Diffraction dissociation in proton-proton collisions at s\sqrt{s} = 0.9 TeV, 2.76 TeV and 7 TeV with ALICE at the LHC

The relative rates of single- and double- diffractive processes were measured with the ALICE detector by studying properties of gaps in the pseudorapidity distribution of particles produced in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 0.9 TeV, 2.76 TeV and 7 TeV. ALICE triggering efficiencies are determined for various classes of events, using a detector simulation validated with data on inclusive particle production. Cross-sections are determined using van der Meer scans to measure beam properties and obtain a measurement of the luminosity

Laboratory observations of slow earthquakes and the spectrum of tectonic fault slip modes

Slow earthquakes represent an important conundrum in earthquake physics. While regular earthquakes are catastrophic events with rupture velocities governed by elastic wave speed, the processes that underlie slow fault slip phenomena, including recent discoveries of tremor, slow-slip and low-frequency earthquakes, are less understood. Theoretical models and sparse laboratory observations have provided insights, but the physics of slow fault rupture remain enigmatic. Here we report on laboratory observations that illuminate the mechanics of slow-slip phenomena. We show that a spectrum of slow-slip behaviours arises near the threshold between stable and unstable failure, and is governed by frictional dynamics via the interplay of fault frictional properties, effective normal stress and the elastic stiffness of the surrounding material. This generalizable frictional mechanism may act in concert with other hypothesized processes that damp dynamic ruptures, and is consistent with the broad range of geologic environments where slow earthquakes are observed

Xray Tomographic Microscopic Studies a Resin Embedded Paint Sample from a Mechanical Failing Area in the Floor Tiles of The Art of Painting by Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675)

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2010 in Portland, Oregon, USA, August 1 - August 5, 201

Innate effector cells in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis

Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are distinct and complex processes requiring a finely tuned balance between stimulatory and inhibitory signals. During adulthood, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are activated at sites of tumor growth, tissue injury and remodeling, and chronic inflammation. Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs), angiopoietin (ANGPTs) and a multitude of additional signaling molecules play distinct roles in the modulation of angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis. VEGFs and ANGPTs activate specific tyrosine kinase receptor (e.g., VEGFR1, VEGFR-2, VEGFR-3 and TIE2 respectively), expressed on blood endothelial cells (angiogenesis) and lymphatic endothelial cells (lymphangiogenesis). Although tumor cells produce VEGFs and other proangiogenic mediators, tissue resident (e.g., macrophages, mast cells) and circulating immune cells (e.g., basophils, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils) are an important source of angiogenic/lymphangiogenic mediators in inflammation and in tumor microenvironment and at site of chronic inflammation. Certain immune cells can also release anti-angiogenic factors. Mast cells, basophils, neutrophils and presumably other immune cells are not only a source of angiogenic/lymphangiogenic molecules, but also their target. Cells of the immune system need consideration as major players and possible targets for therapeutic manipulation of angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis in chronic inflammatory disorders and tumors

Experimental Studies of Electrical Fields on a Breaking Rock Sample

When a rock sample is pressed by a force, the pressure on the crystal lattice generates an electrical field around the quart grains due to the piezoelectric effect. If a rock is saturated by conductive fluid, the relative motion between the pore fluid and the matrix solid generates an electromagnetic field due to seismoelectric conversion, and the permeating of fluid into new microcracks made by the pressure changes the fluid distribution and the natural potential level. In this paper, we measure the electrical fields on dry and water-saturated Westerly granite cylinder samples during their breaking. Experimental results show that there are two kinds of mechanisms that generate two kinds of electrical fields during rock breaking: (1) Pressure, or rock breaking, generates an electrical potential on the dry rock surface due to piezoelectric effect; and (2) the potential on a dry sample due to a piezoelectric effect is small, and its polarization depends on the characteristic and orientation of quartz grains around the measurement point. Experiments with water-saturated granite samples record two electrical fields: An electromagnetic wave due to seismoelectric conversion, and the dc or low-frequency electrical potential due to the piezoelectric effect, which is an important indicator of rock breaking

Task-Specific Ionic Liquids for Mars Exploration (Green Chemistry for a Red Planet)

Ionic Liquids (ILs) are organic salts with low melting points that are liquid at or near room temperature. The combinations of available ions and task-specific molecular designability make them suitable for a huge variety of tasks. Because of their low flammability, low vapor pressure, and stability in harsh environments (extreme temperatures, hard vacuum) they are generally much safer and "greener" than conventional chemicals and are thus suitable for a wide range of applications that support NASA exploration goals. This presentation describes several of the ongoing applications that are being developed at MSFC

A tilted grating interferometer for full vector field differential x-ray phase contrast tomography

We report on a setup for differential x-ray phase-contrast imaging and tomography, that measures the full 2D phase-gradient information. The setup uses a simple one-dimensional x-ray grating interferometer, in which the grating structures of the interferometer are oriented at a tilt angle with respect to the sample rotation axis. In such a configuration, the differential phase images from opposing tomography projections can be combined to yield both components of the gradient vector. We show how the refractive index distribution as well as its x, y, and z gradient components can be reconstructed directly from the recorded projection data. The method can equally well be applied at conventional x-ray tube sources, to analyzer based x-ray imaging or neutron imaging. It is demonstrated with measurements of an x-ray phantom and a rat brain using synchrotron radiation

Signaling events involved in cytokine and chemokine production induced by secretory phospholipase A2 in human lung macrophages.

7openopenGranata F; Frattini A; Loffredo S; Del Prete A; Sozzani S; Marone G; Triggiani M.Granata, F; Frattini, A; Loffredo, S; DEL PRETE, Annalisa; Sozzani, Silvano; Marone, G; Triggiani, M