Istituto Universitario Di Studi Superiori Di Pavia

About: Istituto Universitario Di Studi Superiori Di Pavia is a education organization based out in Pavia, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Pulsar & Neutron star. The organization has 162 authors who have published 566 publications receiving 22605 citations.

Modeling Techniques for the Seismic Assessment of the Existing Italian RC Frame Structures

Abstract: A numerical modeling approach to capture the behavior of the various elements of older reinforced concrete (RC) frames in Italy is developed. It uses available experimental data to calibrate an approach that accounts for the strength and stiffness degradation of the members. The effects of smooth reinforcing bars on the hysteretic behavior and the overall flexural deformation capacity of members are considered. The means of accounting for strength and stiffness degradation in exterior beam-column joints is also studied and calibrated to the available experimental test data. The performance of the proposed modeling approach for older RC frames in Italy is then appraised by comparing the predictions with experimental results for two different three-story frame specimens tested both statically and pseudo-dynamically. The benefits of using the new modeling techniques for the existing RC frame structures instead of more traditional approaches is also highlighted.

The alternative splicing factor Nova2 regulates vascular development and lumen formation.

Abstract: Vascular lumen formation is a fundamental step during angiogenesis; yet, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process are poorly understood. Recent studies have shown that neural and vascular systems share common anatomical, functional and molecular similarities. Here we show that the organization of endothelial lumen is controlled at the post-transcriptional level by the alternative splicing (AS) regulator Nova2, which was previously considered to be neural cell-specific. Nova2 is expressed during angiogenesis and its depletion disrupts vascular lumen formation in vivo. Similarly, Nova2 depletion in cultured endothelial cells (ECs) impairs the apical distribution and the downstream signalling of the Par polarity complex, resulting in altered EC polarity, a process required for vascular lumen formation. These defects are linked to AS changes of Nova2 target exons affecting the Par complex and its regulators. Collectively, our results reveal that Nova2 functions as an AS regulator in angiogenesis and is a novel member of the 'angioneurins' family.

Detection of Gamma-Ray Emission from the Vela Pulsar Wind Nebula with AGILE

Abstract: Pulsars are known to power winds of relativistic particles that can produce bright nebulae by interacting with the surrounding medium. These pulsar wind nebulae are observed by their radio, optical, and x-ray emissions, and in some cases also at TeV (teraelectron volt) energies, but the lack of information in the gamma-ray band precludes drawing a comprehensive multiwavelength picture of their phenomenology and emission mechanisms. Using data from the AGILE satellite, we detected the Vela pulsar wind nebula in the energy range from 100 MeV to 3 GeV. This result constrains the particle population responsible for the GeV emission and establishes a class of gamma-ray emitters that could account for a fraction of the unidentified galactic gamma-ray sources.