Ilia State University

Special attention should be paid to oscillations detected in the upper solar atmosphere, as they may reflect the transport of energy into the corona by magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves. The aim of this study is to investigate the non-stationary physical processes taking place in solar spicules and prominences, as well as the relationship between them. The study and comparison of spicules and prominences, and the obtained results, will introduce certain new insights for explaining the physical processes occurring within them. At the Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory, spectrograms in the hydrogen H alpha\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$\alpha $\end{document} line were obtained at two different heights (7500 km and 8000 km) with the aid of a large, non-eclipse coronagraph. The standard errors in the determination of Doppler velocities and FWHM are +/- 0.35 km/s and 0.04 & Aring;, respectively. The lifetimes of almost all measured spicules were about 20 minutes, thus resembling type I spicules. Future observational and theoretical studies will contribute to a better understanding of the nature of phenomena occurring in the solar atmosphere and to clarifying possible links between them. From the processing and analysis of the observational material, the following results were obtained: (1) For H alpha\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$\alpha$\end{document} prominences, no asymmetry was found in the temporal variations of Doppler velocities and half-widths. (2) In H alpha\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$\alpha$\end{document} spicules and prominences, the time variation of Doppler velocities proceeds in approximately the same manner. (3) An asymmetry in the temporal variation of half-widths was detected in H alpha\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$\alpha $\end{document} spicules and prominences. (4) In Sect. 1, a brief overview of the study of spicules and prominences is presented. (5) In Sect. 2, the observations and data processing are described. (6) In Sect. 3, the analysis of observational data, including Doppler velocities and FWHM, is discussed. (7) In Sect. 4, the discussion and conclusions are presented.

Biological invasions, driven by the spread of non-native species, have become a critical global issue because of their far-reaching ecological and socioeconomic impacts. Effective communication of the risks of biological invasions is essential for implementing robust policy and legislation and gaining public support for conservation efforts. However, current policies often suffer from fragmentation and ineffectiveness, largely due to inadequate risk communication and complex multi-level governance. To address this challenge, we develop a global framework designed to enhance clearer communication about biological invasion risks. The framework contextualizes key terms across three domains in invasion science: species invasiveness, risk analysis, and decision support tools. Using both diffusion-of-English and ecology-of-language paradigms, and following a three-step process involving preliminary consensus, AI querying, and ground-truthing with final consensus, we validate the framework in 70 non-English languages which, together with English, have official status in at least one country and collectively cover all 195 countries worldwide. Our findings reveal that while terminology for risk analysis is well established, terminology for species invasiveness and, especially, for decision support tools remains underdeveloped in many languages, hindering effective communication and policy implementation. Our framework underscores the importance of cultural and political neutrality. By promoting clearer risk communication among scientists, policymakers, and the public globally, we aim to reduce policy fragmentation and foster enhanced collaboration in risk mitigation. We recommend expanding multilingual decision support tools to include the full risk analysis process: risk identification, risk assessment, and risk management. This will support intergovernmental mitigation efforts and promote a unified global response to biological invasions.

A new species of the entomopathogenic nematode Oscheius anaseuli n. sp. was isolated from a soil sample from a nut orchard in the village Anaseuli, Guria Region, West Georgia. Morphological studies were carried out using an optical microscope, which confirmed the anatomy-morphological similarity of the nematode to the genus Oscheius. The main features to assign the new species to the insectivorus-group of the genus are leptoderan bursa and hook-like ends of spicula. Oscheius anaseuli n. sp. characterised by: didelphicamphidelphic reproductive system, six separate lips with one sensilla-like brush on each lip, 8 lateral lines, open bursa and bursal papillae (1+1+1/3+3+ph). The most distinctive morphological feature distinguishing the new species from insectivorus species-group is the presence of 8 ridges and 9 incisures. An updated key to the species of the insectivorus-group is provided. Oscheius anaseuli n. sp. is morphologically most similar to the following species of insectivorus-group: O. colombianus, O. muriophilus, O. punctata and O. insectivorus. As the laboratory studies evidence, the new species has proved to be pathogenic for test insects Galleria mellonella and Tenebrio molitor. The nematodes caused insect mortality after 24 hours, and infective juveniles emerged from insect carcasses 36 hours after the insects died. Nematode inoculation resulted in 63.5% mortality of G. mellonella within 5 days and 100% mortality of T. molitor within 48 hours. The entomopathogenicity of nematodes was evaluated by considering the different effects of nematodes on insects. Nematodes showed the best results against T. molitor. Thus, the new nematode species has potential as a biological control agent.

Sexuality education often faces significant resistance in Georgia. Lack of political will, the strong influence of the Orthodox Church, and predominantly patriarchal social structures promote stereotypical and biased views, leaving school-based sexuality education off the political or public agenda. Although some sexuality and reproductive health-related themes have been integrated into the biology and civic education curriculum, reports indicate that teachers often avoid discussing them, or the information they provide is superficial and stigmatising. The study aimed to examine textbooks as the primary source of state-approved knowledge with which students directly interact, regardless of how classroom discussions are structured. It employed critical discourse analysis to explore how two biology textbooks construct knowledge of sexuality through language and which socio-cultural norms are established, reinforced, or challenged by language use. Results show that while they differ in thematic selection and linguistic choices, both textbooks operate within restrictive discourses, often legitimising moral viewpoints through the use of biological language, framing those views as natural facts. While numerous topics are omitted, the portrayal of those that are covered is limited, reinforcing discourses of reproductive obligation, gender hierarchies, heteronormativity, shame and stigma surrounding sexual experience, and, overall, conservative values.

Two new cavernicolous pseudoscorpion species, Ephippiochthonius boritiensis sp. nov. from Kozmani Cave, and Ephippiochthonius trapezoides sp. nov. from Tsintskila Cave in Georgia (Caucasus) are described and illustrated. Furthermore, a key for all epigean and cavernicolous Ephippiochthonius species in Georgia is also provided.