Full-wave electromagnetic modes and hybridization in nanoparticle dimers

The plasmon hybridization theory is based on a quasi-electrostatic approximation of the Maxwell’s equations. It does not take into account magnetic interactions, retardation effects, and radiation losses. Magnetic interactions play a dominant role in the scattering from dielectric nanoparticles. The retardation effects play a fundamental role in the coupling of the modes with the incident radiation and in determining their radiative strength; their exclusion may lead to erroneous predictions of the excited modes and of the scattered power spectra. Radiation losses may lead to a significant broadening of the scattering resonances. We propose a hybridization theory for non-Hermitian composite systems based on the full-Maxwell equations that, overcoming all the limitations of the plasmon hybridization theory, unlocks the description of dielectric dimers. As an example, we decompose the scattered field from silicon and silver dimers, under different excitation conditions and gap-sizes, in terms of dimer modes, pinpointing the hybridizing isolated-sphere modes behind them

Semileptonic and Rare BB-meson transitions in a QCD relativistic potential model

Using a QCD relativistic potential model, previously applied to the calculation of the heavy meson leptonic constants, we evaluate the form factors governing the exclusive decays $B\to\rho\ell\nu$, $B\to K^*\gamma$ and $B\to K^*\ell^+\ell^-$. In our approach the heavy meson is described as a $Q\bar q$ bound state, whose wave function is solution of the relativistic Salpeter equation, with an instantaneous potential displaying Coulombic behaviour at small distances and linear behaviour at large distances. The light vector meson is described by using a vector current interpolating field, according to the Vector Meson Dominance assumption. A Pauli-Villars regularized propagator is assumed for the quarks not constituting the heavy meson. Our procedure allows to avoid the description of the light meson in terms of wave function and constituent quarks, and consequently the problem of boosting the light meson wave function. Assuming as an input the experimental results on $B\to K^*\gamma$, we evaluate all the form factors describing the $B\to \rho, K^*$ semileptonic and rare transitions. The overall comparison with the data, whenever available, is satisfactory.Comment: Latex, 19 pages, 3 figure

Centrifuge modelling of flexible retaining walls subjected to dynamic loading

This paper outlines the results of an experimental program carried out on centrifuge models of cantilevered and propped retaining walls embedded in saturated sand. The main aim of the paper is to investigate the dynamic response of these structures when the foundation soil is saturated by measuring the accelerations and pore pressures in the soil, displacements and bending moment of the walls. A comparison among tests with different geometrical configurations and relative density of the soil is presented. The centrifuge models were subjected to dynamic loading in the form of sinusoidal accelerations applied at the base of the models. This paper also presents data from pressure sensors used to measure total earth pressure on the walls. Furthermore, these results are compared with previous dynamic centrifuge tests on flexible retaining walls in dry sand.Consorzio interuniversitario (ReLUIS project), European Union (SERIES project)This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2016.06.01

Chronic bacterial prostatitis: efficacy of short-lasting antibiotic therapy with prulifloxacin (Unidrox®) in association with saw palmetto extract, lactobacillus sporogens and arbutin (Lactorepens®)

Bacterial prostatitis (BP) is a common condition accounting responsible for about 5-10% of all prostatitis cases; chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) classified as type II, are less common but is a condition that significantly hampers the quality of life, (QoL) because not only is it a physical condition but also a psychological distress. Commonly patients are treated with antibiotics alone, and in particular fluoroquinolones are suggested by the European Urology guidelines. This approach, although recommended, may not be enough. Thus, a multimodal approach to the prolonged antibiotic therapy may be helpful.210 patients affected by chronic bacterial prostatitis were enrolled in the study. All patients were positive to Meares-Stamey test and symptoms duration was > 3 months. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of a long lasting therapy with a fluoroquinolone in association with a nutraceutical supplement (prulifloxacin 600 mg for 21 days and an association of Serenoa repens 320 mg, Lactobacillus Sporogens 200 mg, Arbutin 100 mg for 30 days). Patients were randomized in two groups (A and B) receiving respectively antibiotic alone and an association of antibiotic plus supplement.Biological recurrence at 2 months in Group A was observed in 21 patients (27.6%) and in Group B in 6 patients (7.8%). Uropathogens found at the first follow-up were for the majority Gram - (E. coli and Enterobacter spp.). A statistically significant difference was found at the time of the follow-up between Group A and B in the NIH-CPSI questionnaire score, symptoms evidence and serum PSA.Broad band, short-lasting antibiotic therapy in association with a nutritional supplement (serenoa repens, lactobacillus sporogens and arbutin) show better control and recurrence rate on patients affected by chronic bacterial prostatitits in comparison with antibiotic treatment alone.NCT02130713Date of trial Registration: 30/04/2014

Arresting Development: Convictions of Innocent Youth

This is the first quantitative study documenting and analyzing a dataset of wrongfully convicted individuals who were teenagers or younger when first accused. The article explores the causes and factors leading to these wrongful convictions and offers reasons why youth may be particularly vulnerable to being convicted for crimes they did not commit. The data shows that these young exonerees falsely confessed at a rate almost double that of an adult dataset of exonerees, and that police-induced false statements from youth play a role in more than half of the cases. The article also proposes reforms to prevent future wrongful convictions of youth

Background field method in the Wilson formulation

A cutoff regularization for a pure Yang-Mills theory is implemented within the background field method keeping explicit the gauge invariance of the effective action. The method has been applied to compute the beta function at one loop order.Comment: LaTex 13 pages, 1 figure; to appear in Nucl.Phys.

Clinical features, prognosis, and long-term response to ranibizumab of macular CNVs in pattern dystrophies spectrum: a pilot study

Introduction. To analyze the morphological and functional features of choroidal neovascularizations (CNVs) in eyes affected by pattern dystrophies (PD), evaluating their long-term response to intravitreal ranibizumab, and comparing them with CNVs in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The mean goal is to identify possible disease biomarkers and to evaluate the long-term prognosis of CNVs in PD. Materials and Methods. A retrospective study of 42 patients with naïve CNV (26 PD and 16 AMD), for a total of 47 eyes (29 eyes in the PD group and 18 eyes in the AMD group). Each patient received a loading dose of ranibizumab (one monthly for three months) followed by pro re nata (PRN) reinjection protocol for a period of at least three years. Morphological OCT parameters (CRT, central retinal thickness; SRF, subretinal fluid; IRF, intraretinal fluid; SHRM, subretinal hyperreflective material; HRF, hyperreflective foci; HCD, hyperreflective crystalline deposits; cCT, central choroidal thickness; slCT, sublesional choroidal thickness; EZd, ellipsoid zone disruption; and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA in logMAR scale)) were reported at baseline and last follow-up. Results. At baseline, no significant differences were found between the two groups, except for choroidal thickness parameters that were significantly greater in the PD group ( = 0.009). Longitudinal PD analysis demonstrated reduction in BCVA ( = 0.009), decrease in CRT ( = 0.046), resolution of SRF in 61.6% of cases ( = 0.004) and SHRM in 30% ( = 0.034), and choroidal thinning both centrally ( = 0.004) and sublesional ( = 0.011) compared to baseline. At 3 years, the PD group received significantly more injections than the AMD ( = 0.011) and showed significantly thicker choroid ( = 0.033) and more frequent HRF ( = 0.006). Regarding the PD group, we found a negative correlation between age and choroidal thicknesses at baseline and at 3 years ( < 0.05); significant positive correlations were found between baseline BCVA and at 3 years ( < 0.001), BCVA at 3 years and IRF ( = 0.003) and SHRM at 3 years ( = 0.003); CRT baseline and CRT 3 years ( = 0.017); HCD at 3 years was associated with greater CRT ( = 0.04) and IRF at 3 years ( = 0.019). Conclusions. Early and long-term morphofunctional features of CNVs in PD and in AMD are overlapping. CNVs in PD have poorer long-term response to ranibizumab and higher choroidal thickness suggesting different pathogenetic and evolutionary mechanisms

Arresting Development: Convictions of Innocent Youth

This is the first quantitative study documenting and analyzing a dataset of wrongfully convicted individuals who were teenagers or younger when first accused. The article explores the causes and factors leading to these wrongful convictions and offers reasons why youth may be particularly vulnerable to being convicted for crimes they did not commit. The data shows that these young exonerees falsely confessed at a rate almost double that of an adult dataset of exonerees, and that police-induced false statements from youth play a role in more than half of the cases. The article also proposes reforms to prevent future wrongful convictions of youth