Search results for "density [astrophysics]"
showing 10 items of 561 documents
Electron-density critical points analysis and catastrophe theory to forecast structure instability in periodic solids
2018
The critical points analysis of electron density,i.e. ρ(x), fromab initiocalculations is used in combination with the catastrophe theory to show a correlation between ρ(x) topology and the appearance of instability that may lead to transformations of crystal structures, as a function of pressure/temperature. In particular, this study focuses on the evolution of coalescing non-degenerate critical points,i.e. such that ∇ρ(xc) = 0 and λ1, λ2, λ3≠ 0 [λ being the eigenvalues of the Hessian of ρ(x) atxc], towards degenerate critical points,i.e. ∇ρ(xc) = 0 and at least one λ equal to zero. The catastrophe theory formalism provides a mathematical tool to model ρ(x) in the neighbourhood ofxcand allo…
Simulations of an inhomogeneous stellar wind interacting with a pulsar wind in a binary system
2014
Binary systems containing a massive star and a non-accreting pulsar present strong interaction between the stellar and the pulsar winds. The properties of this interaction, which largely determine the non-thermal radiation in these systems, strongly depend on the structure of the stellar wind, which can be clumpy or strongly anisotropic, as in Be stars. We study numerically the influence of inhomogeneities in the stellar wind on the structure of the two-wind interaction region. We carried out for the first time axisymmetric, relativistic hydrodynamical simulations, with Lorentz factors of ~6 and accounting for the impact of instabilities, to study the impact in the two-wind interaction stru…
Observability and diagnostics in the X-ray band of shock-cloud interactions in supernova remnants
2010
X-ray emitting features originating from the interaction of supernova shock waves with small interstellar gas clouds are revealed in many X-ray observations of evolved supernova remnants (e.g. Cygnus Loop and Vela), but their interpretation is not straightforward. We develop a self-consistent method for the analysis and interpretation of shock-cloud interactions in middle-aged supernova remnants, which can provide the key parameters of the system and the role of relevant physical effects like the thermal conduction, without the need to run ad-hoc numerical simulations and to bother of morphology details. We explore all the possible values of the shock speed and cloud density contrast releva…
Expression of genes encoding the calcium signalosome in cellular and transgenic models of Huntington's disease
2013
Huntington's disease (HD) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disease caused by the expansion of a polyglutamine stretch in the huntingtin (HTT) protein and characterized by dysregulated calcium homeostasis. We investigated whether these disturbances are correlated with changes in the mRNA level of the genes that encode proteins involved in calcium homeostasis and signaling (i.e., the calciosome). Using custom-made TaqMan low-density arrays containing probes for 96 genes, we quantified mRNA in the striatum in YAC128 mice, a model of HD, and wildtype mice. HTT mutation caused the increased expression of some components of the calcium signalosome, including calretinin, presenilin 2, and calmyri…
Properties of radiation-modified blends of polyethylene with elastomers and liquid crystalline copolyester
2001
The results are given on the effect of γ-irradiation on properties of blends of high and low-density polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE) with elastomers -ethylene/propylene/diene rubber (EPDM) and chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), and thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (LCP). The morphological, thermal, mechanical properties (including thermosetting properties) and adhesion properties of blended composites were investigated. A special attention was paid to the applicability of the blends as thermosetting materials (TSM). The LCP used was a copolyester of poly(ethylene terephthalate) with p-(hydroxybenzoic acid) in the ratio 40: 60. It was found that addition of LCP essentially influenced the therm…
Recycling of plastics from packaging
1997
Plastic waste coming from the separate collection of packaging film was recycled and characterized. The material is a blend of low density and linear low density polyethylene and after recycling shows mechanical and rheological properties depending on the processing conditions and apparatus. High processing temperature and high residence times strongly enhance the degradation processes and reduce the mechanical properties, in particular the elongation at break. A possible use of this recycled plastic is for the production of low pressure pipes but the properties are lower than those of virgin pipe grade polyethylene. By introducing additives, like antioxidants, inert fillers and impact modi…
Further orthometalated dinuclear palladium(iii) compounds with bridging N,S-donor ligands
2013
New dinuclear palladium(III) compounds of general formula Pd2[(C6H4)PPh2]2[N-S]2Cl2, N-S being 2-mercaptopyridinate, 3a; 2-mercapto-6-methylpyridinate, 3b; 2-quinolinethiolate, 3c; 2-mercaptopyrimidinate, 3d; 1-methyl-1H-imidazole-2-thiolate, 3e; 1-methyl-1H-benzimidazole-2-thiolate, 3f; 2-mercaptobenzothiazolate, 3g and 5-mercapto-1-methyltetrazolate, 3h have been obtained by oxidation with PhICl2 of the corresponding palladium(II) counterparts. The stability of the new compounds has been studied by (31)P NMR spectroscopy from 200 to 298 K. Compounds 3f-h were relatively stable until room temperature and they have been synthesized and characterized by (31)P, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy…
Targeting human {gamma}delta} T cells with zoledronate and interleukin-2 for immunotherapy of hormone-refractory prostate cancer.
2007
Abstract The increasing evidence that γδ T cells have potent antitumor activity suggests their value in immunotherapy, particularly in areas of unmet need such as metastatic carcinoma. To this end, we initiated a phase I clinical trial in metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer to examine the feasibility and consequences of using the γδ T-cell agonist zoledronate, either alone or in combination with low-dose interleukin 2 (IL-2), to activate peripheral blood γδ cells. Nine patients were enlisted to each arm. Neither treatment showed appreciable toxicity. Most patients were treated with zoledronate + IL-2, but conversely only two treated with zoledronate displayed a significant long-te…
Structural disorder and electronic hybridization in NicMg1−cO solid solutions probed by XANES at the oxygen K edge
2007
A series of NicMg1−cO solid solutions has been studied for the first time looking at the structural disorder by means of x-ray absorption near-edge-structure (XANES) spectroscopy at the oxygen K edge. The experimental XANES signals were analysed within the full multiple scattering formalism and were interpreted taking into account clusters of up to 15 coordination shells around an absorbing oxygen atom. The substitution of nickel atoms by magnesium atoms results in a dramatic decrease of the empty density of states in the conduction band close to the Fermi level due to an exchange of the 3d(Ni)–2p(O) interaction with 3p(Mg)–2p(O). Besides, a simultaneous small decrease of the 3d(Ni)–2p(O) h…
Experimental Investigation for Local Tank Inflow Model
2014
In the present paper the effect of private roof tanks and of the float valve characteristics on apparent losses due to water meter errors was investigated via an experimental study. The tests were carried out at the Environmental Hydraulic Laboratory of the University of Enna (Italy), on a high-density polyethylene (HDPE 100 PN16) looped distribution network. The experimental results showed that network pressure plays an important role in the characterisation of the floating ball valve emitter law, but the tank operating condition is the most relevant aspect to be considered mainly for water meter error evaluation. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.