The OPERA experiment: on the way to the direct observation of νμ→ντ\nu_\mu \to \nu_\tau oscillation

OPERA (\emph{O}scillation \emph{P}roject with \emph{E}mulsion t\emph{R}acking \emph{A}pparatus) is a long-baseline neutrino experiment, designed to provide the first direct proof of $\nu_\mu \to \nu_\tau$ oscillation in the atmospheric sector using the \emph{C}ERN \emph{N}eutrinos to \emph{G}ran \emph{S}asso (CNGS) $\nu_\mu$ beam. The detector, consisting of a modular target made of lead - nuclear emulsion units complemented by electronic trackers and muon spectrometers, has been conceived to select $\rm{\nu_\tau}$ charged current interactions, among all neutrino flavour events, through the observation of the outcoming tau leptons and subsequent decays. In this paper, the detector, the event analysis chain and the preliminary results from the first OPERA physics run are reported.Comment: To be published in the proceedings of DPF-2009, Detroit, MI, July 2009, eConf C09072

Bayesian P-Splines to investigate the impact of covariates on Multiple Sclerosis clinical course

This paper aims at proposing suitable statistical tools to address heterogeneity in repeated measures, within a Multiple Sclerosis (MS) longitudinal study. Indeed, due to unobservable sources of heterogeneity, modelling the effect of covariates on MS severity evolves as a very difficult feature. Bayesian P-Splines are suggested for modelling non linear smooth effects of covariates within generalized additive models. Thus, based on a pooled MS data set, we show how extending Bayesian P-splines to mixed effects models (Lang and Brezger, 2001), represents an attractive statistical approach to investigate the role of prognostic factors in affecting individual change in disability

Graphical chain models for the analysis of complex genetic diseases: an application to hypertension

A crucial task in modern genetic medicine is the understanding of complex genetic diseases. The main complicating features are that a combination of genetic and environmental risk factors is involved, and the phenotype of interest may be complex. Traditional statistical techniques based on lod-scores fail when the disease is no longer monogenic and the underlying disease transmission model is not defined. Different kinds of association tests have been proved to be an appropriate and powerful statistical tool to detect a candidate gene for a complex disorder. However, statistical techniques able to investigate direct and indirect influences among phenotypes, genotypes and environmental risk factors, are required to analyse the association structure of complex diseases. In this paper we propose graphical models as a natural tool to analyse the multifactorial structure of complex genetic diseases. An application of this model to primary hypertension data set is illustrated

A targeted management of the nutrient solution in a soilless tomato crop according to plant needs

The adoption of closed soilless systems is useful in minimizing the environmental impact of the greenhouse crops. Instead, a significant problem in closed soilless systems is represented by the accumulation of ions in the recycled nutrient solution (NS), in particular the unabsorbed or poorly absorbed ones. To overcome such problem, we: (1) studied the effect of several values of the electrical conductivity (EC) of NS in a NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) system on a cherry type tomato crop, and (2) define a NS (called recovery solution), based on the concept of uptake concentration and transpiration-biomass ratio, that fits the real needs of the plant with respect to water and nutrients. Three levels of EC set point (SP), above which the NS was completely replaced (SP5, SP7.5, and SP10 for the EC limit of 5, 7.5, and 10 dS m(-1), respectively), were established. The SP10 treatment yield was not different from other treatments, and it allowed a better quality of the berries (for dry matter and total soluble solids) and higher environmental sustainability due to a lower discharge of total nutrients into the environment (37 and 59% with respect to SP7.5 and SP5, respectively). The recovery solution used in the second trial allowed a more punctual NS management, by adapting to the real needs of the crop. Moreover, it allowed a lesser amount of water and nutrients to be discharged into the environment and a better use of brackish water, due to a more accurate management of the EC of the NS. The targeted management, based on transpirationbiomass ratio, indicates that, in some stages of the plant cycle, the NS used can be diluted, in order to save water and nutrients. With such management a closed cycle can be realized without affecting the yield, but improving the quality of the tomato berries

The enteric nervous system : new developments and emerging concepts

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is an integrative neuronal network, organized in two ganglionated plexuses, myenteric and submucosal, composed of neurons and enteric glial cells, controlling the activity of the smooth muscle of the gut, mucosal secretion and blood flow. The ENS contains as many neurons as the spinal cord, and the functional and chemical diversity of enteric neurons closely resembles that of the central nervous system. This highly integrated neural system is also referred to as the ‘brain-in-the-gut’, because of its capability to function in the absence of nerve inputs from the central nervous system.peer-reviewe

Possible tally stones at Mnajdra, Malta

This article describes the investigation of the orientations of the temple complexes of Malta and Gozo, which date from the period 3600-2500 B.C. It was accepted only those axes that were clearly axes of symmetry, and which were directed towards an entrance with a view of the terrain external to the temple. 15 such axes were identified, and it was found that the orientations of the axes were far from random. Indeed, with one exception, they faced in a southerly direction, between 125.5° and 2040 azimuth. The exception is Temple I at Mnajdra, Malta.peer-reviewe

The enteric nervous system : new developments and emerging concepts

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is an integrative neuronal network, organized in two ganglionated plexuses, myenteric and submucosal, composed of neurons and enteric glial cells, controlling the activity of the smooth muscle of the gut, mucosal secretion and blood flow. The ENS contains as many neurons as the spinal cord, and the functional and chemical diversity of enteric neurons closely resembles that of the central nervous system. This highly integrated neural system is also referred to as the ‘brain-in-the-gut’, because of its capability to function in the absence of nerve inputs from the central nervous system.peer-reviewe

The Pr.O.F. project: orienting late High School students to University methodology in Chemistry and other Sciences

The P.r.O.F. project has been presented at the ECTN meeting and positively evaluated. The project aims to help high school students in the transition to University. It covers the areas of Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Mathematics. In the Chemistry section, methodological issues were emphasized. The specific subject, selected jointly by University and School teachers, was Solutions and Solubility. Short and long-time tests were performed to check the effectiveness of the intervention