Electronic phase separation near the superconductor-insulator transition of Nd1+xBa2−xCu3O7−δ thin films studied by an electric-field-induced doping effect

We report a detailed study of the transport properties of Nd(1+x)Ba(2-x)Cu(3)O(7-delta) thin films with doping changed by field effect. The data cover the whole superconducting to insulating transition and show remarkable Similarities with the effect of chemical doping in high critical temperature superconductors. The results suggest that the add-on of carriers is accompanied by an electronic phase separation, independent on the details of the doping mechanism

An enhanced model for small-signal analysis of the phase-shifted full-bridge converter

This paper presents an in-depth critical discussion and derivation of a detailed small-signal analysis of the Phase-Shifted Full-Bridge (PSFB) converter. Circuit parasitics, resonant inductance and transformer turns ratio have all been taken into account in the evaluation of this topology’s open-loop control-to-output, line-to-output and load-to-output transfer functions. Accordingly, the significant impact of losses and resonant inductance on the converter’s transfer functions is highlighted. The enhanced dynamic model proposed in this paper enables the correct design of the converter compensator, including the effect of parasitics on the dynamic behavior of the PSFB converter. Detailed experimental results for a real-life 36V-to-14V/10A PSFB industrial application show excellent agreement with the predictions from the model proposed herein.

Applicazioni di livello “0” della metodologia utilizzata per la valutazione del rischio sismico di Sistemi Urbani, utilizzando l’analogia delle reti neuronali

Questa ricerca, condotta nell’ambito del Progetto RELUIS – Linea 10, ha riguardato la messa a punto di un modello di rischio sismico per Sistemi Urbani con approccio multilivello, utilizzando l’analogia con le reti neuronali. Il primo passo è stata l’elaborazione del livello 0, basato su banche-dati, disponibili a livello nazionale, relative alla pericolosità sismica di base e locale (INGV) e a dati di censimento dei comuni italiani (ANCITEL 2001; ISTAT 2001) per la descrizione fisica e funzionale dei centri abitati/sistemi urbani analizzati. Per semplicità e per omogeneità tra i molti dati elaborati sono stati trascurati due aspetti rilevanti per il modello di rete neuronale, che intervengono invece ai livelli successivi, ovvero l’aspetto della “soglia” di perdita di capacità di una componente di sottosistema (sia per evoluzione che per connessione) e l’aspetto della “capacità iniziale” di una componente di sottosistema prima dell’evento sismico. La valutazione della perdita di capacità complessiva di un Sistema Urbano a livello 0 è stata quindi calcolata come l’insieme delle perdite di tutti i sistemi combinati tra loro (con opportuni pesi) e quindi con un valore complessivo

Proton induced Dark Count Rate degradation in 150-nm CMOS Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes

Proton irradiation effects on a Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs) device manufactured using a 150-nm CMOS process are presented. An irradiation campaign has been carried out with protons of 20 MeV and 24 MeV on several samples of a test chip containing SPADs arrays with two different junction layouts. The dark count rate distributions have been analyzed as a function of the displacement damage dose. Annealing and cooling have been investigated as possible damage mitigation approaches. We also discuss, through a space radiation simulation, the suitability of such devices on several space mission case-studies.Comment: This is an author-created, un-copyedited version of an article accepted for publication/published in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A. The Version of Record is available online at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2019.16272

ITS2 in calanoid copepods: reconstructing phylogenetic relationships and identifying a newly introduced species in the Mediterranean

Phylogenetic inference and molecular taxonomy are becoming increasingly important approaches to classical morphological systematics and marine ecology. The number of molecular markers suitable for such goals is quite high, but general use restricts the list to a few of them, mainly mitochondrial (namely cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, COI and Cytochrome b), especially in copepods. The ribosomal cistronic regions have been widely used for broad phylogenetic analyses in different taxa. Among them, the internal transcribed spacers (ITS rDNA) are powerful tools for phylogenetic reconstructions at the different taxonomic levels, although not yet extensively used for copepods. In the present work, we tested the suitability of ITS2 rDNA marker to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships of calanoid copepods using sequences retrieved from GenBank, complementing the phylogenetic positions of the species studied with their morphological and ecological traits. Through ITS2 rDNA we provided the first molecular evidence for the invasive calanoid Pseudodiaptomus marinus from the Mediterranean Sea (Lake Faro, Sicily, Italy), and compared it with the GenBank ITS2 sequences for P. marinus from Korea and other calanoid species. The divergence of the sequences of our P. marinus from those of Korean specimens was quite prominent (4.4%) and allowed us to hypothesise either a new forma living in the Mediterranean or a cryptic species. This study highlights the appropriateness of ITS2 for phylogenetic reconstructions and species identification, as well as for barcoding, meta-barcoding and phylogeographic approaches, and evidences the need for a more thorough knowledge of ribosomal regions in copepods from different sites

Anatomy and kinematic evolution of an ancient passive margin involved into an orogenic wedge (Western Southern Alps, Varese area, Italy and Switzerland)

We make use of own geological mapping, interpretations of seismic reflection profiles and deep geophysical data to build a lithospheric-scale cross-section across the European Western Southern Alps (Varese area) and to model a progressive restoration from the end of Mesozoic rifting to present-day. Early phases of Alpine orogeny were characterized by Europe-directed thrusting, whereas post-Oligocene shortening led to basement-involving crustal accretion accompanied by backfolding, and consistent with the kinematics of the adjoining Ivrea Zone. Wedging was favored by a significant component of reactivation of the inherited Adriatic rifted margin. Our results also suggest that, during the collisional and post-collisional tectonics, lithosphere dynamics drove diachronically the onset of tectonic phases (i.e., wedging and slab retreat), from east to west, across the Western Southern Alps

Anatomy and kinematic evolution of an ancient passive margin involved into an orogenic wedge (Western Southern Alps, Varese area, Italy and Switzerland)

We make use of own geological mapping, interpretations of seismic reflection profiles and deep geophysical data to build a lithospheric-scale cross-section across the European Western Southern Alps (Varese area) and to model a progressive restoration from the end of Mesozoic rifting to present-day. Early phases of Alpine orogeny were characterized by Europe-directed thrusting, whereas post-Oligocene shortening led to basement-involving crustal accretion accompanied by backfolding, and consistent with the kinematics of the adjoining Ivrea Zone. Wedging was favored by a significant component of reactivation of the inherited Adriatic rifted margin. Our results also suggest that, during the collisional and post-collisional tectonics, lithosphere dynamics drove diachronically the onset of tectonic phases (i.e., wedging and slab retreat), from east to west, across the Western Southern Alps

Revised seismic classification of the ITACA stations, according to the EC8 and the Italian norms site classes

The activities carried out within Task 2 aim to collect, organize and synthesize geological, geomorphological, geotechnical and geophysical data for the location site of the Accelerometric National Network (RAN) stations in Italy, managed by the Department of Civil Protection, to improve the knowledge about the subsoil (see Delverable D05) and to permit a subsoil and topographic site classification based on EC8 categories. At the end of the project the subsoil of 695 stations have been classified using an hybrid approch, based on surface geology, spectral classification and Vs profils from different recording tecniques (DH, CH, MASW, ESAC). These activities have been useful to link the ITACA database with the software REXEL to select natural accelerograms, compatible with Norme Tecniche per le Costruzioni (NTC2008) and EUROCODE 8 (EC8) spectra, which may also reflect characteristics of the source in terms of magnitude and epicentral distance. For 688 station sites have been provided also a topographic classification using a GIS based semiautomatic method with “by-hand” corrections using topographic maps and/or Google Earth software. A Microsoft Excel Database which also allows to track all changes that have been made since the beginning of the project related to the site classification has been developed