Effect of different mowing regimes on butterflies and diurnal moths on road verges

In northern and central Europe road verges offer alternative habitats for declining plant and invertebrate species of semi-natural grasslands. The quality of road verges as habitats depends on several factors, of which the mowing regime is one of the easiest to modify. In this study we compared the Lepidoptera communities on road verges that underwent three different mowing regimes regarding the timing and intensity of mowing; mowing in mid-summer, mowing in late summer, and partial mowing (a narrow strip next to the road). A total of 12,174 individuals and 107 species of Lepidoptera were recorded. The mid-summer mown verges had lower species richness and abundance of butterflies and lower species richness and diversity of diurnal moths compared to the late summer and partially mown verges. By delaying the annual mowing until late summer or promoting mosaic-like mowing regimes, such as partial mowing, the quality of road verges as habitats for butterflies and diurnal moths can be improved

Efecto de los distintos regímenes de siega de los márgenes de las carreteras sobre las polillas diurnas y las mariposas

In northern and central Europe road verges offer alternative habitats for declining plant and invertebrate species of semi–natural grasslands. The quality of road verges as habitats depends on several factors, of which the mowing regime is one of the easiest to modify. In this study we compared the Lepidoptera communities on road verges that underwent three different mowing regimes regarding the timing and intensity of mowing; mowing in mid–summer, mowing in late summer, and partial mowing (a narrow strip next to the road). A total of 12,174 individuals and 107 species of Lepidoptera were recorded. The mid–summer mown verges had lower species richness and abundance of butterflies and lower species richness and diversity of diurnal moths compared to the late summer and partially mown verges. By delaying the annual mowing until late summer or promoting mosaic–like mowing regimes, such as partial mowing, the quality of road verges as habitats for butterflies and diurnal moths can be improved.En Europa central y septentrional los márgenes de las carreteras constituyen hábitats alternativos para especies de invertebrados y plantas de los prados semi–naturales cuyas poblaciones se están reduciendo. La calidad de los márgenes de las carreteras como hábitats depende de diversos factores, de los cuales el régimen de siega es de los más fáciles de modificar. En este estudio se compararon las comunidades de lepidópteros de los márgenes de las carreteras que sufrieron tres regímenes distintos de siega, según el momento y la intensidad de la siega; siega a mediados del verano, siega a finales de éste, y siega parcial (una estrecha franja próxima a la carretera). Se estudiaron un total de 12.174 individuos y 107 especies de lepidópteros. Los márgenes segados a mediados de verano presentaban una menor riqueza de especies y abundancia de mariposas, y una menor riqueza de especies y diversidad de polillas diurnas, en comparación con los márgenes segados a finales de verano o segados parcialmente. Retrasando la siega anual hasta finales del verano, o promoviendo regímenes de siega en forma de mosaico, tales como la siega parcial, podría mejorarse la calidad de los márgenes de las carreteras como hábitats para las mariposas y las polillas diurnas

Change in physical activity and health-related quality of life in old age-A 10-year follow-up study

The aim of the study was to examine the association between change in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and change in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and symptoms of depression during a 10-year follow-up. This prospective study included 1036 men and women (mean age at baseline = 61.2 years) from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study. Leisure-time physical activity was measured with a questionnaire, HRQoL with SF36 and depression symptoms with Beck's depression inventory (BDI). The association between the change in LTPA and change in HRQoL and BDI were investigated with sex-stratified general linear models adjusted for age, smoking, educational attainment, comorbidity score, and baseline value of outcomes. One standard deviation (SD) increase in LTPA was associated with increase in physical summary component of HRQoL in women (B = 0.7 unit, 95% CI = 0.1-1.3, P = 0.032) and in men (B = 0.8 unit, 95% CI = 0.2-1.5, P = 0.014). In women, the 1SD increase in LTPA was also associated with an increase in mental summary component score (B = 1.0, 95% CI = 0.3-1.7, P = 0.005) and a reduction in depressive symptoms (B = -0.7, 95% CI = -1.1 to -0.2, P = 0.003). In conclusion, increase in the volume of LTPA over a 10-year period in late adulthood was associated with improved HRQoL in both men and women, and also diminished depressive symptoms in women. The findings support the promotion of physical activity in later years to enhance HRQoL and mental well-being.Peer reviewe

Monitoring microplastics in the atmosphere and cryosphere in the circumpolar North: A case for multi-compartment monitoring

The atmosphere and cryosphere have recently garnered considerable attention due to their role in transporting microplastics to and within the Arctic, and between freshwater, marine, and terrestrial environments. While investigating either in isolation provides valuable insight on the fate of microplastics in the Arctic, monitoring both provides a more holistic view. Nonetheless, despite the recent scientific interest, fundamental knowledge on microplastic abundance, and consistent monitoring efforts, are lacking for these compartments. Here, we build upon the work of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme’s Monitoring Guidelines for Litter and Microplastic to provide a roadmap for multi-compartment monitoring of the atmosphere and cryosphere to support our understanding of the sources, pathways, and sinks of plastic pollution across the Arctic. Overall, we recommend the use of existing standard techniques for ice and atmospheric sampling and to build upon existing monitoring efforts in the Arctic to obtain a more comprehensive pan-Arctic view of microplastic pollution in these two compartments

On the mechanism of the shape elongation of embedded nanoparticles

The mechanism of the shape elongation of metal nanoparticles (NPs) in silica, which is induced under swift heavy ion irradiation, is discussed with comparing the two candidates: (i) the synergy between the ion hammering and the transient melting of NPs by the inelastic thermal spike and (ii) the thermal pressure and flow model. We show that three experimental results are inconsistent with (i). The latter is supported by two-temperature molecular dynamics simulations, which simulate not only the atomic motions but also the local electron temperatures. A remarkable correlation was observed between the temporal evolution of the silica density around the ion trajectory and that of the aspect ratio of the NP later than similar to 1 ps after the ion impact, while no correlation was observed earlier than similar to 1 ps, even under the assumption of the instantaneous energy deposition.Peer reviewe

Seasonal patterns of outdoor PM infiltration into indoor environments: review and meta-analysis of available studies from different climatological zones in Europe

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Novel Biomarker Candidates for Febrile Neutropenia in Hematological Patients Using Nontargeted Metabolomics

Background. Novel potential small molecular biomarkers for sepsis were analyzed with nontargeted metabolite profiling to find biomarkers for febrile neutropenia after intensive chemotherapy for hematological malignancies. Methods. Altogether, 85 patients were included into this prospective study at the start of febrile neutropenia after intensive chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia or after autologous stem cell transplantation. The plasma samples for the nontargeted metabolite profiling analysis by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry were taken when fever rose over 38° and on the next morning. Results. Altogether, 90 differential molecular features were shown to explain the differences between patients with complicated (bacteremia, severe sepsis, or fatal outcome) and noncomplicated courses of febrile neutropenia. The most differential compounds were an androgen hormone, citrulline, and phosphatidylethanolamine PE(18:0/20:4). The clinical relevance of the findings was evaluated by comparing them with conventional biomarkers like C-reactive protein and procalcitonin. Conclusion. These results hold promise to find out novel biomarkers for febrile neutropenia, including citrulline. Furthermore, androgen metabolism merits further studies.</p

Parameter and model uncertainty in a life-table model for fine particles (PM2.5): a statistical modeling study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The estimation of health impacts involves often uncertain input variables and assumptions which have to be incorporated into the model structure. These uncertainties may have significant effects on the results obtained with model, and, thus, on decision making. Fine particles (PM_2.5) are believed to cause major health impacts, and, consequently, uncertainties in their health impact assessment have clear relevance to policy-making. We studied the effects of various uncertain input variables by building a life-table model for fine particles.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Life-expectancy of the Helsinki metropolitan area population and the change in life-expectancy due to fine particle exposures were predicted using a life-table model. A number of parameter and model uncertainties were estimated. Sensitivity analysis for input variables was performed by calculating rank-order correlations between input and output variables. The studied model uncertainties were (i) plausibility of mortality outcomes and (ii) lag, and parameter uncertainties (iii) exposure-response coefficients for different mortality outcomes, and (iv) exposure estimates for different age groups. The monetary value of the years-of-life-lost and the relative importance of the uncertainties related to monetary valuation were predicted to compare the relative importance of the monetary valuation on the health effect uncertainties.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The magnitude of the health effects costs depended mostly on discount rate, exposure-response coefficient, and plausibility of the cardiopulmonary mortality. Other mortality outcomes (lung cancer, other non-accidental and infant mortality) and lag had only minor impact on the output. The results highlight the importance of the uncertainties associated with cardiopulmonary mortality in the fine particle impact assessment when compared with other uncertainties.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>When estimating life-expectancy, the estimates used for cardiopulmonary exposure-response coefficient, discount rate, and plausibility require careful assessment, while complicated lag estimates can be omitted without this having any major effect on the results.</p