CCD and photon-counting photometric observations of asteroids carried out at Padova and Catania observatories

We present the results of observational campaigns of asteroids performed at Asiago Station of Padova Astronomical Observatory and at M.G. Fracastoro Station of Catania Astrophysical Observatory, as part of the large research programme on Solar System minor bodies undertaken since 1979 at the Physics and Astronomy Department of Catania University. Photometric observations of six Main-Belt asteroids (27 Euterpe, 173 Ino, 182 Elsa, 539 Pamina, 849 Ara, and 984 Gretia), one Hungaria (1727 Mette), and two Near-Earth Objects (3199 Nefertiti and 2004 UE) are reported. The first determination of the synodic rotational period of 2004 UE was obtained. For 182 Elsa and 1727 Mette the derived synodic period of 80.23+/-0.08 h and 2.981+/-0.001 h, respectively, represents a significant improvement on the previously published values. For 182 Elsa the first determination of the H-G magnitude relation is also presented.Comment: 19 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in Planetary and Space Scienc

Polynomial Approach for Filtering and Identification of a Class of Uncertain Systems

Abstract this paper considers the filtering and identification problems for a class of discrete-time uncertain stochastic systems that admit a finite number of linear working modes. It is shown here that this class of uncertain systems can be modeled by using a suitably defined extended system, whose state evolves according to a bilinear model. A polynomial filtering algorithm is derived for such extended system, which readily provides the polynomial estimates of both the original state and the working mode. Simulations show the effectiveness of the proposed approach and the improvements with respect to standard linear filtering algorithms

The autism brain imaging data exchange: towards a large-scale evaluation of the intrinsic brain architecture in autism

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) represent a formidable challenge for psychiatry and neuroscience because of their high prevalence, lifelong nature, complexity and substantial heterogeneity. Facing these obstacles requires large-scale multidisciplinary efforts. Although the field of genetics has pioneered data sharing for these reasons, neuroimaging had not kept pace. In response, we introduce the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (ABIDE)—a grassroots consortium aggregating and openly sharing 1112 existing resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (R-fMRI) data sets with corresponding structural MRI and phenotypic information from 539 individuals with ASDs and 573 age-matched typical controls (TCs; 7–64 years) (http://fcon_1000.projects.nitrc.org/indi/abide/). Here, we present this resource and demonstrate its suitability for advancing knowledge of ASD neurobiology based on analyses of 360 male subjects with ASDs and 403 male age-matched TCs. We focused on whole-brain intrinsic functional connectivity and also survey a range of voxel-wise measures of intrinsic functional brain architecture. Whole-brain analyses reconciled seemingly disparate themes of both hypo- and hyperconnectivity in the ASD literature; both were detected, although hypoconnectivity dominated, particularly for corticocortical and interhemispheric functional connectivity. Exploratory analyses using an array of regional metrics of intrinsic brain function converged on common loci of dysfunction in ASDs (mid- and posterior insula and posterior cingulate cortex), and highlighted less commonly explored regions such as the thalamus. The survey of the ABIDE R-fMRI data sets provides unprecedented demonstrations of both replication and novel discovery. By pooling multiple international data sets, ABIDE is expected to accelerate the pace of discovery setting the stage for the next generation of ASD studies

Efficacy and safety of clarithromycin as treatment for Mediterranean spotted fever in children: a randomized controlled trial

Fifty-one children with Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) were randomized to receive either clarithromycin, 15 mg/kg/day orally in 2 divided doses, or chloramphenicol, 50 mg/kg/day orally in 4 divided doses, for 7 days. Mean time to defervescence was 36.7 h in the clarithromycin group and 47.1 h in the chloramphenicol group (P=.047). Clarithromycin could be an acceptable therapeutic alternative to chloramphenicol and to tetracyclines for children aged <8 years with MS

Three years field trials to assess the effect of kaolin made particles and copper on olive-fruit fly (B.oleae Gmelin) infestations in Sicily

In most countries of Mediterranean Basin, Bactrocera oleae (Gmel), the olive fruit fly, is the key pest insect on olives. In Sicily this pest causes losses of fruits and a poor quality olive oil. Many researchers have recently carried out some field studies which were based on the use of kaolin and copper against the olive-fruit fly. In the last years these products have been effective several times in reducing olive fly infestation. Kaolin had, also, some important effect in reducing heat-stress in fruit crops and olive-trees. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of kaolin and copper treatment on olive infestations in Sicily and to evaluate chemical and sensory parameters of oils extracted. For this reason, within 2003-2005, the IX Servizio of Assessorato Regionale Agricoltura e Foreste, selected some olive groves where to carry out trials with kaolin and copper and to realize information and divulgation activities

DISTRIBUTED-DELAY MODELS OF THE GLUCOSE-INSULIN HOMEOSTASIS AND ASYMPTOTIC STATE OBSERVATION

Abstract In this paper the problem of the real-time reconstruction of plasma insulin concentration by using only blood glucose measurements is investigated. This is an interesting problem because the knowledge of the time course of the glucose and insulin concentrations in an individual provides precious informations concerning its health state, and may assume the role of a clinical instrument. For the purpose of the reconstruction of the insulinemia a dynamical model of the glucose-insuline homeostasis is required. The present work considers distributed delay models. Such models have been preferred in recent papers with respect to the standard Minimal Models, available in literature from 70's, because they allow to couple the glucose and insulin dynamics in a unique extended system, whose solutions have been proven to be positive, bounded, and globally asymptotically stable around the basal values of the equilibrium point. Data are acquired according to the Intra Venous Glucose Tolerance Test (IVGTT). Simulation results are reported in order to validate the developed theory

VP50.10: Predicting fetal and maternal complications with sFlt1/PlGF ratio in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

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An XMM-Newton and INTEGRAL view on the hard state of EXO 1745-248 during its 2015 outburst

CONTEXT - Transient low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) often show outbursts lasting typically a few-weeks and characterized by a high X-ray luminosity ($L_{x} \approx 10^{36}-10^{38}$ erg/sec), while for most of the time they are found in X-ray quiescence ($L_X\approx10^{31} -10^{33}$ erg/sec). EXO 1745-248 is one of them. AIMS - The broad-band coverage, and the sensitivity of instrument on board of {\xmm} and {\igr}, offers the opportunity to characterize the hard X-ray spectrum during {\exo} outburst. METHODS - In this paper we report on quasi-simultaneous {\xmm} and {\igr} observations of the X-ray transient {\exo} located in the globular cluster Terzan 5, performed ten days after the beginning of the outburst (on 2015 March 16th) shown by the source between March and June 2015. The source was caught in a hard state, emitting a 0.8-100 keV luminosity of $\simeq10^{37}$~{\lumcgs}. RESULTS - The spectral continuum was dominated by thermal Comptonization of seed photons with temperature $kT_{in}\simeq1.3$ keV, by a cloud with moderate optical depth $\tau\simeq2$ and electron temperature $kT_e\simeq 40$ keV. A weaker soft thermal component at temperature $kT_{th}\simeq0.6$--0.7 keV and compatible with a fraction of the neutron star radius was also detected. A rich emission line spectrum was observed by the EPIC-pn on-board {\xmm}; features at energies compatible with K-$\alpha$ transitions of ionized sulfur, argon, calcium and iron were detected, with a broadness compatible with either thermal Compton broadening or Doppler broadening in the inner parts of an accretion disk truncated at $20\pm6$ gravitational radii from the neutron star. Strikingly, at least one narrow emission line ascribed to neutral or mildly ionized iron is needed to model the prominent emission complex detected between 5.5 and 7.5 keV. (Abridged)Comment: 14 pages, 6 figure, 2 tables. Accepted for publication on A&A (21/03/2017

A systematic review of studies on fine and coarse root traits measurement: towards the enhancement of urban forests monitoring and management

The analysis of fine and coarse roots' functional traits has the potential to reveal the performance of the root system, which is pivotal in tree growth, development, and failure in both natural and urban forest ecosystems. Furthermore, root traits may be a powerful indicator of tree resilience mechanisms. However, due to the inherent difficulties in measuring 'the hidden half,' and despite the recent advancements, the relationships among root functional traits and biotic and abiotic drivers still suffer from a lack of information. Thus, our study aimed to evidence knowledge milestones and gaps and to categorize, discuss, and suggest future directions for effective experimental designs in fine and coarse root studies. To this end, we conducted a systematic literature review supported by backward manual referencing based on 55 root functional traits and 136 plant species potentially suitable for afforestation and reforestation of natural and urban forest ecosystems. The majority of the 168 papers on fine and coarse root studies selected in our review focused predominantly on European natural contexts for a few plant species, such as Fagus sylvatica, Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris, and Pinus cembra, and root functional traits such as standing biomass, phenology production, turnover rate, and non-structural carbohydrates (NSC). Additionally, the analyzed studies frequently lack information and uniformity in experimental designs, measurements, and statistical analysis, highlighting the difficult integration and comparison of outcomes derived from different experiments and sites. Moreover, no information has been detected in selected literature about urban forest ecosystems, while most of the studies focus on natural forests. These biases observed during our literature analysis led us to give key indications for future experiment designs with fine and coarse roots involved, which may contribute to the building up of common protocols to boost the monitoring, managing, and planning of afforestation and reforestation projects