Iniziativa privata e istituzionalizzazione degli insegnamenti agronomici: Cosimo Ridolfi, la Scuola di Meleto e la nascita dell’Istituto agrario di Pisa

L’istituzionalizzazione dell’insegnamento agrario è un fenomeno che, nel corso del XIX secolo, interessa numerosi paesi europei, come riflesso dei processi di modernizzazione dell’agricoltura sperimentati da proprietari terrieri più avanzati e stimolati da numerose accademie e riviste. Nel Granducato di Toscana, il primo esperimento di rilievo fu realizzato nel 1834 da Cosimo Ridolfi con la realizzazione di una fattoria-modello a Meleto. Questa esperienza, per quanto isolata, contribuì alla creazione di una rete di contatti fra Ridolfi e numerosi agronomi italiani ed europei, la cui costante attenzione verso l’esperienza di Meleto consentì una vasta diffusione delle tecniche agrarie e delle rotazioni agricole ivi sperimentate. Nei primi anni ’40 lo Stato assunse l’iniziativa, e fondò la cattedra di Agricoltura e Pastorizia, aggregata alla Facoltà di Scienze naturali dell’Università di Pisa. Questa iniziativa rappresentò, a tutti gli effetti, il primo tangibile impegno dello Stato nel promuovere l’insegnamento agrario superiore. La cattedra fu affidata allo stesso Ridolfi, il quale propose un modello agronomico che agevolasse la riforma della mezzadria. La cattedra di agricoltura e pastorizia fu abolita nel 1851, ma fu ripristinata nel 1859 dal Governo provvisorio toscano dopo la cacciata dei Lorena

Una vetrina internazionale per lo sviluppo: la Corsica e le Esposizioni Universali

Negli anni del II Impero il processo di integrazione della Corsica con la Francia conosce una decisa accelerazione, grazie anche al sostegno, diretto e indiretto, dato dal regime napoleonico allo sviluppo delle attività produttive del dipartimento. In questo periodo si intensificano simmetricamente gli sforzi del ceto dirigente còrso per avviare una trasformazione degli assetti produttivi dell’isola verso un modello economico di tipo capitalistico. La partecipazione dei produttori còrsi alle Esposizioni Universali di Parigi (1855), Londra (1862) e Parigi (1867) rientra a pieno titolo in questa strategia, incentrata sulla promozione dello sviluppo economico e della modernizzazione degli assetti sociali dell’isola

A modelling approach to Extra Virgin olive oil extraction

In the present work is described a feasibility assessment for a new approach in virgin olive oil production control system. A predicting or simulating algorithm is implemented as artificial neural network based software, using literature found data concerning parameters related to olive grove, process, machine. Test and validation proved this tool is able to answer two different frequently asked questions by olive oil mill operators, using few agronomic and technological parameters with time and cost saving: – which quality level is up to oil extracted from defined olive lot following a defined process (predicting mode); – which process and machine parameters set would determine highest quality level for oil extracted from a defined olive lot (simulating mode)

Towards the environmental sustainability assessment for the viticulture

During the last decades in Italy the wine sector focused on the environmental sustainability of the production processes, including the agricultural, the agro-industrial and the packaging phases. Recent surveys highlighted that the wine consumers are interested in the environmental certifications, even if they are not familiar with them. Several environmental pressures can be evaluated in the viticulture phase, but an elevated number of the analysed impacts require the collection of a large set of input data and significant efforts during the elaboration phase. Therefore, the aim of the present work was the identification of the inventory data and impacts, which mainly describe the environmental pressures associated with the viticulture phase. Particularly, the results of the life cycle assessment (LCA) were integrated with those of a model and a simplified approach for evaluating the risks due to the pesticides use. The LCA identified three phases, which are responsible of 70-80% of the CO2eq (CO2 equivalent), the cumulated energy utilisation, the acidification potential (expressed in SO2 equivalent) and the eutrophication (expressed in PO4 equivalent), i.e. the harvesting, the crop protection and the ligature. The phase of the pesticides use was analysed also through the pesticides risk indicator (PERI) model and a simplified approach elaborated by the Regional Agency for the Environment Protection in Tuscany, Italy. Results concerning the environmental risk showed that the PERI model, the Arpat approach and the LCA were coherent for the pesticide mix highlighting that the associated environmental risk is more than doubled from 2004 to 2010. Finally, some operative indications were elaborated in order to reduce the impacts and improve the local and global environmental sustainability of the viticulture phase

Mapping of Yucca gloriosa invasion along Mediterranean coastal dunes using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)

Invasive Alien Plants (IAPs) are defined as those species whose introduction and/or spread outside their natural distribution can threaten the biological diversity of an ecosystem. They represent a severe threat to biodiversity and can severely alter the performance of crucial ecosystems such as coastal dunes. Coastal dunes are composed of specialized fauna and flora, converting them into strategic ecosystems due to their unique ecological functions. Coastal dunes are one of the most invaded European environments, with a total flora composed of up to 7% of IAPs. One of these IAPs is Yucca gloriosa L. (Asparagaceae), a homoploid hybrid native plant from the United States of America introduced to Europe for ornamental purposes. For Italy, Y. gloriosa is a typical invasive species related to fixed dunes dominated by Juniperus sp. pl. (with which it competes). Concerning biological invasions, maybe the most effective management strategy is early detection and mapping. In that sense, this work explores and tests the potential of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for detecting, mapping, and managing the Y. gloriosa invasion along the Mediterranean coastal dunes of a protected area located in Tuscany (Italy). In detail, this work focuses on four aspects: i) determine the suitability of RGB images to map Y. gloriosa, ii) identify the best time of data acquisition, iii) detect changes affecting the occurrence and cover of Y. gloriosa, and iv) propose a set of management actions to preserve a coastal dune ecosystem subjected to plant invasion. The UAV images allowed the generation of ultra-high spatial resolution maps to assess the Y. gloriosa invasion and distribution along the surveyed sandy dunes. The morphological characteristics of this plant – especially at the foliar level – make the invasion of Y. gloriosa particularly suitable for being evaluated and managed using UAV mapping, especially in coastal dunes vegetation that can be a mosaic of different plant communities hard to identify when airborne or satellite images are used. According to the obtained results, the spring season is the perfect time to collect data because light conditions are ideal, with minimal shading effects. Also, due to the peculiar morphology of Y. gloriosa leaves, the timing of data collection seems not crucial for mapping this IAP on coastal dune habitats. Despite the massive eradication action funded by a LIFE project during the period 2005-2009, Y. gloriosa is still present in the protected area and affects the priority habitat of juniper. This might be linked to the fact that Y. gloriosa is a perennial rhizomatous shrub capable of switching its photosynthesis from the C3 to CAM pathway and, therefore, withstand the harsh environmental conditions of dune ecosystems. The early detection using UAVs is the first line of defense against IAPs colonization over any ecosystem. From a conservation and management point of view, this work suggests the development of annual biomonitoring of Y. gloriosa to check its distribution over time and control its spread where it becomes particularly invasive. In this case, one possible strategy will be to keep the IAP in isolated nuclei of plants that are easier to remove with mechanical methods. In a broader view, the study area and the Mediterranean coast must include the ban on introducing non-native species as a strategy, adopting a short-term non-native Management Plan as urgent action

Guidelines for the monitoring of Rosalia alpina

Rosalia alpina (Linnaeus, 1758) is a large longhorn beetle (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) which is protected by the Habitats Directive and which typically inhabits beech forests characterised by the presence of mature, dead (or moribund) and sun-exposed trees. A revision of the current knowledge on systematics, ecology and conservation of R. alpina is reported. The research was carried out as part of the LIFE MIPP project which aims to find a standard monitoring method for saproxylic beetles protected in Europe. For monitoring this species, different methods were tested and compared in two areas of the Apennines, utilising wild trees, logs and tripods (artificially built with beech woods), all potentially suitable for the reproduction of the species. Even if all methods succeeded in the survey of the target species, these results showed that the use of wild trees outperformed other methods. Indeed, the use of wild trees allowed more adults to be observed and required less intensive labour. However, monitoring the rosalia longicorn on wild trees has the main disadvantage that they can hardly be considered “standard sampling units”, as each tree may be differently attractive to adults. Our results demonstrated that the most important factors influencing the attraction of single trunks were wood volume, sun-exposure and decay stage. Based on the results obtained during the project LIFE MIPP, as well as on a literature review, a standard monitoring method for R. alpina was developed

Physico-Chemical Features of Undoped and Fe/Cu-Doped Na0.67MnO2-Layered Cathodes for Sodium Batteries

Na0.67MnO2 (NMO) stands out among the layered cathode materials used for sodium batteries due to its high-capacity values, low cost, and environmental friendliness. Unfortunately, many drawbacks arise during cycling, but nanostructure tailoring and doping can help to mitigate them. Our aim was to synthesize undoped and Cu- or Fe-doped NMO samples via the sol-gel route, with a different cooling step to room temperature, i.e., in a natural way or via quenching. The formation of a mixture of polymorphs was observed, as well as differences in the external morphology of the powders' grains. The use of spectroscopic techniques, Mössbauer spectroscopy for the Fe-doped samples and Electron paramagnetic resonance, allowed us to gain insights into the oxidation states of transition metals and to make suggestions about the magnetic ordering, as well as on the possible presence of magnetic impurities. Cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic cycling results were interpreted on the basis of the spectroscopic data: the introduction of substituents, in general, worsens the capacity values, due to the decrease in the P2 amount and the introduction of structural distortions. The structural stability of the samples in air as a function of time was also analyzed via X-ray diffraction, demonstrating the positive effect of Cu presence

Expression of human papilloma virus type 16 E5 protein in amelanotic melanoma cells regulates endo-cellular pH and restores tyrosinase activity

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Melanin synthesis, the elective trait of melanocytes, is regulated by tyrosinase activity. In tyrosinase-positive amelanotic melanomas this rate limiting enzyme is inactive because of acidic endo-melanosomal pH. The E5 oncogene of the Human Papillomavirus Type 16 is a small transmembrane protein with a weak transforming activity and a role during the early steps of viral infections. E5 has been shown to interact with 16 kDa subunit C of the trans-membrane Vacuolar ATPase proton pump ultimately resulting in its functional suppressions. However, the cellular effects of such an interaction are still under debate. With this work we intended to explore whether the HPV16 E5 oncoprotein does indeed interact with the vacuolar ATPase proton pump once expressed in intact human cells and whether this interaction has functional consequences on cell metabolism and phenotype.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The expression of the HPV16-E5 oncoproteins was induced in two Tyrosinase-positive amelanotic melanomas (the cell lines FRM and M14) by a retroviral expression construct. Modulation of the intracellular pH was measured with Acridine orange and fluorescence microscopy. Expression of tyrosinase and its activity was followed by RT-PCR, Western Blot and enzyme assay. The anchorage-independence growth and the metabolic activity of E5 expressing cells were also monitored.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We provide evidence that in the E5 expressing cells interaction between E5 and V-ATPase determines an increase of endo-cellular pH. The cellular alkalinisation in turn leads to the post-translational activation of tyrosinase, melanin synthesis and phenotype modulation. These effects are associated with an increased activation of tyrosine analogue anti-blastic drugs.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Once expressed within intact human cells the HPV16-E5 oncoprotein does actually interact with the vacuolar V-ATPase proton pump and this interaction induces a number of functional effects. In amelanotic melanomas these effects can modulate the cell phenotype and can induce a higher sensitivity to tyrosine related anti-blastic drugs.</p

Effects of UVB-induced oxidative stress on protein expression and specific protein oxidation in normal human epithelial keratinocytes: a proteomic approach

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The UVB component of solar ultraviolet irradiation is one of the major risk factors for the development of skin cancer in humans. UVB exposure elicits an increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are responsible for oxidative damage to proteins, DNA, RNA and lipids. In order to examine the biological impact of UVB irradiation on skin cells, we used a parallel proteomics approach to analyze the protein expression profile and to identify oxidatively modified proteins in normal human epithelial keratinocytes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The expression levels of fifteen proteins - involved in maintaining the cytoskeleton integrity, removal of damaged proteins and heat shock response - were differentially regulated in UVB-exposed cells, indicating that an appropriate response is developed in order to counteract/neutralize the toxic effects of UVB-raised ROS. On the other side, the redox proteomics approach revealed that seven proteins - involved in cellular adhesion, cell-cell interaction and protein folding - were selectively oxidized.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Despite a wide and well orchestrated cellular response, a relevant oxidation of specific proteins concomitantly occurs in UVB-irradiated human epithelial Keratinocytes. These modified (i.e. likely dysfunctional) proteins might result in cell homeostasis impairment and therefore eventually promote cellular degeneration, senescence or carcinogenesis.</p

Proteomic Analysis of Protein Expression and Oxidative Modification in R6/2 Transgenic Mice A Model of Huntington Disease

Huntington disease (HD) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor, psychiatric, and cognitive symptoms. The genetic defect responsible for the onset of the disease, expansion of CAG repeats in exon 1 of the gene that codes for huntingtin on chromosome 4, has been unambiguously identified. On the other hand, the mechanisms by which the mutation causes the disease are not completely understood yet. However, defects in energy metabolism of affected cells may cause oxidative damage, which has been proposed as one of the underlying molecular mechanisms that participate in the etiology of the disease. In our effort to investigate the extent of oxidative damage occurring at the protein level, we used a parallel proteomic approach to identify proteins potentially involved in processes upstream or downstream of the disease-causing huntingtin in a well established HD mouse model (R6/2 transgenic mice). We have demonstrated that the expression levels of dihydrolipoamide S-succinyltransferase and aspartate aminotransferase increase consistently over the course of disease (10-week-old mice). In contrast, pyruvate dehydrogenase expression levels were found to be decreased in 10-week-old HD transgenic mice compared with young (4-week-old) mice. Our experimental approach also led to the identification of oxidatively modified proteins. Six proteins were found to be significantly oxidized in old R6/2 transgenic mice compared with either young transgenic mice or non-transgenic mice. These proteins are alpha-enolase, gamma-enolase (neuron-specific enolase), aconitase, the voltage-dependent anion channel 1, heat shock protein 90, and creatine kinase. Because oxidative damage has proved to play an important role in the pathogenesis and the progression of Huntington disease, our results for the first time identify specific oxidatively modified proteins that potentially contribute to the pathogenesis of Huntington disease