Nelson-Plosser revisited: the ACF approach

We detect a new stylized fact about the common dynamics of macroeconomic and financial aggregates. The rate of decay of the memory of these series is depicted by their Auto-Correlation Functions (ACFs). They all share a common four-parameter functional form that we derive from the dynamics of an RBC model with heterogeneous firms. We find that, not only does our formula fit the data better than the ACFs that arise from autoregressive models, but it also yields the correct shape of the ACF. This can help policymakers understand better the lags with which an economy evolves, and the onset of its turning points. Classification-JEL: JEL E32, E52, E63

Slavery in Rhode Island: Awakening a Forgotten Past (poster)

This map serves to raise awareness about the history of slavery in Rhode Island. Despite having played an active role in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, Rhode Island’s involvement is often overlooked or omitted from what we are traditionally taught in historically influenced classes at Providence College. Instead of integrating local history and knowledge into our own curriculum, we learn about slavery through a Eurocentric, Westernized lens. We aim to challenge our narrow teachings about slavery and widen our perspectives by constructing alternative narratives that go against the metanarrative. This map displaces the untold narratives of four areas in Rhode Island: Providence, Bristol, Narragansett and Newport. Through these stories, we seek to highlight and draw attention to the set of skills, the culture, and the sense of humanity that Black individuals retained throughout their enslavement. By presenting Rhode Island’s involvement in the slave trade, we aim to remind our community that slavery not only existed thousands of miles away from us but also occurred in many familiar places we visit every day. We would not only like to shed light on the hidden history of slavery, but to also raise consciousness about how this history should play a vital part in our education at Providence College

Background level of heavy-metals soil concentrations in an industrial area of Basilicata Region (Southern Italy)

In the framework of Basilicata region air quality monitoring, we are investigating the industrial area of Melfi town. This area has been chosen as test site to evaluate the environmental impact of anthropic activities on a rather unpolluted agricultural area. In this paper we discuss the procedure to characterize the background level of heavy-metals soil concentrations. The topsoil bioavailable fraction of eight elements (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) has been collected in two annual surveys (1993 and 1994) on a georeferenced grid, translated in GIS informative layer. Statistical analysis of spatial and temporal patterns is shown in detail

Background level of heavy-metals soil concentrations in an industrial area of Basilicata Region (Southern Italy)

In the framework of Basilicata region air quality monitoring, we are investigating the industrial area of Melfi town. This area has been chosen as test site to evaluate the environmental impact of anthropic activities on a rather unpolluted agricultural area. In this paper we discuss the procedure to characterize the background level of heavy-metals soil concentrations. The topsoil bioavailable fraction of eight elements (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) has been collected in two annual surveys (1993 and 1994) on a georeferenced grid, translated in GIS informative layer. Statistical analysis of spatial and temporal patterns is shown in detail

Experimental and statistical investigations on atmospheric heavy metals concentrations in an industrial area of Southern Italy

In this paper we present experimental protocol and statistical proceduresfor evaluating atmospheric concentrationsof TSP and heavy metals(Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the area of Tito Scalo (PZ, Southern Italy), a small industrial site, far from urban areas and surrounded by agricultural and naturalistic sites. In order to characterise the concentrations level and the temporal pattern of each pollutant, we have analysed data collected in two field surveys (April-December 1997, April-December 1998) with univariate and multivariate statistical methods. Furthermore we have investigated the relationships between pollutants concentrationsand meteoclimatic parameters(temp erature and rainfalls)

EVALUATION OF THERMAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF DEMONSTRATION WALL UTILIZING PHASE CHANGE CEMENTITIOUS MATERIALS

International project PoroPCM involves partners from Germany, Czech Republic, Spain and Japan with the objective to develop new multifunctional Phase Change Materials modified porous cementitious nanocomposite (PoroPCM). Such material can be utilized for storing heat energy in the insulation layer of buildings compared to commonly used insulation materials since the phase change increases heat capacity. This enhanced feature reduces the amount of energy necessary for running the heating/cooling system. For the testing of the newly developed phase change cementitious composite a demonstration wall will be developed and tested for its thermal as well as mechanical performance. The topic of the paper is the description of the properties of the new phase change cementitious nanocomposite. The main emphasis of the paper is the description of the demonstration wall behaviour under typical environmental conditions. The wall design is supported by numerical simulation of the wall physical parameters. The numerical modelling involves the definition of suitable numerical models for the simulation of the thermal properties of the new phase change nanocomposite. The numerical model is then used to demonstrate the performance of the wall layer design. The presented pilot results show efficiency increase of the insulation material in the range 15–70%. Also modelling of wind resistance of the layered structure is included. The developed wall design and PoroPCM material will be tested and verified by a large scale test in the final year of the project

Integration of reverse engineering and ultrasonic non-contact testing procedures for quality assessment of CFRP aeronautical components

Abstract Nowadays, the quality assurance of aeronautical components is a very crucial issue. Diverse defects can be generated during composite material components manufacturing such as voids, delamination, cracks, etc. The identification of these defects requires the use of different types of inspection methods. In this paper, two diverse non-contact inspection techniques, i.e. a laser-based reverse engineering method and an ultrasonic testing procedure, are integrated to provide a complete quality assessment of carbon fibre reinforced polymer components for applications in the aeronautical field. A custom made software code was developed in order to create a user interface allowing for the visualization and analysis of the reverse engineering and ultrasonic information for the detection of geometrical and internal flaws of the component under inspection

Smoking Cessation on Periodontal and Peri-Implant Health Status: A Systematic Review

Since smoking is considered among the main risk factors for the onset and progression of periodontitis and peri-implantitis, the present systematic review aimed to evaluate the effect of smoking cessation on clinical, radiographic, and gingival crevicular periodontal parameters around natural teeth and dental implants in ex-smokers compared to current and non-smokers. The study protocol was developed based on the PRISMA guidelines, the research question was formulated according to the PICO model, and the literature search was conducted through PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane library, and BioMed Central databases. From the 916 title/abstracts initially identified, seven articles were included in the present systematic review and assessed for quality through the ROBINS-I tool. Reported findings on clinical and crevicular periodontal parameters around natural teeth were contrasting when comparing ex-smokers to current and non-smokers; thus, individualized recommendations for previous smoker periodontal patients are currently lacking. No data on radiographic parameters were retrieved. Similarly, data on periodontal parameters around dental implants were not available, highlighting the need for focused investigations assessing the role of both smoking habit and cessation on peri-implant health status and responsiveness to treatment