Efficient numerical techniques for the electromagnetic scattering from electrically large objects.

In this thesis efficient and innovative techniques to solve electrically large radiation and scattering problems involving arbitrarily shaped tridimensional objects are shown. We started with electromagnetic principles, to supply the theoretical basis for the numerical methods presented. Then, the Method of Moment (MoM) that allows us to analyze perfect and imperfect conductors by means of a numerical procedure is shown. Next, to overcome the problems associated with MoM, the Characteristic Basis Function Method (CBFM) has been described. Finally, two new improvements of CBFM have been proposed: the Ultra wide band CBFs (UCBFS) and the technique to solve radiating problem of conformal aperture antenna on PEC structure. The UCBFs are the characteristic basis functions (CBFs) that are derived for the highest frequency in the range of interest. These CBFs, once generated, also capture the electromagnetic behavior of the lower frequencies as well. The use of these bases enables us to solve the scattering for any frequency sample in the band without going through the time-consuming process to generate the CBFs anew. To solve radiating problems involving structure with apertures (slots), we can replace the slots with PEC and by applying the CBFM to the entire structure, using appropriate magnetic current densities as sources, together Plane Wave Spectrum (PWS) excitations. The magnetic current densities are obtained by solving a local problem. The numerical results are shown in the thesis to validate the accuracy and the time efficiency of these new techniques

Reassessing the role of climate change in the Tupi expansion (South America, 5000–500 BP)

The expansion of forest farmers across tropical lowland South America during the Late Holocene has long been connected to climate change. The more humid conditions established during the Late Holocene are assumed to have driven the expansion of forests, which would have facilitated the dispersal of cultures that practised agroforestry. The Tupi, a language family of widespread distribution in South America, occupies a central place in the debate. Not only are they one of the largest families in the continent, but their expansion from an Amazonian homeland has long been hypothesized to have followed forested environments wherever they settled. Here, we assess that hypothesis using a simulation approach. We employ equation-based and cellular automaton models, simulating demic-diffusion processes under two different scenarios: a null model in which all land cells can be equally settled, and an alternative model in which non-forested cells cannot be settled or delay the expansion. We show that including land cover as a constraint to movement results in a better approximation of the Tupi expansion as reconstructed by archaeology and linguistics.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Parallel decomposition of persistence modules through interval bases

We introduce an algorithm to decompose any finite-type persistence module with coefficients in a field into what we call an {em interval basis}. This construction yields both the standard persistence pairs of Topological Data Analysis (TDA), as well as a special set of generators inducing the interval decomposition of the Structure theorem. The computation of this basis can be distributed over the steps in the persistence module. This construction works for general persistence modules on a field $mathbb{F}$, not necessarily deriving from persistent homology. We subsequently provide a parallel algorithm to build a persistent homology module over $mathbb{R}$ by leveraging the Hodge decomposition, thus providing new motivation to explore the interplay between TDA and the Hodge Laplacian

Parallel decomposition of persistence modules through interval bases

We introduce an algorithm to decompose any finite-type persistence module with coefficients in a field into what we call an {\em interval basis}. This construction yields both the standard persistence pairs of Topological Data Analysis (TDA), as well as a special set of generators inducing the interval decomposition of the Structure theorem. The computation of this basis can be distributed over the steps in the persistence module. This construction works for general persistence modules on a field $\mathbb{F}$, not necessarily deriving from persistent homology. We subsequently provide a parallel algorithm to build a persistent homology module over $\mathbb{R}$ by leveraging the Hodge decomposition, thus providing new motivation to explore the interplay between TDA and the Hodge Laplacian.Comment: 37 pages, 6 figure

Homological scaffold via minimal homology bases

The homological scaffold leverages persistent homology to construct a topologically sound summary of a weighted network. However, its crucial dependency on the choice of representative cycles hinders the ability to trace back global features onto individual network components, unless one provides a principled way to make such a choice. In this paper, we apply recent advances in the computation of minimal homology bases to introduce a quasi-canonical version of the scaffold, called minimal, and employ it to analyze data both real and in silico. At the same time, we verify that, statistically, the standard scaffold is a good proxy of the minimal one for sufficiently complex networks

Exploring Yeast as a Study Model of Pantothenate Kinase-Associated Neurodegeneration and for the Identification of Therapeutic Compounds

Mutations in the pantothenate kinase 2 gene (PANK2) are the cause of pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN), the most common form of neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation. Although different disease models have been created to investigate the pathogenic mechanism of PKAN, the cascade of molecular events resulting from CoA synthesis impairment is not completely understood. Moreover, for PKAN disease, only symptomatic treatments are available. Despite the lack of a neural system, Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been successfully used to decipher molecular mechanisms of many human disorders including neurodegenerative diseases as well as iron-related disorders. To gain insights into the molecular basis of PKAN, a yeast model of this disease was developed: a yeast strain with the unique gene encoding pantothenate kinase CAB1 deleted, and expressing a pathological variant of this enzyme. A detailed functional characterization demonstrated that this model recapitulates the main phenotypes associated with human disease: mitochondrial dysfunction, altered lipid metabolism, iron overload, and oxidative damage suggesting that the yeast model could represent a tool to provide information on pathophysiology of PKAN. Taking advantage of the impaired oxidative growth of this mutant strain, a screening for molecules able to rescue this phenotype was performed. Two molecules in particular were able to restore the multiple defects associated with PKAN deficiency and the rescue was not allele-specific. Furthermore, the construction and characterization of a set of mutant alleles, allowing a quick evaluation of the biochemical consequences of pantothenate kinase (PANK) protein variants could be a tool to predict genotype/phenotype correlation

Age-related effects of exogenous melatonin on anxiety-like behavior in C57/B6J mice

The synthesis of melatonin (MLT) physiologically decreases during aging. Treatment with MLT has shown anxiolytic, hypnotic, and analgesic effects, but little is known about possible age-dependent differences in its efficacy. Therefore, we studied the effects of MLT (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) on anxiety-like behavior (open field (OFT), elevated plus maze (EPMT), three-chamber sociability, and marble-burying (MBT) tests), and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)-dorsal hippocampus (dHippo) circuit in adolescent (35-40 days old) and adult (three-five months old) C57BL/6 male mice. MLT did not show any effect in adolescents in the OFT and EPMT. In adults, compared to vehicles, it decreased locomotor activity and time spent in the center of the arena in the OFT and time spent in the open arms in the EPMT. In the MBT, no MLT effects were observed in both age groups. In the three-chamber sociability test, MLT decreased sociability and social novelty in adults, while it increased sociability in adolescents. Using local field potential recordings, we found higher mPFC-dHippo synchronization in the delta and low-theta frequency ranges in adults but not in adolescents after MLT treatment. Here, we show age-dependent differences in the effects of MLT in anxiety paradigms and in the modulation of the mPFC-dHippo circuit, indicating that when investigating the pharmacology of the MLT system, age can significantly impact the study outcomes