DELPHES 3, A modular framework for fast simulation of a generic collider experiment

The version 3.0 of the DELPHES fast-simulation is presented. The goal of DELPHES is to allow the simulation of a multipurpose detector for phenomenological studies. The simulation includes a track propagation system embedded in a magnetic field, electromagnetic and hadron calorimeters, and a muon identification system. Physics objects that can be used for data analysis are then reconstructed from the simulated detector response. These include tracks and calorimeter deposits and high level objects such as isolated electrons, jets, taus, and missing energy. The new modular approach allows for greater flexibility in the design of the simulation and reconstruction sequence. New features such as the particle-flow reconstruction approach, crucial in the first years of the LHC, and pile-up simulation and mitigation, which is needed for the simulation of the LHC detectors in the near future, have also been implemented. The DELPHES framework is not meant to be used for advanced detector studies, for which more accurate tools are needed. Although some aspects of DELPHES are hadron collider specific, it is flexible enough to be adapted to the needs of electron-positron collider experiments.Comment: JHEP 1402 (2014

Analysis of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in exon 1 of kappa-casein gene (CSN3) in Martina Franca donkey breed

The aim of this study is to assess genetic polymorphism at two loci in the exon 1 of the kappa-casein gene (CSN3) in Martina Franca donkey breed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Martina Franca donkey was derived from the Catalan donkey brought to Apulia at the time of the Spanish rule. This donkey is tall and well built and has good temperament. Both considered loci were found to be monomorphic in the considered population. At CSN3/PstI locus, all the animals were genotyped as AA since no AG and GG animals were found in the population. A similar result was found at CSN3/BseYI locus: all the donkeys were monomorphic and genotyped as AA. As a consequence, only one out of nine possible combined genotype (AAAA) was detected.Key words: Martina Franca donkey, kappa-casein gene (CSN3), gene polymorphism, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)

Analysis of two Pit-1 gene polymorphisms: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) distribution patterns in Podolica cattle breed

Pit-1 is a pituitary-specific transcription factor responsible for pituitary development and hormone expression in mammals. Pit-1 is a member of the POU domain containing proteins, a group of transcriptional regulators with a critical role in cell differentiation and proliferation. It was shown that this group of proteins control the transcription of the growth hormone (GH), the prolactin (PRL), the thyroid-stimulating hormone β-subunit (TSH-β), the GHRH receptor genes and the Pit-1 gene itself. In this study, the Pit-1/HinfI and Pit-1/TaqI loci were investigated using PCR-RFLP approach in a sample of 104 Podolica cattle. All the possible genotypes for both single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. The allelic frequencies at Pit-1/TaqI locus were 0.76 (G) and 0.24 (A), while those at Pit-1/HinfI locus were 0.70 (B) and 0.30 (A). Combined genotypic frequencies and possible haplotypes frequencies were also reported. Moreover, some population genetic indexes, namely: gene heterozygosity (He), gene homozygosity (Ho), effective allele numbers (Ne), fixation index (FIS) and polymorphism information content (PIC) were calculated.Key words: POU1F1 gene, Podolica breed, PCR-RFLP

Enhancement of sustainable bioenergy production by valorising tomato residues: A GIS-based model

In order to increase the utilization of renewable energy sources, the biomethane production through anaerobic digestion has notably developed over the last years. Although, it is worldwide recognized, that valorising waste resources (i.e., by-products) is an opportunity to improve the efficiency rate of the agro-industrial chains, by reducing economic and environmental impact, it is necessary to support the strategic planning development of a future sustainable biomethane chain in line to circular economy. In this study, by adopting network information technologies, the importance of a strategic planning for sustainable developing biomethane sector was highlighted, since feedstocks logistic and supply phase is a key-aspect of any bioenergy project. The developed Geographic Information Systems (GIS) – methodology, that could be applied in any territorial area considering any type of biomass, allowed to define suitable locations for allocating new anaerobic digestion plants with the aim ..

Enhancement of sustainable bioenergy production by valorising tomato residues: A GIS-based model

In order to increase the utilization of renewable energy sources, the biomethane production through anaerobic digestion has notably developed over the last years. Although, it is worldwide recognized, that valorising waste resources (i.e., by-products) is an opportunity to improve the efficiency rate of the agro-industrial chains, by reducing economic and environmental impact, it is necessary to support the strategic planning development of a future sustainable biomethane chain in line to circular economy. In this study, by adopting network information technologies, the importance of a strategic planning for sustainable developing biomethane sector was highlighted, since feedstocks logistic and supply phase is a key-aspect of any bioenergy project. The developed Geographic Information Systems (GIS) – methodology, that could be applied in any territorial area considering any type of biomass, allowed to define suitable locations for allocating new anaerobic digestion plants with the aim of developing a sustainable valorisation of tomato residues, by minimising the economic and environmental impacts. The achieved results provided advanced knowledge for the literature on the topic, helping to develop an operational GIS-tool for defining sustainable strategies for planning new plants, and proved that the development of integrated approach to define sustainable strategies for resource management along the whole supply chain is crucial