The critical line of QCD with four degenerate quarks

We determine the pseudo-critical couplings at imaginary chemical potentials by high-statistics Monte Carlo simulations of QCD with four degenerate quarks at non-zero temperature and baryon density by the method of analytic continuationan. We reveal deviations from the simple quadratic dependence on the chemical potential visible in earlier works on the same subject. Finally, we discuss the implications of our findings for the shape of the pseudo-critical line at real chemical potential, comparing different possible extrapolations.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures, talk presented at the XXVIII International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, June 14-19, 2010, Villasimius, Sardinia, Ital

Analytic model of Regge trajectories

A model for a Regge trajectory compatible with the threshold behavior required by unitarity and asymptotics in agreement with analyticity constraints is given in explicit form. The model is confronted in the time-like region with widths and masses of the mesonic resonances and, in the space-like region, the $\rho$ trajectory is compared with predictions derived from $\pi-N$ charge-exchange reaction. Breaking of the exchange degeneracy is studied in the model and its effect on both the masses and widths is determined.Comment: 17 pages, 3 figure

Phase diagram of QCD with two degenerate staggered quarks

We present preliminary results about the critical line of QCD with two degenerate staggered quarks at nonzero temperature and chemical potential, obtained by the method of analytic continuation. As in our previous studies with different numbers of colors and flavors, we find deviations from a simple quadratic dependence on the chemical potential. We comment on the shape of the critical line at real chemical potential and give an estimate of the curvature of the critical line, both for quark chemical potential and isospin chemical potential.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, talk presented at Lattice 2011, The XXIX International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe, California, USA, July 11-16, 201

The critical line of two-flavor QCD at finite isospin or baryon densities from imaginary chemical potentials

We determine the (pseudo)critical lines of QCD with two degenerate staggered fermions at nonzero temperature and quark or isospin density, in the region of imaginary chemical potentials; analytic continuation is then used to prolongate to the region of real chemical potentials. We obtain an accurate determination of the curvatures at zero chemical potential, quantifying the deviation between the case of finite quark and of finite isospin chemical potential. Deviations from a quadratic dependence of the pseudocritical lines on the chemical potential are clearly seen in both cases: we try different extrapolations and, for the case of nonzero isospin chemical potential, confront them with the results of direct Monte Carlo simulations. Finally we find that, as for the finite quark density case, an imaginary isospin chemical potential can strengthen the transition till turning it into strong first order.Comment: 11 pages, 11 figures, 4 table

Asymptotic neutrino-nucleon cross section and saturation effects

In this paper we present a simple analytic expression for the (spin-averaged) neutrino-nucleon cross section for ultra-high energies at twist-2, obtained as the asymptotic limit of our previous findings. This expression gives values for the cross section in remarkable numerical agreement with the previous numerical evaluation in the energy region relevant for forthcoming neutrino experiments. Moreover, we discuss the role and the relevance of saturation and recombination effects in our approach, in comparison with other recent suggestions.Comment: 19 pages, 2 figure

Serratiopeptidase reduces the invasion of osteoblasts by Staphylococcus aureus

Finding new strategies to counteract periprosthetic infection and implant failure is a main target in orthopedics. Staphylococcus aureus, the leading etiologic agent of orthopedic implant infections, is able to enter and kill osteoblasts, to stimulate pro-inflammatory chemokine secretion, to recruit osteoclasts, and to cause inflammatory osteolysis. Moreover, by entering eukaryotic cells, staphylococci hide from the host immune defenses and shelter from the extracellular antibiotics. Thus, infection persists, inflammation thrives, and a highly destructive osteomyelitis occurs around the implant. The ability of serratiopeptidase (SPEP), a metalloprotease by Serratia marcescens, to control S. aureus invasion of osteoblastic MG-63 cells and pro-inflammatory chemokine MCP-1 secretion was evaluated. Human osteoblast cells were infected with staphylococcal strains in the presence and in the absence of SPEP. Cell proliferation and cell viability were also evaluated. The release of pro-inflammatory chemokine MCP-1 was evaluated after the exposure of the osteoblast cells to staphylococcal strains. The significance of the differences in the results of each test and the relative control values was determined with Student’s t-test. SPEP impairs their invasiveness into osteoblasts, without affecting the viability and proliferation of bone cells, and tones down their production of MCP-1. We recognize SPEP as a potential tool against S. aureus bone infection and destruction

Arnavutluk Tavşan Populasyonunda Yerel Farklılaşma

Six measures of body conformation of six rabbit subpopulations were analyzed to determine the quantity of local differentiation of Albanian rabbit population. Data analyses showed that: (i) the local rabbit breed is classified in medium breed group with harmonic body development, (ii) the Albanian local rabbit population is distinguished for considerable level of local differentiation (iii) the main factor of this differentiation is the isolation in distance of rabbit subpopulations (iv) local differentiation can contribute on genetic variability conservation of Albanian local rabbit population that is actually under the pressure of genetic erosion.Arnavutluk tavşan populasyonularındaki yerel faklılaşmaların miktarını belirlemek için altı tavşan alt populasyonunun vücut kon formasyon ölçümleri analiz edilmiştir. Verilerin analizleri aşağıda hususları göstermiştir. (i) Arnavutluk yerel tavşan ırkı harmonik vücut gelişimli orta büyüklükte ırk olarak sınıflandırılmıştır.(ii) Arnavutluk yerel populasyonları önemli ölçüde farklılaşma göstermektedir.(iii) Yerel Populasyonlar farklılaşmasın da en önemli faktör tavşan alt populasyonları arasındaki mesafe izolasyonudur. (iv) Yerel populasyonların farklılığı genetik erozyon baskısı altıdaki Arnavutluk yerel populasyonları korunması sürecindeki genetik çeşitliliğe katkıda bulunmaktadır