Dimensional Analysis for Relativistic and Quantum Outcomes

The paper highlights the concept of dimensional analysis of dynamical variables to infer quantum and relativistic information. The mathematical model implements not only single dynamical variables, but also their appropriate combinations;this chance is the added value to infer physical information. The postulates of relativity are found as corollaries in this conceptual frame. In particular even the statistical formulation of the quantum uncertainty, which has been proven valuable source of physical information itself, is obtained as a straightforward corollary along with the wave equation and the relativistic invariants. It is shown in the paper how to infer information on the nature of black holes and dark matter.

Many Electron Atoms: Ionization Energies of Transition Elements

The paper introduces a theoretical model aimed to calculate the ionization energies of many electron atoms and their ions. The validity of the model, which implements the statistical formulation of the quantum uncertainty to infer a simple formula of ionization energy, has been already proven in a previous paper comparing systematically experimental and calculated values for elements with atomic numbers 2≤Z≤29, whose electron configurations include all ions with numbers ne of electrons 2≤ne≤Z. The present paper enhances and extends the results previously obtained;the approach is now generalized to include even the transition elements and in particular the lanthanides and actinides. The validity of the proposed model is proven examining all experimental data of ionization energies of these elements and their ions available in literature.

Sperm chromatin structure and male fertility:biological and clinical aspects

精子 chromatin/DNA 正直为父亲的基因信息的精确传播是必要的，并且正常精子染色质结构为使肥沃的精子是重要的能力。精液的常规检查，包括精子集中，活动性和形态学，不在精子染色质结构识别缺点。为它的评价的精子 DNA 损坏和许多方法的起源被描述。精子 DNA 损坏的评估看起来是为估计男富饶潜力的一个有用工具在活体内和在试管内。后代上的精子 DNA 缺点的可能的影响也被讨论。

Quantum Correlations: Entropy, Wave/Corpuscle Dualism, Bell Inequality

The paper shows that the second law of thermodynamics and Pauli principle are implications of the Bell inequality.

Organic matter quality of forest floor as a driver of C and P dynamics in acacia and eucalypt plantations established on a Ferralic Arenosols, Congo

Background: Land-use change and forest management may alter soil organic matter(SOM) and nutrient dynamics,due in part to alterations in litter input and quality. Acacia was introduced in eucalypt plantations established in the Congolese coastal plains to improve soil fertility and tree growth. Eucalypt trees were expected to benefit from N2 fixed by acacia. However, some indicators suggest a perturbation in SOM and P dynamics might affect the sustainability of the system in the medium and long term. In tropical environments, most of the nutrient processes are determined by the high rates of organic matter(OM) mineralization. Therefore, SOM stability might play a crucial role in regulating soil-plant processes. In spite of this, the relationship between SOM quality, C and other nutrient dynamics are not well understood. In the present study, OM quality and P forms in forest floor and soil were investigated to get more insight on the C and P dynamics useful to sustainable management of forest plantations.Methods: Thermal analysis(differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) and thermogravimetry(TGA)) and nuclear magnetic resonance(solid state13 C CPMASS and NMR and31 P-NMR) spectroscopy have been applied to partially decomposed forest floor and soils of pure acacia and eucalypt, and mixed-species acacia-eucalypt stands.Results: Thermal analysis and13 C NMR analysis revealed a more advanced stage of humification in forest floor of acacia-eucalypt stands, suggesting a greater microbial activity in its litter. SOM were related to the OM recalcitrance of the forest floor, indicating this higher microbial activity of the forest floor in this stand might be favouring the incorporation of C into the mineral soil.Conclusions: In relation with the fast mineralization in this environment, highly soluble orthophosphate was the dominant P form in both forest floor and soils. However, the mixed-species forest stands immobilized greater P in organic forms, preventing the P losses by leaching and contributing to sustain the P demand in the medium term.This shows that interactions between plants, microorganisms and soil can sustain the demand of this ecosystem.For this, the forest floor plays a key role in tightening the P cycle, minimizing the P losses.

Black Body Quantum Fluctuations and Relativity

The paper introduces a simple theoretical model aimed to provide a possible derivation of the quantum fluctuations of the black body radiation. The model offers the chance of inferring and linking contextually quantum and relativistic results.

The Three Worlds of Penrose: Strings or Rotating Vectors?

The paper examines some basic concepts of the quantum theory. It is concluded that through the concepts of rotating vectors in the complex plane and statistical formulation of quantum uncertainty the wave function ψ has its own well defined physical meaning. The approach of the present paper evidences once more the tight link between quantum theory and relativistic theory.

Generalized Fibonacci Sequence: Possible Template for the Constants of Nature

The paper concerns the fundamental constants of physics. The fine structure constant is inferred first with the help of a generalized Fibonacci sequence. Next this generalized sequence is also implemented in order to show the interconnection between various fundamental constants. The analysis of an extended definition of Fibonacci sequence reveals that the fundamental constants take the meaning of archetypal templates that model the physical appearance of the observable Universe. Once more appears in this conceptual frame the natural and serendipitous link between quantum and relativistic theories.

<i>Opuntia ficus-indica</i>Pruning Waste Recycling: Recovery and Characterization of Mucilage from Cladodes

The present work focuses on the proximate physical and chemical profile of Opuntia ficus-indica mucilage, mechanically extracted from cladodes, a waste of pruning in traditional organic cactus pear orchards in Italy (San Cono, Sicily). The mechanical extraction increased the mucilage yield to 30% dry weight. Physical characterization concerns pH, viscosity, free acidity and density, useful for emulsifying capacity. Spectrophotometric analysis was applied to assess total carbohydrates, proteins, uronic acids, total polyphenols content and antioxidant capacity. DART-MS and SEM-EDX were performed to evaluate functional mucilage components and relative amounts of minerals, respectively. From the main results Opuntia ficus-indica by-product, in addition to the preponderant total carbohydrates content, shows the high concentration in calcium and potassium and a fair amount of health-promoting phytochemicals, which make it a good candidate for the different type of industrial applications.

Relationship between apoptotic markers in semen from fertile men and demographic, hormonal and seminal characteristics

Apoptosis in the testis has two putative roles during normal spermatogenesis; limitation of the germ cell population to numbers that can be supported by the Sertoli cells, and, possibly, selective depletion of meiotic and postmeiotic abnormal germ cells. We investigated the demographic and biological correlates of the pro-apoptotic marker Fas and the anti-apoptotic marker Bcl-xL in sperm cells of fertile men. Six hundred and four men from Greenland, Poland and Ukraine were consecutively enrolled during their pregnant wife＇s antenatal visits. Semen analysis was performed as recommended by the World Health Organization. Immunofluorescence coupled to flow cytometry was utilized for detection of apoptotic markers in the sperm cell. DNA damage was assessed by flow cytometry using both the sperm chromatin structure assay （SCSA） and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling （TUNEL） assay. The percentage of Fas-positive sperm cells was higher in men with high total sperm count （P〈O.01）, more motile sperms （P=-O.04） and fewer sperm head defects （P=-O.05）. These associations were consistent within and across study regions. Furthermore, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH） and sexual hormone-binding globulin （SHBG） were significantly negatively correlated with Fas within and across regions as well. The data indicated no association between the anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL marker and semen or personal characteristics. The finding of Fas-positive sperm cells associated with better semen quality in a cohort of spouses of pregnant women seems different from previous data obtained in infertile men and warrants further investigation to clarify the biological significance of sperm apoptotic markers.

An “ab initio” Model for Quantum Theory and Relativity

The paper introduces a theoretical model aimed to show how the relativity can be made consistent with the non reality and non locality of the quantum physics. The concepts of quantization and superposition of states, usually regarded as distinctive properties of the quantum world, can be extended also to the relativity.

Recent advances in pharmacological therapy of Parkinson’s disease: Levodopa and carbidopa protective effects against DNA oxidative damage

Parkinson’s disease is one of the most common progressive neurodegenerative disorder. It is characterized by the depletion of dopamine in the dopaminergic neurons of the striatum of the brain. Pharmacological treatment involves the administration of a dopamine precursor, levodo- pa (L-Dopa), which crosses the blood-brain barrier and replaces the loss of dopamine in the brain. One of the main drawbacks of the ad- ministration of L-Dopa is its short half-life, due to the presence of enzymes, such as the amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), able to rapidly me- tabolize L-Dopa. For this reason the intake of L-Dopa takes always place together with an AADC inhibitor such as carbidopa. The assumption of carbidopa increases L-Dopa half-life, but several patients need to increase the dosage of the pharmacological therapy during the progression of the disease. Another area of dispute is represented by the possibility that L-Dopa can exert a toxic effect on the cells, both in peripheral and in central nervous system, increasing the production of ROS following its conversion to dopamine. Past studies reported toxic effects of L-Dopa in vitro and show conflicting data in in vivo experiments. More recent studies have however shown that L-dopa may exert a protective and antioxidant effect on dopaminergic cells, and its combination with carbidopa in pharmacological treatment amplifies antioxidant capability.

Reappraising 1907 Einstein’s Model of Specific Heat

This article emphasizes that the Einstein and Debye models of specific heats of solids are correlated more tightly than currently acknowledged. This correlation is evidenced without need of additional hypotheses on the early Einstein model. The results are also extensible to the case of a system of fermions;as an example, the specific heat of the electron sea in metals is inferred in the frame of the proposed approach only.

Pyrolysis of WEEE plastics using catalysts produced from fly ash of coal gasification

Catalytic pyrolysis of thermoplastics extracted from waste electrical and electronic equipment （WEEE） was investigated using various fly ash-derived catalysts. The catalysts were prepared from fly ash by a simple method that basically includes a mechanical treatment followed by an acid or a basic activation. The synthesized catalysts were characterized using various analytical techniques. The results showed that not treated fly ash （FA） is characterized by good crystallinity, which in turn is lowered by mechanical and chemical treatment （fly ash after mechanical and acid activation, FAMA） and suppressed almost entirely down to let fly ash become completely amorphous （fly ash al^er mechanical and basic activation FAMB）. Simultaneously, the surface area resulted increased. Subsequently, FA, FAMB and FAMA were used in the pyrolysis of a WEEE plastic sample at 400~C and their performance were compared with thermal pyrolysis at the same temperature. The catalysts principally improve the light oil yield： from 59 wt.% with thermal pyrolysis to 83 wt.% using FAMB. The formation of styrene in the oil is also increased： from 243 mg/g with thermal pyrolysis to 453 mg/g using FAMB. As a result, FAMB proved to be the best catalyst, thus producing also the lowest and the highest amount of char and gas, respectively.

Thermal and catalytic pyrolysis of a synthetic mixture representative of packaging plastics residue

A synthetic mixture of real waste packaging plastics representative of the residue from a material recovery facility(plasmix)was submitted to thermal and catalytic pyrolysis.Preliminary thermogravimetry experiments coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were performed to evaluate the effects of the catalysts on the polymers’degradation temperatures and to determine the main compounds produced during pyrolysis.The thermal and catalytic experiments were conducted at 370℃,450℃ and 650℃ using a bench scale reactor.The oil,gas,and char yields were analyzed and the compositions of the reaction products were compared.The primary aim of this study was to understand the effects of zeolitic hydrogen ultra stable zeolite Y(HUSY)and hydrogen zeolite socony mobil-5(HZSM5)catalysts with high silica content on the pyrolysis process and the products’quality.Thermogravimetry showed that HUSY significantly reduces the degradation temperature of all the polymers—particularly the polyolefines.HZSM5 had a significant effect on the degradation of polyethylene due to its smaller pore size.Mass balance showed that oil is always the main product of pyrolysis,regardless of the process conditions.However,all pyrolysis runs performed at 370℃ were incomplete.The use of either zeolites resulted in a decrease in the heavy oil fraction and the prevention of wax formation.HUSY has the best performance in terms of the total monoaromatic yield(29 wt-%at 450℃),while HZSM5 promoted the production of gases(41 wt-%at 650℃).Plasmix is a potential input material for pyrolysis that is positively affected by the presence of the two tested zeolites.A more effective separation of polyethylene terephthalate during the selection process could lead to higher quality pyrolysis products.