Synchrotron radiation reveals the identity of the large felid from Monte Argentario (Early Pleistocene, Italy)

We describe here a partial skull with associated mandible of a large felid from Monte Argentario, Italy (Early Pleistocene; ~1.5 million years). Propagation x-ray phase-contrast synchrotron microtomography of the specimen, still partially embedded in the rock matrix, allows ascribing it reliably to Acinonyx pardinensis, one of the most intriguing extinct carnivorans of the Old World Plio-Pleistocene. The analysis of images and 3D models obtained through synchrotron microtomography – here applied for the first time on a Plio-Pleistocene carnivoran – reveals a mosaic of cheetah-like and Panthera-like features, with the latter justifying previous attributions of the fossil to the extinct Eurasian jaguar Panthera gombaszoegensis. Similarly, we reassign to A. pardinensis some other Italian materials previously referred to P. gombaszoegensis (sites of Pietrafitta and Ellera di Corciano). The recognition of Panthera-like characters in A. pardinensis leads to reconsidering the ecological role of this species, whose hunting strategy was likely to be different from those of the living cheetah. Furthermore, we hypothesise that the high intraspecific variation in body size in A. pardinensis can be the result of sexual dimorphism, as observed today in all large-sized felids

Report on the Verification of the Performance of a Method for the Detection of Event MON71800 in Wheat Using Real-Time PCR

Following the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announcement that test results confirmed the finding of unauthorised GM glyphosate-resistant wheat "volunteer" plants harbouring the event MON71800 on a farm in Oregon, the European Union Reference Laboratory for Genetically Modified Food and Feed (EU-RL GMFF) was requested to provide as soon as possible a method to test wheat consignments for the presence of this genetically modified organism (GMO) to the National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) for GMOs of the EU Member States. In response, the EU-RL put together a testing strategy, based on readily available screening tests which was published here (http://gmo-crl.jrc.ec.europa.eu/GM_wheat.htm). Upon request, Monsanto provided in May 2013 the EU-RL with the procedure “Roundup Ready® Wheat MON71800 Event Specific Endpoint TaqMan® PCR with acc Internal Control for Seed Pools of 1:15” that had previously been made available to, and was used by USDA. The EU-RL GMFF tested this protocol on positive control samples consisting of MON71800 crude lysate, also provided by Monsanto. Our results can be summarised as follow: The method is apparently event-specific. Our specificity-tests did not show cross-reactivity on genomic DNA from a wide selection of similar GMO. The sensitivity of the method was found to be in agreement with previous findings of USDA, i.e. the relative limit of detection lies at 0.5% in a background of 301 ng of total wheat genomic DNA. The absolute limit of detection (LODabs) was determined between 5 and 10 copies of MON71800 target. The latter was not indicated by the USDA. For seed/grains the application of a sub-sampling strategy could allow detection below 0.5% but would require significant additional efforts, including the analysis of numerous sub-samples. Our tests also indicated that the duplex PCR system at the tested stage of optimisation is characterised by poor efficiency at increasing background DNA concentration in reaction. Based on the scientific evidence described in the present report, the EU-RL suggest that its testing strategy (http://gmo-crl.jrc.ec.europa.eu/GM_wheat.htm), making use of validated element and construct-specific methods and found to be more sensitive, is used to test for presence of MON71800 GM-wheat. The verified event specific method of Monsanto could be used to confirm positive findings at GM-target concentration equal or above 0.5% or it could be used for detection of GM-event MON71800 below 0.5% but it would require a costly sub-sampling strategy, which, in addition, is only possible in seeds/grains.JRC.I.3-Molecular Biology and Genomic

Report on the Verification of the Performance of a Testing Strategy for the Detection of Wheat MON71800 Event Using Real-Time PCR

In response to a request of DG SANCO to provide National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) as soon as possible with a method to test soft white wheat consignments for the presence of unauthorised GM glyphosate-resistant wheat harbouring the event MON71800, the European Union Reference Laboratory for Genetically Modified Food and Feed (EU-RL GMFF) developed, in collaboration with the European Network of GMO Laboratories (ENGL), a testing strategy intended to be immediately implementable by EU NRLs. The testing strategy is based on a combination of three validated screening methods that allow excluding (detectable) presence of Monsanto’s GM glyphosate-resistant wheat (MON71800) in wheat grain or food/feed products and confirming its presence whenever other GMOs can be excluded. The present report describes the results of the tests carried out by the EU-RL GMFF to verify the testing strategy proposed; the tests were conducted using the positive control sample represented by a crude DNA lysate of MON71800 provided by Monsanto and genomic DNA samples of genetically modified organisms harbouring the CTP2-CP4epsps element for which a validated event-specific method is available. The sensitivity of the three methods was assessed by verifying the relative limit of detection (LODrel) on MON71800 wheat DNA. The LODrel is approximately 0.03% for the P-35S and for T-nos methods and 0.06% for the CTP2-CP4epsps method in 300 nanograms of wheat genomic DNA. Further experimental evidence confirmed that the three methods react against genomic DNA extracted from GM events containing the CTP2-CP4epsps element for which a validated event-specific method is available. The experimental verification hereby reported confirmed the validity of the EU-RL GMFF guidance on testing for GM glyphosate-resistant wheat (MON71800) in wheat grain or in food/feed products containing wheat flour originating or consigned from the US, provided that DNA of acceptable quality can be obtained.JRC.I.3-Molecular Biology and Genomic

Compact object coalescence rate estimation from short gamma-ray burst observations

Recent observational and theoretical results suggest that Short-duration Gamma-Ray Bursts (SGRBs) are originated by the merger of compact binary systems of two neutron stars or a neutron star and a black hole. The observation of SGRBs with known redshifts allows astronomers to infer the merger rate of these systems in the local universe. We use data from the SWIFT satellite to estimate this rate to be in the range $\sim 500$-1500 Gpc$^{-3}$yr$^{-1}$. This result is consistent with earlier published results which were obtained through alternative approaches. We estimate the number of coincident observations of gravitational-wave signals with SGRBs in the advanced gravitational-wave detector era. By assuming that all SGRBs are created by neutron star-neutron star (neutron star-black hole) mergers, we estimate the expected rate of coincident observations to be in the range $\simeq 0.2$ to 1 ($\simeq 1$ to 3) yr$^{-1}$.Comment: 23 pages, 3 figures, version accepted for publicatio

A Cognitive Model for Emergency Management in Hospitals: Proposal of a Triage Severity Index

Hospitals play a critical role in providing communities with essential medical care during all types of disasters. Any accident that damages systems or people often requires a multifunctional response and recovery effort. Without an appropriate emergency planning, it is impossible to provide good care during a critical event. In fact, during a disaster condition, the same “critical” severity could occur for patients. Thus, it is essential to categorize and to prioritize patients with the aim to provide the best care to as many patients as possible with the available resources. Triage assesses the severity of patients to give an order of medical visit. The purpose of the present research is to develop a hybrid algorithm, called triage algorithm for emergency management (TAEM). The goal is twofold: First, to assess the priority of treatment; second, to assess in which hospital it is preferable to conduct patients. The triage models proposed in the literature are qualitative. The proposed algorithm aims to cover this gap. The model presented exceeds the limits of literature by developing a quantitative algorithm, which performs a numerical index. The hybrid model is implemented in a real scenario concerning the accident management in a petrochemical plant

Optimizing public investments: A Sustainable Economic, Environmental, and Social Investment Multi-criteria Decision Model (SEESIM)

One of the most important aspects for the economic and social growth of a country is high efficiency of public investments. This imperative has never been more critical, especially in the context of Europe and Italy, where the integration of environmental, economic, and social goals is essential to address the multifaceted challenges of the 21st century. This research introduces the Sustainable Economic, Environmental, and Social Investment Model (SEESIM), a novel multi-criteria decision-making framework designed to ensure the sustainability of projects as their validity over time, especially from a National Recovery and Resilience Plan perspective. Utilizing the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), SEESIM integrates environmental, economic, and social criteria as useful tool to evaluate a project in the post-funding phase, ensuring a balanced approach to efficiency and sustain- ability. The model is adaptable to various regional contexts, providing a transparent and replicable methodology for assessing the impacts and costs of public investments. An experimental scenario demonstrates SEESIM’s utility in guiding investment decisions, highlighting its potential to significantly enhance the effectiveness of public resources in achieving long-term sustainability goals. SEESIM represents a pivotal advancement in sus- tainable development strategies, offering a comprehensive tool for integrating multi-dimensional sustainability criteria into public investment decisions

OPTIMIZING RF LINACS AS DRIVERS FOR INVERSE COMPTON SOURCES: THE ELI-NP CASE

The design guide-lines of RF Linacs to fulfil the requirements of high spectral density Inverse Compton Sources for the photo-nuclear science are mostly taken from the expertise coming from high brightness electron Linacs driving X-ray FEL's. The main difference is the quest for maximum phase space density (instead of peak brightness), but many common issues and techniques are exploited, in order to achieve an optimum design and layout for the machine. A relevant example in this field is the design of the hybrid C-band multi-bunch RF Linacs for the ELI-NP Gamma Beam System, aiming at improving by two orders of magnitude the present state of the art in spectral density available for the gamma-ray beam produced

Whole Genome Sequencing and forensics genomics

Advances in the massively parallel sequencing will increase the availability of human whole genome sequences. These are being produced by national and international initiatives, healthcare projects, research projects, and even direct-to-consumer genomics companies. This report aims to evaluate the potential impacts, in the field of forensics, of the information generated by whole genome sequencing and the large-scale availability of whole genome sequences. Thus, this report provides a state of the art of use of large databases of human genome sequences to identify: The donor of a given genome sequence, mostly in the context of wanted or missing persons. The physical characteristics of the genome sequence donor, including medical conditions. The report starts with the definition of the genotyping target, the human genome, and the description of the genotyping methods to analyse it, including massively parallel sequencing. It proceeds with a description of the forensic genetics work processes, quality issues, and logical evidence interpretation. Then, it tackles DNA as Big Data that enables genealogical, biogeographical, phenotypic, and health searches and that requires informed consent and safeguarding against privacy breaches. It then depicts the Prüm Convention as a current model of forensic use of genetic data in European countries. Finally, the report summarizes findings and concerns, and provides final recommendations.JRC.F.7 - Knowledge for Health and Consumer Safet