Possible effects on avionics induced by terrestrial gamma-ray flashes

Terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs) are impulsive (intrinsically sub-millisecond) events associated with lightning in powerful thunderstorms. TGFs turn out to be very powerful natural accelerators known to accelerate particles and generate radiation up to hundreds of MeV energies. The number ratio of TGFs over normal lightning has been measured in tropical regions to be near 10−4. We address in this Article the issue of the possible susceptibility of typical aircraft electronics exposed to TGF particle, gamma ray and neutron irradiation. We consider possible scenarios regarding the intensity, the duration, and geometry of TGFs influencing nearby aircraft, and study their effects on electronic equipment. We calculate, for different assumptions, the total dose and the dose-rate, and estimate single-event-effects. We find that in addition to the electromagnetic component (electrons/positrons, gamma rays) also secondary neutrons produced by gamma-ray photo production in the aircraft structure substantially contribute to single-event effects in critical semiconductors components. Depending on the physical characteristics and geometry, TGFs may deliver a large flux of neutrons within a few milliseconds in an aircraft. This flux is calculated to be orders of magnitude larger than the natural cosmic-ray background, and may constitute a serious hazard to aircraft electronic equipment. We present a series of numerical simulations supporting our conclusions. Our results suggest the necessity of dedicated measurement campaigns addressing the radiative and particle environment of aircraft near or within thunderstorms

A night of sleep deprivation alters brain connectivity and affects specific executive functions

Sleep is a fundamental physiological process necessary for efficient cognitive functioning especially in relation to memory consolidation and executive functions, such as attentional and switching abilities. The lack of sleep strongly alters the connectivity of some resting-state networks, such as the default mode network and attentional network. In this study, by means of magnetoencephalography (MEG) and specifc cognitive tasks, we investigated how brain topology and cognitive functioning are affected by 24 h of sleep deprivation (SD). Thirty-two young men underwent resting-state MEG recording and evaluated in letter cancellation task (LCT) and task switching (TS) before and after SD. Results showed a worsening in the accuracy and speed of execution in the LCT and a reduction of reaction times in the TS, evidencing thus a worsening of attentional but not of switching abilities. Moreover, we observed that 24 h of SD induced large-scale rearrangements in the functional network. These findings evidence that 24 h of SD is able to alter brain connectivity and selectively affects cognitive domains which are under the control of different brain network

Emerging Approaches to E 2.0: the Case of Social Enterprise. Results from a 1-Year Research

Enterprise 2.0 refers to a set of organizational and technological approaches steered to enable new organization models, based on open involvement, emergent collaboration, knowledge sharing, internal/external social network development and exploitation. It aims to respond to the new features and needs of people and boosts flexibility, adaptability and innovation. Technologically, Enterprise 2.0 covers the application of social computing tools relating to Web 2.0, as well as the adoption of new technological and infrastructural approaches such as SOA, BPM, RIA and new service models such as Software-as-a-Service. The challenge for management theory is to provide empirically grounded and actionable knowledge for companies to design and implement new ICT-enabled (virtual) working environments able to extend the boundaries of their knowledge creation to their mobile workers, customers and suppliers. Based on evidence from 70 case studies and a collaboration approach, the chapter reports the E2.0 emerging model and focuses on collaboration and knowledge sharing aspects

“Enterprise 2.0: What Models are Emerging? Results from a 70 case-based research”

‘Enterprise 2.0’ or E2.0 refers to a set of organisational and technological approaches steered to enable new organisation models based on open involvement, emergent collaboration, knowledge sharing, internal/ external social network development and exploitation. It aims to respond to the new features and needs of people and boosts flexibility, adaptability and innovation. Based on evidence from 70 case studies and a co-laboratory approach, the article analyses what E2.0 models are emerging in companies. The challenge for management theory is to provide empirically grounded and actionable knowledge for companies to design and implement new Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-enabled (virtual) working environments able to extend the boundaries of their knowledge creation to their mobile workers, customers and suppliers

From 1.0 to 2.0: a Continuous Innovation Matter. A 5-Year Field Research

Basing on a 5-year empirical research conducted by the Observatory, this article gives evidence on the evolution of Intranet projects and on different approaches the companies have followed, providing an interpretative model of it