Functional polymeric coatings for csi(Tl) scintillators

The handling of inorganic scintillators (e.g., alkali metal halides) can benefit from the availability of polymeric materials able to adhere to their surface. Polymeric materials, such as epoxy resins, can act as protective coatings, as adhesives for photodiodes to be connected with the scintillator surface, and as a matrix for functional fillers to improve the optical properties of scintillators. Here, the optical properties of two epoxy resins (E-30 by Prochima, and Technovit Epox by Heraeus Kulzer) deposited on the surface of a scintillator crystal made of CsI(Tl) were investigated, in order to improve the detection of high-energy radiation. It is found that these resins are capable of adhering to the surface of alkali metal halides. Adhesion, active at the epoxy–CsI(Tl) interface, can be explained on the basis of Coulomb forces acting between the ionic solid surface and an ionic intermediate of synthesis generated during the epoxy setting reaction. Technovit Epox showed higher transparency, and it was also functionalized by embedding white powdered pigments (PTFE or BaSO4) to achieve an optically reflective coating on the scintillator surface

Influence of the thermomechanical characteristics of low-density polyethylene substrates on the thermoresistive properties of graphite nanoplatelet coatings

Morphological, structural, and thermoresistive properties of films deposited on low-density polyethylene (LDPE) substrates are investigated for possible application in flexible electronics. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy analyses, and X-ray diffraction measurements show that the films consist of overlapped graphite nanoplatelets (GNP) each composed on average of 41 graphene layers. Differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic-mechanical-thermal analysis indicate that irreversible phase transitions and large variations of mechanical parameters in the polymer substrates can be avoided by limiting the temperature variations between −40 and 40◦ C. Electrical measurements performed in such temperature range reveal that the resistance of GNP films on LDPE substrates increases as a function of the temperature, unlike the behavior of graphite-based materials in which the temperature coefficient of resistance is negative. The explanation is given by the strong influence of the thermal expansion properties of the LDPE substrates on the thermo-resistive features of GNP coating films. The results show that, narrowing the temperature range from 20 to 40◦ C, the GNP on LDPE samples can work as temperature sensors having linear temperature-resistance relationship, while keeping constant the temperature and applying mechanical strains in the 0–4.2 × 10−3 range, they can operate as strain gauges with a gauge factor of about 48

Combining exposure indicators and predictive analytics for threats detection in real industrial IoT sensor networks

We present a framework able to combine exposure indicators and predictive analytics using AI-tools and big data architectures for threats detection inside a real industrial IoT sensors network. The described framework, able to fill the gaps between these two worlds, provides mechanisms to internally assess and evaluate products, services and share results without disclosing any sensitive and private information. We analyze the actual state of the art and a possible future research on top of a real case scenario implemented into a technological platform being developed under the H2020 ECHO project, for sharing and evaluating cybersecurity relevant informations, increasing trust and transparency among different stakeholders

Pre-discharge Cardiorespiratory Monitoring in Preterm Infants. the CORE Study

Objective: Ensuring cardiorespiratory (CR) stability is essential for a safe discharge. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a new pre-discharge protocol named CORE on the risk of hospital readmission (RHR). Methods: Preterm infants admitted in our NICU between 2015 and 2018 were randomly assigned to CORE (exposed) or to standard (not-exposed) discharge protocol. CORE included 24 h-clinical observation, followed by 24 h-instrumental CR monitoring only for high-risk infants. RHR 12 months after discharge and length of stay represent the primary and secondary outcomes, respectively. Results: Three hundred and twenty three preterm infants were enrolled. Exposed infants had a lower RHR (log-rank p < 0.05). The difference was especially marked 3 months after discharge (9.09 vs. 21.6%; p = 0.004). The hospital length of stay in exposed and not-exposed infants was 39(26–58) and 43(26–68) days, respectively (p = 0.16). Conclusions: The CORE protocol could help neonatologists to define the best timing for discharge reducing RHR without lengthening hospital stay

Hazard evaluation of plastic mixtures from four Italian subalpine great lakes on the basis of laboratory exposures of zebra mussels

Studies related to the evaluation of plastics in freshwaters have been increasing in recent years because approximately 80% of plastic items found in the sea are from inland waters. Despite the ecological relevance of these surveys, no information has been available until now about the hazard related to plastic mixtures in freshwaters. To fill this knowledge gap, we carried out a study aimed to assess the environmental risk associated with the \u201ccocktail\u201d of plastics and environmental pollutants adsorbed on their surface in one of the larger European freshwater basins. Plastic debris was collected by a manta trawl along one transect each in four of the Italian subalpine great lakes (Lake Maggiore, Como, Iseo and Garda) and administered to zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), a useful freshwater biological model present in all these lakes. We estimated a plastic density from 4908 MPs/km2 (Lake Iseo) to 272,261 MPs/km2 (Lake Maggiore), while the most common polymers found were polyethylene and polypropylene, with percentages varying between 73% and 100%. A biomarkers suite consisting of 10 different endpoints was performed after 7 days of exposure to investigate the molecular and cellular effects of plastics and related adsorbed pollutants. The main results highlighted a diffuse but different toxicity due to plastics for each lake, and there were significant changes in the antioxidant and detoxifying enzyme activities in Lake Maggiore, Iseo and Garda, an increase in protein carbonylation in L. Como, and a cellular viability decrease of approximately 30% for zebra mussels from L. Iseo and Garda. Despite this variability in the endpoints' responses, the application of the biomarker response index showed a similar environmental hazard due to plastics for all the sampled lakes

A Spectral Method for Generating Surrogate Graph Signals

The increasing availability of network data is leading to a growing interest in processing of signals on graphs. One notable tool for extending conventional signal-processing operations to networks is the graph Fourier transform that can be obtained as the eigendecomposition of the graph Laplacian. In this letter, we used the graph Fourier transform to define a new method for generating surrogate graph signals. The approach is based on sign-randomization of the graph Fourier coefficients and, therefore, the correlation structure of the surrogate graph signals (i.e., smoothness on the graph topology) is imposed by the measured data. The proposed method of surrogate data generation can be widely applied for nonparametric statistical hypothesis testing. Here, we showed a proof-of-concept with a high-density electroencephalography dataset