The AMS-02 experiment on International Space Station

AMS-02 (Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer) is a particle detector designed to operate in space, on the International Space Station (ISS). The launch and subsequent installation on the ISS took place successfully May 16, 2011 with the mission STS-134, second last shuttle mission. The apparatus is fully operational by May 19 2011 and has collected over 13 billions of events in nine months. AMS-02 will collect about 150–320 bilions of events in 10–20 years of operation allowing to achieve an unprecedented sensitivity in the search for new physics in the space

Lepton flavour violation in charged leptons

This paper shows the present status of lepton flavour violation experiments involving charged leptons (muons and taus)

Role of Vitamin D in Prevention of Food Allergy in Infants

The prevalence of food allergy is increasing over the last decades. The role of vitamin D in the prevention of food allergy has been largely investigated. Its role on the physiology of calcium and bone is known, but calcitriol (active form of the vitamin D) also influences the epithelial cells, T cells, B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. Almost all cells of the adaptive immune system express the vitamin D receptor, making them also capable of being vitamin responsive. Specifically considering the potential role of vitamins in food allergy, vitamin D has been shown to affect several mechanisms that promote immunologic tolerance, including the T regulatory cell function and the induction of tolerogenic dendritic cells. The target of our review is to evaluate the role of vitamin D in the prevention of food allergy in children. There are contradictory data on the relationship among the vitamin D deficiency and the developing of food allergy. Some studies associate lower exposure to sunlight to food allergy; on the other hand, further research has found that higher vitamin D levels could increase the likelihood of allergic sensitization and food allergy. Therefore, there is an urgent need for well-planned randomized controlled trials on vitamin D supplementation, with particular regard to the prevention of food allergy. The role of vitamin D beyond bone and calcium metabolism is not fully understood

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum 1792) develop a more robust body shape under organic rearing

Prolonged exposure to captive conditions has led to the development of a rainbow trout ‘farmed’ pheno- type, which is different from that of wild trout. Selec- tion for desirable productive traits in hatcheries has resulted in the development of some morphological traits that are maladaptive in nature. The recent development of organic aquaculture, guided by the well-being of the fish, could potentially produce a new farmed phenotype that would be more adaptive in nature. In this study, rainbow trout reared in intensive and organic farms were compared by means of shape analysis, to detect patterns of shape variation associated with rearing environment. The results of this study highlight a significant effect of the rearing method on rainbow trout shape: organi- cally reared trout showed a higher body profile, in particular in the head and trunk regions, shorter median fins and a deeper caudal peduncle. A combined effect of density and habitat complexity could have contributed to the observed shape differences: in organic rearing systems, lower densi- ties and steady water could increase territoriality and aggressive interactions, promoting body designs more functional in rapid attacks and escapes

Bismuth-Gold absorber for large area TES spiderweb bolometer

Large area spiderweb bolometer of about one centimetre diameter are required for matching multimode or quasi-optical cavities in microwave antenna for CMB measurements as proposed for the Large Scale Polarization Explorer balloon borne sky survey at 140, 220, 250 GHz. Possible applications at low frequencies, 40 GHz or less, in single mode are also foreseen. The main drawback of such large absorber is the achievement of an optimal trade-off among the thermal properties, like fast internal thermal diffusivity, heat capacity and milli-second recovery time and EM characteristics, like the matching impedance and EM power dissipation. In parallel with standard micropatterned gold film absorber deposited onto silicon nitride membrane, we have tested the Bismuth Gold in order to reduce the heat capacity even if with an increase of resistivity. Films of Bismuth Gold may have low resistivity under application of a proper post-production thermal cycle. We present the fabrication method of Bismuth Gold films for our microwave absorbers and the bolometer characterization at low temperature

NiO/CaAl2O4 as active oxygen carrier for low temperature chemical looping applications

The implementation of CO2 capture systems in conventional processes has been proposed by the IPCC as an effective way to reduce anthropogenic CO2 emissions. However, these capture systems may represent an important decrease in the global efficiency for conventional processes. Chemical Looping has already been demonstrated as a promising technology for more efficient CO2 capture. Novel reactor concepts have been proposed in the literature, in which the reactions take place at lower temperatures with increased overall energy efficiency. However, few investigations have been carried out regarding the behaviour of oxygen carriers at relatively low operating temperatures. In this work, an active Ni-based oxygen carrier supported on CaAl2O4 inert material has been tested and characterized. The oxygen carrier has shown a promising behaviour for low temperature applications. However, it has been demonstrated that the oxygen carrier has to be pre-treated because of an interesting activation process which takes place only at high reduction temperatures. Oxygen carrier activation is caused by a reorganization of superficial nickel. Fresh oxygen carrier is covered by a layer of nickel with a strong interaction with the support. However, once the sample is reduced at high temperatures Ni is reorganized into small grains with reduced interaction with the support. This results in an enhancement in the reactivity and a higher oxygen transport capacity. After about 200 redox cycles, a small decrease in the solid conversion is observed due to agglomeration of the NiO grains. Nevertheless, the redox kinetics is still sufficiently fast for low temperature applications, provided that the oxygen carrier is pre-activated. The kinetics rates for the gas–solid reactions and gas-phase catalytic reactions have been determined, which can be used to predict the performance of the activated NiO/CaAl2O4 oxygen carrier for low temperature chemical looping applications

Asthma and food allergy: Which risks?

Over the past few decades, an increase in the prevalence of asthma and food allergy has been observed in the pediatric population. In infants, food sensitization, particularly to egg, has increased the risk of developing allergic asthma. This is even more likely if sensitization to food allergens occurs early within the first few years of life. It is indeed known that both diseases may be present simultaneously in the pediatric population, but coexistence may negatively influence the severity of both conditions by increasing the risk of life-threatening asthmatic episodes as well as food-related anaphylaxis. Therefore, an accurate clinical and phenotype characterization of this high-risk group of children with both asthma and food allergy and a more aggressive management might lead to reducing related morbidity and mortality. The aim of this review is to provide an updated overview on the close link between food allergy and asthma and their negative mutual influence

The predictive role of biomarkers and genetics in childhood asthma exacerbations

Asthma exacerbations are associated with significant childhood morbidity and mortality. Recurrent asthma attacks contribute to progressive loss of lung function and can sometimes be fatal or near‐fatal, even in mild asthma. Exacerbation prevention becomes a primary target in the management of all asthmatic patients. Our work reviews current advances on exacerbation predictive factors, focusing on the role of non‐invasive biomarkers and genetics in order to identify subjects at higher risk of asthma attacks. Easy‐to‐perform tests are necessary in children; therefore, interest has increased on samples like exhaled breath condensate, urine and saliva. The variability of biomarker levels suggests the use of seriate measurements and composite markers. Genetic predisposition to childhood asthma onset has been largely investigated. Recent studies highlighted the influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms even on exacerbation susceptibility, through involvement of both intrinsic mechanisms and gene‐environment interaction. The role of molecular and genetic aspects in exacerbation prediction supports an individual‐shaped approach, in which follow‐up planning and therapy optimization take into account not only the severity degree, but also the risk of recurrent exacerbations. Further efforts should be made to improve and validate the application of biomarkers and genomics in clinical settings