Electron-phonon superconductivity in AAPt3_3P compounds: from weak to strong coupling

We study the newly discovered Pt phosphides $A$Pt$_3$P ($A$=Sr, Ca, La) [ T. Takayama et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 237001 (2012)] using first-principles calculations and Migdal-Eliashberg theory. Given the remarkable agreement with the experiment, we exclude the charge-density wave scenario proposed by previous first-principles calculations, and give conclusive answers concerning the superconducting state in these materials. The pairing increases from La to Ca and Sr due to changes in the electron-phonon matrix elements and low-frequency phonons. Although we find that all three compounds are well described by conventional s-wave superconductivity and spin-orbit coupling of Pt plays a marginal role, we show that it could be possible to tune the structure from centrosymmetric to noncentrosymmetric opening new perspectives towards the understanding of unconventional superconductivity.Comment: updated Journal referenc

Competition between Electron-Phonon coupling and Spin Fluctuations in superconducting hole-doped BiOCuS

BiOCuS is a band insulator that becomes metallic upon hole doping. Superconductivity was recently reported in doped BiOCu$_{1-x}$S and attributed to spin fluctuations as a pairing mechanism. Based on first principles calculations of the electron-phonon coupling, we argue that the latter is very strong in this material, and probably drives superconductivity, which is however strongly depressed by the proximity to magnetism. We find however that BiOCu$_{1-x}$S is a quite unique compound where both a conventional phonon-driven and an unconventional triplet superconductivity are possible, and compete with each other. We argue that, in this material, it should be possible to switch from conventional to unconventional superconductivity by varying such parameters as doping or pressure

A quantitative multivariate methodology for unsupervised class identification in pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) plant leaves size

Aim of study: Genetic diversity of pistachio, can be evaluated by using different descriptors, as adopted in international certification systems. Mainly the descriptors are morphological traits as leaf, which represents an important organ for its sensibility to growth conditions during the expansion phase. This study adopted a rapid and quantitative non-hierarchic clustering classification (k-means), to extract size classes basing on the contemporary combination of different morphological traits (i.e., leaf stalk length, terminal leaf length, terminal leaf width and terminal leaf ratio) of a varietal collection composed by 21 pistachio cultivars.Area of study: Worldwide.Material and methods: The unsupervised non-hierarchic clustering technique was adopted to the entire samples of pistachio leaves from k=2 to k=15 for both four morphological variables (i.e., leaf stalk length, terminal leaf length, terminal leaf width and terminal leaf ratio) and three morphological variables (i.e., terminal leaf length, terminal leaf width and terminal leaf ratio).Main results: A classification model only on the three morphological variables (for results of statistical analysis in which the groups resulted to be more separated and different for all the variables), with k= 5 (five groups), was constructed using a non-linear artificial neural network approach. The percentages of bad prediction in both training and testing resulted equal to 0%. The “terminal leaf length” returned the higher impact (44.89%).Research highlights: The contemporary combination of different morphological leaf traits, allowed to create an automatic classification of size classes of great importance for cultivar identification and comparison

What do glass sponges do when no one is looking? Vazella pourtalesii: Responses to sediment deposition, passive locomotion, and contracting behavior

Behavioral response of deep-sea sponges can provide crucial insights into the mechanisms shaping energy fluxes and ecosystem functioning. Although some advances have been made, the behavior of deep-sea Hexactinellid still remain widely unknown. In the present study we address the glass sponge Vazella pourtalesii behavior. High-temporal resolution imaging and environmental data were acquired with an autonomous lander deployed in the Sambro Bank Sponge Conservation Area (Scotian Shelf) at a depth of 150 m, representing the upper limit of this deep-sea species' distribution and what is commonly regarded as the deep sea. For 94 days, a V. pourtalesii individual was monitored, providing quantitative information on its response to sediment deposition triggered by a storm, as well as on its passive locomotion and contractive behavior. Sediment was cleared from its surface within 72 h, which is highly relevant for its filtering capacity, indicating that this sponge species can cope with high suspended sediment concentrations. This enables it to occur on sedimentary environments like the Scotian Shelf. As observed in other deep-sea hexactinellids, the monitored individual engaged in rhythmic contractions, which appear to be driven by physiological process/es rather than environmental factors. During the study period, strong bottom currents (>37 cm/s) toppled and displaced the monitored individual several times. Despite changes in position and orientation that can negatively impact the filtering capacity of sponges, no signs of deterioration were observed. V. pourtalesii's vase-like body morphology and attachment to cobbles, as a gravitational center, may allow it to have a more homogeneous interaction with currents which may permit them to better cope with positional changes. Overall, this study highlights that deep-sea Porifera display a wide array of phenological changes in response to both biotic and abiotic factors

Synthesis of polylactic acid initiated through biobased antioxidants: Towards intrinsically active food packaging

Polylactide (PLA)-based polymers, functionalized with biobased antioxidants, were synthesized, to develop an intrinsically active, biobased and potentially biodegradable material for food packaging applications. To achieve this result, phenolic antioxidants were exploited as initiators in the ring opening polymerization of l-lactide. The molecular weight, thermal properties and in vitro radical scavenging activity of the polymers obtained were compared with the ones of a PLA Natureworks 4043D, commonly used for flexible food packaging applications. The most promising synthesized polymer, bearing vanillyl alcohol as initiator (PLA-VA), was evaluated for active food packaging applications. Packaging with PLA-VA films reduced color and fat oxidation of salami during its shelf life.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Digital twin reference model development to prevent operators' risk in process plants

In the literature, many applications of Digital Twin methodologies in the manufacturing, construction and oil and gas sectors have been proposed, but there is still no reference model specifically developed for risk control and prevention. In this context, this work develops a Digital Twin reference model in order to define conceptual guidelines to support the implementation of Digital Twin for risk prediction and prevention. The reference model proposed in this paper is made up of four main layers (Process industry physical space, Communication system, Digital Twin and User space), while the implementation steps of the reference model have been divided into five phases (Development of the risk assessment plan, Development of the communication and control system, Development of Digital Twin tools, Tools integration in a Digital Twin perspective and models and Platform validation). During the design and implementation phases of a Digital Twin, different criticalities must be taken into consideration concerning the need for deterministic transactions, a large number of pervasive devices, and standardization issues. Practical implications of the proposed reference model regard the possibility to detect, identify and develop corrective actions that can affect the safety of operators, the reduction of maintenance and operating costs, and more general improvements of the company business by intervening both in strictly technological and organizational terms

Superior EVOO Quality Production: An RGB Sorting Machine for Olive Classification

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is a commercial product of high quality, thanks to its nutritional and organoleptic characteristics. The olives ripeness and the choice of harvest time according to their color and size, strongly influences the quality of the EVOO. The physical sorting of olives with machines performing rapid and objective optical selection, impossible by hand, can improve the quality of the final product. The aim of this study concerns the classification of olives into two qualitative classes, based on the maturity stage and the presence of external defects, through an industrial RGB optical sorting prototype, evaluating its performance and comparing the results with those obtained visually by trained operators. EVOOs obtained from classified olives were characterized through chemical, physical-chemical analysis and sensory profile. For the first time, the optoelectronic technologies in an industrial system was tested on olives to produce superior quality EVOO. The selection allows late harvest, obtaining oils with good characteristics from fully ripe and unripe fruits together, separating defective olives with appropriate calibration and training. Optoelectronic selection creates the opportunity to blend the obtained oils destined to different applications according to the needs of the consumer or producer, using a vanguard technology at low cost.11noAuthor Contributions Conceptualization, F.P., C.C. and S.V. (Simona Violino); methodology, F.P., S.V. (Simona Violino), F.T. and P.T.; software, S.V. (Simone Vasta), F.T. and C.C.; validation, F.P. and C.C.; formal analysis, S.V. (Simone Vasta), L.M., R.M., P.T., L.G., P.D.R. and L.O.; investigation, F.P. and C.C.; resources, L.M. and S.V. (Simona Violino); data curation, C.C, F.P, S.V. (Simona Violino), L.M., L.G. and P.D.R.; writing—original draft preparation, S.V. (Simona Violino) and L.M.; writing—review and editing, S.V. (Simone Vasta), L.M, L.G., C.C., P.D.R. and P.T.; visualization, F.P. and C.C.; supervision, F.P. and C.C.; project administration, F.P. and C.C.; funding acquisition, F.P. and C.C. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript

Infected pancreatic necrosis: outcomes and clinical predictors of mortality. A post hoc analysis of the MANCTRA-1 international study

: The identification of high-risk patients in the early stages of infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is critical, because it could help the clinicians to adopt more effective management strategies. We conducted a post hoc analysis of the MANCTRA-1 international study to assess the association between clinical risk factors and mortality among adult patients with IPN. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify prognostic factors of mortality. We identified 247 consecutive patients with IPN hospitalised between January 2019 and December 2020. History of uncontrolled arterial hypertension (p = 0.032; 95% CI 1.135-15.882; aOR 4.245), qSOFA (p = 0.005; 95% CI 1.359-5.879; aOR 2.828), renal failure (p = 0.022; 95% CI 1.138-5.442; aOR 2.489), and haemodynamic failure (p = 0.018; 95% CI 1.184-5.978; aOR 2.661), were identified as independent predictors of mortality in IPN patients. Cholangitis (p = 0.003; 95% CI 1.598-9.930; aOR 3.983), abdominal compartment syndrome (p = 0.032; 95% CI 1.090-6.967; aOR 2.735), and gastrointestinal/intra-abdominal bleeding (p = 0.009; 95% CI 1.286-5.712; aOR 2.710) were independently associated with the risk of mortality. Upfront open surgical necrosectomy was strongly associated with the risk of mortality (p < 0.001; 95% CI 1.912-7.442; aOR 3.772), whereas endoscopic drainage of pancreatic necrosis (p = 0.018; 95% CI 0.138-0.834; aOR 0.339) and enteral nutrition (p = 0.003; 95% CI 0.143-0.716; aOR 0.320) were found as protective factors. Organ failure, acute cholangitis, and upfront open surgical necrosectomy were the most significant predictors of mortality. Our study confirmed that, even in a subgroup of particularly ill patients such as those with IPN, upfront open surgery should be avoided as much as possible. Study protocol registered in ClinicalTrials.Gov (I.D. Number NCT04747990)