Modeling and Self-Organization Dynamics of Aggregation Processes in Acoustically Levitated Disaccharides Solutions

The present work deals with an analytical model formulated in order to characterize the drying process of acoustically levitated droplets. The model for the drying process is based on the calculation of the mass flux of vapor leaving the droplet surface and on the calculation of the change rate of the liquid droplet mass. The results obtained through the model, in terms of droplet diameter versus time, are compared with experimental data collected on aqueous solutions of trehalose and sucrose by using a video camera. It will be shown how the model predictions are in excellent agreement with the collected experimental data. In particular it emerges that the behaviour of squared droplet diameter as a function of time follows a linear trend for about 20 minutes, reaching then a plateau at longer time. Such a behavior can be explained in terms of water evaporation and disaccharide aggregative processes

Wavelet Study of Meteorological Data Collected by Arduino-Weather Station: Impact on Solar Energy Collection Technology

Meteorological data collected by an automated LSI Lastem weather station connected with an Arduino device for remote acquisition are reported and discussed. Weather station, located at 38° 15’ 35.10’’ N latitude and 15° 35’ 58.86’’ E longitude, registered data which were analysed by wavelet transform to obtain time-frequency characterization of the signals. Such an approach allowed to highlight the correlation existing among the registered meteorological data. The results show a positive correlation between the minimum temperature and the maximum temperature values whereas a negative correlation emerges between daily rainfall and minimum temperature values as well as for daily rainfall and maximum temperature values. These results suggest the possibility to estimate the global and diffuse solar radiation using more reliable climatologic parameters for optimizing solar energy collected by solar panels

Wavelet Study of Meteorological Data Collected by Arduino-Weather Station: Impact on Solar Energy Collection Technology

Meteorological data collected by an automated LSI Lastem weather station connected with an Arduino device for remote acquisition are reported and discussed. Weather station, located at 38° 15’ 35.10’’ N latitude and 15° 35’ 58.86’’ E longitude, registered data which were analysed by wavelet transform to obtain time-frequency characterization of the signals. Such an approach allowed to highlight the correlation existing among the registered meteorological data. The results show a positive correlation between the minimum temperature and the maximum temperature values whereas a negative correlation emerges between daily rainfall and minimum temperature values as well as for daily rainfall and maximum temperature values. These results suggest the possibility to estimate the global and diffuse solar radiation using more reliable climatologic parameters for optimizing solar energy collected by solar panels

Laser Techniques on Acoustically Levitated Droplets

This work reports the results of an experimental study where laser techniques are applied to acoustically levitated droplets of trehalose aqueous solutions in order to perform spectroscopic analyses as a function of concentration and to test the theoretical diameter law. The study of such systems is important in order to better understand the behaviour of trehalose-synthesizing extremophiles that live in extreme environments. In particular, it will be shown how acoustic levitation, combined with optical spectroscopic instruments allows to explore a wide concentration range and to test the validity of the diameter law as a function of levitation lag time, i.e. the D2 vs t law. On this purpose a direct diameter monitoring by a video camera and a laser pointer was first performed; then the diameter was also evaluated by an indirect measure through an OH/CH band area ratio analysis of collected Raman and Infrared spectra. It clearly emerges that D2 vs t follows a linear trend for about 20 minutes, reaching then a plateau at longer time. This result shows how trehalose is able to avoid total water evaporation, this property being essential for the surviving of organisms under extreme environmental conditions

Laser Techniques on Acoustically Levitated Droplets

This work reports the results of an experimental study where laser techniques are applied to acoustically levitated droplets of trehalose aqueous solutions in order to perform spectroscopic analyses as a function of concentration and to test the theoretical diameter law. The study of such systems is important in order to better understand the behaviour of trehalose-synthesizing extremophiles that live in extreme environments. In particular, it will be shown how acoustic levitation, combined with optical spectroscopic instruments allows to explore a wide concentration range and to test the validity of the diameter law as a function of levitation lag time, i.e. the D2 vs t law. On this purpose a direct diameter monitoring by a video camera and a laser pointer was first performed; then the diameter was also evaluated by an indirect measure through an OH/CH band area ratio analysis of collected Raman and Infrared spectra. It clearly emerges that D2 vs t follows a linear trend for about 20 minutes, reaching then a plateau at longer time. This result shows how trehalose is able to avoid total water evaporation, this property being essential for the surviving of organisms under extreme environmental conditions

Neural Plasticity Changes Induced by Motor Robotic Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients: The Contribution of Functional Neuroimaging

Robotic rehabilitation is one of the most advanced treatments helping people with stroke to faster recovery from motor deficits. The clinical impact of this type of treatment has been widely defined and established using clinical scales. The neurofunctional indicators of motor recovery following conventional rehabilitation treatments have already been identified by previous meta-analytic investigations. However, a clear definition of the neural correlates associated with robotic neurorehabilitation treatment has never been performed. This systematic review assesses the neurofunctional correlates (fMRI, fNIRS) of cutting-edge robotic therapies in enhancing motor recovery of stroke populations in accordance with PRISMA standards. A total of 7, of the initial yield of 150 articles, have been included in this review. Lessons from these studies suggest that neural plasticity within the ipsilateral primary motor cortex, the contralateral sensorimotor cortex, and the premotor cortices are more sensitive to compensation strategies reflecting upper and lower limbs’ motor recovery despite the high heterogeneity in robotic devices, clinical status, and neuroimaging procedures. Unfortunately, the paucity of RCT studies prevents us from understanding the neurobiological differences induced by robotic devices with respect to traditional rehabilitation approaches. Despite this technology dating to the early 1990s, there is a need to translate more functional neuroimaging markers in clinical settings since they provide a unique opportunity to examine, in-depth, the brain plasticity changes induced by robotic rehabilitation