A Modelling Approach for Assessing the Hydrogeological Equilibrium of the Karst, Coastal Aquifer of the Salento Peninsula (Southeastern Italy): Evaluating the Effects of a MAR Facility for Wastewater Reuse

The Salento Peninsula is characterized by poor surface water resources, due to the karstic nature of its territory. On the other hand, important groundwater resources are located in the deep, karst, coastal aquifer, which is of strategic importance for the economic and social development of the area. The increasing water demand, however, if not properly managed may pose serious problems to the hydrogeological equilibrium of this aquifer, which is highly susceptible to natural and anthropogenic changes and to saltwater intrusion. Taking steps from the previous works, the present paper focuses on the characterization of the deep aquifer of the Adriatic portion of the Salento Peninsula from a quantitative point of view by means of modelling tools for the simulation of groundwater dynamics. Conclusions about the extent of the saltwater intrusion phenomenon are consequently inferred. As a result of the implementation of a density-dependent flow model, the lateral extent of such phenomenon and the vertical depth of the transition zone between freshwater and saltwater were inferred, highlighting also the role of major faults which characterize the hydraulic behaviour of the karst system under exam. The model was also applied to design a Managed Aquifer Recharge facility for management and protection of the hydrogeological equilibrium of the deep aquifer. Its positive effects on the advancement of the saline front were highlighted. Model results also allowed identifying areas where the lack of data prevents a proper comprehension of the hydrogeological processes investigated, thus representing a supporting tool for planning further monitoring campaigns

Using simple sequence repeats in 9 brassica complex species to assess hypertrophic curd induction

Five Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) were used to assess the relationship between inflorescence characteristics and their allelic variation in 53 Brassica oleracea and Brassica wild relatives (n = 9). Curd morphometric traits, such as weight (CW), height (CH), diameter (CD1), shape (CS) inflorescence curvature angle (CA), and its curd stem diameter (CD2), were measured. The aim of the work was to analyze the relationships among the allelic patterns of the SSRs primers utilized, and their status of homo or heterozygosity registered at each locus, as well as the inflorescence morphometric traits in order to individuate genomic regions stimulating the hypertrophy of this reproductive organ. The relationships found explain the diversity among B. oleracea complex species (n = 9) for the inflorescence size and structure, allowing important time reduction during the breeding process by crossing wild species, transferring useful resistance, and organoleptic and nutraceutical traits. The five SSRs loci were BoABI1, BoAP1, BoPLD1, BoTHL1, and PBCGSSRBo39. According to the allelic variation ascertained, we evaluated the heterozygosity index (H) for each SSR above cited. The results showed a significant interaction between the H index of the BoPLD1 gene and the inflorescence characteristics, summarized by the First Principal Component (PC1) (p-value = 0.0244); we ascertained a negative correlation between the H index and inflorescence characteristics, namely CW, CH, CD1, CD2, CA. The homozygosity BoPLD1 alelles, indicated by the H index, affect the inflorescence characteristics and broccoli and cauliflower yields

Sull'antropocene. Introduzione alla traduzione di “Umano, troppo umano” di Philippe Descola

Introduction to the translation of “Umano, troppo umano” by Philippe Descola.Articolo introduttivo alla traduzione di “Umano, troppo umano” di Philippe Descola

Photodetectors fabricated from a self-assembly of a deoxyguanosine derivative

A metal–semiconductor–metal (MSM) photodetector has been fabricated using as the semiconductor, a self-assembled layer of a DNA basis, namely a deoxyguanosine derivative, deposited between two gold electrodes. These were defined lithographically on a SiO2 substrate, separated by a distance of about 120 nm. The resulting self-assembled guanosine crystal has been deposited in such a way to achieve striking semiconducting properties. We show that with these conditions, the I–V characteristics are independent of the crystal orientation. The device shows a high current response (differential resistance at room temperature ranges in MΩ) which is symmetric with respect to bias sign and dependent on the illumination conditions. This behavior can be explained by taking into account the standard MSM theory and its applications as a photodetector

Prehistoric human presence on Mount Etna (Sicily), in relation to the geological evolution

This study analyses the relationship between the pre- and protohistoric sites on the slopes of Etna and the volcanic products, as well as the diverse settlement strategies in the different periods of prehistory. New C14 dating from significant excavations, in addition to those known from other Etnean sites, were performed with the aim of validating the chronology of the sequence of the different phases. A substantial concordance of the archaeological data with the volcanological ones has been found. It has been observed that a consistent human presence on Etna appears from the Middle Neolithic (5500 BC), after the sequence of eruptive events that marked the end of the Ellittico volcano (13550 - 13050 BC) and the formation of the Valle del Bove, and the subsequent debris and alluvial events on the eastern flanks of the volcano (7250 - 3350 BC). Human presence intensifies between the Late-Final Copper Age and the Early Bronze Age (2800 - 1450 BC), due to improvement in subsistence techniques and to the large presence of soils on lava flows suitable for sheep farming. The most recent phases of the Bronze Age are poorly represented, probably because of the concentration of the population in larger agglomerations (Montevergine and S. Paolillo at Catania, the Historical Hill at Paternò). The explosive eruptions taking place in this period seem to have had less impact on the settlement choices and have not affected the development of the sites over time

The DEM or Mt. Etna: geomorphological and structural implications

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New insights into geological setting of the summit area of mount Etna volcano (Italy) inferred from 2D gravity data modelling

Gravimetric observations were carried out in 2015, to image the uppermost portion of the volcanic plumbing system of Mt. Etna (Italy). Gravity measurements were performed using two relative gravimeters, along a profile that crosses the summit craters area (elevations between 2,820 and 3,280 m a.s.l.). Accurate positioning of the gravity observation points was determined through GPS measurements. After applying elevation and terrain corrections, the reduced gravity data were used to build a 2D density model of the uppermost part of the volcano edifice. This model was constrained using to-date knowledge of the structural setting of the area and the available volcanological data. We highlighted the presence of low-density material below the summit craters, down to the depth of about 2.1 km, interpreted as highly altered, fumarolized and structurally weakened material. It is also likely that the close presence of the conduits feeding the summit craters of the volcano contributes to the gravity low in the SW half of the measurement profile. Conversely, the gravity low observed at the northern edge of the profile could reflect the high concentration of faults and eruptive fissures in the Pizzi Deneri area, in correspondence of the Ellittico caldera rim

Effects of vitamin D and paricalcitol on murine cardiomyocytes

Severe alterations of Cacium-Phospate metabolism are frequently associated with chronic kidney diseases. High levels of Phospate and low levels of vitamin D in subjects affected by chronic kidney disease are, in many cases, correlated with high risk of mortality. For this reason, administration of vitamin D represents the elective treatment. Nevertheless, vitamin D in itself induces a variety of side effects which in many cases can be avoided by the administration of vitamin D analogues. In this study we treated murine cardiomyocytes with different concentrations of vitamin D and paricalcitol (one of its analogues) for 48 hours. Cell morphology, cell proliferation, intracellular Calcium deposition, and cAMP level were investigated respectively by light microscopy, immunoenzymatic assay and Von Kossa staining. Results show that, in comparison to paricalcitol, vitamin D induces stronger side effects on cardiomyocytes (such as cell proliferation, morphological changes, activation of signal transduction pathways). From our data emerges that paricalcitol induces less stressful effects on murine cardiomyocytes in comparison to what observed with vitamin D treatment