Eta photoproduction in the Skyrme model

Abstract Eta photoproduction from the nucleon is studied in the Skyrme model at threshold regions. N(1535) Born terms are separated from the total amplitude by identifying the resonance with an η bound state to the skyrmion. We found that, although the results are compatible with N(1535) dominance, absolute values of the amplitude are generally too small as compared with previously estimated numbers in a phenomenological model

Stabilising market expectations through a market tool: a proposal for an enhanced TPI

This paper puts forward a proposal to complete the ECB Transmission Protection Instrument (TPI) with the aim of making it more effective in anchoring the yields of European sovereign debts to Member States’ fundamentals. We use a model in which yields fluctuate within bands, which we specify following two alternative approaches: stochastic and deterministic. The resulting fluctuation's interval represents the range of yields that can be seen as justified by Member States’ fundamentals; yields outside the band would instead trigger the ECB intervention as foreseen by the TPI. The proposal minimizes the risk of moral hazard, as the fluctuation bands vary as each country's creditworthiness changes. Moreover, the proposal is directly implementable with existing Treaties

Hyperon Polarizabilities in the Bound State Soliton Model

A detailed calculation of electric and magnetic static polarizabilities of octet hyperons is presented in the framework of the bound state soliton model. Both seagull and dispersive contributions are considered, and the results are compared with different model predictions.Comment: 19 pages, plain Latex, no figure

Integrated 3D information for custom-made bone grafts: focus on biphasic calcium phosphate bone substitute biomaterials

none5Purpose: Several studies showed that the sintering temperature of 1250 °C could affect the formation of α-Ca3(PO4)2, which is responsible for the reduction of the hardness value of biphasic calcium phosphate biocomposites, but they did not evaluate the inference of the sintering time at peak temperature on transition of β-Ca3(PO4)2 to α-Ca3(PO4)2. This analysis explored, in an innovative way, inferences and correlations between volumetric microstructure, mechanical properties, sintering temperature, and time at peak temperature in order to find the best sintering conditions for biphasic calcium phosphate composites grafted in severe alveolar bone defects. Methods: Sintered biphasic calcium phosphates (30%-hydroxyapatite/70%-tricalcium phosphate) were tested by microCT imaging for the 3D morphometric analysis, by compressive loading to find their mechanical parameters, and by X-ray diffraction to quantify the phases via Rietveld refinement for different sintering temperatures and times at the peak temperature. Data were analysed in terms of statistical inference using Pearson’s correlation coefficients. Results: All the studied scaffolds closely mimicked the alveolar organization of the jawbone, independently on the sintering temperatures and times; however, mechanical testing revealed that the group with peak temperature, which lasted for 2 hours at 1250 °C, showed the highest strength both at the ultimate point and at fracture point. Conclusion: The good mechanical performances of the group with peak temperature, which lasted for 2 hours at 1250 °C, is most likely due to the absence of the α-Ca3(PO4)2 phase, as revealed by X-ray diffraction. However, we detected its presence after sintering at the same peak temperature for longer times, showing the time-dependence, combined with the temperature-dependence, of the β-Ca3(PO4)2 to α-Ca3(PO4)2 transition.openAlessandra Giuliani; Maria Laura Gatto; Luigi Gobbi; Francesco Guido Mangano; Carlo ManganoGiuliani, Alessandra; Gatto, MARIA LAURA; Gobbi, Luigi; Guido Mangano, Francesco; Mangano, Carl

Increasing pattern recognition accuracy for chemical sensing by evolutionary based drift compensation

Artificial olfaction systems, which mimic human olfaction by using arrays of gas chemical sensors combined with pattern recognition methods, represent a potentially low-cost tool in many areas of industry such as perfumery, food and drink production, clinical diagnosis, health and safety, environmental monitoring and process control. However, successful applications of these systems are still largely limited to specialized laboratories. Sensor drift, i.e., the lack of a sensor's stability over time, still limits real in dustrial setups. This paper presents and discusses an evolutionary based adaptive drift-correction method designed to work with state-of-the-art classification systems. The proposed approach exploits a cutting-edge evolutionary strategy to iteratively tweak the coefficients of a linear transformation which can transparently correct raw sensors' measures thus mitigating the negative effects of the drift. The method learns the optimal correction strategy without the use of models or other hypotheses on the behavior of the physical chemical sensors

Factors influencing weight loss practices in Italian boxers: A cluster analysis

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. It is common practice in combat sports that athletes rapidly lose body weight before a match, by applying different practices—some safer and others possibly dangerous. The factors behind the choice of practices utilised have not been fully studied. This study aimed to investigate the weight loss strategies used by Italian boxers and to look at the difference between higher and lower risk practice adaptors. A modified version of a validated questionnaire has been sent to 164 amateur (88%) and professional (12%) boxers by email. A heatmap with hierarchical clustering was used to explore the presence of subgroups. Weight loss strategies were used by 88% of the athletes. Two clusters were found, defined by the severity of weight loss behaviours. Professional fighters, high-level athletes and females were more represented in Cluster 2, the one with more severe weight-loss practices. These athletes were characterised by a higher weight loss magnitude and frequency throughout the season and reported being more influenced by physicians and nutritionists, compared with the boxers in Cluster 1. Not all the weight loss practices are used with the same frequency by all boxers. The level of the athlete and the boxing style have an influence on the weight-cutting practices

Nuclear phospholipase C β1 signaling, epigenetics and treatments in MDS.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), clonal hematopoietic stem-cell disorders mainly affecting older adult patients, show ineffective hematopoiesis in one or more of the lineages of the bone marrow. Most MDS are characterized by anemia, and a number of cases progresses to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Indeed, the molecular mechanisms underlying the MDS evolution to AML are still unclear, even though the nuclear signaling elicited by PI-PLCβ1 has been demonstrated to play an important role in the control of the balance between cell cycle progression and apoptosis in MDS cells. Here we review both the role of epigenetic therapy on PI-PLCβ1 promoter and the changes in PI-PLCβ1 expression in MDS patients treated for anemia.Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), clonal hematopoietic stem-cell disorders mainly affecting older adult patients, show ineffective hematopoiesis in one or more of the lineages of the bone marrow. Most MDS are characterized by anemia, and a number of cases progresses to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Indeed, the molecular mechanisms underlying the MDS evolution to AML are still unclear, even though the nuclear signaling elicited by PI-PLCβ1 has been demonstrated to play an important role in the control of the balance between cell cycle progression and apoptosis in MDS cells. Here we review both the role of epigenetic therapy on PI-PLCβ1 promoter and the changes in PI-PLCβ1 expression in MDS patients treated for anemia. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd

Are there sex differences in physiological parameters and reaction time responses to overload in firefighters?

Male and female firefighters work side-by-side in the same in strenuous and risky conditions. Anthropometrics, physiological, and reaction time (mean of reaction time -MRT-, and errors made -E) parameters of 12 Female and 13 Male firefighters were compared. Effect of overload (step test with and without equipment) on the MRT and E were analyzed on 3 trials (T1 = 1-1s, T2 = 0.5-1s, T3 = 0.5-0.5s), compared with a pre-test condition (basal). T-test between males and females was applied to assess differences (p<0.05) in all parameters. ANOVA with repeated measures and Bonferroni on 3 conditions of step test between males and females was applied in reaction time variables. Between MRT and E, in T1, T2 and T3 trials and the 3 test conditions, ANCOVA models with interactions were used. Differences (p<0.05) in anthropometric, physiological and reaction time data emerged across groups, and on the 3rd trials (T3 vs T1 and T2) in reaction time parameters of each group. ANCOVA showed differences (p<0.001) in E among trials. Post hoc showed significant differences in T1vsT3 and T1vsT2. MRT x trial interaction was extremely significant (P<0.001). Implementing fitness and reaction time exercise programs is important to decrease the injury risk and increase work capacity in firefighters with reference to female workers

Strong Decays of QQˉQ \bar Q Mesons

We present a detailed study of the two-body strong decays of light mesons. Both the space part and the spin-flavor-color part of the wave functions are generated algebraically and closed forms are obtained for all decays. Experimental deviations from our systematics are seen to be suggestive of both missing mesons and exotic QCD configurations.Comment: 24 pages (+6 figures, available from the authors), LATEX file, Yale preprint YCTP-N18-9

Tratamiento endoscópico de la espondilodiscitis lumbar. Reporte de un caso y revisión bibliográfica

Se describe el caso de un hombre de 62 años de edad, con múltiples comorbilidades que concurre a la consulta por dolor lumbar severo compatible con espondilodiscitis de T12-L1-L2. Se realizó una endoscopia con abordaje posterolateral izquierdo con técnica adentro-adentro para fines diagnóstico y terapéutico. Se aisló un germen y se administró un tratamiento antibiótico específico. Dada la buena evolución clínica del paciente, fue dado de alta a los 7 días de la cirugía, con buen manejo del dolor y antibióticos intravenosos en el domicilio. Se presenta una breve revisión bibliográfica