Incompatible and contradictory retrodictions in the history approach to quantum mechanics

We illustrate two simple spin examples which show that in the consistent histories approach to quantum mechanics one can retrodict with certainty incompatible or contradictory propositions corresponding to non-orthogonal or, respectively, orthogonal projections

Cold Milling: innovative temperature/humidity control on milling operation

Content: Air temperature and humidity are fundamental in the milling operation. There is a complicated correlation between air conditions and leather moisture that is practically impossible to predict in industrial process. Many important characteristics like softness, grain, pebble, yield depend on leather moisture. This patented system is the latest improvement in milling drums technology that keeps the leather cooler and allows a precise and optimal humidity control. Designed for soft, tight-grained leathers, especially from organic tannages and opened to a wide range of new operating conditions impossible with traditional machinery. The original new design makes the milling drum completely independent from the outside environment with many advantages: consistency over seasons, shorter transition time, energy savings. The original design is recognized by international patent, laboratory results on leather will be displayed during the presentation. Take-Away: The original new Cold Milling technology design makes the milling drum completely independent from the outside environment with many advantages: consistency over seasons, shorter transition time, energy savings. Nappa leather and all tight-grained leathers, especially organic tannaed, are beneficiary of this new technology

Inflammation, neurodegeneration and protein aggregation in the retina as ocular biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease in the 3xTg-AD mouse model

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. In the pathogenesis of AD a pivotal role is played by two neurotoxic proteins that aggregate and accumulate in the central nervous system: amyloid beta and hyper-phosphorylated tau. Accumulation of extracellular amyloid beta plaques and intracellular hyper-phosphorylated tau tangles, and consequent neuronal loss begins 10-15 years before any cognitive impairment. In addition to cognitive and behavioral deficits, sensorial abnormalities have been described in AD patients and in some AD transgenic mouse models. Retina can be considered a simple model of the brain, as some pathological changes and therapeutic strategies from the brain may be observed or applicable to the retina. Here we propose new retinal biomarkers that could anticipate the AD diagnosis and help the beginning and the follow-up of possible future treatments. We analyzed retinal tissue of triple-transgenic AD mouse model (3xTg-AD) for the presence of pathological hallmarks during disease progression. We found the presence of amyloid beta plaques, tau tangles, neurodegeneration, and astrogliosis in the retinal ganglion cell layer of 3xTg-AD mice, already at pre-symptomatic stage. Moreover, retinal microglia in pre-symptomatic mice showed a ramified, anti-inflammatory phenotype which, during disease progression, switches to a pro-inflammatory, less ramified one, becoming neurotoxic. We hypothesize retina as a window through which monitor AD-related neurodegeneration process

Finite element analysis applied to redesign of submerged entry nozzles for steelmaking

The production of steel by continuous casting is facilitated by the use of refractory hollow-ware components. A critical component in this process is the submerged entry nozzle (SEN). The normal operating conditions of the SEN are arduous, involving large temperature gradients and exposure to mechanical forces arising from the flow of molten steel; experimental development of the components is challenging in so hazardous an environment. The effects of the thermal stress conditions in relation to a well-tried design were therefore simulated using a finite element analysis approach. It was concluded from analyses that failures of the type being experienced are caused by the large temperature gradient within the nozzle. The analyses pointed towards a supported shoulder area of the nozzle being most vulnerable to failure and practical in-service experience confirmed this. As a direct consequence of the investigation, design modifications, incorporating changes to both the internal geometry and to the nature of the intermediate support material, were implemented, thereby substantially reducing the stresses within the Al2O3/graphite ceramic liner. Industrial trials of this modified design established that the component reliability would be significantly improved and the design has now been implemented in series production

Aggiornamenti e novità sulla distribuzione del genere Gagea (Liliaceae) in Toscana

Viene confermata la presenza di Gagea bohemica (zauschn.) Scuhlt. & Schult. f. nell’unica località nota per la Toscana (isola d’Elba) e di G. granatellii (Parl.) Parl. all’isola del Giglio, dove da oltre 100 anni la specie non era stata più osservata. Vengono anche segnalate nuove località di G. granatellii nella porzione centrale e orientale dell’isola d’Elba, nonché di G. lutea (L.) Ker-Gawl. e di G. pratensis (Pers.) Dumort. nella Toscana settentrionale (Pracchie di Pontito e Monte Morello, rispettivamente)

Characterization of the lncRNA transcriptome in mESC-derived motor neurons: Implications for FUS-ALS

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are currently recognized as crucial players in nervous system development, function and pathology. In Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), identification of causative mutations in FUS and TDP-43 or hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9ORF72 point to the essential role of aberrant RNA metabolism in neurodegeneration. In this study, by taking advantage of an in vitro differentiation system generating mouse motor neurons (MNs) from embryonic stem cells, we identified and characterized the long non-coding transcriptome of MNs. Moreover, by using mutant mouse MNs carrying the equivalent of one of the most severe ALS-associated FUS alleles (P517L), we identified lncRNAs affected by this mutation. Comparative analysis with humanMNs derived in vitro frominduced pluripotent stemcells indicated that candidate lncRNAs are conserved between mouse and human. Our work provides a global view of the long non-coding transcriptome of MN, as a prerequisite toward the comprehension of the still poorly characterized non-coding side ofMNphysiopatholog

Genetic differentiation among populations of the threatened Bellevalia webbiana (Asparagaceae) and its consequence on conservation

The narrow central Italian endemic and threatened Webb’s hyacinth (Bellevalia webbiana), a perennial herb, is a clear example of a species that has disappeared from several localities due to the development of human settlements. We characterized population genetics of this species to infer possible threats to its viability. We used a dominant DNA fingerprinting approach to infer genetic relationships among the five richest populations known for this species (each with N > 50 individuals). We highlighted phenomena of genetic erosion, with values of intrapopulation-gene-diversity quite similar across all populations (mean value 0.113), but a mean F st value only slightly below the mean found in other plant species using similar approaches. Despite an overall genetic similarity among populations, a population from Faenza (Emilia-Romagna) is clearly separated from all the others on genetic grounds, and may be defined as an Evolutionarily Significant Unit, worth of special conservation attention. Interestingly, this latter population is also behaving differently from all the others in terms of both vegetative and reproductive functional strategies. Our results highlight the relevance of evolutionary approaches to conservation biology for preserving a genetic diversity linked to local adaptations

Sensors in agriculture and forestry

Agriculture and Forestry are two broad and promising areas demanding technological solutions with the aim of increasing production or accurate inventories for sustainability while the environmental impact is minimized by reducing the application of agro-chemicals and increasing the use of environmental friendly agronomical practices. In addition, the immediate consequence of this “trend” is the reduction of production costs. Sensors-based technologies provide appropriate tools to achieve the above mentioned goals. The explosive technological advances and development in recent years enormously facilitates the attainment of these objectives removing many barriers for their implementation, including the reservations expressed by the farmers themselves. Precision Agriculture is an emerging area where sensor-based technologies play an important role.RHEA project [42], which is funded by the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement NO.245986, which has been the platform for the two international conferences on Robotics and associated High-technologies and Equipment mentioned above.Peer Reviewe

Genetic diversity in the threatened Bellevalia webbiana (Asparagaceae) parallels functional and reproductive traits

Amongst the numerous Italian narrow endemic plants, the Webb’s hyacinth (Bellevalia webbiana Parl., Asparagaceae) is one of the most evolutionarily relevant, and threatened. The range of this bulbous perennial herb is restricted to an area of pre-Apennines (100–700 m a.s.l.) in Tuscany, and Emilia-Romagna (Central Italy), with two disjunct population groups. Typical habitats for Webb’s hyacinth are open fields, and meadows, wood margins, olive groves, and vineyards. During the last century, Webb’s hyacinth disappeared from several historical localities due to the development of human settlements. For these reasons, this species is currently listed in The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as Endangered (EN A2c). Despite contributions providing important information on the species’ reproductive and functional traits, no population genetic information was available so far. In this study, a DNA fingerprinting approach was applied to study the five richest populations of this species (each with N > 50 individuals): three in Tuscany (Pratolino, Uccellatoio, Tavarnuzze), and two in Emilia-Romagna (Casola Valsenio and Faenza)