The role of vsat systems in broadband networks and intelligent networks

The scope of this paper is to present the status and the preliminary results of the research activities that Telespazio is carrying out with the aim at identifying the role of the VSAT systems in the advanced telecommunications services, which will be dominant in the second half of nineties and beyond. The first part of the paper is devoted to an overview of the evolution trend of the terrestrial networks. The main body of the paper presents the results of our investigations on the application of VSAT systems in two fields: broadband networks and intelligent networks. Background information has been intentionally added for the easier comprehension of the topics presented in the paper. A list of acronyms appears as an Appendix.     

State‐of‐the‐Art Neutral Tint Multichromophoric Polymers for High‐Contrast See‐Through Electrochromic Devices

Two new multichromophoric electrochromic polymers featuring a conjugated EDOT/ProDOT copolymer backbone (PXDOT) and a reversible Weitz‐type redox active small molecule electrochrome (WTE) tethered to the conjugated chain are reported here. The careful design of the WTEs provides a highly reversible redox behavior with a colorless red switching that complements the colorless blue switching of the conjugated backbone. Subtractive color mixing successfully provides high performing solution processable polymeric layers with colorless neutral tint switchable limiting states for application in see‐through electrochromic devices. Design, synthesis, comprehensive chemical and spectroelectrochemical characterization as well as the preparation of a proof‐of‐concept device are discussed.     

Double actuation architectures for rendering variable impedance in compliant robots: A review

Novel compliant actuation systems have been developed in recent years for a variety of possible advantages, such as establishing a safe human–robot interaction, increasing energy efficiency, reducing the effects of impacts and even for the development of neuro-inspired robotic platforms to be used in human motor control studies.In this rapidly growing and transversal research field, systems involving more than one active element (typically motors) for each actuated degree of freedom are being investigated to allow separate position and impedance regulations. Considering the wide range of applications and the large number of different arrangements deriving from the combination of two active elements and passive elastic components, several actuation architectures have been devised.This paper reviews state-of-the-art rotary variable impedance units incorporating two separate motors. Existing devices are grouped in three main categories. A critical and comparative analysis of the most relevant features is carried out, also based on most representative prototypes. Recently proposed methodologies and evaluation criteria for design optimization are illustrated and perspectives on potential applications of double actuation systems are presented.     

Matrix Metalloproteinase Responsive,Proximity‐Activated Polymeric Nanoparticles for siRNA Delivery

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) has significant potential to evolve into a new class of pharmaceutical inhibitors, but technologies that enable robust, tissue‐specific intracellular delivery must be developed before effective clinical translation can be achieved. A pH‐responsive, smart polymeric nanoparticle (SPN) with matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐7‐dependent proximity‐activated targeting (PAT) is described here. The PAT‐SPN is designed to trigger cellular uptake and cytosolic delivery of siRNA once activated by MMP‐7, an enzyme whose overexpression is a hallmark of cancer initiation and progression. The PAT‐SPN is composed of a corona‐forming polyethylene glycol (PEG) block, an MMP‐7‐cleavable peptide, a cationic siRNA‐condensing block, and a pH‐responsive, endosomolytic terpolymer block that drives self‐assembly and forms the PAT‐SPN core. With this novel design, the PEG corona shields cellular interactions until it is cleaved in MMP‐7‐rich environments, shifting the SPN ζ‐potential from +5.8 to +14.4 mV and triggering a 2.5 fold increase in carrier internalization. The PAT‐SPN exhibits pH‐dependent membrane disruptive behavior that enables siRNA escape from endo‐lysosomal pathways. Intracellular siRNA delivery and knockdown of the model enzyme luciferase in R221A‐Luc mammary tumor cells is significantly increased by MMP‐7 pre‐activation (p < 0.05). These combined data indicate that the PAT‐SPN provides a promising new platform for tissue‐specific, proximity‐activated siRNA delivery to MMP‐rich pathological environments.     

Debonding analysis of thin plates from curved substrates

This paper is focused on the analytical modeling of the interface between a rigid substrate with constant curvature and a thin bonded plate. In a previous investigation, an analytical cohesive zone (CZ) model capable of predicting the interfacial behavior prior to the onset of debonding has been proposed by the authors. As a follow-up, this paper presents a new analytical model, which is able to predict both the load at onset of debonding and the subsequent evolution of the debonding process. The study clarifies the essential differences in behavior between joints with flat and curved substrates during debonding. The new analytical model is based on linear-elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) and is developed under two distinct assumptions: a mode-independent fracture energy, and a fracture energy dependent on the mode mixity, according to a simple mixed-mode fracture criterion. The model is applied to the determination of the load at onset of debonding, and to the prediction of the load-displacement behavior during the entire debonding process. The relationship between the predictions of the CZ and LEFM models regarding the load at initiation of debonding is also established.     

Antioxidant activity,color chromaticity coordinates,and chemical characterization of monofloral honeys from Morocco

The bioprospecting of several monofloral Moroccan honeys was carried out. The antiradical activity expressed as mmol Trolox equivalents/kg of honey and evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay, ranged from 0.15 for euphorb honey to 1.08 for citrus honey. The antioxidant activity expressed as mmol Fe²⁺/kg and evaluated by ferric ion reducing antioxidant power assay, ranged from 0.96 for euphorb honey to 4.74 for orange honey. The total phenol content was evaluated by colorimetric assay, while the color attributes were evaluated as transmittance data. Significant Pearson correlation factors were found between total polyphenol amount and antioxidant activity and between color attributes and antioxidant activity. Furthermore the chemical composition of volatile organic compounds was determined. The volatile organic compounds chemical composition of the studied honeys was mainly represented by terpene and benzene derivatives, Maillard reaction products, isoprenoids, and hydrocarbons. The volatiles fingerprint, as well as a targeted high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of the polar components, was used to tentatively confirm the declared botanical origin of the samples studied.     

Steering nitrogen fertilisation by means of portable chlorophyll meter reduces nitrogen input and improves quality of fertigated cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L. var. cantalupensis Naud.)

BACKGROUND: Farming is considered one of the main causes of land degradation and underground water pollution. The increased availability of agricultural inputs has led to a dramatic rise in yields, which has resulted in soil fertility spoilage and overuse of fertilisers. Therefore horticultural practice improvement must consider appropriate nitrogen (N) management. This paper reports results on the application of an optical diagnostic system (N‐tester) to guide N fertilisation in muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) over a 3 year trial. Results on fresh and postharvest quality are also presented. RESULTS: Fertilisation events mirrored increases in N‐tester values during the season, and a significant linear relationship (R² = 0.628) was observed between N‐tester readings and leaf chlorophyll content. The N‐tester‐guided fertilisation treatments were characterised by yields comparable to the control, but with significantly lower applications of N (down to 17–66% of the N distributed in the control). Moreover, the N‐tester treatments yielded fruits with higher sugar content. This was also true after storage, when N‐tester fruits also showed reduced weight loss associated with lower transpiration and ethylene emission rates. CONCLUSION: Through the use of ‘spy plots’ kept at optimal nutritional status and the adoption of a threshold for N application throughout the growing cycle of muskmelon, the N supply was significantly reduced. Therefore a correct application of N‐tester allowed the plant N requirement to be reduced and the fruit sugar content and storability to be increased without adversely affecting the yield. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

A new platform for Real-Time PCR detection of Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157 in milk

Intoxications and infections caused by food-borne pathogens represent an increasing public health problem, and diagnostic tests in multiplex format are needed for the rapid identification of food contaminations caused by more than one microbial species. We have developed a multiple PCR-based platform for the simultaneous detection of the widespread milk-associated pathogens Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157. The assay combines an enrichment step in a medium properly formulated for the simultaneous growth of target pathogens, a DNA isolation method, and a multiplex Real-Time PCR detection system based either on dual-labelled probes (mRT-PCR), or on melting curve analysis (mHRM). The second, producing a distinct peak for each amplification product, allows the qualitative assessment of pathogen presence. Moreover, the internal amplification control (IAC) included in the reaction, ensuring the reliability of results, complies with quality management programmes. Inclusivity and exclusivity were 100% each, with a detection limit of 1 CFU for each pathogen in a total of five 25 ml-aliquots of raw milk, and a duration of two working days.The assay represents an alternative approach for the qualitative detection of the cited bacterial species, suitable for a relatively inexpensive screening of several milk samples, reducing the turnaround time and the workload.