Nonlocal thermoelectricity in a Cooper-pair splitter

We investigate the nonlocal thermoelectric transport in a Cooper-pair splitter based on a double-quantum-dot-superconductor three-terminal hybrid structure. We find that the nonlocal coupling between the superconductor and the quantum dots gives rise to nonlocal thermoelectric effects which originate from the nonlocal particle-hole breaking of the system. We show that Cooper-pair splitting induces the generation of a thermo-current in the superconducting lead without any transfer of charge between the two normal metal leads. Conversely, we show that a nonlocal heat exchange between the normal leads is mediated by non-local Andreev reflection. We discuss the influence of finite Coulomb interaction and study under which conditions nonlocal power generation becomes possible, and when the Cooper-pair splitter can be employed as a cooling device.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figure

Unraveling the connection: visceral adipose tissue and vitamin D levels in obesity

Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are widespread on a global scale, with multiple factors playing a role in their development, such as limited exposure to sunlight, inadequate dietary consumption, as well as obesity and abdominal fat accumulation. Abdominal obesity, assessed with waist circumference (WC), is associated with metabolic syndrome and has been linked to low vitamin D levels. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and vitamin D levels, particularly examining the potential threshold for vitamin D storage and sequestration using adipose tissue. The study was conducted between 2020 and 2022 with 58 patients from an internal medicine outpatient department. Patients with certain medical conditions and those taking medications affecting bone metabolism were excluded. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after 6 months of monthly cholecalciferol supplementation. Ultrasonography was used to evaluate adipose tissue measurements, including subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness, VAT, preperitoneal adipose tissue (PPAT), and prerenal adipose tissue (PRAT). Anthropometric measures such as the waist-to-hip ratio and waist-to-height ratio were also assessed. The results showed that all subjects had significant hypovitaminosis D at baseline. After 6 months of supplementation, the mean increase in vitamin D levels was 9.6 ng/mL, with 55.2% of subjects becoming deficient. The study revealed a significant correlation between follow-up vitamin D levels and waist circumference, hip circumference, and VAT. VAT exhibited a strong correlation not only with vitamin D levels but also with waist circumference. When analyzing gender differences, males showed a higher weight and waist-to-hip ratio, while females had higher body adiposity indexes and subcutaneous adipose tissue measurements. In conclusion, this study highlights the relationship between VAT and vitamin D levels, emphasizing the potential role of adipose tissue in vitamin D availability. Waist circumference was identified as a surrogate measure for VAT evaluation. Furthermore, the study showed variations in vitamin D response to supplementation between genders, with a higher percentage of males reaching normal vitamin D levels. Predictive factors for vitamin D levels differed between genders, with waist circumference being a significant predictor in males and body adiposity index in females

Superconducting proximity effect in interacting quantum dots revealed by shot noise

We study the full counting statistics of charge transport through a quantum dot tunnel-coupled to one normal and one superconducting lead with a large superconducting gap. As function of the level detuning, there is a crossover from a regime with strong superconducting correlations in the quantum dot to a regime in which the proximity effect on the quantum dot is suppressed. We analyze the current fluctuations of this crossover in the shot-noise regime. In particular, we predict that the full counting statistics changes from Poissonian with charge 2e, typical for Cooper pairs, to Poissonian with charge e, when the superconducting proximity effect is present. Thus, the onset of the superconducting proximity effect is revealed by the reduction of the Fano factor from 2 to 1.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Effects of a 4400 km ultra-cycling non-competitive race and related training on body composition and circulating progenitors differentiation

Background: NorthCape4000 (NC4000) is the most participated ultra-endurance cycling race. Eight healthy male Caucasian amateur cyclists were evaluated: (a) before starting the preparation period; (b) in the week preceding NC4000 (after the training period); (c) after NC4000 race, with the aim to identify the effects of ultra-cycling on body composition, aerobic capacity and biochemical parameters as well as on the differentiation of progenitor cells. Methods: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) assessed body composition; cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) evaluated aerobic capacity. Differentiation of circulating progenitor cells was evaluated by analyzing the modulation in the expression of relevant transcription factors. In addition, in vitro experiments were performed to investigate the effects of sera of NC4000 participants on adipogenesis and myogenesis. The effects of NC4000 sera on Sestrins and Sirtuin modulation and the promotion of brown adipogenesis in progenitor cells was investigated as well. Two-tailed Student's paired-test was used to perform statistical analyses. Results: We observed fat mass decrease after training as well as after NC4000 performance; we also recorded that vitamin D and lipid profiles were affected by ultra-cycling. In addition, our findings demonstrated that post-NC4000 participant's pooled sera exerted a positive effect in stimulating myogenesis and in inducing brown adipogenesis in progenitor cells. Conclusions: The training program and Ultra-cycling lead to beneficial effects on body composition and biochemical lipid parameters, as well as changes in differentiation of progenitor cells, with significant increases in brown adipogenesis and in MYOD levels

Modulation of miR-146b Expression during Aging and the Impact of Physical Activity on Its Expression and Chondrogenic Progenitors

The finding of molecules associated with aging is important for the prevention of chronic degenerative diseases and for longevity strategies. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are post-transcriptional regulators involved in many biological processes and miR-146b-5p has been shown to be involved in different degenerative diseases. However, miR-146b-5p modulation has not been evaluated in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) commitment or during aging. Therefore, the modulation of miR-146b-5p in the commitment and differentiation of mesenchymal cells as well as during maturation and aging in zebrafish model were analyzed. In addition, circulating miR-146b-5p was evaluated in human subjects at different age ranges. Thus, the role of physical activity in the modulation of miR-146b-5p was also investigated. To achieve these aims, RT (real-time)-PCR, Western blot, cell transfections, and three-dimensional (3D) culture techniques were applied. Our findings show that miR-146b-5p expression drives MSCs to adipogenic differentiation and increases during zebrafish maturation and aging. In addition, miR-146b-5p expression is higher in females compared to males and it is associated with the aging in humans. Interestingly, we also observed that the physical activity of walking downregulates circulating miR-146b-5p levels in human females and increases the number of chondroprogenitors. In conclusion, miR-146b-5p can be considered an age-related marker and can represent a useful marker for identifying strategies, such as physical activity, aimed at counteracting the degenerative processes of aging

Therapeutic Value and Innovation of a Drug and Criteria for Evaluation: A Multidisciplinary Experience in the Veneto Region

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Limite e connessione, riqualificazione urbana nell'area del foro boario di Lecce

Alla base di questa ricerca che parte dallo studio dello spazio pubblico legato alla mobilità veloce c'è l'obiettivo di trasformare uno spazio complesso in un luogo per le relazioni. Il foro boario di Lecce offre uno spunto progettuale per ripensare limiti e connessioni tra la compattezza della città storica e il disordine della periferi

Nonlocal thermoelectricity in a Cooper-pair splitter

We investigate the nonlocal thermoelectric transport in a Cooper-pair splitter based on a double-quantum-dot-superconductor three-terminal hybrid structure. We find that the nonlocal coupling between the superconductor and the quantum dots gives rise to nonlocal thermoelectric effects which originate from the nonlocal particle-hole breaking of the system. We show that Cooper-pair splitting induces the generation of a thermo-current in the superconducting lead without any transfer of charge between the two normal metal leads. Conversely, we show a nonlocal heat exchange between the normal leads mediated by non-local Andreev reflection. We discuss the influence of finite Coulomb interaction and study under which conditions nonlocal power generation becomes possible, and when the Cooper-pair splitter can be employed as a cooling device.publishe

Linezolid-induced black hairy tongue

Black hairy tongue (BHT) is a self-limiting disorder characterized by abnormal hypertrophy and elongation of filiform papillae on the surface of the tongue. The exact mechanism of drug-induced BHT is unknown. Several factors have been implicated and included smoking or chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol, poor oral hygiene and antibiotics such as tetracyclines and penicillins. We report a quite uncommon case of Linezolid-induced BHT in a patient with a long-lasting history of chest wall infection