Plasmonic Light Trapping in Titania–Silver Dots Thin Films

Metal nanoparticles (NPs) in a transparent dielectric matrix represent a very intriguing system due to the plasmonic absorption tunable in the range of visible wavelengths. Herein, the preparation and physical characterization of plasmonic titania–silver dots thin films are reported. The synthesis parameter that leads to making a TiO2 matrix in which the Ag NPs are actually incorporated is carefully analyzed and controlled. Morphological (scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high resolution electron microscopy), structural (selected area diffraction, X-ray diffraction), and spectroscopic (Raman spectroscopy) characterization techniques attest that the Ag NPs are spherical and homogeneously distributed into the TiO2 dielectric matrix in the structural modification of anatase. The study of the optical properties of films concludes the work. Plasmonic resonance is analyzed according to the light scattering theory

Entropy and Efficiency of the ETF Market

We investigate the relative information efficiency of financial markets by measuring the entropy of the time series of high frequency data. Our tool to measure efficiency is the Shannon entropy, applied to 2-symbol and 3-symbol discretisations of the data. Analysing 1-min and 5-min price time series of 55 Exchange Traded Funds traded at the New York Stock Exchange, we develop a methodology to isolate residual inefficiencies from other sources of regularities, such as the intraday pattern, the volatility clustering and the microstructure effects. The first two are modelled as multiplicative factors, while the microstructure is modelled as an ARMA noise process. Following an analytical and empirical combined approach, we find a strong relationship between low entropy and high relative tick size and that volatility is responsible for the largest amount of regularity, averaging 62% of the total regularity against 18% of the intraday pattern regularity and 20% of the microstructure

Characterization of the Airborne Microbiome in Different Indoor and Outdoor Locations of a University Building Using an Innovative Compositional Data Analysis Approach

In this work, we investigated the structure of the airborne bacterial community obtained by 16S rRNA gene sequencing performed on aerosol samples from different indoor and outdoor locations. The 48-h aerosol samples were collected in two laboratories, in the corridors, and on the roof of the Mathematics and Physics Department of the University of Salento (Italy). The investigation was carried out through the application of an innovative compositional data analysis approach, mainly based on a centered log-ratio transformation as a standardization procedure, the Aitchison distance for data ordination, and the principal component analysis via singular value decomposition for data clustering. This methodology allowed us to explore the main relationships among samples, identifying different results between indoor and outdoor samples both at the genus level and at the species level. Bacillus and Pseudomonas represented the most abundant genera identified in the analyzed samples. Out of the 21 identified bacterial species with the highest abundances in the collected aerosol samples, Acinetobacter lwoffii, Propionibacterium acnes, Diplorickettsia massiliensis, and Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum were the only four commonly classified as human opportunistic pathogens. Among the genera mostly associated with indoor environments, Hymenobacter and Arthrobacter could be noted as including many species that are unique in being radiation resistant

Diagnostic investigation to support the restoration of the polychrome terracotta relief "Madonna and Child" in Piove di Sacco (Padova, Italy)

Restoration procedures of the polychrome terracotta relief “Madonna and Child” with papier-mâché inserts from a shrine in Piove di Sacco (Padova, orthern Italy) were assisted by analytical investigations, contributing to identify the chemical composition of the pigments, fractures and internal damages, additions and retouchings, which strongly modified the original manufact. In particular, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy and FT-IR spectroscopy were employed to determine the chemical composition of pigments on the original layer and on the overpaintings and to understand the artistic techniques. Moreover, X-ray planar radiography and computed tomography were used to understand the structure and its conservative state. Finally, the relief, stylistically dated to the 17th century, turned out to be a Renaissance terracotta artefact. The polychrome blue traces of lapis lazuli highlighted a valuable artwork and the resemblance with the style of Donatello and his apprentices have recently led to further studies, as an initial part of a larger research on polychrome terracotta in Veneto

Identifying the 993-994 CE Miyake event in the oldest dated living tree in Europe

Combined dendrochronology and accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon (AMS 14C) dating analyses were used in order to date an old living tree named Italus, growing in the Pollino massif in Southern Italy. Wiggle match AMS 14C dating analysis was performed on a 320-yr-long floating chronology obtained by cross-dating four wood cores extracted from the exposed roots of the tree. Following this approach, an age for the tree of ≈1230 yr was estimated. This age makes Italus the oldest living tree in Europe. High-resolution 14C dating analyses performed on single rings extracted from the tree stem allowed us to identify the 993.994 CE large excursion in atmospheric 14C concentration (Miyake event) revealing for the first time its presence in the Mediterranean basin

Interplay between non-coding rna transcription, stringent/relaxed phenotype and antibiotic production in streptomyces ambofaciens

While in recent years the key role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in the regulation of gene expression has become increasingly evident, their interaction with the global regulatory circuits is still obscure. Here we analyzed the structure and organization of the transcriptome of Streptomyces ambofaciens, the producer of spiramycin. We identified ncRNAs including 45 small-RNAs (sRNAs) and 119 antisense-RNAs (asRNAs I) that appear transcribed from dedicated promoters. Some sRNAs and asRNAs are unprecedented in Streptomyces and were predicted to target mRNAs encoding proteins involved in transcription, translation, ribosomal structure and biogenesis, and regulation of morphological and biochemical differentiation. We then compared ncRNA expression in three strains: (i) the wild-type strain; (ii) an isogenic pirA-defective mutant with central carbon metabolism imbalance, “relaxed” phenotype, and repression of antibiotic production; and (iii) a pirA-derivative strain harboring a “stringent” RNA polymerase that suppresses pirA-associated phenotypes. Data indicated that the expression of most ncRNAs was correlated to the stringent/relaxed phenotype suggesting novel effector mechanisms of the stringent response

Management of cutaneous discomfort in patients with scleroderma: a clinical trial.

Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) is a disease of unknown cause, the hallmark of which is induration of the skin. This bad condition of the skin influences negatively the quality of life of patients with scleroderma. The aim of the study was to verify the efficacy of two formulations, specifically designed to wash, moisturize and soothe the scleroderma skin. An independent, randomized, double blind, controlled trial was conducted in the Department of Rheumatology of "A. Galateo" Hospital in San Cesario di Lecce. Forty-six women affected by scleroderma, and treated with Iloprost every month, were divided into two groups: group 1 followed a specific treatment with cleansing formulation only, group 2 followed a combined treatment with the cleansing solution and the moisturizing solution. In addition, a third group was evaluated: 14 women, who did not undergo intravenous Iloprost therapy, were treated simultaneously with the cleansing formulation and the moisturizing formulation. The three treatments lasted for 4 weeks. Reduction in trans epidermal water loss (TEWL), increase in moisturization of the stratum corneum, reduction in Skin Score and improvement in quality of life were assessed. Very significant improvement in quality of life occurred in each group. Group 2 obtained very significant improvement in hydration and reduction in skin score and TEWL. The study showed that the daily use of both formulations proved to be effective in washing, hydrating and soothing the skin of patients with scleroderma, especially in association with Iloprost therapy

Thermal neutron conversion by high purity 10B-enriched layers: PLD-growth, thickness-dependence and neutron-detection performances

Neutron applications and detection are of paramount importance in industry, medicine, scientific research, homeland security, production of extreme UV optics and so on. Neutron detection requires a converter element that, as a result of its interaction with neutrons, produces reaction products (mainly charged particles) whose detection can be correlated with the neutron flux. Reduced availability and increased cost of the most used converter element, 3He, have triggered research efforts for alternative materials, proper deposition methods and new detector architectures. 10B converter is a valid alternative to 3He thanks to its high thermal neutron cross section and relatively high Q value. In this paper we report on the room temperature Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) of high quality and uniform 10B films with the expected density, different thickness values (0.5, 1.0, 1.2, 1.5 and 2.0 μm) and uniform thickness over a circular area of about 30 mm in diameter. Additionally, they are adherent to the substrate with a negligible presence of contaminants. The conversion properties of such 10B coatings coupled to a Si solid state detector are studied upon exposure to a neutron flux from an Am-Be neutron source (2.2·106 n/s). The experimental results, compared with spectra simulated by using a GEANT4 code, present a good agreement and efficiencies of the order of a few percent

Modelling systemic price cojumps with Hawkes factor models

Instabilities in the price dynamics of a large number of financial assets are a clear sign of systemic events. By investigating portfolios of highly liquid stocks, we find that there are a large number of high-frequency cojumps. We show that the dynamics of these jumps is described neither by a multivariate Poisson nor by a multivariate Hawkes model. We introduce a Hawkes one-factor model which is able to capture simultaneously the time clustering of jumps and the high synchronization of jumps across assets

The use of Versius CMR for pelvic surgery: a multicentric analysis of surgical setup and early outcomes

IntroductionVersius CMR is a novel robotic system characterized by an open surgical console and independent bedside units. The system has potentials of flexibility and versatility, and has been used in urological, gynecological, and general surgical procedure. The aim is to depict a comprehensive analysis of the Versius system for pelvic surgery.MethodsThis is a study involving two Institutions, ASST Santi Paolo and Carlo, Milan, and Apuane Hospital, Massa, Italy. All interventions performed in the pelvic area with the Versius were included. Data about indications, intra-, and post-operative course were prospectively collected and analyzed.ResultsA total of 171 interventions were performed with the Versius. Forty-two of them involved pelvic procedures. Twenty-two had an oncological indication (localized prostate cancer), the remaining had a non-oncological or functional purpose. The mostly performed pelvic procedure was radical prostatectomy (22) followed by annexectomy (9). No intra-operative complication nor conversion to other approaches occurred. A Clavien II complication and one Clavien IIIb were reported. Malfunctioning/alarms requiring a power cycle of the system occurred in 2 different cases. An adjustment in trocar placement according to patients' height was required in 2 patients undergoing prostatectomy, in which the trocar was moved caudally. In two cases, a pelvic prolapse was repaired concomitant with other gynecological procedures.ConclusionsPelvic surgery with the Versius is feasible without major complications; either dissection and reconstructive steps could be accomplished, provided a proper OR setup and trocar placement are pursued. Versius can be easily adopted by surgeons of different disciplines and backgrounds; a further multi-specialty implementation is presumed and long-term oncological and functional outcomes are awaited