The M-Wright function in time-fractional diffusion processes: a tutorial survey

In the present review we survey the properties of a transcendental function of the Wright type, nowadays known as M-Wright function, entering as a probability density in a relevant class of self-similar stochastic processes that we generally refer to as time-fractional diffusion processes. Indeed, the master equations governing these processes generalize the standard diffusion equation by means of time-integral operators interpreted as derivatives of fractional order. When these generalized diffusion processes are properly characterized with stationary increments, the M-Wright function is shown to play the same key role as the Gaussian density in the standard and fractional Brownian motions. Furthermore, these processes provide stochastic models suitable for describing phenomena of anomalous diffusion of both slow and fast type.Comment: 32 pages, 3 figure

Dose influence on the PMMA e-resist for the development of high-aspect ratio and reproducible sub-micrometric structures by electron beam lithography

In this work, a statistical process control method is presented showing the accuracy and the reliability obtained with of PMMA E-resist AR-P 672, using an Elphy Quantum Electron Beam Lithography module integrated on a FE-SEM Zeiss Auriga instrument. Reproducible nanostructures with an high aspect ratio between e-resist thickness and width of written geometric structure are shown. Detailed investigation of geometry features are investigated with dimension in the range of 200nm to 1-m. The adopted method will show how tuning the Area Dose factor and the PMMA thickness it was possible to determine the correct and reproducible parameters that allows to obtain well defined electron-beam features with a 4:1 aspect ratio. Such high aspect ratio opens the possibility to realize an electron-beam lithography lift-off process by using a standard e-beam resist. © 2016 Author(s)

Time-fractional diffusion of distributed order

The partial differential equation of Gaussian diffusion is generalized by using the time-fractional derivative of distributed order between 0 and 1, in both the Riemann-Liouville (R-L) and the Caputo (C) sense. For a general distribution of time orders we provide the fundamental solution, that is still a probability density, in terms of an integral of Laplace type. The kernel depends on the type of the assumed fractional derivative except for the single order case where the two approaches turn to be equivalent. We consider with some detail two cases of order distribution: the double-order and the uniformly distributed order. For these cases we exhibit plots of the corresponding fundamental solutions and their variance, pointing out the remarkable difference between the two approaches for small and large times.Comment: 30 pages, 4 figures. International Workshop on Fractional Differentiation and its Applications (FDA06), 19-21 July 2006, Porto, Portugal. Journal of Vibration and Control, in press (2007

Not invasive analyses on a tin-bronze dagger from Jericho. A case study

Tin-bronze makes its appearance in Southern Levant during the Early Bronze IV, the post-urban phase of the last centuries of the 3rdmillennium BC, when arsenical copper was still the most widespread copper alloy. Only from the following Middle Bronze Age tin-bronze will be the utmost spread alloy. The adoption of tin as alloying metal purports new technological skills, and a changed trade supply system, through new routes, thanks to itinerant coppersmiths. The examination of dagger TS.14.143 found in an EB IV (2300-2000 BC) tomb at Jericho by mean of trace elements and Energy Dispersive X-ray Diffraction analyses, provided info about its metal composition and technology. The detection of tin, testified only by a few specimens at the site so far, allows some reflections about the beginning of diffusion tin-bronze, and the presence of a small-scale melting activity in the post-urban phase in the key-site of Jericho

Prediction of fluid responsiveness in ventilated critically ill patients

In critical care, hemodynamic monitoring has been extensively studied over the last decades as an essential tool to improve patients’ outcomes. Hemodynamic optimization is the key to provide the supply of oxygen and metabolic substrates to tissues according to their metabolic needs. Obtaining hemodynamic stabilization is particularly challenging in the context of circulatory shock. Distinguishing patients which are going to benefit from fluid resuscitation, from others for which administration of large amounts of fluids is detrimental is of paramount importance. Numerous techniques aimed at demonstrate fluid responsiveness in the critically ill patients have been developed over the years. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the various static and dynamic measurements used to study fluid responsiveness in critically ill patients with cardiocirculatory shock

Electrophoretic deposition of cobalt oxide anodes for alkaline membrane water electrolyzer

n/

MicroRNAs delivery into human cells grown on 3D-printed PLA scaffolds coated with a novel fluorescent PAMAM dendrimer for biomedical applications

Many advanced synthetic, natural, degradable or non-degradable materials have been employed to create scaffolds for cell culture for biomedical or tissue engineering applications. One of the most versatile material is poly-lactide (PLA), commonly used as 3D printing filament. Manufacturing of multifunctional scaffolds with improved cell growth proliferation and able to deliver oligonucleotides represents an innovative strategy for controlled and localized gene modulation that hold great promise and could increase the number of applications in biomedicine. Here we report for the first time the synthesis of a novel Rhodamine derivative of a poly-amidoamine dendrimer (G = 5) able to transfect cells and to be monitored by confocal microscopy that we also employed to coat a 3D-printed PLA scaffold. The coating do not modify the oligonucleotide binding ability, toxicity or transfection properties of the scaffold that is able to increase cell proliferation and deliver miRNA mimics (i.e., pre-mir-503) into human cells. Although further experiments are required to optimize the dendrimer/miRNA ratio and improve transfection efficiency, we demonstrated the effectiveness of this promising and innovative 3D-printed transfection system to transfer miRNAs into human cells for future biomedical applications. © 2018, The Author(s)