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Background: Within-breath analysis of oscillometry parameters is a growing research area since it increases sensitivity and specificity to respiratory pathologies and conditions. However, reference equations for these parameters in White adults are lacking and devices using multiple sinusoids or pseudorandom forcing stimuli have been underrepresented in previous studies deriving reference equations. The current study aimed to establish reference ranges for oscillometry parameters, including also the within-breath ones in White adults using multi-sinusoidal oscillations. Methods: White adults with normal spirometry, BMI ≤30 kg/m2, without a smoking history, respiratory symptoms, pulmonary or cardiac disease, neurological or neuromuscular disorders, and respiratory tract infections in the previous 4 weeks were eligible for the study. Study subjects underwent oscillometry (multifrequency waveform at 5–11–19 Hz, Resmon PRO FULL, RESTECH Srl, Italy) in 5 centers in Europe and the USA according to international standards. The within-breath and total resistance (R) and reactance (X), the resonance frequency, the area under the X curve, the frequency dependence of R (R5–19), and within-breath changes of X (ΔX) were submitted to lambda-mu-sigma models for deriving reference equations. For each output parameter, an AIC-based stepwise input variable selection procedure was applied. Results: A total of 144 subjects (age 20.8–86.3 years; height 146–193 cm; BMI 17.42–29.98 kg/m2; 56% females) were included. We derived reference equations for 29 oscillatory parameters. Predicted values for inspiratory and expiratory parameters were similar, while differences were observed for their limits of normality. Conclusions: We derived reference equations with narrow confidence intervals for within-breath and whole-breath oscillatory parameters for White adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Pistoia Nursery-Ornamental Rural District (Italy), a leader in Europe in ornamental nurseries covering over 5200 hectares with over 2500 different species of plant, plant-parasitic nematodes represent a serious concern. The potential efficacy of a pot cultivation system using commercial substrates to control plant-parasitic nematodes was assessed. On two different plant species, two different pot cultivation managements, potted plants, and potted plants previously cultivated in natural soil were compared to plants only cultivated in natural soil. The entire soil nematode structure with and without plants was evaluated. The relationship between soil properties and soil nematode community was investigated. All the studied substrates were free from plant-parasitic nematodes. Regarding free-living nematodes, Peat–Pumice showed nematode assemblage established by colonizer and extreme colonizer bacterial feeders, whereas Peat–Perlite included both bacterial and fungal feeders, and, finally, coconut fiber also included omnivores and predators. In farming, the substrates rich in organic matter such as coconut fiber could still play an important role in suppressing plant-parasitic nematodes because of the abundance of free-living nematodes. In fact, they are of crucial importance in both the mineralization of organic matter and the antagonistic control of plant-parasitic nematodes. Potting systems equally reduce virus-vector nematodes and improve the prey/predator ratio favoring natural control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The invasive stink bug Halyomorpha halys, native to East Asia, is a severe agricultural pest of worldwide importance, and chemical insecticides are largely sprayed for its control. Negative impact and failures of chemical pest management led to consider classical biological control as one of the most promising methods in a long-term perspective. The Asian egg parasitoid Trissolcus japonicus is the main candidate biocontrol agent of H. halys, but more recently a second species, Trissolcus mitsukurii, which shares the area of origin with H. halys, has drawn special attention after adventive populations were found in Europe. Despite its recent detection, intentional release or redistribution are bound to approval of national petitions, which requires detailed risk analyses. With the aim of providing a contribution for the future development of a risk assessment for release purposes, here we present the first study on the physiological (fundamental) host range of T. mitsukurii in Europe. Tests conducted on different hemipterans common to Southern Europe, using three different experimental designs, revealed a oligophagous host range, limited to Pentatomoidea and comparable with the host range displayed by T. japonicus under similar laboratory conditions. In addition to its coevolved host H. halys, T. mitsukurii successfully parasitized the majority of tested pentatomid species and one scutellerid, although with highly variable emergence rates. Notably high parasitization rates were detected on H. halys, Acrosternum heegeri and Dolycoris baccarum. Host egg sizes positively affected parasitoid size and female egg load. Although T. mitsukurii might be a promising biological control agent of H. halys in Europe, further studies (e.g., chemical ecology, field parasitism) are needed for assessment of non-target risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In crop systems, successful management of invasive insect herbivores can be achieved through the introduction of exotic biocontrol agents, parasitoids or predators, having a coevolutionary history with the pest. To avert threats to local biodiversity, recent legislations require a risk assessment for the organism to be released. Evaluation of its ability to exploit, for host location, odours associated with target and non-target species is crucial for a better definition of its ecological host range. Using Y-tube olfactometer bioassays in a quarantine laboratory, we investigated the ability of the Asian egg parasitoid Trissolcus mitsukurii (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) to exploit odours associated with the global invader Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and with non-target stink bugs native to Southern Europe. We demonstrated that T. mitsukurii is attracted by plants exposed to feeding and egg deposition of the coevolved H. halys and the native Nezara viridula, while it is not attracted by physogastric (gravid) females or eggs alone. Remarkably, T. mitsukurii is repelled by plants bearing eggs of the beneficial Arma custos. Our results contribute to a more thorough and nuanced assessment of the potential non-target risks in the case of mass-release of parasitoids as part of a biological control programme for invasive stink bugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halyomorpha halys is a severe invasive Asian pest worldwide and classical biological control is foreseen as the most promising control method. Egg parasitoids appear to be the most important natural enemies of this pest, especially the Asian hymenopteran Trissolcus japonicus. In the invaded areas, only a few egg parasitoid species have been able to adopt H. halys as a host. Anastatus bifasciatus is the most common native egg parasitoid of H. halys in Europe, but reaches only low levels of parasitization, while several other native species are only occasionally found. Recently, adventive populations have been found both in the USA and in Europe of T. japonicus, and in Italy of a second Asian species, Trissolcus mitsukurii. Species identification based on morphological traits by specialists or by molecular analysis is a crucial step in the management of biological control programs. The ability to identify the genus or species within a narrow guild of egg parasitoids based on adult emergence holes and meconium features can be a simple and useful method to support management efforts. We present here detailed descriptions of the meconium of the most frequent parasitoid species attacking H. halys in Europe and the characteristics of their emergence holes of the adult wasps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An editorial is presented highlighting Muslim immigration throughout the world including Europe, U.S., and China and their work-life balance in the workplace referring several authors on the topic. It notes Islamic faith and modern workplaces are easily manageable as there is no conflict between faith and HRM (Human Resources Management) practices. It mentions six articles discussed on strategic international (SI) HRM in the issue underlining the Muslim diaspora complexity.

Rationale: Lung cancer (LC) screening using low-dose chest computed tomography is now recommended in several guidelines using the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) entry criteria (age, 55-74; ≥30 pack-years; tobacco cessation within the previous 15 yr for former smokers). Concerns exist about their lack of sensitivity.Objectives: To evaluate the performance of NLST criteria in two different LC screening studies from Europe and the United States, and to explore the effect of using emphysema as a complementary criterion.Methods: Participants from the Pamplona International Early Lung Action Detection Program (P-IELCAP; n = 3,061) and the Pittsburgh Lung Screening Study (PLuSS; n = 3,638) were considered. LC cumulative frequencies, incidence densities, and annual detection rates were calculated in three hypothetical cohorts, including subjects who met NLST criteria alone, those with computed tomography-detected emphysema, and those who met NLST criteria and/or had emphysema.Measurements and Main Results: Thirty-six percent and 59% of P-IELCAP and PLuSS participants, respectively, met NLST criteria. Among these, higher LC incidence densities and detection rates were observed. However, applying NLST criteria to our original cohorts would miss as many as 39% of all LC. Annual screening of subjects meeting either NLST criteria or having emphysema detected most cancers (88% and 95% of incident LC of P-IELCAP and PLuSS, respectively) despite reducing the number of screened participants by as much as 52%.Conclusions: LC screening based solely on NLST criteria could miss a significant number of LC cases. Combining NLST criteria and emphysema to select screening candidates results in higher LC detection rates and a lower number of cancers missed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study explores a large set of OC and EC measurements in PM10 and PM2.5 aerosol samples, undertaken with a long term constant analytical methodology, to evaluate the capability of the OC/EC minimum ratio to represent the ratio between the OC and EC aerosol components resulting from fossil fuel combustion (OCff/ECff). The data set covers a wide geographical area in Europe, but with a particular focus upon Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom, and includes a great variety of sites: urban (background, kerbside and tunnel), industrial, rural and remote. The highest minimum ratios were found in samples from remote and rural sites. Urban background sites have shown spatially and temporally consistent minimum ratios, of around 1.0 for PM10 and 0.7 for PM2.5.The consistency of results has suggested that the method could be used as a tool to derive the ratio between OC and EC from fossil fuel combustion and consequently to differentiate OC from primary and secondary sources. To explore this capability, OC and EC measurements were performed in a busy roadway tunnel in central Lisbon. The OC/EC ratio, which reflected the composition of vehicle combustion emissions, was in the range of 0.3–0.4. Ratios of OC/EC in roadside increment air (roadside minus urban background) in Birmingham, UK also lie within the range 0.3–0.4. Additional measurements were performed under heavy traffic conditions at two double kerbside sites located in the centre of Lisbon and Madrid. The OC/EC minimum ratios observed at both sites were found to be between those of the tunnel and those of urban background air, suggesting that minimum values commonly obtained for this parameter in open urban atmospheres over-predict the direct emissions of OCff from road transport. Possible reasons for this discrepancy are explored. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The particulate carbon content of precipitation was investigated in samples collected at five background sites located over a west-east European transect, from the Azores, in the mid-Atlantic Ocean, to the Hungarian plain, in central Europe. Sampling was performed on an event basis and the particulate carbon (elemental carbon, EC, and water insoluble organic carbon, WIOC) content was concentrated on quartz filters for the subsequent analysis by a thermal optical method in order to separate the EC and WIOC fractions. The average EC concentrations range from low values at the Azores (2.8±4.3μgCL−1) and at the high mountain site of Sonnblick (5.2±3.7μgCL−1) to high values at the more inland sites of Schauinsland (28±38μgCL−1) and K-Puszta (24±24μgCL−1). The average WIOC concentrations range from 98±56μgCL−1 at the coastal site of Aveiro and 113±78μgCL−1 at the Azores to 358±194μgCL−1 at the continental site of K-Puszta. These results are discussed in terms of factors affecting the spatial distribution of particulate carbon, such as emissions from surrounding areas and prevalent meteorological conditions. EC is found to be a minor contributor to total particulate carbon present in rain and snow samples (from 2.5% to 15%). This is particularly true at the remotes sites, where the EC contribution to total particulate carbon is <6.5%, consistent with a negligible impact of anthropogenic combustions locally. The EC and WIOC scavenging ratios were estimated and compared with those of sulfate, also evaluated at the same sampling sites. The results indicated that EC is removed from the atmosphere by wet deposition less efficiently than WIOC, and in turn this species is removed less efficiently than sulfate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cross-supplies describe the phenomenon that two or more firms in the same industry supply each other with their final products. A prominent example is the cooperation in the European flat-glass industry, which was recently criticized by the European Commission. In a simple model we attempt to explain what incentives firms may have to use cross-supplies (instead of producing the goods themselves) and what welfare effects cross-supplies have if they are used. Contrary to the ruling of the European Commission we find that cross-supplies improve welfare whenever they are employed. Furthermore, for a large range of parameters, they even benefit consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work provides a detailed survey of the current state-of-art, progress and utilization of large-scale gasification systems (>3 MW th) in Europe, and identifies current challenges and future trends. The survey shows that Europe has been active in the implementation and development of large-scale gasification systems, with various trends occurring that reflect the need of new knowledge and cost-competitive technologies. Large-scale gasification processes are becoming increasingly considered for biofuels and biochemicals synthesis and the economy of generating renewable bioproducts from biomass is becoming more attractive than power. However, large-scale gasification plants still entail significant issues (e.g., biomass collection and processing, producer gas cleaning costs) that decrease the projects economic viability and may cause the interruption of operation of existing plants. This study shows that the commercial breakthrough of large-scale biomass gasification must be supported by: high integration of low-cost wastes as co-feedstocks, development of cost-efficient gas upgrading processes, usage of recognized operational strategies from demonstration/industrial plants (e.g., adjusting the availability and accessibility of catalytically active ash components), improvement of governmental policies (e.g., carbon tax increase) and integration of the process in comprehensive biorefinery designs. These aspects are mandatory for biomass gasification technologies to be able to represent an important role in the combat against climate change. • Review of the current state of industrial biomass gasification plants in Europe. • Current challenges and future trends regarding biomass gasification are defined. • Generating bioproducts from wastes is becoming more attractive than heat and power. • Large-scale biomass gasification processes are required for biorefinery integration. • Cost-efficient feedstocks and gas upgrading processes are main factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Acroclisoides sinicus is a pteromalid of Asian origin that has recently been detected in Europe and North America. It has been frequently found in association with several scelionid and eupelmid primary parasitoids of hemipteran eggs, including the brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys, leading us to suspect that A. sinicus is an obligate or facultative hyperparasitoid. Laboratory tests were conducted using pentatomid egg masses (H. halys, Acrosternum heegeri, and Dolycoris baccarum) parasitized by primary parasitoids, including Trissolcus japonicus, Trissolcus mitsukurii, Telenomus sp., Anastatus bifasciatus, and unparasitized H. halys egg masses, to test this hypothesis. Our studies confirmed that A. sinicus is an obligate hyperparasitoid of the pupal stage of scelionid primary parasitoids but not of eupelmid ones, at least under the tested conditions. Acroclisoides sinicus (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) was described in 1988 from China, but recent findings in Europe and North America within the framework of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) biological control indicate a Holarctic distribution. The few records and fragmented information on A. sinicus are derived from generic observations of other species belonging to the same genus, and its biological and ethological traits are still completely unexplored. It was suspected to be a facultative or obligate hyperparasitoid of many egg parasitoid species (e.g., Scelionidae and Eupelmidae), especially those parasitizing Pentatomidae eggs. Laboratory colonies of A. sinicus were established from specimens collected in the field in Europe and the USA, which allowed us to investigate for the first time the life traits of this somewhat enigmatic species. Our studies confirmed the obligate hyperparasitoid hypothesis for species of Scelionidae but not of Eupelmidae. Laboratory studies revealed that A. sinicus is extremely selective in its host recognition as only the pupal stage of its host species is exploited for parasitization. Taking into consideration its hyperparasitoid habit, the adventive A. sinicus populations in Europe and North America may potentially be severe threats to pentatomid natural control as new components in the trophic chain of pentatomids and their parasitoid guilds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emissions of trace gases (carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), total hydrocarbons (THC)), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from combustion of European beech, Pyrenean oak and black poplar in a domestic woodstove and fireplace were studied. These woods are widely used as biofuel in residential combustion in Southern and mid-European countries. VOCs in the flue gases were collected in Tedlar bags, concentrated in sorbent tubes and analysed by thermal desorption-gas chromatography–flame ionisation detection (GC–FID). CO2 emissions ranged from 1415 ± 136 to 1879 ± 29 g kg−1 (dry basis). The highest emission factors for CO and THC, 115.8 ± 11.7 and 95.6 24.7 ± 6.3 g kg−1 (dry basis), respectively, were obtained during the combustion of black poplar in the fireplace. European beech presented the lowest CO and THC emission factors for both burning appliances. Significant differences in emissions of VOCs were observed among wood species burnt and combustion devices. In general the highest emission factors were obtained from the combustion of Pyrenean oak in the woodstove. Among the VOCs identified, benzene and related compounds were always the most abundant group, followed by oxygenated compounds and aliphatic hydrocarbons. The amount and the composition of emitted VOCs were strongly affected by the wood composition, the type of burning device and operating conditions. Emission data obtained in this work are useful for modelling the impact of residential wood combustion on air quality and tropospheric ozone formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Gryon pennsylvanicum is a platygastrid hymenopteran that has lately received increasing attention in Europe due to its possible use in biological control of the conifer seed bug pest Leptoglossus occidentalis. Here the male reproductive system and the spermatogenesis of this species, along with those of Gryon muscaeformis, are examined ultrastructurally for the first time. The male genital system is formed by a pair of testes, each containing only one follicle, a pair of accessory glands and deferent ducts connected to a single ejaculatory duct. All the stages of spermatogenesis are described in detail. Characteristic features of the Gryon spp. sperm, which are 100 μm long, are the presence of a polygonal nucleus, only one mitochondrial derivative, the occurrence of the centriole adjunct and a typical insect 9 + 9 + 2 flagellar axoneme. The single derivative, however, results from a process in which one of the two mitochondria is lost during spermiogenesis. Unlike in other insects, two centrioles occur in spermatids as a consequence of the ameiotic parthenogenesis. These characteristics stand as a valuable tool for phylogenetic inferences. Furthermore this study suggests a useful strategy for laboratory mass rearing. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Author refers some data about prevalence and incidence of infection and morbidity in tubercular disease. These data are very discordant according to different social conditions of countries in which they are been derived. Particularly, he analyses the importance of an extended tuberculin survey, as the essential method to study both epidemiological parameters. In this paper, Author emphasizes how the test needs to be used systematically and in subjects of the same age. At last, mortality is more an indicator of the efficiency of the case finding and treatment programme than an epidemiological index. Indeed there is a parallel increase in the proportions of deaths of patients older than 45 years of age also in under-developing countries.