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The larch budmoth (Zeiraphera diniana Gn. - LBM) offers a unique example of cyclic fluctuations in insect populations. During regular LBM mass outbreaks, defoliation of European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) subalpine trees results in distinct ring-width reductions in the host trees. Although several observations, reconstructions and models suggest that LBM outbreaks travel from the southwest to the northeast along the Alpine arc, gaps in the underlying data still hamper our mechanistic understanding of the spatio-temporal system dynamics. Evidence of historical LBM outbreaks before 1964 is generally associated with uncertainty and is particularly scarce for the Central Italian Alps. Here, we introduce four new larch ring-width chronologies from Val di Sole in the Central Italian Alps and use time-series analyses and comparisons with non-host trees (Picea abies Karst.) to reconstruct LBM mass outbreaks. We identify distinct fingerprints of 15 spatially-synchronized LBM events that occurred between 1774 and 1964 CE. Our results are important for improving qualitative space-time models to simulate travelling wave dynamics of insect populations, and for correcting ring-width-based summer temperature reconstructions from this part of the Alpine arc.

Wild boar is an important reservoir of Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV). There is concern that transmission of this virus from wild boar to domestic pigs is possible. The aim of this work was to compare the antibody response produced by single dose of a gE-deleted ADV vaccine in wild boar to revaccinated animals, to assess if simple single-dose vaccination plans should be examined as a possible control measure against ADV in wild boar. Twenty-five wild boar (ages ranging between 2.5 to 5 months) were included in this study and distributed in three different groups: a control group (n = 5), a single-dose group (10 animals vaccinated only with one dose (day 0)) and a revaccinated group [10 animals vaccinated (day 0) and revaccinated (day 28)]. Mean antibody titers against ADV were determined in three groups using an ELISA assay at three different time points [day 0 (pre-vaccination), 28 (post 1st dose) and 56 (post 2nd dose)]. At day 28, single-dose and revaccinated groups showed a significant increment of antibody titers whereas antibodies in the control group remained stable. At day 56, revaccinated animals did not show a significant increment and antibody titers were similar to those found in animals vaccinated with one dose. These results indicate that vaccination with one dose produces a similar early antibody response to revaccination and therefore, should be examined as a possible control measure against ADV in wild boar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dealloying phenomenon, also called demetalification, is a; consequence of a corrosion problem found in binary alloys where an enrichment of one of the two main elements of the alloy is produced at the expense of the leaching of the other element. In the present work, the ability of laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for the detection and characterization of dealloying films formed on metal has been tested. For this purpose, specific areas of brass specimens have been subjected to a chemical attack of the surface in order to produce a selective leaching of zinc or dezincification. For the lateral and in-depth characterization of the dealloyed areas by LIBS, depth profiles, 2D and 3D maps have been generated from the treated samples and from a reference non-treated sample. The differences in the maps and depth profiles between the corroded and non-corroded regions have allowed to reveal the localization and extension of the dealloying process along the brass sample surface and to estimate the thickness of the dezincification layers, demonstrating the capability of LIBS technique for the characterization of dealloying phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed the accumulation of arsenic and its influence on the content of P, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, S, Ca, Cl, and K in fronds ofAzolla filiculoidesvia X-ray fluorescence (XRF).Azollawas exposed to increased concentrations of sodium arsenate (0, 5, 10, 20, and 30 μg ml − 1) in Yoshida's nutrient solution. After 96 h, fronds were collected and taken to constant weight to calculate the relative growth rate (RGR), the biomass duplication rate, the bioaccumulation factor (BAF), and the elemental concentration via XRF analysis. By increasing As concentrations the RGR and BAF were reduced. The greatest accumulation of As in fronds was achieved at 20 μg As ml − 1, which did not show significant differences with the highest concentration. Accumulation of As in fronds diminished concentrations of Mn, Fe, Zn, S, Ca, and K, while the concentration of P remained low but unchanging. The P content was significantly lower than the As content, thus the As:P ratio in fronds enhanced as the As concentration increased. Concentrations of Cl and Cu were unaffected due to As. This is one of the first reports about the influence of As-accumulation on the elemental content inAzollafronds. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Terrestrial plant roots exude compounds that promote the proliferation of microorganisms, a phenomenon called the rhizosphere effect. However, little is known about the influence of roots of aquatic plants on microbial populations. We compared cultivable bacteria and protozoa from the rhizoplanes ofAzolla filiculoidesLam.,Lemna gibbaL., andRicciocarpus natansL., collected at the Tecocomulco Lagoon (Hidalgo, Mexico). The functional bacterial groups isolated fromA. filiculoides,L. gibbaandR. natans, were macro- and microscopically characterized, and phylogenetically identified using the 16S rDNA gen. About 96% of isolates corresponded to Gram-negative bacteria, and potential N-fixing free-living bacteria (diazotrophic bacteria) were the most abundant. Molecular analysis detected 15 bacterial genera in the rhizoplane ofR. natans, whereasA. filiculoidesandL. gibbaonly yielded five genera, among whichAeromonaswas predominant. Twenty-five genera of flagellated and 20 genera of ciliated protozoa were identified.Bodowas the more abundant flagellated, whereasHalteriawas the most frequent ciliate. All three aquatic plants showed the rhizospheric effects. The most abundant and diverse community of protozoa was found inA. filiculoides, which also had the most abundant bacterial community, but the highest bacterial diversity was found inR. natans. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

It is a well-known fact that amines are not stable in food of a fatty nature. In this study the synthesis and characterisation of the products obtained as a result of the reaction of amines in a fatty medium are reported. Based on the well-known reactions among amines and acid and esters groups, two novel compounds were synthesised usingm-xylylenediamine (mXDA), a primary diamine widely used as monomer in the manufacture of food contact materials and two fatty acids, oleic acid and palmitic acid, which occur in most fats. The resulting compounds were two molecules belonging to the family of fatty acid amides, dioleamide and dipalmitamide. A complete characterisation of both products was carried out employing several techniques such as infrared spectroscopy,1H- and13C-NMR spectroscopy, electron ionisation mass spectrometry, LC-MS/MS and UV spectrometry. The results obtained by the different techniques were well correlated. In the second part of the work, the formation of these compounds in real samples was evaluated. For this purpose a certain volume of olive oil was spiked with a known amount of mXDA. Olive oil was selected as a fatty medium since it is a widely consumed food and additionally is used as a fatty food simulant in migration studies of food contact materials. A method was developed to extract the fatty acid amides from the fatty matrix, which were then identified by LC-MS/MS. The toxicity of the synthesised compounds was predicted using a toxicity estimation software tool. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Acoustic telemetry was used to investigate small-scale movement and behavior of semi-anadromous White PerchMorone americanain New York's Great South Bay system. Fifteen Vemco VR2 acoustic receivers were deployed in the main channel of the lower Carmans River. Of the 40 fish that were tagged with Vemco V9 acoustic transmitters from August 2010 to 2011, 15 fish returned at least 28 d of movement data. Acoustic tracking revealed that adult White Perch exhibited upstream and downstream diel movement within the Carmans River, a behavior that has not been previously described in adults of this species. Movements were tested for cyclical patterns by using autocorrelation analysis. The frequency of diel behavior (f) across individuals was found to be dependent on season: frequency was significantly reduced in winter (f= 13.8%) and was maximized in summer (f= 49.4% in 2010;f= 57.5% in 2011). Directionality in diel movement was also seasonal; nightly upstream movements were favored in summer and fall months, and nightly downstream movements were preferred in winter. Diel behavior was affected by temperature and salinity, with high salinities and low temperatures reducing the frequency of occurrence. Received March 24, 2014; accepted June 17, 2014 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary aromatic amines (PAAs) are a group of substances with undesirable health effects, that are used in a variety of commercial products. Several recent studies, using a number of screening and confirmatory methods, have reported the migration of PAAs from some kitchen utensils into acetic acid 3% (w/v). Many of these methods require significant sample preparation, therefore the aim of this work was to determine if direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) could be utilised as a rapid screening tool for the determination of PAAs in kitchen utensils. DART-MS results from direct analysis of the utensil have been compared with results of PAA migration by ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method. The UPLC-MS/MS method had excellent linearity, appropriate sensitivity (LOD ≤ 1.5 µg L−1; LOQ ≤ 4.5 µg L−1), repeatability from 2.4 to 13.2% and acceptable recoveries. DART-MS results were in good agreement with UPLC-MS/MS data, with 100% of non-compliant (PAA positive) samples successfully identified by DART-MS. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In the present study, a reversed high performance liquid chromatographic method with diode array detection was developed to analyze histamine in sea food samples. The separation was performed on a Kromasil ODS (C18) (150x3.20 mm, 5 µm) column thermostated at 25°C and using a gradient of Milli-Q water and methanol as mobile phase. The biogenic amine was extracted from seafood samples by using 0.1 N HC1 and derivatized with dansyl chloride. Histamine contents ranged from 1.0 to 2.5mg/kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photo-initiators are used in printing inks hardened with UV light and one of the most commonly used photo-initiators is benzophenone (BP). Recent notifications under the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed have shown migration of 4-methylbenzophenone (4-MBP) from packaging into cereals. A specific migration limit exists for BP of 0.6 mg kg-1 for its use as an additive in plastics. There is no specific European legislation covering cardboard boxes and/or printing inks for food contact use. However, due to the high levels detected, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published recommendations and the Standing Committee for the Food Chain and Animal Health endorsed a limit of 0.6 mg kg-1 for the sum of BP and 4-MBP. While studies have been published on photo-initiators in the past, there is a fundamental lack of data on 4-MBP especially for its combined analysis with others. We present an HPLC method with diode array detector to simultaneously determine the levels of BP, 4-MBP as well as 7 other possible derivatives from secondary packaging for food applications. The method was tested and applied to 46 samples of paperboard for secondary packaging collected both from supermarkets and directly from a paperboard supplier. In addition, a survey was conducted on recycled paperboard (n = 19) collected from a supplier, to evaluate the background quantity of BP and other derivatives in recycled board. The most abundant photo-initiator found in the survey was BP, in 61% of samples, and 4-MBP was found in 30% of the samples. It seems that these compounds are used to replace one another. Other derivatives were found in minor quantities. Traces of BP were also found in 42% of the samples of recycled, unprinted board. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work investigated biosurfactant production by Pseudomonas putida in combined C/P, C/Ninorganic, C/Fe, C/Mg nutrient ratios and peptone concentration. Analysis of the 25−1 fractional factorial experimental design showed that only the C/Fe ratio had a significant (p < 0.02) effect on biosurfactant production. The highest amount of biosurfactant was obtained at low C/Fe ratios, but net surface tension did not show significant differences. In addition, low amounts of peptone and the C/P-C/Mg nutrient ratios interaction significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced the biomass produced by P. putida. Analysis of biosurfactant by gas chromatography (GC) showed that the hydrophilic fraction was composed by rhamnose and the hydrophobic fraction, mainly by palmitic (C16), stearic (C18:0), oleic (C18:1) and linoleic (C18:2) fatty acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the capability of nitrogen-fixing bacteria for kerosene hydrocarbons removal. Characteristics of fixing atmospheric nitrogen; Capability to use kerosene hydrocarbons as a sole carbon source; Applications of the microorganisms to soil bioremediation processes.

Organic tomatoes are characterized by having better color, texture and flavor compared to conventionally grown tomatoes. The crop is affected by the nematode Nacobbus aberrans, which induces rosary galls and causes a deficient absorption and translocation of water and nutrients from the root system to other organs of the plant, as well as poor growth, and if there is production, the fruits are of low quality. Nacobbus aberrans is one of the most important nematodes associated with tomato in Mexico and, therefore, it is essential to have tools for nematode management. In this research, different soil treatments (mycorrhizae, antagonistic fungi, and neem extract) were used for nematode management in an organic production system. The objective was to determine the effect of biofumigation and integration with mycorrhizae (Entrophospora columbiana, Glomus intraradices, Glomus etunicatum, and Glomus clarum), antagonistic fungi (Trichoderma harzianum and Purpureocillium lilacinum), and plant extract from neem, Azadirachta indica on the integrated management of N. aberrans. Effects on root galling index and on the production, growth, root and aerial biomass of tomato under greenhouse conditions were determined. With the incorporation of the different strategies applied under integrated management, the production of first, second, and third quality fruits was increased at 128 days after transplanting (ddt). In the integrated soil treatments with mycorrhizae (seedling and transplanting) and neem oil extract (vegetative growth, flowering, fruiting, and production) and mycorrhizae (seedling), T. harzianum (transplant, vegetative growth and fruiting), P. lilacinum (vegetative growth and production), and neem oil extract (flowering), an increase in the number and weight of first and second quality fruits, growth (height, root and aerial biomass), total accumulated weight and the best profitability with gain per invested weight (GPI) of 0.59 and 0.47 were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: During the last 12 years, an increasing frequency in condemnation of hunted red deer and wild boar carcasses due to the presence of tubercle-like lesions has been observed in Extremadura (Western Spain). Before 1993, tuberculosis was a very rare finding in hunted animals. The current tuberculosis regional prevalence in cattle approaches 0.4% after years of expensive test and slaughter campaigns. It is imperative to investigate the epidemiology of Mycobacterium bovis infection in red dear and wild boar in order to keep a good health status and to maintain the effectiveness of domestic species TB eradication programs. The present paper evaluates the problem in Sierra de San Pedro, estimating the prevalence of TB in wild boar and red deer, the main wild artiodactyls in the area, and domestic cattle since 1992–2004, by the use of a low-cost surveillance method based on detailed pathological inspection of hunted animal carcasses. Microbiology and molecular epidemiology studies on several M. bovis isolates from domestic and wild animals helped to define the interspecies contacts. These findings, as well as recent history of game estates management and descriptive epidemiology field work, throw light on the rise and maintenance of these epizootics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]