Effects of a beaver dam on the benthic copepod assemblage of a Mediterranean river.

As known "ecosystem engineers", beavers influence river hydrology, geomorphology, biochemistry, and biological assemblages. However, there is a lack of research regarding the effects of beaver activities on freshwater meiofauna. In this study, we investigated the taxonomic and functional composition of the benthic copepod assemblage of a segment of the Tiber River (Italy) where a beaver dam, created about 7 weeks before our survey, had formed a semi-lentic habitat upstream and a lotic habitat downstream of the dam. We also analyzed the copepod assemblage before and after a flood event that destroyed the beaver dam, providing a unique opportunity to observe changes in a naturally reversing scenario. Our analyses revealed that, while the taxonomic composition and functional traits of the copepod assemblage remained largely unchanged across the recently formed semi-lentic and lotic habitats, substantial differences were evident between the dammed and undammed states. The dammed state showed lower copepod abundances, biomass, and functionality than the undammed one. These results highlight the role of beaver dams in changing the composition and functionality of meiofaunal assemblages offering insights into the dynamic interactions within aquatic ecosystems.

Connecting the data landscape of long-term ecological studies: The SPI-Birds data hub.

The integration and synthesis of the data in different areas of science is drastically slowed and hindered by a lack of standards and networking programmes. Long-term studies of individually marked animals are not an exception. These studies are especially important as instrumental for understanding evolutionary and ecological processes in the wild. Furthermore, their number and global distribution provides a unique opportunity to assess the generality of patterns and to address broad-scale global issues (e.g. climate change). To solve data integration issues and enable a new scale of ecological and evolutionary research based on long-term studies of birds, we have created the SPI-Birds Network and Database (www.spibirds.org)-a large-scale initiative that connects data from, and researchers working on, studies of wild populations of individually recognizable (usually ringed) birds. Within year and a half since the establishment, SPI-Birds has recruited over 120 members, and currently hosts data on almost 1.5 million individual birds collected in 80 populations over 2,000 cumulative years, and counting. SPI-Birds acts as a data hub and a catalogue of studied populations. It prevents data loss, secures easy data finding, use and integration and thus facilitates collaboration and synthesis. We provide community-derived data and meta-data standards and improve data integrity guided by the principles of Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR), and aligned with the existing metadata languages (e.g. ecological meta-data language). The encouraging community involvement stems from SPI-Bird's decentralized approach: research groups retain full control over data use and their way of data management, while SPI-Birds creates tailored pipelines to convert each unique data format into a standard format. We outline the lessons learned, so that other communities (e.g. those working on other taxa) can adapt our successful model. Creating community-specific hubs (such as ours, COMADRE for animal demography, etc.) will aid much-needed large-scale ecological data integration.

Crop suitability assessment in remediation of Zn contaminated soil.

Zinc (Zn) is naturally present in soils and constitutes an essential micronutrient for plants. Mining, industrial, as well as various agricultural activities all contribute to increasing the Zn concentrations in soils to levels that are toxic for plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of field crops to remove Zn from contaminated soils. The experimental design included 28 treatments, comprising seven field crops (Hordeum vulgare L., Ricinus communis L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., Brassica juncea Czem., Sorgum vulgare L., Spinacea oleracea L., Solanum lycopersicum L.) and four Zn levels (0, 500, 1000, 1500 mg kg-1) applied to soils. The dry weight (DW) of the aboveground biomass of R. communis and S. lycopersicum increased significantly as the Zn concentration in the soil increased, whereas the DW significantly decreased in P. vulgaris, B. juncea and S. vulgare. Results indicated that S. oleracea was the most efficient in concentrating Zn in the aboveground tissues, followed in decreasing order by H. vulgare, S. lycopersicum, R. communis, S. vulgare, P. vulgaris, and B. juncea. H. vulgare resulted the most efficient in accumulating Zn both in fruit and in leaves and stems, whereas S. lycopersicum resulted the most efficient in accumulating Zn in roots. The BAF and TF values indicated that H. vulgare and S. oleracea resulted being suitable for Zn phytoextraction, whereas the remaining crops being suitable for Zn phytostabilization. These results highlight the phytoremediation potential of the seven analysed crops.

Phytoextraction of copper from a contaminated soil using arable and vegetable crops.

Copper (Cu) is among the main contaminant of agricultural soil. The reclamation of Cu polluted soils can be achieved with phytoextraction even if, in general, plants are Cu-excluders and uncommon are Cu-accumulators. The research objectives were to establish the Cu removal capacity by arable and vegetable crops and to investigate the distribution of Cu in their roots, stems and leaves, and fruits. Pot trials were conducted for two subsequent years in Tuscany (Italy). Cu was added into soil in four levels (0, 200, 400, 600 mg kg-1 of Cu). At harvesting, the crops roots, stems and leaves, and fruits or seeds were separately collected, oven dried, weighted, milled and separately analyzed. The results show that the GDUs value to reach the physiological maturity for barley, common bean, Indian mustard, and ricinus was significantly positively correlated with Cu concentration in soil in contrast with observed in sorghum, spinach, and tomato. Leaves and stems of spinach and ricinus have a good storage capacity in contrast with common bean, tomato, Indian mustard sorghum and barley. Tomato storage Cu mainly in fruits and roots which show a remarkable concentration of Cu that increases progressively with the increase of Cu concentration in the soil. In addition, the roots of common bean and ricinus showed a very high concentration of Cu. All species can be considered Cu-excluders because of their low capacity to uptake high quantity of Cu. Indian mustard can be considered a plant able to translocate the metal from root to epigeal tissue.

Transport of Glyphosate and Aminomethylphosphonic Acid under Two Soil Management Practices in an Italian Vineyard.

Worldwide, glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in controlling the growth of annual and perennial weeds. An increasing number of studies have highlighted the environmental risk resulting from the use of this molecule in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The objective of the study was to determine the transport of glyphosate and its degradation product, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), through runoff and transported sediment from a vineyard under two different soil management systems: harrowed inter-row (HR) and permanent grass covered inter-row (GR). The study was performed over a period of 4 yr. Glyphosate and AMPA concentrations were found to be higher in runoff and in transported sediment from HR compared with GR, regardless of the amount of runoff and transported sediment. The mean annual percentages of glyphosate loss, via runoff and transported sediment, were about 1.37 and 0.73% for HR and GR, respectively. Aminomethylphosphonic acid represented approximately 30.9 and 40.0% of the total glyphosate losses in GR and HR, respectively. Moreover, results suggested that rains occurring within 4 wk after treatment could cause the transport of glyphosate and AMPA in high concentrations. Soil analyses indicated that glyphosate content was below detection within 1 yr, whereas AMPA remained in the soil profiles along the vine row and in the inter-row. Results indicated that GR can reduce soil and herbicide loss by runoff in vineyard cropping system.

Annual changes in seminal variables of golden lanchead pitvipers (Bothrops insularis) maintained in captivity.

Bothrops insularis is an endemic and critically endangered snake with an estimated population of 2000 individuals restricted to Queimada Grande Island, in southeastern Brazil. Brazilian researchers established a captive breeding program for the species that includes the application of assisted reproductive technologies. The present study, therefore, aimed to evaluate semen samples from captive B. insularis throughout the year to ascertain seasonal differences in semen traits as well as correlations with body size and weight. Eighteen males with snout-vent length (SVL) ranging from 43.5 to 73.7 cm were collected at quarterly basis between August 2012 and May 2013. Macroscopic analysis revealed semen volumes ranging from 0.5 to 6.0 µL with samples featuring whitish to yellowish color and creamy and thick consistency. Viable sperm was obtained from all males indicating that individuals with SVL equal to or greater than 43.5 cm are sexually developed. However, adult and immature males (estimated by SVL) exhibited different seasonal profiles for motility and progressive motility. Adult males had a decrease in sperm motility and progressive motility during summer and spring, respectively, whereas the same variables did not vary throughout the year in immature snakes. Sperm concentration in all individuals was less (0.5 × 10(9) µL) during the winter, but no seasonal fluctuations were detected in semen volume. These findings are of particular importance to the development of reproductive tools such as male selection, artificial insemination and sperm freezing for the genetic management of this critically endangered snake.

Leaching of Glyphosate and Aminomethylphosphonic Acid through Silty Clay Soil Columns under Outdoor Conditions.

Glyphosate [-(phosphono-methyl)-glycine] is the main herbicide used in the Chianti vineyards. Considering the pollution risk of the water table and that the vineyard tile drain may deliver this pollutant into nearby streams, the objective of the present study was to estimate the leaching losses of glyphosate under natural rainfall conditions in a silty clay soil in the Chianti area. The leaching of glyphosate and its metabolite (aminomethylphosphonic acid [AMPA]) through soils was studied in 1-m-deep soil columns under outdoor conditions over a 3-yr period. Glyphosate was detected in the leachates for up to 26 d after treatments at concentrations ranging between 0.5 and 13.5 µg L. The final peak (0.28 µg L) appeared in the leachates approximately 319 d after the first annual treatment. Aminomethylphosphonic acid first appeared (21.3 µg L) in the soil leachate 6.8 d after the first annual treatment. Aminomethylphosphonic acid detection frequency and measured concentration in the leachates were more than that observed for the glyphosate. Aminomethylphosphonic acid was detected in 20% of the soil leachates at concentrations ranging from 1 to 24.9 µg L. No extractable glyphosate was detected in the soil profile. However, the AMPA content in the lowest layer ranged from 13.4 to 21.1 mg kg, and on the surface layer, it ranged from 86.7 to 94 mg kg. Overall, these results indicate that both glyphosate and AMPA leaching through a 1-m soil column may be potential groundwater contaminants.

The AESOP robot system for video-assisted rigid endoscopic laryngosurgery.

Surgeons may occasionally encounter difficulty in visualizing the whole larynx with a direct laryngoscope. In such cases, rigid endoscopic laryngosurgery using a direct laryngoscope is an optimal solution. Multidirectional examination of the larynx using rigid endoscopes during direct laryngoscopy, leads to better control and management of the ventricle, inferior surface of the vocal fold and subglottis, and the anterior commissure. Currently, 0 degrees , 30 degrees , 70 degrees and 120 degrees angled rigid telescopes are used worldwide. Our experience in telescopic endolaryngeal surgery provided us the opportunity to work with AESOP 3000 (automated endoscope system for optimal positioning), coupling a robotic arm to a rigid endolaryngeal telescope. The use of this device allows the surgeon to control the field of view and operate with both hands. A total of 20 patients presenting a laryngeal lesion were randomly selected and included in this study undergoing a robot-assisted procedure. Three of 20 patients presented a difficult laryngeal exposure with direct laryngoscopy due to a rigid, short neck (1 male, 1 female) and prominent teeth (1 male). We used Karl Storz Hopkins II long rigid endoscopes having 0 degrees, 30 degrees and 70 degrees direction of view, a Storz Xenon 300 cold light, a Storz Tricam SL camera, the Kleinsasser direct laryngoscope. The instruments we used are all commercially available for microlaryngeal surgery and included upward curved instruments in case of difficult laryngeal exposure. The operative equipment was the same for all procedures. We evaluated the acquisition of skills in controlling the AESOP 3000, the feasibility of a single surgeon performing procedures with this machine, and any advantages that it might offer to endolaryngeal surgery. The use of robotic devices improves the precision of surgical procedures, offering surgeons a more comfortable working position, particularly for longer procedures, and without an assistant to hold the camera.

Can the electronic nose diagnose chronic rhinosinusitis? A new experimental study.

In otorhinolaryngologist's experience the nasal out-breath of people affected by chronic nasal or paranasal infections may be characterized by peculiar odours. In a previous study we showed that an electronic nose (EN), examining nasal out breath was able to distinguish subjects affected by chronic rhinosinusitis from healthy subjects. The present study is aimed at analysing the intensity and the quality of the odorous components present in the air expired by patients affected by rhinosinusitis, using a new EN based on gas-chromatography and surface acoustic wave analysis. In the gas-chromatographic tracings of the pathologic subjects there were six peaks, which were not present in control group cases. These peaks correspond to odorous components, whose chemical composition ranges from C6 to C14. Peaks obtained were compared with other tracings revealed from specific bacterial and fungal cultures analyses and we appreciated some analogies.