637 research outputs found
Alessia Pica, Laura Melelli, Martina Burnelli, Maurizio Del Monte, Francesca Vergari and Massimiliano Alvioli
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Physical, Chemical and Biological Properties of some Alternative Growing Substrates.
No full textPeat represented the predominant constituent of growing media for soilless production in the last decades. However, due
to the high cost of extraction and future availability and sustainability, a worldwide search for alternative substrates has been developed,
focusing on secondary processing compounds or recycling wastes. In order to evaluate the suitability of new materials, organic
by-products, namely hemp fiber (2 particle sizes) and grape marc were studied and compared with peat and some rising substitutes: Coir
(3% fiber) and green compost. Methodology: Some of the main physical (particle size distribution, bulk density, water holding capacity
and air capacity), chemical (pH, electrical conductivity, ash, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and heavy metals content) and biological
properties (phytotoxicity) were analyzed. Results: All materials showed water holding capacity >40% (threshold considered sufficient
on the base of peat-related classification), except for coir and hemp with large particle size and marc that registered a poor water-holding
capacity (<40% retained water). The pH of the base materials was different with values ranging between 6.21 and 9.05. Compost and marc
showed high values of electrical conductivity and copper content (and heavy metals for green compost) and a possible negative influence
on germination of cress as resulting from the bioassay. Conclusion: Physical, chemical and biological properties of the materials suggested
that coir has the potential to partially or totally replace peat, whereas marc and compost require to be mixed with other materials or
properly select the source-of-origin materials before processing
PRESENTAZIONE DELLA CARTA GEOMORFOLOGICA DEL CENTRO STORICO DI ROMA
No full textpresentazione dei risultati delle ricerche di geomorfologia urbana e dl rilevamento geomorfologico condotte nel centro storico di Roma nel periodo 1990-2016, che hanno permesso la realizzazione della prima carta geomorfologica del centro di Roma con metodi scientific
Organs topology in strawberry plants depending on different nursery systems
No full textStrawberry plant architecture shows some constant features related to its
sympodial growth. Variability in plant architecture is related to the position of the
vegetative and reproductive structures along its short axis (rosette plant) and is
determined by many factors, including abiotic, agronomic, nutritional and
environmental factors. Propagation technique provides plant types showing different
architectures. Each type of plant is suitable for specific growing cycles. Plants from
different nursery cultivation systems were dissected to determine the fate of all the
meristems before field cultivation. Branching pattern and organs topology were
described in order to provide basic information on the developmental ability of the
plants. The study shows that using specific propagation techniques, it may be possible
to guide the architecture of the strawberry plants towards different number and
distribution of axillary shoots, inflorescences and stolons
Heavy Metal Assessment in Feathers of Eurasian Magpies (Pica pica): A Possible Strategy for Monitoring Environmental Contamination?
No full textIn the present study, the Eurasian magpie (Pica pica), was evaluated as a possible bioindica- tor of environmental pollution by heavy metals (HMs). Levels of Ni, Pb, Cd, and Hg in feathers of 64 magpies (31 males and 33 females) were measured by ICP-MS technique. Plasmatic biomarkers of oxidative stress (OS) were also assessed. The birds were captured in the province of Parma (Italy), in different capture sites within 1 km from urban area (UZ), and farther than 5 km from urban area (RZ). Median HM levels were 0.68 mg/kg (0.18–2.27), 2.80 mg/kg (0.41–17.7)
Public awareness and knowledge of herpes labialis
No full textBetween 20% and 40% of the population is estimated to suffer from episodes of recurrent herpes labialis, although few reports in the literature have addressed the public awareness of this infection in the general population. The aims of this study were to determine the existing level of awareness and knowledge of this disease and to assess the source of this knowledge, the ability of the public to recognize the characteristics of the disease and the behavior of patients with clinical cases of disease manifestation. To this end, 2,000 individuals (961 male and 1,039 female) of 14 years of age and older were surveyed using the ECOcapi system [Eurisko Consumer Omnibus-CAPI (computer-assisted personal interviewing) version]. Eighty-nine percent of those surveyed had some knowledge of herpes labialis; 92% were able to refer to at least one symptom of herpes labialis, 91% were able to identify correctly his infection from pictures, and 45% had experienced personally at least one episode of herpes labialis infection. The majority of the individuals suffering from herpes labialis self-medicated using a topical therapy. Women were found to be affected more commonly by herpes labialis than men [OR 1.42 (1.18-1.70)], and women were also more likely to recognize the disease [OR 1.65 (1.30-2.08)] and to seek medical advice for the condition [OR 1.38 (1.12-1.70)]. In conclusion, herpes labialis is a common and well-known condition, and it is often self-diagnosed correctly, as the prodromal phase and the use of self-medication are very common. J. Med. Virol. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
Geosites within Rome City center (Italy): A mixture of cultural and geomorphological heritage
No full textRome has been an international destination for thousands of years. Visitors that are attracted by well-known historical and cultural sites can also find a wealth of natural and geomorphological features in the city. These characteristics, which are some of the main contributors to the success of Aeterna Urbs, are often hidden or have been modified by millennia of urbanization. This «man-made layering» is unique from other cities around the world, but the features are still recognizable among the usual tourist attractions. In this work, we present the results of a geomorphological analysis conducted within Rome that led to the production of a geomorphological sketch of Rome and an inventory of the geosites in the city center. We identified two new geosites that are essentially geomorphosites because they are of geologic interest and are also typical expressions of the evolution of the relief. In the first case, Isola Tiberina (Tiber Island), the geomorphosite is evidence of the paleogeographical conditions present when Rome was founded, while the second, Testaccio Mount, is a geomorphosite that today represents a significant man-made hill built by landfill activity by an advanced society two thousand years ago. The results of the investigations led to the proposal of an urban geotourist trail that shows the geomorphological evolution of the area and the geologic and climatic framework that has contributed to the historical development of the city. Moreover, the itinerary demonstrates how the history, urban planning and geomorphological characteristics of the area are connected; thus, it is intended to popularize geo-knowledge of Rome, whose main attractions have been traditionally related only to its historical heritage
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