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Across continental Europe, educational research samples are often divided by 'migrant background', a binary variable criticized for masking participant heterogeneity and reinforcing exclusionary norms of belonging. This study endorses more meaningful, representative, and precise research by offering four guiding questions for selecting relevant, social justice oriented, and feasible social categories for collecting and analysing data in psychological and educational research. Using a preregistered empirical example, we first compare selected social categories ('migrant background', family heritage, religion, citizenship, cultural identification, and generation status) in their potential to reveal participant heterogeneity. Second, we investigate differences in means and relations between variables (discrimination experiences, perceived societal Islamophobia, and national identity) and academic motivation among 1335 adolescents in Germany (48% female, M[subscript age] = 14.69). Regression analyses and multigroup SEM revealed differential experiences with and implications of discrimination for academic motivation. Results highlight the need for a deliberate, transparent use of social categories to make discrimination visible and centre participants' subjective experiences.

Copyright of Annals of Theology / Roczniki Teologiczne is the property of Towarzystwo Naukowe KUL & Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawla II and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The paper offers an examination of Patočka's attempt to clear a difficulty of Husserl's transcendental phenomenology and to develop a non-subjective conception of phenomenology. The author gives a thorough analysis of two fundamental writings, compiled by Patočka in German in 1970-1971. The aim of the paper is to follow Patočka's way of gradually developing his idea in various articles, mainly in his lecture Plato and Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adequate knowledge and awareness regarding diseases are essential for appropriate, high-quality healthcare. Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) is a non-sexually transmitted gynaecological disease that is caused by the presence of Schistosoma haematobium eggs in the female genital tract and the resulting immune response that causes tissue damage. It is estimated to affect 56 million women, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where healthcare workers (HCWs) have limited awareness and knowledge of FGS. Most migrants in Europe are female, often from SSA and therefore at risk of FGS. This study investigated awareness and knowledge of FGS among European HCWs with the aim of informing strategies to improve the management of migrant health. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a self-administered, closed, multilingual, anonymous online questionnaire between 1st June 2023 to 31st January 2024. Medical doctors (MDs) (n = 581) and nurses or midwives (NMs) (n = 341) working in infectiology, gynaecology, urology and general, travel, internal or occupational medicine in European countries were enrolled in the survey. A Poisson regression was used to identify factors associated with MDs' knowledge and awareness of FGS and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) were estimated. Practices related to FGS were described using counts and proportions for a subsample of MDs aware of FGS. Results: Among the 922 eligible participants, FGS awareness was 43.7% (CI95%: 39.6; 47.9) for MDs and 12.0% (CI95%: 8.8; 16.0) for NMs. FGS awareness among MDs was higher among men (50.0%; CI95%: 43.7; 56.3), working in clinics for migrants (72.0%, CI95%: 63.2; 79.7) and among infectiologists/travel medicine specialists (68.9%, CI95%: 62.2; 75.0). No knowledge was reported by 67.6% (95% CI 63.7–71.4) of MDs, while 25.3% (CI95%: 21.8; 29.0) had low and 7.1% (CI95%: 5.1; 9.5) medium knowledge. Working in healthcare for migrants was positively associated with medium knowledge (aPR = 3.49; CI95% 1.67;7.28), which was lower for general practitioners (aPR = 0.23, CI95%:0.07;0.81). Conclusions: Our study highlights that HCWs in Europe might not be adequately prepared to manage FGS patients, resulting in a high risk of neglect. We believe that the promotion of existing medical networks could improve knowledge about FGS and thus the health of migrant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The enemy release hypothesis states that the invasion success of non‐native species is partly due to their escape from natural enemies, e.g., herbivores. Large‐scale studies of herbivory using multiple species across multiple sites are needed to test the generality of herbivory release in non‐native plants. Location: Europe. Methods: We carried out leaf‐herbivory surveys from 2007 to 2021 in 15 botanical gardens ranging in latitude from 47°N (Switzerland) to 63°N (Norway) to investigate how herbivory levels differed between (i) native and non‐native species, and (ii) native and non‐naturalised or naturalised species. Results: Overall, we found that herbivory levels were lower on non‐native than native species. In addition, we found that non‐naturalised plants suffered less herbivory than natives and that naturalised plants showed similar levels of herbivory to native plants. Main Conclusions: We find broad support for lower herbivory of non‐native plant species compared to natives. However, the stronger reduction in herbivory for non‐naturalised plants suggests that herbivore release may be transient and less pronounced for naturalised non‐native species that have become abundant and integrated into resident communities. This has implications for the management of naturalised non‐native plants, which are performing well in their non‐native ranges despite suffering comparable herbivory levels to native species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In light of the public resistance towards the deepening of European integration (EI) and the role that education is anticipated to have in supporting the process, this paper examines the conceptualisation of EI in lower secondary textbooks for History, Geography and Civics. Specifically, the paper asks whether EI is conceived of as a vehicle for the post-national transformation of Europe or as an instrument for interstate cooperation. Design: Drawing on the insights of EI theories and content analysis, the paper adopts a qualitative approach. Applying this approach, the textbooks currently used in Slovakia's lower secondary schools are analysed as a case study. Findings: The findings are inconclusive with regard to the research question. Indeed, while the sources are positive about EI, the findings suggest some problematic aspects in terms of how the textbooks analysed conceive the nature of the integration process. Research implications: The approach taken in this paper could be replicated on a larger scale in other countries. Practical implications: Curricula and textbook designers ought to consider how to include a critical discussion on the deepening of EI in secondary education.

Information on Recepcja twórczości Jana Długosza w ukraińskiej historiografii, a conference on European historiography that was held in Poland from October 22-24, 2015 is presented. Topics discussed in the conference include role of historian Jan Długosz in the historiography, Europe in 19th century and his manuscripts on Polish geography.

Streptococcus suis, a zoonotic bacterial pathogen circulated through swine, can cause severe infections in humans. Because human S. suis infections are not notifiable in most countries, incidence is underestimated. We aimed to increase insight into the molecular epidemiology of human S. suis infections in Europe. To procure data, we surveyed 7 reference laboratories and performed a systematic review of the scientific literature. We identified 236 cases of human S. suis infection from those sources and an additional 87 by scanning gray literature. We performed whole-genome sequencing to type 46 zoonotic S. suis isolates and combined them with 28 publicly available genomes in a core-genome phylogeny. Clonal complex (CC) 1 isolates accounted for 87% of typed human infections; CC20, CC25, CC87, and CC94 also caused infections. Emergence of diverse zoonotic clades and notable severity of illness in humans support classifying S. suis infection as a notifiable condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents some results obtained through the implementation of the Erasmus LLP "SALEIE" (Strategic Alignment of Electrical and Information Engineering in European Higher Education Institutions). The aim of the project was to bring together experts from European universities to enhance the competitiveness of Electrical and Information Engineering (EIE) education within Europe, especially in relation to modern global technical challenges and to provide higher education models in a few EIE fields in accordance with these challenges. One of the outcomes of the project was a new ICT (Information and Computer Technology) Security curriculum for bachelor and master levels. The research methodology comprised such stages as: identifying the most important current global challenges, conducting a survey related to existing EIE programs in order to establish the top-level criteria for an EIE curriculum, analyzing the results of the survey, obtaining the industry feedback related to technical and non-technical skills required for the specific field, and proposing a new curriculum for ICT Security programmes to respond to the modern technical challenges and to meet the needs of the industry, students, academics and graduates.

Copyright of Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Nurses play an important role in interprofessional pharmaceutical care. Curricula related to pharmaceutical care, however, vary a lot. Mapping the presence of pharmaceutical care related domains and competences in nurse educational programs can lead to a better understanding of the extent to which curricula fit expectations of the labour market. The aim of this study was to describe 1) the presence of pharmaceutical care oriented content in nursing curricula at different educational levels and 2) nursing students' perceived readiness to provide nurse pharmaceutical care in practice. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was used. Nursing schools in 14 European countries offering educational programs for levels 4–7 students were approached between January and April 2021. Through an online survey final year students had to indicate to what extent pharmaceutical care topics were present in their curriculum. Results: A total of 1807 students participated, of whom 8% had level 4–5, 80% level 6, 12% level 7. Up to 84% of the students indicated that pharmaceutical care content was insufficiently addressed in their curriculum. On average 14% [range 0–30] felt sufficiently prepared to achieve the required pharmaceutical care competences in practice. In level 5 curricula more pharmaceutical care domains were absent compared with other levels. Conclusions: Although several pharmaceutical care related courses are present in current curricula of level 4–7 nurses, its embedding should be extended. Too many students perceive an insufficient preparation to achieve pharmaceutical care competences required in practice. Existing gaps in pharmaceutical care should be addressed to offer more thoroughly prepared nurses to the labour market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME) in pugs is a potentially fatal disease, which needs lifelong treatment with immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory drugs and shares parallels with acute fulminating multiple sclerosis. Genetic variants of the DLA class II gene are associated with an increased risk for NME. Genetic testing is recommended prior to breeding. The aim of this study was to describe the current allele frequency of a previously identified NME risk variant in the European pug population. A secondary aim was to investigate the association of the NME risk variant with the clinical phenotype in pugs. Methods: Results of genetic testing for the CFA12:2605517delC variant in European pugs between 2012 and 2020 were retrieved (n = 5,974). A validated questionnaire was mailed to all submitters of samples for further information on neurological signs, diagnostic tests, and disease course. Results: The allele frequency of the CFA12 NME risk variant was 25.7% in the European pug population dogs; 7.4% of the dogs were homozygous and 36.7% were heterozygous for the NME risk variant on CFA12. Completed questionnaires were available in 203 dogs including 25 dogs with epileptic seizures or other neurological signs. The clinical phenotype was consistent with NME in 3.9% with a median age of onset of 1.0 years, and indicative of idiopathic epilepsy in 2.9% with a median onset of 2.5 years. Eleven dogs remained unclassified. Pugs with the NME phenotype were significantlymore frequently homozygous for the NME risk variant on CFA12 compared to pugs ≥6 years without neurological signs or seizures (p = 0.008). Discussion: The CFA12:2605517delC genetic risk variant is widely distributed in the European pug population and frequently homozygous in pugs with a NME phenotype. The data support the clinical relevance of the CFA12:2605517delC genetic risk variant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic is a manifestation of trauma exposure that could eventuate in psychological distress, anxiety, depression, and various mental health disturbances, especially in people who have experienced an additional stressor such as a traumatic event. This cross-sectional study assessed the relationship between pandemic-related stressors, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the risk for severe or life-threatening symptoms, and resilience among individuals with a traumatic history amidst the coronavirus disease. This study is part of a longitudinal pan-European research, the ADJUST study. The present study consisted of 14.106 participants. The questionnaires utilized included: sociodemographics, health aspects, the Criterion A section of the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), the Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5), the Pandemic Stressor Scale (PaSS), and the Resilience Evaluation Scale (RES). For the analysis, descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were applied. 29% of the respondents reported a traumatic history. Fear of infection, burden of infection, crisis management and communication, restricted activity, risk for severe or life-threatening symptoms of the coronavirus disease, PTSD, and resilience were the predictive factors in the trauma-exposed population. This research provides insights into the stressors that individuals with a traumatic background might experience through the COVID-19 pandemic. Future interventions and worldwide health policies should target trauma-exposed populations to enhance psychological health amidst COVID-19 and other stressful events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2023, a new format of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has been implemented in Europe. Market forces alone cannot guarantee land services, which can be described as flows of goods and services from ecosystems to human systems as functions of nature. Market forces also cannot ensure food security everywhere and at all times, so deliberate measures should incentivize farmers to adopt sustainable agricultural practices and maintain necessary skills and resources. This study identifies, quantifies, and interprets four narratives that are typical in the approach to food security and the public debate about the land services in the CAP Strategic Plans: (A) provision of land services within the Pillar 1 economics; (B) small vs. large farms; (C) direct payments in comparison with rural development; and (D) choices by the old and new member states. Participatory processes, descriptive statistics, and partial component analysis were used in terms of the methodology. The key finding is that the importance attached to eco-schemes varies among member states, although a majority dedicate approximately 25% of the Pillar 1 budget to them. We showed that small-scale farming countries move resources from Pillar 2 to strengthen direct payments. In contrast, affluent countries with robust agricultural structures can afford to reinforce Pillar 2 rural development through transfers from direct payments. To support small-scale and medium farms, appropriate support requires a combination of several measures, including the sizable hectare payment in Pillar 1 and farmer-oriented agri-environmental measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmacy compounding, the art and science of preparing customized medications to meet individual patient needs, is on the verge of transformation. Traditional methods of compounding often involve manual and time-consuming processes, presenting challenges in terms of consistency, dosage accuracy, quality control, contamination, and scalability. However, the emergence of cutting-edge technologies has paved a way for a new era for pharmacy compounding, promising to redefine the way medications are prepared and delivered as pharmacy-tailored personalized medicines. In this multi-site study, more than 30 hospitals and community pharmacies from eight countries in Europe utilized a novel automated dosing approach inspired by 3D printing for the compounding of non-sterile propranolol hydrochloride tablets. CuraBlend® excipient base, a GMP-manufactured excipient base (pharma-ink) intended for automated compounding applications, was used. A standardized study protocol to test the automated dosing of tablets with variable weights was performed in all participating pharmacies in four different iterative phases. Integrated quality control was performed with an in-process scale and NIR spectroscopy supported by HPLC content uniformity measurements. In total, 6088 propranolol tablets were produced at different locations during this study. It was shown that the dosing accuracy of the process increased from about 90% to 100% from Phase 1 to Phase 4 by making improvements to the formulation and the hardware solutions. The results indicate that through this automated and quality controlled compounding approach, extemporaneous pharmacy manufacturing can take a giant leap forward towards automation and digital manufacture of dosage forms in hospital pharmacies and compounding pharmacies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While comprehensive research has been conducted on the Bologna Process (BP) as well as on the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), the roles of the social sciences in these reforms have remained mostly overlooked. Based on a systematic literature review of articles and reports from 1999 to 2018, we analyse the interplay of social sciences with politics in the creation of the EHEA, employing the theoretical concepts of co-production of knowledge, boundary objects as well as invited and uninvited participation. We argue that in order for a highly abstract and global concept such as the BP to become so pervasive, it requires that efforts be made to make sense of it in different local contexts. We see this done by representatives of national and European policy, who explicitly and implicitly interact with different stakeholders in the social sciences.

Aim: The distribution of within‐species lineages has been affected by Quaternary climate changes, and population differentiation has been influenced by species life history traits. We investigated whether the distribution of individual mitochondrial genetic lineages reflects the constituent species' traits. Using the functionally diverse group of butterflies, we examined which lineages are present in Central Europe, an important suture zone. Location: Czech Republic and Western Palearctic. Taxon: A total of 140 butterfly species. Methods: We sequenced DNA barcodes (cytochrome c oxidase 1) (959 sequences) of the entire Czech Republic butterfly fauna and used Barcoding of Life Data System to visualise the species' biogeographic patterns across Europe. We categorised the distribution patterns of lineages inhabiting the Czech Republic, and used multivariate statistics to interpret these categories by the butterflies' habitats, life history traits and threat levels. Results: Open habitat dwellers with specialist traits belonged to Eastern, Southern and temperate lineages. Habitat generalists and woodland dwellers belonged to the Western lineage, formed several lineages or displayed low genetic diversity; they often developed on woody plants, were large‐winged and had long flight periods. The most threatened species were the specialists of Southern, Eastern and temperate lineages. Main Conclusions: The distribution of lineages in Central Europe reflects the history of Quaternary ecosystems: during cold periods of the Pleistocene, the diverse open habitats prevailed and species could expand westwards. Such species also suffer the most under the current anthropogenic habitat alteration. On the other hand, the mobile generalists and woodland dwellers expanded to Central Europe during the Holocene. Our approach of linking the distribution of lineages with species traits can be transferred to other study systems, and we show that DNA barcoding of under‐sampled areas represents a powerful tool for discovering the driving forces of biogeography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Anti SARS-CoV-2 vaccination initially showed high effectiveness in preventing COVID-19. However, after the surge of variants of concern, the effectiveness dropped. Several studies investigated if this was related to the decrease of the humoral response over time; however, this issue is still unclear. The aim of this study was to understand whether SARS-CoV-2 anti-S IgG levels can be used to predict breakthrough infection risk and define the timing for further booster doses administration. Method: Within the framework of the ORCHESTRA Project, over 20,000 health workers from 11 European centers were enrolled since December 2020. We performed two Cox proportional hazards survival analyses regarding pre-Omicron (from January to July 2021) and Omicron (December 2021–May 2022) periods. The serological response was classified as high (above the 75th percentile), medium (25th-75th), or low (< 25th). Results: Seventy-four (0.33%) and 2122 (20%) health workers were infected during the first and second periods, respectively. Both Cox analyses showed that having high anti-S titer was linked to a significantly lower risk of infection as compared to having medium serological response [HR of high vs medium anti-S titer = 0.27 (95% CI 0.11–0.66) during the first phase, HR = 0.76 (95% CI 0.62–0.93) during the second phase]. Conclusion: Vaccine effectiveness wanes significantly after new variants surge, making anti-S titer unsuitable to predict optimal timing for further booster dose administration. Studies on other immunological indicators, such as cellular immunity, are therefore needed to better understand the mechanisms and duration of protection against breakthrough infection risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Uporabna Informatika is the property of Slovensko Drustvo Informatika and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "Structure of forest stands of alien tree Quercus rubra in Central Europe" published in the journal Biologia. The original article contained errors in Table 1 and the electronic supplementary material, which have now been corrected. The publisher, Springer Nature, remains neutral regarding jurisdictional claims and institutional affiliations. The authors of the article are Jana Májeková, Jana Medvecká, Katarína Mikulová, Denisa Slabejová, Mária Šibíková, Mária Zaliberová, and Iveta Škodová. [Extracted from the article]

Trustworthy medical AI requires transparency about the development and testing of underlying algorithms to identify biases and communicate potential risks of harm. Abundant guidance exists on how to achieve transparency for medical AI products, but it is unclear whether publicly available information adequately informs about their risks. To assess this, we retrieved public documentation on the 14 available CE-certified AI-based radiology products of the II b risk category in the EU from vendor websites, scientific publications, and the European EUDAMED database. Using a self-designed survey, we reported on their development, validation, ethical considerations, and deployment caveats, according to trustworthy AI guidelines. We scored each question with either 0, 0.5, or 1, to rate if the required information was "unavailable", "partially available," or "fully available." The transparency of each product was calculated relative to all 55 questions. Transparency scores ranged from 6.4% to 60.9%, with a median of 29.1%. Major transparency gaps included missing documentation on training data, ethical considerations, and limitations for deployment. Ethical aspects like consent, safety monitoring, and GDPR-compliance were rarely documented. Furthermore, deployment caveats for different demographics and medical settings were scarce. In conclusion, public documentation of authorized medical AI products in Europe lacks sufficient public transparency to inform about safety and risks. We call on lawmakers and regulators to establish legally mandated requirements for public and substantive transparency to fulfill the promise of trustworthy AI for health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence for divergent selection and adaptive variation across the landscape can provide insight into a species' ability to adapt to different environments. However, despite recent advances in genomics, it remains difficult to detect the footprints of climate‐mediated selection in natural populations. Here, we analysed ddRAD sequencing data (21,892 SNPs) in conjunction with geographic climate variation to search for signatures of adaptive differentiation in twelve populations of the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) distributed across Europe. To identify the loci subject to selection associated with climate variation, we applied multiple genotype‐environment association methods, two univariate and one multivariate, and controlled for the effect of population structure. In total, we identified 213 candidate loci for adaptation, 74 of which were located within genes. In particular, we identified signatures of selection in candidate genes with functions related to lipid metabolism and the immune system. Using the results of redundancy analysis, we demonstrated that population history and climate have joint effects on the genetic variation in the pan‐European metapopulation. Furthermore, by examining only candidate loci, we found that annual mean temperature is an important factor shaping adaptive genetic variation in the bank vole. By combining landscape genomic approaches, our study sheds light on genome‐wide adaptive differentiation and the spatial distribution of variants underlying adaptive variation influenced by local climate in bank voles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioeconomy policies claim to contribute to socio-ecological transformations and decreasing rural-urban inequalities. Based on examples offour bioeconomies in rural Europe, we argue that contrary to these claims, such policies to date have not de-escalated existing social conflicts but instead have often further contributed to polarization tendencies. To live up th those proclaimed goals, bioeconomY research and policy need to deprioritize economic growth and turn to more comprehensive considerations ofsocio-ecological contexts and the integration ofthe local population and alternative practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the seasonal dynamics of the forest herb layer and the factors that influence it is essential for predicting how the forest ecosystem, including mutualistic interactions, will respond to global change. However, to date, no research has investigated how understorey phenological guilds respond to major environmental threats and forest interventions.We showed the marked changes in the phenological structure of floodplain forest plant communities over half a century at a multi‐regional scale in Central Europe. Unlike previous studies focusing on individual species' responses to climate change, we examined shifts in species richness, frequency and abundance between phenological guilds within the plant community. We examined the effects of temporal variation in climate, hydrology, soil conditions and canopy structure, and assessed the effects of non‐intervention and intervention management on phenological guild responses.Our results show a significant loss of local species richness and a decline in species frequency in the forest understorey vegetation, associated with species exhibiting summer phenology. In contrast, an increase in abundance and richness of spring flowering species was observed, attributed to high nutrient loads and reduced flooding, respectively. The abundance of spring species increased only in stands where canopy cover increased over time, probably due to the suppression of summer flowering species, allowing spring flowering species to spread on open, bare ground. The community experienced a shift in maximum flowering plant richness from June to May. Despite management interventions such as clearcutting and tree planting, our data show similar temporal trajectories in intervention and non‐intervention forests, indicating that changes in phenological structure are largely independent of recent management activities.Synthesis. We propose that a complex interplay of environmental factors, rather than climate change alone, is shaping shifts towards earlier phenological guilds in floodplain forests. This study highlights the importance of considering a comprehensive view of phenological guild dynamics and the impact of environmental factors on forest plant community structure in the face of global change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive fungal diseases represent a major threat to forest ecosystems worldwide. As the application of fungicides is often unfeasible and not a sustainable solution, only a few other control options are available, including biological control. In this context, the use of parasitic mycoviruses as biocontrol agents of fungal pathogens has recently gained particular attention. Since the 1990s, the Asian fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus has been causing lethal ash dieback across Europe. In the present study, we investigated the biocontrol potential of the mitovirus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus mitovirus 2 (HfMV2) previously identified in Japanese populations of the pathogen. HfMV2 could be successfully introduced via co-culturing into 16 of 105 HfMV2-free isolates. Infection with HfMV2 had contrasting effects on fungal growth in vitro, from cryptic to detrimental or beneficial. Virus-infected H. fraxineus isolates whose growth was reduced by HfMV2 showed overall a lower virulence on ash (Fraxinus excelsior) saplings as compared with their isogenic HfMV2-free lines. The results suggest that mycoviruses exist in the native populations of H. fraxineus in Asia that have the potential for biological control of ash dieback in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nursing Perspectives / Ošetřovatelské Perspektivy is the property of Silesian University in Opava, Faculty of Public Policies in Opava and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Many species of slugs are considered serious pests in agriculture and horticulture around the world. In Europe, slugs of the genera Arion and Deroceras are the most harmful pests in agriculture. Therefore, the main goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of the whole-cell metabolites of 10 strains of five Xenorhabdus and three slug-parasitic nematodes (Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita, Phasmarhabditis bohemica, and Phasmarhabditis apuliae) on the feeding behaviour and repellent effect on target slugs and evaluate a new possible means of biocontrol of these pests. The repellent and anti-feedant effects of nematode-killed insects, metabolites, slug-parasitic nematodes and a combination of metabolites and nematodes were studied through experimental designs: sand-filled plastic boxes divided into two parts in several modifications: with dead Galleria mellonella killed by nematodes, lettuce treated with bacterial metabolites and lettuce placed on the treated sand. We found that slugs avoid eating G. mellonella killed by nematodes, while they eat freeze-killed G. mellonella. Similarly, they avoid the consumption of lettuce in areas treated with bacterial metabolites (the most effective strains being Xenorhabus bovienii NFUST, Xenorhabdus kozodoii SLOV and JEGOR) with zero feeding in the treated side. All three Phasmarhabditis species also provided a significant anti-feedant/repellent effect. Our study is the first to show the repellent and anti-feedant effects of metabolites of Xenorhabdus bacteria against Arion vulgaris, and the results suggest that these substances have great potential for biocontrol. Our study is also the first to demonstrate the repellent effect of P. apuliae and P. bohemica. Key points: • Slugs avoid eating G. mellonella killed by entomopathogenic nematodes. • Bacterial metabolites have a strong repellent and antifeedant effect on slugs. • Presence of slug parasitic nematodes increases the repellent effect of metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat stress in cities is projected to strongly increase due to climate change. The associated health risks will be exacerbated by the high population density in cities and the urban heat island effect. However, impacts are still uncertain, which is among other factors due to the existence of multiple metrics for quantifying ambient heat and the typically rather coarse spatial resolution of climate models. Here we investigate projections of ambient heat for 36 major European cities based on a recently produced ensemble of regional climate model simulations for Europe (EURO-CORDEX) at 0.11 ∘ spatial resolution (∼ 12.5 km). The 0.11 ∘ EURO-CORDEX ensemble provides the best spatial resolution currently available from an ensemble of climate model projections for the whole of Europe and makes it possible to analyse the risk of temperature extremes and heat waves at the city level. We focus on three temperature-based heat metrics – yearly maximum temperature, number of days with temperatures exceeding 30 ∘ C, and Heat Wave Magnitude Index daily (HWMId) – to analyse projections of ambient heat at 3 ∘ C warming in Europe compared to 1981–2010 based on climate data from the EURO-CORDEX ensemble. The results show that southern European cities will be particularly affected by high levels of ambient heat, but depending on the considered metric, cities in central, eastern, and northern Europe may also experience substantial increases in ambient heat. In several cities, projections of ambient heat vary considerably across the three heat metrics, indicating that estimates based on a single metric might underestimate the potential for adverse health effects due to heat stress. Nighttime ambient heat, quantified based on daily minimum temperatures, shows similar spatial patterns to daytime conditions, albeit with substantially higher HWMId values. The identified spatial patterns of ambient heat are generally consistent with results from global Earth system models, though with substantial differences for individual cities. Our results emphasise the value of high-resolution climate model simulations for analysing climate extremes at the city level. At the same time, they highlight that improving the predominantly rather simple representations of urban areas in climate models would make their simulations even more valuable for planning adaptation measures in cities. Further, our results stress that using complementary metrics for projections of ambient heat gives important insights into the risk of future heat stress that might otherwise be missed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The standard approach when studying atmospheric circulation regimes and their dynamics is to use a hard regime assignment, where each atmospheric state is assigned to the regime it is closest to in distance. However, this may not always be the most appropriate approach as the regime assignment may be affected by small deviations in the distance to the regimes due to noise. To mitigate this we develop a sequential probabilistic regime assignment using Bayes's theorem, which can be applied to previously defined regimes and implemented in real time as new data become available. Bayes's theorem tells us that the probability of being in a regime given the data can be determined by combining climatological likelihood with prior information. The regime probabilities at time t can be used to inform the prior probabilities at time t + 1, which are then used to sequentially update the regime probabilities. We apply this approach to both reanalysis data and a seasonal hindcast ensemble incorporating knowledge of the transition probabilities between regimes. Furthermore, making use of the signal present within the ensemble to better inform the prior probabilities allows for identifying more pronounced interannual variability. The signal within the interannual variability of wintertime North Atlantic circulation regimes is assessed using both a categorical and regression approach, with the strongest signals found during very strong El Niño years. Significance Statement: Atmospheric circulation regimes are recurrent and persistent patterns that characterize the atmospheric circulation on time scales of 1–3 weeks. They are relevant for predictability on these time scales as mediators of weather. In this study we propose a novel approach to assigning atmospheric states to six predefined wintertime circulation regimes over the North Atlantic and Europe, which can be applied in real time. This approach introduces a probabilistic, instead of deterministic, regime assignment and uses prior knowledge on the regime dynamics. It allows us to better identify the regime persistence and indicates when a state does not clearly belong to one regime. Making use of an ensemble of model simulations, we can identify more pronounced interannual variability by using the full ensemble to inform prior knowledge on the regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: A key global challenge is to meet both the growing demand for food and feed while maintaining biodiversity's supporting functions. Protected grasslands, such as Natura 2000 sites in Europe, may play an important role in harmonising productivity and biodiversity goals. This work contributes to an understanding of the relationship between forage production and plant diversity in protected and non-protected grasslands. Objectives: We aimed to identify differences in plant diversity and forage production between protected and non-protected grasslands by assessing the effects of land-use intensity (i.e. mowing, grazing, fertilising) on these variables. Methods: Data were available for 95 managed grassland plots (50 × 50 m) in real-managed landscapes. After controlling for site conditions in the analysis, we tested for significant differences between protected and non-protected grasslands and used a multi-group structural equation modelling (SEM) framework to investigate the linkages between land-use intensity, biomass and plant diversity. Results: In protected grasslands, plant diversity was significantly higher while forage production was significantly lower. In non-protected grasslands we found significantly higher land-use intensity, particularly in relation to mowing and fertilisation. Grazing intensity did not significantly differ between protected and non-protected grasslands. In non-protected grasslands we found a significant negative association between forage production and plant diversity. However, this effect was not significant in protected grasslands. We also found a negative association between land-use and plant diversity in both grassland types that was related to mowing and fertilising intensity. These two management aspects also influenced the positive association between land-use intensity and forage production. Furthermore, environmental conditions had a positive effect on forage production and a negative effect on plant diversity in protected grasslands. Conclusions: Our results confirm that the protection of grassland sites is successful in achieving higher plant diversity compared to non-protected grasslands and that protected grasslands do not necessarily trade-off with forage production. This is possible under moderate grazing intensities as higher land-use intensity has a negative effect on plant diversity, particularly on rare species. However, forage production is lower in protected sites as it is driven by mowing and fertilisation intensity. Future research needs to further investigate if the nature of these relationships depends on the livestock type or other management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 72% of rare diseases are genetic in origin and mostly paediatrics, genetic newborn screening represents a diagnostic "window of opportunity". Therefore, many gNBS initiatives started in different European countries. Screen4Care is a research project, which resulted of a joint effort between the European Union Commission and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations. It focuses on genetic newborn screening and artificial intelligence-based tools which will be applied to a large European population of about 25.000 infants. The neonatal screening strategy will be based on targeted sequencing, while whole genome sequencing will be offered to all enrolled infants who may show early symptoms but have resulted negative at the targeted sequencing-based newborn screening. We will leverage artificial intelligence-based algorithms to identify patients using Electronic Health Records (EHR) and to build a repository "symptom checkers" for patients and healthcare providers. S4C will design an equitable, ethical, and sustainable framework for genetic newborn screening and new digital tools, corroborated by a large workout where legal, ethical, and social complexities will be addressed with the intent of making the framework highly and flexibly translatable into the diverse European health systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viral infections caused by viruses from the family Flaviviridae such as Zika (ZIKV), Dengue (DENV), yellow fever (YFV), tick-borne encephalitis (TBEV), West Nile (WNV), and Usutu (USUV) are some of the most challenging diseases for recognition in clinical diagnostics and epidemiological tracking thanks to their short viremia, non-specific symptoms, and high cross-reactivity observed in laboratory techniques. In Central Europe, the most relevant endemic flaviviruses are mosquito-borne WNV and USUV, and tick-borne TBEV. All three viruses have been recognised to be responsible for human neuroinvasive diseases. Moreover, they are interrupting the blood and transplantation safety processes, when the great efforts made to save a patient's life could be defeated by acquired infection from donors. Due to the trend of changing distribution and abundance of flaviviruses and their vectors influenced by global change, the co-circulation of WNV, USUV, and TBEV can be observed in the same area. In this perspective, we discuss the problems of flavivirus diagnostics and epidemiology monitoring in Slovakia as a model area of Central Europe, where co-circulation of WNV, USUV, and TBEV in the same zone has been recently detected. This new situation presents multiple challenges not only for diagnostics or surveillance but particularly also for blood and organ safety. We conclude that the current routinely used laboratory diagnostics and donor screening applied by the European Union (EU) regulations are out of date and the novel methods which have become available in recent years, e.g., next-gene sequencing or urine screening should be implemented immediately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to reflect education for sustainable development (ESD) principles and their manifestation in higher education (HE) in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries which share a similar policy situation owing to post-socialist transition processes. Design/methodology/approach: Observations from comprehensive mapping of ESD in professional development of university educators in CEE within the University Educators for Sustainable Development project provided the initial input for this research. To justify the findings, a questionnaire was distributed among informed respondents and assessed qualitatively. ESD success factors were identified to support the interpretation of the results within the overall HE policy context. Findings: Opportunities for educators' competence development are lower and less diverse in the CEE region than in other parts of Europe. Historical reasons and the policy context may contribute to this situation; the most important factor being the underfinanced HE sector which is currently undergoing profound structural transformation. Research limitations/implications: The sample of respondents is not representative; they are informed experts in ESD. The results are of an illustrative nature; different sources of information are combined to draw a broad picture. Social implications: University educators in CEE have considerable know-how and experience in ESD and thus represent significant potential for the development of this field under more favourable conditions. Originality/value: This research is based on more than two years of cooperation within a broad partnership of European universities; it represents a contribution to the debate from a specific regional perspective. It shows opportunities for critical, creative and participatory approaches in HE, analyses current trends in historical and policy contexts and provides impulses for theoretically and practically oriented efforts.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to assess the current and potential value of the European Virtual Seminar on Sustainable Development (EVS) as an opportunity for professional development in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) for teaching staff at university level. Design/methodology/approach: The paper presents and reflects on the specific case of EVS, including its competence-based approach and educational staff roles. Particular attention is paid to the development of ESD competences of tutors through participation in EVS, based on the UNECE (2011) competence framework and supported by the results from a small-scale questionnaire. Three major aspects of EVS as a professional opportunity in ESD are elaborated: EVS as an on-the-job training opportunity, EVS as an international staff mobility opportunity and EVS as an active learning and innovation community. Findings: EVS is an effective opportunity for developing a range of ESD competences, especially for junior university staff. The contribution of EVS to professional development in ESD currently extends to a partnership of ten universities from across Europe, but given its features, the EVS approach has the potential to be adopted at a much larger scale. Possible limitations in scaling up are rigid rules for integration of new courses in curricula and the need to form new EVS-like partnerships. Practical implications: This case study of EVS shows that Web-based, internationally networked courses with a pedagogical approach and design focused on ESD have a large potential in providing effective opportunities for the development of teachers' ESD competences, but to realize this potential, active uptake of the approach by the existing networks for ESD in higher education is needed. Originality/value: The paper presents a promising option to address the observed lack of opportunities within university curricula to acquire and practice ESD competences for teaching staff.

Research performed in Europe has driven cardiovascular device innovation. This includes, but is not limited to, percutaneous coronary intervention, cardiac imaging, transcatheter heart valve implantation, and device therapy of cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure. An important part of future medical progress involves the evolution of medical technology and the ongoing development of artificial intelligence and machine learning. There is a need to foster an environment conducive to medical technology development and validation so that Europe can continue to play a major role in device innovation while providing high standards of safety. This paper summarizes viewpoints on the topic of device innovation in cardiovascular medicine at the European Society of Cardiology Cardiovascular Round Table, a strategic forum for high-level dialogue to discuss issues related to the future of cardiovascular health in Europe. Devices are developed and improved through an iterative process throughout their lifecycle. Early feasibility studies demonstrate proof of concept and help to optimize the design of a device. If successful, this should ideally be followed by randomized clinical trials comparing novel devices vs. accepted standards of care when available and the collection of post-market real-world evidence through registries. Unfortunately, standardized procedures for feasibility studies across various device categories have not yet been implemented in Europe. Cardiovascular imaging can be used to diagnose and characterize patients for interventions to improve procedural results and to monitor devices long term after implantation. Randomized clinical trials often use cardiac imaging-based inclusion criteria, while less frequently trials randomize patients to compare the diagnostic or prognostic value of different modalities. Applications using machine learning are increasingly important, but specific regulatory standards and pathways remain in development in both Europe and the USA. Standards are also needed for smart devices and digital technologies that support device-driven biomonitoring. Changes in device regulation introduced by the European Union aim to improve clinical evidence, transparency, and safety, but they may impact the speed of innovation, access, and availability. Device development programmes including dialogue on unmet needs and advice on study designs must be driven by a community of physicians, trialists, patients, regulators, payers, and industry to ensure that patients have access to innovative care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: A resource based conceptual model of plant diversity (RBCM) assumes direct relationships between resource supply and the diversity of a local plant assembly. However, the RBCM largely ignores variation in soil toxicity imposed by climatic effects. Both soil limiting resources and soil toxicity vary along climatic gradients but their net and interactive effects on plant species diversity remain unknown. We asked how climatic gradients shape resource availability, soil toxicity and dominance of herb‐layer graminoids, and how these predictors control local species diversity of herbs and bryophytes. Location: Swamp forests, Central Europe. Taxon: Vascular plants, bryophytes. Methods: Alpha taxonomic diversity of vascular plants and bryophytes was counted for 101 vegetation plots sampled in temperate swamp forests distributed along an 800‐km geographical gradient across the Continental, Alpine and Pannonian biogeographical regions. Path analysis (structural equation modelling) was used to quantify the direct and indirect effects of climatic variable (potential evapotranspiration; PET), limiting resources (soil N/P, Ca, C/N, proxies for light and water availability) and soil toxicity (Mn) on graminoid dominance and community diversity. Results: PET negatively influenced species richness of both groups analysed either directly or indirectly through its positive effect on the cover of graminoid species. Alpha diversity of herbs was additionally reduced by soil toxicity (Mn). Limiting resources correlated either with species dominance (canopy shading, soil Ca) or with PET (soil N/P ratio), but they did not control species richness pattern. Main Conclusions: Climate, soil toxicity and species dominance determined alpha diversity instead of the expected importance of soil limiting resources. These results are key to advancing the theoretical framework of the RBCM. Increased soil toxicity (Mn) in well‐watered regions favours the dominance of plant competitors at the expense of less tolerant species. This implies a potential threat to wetland diversity under ongoing climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used imagery from remote sensing (FORCE Time Series Analysis submodule (combining Landsat and Sentinel-2 imagery) to derive spatially distributed times series (8 years) of NDWI data to infer patterns of floodplain inundation and riverfloodplain connectivity in two contrasting polders in the Lower Oder Valley National Park. The upstream Polder A (14.4 km2) was extensively flooded for prolonged periods most winters. Wavelet analysis showed that this strong seasonality was primarily driven by winter water levels in the river Oder that could enter and leave the polder through two opened floodgates. Subsequent drainage was slow and aided by a pumping station. Inundation of the downstream Polder 10 (17.7km2) was lower and had less marked seasonality. This reflected the impact of flood attenuation by storage in Polder A upstream, but also the greater connectivity (via 10 floodgates) to the Oder and a functional network of channels, which facilitated rapid drainage after flood peaks. In Polder A, secondary periods of transient inundation could also occur in response to local intense summer rainfall. Wavelet analysis also showed that groundwater recharge in and around Polder A is primarily induced by floodwater, whilst Polder 10 also reflects the influence of local rainfall-driven recharge. The flood regimes of the two polders showed marked inter-annual variation, largely dependent on flows from the upper Oder catchment. Understanding these patterns and processes of inundation is important for both managing flows and sustaining valuable wetland habitats within the National Park. Given projected climate change in eastern Europe and possible management alterations to the flow regime of the Oder, the potential implications for these habitats needs urgent attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shipping contributes significantly to air pollutant emissions and atmospheric particulate matter (PM) concentrations. At the same time, worldwide maritime transport volumes are expected to continue to rise in the future. The Mediterranean Sea is a major short-sea shipping route within Europe and is the main shipping route between Europe and East Asia. As a result, it is a heavily trafficked shipping area, and air quality monitoring stations in numerous cities along the Mediterranean coast have detected high levels of air pollutants originating from shipping emissions. The current study is a part of the EU Horizon 2020 project SCIPPER (Shipping Contributions to Inland Pollution – Push for the Enforcement of Regulations), which intends to investigate how existing restrictions on shipping-related emissions to the atmosphere ensure compliance with legislation. To demonstrate the impact of ships on relatively large scales, the potential shipping impacts on various air pollutants can be simulated with chemical transport models. To determine the formation, transport, chemical transformation, and fate of particulate matter < 2.5 µ m (PM 2.5) in the Mediterranean Sea in 2015, five different regional chemical transport models (CAMx – Comprehensive Air Quality Model with Extensions, CHIMERE, CMAQ – Community Multiscale Air Quality model, EMEP – European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme model, and LOTOS-EUROS) were applied. Furthermore, PM 2.5 precursors (ammonia (NH 3), sulfur dioxide (SO 2), nitric acid (HNO 3)) and inorganic particle species (sulfate (SO 42-), ammonia (NH 4+), nitrate (NO 3-)) were studied, as they are important for explaining differences among the models. STEAM (see "List of abbreviations" in Appendix A) version 3.3.0 was used to compute shipping emissions, and the CAMS-REG version 2.2.1 dataset was used to calculate land-based emissions for an area encompassing the Mediterranean Sea at a resolution of 12 × 12 km 2 (or 0.1 ∘ × 0.1 ∘). For additional input, like meteorological fields and boundary conditions, all models utilized their regular configuration. The zero-out approach was used to quantify the potential impact of ship emissions on PM 2.5 concentrations. The model results were compared with observed background data from monitoring sites. Four of the five models underestimated the actual measured PM 2.5 concentrations. These underestimations are linked to model-specific mechanisms or underpredictions of particle precursors. The potential impact of ships on the PM 2.5 concentration is between 15 % and 25 % at the main shipping routes. Regarding particle species, SO 42- is the main contributor to the absolute ship-related PM 2.5 and to total PM 2.5 concentrations. In the ship-related PM 2.5 , a higher share of inorganic particle species can be found when compared with the total PM 2.5. The seasonal variabilities in particle species show that NO 3- is higher in winter and spring, while the NH 4+ concentrations displayed no clear seasonal pattern in any models. In most cases with high concentrations of both NH 4+ and NO 3- , lower SO 42- concentrations are simulated. Differences among the simulated particle species distributions might be traced back to the aerosol size distribution and how models distribute emissions between the coarse and fine modes (PM 2.5 and PM 10). The seasonality of wet deposition follows the seasonality of the precipitation, showing that precipitation predominates wet deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper follows the perspective of recent political communication studies approaching the online public sphere as a new platform for the political expression of citizens. Based on an explorative, in-depth analysis of user-generated content related to mainstream media coverage of the immigration crisis, with a specific focus on representations of the role of the EU in the crisis, it aims to discover how recent political trends in Europe are reflected in the online political expression of Eurosceptic citizens of a post-socialist Central European country, the Czech Republic. Relating the analysed data to current knowledge of the links between populism, illiberalism and Euroscepticism, and reflecting the post-socialist specifics of this relationship, it suggests that ressentiment may explain the representation of the EU as a traitor to the Europeans in the civic online discourse in times of crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Job satisfaction is a key factor for the successful transition of newly graduated nurses (NGNs) and for retaining NGNs in their workplaces. However, there is limited evidence of the relationship between satisfaction regarding the nursing education program and NGNs' job satisfaction in the first year after graduation. Therefore, this study aims to examine the association of the nursing education related factors and NGNs' job satisfaction. Methods: A cross-sectional study design with the utilization of data collected from the same respondents one year earlier as educational factors was applied. The data were collected from NGNs (n = 557) in 10 European countries using an electronic survey between February 2019 and September 2020, and analyzed in detail for four countries (n = 417). Job satisfaction was measured with three questions: satisfaction with current job, quality of care in the workplace, and nursing profession. Nursing education related factors were satisfaction with nursing education program, level of study achievements, nursing as the 1st study choice, intention to stay in nursing, and generic nursing competence. The data were analyzed statistically using logistic regression. Results: Most of the NGNs in the 10 countries were satisfied with their current job (88.3%), the quality of care (86.4%) and nursing profession (83.8%). Finnish, German, Lithuanian and Spanish NGNs' satisfaction with the nursing education program at graduation was statistically significantly associated with their job satisfaction, i.e., satisfaction with their current job, the quality of care, and the nursing profession. Moreover, NGNs who had fairly often or very often intention to stay in nursing at graduation were more satisfied with their current job, with the quality of care, and with the nursing profession compared with NGNs who had never or fairly seldom intention to stay in nursing at graduation. Conclusions: Nursing education plays a significant role in NGNs' job satisfaction one year after graduation, indicating the importance to start career planning already during nursing education. Both nursing education providers and healthcare organizations could plan in close collaboration a transition program for NGNs to ease the transition phase and thus increase the NGNs' job satisfaction and ultimately the high-quality care of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Group B streptococcus (GBS) remains a leading cause of invasive disease, mainly sepsis and meningitis, in infants < 3 months of age and of mortality among neonates. This study, a major component of the European DEVANI project (Design of a Vaccine Against Neonatal Infections) describes clinical and important microbiological characteristics of neonatal GBS diseases. It quantifies the rate of antenatal screening and intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis among cases and identifies risk factors associated with an adverse outcome. Methods: Clinical and microbiological data from 153 invasive neonatal cases (82 early-onset [EOD], 71 late-onset disease [LOD] cases) were collected in eight European countries from mid-2008 to end-2010. Results: Respiratory distress was the most frequent clinical sign at onset of EOD, while meningitis is found in > 30% of LOD. The study revealed that 59% of mothers of EOD cases had not received antenatal screening, whilst GBS was detected in 48.5% of screened cases. Meningitis was associated with an adverse outcome in LOD cases, while prematurity and the presence of cardiocirculatory symptoms were associated with an adverse outcome in EOD cases. Capsular-polysaccharide type III was the most frequent in both EOD and LOD cases with regional differences in the clonal complex distribution. Conclusions: Standardizing recommendations related to neonatal GBS disease and increasing compliance might improve clinical care and the prevention of GBS EOD. But even full adherence to antenatal screening would miss a relevant number of EOD cases, thus, the most promising prophylactic approach against GBS EOD and LOD would be a vaccine for maternal immunization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main focus of early foreign language learning in Europe is on the development of oral skills. In the classroom, speaking is usually reproductive and imitative and activities aim at the production of closely supported accurate output. Opportunities for young learners to experiment with the language and to use it productively outside of fixed dialogues are often rare. However, developing fluency and basic speaking competencies requires more than just producing memorized chunks of language. In order to progress in their acquisition of the target language and to become truly communicatively competent, learners also need to be able to use language spontaneously and creatively. This paper proposes an approach to creative speaking activities. It discusses communicative tasks and improvisation activities in relation to their potential to initiate language use that transcends formulae and reproduction. Finally, it develops a model of creative speaking that illustrates how young learners can be supported in gradually developing the skills for a more independent language use.

Introduction: Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is one of the most relevant tick-transmitted neurotropic arboviruses in Europe and Asia and the causative agent of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Annually more than 10,000 TBE cases are reported despite having vaccines available. In Europe, the vaccines FSMEIMMUN ® and Encepur® based on formaldehyde-inactivated whole viruses are licensed. However, demanding vaccination schedules contribute to sub-optimal vaccination uptake and breakthrough infections have been reported repeatedly. Due to its immunogenic properties as well as its role in viral replication and disease pathogenesis, the non-structural protein 1 (NS1) of flaviviruses has become of interest for non-virion based flavivirus vaccine candidates in recent years. Methods: Therefore, immunogenicity and protective efficacy of TBEV NS1 expressed by neuraminidase (NA)-deficient Influenza A virus (IAV) or Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vectors were investigated in this study. Results: With these recombinant viral vectors TBEV NS1-specific antibody and T cell responses were induced. Upon heterologous prime/boost regimens partial protection against lethal TBEV challenge infection was afforded in mice. Discussion: This supports the inclusion of NS1 as a vaccine component in next generation TBEV vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cryptosporidium spp. are globally distributed parasites that infect epithelial cells in the microvillus border of the gastrointestinal tract of all classes of vertebrates. Cryptosporidium chipmunk genotype I is a common parasite in North American tree squirrels. It was introduced into Europe with eastern gray squirrels and poses an infection risk to native European squirrel species, for which infection is fatal. In this study, the biology and genetic variability of different isolates of chipmunk genotype I were investigated. Methods: The genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium chipmunk genotype I was analyzed by PCR/sequencing of the SSU rRNA, actin, HSP70, COWP, TRAP-C1 and gp60 genes. The biology of chipmunk genotype I, including oocyst size, localization of the life cycle stages and pathology, was examined by light and electron microscopy and histology. Infectivity to Eurasian red squirrels and eastern gray squirrels was verified experimentally. Results: Phylogenic analyses at studied genes revealed that chipmunk genotype I is genetically distinct from other Cryptosporidium spp. No detectable infection occurred in chickens and guinea pigs experimentally inoculated with chipmunk genotype I, while in laboratory mice, ferrets, gerbils, Eurasian red squirrels and eastern gray squirrels, oocyst shedding began between 4 and 11 days post infection. While infection in mice, gerbils, ferrets and eastern gray squirrels was asymptomatic or had mild clinical signs, Eurasian red squirrels developed severe cryptosporidiosis that resulted in host death. The rapid onset of clinical signs characterized by severe diarrhea, apathy, loss of appetite and subsequent death of the individual may explain the sporadic occurrence of this Cryptosporidium in field studies and its concurrent spread in the population of native European squirrels. Oocysts obtained from a naturally infected human, the original inoculum, were 5.64 × 5.37 μm and did not differ in size from oocysts obtained from experimentally infected hosts. Cryptosporidium chipmunk genotype I infection was localized exclusively in the cecum and anterior part of the colon. Conclusions: Based on these differences in genetics, host specificity and pathogenicity, we propose the name Cryptosporidium mortiferum n. sp. for this parasite previously known as Cryptosporidium chipmunk genotype I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Bats may carry various viruses and bacteria which can be harmful to humans, but little is known about their role as a parasitic source with zoonotic potential. The aim of this study was to test wild bats for the presence of selected parasites: Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and microsporidia Encephalitozoon spp. In total, brain and small intestine tissues of 100 bats (52 Myotis myotis, 43 Nyctalus noctula and 5 Vespertilio murinus) were used for the DNA isolation and PCR detection of the abovementioned agents. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected by real-time PCR in 1% of bats (in one male of M. myotis), while all bats were negative for N. caninum DNA. Encephalitozoon spp. DNA was detected by nested PCR in 25% of bats, including three species (twenty-two M. myotis, two N. noctula and one V. murinus). Positive samples were sequenced and showed homology with the genotypes Encephalitozoon cuniculi II and Encephalitozoon hellem 2C. This is the first study on wild vespertilionid bats from Central Europe and worldwide, with a relatively high positivity of Encephalitozoon spp. detected in bats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past decade, European animal farming has increasingly used autogenous vaccines for the prevention of nonnotifiable diseases. In Europe, these vaccines are exclusively inactivated bacterial and viral vaccines, with a set of specific regulations that differentiate them from conventional vaccines. The highest number of applications most likely occurs in poultry, as these animal species are farmed in the highest numbers compared with other types of food-producing animals. In 2019, autogenous vaccines came within the scope of harmonized European regulation for the first time, although many important aspects are still missing and need to be further developed. Consequently, several important legal provisions remain in national legislations and can vary tremendously between different member states of the European Union. The inclusion of autogenous vaccines in the management of certain diseases of poultry is justified by the nonavailability of licensed vaccines and the evolution and diversity of antigens in the field that are not covered by licensed vaccines. In addition, these vaccines aid in reducing the use of antibiotics. The methods for isolating and typing pathogenic isolates to obtain relevant antigens are pathogen specific and require a careful approach based on clinical evidence. Manufacturing processes are optimized according to regulatory standards, and they represent the most critical factor influencing the quality of autogenous vaccines and their placement on the market. This review presents the important requirements for manufacturing autogenous vaccines for poultry in addition to the relevant regulatory considerations. The results from a survey of several European Union member states regarding specific provisions within their national legislations are also presented. Vacunas veterinarias autógenas para la avicultura en Europa: "Varias formas de romper un huevo". En la última década, la ganadería europea ha utilizado cada vez más vacunas autógenas para la prevención de enfermedades no declarables. En Europa, estas vacunas son exclusivamente vacunas inactivadas bacterianas y virales, con un conjunto de regulaciones específicas que las diferencian de las vacunas convencionales. El mayor número de aplicaciones probablemente se produce en la avicultura, ya que estas especies animales se crían en mayor número en comparación con otros tipos de animales productores de alimentos. En el año 2019, las vacunas autógenas entraron por primera vez en el ámbito de aplicación de una regulación europea armonizada, aunque todavía faltan muchos aspectos importantes y es necesario desarrollarlos más. En consecuencia, varias disposiciones legales importantes permanecen en las legislaciones nacionales y pueden variar enormemente entre los diferentes estados miembros de la Unión Europea. La inclusión de vacunas autógenas en el manejo de determinadas enfermedades avícolas se justifica por la falta de disponibilidad de vacunas autorizadas y la evolución y diversidad de antígenos en el campo que no están cubiertos por vacunas con licencia. Además, estas vacunas ayudan a reducir el uso de antibióticos. Los métodos para aislar y tipificar aislados patógenos para obtener antígenos relevantes son específicos de cada patógeno y requieren un enfoque cuidadoso basado en evidencia clínica. Los procesos de fabricación se optimizan de acuerdo con las normas reglamentarias y representan el factor más crítico que influye en la calidad de las vacunas autógenas y su comercialización. Esta revisión presenta los requisitos importantes para la fabricación de vacunas autógenas en la avicultura, además de las consideraciones regulatorias relevantes. También se presentan los resultados de una encuesta realizada en varios estados miembros de la Unión Europea sobre disposiciones específicas dentro de sus legislaciones nacionales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve a more sustainable food system, it is necessary to shift toward more plant-based protein sources. Europe currently imports huge amounts of protein crops each year, mainly soy, which has adverse environmental and socioeconomic impacts. Therefore, there is a need to increase local production. Despite the numerous advantages associated with the cultivation of protein crops, the farmer adoption rate in Europe remains very low. This study aims to investigate farmers' willingness to grow protein crops and the determinants of the willingness to adopt protein crops, using a standardized survey. In addition, selected protein crop farmers are interviewed to gain a deeper understanding of their motivations to grow these crops. Results indicate that risk aversion has a negative and environmental farming goals have a positive significant impact on the intention to adopt protein crops for food. Additionally, farmers with a larger farm size are more likely to adopt protein crops. The importance of these factors is also supported by the interviewed farmers. However, the latter further highlighted the importance of knowledge, profitability, consumer perceptions, and supportive policies. This study is one of the first studies exploring farmers' perspectives on protein crop cultivation in Europe and can therefore serve as a foundation for future research and policy recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparative advertising, the legislative regulation of which has long discouraged European companies from using it, has become an essential component of promotion in recent decades, although the approach of individual countries to it differs significantly and its influence varies depending on the cultural aspect, or the age of the recipients. The study deals with Generation Z, which differs from previous generations in general, and therefore it is not possible to use the same procedures and methods for them as for the rest of the population. The aim of the study was to find out whether comparative advertising is suitable for Generation Z as an extraordinary cohort and whether this segment of potential customers can be considered as a homogeneous group or a heterogeneous object for business marketing communication. It was determined whether Generation Z trusts this type of advertisement (ad believability) and whether this advertisement positively affects their purchase behaviour (purchase intention). Due to the nature of the research objectives, one-dimensional descriptive statistics and two-dimensional descriptive statistics for the evaluation of interdependent variables (Chi-square test) were used. Based on our research, it can be argued that Generation Z perceives comparative advertising differently from the rest of the population and cannot be subjected to the same processes as other generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we direct our critical enquiry at public intellectuals' musings about cultural difference in the wake of the so-called 'refugee crisis' (starting in 2015) and the coincidental eruption of 'ethnic tensions' between Roma and non-Roma citizens in Bulgaria. We show how (1) some intellectuals mobilize their position as holders of legitimate knowledge about culture to construct rigid collective identities, despite their professed liberal political beliefs about the ontological primacy of the individual and (2) how they politicize the constructs of culture to arrive at exclusionary, racist 'solutions' to the security problems that Roma and refugees allegedly pose, thereby fuelling and in many ways legitimizing far-right mobilizations. We examine the discourses of a range of experts commenting on clashes between ethnic Bulgarians and Roma, on one hand, and on the so-called 'refugee crisis', on the other. Juxtaposing the scholarly discourses about two different types of 'surplus populations' helps us tease out the malleability of the 'enemy' and the ensuing complex hierarchical organization of these populations according to the logic of economic utility and preconceptions of the distance between a coveted 'Europe' and a threatening 'Islam'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]