Dr. Franck Courchamp of France’s National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) explains why a reduction in meat consumption would be good for everyone, lists the catastrophic consequences of biological invasions, and suggests what could be done to protect giraffes.

The last decades, when robots have appeared in the operating room, showed the possibility of surgery enhancement by improving precision, repeatability, stability and dexterity. However, taking into consideration still existing limitations of robotics in surgery, and treating the robots as medical devices with the highest degree of safety level requirements, one must take a number of complex actions when preparing the experimental clinical application of a new modern robot Robin Heart. Presented paper describes the current state of procedures carried out in the Robin Heart project of surgery robots prepared for clinical application. Based on experiences with the devices existing on the market and, first of all, thanks to knowledge and expertise gained by our team during last 12 years, intensive work are currently done in order to introduce both mechanical and electronic modifications as well as to improve the safety system. As far as human resources are concerned, a professional team able to carry out the robot-supported surgery is prepared based on the created system of technical and functional trainings on simulation stands, which also includes the developed operation planning procedures. The first telemanipulator designed for clinical practice is the Robin Heart Vision – endoscopic system manipulator.

The invasive method of medically checking hemoglobin level in human body by taking the blood sample of the patient requiring a long time and injuring the patient is seen impractical. A non-invasive method of measuring hemoglobin levels, therefore, is made by applying the K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) algorithm and the Artificial Neural Network Back Propagation (ANN-BP) algorithm with the Internet of Thingsbased HTTP protocol to achieve the high accuracy and the low endto- end delay. Based on tests conducted on a Noninvasive Hemoglobin measuring device connected to Cloud Things Speak, the prediction process using algorithm by means of Python programming based on Android application could work well. The result of this study showed that the accuracy of the K-Nearest Neighbor algorithm was 94.01%; higher than that of the Artificial Neural Network Back Propagation algorithm by 92.45%. Meanwhile, the end-to-end delay was at 6.09 seconds when using the KNN algorithm and at 6.84 seconds when using Artificial Neural Network Back Propagation Algorithm.

The sunflower stem weevil, Cylindrocopturus adspersus LeConte is a quarantine intra-stem pest of sunflower, distributed mainly in the United States, and discovered in the Kherson region of Ukraine in 2020. The objective of this study was to establish a possible distribution zone of this species in Ukraine based on the results of bioclimatic modeling. The model was built by using programs DIVA GIS version 7.5.0 and BIOCLIM, which search for areas that are suitable for a particular organism, through geographic information systems and by comparing the world climate with the climate of areas in which it has already been identified. Analysis of the model shows that in Ukraine the pest can acclimatize in the Kherson region only (zone with up to 2.5% probability). Geographically, the territory is limited to 46−47° of north latitude and to 33−34° of north longitude. It is located on the Black Sea Lowland and covers territory lying no higher than 50 meters above the Black Sea level, whose land- -surface temperature in July averages more than 28°С. The North Crimean Canal and Krasnoznaamyansky Canal pass through the territory, which is limited in the south by Sivash, Karkinitsky Bay and Dzharilgatsky Bay of the Black Sea, in the west − by the Dnipro Delta, and in the north − by Kakhovka Reservoir and Kakhovskiy canal. The analysis of values of climatic predictors for the territories which are suitable for acclimatization of a phytophage demonstrated its high ecological plasticity and potential ability to move not only on coastal territories, but also on territories with a continental climate.

Introduction: The prolongation of the life of men results in the growing number of people suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In 2010, BPH concerned more than 200 million men in the whole world, which at that time made up 6% of the population of men at large. Currently, the population of men in the world amounts about three billion six hundred million. The modern surgical treatment of BPH consists of minimally invasive techniques, including laser systems.

Aim: Evaluation of the eff ectiveness of photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) on the basis of subjective parameters assessed by patients using IPSS and QoL questionnaires as well as objective parameters obtained from results of urodynamic tests.

Material and Methods: Between 2012 and 2015, 120 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia were included in the study and underwent PVP. Finally, 77 patients were included in the study. In all patients, IPSS and QoL sheets were carried out 1, 6 and 12 months, and urodynamic tests 12 months after the surgical treatment.

Results: The statistically signifi cant change in the value of each parameter assessed: decrease in the IPSS, QoL, PVR, Pmax, Pop, the degree of obstruction according to Schäfer and ICS nomogram, and an increase in the values of Qmax and Qave.

Conclusions: Photoselective vaporization of the prostate is an eff ective method of therapy in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Poa annua L. is the only non−native vascular plant that was successfully established in the maritime Antarctic. This project aimed to determine the amount of genetic and epigenetic variation within and between two populations of P. annua , one from South Shetland Is. (Antarctic) and the other one from Central Europe. We applied two AFLP marker systems, using endonucleases that recognised the same restriction site but differed in their sensitivity towards methylation. The Antarctic population differed from the Polish one both at the genetic and epigenetic levels. Genetic variability in the Antarctic population was lower than in the Polish one. Some loci in the Antarctic population showed signs of selection. The difference between Polish and Antarctic populations might be due to a weak bottleneck effect followed by population expansion. Using only epigenetic markers, the Ant − arctic population exhibited increased variation level compared to the Polish one. These may have resulted from plastic responses to environmental factors and could be associated with survival in extreme conditions.

The species Halyomorpha halys (Stål), which is endemic in East Asia, was first detected in North America in 1996 and was probably introduced into Europe in 2008. The species is polyphagous. It consumes over 170 host plant species and significantly impacts crop production. In Greece the first recording of its presence was in 2014, when it was reported as a nuisance in houses in the region of Athens. The present study describes the systematic spread and damage of this invasive pest, including the first recorded identification in peach and olive cultivations in the prefecture of Imathia in central Macedonia, Greece. Sampling was carried out in representative peach and olive farms during July and August, 2018 and 2019 in which significant levels of fruit damage were recorded, especially during 2018. The population of the species was recorded throughout the winter seasons of 2018 and 2019 in which overwintering adults were systematically recorded in shelters and other constructions near fruit orchards. Given the dynamics of the species and its destructive impact on a wide range of host species, H. halys is expected to be a major pest. Additionally, considering that the prefecture of Imathia is the most important peach growing area of Greece, further studies of the presence and population dynamics of this species along with the establishment of particular management actions to control the population is imperative for the future protection of horticultural production in Greece.

The objective of this work was to generate a series of equations to describe the voltinism of Lobesia botrana in the quarantine area of the main winemaking area of Argentina, Mendoza. To do this we considered an average climate scenario and extrapolated these equations to other winegrowing areas at risk of being invaded. A grid of 4 km2 was used to generate statistics on L. botrana captures and the mean temperature accumulation for the pixel. Four sets of logistic regression were constructed using the percentage of accumulated trap catches/grid/week and the degree-day accumulation above 7°C, from 1st July. By means of a habitat model, an extrapolation of the phenological model generated to other Argentine winemaking areas was evaluated. According to our results, it can be expected that 50% of male adult emergence for the first flight occurs at 248.79 ± 4 degree-days (DD), in the second flight at 860.18 ± 4.1 DD, while in the third and the fourth flights, 1671.34 ± 5.8 DD and 2335.64 ± 4.3 DD, respectively. Subsequent climatic comparison determined that climatic conditions of uncolonized areas of Cuyo Region have a similar suitability index to the quarantine area used to adjust the phenological model. The upper valley of Río Negro and Neuquén are environmentally similar. Valleys of the northwestern region of Argentina showed lower average suitability index and greater variability among SI estimated by the algorithm considered. The combination of two models for the estimation of adult emergence time and potential distribution, can provide greater certainties in decision-making and risk assessment of invasive species.

The brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) is an invasive species of fish fauna in Poland. This species is widespread throughout the country but its abundance and characteristics of populations present in water reservoirs are relatively little known. Aim of this study was to determine the abundance and characteristic of the population of brown bullhead in the Domaszne Lake. The control fish catches were carried out three times in 2012 and 2013 years (spring, summer, autumn). Brown bullhead had a small share in the structure of fish abundance (2.7%) and biomass (7.5%), but his presence was reported in results of all control fishing. Relative abundance of brown bullhead averaged about 7.8 CPUE and biomass about 505.5 WPUE. The fishes the greatest total length and weight had in the spring (Tl = 18.5 cm, W = 77.7 g) but the highest value of the coefficient of condition (K = 2.08) in summer were noted. Brown bullhead with a total length from 16 to 18 cm accounted for as much as 59% of the population and distribution of size structure confirm a fact that has a stable population.

This paper presents a new modified method for the synthesis of non-uniform linear antenna arrays. Based on the recently developed invasive weeds optimization technique (IWO), the modified invasive weeds optimization method (MIWO) uses the mutation process for the calculation of standard deviation (SD). Since the good choice of SD is particularly important in such algorithm, MIWO uses new values of this parameter to optimize the spacing between the array elements, which can improve the overall efficiency of the classical IWO method in terms of side lobe level (SLL) suppression and nulls control. Numerical examples are presented and compared to the existing array designs found in the literature, such as ant colony optimization (ACO), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and comprehensive learning PSO (CLPSO). Results show that MIWO method can be a good alternative in the design of non-uniform linear antenna array.

One of the most common reasons for horse lameness is subchondral bone cysts (SBCs), which are especially evident in young horse athletes. It is believed that SBC development is strongly associated with an individual’s bone growth and/or bone microstructure impairment. Current methods of SBC treatment include pharmacological treatment or surgical procedures which may allow the bone within the cyst to rebuild and be restored to properly developed bone tissue. Thus, we propose filling the SBCs with a 3D complex of alginate hydrogel and autologous adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs). We have observed at the in vitro level, that this hydrogel complex induces osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation potential through the upregulation of bone morphogenetic protein, osteopontin, collagen type I and aggrecan mRNA levels. Moreover, we detected the creation of a 3D extracellular matrix (EM). To investigate the complex in vivo, we chose 8 horses of varying age suffering from SBC, which resulted in lameness, to undergo experimental surgery. We documented the horses’ clinical appearance, lameness and radiographic appearance, to determine that there was clinical improvement in 87.75% of the patients (n=7, out of 8 horses) 6 months postoperatively and 100% (n=8, out of 8 horses) a year after surgery. These results are promising for the potential of this procedure to become the standard in SBC treatment.

Optoelectronic technology plays an important role in medical diagnosis. In the paper a review of some optoelectronic sensors for invasive and non-invasive human health test is presented. The main attention is paid on their basic operation principle and medical usefulness. The paper presents also own research related to developing of tools for human breath analysis. Breath sample unit and three gaseous biomarkers analyzer employing laser absorption spectroscopy designed for clinical diagnostics were described. The analyzer is equipped with sensors for CO, CH₄ and NO detection. The sensors operate using multi-pass spectroscopy with wavelength modulation method (MUPASS-WMS) and cavity enhanced spectroscopy (CEAS).

Exotic plants, such as Eragrostis plana in southern Brazil, may cause significant problems in agriculture. This study aimed to elucidate the influence of E. plana rhizosphere soil on wheat germination and initial development. Bioassays with soil sampled from an infested agroecosystem were carried out using wheat as the target species. A factorial design was used, crossing soil from the horizontal and vertical distances from the E. plana tiller base and considering seasons as a blocking factor. The interaction between season and vertical and horizontal soil positions influenced normal wheat seed germination, with the lowest values (69%) observed in the winter bottom and intermediate soil positions. The highest abnormal seedling percentage (17.6%) was recorded in the summer middle vertical soil position. Dormant wheat seeds were higher (7%) in the spring bottom and distal soil positions. The season was the most important factor for germination, but hypocotyl, radicle, and total wheat seedling length also varied according to soil position. Shorter hypocotyls and seedlings were registered in the summer soil surface, while shorter radicles were observed in the proximal horizontal soil position in the same season. This variable response of wheat germination and seedling development to the infested soil demonstrated E. plana seasonality. The influence also varied according to the distance from the plant tiller base. These findings may be used to improve E. plana management in infested fields and to understand the mechanism of action of its allelochemicals in future research.

Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. is known to be one of the most invasive species worldwide. In this study, laboratory and greenhouse experiments were carried out to investigate the allelopathic properties of S. elaeagnifolium vegetative parts, root parts, fruit mucilage, and exudate extracts on plant communities and soil properties. In addition, the extract profiles of allelochemicals were quantified and their influence on soil properties and microorganisms was determined. Overall, the allelopathic performance of S. elaeagnifolium was established depending on the extract types, used concentrations, and target species. The doseresponse activity indicated that vegetative parts extract showed the greatest allelopathic potential followed by root parts extract. Subsequently, mucilage extract had a moderate inhibitory potential, while root exudates showed the least activity. The same trend with slight response was detected in soil properties of pH and EC properties. Polyphenols, in the range of 5.70–0.211 mg · g–1 and flavonols, in the range of 2.392–0.00 mg · g–1, were found in the analyzed samples extracted by ethyl acetate using LC-DAD-MS. The total phenol amount was 1.67 to 1.89 in the rhizosphere and 0.53 to 087 mg · g–1 in non-rhizosphere soils. Solanum elaeagnifolium exhibited a greater significant suppression of fungi count in both high and low-density areas than in rhizosphere bacteria. In conclusion, the strong and broadspectrum allelopathic potentials may enhance the ability of S. elaeagnifolium to impact seed germination and seedling growth of neighboring species. These biochemical weapons may play a critical role to facilitate their invasion and establishment in new agroecosystems.

Diagnostic methodologies are of fundamental importance for operational strategies of electrical devices, both in the power grid and in industrial applications. This paper reports about a novel approach based on partial discharge analysis applied to high voltage electrical insulation. Especially dynamics of charges deposited by partial discharges is explored applying a chopped sequence. The applications refer to microvoids occurring inside solid insulating systems or at the interfaces, such as delaminations at the electrodes. The experiments were carried out on embedded voids having distinctive wall dielectric materials. The underlying physical phenomena of post discharge charge transport are analyzed. The assessment is performed using phase-resolved partial discharge patterns acquired applying a chopped sequence. The chopped partial discharge (CPD) method provides quantitative insight into post discharge charge decay processes due to deposited and accumulated charges fluctuations. The assessment indicator is based on comparing partial discharge inception angle between chopped sequence and continuous run. The experiments have shown that materials with distinctive surface conductivity revealed adequately different charge decay time dynamics. The detailed analysis yields time constant of walls charge decay for insulating paper equal to 12 ms and cross-linked polyethylene 407 ms. The CPD method may be further used to investigate streamer physics inside bounded cavities in the form of voids. The presented method provides a quantitative approach for charge non-invasive decay assessment and offers high potential in future diagnostics applications.

Th e article presents results of examinations of the technology and technique of the creation of an 18th-century painting kept in the collections of the Castle in Kórnik. Th e structure of the painting was examined for the very fi rst time using a combination of non-invasive and micro-invasive techniques, including non-destructive imaging techniques such as roentgenography (X-ray), ultraviolet refl ectography (UVR), ultraviolet fl uorescence (UVF), visible refl ectography (VIS), infrared refl ectography (IR), as well as techniques of imaging using false colour: ultraviolet (UVFC) and infrared (IRFC). Th e chemical composition of the painting layers was checked with the help of microchemical and instrumental methods: X-ray fl uorescence (XRF), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), electron microscopy (SEM-EDS) and gas chromatography (GC). Th e tests were aimed at the identifi cation of the pigments and binders used by the artist and determination of the state of preservation of the work.

Ditches and drainage canals are an important element in the post-bog meadows. Their basic function is to regulate air-water relations in ecosystems, mainly in agrocenoses. The environmental functions of ditches and canals consist of maintaining a large diversity of flora and fauna species due to high humidity of these ecosystems. The study of plant communities in the ditches in the post-bog meadows habitat of the Supraśl Dolna valley structure in 2010–2020 was carried out. There were 23–27 species of plants in the ditches. Species diversity did not change significantly during this period, while changes in individual species’ coverage and viability were found. The species were classified into two rush communities: reed rush ( Phragmitetum australis) and rush ( Phalaridetum arundinaceae). As a result of the lack of maintenance of the ditches, an invasive species of flapped barbed ( Echinocystis lobata) was found. The natural valorization carried out by the Oświt method showed that plant communities in the drainage ditches are in the lowest valorization classes.

The pond slider Trachemys scripta is one of the most widespread alien turtle species in the world. Its unregulated trade and the consequent uncontrolled releases into the wild led to negative impacts on the native turtles of the invaded areas. In Italy, alien pond sliders are widely spread, and the occurrence of hatchlings and well-established populations is known in some areas. However, to date in Sicily, only a single female of Trachemys scripta laying eggs was reported. Besides that, nothing is known about the actual reproduction success and establishment of self-sustaining T. scripta populations in Sicily. Therefore, based on 14 previously characterised highly polymorphic microsatellite loci, we aimed to unravel if the alien turtles successfully reproduce in Sicily, in both natural and semi-natural areas (i.e., lake “Biviere di Gela” and “Parco d’Orléans”, respectively). Our results show a clear structuring of the two studied populations. Several full-sibling relationships between the sampled turtles were found, suggesting actual reproduction in the wild of the pond sliders in Sicily. However, further sampling is desirable since no parent-offspring relationships were observed in the studied populations. Due to our results, systematic monitoring of alien pond sliders in the whole of Sicily is crucial for better planning of mitigation strategies in order to protect the native biota of Sicilian inland waters.

This paper analyses diaspora advocacy on behalf of Ukraine as practiced by a particular diaspora group, Ukrainian Canadians, in a period of high volatility in Ukraine: from the EuroMaidan protests to the Russian invasion of Eastern Ukraine. This article seeks to add to the debate on how conflict in the homeland affects a diaspora’s mobilisation and advocacy patterns. I argue that the Maidan and the war played an important role not only in mobilising and uniting disparate diaspora communities in Canada but also in producing new advocacy strategies and increasing the diaspora’s political visibility. The paper begins by mapping out the diaspora players engaged in pro-Ukraine advocacy in Canada. It is followed by an analysis of the diaspora’s patterns of mobilisation and a discussion of actual advocacy outcomes. The second part of the paper inves-tigates successes in the diaspora’s post-Maidan communication strategies. Evidence indicates that the dias-pora’s advocacy from Canada not only brought much-needed assistance to Ukraine but also contributed to strengthening its own image as an influential player. Finally, the paper suggests that political events in the homeland can serve as a mobilising factor but produce effective advocacy only when a diaspora has already achieved a high level of organisational capacity and created well-established channels via which to lobby for homeland interests.

For the last few decades there have been reports not only of the occurrence of new invasive species of European water-courses, but also their increasing expansion. One of such species is the Amur sleeper (Perccottus glenii). The present work contains assessment of age and length distribution, condition as well as growth rate and analysis of the parasite fauna of theAmur sleeper from the waters of the Vistula River tributary in its middle course (the Habdziński Canal). During the catch performed in 2017 and 2019, the total of 177 Amur sleepers were recorded in the studied watercourse and a statistically significant sex structure disproportion was observed. Among the specimens caught in 2017 dominant were fishes with lengths of 50.1–60.1 mm whereas in 2019 the majority of the Amur sleeper specimens measured 30.1–50.0 mm.Six age groups were recorded among the caught fish with a clear prevalence of specimens aged 1+ (70.06%). The most frequently recorded parasite of P. glenii was non-quantifiable Trichodina rostrata ciliate for which the Amur sleeper from the Polish waters appeared to be a new host. Moreover, the presence of an acanthocephalan Acanthocephalus lucii, not recorded in Poland in this host before, was observed in the chyme. Also, accidental presence of larvae of the Opisthioglyphe ranae tre-madote, which is a parasite typical of amphibians, was also recorded. Despite unfavourable habitat conditions and in-creased volumes of biogenic substances in the waters of the Habdziński Canal, the Amur sleeper found convenient condi-tions to reside in this small watercourse.

The family Gobiidae is the largest teleost family, consisting of more than 2,000 species in more than 200 genera. They have adapted to a wide range of habitats, inhabiting mostly marine and brackish waters. Recently invasive Ponto-Caspian gobies have caused significant changes to the structure of fish assemblage throughout the European waters. The aim of the study was to verify the possibility of identifying three species of the genus Gobiidae based on the analysis of the mitochondrial region of the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene. 339 samples originated from seven countries and 17 different sites were investigated. Qualitative and quantitative assessment of the extracted DNA was conducted by measuring light absorbance and electrophoretic separation. Approximately 650-bp (base pairs) fragments were amplified from the 5' region of the mitochondrial COI with the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) reaction. Sequences of 652 bp were obtained and compared with reference sequences in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Based on the sequence analysis, we determined that in the analysed geographical regions, the goby preliminary identified morphologically as the round goby was represented by three species: round goby ( Neogobius melanostomus), tubenose goby ( Proterorhinus marmoratus), and monkey goby ( Neogobius fluviatilis). The latter two are newly reported for their new habitats. Genetic characterisation of such populations offers the opportunity to assess their genetic stability, which provides agencies managing the aquatic environment in EU countries with a tool for revising the legislation, including regulations relevant for updating the status of native and invasive species in European waters.