autoimmune diseases affecting the CNSCzeslawa Kowal, Jelka Pohar, Flora Zavala, 2022, other scientific articles Abstract: Insights into the dynamics of immune responses in immune-privileged tissues such as the central nervous system (CNS) are critical to understanding the etiology of autoimmune diseases. Essential in this field is understanding the ways immune cells access and traffic across different types of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and how the therapeutics alter these processes (see excellent review by Mapunda et al.). The current Research Topic brought into attention a diverse panel of original research papers and two reviews on the immune cells involved in CNS pathophysiology, including dendritic cells (DC), mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, neutrophils, and pathogenic Th17 cells, as well as a different aspects of that pathophysiology, including molecular signaling pathways (PP2Cδ) and the role of signaling complexes, known as supramolecular organizing centers (SMOCs), therapeutic interventions (STAT3-specific nanobody, treatment of rheumatoid meningitis with intravenous immunoglobulin - IVIg), possible new forms of autoantigens (neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus - NPSLE), and assessment of correlation between inflammatory markers and severity of autoimmune encephalitis (AE). Keywords: CNS pathophysiology, dendritic cells, mucosal-associated invariant T cells, STAT3, Th17 cells, PP2Cδ, supramolecular organizing centers (SMOCs), neutrophil extracellular traps, cytology Published in DiRROS: 06.08.2024; Views: 143; Downloads: 64
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97. Editorial : new perspectives in benthic-pelagic coupling in marine and transitional coastal areasTamara Cibic, Martina Orlando-Bonaca, Fernando Rubino, 2022, other scientific articles Abstract: Shallow environments and transitional habitats are among the world’s most productive ecosystems (Odum, 1983; Cloern et al., 2014) where light penetration to the bottom and nutrient availability fuel multiple primary producers including phytoplankton, benthic microalgae, macroalgae and seagrasses (Kirk, 2000; Sundbäck et al., 2000; Sala et al., 2012; Papathanasiou et al., 2015; Orfanidis et al., 2021) that sustain higher trophic levels and provide important ecosystem services (Barbier et al., 2011; Queirós et al., 2019). In these ecosystems, pelagos and benthos have been classically studied as distinct domains of the marine environment, although they cannot be considered as separate entities (Boero et al., 1996; Marcus & Boero, 1998). The compartmentalization of these ecosystems into their benthic and pelagic components in experimental studies and models often limits our understanding of the scope and strength of interactions between these habitats, their role in maintaining the ecosystem function, and their sensitivity to future change (Griffiths et al., 2017). The benthic–pelagic coupling involves all those processes that connect the bottom and water column habitats through the exchange of mass, energy, and nutrients. Matter and energy flow between the two domains in both directions, along food webs, involving the movement of planktonic and benthic organisms at different life stages (Kiljunen et al., 2020). Indeed, many physical, chemical and biological processes bind these two domains, where benthic-pelagic coupling concurs to maintain high rates of primary production and decomposition (Kennish et al., 2014). While primary producers compete for the same resources (light and nutrients), benthic filter feeders are well adapted to efficiently filter bacteria, phytoplankton and zooplankton, dissolved organic matter (Hughes et al., 2005; Karuza et al., 2016), as well as pollutants from the water column (Giandomenico et al., 2016). An in-depth knowledge of the life cycles of meroplanktonic species is an indispensable prerequisite for understanding the functioning of the ecosystem in shallow areas. Besides this, benthic primary producers and invertebrates provide several ecosystem services and drive important processes such as nutrient cycling, bio-irrigation and organic matter decomposition in coastal areas (Bremner et al., 2006; Olsgard et al., 2008).
Keywords: coastal areas, new perspectives, benthic-pelagic coupling, editorial Published in DiRROS: 06.08.2024; Views: 151; Downloads: 101
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98. Editorial : acidification and hypoxia in marginal seasXianghui Guo, Nina Bednaršek, Hongjie Wang, Richard Alan Feely, Laurent Arnaud, 2022, other scientific articles Abstract: Ocean acidification and hypoxia (dissolved oxygen <2 mg L−1 or <62 μmol L−1) are universal environmental concerns that can impact ecological and biogeochemical processes, including element cycling, carbon sequestration, community shifts, contributing to biodiversity reduction, and reducing marine ecosystem services (Riebesell et al., 2000; Feely et al., 2004, 2009; Andersson et al., 2005; Doney, 2006; Cohen and Holcomb, 2009; Doney et al., 2009, 2020; Kleypas and Yates, 2009; Ekstrom et al., 2015; Gattuso et al., 2015). While the stressors are global in their occurrence, local and regional impacts might be enhanced and even more accelerated, thus requiring even greater and faster consideration (Doney et al., 2020). Keywords: coastal ecosystems, ocean acidification, zakisljevanje morja, biological impacts, hypoxia, hydrobiology Published in DiRROS: 06.08.2024; Views: 140; Downloads: 62
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99. Komentarji novic Regionalobala.si med govorjenim in pisnim diskurzomMaša Rolih, 2024, independent scientific component part or a chapter in a monograph Abstract: Komentarji spletnih novic so z razmahom spletnih komunikacijskih okolij, med katere spadajo družabna omrežja, postali način izmenjave mnenj med različnimi uporabniki. Spletni časopisi delijo svoje novice na svojih Facebook profilih in s tem omogočajo komentiranje. Komentarji so večinoma zapisani, jezik teh besedil pa odstopa od jezikovne norme, saj komunikacija pogosto poteka v neknjižnem jeziku. Vloga spletnih komunikacijskih okolij je povezovalna oz. praktičnosporazumevalna, komunikacija med uporabniki pa vsebuje elemente spontanega govora. Komentarji novic, ki jih uporabniki družabnih omrežij, kot je Facebook, zapišejo pod novico, poleg zapisa po izgovoru, leksike različnih socialnih zvrsti, rabe emotikonov in gif-ov, vsebujejo tudi sredstva besedilne semantike (deikte, diskurzne označevalce), ki so pogostejša v govorjenem diskurzu, in posebno skladnjo, značilnejšo za govorjeni diskurz. V zapisanih komentarjih spletnih novic lahko tako opazujemo značilnosti govorjenega jezika, v prispevku pa bodo prikazani predvsem primeri besedilne semantike in skladnje govorjenega jezika. Keywords: komentarji spletnih novic, govorjeni jezik, spletni diskurz, besedilna semantika, skladnja Published in DiRROS: 06.08.2024; Views: 155; Downloads: 105
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100. Phylogenomic, biogeographic, and evolutionary research trends in arachnologyMatjaž Kuntner, 2022, other scientific articles Abstract: Textbook knowledge tells us that arachnids are a hyper diverse clade of chelicerates that have taken on terrestrial lifestyles. Original papers published in prestigious venues routinely reconstruct details of this purported single terrestrialization event that would have been followed by arachnid diversification on land. However, we are beginning to understand that arachnids are very likely paraphyletic; as such, Arachnida can only circumscribe an assemblage of chelicerates that live terrestrially. If so, arachnid terrestrialization may have taken several independent routes at different historic times. While the diversity and phylogeny of spiders, scorpions and harvestmen may be relatively well documented and understood, additional groups that we deem to be arachnids remain enigmatic and will likely continue to be more or less neglected after this Special Issue. We have here assembled examples of contemporary studies that include both original research as well as reviews focusing on “arachnids” and cover loosely defined biological subdisciplines of phylogenomics, biogeography, and evolution. The latter includes systematics, taxonomy, DNA barcoding, and trait evolution. In this editorial, I introduce the authors of these papers and their featured research, and through this narrative, I pose two questions. The first one is what is arachnology given that arachnids may not be monophyletic? The second question is where should our field be headed toward in the near future? Keywords: biogeography, phylogeny, systematics, evolution, arachnology Published in DiRROS: 06.08.2024; Views: 145; Downloads: 61
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