American University of Rome

Since 2016, mass mortality events have severely impacted Pinna nobilis, a large bivalve endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. Conversely, its congeneric Pinna rudis, present also in the Atlantic Ocean, has increased in abundance and distribution range. We investigated whether P. rudis is replacing P. nobilis through recurrent recruitment. Underwater Visual Census and shell measurements were carried out at Giglio Island to assess species distribution and population structure. We also investigated P. rudis genetic connectivity, historical demography trends, and phylogenetic relationships using cox1 and 16S newly produced sequences. We assessed the presence of a cryptic species complex within P. rudis and the extent of P. nobilis-P. rudis hybridization. Pinna rudis showed a steady increase in vegetated coastal habitats, following the ecological extinction of P. nobilis in 2018, with continuous recruitment events, low mortality rates, and a high proportion of juvenile individuals. P. rudis emerged as a highly connected species, congruent with its planktotrophic larval development, which underwent a demographic expansion during the Pleistocene. A second cryptic species, exclusively Atlantic and sympatric with P. rudis s.s. in Cabo Verde was confirmed. No hybrids were detected among specimens morphologically ascribed to P. rudis. All these P. rudis features may have facilitated the spread of the species following P. nobilis local exctintion. The present study provides a scientific basis for guiding future conservation strategies targeting Mediterranean benthic habitats.

Editorial for the Creative Writing and Arts section.

Abstract The emergence of HKU5-CoV-2, a novel lineage in the Merbecovirus subgenus, represents a potential zoonotic threat with significant implications for global health. This bat-derived virus, which is phylogenetically similar to the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, has demonstrated the ability to use the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor to enter human cells. Although no human infections have been reported, its zoonotic potential raises the possibility of spillover events, which could lead to widespread transmission and, under certain conditions, pandemics. This study explores the virological characteristics, epidemiological risks, and clinical implications of HKU5-CoV-2, emphasizing its capacity to cross species barriers and cause severe respiratory diseases. To address the potential for a future pandemic, we propose a theoretical response framework based on the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive approach traditionally employed for high-consequence biological threats. This strategy integrates early detection through advanced genomic surveillance, rapid containment measures, the development of targeted medical countermeasures, effective risk communication, and international collaboration. By leveraging lessons from previous coronavirus outbreaks, this framework aims to mitigate the impact of a potential HKU5-CoV-2 spillover and to ensure a coordinated and efficient global response. This study underscores the importance of preparedness in the face of emerging zoonotic viruses and provides a roadmap for managing future biological threats of pandemic potential.

This case report presents a multidisciplinary forensic investigation into a cold case involving a missing person in Italy, likely linked to a homicide that occurred in 2008. The investigation applied a standardized protocol integrating satellite imagery analysis, site reconnaissance, vegetation clearance, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and cadaver dog (K9) deployment. A dedicated decision tree guided each phase, allowing for efficient allocation of resources and minimizing investigative delays. Although no human remains were recovered, the case demonstrates the practical utility and operational robustness of a structured, evidence-based model that supports decision-making even in the absence of positive findings. The approach highlights the relevance of “negative” results, which, when derived through scientifically validated procedures, offer substantial value by excluding burial scenarios with a high degree of reliability. This case is particularly significant in the Italian forensic context, where the adoption of standardized search protocols remains limited, especially in complex outdoor environments. The integration of geophysical, remote sensing, and canine methodologies—rooted in forensic geoarchaeology—provides a replicable framework that enhances both investigative effectiveness and the evidentiary admissibility of findings in court. The protocol illustrated in this study supports the consistent evaluation of large and morphologically complex areas, reduces the risk of interpretive error, and reinforces the transparency and scientific rigor expected in judicial settings. As such, it offers a model for improving forensic search strategies in both national and international contexts, particularly in long-standing or high-profile missing persons cases.

Crop height is a key indicator of plant development and growth dynamics, offering valuable insights for temporal crop monitoring. However, modeling its variation across phenological stages remains challenging due to canopy structural changes. This study aimed to predict wheat height throughout the growth cycle by integrating radar remote sensing data with a phenology-informed clustering approach. The research was conducted in three wheat fields in Umbria, Italy, from 30 January to 10 June 2024, using in-field height measurements, phenological observations, and Sentinel-1 acquisitions. Backscatter variables (VH, VV, and CR) were processed using two speckle filters (Lee 7 × 7 and Refined Lee), alongside additional radar-derived parameters (entropy, anisotropy, alpha, and RVI). Fuzzy C-means clustering enabled the classification of observations into two phenological groups, supporting the development of stage-specific linear regression models. Results demonstrated high accuracy during early growth stages (tillering to stem elongation), with R2 values of 0.76 (RMSE = 6.88) for Lee 7 × 7 and 0.79 (RMSE = 6.35) for Refined Lee. In later stages (booting to maturity), model performance declined, with Lee 7 × 7 outperforming Refined Lee (R2 = 0.51 vs. 0.33). These findings underscore the potential of phenology-based modeling approaches to enhance crop height estimation and improve radar-driven crop monitoring.

This study introduces the concept of " humanoid matter ", demonstrating that materials can "speak" through the sound they emit upon failure. By capturing microdamage-induced vibrations with an ultra-light piezoelectric nanoweb (piezoweb), we decode material failure as a phonetic language . Formant and pitch analyses reveal that structural integrity changes modulate the emitted sound, much like vocal cords shaping speech. This breakthrough opens new frontiers in damage detection , smart materials , and human-object interaction . The new concept of “humanoid matter” is presented by exploring if the sound emitted by materials embeds phonetic signatures. This overarching topic is here narrowed down to the analysis of the acoustic sound emitted by the sudden hierarchical rupture of microfibers in a composite. While such a low-energy pain-like event for the material is hardly detected with the most advanced structural health monitoring systems, here it is accurately captured (i.e., “listened”) with a piezoelectric nanoweb that weighs less than 0.25% than the reference microphone. As humans react to pain with an unarticulated voice pattern, the composite delivers an unvoiced/voiced pattern when suddenly damaged. The phonetic analysis demonstrates the feasibility of using the energy released by a mechanical failure as sound source (i.e., vocal cords) that excites the acoustic resonances of the material (i.e., vocal tract). Differently from healthy humans, the progressive failures slightly modulate the vibration speed of the vocal cords (pitch) due to the stiffness changes of the vocal tract which thus modifies its sound shaping action. The sound signals from the material carry the phonetic fingerprints of the microdamage. This work represents a first step towards materials that possess humanoid functionalities which can potentially revolutionize human-object interaction.

Animated Wor(l)ds is a multimedia born-digital project with roots in relational practices that honor biocultural diversity and multispecies flourishing. Our community is composed of scholars, artists, and activists who contribute a wide array of transdisciplinary and multisensory research-creation projects promoting care-full attunement with more-than-human wor(l)ds. Focusing on the developmental process of the project, we celebrate the vital network of relations animating our work and the multispecies ethics that permeates our editorial practice. By retracing the collaborative efforts occurring behind the scenes, we explore three interwoven areas to illustrate our experimental methodology: (1) developing an editorial process rooted in community care, (2) entering in dialogue with more-than-human persons, and (3) building a digital ecology. Ultimately, we draw attention to radical reciprocity to propose a counterexample that challenges established publishing models embedded within hierarchical organizational structures as well as the underlying anthropocentric logic that characterizes scholarly research and artistic production conducted within the humanities.