Search results for "Ambientale"

A Planar Generator for a Wave Energy Converter

2019

This article presents a permanent magnet planar translational generator which is able to exploit multiple modes of sea wave energy extraction. Linear electrical generators have recently been studied for the exploitation of sea wave energy, but, to the best of our knowledge, no synchronous planar translational generator has been proposed. In this article, to maximize the energy extraction, we have considered all the potential modes of motion due to wave excitation and included them within the mathematical model of the proposed system. The principle of operation of the generator can be summarized as follows: the moving part (translator) of the generator is driven from the sea waves and induce…

A novel comprehensive procedure for estimating greenhouse gas emissions from water resource recovery facilities

2017

The emissions of the major greenhouse gases (GHGs), i.e. carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) from water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) are of increasing concern in the water industry. In order to produce useful and comparable information for monitoring, assessing, and reporting GHG emissions from WRRFs, there is a need for a generally accepted methodology for their quantification. This paper aims at proposing the first protocol for monitoring and accounting for GHG emissions from WRRFs, taking into account both direct and indirect internal emissions and focusing the attention on plant sections known to be primarily responsible for GHG emissions (i.e. oxidation…

Geochemistry of Noble Gases and CO2 in Fluid Inclusions From Lithospheric Mantle Beneath Wilcza Góra (Lower Silesia, Southwest Poland)

2018

Knowledge of the products originating from the subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) is crucial for constraining the geochemical features and evolution of the mantle. This study investigated the chemistry and isotope composition (noble gases and CO2 ) of fluid inclusions (FI) from selected mantle xenoliths originating from Wilcza Góra (Lower Silesia, southwest Poland), with the aim of integrating their petrography and mineral chemistry. Mantle xenoliths are mostly harzburgites and sometimes bear amphiboles, and are brought to the surface by intraplate alkaline basalts that erupted outside the north-easternmost part of the Eger (Ohře) Rift in Lower Silesia. Olivine (Ol) is classified int…

Biological and microclimatic monitoring for conservation of cultural heritage: a case study at the De Rossi room of the Palatina library in Parma

2019

Biological particles in heritage-related indoor environments (museums, libraries, archives) represent a hazard to artifacts (biodeteriogenic action), operators and visitors’ health. The aim of the study was to evaluate environmental biological contamination and microclimate conditions in different periods of the year in De Rossi room of the historical Palatina Library in Parma. Microclimatic measurements were recorded continuously for a period ranging from 11 to 17 days in: January–February, May and September 2017. Monitoring of bacterial and fungal contamination was performed for air by active and passive sampling and by nitrocellulose membranes on shelves and manuscripts. Microorganisms w…

The Italian Loci Classici Census

2012

Values and challenges in the assessment of coprophilous fungi according to the IUCN Red List criteria: the case study of Poronia punctata (Xylariales…

2020

Coprophilous fungi are specialized microorganisms, playing key roles in ecosystems and in several other contexts, whose protection requires more substantial efforts. This paper aims to highlight and discuss valuable and critical aspects faced during the process of the threat status assessment of Poronia punctata, providing inspirations for future conservation actions.

Floral scent in a sexually deceptive Ophrys orchid: from headspace collections to solvent extractions

2018

Sexually deceptive orchid flowers use visual, tactile and olfactory cues of female insects in order to attract males of one or a few closely related species as pollinators. Ophrys L. is the most species-rich genus of sexually deceptive orchids in the Mediterranean Basin. Despite Ophrys pollinated by Andrena male bees use alkanes and mainly alkenes with specific double-bond positions as key signals that trigger pseudocopulatory behavior, some volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with low molecular weight were found as long-range attractants non-eliciting copulatory behavior. Since floral scents in Ophrys have been extensively studied by solvent extractions here we aimed to understand which flor…

Medicinal mushrooms: Valuable biological resources of high exploitation potential

2017

Higher Basidiomycetes and Ascomycetes mushrooms possess various immunological and anticancer properties. They also offer important health benefits and exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, cytotoxic, immunomodulating, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antiallergic, antidepressive, antihyperlipidemic, antidiabetic, digestive, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, nephroprotective, osteoprotective, and hypotensive activities. This minireview summarizes the perspectives, recent advances, and major challenges of medicinal mushrooms with reference to their nutraceutical properties and dietary value, the production of mushroom biomass …

The problem of misidentification between edible and poisonous wild plants: Reports from the Mediterranean area

2018

Abstract Today, in many European countries, people are looking for wild edible plants to experience new tastes and flavors, by following the new trend of being green and environmentally friendly. Young borage and spinach leaves can be easily confused by inexpert pickers with those of other plants, including poisonous ones, such as Mandragora autumnalis Bertol. (mandrake) or Digitalis purpurea L. (foxglove), common in southern and northern Italy respectively. In the last twenty years, several cases of intoxication by accidental ingestion of mandrake and foxglove have been reported. The purpose of this work was to perform a pharmacognostic characterization of young leaves from borage, mandrak…

Conservation of the endangered Mediterranean tortoise Testudo hermanni hermanni: The contribution of population genetics and historical demography

2016

International audience; Estimating the genetic variation and demographic trends of species in decline is of major concern in conservation genetics. This study contributes to understanding how historical and anthropogenic factors shape the distribution of current genetic diversity in one of the most endangered reptiles in Western Europe, the Hermann's tortoise Testudo hermanni hermanni. We used 17 microsatellite loci, chosen from a pyrosequencing library specifically developed for the subspecies to genotype eight populations distributed over about 30 sample localities covering almost the entire geographic distribution of the sub-species. The population genetic results reflect a very strong g…