Gamma-ray burst observations with new generation imaging atmospheric Cerenkov Telescopes in the FERMI era

After the launch and successful beginning of operations of the FERMI satellite, the topics related to high-energy observations of gamma-ray bursts have obtained a considerable attention by the scientific community. Undoubtedly, the diagnostic power of high-energy observations in constraining the emission processes and the physical conditions of gamma-ray burst is relevant. We briefly discuss how gamma-ray burst observations with ground-based imaging array Cerenkov telescopes, in the GeV-TeV range, can compete and cooperate with FERMI observations, in the MeV-GeV range, to allow researchers to obtain a more detailed and complete picture of the prompt and afterglow phases of gamma-ray bursts.Comment: 9 pages, two figures. Proceeding for the 6th "Science with the New Generation of High Energy Gamma-Ray Experiments" worksho

Neuroimaging, Networking and Systems Biology: The New Way to Investigate Pathologies with Neurological System Implications. The example of Tourette Syndrome as a Pilot Study

Purpose: Recently, many academic research groups have focused their attention on changes in human brain networks related to several kinds of pathologies and diseases, generating the new discipline termed “Network Medicine”. Purpose of this paper is to investigate the ability of the Network Medicine to give deeper insights in the functionality of brain activity. Material and Methods: In the proposed study of Tourette syndrome, we have investigated with the functional magnetic resonance imaging the possibility that the mechanisms associated with the monitoring and internal control of movements were compromised in individuals with Tourette syndrome; we enrolled 20 Tourette Syndrome patients in comparison with a healthy Controls group of 15 subjects matching for age and sex distribution. We proposed, for the fMRI analysis, a novel task based on the execution of switching between complex movements on demand. Results: The elementary activation model found that the effort related to the task in comparing Tourettic vs Controls mainly concerns the areas of the Gyrus of the Cingulum, the precuneus and the thalamic area of the ventral-lateral nucleus. In particular, the BA11 plays an essential role in the Tourette Patients related to the continue tentative to correct the TIC. Considering the status of the pilot study of this work, we remark the power of proposed methods to investigate the complex interaction of the brain networks. Conclusion: Alteration in brain activity for a population of Tourette Syndrome patients is evaluable by the use of complex indexes, results confirm the literature about this pathology and these medical physics methods can be applied to all neurological diseases investigation by opportune task-driven experiments or by resting state fc-MRI experiments

The sensitivity of present-time electricity demand on past climate change : a case study for Italy

A methodology for estimating secular daily minimum, mean and maximum (Tn, Tm and Tx) temperature records for any urbanised point of a 30-arc-second-resolution grid covering Italy is presented. It is based on the superimposition of 1961\u20131990 climatologies and departures from them (anomalies). The anomalies are obtained by applying inverse distance weighting to 143 Italian high-quality records, whereas the climatologies are based on a larger dataset and on the application of local weighted linear regression of temperature versus elevation. The grid-point Tn, Tm and Tx records are then used to set up secular records (period 1801\u20132013) of temperature-derived variables that influence Italy present-time national electricity demand. They are national averages over Italian urbanised areas of cooling degree-days (CDD), heating degree-days (HDD) and solar radiation deficit with respect to a defined threshold (S), with solar radiation estimated using daily temperature range as a proxy. The monthly and yearly sums of the daily CDD, HDD and S records are then used, alongside with a model allowing to link these variables to present-time Italy electricity demand, in order to understand the impact of climate variability and change on present-time Italian electricity demand. We find that temperature changes as the ones observed in the last two centuries are capable of altering significantly the present-time monthly profile of the electricity demand, raising (lowering) summer (winter) months contributions. The impact is higher in summer months where it exceeds 5 % of present-time Italy average monthly electricity demand, whereas the decrease of the winter demand is rather low because of a very limited use of electricity for heating. The summer and winter opposite-sign changes result globally in an increase of the yearly demand of about 5 TWh, corresponding to about 1.5-2.0 % of present-time Italy yearly electricity demand

Black soldier fly as dietary protein source for broiler quails: apparent digestibility, excreta microbial load, feed choice, performance, carcass and meat traits

In order to expand with validated scientific data the limited knowledge regarding the potential application of insects as innovative feed ingredients for poultry, the present study tested a partial substitution of soya bean meal and soya bean oil with defatted black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal (H) in the diet for growing broiler quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) on growth performance, mortality, nutrients apparent digestibility, microbiological composition of excreta, feed choice, carcass and meat traits. With this purpose, a total of 450 10-day-old birds were allocated to 15 cages (30 birds/cage) and received three dietary treatments: a Control diet (C) and two diets (H1 and H2) corresponding to 10% and 15% H inclusion levels, respectively (H substituted 28.4% soya bean oil and 16.1% soya bean meal for H1, and 100% soya bean oil and 24.8% soya bean meal for H2, respectively). At 28 days of age, quails were slaughtered, carcasses were weighed, breast muscles were then excised from 50 quails/treatment, weighed, and ultimate pH (pHu) and L*, a*, b* colour values were measured. Breast muscles were then cooked to assess cooking loss and meat toughness. For the digestibility trial, a total of 15 28-day-old quails were assigned to the three feeding groups. The excreta samples were subjected to chemical and microbiological analysis. The same 15 quails were then simultaneously provided with C and H2 diets for a 10-day feed choice trial. Productive performance, mortality and carcass traits were in line with commercial standards and similar in all experimental groups. With the exception of ether extract digestibility, which was lower in H1 group compared with C and H2 (P=0.0001), apparent digestibility of dry matter, CP, starch and energy did not differ among treatments. Microbial composition of excreta was also comparable among the three groups. Feed choice trial showed that quails did not express a preference toward C or H2 diets. Breast meat weight and yield did not differ among C, H1 and H2 quails. Differently, the inclusion of H meal reduced meat pHu compared with C. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that H. illucens larvae meal can partially replace conventional soya bean meal and soya bean oil in the diet for growing broiler quails, thus confirming to be a promising insect protein source for the feed industry. Further research to assess the impact of H meal on intestinal morphology as well as on meat quality and sensory profile would be of utmost importance

PROVE DI CORROSIONE AD ALTA PRESSIONE DI CO2 PER I POZZI DI STOCCAGGIO

Nell’ambito del progetto ENI “GreenHouse Gases” è stata effettuata una attività sperimentale volta alla scelta materiali per i pozzi di stoccaggio. Utilizzando un sistema esperto per la scelta dei materiali dei pozzi è stata preparata una tabella che possa servire da guida per la selezione dei materiali per pozzi in funzione delle impurezze contenute nella CO2 e dei parametri di processo. I risultati forniti dal sistema esperto sono stati validati mediante prove sperimentali. Le prove svolte sono state: test di corrosione in autoclave, prove meccaniche, analisi chimica, indagini metallografiche

Produção e características físico-químicas dos cachos da videira 'BRS Clara' sob cobertura plástica e sombrite em safra fora de época.

Devido às condições climáticas favoráveis à ocorrência de doenças fúngicas em uvas de mesa, tem-se buscado a adoção de tecnologias que propiciem a redução nos custos de produção, sendo uma alternativa o cultivo de uvas sob cobertura plástica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produção e as características físico-químicas dos cachos da videira 'BRS Clara' enxertada sobre o porta-enxerto IAC-766'?Campinas', em cultivo protegido durante a safra fora de época, visando à redução da aplicação de fungicidas para o controle do míldio. Os experimentos foram realizados em pomares comerciais localizados em Uraí e Marialva-PR. As videiras foram conduzidas no sistema latada, em espaçamento de 4,0 x 4,0 m, em Uraí, e de 2,0 x 5,0 m, em Marialva. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, com dois sistemas de cultivo protegido (sob cobertura plástica e sob sombrite) e sete repetições. No experimento conduzido em Uraí, não foram verificadas diferenças entre os sistemas de cultivo protegido quanto às características produtivas e químicas das bagas, como o teor de sólidos solúveis totais, índice de maturação e pH. Verificou-se a ocorrência do míldio somente nas folhas, sendo a incidência e a severidade menor nas videiras sob cobertura plástica (0,5 e 0,02%, respectivamente). Em Marialva, também não houve influência das coberturas nas características produtivas das videiras. Entretanto, o teor de sólidos solúveis totais das bagas sob cobertura plástica foi superior em relação àquelas sob sombrite (19,6 e 17,2oBrix, respectivamente). Não foi detectada a ocorrência de míldio em nenhum dos sistemas de cultivo protegido nessa localidade. Conclui-se que o uso da cobertura plástica permite a redução do número de aplicações de fungicidas para o controle do míldio, sem alterar as características produtivas da uva 'BRS Clara'

Curricular change and pedagogical methods: impact experienced by students of medicine

As mudanças nas formas de ensinar e aprender com ênfase no papel ativo dos estudantes têm sido observadas no Ensino Superior em geral e, em particular, no Ensino Médico. Apesar de haver um número considerável de trabalhos em torno dessa temática, constata-se uma carência relativa a estudos que valorizem a percepção dos estudantes como os agentes ativos de sua própria formação. Logo, com a finalidade de conhecer e analisar a qualidade das experiências vivenciadas, foi realizado um grupo focal com 6 estudantes concluintes do curso de Medicina de uma Faculdade Privada em Minas Gerais - Brasil no qual foram trabalhadas as suas percepções sobre as mudanças a nível do currículo, do curso e dos métodos pedagógicos dos professores, nomeadamente as alterações ocorridas nas vivências acadêmicas e adaptação. Importante destacar que os estudantes da pesquisa tiveram meios de comparação pela convivência com os colegas do curriculo antigo durante toda a formação. Os resultados mostraram que os estudantes foram capazes de identificar as alterações ocorridas no currículo e nos métodos pedagógicos; que os métodos ativos favoreceram qualitativamente as vivências acadêmicas por estreitar e melhorar as relações interpessoais com colegas de turma e de outras áreas, no trabalho interprofissional, além prepara-los melhor para a relação com o paciente. Quanto às atitudes e comportamentos adaptativos, relataram imaturidade, ansiedade e medo inerentes às novidades implementadas e aos cenários reais de prática no início do curso, demonstrando que os mesmos necessitam de apoios vários no processo de transição e adaptação.Modifications in the teaching and learning methods, focusing an active role of the students, have been experienced in Higher Education, in general, and especially, in Medical Education. Although there is a reasonable number of studies around this issue, it is recognised a lack of studies that highlight the attitude of students as active agents of their own education. Therefore, aiming to understand and analyse the quality of the experiences, it was carried out a focus group with six senior students of Medicine of a Private University in Minas Gerais – Brazil. Herewith, were worked up students’ perceptions about the modifications in the syllabus, the course and in the teaching methods of the professors, namely the changes occurred in the academic experience and adjustment. Also, important to point out is that the students taking part in the research have had comparison means by getting together with peers from former syllabus during their instruction. Results show that the students were able to identify the changes carried out in the syllabus and in the teaching methods; that the active methods have boosted qualitatively the academic experiences and straitened and enhanced the interpersonal relationships with their peers and from other fields, at interprofessional work, besides preparing them better in their relationship with the patient. Regarding attitudes and adjustment behaviours, they have described immaturity, anxiety and fear resulting from the new things implemented and the real practice sceneries of the instruction proving that they need different support during the adjustment and transition process.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Plaque imaging volume analysis: technique and application

The prevention and management of atherosclerosis poses a tough challenge to public health organizations worldwide. Together with myocardial infarction, stroke represents its main manifestation, with up to 25% of all ischemic strokes being caused by thromboembolism arising from the carotid arteries. Therefore, a vast number of publications have focused on the characterization of the culprit lesion, the atherosclerotic plaque. A paradigm shift appears to be taking place at the current state of research, as the attention is gradually moving from the classically defined degree of stenosis to the identification of features of plaque vulnerability, which appear to be more reliable predictors of recurrent cerebrovascular events. The present review will offer a perspective on the present state of research in the field of carotid atherosclerotic disease, focusing on the imaging modalities currently used in the study of the carotid plaque and the impact that such diagnostic means are having in the clinical setting