Methods for multi-detector burst gravitational wave search

In this paper, a review of methods of data exchange and multi-detector analysis is given. Details of data exchange parameters will also be discussed. We focus on the coherent network search which turns out to be a fundamental step towards the overcoming of ambiguity in parameter estimation of a gravitational wave in the low signal-to-noise ratio regime

Laser induced fluorescence for axion dark matter detection: a feasibility study in YLiF4_4:Er3+^{3+}

We present a detection scheme to search for QCD axion dark matter, that is based on a direct interaction between axions and electrons explicitly predicted by DFSZ axion models. The local axion dark matter field shall drive transitions between Zeeman-split atomic levels separated by the axion rest mass energy $m_a c^2$. Axion-related excitations are then detected with an upconversion scheme involving a pump laser that converts the absorbed axion energy ($\sim$ hundreds of $\mu$eV) to visible or infrared photons, where single photon detection is an established technique. The proposed scheme involves rare-earth ions doped into solid-state crystalline materials, and the optical transitions take place between energy levels of $4f^N$ electron configuration. Beyond discussing theoretical aspects and requirements to achieve a cosmologically relevant sensitivity, especially in terms of spectroscopic material properties, we experimentally investigate backgrounds due to the pump laser at temperatures in the range $1.9-4.2$ K. Our results rule out excitation of the upper Zeeman component of the ground state by laser-related heating effects, and are of some help in optimizing activated material parameters to suppress the multiphonon-assisted Stokes fluorescence.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

Tests of quantum gravity-induced non-locality: Hamiltonian formulation of a non-local harmonic oscillator

Motivated by the development of on-going optomechanical experiments aimed at constraining non-local effects inspired by some quantum gravity scenarios, the Hamiltonian formulation of a non-local harmonic oscillator, and its coupling to a cavity field mode(s), is investigated. In particular, we consider the previously studied model of non-local oscillators obtained as the nonrelativistic limit of a class of non-local Klein-Gordon operators, f, with f an analytical function. The results of previous works, in which the interaction was not included, are recovered and extended by way of standard perturbation theory. At the same time, the perturbed energy spectrum becomes available in this formulation, and we obtain the Langevin's equations characterizing the interacting system

Fire resistance performance of concrete-PVC panels with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) stay in place (SIP) formwork

Stay-in-place (SIP) formwork is a more-practical alternative to traditional steel or wood formworks due to its improved constructability and durability. The aim of this paper was to study the fire resistance performances of structural and non-structural concrete panels with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) SIP formwork. Three 124.01 in¿×¿110.24 in¿×¿3.15 in panels of PVC SIP formwork were tested and compared to one another. All panels were aged for 28 days, then exposed to the standard fire curve based on the ISO 834:2014 standard, and the temperatures in each panel surface recorded. The results indicate that concrete strength significantly influenced the structural stability and the fire resistance time of the panels (under load), even in this type of panels when exposed to high temperatures. It was found that the PVC encasement enhanced the thermal insulation property, one of the fire resistance performance criteria. Overall, the importance of this alternative formwork is the reduction in the use of forest resources, the raise of awareness of their conservation, and the promotion of their rational use as this a material is friendly to the environment.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Feedback cooling of the normal modes of a massive electromechanical system to submillikelvin temperature

We apply a feedback cooling technique to simultaneously cool the three electromechanical normal modes of the ton-scale resonant-bar gravitational wave detector AURIGA. The measuring system is based on a dc Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) amplifier, and the feedback cooling is applied electronically to the input circuit of the SQUID. Starting from a bath temperature of 4.2 K, we achieve a minimum temperature of 0.17 mK for the coolest normal mode. The same technique, implemented in a dedicated experiment at subkelvin bath temperature and with a quantum limited SQUID, could allow to approach the quantum ground state of a kilogram-scale mechanical resonator.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

18F-FDG PET-Derived Volume-Based Parameters to Predict Disease-Free Survival in Patients with Grade III Breast Cancer of Different Molecular Subtypes Candidates to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

We investigated whether baseline [F-18] Fluorodeoxyglucose (F-18-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)-derived semiquantitative parameters could predict disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with grade III breast cancer (BC) of different molecular subtypes candidate to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). For each F-18-FDG-PET/CT scan, the following parameters were calculated in the primary tumor (SUVmax, SUVmean, MTV, TLG) and whole-body (WB_SUVmax, WB_MTV, and WB_TLG). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to determine the capability to predict DFS and find the optimal threshold for each parameter. Ninety-five grade III breast cancer patients with different molecular types were retrieved from the databases of the University Hospital of Padua and the University Hospital of Ferrara (luminal A: 5; luminal B: 34; luminal B-HER2: 22; HER2-enriched: 7; triple-negative: 27). In luminal B patients, WB_MTV (AUC: 0.75; best cut-off: WB_MTV > 195.33; SS: 55.56%, SP: 100%; p = 0.002) and WB_TLG (AUC: 0.73; best cut-off: WB_TLG > 1066.21; SS: 55.56%, SP: 100%; p = 0.05) were the best predictors of DFS. In luminal B-HER2 patients, WB_SUVmax was the only predictor of DFS (AUC: 0.857; best cut-off: WB_SUVmax > 13.12; SS: 100%; SP: 71.43%; p < 0.001). No parameter significantly affected the prediction of DFS in patients with grade III triple-negative BC. Volume-based parameters, extracted from baseline F-18-FDG PET, seem promising in predicting recurrence in patients with grade III luminal B and luminal B- HER2 breast cancer undergoing NAC