Search results for " ambientali"

Is the polypeptide chain necessary for the dynamical transition in proteins?

2011

Modulation of Human Motor Cortical Excitability and Plasticity by Opuntia Ficus Indica Fruit Consumption: Evidence from a Preliminary Study through N…

2022

Indicaxanthin (IX) from Opuntia Ficus Indica (OFI) has been shown to exert numerous biological effects both in vitro and in vivo, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuro-modulatory activity in rodent models. Our goal was to investigate the eventual neuro-active role of orally assumed fruits containing high levels of IX at nutritionally-relevant amounts in healthy subjects, exploring cortical excitability and plasticity in the human motor cortex (M1). To this purpose, we applied paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation and anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) in basal conditions and followed the consumption of yellow cactus pear fruits containing IX or white ca…

Comparison between NMR and MIP in characterizing porosity of limestone used in Cultural Heritage,

2015

Limestone with different porosity are used extensively as a sculptural and architectural stone in artistic-architectural field. As it is known, this kind of material is subjected to physico-chemical decay that involves the loss of surface and in-depth cohesion [1]. Consolidation interventions are performed in order to preserve building and decorative surfaces of architectural monuments, to reduce their degradation rate and to improve cohesion and adhesion in the stone [2]. Porosity of stone and pore size distribution are important factors to evaluate the effectiveness of a consolidation treatment and they are normally performed using a single technique such as mercury intrusion porosimetry,…

Certifcazione ambientale di prodotti agroalimentari LCA dell’olio d’oliva

2009

Oggi viene ampiamente riconosciuta l’importanza di valutare gli impatti ambientali connessi alla produzione dei prodotti agroalimentari. L’applicazione della LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) per la valutazione degli impatti ambientali generati dall’intero ciclo di vita del prodotto risulta particolarmente complessa nel campo alimentare. Ciò a causa delle numerose variabili in gioco, connesse, ad esempio, ai sistemi di coltivazione, specie nell’ottica della definizione delle PCR (Product Category Rules) per la redazione della EPD (Environmental Product Declaration). Il presente studio LCA, effettuato su un olio extravergine d’oliva ottenuto da olive prodotte in Sicilia con sistema di coltivazione…

Insight into mechanisms of creatinine optical sensing using fluorescein-gold complex

2022

Abstract Creatinine level in biological fluids is a clinically relevant parameter to monitor vital functions and it is well assessed that measuring creatinine levels in the human body can be of great utility to evaluate renal, muscular, or thyroid dysfunctions. The accurate detection of creatinine levels may have a critical role in providing information on health status and represents a tool for the early diagnosis of severe pathologies. Among different methods for creatinine detection that have been introduced and that are evolving with increasing speed, fluorescence-based and colorimetric sensors represent one of the best alternatives, thanks to their affordability, sensitivity and easy r…

Un algoritmo PSO per l’ottimizzazione planimetrica dei tracciati stradali

2013

Questo studio propone un algoritmo di ricerca basato sulla tecnica di Intelligenza Artificiale di tipo Swarm (Particle Swarm Optimization - PSO) che consente di ottimizzare la geometria dei tracciati stradali, minimizzando una particolare funzione di costo che tiene conto di voci condizionanti la geometria del tracciato e di penalità relative ai vincoli presenti nel territorio. La pianificazione e la progettazione di un tracciato stradale costituiscono fasi intense di studio, fondamentali per garantire la sicurezza dell’infrastruttura. Definire un tracciato corretto, nel rispetto dei vincoli, può richiedere molto tempo e solo l’esperienza del Progettista e una approfondita analisi del terri…

Application of Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy to Cultural Heritage: characterization and preservation of ancient paper artwork

2016

Within the cultural heritage the characterization and conservation of artworks based on paper represents a significant issue for both restorers and scientists. The paper deterioration is affected by the degree of hydrolytic and oxidative reactions which occur upon aging. Moreover, the durability of cellulose fibers depends on the intrinsic composition/structure of the paper as well as on the conservation conditions, such as temperature and humidity. The structural and dynamical characterization of the cellulose matrix and of the water confined within its pores is therefore of central interest. Our working hypothesis is that WATER DYNAMICS is one of the main determinants of paper degradation…

Phenol compounds as new materials for Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) dosimetry in clinical photon and electron beams

2015

In the last decades several research laboratories have shown an increasing interest aimed at extending the applicability of Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) dosimetry to radiotherapy with different types of radiation beams. ESR is a spectroscopic method for investigating the structure and dynamics of such paramagnetic species. Free radicals are known to be produced when a compound is irradiated with ionizing radiations. The concentration of radiation-induced free radicals is proportional to the energy released inside in the medium and this allows for dosimetric measurements through ESR technique which able to quantitatively determine the radical concentration.The use of alanine as a dosimetric…

Terahertz Absorption change in Photosynthetic Reaction Center upon photoactivation

2012

Photosynthetic reaction center is a membrane protein which plays an important role in converting solar energy into chemical energy. Upon continuous illumination a charge separation occurs within the protein which is stable for several seconds [1]. The stability of this state is very important to protect the protein against the release of excess heat and an instable radical due to charge recombination. Absorption of terahertz radiation corresponds to the excitation of large vibrations in the protein and is thus suitable for studying its different dynamical states. Here we recorded terahertz absorption spectra of the dark and illuminated state of reaction centre from the purple membrane bacte…

PICOPHYTOPLANKTON DYNAMICS IN NOISY MARINE ENVIRONMENT

2012

We present a stochastic reaction-diffusion-taxis model to describe the picophytoplankton dynamics along a water column. The model, which is valid for poorly mixed waters, typical of the Mediterranean Sea, considers intraspecific competition of picophytoplankton for light and nutrients. Random fluctuations of environmental variables are taken into account by adding a source of multiplicative noise to the diffusion equation for the picophytoplankton biomass concentration, whose distribution along the water column shows a maximum at a certain depth. After converting our results into chlorophyll a concentrations, we compare theoretical distributions, obtained for different noise intensities, wi…