372 research outputs found
Bi-photon propagation control with optimized wavefront by means of Adaptive Optics
We present an efficient method to control the spatial modes of entangled
photons produced through SPDC process. Bi-photon beam propagation is controlled
by a deformable mirror, that shapes a 404nm CW diode laser pump interacting
with a nonlinear BBO type-I crystal. Thanks to adaptive optical system, the
propagation of 808nm SPDC light produced is optimized over a distance of 2m.
The whole system optimization is carried out by a feedback between deformable
mirror action and entangled photon coincidence counts. We also demonstrated the
improvement of the two-photon coupling into single mode fibers
Genomics of paratuberculosis and tuberculosis in livestock
Genomics of paratuberculosis and tuberculosis in livestock is presented, with latest results from Macrosys to national projects
Spinodal of supercooled polarizable water
We develop a series of molecular dynamics computer simulations of liquid
water, performed with a polarizable potential model, to calculate the spinodal
line and the curve of maximum density inside the metastable supercooled region.
After analysing the structural properties,the liquid spinodal line is followed
down to T=210 K. A monotonic decrease is found in the explored region. The
curve of maximum density bends on approaching the spinodal line. These results,
in agreement with similar studies on non polarizable models of water, are
consistent with the existence of a second critical point for water.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables. To be published in Phys. Re
Immunohistochemical Distribution of Serotonin Transporter (SERT) in the Optic Lobe of the Honeybee, Apis mellifera
Visual information is processed in the optic lobes, which consist of three retinotopic neuropils. These are the lamina, the medulla and the lobula. Biogenic amines play a crucial role in the control of insect responsiveness, and serotonin is clearly related to aggressiveness in invertebrates. Previous studies suggest that serotonin modulates aggression-related behaviours, possibly via alterations in optic lobe activity. The aim of this investigation was to immunohistochemically localize the distribution of serotonin transporter (SERT) in the optic lobe of moderate, docile and aggressive worker honeybees. SERT-immunoreactive fibres showed a wide distribution in the lamina, medulla and lobula; interestingly, the highest percentage of SERT immunoreactivity was observed across all the visual neuropils of the docile group. Although future research is needed to determine the relationship between the distribution of serotonin fibres in the honeybee brain and aggressive behaviours, our immunohistochemical study provides an anatomical basis supporting the role of serotonin in aggressive behaviour in the honeybee
Entomological analysis for archeological reconstruction and conservation strategies design: the mummies of Cerreto di Spoleto (Central Italy)
Insects found in archeological contexts provide useful information for reconstructing past events. In the context of funerary archeology, insects may help in reconstructing funerary practices or rituals, and in the understanding of the taphonomic processes. Furthermore, studying these insects is fundamental for developing effective conservation strategies for cultural heritage. This article focuses on the entomological investigation of four mummies (nineteenth century) discovered in the church of Santa Maria Annunziata (Cerreto di Spoleto, Central Italy). The research aimed to verify and eventually support archeological hypotheses about the four bodies and to plan an effective conservation strategy. The predominant findings were Diptera puparia and adult Coleoptera. Alongside, common species typical of the hypogean burial, such as Hydrotaea capensis and several mycetophilous (mold feeder) species were also collected. The presence of blowfly remains (Calliphoridae) would suggest that the bodies were exposed before burial
quantitative trait loci associated with the humoral innate immune response in chickens were confirmed in a cross between green legged partridgelike and white leghorn
Natural antibodies (NA) create a crucial barrier at the initial steps of the innate humoral immune response. The main role of NA in the defense system is to bind the pathogens at early stages of infection. Different pathogens are recognized by the presence of highly conserved antigen determinant [e. g., lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in gram-negative bacteria or lipoteichoic acid (LTA) in gram-positive bacteria]. In chickens, a different genetic background of NA binds LPS and LTA antigens, encoded by different QTL. The main objective of this work was to confirm known QTL associated with LPS and LTA NA. For this purpose a chicken reference population was created by crossing 2 breeds: a commercial layer, White Leghorn, and a Polish indigenous chicken, Green-Legged Partridgelike. The chromosomal regions analyzed harbored to GGA3, GGA5, GGA6, GGA8, GGA9, GGA10, GGA14, GGA15, GGA18, and GGAZ. The data collected consisted of the NA titers binding LPS and LTA (determined by ELISA at 12 wk of age) as well as the genotypes (30 short tandem repeat markers; average of 3 markers/chromosome, collected for generations F(0), F(1), and F(2)). The analyses were performed with 3 statistical models (paternal and maternal half-sib, line cross, and linkage analysis and linkage disequilibrium) implemented in GridQTL software (http://www.gridqtl.org.uk/). The QTL study of humoral innate immune response traits resulted in the confirmation of 3 QTL associated with NA titers binding LPS (located on GGA9, GGA18, and GGAZ) and 2 QTL associated with NA titers binding LTA (located on GGA5 and GGA14). A set of candidate genes within the regions of the validated QTL has been proposed
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