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

n/

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)

Urinary, Gastrointestinal, and Sexual Dysfunctions after Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, Radical Surgery or Multimodal Treatment in Women with Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

Background: Different strategies have been proposed for the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC), with different impacts on patient's quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to analyze urinary, bowel, and sexual dysfunctions in a series of LACC patients who underwent chemotherapy, radiotherapy, radical surgery, or a combination of these treatments. Methods: Patients with LACC who underwent neoadjuvant radio-chemotherapy (NART/CT; n = 35), neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT; n = 17), exclusive radio-chemotherapy (ERT/CT; n = 28), or upfront surgery (UPS; n = 10) from November 2010 to September 2019 were identified from five oncological referral centers. A customized questionnaire was used for the valuation of urinary, gastrointestinal, and sexual dysfunctions. Results: A total of 90 patients were included. Increased urinary frequency (&gt;8 times/day) was higher in ERT/CT compared with NACT/RT (57.1% vs. 28.6%; p = 0.02) and NACT (57.1% vs. 17.6%; p = 0.01). The use of sanitary pads for urinary leakage was higher in ERT/CT compared with NACT/RT (42.9% vs. 14.3%; p = 0.01) and NACT (42.9% vs. 11.8%; p = 0.03). The rate of reduced evacuations (&lt;3 times a week) was less in UPS compared with NACT/RT (50% vs. 97.1%; p &lt; 0.01), NACT (50% vs. 88.2, p &lt; 0.01), and ERT/CT (50% vs. 96.4%; p &lt; 0.01). A total of 52 women were not sexually active after therapy, and pain was the principal reason for the avoidance of sexual activity. Conclusions: The rate and severity of urinary, gastrointestinal, and sexual dysfunction were similar in the four groups of treatment. Nevertheless, ERT/CT was associated with worse sexual and urinary outcomes