Assessing the Potential of Intra-specific Biodiversity towards Adaptation of Irrigated and Rain-fed Italian Production Systems to Future Climate

AbstractThe study addresses the biophysical dimension of adaptation. It illustrates and applies a framework to evaluate options for adaptation by identifying cultivars optimally adapted to expected climate conditions, building on existing crops intra-specific biodiversity. The aim is to reduce the vulnerability of current production systems without altering the pattern of current species and cultivation systems.Adaptability is assessed through a three-step approach that involves: 1) evaluation of indicators of expected thermal and hydrological conditions within the specific landscape and production system; 2) determination, for a set of cultivars, of cultivar- specific thermal and hydrological requirements to attain the desirable yield; 3) identification, as options for adaptation, of the cultivars for which expected climate conditions match the climatic requirements. The approach relies on a process-based simulation model of water flow in the soil-plant-atmosphere system for the calculation of hydrological indicators. Thermal indicators are derived by means of phenological models. Empirical functions of cultivars yield response to water availability are used to determine cultivar-specific hydrological requirements, whereas cultivars thermal requirements are estimated through phenological observations.In a future climate case (2021-2050) three case-studies are analyzed: 1) a system dominated by rain-fed crops (olive, winegrapes, durum wheat) in a hilly area of southern Italy; 2) irrigated fruit crops (peach, pear) in the Po Valley; 3) maize and tomato crop in an irrigated plain of southern Italy.Cultivars adapted to the future climate have been identified for rain-fed crops (e.g. 5 olive cvs). For irrigated crops we have evaluated adaptability for optimal and deficit irrigation schedules, accounting for site-specific soils hydrological properties. Options for adaptations have been identified as a combination of cultivars, soils and irrigation schedules (e.g 2 tomato cvs and 3 maize hybrids have been identified as options for adaptation at scarce water availability). Moreover, in the case of fruit crops, accounting for phenological changes highlighted the impact on irrigation water requirements of the interaction between phenology and the intra-annual distribution of precipitation

Prevalence of Chromosomally Integrated Human Herpesvirus 6 in Patients with Human Herpesvirus 6–Central Nervous System Dysfunction

AbstractWe identified 37 hematopoietic cell transplantation recipients with human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) central nervous system dysfunction and tested donor-recipient pairs for chromosomally integrated HHV-6 (ciHHV-6). One patient had ciHHV-6A with possible HHV-6A reactivation and encephalitis. There was no ciHHV-6 enrichment in this group, but larger studies are needed to determine if patients with ciHHV-6 are at increased risk for HHV-6–associated diseases or other complications

Recognitive Justice and Educational Inequalities: An Intersectional Approach Involving Secondary Grade School Students in Greece

Adopting the theoretical approach of recognitive justice and the degree of students’ recognitive experiences regarding empathy, respect, and social esteem, the present study focused on educational inequalities in the multicultural school and the factors that affect their appearance and reproduction. We examined the existence of social relations’ differences in a sample of 1303 students from 69 secondary schools in Greece, using a questionnaire constructed to investigate students’ recognitive experience of their relationships with teachers. By applying an intersectional approach, mainly through multiple regression analysis and multivariate interaction tests with MANOVA, we were able to identify that migrant students and students from families with a low educational level experienced a significantly lower degree of recognition, mainly with the forms of respect and social esteem, both in their relationships with teachers and with peers. Additionally, levels of recognition among teachers explained the large amount of variability in academic achievement and self-esteem, while higher levels of recognition among peers were a significant predictor of the respective students’ higher self-esteem. These deficits in recognition concern pedagogical practices that deprive these groups of students of opportunities and possibilities for equal participation in teaching and school life

Dense Water Formation in the North–Central Aegean Sea during Winter 2021–2022

The evolution and drivers of dense water formation (DWF) in the North–Central Aegean Sea (NCAeg) during winter 2021–2022 are studied using observations from two Argo floats and the output of an operational data-assimilating model. Dense water with σθ>29.1 kgm−3 was produced over most of the NCAeg, except for the northeastern part covered by Black Sea water (BSW), where the maximum surface density was 29 kgm−3. The highest density waters were produced over the central and southern parts of the Lemnos Plateau and in the shallow coastal areas between Chios Island and the Edremit Gulf. Atmospherically driven transformation to the east of Lesvos Island resulted in the production of waters with anomalously high density and salinity, which flowed inside Skiros Basin, thus partly explaining its historically higher density and salinity compared to the rest of the NCAeg subbasins. The Skiros and Athos Basins were ventilated down to σθ∼29.35 kgm−3 horizons. The 29.1 kgm−3 isopycnal rose by ∼200 m, and the 29.25 kgm−3 isopycnal overflowed above the ∼400 m sill depth filling the southern depressions of the NCAeg. Combining data from Argo floats, vessel casts, gliders, and a fixed-point observatory, the dense water produced in the NCAeg was observed spreading in the deep layer of the Central Cretan Sea for at least one and a half years after the formation. The cyclonic circulation of the newly formed water in the NCAeg has been observed directly for the first time using deep-drifting floats. The Eastern Mediterranean warming and salinification signal has propagated below the NCAeg sill depth. The winter average buoyancy loss was comparable to that of the peak of the Eastern Mediterranean transient (EMT) and other known years of DWF in the NCAeg; however, the high temperature of the upper layers due to long-term warming prevented the widespread formation of denser water

EXTENSION D'ARGO DANS LES ZONES CÔTIÈRES PEU PROFONDES ET EXTENSION DES COMMUNAUTÉS RÉGIONALES (PROJET EURO-ARGO RISE)

International audienceThe recent technological advances of the autonomous oceanographic monitoring platforms has allowed observations of unknown regions and dynamic processes that play a key role in the physical environment and marine ecosystem functioning. Under this context Euro-Argo RISE project aims towards the investigation of Argo extension in shallow coastal areas of European marginal seas (Black Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean Sea) as well as the seasonally ice-covered areas of the high latitudes (Arctic Ocean). Different fl oat confi gurations are tested whilst the development and implementation of operational systems to control the platforms are performed. Test deployments under Euro-Argo RISE have provided indications for the best settings, the optimization of fl oat missions and the improvement of the life expectancy and the sampling effi ciency in shallow coastal areas. In addition, guidelines and best practices for operating fl oats in seasonally ice-covered areas are provided. The reinforcement and expansion of the Argo infrastructure at a regional scale is performed by approaching the regional research community (also through the organization of workshops and political events) with the aim of: promoting Argo data, cooperation at sea, collaboration in technical activities, sharing best practice, knowledge and expertise

ÉTUDE DE LA CAPACITÉ DES FLOTTEURS ARGO À SURVEILLER LES ZONES CÔTIÈRES PEU PROFONDES DE LA MER MÉDITERRANÉE

International audienceThe extension of Argo float coverage to the European marginal seas is one of the strategic targets of the Euro-Argo European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC). Under this general framework, the Argo capability to monitor the shallow coastal shelf remains an open question. In the Euro-Argo RISE H2020 project, targeted deployments have been undertaken to investigate this potential. In this study, we present the experience and outcomes from 4 such deployments in areas of the Mediterranean Sea with intrigue coastlines and complex bathymetry (north Aegean, north Adriatic, south Palma, and Gulf of Lions). We focus on the floats’ configuration settings and the monitoring tools/software that have been utilized to follow the floats’ performance. Our results show that certain configuration parameters such as the drifting depth, and the sampling frequency, play a significant role in the floats‘ performance. Technological advances both on the floats’ characteristics and on the monitoring-controlling tools can lead to significant improvements of similar missions in the near future. The fact that all fl oats achieved successful missions and acquired data showing important hydrographic features, highlights the importance of Argo expansion in targeted shallow coastal areas where Argo can be a complementary part of an integrated oceanographic monitoring system for the Mediterranean Sea

ÉTUDE DE LA CAPACITÉ DES FLOTTEURS ARGO À SURVEILLER LES ZONES CÔTIÈRES PEU PROFONDES DE LA MER MÉDITERRANÉE

International audienceThe extension of Argo float coverage to the European marginal seas is one of the strategic targets of the Euro-Argo European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC). Under this general framework, the Argo capability to monitor the shallow coastal shelf remains an open question. In the Euro-Argo RISE H2020 project, targeted deployments have been undertaken to investigate this potential. In this study, we present the experience and outcomes from 4 such deployments in areas of the Mediterranean Sea with intrigue coastlines and complex bathymetry (north Aegean, north Adriatic, south Palma, and Gulf of Lions). We focus on the floats’ configuration settings and the monitoring tools/software that have been utilized to follow the floats’ performance. Our results show that certain configuration parameters such as the drifting depth, and the sampling frequency, play a significant role in the floats‘ performance. Technological advances both on the floats’ characteristics and on the monitoring-controlling tools can lead to significant improvements of similar missions in the near future. The fact that all fl oats achieved successful missions and acquired data showing important hydrographic features, highlights the importance of Argo expansion in targeted shallow coastal areas where Argo can be a complementary part of an integrated oceanographic monitoring system for the Mediterranean Sea