Is Aristotle's matter ordinary stuff?

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Edizioni ETS via the link in this recor

A General Mathematical Formulation for the Determination of Differential Leakage Factors in Electrical Machines with Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Full or Dead-Coil Multiphase Windings

This paper presents a simple and general mathematical formulation for the determination of the differential leakage factor for both symmetrical and asymmetrical full and dead-coil windings of electrical machines. The method can be applied to all multiphase windings and considers Görges polygons in conjunction with masses geometry in order to find an easy and affordable way to compute the differential leakage factor, avoiding the adoption of traditional methods that refer to the Ossanna's infinite series, which has to be obviously truncated under the bound of a predetermined accuracy. Moreover, the method described in this paper allows the easy determination of both the minimum and maximum values of the differential leakage factor, as well as its average value and the time trend. The proposed method, which does not require infinite series, is validated by means of several examples in order to practically demonstrate the effectiveness and the easiness of application of this procedure

Stochastic Finite-Fault Ground Motion Simulation in a Wave Field Diffusive Regime: Case Study of the Mt. Vesuvius Volcanic Area

The main aim of the present work consists in the validation of stochastic method for simulating weak ground motion in a diffusive regime due to low-to-moderate magnitude earthquakes, and in particular in its application to a volcanic area. We simulated the peak ground acceleration and the response acceleration spectra caused by two earthquakes scenarios (MD = 4.3 and MD = 5.4) at Mt. Vesuvius volcanic area by using the stochastic finite-fault simulation method. We validated the stochastic methodology by combining source, path and site parameters of the investigated area considering the time duration parameter, Trms, calculated on the study seismograms. The values of time durations are confirmed by calculating the same parameter, Trms, on the seismogram energy envelope described by multiple scattering models, in terms of scattering and the intrinsic dissipation coefficient. Initially, the simulations were evaluated for 10 local earthquakes (1.7 ≤ MD ≤ 3.6) that occurred at Mt Vesuvius in 1999 and are then compared with the observed data. The comparison between simulated and observed seismograms has been used to calibrate the stochastic procedure, and has been considered as the starting point for simulating ground motion for the scenario earthquake (MD > 3.6) that could occur in the study area. The scenario earthquake and the relative fault features were chosen on the base of statistical, tectonic, structural and historical studies of the study area. We simulated ground motions for a maximum magnitude value, Mmax, of 4.3, determined from examination of the Gutenberg-Richter law for the study area, and also for an Mmax = 5.4, a magnitude that is associated with the earthquakes that struck the ancient town of Pompei 17 years before the eruption of Mt Vesuvius that occurred in 79 AD. The largest values of Amax for the MD = 4.3 seismic event are in the range of 0.140 g to 0.029 g. In the case of MD = 5.4, we obtain PGA values in the range between 0.17 and 0.55 g

Substantiae sunt sicut numeri. Aristotle on the structure of numbers

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from De Gruyter via the DOI in this record.Aristotle’s contribution to the metaphysics of numbers is often described in terms of a critical response to the Platonist paradigm. Plato, we are told, conceives of numbers as abstract entities entirely distinct from the physical objects around us, while Aristotle takes the more mundane view that numbers are pluralities of physical objects considered in a particular way, a way relevant to mathematics. Without rejecting altogether this familiar picture, this paper aims to show that Aristotle has another major contribution to offer to the history of philosophy of mathematics. In the Metaphysics, he claims that numbers too can be analysed in terms of matter and form (hylomorphism). On the hylomorphic model, a number has both a material component (the units in the number) and a formal one (the structure that keeps the units together). The paper fully explores the motivations behind Aristotle’s hylomorphic conception of numbers, as well as its most significant implications

Development of a rapid and eco-friendly UHPLC analytical method for the detection of histamine in fish products

We developed, validated, and confirmed with proficiency tests a fast ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector (UHPLC-DAD) method to determine histamine in fish and fishery products. The proposed method consists of two successive solid–liquid extractions: one with a dilute solution of perchloric acid (6%) and the second only with water. The instrumental analysis with UHPLC provides a very fast run time (only 6 min) with a retention time of approximately 4 min, a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 7.2 mg kg−1, a limit of detection (LOD) of 2.2 mg kg−1, a recovery around 100%, a relative standard deviation (RSD%) between 0.5 and 1.4, and an r2 of calibration curve equal to 0.9995. The method detected optimal values of the validation parameters and required a limited number of reagents in comparison to other methods reported in the literature. Furthermore, the method could detect histamine in a very short time compared with other methods. This method, in addition to being validated, precise, specific, and accurate, avoids wasting time, money, and resources, and limits the use of organic solvents

Imaging the buried rim of Campi flegrei caldera (Italy) from array analysis

On September an extended active seismic survey(SERAPIS,Seismic Reflection Acquisition Project for Imaging Structure)was conducted in the Gulf of Naples and Pozzuoli with the aimof providing new insights on the Campi Flegrei caldera structure and of investigating its feeding system(fig.1).About3000air-gunsea-shots were shot(fig.3a,b,c).In the frame work of this project,anarray of 28 vertical-component and 4 three component sensors was deployed in the Solfatara crater(fig.2).The array had an aperture of about 200m,and receivers had a natural frequency of 1Hz.An example of the recorded wave forms is shown in figure 4

3D CT scan for perioperative identification of anatomical variations of lungs

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate anatomical lung variations and vascular patterns using volumetric 3D computed tomography (CT) representations. Methods & results: We considered 24 major thoracic surgery performed in our ward. In these, we discovered some interesting anatomical variations of the main pulmonary fissures. These findings were not visible on the plain x-ray or during routine examination of a preoperative CT scan. After re-examination of 3D CT scan reconstruction the anatomical variations were detected. Discussion: General thoracic surgeons must familiarize themselves with anatomical variations in lungs. 3D images may aid the general thoracic surgeon in performing safer surgeries. Conclusion: 3D CT scan should be performed before surgery if possible

Patterns of Brain Structural Changes in First-Contact, Antipsychotic Drug-Naïve Patients with Schizophrenia

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Previous studies have suggested that structural changes do occur in the brain of patients with schizophrenia compared with healthy control participants. However, findings from such studies are inconclusive, probably because of the different methodologic approaches, the clinical heterogeneity of patient samples, and also the fact that patients enrolled were treated with antipsychotic drugs. The aim of this study was to investigate brain GM volumes and intrinsic structural WM changes in first-contact, antipsychotic drug-naive patients with schizophrenia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 43 first-contact, drug-naive, patients with schizophrenia and 17 age-matched control participants were studied. All participants underwent T1-weighted MR imaging and DTI scans. Voxel-based morphometry and tract-based spatial statistics were used to compare GM volumes and WM DTI metrics between groups. MR imaging measures were correlated with the duration of the untreated psychosis and the clinical positive and negative symptoms. RESULTS: Compared with control participants, patients with schizophrenia showed smaller volumes of the temporal, parietal, and occipital GM, and a pattern of decreased mean diffusivity and increased fractional anisotropy in the brain stem and cerebellum bilaterally, interhemispheric and cortico-cortical connections bilaterally, and right anterior and posterior limb of the internal capsule. In patients, decreased mean diffusivity and increased fractional anisotropy in several brain regions were related to a longer duration of the untreated psychosis and the severity of positive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: First-contact, drug-naive, patients with schizophrenia present with volumetric and DTI changes, which correlated with their clinical features. This study increases our knowledge on the neural networks involved in the pathophysiologic mechanisms of schizophrenia

Codominance of Lactobacillus plantarum and obligate heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria during sourdough fermentation

Fifteen sourdoughs produced in western Sicily (southern Italy) were analysed by classical methods for their chemico-physical characteristics and the levels of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). pH and total titratable acidity (TTA) were mostly in the range commonly reported for similar products produced in Italy, but the fermentation quotient (FQ) of the majority of samples was above 4.0, due to the low concentration of acetic acid estimated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Specific counts of LAB showed levels higher than 108CFUg-1 for many samples. The colonies representing various morphologies were isolated and, after the differentiation based on phenotypic characteristics, divided into 10 groups. The most numerous group was composed of facultative heterofermentative isolates, indicating a relevance of this bacterial group during fermentation. The genetic analysis by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and species-specific PCRs identified 33 strains as Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus curvatus and Lactobacillus graminis. Due to the consistent presence of L.plantarum, it was concluded that this species codominates with obligate heterofermentative LAB in sourdough production in this geographical area. In order to evaluate the performances at the basis of their fitness, the 29 L.plantarum strains were investigated for several technological traits. Twelve cultures showed good acidifying abilities invitro and L.plantarum PON100148 produced the highest concentrations of organic acids. Eleven strains were positive for extracellular protease activity. Bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (BLIS) production and antifungal activity was scored positive for several strains, included L.plantarum PON100148 which was selected as starter for experimental sourdough production. The characteristics of the sourdoughs and the resulting breads indicated that the best productions were obtained in presence of L.plantarum PON100148