Transition from sea to land: olfactory function and constraints in the terrestrial hermit crab Coenobita clypeatus

The ability to identify chemical cues in the environment is essential to most animals. Apart from marine larval stages, anomuran land hermit crabs (Coenobita) have evolved different degrees of terrestriality, and thus represent an excellent opportunity to investigate adaptations of the olfactory system needed for a successful transition from aquatic to terrestrial life. Although superb processing capacities of the central olfactory system have been indicated in Coenobita and their olfactory system evidently is functional on land, virtually nothing was known about what type of odourants are detected. Here, we used electroantennogram (EAG) recordings in Coenobita clypeatus and established the olfactory response spectrum. Interestingly, different chemical groups elicited EAG responses of opposite polarity, which also appeared for Coenobita compressus and the closely related marine hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus. Furthermore, in a two-choice bioassay with C. clypeatus, we found that water vapour was critical for natural and synthetic odourants to induce attraction or repulsion. Strikingly, also the physiological response was found much greater at higher humidity in C. clypeatus, whereas no such effect appeared in the terrestrial vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster. In conclusion, our results reveal that the Coenobita olfactory system is restricted to a limited number of water-soluble odourants, and that high humidity is most critical for its function

Microplastic retention by marine vegetated canopies: simulations with seagrass meadows in a hydraulic flume

Marine canopies formed by seagrass and other coastal vegetated ecosystems could act as sinks of microplastics for being efficient particle traps. Here we investigated for the first time the occurrence of microplastic retention by marine canopies in a hydraulic flume under unidirectional flow velocities from 2 to 30 cm s-1. We used as model canopy-forming species the seagrass Zostera marina with four canopy shoot density (0, 50, 100, 200 shoots m-2), and we used as microplastic particles industrial pristine pellets with specific densities from 0.90 to 1.34 g cm-3 (polypropylene PP; polystyrene PS; polyamide 6 PA; and polyethylene terephthalate PET). Overall, microplastics particles transported with the flow were retained in the seagrass canopies but not in bare sand. While seagrass canopies retained floating microplastics (PP) only at low velocities (<12 cm s-1) due to a barrier created by the canopy touching the water surface, the retention of sinking particles (PS, PA, PET) occurred across a wider range of flow velocities. Our simulations revealed that less dense sinking particles (PS) might escape from the canopy at high velocities, while denser sinking particles can be trapped in scouring areas created by erosive processes around the eelgrass shoots. Our results show that marine canopies might act as potential barriers or sinks for microplastics at certain bio-physical conditions, with the probability of retention generally increasing with the seagrass shoot density and polymer specific density and decreasing with the flow velocity. We conclude that seagrass meadows, and other aquatic canopy-forming ecosystems, should be prioritized habitats in assessment of microplastic exposure and impact on coastal areas since they may accumulate high concentration of microplastic particles that could affect associated fauna.FCT: UIDB/04326/2020/ SFRH/BPD/119344/2016info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Assessing ecotoxicity of an innovative bio-based mulch film: a multi-environmental and multi-bioassay approach

Among the highly diverse range of biobased polymers, polylactic acid (PLA) received vast attention in recent years due to its versatility for different applications and being the first commercially used polymer produced from renewable sources. Production and application of bio-based, biodegradable plastics will have one of the most crucial roles in tackling worldwide plastic pollution. Methods: This study is based on integrative ecotoxicological assessment of an innovative PLA-based agricultural mulch film (BPE-AMF-PLA), developed under the H2020 EU project “BIO-PLASTICS EUROPE”, towards organisms from different environmental compartments (soil, fresh water and marine) and from different trophic levels. Such comprehensive evaluation has an overarching goal to promote environmentally safe and sustainable use of these PLA-based plastics for agricultural and other potential applications. Results: Low-to-no phytotoxicity was obtained in both single-species standardized bioassays, and in a multi-species microcosms experiment. Earthworm reproduction was negatively affected at the lowest test concentration of 0.1% w/w of PLA-based plastic particles. For freshwater Daphnia, reproduction was found a sensitive endpoint, upon exposure to the leachates of the PLA-based plastic. However, the reported toxicity seemed to be caused by the presence of 2-methylnaphthalene, which can be avoided in the production process. As for the marine organisms, algae growth was inhibited with a LOEC = 25 g L−1, whereas test with brine shrimp only revealed stimulation of lipase upon digestion of micro-sized PLA-based plastics. Marine lugworm ingested pristine and UV pre-treated micro-sized plastics, yet without impact either on biological activity, or on the health of the test individuals. Discussion: The approach used in the present work will contribute to product development, environmental safety and sustainable applications of the PLA-based mulch film BPE-AMF-PLA, in the scope of project BIO-PLASTICS EUROPE. Furthermore, the tools and results obtained in this work are a relevant contribution in the framework development for additional support in the certification of the bio-based polymers, being aligned with European zero waste and non-toxicity strategies, certification, and regulations

New electroantennography method on a marine shrimp in water

New electroantennography method on a marine shrimp in wate

Registered nurses' experiences of working in ambulance care - a literature review

Bakgrund: Att arbeta i ambulans kräver ett öppet sinne och en bred klinisk blick samt en förmåga att kunna ta beslut i akuta situationer. Vilket kan vara en utmaning för en grundutbildad sjuksköterska att utföra en patientsäker vård då grundutbildningen inte motsvarar de höga förväntningarna i ambulanssjukvården. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att beskriva grundutbildade sjuksköterskors erfarenheter av att arbeta inom ambulanssjukvården.  Metod: Examensarbetet genomfördes som en litteraturöversikt och baserades på 15 vetenskapliga artiklar som har använts i resultatet. Artiklarna inhämtades från databaserna CINAHL och PubMed och var publicerade mellan 2005–2020.  Resultat: Litteraturöversikten resulterade i tre huvudkategorier: Den grundutbildade sjuksköterskans behov av ökad kompetens, Arbetet är utmanande för den grundutbildade sjuksköterskan samt Den grundutbildade sjuksköterskans känsla av att vara ny. Grundutbildade sjuksköterskor inom ambulanssjukvården upplever att de saknar viktiga erfarenheter och tillräcklig kompetens som kan leda till försenad behandling. De uttrycker även en osäkerhet vid arbete som utförs på egen hand vilket påverkar arbetet. Grundutbildade sjuksköterskor känner oro inför det stora ansvaret. Det framkommer även att vara ny inom ambulanssjukvården innebär en känsla av ensamhet.  Slutsats: Litteraturöversiktens resultat visar att grundutbildade sjuksköterskor som saknar erfarenhet inom ambulanssjukvården upplever osäkerhet och bristfälligt stöd,  vilket grundar sig i begränsad kunskap. Fördjupade kunskaper genom specialistutbildning skulle kunna öka tryggheten och förståelsen hos den grundutbildade sjuksköterskan. En för låg kompetens i kombination med bristande erfarenhet kan resultera i otillräcklig vårdkvalitet.Background: Working in an ambulance requires an open mind and a broad clinical eye, as well as an ability to make decisions in emergency situations. Which can be a challenge for a registered nurse to perform patient-safe care as the education does not meet the high expectations in ambulance care. Aim: The aim of the study is to describe the registered nurses' experiences of working in ambulance care. Method: The thesis was conducted as a literature review based on 15 scientific articles. The articles were collected from databases CINAHL and PubMed and were published between 2005-2020. Result: The literature review resulted in three main categories: The registered nurse needs for increased competence, Work is challenging for the registered nurse and The registered nurse feeling of being new. Registered nurses in ambulance care feel that they lack important experience and sufficient competence that can lead to delayed treatment. They also express insecurity when working on their own, which affects the work. Registered nurses are concerned about the great responsibility. It also appears that being new in ambulance care means a feeling of loneliness. Conclusion: The results of the literature review show that registered nurses who lack experience in ambulance care experience uncertainty and inadequate support, which is based on limited knowledge. In-depth knowledge through specialist training could increase the security and understanding of the registered nurses. Too little competence in combination with lack of experience can result in insufficient quality of care

IMTA of European lobster and oyster

&lt;p&gt;Data set obtained from research conducted within the AquaVitae project, with the aim to evaluate co-cultivation of the European lobster (&lt;i&gt;Homarus gammarus&lt;/i&gt;) and the European flat oyster (&lt;i&gt;Ostrea edulis&lt;/i&gt;) in a sea-based system adapted to local conditions. The data originates from the Swedish west coast and includes growth and survival of lobster juveniles and oysters cultured in different systems and at different depths, measured at different time points after deployment.&lt;/p&gt

Registered nurses' experiences of working in ambulance care - a literature review

Bakgrund: Att arbeta i ambulans kräver ett öppet sinne och en bred klinisk blick samt en förmåga att kunna ta beslut i akuta situationer. Vilket kan vara en utmaning för en grundutbildad sjuksköterska att utföra en patientsäker vård då grundutbildningen inte motsvarar de höga förväntningarna i ambulanssjukvården. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att beskriva grundutbildade sjuksköterskors erfarenheter av att arbeta inom ambulanssjukvården.  Metod: Examensarbetet genomfördes som en litteraturöversikt och baserades på 15 vetenskapliga artiklar som har använts i resultatet. Artiklarna inhämtades från databaserna CINAHL och PubMed och var publicerade mellan 2005–2020.  Resultat: Litteraturöversikten resulterade i tre huvudkategorier: Den grundutbildade sjuksköterskans behov av ökad kompetens, Arbetet är utmanande för den grundutbildade sjuksköterskan samt Den grundutbildade sjuksköterskans känsla av att vara ny. Grundutbildade sjuksköterskor inom ambulanssjukvården upplever att de saknar viktiga erfarenheter och tillräcklig kompetens som kan leda till försenad behandling. De uttrycker även en osäkerhet vid arbete som utförs på egen hand vilket påverkar arbetet. Grundutbildade sjuksköterskor känner oro inför det stora ansvaret. Det framkommer även att vara ny inom ambulanssjukvården innebär en känsla av ensamhet.  Slutsats: Litteraturöversiktens resultat visar att grundutbildade sjuksköterskor som saknar erfarenhet inom ambulanssjukvården upplever osäkerhet och bristfälligt stöd,  vilket grundar sig i begränsad kunskap. Fördjupade kunskaper genom specialistutbildning skulle kunna öka tryggheten och förståelsen hos den grundutbildade sjuksköterskan. En för låg kompetens i kombination med bristande erfarenhet kan resultera i otillräcklig vårdkvalitet.Background: Working in an ambulance requires an open mind and a broad clinical eye, as well as an ability to make decisions in emergency situations. Which can be a challenge for a registered nurse to perform patient-safe care as the education does not meet the high expectations in ambulance care. Aim: The aim of the study is to describe the registered nurses' experiences of working in ambulance care. Method: The thesis was conducted as a literature review based on 15 scientific articles. The articles were collected from databases CINAHL and PubMed and were published between 2005-2020. Result: The literature review resulted in three main categories: The registered nurse needs for increased competence, Work is challenging for the registered nurse and The registered nurse feeling of being new. Registered nurses in ambulance care feel that they lack important experience and sufficient competence that can lead to delayed treatment. They also express insecurity when working on their own, which affects the work. Registered nurses are concerned about the great responsibility. It also appears that being new in ambulance care means a feeling of loneliness. Conclusion: The results of the literature review show that registered nurses who lack experience in ambulance care experience uncertainty and inadequate support, which is based on limited knowledge. In-depth knowledge through specialist training could increase the security and understanding of the registered nurses. Too little competence in combination with lack of experience can result in insufficient quality of care