Article
Plant Sciences
Jose Luis Villar, Maria Angeles Alonso, Manuel B. Crespo, Mario Martinez-Azorin
Summary: This paper discusses the taxonomic and nomenclatural issues of ten species of Tamarix collected in the southwestern parts of the Mediterranean basin. Through the analysis of original material, eight intended holotypes are corrected, and one epitype, 30 isolectotypes, and 11 syntypes are identified. The taxonomic identity of all names and their possible synonymic placement are also discussed.
Article
Plant Sciences
Fabio Conti, Fabrizio Bartolucci
Summary: The study discovered Spiraea hypericifolia subsp. hypericifolia for the first time in Italy and suggested that it should be considered as a native species in the country, deserving conservation efforts.
Article
Plant Sciences
Fernando B. Matos, Robbin C. Moran, Jefferson Prado
Summary: Elaphoglossum section Polytrichia is a significant clade of the fern genus Elaphoglossum, characterized by subulate scales and lack of hydathodes. This clade is primarily distributed in the Neotropical region, with a few exceptions occurring in Africa and islands. This study provides a nomenclatural synopsis, taxonomic identification, and information on geographic distribution for the species in this clade.
Article
Mathematics
Yimin Wu, Haiping Wu, Chenjie Gong, Le Huang
Summary: This study investigates the impact of geometric parameters on the stress-induced deformation and waterproof performance of rubber waterstops in mountain tunnels. It reveals the effective mechanisms of different components and proposes recommended structural parameters to optimize the design of middle-buried waterstops.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Munazza Aslam, Rao Zahid Abbas, Abdullah Alsayeqh
Summary: Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a significant zoonotic disease transmitted by ticks, particularly Hyalomma species. It is highly prevalent in Asia and the Middle East. The disease can be acquired through contact with infected tissue, blood, patients, or livestock, tick bites, or tick removal. CCHF is characterized by progressive hemorrhages, fever, and muscle pain. Elevated levels of certain enzymes and prolonged clotting time are observed. Ribavirin, an antiviral drug, has shown effectiveness in treating CCHF. Health-care staff are at higher risk of infection. This review provides a comprehensive overview of CCHF epidemiology, risk factors, pathophysiology, prevention strategies, and legislation required for infection prevention and control.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Xixi Lan, Changchun Zou, Cheng Peng, Caowei Wu, Yuanyuan Zhang, Shengyi Wang
Summary: Characterizing the electrical properties of hydrate-bearing sediments, especially resistivity, is crucial for reservoir identification and saturation evaluation. This study simulated different micromorphologies of hydrates at the pore scale and analyzed the relationship between hydrate morphology and resistivity quantitatively. The size of the throat was found to be the most critical factor affecting resistivity.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Varsha V. Nimbalkar, O. S. H. I. N. A. SHARMA, M. I. L. I. N. D. M. GIRDHARI, M. I. L. I. N. D. M. SARDESAI
Summary: This article reports Sphaeranthus gomphrenoides as new to Asia, providing details of its identification, typification, and distribution, as well as the designation of a lectotype. The article includes an amended description, a line drawing illustration, and a detailed photo plate of the plant with an artificial key to the Indian Sphaeranthus species.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Laura A. Richards, Shuaizhi Guo, Dan J. Lapworth, Debbie White, Wayne Civil, George J. L. Wilson, Chuanhe Lu, Arun Kumar, Ashok Ghosh, Kieran Khamis, Stefan Krause, David A. Polya, Daren C. Gooddy
Summary: In this study, the presence and distribution of emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) in the River Ganges and its tributaries in Northern India were investigated. A total of 51 EOCs, including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and lifestyle chemicals, were identified in the surface water samples. Sulfamethoxazole concentrations exceeded predicted no-effect concentrations (PNECs) for ecological toxicity in almost 50% of the water samples. There was a significant downstream reduction in EOCs, which could be attributed to dilution effects from major tributaries.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Rosario Redonda-Martinez
Summary: This study presents an identification key and diagnostic characteristics for the native and introduced tribes of Asteraceae in Mexico. The key characteristics include the types of florets, shape and pubescence of style branches, shape of anther, shape of cypselas, presence of phytomelanin in cypselas, and characteristics of pappus. This research provides valuable information for the classification and study of Asteraceae in Mexico.
ACTA BOTANICA MEXICANA
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Xuerong Li, Xiyong Wang, Zhijun Cui, Wei Shi, Junhua Huang, Jiancheng Wang
Summary: In this study, SSR markers were developed for the analysis of genetic diversity in wild walnut samples. The results showed that these SSR markers can be used for the identification of wild walnut germplasm in Central Asia and for the development and utilization of wild walnut seed resources.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Lei-Xin Wu, Yan-Yan Feng, Jian Zhou
Summary: The author addresses the shortcomings of transmission distance by inserting a hybrid linear amplifier at the output of the source-in-the-middle distribution protocol. The modified protocol aims to maintain a high key rate for long-distance transmission under high noise, expanding the application range of continuous variable quantum key distribution protocol significantly. The study analyzes the effects of amplifier parameters and noise on the modified protocol in detail for practical system implementation. Consideration of finite size effect enhances the simulation's realism, serving as a guideline for future utilization of hybrid linear amplifiers. Different parameters can be adjusted to optimize key rates for various quantum channels.
Article
Plant Sciences
Edit Farkas, Arthur Macharia Muhoro
Summary: This study focused on the classification and naming of lichens in Kenya, with 178 species belonging to the parmelioid clade. An identification key was created to support further research, and a new combination species was published.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Zhihong Liu, Wanxing Sheng, Juan Su, Songhuai Du, Yue Xia, Jinli Wang
Summary: This study proposes a dynamic method for identifying key nodes in ADN, which considers multiple perspectives, such as the influence on ADN performance, the importance in the network structure, and the controllable potential of nodes. The effectiveness of the method is verified on test systems with time sequence variation.
IET GENERATION TRANSMISSION & DISTRIBUTION
(2023)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Ian George, Jie Lin, Norbert Luetkenhaus
Summary: The study expands the methodology of finite key analysis to device-dependent QKD protocols, maintaining reliability, efficiency, and tightness of the method, while also emphasizing the importance of parameter estimation and data processing within this framework.
PHYSICAL REVIEW RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Marcelo Trovo, Livia Echternacht
Summary: The Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park in Central Brazil is a conservation area established to protect the unique biodiversity of the high savannahs. Eriocaulaceae, a prominent plant family in the area, has poorly known diversity. Through field expeditions and analysis of specimens, we provide new nomenclature, an identification key, and an illustrated checklist for the Paepalanthoideae species in the park. We recorded 42 species, with over 50% being endemic to the area. The distribution of species is correlated to altitude, water availability, and lithology.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF TAXONOMY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Arkadiusz Nowak, Sebastian Swierszcz, Sylwia Nowak, Agnieszka Nobis, Ewelina Klichowska, Marcin Nobis
Summary: The study presents the vegetation communities in mountainous and hilly areas of Central Asia, identifying 11 new associations and showcasing the high diversity and richness of endemisms in the region. Environmental conditions, species composition, and factors such as phytogeography, altitude, bedrock type, and exposition play key roles in determining the vegetation composition.
Article
Plant Sciences
Karolina Chowaniec, Kaja Rola
Summary: Salt stress significantly impairs the photosynthetic efficiency of lichens, primarily due to ionic effects. Ionic stress reduces the utilization of energy in electron transport, leading to down-regulation of electron transfer. Hypogymnia physodes is more sensitive to salt stress than Pseudevernia furfuracea. Repeated exposure to salt in the winter season may reduce the vitality of lichens.
PHYSIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF PLANTS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Karolina Chowaniec, Anna Zukowska-Trebunia, Kaja Rola
Summary: Nitrogen pollution and excessive salinity are major environmental concerns in urban environments. This study explores the simultaneous impact and interaction of salt and nitrogen stress on lichen physiology. The results show significant disturbances in cell membrane integrity and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. Lichens from polluted sites and previously affected by harmful factors exhibit stronger responses to stress. This has implications for lichens in urban environments, particularly those near roads.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Katarzyna Rozek, Dominika Chmolowska, Inaki Odriozola, Tomas Vetrovsky, Kaja Rola, Petr Kohout, Petr Baldrian, Szymon Zubek
Summary: Understanding the effects of different tree species on soil microbial diversity is crucial for sustainable forest management. This study compared the effects of 14 tree species in Poland and Europe on fungal and bacterial diversity in soils. Results showed that Acer pseudoplatanus had the highest fungal species richness, while Carpinus betulus and Quercus rubra had the lowest. Tree species identity mainly influenced fungal composition, while soil chemical properties such as pH and exchangeable Ca, K and Mg influenced bacterial composition.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Lucie Fialova, Vitezslav Plasek, Ewelina Klichowska, Shuiliang Guo, Marcin Nobis
Summary: Epiphytes, including vascular and non-vascular, are a significant part of global plant biodiversity. The distribution of epiphytic bryophytes is influenced by climate and local habitat conditions. The Orthotrichaceae family, which consists of poorly studied and taxonomically problematic bryophytes, is particularly important. The ecological niche modelling approach was used to determine the potential distribution of epiphytic mosses in China and adjacent areas and to examine the factors shaping this distribution.
Article
Ecology
Elizaveta A. Kriuchkova, Evgenii Baiakhmetov, Marcin Nobis, Polina D. Gudkova
Summary: Using genome-wide genotyping, this study provides insights into the phylogeny and genetic patterns of 17 fine-leaved species of Altai fescues. The findings reveal discrepancies between morphological and molecular data for some species, highlighting the need for further comprehensive research.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Marcin Nobis, Ewelina Klichowska, Lizaveta Vintsek, Anna Wrobel, Agnieszka Nobis, Joanna Zalewska-Galosz, Arkadiusz Nowak
Summary: The aim of this research is to explore the effect of climatic fluctuations on the evolutionary history, demography, and distribution of high-mountain bellflowers. The results show that glacial-interglacial cycles and contemporary island-like habitats distribution shape the genomic variation of high-mountain species. The study also highlights the urgent need for conservation action in alpine regions to preserve their biodiversity.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yangqing Luo, Amanda Taylor, Patrick Weigelt, Benoit Guenard, Evan P. Economo, Arkadiusz Nowak, Inderjit Inderjit, Holger Kreft
Summary: Biotic interactions, especially mutualistic interactions with invertebrates, are important for shaping global plant diversity patterns. A global-scale biogeographic analysis of ant-plant mutualisms reveals distinct patterns, with domatium- and EFN-bearing plant diversity decreasing towards the poles, while elaiosome-bearing plants prevail at mid-latitudes. Climate, particularly temperature and precipitation, emerge as strong predictors of ant-associated plant diversity, with EFN-bearing plants increasing in hot and moist regions and elaiosome-bearing plants linked to interacting ant seed dispersers in dry regions. These results highlight the importance of mutualistic interactions for understanding plant biogeography.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pawel Swislowski, Arkadiusz Nowak, Malgorzata Rajfur
Summary: Compared to other biomonitoring work, this novel approach involves the simultaneous study of two moss species, analyzing three different habitats, and investigating the connection between accumulated trace elements in mosses and their vitality. The study evaluates the impact of pretreatment procedures on metal concentrations in exposed bags, examining various elements and determining the coefficient of variation. The results show that the concentration of elements in mosses depends on their species and collection habitat, highlighting the importance of proper moss preparation for effective biomonitoring.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOREMEDIATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Arkadiusz Nowak, Pawel Swislowski, Sebastian Swierszcz, Sylwia Nowak, Malgorzata Rajfur, Maria Waclawek
Summary: This paper proposes a hybrid approach to clean energy production on PV farms, called ecovoltaics (EV), which combines renewable electricity production with grassland conservation. The study selects plant species that can coexist with PV panels, taking into account the effect of shading, providing a starting point for future work.
ECOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY AND ENGINEERING S-CHEMIA I INZYNIERIA EKOLOGICZNA S
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jakub Styburski, Kaja Skubala
Summary: This study investigated the effect of nitrogen oxides and suspended particulate matter on the anatomical structure and photosynthetic efficiency of Physcia adscendens lichen. The results showed that lichens from polluted sites had different anatomical structures and higher photosynthetic efficiency, indicating their adaptation to air pollution stress and successful colonization in polluted areas.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Karolina Chowaniec, Jakub Styburski, Kaja Rola
Summary: Salt stress significantly affects the physiology of lichens inhabiting roadsides, and the study analyzes the impact of acute salt stress on chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of lichens. The research also explores the response of lichens to rainfall simulations after exposure to salt stress. The findings show that different lichen species respond differently to salt stress, and rainfall can improve photosynthetic efficiency to some extent.
ACTA BIOLOGICA CRACOVIENSIA SERIES BOTANICA
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Arkadiusz Nowak, Sylwia Nowak
Summary: Despite the achievements in geobotany in the last century, there are still many unanswered questions. We lack knowledge about the total number of vegetation types, the distribution patterns of diversity above and below the ground, the effects of climate change on vegetation at different scales, the hidden parts of species diversity in most ecosystems, and historical vegetation maps for many areas. Geobotanical methods can contribute to addressing these questions and the discipline will continue to thrive due to researchers' passion for and admiration of the beauty of vegetation and their awareness of the need for conservation.
ACTA SOCIETATIS BOTANICORUM POLONIAE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Arkadiusz Nowak, Sebastian Swierszcz, Sylwia Nowak, Vitezslav Plasek, Agnieszka Nobis, Ewelina Klichowska, Marcin Nobis
Summary: This study conducted research on chasmophytic vegetation in the alpine belt of the eastern part of Middle Asia. Five main groups of vegetation were identified, representing 16 specific plant communities. The study suggests a weak relationship between the rock vegetation in the study area and that in neighboring regions.
ACTA SOCIETATIS BOTANICORUM POLONIAE
(2022)
