Altitude and vegetation affect soil organic carbon, basal respiration and microbial biomass in apennine forest soils

Both altitude and vegetation are known to affect the amount and quality of soil organic matter (SOM) and the size and activity of soil microbial biomass. However, when altitude and vegetation changes are combined, it is still unclear which one has a greater effect on soil chemical and biochemical properties. With the aim of clarifying this, we tested the effect of altitude (and hence temperature) and vegetation (broadleaf vs pine forests) on soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil microbial biomass and its activity. Soil sampling was carried out in two adjacent toposequences ranging from 500 to 1000ma.s.l. on a calcareous massif in central Italy: one covered only by Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold forests, while the other covered by Quercus pubescens Willd., Ostrya carpinifolia Scop. and Fagus sylvatica L. forests, at 500, 700 and 1000 m a.s.l., respectively. The content of SOC and water-extractable organic carbon (WEOC) increased with altitude for the pine forests, while for the broadleaf forests no trend along the slope occurred, and the highest SOC and WEOC contents were observed in the soil at 700 m under the Ostrya carpinifolia forest. With regard to the soil microbial community, although the size of the soil microbial biomass (Cmic) generally followed the SOC contents along the slope, both broadleaf and pine forest soils showed similar diminishing trends with altitude of soil respiration (\u3a3CO2-C), and \u3a3CO2-C:WEOC and \u3a3CO2-C:Cmic ratios. The results pointed out that, although under the pine forests' altitude was effective in affecting WEOC and SOC contents, in the soils along the broadleaf forest toposequence this effect was absent, indicating a greater impact of vegetation than temperature on SOC amount and pool distribution. Conversely, the similar trend with altitude of the microbial activity indexes would indicate temperature to be crucial for the activity of the soil microbial community

Assessment of water quality and soil salinity in the agricultural coastal plain (Ravenna, North Italy)

To improve knowledge on salt leaching suitability on different soils, in Arenosols and Cambisols croplands in the coastal area of Ravenna (Italy), soil samples were collected in the non-irrigation winter period and irrigation summer period. Concurrently, waters of the canal network were also investigated. Soil samples were analyzed for pH, carbonate, total organic carbon (TOC), particle size distribution, electrical conductivity (EC), bulk density (BD) and water content at field capacity (FC). Water samples were investigated for pH, EC, biological and chemical oxygen demand, sodium adsorption ratio, phosphorus, nitrogen, sulfates and chlorides. All soils had low TOC concentrations and Arenosols showed the lowest clay content, BD and FC. Soils had similar EC values in winter, but in summer the lowest ones were observed in Arenosols, suggesting that irrigation mitigated salinization in Arenosols, while the high clay content, BD and FC prevented or limited the salt leaching in Cambisols. In summer, the increase of total nitrogen and biological oxygen demand, especially in drainage channels, might suggest the leaching of soluble nutrients and organic matter from soils due to the high irrigation water volumes. Finally, our findings stress the need to consider soil type and properties to contrast soil salinization without negative effects on soil C leaching caused by salt leaching practice

Pedodiversity and Organic Matter Stock of Soils Developed on Sandstone Formations in the Northern Apennines (Italy)

Pedodiversity is considered the cornerstone of biodiversity. This work aimed to (1) assess pedodiversity according to vegetation, topographic factors, and lithology and to (2) identify the major soil-forming factors on soil organic matter (SOM) stock at a 0-30 cm depth. These goals were reached using data from 147 georeferenced soil profiles distributed along 400-1000 m (<= 1000) and 1000-2134 m (>1000) altitudinal gradients in the northern part of the Apennine chain in Italy. Soils showed mainly weak or incipient development (i.e., Entisols and Inceptisols), which could be attributed to sand-based lithology, high slope gradients, and low SOM accumulation rates, which promote soil erosion processes. However, higher pedodiversity was observed at >1000 m than at <= 1000 m, likely due to the higher vegetation cover diversity and climate variability; Spodosols and Mollisols were also found. A greater SOM stock was found at >1000 than <= 1000 m, and vegetation seemed to not affect SOM amounts, suggesting a greater influence of climate on SOM content compared to vegetation. Considering ecosystem conservation, the observed spatial pedodiversity could be considered a critical basis for the protection of soil resources and pedodiversity itself in mountain regions

Realization and characterization of graphitic contacts on diamond by means of laser

This work deals with the realization and characterization of integrated graphitic contacts on diamond by means of laser irradiation (graphitization), in order to obtain good quality ohmic electrodes for nuclear radiation detectors to be used in high energy physics experiments. Unlike the conventional method used for the electrode production, which requires numerous steps and very well controlled environmental conditions, this alternative technique presents many advantages: the contacts are realized in air at room temperature in a single step. In this study, the characteristics of several graphitic structures realized on a diamond surface by changing the radiation-matter interaction parameters have been evaluated in order to define the best experimental conditions to create graphitic electrodes with low resistivity. The obtained results are promising: contacts perfectly adherent, with good charge collection properties, stable and resistant to ionizing radiation

Diamond detectors with electrodes graphitized by means of laser

In the last years there has been an increase of interest in diamond devices because of the promising applications in different field, such as high-energy physics, radiotherapy and biochemical applications. In particular, a new frontier is represented by the realization of full-carbon detectors characterized by graphite electrodes, which give to the devices considerable advantages like high radiation hardness, perfect mechanical adhesion and good charge collection properties. In this paper the manufacturing of full-carbon devices and their detection performances are illustrated and compared to a reference diamond detector characterized by traditional electrodes

Performance of the diamond active target prototype for the PADME experiment at the DAΦ\PhiNE BTF

The PADME experiment at the DA$\Phi$NE Beam-Test Facility (BTF) is designed to search for the gauge boson of a new $\rm U(1)$ interaction in the process e$^+$e$^-\rightarrow\gamma$+$\rm A'$, using the intense positron beam hitting a light target. The $\rm A'$, usually referred as dark photon, is assumed to decay into invisible particles of a secluded sector and it can be observed by searching for an anomalous peak in the spectrum of the missing mass measured in events with a single photon in the final state. The measurement requires the determination of the 4-momentum of the recoil photon, performed by a homogeneous, highly segmented BGO crystals calorimeter. A significant improvement of the missing mass resolution is possible using an active target capable to determine the average position of the positron bunch with a resolution of less than 1 mm. This report presents the performance of a real size $\rm (2x2 cm^2)$ PADME active target made of a thin (50 $\mu$m) diamond sensor, with graphitic strips produced via laser irradiation on both sides. The measurements are based on data collected in a beam test at the BTF in November 2015.Comment: 7 pages, 10 figure

Exploring the canal environment in terms of water, bed sediments and vegetation in a reclaimed floodplain of Northern Italy

The Po plain (Italy) is one of the largest floodplains in Europe that needs environmental restoration. To achieve this goal, the knowledge of the 'environment' (water, bed sediments and vegetation) of the canals crossing such floodplain is necessary. The water flow of the canals was kept low for hydraulic safety purposes from October to March (NIR), and high for irrigation purposes from April to September (IR). Within this framework, this study aimed to assess in 9 sites of the east part of Po plain 1) the canals' environment quality in terms of vegetation diversity, and water and bed sediment physicochemical properties; and 2) how these features are influenced by canal managements and landscape properties. Water was monthly sampled both in NIR and IR periods, the bed sediments were sampled in summer and winter pe-riods, while the vegetation was recorded in spring and autumn. The low water flow during NIR worsened the water quality by increasing the concentrations of nutrients and salts. A higher salt and nutrient concentrations were observed both in water and bed sediments of canals crossing areas with fne texture alluvial deposits than in those flowing through medium texture alluvial deposits. Further, higher nutrient and salt concentrations were observed for the ca-nals used as collectors of the water coming from other canals. Despite the differences observed for the bed sediments and water quality, the vegetation type and biodiversity did not show differences among the study sites probably be-cause affected by the land use of the surrounding landscape. Indeed, the canals cross agricultural land which limit the developments of natural vegetation and do not promote plant biodiversity. Overall, the present study found out the key role of landscape properties and canal managements on 'canal environment' quality which need to be consid-ered to perform an appropriate reclamation of such environments

Suplemento alimenticio en colonias de abejas para la mejora del servicio de polinización de kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa Liang & Ferguson) (Actinidiaceae: Theales)

El modelo actual de agricultura determina una disminución en los hábitats seminaturales lo que conduce a una mala nutrición de las colonias de abejas, las cuales generalmente necesitan ser suplementadas con alimentos. Las abejas se utilizan para transferir polen entre plantas de kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa Liang & Ferguson masculina y femenina, aumentando así la calidad de la fruta y el rendimiento de los cultivos. El objetivo principal fue determinar el efecto de la estimulación de las colonias de Apis mellifera L. con suministros alimentarios estándar sobre la recolección de polen de kiwi. Los tratamientos (n= 5 colmenas cada uno) se realizaron en un huerto de kiwis en Mar del Plata, Argentina: Grupo J/A: suministrado con jarabe de azúcar (2:1) + suplemento proteico líquido (“Apipromotor®”); Grupo J/P: suministrado con jarabe de azúcar (2:1) + suplemento de proteínas sólidas ("patty"); Grupo J: suministrado con jarabe de azúcar (2:1); Grupo C: control, no suministrado. Las colonias abastecidas con J, J/P y J/A recolectaron más polen de kiwifruit que el tratamiento control, incluso bajo la presencia de otras especies florales en áreas cercanas. Aunque las abejas recolectaron la mayor parte del polen de otras especies de plantas de hábitats seminaturales, los tratamientos bajo estimulación artificial (J/P, J/A y J) pueden mejorar significativamente el servicio de polinización de kiwis que realizan las abejas.The current agriculture model determines a decrease in semi-natural habitats leading to poor nutrition for honeybee colonies, which usually need to be food supplemented. Honeybees are used to transfer pollen between male and female kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosaLiang & Ferguson) plants, increasing fruit quality and crop yield. Our main goal was to determine the effect of stimulating Apis mellifera L. colonies with standard food supplies on the collection of kiwifruit pollen. However, honey bees can also forage other flowering species in the crop site´s surrounding areas. We selected kiwifruit as a model to analyze the effects of food supply on pollen collection of the target crop. The following experimental treatments (n = 5 hives each were conducted in a kiwifruit orchard in Mar del Plata, Argentina: Group J/A: supplied with sugar syrup (2:1 + liquid protein supplements ("Apipromotor ®"; Group J/P: supplied with sugar syrup (2:1 + solid protein supplements ("patty";Group J: supplied with sugar syrup (2:1; Group C: control, not supplied. Colonies supplied with J, J/P and J/A collected more kiwifruit pollen than the other two treatments, even under other flowering species in areas nearby. Although honeybees collected most pollen from other plant species of semi-natural habitats, J/P, J, and J/A treatments can significantly improve the honeybees´ kiwifruit pollination service.Fil: de Piano, Fiorella Giselle. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones En Produccion, Sanidad y Ambiente. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones En Produccion, Sanidad y Ambiente.; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Meroi Arcerito, Facundo René. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones En Produccion, Sanidad y Ambiente. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones En Produccion, Sanidad y Ambiente.; Argentina. Ministerio de Ciencia. Tecnología e Innovación Productiva. Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica; ArgentinaFil: De Feudis, Leonardo. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Basilio, Alicia M.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Galetto, Leonardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Eguaras, Martin Javier. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones En Produccion, Sanidad y Ambiente. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones En Produccion, Sanidad y Ambiente.; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Maggi, Matías Daniel. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones En Produccion, Sanidad y Ambiente. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones En Produccion, Sanidad y Ambiente.; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentin

Cell cycle perturbations and apoptosis induced by isohomohalichondrin B (IHB), a natural marine compound

Isohomohalichondrin B (IHB), a novel marine compound with anti-tumoral activity, extracted from the Lissodendorix sponge, inhibits GTP binding to tubulin, preventing microtubule assembly. Cell cycle perturbations and apoptosis induced by IHB were investigated on selected human cancer cell lines by using flow cytometric and biochemical techniques. Monoparameter flow cytometric analysis showed that 1 h IHB exposure caused a delayed progression through S-phase, a dramatic block in G2M phase of the cell cycle and the appearance of tetraploid cell population in LoVo, LoVo/DX, MOLT-4 and K562 cells. At 24 h after IHB exposure, the majority of cells blocked in G2M were in prophase as assessed by morphological analysis and by the fact that they expressed high levels of cyclin A/cdc2 and cyclin B1/cdc2. At 48 h, all cells were tetraploid as assessed by biparameter cyclin A/DNA and cyclin B1/DNA content analysis. Apoptotic death was detected in both leukaemic MOLT-4 and K562 cells, which express wild-type and mutated p53 respectively, when the cells were blocked in mitotic prophase. In conclusion, IHB is a novel potent anti-tumour drug that causes delayed S-phase progression, mitotic block, tetraploidy and apoptosis in cancer cell lines. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaig

The importance of incorporating soil in the life cycle assessment procedure to improve the sustainability of agricultural management

The formidable ability of soil to store carbon has attracted an increasing number of studies, but few of them included soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration as part of a carbon balance assessment in the agroecosystem. This raises some interesting questions: 1) how orchards conversion increase soil capacity to mitigate the green–house gases (GHG) emissions by storing C? 2) can it be considered in life cycle assessment (LCA)? 3) can SOC pools and soil biochemical properties determination improve LCA interpretation? To answer these questions, this study selected a ten– and fifteen–years–old peach orchards, a twenty–years–old pear orchard, a thirty–years–old kiwi orchard in south-east part of Emilia–Romagna Region (Italy), and a cereals’ field as reference. Soil samples were collected from 0 to 15 and 15–30 cm depths, and the SOC pool amounts (i.e., labile and recalcitrant) determined. LCA was used to estimate the GHG emissions (CO2eq) from the orchards. Results showed that the conversion from cereals to orchard production increased OC stock (+82 % on average) suggesting that orchards cultivation systems have the capacity to enrich soil organic matter. Fertilization had the greatest impact on CO2eq emission accounting for at least 40 % of total CO2eq emissions. Kiwi cultivation had the highest impact on GHG emissions mainly due to the high water and nutrient demand (0.045 and 0.149 kg CO2eq kg−1 fruit yr−1, respectively). When taking into account the C–CO2eq loss by fruit cultivation and C storage in soils, results would indicate that peach and pear orchard agroecosystems promote C sequestration. Conversely, kiwi cultivation showed large CO2eq emissions only partly counterbalanced by SOC sequestration. This study highlights the importance of including soils in LCA: if made mandatory this would allow a wider, yet more detailed, picture of the impact of agricultural practices on C budget. This simple step could help optimise resource management and at the same time improve agroecosystem sustainability