Integrating ecology and evolutionary theory. A game changer for biodiversity conservation?

Currently, one of the central arguments in favour of biodiversity conservation is that it is essential for the maintenance of ecosystem services, that is, the benefits that people receive from ecosystems. However, the relationship between ecosystem services and biodiversity is contested and needs clarification. The goal of this chapter is to spell out the interaction and reciprocal influences between conservation science, evolutionary biology, and ecology, in order to understand whether a stronger integration of evolutionary and ecological studies might help clarify the interaction between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning as well as influence biodiversity conservation practices. To this end, the eco-evolutionary feedback theory proposed by David Post and Eric Palkovacs is analysed, arguing that it helps operationalise niche construction theory and develop a more sophisticated understanding of the relationship between ecosystem functioning and biodiversity. Finally, it is proposed that by deepening the integration of ecological and evolutionary factors in our understanding of ecosystem functioning, the eco-evolutionary feedback theory is supportive of an “evolutionary-enlightened management” of biodiversity within the ecosystem services approach.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Description of Hymenolepis microstoma (Nottingham strain): a classical tapeworm model for research in the genomic era

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Hymenolepis microstoma </it>(Dujardin, 1845) Blanchard, 1891, the mouse bile duct tapeworm, is a rodent/beetle-hosted laboratory model that has been used in research and teaching since its domestication in the 1950s. Recent characterization of its genome has prompted us to describe the specific strain that underpins these data, anchoring its identity and bringing the 150+ year-old original description up-to-date.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Morphometric and ultrastructural analyses were carried out on laboratory-reared specimens of the 'Nottingham' strain of <it>Hymenolepis microstoma </it>used for genome characterization. A contemporary description of the species is provided including detailed illustration of adult anatomy and elucidation of its taxonomy and the history of the specific laboratory isolate.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our work acts to anchor the specific strain from which the <it>H. microstoma </it>genome has been characterized and provides an anatomical reference for researchers needing to employ a model tapeworm system that enables easy access to all stages of the life cycle. We review its classification, life history and development, and briefly discuss the genome and other model systems being employed at the beginning of a genomic era in cestodology.</p

Exploring new physics frontiers through numerical relativity

The demand to obtain answers to highly complex problems within strong-field gravity has been met with significant progress in the numerical solution of Einstein's equations - along with some spectacular results - in various setups. We review techniques for solving Einstein's equations in generic spacetimes, focusing on fully nonlinear evolutions but also on how to benchmark those results with perturbative approaches. The results address problems in high-energy physics, holography, mathematical physics, fundamental physics, astrophysics and cosmology

Relational Capital and Crowdfunding: A New Opportunity for Italian Woman Start-Ups

This study aimed to analyse whether relational capital (RC) could help a woman start-up (WSU) fundraise during the early stages. Following previous studies about start-ups as means of development for economic context (Paoloni and Modaffari 2018) and about the role of innovative financial tools (e.g. crowdfunding) in their financial structure, the study investigated whether RC and the success of crowdfunding operations were connected. Focusing on gender studies, the literature review confirmed a gap between crowdfunding and WSUs. Therefore, a qualitative research methodology using a multiple case study was utilized, and the CAOS (“Characteristics, Ambience, Organization, Start-up”) model of micro-entrepreneurship by Paoloni (2011) was applied. From this model, some factors were identified, and different types of connections were classified that determined several kinds of existing relationships. The findings of this explorative research showed a positive effect of RC on WSU fundraising operations. WSUs were able to fundraise successfully if they established a permanent and formal relationship with the external environment. This study contributes to the scientific literature on gender studies, RC and the use of alternative methods in the field of finance. The managerial implication of the study is as follows: knowledge and practice should be advanced in the area of women in business and in the start-up stage of RC to develop fundraising processes with innovative financial tools, such as crowdfunding. The limitation of the research concerned the SMEs (start-ups). Analysis of data was available only through direct interviews with female entrepreneurs. Future research perspectives should focus on the acquisition of more data on the topic of WSUs and crowdfunding. In this way, it will investigate which RC factors contribute to the success of fundraising operations