Characterization of hidden defects of an original XVI century painting on wood by Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry

Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry, a non-contact and nondestructive optical diagnostic technique, was employed for evaluating the conservation state of a XVI century painting on wood. The whole structure alterations, induced by the laboratory temperature and relative humidity variations, were evaluated. Long-term analysis, by sequential recording and subsequent off-line processing of the fringes progression, was carried out. Local flaws and hidden detachments of pictorial layers from the support, which could not be recognized by traditional art-restorer survey methods, were also easily revealed. In such a case, a simple measurement approach was utilized, with the aim to get a user-friendly method for art conservators. The results demonstrate that the interferometry method can largely improve the traditional art conservation survey techniques

A matter of control or identity? Family firms' environmental reporting decisions along the corporate life cycle

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Wiley via the DOI in this recordBuilding on the socioemotional wealth (SEW) perspective, this study explores environmental disclosure (ED) practices in family firms and investigates whether the firm's life cycle stage plays a moderating role in these practices. We focus on two dimensions of the SEW: family control and influence and family identity. To the extent that different types of family‐controlled firms have different reporting behaviors based on their primary SEW dimension, they will undertake the ED strategies that allow them to preserve their SEW. Using a sample of listed firms from the Milan Stock Exchange, we show that family firms for which the family control and influence SEW dimension is most salient provide less environmental information than non‐family firms and that this effect is weakened along the family firm's life cycle. Our findings also indicate that middle‐aged family firms, where the family identity dimension prevails, provide more ED than do non‐family firms. Our study contributes to knowledge about how the socioemotional endowment affects family firms' reporting behavior

Exploring how different innovation ecosystems create shared value: insights from a multiple case study analysis

Purpose: Innovation ecosystems (IEs) have attracted the attention of policymakers and researchers because of their potential to positively affect territories, creating shared value. However, due to the fragmentation of IEs, how this happens in different IEs has been explored only partially. This research aims to bridge this gap, aiming to support policymakers in understanding how to foster shared value in diverse IEs. Design/methodology/approach: The paper identifies, based on the literature, two “drivers of aggregation” of IE’s actors as key dimensions characterizing shared value in IEs, namely physical proximity and dominant issue. If these are combined, three archetypes emerge: Hub- and Chain-Driven, Place-Driven, Competence- and Issue-Driven IEs.Then, elements useful for understanding shared value creation in these archetypes are framed and studied in real cases. Findings: Results reveal that aggregation drivers affect shared value creation, which differ among archetypes: in Competence- and Issue-Driven IEs alignment is challenged by the low physical proximity, which in Place-Driven IEs is high, but not enough to grant shared value; in Hub- and Chain-Driven IEs, the hub is the orchestrator, representing both a driver and a risk. Originality/value: Differences in shared value creation processes relate to the set-up of the IE, which has relevant implications for policy definition. In Competence- and Issue Driven IEs, policies at diverse levels align in funding and promoting the IE; in Place-Driven IEs, policies support anchors’ development on-site; in Huband Chain-Driven IEs, policies, sometimes absent, should foster partnerships for projects for the territory, IE’s enlargement and resilience

Parametric thermal analysis for the optimization of Double Walled Tubes layout in the Water Cooled Lithium Lead inboard blanket of DEMO fusion reactor

Within the roadmap that will lead to the nuclear fusion exploitation for electric energy generation, the construction of a DEMOnstration (DEMO) reactor is, probably, the most important milestone to be reached since it will demonstrate the technological feasibility and economic competitiveness of an industrial-scale nuclear fusion reactor. In order to reach this goal, several European universities and research centres have joined their efforts in the EUROfusion action, funded by HORIZON 2020 UE programme. Within the framework of EUROfusion research activities, ENEA and University of Palermo are involved in the design of the Water-Cooled Lithium Lead Breeding Blanket (WCLL BB), that is one of the two BB concepts under consideration to be adopted in the DEMO reactor. It is mainly characterized by a liquid lithium-lead eutectic alloy acting as breeder (lithium) and neutron multiplier (lead), as well as by subcooled pressurized water as coolant. Two separate circuits, both characterized by a pressure of 15.5 MPa and inlet/outlet temperatures of 295 °C/328 °C, are deputed to cool down the First Wall (FW) and the Breeder Zone (BZ). The former consists in a system of radial-toroidal-radial C-shaped squared channels where countercurrent water flow occurs while the latter relies in the use of bundles of poloidal-radial Double Walled Tubes (DWTs) housed within the breeder. A parametric thermal study has been carried out in order to assess the best DWTs' layout assuring that the structural material maximum temperature does not overcome the allowable limit of 550 °C and that the overall coolant thermal rise fulfils the design target value of 33 °C. The study has been performed following a theoretical-numerical approach based on the Finite Element Method (FEM) and adopting the quoted Abaqus FEM code. Main assumptions and models together with results obtained are herewith reported and critically discussed

Digital holographic interferometry for particle detector diagnostic

In high precision scattering experiments particle tracks must often be reconstructed from a series of hits in successive detector planes. The relative distance between these planes is a critical parameter that must be monitored during operation. To address this problem we have developed a digital holographic interferometer dubbed Holographic Alignment Monitor (HAM) to be used in the MUonE project at CERN. MUonE aims at a precision measurement of the scattering angle between particles after an elastic muon-electron scattering. The HAM is designed to monitor the relative distance between position-sensitive sensor planes inside a MUonE tracking station with a resolution better than the required 10 m. The system uses a 532 nm fiber-coupled laser source both to illuminate a portion of the detector plane (object), and to provide the reference beam. A CMOS image sensor acquires the raw data, and the reconstructed holographic image of the silicon sensor being observed is computed using an algorithm containing a Fourier transform. The relative distance between silicon planes is monitored by superposing successive raw images of the same object on an initial reference one and observing the interference fringes appearing on the reconstructed holographic image. Preliminary tests have yielded a distance resolution of less than 1 m

Antiferromagnetic phase of the gapless semiconductor V3Al

Discovering new antiferromagnetic compounds is at the forefront of developing future spintronic devices without fringing magnetic fields. The antiferromagnetic gapless semiconducting D03 phase of V3Al was successfully synthesized via arc-melting and annealing. The antiferromagnetic properties were established through synchrotron measurements of the atom-specific magnetic moments, where the magnetic dichroism reveals large and oppositely-oriented moments on individual V atoms. Density functional theory calculations confirmed the stability of a type G antiferromagnetism involving only two-third of the V atoms, while the remaining V atoms are nonmagnetic. Magnetization, x-ray diffraction and transport measurements also support the antiferromagnetism. This archetypal gapless semiconductor may be considered as a cornerstone for future spintronic devices containing antiferromagnetic elements.Comment: Accepted to Physics Review B on 02/23/1

Neutrophil-tumor cell phagocytosis (cannibalism) in human turoms: an update and literature review

The recognition and removal of apoptotic cells by tissue macrophages and nonprofessional phagocytes, in a process called efferocytosis, is critical for development, tissue homeostasis and resolution of inflammation. Apoptotic bodies arising in tumor tissue are ingested by viable neoplastic cells and by resident macrophages. We described tumor cell phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils in human gastric carcinomas. This phenomenon is analogous to neutrophil efferocytosis performed by macrophages and by nonprofessional phagocytes during inflammatory reaction but is distinct by other types of cell-in-cell phenomena including emperipolesis and entosis both cytologically and biologically. In this review, we discussed them in their ultrastructural morphology, physiolo­gical roles, and clinicopathologic implications. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled “Apoptosis: Four Decades Later”

From Microbial Ecology to Innovative Applications in Food Quality Improvements: the Case of Sourdough as a Model Matrix.

Since millennia, humankind has exploited microbial diversity associated to give foodmatrices in order to obtain fermented foods and beverages, resulting in products with improvedquality and extended shelf life. This topic has received deserved and continuous interest in thescientific community, for the reason of its significance as a driver of innovation in the food and beveragesector. In this review paper, using sourdough as a model matrix, we provide some insights into thefield, testifying the relevance as a transdisciplinary subject. Firstly, we encompassed the prokaryoticand eukaryotic microbial diversity associated with the sourdough ecosystems. The importance ofthis micro-biodiversity in the light of flour-related chemical diversity was examined. Finally, wehighlighted the increasing interest in microbial-based applications oriented toward biocontrol solutionin the field of sourdough-based products (i.e., bread)