Best-Fit Models to Estimate Modified Proctor Properties of Compacted Soil

Regression models were developed to estimate the optimum moisture content and maximum dry density of clayey and fine-grained soils using physical and index properties from 30 soil samples collected in Central Italy and 41 soils described in the literature. The liquid limit of the soils analyzed ranged between 18 and 82%, the plasticity index between 1 and 51%, and specific gravity between 2.47 and 3.09. The most significant regression variables were the specific gravity and the Atterberg limits. The developed models are accurate and can be used as a simple tool to approximate the maximum dry density and optimum water content of clayey and fine-grained soils.     

The impact of static and dynamic degradation on SOI “smart-cut” floating body MOSFETs

The impact of static (DC) and dynamic (AC) degradation on SOI “smart-cut” floating body MOSFETs, was investigated by means of deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS). The study was based on drain current signal recording, immediately after the transistor transition from OFF- to ON-state. In order to isolate the activity of capture/emission carrier mechanisms, undesirable parasitic effects such as drain current overshoot were suppressed by appropriately biasing the transistor substrates. Under DC degradation regime, DLTS spectra disclosed that carrier capture/emission process occurred through discrete traps governed by thermally activated mechanisms. Furthermore, polarization phenomena emerged. Under AC degradation regime, although the existence of interface states in Si-SiO2 interface was dominant, the revelation of shallow traps in low temperature domain was also monitored.     

Improved analysis of low frequency noise in dynamic threshold MOS/SOI transistors

In this paper, low-frequency noise (LFN) in N- and P-channel dynamic-threshold (DT) MOSFETs on Unibond substrate (SOI) is thoroughly investigated and, especially, an improved formulation of classical McWhorter’s noise model is proposed. In order to confirm our approach, an experimental comparison between body tied and DTMOS on SOI substrate has been achieved in terms of LFN behaviour. Furthermore, two different types of DTMOS transistors have been used: with and without current limiter. The LFN in DTMOS is analysed in ohmic and saturation regimes and the impact of the use of a current limiter (clamping transistor) is thoroughly analysed. An explanation based on floating body effect inducing excess noise is also proposed.     

Effects of industrial processing on the distributions of deoxynivalenol, cadmium and lead in durum wheat milling fractions

The aim of this work was to investigate the distributions of deoxynivalenol, cadmium and lead in durum wheat milling fractions from industrial milling plants. The study focused on two milling technologies: conventional milling and debranning before milling. Initial analyses of samples of all raw materials showed contamination levels considerably lower than the limits imposed by the European Commission. Deoxynivalenol, cadmium and lead showed rather similar patterns of distribution. Semolina had lower, although not significant levels of these undesirable substances than unprocessed wheat grain; in contrast, marked concentration factors were found for the contaminants in shorts (middlings) and flour shorts. Debranning technology resulted in higher contamination levels in products intended for animal feed than conventional milling. The difference was statistically significant for deoxynivalenol and lead contamination of the shorts (middlings) fraction. As the outer parts of the kernel are generally considered richer in inorganic elements and moulds, Pearson's correlation was performed to investigate the relationship between the crude fibre contents of the different fractions, adopted as bran marker, and contaminant levels. Positive correlations were found for each of the three contaminants, although the correlation coefficients were not very high, demonstrating that crude fibre likely does not constitute a good marker for describing contaminants repartitioning in milling fractions when the levels of these substances are low.     

A Graphene Oxide˙Streptavidin Complex for Biorecognition – Towards Affinity Purification

In our postgenomic era, understanding of protein‐protein interactions by characterizing the structure of the corresponding protein complex is becoming increasingly important. An important problem is that many protein complexes are only stable for a few minutes. Dissociation will occur when using the typical, time‐consuming purification methods such as tandem affinity purification and multiple chromatographic separations. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a quick and efficient protein‐complex purification method for 3D structure characterization. The graphene oxide (GO)·streptavidin complex is prepared via a GO·biotin·streptavidin strategy and used for affinity purification. The complex shows a strong biotin recognition capability and an excellent loading capacity. Capturing biotinylated DNA, fluorophores and Au nanoparticles on the GO·streptavidin complexes demonstrates the usefulness of the GO·streptavidin complex as a docking matrix for affinity purification. GO shows a high transparency towards electron beams, making it specifically well suited for direct imaging by electron microscopy. The captured protein complex can be separated via a filtration process or even via on‐grid purification and used directly for single‐particle analysis via cryo‐electron microscopy. Therefore, the purification, sample preparation, and characterization are rolled into one single step.     

Small-Angle Neutron Scattering and Photon Correlation Spectroscopy Investigation on Buckminsterfullerene Solutions

Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) and Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (PCS) findings on Buckminsterfullerene (C₆₀) solutions are presented. The analysis of SANS data allows to characterize the shape and to determine the value of the gyration radius of C₆₀ dissolved in CS₂, a solvent capable to guarantee a good contrast for the neutron probe. We obtained information about the conformation of fullerene in solution, and, by means of comparisons with experimental and theoretical data existing in literature, we found a confirmation that the gyration radius R_g is independent on concentration. PCS measurements were performed on fullerene/organic solvents (toluene, chloroform and CCl₄) solutions. Since the diffusion coefficient is related, through the Stokes-Einstein relation, to the scatterer hydrodynamic radius, R_H, we have obtained information about the conformation of fullerene in solution and about the character of the structural and hydrodynamic interaction.     

An ethnographic study of packaging-free purchasing: designing an interactive system to support sustainable social practices

Consumption practices show a strong presence of crystallised social understandings, organising rules and permanent ways of acting that prevent individuals from changing towards more sustainable habits. Over the years, human–computer interaction research tried to help people engage in sustainable lifestyles promoting the health of the Earth. However, by favouring an individualistic and rationalistic approach to design, these attempts often lacked a deep understanding of how individuals are intertwined with social dynamics and organisational structures that might determine their actions. In this article, we aim at exploring novel solutions to support people’s sustainable habits, by focusing on their everyday purchases. Using an ethnographic method grounded in the social practices approach, we analyse the value that individuals ascribe to activities and objects that seem already addressed to sustainable consumption: the packaging-free purchasing practices. Starting from the insights gathered from this research, and leveraging the opportunities opened by the 3D printing technology, we design an interactive system with the aim to break the old buying routines and support the reuse of containers.     

Effect of origin,breeding and processing conditions on the isotope ratios of bioelements in dry-cured ham

The stable isotope ratios (SIR) of the bioelements (²H/¹H, ¹³C/¹²C, ¹⁵N/¹⁴N, ¹⁸O/¹⁶O, ³⁴S/³²S) of the defatted dry matter and marbling and subcutaneous fat fractions, were assessed on 86 ham samples belonging to six different types, with the aim of ascertaining the effect of origin and production system on 11 isotopic ratios. The ham types were obtained from pigs reared in three regions, examining in every location one different production factor at two levels of expression: pig genotype (local breed vs. industrial hybrid) in Friuli (Italy), pig feeding regime (Bellota vs. Campo) in Extremadura (Spain) and ham seasoning time (mid vs. end) in Emilia (Italy). The isotopic composition of meteoric water and the dietary abundance of C₄ plants allowed to distinguish Italian PDO from Spanish hams. The contrasting treatments within the regional batches generated promising differences in SIR, potentially useful for tracing the whole ham production system, including the processing procedure.     

Physico‐mechanical evaluation of the aptitude of berries of red wine grape varieties to resist the compression in carbonic maceration vinification

By texture analysis tests, the ability of berries to resist rupture under compression load during intracellular fermentation was studied for twenty‐three red wine grape varieties. The softest berries were associated with Ancellotta (1.72 N), Dolcetto (1.79 N), Gamay (2.26 N) and Schiava gentile (2.29 N) cultivars. The hardest berries corresponded to Franconia and Bonarda cultivars (4.02–4.03 N). High resistance to splitting was also detected for Grenache, Raboso, Marzemino, Negramaro, Montepulciano and Croatina cultivars (3.50–3.95 N). The differentiating power of the mechanical variables of the whole berry and skin was assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis. Relationships among the instrumental berry hardness and other physical and mechanical properties were also investigated. The results obtained suggest that the manufacture of carbonic macerated wines should be planned considering the berry hardness, and it represents a new variable that should be considered in selecting the most appropriate wine grape variety to elaborate these wines.