827 research outputs found
Generalised Unitarity for Dimensionally Regulated Amplitudes
We present a novel set of Feynman rules and generalised unitarity
cut-conditions for computing one-loop amplitudes via d-dimensional integrand
reduction algorithm. Our algorithm is suited for analytic as well as numerical
result, because all ingredients turn out to have a four-dimensional
representation. We will apply this formalism to NLO QCD corrections.Comment: Presented at SILAFAE 2014, 24-28 Nov, Ruta N, Medellin, Colombi
Influence of interface potential on the effective mass in Ge nanostructures
The role of the interface potential on the effective mass of charge carriers
is elucidated in this work. We develop a new theoretical formalism using a
spatially dependent effective mass that is related to the magnitude of the
interface potential. Using this formalism we studied Ge quantum dots (QDs)
formed by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) and co-sputtering
(sputter). These samples allowed us to isolate important consequences arising
from differences in the interface potential. We found that for a higher
interface potential, as in the case of PECVD QDs, there is a larger reduction
in the effective mass, which increases the confinement energy with respect to
the sputter sample. We further understood the action of O interface states by
comparing our results with Ge QDs grown by molecular beam epitaxy. It is found
that the O states can suppress the influence of the interface potential. From
our theoretical formalism we determine the length scale over which the
interface potential influences the effective mass
Aquaporins in health and disease: An overview focusing on the gut of different species
Aquaporins (AQPs) play a pivotal role in gut homeostasis since their distribution and
function is modulated both in physiological and in pathophysiological conditions. The transport of
water and solutes through gut epithelia is essential for osmoregulation and digestive and absorptive
functions. This passage is regulated by different AQP isoforms and characterized by their peculiar
distribution in the gastrointestinal tract. To date, AQP localization has been identified in the gut
and associated organs of several mammalian species by different techniques (immunohistochemical,
western blotting, and RT-PCR). The present review describes the modulation of AQP expression,
distribution, and function in gut pathophysiology. At the same time, the comparative description
of AQP in animal species sheds light on the full range of AQP functions and the screening of their
activity as transport modulators, diagnostic biomarkers, and drug targets. Moreover, the phenotype
of knockout mice for several AQPs and their compensatory role and the use of specific AQP inhibitors
have been also reviewed. The reported data could be useful to design future research in both basic
and clinical fields
Seismic reflection data in the Umbria Marche Region: limits and capabilities to unravel the subsurface structure in a seismically active area
Before seismic data were made available, the subsurface setting of the Umbria-Marche area was mainly derived
from the extrapolation of surface data and from models resulting from analogies with other mountain chains
around the world. During the ‘90s industrial seismic data availability considerably increased, allowing the definition
of new, previously unknown features. Beside the industrial seismic data availability, a deep crustal, near
vertical seismic section trending E-W was acquired (CROP-03) across the Italian peninsula from the Tyrrhenian
to the Adriatic coast. The subsurface data defined the compressional deformation style (thin- Vs thick- skinned)
and the extensional deformation style. A set of east-dipping low-angle-normal faults, which dissect the previous
compressional structures and which are the dominant features controlling the extension of the Apennines were
recognised. The subsequent application of the seismic data interpretation to seismotectonic issues, defined in
more detail the subsurface geometries of the active faults and the relationships between upper crust structure and
seismicity
Hereditary inclusion-body myopathy with sparing of the quadriceps: the many tiles of an incomplete puzzle
The hereditary inclusion-body myopathies encompass several syndromes with autosomal recessive or dominant inheritance. Despite a different clinical presentation they all have a progressive course leading to severe disability and share similar pathologic findings at the muscle biopsy. Quadriceps-sparing autosomal recessive hereditary inclusion-body myopathy (h-IBM) is the commonest form and is tied to mutations of the UDP-Nacetylglucosamine 2-epimerase/N-acetylmannosamine kinase (GNE) that codes for a rate-limiting enzyme in the sialic acid biosynthetic pathway. Despite the identification of the causative gene defect, it has not been clarified how mutations of the GNE gene impair muscle homeostasis. Although several lines of evidence argue in favor of an abnormal sialylation of muscle glycoproteins playing a key role in h-IBM pathogenesis, others studies have demonstrated new functions of the GNE gene, outside the sialic acid biosynthetic pathway, that may also be relevant. This review illustrates the clinical and pathologic characteristics of h- IBM and the main clues available to date concerning the possible pathogenic mechanisms of this disorder. Understanding the molecular mechanism underlying h-IBM pathology is a fundamental requisite to plan a future attempt to therapy
Mesoangioblasts of inclusion-body myositis: a twofold tool to study pathogenic mechanisms and enhance defective muscle regeneration
Mesoangioblasts are a class of adult stem cells of mesoderm origin, potentially useful for the treatment of primitive myopathies of different etiology. Extensive in vitro and in vivo studies in animal models of muscular dystrophy have demonstrated the ability of mesoangioblast to repair skeletal muscle when injected intra-arterially. In a previous work we demonstrated that mesoangioblasts obtained from diagnostic muscle biopsies of IBM patients display a defective differentiation down skeletal muscle and this block can be corrected in vitro by transient MyoD transfection. We are currently investigating different pathways involved in mesoangioblasts skeletal muscle differentiation and exploring alternative stimulatory approaches not requiring extensive cell manipulation. This will allow to obtain safe, easy and efficient molecular or pharmacological modulation of pro-myogenic pathways in IBM mesoangioblasts. It is of crucial importance to identify factors (ie. cytokines, growth factors) produced by muscle or inflammatory cells and released in the surrounding milieu that are able to regulate the differentiation ability of IBM mesoangioblasts. To promote myogenic differentiation of endogenous mesoangioblasts in IBM muscle, the modulation of such target molecules selectively dysregulated would be a more handy approach to enhance muscle regeneration compared to transplantation techniques
Light harvesting with Ge quantum dots embedded in SiO2 and Si3N4
Cataloged from PDF version of article.Germanium quantum dots (QDs) embedded in SiO2 or in Si3N4 have been studied for light harvesting purposes. SiGeO or SiGeN thin films, produced by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, have been annealed up to 850 degrees C to induce Ge QD precipitation in Si based matrices. By varying the Ge content, the QD diameter can be tuned in the 3-9 nm range in the SiO2 matrix, or in the 1-2 nm range in the Si3N4 matrix, as measured by transmission electron microscopy. Thus, Si3N4 matrix hosts Ge QDs at higher density and more closely spaced than SiO2 matrix. Raman spectroscopy revealed a higher threshold for amorphous-to-crystalline transition for Ge QDs embedded in Si3N4 matrix in comparison with those in the SiO2 host. Light absorption by Ge QDs is shown to be more effective in Si3N4 matrix, due to the optical bandgap (0.9-1.6 eV) being lower than in SiO2 matrix (1.2-2.2 eV). Significant photoresponse with a large measured internal quantum efficiency has been observed for Ge QDs in Si3N4 matrix when they are used as a sensitive layer in a photodetector device. These data will be presented and discussed, opening new routes for application of Ge QDs in light harvesting devices. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC
A complete one-loop calculation of electroweak supersymmetric effects in -channel single top production at LHC
We have computed the complete one-loop electroweak effects in the MSSM for
single top (and single antitop) production in the -channel at hadron
colliders, generalizing a previous analysis performed for the dominant
final state and fully including QED effects. The results are quite similar for
all processes. The overall Standard Model one-loop effect is small, of the few
percent size. This is due to a compensation of weak and QED contributions that
are of opposite sign. The genuine SUSY contribution is generally quite modest
in the mSUGRA scenario. The experimental observables would therefore only
practically depend, in this framework, on the CKM coupling.Comment: 25 pages, several eps figures. Update corresponding to published
versio
Deriving thrust fault slip rates from geological modeling: examples from the Marche coastal and offshore contraction belt, Northern Apennines, Italy.
We present a reconstruction of the central Marche thrust system in the central-northern Adriatic domain aimed at constraining the geometry of the active faults deemed to be potential sources of moderate to large earthquakes in this region and at evaluating their long-term slip rates. This system of contractional structures is associated with fault-propagation folds outcropping along the coast or buried in the offshore that have been active at least since about 3Myr. The ongoing deformation of the coastal and offshore Marche thrust system is associated with moderate historical and instrumental seismicity and recorded in sedimentary and geomorphic features. In this study, we use subsurface data coming from both published and original sources. These comprise cross-sections, seismic lines, subsurface maps and borehole data to constrain geometrically coherent local 3D geological models, with particular focus on the Pliocene and Pleistocene units. Two sections crossing five main faults and correlative anticlines are extracted to calculate slip rates on the driving thrust faults. Our slip rate calculation procedure includes a) the assessment of the onset time which is based on the sedimentary and structural architecture, b) the decompaction of clastic units where necessary, and c) the restoration of the slip on the fault planes. The assessment of the differential compaction history of clastic rocks eliminates the effects of compaction-induced subsidence which determine unwanted overestimation of slip rates. To restore the displacement along the analyzed structures, we use two different methods on the basis of the deformation style: the fault parallel flow algorithm for faulted horizons and the trishear algorithm for fault-propagation folds. The time of fault onset ranges between 5.3-2.2 Myr; overall the average slip rates of the various thrusts are in the range of 0.26-1.35 mm/yr
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