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Nardus stricta dominated grassland is a specific habitat occurring on the nutrient-poor soils. Its large areas were formed as a result of livestock grazing. However, landscape management underwent significant changes over the last decades including grazing cessation. This triggered successional processes leading to considerable changes in floristic composition reported from numerous European regions. We focused on this phenomenon in the Western Carpathian high mountains, where the issue was not studied sufficiently. Our research, based on pairwise comparison of 19 historical and recent phytocoenological relevés, confirmed changes here. These include (i) decrease in cover of some diagnostic species of Nardetea strictae class, especially Nardus stricta, (ii) increase in competitively strong species with their high biomass productivity, (iii) shift in floristic composition indicating conversion of Nardion strictae vegetation into other communities, especially those of Loiseleurio-Vaccinietea class, (iv) increase in Shannon-Wiener index values and (v) enrichment of originally oligotrophic grasslands with some nutrient-demanding species, mainly at lower altitudes and decrease in light-demanding species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conducting polymer poly(2-(1H-pyrrole-1-yl)ethyl methacrylate (PPEMA) was synthesized by conventional atom transfer radical polymerization for the first time from free as well as surface-bonded alkyl bromide initiator. When grafted from the surface of carbonyl iron (CI) a substantial conducting shell on the magnetic core was obtained. Synthesis of the monomer as well as its polymer was confirmed using proton spectrum nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). Polymers with various molar masses and low dispersity showed the variability of this approach, providing a system with a tailorable structure and brush-like morphology. Successful grafting from the CI surface was elucidate by transmission electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Very importantly, thanks to the targeted nanometer-scale shell thickness of the PPEMA coating, the magnetization properties of the particles were negligibly affected, as confirmed using vibration sample magnetometry. Smart elastomers (SE) consisting of bare CI or CI grafted with PPEMA chains (CI-PPEMA) and silicone elastomer were prepared and dynamic mechanical properties as well as interference shielding ones were investigated. It was found that short polymer chains grafted to the CI particles exhibited the plasticizing effect, which might be interesting from the magnetorheological point of view, and more interestingly, in comparison to the neat CI-based sample, it provided enhanced electromagnetic shielding of nearly 30 dB in thickness of 500 μm. Thus, SE containing the newly synthesized CI-PPEMA hybrid particles also exhibited considerably enhanced damping factor and proper mechanical performance, which make the material highly promising from various practical application points of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetation at timberline responses sensitively to any environment change. Climate change along with land use changes, mainly grazing cessation, inspired us to study this question in the Tatra Mts, which includes the highest parts of the Western Carpathians. Here, we focused on expansion of phanerophytes, which took place over the last decades. Our research was based on resampling of historical phytocoenological relevés and comparing aerial images from 1973 to 2015. Our finding can be concluded as follows: (i) we confirmed increased frequency of phanerophytes, mainly Pinus mugo, to a lesser extent Juniperus communis and Picea abies in current dataset, (ii) Juncion trifidi grasslands and dwarf shrub communities dominated by ericaceous species are the most susceptible communities to the expansion of phanerophytes, especially those located close to the stands of trees and shrubs, (iii) the grasslands facing phanerophyte expansion are more light-demanding than others, (iv) phanerophytes significantly affect the light and temperature conditions on the sites, however, this influence does not markedly differ from the influence of tall grasses and chamaephytes, (v) area of grasslands was reduced by more than 22%, (vi) on former grasslands are mainly expanded Pinus mugo dominated shrub, (vii) transformations from grasslands into tree and shrub stands take place mainly on the south-facing slopes with an inclination of 30–40°, with the average annual insolation of 1 600–1 800 kWh/m2, (viii) the landscape structure has changed the least at altitude above 1 800 m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthesis of a new family of polymers having a polydisulfide structure can be conducted from sulfobetaine-based derivative of natural (R)-lipoic acid. A polydisulfide backbone of polymer can be depolymerized by response to external stimuli and sulfobetaine pendant groups ensure the upper critical solution temperature (UCST) behaviour temperatures that can be modulated according to the nature of the solvent and concentration. Sulfobetaine-bearing polydisulfides were synthesized from dithiolane derivatives and then characterized. UCST behavior of the polymers in water and in mixtures containing different alcohols (methanol, ethanol, isopropanol) was investigated. The regeneration of monomers from the polymers in response to external stimuli was examined using UV–vis and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Tunable surface wettability were shown on the grafted polymers. Decreasing polarity and/or increasing alcohol percentage in the water mixtures induced an increase in the cloud points of the polymers in the solutions. Thermoresponsive behaviour were repeatable and fully reversible with negligible hysteresis from aggregate to unimer state. The regeneration of monomers by depolymerization was tunable by temperature and sunlight. A thickness dependence on surface wettability was observed on wafers covalently modified with polydisulfides. This is the first report of sulfobetaine-based polydisulfides showing tunable UCST behavior and surface wettability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Saponified α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone was copolymerized with acrylamide. • Hydrogels exhibited excellent equilibrium water capacity. • Swelling depended on comonomers ratio, feed monomer and crosslinker concentration. • Hydrogels showed temperature, pH and ionic strength responsive behavior. • Environmentally friendly material for biomedical and agricultural applications. Series of superabsorbent hydrogels derived from renewable α -methylene- γ -butyrolactone (MBL), known as a Tulipalin A, was prepared and examined with respect on their swelling properties and stimuli responsive character. Hydrogels were synthesized by copolymerization of either sodium or potassium 4-hydroxy-2-methylenebutanoate, products resulted from saponification of MBL, with acrylamide in the presence of N,N′ -methylenebis(acrylamide) as cross-linker. Hydrogels with various comonomers composition, feed monomers content and variable cross-linking density represent materials with highly tunable characteristics. The effect of temperature, pH and ionic strength of solutions on swelling behavior of the hydrogels was examined. Reversible swelling character of hydrogels in buffer and water was proved as well. Experiments demonstrated reversible ability of hydrogels to swell upon immersing to ultrapure water and deswell in buffer solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spectral properties of novel pyrene-piperidine/pyrene-piperidine-1-oxyl adducts with varying linkers differing in electronic conjugation between these two functionalities were investigated in solvents of different polarity. Tuning their fluorescence efficiency via structure modification is discussed in terms of increased conjugation, solvent polarity effect, main non-radiative de-excitation pathways and static/dynamic excimer or solute-solvent exciplex fluorescence. Compared to parent pyrene molecule, the main additional non-radiative de-excitation pathways leading to significant fluorescence quenching were studied using time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and quantum-chemical DFT (Density Functional Theory) calculations and were identified as reductive photo-induced electron transfer and intramolecular paramagnetic quenching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional orchards are a valuable feature of the rural landscape and they are specific for regions with scattered settlement such as the Myjava hilly land and White Carpathians. Here, the permanent species-rich grasslands beneath trees were regularly managed in the traditional manner until some were replaced in the 1970's and 80's by intensively managed orchards, some of which were abandoned in the early 1990's. Our 2011-2015 phytosociological research followed the standard Braun-Blanquet approach. We classified 178 phytosociological relevés recorded in orchard meadows (156 relevés), former intensively managed orchards (16 relevés), and two relevés from a semi-intensively grazed orchard. Traditionally managed orchard meadows were classified in the following five units: (i) Pastinaco sativae-Arrhenatheretum elatioris - thermophilous variant, (ii) Pastinaco sativae-Arrhenatheretum elatioris - transitional variant to Alchemillo-Arrhenatheretum elatioris, (iii) Ranunculo bulbosi-Arrhenatheretum elatioris, (iv) Onobrychido viciifoliae-Brometum erecti, and (v) Brachypodio pinnati-Molinietum arundinaceae. Formerly intensively managed large-scale orchards were classified as Pastinaco sativae-Arrhenatheretum elatioris association and the semi-intensively grazed orchard as Lolio perennis-Cynosuretum cristati association. The species composition varies considerably due to tree-shading and different management treatments applied in the orchards, so the relevés of the delimited syntaxonomic units are not typical and have transitional character. Moisture, soil nutrients, and soil reaction were identified as the main environmental gradients influencing species composition. We tested four management treatments in direct gradient analysis and found that abandonment has the strongest effect on species composition. Comparison of grassland vegetation in the studied traditional orchards with that described in Germany reveals differences in species composition. Moreover, species richness of the compared Arrhenatherion elatioris and Bromion erecti alliances in Slovakian orchard meadows was higher than in the German orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new class of superabsorbent hydrogels was synthesized by copolymerization of acrylamide with sodium 4-hydroxy-2-methylenebutanoate (SHMB). SHMB is obtained by saponification of α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone (MBL) which is a renewable monomer from tulips. Radical polymerization of SHMB was studied for the first time. The extent of side products through the ring closure depended on the pH used during the polymerization. Reactivity ratios for copolymerization of SHMB with acrylamide were estimated. Prepared hydrogels with various composition were investigated for their swelling, mechanical and thermal properties, and morphology as well as cytotoxicity. The achieved degree of swelling of the hydrogels was up to 82 000% and significantly exceeds the capacity of classical superabsorbent hydrogels made of acrylamide and salts of acrylic acid. The degree of swelling as well as mechanical and thermal properties of the hydrogels could be tuned by SHMB content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the author demonstrates that cracking the Soviet VIC cipher is possible if one knows the enciphering algorithm. Without this knowledge, the VIC cipher appears to be very strong, and it is almost impossible to crack a single message encrypted with it. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The TIPNO-type mediator containing fluorescent probe was used to initiate nitroxide mediated reversible-deactivation radical polymerization of styrene. Benzothioxanthene and pyrene were the fluorescent markers. One probe, benzothioxanthene, was attached to the initiating fragment of the polymer chain and the second probe, pyrene, was part of the propagating end of the polymer chain. Mainly UV absorption as well as partly fluorescence spectroscopy was applied to quantify the marked initiating chain ends and marked active alkoxyamine-terminated chain ends. Calculated theoretical molar masses are based on the assumption that all the initiating and propagating chain ends of the polymers bear fluorescent probes. Comparison of these data with the molar masses from GPC gave us the fraction of the marked active polymer chain ends and the fraction of polymers that were formed by thermal initiation. This represents a unique method for evaluation of the extent of livingness of polymerization process. At lower mediator concentration, the extent of marked initiating chain ends and the extent of marked propagating chain ends decreased with rising conversion and at 40% conversion only 50% of the polymer initiating and propagating chain ends contained labels. For the higher mediator concentration, marked initiating fragments of polymer chains were 95% and marked propagating chain ends were 93% at 40% conversion. The prepared polymers are characterized by a narrow distribution of molar masses for all conversion scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Highly fluorescent chromophores, such as pyrene and BTX, were used for fluorescent labeling of TIPNO derivatives. [•] The spectral characteristics of the novel bichromophoric probes were obtained in solution and in polymer matrices. [•] The emission spectra of probes excited at 480nm exhibit very intense fluorescence, which is red-shifted in polar media. [•] Excitation of probe at the maximum absorption of pyrene results in strong energy transfer from pyrene to BTX chromophore. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A fine-scaled approach for predicting soil acidity using plant species in a spatially limited area (Čepúšky Nature Reserve, Slovakia) is presented here. This approach copes with some specific limitations: i) a limited pool of vegetation data may make the predictions too sensitive to the lack of species information, and ii) the predictions may be sensitive to the narrow pH gradient. Vegetation relevés and soil reaction (pH-H2O and pH-CaCl2) were systematically recorded. A set of species indicator values and amplitudes was calibrated with physical pH data using the Weighted Averaging (WA), HOF modelling and Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) methods, along with Ellenberg indicator values. Two prediction methods were tested: i) WA and ii) Amplitude Overlap (AO). WA prediction with Ellenberg’s and WA-calibrated species indicator values were the most powerful technique ( R2 = 68.4–68.7% and 53.4–59.1% for pH-CaCl2 and pH-H2O, respectively). WA-prediction with HOF-based indicator values was less effective ( R2 = 61.7% and 50.7%) due to the decrease in species’ information because with HOF modelling many species are assumed indifferent or too rare. The NMDS method does not bring any significant gain to the calibration, though it avoids the lack of species information. The AO method was proven to be less powerful under studied circumstances, because it is sensitive both to the lack of species’ information and to the truncation of species responses. The results prove that a spatially explicit approach can provide significant indices to estimate changes in soil acidity – pH-CaCl2 better than pH-H2O. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Spectral properties of bichromophoric pyrene probes with different linkage between pyrene units were compared in chloroform, cyclohexane and methanol, as well as in the polymer matrices polystyrene (PS), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). The derivatives under study were pyrene, di(1-pyrenylmethyl) ether (DiPyM), 4-(1-pyrenemethoxymethyl) phenylethene (PyS) and 2,3-di(4-(1-pyrenemethoxymethyl)phenyl)butane (DiPyS). The absorption spectra of the probes exhibited well-resolved bands that were only slightly influenced by substitution and medium. Parent pyrene and PyS, exhibited well-resolved monomer fluorescence in all media, which indicated a weak solvent effect. DiPyM and DiPyS exhibited strong excimer fluorescence in solutions of low viscosity. The influence of the viscosity on the ratio of excimer and monomer emission Φ exc/Φ em of DiPyS and DiPyM in diethylene glycol was also studied. In polymer matrices, only monomer emission of DiPyM and DiPyS was observed. However, the lifetime of monomer emission was influenced by the medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Novel series of chromophore-nitroxide adducts were synthesized for the monitoring of photophysical and photochemical processes in solution as well as in a polymer matrix. These adducts were: (1) N-butyl-4-(1′-oxy-2′,2′,6′,6′-tetramethyl-4′-piperidylamino)-1,8-naphthalimide, BUNO – paramagnetic probe has been synthesized having the nitroxyl radical substituent acting as a quencher attached to the naphthalene in position 4 of 1,8-naphthalimide while imino nitrogen was substituted by n-butyl group. (2) N-(1′-oxy-2′,2′,6′,6′-tetramethyl-4′-piperidyl)-4-dimethylamino-1,8-naphthalimide – DMANO, where nitroxyl unit is on imino nitrogen of 1,8-naphthalimide while in position 4 of 1,8-naphthalimide there is dimethylamino substituent. Diamagnetic parent amine (BUNH, DMANH) were used as standard samples for comparison of the efficiency of intramolecular quenching. Absorption and fluorescence spectra of probes were taken in solution as well as in polymer films. In their absorption spectrum the longest wavelength band lies in the range from 400 up to 440nm depending on the medium. In fluorescence spectrum the maximum lies in the range from 460 to 530nm. When compared with less polar media the maxima of absorption and fluorescence spectra in polar media are red-shifted. The fluorescence is observed for all probes but there is distinctly much higher for parent amine and alkoxyamine than for respective mono-nitroxyl radical. The extent of intramolecular quenching, represented by the ratio of quantum yields of diamagnetic and paramagnetic forms, for both pairs BUNH/BUNO and DMANH/DMANO is in the range 2–15 depending on the medium. Intramolecular quenching in solvents for both pairs of mono-nitroxyl radical (BUNH/BUNO and DMANH/DMANO) exhibits an additive effect when compared with bi-nitroxyl radical (DINH/DINO) investigated previously. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Novel probes representing connection of 1,8-naphthalimides as chromophore and two structural units of sterically hindered amine stabilizer (HAS) were synthesized. One HAS unit was situated on naphthalene ring in position 4 and second HAS created imide composition. HASes were in the form of parent amine – DINH, stable nitroxyl radical – DINO and substituted hydroxylamine DINOR. Absorption and fluorescence spectra of probes were taken in solution as well as in polymer films. In absorption spectrum the longest wavelength band was shifted from 410nm in non-polar cyclohexane to 440nm in polar methanol. In fluorescence spectrum the maximum of the broad band is red shifted from 460nm in cyclohexane to 530nm in methanol. All derivatives exhibit similar solvatochromism in absorption as well as in fluorescence spectrum. The fluorescence is observed for all probes but there is distinctly much higher fluorescence intensity for parent amine DINH and alkoxyamine DINOR than for adequate bi-radical DINO. The extent of fluorescence enhancement comparing amine and alkoxyamine derivatives with bi-radical is in the range 10–70 depending on the medium. Using laser flash photolysis the probe DINH exhibited transient absorption after 266nm excitation in the nanosecond time scale region which is ascribed to triplet state. This transient absorption is red shifted in going from non-polar cyclohexane (460nm) to polar methanol (520nm). No (or extremely weak transient) absorption spectra was observed for stable nitroxyl bi-radical DINO. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Probes, composed of pyrene (Py) and piperazine (7,15-diazadispiro[5.1.5.3]hexadecane or 7,15-diazadispiro[5.1.5.3]hexadecane-14,16-dione) (PA) linked directly or through methylene group (Me) were prepared. Probe with direct link is 15-(1-pyrenyl)-7,15-diazadispiro[5.1.5.3]hexadecane (PyPA). In 15-(1-pyrenylmethyl)-7,15-diazadispiro[5.1.5.3]hexadecane-14,16-dione (PyMePAH) pyrene is connected with piperazine through methylene bridge. The parent amine of PyMePAH was oxidized to the form of stable nitroxyl radical (PyMePAO) in position 7. Oxidation of the amine PyPA did not yield any aminooxide. The deactivation processes of the probes were monitored by fluorescence (singlet excited state route) as well as by nanosecond laser flash photolysis techniques (triplet excited state route). The spectral features of the multifunctional probes were compared. Spectral measurements were performed in methanol and polymer matrices as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and polystyrene (PS). The absorption and the fluorescence spectra of the probe PyPA do not exhibit vibrationally resolved bands while the probes with the methylene link PyMePAH (or PyMAPAO) have well resolved vibrational structure similar to that obtained with pyrene. Absorption spectra of the probes have got similar shape in solvent as well as in polymer matrix. The quantum yield of fluorescence of the PyPA relative to anthracene is rather high as compared with PyMePAH or PyMePAO in aerated methanol. The quantum yield of the PyMePAH or PyMePAO relative to anthracene is higher in deaerated methanol and polymer matrices except polystyrene. The lifetime of fluorescence of PyPA is rather short about 5ns and those of PyMePAH or PyMePAO lies in the range above 10–300ns. It is strongly dependent on the experimental conditions. The extent of intramolecular quenching expressed as the ratio of relative quantum yields of PyMePAH and PyMePAO and respective lifetimes is rather low indicating that the intramolecular quenching is not very effective. Nanosecond laser flash photolysis was also used to examine the triplet excited state route of deactivation of these novel probes. The formation of this excited state which exhibits a T–T absorption band in the range 360–550nm, occurred at 355nm laser excitation in these probes as well as for parent pyrene. Triplet states of pyrene chromophore of all probes were efficiently quenched by oxygen with rate constant about 2×109 dm3 mol−1 s−1. Intermolecular quenching of triplet states of the all probes by N-oxyl radical (1-oxo-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, TEMPO) was rather low. The rate constant was evaluated to about 5×107 dm3 mol−1 s−1. The intramolecular triplet quenching expressed as the ratio of the rate constants of triplet decay of the oxidized probe PyMePAO to PyMePAH was 5 in methanol and 7.7 in cyclohexane. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

New fluorescence probe, composed of pyrene and piperazine [15-(1-pyrenyl)-7,15-diazadispiro[5,1,5,3]hexadecane] was prepared, spectrally characterized and its properties compared with its precursors as pyrene and 1-bromopyrene. Spectral measurements were performed in solution (methanol, chloroform, cyclohexane) and in polymer matrices as polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate and polyvinylchloride. Absorption spectra of the probe exhibited less resolved vibrational spectra as its constituents as pyrene or 1-bromopyrene. Absorption spectra of the probe have got similar shape in solvents as well as in all used polymer. Fluorescence spectrum of the probe represents a broad band without any vibrational structure in all solvents and polymers matrices. The vibrational structure of fluorescence of pyrene and 1-bromopyrene under the same conditions is well preserved in absorption as well as in emission spectra. Quantum yield of fluorescence of the probe is slightly higher than anthracene in methanol. The quantum yield of the probe relative to anthracene lies in the range 2–9 in solvents and polymer matrices and it is influenced by oxygen. The lifetime of fluorescence of novel probe is around 5 ns. The position of the maximum of fluorescence spectra is shifted bathochromically with the concentration of the probe in polymer film, which is not observed for pyrene and 1-bromopyrene under the same conditions. The character of the excited state of the probe is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

More than 20 years after remedial measures were carried out, six plots (Š1 – Š6) at the Šobov locality were examined in more detail. From a pedological viewpoint, the physico-chemical differences of the soils in these areas are not the result of pedogenesis. This is the effect of extremely acidic mineralised solutions that have leaked from or are still leaking from the heap at the site. The plant community here is most often poor to weakly developed with acidophilic vegetation (Š1, Š2, Š5), without vegetation (Š4) or with dense species-rich vegetation (Š3, Š6). Saprotrophic microscopic fungi of the phylum Zygomycota are notably suppressed and their diversity is low. Species of the genera Absidia and Zygorhynchus were found most often. In contrast, the diversity of the phylum Ascomycota is notably high. The genera Penicillium (35 species), Aspergillus (7 species) and Trichoderma (5 species) are dominantly represented. Species of microscopic filamentous fungi in every soil sample that did not occur in the other samples were also recorded; i.e. they form the specific soil mycobiome of the given location. From the 15 types of keratinophilic fungi, the most commonly occurring were Purpureocillium lilacinum and Keithomyces carneus. Keratinolytic properties were recorded only in the species Trichophyton ajelloi. Soil reaction is the most important ecological factor that influences the biological properties of soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Slovakia, traditional orchards, like other European rural landscapes and their agricultural systems, are at long-term risk from changes in land use and management. We focused on this issue in the Nová Baňa dispersed settlement region (central Slovakia), which contains numerous traditional orchards. Management changes over the period 1949–2017 were evaluated on the basis of structured interviews conducted with the owners of 63 traditional orchards. Management measures were evaluated separately for 1949, 1970, 1991, 2000, 2007 and 2017. These data were supplemented by data on land cover over time, with an emphasis on orchards, evaluated for the years 1949, 1976, 1991 and 2017 using historical orthophoto maps. Traditional orchard management included mowing, grazing, plowing, fertilizing, and litter raking. By 2017, the management regime had changed in 92% of orchards. The use of plowing and grazing in orchards decreased, and the use of mulching has increased since 2000. From 1949 to 2017, the number of identifiable management regimes doubled; regimes consisting of a single management measure appeared, while regimes of multiple management measures decreased in frequency. Between 1949 and 2017, there was a total decrease of 38.36% in the area of traditional orchards; 31.62% of orchards remained unchanged. The largest decrease was caused by orchard conversion into grasslands (18.93%), forests (13.81%), shrubs (9.42%) and urbanized areas (8.87%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main goal of the study was to estimate the differences in moisture pattern, hydrophysical and soil water repellency (SWR) parameters of sandy soil profiles at two grassland sites, separated by a distance of about 100 m, near Sekule village (southwest Slovakia). Site S1 was covered with natural vegetation formed by a process of primary succession on a sand dune, whilst site S2 was covered by a synanthropic vegetation, formed by spontaneous secondary succession. Soil sampling and infiltration experiments were performed at designated plots during June 2017 to determine hydrophysical and SWR parameters. Higher measured value of organic carbon content at site S2 resulted in the greater values of repellency index (RI) and lower values of hydraulic conductivity, k(−2 cm), and sorptivity of water, Sw(−2 cm) compared to S1. For evaluating the differences between estimated hydrophysical and SWR parameters of S1 and S2, a Welch's test of means (allowing for unequal group variances) was used, revealing significant differences in Sw(−2 cm), and RI, at p < 0.05. Simultaneously designed infiltration experiments pointed out altered distribution in wetting pattern across the soil profile with different penetration depths: below 100 cm and 80 cm at S1 and S2, respectively. Although the observed moisture patterns showed different shapes and extensions, difference in the cumulative increase in soil water storage between 0 and 50 cm was not significant (35.1% and 36.8% of applied water) at S1 and S2, respectively. According to the results we can state that grasslands at sites S1 and S2 have different soil water repellency parameters and shape of moisture pattern, induced probably by finger flow. Nevertheless, the soil water retention capacity of site S2, formed by spontaneous secondary succession is nearly the same as the retention capacity of native grassland S1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in management regime in recent decades have significantly contributed to threats to traditional European agricultural systems, but this has not been studied sufficiently. This paper examines these changes by considering the agroforestry system of traditional orchards in the Myjava-White Carpathian scattered settlement region (Slovakia) between 1955 and 2015. Data on orchard management was collected using structured interviews with 116 local residents in 2015 – 2016. Information was sought on management practices in the following years: 1955, when collectivisation was just beginning, and traditional practices were dominant; 1975, when collectivisation had finished; 1990, when the socialist period had ended; 2000, after the subsequent socio-political changes; and 2015, reflecting the current state of affairs. Traditional orchard management included mowing, grazing, ploughing, fertilising, and litter raking. Management had changed in 75.8 % of the studied orchards between 1955 and 2015. These changes included especially change in frequency of mowing, a drastic decline in grazing, and cessation of ploughing. Also, understorey mulching appeared as a new practice in 1990 and has been growing steadily more common since that time. Our study confirms an escalating risk of extinction of these valuable habitats, whose management is affected by socio-economic changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Positive effect on the sweet pepper production. • Still compact without any cracks and visible defects even at the end of its lifetime. • Hydrolyzed under compost conditions in less than one month. • Possible applicability as mulching film for one season. Changes in mechanical and thermal properties of biodegradable mulches based on plasticized PLA/PHB filled with 3 wt% of carbon black were investigated during natural ageing in real soil environments after application for one season. The natural ageing process changes were evaluated under three different conditions of the mulching films: (a) buried in the soil, (b) exposed to sunlight, and (c) shadowed by plants. In a parallel study, the film was irradiated by a UV–Vis lamp under laboratory controlled test conditions at constant temperature and humidity. All samples were analyzed using GPC, DSC, DMTA and tensile tests. The plasticized PLA/PHB/CB film buried in soil lost its tensile properties faster than when shadowed by plants or exposed to sunlight. The deterioration of mechanical properties during degradation resulted in significant decreases elongation at break, while Young's modulus values and tensile stress increased. Assessment of the mulching effect on the harvest of sweet pepper fruits, as well as carotenoids and vitamin C contents, was also performed. The obtained results showed that plasticized PLA/PHB/CB film has the potential for application for one season mulches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Oak–hornbeam forests and related vegetation types (phytosociological order Carpinetalia betuli) are widespread in temperate western Eurasia. However, their national classification systems are poorly compatible, and a broad‐scale classification based on numerical analyses is lacking. Therefore, we aimed to establish a unified formalized classification system based on a large data set of vegetation plots covering the entire range of these forests. Location: Europe, Anatolia, Caucasus and northern Iran. Methods: We compiled a data set of 15,817 vegetation plots from the European Vegetation Archive and the Hyrcanian Forest Vegetation Database, using the formal definition of the EUNIS habitat type T1E Carpinus and Quercus mesic deciduous forest. We classified the data set using TWINSPAN. Biogeographically and ecologically similar plot clusters were merged into oak–hornbeam forest types, which were interpreted as alliances. We also developed expert systems for automatically classifying vegetation at the alliance level for both the EuroVegChecklist (EVC) system and the revised classification. In addition, we calculated ordinations to show the major gradients in the species composition of the data set. Results: We present a revised classification system of the order Carpinetalia betuli with nine alliances, including basic descriptions of their species composition, distribution, ecology and syntaxonomy. The analyses largely supported the biogeographic concept of classification, analogous to EVC. Compared to EVC, we recognized an additional alliance Physospermo verticillati‐Quercion cerridis (southern Italy) but found no support for the alliances Astrantio‐Carpinion, Erythronio‐Carpinion and Scillo‐Quercion. The greatest difference in species composition was found between the southern and northern‐northeastern Carpinetalia types. Expert systems for the revised classification system (~89% of plots classified) and the EVC system (~72%) are also included. Conclusions: We provide the first comprehensive overview of alliances of the order Carpinetalia betuli across its whole distribution range. The associated expert systems allow consistent application of the classification of these forests in nature conservation, habitat monitoring, and biodiversity and ecological research.We provide the first formal classification for oak–hornbeam forests and related vegetation types (phytosociological order Carpinetalia betuli) across Europe and adjacent areas. It includes both traditional and revised classifications of this vegetation. Furthermore, we developed expert systems for vegetation‐plot assignment to vegetation types, which can be applied in research and biodiversity conservation, monitoring and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The combined theoretical and spectroscopic study of pyrene molecule and its two model sterically constrained dimers (DPyM: di(1-pyrenylmethyl) ether and DPyS: 2,3-di(4-(1-pyrenemethoxymethyl)-phenyl)butane) is presented. Based on quantum chemical calculations, the origin of the vibronic structure of pyrene fluorescence spectra was analyzed using Franck–Condon analysis. The DPyM linked by a short spacer cannot reach the parallel arrangement of the pyrene chromophores. The elongation of the central part in DPyS increases the distance between the chromophores by about 5Å and therefore the quasi-parallel arrangement of pyrenes is possible from the structural point of view. The analysis of the selected frontier molecular orbitals and their energy levels with respect to the isolated pyrene molecule indicates that the intramolecular interaction in DPyS plays still non-negligible role for the space orientation of pyrene cores contributing to the excimer formation. The experimental fluorescence energy of DPyS is blue shifted with respect to DPyM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the first record of the oleander aphid (Aphis nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe, 1841; Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Slovakia, and also one of the most northern record of this natural pest on the invasive common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca Linnaeus.; Apocynaceae) in Central Europe. Modern social media crowdsourcing has achieved comprehensive distribution data in the horticultural community, and a total of 35 new distribution sites were discovered in 28 Slovak settlements, one new site in Austria, and one in the Czech Republic. It was further established that the oleander aphid could survive in anthropogenic refuges during the winter months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study demonstrates that resistivity of an alumina wafer is highly sensitive to trace concentrations of acetone vapors at room temperature. Though, a thermal pretreatment is necessary to precede the room-temperature sensing of acetone vapors, whilst the sensitiveness increases with the pretreatment temperature. This advocates the alumina being suitable for an adequate acetone sensor in the ppm range. A plausible mechanism of the response is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The sulfobetaine films were prepared on stainless steel and golden surfaces. In the first step, the poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) film was created by employing the electrografting polymerization technique. In the second step, this film was modified to polysulfobetaine, i.e. the polymer film bearing the zwitterionic groups. The presence of the electrografted film and its modification were determined by contact angle measurements, infrared spectroscopy in reflectance mode and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The prepared films were homogeneous with the thickness from about 5 to 26nm as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The atomic force microscopy measurements showed the increase of surface roughness upon the surface coating. In vitro tests using adherent RAT-2 fibroblast cells and fluorescently labelled bovine serum albumin proteins showed that prepared polysulfobetaine films can be used in applications requiring the resistance against cell attachment and biofouling. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Soil water repellency (SWR) was measured in different climatic and soil regions. • Effects of grassland succession on SWR were investigated. • Finer texture soils under a humid climate have a low probability of showing SWR. • Coarser soil textures and drier climatic conditions increase the probability of SWR. • Climate change will result in the expansion of SWR affected areas of grasslands. Numerous soil water repellency (SWR) studies have investigated the possible causes of this temporal phenomenon, yet there remains a lack of knowledge on the order of importance of the main driving forces of SWR in the context of changing environmental conditions under grassland ecosystems. To study the separate and combined effects of soil texture, climate, and grassland cover type on inducing or altering SWR, four sites from different climatic and soil regions were selected: Ciavolo (CI, IT), Csólyospálos (CSP, HU), Pwllpeiran (PW, UK), Sekule (SE, SK). The investigated parameters were the extent (determined by repellency indices RI, RI c and RI m) and persistence (determined by water drop penetration time (WDPT) and water repellency cessation time, WRCT) of SWR, as well as field water (S w) and ethanol (S e) sorptivity, water sorptivity of hydrophobic soil state (S wh) water sorptivity of nearly wettable soil state (S ww) and field hydraulic conductivity (K). Our findings showed an area of land has a greater likelihood of being water repellent if it has a sandy soil texture and/or a high frequency of prolonged drought events. Water infiltration was positively correlated with all the sorptivities (r = 0.32–0.88), but was mostly negatively correlated with RI (r = – 0.54 at CI), WDPT (r = – 0.47 at CI) and WRCT (r = – 0.58 at CI). The importance of natural and synanthropized vegetation covers with regards to SWR was not coherent; moving to regions having coarser texture or moving to drier climatic zones led to higher risk of SWR conditions. Climate change has been predicted to lead to more frequent extreme weather events and prolonged dry periods across Europe, which will most likely increase the extent of SWR-affected areas and increase the role of SWR in water management of grassland ecosystems. Therefore, there is a need to determine SWR risk zones to prevent decreases in soil moisture content, soil fertility, carbon and nitrogen sink potentials, as well as biomass production of the related agro-ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In mountainous regions, climate warming is expected to shift species' ranges to higher altitudes. Evidence for such shifts is still mostly from revisitations of historical sites. We present recent (2001 to 2008) changes in vascular plant species richness observed in a standardized monitoring network across Europe's major mountain ranges. Species have moved upslope on average. However, these shifts had opposite effects on the summit floras' species richness in boreal-temperate mountain regions (+3.9 species on average) and Mediterranean mountain regions (-1.4 species), probably because recent climatic trends have decreased the availability of water in the European south. Because Mediterranean mountains are particularly rich in endemic species, a continuation of these trends might shrink the European mountain flora, despite an average increase in summit species richness across the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]