The Trigger System of the ARGO-YBJ detector

The ARGO-YBJ experiment has been designed to detect air shower events over a large size scale and with an energy threshold of a few hundreds GeV. The building blocks of the ARGO-YBJ detector are single-gap Resistive Plate Counters (RPCs). The trigger logic selects the events on the basis of their hit multiplicity. Inclusive triggers as well as dedicated triggers for specific physics channels or calibration purposes have been developed. This paper describes the architecture and the main features of the trigger system.Comment: 4 pages, to be published in the Proceedings of the 28th International Cosmic Ray Conference (Tsukuba, Japan 2003

Semianalytical quantum model for graphene field-effect transistors

We develop a semianalytical model for monolayer graphene field-effect transistors in the ballistic limit. Two types of devices are considered: in the first device, the source and drain regions are doped by charge transfer with Schottky contacts, while, in the second device, the source and drain regions are doped electrostatically by a back gate. The model captures two important effects that influence the operation of both devices: (i) the finite density of states in the source and drain regions, which limits the number of states available for transport and can be responsible for negative output differential resistance effects, and (ii) quantum tunneling across the potential steps at the source-channel and drain-channel interfaces. By comparison with a self-consistent non-equilibrium Green's function solver, we show that our model provides very accurate results for both types of devices, in the bias region of quasi-saturation as well as in that of negative differential resistance.Comment: 10 pages, 14 figure

Interpreting physical and mental metaphors: Is Theory of Mind associated with pragmatics in middle childhood?

We investigated the association between individual differences in metaphor understanding and Theory of Mind (ToM) in typically developing children. We distinguished between two types of metaphors and created a Physical and Mental Metaphors task, echoing a similar distinction for ToM. Nine-year-olds scored lower than older age-groups in ToM as well as in the interpretation of mental, but not physical, metaphors. Moreover, nine-year-olds (but not older children) who are better in ToM are also better in interpreting mental, but not physical, metaphors. This suggests that the link between metaphor and ToM is stronger when metaphorical interpretation involves mental aspects, and it is more evident in early rather than later childhood

Investigating feedforward neural regulation of circulation from analysis of spontaneous arterial pressure and heart rate fluctuations in conscious rats.

Investigating feedforward neural regulation of circulation from analysis of spontaneous arterial pressure and heart rate fluctuations in conscious rats. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 296: H202–H210, 2009. First published November 14, 2008; doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00358.2008.—It has been suggested in anesthetized animals that the occurrence of sequences of consecutive beats characterized by systolic arterial pressure (SAP) and RR or pulse interval (PI) changing in the opposite direction (SAP /RR and SAP /RR , nonbaroreflex sequences) might represent the expression of neural cardiovascular regulatory mechanisms operating with feedforward characteristics. The aim of the present study was to study nonbaroreflex sequences in a more physiological experimental model, i.e., in conscious freely moving rats. We studied conscious rats before and after 1) complete autonomic blockade (n 12), 2) sympathetic blockade (n 10), 3) (n 7)- and (n 8)-adrenergic blockade, and 4) parasympathetic blockade (n 10). Nonbaroreflex sequences were defined as three or more beats in which SAP and PI of the following beat changed in the opposite direction. Complete autonomic blockade reduced the number of nonbaroreflex sequences (95.6 9.0 vs. 45.2 4.1, P 0.001), as did sympathetic blockade (80.9 12.6 vs. 30.9 6.1, P 0.001). The selective -receptor blockade did not induce significant changes (80.9 12.5 in baseline vs. 79.0 14.7 after prazosin), whereas -receptor blockade significantly reduced nonbaroreflex sequence occurrence (80.9 12.5 in baseline vs. 48.9 15.3 after propranolol). Parasympathetic blockade produced a significant increase of nonbaroreflex sequences (95.1 6.9 vs. 136.0 12.4, P 0.01). These results demonstrate the physiological role of the nonbaroreflex sequences as an expression of a feedforward type of short-term cardiovascular regulation able to interact dynamically with the feedback mechanisms of baroreflex origin in the neural control of the sinus node

Florintesa, a program agreement for the italian botanical gardens and the national floristic heritage.

OUR CLAIM: "The Botanical Gardens are, par excellence, responsible for carrying out the important mission of the conservation of our flora, through specific actions on live plants and their seeds, along with education and outreach aimed at spreading a new environmental culture, more careful and respectful of the essential needs of life, more sensible to the aesthetic and scientific value of the national flora" To overcome the isolation and strengthen their role in our society, the University Botanical Gardens have become promoters of national and European consortiums: examples are the working group "Botanical and Historic Gardens" of the Italian Botanical Society (1) and, on the global level, the Botanic Garden Conservation International (2). Aims and tasks of the Botanical Gardens in the second millennium have been the topic of a thorough debate, with specific references to the provisions of the United Nations Programme for a sustainable development. In particular, the Action Plan for Botanic Gardens in the European Union (3) identifies the following major assets: scientific research, conservation of plant diversity, public advisory services on it, environmental education related to it. To pursue these objectives, initiatives are constantly needed to enhance the visibility of the institutions involved and help them to perform their functions. in this contest was born FLORINTESA FLORINTESA is a program agreement, funded by the Italian Ministry of Education (MIUR) with identification code ACPR12_00201, involving as partners ENEA, Plinianum Forum and the Italian Botanical Society, which contributes to bridge the still existing gap between the scientific research, the technical action of conservation and preservation of plant diversity and the public awareness on such themes. The main objectives of the FLORINTESA can be summarized as follows: - Establishing an institutional network service for information and dissemination on the flora of Italy, with reference to the role of Botanical Gardens as centers of research and knowledge on the national flora, as well as on the assessment and conservation of its rarest species,; - Disseminating and publicizing the activities of the University Botanical Gardens for the flora of Italy; - Increasing the visibility of the Italian Botanical Society and of its working group on "Botanical and Historic Gardens"; - Disseminating the achievements and helpful assistance offered by the Botanical Gardens in the implementation of the National Strategy for Biodiversity (4) and the Natura 2000 Network (5), through initiatives such as the Italian Germplasm Banks Network (6), the International Foundation pro Herbario Mediterraneo (7), the pan-Mediterranean Genmeda network (8), the Horti Mediterranei Educational Network (9). The flora of Italy will be the leitmotif of the actions envisaged in FLORINTESA, highlighting the unique role of the University Botanical Gardens and their respective institutions as "engines of knowledge" on the national flora heritage, as "engines of awareness" on the important issue of conservation of flora and habitats, as "engines of passion" for the grateful acknowledgement of the role of plants as primary producers not only of resources in the natural ecosystems, but also of inspiring beauty in the human cultures. The kick-off meeting, open to all members of the Italian Botanical Society, will take place in Rome, at the Auditorium of the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, on January 23, 2014

Variabilità genetica del noce comune (Juglans regia) in Piemonte

Abstract: The European or common walnut is a large tree prized as a multipurpose species: it provides valuable timber and produces a high-quality edible nut. The diffusion of the species in Italy has been largely influenced by the human activity, mainly through germplasm movement, selection of genotypes most suited for wood or fruit production and adaptation induced on fruit crop reproductive materials. As a consequence, genetic variability has been reduced, so that programs aimed at its preservation appear of the utmost importance. 104 walnut plants growing in Piedmont, northwestern Italy, were investigated through genetic variation scored at RAPD loci, yielded by PCR amplification of 10 decamer primers. Among the 101 studied loci, only 53 were polymorphic, showing a low level of genetic variation within the studied material. Genetic differentiation was estimated both at individual and geographical area level. Only in few cases trees growing in the same area showed to be genetically similar, while the differentiation between areas accounted for about 10% of the total variation, according to AMOVA. No significant correlation was found between genetic and geographic distances. The results of the study showed that also in Piedmont (such as it was already demonstrated in other parts of Italy) the distribution of common walnut is a direct consequence of the human activity. The selection of individual trees, to be used as basic materials for seed supply, should therefore be based mainly on phenotypic traits, rather than ecological features of the location: in species characterized by artificial diffusion, the adoption of Region of Provenance has a scarce significance and prominence should be given to the phenotype selection

Feasibility of Fiber Reinforcement Within Magnetically Actuated Soft Continuum Robots

Soft continuum manipulators have the potential to replace traditional surgical catheters; offering greater dexterity with access to previously unfeasible locations for a wide range of interventions including neurological and cardiovascular. Magnetically actuated catheters are of particular interest due to their potential for miniaturization and remote control. Challenges around the operation of these catheters exist however, and one of these occurs when the angle between the actuating field and the local magnetization vector of the catheter exceeds 90°. In this arrangement, deformation generated by the resultant magnetic moment acts to increase magnetic torque, leading to potential instability. This phenomenon can cause unpredictable responses to actuation, particularly for soft, flexible materials. When coupled with the inherent challenges of sensing and localization inside living tissue, this behavior represents a barrier to progress. In this feasibility study we propose and investigate the use of helical fiber reinforcement within magnetically actuated soft continuum manipulators. Using numerical simulation to explore the design space, we optimize fiber parameters to enhance the ratio of torsional to bending stiffness. Through bespoke fabrication of an optimized helix design we validate a single, prototypical two-segment, 40 mm × 6 mm continuum manipulator demonstrating a reduction of 67% in unwanted twisting under actuation

Hepatobiliary disease resection in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: prognostic role and optimal cytoreduction

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety in terms of prognostic significance and perioperative morbidity and mortality of cytoreduction in patients affected by advance ovarian cancer and hepato-biliary metastasis. Methods: Patients with a least one hepatobiliary metastasis who have undergone surgical treatment with curative intent of were considered for the study. Perioperative complications were evaluated and graded with Accordion severity Classification. Five-year PFS and OS were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier curve. Results: Sixty-seven (20.9%) patients had at least one metastasis to the liver, biliary tract, or porta hepatis. Forty-four (65.7%) and 23 (34.3%) patients underwent respectively high and intermediate complexity surgery according. Complete cytoreduction was achieved in 48 (71.6%) patients with hepato-biliary disease. In two patients (2.9%) severe complications related to hepatobiliary surgery were reported. The median PFS for the patients with hepato-biliary involvement (RT = 0 vs. RT > 0) was 19 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 16.2–21.8] and 8 months (95% CI 6.1–9.9). The median OS for the patients with hepato-biliary involvement (RT = 0 vs. RT > 0) 45 months (95% CI 21.2–68.8 months) and 23 months (95% CI 13.9–32.03). Conclusions: Hepatobiliary involvement is often associated with high tumor load and could require high complex multivisceral surgery. In selected patients complete cytoreduction could offer survival benefits. Morbidity related to hepatobiliary procedures is acceptable. Careful evaluation of patients and multidisciplinary approach in referral centers is mandatory