Search results for "Functional role"

Technology Assessment of Socio-Technical Futures: A Discussion Paper

2019

Problem: Visions of technology, future scenarios, guiding visions (Leitbilder) represent imaginations of future states of affairs that play a functional role in processes of technological research, development and innovation—e.g. as a means to create attention, communication, coordination, or for the strategic exertion of influence. Since a couple of years there is a growing attention for such imaginations of futures in politics, the economy, research and the civil society. This trend concerns technology assessment (TA) as an observer of these processes and a consultant on the implications of technology and innovation. TA faces increasing demands to assess imaginations of futures that circu…

Editorial Comment from Dr Michel to Expression and functional role of β3-adrenoceptors in the human ureter

2013

Seabird influence on ecological processes in coastal marine ecosystems: An overlooked role? A critical review

2021

Abstract Seabirds are vital, but overlooked, components of coastal marine ecosystems and may connect the marine and terrestrial environment at a global scale, significantly contributing to inter-habitat connectivity and the provision of multiple ecosystem services. Although the ecological and functional role of birds in terrestrial areas, islands in particular, has been deeply studied since the last century, the same does not hold true for coastal marine areas. Given the importance of coastal areas for seabirds worldwide and, at the same time, the high vulnerability of both, looking into the role of seabirds in influencing the ecosystem functioning in coastal areas is needed nowadays. Here,…

Phase matters: responding to and learning about peripheral stimuli depends on hippocampal θ phase at stimulus onset.

2015

Hippocampal θ (3–12 Hz) oscillations are implicated in learning and memory, but their functional role remains unclear. We studied the effect of the phase of local θ oscillation on hippocampal responses to a neutral conditioned stimulus (CS) and subsequent learning of classical trace eyeblink conditioning in adult rabbits. High-amplitude, regular hippocampal θ-band responses (that predict good learning) were elicited by the CS when it was timed to commence at the fissure θ trough (Trough group). Regardless, learning in this group was not enhanced compared with a yoked control group, possibly due to a ceiling effect. However, when the CS was consistently presented to the peak of θ (Peak group…

Functional role of biofouling linked to aquaculture facilities in Mediterranean enclosed locations

2020

Biofouling is generally considered a serious threat for human coastal activities such as aquaculture, and the ecological role of fouling organisms associated with fish-farm cages remains one of the most debated topics in the ecological field. However, although biofouling may cause significant problems related to human health, environmental impact and financial losses, in the past decade there has been an increasing interest in developing methods to promote the growth of biofouling on artificial structures as a strategy to mitigate human impacts and reduce the organic enrichment caused by net-cage fish farming. Here we investigated the filtration activity of biofouling assemblages colonizing…

Understanding the Role of Sensorimotor Beta Oscillations

2021

Beta oscillations have been predominantly observed in sensorimotor cortices and basal\ud ganglia structures and they are thought to be involved in somatosensory processing\ud and motor control. Although beta activity is a distinct feature of healthy and pathological\ud sensorimotor processing, the role of this rhythm is still under debate. Here we review\ud recent findings about the role of beta oscillations during experimental manipulations (i.e.,\ud drugs and brain stimulation) and their alteration in aging and pathology. We show how\ud beta changes when learning new motor skills and its potential to integrate sensory input\ud with prior contextual knowledge. We conclude by discussing a n…