Report on inaugural workshop RSA ReHi-Network ‘Interdisciplinary connections between history & regional studies’*

The RSA Research Network on Regional Economic and Policy History (ReHi) aims to investigate the role of the historic perspective on regional studies through a series of events. During the inaugural two-day workshop, held in London in April 2017, the participants highlighted historical methodologies and approaches that establish a common thread in the various regional disciplines. They defined interdisciplinary connections that need to be addressed to overcome the discontinuous dialogue among researchers of regional studies and history. The research papers that were presented at the conference focused on improving methodologies, analysing economic strategies, developing techniques, and understanding policy development. The workshop aimed at establishing the foundation for a common research framework to improve the scientific debate and provide impact on regional policy regulations.     

Optimization of fully aligned bioactive electrospun fibers for “in vitro” nerve guidance

Complex architecture of natural tissues such as nerves requires the use of multifunctional scaffolds with peculiar topological and biochemical signals able to address cell behavior towards specific events at the cellular (microscale) and macromolecular (nanoscale) level. In this context, the electrospinning technique is useful to generate fiber assemblies having peculiar fiber diameters at the nanoscale and patterned by unidirectional ways, to facilitate neurite extension via contact guidance. Following a bio-mimetic approach, fully aligned polycaprolactone fibers blended with gelatin macromolecules have been fabricated as potential bioactive substrate for nerve regeneration. Morphological and topographic aspects of electrospun fibers assessed by SEM/AFM microscopy supported by image analyses elaboration allow estimating an increase of fully aligned fibers from 5 to 39 % as collector rotating rate increases from 1,000 to 3,000 rpm. We verify that fully alignment of fibers positively influences in vitro response of hMSC and PC-12 cells in neurogenic way. Immunostaining images show that the presence of topological defects, i.e., kinks—due to more frequent fiber crossing—in the case of randomly organized fiber assembly concurs to interfere with proper neurite outgrowth. On the contrary, fully aligned fibers without kinks offer a more efficient contact guidance to direct the orientation of nerve cells along the fibers respect to randomly organized ones, promoting a high elongation of neurites at 7 days and the formation of bipolar extensions. So, this confirms that the topological cue of fully alignment of fibers elicits a favorable environment for nerve regeneration.     

Finite‐volume stress analysis in multi‐material linear elastic body

Correct calculation of stresses at the interface of bonded or otherwise joined materials plays a significant role in many applications. It is therefore important that traction at the material interface is calculated as accurately as possible. This paper describes procedures that can be employed to achieve this goal by using centre‐based finite‐volume method. Total traction at the interface is calculated by decomposing it into normal and tangential components, both being calculated at each side of the interface, and applying the continuity assumption. The way in which the traction approximation is achieved depends on calculation of tangential gradient of displacement at the interface. To this end, three different methods are proposed and validated against problems with known solutions. It was shown that all methods can be successfully used to simulate problems with multi‐material domains, with the procedure based on finite area method being most accurate. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Emulsification of Simulated Gastric Fluids Protects Wheat α-Amylase Inhibitor 0.19 Epitopes from Digestion

Wheat α-amylase inhibitors (α-AIs) are known anti-nutritional factors, respiratory allergens, and they can sporadically cause food allergy. α-AIs are therefore expected to reach the enteric mucosae in an immunologically active form, but information on their stability to gastric digestion is not available. Resistance to pepsinolysis is nonetheless a key factor for any food allergen. We therefore investigated whether α-AIs could resist pepsin digestion in simulated gastric fluids (SGF) and in emulsified SGF, the latter simulating more realistically the multi-phase nature of stomach bolus. Since α-AIs comprise a huge family of proteins, we investigated 0.19 α-AI as a prominent member. The digestion patterns were analyzed by immunoblotting using anti-0.19 polyclonal antibodies and sera from wheat allergic patients sensitized to 0.19 α-AI. The results show that the immune epitopes of α-AI are detectable up to 120 min of digestion in emulsifying conditions. Intra-molecular disulfide bonds and, in particular, emulsification were found to be crucial factors for protein stability. The results show that 0.19 α-AI must be considered a potential food allergen.     

Effect of different fermentation parameters on bioethanol production from corn meal hydrolyzates by free and immobilized cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus

BACKGROUND: Bioethanol produced from renewable biomass, such as corn meal, is a biofuel that is both renewable and environmentally friendly. Significant scientific and technological investments will be needed to achieve substitution of conventional fossil fuels with alternative fuels. The ethanol fermentation of enzymatically obtained corn meal hydrolyzates by free and immobilized cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus yeast in a batch system was studied. The initial glucose and inoculum concentration and the time required for the efficient ethanol production were optimized taking into account parameters such as ethanol concentration, ethanol yield, percentage of the theoretical yield of ethanol and volumetric productivity in both immobilized and free cell systems. RESULTS: The yeast cells were immobilized in Ca–alginate by an electrostatic droplet generation method. An optimal initial inoculum concentration of 2% (v/v) and optimal fermentation time of 38 h for both immobilized and free yeasts were determined. An optimal initial glucose concentration of 150 g L^?1 for free system was achieved. At the initial glucose concentration of 176 g L no substrate or product inhibition were achieved with immobilized yeast. CONCLUSION: By immobilization of the yeast into Ca–alginate using the method of electrostatic droplet generation a superior system was realized, which exhibited lower substrate inhibition and higher tolerance to ethanol. The cells of S. cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus yeast entrapped in Ca–alginate showed good physical and chemical stability, and no substrate and product diffusion restrictions were noticed. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Thermoelastic finite element model updating with application to monumental buildings

A reliable and predictive model of an existing structure entails the use of model updating techniques, which are usually performed on the basis of operational modal analysis campaigns. In this paper, a new model calibration strategy is proposed that adopts a multiphysics approach to exploit data collected by both static and dynamic monitoring systems. More specifically, mechanical and temperature data are assimilated into the model through a thermoelastic updating. The proposed scheme is validated with numerical simulations and applied on the Sanctuary of Vicoforte, a complex historical building that is subjected to both static and dynamic monitoring.     

Association of metabolic syndrome risk factors with selected markers of oxidative status and microinflammation in healthy omnivores and vegetarians

Conditions predisposing to metabolic syndrome (MetS) are associated with increased oxidative stress and inflammation. We studied, in vegetarians (n = 90) and omnivores (n = 46), the impact of the dietary regimen on the occurrence of MetS risk factors (RFs: BMI, blood pressure, glucose metabolism and lipid profile) in relation to oxidative status (advanced glycation end products (AGEs), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), malondialdehyde, ferric reducing ability of plasma, vitamins A, E, C, beta-carotene and superoxide dismutase activity) and microinflammation (C-reactive protein, leukocytes and neopterin). The proportion of subjects without/positive for one or two MetS RFs was comparable between the groups. From the components of MetS only immunoreactive insulin levels differed significantly (95% CI: omnivores: 5.0-7.1 microU/mL, vegetarians: 4.5-5.4, p = 0.03). Omnivores had lower AOPP (omnivores: 0.29-0.36 micromol/g albumin, vegetarians: 0.36-0.52, p = 0.01) and beta-carotene levels than vegetarians, they consumed more calories, proteins, fat and saturated fatty acids, and less fibres, beta-carotene and vitamin C. Multiple regression analysis revealed vitamin E and AOPP levels as the most important independent determinants of MetS RFs. The vegetarian diet seems to exert beneficial effects on MetS RFs associated microinflammation. Whether the vegetarian diet may counteract the deleterious effects of elevated AOPPs and AGEs, remains to be elucidated.