2,926 research outputs found
Présentations de Simone Martini et Myriam Quatrini
No full textLes slides des exposés de la séance du 1 février 2017 sont maintenant disponible: Simone Martini (INRIA/Department of Computer Science, University of Bologna), A Mathematical theory of computation? Myriam Quatrini (Institut des Mathématiques de Luminy, Université de la Méditerrannée ), L’interaction, dans les preuves, les programmes, les dialogues
Présentations de Simone Martini et Myriam Quatrini
No full textLes slides des exposés de la séance du 1 février 2017 sont maintenant disponible: Simone Martini (INRIA/Department of Computer Science, University of Bologna), A Mathematical theory of computation? Myriam Quatrini (Institut des Mathématiques de Luminy, Université de la Méditerrannée ), L’interaction, dans les preuves, les programmes, les dialogues
BIODEGRADING BIOFILMS ON INNOVATIVE BIOPOLYMERIC SUPPORTS
No full textABSTRACT
Water bioremediation is traditionally carried out using ‘ free ’ bacterial cells, however, in recent years, utilization of ‘immobilized’ bacterial cells on adsorbing matrices, has gained attention as a promising technique due to biotechnological and economic benefits (Sonawane et al., 2022). Bacterial biofilms show greater resilience, survival and degradative activity for longer periods than cells in the planktonic state (Alessandrello et al., 2017); moreover immobilization reduces bioremediation costs, eliminate cell dilution and dispersion in the environment (Bayat et al., 2015). Possible applications of immobilized biodegrading bacteria require long-term survival and maintenance of biodegrading performances. In this study, combinations of polylactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) biodegradable membrane carriers hosting selected HC-biodegrading marine and soil bacterial biofilms were tested after different incubation periods and their survival was monitored over time, simulating storage effects.
Results
Soil hydrocarbon (HC) degrading actinobacteria and marine hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria were immobilized on absorbent biodegradable biopolymeric polylactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) membranes (Scaffaro et al., 2017, Catania et al., 2020). Combinations of HC-degrading bacteria and biopolymers were obtained and tested on hexadecane. After 5, 10 and 15 days incubation, the capacity of adhesion and proliferation of bacterial cells into the biopolymers was verified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM); PLA and PCL nanofibers were covered by bacterial cells already after 5 days incubation; Total biomass (estimated as total dsDNA) extracted from biofilms confirmed the colonization up to 15 days incubation. Viable plate counts showed that survival of the bacterial strains was high for the entire experimental period. HC biodegradation ability of biofilms was assessed by high resolution GC-FID analysis, after extraction of total residual HC from the liquid medium and from biopolymers, incubated for different times. HC degradation was observed during the whole experiment and resulted higher in respect to the free-living bacterial cultures. Survival tests of bacterial biofilms adsorbed on biopolymers for up to 30 days are in progress.
Conclusions
The synergistic exploitation of the high absorbent capacity of biodegradable nanofiber membranes and the catabolic capacity of HC-degrading bacteria allow to obtain biodegrading biofilms endowed with higher removal capacity of hexadecane in respect to free-living bacterial cultures. The survival and biodegrading performances of the biofilm-carrier systems is maintained after 30 days incubation. A green, low-cost, biodegradable and reusable bioremediation tool is obtained without negative impacts on the environment.
References:
Alessandrello, M. J., Tomás, M. S. J., Raimondo, E. E., Vullo, D. L. and Ferrero, M. A. “Petroleum oil removal by immobilized bacterial cells on polyurethane foam under different temperature conditions”, Marine pollution bulletin, 122(1-2), 156-160 (2017).
Bayat, Z., Hassanshahian, M. and Cappello, S. “Immobilization of microbes for bioremediation of crude oil polluted environments: a mini review”, The open microbiology journal, 9, 48 (2015).
Catania, V., Lopresti, F., Cappello, S., Scaffaro, R. and Quatrini, P. “Innovative, ecofriendly biosorbent-biodegrading biofilms for bioremediation of oil-contaminated water”, New Biotechnology, 58, 25-31 (2020).
Scaffaro, R., Lopresti, F., Catania, V., Santisi, S., Cappello, S., Botta, L. and Quatrini, P. “Polycaprolactone-based scaffold for oil-selective sorption and improvement of bacteria activity for bioremediation of polluted water: Porous PCL system obtained by leaching melt mixed PCL/PEG/NaCl composites: Oil uptake performance and bioremediation efficiency”, European Polymer Journal, 91, 260-273 (2017).
Sonawane, J. M., Rai, A. K., Sharma, M., Tripathi, M. and Prasad, R. “Microbial biofilms: Recent advances and progress in environmental bioremediation”, Science of The Total Environment, 153843 (2022).
Catania, V., Santisi, S., Signa, G., Vizzini, S., Mazzola, A., Cappello, S., ... & Quatrini, P. (2015). Intrinsic bioremediation potential of a chronically polluted marine coastal area. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 99(1-2), 138-149.
Lo Piccolo, L., De Pasquale, C., Fodale, R., Puglia, A. M., & Quatrini, P. (2011). Involvement of an alkane hydroxylase system of Gordonia sp. strain SoCg in degradation of solid n-alkanes. Applied and environmental microbiology, 77(4), 1204-1213.
Quatrini, P., Scaglione, G., De Pasquale, C., Riela, S., & Puglia, A. M. (2008). Isolation of Gram‐positive n‐alkane degraders from a hydrocarbon‐contaminated Mediterranean shoreline. Journal of applied microbiology, 104(1), 251-259
Rozpor ako východisko, láska ako smer u Simone Weilovej (Contradiction as base, Love as direction in writings of Simone Weil)
No full textArticle is explaining contradiction and love, Simone Weil‘s essential terms of hermeneutics of human Being. It introduces close relation of these terms with her understanding of God as well as with her overall concept of religion. Author also mentions Simone Weil‘s inspirations with philosophical and spiritual concepts of the East
Innovative ready to use carrier-bacteria devices for bioremediation of oil contaminated water
Full text linkBioremediation, that uses microorganisms to remove environmental pollutants, is the best way of restoring
the environment due to its low cost and sustainability. Immobilization of microorganisms capable of
degrading specific contaminants significantly promotes bioremediation processes. An innovative ready to
use bioremediation system to clean up oil-contaminated water was developed immobilizing highly
performant marine and soil HC degrading bacteria, on biodegradable oil-absorbing carriers. Two soil
Actinobacteria (Gordonia sp. SoCg, Nocardia sp. SoB) and two marine Gammaproteobacteria (Alcanivorax
sp. SK2, Oleibacter sp.5), were immobilized on biopolymeric membranes prepared by electrospinning
(polylactic acid, PLA and polycaprolactone, PCL). These carriers are characterized by high uptake capacity,
oil retention, buoyancy, durability, reusability and recoverability of the oil absorbed. The morphology of the
carriers and microbial adhesion and proliferation were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
A high capacity of adhesion and proliferation of bacterial cells was observed on membranes after 5 days. The
bioremediation efficiency of the carrier-bacteria systems was tested on crude oil by GC-FID analysis and
compared whit planktonic cells. The bacterial immobilization on PLA and PCL membranes was a
promoting factor for biodegradation, increasing hydrocarbon removal up to 20%, in respect to planktonic
cells. Biofilm-mediated bioremediation is a versatile tool to be developed for in situ and ex situ
bioremediation of aquatic systems. Several applications can be designed to exploit both the high oil uptake
capacity of the carriers, and the biodegradation potential of autochtonous microrganisms and/or of selected
microorganisms that are immobilized on the carriers before exposure to the contaminated site
“I beg you to tell me what has become of Djamila”: The Political Mobilization of Simone de Beauvoir’s Readers During the Boupacha Affair
No full textBy Sophia Millman This is a condensed version of a Masters thesis dedicated to the political mobilization of Simone de Beauvoir’s readers. The citations from the letters were translated from French by the author. *** On June 2, 1960, the French government ordered all copies of the daily Algiers edition of Le Monde seized and destroyed to suppress the publication of Simone de Beauvoir’s article “Pour Djamila Boupacha.” Beauvoir, a self-professed “woman of letters”, not “of action[1]”, and one ..
A comparative study of form and theology in the works of Flannery O'Connor and Simone Weil
Full text linkIn this comparative study of the form and theology of Flannery O'Connor and Simone Weil I interrogate how Weil's philosophical writings and her theology illuminate O'Connor's use of both narrative and non-fictional forms, and her Catholicism. The Introduction analyses how Weil's concept of superposed reading provides a new method of approaching both O'Connor, her writings, and O'Connor
studies, and focuses on how such apparently different women interconnect. Chapter One explores how both Weil and O'Connor attempt to write their theologies on the
souls of their readers yet are each subject to constraints imposed by form. Weil's concept of locating equilibrium between incommensurates is discussed, and her
distinctively philosophical approach to fictions and fictionality is used to investigate O'Connor's notion of prophetic fictions and the writer's role. Chapter Two assesses how both writers revivify Christian paradoxes. Weil's monstrous concept of affiiction, and O'Connor's use of the grotesque genre to jolt secular man into an
awareness of the sacred are scrutinised. Chapter Three studies how both writers consider an encounter between God and man is possible through the action of grace. My Conclusion interrogates how Weil's work can deepen our understanding of O'Connor's writings, and examines how successful O'Connor is at realising a truly
Christian literature. I conclude that despite being a writer of powerful fictions, O'Connor can not be totally successful in her mission as writer-prophet because
ultimately fiction escapes orthodoxy
Microlinices benthovus Simone 2014
No full textbenthovus, Microlinices Simone, 2014 Microlinices benthovus Simone, 2014: 575–578 (figs 6A–J, 7A–H, 11A–C). Gastropoda, Naticidae Paratypes (22 spc): MZSP 105269. Paratypes 1 (15 spc): MZSP 105270. Paratypes 2 (16 spc): MZSP 105271. Paratypes 3 (7 spc): MZSP 105272. Localities: Brazil, Espírito Santo, off Itaúnas, Abrolhos Slope, 18°59' S, 37°50' W, MD55 sta. DC 73, 637 m depth, 27 May 1987; 1) 19°00' S, 37°48' W, MD55 sta. DC72, 950– 1050 m, 27 May 1987; 2) off Regência, 19°40' S, 37°48' W, MD55 sta. CB77, 790– 940 m depth, 27 May 1987; 3) off Itaúnas, Abrolhos Slope, 19°01' S, 37°47' W, MD55 sta. CB79, 1500–1575 m depth, 28 May 1987. Collectors: P. Bouchet, J.H. Leal and B. Métivier. Preservation: Dry. Remarks: Former MNHN, Paris. The catalogue number MZSP 105250 is mentioned twice in Simone’s (2014) paper, among the paratypes of M. ibitingus Simone, 2014 and M. benthovus. This duplicity was a mistake by the author: the latter is an erroneous designation and should be disregarded. The only valid paratype lots for M. benthovus are the ones shown above.Published as part of Cavallari, Daniel C., Dornellas, Ana Paula S. & Simone, Luiz Ricardo L., 2016, Second annotated list of type specimens of molluscs deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil, pp. 1-59 in European Journal of Taxonomy 213 on page 10, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2016.213, http://zenodo.org/record/384012
Was bringt die Föderalismusreform? Wahrscheinliche Effekte der geänderten Zustimmungspflicht
Full text linkThe recently enacted reform of German federalism is supposed to make legislation faster, more efficient and better. To what extent are these expectations justified? In order to assess the likely effects of the reform, this study uses a research design that was recently applied by the Research and Reference Services of the German Bundestag (parliament): we estimate the future effects of the reform by analyzing the impact it would have had on the legislation in the 14th and 15th term of the Bundestag if it had already been been in force at that time. In particular we ask: To what extent would the number of laws requiring the consent of the states' chamber, the Bundesrat, have been reduced? Which type of laws would have been affected by this reduction - the more controversial ones, or the less controversial ones? Which policy sectors would have seen the greatest reduction? How much would the reduction have increased the government's capacity to act effectively? Would the legislative process have been accelerated? -- Die verabschiedete Föderalismusreform soll die Gesetzgebung in Deutschland schneller, effizienter und besser machen. Inwiefern sind diese Erwartungen berechtigt? Zur Abschätzung der Reformfolgen auf die Bundesgesetzgebung folgen wir in dem vorliegenden Working Paper einer Vorgehensweise, die der Wissenschaftliche Dienst des Bundestages kürzlich in einer Studie angewandt hat: Die Auswirkungen der Föderalismusreform insbesondere auf die Zustimmungspflicht werden anhand der Gesetzgebung der 14. und 15. Legislaturperiode untersucht. Wir fragen insbesondere: Wie stark hätte sich der Anteil der Zustimmungsgesetze verringert, wenn die neuen Zustimmungsregeln schon in diesen beiden Legislaturperioden gegolten hätten? Wären eher zwischen Regierung strittige oder unstrittige Gesetze von der Zustimmungspflicht befreit worden? Welche Politikbereiche wären betroffen? Wie sehr hätte sich die politische Handlungsfreiheit der Bundesregierung erhöht? Wäre die Gesetzgebung durch die veränderten Zustimmungsregeln beschleunigt worden?
Microbial communities of polluted sub-surface marine sediments
Full text linkMicrobial communities of coastal marine sediment play a key role in degradation of petroleum contaminants. Here the bacterial and archaeal communities of sub-surface sediments (5-10 cm) of the chronically polluted Priolo Bay (eastern coast of Sicily, Italy), contaminated mainly by n-alkanes and biodegraded/weathered oils, were characterized by cultural and molecular approaches. 16S-PCR-DGGE analysis at six stations, revealed that bacterial communities are highly divergent and display lower phylogenetic diversity than the surface sediment; sub-surface communities respond to oil supplementation in microcosms with a significant reduction in biodiversity and a shift in composition; they retain high biodegradation capacities and host hydrocarbon (HC) degraders that were isolated and identified. HC-degrading Alfa, Gamma and Epsilon proteobacteria together with Clostridia and Archaea are a common feature of sub-surface communities. These assemblages show similarities with that of subsurface petroleum reservoirs also characterized by the presence of biodegraded and weathered oils where anaerobic or microaerophilic syntrophic HC metabolism has been propose
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