Dynamics of a structured slug population model in the absence of seasonal variation

We develop a novel, nonlinear structured population model for the slug Deroceras reticulatum, a highly significant agricultural pest of great economic impact, in both organic and non-organic settings. In the absence of seasonal variations, we numerically explore the effect of life history traits that are dependent on an individual's size and measures of population biomass. We conduct a systematic exploration of parameter space and highlight the main mechanisms and implications of model design. A major conclusion of this work is that strong size dependent predation significantly adjusts the competitive balance, leading to non-monotonic steady state solutions and slowly decaying transients consisting of distinct generational cycles. Furthermore, we demonstrate how a simple ratio of adult to juvenile biomass can act as a useful diagnostic to distinguish between predated and non-predated environments, and may be useful in agricultural settings

Demographic parameters of two populations of red coral (Corallium rubrum L. 1758) in the North Western Mediterranean

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New Oral Anticoagulants Versus Warfarin in Atrial Fibrillation After Early Postoperative Period in Patients With Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve

Background: The efficacy of novel nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) to prevent stroke is well assessed, but NOACs use in AF that occurs after bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement (AVR) is not endorsed. This retrospective real-world study evaluated the efficacy and safety of NOACs prescribed no earlier than 4 months after AVR as an alternative to warfarin in patients with AF. Methods: We pooled 1032 patients from the databases of 5 centers. Ischemic/embolic events and major bleeding rates were compared between 340 patients assuming NOACs and 692 prescribed warfarin. Propensity score matching was performed to avoid the bias between groups. Results: The NOACs vs warfarin embolic/ischemic rate was 13.5% (46 of 340) vs 22.7% (157 of 692), respectively, (hazard ratio [HR], 0.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37-0.75; P < .001), and the incidence rate was 3.7% vs 6.9% patients/year, respectively (log-rank test P = .009). The major bleeding rate was 7.3% (25 of 340) vs 13% (90 of 692) (HR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.33-0.84; P = .007), and the incidence rate was 2% vs 4% patients/year (log-rank test P = .002.) After propensity score matching, the NOACs vs warfarin embolic/ischemic rate was 13.1% (42 of 321) vs 21.8% (70 of 321) (HR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4-0.9; P = .02), and the incidence rate was 4.1% vs 6.7% patients/year (log rank test P = .01). The major bleeding rate was 7.8% (25 of /321) vs 13.7% (44 of 321) (HR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.31-0.86; P = .01), and the incidence rate was 2.4% vs 4.2% patients/year (log-rank P = .01). Conclusions: In a real-word study, NOACs use overcomes the indications provided by guidelines. This study evidenced that NOACs use in patients who developed AF after bioprosthetic AVR was more effective in prevention of thromboembolism and safe in reduction of major bleeding events compared with warfarin

Mitogenomics reveals two cryptic species in Ciona intestinalis

Individual mitochondrial genes or genomic features are commonly used as phylogenetic markers at many taxonomic levels. We used a mitogenomics approach to demonstrate the existence of two cryptic species in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis, a model chordate whose status as a single species has recently been questioned. Comprehensive comparative analysis of the mitochondrial genome of the two cryptic species revealed significant differences in gene order, size and number of noncoding regions, compositional features and divergence of protein-coding genes

Synergistic interaction of fatty acids and oxysterols impairs mitochondrial function and limits liver adaptation during nafld progression

The complete mechanism accounting for the progression from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not been elucidated. Lipotoxicity refers to cellular injury caused by hepatic free fatty acids (FFAs) and cholesterol accumulation. Excess cholesterol autoxidizes to oxysterols during oxidative stress conditions. We hypothesize that interaction of FAs and cholesterol derivatives may primarily impair mitochondrial function and affect biogenesis adaptation during NAFLD progression. We demonstrated that the accumulation of specific non-enzymatic oxysterols in the liver of animals fed high-fat+high-cholesterol diet induces mitochondrial damage and depletion of proteins of the respiratory chain complexes. When tested in vitro, 5α-cholestane-3β,5,6β-triol (triol) combined to FFAs was able to reduce respiration in isolated liver mitochondria, induced apoptosis in primary hepatocytes, and down-regulated transcription factors involved in mitochondrial biogenesis. Finally, a lower protein content in the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes was observed in human non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. In conclusion, hepatic accumulation of FFAs and non-enzymatic oxysterols synergistically facilitates development and progression of NAFLD by impairing mitochondrial function, energy balance and biogenesis adaptation to chronic injury

Polyacetylenes Bearing Chiral-Substituted Fluorene and Terfluorene Pendant Groups: Synthesis and Properties

The synthesis of the first polyacetylenes bearing chiral fluorene-based pendant groups is described. Poly{9,9-bis[(S)-3,7-dimethyloctyl]fluoren-2-ylacetylene} (PFA1), poly{9,9-bis[(S)-2-methylbutyl]- fluoren-2-ylacetylene} (PFA2), and poly{9,9,9′,9′,9′′,9′′-hexakis[(S)-2-methylbutyl]-7,2′;7′,2′′-terfluoren- 2-ylacetylene} (PFA3) have been obtained by Rh(I)-catalyzed polymerization of the corresponding terminal acetylene monomers 2-ethynyl-9,9-bis[(S)-3,7-dimethyloctyl]fluorene (2a), 2-ethynyl-9,9-bis[(S)-2-methylbutyl]fluorene (2b), and 2-ethynyl-9,9,9′,9′,9′′,9′′-hexakis[(S)-2-methylbutyl]-7,2′;7′,2′′-terfluorene (10). The effect of the alkyl chain length at the C-9 position of fluorene on the structural and conformational aspects of the polymers PFA1 and PFA2 as well as on their chiroptical properties was studied by XRD, DSC, TGA, GPC, UV-vis, and CD. A more planar conformation of the polyenic backbone of PFA1 with respect to PFA2 can be inferred by a red shift of the ð-ð* transition in the UV-vis spectra. Their photoluminescence properties are those typical of fluorene systems. CD measurements evidenced Cotton effects of opposite signs in correspondence of the backbone absorption region, ascribable to an excess of a screw sense of the helical conformations assumed by the two polymers. PFA3 revealed an amorphous structure and exhibited peculiar thermal stability features (as indicated by TGA and DSC). Its emission spectra interest the violet-blue region and do not show any substantial red shift passing from solution to solid state, thus pointing out an aggregation prevention of terfluorene groups by means of the polyacetylene backbone

approach to a water safety plan for recreational waters disinfection of a drainage pumping station as an unconventional point source of fecal contamination

Abstract In the context of the management of bathing water quality, the intermittent contamination of rainwater drainage pumps (unconventional point sources) could be controlled by peracetic acid disinfection. Thus, a field experimental study was carried out to set up a water safety plan, determining the monitoring parameters and the critical limit for corrective actions. With a 0.5 mg/l dosage, the average logarithmic microbial reduction was 0.50 ± 0.48 for Escherichia coli (EC) and 0.43 ± 0.54 for intestinal enterococci. Among the chemical and physical parameters that could be monitored in real time, the oxidation–reduction potential was the only one able to predict the microbial concentration discharged from a drainage pump and the logarithmic abatement of EC. Considering the possible impact of this source on bathing waters in terms of additional risk of gastrointestinal infections, the critical limit for continuous monitoring was established using a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) model

Bioactivators as a potential strategy for dredged marine sediment recovery

Sediment dredging from harbors and water bodies in order to maintain the navigation is a necessity worldwide; however, the storage and treatment of sediments is a problem for harbor managers. Sediment decontamination could represent a sustainable approach for turning them into a new source of environmentally reusable material. To manage the sediments dredged from the Livorno harbour, several possible recycling techniques are being explored, including sediment washing and bioremediation. A combination of these two techniques can also be taken into consideration. This study examines the feasibility of an enzyme enhanced bioremediation technology used as it is, or in combination with the sediment washing. Specifically, we applied an enhanced bioremediation approach to both raw sediments and two derivate granulometric fractions separated by a pilot sediment washing facility: a silt-clay fraction (63 \u3bcm<200 \u3bcm). The preliminary sediment washing was effective in concentrating the organic and inorganic contamination into a smaller volume of fine sediment particles (silt-clay). The bioremediation experiment, carried out in triplicate at mesoscale level, consisted in setting up containers of about 0.2 m3 each, filled with the three matrices (raw sediment, clay-silt and sand fractions) treated and untreated (control) with bioactivators (a mixture of microorganisms, enzymes and synergists). The physical, chemical and biological properties of sediments were determined at the initial sampling time (t0) and after three months (t90) from the beginning of the experimentation. The bioactivator application, providing specialized microorganisms and stimulating the growth of indigenous microorganisms, determined the increase in microbial respiration and in hydrolytic enzyme activities in all the treated matrices, in particular in the siltclay fraction. However, this fraction both treated and untreated, has not been able to degrade significant amount of organic pollutants. This is probably due to the burial of contaminats in micropores making them inaccessible to microorganisms and extracellular enzymes. On the contrary, a significant reduction in total petroleum hydrocarbon was observed in sand and raw sediment matrices after three months from remediation strategy application (about 50%), indicating the efficiency of the bioremediation technology

Experimental evidence of stochastic resonance without tuning due to non Gaussian noises

In order to test theoretical predictions, we have studied the phenomenon of stochastic resonance in an electronic experimental system driven by white non Gaussian noise. In agreement with the theoretical predictions our main findings are: an enhancement of the sensibility of the system together with a remarkable widening of the response (robustness). This implies that even a single resonant unit can reach a marked reduction in the need of noise tuning.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Cardiac surgery practice during the COVID-19 outbreak: A regionwide survey

Background: Health systems worldwide have been overburdened by the "COVID-19 surge". Consequently, strategies to remodulate non-COVID medical and surgical care had to be developed. Knowledge of the impact of COVID surge on cardiac surgery practice is mainstem. Present study aims to evaluate the regional practice pattern during lockdown in Campania. Methods: A multicenter regional observational 26-question survey was conducted, including all adult cardiac surgery units in Campania, Italy, to assess how surgical practice has changed during COVID-19 national lockdown. Results: All centers adopted specific protocols for screening patients and personnel. A significant reduction in the number of dedicated intensive care unit (ICU) beds (-30.0%±38.1%, range: 0-100%) and cardiac operating rooms (-22.2%±26.4%, range: 0-50%) along with personnel relocation to other departments was disclosed (anesthesiologists -5.8%±11.1%, range: 0-33.3%; perfusionists -5.6%±16.7%, range: 0-50%; nurses -4.8%±13.2%, range: 0-40%; cardiologists -3.2%±9.5%, range: 0-28.6%). Cardiac surgeons were never reallocated to other services. Globally, we witnessed dramatically lower adult cardiac surgery case volumes (335 vs. 667 procedures, P&lt;0.001), as institutions and surgeons followed guidelines to curtail non-urgent operations. Conclusions: This regional survey demonstrates major changes in practice as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this respect, this experience might lead to the development of permanent systems-based plans for future pandemic and may effectively help policy decision making when prioritizing healthcare resource reallocation during and after the pandemic