Open research Europe最新文献

{"title":"Detailed biogeographical mapping as a useful novel tool for the conservation of endemic taxa: a case of study for Iberian orchids.","authors":"Angel Penas, Raquel Alonso-Redondo, Alejandro González-Pérez, Aitor Álvarez-Santacoloma, Norma Yolanda Ochoa-Ramos, Giovanni-Breogán Ferreiro-Lera, Sara Del Río","doi":"10.12688/openreseurope.17737.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/openreseurope.17737.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Many Iberian orchids occur in plant communities designated as habitats of interest in the European Union, particularly in Mediterranean grasslands and forests. Their ecological importance highlights the need for a deeper understanding of their distribution and ecological requirements in order to develop effective conservation and management policies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study focuses on the biogeographical mapping and characterisation of five Iberian and Balearic endemic orchid species at district level. Distribution data were collected from existing biodiversity databases and integrated into a Geographic Information System (GIS). In order to assign the correct biogeographical epithet to each taxon, a set of rules and criteria was developed to ensure an objective, simple and universal classification based on the species' distribution areas.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>For each orchid species, the study identified its phytosociological assignment, bioclimatic range and current conservation status. Detailed maps were produced, providing insights into the biogeographical, bioclimatic and phytosociological attributes of these taxa.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The biogeographical mapping and ecological classification presented in this study provide a basis for effective decision-making regarding the conservation and management of these orchid species. In addition, the results can be used to update their conservation status to better reflect their ecological needs and threats.</p>","PeriodicalId":74359,"journal":{"name":"Open research Europe","volume":"4 ","pages":"210"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11809187/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143392583","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":"Mapping out the scenarios of ocean energy scale-up based on the development of offshore wind.","authors":"Anne-Caroline Pillet, Benjamin Lehner, Simon Stark, Hinne van der Zant","doi":"10.12688/openreseurope.15906.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/openreseurope.15906.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Our oceans remain one of the last untapped large sources of renewable energy. The predictability and reliability of marine energy technologies could contribute significantly to the global energy transition. By 2022, marine energy, and in particular wave and tidal energy have reached a pre-commercial phase in their development.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study investigates the potential progression of the wave and tidal energy sector in the next three decades based on the offshore wind sector in the past three decades. Two different models were developed from the yearly capacity increase of offshore wind in Europe and applied to the wave and tidal energy sector.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>According to both models, the 40 GW 2050 target for marine energy set by the European Commission in 2020 could be reached if European coastal countries, including countries associated to the EU-27, adopt supportive policies for both technologies immediately. A sensitivity analysis shows further that a small delay right now will have tremendous negative impacts on fulfilling the EU goals and the contribution of marine energy to the energy transition.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The ocean energy sector shows a strong growth potential and is capable of supporting the European and global climate targets substantially by 2050. Lessons learned from the offshore wind sector can help scope and support the growth of marine energy technologies.</p>","PeriodicalId":74359,"journal":{"name":"Open research Europe","volume":"3 ","pages":"102"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11993849/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144063444","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":"The STROGHAT study protocol: An intervention study to evaluate safety, effectiveness and feasibility of treating gambiense HAT seropositive subjects with acoziborole.","authors":"Elena Nicco, Veerle Lejon, Erick Mwamba Miaka, Dieudonné Mumba, Alain Mpanya, Charles Kambo, Digas Ngolo, Wilfried Mutombo, Stéphane Hugonnet, Sandra Rembry, Craig Tipple, Raquel Inocencio Da Luz, Rian Snijders, Catiane Vander Kelen, Stijn Rogé, Nick Van Reet, Antoine Tarral, Paul Verlé, Epco Hasker","doi":"10.12688/openreseurope.19077.1","DOIUrl":"10.12688/openreseurope.19077.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Coordinated efforts in the control of gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (gHAT) have significantly reduced its endemicity. WHO targets interruption of transmission by 2030. However, challenges remain, including low sensitivity of the current parasitological confirmation tests, leaving a potential human reservoir untreated. Acoziborole, a single-dose oral treatment, effective in both disease stages with a good safety profile, offers the potential of treatment of parasitologically negative gHAT seropositive subjects, which could improve diagnostic sensitivity. The STROGHAT study aims to evaluate whether this approach can lead to elimination of <i>T.b. gambiense</i> from its human reservoir, and to provide further safety data on acoziborole. It also includes a costing analysis and a prospective evaluation of the performance of the screening and diagnostic tests used.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>STROGHAT is a one-arm epidemiological study, with a nested phase IIIb, one-arm, open label, non-randomized, multicentre clinical trial. It will be implemented over four years in the endemic region of the Equateur North, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. For the first three years, parasitologically negative gHAT seropositive subjects will be treated with acoziborole, while parasitologically confirmed cases will receive standard of care. Individual follow-up needs and accurate prevalence estimate will be based on immunological and molecular tests performed for all gHAT screening test seropositive subjects at a reference laboratory. In the fourth year, standard procedures will resume, and a prevalence survey will assess whether interruption of transmission has been achieved.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The manuscript outlines the study background, objectives and methods while discussing its strengths and challenges. If successful, the STROGHAT study will provide critical evidence on the effectiveness, safety and feasibility of the new strategy, and inform future elimination strategies.</p><p><strong>Clinical trial registration: </strong>NCT06356974. Date of registration: April 4, 2024.</p>","PeriodicalId":74359,"journal":{"name":"Open research Europe","volume":"5 ","pages":"23"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11971624/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143797390","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":"IMMUnity Unveiled: A Translational NETwork for tackling PARKinson's Disease - IMMUPARKNET.","authors":"Mitilda Gugu, Shubhra Acharya, Dogukan Pira, Simona Poletti, Alessia di Flora, Tamara Saksida, Vladimirs Pilipenko, Marina Romero-Ramos, Franca Marino, Laura Muñoz Delgado, Neda Nikolovski, Yasemin Gursoy Ozdemir, Dale Lawson, Cristoforo Comi, Inês Figueira","doi":"10.12688/openreseurope.17547.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/openreseurope.17547.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Parkinson's disease (PD) affects more than one million people in the EU. It currently has no definitive cure, meaning that patients rely only on symptomatic treatments, which themselves are burdened by side effects. The need for advancements in both knowledge and available treatments is thus strongly felt by patients, caregivers, and health operators. This unmet need sparked the idea of orchestrating a collaborative effort via a common network - IMMUPARKNET (The role of IMMUnity in tackling PARKinson's disease through a Translational NETwork). The IMMUPARKNET COST Action focuses on challenges in PD and its related crosstalk with immune response. Although widely recognized, the role of immunity in the onset and development of PD is still unclear. The main goal of IMMUPARKNET is to fill this knowledge gap by establishing an innovative, interdisciplinary research network and fostering exchanges of expertise among specialists from different countries and institutions. As we gather scientists and clinicians who study immunity in PD and related fields, IMMUPARKNET will establish the first nucleus of a multidisciplinary ecosystem that aims to harmonize efforts and approaches, both in research and clinical practice, to boost the development of ground-breaking treatments for PD. Through meetings, training schools, webinars, position papers, and review manuscripts, IMMUPARKNET will lead fruitful exchanges of know-how among experts in the field. The IMMUPARKNET structure revolves around 5 working groups, with a total of 157 active members from 34 different countries. Of these active members, 58.5% are young researchers, while 67.5% come from Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC - less research-intensive COST Members; https://www.cost.eu/about/members/). IMMUPARKNET output will facilitate the improved sharing and development of research resources, straightening the road to novel treatments and identifying where existing ones can be repurposed, all, ultimately and hopefully, finding a cure for PD.</p>","PeriodicalId":74359,"journal":{"name":"Open research Europe","volume":"4 ","pages":"119"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11795026/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143256159","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":"Bodies of evidence: The human remains from Flinders Petrie's excavations in British Mandate Palestine.","authors":"Rachael Thyrza Sparks, Nina Maaranen","doi":"10.12688/openreseurope.18758.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/openreseurope.18758.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In the 1920s and 1930s Flinders Petrie excavated several sites in British Mandate Palestine (Tell Jemmeh, Tell Fara and Tell el-'Ajjul), encountering numerous burials dating from the Chalcolithic period down to the Ottoman period. The osteological finds were thought to have been discarded, until the authors identified a curated selection of skeletal human remains from these tombs at the Duckworth Laboratory in Cambridge in 2017/2018.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Rachael Sparks conducted archival research to explore how the human remains from Petrie's excavations in the Southern Levant were recovered, recorded, curated and studied. This drew on original excavation records, contemporary publications, official and private correspondence, unpublished research notes, and the evidence of the human skeletal remains themselves.Following on this archival investigation, Nina Maaranen conducted skeletal analyses on individuals from Bronze Age contexts - recording crania and mandibles using various non-invasive, macroscopic techniques to estimate age, sex and ancestry.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>It was established that selected skulls were sent to Karl Pearson's Biometric Laboratory at University College in London for craniometric study as part of wider programmes of research into ancient populations. After the war, changes in the organisation of the Eugenics Department at the University led to the transfer of Pearson's collection of human skulls to the Duckworth Laboratory in Cambridge, where attempts to get the material published were unsuccessful.The current skeletal analysis of the assemblage revealed a preference for adult individuals, in line with the curation motivations of the original investigators. Earlier research on these remains was compared with our new data and contextualised within the theoretical and methodological development of bioanthropology and osteology.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our investigation successfully identified the history of this assemblage, and revealed ethical issues surrounding the collection and subsequent use of some of these human remains, particularly where there may be familial links to modern Palestinian populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":74359,"journal":{"name":"Open research Europe","volume":"5 ","pages":"22"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11871434/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143545147","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":"Open science in energy research.","authors":"Raquel Alonso Pedrero, Felipe Van de Sande Araujo","doi":"10.12688/openreseurope.15707.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/openreseurope.15707.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Energy research is evolving, with new methodologies, technologies, and challenges, while new communication tools allow for quick and cheap dissemination of information. In contrast, data used in relevant research is often kept secret, and proprietary code and non-transparent models are barriers to replication. Also, scientific research is still published in subscription-based journals, hindering knowledge sharing. These practices raise ethical concerns not only stop the dissemination of research but also hinder the identification of research misconduct. Open science has gained momentum and aims to promote openness, reconnecting with traditional research principles. In this paper, we discuss the implications of adopting open science in energy research, examine its benefits but also drawbacks, and present the ongoing discussions in the research community.</p>","PeriodicalId":74359,"journal":{"name":"Open research Europe","volume":"3 ","pages":"50"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11907185/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143652546","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":"Global language geography and language history: challenges and opportunities.","authors":"Matthias Urban","doi":"10.12688/openreseurope.18421.1","DOIUrl":"10.12688/openreseurope.18421.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>While it has almost become a truism of comparative linguistics that linguistic diversity is unevently distributed across the globe, the reasons are poorly understood up to the present day. Linguists are thus in the embarassing situation that they do not understand significant regularities in the way the objects of their study -languages- pattern. In this essay, I explore three interrelated strands of thought to create a perspective on the question that is different from those explored so far: first, I suggest that instead of looking at present-day levels of diversity statically, we should take an approach that looks into how these distributions were generated. Related to this point and in contradistinction to extant work, second, I advocate an inductive approach that departs from qualitative case studies that inform theory-building. Third, I ponder that, in contrast to the traditional focus of historical linguistics on language diversification and expansion, understanding how the ranges of languages are reduced might be the key missing piece of evidence in a global theory of language diversity and its genesis. This new perspective is also able to address the striking correlation between linguistic and biological diversity that suggest that the processes that created and maintain both are, on some level, qualitatively similar.</p>","PeriodicalId":74359,"journal":{"name":"Open research Europe","volume":"4 ","pages":"213"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11612551/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142775410","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":"Relationship between <i>Blastocystis</i> infection and clinical outcomes: A scoping review protocol.","authors":"Varol Tunali, Blin Nagavci, David Carmena, Lucy J Robertson, Funda Doğruman Al, Eleni Gentekaki, Anastasios D Tsaousis","doi":"10.12688/openreseurope.19281.1","DOIUrl":"10.12688/openreseurope.19281.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Blastocystis</i>, a common protist in the human gastrointestinal tract, exhibits substantial genetic diversity and has been linked to varying clinical outcomes. However, its role in human health remains debated, with studies suggesting both commensal and pathogenic interactions. This scoping review aims to systematically map the existing evidence on the association between <i>Blastocystis</i> presence and human clinical outcomes. Herein, we present our proposed protocol, where, using systematic search methods, studies will be identified from multiple databases, focusing on diagnostic procedures, clinical outcomes, and treatment options. Findings will provide a comprehensive evidence map, highlighting knowledge gaps and guiding future research. The resulting data is intended to inform clinical and public health perspectives on <i>Blastocystis</i> and its potential implications for human health.</p>","PeriodicalId":74359,"journal":{"name":"Open research Europe","volume":"5 ","pages":"15"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11862357/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143517328","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":"Transformative social innovation and rural collaborative workspaces: assembling community economies in Austria and Greece.","authors":"Colm Stockdale, Vasilis Avdikos","doi":"10.12688/openreseurope.18007.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/openreseurope.18007.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Collaborative Workspaces are rapidly growing and evolving across the world. Traditionally understood as an urban phenomenon, most research understands them as either 'entrepreneurial-led', as profit-driven and commercial spaces such as business incubators and accelerators, or 'community-led' as being bottom-up, not-for-profit ventures aimed at catering for the needs of their community. Recent years however have seen their diffusion beyond large urban agglomerations to small towns and villages, with their functions assumed to be more community-orientated. At the same time, social innovation, or social innovation processes have been gaining prominence in academia, policy, and practice, as they address societal problems and hold potential for new forms of social relations. This paper attempts to provide a novel framework towards understanding the transformative potential of rural collaborative workspaces, as they engage in processes of social innovation, by drawing from diverse and community economies literature and assemblage thinking.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The paper uses international case study comparison between rural Austria and Greece (One case from each country). Methods applied were: semi-structured interviews (N=28), participant observation and focus groups (2).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Community-led rural collaborative workspaces hold transformative potential from i) their ability to assist rural actors with their capacities and realizing their desires and ii) changing individual subjectivities towards collective. Through changing social relations in praxis and perceptions, we examine how social innovation processes through collaborative workspaces can be understood as a means of opening new economic subjectivities towards creating community economies as their transformative potential.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Although rural collaborative workspaces hold potential for societal transformation, they require further institutionalization and support to move beyond the interstitial and symbiotic stages of transformation.</p>","PeriodicalId":74359,"journal":{"name":"Open research Europe","volume":"4 ","pages":"205"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11757924/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143048486","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":"Using citizen science for the energy transition: Research on the tenant electricity model in Germany.","authors":"Johannes Baumann, Marcela Noreña, Pia Wieser","doi":"10.12688/openreseurope.17722.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/openreseurope.17722.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The research within the Citizen Science (CS) project on tenant electricity focused on an inclusive research approach by involving actors such as citizen scientists (CSs), scientists, policymakers, and the private sector. The main objective was to jointly explore the barriers and drivers for and motivations to participate in the tenant electricity model in Germany, and to identify behavioural changes (based on the energy culture concept) of the CSs by being involved in local electricity production and consumption.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The CS project adopted a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative data analysis from workshops with quantitative data from an energy consumption monitoring scheme and a panel survey on energy-related practices.Results and conclusions: Identified barriers for the tenant electricity model encompassing both structural (e.g. model complexity) and inherent challenges (lack of information). Drivers for scaling up include the reduction of the complexity and bureaucratic hurdles of the model as well as regulations and financial incentives and targeted information to relevant actors.The main motivation for participating in tenant electricity was sustainability and local production of electricity, while the electricity price played a minor role. Regarding changes in energy culture, the participation in tenant electricity led to a stronger exchange among neighbours about further sustainability options and to a higher interest in sustainability or society engagement.Feedback on regular consumption data was perceived by almost all participants as useful for further measures to save electricity. Electricity data collected from installed meters showed, on average, a reduction in consumption for more than half of the households compared to the start month of the research period.Further, a cluster analysis was conducted to identify different profiles and gain deeper understanding of the characteristics of CSs. In total five clusters were identified, with differences in energy consumption patterns, energy efficient appliances, knowledge about energy consumption, and changes in energy practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":74359,"journal":{"name":"Open research Europe","volume":"5 ","pages":"14"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11883211/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143574987","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}