We combine small-angle scattering experiments and simulations to investigate the internal structure and interactions of composite poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PNIPAM-PEG) microgels. At low temperatures the experimentally determined form factors and the simulated density profiles indicate a loose internal particle structure with an extended corona that can be modeled as a star

Thermoresponsive microgels are one of the most investigated types of soft colloids, thanks to their ability to undergo a Volume Phase Transition (VPT) close to ambient temperature. However, this fundamental phenomenon still lacks a detailed microscopic understanding, particularly regarding the presence and the role of charges in the deswelling process. This is particularly important for the widely

The Concordance Index (C-index) is a commonly used metric in Survival Analysis for evaluating the performance of a prediction model. In this paper, we propose a decomposition of the C-index into a weighted harmonic mean of two quantities: one for ranking observed events versus other observed events, and the other for ranking observed events versus censored cases. This decomposition enables a finer

Monolayers of soft colloidal particles confined at fluid interfaces are at the core of a broad range of technological processes, from the stabilization of responsive foams and emulsions to advanced lithographic techniques. However, establishing a fundamental relation between their internal architecture, which is controlled during synthesis, and their structural and mechanical properties upon inter

We report extensive numerical simulations of different models of 2D polymer rings with internal elasticity. We monitor the dynamical behavior of the rings as a function of the packing fraction to address the effects of particle deformation on the collective response of the system. In particular, we compare three different models: (i) a recently investigated model [N. Gnan and E. Zaccarelli, Nat. P

Ionic microgel particles are intriguing systems in which the properties of thermo-responsive polymeric colloids are enriched by the presence of charged groups. In order to rationalize their properties and predict the behaviour of microgel suspensions, it is necessary to develop a coarse-graining strategy that starts from the accurate modelling of single particles. Here, we provide a numerical adva

Soft colloids are increasingly used as model systems to address fundamental issues such as crystallization and the glass and jamming transitions. Among the available classes of soft colloids, microgels are emerging as the gold standard. Since their great internal complexity makes their theoretical characterization very hard, microgels are commonly modeled, at least in the small-deformation regime,

We study colloidal gels formed by competing electrostatic repulsion and short-range attraction by means of extensive numerical simulations under external shear. We show that, upon varying the repulsion strength, the gel structure and its viscoelastic properties can be largely tuned. In particular, the gel fractal dimension can be either increased or decreased with respect to mechanical equilibrium

Recent progress has been made in the numerical modelling of neutral microgel particles with a realistic, disordered structure. In this work we extend this approach to the case of co-polymerised microgels where a thermoresponsive polymer is mixed with acidic groups. We compare the cases where counterions directly interact with microgel charges or are modelled implicitly through a Debye-Hückel descr

Soft particles display highly versatile properties with respect to hard colloids and even more so at fluid-fluid interfaces. In particular, microgels, consisting of a cross-linked polymer network, are able to deform and flatten upon adsorption at the interface due to the balance between surface tension and internal elasticity. Despite the existence of experimental results, a detailed theoretical u

In this article, we present the first demonstration of the FengYun-3E (FY3E) Global Navigation Satellite System Occultation Sounder II-Reflectometry (GNOS-R) payload's capacity to detect near-surface soil freeze/thaw (F/T) states. This study offers an initial analysis of the F/T retrieval algorithm applied to data collected from the Arctic Circle, underscoring the GNOS-R's potential to deliver lon

This workshop considered whether there was a need for a fourth way (or ways) to organise and regulate public transport to complement the three existing models of classic regulation, deregulation and limited competition (including competition for the market). This was particularly viewed from the perspective of what constitutes a good (public) transport authority. The evidence was based on five sou

Objective: To systematically evaluate the ability of the CINA® LVO software to detect large vessel occlusions eligible for mechanical thrombectomy on CTA using conventional neuroradiological assessment as gold standard. Methods: Retrospectively, two hundred consecutive patients referred for a brain CTA and two hundred patients that had been subject for endovascular thrombectomy, with an accessible

In fifth generation district heating and cooling (5GDHC), the temperature range of the heat source is wider then in current common heat pump systems. The results of this study show that the heat pumps and chillers that are available in the market are not well adapted to 5GDHC applications due to the wide working range of 5GHDC. In order to maintain a high efficiency, current design parameters shou

In the Western world of today, the swastika is practically exclusively associated with Nazism, but in reality it is an ancient religious symbol, used in a number of different cults, symbolizing different deities. The oldest finds so far have been made in Ukraine and are between twelve and fifteen thousand years old. About seven thousand years ago the symbol existed in present-day Iran and five tho

The key message is the importance of a systemic approach to handling water and energy together, both in design and in oper-ation. The paper demonstrates how renewable energy, solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal, in combination with a small nutrient removal plant, provides a reliable solution for small-scale decentralized water recovery operations. The system is automated and can operate outs