Survey of the genetic variability of populations of <i>Ruditapes philippinarum</i> from tre Gulf of Olbia (N-E Sardinia) by microsatellites = Indagine sulla variabilità genetica di popolazioni di <i>Ruditapes philippinarum</i> provenienti dal golfo di Olbia (N-E Sardegna)

Genetic variability was investigated at six microsatellite loci of the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum (Adams &amp; Reeve, 1850) (Bivalvia) from the Gulf of Olbia (N-E Sardinia) and Sacca di Goro (N Adriatic Sea). We found no significant differentiation among Sardinian samples and between those and the Adriatic one, which suggests the absence of a founder effect in Sardinian population

Representing ideas by animated digital models in architectural competitions

This paper presents the results of the research and of related didactic activity, about digital representation in contemporary architectural competitions. 3D digital models, and more recently requested animations, represent a powerful tool for increasing evaluation capability by jury members as well as knowledge and comprehension by common people. The high complexity in creating and animating 3D digital models has to face an unusual separation of jobs and responsibilities between atelier activities and rendering works. The research constitutes one topic of a teaching, given in the 1st degree of Architecture Sciences (Polytechnic of Turin -Italy) and involves also continuous updating about software potentialities. Aim of the didactic activity is to provide the students some critical and operative tools in order to give them the whole mastery of synthetic representation of their design ideas. We can foresee, in future architectural competitions, the implementation of 4D representation, also referring to its progresses and applications to other media, like cinema and entertainment

Population structure of the <i>Monocelis lineata</i> (Proseriata, Monocelididae) species complex assessed by phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I (<i>COI</i>) gene

Monocelis lineate consists of a complex of sibling species, widespread in the Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean. Previous genetic analysis placed in evidence at least four sibling species. Nevertheless, this research was not conclusive enough to fully resolve the complex or to infer the phylogeny/phylogeography of the group. We designed specific primers aiming at obtaining partial sequences of the mtDNA gene Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I (COI) of M. lineate, and have identified 25 different haplotypes in 32 analyzed individuals. The dendrogram generated by Neighbor- Joining analysis confirmed the differentiation between Atlantic and Mediterranean siblings, as well as the occurrence of at least two Mediterranean sibling species. Thus validated, the method here presented appears as a valuable tool in population genetics and biodiversity surveys on the Monocelis lineate complex

Coscienza, consapevolezza, senso. Semiotica e neuroscienze

This paper aims at showing the heuristic value of several semiotic models in scientific research, and in particular the neurosciences. In Greimas and Lotman’s theories, for example, we find effective and operationalized instruments that could help us address some of the most difficult problems related to the mind, consciousness, and the origin of semiosis and languages. In this way, certain scientific discoveries in the neurosciences seem to gain coherence in the light of complex systems theories and integrated information models. The emerging concept is a view of “extended mind” in which human consciousness requires an inter-subjective mode for its construction and functioning

Mitochondrial DNA reveals genetic structuring of <i>Pinna nobilis</i> across the Mediterranean Sea

Pinna nobilis is the largest endemic Mediterranean marine bivalve. During past centuries, various human activities have promoted the regression of its populations. As a consequence of stringent standards of protection, demographic expansions are currently reported in many sites. The aim of this study was to provide the first large broad-scale insight into the genetic variability of P. nobilis in the area that encompasses the western Mediterranean, Ionian Sea, and Adriatic Sea marine ecoregions. To accomplish this objective twenty-five populations from this area were surveyed using two mitochondrial DNA markers (COI and 16S). Our dataset was then merged with those obtained in other studies for the Aegean and Tunisian populations (eastern Mediterranean), and statistical analyses (Bayesian model-based clustering, median-joining network, AMOVA, mismatch distribution, Tajima’s and Fu’s neutrality tests and Bayesian skyline plots) were performed. The results revealed genetic divergence among three distinguishable areas: (1) western Mediterranean and Ionian Sea; (2) Adriatic Sea; and (3) Aegean Sea and Tunisian coastal areas. From a conservational point of view, populations from the three genetically divergent groups found may be considered as different management units

Mass and energy balance of NH4-salts pH swing mineral carbonation process using steel slag

AbstractA basic evaluation of the entire NH4-salts pH swing mineral carbonation process steel slag based system including CO2 capture, ammonia absorption and regeneration of additives, has been investigated to evaluate its feasibility at industrial scale.Heat released from mineral dissolution, pH adjustment and precipitation of impurities, carbonation reaction and CO2 capture was2.3 MWh/tCO2 and could be recovered using heat exchangers and reused within the mineralization process to heat-up the incoming streams of steel slag, ammonium sulphate and water. Heat required, mainly from water evaporation and regeneration of additives, is reported to be 20 MWh/tCO2

Mineral carbonation from metal wastes: Effect of solid to liquid ratio on the efficiency and characterization of carbonated products

AbstractMineral carbonation technologies aim at permanently storing CO2 into materials rich in metal oxides. A multi-step mineralization process employing Ca-rich waste streams to precipitate calcium carbonate is investigated in this paper. Ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), phosphorus slag (PS) and steel slag (SS) were employed as feeding materials for the process. Solid to liquid ratio (S/L) is an important factor which affects mineral carbonation and this study examines its effect on the carbonation efficiencies. The main phases present in the carbonated residues were identified using XRF, XRD and SEM–EDS analytical techniques. For the three materials investigated, the carbonation efficiency increased when the S/L ratio decreased (from 50g/L to 25g/L and then 15g/L) because of the dilution effect. In a previous study, where an analog process was employed, efficiency using serpentine was found lower than that calculated here for GGBS and SS, and slightly above PS. This confirms that, in general, waste materials require less energy-intensive carbonation conditions, in comparison to mineral rocks. Finally, the structure of the carbonated particles is also discussed

Determinazione specifica di individui giovanili del genere <i>Patella</i> fissati su adulti di <i>Patella ferruginea</i> (Gmelin, 1791), tramite utilizzo del DNA barcoding = Specific attribution of juveniles belonging to tehe genus <i>Patella</i> set on adults of <i>Patella ferruginea</i> (Gmelin, 1791) by means of DNA barcoding

A genetic analysis was performed on two individuals belonging to the genus Patella recovered as epibionti on P. ferruginea (Gmelin, 1791). The survey was carried out by means of the Cytochrome c Oxidase (COI) Folmer’s region. Results obtained evidenced the occurrence of a juveniles of P. ferruginea and one of P. rustica, and confirmed that COI is an invaluable tool for the DNA barcoding