L’arte pittorica svelata attraverso la Spettrometria di massa

L’analisi chimica da sempre ricopre un ruolo fondamentale nella conservazione del nostro patrimonio culturale. La caratterizzazione di manufatti artistici, pittorici e archeologici aiuta a rispondere a domande cruciali tipo quando e come una specifica opera è stata realizzata, nonché a comprenderne i processi degradativi ed, anche, eventuale contraffazione. E’ necessario, tuttavia, che le analisi siano non invasive, non distruttive ma sensibili ed efficaci. Negli ultimi venti anni la chimica delle proteine e la spettrometria di massa si sono evolute e adattate per l’analisi di campioni nel campo dei beni culturali, tanto che è stato coniato il termine paleoproteomica, ad indicare la proteomica applicata al mondo delle proteine antiche [1-3]. Ad esempio tale analisi ha consentito l'identificazione dei materiali proteici presenti nello strato non originale del Gruppo di quattro clarisse, un frammento di un dipinto murale realizzato nella Sala Capitolare di San Francesco, a Siena, da Ambrogio Lorenzetti . Nello specifico, la spettrometria di massa tandem ha identificato la presenza di colla di pecora e mucca e proteine dell'albume d'uovo di gallina e anatra, ingredienti adoperati da artisti rinascimentali con l’intento di effettuare interventi di protezione o di restauro sull’affresco trecentesco. Risalendo alla tipologia di proteine animali impiegate e il danno da loro subito, è possibile effettuare interventi di restauro e di conservazione più mirati. Inoltre, dato che tale indagine può essere usata su dipinti, materiali e antichi strumenti musicali, una volta chiarito quali sono i materiali e le proteine usate da un determinato artista, si possono scovare eventuali falsi artistici e storici. Questo lavoro condotto da un team multidisciplinare di ricercatori (chimici, umanisti e restauratori) ha voluto sottolineare l’importanza della stretta collaborazione tra arte e scienza

River Morphodynamic Evolution Under Dam-Induced Backwater : An Example from the Po River (Italy)

Peer reviewedPostprin

Repeated (4D) marine geophysical surveys as a tool for studying the coastal environment and ground-truthing remote-sensing observations and modeling

Sandy beaches and the nearshore environment are dynamic coastal systems characterized by sediment mobilization driven by alternating stormy and mild wave conditions. However, this natural behavior of beaches can be altered by coastal defense structures. Repeated surveys carried out with autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs) may represent an interesting tool for studying nearshore dynamics and testing the effects of mitigation strategies against erosion. We present a one-year experiment involving repeated stratigraphic and morpho-bathymetric surveys of a nearshore environment prone to coastal erosion along the Emilia-Romagna coast (NE Italy), the Lido di Dante beach, carried out between October 2020 and December 2021 using an ASV. Seafloor and subseafloor “snapshots” collected at different time intervals enabled us to delineate the seasonal variability and shed light on key controlling variables, which could be used to integrate and calibrate remote-sensing observations and modeling. The results demonstrated that repeated surveys could be successfully employed for monitoring coastal areas and represent a promising tool for studying coastal dynamics on a medium/short (years/months) timescale

Application of Hyperspectral Imaging to Underwater Habitat Mapping, Southern Adriatic Sea

Hyperspectral imagers enable the collection of high-resolution spectral images exploitable for the supervised classification of habitats and objects of interest (OOI). Although this is a well-established technology for the study of subaerial environments, Ecotone AS has developed an underwater hyperspectral imager (UHI) system to explore the properties of the seafloor. The aim of the project is to evaluate the potential of this instrument for mapping and monitoring benthic habitats in shallow and deep-water environments. For the first time, we tested this system at two sites in the Southern Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean Sea): the cold-water coral (CWC) habitat in the Bari Canyon and the Coralligenous habitat off Brindisi. We created a spectral library for each site, considering the different substrates and the main OOI reaching, where possible, the lower taxonomic rank. We applied the spectral angle mapper (SAM) supervised classification to map the areal extent of the Coralligenous and to recognize the major CWC habitat-formers. Despite some technical problems, the first results demonstrate the suitability of the UHI camera for habitat mapping and seabed monitoring, through the achievement of quantifiable and repeatable classifications

High resolution multibeam and hydrodynamic datasets of tidal channels and inlets of the Venice Lagoon

Tidal channels are crucial for the functioning of wetlands, though their morphological properties, which are relevant for seafloor habitats and flow, have been understudied so far. Here, we release a dataset composed of Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) extracted from a total of 2,500 linear kilometres of high-resolution multibeam echosounder (MBES) data collected in 2013 covering the entire network of tidal channels and inlets of the Venice Lagoon, Italy. The dataset comprises also the backscatter (BS) data, which reflect the acoustic properties of the seafloor, and the tidal current fields simulated by means of a high-resolution three-dimensional unstructured hydrodynamic model. The DTMs and the current fields help define how morphological and benthic properties of tidal channels are affected by the action of currents. These data are of potential broad interest not only to geomorphologists, oceanographers and ecologists studying the morphology, hydrodynamics, sediment transport and benthic habitats of tidal environments, but also to coastal engineers and stakeholders for cost-effective monitoring and sustainable management of this peculiar shallow coastal system

Data Descriptor: high resolution multibeam and hydrodynamic datasets of tidal channels and inlets of the Venice Lagoon

Tidal channels are crucial for the functioning of wetlands, though their morphological properties, which are relevant for seafloor habitats and flow, have been understudied so far. Here, we release a dataset composed of Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) extracted from a total of 2,500 linear kilometres of high-resolution multibeam echosounder (MBES) data collected in 2013 covering the entire network of tidal channels and inlets of the Venice Lagoon, Italy. The dataset comprises also the backscatter (BS) data, which reflect the acoustic properties of the seafloor, and the tidal current fields simulated by means of a high-resolution three-dimensional unstructured hydrodynamic model. The DTMs and the current fields help define how morphological and benthic properties of tidal channels are affected by the action of currents. These data are of potential broad interest not only to geomorphologists, oceanographers and ecologists studying the morphology, hydrodynamics, sediment transport and benthic habitats of tidal environments, but also to coastal engineers and stakeholders for cost-effective monitoring and sustainable management of this peculiar shallow coastal system

Understanding snacking: the role of personality and habit strength

This item is only available electronically.Snacking, or eating in-between main meals, especially the consumption of snacks high in fat, salt and/or sugar is a major contributor to excessive energy-intake and long-term weight gain. Previous research has explored the predictors of unhealthy snacking, including personality traits. However, there is a need to investigate potential explanatory variables such as reasons for snacking, and habit strength that may explain these associations. In this study, we explored the relationship between personality traits, habit strength, and snacking motivations and behaviours. Participants included 230 Australian adults (Male 26%; Female 71%; Other 3%) aged 18-77 who completed an online survey. Survey items assessed personality traits (The Big Five Inventory 2); habit strength (the Self-Report Habit Index); reasons for snacking (the Eating Motivation Scale), and snacking behaviour (the Snack Frequency Questionnaire; Snack Preference Task). Correlation and multiple regression analyses were run to explore the relationships: (a) between respondents’ reasons for snacking and personality traits; (b) habit strength on snacking behaviours; and (c) between personality and habit strength and the reasons for snacking. The results indicated that personality traits and reasons for snacking predicted the quantity and quality of both momentary and habitual snack choices. In particular, the results indicated different snacking pathways based on personality and reasons for snacking, with traits such as conscientiousness being associated with healthy adaptive snacking motivations and choices, and neuroticism being associated with more emotion-driven and less healthy snack choices.Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 202