University of Florence

About: University of Florence is a education organization based out in Florence, Toscana, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Carbonic anhydrase. The organization has 27292 authors who have published 79599 publications receiving 2341684 citations. The organization is also known as: Università degli studi di Firenze & Universita degli studi di Firenze.

Tests of General Relativity with GW170817

Abstract: The recent discovery by Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo of a gravitational wave signal from a binary neutron star inspiral has enabled tests of general relativity (GR) with this new type of source. This source, for the first time, permits tests of strong-field dynamics of compact binaries in the presence of matter. In this Letter, we place constraints on the dipole radiation and possible deviations from GR in the post-Newtonian coefficients that govern the inspiral regime. Bounds on modified dispersion of gravitational waves are obtained; in combination with information from the observed electromagnetic counterpart we can also constrain effects due to large extra dimensions. Finally, the polarization content of the gravitational wave signal is studied. The results of all tests performed here show good agreement with GR.

Extracellular DNA in soil and sediment: fate and ecological relevance.

Abstract: The review discusses origin, state and function of extracellular DNA in soils and sediments Extracellular DNA can be released from prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and can be protected against nuclease degradation by its adsorption on soil colloids and sand particles Laboratory experiments have shown that DNA adsorbed by colloids and sand particles can be taken up by prokaryotic competent cells and be involved in natural transformation Most of these experiments have been carried out under artificial conditions with pure DNA molecules and pure adsorbing matrices, but in soils and sediments, pure surface-reactive colloids are not present and DNA is present with other cellular components (wall debris, proteins, lipids, RNA, etc) especially if released after cell lysis The presence of inorganic compounds and organic molecules on both soil particles and DNA molecules can influence the DNA adsorption, degradation and transformation of competent cells Extracellular DNA can be used as C, N and P sources by heterotrophic microorganisms and plays a significant role in bacterial biofilm formation The nucleotides and nucleosides originated from the degradation of extracellular DNA can be re-assimilated by soil microorganisms Extracellular DNA in soil can be leached and moved by water through the soil profile by capillarity In this way, the extracellular DNA secreted by a cell can reach a competent bacterial cell far from the donor cell Finally, the characterisation of extracellular DNA can integrate information on the composition of the microbial community of soil and sediments obtained by analysing intracellular DNA