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The article "Ambience, Politics, and Economy in 2nd Century BC Rome: The Case of Aqua Marcia" deals with the history of the Aqua Marcia aqueduct in ancient Rome. The urban praetor Quintus Marcius Rex was tasked in 144 BC with improving the city's water supply. Despite some difficulties and resistance, the project was successfully realized. The article discusses why it was specifically a praetor entrusted with such a project and what political and economic reasons stood behind the opposition to the project. The article also sheds light on the religious and legal aspects that may have played a role. [Extracted from the article]

Today, wet meadows and their typical flora are in sharp decline. In Luxembourg, these include characteristic species of Molinion meadows such as Oenanthe peucedanifolia, Scorzonera humilis, Stachys officinalis, Succisa pratensis and Serratula tinctoria. To support such species, the nature conservation syndicate SICONA has practiced propagation and in situ plantation since 2012. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term success of such reintroduction measures. We examined the establishment of the five target species four to nine years after reintroduction. Three questions were addressed: (1) how successful was the reintroduction, (2) how did vegetative and generative traits - as key indicators of vitality and fitness - differ between newly established and extant populations, and (3) what influence did site conditions have on establishment success? For this purpose, survival, reproduction, and establishment rates were determined on six reintroduction plots per species. Vitality and fitness in newly established (introduction sites) and sites with natural populations (reference sites) were compared using phenometric and reproductive traits. Ellenberg indicator values determined from vegetation surveys were applied to characterize site conditions. For three target species, Stachys officinalis, Succisa pratensis, and Oenanthe peucedanifolia, the newly planted populations showed successful establishment and reproduction, underlined by establishment rates between 327 and 763%. In Serratula tinctoria, one quarter of planted individuals survived, while little regeneration occurred. For these four target species and in 60% of all 30 reintroduction plots population size increased. Only for Scorzonera humilis establishment was less successful, averaging 7.5%. Whilst, for all five species, most of the newly planted individuals reached a vitality similar to that of extant populations, their reproductive fitness usually ranged lower. Comparison of Ellenberg indicator values illustrated that habitat conditions for the target species at most of the restoration sites well matched with conditions at the reference sites. In some introduction sites, indicator values suggest higher base and nitrogen supply and a lower water availability than on the long existing sites. Weaker development of the target species in such sites proves the great importance of suitable site conditions for restoration success. Nursery propagation and on-site plantation were demonstrably a well-suited method to strengthen declining populations of threatened Molinion meadow species and it seems likely that newly established populations can remain viable in the long term. Nevertheless, not all target species showed successful establishment. Serratula tinctoria barely managed to reproduce and for Scorzonera humilis both survival and reproduction rates were very low. Species-specific factors such as insufficient genetic exchange or over-aging of donor populations are discussed as potential causes. In addition, reintroduction can also be constrained by practice-related factors such as the shortage of sites suitable for stenoecious species and the lack of suitable sites for re-wetting. This study also demonstrates the importance of monitoring the long-term success of in situ conservation measures, which has received insufficient attention in restoration practice so far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aeolian sediments are widespread along the western margin of the Hessian Depression and partly build up the entire Detfurth Formation. To the northeast, towards the central Hessian Depression, they interfinger with aquatically deposited sediments, but are still widely traceable. In profiles containing the Detfurth Claystone or its equivalents, aeolianites sometimes still occur up to 18 m thick above the pelites. Based on detailed sedimentological recordings and facies interpretations of the core drillings Remsfeld GWM6 (2017) and Hirschhagen BK04/10 (2004) as well as evaluation of previously unpublished drill profiles of the core drillings Kirtorf GW3 (2001), Borken Z1 (1984/85) and Oberkaufungen I (2000), the spatial relationships of the aeolian, fluviatile and limnic facies of the Detfurth Formation between Marburg and Hessisch-Lichtenau are reconstructed. A preliminary facies model explains the observed lateral and vertical sequences of deposits of dry and wet aeolian sand plains, aquatic-dominated sand plains, deltas, fluvial plains and the central (mega-)playa lake. The spatial relationships of the previous subformations Detfurth Sandstone, "Detfurth Wechselfolge" (alternating sequence) and Detfurth Claystone, which clearly deviate from a "layer-cake geometry" in the Hessian Depression, can also be clarified using this model. For geogenetic reasons, but also because of the completely different rock properties of fluvial and aeolian sediments, it is proposed to combine the aeolianites in a separate subformation. Considerations on the temporal development of base level, water supply and sediment supply lead to a sequence-stratigraphic concept for the sediments of the Detfurth Formation in the western to northern Hessian Depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Brazil in Transition" deals with the challenges that arise for Brazil's foreign and domestic policy after Lula da Silva's election victory over Jair Bolsonaro. Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world and occupies almost half of the area of the South American continent. It has a multiethnic and multicultural population, shaped by migration from different parts of the world. Brazil is a presidential federal republic and is part of the BRICS countries. The country has large natural and water resources, a high biodiversity in the Amazon basin, and a developed industrial base. However, there is still a great social inequality and conflict potential in the country. [Extracted from the article]