UWB processing applied to multifrequency radar sounders. The case of MARSIS and comparison with SHARAD

We readapt ultrawideband (UWB) processing to enhance the range resolution of the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding (MARSIS) up to a factor of 6 (25 m). The technique provides for the estimation of radar signature over a wider spectrum via the application of wellknown super-resolution (SR) techniques to adjoining subbands. The measured spectra are first interpolated and then extrapolated outside the original bands. The revised algorithm includes the estimation and removal of ionospheric effects impacting the two signals. Because the processing requires the realignment of the echoes at different frequencies, we derived the maximum tolerable retracking error to obtain reliable super-resolved range profiles. This condition is fulfilled by low-roughness areas compared to MARSIS wavelength, which proves to be suitable for the application of our processing. Examples of super-resolved experimental products over different geological scenarios show the detection of shallow dielectric interfaces not visible from original MARSIS products. Our results are validated by comparison with the Shallow Radar (SHARAD) data acquired at the crossovers, demonstrating the potential of the method to provide enhanced imaging capabilities

Distribution of Complex and Core Lipids within New Hyperthermophilic Members of the Archaea Domain

Core and complex lipids of several new hyperthermophilic archaeal isolates were analyzed. The organisms belong to the Sulfolobales,Archaeoglobus, Pyrobaculum, and Methanococcus. A detailed structural investigation of complex lipids of Pyrobaculum species is reported. The different lipid structures are of help for a rapid and simple phylogenetic classification of the new isolates. They are in agreement with the classification based on other features

Shelf life extension of Italian mozzarella by use of calcium lactate buffered brine

Italian traditional mozzarella is a high moisture table cheese that is sold packaged in water for preserving freshness. Despite of the high foreign demand, high perishability limits export. For extending shelf life, the dairy industries have long been engaged in controlling the growth of spoilage microflora, which is the main responsible of alteration. The present paper describes the results of a study that aimed to assess if using acidified brine instead of water, the growth of these microorganisms could be delayed. A suitable brine was first developed, based on calcium lactate and lactic acid, that did not impair the sensory characteristics of the cheese. Then, the shelf-life study was carried out, and the results revealed a significant delay of the growth of total mesophilic bacteria, Pseudomonas spp. and Enterobacteriaceae. The sensory characteristics of the cheese remained within the acceptability limits until 21 days and, compared with the sample stored in water, the shelf life was extended of more than 50% Very interestingly, the experimental brine also prevented the occurrence of the blue discoloration defect, known to be caused by Pseudomonas fluorescens. Even though further investigation is needed, the results obtained can open new marketing perspectives for producers of traditional mozzarella

In vitro phenols bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity of goat milk yogurt fortified with Rhus coriaria leaf powder

Goat yogurt samples fortified with 20% (w/v) Rhus coriaria leaf powder were in vitro digested in order to evaluate the total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (AA), and bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds in the digestate. After digestion, TPC and AA values of the R. coriaria-fortified yogurts increased compared to the undigested yogurts (P < 0.001). In particular, TPC has increased about twice; whereas, AA values have increased about 10 and 6 times, for ABTS and FRAP assays, respectively. The bioaccessibility index was well above the 100% for all identified phenols; except for (-)-epicatechin (82.04%), rutin (51.51%), and gallic acid (5.42%). This different behavior highlighted that the bioaccessibility was modulated by both the yogurt-polyphenol complexes and phenol stability under digestion system. These findings can contribute to elucidate the influence of in vitro digestion on antioxidant capacity and polyphenols recovery infortified yogurts, and may help in the design of dairy products with better functional quality. Practical Application: Rhus coriaria L. (Sumac) is a polyphenol-rich Mediterranean plant that may be used as functional ingredient to enrich fermented food such as yogurt. However, in fortified yogurts the evaluation of bioaccessibility, that is, the compounds released from the yogurt and stable in the digestive environment, thus able to exert their biological effects on the gastrointestinal system, is more important than the content of these compounds in the corresponding food. This study highlighted the phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds in goat milk yogurt fortified with R. coriaria leaf powder after simulated gastro-pancreatic digestion

Decrease of activity of antioxidant enzymes, lysozyme content, and protein degradation in milk contaminated with heavy metals (cadmium and lead).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of added Cd and Pb to milk on its stability by determining antioxidant enzymatic activities, lysozyme content, and protein degradation. Antioxidant enzymatic activities were spectrophotometrically determined by superoxide dismutase, catalase, xanthine oxidase, and glutathione peroxidase assays; lysozyme was identified and quantified by HPLC-UV analysis, and protein degradation was investigated by spectrophotometric analysis of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and dityrosine content. In this study, contaminated milk samples showed a significant reduction in activity of all studied enzymes compared with control milk. The contamination of milk also led to a significant reduction in the lysozyme content; lysozyme content was decreased about 22% and 18% in Pb milk and Cd milk, respectively, compared with control milk. The presence of the contaminants in the milk resulted in a significant increase of both dityrosine concentration and AOPP compared with the control milk. Moreover, between types of contaminated milk, dityrosine and AOPP values were significantly higher in the Pb milk than in the Cd milk. Therefore, it is important to monitor the presence of these toxic elements in milk for the damage they cause to consumer health both directly due to their ingestion and indirectly due to loss of milk stability

Food Coloring Agents and Plant Food Supplements Derived from Vitis vinifera: A New Source of Human Exposure to Ochratoxin A

Grape pomaces are increasingly being used as starting material in the industrial production of plant food supplements (PFS), food coloring, and tartrates, but they are at risk of ochratoxin A (OTA) contamination, a mycotoxin with nephrotoxic and carcinogenic effects. We analyzed 24 commercial PFS and 13 food coloring samples derived from Vitis vinifera, mainly pomaces, using a HPLC−FLD method for OTA determination. OTA was found in 75% of PFS samples and 69% of food coloring samples at levels of <1.16−20.23 μg/kg and <1.16−32.00 μg/kg, respectively. The four commercial leavening agents containing tartrates were found to be negative for OTA. All eight samples collected in two distilleries that use grape pomaces and wine lees to produce tartrates and other byproducts contained OTA at levels of <1.16−240.93 μg/kg. The high incidence of OTA contamination in PFS and food coloring agents derived from V. vinifera suggests that maximum permitted level(s) should be established for this mycotoxin in these products

Minerals content in Basilicata region (southern Italy) honeys from areas with different anthropic impact

The aim of this study was to examine the minerals content (toxic elements, macro-elements and trace elements) of Basilicata region (southern Italy) honeys and compare the mineral profile of honeys classified as rural, industrial and urban according to anthropic characteristics of geographical origin. Overall, Ca, Na, Mg, Fe, Al, Zn and Mn were the most abundant elements detected in honeys, with average contents exceeding 1 ppm, whereas heavy metals content was lower than the maximum limit established for honey. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences (P < 0.05) among honeys as function of anthropic characteristics of geographical origin, with the exception for Se, Co and Ag content. Industrial honeys were characterised by the highest Zn, Cr, Sn, Cd and Pb content, urban honeys showed the highest As, Fe, Ni, Mn, Na, Mg and Ca content, whereas rural honeys showed the highest Cu, Al and Ba content (P < 0.05). The findings of this study highlighted that honeys mineral profile is closely related to different content of elements in environment, which is affected by anthropogenic activities

Growth, carcass and meat quality of Casertana, Italian Large White and Duroc x (Landrace x Italian Large White) pigs reared outdoors

To compare growth, skeletal development, carcass traits and meat quality of different genotypes, 10 Casertana (CT), 10 Italian Large White (LW) and 10 Duroc x (Landrace x Italian Large White) (DU) crosses, barrows of 90 days of age, were allotted to the same outdoor rearing and feeding conditions. Live weight was recorded and average daily gain (ADG) was calculated. At slaughter (330-day-old) dressing and lean percentages were determined; backfat thickness and loin eye depth were measured. Carcasses were dissected into commercial cuts. Water holding capacity, pH and colour (45 min and 24 h post-mortem) were measured. Longissimus lumborum muscle samples were collected for cholesterol, \u3b1-tochopherol and intramuscular collagen (IMC) analyses. CT compared to DU and LW had the lowest growth rate and skeletal development. Casertana showed higher backfat thickness, lower lean cut/fatty cut ratio and less lean meat (P<0.05). Loin eye depth differed among genotypes with LW>DU>CT (P<0.05). CT showed higher red colour of the meat than DU and LW (P<0.05). CT compared to LW had the highest hydroxylysylpiridinoline (HLP) crosslink concentration and HLP/IMC ratio, and a lower IMC amount (P<0.05). Casertana pigs produced meat that could be tougher than that from the improved breed, but more acceptable from the technological point of view. At eleven months of age bone weight, length and diameter were clearly genetic type-related; differently, the bone maturit

Morphometric analysis of hepatocellular nodular lesions in HCV cirrhosis

Background and aims. We generated a computerized morphometric model to evaluate and quantify the morphological features in large regenerative nodules (LRN), high-grade dysplastic nodules (HGDN) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods. Sixteen LRN, 10 HGDN and 16 HCC in HCV-cirrhotic livers, were stained with H&E, smooth muscle actin, CD34, CD31 and reticulin to evaluate volume and surface fractions. Results. On H&E stains, the features most discriminatory between LRN, HGDN and HCC were volume fraction and number of hepatocytes nuclei in unit volume, and hepatocyte nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio. On immunohistochemistry, volume fractions of capillarised sinusoids, capillary units and isolated arteries were significantly different among all groups and highest in HCC; surface fraction of reticulin was markedly decreased in HCC. Conclusions. Our morphometric model is an objective method of quantification of the morphological changes of the nodular lesions and it could be applied in studies involving histological evaluation of the spectrum of nodular lesions arising in the cirrhotic liver