Genetic analysis of human and swine influenza A viruses isolated in Northern Italy during 2010–2015

Summary Influenza A virus (IAV) infection in swine plays an important role in the ecology of influenza viruses. The emergence of new IAVs comes through different mechanisms, with the genetic reassortment of genes between influenza viruses, also originating from different species, being common. We performed a genetic analysis on 179 IAV isolates from humans (n. 75) and pigs (n. 104) collected in Northern Italy between 2010 and 2015, to monitor the genetic exchange between human and swine IAVs. No cases of human infection with swine strains were noticed, but direct infections of swine with H1N1pdm09 strains were detected. Moreover, we pointed out a continuous circulation of H1N1pdm09 strains in swine populations evidenced by the introduction of internal genes of this subtype. These events contribute to generating new viral variants—possibly endowed with pandemic potential—and emphasize the importance of continuous surveillance at both animal and human level

Plant growth and survival of five introduced and two native/naturalized perennial grass genotypes exposed to two defoliation managements in arid Argentina

The field performance of the native Pappophorum vaginatum, the naturalized Eragrostis curvula and various cultivars of the introduced Achnatherum hymenoides and Leymus cinereus was evaluated as potential forage resources in rangelands of arid Argentina during the warm seasons of 2007/2008 and 2008/2009. Plants of these grass species, obtained from seeds, were transplanted to the field in 2006, when they were 1 year old. During the study years, there were two defoliation managements: plants of all study genotypes either remained undefoliated (controls) or were defoliated twice a year during spring at 5 cm stubble height. Despite tiller number being lower (P 0·05) between defoliation managements by mid-spring, there were no differences (P > 0·05) in dry weight production between defoliated and undefoliated plants in all genotypes at the end of the second growing season. Plants of one or more of the introduced genotypes showed a similar (P > 0·05) or greater (P 0·05) or greater (P 70%) or naturalized (>39%) genotypes at the end of the first or second growing seasons.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

La puesta en juego de la cultura física en programas socioeducativos del partido de Luján

Este escrito sintetiza algunos hallazgos de una investigación, realizada en el período 2008-2009 en el partido de Luján, que se propuso indagar algunas políticas públicas educativas, sociales y de salud en el ámbito del Estado. El objetivo general fue describir cómo son los programas y proyectos sociales, educativos y de salud implementados por el Estado (nacional, provincial y local), radicados en el Partido de Luján que incluyen contenidos de la cultura física; en tanto uno de los objetivos específicos del estudio se centró en conocer los perfiles del personal a cargo de las acciones; esto es ¿qué conocimientos y habilidades necesitan quienes intervienen en la planificación, implementación, desarrollo, conducción y evaluación de estas acciones?; ¿cómo es la formación, reconocimiento institucional y la supervisión de ese personal? y ¿qué significados otorgan a las acciones y prácticas que tienen a cargo? La presentación de este resumen en esta área y mesa de trabajo, es pertinente a la hora de compartir y/o reflexionar sobre las diferentes concepciones de ocio, tiempo libre y recreación que poseen quiénes practican la enseñanza en estos programas.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Water stress and temperature effects on germination and early seedling growth of Digitaria eriantha

This study focused on the two major processes critical for plant establishment: Seed germination and seedling survival. We determined the effects of (1) water stress and temperature on the germination, and (2) water stress on early seedling growth of Digitaria eriantha cv ‘Irene’. Seeds harvested in 2007 were used for temperature studies, and those coming from 2006 and 2007 for water stress studies. In 2009, viability decreased by 65.4% from 2006 to 2007. During the first twenty-four hours, germination was more than 50% at constant (30 or 35°C) than alternating (10/30 or 10/35°C) temperatures, although total germination was about 80% for all temperature treatments. Polyethylene glycol 8000 was used to impose water stress conditions. Germination percentages and coefficients of velocity decreased with decreasing water potentials. Early seedling growth was smaller at lower water potentials. D. eriantha cv ‘Irene’ appeared to germinate within a wide range of temperatures, but it varied greatly in germination response to water potentials. Results suggest that this species could be planted in late spring-early summer, when seedbed temperatures are increasing and soil moisture might still be adequate.Fil: Brevedan, Roberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida(i); Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Busso, Carlos Alberto. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida(i); ArgentinaFil: Fioretti, M. N.. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Toribio, M. B.. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Baioni, S. S.. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Torres, Yanina Alejandra. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida(i); ArgentinaFil: Fernandez, Osvaldo Alberto. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida(i); ArgentinaFil: Giorgetti, H. D.. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Asuntos Agrarios. Chacra Experimental de Patagones; ArgentinaFil: Bentivegna, Diego Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida(i); ArgentinaFil: Entío, J.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales; ArgentinaFil: Ithurrart, Leticia Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida(i); Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Montenegro, O.. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Asuntos Agrarios. Chacra Experimental de Patagones; ArgentinaFil: Mujica, M. de las M.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez, G.. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Asuntos Agrarios. Chacra Experimental de Patagones; ArgentinaFil: Tucat, Guillermo. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida(i); Argentin

Estimating canine cancer incidence: Findings from a population-based tumour registry in northwestern Italy

Background: Canine cancer registry data can be put to good use in epidemiological studies. Quantitative comparison of tumour types may reveal unusual cancer frequencies, providing directions for research and generation of hypotheses of cancer causation in a specific area, and suggest leads for identifying risk factors. Here we report canine cancer incidence rates calculated from a population-based registry in an area without any known specific environmental hazard. Results: In its 90 months of operation from 2001 to 2008 (the observation period in this study), the population-based Piedmont Canine Cancer Registry collected data on 1175 tumours confirmed by histopathological diagnosis. The incidence rate was 804 per 100,000 dog-years for malignant tumours and 897 per 100,000 dog-years for benign tumours. Higher rates for all cancers were observed in purebred dogs, particularly in Yorkshire terrier and Boxer. The most prevalent malignant neoplasms were cutaneous mastocytoma and hemangiopericytoma, and mammary gland complex carcinoma and simplex carcinoma. Conclusions: The Piedmont canine cancer registry is one of few of its kind whose operations have been consistently supported by long-term public funding. The registry-based cancer incidence rates were estimated with particular attention to the validity of data collection, thus minimizing the potential for bias. The findings on cancer incidence rates may provide a reliable reference for comparison studies. Researches conducted on dogs, used as sentinels for community exposure to environmental carcinogens, can be useful to detect excess risks in the incidence of malignant tumours in the human population

Water stress and temperature effects on germination and early seedling growth of <i>Digitaria eriantha</i>

This study focused on the two major processes critical for plant establishment: Seed germination and seedling survival. We determined the effects of (1) water stress and temperature on the germination, and (2) water stress on early seedling growth of Digitaria eriantha cv ‘Irene’. Seeds harvested in 2007 were used for temperature studies, and those coming from 2006 and 2007 for water stress studies. In 2009, viability decreased by 65.4% from 2006 to 2007. During the first twenty-four hours, germination was more than 50% at constant (30 or 35°C) than alternating (10/30 or 10/35°C) temperatures, although total germination was about 80% for all temperature treatments. Polyethylene glycol 8000 was used to impose water stress conditions. Germination percentages and coefficients of velocity decreased with decreasing water potentials. Early seedling growth was smaller at lower water potentials. D. eriantha cv ‘Irene’ appeared to germinate within a wide range of temperatures, but it varied greatly in germination response to water potentials. Results suggest that this species could be planted in late spring-early summer, when seedbed temperatures are increasing and soil moisture might still be adequate.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Water stress and temperature effects on germination and early seedling growth of <i>Digitaria eriantha</i>

This study focused on the two major processes critical for plant establishment: Seed germination and seedling survival. We determined the effects of (1) water stress and temperature on the germination, and (2) water stress on early seedling growth of Digitaria eriantha cv ‘Irene’. Seeds harvested in 2007 were used for temperature studies, and those coming from 2006 and 2007 for water stress studies. In 2009, viability decreased by 65.4% from 2006 to 2007. During the first twenty-four hours, germination was more than 50% at constant (30 or 35°C) than alternating (10/30 or 10/35°C) temperatures, although total germination was about 80% for all temperature treatments. Polyethylene glycol 8000 was used to impose water stress conditions. Germination percentages and coefficients of velocity decreased with decreasing water potentials. Early seedling growth was smaller at lower water potentials. D. eriantha cv ‘Irene’ appeared to germinate within a wide range of temperatures, but it varied greatly in germination response to water potentials. Results suggest that this species could be planted in late spring-early summer, when seedbed temperatures are increasing and soil moisture might still be adequate.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Water stress and temperature effects on germination and early seedling growth of <i>Digitaria eriantha</i>

This study focused on the two major processes critical for plant establishment: Seed germination and seedling survival. We determined the effects of (1) water stress and temperature on the germination, and (2) water stress on early seedling growth of Digitaria eriantha cv ‘Irene’. Seeds harvested in 2007 were used for temperature studies, and those coming from 2006 and 2007 for water stress studies. In 2009, viability decreased by 65.4% from 2006 to 2007. During the first twenty-four hours, germination was more than 50% at constant (30 or 35°C) than alternating (10/30 or 10/35°C) temperatures, although total germination was about 80% for all temperature treatments. Polyethylene glycol 8000 was used to impose water stress conditions. Germination percentages and coefficients of velocity decreased with decreasing water potentials. Early seedling growth was smaller at lower water potentials. D. eriantha cv ‘Irene’ appeared to germinate within a wide range of temperatures, but it varied greatly in germination response to water potentials. Results suggest that this species could be planted in late spring-early summer, when seedbed temperatures are increasing and soil moisture might still be adequate.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Evaluating susceptibility of karst dolines (sinkholes) for collapse in Sango, Tennessee, USA

Dolines or sinkholes are earth depressions that develop in soluble rocks complexes such as limestone, dolomite, gypsum, anhydrite, and halite; dolines appear in a variety of shapes from nearly circular to complex structures with highly curved perimeters. The occurrence of dolines in the studied karst area is not random; they are the results of geomorphic, hydrologic and chemical processes that have caused partial subsidence, even total collapse of the land surface, when voids and caves are present in the bedrock and the regolith arch overbridging these voids is unstable. In the study area, the majority of collapses occur in the regolith (bedrock cover) that bridges voids in the bedrock. Because these collapsing dolines can damage property and cause even the loss of lives, there is a need to develop methods for evaluating karst hazards; such methods can be used by planners and practitioners for urban and economic development, especially in regions with a growing population. The purpose of this project is threefold: 1) to develop a karst feature database, 2) to investigate critical indicators associated with doline collapse, and 3) to design a doline susceptibility model for potential doline collapse based on external morphometric data. The study revealed the presence of short range spatial dependence in the distribution of the dolines’ morphometric parameters such as circularity, geographic orientation of the main doline axes and the length-to-width doline ratios; therefore, geostatistics can be used to spatially evaluate the susceptibility of the karst area for doline collapse using the probability of occurrence of these critical parameters. The partial susceptibility estimates were combined into final spatial probabilities enabling the identification of areas where undetected dolines may cause significant hazards

Popolazione e memoria della guerra nel Ravennate, 1943-1945

Censimento dei caduti civili della provincia di Ravenna nella seconda guerra mondiale. Raccolta di testimonianze e di fotografie sul passaggio della guerra bel territorio. Analisi delle fonti e riflessioni di tipo metodologico