294 research outputs found
Microwave characterization of polymer composite based on Biochar: A comparison of composite behaviour for Biochar and MWCNTs
In this work, Biochar is used as a filler in Epoxy resin for composite preparation. The electrical characteristics of composites are analyzed in function of different filler percentages. Results obtained are compared with composites based on multi-wall carbon nanotubes
Effets de l'ozone sur la forĂȘt et la vĂ©gĂ©tation dans les Alpes franco-italiennes.
Depuis le début des années 80, dans le sud des Alpes (frontiÚre franco-italienne), plusieurs essences ont présenté des endommagements de leur feuillage avec un déficit foliaire bien marqué. Des premiÚres études ont montré que la pollution par l'ozone influait sur le mauvais état de santé général des peuplements concernés. A partir de 1999, il importait d'évaluer (programme européen Interreg II) l'impact spécifique de la pollution par l'ozone sur les dommages observés. Les premiers résultats ont révélé des concentrations en ozone élevées. ParallÚlement, l'endommagement foliaire a été estimé sur des placettes forestiÚres. Ont été recherchés également des symptÎmes spécifiques de l'ozone sur quelques essences arborées, mais aussi sur toute la végétation de proximité. Des essais de corrélation ont été réalisés entre les niveaux d'ozone et les dégùts foliaires observés et des analyses microscopiques ont permis de confirmer la spécificité des dégùts observés
Evaluation of [C(sp3)/[C(sp2)] ratio in diamondlike films through the use of a complex dielectric constant
The evaluation of the amount of tetrahedral and trigonal cross-linking, that is, the sp3- and sp2-hybridized carbon, is of great importance in understanding the properties of amorphous carbon films. In this paper we report a method for deducing the [sp3]/[sp2] ratio from the experimental values of the complex dielectric constant as obtained by optical transmittance and reflectance measurements. We assume a Gaussian-like distribution of Ï and Ï* electronic densities of states in order to fit the contribution of ÏâÏ* to the imaginary part, Δ2, of the dielectric constant in the low-energy region. Through the Kramers-Kronig relationships we deduce the corresponding values of the real part Δ1 of the dielectric constant for such transitions. By subtracting these values from the measured Δ1 we deduce the contribution of ÏâÏ* to Δ1. The Wemple-Didomenico model has been used to obtain the dispersion energy and the average excitation energy. Knowing the plasmon energies, we apply the ââf-sum rule'' to deduce the [sp3]/[sp2] ratio. The method applied to a-C:H films deposited by rf diode sputtering provides results in agreement with those obtained by other techniques
Tetrahedrally bonded ternary amorphous semiconductor alloys
The properties of tetrahedrally bonded ternary amorphous semiconductors a-CSiSn:H and a-CSiGe:H are reviewed with particular emphasis on the temperature dependence of dark conductivity and the coordination in random networks. It is shown here that the dark conductivity as a function of the temperature strongly depends on the carbon content and, more precisely, on the proportion of sp3 and sp2 sites in the carbon. Ternary alloys with different carbon contents are compared to binary alloys using the average coordination number. The ternary alloys have an average coordination number close to the optimal value predicted for amorphous covalent networks
Noncommutative Differential Forms on the kappa-deformed Space
We construct a differential algebra of forms on the kappa-deformed space. For
a given realization of the noncommutative coordinates as formal power series in
the Weyl algebra we find an infinite family of one-forms and nilpotent exterior
derivatives. We derive explicit expressions for the exterior derivative and
one-forms in covariant and noncovariant realizations. We also introduce
higher-order forms and show that the exterior derivative satisfies the graded
Leibniz rule. The differential forms are generally not graded-commutative, but
they satisfy the graded Jacobi identity. We also consider the star-product of
classical differential forms. The star-product is well-defined if the
commutator between the noncommutative coordinates and one-forms is closed in
the space of one-forms alone. In addition, we show that in certain realizations
the exterior derivative acting on the star-product satisfies the undeformed
Leibniz rule.Comment: to appear in J. Phys. A: Math. Theo
A Synergistic Use of a High-Resolution Numerical Weather Prediction Model and High-Resolution Earth Observation Products to Improve Precipitation Forecast
open20siThe Mediterranean region is frequently struck by severe rainfall events causing numerous casualties and several million euros of damages every year. Thus, improving the forecast accuracy is a fundamental goal to limit social and economic damages. Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models are currently able to produce forecasts at the km scale grid spacing but unreliable surface information and a poor knowledge of the initial state of the atmosphere may produce inaccurate simulations of weather phenomena. The STEAM (SaTellite Earth observation for Atmospheric Modelling) project aims to investigate whether Sentinel satellites constellation weather observation data, in combination with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) observations, can be used to better understand and predict with a higher spatio-temporal resolution the atmospheric phenomena resulting in severe weather events. Two heavy rainfall events that occurred in Italy in the autumn of 2017 are studiedâa localized and short-lived event and a long-lived one. By assimilating a wide range of Sentinel and GNSS observations in a state-of-the-art NWP model, it is found that the forecasts benefit the most when the model is provided with information on the wind field and/or the water vapor content.openLagasio, Martina; Parodi, Antonio; Pulvirenti, Luca; Meroni, Agostino N.; Boni, Giorgio; Pierdicca, Nazzareno; Marzano, Frank S.; Luini, Lorenzo; Venuti, Giovanna; Realini, Eugenio; Gatti, Andrea; Tagliaferro, Giulio; Barindelli, Stefano; Monti Guarnieri, Andrea; Goga, Klodiana; Terzo, Olivier; Rucci, Alessio; Passera, Emanuele; Kranzlmueller, Dieter; Rommen, BjornLagasio, Martina; Parodi, Antonio; Pulvirenti, Luca; Meroni, Agostino N.; Boni, Giorgio; Pierdicca, Nazzareno; Marzano, Frank S.; Luini, Lorenzo; Venuti, Giovanna; Realini, Eugenio; Gatti, Andrea; Tagliaferro, Giulio; Barindelli, Stefano; Monti Guarnieri, Andrea; Goga, Klodiana; Terzo, Olivier; Rucci, Alessio; Passera, Emanuele; Kranzlmueller, Dieter; Rommen, Bjor
Optical properties of hydrogenated amorphous silicon
A detailed study of the optical properties of sputtered hydrogenated amorphous silicon films with varying hydrogen concentration is presented here. The energy dependence of the absorption coefficient is looked into, in detail, from a point of view of understanding the well known Tauc rule and the alternate relations being proposed in recent years. Spectroscopic and bandâstructural models like Wemple-Didomenico and Penn are then utilized to analyze the optical parameters near the bandâgap region of the wavelength spectra. Extensive comparisons of our results are made with those of sputtered aâSi:H films of other workers, glow discharge prepared aâSi:H, chemically vapor deposited and evaporated aâSi, and also crystalline silicon. The similarities in the variation of the optical properties of aâSi:H with increasing hydrogen concentration (or decreasing measurement temperature) to that of crystalline silicon with decreasing measurement temperature lead us to interesting conclusions. Thus, it seems that decreasing disorder (topological or thermal) in aâSi:H is equivalent to decreasing thermal disorder in câSi, at least as far as the disorderâoptical property relationships are concerned
Construindo sentidos e possibilidades: a experiĂȘncia da equipe de incubação de um empreendimento solidĂĄrio
Abnormalities in Oxygen Sensing Define Early and Late Onset Preeclampsia as Distinct Pathologies
BACKGROUND:
The pathogenesis of preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy disorder, is still elusive and its treatment empirical. Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1 (HIF-1) is crucial for placental development and early detection of aberrant regulatory mechanisms of HIF-1 could impact on the diagnosis and management of preeclampsia. HIF-1α stability is controlled by O(2)-sensing enzymes including prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs), Factor Inhibiting HIF (FIH), and E3 ligases Seven In Absentia Homologues (SIAHs). Here we investigated early- (E-PE) and late-onset (L-PE) human preeclamptic placentae and their ability to sense changes in oxygen tension occurring during normal placental development.
METHODS AND FINDINGS:
Expression of PHD2, FIH and SIAHs were significantly down-regulated in E-PE compared to control and L-PE placentae, while HIF-1α levels were increased. PHD3 expression was increased due to decreased FIH levels as demonstrated by siRNA FIH knockdown experiments in trophoblastic JEG-3 cells. E-PE tissues had markedly diminished HIF-1α hydroxylation at proline residues 402 and 564 as assessed with monoclonal antibodies raised against hydroxylated HIF-1α P402 or P564, suggesting regulation by PHD2 and not PHD3. Culturing villous explants under varying oxygen tensions revealed that E-PE, but not L-PE, placentae were unable to regulate HIF-1α levels because PHD2, FIH and SIAHs did not sense a hypoxic environment.
CONCLUSION:
Disruption of oxygen sensing in E-PE vs. L-PE and control placentae is the first molecular evidence of the existence of two distinct preeclamptic diseases and the unique molecular O(2)-sensing signature of E-PE placentae may be of diagnostic value when assessing high risk pregnancies and their severity
Effect of a low dose whey/guar preload on glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes-a randomised controlled trial
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