Island Region Research Articles

Financial comparison of afforestation using redwood and radiata pine under carbon regimes within New Zealand

The accurate regional characterisation of the quantity and value of carbon for key plantation species is important for both forest owners and governments. New Zealand is committed to reaching carbon net zero by 2050 and forests are currently dominated by the fast growing species radiata pine (Pinus radiata) which comprises 90% of all plantations. However, coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) is a promising alternative species, that is particularly suited to permanent carbon regimes, as the species is capable of rapid growth over hundreds of years. Recent increases in the carbon price have stimulated afforestation rates within New Zealand and permanent forests now comprise almost one-quarter of new plantings. Using growth models to predict carbon over a 100 year period, the objective of this study was to regionally compare carbon yields and net present value (NPV) for radiata pine and redwood carbon regimes.Model predictions show that by age 100 years, total carbon for redwood exceeded that of radiata pine within eight of the nine regions within New Zealand. Gains were greatest in the North Island, where redwood carbon exceeded that of radiata pine by on average 74%, with differences reaching up to 85% (5,203 vs. 2,808 tonnes CO2/ha at age 100 years). Under a flat baseline real carbon price of $80/tonne CO2, the NPV for redwood was very similar to that of radiata pine within four of the five North Island regions. This similarity between species was maintained across the examined carbon price range which included 26 real carbon values ranging from $35 to $160/tonne CO2. However, NPV for radiata pine exceeded that of redwood within all South Island regions as growth rates for radiata pine were greater over the first 50 years and these earlier returns have higher weighting in discounted cashflow analysis. There was marked divergence in NPV between species across all four South Island regions with increasing carbon price. The establishment of a large permanent redwood resource over the next few decades in the North Island could greatly assist New Zealand to meet its carbon obligations over both the medium to long term.

Quality Analysis of Outpatient Care at Kepulauan Seribu General Hospital based on Malcolm Baldrige Criteria

The outpatient unit is a part of the hospital. The outpatient unit has an important role because it is the first door or medium for contact and interaction with service users or patients. Outpatient care is also an entry point for other inpatient services. Seribu Islands Regional General Hospital as the only hospital in the Thousand Islands region has not yet reached the required minimum outpatient service standard. This study aims to analyze the quality of outpatient care at Seribu Islands Hospital with the criteria of Malcolm Baldrige. The criteria for evaluating organizations are based on seven criteria, namely leadership, strategic planning, customer focus, measurement, analysis, and knowledge management, staff focus, process management, and performance results. This study uses a descriptive analytic research design with quantitative and qualitative approaches. The data collected was obtained through questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and document review. The results of the study using the Malcolm Baldrige Criteria showed that Seribu Islands Hospital won a score of 379.83 out of a maximum of 1000. This means that for hospital performance assessment based on MBNQA, Kepulauan Seribu Hospital won the average title and was included in the Early Improvement category (point scale 376-475 ). Early improvement means that Seribu Islands Hospital is in a position of early stage improvement in the health service sector. For this reason, it is recommended that Thousand Islands Hospital develop strong leadership and good teamwork in order to determine the right strategic plan.

Environmental and behavioural drivers of Antarctic krill distribution at the South Orkney Islands: A regional perspective

Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) is a key species in the marine ecosystem of the Southern Ocean, but is also the target of a commercial fishery, with an important fishing ground in the South Orkney Islands region. The potential for competition for krill between predators and the fishery requires risk management strategies for the fishery, underpinned by an understanding of the key physical and behavioural drivers of krill movement and retention in target areas. Here, we present the results of a regional modelling study, combining a high-resolution ocean-sea ice model and an individual-based model parameterised for krill, to elucidate the roles of oceanographic variability and krill behaviour on patterns of transport and retention on and around the South Orkney Plateau. Simulations suggest that oceanic transport from sources around the Antarctic Peninsula is restricted by the northward flowing Antarctic Slope Current. Around the South Orkney Plateau, anticyclonic flows associated with the Weddell Front and the shelf edge transport krill rapidly towards the main fishing grounds to the northwest of the plateau. Transport onto the shelf and subsequent retention are influenced by the strength and direction of regional winds; weaker on-shelf transport and shorter retention times are associated with stronger westerly and northerly winds. The incorporation of sea-ice associated behaviour, whereby krill are moved with sea ice when sea ice is present, significantly modifies the patterns from purely oceanic transport; it reduces the influence of strong regional oceanic flows and increases transport of krill to the South Orkneys region from the Antarctic Peninsula. The inclusion of diel vertical migration also modifies predicted patterns from oceanic transport, but to a lesser extent, and moderates the impact of including sea-ice associated behaviour. We highlight the importance of understanding the behaviour of krill, including age-dependent behavioural changes in response to sea ice conditions, for modelling and management of Antarctic krill populations.

The Colonization History of Iturup Island by the Red-Backed Vole <i>Craseomys rufocanus</i> according to the Analysis of the Cytochrome <i>b</i> (<i>cytb</i>) Fragment

The hypotheses on colonization history of red-backed vole of Iturup Island comparative analysis of distribution and number of haplotypes of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (662 bp) in vole sampled at various sites along the Iturup Island perimeter and Hokkaido, Kunashir and Sakhalin Islands and adjacent regions of the mainlandhas been carried out. All studied samples from the Iturup Island (68) belonged to the only one haplotype most close to the haplotypes of voles from the Sakhalin Island. The only sample from the Kunashir Island, nearest to the Iturup Island possessed the same haplotype, three additional samples from this island have haplotypes related to haplotypes of voles from the Sakhalin Island and fall within the so called “Sakhalin” clade, while the majority of haplotypes of voles from the Kunashir Island appeared to be close to haplotypes of voles from the Hokkaido Island and make up with them one independent clade, genetically very different from clade of Sakhalin and Iturup samples. The obtained data on the genetic variability of voles from the Iturup Island provides convincing evidence in favour of the recent introduction of the red-backed vole C. rufocanus to the Iturup Island, most likely with sea transport from Sakhalin.

Analisis Transparansi Keuangan Daerah Melalui Pengungkapan Laporan Keuangan di Internet Saat Pandemi Covid-19

Transparency is an important pillar of government accountability. A transparent government is a government that is accountable and provides information to the public regarding its strategy, plans and performance. This study aims to analyze the effect of audit opinion, independence ratio, and government size on internet financial reporting during the Covid-19 pandemic. The research sample consists of 88 district/city governments in the Java Island region for 2020-2021, using cluster sampling and logistic regression analysis. The results of this study indicate that the independence ratio has an effect on internet financial reporting during the Covid-19 pandemic, while audit opinions and size government have no effect on internet financial reporting during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Bouvet Plume: Parameters, Evolution, and Interaction with the Triple Junction of Midocean Ridges in the South Atlantic

Abstract —In the Bouvet Island region (South Atlantic), a hotspot operates in the region of the triple junction of midocean ridges. On the basis of laboratory modeling data, the structure of the conduit of a thermochemical plume melting out in the mantle from the core–mantle boundary is presented. The thermal power of the Bouvet thermochemical plume is determined from the volume of uplifted and erupted rocks above the lower topographic level. To determine the mass flow rate of the melt for the plume, a topographic profile is used in a section perpendicular to the Bouvet hotspot trajectory and passing through the Bouvet plume. The thermal power of the Bouvet plume is 1.7 · 1010 W. Based on the obtained power, the plume diameter is d = 10–13 km. The Bouvet plume belongs to intermediate-power plumes. Such plumes are diamondiferous, because their eruption on the surface transports the melt from a depth of >150 km, at which diamond is stable. The Bouvet plume trajectory originates in South Africa. Initially, the melt erupted on the cratonic surface through a diatreme. Next, the plume was preserved in the region of the drifting oceanic lithosphere and became no longer diamondiferous. The following morphostructures of the triple junction region with contrasting types of magmatic systems are distinguished according to petrological and geochemical data: MOR and the Bouvet volcanic island, which results from the plume activity. For the Bouvet region, K2О (0.5%) and Н2О (up to 0.9%) are identified in the composition of the deep magmatic melt. There is enrichment in H2 up to 100 ppm (up to 50 ppm in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR)) and in CH4 up to 12 ppm (up to 1 ppm in the MAR). Thus, it is suggested by the specific features of the melt composition that the Bouvet Island plume is thermochemical. This paper also presents a diagram showing free-convective flows in the asthenosphere in the Bouvet Triple Junction region. Sections are constructed on which the association between the convective structure and bottom morphostructures in the Bouvet region is identified. Large-scale asthenospheric flows are responsible for the formation of MOR. Convective rolls at the top of the asthenosphere account for the formation of the Bouvet and Moshesh transform faults. The Bouvet plume is under the influence of the ascending upper-mantle flow confined to the MOR axis and locally intensifies the ascending flows of the asthenospheric rolls.

Оценка эффективности мер социальной поддержки в Сахалинской области (по материалам интервью)

In the present article the author analyzes the functioning of the social protection system in the Sakhalin Oblast based on the results of the research conducted by the in-depth interview method. The main problems faced by the recipients of social services are described, and special attention is paid to the assessment of the effective-ness of measures to support vulnerable groups of the population. It is emphasized that there is a need for con-tinuous monitoring and improvement of this process, as the island region is doing a significant amount of work to meet the vital needs of these categories of citizens, but the existing measures do not always meet the needs of citizens in terms of volume, quality and accessibility. This implies the need to develop and implement mech-anisms aimed at improving the social protection system and providing more effective support for the vulnera-ble segments of the population of the island region.

PENGARUH KECANDUAN PONSEL TERHADAP PEMBENTUKAN KARAKTER ANAK USIA EMPAT SAMPAI SEPULUH TAHUN DI GEREJA BETHEL INDONESIA TABGHA BATAM CENTER

In simple terms, smartphone addiction can be interpreted as a condition where a child is addicted or dependent on the excessive use of smartphones. Excessive use of smartphones without proper supervision from parents can have an impact that is not good for children because they will become children who are not optimal, can suffer from health problems, can have decreased brain abilities and other consequences. The research method used in this study is a quantitative method based on quantification in data collection and analysis to test the hypothesis that the researcher has set. The research was conducted at the Indonesian Bethel Church Tabgha Batam Center, which is located in the service area of the Riau Islands Regional Worker's Body, the Indonesian Bethel Church and is domiciled in Batam City, from October 2021 to February 2022. The results of the study prove that (1) Smartphone addiction in children aged four to ten years is in the range of 78.33 - 87.99: moderate to high rate, and (2) Character formation of children aged four to ten years is in the range of 155.61 – 168.87: high rate. This study also found (3) That the contribution of smartphone addiction in children aged four to ten to form the children's character is 36%. The magnitude of the direct influence of mobile phone addiction on the character formation of children aged four to ten years is a constant of 93,734; This means that if the congregation's cell phone addiction's value (X) is 0, the negative influence on the formation of the child's character (Y) at the Bethel Church of Indonesia Tabgha Batam Center has a value of 93,734. The value of regression coefficient of the mobile phone addiction variable (X) is 0.824; it means that if the addiction to smartphones is increased once, it will increase the value of negative influence of the child's character (Y) by 0.824.

Safeguarding Biodiversity and Promoting Sustainable Development: Assessing the Energy–Water Nexus of San Andrés Island, Colombia

This article provides an extensive examination of the interconnectedness between energy and water in island regions, particularly those heavily reliant on tourism, as exemplified by the present case. This study explores the present state and trends of research in this field with the objective of attaining a sustainable system in future scenarios. Specifically, this analysis delves into the water–energy–CO2 nexus of the Colombian island of San Andrés. Currently, there is no energy generation from the water sector, with 76.18% of water consumption directed towards the cooling of thermal power plants and a mere 1.54% of the energy employed for water extraction, desalination, and purification. In 2019, the island’s total energy consumption reached 138 ktoe (kilotons of oil equivalent), and renewable energies have yet to contribute to the system. These findings emphasize the necessity for the island to implement measures that will bolster its sustainability, self-sufficiency, and resilience. This entails mitigating and managing the intensity of resource consumption, particularly in areas experiencing economic growth. According to the Sankey diagram obtained, some political implications and recommendations have been listed.

Widespread occurrence of filamentous Thioploca bacteria in low-sulfate Great Lakes sediments with implications for sulfur and nitrogen cycling

Thioploca spp. are large sulfur oxidizing bacteria that form centimeter-scale filaments in aquatic sediments. Marine Thioploca can form dense mats that strongly affect biogeochemical cycling in sediments. While freshwater and brackish Thioploca can also achieve high abundances, their ecology is poorly understood and their metabolisms in low-sulfate environments are enigmatic. We quantified freshwater Thioploca biomass and its links to environmental characteristics at 33 sites in the Great Lakes in the Apostle Islands region (Lake Superior) and Green Bay (Lake Michigan). Vertical distributions of Thioploca and the associated sediment chemistries were analyzed in sediment cores from eight sites. Despite low sulfur availability, Thioploca attained biomasses comparable to those in marine sediments, up to 250 g m−2 wet weight. Abundances were highest in the top 5 cm of sediment and were greater in fine-grained than coarse-grained sediments. Thioploca was common at both eutrophic and oligotrophic locations, suggesting that sediment carbon availability was not a limiting factor. Porewater profiles indicated possible ammonia oxidation in the anoxic sediment layers occupied by Thioploca, which would argue against the dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) route of nitrate reduction common in marine Thioploca. With known metabolic capabilities for coupling oxidation of sulfide or thiosulfate to denitrification, freshwater Thioploca may play a quantitatively important role in the benthic cycling of nitrogen and sulfur, though in ways that differ from those of marine Thioploca species. Our results indicate that Thioploca may be widespread in depositional zones of the Great Lakes, with yet underappreciated effects on local elemental cycling.

The enclosure and exclusion of Australia's ‘Pacific family’

Since 2018 the Australian government has displayed anxiety about its apparently declining influence in the Pacific Islands region due to the growing presence of China, a power with potentially inimical interests. The government has long been anxious about threats to its physical security that may arise from the Pacific Islands region. But reports in April 2018 that China was in talks to build a military base in Vanuatu were a wake-up call that its ability to influence the actions of Pacific Island countries (PICs) was limited. In response to its anxiety, the government has engaged in ‘worldmaking’ by seeking physical and ontological security through a discursive and practical ‘geopolitical project’. This project has tried to enclose PICs through a ‘domestication strategy’ that has aimed at normalising Australia's presence in the Pacific Islands region. Yet despite these efforts at worldmaking through enclosure, the government has simultaneously made a parallel world that excludes Pacific peoples from Australia. To unpack this apparent contradiction, this article draws on ontological security scholarship and uses discourse analysis techniques to analyse the government's discursive efforts at enclosure by framing the Pacific as its ‘family’ and ‘home’, and practical efforts at enclosure through two schemes within which bordering practices are evident: labour mobility and scholarships. Drawing on criticisms of the exclusionary consequences of those schemes, this article then analyses how the government's migration rules seek to exclude Pacific peoples from Australia. Based on this analysis, it argues that the contradiction between the two worlds made by the government's foreign and security discourse and policy represent its longstanding ambivalence about its proximity to, and relationship with, PICs and Pacific peoples.

Keandalan Jaringan Distribusi Di Pulau Panjang Dengan Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Diesel

By examining the issue of the electrical power distribution system's dependability, particularly on the outer islands, in this case Pulau Panjang, it can be seen that the usage of electrical energy in Indonesia is still predominantly controlled by steam power plants. It is discovered that the Diesel Power Plant is this location's primary source of electrical energy. Since 2019, the use of PLTD has been running continuously here, with four primary engines operating efficiently. However, each day, only two machines run alternately for 12 hours, raising a reliability concern that has to be looked into. The SAIDI and SAIFI values obtained using these approaches are extremely high (403,645 for SAIDI and 16 for SAIFI), Then, it was claimed that an index comparison based on SPLN 68-2: 1986, IEEE, and WCS as of January 2022 to June 2022 was erroneous. Thus, the installation of PLTS in the Long Island region is required as a substitute for electrical energy. In order to achieve optimal performance, the diesel working time limit is decreased using the PLTS technology

Subseasonal prediction framework for tropical cyclone activity in the Solomon Islands region

AbstractRecently, we developed seasonal prediction schemes with improved skill to predict tropical cyclone (TC) activity up to 3 months in advance for the Solomon Islands (SI) region (5°–15°S, 155°–170°E) using sophisticated Bayesian regression techniques. However, TC prediction at subseasonal timescale (i.e., 1–4 weeks in advance) is not being researched for that region despite growing demands from decision makers at sectoral level. In this paper, we first assess the feasibility of developing subseasonal prediction frameworks for the SI region using a pool of predictors that are known to affect TC activity in the region. We then evaluate multiple predictor combinations to develop the most appropriate models using a statistical approach to forecast weekly TC activity up to 4 weeks in advance. Predictors used include indices of various natural climate variability modes, namely the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO), the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO). These modes often have robust physical and statistical relationships with TC occurrences in the SI region and the broader southwest Pacific territory as shown by preceding studies. Additionally, we incorporate TC seasonality as a potential predictor given the persistence of TCs occurring more in certain months than others. Note that a model with seasonality predictor alone (hereafter called the “climatology” model) forms a baseline for comparisons. The hindcast verifications of the forecasts using leave‐one‐out cross‐validation procedure over the study period 1975–2019 indicate considerable improvements in prediction skill of our logistic regression models over climatology, even up to 4 weeks in advance. This study sets the foundation for introducing subseasonal prediction services, which is a national priority for improved decision making in sectors like agriculture and food security, water, health and disaster risk mitigation in the Solomon Islands.

Genotoxicity and Health Risk of Seawater Desalination Based on Reverse Osmosis: A Case Study of Two Seawater Desalination Plants in Zhoushan, China

Typically, the shortage of freshwater will limit the social and economic development of island regions. As a non-conventional, high-quality water source, desalinated seawater can be incorporated into the urban water supply system. The genotoxicity of disinfection by-products in drinking water was always viewed as a concern for human health. However, only a few studies were conducted based on this issue of desalinated seawater. In this study, the comet assay was conducted to investigate the genotoxicity caused by organic extracts in the specific drinking water produced in two full-scale desalinated seawater purification plants from the Zhoushan Islands in eastern China. The water samples were collected from four different locations along the treatment train in the plants. The quality of desalinated seawater conformed to the national standards for drinking water in China, except for the higher boron content. The results of the comet assay showed that all the organic extracts from the water samples were able to induce different levels of DNA damage on HL-60 cells (K finished water = 6.635 and 7.698, respectively). Compared with that from the water plants with fresh source water, the genotoxicity of the finished water of the seawater desalination plant was determined to be the lowest. The correlations between desalinated seawater consumption and two important chronic diseases, namely hypertension and coronary heart disease, could not be supported by the current data of epidemiological investigation. These results demonstrate the genotoxicity of the desalinated seawater was, in fact, much lower than the conventional drinking water with fresh source water.

Analysing Civilian Video Footage for Enhanced Scientific Understanding of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami, Japan, with Implications for PNG and Pacific Islands

Approximately 70% of global tsunamis are generated within the pan Pacific Ocean region. This paper reports on detailed analysis of civilian video footage from the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, Japan. Comprehensive scientific analysis of tsunami video footage can yield valuable insights into geophysical processes and impacts. Civili22an video footage captured during the 2011 Tohoku, East Honshu, Japan tsunami was critically examined to identify key tsunami processes and estimate local inundation heights and flow velocity in Kesennuma City. Significant tsunami processes within the video were captured and orientated in ArcGIS Pro to create an OIC (Oriented Imagery Catalogue). The OIC was published to ArcGIS Online, and the oriented imagery was configured into an interactive website. Flow velocity was estimated by quantifying the distance and time taken for an object to travel between two known points in the video. Estimating inundation height was achieved by taking objects with known or calculable dimensions and measuring them against maximum local inundation height observations. The oriented imagery process produced an interactive Experience Builder app in ArcGIS Online, highlighting key tsunami processes captured within the video. The estimations of flow velocity and local inundation height quantified during video analysis indicate flow speeds ranging from 2.5–4.29 m/s and an estimated maximum local run-up height of 7.85 m in Kesennuma City. The analysis of civilian video footage provides a remarkable opportunity to investigate tsunami impact in localised areas of Japan and around the world. These data and analyses inform tsunami hazard maps, particularly in reasonably well-mapped terrains with remote access to landscape data. The results can aid in the understanding of tsunami behaviours and help inform effective mitigation strategies in tsunami-vulnerable areas. The affordable, widely accessible analysis and methodology presented here has numerous applications, and does not require highly sophisticated equipment. Tsunamis are a significant to major geohazard globally including many Pacific Island states, e.g., Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Tonga. Video footage geoscientific analysis, as here reported, can benefit tsunami and cyclone storm surge hazards in the Pacific Islands region and elsewhere.

Whānau experiences of supporting a hospitalised family member away from their home base

ABSTRACT In Aotearoa New Zealand, accessing the required level of hospital care can mean a patient is transferred away from their home base. Being transferred away from familiar surroundings inequitably impacts on people who live in rural areas, including Māori. During such transfers, whānau (family) of Māori patients who travel to support their unwell family member are also away from wider support systems. This paper presents the findings of 17 semi-structured interviews with 19 whānau from across the Central North Island region. Whānau discuss their experiences of being away from home and of providing support to their hospitalised whānau member. Our analysis draws out nuanced responses regarding communication of information and access to the wider service-scape. Experiences and challenges are discussed within a context of inequity, produced vulnerability, and the impact of distress and emotionality. Implications are considered in light of the global pandemic and recent health system reform, offering suggested ways to navigate Māori whānau remaining engaged in the care of their loved one during a hospital transfer.

Kejadian Anemia Ibu Hamil Di Wilayah Kepulauan

Introduction: Anemia in pregnancy is one of the health problems in Indonesia, especially in archipelagic areas such as Sangihe Regency. Anemia in pregnancy caused by many factors such as age, knowledge, parity, gestational distance, nutritional status and ANC visits. The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors that influence the incidence of anemia in pregnant women in the island region. Method: : This is a correlational study with a cross-sectional approach. This research was conducted in the work area of ​​the Enemawira Health Center, Sangihe Islands Regency in April-October 2021. The respondents in this study were 61 pregnant women. Factors analyzed were age, knowledge, parity, gestational distance, nutritional status and ANC visits. The data obtained were analyzed univariatly and multivariatly. Results: The results of this study indicate that respondents are most widely distributed at the age of 20-35 years (59.0%), less knowledgeable (47.5%), 5 times parity (50.8%), pregnancy interval <2 years (70, 5%), poor nutritional status (62.3%), ANC visits <4 times (52.5%) and not anemia (55.7%). The results of this study also show that the variables of knowledge and ANC visits are the most influential variables on the incidence of anemia in in pregnancy in the island region. Conclusion: That can be concluded the most influential factors on the incidence of anemia in pregnant women in the archipelago are maternal knowledge about anemia and ANC visits. Based on this research, further research can examine the direct causes of anemia in pregnancy such as Fe intake and infectious diseases.

ANALISIS PENGENDALIAN PEMANFAATAN AIR TANAH DI KOTA SORONG

In the 2015-2019 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN), one of the priority locations for the development of an independent and integrated new public city in the Papua Island region is Kota Baru Sorong. In supporting the infrastructure facilities of the new city of Sorong for clean water, in an effort to find clean water, groundwater emerges as a prima donna, becomes our main choice in meeting water needs, of all the advantages possessed by groundwater there are things that we must pay attention to, one of them is only groundwater should be the last option in meeting our water needs after surface water and rainwater. By formulating the groundwater problem, two essential problems arise, namely the existing condition of groundwater use and the role of the government in controlling its use, with the method of collecting observational data and interviews combined with existing secondary data. the role of the government through concepts, actors and mechanisms for controlling groundwater use in the city of Sorong

Comparison of microbiological profile of enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) isolates from subjects with colorectal cancer (CRC) or intestinal pre-cancerous lesions versus healthy individuals and evaluation of environmental factors involved in intestinal dysbiosis

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to analyze enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) isolates from colorectal biopsies of subjects with a histological analysis positive for colorectal cancer (CRC), pre-cancerous lesions (pre-CRC) or with a healthy intestinal tissue and to evaluate the environmental factors that may not only concur to CRC development but may also affect gut microbiota composition. MethodsETBF isolates were typed using the ERIC-PCR method, while PCR assays were performed to investigate the bft alleles, the B. fragilis pathogenicity island (BFPAI) region and the cepA, cfiA and cfxA genes. Susceptibility to antibiotics was tested using the agar dilution method. Environmental factors that could play a role in promoting intestinal dysbiosis were evaluated throughout a questionnaire administered to the subjects enrolled. ResultsSix different ERIC-PCR types were identified. The type denominated C in this study was the most prevalent, in particular among the biopsies of subjects with pre-CRC, while an isolate belonging to a different type, denominated F, was detected in a biopsy from a subject with CRC. All the ETBF isolates from pre-CRC or CRC subjects had a B. fragilis pathogenicity island (BFPAI) region pattern I, while those from healthy individuals showed also different patterns. Furthermore, 71% of isolates from subjects with pre-CRC or CRC were resistant to two or more classes of antibiotics vs 43% of isolates from healthy individuals. The B. fragilis toxin BFT1 was the most frequently detected in this study, confirming the constant circulation of this isoform strains in Italy. Interestingly, BFT1 was found in 86% of the ETBF isolates from patients with CRC or pre-CRC, while the BFT2 was prevalent among the ETBF isolates from healthy subjects. No substantial differences based on sex, age, tobacco and alcohol consumption were observed between healthy and non-healthy individuals included in this study, while most of the subjects with CRC or pre-CRC lesions were subjected to pharmacological therapy (71%) and showed a body mass index (BMI) that falls within the overweight range (86%). ConclusionsOur data suggest that some types of ETBF seem to better adapt and colonize the human gut and that the selective pressure exerted by factors related to lifestyle, such as pharmacological therapy and weight, could facilitate their persistence in the gut and their possible involvement in CRC development.

Potential macroalgal expansion and blue carbon gains with northern Antarctic Peninsula glacial retreat

The West Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) is a hotspot of physical climate change, especially glacial retreat, particularly in its northern South Shetland Islands (SSI) region. Along coastlines, this process is opening up new ice-free areas, for colonization by a high biodiversity of flora and fauna. At Potter Cove, in the SSI (Isla 25 de Mayo/King George Island), Antarctica, colonization by macroalgae was studied in two newly ice-free areas, a low glacier influence area (LGI), and a high glacier influence area (HGI) differing in the presence of sediment run-off and light penetration, which are driven by levels of glacial influence. We installed artificial substrates (tiles) at 5 m depth to analyze benthic algal colonization and succession for four years (2010–2014). Photosynthetic active radiation (PAR, 400–700 nm), temperature, salinity, and turbidity were monitored at both sites in spring and summer. The turbidity and the light attenuation (Kd) were significantly lower at LGI than at HGI. All tiles were colonized by benthic algae, differing in species identity and successional patterns between areas, and with a significantly higher richness at LGI than HGI in the last year of the experiment. We scaled up a quadrat survey on the natural substrate to estimate benthic algal colonization in newly deglaciated areas across Potter Cove. Warming in recent decades has exposed much new habitat, with macroalgae making up an important part of colonist communities ‘chasing’ such glacier retreat. Our estimation of algal colonization in newly ice-free areas shows an expansion of ∼0.005–0.012 km2 with a carbon standing stock of ∼0.2–0.4 C tons, per year. Life moving into new space in such emerging fjords has the potential to be key for new carbon sinks and export. In sustained climate change scenarios, we expect that the processes of colonization and expansion of benthic assemblages will continue and generate significant transformations in Antarctic coastal ecosystems by increasing primary production, providing new structures, food and refuge to fauna, and capturing and storing more carbon.