We present constraints on the tensor-to-scalar ratio r using a combination of BICEP/Keck 2018 (BK18) and Planck PR4 data allowing us to fit for r consistently with the six parameters of the ΛCDM ...model. We discuss the sensitivity of constraints on r to uncertainties in the ΛCDM parameters as defined by the Planck data. In particular, we are able to derive a constraint on the reionization optical depth τ and thus propagate its uncertainty into the posterior distribution for r. While Planck sensitivity to r is slightly lower than the current ground-based measurements, the combination of Planck with BK18 and baryon-acoustic-oscillation data yields results consistent with r=0 and tightens the constraint to r<0.032 at 95% confidence.
•The iFEM reconstructs the structure strain field based on discrete strain measures.•The algorithm automatically adapts to the changing operational conditions.•Load-adaptive feature defined for the ...damage detection and localization.•The methodology robustness is tested under different loading conditions.•The method is verified on simulated data for different sensors and mesh grids.
One principle limitation to the implementation of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems in real structures is the influence of different operational conditions with respect to those adopted during SHM system design, potentially leading to damage misclassifications. To overcome this issue, this work proposes a methodology to perform Structural Health Monitoring leveraging on the inverse Finite Element Method (iFEM). The iFEM methodology, based on the minimisation of a weighted least-squares functional defined as a comparison between the experimental strains and the corresponding numerical ones, enables the reconstruction of the strain field of a structure by means of a number of strain sensors without requiring any a-priori knowledge of the boundary load conditions. This allows providing a load-adaptive baseline based on an anomaly index that highlights the actual health state of the structure by comparing the strain reconstructed by the iFEM at some test locations with the strain measured by a test sensor in the same position, independently from the applied load and without training requirements for load cancelling. When the analysed structure is in a “healthy” condition, the two values match, otherwise they do not. If multiple test positions are considered, the damage position can also be inferred. Though the formulation of the diagnostic problem is general for an arbitrary component geometry and damage type, the proposed method is numerically demonstrated by means of a clamped plate subjected to different loads in the presence of single and multiple fatigue crack damages.
For many years various tetrazolium salts and their formazan products have been employed in histochemistry and for assessing cell viability. For the latter application, the most widely used are ...3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT), and 5-cyano-2,3-di-(p-tolyl)-tetrazolium chloride (CTC) for viability assays of eukaryotic cells and bacteria, respectively. In these cases, the nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide (NAD(P)H) coenzyme and dehydrogenases from metabolically active cells reduce tetrazolium salts to strongly colored and lipophilic formazan products, which are then quantified by absorbance (MTT) or fluorescence (CTC). More recently, certain sulfonated tetrazolium, which give rise to water-soluble formazans, have also proved useful for cytotoxicity assays. We describe several aspects of the application of tetrazolium salts and formazans in biomedical cell biology research, mainly regarding formazan-based colorimetric assays, cellular reduction of MTT, and localization and fluorescence of the MTT formazan in lipidic cell structures. In addition, some pharmacological and labeling perspectives of these compounds are also described.
The cell wall is an essential component in fungal homeostasis. The lack of a covering wall in human cells makes this component an attractive target for antifungal development. The host environment ...and antifungal stress can lead to cell wall modifications related to drug resistance. Antifungals targeting the cell wall including the new β-D-glucan synthase inhibitor ibrexafungerp and glycosyl-phosphatidyl Inositol (GPI) anchor pathway inhibitor fosmanogepix are promising weapons against antifungal resistance. The fosmanogepix shows strong
activity against the multidrug-resistant species
,
, and
The alternative carbon sources in the infection site change the cell wall β-D-glucan and chitin composition, leading to echinocandin and amphotericin resistance.
populations that survive echinocandin exposure develop tolerance and show high chitin content in the cell wall, while fungal species such as
with a higher β-D-glucan content may show amphotericin resistance. Therefore understanding fungal cell dynamics has become important not only for host-fungal interactions, but also treatment of fungal infections. This review summarizes recent findings regarding antifungal therapy and development of resistance related to the fungal cell wall of the most relevant human pathogenic species.
ABSTRACT
The TESS mission will survey ∼85 per cent of the sky, giving us the opportunity of extracting high-precision light curves of millions of stars, including stellar cluster members. In this ...work, we present our project ‘A PSF-based Approach to TESS High quality data Of Stellar clusters’ (PATHOS), aimed at searching and characterize candidate exoplanets and variable stars in stellar clusters using our innovative method for the extraction of high-precision light curves of stars located in crowded environments. Our technique of light-curve extraction involves the use of empirical point spread functions (PSFs), an input catalogue and neighbour-subtraction. The PSF-based approach allows us to minimize the dilution effects in crowded environments and to extract high-precision photometry for stars in the faint regime (G > 13). For this pilot project, we extracted, corrected, and analysed the light curves of 16 641 stars located in a dense region centred on the globular cluster 47 Tuc. We were able to reach the TESS magnitude T ∼ 16.5 with a photometric precision of ${\sim} 1{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ on the 6.5-h time-scale; in the bright regime we were able to detect transits with depth of ∼34 parts per million. We searched for variables and candidate transiting exoplanets. Our pipeline detected one planetary candidate orbiting a main-sequence star in the Galactic field. We analysed the period–luminosity distribution for red-giant stars of 47 Tuc and the eclipsing binaries in the field. Light curves are uploaded on the Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes under the project PATHOS.
Emerging multidrug-resistant Candida species Colombo, Arnaldo L; Júnior, João N de Almeida; Guinea, Jesus
Current opinion in infectious diseases
30, Številka:
6
Journal Article
Recenzirano
To describe the epidemiology, strategies for early detection, and clinical management of infections caused by the most commonly found multidrug-resistant (MDR) Candida spp.
Increasing numbers of ...reports describing invasive infections by MDR Candida auris and Candida glabrata has been reported in medical centers worldwide.
We checked all papers published along the last 10 years describing epidemiological, diagnostic, and clinical aspects of infections by MDR Candida spp., with emphasis on C. auris and C. glabrata spp. C. auris has been reported in 15 countries and multidrug resistance rates is usually above 30%. Horizontal transmission is a great concern regarding C. auris. C. glabrata ranks the second most reported Candida spp. in deep-seated infections from United States and some European Centers, although multidrug resistance rates above 10% are restricted to some US centers. Candida haemulonii complex isolates with poor susceptibility to azoles and amphotericin B have been isolated in superficial and deep-seated infections, whereas Candida guilliiermondii complex isolates with poor susceptibility to azoles and echinocandins have been recovered from catheter-related bloodstream infections. Other potential MDR Candida species are Candida krusei, Candida lusitaniae, Candida kefyr, Yarrowia (Candida) lypolitica, and Candida rugosa.
A roadmap for graphene NOVOSELOV, K. S; FAL'KO, V. I; COLOMBO, L ...
Nature (London),
10/2012, Letnik:
490, Številka:
7419
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Recent years have witnessed many breakthroughs in research on graphene (the first two-dimensional atomic crystal) as well as a significant advance in the mass production of this material. This ...one-atom-thick fabric of carbon uniquely combines extreme mechanical strength, exceptionally high electronic and thermal conductivities, impermeability to gases, as well as many other supreme properties, all of which make it highly attractive for numerous applications. Here we review recent progress in graphene research and in the development of production methods, and critically analyse the feasibility of various graphene applications.
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