Formation of Dark Matter Haloes in a Homogeneous Dark Energy Universe

Several independent cosmological tests have shown evidences that the energy density of the Universe is dominated by a dark energy component, which cause the present accelerated expansion. The large scale structure formation can be used to probe dark energy models, and the mass function of dark matter haloes is one of the best statistical tools to perform this study. We present here a statistical analysis of mass functions of galaxies under a homogeneous dark energy model, proposed in the work of Percival (2005), using an observational flux-limited X-ray cluster survey, and CMB data from WMAP. We compare, in our analysis, the standard Press-Schechter (PS) approach (where a Gaussian distribution is used to describe the primordial density fluctuation field of the mass function), and the PL (Power Law) mass function (where we apply a nonextensive q-statistical distribution to the primordial density field). We conclude that the PS mass function cannot explain at the same time the X-ray and the CMB data (even at 99% confidence level), and the PS best fit dark energy equation of state parameter is $\omega=-0.58$, which is distant from the cosmological constant case. The PL mass function provides better fits to the HIFLUGCS X-ray galaxy data and the CMB data; we also note that the $\omega$ parameter is very sensible to modifications in the PL free parameter, $q$, suggesting that the PL mass function could be a powerful tool to constrain dark energy models.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, Latex. Accepted for publication in the International Journal of Modern Physics D (IJMPD)

The metal and dust yields of the first massive stars

We quantify the role of Population (Pop) III core-collapse supernovae (SNe) as the first cosmic dust polluters. Starting from a homogeneous set of stellar progenitors with masses in the range [13 - 80] Msun, we find that the mass and composition of newly formed dust depend on the mixing efficiency of the ejecta and the degree of fallback experienced during the explosion. For standard Pop III SNe, whose explosions are calibrated to reproduce the average elemental abundances of Galactic halo stars with [Fe/H] < -2.5, between 0.18 and 3.1 Msun (0.39 - 1.76 Msun) of dust can form in uniformly mixed (unmixed) ejecta, and the dominant grain species are silicates. We also investigate dust formation in the ejecta of faint Pop III SN, where the ejecta experience a strong fallback. By examining a set of models, tailored to minimize the scatter with the abundances of carbon-enhanced Galactic halo stars with [Fe/H ] < -4, we find that amorphous carbon is the only grain species that forms, with masses in the range 2.7 10^{-3} - 0.27 Msun (7.5 10^{-4} - 0.11 Msun) for uniformly mixed (unmixed) ejecta models. Finally, for all the models we estimate the amount and composition of dust that survives the passage of the reverse shock, and find that, depending on circumstellar medium densities, between 3 and 50% (10 - 80%) of dust produced by standard (faint) Pop III SNe can contribute to early dust enrichment.Comment: Accepted by MNRAS, 22 pages, 12 figures, 12 table

New Constraints on the Variable Equation of State Parameter from X-Ray Gas Mass Fractions and SNe Ia

Recent measurements are suggesting that we live in a flat Universe and that its present accelerating stage is driven by a dark energy component whose equation of state may evolve in time. Assuming two different parameterizations for the function $\omega(z)$, we constrain their free parameters from a joint analysis involving measurements from X-Ray luminosity of galaxy clusters and SNe type Ia data.Comment: paper, 6 pages, 1 figure Accepted by Int. Journal of Modern Physics D (IJPMD

Liposomes characterization for market approval as pharmaceutical products: Analytical methods, guidelines and standardized protocols

Liposomes are nano-sized lipid-based vesicles widely studied for their drug delivery capabilities. Compared to standard carries they exhibit better properties such as improved site-targeting and drug release, protection of drugs from degradation and clearance, and lower toxic side effects. At present, scientific literature is rich of studies regarding liposomes-based systems, while 14 types of liposomal products have been authorized to the market by EMA and FDA and many others have been approved by national agencies. Although the interest in nanodevices and nanomedicine has steadily increased in the last two decades the development of documentation regulating and standardizing all the phases of their development and quality control still suffers from major inadequacy due to the intrinsic complexity of nano-systems characterization. Many generic documents (Type 1) discussing guidelines for the study of nano-systems (lipidic and not) have been proposed while there is a lack of robust and standardized methods (Type 2 documents). As a result, a widespread of different techniques, approaches and methodologies are being used, generating results of variable quality and hard to compare with each other. Additionally, such documents are often subject to updates and rewriting further complicating the topic. Within this context the aim of this work is focused on bridging the gap in liposome characterization: the most recent standardized methodologies suitable for liposomes characterization are here reported (with the corresponding Type 2 documents) and revised in a short and pragmatical way focused on providing the reader with a practical background of the state of the art. In particular, this paper will put the accent on the methodologies developed to evaluate the main critical quality attributes (CQAs) necessary for liposomes market approval

Structural change of carbon supported Pt nanocatalyst subjected to a step-like potential cycling in PEM-FC

Abstract In this paper we present detailed X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations of the changes in the local geometric and electronic structure of Pt nanoparticles used as a cathode catalyst in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), working under controlled potential cycling conditions. The body of the results obtained suggests that in the first stage of \{PEMFC\} operation, small particle dissolution was a dominant process. Subsequent 100&#xa0;h of work led to the progressive agglomeration of nanoparticles followed by a pronounced growth of the mean nanoparticle size. At the same time, high-quality \{XAFS\} spectra analysis demonstrated that negligible changes in structural local ordering and a slight increase in Pt 5d-electron density occurred during the whole \{FC\} operation period under consideration

Perturbative approach to the structure of rapidly rotating neutron stars

We construct models of rotating stars using the perturbative approach introduced by J. Hartle in 1967, and a set of equations of state proposed to model hadronic interactions in the inner core of neutron stars. We integrate the equations of stellar structure to third order in the angular velocity and show, comparing our results to those obtained with fully non linear codes, to what extent third order corrections are needed to accurately reproduce the moment of inertia of a star which rotates at rates comparable to that of the fastest isolated pulsars.Comment: 17 pages, 5 figures, minor changes to match version accepted by Phys. Rev.

Supernova dust yields: the role of metallicity, rotation, and fallback

Supernovae (SNe) are considered to have a major role in dust enrichment of high redshift galaxies and, due to the short lifetimes of interstellar grains, in dust replenishment of local galaxies. Here we explore how SN dust yields depend on the mass, metallicity, and rotation rate of the progenitor stars, and on the properties of the explosion. To this aim, assuming uniform mixing inside the ejecta, we quantify the dust mass produced by a sample of SN models with progenitor masses $13~M_{\odot} \leq M \leq 120~M_{\odot}$, metallicity $\rm -3 \leq [Fe/H] \leq 0$, rotation rate $\rm v_{\rm rot} = 0$ and $300$~km/s, that explode with a fixed energy of $1.2 \times 10^{51}$~erg (FE models) or with explosion properties calibrated to reproduce the $\rm ^{56}Ni$ - $M$ relation inferred from SN observations (CE models). We find that rotation favours more efficient dust production, particularly for more massive, low metallicity stars, but that metallicity and explosion properties have the largest effects on the dust mass and its composition. In FE models, SNe with $M \leq 20 - 25 ~M_{\odot}$ are more efficient at forming dust: between 0.1 and 1 $M_\odot$ is formed in a single explosion, with a composition dominated by silicates, carbon and magnetite grains when $\rm [Fe/H] = 0$, and by carbon and magnetite grains when $\rm [Fe/H] < 0$. In CE models, the ejecta are massive and metal-rich and dust production is more efficient. The dust mass increases with $M$ and it is dominated by silicates, at all [Fe/H].Comment: MNRAS, in pres

Environmental sustainability of orthopedic devices produced with powder bed fusion

Additive manufacturing consists in melting metallic powders to produce objects from 3D data, layer upon layer. Its industrial applications range from automotive, biomedical (e.g., prosthetic implants for dentistry and orthopedics), aeronautics and others. This study uses life cycle assessment to evaluate the possible improvement in environmental performance of laser-based powder bed fusion additive manufacturing systems on prosthetic device production. Environmental impacts due to manufacturing, use, and end of life of the designed solution were assessed. In addition, two powder production technologies, gas atomization (GA) and plasma atomization (PA), were compared in order to establish the most sustainable one. Production via traditional subtractive technologies and the additive manufacturing production were also compared. 3D building was found to have a significant environmental advantage compared to the traditional technology. The powder production process considerably influences on a damage point of view the additive manufacturing process; however, its impact can be mitigated if GA powders are employed