Three-flavor solar neutrino oscillations with terrestrial neutrino constraints

We present an updated analysis of the current solar neutrino data in terms of three-flavor oscillations, including the additional constraints coming from terrestrial neutrino oscillation searches at the CHOOZ (reactor), Super-Kamiokande (atmospheric), and KEK-to-Kamioka (accelerator) experiments. The best fit is reached for the subcase of two-family mixing, and the additional admixture with the third neutrino is severely limited. We discuss the relevant features of the globally allowed regions in the oscillation parameter space, as well as their impact on the amplitude of possible CP-violation effects at future accelerator experiments and on the reconstruction accuracy of the mass-mixing oscillation parameters at the KamLAND reactor experiment.Comment: 10 pages + 8 figure

A strategic quantitative approach for sustainable energy production from biomass

European legislation has created a growing interest in the field of renewable energy production in several countries, including Italy. The applications of biomass and/or biofuel for energy generation have been assumed to provide a high level of sustainability due to the perception that renewable resources are inherently sustainable. Thus, renewable fuels applied to heating and/or electricity generation are potentially carbon dioxide neutral. However, before accepting this assumption, it is essential to analyse the actual level of sustainability in the whole supply chain (SC). This requirement has been clearly identified by the recently updated European Directives on renewable biofuels for transportation. However, there is little evidence that this concern has been directed at energy production from biomass. Thus, approaches derived from Green SC Management (GSCM) methods could provide an effective tool for evaluating, from a strategic perspective, the sustainability level of a specific biomass SC. This pa..

An Integrated Architecture for Robotic Assembly and Inspection of a Composite Fuselage Panel with an Industry 5.0 Perspective

Aeronautical robotic applications use quite large, heavy robots with huge end effectors that are frequently multifunctional. An assembly jig to hold a fuselage panel and two medium-sized six-axis robots fixed on linear axes, referred to as the internal and the external robot with respect to the curvature of the panel, make up the Lean robotized AssemBly and cOntrol of composite aeRostructures (LABOR) work cell. A distributed software architecture is proposed in which individual modules are developed to execute specific subprocesses, each implementing innovative algorithms that solve the main drawbacks of state-of-the-art solutions. Real-time referencing adopts a point-cloud-based strategy to reconstruct and process the part before drilling, avoiding hole positioning errors. Accurate concentric countersink diameters are made possible through the automatic adjustment of the drilling tool with respect to the skin panel, which guarantees its orthogonality, as well as the implementation of process parameter optimization algorithms based on historical results that compensate for the wear of the drilling bits. Automatic sealing and fastening strategies that involve the measurement of the main fastener quality parameters allow for the complete verification of the entire assembly process of each part. Additionally, an advanced multimodal perception system continuously monitors the collaborative workspace to ensure safe human–robot collaboration (HRC) tasks. Through this integrated architecture, LABOR substantially reduces expenses and facilitates maintenance and programming

Navigated implantation of total knee prostheses in haemophilic arthropathy

Introduction: In severely affected haemophilic patiens arthophaty is a common problem which can lead to considerable pain and functional deficit. Surgical management, including total joint arthroplasty, can be undertaken if conservative management fails. A search of the literature showed a number of studies describing the use of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) but virtually nothing has been written about the use of computer-assisted prosthetic surgery in patiens with coagulation problems. Due to the early-onset severe arthropathy, haemophiliacs undergo prostethic surgery at a younger age than the general population; therefor ensuring a longer duration of implantations is a major objective to be reached in this setting. As several prospective randomized studies could show, computer navigation in prosthetic surgery improve precision concerning geometry of axes, resection planes and implant alignment, by the determination of joint centres (actual axes), amount of bone resection, sizes of prostheses and check of ligament balance. Material and methods: At our departement, since January 2006, we implanted 4 TKA in 4 patients (age range 45-52 years) affected by severe Haemophilia B; the same surgeon used a single system (Orthopilot system) in all cases. The quality of implantation was studied on postoperative standardized long leg coronal and lateral x-rays. Results: Our results showed that CAS had greater consistency and accuracy in implant placement. Complications influencing the clinical outcome did not occur. In our experience, drawbacks of the navigation systems are the additional costs and the addicional operation time between 15 and 25 mins. However, one of the most important advantages of using this technique in patients affected by coagulation disease, according to the international literature, is the reduction of less blood after operation. Conclusions: A long-term follow-up of these and of a larger samples of patients is needed for testing cost/risk-benefit ratio of Orthopilot in prosthetic surgery of haemophiliacs. Therefore, navigated total knee arthroplasty in haemophilic arthropaty is not yet a standard procedure, but this technique could become an important surgical choice in management of severe secondary osteoarthritis in the future