Primordial Non-Gaussianities of inflationary step-like models

We use Minkowski Functionals to explore the presence of non-Gaussian signatures in simulated cosmic microwave background (CMB) maps. Precisely, we analyse the non-Gaussianities produced from the angular power spectra emerging from a class of inflationary models with a primordial step-like potential. This class of models are able to perform the best-fit of the low-$\ell$ `features', revealed first in the CMB angular power spectrum by the WMAP experiment and then confirmed by the Planck collaboration maps. Indeed, such models generate oscillatory features in the primordial power spectrum of scalar perturbations, that are then imprinted in the large scales of the CMB field. Interestingly, we discover Gaussian deviations in the CMB maps simulated from the power spectra produced by these models, as compared with Gaussian $\Lambda$CDM maps. Moreover, we also show that the kind and level of the non-Gaussianities produced in these simulated CMB maps are compatible with that found in the four foreground-cleaned Planck maps. Our results indicate that inflationary models with a step-like potential are not only able to improve the best-fit respect to the $\Lambda$CDM model accounting well for the `features' observed in the CMB angular power spectrum, but also suggesting a possible origin for certain non-Gaussian signatures observed in the Planck data.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figure

Polarimetry SAR detectors for monitoring Mediterranean forest fires events

Over the past decades, the great technological advances made in airborne and space sensors have led to a significant improvement of the remote sensing methods and techniques used for studying worldwide natural ecosystem disturbances. Generally, optical sensors are chosen for investigating landscapes transformation, however, this technology requires certain technical and environmental conditions (sunlight, no cloud-coverage) which are problematic for monitoring some regions of the world. In response to this challenge, this research aims to highlight the capabilities of Synthetic Aperture Radar - SAR satellite sensors for detecting disturbances in Mediterranean forests due to fire events. We are exploring three different methodologies: 1. Monitoring image intensity changes in dense time series of radar data; 2. We are investigating soil moisture changes after the fire that can be detected in intensities of radar images; 3. We are testing novel polarimetric SAR change detectors that are able to extract more information from polarimetric data (intensities and cross-correlations between polarimetric channels). All the procedures in this project were developed by using Co & Cross polarised radar satellite data acquired by the ESA-Sentinel-1 system in C-band, using the Doñana national park (Spain) forest fire event in June-July 2017 as a case study

On Secure Implementation of an IHE XUA-Based Protocol for Authenticating Healthcare Professionals

The importance of the Electronic Health Record (EHR) has been addressed in recent years by governments and institutions.Many large scale projects have been funded with the aim to allow healthcare professionals to consult patients data. Properties such as confidentiality, authentication and authorization are the key for the success for these projects. The Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) initiative promotes the coordinated use of established standards for authenticated and secure EHR exchanges among clinics and hospitals. In particular, the IHE integration profile named XUA permits to attest user identities by relying on SAML assertions, i.e. XML documents containing authentication statements. In this paper, we provide a formal model for the secure issuance of such an assertion. We first specify the scenario using the process calculus COWS and then analyse it using the model checker CMC. Our analysis reveals a potential flaw in the XUA profile when using a SAML assertion in an unprotected network. We then suggest a solution for this flaw, and model check and implement this solution to show that it is secure and feasible

SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP AND JOB SATISFACTION OF TEACHING AND NON-TEACHING PERSONNEL OF PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY

School leadership is tasked to help faculty developed their potentials so that they could contribute to the attainment of the objectives of the university. Failure of the leadership to inspire its people would result to low performance of the institution. This study analyzed the correlation between spiritual leadership and job satisfaction of the teaching and non-teaching personnel of Partido State University.The study used descriptive-correlational research design to describe the relationship between spiritual leadership and job satisfaction. The Data were treated through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Focused Group Discussion (FGD) was used to verify and gather additional data from the respondents. The researchers used standardized questionnaires on Spiritual Leadership and Job Satisfaction. The respondents of the study were the 81 faculty members and 63 non-teaching personnel of Partido State University.Findings of the study revealed that the extent of spiritual leadership in Partido State University was high and the job satisfaction was slightly satisfying. The results of the t-test revealed that among the seven dimensions of Spiritual Leadership altruistic love and productivity were found to be significantly different between the teaching and the non-teaching personnel. Furthermore, Spiritual Leadership was found to have a weak correlation to job satisfaction of the teaching and non-teaching personnel of Partido State University. The university officials should continue reaching out to its employees and communicate clearly the directions of the institution.  Furthermore, the fair and just working environment should be strengthened so that, it would be felt by all employees. Enough support should be given to all employees based on their needs to increase their productivity. Spiritual leadership should be strengthened to promote healthy working environment and increase job satisfaction among employees. &nbsp

Simulating spatial variability of cereal yields from historical yield maps and satellite imagery

[Abstract]: The management of spatial variability of crop yields relies on the availability of affordable and accurate spatial data. Yield maps are a direct measure of the crop yields, however, costs and difficulties in collection and processing to generate yield maps results in poor availability of such data in Australia. In this study, we used historical mid-season normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), generated from Landsat imagery over 4 years. Using linear regression model, the NDVI was compared to the actual yield map from a 257 ha paddock. The difference between actual and predicted yield showed that 77% and 93% of the paddock area had an error of <20% and <30%, respectively. The linear model obtained in the paddock was used to simulate crop yield for an adjoining paddock of 162 ha. On an average of 4 years, the difference between actual and simulated yield showed that 87% of the paddock had an error of <20%. However, this error varied from season to season. Paddock area with <20% error increased exponentially with decreasing in-crop rainfall between anthesis and crop maturity. Furthermore, the error in simulating crop yield also varied with the soil constraints. Paddock zones with high concentrations of subsoil chloride and surface soil exchangeable sodium percentage generally had higher percent of error in simulating crop yields. Satellite imagery consistently over-predicted cereal yields in areas with subsoil constraints, possibly due to chloride-induced water stress during grain filling. The simulated yield mapping methodology offers an opportunity to identify within-field spatial variability using satellite imagery as a surrogate measure of biomass. However, the ability to successfully simulate crop yields at farm scale or regional scale requires wider evaluation across different soil types and climatic conditions

Estudio médico-tanatológico de la momia del Cerro Nevado del Chuscha

Fil: Mazziotti, Gerardo E.. Mendoza. Cuerpo Médico ForenseFil: Vargas, Armando P.. Mendoza. Cuerpo Médico Forens

Global Value Chains During the Great Trade Collapse: A Bullwhip Effect?

This paper analyzes the performance of global value chains during the trade collapse. To do so, it exploits a unique transaction-level dataset on French firms containing information on cross-border monthly transactions matched with data on worldwide intra-.rm linkages as defined by property rights (multinational business groups, hierarchies of firms). This newly assembled dataset allows us to distinguish firm-level transactions among two alternative organizational modes of global value chains: internalization of activities (intra- group trade/trade among related parties) or establishment of supply contracts (arm's length trade/trade among unrelated parties). After an overall assessment of the role of global value chains during the trade collapse, we document that intra-group trade in intermediates was characterized by a faster drop followed by a faster recovery than arm's length trade. Amplified fluctuations in terms of trade elasticities by value chains have been referred to as the "bullwhip effect" and have been attributed to the adjustment of inventories within supply chains. In this paper we first con.rm the existence of such an effect due to trade in inter- mediates, and we underline the role that different organizational modes can play in driving this adjustment.trade collapse, multinational firms, global value chains, hierarchies of firms, vertical integration