151 research outputs found
Dark Universe and distribution of Matter as Quantum Imprinting: the Quantum Origin of Universe
In this paper we analyze the Dark Matter problem and the distribution of
matter through two different approaches, which are linked by the possibility
that the solution of these astronomical puzzles should be sought in the quantum
imprinting of the Universe. The first approach is based on a cosmological model
formulated and developed in the last ten years by the first and third authors
of this paper; the so-called Archaic Universe. The second approach was
formulated by Rosen in 1933 by considering the Friedmann-Einstein equations as
a simple one-dimensional dynamical system reducing the cosmological equations
in terms of a Schroedinger equation. As an example, the quantum memory in
cosmological dynamics could explain the apparently periodic structures of the
Universe while Archaic Universe shows how the quantum phase concernts not only
an ancient era of the Universe, but quantum facets permeating the entire
Universe today.Comment: 18 page
Lattice Boltzmann models for non-ideal fluids with arrested phase-separation
The effects of mid-range repulsion in Lattice Boltzmann models on the
coalescence/breakup behaviour of single-component, non-ideal fluids are
investigated. It is found that mid-range repulsive interactions allow the
formation of spray-like, multi-droplet configurations, with droplet size
directly related to the strength of the repulsive interaction. The simulations
show that just a tiny ten-percent of mid-range repulsive pseudo-energy can
boost the surface/volume ratio of the phase- separated fluid by nearly two
orders of magnitude. Drawing upon a formal analogy with magnetic Ising systems,
a pseudo-potential energy is defined, which is found to behave like a
quasi-conserved quantity for most of the time-evolution. This offers a useful
quantitative indicator of the stability of the various configurations, thus
helping the task of their interpretation and classification. The present
approach appears to be a promising tool for the computational modelling of
complex flow phenomena, such as atomization, spray formation and
micro-emulsions, break-up phenomena and possibly glassy-like systems as well.Comment: 12 pages, 9 figure
Genetic variability of the ovine αs1-casein
The casein genetic polymorphisms are important for their effects on quantitative traits and technological properties of milk. At the αs1-casein (CSN1S1) level three genetic variants were characterised (A, C, D) in ovine milk (Ferranti et al., 1995)
Characterization of the casein gene complex in West Africa goats and description of a new αs1-casein polymorphism
The analysis of casein polymorphisms was carried
out in West Africa goat populations: Red Sokoto (n =
57), West African Dwarf Nigeria (n = 27), West African
Dwarf Cameroon (n = 39), and Borno (n = 37). The 4
casein genes alphas1 (CSN1S1), beta (CSN2), alphas2 (CSN1S2), and kappa (CSN3) were typed at the DNA level. No null alleles were found in any of the genes analyzed. A PCR single-strand conformation polymorphism method was
implemented for the identification of CSN1S1*F allele
simultaneously with A/01, B/E, N and the new allele.
The allele differed from CSN1S1*B by a synonymous
transversion TCG->TCT in the codon corresponding to
Ser66 of the mature protein. The new allele, named
CSN1S1*B', occurred at a high frequency in all the
populations, ranging from 0.295 (West African Dwarf
Cameroon) to 0.405 (Borno). A greater frequency was
found for alleles associated with high alphas1-casein quantity,
as has already been observed in the goat populations
from the Mediterranean area. The intermediate
E allele occurred only in the Red Sokoto and at a low
frequency. The faint F allele occurred in 3 populations
at frequencies lower than 0.03. Linkage disequilibrium
occurred in all the populations, with highly significant
differences in Borno, Red Sokoto, and West Africa
Dwarf Nigeria, and significant differences in West Africa
Dwarf Cameroon. Only 10 haplotypes showed frequencies
>= 0.05 in at least 1 of the 4 populations considered,
and the overall frequency was >0.1 only for 4
haplotypes: BAAB, B'ACA, ACAB, and BACA (in the
order CSN1S1-CSN2-CSN1S2-CSN3). Haplotype
BAAB, postulated as an ancestral haplotype in previous
studies, was the most common haplotype in all breeds
except Borno, where B'ACA was predominant. The results
obtained are of considerable significance given that very little information exists on the subject for African goats. The high frequency of strong alleles in the calcium-sensitive caseins as well as the high linkage disequilibrium found among the casein genes in the African breeds analyzed may suggest that specific casein haplotypes have already been selected due to their advantages for nutrition. Haplotypes providing greater
protein and casein content would increase the energy
content of milk, thus resulting in more favorable growth
and survival of young goats and humans consuming
the milk
Short communication: Carora cattle shows high variability at αsl-casein
The objective of this study was to analyze the genetic variability of milk proteins of the Carora, a shorthorned
Bos taurus cattle breed in Venezuela and in other Southern American countries that is primarily used for milk production. A total of 184 individual milk samples were collected from Carora cattle in 5 herds in Venezuela. The milk protein genes alphas1-casein (CN) (CSN1S1), alphas2-CN (CSN2), beta-CN (CSN3), and beta-lactoglobulin (LGB) were typed at the protein level by isoelectrofocusing. It was necessary to further analyze CSN1S1 at the DNA level by a PCR-based method to distinguish CSN1S1*G from B. Increased variation
was found in particular at the CSN1S1 gene, where 4
variants were identified. The predominant variant was
CSN1S1*B (frequency = 0.8). The second most common
CSN1S1 variant was CSN1S1*G (0.101), followed by CSN1S1*C (0.082). Moreover, a new isoelectrofocusing
pattern was identified, which may result from a novel CSN1S1 variant, named CSN1S1*I, migrating at an intermediate position between CSN1S1*B and CSN1S1*C. Six cows carried the variant at the heterozygous condition. For the other loci, predominance of CSN2*A2 (0.764), CSN3*B (0.609), and LGB*B (0.592) was observed. Haplotype frequencies (AF) at the CSN1S1-CSN2-CSN3 complex were also estimated by
taking association into account. Only 7 haplotypes showed AF values >0.05, accounting for a cumulative frequency of 0.944. The predominant haplotype was B-A2-B (frequency = 0.418), followed by B-A2-A (0.213). The occurrence of the G variant is at a rather high frequency, which is of interest for selection within the Carora breed because of the negative association of this variant with the synthesis of the specific protein. From a cheese-making point of view, this variant is associated with improved milk-clotting parameters but is negatively associated with cheese ripening. Thus, milk protein typing should be routinely carried out in the breed, with particular emphasis on using a DNA test to detect the CSN1S*G variant. The CSN1S*G allele is likely to have descended from the Brown Swiss, which contributed to the Carora breed and also carries this allele
Casein genetic polymorphisms in goat breeds of Lombardy
Polimorfismo genetico delle caseine in razze caprine allevate in Lombardia. E\u2019 stato condotto uno studio della variabilit\ue0 genetica delle caseine in sei razze caprine allevate in Lombardia. La tipizzazione, condotta a livello proteico mediante isoelettrofocalizzazione, \ue8 preliminare ad un approccio molecolare dettagliato su un numero pi\uf9 limitato di soggetti, scelti in base a particolari fenotipi caseinici
Overnight Supervision of Alzheimer's Disease Patients in Nursing Homes - System Development and Field Trial
The number of patients affected by Alzheimer's disease among the population is currently growing, while the availability of resources for their assistance is decreasing. A solution for this problem is provided by the use of Ambient Assisted Living technologies, with the objectives to prolong the independent living of patients at home, to relieve assistance burden on caregivers, and to improve care effectiveness in nursing homes. This paper describes an integrated system designed to support the work of nurses during the night, to ensure comfort and safety of Alzheimer's disease patients in nursing homes. The project started from a similar solution designed for home use, suitably re-engineered for adoption in nursing homes. The system has been designed according to nurses' requirements and expectations, both by revising some existing functionalities, and by developing new components. The results gained from an experimental trial are also presented and discussed
Influenza vaccine uptake among community-dwelling Italian elderly: results from a large cross-sectional study
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Flu vaccination significantly reduces the risk of serious complications like hospitalization and death among community-dwelling older people, therefore vaccination programmes targeting this population group represent a common policy in developed Countries. Among the determinants of vaccine uptake in older age, a growing literature suggests that social relations can play a major role.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Drawing on the socio-behavioral model of Andersen-Newman - which distinguishes predictors of health care use in predisposing characteristics, enabling resources and need factors - we analyzed through multilevel regressions the determinants of influenza immunization in a sample of 25,183 elderly reached by a nationally representative Italian survey.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Being over 85-year old (OR = 1.99; 95% CI 1.77 - 2.21) and suffering from a severe chronic disease (OR = 2.06; 95% CI 1.90 - 2.24) are the strongest determinants of vaccine uptake. Being unmarried (OR = 0.81; 95% CI 0.74 - 0.87) and living in larger households (OR = 0.83; 95% CI 0.74 - 0.87) are risk factors for lower immunization rates. Conversely, relying on neighbors' support (OR = 1.09; 95% CI 1.02 - 1.16) or on privately paid home help (OR = 1.19; 95% CI 1.08 - 1.30) is associated with a higher likelihood of vaccine uptake.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Even after adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics and need factors, social support, measured as the availability of assistance from partners, neighbors and home helpers, significantly increases the odds of influenza vaccine use among older Italians.</p
Quantum fluctuations and strong mass renormalization in NiCl2-4SC(NH2)2
In a number of quantum paramagnets, magnetic field can induce a quantum phase
transition to an antiferromagnetic state which exists for a range of fields Hc1
< H < Hc2. Generally, these compounds exhibit a significant asymmetry in their
properties at low- and high-field transitions. Here we present detailed
specific heat and thermal conductivity measurements in NiCl2-4SC(NH2)2 together
with analytical and numerical results. We show that the asymmetry is caused by
a strong renormalization of the effective mass of spin excitations due to
quantum fluctuations for H<Hc1 that are absent for H<Hc2.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures. Acepted for publication in Phy. Rev. Let
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