A Microchip Integrated Sensor for the Monitoring of High Concentration Photo-voltaic Solar Modules

Abstract A CMOS sensor fabricated in 0.35μm technology, specifically designed for the monitoring of High Concentration Photo-Voltaic (HCPV) modules, is presented. The microchip was designed to monitor temperature and illumination of each solar cell in a module. Temperature is measured by monitoring the base-emitter voltage of two coupled, diode connected, bipolar transistors, while the illumination sensor is an integrated p-n junction photodiode. A custom communication protocol is implemented in the chip to allow the sharing of a two-wire communication resource among the cells

An assessment of the global impact of 21st century land use change on soil erosion

Human activity and related land use change are the primary cause of accelerated soil erosion, which has substantial implications for nutrient and carbon cycling, land productivity and in turn, worldwide socio-economic conditions. Here we present an unprecedentedly high resolution (250 × 250 m) global potential soil erosion model, using a combination of remote sensing, GIS modelling and census data. We challenge the previous annual soil erosion reference values as our estimate, of 35.9 Pg yr−1 of soil eroded in 2012, is at least two times lower. Moreover, we estimate the spatial and temporal effects of land use change between 2001 and 2012 and the potential offset of the global application of conservation practices. Our findings indicate a potential overall increase in global soil erosion driven by cropland expansion. The greatest increases are predicted to occur in Sub-Saharan Africa, South America and Southeast Asia. The least developed economies have been found to experience the highest estimates of soil erosion rates

Theory-driven group-based complex intervention to support self-management of osteoarthritis and low back pain in primary care physiotherapy: Protocol for a cluster randomised controlled feasibility trial (SOLAS)

Introduction: International clinical guidelines consistently endorse the promotion of selfmanagement (SM), including physical activity for patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) and osteoarthritis (OA). Patients frequently receive individual treatment and advice to self-manage from physiotherapists in primary care, but the successful implementation of a clinical and cost-effective group SM programme is a key priority for health service managers in Ireland to maximise long-term outcomes and efficient use of limited and costly resources. Methods/analysis: This protocol describes an assessor-blinded cluster randomised controlled feasibility trial of a group-based education and exercise intervention underpinned by self-determination theory designed to support an increase in SM behaviour in patients with CLBP and OA in primary care physiotherapy. The primary care clinic will be the unit of randomisation (cluster), with each clinic randomised to 1 of 2 groups providing the Self-management of Osteoarthritis and Low back pain through Activity and Skills (SOLAS) intervention or usual individual physiotherapy. Patients are followed up at 6 weeks, 2 and 6 months. The primary outcomes are the (1) acceptability and demand of the intervention to patients and physiotherapists, (2) feasibility and optimal study design/procedures and sample size for a definitive trial. Secondary outcomes include exploratory analyses of: point estimates, 95% CIs, change scores and effect sizes in physical function, pain and disability outcomes; process of change in target SM behaviours and selected mediators; and the cost of the intervention to inform a definitive trial. Ethics/dissemination: This feasibility trial protocol was approved by the UCD Human Research Ethics- Sciences Committee (LS-13-54 Currie-Hurley) and research access has been granted by the Health Services Executive Primary Care Research Committee in January 2014. The study findings will be disseminated to the research, clinical and health service communities through publication in peerreviewed journals, presentation at national and international academic and clinical conferences. Trial registration number: ISRCTN 49875385; Pre-results

SIMBIO-SYS Near Earth Commissioning Phase: a step forward toward Mercury

On December 2018, the Near Earth Commissioning Phase (NECP) has been place forSIMBIO-SYS (Spectrometers and Imagers for MPO BepiColombo Integrated Observatory - SYStem), the suite part of the scientific payload of the BepiColombo ESA-JAXA mission. SIMBIO-SYS is composed of three channels: the high resolution camera (HRIC), the stereo camera (STC) and the Vis/NIR spectrometer (VIHI) . During the NECP the three channels have been operated properly. For the three channels were checked the operativity and the performance. The commanded operations allowed to verify all the instrument functionalities demonstrating that all SIMBIO-SYS channels and subsystems work nominally. During this phase we also validated the Ground Segment Equipment (GSE) and the data analysis tools developed by the team

European Atlas of Natural Radiation

Natural ionizing radiation is considered as the largest contributor to the collective effective dose received by the world population. The human population is continuously exposed to ionizing radiation from several natural sources that can be classified into two broad categories: high-energy cosmic rays incident on the Earth’s atmosphere and releasing secondary radiation (cosmic contribution); and radioactive nuclides generated during the formation of the Earth and still present in the Earth’s crust (terrestrial contribution). Terrestrial radioactivity is mostly produced by the uranium and thorium radioactive families together with potassium. In most circumstances, radon, a noble gas produced in the radioactive decay of uranium, is the most important contributor to the total dose. This Atlas aims to present the current state of knowledge of natural radioactivity, by giving general background information, and describing its various sources. This reference material is complemented by a collection of maps of Europe displaying the levels of natural radioactivity caused by different sources. It is a compilation of contributions and reviews received from more than 80 experts in their field: they come from universities, research centres, national and European authorities and international organizations. This Atlas provides reference material and makes harmonized datasets available to the scientific community and national competent authorities. In parallel, this Atlas may serve as a tool for the public to: • familiarize itself with natural radioactivity; • be informed about the levels of natural radioactivity caused by different sources; • have a more balanced view of the annual dose received by the world population, to which natural radioactivity is the largest contributor; • and make direct comparisons between doses from natural sources of ionizing radiation and those from man-made (artificial) ones, hence to better understand the latter.JRC.G.10-Knowledge for Nuclear Security and Safet

Comparison between two diagnostic system such analyzer I and RAD 120 for the determination of IgG and IgM for HSV-1 and HSV-2

Herpes Simplex Virus (Herpesviridae family, Alphaherpesviridae subfamily) induces latent infections, which could reactivate in conjunction with decreases in cell-mediated response. Features biologic and antigenic of Herpes Simplex virus are characterized from HSV-1 e HSV-2. Seronegative women can contract primary infection from seropositive partners. Seronegative women may acquire primary infection from an infected partner. Prevention is done paying attention to the risk of HSV2 in the planning and gravidnza pportune neonatal infection prevention measures (clinical examination of the birth canal at the beginning of labor). Disease prevention is performed by planning preventive measures to avoid neonatal infection. Infection occurs through direct contact with herpetic lesions or biological fluid infect. HSV-1 is usually acquired about 5 years, whether HSV-2 is contracted between 14 and 30 years by sexual contact, both can be asymptomatic and be transmitted to the partner or to the newborn during the delivery through the contact with infected secretion. The baby infected 85% of cases acquired the infection to step into the birth canal, through contact with infected secretions. The intrauterine infection is proven in 5-8% of cases; in the 8-10% of cases postnatal infection the disease spreading occurs through breast milk or herpes skin lesions.The assessment of immune status can be evaluated by different serological methods, for determinate the presence of IgG and / or IgM anti-HSV-1 and anti-HSV-2. Aim of this work is the comparison between two diagnostic systems such Analyzer I (Euroimmun) and RAD 120 (Radim) for the determination of IgG and IgM anti-HSV-1 and anti-HSV-2. Between July 2009 - December 2009 n. 182 samples have been tested with Analyzer I, automated ELISA system automatic, and system Rad 120, final fluorescent determination. From the obtained results we conclude that both the methods perform quit well

Plutonium aided reconstruction of caesium atmospheric fallout in European topsoils

Global nuclear weapon testing and the Chernobyl accident have released large amounts of radionuclides into the environment. However, to date, the spatial patterns of these fallout sources remain poorly constrained. Fallout radionuclides (137Cs, 239Pu, 240Pu) were measured in soil samples (n = 160) collected at flat, undisturbed grasslands in Western Europe in the framework of a harmonised European soil survey. We show that both fallout sources left a specific radionuclide imprint in European soils. Accordingly, we used plutonium to quantify contributions of global versus Chernobyl fallout to 137Cs found in European soils. Spatial prediction models allowed for a first assessment of the global versus Chernobyl fallout pattern across national boundaries. Understanding the magnitude of these fallout sources is crucial not only to establish a baseline in case of future radionuclide fallout but also to define a baseline for geomorphological reconstructions of soil redistribution due to soil erosion processes.JRC.D.3-Land Resource

Six years genotype distribution of Human Papillomavirus in Calabria Region, Southern Italy: a retrospective study

Abstract Background Although analysis of the Human papillomavirus (HPV) genotype spread in a particular area has a crucial impact on public health and prevention programmes, there is a lack of epidemiological data regarding HPV in the Calabria region of Italy. We therefore update information on HPV age/genotype distribution by retrospectively analysing a cohort of women, with and without cervical lesions, living in Calabria, who underwent HPV DNA testing; moreover, we also evaluated HPV age/genotype distribution in a subset of patients with cervical lesions. Methods Cervical scrape specimens obtained from 9590 women (age range 20–75 years) from January 2010 to December 2015 were tested for HPV DNA. Viral types were genotyped by Linear Array HPV Genotyping® test (Roche, USA) at the Clinical Microbiology Operative Unit of six hospitals located in four provinces of the Calabria region. Cervical scrape specimens were also used to perform Pap smears for cytological analysis in a subset of 405 women; cytological classification of the samples was performed according to the Bethesda classification system. Results A total of 2974 women (31%) (C.I. 95% 30.09–31.94) were found to be HPV DNA positive for at least one (57.3%) or several (42.7%) HPV genotypes. Of single genotype HPV infections, 46.5% and 36.4 % were classed as high-risk (HR, Group 1) and low-risk (LR, Group 3) respectively, while 16.9% were classed as probably/possibly carcinogenic and 0.2% undetermined risk. Stratified by age, total HPV distribution, showed the highest prevalence within the range 30–39 years (37.2%), while single genotype infection distribution displayed a peak in women from the age range 20–29 years (37.5%). The most common high-risk HPV type was HPV 16 (19.1%), followed by HPV 31 (9.1%). Conclusions We provide epidemiological data on HPV age/genotype distribution in women living in the Calabria region with or without cytological abnormalities, further to the enhancement of HPV screening/prevention programmes for the local population