Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Laser damage metrology in the sub-ps range for the PETAL facility

Laser damage resistance is a key factor for the improvement of high power laser system. The PETAL laser, developed by the CEA-CESTA (France), uses meter scale reflective optics to compress, transport and focalize sub-picosecond laser pulses at 1053nm with high-energy [1]. In the case of defect-free material, laser-induced damage in the sub-picosecond regime is known to be deterministic since the threshold depends only on the electronic structure of the irradiated materials, the pulse duration and the enhancement of the electric fields in thin film coatings. Based on this consideration, a mono-shot technique has been investigated to assess the intrinsic damage resistance of optical component with only one laser shot. On the other hand, while considering real optical components, manufacturing processes included nanoscale defects in the functional coating. These defects can be ejected when irradiated and strongly reduce the laser damage resistance of optics: rasterscan procedure has then been developed to determine defect-induced damage densities. These densities are found to be high even for fluences well below the intrinsic Laser-Induced Damage Threshold and they increase with the fluence. These experiments bring new information on the operating characteristics of optics in short pulse regime. Once damage is triggered, its evolution under subsequent irradiations has also been studied. Growth experiments have been compared to numerical simulations. The investigations on growth behavior allow a better estimation of the functional lifetime of an optic in its operating conditions. The whole of results, damage initiation and damage growth, is discussed to the light of the laser damage observed on PETAL optics.
Urban-Rural Disparity of Breast Cancer and Socioeconomic Risk Factors in China

Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide. The primary aim of this work is the study of breast cancer disparity among Chinese women in urban vs. rural regions and its associations with socioeconomic factors. Data on breast cancer incidence were obtained from the Chinese cancer registry annual report (2005–2009). The ten socioeconomic factors considered in this study were obtained from the national population 2000 census and the Chinese city/county statistical yearbooks. Student’s T test was used to assess disparities of female breast cancer and socioeconomic factors in urban vs. rural regions. Pearson correlation and ordinary least squares (OLS) models were employed to analyze the relationships between socioeconomic factors and cancer incidence. It was found that the breast cancer incidence was significantly higher in urban than in rural regions. Moreover, in urban regions, breast cancer incidence remained relatively stable, whereas in rural regions it displayed an annual percentage change (APC) of 8.55. Among the various socioeconomic factors considered, breast cancer incidence exhibited higher positive correlations with population density, percentage of non-agriculture population, and second industry output. On the other hand, the incidence was negatively correlated with the percentage of population employed in primary industry. Overall, it was observed that higher socioeconomic status would lead to a higher breast cancer incidence in China. When studying breast cancer etiology, special attention should be paid to environmental pollutants, especially endocrine disruptors produced during industrial activities. Lastly, the present work’s findings strongly recommend giving high priority to the development of a systematic nationwide breast cancer screening program for women in China; with sufficient participation, mammography screening can considerably reduce mortality among women.
Abacavir-Reactive Memory T Cells Are Present in Drug Naïve Individuals

Background Fifty-five percent of individuals with HLA-B*57:01 exposed to the antiretroviral drug abacavir develop a hypersensitivity reaction (HSR) that has been attributed to naïve T-cell responses to neo-antigen generated by the drug. Immunologically confirmed abacavir HSR can manifest clinically in less than 48 hours following first exposure suggesting that, at least in some cases, abacavir HSR is due to re-stimulation of a pre-existing memory T-cell population rather than priming of a high frequency naïve T-cell population. Methods To determine whether a pre-existing abacavir reactive memory T-cell population contributes to early abacavir HSR symptoms, we studied the abacavir specific naïve or memory T-cell response using HLA-B*57:01 positive HSR patients or healthy controls using ELISpot assay, intra-cellular cytokine staining and tetramer labelling. Results Abacavir reactive CD8+ T-cell responses were detected in vitro in one hundred percent of abacavir unexposed HLA-B*57:01 positive healthy donors. Abacavir-specific CD8+ T cells from such donors can be expanded from sorted memory, and sorted naïve, CD8+ T cells without need for autologous CD4+ T cells. Conclusions We propose that these pre-existing abacavir-reactive memory CD8+ T-cell responses must have been primed by earlier exposure to another foreign antigen and that these T cells cross-react with an abacavir-HLA-B*57:01-endogenous peptide ligand complex, in keeping with the model of heterologous immunity proposed in transplant rejection.
Spontaneous and Divergent Hexaploid Triticales Derived from Common Wheat × Rye by Complete Elimination of D-Genome Chromosomes

Background Hexaploid triticale could be either synthesized by crossing tetraploid wheat with rye, or developed by crossing hexaploid wheat with a hexaploid triticale or an octoploid triticale. Methodology/Principal Findings Here two hexaploid triticales with great morphologic divergence derived from common wheat cultivar M8003 (Triticum aestivum L.) × Austrian rye (Secale cereale L.) were reported, exhibiting high resistance for powdery mildew and stripe rust and potential for wheat improvement. Sequential fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) karyotyping revealed that D-genome chromosomes were completely eliminated and the whole A-genome, B-genome and R-genome chromosomes were retained in both lines. Furthermore, plentiful alterations of wheat chromosomes including 5A and 7B were detected in both triticales and additionally altered 5B, 7A chromosome and restructured chromosome 2A was assayed in N9116H and N9116M, respectively, even after selfing for several decades. Besides, meiotic asynchrony was displayed and a variety of storage protein variations were assayed, especially in the HMW/LMW-GS region and secalins region in both triticales. Conclusion This study confirms that whole D-genome chromosomes could be preferentially eliminated in the hybrid of common wheat × rye, “genome shock” was accompanying the allopolyploidization of nascent triticales, and great morphologic divergence might result from the genetic variations. Moreover, new hexaploid triticale lines contributing potential resistance resources for wheat improvement were produced.
Development of multilayer for protection from intense electric fields

The experimental work presented in this thesis is done to develop an innovative procedure to create a protective nanostructured coating inside the X-band radio frequency cavity, a key component in future particle accelerator. The scope of the multilayer coating is to prevent the breakdown due to high electric and magnetic field. In fact the electrical discharges damage, in irreversible way, the internal surface of the cavity and compromise the final operation of the device. The keen interest on the topic is due to decrease the length and the cost of the next generation linear accelerator. To do this it is essential to enhance the performance of X-band Linacs up to 100MV/m accelerating gradient and to maintain, high as possible, the electrical breakdown reliability. Several studies are made on different materials in order to develop these cavities [1] [2], but the use of physical vapor deposition technique (PVD), to obtain nanostructured coating directly on internal wall of these small sized cavities is not reported in literature. The size of the cavities is of order of few millimeters and the iris aperture ranges from 2 to 6mm: for this reason the direct PVD coating is not possible. Hence a mandrel, that is the negative shape of the cavity, is first coated using PVD technique and finally chemically dissolved after copper electroforming[3]. The novel nanostructured coating is a multilayer composed by two high purity and immiscible metals. One is Copper to guarantee electrical conductivity of the cavity and the second is Molybdenum because it is a refractory metal. Moreover the choice of immiscible materials is important, because these materials do not form alloy during the deposition phase. Keeping a well-defined interface is important to guarantee a barrier effect to the motion of the defects inside the cavity’s material[4][5]. The experimental part of the thesis is divided in three different parts: design and setup of the PVD deposition system, plasma discharge analysis and, finally, the characterization of the coatings. This work is a collaboration between Industrial Engineering Department (University of Trento) and the National Laboratory of Legnaro (National Institute of Nuclear Physics LNL-INFN), but this research involves several institutes in different countries: SLAC (USA), KEK (Japan) and UCLA (Los Angeles USA).
Properties of a Newly Identified Esterase from Bacillus sp. K91 and Its Novel Function in Diisobutyl Phthalate Degradation

The widely used plasticizer phthalate esters (PAEs) have become a public concern because of their effects on environmental contamination and toxicity on mammals. However, the biodegradation of PAEs, especially diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), remains poorly understood. In particular, genes involved in the hydrolysis of these compounds were not conclusively identified. In this study, the CarEW gene, which encodes an enzyme that is capable of hydrolyzing ρ-nitrophenyl esters of fatty acids, was cloned from a thermophilic bacterium Bacillus sp. K91 and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 using the pEASY-E2 expression system. The enzyme showed a monomeric structure with a molecular mass of approximately 53.76 kDa and pI of 4.88. The enzyme exhibited maximal activity at pH 7.5 and 45°C, with ρ-NP butyrate as the best substrate. The enzyme was fairly stable within the pH range from 7.0 to 8.5. High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) were employed to detect the catabolic pathway of DiBP. Two intermediate products were identified, and a potential biodegradation pathway was proposed. Altogether, our findings present a novel DiBP degradation enzyme and indicate that the purified enzyme may be a promising candidate for DiBP detoxification and for environmental protection.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Endoscopic Ultrasound versus Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography in Patients with Suspected Common Bile Duct Stones

Background Patients with suspected common bile duct (CBD) stones are often diagnosed using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), an invasive procedure with risk of significant complications. Using endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) or Magnetic Resonance CholangioPancreatography (MRCP) first to detect CBD stones can reduce the risk of unnecessary procedures, cut complications and may save costs. Aim This study sought to compare the cost-effectiveness of initial EUS or MRCP in patients with suspected CBD stones. Methods This study is a model based cost-utility analysis estimating mean costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) per patient from the perspective of the UK National Health Service (NHS) over a 1 year time horizon. A decision tree model was constructed and populated with probabilities, outcomes and cost data from published sources, including one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Results Using MRCP to select patients for ERCP was less costly than using EUS to select patients or proceeding directly to ERCP ($1299 versus $1753 and $1781, respectively), with similar QALYs accruing to each option (0.998, 0.998 and 0.997 for EUS, MRCP and direct ERCP, respectively). Initial MRCP was the most cost-effective option with the highest monetary net benefit, and this result was not sensitive to model parameters. MRCP had a 61% probability of being cost-effective at $29,000, the maximum willingness to pay for a QALY commonly used in the UK. Conclusion From the perspective of the UK NHS, MRCP was the most cost-effective test in the diagnosis of CBD stones.
Recording and Sharing Non-Visible Information on Body Movement while Skateboarding

Knowing your own body movement is an essential element of sports. Recently, the popularization of smartphones has enabled people to easily record their performance in most situations. However, these observations have limited applicability in assisting with a clear understanding of body movement. In this paper, we propose the Motion Log Skateboard, which records and shares non-visible information about body movement that is difficult to obtain through current observation methods in skateboarding. A pressure-sensor matrix on a skateboard deck is used to record the pressure distribution data, which are then played using the video function of a smartphone camera. With this logged data, a user can access the feet positions, pressure intensity, and timing of the foot movements. To verify the proposed concept and determine the specific context of its use, an experimental session and interviews were conducted with skateboarders of various skill levels. Based on the results of this research, the shared experiences of non-visible information, which is perceived differently depending on the individual, are expected to become a standard for exploring and training body movement.
Facilitative-Competitive Interactions in an Old-Growth Forest: The Importance of Large-Diameter Trees as Benefactors and Stimulators for Forest Community Assembly

The role of competition in tree communities is increasingly well understood, while little is known about the patterns and mechanisms of the interplay between above- and belowground competition in tree communities. This knowledge, however, is crucial for a better understanding of community dynamics and developing adaptive near-natural management strategies. We assessed neighbourhood interactions in an unmanaged old-growth European beech (Fagus sylvatica) forest by quantifying variation in the intensity of above- (shading) and belowground competition (crowding) among dominant and co-dominant canopy beech trees during tree maturation. Shading had on average a much larger impact on radial growth than crowding and the sensitivity to changes in competitive conditions was lowest for crowding effects. We found that each mode of competition reduced the effect of the other. Increasing crowding reduced the negative effect of shading, and at high levels of shading, crowding actually had a facilitative effect and increased growth. Our study demonstrates that complementarity in above- and belowground processes enable F. sylvatica to alter resource acquisition strategies, thus optimising tree radial growth. As a result, competition seemed to become less important in stands with a high growing stock and tree communities with a long continuity of anthropogenic undisturbed population dynamics. We suggest that growth rates do not exclusively depend on the density of potential competitors at the intraspecific level, but on the conspecific aggregation of large-diameter trees and their functional role for regulating biotic filtering processes. This finding highlights the potential importance of the rarely examined relationship between the spatial aggregation pattern of large-diameter trees and the outcome of neighbourhood interactions, which may be central to community dynamics and the related forest ecosystem services.
SYNTHESIS OF ADSORBENT MAGNETITE SILICA FUNCTIONALIZED CETYLTRIMETHYLAMMONIUM BROMIDE (CTAB) FROM IRON SAND KLAYAR BEACH PACITAN

Synthesis of Magnetite Silica cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (magsil-CTAB) had been successfully performed using iron sand Klayar beach as a source of natural magnetite, sodium silicate, HCl, and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Addition of CTAB on silica magnetite was expected to improve the ability of the adsorbent to adsorb polar compounds such as phenols. Synthesis began with the separation of the magnetite from iron sands by separation magnetically done using permanent magnets. Silica coating on magnetite done via sol-gel method with a ratio 1:20 of magnetite and sodium silicate followed by addition of HCl to form a gel. Gel was dried at a temperature of 80 0 C and 350 °C for calcination. Results obtained soaked with CTAB solution with a concentration of 0.5 mM; 1 mM; 2 mM and stirred for 24 hours. Binding of silica and magnetite above the CTAB tested by Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR). The presence of silica in magnetite indicated by the appearance of spectra at wave number 900 and 3500-3200 cm -1 indicating the presence of a hydroxyl group of silanol and water molecules. Besides the presence of two strong peaks observed around 1100 and 800 cm -1 , respectively show the Si-O-Si asymmetric stretching and bending. From the results of spectra could be seen further there were difference intensity of the main peaks for different samples used, especially on the area around 2300 cm -1 to be a group of nitrile (C-N) and about 3700-3500 cm -1 due to the amide (N-H) of the CTAB as expected.
Multiple-Geographic-Scale Genetic Structure of Two Mangrove Tree Species: The Roles of Mating System, Hybridization, Limited Dispersal and Extrinsic Factors

Mangrove plants comprise a unique group of organisms that grow within the intertidal zones of tropical and subtropical regions and whose distributions are influenced by both biotic and abiotic factors. To understand how these extrinsic and intrinsic processes influence a more fundamental level of the biological hierarchy of mangroves, we studied the genetic diversity of two Neotropical mangrove trees, Avicenniagerminans and A. schaueriana, using microsatellites markers. As reported for other sea-dispersed species, there was a strong differentiation between A. germinans and A. schaueriana populations sampled north and south of the northeastern extremity of South America, likely due to the influence of marine superficial currents. Moreover, we observed fine-scale genetic structures even when no obvious physical barriers were present, indicating pollen and propagule dispersal limitation, which could be explained by isolation-by-distance coupled with mating system differences. We report the first evidence of ongoing hybridization between Avicennia species and that these hybrids are fertile, although this interspecific crossing has not contributed to an increase in the genetic diversity the populations where A. germinans and A. schaueriana hybridize. These findings highlight the complex interplay between intrinsic and extrinsic factors that shape the distribution of the genetic diversity in these sea-dispersed colonizer species.
Blood Meal Analysis of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Central Tunisia

To evaluate the host preferences of Culicoides species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Central Tunisia, we identified the source of blood meals of field collected specimens by sequencing of the cytochrome b (cyt b) mitochondrial locus and Prepronociceptine single copy nuclear gene. The study includes the most common and abundant livestock associated species of biting midges in Tunisia: C. imicola, C. jumineri, C. newsteadi, C. paolae, C. cataneii, C. circumscriptus, C. kingi, C. pseudojumineri, C. submaritimus, C. langeroni, C. jumineri var and some unidentified C. species. Analysis of cyt b PCR products from 182 field collected blood-engorged females’ midges revealed that 92% of them fed solely on mammalian species, 1.6% on birds, 2.4% on insects and 0.8% on reptiles. The blast results identified the blood origin of biting midges to the species level with exact or nearly exact matches (≥98%). The results confirm the presence of several Culicoides species, including proven vectors in Central Tunisia. Blood meal analyses show that these species will indeed feed on bigger mammals, thereby highlighting the risk that these viruses will be able to spread in Tunisia.
A New PAMPA Model Proposed on the Basis of a Synthetic Phospholipid Membrane

The purpose of this work was to investigate the synthetic phospholipid dependence of permeability measured by parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA) method. Three phospholipids with hydrophobic groups of different lengths and phosphorylcholine as the hydrophilic group were concisely synthesized. Ten model drug molecules were selected because of their distinct human fraction absorbed (%FA) values and various pK a characteristics. In vitro drug permeation experiments were designed to determine the effect of the incubation time (4–20 h), pH gradient (4.6–9.32) and carbon chain length (8, 10, 12) on the drug permeability through the synthetic phospholipid membrane in the PAMPA system. The results showed that intensive and significant synthetic phospholipids dependence of permeability influenced by the length of lipid’s hydrophobic carbon chain. The effective permeability constant (P e) of each drug increased rapidly with time, then decreased slightly after reaching the maximum; the pH gradient changed the drug permeability according to the pH-partition hypothesis for drugs with diverse pK a values; and longer hydrophobic chains in the synthetic phospholipid membrane improved the drug permeability, as observed for all test drugs at almost all incubation time points. This newly proposed PAMPA model considered the synthetic phospholipid membrane and showed good P e-%FA correlation for the passive transport of drugs, making it a helpful supplementary method for PAMPA systems.