Investigation of turbulent transport regimes in the tokamak edge by using two-fluid simulations

The results of flux-driven, two-fluid simulations in single-null configurations are used to investigate the processes determining the turbulent transport in the tokamak edge. Three turbulent transport regimes are identified: (i) a developed transport regime with turbulence driven by an interchange instability, which shares a number of features with the standard L-mode of tokamak operation, (ii) a suppressed transport regime, characterized by a higher value of the energy confinement time, low-amplitude relative fluctuations driven by a Kelvin-Helmholtz instability, a strong E x B sheared flow, and the formation of a transport barrier, which recalls the H-mode, and (iii) a degraded confinement regime, characterized by a catastrophically large interchange-driven turbulent transport, which reminds the crossing of the Greenwald density limit.We derive an analytical expression of the pressure gradient length in the three regimes. The transition from the developed to the suppressed transport regime is obtained by increasing the heat source or decreasing the collisionality and vice versa for the transition from the developed transport regime to the degraded confinement regime. An analytical expression of the power threshold to access the suppressed transport regime, linked to the power threshold for H-mode access, as well as the maximum density achievable before entering the degraded confinement regime, related to the Greenwald density, are also derived. The experimental dependencies of the power threshold for H-mode access on density, tokamak major radius, and isotope mass are retrieved. The analytical estimate of the density limit contains the correct dependence on the plasma current and on the tokamak minor radius

Meeting the unmet: from traditional to cutting-edge techniques for poly lactide and poly lactide-co-glycolide microparticle manufacturing

Polylactides (PLA) and poly lactide-co-glycolides (PLGA) undoubtedly are among the major drivers in the pharmaceutical market. Their relevance in pharmaceutics and biomedicine is well established in light of their sustainability, safety, tunable biodegradability, and versatility. However, polymer degradability and plasticity can somehow restrain industrial developability of PLA and PLGA formulations, especially in the form of microparticles (MP). This review wants to deal with the known manufacturing issues of PLA/PLGA MP, debating the potential contribution of modern and cutting-edge manufacturing technologies to the solution of unmet production needs. Technological and regulatory aspects will be considered outlining the potential role of advanced manufacturing techniques in the advancement of PLA/PLGA MP production processes. The multifaceted complexity of PLA/PLGA MP manufacturing processes demands adequate standardization and updated guidelines covering the so far unmet industrialization requirements. Novel and evolving manufacturing technologies will surely support the future development of bench-to-production plant transfer for such products. Careful evaluation of production costs is demanded in order to ensure process sustainability and patient's outreach

Vibrational Spectroscopies and Chemometry for Nondestructive Identification and Differentiation of Painting Binders

A comprehensive dataset of vibrational spectra of different natural organic binding media is presented and discussed. The binding media were applied on a glass substrate and analyzed after three months of natural ageing. The combination of Raman and FT-NIR spectroscopies allows for an improved identification of these materials as Raman technique is more informative about the skeletal vibrations, while FT-NIR spectroscopy is more sensitive to the substituents and polar groups. The experimental results are initially discussed in the framework of current spectral assignment. Then, multivariate analysis (PCA) is applied leading to differentiation among the samples. The two major principal components allow for a complete separation of the different classes of organic materials. Further differentiation within the same class is possible thanks to the secondary components. The loadings obtained from PCA are discussed on the basis of the spectral assignment leading to clear understanding of the physical basis of this differentiation process

Vignola e dintorni. Su un disegno inedito per la cappella Pepoli in San Domenico a Bologna

Luigi Breventani (1847-1906), a distinguished scholar of Bolognese canon law, archeology and medieval topography, collected a series of drawings, mostly of architectural subjects, probably coming from the collection of Marcello Oretti (1714- 1787). Breventani attributed them to the architect Pietro Fiorini (Bologna, 1539-1629), but some sheets cannot be attributed to him, since the handwriting of notes and measures do not correspond. One of these sheets shows plan and cross section of a large chapel measured in Bolognese feet: a dimensional and formal analysis allows us to identify in it an unexecuted project for the Pepoli chapel in San Domenico in Bologna, under construction since 1551, merging Medieval and Renaissance elements, by the architect Antonio Morandi.In 1550, he had supplanted Vignola as master-builder of San Petronio’s Basilica. Probably, Filippo Pepoli, President of the Fabbriceria and belonging to one of the most influential families in the city, had first given the commission of the chapel to Vignola, later revoking it, for reasons of expediency, after his dismissal (1550).The chapel project, one of the few works dating back to the 1540s which can be attributed to Vignola, shows the successful fusion of ancient and modern sources, anticipating the research on ecclesiastical spaces with a central matrix that the architect was to develop later in Roman works.Luigi Breventani (1847-1906), insigne studioso di canonistica, archeologia e topografia medievale bolognesi, raccolse una serie di disegni, in gran parte di argomento architettonico, provenienti probabilmente dalla collezione dell’erudito Marcello Oretti (1714-1787). Breventani li riferì all’architetto Pietro Fiorini (Bologna, 1539-1629).Nella raccolta compaiono però anche fogli che, per la calligrafia con la quale sono vergate scritte e misure, per il ductus e per i contenuti, non possono essere autografi di Fiorini. Uno di questi presenta la pianta e la sezione trasversale con il prospetto di un’ampia cappella misurata in piedi bolognesi.L’analisi dimensionale e formale permette di identificare nel disegno un irrealizzato progetto per la cappella Pepoli in San Domenico a Bologna, innalzata dal 1551, fondendo elementi medievali e rinascimentali, dall’architetto Antonio Morandi, che nel 1550 aveva soppiantato Vignola nel cantiere della basilica petroniana.Probabilmente Filippo Pepoli, Presidente della Fabbriceria e appartenente ad una delle più influenti famiglie cittadine, aveva dapprima conferito l’incarico per la cappella al modenese, revocandoglielo in seguito, per ragioni di opportunità, dopo il suo licenziamento (1550).Il progetto di cappella, una delle poche opere degli anni Quaranta che possono essere attribuite a Vignola, mostra la riuscita fusione di fonti antiche e moderne, anticipando la ricerca sugli spazi ecclesiastici a matrice centrale che l’architetto svilupperà più tardi nelle opere romane

Le trasformazioni urbane di Roma al tempo di Tommaso de' Cavalieri

Il saggio delinea le vicende urbanistiche di Roma nel tempo in cui visse e operò Tommaso de’ Cavalieri (1509-1587), poliedrica figura di artista, sodale di Michelangelo, collezionista ed esperto stimatore, oltre che patrono ed amministratore. In particolare sono ripercorsi i principali interventi realizzati, o talvolta solo progettati, durante i pontificati di Paolo III, Giulio III, Paolo IV, Pio IV, Pio V e Gregorio XIII. Un particolare rilievo è attribuito al lungo pontificato Boncompagni (1572-1585), mettendo in evidenza alcuni interventi rimasti irrealizzati, ricostruiti sulla scorta di documentazione grafica inedita o trascurata.The essay outlines the urban history of Rome during the time in which Tommaso de’ Cavalieri lived and worked, considering the main interventions carried out, or sometimes only planned, during the pontificates of Paul III, Julius III, Paul IV, Pio V and, in particular, Gregory XIII

Microanalysis of Organic Pigments in Ancient Textiles by Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering on Agar Gel Matrices

We review some new methods based on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for the nondestructive/minimally invasive identification of organic colorants in objects whose value or function precludes sampling, such as historic and archeological textiles, paintings, and drawing. We discuss in detail the methodology we developed for the selective extraction and identification of anthraquinones and indigoids in the typical concentration used in textiles by means of an ecocompatible homogeneous nanostructured agar matrix. The extraction system was modulated according to the chemical properties of the target analyte by choosing appropriate reagents for the extraction and optimizing the extraction time. The system has been found to be extremely stable, easy to use and produce, easy to store, and at the same time able to be analyzed even after long time intervals, maintaining its enhancement properties unaltered, without the detriment of the extracted compound. Highly structured SERS band intensities have been obtained from the extracted dyes adopting laser light excitations at 514.5 and 785 nm of a micro-Raman setup. This analytical method has been found to be extremely safe for the analyzed substrates, thus being a promising procedure for the selective analysis and detection of molecules at low concentration in the field of artworks conservation

Transcription Pattern of Neurotrophic Factors and Their Receptors in Adult Zebrafish Spinal Cord

In vertebrates, neurotrophins and their receptors play a fundamental role in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Several studies reported that each neurotrophin/receptor signalling pathway can perform various functions during axon development, neuronal growth, and plasticity. Previous investigations in some fish species have identified neurotrophins and their receptors in the spinal cord under physiological conditions and after injuries, highlighting their potential role during regeneration. In our study, for the first time, we used an excellent animal model, the zebrafish (Danio rerio), to compare the mRNA localization patterns of neurotrophins and receptors in the spinal cord. We quantified the levels of mRNA using qPCR, and identified the transcription pattern of each neurotrophin/receptor pathway via in situ hybridization. Our data show that ngf/trka are the most transcribed members in the adult zebrafish spinal cord

The galectin-3/RAGE dyad modulates vascular osteogenesis in atherosclerosis

Vascular calcification correlates with inflammation and plaque instability in a dual manner, depending on the spotty/granular (micro) or sheet-like/lamellated (macro) pattern of calcification. Modified lipoproteins trigger both inflammation and calcification via receptors for advanced lipoxidation/glycation endproducts (ALEs/AGEs). This study compared the roles of galectin-3 and receptor for AGEs (RAGE), two ALEs/AGEs-receptors with diverging effects on inflammation and bone metabolism, in the process of vascular calcification. We evaluated galectin-3 and RAGE expression/localization in 62 human carotid plaques and its relation to calcification pattern, plaque phenotype, and markers of inflammation and vascular osteogenesis; and the effect of galectin-3 ablation and/or exposure to an ALE/AGE on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) osteogenic differentiation. While RAGE co-localized with inflammatory cells in unstable regions with microcalcification, galectin-3 was expressed also by VSMCs, especially in macrocalcified areas, where it co-localized with alkaline phosphatase. Expression of galectin-3 and osteogenic markers was higher in macrocalcified plaques, whereas the opposite occurred for RAGE and inflammatory markers. Galectin-3-deficient VSMCs exhibited defective osteogenic differentiation, as shown by altered expression of osteogenic transcription factors and proteins, blunted activation of pro-osteoblastogenic Wnt/β-catenin signalling and proliferation, enhanced apoptosis, and disorganized mineralization. These abnormalities were associated with RAGE up-regulation, but were only in part prevented by RAGE silencing, and were partially mimicked or exacerbated by treatment with an AGE/ALE. These data indicate a novel molecular mechanism by which galectin-3 and RAGE modulate in divergent ways, not only inflammation, but also vascular osteogenesis, by modulating Wnt/β-catenin signalling, and independently of ALEs/AGEs