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Testudo hermanni hermanniis becoming seriously endangered throughout its range. It has a scattered distribution, with a small number of residual populations found in Spain, France and Italy. In this study we sampled a population ofT. h. hermannifrom Southern Tuscany (Massa Marittima, Grosseto), composed of native and introduced individuals (recognizable due to residual signs of previous marking on the carapace). Overall, 95% of the captured individuals were adults and the sex ratio was slightly, but not significantly, biased in favour of females. Population density was relatively high in comparison with other Italian populations, although it was doubled by previous reinforcement. Genetic analysis performed on six polymorphic microsatellite loci revealed a high level of genetic variability and heterozygosity, with no evidence of current inbreeding processes. Moreover, introduced individuals presented genotypes similar to those of the native individuals, thus suggesting that the reinforcement intervention did not cause a significant change in the original genetic pool. Nevertheless, long-term monitoring of the population is necessary to ensure its stability and vitality. Furthermore, to preserve the genetic identity of the local population in the future, uncontrolled translocation events should be avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mangrove snailCerithidea decollatafeeds on the ground at low water, and about two hours before high water climbsAvicennia marinatrunks settling 20–40 cm above the level that the incoming tide will reach. The moment thatC. decollatamust start to measure the vertical distance it has to creep up the trunk to avoid submersion corresponds to the point at which creeping switches from a horizontal to vertical movement (the “0” point). Two vertical movements interrupted by a short horizontal movement were added together; however, if the horizontal interruption was wider than 10 cm a new “0” point was set, and snails climbed higher than control snails, according to the level of the horizontal interruption, without adding the two vertical segments. Through forcing snails to both climb and descend, we observed that they do not appear to be capable of subtraction. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Urban habitats are increasing worldwide and represent new potential environments for many species of animals, in particular birds. As a result of contact with humans, urban wildlife can experience ecological and ethological modifications, mainly regarding parental and feeding behaviour. One of the most common birds in urban landscapes is the mallard, Anas platyrhynchos L., which is widespread in temperate regions. This study aimed to characterize two Italian populations of mallards living in a metropolitan area, from both an ecological and a genetic point of view. Field surveys were carried out for 27 consecutive months along two rivers, focusing on the biological cycle and reproductive behaviour of the mallard. The ecological results were integrated with molecular data, obtained by the analysis of 10 microsatellites, genotyped in the two urban, in a wild and in a captive-bred population. No significant changes in eco-ethological features of the mallards living in the urban area were observed, whereas the urban populations were genetically differentiated from the wild and the bred ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract Background The aim of the present study was to verify whether BNP might detect pre-clinical diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in type-2 diabetic patients. Methods One-hundred and twenty-seven consecutive outpatients with type-2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled into the study. Subjects with overt heart failure or NYHA class > 1, history of coronary artery disease, severe valvulopathy or chronic atrial fibrillation were excluded from the study. All patients underwent clinical evaluation, laboratory assessment of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and echocardiographic examination. Results No patients showed systolic impairment of left ventricular function, whereas diastolic dysfunction was detected in 53 (42%) cases (all impaired relaxation). Median BNP was 27 pg/ml without any significant difference between 76 patients with normal left ventricular function and 53 with diastolic dysfunction; in 54 (43%) patients showing HBA1C≥8 (uncontrolled diabetes) normal function was found in 32 and diastolic dysfunction in 22, with a significant difference of BNP at multivariate analysis (OR = 1.02, 95%CI = 1.05-1.09, p = 0.003). In uncontrolled diabetic cohort, BNP was a strong predictor for LVDD (OR = 2.7, 95%CI = 1.3-5.6, p = 0.006) along with the duration of diabetes (OR = 1.6, 95%CI = 1.1-2.9, p = 0.046). BNP > 25 pg/ml was a cut-off value with high accuracy to detect a LVDD. Discussion Early screening of high-risk patients for diabetic cardiomyopathy development might be useful to better control glycemic profile in order to reduce heart disease progression or even to reverse it Conclusions BNP could be a cheap, easy and useful tool to screen those ones with preclinical ventricular diastolic dysfunction in a subset of patients particularly prone to develop cardiovascular complications, like uncontrolled diabetic patients.

A correction to the article "Phylogeography of the threatened crayfish (genus Austropotamobius) in Italy: implications for its taxonomy and conservation," that was published in "Heredity," (2006), No. 97, is presented.

Abstract: We calculate the optical conductivity of small polarons in the Holstein and Holstein-t-J models, by applying the dynamical mean field theory. We show that the antiferromagnetic correlations tend to increase the region of the parameters where polaronic signatures are found in the optical spectra, and shift the polaronic absorption band to higher frequencies compared to the case of purely lattice polarons. On the other hand, the electron–lattice interaction is essential in order to have polaronic features in the optical absorption. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Optical and spectral properties of carriers in the presence of strong antiferromagnetic correlations and interacting with optical phonon modes are analyzed using Dynamical Mean Field Theory. We interpret the mid-infrared band in σ(ω) in term of mixed spin lattice polaronic excitations which arise from the stabilization of the lattice polaron due to the antiferromagnetic correlations. We compare our results with experimental data in NCCO showing that the doping and temperature dependences of the optical conductivity in this compound is naturally reproduced within a spin/lattice polaronic model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We employ dynamical mean-field theory to study the optical conductivity of one hole in the Holstein-t–J model. We provide an exact solution for in the limit of infinite connectivity. We apply our analysis to . We show that our model can explain many features of the optical conductivity in this compounds in terms of magnetic/lattice polaron formation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The importance of trace elements in ecotoxicological investigations is a well-known issue when monitoring polluted areas such as commercial harbors. Copper represents one of the most common metal contaminants, often detected in these areas as it is widely employed in various fields and has many sources of inflow in the marine environment. Pachygrapsus marmoratus is a widespread intertidal crab species that has been extensively studied in ecology, ethology and population genetics. Ecotoxicological studies have also been performed, exclusively on the adult stage. In the present study we investigated the mortality and biochemical (oxidative stress and neurotoxicity) responses of P. marmoratus larvae exposure to environmental relevant concentration of copper. Results showed dose-dependent responses in terms of larval mortality, with a calculated LC 50 value of 0.5 mg/L of Cu2+. The LC 50 concentration was used as the starting point for subsequent biochemical response evaluation. Results also demonstrated dose-dependent activation of antioxidant systems assuming a compensatory antioxidant activity to prevent higher cellular damage when larvae were exposed to the highest concentrations of copper. Moreover, a significant enhancement of neurotransmitter activities was observed, assuming a possible direct interaction of copper with the enzymes or an increase of free copper ion aliquot into the cells. Unlabelled Image • Dose dependent responses of larval mortality after both 24- and 48-h copper exposure • Dose dependent activation of antioxidant system of P. marmoratus larvae after copper exposure • Dose dependent variation in cholinesterase activities after copper exposure [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carrier dynamics of an organic molecular semiconductor, rubrene, was investigated by opticalpump terahertz-probe spectroscopy from 1 to 15 THz. At 294 K, a Drude-like response due to photogenerated hole carriers is observed below 8 THz. The real part δ 1 (ω) of the optical conductivity is suppressed below 2 THz, indicating the presence of a localization effect. Such a spectral feature was reproduced by a Drude-Anderson model including the effect of dynamical disorder due to intermolecular vibrations. At 50 K, the spectral weight of r δ (ω) due to photocarriers shifts to lower frequency below 4 THz and the suppression of r δ (ω) is hardly observed, which we associate with a reduction of thermal molecular motions. The overall photocarrier generation and recombination dynamics is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]