Characterization of the bulk flow properties of industrial powders from shear tests

Bulk flow properties from shear analysis of compacted powders can be evaluated following different approaches. Experimental values of shear stresses obtained by conventional shear cells are traditionally used to build yield loci, from which the most relevant flow properties could be found. Such flow properties play an important role in determining their performance under fluidization conditions. In this work, a useful app, named cYield, was developed by using the new Matlab's App Developer environment. This tool enables users to calculate both linear (Coulomb) and non-linear (Warren-Spring) yield loci as the best fitting of the σ-τ experimental shear points. It also provides a wide range of statistical information related to the quality of the outcomes obtained. The different features of the tool are presented, and the crucial steps for the execution of its calculations are illustrated. Moreover, it has been applied for the yield loci analysis of four different materials traditionally used in manufacturing processes. The results confirm that the flow behavior of many industrial powders, especially if cohesive, is better described by a non-linear yield locus

Genetic database development for the characterization of Sicilian sheep population

There are various studies on European sheep, but few datasets have been developed based on the population of Sicilian sheep. The reference database will include allele frequencies at each locus and will determine genetic parameters for Sicilian ovine species selection.peer-reviewe

Ultralight vector dark matter search using data from the KAGRA O3GK run

Among the various candidates for dark matter (DM), ultralight vector DM can be probed by laser interferometric gravitational wave detectors through the measurement of oscillating length changes in the arm cavities. In this context, KAGRA has a unique feature due to differing compositions of its mirrors, enhancing the signal of vector DM in the length change in the auxiliary channels. Here we present the result of a search for U(1)B−L gauge boson DM using the KAGRA data from auxiliary length channels during the first joint observation run together with GEO600. By applying our search pipeline, which takes into account the stochastic nature of ultralight DM, upper bounds on the coupling strength between the U(1)B−L gauge boson and ordinary matter are obtained for a range of DM masses. While our constraints are less stringent than those derived from previous experiments, this study demonstrates the applicability of our method to the lower-mass vector DM search, which is made difficult in this measurement by the short observation time compared to the auto-correlation time scale of DM

Selective laser sintering of titania powder: experiments and modelling

A systematic study was performed to explore the feasibility of processing titania powders by selective laser sintering (SLS). In particular, five samples with the same chemical composition, but different particle size distribution have been used. The laser sintering process conditions, i.e. laser power and laser scan speed, were studied as well. Squared well-defined specimens were successfully produced and their internal morphology and mechanical properties were analysed using a scanning electron microscopy and a flexural bending test respectively. The effect of the thermal history during the laser sintering process on the physical properties of the sintered parts was modelled and discussed

Titania Powders in the Selective Laser Sintering Processes

In selective laser sintering (SLS) a laser beam is used to partially melt particles in a layer of powders. With subsequent increments of powder layers it is possible to create three dimensional structures. This technique can be used in prototyping applications able to produce customized objects with different shapes and materials, e.g. polymer, ceramics and metals. In SLS technique the strength of the final structures increases with the energy transferred by laser. However, it also produces a volume contraction of the sintered material reducing the precision of the final object. Since the energy required for sintering depends on the particle size, sintering energies can be reduced using smaller particles, which also allow the production of more complex and precise structures due to reduced melting. In this work, mixtures of titania powders with different particle size distributions were employed. They were obtained by mixing a coarser grained powder (particles in the range 10 - 100 microns) with a finer grained powder (particles in the submicron range). The powder composition and the powder laying procedure were studied and optimized in order to obtain specimens with of the desired mechanical properties. The equipment used is a three dimensional laser sintering equipment using a 40W CO2 laser beam purposely built. The density and the mechanical resistance of the specimens are studied as a function of the fines content and of the amount of energy released by the laser beam on the unit surface of the lighted area. A simple theoretical modelling approach is also used to estimate the strength of the single sintered contact

Aqueous humor Beta42-amyloid and total protein concentration in glaucomatous patients

none10nononeFrancesca Cappelli, Maria Marenco, Valeria Testa, Alessandro Masala, Francesca Caudano, Daniele Sindaco; Angelo Macrì, Carlo E Traverso, Roberta Ricciarelli, Michele IesterCappelli, Francesca; Marenco, Maria; Testa, Valeria; Alessandro, Masala; Caudano, Francesca; Sindaco, Daniele; Macri', Angelo; Traverso, Carlo; Ricciarelli, Roberta; Iester, Michel

Imatinib inhibits in vitro proliferation of cells derived from a pleural solitary fibrous tumor expressing platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta

We examined the in vitro effects of imatinib (Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland) as a possible inhibitor of PDGFR pathway on cells derived from a recurrence of a pleural malignant solitary fibrous tumor (SFT). Primary cell culture was characterised by immunofluorescence. SFT-derived cells were treated with imatinib at different time points. Western blotting for PDGFR-beta, phospho-PDGFR-beta or smooth muscle actin (SMA) was performed before and after 96 h of treatment with imatinib. SFT-derived cells treated with imatinib for 96 h showed a dose dependent decrease of Ki67 expression. Results were confirmed by growth curve. Western blotting showed that PDGFR-beta was highly expressed and phosphorylated in SFT-derived cells and imatinib treatment reduced PDGFR-beta phosphorylation and SMA expression. With the limit of experimental findings, our results support a possible future application of imatinib as a candidate molecule in the target therapy of malignant SFTs over-expressing wild-type PDGFR

Italian Association for Chinese Studies. Selected Papers. 1

The first English language volume that collects several contributes by members of the Italian Association for Chinese Studies. Selected papers reflect and are representative of the variety of topics and diversity of disciplinary approach that characterize Chinese studies in Ital