Partially Balanced Incomplete Block Designs from Weakly Divisible Nearrings

In [[6] Riv. Mat. Univ. Parma 11 (2) (1970) 79–96] Ferrero demonstrates a connection between a restricted class of planar nearrings and balanced incomplete block designs. In this paper, bearing in mind the links between planar nearrings and weakly divisible nearrings (wd-nearrings), first we show the construction of a family of partially balanced incomplete block designs from a special class of wd-nearrings; consequently, we are able to give some formulas for calculating the design parameters

To what extent does photoperiod affect cattle reproduction? Clinical perspectives of melatonin administration

The seasonality of reproduction in most mammals is dictated by photoperiod, temperature and nutrition. Melatonin, mainly synthesized in the pineal gland, is generally accepted as the active mediator of photoperiod responses including reproduction. While non-pregnant heifers and cows show continuous sexual activity and are therefore not seasonal breeders, it has been suggested that photo-periodicity may influence the appearance of puberty in heifers and the onset of parturition. Further, the light/dark ratio may influence endocrine patterns of gestation and a shorter light period correlates with the incidence of twin pregnancies. This review considers specific aspects of the effects of photoperiod and melatonin on reproduction in dairy cattle and discusses the clinical applications of melatonin

Phononic canonical quasicrystalline waveguides

The dynamic behavior of the class of periodic waveguides whose unit cells are generated through a quasicrystalline sequence can be interpreted geometrically in terms of a trace map that embodies the recursive rule obeyed by traces of the transmission matrices. We introduce the concept of canonical quasicrystalline waveguides, for which the orbits predicted by the trace map at specific frequencies, called canonical frequencies, are periodic. In particular, there exist three families of canonical waveguides. The theory reveals that for those (i) the frequency spectra are periodic and the periodicity depends on the canonical frequencies, (ii) a set of multiple periodic orbits exists at frequencies that differ from the canonical ones, and (iii) perturbation of the periodic orbit and linearization of the trace map define a scaling parameter, linked to the golden ratio, which governs the self-similar structure of the spectra. The periodicity of the waveguide responses is experimentally verified on finite specimens composed of selected canonical unit cells

The modelling of reverse defrosting cycles of air-to-water heat pumps with TRNSYS

The most widespread defrosting technique adopted by Air-Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) during the heating season is Reverse Cycle Defrosting (RCD). In this paper a dynamic model of RCD, based on performance data provided by the heat pump manufacturer, designed for TRNSYS and with a core-structure suitable for commercial units, is presented. A defrost cycle is divided in three phases. First, the unit heating capacity is reduced as a linear function of the ice layer thickness (Pre-Defrost phase). Subsequently, the reverse cycle operating mode is modelled on the basis of the performance data given by the manufacturer (Defrost phase) and, finally, the heat pump performances are altered taking into account the higher surface temperature of the external coil after the reverse mode (Post-Defrost phase). Then, the influence of defrosting energy losses on the heat pump seasonal performance factor in sites characterized by different climatic conditions has been assessed. Results point out that the ASHP seasonal efficiency decreases of about 5% taking into account defrost energy losses; in addition, the influence of defrost cycles on the internal air temperature is studied by assessing under which conditions the indoor thermal comfort can be guaranteed even in presence of frequent defrost cycles

Downregulation of Circulating Hsa-miR-200c-3p Correlates with Dyslipidemia in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary heart disease (CHD), one of the leading causes of disability and death worldwide, is a multifactorial disease whose early diagnosis is demanding. Thus, biomarkers predicting the occurrence of this pathology are of great importance from a clinical and therapeutic standpoint. By means of a pilot study on peripheral blood cells (PBMCs) of subjects with no coronary lesions (CTR; n = 2) and patients with stable CAD (CAD; n = 2), we revealed 61 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) (18 promoter regions, 24 genes and 19 CpG islands) and 14.997 differentially methylated single CpG sites (DMCs) in CAD patients. MiRNA-seq results displayed a peculiar miRNAs profile in CAD patients with 18 upregulated and 32 downregulated miRNAs (FC >= +/- 1.5, p <= 0.05). An integrated analysis of genome-wide DNA methylation and miRNA-seq results indicated a significant downregulation of hsa-miR-200c-3p (FCCAD = -2.97, p <= 0.05) associated to the hypermethylation of two sites (genomic coordinates: chr12:7073122-7073122 and chr12:7072599-7072599) located intragenic to the miR-200c/141 genomic locus (encoding hsa-miR-200c-3p) (p-value = 0.009) in CAD patients. We extended the hsa-miR-200c-3p expression study in a larger cohort (CAD = 72, CTR = 24), confirming its reduced expression level in CAD patients (FCCAD = -2; p = 0.02). However, when we analyzed the methylation status of the two CpG sites in the same cohort, we failed to identify significant differences. A ROC curve analysis showed good performance of hsa-miR-200c-3p expression level (AUC = 0.65; p = 0.02) in distinguishing CAD from CTR. Moreover, we found a significant positive correlation between hsa-miR-200c-3p expression and creatinine clearance (R-2 = 0.212, p < 0.005, Pearson r = 0.461) in CAD patients. Finally, a phenotypic correlation performed in the CAD group revealed lower hsa-miR-200c-3p expression levels in CAD patients affected by dyslipidemia (+DLP, n = 58) (p < 0.01). These results indicate hsa-miR-200c-3p as potential epi-biomarker for the diagnosis and clinical progression of CAD and highlight the importance of deeper studies on the expression of this miRNA to understand its functional role in coronary artery disease development

Effect of utilization of single or double prostaglandin administration within an ovsynch fixed-time artificial insemination protocol during summer season in dairy cows

This study investigated the fertility of dairy cows during summer season after treatment with a single or double PGF2α in a progesterone (P4)-based Ovsynch protocol for fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI). The data were compared to a treatment effectuated during winter season. Two groups of 60 dairy cows each were randomly assigned on day 60 post-partum to single PGF2α or double PGF2α group. At removal of the P4 treatment the single PGF2α group received a single dose and the double PGF2α group received two doses of PGF2α at 24 hours apart. In each group, 30 cows were treated during the summer (June, July and August) and 30 cows during the winter (December, January and February) season. During summer season a double PGF2α dose did not influence pregnancy rate at FTAI but improved cumulative pregnancy rate 60 days after FTAI (43% vs 69% for single PGF2α and double PGF2α administration, respectively; P<0.05). During winter season the single or double PGF2α administration did not modify PR or cumulative PR. In conclusion, during summer the utilization of a double instead of single PGF2α treatment into a P4-based Ovsynch-FTAI protocol did not increase pregnancy rate at FTAI but improved cumulative pregnancy rate

Thermal Mechanisms Preventing or Favoring Multiple Ovulations in Dairy Cattle

While cows are predominantly monovular, over the past 30 years the incidence of multiple ovulations and thus twinning has increased considerably alongside milk production. Multiple pregnancies are not desirable as they negatively affect the health of cows and the herd economy. Although causal mechanisms associated with multiple ovulations have been extensively revised, the process of multiple ovulations is not well understood. Recent studies on the thermal biology of the reproductive system have shown how thermal mechanisms may prevent or favor multiple ovulations. This review focuses on this relationship between thermal dynamics and multiple pregnancies. Cooling of the pre-ovulatory follicle is able to regulate ovulation. In effect, pre-ovulatory local cooling of the female reproductive system favors male and female gamete maturation and promotes fertilization. Thermal stress is proposed here as a model of stress. Periods of high ambient temperature affect the processes of pre-ovulatory follicular cooling and multiple ovulations. While the ratio between unilateral and bilateral multiple pregnancies is normally close to one, under heat stress conditions, this ratio may be 1.4 favoring unilateral multiple pregnancies. A ratio approaching unity is here proposed as an indicator of cow wellbeing.This research was funded by “Fondo Locale per la Ricerca-FIL 2020/2021” University of Parma, Italy (coordinator F.D.R.)

A double histochemical/immunohistochemical staining for the identification of canine mast cells in light microscopy

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a widely used technique in diagnostic pathology, but the simultaneous analysis of more than one antibody at a time with different chromogens is rather complex, time‐consuming, and quite expensive. In order to facilitate the identification of mast cells (MCs) during immunohistochemical analysis of membrane and/or nuclear markers, we propose a new staining method that includes the association of IHC and toluidine blue as a counterstain. To achieve this goal, we tested c‐kit, Ki67, and cannabinoid receptor 2 on several cases of cutaneous canine mast cell tumors (MCTs), cutaneous mastocytosis, and atopic dermatitis. The results obtained show how this double staining technique, although limited to non‐cytoplasmic markers and of little use in poorly differentiated MCTs in which MC metachromasia is hard to see, can be used during the evaluation of nuclear and/or membranous immunohistochemical markers in all canine cutaneous disorders, especially if characterized by the presence of a low number of MCs. It can help to evaluate those MCTs in which neoplastic MCs must be clearly distinguished from inflammatory cells that can infiltrate the tumor itself, in facilitating the calculation of the Ki67 index. Moreover, it can be used to study the expression of new markers in both animal and human tissues containing MCs and in MC disorders