Discriminating between the von Neumann and L\"uders reduction rule

Given an ensemble of systems in an unknown state, as well as an observable $\hat A$ and a physical apparatus which performs a measurement of $\hat A$ on the ensemble, whose detailed working is unknown ('black box'), how can one test whether the L\"uders or von Neumann reduction rule applies?Comment: 5 page

Decidability of the interval temporal logic ABBar over the natural numbers

In this paper, we focus our attention on the interval temporal logic of the Allen's relations "meets", "begins", and "begun by" (ABBar for short), interpreted over natural numbers. We first introduce the logic and we show that it is expressive enough to model distinctive interval properties,such as accomplishment conditions, to capture basic modalities of point-based temporal logic, such as the until operator, and to encode relevant metric constraints. Then, we prove that the satisfiability problem for ABBar over natural numbers is decidable by providing a small model theorem based on an original contraction method. Finally, we prove the EXPSPACE-completeness of the proble

Classical novae and type I X-ray bursts: challenges for the 21st century

Classical nova explosions and type I X-ray bursts are the most frequent types of thermonuclear stellar explosions in the Galaxy. Both phenomena arise from thermonuclear ignition in the envelopes of accreting compact objects in close binary star systems. Detailed observations of these events have stimulated numerous studies in theoretical astrophysics and experimental nuclear physics. We discuss observational features of these phenomena and theoretical efforts to better understand the energy production and nucleosynthesis in these explosions. We also examine and summarize studies directed at identifying nuclear physics quantities with uncertainties that significantly affect model predictions.Comment: 40 pages, accepted for AIP Advances: Stardust - Progress and Problems in Nuclear Astrophysic

Nucleosynthesis in Type I X-ray Bursts

Type I X-ray bursts are thermonuclear explosions that occur in the envelopes of accreting neutron stars. Detailed observations of these phenomena have prompted numerous studies in theoretical astrophysics and experimental nuclear physics since their discovery over 35 years ago. In this review, we begin by discussing key observational features of these phenomena that may be sensitive to the particular patterns of nucleosynthesis from the associated thermonuclear burning. We then summarize efforts to model type I X-ray bursts, with emphasis on determining the nuclear physics processes involved throughout these bursts. We discuss and evaluate limitations in the models, particularly with regard to key uncertainties in the nuclear physics input. Finally, we examine recent, relevant experimental measurements and outline future prospects to improve our understanding of these unique environments from observational, theoretical and experimental perspectives.Comment: Accepted by Prog. Part. Nucl. Phys., 45 pages, 14 figure

High energy extension of the FLUKA atmospheric neutrino flux

The atmospheric neutrino flux calculated with FLUKA was originally limited to 100-200 GeV for statistical reasons. In order to make it available for the analysis of high energy events, like upward through-going muons detected by neutrino telescopes, we have extended the calculation so to provide a reliable neutrino yield per primary nucleon up to about 10**6 GeV/nucleon, as far as the interaction model is concerned. We point out that the primary flux model above 100 GeV/nucleon still contributes with an important systematic error to the neutrino flux.Comment: Extended version (10 pages) of the contribution to ICRC 2003, with the addition of flux table

Quantum radiation from superluminal refractive index perturbations

We analyze in detail photon production induced by a superluminal refractive index perturbation in realistic experimental operating conditions. The interaction between the refractive index perturbation and the quantum vacuum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field leads to the production of photon pairs.Comment: 4 page

L’uso tradizionale del legno in Sicilia

Fin dall’antichità, il legno è stato utilizzato per produrre oltre che energia, materiale per la costruzione di edifici e di oggeti che servivano per la vita quotidiana. Ma il legno è stato utilizzato anche come materia prima per la scultura e per i manufati artistici. Anche in Sicilia sono numerosi gli edifici storici (o parti di esso) in legno, mez - zi di trasporto (carri o navi), opere d’arte dipinte su legno, sculture religiose e strumenti musicali che sono arrivati ai giorni nostri e che dimostrano le abilità e la padronanza di tecniche nelle civiltà del passato. Indubbiamente il legno era nella cultura rurale una risorsa essenziale ed un capitale per l’economia dei piccoli laboratori artigianali dove venivano costruiti la maggior parte degli oggeti quotidiani. Tutavia, in tuti i testi che fanno riferimento all’utilizzazione del legno in Italia come legno da opera non si fa quasi mai riferimento alla Sicilia mentre la stessa viene citata per la povertà delle foreste. Invece la Sicilia vanta una lunga tradizione nell’utilizzazione del legno come dimostra una vasta e, sino ad oggi, in parte inesplorata leteratura. Lo scopo del presente studio è stato quello di dimostrare come l’uso del legno in Sicilia fosse difuso e di come chi operava con il legno avesse una profonda conoscenza delle carateristiche di questa risorsa. La ricerca si è svolta atraverso l’analisi della leteratura e con indagini di campo efetuando interviste ad anziani artigiani. La ricerca bibliografica, vista l’assoluta assenza di riferimenti nei testi di tecnologia del legno e di selvicoltura italiani e siciliani, si è basata su testi di antropologia, storia e etnologia. I dati confermano che l’uso del legno ha una lunga tradizione in Sicilia e che sono moltissime le specie di alberi sia forestali che da fruto (ad es. abete dei Nebrodi, faggio, leccio, olivo, mandorlo, noce, bagolaro, etc.) che sono state utilizzate come materia prima per una vasta gamma di scopi. Mentre gli usi tradizionali non sono in alcuni casi totalmente spariti, altri appaiono in forte rivalutazione, si pensi ad esempio all’utilizzo del legno nelle costruzioni. Altri definibili “moderni” come la realizzazione dei parquet apre nuove prospetive. Qesti nuovi setori rappresentano delle opportunità per il setore agroforestale, con la possibilità di utilizzare specie come l’ulivo per le quali è in ato una opera di selezione di varietà prometenti per l’arboricoltura da legno. L’integrazione tra agricoltura e utilizzazione del legno apre infati nuove ed interessanti prospetive

CORRELATION BETWEEN INADEQUATE TRANSFER OF PASSIVE IMMUNITY AND NEONATAL CALF DIARRHEA: DIAGNOSTIC, PROGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT ASPECTS

Calves at birth have a na\uefve immunity system and their immune protection is almost exclusively ensured by the maternal immunity transferred by the ingestion of colostrum in the first hours of life2. Inadequate transfer of passive immunity (ITPI) has been related to increased morbidity and mortality in calves3. Furthermore, calves with ITPI have a 24 times greater risk of developing. Neonatal Calf Diarrhea (NCD) and are more likely to be bacteremic. NCD is a multifactorial disease that causes severe economic losses due to mortality, treatment cost, and poor growth. The clinical presentation of NCD is characterized by liquid feces, dehydration, metabolic acidosis, alterations in posture, behavior and hypovolemic shock. This first study of this research project aims to compare serum total protein (sTP) and gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT) activity in calves affected by NCD to discriminate calves with or without adequate transfer of passive immunity (ITPI). Forty-three Holstein Friesian calves admitted to the Clinic for Ruminant and Swine (CTS)-Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Milan for neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) were enrolled from May 2018 to May 2019. For each calf, age, dehydration degree, hematocrit, sTP, GGT activity and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were measured and recorded. The results underline the influence of the dehydration degree (p 0.02) on sTP concentration and the association between age and GGT activity concentration (p 0.01). The ROC curve analysis, considering the influence of dehydration degree and age of calves, showed different cut-off points for sTP in normohydrated calves (52 g/L) and dehydrated animals (56 g/L), with high sensibility (1 and 0.8 respectively), but low sensitivity (0.6 and 0.58 respectively). The cut-off points of GGT activity, based on the age of the calves, resulted from 295 UI/L in calves with 5 days or more and 100,5 UI/L in calves oldest than 5 days, with high sensitivity (1 and 0.85 respectively) and good sensibility (0.75 and 0.77 respectively). GGT is an interesting test to use in the case of NCD because the variability of results appears to be associated only with the age of the animals and not with the effects of diarrhea. Therefore, the results suggest that the GGT activity is a more accurate test for detecting ITPI in calves affected by NCD compared to the sTP. The second aim of this research project was to identify the major risk factors associated with case fatality in diarrheic calves undergoing a standard therapeutic protocol. Clinical and laboratory findings were reviewed in 225 Holstein Friesian diarrheic calves over a 2 year period. Calves were treated according to a fluid therapy protocol using an oral electrolyte solution or an IV infusion. After therapy, 159 calves were discharged in a healthy state, whereas 66 calves died. Logistic regression analysis showed that serum total protein (STP) concentration (odds ratio, OR, 0.51; 95% confidence interval, CI 0.31\u20130.84; P < 0.01) and the strength of suckle reflex (OR 4.83; CI 1.17\u201319.88; P < 0.05) were the major risk factors associated with case fatality in diarrheic calves. These results could help to distinguish between diarrheic calves with a good prognosis and those with a major risk of treatment failure. During NCD, the aim of the treatment is to correct hydration and acid-base imbalance with fluid therapy. Antibiotic treatment is commonly recommended regardless of the pathogen involved, but the real efficacy of its use is controversial. The third study of this research project investigates the efficiency of antibiotics during NCD and their influence on gut microbiota, considering the immunity status of the calf. Forty-two Holstein Friesian calves with NCD, aged from 1 to 28 days were enrolled, excluding those with other concurrent neonatal diseases. Upon admission, dehydration was estimated as body weight percentage and the acid-base imbalance was assessed by venous blood-gas analysis. Furthermore, the immunity status was investigated using serum total protein and the calves were then split into two groups depending on the presence, absence or inadequate transfer of passive immunity (ITPI). For each group, calves were randomly assigned to the antibiotic group (Group A) or to the antibiotic-free group (Group FA). The 4 groups obtained were group A1 (NCD calves with antibiotic administration), group FA1 (NCD calves without antibiotic administration), group A2 (NCD calves with ITPI and treated with antibiotics), group FA2 (NCD calves with ITPI and treated without antibiotics). Group A1 and A2 received ampicillin (10 mg/kg IV q12h for 5 days), a wide spectrum antibiotic as the antibiogram results were delayed. Group A2 and FA2 received hyperimmune plasma as a treatment for ITPI. Each calf was monitored for 28 days. Calf Health Scoring Chart (CHSC), average daily gain and sepsis score were recorded daily. Calves of both groups whose general conditions deteriorated (sepsis score > 60%) were given an antibiotic based on antibiotic susceptibility tests. Furthermore, the microbiota analysis was performed. The results showed no statistical difference for mortality rate, failure of treatment, average daily gain and days with diarrhea between the groups treated with or without antibiotics, regardless of presence or absence of ITPI. Furthermore, the antibiotic treatment was found to be associated with a worsening of the fecal score and scleral vessels. The microbiota analysis showed that the microbiota of calves treated without antibiotics was re-established earlier than calves treated with antibiotics. Our data suggest antibiotic treatment should be omitted in cases of NCD. The last study in this research project was focused on the long-term effects of NCD on reproductive and production outcomes during the first lactation. We also analyzed the effect of the severity of the largest clinicopathologic abnormalities observed during NCD on subsequent first production and reproductive performance. Clinical and laboratory findings were reviewed in 88 Holstein Friesian diarrheic calves over a 4-year period. Calves were treated according to a fluid therapy protocol and then discharged from the hospital in a healthy state. For each animal, days in milk (DIM), 305-day milk yield, milk fat and protein production, and age of first calving (AFC) were recorded. For the control group, we examined non-hospitalized heifers (n=85) of the same age and from the same herd without a clinical history of NCD. The general linear model analysis showed that there were no significant differences between the two groups concerning DIM (P=0.740), 305-d milk yield (P=0.883), fat (P=0.660) and protein (P=0.582) production, and AFC (P=0.879). No effect of the severity of NCD on the first performance was found. These findings suggest that treated NCD had no effect on AFC and first lactation production. This would ensure suitable reproductive and production standards during the first lactation even in calves that have had severe NCD. The present project improves the knowledge of the relation between ITPI and NCD. In particular, the results of this study add to our knowledge in diagnostic, prognostic, therapy and long-term effects regarding the correlation of these two diseases. Based on the results obtained in this project, the recommendations emerged are to prefer GGT as a diagnostic method to identify ITPI calves during NCD, to omit antibiotic treatments during NCD, and to give more importance to fluid therapy. Fluid therapy alone could be sufficient to cure NCD and is also likely to not cause any damage in the long term. The sTP concentration results can be representative of the fatality risk during NCD and administration of hyperimmune plasma seems to be efficient in controlling mortality rates