732 research outputs found
Minimum Restraint Functions for unbounded dynamics: general and control-polynomial systems
We consider an exit-time minimum problem with a running cost, and
unbounded controls. The occurrence of points where can be regarded as a
transversality loss. Furthermore, since controls range over unbounded sets, the
family of admissible trajectories may lack important compactness properties. In
the first part of the paper we show that the existence of a -minimum
restraint function provides not only global asymptotic controllability (despite
non-transversality) but also a state-dependent upper bound for the value
function (provided ). This extends to unbounded dynamics a former result
which heavily relied on the compactness of the control set.
In the second part of the paper we apply the general result to the case when
the system is polynomial in the control variable. Some elementary, algebraic,
properties of the convex hull of vector-valued polynomials' ranges allow some
simplifications of the main result, in terms of either near-affine-control
systems or reduction to weak subsystems for the original dynamics.Comment: arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1503.0344
Star Formation History of Early-Type Galaxies in Low Density Environments V. Blue line-strength indices for the nuclear region
We analyze the star formation properties of a sample of 21 shell galaxies and
30 early-type galaxies members of interacting pairs, located in low density
environments (Longhetti et al 1998a, 1998b).
The study is based on new models developed to interpret the information
coming from `blue' H/FeI, H+K(CaII) and \D4000 line-strength indices
proposed by Rose (1984; 1985) and Hamilton (1985).
We find that the last star forming event that occurred in the nuclear region
of shell galaxies is statistically old (from 0.1 up to several Gyr) with
respect to the corresponding one in the sub-sample of pair galaxies (<0.1 Gyr
or even ongoing star formation).
If the stellar activity is somehow related to the formation of shells, as
predicted by several dynamical models of galaxy interaction, shells have to be
considered long lasting structures.
Since pair members show evidence of very recent star formation, we suggest
that either large reservoirs of gas have to be present to maintain active star
formation, if these galaxies are on periodic orbits, or most of the pair
members in the present sample are experiencing unbound encounters.Comment: 12 pages, including 7 figures - Accepted for publication in A&
G402 The impact of a standardised transcranial doppler training programme in screening children with sickle cell disease: a european multi-centre perspective
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Photoluminescence-Based Techniques for the Detection of Micro- and Nanoplastics
The growing numbers related to plastic pollution are impressive, with ca. 70 % of produced plastic (>350 tonnes/year) being indiscriminately wasted in the environment. The most dangerous forms of plastic pollution for biota and human health are micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs), which are ubiquitous and more bioavailable. Their elimination is extremely difficult, but the first challenge is their detection since existing protocols are unsatisfactory for microplastics and mostly absent for nanoplastics. After a discussion of the state of the art for MNPs detection, we specifically revise the techniques based on photoluminescence that represent very promising solutions for this problem. In this context, Nile Red staining is the most used strategy and we show here its pros and limitations, but we also discuss other more recent approaches, such as the use of fluorogenic probes based on perylene-bisimide and on fluorogenic hyaluronan nanogels, with the added values of biocompatibility and water solubility
Subtransmission overhead lines mechanical monitoring for fast detection of damaging events
Different harmful events affecting high voltage overhead lines (OHLs) cause changes in the mechanical tension (tensile strength) of conductors. A mechanical monitoring of OHLs, therefore, can provide useful additional information (compared with the information provided by the widely used SCADA systems) about the power system state. The tension measurements combined with a few environmental measurements (air temperature, wind speed) can be used for an automatic (fast) detection of different events and for their approximate location along an OHL, reducing the impact of these events. Referring to 132-150 kV sub-transmission OHLs, this paper proposes some original algorithms, based on the mechanical monitoring of OHLs, for the automatic detection of the following events: conductor breaking, fall of trees on the conductors, ice/snow sleeve accretion on the conductors, strands breaking and galloping. The proposed algorithms require a limited number of sensors placed along the OHLs for measurements of the conductor tension and weather-related quantities
The GALEX UV emission in shell galaxies: tracing galaxy "rejuvenation" episodes
We present the GALEX far FUV and near NUV ultraviolet imaging of three nearby
shell galaxies, namely NGC 2865, NGC 5018 and NGC 7135. The system of shells
and fine structures visible in the optical is detected in the NUV image of NGC
2865 and in both NUV and FUV images of NGC 7135. The NUV image of NGC 5018 does
not present shell structures. We detect absorption features in the nuclear
region of all three galaxies. NGC 2865 has a nearly flat colour profile with
(FUV-NUV)~2 throughout the whole galaxy. NGC 7135 is blue in the center
(FUV-NUV)~0 and as red as (FUV-NUV)~1.5 in the outskirts, including the faint
shell-like feature. We investigate the ability of the nuclear GALEX (FUV-NUV)
colour to provide information about rejuvenation phenomena in the stellar
populations of the shell galaxies. To this aim, we derive from theory the
relationship between the Mg2, Hbeta, HgammaA, HdeltaA Lick line-strength
indices and the (FUV-NUV) colour. We extend the study to a sample of early-type
galaxies with emission lines in their optical spectra (Annibali et al. 2007).
In the index vs.(FUV-NUV) colour diagrams, most of the galaxies are well
explained by passively evolving SSPs. On the average, ages and metallicities of
the galaxies in our sample estimated from optical line-strength indices are
consistent with those inferred from the (FUV-NUV) colour. In general, all the
colours but for (FUV-NUV) and (FUV-V), become nearly age insensitive when 1-2
Gyr have elapsed from the last star forming event. Considering composite
stellar population models with a recent burst of star formation, we suggest
that the position of the NGC 7135 and NGC 2865 nuclei in the (FUV-NUV)-Hbeta
plane could be explained in term of a recent rejuvenation episode. (Abridged)Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS Main Journal, 21 pages, 15 figure
The predictive and prognostic potential of plasma telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) RNA in rectal cancer patients
Background: Preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by surgery is the standard care for locally advanced rectal cancer,
but tumour response to CRT and disease outcome are variable. The current study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of plasma
telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) levels in predicting tumour response and clinical outcome.
Methods: 176 rectal cancer patients were included. Plasma samples were collected at baseline (before CRT\ubcT0), 2 weeks after
CRT was initiated (T1), post-CRT and before surgery (T2), and 4\u20138 months after surgery (T3) time points. Plasma TERT mRNA levels
and total cell-free RNA were determined using real-time PCR.
Results: Plasma levels of TERT were significantly lower at T2 (Po0.0001) in responders than in non-responders. Post-CRT TERT
levels and the differences between pre- and post-CRT TERT levels independently predicted tumour response, and the prediction
model had an area under curve of 0.80 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.73\u20130.87). Multiple analysis demonstrated that patients with
detectable TERT levels at T2 and T3 time points had a risk of disease progression 2.13 (95% CI 1.10\u20134.11)-fold and 4.55 (95% CI
1.48\u201313.95)-fold higher, respectively, than those with undetectable plasma TERT levels.
Conclusions: Plasma TERT levels are independent markers of tumour response and are prognostic of disease progression in rectal
cancer patients who undergo neoadjuvant therapy
The GALEX UV emission in shell galaxies
Shell galaxies are widely considered the debris of recent accretion/merging
episodes. Their high frequency in low density environment suggests that such
episodes could be among the driver of the early-type galaxy secular evolution.
We present far and near UV (FUV and NUV respectively hereafter) GALEX
photometric properties of a sample of shell galaxies.Comment: 2 pages, Proceedings of the Conference 'Formation and evolution of
galaxies disks', Rome 200
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