Combined aptamer and transcriptome sequencing of single cells.

The transcriptome and proteome encode distinct information that is important for characterizing heterogeneous biological systems. We demonstrate a method to simultaneously characterize the transcriptomes and proteomes of single cells at high throughput using aptamer probes and droplet-based single cell sequencing. With our method, we differentiate distinct cell types based on aptamer surface binding and gene expression patterns. Aptamers provide advantages over antibodies for single cell protein characterization, including rapid, in vitro, and high-purity generation via SELEX, and the ability to amplify and detect them with PCR and sequencing

Fatou flowers and parabolic curves

In this survey we collect the main results known up to now (July 2015) regarding possible generalizations to several complex variables of the classical Leau-Fatou flower theorem about holomorphic parabolic dynamics

Localization of Atiyah classes

We construct the Atiyah classes of holomorphic vector bundles using (1,0)-connections and developing a Chern–Weil type theory, allowing us to effectively compare Chern and Atiyah forms. Combining this point of view with the Čech–Dolbeault cohomology, we prove several results about vanishing and localization of Atiyah classes, and give some applications. In particular, we prove a Bott type vanishing theorem for (not necessarily involutive) holomorphic distributions. As an example we also present an explicit computation of the residue of a singular distribution on the normal bundle of an invariant submanifold that arises from the Camacho–Sad type localization

Efficient photosynthesis of carbon monoxide from CO2 using perovskite photovoltaics

Artificial photosynthesis, mimicking nature in its efforts to store solar energy, has received considerable attention from the research community. Most of these attempts target the production of H2 as a fuel and our group recently demonstrated solar-to-hydrogen conversion at 12.3% efficiency. Here, in an effort to take this approach closer to real photosynthesis, which is based on the conversion of CO2, we demonstrate the efficient reduction of CO2 to carbon monoxide driven solely by simulated sunlight using water as the electron source. Employing series-connected perovskite photovoltaics and high-performance catalyst electrodes, we reach a solar-to-CO efficiency exceeding 6.5%, which represents a new benchmark in sunlight-driven CO2 conversion. Considering hydrogen as a secondary product, an efficiency exceeding 7% is observed. Furthermore, this study represents one of the first demonstrations of extended, stable operation of perovskite photovoltaics, whose large open-circuit voltage is shown to be particularly suited for this process

VANTAGGI DELL’UTILIZZO DEL SISTEMA DOSIMETRICO OSL IN CASO DI EMERGENZA

VANTAGGI DELL’UTILIZZO DEL SISTEMA DOSIMETRICO OSL IN CASO DI EMERGENZA S. Abate, F. Campi, L. Garlati, O. Tambussi Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Energia, via La Masa 34, 20156 Milano [email protected] Il sistema dosimetrico per corpo intero OSL (Optically Stimulated Luminescence) è un tipo di dosimetria che si sta sempre più diffondendo in vari paesi. In Europa molti centri di ricerca si sono dotati di un proprio sistema dosimetrico, mentre commercialmente Landauer rappresenta il maggior fornitore di tale servizio dosimetrico, ma anche del sistema stesso (dosimetri e apparecchio di lettura). Il vantaggio di questo tipo di dosimetro consiste nella semplicità e velocità di lettura e azzeramento, anche se risulta meno affidabile dei film-badge. Inoltre, rispetto ai dosimetri a TL, risultano essere più stabili nel tempo, non dovendo subire cicli termici che ne alterano la struttura cristallina e di conseguenza le loro performance. Questo permette di utilizzare, leggere e azzerare anche il singolo dosimetro e non l’intero lotto di appartenenza. Questa caratteristica permette di utilizzare il dosimetro a OSL come un dosimetro passivo, ma col vantaggio della lettura indiretta al termine delle operazioni, proprio come per un dosimetro elettronico viene effettuata la lettura diretta su display. In questo lavoro si vogliono paragonare i vantaggi e gli svantaggi dei sistemi dosimetrici tradizionali (film-badge e TLD) con il sistema OSL. Si presentano i risultati sperimentali delle performance (dipendenza energetica, dosimetrica e angolare) del sistema dosimetrico OSL Inlight con sistema di lettura MicroStar. Infine si presentano i risultati degli irraggiamenti condotti in parallelo presso un centro LAT tra il sistema OSL e i dosimetri elettronici DMC 2000 (Mirion Technologies). Le caratteristiche di questo dosimetro permettono di concludere che questo tipo di sistema dosimetrico ha degli aspetti positivi per il suo utilizzo in caso di emergenza radiologica senza i costi di una dosimetria con strumentazione attiva

Game Theory Models for Multi-Robot Patrolling of Infraestructures

Abstract This work is focused on the problem of performing multi‐robot patrolling for infrastructure security applications in order to protect a known environment at critical facilities. Thus, given a set of robots and a set of points of interest, the patrolling task consists of constantly visiting these points at irregular time intervals for security purposes. Current existing solutions for these types of applications are predictable and inflexible. Moreover, most of the previous centralized and deterministic solutions and only few efforts have been made to integrate dynamic methods. Therefore, the development of new dynamic and decentralized collaborative approaches in order to solve the aforementioned problem by implementing learning models from Game Theory. The model selected in this work that includes belief‐based and reinforcement models as special cases is called Experience‐Weighted Attraction. The problem has been defined using concepts of Graph Theory to represent the environment in order to work with such Game Theory techniques. Finally, the proposed methods have been evaluated experimentally by using a patrolling simulator. The results obtained have been compared with previous availabl

Dynamics in Several Complex Variables

In this chapter we shall describe the dynamics of holomorphic self-maps of taut manifolds, and in particular the dynamics of holomorphic self-maps of convex and strongly pseudoconvex domains. A main tool in this exploration will be provided by the Kobayashi distance

σ2 receptor and its role in cancer with focus on a multitarget directed ligand (Mtdl) approach

Sigma-2 (σ2) is an endoplasmic receptor identified as the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) transmembrane protein TMEM97. Despite its controversial identity, which was only recently solved, this protein has gained scientific interest because of its role in the proliferative status of cells; many tumor cells from different organs overexpress the σ2 receptor, and many σ2 ligands display cytotoxic actions in (resistant) cancer cells. These properties have shed light on the σ2 receptor as a potential druggable target to be bound/activated for the diagnosis or therapy of tumors. Additionally, diverse groups have shown how the σ2 receptor can be exploited for the targeted delivery of the anticancer drugs to tumors. As the cancer disease is a multifactorial pathology with multiple cell populations, a polypharmacological approach is very often needed. Instead of the simultaneous administration of different classes of drugs, the use of one molecule that interacts with diverse pharmacological targets, namely MultiTarget Directed Ligand (MTDL), is a promising and currently pursued strategy, that may overcome the pharmacokinetic problems associated with the administration of multiple molecules. This review aims to point out the progress regarding the σ2 ligands in the oncology field, with a focus on MTDLs directed towards σ2 receptors as promising weapons against (resistant) cancer diseases