The single currency and European citizenship

We could expect that the introduction of the single currency had been accompanied by a significant share of studies and researches about the implications and impacts of such a watershed event on European citizenship. On the contrary, we soon discover to be facing a paradox, which could be phrased as follows: while the purpose of building European citizenship is the very rationale for the project of the single currency, the Scholars – but also the policy community – have mostly underestimated if not neglected this relation, both in terms of public policy making and discourse and of interpretation and forecasting. As a consequence of all of that, relevant features of the single currency happened to remain hidden, poorly considered and almost not thematized. In order to fill this gap, the first part of this article will present the main findings emerged from a documentary research conducted by FONDACA between 2010 and 2011, aimed at mapping the existing academic and policy thematizations about the hidden dimensions of the euro. The second part will be devoted to define “the other side of the coin” as an empirical phenomenon

Generalized Gibbs Ensemble of the Ablowitz–Ladik Lattice, Circular β -Ensemble and Double Confluent Heun Equation

We consider the discrete defocusing nonlinear Schrodinger equation in its integrable version, which is called defocusing Ablowitz-Ladik lattice. We consider periodic boundary conditions with period N and initial data sampled according to the Generalized Gibbs ensemble. In this setting, the Lax matrix of the Ablowitz-Ladik lattice is a random CMV-periodic matrix and it is related to the Killip-Nenciu Circular beta-ensemble at high-temperature. We obtain the generalized free energy of the Ablowitz-Ladik lattice and the density of states of the random Lax matrix by establishing a mapping to the one-dimensional log-gas. For the Gibbs measure related to the Hamiltonian of the Ablowitz-Ladik flow, we obtain the density of states via a particular solution of the double-confluent Heun equation

Discrete Integrable Systems and Random Lax Matrices

We study properties of Hamiltonian integrable systems with random initial data by considering their Lax representation. Specifically, we investigate the spectral behaviour of the corresponding Lax matrices when the number N of degrees of freedom of the system goes to infinity and the initial data is sampled according to a properly chosen Gibbs measure. We give an exact description of the limit density of states for the exponential Toda lattice and the Volterra lattice in terms of the Laguerre and antisymmetric Gaussian beta-ensemble in the high temperature regime. For generalizations of the Volterra lattice to short range interactions, called INB additive and multiplicative lattices, the focusing Ablowitz-Ladik lattice and the focusing Schur flow, we derive numerically the density of states. For all these systems, we obtain explicitly the density of states in the ground states

Adiabatic Invariants for the FPUT and Toda Chain in the Thermodynamic Limit

We consider the Fermi\u2013Pasta\u2013Ulam\u2013Tsingou (FPUT) chain composed by N 6b 1 particles and periodic boundary conditions, and endow the phase space with the Gibbs measure at small temperature \u3b2- 1. Given a fixed 1 64 m 6a N, we prove that the first m integrals of motion of the periodic Toda chain are adiabatic invariants of FPUT (namely they are approximately constant along the Hamiltonian flow of the FPUT) for times of order \u3b2, for initial data in a set of large measure. We also prove that special linear combinations of the harmonic energies are adiabatic invariants of the FPUT on the same time scale, whereas they become adiabatic invariants for all times for the Toda dynamics

Versatile hydrogels: An efficient way to clean paper artworks

In this work we present innovative materials able to remove in a single, simple and not invasive treatment, different contaminants like starch paste from paper artworks. The materials, based on biocompatible hydrogels, overcome many of the problems usually faced by restorers during the cleaning of paper sample

From morphological heterogeneity at alveolar level to the overall mechanical lung behavior: an in vivo microscopic imaging study.

In six male anesthetized, tracheotomized, and mechanically ventilated rabbits, we imaged subpleural alveoli under microscopic view (60×) through a "pleural window" obtained by stripping the endothoracic fascia and leaving the parietal pleura intact. Three different imaging scale levels were identified for the analysis on increasing stepwise local distending pressure (P ld) up to 16.5 cmH2O: alveoli, alveolar cluster, and whole image field. Alveolar profiles were manually traced, clusters of alveoli of similar size were identified through a contiguity-constrained hierarchical agglomerative clustering analysis and alveolar surface density (ASD) was estimated as the percentage of air on the whole image field. Alveolar area distributions were remarkably right-skewed and showed an increase in median value with a large topology-independent heterogeneity on increasing P ld. Modeling of alveolar area distributions on increasing P ld led to hypothesize that absolute alveolar compliance (change in surface area over change in P ld) increases fairly linearly with increasing initial alveolar size, the corollary of this assumption being a constant specific compliance. Clusters were reciprocally interweaved due to their highly variable complex shapes. ASD was found to increase with a small coefficient of variation (CV <25\%) with increasing P ld. The CV of lung volume at each transpulmonary pressure was further decreased (about 6\%). The results of the study suggest that the considerable heterogeneity of alveolar size and of the corresponding alveolar mechanical behavior are homogenously distributed, resulting in a substantially homogenous mechanical behavior of lung units and whole organ

Correlation Functions for a Chain of Short Range Oscillators

We consider a system of harmonic oscillators with short range interactions and we study their correlation functions when the initial data is sampled with respect to the Gibbs measure. Such correlation functions display rapid oscillations that travel through the chain. We show that the correlation functions always have two fastest peaks which move in opposite directions and decay at rate t-13 for position and momentum correlations and as t-23 for energy correlations. The shape of these peaks is asymptotically described by the Airy function. Furthermore, the correlation functions have some non generic peaks with lower decay rates. In particular, there are peaks which decay at rate t-14 for position and momentum correlators and with rate t-12 for energy correlators. The shape of these peaks is described by the Pearcey integral. Crucial for our analysis is an appropriate generalisation of spacings, i.e.&nbsp;differences of the positions of neighbouring particles, that are used as spatial variables in the case of nearest neighbour interactions. Using the theory of circulant matrices we are able to introduce a quantity that retains both localisation and analytic viability. This also allows us to define and analyse some additional quantities used for nearest neighbour chains. Finally, we study numerically the evolution of the correlation functions after adding nonlinear perturbations to our model. Within the time range of our numerical simulations the asymptotic description of the linear case seems to persist for small nonlinear perturbations while stronger nonlinearities change shape and decay rates of the peaks significantly

Comparison of the effect of different resistance training frequencies on phase angle and handgrip strength in obese women: A randomized controlled trial

Phase angle (PA) is a strong predictor of sarcopenia, fragility, and risk of mortality in obese people, while an optimal muscular function and handgrip strength (HS) are required to perform different daily activities. Although there is a general agreement that resistance training improves health status in obese people, the optimal weekly training frequency forPA and physical performance parameters is not clear.This study aimed to compare the effects of different weekly resistance training frequencies performed over a 24week exercise program on PA and HSin obese people. Forty-two women (56.2 \ub1 9.1 years, body mass index (BMI) 37.1 \ub1 4.9 kg/m2) were randomly allocatedto one of two groups: a group with a highweekly training frequency of three times a week (HIGH, n= 21) and a group that performed only one weekly session (LOW, n= 21). The groups trained with an identical exercise intensity and volume per session for 6 months. Before and after the intervention period, the participants were assessed for anthropometric measures, bioimpedance analysis, and HS. There was a significant group 7 time interaction (p&lt;0.05) for waist circumference, bioimpedance reactance divided by body height (Xc/H), PA, and HS measures. In addition, only the HIGH group increased Xc/H, PA, and HS after the intervention period (p&lt;0.05), even after adjusting for weight loss and menopausal status. Physical exercise performed three times a week promotes better adaptations in PA and HSwhen compared with the same program performed once a week in obese women

Capecitabine and Temozolomide (CAPTEM) in advanced neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs): a systematic review and pooled analysis

Background Retrospective studies and single center experiences suggest a role of capecitabine combined with temozolomide (CAPTEM) in neuroendocrine tumors (NENs). Methods We performed a systematic review to assess the efficacy and safety of CAPTEM in patients affected with NENs, with the aim to better clarify the role of this regimen in the therapeutic algorithm of NENs. Results A total of 42 articles and 1818 patients were included in our review. The overall disease control rate was 77% (range 43.5%-100%). The median progression free survival ranged from 4 to 38.5 months, while the median overall survival ranged from 8 to 103 months. Safety analysis showed an occurrence of G3-G4 toxicities in 16.4% of the entire population. The most common toxicities were hematological (27.2%), gastrointestinal (8.3%,) and cutaneous (3.2%). Conclusion This systematic review demonstrated that CAPTEM was an effective and relatively safe treatment for patients with advanced well-moderate differentiated NENs of gastroenteropancreatic, lung and unknown origin

A new sustainable and innovative work for paper artworks cleaning process: Gellan hydrogel combined with hydrolytic enzymes

Paper has been used as writing and drawing support for thousands of years. The conservation of paper artworks plays a fundamental role in the field of our cultural heritage. Moreover, restoration of paper artworks is difficult due to their inherent fragility, the presence of many components and their degradation state. Among the factors that may contribute to paper deterioration are the use of glue for the application of different materials (as a lining, mounting or as a repair intervention) on the paper artifact. During a natural ageing process, glue become yellow, acid and less compact, accelerating the degradation processes of the artwork itself. The removal of glues from paper artworks represents, therefore, an important procedure for their preservation. Here we present a sustainable alternative to the common removal systems (e.g. solvents or localized enzymatic packs on the support to be cleaned). For this goal we used a rigid Gellan hydrogel (totally removable in one step) containing hydrolytic enzyme, such as proteinase K. The enzyme works as a selective cleaning agent hydrolyzing animal glues into smaller fragments, soluble into the gel. Our system represents an effective alternative to the traditional techniques because it is easy to be prepared, eco-friendly and efficient