Zr-metal adhesion on graphenic nanostructures

3 pages, 3 figures.-- PACS nrs.: 68.35.Np, 61.46.Fg, 61.46.Df.Our high resolution transmission electronic microscopy studies of multiwall carbon nanotubes show, after the growth of zirconia nanoparticles by a hydrothermal route, the presence of surface Zr, forming an atomically thin layer. Using first-principles calculations we investigate the nature of the Zr–C interaction, which is neither ionic nor covalent, and the optimal coverage for the Zr metal in a graphene flake. This preferred coverage is in agreement with that deduced from electron energy loss spectra experiments. We show also that the amount of charge transferred to the C layer saturates as the Zr coverage increases and the Zr–C bond becomes weaker.We want to acknowledge the support by the ETORTEK (NANOMAT) program of the Basque government, the Intramural Special Project (Reference No. 2006601242), the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología (MCyT) of Spain (Grant No. Fis 2007-66711-C02-C01), and the European Network of Excellence NANOQUANTA (NM4-CT-2004-500198). Y.S.P. gratefully acknowledges his DIPC grant.Peer reviewe

Blockade of T-cell activation by dithiocarbamates involves novel mechanisms of inhibition of nuclear factor of activated T cells.

Dithiocarbamates (DTCs) have recently been reported as powerful inhibitors of NF-kappaB activation in a number of cell types. Given the role of this transcription factor in the regulation of gene expression in the inflammatory response, NF-kappaB inhibitors have been suggested as potential therapeutic drugs for inflammatory diseases. We show here that DTCs inhibited both interleukin 2 (IL-2) synthesis and membrane expression of antigens which are induced during T-cell activation. This inhibition, which occurred with a parallel activation of c-Jun transactivating functions and expression, was reflected by transfection experiments at the IL-2 promoter level, and involved not only the inhibition of NF-kappaB-driven reporter activation but also that of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). Accordingly, electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) indicated that pyrrolidine DTC (PDTC) prevented NF-kappaB, and NFAT DNA-binding activity in T cells stimulated with either phorbol myristate acetate plus ionophore or antibodies against the CD3-T-cell receptor complex and simultaneously activated the binding of AP-1. Furthermore, PDTC differentially targeted both NFATp and NFATc family members, inhibiting the transactivation functions of NFATp and mRNA induction of NFATc. Strikingly, Western blotting and immunocytochemical experiments indicated that PDTC promoted a transient and rapid shuttling of NFATp and NFATc, leading to their accelerated export from the nucleus of activated T cells. We propose that the activation of an NFAT kinase by PDTC could be responsible for the rapid shuttling of the NFAT, therefore transiently converting the sustained transactivation of this transcription factor that occurs during lymphocyte activation, and show that c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) can act by directly phosphorylating NFATp. In addition, the combined inhibitory effects on NFAT and NF-KB support a potential use of DTCs as immunosuppressants

Nature of the spin-glass phase at experimental length scales

We present a massive equilibrium simulation of the three-dimensional Ising spin glass at low temperatures. The Janus special-purpose computer has allowed us to equilibrate, using parallel tempering, L=32 lattices down to T=0.64 Tc. We demonstrate the relevance of equilibrium finite-size simulations to understand experimental non-equilibrium spin glasses in the thermodynamical limit by establishing a time-length dictionary. We conclude that non-equilibrium experiments performed on a time scale of one hour can be matched with equilibrium results on L=110 lattices. A detailed investigation of the probability distribution functions of the spin and link overlap, as well as of their correlation functions, shows that Replica Symmetry Breaking is the appropriate theoretical framework for the physically relevant length scales. Besides, we improve over existing methodologies to ensure equilibration in parallel tempering simulations.Comment: 48 pages, 19 postscript figures, 9 tables. Version accepted for publication in the Journal of Statistical Mechanic

Measurements of the Electron-Helicity Dependent Cross Sections of Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering with CEBAF at 12 GeV

We propose precision measurements of the helicity-dependent and helicity independent cross sections for the ep->epg reaction in Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering (DVCS) kinematics. DVCS scaling is obtained in the limits Q^2>>Lambda_{QCD}^2, x_Bj fixed, and -\Delta^2=-(q-q')^22 GeV^2, W>2 GeV, and -\Delta^21 GeV^2. We will use our successful technique from the 5.75 GeV Hall A DVCS experiment (E00-110). With polarized 6.6, 8.8, and 11 GeV beams incident on the liquid hydrogen target, we will detect the scattered electron in the Hall A HRS-L spectrometer (maximum central momentum 4.3 GeV/c) and the emitted photon in a slightly expanded PbF_2 calorimeter. In general, we will not detect the recoil proton. The H(e,e'g)X missing mass resolution is sufficient to isolate the exclusive channel with 3% systematic precision

Efficacy of capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency in the physiotherapeutic treatment of chronic pelvic pain syndrome : study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is a multifactorial disorder that affects 5.7% to 26.6% of women and 2.2% to 9.7% of men, characterized by hypersensitivity of the central and peripheral nervous system affecting bladder and genital function. People with CPPS have much higher rates of psychological disorders (anxiety, depression, and catastrophizing) that increase the severity of chronic pain and worsen quality of life. Myofascial therapy, manual therapy, and treatment of trigger points are proven therapeutic options for this syndrome. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency (CRMRF) at 448kHz as an adjunct treatment to other physiotherapeutic techniques for reducing pain and improving the quality of life of patients with CPPS. This triple-blind (1:1) randomized controlled trial will include 80 women and men with CPPS. Participants will be randomized into a CRMRF activated group or a CRMRF deactivated group and receive physiotherapeutic techniques and pain education. The groups will undergo treatment for 10 consecutive weeks. At the beginning of the trial there will be an evaluation of pain intensity (using VAS), quality of life (using the SF-12), kinesiophobia (using the TSK-11), and catastrophism (using the PCS), as well as at the sixth and tenth sessions. The results of this study will show that CRMRF benefits the treatment of patients with CPPS, together with physiotherapeutic techniques and pain education. These results could offer an alternative conservative treatment option for these patients. ClinicalTrials.gov . Registered on 8 January 2019. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-021-05321-6

Multi-messenger observations of a binary neutron star merger

On 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of ~1.7 s with respect to the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg2 at a luminosity distance of 40+8-8 Mpc and with component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 Mo. An extensive observing campaign was launched across the electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC 4993 (at ~40 Mpc) less than 11 hours after the merger by the One- Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment. Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward evolution over ~10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and radio emission were discovered at the transient’s position ~9 and ~16 days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with the source were found in follow-up searches. These observations support the hypothesis that GW170817 was produced by the merger of two neutron stars in NGC4993 followed by a short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) and a kilonova/macronova powered by the radioactive decay of r-process nuclei synthesized in the ejecta

Environmental Effects in the Structural Parameters of Galaxies in the Coma Cluster

We have studied 116 bright galaxies from the Coma cluster brighter than $m_{r}=17$ mag. From a quantitative morphological analysis we find that the scales of the disks are smaller than those of field spiral galaxies. There is a correlation between the scale of the disks and the position of the galaxy in the cluster; no large disks are present near the center of the cluster or in high density environments. The structural parameters of the bulges are not affected by the environment. We have analyzed the distribution of blue and red objects in the cluster. For spirals there is a trend between color and position in the cluster. The bluest spiral galaxies are located at larger projected radii; they also show larger velocity dispersions than the red ones. The differences in the scale of the disks between cluster galaxies and local samples of isolated galaxies and the color distribution of the objects can be understood in terms of the harassment scenario.Comment: 39 pages, 17 figures. Accepted for publication in A

The IFMIF-DONES fusion oriented neutron source: Evolution of the design

IFMIF-DONES is a powerful neutron irradiation facility for the study and qualification of materials planned as part of the European roadmap to fusion-generated electricity. Its main goal is to study properties of materials under severe irradiation in a neutron field similar to the one in a fusion reactor first wall. It is a key facility to prepare for the construction of the DEMO power plant envisaged to follow ITER. The decision to start the construction of IFMIF-DONES is expected imminent. In this paper we present and discuss several key technical studies and decisions to improve and optimize the engineering design of IFMIF-DONES which were carried out as part of the activities in the framework of the EUROfusion Early Neutron Source work package (2015-2020). The following topics are discussed in this paper: the new layout of the IFMIF-DONES SRF LINAC accelerator and high-energy beam transport line, 7Be impurity management approach for the lithium loop, a maintainable test cell concept, a revised layout of the access cell for the remote maintenance operations, and facilities for complementary experiments

Measurement of the cosmic p+He energy spectrum from 46 GeV to 316 TeV with the DAMPE space mission

Recent observations of the light component of the cosmic-ray spectrum have revealed unexpected features that motivate further and more precise measurements up to the highest energies. The Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) is a satellite-based cosmic-ray experiment that is operational since December 2015, continuously collecting data on high-energy cosmic particles with very good statistics, energy resolution, and particle identification capabilities. In this work, the latest measurements of the energy spectrum of proton+helium in the energy range from 46 GeV to 316 TeV are presented. Among the most distinctive features of the spectrum, a spectral hardening at $\sim$600 GeV has been observed, along with a softening at $\sim$29 TeV measured with a 6.6$\sigma$ significance. Moreover, by measuring the energy spectrum up to 316 TeV, a strong link is established between space- and ground-based experiments, also suggesting the presence of a second hardening at $\sim$150 TeV.Comment: submitted to PR