A realistic inversion algorithm for magnetic anomaly data: the Mt. Amiata volcano test

The aim of this work is the formulation of a 3D model of the Mt. Amiata volcanic complex (Southern Tuscany) by means of geomagnetic data. This work is shown not only as a real test to check the validity of the inversion algorithm, but also to add information about the structure of the volcanic complex. First, we outline briefly the theory of geomagnetic data inversion and we introduce the approach adopted. Then we show the 3D model of the Amiata volcano built from the inversion, and we compare it with the available geological information. The most important consideration regards the surface distribution of the magnetization that is in good agreement with rock samples from this area. Moreover, the recovered model orientation recall the extension of the lava flows, and as a last proof of validity, the source appears to be contained inside of the topographic contour level. The credibility of the inversion procedure drives the interpretation even for the deepest part of the volcano. The geomagnetic signal appears suppressed at a depth of about 2 km, but the most striking consequence is that sub-vertical structures are found even in different positions from the conduits shown in the geologic sections. The results are thus in good agreement with the information obtained from other data, but showing features that had not been identified, stressing the informative power of the geomagnetic signal when a meaningful inversion algorithm is used

Scion–rootstock interactions influence the growth and behaviour of the grapevine root system in a heavy clay soil

Background and Aims Generally, grapevine roots have been less studied than the above‐ground parts of the plant. Here we analyse scion–rootstock interactions in mature vines growing in a heavy clay soil in a climate characterised by severe summer drought to investigate the effect of the scion–rootstock interaction in a suboptimal soil. Methods and Results The rootstocks, 34 Ecole de Montpellier, 140 Ruggeri and 1103 Paulsen, were grafted onto Nerello Mascalese and Nero d'Avola scions and assessed along with self‐rooted vines. Root distribution and root architecture were analysed using the profile wall method at 0, 60 and 120 cm from the row midline. Root density was greatest at a depth between 21 and 60 cm. The cumulative root fraction for root density registered a β value, a numerical quantity that summarises depth distribution, ranging between 0.932 and 0.962. Root number and density were significantly lower for the self‐rooted vines compared to that of the grafted vines. Conclusions The scion genotypes affected most developmental parameters, including the diameter of the root system, the root density at 21–80 cm depth and the ratio of fine roots to coarse roots. Significance of the Study The scion plays an important role in grapevine root growth, development and distribution in a heavy clay soil, although the mechanism remains unclear

Development of a Male Turbo-Prop Unmanned Aerial Vehiche for Civil Application

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) increasingly are seen as the next step in aircraft evolution with the potential to replace manned aircraft over a broad range of civilian roles. Industry, who recognise the cost effectiveness of UAV, is keen to grasp this potential and the technology is rapidly developing with numerous projects currently in operation of development throughout Europe and worldwide. In response to this needs University of Naples has developed a MALE configuration TurboProp engined using innovative structural and aerodynamic solutions. Regarding the structural aspect the extensive use of composite materials led to the definition of a weight efficient vehicle capable to carry on up to 500 kg of payloads covering a wide range of medium altitude missions. With reference to aerodynamic solution, an Eppler modified profile, numerically optimized, has been adopted for its efficiency that has granted long endurance and, coupled with the power provided by the chosen engine (PT6A – 67 B), high performance. The aeroelastic assessment has revealed that no critical phenomena occur in the flight envelope. Once defined the aerodynamic and structural aspects, an analysis of reliability and safety has been performed aimed to evaluate MTBL (Mean Time Between Loss) and MTBCF (Mean Time Between Critical Failure) features

On the Absorption of X-rays in the Interstellar Medium

We present an improved model for the absorption of X-rays in the ISM intended for use with data from future X-ray missions with larger effective areas and increased energy resolution such as Chandra and XMM, in the energy range above 100eV. Compared to previous work, our formalism includes recent updates to the photoionization cross section and revised abundances of the interstellar medium, as well as a treatment of interstellar grains and the H2molecule. We review the theoretical and observational motivations behind these updates and provide a subroutine for the X-ray spectral analysis program XSPEC that incorporates our model.Comment: ApJ, in press, for associated software see http://astro.uni-tuebingen.de/nh

Marcadores de estres oxidativo en saliva de pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio: estudio preliminar

There is evidence that acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with increasing production of reactive oxygen species and tissue injury. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of oxidative stress indices in saliva 24 and 48h after AMI. Materials and methods: We designed a prospective study comparing salivary levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients with AMI with elevation of the ST segment in electrocardiogram versus clinically healthy subjects. Oxidative stress indices including the rate of oxidation of 2'7' dichlorohydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFHDA) and the activity of the antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT) were evaluated in saliva from patients with AMI at 24 and 48 hours. At each sampling time, blood was drawn for serum markers of myocardial infarction. Results: This study included ten patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and ten clinically healthy controls. Mean age was 67.8 } 11.1 vs. 48.7 } 4.1 years (p0.05) for AMI vs. controls, respectively. Our results demonstrated an increase in the rate of oxidation of DCFH-DA in the myocardial infarction group as compared with controls (p=0.004), which remained unchanged at 48h. There was no difference in salivary catalase activity between controls and AMI subjects at 24h or at 48h post-diagnosis (p=0.157). The relationship between CAT48 and DCFH-DA48 was fairly significant (r=0.39; p=0.053). Conclusion: This preliminary study showed that biomarkers of oxidative stress are detectable in saliva of patients with acute myocardial infarction. Clinical Relevance: Future studies using a larger population are needed to confirm these observations and to explore the possibility of using the saliva to monitor evolving diagnosis and prognosis in acute coronary syndrome.Existe evidencia que permite establecer una asociacion entre la generacion de especies reactivas del oxigeno y el dano tisular en el sindrome coronario agudo. El objetivo de este trabajo fue detectar en saliva de pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM), la presencia de reactantes de estres oxidativo a las 24 y 48 horas. Materiales y metodos: se efectuo un estudio prospectivo de comparacion entre pacientes con IAM con supradesnivel del segmento ST en el electrocardiograma y sujetos sin patologia clinica evidente. La produccion de especies reactivas de oxigeno fue evaluada mediante la tasa de oxidacion de la 2'7' diacetato de diclorohidrofluoreceina (DCFH-DA) y la actividad antioxidante de la enzima catalasa (CAT) en saliva de pacientes con IAM a las 24 y 48 h de producido el sindrome coronario agudo. Simultaneamente, se determinaron en suero los biomarcadores diagnosticos de IAM. Resultados: se incorporaron 10 pacientes con IAM con supradesnivel del ST que fueron comparados con 10 sujetos del grupo control. La edad promedio fue 67.8 } 11.1 vs 48.7 } 4.1 anos, respectivamente (p0.05). La media de la velocidad de oxidacion de la DCFH-DA fue mayor a las 24 h en los pacientes con IAM (p=0.004). Estas diferencias se mantuvieron a las 48 h del infarto sin cambios significativos. No se encontraron diferencias en las medias de actividad de la enzima catalasa entre IAM y control (p>0.05). Se encontro una relacion entre CAT48 y DCFH-DA48 (r=0.39; p=0.053). Conclusiones: En esta poblacion se han detectado reactantes de estres oxidativo en saliva de pacientes con IAM. Relevancia clinica: nuevos estudios con mayor numero de casos seran necesarios para confirmar estas observaciones y evaluar la utilidad de la saliva en el diagnostico, evolucion y pronostico del sindrome coronario agudo.Fil: Rubio, María Cristina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Odontología. Área de Patología y Clínica Bucodental; ArgentinaFil: González, Paula Mariela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Ramos, Cecilia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Odontología; ArgentinaFil: Lewin, Pablo Gastón. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Odontología. Área de Patología y Clínica Bucodental; ArgentinaFil: Friedman, Silvia María. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Odontología; ArgentinaFil: Puntarulo, Susana Ángela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Nicolosi, Liliana N.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Odontología. Área de Patología y Clínica Bucodental; Argentin

Methodological enhancements in MDO process investigated in the AGILE European project

This paper presents methodological investigations performed in research activities in the field of MDO in overall aircraft design in the ongoing EU funded research project AGILE. AGILE is developing the next generation of aircraft Multidisciplinary Design and Optimization processes, which target significant reductions in aircraft development costs and time to market, leading to cheaper and greener aircraft solutions. The paper introduces the AGILE project structure and describes the achievements of the 1st year (Design Campaign 1) leading to a reference distributed MDO system. A focus is then made on the different novel optimization techniques studied during the 2nd year, all willing to ease the optimization of complex work flows, characterized by high degree of discipline interdependencies, high number of design variables in the context of multi-level and multi-partner collaborative engineering projects. Then the implementation of these methods in the enhanced MDO framework is discussed

Two-Photon Absorption in Monolayer MXenes

Two‐photon absorption (2PA) is a nonlinear optical (NLO) effect that typically occurs in a conventional semiconductor whose bandgap is larger than the energy of one excited photon but smaller than the energy of two photons. In this work, the experimental observation of strong 2PA in gapless MXene monolayers is reported. This phenomenon is verified by a nonlinear transmission method and ultrafast dynamic studies based on a wavelength‐degenerate, non‐collinear pump‐probe technique. The unconventional 2PA is attributed to the structures of the MXene energy bands near the Fermi level, which favors two‐photon transitions and suppresses one‐photon transitions due to parallel band absorption effects. These results, as well as the measured NLO parameters including the 2PA coefficient, absorption cross‐section, excited carrier lifetimes, and third‐order NLO susceptibility, provide a systematic understanding of the unusual NLO effect in MXenes and may be applied in advanced photonic and optoelectronic devices

BMY-25801 , an Antiemetic Agent Free of D2-Dopamine Receptor Antagonist Properties

ABSTRACT BMY-25801 , 4-amino-5-chloro-N-[2-(diethylamino) and total body radiation in the ferret. It also was effective against cisplatin-induced emesis in the dog; however, it was inactive against emesis caused by apomorphine and hydergine in the same species

Enhancing optimization capabilities using the AGILE collaborative MDO framework with application to wing and nacelle design

This paper presents methodological investigations performed in research activities in the field of Multi-disciplinary Design and Optimization (MDO) for overall aircraft design in the EU funded research project AGILE (2015–2018). In the AGILE project a team of 19 industrial, research and academic partners from Europe, Canada and Russia are working together to develop the next generation of MDO environment that targets significant reductions in aircraft development costs and time to market, leading to cheaper and greener aircraft. The paper introduces the AGILE project structure and describes the achievements of the 1st year that led to a reference distributed MDO system. A focus is then made on different novel optimization techniques studied during the 2nd year, all aiming at easing the optimization of complex workflows that are characterized by a high number of discipline interdependencies and a large number of design variables in the context of multi-level processes and multi-partner collaborative engineering projects. Three optimization strategies are introduced and validated for a conventional aircraft. First, a multi-objective technique based on Nash Games and Genetic Algorithm is used on a wing design problem. Then a zoom is made on the nacelle design where a surrogate-based optimizer is used to solve a mono-objective problem. Finally a robust approach is adopted to study the effects of uncertainty in parameters on the nacelle design process. These new capabilities have been integrated in the AGILE collaborative framework that in the future will be used to study and optimize novel unconventional aircraft configurations