Lithic technology and social agency in late Neolithic northern Italy. Knapping flint at Rocca di Rivoli (Verona, Italy)

The thesis explores the relationship between late Neolithic knappers and flint resources at the settlement of Rocca di Rivoli (Verona, Italy), a key site for the understanding of the late Neolithic in northern Italy. Approximately 8000 flint artefacts were recorded by means of an attribute-based relational database and subsequently analysed. The use of the $chaîne$ $opératoire$ method, combined with a social agency approach, provided a useful framework within which to discuss topics such as tradition, style and specialization in the context of the late Neolithic of northern Italy. The intrinsic nature of the site, characterized by secondary deposition in pits, challenged the potential retrieval of data and subsequent interpretation and resulted in the identification of fragmented $chaînes$ $opératoires$. In addition, the poor conservation of the finds and bias in accessibility procedures to the collection limited the choice of analytical methods available. Nonetheless, significant results were obtained. At Rocca di Rivoli there were clear preferences in terms of raw material: flint coming from the Maiolica outcrops was by far the preferred variety to be working with. It is suggested that raw material procurement possibly took place in different ways, but that a more precise identification in terms of its organization is not possible at this stage. The 16 $chaînes$ $opératoires$ identified at Rocca di Rivoli represent basic frameworks allowing for endless variations and additions taking place during the unfolding of flint knapping activity. It is argued throughout the present work that knapping was undertaken by both expert and non-expert knappers, including apprentices. Some aspects characterising the practice of flint knapping changed throughout occupation of the sire, possibly pointing at changes in social dynamics affecting the community of Rocca di Rivoli

Experimental multiphase estimation on a chip

Multiparameter estimation is a general problem that aims at measuring unknown physical quantities, obtaining high precision in the process. In this context, the adoption of quantum resources promises a substantial boost in the achievable performances with respect to the classical case. However, several open problems remain to be addressed in the multiparameter scenario. A crucial requirement is the identification of suitable platforms to develop and experimentally test novel efficient methodologies that can be employed in this general framework. We report the experimental implementation of a reconfigurable integrated multimode interferometer designed for the simultaneous estimation of two optical phases. We verify the high-fidelity operation of the implemented device, and demonstrate quantum-enhanced performances in two-phase estimation with respect to the best classical case, post-selected to the number of detected coincidences. This device can be employed to test general adaptive multiphase protocols due to its high reconfigurability level, and represents a powerful platform to investigate the multiparameter estimation scenario.Comment: 10+7 pages, 7+4 figure

Identification of Channeling in Pore‐Scale Flows

We quantify flow channeling at the microscale in three-dimensional porous media. The study is motivated by the recognition that heterogeneity and connectivity of porous media are key drivers of channeling. While efforts in the characterization of this phenomenon mostly address processes at the continuum scale, it is recognized that pore-scale preferential flow may affect the behavior at larger scales. We consider synthetically generated pore structures and rely on geometrical/topological features of subregions of the pore space where clusters of velocity outliers are found. We relate quantitatively the size of such fast channels, formed by pore bodies and pore throats, to key indicators of preferential flow and anomalous transport. Pore-space spatial correlation provides information beyond just pore size distribution and drives the occurrence of these velocity structures. The latter occupy a larger fraction of the pore-space volume in pore throats than in pore bodies and shrink with increasing flow Reynolds number. Plain Language Summary The movement of fluids and dissolved chemicals through porous media is massively affected by the heterogeneous nature of these systems. The presence of "fast channels," that is, preferential flow paths characterized by large velocities persisting over long distances, gives rise to very short solute travel times, with key implications in, for example, environmental risk assessment. While efforts in the characterization of this phenomenon mostly address processes at the continuum (laboratory or field) scale, it is recognized that pore-scale channeling of flow may affect the system behavior at larger scales. Here we provide criteria for the identification of fast channels at the pore scale, addressing feedback between channeling and geometrical/topological features of the investigated porous structures. Our results clearly evidence the major role of well-defined regions in the pore space, termed pore throats, in driving flow channeling. We also find that the strength of channeling is controlled by the characteristic Reynolds number of the flow field.Fraunhofer Award for Young Researchers; EU; MIUR6 month embargo; published online: 13 March 2019This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Statistical Characterization of Heterogeneous Dissolution Rates of Calcite from In situ and Real-Time AFM Imaging

Abstract The evolution of the surface topography of a calcite crystal subject to dissolution is documented through in situ real-time imaging obtained via atomic force microscopy (AFM). The dissolution process takes place by exposing the crystal surface to deionized water. AFM data allow detection of nucleation and expansion of mono- and multilayer rhombic etch pits and are employed to estimate the spreading rate of these structures. Spatially heterogeneous distributions of local dissolution rate are evaluated from the difference between topographic measurements taken at prescribed time intervals. We rest on a stochastic framework of analysis viewing the dissolution rate as a generalized sub-Gaussian (GSG) spatially correlated random process. Our analysis yields: (i) a quantitative assessment of the temporal evolution of the statistics of the dissolution rates as well as their spatial increments; (ii) a characterization of the degree of spatial correlation of dissolution rates and of the way this is linked to the various mechanisms involved in the dissolution process and highlighted through the experimental evidences. Our results indicate that the parameters driving the statistics of the GSG distribution and the spreading rate of the multilayer pits display a similar trend in time, thus suggesting that the evolution of these structures imprints the statistical features of local dissolution rates. Article Highlights We investigate dynamics of dissolution patterns on a calcite crystal in contact with deionized water via AFM imaging Temporal behavior of parameters of our statistical model is consistent with surface pattern evolution A nested model for the spatial correlation of rates embeds multiple mechanisms driving dissolution rate

Polyglutamine Expanded Huntingtin Dramatically Alters the Genome-Wide Binding of HSF1

In Huntington's disease (HD), polyglutamine expansions in the huntingtin (Htt) protein cause subtle changes in cellular functions that, over-time, lead to neurodegeneration and death. Studies have indicated that activation of the heat shock response can reduce many of the effects of mutant Htt in disease models, suggesting that the heat shock response is impaired in the disease. To understand the basis for this impairment, we have used genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by massively parallel sequencing (ChIP-Seq) to examine the effects of mutant Htt on the master regulator of the heat shock response, HSF1. We find that, under normal conditions, HSF1 function is highly similar in cells carrying either wild-type or mutant Htt. However, polyQ-expanded Htt severely blunts the HSF1-mediated stress response. Surprisingly, we find that the HSF1 targets most affected upon stress are not directly associated with proteostasis, but with cytoskeletal binding, focal adhesion and GTPase activity. Our data raise the intriguing hypothesis that the accumulated damage from life-long impairment in these stress responses may contribute significantly to the etiology of Huntington's disease.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant R24 DK-090963)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant R01-GM089903)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant P30-ES002109)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Award DB1-0821391

Characteristics and neurological survival following intraoperative cardiac arrest in a Swiss University Hospital: a 7-year retrospective observational cohort study

Introduction: Little is known about intraoperative cardiac arrest during anesthesia care. In particular, data on characteristics of cardiac arrest and neurological survival are scarce. Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective observational study evaluating anesthetic procedures from January 2015 until December 2021. We included patients with an intraoperative cardiac arrest and excluded cardiac arrest outside of the operating room. The primary outcome was the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Secondary outcomes were sustained ROSC over 20 min, 30-day survival, and favorable neurological outcome according to Clinical Performance Category (CPC) 1 and 2. Results: We screened 228,712 anesthetic procedures, 195 of which met inclusion criteria and were analyzed. The incidence of intraoperative cardiac arrest was 90 (CI 95% 78–103) in 100,000 procedures. The median age was 70.5 [60.0; 79.4] years, and two-thirds of patients (n = 135; 69.2%) were male. Most of these patients with cardiac arrest had ASA physical status IV (n = 83; 42.6%) or V (n = 47; 24.1%). Cardiac arrest occurred more frequently (n = 104; 53.1%) during emergency procedures than elective ones (n = 92; 46.9%). Initial rhythm was pre-dominantly non-shockable with pulseless electrical activity mostly. Most patients (n = 163/195, 83.6%; CI 95 77.6–88.5%) had at least one instance of ROSC. Sustained ROSC over 20 min was achieved in most patients with ROSC (n = 147/163; 90.2%). Of the 163 patients with ROSC, 111 (68.1%, CI 95 60.4–75.2%) remained alive after 30 days, and most (n = 90/111; 84.9%) had favorable neurological survival (CPC 1 and 2). Conclusion: Intraoperative cardiac arrest is rare but is more likely in older patients, patients with ASA physical status ≥IV, cardiac and vascular surgery, and emergency procedures. Patients often present with pulseless electrical activity as the initial rhythm. ROSC can be achieved in most patients. Over half of the patients are alive after 30 days, most with favorable neurological outcomes, if treated immediately

Atelectasis in obese patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery are not increased upon discharge from Post Anesthesia Care Unit.

BACKGROUND Obese patients frequently develop pulmonary atelectasis upon general anesthesia. The risk is increased during laparoscopic surgery. This prospective, observational single-center study evaluated atelectasis dynamics using Electric Impedance Tomography (EIT) in patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery. METHODS We included adult patients with ASA physical status I-IV and a BMI of ≥40. Exclusion criteria were known severe pulmonary hypertension, home oxygen therapy, heart failure, and recent pulmonary infections. The primary outcome was the proportion of poorly ventilated lung regions (low tidal variation areas) and the global inhomogeneity (GI) index assessed by EIT before discharge from the Post Anesthesia Care Unit compared to these same measures prior to initiation of anesthesia. RESULTS The median (IQR) proportion of low tidal variation areas at the different analysis points were T1 10.8% [3.6-15.1%] and T5 10.3% [2.6-18.9%], and the mean difference was -0.7% (95% CI: -5.8% -4.5%), i.e., lower than the predefined non-inferiority margin of 5% (p = 0.022). There were no changes at the four additional time points compared to T1 or postoperative pulmonary complications during the 14 days following the procedure. CONCLUSION We found that obese patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery do not leave the Post Anesthesia Care Unit with increased low tidal variation areas compared to the preoperative period

Compact high-brightness and highly manufacturable blue laser modules

Blue laser diode sources have already proved to be an effective alternative for material processing, especially of high reflective materials, such as copper; now the challenge is to increase their power while improving brightness and reducing the cost-per-watt. The paper presents the development of a family of blue laser modules that, making use of the same platform and assembly lines of similar 9xx nm modules, can achieve an unprecedented combination of power, brightness, compactness and cost reduction. These modules rely on a proprietary architecture to combine a plurality of chips through spatial and polarization multiplexing, obtaining up to 100W of output power in a 100 μm fiber. Preliminary experimental results for module making use of spatial multiplexing report 35W output power in a 50 μm fiber

Bioprinting for osteosarcoma model: Methodological aspects and experimental applications

The study aims at using the bioprinting technique to create an in vitro 3D construct of osteosarcoma, as an alternative model for studies related to Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT)

Relationship between pore size and velocity probability distributions in stochastically generated porous media

We perform a set of detailed numerical simulations of single-phase, fully saturated flow in stochastically generated, three-dimensional pore structures with diverse porosities and degrees of connectivity, and analyze the probability density functions (PDFs) of the pore sizes, S, and vertical velocity components, w, which are aligned with the mean flow direction. Both of the PDFs are markedly skewed with pronounced positive tails. This feature of the velocity PDF is dictated by the pore structure and determines the shortest travel times, one of the key transport attributes that underpins the success or the failure of environmental remediation techniques. Using a maximum likelihood approach, we determine that the PDFs of S and w decay according to an exponential and a stretched exponential model, respectively. A strong correlation between the key parameters governing the decay of the upper tails of the two PDFs is found, which provides a quantitative result for this analogy that so far has been stated only qualitatively. The parameter governing the concavity of the tail of the velocity PDF varies linearly with porosity over the entire range of tested values. The parameters controlling the spread of the upper tails of the PDFs of S and w appear to be linked by a power-law relationship