Radiative losses and radiation-reaction effects at the first post-Newtonian order in Einstein-Cartan theory.

Gravitational radiation-reaction phenomena occurring in the dynamics of inspiralling compact binary systems are investigated at the first post-Newtonian order beyond the quadrupole approximation in the context of Einstein-Cartan theory, where quantum spin effects are modeled via the Weyssenhoff fluid. We exploit balance equations for the energy and angular momentum to determine the binary orbital decay until the two bodies collide. Our framework deals with both quasi-elliptic and quasi-circular trajectories, which are then smoothly connected. Key observables like the laws of variation of the orbital phase and frequency characterizing the quasi-circular motion are derived analytically. We conclude our analysis with an estimation of the spin contributions at the merger, which are examined both in the time domain and the Fourier frequency space through the stationary wave approximation.

An Adaptive Generalized Leaky Integrate-and-Fire Model for Hippocampal CA1 Pyramidal Neurons and Interneurons.

Full-scale morphologically and biophysically realistic model networks, aiming at modeling multiple brain areas, provide an invaluable tool to make significant scientific advances from in-silico experiments on cognitive functions to digital twin implementations. Due to the current technical limitations of supercomputer systems in terms of computational power and memory requirements, these networks must be implemented using (at least) simplified neurons. A class of models which achieve a reasonable compromise between accuracy and computational efficiency is given by generalized leaky integrate-and fire models complemented by suitable initial and update conditions. However, we found that these models cannot reproduce the complex and highly variable firing dynamics exhibited by neurons in several brain regions, such as the hippocampus. In this work, we propose an adaptive generalized leaky integrate-and-fire model for hippocampal CA1 neurons and interneurons, in which the nonlinear nature of the firing dynamics is successfully reproduced by linear ordinary differential equations equipped with nonlinear and more realistic initial and update conditions after each spike event, which strictly depends on the external stimulation current. A mathematical analysis of the equilibria stability as well as the monotonicity properties of the analytical solution for the membrane potential allowed (i) to determine general constraints on model parameters, reducing the computational cost of an optimization procedure based on spike times in response to a set of constant currents injections; (ii) to identify additional constraints to quantitatively reproduce and predict the experimental traces from 85 neurons and interneurons in response to any stimulation protocol using constant and piecewise constant current injections. Finally, this approach allows to easily implement a procedure to create infinite copies of neurons with mathematically controlled firing properties, statistically indistinguishable from experiments, to better reproduce the full range and variability of the firing scenarios observed in a real network.

First post-Newtonian N-body problem in Einstein-Cartan theory with the Weyssenhoff fluid: Lagrangian and first integrals.

The rotational dynamics of an N-body system at the first post-Newtonian order in Einstein-Cartan theory is derived. This result is achieved by performing the point-particle limit of the equations of motion of the Weyssenhoff fluid, which models the quantum spin effects residing inside the bodies. For the special case of binary systems, we determine the Lagrangian function and the resulting first integrals underlying the translational dynamics and the spin precession.

First post-Newtonian N-body problem in Einstein-Cartan theory with the Weyssenhoff fluid: equations of motion.

We derive the equations of motion for an N-body system in the Einstein-Cartan gravity theory at the first post-Newtonian order by exploiting the Weyssenhoff fluid as the spin model. Our approach consists in performing the point-particle limit of the continuous description of the gravitational source. The final equations provide a hint for the validity of the effacing principle at 1PN level in Einstein-Cartan model. The analogies with the general relativistic dynamics involving the macroscopic angular momentum are also discussed.

Gravitational waves at the first post-Newtonian order with the Weyssenhoff fluid in Einstein-Cartan theory.

The generation of gravitational waves from a post-Newtonian source endowed with a quantum spin, modeled by the Weyssenhoff fluid, is investigated in the context of Einstein-Cartan theory at the first post-Newtonian level by resorting to the Blanchet-Damour formalism. After having worked out the basic principles of the hydrodynamics in Einstein-Cartan framework, we study the Weyssenhoff fluid within the post-Newtonian approximation scheme. The complexity of the underlying dynamical equations suggests to employ a discrete description via the point-particle limit, a procedure which permits the analysis of inspiralling spinning compact binaries. We then provide a first application of our results by considering binary neutron star systems.

Molecular and Physiological Properties of Indigenous Strains of Oenococcus oeni Selected from Nero di Troia Wine (Apulia, Italy).

The characterization of Oenococcus oeni strains isolated from Nero di Troia wine (Apulia, Italy) sampled in two distinct production areas was carried out. The two indigenous populations, consisting of 95 and 97 isolates, displayed high genetic diversity when analyzed by amplified fragments length polymorphisms (AFLP). Based on the UPGMA dendrogram obtained by AFLP analysis, the two populations displayed similar genotypes that grouped in the same clusters with a high level of similarity (>95%). One genotype was found in only one of the two areas. Representative strains of each cluster were analyzed for their enzymatic activities (esterase, ß-glucosidase, and protease), assayed in whole cells, and tested for their metabolic properties (consumption of L-malic acid, citric acid, acetaldehyde, and arginine) and growth parameters. Significant differences among strains, including the reference strain ATCC BAA-1163, were observed for all of these properties. Principal component analysis evidenced phenotypic differences among strains, and well separated some of them belonging to different genotypes. Strains exhibiting the best performances in most of these traits could be further investigated in order to select possible candidates as malolactic starters for Nero di Troia wine. This study provided insights on the population structure of O. oeni of a local winemaking area useful to the understanding of the regional diversity of this bacterium, an issue not yet completely resolved

New process for production of fermented black table olives using selected autochthonous microbial resources.

Table olives represent one important fermented product in Europe and, in the world, their demand is constantly increasing. At the present time, no systems are available to control black table olives spontaneous fermentation by the Greek method. During this study, a new protocol for the production of black table olives belonging to two Italian (Cellina di Nardò and Leccino) and two Greek (Kalamàta and Conservolea) cultivars has been developed: for each table olive cultivar, starter-driven fermentations were performed inoculating, firstly, one selected autochthonous yeast starter and, subsequently, one selected autochthonous LAB starter. All starters formulation were able to dominate fermentation process. The olive fermentation was monitored using specific chemical descriptors able to identify a first stage (30 days) mainly characterized by aldehydes; a second period (60 days) mainly characterized by higher alcohols, styrene and terpenes; a third fermentation stage represented by acetate esters, esters and acids. A significant decrease of fermentation time (from 8 to 12 months to a maximum of 3 months) and an significant improvement in organoleptic characteristics of the final product were obtained. This study, for the first time, describes the employment of selected autochthonous microbial resources optimized to mimic the microbial evolution already recorded during spontaneous fermentations.

Identification of candidate genes associated with senescence in durum wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. durum) using cDNA-AFLP.

Senescence is an integrated response of plants to various internal (developmental) and external (environmental) signals. It is a highly regulated process leading eventually to the death of cells, single organs such as leaves, or even whole plants. In cereals, which are monocarpic plants, senescence represents the final stage of development. In order to study senescence in durum wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. durum), a cDNA-AFLP analysis was performed. The transcription profiles of plants at different developmental stages (flowering and senescent) were compared. About 2000 cDNA fragments, ranging in size from 160 to 1900 bp, were reproducibly detected. This allowed the identification of 57 differentially expressed cDNAs corresponding to genes belonging to different functional categories related to cellular metabolism, transcription, maintenance of DNA structure, transport and signal transduction. This paper reports the identification of novel durum wheat candidate genes involved in the senescence process, and provides new information about the senescence programme of this important crop species.

Deletion of PAX9 and oligodontia: a third family and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to report a family affected by benign hereditary chorea in which a large deletion including TTF1, PAX9, and other genes was identified and results in oligodontia. METHODS: Clinical and radiological studies of the two affected members (mother and daughter) were used to describe the oligodontia present in both of them. RESULTS: The missing teeth in both patients are described in detail, and these data are compared with the dental anomalies observed in the only two other families with deletions of PAX9 and with the data available for 12 previously reported families carrying different types of PAX9 mutations. CONCLUSIONS: There is a clinical relevance for recognizing such families, and offering available therapies since childhood is stressed. Some genotype-phenotype correlations between PAX9 mutations and dental anomalies can be drawn.