Evaluating the phase diagram of superconductors with asymmetric spin populations

The phase diagram of a non-relativistic fermionic system with imbalanced state populations interacting via a short-range S-wave attractive interaction is analyzed in the mean field approximation. We determine the energetically favored state for different values of the mismatch between the two Fermi spheres in the weak and strong coupling regime considering both homogeneous and non-homogeneous superconductive states. We find that the homogeneous superconductive phase persists for values of the population imbalance that increase with increasing coupling strength. In the strong coupling regime and for large population differences the energetically stable homogeneous phase is characterized by one gapless mode. We also find that the inhomogeneous superconductive phase characterized by the condensate $\Delta({\bf x}) \sim \Delta~\exp{(i \bf{q \cdot x})}$ is energetically favored in a range of values of the chemical potential mismatch that shrinks to zero in the strong coupling regime.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figure

Neutrino emission from compact stars and inhomogeneous color superconductivity

We discuss specific heat and neutrino emissivity due to direct Urca processes for quark matter in the color superconductive Larkin-Ovchinnikov-Fulde-Ferrell (LOFF) phase of Quantum-Chromodynamics. We assume that the three light quarks $u, d, s$ are in a color and electrically neutral state and interact by a four fermion Nambu-Jona Lasinio coupling. We study a LOFF state characterized by a single plane wave for each pairing. From the evaluation of neutrino emissivity and fermionic specific heat, the cooling rate of simplified models of compact stars with a quark core in the LOFF state is estimated.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figures, revtex4 style. Version accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Victims of Violence in Accident & Emergency: Reporting Survey of Eleven Emergency Structures Out of Eighteen

Sexual violence is a widespread and common phenomenon in our society, which unfortunately often goes unreported or undetected: a hidden "iceberg" of great dimension. Often the victims arrive to our emergency department where the sanitary workers are not prepared to help them professionally. By this work the authors want to evaluate health workers true understanding of the "problem of violence"; their human and professional capacity to manage it; their capacity to create and promote sensitisation and training programmes for professionals working in the field; and the ability to design and implement protocols and procedures to be utilized when managing victims of violence by a questionnaire compiled and distributed to health professionals working in the critical areas (A&E and DEA) in the region Lazio

La disclosure volontaria del modello di business nel prospetto informativo di quotazione: un’analisi comparative

How do companies to be listed actually deal with voluntary disclosure of their business model? Is it true that firms with greater knowledge-based resources and technological innovation endowments have a lower propensity to adopt fully open communication behaviors? This paper aims to identify the voluntary disclosure policies adopted by three Italian companies in their Initial Public Offering (IPO) prospectuses in order to investigate whether any differences may depend on the type of innovation underlying each business model. A series of interviews conducted with the top management made it possible to understand more deeply the business model of each company. Further, a content analysis has been developed to compute a measure of disclosure and to point out the strategic concepts and their relevance. We provide evidence that companies with a business model based on technology-push innovation have a lower propensity to the full disclosure of their intangible components, particularly of those mainly based on knowledge as these are also invisible. Our study adds to the literature of business and financial reporting by focusing on a new object of inquiry, that is the business model. The business model plays an important role in allowing external actors to understand a company’s value, thus companies’ strategic communication should be shaped accordingly. The results suggest the need to address the issue of voluntary disclosure of the business model by first distinguishing “visible” intangible resources from those that are “invisible” (both to financial and competitive markets). The study aims to make a contribution to the ongoing debate on business and financial reporting practice

Non-Destructive Multi-Analytical Approach to Study the Pigments of Wall Painting Fragments Reused in Mortars from the Archaeological Site of Pompeii (Italy)

During the excavations carried out in Via di Mercurio (Regio VI, 9, 3) in Pompeii, in 2015, some red, green, black, and brown wall painting fragments were found in the preparatory layer of an ancient pavement which was probably built after the 62 AD earthquake. These fragments, derived from the rubble, were used as coarse aggregate to prepare the mortar for building the pavement. The wall painting fragments are exceptionally well preserved, which is an uncommon occurrence in the city of Pompeii. However, as they were enclosed in the mortar, the wall painting fragments were protected from the high temperatures (probably ranging between 180 ◦C and 380 ◦C) produced by the eruption in 79 AD. The pigmented outer surface of each sample was analyzed using a non-destructive multi-analytical approach, by combining spectrophotometric colorimetry and portable X-ray fluorescence with micro-Raman spectroscopy. The compositional characterization of the samples revealed the presence of cuprorivaite, goethite, and celadonite in the green pigments; hematite in the red pigments; goethite in the brown pigment; and charcoal in the black pigment. These data probably provide us with the most "faithful picture" of the various red, green, black, and brown pigments used in Pompeii prior to the 79 AD eruptio

The minimally invasive open video-assisted approach in surgical thyroid diseases

BACKGROUND: The targets of minimally invasive surgery (MIVA) could be summarised by: achievement of the same results as those obtained with traditional surgery, less trauma, better post-operative course, early discharge from hospital and improved cosmetic results. The minimally invasive techniques in thyroid surgery can be described as either endoscopic "pure" approach (completely closed approach with or without CO(2 )insufflation), or "open approach" with central neck mini-incision or "open video-assisted approach". Traditionally, open thyroidectomy requires a 6 to 8 cm, or bigger, transverse wound on the lower neck. The minimally invasive approach wound is much shorter (1.5 cm for small nodules, up to 2–3 cm for the largest ones, in respect of the exclusion criteria) upon the suprasternal notch. Patients also experience much less pain after MIVA surgery than after conventional thyroidectomy. This is due to less dissection and destruction of tissues. Pathologies treated are mainly nodular goiter; the only kind of thyroid cancer which may be approached with endoscopic surgery is a small differentiated carcinoma without lymph node involvement. The patients were considered eligible for MIVA hemithyroidectomy and thyroidectomy on the basis of some criteria, such as gland volume and the kind of disease. In our experience we have chosen the minimally invasive open video-assisted approach of Miccoli et al. (2002). The aim of this work was to verify the suitability of the technique and the applicability in clinical practice. METHODS: A completely gasless procedure was carried out through a 15–30 mm central incision about 20 mm above the sternal notch. Dissection was mainly performed under endoscopic vision using conventional endoscopic instruments. The video aided group included 11 patients. All patients were women with a average age of 54. RESULTS: We performed thyroidectomy in 8 cases and hemithyroidectomy in 3 cases. The operative average time has been 170 minutes. CONCLUSION: Nowadays this minimally invasive surgery, in selected patients, clearly demonstrates excellent results regarding patient cure rate and comfort, with shorter hospital stay, reduced postoperative pain and most attractive cosmetic results