CMOS array design automation techniques

A low cost, quick turnaround technique for generating custom metal oxide semiconductor arrays using the standard cell approach was developed, implemented, tested and validated. Basic cell design topology and guidelines are defined based on an extensive analysis that includes circuit, layout, process, array topology and required performance considerations particularly high circuit speed

Scattering induced dynamical entanglement and the quantum-classical correspondence

The generation of entanglement produced by a local potential interaction in a bipartite system is investigated. The degree of entanglement is contrasted with the underlying classical dynamics for a Rydberg molecule (a charged particle colliding on a kicked top). Entanglement is seen to depend on the structure of classical phase-space rather than on the global dynamical regime. As a consequence regular classical dynamics can in certain circumstances be associated with higher entanglement generation than chaotic dynamics. In addition quantum effects also come into play: for example partial revivals, which are expected to persist in the semiclassical limit, affect the long time behaviour of the reduced linear entropy. These results suggest that entanglement may not be a pertinent universal signature of chaos.Comment: Published versio

HST/ACS weak lensing analysis of the galaxy cluster RDCS 1252.9-2927 at z=1.24

We present a weak lensing analysis of one of the most distant massive galaxy cluster known, RDCS 1252.9-2927 at z=1.24, using deep images from the Advanced Camera for Survey (ACS) on board the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). By taking advantage of the depth and of the angular resolution of the ACS images, we detect for the first time at z>1 a clear weak lensing signal in both the i (F775W) and z (F850LP) filters. We measure a 5-\sigma signal in the i band and a 3-\sigma signal in the shallower z band image. The two radial mass profiles are found to be in very good agreement with each other, and provide a measurement of the total mass of the cluster inside a 1Mpc radius of M(<1Mpc) = (8.0 +/- 1.3) x 10^14 M_\odot in the current cosmological concordance model h =0.70, \Omega_m=0.3, \Omega_\Lambda=0.7, assuming a redshift distribution of background galaxies as inferred from the Hubble Deep Fields surveys. A weak lensing signal is detected out to the boundary of our field (3' radius, corresponding to 1.5Mpc at the cluster redshift). We detect a small offset between the centroid of the weak lensing mass map and the brightest cluster galaxy, and we discuss the possible origin of this discrepancy. The cumulative weak lensing radial mass profile is found to be in good agreement with the X-ray mass estimate based on Chandr and XMM-Newton observations, at least out to R_500=0.5Mpc.Comment: 38 pages, ApJ in press. Full resolution images available at http://www.eso.org/~prosati/RDCS1252/Lombardi_etal_accepted.pd

Mapa pedológico como auxílio para o uso de terras para construção civil em planície costeira.

Nas últimas décadas a pressão imobiliária nas áreas litorânea e próximas às praias revela-se um problema no Brasil. São inúmeros os casos de degradação ambiental em áreas litorâneas oriundas da expansão imobiliária sem planejamento e sem estudos de impactos ambientais e geotécnicos. Os resultados desta pesquisa mostram que mapas pedológicos são de grande valia como material auxiliar à classificação de terras para a construção civil, levando-se em consideração aspectos geotécnicos e ambientais

NO2 jet cooled visible excitation spectrum - Vibronic chaos induced by the X2A1-A2B2 interaction

International audienceSignificant improvements have been obtained on measurements of the NO2 jet cooled excitation spectrum in the 16 300-18 502 cm-1 range, previously obtained by Smalley et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 63,4977 ( 1975), Persch et al. [ Ber. Bunsenges. Phys. Chem. 92,312 ( 1988), and Hiraoka et al. [J. Mol. Spectrosc. 126,427 ( 1987). The improvements concern first the rotational analysis, owing to a better resolution ( 150 MHz) and absolute precision ( 500 MHz), and second the completeness and purity of the resulting vibronic sequence, owing to a better sensitivity. As a result, 159 vibronic energy levels have been observed in the 16 500-18 500 cm-1 energy range, where 210 ± 10 are expected. A detailed comparison with previous results is presented. The statistical analysis of the corresponding energy spacings shows that long range correlations up to 50 mean levels spacings are present, confirming the chaotic behavior of this set of vibronic levels. Furthermore, we analyze the observed rovibronic interactions (or rotational perturbations) that are responsible for the very irregular rotational behavior of the visible absorption spectrum of NO2 at room temperature

Packaging Innovations to Reduce Food Loss and Waste: Are Italian Manufacturers Willing to Invest?

The target 12.3 of the 2030 Agenda by the United Nations (UN) calls for halving per capita global food loss and waste. In this regard, the Food &amp; Drink industry (F&amp;D) could play a crucial role in reducing food waste and improving food safety by adopting healthy and eco-innovation packaging. Thus, this paper aims to investigate the F&amp;D manufacturers’ willingness to invest in packaging innovations, such as active, intelligent, and compostable ones to achieve the UN target. In order to reach the stated objective, a multiple case study methodology was developed and administered to a sample of Italian micro and small-medium entrepreneurs located in the Apulia region. Results show that many firms were aware of their need for packaging innovation and of the available technological opportunity. However, only the F&amp;D manufacturers who showed a Real demand, according to a taxonomy approach which also considers the Potential and Latent demand for the innovation, were effectively prompt to invest. Finally, most of the interviewed manufacturers were willing to invest in at least one packaging innovation, choosing mainly between the active packaging and the compostable one

A decrease of calcitonin serum concentrations less than 50 percent 30 minutes after thyroid surgery suggests incomplete C-cell tumor tissue removal

The prognosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) depends on the completeness of the first surgical treatment. To date, it is not possible to predict whether the tumor has been completely removed after surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of an intraoperative calcitonin monitoring as a predictor of the final outcome after surgery in patients with MTC

Business models, circular and green economy towards sustainability. A systematic literature review

The paper presents a systematic literature review (SLR) on the connection between business models and the adoption of the circular economy and the green economy towards sustainability. A classification is offered through which it is possible to understand the environmental, economic and social advantages that these components would be able to bring to the enterprise. We used the Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar databases as the main source to collect papers. Initially, 387 papers were collected. Subsequently, we proceeded to review the contributions and, once the selection criteria were outlined, we analyzed and classified 84 publications as priorities. The SLR is performed through a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer software. Finally, we elaborated the state of the art of this research topic for the future agenda

Measuring consumer effort in circular economy initiatives in the food domain: An exploratory analysis

: The transition towards a Circular Economy (CE) system requires a change in consumers' behavioural pattern that implies a certain level of effort which, in turn, could affect initiatives' success. Although consumers' role in CE is increasingly drawing the attention of scholars, limited knowledge is available on the evaluation of consumer's effort in CE initiatives. The current research provides an identification and measurement of the core parameters affecting consumer effort, offering a comprehensive Effort Index applied to 20 CE companies operating in food domain. Companies were classified in 5 categories (Quantity of food, Appearance of food, Edibility of food, Living with food and Local and sustainable food); the analysis of the companies revealed 14 parameters building the Effort Index. Results showed that initiatives ascribable to the category "Local and sustainable food" require higher levels of consumer effort; in contrast, case studies belonging to "Edibility of food" group are less effort-requiring