1,055 research outputs found
Scaling limit for a drainage network model
We consider the two dimensional version of a drainage network model
introduced by Gangopadhyay, Roy and Sarkar, and show that the appropriately
rescaled family of its paths converges in distribution to the Brownian web. We
do so by verifying the convergence criteria proposed by Fontes, Isopi, Newman
and Ravishankar.Comment: 15 page
Analysis of the seismic site effects along the ancient Via Laurentina (Rome)
This paper presents an evaluation of the Local Seismic Response (LSR)
along the route of the ancient Roman road Via Laurentina, which has
been exposed in several areas of southwest Rome over the last decade
during the construction of new buildings and infrastructures. It is
an example of LSR analysis applied to ancient and archaeological
sites located in alluvial valleys with some methodological inferences
for the design of infrastructure and urban planning. Since the ancient
road does not cross the alluvial valley (namely the Fosso di Vallerano
Valley) normal to its sides, it was not possible to directly perform
2D numerical modelling to evaluate the LSR along the road route.
Therefore, outputs of 2D numerical models, obtained along three cross
sections that were normal oriented respect to the valley, were projected
along the route of the Via Laurentina within a reliable buffer attributed
according to an available high-resolution geological model of the
local subsoil. The modelled amplification functions consider physical
effects due to both the 2D shape of the valley and the heterogeneities
of the alluvial deposits. The 1D and 2D amplification functions were
compared to output that non-negligible effects are related to the narrow
shape of the fluvial valley and the lateral contacts between the
lithotecnical units composing the alluvial fill. The here experienced
methodology is suitable for applications to the numerical modelling of
seismic response in case of linear infrastructures (i.e., roads, bridges,
railways) that do not cross the natural system along physically characteristic
directions (i.e. longitudinally or transversally)
Results of the qualification test campaign of a Pulsed Plasma Thruster for Cubesat Propulsion (PPTCUP)
Pulsed Plasma Thruster for Cubesat Propulsion (PPTCUP) is an ablative pulsed plasma thruster designed with the aim of providing translational and orbital control to Cubesat platforms. The qualification model presented in this paper has been developed by Mars Space Ltd, Clyde Space Ltd and the University of Southampton to produce a versatile “stand-alone” module that can be bolted on the Cubesat structure, allowing the orbital control along the X or Y-axis of the satellite. An extensive and complete test campaign to qualify the unit for space flight, which includes electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) characterization, thermal cycling and mechanical tests, has been performed according to the NASA GEVS procedures. PPTCUP is characterized by an averaged specific impulse of 655±58 s and a deliverable total impulse of 48.2±4.2 Ns. Finally, it has been found that the unit is compliant with the EMC requirements and can successfully withstand the thermal and mechanical loads typical of a Cubesat space mission
Development of an engineering optimization tool for miniature pulsed plasma thrusters
Pulsed Plasma Thrusters (PPT) are an established technology for compact thrust propulsion systems. Although PPT optimization has been performed previously it requires complex numerical codes. Although the scaling laws have been suggested they mainly applicable for large thrusters when edge effects can be neglected. A new 0D pulsed inductive acceleration model has been developed which links together the dynamics of the current sheet with the plasma dimensions and ionization processes. The model novelty is in a self-consistent estimation of the plasma sheet properties (temperature, density, thickness) driven by the magnetic pinch pressure and propellant ablation together with its simplicity. Parametric studies have been performed in an attempt to arrive at modified scaling laws for small PPTs
Mesenchymal stem cells as promoters, enhancers, and playmakers of the translational regenerative medicine
Since their first isolation and characterization by Friedenstein et al. in 1974, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were proven essential for tissue regeneration and homeostasis. Over the years, thanks to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of MSCs, several approaches with MSC-based therapies have been proposed, in order to treat different human diseases. In this light, MSCs are currently being tested in preclinical in vivo settings as well as in early-stage clinical trials for their ability to modulate immune responses, fostering wound healing and tissue regeneration of various tissue types and organs, including the skin, bone, cartilage, brain, muscle, and tendons
Direct evidence for efficient ultrafast charge separation in epitaxial WS<sub>2</sub>/graphene heterostructures
We use time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (tr-ARPES) to investigate ultrafast charge transfer in an epitaxial heterostructure made of monolayer WS2 and graphene. This heterostructure combines the benefits of a direct-gap semiconductor with strong spin-orbit coupling and strong light-matter interaction with those of a semimetal hosting massless carriers with extremely high mobility and long spin lifetimes. We find that, after photoexcitation at resonance to the A-exciton in WS2, the photoexcited holes rapidly transfer into the graphene layer while the photoexcited electrons remain in the WS2 layer. The resulting charge-separated transient state is found to have a lifetime of ∼1 ps. We attribute our findings to differences in scattering phase space caused by the relative alignment of WS2 and graphene bands as revealed by high-resolution ARPES. In combination with spin-selective optical excitation, the investigated WS2/graphene heterostructure might provide a platform for efficient optical spin injection into graphene
Direct evidence for efficient ultrafast charge separation in epitaxial WS/graphene heterostructure
We use time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (tr-ARPES) to
investigate ultrafast charge transfer in an epitaxial heterostructure made of
monolayer WS and graphene. This heterostructure combines the benefits of a
direct gap semiconductor with strong spin-orbit coupling and strong
light-matter interaction with those of a semimetal hosting massless carriers
with extremely high mobility and long spin lifetimes. We find that, after
photoexcitation at resonance to the A-exciton in WS, the photoexcited holes
rapidly transfer into the graphene layer while the photoexcited electrons
remain in the WS layer. The resulting charge transfer state is found to
have a lifetime of \,ps. We attribute our findings to differences in
scattering phase space caused by the relative alignment of WS and graphene
bands as revealed by high resolution ARPES. In combination with spin-selective
excitation using circularly polarized light the investigated WS/graphene
heterostructure might provide a new platform for efficient optical spin
injection into graphene.Comment: 28 pages, 14 figure
Targeting RAGE prevents muscle wasting and prolongs survival in cancer cachexia
Background: Cachexia, a multifactorial syndrome affecting more than 50% of patients with advanced cancer and responsible for ~20% of cancer-associated deaths, is still a poorly understood process without a standard cure available. Skeletal muscle atrophy caused by systemic inflammation is a major clinical feature of cachexia, leading to weight loss, dampening patients' quality of life, and reducing patients' response to anticancer therapy. RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation end-products) is a multiligand receptor of the immunoglobulin superfamily and a mediator of muscle regeneration, inflammation, and cancer. Methods: By using murine models consisting in the injection of colon 26 murine adenocarcinoma (C26-ADK) or Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells in BALB/c and C57BL/6 or Ager−/− (RAGE-null) mice, respectively, we investigated the involvement of RAGE signalling in the main features of cancer cachexia, including the inflammatory state. In vitro experiments were performed using myotubes derived from C2C12 myoblasts or primary myoblasts isolated from C57BL/6 wild type and Ager−/− mice treated with the RAGE ligand, S100B (S100 calcium-binding protein B), TNF (tumor necrosis factor)α±IFN (interferon) γ, and tumour cell- or masses-conditioned media to analyse hallmarks of muscle atrophy. Finally, muscles of wild type and Ager−/− mice were injected with TNFα/IFNγ or S100B in a tumour-free environment. Results: We demonstrate that RAGE is determinant to activate signalling pathways leading to muscle protein degradation in the presence of proinflammatory cytokines and/or tumour-derived cachexia-inducing factors. We identify the RAGE ligand, S100B, as a novel factor able to induce muscle atrophy per se via a p38 MAPK (p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase)/myogenin axis and STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3)-dependent MyoD (myoblast determination protein 1) degradation. Lastly, we found that in cancer conditions, an increase in serum levels of tumour-derived S100B and HMGB1 (high mobility group box 1) occurs leading to chronic activation/overexpression of RAGE, which induces hallmarks of cancer cachexia (i.e. muscle wasting, systemic inflammation, and release of tumour-derived pro-cachectic factors). Absence of RAGE in mice translates into reduced serum levels of cachexia-inducing factors, delayed loss of muscle mass and strength, reduced tumour progression, and increased survival. Conclusions: RAGE is a molecular determinant in inducing the hallmarks of cancer cachexia, and molecular targeting of RAGE might represent a therapeutic strategy to prevent or counteract the cachectic syndrome
Investigation of VO-salophen complexes electronic structure
Vanadyl N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-o-phenylenediamine (salophen) complexes have been extensively investigated by cyclic voltammetry, UV-visible spectroscopy and theoretical calculations in MeCN, THF (tetrahydrofuran) and DMF (N,N-dimethylformamide), in order to elucidate the overall factors that influence the electronic density of the metal and therefore the properties of these complexes in various applications. Different substituents were introduced into the salophen skeleton to change the vanadium electron density. Results obtained and here presented showed that the substituents influence the metal electronic character in a way that cannot be easily predicted by considering only the electronic effect. Similarly, the solvent polarity or coordination ability affects the metal complex properties in an unpredictable way. Therefore, experimental and theoretical data here collected are a powerful tool to a priori design salophen ligands to obtain vanadyl complexes having the specific electronic properties suitable for desired applications
Ultrafast Momentum Imaging of Pseudospin-Flip Excitations in Graphene
The pseudospin of Dirac electrons in graphene manifests itself in a peculiar
momentum anisotropy for photo-excited electron-hole pairs. These interband
excitations are in fact forbidden along the direction of the light
polarization, and are maximum perpendicular to it. Here, we use time- and
angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy to investigate the resulting
unconventional hot carrier dynamics, sampling carrier distributions as a
function of energy and in-plane momentum. We first show that the
rapidly-established quasi-thermal electron distribution initially exhibits an
azimuth-dependent temperature, consistent with relaxation through collinear
electron-electron scattering. Azimuthal thermalization is found to occur only
at longer time delays, at a rate that depends on the substrate and the static
doping level. Further, we observe pronounced differences in the electron and
hole dynamics in n-doped samples. By simulating the Coulomb- and
phonon-mediated carrier dynamics we are able to disentangle the influence of
excitation fluence, screening, and doping, and develop a microscopic picture of
the carrier dynamics in photo-excited graphene. Our results clarify new aspects
of hot carrier dynamics that are unique to Dirac materials, with relevance for
photo-control experiments and optoelectronic device applications.Comment: 23 pages, 12 figure
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