Baltic Area Research Articles

Scurvy-Anow forgotten previously widespread disease

From the sea voyages of the fifteenth century often lasting for years with provisions only of fish, salted meat and biscuits reports came of fatal health alterations of the seamen which were characterized by prostration, loss of teeth and bad breath.Reports on comparable endemic illnesses soon came from the Netherlands, North Germany, the Baltic area, France, Lorraine, Geneva, Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, Swabia and Russia: the so-called land scurvy. The first medical specification was found in aletter from 1541 by Johann Echt to colleges in the area of Lower Germany, which was published four times. One of the first comprehensive considerations was prepared by the English physician James Lind. Scurvy was also mostly published under many local names, such as Skorbut, Scharbock or Scheurbuik.The pathology of scurvy is dominated by gingival necrosis with loss of teeth, hemorrhages with destruction of the cartilage-bone border especially of the ribs and by subperiosteal hemorrhages of the ribs and long bones.For treatment and prevention of scurvy eating green plants as originally Ficaria verna (lesser celandine, pilewort), Chelidonium majus (great celandine, nipplewort, tetterwort) and Cochlearia officinalis (scurvy grass) proved to be effective. Where green plants were missing decoctions of conifer needles and fresh animal innards were used. When the infantile disease originally named "acute rachitis" in England was diagnosed as scurvy (later Möller-Barlow disease) the treatment of cow's milk for baby food became of great interest.Finally, hexuronic acid, later called ascorbic acid or vitaminC, was found to be adrug that could easily dosed for curing and prevention of scurvy.

Chironomidae‐based inference model for mean July air temperature reconstructions in the eastern Baltic area

Here we present a new eastern Baltic Chironomidae training set (TS) containing 35 sites that was collected and merged with neighbouring published Finnish (82 lakes) and northern part of the Polish (nine lakes) TSs. Chironomidae, non‐biting midges, are known to be strongly responsive to the July air temperature and are widely used to infer palaeotemperature. Several modern analogue‐based TSs necessary for calibrating the relationships between mean July air temperature (MJAT) and chironomids are available for Europe. However, none of these is representative of the transitional climate typical for eastern Baltic (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania). The Finno–Baltic–Polish TS contains 121 sites and covers a geographically continuous 70–50°N latitudinal and 7 °C (12.1–19.2 °C) MJAT gradient. Canonical correspondence analysis revealed that, among the tested environmental variables (pH, water depth, dissolved oxygen, MJAT), the MJAT explains the highest amount of variation, both for the eastern Baltic separately and the Finno–Baltic–Polish TSs. The weighted averaging–partial least squares‐based cross‐validation test reveals that the Finno–Baltic–Polish TS has a low root mean square error of prediction (0.7 °C) confirming the high reliability of the TS. The temperature optima of the taxa included in the new Finno–Baltic–Polish TS and widely used Swiss–Norwegian TS were examined. The observed dissimilarities can be attributed to the differences in the temperature ranges represented by the TS, the taxonomic identification level, the general cosmopolitan taxa distribution patterns and the influence of TS‐specific geographic position, climatic or environmental conditions. The new Finno–Baltic–Polish TS adds to the knowledge on the modern distribution of Chironomidae taxa and widens the geographical area of reliable Chironomid‐based MJAT reconstructions into the eastern European lowland.

Køge 2. A Clinker-built Shipwreck from the Medieval Harbour of Køge, Zealand, Denmark

Abstract The development of a new cityscape in the old industrial harbour known as ‘Sønder Havn’ in Køge in eastern Zealand led in the summer of 2018 to the finding of a clinker-built shipwreck. The ship had been built in the 1520s, exclusively from oak, and had undergone a reinforcement in the stem some ten years after the initial building phase, hereby adding an extra outer layer of clinker planks and five riders on top of the floor timbers. The extensive dendrochronological analysis showed that the planks had been felled in the eastern Baltic area, while the floor timbers and the keel of the vessel were from somewhere in the vicinity of the Rhine’s mouth. Of the ship, only the parts below the waterline were preserved, partly due to the groundwater level but probably equally due to salvaging shortly after wrecking.

The Baltic Agenda in the Strategies of Russia’s Baltic Regions and Municipalities

Quantitative content analysis was employed to examine 63 strategies for the socioeconomic development of regions and municipalities within Russian Baltic territories. The aim was to assess the extent to which the ‘Baltic agenda’ – themes specific to this area – manifest themselves in the documents. Strategies developed between 2010 and 2023 and in force as of February 2024 were analysed. Indices of manifestation (IM) were calculated based on the number of mentions of 77 marker words. The formula for IM calculation includes the absolute number of mentions of words, adjusted for their significance, which was determined by their frequency of use and location within the text of the strategy. The IM was computed for three interrelated directions: Baltic, European and global. The maximum values of IM are characteristic of the strategy of the Kaliningrad region, which, in addition to objective factors, is due to the unusual voluminosity of the document. At the municipal level, the most impressive performances on this measure are seen in municipalities of the Kaliningrad region (Kaliningrad, Zelenogradsk, Gusev, Slavsk, Baltiysk and Bagrationovsk), Vyborg in the Leningrad region and Pskov. For Kaliningrad and Vyborg, two strategy versions were examined, making it possible to observe changes in the volume and focus on Baltic issues: the strategies are becoming shorter, with diminishing attention given to the Baltic agenda. A map diagram was drawn to illustrate the division of municipal strategies into five groups for each direction. Spatial differentiation is evident: the average IM value for the documents of the inner band of the Russian Baltic area is 2.7 times that for strategies of the outer band.

Selenium - a scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023.

Selenium is an essential trace element in humans, critical to the normal physiology in all animal species. The main form of selenium in food is selenomethionine, selenocysteine and a variety of organic compounds, while inorganic salts mainly occur in food supplements. In animals and humans, selenium occurs as selenocysteine in selenoproteins encoded by 25 genes (specific selenium pool). Several selenoproteins are part of the antioxidant enzyme system and serve as oxido-reductases and in thyroid hormone regulation. SelenoproteinP (SELENOP) transports selenium to peripheral tissues, is the main plasma selenoprotein, and has been used as biomarker of selenium status and intake. SELENOP in plasma represents a saturable pool of selenium and is maximised at a selenium concentration in plasma of about 110 µg/L or an intake of selenomethionine at about 1.2 µg/kg body weight in adults. In Finland, with an estimated selenium intake of 88 µg/day in men and 68 µg/day in women, the average selenium concentration in plasma is about 110 µg/L. Imported wheat from selenium rich areas is an important dietary source in Norway. Dietary intakes in the Nordic and Baltic area vary from 39 to 88 µg/day in men and 22 to 68 µg/day in women, the highest levels were from Finland. Most intervention trials on the effect of selenium supplementation on health outcomes have been carried out in 'selenium-replete'-populations and show no beneficial effect, which from a nutritional point of view would rather not be expected. Some intervention studies conducted in populations low in selenium have showed a beneficial effect. Observational studies suggest an inverse relationship between selenium status and risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancer and all-cause mortality, and some other outcomes at low levels of intake (<55 µg/day) or in plasma or serum (<100 µg/L). However, a lack of quantitative data and inconsistencies between studies precludes these studies to be used to derive dietary reference values. At high intakes above 330 to 450 µg/day selenium may cause toxic effects affecting liver, peripheral nerves, skin, nails, and hair. An upper tolerable level (UL) of 255 µg selenium/day in adults was established by EFSA.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the Swedish cement industry – logistics collaboration potentials in the Baltic area

The cement industry in Sweden is facing a major climate change. A central part of the transition is carbon capture and storage (CCS), which is to be implemented in the Swedish largest cement production site on Gotland by 2030. For CCS to be realized, a reliable cost- and environmentally efficient logistics system for CO2 is required, which for the Swedish cement production on Gotland means CO2-transport by ship. A research project has been initiated during 2023 with the aim of increasing the cement industry’s knowledge and understanding of possible CO2 logistics systems for CCS. The project takes a larger innovation system approach of CCS by mapping current knowledge about CO2-logistics for CCS and emerging industrial and logistics actors in the Baltic area and North Sea. Further, logistics scenarios from the perspective of the cement industry will be investigated as well as opportunities for fossil-free CO2-shipping and business models for the cement industry’s CO2-logistics. The Baltic area includes heavy CO2 emitting industries both from cement production as well as steel, pulp &amp; paper, power &amp; heat with locations nearby a port, in which there are several initiatives to apply CCS. Further research will investigate how different types of cross-border collaborations could influence the efficiency of the CO2-logistics system. The project supports the cement industry's decisions regarding processes for the design of CO2-logistics arrangements for CCS.

Upper Ordovician carbon isotope chemostratigraphy and a high-resolution assessment of the Hirnantian Stage in the Baltic Sea subsurface

ABSTRACT Based on a new deep drilling on southern Gotland (Sweden), this study is the first to document the carbon isotope chemostratigraphy of the Upper Ordovician through lowermost Silurian sedimentary record from the central parts of the Baltic Sea subsurface. The lithological record of the Stora Sutarve core has similarities with adjacent successions in both the Viki core in the East Baltic area and the Borenshult core in the Swedish mainland. The core includes the Kahula (including 13 bentonites in the “Kinnekulle K-bentonite complex”), Hirmuse(?), Rägavere, Paekna, Jonstorp, Loka, Motala and Kallholn formations. Several of the internationally recognized upper Ordovician δ13C excursions have been identified in the core, including the Guttenberg Isotope Carbon Excursion (GICE), Moe excursion, Hirnantian Isotope Carbon Excursion (HICE), and an undefined early Silurian carbon isotope excursion, presumably the Early Aeronian Carbon Isotope Excursion (EACIE). We particularly address the microstratigraphy of the Hirnantian Stage and the finer details of the HICE, which is not fully complete and entirely confined to the 2.09-m-thick Loka Formation. This formation yields abundant, but low-richness brachiopod faunas characteristic of the Hirnantian Stage and is, based on erosional-depositional surfaces and facies, interpreted as reflecting interglacial warming and eustatic transgression related to ice-sheet contraction in Gondwana. Based on very dense carbon isotope sampling we identify four clusters of δ13C values that aid to define significant changes in the preserved record of the HICE and which may facilitate global correlation of the succession and the herein interpreted sea-level record.

Evidence of hybridization between genetically distinct Baltic cod stocks during peak population abundance(s).

Range expansions can lead to increased contact of divergent populations, thus increasing the potential of hybridization events. Whether viable hybrids are produced will most likely depend on the level of genomic divergence and associated genomic incompatibilities between the different entities as well as environmental conditions. By taking advantage of historical Baltic cod (Gadus morhua) otolith samples combined with genotyping and whole genome sequencing, we here investigate the genetic impact of the increased spawning stock biomass of the eastern Baltic cod stock in the mid 1980s. The eastern Baltic cod is genetically highly differentiated from the adjacent western Baltic cod and locally adapted to the brackish environmental conditions in the deeper Eastern basins of the Baltic Sea unsuitable for its marine counterparts. Our genotyping results show an increased proportion of eastern Baltic cod in western Baltic areas (Mecklenburg Bay and Arkona Basin)-indicative of a range expansion westwards-during the peak population abundance in the 1980s. Additionally, we detect high frequencies of potential hybrids (including F1, F2 and backcrosses), verified by whole genome sequencing data for a subset of individuals. Analysis of mitochondrial genomes further indicates directional gene flow from eastern Baltic cod males to western Baltic cod females. Our findings unravel that increased overlap in distribution can promote hybridization between highly divergent populations and that the hybrids can be viable and survive under specific and favourable environmental conditions. However, the observed hybridization had seemingly no long-lasting impact on the continuous separation and genetic differentiation between the unique Baltic cod stocks.

Distribution and speed of recreational boats in Danish waters based on coastal observations and satellite images: Predicting where boats may affect harbour porpoises

Danish coastal waters are a hotspot for recreational boating and harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), but as there is little data on the boats’ speeds and distributions, it is difficult to determine where porpoises are likely to be affected by boat noise. To gain knowledge on the potential impacts of small boats we 1) used coastal observations to assess how boat speed is related to boat size, type, distance to marinas, and wave height, and 2) used satellite images to assess the spatial distribution of small boats in Kattegat, the Sound, the Belt Sea and the Western Baltic areas (see map in Sveegaard et al., 2015). This made it possible to determine how the probability of observing boats was related to distance to the coast and number of people living within a radius of 5 km from a given area. We found that boat speeds varied among marinas and that speed was positively correlated with distance to the marina. The relationship between boat speed and size depended on boat type, with motorboats being the fastest. The satellite image analysis showed that motorboats were the dominant type in coastal waters, constituting 61.4% of the observed boats. The probability of observing boats on a satellite image covering 0.25 km2 dropped from 0.13 by the shore to 0.04 at a distance of 5 km from shore. The probability of observing boats was >10% in 6.6% of the study area, and the probability of observing boats and porpoises in the same area was >10% in 3.0% of the study area. Coastal waters are important habitats for many aquatic species, e.g., fish, invertebrates and porpoises, that use sound for communication or navigation. Our study uses a combination of observation and satellite data to identity areas where boats overlap with harbour porpoise presence and thus where the animals may be affected by boat noise. The study also illustrates how combining these two methods can yield important information on the potential impacts of boats on wildlife.

Corded Ware Culture Plant Gathering at the Narva-Jõesuu IIB Settlement and Burial Site in Estonia

ABSTRACT Plant use of the Corded Ware Culture (2800–2000 cal BC) communities in Estonia and more broadly in the eastern Baltic area has not been systematically studied using archaeobotanical methods. This article presents the first archaeobotanical study from a Stone Age context in Estonia, and discusses plant use at the Corded Ware Culture settlement and burial site of Narva-Jõesuu IIB in the north-eastern part of the country. Analysis revealed the first occurrence of water chestnut (Trapa natans) from a Stone Age context in Estonia and numerous common hazel (Corylus avellana) nutshells. Otherwise, the plant material preserved in the sandy soils of Narva-Jõesuu IIB consisted of charred remains of conifers and heathland species, as well as plants from scrubs or forest edges. The plant species that were found reflect the mosaic nature of the environment surrounding the site. Only wild plants were gathered and used at Narva-Jõesuu IIB; no domesticated plants or signs of plant cultivation were identified.

New Spore and Pollen Data from the Upper Eocene Deposits of the Sambian Peninsula, Kaliningrad Oblast

The article presents the results of the study of continental palynomorphs from the amber-bearing Upper E-ocene deposits in the Primorsky quarry (Kaliningrad Oblast, southeastern coast of the Baltic Sea). Three spore and pollen assemblages were identified and calibrated with the dinoflagellate cyst Rhombodinium perforatum and Thalassiphora reticulata zones. The “Blue Earth” Member of the Prussian Formation of the early Priabonian age is characterized by the Tricolporopollenites exactus–T. retiformis–Quercoidites microhenrici assemblage. The upper Priabonian “Upper Quicksand” and “White Wall” members of the Prussian Formation and the Palvé Formation are characterized by the Platanipollis ipelensis–Castaneoideaepollis oviformis–Tricolpopollenites foraminatus assemblage. The Inaperturopollenites–Sciadopityspollenites–Sequoiapollenites assemblage was recognized in the uppermost Palvé and lowermost Kurshskaya formations of the terminal Priabonian age. During the late Eocene the climatic conditions on the territory of the modern southern Baltic area were quite warm and humid, close to subtropical ones. Mixed coniferous-broad-leaved forests grew along the shores of the marine paleostrait, while the open spaces were occupied by heat-loving evergreen and moderately heat-loving deciduous shrubs and low-lying land areas were swamped. At the end of the Priabonian, a gradual regression of the sea basin began, which led to an increase in swampy areas on land, while the climate was still quite warm and humid.

Phonic Convergence in Estonian Yiddish

Abstract Multilingualism is a characteristic feature of Yiddish speakers in the Baltic region, and contact-induced language change is natural in this case. To date, some Baltic German impact on the local varieties of Yiddish has been discussed in the literature. This article focuses on the phonic impact of Estonian on Estonian Yiddish. The study is based on acoustic analysis of Estonian Yiddish sound recordings. The North Baltic area forms a separate region in the Baltic Sprachbund; Yiddish spoken in Samogitia and Courland as well as Estonian Yiddish exhibit several features typical of this language area. It is demonstrated that there is an overlap of basic prosodic categories with co-territorial languages, such as centralized stress and a quantity opposition. A distinctive feature common to Estonian and Estonian Yiddish is the limited reduction of vowels and a tendency to maintain stable durational ratios of the primary stressed syllable and following unstressed syllables.

The range-wide mitochondrial lineage of Natrix natrix scutata (Pallas, 1771) presented in the northern Zagros Mountains

Natrix natrix (Linnaeus, 1758) is a common species distributed from Central Europe to Central Asia. In this range, it forms four subspecies that include several mitochondrial evolutionary lineages. One of the lineages, the so-called mtDNA lineage 8, has a wide distribution from the Baltic area to Anatolia and Kazakhstan. In Anatolia, this lineage meets several others, however, their occurrence is unclear, especially in the south-eastern Türkiye where the species is uncommon. Obtaining one specimen from the poorly studied Hakkâri Province (Zagros part of Türkiye), we investigated its genetic affiliation (mitochondrial DNA) and basic morphology. The specimen represents a unique haplotype of the mtDNA lineage 8, closely related to populations from Georgia and northern and north-eastern Türkiye. It thus extends the occurrence of this mitochondrial lineage representing subspecies Natrix natrix scutata (Pallas, 1771) southward to the northern edge of the Zagros Mountains. Despite the phenotype polymorphism of this species, the morphological comparison also confirmed that selected characters are similar to other populations of the region.

Комплексы с бусами группы Алексеева-480-482,490,492 / Т-М-362 в Центральной Европе и их датирующие возможности

The article examines complexes with finds of glass beads with rosette ornament (Alekseeva-480-482,490,492 / T-M-362) in Central Europe. Thanks to these parallels, a chronology is established that makes it possible to clarify the dating of their existence in Eastern Europe, and the potential for using them as independent chronological indexes. The considered complexes contain a fairly constant, repetitive set of inventory: fibulas A-162, 167, 168, 211, bucket-shaped pendants, buckles ML-D-17/29, beads T-M-198/213, 266/267, 294/297, 322, 360-361, amber eight-shaped pendants. The finds clearly distinguish two groups with a slightly different chronology: on the Baltic area, the graves can be dated a little earlier – B2-C1a-C1b, on the territory of Poland – C1b-C2a-C2b, with a single case of delay to C3/D. The main cultural circle of existence is the Wielbark archaeological culture, from which the Masłomęcz-Grupp stands out, demonstrating pronounced southern ties with the Chernyakhov archaeological culture and the Sarmatians of the Limes. It is curious that in the Chernyakhov culture itself, finds of beads with rosette ornament are rare, and among the Sarmatians (and related groups): they are numerous on the Limes, but the further east (Crimea, Don-Volga steppes), they are less frequent. In Sarmatian monuments, beads are found with equipment that fit into the dates of the 2nd half. II – 1st half. III cent. AD.

Letters of William Rockwell Thrall and William Lynn McMillen as a Source for Studying the Participation of American Doctors in the Crimean War

The service of American doctors in the Russian army during the Crimean war is one of the most interesting pages in the history of Russian-American relations. In 1854–1855, about 40 American physicians joined the Russian army. In general, more is known about American doctors in the Crimean theatre of military operations. However, American doctors were also present on the northern front in the Baltic area, particularly, in the Russian army in Finland. Four Americans — Drs Thrall, McMillen, Leas, and Smyser — served in Tavastehus temporary military hospital. In Russian and foreign historiography, the question of foreign doctors’ service on the northern front of the Crimean war has not been addressed, and the organization of the medical part of the Russian troops guarding the Baltic coast is under-researched. The material for this study was the letters of two American doctors, William Rockwell Thrall and William Lynn McMillen, published in the Daily Ohio State Journal and the Ohio Medical and Surgical Journal. For the first time letters from American physicians are introduced into scholarship. They are interesting not only as a historical source describing the condition of the Russian army and society during the Crimean War, but also as an example of positive experience of cooperation between Russia and the United States. This little-known material, enables to reconstruct a partial picture of American doctors’ service in Finland, their circle of acquaintances and their views on Russia.

Геополитическая обусловленность воздействия «фактора моря» на пространственное развитие постсоветской России: балтийская специфика

The article explores the impact of geopolitical processes on the spatial organisation of society, a matter that has gained increasing importance in Russia. It focuses on the utilization of the World Ocean and its coastlines for resource extraction, logistics, military-strategic purposes, and settlement. Methodologically, this study combines modern socio-geographical approaches emphasising the role of the maritime factor in spatial development with classical geopolitical ideologemes drawing a line between the land and the sea. It stresses the fundamental possibility for territories, including states, not only to acquire synthetic continental-maritime attributes but also to transform the balance of these attributes under the influence of geopolitical determinants. The article analyses geopolitically induced changes in the maritime activities pursued by Russia in the post-Soviet period. The primary focus is on the situational territorial and economic shifts of 2014 and 2022, and their implications for Russian territories in the Baltic region. Pronounced inter-basin differences are described with respect to the coastalisation of the population. The study also evaluates the economic condition of key Russian maritime centres and their resilience to external influences, especially geopolitical challenges. The article offers a geopolitical justification for Russia’s ongoing maritime endeavours, emphasizing the need for inter-basin, intermunicipal, and interregional integration. This integration should be accompanied by the establishment of coastal-intracontinental facilities, such as hubs, across Russia. It is imperative for the nation and its prominent corporations to actively engage in shaping the framework of emerging expansive international maritime socio-geographical structures, facilitating the shift toward global maritime polycentrism. The solution to these problems is closely linked to the priority goal of strengthening Russia’s geostrategic standing in the Baltic region, particularly with a focus on its maritime components. These developments are anticipated within the context of the Russian Baltic Area, envisioned as a borderland with trans-basin geopolitical, economic-geographical, and geocultural bi-structural asymmetry.

Digitalization of small ports as a step in achieving sustainable goals.

Ports are important for logistics, supply chain management and the economy at regional, national and international levels. They facilitate access to key resources through transport and services, including energy, health, labour aspects, passenger mobility and accessibility. This is particularly important for inland or island regions. In addition to providing safety and security, ports act as gateways and centres of economic and social interaction, promoting, regional economic development and social inclusion. However, ports face increasing. interdependence and obligations to balance interests in conservation, economic efficiency, legal compliance and social justice. [1,2] The digitalisation of ports is inevitable and can contribute to improving the efficiency of their operations which can translate into achieving. sustainable goals. The article therefore presents the results of a study carried out on the level of digitization of small and medium-sized ports, as well as the needs arising from the need to increase the level of digitization and achieve the objectives of sustainable development. In order to verify the needs of small ports in the South Baltic area, focus studies were carried out. The research took place in 2022 December and foresight and design thinking methods were used to identify needs. Seventeen people participated in the survey, representatives of senior managers from the South Baltic ports.

Descriptive text to the Geological map of Denmark, 1:50 000, Møn 1511 I, 1511 IV and 1512 II

Descriptive text to the Geological map of Denmark, 1:50 000, Møn 1511 I, 1511 IV and 1512 II

Angels, demons and empowering leadership: simultaneous compensatory links to work role performance

PurposePrior research indicates that empowering leadership has simultaneous contradictory effects on work performance. This study aimed to explore contradictory mechanisms through which empowering leadership is related to work role performance behaviors.Design/methodology/approachThe sample was composed of 274 professionals from five IT companies located in the Baltic area. OLS regression analyses were performed using MEDCURVE for SPSS 23.0.FindingsEmpowering leadership is positively related to work role performance behaviors; additionally, perceived uncertainty mediates the relationship between empowering leadership and work role performance behaviors, with the relationship between empowering leadership and uncertainty having a curvilinear U-shape (concave upward). That is, although empowering leadership is positively related to work role performance, the relationship between empowering leadership and work role performance though uncertainty becomes non-significant at high levels of empowering leadership.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies to demonstrate that empowering leadership is related to work performance through simultaneous compensatory mechanisms. Moreover, this study provides evidence about the curvilinear relationship between empowering leadership and performance through uncertainty (previously unknown).

Analysis of the Relationship Between COVID-19 Infections and Web-Based Housing Searches

Abstract The study used Google search query data on real estate interest for several countries in the Baltic area. The dynamics of public interest in housing have been compared to the dynamics of the COVID-19 infections in Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, and Sweden. This study uses the Vector autoregressive (VAR) model to forecast such time series. VAR is a multivariate linear time series model in which the endogenous variables in the system are lagged functions of the values of all endogenous variables. The increase in COVID-19 infections negatively affected society’s interest in housing. The study used Google Trends and R software.