Multigap RPC time resolution to 511 keV annihilation photons

The time resolution of Multigap Resistive Plate Counters (MRPCs) to $511$ keV gamma rays has been investigated using a $^{22}$Na source and four detectors. The MRPCs time resolution has been derived from the Time-of-Flight information, measured from pairs of space correlated triggered events. A GEANT4 simulation has been performed to analyze possible setup contributions and to support experimental results. A time resolution (FWHM) of $376$ ps and $312$ ps has been measured for a single MRPC with four $250$ $\mu$m gas gaps by considering respectively one and two independent pairs of detectors.Comment: 25 pages, 14 figure

A PNJL model in 0+1 Dimensions

We formulate the Polyakov-Nambu-Jona-Lasinio (PNJL) model in 0+1 dimensions. The thermodynamics captured by the partition function yields a bulk pressure, as well as quark susceptibilities versus temperature that are similar to the ones in 3+1 dimensions. Around the transition temperature the behavior in the pressure and quark susceptibilities follows from the interplay between the lowest Matsubara frequency and the Polyakov line. The reduction to the lowest Matsubara frequency yields a matrix Model. In the presence of the Polyakov line the UV part of the Dirac spectrum features oscillations when close to the transition temperature.Comment: 18 pages, 13 figure

Traditional Approaches and Emerging Biotechnologies in Grapevine Virology

Environmental changes and global warming may promote the emergence of unknown viruses, whose spread is favored by the trade in plant products. Viruses represent a major threat to viticulture and the wine industry. Their management is challenging and mostly relies on prophylactic measures that are intended to prevent the introduction of viruses into vineyards. Besides the use of virus-free planting material, the employment of agrochemicals is a major strategy to prevent the spread of insect vectors in vineyards. According to the goal of the European Green Deal, a 50% decrease in the use of agrochemicals is expected before 2030. Thus, the development of alternative strategies that allow the sustainable control of viral diseases in vineyards is strongly needed. Here, we present a set of innovative biotechnological tools that have been developed to induce virus resistance in plants. From transgenesis to the still-debated genome editing technologies and RNAi-based strategies, this review discusses numerous illustrative studies that highlight the effectiveness of these promising tools for the management of viral infections in grapevine. Finally, the development of viral vectors from grapevine viruses is described, revealing their positive and unconventional roles, from targets to tools, in emerging biotechnologies

Polyakov loop and the color-flavor locked phase of Quantum Chromodynamics

We consider the Polyakov Nambu Jona Lasinio model with three massless quarks at high density and moderate temperature in the superconductive color flavor locking phase. We compute the critical temperature $T_c$ as a function of the baryonic chemical potential for the phase transition from the superconductive state to the normal phase. We find that $T_c$ is higher by a factor 1.5 -2 in comparison to the model containing no Polyakov loop. We also compute the specific heat $C_v$ near the second order phase transition and we show that the inclusion of the Polyakov loop does not change the value of the critical exponent.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, RevTeX4 styl

Low-noise design issues for analog front-end electronics in 130 nm and 90 nm CMOS technologies

Deep sub-micron CMOS technologies provide wellestablished solutions to the implementation of low-noise front-end electronics in various detector applications. The IC designers’ effort is presently shifting to 130 nm CMOS technologies, or even to the next technology node, to implement readout integrated circuits for silicon strip and pixel detectors, in view of future HEP applications. In this work the results of noise measurements carried out on CMOS devices in 130 nm and 90 nm commercial processes are presented. The behavior of the 1/f and white noise terms is studied as a function of the device polarity and of the gate length and width. The study is focused on low current density applications where devices are biased in weak or moderate inversion. Data obtained from the measurements provide a powerful tool to establish design criteria in nanoscale CMOS processes for detector front-ends in LHC upgrades

Acetabular revision surgery in the presence of severe bone loss: surgical technique and early results with modular porous tantalum augments and cups

Subject: In the presence of minimal acetabular bone loss most revision procedures can be done with the use of an uncemented hemispheric device with or without morselized allograft. The use of modular porous tantalum augments and cups has been recently introduced to address more severe bone deficiencies. The purpose of this study is to describe the surgical technique and early clinical results obtained with trabecular metal acetabular augments in cases of acetabular revision with severe bone loss. Materials and Methods: Since November 2003 seven acetabular revisions have been done by means of TMT\uae augments and cups: the primary indication for acetabular revision was aseptic loosening in five patients and septic loosening in two patients. According to Paprosky classification the acetabular bone defects were classified as follows: 2B in two hips, 2C in one hip, 3A in two hips and 3B in three hips. In two cases it was the first surgical hip replacement procedure. Five cases were multiple revisions. Results: At an average follow-up of 24 months no implant had evidence of loosening or migration. No dislocations occurred. Discussions and Conclusions: Augments provide mechanical support to hemispheric cups of various dimensions. This surgical technique avoids the use of structural allograft, helps to restore the center of hip rotation and increases contact area between the implant and the host bone for biological fixation. Longer follow-up is required to verify survival of these implants and potential mechanical and biologic complications related to use of this modular TMT\uae system

Fracture of cobalt-crome modular neck in total hip arthroplasty

Despite the advantages of modular total hip arthroplasty in terms of neck version, offset and length precise reproduction, titanium necks breakage became a concern. Consequently, titanium has been replaced by cobalt-chrome (Co-Cr). However, four cases of Co-Cr modular neck breakage have been reported in the literature. In the present paper, two cases of Co-Cr modular neck fractures are described together with a literature review. The aim of this work is to discuss the risk factors and characteristics of this rare complication. We described two cases of fracture of long varus Co-Cr modular femoral neck connected with cementless press-fit stem. Some risk factors, such as long varus type of modular neck, overweight and/or high demanding physical activity, might have contributed to implant failure. (www.actabiomedica.it)

A new PCR based molecular method for early and precise quantification of parasitization in the emerging olive pest Dasineura oleae

BACKGROUND: Dasineura oleae (Angelini 1831) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) was considered a minor pest in olive orchards, but in recent years severe outbreaks have been registered in several Mediterranean countries. Damage is caused by the feeding activity of larvae that induce gall formations and alters the physiological activity of the leaves. In Italy, this pest may be controlled by four Hymenoptera parasitoid species belonging to Platygaster and Mesopolobus genera such as Platygaster demades Walker 1835, Platygaster oleae Szelenyi 1940 (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae), Mesopolobus aspilus (Walker 1835) and Mesopolobus mediterraneus (Mayr 1903) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), but parasitization becomes evident only after gall dissection. RESULTS: In this study, we aim to: (i) design a primer for the detection of specimens belonging to Platygaster and Mesopolobus genera; (ii) develop a multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) protocol combined to a fast samples DNA extraction method; (iii) apply the developed protocol to field-collected specimens and compare this method with traditional techniques based on visual estimation of parasitism rate on larvae. Primers were designed to anneal with cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences of Platygaster and Mesopolobus genera while protocols were developed to be fast and capable to process several samples at the same time. Molecular analyses demonstrated to provide almost double of the parasitism rate assessed by visual inspection. Furthermore, on second instar larvae the PCR-based method was able to detect ten-fold times the parasitization rate estimated by visual inspection. CONCLUSION: The application on a greater scale of this newly developed method could be fundamental in the determination of the biological control potential in olive orchards