Real time vibronic coupling dynamics in organic conjugated systems

In this work we show the potentialities of applying impulsive coherent vibrational spectroscopy to conjugated systems relevant for applications. We studied films of sexithiophene, a candidate for large area molecular electronics, poly-phenylene vinylene, a prototype electroluminescent material, and polydiacetylene, very promising for applications in photonic devices. These experiments demonstrate the possibility of studying coherent molecular dynamics in organic systems with extremely high time resolution

Development and application of the theory of debit and credit through the balance sheet equation and the chart of accounts

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Boston University, 1936. This item was digitized by the Internet Archive

The 1994 International Conference on Population and Development: A Turning Point in the Evolution of Women’s Reproductive Rights

The definition for reproductive rights was laid out in the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Program of Action, and remains the standard definition for these guarantees and freedoms. This definition of reproductive rights begins with those rights related to health. Indeed, health often serves as a point of access for the advancement of these rights at the international level, and several of the components of reproductive rights were first recognized through the right to health. This paper will begin its examination of reproductive rights through the selective rights of women enumerated in the right to the highest attainable standard of health. This paper will examine in detail the years immediately preceding and following the ICPD, as well as characteristics of the conference that set it apart from prior, or contemporary international activities. In the two decades following the conference, the international community has maintained its commitment to the Conference goals, which have added relevance to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In the 21st century, the international community has also begun to explore sexual rights, a development that would not have been possible without the ICPD

Sub-surface Fatigue Crack Growth at Alumina Inclusions in AISI 52100 Roller Bearings

AbstractSub-surface fatigue crack growth at non metallic inclusions is studied in AISI 52100 bearing steel under typical rolling contact loads. A first 2D plane strain finite element analysis is carried out to compute the stress history in the innner race at a characteristic depth, where the Dang Van damage factor is highest. Subsequently the stress history is imposed as boundary conditions in a periodic unit cell model, where an alumina inclusion is embedded in a AISI 52100 matrix. Cracks are assumed to grow radially from the inclusion under cyclic loading. The growth is predicted by means of irreversible fatigue cohesive elements. Different orientations of the cracks and different matrix-inclusion bonding conditions are analyzed and compared

"Nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer": Portrayals of Masculinity and Ideal Citizenship in World War II Combat Films, 1989-2001

Traditional platoons of World War II combat films were visualizations of an America that could be, rather than a reflection of the America that was. One might assume that, had the trend toward inclusive representation continued, the World War II combat platoons of the films of the 1990s might have included women or homosexuals, since the military of the 1990s was fully integrated on a racial front. Instead platoons' compositions remained unchanged. And in this new context, rather than acting out of a desire to expand the terms of citizenship, these movies represent a closing off of the terms of citizenship. In the face of demands for a change in the terms of civic participation from women, from homosexuals, from disabled citizens, these movies represent a vision of a shared past that is easier than the one currently inhabited by viewers. What does it mean that this period, out of all the periods in the history of the United States is the one that is deemed most worthy of celebration

Non equilibrium optical properties in semiconductors from first--principles: a combined theoretical and experimental study of bulk silicon

The calculation of the equilibrium optical properties of bulk silicon by using the Bethe--Salpeter equation solved in the Kohn--Sham basis represents a cornerstone in the development of an ab--initio approach to the optical and electronic properties of materials. Nevertheless calculations of the {\em transient} optical spectrum using the same efficient and successful scheme are scarce. We report, here, a joint theoretical and experimental study of the transient reflectivity spectrum of bulk silicon. Femtosecond transient reflectivity is compared to a parameter--free calculation based on the non--equilibrium Bethe--Salpeter equation. By providing an accurate description of the experimental results we disclose the different phenomena that determine the transient optical response of a semiconductor. We give a parameter--free interpretation of concepts like bleaching, photo--induced absorption and stimulated emission, beyond the Fermi golden rule. We also introduce the concept of optical gap renormalization, as a generalization of the known mechanism of band gap renormalization. The present scheme successfully describes the case of bulk silicon, showing its universality and accuracy.Comment: 14 pages, 13 figure

Investigating the effect of Depdc5 cKO: insights on synaptic transmission, plasticity and its role in mTOR-related epilepsy

Focal Epilepsy (FE) accounts for more than the half of the total cases of all epileptic syndrome, around 60%. It can be caused by either genetic or acquired factors, such as brain trauma, tumors or inflammation. However, it is widely recognized to have a mostly a genetic basis. Mutations at the level of the GATOR1 complex components, DEPDC5, NPRL2 and NPRL3, were found in patients with FE, confirming the key role of the GATOR1 complex in the pathogenesis of various FE syndromes. In particular, it has been discovered that mutations of DEPDC5 gene are implicated in the 5%\u201337% of a broad range of FEs, both lesional or non-lesional and are associated with mTOR hyperactivity. The specific mechanism underlying the epileptogenic phenotype following DEPDC5 loss is far from being clear. The aim of this thesis is to deepen the impact of Depdc5 loss-of-function at the cellular level, by focusing the attention on synaptic transmission and plasticity. In order to overcome the problem of embryonic lethality of Depdc5 full knockout in rodents, and the failure of Depdc5 constitutive heterozygous knockout mice to recapitulate the major epileptogenic traits, we used Depdc5-floxed mice and applied the Cre/LoxP technique to generate a model of Depdc5 cKO. We transfected primary cortical neurons obtained from Depdc5-floxed mice with lentiviruses expressing either active or inactive Cre recombinase and performed electrophysiological and biochemical experiments. We observed an increased in excitatory synaptic transmission and intrinsic excitability, while no difference occurred at the level of the inhibitory synaptic transmission. Given the involvement of mTOR in the mechanism of plasticity and the effect of its dysregulation on synaptic transmission, we assessed whether Depdc5 loss could also have an impact at the level of the short-term plasticity (STP). However, no effects were found at the level of either excitatory or inhibitory synaptic transmission. The data suggest that Depdc5 loss mostly induces a strengthening of excitatory transmission at the post-synaptic level and by increasing the number of connections, without directly affecting pre-synaptic mechanisms. Thus, the enhanced excitatory synaptic transmission and increased intrinsic excitability could generate a synergistic effect underlying the excitation/inhibition imbalance that triggers the epileptogenic process