The impacts of increasing current velocity on the drift of Simulium monticola (Diptera: Simuliidae): a laboratory approach

Current velocity and associated physical forces are among the most important factors shaping lotic benthic communities. The recent increase in the frequency and intensity of flow alterations, especially related to hydroelectric use or irrigation, represents a key element of riverine environment deterioration. Numerous studies have investigated the effect of current velocity increases on macrobenthic fauna, underlining that, in most cases, these increases enhance the drift, i.e. the abandonment of the substrate by macroinvertebrates. The purpose of this study is to examine the drift propensity of Simulium monticola (Diptera: Simuliidae) under different water velocities. Simuliidae are one of the most characteristic components of fast-flowing environments in rivers. Experiments were conducted in an artificial stream in the laboratories of Politecnico di Torino, analysing the drift of organisms at different current velocities. The observed variability of drift appears to be related to velocity increases: interestingly, we evidenced an inverse relationship between velocity and drift propensity, with low amounts of drifting organisms at higher velocities. This tendency was not related to the size of Simuliidae larvae: when comparing the size of drifting organisms with velocity, no significant correlations were detected. We hypothesized that the tendency to drift was mainly behavioural rather than catastrophic, and related to the preference for high water velocities. Our findings support the hypothesis that increases in water velocity can cause complex changes in the drift of the macrobenthic community, increasing the propensity for some species to leave the substrate and decreasing it for other

Acute kidney disease and renal recovery : consensus report of the Acute Disease Quality Initiative (ADQI) 16 Workgroup

Consensus definitions have been reached for both acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) and these definitions are now routinely used in research and clinical practice. The KDIGO guideline defines AKI as an abrupt decrease in kidney function occurring over 7 days or less, whereas CKD is defined by the persistence of kidney disease for a period of > 90 days. AKI and CKD are increasingly recognized as related entities and in some instances probably represent a continuum of the disease process. For patients in whom pathophysiologic processes are ongoing, the term acute kidney disease (AKD) has been proposed to define the course of disease after AKI; however, definitions of AKD and strategies for the management of patients with AKD are not currently available. In this consensus statement, the Acute Disease Quality Initiative (ADQI) proposes definitions, staging criteria for AKD, and strategies for the management of affected patients. We also make recommendations for areas of future research, which aim to improve understanding of the underlying processes and improve outcomes for patients with AKD

Soil tillage reduction as a climate change mitigation strategy in Mediterranean cereal-based cropping systems

According to climate change projections, global temperatures would increase by 2 degrees C by 2070, and agriculture is expected to be among the most affected sectors, particularly intensive field crops like cereals. Therefore, researchers need to investigate the most cost-effective agricultural strategies that can prevent production losses and ensure global food security. This study aimed to identify the limiting factors of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. Durum (Desf.) Husn.) yield production under Mediterranean conditions. Durum wheat yield data of over 5 years (2017-2022), from a 30-year rainfed long-term experiment conducted in the 'Pasquale Rosati' experimental farm of the Polytechnic University of Marche in Agugliano, Italy (43 degrees 32' N, 13 degrees 22 ' E, 100 a.s.l.) on Calcaric Gleyic Cambisols with a silt-clay texture, were analysed and compared with the recorded thermo-pluviometric trend. The field trial included two soil managements (no tillage vs. conventional tillage) and three Nitrogen (N) fertilization levels (0, 90, and 180 kg N ha-1). The most important driver for durum wheat production was N fertilization. However, in the absence of N fertilization, no tillage showed a higher yield (+1.2 t ha-1) than conventional tillage due to the accumulation of organic matter in the soil. When wheat was fertilized with 90 kg N ha-1, no tillage resulted in 25% yield more than conventional tillage (+1.2 t ha-1), but this occurred only when the increase in temperatures was constant from January until harvest (this happened in 3 of 5 years of monitoring). The non-constant increase in temperature from January to wheat harvest may hamper crop phenological development and reduce the potential yield. The highest fertilization rate (180 Kg N ha-1) resulted in the highest wheat yields regardless of soil management and thermo-pluviometric trends (5.78 t ha-1). After N fertilization and soil management, the minimum and maximum temperature in February and the maximum temperature in April were crucial for durum wheat production under Mediterranean condition. When there is non-constant increase in temperature from January to wheat harvest no-tillage should be preferred over conventional tillage because wheat yields did not reduce under no tillage. Thus, agricultural policies that support the switch from conventional tillage to no-tillage management should be promoted to enable food security in Mediterranean environments

I più recenti sviluppi costituzionali del ciclo di bilancio

The A. answer to a series of questions by the Director of the "Gruppo di Pisa" Journal. The questions concern the parliamentary procedure followed to enact the State Budget Law for the year 2023 (law No 197/2022). The A. debates over: the possibility to prove the evident violation of parliamentary privileges in the procedure followed by the two chambers of the Italian parliament (Const. court. orders Nos. 17/2019 and 60/2020); the impact of Next Generation EU and of NPRR over the National Budgetary procedures; the role played by the Budget Parliamentary Office (UPB) and by the State General Accounting Office in parliamentary procedures concerning the State Budget Law for the year 202

Scarcity of P-fertilisers: Humic-complexed phosphate as an adaptive solution for wheat and maize under rainfed conditions

The current context of food security and global geopolitical crises calls for proactive efforts to seek adaptive strategies for limited resources in agriculture. The production of phosphatic-based fertilisers has caused a substantial depletion of natural phosphorus (P) reserves, raising concerns about price increases due to the growing demand for P. The aim of the study is to assess whether the use of liquid organo-mineral P-complexes can be an adaptive strategy to address the issue of the limited P-fertiliser resource. A complete randomised block design was implemented with three replicates, spanning two contrasting cropping seasons under a Mediterranean climate with reduced tillage and rainfed conditions. The study aimed to assess the response of a durum wheat-maize rotation to various rates of liquid organo-mineral P-complexes (humic-complexed phosphate; HCP) in comparison to granular triple superphosphate (TSP). The evaluation focused on several parameters, including P availability, plant architecture, dry matter accumulation, grain yield and yield components and P use efficiency (PUE) for both durum wheat and maize. The results revealed that applying HCP at a rate of 4 or 8 kg ha- 1 increased soil P availability on average by 66% and 144%, respectively, compared to the control (no P-fertilisation), although a significant interaction with the monitoring year emerged. For wheat, applying HCP at a rate of 8 kg ha-1 of P resulted in higher grain yield (+15%), protein content (+0.9%) and P uptake (+48%) than the control on average considering both monitoring years. In the season characterised by favourable rainfall patterns, the application of HCP at 5 or 10 kg ha-1 of P for maize showed similar effects in terms of soil P availability, dry matter accumulation, grain yields and PUE. Conversely, in the season marked by a deficiency in summer precipitation, low PUE for maize was observed for HCP fertilisers, although they remained positive, unlike the case of TSP. Using HCP in conservation agriculture appears promising as an adaptive solution to address P-fertiliser scarcity, especially amid food security challenges and global crises. However, further studies are required to validate these findings in diverse pedo-climatic contexts and cropping systems

Work-related injuries in young workers: an Italian multicentric epidemiological survey.

Emergency departments records from 33 hospitals were reviewed to disclose work-related injuries occurred in teen-subjects living in 14 Italian cities. During January-June 2000, 317 work-related injuries were reported. Male subjects, 17 year old, working in the industrial field, resulted the most affected,probably due to the fact that among young workers this sex and age class is the most represented one. Cluster analysis identified two groups of work-related injuries: one includes mainly transportation injuries causing lower extremities or multiple body sites traumas. The other is more strictly related to specific working tasks and includes mostly traumas and cut wounds in hand/wrist and head, together with eye lesions. A more intensive supervision on the use of protective equipment, a more appropriate training in hazard recognition and safe work practices, including operation of vehicles in the work site, must be implemented to reduce work-related injuries