244 research outputs found
Singular kernels, multiscale decomposition of microstructure, and dislocation models
We consider a model for dislocations in crystals introduced by Koslowski,
Cuiti\~no and Ortiz, which includes elastic interactions via a singular kernel
behaving as the norm of the slip. We obtain a sharp-interface limit
of the model within the framework of -convergence. From an analytical
point of view, our functional is a vector-valued generalization of the one
studied by Alberti, Bouchitt\'e and Seppecher to which their rearrangement
argument no longer applies. Instead we show that the microstructure must be
approximately one-dimensional on most length scales and exploit this property
to derive a sharp lower bound
Rank-(n – 1) convexity and quasiconvexity for divergence free fields
No description supplie
Convergence of nonlocal threshold dynamics approximations to front propagation
In this note we prove that appropriately scaled threshold dynamics-type
algorithms corresponding to the fractional Laplacian of order converge to moving fronts. When the resulting interface
moves by weighted mean curvature, while for the normal velocity is
nonlocal of ``fractional-type.'' The results easily extend to general nonlocal
anisotropic threshold dynamics schemes.Comment: 19 page
Mechanochemical effects underlying the mechanically activated catalytic hydrogenation of carbon monoxide
In this work, we highlight and measure the intensity of mechanochemical effects at work in the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide by comparing the activity of a supported Co-Fe catalyst subjected, respectively, to ball milling and simple powder agitation. Paying due regard to the discontinuous nature of ball milling, we show that mechanochemical hydrogenation proceeds at significantly higher rate and disclose its connection with individual impacts. Experimental evidence suggests that the enhanced catalytic activity we observe can be ascribed to local processes affecting the amount of powder that gets involved in individual impacts
Stem cells and physical energies: can we really drive stem cell fate?
Adult stem cells are undifferentiated elements able to self-renew or differentiate to maintain tissue integrity. Within this context, stem cells are able to divide in a symmetric fashion, feature characterising all the somatic cells, or in an asymmetric way, which leads daughter cells to different fates. It is worth highlighting that cell polarity have a critical role in regulating stem cell asymmetric division and the proper control of cell division depends on different proteins involved in cell development, differentiation and maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Moreover, the interaction between cells and the extracellular matrix are crucial in influencing cell behavior, included in terms of mechanical properties as cytoskeleton plasticity and remodelling, and membrane tension. Finally, the activation of specific transcriptional program and epigenetic modifications contributes to cell fate determination, through modulation of cellular signalling cascades. It is well known that physical and mechanical stimuli are able to influence biological systems, and in this context, the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have already shown a considerable role, even though there is a lack of knowledge and much remains to be done around this topic. In this review, we summarize the historical background of EMFs applications and the main molecular mechanism involved in cellular remodelling, with particular attention to cytoskeleton elasticity and cell polarity, required for driving stem cell behavior
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Inverse optical tomography through PDE constrained optimisation in L∞
Fluorescent Optical Tomography (FOT) is a new bio-medical imaging method with wider industrial applications. It is currently intensely researched since it is very precise and with no side effects for humans, as it uses
non-ionising red and infrared light. Mathematically, FOT can be modelled as
an inverse parameter identification problem, associated with a coupled elliptic
system with Robin boundary conditions. Herein we utilise novel methods of
Calculus of Variations in L∞ to lay the mathematical foundations of FOT
which we pose as a PDE-constrained minimisation problem in Lp and L∞
Unravelling cellular mechanisms of stem cell senescence: An aid from natural bioactive molecules
Cellular senescence plays a role in the onset of age-related pathologies and in the loss of tissue homeostasis. Natural compounds of food or plants exert an important antioxidant activity, counteracting the formation of harmful free radicals. In the presence of an intense stressing event, cells activate specific responses to counteract senescence or cell death. In the present paper, we aimed at evaluating the levels of expression of specific markers of senescence, in order to demonstrate that extracts from Myrtus Communis L. can prevent premature senescence in ADSCs exposed to oxidative stress. Cells were cultured in the presence of Myrtus extracts for 12–24 and 48 h and then incubated with H2O2 to induce senescence. We then evaluated the expression of senescence-related markers p16, p19, p21, p53, TERT, c-Myc, and the senescence-associated β-Galactoidase activity. Our results showed that pre-treatment with Myrtus extracts protects cells from premature senescence, by regulating the cell cycle, and inducing the expression of TERT and c-Myc. These findings suggest a potential application of these natural compounds in the prevention and treatment of various diseases, counteracting premature senescence and preserving tissue functions
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