The CIFF Proof Procedure for Abductive Logic Programming with Constraints: Theory, Implementation and Experiments

We present the CIFF proof procedure for abductive logic programming with constraints, and we prove its correctness. CIFF is an extension of the IFF proof procedure for abductive logic programming, relaxing the original restrictions over variable quantification (allowedness conditions) and incorporating a constraint solver to deal with numerical constraints as in constraint logic programming. Finally, we describe the CIFF system, comparing it with state of the art abductive systems and answer set solvers and showing how to use it to program some applications. (To appear in Theory and Practice of Logic Programming - TPLP)

Flexibility From Distributed Multienergy Systems

Multienergy systems (MES), in which multiple energy vectors are integrated and optimally operated, are key assets in low-carbon energy systems. Multienergy interactions of distributed energy resources via different energy networks generate the so-called distributed MES (DMES). While it is now well recognized that DMES can provide power system flexibility by shifting across different energy vectors, it is essential to have a systematic discussion on the main features of such flexibility. This article presents a comprehensive overview of DMES modeling and characterization of flexibility applications. The concept of ``multienergy node'' is introduced to extend the power node model, used for electrical flexibility, in the multienergy case. A general definition of DMES flexibility is given, and a general mathematical and graphical modeling framework, based on multidimensional maps, is formulated to describe the operational characteristics of individual MES and aggregate DMES, including the role of multienergy networks in enabling or constraining flexibility. Several tutorial examples are finally presented with illustrative case studies on current and future DMES practical applications

Modelling of integrated multi-energy systems : drivers, requirements, and opportunities

There is growing recognition that decarbonisation of existing uses of electricity is only ‘part of the story’ and that closer attention needs to be given to demand for energy in heating or cooling and in transport, and to all the energy vectors and infrastructures that supply the end-use demand. In this respect, concepts such as ‘multi-energy systems’ (MES) have been put forward and are gaining increasing momentum, with the aim of identifying how multiple energy systems that have been traditionally operated, planned and regulated in independent silos can be integrated to improve their collective technical, economic, and environmental performance. This paper addresses the need for modelling of MES which is capable of assessing interactions between different sectors and the energy vectors they are concerned with, so as to bring out the benefits and potential unforeseen or undesired drawbacks arising from energy systems integration. Drivers for MES modelling and the needs of different users of models are discussed, along with some of the practicalities of such modelling, including the choices to be made in respect of spatial and temporal dimensions, what these models might be used to quantify, and how they may be framed mathematically. Examples of existing MES models and tools and their capabilities, as well as of studies in which such models have been used in the authors’ own research, are provided to illustrate the general concepts discussed. Finally, challenges, opportunities and recommendations are summarised for the engagement of modellers in developing a new range of analytical capabilities that are needed to deal with the complexity of ME

Searching for Primordial Black Holes with the Einstein Telescope: impact of design and systematics

Primordial Black Holes (PBHs) have recently attracted much attention as they may explain some of the LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA observations and significantly contribute to the dark matter in our universe. The next generation of Gravitational Wave (GW) detectors will have the unique opportunity to set stringent bounds on this putative population of objects. Focusing on the Einstein Telescope (ET), in this paper we analyse in detail the impact of systematics and different detector designs on our future capability of observing key quantities that would allow us to discover and/or constrain a population of PBH mergers. We also perform a population analysis, with a mass and redshift distribution compatible with the current observational bounds. Our results indicate that ET alone can reach an exquisite level of accuracy on the key observables considered, as well as detect up to tens of thousands of PBH binaries per year, but for some key signatures (in particular high--redshift sources) the cryogenic instrument optimised for low frequencies turns out to be crucial, both for the number of observations and the error on the parameters reconstruction. As far as the detector geometry is concerned, we find that a network consisting of two separated L--shaped interferometers of 15 (20)~km arm length, oriented at $45^{\circ}$ with respect to each other performs better than a single triangular shaped instrument of 10 (15)~km arm length, for all the metrics considered.Comment: 24 pages, 13 figure

Statistical Interparticle Potential of an Ideal Gas of Non-Abelian Anyons

We determine and study the statistical interparticle potential of an ideal system of non-Abelian Chern-Simons (NACS) particles, comparing our results with the corresponding results of an ideal gas of Abelian anyons. In the Abelian case, the statistical potential depends on the statistical parameter and it has a "quasi-bosonic" behaviour for statistical parameter in the range (0,1/2) (non-monotonic with a minimum) and a "quasi-fermionic" behaviour for statistical parameter in the range (1/2,1) (monotonically decreasing without a minimum). In the non-Abelian case the behavior of the statistical potential depends on the Chern- Simons coupling and the isospin quantum number: as a function of these two parameters, a phase diagram with quasi-bosonic, quasi-fermionic and bosonic-like regions is obtained and investigated. Finally, using the obtained expression for the statistical potential, we compute the second virial coefficient of the NACS gas, which correctly reproduces the results available in literature.Comment: 21 pages, 4 color figure

Effects of nuclear re-interactions in quasi-elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering

The effects of nuclear re-interactions in the quasi-elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering are investigated with a phenomenological model. We found that the nuclear responses are lowered and their maxima are shifted towards higher excitation energies. This is reflected on the total neutrino-nucleus cross section in a general reduction of about 15% for neutrino energies above 300 MeV.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures. Submitted to AstroParticle Physic

CD90 is regulated by notch1 and hallmarks a more aggressive intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma phenotype

Background: Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is characterized by a strong stromal reaction playing a role in tumor progression. Thymus cell antigen 1 (THY1), also called Cluster of Differentiation 90 (CD90), is a key regulator of cell–cell and cell–matrix interaction. In iCCA, CD90 has been reported to be associated with a poor prognosis. In an iCCA PDX model, we recently found that CD90 was downregulated in mice treated with the Notch γ-secretase inhibitor Crenigacestat. The study aims to investigate the role of CD90 in relation to the NOTCH pathway. Methods: THY1/CD90 gene and protein expression was evaluated in human iCCA tissues and xenograft models by qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. Notch1 inhibition was achieved by siRNA. THY1/CD90 functions were investigated in xenograft models built with HuCCT1 and KKU-M213 cell lines, engineered to overexpress or knockdown THY1, respectively. Results: CD90 co-localized with EPCAM, showing its epithelial origin. In vitro, NOTCH1 silencing triggered HES1 and THY1 down-regulation. RBPJ, a critical transcriptional regulator of NOTCH signaling, exhibited putative binding sites on the THY1 promoter and bound to the latter, implying CD90 as a downstream NOTCH pathway effector. In vivo, Crenigacestat suppressed iCCA growth and reduced CD90 expression in the PDX model. In the xenograft model, Crenigacestat inhibited tumor growth of HuCCT1 cells transfected to overexpress CD90 and KKU-M213 cells constitutively expressing high levels of CD90, while not affecting the growth of HuCCT1 control cells and KKU-M213 depleted of CD90. In an iCCA cohort, patients with higher expression levels of NOTCH1/HES1/THY1 displayed a significantly shorter survival. Conclusions: iCCA patients with higher NOTCH1/HES1/THY1 expression have the worst prognosis, but they are more likely to benefit from Notch signaling inhibition. These findings represent the scientific rationale for testing NOTCH1 inhibitors in clinical trials, taking the first step toward precision medicine for iCCA

Unfolding the Origin of the Ultrafast Optical Response of Titanium Nitride

Ultrafast plasmonics is driving growing interest for the search of novel plasmonic materials, overcoming the main limitations of noble metals. In this framework, titanium nitride (TiN) is brought in the spotlight for its refractory properties combined with an extremely fast electron-lattice cooling time (<100 fs) compared to gold (approximate to 1 ps). Despite the results reported in literature, a clear-cut explanation of the origin of the ultrafast and giant optical response of TiN-based materials upon excitation with femtosecond laser pulses is still missing. To address this issue, an original model is introduced, capable of unfolding the modulation of TiN optical properties on a broad bandwidth, starting from the variations of electronic and lattice temperatures following ultrafast photoexcitation. The numerical analysis is validated on ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy experiments on a simple structure, a TiN film on glass. This approach enables a complete disentanglement of the interband and intraband contributions to the permittivity modulation. Moreover, it is also shown that, varying the synthesis conditions of the TiN film, not only the static, but also the dynamical optical response can be efficiently tuned. These findings pave the way for a breakthrough in the field: the design of TiN-based ultrafast nanodevices for all-optical modulation of light

Prospect for Charge Current Neutrino Interactions Measurements at the CERN-PS

Tensions in several phenomenological models grew with experimental results on neutrino/antineutrino oscillations at Short-Baseline (SBL) and with the recent, carefully recomputed, antineutrino fluxes from nuclear reactors. At a refurbished SBL CERN-PS facility an experiment aimed to address the open issues has been proposed [1], based on the technology of imaging in ultra-pure cryogenic Liquid Argon (LAr). Motivated by this scenario a detailed study of the physics case was performed. We tackled specific physics models and we optimized the neutrino beam through a full simulation. Experimental aspects not fully covered by the LAr detection, i.e. the measurements of the lepton charge on event-by-event basis and their energy over a wide range, were also investigated. Indeed the muon leptons from Charged Current (CC) (anti-)neutrino interactions play an important role in disentangling different phenomenological scenarios provided their charge state is determined. Also, the study of muon appearance/disappearance can benefit of the large statistics of CC muon events from the primary neutrino beam. Results of our study are reported in detail in this proposal. We aim to design, construct and install two Spectrometers at "NEAR" and "FAR" sites of the SBL CERN-PS, compatible with the already proposed LAr detectors. Profiting of the large mass of the two Spectrometers their stand-alone performances have also been exploited.Comment: 70 pages, 38 figures. Proposal submitted to SPS-C, CER

European Antibiotic Awareness Day: a five-year perspective of Europe-wide actions to promote prudent use of antibiotics.

To access publisher's full text version of this article, please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field or click on the hyperlink at the top of the page marked Files. This article is open access.Following the European Union (EU) Council Recommendation on prudent use of antimicrobial agents in human medicine in 2001, and the success of national campaigns, i.e. Belgium and France, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) decided to establish the European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD) on 18 November as platform to support national campaigns across Europe. This article provides an overview of EAAD tools, materials, and activities developed during the first five years. It shows that EAAD has been successful due to good cooperation between ECDC and national institutions, strong political and stakeholder support and evidence-based development of campaign materials. EAAD has provided a platform for pre-existing national campaigns and encouraged similar campaigns to develop where neither political support had been secured, nor financial support had been available. As a result, participating countries have continuously expressed strong support for ECDC to continue its work on EAAD. This has been endorsed by a steadily increasing number of countries participating and the growing interest of varied professional and stakeholder organisations. We conclude that EAAD should continue to act as catalyst for discussion and as mechanism to raise awareness of the public and prescribers about prudent use of antibiotics