Dynamics and stability of radiation-driven double ablation front structures.

The dynamics of double ablation front (DAF) structures is studied for planar targets with moderate atomic number ablators. These structures are obtained in hydrodynamic simulations for various materials and laser intensities and are qualitatively characterized during the acceleration stage of the target. The importance of the radiative transport for the DAF dynamics is then demonstrated. Simulated hydrodynamic profiles are compared with a theoretical model, showing the consistency of the model and the relevant parameters for the dynamics description. The stability of DAF structures with respect to two-dimensional perturbations is studied using two different approaches: one considers the assumptions of the theoretical model and the other one a more complete physics. The numerical simulations performed with both approaches demonstrate good agreement of dispersion curve

Natural SUSY: LHC and Dark Matter direct detection experiments interplay

Natural SUSY scenarios with a low value of the $\mu$ parameter, are characterised by a higgsino-like dark matter candidate, and a compressed spectrum for the lightest higgsinos. We explore the prospects for probing this scenario at the 13 TeV stage of the LHC via monojet searches, with various integrated luminosity options, and demonstrate how these results are affect by different assumptions on the achievable level of control on the experimental systematic uncertainties. The complementarity between collider and direct detection experiments (present and future) is also highlighted.Comment: Proceeding for the 18th International Conference From the Planck Scale to the Electroweak Scale (Ioannina, Greece, 25-29 May 2015

Accurate Determination of Conformational Transitions in Oligomeric Membrane Proteins

The structural dynamics governing collective motions in oligomeric membrane proteins play key roles in vital biomolecular processes at cellular membranes. In this study, we present a structural refinement approach that combines solid-state NMR experiments and molecular simulations to accurately describe concerted conformational transitions identifying the overall structural, dynamical, and topological states of oligomeric membrane proteins. The accuracy of the structural ensembles generated with this method is shown to reach the statistical error limit, and is further demonstrated by correctly reproducing orthogonal NMR data. We demonstrate the accuracy of this approach by characterising the pentameric state of phospholamban, a key player in the regulation of calcium uptake in the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and by probing its dynamical activation upon phosphorylation. Our results underline the importance of using an ensemble approach to characterise the conformational transitions that are often responsible for the biological function of oligomeric membrane protein states

C ion-implanted TiO2 thin film for photocatalytic applications

Third-generation TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared by implantation of C+ ions into 110 nm thick TiO2 films. An accurate structural investigation was performed by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, secondary ion mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, Raman-luminescence spectroscopy, and UV/VIS optical characterization. The C doping locally modified the TiO2 pure films, lowering the band-gap energy from 3.3 eV to a value of 1.8 eV, making the material sensitive to visible light. The synthesized materials are photocatalytically active in the degradation of organic compounds in water under both UV and visible light irradiation, without the help of any additional thermal treatment. These results increase the understanding of the C-doped titanium dioxide, helpful for future environmental applications. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC

La red de Bibliotecas de la Iglesia: un proyecto viable y necesario

Intervención en las I Jornadas de Bibliotecarios de la Iglesia: "Las bibliotecas eclesiásticas en el siglo XXI: retos e iniciativas". Madrid, 21-22 de Marzo de 2007

Kaluza-Klein gravitons at LHC2

In this work we study constraints from new searches for heavy particles at the LHC on the allowed masses and couplings of a KK Graviton in a holographic composite Higgs model. Keeping new electroweak states heavy such that electroweak precision tests are satisfied, we control the mass of the lightest KK graviton using a brane kinetic term. With this we study KK graviton masses from 0.5-3 TeV. In our analysis we also employ Little Randall-Sundrum (RS) Models, characterised by a lower UV scale in the 5D model which in turn implies modified couplings to massless bulk fields. Viewing this scenario as a strongly coupled 4D theory with a composite Higgs boson, the KK graviton is interpreted as a composite spin-2 state and the varying UV scale corresponds to a varying intermediate scale between the cutoff of the low energy effective theory and the Planck scale. We find that KK gravitons with masses in the range 0.5-3 TeV are compatible with current collider constraints, where the most promising channels for detecting these states are the di-photon and ZZ channels. A detection is more likely in the little RS models, in which the dual gauge theory has a larger number of colours than in traditional RS models