General Covariance in Algebraic Quantum Field Theory

In this review we report on how the problem of general covariance is treated within the algebraic approach to quantum field theory by use of concepts from category theory. Some new results on net cohomology and superselection structure attained in this framework are included.Comment: 61 pages, 3 figures, LaTe

Evidence from multivariate morphometric study of the quercus pubescens complex in southeast Italy

The name Quercus pubescens s.l. encompasses a complex of deciduous oak taxa with mainly southeastEuropean distribution and a large ecological niche. As the easternmost region of Italy, Apulia is rather isolated from a geographical and physiographical viewpoint and counts the highest number of oak species (10). In the taxonomic and phytosociological literature, the occurrence of several species belonging to the Quercus pubescens collective group is reported for this region. In order to verify if different sets of morphological characters are associated with different taxa, 24 populations of Quercus pubescens s.l. located in different ecological-geographical areas of Apulia were sampled. A total of 367 trees, 4254 leaves and 1120 fruits were collected and morphologically analysed. Overall, 25 morphological characters of oak leaves and fruits were statistically treated using both univariate and multivariate analysis. Nested ANOVA showed that leaves collected from a single tree exhibited a degree of morphological variability higher than that observed when comparing leaves coming from different trees of the same population and from different trees of different populations as well. Almost all the morphological characters analysed exhibited a continuous trend of variation so that none of them can be used as a character to discriminate between populations. Only leaf and fruit “size” and fruit petiole length emerged as slightly discriminating characters. Our results suggest that it is unlikely that more than one species belonging to the Quercus pubescens complex occurs in the Apulia region. Comparison between the Apulian populations and a genetically pure Q. pubescens population coming from a different area (the Molise region) strengthened the assumption as to the existence of a single species that can provisionally be classified under the name of Q. pubescens s.

Taste and olfaction in middle ear surgery

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess pre- and postoperative taste ability in patients undergoing middle ear surgery for otosclerosis or chronic otitis media. Olfactory function was also evaluated to rule out taste deficits due to concomitant nasal pathology. METHODS: All patients underwent ear, nose, and throat examination, otomicroscopy, nasal endoscopy, anterior rhinomanometry, taste testing, and olfactory testing. Patients were evaluated at 1 to 5 days preoperatively (T0), and at 1 (T1), 6 (T6), and 12 (T12) months postoperatively. RESULTS: Both groups of patients experienced worsening of the mean taste threshold postoperatively. This phenomenon was more serious in poststapedotomy patients. Follow-up showed progressive improvement in both groups. All values of olfactory testing were within the normal range for otosclerosis patients. Patients with chronic otitis media showed variable postoperative findings. CONCLUSION: Chorda tympani function can be negatively affected by middle ear surgery. Deficits may be more marked in stapedotomy patients than in those undergoing tympanoplasty. Postoperative recovery of taste is satisfactory, although with different timelines for the 2 types of patholog

Caratterizzazione del SiPM Hamamatsu MPPC LVR3 S14160-3050TSV selezionato per i progetti Muography of Etna Volcano (MEV) e New Muon Portal (NMP)

Il presente documento illustra i risultati ottenuti dalla caratterizzazione elettro-ottica del rivelatore SiPM, prodotto da Hamamatsu Photonics, che sarà adottato nei sistemi di radiografia muonica per vuocani e tracciatori muonici in ambito dei progetti MEV e Muon Porta

Nasal histamine responses in nonallergic rhinitis with eosinophilic syndrome

Background: Nonallergic rhinitis with eosinophilic syndrome (NARES) is persistent, without atopy, but with ≥25% nasal eosinophilia. Hypereosinophilia seems to contribute to nasal mucosa dysfunction. Objectives: This analytical case-control study aimed at assessing the presence and severity of nonspecific nasal hyperactivity and at finding out whether eosinophilia may be correlated with the respiratory and mucociliary clearance functions. Materials: The symptom score was assessed in 38 patients and 15 controls whose nasal smear was also tested for eosinophils and mucociliary transport (MCT). Nonspecific nasal provocation tests (NSNPT) with histamine were also carried out, and total nasal resistance (TNR) was determined. Results: The symptom score of NARES after NSNPT were not significantly different from the control group, and there was poor or no correlation among the single symptoms and the differences studied for every nasal reactivity class. This correlation improved when using the composite symptom score. The most severe eosinophilia was observed in high reactivity groups, and it was correlated with an increase in TNR. MCT worsened as eosinophilia and nasal reactivity increased. Unlike controls, a significant correlation was observed between the increase in MCT and TNR. Conclusions: In NARES, nonspecific nasal hyperreactivity is the result of epithelial damage produced by eosinophilic inflammation, which causes MCT slow down, an increase in TNR, and nasal reactivity classes, with possible impact on classification, prognosis, and treatment control

Novel Silicon Photomultipliers suitable for Dual-Mirror Small-Sized Telescopes of the Cherenkov Telescope Array

Many of the characteristics of Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs), such as high Photon Detection Efficiency (PDE), are well matched to the requirements of the cameras of the Small-Sized Telescopes (SSTs) proposed for the Cherenkov Telescope Array. In fact, compared to a single mirror, the double mirror Schwarzschild Couder configuration provides a much better Point Spread Function over a large field of view. It allows better correction of aberrations at large off axis angles and facilitates the construction of compact telescopes. Moreover, the small plate scale of the dual-mirror SSTs allows the use of SiPM detectors despite their small pixel sizes. These sensors have two further advantages compared to the Photo Multipliers Tubes: the low cost and the possibility to observe in very high Night Sky Background (NSB) light level without any damage. However, one area in which SiPM performance has required improvement is Optical CrossTalk (OCT), where multiple avalanches are induced by a single impinging photon. OCT, coupled with the typical NSB rate of 25 MCnts/s per pixel during Cherenkov observations, can place severe constraints on the triggering capability of the cameras. This paper describes the performance of novel Low Voltage Reverse (LVR) 2nd and 3rd generation Multi Pixel Photon Counters manufactured by Hamamatsu Photonics. These are designed to have both enhanced PDE and reduced OCT. Two 7 x 7 mm2 S14520 LVR2 MPPCs with 75 um microcells are tested and compared with detectors of the same pixel size with 50 um microcells. A comparative analysis of a 3 x 3 mm2 S14520 LVR2 device and an S14520 LVR3 device is also carried out, demonstrating that the LVR3 gives better photon detection in the 240 380 nm wavelength range. Finally, the effect of an infrared filter on the OCT is analysed.Comment: 17 pages, 17 figures, 2 tables. Submit to NIM-A Jurna

On the Singular Spectrum of the Radiation Operator for Multiple and Extended Observation Domains

The problem of studying how spatial diversity impacts on the spectrum (singular values) of the radiation operator is addressed. This topic is of great importance because of its connection with the so-called number of degrees of freedom concept which in turn is a key parameter in inverse source problems as well as to the problem of transmitting information by waves from a source domain to an observation domain. The case of a bounded rectilinear source with the radiated field observed over multiple bounded rectilinear domains parallel to the source is considered. Then, the analysis is generalized to two-dimensional extended observation domains. Analytical arguments are developed to estimate the pertinent singular value behavior. This allows highlighting the way observation domain features affect spectrum behavior. Numerical examples are shown to support the analytical results