University of Udine

About: University of Udine is a education organization based out in Udine, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Large Hadron Collider. The organization has 6745 authors who have published 20530 publications receiving 669088 citations. The organization is also known as: Università degli Studi di Udine & Universita degli Studi di Udine.

Graphene-based integrated photonics for next-generation datacom and telecom

Abstract: Graphene is an ideal material for optoelectronic applications. Its photonic properties give several advantages and complementarities over Si photonics. For example, graphene enables both electro-absorption and electro-refraction modulation with an electro-optical index change exceeding 10−3. It can be used for optical add–drop multiplexing with voltage control, eliminating the current dissipation used for the thermal detuning of microresonators, and for thermoelectric-based ultrafast optical detectors that generate a voltage without transimpedance amplifiers. Here, we present our vision for graphene-based integrated photonics. We review graphene-based transceivers and compare them with existing technologies. Strategies for improving power consumption, manufacturability and wafer-scale integration are addressed. We outline a roadmap of the technological requirements to meet the demands of the datacom and telecom markets. We show that graphene-based integrated photonics could enable ultrahigh spatial bandwidth density, low power consumption for board connectivity and connectivity between data centres, access networks and metropolitan, core, regional and long-haul optical communications.

Soot combustion over silver-supported catalysts

Abstract: In this study the characterization and soot oxidation activity of Ag-based catalysts deposited on alumina, ceria and zirconia have been investigated. The combustion of soot was shown to be promoted by the presence of silver, especially in a zero valent state, over all the supports investigated. Presence of silver in a positive oxidation state is favoured with CeO2, while zero valent silver dominates over alumina and zirconia. This is likely attributed to the oxygen storage capacity of ceria which stabilizes silver in an oxidized form. Soot oxidation starts at low temperature (around 500 K for Ag on ZrO2) with a T50 in the range of 600–640 K. Deactivation under strong ageing conditions (1023 K for 12 h) is negligible with alumina and zirconia, while in the presence of ceria, which slows down formation of metallic silver from Ag2O, loss of activity following thermal treatments at high temperatures becomes more intense.

CD56 antigenic expression in acute myeloid leukemia identifies patients with poor clinical prognosis.

Abstract: CD56 antigen, a 200–220 kDa cell surface glycoprotein, identified as an isoform of the neural adhesion molecules (NCAM), has been found frequently expressed in several lympho–hematopoietic neoplasms including acute myeloid leukemias (AML). In fact, in these latter diseases it has been reported that the presence of CD56 antigen on the blasts of AML patients with t(8;21) (q22;q22), and in those with M3 subtype, identifies a subgroup of patients with a more unfavorable prognosis. On the basis of these findings, we evaluated in 152 newly diagnosed AML patients CD56 surface expression, and results were correlated with morphology, immunophenotype, cytogenetic pattern and clinical outcome. CD56 antigen was recorded in 37 out of 152 cases (24%) and particularly in those with M2 and M5 cytotypes. Moreover, CD56 expression was significantly associated with P-glycoprotein (PGP) hyperexpression (P = 0.007), unfavorable cytogenetic abnormalities (P = 0.008) and with a reduced probability of achieving complete remission (CR) (36% vs 68%) (P = 0.035) as well as with a shorter survival (6 vs 12 months) (P = 0.032). In conclusion, CD56 antigenic expression on AML cells represents an important adverse prognostic factor and therefore its presence should be regularly investigated for a better prognostic assessment of AML patients at diagnosis.

Vicarious motor activation during action perception: beyond correlational evidence

Abstract: Neurophysiological and imaging studies have shown that seeing the actions of other individuals brings about the vicarious activation of motor regions involved in performing the same actions. While this suggests a simulative mechanism mediating the perception of others’ actions, one cannot use such evidence to make inferences about the functional significance of vicarious activations. Indeed, a central aim in social neuroscience is to comprehend how vicarious activations allow the understanding of other people’s behavior, and this requires to use stimulation or lesion methods to establish causal links from brain activity to cognitive functions. In the present work we review studies investigating the effects of transient manipulations of brain activity or stable lesions in the motor system on individuals’ ability to perceive and understand the actions of others. We conclude there is now compelling evidence that neural activity in the motor system is critical for such cognitive ability. More research using causal methods, however, is needed in order to disclose the limits and the conditions under which vicarious activations are required to perceive and understand actions of others as well as their emotions and somatic feelings.