A unifying framework for kk-statistics, polykays and their multivariate generalizations

Through the classical umbral calculus, we provide a unifying syntax for single and multivariate $k$-statistics, polykays and multivariate polykays. From a combinatorial point of view, we revisit the theory as exposed by Stuart and Ord, taking into account the Doubilet approach to symmetric functions. Moreover, by using exponential polynomials rather than set partitions, we provide a new formula for $k$-statistics that results in a very fast algorithm to generate such estimators.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.3150/07-BEJ6163 the Bernoulli (http://isi.cbs.nl/bernoulli/) by the International Statistical Institute/Bernoulli Society (http://isi.cbs.nl/BS/bshome.htm

A two-phase problem with Robin conditions on the free boundary

We study for the first time a two-phase free boundary problem in which the solution satisfies a Robin boundary condition. We consider the case in which the solution is continuous across the free boundary and we prove an existence and a regularity result for minimizers of the associated variational problem. Finally, in the appendix, we give an example of a class of Steiner symmetric minimizers

Design di edifici a energia netta zero alla luce della Direttiva Europea 2010/31/CE (EPBD recast) sulla prestazione energetica nell'edilizia [GU europea del 18 giugno 2010 (L 153)]

Il presente lavoro descrive dettagliatamente gli studi e le attività svolte in seno al progetto di ricerca “Design di edifici a energia netta zero alla luce della direttiva europea 2010/31/CE (EPBD Recast) sulla prestazione energetica nell’edilizia GU Europea del 18 giugno 2010 (L153)”. L’attività di approfondimento sull’edificio oggetto di studio, la Leaf House, è stata svolta nell’ambito dei diversi filoni di ricerca di seguito elencati: 1. Analisi dei dati dell’edificio esistente, 2. Redesign dell’edificio esistente, 3. Embodied energy dell’edificio esistente. 4. Partecipazione a gruppi di lavoro internazionali in seno alla task 40 dell’IEA. Gli indicatori sviluppati nel corso dei lavori della Task 40 sono stati applicati al caso studio Leaf House, dimostrandone l’efficacia nell’identificare e descrivere il problema del mismatch. L’approfondimento nell’ambito del redesign dell’edificio ha permesso di stimare dei consistenti risparmi di energia elettrica qualora le soluzioni impiantistiche e tecnologiche venissero implementate. L’analisi LCA ha consentito di stimare l’embodied Energy del sistema edificio-impianto. Saranno presentati nel seguito i risultati di ogni filone di ricerca e le attività svolte e in corso di svolgimento nell’ambito della collaborazione con la task 40 dell’IEA

Epigenetic diversity of clonal white poplar (<i>Populus alba</i> L.) populations: could methylation support the success of vegetative reproduction strategy?

The widespread poplar populations of Sardinia are vegetatively propagated and live in different natural environments forming large monoclonal stands. The main goals of the present study were: i) to investigate/measure the epigenetic diversity of the poplar populations by determining their DNA methylation status; ii) to assess if and how methylation status influences population clustering; iii) to shed light on the changes that occur in the epigenome of ramets of the same poplar clone. To these purposes, 83 white poplar trees were sampled at different locations on the island of Sardinia. Methylation sensitive amplified polymorphism analysis was carried out on the genomic DNA extracted from leaves at the same juvenile stage. The study showed that the genetic biodiversity of poplars is quite limited but it is counterbalanced by epigenetic inter-population molecular variability. The comparison between MspI and HpaII DNA fragmentation profiles revealed that environmental conditions strongly influence hemi-methylation of the inner cytosine. The variable epigenetic status of Sardinian white poplars revealed a decreased number of population clusters. Landscape genetics analyses clearly demonstrated that ramets of the same clone were differentially methylated in relation to their geographic position. Therefore, our data support the notion that studies on plant biodiversity should no longer be restricted to genetic aspects, especially in the case of vegetatively propagated plant species

Analisi del comportamento violento in una popolazione di pazienti psichiatrici in Puglia e Basilicata

A retrospective study has been conducted on the clinical files of four public psychiatric facilities in the South of Italy of all patients who were continuously treated in the period of 1995-1999. The sample under consideration is made up of 1,582 subjects, mostly adults (48.4% between the ages of 30 and 49), divided almost equally between males (49%) and females (51%), with a quite low level of education. The most representative diagnoses are those of mood disorder (41.2%), psychotic disorders (27.3%), and disorders in the anxiety spectrum (17.6%); 11.4% of our sample have used drugs. Patients with long clinical histories, more than 10 years in 70% of the cases, predominate. After first contact with the facility, almost all patients began psychopharmacological treatment (84%), and about a third (35.8%) of patients taken into care by the facility required hospitalisation over time: in 39.5% of cases, the reason for admission was the result of self- and other-directed aggression. A positive correlation between the presence of a clinical history of admissions and the occurrence of violent episodes (OR 9.0, IC 95% 7.1 - 11.5; χ2 = 373.7, p &lt;0.05) has emerged. Violent behaviour emerges in the clinical histories of more than a third (36.3%) of the patients in our sample, mostly males. In the majority of cases, was exclusively other-directed (76.7%); violent behaviour which was either self- or other-directed occurred 9.2% of the time, and that which was exclusively self-directed, 14.1%. Psychotic disorder is the most statistically common diagnosis in patients with violent behaviour. Psychotic patients (27.3% of the total sample) make up 43.3%. In the subgroup of patients with violent behaviour, “suspension of therapy” seems to be correlated with episodes of other-directed violence (57.5%) (χ2 = 5.8 with p &lt; 0.05; OR = 1.8 with IC 95% 1.1 – 2.9), and against people (58.1%) (χ2 = 5.5 with p &lt; 0.05; OR = 1.6 with IC 95% 1.1 – 2.4). The existence of substance abuse constitutes a specific risk factor. Occurring in only a minority (11.4%) of the general sample of 1,582 patients, 79.55% of subjects that abuse substances exhibit violent behaviour (OR = 8.7 with IC 95% 5.8 – 12.9; χ2 = 162.7 with p &lt; 0.05), especially that of the other-directed type (63.1%). A significant correlation exists with a positive family case history for both substance abuse (OR = 13.4, IC 95% 5.2 – 34.3, χ2=48.2) and violent behaviour (OR = 7.9, IC 95% 4.0 – 15.2, χ2 = 50.3). Beginning at first contact with the psychiatric facility, adequate psychopharmacological treatment seems to be an important protective factor: only one third of patients under constant psychopharmacological treatment (35.0%) have, in fact, a positive clinical history of violent behaviour. A good level of compliance to treatment also seems to correlate positively. In this group of patients, only 11.95% of violent behaviour episodes had emerged. An other important protective factor against committing a violent act is a “good” level of psychosocial adaptation. Among those who possess this (15.73% of the entire sample of 1,582 patients), there is a low incidence of it (8.83%); violent behaviour is markedly higher (70.8%), in contrast, among patients with an adaptation level of “fair” or “poor” (8,65% of the entire sample). The extra-familial relationships constitute an important protective factor against committing a violent act. It has been pointed out that charges have been brought in only 8% of cases where violent behaviour has occurred: 3% by relatives and 5% by other people, in particular, neighbours. A total of 20 convictions for episodes of violent behaviour have been reported (3.5%).Uno studio retrospettivo è stato condotto in quattro servizi psichiatrici pubblici del Sud Italia su tutti i pazienti trattati continuativamente in un periodo compreso fra il 1995 ed il 1999. Il campione è composto da 1582 pazienti, per lo più adulti (il 48,4% è di età compresa fra i 30 e 49 anni), ripartiti quasi equamente fra maschi (49%) e femmine (51%), con un basso livello di istruzione. Le diagnosi più rappresentate sono Disturbo dell’Umore (41,2%), Disturbi Psicotici (27,3%), Disturbi dello spettro ansioso (17,6%); l’11,4% del nostro campione ha fatto un uso di droghe. Prevalgono i pazienti con una lunga storia clinica alle spalle: nel 70% è superiore ai 10 anni. Dopo il primo contatto con i servizi, quasi la totalità dei pazienti ha intrapreso un trattamento farmacologico (84%), e circa un terzo (35,8%) dei pazienti presi in carico dai servizi ha avuto, nel tempo, bisogno di ricovero: la motivazione al ricovero è risultata essere nel 39,5% dei casi aggressività auto-eterodiretta. È emersa un’associazione positiva tra presenza di ricoveri nella storia clinica e verificarsi di episodi di violenza (OR 9.0, IC 95% 7.1 - 11.5; χ2 = 373.7, p &lt; 0.05). Comportamenti violenti emergono nella storia clinica di oltre un terzo (36,3%) dei pazienti del campione, per lo più maschi (67,74%). Si tratta in massima parte di violenza eterodiretta (76,7%); comportamento auto/eterodiretto ricorre nel 9,2%, quello esclusivamente autodiretto nel 14,1%. Disturbo psicotico è la diagnosi statisticamente più ricorrente nei pazienti con comportamento violento. I pazienti psicotici (il 27,3% del campione totale) vi contribuiscono difatti nel 43,3%. Nel sottogruppo di pazienti con comportamento violento la sospensione della terapia sembra essere correlata con episodi di violenza eterodiretta (57,5%) (χ2 = 5,8 con p &lt; 0.05; OR = 1,8 con IC 95% 1,1 – 2,9), anche contro persone (58,1%) (χ2 = 5,5 con p &lt; 0.05; OR = 1,6 con IC 95% 1,1 – 2,4). L’abuso di sostanze costituisce specifico fattore di rischio: compare in una minoranza (11,4%) del campione generale di 1582 pazienti, ma il 79,55% dei soggetti che abusano di sostanze mette in atto un comportamento violento (OR = 8.7 con IC 95% 5.8 – 12.9; χ2 = 162.7 con p &lt; 0.05) specie di tipo eterodiretto (63,1%). Correlazione significativa risulta sia con anamnesi familiare positiva per abuso di sostanze (OR = 13.4, IC 95% 5.2 – 34.3, χ2 = 48.2) che per comportamenti violenti (OR = 7.9, IC 95% 4.0 – 15.2, χ2 = 50.3). L’aver intrapreso sin dal primo contatto con i servizi un adeguato trattamento psicofarmacologico sembra essere un fattore di protezione efficace:solo un terzo dei pazienti in costanza di cure farmacologiche (35,0%) ha, infatti, un’anamnesi positiva per comportamento violento. Lo stesso vale per un buon livello di compliance al trattamento (comportamento violento emerge solo nell’11,95% di questo gruppo di pazienti). Un altro importante fattore protettivo dalla messa in atto di comportamenti violenti è un “buon” adattamento psicosociale; fra quanti, infatti, lo possiedono (il 15,73% dell’intero campione di 1582 pazienti), è risultata bassa l’incidenza di comportamenti violenti (8,83%); sensibilmente più alta, invece, (70,8%) fra i pazienti con un livello di adattamento “scarso o nullo” (l’8,65% dell’intero campione). Anche le relazioni extra-familiari costituiscono un importante fattore protettivo dalla messa in atto di comportamenti violenti. Va segnalato infine come sia stata sporta denuncia solo nell’8% dei casi di avvenuto comportamento violento: nel 3% da parte di parenti e nel 5% da altre persone, soprattutto vicini di casa. Sono state riportate condanne nel 3,5% degli episodi di comportamento violento: in totale 20 condanne

Dolphin Morbillivirus in Eurasian Otters, Italy

We report biomolecular evidence of dolphin morbillivirus in 4 wild Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) from southern Italy; 2 animals showed simultaneous immunohistochemical reactivity against morbilliviral antigen. These cases add further concern and support to the progressively expanding host range of dolphin morbillivirus in the western Mediterranean Sea

Piezoelectricity and charge trapping in ZnO and Co-doped ZnO thin films

Piezoelectricity and charge storage of undoped and Co-doped ZnO thin films were investigated by means of PiezoResponse Force Microscopy and Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy. We found that Co-doped ZnO exhibits a large piezoelectric response, with the mean value of piezoelectric matrix element d33 slightly lower than in the undoped sample. Moreover, we demonstrate that Co-doping affects the homogeneity of the piezoelectric response, probably as a consequence of the lower crystalline degree exhibited by the doped samples. We also investigate the nature of the interface between a metal electrode, made up of the PtIr AFM tip, and the films as well as the phenomenon of charge storage. We find Schottky contacts in both cases, with a barrier value higher in PtIr/ZnO than in PtIr/Co-doped ZnO, indicating an increase in the work function due to Co-doping

Ostruzione polmonare ed aritmia respiratoria

Il monitoraggio di pazienti tramite segnali fotopletismografici (PhotoPlethysmoGram, PPG) acquisiti sul polso, arteria radiale, piuttosto che sulla punta dell’indice, permette di ottenere un segnale più stabile e con maggiori informazioni, come la gittata cardiaca, la durata della contrazione ventricolare e la chiusura dell’aorta. In questo lavoro è presentata un’attività preliminare per rilevare condizioni come l’ostruzione polmonare e le apnee notturne. Si è indagato l’andamento dell’aritmia respiratoria in relazione ad eventuali difficoltà respiratorie. Per il momento ci si è limitati ad osservare soggetti sani e l’ostruzione è stata simulata facendo respirare i soggetti attraverso una cannuccia

The blue lizard spandrel and the island syndrome

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many small vertebrates on islands grow larger, mature later, lay smaller clutches/litters, and are less sexually dimorphic and aggressive than their mainland relatives. This set of observations is referred to as the 'Island Syndrome'. The syndrome is linked to high population density on islands. We predicted that when population density is low and/or fluctuating insular vertebrates may evolve correlated trait shifts running opposite to the Island Syndrome, which we collectively refer to as the 'reversed island syndrome' (RIS) hypothesis. On the proximate level, we hypothesized that RIS is caused by increased activity levels in melanocortin receptors. Melanocortins are postranslational products of the proopiomelanocortin gene, which controls pleiotropically pigmentation, aggressiveness, sexual activity, and food intake in vertebrates.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We tested the RIS hypothesis performing a number of behavioral, genetic, and ontogenetic tests on a blue colored insular variant of the Italian Wall lizard <it>Podarcis sicula</it>, living on a small island off the Southern Italian coast. The population density of this blue-colored variant was generally low and highly fluctuating from one year to the next.</p> <p>In keeping with our predictions, insular lizards were more aggressive and sexually dimorphic than their mainland relatives. Insular males had wide, peramorphic heads. The growth rate of insular females was slower than growth rates of mainland individuals of both sexes, and of insular males. Consequently, size and shape dimorphism are higher on the Island. As predicted, melanocortin receptors were much more active in individuals of the insular population. Insular lizards have a higher food intake rate than mainland individuals, which is consistent with the increased activity of melanocortin receptors. This may be adaptive in an unpredictable environment such as Licosa Island. Insular lizards of both sexes spent less time basking than their mainland relatives. We suspect this is a by-product (spandrel) of the positive selection for increased activity of melanocortins receptors.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We contend that when population density is either low or fluctuating annually as a result of environmental unpredictability, it may be advantageous to individuals to behave more aggressively, to raise their rate of food intake, and allocate more energy into reproduction.</p