A Cs-bearing polyphase aggregate with composition (in wt%): 76(1)
CsAlSi5O12
+ 7(1)
CsAlSi2O6
+ 17(1)
amorphous
, was obtained from a clinoptilolite-rich epiclastic rock after a beneficiation ...process of the starting material (aimed to increase the fraction of zeolite to 90 wt%), cation exchange and then thermal treatment. CsAlSi
5
O
12
is an open-framework compound with CAS topology; CsAlSi
2
O
6
is a pollucite-like material with ANA topology. The thermal stability of this polyphase material was investigated by in situ high-
T
X-ray powder diffraction, the combined
P
–
T
effects by a series of runs with a single-stage piston cylinder apparatus, and its chemical stability following the “availability test” (“AVA test”) protocol. A series of additional investigations were performed by WDS–electron microprobe analysis in order to describe the
P
–
T
-induced modification of the material texture, and to chemically characterize the starting material and the run products. The “AVA tests” of the polyphase aggregate show an extremely modest release of Cs
+
: 0.05 mg/g. In response to applied temperature and at room
P
, CsAlSi
5
O
12
experiences an unquenchable and displacive
Ama
2-to-
Amam
phase transition at about 770 K, and the
Amam
polymorph is stable in its crystalline form up to 1600 K; a crystalline-to-amorphous phase transition occurs between 1600 and 1650 K. In response to the applied
P
= 0.5 GPa, the crystalline-to-amorphous transition of CsAlSi
5
O
12
occurs between 1670 and 1770 K. This leads to a positive Clapeyron slope (i.e., d
P
/d
T
> 0) of the crystalline-to-amorphous transition. When the polyphase aggregate is subjected at
P
= 0.5 GPa and
T
> 1770 K, CsAlSi
5
O
12
melts and only CsAlSi
2
O
6
(pollucite-like; dominant) and Cs-rich glass (subordinate) are observed in the quenched sample. Based on its thermo-elastic behavior,
P
–
T
phase stability fields, and Cs
+
retention capacity, CsAlSi
5
O
12
is a possible candidate for use in the immobilization of radioactive isotopes of Cs, or as potential solid hosts for
137
Cs γ-radiation source in sterilization applications. More in general, even the CsAlSi
5
O
12
-rich aggregate obtained by a clinoptilolite-rich epiclastic rock appears to be suitable for this type of utilizations.
Prioritizing the management of invasive alien species (IAS) is of global importance and within Europe integral to the EU IAS regulation. To prioritize management effectively, the risks posed by IAS ...need to be assessed, but so too does the feasibility of their management. While the risk of IAS to the EU has been assessed, the feasibility of management has not. We assessed the feasibility of eradicating 60 new (not yet established) and 35 emerging (established with limited distribution) species that pose a threat to the EU, as identified by horizon scanning. The assessment was carried out by 34 experts in invasion management from across Europe, applying the Non‐Native Risk Management scheme to defined invasion scenarios and eradication strategies for each species, assessing the feasibility of eradication using seven key risk management criteria. Management priorities were identified by combining scores for risk (derived from horizon scanning) and feasibility of eradication. The results show eradication feasibility score and risk score were not correlated, indicating that risk management criteria evaluate different information than risk assessment. In all, 17 new species were identified as particularly high priorities for eradication should they establish in the future, whereas 14 emerging species were identified as priorities for eradication now. A number of species considered highest priority for eradication were terrestrial vertebrates, a group that has been the focus of a number of eradication attempts in Europe. However, eradication priorities also included a diverse range of other taxa (plants, invertebrates and fish) suggesting there is scope to broaden the taxonomic range of attempted eradication in Europe. We demonstrate that broad scale structured assessments of management feasibility can help prioritize IAS for management. Such frameworks are needed to support evidence‐based decision‐making.
We used structured eradication feasibility assessment to identify priorities for eradication, prevention and long‐term management of new and emerging invasive alien species (IAS) in Europe. Ninety‐five IAS identified by horizon scanning as posing a high or very high risk to the EU were assessed. Eradication feasibility ratings were derived by expert elicitation, using available evidence to form judgments based on defined scenarios. Seven eradication feasibility criteria were assessed, before determining an overall rating. This approach allows decisions about allocation of limited resources to account for both the risk posed by IAS and the likelihood of successful management.
The family Cactaceae Juss. contains some of the most widespread and damaging invasive alien plant species in the world, with Australia (39 species), South Africa (35) and Spain (24) being the main ...hotspots of invasion. The Global Cactus Working Group (IOBC GCWG) was launched in 2015 to improve international collaboration and identify key actions that can be taken to limit the impacts caused by cactus invasions worldwide. Based on the results of an on-line survey, information collated from a review of the scientific and grey literature, expertise of the authors, and because invasiveness appears to vary predictably across the family, we (the IOBC GCWG): (1) recommend that invasive and potentially invasive cacti are regulated, and to assist with this, propose five risk categories; (2) recommend that cactus invasions are treated physically or chemically before they become widespread; (3) advocate the use of biological control to manage widespread invasive species; and (4) encourage the development of public awareness and engagement initiatives to integrate all available knowledge and perspectives in the development and implementation of management actions, and address conflicts of interest, especially with the agricultural and ornamental sectors. Implementing these recommendations will require global co-operation. The IOBC GCWG aims to assist with this process through the dissemination of information and experience.
Invasive alien species (IAS) are known to be a major threat to biodiversity and ecosystem function and there is increasing evidence of their impacts on human health and economies globally. We ...undertook horizon scanning using expert-elicitation to predict arrivals of IAS that could have adverse human health or economic impacts on the island of Cyprus. Three hundred and twenty five IAS comprising 89 plants, 37 freshwater animals, 61 terrestrial invertebrates, 93 terrestrial vertebrates, and 45 marine species, were assessed during a two-day workshop involving 39 participants to derive two ranked lists: (1) IAS with potential human health impacts (20 species ranked within two bands: 1–10 species or 11–20 species); and, (2) IAS with potential economic impacts (50 species ranked in three bands of 1–10, 11–20, and 21–50). Five species of mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Aedes flavopictus, Aedes japonicus, and Culex quinquefasciatus) were considered a potential threat to both human health and economies. It was evident that the IAS identified through this process could potentially arrive through many pathways (25 and 23 pathways were noted for the top 20 IAS on the human health and economic impact lists respectively). The Convention on Biological Diversity Level II (subcategory) pathways Contaminant on plants, pet/aquarium/terrarium species (including live food for such species), hitchhikers in or on aeroplanes, hitchhikers in or on ship/boats, and vehicles were the main pathways that arose across both lists. We discuss the potential of horizon scanning lists to inform biosecurity policies and communication around IAS, highlighting the importance of increasing understanding amongst all stakeholders, including the public, to reduce the risks associated with predicted IAS arrivals.
In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of vascular flora alien to Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, exclusions, and status changes for Italy or for ...Italian administrative regions of taxa in the genera
Acalypha
,
Acer
,
Canna
,
Cardamine
,
Cedrus
,
Chlorophytum
,
Citrus
,
Cyperus
,
Epilobium
,
Eucalyptus
,
Euphorbia
,
Gamochaeta
,
Hesperocyparis
,
Heteranthera
,
Lemna
,
Ligustrum
,
Lycium
,
Nassella
,
Nothoscordum
,
Oenothera
,
Osteospermum
,
Paspalum
,
Pontederia
,
Romulea
,
Rudbeckia
,
Salvia
,
Sesbania
,
Setaria
,
Sicyos
,
Styphnolobium
,
Symphyotrichum
, and
Tradescantia
. Nomenclature and distribution updates, published elsewhere, and corrigenda are provided as supplementary material.
Since the success of an invasive species depends not only upon its intrinsic traits but also on particular characteristics of the recipient habitat, assessing the performance of an invader across ...habitats provides a more realistic analysis of risk. Such an analysis will not only provide insights into the traits related to invasiveness, but also the habitat characteristics that underpin vulnerability to invasion that, taken together, will facilitate the selection of management strategies to mitigate the invader's effect. In the present study, we considered the Mediterranean basin islands as an excellent study region to test how the same invasive species perform in different habitats within a single island, and to scale up differences among islands with similar climate. We tested how the performance of three widespread plant invaders with clonal growth but contrasting life-history traits, a deciduous tree Ailanthus altissima, a succulent subshrub Carpobrotus spp., and an annual geophyte Oxalis pes-caprae, varied depending upon the species identity, habitat, and invaded island. The environmental parameters considered were habitat type, elevation, species diversity in the invaded plot, and several soil traits (% C, % N, C/N, pH, and relative humidity). The study documents that the performance of these three important and widespread plant invaders is dependent mainly on species identity, and less upon the invaded island's general features. Likewise, differences in performance among habitats were only significant in the case of Ailanthus, whereas Carpobrotus and Oxalis appear to perform equally well in different environments. Ailanthus thus appears to have a broader spectrum of invasiveness, being able to invade a larger number of habitat types. On the contrary, Carpobrotus spp. have not yet invaded habitats different from those where the species have been originally introduced and where they are still commonly spread by humans. Oxalis distribution is mainly related to agricultural activities and disturbed sites, and the total area infested by this geophyte may be more reflection of the extent of suitable habitats than of invasiveness or ecological impact. Our results confirm the potential for these species to significantly alter the functioning of ecosystems in the Mediterranean islands and highlight the risk to other islands not yet invaded.
Purpose Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in developed countries. ZnT8, a beta‐cell membrane protein involved in Zn++ transportation, may act as a major ...autoantigen in Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Dysregulation in Zn++ homeostasis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of ischemia in DR. Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) causes an asymptomatic human infection transmitted from dairy herds through food contamination. MAP3865c, a MAP cell membrane protein, has been shown to display a relevant sequence homology with ZnT8. Moreover, antibodies recognizing MAP3865c epitopes have been found to cross‐react with ZnT8 in T1D patients. The purpose of this study was to detect serum antibodies against 6 highly immunogenic MAP3865c epitopes in T1D patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and in healthy controls (HCs).
Methods Blood samples were obtained from 23 T1D patients with PDR and 39 HCs. Antibodies against 2 trans‐membrane (MAP3865c125–133 MAP3865c133–141) and 4 C terminal (MAP3865c246–252, MAP3865c256–262, MAP3865c261–267 and MAP3865c281–287) peptides were detected by indirect ELISA. Fisher’s exact test and ROC curves were used to assess results.
Results Antibodies against MAP3865c peptides were found in 6 out of 23 (26%) T1D patients with PDR and 2 out of 39 (5%) HCs, a statistically significant difference (p=0.04).
Conclusion Results suggest that serum antibodies against MAP3865c peptides may play a role in the pathogenesis of PDR in T1D patients.Further larger studies are necessary to confirm these preliminary data.
Although some invasive plants are cosmopolitan, not all ecosystems are invaded to the same degree. Yet there is little experimental work on how ecosystem resistance to invasion at the establishment ...phase differs among ecosystems. We conducted two field sowing experiments in two consecutive years to examine establishment of the deciduous tree Ailanthus altissima, the succulent subshrub Carpobrotus spp. and the annual geophyte Oxalis pes-caprae in coastal dunes, shrublands and oldfields in more than 200 sites across six Mediterranean Basin islands differing in climatic conditions and local species richness. Establishment success (i.e. percentage of plots with at least one seedling) and rates (i.e. seedling to sown seed ratio) were low, especially for Ailanthus even when accounting for differences in seed viability. Oxalis was capable of producing a new cohort of seedlings the year following planting. By contrast, all Ailanthus seedlings and half the Carpobrotus seedlings died following the first summer. Differences in establishment success and rates among ecosystems were species-, island- and year-dependent. Differences in precipitation and mean temperature were associated with differences in establishment rates across sites. Establishment rates tended to be positively correlated with cumulative precipitation and negatively with mean Ta. Unexpectedly, native species richness was not a good predictor of seedling establishment, except for higher Oxalis establishment success in species rich habitats. By conducting field sowing tests at multiple sites across a region we found that except for Oxalis, Mediterranean island ecosystems are quite resistant to invader establishment. These results suggest that differences in the degree of invasion between ecosystems and islands might be more dependent upon the influence of invasion event factors (e.g. propagule pressure) or factors acting at a later life-history stages rather than differences in the resistance imposed by ecosystems to invader recruitment. Moreover, our results support the notion that in Mediterranean ecosystems invasions are highly idiosyncratic events and strongly dependent on water availability conditions.
PDF
