Spectroscopic Signatures of Electronic Excitations in Raman Scattering in Thin Films of Rhombohedral Graphite

Rhombohedral graphite features peculiar electronic properties, including persistence of low-energy surface bands of a topological nature. Here, we study the contribution of electron-hole excitations towards inelastic light scattering in thin films of rhombohedral graphite. We show that, in contrast to the featureless electron-hole contribution towards Raman spectrum of graphitic films with Bernal stacking, the inelastic light scattering accompanied by electron-hole excitations in crystals with rhombohedral stacking produces distinct features in the Raman signal which can be used both to identify the stacking and to determine the number of layers in the film.Comment: 15 pages in preprint format, 4 figures, accepted versio

Gamification and online consumer decisions: Is the game over?

Consumption can be more than just a necessity; it can become a leisure activity. With the emergence of e-commerce and social media, products and services are just one click away; a trend that is further driven by gamified systems. This research aims to systematically analyze the most relevant academic literature on gamification, to establish if it influences online consumer decisions and, if so, which elements, mechanisms, and theories can explain it. After a thorough search from Web of Science and Scopus databases using SciMAT, 257 papers were analyzed. Twenty-nine (29) of the 36 papers found show empirical evidence that the inclusion of game elements in non-game activities has a significant influence on consumer engagement and online consumer decisions in digital contexts. Moreover, rewards and challenges were identified as the two most used mechanisms, with points, badges, and leaderboards being the most tested gamification elements. The Self- Determination Theory (SDT) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) are the two most common theoretical explanations for why gamification works. Lastly, possible future studies to include thematic, methodological and theoretical agendas were discussed

On the influence of inlet elbow radius on recirculating backflow, whoosh noise and efficiency in turbocharger compressors

[EN] While the influence of inlet geometry on turbocharger compressor behaviour has usually been investigated in terms of performance, surge margin and efficiency, data is scarce regarding the impact of the inlet flow field onto the noise emission. In many applications where tight packaging is required, a 90° elbow is placed just upstream of the compressor inducer. This can create a distortion of the incoming flow that affects the turbocharger operation; a distortion that is related to the radius of the elbow. In this experimental investigation three 90° elbow inlets are tested, measuring the in-duct sound intensity through acoustic beamforming, the spectral signature of the noise, and the distortion of the high temperature backflow typical of partially stalled conditions by means of thermocouple arrays. Results show that a tighter elbow radius not only impacts efficiency but also increases inlet noise at conditions close to surge. Spectral analysis shows that this increase is mainly produced in the form of a medium frequency broadband noise usually known as `whoosh¿ in the literature. On the other hand, effect on the outlet is less noticeable. Measurements of the recirculated backflow distortion in terms of circumferential skewness show good correlation with whoosh noise increase, indicating that flow distortion caused by tighter elbows at marginal surge conditions facilitates the transmission of whoosh noise oscillations to the inlet duct, worsening the acoustic behaviour of the system.The equipment used in this work has been partially supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad through grant DPI2015-70464-R and by FEDER project funds 'Dotacion de infraestructuras cientifico tecnicas para el Centro Integral de Mejora Energetica y Medioambiental de Sistemas de Transporte (CiMeT), (FEDER-ICTS-2012-06)' framed in the operational program of unique scientific and technical infrastructure of the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad. F. Roig is partially supported through the Programa de Apoyo para la Investigacion y Desarrollo of Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (PAID-01-17).Broatch, A.; Ruiz, S.; Garcia Tiscar, J.; Roig-Villanueva, F. (2018). On the influence of inlet elbow radius on recirculating backflow, whoosh noise and efficiency in turbocharger compressors. Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science. 96:224-233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expthermflusci.2018.03.011S2242339

Mitochondria and the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Alcoholic and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

Alcoholic (ASH) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are advanced stages of fatty liver disease and two of the most prevalent forms of chronic liver disease. ASH and NASH are associated with significant risk of further progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer, and a major cause of cancer-related mortality. Despite extensive research and progress in the last decades to elucidate the mechanisms of the development of ASH and NASH, the pathogenesis of both diseases is still poorly understood. Mitochondrial damage and activation of inflammasome complexes have a role in inducing and sustaining liver damage. Mitochondrial dysfunction produces inflammatory factors that activate the inflammasome complexes. NLRP3 inflammasome (nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3) is a multiprotein complex that activates caspase 1 and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1? (IL-1?) and interleukin-18 (IL-18), and contributes to inflammatory pyroptotic cell death. The present review, which is part of the issue "Mitochondria in Liver Pathobiology", provides an overview of the role of mitochondrial dysfunction and NLRP3 activation in ASH and NASH

Laser Spectroscopy for the Study of Exotic Nuclei

Investigation into the properties and structure of unstable nuclei far from stability remains a key avenue of research in modern nuclear physics. These efforts are motivated by the continual observation of unexpected structure phenomena in nuclei with unusual proton-to-neutron ratios. In recent decades, laser spectroscopy techniques have made significant contributions in our understanding of exotic nuclei in different mass regions encompassing almost the entire nuclear chart. This is achieved through determining multiple fundamental properties of nuclear ground and isomeric states, such as nuclear spins, magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole moments and charge radii, via the measurement of hyperfine structures and isotope shifts in the atomic or ionic spectra of the nuclei of interest. These properties, when measured with sufficient precision for a long range of isotopes, offer prominent tests of recently developed state-of-the-art theory and help to stimulate new developments to improve the many-body methods and nucleon-nucleon interactions at the core of these models. With the aim of exploring more exotic short-lived nuclei located ever closer to the proton and neutron driplines, laser spectroscopy techniques, with their continuous technological developments towards higher resolution and higher sensitivity, are extensively employed at current- and next-generation radioactive ion beam facilities worldwide. Ongoing efforts in parallel promise to make even more exotic species available for study at next-generation facilities. Very recently, an innovative application of laser spectroscopy on molecules containing short-lived nuclei has been demonstrated offering additional opportunities for several fields of research, e.g. fundamental symmetry studies and astrophysics.Comment: 129 pages (bibliography 56 pages), 32 figures, invited review for Progress in Particle and Nuclear Physics. Comments and suggestions are welcom

Estudio histomorfométrico del hueso diafísario en la rata

Se ha realizado un estudio histomorfométrico de la diálisis femoral en la rata blanca cepa «Wistar» calculando las dimensiones del endostio y periostio, así como las modificaciones de las áreas de la corteza, cavidad medular y hueso total en relación a la actividad endóstica y perióstica del hueso durante el primer año de vida. Los resultados demuestran un crecimiento discontinuo con una fase de enlentecimiento entre los 25 y 45 días de vida. La evolución de los cambios diafisarios en la rata es superponible a la del hombre, considerándola un animal de experimentación válido para estudiar los fenómenos de remodelación ósea durante el crecimiento.A histomophometric study of the femoral diaphyseal bone was undertaken in «Wistar» albine rat. Measurements of the endosteal and periosteal thickness as weel as variations in cortical, medular and total bone areas in relation to the endosteal and periosteal bone activity during the first year of life were analyzed. The results showed a continuous growth increase with a phase of lower growth rate from the 25th to the 45th day of life. The pattern of diaphyseal growing changes resembled that found in humans. The rat can therefore be considered as a suitable experimental animal for the study of bone remodeling during growth

Infrared Phase-Change Meta-Devices with In-Situ Switching

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the European Phase Change and Ovonics Symposium via the link in this recordWe describe a possible device design approach and an experimental test platform suitable for the realization and characterization of phase-change based meta-devices incorporating in-situ switching and operating at infrared wavelengths. Measurements on such a prototype device working at 1.55 µm are presented.US Naval Research LaboratoriesEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC