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Vascular plant species (VP) and bryophytes (B) constitute a significant portion of forest biodiversity and respond to both management intensity and natural disturbances within forests. In this study, we investigated the cross-taxa congruence between understorey VP and B at both diversity and composition levels across a wide range of sustainably managed forests in Slovenia. The taxonomic and functional characteristics of the selected plant groups were studied, with a particular emphasis on ground-dwelling species. We employed a trait-based approach to examine the functional characteristics. On average, the species richness of B in sustainably managed temperate forests increased with the corresponding number of VP. Furthermore, a moderate positive correlation in species composition between the studied groups of ground-dwelling organisms was also observed. The ground-dwelling VP and B were congruent in terms of trait-based composition, which was influenced by soil reaction and nutrients and light availability, while trait-based diversity was only slightly similar in response to moisture. A negative correlation between the composition of stress-tolerant VP and B hemeroby was found, indicating forest environments with a low level of disturbance. This is likely due to the sustainable management of Slovenian forests, where climate change and natural disturbances have intensified in recent years. A cross-taxon comparison of the two groups at four different levels, namely taxonomic-based diversity and composition and trait-based diversity and composition, revealed varying degrees of congruence. It is therefore important to monitor the status and temporal trends of both groups from different aspects to draw reliable conclusions.

Extracellular electron transfer (EET) allows microorganisms to gain energy by linking intracellular reactions to external surfaces ranging from natural minerals to the electrodes of bioelectrochemical renewable energy technologies. In the past two decades, electrochemical techniques have been used to investigate EET in a wide range of microbes, with emphasis on dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria, such as Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, as model organisms. However, due to the typically bulk nature of these techniques, they are unable to reveal the subpopulation variation in EET or link the observed electrochemical currents to energy gain by individual cells, thus overlooking the potentially complex spatial patterns of activity in bioelectrochemical systems. Here, to address these limitations, we use the cell membrane potential as a bioenergetic indicator of EET by S. oneidensis MR-1 cells. Using a fluorescent membrane potential indicator during in vivo single-cell-level fluorescence microscopy in a bioelectrochemical reactor, we demonstrate that membrane potential strongly correlates with EET. Increasing electrode potential and associated EET current leads to more negative membrane potential. This EET-induced membrane hyperpolarization is spatially limited to cells in contact with the electrode and within a near-electrode zone (<30 μm) where the hyperpolarization decays with increasing cell-electrode distance. The high spatial and temporal resolution of the reported technique can be used to study the single-cell-level dynamics of EET not only on electrode surfaces, but also during respiration of other solid-phase electron acceptors.

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively describe the longitudinal changes of training variables in adolescent biathletes based on performance level. Thirty biathletes (15 men and 15 women) were included in the study and categorized as either national level biathletes (NLB, n = 21) or national team biathletes (NTB, n = 9). Retrospective training data was collected from training diary covering the biathletes’ four years (Y1-Y4) as student-athletes at upper secondary school. Training data was divided into physical and shooting training variables. A linear mixed-effect model was used for comparing the difference of the performance group and year of upper secondary school on training characteristics. The NTB group achieved a greater annual training volume than the NLB group, especially during Y4 (594±71 h·y -1 vs 461±127 h·y -1 , p < 0.001), through an increase in duration of each session and by completing more weekly training volume during the general phase (13.7±4.6 vs 10.0±4.9 h·w -1 , p = 0.004). No difference was observed in relative training intensity distribution between the groups. The total number of shots fired was also greater for the NTB (9971±4716 vs 7355±2812 shots·y -1 , p = 0.003). There was an equal frequency in illness and injury for both the NLB and NTB. Accordingly, the results of the present study describe longitudinal changes of biathlon training in adolescent biathletes that also may affect performance development.

Bryophytes respond to a variety of environmental factors, including tree species composition and geological conditions, which are influenced by both natural and anthropogenic factors. Bryophytes growing on a variety of substrates were identified in ICP Forests monitoring plots in a wide range of close-to-nature managed forests, from lowland to high mountain areas in Slovenia. Based on data on tree layer composition (broadleaves vs. conifers) and on bedrock and soil type (calcareous vs. siliceous bedrock), all study plots were classified into five groups representing forest types. Different ordination analyses and statistical tests were used to represent differences between forest types in bryophyte composition, richness and functional traits. Almost 200 bryophyte species were identified in managed forests, with the most common being Hypnum cupressiforme, Brachytheciastrum velutinum and Polytrichum formosum. Bryophyte species composition varied considerably along the tree species composition and edaphic gradients represented by the selected forest types. Bryophyte species richness was significantly higher on calcareous bedrock than on siliceous bedrock. The higher occurrence of rocks on the ground surface may significantly increase the availability of various microhabitats for bryophytes. Bedrock had a significant influence on the functional diversity and composition of bryophytes, while tree species composition had less influence. Bedrock and tree species composition are important drivers of bryophyte species composition and diversity at taxonomic and functional trait levels. The high diversity of bryophyte species in Slovenian forests can also be attributed to close-to-nature and sustainable forest management practices that preserve favourable microclimatic conditions in forest stands and maintain diverse substrates.

Bryophytes, a group of terrestrial plants widely used in biomonitoring, are reviewed for their relation to heavy metals. In the present article, we summarized the knowledge on heavy metals pollution and accumulation effects on bryophytes. Mechanisms of tolerance and resistance are given as well.

Bioactive compounds from natural sources are of great importance because of their potential pharmacological activity and tremendous structural diversity. In this study, the chemical composition of different moss extracts of Hedwigia ciliata P. Beauv. have been examined, as well as their antioxidant, antineurodegenerative/anti-neuroinflammatory, antidiabetic, and antiproliferative potential. The extracts were prepared by Soxhlet extractor using solvents of different polarity. Chemical characterization of the extracts revealed the presence of phenolics and flavonoid compounds, together with triterpenoids as secondary metabolites of high biological activity. Significant antioxidant properties of all the extracts were exhibited using the β-carotene assay. The highest activities were found for water:ethanol extract (with the highest inhibition rate of 96%), but also significant inhibition was measured for ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts (80% and 70%, respectively). Confirmation of biocompatibility of investigated moss extracts has been performed using normal human fibroblast cell line, MRC-5. The H . ciliata extracts exhibited significant antiproliferative activity (~ 50%) against the MDA-MB-231 (human breast adenocarcinoma cell line), which has not previously been reported elsewhere. The Griess assay confirmed the potential anti-neuroinflammatory activity of the extracts, as significant effects in reducing NO production by LPS-stimulated BV2 (normal murine microglia cell line) was observed. This data is in line with noted antineurodegenerative potential measured by the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (with the highest inhibition rate of 60% for ethyl acetate extract) and tyrosinase (with the highest inhibition rate of 70% for ethanol extract). Additionally, the H . ciliata extracts exhibited significant antidiabetic effect mediated by α-glucosidase inhibition (with the highest inhibition rate of 80% for ethyl acetate extract). The obtained data suggest the presence of immunomodulatory effects of the moss extracts in vitro , which allows the design of new experiments aimed at detecting and characterizing bioactive compounds of the extracts and additionally elucidate detailed mechanisms of their effects.

This study aimed to describe the endurance training and incidence of illnesses reported by a group of well-trained cross-country (XC) skiers throughout their transition from junior to senior level. Changes in self-reported training and performance, from 31 well-trained XC skiers, were analyzed from the start of the season they turned 16 y until the end of the season they turned 22 y, using linear mixed-effects models. Differences in the incidence of self-reported illness episodes were analyzed using incidence rate ratios, and the relationships between self-reported illness and training volumes were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models in a sub-group of 23 of the skiers. In total, 145 seasons of training data (including 85,846 h of endurance training) and 109 person-years of illness data (including 380 self-reported illness episodes) were analyzed. The athletes progressively increased their annual endurance training volume from age 16 to 22 y in a linear fashion, from ~ 470 to 730 h. Low- and high-intensity training volumes increased by 51.4 ± 2.4 h·y-1 (p < .001) and 4.9 ± 0.6 h·y-1 (p < .001), respectively. Sport-specific and non-specific training increased by 50.0 ± 2.2 h·y-1 (p < .001) and 4.6 ± 2.0 h·y-1 (p < .001), respectively. The athletes reported a median (range) of 3 (0-8) illness episodes and 17 (0-80) days of illness per year, and there was an inverse relationship between self-reported illness days and annual training volume (-0.046 ± 0.013 d·h-1; p < .001). This group of well-trained XC skiers increased their endurance training volume in a linear fashion by ~ 55 h annually. This was primarily achieved through an increase in low-intensity and sport-specific training. Furthermore, higher training volumes were associated with a lower number of self-reported illness days.

Biology leverages a range of electrical phenomena to extract and store energy, control molecular reactions and enable multicellular communication. Microbes, in particular, have evolved genetically encoded machinery enabling them to utilize the abundant redox‐active molecules and minerals available on Earth, which in turn drive global‐scale biogeochemical cycles. Recently, the microbial machinery enabling these redox reactions have been leveraged for interfacing cells and biomolecules with electrical circuits for biotechnological applications. Synthetic biology is allowing for the use of these machinery as components of engineered living materials with tuneable electrical properties. Herein, we review the state of such living electronic components including wires, capacitors, transistors, diodes, optoelectronic components, spin filters, sensors, logic processors, bioactuators, information storage media and methods for assembling these components into living electronic circuits. Biology leverages a range of electrical phenomena to extract and store energy, control molecular reactions and enable multicellular communication. Recently, the microbial machinery enabling these redox reactions have been leveraged for interfacing cells and biomolecules with electrical circuits for biotechnological applications. Herein, we review the state of such living electronic components including methods for assembling these components into living electronic circuits.

This study aimed to investigate how different legs as well as cross-country skiing and shooting performances, associate to final rankings in biathlon relay competitions for both women and men. Data including rank, finish/leg time (LT), course (CT), range (RT) and penalty (PT) times, as well as number of shots (NS) and penalty loops (NPL), were collected from the International Biathlon Union’s database over two seasons, comprising 12 competitions for all teams ranked 1–20. Teams were categorized as G3 (rank 1–3), G10 (rank 4–10) and G20 (rank 11–20). Kruskal-Wallis’ test was used to compare the variables between the groups in total for an entire relay competition, and for each leg. For women, LT was longer for G20 across all four legs due to longer CT, and for G10 during legs 2 and 4 due to longer RT compared to G3 ( p  < 0.05). For men, LT was longer for G20 during all legs due to longer CT and RT (legs 2–4), and for G10 during legs 3 and 4 due to longer CT compared to G3 ( p  < 0.05). The present results suggest therefore that the shooting performance for women (especially shorter RT) during legs 2 and 4, and skiing performance for men during legs 3 and 4, are most decisive for final performance during a biathlon relay.

This study investigated stability of hold and postural control in a static holding task and a biathlon standing shooting task, and shooting performance, examining the associations between these tasks and potential differences between biathletes employing a hold‐based (HBS) or timing‐based (TBS) aiming strategy. Twenty‐two biathletes completed a static holding test in the standing shooting posture (Holding) and a biathlon standing shooting test (Shooting) using dry shots. Postural control was evaluated using force platforms, and stability of hold was assessed using a Vicon motion capture system (Holding) and a Noptel training device (Shooting). Of the stability of hold measures, links between the tasks were observed in aiming point vertical standard deviation (R = 0.78) and vertical mean velocity (R = 0.74) in HBS and in vertical mean velocity (R = 0.62) in TBS (all P < 0.05). Regardless of aiming strategy, most postural control measures in Holding correlated with their counterparts in Shooting (R = 0.48 to 0.94 and P < 0.05) and shooting performance (hit point distance from the centre of the target) correlated with stability of hold measured during Holding (R = 0.74 and P < 0.001). Among the postural control measures, shooting performance was only clearly linked to front leg postural control measured during Holding in TBS (R = 0.87 and P < 0.003). These findings suggest that static holding ability and postural control are important in biathlon standing shooting regardless of aiming strategy but aiming dynamics during Holding align more closely with the practices of HBS during their shooting. Highlights Although static stability of hold is important for shooting performance regardless of aiming strategy, it is only clearly linked to stability of hold during shooting for those using a hold‐based aiming strategy and those using a timing‐based strategy may require a more strategy‐specific test. Postural control magnitudes measured during Holding provide a good indication of those in Shooting. The static holding protocol provides an efficient and valid way to assess key characteristics such as isolated stability of hold and postural control.