Multidisciplinary studies on a sick-leader syndrome-associated mass stranding of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) along the Adriatic coast of Italy

Mass strandings of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) are rare in the Mediterranean Sea. Nevertheless, in 2014 a pod of 7 specimens stranded alive along the Italian coast of the Central Adriatic Sea: 3 individuals died on the beach after a few hours due to internal damages induced by prolonged recumbency; the remaining 4 whales were refloated after great efforts. All the dead animals were genetically related females; one was pregnant. All the animals were infected by dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) and the pregnant whale was also affected by a severe nephropathy due to a large kidney stone. Other analyses ruled out other possible relevant factors related to weather conditions or human activities. The results of multidisciplinary post-mortem analyses revealed that the 7 sperm whales entered the Adriatic Sea encountering adverse weather conditions and then kept heading northward following the pregnant but sick leader of the pod, thereby reaching the stranding site. DMV infection most likely played a crucial role in impairing the health condition and orientation abilities of the whales. They did not steer back towards deeper waters, but eventually stranded along the Central Adriatic Sea coastline, a real trap for sperm whales

Field Assessment of the Host Range of Aculus mosoniensis (Acari: Eriophyidae), a Biological Control Agent of the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)

Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a fast-growing deciduous tree native to China, considered a serious invasive species worldwide, with several socio-economic and ecological impacts attributed to it. Chemical and mechanical methods have limited efficacy in its management, and biological controls may offer a suitable and sustainable option. Aculus mosoniensis (Ripka) is an eriophyid mite that has been recorded to attack tree of heaven in 13 European countries. This study aims to explore the host range of this mite by exposing 13 plant species, selected either for their phylogenetic and ecological similarity to the target weed or their economic importance. Shortly after inoculation with the mite, we recorded a quick decrease in mite number on all nontarget species and no sign of mite reproduction. Whereas, after just one month, the population of mites on tree of heaven numbered in the thousands, irrespective of the starting population, and included both adults and juveniles. Significantly, we observed evidence of damage due to the mite only on target plants. Due to the specificity, strong impact on the target, and the ability to increase its population to high levels in a relatively short amount of time, we find A. mosoniensis to be a very promising candidate for the biological control of tree of heaven

Injected Anchors For The Seismic Retrofit Of Historical Masonry Buildings: Experimental Study On Brick Masonry

The paper reports the results of a research on the behaviour of injected anchors in historical masonry under cyclic loads. Tests in laboratory with masonry specimens (bricks and mortar with low characteristics to replicate a real historical masonry) were conducted to analyse the response of steel anchors injected with a special sock and with different sorts of mortar (cement and lime based). The test benches replicate the real condition of the use of these anchors: to connect masonry panels (T and L connections) or to anchor steel ties to contrast the arch thrust. Monotone and cyclic pull out tests were conducted on short and long anchors (injected orthogonally and lengthwise to the masonry main plane) to compare the results and to define the loss of strength under cyclic loads for different situations. The results allowed to obtain: 1) construction of load-displacement graphs, up to the maxi- mum load value (maximum strength) of each anchor and the related displacement; 2) steel bar deformation graphs on the length of the anchors (thanks to the strain gauges installed on steel bars) at different values of load and under cyclic loads; 3) qualitative bond stress curve derived from the steel bar strains, which allowed to investigate the behavior of the anchors along the bar length under cyclic loads

Injected Anchors For The Seismic Retrofit Of Historical Stone Masonry Buildings: In Situ Experimental Tests

The paper reports the results of a research on the behaviour of injected anchors in historical masonry under cyclic loads. Monotonic and cyclic pull-out in situ tests were conducted on historical stone masonry to analyse the response of anchors injected orthogonally to the masonry main plane and at different heights to evaluate also the effect of different values of normal confinement on the anchor behaviour. Moreover the tests were conducted on anchors of different length, instrumented with strain-gauges. The aim was to investigate the loss of strength under cyclic loads. The results allowed: 1) construction of load-displacement graphs, up to the maximum load value (maximum strength); 2) steel bar deformation graphs on the length of the anchors at different values of load, under cyclic loads; 3) qualitative bond stress curve, derived from the steel bar strains, to investigate bond behavior along the bar length

Pre-stressed vertical injected anchors on historical masonry: a case study, the Bell Tower of Botta di Sotto il Monte Papa Giovanni XXIII

The Bell Tower of the Church "Sacro Cuore Gesù e S. Egidio Abate" in Sotto il Monte (Bergamo, Italy), represents a case study of the research programme "ANIMUS", funded by the European Programme FESR-2007-2013. The necessity of building a steel belfry on top of the bell tower required a detailed study of its connection with the supporting masonry structure. This connection has been realized by means of deep vertical anchors, obtained by grouting steel bars by injecting the grout in special socks, such that any dispersion of the mortar in the masonry is avoided. By this technique, a "bulb" creating an effective interlock with the masonry structure is created. The behaviour of the system has been studied by means of a finite element model, allowing to assess the performance of the connection under wind and seismic loads both at service and ultimate limit states. The results have highlighted the opportunity to design vertical anchors with a double bulb of mortar. This way, by grouting the deeper bulb soon after installation, the anchor could be pre-stressed to avoid any decompression of the connection between the superstructure and the masonry tower under service loads. The upper bulb, grouted at a later time, has the role of transferring the loads exceeding serviceability limit state to the masonry structure. After the installation of vertical anchors, an experimental phase started with the execution of cyclic tests, thus allowing to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention and to compare experimental and numerical results

Draft Genome Sequence of Clostridium perfringens netB-Positive Strain 2016TE7641_69, Isolated from the Intestine of a Diseased Turkey in Italy

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of Clostridium perfringens 2016TE7641_69, isolated from the intestine of a turkey reared in a conventional poultry flock located in central Italy, where animals were showing enteric disorders suggesting subclinical necrotic enteritis

Reproductive disorders in domestic canaries (Serinus canarius domesticus): a retrospective study on bacterial isolates and their antimicrobial resistance in Italy from 2009 to 2012

Reproductive disorders are responsible for significant economic losses in canary aviculture due to embryo and newborn chick mortality. Most of the time, deaths are caused by bacterial pathogens, however little published data exist about the prevalence of bacterial isolates that are identified during diagnostic protocols. This study reports on data collected from previous investigations carried out on cloacal swabs (n 456), unhatched eggs (n 52), and dead newborn chicks (n 68) collected from canary aviaries with a history of reproductive disorders. Of the examined samples, 41% were positive for the presence of pathogenic or potentially pathogenic bacteria, with particular regard to Gram negative species during bacteriological investigations. The most prevalent microorganisms were Gram-negative (55%). A predominance of Klebsiella, Escherichia, and Pantoea genera was observed. These are usually associated to pathological conditions in pet birds. Among Gram-positive bacteria, Bacillus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. were most prevalent. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing carried out on bacterial isolates showed a multiple resistance, especially against amoxycillin, erythromycin, spiramycin, tiamulin, and tylosin. This study represents a first attempt to provide an update on microbial causes of embryonic and neonatal mortality in canary aviaries in Italy; in addition, it provides further understandings about the efficacy of antimicrobial therapy

Evidence of avian poxvirus and papillomavirus infection in Gyps fulvus in Italy

The identification of avian poxvirus and avian papillomavirus associated with cutaneous lesions in griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) by histopathology, electron microscopy and PCR analysis is reported. Sequence analysis of the fpv140 gene revealed 99% identity to two poxviruses obtained from a white-tailed sea eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and a common buzzard (Buteo buteo). Partial sequence of the papillomavirus L1 gene showed sequence similarity to papillomavirus LI genes from African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) (69% identity), duck (Anas platyrhynchos) (68% identity), and yellow-necked francolin (Francolinus leucoscepus) (66% identity). To date, this is the first identification of avian poxvirus and papillomavirus in griffon vultures and the first evidence of infection of both viruses in live wild birds

Molecular detection of Mannheimia haemolytica in lambs with respiratory disease

Mannheimia haemolytica is a major cause of respiratory disease and mortality in lambs, responsible of significant economic losses in ovine flocks. The suspected diagnosis of mannheimiosis is generally based on clinical signs, characterized by lethargy, inappetence and fever along with histopathological aspects of progressive pneumonia and dark consolidation of lung parenchyma. However, further investigations are needed to confirm the infection, including isolation and biochemical identification of involved M. haemolytica strains but these methods are time-consuming. Assay based on PCR amplification of bacterial genome could be improve the sensitivity of the diagnostic protocol especially if the test is applied directly on the pulmonary tissues of infected animals. The aim of this study is to develop a novel PCR able to detect specific sequence of M. haemolytica in lung samples collected from lambs whit respiratory disease. Specific primers targeting a fragment of OmpA gene were designed and their specificity was evaluated using 8 strains of M. haemolytica and 2 of Pasteurella multocida. The limit of detection of the test is 0,067 picomol/µl of bacterial DNA, in agreement with previously described PCR protocols. One hundred samples of lungs showing gross lesions indicative of pneumonia, collected at the slaughterhouse from lambs belonging to 44 flocks of the Central Italy, were analysed by PCR and traditional microbiological test. The agreement between PCR and microbiology assays resulted fair (kappa=0,31), probably due to a different distribution of bacteria in lung parenchyma. Compared whit microbiology, PCR allowed to detect M. haemolytica strains in additional 15 tissue samples but failed to identify 17 samples positive only to microbial testing. Nevertheless, when applied in parallel testing, PCR resulted useful to increase the sensitivity of diagnosis, with a total of 38 flocks resulted positive to any of two test. These results suggest that the PCR test could be an efficient method for a rapid and early identification of mannheimiosis in lambs