A method for narrow-band searches of continuous gravitational wave signals

Targeted searches of continuous waves from spinning neutron stars normally assume that the frequency of the gravitational wave signal is at a given known ratio with respect to the rotational frequency of the source, e.g. twice for an asymmetric neutron star rotating around a principal axis of inertia. In fact this assumption may well be invalid if, for instance, the gravitational wave signal is due to a solid core rotating at a slightly different rate with respect to the star crust. In this paper we present a method for {\it narrow-band} searches of continuous gravitational wave signals from known pulsars in the data of interferometric detectors. This method assumes source position is known to high accuracy, while a small frequency and spin-down range around the electromagnetic-inferred values is explored. Barycentric and spin-down corrections are done with an efficient time-domain procedure. Sensitivity and computational efficiency estimates are given and results of tests done using simulated data are also discussed.Comment: 13 pages; 6 figures; accepted in PR

Stated Preferences for Consumption of Sea Urchin: A Choice Experiment in Sardinia (Italy)

In Sardinia sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) roe is a basic ingredient for several dishes (e.g. pasta, pizza, croutons) and its demand is constantly increasing. However marketable value of local sea urchin appears to be potentially higher than the current value. This paper aims to estimate the value of a based sea urchin dish according to the stated preference of consumers. A Choice Experiment (CE) analysis on 475 consumers was carried out in order to estimate their willingness to pay (WTP) for consuming sea urchin. Seafood was proposed as alternative to sea urchin. CE concerned two attributes:certification of local origin and place where dishes are consumed. Findings suggest that WTP for a generic dish is significantly higher for sea urchin (11.65 Euros) than for seafood (7.94 Euros) based dish. Furthermore, we found that WTP is higher when both foods are consumed with spaghetti and as raw fresh product, whereas an opposite effect is associated to pizza. Finally, the influence of some socio‐economic characteristics of responders on their preferences was estimated

Stated Preferences for Consumption of Sea Urchin: A Choice Experiment in Sardinia (Italy)

In Sardinia sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) roe is a basic ingredient for several dishes (e.g. pasta, pizza, croutons) and its demand is constantly increasing. However marketable value of local sea urchin appears to be potentially higher than the current value. This paper aims to estimate the value of a based sea urchin dish according to the stated preference of consumers. A Choice Experiment (CE) analysis on 475 consumers was carried out in order to estimate their willingness to pay (WTP) for consuming sea urchin. Seafood was proposed as alternative to sea urchin. CE regarded two attributes: certification of local origin and place where dishes are consumed. Findings suggest that WTP for a generic dish is significantly higher for sea urchin (11.65 Euros) than for seafood (7.94 Euros) based dish. Furthermore, we found that WTP is higher when both foods are consumed with spaghetti and as raw fresh product, whereas an opposite effect is associated to pizza. Finally, the influence of some socio-economic characteristics of responders on their preferences was estimated

A microfluidic platform with permeable walls for the analysis of vascular and extravascular mass transport

Considerable advances have been made in microfluidic devices and their applications since the development of soft lithographic techniques [1]. We developed a PDMS based double channel chip consisting of two microfluidic channels that mimic the vascular and extravascular compartments. The two channels are designed to be confined by sidewalls and connected by a membrane composed by arrays of pillars constituting a permeable vascular wall [2]. The inner surface of the vascular channel is uniformly coated with Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) resulting in well-controlled 3D model of blood vessel with endothelial barrier functions. In Figure.1A and B, the photolithographic, etching, and replica molding steps needed for realizing double-channel chips are presented together with an image (right) of the vascular channel after cell seeding and self-organization in a tubular shape. The extravascular compartment can be integrated with tumor cells of different type, potentially organized in a 3D fashion inside an extracellular matrix or with extracellular matrix components. The integration of the two compartments allow us to study the transport and permeation of therapeutic molecules, nanomedicines and cells through the endothelial barrier and the efficacy of the administered treatment. Other applications such as modeling of metastatic cell and leucocytes adhesion and migration across the endothelial barrier allow us to characterize cell extravasation from the vascular bed. The vascular transport and subsequent adhesion dynamics of nano-constructs and cells to the vascular channel are also predicted using a 3D computational framework based on coupling Lattice Boltzmann (LB) and Immersed Boundary (IB) methods. The fluid solver for the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations is based on the three dimensional D3Q19 Lattice-Boltzmann Method. The dynamics of deformable nano-constructs and cells is simulated through a neo-Hookean membrane constitutive model coupled iteratively with the fluid (Figure.1C). The combination of microfluidic chips and computational modeling provides a formidable tool for boosting our understanding on disease development and drug delivery. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Combinatorial nanoconstructs for biomedical imaging and drug delivery

Over the last 15 years, a plethora of materials and different formulations have been proposed for the realization of nanomedicines. Yet, drug loading efficiency, sequestration by phagocytic cells and tumor accumulation are sub-optimal. This implies that radically new design approaches are needed to push forward the clinical integration of nanomedicines, overcoming well-accepted clichés. Combinatorial nanoconstructs are particle-based nano-scale systems designed for the ‘smart’ delivery of therapeutic and imaging agents.[1-4] The Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine (nPMed) at IIT synthesizes combinatorial nanoconstructs, made out of polymers, with different sizes, ranging from a few tens of nanometers to a few microns; shapes, including spherical, cubical and discoidal; surface properties, with positive, negative, neutral coatings; and mechanical stiffness, varying from that of cells to rigid, inorganic materials, such as iron oxide. These are the 4S parameters – size, shape, surface, stiffness – which can be precisely tuned in the synthesis process enabling disease- and patient-specific designs of multifunctional nanoconstructs. The role of manipulating these 4S parameters over different temporal and length scales will be elucidated in the context of future nanomedicines using in silico, in vitro and in vivo assays. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Ultrafine Magnetite Nanopowder: Synthesis, Characterization, and Preliminary Use as Filler of Polymethylmethacrylate Nanocomposites

Magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles prepared by microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis have been characterized in terms of morphological and structural features. Electron micrographs collected in both scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) modes and evaluations of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) patterns have indicated the achievement of a monodispersed crystallite structure with particles having an average size around 15–20 nm. Structural investigations by Micro-Raman spectroscopy highlighted the obtainment of magnetite nanocrystals with a partial surface oxidation to maghemite (γ-Fe3O4). Preliminary attention has been also paid to the use of these magnetite nanoparticles as filler for a commercial polymethylmethacrylate resin. Hybrid formulations containing up to 3 wt% of nanoparticles were prepared by melt blending and characterized by calorimetric and thermogravimetric tests. For sake of comparison, same formulations containing commercial Fe3O4nanoparticles are also reported. Calorimetric characterization indicates an increase of both glass transition temperature and thermal stability of the nanocomposite systems when loaded with the synthesized magnetite nanoparticles rather then loaded with the same amount of commercial Fe3O4. This first observation represents just one aspect of the promising potentiality offered by the novel magnetic nanoparticles when mixed with PMMA