Induced Circular Polarization on Photons Due to Interaction with Axion-Like Particles in Rotating Magnetic Field of Neutron Stars

We investigate how the photon polarization is affected by the interaction with axion-like particles (ALPs) in the rotating magnetic field of a neutron star (NS). Using quantum Boltzmann equations the study demonstrates that the periodic magnetic field of millisecond NSs enhances the interaction of photons with ALPs and creates a circular polarization on them. A binary system including an NS and a companion star could serve as a probe. When the NS is in front of the companion star with respect to the earth observer, there is a circular polarization on the previously linearly polarized photons as a result of the interaction with ALPs there. After a half-binary period, the companion star passes in front of the NS, and the circular polarization of photons disappears and changes to linear. The excluded parameter space for a millisecond NS with 300~Hz rotating frequency, highlights the coupling constant of $1.7\times10^{-11}~\text{GeV}^{-1}\leq g_{a\gamma\gamma}\leq1.6\times10^{-3}~\text{GeV}^{-1}$ for the ALP masses in the range of $7\times10^{-12}~\text{eV}\leq m_a\leq1.5\times 10^{3}~\text{eV}$.Comment: 31 pages, 5 figure

Storage Material Effects on the Performance of Ru-Based CO2 Capture and Methanation Dual Functioning Materials

In this study, a systematic investigation on Dual Functioning Materials (DFMs) for the capture and methanation of CO₂ is carried out. The attention is focused on the nature of the CO₂ adsorbent component (storage material, SM) varying between alkaline (Li, Na, K) and alkaline-earth (Mg, Ca, Ba) metal oxides in combination with Ru, both supported on an Al₂O₃ support. Combining gas phase reactivity analysis and FT-IR characterization, the samples are characterized in terms of CO₂ storage capacity. It is found that all the SM-containing samples adsorb significant amounts of CO₂ as carbonate species, with the higher amounts being adsorbed when the more thermally stable species are formed, i.e., when Ca, Ba, or K are employed as SMs. In all cases, the hydrogenation of the adsorbed carbonates to CH₄ occurs at lower temperature, if compared to their thermal desorption. However, in the case of Ca- and Ba-based DFMs, resilient carbonates are present on the material surface. It was found that the SMs able to form the more thermally stable carbonates upon CO₂ adsorption also showed the best performances in capture/methanation cycles at 350 °C, even if some residual carbonates were left on the DFM after the hydrogenation step. In particular, the following order of reactivity has in fact been observed in terms of CH₄ production: Ru–K ≥ Ru–Ba > Ru–Ca > Ru–Na ≫ Ru–Mg ≅ Ru–Li ≅ Ru. The presence of steam and O₂ during the capture step has a detrimental effect on the CO₂ adsorption for all samples and, as a result, on CH₄ production due to the competition of CO₂ and water for the same adsorption sites. Thus, only SMs able to form strongly bound carbonates species upon CO₂ exposure can retain significant CO₂ storage capacity also in the presence of water in the adsorption feed

Investigation on the Adsorption and Photooxidation of Glycerol at TiO2 Nanotubular Arrays

A study is presented on the adsorption of glycerol at TiO2as well as on its oxidative process during the contemporary water Photoelectro-splitting for hydrogen production. A deepening in the understanding on the working mechanism of the TiO2nanotubular photoanodes and on the interactions between glycerol and these structures has been gained through photocurrent tests, voltammetric scans, and EIS analysis. A range of wavelength of the incident radiation is investigated from 340 to 400 nm at which the effect of glycerol on the photocurrent is measured. Quantitative analysis of the EIS results is performed by the equivalent circuit approach

Silver-based catalytic materials for the simultaneous removal of soot and NOx

The potential of silver-based catalysts in the simultaneous removal of particulate matter (soot) and NOxis investigated in this work and compared with that of a model Pt-Ba/Al2O3catalyst. The Ag (5 wt%) - Ba (10 wt%)/MO (MO = CeO2, ZrO2, Al2O3) and Ag (5 wt%) - Sr (10 wt%)/CeO2catalysts have been prepared by incipient wetness impregnation and characterized by BET, XRD, HRTEM, XPS and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) experiments. The behavior of the catalyst in the soot combustion (under loose conditions) and NOxremoval has been separately analyzed by means of temperature programmed oxidation (TPO) and isothermal concentration step change (ICSC) experiments, respectively. The results show that all the catalysts are active in soot combustion with a significant decrease of oxidation onset temperature compared to uncatalyzed soot oxidation. The removal of NOxin the absence and in the presence of soot was investigated under cycling conditions, i.e. alternating lean-rich phases according to the LNT strategy. It has been found that the Ag-based samples are able to simultaneously remove soot and NOx. In particular, comparing the behavior of the prepared catalysts, the Ba-containing systems showed higher NOxstorage capacity than Sr-catalyst; also, the nitrogen selectivity increased even if resulted lower than the traditional LNT Pt-based catalyst. A detrimental effect of soot on the NOxstorage activity has been also observed.Postprint (author's final draft

Waiting times for prostate cancer: a review

Prostate cancer is one of the most common diagnosed cancer in men and the waiting time has become an important issue not only for clinical reasons, but mostly for the psychological implications on patients. The aim of our study was to review and analyze the literature on waiting times for prostate cancer. In February-March 2019 we performed a search for original peer-reviewed papers in the electronic database PubMed (MEDLINE). The key search terms were “prostate cancer AND waiting list”, “prostate cancer AND waiting times”. We included in our narrative review articles in Italian, English or French, published in 2009-2019 containing original data about the waiting times for prostate cancer. The literature search yielded 680 publications. Finally, we identified 8 manuscripts eligible for the review. The articles were published between 2010 and 2019; the studies involved a minimum of 16 to a maximum of 95,438 participants. Studies have been conducted in 6 countries. The waiting times from cancer suspicion to histopathological diagnosis and to treatment had an important reduction in the last years, and this constant decrease could lead to an increase of patients' satisfaction

Accreditation and Quality in the Italian National Health Care System: a 10 years long review

  Background: Italian accreditation and OECI accreditation are recognized as tools to ensure an adequate level of quality in healthcare setting. The aim of our study was to review the scientific literature about these topics looking for original experiences of accreditation.  Methods: In March-April 2019 we conducted a search on original peer-reviewed papers in the electronic database PubMed (MEDLINE). The key search terms were “accreditation AND Italy”, “hospital accreditation AND Italy”. We looked for studies published between 2009 and 2019, reporting information about Accreditation experiences. 13.  Results: The literature search yielded 562 publications. Finally, we identified 16 manuscripts eligible for the review. The studies were published between 2010 and 2016; they were conducted from 2007 to 2015; they involved a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 183 centres located in different Italian regions and cities. They concerned different fields such as oncology, haematology, health physics, health direction, paediatrics, and surgery. Accreditation led to a general enhancement of quality, and offered suggestions for further improvement.  Conclusion: Each healthcare system should achieve the best possible levels of quality and safety.  Accreditation, combined with further strategies could ensure the highest level of quality

Study of N2O formation over Rh- and Pt-based LNT catalysts

In this paper, mechanistic aspects involved in the formation of N2O over Pt-BaO/Al2O3 and Rh-BaO/Al2O3 model NOx Storage-Reduction (NSR) catalysts are discussed. The reactivity of both gas-phase NO and stored nitrates was investigated by using H2 and NH3 as reductants. It was found that N2O formation involves the presence of gas-phase NO, since no N2O is observed upon the reduction of nitrates stored over both Pt- and Rh-BaO/Al2O3 catalyst samples. In particular, N2O formation involves the coupling of undissociated NO molecules with N-adspecies formed upon NO dissociation onto reduced Platinum-Group-Metal (PGM) sites. Accordingly, N2O formation is observed at low temperatures, when PGM sites start to be reduced, and disappears at high temperatures where PGM sites are fully reduced and complete NO dissociation takes place. Besides, N2O formation is observed at lower temperatures with H2 than with NH3 in view of the higher reactivity of hydrogen in the reduction of the PGM sites and onto Pt-containing catalyst due to the higher reducibility of Pt vs. Rh

Looking for colors in the pampas region: techno-morpho-functional and archeometric studies of mineral pigments from archaeological sites of the interserrana plain, Argentina

En esta contribución presentamos los resultados del estudio tecno-morfológico-funcional y arqueométrico de pigmentos minerales recuperados en cuatro sitios residenciales y en un escondrijo de la llanura Interserrana, ocupados durante el Holoceno medio y tardío. En los sitios residenciales identificamos pigmentos compuestos por diversidad de óxidos de hierro y argilominerales, entre ellos pirofilita, procedentes de las sierras de Barker, que ingresaron a los sitios como parte del equipamiento personal y se utilizaron en bruto, ya sea en polvo o de forma directa, posiblemente para el tratamiento o decoración de cueros. Los pigmentos que integran el escondrijo, compuestos por diversos óxidos e hidróxido de hierro, así como por caolinita e illita, también podrían provenir de Barker, aunque no podemos descartar su obtención en otros sectores de Tandilia. Su adquisición, traslado y almacenaje se realizó con el propósito de equipar con rocas colorantes un borde de laguna reiteradamente ocupado.In this paper we present the results of the techno-morpho-functional and archaeometric studies of mineral pigments from four residential sites and a cache from the Interserrana plain, occupied during the middle and late Holocene. At the residential sites we identified pigments composed of a variety of iron oxides and clay minerals, including pyrophyllite, from the Barker hills, that entered the sites as part of personal toolkits and were used unmodified, reduced to powder or directly applied. They were possibly used for hide treatment or decoration. The pigments that form the cache are composed of various iron oxides and hydroxide, as well as kaolinite or illite. They could also come from Barker, although the acquisition from other sectors in the Tandilia Range cannot be discarded. The cache pigments were obtained and deposited in order to supply with coloring rocks the banks of a recurrently occupied shallow lake.Sociedad Argentina de AntropologíaCentro de Tecnología de Recursos Minerales y Cerámic