Search results for "CLASSIFICATION."
showing 9 items of 29269 documents
α-Conotoxins EpI and AuIB switch subtype selectivity and activity in native versus recombinant nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
2003
The Xenopus laevis oocyte expression system was used to determine the activities of alpha-conotoxins EpI and the ribbon isomer of AuIB, on defined nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). In contrast to previous findings on intracardiac ganglion neurones, alpha-EpI showed no significant activity on oocyte-expressed alpha3beta4 and alpha3beta2 nAChRs but blocked the alpha7 nAChR with an IC50 value of 30 nM. A similar IC50 value (103 nM) was obtained on the alpha7/5HT3 chimeric receptor stably expressed in mammalian cells. Ribbon AuIB maintained its selectivity on oocyte-expressed alpha3beta4 receptors but unlike in native cells, where it was 10-fold more potent than native alpha-AuIB, had…
Characterization and antimicrobial activity of the volatile components of the flowers of Magydaris tomentosa (Desf.) DC. collected in Sicily and Alge…
2014
The essential oils of the flowers of Magydaris tomentosa (Desf.) DC. (Apiaceae) collected in Sicily (MSi) and Algeria (MAl), respectively, were obtained by hydrodistillation, and their compositions were analysed. The analyses allowed the identification and quantification of 23 components in MSi and 60 compounds in MAl, respectively, showing a very different profile in the composition of the two populations. The main components of MSi were cembrene (28.2%), α-springene (17.5%) and β-springene (14.8%), also present in MAl but in lesser amount (0.4%, 1.8% and 0.9%, respectively), whereas the principal constituents of MAl were (E)-nerolidol (35.4%), α-costol (13.3%) and β-costol (6.8%). Both MS…
Stable carbon and oxygen isotope fractionation in bivalve (Placopecten magellanicus) larval aragonite
2008
Abstract The relationship between stable isotope composition (δ13C and δ18O) in seawater and in larval shell aragonite of the sea scallop, Placopecten magellanicus, was investigated in a controlled experiment to determine whether isotopes in larval shell aragonite can be used as a reliable proxy for environmental conditions. The linear relationship between δ13CDIC and δ13Caragonite (r2 = 0.97, p δ 13 C DIC = 1.15 ( ± 0.05 ) ∗ δ 13 C aragonite - 0.85 ( ± 0.04 ) The relationship between δ13CDIC and δ13Caragonite described for P. magellanicus resulted in larval shell aragonite that was depleted on average by 1.82‰ (SD = 0.22‰, range = 1.1–2.1‰) from predicted equilibrium values based on the r…
Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian–Tithonian) stable isotopes (δ18O, δ13C) and Mg/Ca ratios: New palaeoclimate data from Helmsdale, northeast Scotland
2010
Abstract The data presented here provide the first detailed stable isotope ( δ 18 O, δ 13 C) and geochemical (Mg/Ca) investigation of Kimmeridgian–Tithonian belemnites from the Helmsdale Coast, Scotland, UK. Oxygen and carbon stable isotope values from well preserved specimens range from − 2.8 to + 0.3‰ and from − 2.3 to + 2.8‰ respectively. The oxygen isotope data are consistent with palaeotemperatures of up to 24 °C in the Early Kimmeridgian cymodoce Zone and down to 11 °C in the Mid Tithonian rotunda–fittoni Zones. These estimates are strongly supported by the Mg/Ca data, which also indicate a cooling episode (and very similar palaeotemperatures, 11–22 °C) at this time. The cooling event…
Carbon cycle and sea-water palaeotemperature evolution at the Middle-Late Jurassic transition, eastern Paris Basin (France).
2014
14 pages; International audience; A very high-resolution carbon and oxygen stable isotope analysis (bulk-carbonate) of a biostratigraphically well-constrained Callovian-Oxfordian series is provided here for the first time. The homogeneity of the clayey series and the weak diagenetic alteration allow the isotopic signal variations to be considered as primary in origin. A prominent and brief negative excursion in the δ13C curve (−2‰), occurring at the start of the Middle Callovian (Jason Zone - Obductum Subzone) and correlated regionally, suggests a possible methane release. The increasing δ13C values thereafter up to the Early Oxfordian, concomitant with a warming episode, highlight the buri…
Variation in Sr uptake in the shell of the freshwater gastropod Bithynia tentaculata from Lake Arreo (northern Spain) and culture experiments
2010
The Sr uptake features in Bithynia tentaculata aragonite shells from monthly collections in Lake Arreo (northern Spain) over a two-year period are compared with those from the same species grown in culture experiments with similar waters under controlled temperature. The shell aragonite of B. tentaculata from Lake Arreo formed in isotopic equilibrium with the lake water. A comparison of the stable oxygen isotope values (δ18O) from the shells and waters allowed the selection of suitable shells for Sr uptake studies. The Sr/Ca molar ratio in B. tentaculata shells (Sr/Cashell) from the lake and from the culture experiments positively correlate with some chemical parameters like conductivity an…
The Use of Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis to Trace European Sea Bass (D. labrax) Originating from Different Farming Systems
2020
This study aimed to determine whether isotopic ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) can discriminate farmed European sea bass according to different farming systems and geographic origins. Dicentrarchus labrax of commercial size from three different rearing systems (concrete tank inland, sea cages, and extensive methods in valleys or salt works) were collected at the trading period (autumn&ndash
Postharvest quality and sensory attributes of organically grown Ficus carica L.
2021
This study evaluates some physical and chemical characteristics and sensory descriptors of fig fruit cultivars ‘Petrelli’ and ‘Fico di Terlizzi’, belonging to the national germplasm bank of fig trees and cultivated in Southern Italy. For the sensory evaluation of external appearance, the descriptors skin color, pulp color, odor, sweetness, stickiness, bitterness, juiciness, firmness, tannic taste and presence of achenes were measured. Results showed that fresh weight, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), TSS:TA, firmness, and sensory properties were different for the two cultivars. SSC was more correlated with sensory attributes than TA, but other factors were also important…
The “genetic erosion” of the soil ecosystem
2013
Abstract This paper takes into consideration the influence of human activities on the loss of pedodiversity in a Mediterranean area due to large scale farming. In particular it examines the quantitative and qualitative soil changes in a period of 53 years (from 1955 to 2008) evaluating the loss of soil diversity at soil subgroups level of the USDA Soil Taxonomy system. The following indices were used: richness; Shannon’s diversity index; Simpson diversity index; Shannon’s evenness index; Simpson’s evenness index. In this case study, considering what we observed in time, the human intervention in soil transformation could increase the diversity in the landscape in an initial phase, but forwa…