Centenary Year Research Articles

Conductors of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra: A Centenary Overview

AbstractIn 2023, a major European musical ensemble, the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra, celebrates its centennial. In the course of 100 years, this institution faced numerous obstacles, but thanks to the enthusiasm of great musicians, especially conductors, it has survived and laid the foundation for further musical and cultural development in Serbia. This article discusses the activity of the most important orchestral leaders (Stevan Hristić, Lovro von Matačić, Krešimir Baranović, Živojin Zdravković, Horst Förster, Vassily Sinaisky, Emil Tabakov, Uroš Lajovic, Dorian Wilson, Muhai Tang, Gabriel Feltz, Daniel Raiskin and Zubin Mehta), who have vastly contributed to or changed the course of the orchestra's development and left a big mark in its hundred-year-long history. In its centenary year, we will look back into the past, review the present, but also take a glimpse into the future the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra has already started to write for itself.

Technique and City in Brazil’s Centenary Year

ABSTRACT The panoramas of the International Centenary of the Independence of Brazil (Rio de Janeiro, 1922) were highlighted by the illuminated dome of the Palace of the States with its 45 meter height. The Palace was designed by Hippolyto Gustavo Pujol Jr. (1880–1952), a professor at the Polytechnic School of São Paulo, and called attention to the verticality and illumination of the dome, nicknamed the “tower of jewels”. It was an eclectic edifice with an innovative “reinforced cement framework”. Here we find in the Palace of the States the starting point for an investigation of the then novel structural technique and its unexpected reflection on the cityscape. We base this essay on Brazilian classical study de Augusto Carlos de Vasconcelos “O Concreto Armado no Brasil” (“Reinforced Concrete in Brazil”), to investigate the companies working with reinforced concrete operating in the city at the start of the 1920s, and the discourse supporting the disclosure of the technique. To corroborate the interpretation of the images, we rely on the reflections of and we recollect the thesis of Sérgio Ferro “O Canteiro e o Desenho” (“The Building Site and Design”) (2006 [1969]), to seek the reflections of the technique in the city’s social spheres.

Alexander Friedenstein, Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Shifting Paradigms and Euphemisms.

Six decades ago, Friedenstein and coworkers published a series of seminal papers identifying a cell population in bone marrow with osteogenic potential, now referred to as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). This work was also instrumental in establishing the identity of hematopoietic stem cell and the identification of skeletal stem/progenitor cell (SSPC) populations in various skeletal compartments. In recognition of the centenary year of Friedenstein's birth, I review key aspects of his work and discuss the evolving concept of the MSC and its various euphemisms indorsed by changing paradigms in the field. I also discuss the recent emphasis on MSC stromal quality attributes and how emerging data demonstrating a mechanistic link between stromal and stem/progenitor functions bring renewed relevance to Friedenstein's contributions and much needed unity to the field.

ECR Spotlight – Alexander Hansson

ECR Spotlight is a series of interviews with early-career authors from a selection of papers published in Journal of Experimental Biology and aims to promote not only the diversity of early-career researchers (ECRs) working in experimental biology during our centenary year but also the huge variety of animals and physiological systems that are essential for the ‘comparative’ approach. Alexander Hansson is an author on ‘ Sex and early-life conditions shape telomere dynamics in an ectotherm’, published in JEB. Alexander conducted the research described in this article while a PhD student in Mats Olsson's lab at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, and Erik Wapstra's lab at the University of Tasmania, Australia. He has a particular interest in the effects of early-life conditions on telomere dynamics and life history traits in ectotherms.

ECR Spotlight – Elin Persson

ECR Spotlight is a series of interviews with early-career authors from a selection of papers published in Journal of Experimental Biology and aims to promote not only the diversity of early-career researchers (ECRs) working in experimental biology during our centenary year, but also the huge variety of animals and physiological systems that are essential for the ‘comparative’ approach. Elin Persson is an author on ‘ Thermoregulatory consequences of growing up during a heatwave or a cold snap’, published in JEB. Elin is a PhD student in the lab of Andreas Nord at Lund University, Sweden, investigating the consequences of temperature variation on bird development.

ECR Spotlight – Ruth Dunn and James Duckworth

ECR Spotlight is a series of interviews with early-career authors from a selection of papers published in Journal of Experimental Biology and aims to promote not only the diversity of early-career researchers (ECRs) working in experimental biology during our centenary year but also the huge variety of animals and physiological systems that are essential for the ‘comparative’ approach. Ruth Dunn and James Duckworth are authors on ‘ A framework to unlock marine bird energetics’, published in JEB. Ruth is a Senior Research Associate in the lab of Nick Graham at Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK, investigating the ecology and energetics of marine predators and their influence on the ecosystems that they inhabit. James is an Associate Researcher in the lab of Jonathan Green at the School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, UK, investigating applications of energetic and ecological theory to address practical problems.

Through the looking glass: attempting to predict future opportunities and challenges in experimental biology.

To celebrate its centenary year, Journal of Experimental Biology (JEB) commissioned a collection of articles examining the past, present and future of experimental biology. This Commentary closes the collection by considering the important research opportunities and challenges that await us in the future. We expect that researchers will harness the power of technological advances, such as '-omics' and gene editing, to probe resistance and resilience to environmental change as well as other organismal responses. The capacity to handle large data sets will allow high-resolution data to be collected for individual animals and to understand population, species and community responses. The availability of large data sets will also place greater emphasis on approaches such as modeling and simulations. Finally, the increasing sophistication of biologgers will allow more comprehensive data to be collected for individual animals in the wild. Collectively, these approaches will provide an unprecedented understanding of 'how animals work' as well as keys to safeguarding animals at a time when anthropogenic activities are degrading the natural environment.

ECR Spotlight – Danielle Blumstein

ECR Spotlight is a series of interviews with early-career authors from a selection of papers published in Journal of Experimental Biology and aims to promote not only the diversity of early-career researchers (ECRs) working in experimental biology during our centenary year, but also the huge variety of animals and physiological systems that are essential for the ‘comparative’ approach. Danielle Blumstein is an author on ‘ When the tap runs dry: the physiological effects of acute experimental dehydration in Peromyscus eremicus’, published in JEB. Danielle is a PhD candidate in the lab of Matthew MacManes at the University of New Hampshire, USA, investigating evolution and adaptive diversity by blending physiology, genomics and evolutionary biology.

ECR Spotlight – Grace Sutton

ECR Spotlight is a series of interviews with early-career authors from a selection of papers published in Journal of Experimental Biology and aims to promote not only the diversity of early-career researchers (ECRs) working in experimental biology during our centenary year but also the huge variety of animals and physiological systems that are essential for the ‘comparative’ approach. Grace Sutton is an author on ‘ Determining energy expenditure in a large seabird using accelerometry’, published in JEB. Grace conducted the research described in this article while a PhD student in Dr John Arnould's lab at Deakin University, Burwood, Australia. She is now a Research Fellow (Eco Remote Sensing Scientist) in the lab of Dr Jim Radford at La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia, investigating fine-scale animal movements with a focus on foraging and energetics.

ECR Spotlight – David Matthews

ECR Spotlight is a series of interviews with early-career authors from a selection of papers published in Journal of Experimental Biology and aims to promote not only the diversity of early-career researchers (ECRs) working in experimental biology during our centenary year but also the huge variety of animals and physiological systems that are essential for the ‘comparative’ approach. David Matthews is an author on ‘ Locomotor effects of a fibrosis-based immune response in stickleback fish’, published in JEB. David conducted the research described in this article while a Graduate student in Dr George Lauder's lab at the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, USA. He is now a postdoc in the lab of Dr Craig Albertson at the Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA, investigating the mechanisms by which genetic changes are translated into functional and fitness differences between individuals.

ECR Spotlight – Kazuki Yoshino-Hashizawa

ECR Spotlight is a series of interviews with early-career authors from a selection of papers published in Journal of Experimental Biology and aims to promote not only the diversity of early-career researchers (ECRs) working in experimental biology during our centenary year but also the huge variety of animals and physiological systems that are essential for the ‘comparative’ approach. Kazuki Yoshino-Hashizawa is an author on ‘ The distress context of social calls evokes a fear response in the bat Pipistrellus abramus’, published in JEB. Kazuki is a PhD student in the lab of Shizuko Hiryu and Kohta I. Kobayasi at the Graduate School of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Japan, investigating decision-making processes via vocal communication with a focus on emotion and/or individuality.

ECR Spotlight – Nicolas Séon

ECR Spotlight is a series of interviews with early-career authors from a selection of papers published in Journal of Experimental Biology and aims to promote not only the diversity of early-career researchers (ECRs) working in experimental biology during our centenary year but also the huge variety of animals and physiological systems that are essential for the ‘comparative’ approach. Nicolas Séon is an author on ‘ Determination of water balance maintenance in Orcinus orca and Tursiops truncatus using oxygen isotopes’, published in JEB. Nicolas conducted the research described in this article while a PhD student in Dr Peggy Vincent, Dr Romain Amiot and Prof. Sylvain Charbonnier's lab at Centre de Recherche en Paléontologie - Paris (CR2P), France. He begins a post-doc in February 2024 in the lab of Dr Mia Wege and Prof. Trevor McIntyre at University of South Africa (UNISA)/University of Pretoria (UP), South Africa, investigating the ecology and physiology of extant and fossil marine vertebrates using isotope geochemistry.

ECR Spotlight – Adrien A. Arias

ECR Spotlight is a series of interviews with early-career authors from a selection of papers published in Journal of Experimental Biology and aims to promote not only the diversity of early-career researchers (ECRs) working in experimental biology during our centenary year but also the huge variety of animals and physiological systems that are essential for the ‘comparative’ approach. Adrien A. Arias is an author on ‘ Modulation of limb mechanics in alligators moving across varying grades’, published in JEB. Adrien conducted the research described in this article while a PhD student in Dr Manny Azizi's lab at the University of California, Irvine, USA. He is now a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the lab of Dr Nicole Danos at the University of San Diego, USA, investigating how the morphological and physiological features of vertebrate animals affect muscle–tendon function and mechanical properties.

ECR Spotlight – Rachel Thayer

ECR Spotlight is a series of interviews with early-career authors from a selection of papers published in Journal of Experimental Biology and aims to promote not only the diversity of early-career researchers (ECRs) working in experimental biology during our centenary year but also the huge variety of animals and physiological systems that are essential for the ‘comparative’ approach. Rachel Thayer is an author on ‘ A meta-analysis of butterfly structural colors: their color range, distribution and biological production’, published in JEB. Rachel conducted the research described in this article while a PhD student in Nipam Patel's lab at University of California Berkeley/Marine Biological Laboratory, USA. She is now a Postdoctoral Fellow in the lab of David Begun at University of California, Davis, USA, investigating the genetic basis of complex, adaptive traits, evolutionary innovation and the relationship between microevolutionary and macroevolutionary processes and their diversity.

ECR Spotlight – Rune Sørås

ECR Spotlight is a series of interviews with early-career authors from a selection of papers published in Journal of Experimental Biology and aims to promote not only the diversity of early-career researchers (ECRs) working in experimental biology during our centenary year but also the huge variety of animals and physiological systems that are essential for the ‘comparative’ approach. Rune Sørås is an author on ‘ High latitude northern bats (Eptesicus nilssonii) reveal adaptations to high and low ambient temperatures’, published in JEB. Rune conducted the research described in this article while a PhD student in Clare Stawski's lab at the Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway. Rune is primarily interested in understanding the physiological traits of birds and mammals as a tool to better understand how we can aid in the conservation of these animals.

TÜRKİYE’NİN 100. YILINDA ULUSLARARASI İKLİM POLİTİKALARI

Climate change has escalated into a global crisis requiring urgent attention from all countries. While some regions and nations, labelled as vulnerable, experience the profound impacts of this crisis more intensely, it's essential to note that those responsible for causing climate change and those negatively affected by its consequences might not be the same. Regardless of these differences, global measures are crucial to effectively address the crisis. In this context, the international community, led by the United Nations, has taken concrete steps to tackle climate change.
 Initiated with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the process led to the establishment of the three crucial pillars with the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. Türkiye, being a country located within the Mediterranean basin, is among those most acutely affected by the impacts of climate change. Despite its recent efforts such as signing and implementing the Paris Agreement and updating its nationally determined contributions, Türkiye’s continued reliance on fossil fuels indicates a misalignment with sustainability goals. Despite the strides taken, the fact that Türkiye has not yet shifted towards renewable energy sources due to its fossil fuel-based policies suggests that there is still a long way to go. Therefore, the study explores how Türkiye can harmonize with international climate policies by enacting a climate law and implementing mitigation and adaptation efforts on its journey towards net zero carbon emissions by its centennial year.

ECR Spotlight – Yangfan Zhang

ECR Spotlight is a series of interviews with early-career authors from a selection of papers published in Journal of Experimental Biology and aims to promote not only the diversity of early-career researchers (ECRs) working in experimental biology during our centenary year but also the huge variety of animals and physiological systems that are essential for the ‘comparative’ approach. Yangfan Zhang is an author on ‘ Energetics of collective movement in vertebrates’, published in JEB. Yangfan is a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) post-doctoral research fellow in the lab of George V. Lauder at Harvard University, USA, investigating environmental effects on respiratory phenotype and the bioenergetics of specific locomotion gaits, to ultimately expand the potential of tracking field metabolic rate in fish in the light of ecology and evolution.

ECR Spotlight – William Joyce

ECR Spotlight is a series of interviews with early-career authors from a selection of papers published in Journal of Experimental Biology and aims to promote not only the diversity of early-career researchers (ECRs) working in experimental biology during our centenary year but also the huge variety of animals and physiological systems that are essential for the ‘comparative’ approach. William Joyce is an author on “ Evolution and divergence of teleost adrenergic receptors: why sometimes ‘the drugs don't work’ in fish”, published in JEB. William conducted the research described in this article while a postdoc at Aarhus University, Denmark. He is now a postdoc in the lab of Borja Ibáñez at National Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Madrid, Spain, investigating the regulation of the cardiovascular system in vertebrates, from the integrative control of cardiac output to the molecular evolution of cardiac proteins.

Beyond “for ever England”: Contemporary British Women’s War Poetry and the First World War Canon

Turning to the First World War patriotic narrative of “for ever England,” epito- mised by Rupert Brooke and his writing as the point of departure, this paper investigates 21st century commemorative women’s poetry written during the First World War centenary years and its subversive interaction with this traditional war narrative. This article argues that while the public discourse on war memory often turned to the idea of a “shared past” between the UK and former colonies, thus “sanitising” the history of colonial violence (as argued by Santanu Das), poems by Yrsa Daley-Ward, Malika Booker, Imtiaz Dharker, and Jenny Lewis written for commemorative anthologies effectively de-colonise the nar- rative(s) of the First World War by opening up the space for new voices and construing the image of England beyond “for ever England” in its relation to other spaces and other wars.

ECR Spotlight – Ian Bouyoucos

ECR Spotlight is a series of interviews with early-career authors from a selection of papers published in Journal of Experimental Biology and aims to promote not only the diversity of early-career researchers (ECRs) working in experimental biology during our centenary year, but also the huge variety of animals and physiological systems that are essential for the ‘comparative’ approach. Ian Bouyoucos is an author on ‘ Physiological responses to acute warming at the agitation temperature in a temperate shark’, published in JEB. Ian is a postdoc in the lab of Gary Anderson at Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, investigating stress physiology of fishes, with a specific interest in functional evolution and applications to conservation.