L^p estimates for Riesz transforms on forms in the Poincare space H^n

Using hyperbolic form convolution with doubly isometry-invariant kernels, the explicit expression of the inverse of the de Rham laplacian acting on m-forms in the Poincar\'{e} space is found. Also, by means of some estimates for hyperbolic singular integrals, we obtain L^p-estimates for the Riesz transforms passing from the Laplacian to other covariant derivatives, in a range of p depending on m,n. Finally, using these, it is shown that the Laplacian defines topological isomorphisms in the scale of form Sobolev spaces, for m different from n/2,(n+1)/2,(n-1)/2.Comment: To appear in Indiana Univ. Math.

Talk 1: Convolutional neural networks against the curse of dimensionality

Convolutional Neural Networks are a powerful class of non-linear representations that have shown through numerous supervised learning tasks their ability to extract rich information from images, speech and text, with excellent statistical generalization. These are examples of truly high-dimensional signals, in which classical statistical models suffer from the curse of dimensionality, referring to their inability to generalize well unless provided with exponentially large amounts of training data. In this talk we will start by studying statistical models defined from wavelet scattering networks, a class of CNNs where the convolutional filter banks are given by complex, multi-resolution wavelet families. The reasons for such success lie on their ability to preserve discriminative information while being stable with respect to high-dimensional deformations, providing a framework that partially extends to trained CNNs. We will give conditions under which signals can be recovered from their scattering coefficients, and will discuss a family of Gibbs processes defined by CNN sufficient statistics, from which one can sample image and auditory textures. Although the scattering recovery is non-convex and corresponds to a generalized phase recovery problem, gradient descent algorithms show good empirical performance and enjoy weak convergence properties. We will discuss connections with non-linear compressed sensing, applications to texture synthesis, inverse problems such as super-resolution, as well as an application to sentence modeling, where convolutions are generalized using associative trees to generate robust sentence representations

Heavy-flavour production and multiplicity dependence in pp and p--Pb collisions with ALICE

The production of heavy quarks in pp collisions provides a precision test of perturbative QCD calculations at the LHC energies. More complex collision systems like p--Pb collisions allow studies of cold nuclear matter effects, such as modifications of the parton distribution functions at small x and of the \kt broadening effect. We present the ALICE results of prompt D-meson production as a function of the charged-particle multiplicity, in pp and p--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV and $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=5.02$ TeV respectively. The per-event yield of D mesons in different multiplicity and \pt intervals are compared for pp and p--Pb collisions to study the contribution of multi-parton interactions to open-charm production. Angular correlations of prompt D mesons and heavy-flavour decay electrons with charged hadrons in pp and p-Pb collisions are also shown in different kinematic ranges and compared to pQCD models. These measurements provide information on the charm fragmentation processes, on cold nuclear matter effects on charm production, and on the participation of charm in the collective motion arising in small collision systems like p-Pb.Comment: Proceedings for the LHCP Conference, 201

Observation of Raman G-band splitting in top-doped few-layer graphene

An experimental study of Raman scattering in N-layer graphene as a function of the top layer doping is reported. At high doping level, achieved by a CHF_3 plasma treatment, we observe a splitting of the $G$ band in the spectra of bilayer and 4-layer graphene (N even), whereas the splitting is not visible in case of monolayer and trilayer graphene (N odd). The different behaviors are related to distinct electron-phonon interactions, which are affected by symmetry breaking and Fermi level position in different ways in the various N-layer graphenes. In trilayer graphene, a weakening of the electron-phonon coupling as a function of the Fermi energy induces a hardening of all zone-center in-plane optical phonon modes, like in monolayer graphene. On the other hand, in 4-layer graphene two distinct trends are observed in the G band as a function of doping, suggesting the presence of two different groups of electron-phonon interactions, like in bilayer graphene.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, to be published in PR

Rewarding my Self. Self Esteem, Self Determination and Motivations

The paper presents a model where the self esteem and the self determination mechanisms are explicitly modelled in order to explain how they affect the intrinsic motivation and its impact on individual choices. The aim is to reconcile different explanations (and consequences) of the motivation crowding theory in a unique theoretical framework where the locus of control is introduced in a one period maximisation problem and the intrinsic motivation is assumed as an exogenous psychological attitude. The analysis is based on the different effect of the self esteem mechanism on intrinsic motivation input oriented or output oriented. Results show that crowding out of intrinsic motivation depends on the self determination sensitivity and the individual belief about one’s own self.intrinsic motivation; crowding out; self-esteem; self-determination.

Measurement of pilot's performance in emergency situations

Disertační práce se věnuje měření fyziologických signálů pilotů testovaných na pohyblivém simulátoru se Stewartovou platformou v situaci simulovaného nouzového přistání. Tento experiment je unikátní testováním profesionálních pilotů malých letadel s použitím pohyblivého simulátoru s kokpitem vybaveným přístrojem pro nouzové navedení na přistání v případě selhání motoru. Piloti zprostředkovali velmi zajímavé informace k návrhu a provedení naváděcího systému.Doctoral thesis investigates physiological signals of pilots who were a subject to a simulated engine failure on Stewart platform simulator. This experiment is unique with use of motion simulator together with emergency landing assistant which was performed with professional pilots, who can gave a very relevant feedback in terms of device design and simulator

Integrative multi-omics analysis identifies a prognostic miRNA signature and a targetable miR-21-3p/TSC2/ mTOR axis in metastatic pheochromocytoma/ paraganglioma

Artículo escrito por un elevado número de autores, solo se referencian el que aparece en primer lugar y los autores pertenecientes a la UAMPheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) are rare neuroendocrine tumors that present variable outcomes. To date, no effective therapies or reliable prognostic markers are available for patients who develop metastatic PPGL (mPPGL). Our aim was to discover robust prognostic markers validated through in vitro models, and define specific therapeutic options according to tumor genomic features. Methods: We analyzed three PPGL miRNome datasets (n=443), validated candidate markers and assessed them in serum samples (n=36) to find a metastatic miRNA signature. An integrative study of miRNome, transcriptome and proteome was performed to find miRNA targets, which were further characterized in vitro. Results: A signature of six miRNAs (miR-21-3p, miR-183-5p, miR-182-5p, miR-96-5p, miR-551b-3p, and miR-202-5p) was associated with metastatic risk and time to progression. A higher expression of five of these miRNAs was also detected in PPGL patients’ liquid biopsies compared with controls. The combined expression of miR-21-3p/miR-183-5p showed the best power to predict metastasis (AUC=0.804, P=4.67·10-18), and was found associated in vitro with pro-metastatic features, such as neuroendocrine-mesenchymal transition phenotype, and increased cell migration rate. A pan-cancer multi-omic integrative study correlated miR-21-3p levels with TSC2 expression, mTOR pathway activation, and a predictive signature for mTOR inhibitor-sensitivity in PPGLs and other cancers. Likewise, we demonstrated in vitro a TSC2 repression and an enhanced rapamycin sensitivity upon miR-21-3p expression. Conclusions: Our findings support the assessment of miR-21-3p/miR-183-5p, in tumors and liquid biopsies, as biomarkers for risk stratification to improve the PPGL patients’ management. We propose miR-21-3p to select mPPGL patients who may benefit from mTOR inhibitorsThis work was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Acción Estratégica en Salud, cofounded by FEDER, [grant number PI14/00240, PI17/01796 to M.R., PI15/00783 to A.C], the Paradifference Foundation [no grant number applicable to M.R.], the ANR [ANR-2011-JCJC-00701 MODEOMAPP to AP.G-R], the European Union [FP7/2007-2013 n° 259735, Horizon 2020 n° 633983 to AP.G-R], Epigénétique et Cancer [EPIG201303 METABEPIC to AP.G-R], the the Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer ["Cartes d'Identité des Tumeurs (CIT) program" to AP.G-R], the Institut National du Cancer, the Direction Générale de l’Offre de Soins [PRT-K 2014, COMETE-TACTIC, INCa-DGOS_8663 to AP.G-R], the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) [CRC/Transregio 205/1 “The Adrenal: Central Relay in Health and Disease“ to F.B, M.F and G.E], the Rafael del Pino Foundation [Becas de Excelencia Rafael del Pino 2017 to B.C], the Severo Ochoa Excellence Programme [project SEV-2011-0191 to M.C-F], La Caixa Foundation [B004235 to JM.R-R], the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport [grant number FPU16/05527 to M.S.], the Site de Recherche Intégré sur le Cancer-SIRIC [CARPEM Project to N.B.] and the AECC Foundation [grant number AIO15152858 to C.M-C

Biomass energy: new opportunity for agriculture and marginal areas?

As it is well known, energy is essential for human activities. Despite the high level of technological progress, the increase of energy consumption, satisfied mainly by fossil fuels, raises a series of issues linked to the scarcity of oil reserves, and their growing cost, and to a delicate relationship (and dependence) with a restricted number of world regions and nations. A greater diversification of the energy supply is one of the solutions to solve these problems, especially in the field of renewable resources. Despite the fact that biofuels are still more expensive than fossil fuels, they present many advantages: they are not subject to a progressive exhaustion and their impact on the environment is very low, due to their inclusion in natural cycles. Among biofuels a relevant role is played by the biomass, a renewable resource, that is obtained from the fraction of products, waste and residues from agriculture, forestry and related industries, as well as the biodegradable fraction of industrial and municipal waste. This resource allows a relevant control of the greenhouse gas emission, a minor dependence from oil and gas resources and represents a way for the economic valorisation of local resources and a opportune utilisation of agricultural wastes. In this context, the aims of the paper are to highlight the opportunities and the bonds that the biomass utilisation involves, to analyse the main public policies adopted to boost a large-scale production and consumption, to measure the different degree of utilisation at national (Italy) and European levels and to draw future scenarios. Particular attention will be paid to the European policies starting from the 1992 reform process until nowadays, having in mind the shortage of cereals in the world market. Where possible and opportune, the situation of Italy and of the European union will be compared with that of India, mainly, as regards public decisions/programmes. The paper concludes with an analysis of the role that the biofuel production is expected to offer in terms of new opportunities to diversify income and employment in rural and marginal areas.Biomass energy, rural and marginal areas, energy public policies