Search Results (112)

The invasion of the marine alien gastropod Rapana venosa (Valenciennes, 1846) across different basins is investigated through a spatiotemporal analysis of distribution patterns, aggregation processes, and spatial structure. Occurrence data from scientific literature and citizen science were integrated with GIS-based spatial statistics to compare invasion dynamics in the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and Northwest Europe. The Black Sea represents the most advanced invasion stage, characterized by extensive distribution, multiple aggregation zones, and strong associations with brackish, nutrient-rich areas influenced by major river outflows. In the Mediterranean, the invasion has progressed from a prolonged establishment phase to a recent acceleration, with the Adriatic Sea acting as the historical core of expansion. Here, persistent populations are concentrated near the Po River delta and lagoon systems, where reduced salinity and high nutrient loads favor both settlement and long-term persistence. In Northwest Europe, R. venosa remains in the establishment phase, forming a compact and localized nucleus along the French Atlantic coast without evidence of broad spatial expansion. Our analyses suggest that environmental factors, particularly salinity gradients and riverine inputs, are possibly related to the observed invasion patterns. Transitional coastal environments emerge as important areas for establishment and subsequent spread, suggesting that monitoring efforts should prioritize these environments. Full article

Greece and the eastern Mediterranean are among the regions that are most exposed to climate-driven natural hazards, with wildfires, floods, and extreme rainfall events consistently producing significant socioeconomic and environmental impacts. Although previous literature has addressed each hazard type individually, a systematic, comparative analysis of the atmospheric circulation regimes associated with all three hazard categories within a unified Lagrangian framework has not yet been conducted for Greece. In this study, a 96 h HYSPLIT back-trajectory analysis driven by ERA5 reanalysis data, combined with k-means clustering, is employed to characterise the air mass origins associated with extreme events in Greece from 2000 to 2020 at two atmospheric levels: 750 m and 3000 m above sea level. Wildfire events are predominantly linked to short-distance northeast airflow at 750 m, and are directly associated with the Etesian wind system and to a coherent northwest-west Mediterranean signal at 3000 m, reflecting the influence of the summer blocking anticyclone over Europe. Conversely, flood events are dominated by northerly flow at 750 m, driven by the eastern flank of Mediterranean depressions. These results indicate that flooding in Greece is primarily conditioned by surface cyclogenesis, regardless of the upper-level flow geometry. Extreme rainfall events exhibit the most complex structure, with a dominant upper-level cluster that describes a recurving trajectory consistent with cut-off low dynamics. Cross-hazard comparisons demonstrate that similar near-surface trajectory patterns may arise from different atmospheric drivers, underscoring the necessity of integrating Lagrangian trajectory classification with additional context, such as thermodynamic and seasonal, to enable robust multi-hazard attribution and enhance early warning capabilities in the eastern Mediterranean. Full article

The liner shipping industry is thriving in the low-carbon transition, and optimizing operational strategies for liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel ships has become a research hotspot. This research examines the impacts of the carbon tax, emission control area (ECA) policies, fuel price discounts and methane slip rate on fuel management strategies. Firstly, to reduce liner operating costs and adhere to ECA policies, this study develops a basic optimization model. Further, the model is extended to take into account the impact of fuel price discounts. Secondly, by linearizing multiple nonlinear terms, the operational strategies are obtained. Thirdly, taking a real vessel sailing between the Far East and Northwest Europe as a case study, this study identifies the ports for LNG and very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO) bunkering, determines the bunkering amounts and calculates the planned speeds. Furthermore, sensitivity analyses are conducted on fuel price difference, carbon tax rate and methane slip rate. Results show that fuel price difference, carbon tax rate, methane slip rate and fuel price discount exert a significant impact on ship operational decisions. To ensure the effectiveness of maritime decarbonization regulations, authorities should monitor ship engines with high methane slip rates. This study offers important references for shipping enterprises to meet ship emission policies and simultaneously cut operational costs. Full article

Background and Objectives: Access to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) varies substantially across health systems, yet national-level data from Eastern Europe remain limited. This study provides the first nationwide, regionally stratified assessment of ACLR activity in Romania, examining geographic variation, socioeconomic and workforce determinants, and inequality. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of all ACLRs reported in the national administrative hospital database (2017–2023), supplemented with demographic, GDP, and workforce statistics. Outomes included incidence per 100,000 population, private-sector share, and sex distribution. Regional differences were tested using Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn post hoc comparisons. Predictors of ACLR incidence and private-sector utilization were identified through multivariable Poisson and logistic models. Inequality metrics (Gini coefficients, P90/P10 ratios) and sensitivity analyses excluding Bucharest–Ilfov were also performed. Results: A total of 11, 080 ACLRs were recorded. Incidence varied markedly across regions, from a median of 40.0 per 100,000 in Bucharest–Ilfov to <1–3 per 100,000 in the South, South-East, and South-West (p < 0.001). Higher GDP per capita correlated with incidence (ρ = 0.36) and explained 45% of its variance. Private-sector involvement ranged from <5% in Bucharest–Ilfov and the South to 80–100% in the Centre, North-West, and South-East. In adjusted Poisson models, GDP, surgeon availability, and private-sector share were strong independent predictors of incidence (all p < 0.001). Private-sector access was primarily determined by the proportion of private orthopedic surgeons (OR 21.03). National inequality was extreme (Gini 0.842–0.752; P90/P10 > 10⁹), reflecting the concentration of procedures within a small number of counties. Results were consistent across sensitivity analyses. Conclusions: ACLR in Romania displays severe territorial inequities driven by socioeconomic development, workforce distribution, and uneven private-sector capacity. Targeted regional investment and coordinated workforce strategies are necessary to improve equitable access to surgical care. Full article

Anaplasma phagocytophilum causes tick-borne fever (TBF) in ruminants and is considered the most widespread tick-borne pathogen in sheep in Europe. This study aimed to determine the contribution of TBF to lamb mortality in Ireland and to identify factors associated with the risk of co-infection with A. phagocytophilum. Samples from dead lambs submitted to 3 Irish Regional Veterinary Laboratories (RVLs) in 2021 and 2022 were screened for the presence of A. phagocytophilum using real-time PCR. In total, 864 animals were sampled, of which 57 (6.6%) tested positive. The majority of the positive results originated in the northwest of the country; a region generally associated with high rainfall and a high prevalence of ticks and tick-borne infections in sheep. The most common causes of death reported in all lambs (including both TBF-positive and TBF-negative animals) were pneumonia, clostridial infection, and bacteraemia. Pneumonia accounted for 14.5% of deaths including 22.8 and 13.0% of TBF-positive and TBF-negative lambs, respectively. Bacteria from the family Pasteurellaceae were identified in 33.3 and 17.7% of TBF-positive and TBF-negative lambs, respectively. It was concluded that A. phagocytophilum is a possible concomitant infection and contributor to other infectious diseases in sheep, particularly those caused by bacteria in the Pasteurellaceae family. Understanding the prevalence and co-morbid associations of TBF is essential for improving disease surveillance and control strategies in endemic regions. Full article

This study conducts a diagnostic analysis of an extremely heavy rainfall event and its causative factors that occurred in Libya, North Africa on 10 September 2023. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model was also employed to perform some sensitivity experiments for this heavy rainfall event and further reveal its causes. Results indicate that the primary synoptic system responsible for this extreme precipitation event was an extratropical cyclone (storm) named “Daniel”. During the formation and development of this cyclone, the circulation at the 500 hPa level from the eastern Atlantic to western Asia exhibited a stable “two troughs and one ridge” pattern, with a upper-level cold vortex over the eastern Atlantic, a high-pressure ridge over central Europe, and a cut-off low over western Asia, collectively facilitating the formation and development of this cyclone. As this cyclone moved southward, it absorbed substantial energy from the Mediterranean Sea; following landfall, the intrusion of weak cold air enabled the cyclone to continue intensifying. Meanwhile, the northwest low-level jet stream to the west of the extratropical cyclone moved alongside the cyclone to the coastal regions of northeastern Libya, where it converged with water vapor transport belts originating from the Ionian Sea, the Aegean Sea, and the coastal waters of northeastern Libya. This convergence provided abundant water vapor for the rainstorm event, and under the combined effects of convergence and orographic lifting on the windward slopes of the coastal mountains, extreme precipitation was generated. In addition, the atmosphere over the coastal regions of northeastern Libya exhibited strong stratification instability, which was conducive to the occurrence of extreme heavy precipitation. Although WRF successfully reproduced the precipitation process, the precipitation amount was underestimated. Sensitivity experiments revealed that both the topography in the precipitation area and the sea surface temperature (SST) of the Mediterranean Sea contributed to this extreme heavy precipitation event. Full article

Glaciers play a crucial role in shaping global hydrology and biogeochemical cycles, yet their climate-forced dynamic impact on chemical denudation and solute yields remain poorly understood. This study compiled data on 40 well-documented cationic denudation rates (CDR) from glaciers across Northwest America, the Svalbard/Arctic Canada, Iceland, Greenland, Europe, China-Tibet, Antarctica, and the Himalayas, revealing substantial spatial variability. CDRs ranged from 46 to 4160 meq m⁻² yr⁻¹. Northwest American and Himalayan glaciers exhibited the highest CDRs, with the Himalayan denudation rate exceeding the global average by more than fourfold. The exceptionally high mean chemical weathering intensity (CWI) of 801 meq m⁻³ from the Himalayan glaciers indicate a wide range of geochemical and climatic conditions within the region, while Northwest American and Greenland glaciers show comparatively lower mean intensities (273 and 247 meq m⁻³, respectively) suggesting a consistent geochemical regime. Northwest American glaciers had the highest specific discharge rates, while Svalbard/Arctic Canada glaciers had the lowest, reflecting regional disparities influenced by climatic and geological factors. A Bonferroni post hoc test highlighted significant differences in specific discharge between Northwest American glaciers and two other basins, emphasizing their distinct hydrological behavior. Predictive modeling revealed a statistically significant but weak relationship between CDR and specific discharge (R² = 57%), suggesting that much of the variability in CDR cannot be explained by specific discharge alone. A regression coefficient of 382 meq m⁻² yr⁻¹ indicates that CDR increases with glacier discharge, although basin-specific analyses showed minimal variation in this relationship across regions. Svalbard/Arctic Canada, Antarctic, Greenlandic, Icelandic, and European Alpine glaciers displayed lower CDRs, which varied depending on underlying lithology, with higher rates observed in carbonate and basaltic terrains compared to other lithologies. We hypothesize that glacier retreat enhances the downward progression of the weathering reaction front, increasing CDR, particularly in rapidly retreating glaciers. Full article

This study introduces a novel methodology for assessing ice-jam flood hazards along river channels. It employs empirical equations that relate non-dimensional ice-jam stage to discharge, enabling the generation of an ensemble of longitudinal profiles of ice-jam backwater levels through Monte-Carlo simulations. These simulations produce non-exceedance probability profiles, which indicate the likelihood of various flood levels occurring due to ice jams. The flood levels associated with specific return periods were validated using historical gauge records. The empirical equations require input parameters such as channel width, slope, and thalweg elevation, which were obtained from bathymetric surveys. This approach is applied to assess ice-jam flood hazards by extrapolating data from a gauged reach at Fort Simpson to an ungauged reach at Jean Marie River along the Mackenzie River in Canada’s Northwest Territories. The analysis further suggests that climate change is likely to increase the severity of ice-jam flood hazards in both reaches by the end of the century. This methodology is applicable to other cold-region rivers in Canada and northern Europe, provided similar fluvial geomorphological and hydro-meteorological data are available, making it a valuable tool for ice-jam flood risk assessment in other ungauged areas. Full article

Fish-borne parasites encompass diverse taxonomic groups, including nematodes of the genus Eustrongylides (family Dioctophymatidae), which infect fish, fish-eating birds, and, occasionally, humans. Eustrongylides spp. are globally distributed, with E. ignotus and E. tubifex prevalent in North America, while E. excisus is more frequent in Europe and the Middle East. This study investigates the presence of E. excisus in a fish community of the Po River (Turin, northwest Italy). Among 170 fish sampled from three sites along the Po River, only two Padogobius bonelli individuals from the Murazzi site were found to be infected, each hosting a single larva within the abdominal cavity. Molecular analysis (ITS rDNA sequencing) confirmed the parasite as E. excisus, showing 100% identity with known sequences. Although prevalence in this study was low (1.18%), the findings significantly expand the known host range of E. excisus, previously reported only in other gobiid species in Eastern Europe. The parasite is widely distributed in Italy, especially in commercial fish from large lakes, and its spread is facilitated by oligochaete intermediate hosts and piscivorous birds like cormorants. Given the benthic habits and diet of P. bonelli, increased monitoring is needed to better understand the parasite’s transmission dynamics and the potential risks to native biodiversity and human health. Full article

Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) is a valuable timber species native to western North America that was introduced to Europe in the 19th century. The objective of this study was to select the most valuable and stable Douglas fir provenances in Romania by combining growth and quality traits, using two indices recently used in forest tree species: the multi-trait genotype–ideotype distance index (MGIDI) and the multi-trait stability index (MTSI). The study was conducted across three common garden experiments in Romania, established in 1977, evaluating 61 provenances from the United States, Canada, Germany, France, and Romania. The analyzed traits were diameter at breast height (DBH), total height (TH), and pruned height (PH). Significant genotype–environment interactions were observed, with the Douglas fir showing superior growth performance in one of the testing sites in western Romania (Aleșd). The MGIDI and MTSI identified high-performing provenances from diverse geographic origins, including the Pacific Northwest, Europe, and Canada. Selection differentials ranged from 2.8% to 10.9% for individual traits, highlighting the potential for genetic improvement. The selected provenances represent valuable genetic resources of Douglas fir that are adapted to environmental conditions in the Carpathian region, contributing to the development of climate-adaptive breeding strategies and sustainable forest management. Full article

Spring frosts were examined using 1981–2023 meteorological data from five weather stations located in areas with a significant share of agricultural crops, especially orchards. Days with frost were determined from air temperature data at 5 and 200 cm above ground level from the onset of the growing season. Atmospheric circulation conditions during frosts were analyzed using the HYSPLIT model (backward trajectory clusters) and empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs). EOFs were used to identify pressure distributions at the 850 hPa level that favor the occurrence of spring frosts. In the first half of spring, frosts were mainly associated with high-pressure systems centered over Poland and the advection of air masses from the northwest, west, and east. Meanwhile in the second part of spring, they occurred during the advection of Arctic air masses from the north and northeast. Changes in the pressure distribution and backward trajectories in the first and second parts of spring indicate a change in the thermal properties of air masses over eastern Europe with increasing day length and angle of sunlight incidence. Furthermore, a decrease in the frequency of spring frosts has been observed in the study area since the 1990s. Full article

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) represents a group of disorders with increasing incidence in the pediatric population worldwide. There are limited data on pediatric IBD (pIBD) epidemiology in Eastern Europe and none so far from Romania. The aim of our study was to evaluate incidence rates and time trends for pIBD in the north-west region of Romania and to compare them with results from studies on the same topic published worldwide. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of patients under 18 years of age diagnosed with pIBD in the time frame between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2020 at the Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children in Cluj-Napoca. Age-adjusted incidence rates, annual percentage change (APC), average annual percentage chance (AAPC) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for pIBD, Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Temporal trends were plotted using Joinpoint regression. Results: Ninety-four patients were identified. For the entire studied period, the incidence rate for pIBD was 0.79/10⁵ (±0.74), 0.4/10⁵ for CD (±0.42) and 0.34/10⁵ for UC (±0.4). Time trends for incidence were positive, but statistical significance was found only for pIBD and CD. The APC observed for pIBD, CD and UC was 12 (95% CI: 6.5–17.7), 13.1 (95% CI: 8–18.5) and 5.67 (95% CI: 1.5–13.4), respectively. Comparison to other similar studies placed Romania among the countries with the lowest incidence of pIBD. Conclusions: Although pIBD incidence in our region appears to be low, there has been an important and significant increase in the incidence of overall pIBD and especially CD. Full article

Giant Paleogene groundbirds named Gastornis have long been known from Europe, with similar fossils from North America being placed in the genus Diatryma. A more recent discovery in China is evidence that these birds had wide geographic distribution. The name Gastornis is now generally considered to be the name that has historical precedence. Historically, Gastornis has been interpreted as being a fierce predator, but anatomical and isotopic evidence suggests that the giant birds were herbivores. Gastornithid tracks preserved in Lower Eocene fluvial sediments of the Chuckanut Formation in northwest Washington State, USA, support the herbivore interpretation. These tridactyl footprints preserve broad triangular toenails rather than talons. The Chuckanut Formation gastornithid tracks have been given the ichnotaxonomic name Rivavipes giganteus Mustoe et al. (2012). In 2024, two important new discoveries were made. These are a trackway that preserves three adult tracks, and two tracks left by a gastornithid chick.The adult bird trackway has stride and pace distances that are consistent with the short lower limb bones (tarsometatarsals) observed in Gastornis skeletal remains. The reproductive strategies of gastornithids remain enigmatic; the evidence consists of numerous egg shell fragments found at sites in France and the newly discovered Chuckanut tracks. Full article

In recent decades, meat consumption has faced growing scrutiny from an environmental, health, and animal welfare perspective. As a result, reducing meat consumption has emerged as an important strategy to mitigate its negative effects. Flexitarians, a growing group of meat reducers, have attracted attention for potentially shaping future dietary trends. This study uses a qualitative approach and draws on 15 in-depth interviews with young flexitarians in Slovenia (YFS) to identify the main facilitators and barriers to meat reduction by exploring their motivations, capabilities, and opportunities as described in the COM-B behavioral model. This study fills the gap in studies on flexitarians using the COM-B model by looking at capabilities and opportunities, not solely motives. In addition, it fills the gap in qualitative in-depth studies on all three COM-B categories, as well as a gap in studies conducted outside northwest Europe and other primarily western geographical contexts. This study highlights important findings for the central and eastern European context that industry and governments should consider when developing behavior change strategies for healthy, sustainable diets. This study shows that strong rural family ties and limited access to meat alternatives are the major barriers to meat reduction in Slovenia. The YFS preferred whole, unprocessed foods (legumes, vegetables, grains) over processed meat alternatives and reduced their meat consumption primarily for health and environmental reasons, relying on social support from peers and information from popular documentaries and social media influencers. Full article

Understanding the spatial–temporal patterns of air pollution is crucial for mitigation strategies, a task fostered nowadays by the generation of continuous concentration maps by remote sensing technologies. We applied spatial modelling to analyze such spatial–temporal patterns in Lombardy, Italy, one of the most polluted regions in Europe. We conducted monthly spatial autocorrelation (global and local) of the daily average concentrations of PM_2.5, PM₁₀, O₃, NO₂, SO₂, and CO from 2016 to 2020, using 10 × 10 km satellite data from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), aggregated on districts of approximately 100,000 population. Land-use classes were computed on identified clusters, and the significance of the differences was evaluated through the Wilcoxon rank-sum test with Bonferroni correction. The global Moran’s I autocorrelation was overall high (>0.6), indicating a strong clustering. The local autocorrelation revealed high–high clusters of PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ in the central urbanized zones in winter (January–December), and in the agrarian southern districts in summer and autumn (May–October). The temporal decomposition showed that values of PMs are particularly high in winter. Low–low clusters emerged in the northern districts for all the pollutants except O₃. Seasonal peaks for O₃ occurred in the summer months, with high–high clusters mostly in the hilly and mildly urban districts in the northwest. These findings elaborate the spatial patterns of air pollution concentration, providing insights for effective land-use-based pollution management strategies. Full article