New biostratigraphic data from the Early Pleistocene tyrrhenian PALEOCOAST (Western Umbria, Central Italy)

Plio-quaternary marine deposits are largely documented in western Umbria (central Italy), although they still lack biostratigraphic definition. Contrary to published data, Early Pleistocene deposits outcrop more extensively than previously reported in the Orvieto area. A composite biostratigraphic succession, almost continuous from the top of the G. gr. crassaformis Zone to the top of the Gl. cariacoensis Zone, can be reconstructed in offshore clay sections. Nannofossil assemblages and marker events (bmG, tCm, blG, tHs, tlG) from the MNN16a to MNN19e subzones have been documented. Lower shoreface - transition to offshore sections as described, are characterized by poor planktonic assemblages; nevertheless, they are still referable to the same stratigraphic interval. Deposits can be partially inserted into the "Chiani - Tevere" depositional cycle, also documented in this area. Moreover, marine conditions persist in the area from the base of the Gelasian to the top of the Calabrian, and it can be modelled as a peripheral, survival sea-branch, cut-off from the main river supply and from continental influence. However, Zanclean to Piacenzian deposits occur in a small area, localized around the town of Orvieto, so the former distinction of superimposed depositional cycles can only be speculative

Hypogean geology of the Camerano site(Marches, Italy)

The historical Camerano town (Ancona, Central Italy), built on the top of a hill at the rear of the Conero Mt. promontory, holds a broad underground system of remarkable man-drilled caves. Contrary to the roughly total lack of subaerial accessible outcrops, the caves allow to reconstruct the geological evolution and to describe a composite sedimentological and stratigraphic section into Early Pleistocene (Calabrian) marine deposits. The present study is aimed to a better definition of the sedimentological and palaeoenvironmental context for the Camerano area, and also improves the knowledge of the Camerano caves. Sediments are mainly regarded as massive to laminated yellow-brown bioclastic sand and massive grey-green clay couplets, variable in thickness, each couplet showing erosive basal surface and normal gradation, from sand to clay. Plane-parallel lamination, marked by recurring variations in grain size, is referred to “traction carpets”, and the sand horizons are described as carbonatic turbidites with eastern supply (Conero Mt.). Conversely, clay reflects both western river deltas distal supply and local contribution from marine productivity. Along the section, matrix-supported gravel beds also occur made of heterometric clay fragments dispersed into a bioclastic sandy matrix. Described facies only partially insert in the former geological schemes, and offer new insights to the palaeoenvironmental restoration for the Camerano area, which involves a tectonically active Early Pleistocene basin, mainly dominated by clay sedimentation, periodically reached by storm- to seismic-induced carbonatic turbidites. The large clay fragments, matrix-supported gravels probably derive from remobilization of partially lithified deposits along the basin’s flank and represent the distal evolution of west- coming slumps.</p

Data-driven Predictive Latency for 5G: A Theoretical and Experimental Analysis Using Network Measurements

The advent of novel 5G services and applications with binding latency requirements and guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS) hastened the need to incorporate autonomous and proactive decision-making in network management procedures. The objective of our study is to provide a thorough analysis of predictive latency within 5G networks by utilizing real-world network data that is accessible to mobile network operators (MNOs). In particular, (i) we present an analytical formulation of the user-plane latency as a Hypoexponential distribution, which is validated by means of a comparative analysis with empirical measurements, and (ii) we conduct experimental results of probabilistic regression, anomaly detection, and predictive forecasting leveraging on emerging domains in Machine Learning (ML), such as Bayesian Learning (BL) and Machine Learning on Graphs (GML). We test our predictive framework using data gathered from scenarios of vehicular mobility, dense-urban traffic, and social gathering events. Our results provide valuable insights into the efficacy of predictive algorithms in practical applications

Two dimensional patterning of fluorescent proteins in hydrogels.

This work describes the successful micropatterning of hybrid systems consisting of hydrogel-dispersed optically active and controllable proteins on solid surfaces without degradation of the photophysical properties of the light-emitting biomolecules. It demonstrates the preservation of the luminescence properties of proteins entrapped into isolated microstructures of poly(acrylamide) gel. This way we can exploit both the structural and function-preserving properties of the hydrogels and the functionality of light-emitting proteins. We believe that this approach can open the way to the realization of nanopatterned optical memories based on photochromic biomolecules

Experimental multiparameter quantum metrology in adaptive regime

Relevant metrological scenarios involve the simultaneous estimation of multiple parameters. The fundamental ingredient to achieve quantum-enhanced performances is based on the use of appropriately tailored quantum probes. However, reaching the ultimate resolution allowed by physical laws requires non trivial estimation strategies both from a theoretical and a practical point of view. A crucial tool for this purpose is the application of adaptive learning techniques. Indeed, adaptive strategies provide a flexible approach to obtain optimal parameter-independent performances, and optimize convergence to the fundamental bounds with limited amount of resources. Here, we combine on the same platform quantum-enhanced multiparameter estimation attaining the corresponding quantum limit and adaptive techniques. We demonstrate the simultaneous estimation of three optical phases in a programmable integrated photonic circuit, in the limited resource regime. The obtained results show the possibility of successfully combining different fundamental methodologies towards transition to quantum sensors applications

the early pleistocene whale fall community of bargiano umbria central italy paleoecological insights from benthic foraminifera and brachyuran crabs

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A pulsed nanosecond IR laser diode system to automatically test the Single Event Effects in the laboratory

Abstract A pulsed nanosecond IR laser diode system to automatically test the Single Event Effects in laboratory is described. The results of Single Event Latchup (SEL) test on two VLSI chips (VA_HDR64, 0.8 and 1.2 μm technology) are discussed and compared to those obtained with high-energy heavy ions at GSI (Darmstadt)

Early Pleistocene rocky coasts (Orvieto area, Western Umbria, Central Italy): facies analysis and sedimentation models

Early Pleistocene (Santernian: MNN 19b-c Nannofossil Zones) coastal marine deposits related to rocky coast evolution have been described in a wide area near Orvieto (Umbria, Central Italy). Sediments range from boulders and blocks, to rounded pebbles and cobbles, to sands, silts and clays. Sedimentological analysis enables description of five main facies associations leading to identification of sea-cliff toe, beachface, upper and lower shoreface and offshore environments. The succession documents regressive-transgressive cycles. Lateral facies variations due to the paleocoast morphology have also been noted, and some sedimentation models are here proposed. The rocky coast evolution can be interpreted in relation to a «cliff cycle»: during transgressions, the cliff is directly exposed to wave energy and production of boulders and blocks is promoted, as well as the reworking and deposition of rounded to flattened cobbles and pebbles on the beachface. At the same time, a seaward sandy sedimentation takes place. Regressive phases, and cliff erosion itself, cause the seaward shift of coastal systems, until the cliff becomes confined to the backshore. During sea-level falls, only reworking of previous deposits can occur. This model is suitable for high energy zones near promontories, but seems inadequate to explain sedimentation on lower energy zones (e.g.: embayments), where other factors, as coastal slope and bay’s size, play a key role in determinate facies distribution. The main differences in facies organization occur during regression, and specific sedimentation models are proposed. Protected areas behind the promontories show a thin fringe of cliff talus and «coarse clastic beachface» and a wider sand/calcarenitic shoreface. During transgression, facies pattern resemble the high energy zones, with a gravel beachface here broader than cliff talus and a sharper transition to the shoreface. During regression, both beachface gravel and upper shoreface clinostratified sand shift seaward, above the sub-horizontal lower shoreface facies. Sheltered bays with gravel beaches, organized on shore-parallel «facies belts», locally occur. The upper beachface may here persist longer during regression, and better organization occurs in the swash zone and foreshore, represented by alternations of «imbricate» and «infill» zones, and «infill» and «outer frame» zones respectively. Conversely, during transgression the «imbricate» zone is also replaced by a «coarse clastic beachface». During both transgressive and regressive phases, offshore silty clay sedimentation shows no modificatio