70,480 research outputs found
Non trivial chiroptical responses: experimental and theoretical investigations
No full textIn the past few years, our two groups of research have been collaborating on a number of projects
dealing with the assignment of the absolute configuration (AC) of complex chiral molecules of phar-
macological interest in the disordered phase. [1] These studies have been mainly carried out by means of
electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopy and quantum mechanical (QM) calculations at the den-
sity functional theory (DFT) level of approximation. Particular attention has been payed to non-trivial
chiroptical responses due to conformational flexibility and solvation.
Beside these shared activities, some more specific research fields have been investigated too. In par-
ticular, the Bologna group has performed studies concerning the hyphenation of enantioselective HPLC
methods with detection systems based on ECD [2] and the characterization of biomolecular recognition
phenomena between drugs and target or carrier macromolecules. [3] The Salerno group has developed
some skills in vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) [4] and chiral NMR [5] spectroscopies, thanks to the
availability of a VCD spectrometer and previous studies concerning the non-linear response of molecules
exposed to radiation.
[1] (a) C. Bertucci, M. Pistolozzi, D. Tedesco, R. Zanasi, R. Ruzziconi, A. M. Di Pietra, J. Chromatogr. A 2012, 1232,
128–133; (b) D. Tedesco, R. Zanasi, A. Guerrini, C. Bertucci, Chirality 2012, 24, 741–750; (c) F. Dong, J. Li, B.
Chankvetadze, Y. Cheng, J. Xu, X. Liu, Y. Li, X. Chen, C. Bertucci, D. Tedesco, R. Zanasi, Y. Zheng, Environ. Sci.
Technol. 2013, 47, 3386–3394; (d) W. J. Andrioli, R. Conti, M. J. Araújo, R. Zanasi, B. C. Cavalcanti, V. Manfrim,
J. S. Toledo, D. Tedesco, M. O. de Moraes, C. Pessoa, A. K. Cruz, C. Bertucci, J. Sabino, D. N. P. Nanayakkara,
M. T. Pupo, J. K. Bastos, J. Nat. Prod. 2014, 77, 70–78; (e) D. Tedesco, R. Zanasi, I. W. Wainer, C. Bertucci, J.
Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 2014, 91, 92–96.
[2] (a) C. Bertucci, D. Tedesco, J. Chromatogr. A 2012, 1269, 69–81; (b) D. Tedesco, A. M. Di Pietra, F. Rossi, M.
Garagnani, E. Del Borrello, C. Bertucci, V. Andrisano, J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 2013, 81-82, 76–79.
[3] (a) G. A. Ascoli, E. Domenici, C. Bertucci, Chirality 2006, 18, 667–679; (b) M. Pistolozzi, C. Bertucci, Chirality
2008, 20, 552–558;
[4] (a) A. Lattanzi, A. Russo, P. Rizzo, G. Monaco, R. Zanasi, Chirality 2010, 22, E130–E135; (b) A. Massa, P. Rizzo,
G. Monaco, R. Zanasi, Tetrahed. Lett. 2013, 54, 6242–6246.
[5] (a) S. Pelloni, P. Lazzeretti, R. Zanasi, J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2007, 3, 1691–1698; (b) G. Monaco, R. Zanasi,
Chirality 2011, 23, 752–755
Plio-Quaternary tectonic evolution offshore the Capo Vaticano Promontory
No full textWe reconstruct the Plio-Quaternary tectono-stratigraphic evolution in the offshore Capo Vaticano (W Calabria,
Italy) by integrating data obtained from single- and multi-channel reflection seismic profiles and a reprocessed version
of the CROP M2A/III line.
NW-trending, high-angle normal faults, dipping ~70° to the south-west formed along the continental slope
connecting the south-west continental shelf of the Capo Vaticano Promontory to the Gioia Tauro Basin (Pepe et al.,
2014). Faults generally have small displacements up to 40 m and are sealed by Pleistocene deposits.
West of the Capo Vaticano promontory and in the Gioia Basin, a SE-dipping, normal fault system, more than 32 km
long, is recognized. Faults affect lower (?) Pleistocene and are sealed by probably post-0.7 Ma deposits. These faults are
here tentatively interpreted as the antithetic faults of major, Late Pliocene to Quaternary, NW-dipping, normal faults,
which form the currently active tectonic belt along the Calabrian Arc (e.g. Monaco and Tortorici, 2000; Faccenna et al.,
2011).
In the Santa Eufemia Gulf, reverse faults affecting Plio-Quaternary and older sedimentary successions are observed.
Faults also offset the seafloor thus indicating their recent activity. A normal fault system has been also inferred on the
basis of the present day depth variations of the edges of submerged depositional terraces and associated abrasion
platforms, along which a vertical displacement of ~21 m during the Late Pleistocene-Holocene has been inferred.
The information derived in offshore the Capo Vaticano Promontory represents an important step towards an
accurate 3-D kinematic description of the tectono-stratigraphic evolution of the western (Tyrrhenian) side of the
Calabrian Arc orogenic wedge during the Plio-Quaternary
A clinical case report on indirect, posterior three-unit resin-bonded FRC FPD.
No full textAbstract: Purpose: This paper describes a clinical, conservative approach and the details of cavity preparation for the replacement of a maxillary first premolar using a minimally invasive preparation combined with the adhesive approach.
Material and Methods: A patient with a missing first premolar was treated with a 3-unit indirect fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) fixed dental prosthesis (FDP). The preparation on the canine was a slot combined with modified wing to increase the amount of fiber in the restoration. Glass fiber (Vectris; Ivoclar Vivadent) was used in an anatomical shape for the framework and incrementally veneered with resin composite (Adoro; Ivoclar Vivadent). The cavities were prepared by etching enamel and dentin with orthophosphoric acid, priming the dentin, and applying a three-step adhesive system and dual-cured luting resin (Variolink II, Ivoclar Vivadent). Finally, the indirect FRC FDP was finished and polished with 15-mu m diamond burs (Composhape, Intensiv) and a polishing kit.
Results: The patient was satisfied with the esthetics and function of the restoration, which has served without repair for 5 years. At the 5-year clinical follow-up, the restoration was found to be clinically successfull. Conclusion: The correct cavity-preparation technique in combination with the FRC system could enhance the long-term survival of an inlay FDP
Architecture and Pliocene to Recent evolution of the offshore prolongation of the Granitola - Castelvetrano Thrust System (Sicily Channel)
No full textHigh-resolution, seismic profiles were recorded in the offshore of Mazara - Punta Granitola with the purpose of
reconstructing the architecture and Pliocene to Recent evolution of the south-west prolongation of the Granitola-
Castelvetrano Thrust System, identified as an active structure possibly related to destructive historical earthquakes
(Barreca et al., 2014; Ferranti et al., this meeting).
A number of seismic units were identified. The oldest one is interpreted as representative of the Lower Pliocene
pelagic deposits known in the region as Trubi. Lower-middle Pleistocene calcarenites are widespread along the
continental shelf (CS) between Mazara del Vallo while their top rapidly deepens moving southeast-ward Capo
Granitola. In this area, lower-middle Pleistocene calcarenites are unconformably overlain by the late Pleistocene-
Holocene deposits. These latter are thin or absent NW of Punta Granitola along the CS, at water depth less than ~30 m,
suggesting that this sector experienced uplift during the Quaternary.
Small scale, NW- and SE-displacing reverse faults are observed along the CS where they cut the lower-middle
Pleistocene calcarenites and offset the seafloor. South-eastwards, south-east-verging, reverse faults affect lower-middle
Pleistocene calcarenites as well as the late Pleistocene-Holocene layers, suggesting that fault displacement acted during
the post-LGM.
Growth folding of Upper Pleistocene-Holocene deposits and thrust faults, predominantly dipping to the NW,
affecting Pliocene rocks are observed in the immediate offshore Capo Granitola.
The integration of the new data with those obtained from multi-channel profiles suggests that the active folds and
thrusts are the uppermost expression of steep crustal ramps (Monaco et al., 1996; Lavecchia et al., 2007; Meccariello et
al., this meeting) which upthrust the Saccense platform at depth
Genomic structure and transcriptional regulation of Che-1, a novel partner of Rb
No full textWe recently identified and cloned a novel human gene, Che-1, whose product interacts with both RNA polymerase II and the retinoblastoma gene product (Rb). Furthermore, we found that Che-1 overexpression counteracts the growth inhibitory effects of Rb, regulating in such way both transcription and cell proliferation. In this paper, we describe the genomic organization of the mouse orthologous Che-1 gene and its promoter region. The promoter is TATA less and presents several potential transcription factor-binding motifs. Importantly, we showed that Che-1 expression is regulated by a negative feedback mechanism, in which this protein is present on its own promoter repressing transcription. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
Are the source models of the M 7.1 Messina Straits earthquake reliable? Insights from a novel inversion and a sensitivity analysis of levelling data.
No full textFor decades, many authors have attempted to define the location, geometry and kinematics
of the causative fault for the 1908 December 28, M 7.1 earthquake that struck the Messina
Straits between Sicily and Calabria (southern Italy). The coseismic displacement caused a
predominant downwarping of the Straits and small land uplift away from it, which were
documented by levelling surveys performed 1 yr before and immediately after the earthquake.
Most of the source models based on inversion of levelling data suggested that the earthquake
was caused by a low angle, east-dipping blind normal fault, whose upper projection intersects
the Earth surface on the Sicilian (west) side of the Messina Straits.An alternative interpretation
holds that the causative fault is one of the high-angle, west-dipping faults located in southern
Calabria, on the eastern side of the Straits, and may in large part coincide with the mapped
Armo Fault. Here, we critically review the levelling data with the aim of defining both their
usefulness and limits in modelling the seismogenic fault. We demonstrate that the levelling
data alone are not capable of discriminating between the two oppositely dipping fault models,
and thus their role as a keystone for modellers is untenable. However, new morphotectonic
and geodetic data indicate that the Armo Fault has very recent activity and is accumulating
strain. The surface observations, together with appraisal ofmacroseismic intensity distribution,
available seismic tomography and marine geophysical evidence, lends credit to the hypothesis
that the Armo and possibly the S. Eufemia faults are part of a major crustal structure that
slipped during the 1908 earthquake
Karstic caves and submerged paleo-shorelines in the coastal area between Capo Santa Panagia and Ognina (Siracusa, south-eastern Sicily)
No full textThe aim of this work is the detailed survey of the submerged area in front of the shoreline between Capo S. Panagia e Ognina (Siracusa), in order to reconstruct the lateral extension and the continuity of the submerged morphological elements and to define their genesis and temporal evolution. This coastal stretch is characterized by the occurrence of several raised paleo-shorelines, related to Late Quaternary high-stands. They are represented by cliffs and abrasion platforms carved on a Miocene-Pleistocene carbonatic succession and are often linked to karstic levels (caves, channels, siphons, etc.). Several speleothems, such as stalagmites, stalactites, columns, cave pearls, have been found in the caves. The submerged area is characterized by the same morphological features. The sea-bottom is, in fact, characterized by at least two palaeo-cliffs of marine origin, the shallower one located at depths between -9÷12 m and -20÷22 m, the deeper one located at depths between -20÷25 m and -40÷45 m. The scarp located between -9÷12 m and - 20÷22 m is well preserved and shows a continuity of about 20 km. The scarp located between -20÷25 m and -40÷45 m is more discontinuous and steeper. Several caves, channels and siphons, characterized by the occurrence of continental fossilized speleothems, have been found along these scarps, probably linked to palaeo-karstic levels. The detailed topographic survey of two caves has been carried out and a stalagmite has been sampled in order to determine its age and to reconstruct the relationships between sea-level rise and vertical tectonic motion of the area. The morphological analysis and the first dating results suggest that the two submerged palaeo-shorelines can be interpreted as the effect of Late Pleistocene sea level stands. At present they are submerged as a consequence of the sudden Holocene sea-level rise
Riscoperte archeozoologiche di antiche collezioni paleontologiche scavate dalle equipes di Alberto I di Monaco: Homo sapiens Paleolitico alle grotte dell’Observatoire (Giardino esotico, Monaco) e St Martin (Monaco-città, Monaco).
No full text- Grotta dell’Observatoire (Giardino esotico, Monaco): analisi dell’industria su materie dure animali, un oggetto di parure e prime osservazioni archeozoologiche.
Presso la Grotta dell’Observatoire un’industria in materie dure animali è descritta da M. Boule e L. De Villeneuve dopo le prime campagne di scavo (1916-1920) condotte sotto l’egida del Principe Alberto I di Monaco. Questi manufatti provengono da livelli più alti (Gruppo superiore: Foyers G-E, Proto-Aurignaziano e Aurignaziano; Foyers C-A, Gravettiano), e sono stati oggetto
negli ultimi anni di una revisione tassonomica, tecnologica e tafonomica. Purtroppo, la quasi totalità di questa industria non possiede ad oggi una esatta indicazione stratigrafica (Boule et Villeneuve, 1927; p. 13 et 101). In generale la lavorazione dell’osso e del palco animale è documentata da oggetti di tipologia ben definita, ottenuti grazie a specifiche tecniche di débitage e façonnage.
L’analisi tassonomica rivela che le materie dure animali utilizzate per confezionare degli strumenti, delle armi da getto e un unico oggetto di parure, sono ricavati quasi esclusivamente da elementi anatomici di cervidi (Cervidae indet., Rangifer tarandus e Capreolus capreolus) e in misura minore, di stambecco (Capra ibex); la scelta di questi animali risulta coerente in rapporto
all’insieme faunistico. L’analisi tafonomica mostra che gli strumenti in osso e in palco (zagaglie e punteruoli) conservano ancora le tracce della loro lavorazione: nella maggior parte dei casi, si tratta di prodotti finiti, che a volte presentano fratture e abrasioni probabilmente correlate al loro uso. Alcuni artefatti in osso, come i punteruoli, sono ricavati da schegge diafisarie ottenute in seguito alla fratturazione di ossa lunghe. Gli artefatti in palco, così come qualche raro oggetto in osso, sono il risultato di una estrazione diretta e di un façonnage di supporti di forma predeterminata, in seguito rifiniti con fini raschiature ed abrasioni. Un solo oggetto di parure, associato ad una frequentazione gravettiana (Foyer C) è stato ottenuto a partire da un canino atrofico di Cervus elaphus, dopo una preparazione per assottigliamento e una perforazione bipolare inversa della radice ai fini di una sua sospensione. È stato possibile
identificare la presenza di tracce di ocra rossa sulle superfici di alcuni strumenti così come sul dente di cervo perforato. Una prima analisi archeozoologica e tafonomica dettagliata dell’insieme faunistico associata all’industria su materie dure animali, rivela anche, per la prima volta in questo contesto, delle informazioni sull’interazione tra i gruppi di cacciatori raccoglitori e i rapaci diurni di grandi dimensioni che hanno frequentato la Grotta. Alcuni elementi anatomici di aquile e avvoltoi, infatti, mostrano evidenti tracce di macellazione legate verosimilmente allo sfruttamento delle carni, del piumaggio e probabilmente anche alla ricerca di supporti in osso.
- Grotta di Saint-Martin (Monaco Città, Monaco): primi risultati delle analisi archeozoologiche e nuove datazioni C14.
La Grotta di Saint-Martin è situata sulla Rocca di Monaco, nel quartiere di Monaco città e più precisamente nei giardini che riportano lo stesso nome. Portate alla luce al debutto del XX secolo, queste collezioni sono rimaste finora sconosciute. Nonostante le analisi archeozoologiche relative ai materiali osteologici di questa grotta sono ancora in corso, alcuni risultati preliminari offrono già una anteprima sulle relazioni Uomo-animale e sulle successive occupazioni. Il gran numero di carnivori e l’ampia varietà di taxa (iena, leone, leopardo, lince, volpe rossa, ghiottone e lupo, solo per nominarne alcuni), nonché la presenza di tutte le classi d’età, ci informano del possibile utilizzo della cavità come tana-rifugio in alternanza all’uomo. Le specie di ungulati presenti mostrano un quadro ambientale vario con la presenza di una copertura forestale sia rada che densa, con marcati caratteri freddi e aridi. Ad oggi, solo pochi indizi registrano un’interazione tra esseri umani e animali. Alcuni resti di ungulati, ad esempio, mostrano tracce di macellazione e allo stesso tempo, uno strumento in osso prodotto a partire da un’ulna di stambecco è stato identificato e documentato. In parallelo, le numerose conchiglie bivalve e gasteropodi supportano una loro raccolta e un loro consumo in grotta da parte dei gruppi umani che l’hanno frequentata. Il programma di datazioni intrapreso sottolinea la complessità della stratigrafia di questa cavità, e conferma la sua frequentazione da parte dell’uomo anche nel corso dell’Ultimo Massimo Glaciale (LGM).Grotte de l’Observatoire (Jardin Exotique, Monaco) : analyse de l’industrie sur matières dures animales, un objet de parure et premières observations archéozoologiques.
À la grotte de l’Observatoire une industrie sur matières dures animales est décrite par M. Boule et L. De Villeneuve à la suite de leurs premières campagnes de fouilles (1916-1920) conduites sous l’égide du Prince Albert Ier de Monaco. Ces artefacts proviennent des niveaux supérieurs (Groupe supérieur : Foyers G-E, Proto-Aurignacien et Aurignacien ; Foyers C-A, Gravettien),
et ont fait l’objet depuis quelques années d’une révision taxonomique, technologique et taphonomique. Malheureusement, la quasitotalité de cette industrie n’est à ce jour pas renseignée par une attribution stratigraphique précise (Boule et Villeneuve, 1927, pp. 13 et 101). En général, le travail de l’os et du bois animal est documenté par des objets de typologie bien définie, obtenus par des techniques de débitage et de façonnage spécifiques.
L’analyse taxonomique révèle que les matières dures animales utilisées pour la confection des instruments, des armes et de l’unique objet de parure, proviennent presque exclusivement d’éléments anatomiques de cervidés (Cervidae indet., Rangifer tarandus et Capreolus capreolus) et en moindre mesure de bouquetins (Capra ibex) ; le choix de ces animaux s’est avéré cohérent avec l’ensemble faunique. L’analyse taphonomique montre que les artefacts en os et en bois (sagaies et poinçons) conservent les traces de leur fabrication : dans la majeure partie des cas, il s’agit de produits finis, qui présentent parfois des fractures et abrasions probablement liées à leur utilisation. Certains artefacts en os, comme les poinçons, sont issus d’éclats diaphysaires obtenus suite à la fracturation d’os longs. Les artefacts en bois, ainsi que quelques rares objets en os, résultent d’une extraction directe et du façonnage de supports de forme prédéterminée, puis finalisés par des raclages fins et des abrasions. Un seul objet de parure, associé à une fréquentation gravettienne (Foyer C), a été obtenu à partir d’une canine atrophique de Cervus elaphus après préparation et amincissement, et une perforation bipolaire inverse de la racine à des fins de suspension. Il a été possible de relever la présence de traces d’ocre sur les outils, les armatures ainsi que sur le vestige ornemental. Une première analyse archéozoologique et
taphonomique détaillée de l’ensemble faunique associée à l’industrie sur les matières dures animales révèle également pour la première fois des informations sur l’interaction entre les groupes de chasseurs-cueilleurs et les rapaces de grandes dimensions qui ont fréquenté la grotte. En fait, certains éléments anatomiques d’aigles et de vautours, rendent compte de traces de boucherie liées vraisemblablement à l’exploitation de la viande, du plumage et probablement aussi de la recherche de supports en os.
Grotte de Saint-Martin (Monaco-ville, Monaco) : premiers résultats d’analyses archéozoologiques et nouvelles datations 14C
La grotte de Saint-Martin est située sur le Rocher de Monaco, dans le quartier de Monaco-ville dans les jardins du même nom. Fouillée très tôt, au début du XXe siècle, ces collections sont jusque-là restées méconnues. Bien que des analyses archéozoologiques à la grotte de Saint-Martin soient en cours, certains résultats préliminaires donnent déjà un premier aperçu sur
les relations Homme-animal et les occupations successives. Le grand nombre de carnivores et la grande variété de taxons (ex : hyène, lion, léopard, lynx, renard roux, glouton et loup, etc.) ainsi que la représentation de toutes les classes d’âge, rendent compte d’une tanière utilisée en alternance avec l’homme. Les espèces d’ongulés présentes illustrent un cadre environnemental varié avec la présence d’une couverture forestière à la fois clairsemée et dense avec des caractères froids et arides marqués. À ce jour, seuls quelques indices enregistrent une interaction entre l’Homme et l’animal, certains restes d’ongulés montrent par exemple des traces de boucherie et un instrument osseux confectionné à partir d’un ulna de bouquetin a également été identifié et documenté. En parallèle, les nombreux coquillages bivalves et gastropodes soutiennent une collecte humaine probable et leur consommation dans la grotte.
Le programme de datations entrepris souligne pour la première fois la complexité de la stratigraphie de cette cavité, et confirme son occupation durant le dernier maximum glaciaire (LGM) par les Hommes
Seismotectonics of the active thrust front in southwestern Sicily: hints on the Belice and Selinunte seismogenic sources
No full textWe present a seismotectonic model of the active thrust front in western Sicily, which includes the area hit by the
1968 Belice earthquake sequence. The ~40 km long South-WEstern Sicilian Thrust (SWEST) is formed by two aligned
albeit non-parallel fault arrays, the Granitola-Castelevetrano Thrust System (GCTS) in the west and the Partanna-
Poggioreale Thrust System (PPTS) in the east.
The ~NE-SW trending, NW-dipping GCTS straddles from the Pelagian coastline to Castelvetrano, is ~18 km long
and composed of two segments, with the northern, ~12 km long one showing geodetic and geologic evidence of active
deformation (Barreca et al., 2014). The segment is marked by a sharp gradient in Differential SAR interferometry
(DinSAR and STAMPs) and GPS velocity fields. Geologic evidence include an up to 60 m high, and up to 15° steep
scarp, which is the fore-limb of a broad fold involving Lower Pleistocene shore calcarenites, and cm-scale reverse
displacement of an ancient road dated as early Bronze-Hellenistic age. Inversion of fault slip-lineation data from
structures displacing the archaeological remains yields a ~N110°E shortening axis, consistent with the geodetic
shortening direction estimated from GPS differential velocities.
The ~ENE-WSW trending PPTS stretches from Partanna to the macro-seismic area of the 1968 earthquake sequence
and is composed of two ~10 km long segments limited by relay ramps. Although geologic and geodetic evidence of
deformation are less clear than for the GCTS, we nonetheless observe a gradient in interferometry data for the western
segment, and evidence of slow deformation (creep?) in historical to recent (last ~400 yr?) man-made structures.
Integration of geologic, geodetic and seismology data suggests the active folds and thrusts are the uppermost
expression of steep (45°) crustal ramps (Monaco et al., 1996) which upthrust the Saccense platform at depth.
Based on macroseismic and seismological evidence (Monaco et al., 1996), we contend that the PPTS was partly
activated during the 1968 sequence, and that rupture stopped at the junction with the GCTS. The current geodetic strain
accumulation on the GCTS, on the other hand, suggests that the fault array has been significantly loaded, and that its
last important co-seismic event could have been caused the 4th–5th century A.D. destruction of Selinunte (Bottari et al.,
2009)
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