Cut-off Characterisation of Energy Spectra of Bright Fermi Sources: Current instrument limits and future possibilities

In this paper some of the brightest GeV sources observed by the Fermi-LAT were analysed, focusing on their spectral cut-off region. The sources chosen for this investigation were the brightest blazar flares of 3C~454.3 and 3C~279 and the Vela pulsar with a reanalysis with the latest Fermi-LAT software. For the study of the spectral cut-off we first explored the Vela pulsar spectrum, whose statistics in the time interval of the 3FGL catalog allowed strong constraints to be obtained on the parameters. We subsequently performed a new analysis of the flaring blazar SEDs. For these sources we obtained constraints on the cut-off parameters under the assumption that their underlying spectral distribution is described by a power-law with a stretched exponential cut-off. We then highlighted the significant potential improvements on such constraints by observations with next generation ground based Cherenkov telescopes, represented in our study by the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA). Adopting currently available simulations for this future observatory, we demonstrate the considerable improvement in cut-off constraints achievable by observations with this new instrument when compared with that achievable by satellite observations.Comment: total number of pages 24, including 6 pages of references. Accepted by Astroparticle Physic

On wind-wave interaction phenomena at low Reynolds numbers

After decades of research efforts, wind-wave interaction mechanisms have been recognized as extremely elusive. The reason is the complex nature of the problem, which combines complex coupling mechanisms between turbulent wind and water waves with the presence of multiple governing parameters, such as the friction Reynolds number of the wind, the water depth and the wind fetch. As shown unequivocally here, the use of suitable flow settings allows us to reduce the complex problem of wind-wave interaction to its essential features, mainly as a function of the sole friction Reynolds number of the wind. The resulting numerical solution allows us to study the interactions between water and air layers with their own fluid properties, and to unveil very interesting features, such as an oblique wave pattern travelling upstream and a wave-induced Stokes sublayer. The latter is responsible for a drag reduction mechanism in the turbulent wind. Despite the simulated flow conditions being far from the intense events occurring at the ocean-atmosphere interface, the basic flow phenomena unveiled here may explain some experimental evidence in wind-wave problems. Among other things, the wave-induced Stokes sublayer may shed light on the large scatter of the drag coefficient data in field measurements where swell waves of arbitrary directions are often present. Hence the present results and the developed approach pave the way for the understanding and modelling of the surface fluxes at the ocean-atmosphere interface, which are of overwhelming importance for climate science

Experimental characterization of the inner surface in micro-drilling of spray holes: A comparison between ultrashort pulsed laser and EDM

In this research, the inner surface characteristics of micro-drilled holes of fuel injector nozzles were analyzed by Shear Force Microscopy (SHFM). The surface texture was characterized by maximum peak-to-valley distance and periodicity whose dimensions were related to the adopted energy. 180 μm diameter holes were drilled using ultrashort pulsed laser process using pulse energies within the range of 10-50 μJ. Laser ablated surfaces in the tested energy range offer a smooth texture with a peculiar periodic structure with a variation in height between 60 and 90 nm and almost constant periodicity. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) photograph of the Laser Induced Periodic Surface Structure (LIPSS) showed the co-existence of Low Spatial Frequency LIPSS (LSFL) and High Spatial Frequency LIPSS (HSFL). A comparative analysis was carried out between the highest laser pulse energy in the tested range energy laser drilling which enables the shortest machining time and micro-Electrical Discharge Machining (μ-EDM). On the contrary, results showed that surfaces obtained by electro-erosion are characterized by a random distribution of craters with a total excursion up to 1.5 μm with a periodicity of 10 μm. The mean-squared surface roughness (Rq) derived from the scanned maps ranges between 220 and 560 nm for μ-EDM, and between 50 and 100 nm for fs-pulses laser drilling

Threshold nets and cell-assemblies

Motivated by the cell-assemblies theory of the brain, we propose a new formal model of threshold nets (TN). TN are patterned after Petri nets, with a very different firing rule, which removes all tokens upon firing of a transition. The generative power of threshold nets, with and without inhibition, is compared with traditional families of languages. Excitatory TN languages are included by the noncounting regular languages and form an infinite hierarchy for increasing values of threshold. Inhibitory nets are included by the context-sensitive languages. Two new net operators, motivated by the phenomena of growth, learning and brain damage are introduced and compared with Boolean operators

Il monitoraggio delle aree archeologiche per l'ottimizzazione del progetto delle coperture

The aim to keep the original architectures and decoration in their excavation site, that has been emerging in the last years, requires to protect them by temporary or definitive shelters. Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici of Cagliari and Oristano promoted and started monitoring four shelters already existing on the archaeological areas of these provinces, with the aim to check the effectiveness in the local environment, and to plan their improvement or/and new structures. Politecnico di Milano collaborated at the research by monitoring the environment and remains conditions, especially underneath the shelters, modelling the effects of the existing shelters and planning new solutions. In San Cromazio (Villaspeciosa), monitoring the new definitive shelter allowed the researchers to discover the critical points and to find out their improvement. In Su Monte (Sorradile), monitoring allowed the researchers to define the expected performances of the new shelter. In San Saturnino (Cagliari) monitoring and numerical analysis was applied to 2D and 3D models for improving the ventilation of the volume underneath the new shelter. In Nora (Pula) the results of monitoring and the innovative approach of design served to check the performances of the present temporary shelters. Nora approach shows how to overcome the limits of current protective systems, combining the requirements for preservation with new issues as feasibility of technical textiles, low maintenance and easy deconstruction to allow the reuse and adaptability of shelters in different locations and seasons. The ultimate goal was to renovate the design process by covering archaeological sites in a more environmentally conscious way and without the least destruction of the site

Reconnection in a slow Coronal Mass Ejection

This paper aims at studying reconnection occurring in the aftermath of the 28 May 2004, CME, first imaged by the LASCO (Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph) C2 at 11:06 UT. The CME was observed in White Light and UV radiation: images acquired by the LASCO C2 and C3 coronagraphs and spectra acquired by UVCS (Ultraviolet Coronagraph Spectrometer) allowed us to identify the level at which field lines, stretched outwards by the CME ejection, reconnect below the CME bubble. As the CME propagates outwards, reconnection occurs at increasingly higher levels. The process goes on at a low pace for several hours: here we give the profile of the reconnection rate vs. heliocentric distance over a time interval of &asymp;14 h after the CME onset, extending estimates of the reconnection rate to larger distances than previously inferred by other authors. The reconnection rate appears to decrease with time/altitude. We also calculate upper and lower limits to the density in the diffusion region between 4 and 7 <I>R</I>_&#x2299; and conclude by comparing estimates of the classical and anomalous resistivity in the diffusion region with the value inferred from the data. The latter turns out to be &ge;5 order of magnitudes larger than predicted by classical or anomalous theories, pointing to the need of identifying the process responsible for the observed value

Clinical case seminar - Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism as a presenting feature of late-onset X-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenita

Mutations in the orphan nuclear receptor DAX-1 cause X-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenita. Affected boys usually present with primary adrenal failure in early infancy or childhood. Impaired sexual development because of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism becomes apparent at the time of puberty. We report adult-onset adrenal hypoplasia congenita in a patient who presented with hypogonadism at 28 yr of age. Although he had no clinical evidence of adrenal dysfunction, compensated primary adrenal failure was diagnosed by biochemical testing. Semen analysis showed azoospermia, and he did not achieve fertility after 8 months of treatment with gonadotropins. A novel Y380D DAX-1 missense mutation, which causes partial loss of function in transient gene expression assays, was found in this patient. This case demonstrates that partial loss-of-function mutations in DAX1 can present with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and covert adrenal failure in adulthood. Further, an important role for DAX-1 in spermatogenesis in humans is confirmed, supporting findings in the Dax1 (Ahch) knockout mouse

Influence of ns laser texturing of AISI 316L surfaces for reducing bacterial adhesion

Nanosecond pulsed laser texturing has been performed on stainless steel with the objective of developing surface treatments to reduce bacterial adhesion on mechanical components in food handling machinery. The adhesion of Escherichia coli (E. coli) on four distinct textures has been investigated with standardised protocols for measurement of antibacterial performance. Surface morphology has been studied in detail for each texture to ascertain the presence of hierarchical structures and determine the role of topography in reducing bacterial adhesion. Despite the absence of sub-micrometric features comparable with bacterial size, this work highlights the crucial role that nanosecond pulsed laser irradiation plays in promoting a thin layer of iron oxide that reduces E. coli adhesion through local repulsive electrostatic interactions

Molecular dynamics model for the antibactericity of textured surfaces

An original model has been developed for the initial stage of bacterial adhesion on textured surfaces. Based on molecular dynamics, the model describes contact between individual bacterial cells in a planktonic state and a surface, accounting for both the mechanical properties of the cells and the physico-chemical mechanisms governing interaction with the substrate. Feasibility of the model is assessed via comparison with experimental results of bacterial growth on stainless steel substrates textured with ultrashort laser pulses. Simulations are performed for two different bacterial species, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, on two distinct surface types characterised by elongated ripples and isolated nanopillars, respectively. Calculated results are in agreement with experiment outcomes and highlight the role of mechanical stresses within the cell wall due to deformation upon interaction with the substrate, creating unfavourable conditions for bacteria during the initial phases of adhesion. Furthermore, the flexibility of the model provides insight into the intricate interplay between topography and the physico-chemical properties of the substrate, pointing to a unified picture of the mechanisms underlying bacterial affinity to a textured surface