Search

Reconfigurable linear optical processors can be used to perform linear transformations and are instrumental in effectively computing matrix–vector multiplications required in each neural network layer. In this paper, we characterize and compare two thermally tuned photonic integrated processors realized in silicon-on-insulator and silicon nitride platforms suited for extracting feature maps in convolutional neural networks. The reduction in bit resolution when crossing the processor is mainly due to optical losses, in the range 2.3–3.3 for the silicon-on-insulator chip and in the range 1.3–2.4 for the silicon nitride chip. However, the lower extinction ratio of Mach–Zehnder elements in the latter platform limits their expressivity (i.e., the capacity to implement any transformation) to 75%, compared to 97% of the former. Finally, the silicon-on-insulator processor outperforms the silicon nitride one in terms of footprint and energy efficiency.

Overtopping-type wave power conversion devices represent one of the most promising technology to combine reliability and competitively priced electricity supplies from waves. While satisfactory hydraulic and structural performance have been achieved, the selection of the hydraulic turbines and their regulation is a complex process due to the very low head and a variable flow rate in the overtopping breakwater set-ups. Based on the experience acquired on the first Overtopping BReakwater for Energy Conversion (OBREC) prototype, operating since 2016, an activity has been carried out to select the most appropriate turbine dimension and control strategy for such applications. An example of this multivariable approach is provided and illustrated through a case study in the San Antonio Port, along the central coast of Chile. In this site the deployment of a breakwater equipped with OBREC modules is specifically investigated. Axial-flow turbines of different runner diameter are compared, proposing the optimal ramp height and turbine control strategy for maximizing system energy production. The energy production ranges from 20.5 MWh/y for the smallest runner diameter to a maximum of 34.8 MWh/y for the largest runner diameter.

PNPO deficiency is responsible of severe neonatal encephalopathy, responsive to pyridoxal-5â²-phosphate (PLP) or pyridoxine. Recent studies widened the phenotype of this condition and detected new genetic variants on PNPO gene, whose pathogenetic role and clinical expression remain to be established. One of these mutations, Arg116Gln, is of particular interest because of its later onset of symptoms (beyond the first months of life) and its peculiar epileptic manifestations in patients. This protein variant was expressed as recombinant protein in E coli, purified to homogeneity, and characterized with respect to structural and kinetic properties, stability, binding constants of cofactor flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and product (PLP) in order to define the molecular and structural bases of its pathogenicity.For interpretation and discussion of reported data, together with the description of clinical studies, refer to the article [1] (doi: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2017.08.003). Keywords: Pyridoxine-5â²-phosphate oxidase, Epilepsy, Children, Pyridoxine

The Psychological and Organizational Challenge of Recovered Factories Abstract This paper aims at contextualizing the phenomenon of recovered factories both from a historical and a psychological perspective. The need for a managerial role in the organization is discussed by an introductory analysis of the Soviet workers’ control of the production experience and, above all, a wide discussion of the Argentinian phenomenon of recovered factories. Comparing primary data from field work carried out in an Italian recovered factory with a metanalysis on the Argentinian phenomenon, three levels show which we can analyze the recovery process with: personal identity, organizational structure (hierarchy, decisional processes, economic management) and gender dynamics. Nowadays, the ‘boss-less’ model represents a possible and reproducible option. However, some problems remain which could be represented by the following dichotomies: inefficiency/self-exploitation, informality/ bureaucratization, isolation/subjection to the market. Keywords: recovered factories, self-management, organizational change

Abstract Lamin B1, a key component of the nuclear lamina, plays an important role in brain development. Ablation of endogenous Lamin B1 (Lmnb1) in the mouse strongly impairs embryonic brain development and corticogenesis. However, the mechanisms underlying these neurodevelopmental effects are unknown. Here, we report that Lamin B1 levels modulate the differentiation of murine neural stem cells (NSCs) into neurons and astroglial-like cells. In vitro, endogenous Lmnb1 depletion favors NSC differentiation into glial fibrillar acidic protein (GFAP)-immunoreactive cells over neurons, while overexpression of human Lamin B1 (LMNB1) increases the proportion of neurons. In Lmnb1-null embryos, neurogenesis is reduced, while in vivo Lmnb1 silencing in mouse embryonic brain by in utero electroporation of a specific Lmnb1 sh-RNA results in aberrant cortical positioning of neurons and increased expression of the astrocytic marker GFAP in the cortex of 7-day old pups. Together, these results indicate that finely tuned levels of Lamin B1 are required for NSC differentiation into neurons, proper expression of the astrocytic marker GFAP and corticogenesis.

We present the case of a 12-year-old boy with Sturge-Weber syndrome and ocular melanocytosis who presented with bilateral naevus flammeus of the face and hyperpigmentation of the right iris associated with ipsilateral iris mammillations. The patient had glaucoma and a diffuse choroidal haemangioma of the right eye. Optical coherence tomography of the anterior segment confirmed iris hyper-pigmentation and did not show abnormalities of the chamber angle structures. B-scan ultrasonography and enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography were performed and showed a marked difference in thickness and reflectance between the right and left choroid. Visual field examinations with perimetry showed early defects in the right eye. Peripapillary optical coherence imaging showed borderline values of retinal nerve fibre layer thickness reduction in the right eye. Sturge-Weber syndrome associated with ocular melanocytosis and iris mammillations is an extremely rare condition. This paper highlights the role of multi-imaging methods in the enhanced evaluation of rare diseases towards choosing the most appropriate management strategies and improving the follow-up of patients over time.

Alternative splicing of pre-mRNAs is prominent in the mammalian brain, where it is thought to expand proteome diversity. For example, alternative splicing of voltage-gated Ca2+ channel (VGCC) α1 subunits can generate thousands of isoforms with differential properties and expression patterns. However, the impact of this molecular diversity on brain function, particularly on synaptic transmission, which crucially depends on VGCCs, is unclear. Here, we investigate how two major splice isoforms of P/Q-type VGCCs (Cav2.1[EFa/b]) regulate presynaptic plasticity in hippocampal neurons. We find that the efficacy of P/Q-type VGCC isoforms in supporting synaptic transmission is markedly different, with Cav2.1[EFa] promoting synaptic depression and Cav2.1[EFb] synaptic facilitation. Following a reduction in network activity, hippocampal neurons upregulate selectively Cav2.1[EFa], the isoform exhibiting the higher synaptic efficacy, thus effectively supporting presynaptic homeostatic plasticity. Therefore, the balance between VGCC splice variants at the synapse is a key factor in controlling neurotransmitter release and presynaptic plasticity.

Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) are a large and heterogeneous group of degenerative diseases caused by mutations in various genes. Given the favorable anatomical and immunological characteristics of the eye, gene therapy holds great potential for their treatment. Our goal is to validate the preservation of visual functions by viral-free homology directed repair (HDR) in an autosomal recessive loss of function mutation. We used a tailored gene editing system based on clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) to prevent retinal photoreceptor death in the retinal degeneration 10 (Rd10) mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. We tested the gene editing tool in vitro and then used in vivo subretinal electroporation to deliver it to one of the retinas of mouse pups at different stages of photoreceptor differentiation. Three months after gene editing, the treated eye exhibited a higher visual acuity compared to the untreated eye. Moreover, we observed preservation of light-evoked responses both in explanted retinas and in the visual cortex of treated animals. Our study validates a CRISPR/Cas9-based therapy as a valuable new approach for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa caused by autosomal recessive loss-of-function point mutations.

The corticotectal projections, together with the corticobulbar (corticoreticular) projections, work in parallel with the corticospinal tract (CST) to influence motoneurons in the spinal cord both directly and indirectly via the brainstem descending pathways. The tectospinal tract (TST) originates in the deep layers of the superior colliculus. In the present study, we analyzed the corticotectal projections from two motor cortical areas, namely the premotor cortex (PM) and the primary motor cortex (M1) in eight macaque monkeys subjected to either a cortical lesion of the hand area in M1 (n = 4) or Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms PD (n = 4). A subgroup of monkeys with cortical lesion was subjected to anti-Nogo-A antibody treatment whereas all PD monkeys were transplanted with Autologous Neural Cell Ecosystems (ANCEs). The anterograde tracer BDA was used to label the axonal boutons both en passant and terminaux in the ipsilateral superior colliculus. Individual axonal boutons were charted in the different layers of the superior colliculus. In intact animals, we previously observed that corticotectal projections were denser when originating from PM than from M1. In the present M1 lesioned monkeys, as compared to intact ones the corticotectal projection originating from PM was decreased when treated with anti-Nogo-A antibody but not in untreated monkeys. In PD-like symptoms’ monkeys, on the other hand, there was no consistent change affecting the corticotectal projection as compared to intact monkeys. The present pilot study overall suggests that the corticotectal projection is less affected by M1 lesion or PD symptoms than the corticoreticular projection previously reported in the same animals.

Overtopping breakwater systems are among the most promising technologies for exploiting wave energy to generate electricity. They consist in water reservoirs, embedded in piers, placed on top of ramps, higher than sea-level. Pushed by wave energy, seawater fills up the reservoirs and produces electricity by flowing back down through low headhydro turbines. Different overtopping breakwater systems have been tested worldwide in recent years. This study focuses on the Overtopping BReakwater for Energy Conversion (OBREC) system that has been implemented and tested in the harbor of Naples (Italy). The Life Cycle Assessment of a single replicable module of OBREC has been performed for analyzing potential environmental impacts, in terms of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, considering construction, installation, maintenance, and the operational phases. The Carbon Footprint (i.e., mass of CO2eq) to build wave energy converters integrated in breakwater systems has been estimated, more specifically the “environmental investment” (i.e., the share of Carbon Footprint due to the integration of wave energy converter) needed to generate renewable electricity has been assessed. The Carbon Intensity of Electricity (i.e., the ratio between the CO2eq emitted and the electricity produced) has been then assessed in order to demonstrate the profitability and the opportunity to foster innovation in the field of blue energy. Considering the impact for implementing an operational OBREC module (Carbon Footprint = 1.08 t CO2eq; Environmental Investment = 0.48 t CO2eq) and the electricity production (12.6 MWh/year per module), environmental benefits (avoided emissions) would compensate environmental costs (i.e., Carbon Footprint; Environmental Investment) those provided within a range of 25 and 13 months respectively.

Summary: During development, the precise implementation of molecular programs is a key determinant of proper dendritic development. Here, we demonstrate that canonical Wnt signaling is active in dendritic bundle-forming layer II pyramidal neurons of the rat retrosplenial cortex during dendritic branching and spine formation. Transient downregulation of canonical Wnt transcriptional activity during the early postnatal period irreversibly reduces dendritic arbor architecture, leading to long-lasting deficits in spatial exploration and/or navigation and spatial memory in the adult. During the late phase of dendritogenesis, canonical Wnt-dependent transcription regulates spine formation and maturation. We identify neurotrophin-3 as canonical Wnt target gene in regulating dendritogenesis. Our findings demonstrate how temporary imbalance in canonical Wnt signaling during specific time windows can result in irreversible dendritic defects, leading to abnormal behavior in the adult. : Viale et al. demonstrate that transient downregulation of canonical Wnt signaling transcriptional activity during early postnatal period leads to irreversible decrease in dendritic complexity and spine number. These long-term defects result in abnormal behavior in the adult rats. In the late phase, reduction in Wnt signaling affects only spine number. Keywords: dendrite, dendritogenesis, spine, Wnt, β-catenin, TCF4, retrosplenial, spatial navigation

The opportunity to co-locate wind and wave energy exploitation is analyzed in the Italian seas grounding on the rationale that benefits are greater when un-correlated resources are combined. The study shows that, although waves and winds are generally strongly correlated, in some conditions their correlation is lower and the combined energy harvesting more interesting. As spatial conflicts of sea use and demand for maritime space are increasing, the development of the marine renewable energy sector needs to be evaluated in the perspective of the cumulative pressures deriving from present activities or expected from future developments. The evaluation of areas of potential conflicts among human activities, environmental vulnerabilities and marine renewable developments may facilitate the early development of mitigation actions and negotiations between stakeholders. In this study the opportunity of co-locating offshore wind turbines and wave energy converters is analyzed through a spatial planning approach. Both the potential for combining different renewable technologies, and the impact associated to such development was considered in the context of the existing pressures (e.g., naval traffic; mariculture activities; submarine cables routes; dredge spoils dumping; offshore activities; windfarms and ocean energy projects) and vulnerabilities (Marine Protected Areas, Key habitat presence) through quantitative indicators. The portion of Tyrrhenian coast south of Elba island, the northern-western Sardinian coast, and the southern Adriatic and Ionian coastal waters appear to be the most suitable sites. Moreover, the study presents a spatial quantitative methodology to identify sites of potential interest for the development of the marine renewable energy sector in the perspective of cost-effectiveness and environmental impact minimization.

Plants, algae and most bacteria synthesize 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), the universal precursor of tetrapyrroles such as heme, chlorophyll and coenzyme B12, by a two-step transformation involving the NADPH-dependent glutamyl-tRNA reductase (HemA), which reduces tRNA-bound glutamate to glutamate-1-semialdehyde (GSA), and the pyridoxamine 5′-phosphate-dependent glutamate-1-semialdehyde-2,1-aminomutase (HemL), responsible for the isomerization of GSA into ALA. Since GSA is a very unstable compound at pH values around neutrality, the formation of a HemA-HemL complex has been proposed to occur, allowing for direct channeling of this intermediate from HemA to HemL. Experimental evidence of the formation of this complex has been obtained with the enzymes from Escherichia coli and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. However, its isolation has never been attained, probably because HemA is degraded when intracellular heme accumulates. In this work, we devised a co-expression and co-purification strategy of HemA and HemL from Acinetobacter baumannii, which allowed the isolation of the HemA-HemL complex. Our results indicate that HemA is stabilized when co-expressed with HemL. The addition of citrate throughout the expression and purification procedure further promotes the formation of the HemA-HemL complex, which can be isolated in fair amount for functional and structural studies. This work lays the bases for a rational design of HemA-HemA inhibitors to be developed as antibacterial agents against A. baumannii, a multidrug resistant opportunistic pathogen responsible for a broad range of severe nosocomial infections.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a rapidly spreading contagious infectious disease caused by the pathogen severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), that primarily affects the respiratory tract as well as the central nervous system (CNS). SARS-CoV-2 infection occurs through the interaction of the viral protein Spike with the angiotensin II receptor (ACE 2), leading to an increase of angiotensin II and activation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase2 (NOX2), resulting in the release of both reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory molecules. The purpose of the review is to explain that SARS-CoV-2 infection can determine neuroinflammation that induces NOX2 activation in microglia. To better understand the role of NOX2 in inflammation, an overview of its involvement in neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is provided. To write this manuscript, we performed a PubMed search to evaluate the possible relationship of SARS-CoV-2 infection in NOX2 activation in microglia, as well as the role of NOX2 in NDs. Several studies highlighted that NOX2 activation in microglia amplifies neuroinflammation. To date, there is no clinical treatment capable of counteracting its activation, however, NOX2 could be a promising pharmaceutical target useful for both the treatment and prevention of NDs and COVID-19 treatment.

We investigated the spatial phase separation of the two components forming a bosonic mixture distributed in a four-well lattice with a ring geometry. We studied the ground state of this system, described by means of a binary Bose–Hubbard Hamiltonian, by implementing a well-known coherent-state picture which allowed us to find the semi-classical equations determining the distribution of boson components in the ring lattice. Their fully analytic solutions, in the limit of large boson numbers, provide the boson populations at each well as a function of the interspecies interaction and of other significant model parameters, while allowing to reconstruct the non-trivial architecture of the ground-state four-well phase diagram. The comparison with the L-well (L=2,3) phase diagrams highlights how increasing the number of wells considerably modifies the phase diagram structure and the transition mechanism from the full-mixing to the full-demixing phase controlled by the interspecies interaction. Despite the fact that the phase diagrams for L=2,3,4 share various general properties, we show that, unlike attractive binary mixtures, repulsive mixtures do not feature a transition mechanism which can be extended to an arbitrary lattice of size L.

New large-scale laboratory data are presented on a physical model of a spar buoy wind turbine with angular motion of control surfaces implemented (pitch control). The peculiarity of this type of rotating blade represents an essential aspect when studying floating offshore wind structures. Experiments were designed specifically to compare different operational environmental conditions in terms of wave steepness and wind speed. Results discussed here were derived from an analysis of only a part of the whole dataset. Consistent with recent small-scale experiments, data clearly show that the waves contributed to most of the model motions and mooring loads. A significant nonlinear behavior for sway, roll and yaw has been detected, whereas an increase in the wave period makes the wind speed less influential for surge, heave and pitch. In general, as the steepness increases, the oscillations decrease. However, higher wind speed does not mean greater platform motions. Data also indicate a significant role of the blade rotation in the turbine thrust, nacelle dynamic forces and power in six degrees of freedom. Certain pairs of wind speed-wave steepness are particularly unfavorable, since the first harmonic of the rotor (coupled to the first wave harmonic) causes the thrust force to be larger than that in more energetic sea states. The experiments suggest that the inclusion of pitch-controlled, variable-speed blades in physical (and numerical) tests on such types of structures is crucial, highlighting the importance of pitch motion as an important design factor.

Cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase catalyzes the last step of taurine biosynthesis in mammals, and belongs to the fold type I superfamily of pyridoxal-5′-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzymes. Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is the most abundant free amino acid in animal tissues; it is highly present in liver, kidney, muscle, and brain, and plays numerous biological and physiological roles. Despite the importance of taurine in human health, human cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase has been poorly characterized at the biochemical level, although its three-dimensional structure has been solved. In the present work, we have recombinantly expressed and purified human cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase, and applied a simple spectroscopic direct method based on circular dichroism to measure its enzymatic activity. This method gives a significant advantage in terms of simplicity and reduction of execution time with respect to previously used assays, and will facilitate future studies on the catalytic mechanism of the enzyme. We determined the kinetic constants using L-cysteine sulfinic acid as substrate, and also showed that human cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase is capable to catalyze the decarboxylation—besides its natural substrates L-cysteine sulfinic acid and L-cysteic acid—of L-aspartate and L-glutamate, although with much lower efficiency.

Detailed data from statistical analyses of the structural properties of the inter-domain linker peptides of the bacterial regulators of the family MocR are herein reported. MocR regulators are a recently discovered subfamily of bacterial regulators possessing an N-terminal domain, 60 residue long on average, folded as the winged-helix-turn-helix architecture responsible for DNA recognition and binding, and a large C-terminal domain (350 residue on average) that belongs to the fold type-I pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) dependent enzymes such aspartate aminotransferase. Data show the distribution of several structural characteristics of the linkers taken from bacterial species from five different phyla, namely Actinobacteria, Alpha-, Beta-, Gammaproteobacteria and Firmicutes. Interpretation and discussion of reported data refer to the article “Structural properties of the linkers connecting the N- and C- terminal domains in the MocR bacterial transcriptional regulators” (T. Milano, S. Angelaccio, A. Tramonti, M. L. Di Salvo, R. Contestabile, S. Pascarella, 2016) [1].

Carotid cavernous fistulas (CCF) are vascular communications between the carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. Ophthalmologists are called to diagnose and manage the condition in cases that present with ocular features. A 73-year-old female was referred to our glaucoma center clinic. Eight years before, she had started receiving medication for glaucoma and had undergone laser iridotomy, but a satisfactory management of intraocular pressure (IOP) had not been achieved. The patient was complaining of intermittent diplopia, bilateral proptosis, and conjunctival chemosis over the past 6 months. Best-corrected visual acuity in the right (OD) and left eye (OS) was 9/10 and 10/10, respectively. Visual field testing showed slight paracentral field defects mostly in OS. IOP was 20 mm Hg in OD and 34 mm Hg in OS. We referred the patient to neuroradiology, and MRI angiography revealed a CCF with angiographic classification of Cognard grade 2. Closure of the CCF by transarterial embolization was performed in the neuroradiology department. One week following the procedure, the clinical signs of diplopia, proptosis, and conjunctival chemosis had greatly improved, and IOP was reduced to 12 mm Hg OD and 19 mm Hg in OS. Glaucoma treatment was maintained with topical brimatoprost, brinzolamide, and timolol. Owing to the risk of vision loss associated with vascular stasis, retinal ischemia, and high IOP, ophthalmologists must be aware of the clinical features of CCF and should request appropriate imaging studies such as MRI angiography in order to confirm the diagnosis and plan multidisciplinary treatment.

A compact preamplified receiver for wavelength division multiplexed-diffferential phase shift keying (WDM-DPSK) signals based on Gaussian filtering is proposed and simulated, and a first implementation, including an semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA) and an ad-hoc arrayed waveguide grating (AWG), is demonstrated by monolithical integration in an InP platform. The demodulation of 56-Gb/s channels on the eight 100-GHz-spaced AWG outputs is experimentally reported, and simulation results show the feasibility of multiwavelength operation obtaining simultaneous demultiplexing and demodulation of all the channels. The resilience to chromatic dispersion for the Gaussian filter demodulation is also shown by simulations.

The overtopping phenomenon at the rear side of breakwaters has particular importance in harbor protection. Undoubtedly, this topic needs to be taken even more seriously, considering the sea level rise. The present study focuses on the effectiveness in the reduction of the wave overtopping of a triangular parapet placed on the top of an innovative concrete superstructure. The last is part of the OBREC device (Overtopping BReakwater for wave Energy Conversion), an overtopping structure which is integrated into a traditional rubble-mound breakwater, to convert wave energy into electricity. Parametric laboratory tests, including the influence of water depth, have led to the evaluation of the accuracy of the main literature formulations and to the introduction of a new overtopping formula to take into account the influence of the parapet geometry. The results highlight the capability of the parapet in significantly increasing the hydraulic protection compared to a breakwater with a traditional crown wall. The findings from this work are expected to support in promoting and developing adaptive management strategies for existing coastal defenses and smart approaches in the construction and maintenance of new ones, with special reference to future sea-level-rise scenarios.

Haploinsufficiency of the SHANK3 gene, encoding for a scaffolding protein located in the postsynaptic density of glutamatergic synapse, has been linked to forms of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). It has been shown that SHANK3 controls the maturation of social reward circuits in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Whether the impairments in associative learning observed in ASD relate to SHANK3 insufficiency restricted to the reward system is still an open question. Here, we first characterize a social-conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm based on the direct and free interaction with a juvenile and non-familiar conspecific. In both group- and single-housed C57Bl6/j late adolescence male mice, this CPP protocol promotes the formation of social-induced contextual associations that undergo extinction. Interestingly, the downregulation of Shank3 expression in the VTA altered the habituation to a non-familiar conspecific during conditioning and accelerated the extinction of social-induced conditioned responses. Thus, inspired by the literature on drugs of abuse-induced contextual learning, we propose that acquisition and extinction of CPP might be used as behavioral assays to assess social-induced contextual association and “social-seeking” dysfunctions in animal models of psychiatric disorders.

Brazil has one of the largest electricity markets in South America, which needs to add 6000 MW of capacity every year in order to satisfy growing the demand from an increasing and more prosperous population. Apart from biomass, no other renewable energy sources, besides hydroelectricity, play a relevant role in the energy mix. The potential for wind and wave energy is very large. Brazil's Santa Catarina state government is starting a clean energy program in the state, which is expected to bring more than 1 GW of capacity. Assessment of wave energy resources is needed along the coastline. This work studied the potential wave energy along the north-central coasts of Santa Catarina, in Southern Brazil, by analysis of the hindcast data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). The annual offshore wave power was found to be equal to 15.25 kW/m, the bulk of which is provided by southeastern waves. The nearshore energetic patterns were studied by means of a numerical coastal propagation model (Mike21 SW). The mean wave power of 20 m isobaths is 11.43 kW/m. Supplementary considerations are drawn on realistic perspectives for wave energy converters installations.

A monolithically integrated silicon coherent receiver based on a novel scheme with a crossing-free 900 hybrid optical coupler and two balanced germanium photodetectors is reported. The integrated receiver is compact (footprint is 0.8 × 1.0 mm2), and it is demonstrated by working with single-polarization 56-Gb/s quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) and 80-Gb/s 16-quadrature amplitude modulation (16-QAM) signals. In particular, QPSK transmission that is back-to-back at 28 Gbaud shows a bit-error rate (BER) below 10-4 for an optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) lower than 17 dB, whereas 16QAM at 20 Gbaud shows a BER not better than 3*10-2 because of the nonideal behavior of the device. Reasons for the performance limitations are discussed.

We demonstrate polarization-independent simultaneous all-optical phase-preserving amplitude regeneration and wavelength conversion of NRZ differential phase shift keying (DPSK) data by four-wave mixing (FWM) in a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). The dependence upon polarization state of the signals is eliminated by using a co-polarized dual-pump architecture. Investigation on the regenerative capability vs. pumps detuning shows significant BER threshold margin improvement over 6 nm conversion range.

In this paper, we present a novel, “single experiment” methodology based on genetic engineering of metabolic pathways for direct intracellular production of non-canonical amino acids from simple precursors, coupled with expanded genetic code. In particular, we engineered the intracellular biosynthesis of L-azidohomoalanine from O-acetyl-L-homoserine and NaN3, and achieved its direct incorporation into recombinant target proteins by AUG codon reassignment in a methionine-auxotroph E. coli strain. In our system, the host’s methionine biosynthetic pathway was first diverted towards the production of the desired non-canonical amino acid by exploiting the broad reaction specificity of recombinant pyridoxal phosphate-dependent O-acetylhomoserine sulfhydrylase from Corynebacterium glutamicum. Then, the expression of the target protein barstar, accompanied with efficient L-azidohomoalanine incorporation in place of L-methionine, was accomplished. This work stands as proof-of-principle and paves the way for additional work towards intracellular production and site-specific incorporation of biotechnologically relevant non-canonical amino acids directly from common fermentable sources.

OBREC is the acronym that stands for Overtopping Breakwater for Energy Conversion. It is a multifunctional device aimed to produce energy from the waves, while keeping the harbour area protected from flooding. In this paper, the inclusions of a berm to reduce wave reflection, the shape of the sloping plate to maximise wave overtopping and the reservoir width and the crown wall shape to maximise wave energy capture while keeping the harbour safety were analysed to optimize the hydraulic and structural performances of the device. Several configurations were numerically investigated by means of a 2DV RANS-VOF code to extend the results already obtained during previous experimental campaigns. The wave reflection coefficient, the average wave overtopping flows and the wave loadings along the structure are computed, compared with existing formulae and discussed with reference to the OBREC prototype installed in the Port of Naples.

The MocR bacterial transcriptional regulators are characterized by an N-terminal domain, 60 residues long on average, possessing the winged-helix-turn-helix (wHTH) architecture responsible for DNA recognition and binding, linked to a large C-terminal domain (350 residues on average) that is homologous to fold type-I pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) dependent enzymes like aspartate aminotransferase (AAT). These regulators are involved in the expression of genes taking part in several metabolic pathways directly or indirectly connected to PLP chemistry, many of which are still uncharacterized. A bioinformatics analysis is here reported that studied the features of a distinct group of MocR regulators predicted to be functionally linked to a family of homologous genes coding for integral membrane proteins of unknown function. This group occurs mainly in the Actinobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria phyla. An analysis of the multiple sequence alignments of their wHTH and AAT domains suggested the presence of specificity-determining positions (SDPs). Mapping of SDPs onto a homology model of the AAT domain hinted at possible structural/functional roles in effector recognition. Likewise, SDPs in wHTH domain suggested the basis of specificity of Transcription Factor Binding Site recognition. The results reported represent a framework for rational design of experiments and for bioinformatics analysis of other MocR subgroups.

Charcot–Marie–Tooth neuropathies are frequent hereditary disorders of the nervous system and most cases remain without a molecular definition. Mutations in transcription factors have been previously associated to various types of this disease. Mice carrying a null mutation in Ebf2 transcription factor present peripheral nerve abnormalities. To get insight into Ebf2 function in peripheral nervous system, here we characterize the peripheral neuropathy affecting these mice. We first show that Ebf2 is largely expressed in peripheral nerve throughout postnatal development, its expression being not only restricted to non-myelin forming Schwann cells, but also involving myelin forming Schwann cells and the perineurium. As a consequence, the onset of myelination is delayed and Schwann cell differentiation markers are downregulated in Ebf2−/− mice. Later in development, myelin pathology appears less severe and characterized by isolated clusters of hypomyelinated fibers. However, we find defects in the nerve architecture, such as abnormalities of the nodal region and shorter internodal length. Furthermore, we demonstrate a significant decrease in axonal calibre, with a lack of large calibre axons, and a severe impairment of motor nerve conduction velocity and amplitude, whereas the sensory nerve parameters are less affected. Interestingly, a clinical case with peripheral motor neuropathy and clinical features similar to Ebf2−/− mice phenotype was associated with a deletion encompassing EBF2 human genomic locus. These findings demonstrate that Ebf2 is a new molecule implicated in peripheral nerve development and a potential candidate gene for peripheral nerve disorders.

In arid, coastal cities, water demand is often met through large-scale desalination systems. However, the energy required to run desalination plants remains a drawback. Further, numerous low-density population areas lack not only fresh water availability, but in most of the cases electrical grid connection or any other energy source as well. The challenge, consequently, is to ensure adequate fresh water supplies at the lowest possible cost. The main objective of this work is to assess the freshwater production from a reverse osmosis desalination system powered by a wave energy converter, the Overtopping Breakwater for Wave Energy Conversion (OBREC). The desktop analysis is illustrated through a case study on the Fenoarivo Atsinanana coast, along north-eastern Madagascar. The novel aspect of the analysis method is the application of a specific numerical code calibrated using preliminary results from a two-year monitoring campaign of the first OBREC prototype in operation in Naples Harbour (Italy). Instead of dissipating the incoming wave energy, the system collects the overtopping water above the sea level and the potential energy is converted into electricity through low head turbines. Then, the flow will be driven towards the desalination system. This configuration seems like a promising opportunity for developing countries to meet their water supply needs while at the same time developing their renewable energy potential.

This paper describes a set of spectral and eigen analysis in order to identify seiche generation from a large-scale laboratory dataset. The experiments were performed in the large-scale “Canal d’Investigació i Experimentació Marítima” wave flume at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya in Spain. Erosive and accretive wave regimes have been analyzed, including monochromatic waves and bichromatic wave groups with different bandwidths. Each test started with approximately the same underlying beach conditions. Video runup measurements are also used to better understand the role of the bandwidth in the generation of swash oscillation. Some evidence of the influence of low frequency waves on runup and sediment transport pattern is found. Good agreements between eigenmode families for volume flux and sediment volume variations are also shown.