Search Results (270)

Atmospheric warming results in increase in temperatures for the mean, the coldest, and the hottest day of the year, season, or month. Global warming leads to a large increase in the atmospheric water vapor content and to changes in the hydrological cycle, which include an intensification of precipitation extremes. Using the GISS-E2.1 climate model, we present the future changes in the coldest and hottest daily temperatures as well as in extreme precipitation indices (under four main Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs)). The increase in the wet-day precipitation ranges between 6% and 15% per 1 °C global surface temperature warming. Scaling of the 95th percentile versus the total precipitation showed that the sensitivity for the extreme precipitation to the warming is about 10 times stronger than that for the mean total precipitation. For six precipitation extreme indices (Total Precipitation, R95p, RX5day, R10mm, SDII, and CDD), the histograms of probability density functions become flatter, with reduced peaks and increased spread for the global mean compared to the historical period of 1850–2014. The mean values shift to the right end (toward larger precipitation and intensity). The higher the GHG emission of the SSP scenario, the more significant the increase in the index change. We found an intensification of precipitation over the globe but large uncertainties remained regionally and at different scales, especially for extremes. Over land, there is a strong increase in precipitation for the wettest day in all seasons over the mid and high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. There is an enlargement of the drying patterns in the subtropics including over large regions around Mediterranean, southern Africa, and western Eurasia. For the continental averages, the reduction in total precipitation was found for South America, Europe, Africa, and Australia, and there is an increase in total precipitation over North America, Asia, and the continental Russian Arctic. Over the continental Russian Arctic, there is an increase in all precipitation extremes and a consistent decrease in CDD for all SSP scenarios, with the maximum increase of more than 90% for R95p and R10 mm observed under SSP5–8.5. Full article

The Copernicus European Regional Reanalysis (CERRA) was released in August 2022, providing a continental atmospheric reanalysis, and, in addition, the New European Wind Atlas (NEWA) is a recently released hindcast product that can be used to create a high temporal and spatial resolution wind resource atlas of Europe. In order to demonstrate the suitability of the NEWA and CERRA wind datasets for offshore wind energy applications, the accuracy of these datasets was assessed for the Mediterranean Sea, a basin with a high potential for the development of offshore wind projects. Long-term in situ measurements from 13 offshore locations along the basin were used in order to assess the performance of the CERRA and NEWA wind speed datasets in the hourly and seasonal time scales by using a variety of different evaluation tools. The results revealed that the CERRA dataset outperforms NEWA and is a reliable source for offshore wind energy assessment studies in the examined areas, although special attention should be paid to extreme value analysis of the wind speed. Full article

This study delivers a rigorous and in-depth bibliometric examination of 693 scholarly publications addressing the intersection of metaverse technologies and banking, retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Through advanced scientometric tools, including VOSviewer and Bibliometrix, the research systematically unpacks the evolving intellectual and thematic contours of this interdisciplinary frontier. The co-occurrence analysis of keywords reveals a landscape shaped by seven core thematic clusters, encompassing immersive user environments, digital infrastructure, experiential design, and ethical considerations. Factorial analysis uncovers a marked bifurcation between experience-driven narratives and technology-centric frameworks, with integrative concepts such as technology, information, and consumption serving as conceptual bridges. Network visualizations of authorship patterns point to the emergence of high-density collaboration clusters, particularly centered around influential contributors such as Dwivedi and Ooi, while regional distribution patterns indicate a tri-continental dominance led by Asia, North America, and Western Europe. Temporal analysis identifies a significant surge in academic interest beginning in 2022, aligning with increased institutional and commercial experimentation in virtual financial platforms. Our findings argue that the incorporation of metaverse paradigms into banking is not merely a technological shift but a systemic transformation in progress—one that blurs the boundaries between speculative innovation and tangible implementation. This work contributes foundational insights for future inquiry into digital finance systems, algorithmic governance, trust architecture, and the wider socio-economic consequences of banking in virtualized environments. Whether a genuine leap toward financial evolution or a sophisticated illusion, the metaverse in banking must now be treated as a systemic phenomenon worthy of serious scrutiny. Full article

Dual mycorrhizal symbiosis, i.e., the association with both arbuscular and ectomycorrhizal fungal symbionts, is an ambiguous phenomenon concurrently considered as common among various genetic lineages of trees and a result of bias in data analyses. Recent studies have shown that the ability to form dual mycorrhizal associations is a distinguishing factor for the continental-scale invasion of alien tree species. However, the phylogenetic mechanisms that drive it remain unclear. In this study, all the evidence on root-associated symbionts of Juglandaceae from South and North America, Asia, and Europe was combined and re-analysed following current knowledge and modern molecular-based identification methods. The Juglandaceae family was revealed to represent a specific pattern of symbiotic interactions that are rare among deciduous trees and absent among conifers. Closely related phylogenetic lineages of trees usually share the same type of symbiosis, but Juglandaceae contains several possible ones concurrently. The hyperdiversity of root symbionts of Juglandaceae, unlike other tree families, was concurrently found in Central and North America, Asia, and Europe, indicating its phylogenetic determinants, which endured geographical isolation. However, for many Juglandaceae, including the invasive Juglans and Pterocarya species, this was never studied or was studied only with outdated methods. Further molecular research on root symbionts of Juglandaceae, providing long sequences and high taxonomic resolutions, is required to explain their ecological roles. Full article

Hungary has some of the best-researched hypogeous fungal flora in Europe, with a large number of genera and species already having been discovered in this country. In this study, we performed morphological and molecular analysis of unidentified hypogeous fungi samples collected from Hungary. We confirmed that they belong to the hypogeous earthstar species Geastrum nadalii (Paz et al., 2024), marking the first report of this species in this country and in a continental climate. We also assume that the habitat preference of this mushroom species is similar to the habitat preference of Mattirolomyces terfezioides, with both occurring in planted non-native Robinia pseudoacacia forests, suggesting that these are secondary habitats for these species. We also conclude that this Mediterranean species has appeared only recently in the Hungarian mycota. Full article

Potyviruses (family Potyviridae, genus Potyvirus), including emerging ones, pose a growing threat to cucurbit production. This study presents the first virome analysis of severely symptomatic cucurbits in continental Croatia, combining high-throughput sequencing (HTS) and RT-PCR diagnostics. Zucchini, cucumber, and butternut squash plants with severe virus-like symptoms sampled in 2021–2022 were found to consistently host a complex of potyviruses, including watermelon mosaic virus (WMV), zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), and Moroccan watermelon mosaic virus (MWMV)—the latter being newly reported in Croatia and representing likely its northernmost detection in Europe. Phylogenetic analysis classified WMV isolates as emerging strains of subgroup EM3 and ZYMV as subgroup A1, consistent with European lineages. Croatian MWMV isolates formed a distinct subclade within the Mediterranean group, raising questions about its diversification trajectory. The findings highlight the expanding range of MWMV and underscore the value of HTS for early detection of emerging threats. These results have critical implications for cucurbit disease management, indicating the need to re-evaluate resistance claims in commercial cultivars and implement stricter phytosanitary surveillance in Croatia. The potential role of climate change in facilitating virus spread via aphid vectors is discussed, warranting further risk assessment and international monitoring efforts. Full article

This study was conducted in an urban park in a temperate-continental city of Europe (Timișoara, Romania) and aimed to investigate the contribution of urban vegetation in maintaining air quality and mitigating the heat in the analyzed city. The following air parameters were monitored: fine particulate matter PM_2.5, coarse particulate matter PM₁₀, AQI (Air Quality Index) (resulted from PM_2.5 and PM₁₀), particle number, air temperature, relative air humidity, TVOC (total volatile organic compounds), and HCHO (formaldehyde). The results of this study show that urban vegetation remains a reliable factor in reducing PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ in city air and in keeping the AQI within the limits corresponding to good air quality, but also that relative air humidity counteracts the contribution of vegetation in achieving this goal. Inside the park, the HCHO concentration increased by up to 4–5 times compared to the outside, and this increase was not caused by vehicle traffic but rather by the photochemical reactions generating HCHO. Regarding the cooling effect on air temperature, the studied green space did not exhibit this effect, as the air temperature inside it increased by up to 1–6 °C compared to the outside. Our results contrast with the general perception that urban parks and green spaces are cooler islands within the cities and draw attention to the fact that having a green space in a city does not necessarily mean achieving environmental goals, such as reducing the heat risk of cities. Based on the results, we consider that the main limitations in achieving these objectives were the park’s small size (88 hectares) and its morphology and architecture resulting from the integration of the species that compose it. It follows from these data that it is not enough for an urban green space to be established, but its design must be combined with urban morphology strategies if the heat mitigation effect is to be achieved and the cooling benefits are to be maximized in cities. Full article

Neuroinvasive arboviruses such as tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), West Nile virus (WNV), Usutu virus (USUV), and Toscana virus (TOSV) have (re-)emerged with increasing incidence and geographic range. We analyzed the epidemiology of arboviral infections in Croatia during the 2024 transmission season. A total of 154 patients with neuroinvasive diseases (NID), 1596 horses, 69 dead birds, and 7726 mosquitoes were tested. Viral RNA was detected using RT-qPCR. IgM/IgG-specific antibodies were detected using commercial ELISA or IFA, with confirmation of cross-reactive samples by virus neutralization test. RT-qPCR-positive samples were Sanger sequenced. Arboviral etiology was confirmed in 33/21.42% of patients with NID. WNV was most frequently detected (17/11.03%), followed by TBEV (10/6.49%), USUV (5/3.24%), and TOSV (1/0.64%). WNV infections were reported in regions previously known as endemic, while in one continental county, WNV was recorded for the first time. USUV infections re-emerged after a six-year absence. In addition to human cases, acute WNV infections were recorded in 11/395 (2.78%) of horses and two dead crows. WNV IgG seropositivity was detected in 276/1168 (23.63%) and TBEV IgG seropositivity in 68/428 (15.88%) horses. None of the tested mosquito pools were positive for WNV and USUV RNA. Phylogenetic analysis showed the circulation of WNV lineage 2 and Usutu Europe 2 lineage. Climate conditions in 2024 in Croatia were classified as extremely warm, which could, at least in part, impact the quite intense arboviral season. The spreading of flaviviruses in Croatia highlights the need for continuous surveillance in humans, animals, and vectors (“One Health”). Full article

The Southeastern European territory is under severe climatic pressure owing to accelerating dry–thermal trends. The present survey illustrates the spatial and temporal evolution of the climate regime over the natural and agricultural landcover of South-eastern Europe and individual countries (Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, N. Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia). For this purpose, a high spatial resolution of the Johansson Continentality index, the Kerner Oceanity index and the Pinna Combinative index was first estimated over two climatic periods (1964–1993; 1994–2023). The Johansson index depicts increasing continentality over the southern and eastern regions, majorly by the spatiotemporal expansion of the Continental climate over the agricultural and natural areas of Bulgaria (respectively, from 49.9% to 73.7% and from 13.3% to 36.8%) followed by Serbia, Romania, and Greece. The Kerner index illustrates increasing continentality over most of the study area owing to the spatiotemporal increase in the Sub-Continental climate type over the agricultural and the natural regions of Bosnia Herzegovina (from 68.6% to 84% and from 41.4% to 63.2%), N. Macedonia, Slovenia and the natural areas of Croatia and Serbia. The extension of the Continental over the agricultural and natural areas of Romania is also shown. The Pinna index exhibits an increasing aridity trend, which is more intense in the central and eastern regions. This trend is demonstrated by the higher distribution of the Semi-Dry in the second period mostly over the agricultural and natural areas of Bulgaria (2.4% to 23.1% and 0.7% to 5.8%), and a remarkable expansion of the Moderate Wet climate over both area types of Romania (from 3.3% to 44.8% and from 5.6% to 15.2%) and Bosnia Herzegovina (from 13.7% to 33.5% and from 3.5% to 13.2%). This study’s results highlight the necessity for intensifying adaptation plans and actions aiming at the feasibility of agricultural practices and the conservation of natural areas. Full article

The European Union (EU) is advancing a digital twin of its electricity grid as a flagship initiative to accelerate the dual transitions of decarbonization and digitalization. By creating a real-time virtual replica of the EU-27 power network, policymakers and industry stakeholders aim to enhance grid efficiency, resilience, and renewable energy integration. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the three critical dimensions shaping the digital twin’s development: (1) regulatory barriers, including fragmented policies, inconsistent data governance frameworks, and the need for harmonized standards and incentives across member states; (2) technological challenges, such as achieving interoperability, integrating real-time data, developing robust cybersecurity measures, and ensuring scalable infrastructure; and (3) economic opportunities, centered on potential cost savings, optimized asset management, new flexibility services, and pathways for innovation and investment. Drawing on European Commission policy documents, regulatory reports, academic studies, and industry projects like the Horizon Europe TwinEU initiative, this review highlights that significant groundwork has been laid to prototype and federate local grid twins into a cohesive continental system. However, achieving the full potential of a pan-European digital twin will require additional regulatory harmonization, more mature data-sharing protocols, and sustained financial commitment. This review concludes with an outlook on the strategic convergence of policy reforms, collaborative R&D, and targeted funding, emphasizing how institutional momentum, federated architectures, and cross-sector integration are advancing a secure, resilient, and economically viable digital twin that is envisioned as a foundational layer in the operational and planning infrastructure of Europe’s future electricity system. Full article

Exploring the relationship between the magnitude and temporal trend of the Biodiversity Intactness Index (BII) is critical to assessing current and future changes in biodiversity intactness. However, investigations into the relationship between BII magnitude and trends worldwide have been limited. Using annual BII time series data from 2000 to 2020, we assess the global spatial patterns of BII magnitude and trend, as well as their relationship. Our findings reveal four key insights: First, the global mean BII magnitude exhibits pronounced latitudinal and climatic heterogeneity, with higher values observed in less human-impacted regions. Second, biodiversity trends display contrasting trajectories between areas of differing baseline intactness—regions with initially low biodiversity (BII < 0.50) show recovery potential (−0.007 ± 0.021 decade⁻¹), while high-biodiversity areas (BII > 0.90) face accelerated declines (0.002 ± 0.012 decade⁻¹). Third, continental and climatic disparities are striking: Europe and temperate zones demonstrate stabilizing trends, whereas tropical and polar regions experience marked deterioration. Fourth, climate variables, particularly precipitation seasonality (BIO15) and mean temperature of the coldest quarter (BIO11), show strong negative correlations with the BII trend, indicating climate-linked declines while exhibiting minimal influence on baseline BII magnitude. This study has the potential to help develop more efficient sustainable practices and behaviors to mitigate biodiversity disparities and achieve sustainable development goals. Full article

The southeast of Spain is one of the most arid and desertification-prone areas in continental Europe, with climate change contributing to this situation. Climatic conditions affect the availability of water in the plant structures of wild species, facilitating the onset and/or spread of forest fires and increasing aridity. The Region of Murcia, in southeastern Spain, has small forest stands of gall oak (Quercus faginea Lam.) with relict value. It is of interest to investigate the situation of these stands, allowing us to know about their distribution and their evolution in the face of climate change. For this purpose, previous dendrometric studies, available from a specific stand, are considered to be contrasted with current data, individual trees were geolocated, and distribution maps of contrasting environmental conditions were created. In general, gall oak has been observed to be distributed up to 1200 m altitude, especially in shady areas and embedded valleys and north-northeast orientations. Importantly, there was a positive evolution of vegetative development, with increments in the number of trees during the study period, despite some negative affections in specific areas due to climate change. Full article

Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 1 is one of the most prevalent serotypes commonly associated with invasive pneumococcal disease cases and outbreaks worldwide. Several sequence types of this serotype have been identified globally, including those exhibiting both high virulence potential and antimicrobial resistance profiles. This systematic review presents the global distribution of clones of pneumococcal serotype 1, describing their circulating patterns in various regions in the world. A database search was conducted in Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science using keywords related to Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 1. The inclusion criteria entailed peer-reviewed studies published in English describing the utilization of at least one molecular genotyping tool to identify S. pneumoniae serotype 1 clones based on their sequence types. Data extracted were managed and analyzed using Microsoft Excel 365 (Version 2108). Forty-three studies were finally included in the systematic review. A total of 103 MLST serotype 1 sequence types were identified in 48 countries. These clones were widely reported to be associated with invasive pneumococcal diseases. Globally, ST217 and ST306 clonal complexes (CC217 and CC306) were the predominant lineages of serotype 1 sequence types, exhibiting distinct continental distribution patterns. CC217, characterized by ST217, ST303, ST612, ST618, and ST3081, was predominant in Africa and Asia. ST306 clonal complex, which is grouped into ST306, ST304, and ST227 were mostly found in Europe, Oceania, North America, and some countries in South America. ST615 was predominant in Chile, Peru, and Argentina. The hypervirulence nature of serotype 1, coupled with its complex genetic diversity, poses a significant public health threat. Our findings emphasize the need for enhanced surveillance and targeted interventions to mitigate the spread of these hypervirulent clones, ultimately informing evidence-based strategies for disease prevention and control. Full article

Micropterigidae and Eriocraniidae are poorly investigated in Southern Europe. Despite the richness of the Italian territory, studies devoted to investigating their molecular diversity are lacking. Furthermore, knowledge concerning the diversity and species distribution of these families in southern Italian regions is very poor. The aim of this paper is to contribute to filling the gaps in knowledge on the diversity of Micropterigidae and Eriocraniidae in southern Italian regions by analysing, through DNA barcoding, the samples collected in this geographic area by the authors in recent years. In total, 37 specimens were submitted to DNA barcoding analysis. The sequences were subsequently identified by comparing them with those available in the Barcoding of Life Data Systems. The results provided the first record and the first sequences of the Eriocraniidae family for southern Italy, the first record in continental Italy of a formerly Sicilian endemic species, the first sequences of an endemic species, and the first sequence belonging either to a previously described but unsequenced species or to an undescribed species. In conclusion, DNA barcoding of these families in southern Italy provided very interesting insights, improving their molecular libraries and the knowledge on the fauna of this territory. Daytime studies can further improve these results, but addressing the gaps concerning immature stages should be the major goal of future research. Full article

The Ossa-Morena Zone (SW Iberian Massif) hosts the largest set of Cambro–Ordovician alkaline magmatic plutons related to the Palaeozoic rifting of the northern Gondwana margin so far described. An organized framework for their classification at different scales is proposed through data-driven ranks based on their distinctive petrological features relative to other rift-related magmatic rocks found throughout western Europe. The classification method aims to enhance geological mapping at different scales, regional- and continental-scale correlations, and, as such, facilitate the petrogenetic interpretation of this magmatism. The hierarchical scheme, from highest to lowest rank, is as follows: rank-1 (supersuite) assembles rocks that have distinctive characteristics from other magmatic units emplaced in the same magmatic event; rank-2 (suite) categorizes the units based on their major textural features, indicating if the body is plutonic, sub-volcanic, or a strongly deformed magmatic-derived unit; rank-3 (subsuite) clusters according to their spatial arrangement (magmatic centres) or association to larger structures (e.g., shear zones or alignments); rank-4, the fundamental mapping unit, characterizes the lithotype (alkaline granite, alkaline gabbro, syenite, albitite, etc.) by considering higher ranks (alkalinity and textural aspects); rank-5 characterizes the geometry of individual plutons (with several intrusions) or swarms; rank-6 (smallest mappable unit) corresponds to each intrusion or individual body from a swarm. Although this classification scheme is currently presented solely for the Ossa-Morena Zone, the scheme can be easily extended to incorporate other co-magmatic alkaline bodies, such as those in the NW Iberian allochthonous units or other peri-Gondwanan zones or massifs, in order to facilitate regional correlations of the rift-related magmatism. Full article