Developments of the pinned photodiode terahertz rectifier

This paper presents we presents a development of the structure of the pinned photodiode terahertz rectifier, in which the metal whisker of the antenna is separated from the semiconductor by a silane oxide layer, in order to reduce the surface defectiveness. The rectifies is the basic component of an image detection system based on the structure of actual CMOS image detectors. The structure combines a nano-antenna, fabricated on the top of a standard image sensor, the rectifier, and the readout electronics. The rectifier device proposed has vertical extension of some tenths of nanometers, can be created at the foot of the nano-whisker at the end of the terahertz antenna, above the storage well

The survey and mapping of sand-boil landforms related to the Emilia 2012 earthquakes: preliminary results.

Sand boils, which are also known as sand blows or sand volcanoes, are among the most common superficial effects induced by high-magnitude earthquakes. These generally occur in or close to alluvial plains when a strong earthquake (M >5) strikes on a lens of saturated and unconsolidated sand deposits that are constrained between silt-clay layers, where the sediments are converted into a fluid suspension. The liquefaction phenomena requires the presence of saturated and uncompacted sand, and a groundwater table near the ground surface. This geological\u2013geomorphological setting is common and widespread for the Po Plain (Italy). The Po Plain (ca. 46,000 km2) represents 15% of the Italian territory. It hosts a population of about 20 million people (mean density of 450 people/km2) and many infrastructures. Thus, the Po Plain is an area of high vulnerability when considering the liquefaction potential in the case of a strong earthquake. Despite the potential, such phenomena are rarely observed in northern Italy, because strong earthquakes are not frequent in this region; e.g., historical data report soil liquefaction near Ferrara in 1570 (M 5.3) and in Argenta 1624 (M 5.5). In the Emilia quakes of May 20 and 29, 2012, the most widespread coseismic effects were soil liquefaction and ground cracks, which occurred over wide areas in the Provinces of Modena, Ferrara, Bologna, Reggio Emilia and Mantov

The survey and mapping of sand-boil landforms related to the Emilia 2012 earthquakes: preliminary results.

Sand boils, which are also known as sand blows or sand volcanoes, are among the most common superficial effects induced by high-magnitude earthquakes. These generally occur in or close to alluvial plains when a strong earthquake (M >5) strikes on a lens of saturated and unconsolidated sand deposits that are constrained between silt-clay layers, where the sediments are converted into a fluid suspension. The liquefaction phenomena requires the presence of saturated and uncompacted sand, and a groundwater table near the ground surface. This geological–geomorphological setting is common and widespread for the Po Plain (Italy). The Po Plain (ca. 46,000 km2) represents 15% of the Italian territory. It hosts a population of about 20 million people (mean density of 450 people/km2) and many infrastructures. Thus, the Po Plain is an area of high vulnerability when considering the liquefaction potential in the case of a strong earthquake. Despite the potential, such phenomena are rarely observed in northern Italy, because strong earthquakes are not frequent in this region; e.g., historical data report soil liquefaction near Ferrara in 1570 (M 5.3) and in Argenta 1624 (M 5.5). In the Emilia quakes of May 20 and 29, 2012, the most widespread coseismic effects were soil liquefaction and ground cracks, which occurred over wide areas in the Provinces of Modena, Ferrara, Bologna, Reggio Emilia and Mantov

The survey and mapping of sand-boil landforms related to the Emilia 2012 earthquakes: preliminary results

Sand boils, which are also known as sand blows or sand volcanoes, are among the most common superficial effects induced by high-magnitude earthquakes. These generally occur in or close to alluvial plains when a strong earthquake (M >5) strikes on a lens of saturated and unconsolidated sand deposits that are constrained between silt-clay layers [Ambraseys 1988, Carter and Seed 1988, Galli 2000, Tuttle 2001, Obermeier et al. 2005], where the sediments are converted into a fluid suspension. The liquefaction phenomena requires the presence of saturated and uncompacted sand, and a groundwater table near the ground surface. This geological– geomorphological setting is common and widespread for the Po Plain (Italy) [Castiglioni et al. 1997]. The Po Plain (ca. 46,000 km2) represents 15% of the Italian territory. It hosts a population of about 20 million people (mean density of 450 people/km2) and many infrastructures. Thus, the Po Plain is an area of high vulnerability when considering the liquefaction potential in the case of a strong earthquake. Despite the potential, such phenomena are rarely observed in northern Italy [Cavallin et al. 1977, Galli 2000], because strong earthquakes are not frequent in this region; e.g., historical data report soil liquefaction near Ferrara in 1570 (M 5.3) and in Argenta 1624 (M 5.5) [Prestininzi and Romeo 2000, Galli 2000]. In the Emilia quakes of May 20 and 29, 2012, the most widespread coseismic effects were soil liquefaction and ground cracks, which occurred over wide areas in the Provinces of Modena, Ferrara, Bologna, Reggio Emilia and Mantova (Figure 1). These were the causes of considerable damage to buildings and the infrastructure. The soil liquefaction and ground cracks were accompanied by sand boils, which are described in this report. The spatial distribution and geomorphological setting of sand boils and ground cracks are also described here. A detailed three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of these features is also presented, which was carried out using terrestrial photogrammetry. Since archeological times, fluvial ridges, and in general sandy deposits on low plains have been the preferred sites for human infrastructure, colonial houses, roads, etc. Therefore, it is very important to understand how the local topography/ morphology interacts in the liquefaction processes. Numerous distinctive seismic landforms were generated by the May 2012 strong earthquakes (seven with M >5), and in particular, sand boils and ground fractures. The sand-boil landforms, also known as sand craters or sand volcanoes, are formed by low mounds of sand that have been extruded from fractures [Tuttle 2001]. The cone is a generally shortlived structure that naturally collapses, starting from the center holes that mark the water retreat back into the fracture. Sand boils also occurred along larger cracks (with decimetric lateral and vertical displacements). Here, the upper scarps block the formation of craters and allow the deposition of a sandy layer several centimeters thick (e.g. ca. 4 cm in the San Carlo crack), on the lower side of the steep slope. These landforms are highly vulnerable to erosion. After a few weeks, they are washed out by rain, destroyed by human activity, or masked by growing crops. Thus, ground surveys that investigate these events have to be carried out as soon as possible [Panizza et al. 1981]. In this report, we present preliminary results using methods to map the detailed micro-morphology of some representative liquefaction features (Figure 2) that normally disappear for the aforementioned reasons, or that are recorded only in qualitative terms

Recurrence of gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms in celiac patients affected by nickel allergic contact mucositis: when proper gluten-free diet is not enough

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Nickel (Ni) is a metal widely present in nature and the prevalence of Ni allergy is increasing. Allergic contact mucositis (MAC) induced by Ni-rich foods is often responsible for IBS-like disorders and it can be diagnosed by means of a Ni oral mucosa patch test (omPT). It has been observed that, after several months of correct gluten-free diet (GFD), many celiac disease (CD) patients show a recrudescence of gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms, although serological and histological remission has been achieved. This can be due to a Ni load induced by GFD: a greater consumption of Ni-rich foods (e.g. corn) would lead to a consequent intestinal sensitization to Ni in predisposed subjects. Our study aimed to assess the role played by Ni in the recurrence of symptoms in CD subjects after strict GFD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty celiac patients (all female, age 23-65 yrs) in serological and histological remission after at least 12 months of GFD have been consecutively included: they all were complaining recurrence gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms. Subjects with organic gastrointestinal pathologies were excluded. A symptom questionnaire (GSRS modified according to the Salerno Experts' Criteria) has been administered to all patients in 4 stages: T0 (during free diet - active CD); T1 (after 12 months of GFD - CD remission); T2 (during GFD - recurrence of symptoms); T3 (during GFD and after 3 months of low-Ni diet). Ni omPT was performed at T2. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: All 20 patients showed positive Ni omPT, with local and/or systemic alterations confirming Ni ACM diagnosis. The analysis obtained by comparing T2-T3 showed p-value <0.01 for: abdominal pain, bloating, swelling, increased number of evacuations, dermatitis, asthenia; p-value values <0.05 for: heartburn, acid regurgitation, borborygmus, flatulence, loose stools, urgent need for defecation, headache. The other variables were statistically not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms observed in CD subjects after prolonged and correct GFD may be due to the necessary dietary change and an increased Ni intake. Specifically, these patients developed Ni MAC, diagnosed by specific Ni omPT. We also observed that regression of symptoms may occur after a proper low-Ni diet. We can conclude that GFD may lead to an increased consumption of Ni-rich foods and this could explain the recurrence of apparently gluten-dependent symptoms

External Validation Of Equations To Estimate Resting Energy Expenditure In 14952 Adults With Overweight And Obesity And 1948 Adults With Normal Weight From Italy

Background & aims: We cross-validated 28 equations to estimate resting energy expenditure (REE) in a very large sample of adults with overweight or obesity. Methods: 14952 Caucasian men and women with overweight or obesity and 1498 with normal weight were studied. REE was measured using indirect calorimetry and estimated using two meta-regression equations and 26 other equations. The correct classification fraction (CCF) was defined as the fraction of subjects whose estimated REE was within 10% of measured REE. Results: The highest CCF was 79%, 80%, 72%, 64%, and 63% in subjects with normal weight, overweight, class 1 obesity, class 2 obesity, and class 3 obesity, respectively. The Henry weight and height and Mifflin equations performed equally well with CCFs of 77% vs. 77% for subjects with normal weight, 80% vs. 80% for those with overweight, 72% vs. 72% for those with class 1 obesity, 64% vs. 63% for those with class 2 obesity, and 61% vs. 60% for those with class 3 obesity. The Sabounchi meta-regression equations offered an improvement over the above equations only for class 3 obesity (63%). Conclusions: The accuracy of REE equations decreases with increasing values of body mass index. The Henry weight & height and Mifflin equations are similarly accurate and the Sabounchi equations offer an improvement only in subjects with class 3 obesity

Natural Occurrence of Ochratoxin A in Blood and Milk Samples from Jennies and Their Foals after Delivery

An assessment of the natural ochratoxin A (OTA) exposure of seven Martina Franca jennies was carried out by analyzing blood and milk samples collected close to and after delivery. A total of 41 and 34 blood samples were collected from jennies and foals, respectively, and analyzed by ELISA. A total of 33 milk samples were collected from jennies and analyzed by the HPLC/FLD method based on IAC clean-up. Furthermore, 53 feed samples were collected from January to September and analyzed by a reference method (AOAC Official Method No. 2000.03) for OTA content. Feed samples showed OTA levels up to 2.7 ng/g with an incidence of 32%, while the OTA incidence rate in jennies' blood samples was 73%, with a median value of 97 ng/L and concentrations ranging fro