Search

The European Arctic is commonly thought of as a pristine and homogeneous area. In reality, it is a diverse region experiencing growth relying on natural resource extraction. Despite local communities being primarily affected by industry activities, most socioeconomic impact assessments are conducted at the macro level. This study addresses this gap by examining the impacts of economic activities on local communities. Using secondary data and semi-structured interviews from 15 hubs in five European Arctic countries, the study draws on locally relevant insights. Findings indicate that many activities focus on economic growth, and existing strategies do not adequately address biophysical boundaries. Furthermore, alternative activities need to be developed in a more balanced manner that aligns with the needs of indigenous and local communities. Finally, participation of various actors in future developments is critical to reduce the negative impacts of industry activities.

Journal impact factors were devised to qualify and compare university library holdings but are frequently repurposed for use in ranking applications, research papers, and even individual applicants in mycology and beyond. The widely held assumption that mycological studies published in journals with high impact factors add more to systematic mycology than studies published in journals without high impact factors nevertheless lacks evidential underpinning. The present study uses the species hypothesis system of the UNITE database for molecular identification of fungi and other eukaryotes to trace the publication history and impact factor of sequences uncovering new fungal species hypotheses. The data show that journal impact factors are poor predictors of discovery potential in systematic mycology. There is no clear relationship between journal impact factor and the discovery of new species hypotheses for the years 2000–2021. On the contrary, we found journals with low, and even no, impact factor to account for substantial parts of the species hypothesis landscape, often discovering new fungal taxa that are only later picked up by journals with high impact factors. Funding agencies and hiring committees that insist on upholding journal impact factors as a central funding and recruitment criterion in systematic mycology should consider using indicators such as research quality, productivity, outreach activities, review services for scientific journals, and teaching ability directly rather than using publication in high impact factor journals as a proxy for these indicators.

This paper represents one output of the extensive seismo-acoustic profiling performed by the Estonian Geological Survey in the Väinameri, the shallow sea in the West Estonian Archipelago, during the geological mapping conducted in 2019â2022. Based on recordings from boomer-type sound transmitters, this study describes and analyses the bedrock relief to assess a prior suggestion that there exists a NEâSW trending pre-Quaternary river valley traversing the Väinameri, extending across the central Baltic Sea. The bedrock relief map and 3D model reveal a valley-like structure with distinctive cuesta elements crossing the central Väinameri. The cuesta plateau, along with the cuesta escarpment (Silurian Klint) that emerges faintly in the Bay of Matsalu, has been substantially reshaped by Pleistocene glaciers around the Muhu depression in the very centre of the Väinameri and is best preserved between Saaremaa and Hiiumaa islands. The general drainage pattern also points towards a fluvial erosion component in shaping the bedrock depression below the Väinameri. Despite that, the age and genesis of this valley-like feature with the Silurian Klint below the Väinameri remain open. The hypothesis that a pre-Quaternary Eridanos River System might have eroded these bedrock structures contradicts the altitude of the klint base below the Baltic Sea, which remains far below the presently estimated reach of the Eridanos fluvial erosion. Further studies are needed to specify the possible genesis and age of the klints and buried bedrock valleys in Estonia, which, in many aspects, reveal the characteristics of pre-Quaternary fluvial denudation rather than Pleistocene glacial erosion.

Abstract Background Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) yields high cumulative radiation dosages (RD) delivered to patients. We present a temporal interpolation of low frame rate angiograms as a method to reduce cumulative RDs. Methods Patients undergoing interventional evaluation and treatment of cerebrovascular vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage were retrospectively identified. DSAs containing pre- and post-intervention runs capturing the full arterial, capillary, and venous phases with at least 16 frames each were selected. Frame rate reduction (FRR) of the original DSAs was performed to 50%, 66%, and 75% of the original frame rate. Missing frames were regenerated by sampling a gamma variate model (GVM) fit to the contrast response curves to the reduced data. A formal reader study was performed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the “synthetic” studies (sDSA) compared to the original DSA. Results Thirty-eight studies met inclusion criteria (average RD 1,361.9 mGy). Seven were excluded for differing views, magnifications, or motion. GVMs fit to 50%, 66%, and 75% FRR studies demonstrated average voxel errors of 2.0 ± 2.5% (mean ± standard deviation), 6.5 ± 1.5%, and 27 ± 2%, respectively for anteroposterior projections, 2.0 ± 2.2%, 15.0 ± 3.1%, and 14.8 ± 13.0% for lateral projections, respectively. Reconstructions took 0.51 s/study. Reader studies demonstrated an average rating of 12.8 (95% CI 12.3−13.3) for 75% FRR, 12.7 (12.2−13.2) for 66% FRR and 12.0 (11.5−12.5) for 50% FRR using Subjective Image Grading Scale. Kendall’s coefficient of concordance resulted in W = 0.506. Conclusion FRR by 75% combined with GVM reconstruction does not compromise diagnostic quality for the assessment of cerebral vasculature. Relevance statement Using this novel algorithm, it is possible to reduce the frame rate of DSA by as much as 75%, with a proportional reduction in radiation exposure, without degrading imaging quality. Key points • DSA delivers some of the highest doses of radiation to patients. • Frame rate reduction (FRR) was combined with bolus tracking to interpolate intermediate frames. • This technique provided a 75% FRR with preservation of diagnostic utility as graded by a formal reader study for cerebral angiography performed for the evaluation of cerebral vasospasm. • This approach can be applied to other types of angiography studies. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Ferromanganese concretions commonly occur in shallow‐water coastal regions worldwide. In the Baltic Sea, they can record information about past and present underwater environments and could be a potential source for critical raw materials. We report on their microstructural characteristics and magnetic properties and link them to their formation mechanisms and environmental significance. Microstructural investigations from nano‐ and micro‐computed tomography, electron microscopy, and micro‐X‐ray fluorescence elemental mapping reveal diverse growth patterns within concretions of different morphologies. Alternating Fe‐ and Mn‐rich growth bands indicate fluctuating redox conditions during formation. Bullet‐shaped magnetofossils, produced by magnetotactic bacteria, are present, which suggests the influence of bacterial activity on concretion formation. Spheroidal concretions, which occur in deeper and more tranquil environments, have enhanced microbial biomineralization and magnetofossil preservation. Conversely, crusts and discoidal concretions from shallower and more energetic environments contain fewer magnetofossils and have a greater detrital content. Our results provide insights into concretion formation mechanisms and highlight the importance of diagenetic processes, oxygen availability, and bacterial activity in the Baltic Sea.

Fungal metabarcoding of substrates such as soil, wood, and water is uncovering an unprecedented number of fungal species that do not seem to produce tangible morphological structures and that defy our best attempts at cultivation, thus falling outside the scope of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants. The present study uses the new, ninth release of the species hypotheses of the UNITE database to show that species discovery through environmental sequencing vastly outpaces traditional, Sanger sequencing-based efforts in a strongly increasing trend over the last five years. Our findings challenge the present stance of some in the mycological community – that the current situation is satisfactory and that no change is needed to “the code” – and suggest that we should be discussing not whether to allow DNA-based descriptions (typifications) of species and by extension higher ranks of fungi, but what the precise requirements for such DNA-based typifications should be. We submit a tentative list of such criteria for further discussion. The present authors hope for a revitalized and deepened discussion on DNA-based typification, because to us it seems harmful and counter-productive to intentionally deny the overwhelming majority of extant fungi a formal standing under the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants.