524 research outputs found
Comparison of organic and conventional Italian cheeses chemical composition from parallel production
ABSTRACT: Although there are several studies comparing organic and conventional milk characteristics, very few focused on dairy processed products such as cheese. Thus, this study aimed for a detailed controlled examination of gross composition, minerals, and the fatty acid profile of organic (ORG) and conventional (CON) Italian cheeses from parallel production. Four Italian cheese types were analyzed: Latteria (ORG, n = 9; CON, n = 10); Asiago Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) fresco (ORG, n = 9; CON, n = 9); Caciotta (ORG, n = 8; CON, n = 8); and Mozzarella Traditional Specialty Guaranteed (TSG; ORG, n = 14; CON, n = 14). Cheese samples were collected from September 2020 to August 2021. Gross composition, minerals, and fatty acids were determined using infrared spectroscopy. Within each cheese type, paired ORG and CON samples were compared using a nonparametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Latteria showed lower PUFA, n-3, and n-6 content, and greater Fe, K, C10:0, C12:0, and C16:0 content in ORG than in CON. Asiago PDO fresco showed lower protein and Zn content and greater salt, ash, and Na content in ORG than in CON. Caciotta showed lower ash, n-3, and n-6 content and greater K, C4:0, C8:0, C10:0, C14:0, and C16:0 content in ORG than in CON. Mozzarella TSG showed lower fat and, therefore, fatty acid content, and greater moisture, ash, and Mg content in ORG than in CON. In conclusion, few significant differences in chemical composition were observed between ORG and CON cheeses, regardless of the type considered. Moreover, Asiago PDO fresco showed fewer significant differences between ORG and CON compared with Latteria, Caciotta, and Mozzarella TSG
Star Formation in the Starburst Cluster in NGC 3603
We have used new, deep, visible and near infrared observations of the compact
starburst cluster in the giant HII region NGC 3603 and its surroundings with
the WFC3 on HST and HAWK-I on the VLT to study in detail the physical
properties of its intermediate mass (~ 1 - 3 M_sun) stellar population. We show
that after correction for differential extinction and actively accreting stars,
and the study of field star contamination, strong evidence remains for a
continuous spread in the ages of pre-main sequence stars in the range ~ 2 to ~
30 Myr within the temporal resolution available. Existing differences among
presently available theoretical models account for the largest possible
variation in shape of the measured age histograms within these limits. We also
find that this isochronal age spread in the near infrared and visible
Colour-Magnitude Diagrams cannot be reproduced by any other presently known
source of astrophysical or instrumental scatter that could mimic the luminosity
spread seen in our observations except, possibly, episodic accretion. The
measured age spread and the stellar spatial distribution in the cluster are
consistent with the hypothesis that star formation started at least 20-30 Myrs
ago progressing slowly but continuously up to at least a few million years ago.
All the stars in the considered mass range are distributed in a flattened
oblate spheroidal pattern with the major axis oriented in an approximate
South-East - North-West direction, and with the length of the equatorial axis
decreasing with increasing age. This asymmetry is most likely due to the fact
that star formation occurred along a filament of gas and dust in the natal
molecular cloud oriented locally in this direction.Comment: 21 pages, 19 figures, accepted for publication in Astrophysics &
Space Scienc
Mapping and Monitoring Urban Environment through Sentinel-1 SAR Data: A Case Study in the Veneto Region (Italy)
Focusing on a sustainable and strategic urban development, local governments and public
administrations, such as the Veneto Region in Italy, are increasingly addressing their urban and
territorial planning to meet national and European policies, along with the principles and goals of
the 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development. In this regard, we aim at testing a methodology
based on a semi-automatic approach able to extract the spatial extent of urban areas, referred to as
\u201curban footprint\u201d, from satellite data. In particular, we exploited Sentinel-1 radar imagery through
multitemporal analysis of interferometric coherence as well as supervised and non-supervised
classi\ufb01cation algorithms. Lastly, we compared the results with the land cover map of the Veneto
Region for accuracy assessments. Once properly processed and classi\ufb01ed, the radar images resulted
in high accuracy values, with an overall accuracy ranging between 85% and 90% and percentages of
urban footprint di\ufb00ering by less than 1%\u20132% with respect to the values extracted from the reference
land cover map. These results provide not only a reliable and useful support for strategic urban
planning and monitoring, but also potentially identify a solid organizational data\ufb02ow process to
prepare geographic indicators that will help answering the needs of the 2030 Agenda (in particular
the goal 11 \u201cSustainable Cities and Communities\u201d)
ATP-sensitive cation-channel in wheat (triticum durum Desf.): Identification and characterization of a plant mitochondrial channel by patch-clamp
Indirect evidence points to the presence of K + channels in plant mitochondria. In the present study, we report the results of the first patch clamp experiments on plant mitochondria. Single-channel recordings in 150 mM potassium gluconate have allowed the biophysical characterization of a channel with a conductance of 150 pS in the inner mitochondrial membrane of mitoplasts obtained from wheat (Triticum durum Desf.). The channel displayed sharp voltage sensitivity, permeability to potassium and cation selectivity. ATP in the mM concentration range completely abolished the activity. We discuss the possible molecular identity of the channel and its possible role in the defence mechanisms against oxidative stress in plants
Regulatory Interplay between miR-181a-5p and Estrogen Receptor Signaling Cascade in Breast Cancer
he efficacy and side effects of endocrine therapy in breast cancer (BC) depend largely on estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) expression, the specific drug administered, and treatment scheduling. Although the benefits of endocrine therapy outweigh any adverse effects in the initial stages of BC, later- or advanced-stage tumors acquire resistance to treatments. The mechanisms underlying tumor resistance to therapy are still not well understood, posing a major challenge for BC patient care. Epigenetic regulation and miRNA expression may be involved in the switch from a treatment-sensitive to a treatment-resistant state and could provide a valid therapeutic strategy for ERα negative BC. Here, a hybrid lysine-specific histone demethylase inhibitor, MC3324, displaying selective estrogen receptor down-regulator-like activities in BC, was used to highlight the interplay between epigenetic and ERα signaling. MC3324 anticancer action is mediated by microRNA (miRNA) expression regulation, indicating an innovative function for this molecule. Integrated analysis suggests a crosstalk between estrogen signaling, ERα interactors, miRNAs, and their putative targets. Specifically, miR-181a-5p expression is regulated by MC3324 and has an impact on cellular levels of ERα. A comparison of breast tumor versus healthy mammary tissues confirmed the important role of miR-181a-5p in ERα regulation and points to its putative predictive function in BC therapy
First mineralogical maps of 4 Vesta
Before Dawn arrived at 4 Vesta only very low spatial resolution (~50 km) albedo and color maps were available from HST data. Also ground-based color and spectroscopic data were utilized as a first attempt to map Vesta’s mineralogical diversity [1-4]. The VIR spectrometer [5] onboard Dawn has ac-quired hyperspectral data while the FC camera [6] ob-tained multi-color data of the Vestan surface at very high spatial resolutions, allowing us to map complex geologic, morphologic units and features. We here re-port about the results obtained from a preliminary global mineralogical map of Vesta, based on data from the Survey orbit. This map is part of an iterative map-ping effort; the map is refined with each improvement in resolution
Presymptomatic geographical distribution of ALS patients suggests the involvement of environmental factors in the disease pathogenesis
BackgroundGiven that the pathogenetic process of ALS begins many years prior to its clinical onset, examining patients' residential histories may offer insights on the disease risk factors. Here, we analyzed the spatial distribution of a large ALS cohort in the 50 years preceding the disease onset.MethodsData from the PARALS register were used. A spatial cluster analysis was performed at the time of disease onset and at 1-year intervals up to 50 years prior to that.ResultsA total of 1124 patients were included. The analysis revealed a higher-incidence cluster in a large area (435,000 inhabitants) west of Turin. From 9 to 2 years before their onset, 105 cases were expected and 150 were observed, resulting in a relative risk of 1.49 (P = 0.04). We also found a surprising high number of patients pairs (51) and trios (3) who lived in the same dwelling while not being related. Noticeably, these occurrences were not observed in large dwellings as we would have expected. The probability of this occurring in smaller buildings only by chance was very low (P = 0.01 and P = 0.04 for pairs and trios, respectively).ConclusionsWe identified a higher-incidence ALS cluster in the years preceding the disease onset. The cluster area being densely populated, many exposures could have contributed to the high incidence ALS cluster, while we could not find a shared exposure among the dwellings where multiple patients had lived. However, these findings support that exogenous factors are likely involved in the ALS pathogenesis
A new search for planet transits in NGC 6791
Context. Searching for planets in open clusters allows us to study the
effects of dynamical environment on planet formation and evolution.
Aims. Considering the strong dependence of planet frequency on stellar
metallicity, we studied the metal rich old open cluster NGC 6791 and searched
for close-in planets using the transit technique.
Methods. A ten-night observational campaign was performed using the
Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (3.6m), the San Pedro M\'artir telescope (2.1m),
and the Loiano telescope (1.5m). To increase the transit detection probability
we also made use of the Bruntt et al. (2003) eight-nights observational
campaign. Adequate photometric precision for the detection of planetary
transits was achieved.
Results. Should the frequency and properties of close-in planets in NGC 6791
be similar to those orbiting field stars of similar metallicity, then detailed
simulations foresee the presence of 2-3 transiting planets. Instead, we do not
confirm the transit candidates proposed by Bruntt et al. (2003). The
probability that the null detection is simply due to chance coincidence is
estimated to be 3%-10%, depending on the metallicity assumed for the cluster.
Conclusions. Possible explanations of the null-detection of transits include:
(i) a lower frequency of close-in planets in star clusters; (ii) a smaller
planetary radius for planets orbiting super metal rich stars; or (iii)
limitations in the basic assumptions. More extensive photometry with 3-4m class
telescopes is required to allow conclusive inferences about the frequency of
planets in NGC 6791.Comment: 23 pages, 23 figures, A&A accepte
Hot subdwarf stars in close-up view - II. Rotational properties of single and wide binary subdwarf B stars
Subluminous B stars (sdBs) form the extremely hot end of the horizontal
branch and are therefore related to the blue horizontal branch (BHB) stars.
While the rotational properties of BHB stars have been investigated
extensively, studies of sdB stars have concentrated on close binaries that are
influenced by tidal interactions between their components. Here we present a
study of 105 sdB stars, which are either single stars or in wide binaries where
tidal effects become negligible. The projected rotational velocities have been
determined by measuring the broadening of metal lines using high-resolution
optical spectra. All stars in our sample are slow rotators (). Furthermore, the -distributions of single sdBs are similar to those of hot subdwarfs
in wide binaries with main-sequence companions as well as close binary systems
with unseen companions and periods exceeding . We show that
blue horizontal and extreme horizontal branch stars are also related in terms
of surface rotation and angular momentum. Hot blue horizontal branch stars
() with diffusion-dominated atmospheres are slow
rotators like the hot subdwarf stars located on the extreme horizontal branch,
which lost more envelope and therefore angular momentum in the red-giant phase.
The uniform rotation distributions of single and wide binary sdBs pose a
challenge to our understanding of hot subdwarf formation. Especially the high
fraction of helium white dwarf mergers predicted by theory seems to be
inconsistent with the results presented here.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, A&A, in pres
Water Dynamics at Protein Interfaces: Ultrafast Optical Kerr Effect Study
The behavior of water molecules surrounding a protein can have an important bearing on its structure and function. Consequently, a great deal of attention has been focused on changes in the relaxation dynamics of water when it is located at the protein surface. Here we use the ultrafast optical Kerr effect to study the H-bond structure and dynamics of aqueous solutions of proteins. Measurements are made for three proteins as a function of concentration. We find that the water dynamics in the first solvation layer of the proteins are slowed by up to a factor of 8 in comparison to those in bulk water. The most marked slowdown was observed for the most hydrophilic protein studied, bovine serum albumin, whereas the most hydrophobic protein, trypsin, had a slightly smaller effect. The terahertz Raman spectra of these protein solutions resemble those of pure water up to 5 wt % of protein, above which a new feature appears at 80 cm–1, which is assigned to a bending of the protein amide chain
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