Agricultural University of Tirana

Public spending and deficit fluctuations during electoral cycles have been the focus of increasing research in developed and emerging economies. Electorally driven fiscal expansions often lead to higher debt levels, sometimes necessitating engagement with International Monetary Fund (IMF) programs. These programs typically include conditions aimed at reducing budget deficits, and can limit the incumbent government’s ability to pursue expansionary fiscal policies ahead of elections. In this study, we employ an Intervention Analysis approach using monthly data to examine Albania’s budget deficit in the context of elections. We differentiate between elections held under active IMF programs and those conducted independently. Our findings reveal that budget deficits tend to rise before and during elections, with this increase being pronounced when elections occur without an IMF program. In contrast, elections held under active IMF oversight show no notable increase in deficits. The results are consistent across alternative specifications and estimation approaches. These findings contribute to the literature on Political Budget Cycles and offer valuable policy insights. Specifically, we find that supranational oversight, such as that provided by the IMF, can play a crucial role in mitigating election-driven debt surges – a critical issue for economies with high levels of public debt.

Maintaining sufficient levels of biosecurity at the farm level is crucial to prevent the introduction and spread of pathogens. However, data on biosecurity awareness and implementation in small-scale or backyard (hereafter referred to as small-scale) holdings across Europe are lacking. While the risk posed by these farms is generally regarded as limited, they represent a diverse group of farmers and do play a role in disease introduction and spread. The aim of this study was to explore veterinarians' perspectives on small-scale farming in Europe, including the frequency of farm visits, the definition of small-scale farming, the current status of biosecurity, and the most important measures to prevent pathogen introduction and spread. A multidisciplinary team developed a comprehensive survey to collect veterinarians' perspectives on biosecurity in small-scale farms. The survey was translated into 16 languages, digitalised, and distributed online between July and December 2024 by participants of COST Action BETTER. Data were analysed descriptively, and clusters of veterinarians were distinguished using multiple correspondence analysis. In total, 346 veterinarians from 23 countries participated in the survey. There is no standard definition of small-scale farming throughout Europe. According to the participating veterinarians, a small-scale farm was defined as having a median number of fewer than 20 cattle, 30 small ruminants, 13 pigs, or 99 heads of poultry. Three clusters of veterinarians were identified based on geographical location, field experience, biosecurity training, and perceived biosecurity awareness within the small-scale farming community. Biosecurity measures already applied in small-scale farming included fencing, carcass management, and biosecurity measures related to purchasing and feeding practices. According to the participating veterinarians, the most important biosecurity measures for small-scale farms to prevent pathogen introduction and spread included factors related to the introduction of animals, such as quarantine facilities, testing for health status, and purchasing animals from farms with a high health status. Besides factors related to the introduction of animals, hygiene measures and fencing were also frequently indicated as the most important biosecurity measures. Nevertheless, significant differences were found between the clusters regarding the importance of specific biosecurity measures. This study provides valuable insights into the perceived awareness, implementation, and desired biosecurity measures in European small-scale farming and underscores the importance of integrating small farms into "One Health" strategies, given their potential role in the spread of infectious diseases.

Recent studies have shown that the use of non-Saccharomyces yeasts, either alone or in co-fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, can enhance the development of specialty beers with distinctive compositional characteristics. This study aimed to evaluate the main compositional and sensory differences between American Pale Ale (APA) beers produced using the commercial strain S. cerevisiae US-05 as a single starter (Test 1), and those produced through sequential inoculation with Metschnikowia pulcherrima 62 followed by S. cerevisiae US-05 (Test 2). Analyses focused on key chemical parameters and volatile compounds at the end of primary fermentation (F1) and after 20 days of refermentation at 20 °C (F2). After F1, Test 2 samples showed higher concentrations of glycerol and higher alcohols (isoamyl alcohol, benzeneethanol) and lower concentrations of esters (isoamyl acetate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate) compared to Test 1. After F2, the differences in higher alcohol content became less significant, whereas ester concentrations, particularly ethyl acetate and ethyl octanoate, were significantly higher in Test 2. Sensory evaluation revealed that beers from Test 2 exhibited more pronounced floral and fruity notes and achieved higher overall scores in the panel assessment. These findings indicate that sequential inoculation with M. pulcherrima 62 followed by S. cerevisiae enhances both the chemical complexity and sensory appeal of APA beers, highlighting the strain’s potential as a valuable tool for developing specialty beers with unique aromatic profiles.

Thiazole scaffolds occupy a prominent position in medicinal chemistry due to their electronic diversity and structural adaptability, enabling interaction with multiple biological targets. Over the last decade, these heterocyclic frameworks have received extensive attention for the development of new anticancer and antimicrobial agents. The five-membered thiazole ring, containing both nitrogen and sulfur atoms, provides remarkable chemical stability and versatility, allowing fine-tuning of pharmacological responses. Numerous derivatives have demonstrated significant biological activities, including inhibition of resistant microbial strains and selective cytotoxicity toward tumor cells. This review critically summarizes research published between 2015 and 2025, emphasizing how structural variations within thiazole derivatives influence their biological profiles. A focused discussion on structure - activity relationships (SAR) highlights the influence of electronic, steric, and lipophilic features on potency and selectivity. Integrating both experimental findings and computational insights, the review offers a coherent understanding of how structural modifications govern biological outcomes. Although available pharmacokinetic and toxicity data remain limited, they are identified as important directions for further research. Molecular docking observations are included to illustrate possible interaction modes rather than to define mechanisms. Overall, this work provides an integrative perspective that may guide the rational design of future thiazole-based molecules with improved efficacy and safety.

This study, conducted during 2022–23, evaluates the ecological status of the Mirusha River using macrophytes as bioindicators. Industrial pollution, sewage, agricultural runoff, and climate change significantly affect river ecosystems, leading to degradation of water quality and biodiversity. The Mirusha River, heavily polluted by untreated sewage, solid waste, and agricultural runoff, was examined through macrophyte sampling and analysis of physicochemical parameters at six locations. The research used standard methodologies to assess macrophyte diversity and abundance, identifying 53 species across 25 families. The average values indicate severe water pollution, with a high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of 24.3 mg/L and a chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 38.4 mg/L, indicating a high organic load. In addition, the average nutrient concentrations were very high including Nitrites (NO2−) reaching a value of 0.95 mg/L, Total nitrogen (NT) 16.4 mg/L, Ammonia (NH4+) 2.42 mg/L, Total phosphorus (PT) 0.72 mg/L and Nitrates (NO3−) 7.1 mg/L. The study identified distinct pollution impacts: the upper areas (SP1–SP3) were the most polluted due to industrial and residential waste, while the lower regions (SP4–SP6) faced pollution from gastronomy and infrastructure. The findings suggest that anthropogenic activities and poor water quality significantly affect macrophyte communities, highlighting the need for targeted restoration efforts to improve river health and biodiversity.