Seismic modeling using the frozen Gaussian approximation

We adopt the frozen Gaussian approximation (FGA) for modeling seismic waves. The method belongs to the category of ray-based beam methods. It decomposes seismic wavefield into a set of Gaussian functions and propagates these Gaussian functions along appropriate ray paths. As opposed to the classic Gaussian-beam method, FGA keeps the Gaussians frozen (at a fixed width) during the propagation process and adjusts their amplitudes to produce an accurate approximation after summation. We perform the initial decomposition of seismic data using a fast version of the Fourier-Bros-Iagolnitzer (FBI) transform and propagate the frozen Gaussian beams numerically using ray tracing. A test using a smoothed Marmousi model confirms the validity of FGA for accurate modeling of seismic wavefields.Comment: 5 pages, 8 figure

Bioinformatics and mathematical modelling in the study of receptor-receptor interactions and receptor oligomerization: focus on adenosine receptors.

none8sìThe concept of intra-membrane receptor-receptor interactions (RRIs) between different types of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and evidence for their existence was introduced by Agnati and Fuxe in 1980/81 through the biochemical analysis of the effects of neuropeptides on the binding characteristics of monoamine receptors in membrane preparations from discrete brain regions and functional studies of the interactions between neuropeptides and monoamines in the control of specific functions such as motor control and arterial blood pressure control in animal models. Whether GPCRs can form high-order structures is still a topic of an intense debate. Increasing evidence, however, suggests that the hypothesis of the existence of high-order receptor oligomers is correct. A fundamental consequence of the view describing GPCRs as interacting structures, with the likely formation at the plasma membrane of receptor aggregates of multiple receptors (Receptor Mosaics) is that it is no longer possible to describe signal transduction simply as the result of the binding of the chemical signal to its receptor, but rather as the result of a filtering/integration of chemical signals by the Receptor Mosaics (RMs) and membrane-associated proteins. Thus, in parallel with experimental research, significant efforts were spent in bioinformatics and mathematical modelling. We review here the main approaches that have been used to assess the interaction interfaces allowing the assembly of GPCRs and to shed some light on the integrative functions emerging from the complex behaviour of these RMs. Particular attention was paid to the RMs generated by adenosine A(2A), dopamine D-2, cannabinoid CB1, and metabotropic glutamate mGlu(5) receptors (A(2A). D-2, CB1, and mGlu(5), respectively), and a possible approach to model the interplay between the D-2-A(2A)-CB1 and D-2-A(2A)-mGlu(5) trimers is proposed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: "Adenosine Receptors". (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.openD. GUIDOLIN; F. CIRUELA; S. GENEDANI; M. GUESCINI; C. TORTORELLA; G. ALBERTIN; K. FUXE; L.F. AGNATID., Guidolin; F., Ciruela; S., Genedani; Guescini, Michele; C., Tortorella; G., Albertin; K., Fuxe; L. F., Agnat

X‐ray Tomography Unveils the Construction Technique of Un‐Montu’s Egyptian Coffin (Early 26th Dynasty)

The Bologna Archaeological Museum, in cooperation with prestigious Italian universities, institutions, and independent scholars, recently began a vast investigation programme on a group of Egyptian coffins of Theban provenance dating to the first millennium BC, primarily the 25th–26th Dynasty (c. 746–525 BC). Herein, we present the results of the multidisciplinary investigation car-ried out on one of these coffins before its restoration intervention: the anthropoid wooden coffin of Un‐Montu (Inv. MCABo EG1960). The integration of radiocarbon dating, wood species identifica-tion, and CT imaging enabled a deep understanding of the coffin’s wooden structure. In particular, we discuss the results of the tomographic investigation performed in situ. The use of a transportable X‐ray facility largely reduced the risks associated with the transfer of the large object (1.80 cm tall) out of the museum without compromising image quality. Thanks to the 3D tomographic imaging, the coffin revealed the secrets of its construction technique, from the rational use of wood to the employment of canvas (incamottatura), from the use of dowels to the assembly procedure

THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE: THE FLORA IN URBAN BACKYARDS OF DIFFERENT SOCIAL CLASSES

Outside the gate of the outer court there is a large garden of about four acres with a wall all around it. It is full of beautiful trees-pears, pomegranates, and the most delicious apples. There are luscious figs also, and olives in full growth. The fruits never rot nor fail all the year round, neither winter nor summer, for the air is so soft that a new crop ripens before the old has dropped. Pear grows on pear, apple on apple

Multi-layer coating development for XEUS

Graded depth multi-layer coatings have the potential to optimise the performance of X-ray reflective surfaces for improved energy response. A study of deposition techniques on silicon substrates representative of the XEUS High Performance Pore Optics (HPO) technology has been carried out. Measurements at synchrotron radiation facilities have been used to confirm the excellent performance improvements achievable with Mo/Si and W/Si multilayers. Future activities that will be necessary to implement such coatings in the HPO assembly sequence are highlighted. Further coating developments that may allow an optimisation of the XEUS effective area in light of potential changes to science requirements and telescope configurations are also identified. Finally an initial measurement of effects of radiation damage within the multilayers is reported

Componentes de variância, ganhos genéticos e interações genótipos/ambientes em progênies de pupunha no Estado do Paraná.

Resumo

AVALIAÇÃO DA DISPOSIÇÃO FINAL DE RESÍDUOS SÓLIDOS URBANOS NO MUNICÍPIO DE CIANORTE, PARANÁ.

In environmental management urban systems, one main problems being faced by municipalities is final disposal of municipal solid waste. Some them managed to find solutions to these problems and implemented for MSW landfills that meet the environmental and health criteria and are considered examples. In this context, this paper presents an evaluation the landfill of Cianorte City, Paraná administered by Companhia de Saneamento do Parana (SANEPAR). For this evaluation was applied the Index of Quality of Waste Landfill (IQW) which is used by the Companhia Ambiental of São Paulo (CETESB). The results showed that landfill Cianorte City presents adequate conditions to get index 9.4. However, some problems were observed regarding the site characteristics, infrastructure and operational conditions, for which some proposals in order to adapt the current system final disposal of Cianorte City.Na gestão ambiental dos sistemas urbanos, um dos principais problemas a ser enfrentado pelos municípios é a disposição final adequada dos resíduos sólidos urbanos. Alguns deles conseguiram encontrar soluções para estes problemas e implantaram aterros sanitários de resíduos sólidos domiciliares e comerciais que atendem os critérios ambientais e sanitários e são considerados exemplos. Neste contexto, este trabalho apresenta a avaliação do aterro sanitário do município de Cianorte, estado do Paraná administrado pela Companhia de Saneamento do Paraná (SANEPAR). Para esta avaliação foi aplicado o Índice de Qualidade de Aterro de Resíduos (IQR) que é utilizado pela Companhia Ambiental do Estado de São Paulo (CETESB). Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que o aterro sanitário de Cianorte apresentam condições adequadas ao apresentar índice de 9,4. Todavia, foram observados alguns problemas referentes às características do local, infraestrutura e condições operacionais, para os quais são apresentadas algumas propostas com o intuito de adequar o atual sistema de disposição final do município

From closed testaments to books: Virtual X-ray Reading as an alternate digitization technology for fragile documents

In recent years, research and technology made considerable progress in increasing the speed and the safety of the entire digtization process of ancient collections. Despite this, imaging ancient, fragile or un-opened documents remains a formidable challenge. We employ an alternate digitization technique for hand-written documents, exploiting x-ray tomography: Virtual X-ray Reading. Thanks to the high penetration of x-rays, we can acquire 3-dimensional (3D) tomographic images of a multi-page document without opening it. The x-ray contrast necessary for the readability is produced by the chemical composition and the consequent strong x-ray absorption of the iron gall inks - largely used for European handwritten documents. We present the development of this technology, from the chemical investigations of the inks to the tomography of an unopened Venetian testament and of an 18th century, 200-page, handwritten book