Search Results (2,507)

Precision agriculture technologies (PATs) are revolutionizing the agricultural sector by minimizing the reliance on plant protection products (PPPs) in crop management. This approach integrates a broad range of advanced solutions employed to help farmers in optimizing PPP application, while minimizing input and maintaining effective crop protection. These technologies include sensors, drones, robotics, variable rate systems, and artificial intelligence (AI) tools that support site-specific pesticide applications. The objective of this review was to perform a bibliometric analysis to identify scientific trends and gaps in this field. The analysis was conducted using Scopus and Web of Science databases for the period of 2015–2024, by applying a data filtering process to ensure a clean and reliable dataset. The methodology involved citation, co-authorship, co-citation, and co-occurrence analysis. VOSviewer software (version 1.6.20) was used to generate maps and assess global research developments. Results identified AI, sensor, and data processing categories as the most central and interconnected scientific topics, emphasizing their vital role in the evolution of precision spraying technology. Bibliometric analysis highlighted that China, the United States, and India were the most productive countries, with strong collaborations within Europe. The co-occurrence and co-citation analyses revealed increasing interdisciplinarity and the integration of AI tools across various technologies. These findings help identify key experts and research leaders in the precision agriculture domain, thus underscoring the shift toward a more sustainable, data-driven, and synergistic approach in crop protection. Full article

While Horizon Europe is expected to turn the European Union’s Mission-Oriented Innovation Policy (MOIP) into concrete actions, little is known about how coherently its funding calls translate high-level ambitions into effective guidance. To address this, we move beyond the traditional focus on funded projects and offer the first systematic analysis of Horizon Europe call texts as cognitive artefacts of policy design. Using Textual Network Analysis (TNA) on 188 calls of Cluster 5 (“Climate, Energy and Mobility”) in the 2021–2022 Work Programme, we compare Scope and Expected Outcomes texts. We constructed weighted co-occurrence networks and calculated centrality, community structure, and assortativity metrics. Results reveal clear differences between layers: Scope texts show stronger clustering of technical domains (modularity 0.54, assortativity +0.206), while Outcomes present weaker clustering (modularity 0.50, assortativity −0.035), reflecting convergence around high-level impacts. Across both layers, a small set of hubs (“renewable energy”, “climate change”, “emissions”) dominates, with high-betweenness terms bridging siloed domains; peripheral concepts remain weakly linked. The study contributes a novel framework for analysing the architecture of funding calls and demonstrates the utility of centrality metrics for policymakers to identify conceptual gaps and guide future Work Programme design, as well as for applicants optimising their proposal writing. Full article

Looking into early Christian–Muslim relations seems to be the outcome of greater interest in Islam transcultural encounters due to current issues of mass migration. Sicily presents an informative example of the interaction between different ethnic and religious groups over centuries. Several scholars, including Jeremy Johns, Alex Metcalfe and Julie Taylor, have explored the social and administrative position of Christians and Muslims within the complex society of Sicily, although their contributions were largely from the umbrella of Norman Sicily from the eleventh to the thirteenth centuries. Thus, there is a need to shift away from the Normans’ experience to exploring Christian–Muslim relations in Sicily during the ninth through eleventh centuries, especially the expansion, society and activities during the rule of the Fāṭimids of Ifrīqiya (909–965) and their Kalbid allies (948–1053). These forms of relationships are not only important for Sicily but for the whole region of the central Mediterranean. This paper will build on the works of Umberto Rizzitano and other scholars to explore the relations between the Arabs and Muslims and the Christians in Sicily during the Muslim rule of the Island. Using Arabic and Islamic sources, including travel accounts by the Muslim geographer Ibn Ḥawqal (d. 988), this paper aims to discuss the lives of Christians and their dynamic exchanges with Muslims within the social and political complexities of Aghlabid and Fāṭimid Sicily as well as Sicily’s link to North Africa (Ifrīqiya). Sicily’s proximity to North Africa and to Europe has been an essential aspect of its history, which facilitated movement of communities between these regions. The paper will also compare the policies of the Fāṭimids towards Christians in Sicily with their relations towards their Christian subjects in Cairo, Egypt. It will show the pragmatic aspects of this relationship concerning marriage, legal status, the movement of people, and cultural and intellectual exchange. Christians and Muslims practised cultural hybridisation that brought changes in Sicily with respect to language, religion, and social habits, resulting in a distinctive Sicilian multicultural identity. Full article

The recent update to the list of European herpetofauna species, published in 2020, includes 206 non-avian reptile species. The steppe ribbon racer, Psammophis lineolatus, is a snake species widely distributed across the deserts and semi-deserts of Central Asia and neighboring regions. Previously unrecorded in Europe, two specimens were discovered west of the Ural River during surveys in western Kazakhstan’s northeastern Caspian region. This is the first record of the species in Europe and marks its most northwestern distribution. DNA barcoding analysis revealed substantial mitochondrial diversity in the region, with European specimens having distinct haplotypes (0.73% p-distance), indicating colonization by two different phylogenetic lineages. This discovery highlights the need for further research on the P. lineolatus intraspecific diversity, phylogeography, and taxonomy. Full article

In Central Europe, the fawning season of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) directly overlaps with meadow and alfalfa harvest, typically from late May to early June. During these operations, tens or more likely hundreds of thousands of fawns are mutilated by agricultural machinery. To mitigate this unethical mortality, wildlife managers often deploy odor repellents to drive roe deer individuals from high-risk fields before mowing. Therefore, we evaluated repellent efficacy in a paired design. The abundance of roe deer was quantified by drones equipped with thermal cameras before and after repellent application and then compared with untreated control meadows. Results showed high adult abundance that did not differ significantly among treatments. The highest median was paradoxically observed on meadows “after application” (8.25 ind./10 ha), followed by “not treated” meadows (7.92 ind./10 ha), and “before application” (5.72 ind./10 ha). For fawns, differences between treated and untreated plots were likewise non-significant. Their numbers increased over time after application, consistent with the peak of parturition in the second half of May. Overall, the study confirms that the tested odor repellent, when applied according to the manufacturer’s protocol, did not reduce roe deer presence on meadows. This underscores the need to consider alternative approaches, such as the use of thermal-imaging drones combined with the subsequent translocation of detected fawns to safe locations. Full article

Background: Ethical dilemmas and the moral distress they generate are central challenges in healthcare practice and professional identity formation. While moral reasoning has been widely studied, comparative evidence on how medical students and practicing physicians approach ethical dilemmas remains scarce in Eastern Europe. Methods: A total of 244 participants (51 senior medical students and 193 physicians) completed an adapted version of the Defining Issues Test, version 2 (DIT-2). Three classical dilemmas were assessed: end-of-life decision-making, access to life-saving medication, and the reintegration of a fugitive. Responses were analyzed through descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to identify differences in decision choices and underlying reasoning. Results: Physicians consistently endorsed conventional, law-based reasoning, emphasizing legality and professional codes, while medical students demonstrated greater variability, indecision, and openness to compassion-driven justifications. In the “Jan and the Drug” and “Fugitive” dilemmas, significant between-group differences highlighted tensions between legality, empathy, and justice (p < 0.01). These differences in reasoning indicate differing vulnerabilities to moral distress, especially when legal and compassionate perspectives conflict. Conclusions: The findings reveal distinct patterns of moral reasoning that reflect different levels of vulnerability to moral distress in healthcare contexts. Integrating structured ethics training and reflective dialogue into both undergraduate and continuing medical education could mitigate moral distress by fostering a balance between justice, compassion, and professional responsibility. Full article

Background: Evidence on how everyday walking and sleep relate to mood in health profession students from Central–Eastern Europe remains limited. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 277 Romanian medical students. Data were collected using validated instruments for physical activity (IPAQ-SF), sleep quality (PSQI), and depressive/anxiety symptoms (HADS). Associations were examined using bivariate and multivariable regression models, including sex-stratified analyses. Results: In bivariate analysis, total physical activity was inversely correlated with depressive symptoms (ρ = −0.19, p < 0.001). However, in the multivariable model, this effect was not statistically significant after controlling for other factors. Poor sleep quality emerged as the dominant independent predictor of both depression (β = 0.37, p < 0.001) and anxiety (β = 0.40, p < 0.001). Walking time and frequency were specifically protective against depressive symptoms. Sex-stratified analyses revealed distinct patterns: female students benefited more from walking, whereas male students showed stronger associations between overall physical activity and lower depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Within the constraints of a cross-sectional design, this study provides novel evidence from Eastern Europe that sleep quality and physical activity are central to student mental health. Psychological benefits of walking appear sex-specific, and the null mediation finding suggests benefits operate via direct or unmodelled pathways. Sleep is a critical independent target for tailored, lifestyle-based strategies. Full article

Wild carnivores are increasingly recognized as hosts or reservoirs of canine parvovirus (CPV), a major pathogen of dogs. To investigate CPV circulation in Central Europe, we examined 221 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and 53 European badgers (Meles meles) from seven Slovakian regions. Small intestines (n = 86), rectal swabs (n = 123), and feces (n = 65) were tested by real-time PCR, and positives were sequenced for the VP2 gene. Virus isolation was performed on MDCK cells. CPV was detected in 10.9% (30/274) of samples, with a prevalence of 10.9% (24/221) in foxes and 11.3% (6/53) in badgers. Phylogenetic analysis revealed co-circulation of CPV-2a, CPV-2b, and CPV-2c, with CPV-2b being prevalent (20/30, 66.7%) and CPV-2c detected in a single sample (1/30, 3.3%). CPV-2a/2b isolates clustered with European strains, while CPV-2c grouped within the “Asian” lineage. Several sequences carried “Asian-like” signatures (5G, 267Y, 324I, 370R), suggesting transboundary introduction and spillover into wildlife. Two infrequent substitutions were identified: S552I in CPV-2b and I447M in CPV-2a. Viable virus was isolated from all positives, with characteristic CPV-cytopathic effects. This study provides the first molecular and virological evidence of CPV in Central European wildlife. Our findings expand our understanding of CPV diversity in Europe, and underscore wildlife as an integral component of European ecology. Full article

Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) is experiencing large-scale decline across Central Europe, with climate warming and bark beetle (Ips typographus L.) outbreaks as primary drivers. In lowland Białowieża Forest, Poland, spruce occupies a range of habitats that differ in their suitability for long-term persistence. We hypothesized that climate change accelerates spruce decline by reducing resilience in suboptimal habitats and increasing susceptibility to bark beetle outbreaks, with long-term persistence limited to optimal hydrological sites. To address this, we analysed spruce share from 1902–2018, its distribution across suitable versus unsuitable habitats, and long-term climate records in relation to outbreaks. Historical maps, forest site classifications, and meteorological data were used to calculate hydro-climatic indices (HTC, SPEI-12, Selyaninov), and outbreak relationships were tested using Welch’s t-test and point-biserial correlation, including lag effects. Spruce share increased from 12% in 1902 to 27% in 2015 and then declined to 9% by 2018. In 2015, 75% of spruce-dominated stands occurred in unsuitable habitats. Bark beetle outbreaks were significantly associated with drought, with outbreak years showing lower precipitation (–121 mm), reduced Selyaninov k (mean 1.40 vs. 1.61), and more negative SPEI-12 values (–0.48 vs. 0.07) compared to non-outbreak years (p < 0.05). One-year lag analysis indicated drought as both a predisposing and triggering factor. These findings highlight the interaction of habitat suitability and drought as a key driver of spruce decline, supporting adaptive management strategies that retain spruce in optimal habitats while converting suboptimal stands to more drought-tolerant species. Full article

We conducted a three-year field study to evaluate the above-ground biomass yield, plant height, and tillering capacity of eight Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench varieties under two contrasting soil conditions (heavy clay soil and sandy soil) with different water retention. At the Field Experimental Station Žabčice of Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic, we assessed yield performance and yield stability across years and environments. We applied standard agronomic practices and recorded detailed soil and climatic data. Significant differences were found among varieties and between locations in terms of plant height and tillering. KWS SOLE showed the most stable yield (11.80–15.63 t ha⁻¹), while LATTE, KWS TARZAN, and KWS HANNIBAL achieved the highest average yields (up to 20.16 t ha⁻¹). Plant height showed a strong positive correlation with biomass yield. This relationship underscores plant height as a valuable trait for selecting sorghum varieties with improved productivity and drought resilience. Variations in tillering capacity and environmental conditions also significantly influenced yield outcomes, highlighting the complex interaction between genotype and environment. These findings offer practical insights for cultivar selection and breeding strategies that aim to enhance the performance of sorghum varieties under the variable climatic conditions of Central Europe. Full article

Carpomya vesuviana (Diptera: Tephritidae), a significant invasive forestry pest of Zizyphus crops worldwide, has spread globally across jujube-growing regions, causing substantial yield losses and economic damage. In China, it is classified as both an imported and forestry quarantine pest. Existing risk assessments have primarily focused on the potential geographical distributions (PGDs) of C. vesuviana, but its economic impact on host plants is unknown. Therefore, we used an optimised MaxEnt model based on species distribution records and relevant environmental variables to predict the PGDs of C. vesuviana under current and future climate scenarios. Meanwhile, we used the @RISK stochastic model to assess the economic impact of this pest on the Chinese jujube industry under various scenarios. The results showed that the human influence index (HII), mean temperature of the wettest quarter (Bio8), temperature seasonality (Bio4), and precipitation during the driest month (Bio14) were the significant environmental variables affecting species distribution. Under the current climatic scenario, the total suitable area of C. vesuviana reached 2171.39 × 10⁴ km², which is mainly distributed in southern and western Asia, southern Europe, central North America, western Africa, and eastern South America. Potentially suitable habitats will increase and shift to the middle and high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere under future climatic scenarios. Under the no-control scenario, C. vesuviana could cause losses of 15,687 million CNY to the jujube industry in China. However, control measures could have saved losses of 5047 million CNY. This study provides a theoretical basis for preventive monitoring and integrated management of C. vesuviana globally and helps reduce its economic impact on the jujube industry in China. Full article

This manuscript is aimed at analyzing how operating factors may affect the durability of thermal insulation in building partitions located underground. It examines the durability of inverted insulation systems where thermal insulation is installed above the waterproofing layer and used in residential foundation slabs. The article demonstrates that, despite their popularity due to cost efficiency, the long-term success of these systems depends on thorough investigations of thermal isolation, especially considering different climate conditions. The analysis was based on an extensive literature review (2016–2024), supplemented with laboratory test results on extruded (XPS) and expanded (EPS) polystyrene boards. Additional tests examined the water penetration mechanism into insulation layers that are in direct contact with groundwater, revealing that cyclic freezing and thawing significantly increase moisture levels. The findings highlight the need for updated region-specific guidelines for the underground insulation in Central and Eastern Europe. Full article

Species distribution models were built for three short-palped crane fly species of the genus Dicranomyia: Dicranomyia affinis, Dicranomyia chorea, and Dicranomyia mitis. The main objective of this study was to assess potential habitat suitability in undersampled regions and explore differences in environmental space. Dicranomyia affinis was historically considered a variety of Dicranomyia mitis due to their morphological similarity. In contrast, Dicranomyia chorea is a widespread species. The biology and ecology of these species remain poorly understood. Models were developed using Maxent, a widely used tool. Our results indicate that Dicranomyia affinis and Dicranomyia chorea share highly similar predicted habitat suitability, with high suitability across the Mediterranean, Central, and Northern Europe, moderate suitability in Eastern Europe, and low suitability in Central Asia. In contrast, Dicranomyia mitis is predicted to have greater habitat suitability in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, with lower suitability in Mediterranean regions. Analysis of variable importance revealed possible ecological differences between the species. While climatic factors primarily influenced the models for Dicranomyia affinis and Dicranomyia chorea, Dicranomyia mitis was more strongly influenced by the variable pH. These findings may provide insights into potential distributions in undersampled areas and improve our understanding of the species’ ecology. Full article

In the Roman Empire, lead tags were used for various purposes, one of which was to label textiles that needed cleaning, repairing or dyeing. So far, these tesserae have been found at over 90 sites in 13 Roman provinces. The cities of Siscia and Carnuntum in Pannonia Superior have the highest number of finds. In 2011, a Roman cesspit was excavated in the civil city of Carnuntum and dated to the mid-2nd century CE. The latrine contained household and food waste, human faeces, pottery shards, pollen, lime, amber and 179 lead tags. The tags bear inscriptions consisting of personal names, prices, and abbreviations of terms relating to garments, colours and services such as cleaning, mending, repairing, fulling, fumigating, perfuming, dyeing, and redyeing. The findings of Roman textiles unearthed in Carnuntum are too degraded to allow a successful dye analysis to be carried out. Therefore, the inscriptions are important sources for drawing conclusions about dyeing materials and techniques. This information was supplemented by ancient written sources as well as archaeobotanical finds of dye plants and dye analyses of archaeological textiles found in Central Europe dating from the same period or earlier. Full article

Background/Objectives: Headache disorders, including migraine and tension-type headache (TTH), are among the most prevalent and disabling neurological conditions globally. This study aimed to evaluate temporal changes, demographic disparities, and socio-geographic variation in the burden of headache disorders across European countries. Methods: We analyzed data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, covering 45 European countries grouped into Western, Central, and Eastern regions. We examined age-standardized prevalence, incidence, and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) rates for headache disorders between 1990 and 2021. Analyses were stratified by sex, age group, region, and country-level socio-demographic index (SDI). All estimates were reported with 95 percent uncertainty intervals where relevant. Spearman correlation was used to assess associations between disease burden and SDI. Results: Between 1990 and 2021, the number of individuals with headache disorders in Europe rose from 345.0 to 370.6 million, although age-standardized prevalence remained stable. The burden of migraine slightly increased, with age-standardized DALY rates rising from 648.35 to 657.27 per 100,000 population. Conversely, TTH showed a minor decline in both prevalence and DALY rates. Women and individuals aged 30 to 44 years consistently exhibited the highest burden, particularly for migraine. Higher SDI scores were positively correlated with DALY rates for migraine (rho = 0.392, p = 0.008) but negatively correlated for TTH (rho = −0.466, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Headache disorders continue to pose a major and largely unmitigated health burden across Europe. Regionally targeted strategies are essential to reduce disability and improve outcomes across diverse European populations. Full article