Comparative germination ecology of two endemic Rhaponticum species (Asteraceae) in different climatic zones of the Ligurian and Maritime Alps (Piedmont, Italy)

Comparative studies of seed germination of closely related taxa can help increase our understanding of the ecological limitations of cold-adapted plants and forecast how they might respond to global warming. No studies exist on the relationship between thermoclimatic belts that classify mountain life zones according to bioclimatic criteria and the germination strategy of alpine plants. The aim of this study was to assess this relationship using two closely related species growing in different thermotypes and to test whether their germination responses were related to the climate at natural sites. Fresh Rhaponticum bicknellii and R. scariosum seeds were cold stratified for 0, 30, 60 and 90 days and tested for germination at 10, 15 and 20 °C. At the same time, seed burial experiments were run in the field and in the plant nursery. A GLM analysis showed that the length of cold stratification affected significantly only the germination of R. bicknellii seeds, while increasing temperatures prompted germination in both species. We found that R. bicknellii adopts a drought-avoiding germination strategy, while R. scariosum germination is favoured by warm temperatures. Our findings support the general view that alpine plants do not share common germination requirements and that any conclusions should be interpreted from a biogeographical and bioclimatic perspective. Therefore, seed germination and seedling establishment of endemic alpine species can also be predicted by looking at the bioclimate of the species’ range

On the Mathematical and Geometrical Structure of the Determining Equations for Shear Waves in Nonlinear Isotropic Incompressible Elastodynamics

Using the theory of $1+1$ hyperbolic systems we put in perspective the mathematical and geometrical structure of the celebrated circularly polarized waves solutions for isotropic hyperelastic materials determined by Carroll in Acta Mechanica 3 (1967) 167--181. We show that a natural generalization of this class of solutions yields an infinite family of \emph{linear} solutions for the equations of isotropic elastodynamics. Moreover, we determine a huge class of hyperbolic partial differential equations having the same property of the shear wave system. Restricting the attention to the usual first order asymptotic approximation of the equations determining transverse waves we provide the complete integration of this system using generalized symmetries.Comment: 19 page

The RIBES strategy for ex situ conservation: conventional and modern techniques for seed conservation

The Italian seed bank network (RIBES) aims to improve the quality and safety of the germplasm reserves of native plant species in Italy to ensure the long-term conservation of endangered and/or endemic flora. The strategy includes traditional methods to secure seed conservation. A comprehensive priority list for seed collection is being defined, it was prepared by crossing data of various checklists (red lists, endemics) and will soon be cross-referenced with an updated list of accessions of the whole network. A safety-backup program of duplicates will quickly be implemented to secure the conservation of the most threatened species in at least two seed banks of the network. On the other hand, the RIBES strategy also includes research by applying modern techniques. In collaboration with the Millennium Seed Bank, research on the storage behaviour of seeds and spores through thermal analysis is ongoing to inform conservation. Using the Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), we could evaluate seed lipid properties such as glass transition temperature, melting, crystallization, oxidation behaviour, and thermal stability. Finally, RIBES participates as a co-funder in the LIFE Nature project SEEDFORCE, coordinating 11 seed banks of the network for collecting seeds/spores of 29 threatened species of EU interest

The RIBES strategy for ex situ conservation: conventional and modern techniques for seed conservation

The Italian seed bank network (RIBES) aims to improve the quality and safety of the germplasm reserves of native plant species in Italy to ensure the long-term conservation of endangered and/or endemic flora. The strategy includes traditional methods to secure seed conservation. A comprehensive priority list for seed collection is being defined, it was prepared by crossing data of various checklists (red lists, endemics) and will soon be cross-referenced with an updated list of accessions of the whole network. A safety-backup program of duplicates will quickly be implemented to secure the conservation of the most threatened species in at least two seed banks of the network. On the other hand, the RIBES strategy also includes research by applying modern techniques. In collaboration with the Millennium Seed Bank, research on the storage behaviour of seeds and spores through thermal analysis is ongoing to inform conservation. Using the Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), we could evaluate seed lipid properties such as glass transition temperature, melting, crystallization, oxidation behaviour, and thermal stability. Finally, RIBES participates as a co-funder in the LIFE Nature project SEEDFORCE, coordinating 11 seed banks of the network for collecting seeds/spores of 29 threatened species of EU interest

Studying complex interventions : reflections from the FEMHealth project on evaluating fee exemption policies in West Africa and Morocco

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Treatment of Infections in Young Infants in Low- and Middle-Income Countries:A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Frontline Health Worker Diagnosis and Antibiotic Access

BACKGROUND: Inadequate illness recognition and access to antibiotics contribute to high case fatality from infections in young infants (<2 months) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to address three questions regarding access to treatment for young infant infections in LMICs: (1) Can frontline health workers accurately diagnose possible bacterial infection (pBI)?; (2) How available and affordable are antibiotics?; (3) How often are antibiotics procured without a prescription? METHODS AND FINDINGS: We searched PubMed, Embase, WHO/Health Action International (HAI), databases, service provision assessments (SPAs), Demographic and Health Surveys, Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys, and grey literature with no date restriction until May 2014. Data were identified from 37 published studies, 46 HAI national surveys, and eight SPAs. For study question 1, meta-analysis showed that clinical sign-based algorithms predicted bacterial infection in young infants with high sensitivity (87%, 95% CI 82%-91%) and lower specificity (62%, 95% CI 48%-75%) (six studies, n = 14,254). Frontline health workers diagnosed pBI in young infants with an average sensitivity of 82% (95% CI 76%-88%) and specificity of 69% (95% CI 54%-83%) (eight studies, n = 11,857) compared to physicians. For question 2, first-line injectable agents (ampicillin, gentamicin, and penicillin) had low variable availability in first-level health facilities in Africa and South Asia. Oral amoxicillin and cotrimoxazole were widely available at low cost in most regions. For question 3, no studies on young infants were identified, however 25% of pediatric antibiotic purchases in LMICs were obtained without a prescription (11 studies, 95% CI 18%-34%), with lower rates among infants <1 year. Study limitations included potential selection bias and lack of neonatal-specific data. CONCLUSIONS: Trained frontline health workers may screen for pBI in young infants with relatively high sensitivity and lower specificity. Availability of first-line injectable antibiotics appears low in many health facilities in Africa and Asia. Improved data and advocacy are needed to increase the availability and appropriate utilization of antibiotics for young infant infections in LMICs. REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews (CRD42013004586). Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary

Assessing the effects of removing user fees in Zambia and Niger.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to overcome some of the limitations of previous studies investigating the effects of fee removal, by looking at heterogeneity of effects within countries and over time, as well as the existence of spill-over effects on groups not targeted by the policy change. METHODS: Using routine district health services data before and after recent abolitions of user charges in Zambia and Niger, we examine the effects of the policy change on the use of health services by different groups and over time, using an interrupted timeseries design. RESULTS: Removing user fees for primary health care services in rural districts in Zambia and for children over five years old in Niger increased use of services by the targeted groups. The impact of the policy change differed widely across districts, ranging from +12% and +194% in Niger to -39% and +108% in Zambia. Eighteen months after the policy change, some of these effects had been eroded. There was evidence that abolishing user fees can both have positive and negative spillover effects. CONCLUSION: These results highlight the importance of paying attention to implementation challenges and monitoring the effects of policy reforms which are often more mixed and complicated that they appear. The comparison of these reforms in two countries also sheds light on the potentially different ways in which free care can be used as a tool to improve access