Noise reduction in muon tomography for detecting high density objects

The muon tomography technique, based on multiple Coulomb scattering of cosmic ray muons, has been proposed as a tool to detect the presence of high density objects inside closed volumes. In this paper a new and innovative method is presented to handle the density fluctuations (noise) of reconstructed images, a well known problem of this technique. The effectiveness of our method is evaluated using experimental data obtained with a muon tomography prototype located at the Legnaro National Laboratories (LNL) of the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN). The results reported in this paper, obtained with real cosmic ray data, show that with appropriate image filtering and muon momentum classification, the muon tomography technique can detect high density materials, such as lead, albeit surrounded by light or medium density material, in short times. A comparison with algorithms published in literature is also presented

Electricity Generation under the Climate Change Situation in Latin America: Trends and Challenges

In a scenario of energy inequality, countries require stability for development and quality of life for their inhabitants. This paper addresses the reality of access to electrical energy and the effect of climate change on the potential of renewables to propose strategies related to generation and transmission in Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Paraguay. This is done by analysing quantitative and qualitative aspects of the electrical energy matrix: installed capacity and technology for generation and transmission together with the penetration of renewable energies. Among the results, actions address energy poverty, energy efficiency, smart investment in energy, and the readaptation of transmission infrastructure

Polymorphism of the Fractalkine Receptor CX3CR1 and Systemic Sclerosis-associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Fractalkine (FKN) and its receptor CX3CR1 are critical mediators in the vascular and tissue damage of several chronic diseases, including systemic sclerosis (SSc) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Interestingly, the V249I and T280M genetic polymorphisms influence CX3CR1 expression and function. We investigated whether these polymorphisms are associated with PAH secondary to SSc. CX3CR1 genotypes were analyzed by PCR and sequencing in 76 patients with limited SSc and 204 healthy controls. PAH was defined by colorDoppler echocardiography. Homozygosity for 249II as well as the combined presence of 249II and 280MM were significantly more frequent in patients with SSc compared to controls (17 vs 6%, p = 0.0034 and 5 vs 1%, p = 0.0027, respectively). The 249I and 280M alleles were associated with PAH (odd ratio [OR] 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-4.75, p = 0.028 and OR 7.37, 95%CI: 2.45-24.60, p = 0.0001, respectively). In conclusion, the increased frequencies of 249I and 280M CX3CR1 alleles in a subgroup of patients with SSc-associated PAH suggest a role for the fractalkine system in the pathogenesis of this condition. Further, the 249I allele might be associated with susceptibility to SSc

Fidelity of PCR-direct sequencing analysis of damaged forensic samples

HUM. GENET

Fidelity of polymerase chain reaction-direct sequencing analysis of damaged forensic samples

7nonenoneFATTORINI P.; CIOFULI R.; COSSUTTA F.; GIULIANINI P.; EDOMI P.; FURLANUT M.; PREVIDER C.Fattorini, Paolo; Ciofuli, R.; Cossutta, F.; Giulianini, PIERO GIULIO; Edomi, Paolo; Furlanut, M.; Previder, C