Mode Confinement in Photonic Quasi-Crystal Point-Defect Cavities for Particle Accelerators

In this Letter, we present a study of the confinement properties of point-defect resonators in finite-size photonic-bandgap structures composed of aperiodic arrangements of dielectric rods, with special emphasis on their use for the design of cavities for particle accelerators. Specifically, for representative geometries, we study the properties of the fundamental mode (as a function of the filling fraction, structure size, and losses) via 2-D and 3-D full-wave numerical simulations, as well as microwave measurements at room temperature. Results indicate that, for reduced-size structures, aperiodic geometries exhibit superior confinement properties by comparison with periodic ones.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Applied Physics Letter

Hybrid photonic-bandgap accelerating cavities

In a recent investigation, we studied two-dimensional point-defected photonic bandgap cavities composed of dielectric rods arranged according to various representative periodic and aperiodic lattices, with special emphasis on possible applications to particle acceleration (along the longitudinal axis). In this paper, we present a new study aimed at highlighting the possible advantages of using hybrid structures based on the above dielectric configurations, but featuring metallic rods in the outermost regions, for the design of extremely-high quality factor, bandgap-based, accelerating resonators. In this framework, we consider diverse configurations, with different (periodic and aperiodic) lattice geometries, sizes, and dielectric/metal fractions. Moreover, we also explore possible improvements attainable via the use of superconducting plates to confine the electromagnetic field in the longitudinal direction. Results from our comparative studies, based on numerical full-wave simulations backed by experimental validations (at room and cryogenic temperatures) in the microwave region, identify the candidate parametric configurations capable of yielding the highest quality factor.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, 3 tables. One figure and one reference added; minor changes in the tex

A Framework for the Maintenance and Evolution of ePolicy-guided Web Applications

In this paper we present an “ePolicy framework” that can be used to develop transactional-based ePolicy-guided Web applications. This framework incorporates a non-proprietary component based architecture, a well-defined standards-based user interface, a structured representation of ePolicies, ePolicy operations and user input data, and incorporates a maintenance management component. Each component is self-contained and can therefore be independently maintained. ePolicies and associated ePolicy operations are not embedded in the system software but are stored centrally in an external store (Policy Repository) and are dynamically loaded as required. Executable code (marshalled from XML) is automatically generated from the ePolicies and the ePolicy operations and used in policy-guided evaluation. The Policy Repository, accessible by suitably privileged components, removes ePolicy duplication and from a maintenance perspective, this approach reduces the possibility of errors being introduced by data duplication. Updates to ePolicies are seamlessly applied the next time an ePolicy is loaded. ePolicies are represented in a standard uniform format and as all components use this uniform format, maintainers do not need to understand or handle multiple data formats. They are represented using a policy hierarchy composed of three layers: meta-ePolicies, ePolicy-groups and ePolicies. Each of the components is designed using Object-Oriented principles. Our ePolicy framework will work in a centralized or distributed environment. We believe that using our framework to develop ePolicy-guided evaluation systems will reduce data maintenance and expedite software evolution

Primo Bilancio di Genere dell'Ateneo Fridericiano

YesThe first annual report on Gender at the Federico II University.FP

Comment: Superconducting transition in Nb nanowires fabricated using focused ion beam

In a recent paper Tettamanzi et al (2009 Nanotechnology \bf{20} 465302) describe the fabrication of superconducting Nb nanowires using a focused ion beam. They interpret their conductivity data in the framework of thermal and quantum phase slips below $T_c$. In the following we will argue that their analysis is inappropriate and incomplete, leading to contradictory results. Instead, we propose an interpretation of the data within a SN proximity model.Comment: 3 pages, 1 figure accepted in Nanotechnolog

On the Validity of Immersive Virtual Reality as tool for multisensory evaluation of urban spaces

The Europe2020 document indicates a new strategy to turn EU into a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy. At local level urban planning policies may help to reach these aims. Several research works proposed the Immersive Virtual Reality as tool to evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions. Nevertheless people's perception within virtual environments still needs to be verified. In this study, two groups of participants had to provide subjective measures related to the global, acoustic and visual quality of a real environment or of a multisensory reproduced version in Immersive Virtual Reality. Outcomes highlight the ecological effectiveness of this multisensory tool

Partial purification and MALDI-TOF MS analysis of UN1, a tumor antigen membrane glycoprotein.

UN1 is a membrane glycoprotein that is expressed in immature human thymocytes, a subpopulation of peripheral T lymphocytes, the HPB acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) T-cell line and fetal thymus. We previously reported the isolation of a monoclonal antibody (UN1 mAb) recognizing the UN1 protein that was classified as "unclustered" at the 5th and 6th International Workshop and Conference on Human Leukocyte Differentiation Antigens. UN1 was highly expressed in breast cancer tissues and was undetected in non-proliferative lesions and in normal breast tissues, indicating a role for UN1 in the development of a tumorigenic phenotype of breast cancer cells. In this study, we report a partial purification of the UN1 protein from HPB-ALL T cells by anion-exchange chromatography followed by immunoprecipitation with the UN1 mAb and MALDI-TOF MS analysis. This analysis should assist in identifying the amino acid sequence of UN