Genotyping of fig (Ficus carica L) via RAPD markers

The genetic diversity among 15 fig accessions (Ficus carica L), belonging to 9 renowned cultivars of the Calabrian fig collection, and 24 unidentified genotypes of figs also located in the Calabrian region of Southern Italy, was investigated by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. The genetic similarity values were calculated for the 39 samples, and a dendrogram was elaborated by cluster analysis according to the UPGMA algorithm. The generated DNA fragments grouped the samples into two main clusters of RAPD profiles. Most of the 24 unknown samples, coming from the Luzzi area, formed a unique cluster with high degree of genetic similarity. This indicates that it is possible to distinguish, at DNA level, the fig trees with an already well‐known potential to produce figs suitable for the drying process and possibly to specify cultivars with suitable features for industrial transformation. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Radioactive Marker Measurements in Heterogeneous Reservoirs: Numerical Study

A numerical study is performed to simulate the vertical deformation of a depth interval representing a marker spacing (10.5 m) located in a deep heterogeneous sedimentary reservoir. Realistic lithostratigraphic sequences typical of the Northern Adriatic basin are used. A number of scenarios are addressed consistent with the available data. In particular two basic geologic scenarios at the marker scale are simulated, one where sands prevail within the marker spacing (SD), and another where thin sandy and clayey layers alternate (CL). The sensitivity of the marker response is investigated in relation to clay and sand permeability and compressibility contrast, Biot’s coefficient, and respective position of monitoring and fluid pumping wells. The modeling results show that rock may indeed expand above and below depleted layers. Depending on the marker position the expansion may partially offset the compaction, especially in the CL scenario with a very low permeable clay. To obtain a representative field compaction the markers should span a depth interval made mostly by sand and entirely depleted, and should be installed in a test hole far from producing wells. Compressibility contrast and the Biot coefficient play a secondary role. Very critical measurements are provided by two markers which incorporate a thin (≈1 m) depleted level overlain and underlain by almost impermeable clay layers.     

An agent‐based approach for managing e‐commerce activities

In this article, we propose an agent‐based approach for managing e‐commerce activities. In our approach, an agent is present in each e‐commerce site, managing the information stored there. In addition, another agent is associated with each customer, handling his/her profile. The proposed approach is based on the use of a particular conceptual model called the Behaviour‐Semantic Distance and Relevance (B‐SDR) network, which is capable of uniformly representing and handling information stored in e‐commerce sites and customer profiles. The capabilities of the B‐SDR network model are exploited to let customer and site agents cooperate in such a way in order to support a customer in identifying, whenever he/she accesses an e‐commerce site, those products and services present in the site itself and for better matching his/her interests. The approach has been implemented in a prototype in which its functionalities are discussed here also. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Modeling of photonic crystal fiber Raman amplifiers

An accurate model has been developed to study photonic crystal fiber Raman amplifiers. The proposed approach calculates the Raman gain efficiency starting from the knowledge of the fiber cross-sectional characteristics, i.e., the geometric parameters and the germania concentration in the doped area. The model allows the study of the Raman amplification process in a photonic crystal fiber with any air-hole dimension and disposition, with or without a central doped area, as well as in standard single-mode fibers with an arbitrary refractive-index profile. This flexibility allows identification of the optimum values of the physical and geometrical photonic crystal fiber parameters, and thus it guarantees an efficient design for Raman amplifiers. For example, a Raman gain of 13.7 dB at 1554.8 nm has been obtained with a 6-km-long low-loss germania-doped triangular photonic crystal fiber with d//spl Lambda/=0.44 and /spl Lambda/=4.2 /spl mu/m.     

Nanostructured Guidance for Peripheral Nerve Injuries: A Review with a Perspective in the Oral and Maxillofacial Area

Injury to peripheral nerves can occur as a result of various surgical procedures, including oral and maxillofacial surgery. In the case of nerve transaction, the gold standard treatment is the end-to-end reconnection of the two nerve stumps. When it cannot be performed, the actual strategies consist of the positioning of a nerve graft between the two stumps. Guided nerve regeneration using nano-structured scaffolds is a promising strategy to promote axon regeneration. Biodegradable electrospun conduits composed of aligned nanofibers is a new class of devices used to improve neurite extension and axon outgrowth. Self assembled peptide nanofibrous scaffolds (SAPNSs) demonstrated promising results in animal models for central nervous system injuries, and, more recently, for peripheral nerve injury. Aims of this work are (1) to review electrospun and self-assembled nanofibrous scaffolds use in vitro and in vivo for peripheral nerve regeneration; and (2) its application in peripheral nerve injuries treatment. The review focused on nanofibrous scaffolds with a diameter of less than approximately 250 nm. The conjugation in a nano scale of a natural bioactive factor with a resorbable synthetic or natural material may represent the best compromise providing both biological and mechanical cues for guided nerve regeneration. Injured peripheral nerves, such as trigeminal and facial, may benefit from these treatments.     

Thermophiles as Potential Source of Novel Endotoxin Antagonists: the Full Structure and Bioactivity of theLipo‐oligosaccharide from Thermomonas hydrothermalis

Thermomonas hydrothermalis is a Gram‐negative thermophilic bacterium that is able to live at 50 °C. This ability is attributed to chemical modifications, involving those to bacterial cell‐wall components, such as proteins and (glyco)lipids. As the main component of the outer membrane of Gram‐negative bacteria, lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) are exposed to the environment, thus they can undergo structural chemical changes to allow thermophilic bacteria to live at their optimal growth temperature. Furthermore, as one of the major target of the eukaryotic innate immune system, LPS elicits host immune response in a structure‐dependent mode; thus the uncommon chemical features of thermophilic bacterial LPSs might exert a different biological action on the innate immune system—an antagonistic effect, as shown in studies of LPS structure–activity relationship in the ongoing research into antagonist LPS candidates. Here, we report the complete structural and biological activity analysis of the lipo‐oligosaccharide isolated from Thermomonas hydrothermalis, achieved by a multidisciplinary approach (chemical analysis, NMR, MALDI MS and cellular immunology). We demonstrate a tricky and interesting structure combined with a very interesting effect on human innate immunity.     

Simulation modelling for groundwater safety in an overexploitation situation: the Maggiore Valley context (Piedmont,Italy)

The Maggiore Valley well field plays a fundamental role in supplying drinking water to a large territory of the Piedmont (north-western Italy). However, an increasing demand for water has led to the overexploitation of the groundwater resources. This situation has caused a progressive drawdown of the piezometric level (locally, up to 0.8 m/year), a spatial reduction in the artesian zone, localised land subsidence and damage to wells. The main purpose of this study was the development of a groundwater flow model of the area for analysing the aquifer response to various pumping strategies. Initially, the groundwater flow simulation (achieved by the application of the MODFLOW code) was calibrated satisfactorily. Then, the groundwater response to four scenarios was simulated to explore the best option to mitigate the problem. In three of the scenarios, a withdrawal reduction of 110 l/s was simulated, whilst considering various relocation options for extraction within the well field. The fourth scenario simulated a withdrawal reduction of 150 l/s; this option also assumed a supplementary water supply from the Monferrato Aqueduct, located north of the study area. All the simulations provided an increase in the piezometric level; in some instances, up to 30 m. Based on these simulations, the most promising management strategy for the Maggiore Valley well field would seem to be the option using a supplementary feed from the Monferrato Aqueduct. In this instance, the predicted piezometric level rise would be up to 25 m; this option also precludes the need for drilling additional wells.