Polyphenolic profile of Cichorium intybus L. endemic varieties from the Veneto region of Italy

The present study was aimed at the investigation, through HPLCDAD-ESI-MS/MS, of polyphenols in seven autochthonous C. intybus varieties, already known from literature to contain various substances with antioxidant properties, from the Veneto region of Italy, namely 'Castelfranco', 'Chioggia', 'Rosa di Gorizia', 'Rosa di Verona', 'Treviso Precoce', 'Treviso Tardivo' and 'Verdon da Cortèl'. Thirteen polyphenols, belonging to hydroxycinnamic acid, flavone, flavonol and anthocyanin classes, were detected in most samples. The developed analytical method was validated in agreement with ICH guidelines. The total amount of polyphenols ranged from 52 to 386 (mean: 254) mg/100g fresh weight (F.W.). The results were further confirmed by Principal Composition Analysis (PCA), which highlighted peculiar features and similarities among analysed samples for each variety (except for 'Chioggia' samples). The developed method is suitable for routine analyses, as well as geographical characterization, selection of different C. intybus varieties and for the determination of related polyphenols dietary recommended intakes

Low-cost power gating solution to increase energy efficiency optimising duty cycling in wireless sensor nodes with power-hungry sensors

In this study, a solution focusing on energy efficiency of wireless sensor nodes is presented. Energy dissipation is a key factor affecting the usability of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) in that, in worst cases, in systems without electric mains, the life of a sensor node battery may last even only a few hours. The proposed solution is characterised by very low costs thanks to the use of a small number of electronic components: it allows the optimisation of duty cycling (i.e. the ratio between activity and inactivity periods of sensor nodes) by power gating the node (i.e. turning the whole circuitry off). In particular, this solution is useful for applications that use active power-hungry sensors that are sampled regularly 10 to 1000 times a day. The described power control logic system is able to optimise the duty cycling, notably reducing the power consumption during idle periods, thus increasing the battery life at best up to 100–200 times: this means that the autonomous operation time of a WSN can increase from a few days to several months or even to some years according to the required sampling rate

Integrating field survey on geo-environmental factors and orthophoto information to monitor coastal dune habitats – A pilot study to evaluate coastal dune vulnerability

Plants play a crucial role in coastal sand dune development, because they interact directly with wind action, preventing sand movement. Vegetation works like an obstacle, in fact it deforms air flow and prevents sediment transport causing the decrease of the energy transfer. The interaction between vegetation, sand and wind shapes the coastal landscape, which is characterised by a sequence of different plant communities in accordance to a sea-inland ecological gradient mainly determined by salt spray, substrate incoherence, nutrient scarcity, water deficit, and high irradiance. Coastal ecosystems can be difficult to monitor effectively in the field because of the heterogeneity and discontinuity of these habitats. Integrating field analysis on several environmental variables with vegetation coverage obtained by orthophotos can be a challenging method to monitor coastal dune habitats. In particular, the aim of the present research is to integrate abiotic and biotic information to develop a vulnerability index in order to determine the conservation status of coastal dunes. This study has been planned in two pilot sites: Migliarino - San Rossore - Massaciuccoli Regional Park in Italy (Mediterranean Sea), and Acarai National Park in Brazil (Atlantic Ocean). In both sites, the following data will be collected: a) distribution and coverage of the different plant communities classified in three natural cover types (pioneer annual vegetation, herbaceous vegetation growing on embryonic and mobile dunes, shrub and woody vegetation of fixed dunes); b) geomorphological and sedimentological information (such as topography and sediment transport rate); c) acquisition of a set of environmental parameters (wind speed and direction, ground temperature and humidity) by means of wireless sensor technology. Relationships between plant communities coverage, geomorphological and sedimentological data, and environmental variables are investigated through Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). An index of coastal dune vulnerability will be built integrating vegetation condition, geomorphological and sedimentological information, wind influence, and soil parameters. Results from the two pilot studies can be used for management and conservation planning

Assessing the Distribution of Exotic Egg Parasitoids of Halyomorpha halys in Europe with a Large-Scale Monitoring Program

The brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys is an invasive agricultural pest with a worldwide distribution. Classical biological control has been identified as the most promising method to reduce the populations of H. halys. Adventive populations of two candidates for releases, Trissolcus japonicus and Trissolcus mitsukurii, have recently been detected in Europe. To assess their distribution and abundance, a large-scale survey was performed. From May to September 2019, a wide area covering northern Italy and parts of Switzerland was surveyed, highlighting the expanding distribution of both Tr. japonicus and Tr. mitsukurii. Within four years after their first detection in Europe, both species have rapidly spread into all types of habitats where H. halys is present, showing a wide distribution and continuous expansion. Both exotic Trissolcus showed high levels of parasitism rate towards H. halys, while parasitization of non-target species was a rare event. The generalist Anastatus bifasciatus was the predominant native parasitoid of H. halys, while the emergence of native scelionids from H. halys eggs was rarely observed. The presence of the hyperparasitoid Acroclisoides sinicus was also recorded. This study provided fundamental data that supported the development of the first inoculative release program of Tr. japonicus in Europ

Attraction of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) haplotypes in North America and Europe to baited traps

Abstract Halyomorpha halys is a global invasive species, native to Southeast Asia, that is threatening agriculture in invaded regions. Our objectives were to: 1) establish the attractiveness of semiochemical stimuli paired with field-deployed traps in Europe (Greece, Hungary, Italy, and Switzerland), compared with Maryland, USA, and 2) identify H. halys haplotypes recovered from traps at each location. We found qualitatively identical patterns of capture between sites located across Europe and in Maryland, USA. In both regions, captures of H. halys adults indicated a synergistic response to traps baited with the two component H. halys aggregation pheromone, and pheromone synergist, methyl (2E, 4E, 6Z)-decatrienoate when compared with either individually. Haplotype diversity in Europe based on trapped specimens was much greater than the USA, with five new haplotypes described here, probably indicating ongoing invasion and re-introduction of H. halys. By contrast, a single, previously identified haplotype was trapped in Maryland, USA, representing a single introduction. All H. halys haplotypes responded to each semiochemical in apparent proportion to their frequency in the overall population based on independently derived information from prior work. Taken together, these data suggest that pheromone-based technology will be of global utility for the monitoring of this important invasive species