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Description of the New Species Laccaria albifolia (Hydnangiaceae, Basidiomycota) and a Reassessment of Laccaria affinis Based on Morphological and Phylogenetic Analyses
No full textLaccaria is a diverse and widespread genus of ectomycorrhizal fungi that form symbiotic associations with various trees and shrubs, playing a significant role in forest ecosystems. Approximately 85 Laccaria species are formally recognised, but recent studies indicate this number may be an underestimation, highlighting the need for further taxonomic studies to improve our understanding of species boundaries. This manuscript focuses on Laccaria affinis, originally described by Singer in 1967 as Laccaria laccata var. affinis, and details a comprehensive study of its morphological and molecular characteristics, including the examination of its holotype and recent collections from Italy and the United Kingdom. Our findings reveal significant micromorphological traits that enhance the original description. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that L. affinis occupies a distinct clade within Northern Hemisphere Laccaria species, although minimal genetic differences challenge its independence from L. macrocystidiata. Consequently, we propose that these two taxa be considered synonymous. This study not only contributes to the understanding of Laccaria diversity but also proposes the formal designation of an epitype for L. affinis, thereby providing a foundation for future research on this ecologically significant genus. Furthermore, a new species named Laccaria albifolia belonging to the “/Laccaria bicolor complex clade” is described here on the base of six collections from Italy and Spain
Regenerable chitosan-biochar-TiO2 composite sponges for hazardous pollutants removal from water: The case of carbamazepine
No full textWater pollution is a significant worldwide problem, and research studies in this field are still in progress to find
strategies for removing pollutants from water. Among the others, adsorption process seems to exhibit several
advantages, especially when biomasses are in use. This work proposes biochar from olive pomace pyrolysis for
adsorbing contaminants from water, in synergistic combination with TiO2, for constituting water-stable and
recyclable composite chitosan-based sponges. The photocatalyst and the biochar were embedded into the
polymeric chitosan foam network. So, the employed materials were characterized from a physical and chemical
point of view, revealing the nature of porous adsorbent substrates having irregular surfaces useful for sequestrating
pollutants. UV–Vis spectroscopy was used to monitor the amount of pollutants in water, and the
maximum adsorption capacities were calculated. Carbamazepine, was selected as a model contaminant to study
the process features under different working conditions. A comparison with the removal of a textile dye was also
performed to unveil the mechanism of adsorption. After the pollutant adsorption, its complete desorption was
obtained, proposing a way to reuse the adsorbent material, lowering the environmental impact. An alternative to
regenerate the adsorbent was also studied by exploiting the photocatalytic role of TiO2
Melatonin rescues cell respiration impaired by hypoxia/reoxygenation in aortic endothelial cells and affects the mitochondrial bioenergetics targeting the F1FO-ATPase
No full textMelatonin is evaluated as a potential molecular therapy to counteract mitochondrial dysfunction caused by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) in aortic endothelial cells (pAECs). The mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening undergoes a desensitizing action coupled with a reduction of superoxide anion production in mitochondria treated with melatonin. The effect on mPTP has been attributed to the direct interaction of melatonin with the hydrophilic F1 domain of Ca2+-activated F1FO-ATPase. Mutual exclusion analysis highlights an overlapping binding site between melatonin and the specific F1 inhibitor NBD-Cl. The results are corroborated by melatonin inhibition of ATPase activity of the purified F1 domain in the presence of Ca2+, but not in the presence of natural cofactor Mg2+. Moreover, the impairment of bioenergetics parameters in pAECs metabolism and the increase of oxidative stress arising by H/R injury have been rescued in cells protected by melatonin treatment
Effectiveness of Herbal Medicines with Anti-Inflammatory, Antimicrobial, and Antioxidant Properties in Improving Oral Health and Treating Gingivitis and Periodontitis: A Systematic Review
Full text linkObjectives: This systematic review investigates the effectiveness of natural extracts with anti-inflammatory properties for improving oral health, particularly in managing gingivitis and periodontal disease (PD). With PD being a major global health issue, exacerbated by microbial dysbiosis and oxidative stress, the integration of phytochemicals and herbal formulations into periodontal therapy offers a promising avenue for adjunctive treatments. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines and registered under the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (ID: 641944). Databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched between 18–24 December 2024, using Boolean keywords combining terms such as “herbal medicine”, “plant extracts”, “anti-inflammatory”, and “periodontal therapy”. Studies involving animal models, in vitro data, or non-peer-reviewed articles were excluded. Results: Seventeen studies met inclusion criteria. Polyherbal formulations and single-component extracts (e.g., Camellia sinensis, Punica granatum, Zingiber officinale, and Rosmarinus officinalis) demonstrated comparable efficacy to conventional agents like chlorhexidine (CHX). Polyherbal rinses, camellia sinensis gels, and extracts like Punica granatum reduced inflammation, improved gingival health, and showed antimicrobial properties, offering effective natural alternatives. Conclusions: Natural products, including single extracts and polyherbal formulations, provide effective and safe alternatives for managing gingivitis and PD. Their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties support their adjunctive role alongside with scaling and root planning therapy (SRP) in periodontal therapy. However, further large-scale, long-term studies are needed to standardize formulations and establish optimal protocols
Sanitization Treatment of Fresh Produce with Acidic Electrolyzed Water: Experimental Results on Energy Efficiency, Effectiveness on Rots, Cost and Environmental Impact at Near-Industrial Scale
Full text linkAbstract: This study evaluates the potential of acidic electrolyzed water (AEW) as an
alternative sanitizing solution for the fruit and vegetable industry. Conducted on a nearindustrial
scale, the experiment used a 300 L solution with 10% AEW, measuring pH,
free chlorine concentration, and electro-oxidative potential (EOP). The sanitizing efficacy
of AEW was tested against common phytopathogens responsible for post-harvest decay
including Penicillium expansum, Aspergillus niger, Botrytis cinerea, and Alternaria alternata.
With a pH of 7.27, EOP of −0.40 mV, and free chlorine at 5 mg/L, AEW achieved an
85–90% decay reduction in a 2 min wash. Energy consumption for AEW production
was notably lower than that for sodium hypochlorite, a widely used industrial sanitizer,
and AEW production demonstrated a reduced environmental impact due to its recycling
potential and favorable effluent properties. However, free chlorine levels necessitated
further treatment before wastewater discharge
A negative answer to a Bahturin-Regev Conjecture about regular algebras in positive characteristic
No full textLet A = A1 ⊕···⊕Ar be a decomposition of the algebra A as a direct sum of vector subspaces. If for every choice of the indices 1 ≤ ij ≤ r there exist aij ∈ Aij such that the product ai1 ···ain = 0, and for every 1 ≤ i,j ≤ r there is a constant β(i,j)= 0 with aiaj = β(i, j)ajai for ai ∈ Ai, aj ∈ Aj, the above decomposition is regular. Bahturin and Regev raised the following conjecture: suppose the regular decomposition comes from a group grading on A, and form the r × r matrix whose (i,j)th entry equals β(i,j). Then this matrix is invertible if and only if the decomposition is minimal (that is one cannot get a regular decomposition of A by coarsening the decomposition). Aljadeff and David proved that the conjecture is true in the case the base field is of characteristic 0. We prove that the conjecture does not hold for algebras over fields of positive characteristic, by constructing algebras with minimal regular decompositions such that the associated matrix is singular
Finalità ambientali e imprese sostenibili
No full textIl saggio evidenzia come attualmente l'ambiente sia diventato il fulcro delle politiche economiche europee. Viene, in particolare, esaminato il ruolo delle imprese nella realizzazione della transizione green e nel dare attuazione alla sostenibilità intesa a trecentosessanta grad
Sharp Lp − Lq estimates for evolution equations with damped oscillations
Full text linkIn this paper we derive sharp Lp-Lq estimates, 1≤p≤q≤∞ (including endpoint estimates as L1-L1 and L1-L∞) for dissipative wave-type equations, under the assumption that the dissipation dampen the oscillations but it does not cancel them. We assume that the phase function w is homogeneous of some degree σ>0 and that its Hessian matrix has maximal rank, including the critical case σ=1, while the dissipative term a(ξ)>0 may be inhomogeneous. The critical case includes waves with viscoelastic or structural damping, damped double dispersion equations and plate equations with rotational inertia, and so on. We also obtain the analogous results for fractional Schrödinger-type equations with a potential
On the burning earth. The fascination of Vesuvius in the context of modern geology,
No full textBetween the end of the 18th century and the first decades of the 19th century, at a time when the foundations of modern geology were being laid, Vesuvius and the entire volcanic area around Naples became a compulsory destination for the observations of local and foreign scholars. The uniqueness of the Neapolitan landscape and the majesty of the irascible volcano became a classic in geological literature, and two very different scholars, Carlos de Gimbernat (1768-1834) and Charles Babbage (1791-1871), could not help but write about it. Fascinated by Vesuvius, they both travelled the same routes, risking burning themselves in the ‘frightful furnace’; bewitched by the geological riches of the Phlegraean Fields, they lingered over the singular circular marks and mysterious holes left by shellfish on the marble of the “most remarkable building on the face of the earth”, clear proof that the Temple of Serapis was not always at the same level with respect to the sea
Perspective Roles of Social Robots in School Education: Bridging Technology and Personalized Learning
No full textAbstract. Social robots, a disruptive AI-driven technology, are gaining attention in school education for their ability to support skill development within constructivist theories. Designed to interact socially with humans, these robots offer interactive and personalized learning experiences, transforming traditional lessons into engaging activities and enhancing collaboration. Integrated as tutors or peers, social robots improve learning outcomes through active learning strategies. This chapter explores their role as didactic mediators in education and presents initial studies by the University of Bari’s Laboratory of Educational Innovations and Robotics, focusing on inclusive practices using embo- died intelligence technologies