103 research outputs found
Ontology of multi-agents processes of spatial decision
No full textIn the paper of Cavezzali, Girotti and Rabino presented at ERSA 2003 conference, features of multi-agent models and their potentiality for the study of territorial phenomena are discussed. Starting from this study, the present paper digs deeper mechanisms of multi-agent systems working, describing their ontology in a more complete and articulated way as possible, and investigating: the properties of the actors, the mechanisms of interaction among actors and between actors and environment. About the environment, particular attention has been paid to the consideration about the various modalities of treatment of territory (from pure physical support to active reactive/cognitive agent in relationship with the other agents). For these modalities, finally, two typical case-studies of multi-agent model are shown: simulation of pedestrian paths choice, the software “Turisti”, and a competitive dynamic of service centres location, “Wilson”
Palaeontological campaigns of Alberto Malatesta in the Mediterranean islands
No full textA short account of the palaeontological campaigns organized and led by Alberto Malatesta in the Mediterranean islands, in search of Quaternary endemic vertebrates, is presented in this paper. The activity of Malatesta in such a field can be grouped in four periods. The first period (1964-1970) deals with his researches in Sardinia (Dragonara Cave, Nettuno Cave, Capo Figari); the second one (1970- 1972) includes the field campaigns in Crete (Simonelli cave and Katharo plateau); the third period (1972-1978) regards the researches in Sicily (Capo Tindari Cave); during the last period (1979-1984) the scientific interests of Malatesta returned back to Sardinia (Is Oreris quarry, Alghero neighbours). For each locality, a brief exposition of the principal results is presented together with a summary of the research and revision papers that Malatesta and his co-workers wrote on the material collected during the field seasons
BIOLUMINESCENT BACTERIA AND BIOREMEDIATION
No full textThe increasing sensibility of both public and private institutions to the problem of contamination of industrial area, vacant sites, abusive tips has risen a new interest about decontamination of polluted sites. The choice of the best strategies of regeneration of an area must consider the characteristics of the site and the costs as regards to hazard/benefits, in particular, the costs of bioremediation and management of the area. One of the most promising and cheap strategies for hydrocarbons recovery is the acceleration of the natural process of biodegradation of these compounds in situ. Hydrocarbons can be degraded by various micro-organisms as bacteria and mushrooms.
Bioluminescent bacteria (BLB) emit light when they find themselves in an optimal environment. If noxious substances are present, the luminescence decrease. Thus, the presence of toxic substances can be evaluated [1-2]. The bioluminescent bacteria toxicity test is simple and, compared to other bioassays, it is less time consuming, with a sensitivity within the same order of magnitude and allows to obtain results in a direct way.
The BLB test was applied to samples of soil collected near a refinery at different depth levels and distances from the industrial plan. The microbial population of the soil was studied. The samples were then treated with different species of bacteria degrading hydrocarbons, both autochthonous (already present in the soil) or commercial, or with mixture of them.
The bioluminescent bacteria were exposed to the samples for 12-20 hour. The acute and chronic biotoxicity was determined, following light emission for 60 minutes or for some hours (10-15), respectively. The acute toxicity is generally due to powerful or available toxicants, as heavy metal ions, while compounds with a slow penetration mechanism to enter bacterial cells or acting on bacteria reproduction are usually responsible for chronic biotoxicity.
All the untreated samples proved to inhibit the luminescence as shown in Figure 1, where the perceptual inhibition at 60 minutes is reported (black values in figure). After the treatment with bacteria degrading hydrocarbons, only the samples collected at the deepest levels still inhibited the light emission (for example S2 720), while superficial specimens no longer inhibited the luminescence (for example S1C1).
Figure 1: Inhibition (%) of the light emission of different soil samples before and after the treatment with hydrocarbons degrading bacteria.
The BLB assay proved to be sensible at toxic substances and suitable to be applied to the control of bioremediation of contaminated area after treatment by bacteria degrading hydrocarbons. The use of a microplate assay allowed the simultaneous, rapid and at low cost analysis of numerous samples.
The assay also allowed to optimise the mix of bacteria degrading hydrocarbons, starting from the species directly developed in real conditions in polluted grounds, selecting and improving them.
References
[1] Girotti S., Ferri E.N., Bolelli L., Sermasi G., Fini F. Applications of Bioluminescence in Analytical Chemistry. In: Chemiluminescence in Analytical Chemistry Garcìa-Campaña A.M.& Baeyens W.R.G. Eds., Marcel Dekker Inc., New York, 2001, 247-84.
[2] Girotti S., Bolelli L., Roda A., Gentilomi G., Musiani M., Improved detection of toxic chemicals using bioluminescent bacteria”. Analytica Chimica Acta, 2002, 471, 113-120
Dichiarazioni di aeternitas e manifestazioni di romanitas : il Graecus Ammiano e i sentimenti nei confronti di Roma
No full textDeclarations of aeternitas and manifestations of romanitas : the graecus Ammianus
and his feelings towards Rome · The evolution of the concept of aeternitas and also the promise
of an “eternal Rome” seem to develop in historiography in parallel : in some cases with references
to the myths of the city’s foundation, in others with the creation of some specific lexical
strategies. The Res Gestae of Ammianus Marcellinus are an effective witness of this second
practice. The author, graecus, is also the bearer of what can be considered a sort of terminological
transliteration. Through the analysis of some specific passages, in this contribution we try
to hypothesize and demonstrate the possibility of the existence of a sort of ideal concordance
between aeternitas, romanitas and civilitas. In the Res Gestae, Julian and Ammianus Marcellinus
themselves seem to demonstrate, one through his scientia militaris, the other through his
culture, that they fit perfectly into the clever design of celebrating romanitas
I ritratti di Zenobia nella Historia Augusta, tra simbologia e inventio
No full textThe versions in the Historia Augusta differ from one another, especially
in regards to the general opinion of Settimia Zenobia Augusta: one version
portrays her in a positive manner, and another one describes her in a negative
way. In addition to the methods of inventio and fiction of the author of the
Historia Augusta and the historiographical meanings linked to them, the reference
to a detail in Zenobia’s apparel – a shell – is worthy of note. As unicum
in the Historia Augusta, the object might conceal symbols that go beyond the
immediate definition which is apparently purely ornamental
An experience of cooperation between University and professional Association in Engineering Education
No full textOntology of multi-agents processes of spatial decision
No full textIn the paper of Cavezzali, Girotti and Rabino presented at ERSA 2003 conference, features of multi-agent models and their potentiality for the study of territorial phenomena are discussed. Starting from this study, the present paper digs deeper mechanisms of multi-agent systems working, describing their ontology in a more complete and articulated way as possible, and investigating: the properties of the actors, the mechanisms of interaction among actors and between actors and environment. About the environment, particular attention has been paid to the consideration about the various modalities of treatment of territory (from pure physical support to active reactive/cognitive agent in relationship with the other agents). For these modalities, finally, two typical case-studies of multi-agent model are shown: simulation of pedestrian paths choice, the software “Turisti”, and a competitive dynamic of service centres location, “Wilson”.
Famiglia romana e famiglia vandala nell'Africa di Vittore di Vita
No full textBehind the theological interpretation of the events that mark the entire work of Victor Vitensis, the Historia Persecutionis contains multiple information about both Roman-African family and the Vandal one. The hagiographic representation in which the member of the African family are protagonist allow to consider the author knowledge about the marriage law and the role of the family members in late antiquity. At the same time the description of the Vandal Kings' actions provides essential information about their succession system and their family relationship
Controllo del biorisanamento di residui dell’industria petrolifera mediante batteri bioluminescenti
No full textIl saggio di inibizione biotossicologico mediante batteri bioluminescenti (BL) è stato utilizzato per verificare l’avvenuto disinquinamento, da parte di batteri metabolizzanti gli idrocarburi, di campioni inquinati da prodotti petrolchimici. Il saggio utilizzato per il controllo della biotossicità ambientale si basa su batteri bioluminescenti (BL), che emettono luce naturalmente 1,2.
Le analisi eseguite in laboratorio con i batteri BL e confrontati con un metodo FTIR evidenziano nettamente l’azione di degradazione degli idrocarburi da parte dei batteri, mostrando una importante diminuzione dei livelli di inquinamento dei campioni anche dopo solo pochi mesi dall’inoculo con aumento della emissione BL del 150% e 300% a seconda del campione (indice di una equivalente diminuzione della tossicità) rispetto ai campioni di inquinati e non trattati con i batteri degradanti gli idrocarburi.
Le analisi messe a punto e i risultati ottenuti confermano che la strada del biorisanamento intrapresa su quel sito inquinato è quella giusta, utilizzando una miscela di batteri degradanti gli idrocarburi corretta. Tale miscela, grazie al monitoraggio diretto mediante batteri BL potrà essere ulteriormente ottimizzata, portando ad una scelta migliore dei ceppi autoctoni che si sviluppano meglio nelle condizioni reali.
Riferimenti
[1] Girotti S., Ferri E.N., Bolelli L., Sermasi G., Fini F. Applications of Bioluminescence in Analitycal Chemistry. In: Chemiluminescence in Analytical Chemistry Garcìa-Campaña A.M.& Baeyens W.R.G. Eds., Marcel Dekker Inc., New York, 2001, 247-84.
[2] Girotti S., Bolelli L., Roda A., Gentilomi G., Musiani M., Improved detection of toxic chemicals using bioluminescent bacteria”.Anaytica Chimica Acta, 2002, 471, 113-120
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