Infrared Universe Poster

This educational poster contains images and information about what the universe looks like in the infrared. The back contains nine 8.5 in. x 11 in. panels that explain what infrared light is and why infrared astronomy is important. It also talks about light and the different colors and wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. It explains atmospheric transmission and how infrared observations help in the search for planets. The back panels also contain details on the Herschel experiment. In a very simple way it teaches the students how Herschel discovered infrared light. Educational levels: Middle school, High school

Analytical modeling for nanostructure quantum wells with equispaced energy levels in semiconductor ternary alloys (Ax B1-x C)

The purpose of this study is to formulate an Analytical model of equispaced energy levels quantum wells (QWs) in semiconductor ternary alloys (AxB1-xC). The procedure is by mapping the envelop function Schrodinger equation for realistic QW, with the local conduction band edge as the potential experienced by an electron in the QW into an effective mass Schrodinger equation with a linear harmonic oscillator potential by the method of coordinate transformation. The electron effective mass and potential are then obtained as the signature for the equispaced energy level for QWs in semiconductor ternary alloys.Keywords: Semiconductor nanostructures, Ternary alloys, Quantum wells, Equispaced energy levels, Effective mas

Functional metal carbide nano structures with unique thermal and electrical chemical properties

Two-dimensional mxenes, the newly discovered materials have attracted numerous attractions in batteries, super capacitors and electromagnetic screening, etc. Due to the 2D shape and predicted metallic properties of the material, thermal properties of mxenes are expected to be anisotropic and extremely high. To integrate this material into practical devices, gaining insight of its thermal properties will be helpful for the architecture design. However, none of the actual measurements of the materials are yet reported. In regard of the interest, thermal conductivities of bulk Ti3C2Tx mxene prepared by sparking plasma sintering (SPS) technique was measured. The results showed a high anisotropy in thermal conductivities of the material. This study will expedite the material discovery and device optimization of Mxene material in various fields. This thesis gives an insight on the preparation of Ti3C2Tx mxene flakes and nanostructured Ti3C2Tx mxene disk sample. Thermal conductivity measurement was applied on the obtained disk sample. In this research Ti3C2Tx mxene flakes are obtained from the MAX Phase Ti3AlC2, which is synthesized from Ti, Al, C powders in the stoichiometric ratio of 3: 1.2: 2 at the temperature of 1400ðC. SPS was utilized for the MAX Phase preparation and several different MAX Phases were prepared for studying at the beginning of this project. These MAX Phases included Ti3AlC2, Ti2AlC and Zr3Al3C5. To study the properties of the mxene phase, obtained MAX Phases are grinded into thin powder, thieved through a 325mech screen, and then etched with 48% hydrofluoric acid. To obtain a Mxene Phase disk, mxene flakes are collected after the etching process. Since the surface functional groups have a great impact on the thermal properties of the Mxene phase the collected flakes are soaked in anhydrous hydrazine after washing with DI water. Hydrazine soaked samples show a quite different thermal property in comparison with the non-soaked samples. Thermal conductivity of the samples was measured from both the Differential Laser-Heating and Infrared-Imaging(DLI) method and Laser Flash method. The two methods gave similar values on the measurement. The DLI method gives a great illustration on how thermal conductivity of the disk samples can be measured for future relative projects and the behavior of the disk samples shows the anisotropic property of the disks which potentially has many applications

Development of Innovative Aerogel Based Plasters: Preliminary Thermal and Acoustic Performance Evaluation

The thermal and acoustic properties of innovative insulating systems used as building coatings were investigated: Granular silica aerogel was mixed with natural plaster in different percentages. This coating solution is transpiring and insulating, thanks to the use of a natural lime coat and aerogel, a highly porous light material with very low thermal conductivity. The thermal conductivity of the proposed solution was evaluated by means of a Heat Flow meter apparatus (EN ISO 12667), considering different percentages of aerogel. The natural plaster without aerogel has a thermal conductivity of about 0.50 W/m

L-DOPA Neurotoxicity Is Mediated by Up-Regulation of DMT1−IRE Expression

2008-2009 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalpublished_fina

Physiological Concentrations of Amyloid Beta Regulate Recycling of Synaptic Vesicles via Alpha7 Acetylcholine Receptor and CDK5/Calcineurin Signaling

Despite the central role of amyloid β (Aβ) peptide in the etiopathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), its physiological function in healthy brain is still debated. It is well established that elevated levels of Aβ induce synaptic depression and dismantling, connected with neurotoxicity and neuronal loss. Growing evidence suggests a positive regulatory effect of Aβ on synaptic function and cognition; however the exact cellular and molecular correlates are still unclear. In this work, we tested the effect of physiological concentrations of Aβ species of endogenous origin on neurotransmitter release in rat cortical and hippocampal neurons grown in dissociated cultures. Modulation of production and degradation of the endogenous Aβ species as well as applications of the synthetic rodent Aβ40 and Aβ42 affected efficacy of neurotransmitter release from individual presynapses. Low picomolar Aβ40 and Aβ42 increased, while Aβ depletion or application of low micromolar concentration decreased synaptic vesicle recycling, showing a hormetic effect of Aβ on neurotransmitter release. These Aβ-mediated modulations required functional alpha7 acetylcholine receptors as well as extracellular and intracellular calcium, involved regulation of CDK5 and calcineurin signaling and increased recycling of synaptic vesicles. These data indicate that Aβ regulates neurotransmitter release from presynapse and suggest that failure of the normal physiological function of Aβ in the fine-tuning of SV cycling could disrupt synaptic function and homeostasis, which would, eventually, lead to cognitive decline and neurodegeneration

Integration of remote sensing and GIS in studying vegetation trends and conditions in the gum arabic belt in North Kordofan, Sudan

The gum arabic belt in Sudan plays a significant role in environmental, social and economical aspects. The belt has suffered from deforestation and degradation due to natural hazards and human activities. This research was conducted in North Kordofan State, which is affected by modifications in conditions and composition of vegetation cover trends in the gum arabic belt as in the rest of the Sahelian Sudan zone. The application of remote sensing, geographical information system and satellites imageries with multi-temporal and spatial analysis of land use land cover provides the land managers with current and improved data for the purposes of effective management of natural resources in the gum arabic belt. This research investigated the possibility of identification, monitoring and mapping of the land use land cover changes and dynamics in the gum arabic belt during the last 35 years. Also a newly approach of object-based classification was applied for image classification. Additionally, the study elaborated the integration of conventional forest inventory with satellite imagery for Acacia senegal stands. The study used imageries from different satellites (Landsat and ASTER) and multi-temporal dates (MSS 1972, TM 1985, ETM+ 1999 and ASTER 2007) acquired in dry season (November). The imageries were geo-referenced and radiometrically corrected by using ENVI-FLAASH software. Image classification (pixel-based and object-based), post-classification change detection, 2x2 and 3x3 pixel windows and accuracy assessment were applied. A total of 47 field samples were inventoried for Acacia senegal tree’s variables in Elhemmaria forest. Three areas were selected and distributed along the gum arabic belt. Regression method analysis was applied to study the relationship between forest attributes and the ASTER imagery. Application of multi-temporal remote sensing data in gum arabic belt demonstrated successfully the identification and mapping of land use land cover into five main classes. Also NDVI categorisation provided a consistent method for land use land cover stratification and mapping. Forest dominated by Acacia senegal class was separated covering an area of 21% and 24% in the year 2007 for areas A and B, respectively. The land use land cover structure in the gum arabic belt has obvious changes and reciprocal conversions between the classes indicating the trends and conditions caused by the human interventions as well as ecological impacts on Acacia senegal trees. The study revealed a drastic loss of Acacia senegal cover by 25% during the period of 1972 to 2007.The results of the study revealed to a significant correlation (p ≤ 0.05) between the ASTER bands (VNIR) and vegetation indices (NDVI, SAVI, RVI) with stand density, volume, crown area and basal area of Acacia senegal trees. The derived 2x2 and 3x3 pixel windows methods successfully extracted the spectral reflectance of Acacia senegal trees from ASTER imagery. Four equations were developed and could be widely used and applied for monitoring the stand density, volume, basal area and crown area of Acacia senegal trees in the gum arabic belt considering the similarity between the selected areas. The pixel-based approach performed slightly better than the object-based approach in land use land cover classification in the gum arabic belt. The study come out with some valuable recommendations and comments which could contribute positively in using remotely sensed imagery and GIS techniques to explore management tools of Acacia senegal stands in order to maintain the tree component in the farming and the land use systems in the gum arabic belt

14th CIRIAF National Congress – Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development

CIRIAF (Inter-University Research Center on Pollution and Environment “Mauro Felli” is a research center, based at the University of Perugia, which promotes interdisciplinary research activities in the fields of environmental pollution and its health and socio-economic effects, sustainable development, renewable and alternative energy, energy planning, and sustainable mobility. One hundred professors from fourteen different Italian universities are involved in the activities of the center. The CIRIAF National Congress (e.g., the fourteenth one in 2014), has become, over time, an important event for researchers and experts (engineers, physicists, chemists, architects, doctors, and economists). These individuals are not simply academics; they also hail from ministries, environmental agencies, and local authorities. The annual meeting in Perugia is an opportunity to discuss the issues related to energy, environment and sustainable development. After some editions were devoted to panel discussions and workshops, the 14th Congress, which took place in Perugia from 4-5 April 2014, returned to the formula of parallel technical sessions. The Congress was quite successful. Seventy-nine papers were presented during the Congress; these were divided into the following eight Sessions, in line with the congress tradition. The session topics are of great contemporary interest: Built Environment Quality and Indoor Pollution Energy and Environmental Certification of Buildings Artworks Preservation and Museum Plants Renewable and Alternative Energy Sources and Systems Pollution from Physical Agents (noise, vibrations, electromagnetic fields) Air and Water Pollution Sustainable Mobility Energy Planning and Environmental Impact As usual, the ceremony of the “Mauro Felli” award took place during the Congress. The award, established to honor the memory of the founder and first Director of CIRIAF, is intended for young graduates, Ph.D. students or researchers who have carried out research activities in the fields concerning pollution originating from physical agents, the effects of environmental pollution on humans or related issues. Thanks to an agreement with the international publishing house MDPI, I am happy to introduce to you a special issue of SUSTAINABILITY, which contains the best papers presented at the Congress. The Special Issue will include the best papers presented at the Congress. These were selected by the Scientific Committee with the help of the various Chairmen of the Sessions. The papers cover all the various aspects of sustainability, from an interdisciplinary point of view, with a strong emphasis on the link between energy production, use and conservation, and environmental impact

Analysis Of The Role For Antioxidant Enzyme Heme Oxygenase-1 In Brain Regional Hiv Neuropathogenesis And Blood-Brain Barrier Function

HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment (HIV NCI) persists in persons living with HIV (PLWH) despite the availability of suppressive combination antiretroviral therapy. Chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption are well-known in HIV infection and likely contribute to the development of HIV NCI. Post-mortem and neuroimaging studies in PLWH demonstrate region-specific neuroinflammation, injury, and BBB damage within the brain, indicating that the processes causing HIV NCI might therefore be region-specific. We previously identified the highly inducible antioxidant enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) as a potential mediator of HIV neuropathogenesis, showing that HO-1 expression in the prefrontal cortex is reduced in PLWH with HIV NCI compared to both HIV-negative individuals and PLWH without HIV NCI, and this reduction associates with increased CSF HIV RNA, type I interferon-stimulated gene expression, and immunoproteasome expression. HO-1 is expressed throughout the brain, and its expression in brain microvascular endothelial cells has been shown to support BBB functions. This thesis expounds our understanding of the role for HO-1 in HIV neuropathogenesis through two approaches: i) Regional ex vivo analysis of autopsied brains of PLWH without HIV NCI; and ii) manipulation of HO-1 expression in in vitro models of the BBB using human brain microvascular endothelial cells. We show that PLWH without HIV NCI have stable or increased HO-1 expression compared to HIV-negative individuals that associates positively with CSF and plasma HIV RNA consistently throughout the brain. HO-1 expression also associates positively with type I interferon-stimulated gene, immunoproteasome subunit, and endothelial adhesion marker expression. We also noted distinct patterns of neuroinflammation in certain brain regions (posterior cingulate cortex, cerebellum, and globus pallidus). Finally, we demonstrate manipulation of HO-1 expression in a human endothelial cell line and primary human brain microvascular endothelial cells, outlining experimental parameters for future experiments to determine the role for endothelial HO-1 in BBB functioning during HIV infection. Our work suggests that in PLWH without HIV NCI, HO-1 is driven by HIV replication as a component of an inflammatory response throughout the brain, including within the BBB, and that the role for HO-1 within this process can be modeled using primary human cell culture systems

Mapping three-dimensional geological features from remotely-sensed images and digital elevation models.

Accurate mapping of geological structures is important in numerous applications, ranging from mineral exploration through to hydrogeological modelling. Remotely sensed data can provide synoptic views of study areas enabling mapping of geological units within the area. Structural information may be derived from such data using standard manual photo-geologic interpretation techniques, although these are often inaccurate and incomplete. The aim of this thesis is, therefore, to compile a suite of automated and interactive computer-based analysis routines, designed to help a the user map geological structure. These are examined and integrated in the context of an expert system. The data used in this study include Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and Airborne Thematic Mapper images, both with a spatial resolution of 5m, for a 5 x 5 km area surrounding Llyn Cow lyd, Snowdonia, North Wales. The geology of this area comprises folded and faulted Ordo vician sediments intruded throughout by dolerite sills, providing a stringent test for the automated and semi-automated procedures. The DEM is used to highlight geomorphological features which may represent surface expressions of the sub-surface geology. The DEM is created from digitized contours, for which kriging is found to provide the best interpolation routine, based on a number of quantitative measures. Lambertian shading and the creation of slope and change of slope datasets are shown to provide the most successful enhancement of DEMs, in terms of highlighting a range of key geomorphological features. The digital image data are used to identify rock outcrops as well as lithologically controlled features in the land cover. To this end, a series of standard spectral enhancements of the images is examined. In this respect, the least correlated 3 band composite and a principal component composite are shown to give the best visual discrimination of geological and vegetation cover types. Automatic edge detection (followed by line thinning and extraction) and manual interpretation techniques are used to identify a set of 'geological primitives' (linear or arc features representing lithological boundaries) within these data. Inclusion of the DEM data provides the three-dimensional co-ordinates of these primitives enabling a least-squares fit to be employed to calculate dip and strike values, based, initially, on the assumption of a simple, linearly dipping structural model. A very large number of scene 'primitives' is identified using these procedures, only some of which have geological significance. Knowledge-based rules are therefore used to identify the relevant. For example, rules are developed to identify lake edges, forest boundaries, forest tracks, rock-vegetation boundaries, and areas of geomorphological interest. Confidence in the geological significance of some of the geological primitives is increased where they are found independently in both the DEM and remotely sensed data. The dip and strike values derived in this way are compared to information taken from the published geological map for this area, as well as measurements taken in the field. Many results are shown to correspond closely to those taken from the map and in the field, with an error of < 1°. These data and rules are incorporated into an expert system which, initially, produces a simple model of the geological structure. The system also provides a graphical user interface for manual control and interpretation, where necessary. Although the system currently only allows a relatively simple structural model (linearly dipping with faulting), in the future it will be possible to extend the system to model more complex features, such as anticlines, synclines, thrusts, nappes, and igneous intrusions