An endemic species in a protected area: \u3cem\u3eEuscorpius carpathicus\u3c/em\u3e (L., 1767) in the Cozia National Park, Romania (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae)

In 2016-2018, we identified 48 distribution records of Euscorpius carpathicus in the Cozia National Park, from the Romanian Southern Carpathians. The Carpathian scorpion was found between 300 and 847 m a.s.l., in forested regions, being more numerous in the lower areas situated along the Olt River. E. carpathicus is a native species in the region; it populates natural areas with low human impact

A large abandoned cellar as roost for bats in western Romania

Background and Purpose: Artificial structures and shelters are in some cases important for bats. In Romania there are many data about the natural roosts used by bats, which are generally related with mountains, where caves shelter large colonies. The information about artificial roosts is brief. Materials and Methods: Field observations were made in the winter of the years 2015 / 2016, in an abandoned wine cellar, near Mocrea locality, western Romania. The bats were directly observed and numbered. The cellar was identified accidentally. Results: Miniopterus schreibersii, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and Myotis myotis were found in 2015 / 2016 winter in an abandoned wine cellar from Mocrea. M. schreibersii has the largest colony. The number and location of bat species and individuals in the cellar changed during the winter. Conclusions: The three cave dwelling bat species identified in the cellar use this artificial roost because in the region there are no natural caves. Even in a country with many natural roosts, artificial underground habitats can be important for cave dwelling bats

Effective Instructional Tools or Costly Distractions: An Examination on the Effective Implementation of Technology in the Classroom

Technological advances have proliferated in the workplace, our daily lives, and even in the area of research. With each passing day different forms of technology are becoming increasingly available to people all around the world. The quick influx of technology has resulted in little time for technological professional development in the field of education. Although the majority of today’s youth have grown up in a technological world, the adults educating these students have little exposure and understanding of these new advances (Christensen & Knezek, 1999)

Winter activity of terrestrial isopods from thermal habitats in western Romania

Terrestrial isopods from warm shores neighboring the thermal waters from western Romania remain active in the winter. This phenomenon is registered in 35 habitats, affecting 12 species (Hyloniscus transsilvanicus, H. riparius, Haplophthalmus danicus, Trichoniscus sp., Androniscus roseus, Cylisticus convexus, Protracheoniscus politus, Trachelipus nodulosus, T. rathkii, Porcellio dilatatus, Armadillidium vulgare, A. versicolor), the most common being T. nodulosus. Females with a marsupium were observed in the cold season in the case of some small-sized species that are present in the immediate vicinity of the shores of thermal waters (A. roseus, H. riparius and H. transsilvanicus). The high temperatures of the thermal waters warm the surrounding terrestrial environment, affecting the life cycle of the terrestrial isopods

Eryx jaculus (Reptilia, Boidae) north of Danube: a road-killed specimen from Romania

In September 2011 we identified a killed specimen of Eryx jaculus on the road between the towns of Turnu Măgurele and Corabia, in southern Romania. This seems to be the first record of the species north of the Danube. Although surprising, the identification of E. jaculus in the area is interpreted in the light of the presence of other species of herpetofauna in the Danube floodplain with similar ecological requirements, reaching here their northern distribution limit. Survival of the species appears to be favoured by the existence of some protected areas in the region

Multi-Criteria Assessment of crosswalk location on a corridor with roundabouts: Incorporating a Noise related Criterion

Traffic noise is an important source of environmental stress that can damage human health. This phenomenon may be sensitive nearby roundabouts where noise levels may exceed exposure limits. However, the quantification about noise perceived by pedestrians at influence areas of roundabouts is lacking. This research assessed the characteristics of noise along an urban corridor with two roundabouts. A deeper understanding about the exposure to noise levels perceived by pedestrians is a contribution of the paper. The specific objectives are: 1) to characterize corridor-specific operations in terms of traffic and pedestrian performance, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions, and noise; and 2) to explore the differences in the optimal crosswalk locations considering above-related criteria. Traffic and pedestrian volumes, vehicle dynamic and noise data were collected during morning and evening peak periods in the selected site. Traffic and pedestrian performance, and vehicular emissions were evaluated using VISSIM traffic model and Vehicle Specific Power (VSP), respectively. Traffic noise was estimated with a semi-dynamical model and an estimation of the corridor Source Power Level (SPL) was used as a distance-free parameter to be compared with other emissions. Finally, a Genetic Algorithm (GA) was applied to find optimal crosswalk locations. It was found that crosswalks nearby the present location (PC = 33 m) provided a good balance among traffic and pedestrian performance, emissions and noise, regardless of peak period. The inclusion of noise related-criteria resulted in some optimal locations next roundabout exit section (13-23 m) mostly due to low pedestrian volumes in the study locations