Environmental features drive lineage diversification in the Aricidea assimilis species complex (Annelida, Paraonidae) in the Mediterranean Sea

Individuals identified as Aricidea assimilis Tebble, 1959 were collected from ten localities across the Mediterranean Sea from 0.5 to 225 m depth in order to have a wide coverage of the species habitats and geographic range and to assess the effects of environmental factors and biogeographical barriers on molecular and morphological diversity. Two mitochondrial and one nuclear markers were used to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships and test the occurrence of cryptic species. We observed two highly divergent lineages, one including all individuals from shallow, sandy environments (<10 m depth) and the other with the individuals from deeper muddy bottoms (30-225 m depth). Less pronounced divergence was detected between morphologically distinct brackish-water individuals and the remaining shallow-water individuals. The divergence observed between deep-water and shallow-water lineages is consistent with the hypothesis of distinct species. The ambiguous results of species delimitation tests applied to the two shallow-water sub-lineages might instead suggest a process of incipient speciation, even if this hypothesis needs additional evidence. These results suggest that sediment represents the main factor driving genetic divergence and ultimately cryptic speciation in A. assimilis, while other depth-associated factors and geographical barriers do not seem to significantly contribute to the genetic architecture of this species, suggesting the occurrence of wide-range larval dispersal

LGBT+ Training needs for health and social care professionals: a cross-cultural comparison among seven European countries

Introduction Research suggests that specific training on LGBT+ issues may improve the competencies and skills of health and social care (HSC) professionals, which reduces the negative attitudes toward LGBT+ people. Despite this, there seems to be a lack of coverage of LGBT+ needs in HSC education. The present study aims to explore the specific LGBT+ training needs of HSC professionals and to examine the relationship between these training needs and the four dimensions of the Papadopoulos model, i.e. cultural awareness, cultural knowledge, cultural sensitivity, and cultural competence. Methods The research used data from a cross-cultural project, “Intercultural Education for Nurses in Europe (IENE9),” which was administered to 412 HSC academics and workers (62% females; Mage=46.06, SDage=10.48) between February 2020 and July 2020, in seven European countries: UK (coordinator), Denmark, Spain, Germany, Cyprus, Italy, and Romania. Results Hierarchical multiple regression showed that higher training needs were associated with cultural awareness, cultural knowledge, and cultural competence. The need for training on LGBT+ issues was higher for Cyprus, Romania, Spain, Italy, and the UK, compared with Denmark (no differences between Germany and Denmark were found). Conclusions We believe that there has been a lack of focus on the LGBT+ training needs of HSC professionals: Greater efforts are required to develop a culturally competent and compassionate LGBT+ curriculum. Social Policy Implications Findings from the present study will inform the development of a free, Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), for culturally competent and compassionate HSC professionals in Europe to improve the quality of their car

Marine Strategy Framework Directive - Descriptor 2, Non-Indigenous Species, Delivering solid recommendations for setting threshold values for non-indigenous species pressure on European seas

Marine Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) are animals and plants introduced accidently or deliberately into the European seas, originating from other seas of the globe. About 800 marine non-indigenous species (NIS) currently occur in the European Union national marine waters, several of which have negative impacts on marine ecosystem services and biodiversity. Under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) Descriptor 2 (D2), EU Member States (MSs) need to consider NIS in their marine management strategies. The Descriptor D2 includes one primary criterion (D2C1: new NIS introductions), and two secondary criteria (D2C2 and D2C3). The D2 implementation is characterized by a number of issues and uncertainties which can be applicable to the Descriptor level (e.g. geographical unit of assessment, assessment period, phytoplanktonic, parasitic, oligohaline NIS, etc.), to the primary criterion D2C1 level (e.g. threshold values, cryptogenic, questionable species, etc), and to the secondary criteria D2C2 and D2C3. The current report tackles these issues and provides practical recommendations aiming at a smoother and more efficient implementation of D2 and its criteria at EU level. They constitute a solid operational output which can result in more comparable D2 assessments among MSs and MSFD regions/subregions. When it comes to the policy-side, the current report calls for a number of different categories of NIS to be reported in D2 assessments, pointing the need for the species to be labelled/categorised appropriately in the MSFD reporting by the MSs. These suggestions are proposed to be communicated to the MSFD Working Group of Good Environmental Status (GES) and subsequently to the Marine Strategy Coordination Group (MSCG) of MSFD. Moreover, they can serve as an input for revising the Art. 8 Guidelines

The importance of being a compassionate leader: the views of nursing and midwifery managers from around the world

Introduction: Despite the importance of compassionate leadership in health care, many of the existing publications do not account for the effect of culture. The aim of this study is to explore the views of nursing and midwifery managers from different countries in relation to the definition, advantages, and importance of compassion. Methodology: A cross-sectional, descriptive, exploratory online survey was conducted across 17 countries, containing both closed and open-ended questions. Data from N = 1,217 respondents were analyzed using a directed hybrid approach focusing only on qualitative questions related to compassion-giving. Results: Four overarching themes capture the study’s results: (1) definition of compassion, (2) advantages and importance of compassion for managers, (3) advantages and importance of compassion for staff and the workplace, and (4) culturally competent and compassionate leadership. Discussion: Innovative research agendas should pursue further local qualitative empirical research to inform models of culturally competent and compassionate leadership helping mangers navigate multiple pressures and be able to transculturally resonate with their staff and patients

Socially assistive robots in health and social care: Acceptance and cultural factors. Results from an exploratory international online survey

Aim: This study explored the views of an international sample of registered nurses and midwives working in health and social care concerning socially assistive robots (SARs), and the relationship between dimensions of culture and rejection of the idea that SARs had benefits in these settings. Methods: An online survey was used to obtain rankings of (among other topics) the extent to which SARs have benefits for health and social care. It also asked for free text responses regarding any concerns about SARs. Results: Most respondents were overwhelmingly positive about SARs' benefits. A small minority strongly rejected this idea, and qualitative analysis of the objections raised by them revealed three major themes: things might go wrong, depersonalization, and patient‐related concerns. However, many participants who were highly accepting of the benefits of SARs expressed similar objections. Cultural dimensions of long‐term orientation and uncertainty avoidance feature prominently in technology acceptance research. Therefore, the relationship between the proportion of respondents from each country who felt that SARs had no benefits and each country's ratings on long‐term orientation and uncertainty avoidance were also examined. A significant positive correlation was found for long‐term orientation, but not for uncertainty avoidance. Conclusion: Most respondents were positive about the benefits of SARs, and similar concerns about their use were expressed both by those who strongly accepted the idea that they had benefits and those who did not. Some evidence was found to suggest that cultural factors were related to rejecting the idea that SARs had benefits

Vegetation History and the Exploitation and Use of Plant Resources in Aceramic Neolithic Cyprus: an Assessment of Recent Archaeobotanical Research

Abstract. Recent archaeological discoveries on Cyprus reveal the presence of sedentary populations as early as the 9th millennium cal. BC. In regard to the past vegetation cover, published archaeobotanical studies consist mainly of site-based reports, while summary studies are still few in comparison to similar work in the neighbouring regions of Anatolia and the Levant. This article presents a synthesis of the available data from the analysis of archaeobotanical remains (seeds/fruits, wood charcoal, pollen, phytoliths). Through this review of the current state of the archaeobotanical dataset, important topics are being developed, such as the history of the vegetation cover, the exploitation of plant resources, with a special focus on fruit trees, the emergence of agricultural economies, the impact of human activities on the environment and the use of plant resources by Aceramic Neolithic populations.Résumé. Les découvertes archéologiques récentes ont révélé la présence de populations sédentaires dès le IXe millénaire cal. BC à Chypre. Connue principalement par des rapports consacrés à un site, la végétation ancienne n'a fait l'objet que de peu d'études synthétiques, beaucoup moins nombreuses que celles traitant du même sujet pour les régions voisines de l'Anatolie et du Levant. Cet article présente une synthèse des données disponibles issues de l’étude analytique des vestiges archéobotaniques (graines/fruits, charbon de bois, pollen, phytolithes). Il aborde également les thèmes importants que sont l’histoire du couvert végétal, l’exploitation des ressources végétales, une attention particulière étant accordée aux arbres fruitiers, l’émergence des économies agricoles, l’impact des activités humaines sur l’environnement et les utilisations des ressources végétales par les populations du Néolithique Précéramique chypriote

Investigation of soft - bottom benthic macrofauna communities of Vasiliko bay (Cyprus, East Mediterranean Sea)

The aim of the present thesis was the investigation of benthic macrofauna soft-bottom communities of Vasiliko bay in Cyprus. Benthic macrofauna samples were collected and analysed, diversity indices were estimated, the ecological status of Vasiliko bay was assessed and the results were presented in maps. The soft-bottom benthic communities of Vasiliko bay were defined and described and the most important abiotic factors that contributed to their formation were identified. The possibility to define the structure and composition of the communities by examining specific taxonomic groups and the feeding method was investigated. Furthermore it was examined if it was possible to apply the diversity indices at higher taxonomic levels and get acceptable results (taxonomic sufficiency). Benthic macrofauna was also studied near three fish farms that operate in Vasiliko Bay (years 2011-2014) as part of their environmental monitoring. Finally, benthic species lists of the Polychaeta and Amphipoda (Amphilochidea & Sendicautada) were prepared.A total of 45,721 zoobenthic organisms were counted, classified to 12 phyla with the phylum Annelida dominating. A total of 10 alien species were recorded, a new species was described, the Microdeutopus periergos sp., while four other polychaete species are taxonomically interesting and maybe new species. The ecological quality of water bodies at stations located close to anthropogenic activities was found to be degraded. The ΒΕΝΤΙΧ index was found to be the most sensitive to organic load. The lower values of the diversity indices were recorded at the shallower stations as well as in the ports. The highest values were recorded near the fish farms where organic load appears to be a food source for benthic organisms. The application of biodiversity indices at the genus and family level gave good results and therefore the indices could be applied to higher taxonomic levels.In the Vasiliko Bay there are two main communities: (a) the “Biocommunity of fine sands of the littoral zone in the ultra-oligotrophic ecosystem of Eastern Mediterranean Sea” which is located in the littoral zone, at depths of 4-13m, in sandy medium-sized substrates with medium organic a load of 3.032+1.489% and (b) the “Biocommunity of muddy-sand substrates of the infralittoral and circalittoral zone in the ultra-oligotrophic ecosystem of Eastern Mediterranean Sea”, found at depths of 12-59m in sandy and poorly sorted substrates with organic load of 6.759+1.842%. The second biocommunity includes: (a) the “Community with Loripes orbiculatus (=lacteus), Aphelochaeta filiformis, Melinna palmata in sandy-mud sediments of the infralitoral and circalitoral zone” that is divided to the “Sub-community of Loripes orbiculatus (=lacteus)” and the “Sub-community of Melinna-Aphelochaeta-Protodorvillea” [(i)“Facies with Melinna palmata in muddy-sand substrates of the lower Infralittoral zone, and (ii) “Sub-community of coarse sediments with Protodorvillea kefersteini of the lower infralittoral and upper circalittoral zone”], and (b) the “Community of Aphelochaeta filiformis, Cirrophorus turcicus and Paradoneis lyra of muddy-sand substrates of the upper circalittoral zones in ultra-oligotrophic environments of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea”. The diversification of the groups is correlated with depth, substrate type and organic load which was also reported by other research studies. The taxa “Polychaeta-and-Mollusca” and “Polychaeta” were found to be the best taxonomic surrogates to investigate benthic communities in Vasiliko Bay. The taxa Crustacea, Mollusca and the functional group Feeding Type could also be used but at a lower degree.As part of the environmental monitoring of the three fish farms (2011-2014), a total of 105,058 benthic organisms were counted and classified into 11 phyla with Annelida dominating. The highest total abundance was recorded under the cages (0 m) and up to a distance of 50 m. The ecological status presented a general trend of improvement that is particularly evident beyond 50 m. A similar trend was also observed by the diversity indicators. These results are in agreement with other studies carried out on fish farms.In the coastal area of Cyprus, up to now, 143 species of amphipods (Amphilochidea & Sendicautada) and 466 species of polychaetes have been recorded. Of these, 25 amphipods and 52 polychaetes are reported for the first time through this research. Further research on soft and hard-bottom benthic communities is expected to provide important information not only on the composition of benthic fauna in Cyprus but also on the spatial distribution of benthic species, gradually covering the gap of information that exists for this region of the Eastern Mediterranean.In conclusion, this research is the first survey to be carried out in Cyprus to describe soft-bottom benthic communities and these results can serve as a benchmark for bio-monitoring of the benthos of Vasiliko Bay but also the coasts of Cyprus.Σκοπός της διατριβής ήταν η διερεύνηση των βενθικών μακροπανιδικών κοινοτήτων κινητού υποστρώματος στον κόλπο Βασιλικού στην Κύπρο. Συλλέχθηκαν και αναλύθηκαν δείγματα μακροπανίδας, εφαρμόστηκαν δείκτες ποικιλότητας, εκτιμήθηκε η οικολογική κατάσταση του κόλπου Βασιλικού και τα αποτελέσματα αποτυπώθηκαν σε χάρτες. Ακολούθως, καθορίστηκαν και περιγράφηκαν οι βενθικές βιοκοινότητες των κινητού υποστρώματος του κόλπου Βασιλικού και αναγνωρίστηκαν οι σημαντικότεροι αβιοτικοί παράγοντες που συνέβαλαν στη συγκρότηση τους. Παράλληλα εξετάστηκε η δυνατότητα χρήσης συγκεκριμένων ταξινομικών ομάδων καθώς και της Μεθόδου Τροφοληψίας, για τον καθορισμό και περιγραφή των βενθικών βιοκοινοτήτων. Επίσης ελέγχθηκε κατά πόσο η εφαρμογή των δεικτών ποικιλότητας στα επίπεδα γένους και οικογένειας μπορούσε να δώσει αποδεκτά αποτελέσματα (ταξινομική επάρκεια). Στο πλαίσιο υλοποίησης προγραμμάτων παρακολούθησης (2011-2014) διερευνήθηκε η βενθική μακροπανίδα πλησίον τριών ιχθυοτροφείων που δραστηριοποιούνται στον κόλπο Βασιλικού. Τέλος, συντάχθηκαν κατάλογοι βενθικών ειδών για τις ταξινομικές ομάδες Polychaeta (Annelida) και Amphipoda-Amphilochidea & Sendicautada (Crustacea-Arthropoda).Καταμετρήθηκαν 45.721 ζωοβενθικοί οργανισμοί, οι οποίοι ταξινομήθηκαν σε 12 φύλα πανίδας, με το φύλο Annelida να υπερέχει έναντι όλων των άλλων ταξινομικών ομάδων. Καταγράφηκαν 10 ξενικά είδη, ένα νέο είδος για την επιστήμη, το αμφίποδο Microdeutopus periergos sp. nov ενώ τέσσερα άλλα είδη πολυχαίτων παρουσιάζουν ιδιαίτερο ταξινομικό ενδιαφέρον καθώς φαίνεται να αποτελούν νέα είδη για την επιστήμη. Η οικολογική ποιότητα των υδάτων σε σταθμούς που βρίσκονταν πλησίον ανθρωπογενών δραστηριοτήτων, βρέθηκε να είναι υποβαθμισμένη. Ο δείκτης ΒΕΝΤΙΧ παρουσίασε τη μεγαλύτερη ευαισθησία ως προς το οργανικό φορτίο. Οι μικρότερες τιμές των δεικτών ποικιλότητας καταγράφηκαν στους ρηχότερους σταθμούς, καθώς και στους λιμένες, ενώ οι μεγαλύτερες τιμές καταγράφηκαν πλησίον των ιχθυοτροφείων, όπου το οργανικό φορτίο φαίνεται να αποτελεί πηγή τροφής για τους βενθικούς οργανισμούς. Η εφαρμογή των δεικτών ποικιλότητας στο επίπεδο γένους και οικογένειας βρέθηκε να αποδίδει καλά και ως εκ τούτου θα μπορούσαν να εφαρμοστούν σε ανώτερα ταξινομικά επίπεδα. Στον κόλπο Βασιλικού διακρίνονται δύο κύριες βιοκοινότητες: (α) η «Βιοκοινότητα των λεπτών παράκτιων άμμων της υποπαραλιακής ζώνης σε ολιγοτροφικά συστήματα της Ανατολικής Μεσογείου», που βρίσκεται στην υποπαραλιακή ζώνη, σε βάθη 4-13m, σε αμμώδη μετρίως ταξινομημένα υποστρώματα με μέσο οργανικό φορτίο 3,032+1,489% και (β) η «Βιοκοινότητα των ιλυοαμμωδών υποστρωμάτων της υποπαραλιακής και περιπαραλιακής ζώνης σε ολιγοτροφικά συστήματα της Ανατολικής Μεσογείου», που βρίσκεται σε βάθη 12-59m, σε ιλυοαμμώδη φτωχά ταξινομημένα υποστρώματα με μέσο οργανικό φορτίο 6,759+1,842%. Η δεύτερη βιοκοινότητα με τη σειρά της περιλαμβάνει: (α) την «Κοινότητα με Loripes orbiculatus (=lacteus), Aphelochaeta filiformis, Melinna palmata σε υποστρώματα ιλυώδους άμμου της υποπαραλιακής και περιπαραλιακής ζώνης» που διαχωρίζεται στην «Υποκοινότητα Loripes orbiculatus (=lacteus)» και στην «Υποκοινότητα Melinna-Aphelochaeta-Protodorvillea» [(i) «Φάση Melinna palmata των ιλυοαμμωδών υποστρωμάτων της κατώτερης υποπαραλιακής ζώνης» και (ii) «Υποκοινότητα χονδρόκοκκων ιζημάτων με Protodorvillea kefersteini της υποπαραλιακής και ανώτερης περιπαραλιακής ζώνης»] και (β) την «Κοινότητα Aphelochaeta filiformis, Cirrophorus turcicus και Paradoneis lyra ιλυοαμμωδών υποστρωμάτων της ανώτερης περιπαραλιακής ζώνης σε ολιγοτροφικά συστήματα της Ανατολικής Μεσογείου». Ο διαχωρισμός στις επιμέρους ομάδες αποδίδεται στο βάθος, τον τύπο του υποστρώματος και το οργανικό φορτίο, τα οποία αναγνωρίστηκαν και από αρκετές άλλες επιστημονικές έρευνες. Οι ταξινομικές ομάδες «Polychaeta-και-Mollusca-μαζί» και «Polychaeta», αποτελούν τα καταλληλότερα ταξινομικά υποκατάστατα για τη διερεύνηση των βενθικών βιοκοινοτήτων του κόλπου Βασιλικού καθώς επίσης, και τα Crustacea, τα Mollusca και η Μέθοδος Τροφοληψίας, που θα μπορούσαν επίσης να χρησιμοποιηθούν σε μικρότερο όμως βαθμό.Στo πλαίσιο περιβαλλοντικής παρακολούθησης των τριών ιχθυοτροφείων (2011-2014), καταμετρήθηκαν συνολικά 105.058 βενθικοί οργανισμοί που ταξινομήθηκαν σε 11 φύλα πανίδας με το φύλο Annelida να υπερέχει. Οι μεγαλύτερες αφθονίες ατόμων καταγράφηκαν μέχρι και την απόσταση των 50 m. Η οικολογική κατάσταση παρουσίασε γενική τάση βελτίωσης, η οποία είναι ιδιαίτερα εμφανής πέραν των 50 m. Παρόμοια τάση παρατηρήθηκε και στους δείκτες ποικιλότητας. Τα αποτελέσματα αυτά είναι σύμφωνα με άλλες επιστημονικές έρευνες που διεξήχθηκαν σε ιχθυοτροφεία.Στις παράκτιες περιοχές της Κύπρου, μέχρι σήμερα, έχουν καταγραφεί 143 είδη αμφιπόδων (Amphilochidea & Sendicautada) και 466 είδη πολυχαίτων. Από αυτά, 25 αμφίποδα και 52 πολύχαιτοι, αποτελούν πρώτες αναφορές για την Κύπρο και προστέθηκαν με την παρούσα έρευνα. Η διεξαγωγή περαιτέρω ερευνών σε βενθικές βιοκοινότητες κινητού αλλά και σκληρού υποστρώματος αναμένεται να αποφέρει σημαντικές πληροφορίες, όχι μόνο για τη σύνθεση της βενθικής πανίδας της Κύπρου, αλλά και για τη χωροκατανομή των βενθικών ειδών, καλύπτοντας σταδιακά το κενό πληροφόρησης που υπάρχει για την περιοχή αυτή της Ανατολικής Μεσογείου.Η παρούσα έρευνα αποτελεί την πρώτη έρευνα που υλοποιήθηκε στην Κύπρο για την περιγραφή βενθικών βιοκοινοτήτων κινητού υποστρώματος και τα αποτελέσματα αυτά μπορούν να αποτελέσουν σημείο αναφοράς για τη βιοπαρακολούθηση του βενθικού συστήματος του κόλπου Βασιλικού αλλά και των ακτών της Κύπρου γενικότερα