The Importance of Tourism in the European Mediterranean Area

Europe and Mediterranean areas have political and symbolic importance even if they have not definite limits. From a geographical point of view Europe and Mediterranean are the southern and western part of the “Eurasiaâ€, while politically speaking they represent two areas with a strong instability. However they have tourist resources that succeed in attracting the international tourism; these elements give originality and unicity to the territory of the Mediterranean area. This has an important role in the tourist field, also helped by lots of tourist activities and by the typical climate. All these aspects contribute to the creation of the “Mediterranean circular†of the coast countries. As they have not the same distribution of the tourist flows, the have the problem of unbalance in the relation between resources and utilization, especially in the north sea-side. Although these problems, tourism becomes for the mediterranean States a common activity, giving them a new economic dimension. The most important feature of the Mediterranean tourism is the diffused sea-side installation; it can cause a strong impact on the sea ecosystem and by the time it can generate a dangerous ecological situation of the mediterranean area. If we consider that 120.000.000 people live in this area with 200.000.000 tourists that during the summer period are in the sea-side countries, this means a considerable antropic presence. It is important that tourism and economic activities take into consideration the balance of the sea ecosystem because its protection is linked to the quality of sea-side people’s life and to the continuation of the tourist importance of the area. The central problem of Mediterranean tourism is that the growth must be compatible with the environmental quality and with local way of life. In this way “the hotel-countries†and other ways of hospitality can contribute to give life to the countries and territories and to diversify and to enrich the tourist offer. Our work’s aim is to analyse and verify social and economic impact of tourist flows in the mediterranean countries, considering general differences and effects.

Local response of topological order to an external perturbation

We study the behavior of the R\'enyi entropies for the toric code subject to a variety of different perturbations, by means of 2D density matrix renormalization group and analytical methods. We find that R\'enyi entropies of different index {\alpha} display derivatives with opposite sign, as opposed to typical symmetry breaking states, and can be detected on a very small subsystem regardless of the correlation length. This phenomenon is due to the presence in the phase of a point with flat entanglement spectrum, zero correlation length, and area law for the entanglement entropy. We argue that this kind of splitting is common to all the phases with a certain group theoretic structure, including quantum double models, cluster states, and other quantum spin liquids. The fact that the size of the subsystem does not need to scale with the correlation length makes it possible for this effect to be accessed experimentally.Comment: updated to published versio

Local convertibility of the ground state of the perturbed Toric code

We present analytical and numerical studies of the behaviour of the $\alpha$-Renyi entropies in the Toric code in presence of several types of perturbations aimed at studying the simulability of these perturbations to the parent Hamiltonian using local operations and classical communications (LOCC) - a property called local-convertibility. In particular, the derivatives, with respect to the perturbation parameter, present different signs for different values of $\alpha$ within the topological phase. From the information-theoretic point of view, this means that such ground states cannot be continuously deformed within the topological phase by means of catalyst assisted local operations and classical communications (LOCC). Such LOCC differential convertibility is on the other hand always possible in the trivial disordered phase. The non-LOCC convertibility is remarkable because it can be computed on a system whose size is independent of correlation length. This method can therefore constitute an experimentally feasible witness of topological order.Comment: 19 Pages,11 Figures. Updated to the published versio

Statistical mechanics of the Cluster-Ising model

We study a Hamiltonian system describing a three-spin-1/2 cluster-like interaction competing with an Ising-like anti-ferromagnetic interaction. We compute free energy, spin correlation functions and entanglement both in the ground and in thermal states. The model undergoes a quantum phase transition between an Ising phase with a nonvanishing magnetization and a cluster phase characterized by a string order. Any two-spin entanglement is found to vanish in both quantum phases because of a nontrivial correlation pattern. Neverthless, the residual multipartite entanglement is maximal in the cluster phase and dependent on the magnetization in the Ising phase. We study the block entropy at the critical point and calculate the central charge of the system, showing that the criticality of the system is beyond the Ising universality class.Comment: To be published in Physical Review

Warthin Tumor-Like Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma with a Minor Dedifferentiated Component: Report of a Case with Clinicopathologic Considerations

Warthin tumor-like papillary thyroid carcinoma is an uncommon variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma. We report a rare case of Warthin tumor-like variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma with a dedifferentiated component consisting of a solid tumor area composed of neoplastic cells with a spindle to tall cell morphology associated with marked nuclear pleomorphism, atypical mitoses, and foci of necrosis. Although our patient presented with a locally aggressive disease (T3 N1b Mo), she is disease-free without radioiodine therapy after a 23-month follow-up period. We emphasize that Warthin tumor-like papillary thyroid carcinoma, like other morphological variants of papillary carcinoma, may occasionally undergo dedifferentiation. As this component may be only focally detectable, we suggest an extensive sampling of all large-sized (>3 cm) papillary thyroid carcinoma. Recognition of any dedifferentiated component in a Warthin tumor-like papillary thyroid carcinoma should be reported, including its percentage, because it may reflect a more aggressive clinical course

Noise reduction in gravitational wave interferometers using feedback

We show that the quantum locking scheme recently proposed by Courty {\it et al.} [Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 90}, 083601 (2003)] for the reduction of back action noise is able to significantly improve the sensitivity of the next generation of gravitational wave interferometers.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figures, in print in the Special Issue of J. Opt. B on Fluctuations and Noise in Photonics and Quantum Optic

Giant cystic brain metastasis from ovarian papillary serous adenocarcinoma: Case report and review of the literature

Background: Ovarian brain metastases represent a very rare occurrence and without treatment, prognosis is very poor, with a median survival of one month. We present a unique case of a patient affected by a giant cystic intracerebral metastasis (>7 cm) secondary to an ovarian papillary serous adenocarcinoma, along with a review of the literature regarding large cystic ovarian metastases and their management. Case description: A 49-years-old female patient was admitted to our institution because she presented progressive headache and altered consciousness. Brain computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed the presence of a giant left frontal intracerebral cystic lesion. The patient underwent a surgical removal of an ovarian high-grade papillary serous adenocarcinoma three years before. We performed a left frontal craniotomy and microsurgical removal of the brain lesion, achieving a safe macroscopic total resection, thanks to intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM). The post-operative period was uneventful with a complete recovery. Post-operative brain MRI showed a complete removal of the lesion. Conclusions: The presence of a giant cystic metastasis with symptoms of intracranial hypertension needs a radical and safe surgical removal, along with the management of a multidisciplinary oncologic group. Keywords: Brain metastasis, Ovarian carcinoma, Cystic, Gian

Toward a common approach for assessing the conservation status of marine turtle species within the European marine strategy framework directive

[EN] Environmental policies, including the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), generally rely on the measurement of indicators to assess the good environmental status (GES) and ensure the protection of marine ecosystems. However, depending on available scientific knowledge and monitoring programs in place, quantitative GES assessments are not always feasible. This is specifically the case for marine turtle species, which are listed under the Biodiversity Descriptor of the MSFD. Relying on an expert consultation, the goal of this study was to develop indicators and a common assessment approach to be employed by European Union Member States to evaluate the status of marine turtle populations in the frame of the MSFD. A dedicated international expert group was created to explore and test potential assessment approaches, in coherence with other environmental policies (i.e. Habitats Directive, OSPAR and Barcelona Conventions). Following a series of workshops, the group provided recommendations for the GES assessment of marine turtles. In particular, indicators and assessment methods were defined, setting a solid basis for future MSFD assessments. Although knowledge gaps remain, data requirements identified in this study will guide future data collection initiatives and inform monitoring programs implemented by EU Member States. Overall this study highlights the value of international collaboration for the conservation of vulnerable species, such as marine turtles.This study was funded by the French Ministry of Environment (MTES-MNHN Conventions n degrees 2102636187 (2019) and n degrees 2102994526 (2020)). DM acknowledges support from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement n degrees 794938. The work of ADM was supported by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) under the "First Call for H.F.R.I. Research Projects to support Faculty members and Researchers and the procurement of high-cost research equipment grant" (Project Number: 2340). FV was supported by the Investigator Programme of the Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT, CEECIND/03469/2017, CEECIND/03426/2020).Girard, F.; Girard, A.; Monsinjon, J.; Arcangeli, A.; Belda, E.; Cardona, L.; Casale, P.... (2022). Toward a common approach for assessing the conservation status of marine turtle species within the European marine strategy framework directive. Frontiers in Marine Science. 9:1-22. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.790733122

Brodifacoum Levels and Biomarkers in Coastal Fish Species following a Rodent Eradication in an Italian Marine Protected Area: Preliminary Results

Brodifacoum is the most common rodenticide used for the eradication of invasive rodents from islands. It blocks the vitamin K cycle, resulting in hemorrhages in target mammals. Non-target species may be incidentally exposed to brodifacoum, including marine species. A case study conducted on the Italian Marine Protected Area of Tavolara Island was reported after a rodent eradication using the aerial broadcast of a brodifacoum pellet. Brodifacoum presence and effects on non-target marine organisms were investigated. Different fish species were sampled, and a set of analyses was conducted to determine vitamin K and vitamin K epoxide reductase concentrations, prothrombin time, and erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities (ENA) assay. In all the examined organisms, brodifacoum was not detected. The results obtained showed differences in vitamin K and vitamin K epoxide concentrations among the samples studied, with a positive correlation for three species between vitamin K, vitamin K epoxide, and fish weight. The prothrombin time assay showed a good blood clotting capacity in the fish. Higher abnormality values were recorded for four species. The results of this study suggest that it is possible to hypothesize that the sampled fish were not likely to have been exposed to brodifacoum and that consequently there are no negative issues concerning human consumption

SWIPE: a bolometric polarimeter for the Large-Scale Polarization Explorer

The balloon-borne LSPE mission is optimized to measure the linear polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background at large angular scales. The Short Wavelength Instrument for the Polarization Explorer (SWIPE) is composed of 3 arrays of multi-mode bolometers cooled at 0.3K, with optical components and filters cryogenically cooled below 4K to reduce the background on the detectors. Polarimetry is achieved by means of large rotating half-wave plates and wire-grid polarizers in front of the arrays. The polarization modulator is the first component of the optical chain, reducing significantly the effect of instrumental polarization. In SWIPE we trade angular resolution for sensitivity. The diameter of the entrance pupil of the refractive telescope is 45 cm, while the field optics is optimized to collect tens of modes for each detector, thus boosting the absorbed power. This approach results in a FWHM resolution of 1.8, 1.5, 1.2 degrees at 95, 145, 245 GHz respectively. The expected performance of the three channels is limited by photon noise, resulting in a final sensitivity around 0.1-0.2 uK per beam, for a 13 days survey covering 25% of the sky.Comment: In press. Copyright 2012 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper are prohibite