Geo-material provenance and technological properties investigation in Copper Age menhirs production at Allai (central-western Sardinia, Italy)

During the 2nd millennium BC anthropomorphic menhirs belonging to a 3rd millennium BC sanctuary were reused as building material in the Arasseda Nuraghe (Sardinia, Italy). To analyse the Arasseda menhirs and the local Monte Ironi geological samples (presenting similar visual features), chemical (pXRF, ICP-OES, ICP-MS), mineralogical-chemical (PXRD) and physical (Mohs hardness) measurements were performed. Through the experimental data, the menhirs source provenance and the technological properties (workability, durability) of the raw material chosen for sculptural purposes during Copper Age were investigated. To the authors’ knowledge this is the first archaeometric study on the Arasseda menhirs (the third on Sardinian menhirs) and one between the few recently developed on European megaliths

Homogeneous and inhomogeneous contributions to the luminescence linewidth of point defects in amorphous solids: Quantitative assessment based on time-resolved emission spectroscopy

The article describes an experimental method that allows to estimate the inhomogeneous and homogeneous linewidths of the photoluminescence band of a point defect in an amorphous solid. We performed low temperature time-resolved luminescence measurements on two defects chosen as model systems for our analysis: extrinsic Oxygen Deficient Centers (ODC(II)) in amorphous silica and F+ 3 centers in crystalline Lithium Fluoride. Measurements evidence that only defects embedded in the amorphous matrix feature a dependence of the radiative decay lifetime on the emission energy and a time dependence of the first moment of the emission band. A theoretical model is developed to link these properties to the structural disorder typical of amorphous solids. Specifically, the observations on ODC(II) are interpreted by introducing a gaussian statistical distribution of the zero phonon line energy position. Comparison with the results obtained on F+ 3 crystalline defects strongly confirms the validity of the model. By analyzing experimental data within this frame, we obtain separate estimations of the homogenous and inhomogeneous contributions to the measured total linewidth of ODC(II), which results to be mostly inhomogeneous.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

A preliminary archaeometric study of Aeneolithic anthropomorphic statues from Allai (Central Sardinia, Italy)

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'School adopts an experiment': the photoluminescence in extra-virgin olive oil and in tonic water

We report a laboratory activity, carried out along with high- and secondary-school students, that can be done to increase the interest of the young in scientific studies. Groups of selected students 'adopted' experiments at physics research laboratories, under the guidance of university researchers. Subsequently, the students demonstrated the experiments to the public at large during the annual science festival organized in Palermo by the association PalermoScienza, in collaboration with the University of Palermo. Experiments on the magnetic levitation of superconductors and on the photoluminescence of several substances were proposed. We discuss the experiment on photoluminescence as a case study. The students who adopted the experiments reinforced their commitment to learning. They acquired a physics-based knowledge of the topics connected with the experiments in a much better way compared with the usual didactics in school

Simultaneous deformations and Poisson geometry

We consider the problem of deforming simultaneously a pair of given structures. We show that such deformations are governed by an L-infinity algebra, which we construct explicitly. Our machinery is based on Th. Voronov's derived bracket construction. In this paper we consider only geometric applications, including deformations of coisotropic submanifolds in Poisson manifolds, of twisted Poisson structures, and of complex structures within generalized complex geometry. These applications can not be, to our knowledge, obtained by other methods such as operad theory.Comment: 32 pages. Results in Section 2 improved (Lemma 2.6 and Corollaries 2.20, 2.22). Corollary 2.5 and Corollary 2.11 added. Final version, accepted for publicatio

Struttura di popolazione di vongola verace (<i>Ruditapes decussatus</i> l.) in due lagune costiere della Sardegna = Population structure of carpet shell clam (<i>Ruditapes decussatus</i> l.) in two coastal lagoons of Sardinia (Italy)

Ruditapes decussatus L. (Bivalvia) is a traditional resource for fishing activity in Sardinia Island. This species is not cultured, but fishermen pick them up from the bottom of brackish areas. The distribution and the population structure of R. decussatus were investigated in two coastal lagoons: S. Giovanni (CA) and Calich (SS). The samplings were performed seasonally from autumn 2008 to summer 2009

Survey of the genetic variability of populations of <i>Ruditapes philippinarum</i> from tre Gulf of Olbia (N-E Sardinia) by microsatellites = Indagine sulla variabilità genetica di popolazioni di <i>Ruditapes philippinarum</i> provenienti dal golfo di Olbia (N-E Sardegna)

Genetic variability was investigated at six microsatellite loci of the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum (Adams &amp; Reeve, 1850) (Bivalvia) from the Gulf of Olbia (N-E Sardinia) and Sacca di Goro (N Adriatic Sea). We found no significant differentiation among Sardinian samples and between those and the Adriatic one, which suggests the absence of a founder effect in Sardinian population

Homologous self-organising scale-invariant properties characterise long range species spread and cancer invasion

The invariance of some system properties over a range of temporal and/or spatial scales is an attribute of many processes in nature1, often characterised by power law functions and fractal geometry2. In particular, there is growing consensus in that fat-tailed functions like the power law adequately describe long-distance dispersal (LDD) spread of organisms 3,4. Here we show that the spatial spread of individuals governed by a power law dispersal function is represented by a clear and unique signature, characterised by two properties: A fractal geometry of the boundaries of patches generated by dispersal with a fractal dimension D displaying universal features, and a disrupted patch size distribution characterised by two different power laws. Analysing patterns obtained by simulations and real patterns from species dispersal and cell spread in cancer invasion we show that both pattern properties are a direct result of LDD and localised dispersal and recruitment, reflecting population self-organisation

JRC technical work supporting Commission second level legislation on risk based contributions to the (single) resolution fund

JRC supported the DG MARKT by developing quantitative analyses for the preparation of the second level legislation on bank contributions to be paid to the EU national Resolution Funds and to the Single Resolution Fund SRF for countries participating to the Banking Union. The present report summarizes all the extensive analyses on the calculation of banks contributions supporting the whole policy process. All analyses were based on a dataset that JRC built assembling individual bank unconsolidated balance sheet data, provided directly by the MS. JRC developed the technical details to measure the risk profile of each bank. Starting from a selection of balance sheet indicators, which account for the different aspects of each bank activity, the methodology aggregates them into a single composite risk indicator. The risk indicator is then combined with the bank size measure to compute the share of aggregated contribution each bank joining the fund would pay. JRC also investigated the decrease in contributions of applying a special treatment for the computation of the small banks’ contributions: these banks will not pay contributions based on their risk profile but will be instead lump-sum contributions, depending on their size only. JRC assessed the sensitivity of the distribution of contributions when changing some elements of the overall mechanism used to measure risk and compute contributions. Finally, following the discussion at the political level, JRC also assessed some technical issues related to the calculation of the contribution base and it tested the impact on banks contributions of different options for the phasing in of the single resolution fund.JRC.G.1-Financial and Economic Analysi

Similar self-organizing scale-invariant properties characterize early cancer invasion and long range species spread

Occupancy of new habitats through dispersion is a central process in nature. In particular, long range dispersal is involved in the spread of species and epidemics, although it has not been previously related with cancer invasion, a process that involves spread to new tissues. We show that the early spread of cancer cells is similar to the species individuals spread and that both processes are represented by a common spatio-temporal signature, characterized by a particular fractal geometry of the boundaries of patches generated, and a power law-scaled, disrupted patch size distribution. We show that both properties are a direct result of long-distance dispersal, and that they reflect homologous ecological processes of population self-organization. Our results are significant for processes involving long-range dispersal like biological invasions, epidemics and cancer metastasis.Comment: 21 pages, 2 figure