1,721,018 research outputs found
Evaluation of genotoxic potential of waters from two Italian rivers in Gammarus elvirae (Amphipoda)
No full textThe aim of the present work is to evaluate the genotoxic impact of contaminants along the whole course of Ninfa-Sisto and Amaseno (Latium, Italy) rivers. The authors performed the alkaline Comet assay to assess DNA damage in the freshwater amphipod Gammarus elvirae, exposed ex situ for 24 hours and 7 days to water collected at different sites. The assay, applied on haemocytes, provides a sensitive tool to reveal effects even at low concentrations of pollutants. The results indicate significant increase of DNA damage along the course of the two rivers, compared to the unpolluted upstream sites, even if the analytes do not exceed the permissible limits. Moreover, the results show that there is not a linear correlation between the concentration of analytes and DNA damage. Based on this study's results, it would be desirable to use Comet assay, on proposed test species, as an early warning method to detect genotoxic potential of waters
Persistence of phylogeographic footprints helps to understand cryptic diversity detected in two marine amphipods widespread in the Mediterranean basin
No full textAmphipods of the genus Gammarus are a vital component of macrozoobenthic communities in European inland and coastal, marine and brackish waters of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Exceptional levels of cryptic diversity have been revealed for several widespread freshwater Gammarus species in Europe. No comprehensive assessment has yet been made for brackishwater counterparts, such as Gammarus aequicauda and G. insensibilis, which are among the most widely dispersed members of the so-called “G. locusta group” in the Mediterranean and in the Black Sea. Here we probe the diversity of these morphospecies examining the partitioning of mtDNA and nDNA across multiple populations along their distribution range and discuss it within the regional paleogeographic framework. We gathered molecular data from a collection of 166 individuals of G. aequicauda and G. insensibilis from 47 locations along their distribution range in the Mediterranean including the Black Sea. They were amplified for both mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA as well as the nuclear 28S rRNA. All five MOTU delimitation methods (ABGD, BIN, bPTP, GMYC single and multiple threshold models) applied revealed deep divergence between Black Sea and Mediterranean populations in both G. aequicauda and G. insensibilis. There were eight distinct MOTUs delimited for G. aequicauda (6–18% K2P) and 4 MOTUs for G. insensibilis (4–14% K2P). No sympatric MOTUs were detected throughout their distribution range. Multimarker time-calibrated phylogeny indicated that divergence of both G. aequicauda and G. insensibilis species complexes started already in the late Oligocene/early Miocene with the split between clades inhabiting eastern and western part of the Mediterranean occurring in both species at the similar time. Our results indicate a high cryptic diversity within Mediterranean brackishwater Gammarus, similar to that observed for freshwater counterparts. Moreover, the phylogenetic history combined with the current geographic distribution indicate that the evolution of both studied Gammarus morphogroups has been strongly connected with the geological events in the Mediterranean Basin and it reflect the turbulent history of the area. © 2018 Elsevier Inc
A new Ingolfiellid (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Ingolfiellidae) from an anchialine pool on Abd al Kuri Island, Socotra Archipelago, Yemen
No full textIngolfiella arganoi sp. n. from Abd al Kuri Island in the Arabian Sea is described from two specimens, a male and a female. The western shore of the Indian Ocean was hitherto a vacant spot in the distribution of circumtropical shallow marine interstitial ingolfiellids and therefore the location of the new species fills a meaningful gap in the geography of the family. Morphologically, the new species shows close affinities with Ingolfiella xarifae from the Maldives. © 2013 Pensoft Publishers
An integrated study on Gammarus elvirae (Crustacea, Amphipoda): perspectives for toxicology of arsenic-contaminated freshwater
No full textThe Italian region Latium is characterized by extensive quaternary volcanic systems that contribute greatly to arsenic (As) contamination of freshwater, including drinking water supplies. However, knowledge of the possible toxic effects in these aquatic environments is, despite being highly relevant to public health, still limited. In this paper, we approach this issue using Gammarus elvirae, an amphipod species that inhabits rivers and streams in central Italy, including Latium. We explored the possibility of using G. elvirae in the toxicology of freshwater by addressing the most relevant issues. First, we tested the usefulness of hemocytes from G. elvirae in determining non-specific DNA damage by means of the Comet assay after exposure (24 h and 7 days) to different river water samples in Latium; second, we provided an interpretative overview of the usefulness of hepatopancreatic epithelial cells of G. elvirae as a means of assessing toxicity after long-term exposure to As and other pollutants; third, the LC (50–240 h) value for G. elvirae was estimated for arsenate, which is usually the dominant arsenic species in surface waters. Our study sheds light on G. elvirae at different levels, providing a background for future toxicological research of freshwater. © 2015, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
Genomic Resources Notes Accepted 1 October 2014-30 November 2014
No full textThis article documents the public availability of (i) RAD sequencing data and validated SNPs for the American mink Neovison vison and (ii) Transcriptome resources for two nonmodel freshwater crustacean species, the copepod Eucyclops serrulatus and the amphipod Echinogammarus veneris. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Fashion Retail (R)evolution in a Solid and Liquid Experience
No full textThe chapter aims to trace the retail system’s evolution within the transformation of the consumption system and define the main milestones of this evolution from retail space as a point of permanence to omnichannel.
This evolution is framed within contemporary change’s main milestones: from technology pervasiveness to
dematerialization, from apparent antinomy deterritorialisation/new local rootedness, and responsible-driven innovation
Social innovation informing new branding strategies
No full textThe present essay approaches the evolution of branding strategies in culture intensive industries with a special focus on fashion, highlighting the increasing importance of social innovation actions to nurture the efficacy of contemporary branding. In particular, the chapter addresses the following questions: Which is the current conception of branding strategies within contemporary globalized and mature markets and with respect to contemporary consumers and audiences? How do these strategies are approached within fashion industries? Are there connections between new generations of consumers demanding a paradigm shift towards more sustainable and socially responsible practices and the way fashion brands reflect this quest into their communicative actions through branding strategies? Is there a new need for consistency and authenticity between branding contents and concrete actions of fashion brands towards socially responsible practices and a real societal engagement
Sunnei: harnessing mediatisation to fuel a multidimensional customer experience
No full textThis study investigates the multidimensional retail strategies of Sunnei, an innovative Italian fashion brand, and its transformation from a niche streetwear label into a lifestyle and experiential platform. Through the lens of fashion mediatization, the research examines how Sunnei leverages digital and physical channels to construct a multidimensional customer experience (CX), emphasising community engagement and co-creation. Using initiatives such as Sunnei Canvas, Bianco Sunnei, and Radio Sunnei, the brand exemplifies its commitment to experiential marketing and digital interactivity, offering immersive, consumer-centric interactions that align with contemporary expectations of fashion as a cultural, social, and aesthetic phenomenon. This case study reveals how Sunnei employs a customer-first approach to mediate between its products, the cultural ecosystem, and its diverse audience. It contributes to the understanding of experiential retail models and mediatization's role in reconfiguring customer-brand dynamics. The findings underline the significance of digital-first, community-oriented strategies in fostering a cohesive brand identity and sustainable growth in the competitive fashion landscape
Smart Living between cultures and practices. Una prospettiva design oriented
No full textQuesto libro raccoglie le riflessioni, gli stimoli e una selezione di concept progettuali elaborati nell’ambito della ricerca “BeMyPlace. Ambienti interattivi e oggetti di design responsive”, di cui gli autori dei differenti saggi hanno rappresentato il gruppo interdisciplinare di ricerca. Un gruppo eterogeneo di ricercatori appartenenti ai settori del Design della moda, Design degli interni, Design del prodotto e di Ingegneria elettronica del Politecnico di Milano in sinergia lungo un processo progettuale che, a partire dalle prime analisi preliminari, è arrivato alla definizione di un workshop di progetto entro cui un altrettanto eterogeneo gruppo di studenti di design e di ingegneria elettronica, italiani e stranieri, è stato guidato verso la definizione di un nuovo sistema di oggetti Smart. Ma ancora, un lavoro svolto in sinergia con due imprese parte della filiera Edilizia, Legno Arredo Casa, Elettrodomestici e High-tech: Samsara srl (tessuti DreamLux®) capofila del progetto e RCR srl (impianti domotici). L’occasione è stata la partecipazione al Bando Smart Living lanciato da Regione Lombardia in attuazione della LR 26/2015 “Manifattura diffusa, creativa e tecnologica 4.0”. Un orientamento di indirizzo nato con l’obiettivo di rispondere alle dinamiche evolutive dei settori produttivi, che mira a sostenere la qualificazione del sistema economico attraverso il consolidamento e la valorizzazione di “filiere eccellenti” e a dare impulso a potenziali nuovi driver di sviluppo. L’obiettivo del progetto di ricerca è stato l’introduzione di prodotti, processi/servizi nuovi o migliorativi dal punto di vista tecnologico, produttivo e organizzativo, per la valorizzazione della tematica dell’“Abitare intelligente”. ll volume è articolato in due sezioni. La prima, “Design for a Smart Environment”, è concepita come una raccolta di saggi e riflessioni teorico-critiche ed è orientata a indagare il contesto dell’abitare contemporaneo e temporaneo in relazione all’evoluzione della componente tecnologica e smart. La seconda parte, “BeMyPlace. A Case Study Design Research”, presenta il contesto, il processo e i risultati della ricerca. Questo volume ha quindi l’obiettivo di presentare una riflessione che, a partire dall’opportunità progettuale e di studio offerta dalla ricerca BeMyPlace, ha coinvolto il mondo accademico e professionale e ne ha permesso un confronto e allineamento di conoscenze, linguaggi e obiettivi intorno alla tematica dello Smart Temporary Living e degli oggetti, sistemi e servizi a esso connessi. In un contesto contemporaneo caratterizzato da una ormai consolidata trasformazione digitale di prodotti e processi, che investe con importanti ricadute sia il mondo del consumo che le filiere produttive, assume sempre maggiore rilevanza il processo di significazione, entro il progetto, di una nuova dimensione dell’abitare. Dimensione attraversata, non subita, dalla tecnologia
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