All-Optical Reinforcement Learning in Solitonic X-Junctions

L'etologia ha dimostrato che gruppi di animali o colonie possono eseguire calcoli complessi distribuendo semplici processi decisionali ai membri del gruppo. Ad esempio, le colonie di formiche possono ottimizzare le traiettorie verso il cibo eseguendo sia un rinforzo (o una cancellazione) delle tracce di feromone sia spostarsi da una traiettoria ad un'altra con feromone più forte. Questa procedura delle formiche possono essere implementati in un hardware fotonico per riprodurre l'elaborazione del segnale stigmergico. Presentiamo qui innovative giunzioni a X completamente integrate realizzate utilizzando guide d'onda solitoniche in grado di fornire entrambi i processi decisionali delle formiche. Le giunzioni a X proposte possono passare da comportamenti simmetrici (50/50) ad asimmetrici (80/20) utilizzando feedback ottici, cancellando i canali di uscita inutilizzati o rinforzando quelli usati.Ethology has shown that animal groups or colonies can perform complex calculation distributing simple decision-making processes to the group members. For example ant colonies can optimize the trajectories towards the food by performing both a reinforcement (or a cancellation) of the pheromone traces and a switch from one path to another with stronger pheromone. Such ant's processes can be implemented in a photonic hardware to reproduce stigmergic signal processing. We present innovative, completely integrated X-junctions realized using solitonic waveguides which can provide both ant's decision-making processes. The proposed X-junctions can switch from symmetric (50/50) to asymmetric behaviors (80/20) using optical feedbacks, vanishing unused output channels or reinforcing the used ones

Archeologia delle aree montane europee: metodi, problemi e casi di studio

Negli ultimi anni, a livello europeo, si \ue8 assistito a un rinnovato interesse per le \u201cquestioni ambientali\u201d che ha investito tutte le scienze sociali. In questo contesto, la montagna e, pi\uf9 in generale, le aree interne sono al centro dell\u2019attenzione di specialisti di varie discipline. Tale interesse sta producendo, anche in archeologia, una corposa bibliografia dalla quale emergono, da un lato, la variet\ue0 degli approcci e delle metodologie messe in campo dai diversi gruppi di ricerca e, dall\u2019altro, le notevoli potenzialit\ue0 informative di queste aree, che hanno meno risentito delle conseguenze distruttive dei processi di urbanizzazione successivi al secondo dopoguerra. Il numero monografico 13 de \u201cIl Capitale Culturale\u201d accoglie sia studi di carattere metodologico e teorico, sia resoconti articolati di ricerche in corso in Europa, senza alcuna limitazione di carattere cronologico o di approccio, sui seguenti temi: \u2022 Approcci metodologici e teorici allo studio delle aree montane e/o interne; \u2022 Survey nelle aree montane; \u2022 Archeologia delle risorse ambientali; \u2022 Visibilit\ue0/ invisibilit\ue0 dei paesaggi montani nelle diverse fonti; \u2022 I paesaggi montani e i sistemi di gestione delle risorse ambientali; \u2022 Economie della montagna ed economie nella montagna; \u2022 Caratteri delle produzioni ceramiche; \u2022 Archeologia della produzione ed eventuali peculiarit\ue0 dei cicli produttivi; \u2022 Archeologia dell'edificato rurale storico; \u2022 Archeologia pubblica, valorizzazione dei Beni Archeologici e archeologia preventiva nelle aree montane

Recent progress of the ATLAS Planar Pixel Sensor R&D Project

The foreseen luminosity upgrade for the LHC (a factor of 5-10 more in peak luminosity by 2021) poses serious constraints on the technology for the ATLAS tracker in this High Luminosity era (HL-LHC). In fact, such luminosity increase leads to increased occupancy and radiation damage of the tracking detectors. To investigate the suitability of pixel sensors using the proven planar technology for the upgraded tracker, the ATLAS Planar Pixel Sensor R&D Project was established comprising 17 institutes and more than 80 scientists. Main areas of research are the performance of planar pixel sensors at highest fluences, the exploration of possibilities for cost reduction to enable the instrumentation of large areas, the achievement of slim or active edge designs to provide low geometric inefficiencies without the need for shingling of modules and the investigation of the operation of highly irradiated sensors at low thresholds to increase the efficiency. In the following I will present results from the group, concerning mainly irradiated-devices performance, together with studies for new sensors, including detailed simulations.Comment: 9 pages,12 figure

Bibliografia

Abstract

Local seismic response studies in the north-western portion of the August 24th, 2016 Mw 6.0 earthquake affected area. The case of Visso village (Central Apennines).

In this work, we investigate the possible causes of the differential damaging observed in Visso village (Central Apennines, about 28 km north from the August 24th, 2016 Mw 6.0 earthquake epicenter). Following insights from the available geological cartography at 1:10.000 scale, a preliminary geophysical survey has been performed in the damaged area in order to constrain geometries and extent of the subsoil lithotypes. Then, these results have been used to retrieve a Vs profile close to the most heavily damaged buildings. This latter has been used as input for a numerical analysis aimed at deriving the motion at the ground level in the study area. In particular, a linear equivalent simulation has been performed by means of EERA code and the waveform has been obtained convolving the time history recorded during the August 24th, 2016 mainshock at Spoleto Monteluco (SPM) site. Our preliminary results indicate a possible correlation of damaging to the thickness and shape of the geological units. Nevertheless, further analyses are necessary to highlight any 2D basin and / non- linear soil behaviour effects in order to compare them to the intrinsic buildings vulnerability, according to the EMS98 guidelines

A safe production process of alkylene oxide from alkylene carbonates

Alkylene oxides of low molecular weight, ethylene, and propylene oxides, are widely used in industry. They are used to produce other chemicals and products such as solvents, surfactants, antifreeze, adhesives, polyurethane foams, and pharmaceuticals. They are also used as fumigants in agricultural products and as sterilants for medical equipment and supplies. Unfortunately, it is worth noting that alkylene oxides also possess several physical and health hazards that merit special attention. They are flammable and explosive and their storage and transportation warrant stringent safety rules. The obvious solution to reduce the risk is to generate them from intermediate safety materials only when and only where they are necessary. The literature suggests that correspondent carbonates are very stable precursors. The scope of our study is that of identifying the optimal conditions to generate ethylene and propylene oxide at the moment just before their reaction and uses. The patent deals with some equipment and process conditions that guarantee a fast and reliable dissociation of carbonates in their correspondent oxides. The natural output of the patent is a unit able to provide the dangerous material in situ, under controlled conditions. As a result, all the risks related to transportation and storage are eliminated

Men’s reactions to gender inequality in the workplace: From relative deprivation on behalf of women to collective action

: Over recent years, the role of men as women's allies in the struggle for gender equality has become increasingly important. Previous research has shown that often men do not fight gender inequalities as they fail to recognize the severity of discrimination against women (e.g., in hiring). In this study (N = 427), we examined whether men who experienced relative deprivation on behalf of women-a form of relative deprivation that stems from the awareness that women hold a less privileged position in society-were more motivated to engage in collective action to support gender equality in the workplace. The findings showed that men's feelings of deprivation on behalf of women were associated with a greater willingness to engage in collective action for gender equality. This relationship was sequentially mediated by two emotional reactions related to deprivation-increased guilt about gender inequalities and decreased fear of a potential backlash-and the moral conviction of acting for gender equality. These results suggest that men's awareness of gender inequality at work is an important antecedent to their acting in solidarity with women and that emotions and moral conviction are two psychological processes that turn cognition into behavior. Action to reduce gender inequalities should make men more sensitive to seeing that they hold a privileged position in society and to recognizing the pervasive and harmful nature of women's deprivation

Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage Sites in Albania.

UNESCO has a vital role to play in constructing a global culture of disaster preparedness and mitigation, building in the minds of people a Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage Sites in Albania culture of resilience to risk, promoting awareness, education and capacity and foremost a different way to approach the domain of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and preparedness. UNESCO is also the secretariat of the 1972 World Heritage Convention, of which the properties have recently been the focus of substantial advancement in securing better capacity in risk management and reduction. Since UNESCO is engaged in important actions for the protection of cultural heritage it implements several projects in post disaster scenarios. This book has been elaborated as a final outcome of the project \u201cNatural Risk Preparedness and Mitigation - Building capacity in the field of risk mitigation for Cultural Heritage properties in Albania\u201d during the period 2011-2013. The project aimed to streamline disaster risk management in the Country, using its World Heritage properties as demonstration sites. The project was conceived to assist the country in order to enhance its capacity for Disasters Risk Management (DRM) and advancement in seismological and geological vulnerability of Cultural Heritage properties