An Integrated Software System for Process Planning for Layered Manufacturing

An integrated process planning system for layered manufacturing (LM) reduces the time between design and part fabrication and improves the quality of the final part. Process planning for most LM processes includes part orientation, support structure generation, slicing, and path planning. In this paper we describe an integrated process planning system we are developing. Our software accommodates both novel and traditional design models as input, and supports a variety of LM processes. The modules described in this paper include Solid Builder Module, which generates a solid model from design data such as medical images, surface functions, or digital elevation models; Orientation Module, which determines the optimal build orientation of a part and automatically generates the support structures required; and Adaptive Slicing Module, which adaptively slices the part.Mechanical Engineerin

Mitochondrial DNA diversity of five Italian autochtonous donkey breeds

AbstractTo investigate the mitochondrial DNA diversity of five Italian donkey breeds (Amiata, Martinafranca, Romagnolo, Asinara, and Ragusano), we sequenced the HVR I region (D-loop, 288 bp) and cytochrome b gene (274 bp) in 121 individuals. In the D-loop we found nineteen mutations corresponding to fourteen different haplotypes, while in cyt b coding gene only six mutations were found, originating five different haplotypes. In particular, three mutations out of six were non-synonymous, causing an aminoacidic substitution. About the D-loop region, the value of nucleotide diversity (π) observed within breeds was relatively low, but not far from values detected in other European breeds. Phylogenetic and network analyses disclosed the presence of two divergent maternal lineages within Italian donkeys. These haplogroups correspond to the well known lineages of ancestors (Equus asinus somaliensis and E. a. africanus), as donkeys were domesticated from distinct wild subspecies living in Eastern Africa regions. ..

Genome wide scan for somatic cell counts in holstein bulls

Mastitis is the most costly disease for dairy production, and control of the disease is often difficult, due to its multi-factorial nature. Susceptibility to mastitis is under partial genetic control and the industry uses indirect selection for decreased concentrations of somatic cells in milk to reduce mastitis. Background: Mastitis is the most costly disease for dairy production, and control of the disease is often difficult, due to its multi-factorial nature. Susceptibility to mastitis is under partial genetic control and the industry uses indirect selection for decreased concentrations of somatic cells in milk to reduce mastitis. Methods: A genome-wide scan was performed to identify genomic regions associated with deregressed estimated breeding values (EBVs) for somatic cell counts (SCC) in Holstein bulls. In total 1183 proven bulls of the Italian of Holstein population, were genotyped with the BovineSNP50 BeadChip (Illumina, San Diego, CA) and a whole genome association analysis was performed using the R package GenABEL. Results: Two chromosomal regions showed association with SCC, a region on chromosome 14 with high significance (P < 5x10-6) and a region on chromosome 6 with moderate significance (P < 5x10-5). Conclusions: Two regions with effects on SCC have been identified with good statistical support. A further study of these candidate regions will be performed to verify the results and identify the causal mutations

Mitogenome information in cattle breeding and conservation genetics: Developments and possibilities of the SNP chip

In contrast to nuclear markers routinely used for genomic selection, mitogenome information has been underutilized for breeding and biodiversity management of cattle populations. Our main goal was to promote the efficient use of mitogenome SNPs contained in commercial high-throughput SNP arrays. In collaboration with NEOGEN Genomics (Lincoln, NE, USA), we integrated 310 SNPs into the commercial GGP Bovine 100K SNP array. In doing so, we demonstrated how mitogenome SNPs can be used in high-throughput arrays to (i) analyze population structure and diversity, (ii) classify bovine haplogroups and identify introgression and/or upgrading, (iii) screen and identify pedigree defects, (iv) impute mitogenome information on maternal lineages to increase statistical power in estimating the effects of mitogenome variation on quantitative production traits, and (v) identify deleterious mutations found in humans. In addition, we have developed protocols and pipelines inte-grated with the Magellan v2.0 software to enable efficient and routine use of mitogenome information in cattle breeding and genetic diversity management. Finally, we have highlighted some other interesting opportunities for the use of mitogenome information in the near future

What Can Genetics Do for the Control of Infectious Diseases in Aquaculture?

Infectious diseases place an economic burden on aquaculture and a limitation to its growth. An innovative approach to mitigate their impact on production is breeding for disease resistance: selection for domestication, family-based selection, marker-assisted selection, and more recently, genomic selection. Advances in genetics and genomics approaches to the control of infectious diseases are key to increasing aquaculture efficiency, profitability, and sustainability and to reducing its environmental footprint. Interaction and co-evolution between a host and pathogen can, however, turn breeding to boost infectious disease resistance into a potential driver of pathogenic change. Parallel molecular characterization of the pathogen and its virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes is therefore essential to understand pathogen evolution over time in response to host immunity, and to apply appropriate mitigation strategies

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in collagen genes and association with skin quality trait

AbstractLivestock skin is largely employed in the manufacturing of clothing and shoes, sector in which Italy is a world leader. To sustain Italian products against foreign competition in the globalization era particular attention is to be focus on product quality. Here we investigate the association of SNP mutations in genes coding for collagen proteins present in animal skin with a number of phisico-chemical parameters influencing skin quality for the tanning industry.Skin and blood were sampled from 73 Italian Friesian and Italian Brown bovines and from 43 Bergamasca and Sarda ovines, classified by sex and age. Skins were characterised for a set of chemico-physical parameters (thickness, density, humidity, protein content, ashes, lipid content, hydrossi-proline and DNA content).Regions of the collagen type I, III and IV were screened for SNP discovery in the two species by sequencing a set of reference animals. In bovine 15 polymorphisms were identified: (2 in collagen type I, 9 in collagen type III alp..

Programmable models of growth and mutation of cancer-cell populations

In this paper we propose a systematic approach to construct mathematical models describing populations of cancer-cells at different stages of disease development. The methodology we propose is based on stochastic Concurrent Constraint Programming, a flexible stochastic modelling language. The methodology is tested on (and partially motivated by) the study of prostate cancer. In particular, we prove how our method is suitable to systematically reconstruct different mathematical models of prostate cancer growth - together with interactions with different kinds of hormone therapy - at different levels of refinement.Comment: In Proceedings CompMod 2011, arXiv:1109.104

Valvular heart disease: shifting the focus to the myocardium

Adverse cardiac remodelling is the main determinant of patient prognosis in degenerative valvular heart disease (VHD). However, to give an indication for valvular intervention, current guidelines include parameters of cardiac chamber dilatation or function which are subject to variability, do not directly reflect myocardial structural changes, and, more importantly, seem to be not sensitive enough in depicting early signs of myocardial dysfunction before irreversible myocardial damage has occurred. To avoid irreversible myocardial dysfunction, novel biomarkers are advocated to help refining indications for intervention and risk stratification. Advanced echocardiographic modalities, including strain analysis, and magnetic resonance imaging have shown to be promising in providing new tools to depict the important switch from adaptive to maladaptive myocardial changes in response to severe VHD. This review, therefore, summarizes the current available evidence on the role of these new imaging biomarkers in degenerative VHD, aiming at shifting the clinical perspective from a valve-centred to a myocardium-focused approach for patient management and therapeutic decision-making