Calibration of the Barrel Muon Drift Tubes System in CMS

In this report, results on the calibration process of the Drift Tubes (DT) system of the Compact Muon Solenoid experiment are presented. The full commissioning of the calibration procedure has been deployed in year 2008 with the CMS Computing, Software and Analysis challenge (CSA08), which has tested the full work-flow needed for CMS data-taking during the LHC start-up operations. In autumn 2008, the same Calibration work-flow was applied to a high statistics cosmic ray muon data taking period: the Cosmic Run At Four Tesla (CRAFT) period. The accurate measurement of the main calibration conditions corresponding to the Time Pedestals and the Drift Velocity provide the necessary space-time relationship used in the first stage of the muon local reconstruction

The 5th edition of the Roma-BZCAT. A short presentation

The 5th edition of the Roma-BZCAT Multifrequency Catalogue of Blazars is available in a printed version and online at the ASDC website (http://www.asdc.asi.it/bzcat); it is also in the NED database. It presents several relevant changes with respect to the past editions which are briefly described in this paper.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures. Accepted for publication in Astrophysics and Space Scienc

The colours of BL Lac objects: a new approach to their classification

We selected a sample of 437 BL Lac objects, taken from the RomaBZCat catalogue, for which spectroscopic information and SDSS photometry is available. We propose a new classification of BL Lacs in which the sources' type is not defined only on the basis of the peak frequency of the synchrotron component in their Spectral Energy Distribution (types L and H), but also on the relevance of this component with respect to the brightness of the host galaxy (types N and G, for nuclear or galaxy dominated sources). We found that the SDSS colour index u-r=1.4 is a good separator between these two types. We used multiband colour-colour plots to study the properties of the BL Lac classes and found that in the X-ray to radio flux ratio vs u-r plot most of the N (blue) sources are located in a rather narrow strip, while the G-sources (red) are spread in a large area, and most of them are located in galaxy clusters or interacting systems, suggesting that their X-ray emission is not from a genuine BL Lac nucleus but it is related to their environment. Of the about 135 sources detected in the gamma-rays by Fermi-GST, nearly all belong to the N-type, indicating that only this type of sources should be considered as genuine BL Lac nuclei. The J-H, H-K plot of sources detected in the 2MASS catalogue is consistent with that of the "bona fide" BL Lac objects, independently of their N or G classification from the optical indices, indicating the existence in G-type sources of a K-band excess possibly due to a steep, low frequency peaked emission which deserves further investigations. We propose to use these colour plots as a further tool for searching candidate counterparts of newly discovered high-energy sources.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures. Submitted 29/08/2011 to MNRAS, first referee report received 31/10/2011, accepted 21/02/201

Brand Design Strategy for Public Administration. An experimentation on Lazio Region’s Employment Centers in Italy

The paper deals with the theme of public services through the lens of Design and intends to report experiences and preliminary results of the research project aimed at the Employment Centers of the Lazio Region, which develops a Brand Design Strategy for the renewal of the service through an activity structured in distinct operational phases. In fact, the discipline of Design has the role of guiding a conscious structure of the brand in a systemic perspective, which, in addition to the visual identity, includes the service and spatial design, promoting accessibility, inclusiveness and usability. A case of methodological experimentation that aims to establish itself as a case of national best practice

Online teaching in physiotherapy education during COVID-19 pandemic in Italy: a retrospective case-control study on students\u2019 satisfaction and performance

Background: During COVID-19 pandemic, physiotherapy lecturers faced the challenge of rapidly shifting from face-to-face to online education. This retrospective case-control study aims to compare students' satisfaction and performances shown in an online course to a control group of students who underwent the same course delivered face-to-face in the previous five years. Methods: Between March and April 2020, a class (n = 46) of entry-level physiotherapy students (University of Verona - Italy), trained by an experienced physiotherapist, had 24-hours online lessons. Students exposed to the same course in the previous five academic years (n = 112), delivered with face-to-face conventional lessons, served as a historical control. The course was organized in 3 sequential phases: (1) PowerPoint presentations were uploaded to the University online platform, (2) asynchronous video recorded lectures were provided on the same platform, and (3) between online lectures, the lecturer and students could communicate through an email chat to promote understanding, dispel any doubts and collect requests for supplementary material (e.g., scientific articles, videos, webinars, podcasts). Outcomes were: (1) satisfaction as routinely measured by University with a national instrument and populated in a database; (2) performance as measured with an oral examination. Results: We compared satisfaction with the course, expressed on a 5-point Likert scale, resulting in no differences between online and face-to-face teaching (Kruskal-Wallis 2 = 0.24, df = 1, p = 0.62). We weighted up students' results by comparing their mean performances with the mean performances of the same course delivered face-to-face in the previous five years, founding a statistical significance in favour of online teaching (Wilcoxon rank sum test W = 1665, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Online teaching in entry-level Physiotherapy seems to be a feasible option to face COVID-19 pandemic, as satisfies students as well as face-to-face courses and leading to a similar performance. Entry-level Bachelors in Physiotherapy may consider moving to eLearning to facilitate access to higher education. Universities will have to train lecturers to help them develop appropriate pedagogical skills, and supply suitable support in terms of economic, organizational, and technological issues, aimed at guaranteeing a high level of education to their students. Trial registration: Retrospectively registered

Planeamiento estratégico para la industria peruana de hilos y cables aislados

El desarrollo del Plan Estratégico para la industria de Cables e Hilos Aislados tiene por finalidad identificar las estrategias y oportunidades que tiene esta industria en el mercado global y predominantemente en el local. El documento presenta el análisis actual de la industria para identificar los intereses mediante el análisis del entorno e intorno para hallar las oportunidades y amenazas del sector, así como fortalezas y debilidades, usando el Modelo Secuencial del Proceso Estratégico de D´Alessio (2015). Como consecuencia se expone una visión de esta industria que apuesta por llevarla al año 2028, a lograr abastecer el mercado interno en un 60% a través del desarrollo tecnológico y cooperación internacional, aportando profesionales altamente calificados a la industria nacional, y generando desarrollo sostenible para el país. Así mismo se analiza las fuerzas competitivas que permiten ver la estructura del sector y la forma en la que la rentabilidad se desarrolla proponiendo objetivos de corto y largo plazo con una proyección de diez años en un modelo basado en volúmenes y con márgenes controlados. La industria en el Perú está aún en desarrollo por lo que las posibilidades de atraer inversión para desarrollar infraestructura son prometedoras. Vecinos de la región de Sudamérica han sabido aprovechar esta industria a niveles de consumo interno superiores al 60% y además niveles de exportación importantes. Por lo tanto, este trabajo buscar proponer la misión de la industria de hilos y cables aislados con el objetivo de producir y comercializar hilos y cables aislados manteniendo los estándares internacionales, para atender la demanda interna y externa aprovechando los años de experiencia y tecnología desarrollada en el sector para impulsar el desarrollo sostenible de la industria en nuestro país contribuyendo con la generación de empleo y crecimiento para los accionistas.The purpose of the development of the Strategic Plan for the Cables and Insulated Wire industry is to identify the opportunities that this industry has in the global market and predominantly in the local market. The document presents the current analysis of the industry to identify the interests through the analysis of the environment and intorno to find the opportunities and threats of the sector as well as strengths and weaknesses. As a consequence, a vision of this industry is presented, which is committed to take it to the year 2028, it will be able to supply the domestic market by 60% through technological development and international cooperation, providing highly qualified professionals to the national industry, and generating sustainable development for the country. Likewise, it analyzes the competitive forces that allow to see the structure of the sector and the way in which the profitability is developed proposing short and long-term objectives with a projection of ten years in a model based on volumes and with controlled margins. The industry in Peru is still developing, so the possibilities of attracting investment to develop infrastructure are promising. Neighbors from the South American region have been able to take advantage of this industry at internal consumption levels above 60% and also important export levels. Therefore, this work seeks to propose the mission of the isolated wire and cable industry with the objective of producing and commercializing in compliance with international standards, to meet domestic and external demand, taking advantage of Peru's copper potential worldwide, and promoting the sustainable development of the industry in our country, contributing to the generation of employment.Tesi

Plan de acción estratégico para fortalecer la conservación y el uso de los recursos fitogenéticos mesoamericanos para la adaptación de la agricultura al cambio climático – PAEM 2014-2024

El Plan de Acción Estrategico para Fortalecer la Conservacion y el Uso de los Recursos Fitogeneticos Mesoamericanos para la Adaptacion de la Agricultura al Cambio Climatico (PAEM) es un mapa de ruta a diez anos para fortalecer la conservacion, el acceso y el uso de los recursos fitogeneticos de Mesoamerica como elemento estrategico para la seguridad alimentaria y la adaptacion de la agricultura al cambio climatico y otras amenazas

Electrode Strip Deposition for the CMS Barrel Drift Tube System

The full production ideation, design, set up and realization of the Electrode Strip Deposition for the entire construction of the CMS Barrel Drift Tube System are described in detail

Comparing the effects of augmented virtual reality treadmill training versus conventional treadmill training in patients with stage II-III Parkinson’s disease: the VIRTREAD-PD randomized controlled trial protocol

BackgroundIntensive treadmill training (TT) has been documented to improve gait parameters and functional independence in Parkinson’s Disease (PD), but the optimal intervention protocol and the criteria for tailoring the intervention to patients’ performances are lacking. TT may be integrated with augmented virtual reality (AVR), however, evidence of the effectiveness of this combined treatment is still limited. Moreover, prognostic biomarkers of rehabilitation, potentially useful to customize the treatment, are currently missing. The primary aim of this study is to compare the effects on gait performances of TT + AVR versus TT alone in II-III stage PD patients with gait disturbance. Secondary aims are to assess the effects on balance, gait parameters and other motor and non-motor symptoms, and patient’s satisfaction and adherence to the treatment. As an exploratory aim, the study attempts to identify biomarkers of neuroplasticity detecting changes in Neurofilament Light Chain concentration T0-T1 and to identify prognostic biomarkers associated to blood-derived Extracellular Vesicles.MethodsSingle-center, randomized controlled single-blind trial comparing TT + AVR vs. TT in II-III stage PD patients with gait disturbances. Assessment will be performed at baseline (T0), end of training (T1), 3 (T2) and 6 months (T3, phone interview) from T1. The primary outcome is difference in gait performance assessed with the Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment gait scale at T1. Secondary outcomes are differences in gait performance at T2, in balance and spatial–temporal gait parameters at T1 and T2, patients’ satisfaction and adherence. Changes in falls, functional mobility, functional autonomy, cognition, mood, and quality of life will be also assessed at different timepoints. The G*Power software was used to estimate a sample size of 20 subjects per group (power 0.95, α < 0.05), raised to 24 per group to compensate for potential drop-outs. Both interventions will be customized and progressive, based on the participant’s performance, according to a predefined protocol.ConclusionThis study will provide data on the possible superiority of AVR-associated TT over conventional TT in improving gait and other motor and non-motor symptoms in persons with PD and gait disturbances. Results of the exploratory analysis could add information in the field of biomarker research in PD rehabilitation

Prophylactic Clipping After Colorectal Endoscopic Resection Prevents Bleeding of Large, Proximal Polyps: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

Background & Aims The benefits of prophylactic clipping to prevent bleeding after polypectomy are unclear. We conducted an updated meta-analysis of randomized trials to assess the efficacy of clipping in preventing bleeding after polypectomy, overall and according to polyp size and location. Methods We searched the Medline/PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus databases randomized trials that compared effects of clipping vs not clipping to prevent bleeding after polypectomy. We performed a random-effects meta-analysis to generate pooled relative risks (RRs) with 95% CIs. Multilevel random-effects meta-regression analysis was used to combine data on bleeding after polypectomy and estimate associations between rates of bleeding and polyp characteristics. Results We analyzed data from 9 trials, comprising 7197 colorectal lesions (22.5% 20 mm or larger, 49.2% with proximal location). Clipping, compared with no clipping, did not significantly reduce the overall risk of post-polypectomy bleeding (2.2% with clipping vs 3.3% with no clipping; RR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.45–1.08; P=.072). Clipping significantly reduced risk of bleeding after removal of polyps that were 20 mm or larger (4.3% had bleeding after clipping vs 7.6% had bleeding with no clipping; RR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.33–0.78; P=.020) or that were in a proximal location (3.0% had bleeding after clipping vs 6.2% had bleeding with no clipping; RR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.35–0.81; P<.001). In multilevel meta-regression analysis that adjusted for polyp size and location, prophylactic clipping was significantly associated with reduced risk of bleeding after removal of large proximal polyps (RR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.22–0.61; P=.021) but not small proximal lesions (RR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.48–1.62; P=0.581). Conclusions In a meta-analysis of randomized trials, we found that routine use of prophylactic clipping does not reduce risk of post-polypectomy bleeding, overall. However, clipping appeared to reduce bleeding after removal of large (more than 20 mm), proximal lesions