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Mathematical models and ANFIS for determination of diffusivity and activation energy of button mushroom thin layer drying
No full textIn this research, four temperature levels of 50, 60, 70, and 80 °C with a constant airflow rate of 1 (m/s). To select an appropriate drying model, 16 thin-layer drying models and Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) were used. To determine the best thin-layer mathematical model, nonlinear regression analysis was employed, utilizing indices such as R2, χ2, RMSE, and MRDM. The R software version 3.6.2 was used. The results indicated that among the mathematical models, the two-term model provided the best fit. The effective moisture diffusivity for the four temperatures ranged (3.228942E-10 to 1.065814E-09) m2/s. Significant changes of color were observed in ΔE concerning temperature. ΔE and Shrinkage increased with temperature, while SI and Hue angle values decreased with temperature.The activation energy value was 2277.341 (kJ/kg). according to the ANFIS results, the Two-term model was the most appropriate for drying the thin layer of button mushrooms, with the highest correlation coefficient (R2 = 0.999) and root mean square error (RMSE = 0.001) compared to other models
SpeciMate: Improving metadata extraction from digitised biological specimens
No full textThe digitisation of natural history collections represents a critical step towards preserving and increasing accessibility to valuable scientific data. Despite their fundamental importance to taxonomy, ecology and conservation, the world’s natural history collections remain underutilised due to the labour-intensive process of extracting metadata from specimen labels.This paper describes SpeciMate, a software application that uses a human-AI collaborative approach to accelerate the extraction of metadata from digitised specimen images. The system leverages artificial intelligence web services including optical character recognition (OCR), automated translation and large language and multimodal models (LLMs) to extract structured metadata, while requiring human expertise for prompt engineering and data curation. We describe the application's architecture, functionality and workflows, which enable effective processing of various specimen types including herbarium sheets and insect slides. Our trials indicate that this tool significantly improves the efficiency of metadata extraction while maintaining high data quality. The combination of automated AI processing with human supervision and refinement represents a promising approach to accelerating the digitisation and databasing of natural history collections, thereby enabling broader access to these invaluable resources for research, education and conservation efforts
Organ-protective antidiabetic prescriptions in type 2 diabetes – a single institution experience
No full textThe aim of this study was to evaluate the antidiabetic therapy during hospitalization, as well as that recommended at discharge from a single university endocrinology clinic for all type 2 diabetes patients admitted over a 12-month period. Of the 464 cases, 345 (74.4%) were emergency admissions and 119 (25.6%) were planned hospitalizations for poor glycemic control. At discharge, one antidiabetic medication was prescribed in 133 patients (28.7%), two in 169 (36.3%), three in 103 (22.2%), and 48 (10.4%) received four or more glucose-lowering agents. Of all patients, 175 (37.7%) were taking sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), 71 (15.3%) glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs), and 42 (9.1%) both organ-protective classes. Among patients with concomitant cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, or both (n = 300; 64.7%), SGLT2i was prescribed in 150 (50.0%), GLP1-RA in 51 (17.0%), and both in 34 individuals (11.3%). Our results indicate that more than half of the patients at cardio-renal risk (55.7%) received at least one organ-protective medication
Comprehensive ecosystem analysis of two small, urban wetlands from Costa Rica
No full textUrban wetlands, although important ecosystems for biodiversity, are highly vulnerable due to human activities. This work aims to study the water quality and the biodiversity present in two small, urban wetlands in Costa Rica, comparing the information collected with that reported for similar wetlands across the Neotropics. We performed a thorough literature review and field visits to elaborate a species list of terrestrial vertebrates and plants. We also analysed water samples from both wetlands to determine the water quality of the study sites. We also assembled a species list extracted from literature referring to urban wetlands. We identified a total of 453 species from our study sites (160 plants and 293 animals), with a low percentage (41%) of shared species between both sites. Fourteen species are considered threatened and two species are endemic to Costa Rica. We found low similarity amongst urban wetlands across the Neotropics. The water from both wetlands showed signs of contamination, such that they are considered for conservation of nature. We suggest that the conservation of urban wetlands should be part of the policies of local governments and more efforts for environmental education should be carried out to protect this type of ecosystem
Lectotypification of Pterocarya serrata C.K.Schneider (Juglandaceae), the name of a forgotten species of wingnuts
No full textThe Juglandaceae species Pterocarya serrata C.K.Schneid. was first described in 1912, but its assumed holotype, a flowering E. H. Wilson collection in the Vienna herbarium, was destroyed during World War II. Schneider described P. serrata as ‘fruits unknown’ because he thought that a fruiting specimen, collected under the same number, was a mixed collection. Pre-1958, citation of a single collection does not automatically constitute a type, but we here accept the Vienna material as the lost holotype and select the A duplicate with the most precise location information as the lectotype, with isolectotypes in at least six other herbaria. Additionally, we designate a fruiting specimen as the epitype
A new species, Didymoglossum radiatum (Hymenophyllaceae), and two new records with note to the genus Didymoglossum Desv. from Thailand
No full textDuring the filmy fern (Hymenophyllaceae) diversity study in Thailand, the genus Didymoglossum was investigated using morphological data and molecular phylogenetic analyses of the chloroplast rbcL region. This study revealed a new species, Didymoglossum radiatum S.Chokrassameehirun, Kraichak & Jaruwatt., sp. nov., which is currently known only from peninsular Thailand. This taxon resembles D. tahitense in possessing peltate fronds but differs in frond size, the structure of false veinlets, and the appearance of its sori. The phylogenetic results further confirmed the distinct phylogenetic positions of D. henzaianum and D. mindorense, which were also newly recorded and described for Thailand
Ecological niches and climate-driven range shifts in Hemorrhois snakes: implications for biogeography
No full textUnderstanding the factors shaping species distributions is essential for predicting their responses to environmental change. The genus Hemorrhois (horseshoe whip snakes) comprises ecologically diverse colubrid snakes found across the Mediterranean Basin, North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Despite this broad range, their ecological niches and distributional dynamics remain understudied. This study employs ecological niche modeling (ENM) to assess the biogeography, niche differentiation, and potential climate-driven range shifts of H. algirus, H. hippocrepis, H. nummifer, and H. ravergieri under future climate scenarios. Using species occurrence data and bioclimatic variables, I constructed ensemble models to predict suitable habitats, evaluate niche overlap, and quantify potential range changes. Results indicate significant variation in climate-driven distributional responses among species. Hemorrhois algirus is projected to expand across North Africa, whereas H. hippocrepis, H. nummifer, and H. ravergieri may face range contractions under high-emission scenarios. Niche analyses suggest moderate overlap between H. algirus and H. hippocrepis, implying historical and ecological connectivity, while H. nummifer and H. ravergieri display distinct environmental preferences. Climatic and geographic barriers—such as the Sahara Desert, the Dardanelles and Istanbul Straits, the Alps, and the Pyrenees Mountains—play crucial roles in shaping their evolutionary trajectories. Given the increasing threats of climate change and habitat loss, this study underscores the need for conservation strategies prioritizing habitat connectivity, species-specific management, and climate refugia. By integrating ecological and evolutionary perspectives, this research contributes to understanding Mediterranean and Western Palearctic reptile biogeography and their responses to environmental change
Silent enemies: can low-virulence macroparasites drive disease-mediated invasions?
No full textShared pathogens can alter the interaction between native and alien species resulting in disease-mediated invasions (DMIs). Invasive animals often harbour low-virulence macroparasites, but empirical evidence for macroparasite-driven DMIs is still limited due to their subtile pathological impacts and scarce prominence. Here, we modelled the dynamics of native red squirrels, invasive grey squirrels and their shared nematode Strongyloides robustus to assess whether macroparasites can drive DMIs and lead to native species extinction. Our simulations showed that spill-over of the alien parasite can lead to red squirrel extinction, that grey squirrels can amplify the infection in the native host and that the infection can accelerate the replacement of red squirrels compared to direct competition alone, ultimately facilitating invasion by grey squirrels. These results show that low-virulence macroparasites can potentially mediate animal invasions, suggesting that we are overlooking key drivers of native species decline
Early lymphocyte recovery after allogeneic transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells in patients with haematological malignancies: a single-centre experience
No full textIntroduction: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AlloHSCT) is a therapeutic method for the treatment of many malignant and non-malignant hematological diseases but is still associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Disease relapse recurrence and non-relapse mortality (NRM) remain the main causes of failure from AlloHSCT. The identification of the risk factors associated with this continue to be a subject of extensive scientific research.Aim: The aim of our study was to identify the prognostic significance of the early lymphocyte recovery (ELR), presented as absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) for the outcome of AlloHSCT.Materials and methods: 96 patients with diagnoses of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL) who underwent AlloSCT at the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Unit of SHATHD between 2017 and 2021 were included in the study. Based on our previous study on the prognostic role of ELR such as absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) on the outcome of AlloSCT, in terms of overall survival (OS), patients were divided and evaluated into two groups.Results: At a median follow-up of 54.7 months , median OS, progression-free survival (PFS), cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), and NRM for patients with ELR were not reached. Disease risk index (DRI), response to AlloSCT and choice of haploidentical donor were identified as significant risk factors for ELR. Analysing the data regarding the significance of ELR in post-transplant complications led to important conclusions regarding aGvHD, cGvHD and associated survival.Conclusion: ELR is an established, clinically significant prognostic factor for transplant outcome. Identification and modelling of risk factors and complications associated with ELR can significantly improve outcomes of AlloSCT
Oldest known captive Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug cherrug) at 31 years old
No full textSaker Falcons play an important role in the ecosystems they are part of, but their population has been globally declining. Despite many Saker Falcons being bred in captivity, both for falconry and conservation, little is known about the longevity of the species. We report a Saker Falcon has lived to the unprecedented age for the species - 31 years old, at the Green Balkans Wildlife Rehabilitation and Breeding Centre in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, highlighting the importance of careful management and expert care. To our knowledge, this is the oldest living Saker Falcon, suggesting that, with a better understanding of the species needs and better care, Saker Falcons can live longer than previously believed. Longer lifespans of Saker Falcons in captivity could improve conservation efforts and result in greater success for Saker Falcon conservation projects