Parasitoides calcidoides (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) asociados con Sibinia subelliptica (Desbrochers, 1873) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) en Bulgaria

The weevil Sibinia subelliptica (Desbrochers, 1873) and a rich complex of associated chalcidoid parasitoids were reared from inflorescences of Dianthus giganteus d’Urv. (Caryophyllaceae) in Bulgaria. The following taxa were identified: Aprostocetus venustus (Gahan) and Baryscapus sp. near garganus (Domenichini, 1958) (Eulophidae); Eupelmus barai Fusu and E. microzonus Förster (Eupelmidae); Aximopsis augasmae (Zerova), A. collina (Zerova), Eurytoma coleophorae Zerova and E. coleopterae Zerova (Eurytomidae); Catolaccus crassiceps (Masi) and Pteromalus ochrocerus (Thomson) (Pteromalidae); and Exopristus trigonomerus (Masi) (Torymidae). Two of these, E. coleophorae and E. coleopterae, are new records for Bulgaria. All parasitoid-host relationships are documented here for the first time. New plant associations with D. giganteus are recorded here for all reared parasitoids except E. barai and E. microzonus. The new trophic association of S. subelliptica with D. giganteus is established here.El gorgojo Sibinia subelliptica (Desbrochers, 1873) y un rico complejo de parasitoides calcidoides asociados se criaron a partir de inflorescencias de Dianthus giganteus d’Urv. (Caryophyllaceae) en Bulgaria. Se identificaron los siguientes taxones: Aprostocetus venustus (Gahan) y Baryscapus sp. cercana a garganus (Domenichini, 1958) (Eulophidae); Eupelmus barai Fusu y E. microzonus Förster (Eupelmidae); Aximopsis augasmae (Zerova), A. collina (Zerova), Eurytoma coleophorae Zerova y E. coleopterae Zerova (Eurytomidae); Catolaccus crassiceps (Masi) y Pteromalus ochrocerus (Thomson) (Pteromalidae); y Exopristus trigonomerus (Masi) (Torymidae). Dos de éstos, E. coleophorae y E. coleopterae, son registrados como nuevos para Bulgaria. Todas las mencionadas relaciones parasitoide-hospedador se documentan por primera vez, así como se registra por primera vez la asociación de la planta D. giganteus con todos los parasitoides obtenidos, excepto en los casos de E. barai y E. microzonus. Se establece la nueva asociación trófica de S. subelliptica con D. giganteus

New parasitoid (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) records of bark beetles (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae) in pine plantations in Bulgaria

In 2020 and 2021, chalcidoid parasitoids (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) of bark beetles in pine (Pinus spp.) plantations were studied in Bulgaria. Samples (cuttings of stems and branches) of pine trees infested by bark beetles were collected from seven plantations of Pinus sylvestris and P. nigra in Bulgaria. From each sampling plot, five cuttings were collected and placed in photoeclectors in laboratory conditions (18-22ºC). Emerged bark beetles and parasitoids were regularly gathered and fixed in ethanol.Six parasitoid species - Dinotiscus colon, Metacolus azureus, M. unifasciatus, Rhopalicus quadratus, R. tutela (Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae) and Heydenia pretiosa (Chalcidoidea, Heydeniidae) were reared from five bark beetle hosts (Ips acuminatus, Pityogenes bistridentatus, Pityophthorus pityographus, Tomicus piniperda and T. minor). Amongst them, three species (H. pretiosa, M. azureus and R. quadratus) are recorded as new for Bulgarian fauna

Ефект на Beauveria bassiana (щам ATCC 74040) върху два вида листояди вредители по царевицата в лабораторни условия

In some European countries, the Western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, and the cereal leaf beetle, Oulema melanopus, are present in maize stands in high population density, occasionally causing damage of the crops. Susceptibility of adults of these species and larvae of the cereal leaf beetle to the commercially available product Naturalis® based on Beauveria bassiana strain ATCC 74040 was explored in laboratory conditions. The results of the bioassays showed that the fungal strain caused the highest corrected mortality on O. melanopus larvae with average values above 95% for all conidia concentrations (from 2.3 × 102 to 2.3 × 107 conidia/ml) tested. For the adults of the two pests, the average mortality increased positively with concentration of conidia and the values ranges from 9.5% to 94.2% for O. melanopus (concentrations from 2.3 × 102 to 2.3 × 107 conidia/ml) and from 19.3% to 92.4% for D. v. virgifera (concentrations from 2.3 × 103 to 2.3 × 107 conidia/ml). Accordingly, the LC50 values for O. melanopus larvae and adults and D. v. virgifera adults were determined as 4.6, 8.3 × 104 and 4.3 × 105 conidia/ml, respectively. Further studies to confirm the susceptibility of the larvae of the cereal leaf beetle to Naturalis® under field conditions should be conducted.В някои европейски страни западният царевичен коренов червей Diabrotica virgifera virgifera и обикновената житна пиявица Oulema melanopus присъстват в царевичните площи във висока плътност, нанасяйки щети на културите. В лабораторни условия беше изследвана чувствителността на възрастните индивиди от тези видове и ларвите на обикновената житна пиявица към търговския продукт Naturalis®, който съдържа Beauveria bassiana (щам ATCC 74040). Резултатите от опитите показват, че гъбният щам причини най-високата коригирана смъртност на ларвите на O. melanopus със средни стойности над 95% за всички изпитани концентрации на конидиите (от 2.3 × 102 до 2.3 × 107 конидии/ml). За възрастните на двата вида вредители средната смъртност нараства с увеличаване на концентрацията на конидиите и стойностите варират от 9.5% до 94.2% за O. melanopus (концентрации от 2.3 x 102 до 2.3 × 107 конидии/ml) и от 19.3% до 92.4% за D. v. virgifera (концентрации от 2.3 × 103 до 2.3 × 107 конидии/ml). Cтойностите на LC50 за ларвите и възрастните на O. melanopus и възрастните индивиди на D. v. virgifera бяха съответно 4.6, 8.3 × 104 и 4.3 × 105 конидии/ml. Необходимо е да се проведат допълнителни изследвания за потвърждаване на високата чувствителност на ларвите на обикновената житна пиявица към Naturalis® в полеви условия

Circular Pedagogy to Advance the Integration of Learning Technologies: Supporting Technological Universities Cultural Transformation

European countries need active and proactive educational systems assisted by models that can drive a cultural transformation that supports sustainable socio-economic and environmental development. In this paper, we reflect on the future of European education. We offer some insights on how the foundations of a new educational model (ANEM) could be cemented and solidly supported by pillars that acknowledge our societies\u27 rich and diverse cultures. Furthermore, the European University of Technology\u27s (EUt+) future educational model is taken as a case study to enable us to reflect and analyse the need for novel pedagogies that drive change for a more sustainable socio-economic and environmentally friendly European society. European education faces significant challenges from the need to enable learning environments guided by equity, diversity, and inclusive frameworks for all categories. To make progress, it is essential that we first learn how new inclusive learning environments can be articulated to help us address our contemporary society\u27s learning needs and demands. We are conscious that education worldwide faces a stark and unpleasant reality as the students/learners\u27 learning experience is significantly impacted by social status and economic disparities. Students are often confronted with difficult situations involving racism, discrimination and exclusion that materialise in students suffering mistreatment and microaggressions in learning environments still blind to the biases forwarded through teaching practices. The richness of our European cultures and languages and their significance in helping us to work together are paramount in our quest for high-quality education that cultivates, promotes, and cherishes European educational values while welcoming other cultures and languages. Within the complexities of our global societies, we argue that the future of our educational system must enable and foster mechanisms that nurture behaviours that will help us address cultural conflict, clashes, and potential detachment. Cultural clashes emerge as a major challenge for the development of our future European University, and we need to be able to minimise potential problems associated with multicultural, plurilingual and diverse working and learning environments. We are conscious of the need to develop appropriate educational programmes and curricula guided by our novel Circular Pedagogy , where we provide an initial and evolving framework for students, teachers, and researchers to interchange their roles. We propose a learner-centred, dynamic, and proactive pedagogy that helps us to manage and navigate the inevitable cultural conflict and supports us in understanding and identifying the triggers that might arise due to cultural clashes and increasing levels of detachment

Omecamtiv mecarbil in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, GALACTIC‐HF: baseline characteristics and comparison with contemporary clinical trials

Aims: The safety and efficacy of the novel selective cardiac myosin activator, omecamtiv mecarbil, in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is tested in the Global Approach to Lowering Adverse Cardiac outcomes Through Improving Contractility in Heart Failure (GALACTIC‐HF) trial. Here we describe the baseline characteristics of participants in GALACTIC‐HF and how these compare with other contemporary trials. Methods and Results: Adults with established HFrEF, New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA) ≥ II, EF ≤35%, elevated natriuretic peptides and either current hospitalization for HF or history of hospitalization/ emergency department visit for HF within a year were randomized to either placebo or omecamtiv mecarbil (pharmacokinetic‐guided dosing: 25, 37.5 or 50 mg bid). 8256 patients [male (79%), non‐white (22%), mean age 65 years] were enrolled with a mean EF 27%, ischemic etiology in 54%, NYHA II 53% and III/IV 47%, and median NT‐proBNP 1971 pg/mL. HF therapies at baseline were among the most effectively employed in contemporary HF trials. GALACTIC‐HF randomized patients representative of recent HF registries and trials with substantial numbers of patients also having characteristics understudied in previous trials including more from North America (n = 1386), enrolled as inpatients (n = 2084), systolic blood pressure < 100 mmHg (n = 1127), estimated glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (n = 528), and treated with sacubitril‐valsartan at baseline (n = 1594). Conclusions: GALACTIC‐HF enrolled a well‐treated, high‐risk population from both inpatient and outpatient settings, which will provide a definitive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of this novel therapy, as well as informing its potential future implementation

Description of a new species of Stepanovia Kostjukov (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) from Bulgaria

Volume: 120Start Page: 347End Page: 35

Pteromalid fauna (Hymenoptera, Pteromalidae) in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) fields in Bulgaria – species composition and perspectives for biological control

Parasitoid wasps belonging to the family Pteromalidae are widespread and abundant members of the insect communities in the temperate regions of the world. As many other chalcids do, pteromalids serve as natural enemies of the pests in various crops and play an important role in the biological control of these harmful insects. Here we present the results of a field study in Bulgaria which was focused on the diversity of family Pteromalidae in ten oilseed rape fields. All samples were collected by sweep netting on the border line or inside the crop field. A total of 93 pteromalid specimens belonging to 26 taxa were gathered. The most abundant genus was Mesopolobus – 67% of the sampled pteromalids. The most numerous species in the samples was Mesopolobus morys – a well-known key parasitoid of the cabbage seed weevil, Ceutorhynchus obstrictus, in Europe. One species – Halticoptera patellana, is recorded for the first time in Bulgarian fauna. Clearfield oilseed rape fields had relatively higher parasitoid abundance and richness than the fields treated by conventional technology. In the present work we discuss the overall species composition of Pteromalidae obtained from the studied areas and present our point of view on the perspectives for biological control of oilseed rape pests

Thermal maturity and modelling of Mesozoic and Cenozoic sediments in the south of the Rhine Graben and the Eastern Jura (Switzerland)

Le but de cette étude est une reconstitution de l'histoire thermique de la région située à l'intersection entre le Fossé rhénan, formé par extension au cours du Tertiaire, et le Jura oriental, dominé par la compression. Cette reconstitution repose sur une analyse de la maturité de la matière organique dispersée, déterminée par la mesure de la réflectance de la vitrinite, sur des échantillons provenant d'affleurements et de forages. Les principales lithologies concernées sont des pélites d'âge mésozoïque et des grès tertiaires riches en débris de plantes. Les valeurs de réflectance de la vitrinite varient entre 0.24% Rr et 0.54% Rr pour les sédiments du Tertiaire, entre 0.40% Rr et 0.70% Rr pour le Jurassique, et entre 0.49% Rr et 0.80% Rr pour le Trias supérieur. Les analyses de pyrolyse Rock-Eval confirment ces valeurs. Certaines formations, et notamment les schistes à posidonies, apparaissent comme des roches mères. La modélisation thermique de la maturité mesurée indique que celle-ci a été atteinte au cours d'une phase de haute température au Tertiaire. Les paléogradients thermiques varient entre 40 et 100°C/km. Les paléotempératures maximales calculées varient entre 53°C et 106°C pour le Jurassique et entre 77°C et 127°C pour les formations du Trias. Une hypothèse possible pour expliquer le système de haute température postulé pour le Tertiaire est un flux de chaleur par convection, notamment par la migration de fluides profonds circulant le long d'accidents tectoniques, particulièrement pendant les périodes d'extension de l'Eocène supérieur au Miocène supérieur

Maturity studies in the Carboniferous Dobroudja coal basin (northeastern Bulgaria): coalification, clay diagenesis and thermal modelling

In northeastern Bulgaria Upper Paleozoic coals are only found in the Dobroudja Basin. This coal basin belongs to a Variscan foredeep which is at present covered by a thick (1300–1500 m) Mesozoic-Cenozoic complex (Moesian platform). The coal seams are associated with alternating sandstones, siltstones and shales deposited under fluvio-deltaic environmental conditions. Previous coalification studies on the basin have recorded high volatile to low volatile bituminous ranks. The construction of coalification profiles (increase of vitrinite reflectance with depth) in ten wells from the Dobroudja coal basin has enabled us to interpret the paleotemperature regime. The simulation of the burial and thermal history of the Upper Carboniferous formations in the Dobroudja coal basin yielded paleogeothermal gradients between 45 and 71°C/km. The results show an increase of the paleogeothermal regime from the northwest towards the southeast. The existence of a high paleoheatflow is in accordance with data from other Carboniferous basins in Europe. Due to high vertical paleogeothermal gradients and deep burial, the maturation of the formations was completed during the Late Carboniferous. The relatively large maturation range of the Upper Carboniferous sediments enables comparison among different thermal indicators (vitrinite reflectance, spectral fluorescence maximum, pyrolysis indices, illite crystallinity and bulk clay mineralogy) and their behavior in the course of diagenesis

Ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) diversity from harvested oilseed rape fields (Brassica napus L.) in Southern Bulgaria

This study aimed at clarifying the species composition and ecological structure of carabid communities, in oilseed rape fields after rape harvest. Field work was carried out in 2018. Pitfall traps (5 in each site) were set in 10 sampling sites in Thracean Lowland and Sarnena Sredna Gora Mts. Captured beetles belonged to 66 species and 24 genera, representing 9% of the species and 19% of the ground beetle genera occurring in Bulgaria. The most diverse was genus Harpalus Latreille, 1802 (15 species), followed by the genera Amara Zimmermann, 1832 (7 species), Microlestes Schmidt-Goebel, 1846 (6 species) and Parophonus Ganglbauer, 1891 (5 species). Five species were new for the region of the Thracean Lowland: Amara (Bradytus) consularis (Duftschmid, 1812), Harpalus (Harpalus) caspius (Steven, 1806), H. (Pseudoophonus) calceatus (Duftschmid, 1812), Microlestes negrita negrita (Wollaston, 1854), Tachyura (Tachyura) parvula (Dejean, 1831). Three species: Amara (Zezea) fulvipes (Audinet-Serville, 1821), A. (Zezea) chaudoiri incognita Fassati, 1946 and Diachromus germanus (Linnaeus, 1758) were new records for the region of the Sarnena Gora. Seven species were new for the whole Sredna Gora Mts.: Acinopus (Acinopus) picipes (Olivier, 1795), A. (Oedematicus) megacephalus (P. Rossi, 1794), Carterus (Carterus) dama (P. Rossi, 1792), Harpalus (Harpalus) flavicornis flavicornis Dejean, 1829, H. (Pseudoophonus) griseus (Panzer, 1796), Licinus (Licinus) depressus (Paykull, 1790) and Microlestes maurus maurus (Sturm, 1827). Genera Acinopus Dejean, 1821, Carterus Dejean, 1830 and Licinus Latreille, 1802 were new geographic records for the Sredna Gora Mts. Twelve life form categories were established (7 zoophagous and 6 mixophytophagous). The analysis of the life forms showed a slight predominance of the mixophytophages (38 species; 58%) over the zoophages (28 species; 42%). There were no constant species occurring in all sampling sites (with 100% occurrence). Thirteen species appeared after the harvest (they were absent during the flowering and ripening of the rape), forty-four species disappeared (they were present during flowering and ripening), and twenty-nine species were present in all stages