686 research outputs found
High-performance microstrip directional coupler for radio-astronomical receivers at cryogenic temperature
A microstrip directional coupler with high directivity is proposed for microwave applications requiring a weak coupling factor. This component has been used in the L-band radio-astronomical receiver of the Sardinia radio telescope. To improve the performance of the receiver, the operating temperature is lowered to 20 K. An in-house cryostat has been manufactured to perform measurements on the directional coupler, and very good agreement with the design specification is achieved
Soft-sediment deformation structures in seismically affected deep-sea Miocene turbidites (Cilento Basin, southern Italy)
Soft-sediment deformation structures (SSDS) are widespread in the upper part of the S. Mauro Formation (Cilento
Group, Middle-Late Miocene). The succession is represented mainly by thick and very thick, massive, coarse-grained
sandstones, deposited by rapid sedimentation of high-density turbidity currents. The most common SSDS are short
pillars, dishes, sedimentary sills and convolutions. They occur mostly in the upper parts of sandstone beds. Vertical
tubes of 4-5 cm in diameter and up to 50 cm long constitute the most striking structures. They begin in the middle part
of sandstone beds, which are basically massive or contain faint dish structures. These tubes can bifurcate upwards and/
or pass into bedding-parallel veins or dikes. The vertical tubes sometimes form sand volcanoes on the then sedimentary
surface.
The SSDS are interpreted as the result of earthquake-triggered liquefaction and/or fluidisation of the turbidites that
were affected by the seismic shocks. This implies that the deformed layers should be considered as seismites
Development and Preliminary Italian Validation of the Emergency Response and Psychological Adjustment Scale
Evaluating the personal adaptation response to the emergency situations is very important for the prevention of mental distress, for the activation of network and community synergies and for the planning and implementation of appropriate psycho-social interventions. So far there are no short tools for the overall assessment of cognitive, emotional and behavioral responses of psychological adaptation to the emergency in the psychometric panorama. The Emergency Response and Psychological Adjustment Scale (ERPAS) was administered to a sample of 1,088 participants, while the concurrent validity was tested through a second administration to 600 participants along with the GSE (Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale) and the BDI-II (Beck Depression Inventory-II). Confirmatory factor analysis bore out a five-factor solution (including 18 items) with good fit indices of adaptation to data, χ2/df = 1.440, RMSEA = 0.028, RMSEA 90% CI = 0.018–0.038, GFI = 0.996, AGFI = 0.959, CFI = 0.982, and NFI = 0.944. Evidence of convergent validity was provided by the significant correlations with variables such as cognitive and somatic depression, and perceived general self-efficacy. The analyses also showed a strong invariance across gender. The ERPAS tool prefigures application during the assessment in multiple emergency contexts (e.g. earthquakes, floods, pandemics, terrorist attacks, war events, major accidents, major fires). This validation study of the ERPAS has shown that this version is a reliable and valid measurement for assessing people's modes of personal response (cognitive, emotional, behavioral) in emergency contexts
The role of physical activity in the CKD setting.
A sedentary lifestyle contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and probably cancer in the general population; this cluster of disease may be defined the diseasome of physical inactivity. Also in CKD/ESRD patients physical activity is strikingly low. As a result of growing evidence suggestive of cardiovascular benefit among the CKD population with exercise, the National Kidney Foundation recommended counseling by nephrologists to increase patients' levels of physical activity in their guideline about management of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, to maintain the well-being and functional capacity of renal patients attention should be directed toward maintaining strength and aerobic fitness as well as focusing on renal function and anemia or other comorbidities. All CKD/ESRD patients should be counseled and regularly encouraged by nephrology and dialysis staff to increase their level of physical activity
Enhanced lipid extraction from unbroken microalgal cells using enzymes
The marine microalga Nannochloropsis sp. was chosen as a model organism to investigate the feasibility of using cell wall-degrading enzymes to enhance the recovery of intracellular lipids. An enzyme cocktail containing galactomannanase, 1,4-β-cellobiosidase and β-glucosidase as main components was prepared from commercial enzyme preparations. The effects of pretreatment time (P), enzyme dosage (D), pH and temperature (T) on the amount of extracted lipids were investigated using response surface methodology. Under the best conditions (P = 90 min, D = 1.3 mg g–1, pH = 5, T = 36°C) over 70% of the lipids present in the microalga were recovered. SEM and TEM characterization of enzyme-treated microalgae showed extensive cell damage with significant disruption of the cell wall and release of algal material. Overall, the results of this study strongly support the use of commercial enzyme preparations to improve lipid recovery from microalgae and provide useful information on the influence of process conditions on the treatment efficiency
The Use of Voice Assistant for Psychological Assessment Elicits Empathy and Engagement While Maintaining Good Psychometric Properties
Psychometric Properties and a Preliminary Validation Study of the Italian Brief Version of the Communication Styles Inventory (CSI-B/I)
Detachment of Plasters in Masonry Buildings: Analysis by Acoustic Emission and Numerical Simulation
An innovative laboratory procedure is described for testing the mechanical adhesion of new dehumidified mortars applied in the restoration works. A specific adherence test was carried out on composite specimens made by stone block and repair mortar. During the laboratory test the acoustic emission (AE) technique was employed, in order to estimate the amount of energy released from fracture propagation in the adherence surface between mortar and stone. A numerical simulation follows the experimental data. The evolution of detachment process of mortar in a coupled stone brick–mortar system was analysed by AE signals, which can improve the numerical model and predict the failure mode in the adhesion surface of repair plaster
Resist or Give in to an Alternative: Post-Decisional Evaluations of Cost, Value and Regret in the Choice
Unveiling Chirality: Exploring Nature's Blueprint for Engineering Nanostructured Materials
Chirality, the property of asymmetry, is of great importance in biological
and physical phenomena. This prospective offers an overview of the emerging
field of chiral bioinspired plasmonics and metamaterials, aiming to uncover
nature's blueprint for engineering nanostructured materials. These materials
possess unique chiral structures, resulting in fascinating optical properties
and finding applications in sensing, photonics, and catalysis. The first part
of the prospective focuses on the design and fabrication of chiral
metamaterials that mimic intricate structures found in biological systems. By
employing self-assembly and nanofabrication techniques, researchers have
achieved remarkable control over the response to light, opening up new avenues
for manipulating light and controlling polarization. Chiral metamaterials hold
significant promise for sensing applications, as they can selectively interact
with chiral molecules, allowing for highly sensitive detection and
identification. The second part delves into the field of plasmonics
nanostructures, which mediate enantioselective recognition through optical
chirality enhancement. Plasmonic nanostructures, capable of confining and
manipulating light at the nanoscale, offer a platform for amplifying and
controlling chirality-related phenomena. Integrating plasmonic nanostructures
with chiral molecules presents unprecedented opportunities for chiral sensing,
enantioselective catalysis, and optoelectronic devices. By combining the
principles of chiral bioinspired plasmonics and metamaterials, researchers are
poised to unlock new frontiers in designing and engineering nanostructured
materials with tailored chiroptical properties
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