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Tadpoles of three sympatric spiny frogs (Anura, Dicroglossidae, Quasipaa) from Wuyishan, China
No full textDuring a rapid survey in Wuyishan, China, tadpoles of three Quasipaa species were collected from the same stream. Molecular data confirmed that these tadpoles belong to Q. exilispinosa, Q. spinosa, and Q. jiulongensis. Their external morphology was examined and described. Based on our initial observations, the tadpoles of these three species can be distinguished in the field by the following coloration patterns: Q. jiulongensis lacks large spots on the upper tail musculature; Q. spinosa exhibits a dark stripe at the body–tail junction when viewed from above; and Q. exilispinosa has large spots on the upper tail musculature but lacks a dark stripe at the body–tail junction. This study provides the first description of the tadpole of Q. jiulongensis
Petrocosmea miechangensis (Gesneriaceae), a new species from Yunnan, China
No full textA new species in Gesneriaceae, Petrocosmea miechangensis, is described from southeastern Yunnan, China. This species bears a resemblance to P. sericea in the shape of the adaxial corolla lip and in having very densely appressed hairs on the abaxial leaf blade. However, it can be distinguished by its flowering period, the hairs on the leaf blade, calyx, and filaments, as well as the shape of the filaments. An identification key to P. miechangensis and its related species is presented
A taxonomic study of Gandaritis flavomacularia and related species (Lepidoptera, Geometridae), with description of a new species from western China
No full textThe taxonomic status of Gandaritis flavomacularia has recently undergone revision. This study evaluates the validity of G. flavomacularia based on both morphological and molecular evidence. Furthermore, a new, closely related species, Gandaritis stueningi Wen & Cheng, sp. nov. from Sichuan, China, is described, supported by both molecular and morphological data. Key morphological characters, including the male and female genitalia, are illustrated and compared with those of three related species
New Political Terrains? Mosaic Mowing in Timișoara’s Parks
No full textThis article offers a critical media analysis around the topic of mosaic mowing as the newly adopted and then abruptly discontinued public parks maintenance strategy by the city hall in Timișoara, Romania, in the spring of 2025. The newly established green spaces mowing regime lasted less than five weeks after a series of significant media criticisms about the ecological disservices of the new mowing regime brought onto the local community, which ultimately forced the mayor to call off the new strategy. Within this context, the article explores the competing urban nature representations at play in Timișoara’s local urban discourses, as it unpacks the discursive media articulations around the topic of mosaic mowing and the competing visions around the nature’s role and place in rapport with the urban in the context of this technique’s claimed benefits to improve urban biodiversity. The application of the critical discourse analysis on the bodies of text produced on this topic by the two most popular local online journals, Tion and Opinia Timișoarei, indicated divergent public understandings in the local urban discourses around the role of nature in rapport with the urban, as either ‘domesticated nature’ or ‘ecologically-centric nature’. More specifically, the urban nature representations portrayed in the local media appear to stem from a vision of ‘rational’, standardized and organized urban aesthetics, that depict a certain model of urban nature that is in need of ‘domestication’ in order to become ‘urban-friendly’, which contrasts with the city hall’s newly discovered, and then abandoned, ‘license’ to experiment with the non-design of urban natures that promotes ‘spontaneous urban nature’ and eco-centric urban dynamics
Optimizing Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Integration at the Mechanical Engineering Faculty Building, Sarajevo
No full textThis study presents a methodological framework for determining the optimal combination of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy sources technologies, through a case study of the Mechanical Engineering Faculty at the University of Sarajevo. The main objective is to define a strategy for enhancing building sustainability by simultaneously addressing energy performance, environmental impact, and financial feasibility. The proposed framework enables multi-criteria decision-making in complex energy retrofit projects where conflicting objectives are often encountered. The methodology is based on the creation of six retrofit scenarios, each integrating various energy efficiency measures (e.g., building envelope insulation, high-efficiency heating, and cooling systems) and renewable energy sources technologies (e.g., solar thermal systems, photovoltaic panels). Scenario evaluation is conducted through defined criteria divided into three categories: energy (e.g. energy consumption for heating, cooling, and domestic hot water preparation), environmental (e.g. direct and indirect carbon-dioxide emissions, embodied carbon), and financial (e.g. total implementation cost). Energy simulations were performed using the KiExpert software, while the scenario ranking was conducted using the VIKOR multi-criteria decision-making method. The results indicate that Scenario S5 (ground-source heat pump combined with a natural gas condensing boiler, a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery, graphite EPS insulation, and PVC–aluminium windows) is the most favourable from energy and investment standpoints. Conversely, Scenario S3 (biomass boiler, hemp insulation, wood–aluminium windows, and external shading devices) offers the best environmental performance while also ranking second in terms of investment. These findings suggest that the final choice depends heavily on investor preferences, underscoring the need to balance sustainability targets and economic constraints (e.g. decreasing energy consumption, increasing RES share, minimizing costs). The developed methodology is applicable to energy retrofitting of various building types, particularly in contexts of integrating EE and RES measures. A comprehensive, integrated design approach and implementation of synergistic solutions in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, are key factors in the transition to a sustainable and resilient construction sector, with the aim of reducing energy consumption and operating costs, improving the quality of the living environment and reducing the negative impact on the environment
Nasutitermes aurantius (Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae), a new nasutiform termite species from Panama and a key to soldiers of Central American Nasutitermes Dudley, 1890
No full textNasutitermes aurantius sp. nov., is described from Central Panama. The soldier is unique among Central American Nasutitermes by its small size and orange head capsule coloration. The enteric valve armature is also unique among congeners. The new species constitutes the seventh Nasutitermes species in the region for which the soldier is described. We provide a key to all Central American Nasutitermes soldiers. Our phylogenetic reconstructions indicate that N. aurantius sp. nov. is more closely related to the Afrotropical Nasutitermes lujae than to any other Neotropical Nasutitermes
Personal experience and professional commitment to recommended vaccines in the Pleven district
No full textIntroduction: According to the current regulations of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Bulgaria, the administration of the recommended vaccines is implemented at the request of the patient and for a fee. In this context, one of the key functions of the general practitioners (GPs) within the framework of outpatient primary care is to conduct health prevention, including the performance of immunizations. In 2024, the number of general practitioners in the Pleven district with a contract with the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) was 176.Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the influence of general practitioners’ personal experience and commitment on the implementation and promotion of recommended vaccinations.Materials and methods: In 2024, a comprehensive survey was carried out in the Pleven district covering 82 general practitioner selected at random from a total of 176 registered in the region. To analyse the correlation between the qualitative variables, a χ2 test was applied, with statistical conclusions drawn at a significance level of 0.05. Data collection was performed through semi-structured interview and processed by SPSS Statistics v.26.Results: Data analysis revealed high vaccination coverage among the respondents – 75 (91.5%), as well as significant activity in recommending the additional immunizations – 80 (97.6%). The personal experience with the recommended vaccines had an important impact on the professional behaviour of medical professionals (χ² = 21.964, df = 1, p < 0.001, Cramer’s V = 0.518).Conclusion: The present study outlined the significant influence of personal experience with the recommended immunizations on the professional behaviour of general practitioners. That highlighted the need to increase awareness and personal commitment to vaccination among healthcare professionals as a key factor in improving vaccination coverage of the population
Human papillomavirus infection during pregnancy: an update, prevention and treatment
No full textObjective: To perform a comprehensive and updated review of prevention and treatment of HPV infections during pregnancy, focus on existing research in Bulgaria and the United Kingdom, as well as any existing literature on the topic of research within the regional scope.Methodology: The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for systematic literature review. It adopted the methodological framework proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute (2015) and by Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) approach of summary and dissemination of research findings. The research methodology consisted of three primary steps: planning, conducting, and reporting the review findings.Findings: The prevalence of HPV infection is higher in pregnant women as compared to non-pregnant women, and increases with the progression of the pregnancy. HPV infection of the intrauterine environment translates to adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth, intrauterine growth restriction, preeclampsia, and preterm premature rupture of membranes. Behavioural and therapeutic programs, as well as vaccination efforts, enhance effective prevention and treatment measures for HPV.Conclusion: There is a direct correlation between HPV infection and adverse pregnancy outcomes. HPV vaccination is an effective prevention and treatment measure for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Surgical or laser excision or application of trichloroacetic acid treatments are effective treatment options
Evaluation of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (l.) Moench) genotypes for striga resistance and associations among yield and striga related traits
No full textStriga stands as one of the most significant biotic constraints, severely impacting sorghum production and productivity in the northern and northeastern regions of the country. This study aimed to assess the performance of 49 sorghum genotypes against Striga hermonthica and examine the relationship between yield and traits associated with Striga. The experiment was carried out in Kobo, located in north eastern Ethiopia, during the main cropping season of 2022, utilizing a simple lattice design. The variance analysis indicated highly significant differences (p < 0.01) among genotypes across all traits. Genotype E17024-2 exhibited the highest Striga severity mean of 58.9, while the lowest mean of 1.4 was observed in genotype E17008-1. The grain yields recorded were highest at 6.5 tons per hectare for E17096-2 and lowest at 2.5 tons per hectare for E17065-2. At the genotypic level, grain yield showed highly significant positive correlation with panicle length (0.68), head count (0.83), head weight (0.95), biomass yield (0.77) and harvest index (0.8). Both at phenotypic and genotypic level, grain yield was highly significant negative correlated to striga count (-0.9,-0.94), striga vigorisity (-0.24, -0.36) and striga severity (-0.89, -0.93. The first five principal components of analysis explained 86.8% of the total variation and the traits Panicle width (0.76), Striga vigorisity (0.69), days to maturity (0.59), days to flowering (0.55) and plant height (0.46) captured most of the variability. Cluster analysis was done to group the genotypes based on multiple traits, forming five distinct clusters. The highest Striga severity score was recorded in Cluster IV (50.9) and Cluster II (48.2) but the minimum score was recorded in Cluster III (7.9). Hence, genotypes from cluster III can be used in sorghum breeding programs for grain yield improvement under Striga infested areas. The maximum inter-cluster distance was recorded between cluster III and cluster V (666.2). Accordingly, resistance, tolerance and susceptible genotypes were identified
Four new species of genus Acmella W.T. Blanford, 1869 (Gastropoda, Assimineidae) from Southern Thailand
No full textThis study explores the diversity of microsnails inhabiting limestone caves in Southern Thailand. It describes four new species of the genus Acmella W.T. Blanford, 1869 (Gastropoda, Assimineidae): Acmella krueangensis sp. nov. from Ranong Province, A. thamsingensis sp. nov. and A. changphueakensis sp. nov. from Chumphon Province, and A. kanchanaditensis sp. nov. from Surat Thani Province. These species are distinguished by shell morphology, particularly the number of striae on the last whorl and the protoconch sculpture. Phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences further support their distinctiveness and clarify their taxonomic placement. The results enhance the understanding of Acmella diversity in Thailand and shed light on biogeographical patterns found in this genus and the adaptations needed to survive under the conditions of cave systems