Role of the annealing parameters on the resistance of indium tin oxide nanocrystalline films

The optical and electrical properties of films made of nanoparticles of indium tin oxide (ITO) are widely studied because of the significance of this material for transparent electrodes, smart windows, and nonlinear optics components. In this work, a systematic study of the resistance in ITO nanocrystalline films, as a function of post fabrication parameters, such as the temperature and time of annealing, has been performed. A tunability of the resistance with the annealing parameters, in a range of three orders of magnitude, has been demonstrated.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

Rendimento a scuola: quanto penalizza essere stranieri? Un’indagine nella provincia di Pisa

I grandi flussi di immigrazione iniziati dopo gli anni ottanta stanno trasformando l’Italia in una società multietnica. Nell’attuale fase storica in cui, a causa della persistente crisi economica e dei conflitti internazionali, l’intolleranza e l’integralismo stanno aumentando è prioritario promuovere un’efficace interazione tra differenti culture, in un quadro di reciproco rispetto. In questa prospettiva, la scuola può giocare un ruolo fondamentale contrastando le discriminazioni contro i nati stranieri, attraverso il contenimento delle disuguaglianze nell’istruzione, come premessa per ridurre le frustrazioni e l’emarginazione ed alimentare un’armonia sociale e culturale

A zinc, copper and citric acid biocomplex shows promise for control of Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca in olive trees in Apulia region (southern Italy)

The bacterium Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca is associated with the “olive quick decline syndrome” in the Apulia region of southern Italy. To investigate control of this phytopathogen, a compound containing zinc and copper complexed with citric-acid hydracids (Dentamet®) was evaluated for in vitro and in planta bactericidal activity. Confocal laser scanning microscopy, fluorescent quantification and atomic emission spectroscopy were then used to determine if the compound reached the xylem networks of leaves, twigs and branches of olive, to release zinc and copper within the xylem. A 3-year field trial in an olive orchard containing mature Cellina di Nardò and Ogliarola salentina olive trees, and officially declared infected by X. fastidiosa subsp. pauca,was also carried out o to determine if the compound affected severity of the disease. Each year, from early April to October (excluding July and August), six spray treatments of 0.5% (v:v) Dentamet® were applied on the olive tree crowns. The compound reduced severity of symptoms in both cultivars. Most untreated trees died by the end of the trial, whereas all treated trees survived with good vegetative status as assessed by a normalized difference vegetation index. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed from June 2016 to September 2017, following the official procedures established by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization. The analysis revealed a statistically significant reduction of X. fastidiosa cell densities within the leaves of treated trees. These promising results suggest that integrated management to reduce severity of X. fastidiosa that includes regular pruning and soil harrowing with spring and summer spray treatments with Dentamet®, is likely to effectively control the disease.

How future surgery will benefit from SARS-COV-2-related measures: a SPIGC survey conveying the perspective of Italian surgeons

COVID-19 negatively affected surgical activity, but the potential benefits resulting from adopted measures remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in surgical activity and potential benefit from COVID-19 measures in perspective of Italian surgeons on behalf of SPIGC. A nationwide online survey on surgical practice before, during, and after COVID-19 pandemic was conducted in March-April 2022 (NCT:05323851). Effects of COVID-19 hospital-related measures on surgical patients' management and personal professional development across surgical specialties were explored. Data on demographics, pre-operative/peri-operative/post-operative management, and professional development were collected. Outcomes were matched with the corresponding volume. Four hundred and seventy-three respondents were included in final analysis across 14 surgical specialties. Since SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, application of telematic consultations (4.1% vs. 21.6%; p < 0.0001) and diagnostic evaluations (16.4% vs. 42.2%; p < 0.0001) increased. Elective surgical activities significantly reduced and surgeons opted more frequently for conservative management with a possible indication for elective (26.3% vs. 35.7%; p < 0.0001) or urgent (20.4% vs. 38.5%; p < 0.0001) surgery. All new COVID-related measures are perceived to be maintained in the future. Surgeons' personal education online increased from 12.6% (pre-COVID) to 86.6% (post-COVID; p < 0.0001). Online educational activities are considered a beneficial effect from COVID pandemic (56.4%). COVID-19 had a great impact on surgical specialties, with significant reduction of operation volume. However, some forced changes turned out to be benefits. Isolation measures pushed the use of telemedicine and telemetric devices for outpatient practice and favored communication for educational purposes and surgeon-patient/family communication. From the Italian surgeons' perspective, COVID-related measures will continue to influence future surgical clinical practice

Genome-wide Analyses Identify KIF5A as a Novel ALS Gene

To identify novel genes associated with ALS, we undertook two lines of investigation. We carried out a genome-wide association study comparing 20,806 ALS cases and 59,804 controls. Independently, we performed a rare variant burden analysis comparing 1,138 index familial ALS cases and 19,494 controls. Through both approaches, we identified kinesin family member 5A (KIF5A) as a novel gene associated with ALS. Interestingly, mutations predominantly in the N-terminal motor domain of KIF5A are causative for two neurodegenerative diseases: hereditary spastic paraplegia (SPG10) and Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2 (CMT2). In contrast, ALS-associated mutations are primarily located at the C-terminal cargo-binding tail domain and patients harboring loss-of-function mutations displayed an extended survival relative to typical ALS cases. Taken together, these results broaden the phenotype spectrum resulting from mutations in KIF5A and strengthen the role of cytoskeletal defects in the pathogenesis of ALS.Peer reviewe

Epidemiological Dynamics and Backward Bifurcations

Una politica di vaccino non è sempre capace di evitare un'outbreak epidemico con conseguente stato endemico :i motivi sono da ricercarsi nella presenza di bistabilità dovuta ad una biforcazione backward transcritical

The informativeness of going concern opinion: evidence from Italy

The aim of this paper is to disentangle the relation between GC exception in the Emphasis of Matter of unqualified opinion, modified opinion for GC and the opening of insolvency proceedings. Using a unique hand-collected database on audit opinions of 326 Italian listed companies from 2007 to 2011, we analyze audit opinions first using a GLM with fixed effects and then we test our results adopting a hierarchical model with random effects. First, we find that the probability of opening an insolvency proceeding is higher following a modified opinion for GC than after a GC exception in the Emphasis of Matter of an unqualified opinion. Second, we identify a positive and significant relationship between a GC exception reported in the Emphasis of Matter of unqualified opinion at time (t-1) and a modified opinion for GC at time (t). Overall, the findings suggest that going concern opinions have to be disentangled to really understand the risk of default. Auditors properly perform their monitoring role even if they do not appear to be fully independent in expressing their opinions. This study further investigates the content of audit opinions in a low litigation risk context, adding further insights into auditors’ practices

An improved model life table for the Indian River Lagoon bottlenose dolphin population and remarks on early mortality

Abstract not uploaded because this is a short technical note to MMS for which abstract are not required