A marine isolate of bacillus pumilus secretes a pumilacidin active against staphylococcus aureus

Producing antimicrobials is a common adaptive behavior shared by many microorganisms, including marine bacteria. We report that SF214, a marine-isolated strain of Bacillus pumilus, produces at least two different molecules with antibacterial activity: a molecule smaller than 3 kDa active against Staphylococcus aureus and a molecule larger than 10 kDa active against Listeria monocytogenes. We focused our attention on the anti-Staphylococcus molecule and found that it was active at a wide range of pH conditions and that its secretion was dependent on the growth phase, medium, and temperature. A mass spectrometry analysis of the size-fractionated supernatant of SF214 identified the small anti-Staphylococcus molecule as a pumilacidin, a nonribosomally synthesized biosurfactant composed of a mixture of cyclic heptapeptides linked to fatty acids of variable length. The analysis of the SF214 genome revealed the presence of a gene cluster similar to the srfA-sfp locus encoding the multimodular, nonribosomal peptide synthases found in other surfactant-producing bacilli. However, the srfA-sfp cluster of SF214 differed from that present in other surfactant-producing strains of B. pumilus by the presence of an insertion element previously found only in strains of B. safensis

Definition of analytical cleaning procedures for archaeological pottery from underwater environments: The case study of samples from Baia (Naples, South Italy)

Abstract This work is focused on a multidisciplinary study of 13 pottery fragments collected in the submerged archaeological site of Baia (Naples, Italy). Founded by the Romans in the 1st century B.C., this archaeological area represents one of the greatest evidences of Roman architecture and it includes ancient ruins whose structures range from maritime villas and imperial buildings. Several diagnostic tests were carried out in order to characterize the archaeological materials, their structure and properties, as well as the alteration and degradation products. Degradation forms in seawater imply not only a variation in the physico-mechanical and chemical properties of the material but also an aesthetic damage, due to superficial deposits, which can lead to the illegibility of the artefacts. In this context, it is crucial to determine to what extent these decay factors, mainly attributable to biological growth, could affect the durability of pottery and what are the effects of cleaning procedures. The work offers further elements to obtain new insights into the underwater cultural heritage field and in the function of ceramic matter, especially related to several applications in technology and in the adoption of strategies for suitable conservation procedures

New insights to assess the consolidation of stone materials used in built heritage: the case study of ancient graffiti (Tituli Picti) in the archaeological site of Pompeii

Abstract Tituli Picti are an ancient form of urban graffiti very common in the archaeological site of Pompeii (Naples, South—Italy). They are generally made of red pigments applied on walls of Campanian ignimbrite. This paper deals with a scientific investigation aimed to their conservation. This is a challenging task since it requires a multidisciplinary approach that includes restorers, archaeologists and conservation scientists. The study has provided suggestions on the proper way to conserve Tituli Picti over time. In the present work, several specimens of Campanian ignimbrite were painted with red earth pigment; lime and Arabic gum have been used as binders as well. Such painted stones were treated with three consolidants: a suspension of reactive nanoparticles of silica, ethyl silicate and an acrylic microemulsion. Treated and untreated specimens were subjected to thermal aging, artificial solar radiation and induced crystallization decay. It has been assessed the colorimetric variations induced by treatments. Moreover, the micromorphologic features of the consolidated surfaces have been highlighted by means of electron microscope observations. The scotch tape test allowed to compare the superficial cohesion induced by the three used products. According to the results, ethyl silicate seems to represent the most successful product

A Sustainable Approach for the Management and Valorization of Underwater Cultural Heritage: New Perspectives from the TECTONIC Project

Documentation and conservation of underwater cultural heritage (UCH) are crucial to preserving humankind’s history and traditions, safeguarding tangible testimonies of past human life while ensuring its accessibility to future generations. The TECTONIC (Technological Consortium TO develop sustainability of underwater Cultural Heritage) project is promoting an intersectoral collaboration between academic and non-academic professionals (i.e., archaeologists, conservators, geologists, engineers, etc.) working on different topics related to UCHs, to find solutions to the issues still existing in the field. The overall aim is the exchange of skills for the improvement and assessment of innovative materials and techniques to develop solutions and marketable products for the conservation and management of the UCH, sustainably. To achieve its overall aim, TECTONIC is undertaking activities driven by the following objectives: (a) the study, documentation, and mapping of selected UCHs; (b) the creation of decision-support tools for UCH risk assessment in a changing environment; (c) the initiation of conservation studies and protocols for conservation activities; (d) the development of open and low-cost robotic solutions for the inspection of UCH; and (e) the raising of public awareness and knowledge about UCH. All the objectives are devoted to stimulating new sustainable ideas that would bring the growth of cultural tourism and the development of new marketable products by capitalizing on the research results.Fil: Ricca, Michela. Università della Calabria; ItaliaFil: Alexandrakis, George. Foundation For Research And Technology ? Hellas.; GreciaFil: Bonazza, Alessandra. Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche. Istituto Di Scienze Dell Atmosfera E del Clima.; ItaliaFil: Bruno, Fabio. Università della Calabria; ItaliaFil: Petriaggi, Barbara Davidde. Instituto Superiore per la Conservazione ed il Restauro; ItaliaFil: Elkin, Dolores Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Secretaría de Cultura de la Nación. Dirección Nacional de Cultura y Museos. Instituto Nacional de Antropología y Pensamiento Latinoamericano; ArgentinaFil: Lagudi, Antonio. Università della Calabria; ItaliaFil: Nicolas, Stephane. Centre d'Activité des Playes ZE Jean Monnet; FranciaFil: Novák, Michal. Synpo; República ChecaFil: Papatheodorou, George. University Of Patras; GreciaFil: Prieto, Javier. Universidad de Salamanca; EspañaFil: Ricci, Marco. Università della Calabria; ItaliaFil: Vasilijevic, Antonio. H2O Robotics; CroaciaFil: La Russa, Mauro Francesco. Università della Calabria; Italia. Foundation For Research And Technology ? Hellas.; Greci

The SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics' resources: focus on curated databases

The SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (www.isb-sib.ch) provides world-class bioinformatics databases, software tools, services and training to the international life science community in academia and industry. These solutions allow life scientists to turn the exponentially growing amount of data into knowledge. Here, we provide an overview of SIB's resources and competence areas, with a strong focus on curated databases and SIB's most popular and widely used resources. In particular, SIB's Bioinformatics resource portal ExPASy features over 150 resources, including UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot, ENZYME, PROSITE, neXtProt, STRING, UniCarbKB, SugarBindDB, SwissRegulon, EPD, arrayMap, Bgee, SWISS-MODEL Repository, OMA, OrthoDB and other databases, which are briefly described in this article

A Combined Non-Destructive and Micro-Destructive Approach to Solving the Forensic Problems in the Field of Cultural Heritage: Two Case Studies

The present paper discusses the importance of non-destructive and micro-destructive technology in forensic investigations in the field of cultural heritage. Recent technological developments and the wide availability of modern analytical instrumentation are creating new possibilities for performing scientific measurements and acquiring data directly on-site—thereby limiting, where possible, sampling activity—as well as learning about the technologies and materials that were employed in the past to create cultural assets. Information on periods, chemical composition, manufacturing techniques, etc., can be gathered more easily. Overall, the benefits of on-site forensic investigations are multiple, including the potential to increase substantially the speed and efficacy of the criminal justice system. However, such benefits are only realized when data quality is guaranteed and findings can be used as forensic evidence in court. The present paper shows data from the non-destructive and micro-destructive analysis of different artworks and objects provided by the Cosenza Carabinieri Unit for the Protection of Cultural Heritage and Anti-Counterfeiting (Calabria, Italy). In particular, two oil paintings on canvas depicting cherubs (Italian: putti), recovered as fragments of larger religious artworks, and two bronze belt and helmet fragments were investigated. In the first case, the research aimed to define the original pictorial layer, identify any reconstruction pictorial areas or pictorial retouching, assess the state of conservation, reconstruct the previous conservation treatments, and provide indications about the chronology of the artworks. In the second case, analysis was performed both to define the bronze chemical composition and the origin of the soil (earth) found within the objects during their recovery. For these purposes, the analytical approach involved the use of non-destructive and micro-destructive analysis as follows: infrared reflectography (IRR), ultraviolet-induced visible fluorescence (UV), X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF), digital optical microscopy (DOM), scanning electron microscopy equipped with EDX microanalysis (SEM-EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The results made it possible to collect valuable diagnostic information and answer questions posed by the institutions for the resolution of various doubts about forensic science and cases concerning the seizure, recovery, or return of archaeological or historical-artistic objects of cultural interest

Designing Together with Preschool and Primary School: An Integrated Study on Sociality and Interaction through Movement

openQuesto studio dimostra l’efficacia dei giochi di movimento cooperativi come strumenti per promuovere la socializzazione e l’interazione tra bambini della scuola dell’infanzia e della scuola primaria, con l’obiettivo di creare un’atmosfera positiva in classe e contribuire alla formazione di individui consapevoli e capaci di cooperare in modo costruttivo. La ricerca nasce dalla consapevolezza che un fattore determinante nel processo di socializzazione è il “gruppo dei pari”. Pertanto, lo studio empirico si concentra sulle relazioni con i coetanei, considerandole il contesto ideale in cui i bambini sperimentano e assimilano regole e posizioni sociali all’interno di una stretta vicinanza interpersonale. Un aspetto rilevante di questa indagine riguarda il ruolo fondamentale del corpo nell’esperienza e nella comprensione degli eventi e delle situazioni della vita. Infatti, il corpo non solo è alla base di ogni conoscenza, bensì è anche il mezzo principale di relazione e comunicazione con il mondo esterno. Attraverso esperienze corporee condivise, i bambini sviluppano dimensioni fondamentali quali l’affettività e la capacità di relazionarsi con gli altri. Le domande di ricerca che guidano lo studio sono le seguenti: - I giochi di movimento e cooperazione possono favorire la socializzazione e l’interazione in classe/sezione? - Com’è possibile trasmettere i valori insiti nella cooperazione ai bambini attraverso il gioco? - Come aiutare il singolo ad avere una maggiore autostima in sé stesso attraverso l’interazione con gli altri? Per rispondere alle domande sopracitate, è stato condotto un percorso di ricerca empirica, articolato in otto incontri, durante i quali sono stati proposti giochi appositamente selezionati per favorire la conoscenza reciproca, lo sviluppo della coesione e della cooperazione, l’instaurarsi di una maggior sintonia tra i partecipanti e, infine, per stimolare la fiducia e l’empatia all’interno del gruppo. Ogni incontro è stato suddiviso in tre fasi di lavoro: una fase inziale di riscaldamento, una fase centrale dedicata all’ esecuzione dei giochi e una fase conclusiva di rilassamento/discussione. L’analisi dei dati è stata condotta attraverso strumenti quantitativi, i quali hanno dimostrato in modo tangibile l’impatto positivo dei giochi proposti sullo sviluppo sociale dei bambini, contribuendo a creare un autentico senso di comunità, basato sull’inclusione e sul rispetto reciproco. In particolare, prima e dopo gli interventi effettuati, è stata somministrata la Scala di Valutazione delle Abilità Sociali (V.A.S.) alle insegnanti di classe/sezione e attraverso il Sociogramma di Moreno è stato possibile indagare le dinamiche relazionali tra i bambini. Particolarmente significativo è stato il confronto tra i risultati ottenuti nei due gradi di scuola coinvolti, reso possibile grazie alla cooperazione tra le autrici del progetto. Questo ha consentito di fornire risposte più approfondite e complete alle domande di ricerca iniziali. L’aspetto collaborativo del lavoro ha creato un ambiente di condivisione e di negoziazione di idee, facilitando la definizione di strategie e metodi didattici, il tutto a beneficio del processo di apprendimento degli alunni. La progettazione condivisa ha inoltre permesso di personalizzare gli interventi didattici in base alle esigenze e ai bisogni specifici dei bambini, tenendo conto della loro notevole variabilità individuale, dei diversi ritmi e tempi di sviluppo, nonché degli stili cognitivi individuali. Questo studio sottolinea l'importanza di integrare i giochi di movimento cooperativi nei programmi educativi delle scuole dell'infanzia e primaria, poiché tali esperienze positive possono lasciare un'impronta significativa sullo sviluppo sociale e emotivo dei bambini, contribuendo a formare cittadini più empatici, responsabili e capaci di collaborare costruttivamente nella società del futuro

Challenges for the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH), from Waterlogged and Weathered Stone Materials to Conservation Strategies: An Overview

Despite the growing attention to Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH) in Europe and worldwide, the efforts in wholly enjoying underwater archaeological assets and sites are still remarkable; hence, the need for innovative research and solutions that are suitable for raising knowledge on the subject. In this way, this paper wants to be a review for highlighting all of the developments, potentials, and results achieved in the last decade to reach a good protection of UCHs related to the study of stone materials, degradation processes, and the new methods for protection/consolidation directly in situ. The present work is focused on the analysis of the main results obtained from several studies conducted to date, providing additional guidelines for operators in the UCH sector (i.e., restorers, archaeologists, conservation scientists, geologists, etc.). Such guidelines will be a very useful key factor in enhancing knowledge, management, protection, and promotion of underwater sites. In particular, the purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of the state of the art on both consolidated techniques for studying materials coming from seawater and innovations in the field of protection and consolidation of UCH against biofouling, the main cause of damage in underwater environments