Statistical model for intermittent plasma edge turbulence

The Probability Distribution Function of plasma density fluctuations at the edge of fusion devices is known to be skewed and strongly non-Gaussian. The causes of this peculiar behaviour are, up to now, largely unexplored. On the other hand, understanding the origin and the properties of edge turbulence is a key issue in magnetic fusion research. In this work we show that a stochastic fragmentation model, already successfully applied to fluid turbulence, is able to predict an asymmetric distribution that closely matches experimental data. The asymmetry is found to be a direct consequence of intermittency. A discussion of our results in terms of recently suggested BHP universal curve [S.T. Bramwell, P.C.W. Holdsworth, J.-F. Pinton, Nature (London) 396, 552 (1998)], that should hold for strongly correlated and critical systems, is also proposedComment: 13 pages. Physica Review E, accepte

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Lo straniero in patria: l'"aspro viaggio" di Jacopo Ortis

In his «Ultime lettere di Jacopo Ortis» Foscolo replaces the image of a long-desired and unified, but as a matter of fact torn and denied, homeland with the betrayed Republic of Venice. In his desperate way, though, Jacopo touches the literary tradition of Italy in symbolic places, contributing to start in a decisive way the Risorgimento adventure