Indirect Robust Estimation of the Short-term interest Rate Process

We introduce Indirect Robust Generalized Method of Moments (IRGMM), a new simulation-based estimation methodology, to model short-term interest rate processes. The primary advantage of IRGMM relative to classical estimators of the continuous-time short-rate diffusion processes is that it corrects both errors due to discretization and the errors due to model misspecification. We apply this new approach to various monthly and weekly Eurocurrency interest rate series.GMM and RGMM estimators; CKLS one factor model; indirect inference

The ALICE electromagnetic calorimeter high level triggers

The ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment) detector yields a huge sample of data from different sub-detectors. On-line data processing is applied to select and reduce the volume of the stored data. ALICE applies a multi-level hardware trigger scheme where fast detectors are used to feed a three-level (L0, L1, and L2) deep chain. The High-Level Trigger (HLT) is a fourth filtering stage sitting logically between the L2 trigger and the data acquisition event building. The EMCal detector comprises a large area electromagnetic calorimeter that extends the momentum measurement of photons and neutral mesons up to $p_T=250$ GeV/c, which improves the ALICE capability to perform jet reconstruction with measurement of the neutral energy component of jets. An online reconstruction and trigger chain has been developed within the HLT framework to sharpen the EMCal hardware triggers, by combining the central barrel tracking information with the shower reconstruction (clusters) in the calorimeter. In the present report the status and the functionality of the software components developed for the EMCal HLT online reconstruction and trigger chain will be discussed, as well as preliminary results from their commissioning performed during the 2011 LHC running period.Comment: Proceeding for the CHEP 2012 Conferenc

Indirect Robust Estimation of the Short-term Interest Rate Process;

We introduce Indirect Robust Generalized Method of Moments (IRGMM), a new simulation-based estimation methodology, to model short-term interest rate processes. The primary advantage of IRGMM relative to classical estimators of the continuous-time short-rate diffusion processes is that it corrects both the errors due to discretization and the errors due to model misspecification. We apply this new approach to various monthly and weekly Eurocurrency interest rate series.GMM and RGMM estimators, CKLS one factor model, indirect inference

Nasal cellularity in 183 unselected schoolchildren aged 9 to 11 years

Although rhinitis is extremely frequent in children, methods for assessing the severity of nasal inflammation produce results with wide variability and hence weak clinical significance. We designed this epidemiologic investigation to define the clinical usefulness of assessing nasal cellularity in children

Using Virtual Reality to Rehabilitate Neglect

Purpose: Virtual Reality (VR) platforms gained a lot of attention in the rehabilitation field due to their ability to engage patients and the opportunity they offer to use real world scenarios. As neglect is characterized by an impairment in exploring space that greatly affects daily living, VR could be a powerful tool compared to classical paper and pencil tasks and computer training. Nevertheless, available platforms are costly and obstructive. Here we describe a low cost platform for neglect rehabilitation, that using consumer equipments allows the patient to train at home in an intensive fashion. Method: We tested the platform on IB, a chronic neglect patient, who did not benefit from classical rehabilitation. Results: Our results show that IB improved both in terms of neglect and attention. Importantly, these ameliorations lasted at a follow up evaluation 5 months after the last treatment session and generalized to everyday life activities. Conclusions: VR platforms built using equipment technology and following theoretical principles on brain functioning may induce greater ameliorations in visuo-spatial deficits than classical paradigms possibly thanks to the real world scenarios in association with the "visual feedback" of the patient's own body operating in the virtual environmen

MICROPILES TRIPODS SHIELDS (MTS) AS UNCONVENTIONAL BREAKERS FOR THE CONTROL OF MODERATELY RAPID EARTHFLOWS (SASSI NERI LANDSLIDE, NORTHERN APENNINES)

The paper deals with the idea, design and implementation of unconventional one-of-a-kind Micropiles Tripods Shields (MTS) intended to break and decelerate moderately rapid earthflows surges in the track zone of the Sassi Neri landslide (Nure Valley, Northern Apennines, Province of Piacenza, Italy). The MTS are inspired to floating anchors and “chevaux de fries” used in wartime. The basic elements are tripods of 193 mm diameter steel micropiles laid out at triangle, driven into the stable bedrock and emerging some meters aboveground. Each tripod consists of a vertical upslope central pile and two lateral oblique piles, linked by two transversal beams and connection plates aboveground. Multiple tripods are spaced along transversal rows to form Micropiles Tripods Shields (MTS) to advancing earthflows. The design of MTS has been based on field investigations such as boreholes and geophysics, that indicated a limited thickness of landslide deposits in the track zone where MTS have been installed. The forces resulting from active earthflows fronts have been estimated both with geotechnical and hydraulic computations. The analysis of vertical and transversal forces as well as bending moments acting on a single tripod versus the characteristic resistances was carried out using a bi-dimensional scheme with finite-elements software Plaxis, that indicated that the stress levels were compatible with the structural resistance of the tripods. The construction of MTS took place in 2018, involving working site preparation with partial lime-treatment of the surficial layers, underground micropiles drilling and installation, aboveground micropiles welding, tripods completion with connection beams and plates. Some tripods have been instrumented with load cells for monitoring earth pressures against micropiles, electric transducers for groundwater monitoring next to the piles, tiltmeters for tripods rotations and a total station for slope and tripods movements monitoring. Results show that the acceleration of slope movements corresponds to a generalized increase of pore water pressure at all the monitored tripods and to temporary slight tilting of the tripods which has so far being fully recovered when the landside slowed down and pressure decreased. This pioneering application indicates that once the characteristics of the earthflows are carefully considered, the depth to the bedrock in the installation zone is limited, and the logistical conditions in the field during construction are adequate, the MTS can be taken into consideration as a possible unconventional solution to break down and control moderately rapid earthflow

Antibacterial β-Glucan/Zinc Oxide Nanocomposite Films for Wound Healing

Advanced antimicrobial biomaterials for wound healing applications are an active field of research for their potential in addressing severe and infected wounds and overcoming the threat of antimicrobial resistance. Beta-glucans have been used in the preparation of these materials for their bioactive properties, but very little progress has been made so far in producing biomedical devices entirely made of beta-glucans and in their integration with effective antimicrobial agents. In this work, a simple and eco-friendly method is used to produce flexible beta-glucan/nanostructured zinc oxide films, using glucans derived from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The properties of the films are characterized through scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, infrared and UV–visible spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and water absorption tests. Finally, the antibacterial properties of the nanostructured zinc oxide and of the composite films are assessed against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli, showing a marked effectiveness against the former. Overall, this study demonstrates how a novel bionanocomposite can be obtained towards the development of advanced wound healing devices

DTM generation through UAV survey with a Fisheye camera on a vineyard

Precision agriculture recommends a sustainable employment of nutrients and water, according to the site-specific crop requirements. In this context, the knowledge of soil characteristics allows to appropriately manage resources. Even the topography can influence the spatial distribution of the water on a field. This work focuses on the production of high-resolution Digital Terrain Model (DTM) in agriculture by photogrammetric processing fisheye images, acquired with very light Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Particular attention is given to the data processing procedures and to the assessment of the quality of the results, considering the peculiarity of the acquired images. An experimental test has been carried out on a vineyard located in Monzambano, Northern Italy, through photogrammetric survey with Parrot Bebop 2 UAV. It has been realized at the end of the vegetation season, to investigate the ground without any impediment due to the presence of leaves or branches. In addition, the survey has been used for evaluating the performance of Bebop fisheye camera in viticulture. Different flight strategies have been tested, together with different Ground Control Points (GCPs) and Check Points (CPs) configurations and software packages. The computed DTMs have been compared with a reference model obtained through Kriging interpolation of GNSS-RTK measurements. Residuals on CPs are of the order of 0.06 m, for all the considered scenarios, that for agricultural applications is by far sufficient. The photogrammetric DTMs show a good agreement with the reference one