Coherent states for FLRW space-times in loop quantum gravity

We construct a class of coherent spin-network states that capture proprieties of curved space-times of the Friedmann-Lama\^itre-Robertson-Walker type on which they are peaked. The data coded by a coherent state are associated to a cellular decomposition of a spatial ($t=$const.) section with dual graph given by the complete five-vertex graph, though the construction can be easily generalized to other graphs. The labels of coherent states are complex SL(2, \mathbbm{C}) variables, one for each link of the graph and are computed through a smearing process starting from a continuum extrinsic and intrinsic geometry of the canonical surface. The construction covers both Euclidean and Lorentzian signatures; in the Euclidean case and in the limit of flat space we reproduce the simplicial 4-simplex semiclassical states used in Spin Foams.Comment: 10 pages, 1 figure, published versio

The free energy principle induces neuromorphic development

We show how any finite physical system with morphological, i.e. three-dimensional embedding or shape, degrees of freedom and locally limited free energy will, under the constraints of the free energy principle, evolve over time towards a neuromorphic morphology that supports hierarchical computations in which each ‘level’ of the hierarchy enacts a coarse-graining of its inputs, and dually, a fine-graining of its outputs. Such hierarchies occur throughout biology, from the architectures of intracellular signal transduction pathways to the large-scale organization of perception and action cycles in the mammalian brain. The close formal connections between cone-cocone diagrams (CCCD) as models of quantum reference frames on the one hand, and between CCCDs and topological quantum field theories on the other, allow the representation of such computations in the fully-general quantum-computational framework of topological quantum neural networks

Interplay between curvature and Planck-scale effects in astrophysics and cosmology

Several recent studies have considered the implications for astrophysics and cosmology of some possible nonclassical properties of spacetime at the Planck scale. The new effects, such as a Planck-scale-modified energy-momentum (dispersion) relation, are often inferred from the analysis of some quantum versions of Minkowski spacetime, and therefore the relevant estimates depend heavily on the assumption that there could not be significant interplay between Planck-scale and curvature effects. We here scrutinize this assumption, using as guidance a quantum version of de Sitter spacetime with known Inonu-Wigner contraction to a quantum Minkowski spacetime. And we show that, contrary to common (but unsupported) beliefs, the interplay between Planck-scale and curvature effects can be significant. Within our illustrative example, in the Minkowski limit the quantum-geometry deformation parameter is indeed given by the Planck scale, while in the de Sitter picture the parameter of quantization of geometry depends both on the Planck scale and the curvature scalar. For the much-studied case of Planck-scale effects that intervene in the observation of gamma-ray bursts we can estimate the implications of "quantum spacetime curvature" within robust simplifying assumptions. For cosmology at the present stage of the development of the relevant mathematics one cannot go beyond semiheuristic reasoning, and we here propose a candidate approximate description of a quantum FRW geometry, obtained by patching together pieces (with different spacetime curvature) of our quantum de Sitter. This semiheuristic picture, in spite of its limitations, provides rather robust evidence that in the early Universe the interplay between Planck-scale and curvature effects could have been particularly significant.Comment: 26 pages

Influence of Carding and Pressing on Hygrothermal Properties and Fire Reaction of Hemp Fiber Nonwoven Mats

This article depicts the effect of carding and pressing on hygrothermal properties of hemp fibers nonwoven mats, trying to understand if their implementation can improve their behavior when employed as insulation materials in buildings. Hemp fibers belonging to Cannabis Sativa species and coming from local area (Apulia - Italy) were examined, then samples of carded and pressed hemp fibers nonwoven mats were prepared. According to European standards, the thermal conductivity, the vapor permeability and the fire reaction of hemp fibers samples were measured. Results were compared to each other and with those of a commercial nonwoven mat made with hemp (90 wt. %) and synthetic fibers (10 wt. %), used as reference. We observed that carded and pressed hemp fibers were characterized by a lower thermal conductivity when compared to unprocessed hemp fibers, likely because the removing of wood elements. On the other hand, not processed hemp fibers show higher breathability when compared to carded and pressed ones, as well as with respect to the commercial nonwoven mat. Moreover, it was proved that the absence of synthetic commingled fibers in hemp fibers allows a better behavior in fire reaction. At last, the improvement in terms of insulation properties of a hollow brick when filled with hemp fibers was verified, by comparing the thermal conductivities of an empty and a filled hollow brick; as expected, the filled hollow brick shows a lower thermal conductivity, underlining the effectiveness of hemp fibers as insulation material

Fock space, quantum fields and kappa-Poincar\'e symmetries

We study the quantization of a linear scalar field, whose symmetries are described by the kappa-Poincare' Hopf-algebra, via deformed Fock space construction. The one-particle sector of the theory exhibits a natural (planckian) cut-off for the field modes. At the multi-particle level the non-trivial co-algebra structure of kappa-Poincare' leads to a deformed bosonization in the construction of Fock space states. These physical states carry energy-momentum charges which are divergenceless and obey a deformed dispersion relation.Comment: RevTeX, 17 pages, 5 figure

Prevalence of Use and Cost of Biological Drugs for Cancer Treatment: A 5-Year Picture from Southern Italy

Background and Objectives: Considering the clinical and economic burden of biological drugs in cancer treatment, it is necessary to explore how these drugs are used in routine care in Italy and how they affect the sustainability of the National Health Services. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of use and costs of biological drugs for cancer treatment in a general population of Southern Italy in the years 2010–2014. Methods: This was a retrospective, observational study using data from the healthcare administrative databases of Messina Province for the years 2010–2014. In this study, users of biological drugs for cancer treatment were characterized and the prevalence of use and costs were calculated over time. The potential impact of biosimilars on the expenditure was also estimated. Results: Of a population of 653,810 residents in the Messina area during the study years, 2491 (0.4%) patients received at least one study drug. The most frequently used were monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) (n = 1607; 64.5%) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) (n = 609; 24.4%). mAbs were mainly used by females (60.3%) for metastasis due to an unspecified primary tumor, lymphomas, or breast cancer (24.2, 16.7, and 13.7%, respectively). Most users of small molecules were males (56.3%) being treated for multiple myeloma, metastasis due to unspecified primary tumor, leukemia, and lung cancer (13.1, 12.6, 9.5, and 8.9%, respectively). During the study years, the prevalence of use doubled from 0.9 to 1.8 per 1000 inhabitants; likewise, the related expenditure grew from €6.6 to €13.6 million. Based on our forecasts, this expenditure will grow to €25 million in 2020. Assuming a 50% biosimilar uptake (trastuzumab and rituximab), a potential yearly saving of almost €1 million may be achieved. Conclusions: In recent years, the use and costs of biological drugs in cancer patients have increased dramatically in a large population from Southern Italy. This trend may be counterbalanced by adopting biosimilars once they are available. Claims databases represent a valid tool to monitor the uptake of newly marketed biological drugs and biosimilars

Author Correction to: Prevalence of Use and Cost of Biological Drugs for Cancer Treatment: A 5-Year Picture from Southern Italy

Unfortunately, many errors were identified in the published article. The original article was corrected

Hsp60 Is Actively Secreted by Human Tumor Cells

Background: Hsp60, a Group I mitochondrial chaperonin, is classically considered an intracellular chaperone with residence in the mitochondria; nonetheless, in the last few years it has been found extracellularly as well as in the cell membrane. Important questions remain pertaining to extracellular Hsp60 such as how generalized is its occurrence outside cells, what are its extracellular functions and the translocation mechanisms that transport the chaperone outside of the cell. These questions are particularly relevant for cancer biology since it is believed that extracellular chaperones, like Hsp70, may play an active role in tumor growth and dissemination. Methodology/Principal Findings: Since cancer cells may undergo necrosis and apoptosis, it could be possible that extracellular Hsps are chiefly the result of cell destruction but not the product of an active, physiological process. In this work, we studied three tumor cells lines and found that they all release Hsp60 into the culture media by an active mechanism independently of cell death. Biochemical analyses of one of the cell lines revealed that Hsp60 secretion was significantly reduced, by inhibitors of exosomes and lipid rafts. Conclusions/Significance: Our data suggest that Hsp60 release is the result of an active secretion mechanism and, since extracellular release of the chaperone was demonstrated in all tumor cell lines investigated, our observations most likel

Evaluating the Priorities of the Calabria's Coast FLAGs for the Improvement of the Quality of Life of the Fisheries Communities

In this study we attempt to evaluate, using a multi-criteria decision making methodology, the priorities of the directors of the six Fishery Local Action Groups (FLAGs) in Calabria Region coastal areas on some dimensions of quality of life. More specifically, the focus is on the role of the FLAGs as a policy instrument, in the context of the Community Led Local Development (CLLD), aimed at improving the quality of life of the small fisheries communities. The results have highlighted the strengths and meaningful weaknesses of the level of the perception of the quality of life of the areas where the FLAGs operated in the previous EU programming period

Quantum gravity phenomenology at the dawn of the multi-messenger era—A review

The exploration of the universe has recently entered a new era thanks to the multi-messenger paradigm, characterized by a continuous increase in the quantity and quality of experimental data that is obtained by the detection of the various cosmic messengers (photons, neutrinos, cosmic rays and gravitational waves) from numerous origins. They give us information about their sources in the universe and the properties of the intergalactic medium. Moreover, multi-messenger astronomy opens up the possibility to search for phenomenological signatures of quantum gravity. On the one hand, the most energetic events allow us to test our physical theories at energy regimes which are not directly accessible in accelerators; on the other hand, tiny effects in the propagation of very high energy particles could be amplified by cosmological distances. After decades of merely theoretical investigations, the possibility of obtaining phenomenological indications of Planck-scale effects is a revolutionary step in the quest for a quantum theory of gravity, but it requires cooperation between different communities of physicists (both theoretical and experimental). This review, prepared within the COST Action CA18108 “Quantum gravity phenomenology in the multi-messenger approach”, is aimed at promoting this cooperation by giving a state-of-the art account of the interdisciplinary expertise that is needed in the effective search of quantum gravity footprints in the production, propagation and detection of cosmic messengers.publishedVersio