Scale-Free model for governing universe dynamics

We investigate the effects of scale-free model on cosmology, providing, in this way, a statistical background in the framework of general relativity. In order to discuss properties and time evolution of some relevant universe dynamical parameters (cosmographic parameters), such as $H(t)$ (Hubble parameter), $q(t)$ (deceleration parameter), $j(t)$ (jerk parameter) and $s(t)$ (snap parameter), which are well re-defined in the framework of scale-free model, we analyze a comparison between WMAP data. Hence the basic purpose of the work is to consider this statistical interpretation of mass distribution of universe, in order to have a mass density $\rho$ dynamics, not inferred from Friedmann equations, via scale factor $a(t)$. This model, indeed, has been used also to explain a possible origin and a viable explanation of cosmological constant, which assumes a statistical interpretation without the presence of extended theories of gravity; hence the problem of dark energy could be revisited in the context of a classical probability distribution of mass, which is, in particular, for the scale-free model, $P(k)\sim k^{-\gamma}$, with $2<\gamma<3$. The $\Lambda$CDM model becomes, with these considerations, a consequence of the particular statistics together with the use of general relativity.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

An Analysis of Prosthodontic Research Productivity: Geographic, Economic, and Collaborative Perspective

Purpose: This study evaluated the quantity of prosthodontic literature produced globally by continent in three prosthodontic journals over a 10‐year period, 1998–2008. Prosthodontic research productivity relative to economic status of countries and collaboration among countries grouped by economic status was assessed. Materials and Methods: Three peer‐reviewed prosthodontic journals were used for the analysis of articles published in 1998, 2003, and 2008: The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, International Journal of Prosthodontics , and Journal of Prosthodontics . The country of every author listed for each included article was recorded. The number of articles published by each continent and each country was reported. Countries were grouped according to the World Bank economic classification system, and the number of articles published by each economic class was found. Results: The majority of publications over the 10‐year period were produced in Asia (Japan), Europe (Germany), and North America (USA). Productivity declined by 14.4% in high‐income countries while it increased in upper middle‐, lower middle‐, and low‐income countries. The majority of publications written by upper and lower middle‐ and low‐income countries were independent works. Articles resulting from collaboration increased over time for all economic classes of countries. Conclusions: The origins of prosthodontic literature are becoming more geographically and economically diverse, with increased contributions from Africa, Asia, and South America, and middle‐ and low‐income countries between 1998 and 2008. Collaboration between high‐income countries and the other economic group countries increased over time.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/90374/1/j.1532-849X.2011.00776.x.pd

Simultaneous adsorption of Cd2+ and reactive dye on mesoporous nanocarbons

High-surface-area mesoporous MgO-templated nanocarbons made with reinforcing fibres from scrap tyres and a bituminous waste as carbon precursors were employed for the simultaneous adsorption of Cd2+ and reactive Cibacron Brilliant Yellow 3G-P dye. A commercial activated carbon (AC) Darco KB-WJ was also used for comparison purposes. The effect of the pH of the solution was studied to establish whether acidic pH favours the adsorption of reactive dye and alkaline pH improves the removal of Cd2+. Because the surface chemistry of the three adsorbents was similar, the focus in this study was directed towards their textural characteristics. It was found that the larger the SBET, the greater the amount of dye removal. The adsorption isotherms corresponding to the commercial AC fitted to the Langmuir-Freundlich model, whereas in the case of the nanocarbons the Langmuir model provided the best fit. The results obtained show that Cd2+ is successfully adsorbed in the presence of the dye due to the ion exchange between the Na+ from the dye and the Cd2+. It was also found that a high total and mesopore volume, and a high SBET played a determinant role in the simultaneous adsorption

Improvement of learning through European educational projects

Proceedings TEEM 2020: Eighth International Conference on Technological Ecosystems for Enhancing Multiculturality.[EN]The purpose of this article is to set out the research plan for the doctoral thesis, which deals with the definition of a methodological guide for the successful use of digital technologies in education, especially in eLearning, taking as a reference European educational projects that have been successful in achieving an improvement in the teaching and learning process. We live in an increasingly digital society that requires citizens to be prepared to adapt to the needs of the moment and to solve the problems that arise. For this to be possible, the education system must be prepared to adequately train future citizens who will join a changing labor market. To this end, teachers must be trained and know how to carry out efficient educational projects that allow them to make the most of the potential of ICT in the classroom or in distance education. The situation experienced during the 2019-2020 school year with the COVID-19 pandemic has tested the education system and its ability to adapt to a situation where the use of distance education was required and where ICT was very much needed in most of the cases to bring education to the homes. These factors make it very necessary to work for a better teaching professionalization. Therefore, the main objective of this PhD work is to enable teachers to design their projects, involving electronic learning, in a more effective way. To achieve this, what better than to use the educational projects compiled in the Erasmus+ results platform, which allow the analysis of project typology, outcomes, topics and to see those that have been catalogued as a good practice or success story. This database will be a key tool to gather information together with the collaboration of the main actors of those projects that have been successful. A methodological guide would allow teachers and teacher trainers to know the key factors that help to achieve a good design of educational projects and allow an optimal use of ICT resources and the greatest impact on the teaching-learning process

Fine details in complex environments: the power of cryo-electron tomography

Cryo-electron tomography (CET) is uniquely suited to obtain structural information from a wide range of biological scales, integrating and bridging knowledge from molecules to cells. In particular, CET can be used to visualise molecular structures in their native environment. Depending on the experiment, a varying degree of resolutions can be achieved, with the first near-atomic molecular structures becoming recently available. The power of CET has increased significantly in the last 5 years, in parallel with improvements in cryo-EM hardware and software that have also benefited single-particle reconstruction techniques. In this review, we cover the typical CET pipeline, starting from sample preparation, to data collection and processing, and highlight in particular the recent developments that support structural biology We provide some examples that highlight the importance of structure determination of molecules embedded within their native environment, and propose future directions to improve CET performance and accessibility. [Abstract copyright: © 2018 The Author(s).

Lesional-targeting of neuroprotection to the inflammatory penumbra in experimental multiple sclerosis

The authors would like to thank the support of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (USA) and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Cytogenetic analysis of five Hypostomus species (Siluriformes, Loricariidae)

In this work, we analyzed the karyotypes of five Hypostomus species. Hypostomus cf. heraldoi, from the Mogi-Guaçu River, had 2n = 72 chromosomes, with a nucleolar organizer region (NOR) in one chromosomal pair. Hypostomus regani, from the Mogi-Guaçu River had 2n = 72 chromosomes with NORs in two chromosomal pairs. Hypostomus sp., from the Mogi-Guaçu River basin, had 2n = 68 chromosomes, with NORs in two chromosomal pairs. Hypostomus aff. agna, from Cavalo Stream, had 2n = 74 chromosomes with NORs in two chromosomal pairs. Hypostomus cf. topavae, from Carrapato Stream, had 2n = 80 chromosomes, with NORs in two chromosomal pairs. Hypostomus species showed marked diversity in the karyotypic formula, which suggested the occurrence of several Robertsonian rearrangements and pericentric inversions during the evolutionary history of this genus. This hypothesis was supported by the occurrence of a large number of uniarmed chromosomes and multiple NORs in a terminal position in most species and may be a derived condition in the Loricariidae

Dactylitis is an indicator of a more severe phenotype independently associated with greater SJC, CRP, ultrasound synovitis and erosive damage in DMARD-naive early psoriatic arthritis

Objective: To characterise the impact of dactylitis in disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)-naive early psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Methods: Patients with early PsA meeting the classification criteria for PsA (CASPAR) were recruited. Clinical outcomes were recorded, and ultrasonography was conducted to assess grey scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD) synovitis, periarticular cortical bone erosions and enthesitis. The cohort was dichotomised by the presence or absence of dactylitis. Results: Of 177 patients with PsA, those with dactylitis (dactylitic PsA (81/177, 46%)) had higher tender joint count (p<0.01), swollen joint count (SJC) (p<0.001) and C reactive protein (CRP) (p<0.01) than non-dactylitic PsA. Dactylitis was more prevalent in toes (146/214 (68.2%)) than fingers (68/214 (31.8%)); ‘hot’ dactylitis was more prevalent than ‘cold’ (83.6% vs 16.4%). Ultrasound (US) synovitis and erosions were significantly more prevalent in dactylitic PsA (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Exclusion of dactylitis in dactylitic PsA confirmed significantly greater SJC (3 vs 1, p=0.002), US synovitis (GS ≥2: 20.6% vs 16.1%, p<0.001, or PD ≥1: 5.1% vs 3.3%, p<0.001) and erosions (1.1% vs 0.5% joints, p=0.008; 26.1% vs 12.8% patients, p=0.035%) than non-dactylitic PsA. Synovitis (GS ≥2 and/or PD ≥1) occurred in 53.7% of dactylitis. No substantial differences were observed for US enthesitis. Conclusion: Dactylitis signifies a more severe disease phenotype independently associated with an increased disease burden with greater SJC, CRP, US-detected synovitis and bone erosions in DMARD-naive early PsA and may be a useful discriminator for early risk stratification