Early Prediction of Corpus Luteum Functionality Using an Imaging Software

The present study aimed to assess the applicability of luteal blood flow data acquired through the use of color Doppler ultrasonography and a post-processing analysis tool (ImageJ) for predicting pregnancy in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). The experiment was carried out on 59 multiparous Italian Mediterranean buffaloes that underwent synchronization of estrus and fixed-time artificial insemination (TAI). Corpus luteum features (size: CLS and blood flow: BFA) were taken from Day 5 to 10 after TAI and retrospectively measured with ImageJ. In the same period, blood samples were taken to assess progesterone (P4) concentrations. Pregnancy diagnosis was carried out on Day 45 by ultrasound and confirmed on Day 70 post-TAI. Differences in CLS, BFA, and P4 concentrations from Day 5 to 10 after TAI measured between groups were analyzed by ANOVA repeated measures as were differences within each day of measuring. Buffaloes that established a pregnancy (n = 29; 55%) had larger CLS (2.2 ± 0.1 vs. 1.9 ± 0.1 cm2; P < 0.01), higher BFA (0.6 ± 0.0 vs. 0.4 ± 0.0 cm2; P < 0.01), and higher P4 blood level (1.8 ± 0.1 vs. 1.4 ± 0.1; P < 0.01) during Day 5–10 as compared to not-pregnant buffaloes (n = 22). Throughout the entire period, the first feature that changed between groups was P4 blood concentration at Day 7 (1.7 ± 0.1 vs. 1.2 ± 0.1; P < 0.05) followed by BFA at Day 8 (0.6 ± 0.0 vs. 0.5 ± 0.0; P < 0.05), respectively, in pregnant and not-pregnant animals. The ROC analyses indicated that P4 was able to predict pregnancy since Day 5 (P < 0.05) although a more reliable result could be obtained from Day 8 (P < 0.01). At Day 10, it was possible to set a cutoff value for every parameter taken into account. The logistic regression analysis showed that pregnancy was positively influenced by P4 concentration (odds ratio 534.127; P < 0.01) and BFA (odds ratio 744.893; P < 0.01). In conclusion, the use of color Doppler ultrasonography, together with ImageJ, identified different patterns of BFA between pregnant and not-pregnant buffaloes starting from Day 8 post-TAI

Neutrino emission from compact stars and inhomogeneous color superconductivity

We discuss specific heat and neutrino emissivity due to direct Urca processes for quark matter in the color superconductive Larkin-Ovchinnikov-Fulde-Ferrell (LOFF) phase of Quantum-Chromodynamics. We assume that the three light quarks $u, d, s$ are in a color and electrically neutral state and interact by a four fermion Nambu-Jona Lasinio coupling. We study a LOFF state characterized by a single plane wave for each pairing. From the evaluation of neutrino emissivity and fermionic specific heat, the cooling rate of simplified models of compact stars with a quark core in the LOFF state is estimated.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figures, revtex4 style. Version accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Study of“Shaken Baby Syndrome”: Morphological and Diffusion MRI Data

Shaken baby syndrome (SBS) is the most common cause of death related to child abuse; nonfatal consequences of SBS include varying degrees of visual, motor and cognitive impairment due to severe brain damage in almost 30% of infants with SBS. Brain damage occurs from the biomechanical forces, swelling, ischemia and altered vascular autoregulation and from additionally axonal damage[1].In the present study we want to examine a cohort of 7 patient affected by SBS and compare their data with controls choosen by same range of age, 19 months till 60. Using MRI techniques we define a new paradigm for demonstrating, through voxel based morphometry, deficiencies, connected to white and grey matter regions, in the prefrontal cortex and also in the hippocampus, amygdala, corpus callosum and optical radiation. Adding diffusion tensor imaging technique by constrained spherical deconvolution[2] our study put in evidence connectivity between investigated areas, suggesting neural network abnormalities. With this “state of art” studies we can show a correlation between childhood abuse and brain structures modification. Our aim is to make a longitudinal study on the anatomical data of these patients following their clinical evolution

Aspetti epidemiologici della calcolosi di calcio in Italia: distribuzione dei fenotipi intermedi nella popolazione italiana

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Answering the question of local biomass deployment: the use of energy modeling with case study for non industrial customers

Biomass-based energy carriers can play a non marginal role in a local energy system, but the impact must be carefully evaluated. The authors will report the results of an energy planning case study (for an Italian province of half a million people), based on the assessment of feasible use of local biomass, related with the energy modeling of the territory, by focusing on non industrial energy end use. From the policy maker's standpoint the interesting issue can be twofold: how many decentralized biomass power plant can be authorized without jeopardizing (or minimizing) the use of land, currently cultivated for food producing? How sustainable is the use of imported biomass from Far East countries in a local-limited context? The case is solved by analyzing scenarios, related to the defined local Standard-MarkAl model. By assigning different weights (both from the energy, environmental and economic standpoints) to different biomasses and technologies, the results give some advices on how to evaluate potential disputes through an optimization approach

Managing local resources: the role of electricity from biomass based cogeneration

The aim of this work, a case study for a province of half a million people -Northern Italy (PP), is to analyze and compare different energy development scenarios in order to provide a strategic assessment of measures for the local energy planners, by means of an optimization bottom-up model (MarkAl Standard). PP-MarkAl Model (PPMM) represents the whole energy system and the main features are: (i) detailed modeling of the residential sector (final energy demands and technologies);(ii) detailed modeling of electricity supply sector ; (iii) detailed modeling of biofuels production subsector. PP-MarkAL model provides an integrated analysis of the province, focusing on the achievement of the EU 20-20-20 targets and the role of cogeneration from local and imported biomass. The study is based on the assessment of feasible use of local biomass, related with the energy modeling of the territory, by focusing on non industrial energy and the analysis is performed from the policy maker's standpoint in order to evaluate the economic condition under witch new technologies become competitive, the role of decentralized power generation and the sustainability of using endogenous or imported biomass.The the impact of alternative technologies and the role of the public commitment is highlighted in terms of effective policy that could drive both the technological competition and the real estate market to achieve the optimal configuration of the energy system by means of subsidies for renewable technologies (solar, biofuels, …) and for more efficient end-use technologies

New proposal for the assessment of the impact of EVs, smart charging and V2G on the grid

The substitution of the conventional fleet with plug-in Electric Vehicles (EVs) is one possible path towards the decarbonisation and more sustainability of private transportation. However, benefits related to a high number of vehicles, and the measures that could mitigate negative effects on the electric grid have to be assessed. In this paper a new model is presented for investigating the effect of a high-medium penetration of EVs on a local grid and their role on the emissions reduction. Besides it allows analyzing how the smart charging and the Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) options can reduce the additional load or even support the power grid stability. Pro and cons are presented and a case study is proposed