Little-Parks effect in single YBaCuO sub-micron rings

The properties of single submicron high-temperature superconductor (HTS) rings are investigated. The Little-Parks effect is observed and is accompanied by an anomalous behavior of the magnetic dependence of the resistance, which we ascribe to non-uniform vorticity (superfluid angular momentum) within the ring arms. This effect is linked to the peculiar HTS-relationship between the values of the coherence length and the London penetration depth.Comment: 14 pages, 3 figure

The Nutritional Dynamic is Key for Use Optimal Forage and Increase of Meat Production

The nutritional content grass could be considered a key tool to determine the optimal forage use, based on the requirements of the cattle to maximize production and achieve a highly productive and profitable livestock. The degradation protein complex associated with autophagy plant determines to a great extent the protein content of the grass over time, being priority found the value nutritional required for the livestock for intensification the animal production. The crude protein requirements (CP, 13.5%) to cover nutritional needs in cattle, was established between 28±1 y 30±1 for the dry period and wet period respectively in Camello® hybrid grass. The weight gains to level protein above mentioned were substantially high in both periods. In dry period was 0.9 kg d-1 animal-1 and wet period 1.1 kg d-1 animal-1. The little difference in weight gain between periods clarifies our hypothesis

Custom-made implants for massive acetabular bone loss: accuracy with CT assessment

Background: Custom-made implants are a valid option in revision total hip arthroplasty to address massive acetabular bone loss. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of custom-made acetabular implants between preoperative planning and postoperative positioning using CT scans. Methods: In a retrospective analysis, three patients who underwent an acetabular custom-made prosthesis were identified. The custom-made designs were planned through 3D CT analysis considering surgical points of attention. The accuracy of intended implants positioning was assessed by comparing pre- and postoperative CT analyzing the center of rotation (CoR), anteversion, inclination, screws, and implant surface in contact with the bone. Results: The three cases presented satisfactory accuracy in positioning. A malpositioning in the third case was observed due to the posterization of the CoR of the implant of more than 10 mm. The other CoR vectors considered in the third patient and all vectors in the other two cases fall within 10 mm. All the cases were positioned with a difference of less than 10° of anteversion and inclination with respect to the planning. Conclusions: The current case series revealed promising accuracy in the positioning of custom-made acetabular prosthesis comparing the planned implant in preoperative CT with postoperative CT

Morphological and physiological responses induced by protein hydrolysate-based biostimulant and nitrogen rates in greenhouse spinach

Plant-derived protein hydrolysates (PHs) are gaining prominence as biostimulants due to their potential to improve yield and nutritional quality even under suboptimal nutrient regimens. In this study, we investigated the effects of foliar application of a legume-derived PH (0 or 4 ml L−1) on greenhouse baby spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) under four nitrogen (N) fertilization levels (0, 15, 30, or 45 kg ha−1) by evaluating morphological and colorimetric parameters, mineral composition, carbohydrates, proteins, and amino acids. The fresh yield in untreated and biostimulant-treated spinach plants increased in response to an increase in N fertilization from 1 up to 30 kg ha−1, reaching a plateau thereafter indicating the luxury consumption of N at 45 kg ha−1. Increasing N fertilization rate, independently of PH, lead to a significant increase of all amino acids with the exception of alanine, GABA, leucine, lysine, methionine, and ornithine but decreased the polyphenols content. Interestingly, the fresh yield at 0 and 15 kg ha−1 was clearly greater in PH-treated plants compared to untreated plants by 33.3% and 24.9%, respectively. This was associated with the presence in of amino acids and small peptides PH ‘Trainer®’, which act as signaling molecules eliciting auxin- and/or gibberellin-like activities on both leaves and roots and thus inducing a “nutrient acquisition response” that enhances nutrients acquisition and assimilation (high P, Ca, and Mg accumulation) as well as an increase in the photochemical efficiency and activity of photosystem II (higher SPAD index). Foliar applications of the commercial PH decreased the polyphenols content, but on the other hand strongly increased total amino acid content (+45%, +82%, and +59% at 0, 15, and 30 kg ha−1, respectively) but not at a 45-kg ha−1-rate. Overall, the use of PH could represent a sustainable tool for boosting yield and nitrogen use efficiency and coping with soil fertility problems under low input regimens

Flux flow of Abrikosov-Josephson vortices along grain boundaries in high-temperature superconductors

We show that low-angle grain boundaries (GB) in high-temperature superconductors exhibit intermediate Abrikosov vortices with Josephson cores, whose length $l$ along GB is smaller that the London penetration depth, but larger than the coherence length. We found an exact solution for a periodic vortex structure moving along GB in a magnetic field $H$ and calculated the flux flow resistivity $R_F(H)$, and the nonlinear voltage-current characteristics. The predicted $R_F(H)$ dependence describes well our experimental data on $7^{\circ}$ unirradiated and irradiated $YBa_2Cu_3O_7$ bicrystals, from which the core size $l(T)$, and the intrinsic depairing density $J_b(T)$ on nanoscales of few GB dislocations were measured for the first time. The observed temperature dependence of $J_b(T)=J_{b0}(1-T/T_c)^2$ indicates a significant order parameter suppression in current channels between GB dislocation cores.Comment: 5 pages 5 figures. Phys. Rev. Lett. (accepted

Structure-activity relationship of the exopolysaccharide from a psychrophilic bacterium: A strategy for cryoprotection

Microrganisms from sea ice, glacial and subglacial environments are currently under investigation due to their relevant ecological functions in these habitats, and to their potential biotechnological applications. The cold-adapted Colwellia psychrerythraea 34H produces extracellular polysaccharides with cryoprotection activity. We here describe the purification and detailed molecular primary and secondary structure of the exopolysaccharide (EPS) secreted by C. psychrerythraea 34H cells grown at 4 °C. The structure was determined by chemical analysis and NMR. The trisaccharide repeating unit of the EPS is constituted by a N-acetyl quinovosamine unit and two residues of galacturonic acid both decorated with alanine. In addition, the EPS was tested in vitro showing a significant inhibitory effect on ice recrystallization. In-depth NMR and computational analysis suggest a pseudohelicoidal structure which seems to prevent the local tetrahedral order of the water molecules in the first hydration shell, and could be responsible of the inhibition of ice recrystallization. As cell cryopreservation is an essential tool in modern biotechnology and medicine, the observations reported in this paper could pave the way for a biotechnological application of Colwellia EPS

Integrating Blue Energy in Maritime Spatial Planning of Mediterranean Regions

Blue Energy (BE) is expected to play a strategic role in the energy transition of Europe, particularly toward the 2050 horizon. It refers to a set of Marine Energy Sources (MES), including offshore wind, waves, tides, marine currents, sea thermal energy, salinity gradients, and marine biomass, which are exploited by different BE technologies. Nevertheless, the implementation of integrated solutions to exploit MES in marine areas does not just concern technological issues; it requires inclusive planning practices considering different aspects regarding climate and environmental impacts, landscape compatibility, interference with other marine activities (such as shipping, fishing, and tourism), and social acceptance. A replicable BE planning framework has been developed based on interdisciplinary knowledge in three Mediterranean sites in Greece, Croatia, and Cyprus, under the scope of the Interreg Med BLUE DEAL project. It has been implemented by some interdisciplinary experts through a collaborative and iterative process of data elaboration, mapping, evaluation, and visualization. Results concern the localization of suitable sites to install BE plants and the estimation of potential energy production and avoided emissions in selected scenarios. Together with visual simulations, this study shows the potential effects of the implementation of BE in specific marine areas, with a special focus on the most promising offshore floating wind farms and wave energy converters (WECs), as basic information for participative design and stakeholder engagement initiatives, including public authorities, businesses, and citizens

Barrier properties in YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7؊x grain-boundary Josephson junctions using electron-beam irradiation

Electron-beam irradiation has been used to induce controllable variations in the properties of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7Ϫx biepitaxial grain-boundary Josephson junctions. A correlation between the transport properties and the microstructure was obtained by determining the ratio of a barrier thickness to the dielectric constant of the junctions with different barriers. These results give evidence of the role of the oxygen content and the dielectric constant of the interface region in transport phenomena. The experiment also demonstrates frequency tunability in a resonant soliton oscillator. ͓S0163-1829͑98͒51322-2