Irregularities of distribution on two point homogeneous spaces

We study the irregularities of distribution on two-point homogeneous spaces. Our main result is the following: let $d$ be the real dimension of a two point homogeneous space $\mathcal{M}$, let $\left( \{ a_{j}\} _{j=1}^{N},\{ x_{j}\} _{j=1}^{N}\right)$ be a system of positive weights and points on $\mathcal{M}$ and let $$D_{r}( x) =\sum_{j=1}^{N}a_{j}\chi_{B_{r}(x)}(x_{j})-\mu(B_{r}(x))$$ be the discrepancy associated with the ball $B_{r}( x)$. Then, if $d\not \equiv 1(\operatorname{mod}4)$, for any radius $0<r<\pi/2$, we obtain the sharp estimate $$\int_{\mathcal{M}}\left( \left\vert D_{r}( x) \right\vert ^{2}+\left\vert D_{2r}( x) \right\vert ^{2}\right) d\mu( x) \geqslant cN^{-1-\frac{1}{d}}.$$Comment: 20 page

Biological activity of enantiomeric complexes [PtCl2L2](L2 is aromatic bisphosphanes and aromatic diamines)

Enantiomeric complexes of formula [PtCl(2)L(2)] [L(2) is (R)-(+)-BINAP and (S)-(-)-BINAP, where BINAP is 2,2'-bis(diphenylphosphane)-1,1'-binaphthyl, and (R)-(+)-DABN and (S)-(-)-DABN, where DABN is 1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-diamine], were tested for their cytotoxic activity against three cancer cell lines and for their ability to bind to the human telomeric sequence folded in the G-quadruplex structure. Similar experiments were carried out on prototypal complexes cisplatin and cis-[PtCl(2)(PPh(3))(2)] for comparison. Platinum complexes containing phosphanes proved less cytotoxic to cancer cell lines and less likely to interact with the nucleobases of the G-quadruplex than those containing amines; in both cases the S-(-) isomer was more active than the R-(+) counterpart. More specifically, whereas all the platinum complexes were able to platinate the G-quadruplex structure from the human telomeric repeat, the extent and sites of platination depended on the nature of the ligands. Complexes containing (bulky) phosphanes interacted only with the adenines of the loops, whereas those containing the less sterically demanding amines interacted with adenines and some guanines of the G-quartet

TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF BENCH TESTING FOR LOWER-LIMB PROSTHETIC SOCKETS FOR SPORT APPLICATIONS

Prosthetic sockets are the bespoken part of lower-limb prostheses. Knowledge about the mechanical properties of sockets is essential to ensure patient safety and comply with current medical device regulations. This includes sockets designed for sport activities. Unfortunately, the literature is extremely limited and contradictory as described in a recent systematic review. The aim of this study was to initiate a research activity aiming to design a mechanical bench system for socket testing and perform a comparative analysis of the ultimate strength of alternative socket layups. Results highlight substantial differences in the maximum loading at failure, stressing the importance of increasing the knowledge about socket mechanical properties to support prosthetists provide reliable and safe products to patients and athletes

Force sensing on cells and tissues by atomic force microscopy

Biosensors are aimed at detecting tiny physical and chemical stimuli in biological systems. Physical forces are ubiquitous, being implied in all cellular processes, including cell adhesion, migration, and differentiation. Given the strong interplay between cells and their microenvironment, the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the structural and mechanical properties of the ECM play an important role in the transmission of external stimuli to single cells within the tissue. Vice versa, cells themselves also use self-generated forces to probe the biophysical properties of the ECM. ECM mechanics influence cell fate, regulate tissue development, and show peculiar features in health and disease conditions of living organisms. Force sensing in biological systems is therefore crucial to dissecting and understanding complex biological processes, such as mechanotransduction. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), which can both sense and apply forces at the nanoscale, with sub-nanonewton sensitivity, represents an enabling technology and a crucial experimental tool in biophysics and mechanobiology. In this work, we report on the application of AFM to the study of biomechanical fingerprints of different components of biological systems, such as the ECM, the whole cell, and cellular components, such as the nucleus, lamellipodia and the glycocalyx. We show that physical observables such as the (spatially resolved) Young’s Modulus (YM) of elasticity of ECMs or cells, and the effective thickness and stiffness of the glycocalyx, can be quantitatively characterized by AFM. Their modification can be correlated to changes in the microenvironment, physio-pathological conditions, or gene regulation

ERG Deregulation Induces PIM1 Over-Expression and Aneuploidy in Prostate Epithelial Cells

The ERG gene belongs to the ETS family of transcription factors and has been found to be involved in atypical chromosomal rearrangements in several cancers. To gain insight into the oncogenic activity of ERG, we compared the gene expression profile of NIH-3T3 cells stably expressing the coding regions of the three main ERG oncogenic fusions: TMPRSS2/ERG (tERG), EWS/ERG and FUS/ERG. We found that all three ERG fusions significantly up-regulate PIM1 expression in the NIH-3T3 cell line. PIM1 is a serine/threonine kinase frequently over-expressed in cancers of haematological and epithelial origin. We show here that tERG expression induces PIM1 in the non-malignant prostate cell line RWPE-1, strengthening the relation between tERG and PIM1 up-regulation in the initial stages of prostate carcinogenesis. Silencing of tERG reversed PIM1 induction. A significant association between ERG and PIM1 expression in clinical prostate carcinoma specimens was found, suggesting that such a mechanism may be relevant in vivo. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation experiments showed that tERG directly binds to PIM1 promoter in the RWPE-1 prostate cell line, suggesting that tERG could be a direct regulator of PIM1 expression. The up-regulation of PIM1 induced by tERG over-expression significantly modified Cyclin B1 levels and increased the percentage of aneuploid cells in the RWPE-1 cell line after taxane-based treatment. Here we provide the first evidence for an ERG-mediated PIM1 up-regulation in prostate cells in vitro and in vivo, suggesting a direct effect of ERG transcriptional activity in the alteration of genetic stability

ESDA 2004 -58595 RELEVANT GEOMETRIC FEATURES IN THE PERCUSSION LASER MICRODRILLING OF DIFFERENT ALLOYS

ABSTRACT In the recent decade the laser drilling process has continually attracted new interests and has found increasing applications in the industry. Nowadays the most common industrial laser sources for laser drilling are the solid state ones with pulse length of the order of milliseconds, even if nanosecond and femtosecond pulse sources can also be found in industrial applications. The latter, short and ultrashort laser sources, are very promising since they are expected to generate the hole directly by vaporisation, leaving the hole surfaces free of molten and resolified layer, as well as very low amount of spatter. This paper reports an experimental study on microhole laser machining and on influence of some process parameters on the hole shape. The laser source used in the study was a pulsed, diode pumped, Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. The materials investigated were four different alloys (AISI 304 stainless steel, cp titanium, CuZn35 brass and IN718 alloy), provided as 0.5 mm thick commercial sheets. Since an experimental approach has been here preferred, the performed experimental plan has been designed by the analysis of variance technique. The influence of material type, as well as laser process parameters, like pulse frequency and pulse energy, have been investigated. Relevant geometrical features, like top and bottom hole diameter, taper angle, top and bottom aspect ratio, have been measured and analysed. Moreover, the geometric features of the top spatter as well as the metallurgical characteristics of heat affected zone has been investigated . The results have shown that pulse energy strongly affects both geometric and metallurgical hole features. On the other hand, pulse frequency does not seem to influence the hole shape in all materials. The presence of spatter and metallographic analysis confirmed the production of molten layers in all materials mainly around the hole entrance

Static strength of lower-limb prosthetic sockets: An exploratory study on the influence of stratigraphy, distal adapter and lamination resin

Knowledge about the mechanical properties of lower-limb prosthetic sockets fabricated with resin infusion lamination and composite materials is limited. Therefore, sockets can be subject to mechanical failure and overdimensioning, both of which can have severe consequences for patients. For this reason, an exploratory study was conducted to analyze the effect of stratigraphy (layup and fibers), matrix (resin) and mechanical connection (socket distal adapter) on socket static strength, with the objectives of: 1) implementing a mechanical testing system for lower-limb prosthetic sockets based on ISO 10328:2016 and provide the mechanical design of the loading plates, 2) apply the testing system to a series of laminated sockets, and 3) for each type of distal adapter, identify the combinations of stratigraphy and matrix with acceptable strength and minimum weight. Twenty-three laminated sockets were produced and tested. Sixteen met the required strength, with ten exhibiting an excessive weight. Among the remaining six, four combinations of stratigraphy and resin were identified as best option, as they all overcame ISO 10328 P6 loading level and weighted less than 600 g. The selected stratigraphies had limited or absent amount of Perlon stockinettes, which seems to increase weight without enhancing the mechanical strength. Sockets based on Ossur MSS braids and connector show the best compromise between strength and weight when the amount of carbon braids is halved