A simple model for the evolution of a non-Abelian cosmic string network

In this paper we present the results of numerical simulations intended to study the behavior of non-Abelian cosmic strings networks. In particular we are interested in discussing the variations in the asymptotic behavior of the system as we variate the number of generators for the topological defects. A simple model which should generate cosmic strings is presented and its lattice discretization is discussed. The evolution of the generated cosmic string networks is then studied for different values for the number of generators for the topological defects. Scaling solution appears to be approached in most cases and we present an argument to justify the lack of scaling for the residual cases

Adaptive spectral identification techniques in presence of undetected non linearities

The standard procedure for detection of gravitational wave coalescing binaries signals is based on Wiener filtering with an appropriate bank of template filters. This is the optimal procedure in the hypothesis of addictive Gaussian and stationary noise. We study the possibility of improving the detection efficiency with a class of adaptive spectral identification techniques, analyzing their effect in presence of non stationarities and undetected non linearities in the noiseComment: 4 pages, 2 figures, uses ws-procs9x6.cls Proceedings of "Non linear physics: theory and experiment. II", Gallipoli (Lecce), 200

Efficiency of different matrix inversion methods applied to Wilson fermions

We compare different conjugate gradient -- like matrix inversion methods (CG, BiCGstab1 and BiCGstab2) employing for this purpose the compact lattice quantum electrodynamics (QED) with Wilson fermions. The main goals of this investigation are the CPU time efficiency of the methods as well as the influence of machine precision on the reliability of (physical) results especially close to the 'critical' line ~\kappa_c(\bt).Comment: 27 pages LaTeX (epsf), all figures include

Multi-Task and Meta-Learning with Sparse Linear Bandits

Motivated by recent developments on meta-learning with linear contextual bandit tasks, we study the benefit of feature learning in both the multi-task and meta-learning settings. We focus on the case that the task weight vectors are jointly sparse, i.e. they share the same small set of predictive features. Starting from previous work on standard linear regression with the group-lasso estimator we provide novel oracle-inequalities for this estimator when samples are collected by a bandit policy. Subsequently, building on a recent lasso-bandit policy, we investigate its group-lasso variant and analyze its regret bound. We specialize the proposed policy to the multi-task and meta-learning settings, demonstrating its theoretical advantage. We also point out a deficiency in the state-of-the-art lower bound and observe that our method has a smaller upper bound. Preliminary experiments confirm the effectiveness of our approach in practice

LIGO End-to-End simulation Program

A time-domain simulation program has been developed to provide an accurate description of interferometric gravitational wave detectors. This is being utilized to build a model of LIGO with the aim of aiding in the shakedown and integration of the interferometer subsystems, and ultimately the optimization of detector sensitivity

Efficacy of Anamorelin, a novel non-peptide ghrelin analogue, in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and Cachexia—Review and expert opinion

© 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Cancer cachexia is a multilayered syndrome consisting of the interaction between tumor cells and the host, at times modulated by the pharmacologic treatments used for tumor control. Key cellular and soluble mediators, activated because of this interaction, induce metabolic and nutritional alterations. This results in mass and functional changes systemically, and can lead to increased morbidity and reduced length and quality of life. For most solid malignancies, a cure remains an unrealistic goal, and targeting the key mediators is ineffective because of their heterogeneity/redundancy. The most beneficial approach is to target underlying systemic mechanisms, an approach where the novel non-peptide ghrelin analogue anamorelin has the advantage of stimulating appetite and possibly food intake, as well as promoting anabolism and significant muscle mass gain. In the ROMANA studies, compared with placebo, anamorelin significantly increased lean body mass in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Body composition analysis suggested that anamorelin is an active anabolic agent in patients with NSCLC, without the side effects of other anabolic drugs. Anamorelin also induced a significant and meaningful improvement of anorexia/cachexia symptoms. The ROMANA trials have provided unprecedented knowledge, highlighting the therapeutic effects of anamorelin as an initial, but significant, step toward directly managing cancer cachexia

Improving the sensitivity of future GW observatories in the 1-10 Hz band: Newtonian and seismic noise

The next generation gravitational wave interferometric detectors will likely be underground detectors to extend the GW detection frequency band to frequencies below the Newtonian noise limit. Newtonian noise originates from the continuous motion of the Earth’s crust driven by human activity, tidal stresses and seismic motion, and from mass density fluctuations in the atmosphere. It is calculated that on Earth’s surface, on a typical day, it will exceed the expected GW signals at frequencies below 10 Hz. The noise will decrease underground by an unknown amount. It is important to investigate and to quantify this expected reduction and its effect on the sensitivity of future detectors, to plan for further improvement strategies. We report about some of these aspects. Analytical models can be used in the simplest scenarios to get a better qualitative and semi-quantitative understanding. As more complete modeling can be done numerically, we will discuss also some results obtained with a finite-element-based modeling tool. The method is verified by comparing its results with the results of analytic calculations for surface detectors. A key point about noise models is their initial parameters and conditions, which require detailed information about seismic motion in a real scenario. We will describe an effort to characterize the seismic activity at the Homestake mine which is currently in progress. This activity is specifically aimed to provide informations and to explore the site as a possible candidate for an underground observatory. Although the only compelling reason to put the interferometer underground is to reduce the Newtonian noise, we expect that the more stable underground environment will have a more general positive impact on the sensitivity.We will end this report with some considerations about seismic and suspension noise

Bouguer gravity field of the Tuscan Archipelago (central Italy)

In this paper, we present a new Bouguer gravity map of the Northern Tuscan offshore (central Italy), based on original gravity data acquired on the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago. Our dataset integrates 274 unpublished gravity field measurements with 126 available marine gravity data of the northern Tyrrhenian Sea. The Bouguer anomaly map shows a westward and southward increase of the regional gravity field associated with the uplift of the Moho boundary from central Apennines towards the Tyrrhenian Sea. At a local scale, several Bouguer anomalies are well associated with the igneous plutons of the Elba, Montecristo and Capraia islands, as a result of a deep density contrast between the granitoid intrusive rocks and the embedding metamorphic basement. The presented Bouguer anomaly map represents a useful tool for future studies of the complex geological and geodynamical setting of the Tuscan Archipelago and of the buried and deep igneous structures

Structural validation of a realistic wing structure: the RIBES test article

Several experimental test cases are available in literature to study and validate fluid structure interaction methods. They, however, focus the attention mainly on replicating typical cruising aerodynamic conditions forcing the adoption of fully steel made models able to operate with the high loads generated in high speed facilities. This translates in a complete loss of similitude with typical realistic aeronautical wing structures configurations. To reverse this trend, and to better study the aerolastic mechanism from a structural point of view, an aeroelastic measurement campaign was carried within the EU RIBES project. A half wing model for wind tunnel tests was designed and manufactured replicating a typical metallic wing box structure, producing a database of loads, pressure, stress and deformation measurements. In this paper the design, manufacturing and validation activities performed within the RIBES project are described, with a focus on the structural behavior of the test article. All experimental data and numerical models are made freely available to the scientific community

Connections of the lateral reticular nucleus to the lateral vestibular nucleus in the rat. An anterograde tracing study with Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin

Efferent projections from the lateral reticular nucleus in the rat were investigated with anterograde transport of Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin. Besides the well known mossy fibre connections to the cerebellar cortex and collaterals to the cerebellar nuclei, a substantial bilateral projection to the lateral vestibular nucleus was found. Terminal arborizations found within this nucleus appeared to detach from the reticulocerebellar fibres in the cerebellar white matter and enter the lateral vestibular nucleus from dorsally. This projection may have functional relevance for the control, by ascending spinal pathways, of the descending lateral vestibulospinal tract