1,721,013 research outputs found
Trophic ecology and spatial behaviour of wolf (Canis lupus) in an Appennine area
Full text linkNowadays the Italian wolf (Canis lupus) is expanding its range and increasing in numbers, nevertheless it is still a vulnerable species.In this work, we have focused on the wolf feeding and spatial behavior, in a region of Northern Apennine.First, we investigated the relation between wolf and red fox (Vulpes vulpes), assessing the extent of their trophic niche overlap. Our findings suggest a very limited trophic competition between them.Moreover, we analyzed the functional response of wolf to changes in prey availability, and the impact of wolf predation and hunting harvest on ungulate populations.Wild boar (Sus scrofa) was the main and selected prey species for wolves. Moreover, the proportion of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in wolf diet peaked when boar densities were low, resulting in a functional response dependent on the main prey density fluctuations. Furthermore, even if wolves and hunters focused on targets with different reproductive potential in the population, their combined impact did not exceed the annual recruitment, and thus did not result to limit ungulates population growth.Finally, analyzing the variables involved in the choice of rendezvous sites locations, we found rendezvous sites typically inside protected areas, and usually distant from human settlements. Over recent years, rendezvous sites have occurred closer to urban areas, thus, our projections of suitability of sites can help planning to minimize possible wolf-human conflicts
Oscar Stonorov : Un progetto culturale e politico tra Europa e Stati Uniti d'America 1929-1955
No full textUtilizzo di Nanoparticelle per il trasporto di Molecole Antisenso nel modello murino di Distrofia Muscolare di Duchenne
No full textDuchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked severe neuromuscular
disease, mainly caused by mutations that disrupt the mRNA reading frame resulting
in the absence of dystrophin protein in skeletal and cardiac muscles. Currently the
most promising therapeutic approach, defined as exon-skipping, is based on the use
of antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) to recognize specific RNA sequences that
induce the exclusion of target exon from the mRNA and the restoration of the
frame, allowing the synthesis of a functional protein.
One of the main difficulties of this therapeutic approach is to obtain protection from
degradation and transport of the AONs to the target tissues.
Therefore, to obtain consistent results, high doses of AONs are needed, which are,
however, a potential source of adverse reactions to life-long therapies as in DMD.
Our research group is testing nanoparticles as a new delivery system for AONs with
phosphorothioate backbone (2'-O-methyl-phosphorothioate 2'OMePs) in the mouse
model of muscular dystrophy (mdx mice).
These nanoparticles consist of an inert biocompatible material
(polymethylmethacrylate) with covalently linked cationic groups, which allow the
electrostatic bond with the antisense molecules. In an initial pilot experiment, we
used nanoparticles of about 500 nm of diameter and we have proved that they are
able to bind and release the AONs 2'OMePs, leading to the restoration of
dystrophin expression in mdx mouse muscles. Despite the positive results obtained,
these nanoparticles have a low capacity to adsorb on the surface AONs, and their
diameter does not allow for intravenous administration. In subsequent experiments we therefore used nanoparticles of smaller size (about
130 nm of diameter) but with a 5 times higher adsorption capacity. We treated
systemically mdx mice with low doses (52,5 mg AON / kg) of nanoparticle-AON
complexes, and we analyzed the mice 1 and 12 weeks after the end of the treatment.
At 1 week after the end of the treatment analysis of mRNA (Nested RT-PCR and
Real Time-RT-PCR) has allowed us to identify in skeletal muscles and heart the
transcript missing the target exon. Protein analysis (Western blot and
immunofluorescence) also showed the correct molecular weight of restored
dystrophin and proper localization in the sarcolemma of skeletal muscle fibers,
cardiac, and arrector pili smooth muscle.
At a distance of 12 weeks after treatment the correct transcript was still present in
the tissues analyzed, although in lesser quantities, and the protein also detectable by
immunofluorescence and Western blot. These results demonstrate that these
nanoparticles represent a promising system for AONs delivery, as they are able to:
i) ensure the protection of RNA molecules from nucleases, allowing lower doses to
produce a measurable effect, ii) spread in target tissues (muscles) where release the
adsorbed molecules in a slow and controlled manner with a longer treatment effect
Bassi (Elena). Architettura del Sei e Settecento a Venezia (Collana di Storia dell'architettura, ambiente, urbanistica, arti figurative diretta da Roberto Pane)
No full textHubert Gérard. Bassi (Elena). Architettura del Sei e Settecento a Venezia (Collana di Storia dell'architettura, ambiente, urbanistica, arti figurative diretta da Roberto Pane). In: Bulletin Monumental, tome 121, n°4, année 1963. pp. 394-396
Quantifying prey selection of Northern and Southern European wolves (Canis lupus)
No full textWolf (Canis lupus) diet is determined by several ecological factors which can differ with latitude and human impact on the environment. Here we aim to compare Northern and Southern Europe with respect to wolf feeding habits. Scats were collected and analysed for nine years in South-central Scandinavia and four years in Tuscany, Italy, where prey density, predator-prey size relation and habitat heterogeneity, were compared in different ecological perspectives. Consumption followed prey density in Scandinavia but not in Tuscany and the main prey species, moose and wild boar respectively, were more seasonally age diversified in Scandinavia than in Tuscany. Most likely, the risk of injury was an important factor in prey age selection, especially in Tuscany. Diet composition in Scandinavia showed a negligible variance while in Tuscany, temporal and spatial variation were clearly recognised. The underlying mechanism is most likely related to the limited ecological diversity of landscape in Scandinavia contrasted with the higher variability of South European landscapes resulting in higher variation in prey abundance and consequently prey choice
Petrified preparations from the Sassari anatomical collection
No full textThe petrified preparations made by Efisio Marini and Giacomo Pitzorno, from the anatomical collection of the University of Sassari, are described from the historical, anthropological and anatomical point of vie
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
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