Agricultural policies against invasive species generate contrasting outcomes for climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation.

Direct consequences of biological invasions on biodiversity and the environment have been largely documented. Yet collateral indirect effects mediated by changes in agri-environmental policies aimed at combating invasions remain little explored. Here we assessed the effects of recent changes in water management in rice farming, which are aimed at buffering the impact of the invasive apple snail (Pomacea maculata, Lamarck) on greenhouse gas emissions and diversity of waterbird communities. We used observational data from a 2-year field monitoring (2015-2016) performed at the Ebro Delta regional scale. We found that drying rice fields reduced methane emission rates by 82% (2015) and 51% (2016), thereby reflecting the contribution of rice farming to climate change. However, there was a marked reduction (75% in 2015 and 57% in 2016) in waterbird diversity in dry fields compared with flooded fields, thus suggesting that post-invasion policies might hinder biodiversity conservation. Our results highlight the need for accounting for potential collateral effects during the policy decision-making process to design efficient agricultural management plans that lessen undesirable agri-environmental outcomes.

Rapid detection of ciguatoxins in Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa with immunosensing tools.

Consumption of seafood contaminated with ciguatoxins (CTXs) leads to a foodborne disease known as ciguatera. Primary producers of CTXs are epibenthic dinoflagellates of the genera Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa. In this study, thirteen Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa strains were cultured, harvested at exponential phase, and CTXs were extracted with an implemented rapid protocol. Microalgal extracts were obtained from pellets with a low cell abundance (20,000 cell/mL) and were then analyzed with magnetic bead (MB)-based immunosensing tools (colorimetric immunoassay and electrochemical immunosensor). It is the first time that these approaches are used to screen Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa strains, providing not only a global indication of the presence of CTXs, but also the ability to discriminate between two series of congeners (CTX1B and CTX3C). Analysis of the microalgal extracts revealed the presence of CTXs in 11 out of 13 strains and provided new information about Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa toxin profiles. The use of immunosensing tools in the analysis of microalgal extracts facilitates the elucidation of further knowledge regarding these dinoflagellate genera and can contribute to improved ciguatera risk assessment and management.

Photoelectron spectroscopy of boron-containing reactive intermediates using synchrotron radiation: BH2, BH, and BF.

Mass selected slow photoelectron spectra (SPES) of three boron-containing reactive species, BH2, BH, and BF were recorded by double imaging photoion-photoelectron coincidence spectroscopy (i2PEPICO) using synchrotron radiation. All species were generated in a flow reactor from the H-abstraction of B2H6 by F atoms created in a F2 microwave discharge. The spectrum of BH2+ exhibits a long bending mode progression with a 970 cm-1 spacing due to the large geometry change from bent to linear upon ionization. Its ionization energy was determined as 8.12 ± 0.02 eV. For BH, photoionisation from both X1Σ+ singlet and a3Π triplet state was observed, permitting the experimental determination of the singlet/triplet gap (ΔEST) from the observed IE's of 9.82 eV and 8.48 eV. In addition, a threshold photoelectron spectrum of BF was recorded, which leads to an IE of 11.11 eV and an improved value for νBF+ of 1690 cm-1. All spectra were simulated by calculating Franck-Condon factors from optimised structures based on quantum chemical calculations.

Experimental and theoretical threshold photoelectron spectra of methylene.

The threshold photoelectron spectrum of methylene (CH2), produced by consecutive H atom abstractions on methane, has been recorded using synchrotron radiation. The experimental spectrum spans the region of the X + 2Π u ← X 3 B 1 ionizing transition. It is modeled starting from ab initio bending potentials and using the bending approach introduced by Coudert et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 148, 054302 (2018)] accounting for the quasilinearity of CH2 and the strong Renner-Teller interaction in CH 2 + . This first calculation yields a theoretical threshold photoelectron spectrum which is in moderate agreement with the experimental one. A more accurate approach treating the three vibrational modes is developed for computing the threshold photoelectron spectrum of triatomic C 2 v molecules. This new treatment is tested modeling the already measured threshold photoelectron spectrum of the X + 2Π u ← X 1 A 1 ionizing transition of the water molecule. The threshold photoelectron spectrum of CH2 computed with the new approach compares more favorably with the experimental spectrum and yields an adiabatic ionization potential of 10.386(6) eV.

Communication: On the first ionization threshold of the C2H radical.

The slow photoelectron spectrum of the ethynyl radical has been recorded for the first time by using the DESIRS beamline of the SOLEIL synchrotron facility. Ethynyl was generated using a microwave discharge flow tube. The observation of the X+Π3←XΣ+2 transition allowed the first direct measurement of the adiabatic ionization threshold of this radical (EI = 11.641(5) eV). The experimental results are supported by ab initio calculations. Our preliminary investigation of the cationic ground state potential energy surfaces predicts a non-negligible Renner-Teller effect which has not been discussed previously.

Characterization of stress coping style in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) juveniles and breeders for aquaculture.

The aim of this work was to characterize stress coping styles of Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) juveniles and breeders and to select an operational behavioural screening test (OBST) that can be used by the aquaculture industry to classify and select between behavioural phenotypes in order to improve production indicators. A total of 61 juveniles and 59 breeders were subjected to five individual behavioural tests and two grouping tests. At the end of the individual tests, all animals were blood sampled in order to measure cortisol, glucose and lactate. Three tests (restraining, new environment and confinement) characterized the stress coping style behaviour of Senegalese sole juveniles and breeders and demonstrated inter-individual consistency. Further, the tests when incorporated into a principal components analysis (PCA) (i) identified two principal axes of personality traits: 'fearfulness-reactivity' and 'activity-exploration', (ii) were representative of the physiological axis of stress coping style, and (iii) were validated by established group tests. This study proposed for the first time three individual coping style tests that reliably represented proactive and reactive personalities of Senegalese sole juveniles and breeders. In addition, the three proposed tests met some basic operational criteria (rapid testing, no special equipment and easy to apply and interpret) that could prove attractive for fish farmers to identify fish with a specific behaviour that gives advantages in the culture system and that could be used to establish selection-based breeding programmes to improve domestication and production.

Psychosocial stressors perceived in the process of social reintegration and compliance time remaining in prison sentence.

INTRODUCTION: This study shows the results obtained from evaluating the main psychosocial stressors perceived in the process of social reintegration and their relation to a remaining sentence time in prison. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire based on an ad hoc design was administered, using a Likert scale, with a total of 383 inmates serving sentences in southeast Spain. RESULTS: Findings show that inmates with a remaining sentence period of more than one year, like those who had served more than a year of their sentence, showed greater concern about possible economic difficulties. CONCLUSIONS: The psychosocial stressors studied might provide relevant information to facilitate the process of social reintegration after the completion of a prison sentence.

Synchrotron-based valence shell photoionization of CH radical.

We report the first experimental observations of X(+) (1)Σ(+)←X (2)Π and a(+) (3)Π←X (2)Π single-photon ionization transitions of the CH radical performed on the DESIRS beamline at the SOLEIL synchrotron facility. The radical was produced by successive hydrogen-atom abstractions on methane by fluorine atoms in a continuous microwave discharge flow tube. Mass-selected ion yields and photoelectron spectra were recorded as a function of photon energy using a double imaging photoelectron/photoion coincidence spectrometer. The ion yield appears to be strongly affected by vibrational and electronic autoionizations, which allow the observation of high Rydberg states of the neutral species. The photoelectron spectra enable the first direct determinations of the adiabatic ionization potential and the energy of the first triplet state of the cation with respect to its singlet ground state. This work also brings valuable information on the complex electronic structure of the CH radical and its cation and adds new observations to complement our understanding of Rydberg states and autoionization processes.

Spatial and temporal dynamics of suspended load at-a-cross-section: the lowermost Ebro River (Catalonia, Spain).

Suspended load dynamics were analyzed for the period 2007-2009 in a semi-meandering cross-section under different hydrological conditions. Samples were collected at four different points of the cross-section. During "low discharges" (≤ 600 m³/s) suspended load samples were collected at-a-monthly basis, whereas at "high discharges" (> 600 m³/s) sampling was conducted intensively (at-a-daily basis during the first stages of the flood event). Results indicated that during low discharges, both organic and inorganic suspended load concentrations tended to be uniformly distributed across the fluvial section; but during high discharges, two distinct areas were found: an area extending from the "Inner-bank" to the "Channel centre" (Area-I) with higher suspended concentrations (organic and inorganic) than those recorded in the "Outer bank" (Area-II). This phenomenon was likely related to the formation of secondary flow velocity cells and the activation of new sources of sediment. In addition, a non-significant relationship between organic suspended load and water flow was observed in the outer-bank. At-a-monthly basis, the analysis of the suspended load showed the existence of an intra-annual cycle of the inorganic concentrations, with a progressive increase from October to March followed by a decrease from March to September. Nevertheless, the organic suspended load did not show any trend, being equally distributed along the year, suggesting that other sources of organic matter besides phytoplankton are predominant.

OOCO+ cation I: characterization of its isomers and lowest electronic states.

Accurate ab initio calculations are performed in order to investigate the stable isomers of OOCO+ and its electronic states at both the molecular and asymptotic regions. These calculations are done using large basis sets and configuration interaction methods. Our theoretical computations predict the presence of four stable forms: A global minimum where a weakly bound charge transfer complex (OOOC+) may be found. Few tenths of cm(-1) above in energy, the OOCO+ very weakly bound isomer is predicted. At 1.75 eV above OOCO+, a strongly bound centrosymmetric isomer (c-CO3+) is located. For energies >8 eV, a third isomer of C(2v) symmetry is found where one oxygen is in the center. The one-dimensional potential energy surface cuts of these electronic states reveal the existence of shallow potential wells for OOCO+ and OOOC+ and of deep potential wells for the two other forms, where electronically excited molecules can be formed at least transiently. Finally, the electronic states of each isomer should interact by spin-orbit, vibronic, Renner-Teller, and Jahn-Teller couplings in competition with isomerization processes converting one form to another.

OOCO+ cation. II. Its role during the atmospheric ion-molecule reactions.

For the charge transfer and vibrational and electronic deexcitations between O2/O2+ + CO+/CO, O/O+ + CO2+/CO2, and C/C+ + O3+/O3, multistep reaction pathways are discussed in light of the theoretical data of this and previous paper together with close comparison with the experimental observations. Our calculations show that these pathways involve both the long range and molecular region ranges of the potential energy surfaces of the electronic states of the stable isomers of OOCO+ and mostly those of the weakly bound charge transfer complex OOCO+. The couplings between these electronic states such as vibronic, Renner-Teller, Jahn-Teller, and spin orbit are viewed to play crucial roles here. Moreover, the initial orientation of the reactants, in the entrance channels, strongly influences the reaction mechanisms undertaken. We propose for the first time a mechanism for the widely experimentally studied spin-forbidden exothermic O+((4)S(u))+CO2(X (1)Sigmag+)-->O2+(X (2)Pi(g))+CO(X (1)Sigma+) reaction where the O turns around the OCO molecule.

The VUV photochemistry of radicals: C3H3 and C2H5.

The VUV photochemistry of the radicals propargyl, C3H3, and ethyl, C2H5, is investigated using synchrotron radiation. The radicals are produced by flash pyrolysis from propargyl bromide and ethyl iodide, respectively. It is shown that dissociative photoionisation of propargyl is associated with loss of a H-atom, leading to formation of c-C3H2+. The process sets in between 12.5 and 13 eV, in agreement with computations. The alternative pathway, leading to C3H(+) + H2 is only tentatively observed at energies above 15.5 eV. The onset for dissociative photoionisation of ethyl according to C2H5 --> C2H3(+) + H2 is observed at 11.6 eV, roughly 1 eV higher than expected from ab initio calculations. In addition we monitor the hitherto unobserved three-body dissociative ionisation of the precursor molecules. The process C2HsI --> C2H3 + H2 + I sets in above 12.7 eV, the dissociative ionisation of C3H3Br --> C3H+ + H2 + Br above 15 eV.

[Agricultural occupation and strongyloidiasis. A case-control study]. / Actividad laboral agrícola y estrongiloidiasis. Estudio caso-control.

BACKGROUND: In the last few years, Strongyloides stercoralis has been repeatedly recovered from indigenous farmers in the Safor area (Valencia Community). The relationship between the different occupational activities, mainly farming, and the presence of strongyloidiasis was investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A paired case-control study was designed. The investigation was conducted at Oliva Centro de Salud, from October 1997 to October 1999. Diagnosis was established when Strongyloides stercoralis was observed in any of the three serial fecal samples requested when eosinophilia was observed in the hemogram. Controls were persons matched by sex and age (+/- 5) years, with no eosinophilia in the hemogram and in whom the presence of the parasite was excluded in fecal samples. RESULTS: Participants in the study were 47 cases and their respective controls. Each group included 39 (83%) men and 8 (17%) women. Forty-five cases (95%) and 42 controls (89%) had been born in Safor. Only two cases had travelled to endemic areas. Farming was the main activity in 32 (68%) cases and 31 (66%) controls. The only occupational activity which showed influence on strongyloidiasis was working in ricefields, with an OR of 2.97 (95% CI: 1.16-7.71). Dermatologic symptoms were significant for pruritus, OR 7.39 (95% CI: 2.29-27.60). One case with hyperinfection and another with larva currens were diagnosed. CONCLUSION: In our area, working in ricefields and chronic pruritus are associated with chronic strongylodiasis.

[30 cases of strongyloidiasis at a primary care center: characteristics and possible complications]. / Treinta casos de estrongiloidiasis en un centro de atención primaria: características y posibles complicaciones.

OBJECTIVE: To study the characteristics of the Strongyloides stercoralis infestation in our area. DESIGN: A 30-case series. Survey of workplace behaviour and hygienic conditions in the home. Review of clinical histories to check for factors putting subjects at risk of severe self-infection. SETTING: 21,000 inhabitants covered by the Oliva Health Centre. PATIENTS: All the cases diagnosed between January 1994 and June 1997. MEASUREMENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: The diagnosis was carried out by observing under the microscope both fresh Strongyloides stercoralis larvae and cultures of three serial faecal samples. RESULTS: We found 19 men (63.3%) and 11 women (36.7%), with an average age of 65 (SD, 11.5 years). 28 had been born in the area (93.4%). 15 had never travelled abroad (50%). Of the 19 men, 18 (94%) had done agricultural work barefoot, but none of the women. Clinically, 17 (56.6%) had chronic symptoms; cough was the most common, in 12 (40%). CONCLUSION: Incidence in our area of Strongyloidiasis, although diagnosed infrequently, has increased considerably with the systematic discarding of the infection in non-attributable cases of Eosinophilia.

OPHELIE: a variable-polarization electromagnetic undulator optimized for a VUV beamline at Super-ACO.

A planar/helical crossed overlapped undulator, called OPHELIE, is presented, composed of two identical ten-period (each 25 cm long) crossed undulators whose magnetic fields are produced by electromagnets. Such a design is quite simple, with only one mechanical translational motion, and versatile. After the presentation of the general concept of the crossed undulator and of its actual magnetic design, the expected performances in terms of flux and polarization capabilities are described. It appears that any state of polarization can be produced, at least on the first harmonic, with a large total polarization rate and a potentially high polarization switching frequency.

High-flux and high-resolution spectroscopic facility in the VUV region at Super-ACO.

A new spectroscopic facility, consisting of a planar/helical undulator and a 6.65 m off-plane Eagle monochromator, has been designed. It can supply high-flux and high-resolution photons with 'exotic' polarization in the 5-40 eV energy range. The astigmatism can be compromised by horizontally focusing the incident radiation on the grating. The rotation of a post-focusing toroidal mirror compensates for the deviation of the exit beam caused by the grating translation. The whole system will be installed at beamline SU5 of SUPER-ACO (0.8 GeV) at the beginning of 1998. With a 4300 grooves mm(-1) grating, a resolving power of around 10(5) is expected at 20 eV.

Chronic naloxone-induced supersensitivity affects neither tolerance to nor physical dependence on morphine at hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical axis.

This study reports the endocrine effects of chronic mu-blockade induced by naloxone on morphine tolerance and withdrawal at hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis level. Naloxone (0.5 mg/kg/h) or vehicle (1 microliter/h) were infused s.c. to Sprague-Dawley rats via osmotic minipumps for 7 days, concomitantly with morphine or placebo pellets for 7-8 days. In opiate-naive rats, the mu-preferring opioid agonist morphine (30 mg/kg) increased plasma corticosterone in a partial but significant naloxone-reversible manner. In vehicle-perfused rats, chronic morphine treatment produced tolerance to its neuroendocrine effect, while the development of morphine tolerance was antagonized in the naloxone-treated group. An enhancement of plasma corticosterone levels after acute morphine (30 mg/kg) occurred 24 h after removal of chronic naloxone treatment in vehicle-perfused rats, as a functional index of supersensitivity to the neuroendocrine effects of the mu agonist. By contrast, 24 h after naloxone removal, rats implanted with morphine pellets were significantly less sensitive to acute morphine (tolerance) than its control-placebo group. Substantial elevation of plasma corticosterone, accompanied by motor and behavioural signs, was observed after acute naloxone injection (1 mg/kg) to tolerant rats 24 h after naloxone-pumps removal, which indicates withdrawal. No endocrine, motor or behavioural signs appeared in the naloxone group with pumps in place. These results indicated that morphine desensitizes mu-opioid receptors that were probably upregulated by chronic naloxone in presence of chronic agonist administration, and suggest that opioid tolerance/dependence as well as opioid supersensitivity simultaneously and independently can occur at mu-opioid receptors mediating HPA function.

Highly specific confirmatory western blot test for African swine fever virus antibody detection using the recombinant virus protein p54.

A Western blot technique using a recombinant protein has been developed to confirm positive results obtained in African swine fever (ASF)-specific antibody detection by ELISA. The new confirmatory Western blot is based on the use of protein p54, one of the most antigenic ASF virus structural proteins, expressed in Escherichia coli fused to the N-terminus of MS2 polymerase. The recombinant Western blot assay was highly specific and equally sensitive for ASF virus-infected pigs detection as the conventional Western blot, which uses virus-induced proteins ranging in molecular weight between 23 and 35 kDa. The novel Western blot assay provides a simpler interpretation of the test, eliminates the possibility of false-positive reactions produced by cellular compounds that contaminate the antigen employed in the conventional technique, and avoids the use of live virus in antigen production.