On the color structure of Yang-Mills theory with static sources in a periodic box

We present an exploratory numerical study on the lattice of the color structure of the wave functionals of the SU(3) Yang-Mills theory in the presence of a $q\bar q$ static pair. In a spatial box with periodic boundary conditions we discuss the fact that all states contributing to the Feynman propagation kernel are global color singlets. We confirm this numerically by computing the correlations of gauge-fixed Polyakov lines with color-twisted boundary conditions in the time direction. The values of the lowest energies in the color singlet and octet external source sectors agree within statistical errors, confirming that both channels contribute to the lowest (global singlet) state of the Feynman kernel. We then study the case of homogeneous boundary conditions in the time direction for which the gauge-fixing is not needed. In this case the lowest energies extracted in the singlet external source sector agree with those determined with periodic boundary conditions, while in the octet sector the correlator is compatible with being null within our statistical errors. Therefore consistently only the singlet external source contribution has a non-vanishing overlap with the null-field wave functional.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figure

qqˉq\bar{q}-potential: a numerical study

We report the results of recent lattice simulations aimed at computing the $q$ and $\bar q$ potential energies in the singlet and the octet (adjoint) representation.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, poster presented at the 31st International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory (Lattice 2013), 29 July - 3 August 2013, Mainz, German

Potato R1 resistance gene confers resistance against Phytophthora infestans in transgenic tomato plants

Tomato is challenged by several pathogens which cause loss of production. One such pathogen is the oomycete Phytophthora infestans which is able to attack all the aerial parts of the plant. Although a wide range of resistance sources are available, genetic control of this disease is not yet successful. Pyramiding R-genes through genetic transformation could be a straightforward way to produce tomato and potato lines carrying durable resistance to P. infestans. In this work the R1 potato gene was transferred into tomato lines. The tomato transgenic lines were analyzed by using q-RT-PCR and progeny segregation to determine the gene copy number. To test the hypothesis that R1 represents a specifically regulated R-gene, transgenic tomato plants were inoculated with P. infestans isolate 88133 and IPO. All the plants containing the R1 gene were resistant to the late blight isolate IPO-0 and susceptible to isolate 88133. These results provide evidence for specific activation of the R1 gene during pathogen challenge. Furthermore, evidence for enhancement of PR-1 gene expression during P. infestans resistance response was obtained

XMM-Newton observation of a sample of four close dSph galaxies

We present the results of the analysis of deep archival \sat\ observations towards the dwarf spheroidal galaxies Draco, Leo I, Ursa Major II and Ursa Minor in the Milky Way neighbourhood. The X-ray source population is characterized and cross-correlated with available databases with the aim to infer their nature. We also investigate if intermediate-mass black holes are hosted in the center of these galaxies. In the case of Draco, we detect 96 high-energy sources, two of them being possibly local stars, while no evidence for any X-ray emitting central compact object is found. Towards the Leo I and UMa II field of view we reveal 116 and 49 X-ray sources, respectively. None of them correlates with the putative central black holes and only one is likely associated with a UMa II local source. The study of the UMi dwarf galaxy shows 54 high-energy sources and a possible association {with a source at the dSph center}. We put an upper limit to the central compact object luminosity of 4.02$\times$10$^{33}$ erg/s. Furthermore, via the correlation with a radio source near the galactic center, we get that the putative black hole should have a mass of $\left(2.76^{+32.00}_{-2.54}\right)\times10^6 M_{\odot}$ and be radiatively inefficient. This confirms a previous result obtained by using Chandra data alone.Comment: MNRAS, in press, tables available on lin

Rate-Control or Rhythm-Contol: Where do we stand?

Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained rhythm disturbance and its prevalence is increasing worldwide due to the progressive aging of the population. Current guidelines clearly depict the gold standard management of acute symptomatic atrial fibrillation but the best-long term approach for first or recurrent atrial fibrillation is still debated with regard to quality of life, risk of new hospitalizations, and possible disabling complications, such as thromboembolic stroke, major bleeds and death. Some authors propose that regaining sinus rhythm in all cases, thus re-establishing a physiologic cardiac function not requiring a prolonged antithrombotic therapy, avoids the threat of intracranial or extracranial haemorrhages due to Vitamin K antagonists or aspirin. On the contrary, advocates of a rate control approach with an accurate antithrombotic prophylaxis propose that such a strategy may avoid the risk of cardiovascular and non cardiovascular side effects related to antiarrhythmic drugs. This review aims to explore the state of our knowledge in order to summarize evidences and issues that need to be furthermore clarified

Predicting drug metabolism: Concepts and challenges

The paper begins with a discussion of the needs and goals of metabolic predictions in early drug research. Major difficulties toward this objective are examined, mainly the various substrate and product selectivities characteristic of drug metabolism. In a second part, we classify and summarize the major in silico methods used to predict drug metabolism. A discrimination is thus made between "local ”and "global ”systems. In the last part of the paper, the program METEOR is presented and evaluated using the published metabolic data of 10 substrate

A Jewelry-Tech Experience: Teaching and Learning Model for Academic Training

[EN] The paper aims to describe an innovative teaching and learning process in jewelry-tech design. First of all, the paper analyzes the contemporary and multidisciplinary context, underlining the growing presence of a close connection between digital technologies and the world of accessory design, particularly jewelry. The need to define learning models that aim to integrate different skills to train new professional figures successfully is outlined in this context. Secondly, the paper presents and examines the case study "name of the workshop" held at the "name of the university," an international workshop conducted in academic training in collaboration with an Italian jewelry company. The results obtained during this experience are presented and underline effective methodologies and critical issues in conducting the workshop.Tenuta, L.; Cappellieri, A.; Testa, S.; Rossato, B. (2022). A Jewelry-Tech Experience: Teaching and Learning Model for Academic Training. En 8th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'22). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 609-618. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAd22.2022.1461760961

Finite element analysis of horizontal axis wind turbines performance

This paper presents an aeroelastic formulation based on the Finite Element Method (FEM) to predict the performance of an isolated horizontal axis wind turbine. Hamilton’s principle is applied to derive the equations of blade(s) aeroelasticity, based on a nonlinear beam model coupled with Beddoes-Leishman unsteady sectional aerodynamics. A devoted fifteen-degrees of freedom finite element, able to accurately model the kinematics and elastic behavior of rotating blades, is introduced and the spatial discretization of the aeroelastic equations is carried-out yielding a set of coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations that are then solved by a time-marching algorithm. The proposed formulation may be enhanced to face the analysis of advanced blade shapes, including the presence of the tower, and represents the first step of an ongoing activity on wind energy based on a FEM approach. Due to similarities between wind turbine and helicopter rotor blades aeroelasticity, validation results firstly concern with the aeroelastic response of a helicopter rotor in hovering. Next, the performance of a wind turbine in terms of blade elastic response and delivered power are predicted and compared with available literature data

Finite element analysis of horizontal axis wind turbines performance

This paper presents an aeroelastic formulation based on the Finite Element Method (FEM) to predict the performance of an isolated horizontal axis wind turbine. Hamilton’s principle is applied to derive the equations of blade(s) aeroelasticity, based on a nonlinear beam model coupled with Beddoes-Leishman unsteady sectional aerodynamics. A devoted fifteen-degrees of freedom finite element, able to accurately model the kinematics and elastic behavior of rotating blades, is introduced and the spatial discretization of the aeroelastic equations is carried-out yielding a set of coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations that are then solved by a time-marching algorithm. The proposed formulation may be enhanced to face the analysis of advanced blade shapes, including the presence of the tower, and represents the first step of an ongoing activity on wind energy based on a FEM approach. Due to similarities between wind turbine and helicopter rotor blades aeroelasticity, validation results firstly concern with the aeroelastic response of a helicopter rotor in hovering. Next, the performance of a wind turbine in terms of blade elastic response and delivered power are predicted and compared with available literature data