Sapienza University of Rome

About: Sapienza University of Rome is a education organization based out in Rome, Lazio, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Large Hadron Collider. The organization has 62002 authors who have published 155468 publications receiving 4397244 citations. The organization is also known as: La Sapienza & Università La Sapienza di Roma.

Phospholipases C and A2 control lysosome-mediated IL-1β secretion: Implications for inflammatory processes

Abstract: Blocking the activity of IL-1β has entered the clinical arena of treating autoimmune diseases. However, a successful outcome of this approach requires a clear definition of the mechanisms controlling IL-1β release. These are still unclear as IL-1β, lacking a secretory signal peptide, follows a nonclassical pathway of secretion. Here, we analyze the molecular mechanism(s) undergoing IL-1β processing and release in human monocytes and provide a unifying model for the regulated secretion of the cytokine. Our data show that in a first step, pro-caspase-1 and endotoxin-induced pro-IL-1β are targeted in part to specialized secretory lysosomes, where they colocalize with other lysosomal proteins. Externalization of mature IL-1β and caspase-1 together with lysosomal proteins is then facilitated by extracellular ATP. ATP triggers the efflux of K+ from the cell, followed by Ca2+ influx and activation of three phospholipases: phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C and calcium-independent and -dependent phospholipase A2. Whereas calcium-independent phospholipase A2 is involved in processing, phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C and calcium-dependent phospholipase A2 are required for secretion. Dissection of the events that follow ATP triggering allowed to demonstrate that K+ efflux is responsible for phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C induction, which in turn allows the rise in intracellular free calcium concentration required for activation of phospholipase A2. This activation is ultimately responsible for lysosome exocytosis and IL-1β secretion.

Microscale spherical carbon-coated Li4Ti5O12 as ultra high power anode material for lithium batteries

Abstract: Microscale C-Li4Ti5O12 particles with high tap density were synthesized by a simple solid-state reaction using TiO2, Li2CO3, and pitch. The effect of the carbon content on the physicochemical and electrochemical properties of this material was extensively studied. On calcination of the particles at high temperature in an inert atmosphere, the uniformly coated carbon layer from pitch inhibited the growth of primary particles, maintaining the spherical morphology, similar to the TiO2 precursor in size and shape, and also enabling partial reduction of the starting Ti4+ to Ti3+. Excellent electronic conductivity of the C-coated Li4Ti5O12 resulted from the presence of the highly conducting carbon coating layer and the mixed valence state of Ti3+ and Ti4+. Both the nanoporous morphology and highly conducting carbon coating layer in Li4Ti5O12 particles gave rise to ultra high rate capability.

Secure Deterministic Communication without Entanglement

Abstract: We propose a protocol for deterministic communication that does not make use of entanglement. It exploits nonorthogonal states in a two-way quantum channel to attain unconditional security and high efficiency of the transmission. We explicitly show the scheme is secure against a class of individual attacks regardless of the noise on the channel. Its experimental realization is feasible with current technology.

On the stationarity of annual flood peaks in the continental United States during the 20th century

Abstract: [1] Annual peak discharge records from 50 stations in the continental United States with at least 100 years of record are used to investigate stationarity of flood peaks during the 20th century. We examine temporal trends in flood peaks and abrupt changes in the mean and/or variance of flood peak distributions. Change point analysis for detecting abrupt changes in flood distributions is performed using the nonparametric Pettitt test. Two nonparametric (Mann-Kendall and Spearman) tests and one parametric (Pearson) test are used to detect the presence of temporal trends. Generalized additive models for location, scale, and shape (GAMLSS) are also used to parametrically model the annual peak data, exploiting their flexibility to account for abrupt changes and temporal trends in the parameters of the distribution functions. Additionally, the presence of long-term persistence is investigated through estimation of the Hurst exponent, and an alternative interpretation of the results in terms of long-term persistence is provided. Many of the drainage basins represented in this study have been affected by regulation through systems of reservoirs, and all of the drainage basins have experienced significant land use changes during the 20th century. Despite the profound changes that have occurred to drainage basins throughout the continental United States and the recognition that elements of the hydrologic cycle are being altered by human-induced climate change, it is easier to proclaim the demise of stationarity of flood peaks than to prove it through analyses of annual flood peak data.