Possible mechanisms of electronic phase separation in oxide interfaces

LaAlO3/SrTiO3 ad LaTiO3/SrTiO3 interfaces are known to host a strongly inhomogeneous (nearly) two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). In this work we present three unconventional electronic mechanisms of electronic phase separation (EPS) in a 2DEG as a possible source of inhomogeneity in oxide interfaces. Common to all three mechanisms is the dependence of some (interaction) potential on the 2DEG's density. We first consider a mechanism resulting from a sizable density-dependent Rashba spin-orbit coupling. Next, we point out that an EPS may also occur in the case of a density-dependent superconducting pairing interaction. Finally, we show that the confinement of the 2DEG to the interface by a density-dependent, self-consistent electrostatic potential can by itself cause an EPS.Comment: 4 pages and 4 figures, Proceedings of the International Conference "Superstripes 2014", 25-31 July 2015, Erice, Ital

Some closure operations in Zariski-Riemann spaces of valuation domains: a survey

In this survey we present several results concerning various topologies that were introduced in recent years on spaces of valuation domains

New distinguished classes of spectral spaces: a survey

In the present survey paper, we present several new classes of Hochster's spectral spaces "occurring in nature", actually in multiplicative ideal theory, and not linked to or realized in an explicit way by prime spectra of rings. The general setting is the space of the semistar operations (of finite type), endowed with a Zariski-like topology, which turns out to be a natural topological extension of the space of the overrings of an integral domain, endowed with a topology introduced by Zariski. One of the key tool is a recent characterization of spectral spaces, based on the ultrafilter topology, given in a paper by C. Finocchiaro in Comm. Algebra 2014. Several applications are also discussed

A mini-phoswich scintillator as a possible stop detector for the NUMEN project

AbstractIn the framework of the NUMEN project, aimed at the investigation of the nuclear matrix elements connected to the neutrinoless double beta decay by means of the Double Charge Exchange nuclear reactions (Cappuzzello et al., 2015), a high granularity stop detector for heavy ions is needed. It has to allow the identification of ions up to Z≈10 while maintaining a total energy resolution around 2%. As the use of silicon detectors is not possible, due to their poor radiation hardness, scintillators are being investigated as possible candidates. In this paper we show a promising result obtained using a plastic+inorganic phoswich scintillator readout by means of a Silicon Photo Multiplier

Identification of snps associated with somatic cell score in candidate genes in italian holstein friesian bulls

Mastitis is an infectious disease affecting the mammary gland, leading to inflammatory reactions and to heavy economic losses due to milk production decrease. One possible way to tackle the antimicrobial resistance issue stemming from antimicrobial therapy is to select animals with a genetic resistance to this disease. Therefore, aim of this study was to analyze the genetic variability of the SNPs found in candidate genes related to mastitis resistance in Holstein Friesian bulls. Target regions were amplified, sequenced by Next-Generation Sequencing technology on the Illumina® MiSeq, and then analyzed to find correlation with mastitis related phenotypes in 95 Italian Holstein bulls chosen with the aid of a selective genotyping approach. On a total of 557 detected mutations, 61 showed different genotype distribution in the tails of the deregressed EBVs for SCS and 15 were identified as significantly associated with the phenotype using two different approaches. The significant SNPs were identified in intergenic or intronic regions of six genes, known to be key components in the immune system (namely CXCR1, DCK, NOD2, MBL2, MBL1 and M-SAA3.2). These SNPs could be considered as candidates for a future genetic selection for mastitis resistance, although further studies are required to assess their presence in other dairy cattle breeds and their possible negative correlation with other traits

COVID-19 and myocarditis: a systematic review and overview of current challenges

Myocardial inflammation in COVID-19 has been documented. Its pathogenesis is not fully elucidated, but the two main theories foresee a direct role of ACE2 receptor and a hyperimmune response, which may also lead to isolated presentation of COVID-19-mediated myocarditis. The frequency and prognostic impact of COVID-19-mediated myocarditis is unknown. This review aims to summarise current evidence on this topic. We performed a systematic review of MEDLINE and Cochrane Library (1/12/19–30/09/20). We also searched clinicaltrials.gov for unpublished studies testing therapies with potential implication for COVID-19-mediated cardiovascular complication. Eligible studies had laboratory confirmed COVID-19 and a clinical and/or histological diagnosis of myocarditis by ESC or WHO/ISFC criteria. Reports of 38 cases were included (26 male patients, 24 aged < 50 years). The first histologically proven case was a virus-negative lymphocytic myocarditis; however, biopsy evidence of myocarditis secondary to SARS-CoV-2 cardiotropism has been recently demonstrated. Histological data was found in 12 cases (8 EMB and 4 autopsies) and CMR was the main imaging modality to confirm a diagnosis of myocarditis (25 patients). There was a substantial variability in biventricular systolic function during the acute episode and in therapeutic regimen used. Five patients died in hospital. Cause-effect relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and myocarditis is difficult to demonstrate. However, current evidence demonstrates myocardial inflammation with or without direct cardiomyocyte damage, suggesting different pathophysiology mechanisms responsible of COVID-mediated myocarditis. Established clinical approaches should be pursued until future evidence support different actions. Large multicentre registries are advisable to elucidate further

CYP2C19 Genotype Prevalence and Association With Recurrent Myocardial Infarction in British–South Asians Treated With Clopidogrel

BACKGROUND: Cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily C member 19 (CYP2C19) is a hepatic enzyme involved in the metabolism of clopidogrel from a prodrug to its active metabolite. Prior studies of genetic polymorphisms in CYP2C19 and their relationship with clinical efficacy have not included South Asian populations. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess prevalence of common CYP2C19 genotype polymorphisms in a British-South Asian population and correlate these with recurrent myocardial infarction risk in participants prescribed clopidogrel. METHODS: The Genes & Health cohort of British Bangladeshi and Pakistani ancestry participants were studied. CYP2C19 diplotypes were assessed using array data. Multivariable logistic regression was used to test for association between genetically inferred CYP2C19 metabolizer status and recurrent myocardial infarction, controlling for known cardiovascular disease risk factors, percutaneous coronary intervention, age, sex, and population stratification. RESULTS: Genes & Health cohort participants (N = 44,396) have a high prevalence (57%) of intermediate or poor CYP2C19 metabolizers, with at least 1 loss-of-function CYP2C19 allele. The prevalence of poor metabolizers carrying 2 CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles is 13%, which is higher than that in previously studied European (2.4%) and Central/South Asian populations (8.2%). Sixty-nine percent of the cohort who were diagnosed with an acute myocardial infarction were prescribed clopidogrel. Poor metabolizers were significantly more likely to have a recurrent myocardial infarction (OR: 3.1; P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: A pharmacogenomic-driven approach to clopidogrel prescribing has the potential to impact significantly on clinical management and outcomes in individuals of Bangladeshi and Pakistani ancestry

Teleology and Realism in Leibniz's Philosophy of Science

This paper argues for an interpretation of Leibniz’s claim that physics requires both mechanical and teleological principles as a view regarding the interpretation of physical theories. Granting that Leibniz’s fundamental ontology remains non-physical, or mentalistic, it argues that teleological principles nevertheless ground a realist commitment about mechanical descriptions of phenomena. The empirical results of the new sciences, according to Leibniz, have genuine truth conditions: there is a fact of the matter about the regularities observed in experience. Taking this stance, however, requires bringing non-empirical reasons to bear upon mechanical causal claims. This paper first evaluates extant interpretations of Leibniz’s thesis that there are two realms in physics as describing parallel, self-sufficient sets of laws. It then examines Leibniz’s use of teleological principles to interpret scientific results in the context of his interventions in debates in seventeenth-century kinematic theory, and in the teaching of Copernicanism. Leibniz’s use of the principle of continuity and the principle of simplicity, for instance, reveal an underlying commitment to the truth-aptness, or approximate truth-aptness, of the new natural sciences. The paper concludes with a brief remark on the relation between metaphysics, theology, and physics in Leibniz