Extragalactic Source Counts and Contributions to the Anisotropies of the Cosmic Microwave Background. Predictions for the Planck Surveyor mission

We present predictions for the counts of extragalactic sources, the contributions to fluctuations and their spatial power spectrum in each channel foreseen for the Planck Surveyor (formerly COBRAS/SAMBA) mission. The contribution to fluctuations due to clustering of both radio and far--IR sources is found to be generally small in comparison with the Poisson term; however the relative importance of the clustering contribution increases and may eventually become dominant if sources are identified and subtracted down to faint flux limits. The central Planck frequency bands are expected to be ``clean'': at high galactic latitude (|b|>20), where the reduced galactic noise does not prevent the detection of the extragalactic signal, only a tiny fraction of pixels is found to be contaminated by discrete extragalactic sources. Moreover, removal of contaminating signals is eased by the substantial difference between their power spectrum and that of primordial fluctuations.Comment: 10 pages, Latex, mn.sty, 8 figures included, MNRAS, in the press. Minor changes in the text. Sections 3.1 and 3.2 have been expanded. Source counts in Table 2 have been slightly changed. Figure 1,2,7 and 8 have been replaced by new version

Siagona europaea Dejean and Poecilus (Metapedius) pantanellii A. Fiori (Coleoptera: Carabidae): two clay-soil dwelling species with different uses of the space

Siagona europaea and Poecilus pantanellii are two carabid beetles strictly bound to clay soils typical of the Italian Apennines. The first exhibits a very flat body whereas the other has more "normal" proportions, suggesting a very different use of space. We tested the use of space of both species using three sets of live pitfall traps put in place at different depths in the clay soil of a Mediterranean Hedysarum pasture. Poecilus pantanellii is a very early spring breeder and more than 90% of its individuals show epigean locomotory activity. Siagona europaea's activity begins later, when the clay fissures become larger and deeper, and in the months of June and July about 80% of its population lives in the subterranean soil crevices. Morphometric measurements support these space use strategies: P. pantanellii has a wider antenna/eye angle and shorter antennae, indicating a possible visual component in prey recognition, as well as a thicker body and robust trochanters linked to "wedge pushing"; whereas S. europaea has longer antennae and a smaller antenna/eye angle suitable for olfactory-tactile prey recognition, and also has an extremely flat body and small trochanters. In the summer individuals climb up and down in the crevice system of clays searching for their specialised prey (worker ants exploring the space around their ant nests)

Wearable wireless tactile display for virtual interactions with soft bodies.

We describe here a wearable, wireless, compact, and lightweight tactile display, able to mechanically stimulate the fingertip of users, so as to simulate contact with soft bodies in virtual environments. The device was based on dielectric elastomer actuators, as high-performance electromechanically active polymers. The actuator was arranged at the user's fingertip, integrated within a plastic case, which also hosted a compact high-voltage circuitry. A custom-made wireless control unit was arranged on the forearm and connected to the display via low-voltage leads. We present the structure of the device and a characterization of it, in terms of electromechanical response and stress relaxation. Furthermore, we present results of a psychophysical test aimed at assessing the ability of the system to generate different levels of force that can be perceived by users.The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from COST – European Cooperation in Science and Technology, within the framework of “ESNAM – European Scientific Network for Artificial Muscles” (COST Action MP1003). Gabriele Frediani also acknowledges support from the European Commission, within the framework of the project “CEEDS: The Collective Experience of Empathic Data Systems” (FP7-ICT-2009.8.4, Grant 258749) and “Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Pisa,” within the framework of the project “POLOPTEL” (Grant 167/09

Galaxy evolution in nearby groups. II. Galaxy evolution in nearby loose groups. II. Photometric and kinematic characterization of USGC U268 and USGC U376 group members in the Leo cloud

We present the photometric and kinematic characterization of two groups, USGC U268 and USGC U376 located in different regions of the Leo cloud. U268, composed of 10 catalogued members and 11 new added members, has a small fraction (~24%) of early-type galaxies (ETGs). U376 has 16 plus 8 new added members, with ~38% of ETGs. We find the presence of significant substructures in both groups suggesting that they are likely accreting galaxies. U268 is located in a more loose environment than U376. For each member galaxy, broad band integrated and surface photometry have been obtained in far-UV and near-UV with GALEX, and in u,g, r, i, z (SDSS) bands. H_alpha imaging and 2D high resolution kinematical data have been obtained using PUMA Scanning Fabry-Perot interferometer at the 2.12 m telescope in San Pedro M\'artir, (Baja California, M\'exico). We improved the galaxy classification and we detected morphological and kinematical distortions that may be connected to either on-going and/or past interaction/accretion events or environmental induced secular evolution. U268 appears more active than U376, with a large fraction of galaxies showing interaction signatures (60% vs. 13%). The presence of bars among late-type galaxies is ~10% in U268 and ~$29% in U376. The cumulative distribution of (FUV - NUV) colours of galaxies in U268 is significantly different than that in U376 with galaxies in U268 bluer than those in U376. In the (FUV-r vs. M_r) and (NUV-r vs. M_r) planes no members of U268 are found in the `red sequence', even early-type galaxies lie in the `blue sequence' or in the `green valley'. Most (80%) of the early-type members in U376 inhabits the `red sequence, a large fraction of galaxies, of different morphological types, are located in the `green valley', while the `blue sequence' is under-populated with respect to U268.Comment: 27 pages, 11 figures, 8 tables, accepted for publication in MNRAS (abridged abstract

Detection and characterization of viral pathogens associated with reproductive failure in wild boars in central Italy

Suid herpesvirus 1, porcine circovirus 2 and porcine parvovirus are causative agents of reproductive failures in swine and are widely diffused in the wild boar population. No data describing the impact of those viruses on the reproductive performance of wild boar are so far available. We aimed to investigate the ability of the above viruses to infect foetuses of free-ranging pregnant wild boar sows living in a highly-populated area. Molecular investigation revealed that although all investigated viruses were detected in pregnant sows, only herpesvirus and circovirus were detected in the foetuses. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close relationship between the strains circulating in wild boar and those already described in domestic swine. This study highlights the importance of monitoring the circulation of pathogens that are shared between domestic and wild pigs. This information is essential for the pig industry to avoid possible economic losses. Wild boar and domestic swine share several pathogens, including viruses responsible for reproductive failures, representing an important sanitary and economic risk for the swine industry. Among them, suid herpesvirus 1 (SuHV-1), porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) and porcine parvovirus 1 (PPV1) are widely diffused in the wild boar population. Unfortunately, little is known about their pathogenetic mechanisms and impact on the reproductive parameters of wild animals. This study aims to investigate the presence of viruses responsible for reproductive failure in pregnant wild boar sows and their foetuses. The investigation was conducted on 46 pregnant wild boar and their foetuses by molecular analysis; a phylogenetic study was performed on the positive samples. All of the investigated pathogens were identified in sows, while only herpesvirus and circovirus were detected in the tissues of their foetuses. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the viral sequences obtained from the positive wild boars were closely related to those previously identified in domestic swine belonging to the same study areas. The results suggest that SuHV-1 and PCV2 can infect wild boar foetuses, with a possible impact on wild boar reproductive performance. Moreover, our data highlight the importance of continuous monitoring of swine pathogens circulating in wild environments, so as to carry out adequate sanitary actions

When alarm bells ring: emergency tinnitus

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to develop a diagnostic-therapeutic algorithm for those suffering from tinnitus who seek emergency aid. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature review has been performed on articles from the last 30 years. RESULTS: It is important to activate medical or surgical diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, in order to safeguard and rehabilitate the various functions affected. Psychiatric comorbidity is the most frequent pathological condition of those with serious or catastrophic tinnitus. In these cases, mortality risk is linked to suicide, morbidity to tinnitus-correlated distress. CONCLUSIONS: Tinnitus, mainly linked to loss of hearing, is a frequent symptom among the population at large. About 7% of those affected by tinnitus turn to their doctor to solve their problem, while between 0.5 and 2% request urgent medical assistance. Their cry for help may be the result of an acute onset of tinnitus or the rapid impairment of an already chronic condition. Tinnitus is not considered an urgent ear, nose and throat (ENT) condition by the Associazione Otorinolaringologi Ospedalieri Italiani (AOOI) [Italian Association of Hospital ENT], even though there are many pathological conditions, sometimes serious, associated with tinnitus and emergency action is necessary to reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality

The effect of cation substitution on the local coordination of protons in Ba2In1.85M0.15O6H2 (M = In, Ga, Sc and Y)

We report on an investigation of the local structure and vibrational dynamics in the brownmillerite-based proton conductors Ba2In1.85M0.15O6H2 with M = In, Ga, Sc and Y. The aim is to determine the effect of the cation (M) substitution on the local coordination environment of the protons. The techniques used are infrared spectroscopy and inelastic neutron scattering. The materials are characterized by two main types of proton sites, denoted as H (1) and H(2), which are featured by different local structures. We establish that the relative population of these two proton sites varies as a function of M. Specifically, it is found that, with respect to Ba2In2O6H2, the relative population of H(1) protons increases upon the substitution of In with any of the three different cations. The strongest effect is observed for M = Ga and Sc, whereas the effect observed for M = Y is minor. This new insight motivates efforts to unravel the mobility of the two types of protons, since then cation modification would offer a rational route for improving the proton conductivity of these types of materials

Foraminiferal record and astronomical cycles: An example from the Messinian pre-evaporitic Gello Composite Section (Tuscany, Italy)

A high resolution bio-magneto and cyclostratigraphical study has been carried out for the first time on Messinian pre-evaporitic marine deposits (Gello Composite Section) from the Volterra Basin (Italy). Since the investigated deposits manifest no evident lithological cyclicity, others records have been used to recognize the vidences of an astronomical periodicity. The distribution curves of planktonic and benthic foraminifera have been used for paleoenvironmental reconstruction. yclostratigraphical analyses have been based on: i) abundance fluctuations of Bolivina and Bulimina among the benthic foraminifera, Globigerinoides, Orbulina and Turborotalita among the planktonics; ii) CaCO3 content changes; and iii) Shannon-Weaver index variations relative to benthic assemblages. As a result, 18 precession-controlled cycles have been recognized. Moreover, the recognition of the C3An.1r, C3An.1n and C3r magnetozone and some biochronohorizons, have allowed the tuning of the studied section with the ATNTS (Astronomical Tuned Neogene Time Scale) using the Laskar 2001 (1,1.2) solution of the insolation curve. This multidisciplinary study strongly supports that the onset of evaporitic deposition in Tuscany and in other circum-Mediterranean type-successions, as the Abad Composite Section (Spain) and the Falconara Section (Sicily), was isochronous

Detection of replicative Kashmir Bee Virus and Black Queen Cell Virus in Asian hornet Vespa velutina (Lepelieter 1836) in Italy

Information concerning the pathogenic role of honey bee viruses in invasive species are still scarce. The aim of this investigation was to assess the presence of several honey bee viruses, such as Black Queen Cell Virus (BQCV), Kashmir Bee Virus (KBV), Slow Paralysis Virus (SPV), Sac Brood Virus (SBV), Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV), Acute Bee Paralysis Virus (ABPV), Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus (CBPV), in Vespa velutina specimens collected in Italy during 2017. Results of this investigation indicate that among pathogens, replicative form of KBV and BQCV were detected, assessing the spillover effect of both these viruses from managed honey bees to hornets