A Kolmogorov theorem for nearly-integrable Poisson systems with asymptotically decaying time-dependent perturbation

The aim of this paper is to prove the Kolmogorov theorem of persistence of Diophantine flows for nearly-integrable Poisson systems associated to a real analytic Hamiltonian with aperiodic time dependence, provided that the perturbation is asymptotically vanishing. The paper is an extension of an analogous result by the same authors for canonical Hamiltonian systems; the flexibility of the Lie series method developed by A. Giorgilli et al., is profitably used in the present generalisation.Comment: 10 page

European Perceptions of Autonomous and Robotized Cars

This article explores users\u2019 attitudes, perceptions, views, and emotions toward car automation and robotization, two processes increasingly affecting society in different ways\u2013\u2013namely, the rise of autonomous and robotized cars (and vehicles in general) and the increasing level of robotization of current cars. To address these questions, we investigated the feeling of trust and comfort toward driverless cars among Europeans using two Eurobarometer surveys. Making use of two representative samples of the European population, we aimed to explore citizens\u2019 attitudes and opinions about automation and digitization. The two surveys involved, respectively, 27,801 and 27,901 participants from all EU-28 countries. Furthermore, we investigated, in Northern Italy, the perception of robotization of cars and other technologies of everyday use, as well as the attitudes and opinions of children and preteens (n = 740), and adolescents (n = 801)\u2014 relevant social groups not covered in the Eurobarometer surveys

European perceptions of autonomous and robotized cars

open3noThis article explores users’ attitudes, perceptions, views, and emotions toward car automation and robotization, two processes increasingly affecting society in different ways––namely, the rise of autonomous and robotized cars (and vehicles in general) and the increasing level of robotization of current cars. To address these questions, we investigated the feeling of trust and comfort toward driverless cars among Europeans using two Eurobarometer surveys. Making use of two representative samples of the European population, we aimed to explore citizens’ attitudes and opinions about automation and digitization. The two surveys involved, respectively, 27,801 and 27,901 participants from all EU-28 countries. Furthermore, we investigated, in Northern Italy, the perception of robotization of cars and other technologies of everyday use, as well as the attitudes and opinions of children and preteens (n = 740), and adolescents (n = 801)— relevant social groups not covered in the Eurobarometer surveys.openFortunati, L., Lugano, G., Manganelli, A.M.Fortunati, L.; Lugano, G.; Manganelli, A. M

Gluten free rice cookies with resistant starch ingredients from modified waxy rice starches : nutritional aspects and textural characteristics

Experimental gluten-free (GF) rice cookies were formulated with 100% rice flour (CTR) or by substituting 50% of rice flour with native waxy rice starch (WRS) or with three different resistant starch (RS) ingredients obtained from debranched, annealed or acid and heat-moisture treated WRS (RSa, RSb and RSc, respectively). Chemical composition, in vitro starch digestibility and physical and textural characteristics were carried out. Among cookies, RSa-cookies had the highest total dietary fibre content, the lowest rapidly digestible starch and the highest RS contents. All the three RS preparations have proved effective in increasing the proportion that tested as RS with respect to native WRS. However, the estimated RS loss for each applied RS ingredients caused by the baking process followed the order of RSa < RSc < RSb. Last, the lowest vitro glycaemic index value was measured for RSa-cookies. Among cookies, differences in colour and hardness were reported. The partial replacement of commercial rice flour with RSa could contribute to formulate GF cookies with higher dietary fibre content and likely slowly digestible starch properties more than equivalent amounts of RSb and RSc

Persistence of Diophantine flows for quadratic nearly-integrable Hamiltonians under slowly decaying aperiodic time dependence

The aim of this paper is to prove a Kolmogorov-type result for a nearly-integrable Hamiltonian, quadratic in the actions, with an aperiodic time dependence. The existence of a torus with a prefixed Diophantine frequency is shown in the forced system, provided that the perturbation is real-analytic and (exponentially) decaying with time. The advantage consists of the possibility to choose an arbitrarily small decaying coefficient, consistently with the perturbation size.Comment: Several corrections in the proof with respect to the previous version. Main statement unchange

Metallic artefact reduction with monoenergetic dual-energy CT: systematic ex vivo evaluation of posterior spinal fusion implants from various vendors and different spine levels

Objectives: To evaluate optimal monoenergetic dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) settings for artefact reduction of posterior spinal fusion implants of various vendors and spine levels. Methods: Posterior spinal fusion implants of five vendors for cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine were examined ex vivo with single-energy (SE) CT (120 kVp) and DECT (140/100 kVp). Extrapolated monoenergetic DECT images at 64, 69, 88, 105keV and individually adjusted monoenergy for optimised image quality (OPTkeV) were generated. Two independent radiologists assessed quantitative and qualitative image parameters for each device and spine level. Results: Inter-reader agreements of quantitative and qualitative parameters were high (ICC = 0.81-1.00, κ = 0.54-0.77). HU values of spinal fusion implants were significantly different among vendors (P < 0.001), spine levels (P < 0.01) and among SECT, monoenergetic DECT of 64, 69, 88, 105keV and OPTkeV (P < 0.01). Image quality was significantly (P < 0.001) different between datasets and improved with higher monoenergies of DECT compared with SECT (V = 0.58, P < 0.001). Artefacts decreased significantly (V = 0.51, P < 0.001) at higher monoenergies. OPTkeV values ranged from 123-141keV. OPTkeV according to vendor and spine level are presented herein. Conclusions: Monoenergetic DECT provides significantly better image quality and less metallic artefacts from implants than SECT. Use of individual keV values for vendor and spine level is recommended. Key Points: • Artefacts pose problems for CT following posterior spinal fusion implants. • CT images are interpreted better with monoenergetic extrapolation using dual-energy (DE) CT. • DECT extrapolation improves image quality and reduces metallic artefacts over SECT. • There were considerable differences in monoenergy values among vendors and spine levels. • Use of individualised monoenergy values is indicated for different metallic hardware device