Distinct vortex-glass phases in Yb3_{3}Rh4_{4}Sn13_{13} at high and low magnetic fields

The vortex lattice (VL) in the mixed state of the stannide superconductor Yb$_{3}$Rh$_{4}$Sn$_{13}$ has been studied using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The field dependencies of the normalized longitudinal and transverse correlation lengths of the VL, $\xi_L/a_0$ and $\xi_T /a_0$, reveal two distinct anomalies that are associated with vortex-glass phases below $\mu_0H_l$~$\approx$~700~G and above $\mu_{0}H_h$~$\sim$~1.7~T ($a_0$ is the intervortex distance). At high fields, around 1.7~T, the longitudinal correlation decreases abruptly with increasing fields indicating a weakening (but not a complete destruction) of the VL due to a phase transition into a glassy phase, below $\mu_{0}H_{c_2}$(1.8 K)~$\approx$~2.5~T. $\xi_L/a_0$ and $\xi_T /a_0$, gradually decrease for decreasing fields of strengths less than 1~T and tend towards zero. The shear elastic modulus $c_{66}$ and the tilting elastic modulus $c_{44}$ vanish at a critical field $\mu_0H_l$~$\approx$~700~G, providing evidence for a disorder-induced transition into a vortex-glass. A 'ring' of scattered intensity is observed for fields lower than 700~G, $i.e.$, $\mu_{0}H_{c_1}$~=~135~G~$<$~$\mu_{0}H$~$<$~700~G. This low-field phenomenon is of different nature than the one observed at high fields, where $\xi_L/a_0$ but not $\xi_T/a_0$, decreases abruptly to an intermediate value

Crystal structure and phonon softening in Ca3Ir4Sn13

We investigated the crystal structure and lattice excitations of the ternary intermetallic stannide Ca3Ir4Sn13 using neutron and x-ray scattering techniques. For T > T* ~ 38 K the x-ray diffraction data can be satisfactorily refined using the space group Pm-3n. Below T* the crystal structure is modulated with a propagation vector of q = (1/2, 1/2, 0). This may arise from a merohedral twinning in which three tetragonal domains overlap to mimic a higher symmetry, or from a doubling of the cubic unit cell. Neutron diffraction and neutron spectroscopy results show that the structural transition at T* is of a second-order, and that it is well described by mean-field theory. Inelastic neutron scattering data point towards a displacive structural transition at T* arising from the softening of a low-energy phonon mode with an energy gap of Delta(120 K) = 1.05 meV. Using density functional theory the soft phonon mode is identified as a 'breathing' mode of the Sn12 icosahedra and is consistent with the thermal ellipsoids of the Sn2 atoms found by single crystal diffraction data

Towards a reduction of greenhouse gas emission from wastewater treatment plants: a new plant wide experimental and modelling approach

The increasing interest in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) has led to the development of new tools for their design and management. Studies about gas emissions show that the sewer collection and the wastewater treatment plant are anthropogenic GHG potential sources, so they contribute to the climate change and air pollution. A wastewater treatment plant receives wastewater from sewers and, while produces treated water for discharge into surface water, emits the three major greenhouse gases, CO2, CH4, and N2O, during the treatment processes, and additional amounts of CO2 and CH4 from the energy demands (Bani Shahabadi et al., 2009). Indeed, energy consumption can be considered as an indirect source of GHGs. Greenhouse-gas emissions are generated by water-line and sludge- line processes and by the on-site combustion of biogas and fossil fuels for energy generation. GHGs may also be produced during sludge disposal or reuse (transportation and degradation of remaining biosolids off-site), off-site energy production and off-site chemicals production. In recent years, increasing attention is given to the assessment of N2O emissions from WWTPs. N2O is a powerful greenhouse gas that is almost 300 times stronger than CO2. Nevertheless, the source and magnitude of N2O are relatively unknown and the knowledge is still incomplete. This paper presents the first results of an ongoing research project aiming at setting-up an innovative mathematical model platform (Decision Support System—DSS) for the design and management of WWTPs. The project is constituted by four research units (UOs) and its final goal is to minimize, by means of this platform, the environmental impact of WWTPs through their optimization in terms of energy consumptions and pollutants, sludge and GHG emissions

Evaluation of temporomandibular disorders before and after orthognathic surgery: therapeutic considerations on a sample of 76 patients

Temporomandibular disorders may be associated with dental and facial malformations. The aim of this study is to record the prevalence of TMDs in patients scheduled for orthognathic surgery, reporting the development of TMDs and symptoms during the entire period of the treatment, and demonstrating the benefits of a team effort on this population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Assessment of temporomandibular status was performed using the RDC/TMD criteria at T0 (prior to orthodontic therapy), T1 (3 months after the surgery), and T2 post-therapeutic cycle (6 to 12 months postoperatively). A total of 76 participants were included in the study; all the patients underwent surgical treatment: 12 had bilateral sagittal split osteotomy, 6 with condylar position devices; 64 had Le Fort I + bilateral sagittal split osteotomy, and 15 with condylar position devices. Results were evaluated with a paired-sample t-test and segmentation analysis. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients were affected by TMDs. At T0, 25 patients experienced TMJ pain, 27 had muscular pain, 31 suffered headaches, 42 had disc dislocation with reduction, and 5 were affected by disc dislocation without reduction. Thirty-five patients had occlusal signs of parafunctions, 8 reported tinnitus, and 7 dizziness. At T1, TMJ pain changed from 33.3% to 4.44%, muscular pain changed from 35.5% to 11.1%, headaches improved from 40% to 6.67%, and disc dislocation from 55.2% to 17.7%. Segmentation analysis highlighted improvement after therapy; 57 patients were considered recovered, 14 improved, none were considered stable, whereas 5 patients demonstrated some worsening, 3 of whom had not presented disc dislocation before surgery. At T2, 71 patients were considered completely recovered or improved. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicates beyond any doubt that both functional status and pain levels related to TMDs can be significantly improved with a multi-disciplinary approach. We concluded that surgeon's intervention need to be modified in the presence of presurgical TMDs

Pharmacologic or Genetic Targeting of Glutamine Synthetase Skews Macrophages toward an M1-like Phenotype and Inhibits Tumor Metastasis.

Glutamine-synthetase (GS), the glutamine-synthesizing enzyme from glutamate, controls important events, including the release of inflammatory mediators, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activation, and autophagy. However, its role in macrophages remains elusive. We report that pharmacologic inhibition of GS skews M2-polarized macrophages toward the M1-like phenotype, characterized by reduced intracellular glutamine and increased succinate with enhanced glucose flux through glycolysis, which could be partly related to HIF1α activation. As a result of these metabolic changes and HIF1α accumulation, GS-inhibited macrophages display an increased capacity to induce T cell recruitment, reduced T cell suppressive potential, and an impaired ability to foster endothelial cell branching or cancer cell motility. Genetic deletion of macrophagic GS in tumor-bearing mice promotes tumor vessel pruning, vascular normalization, accumulation of cytotoxic T cells, and metastasis inhibition. These data identify GS activity as mediator of the proangiogenic, immunosuppressive, and pro-metastatic function of M2-like macrophages and highlight the possibility of targeting this enzyme in the treatment of cancer metastasis

Selective expression of a sodium pump isozyme by cough receptors and evidence for its essential role in regulating cough

We have identified a distinct subtype of airway vagal afferent nerve that plays an essential role in regulating the cough reflex. These afferents are exquisitely sensitive to punctate mechanical stimuli, acid, and decreases in extracellular chloride concentrations, but are insensitive to capsaicin, bradykinin, histamine, adenosine, serotonin, or changes in airway intraluminal pressures. In this study we used intravital imaging, retrograde neuronal tracing, and electrophysiological analyses to characterize the structural basis for their peculiar mechanical sensitivity and to further characterize the regulation of their excitability. In completing these experiments, we uncovered evidence for an essential role of an isozyme of Na(+)-K(+) ATPase in regulating cough. These vagal sensory neurons arise bilaterally from the nodose ganglia and are selectively and brilliantly stained intravitally with the styryl dye FM2-10. Cough receptor terminations are confined and adherent to the extracellular matrix separating the airway epithelium and smooth muscle layers, a site of extensive remodeling in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The cough receptor terminals uniquely express the alpha(3) subunit of Na(+)-K(+) ATPase. Intravital staining of cough receptors by FM2-10, cough receptor excitability in vitro, and coughing in vivo are potently and selectively inhibited by the sodium pump inhibitor ouabain. These data provide the first detailed morphological description of the peripheral terminals of the sensory nerves regulating cough and identify a selective molecular target for their modulation