Riemannian geometry of Hartogs domains

Let D_F = \{(z_0, z) \in {\C}^{n} | |z_0|^2 < b, \|z\|^2 < F(|z_0|^2) \} be a strongly pseudoconvex Hartogs domain endowed with the \K metric $g_F$ associated to the \K form $\omega_F = -\frac{i}{2} \partial \bar{\partial} \log (F(|z_0|^2) - \|z\|^2)$. This paper contains several results on the Riemannian geometry of these domains. In the first one we prove that if $D_F$ admits a non special geodesic (see definition below) through the origin whose trace is a straight line then $D_F$ is holomorphically isometric to an open subset of the complex hyperbolic space. In the second theorem we prove that all the geodesics through the origin of $D_F$ do not self-intersect, we find necessary and sufficient conditions on $F$ for $D_F$ to be geodesically complete and we prove that $D_F$ is locally irreducible as a Riemannian manifold. Finally, we compare the Bergman metric $g_B$ and the metric $g_F$ in a bounded Hartogs domain and we prove that if $g_B$ is a multiple of $g_F$, namely $g_B=\lambda g_F$, for some $\lambda\in \R^+$, then $D_F$ is holomorphically isometric to an open subset of the complex hyperbolic space.Comment: to appear in International Journal of Mathematic

Inferring monopartite projections of bipartite networks: an entropy-based approach

Bipartite networks are currently regarded as providing a major insight into the organization of many real-world systems, unveiling the mechanisms driving the interactions occurring between distinct groups of nodes. One of the most important issues encountered when modeling bipartite networks is devising a way to obtain a (monopartite) projection on the layer of interest, which preserves as much as possible the information encoded into the original bipartite structure. In the present paper we propose an algorithm to obtain statistically-validated projections of bipartite networks, according to which any two nodes sharing a statistically-significant number of neighbors are linked. Since assessing the statistical significance of nodes similarity requires a proper statistical benchmark, here we consider a set of four null models, defined within the exponential random graph framework. Our algorithm outputs a matrix of link-specific p-values, from which a validated projection is straightforwardly obtainable, upon running a multiple hypothesis testing procedure. Finally, we test our method on an economic network (i.e. the countries-products World Trade Web representation) and a social network (i.e. MovieLens, collecting the users' ratings of a list of movies). In both cases non-trivial communities are detected: while projecting the World Trade Web on the countries layer reveals modules of similarly-industrialized nations, projecting it on the products layer allows communities characterized by an increasing level of complexity to be detected; in the second case, projecting MovieLens on the films layer allows clusters of movies whose affinity cannot be fully accounted for by genre similarity to be individuated.Comment: 16 pages, 9 figure

Intrapreneurial self-capital training: a case study of an Italian university student

This chapter presents a case study which describes the application of the Intrapreneurial Self-Capital Training with a final-year postgraduate female biology student, Erica. The chapter presents an overview of theory that is relevant to the world of work and the conceptual dimensions of intrapreneurial self capital (ISC). Training for ISC aims to assist young people to identify their personal strengths in terms of intrapreneurship and career adaptability. A qualitative instrument, the Life Adaptability Qualitative Assessment (LAQuA) was administered before and after the training to detect meaningful changes in the participant’s narratives about career adaptability and enhanced reflexivity. The LAQuA coding system revealed enhancements to the participant’s awareness about her personal intrapreneurial resources and career adaptability. The relevance of ISC to employability and career services in education contexts is discussed along with recommendations for research into ISC training

A crystal plasticity study of the micromechanics of interfaces in TiAl

Submicron resolution deformation mapping techniques implemented into both micro and macro mechanical testing have recently provided measurements of the deformation of titanium aluminide at the microstructural scale. Experimental observations indicate that damage in such alloy strongly depends on the way shear localization associated with slip bands or twins is accommodated at the interface between colonies. Here, crystal plasticity finite element analysis has been carried out to simulate the relevant micromechanics. It is shown that it is possible to capture the deformation patterns observed at colony boundaries, therefore providing trustworthy predictions of the associated stress field. Different conditions are explored for which a given imposed deformation can be achieved with minimum stress concentration. The implications for microstructure engineering aimed to delay the nucleation of damage in such alloy are discussed

Pool Boiling Versus Surface Wettability Characteristics

abstrac

Pharmacology and clinical drug candidates in redox medicine

SIGNIFICANCE Oxidative stress is suggested to be a disease mechanism common to a wide range of disorders affecting human health. However, so far, the pharmacotherapeutic exploitation of this, for example, based on chemical scavenging of pro-oxidant molecules, has been unsuccessful. Recent Advances: An alternative emerging approach is to target the enzymatic sources of disease-relevant oxidative stress. Several such enzymes and isoforms have been identified and linked to different pathologies. For some targets, the respective pharmacology is quite advanced, that is, up to late-stage clinical development or even on the market; for others, drugs are already in clinical use, although not for indications based on oxidative stress, and repurposing seems to be a viable option. CRITICAL ISSUES For all other targets, reliable preclinical validation and drug ability are key factors for any translation into the clinic. In this study, specific pharmacological agents with optimal pharmacokinetic profiles are still lacking. Moreover, these enzymes also serve largely unknown physiological functions and their inhibition may lead to unwanted side effects. FUTURE DIRECTIONS The current promising data based on new targets, drugs, and drug repurposing are mainly a result of academic efforts. With the availability of optimized compounds and coordinated efforts from academia and industry scientists, unambiguous validation and translation into proof-of-principle studies seem achievable in the very near future, possibly leading towards a new era of redox medicine

Selective-exhaust gas recirculation for CO2 capture using membrane technology

Membranes can potentially offer low-cost CO2 capture from post-combustion flue gas. However, the low partial pressure of CO2 in flue gases can inhibit their effectiveness unless methods are employed to increase their partial pressure. Selective-Exhaust Gas Recirculation (S-EGR) has recently received considerable attention. In this study, the performance of a dense polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane for the separation of CO2/N2 binary model mixtures for S-EGR application was investigated using a bench-scale experimental rig. Measurements at different pressures, at different feeding concentrations and with nitrogen as sweep gas revealed an average carbon dioxide permeability of 2943 ± 4.1%RSD Barrer. The bench-scale membrane module showed high potential to separate binary mixtures of N2 and CO2 containing 5–20% CO2. The permeability was slightly affected by feed pressures ranging from 1 to 2.4 bar. Furthermore, the separation selectivity for a CO2/N2 mixture of 10%/90% (by volume) reached a maximum of 10.55 at 1.8 bar. Based on the results from the bench-scale experiments, a pilot-scale PDMS membrane module was tested for the first time using a real flue gas mixture taken from the combustion of natural gas. Results from the pilot-scale experiments confirmed the potential of the PDMS membrane system to be used in an S-EGR configuration for capture of CO2