Renormalization Group on hierarchical lattices in finite dimensional disordered Ising and Blume-Emery-Griffiths Models

Renormalization group on hierarchical lattices is often considered a valuable tool to understand the critical behavior of more complicated statistical mechanical models. In presence of quenched disorder, however, in many model cases predictions obtained with the Migdal-Kadanoff bond removal approach fail to quantitatively and qualitatively reproduce critical properties obtained in the mean-field approximation or by numerical simulations in finite dimensions. In order to critically review this limitation we analyze the behavior of Ising and Blume-Emery-Griffiths models on more complicated hierarchical lattices. We find that, apart from some exceptions, the different behavior appears not only limited to Midgal-Kadanoff-like cells but is associated right to the hierarchization of Bravais lattices in small cells also when in-cell loops are considered.Comment: 36 pages, 18 figures, 10 table

Application of ERTS-1 data to integrated state planning in the state of Maryland

There are no author-identified significant results in this report

Wearable sensors for gait analysis

Systems based on inertial sensors are increasingly used in motion analysis due to their low cost, portability and wearability. However, since accuracy is crucial in clinical gait analysis, it is important to assess it in new systems. The aim of this study is to compare the performances of a magnetic and inertial sensors system (MIMUs) to a gold standard, the electromechanical system STEP32. Results shows that spatio-temporal parameters are accurately estimated by the MIMUs system. Joint kinematics does not reach the accuracy of the STEP32 system. In fact, although MIMUs measurements on the knee and hip joints are clinically acceptable, they are not yet reliable for the ankle joint

Wearable sensors for gait analysis: Comparison between a MIMUs system and a gold standard electromechanical system

Systems based on inertial sensors are increasingly used in motion analysis due to their low cost, portability and wearability. However, since accuracy is crucial in clinical gait analysis, it is important to assess it in new systems. The aim of this study is to compare the performances of a magnetic and inertial sensors system (MIMUs) to a gold standard, the electromechanical system STEP32. Results shows that spatio-temporal parameters are accurately estimated by the MIMUs system. Joint kinematics does not reach the accuracy of the STEP32 system. In fact, although MIMUs measurements on the knee and hip joints are clinically acceptable, they are not yet reliable for the ankle joint

Pectin-Based Formulations for Controlled Release of an Ellagic Acid Salt with High Solubility Profile in Physiological Media

Among bioactive phytochemicals, ellagic acid (EA) is one of the most controversial because its high antioxidant and cancer-preventing effects are strongly inhibited by low gastrointestinal absorption and rapid excretion. Strategies toward an increase of solubility in water and bioavailability, while preserving its structural integrity and warranting its controlled release at the physiological targets, are therefore largely pursued. In this work, EA lysine salt at 1:4 molar ratio (EALYS), exhibiting a more than 400 times increase of water solubility with respect to literature reports, was incorporated at 10% in low methoxylated (LM) and high methoxylated (HM) pectin films. The release of EA in PBS at pH 7.4 from both film preparations was comparable and reached 15% of the loaded compound over 2 h. Under simulated gastric conditions, release of EA from HM and LM pectin films was minimal at gastric pH, whereas higher concentrations-up to 300 μM, corresponding to ca. 50% of the overall content-were obtained in the case of the HM pectin film after 2 h incubation at the slightly alkaline pH of small intestine environment, with the enzyme and bile salt components enhancing the release. EALYS pectin films showed a good prebiotic activity as evaluated by determination of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels following microbial fermentation, with a low but significant increase of the effects produced by the pectins themselves. Overall, these results highlight pectin films loaded with EALYS salt as a promising formulation to improve administration and controlled release of the compound

A novel co-monomer based on Ellagic Acid for free radical polymerization of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone

INTRODUCTION Ellagic Acid (EA) is one of the most abundant and relevant antioxidants present in fruits such as berries and in pomegranate [1]; on the other hand, its poor solubility both in water and in organic solvents limits its reactivity and its use as food supplements. The aim of the present work is to modify the structure of the EA in order to use it as co-monomer for radical polymerization of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (NVP) achieving two main goals: protection of antioxidant moiety; different release pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS EA was reacted with methacryloyl chloride via a hetero-phase reaction in anhydrous CH2Cl2 to obtain a high purity tetra-ester allyl derivate (EAMAC). Polymers were then obtained via bulk photopolymerization of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidon with different quantities of EAMAC in a square-shaped PTFE mold for 1h. The release assay was performed using hydrolytic and enzymatic conditions. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION EAMAC is the only product obtained since other partially substituted esters (i.e. mono-, bi- and three-esters) are not present: it was obtained with high yield ( 4880%w/w) and was fully characterized via 1H-NMR and MS [ESI-Q-Tof MS= 587.48 m/z (EAMAC + Na+)]. Thermal properties were assessed via DSC obtaining a single melting peak at 263\ub0C: degradation starts immediately after melting. EAMAC was used as a co-monomer for NVP bulk photopolymerization; the reaction was performed avoiding the use of photoinitiator. It was observed that the irradiation with UV of EAMAC starts the reaction of polymerization transferring the radical to the NVP. Cross-linked polymers containing different amount of EAMAC were obtained. The release of EA was assessed both using solutions having different pHs and via enzymatic hydrolytic conditions. CONCLUSIONS The reaction of EA with methacryloyl chloride leads to obtain a single, reactive derivate of EA able to react with vinyl monomers, that is highly soluble in organic solvents. Moreover, EAMAC acts as radical initiator avoiding the use of photoinitiator and it leads to obtain crosslinked water-compatible polymers. EA can be released from the polymer and the kinetic of the release is related to the kinetic of the hydrolysis of the ester bonds existing between EA and methacrylic moieties bonded to polyvinyl pirrolydone (PVP) chains. REFERENCES [1] Verotta, L.; Panzella, L.; Antenucci, S.; Calvenzani, V.; Tomay, F.; Petroni, K.; Caneva, E.; Napolitano, A. Fermented pomegranate wastes as sustainable source of ellagic acid: antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory action, and controlled release under simulated digestion conditions. Submitted to Food Chemistry, 2017 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Work supported by Fondazione Cariplo and Regione Lombardia for the project \u2018\u2018BIOPLANT\u2019\u2019

In vivo testing of novel vaccine prototypes against Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (A. pleuropneumoniae) is a Gram-negative bacterium that represents the main cause of porcine pleuropneumonia in pigs, causing significant economic losses to the livestock industry worldwide. A. pleuropneumoniae, as the majority of Gram-negative bacteria, excrete vesicles from its outer membrane (OM), accordingly defined as outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). Thanks to their antigenic similarity to the OM, OMVs have emerged as a promising tool in vaccinology. In this study we describe the in vivo testing of several vaccine prototypes for the prevention of infection by all known A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes. Previously identified vaccine candidates, the recombinant proteins ApfA and VacJ, administered individually or in various combinations with the OMVs, were employed as vaccination strategies. Our data show that the addition of the OMVs in the vaccine formulations significantly increased the specific IgG titer against both ApfA and VacJ in the immunized animals, confirming the previously postulated potential of the OMVs as adjuvant. Unfortunately, the antibody response raised did not translate into an effective protection against A. pleuropneumoniae infection, as none of the immunized groups following challenge showed a significantly lower degree of lesions than the controls. Interestingly, quite the opposite was true, as the animals with the highest IgG titers were also the ones bearing the most extensive lesions in their lungs. These results shed new light on A. pleuropneumoniae pathogenicity, suggesting that antibody-mediated cytotoxicity from the host immune response may play a central role in the development of the lesions typically associated with A. pleuropneumoniae infections

The Grizzly, October 7, 1988

Berman Art Center Breaks Ground • Pledging Undergoes Changes • Welcome Home Alumni! • Letter: Honor Code Discussion Revived • Giving Garbage the Dump • Jazz: Basie Style • Ursinus Presents: A Voice of My Own • On the Forum Front • Mistake Free Bears Get First Win • Field Hockey Making Gains • Soccer Gains Respect • Annual Run Offers Health and Fun • 1988 Homecoming Queen Candidates • Sherman Strutting Stuff • Intramural Results Announced • U.C. Welcomes Gilbert\u27s Enthusiasm • Cycling Club Returns • Campbell: Not Your Typical Bowl of Soup • Econ: Economopolis • Professor LoBue Introduces New Chemistry in Pfahler • Discover Discover! • U.C. Students Study Better Late Than Neverhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1219/thumbnail.jp

Italian semen cryobank of autochthonous chicken and turkey breeds: a tool for preserving genetic biodiversity

The creation of genetic resource cryobanks provides a crucial link between in situ and ex situ techniques to improve the efficiency of conservation programs. Aim of the present review is to describe all the activities developed for the implementation of the first Italian Semen Cryobank of Autochthonous Chicken and Turkey Breeds. These activities can be classified into three main topics: (1) identification of species-specific semen freezing/thawing reference procedures; (2) drafting Standard Operative Procedures (SOP) for the implementation of the semen cryobank; (3) storage of semen doses from Italian chicken and turkey breeds to establish the cryobank. Several trials have been developed to identify a specie-specific semen cryopreservation protocol for chickens and turkeys. The major results are reviewed and a final reference protocol described. Taking into consideration the FAO guidelines for cryoconservation of animal genetic resources, SOP were drafted with the aim to provide technical guidance and logistical support on the choice of priority breeds, selection of birds for semen production, infrastructures and storage sites, birds and semen management, cryopreservation process and doses traceability. Lastly, the Italian Semen Cryobank was created. A total of 112 semen doses from 22 cockerels of three breeds, and 74 doses from 12 turkey males of three breeds were stored in the Cryobank. Breed specific semen quality parameters assessed before and after cryopreservation are reported. The described activities provide information and tools useful for the implementation of semen cryobanking in avian species and might be transferred also to other species after appropriate adaptations.HIGHLIGHTS Implementation of the first Italian Semen Cryobank of Autochthonous Chicken and Turkey Breeds Drafting Standard Operative Procedures provides technical guidance and logistical support on the design and establishment of the cryobank Semen cryobank is a precious genetic reservoir and could be useful to safeguard genetic variability in small population in vivo conserved