Bioethanol in biofuels checked by an amperometric organic phase enzyme electrode (OPEE) working in “substrate antagonism” format

The bioethanol content of two samples of biofuels was determined directly, after simple dilution in decane, by means of an amperometric catalase enzyme biosensor working in the organic phase, based on substrate antagonisms format. The results were good from the point of view of accuracy, and satisfactory for what concerns the recovery test by the standard addition method. Limit of detection (LOD) was on the order of 2.5 × 10−5 M. © 2016 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Comparison between a direct-flow SPR immunosensor for ampicillin and a competitive conventional amperometric device: analytical features and possible applications to real samples

In this research, we developed a direct-flow surface plasmon resonance (SPR) immunosensor for ampicillin to perform direct, simple, and fast measurements of this important antibiotic. In order to better evaluate the performance, it was compared with a conventional amperometric immunosensor, working with a competitive format with the aim of finding out experimental real advantages and disadvantages of two respective methods. Results showed that certain analytical features of the new SPR immunodevice, such as the lower limit of detection (LOD) value and the width of the linear range, are poorer than those of a conventional amperometric immunosensor, which adversely affects the application to samples such as natural waters. On the other hand, the SPR immunosensor was more selective to ampicillin, and measurements were more easily and quickly attained compared to those performed with the conventional competitive immunosensor

L'attività amministrativa dei Centri Bibliotecari dell'Università di Pisa. Un'analisi del processo: gestione dei periodici

This work aims at analysing the organization and the processes that exist in the Library Centres of the University of Pisa, from the point of view of an improvement in efficiency and quality of the service being supplied. Processes and activities will be analysed in order to understand their adequacy in comparison with the specifications fixed in advance, and with the satisfaction of patrons/users considered as those who use the final output that has been accomplished. The focus will be on the most critical processes being carried out in the “administrative secretariats” of Cost centres (in which the Libraries Department of the University is subdivided), starting point for every possible ameliorative action towards a better organization of the work and the activities. Supervisor of the thesis is Arianna Pitzalis, the academic year is 2005/2006

Clues of Post-seismic Relaxation for the 1915 Fucino Earthquake (Central Italy) from Modeling of Leveling Data

The 1915 Fucino earthquake (Ms=6.9) was one of the largest and most destructive events in Italy during the last century. The epicentral area is centered in the Abruzzi region (Central Italy), where a long historical record of large earthquakes is available. Seismotectonic studies on this region, based on instrumental seismicity (focal mechanism solutions of major events and stress analysis of background seismicity), borehole break-out studies and several geological and paleoseismological investigations, suggest NE-SW oriented active extension. The 1915 earthquake fault produced detectable surface ruptures for about 20 km along NW-SE striking SW-dipping structures. Coseismic geodetic data recorded in the epicentral area have been inverted in the past (Amoruso et al. 1998 and references therein), indicating a source fault dipping at moderate angle toward SW and a normal focal mechanism, with a non-negligible left-lateral component. Three high precision leveling lines located in a wide sector north and east of the Fucino plain were measured in 1950 and 1997-2000 by the IGM (Istituto Geografico Militare). Two consecutive lines run in a NW-SE direction along the chain, and form a "T-shape" net together with a third line SW-NE striking, towards the Adriatic sea. The total length is about 360 km with a mean benchmark density higher than 0.5 bm/km. The relative elevation changes recorded during this time interval show maximum values between 7 and 12 cm with a signal wavelength of 40-70 km. The observed elevation changes stand significantly above the calculated total error of 1.13 mm sqrt(L) km. A sharp gradient has been observed east of the earthquake epicenter, where we observe peculiar elevation changes along a 40 km long section of the leveling line. The observed elevation changes in Fucino earthquake area seem to comprise both regional tectonic deformation and post-seismic relaxation. The former and the latter effects are expected to dominate along sections of the leveling lines which are respectively about perpendicular and parallel to the Apennines. Since we compare measurements performed in 1950 and 1997-2000, relaxation effects refer to a late stage of the process. We have used Pollitz (1997) code for computing gravitational-viscoelastic postseismic relaxation on a layered spherical Earth. Different Earth models, characterized by different thicknesses and viscosities of crustal layers and of the upper mantle, have been considered. Even if S/N ratio of expected post-seismic effects is not high, comparison between predictions and observations allows to constrain regional crustal structure. Best-fit seismic moment is in good agreement with Amoruso et al. (1998) and residuals are fully consistent with expected regional tectonic deformation in central Apennines

SerpinB3 and Yap Interplay Increases Myc Oncogenic Activity

SerpinB3 has been recently described as an early marker of liver carcinogenesis, but the potential mechanistic role of this serpin in tumor development is still poorly understood. Overexpression of Myc often correlates with more aggressive tumour forms, supporting its involvement in carcinogenesis. Yes-associated protein (Yap), the main effector of the Hippo pathway, is a central regulator of proliferation and it has been found up-regulated in hepatocellular carcinomas. The study has been designed to investigate and characterize the interplay and functional modulation of Myc by SerpinB3 in liver cancer. Results from this study indicate that Myc was up-regulated by SerpinB3 through calpain and Hippo-dependent molecular mechanisms in transgenic mice and hepatoma cells overexpressing human SerpinB3, and also in human hepatocellular carcinomas. Human recombinant SerpinB3 was capable to inhibit the activity of Calpain in vitro, likely reducing its ability to cleave Myc in its non oncogenic Myc-nick cytoplasmic form. SerpinB3 indirectly increased the transcription of Myc through the induction of Yap pathway. These findings provide for the first time evidence that SerpinB3 can improve the production of Myc through direct and indirect mechanisms that include the inhibition of generation of its cytoplasmic form and the activation of Yap pathway

Acquired Strabismus in Linear Scleroderma of the Face

Abstract is missing (Short communication