Sound Focusing Effects in Horseshoe Plan Theatre

This paper is aimed to study the sound focusing effects in the theatre with horseshoe-shaped plan. It was considered as a case study in the theatre “Vincenzo Bellini” in Catania (Italy), a horseshoe-shaped opera house where both opera and symphonic concerts can take place. This configuration, at the time, was considered to be the best solution for both a good sound quality as well as a good view of the stage for the spectators sitting in the boxes. The geometry of the theatre determines some gaps due to a concentration of the early sound reflections on the back of the room, involving the last rows of seats, thus causing a non-uniform spread of sound in the theatre. This concentration of reflections does not create optimal conditions for good acoustics due to excessive reverberation and negative influence on the listening to music performances

Experimental and modeling study of drug release from HPMC-based erodible oral thin films

In this work hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) fast-dissolving thin films for oral administration are investigated. Furosemide (Class IV of the Biopharmaceutical Classification System) has been used as a model drug for in vitro release tests using three different set-ups: the Franz cell, the millifluidic flow-through device, and the paddle type dissolution apparatus (USP II). In order to enable drug incorporation within HPMC films, a multifunctional excipient, hydroxypropyl- β -cyclodextrin (HP- β -CD) has been included in the formulation, and the influence of HP- β -CD on film swelling, erosion, and release properties has been investigated. Mathematical models capable of describing the swelling and release processes from HPMC erodible thin films in different apparatuses have been developed. In particular, we propose a new model for the description of drug transport and release in a Franz cell that accounts for the effect of the unavoidable imperfect mixing of the receptor chamber

Rapid maxillary expansion and upper airway morphology: a systematic review on the role of cone beam computed tomography

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the quality of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) studies evaluating the effects of rapid maxillary expansion on upper airway morphology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A database search was conducted using PubMed, Ovid, and Cochrane Library up to December 2016. Studies in which CBCT was adopted to visualize the upper airway before and after rapid maxillary expansion were included. The population target was growing patients. Methodological quality assessment was performed. RESULTS: The screening process resulted in the exclusion of 1079 references, resulting in only 9 remaining papers that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. No randomized clinical trials were found. The quality scores ranged from 36% to 68% of the maximum achievable, and the mean quality score of the studies was 50%. No good quality studies were detected in our sample. CONCLUSIONS: Inconsistencies in the CBCT protocols utilized were detected between studies. Head posture, tongue position, and segmentation protocols were not consistent. These discrepancies were reflected in the different results obtained in the studies. A valid and consistent protocol with regard to head and tongue positioning, as well as nasal cavity volume segmentation, is required

Feed intake, milk composition and cheese-making properties in Girgentana grazing goats with different genotype at as1-casein and k-casein

Milk ability for cheese manufacturing depends on both animals utilization of dietary nutrients and genetic polymorphism of caseins. It is well known that strong alleles associated with high content of as1-casein increase cheese-making properties of goat milk, whereas there is little information about effect of genetic variants of κ-casein. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of some composite as1-casein and κ-casein genotypes n changing feeding behavior at pasture and milk yield and properties of Girgentana goats. Forty goats were genotyped at as1, as2, b and κ-casein loci using specific PCR protocols at DNA level and IEF technique at milk protein level. Twelve goats, differing only for as1-casein and κ-casein genotype and averaging 136±5 days in milk and 38±6 kg of live weight, were selected and divided equally into 3 groups according to their genotypes: WA, with weak alleles (FF) for as1-casein and AIEF for κ-casein; SA, with strong alleles (AA) for s1-casein and AIEF for κ-casein; SB, with strong alleles (AA) for as1-casein and BIEF for κ-casein. No goats with weak alleles for as1-casein and BIEF for κ-casein were found. Over a 5 weeks period in spring, goats were allowed to graze daily an Italian ryegrass and berseem clover mixture, and supplied with 500g/d of barley. Measurements, sampling and analyses of individual milk and forage selected by goats were performed weekly. Forage intake of goats at pasture was assessed by n-alkane technique. Data were analysed by MIXED procedure of SAS 9.1.3, using a model with genotype as fixed effect and goat as random effect. The genotype did not influence the goats intake of DM (1180,1137, 1250 g/d DM for WA, SA, SB), net energy, crude protein and NDF, and milk yield (994, 1104, 1130 g/d for WA, SA, SD). Milk casein increased passing from WA to SA and SB genotypes (2.66, 2.93, 3.33%; P<0.01), similarly to casein/fat ratio (0.66, 0.74, 0.79%; P<0.05). the genotype associated with high as1-casein was responsible of a reduction in whey protein (0.71, 0.49, 0.55% for WA, SA, SB; P<0.01) and an increase in the casein N/NT ratio (71, 79, 80 for WA, SA, SB; P<0.001). The values of casein N/N intake ratio (109, 143, 158 g/kg for WA, SA, SB; P<0.001) indicate an effect of strong alleles of as1-casein in improving the efficiency of dietary N utilization for milk casein synthesis. Milk from WA genotype showed higher pH (6.70, 6.63, 6.58; P<0.05) and lower titratable acidity (3.15, 3.55, 3.76 °SH/50ml; P<0.05) than SB milk, with intermediate values for SA genotype. Clotting time (r) (10.7, 10.5, 9.3 min for WA, SA, SB; P<0.05) and curd firming time (k20) (1.56, 1.56, 1.24 min for WA, SA, SB; P<0.001) were lower in milk from goats with BIEF for κ-casein than in milk from goats with AIEF, regardless of as1-casein alleles. Curd firmness (a30) was improved by strong alleles than weak alleles of as1-casein, and more by BIEF than AIEF for κ-casein (41.8, 51.1, 59.8 mm for WA, SA, SB; P<0.001). These first results suggest that the strong alleles of as1-casein could act at metabolic level by increasing the efficiency of dietary nitrogen utilization and, consequently, the milk casein synthesis, and evidence the additional role of BIEF alleles of κ-casein in increasing casein content and improving coagulation properties of goats milk, but require further investigation to be confirmed

Surface disinfections: present and future

The propagation of antibiotic resistance increases the chances of major infections for patients during hospitalization and the spread of health related diseases. Therefore finding new and effective solutions to prevent the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms is critical, in order to protect hospital environment, such as the surfaces of biomedical devices. Modern nanotechnology has proven to be an effective countermeasure to tackle the threat of infections. On this note, recent scientific breakthroughs have demonstrated that antimicrobial nanomaterials are effective in preventing pathogens from developing resistance. Despite the ability to destroy a great deal of bacteria and control the outbreak of infections, nanomaterials present many other advantages. Moreover, it is unlikely for nanomaterials to develop resistance due to their multiple and simultaneous bactericidal mechanisms. In recent years, science has explored more complex antimicrobial coatings and nanomaterials based on graphene have shown great potential in antibacterial treatment. The purpose of this article is to deepen the discussion on the threat of infections related to surface disinfection and to assess the state of the art and potential solutions, with specific focus on disinfection procedures using nanomaterials

Unmet Needs in Understanding Sublingual Immunotherapy to Grass Pollen

The lack of medication for allergy symptoms at the end of the last millennium has been the promoter of the idea of treating allergies as if you were treating an infectious disease, by vaccination prophylaxis. Two forms of AIT 1) subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) and 2) sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) are used in the world. Considerable interest has emerged in SLIT both scientifically and especially financially. SLIT is not a new treatment modality. First description dates back to 1900 when H. Curtis. It was relatively widely used until the late 1970’s mainly in US by homeopathic therapists

Involvement of Astrocytes in the Formation, Maintenance, and Function of the Blood-Brain Barrier

: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a fundamental structure that protects the composition of the brain by determining which ions, metabolites, and nutrients are allowed to enter the brain from the blood or to leave it towards the circulation. The BBB is structurally composed of a layer of brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs) bound to each other through tight junctions (TJs). However, its development as well as maintenance and properties are controlled by the other brain cells that contact the BCECs: pericytes, glial cells, and even neurons themselves. Astrocytes seem, in particular, to have a very important role in determining and controlling most properties of the BBB. Here, we will focus on these latter cells, since the comprehension of their roles in brain physiology has been continuously expanding, even including the ability to participate in neurotransmission and in complex functions such as learning and memory. Accordingly, pathological conditions that alter astrocytic functions can alter the BBB's integrity, thus compromising many brain activities. In this review, we will also refer to different kinds of in vitro BBB models used to study the BBB's properties, evidencing its modifications under pathological conditions

Amino-functionalized poly(l-lactide) lamellar single crystals as a valuable substrate for delivery of HPV16-E7 tumor antigen in vaccine development

Background: Poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) is a biodegradable polymer currently used in many biomedical applications, including the production of resorbable surgical devices, porous scaffolds for tissue engineering, nanoparticles and microparticles for the controlled release of drugs or antigens. The surfaces of lamellar PLLA single crystals (PLLAsc) were provided with amino groups by reaction with a multifunctional amine and used to adsorb an Escherichia coli-produced human papillomavirus (HPV)16-E7 protein to evaluate its possible use in antigen delivery for vaccine development. Methods: PLLA single crystals were made to react with tetraethylenepentamine to obtain amino-functionalized PLLA single crystals (APLLAsc). Pristine and amino-functionalized PLLAsc showed a two-dimensional microsized and one-dimensional nanosized lamellar morphology, with a lateral dimension of about 15–20 µm, a thickness of about 12 nm, and a surface specific area of about 130 m2/g. Both particles were characterized and loaded with HPV16-E7 before being administered to C57BL/6 mice for immunogenicity studies. The E7-specific humoral-mediated and cell-mediated immune response as well as tumor protective immunity were analyzed in mice challenged with TC-1 cancer cells. Results: Pristine and amino-functionalized PLLAsc adsorbed similar amounts of E7 protein, but in protein-release experiments E7-PLLAsc released a higher amount of protein than E7-APLLAsc. When the complexes were dried for observation by scanning electron microscopy, both samples showed a compact layer, but E7-APLLAsc showed greater roughness than E7-PLLAsc. Immunization experiments in mice showed that E7-APLLAsc induced a stronger E7-specific immune response when compared with E7-PLLAsc. Immunoglobulin G isotyping and interferon gamma analysis suggested a mixed Th1/Th2 immune response in both E7-PLLAsc-immunized and E7-APLLAsc-immunized mice. However, only the mice receiving E7-APLLAsc were fully protected from TC-1 tumor growth after three doses of vaccine. Conclusion: Our results show that APLLA single crystals improve the immunogenicity of HPV16-E7 and indicate that E7-APLLAsc could be used for development of an HPV16 therapeutic vaccine against HPV16-related tumors

On the complexity of the boundary layer structure and aerosol vertical distribution in the coastal Mediterranean regions: A case study

The planetary boundary layer structure in the coastal areas, and particularly in complex orography regions such as the Mediterranean, is extremely intricate. In this study, we show the evolution of the planetary boundary layer based on in situ airborne measurements and ground-based remote sensing observations carried out during the MORE (Marine Ozone and Radiation Experiment) campaign in June 2010. The campaign was held in a rural coastal Mediterranean region in Southern Italy. The study focuses on the observations made on 17 June. Vertical profiles of meteorological parameters and aerosol size distribution were measured during two flights: in the morning and in the afternoon. Airborne observations were combined with ground-based LIDAR, SODAR, microwave and visible radiometer measurements, allowing a detailed description of the atmospheric vertical structure. The analysis was complemented with data from a regional atmospheric model run with horizontal resolutions of 12, 4 and 1 km, respectively; back-trajectories were calculated at these spatial resolutions. The observations show the simultaneous occurrence of dust transport, descent of mid-tropospheric air and sea breeze circulation on 17 June. Local pollution effects on the aerosol distribution, and a possible event of new particles formation were also observed. A large variability in the thermodynamical structure and aerosol distribution in the flight region, extending by approximately 30km along the coast, was found. Within this complex, environment-relevant differences in the back-trajectories calculated at different spatial resolutions are found, suggesting that the description of several dynamical processes, and in particular the sea breeze circulation, requires high-resolution meteorological analyses. The study also shows that the integration of different observational techniques is needed to describe these complex conditions; in particular, the availability of flights and their timing with respect to the occurring phenomena are crucial