Caste-Specific Demography and Phenology in Bumblebees: Modelling <Emphasis Type="Italic">BeeWalk</Emphasis> Data

We present novel dynamic mixture models for the monitoring of bumblebee populations on an unprecedented geographical scale, motivated by the UK citizen science scheme BeeWalk. The models allow us for the first time to estimate bumblebee phenology and within-season productivity, defined as the number of individuals in each caste per colony in the population in that year, from citizen science data. All of these parameters are estimated separately for each caste, giving a means of considerable ecological detail in examining temporal changes in the complex life cycle of a social insect in the wild. Due to the dynamic nature of the models, we are able to produce population trends for a number of UK bumblebee species using the available time-series. Via an additional simulation exercise, we show the extent to which useful information will increase if the survey continues, and expands in scale, as expected. Bumblebees are extraordinarily important components of the ecosystem, providing pollination services of vast economic impact and functioning as indicator species for changes in climate or land use. Our results demonstrate the changes in both phenology and productivity between years and provide an invaluable tool for monitoring bumblebee populations, many of which are in decline, in the UK and around the world. Supplementary materials accompanying this paper appear online.     

Stability of virgin olive oil. 1. Autoxidation studies

Virgin olive oil samples with similar oxidative stabilities and fatty acid compositions were stored for 24 months. Changes in the lipid substrate were followed by peroxide value and K(232) measurements. HPLC was used to evaluate changes in the alpha-tocopherol, pigment, and squalene contents. Total polar phenol content was measured colorimetrically. The loss of alpha-tocopherol and carotenoids was comparable with that of polar phenol content, suggesting an active participation in autoxidation. The limited role of squalene in autoxidation was further confirmed using an olive oil model and in the presence of alpha-tocopherol. Pheophytin a degradation was high, although spectrometric estimation of chlorophyll content did not indicate so. Evaluation of pheophytin a activity at three different levels of addition on the oil model indicated a concentration-dependent antioxidant role more pronounced at elevated temperatures, which could be partially due to the activity of certain degradation products.     

The Impact of Cl ?? Cd Interrelationship on Planning Wastewater Reuse in Cabbage

Two greenhouse pot experiments were conducted in Agrinion, Greece, using a randomized block design in four replications, respectively, as follows: The first one included five levels of treated municipal wastewater (TMWW), being used as an irrigation water source. The second one, five levels of applied Cl at a constant soil applied Cd level of 10.36?mg/kg soil, the plants being irrigated with fresh well water. The purpose of these experiments was to study the impact of the Cl ?? Cd interrelationship on planning TMWW reuse, for the irrigation of Brassica oleracea var. Capitata (cabbage) cv F1 Gloria, ehich was used as test plant, in both of these experiments. It was found that the TMWW Cl content, originating mainly from the procedure of wastewater chlorination, was synergistically interrelated with the toxic heavy metal Cd, increasing its soil availability and cabbage plant leaf uptake (edible plant part). As this increase is directly associated with the consumer??s health, it was suggested that the TMWW be subjected to dechlorination process or the disinfection be made by ozonation or UV, which do not include Cl.     

Stability of virgin olive oil. 2. Photo-oxidation studies

Virgin olive oil samples with similar oxidative stabilities and fatty acid compositions were exposed to 12100 lx (25 +/- 1 degrees C) in closed bottles until bleached. The observed low changes in the substrate and polar phenols were related to oxygen availability. HPLC monitoring showed that pheophytin agradual degradation (> 90%) was accompanied by a considerable alpha-tocopherol loss (22-35%) due to the reaction of the latter with singlet oxygen. No changes were recorded for carotenoids, which acted as physical quenchers and light filters. Squalene loss was confined (4-12%). Complementary experiments on the activity of pheophytin a, using olive oil models, indicated a concentration dependence, enhanced by oxygen availability. In closed bottles, the degradation rate constant was higher at low amounts of pheophytin a. Squalene was preferentially consumed to protect alpha-tocopherol. An urgent change in the practice of packaging is needed to preserve the precious characteristics of the product during commercialization.     

Evaluation of zinc supplementation in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juvenile diets

This study aimed to investigate the effect of increased zinc dietary levels on the growth performance, feed utilization, immune status and induced wound healing in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Fish weighing 10 g were fed five diets containing organic zinc at 30, 70, 110 and 150 mg kg^?1 diet and one inorganic zinc source (zinc oxide) at 150 mg kg^?1 diet for a period of 12 weeks. No significant (P>0.05) differences were found in the growth performance parameters (final weight, specific growth rate), immunological indices tested (respiratory burst activity in whole blood) and the wound‐healing process. Zinc accumulation in the skin, vertebrae and liver increased significantly (P<0.01) with increased dietary zinc levels but not in muscle. The highest zinc concentrations were obtained in skin tissue, followed by vertebrae, liver and muscle tissue. Using the concentration of zinc in skin as a response criterion, broken‐line analysis showed that the supplementation of 148 mg organic Zn kg^?1 diet seemed to be the optimum dietary zinc supplementation level for sea bass juveniles.     

The benthic environmental footprint of aquaculture in the Eastern Mediterranean: Organic vs conventional fish farming

A field experiment was carried out in a fish farm of the Eastern Mediterranean in order to evaluate the benthic environmental footprint of the organic versus the conventional fish farming. The highest values of chl α were recorded at the conventional culture during both studied seasons. The organic matter and organic carbon rates recorded at the conventional culture were significantly higher than those observed at the organic culture in both studied seasons (p < .05). Furthermore, in all cases the quality characteristics of benthic community variables were optimum at the organic culture compared to the conventional one and similar to those of the control. SIMPER analysis showed that the maximum average dissimilarity occurred between organic and conventional culture, while the main contributor species for this dissimilarity was the polychaete Capitella capitata. Multidimensional scaling (MDS) ordination plot indicated clearly a separation of the organic and conventional fish farming during both studied seasons. K‐dominance curves revealed a clear difference in elevation, mainly during summer. M‐AMBI index showed a poor to moderate environment for conventional culture, while organic one was good to high and similar to the control site (high). The results indicated the lower environmental footprint of the organic fish farming compared to the conventional, demonstrating its potential as an important management tool, which could play a significant ecological role for the sustainability of aquaculture in the Mediterranean region.     

Effect of feed and feeding in the culture of salmonids on the marine aquatic environment: a synthesis for European aquaculture

While marine aquaculture has grown rapidly, so have concerns regarding the environmental impacts caused by the industry. In particular, increasing discharges of solid and dissolved fish excretions, nutrients and therapeutic chemicals have coincided with greater public awareness of the possibility of environmental damage. This has stimulated a number of criticisms, drawn from a wide spectrum of interests, ranging from the use of natural fish stocks to produce fish meal for aqua feeds to the effects of enhanced nutrient input on the coastal marine environment. The present study reviews available information on the environmental effects of feeding practices in salmonid aquaculture in Europe. Accumulation of waste food and fish faecal material results in changes in the sediment under fish cages, characterized by a low redox potential, high content of organic material and accumulation of nitrogenous and phosphorous compounds. Although significant environmental impacts have been reported in the literature at distances of up to 100 m from the cages, in general such impacts are reported to be localized to within 20–50 m around the cages. For farmed salmon and trout, mass balance models have been developed for nitrogen and phosphorus, indicating that 50% of the nitrogen and 28% of the phosphorus supplied with the food is wasted in dissolved form. The maximum nutrient release can be estimated from the hydrographic conditions in the immediate vicinity of the farm, such as water volume, tidal water exchange and currents. At present production levels, improvements in the feeding efficiency and feed quality of aquafeeds could reduce waste and consequent environmental impacts.     

Biological Control of Botrytis cinerea by Volatiles of 'Isabella' Grapes

ABSTRACT The effect of volatiles from cv. Isabella (Vitis labrusca) on the growth of Botrytis cinerea was tested in vitro and in situ, in the latter case on 'Roditis' grapes (V. vinifera), at various temperatures. The goal of the research was to determine whether the volatiles emitted by Isabella grapes could be effective biocontrol agents of Botrytis cinerea. The closed Mariotte system was used as a bioassay method to analyze quantitatively the biological action of these volatiles on fungal growth and disease development. The in vitro experiments revealed the inhibitory action of the Isabella volatiles on the sporulation and sclerotia formation of the fungus, as well as the stimulating action of the Roditis volatiles on the sporulation of the fungus. The in situ study confirmed the antifungal action of the Isabella volatiles as they reduced the inoculum and pathogenicity of B. cinerea. The antibiotic action was more pronounced at 21 degrees C. The study indicates that Isabella volatiles act as biocontrol agents of B. cinerea.     

Ulvan-Based Nanofibrous Patches Enhance Wound Healing of Skin Trauma Resulting from Cryosurgical Treatment of Keloids

Keloids are skin fibroproliferative disorders, resulting from abnormal healing of deep cutaneous injuries. Cryosurgery, the most common treatment for keloids, causes skin traumas. Even though the clinical practice of cryosurgery has increased, effective wound healing therapy is still lacking. In this investigation, nonwoven nanofibrous patches composed of ulvan, a marine sulfated polysaccharide exhibiting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, and polyethylene oxide (PEO) were fabricated through electrospinning and characterized. Their wound healing efficacy on skin traumas resulting from cryosurgical treatment of keloids was clinically tested and evaluated in comparison to a reference product. Twenty-four volunteer patients undergoing cryosurgery as a treatment of keloids were selected to apply either the ulvan/PEO patch or the reference product for 21 days. The ulvan/PEO patch, 21 days after cryosurgery, showed significant wound healing, elimination of skin inflammation, restoration of biophysical parameters similar to normal values and significant decrease in haemoglobin concentration, skin texture and volume, while no discomfort or adverse reaction was observed. In contrast, the reference product showed inferior performance in all evaluated parameters. The designed ulvan/PEO patch represents the first wound dressing to effectively heal skin trauma after cryosurgical treatment of keloids.