D-optimal design of an untargeted HS-SPME-GC-TOF metabolite profiling method.

In recent times we have seen the development of many "-omics" technologies. One of the youngest is undoubtedly metabolomics, which aims to define the whole chemical fingerprint unique to each specific organism. The development and optimisation of an untargeted high-throughput method capable of investigating the volatile fraction of a biological system represents a crucial step for the success of such holistic approaches, and specific optimisation criteria must be developed in connection with suitable experimental designs.

Effect of deer density on tick infestation of rodents and the hazard of tick-borne encephalitis. II: population and infection models.

Tick-borne encephalitis is an emerging vector-borne zoonotic disease reported in several European and Asiatic countries with complex transmission routes that involve various vertebrate host species other than a tick vector. Understanding and quantifying the contribution of the different hosts involved in the TBE virus cycle is crucial in estimating the threshold conditions for virus emergence and spread. Some hosts, such as rodents, act both as feeding hosts for ticks and reservoirs of the infection.

ADAPTATION OF A PSYCHROPHILIC FRESHWATER DINOFLAGELLATE TO ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION(1).

Little is known about the UV photobiology of psychrophilic dinoflagellates, particularly in freshwater systems. We addressed the life strategies of Borghiella dodgei Moestrup, Gert. Hansen et Daugbjerg to cope with ambient levels of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) under cold conditions.

Stable isotope ratios of carbon and hydrogen to distinguish olive oil from shark squalene-squalane.

Squalene and its hydrogenated derivate squalane are widely used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields. The two compounds are mainly produced from the liver oil of deep sea sharks and from olive oil distillates. Squalene and squalane from shark cost less than the same compounds derived from olive oil, and the use of these shark-derived compounds is unethical in cosmetic formulations.

Salvia officinalis Extract Can Protect Grapevine Against Plasmopara viticola.

The ability of sage (Salvia officinalis) extract to control grapevine downy mildew under greenhouse and field conditions was tested. The persistence and rainfastness of sage extract were also investigated. Sage extract provided a high level of sustained disease control in artificially inoculated, potted grapevine under greenhouse conditions.

Increasing the robustness of phenological models for Vitis vinifera cv. Chardonnay.

Phenological models are important tools for planning viticultural practices in the short term and for projecting the impact of climate change on grapevine (Vitis vinifera) in the long term. However, the difficulties in obtaining phenological models which provide accurate predictions on a regional scale prevent them from being exploited to their full potential. The aim of this work was to obtain a robust phenological model for V.