| 11. |
- Pecunia, Vincenzo, et al.
(author)
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Roadmap on energy harvesting materials
- 2023
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In: Journal of Physics. - : IOP Publishing. - 2515-7639. ; 6:4
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ambient energy harvesting has great potential to contribute to sustainable development and address growing environmental challenges. Converting waste energy from energy-intensive processes and systems (e.g. combustion engines and furnaces) is crucial to reducing their environmental impact and achieving net-zero emissions. Compact energy harvesters will also be key to powering the exponentially growing smart devices ecosystem that is part of the Internet of Things, thus enabling futuristic applications that can improve our quality of life (e.g. smart homes, smart cities, smart manufacturing, and smart healthcare). To achieve these goals, innovative materials are needed to efficiently convert ambient energy into electricity through various physical mechanisms, such as the photovoltaic effect, thermoelectricity, piezoelectricity, triboelectricity, and radiofrequency wireless power transfer. By bringing together the perspectives of experts in various types of energy harvesting materials, this Roadmap provides extensive insights into recent advances and present challenges in the field. Additionally, the Roadmap analyses the key performance metrics of these technologies in relation to their ultimate energy conversion limits. Building on these insights, the Roadmap outlines promising directions for future research to fully harness the potential of energy harvesting materials for green energy anytime, anywhere.
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| 12. |
- Pérez-García, M. A., et al.
(author)
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Hubble constant and nuclear equation of state from kilonova spectro-photometric light curves
- 2022
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 666
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The merger of two compact objects of which at least one is a neutron star is signalled by transient electromagnetic emission in a kilonova (KN). This event is accompanied by gravitational waves and possibly other radiation messengers such as neutrinos or cosmic rays. The electromagnetic emission arises from the radioactive decay of heavy r-process elements synthesized in the material ejected during and after the merger. In this paper we show that the analysis of KNe light curves can provide cosmological distance measurements and constrain the properties of the ejecta. In this respect, MAAT, the new Integral Field Unit in the OSIRIS spectrograph on the 10.4 m Gran Telescopio CANARIAS (GTC), is well suited for the study of KNe by performing absolute spectro-photometry over the entire 3600 − 10 000 Å spectral range. Here, we study the most representative cases regarding the scientific interest of KNe from binary neutron stars, and we evaluate the observational prospects and performance of MAAT on the GTC to do the following: (a) study the impact of the equation of state on the KN light curve, and determine to what extent bounds on neutron star (NS) radii or compactness deriving from KN peak magnitudes can be identified and (b) measure the Hubble constant, H0, with precision improved by up to 40%, when both gravitational wave data and photometric-light curves are used. In this context we discuss how the equation of state, the viewing angle, and the distance affect the precision and estimated value of H0.
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| 13. |
- Pierel, J. D. R., et al.
(author)
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LensWatch. I. Resolved HST Observations and Constraints on the Strongly Lensed Type Ia Supernova 2022qmx (SN Zwicky)
- 2023
-
In: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 948:2
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Supernovae (SNe) that have been multiply imaged by gravitational lensing are rare and powerful probes for cosmology. Each detection is an opportunity to develop the critical tools and methodologies needed as the sample of lensed SNe increases by orders of magnitude with the upcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory and Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. The latest such discovery is of the quadruply imaged Type Ia SN 2022qmx (aka, SN Zwicky) at z = 0.3544. SN Zwicky was discovered by the Zwicky Transient Facility in spatially unresolved data. Here we present follow-up Hubble Space Telescope observations of SN Zwicky, the first from the multicycle LensWatch (www.lenswatch.org) program. We measure photometry for each of the four images of SN Zwicky, which are resolved in three WFC3/UVIS filters (F475W, F625W, and F814W) but unresolved with WFC3/IR F160W, and present an analysis of the lensing system using a variety of independent lens modeling methods. We find consistency between lens-model-predicted time delays (less than or similar to 1 day), and delays estimated with the single epoch of Hubble Space Telescope colors (less than or similar to 3.5 days), including the uncertainty from chromatic microlensing (similar to 1-1.5 days). Our lens models converge to an Einstein radius of theta(E) = 0.168 (+0.009)(-0.005) the smallest yet seen in a lensed SN system. The standard candle nature of SN Zwicky provides magnification estimates independent of the lens modeling that are brighter than predicted by similar to 1.7 (-0.6) (+0.8) mag and similar to 0.9 (-0.6) (+0.8) mag for two of the four images, suggesting significant microlensing and/or additional substructure beyond the flexibility of our image-position mass models.
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| 14. |
- Rodriguez, Sébastien, et al.
(author)
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Science goals and new mission concepts for future exploration of Titan's atmosphere, geology and habitability : titan POlar scout/orbitEr and in situ lake lander and DrONe explorer (POSEIDON)
- 2022
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In: Experimental astronomy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0922-6435 .- 1572-9508. ; 54:2-3, s. 911-973
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In response to ESA’s “Voyage 2050” announcement of opportunity, we propose an ambitious L-class mission to explore one of the most exciting bodies in the Solar System, Saturn’s largest moon Titan. Titan, a “world with two oceans”, is an organic-rich body with interior-surface-atmosphere interactions that are comparable in complexity to the Earth. Titan is also one of the few places in the Solar System with habitability potential. Titan’s remarkable nature was only partly revealed by the Cassini-Huygens mission and still holds mysteries requiring a complete exploration using a variety of vehicles and instruments. The proposed mission concept POSEIDON (Titan POlar Scout/orbitEr and In situ lake lander DrONe explorer) would perform joint orbital and in situ investigations of Titan. It is designed to build on and exceed the scope and scientific/technological accomplishments of Cassini-Huygens, exploring Titan in ways that were not previously possible, in particular through full close-up and in situ coverage over long periods of time. In the proposed mission architecture, POSEIDON consists of two major elements: a spacecraft with a large set of instruments that would orbit Titan, preferably in a low-eccentricity polar orbit, and a suite of in situ investigation components, i.e. a lake lander, a “heavy” drone (possibly amphibious) and/or a fleet of mini-drones, dedicated to the exploration of the polar regions. The ideal arrival time at Titan would be slightly before the next northern Spring equinox (2039), as equinoxes are the most active periods to monitor still largely unknown atmospheric and surface seasonal changes. The exploration of Titan’s northern latitudes with an orbiter and in situ element(s) would be highly complementary in terms of timing (with possible mission timing overlap), locations, and science goals with the upcoming NASA New Frontiers Dragonfly mission that will provide in situ exploration of Titan’s equatorial regions, in the mid-2030s.
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| 15. |
- Solomonidou, A., et al.
(author)
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Spectral and emissivity analysis of the raised ramparts around Titan's northern lakes
- 2020
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In: Icarus. - : Academic Press. - 0019-1035 .- 1090-2643. ; 344
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Some of Titan's small northern hemisphere lakes show raised rampart features (which are distinct from raised rims), and appear as SAR-bright mound-like annuli extending away from the lake for up to tens of kilometers from the shoreline. We investigate the infrared and microwave characteristics of these features using Cassini Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) and RADAR data. A spectral comparative analysis is performed among the lakes, their ramparts, and the surrounding regions. We overcome the profound difference in spatial resolution between VIMS and SAR data by using a method that provides overlays between the spectral images and SAR, thus enabling the correct selection of VIMS pixels. The surface properties of the selected areas are obtained using a radiative transfer analysis on the selected VIMS pixels, in addition to emissivity obtained from the RADAR in radiometry mode. Analysis of these combined and co-registered data provides constraints for the formation mechanism(s) of raised ramparts. The results show that the emissivity of the raised ramparts is close to that of Titan's labyrinthic terrains and to that of empty lake floors in the northern polar regions. This is confirmed by the VIMS analysis that also shows that the infrared spectral response of the raised ramparts is very similar to that of some empty lake floors. This suggests that both areas are made from or are covered by a similar material. In addition, two out of the eight lakes with raised ramparts show spectral differences at three specific wavelengths, 1.6, 2.0, and 5.0 mu m, between the ramparts and the surrounding terrain. We hypothesize that this could be due to some component, or mixture of components in the ramparts that is less absorbent at these specific wavelengths, or it could be an effect of different grain sizes. These observations provide first insights into the possible mechanisms leading to the formation of the raised ramparts that are discussed here.
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| 16. |
- Taddia, Francesco, et al.
(author)
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The Carnegie Supernova Project II : The shock wave revealed through the fog : The strongly interacting Type IIn SN 2013L
- 2020
-
In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 638
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present ultra-violet (UV) to mid-infrared (MIR) observations of the long-lasting Type IIn supernova (SN) 2013L obtained by the Carnegie Supernova Project II beginning two days after discovery and extending until +887 days (d). The SN reached a peak r-band absolute magnitude of approximate to -19 mag and an even brighter UV peak, and its light curve evolution resembles that of SN 1988Z. The spectra of SN 2013L are dominated by hydrogen emission features, characterized by three components attributed to different emission regions. A unique feature of this Type IIn SN is that, apart from the first epochs, the blue shifted line profile is dominated by the macroscopic velocity of the expanding shock wave of the SN. We are therefore able to trace the evolution of the shock velocity in the dense and partially opaque circumstellar medium (CSM), from similar to 4800 km s(-1) at +48 d, decreasing as t(-0.23) to similar to 2700 km s(-1) after a year. We performed spectral modeling of both the broad- and intermediate-velocity components of the H alpha line profile. The high-velocity component is consistent with emission from a radially thin, spherical shell located behind the expanding shock with emission wings broadened by electron scattering. We propose that the intermediate component originates from preionized gas from the unshocked dense CSM with the same velocity as the narrow component, similar to 100 km s(-1), but also that it is broadened by electron scattering. These features provide direct information about the shock structure, which is consistent with model calculations. The spectra exhibit broad OI and [OI] lines that emerge at greater than or similar to +144 d and broad CaII features. The spectral continua and the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of SN 2013L after +132 d are well reproduced by a two-component black-body (BB) model; one component represents emitting material with a temperature between 5 x 10(3) and 1.5 x 10(4) K (hot component) and the second component is characterized by a temperature around 1-1.5 x 10(3) K (warm component). The warm component dominates the emission at very late epochs (greater than or similar to +400 d), as is evident from both the last near infrared (NIR) spectrum and MIR observations obtained with the Spitzer Space Telescope. Using the BB fit to the SEDs, we constructed a bolometric light curve that was modeled together with the unshocked CSM velocity and the shock velocity derived from the H alpha line modeling. The circumstellar-interaction model of the bolometric light curve reveals a mass-loss rate history with large values (1.7x10(-2)-0.15 M-circle dot yr(-1)) over the similar to 25-40 years before explosion, depending on the radiative efficiency and anisotropies in the CSM. The drop in the light curve at similar to 350 days and the presence of electron scattering wings at late epochs indicate an anisotropic CSM. The mass-loss rate values and the unshocked-CSM velocity are consistent with the characteristics of a massive star, such as a luminous blue variable (LBV) undergoing strong eruptions, similar to eta Carinae. Our analysis also suggests a scenario where pre-existing dust grains have a distribution that is characterized by a small covering factor.
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| 17. |
- Arendt, Richard G., et al.
(author)
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JWST NIRCam Observations of SN 1987A : Spitzer Comparison and Spectral Decomposition
- 2023
-
In: Astrophysical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 959:2
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- JWST Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam) observations at 1.5–4.5 μm have provided broadband and narrowband imaging of the evolving remnant of SN 1987A with unparalleled sensitivity and spatial resolution. Comparing with previous marginally spatially resolved Spitzer Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) observations from 2004 to 2019 confirms that the emission arises from the circumstellar equatorial ring (ER), and the current brightness at 3.6 and 4.5 μm was accurately predicted by extrapolation of the declining brightness tracked by IRAC. Despite the regular light curve, the NIRCam observations clearly reveal that much of this emission is from a newly developing outer portion of the ER. Spots in the outer ER tend to lie at position angles in between the well-known ER hotspots. We show that the bulk of the emission in the field can be represented by five standard spectral energy distributions, each with a distinct origin and spatial distribution. This spectral decomposition provides a powerful technique for distinguishing overlapping emission from the circumstellar medium and the supernova ejecta, excited by the forward and reverse shocks, respectively.
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| 18. |
- Lorenzano, Svetlana, et al.
(author)
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SiPP (Stroke in Pregnancy and Postpartum) : A prospective, observational, international, multicentre study on pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical profile, management and outcome of cerebrovascular diseases in pregnant and postpartum women
- 2020
-
In: European Stroke Journal. - : SAGE Publications. - 2396-9873 .- 2396-9881. ; 5:2, s. 193-203
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Rationale: Cerebrovascular diseases associated with pregnancy and postpartum period are uncommon; however, they can have an important impact on health of both women and foetus or newborn. Aims: To evaluate the frequency, characteristics and management of cerebrovascular events in pregnant/postpartum women, to clarify pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the occurrence of these events including biomolecular aspects, and to assess the short- and long-term cerebrovascular and global cardiovascular outcome of these patients, their predictors and infant outcome. Methods and design: This is an observational, prospective, multicentre, international case–control study. The study will include patients with cerebrovascular events during pregnancy and/or within six months after delivery. For each included case, two controls will be prospectively recruited: one pregnant or puerperal subject without any history of cerebrovascular event and one non-pregnant or non-puerperal subject with a recent cerebrovascular event. All controls will be matched by age, ethnicity and type of cerebrovascular event with their assigned cases. The pregnant controls will be matched also by pregnancy weeks/trimester. Follow-up will last 24 months for the mother and 12 months for the infant. Summary: To better understand causes and outcomes of uncommon conditions like pregnancy/postpartum-related cerebrovascular events, the development of multisite, multidisciplinary registry-based studies, such as the Stroke in Pregnancy and Postpartum study, is needed in order to collect an adequate number of patients, draw reliable conclusions and give definite recommendations on their management.
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| 19. |
- Mathiasen, Sarah L., et al.
(author)
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Bacterial genotoxins induce T cell senescence
- 2021
-
In: Cell Reports. - : Elsevier. - 2211-1247. ; 35:10
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Several types of pathogenic bacteria produce genotoxins that induce DNA damage in host cells. Accumulating evidence suggests that a central function of these genotoxins is to dysregulate the host's immune response, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. To address this issue, we investigated the effects of the most widely expressed bacterial genotoxin, the cytolethal distending toxin (CDT), on T cells—the key mediators of adaptive immunity. We show that CDT induces premature senescence in activated CD4 T cells in vitro and provide evidence suggesting that infection with genotoxin-producing bacteria promotes T cell senescence in vivo. Moreover, we demonstrate that genotoxin-induced senescent CD4 T cells assume a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) which, at least partly, is orchestrated by the ATM-p38 signaling axis. These findings provide insight into the immunomodulatory properties of bacterial genotoxins and uncover a putative link between bacterial infections and T cell senescence.
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| 20. |
- Misery, L., et al.
(author)
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Pathophysiology and management of sensitive skin : position paper from the special interest group on sensitive skin of the International Forum for the Study of Itch (IFSI)
- 2020
-
In: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. - : Wiley. - 0926-9959 .- 1468-3083. ; 34:2, s. 222-229
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The special interest group on sensitive skin of the International Forum for the Study of Itch previously defined sensitive skin as a syndrome defined by the occurrence of unpleasant sensations (stinging, burning, pain, pruritus and tingling sensations) in response to stimuli that normally should not provoke such sensations. This additional paper focuses on the pathophysiology and the management of sensitive skin. Sensitive skin is not an immunological disorder but is related to alterations of the skin nervous system. Skin barrier abnormalities are frequently associated, but there is no cause and direct relationship. Further studies are needed to better understand the pathophysiology of sensitive skin – as well as the inducing factors. Avoidance of possible triggering factors and the use of well-tolerated cosmetics, especially those containing inhibitors of unpleasant sensations, might be suggested for patients with sensitive skin. The role of psychosocial factors, such as stress or negative expectations, might be relevant for subgroups of patients. To date, there is no clinical trial supporting the use of topical or systemic drugs in sensitive skin. The published data are not sufficient to reach a consensus on sensitive skin management. In general, patients with sensitive skin require a personalized approach, taking into account various biomedical, neural and psychosocial factors affecting sensitive skin.
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