University of Patras

About: University of Patras is a education organization based out in Pátrai, Greece. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Catalysis. The organization has 13372 authors who have published 31263 publications receiving 677159 citations. The organization is also known as: Panepistímio Patrón.

Insect immunity and its signalling: an overview

Abstract: The innate immunity is the immediate and sole response of invertebrates for the protection against foreign substances and pathogens. In insects, it relies on both humoral and cellular responses that are mediated via certain recognizing receptors and activation of several signalling pathways. Fat body and hemocytes are the origins for the production and secretion of antimicrobial agents and activators/regulators of cellular response, while cell mediated immunity in insects is performed by hemocytes. In the last years, research has focused on the mechanisms of microbial recognition and activation of intracellular signalling molecules in response to invaders. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms of the innate immunity in insects and refer to potential interactions between humoral and cellular responses, combined with the involving signalling pathways and their cross talk.

Adaptive system identification and signal processing algorithms

Abstract: Basic concepts and algorithmic schemes, N. Kalouptsidis and S. Theodoridis general structure of adaptive algorithms - adaptation and tracking, L. Ljung the LMS family, W. Sethares fast transversal RLS algorithms, D. Slock and T. Kailath lattic algorithms, F. Ling the QR family, J.G. McWhirter and I. Proudler circular lattices, Sakai channel equalization, C.F.N. Cowan echo cancellation, F. Ling interference rejections and channel estimation for spread-spectrum comms, R. Iltis spectral analysis for adaptive signal processing, S. Theodoridis and N. Kalouptsidis neural networks, S. Haykin.

Static, stability and dynamic analysis of gradient elastic flexural Kirchhoff plates

Abstract: The governing equation of motion of gradient elastic flexural Kirchhoff plates, including the effect of in-plane constant forces on bending, is explicitly derived. This is accomplished by appropriately combining the equations of flexural motion in terms of moments, shear and in-plane forces, the moment–stress relations and the stress–strain equations of a simple strain gradient elastic theory with just one constant (the internal length squared), in addition to the two classical elastic moduli. The resulting partial differential equation in terms of the lateral deflection of the plate is of the sixth order instead of the fourth, which is the case for the classical elastic case. Three boundary value problems dealing with static, stability and dynamic analysis of a rectangular simply supported all-around gradient elastic flexural plate are solved analytically. Non-classical boundary conditions, in additional to the classical ones, have to be utilized. An assessment of the effect of the gradient coefficient on the static or dynamic response of the plate, its buckling load and natural frequencies is also made by comparing the gradient type of solutions against the classical ones.

Phylogeny and physiology of candidate phylum 'Atribacteria' (OP9/JS1) inferred from cultivation-independent genomics

Abstract: The ‘Atribacteria’ is a candidate phylum in the Bacteria recently proposed to include members of the OP9 and JS1 lineages. OP9 and JS1 are globally distributed, and in some cases abundant, in anaerobic marine sediments, geothermal environments, anaerobic digesters and reactors and petroleum reservoirs. However, the monophyly of OP9 and JS1 has been questioned and their physiology and ecology remain largely enigmatic due to a lack of cultivated representatives. Here cultivation-independent genomic approaches were used to provide a first comprehensive view of the phylogeny, conserved genomic features and metabolic potential of members of this ubiquitous candidate phylum. Previously available and heretofore unpublished OP9 and JS1 single-cell genomic data sets were used as recruitment platforms for the reconstruction of atribacterial metagenome bins from a terephthalate-degrading reactor biofilm and from the monimolimnion of meromictic Sakinaw Lake. The single-cell genomes and metagenome bins together comprise six species- to genus-level groups that represent most major lineages within OP9 and JS1. Phylogenomic analyses of these combined data sets confirmed the monophyly of the ‘Atribacteria’ inclusive of OP9 and JS1. Additional conserved features within the ‘Atribacteria’ were identified, including a gene cluster encoding putative bacterial microcompartments that may be involved in aldehyde and sugar metabolism, energy conservation and carbon storage. Comparative analysis of the metabolic potential inferred from these data sets revealed that members of the ‘Atribacteria’ are likely to be heterotrophic anaerobes that lack respiratory capacity, with some lineages predicted to specialize in either primary fermentation of carbohydrates or secondary fermentation of organic acids, such as propionate.

Functionalized graphene - poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites: Physical and dielectric properties

Abstract: Chemically derivatized graphene/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanocomposites were successfully fabricated by combination of solution processing and compression molding. SEM imaging combined with XRD measurements revealed that graphene platelets were fully incorporated into the polymer matrix after their chemical modification through adsorption of amphiphilic copolymer. The chemical functionalities onto the graphitic surface prevented particle aggregation and pro- vided compatibility with the polymer matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated enhanced thermal stability for the composites containing modified graphenes at loading above 1 wt%. Differential scanning calorimetry thermograms showed that graphene nanoplatelets induced the crystallization of matrix with optimum loading at 2 wt%. Dielectric spectroscopy measurements showed enhanced electrical permittivity for the graphene oxide/PVA system, compared to the one of graphene/copolymer/PVA. This could be attributed to the formation of an insulating coating between graphite inclusions and PVA because of the presence of the copolymer.