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Morphological and phylogenetic analyses reveal two new species of Rhodoveronaea (Rhamphoriaceae, Rhamphoriales) from China
No full textDuring a recent survey of freshwater fungi, four isolates were obtained from decaying wood in Chishui City, Guizhou Province, southern China. Based on phylogenetic analyses of a combined dataset (LSU, ITS, SSU, tef1-α, and rpb2) and detailed morphological comparisons, two novel species, Rhodoveronaea aquisubtropica and R. guizhouensis, are introduced. Comprehensive descriptions, illustrations, and results of the phylogenetic analyses supporting the taxonomic placement of these new taxa are provided. Additionally, a checklist of currently accepted Rhodoveronaea species supported by molecular data is included. Notably, R. aquisubtropica and R. guizhouensis represent the first records of Rhodoveronaea in the Chishui River Basin, thereby enriching the known diversity of subtropical freshwater habitats
Evidence of artificial-refuge avoidance in the Ladder Snake (Zamenis scalaris) and the Montpellier Snake (Malpolon monspessulanus)
No full textArtificial refuges are increasingly used as mitigation tools to provide alternative shelters for reptiles affected by habitat disturbance, but their short-term effectiveness remains poorly assessed, particularly in Mediterranean snakes. During construction works in southern France, six snakes (3 Zamenis scalaris and 3 Malpolon monspessulanus) were captured in the impacted area, fitted with VHF transmitters and released directly into artificial shelters within large-mesh fenced enclosures that allowed snakes and other fauna to move in and out freely. These enclosures preserved fragments of natural habitat from heavy construction impacts, while remaining connected to surrounding habitats. Radio-tracking (September 2024 – May 2025) revealed that all individuals left the artificial refuges immediately after release and never reused them, even during or after hibernation. Instead, they consistently selected nearby natural shelters, mainly sun-exposed rodent burrows. During this period, home ranges (MCP) varied between 2.86–8.79 ha in Z. scalaris and 0.54–3.78 ha in M. monspessulanus, a seasonal pattern that does not reflect their annual space use. This study provides the first experimental evidence that, in these two species, artificial refuges are ineffective in the short term, even when used as initial re-introduction sites. In contrast, fenced enclosures proved effective as an immediate mitigation measure, whereas artificial shelters may require long-term ecological stabilisation before becoming functional
A honey bee fossil (Hymenoptera, Apidae) from the Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene Teragi Group, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan: Bridging a gap in Apis evolutionary history
No full textA new fossil honey bee Apis (Apis) aibai sp. nov. was discovered in the Late Pliocene–Early Pleistocene lacustrine deposit in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Fossil species are identified based on their distinct forewing venation, thick, lighter-colored abdomens, and hind legs. Honeybee fossils exhibit a highly uneven distribution across time. Fossil species are primarily derived from older Oligocene–Miocene deposits, mostly in Europe and China, while fossils of a few modern species have been recovered from younger Pleistocene and Holocene deposits. Apis (Apis) aibai sp. nov. bridges the gap between older and younger fossil records. Additionally, this species represents the most recent extinct honey bee and the oldest known record of the subgenus Apis
Generic revision on the Biwia– Microphysogobio complex (Cypriniformes, Gobionidae) with descriptions of three new genera
No full textThe Biwia–Microphysogobio complex, comprising several genera and over 40 valid species, is widely distributed in the freshwater systems of East Asia. Although many species of this complex have been discovered in the past decades, controversy regarding the taxonomic status of these genera still remains. This study revised the Biwia–Microphysogobio complex at the generic level. Based on the morphology of the type species in each genus and various species within this complex, the genus characteristics are described. The morphology of the lip papillae pattern, jaws, and air bladder chambers are key characteristics used to distinguish the genera. With further evidence supported by the molecular phylogenetic relationships reconstructed from mitochondrial genome sequences, each genus in this complex formed a monophyletic group. The previously polyphyletic Microphysogobio is now separated into four genera, rendering the newly defined genus Microphysogobio monophyletic. The other three genera are newly described, i.e., Crossocheilogobio, Mesophysogobio, and Oriengobio. Along with Biwia, Huigobio, and Platysmacheilus, the complex now includes seven genera. The distribution of each genus is mapped separately in this study. A diagnostic key to genera is provided, and species included in each genus are listed. Sixteen new combinations are generated in this study
Recent studies on Pelargonium graveolens L’Hér.: a review on chemical composition and biological activity
No full textPelargonium graveolens L’Hér. (rose geranium) is an aromatic plant widely used in traditional medicine and essential oil production. This review highlights its phytochemical diversity and pharmacological potential based on recent studies (2020–2025). The database search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. The survey revealed that essential oils are dominated by citronellol, geraniol, linalool, and isomenthone, while non-volatile compounds include flavonoids, phenolic, acyltartaric and acylcitric acids, and tannins. The plant’s extracts and oils demonstrate a wide range of biological activities—antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and neuroprotective potential as well as antidiabetic and insecticidal properties. These effects are connected to its rich secondary metabolite profile, notably flavonol glycosides, hydroxycinnamic derivatives, and terpenoids. Given its complex phytochemical profile and extensive pharmacological properties, P. graveolens shows significant promise as a source of bioactive agents for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries
A taxonomic, geographic, and temporal assessment of local birds in Portuguese ornithological collections
No full textSince the birth of modern science, natural history collections (NHCs) have constituted the world’s largest repositories of long-term biodiversity data, making them essential to modern-day research. As part of an ongoing project aiming to review the Portuguese zoological collections in the country’s NHCs, we collected and analyzed bird data from its three major museums and two smaller collections to study coverage and representation of the taxa known from Portugal. Our results show that the collections are not taxonomically, geographically, or temporally complete and present considerable biases. Approximately 90.5% of birds are represented in the collections, but 85% are represented by fewer than 50 specimens. Geographic representation is also biased, as the country’s NHCs cover 41.7% of its territory. Thirty-one percent of the species are considered threatened or regionally extinct, yet account for only a little over one-fifth of the specimens extant in the collections. Here we present a review of the status of Portuguese bird collections, as well as a call to attention to the potential impacts on research resulting from such biases and subsequent gaps
Designing for Social Innovation: Apps as a Tool for Co-Creation
No full textA shared understanding of active participation of many urban actors is necessary for a socially sustainable urban environment. This study explores how various urban stakeholders including government agencies, city collectives, citizens, academic institutions, and businesses co-create by leveraging their unique skills and exchanging work and knowledge via an online platform in order to foster social innovation at urban scale. The present research hypothesizes that establishing a participatory mobile application enabling city inhabitants to actively engage and assume shared responsibilities in urban processes can strengthen the sense of belonging of citizens. The design research methodology employed in this study is rooted in the context of co-creation and participatory design. The study is structured around the hypothetical development of the Give a Hand mobile application, a participatory platform designed to make education, health, culture, and art services more accessible for everyone. By enabling participation and co-creation among city inhabitants, the platform aims to optimize public service delivery, saving both time and resources as well as to achieve more inclusive urban environments. More importantly, this platform facilitates urban value creation through mechanisms of volunteering and donations, contributing to the enhancement of the public services. This conceptual framework also helps us understand how designers serve as social innovation facilitators by developing community-driven, inclusive platforms for public service delivery and engagement. The practical implications of this study provides a sustainable network, fostering a stronger sense of belonging among the citizens. By incorporating social networking features, the app facilitates communication, collaboration, and the creation of new community networks, thereby enhancing active participation and contributing to the overall social fabric of the city. The results show that digital platforms can serve as scalable instruments for participatory governance when they are created using the concepts of social innovation and co-creation. The conceptual mobile app provides a flexible and transparent framework for cooperation between corporations, colleges, citizens, and public agencies
Sustainable Methodologies and Strategies in School Rehabilitation
No full textThis study investigates the importance of rehabilitating school buildings as a sustainable solution to improve teaching conditions, align school infrastructures with contemporary pedagogical requirements, and preserve architectural heritage. The research addresses the challenges schools face, such as structural deterioration, lack of thermal comfort, low energy efficiency, and inadequacy of new educational demands, proposing interventions that integrate sustainability, technological innovation, and architectural flexibility. The methodology critically analyzes specialized literature focusing on sustainable rehabilitation practices and integrating modern technologies in school settings. We considered criteria such as energy efficiency, waste management, and incorporating pedagogical technologies. The priority was identifying solutions that minimize environmental impacts while maximizing interventions' social and economic benefits. The main results highlight that school rehabilitation can reduce operating costs, extend the useful life of buildings, and create more comfortable and inclusive environments for students and teachers. In addition, the use of modern and less polluting materials, associated with up-to-date construction techniques, favors adaptation to environmental standards and the requirements of the twenty-first century. However, challenges such as high upfront costs, technical limitations, and lack of professional training still restrict the implementation of these practices on a large scale. Rehabilitating school buildings is crucial for promoting quality education in sustainable and innovative environments. To overcome barriers and make practical projects feasible, investments in public policies, technical training, and developing specific methodologies tailored to the school context are essential. This rehabilitation process transforms schools into conducive learning spaces and catalysts for urban revitalization and social inclusion, contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future
The Role of Mythology in Architectural Identity: The Case of the Temple of Heaven
No full textArchitecture is more than the geometric composition of space; it is also the expression of its local culture, which involves mythology, philosophy, architectural prototypes, etc. The research explores the impact of mythology on architectural identity with the Temple of Heaven in Beijing as the main case because, as an extraordinary presence of ancient Chinese imperial sacrificial architecture, the Temple of Heaven preserves the exquisite architectural complex and embodies rich mythological symbolism and cultural significance. This research initially reviews the theoretical outcomes of mythology and architectural identity, investigating their specific contents, characteristics, and interactions. In this phase, the three main categories of criteria regarding the architectural identity manifestation are defined, which are spatial organization (mainly reflected in shape and form), semantic organization (tightly related to design concept and principle), and relationship with context (includes materials as one of the main parts). Next, according to the organized criteria, the research analyzes the Temple of Heaven's design concept, space organization, structural design, and special decoration, which reveals how Chinese mythology appears in its design, proving that the Temple of Heaven is not merely a physical structure but also an incarnation of sacred order. In the design process, mythology is translated and generated into the architectural language and subsequently applied to create the form with symbolic meaning. The research also compares the commonalities and differences between the Temple of Heaven and other mythologically influenced architecture worldwide. Afterwards, it discusses the Temple of Heaven's profound influence and mythology's broader effect on contemporary architectural design. Ultimately, the paper highlights and concludes the detailed approaches and roles in which mythology shapes and promotes architectural identity in the contemporary context
Design Blast Factors Assessment and its Effect on Rock Fragmentation at Limestone Quarry, Setif, Algeria
No full textBlasting outcomes significantly impact all subsequent operations in quarrying and mining. The factors affecting blasting results are categorized as controllable, such as blast geometry and explosive characteristics, or non-controllable, including geological conditions and regulatory requirements. Achieving optimal fragmentation requires careful adjustment of controllable parameters to align with non-controllable parameters. This study analyzed four distinct blast designs by examining the influence of blast design parameters on rock fragmentation. Rock samples from each blast face were tested, and digital images of the resulting muckpiles were processed using WipFrag 3.3 software to assess the fragmentation. Particle size distributions (PSD) were established for each blast, and mean particle fragment sizes (MeanPS) were correlated with the respective blast design parameters. For a gyratory crusher with a 1200 mm feed size, the percentage cumulative passing ranged from 89.1%–100%. The study found strong correlations between MeanPS and factors such as the stiffness ratio and powder factor (PF). Specifically, MeanPS increased with the stiffness ratio (correlation coefficient: 76.13%) and decreased as PF increased (correlation coefficient: 98.74%). Conversely, the spacing-to-burden ratio had a minimal effect on the fragment size. All four-blast events studied produced good fragmentation, with a uniformity index ranging from 1.16 to 1.61. The study concluded that blast design parameters significantly influence rock fragmentation. The stiffness ratio and PF showed a high correlation with MeanPS. Regular assessment and optimization of these parameters can enhance the efficiency and productivity of quarrying operations in the long term