516 research outputs found
Near-infrared observations of galaxies in Pisces-Perseus: I. H-band surface photometry of 174 spirals
We present near-infrared, H-band (1.65 um), surface photometry of 174 spiral
galaxies in the area of the Pisces-Perseus supercluster. The images, acquired
with the ARNICA camera mounted on various telescopes, are used to derive radial
profiles of surface brightness, ellipticities, and position angles, together
with global parameters such as H-band magnitudes and diameters. The mean
relation between H-band isophotal diameter D_{21.5} and the B-band D_{25}
implies a B-H color of the outer disk bluer than 3.5; moreover, D_{21.5}/D_{25}
depends on (global) color and absolute luminosity. The correlations among the
various photometric parameters suggest a ratio between isophotal radius
D_{21.5}/2 and disk scale length of about 3.5 and a mean disk central
brightness of 17.5 H-mag arcsec^{-2}. We confirm the trend of the concentration
index C_{31} with absolute luminosity and, to a lesser degree, with
morphological type. We also assess the influence of non-axisymmetric structures
on the radial profiles and on the derived parameters.Comment: 10 pages, 11 postscript figures (one table and one figure are
available only at the CDS); to be published on A&A
characterization and antimicrobial resistance analysis of avian pathogenic escherichia coli isolated from italian turkey flocks
ABSTRACT This study investigated the occurrence of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) in a finishing turkey commercial farm, carrying out longitudinal surveys involving 3 consecutive flocks. The diversity and the distribution of the E. coli strains detected during colisepticemia outbreaks were examined. The strains were isolated, serogrouped, assessed for the presence of virulence-associated genes, typed by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD), and antimicrobial resistance analysis was then carried out. Escherichia coli O78 and O2 were predominantly found. Moreover, based on the somatic antigens used in the study, strains were recovered that were nontypeable. On one occasion, an E. coli O111 strain was found in turkeys. The E. coli isolates differed in terms of antibiotic resistance and RAPD profile. All strains possessed the virulence genes that enabled them to be considered APEC. Strains not only differed between flocks, but also within the same flock. These findings point out the importance of addressing colibacillosis therapy on the basis of a sensitivity test
Laser hardening of steel sintered parts
The possibility of applying rapid and localized laser hardening to near-net shape parts, like the ones deriving from powder metallurgy (P/M) is investigated, demonstrating that even low alloyed steels (Fe + 2% Cu + 0,7% C) can be successfully heat treated with minimal or no dimensional variations. Laser hardening conditions have been selected on the basis of the results of the previous research, carried out by means of an Nd-YAG high power system [1]. To avoid some carbon loss, observed on previous activities, the samples have been protected by neutral atmosphere. The microstructural features of the laser hardened steels have been analyzed by optical microscopy, whereas the surface micro-geometry has been characterized by scanning electron microscope. Hardened depth (HD), hardened width (HW) and hardened area (HA) have been measured as well. As expected, the micro-hardness profiles present a sharp drop at low distance from the hardened surface. The typical splitting between hardened zone and heat-Affected zone (HAZ), well known from laser hardened fully dense steels, has been observed also on low-Alloy sintered steels. The use of a protective atmosphere has been helpful to control surface decarburization and to prevent oxidation. The research confirm that Laser transformation Hardening (LTH) is a suitable hardening process of P/M components, through the action of a scanning laser beam. The short heating time and the modest volume fraction structurally modified can contribute to avoid part distortion, in comparison with other hardening methods
Differential Physiological Responses Elicited by Ancient and Heritage Wheat Cultivars Compared to Modern Ones.
Although ancient, heritage, and modern wheat varieties appear rather similar from a nutritional point of view, having a similar gluten content and a comparable toxicity linked to their undigested gluten peptide, whenever the role of ancient end heritage wheat grains has been investigated in animal studies or in clinical trials, more anti-inflammatory effects have been associated with the older wheat varieties. This review provides a critical overview of existing data on the differential physiological responses that could be elicited in the human body by ancient and heritage grains compared to modern ones. The methodology used was that of analyzing the results of relevant studies conducted from 2010 through PubMed search, by using as keywords "ancient or heritage wheat", "immune wheat" (protein or peptides), and immune gluten (protein or peptides). Our conclusion is that, even if we do not know exactly which molecular mechanisms are involved, ancient and heritage wheat varieties have different anti-inflammatory and antioxidant proprieties with respect to modern cultivars. It is, therefore, reasonable to assume that the health proprieties attributed to older cultivars could be related to wheat components which have positive roles in the modulation of intestinal inflammation and/or permeability
First report of Colletotrichum scovillei causing anthracnose of pepper in Kosovo
Colletotrichum scovillei is one of several species in the C. acutatum complex causing anthracnose on pepper, currently present in eastern Asia, Brazil and South Carolina (USA). A severe anthracnose infection on pepper fruits was identified in two commercial fields in Kosovo. Infection assays, morphological analyses and sequencing identified the causal agent as C. scovillei. It could be considered an emerging disease as the severe crop losses, together with the spread of the pathogen/disease to areas and regions where it was never reported in previous times. This is the first report of C. scovillei infecting pepper in Kosovo and Europe
The body I live in. Perceptions and meanings of body dissatisfaction in young transgender adults: a qualitative study
Body dissatisfaction in individuals with Gender Incongruence (GI) represents a primary source of su↵ering. Several studies have highlighted how this su↵ering has psychological, physical, and biological implications. This work aims to explore experiences related to body dissatisfaction and investigate the issues associated with living in a body perceived as incongruent for individuals with GI. Thirty-six individuals, aged between 18 and 30 years old and at stage T0 of hormone treatment, participated in the study. Body dissatisfaction and experiences related to it were investigated using the Clinical Diagnostic Interview. The Consensual Qualitative Research methodology was applied to the transcripts of the interviews. Several themes emerged: experiences with GI development, experiences with puberty and bodily changes, perception of one’s body, psychological problems and complex behavioral patterns related to body dissatisfaction. Results pointed out the complexity implied in the relationship with one’s body for individuals with GI, highlighting specific aspects of body dissatisfaction among these individuals (e.g., eating disorders, sexual diculties, social withdrawal). This study underlines the need for a deeper understanding of some aspects of GI to better define guidelines for a correct assessment of it. In this way it will be easier to avoid negative outcomes for the psychological and general health of transgender people
Mentalization, attachment, and defense mechanisms: A Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual-2-oriented empirical investigation
Mentalizing capacities depends on the quality of primary attachment interactions with caregivers who thinks of the child as a subject with mental states. Operationalized as reflective functioning, mentalization is crucial for regulating emotions and developing of a coherent sense of identity, for interacting with individuals making sense to own and others mental states, and for distinguishing internal and external realities without distortions. Although the clinical literature on interplay between mentalization, attachment, and emotional regulation is rich, the empirical research is limited. This study sought to explore connections between reflective functioning, attachment styles, and implicit emotion regulation, operationalized as defense mechanisms, in a group of depressive patients. Twenty-eight patients were interviewed using the adult attachment interview (AAI) and diagnosed using the Psychodynamic Chart-2 of the Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual, Second Edition. The reflective functioning scale and the defense mechanisms rating scale Qsort were applied to AAI transcriptions to assess reflective functioning and defensive profile. Patients with secure attachment showed significantly higher levels in reflective functioning and overall defensive functioning as compared to those with insecure attachment. Good reflective functioning and secure attachment correlated with mature defenses and specific defensive mechanisms that serve in better regulating affective states. Overall, the relationship between mentalization, attachment and emotion regulation lay the foundations for the delineation of defensive profiles associated with attachment patterns and reflective functioning in depressive patients. The systematic assessment of these psychological dimensions with gold-standard tools may help in tailoring personalized therapeutic interventions and promoting more effective treatments
Anthropic pressures on Nature 2000 Sites: recommendations and monitoring criteria for the pollution emergency response activities within the Orbetello lagoon
L’elevato valore naturalistico e socioeconomico
di un Sito Natura 2000 richiede che tutte le
attività antropiche che si svolgono al suo interno
(es. pesca, turismo, trasporti, attività industriali,
etc.) siano gestite in maniera tale da non pregiudicare
le specie e gli habitat per i quali l’area è
stata designata. Molti di questi Siti sono ambienti
di transizione, ovvero zone che costituiscono il
passaggio naturale tra terra e mare. La loro
posizione di interfaccia tra questi due ambienti li
rende ecosistemi unici e biologicamente molto
produttivi, sede di meccanismi di regolazione dei processi interattivi della biosfera nelle due
fasi, terrestre e marina. In alcuni Siti la presenza
di attività antropiche diffuse e prolungate nel
tempo ha portato al riscontro di stati di
contaminazione elevata, fino all’inclusione di
queste zone, o parti di esse, tra i Siti di bonifica
di Interesse Nazionale (SIN). Il presente lavoro
descrive le linee di indirizzo e le attività di
monitoraggio da attuare per la salvaguardia della
salute pubblica e dell’ambiente nel corso degli
interventi di messa in sicurezza di emergenza
predisposti nell’area lagunare antistante l’area
industriale Ex Sitoco, all’interno della perimetrazione
del SIN di Orbetello, incluso in un Sito di
Importanza Comunitaria. Le matrici ambientali
potenzialmente a rischio a causa dell’esecuzione
di tali interventi sono: acqua, sedimento,
biocenosi acquatiche, avifauna, uomo.
È altresì importante valutare gli effetti che le
ipotetiche modifiche su microscala, apportate a
livello di ogni matrice, potrebbero causare nel
lungo periodo su macroscala.The high naturalistic and socio-economic value
of Natura 2000 sites requires that all human
activities performed within their borders (e.g.
fishing, tourism, transports, industrial activities)
are regulated. Indeed, the site management
should assure the effective safeguard of all
species and habitats of European interest
included in the protected area. A lot of such
sites are located in transitional environments,
that are areas characterised by a natural
progression from the terrestrial to the water
environments. Such environments include
unique and very productive habitats, and they
represent the regulation mechanisms of the
interactive processes of the terrestrial and
marine biosphere. In some sites, the presence
of human activities that are distributed both in
space and time has led to high levels of contamination,
that in some cases even required their
inclusion in Reclamation Sites of National
Interest (SIN). The present study describes the
planning and monitoring activities to be
performed in order to safeguard human and
environment health during the actions of MISE in the lagoonal area in front of the industrial area
Ex Sitoco, within the borders of the Orbetello
SIN, included in a SCI. The environmental
parameters that are potentially at risk due to
such activities are: water, sediment, water
biocenosis, birds, humans. Furthermore, it is
important to evaluate the effects that potential
variations at the microscale level may cause at
the macroscale level
- …