On surfaces with p_g=2, q=1 and K^2=5

We consider minimal surfaces of general type with $p_g = 2$, $q = 1$ and $K^2 = 5$. We provide a stratification of the corresponding moduli space and we give some bounds for the number and the dimensions of its irreducible components.Comment: 25 pages. To appear in Rendiconti del Circolo Matematico di Palerm

Transglutaminase 2 Contributes to Apoptosis Induction in Jurkat T Cells by Modulating Ca(2+) Homeostasis via Cross-Linking RAP1GDS1

BACKGROUND: Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is a protein cross-linking enzyme known to be associated with the in vivo apoptosis program of T cells. However, its role in the T cell apoptosis program was not investigated yet. RESULTS: Here we report that timed overexpression of both the wild type (wt) and the cross-linking mutant of TG2 induced apoptosis in Jurkat T cells, the wt being more effective. Part of TG2 colocalised with mitochondria. WtTG2-induced apoptosis was characterized by enhanced mitochondrial Ca(2+) uptake. Ca(2+)-activated wtTG2 cross-linked RAP1, GTP-GDP dissociation stimulator 1, an unusual guanine exchange factor acting on various small GTPases, to induce a yet uncharacterized signaling pathway that was able to promote the Ca(2+) release from the endoplasmic reticulum via both Ins3P and ryanodine sensitive receptors leading to a consequently enhanced mitochondrial Ca(2+)uptake. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that TG2 might act as a Ca(2+) sensor to amplify endoplasmic reticulum-derived Ca(2+) signals to enhance mitochondria Ca(2+) uptake. Since enhanced mitochondrial Ca(2+) levels were previously shown to sensitize mitochondria for various apoptotic signals, our data demonstrate a novel mechanism through which TG2 can contribute to the induction of apoptosis in certain cell types. Since, as compared to knock out cells, physiological levels of TG2 affected Ca(2+) signals in mouse embryonic fibroblasts similar to Jurkat cells, our data might indicate a more general role of TG2 in the regulation of mitochondrial Ca(2+) homeostasis

Two self-dual lattices of signed integer partitions

In this paper we study two self-dual lattices of signed integer partitions, D(m,n) and E(m,n), which can be considered also sub-lattices of the lattice L(m,2n), where L(m,n) is the lattice of all the usual integer partitions with at most m parts and maximum part not exceeding n. We also introduce the concepts of k-covering poset for the signed partitions and we show that D(m,n) is 1-covering and E(m,n) is 2-covering.We study D(m,n) and E(m,n) as two discrete dynamical models with some evolution rules. In particular, the 1-covering lattices are exactly the lattices definable with one outside addition rule and one outside deletion rule. The 2-covering lattices have further need of another inside-switch rule. © 2014 NSP Natural Sciences Publishing Cor

Surfaces of general type with K2 = 3, pg = 2, whose canonical system induces a genus 2 fibration

Dottorato di Ricerca in Matematica ed Informatica, Ciclo XIX, a.a. 2007-2008Università della Calabri

Pairings and symmetry notions. A new unifying perspective in mathematics and computer science

Dottorato di Ricerca in Mathematics and Computer Science. Ciclo XXXUniversità della Calabria

Voluntary fishing logbooks are essential for unveiling unsustainable bycatch levels and appropriate mitigating measures: The case of sea turtles in the Gulf of Manfredonia, Adriatic Sea

1. Studying the impact of bycatch on marine megafauna, including sea turtles, is challenging for a variety of technical and biological reasons. The Mediterranean Sea has among the highest levels of turtle bycatch globally, notably of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), and bottom trawling represents a particularly relevant threat.2. Bottom trawlers from a recently discovered neritic foraging area, the Gulf of Manfredonia, reported 1,152 loggerhead turtles incidentally caught in the period 2015-2020. Capture locations were available for 497 turtles. These data were complemented by the distribution of fishing effort obtained by the vessel monitoring system.3. High bycatch rates were observed, leading to more than an estimated 5,600 annual captures and to the death of a minimum of 560 large individuals with high reproductive value. These findings are extremely concerning for the affected population and require immediate action. A strong seasonality of turtle bycatch was observed, with most captures occurring in November-March when fishing effort occurs in shallow waters where turtles concentrate all year round.4. Therefore, a seasonal approach (e.g. adopting measures only in the high-turtle bycatch season) can be pursued as long as the spatial distribution of fishing effort varies among seasons. However, such a spatio-temporal pattern should be monitored; then, in the case of change, although more difficult to implement, an area-based conservation approach should be pursued. Several recommendations are provided, including the urgent implementation of turtle excluder devices, at least on a seasonal basis.5. This case shows that identifying the best conservation approaches requires information on the actual spatio-temporal pattern of turtle occurrence and bycatch. Such information can only be derived from spatial distribution of bycatch and fishing effort obtained through a voluntary collaboration of fishers