European Sites Research Articles

Climate warming leads to advanced fruit development period of temperate woody species but divergent changes in its length.

Climate warming has significantly altered the phenology of plants in recent decades. However, in contrast to the widely reported warming-induced extension of vegetative growing season, the response of fruit development period (FDP) from flowering to fruiting remains largely unexplored, particularly for woody plants. Analyzing >560,000 in situ observations of both flowering and fruiting dates for six temperate woody species across 2958 European phenological observations sites during 1980-2013, we found that in all species both flowering and fruiting phenology, that is, the FDP, advanced with climate warming. However, the advancing rates of the two events were not necessarily equal for any given species, resulting in divergent changes in the length of FDP among species with climate warming. During 1980-2013, not only the temperature during FDP but also the forcing requirement for fruit development increased, both affecting the length of FDP. The shortened FDP was mainly due to elevated temperature, thus accelerating the accumulation of forcing, whereas the prolonged FDP was primarily caused by the substantial increase of the forcing requirement of fruiting, which could be fulfilled only in a longer time and thus slowed down the advance of fruiting. This study provides large-scale empirical evidence of warming-induced advances of FDP but divergent changes in its length in temperate woody species. Our findings demonstrate the contrasting reproductive phenological strategies among temperate woody species under the pressure of warming climate, contrary to the lengthening of vegetative growing season, which is by and largely similar with different woody species.

Using Cores as Tools: Use-wear Analysis of Neanderthal Recycling Processes in Level 4 at Prado Vargas (Cornejo, Merindad de Sotoscueva, Burgos, Spain)

ABSTRACT The life of tools in lithic assemblages from European Middle Paleolithic sites reveal different processes of dilation, such as ramification (the use of a flake as a production matrix, from which a second and sometimes even a third tool is produced) and tool on core (TOC), core on tool (COT) and core on flake (COF) processes, with the presence of resharpening tools and the presence of double patinas as further evidence. Technological studies suggest that items in a lithic assemblage have gone through function changes (through reuse or recycling), but only use-wear analysis can demonstrate what these changes of function have been. Of particular interest is the recycling of cores, which often become tools (retouched or non). In this paper, we analyze several cores recovered in Level 4 of Prado Vargas, in which we demonstrate what their use was after the first function as matrixes of exploitation and flake-production.

Biological durability and moisture dynamics of Dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) and Port Orford cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana)

ABSTRACT Numerous non-native tree species are given attention with respect to the reforestation of calamity areas in Europe. Among them, several species may form durable wood which can be used for outdoor applications, but differences in wood durability are expected between original and European growth sites. This study aimed at examining the biological durability against wood-destroying fungi and water permeability of German-grown Dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) and Port Orford cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana). The heartwood of both wood species was assigned to durability class 4 (DC 4, less durable) in soil contact and DC 1–4 (very to less durable) against wood-destroying basidiomycetes. However, according to the Meyer-Veltrup model, their material resistance dose was notably higher compared to the reference species Norway spruce (Picea abies), and the resulting service life of above ground structures should be a multiple of the reference.

Validation of ocean color remote sensing reflectance data: Analysis of results at European coastal sites

From its initial measurements 20 years ago, the Ocean Color component of the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET-OC) has produced large validation data sets to assess the ocean color satellite data records. This study, applied to the standard atmospheric correction algorithm l2gen of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, analyses the populations of residuals (differences between matching satellite and field data) of remote sensing reflectance RRS and, secondarily, aerosol optical thickness τa, and their validation statistics associated with data collected at seven AERONET-OC sites located in European coastal regions for six satellite missions. Validation statistics do not appear particularly sensitive to observation conditions, represented by viewing and solar geometry, aerosol optical thickness τa, Ångström exponent or water properties indexed by RRS, the most obvious exceptions being a systematic increase of the residuals for high solar zenith angles for all missions and sites. Residuals of RRS and τa tend to be inversely correlated as deviations in aerosol radiance and water-leaving radiance compensate each other. The spectra of a RRS uncertainty estimate σ decrease in a monotonous manner from 0.7 to 1.5 10−3 sr−1 for wavelengths around 412nm to 0.1–0.35 10−3 sr−1 around 667nm, with σ usually relatively high for waters associated with high amplitudes of RRS. At 412nm, σ for τa is mostly in the interval 0.03–0.04. For RRS, variations across missions of σ or of the relative differences between satellite and field data are overall smaller than variations across sites, which suggests that the products derived from various missions are rather consistent at a given location when processed with the considered algorithm. For a given mission, RRS residuals are well correlated between bands (inter-band correlation coefficient mostly larger than 0.5), which has implications on the propagation of uncertainties through bio-optical algorithms. For a given wavelength, residuals are correlated between missions to various degrees (most often with inter-mission correlation coefficients larger than 0.5). Besides implications as far as uncertainties of multi-mission merged products are concerned, this inter-mission correlation among residuals suggest that the residuals are not random and could be reduced.

Spatial heterogeneity of air pollution statistics in Europe

Air pollution is one of the leading causes of death globally, and continues to have a detrimental effect on our health. In light of these impacts, an extensive range of statistical modelling approaches has been devised in order to better understand air pollution statistics. However, the time-varying statistics of different types of air pollutants are far from being fully understood. The observed probability density functions (PDFs) of concentrations depend very much on the spatial location and on the pollutant substance. In this paper, we analyse a large variety of data from 3544 different European monitoring sites and show that the PDFs of nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO_2) and particulate matter (PM_{10} and PM_{2.5}) concentrations generically exhibit heavy tails and are asymptotically well approximated by q-exponential distributions with a given width parameter lambda. We observe that the power-law parameter q and the width parameter lambda vary widely for the different spatial locations. For each substance, we find different patterns of parameter clouds in the (q, lambda ) plane. These depend on the type of pollutants and on the environmental characteristics (urban/suburban/rural/traffic/industrial/background). This means the effective statistical physics description of air pollution exhibits a strong degree of spatial heterogeneity.

3a edizione Giornate della ricerca scientifica e delle esperienze professionali dei giovani: Società Italiana di Igiene, Medicina Preventiva e Sanità Pubblica (SItI) 25-26 marzo 2022.

INTRODUCTIONCoronavirus disease (COVID-19) was first detected in Wuhan city, China in December 2019. The followed pandemic has been one of the worst threats to healthcare systems all over the world [1,2]. Healthcare workers are at a high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection that can result in a reduced healthcare workforce [3,4]. Therefore, measuring the seroprevalence, incidence and identifying the risk factors for hospital-related SARS-CoV-2 could provide important information to control the COVID-19 within hospitals, to protect patients and healthcare workers and to save lives. Furthermore, evaluating the real-world COVID-19 vaccine performance is critical for understanding the risks and benefits of vaccination programmes. In this framework, in 2020, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) initiated two projects, coordinated by Epiconcept, France, to support the development and implementation of two multicentre European studies to: i) conduct hospital-based transmission and seroepidemiological studies, to measure seroprevalence, incidence and identifying risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers and ii) evaluate the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine in hospital-based healthcare workers. The Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico “G. Rodolico - San Marco”, University of Catania, has participated in the two studies to evaluate among healthcare workers the risk factors for COVID-19 and vaccine efficacy. The aim of this work is to describe data we collected thanks to the participation in these European studies.MATERIALS AND METHODSWe conducted simultaneously the two different prospective multicentre studies in the same cohort of healthcare workers and in the same context. One study was conducted to measure risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and identify risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection and seroprevalence among healthcare workers. The other one was conducted to measure product-specific COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness among hospital healthcare workers eligible for vaccination against all laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. We collected information on community and in-hospitals exposures 14 days before enrolment. Once informed consent had been obtained, healthcare workers were enrolled regardless of their individual vaccination and provided a nasopharyngeal swab for RT-PCR analysis, provided a blood sample for serology testing, completed an enrolment questionnaire that includes demographic, clinical, and epidemiological information, information about vaccination history, and occupation- and community-related behaviour. The follow-up consisted in a RT-PCR test searching for SARS-CoV-2 RNA virus once a week and a blood sample for serology once a month. Participants were followed up with a weekly survey to report changes in health or vaccination status as well as likely professional and personal exposures.RESULTSDuring the study period, from July to October 2021, a total of 231 healthcare workers from the Catania site were enrolled. A decline in seroprevalence among healthcare workers was detected. During the follow-up period, 6 COVID-19 cases were detected using RT-PCR test with an incidence of 4 per 10,000 person-days. Due to the low number of infections detected during the study results on risk factors – as age, educational level and current smoking – need to be interpreted with caution. In light of the very high COVID-19 vaccine coverage rates, with nearly all healthcare workers having received at least one dose of vaccine before enrolment, comparing the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 disease in vaccinated and unvaccinated groups is not possible because of limited sample size.CONCLUSIONSA low number of COVID-19 infections were detected during the follow-up of HCW with the information available, all of them vaccinated with two doses of RNA messenger vaccine and no previous infection. The very high COVID-19 vaccine coverage rateseriously compromises the possibility of estimating vaccine efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines by both a reduction in the power of the study and the introduction of a selection bias as unvaccinated and partially vaccinated HCW are unlikely to be representative of HCW in general. As the study on vaccine effectiveness is still on-going in many European sites, it is expected that the sample size will increase along with infections.

Multiple introductions and overwintering shape the progressive invasion of Aedes albopictus beyond the Alps.

Aedes albopictus originates from Southeast Asia and is considered one of the most invasive species globally. This mosquito is a nuisance and a disease vector of significant public health relevance. In Europe, Ae. albopictus is firmly established and widespread south of the Alps, a mountain range that forms a formidable biogeographic barrier to many organisms. Recent reports of Ae. albopictus north of the Alps raise questions of (1) the origins of its recent invasion, and (2) if this mosquito has established overwintering populations north of the Alps. To answer these questions, we analyzed population genomic data from >4000 genome‐wide SNPs obtained through double‐digest restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing. We collected SNP data from specimens from six sites in Switzerland, north and south of the Alps, and analyzed them together with specimens from other 33 European sites, five from the Americas, and five from its Asian native range. At a global level, we detected four genetic clusters with specimens from Indonesia, Brazil, and Japan as the most differentiated, whereas specimens from Europe, Hong Kong, and USA largely overlapped. Across the Alps, we detected a weak genetic structure and high levels of genetic admixture, supporting a scenario of rapid and human‐aided dispersal along transportation routes. While the genetic pattern suggests frequent re‐introductions into Switzerland from Italian sources, the recovery of a pair of full siblings in two consecutive years in Strasbourg, France, suggests the presence of an overwintering population north of the Alps. The suggestion of overwintering populations of Ae. albopictus north of the Alps and the expansion patterns identified points to an increased risk of further northward expansion and the need for increased surveillance of mosquito populations in Northern Europe.

Last Interglacial sea-level data points from Northwest Europe

Abstract. Abundant numbers of sites and studies exist in NW Europe that document the geographically and geomorphologically diverse coastal record from the Last Interglacial (Eemian, Ipswichian, Marine Isotope Stage 5e). This paper summarises a database of 146 known Last Interglacial sea-level data points from in and around the North Sea (35 entries in the Netherlands, 10 Belgium, 23 in Germany, 17 in Denmark, 9 in Britain) and the English Channel (24 entries for the British and 25 for the French side, 3 on the Channel Isles) believed to be a representative and fairly complete inventory and assessment from ∼80 published sites. The geographic distribution (∼1500 km SW–NE) across the near field of the Scandinavian and British ice sheets and the attention paid to relative and numeric age control are assets of the NW European database. The research history of Last Interglacial coastal environments and sea level for this area is long, methodically diverse and spread through regional literature in several languages. Our review and database compilation effort drew from the original regional literature and paid particular attention to distinguishing between sea-level index points (SLIPs) and marine and terrestrial limiting points. We also incorporated an updated quantification of background rates of basin subsidence for the central and eastern North Sea region, utilising revised mapping of the base Quaternary, to correct for significant basin subsidence in this depocentre. As a result of subsidence, lagoonal and estuarine Last Interglacial shorelines of the Netherlands and the German Bight are preserved below the surface. In contrast, Last Interglacial shorelines along the English Channel are encountered above modern sea level. This paper describes the dominant sea-level indicators from the region compliant with the WALIS database structure and referenced to original data sources (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6478094, Cohen et al., 2021). The sea-level proxies are mostly obtained from locations with good lithostratigraphic, morphostratigraphic and biostratigraphical constraints. Most continental European sites have chronostratigraphic age control, notably through regional pollen association zones with duration estimates. In all regions, many SLIPs and limiting points have further independent age control from luminescence, uranium series, amino acid racemisation and electron spin resonance dating techniques. Main foreseen usage of this database for the near-field region of the European ice sheets is in glacial isostatic adjustment modelling and fingerprinting Last Interglacial ice sheet melt.

Variations by degrees: Western European paleoenvironmental fluctuations across MIS 13–11

Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 13–11 saw a major transformation in the hominin occupation of Europe, with an expansion in the scale and geographical distribution of sites and artifact assemblages. That expansion is explored here in the context of paleoenvironmental variability, focusing on geographical and chronological trends in climatic and habitat conditions at and between key Lower Paleolithic sites in Western Europe. Climatic conditions at British sites are compared across MIS 13–11, and used to test predicted values from the Oscillayers data set. Conditions at hominin and nonhominin sites are compared to explore possible limitations in hominin tolerances during MIS 13–11. Trends in conditions are explored with reference to long-term global patterns, short-term substage events, and seasonal variations. The apparent increase in the scale of hominin activity in north-western Europe during MIS 13 is surprising in light of the relatively harsh conditions of late MIS 13, and is likely to reflect significant physiological and/or behavioral adaptations, a mild south-north temperature gradient in western Europe during MIS 13, and the relatively mild, sustained conditions spanning MIS 15–13. The expanded occupation of north-western Europe during MIS 11 probably reflects the extended mild conditions of MIS 11c, since marked seasonal temperature differences and substantial behavioral changes between hominin sites in MIS 13 and 11 are not clearly evident. Site-specific conditions in south-western Europe during MIS 11 suggest milder winters, warmer summers, and reduced seasonal variability compared to north-western Europe. Some or all of these conditions may have supported larger, core populations, as may the relatively mild conditions associated with south-western European sites during MIS 12. Finally, comparisons between north-western and north-central European sites indicate relatively small differences in seasonal temperatures, suggesting that climate may only be a partial factor behind the smaller-scale occupations of north-central Europe during MIS 13–11.

Evaluation of Zika rapid tests as aids for clinical diagnosis and epidemic preparedness.

SummaryBackgroundDevelopment and evaluation of diagnostics for diseases of epidemic potential are often funded during epidemics, but not afterwards, leaving countries unprepared for the next epidemic. United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) partnered with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to address this important gap by investing in an advance purchase commitment (APC) mechanism to accelerate the development and evaluation of Zika rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for case detection and surveillance. This paper describes the performance evaluation of five Zika RDTs eligible for procurement.MethodsA network of European Union-funded ZikaPLAN sites in Africa, Asia, Latin America with access to relevant serum specimens were selected to evaluate RDTs developed for the UNICEF APC mechanism. A standardised protocol and evaluation panels were developed and a call for specimens for the evaluation panels issued to different sites. Each site contributed specimens to the evaluation from their biobank. Data were collated, analysed and presented to the UNICEF Procurement Review Group for review.FindingsThree RDTs met the criteria for UNICEF procurement of sensitivity and specificity of 85% against a refence standard. The sensitivity/specificity of the ChemBio anti-Zika Virus (ZIKV) immunoglobulin M (IgM) test was 86.4 %/86.7% and the ChemBio ZCD system for anti-ZIKV IgM was 79.0%/97.1%, anti-dengue virus (DENV) IgM 90.0%/89.2%, anti-Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) IgM 90.6%/97.2%. The sensitivity/specificity of the SD Biosensor anti-ZIKV IgM was 96.8 %/90.8%, anti-DENV IgM 71.8%/83.5%, the DENV nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) glycoprotein 90.0%/90.2%, anti- yellow fever virus (YFV) IgM 84.6%/92.4%, anti-CHIKV IgM 86.3%/97.5%.InterpretationThree RDTs fulfilled the performance thresholds set by WHO and were eligible for UNICEF procurement. These tests will improve the diagnosis of ZIKV and other arboviral infections as well as providing countries with better tools for surveillance and response to future epidemics.FundingThis work was supported by the USAID grant GHA-G-00-07-00007 and ZikaPLAN (European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No. 734584).

Evaluation of laboratory test methods for assessing the alkali-reactivity potential of aggregates by field site tests

Field site tests were carried out to assess the reliability of the tests developed by RILEM and some regional tests to evaluate the alkali-reactivity potential of aggregates (eight tests were included). One hundred concrete cubes made with 13 different European aggregate combinations were stored on eight different European field sites to compare their expansions with the laboratory test results. All highly reactive aggregate combinations caused significant expansion of concrete cubes within the first six years on all field sites from Norway to Spain. These and the non-reactive aggregate combinations were correctly identified with all laboratory tests. Concrete cubes with moderately reactive aggregate combinations expanded very slowly and mainly in the outdoor exposure sites with warm climate conditions. The RILEM test method AAR-4.1 (60°C accelerated concrete prism test) and the Norwegian concrete prism test at 38°C seem to be best suited to identity the potential reactivity of moderately reactive aggregate combinations.

Effectiveness of 10 and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines against invasive pneumococcal disease in European children: SpIDnet observational multicentre study

BackgroundPneumococcal conjugate vaccines covering 10 (PCV10) and 13 (PCV13) serotypes have been introduced in the infant immunization schedule of most European countries in 2010–11. To provide additional real-life data, we measured the effectiveness of PCV10 and PCV13 against invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in children of 12 European sites (SpIDnet). MethodsWe compared the vaccination status of PCV10 and PCV13 serotype IPD (cases) to that of nonPCV13 serotype IPD (controls) reported in 2012–2018. We calculated pooled effectiveness as (1-vaccination odds ratio)*100, and measured effectiveness over time since booster dose. ResultsThe PCV13 and PCV10 studies included 2522 IPD cases from ten sites and 486 cases from four sites, respectively. The effectiveness of ≥ 1 PCV13 dose was 84.2% (95 %CI: 79.0–88.1) against PCV13 serotypes (n = 2353) and decreased from 93.1% (87.8–96.1) < 12 months to 85.1% (72.0–92.1) ≥ 24 months after booster dose. PCV13 effectiveness of ≥ 1 dose was 84.7% (55.7–94.7) against fatal PCV13 IPD, 64.5% (43.7–77.6), 83.2% (73.7–89.3) and 85.1% (67.6–93.1) against top serotypes 3, 19A and 1, respectively, and 85.4% (62.3–94.4) against 6C. Serotype 3 and 19A effectiveness declined more rapidly. PCV10 effectiveness of ≥ 1 dose was 84.8% (69.4–92.5) against PCV10 serotypes (n = 370), 27.2% (-187.6 to 81.6) and 85.3% (35.2–96.7) against top serotypes 1 and 7F, 32.5% (-28.3 to 64.5) and −14.4% (-526.5 to 79.1) against vaccine-related serotypes 19A and 6C, respectively. ConclusionsPCV10 and PCV13 provide similar protection against IPD due to the respective vaccine serotype groups but serotype-specific effectiveness varies by serotype and vaccine. PCV13 provided individual protection against serotype 3 and vaccine-related serotype 6C IPD. PCV10 effectiveness was not significant against vaccine-related serotypes 19A and 6C. PCV13 effectiveness declined with time after booster vaccination. This multinational study enabled measuring serotype-specific vaccine effectiveness with a precision rarely possible at the national level. Such large networks are crucial for the post-licensure evaluation of vaccines.

The Significance of Subtlety: Contrasting Lithic Raw Materials Procurement and Use Patterns at the Oldowan Sites of Barranco León and Fuente Nueva 3 (Orce, Andalusia, Spain)

Situated in southern Spain’s Guadix-Baza basin, Barranco León and Fuente Nueva 3 (Orce, Andalusia, Spain) are two of the most important western European Oldowan archeological sites. After 30 years of quasi-uninterrupted excavations, these two occurrences have yielded exceptional lithic and faunal records in precisely dated stratigraphic situations, providing a wealth of information about the oldest presence of hominins outside of Africa (1.4 and 1.3 Ma, respectively). Recently, excavations and multidisciplinary research have allowed to discern new patterns of lithic raw material procurement and use patterns practiced by the Orce hominins that enable us to clearly distinguish different behavioral schemes between these two sites; in spite of their spatial proximity. This paper explores new data from the lithic collections in relation to hominin technical and economic behavior, highlighting subtle but significant differences in their exploitation of local limestone and flint clasts more than a million years ago. During this period of the late Early Pleistocene, these sites were situated on the shores of an ancient saline lake and fresh water sources were available. This favorable environmental situation, while attractive to the hominins, also supported life for an abundance of large mammals, including competitive large carnivores, underlining questions of expedience as an influence on techno-morphology in these early stone toolkits. This paper analyzes these themes, highlighting updated information from these and other key European late Early Pleistocene sites.

Safety and feasibility of a novel multilectrode array catheter in mapping atrial and ventricular arrhythmias with high density: results from the multi-center OPTIMUM study

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): This study was funded by Biosense Webster, Inc. Background/Introduction The novel multielectrode array mapping catheter includes 48 electrodes symmetrically distributed across and along 6 splines (Picture), with an additional unipolar reference electrode to reduce far-field signals built in at the tip of the irrigation lumen. Preclinical studies demonstrated its ability to provide high density and high resolution mapping in complex substrates, but its usability and safety in patients with atrial or ventricular arrhythmias have not been investigated. Purpose To assess the safety and mapping performance of the catheter with the electroanatomical navigation system for mapping in the atria and ventricle in patients with a variety of complex arrhythmias. Methods The OPTIMUM study was a prospective, single arm study conducted at 3 European sites. Patients with scar-related atrial tachycardia (AT), PAF and persistent AF (PsAF), ventricular tachycardia (VT), or premature ventricular complexes (PVC) underwent pre-ablation mapping with the study catheter, and subsequent ablation according to institutional standard of care practice; the follow up period was 7 days. The primary safety endpoint was the incidence of device-related serious adverse events (SAE) within 7 days following the procedure. The primary effectiveness endpoint was the completion of protocol-required fast activation and electro anatomical pre-ablation mapping without resort to non-study mapping catheter(s), including fast anatomical mapping, mapping of substrate or any area of interest, and identification of conduction channel(s), gap(s) and critical isthmuses. General procedural characteristics as well as physician feedback (7-point Likert scale: 1 = poor and 7 = excellent) on various aspects of deployment, signal quality, and learning curve were also evaluated. Results Thirty-one patients (mean age: 59.8±14 years, 71.0% male) were enrolled and treated (9 scar-related AT, 12 PAF, and 1 PsAF, 6 VT, and 3 PVC). There was no (0/31) SAE reported, and the primary effectiveness endpoint was achieved in all subjects (31/31). Almost all operators rated highly (≥ 5) on noise reduction in bipolar maps (30/31) and short learning curve (27/31). Bipolar signals and catheter maneuverability were rated highly favorable (≥5) in the left and right atria and met-expectation-and-above (≥4) in the left and right ventricles. Conclusion(s) The first-in-human clinical data demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the novel microelectrode array mapping catheter to efficiently map various atrial and ventricular complex arrhythmias with good signal quality. Physicians indicated high satisfaction with the learning curve, catheter maneuverability, tissue characterization in all cardiac chambers.

Unexpected morphological diversity in ancient dogs compared to modern relatives.

Dogs are among the most variable species today, but little is known about the morphological variability in the early phases of their history. The Neolithic transition to farming may have resulted in an early morphological diversification as a result of changes in the anthropic environment or intentional selection on specific morphologies. Here, we describe the variability and modularity in mandible form by comparing 525 dog mandibles from European archaeological sites ranging from 8100 to 3000 cal. BC to a reference sample of modern dogs, wolves, and dingoes. We use three-dimensional geometric morphometrics to quantify the form of complete and fragmented mandibles. We demonstrate that an important morphological variability already existed before the Bronze Age in Europe, yet the largest, smallest, most brachycephalic or dolichocephalic extant dogs have no equivalent in the archaeological sample, resulting in a lower variation compared to modern relatives. The covariation between the anterior and posterior parts of the mandible is lower in archaeological dogs, suggesting a low degree of intentional human selection in early periods. The mandible of modern and ancient dogs differs in functionally important areas, possibly reflecting differences in diet, competition, or the implication of ancient dogs in hunting or defence.

Exploring in vivo multiple sclerosis brain microstructural damage through T1w/T2w ratio: a multicentre study

ObjectivesTo evaluate white matter and grey matter T1-weighted (w)/T2w ratio (T1w/T2w ratio) in healthy controls and patients with multiple sclerosis, and its association with clinical disability.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 270...

Accurate and timely diagnosis of Eosinophilic Esophagitis improves over time in Europe. An analysis of the EoE CONNECT Registry.

BackgroundPoor adherence to clinical practice guidelines for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) has been described and the diagnostic delay of the disease continues to be unacceptable in many settings.ObjectiveTo analyze the impact of improved knowledge provided by the successive international clinical practice guidelines on reducing diagnostic delay and improving the diagnostic process for European patients with EoE.MethodsCross‐sectional analysis of the EoE CONNECT registry based on clinical practice. Time periods defined by the publication dates of four major sets of guidelines over 10 years were considered. Patients were grouped per time period according to date of symptom onset.ResultsData from 1,132 patients was analyzed and median (IQR) diagnostic delay in the whole series was 2.1 (0.7‐6.2) years. This gradually decreased over time with subsequent release of new guidelines (p < 0.001), from 12.7 years up to 2007 to 0.7 years after 2017. The proportion of patients with stricturing of mixed phenotypes at the point of EoE diagnosis also decreased over time (41.3% vs. 16%; p < 0.001), as did EREFS scores. The fibrotic sub‐score decreased from a median (IQR) of 2 (1‐2) to 0 (0‐1) when patients whose symptoms started up to 2007 and after 2017 were compared (p < 0.001). In parallel, symptoms measured with the Dysphagia Symptoms Score reduced significantly when patients with symptoms starting before 2007 and after 2012 were compared. A reduction in the number of endoscopies patients underwent before the one that achieved an EoE diagnosis, and the use of allergy testing as part of the diagnostic workout of EoE, also reduced significantly over time (p = 0.010 and p < 0.001, respectively).ConclusionThe diagnostic work‐up of EoE patients improved substantially over time at the European sites contributing to EoE CONNECT, with a dramatic reduction in diagnostic delay.

Invasion impacts and dynamics of a European-wide introduced species.

Globalization has led to the introduction of thousands of alien species worldwide. With growing impacts by invasive species, understanding the invasion process remains critical for predicting adverse effects and informing efficient management. Theoretically, invasion dynamics have been assumed to follow an "invasion curve" (S-shaped curve of available area invaded over time), but this dynamic has lacked empirical testing using large-scale data and neglects to consider invader abundances. We propose an "impact curve" describing the impacts generated by invasive species over time based on cumulative abundances. To test this curve's large-scale applicability, we used the data-rich New Zealand mud snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum, one of the most damaging freshwater invaders that has invaded almost all of Europe. Using long-term (1979-2020) abundance and environmental data collected across 306 European sites, we observed that P. antipodarum abundance generally increased through time, with slower population growth at higher latitudes and with lower runoff depth. Fifty-nine percent of these populations followed the impact curve, characterized by first occurrence, exponential growth, then long-term saturation. This behaviour is consistent with boom-bust dynamics, as saturation occurs due to a rapid decline in abundance over time. Across sites, we estimated that impact peaked approximately two decades after first detection, but the rate of progression along the invasion process was influenced by local abiotic conditions. The S-shaped impact curve may be common among many invasive species that undergo complex invasion dynamics. This provides a potentially unifying approach to advance understanding of large-scale invasion dynamics and could inform timely management actions to mitigate impacts on ecosystems and economies.

Changing subsistence economies in the course of the Neolithic transition: Isotopic sourcing of collagen isotopic ratios in human skeletons from early Neolithic Anatolia and Greece

The Neolithic Transition in Europe was more complex and flexible as previously suggested. Around 6800 BCE, this new economy had reached Greece where some of the earliest European Neolithic sites are evidenced. To monitor this milestone of human living conditions, previously published conventional bivariate interpretations of collagen stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in archaeological skeletons were subjected to an isotopic sourcing in an attempt to quantify the most important protein sources. This way, the process of changing subsistence economies during the earliest Neolithic in Europe should be assessed. We were capable of approximating the protein biomass contribution by vegetal food and to evaluate the proportion of meat derived from domesticates and game, thereby telling hunting from husbandry. According to the results, the Neolithic Transition in the Mediterranean was not characterized by a conspicuous change in nutritional habits although the Neolithic Package had arrived there in its fully developed form. Rather, slow and gradual adaptations that preserved major components of a hunting and gathering lifestyle are observable. This way, a stable subsistence was guaranteed in the course of the adaptation to a producing economy.

SPIN enables high throughput species identification of archaeological bone by proteomics.

Species determination based on genetic evidence is an indispensable tool in archaeology, forensics, ecology, and food authentication. Most available analytical approaches involve compromises with regard to the number of detectable species, high cost due to low throughput, or a labor-intensive manual process. Here, we introduce “Species by Proteome INvestigation” (SPIN), a shotgun proteomics workflow for analyzing archaeological bone capable of querying over 150 mammalian species by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Rapid peptide chromatography and data-independent acquisition (DIA) with throughput of 200 samples per day reduce expensive MS time, whereas streamlined sample preparation and automated data interpretation save labor costs. We confirm the successful classification of known reference bones, including domestic species and great apes, beyond the taxonomic resolution of the conventional peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF)-based Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS) method. In a blinded study of degraded Iron-Age material from Scandinavia, SPIN produces reproducible results between replicates, which are consistent with morphological analysis. Finally, we demonstrate the high throughput capabilities of the method in a high-degradation context by analyzing more than two hundred Middle and Upper Palaeolithic bones from Southern European sites with late Neanderthal occupation. While this initial study is focused on modern and archaeological mammalian bone, SPIN will be open and expandable to other biological tissues and taxa.