A Novel Path Sampling Method for the Calculation of Rate Constants

We derive a novel efficient scheme to measure the rate constant of transitions between stable states separated by high free energy barriers in a complex environment within the framework of transition path sampling. The method is based on directly and simultaneously measuring the fluxes through many phase space interfaces and increases the efficiency with at least a factor of two with respect to existing transition path sampling rate constant algorithms. The new algorithm is illustrated on the isomerization of a diatomic molecule immersed in a simple fluid.Comment: 14 pages, including 13 figures, RevTeX

Rate constants for diffusive processes by partial path sampling

We introduce a path sampling method for the computation of rate constants for systems with a highly diffusive character. Based on the recently developed algorithm of transition interface sampling (TIS) this procedure increases the efficiency by sampling only parts of complete transition trajectories confined within a certain region. The algorithm assumes the loss of memory for highly diffusive progression along the reaction coordinate. We compare the new technique to the TIS method for a simple diatomic system and show that the computation time of the new method scales linearly, instead of quadraticaly, with the length of the diffusive barrier. The validity of the memory loss assumption is also discussed.Comment: 12 pages, including 8 figures, RevTeX

C/O white dwarfs of very low mass: 0.33-0.5 Mo

The standard lower limit for the mass of white dwarfs (WDs) with a C/O core is roughly 0.5 Mo. In the present work we investigated the possibility to form C/O WDs with mass as low as 0.33 Mo. Both the pre-WD and the cooling evolution of such nonstandard models will be described.Comment: Submitted to the "Proceedings of the 16th European White Dwarf Workshop" (to be published JPCS). 7 pages including 13 figure

Canonical solution of a system of long-range interacting rotators on a lattice

The canonical partition function of a system of rotators (classical X-Y spins) on a lattice, coupled by terms decaying as the inverse of their distance to the power alpha, is analytically computed. It is also shown how to compute a rescaling function that allows to reduce the model, for any d-dimensional lattice and for any alpha<d, to the mean field (alpha=0) model.Comment: Initially submitted to Physical Review Letters: following referees' Comments it has been transferred to Phys. Rev. E, because of supposed no general interest. Divided into sections, corrections in (5) and (20), reference 5 updated. 8 pages 1 figur

SELF ASSESSMENT: A CRUCIAL PROCESS IN E-TRAINING

The paper offers a discussion about the concept of training from a psychological point of view. Training is a process that concerns a lifelong learning perspective, especially if referred to e-learning and on line activities. We present the Child Observation in School Context Workshop, an experience of e-training at Macerata University. We intend to stress the crucial relevance of self assessment in training processes that involve adults\u2019 participation. We describe the methodology used in the Workshop, according to the on line educational context. Besides peer discussion and negotiation, we pay attention to the final phase of the training process. In the instructional design it is significant to insert a phase in which teachers or trainers share with participants the criterions through which they will make the assessment. We show the differences, in terms of curricular results, between two editions of the same on line course: in the first one we did not share the criterions of assessment with participants, on the contrary in the second edition we dedicated a special moment to this activity. We demonstrate the importance to plan a moment in which participants are requested to evaluate their involvement both in terms of process and outcomes

Influence of the laser ablation surface pre-treatment over the ageing resistance of metallic adhesively bonded joints

In order to prevent the generation of a potential weakness at the substrate/adhesive interface of adhesively bonded joints, many methods were developed during the decades to pre-treat the substrates surfaces before the deposition of the adhesive. Experimental tests were carried out to simulate the real environmental conditions in which the joints have to work characterizing the mechanical properties of the joints caused by the exposition to high temperature, moisture, presence of chemical agents. The industrial need towards long-scale problem lead to the development of specific accelerated ageing methods able to induce in few weeks the same damage mechanisms within the joints which arise in years during their working life. In this work, different surface laser pre-treatments were studied with a focus on the influence that pre-treatments produce over the variation of the tensile failure load of Single Lap Joints (SLJ), previously subjected to different accelerated ageing cycles. Simple degreasing and grit blasting were also considered as reference treatments. The materials chosen for the manufacturing of the substrates were an aluminium alloy (AA 6082-T6) and a stainless steel (AISI 304). Three different accelerated ageing techniques were tested and compared to each other: (i) a cycle involving the simultaneous presence of high temperature gradient and moisture (method A), (ii) the immersion into an alkaline foam-forming cleanser (method B), and (iii) the immersion into an acid foam-forming cleanser (method C). The results showed that, while the method A did not significantly modify the mechanical strength of the joints, the method B and C resulted detrimental for the mechanical performance of the joints, even if their sensitivity to the tested pre-treatments was different. In particular, for both aluminum and stainless steel joints, it was noticed that the laser pre-treatment was able to reduce the loss of strength produced by the ageing process in comparison with the two reference pre-treatments. However, this result was also dependent of the specific value of energy density used for the laser ablation during the joints pre-treatment

Intrauterine device use and risk of endometrial cancer.

The relationship between intrauterine device (IUD) use and risk of endometrial cancer has been analysed in a case-control study conducted in Italy between 1983 and 1992, including 453 patients with histologically confirmed endometrial cancer and 1,451 controls admitted for acute, non-gynaecological, non-hormonal, non-neoplastic conditions to the same network of hospitals where cases had been identified. Two (0.4%) cases versus 36 (2.3%) controls reported ever using an IUD. The corresponding multivariate relative risk was 0.4 (95% CI 0.1-1.0). The results of this study and the few published available epidemiological data suggest a protective role of IUD use on endometrial carcinogenesis, but potential selective mechanisms for IUD utilisation (indication bias) should be carefully considered in the interpretation

Inhaled sodium cromoglycate to treat cough in advanced lung cancer patients.

C-fibres probably represent the common final pathway in both ACE inhibitors and neoplastic cough. A recent report demonstrated that inhaled sodium cromoglycate is an effective treatment for ACE inhibitors' cough; this effect might be due to the suppression of afferent unmyelinated C-fibres. We tested the hypothesis that inhaled sodium cromoglycate might also be effective in lung cancer patients who presented with irritative neoplastic cough. Twenty non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients complaining of cough resistant to conventional treatment were randomised to receive, in a double-blind trial, either inhaled sodium cromoglycate or placebo. Patients recorded cough severity daily, before and during treatment, on a 0 to 4 scale. The efficacy of treatment was tested with the Mann-Whitney U-test for non-parametric measures, comparing the intergroup differences in the measures of summary of symptom scores calculated in each patient before and after treatment. We report that inhaled sodium cromoglycate can reduce cough, also in NSCLC patients and that such reduction, observed in all patients treated, is statistically significant (P < 0.001). Inhaled sodium cromoglycate appears to be a cost-effective and safe treatment for lung cancer-related cough

Regenerative therapies for tympanic membrane

It is estimated that by 2050 one in every ten people will be suffering from disabling hearing loss. Perforated tympanic membranes (TMs) are the most common injury to the human ear, resulting in a partial or complete hearing loss due to inept sound conduction. Commonly known as the eardrum, the TM is a thin, concave tissue of the middle ear that captures sound pressure waves from the environment and transmits them as mechanical vibrations to the inner ear. Microsurgical placement of autologous tissue graft has been the “gold standard” for treating damaged TMs; however, the incongruent structural and mechanical properties of these autografts often impair an optimal hearing restoration following recovery. Moreover, given the lack of available tissues for transplantations, regenerative medicine has emerged as a promising alternative. Several tissue engineered approaches applying bio-instructive scaffolds and stimuli have been reported for the TM regeneration, which can be broadly classified into TM repair and TM reconstruction. This review evaluates the current advantages and challenges of both strategies with a special focus on the use of recent biofabrication technologies for advancing TM tissue engineering