Open research Europe最新文献

{"title":"Insights into climate variability of the meteorological records from a background monitoring station: the Giordan lighthouse, Gozo.","authors":"James Ciarlo, Ryan Vella, Martin Saliba, Raymond Ellul, Alfred Micallef, Erika Coppola, Aaron Micallef, David Mifsud","doi":"10.12688/openreseurope.19099.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/openreseurope.19099.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The Maltese islands are subject to substantial climate variability, with implications for ecosystems and human activities. This study leverages a 26-year dataset from the Giordan Lighthouse Background Monitoring Station (GL) on the island of Gozo to analyse short-term climate variability and its alignment with broader regional tendencies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Hourly meteorological data collected from 1997 to 2022, including wind speed, wind direction, air temperature, relative humidity, and air pressure, were analysed. The study examined diurnal and annual cycles, probability distribution functions, and climate indices to characterise local climate dynamics. Qualitative comparisons were made to existing findings based in Malta to corroborate the results.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The analysis revealed pronounced seasonal variability in all parameters. Rising air temperatures were detected, consistent with regional warming tendencies. Humidity and wind conditions showed seasonal shifts aligning with observations from other regional monitoring stations. The high-resolution dataset also captured fine-scale temporal patterns, reinforcing the critical value of localised, long-term meteorological monitoring for understanding climatic shifts.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study underscores the value of long-term meteorological datasets in detecting climate variability, including a clear warming pattern and seasonal shifts in temperature, humidity, and wind conditions. Continuous monitoring and improved data reliability are essential for enhancing climate assessments and supporting effective adaptation strategies in the Maltese Islands.</p>","PeriodicalId":74359,"journal":{"name":"Open research Europe","volume":"5 ","pages":"37"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12361886/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144981822","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"When artificial intelligence meets protein research.","authors":"Sonia Longhi, Salvador Ventura, Sandra Macedo-Ribeiro, Leandro G Radusky, Jovana Kovačević, R Gonzalo Parra, Miguel A Andrade-Navarro, Andrey V Kajava, Zuzana Bednáriková, Alexander Monzon, Rita Vilaça","doi":"10.12688/openreseurope.20628.1","DOIUrl":"10.12688/openreseurope.20628.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The 2024 Nobel Prizes in Chemistry and Physics mark a watershed moment in the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and molecular biology. This article explores how AI, particularly deep learning and neural networks, has revolutionized protein science through breakthroughs in structure prediction and computational design. It highlights the contributions of 2024 Nobel laureates John Hopfield, Geoffrey Hinton, David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John Jumper, whose foundational work laid the groundwork for AI tools such as AlphaFold. These tools are transforming our understanding of protein folding, and the dynamics of non-globular proteins, including intrinsically disordered proteins. While AI-driven methods have made predicting protein structures faster and more accessible, they also underscore ongoing scientific challenges, including the dynamics of protein folding and amyloid aggregation. European initiatives, such as the COST Actions NGP-net (BM1405) and ML4NGP (CA21160), are spearheading efforts to bridge these gaps by integrating AI and experimental data in the study of non-globular proteins. Together, these developments signal a transformative shift in biology, paving the way for novel discoveries in medicine, biotechnology, and materials science.</p>","PeriodicalId":74359,"journal":{"name":"Open research Europe","volume":"5 ","pages":"185"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12413608/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145016811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Análisis comparativo de los centros de detención en España e Italia 2018-2023: Abordar las deficiencias sistémicas y el cumplimiento de los derechos humanos.","authors":"Laura María Zanón Bayón-Torres, Almudena Juárez Rodriguez, Mercedes Fernández","doi":"10.12688/openreseurope.20108.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/openreseurope.20108.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This article examines the conditions and management of immigration detention centres in Spain and Italy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study analyses the reports of the Spanish Ombudsman and the Italian National Guarantor on visits to detention and internment centres for foreigners to identify similarities and differences in the functioning of these centres depending on the country. Using a qualitative content analysis approach with NVivo 14 software, 16 reports (10 Italian and 6 Spanish) published between 2018 and 2023 were analysed. The reports were selected based on comparability, excluding non-relevant or non-equivalent documents in both countries.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The findings reveal deficiencies in health care, staff training, legal care, hygienic conditions, and transparency in managing removals in both countries. Additionally, there is an abuse of detention as a migration control measure and a de facto use of these centres as first reception centres. A significant difference is the length of detention, which is limited to 60 days in Spain compared to 180 days in Italy.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This analysis highlights the need for reforms to improve conditions in these centres, ensure respect for fundamental rights, and stop their use as first reception centres.</p>","PeriodicalId":74359,"journal":{"name":"Open research Europe","volume":"5 ","pages":"124"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12238845/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144602419","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating the solar energy potential for Positive Energy Districts (PED) through advanced 3D Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis.","authors":"Hande Demirel, Ayşenur Koçyiğit, Ben Alpagut, Damla Muhcu","doi":"10.12688/openreseurope.19075.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/openreseurope.19075.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The Positive Energy District (PED) concept aims to transform urban areas into carbon-neutral and zero-energy communities by reducing energy consumption and increasing renewable energy production. However, challenges remain in making effective decisions, including inconsistent data sources, difficulties in collaboration among stakeholders, and the need to merge interdisciplinary technical and scientific knowledge. Hence, GIS-based frameworks offer mature solutions to address such issues.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study introduces a three-dimensional (3D) GIS-based framework designed to improve decision-making in PEDs, with a particular focus on spatiotemporal analyses of solar energy potential. The rationale behind selecting solar energy is the high potential of urban areas for suitability, as well as the legal and technical constraints associated with wind and hydro energy production within densely populated areas and built-up areas. The literature review showed that the combined use of 3D GIS and PED concepts has not yet been widely explored, despite the significant potential that exists. The developed framework were deployed and tested in the case study area - the Caferağa neighborhood of Kadıköy, Türkiye. In order to test and validate the achieved results, various platforms are utilized and compared.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The 3D GIS-based framework demonstrated several advantages over traditional systems. It utilized spatial data, including high-resolution 3D building models, to assess solar potential, employing and comparing various spatial tools. Comprehensive analyses were performed to assess the exposure of buildings to sunlight during different seasons and to evaluate the shading effects encountered throughout the day. The analysis of sun hour revealed that only 5% of the entire work area received more than nine hours of sunlight during the winter. Additionally, when evaluating the solar potential, a 22.29% discrepancy was found within utilized platforms.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The achieved results are promising, where co-creation, co-design- and co-implementation could be performed collaboratively via designed platform that seamlessly integrate data, functions, necessary tools and expertise. The results indicate that 3D spatial analyses promote the potential for solar energy and aid decision-makers in the complex processes of designing and expanding PEDs.</p>","PeriodicalId":74359,"journal":{"name":"Open research Europe","volume":"5 ","pages":"81"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12365597/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144981816","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A queen's tale: An experimental palaeoproteomic study of a honey bee queen cell specimen from Natural History Museum Denmark.","authors":"Tuuli Kasso, Meaghan Mackie, Max Ramsøe, Lars Vilhelmsen, Carsten Gundlach, Sina Baier-Stegmaier, Alberto J Taurozzi, Matthew J Collins","doi":"10.12688/openreseurope.18538.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/openreseurope.18538.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Natural history museum specimens of historical honey bees have been successfully used to explore the genomic past of the honey bee, indicating fast and rapid changes between historical and modern specimens, possibly as a response to current challenges. In our study we explore a potential untapped archive from natural history collections - specimens relating to historical beeswax.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We examine an <i>Apis mellifera mellifera</i> queen cell specimen from the 19th century. The intact and closed cell was analysed by X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) to reveal a perfectly preserved queen bee inside her cell. Subsequently, a micro-destructive approach was used to evaluate the possibility of protein extraction for a palaeoproteomic approach.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Using proteomics by liquid-chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, we were able to recover 120 non-contaminant proteins, mostly bee-related, including major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs) crucial for queen nutrition and development, and silk fibroin proteins. Analysis of the protein modifications indicate their endogenous source and show the presence of <i>in vivo</i> glycosylation. This probably helped protein preservation and allows for the study of antimicrobial and metabolic functions of bees in the past.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our exploratory results show that studies on specimens such as these can provide biomolecular information. Such specimens can inform future research on queen development, diet, and hive conditions, providing valuable context for understanding how honey bee populations have responded to changing environments and pressures over time. This highlights further the scientific potential of natural history collections in addressing contemporary challenges in honey bee conservation and health.</p>","PeriodicalId":74359,"journal":{"name":"Open research Europe","volume":"4 ","pages":"227"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12344410/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144850040","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Numerical model of a top-blown rotary converter preheating and charge heating with an oxy-fuel burner.","authors":"Sergey Semenov, Patrick Namy, Aditya Kale, Sello Tsebe","doi":"10.12688/openreseurope.18594.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/openreseurope.18594.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The present work is conducted in the framework of the SisAl Pilot EU project, which aims to optimize silicon production in Europe by recycling materials and using carbon-emission-friendly technology. Silicon production experiments were conducted on laboratory and pilot scales in different types of furnaces, including top-blown rotary converters (TBRC) used as chemical reactors for molten slag-metal mixtures. In addition to experimental work, process optimization also relies on numerical modelling.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, COMSOL Multiphysics® was used for the numerical testing of a new thermal design of TBRC by simulating its preheating and charge heating owing to an external heat source provided by an oxy-fuel burner.</p><p><strong>Results and conclusions: </strong>The risk of slag solidification in TBRC during the aluminothermic reduction of silica was assessed. The model predicts that, with a useful burner power of 600 kW, the empty TBRC can be preheated to 1650°C in less than 30 min. Based on this model, the optimum burner power for maintaining the TBRC charge in a liquid state was determined. The influence of the TBRC inclination angle and its rotation frequency was studied numerically.</p>","PeriodicalId":74359,"journal":{"name":"Open research Europe","volume":"4 ","pages":"248"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12397741/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144981766","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"EU geographical islands as leaders of green energy transition.","authors":"Giorgio Bonvicini, Fabiola Roccatagliata, Mario Cortese, Kostas Karanasios, Panos Kotsampopoulos, Fausto Sainz, Nora Ganzinelli, Alessandra Montanelli, Francesca Battistelli, Cristina Barbero, Emilio Ghiani, Sara Ruffini, Alessandra Cuneo","doi":"10.12688/openreseurope.18856.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/openreseurope.18856.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This paper reviews how European islands are taking the lead in the European Union (EU) Clean Energy Transition by reviewing the lessons learned in the EU Bridge initiative and in a number of EU co-funded projects such as NESOI, RE-EMPOWERED, REACT, IANOS, LOCALRES, MASTERPIECE, SINNOGENES, SMHYLES, STEPWISE, and ISLET. Islands encounter significant difficulties in the management of their energy systems, including strong seasonal variations in energy demand, high operational costs and GHG emissions for energy production, weak energy grids, lack of technical skills, and difficult access to finance. However, they also have positive features that make them ideal laboratories for energy transition, including high potential for renewables, small-scale and strong community structures, and high energy prices, which make most solutions cost-effective. Each of the projects contributing to the paper has been supporting the islands' energy transition, leveraging different enabling technologies, such as renewable energy production systems, smart grids, advanced energy storage systems, and local energy community schemes. The results from these projects underline the need for tailored energy planning, considering geographical and socio-economic particularities, the need to engage the local population in the definition of the most suitable decarbonization pathways for the island, and a number of lessons learned on the technologies that have the highest potential for being tested on islands and then being replicated on the mainland. Therefore, this study concludes that renewable energy solutions coupled with different technologies (storage, mobility, district heating/cooling, etc.) and leveraging powerful community integration confirm that European islands can drive the decarbonization strategy of the EU.</p>","PeriodicalId":74359,"journal":{"name":"Open research Europe","volume":"4 ","pages":"258"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12344401/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144850041","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tools for collecting information on irregular migration estimates and indicators.","authors":"Carlos Vargas-Silva, Arjen Leerkes, Denis Kierans, Lalaine Siruno, Albert Kraler","doi":"10.12688/openreseurope.20695.1","DOIUrl":"10.12688/openreseurope.20695.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This paper discusses the tools used to collect quantitative data related to irregular migration stocks and flows of the Measuring Irregular Migration and Related Policies (MIrreM) project. The ultimate goal of this exercise was to construct two databases that provide an inventory and a critical appraisal of estimates and indicators related to irregular migration in the countries covered by MIrreM (12 EU member states, the UK, Canada, the USA and five transit countries). The databases contain estimates on the size and characteristics of the irregular migrant population in a given country and the changes in that population, with one database focussing on irregular migrant stocks and the other on flows. The flows database also contains an inventory of other indicators of irregular migration (e.g. border apprehensions). MirreM is a follow-up project to the Clandestino project which covered the period 2000-2007. MIrreM covers the period 2008 to 2023. MIrreM guidelines were adjusted from those developed by the Clandestino project to maintain some consistency across projects, but also to account for changes across the different periods and overall purposes of the projects. In addition, the approach to assessing the quality of estimates and indicators was refined, notably by explicitly distinguishing between statistical indicators, on the one hand, and estimates, on the other, developing different assessment criteria, and collecting information on the use of these data in policymaking. Beyond the immediate purpose of guiding data collection and analysis within the MIrreM project, these tools may also be useful for other researchers working on comparable topics characterised by a lack of robust research-driven data, hard-to-reach target groups and limited and imperfect administrative data.</p>","PeriodicalId":74359,"journal":{"name":"Open research Europe","volume":"5 ","pages":"176"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12395125/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144981803","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A protocol for mapping <i>Blastocystis</i> epidemiology and diagnostics from One Health perspective.","authors":"Eylem Akdur Öztürk, Isabel Guadano-Procesi, Ana M Figueiredo, Anja Godfrey, Eleni Gentekaki, Anastasios D Tsaousis, David Carmena, Funda Dogruman-Al","doi":"10.12688/openreseurope.20151.3","DOIUrl":"10.12688/openreseurope.20151.3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Blastocystis</i> is a globally prevalent gut protist colonising over a billion people worldwide, yet its epidemiology, transmission dynamics, and clinical significance remain underexplored. This protocol represents the first step of a large-scale effort to map <i>Blastocystis</i> epidemiology and diagnostic practices across Europe through the COST Action CA21105: <i>Blastocystis under One Health</i>. By assessing diagnostic methodologies across clinical, veterinary, and environmental sectors, this work sets the foundation for future research and standardisation. Here, we highlight key findings, challenges, and a roadmap for improving <i>Blastocystis</i> detection, ultimately influencing global health policies and microbial ecology studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":74359,"journal":{"name":"Open research Europe","volume":"5 ","pages":"133"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12171710/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144318896","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Science at the Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority: post-normal science for recalibration of policy instruments.","authors":"Aistė Klimašauskaitė, Paul Dees, Silvio Oscar Funtowicz, Laura Elisabet Drivdal, Ola G Berta","doi":"10.12688/openreseurope.18879.3","DOIUrl":"10.12688/openreseurope.18879.3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Post-normal conditions require post-normal resolutions. When stakes are high and values are disputed, policy discussions and decisions cannot rely on science alone. Such discussions require <i>post-normal science</i>, which centralizes the qualitative value of diverse knowledge groups. In this essay we discuss the usefulness of post-normal science in the context of the Secretariat's work at the International Seabed Authority. In particular, we explore the need to expand the understanding of science and knowledge - key components informing deep-seabed policies. Marine science encompasses a broad range of research topics and interests - from blue humanities with analyses of human-Ocean relations, to physics of particulate matter, to marine policy research. The growing number of disciplines applied to marine science demonstrates our increasing collective knowledge of the Ocean and, in turn, our appreciation of knowledge limitations. Such knowledge challenges are discussed among natural and social scientists. The Secretariat depends on broad expertise, from natural sciences, social sciences, civil society and beyond. In sum, our thesis is the following: we argue that <i>post-normal science</i> can help metaphorically recalibrate policy-shaping instruments (the practice) so that decision-making processes and policy agendas are implemented for transformative actions.</p>","PeriodicalId":74359,"journal":{"name":"Open research Europe","volume":"4 ","pages":"252"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12219538/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144556054","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}