Inelastic response of silicon to shock compression

The elastic and inelastic response of [001] oriented silicon to laser compression has been a topic of considerable discussion for well over a decade, yet there has been little progress in understanding the basic behaviour of this apparently simple material. We present experimental x-ray diffraction data showing complex elastic strain profiles in laser compressed samples on nanosecond timescales. We also present molecular dynamics and elasticity code modelling which suggests that a pressure induced phase transition is the cause of the previously reported 'anomalous' elastic waves. Moreover, this interpretation allows for measurement of the kinetic timescales for transition. This model is also discussed in the wider context of reported deformation of silicon to rapid compression in the literature

Fiscal Resources for Inclusive Growth

This paper develops a framework to assess the growth and distribution effects of fiscal resources. Resources are classified as debt, other capital receipts, foreign aid and other unilateral grants, non-tax revenue, including resource rents, seigniorage, and taxes. The framework is used to assess the fiscal resource bases of economies in developing Asia to the extent permitted by available data. Although there is great diversity in the amount of resources raised in terms of the importance of different revenue sources and in the sophistication of revenue administrations, the analysis suggests that in order to expand their relatively low fiscal resource bases, developing Asian economies need to pay greater attention to non-tax revenue and to taxes other than broad-based taxes on income and consumption, such as property taxes and corrective taxes

Telethon Network of Genetic Biobanks: a key service for diagnosis and research on rare diseases

Several examples have always illustrated how access to large numbers of biospecimens and associated data plays a pivotal role in the identification of disease genes and the development of pharmaceuticals. Hence, allowing researchers to access to significant numbers of quality samples and data, genetic biobanks are a powerful tool in basic, translational and clinical research into rare diseases. Recently demand for well-annotated and properly-preserved specimens is growing at a high rate, and is expected to grow for years to come. The best effective solution to this issue is to enhance the potentialities of well-managed biobanks by building a network.Here we report a 5-year experience of the Telethon Network of Genetic Biobanks (TNGB), a non-profit association of Italian repositories created in 2008 to form a virtually unique catalogue of biospecimens and associated data, which presently lists more than 750 rare genetic defects. The process of TNGB harmonisation has been mainly achieved through the adoption of a unique, centrally coordinated, IT infrastructure, which has enabled (i) standardisation of all the TNGB procedures and activities; (ii) creation of an updated TNGB online catalogue, based on minimal data set and controlled terminologies; (iii) sample access policy managed via a shared request control panel at web portal. TNGB has been engaged in disseminating information on its services into both scientific/biomedical - national and international - contexts, as well as associations of patients and families. Indeed, during the last 5-years national and international scientists extensively used the TNGB with different purposes resulting in more than 250 scientific publications. In addition, since its inception the TNGB is an associated member of the Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure and recently joined the EuroBioBank network. Moreover, the involvement of patients and families, leading to the formalization of various agreements between TNGB and Patients' Associations, has demonstrated how promoting Biobank services can be instrumental in gaining a critical mass of samples essential for research, as well as, raising awareness, trust and interest of the general public in Biobanks. This article focuses on some fundamental aspects of networking and demonstrates how the translational research benefits from a sustained infrastructure

Phase Transition Lowering in Dynamically Compressed Silicon

Silicon, being one of the most abundant elements in nature, attracts wide-ranging scientific and technological interest. Specifically, in its elemental form, crystals of remarkable purity can be produced. One may assume that this would lead to silicon being well understood, and indeed, this is the case for many ambient properties, as well as for higher-pressure behaviour under quasi-static loading. However, despite many decades of study, a detailed understanding of the response of silicon to rapid compression—such as that experienced under shock impact—remains elusive. Here, we combine a novel free-electron laser-based X-ray diffraction geometry with laser-driven compression to elucidate the importance of shear generated during shock compression on the occurrence of phase transitions. We observe lowering of the hydrostatic phase boundary in elemental silicon, an ideal model system for investigating high-strength materials, analogous to planetary constituents. Moreover, we unambiguously determine the onset of melting above 14 GPa, previously ascribed to a solid–solid phase transition, undetectable in the now conventional shocked diffraction geometry; transitions to the liquid state are expected to be ubiquitous in all systems at sufficiently high pressures and temperatures

A multi-element psychosocial intervention for early psychosis (GET UP PIANO TRIAL) conducted in a catchment area of 10 million inhabitants: study protocol for a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial

Multi-element interventions for first-episode psychosis (FEP) are promising, but have mostly been conducted in non-epidemiologically representative samples, thereby raising the risk of underestimating the complexities involved in treating FEP in 'real-world' services

The enhanced electrochemical response of Sr(Ti0.3Fe0.7Ru0.07)O3-: δ anodes due to exsolved Ru-Fe nanoparticles

A mixed conducting oxide with a nominal composition Sr(Ti0.3Fe0.7Ru0.07)O3-δ (STFRu) is studied, in comparison with SrTi0.3Fe0.7O3-δ (STF) oxide, as an anode for solid oxide fuel cells. Exposing STFRu to reducing fuel conditions at 800 °C for 4 h results in the exsolution of essentially all of the Ru and a small fraction of the Fe from the oxide, and the formation of Ru1-xFex nanoparticles on the oxide surfaces. Most of the nanoparticles have the hexagonal structure expected for Ru-rich alloys, and thermogravimetric analysis suggests the composition x ∼ 0.2. A small fraction of bcc-structure, presumably Fe-rich, nanoparticles are also detected. Comparison of cells with STFRu and STF anodes shows that the presence of Ru induces a reduced polarization resistance and increases the maximum power density under most cell operating conditions, particularly at lower temperatures and hydrogen partial pressures. For example, at 700 °C and 30% H2 fuel, the maximum power density is 0.1 W cm-2 for STF compared to 0.3 W cm-2 for STFRu. There is also a significant change in the shape of the current-voltage curves and the pH2-dependence of the anode polarization resistances RP,A ∝ (pH2)-m, from m ∼ 0.5-1.0 for STF to m ∼ 0.11-0.29 for STFRu; these suggest that Ru1-xFex nanoparticles improve anode performance by promoting hydrogen adsorption.Fil: Glaser, R.. Northwestern University; Estados UnidosFil: Zhu, T.. Northwestern University; Estados UnidosFil: Troiani, Horacio Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia de Área de Aplicaciones de la Tecnología Nuclear. Gerencia de Investigación Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Caneiro, Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. YPF - Tecnología; ArgentinaFil: Mogni, Liliana Verónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia de Área de Aplicaciones de la Tecnología Nuclear. Gerencia de Investigación Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Barnett, S.. Northwestern University; Estados Unido