Mock Catalogs for UHECR Studies

We provide realistic mock-catalogs of cosmic rays above 40 EeV, for a pure proton composition, assuming their sources are a random subset of ordinary galaxies in a simulated, volume-limited survey, for various choices of source density: 10^-3.5 Mpc^-3, 10^-4.0 Mpc^-3 and 10^-4.5 Mpc^-3. The spectrum at the source is taken to be E^-2.3 and the effects of cosmological redshifting as well as photo-pion and e^+ e^- energy losses are included.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Ground reaction forces, asymmetries and performance of change of direction tasks in youth elite female basketball players

The magnitude and direction of inter-limb asymmetries in a change of direction (COD) have increased interest in scientific research in recent years. This present study aimed to investigate the magnitude of asymmetries in an elite youth female basketball sample (n = 18, age = 17.79 ± 0.67 y) and determine its directionality using force platform technology. Participants performed 70◦ and 180◦ COD tests analyzing the following variables: time, ground contact time (GCT) and ground reaction forces (GRF) along the anterior–posterior, mediolateral, and vertical axes. Inter-limb asymmetries were evident in both COD tests, with substantial differences observed between limbs (p < 0.01). The asymmetry values ranged from 3.02% to 24.31% in COD 180◦ and from 1.99% to 21.70% in COD 70◦, with anterior–posterior GRF consistently exhibiting the highest asymmetry magnitude. Additionally, the directionality exhibited variability between the tests, indicating poor agreement and suggesting the independent directionality of asymmetries across tasks. Moreover, players required more time to complete the COD 180◦, the GCT was noticeably longer for the COD 180◦ than for the COD 70◦, and GRF varied across the axis, suggesting that players adapt uniquely to the specific demands of each task. The utilization of force platforms presents a comprehensive approach to assess asymmetries and COD variables performance variables which are “angle-dependent”, which could have important implications for COD screening and effective training interventions

A Study of the Pyrolysis Products of Kraft Lignin

In order to valorize lignin wastes to produce useful aromatic compounds, the thermal degradation pyrolysis of Kraft lignin in the absence of catalysts has been investigated at 350, 450, and 550 \ub0C. The high content of sulfur in the fresh sample led to the formation of S\u2010containing compounds in products whose evolution in the gas phase was monitored through GC\u2010MS analysis. Py-rolytic gas is rich in CH4, CO, CO2, and H2S with the presence of other sulfur compounds in smaller amounts (i.e., CH3SH, CH3\u2010S\u2010CH3, SO2, COS, and CS2). Biochar morphology and elemental composition have been investigated by means of SEM and EDX. The carbon content reaches ~90% after pyrolysis at 550 \ub0C, while the oxygen content showed a decreasing trend with increasing tempera-ture. From GC\u2010MS analysis, bio\u2010oil resulted rich in alkyl\u2010alkoxy phenols, together with (alkyl)dihy-droxy benzenes and minor amounts of hydrocarbons and sulfur compounds. NaOH/H2O and EtOH/H2O extraction were performed with the aim of extracting phenolic\u2010like compounds. Sodium hydroxide solution allowed a better but still incomplete extraction of phenolic compounds, leaving a bio\u2010oil richer in sulfur

Damage detection based on strain transmissibility for beam structure by using distributed fiber optics

Structural damage identification is a coral and challenging research topic. Research mainly focuses on identification and detection of linear damage in structures by using modal parameters such as change of natural frequency, frequency response function, mode shape, etc. Transmissibility is conventionally defined as the spectra ratio of two measurement points, which has been utilized for damage identification as a powerful damage indicator. In this paper, strain transmissibility, defined as ratio of strain response spectra, is proposed as a new damage indicator. In order to achieve more precise sensing information, distributed fiber optics has been applied to damage detection on a beam structure, which adds new capability of sensing with its combination of high spatial density sensing and dynamic acquisition over a single optical fiber sensor. A numerical simulation has been conducted to investigate the feasibility of strain transmissibility for damage detection which has revealed a better performance compared to traditional transmissibility. The applicability of the proposed method has been confirmed by applying distributed fiber optics on a clamped-clamped beam. Both simulation and experiment validate the effectiveness of damage detection approach based on strain transmissibility by using distributed fiber optics

The German Shorthair Pointer Dog Breed (Canis lupus familiaris) : Genomic Inbreeding and Variability

The German Shorthaired Pointer (GSHP) is a breed worldwide known for its hunting versatility. Dogs of this breed are appreciated as valuable companions, effective trackers, field trailers and obedience athletes. The aim of the present work is to describe the genomic architecture of the GSHP breed and to analyze inbreeding levels under a genomic and a genealogic perspective. A total of 34 samples were collected (24 Italian, 10 USA), and the genomic and pedigree coefficients of inbreeding have been calculated. A total of 3183 runs of homozygosity (ROH) across all 34 dogs have been identified. The minimum and maximum number of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) defining all ROH are 40 and 3060. The mean number of ROH for the sample was 93.6. ROH were found on all chromosomes. A total of 854 SNPs (TOP_SNPs) defined 11 ROH island regions (TOP_ROH), in which some gene already associated with behavioral and morphological canine traits was annotated. The proportion of averaged observed homozygotes estimated on total number of SNPs was 0.70. The genomic inbreeding coefficient based on ROH was 0.17. The mean inbreeding based on genealogical information resulted 0.023. The results describe a low inbred population with quite a good level of genetic variability

Pratiques phytosanitaires en agriculture et environnement : des tensions irréductibles ?

La vulnérabilité croissante des ressources en eau et des milieux aquatiques aux pollutions a conduit au développement de dispositifs agri-environnementaux chargés en particulier de réduire et d’encadrer l’utilisation des pesticides (le plus récent étant le plan Ecophyto 2018 issu du Grenelle de l’environnement). Cette contribution analyse la tension entre les contraintes agricoles qui conditionnent les changements de pratiques phytosanitaires et les exigences environnementales désormais posées en termes d’obtention de résultats. L’observation d’un dispositif expérimental de diffusion de " pratiques améliorées " de traitement phytosanitaire, inscrit dans le Groupe d’action phytosanitaire de Midi-Pyrénées (Gramip), est mobilisée pour interroger, à partir d’une approche interdisciplinaire (économie, sociologie, agronomie), la permanence de logiques agricoles technico-économiques et l’émergence d’arguments sanitaires et commerciaux comme facteurs potentiels de diffusion de pratiques alternatives à l’utilisation des pesticides en agriculture. / The increasing vulnerability of water resources and aquatic pollution has led to the development of agrienvironmental tools in particular to reduce and control the use of pesticides. This paper explores the tension between the constraints that affect changes of phytosanitary practices and environmental requirements now posed in terms of environmental results. The observation of an experimental policy instrument of "better practices" in Midi-Pyrenees (Gramip), is mobilized to examine, from an interdisciplinary approach (economics, sociology, agronomy), the permanence of agricultural techno-economic logic and the emergence of health and commercial factors as potential diffusion of alternative practices to the use of pesticides in agriculture

Cost-utility of transcatheter aortic valve implantation for inoperable patients with severe aortic stenosis treated by medical management: a UK cost-utility analysis based on patient-level data from the ADVANCE study.

OBJECTIVE: To use patient-level data from the ADVANCE study to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) compared to medical management (MM) in patients with severe aortic stenosis from the perspective of the UK NHS. METHODS: A published decision-analytic model was adapted to include information on TAVI from the ADVANCE study. Patient-level data informed the choice as well as the form of mathematical functions that were used to model all-cause mortality, health-related quality of life and hospitalisations. TAVI-related resource use protocols were based on the ADVANCE study. MM was modelled on publicly available information from the PARTNER-B study. The outcome measures were incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) estimated at a range of time horizons with benefits expressed as quality-adjusted life-years (QALY). Extensive sensitivity/subgroup analyses were undertaken to explore the impact of uncertainty in key clinical areas. RESULTS: Using a 5-year time horizon, the ICER for the comparison of all ADVANCE to all PARTNER-B patients was £13 943 per QALY gained. For the subset of ADVANCE patients classified as high risk (Logistic EuroSCORE >20%) the ICER was £17 718 per QALY gained). The ICER was below £30 000 per QALY gained in all sensitivity analyses relating to choice of MM data source and alternative modelling approaches for key parameters. When the time horizon was extended to 10 years, all ICERs generated in all analyses were below £20 000 per QALY gained. CONCLUSION: TAVI is highly likely to be a cost-effective treatment for patients with severe aortic stenosis

Conversion of Lignin to Chemical Intermediates:a Study of Pyrolysis of Kraft Lignin

Experiments of pyrolysis of commercial Kraft lignin have been realized in the 250-550 °C range. Product analyses have been performed by FTIR, GC-MS, EDX analyses. The main goal of the work is to optimize the experiments in terms of liquid yield, reduction of oxygen content in the resulting biochar, and removal of sulfur, found mainly in the gas phase. It has been concluded that the amount of the starting lignin charged in the reactor must be limited to be fully positioned in the heating chamber also during high temperature treatment. Sulfur may be partially removed in the gas phase as H2S and CH3SH mainly, by a pre-treatment at 250 °C. The maximum amount of liquid product, mainly constituted by methoxy- and alkyl-methoxy-phenols, and the maximum solid deoxygenation are both obtained at 550 °C

Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of nurse’s role in primary care settings: an integrative review

Background: The rapid evolution of the epidemiological picture and the recent SARS-COV-2 pandemic has expressed the vulnerabilities of health systems and focuses attention on the population’s needs. The nurse’s figure in the care teams is universally identified; however, the implementation of the role within some care settings turns out to be complex and challenging. This integrative review aims to identify the barriers and facilitators in implementing the role of the nurse in primary care settings. Methods: An integrative review was conducted on the Medline and Cinahl databases until 9 June 2020. Qualitative, quantitative, and Mixed-method research studies were selected to identify studies related to the barriers and facilitators of the nurse’s role in nursing facilities’ primary care. For the extraction of the results, the Consolidating Framework for Research Implementation (CFIR) was used to identify the factors that influence implementation in health care. Results: Following the duplicates’ removal, the search identified 18,257 articles, of which 56 were relevant to the inclusion criteria; therefore, they were included in the summary. The selected studies were conducted in thirteen countries, most from Oceania, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The barriers reported most frequently concern the nursing profession’s regulatory and regulatory aspects within the contexts of care, cultural and organizational aspects, training, and the transfer of specific skills, which were previously designated to doctors. The facilitators are mainly linked to the nurse’s adaptability to the various contexts of care, recognizing the patient’s role, and the desire to develop multidisciplinary and effective working groups to respond to the health needs of the population in primary care contexts. Conclusion: This review highlighted the main barriers and facilitators in implementing the nurse’s role in primary care settings. These results offer useful elements for stakeholders to identify effective strategies in preparing programs and activities for implementing the nurse’s role, acting on the elements identified as barriers and favouring the aspects that emerge as facilitators

On the role of triethylene glycol in the preparation of highly active Ni-Mo/Al2O3 hydrodesulfurization catalysts: A spectroscopic study

The interaction of triethylene glycol (TEG) with alumina and its role in preparing improved NiMo/Al2O3 hydrodesulfurization catalysts was investigated by spectroscopic methods. The FT-IR study shows that TEG is mainly adsorbed on the corners and edges of the alumina microcrystals where the strongest Lewis sites and the higher OH frequency hydroxyl groups are mainly located. It is also observed that the Mo O stretching vibration of surface molybdenyl groups in the oxide catalyst precursor is shifted down in the presence of TEG, indicating a lower interaction with the alumina surface. The IR spectra of CO adsorbed on the reduced/sulfided NiMo/Al2O3 catalysts confirm that the amount of promoted phase (NiMoS sites) increases in the samples prepared with TEG. Accordingly, the activity measurements in the HDS of 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene show that the catalyst prepared with TEG is more active than the one prepared without it. It is proposed that TEG and its decomposition products, formed upon heating (mainly acetates) occupy preferably the strongly interacting edge and corner sites of the alumina crystals, forcing the Mo and Ni species to migrate mainly to the less reactive plane faces. This weakens the metalsupport interaction allowing a better sulfidation and, at the same time, favoring the Ni\u2013Mo interaction and the formation of the promoted NiMoS phase