Ultralight vector dark matter search using data from the KAGRA O3GK run

Among the various candidates for dark matter (DM), ultralight vector DM can be probed by laser interferometric gravitational wave detectors through the measurement of oscillating length changes in the arm cavities. In this context, KAGRA has a unique feature due to differing compositions of its mirrors, enhancing the signal of vector DM in the length change in the auxiliary channels. Here we present the result of a search for U(1)B−L gauge boson DM using the KAGRA data from auxiliary length channels during the first joint observation run together with GEO600. By applying our search pipeline, which takes into account the stochastic nature of ultralight DM, upper bounds on the coupling strength between the U(1)B−L gauge boson and ordinary matter are obtained for a range of DM masses. While our constraints are less stringent than those derived from previous experiments, this study demonstrates the applicability of our method to the lower-mass vector DM search, which is made difficult in this measurement by the short observation time compared to the auto-correlation time scale of DM

Biosyngas conversion by fischer-tropsch synthesis: experimental results and multi-scale simulation of a pbr with high fe loaded supported catalysts

Bio-syngas, i.e. the syngas mixture produced from biomass, is mainly characterized from a H2/CO molar ratio in the range 1.0-1.5, different from those of traditional syngas equal to 2. By feeding directly this mixture in a catalytic reactor for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, iron based catalysts are more suitable with respect to the cobalt-based one. These catalysts are used industrially in their massive form. The possibility to use supported Fe-based catalysts are recently deeply considered in order to improve the surface area and the mechanical stability of the samples. In particular high Fe loaded supported catalysts are required to achieve satisfactory performance. Iron-based catalysts supported on silica for CO hydrogenation with 30%wt of metal have been prepared, characterized by BET, SEM, TEM, TPR, XRD and tested at different temperature and H2/CO ratio in a FT laboratory plant using a Packed Bed Reactor. On the basis of the collected data, a multi-scale simulation of the FT synthesis reactor has been developed considering that on the catalyst surface the reaction both of FT and Water Gas Shift are simultaneously activated. The experimental results demonstrated that by increasing the inlet H2/CO ratio, the CO conversion can be increased while preserving the products selectivity and confirm that FT are suitable also for low H2/CO ratio; furthermore the model elaborated agree with the experimental data obtained

Diagnostic and infection control strategies for Clostridioides difficile infections in a setting of high antimicrobial resistance prevalence

Clostridioides difficile (CD) is a major nosocomial pathogen and the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. In light of the strong association between antimicrobial use and CD infections (CDI), it may be hypothesised that areas at higher prevalence of antimicrobial resistance, like the region of Campania in southern Italy, could also have a higher rate of CDI. In this multicentre, region-based, prospective study, we analysed such issues, exploiting CDI incidence data collected from local hospitals. In 2016, the Italian National Centre for Disease Control supported a project involving three Italian regions: Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lazio and Campania. In Campania, a network of 49 hospitals willing to participate in the project was created. The project consisted of two phases: a survey on practice patterns concerning CDI and an epidemiological surveillance study. We identified a stringent need to improve awareness about CDI among the regional health-care community, as a widespread lack of surveillance programmes for CDI control was observed (existing in only 40% of participating facilities). Moreover, almost half of the participating hospitals (n=16, 43%) had no standardised procedures or protocols to control and prevent CDI. In the second phase of the study, we collected data of CDI cases during a six-month surveillance programme. In all, 87 CDI cases were observed, for a total of 903,334 patient bed-days and 122,988 admissions. According to the above data, CDI incidence was 0.96 cases/10000 patient bed-days, much lower than expected based on prior studies conducted elsewhere. The results of our study suggest CDI remains a rather neglected clinical issue in Campania. Despite a high burden of antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial use in our geographic setting, we observed a very low incidence of CDI. Such a low incidence could be explained by underdiagnosis, but could also be related to actual diet, the lower patient age or the specific genetic background. However, further studies are warranted to either confirm or rebut the above hypotheses