Preliminary assessment of antimicrobial activity and acute toxicity of norfloxacin chlorination by-product mixture

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Among drugs and personal care products, antibiotics arouse interest since they are widely used in human and veterinary medicine and can lead to the...     

Insights into the Porretta Terme (northern Apennines,Italy) hydrothermal system revealed by geochemical data on presently discharging thermal waters and paleofluids

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - This study focuses on the geochemical features of the presently discharging thermal and cold springs and on paleofluids from the upstream portion of the Reno...     

Experimental analysis of selective laser sintering of polyamide powders: an energy perspective

This paper presents an analysis of Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) from an energy standpoint. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) has a potential as an environmental benign alternative to traditional processes but only few authors deal with the process optimisation including energy aspects. In the present paper an analysis of the energetic aspect of SLS is proposed. In addition, with respect to the classical technological parameters (resolution, productivity) attention is paid to energetic elements (energetic productivity, laser parameters) showing how the perspective of a sensible development of such a kind of technology could be beneficial not only from a technological point of view, but also for energy saving in a lot of manufacturing fields. A polyamide powder is the material tested to acquire some characteristics data of the process. It is shown that the Volumetric Energy Intensity (VEI) of the process in optimal condition could be of the order of 0.2 J for each mm³ of material agglomerated.     

Trophic interactions of the endangered Southern river otter (Lontra provocax) in a Chilean Ramsar wetland inferred from prey sampling, fecal analysis, and stable isotopes

Non-invasive methodological approaches are highly recommended and commonly used to study the feeding ecology of elusive and threatened mammals. In this study, we use multiple lines of evidence to assess the feeding strategies of the endangered Southern river otter, by determining seasonal prey availability (electrofishing), analysis of undigested prey remains (spraints), and the use of stable isotopes (δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C) in otter spraints (n?=?262) and prey in a wetland ecosystem of southern Chile (39°49′S, 73°15′W). Fecal and isotopic analyses suggest that the otter diet is restricted to a few prey items, particularly the less-mobile, bottom-living, and larger prey such as crayfish (Samastacus spinifrons, 86.11 %) and crabs (Aegla spp., 32.45 %), supplemented opportunistically by cyprinids (Cyprinus carpio, 9.55 %) and catfish (Diplomystes camposensis, 5.66 %). The results suggest that the river otter is highly specialized in bottom foraging. Isotopic signatures of food sources and feces revealed a mid-upper trophic position for the Southern river otter, with either higher or lower δ¹⁵N values than their potential prey items. δ¹³C values for river otters were less enriched than their potential food resources. We suggest that due to their narrow trophic niche and possible dependence on only a few food items, this species may be highly vulnerable to the reduction in its prey populations. Finally, maintaining the ecological interactions between Southern river otters and their prey is considered a central priority for the survival of this endangered carnivore mammal.     

Identification and Genotyping of Human Sapoviruses Collected from Sewage Water in Naples and Palermo, Italy, in 2011

Human sapoviruses were identified in 15 (12.4 %) of 121 inlet sewage samples collected from wastewater treatment plants in Naples and Palermo, Italy, in 2011. All strains, except one GI.1, were genotyped as GI.2 by sequencing a capsid gene fragment. This is the first detection of sapovirus in wastewaters in Italy.     

Application of Cordia trichotoma sawdust as an effective biosorbent for removal of crystal violet from aqueous solution in batch system and fixed-bed column

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In this work, for the first time, Cordia trichotoma sawdust, a residue derived from noble wood processing, was applied as an alternative biosorbent...     

Correlates of copulatory success in a fallow deer lek

Summary We studied the behavior and copulatory success of fallow deer (Cervus dama) males at a lek. We recorded 471 copulations in 3 years. Most males did not copulate. The top three males accounted for between 60 and 90% of copulations each year. Lek attendance time was the major determinant of male copulatory success, but territory location also affected the number of copulations achieved. Copulatory success was correlated with the number of females in a male's territory and possibly with dominance status, but not with fighting success or fighting rate. All males that defended lek territories were 5 years of age or older. Copulatory success may improve with age. Body condition appears to be an important determinant of male copulatory success, because only males in superior condition could defend a lek territory for up to 2 weeks. Males do not feed while defending lek territories. Foraging ability during the year probably determines condition at the onset of the rut. Females appear to choose mates at least partially on the basis of location, preferring males located near traditional routes. Females may ultimately select mates in the best body condition.     

Phytoplankton photosynthetic activity and growth rates in the NW Adriatic Sea

Taxonomic composition, biomass, primary production and growth rates of the phytoplankton community were studied in two stations in the NW Adriatic Sea on a seasonal basis, in areas characterized by differing hydrological and trophic conditions. The main differences between the two stations were quantitative rather than qualitative, most phytoplankton species being common to both stations. The effects of differing nutrient concentrations and plume spreading were evident. Biomass and primary production rates were significantly higher in the coastal station (S1), and the phytoplankton distribution in the water column was markedly stratified in S1 and more even in the offshore station (S3). However, chlorophyll a specific production, potential growth rate and production efficiencies were very similar in both stations, even when phosphorus concentrations were limiting. A discrepancy between potential and actual growth rate was observed: as a feature common to both stations, comparisons between potential and actual growth rates revealed that little carbon produced by phytoplankton accumulated as algal biomass; therefore, very high loss rates were estimated.