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Soil contamination by petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) causes various acute problems such as crop growth, yield, and grain quality. Many Physico-chemical and biological approaches are employed to remove the PHCs from polluted soil. However, some of these approaches are too slow, or ineffective, and/or environmentally un-friendly. Indeed, bioelectrochemical systems (BES) combine biological methods and electrochemistry in the context of a redox reaction. BES is gaining attention from scientists and policymakers as a promising technology for the remediation of soil contaminated with PHCs. This review discusses BES working principles, mechanisms, design configuration, operational parameters, and advances in BES applications to remediate PHCs from contaminated soil efficiently. The role of biosurfactants and biochar in enhancing PHC degradation in soil using BES mediating extracellular electron transfer (EET) and biofilm formation is highlighted. Furthermore, recent innovations in this field, technical and economic challenges and limitations in scaling-up BES, and future per-spectives are discussed. This review suggests that biochar-based single-chamber air-cathode reactors are preferred because of their lower cost compared to the other classic configurations. Additional efforts are needed in the design of BES reactors, soil characteristics, and seasonal variations in BES performance over a long period of operation to improve the efficiency of soil remediation and power production as well as to apply it on a large scale.

Objectives: The author proposes an extremely effective and practical method of ocular surface hydrating and cleaning during anterior segment surgery, the Eye Wash Technique (EWT), in substitution for the traditional methods employing a syringe and cannula for ocular irrigation. Materials and Methods: The EWT utilizes the intraocular irrigating solution (IS) used in the surgery. It is performed by employing the irrigating line of the phacoemulsification (phaco) machine or the irrigating fluid IV drip in case of manual cataract surgery. The eye irrigation is performed directly from the Luer end attachment of these irrigating lines, which is positioned above the inner cantus pointing to the globe’s nasal limbal region. With the phaco machine pedal in position 1 (irrigation only) or in panel continuous irrigation mode in case of phaco surgery, or by opening the roller clamp of the IV drip line in case of manual surgery, IS flow ensues and is directed to the eye from a nasal direction to provide a steady flow to wash the exposed eye surface as well as the lid margins and lid speculum. The irrigation is maintained for two to five seconds with side-to-side jiggling if needed, to ensure complete ocular surface coverage. Cornea hydration is achieved and any unwanted material on the ocular surface is washed out. Results: The EWT was easily incorporated into the surgical routine with no difficulty in adaptation to the technique or in its employment. The surgical time was not prolonged when employing the technique. The EWT effectively provided both corneal hydration and ocular surface cleaning every time it was used, with no need to resort to the traditional syringe and cannula irrigation method at any time. Conclusion: The EWT should be incorporated into the anterior segment surgical routine and performed at the beginning of surgery, before inserting the intraocular lens, and at the end of the surgery; also, at any time during surgery should the need arise, enhancing anterior segment surgical visualization and safety.

Recent evidence disclosed the presence of a potential niche for anaerobic microorganisms and anaerobic processes in supraglacial sediments (cryoconite), but a detailed description of the structure and functions of the anaerobic population is still lacking. This work used rRNA and mRNA sequencing and demonstrated that anaerobes are very active in these environments and represent a relevant albeit neglected part of the ecosystem functions in these environments.

Ancient human settlements accumulate essential historical, archaeological, and geological information. An example is the St. Angel Cave, which preserves a Romanesque church and a complex of lustral tubs in the Eastern Maiella Massif (Central Apennines of Italy). Historical chronicles and archaeological data show that the church dates to the 10th–11th century. The archaeometry applied to the ceramic, coin, and wooden artefacts resulting from the excavation established a chronology of the periods of use and abandonment of the St. Angel Cave. The layering of architectural elements, changes in style, and alterations of the church structure account for two collapses. The first could be related to the poorly known 1209 earthquake. In addition, we describe the damage and changes to the structure and the use of space caused probably by the 1706 and 1933 earthquakes.

The aim of this Technical Design Report is to illustrate the technological choices foreseen to be implemented in the construction of the CYGNO-04 demonstrator, motivate them against the experiment physics goals of CYGNO-30 and demonstrate the financial sustainability of the project. CYGNO-04 represents PHASE 1 of the long term CYGNO roadmap, towards the development of large high precision tracking gaseous Time Projection Chamber (TPC) for directional Dark Matter searches and solar neutrino spectroscopy. The CYGNO project1 peculiarities reside in the optical readout of the light produced during the amplification of the primary ionization electrons in a stack of triple Gas Electron Multipliers (GEMs), thanks to the nice scintillation properties of the chosen He:CF4 gas mixture. To this aim, CYGNO is exploiting the fast progress in commercial scientific Active Pixel Sensors (APS) development for highly performing sCMOS cameras, whose high granularity and sensitivity allow to significantly boost tracking, improve particle identification and lower the energy threshold. The X-Y track project obtained from the reconstruction of the sCMOS images is combined with a PMT measurement to obtain a full 3D track reconstruction. In addition, several synergic R&Ds based on the CYGNO experimental approach are under development in the CYGNO collaboration (see Sec 2) to further enhance the light yield by means of electro luminescence after the amplification stage, to improve the tracking performances by exploiting negative ion drift operation within the INITIUM ERC Consolidator Grant, and to boost the sensitivity to O(GeV) Dark Matter masses by employing hydrogen rich target towards the development of PHASE 2 (see Sec. 1.2). While still under optimization and subject to possible significant improvements, the CYGNO experimental approach performances and capabilities demonstrated so far with prototypes allow to foresee the development of an O(30) m3 experiment by 2026 for a cost of O(10) MEUROs. A CYGNO-30 experiment would be able to give a significant contribution to the search and study of Dark Matter with masses below 10 GeV/c2 for both SI and SD coupling. In case of a Dark Matter observation claim by other experiments, the information provided by a directional detector such as CYGNO would be fundamental to positively confirm the galactic origin of the allegedly detected Dark Matter signal. CYGNO-30 could furthermore provide the first directional measurement of solar neutrinos from the pp chain, possibly extending to lower energies the Borexino measurement2. In order to reach this goal, the CYGNO project is proceeding through a staged approach. The PHASE 0 50 L detector (LIME, recently installed underground LNGS) will validate the full performances of the optical readout via APS commercial cameras and PMTs and the Montecarlo simulation of the expected backgrounds. The full CYGNO-04 demonstrator will be realized with all the technological and material choices foreseen for CYGNO-30, to demonstrate the scalability of the experimental approach and the potentialities of the large PHASE 2 detector to reach the expected physics goals. The first PHASE 1 design anticipated a 1 m3 active volume detector with two back-to-back TPCs with a central cathode and 500 mm drift length. Each 1 m2 readout area would have been composed by 9 + 9 readout modules having the LIME PHASE 0 dimensions and layout. Time (end of INITIUM project by March 2025) and current space availability at underground LNGS (only Hall F) forced the rescaling of the PHASE 1 active volume and design to a 0.4 m3, hence CYGNO-04. CYGNO-04 will keep the back-to-back double TPC layout with 500 mm drift length each, but with an 800 x 500 mm2 readout area covered by a 2 + 2 modules based on LIME design. The reduction of the detector volume has no impact on the technological objectives of PHASE 1, since the modular design with central cathode, detector materials and shieldings and auxiliary systems are independent of the total volume. The physics reach (which is a byproduct of PHASE 1 and NOT an explicit goal) will be only very partially reduced (less than a factor 2 overall) since a smaller detector volume implies also a reduced background from internal materials radioactivity. In addition, the cost reduction of CYGNO-04 of about 1⁄3 with respect to CYGNO-1 illustrated in the CDR effectively makes the overall project more financially sustainable (see CBS in the last section). In summary this document will explain: the physical motivation of the CYGNO project and the technical motivations of the downscale of the PHASE 1 to CYGNO-04, 400 liters of active volume, with respect to the demonstrator presented in the CDR; the results of R&D and the Montecarlo expectations for PHASE 0; the technical choices, procedures and the executive drawings of CYGNO-04 in the Hall F of the LNGS; safety evaluations and the interference/request to the LNGS services; Project management, WBS/WBC, WP, GANTT, ecc

Supplemental material, sj-pdf-2-hpq-10.1177_13591053231172288 for Effects of resistance training on sleep of patients with fibromyalgia: A systematic review by Ana Cecilia Rosatelli de Freitas Bastos, Guilherme Torres Vilarino, Loiane Cristina de Souza, Fabio Hech Dominski, Joaquim Henrique Lorenzetti Branco and Alexandro Andrade in Journal of Health Psychology

The CYGNO project aims at the development of a high precision optical readout gaseous Tima Projection Chamber (TPC) for directional dark matter (DM) searches, to be hosted at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS). CYGNO employs a He:CF$_4$ gas mixture at atmospheric pressure with a Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) based amplification structure coupled to an optical readout comprised of sCMOS cameras and photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). This experimental setup allows to achieve 3D tracking and background rejection down to O(1) keV energy, to boost sensitivity to low WIMP masses. The characteristics of the optical readout approach in terms of the light yield will be illustrated along with the particle identification properties. The project timeline foresees, in the next 2-3 years, the realisation and installation of a 0.4 m$^3$ TPC in the underground laboratories at LNGS to act as a demonstrator. Finally, the studies of the expected DM sensitivities of the CYGNO demonstrator will be presented.

Supplemental material, sj-pdf-2-hpq-10.1177_13591053231172288 for Effects of resistance training on sleep of patients with fibromyalgia: A systematic review by Ana Cecilia Rosatelli de Freitas Bastos, Guilherme Torres Vilarino, Loiane Cristina de Souza, Fabio Hech Dominski, Joaquim Henrique Lorenzetti Branco and Alexandro Andrade in Journal of Health Psychology

Atmospheric pollutants present environmental threats to health and have been investigated in different environments, such as highways, squares, parks, and gyms. These environments are frequented by older adults, who are considered fragile to the harmful impacts of pollution present in the air. The aim was to analyze the state of the art on the effects of air pollution on the health of older adults during physical activities (PAs) through a mapping review. The search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cinahl databases until June 2022. Of the 10,109 studies initially identified, 58 met the inclusion criteria. The most investigated health outcome was cardiovascular disease, followed by respiratory outcomes. Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3) were the most investigated pollutants. Of the 75 health outcomes investigated, in 29, air pollution had harmful effects on the health of the older adults during the practice of PA, more frequently in cardiovascular diseases. In 25 outcomes, the beneficial effects of PA to the health of the older adults remained, despite exposure to high and low concentrations of pollutants, most often in terms of mental disorders. We conclude that poor air quality is a harmful factor for the health of older adults during the practice of PAs, more frequently in cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. On the other hand, for mental-health-related outcomes (depression and cognition), in most studies, the beneficial effects of PA in older adults were maintained, even after exposure to pollutants.

Supplemental material, sj-docx-3-hpq-10.1177_13591053231172288 for Effects of resistance training on sleep of patients with fibromyalgia: A systematic review by Ana Cecilia Rosatelli de Freitas Bastos, Guilherme Torres Vilarino, Loiane Cristina de Souza, Fabio Hech Dominski, Joaquim Henrique Lorenzetti Branco and Alexandro Andrade in Journal of Health Psychology

Supplemental material, sj-docx-3-hpq-10.1177_13591053231172288 for Effects of resistance training on sleep of patients with fibromyalgia: A systematic review by Ana Cecilia Rosatelli de Freitas Bastos, Guilherme Torres Vilarino, Loiane Cristina de Souza, Fabio Hech Dominski, Joaquim Henrique Lorenzetti Branco and Alexandro Andrade in Journal of Health Psychology

The vast majority of extrusive carbonatites are calcitic rocks which may be confused with sedimentary limestones, thus requiring a disambiguation criterion. Extrusive carbonatites are classified based on quantitative criteria that tend to avoid genetic mechanisms. Carbonatite nomenclature is in progress but regulated by the International Union of Geological Sciences norm for igneous rocks. Carbonate sedimentary rock nomenclature is mainly regulated by the Dunham, Embry and Klovan, and Sibley and Gregg classification systems. These limit the description of rock types from various depositional mechanisms and makes comparison with sedimentary rocks difficult. Igneous and sedimentary carbonate rocks display no apparent differences in the field and at meso–micro-scale. They may be layered, massive crystalline or show discrete clasts in a matrix, which make both rock types resemble one another. The study analyses the situations in which classification inconsistencies are most common. Adopting these guidelines may increase confidence, reliability and value in the petrographic classification of igneous and sedimentary lithologies. This study poses a challenging target. Can igneous carbonate rocks be classified using the same approach that is used for sedimentary carbonate rocks and vice versa? So far, the scheme chosen has been arbitrary or limited to the aim of the study being undertaken. The authors start an unexperienced dialogue for the first time between volcanologists and sedimentologists by examining a range of sedimentary and volcaniclastic rock textures which may resemble each other.

Pollution of agricultural soils by excessive petroleum hydrocarbons (PHs) has recently become a severe world-wide environmental issue. Various approaches have been recently employed to biodegrade PHs and detoxify soils. In the present study, an experimental mesocosm was developed in a bioslurry reactor. Six treatments were applied to degrade PHs-and detoxify contaminated soil by adding external stimulants such as nutrients, activated sludge, synthetic surfactant, and long-chain rhamnolipids. The comparative analysis revealed that the combi-nation of activated sludge, nutrients, and biosurfactant showed a 79.4% reduction in TPHs after 10 days in the mesocosm experiment. The lowest reduction in total PHs (48.5 %) was attained in the nutrient-supplied meso-cosms. The consortia's kinetic analyses of PHs revealed the lowest half-life time (t1/2 = 4.1 days), the highest biodegradation rate constants (k = 0.17 day1), and the reaction rate data from each bioremediation method was fitted with a first-order reaction rate model. The 16S rRNA gene amplicon and sequencing revealed that Strep-tomyces, Nocardioides, Arthrobacter, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus were the main oxidative species as PHs degraders. The highest relative abundances were in Arthrobacter, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus. The phytotoxicity studies proved that there was a significant decrease in the toxicity of soil after the biotreatment. According to the findings of this study, adding external stimulants such as activated sludge, nutrients, and biosurfactants enhanced the degradation of PHs in the soil in bioslurry enhancement as a promising approach to pilot scale.

The search for a novel technology able to detect and reconstruct nuclear and electron recoil events with the energy of a few keV has become more and more important now that large regions of high-mass dark matter (DM) candidates have been excluded. Moreover, a detector sensitive to incoming particle direction will be crucial in the case of DM discovery to open the possibility of studying its properties. Gaseous time projection chambers (TPC) with optical readout are very promising detectors combining the detailed event information provided by the TPC technique with the high sensitivity and granularity of latest-generation scientific light sensors. The CYGNO experiment (a CYGNus module with Optical readout) aims to exploit the optical readout approach of multiple-GEM structures in large volume TPCs for the study of rare events as interactions of low-mass DM or solar neutrinos. The combined use of high-granularity sCMOS cameras and fast light sensors allows the reconstruction of the 3D direction of the tracks, offering good energy resolution and very high sensitivity in the few keV energy range, together with a very good particle identification useful for distinguishing nuclear recoils from electronic recoils. This experiment is part of the CYGNUS proto-collaboration, which aims at constructing a network of underground observatories for directional DM search. A one cubic meter demonstrator is expected to be built in 2022/23 aiming at a larger scale apparatus (30 m3–100 m3) at a later stage.

Very primitive ultramafic igneous rocks occur at Mt. La Queglia (Abruzzo, Italy). They form a strongly deformed sill–dyke system now tilted vertically. These rocks were initially classified as alnöite and, subsequently, have been suggested to be a carbonatitic olivine melilitite. However, further investigation and interpretation of these rocks is needed due to the presence of hand-specimen-scale textural variation suggesting a complex petrogenesis. We study the texture, mineral chemistry, and whole-rock geochemistry to define three main rock-types. (1) A brecciated rock with an ocellar texture composed of calcite pseudomorphs after olivine and melilite, plus fresh diopside in a groundmass of mica, aegirine, garnet, calcite, apatite, perovskite, titanate and chlorite. Zoned ocelli in this rock show an amoeboid shape, agglutination, and menisci typical of a plastic state. (2) A quenched rock showing a spinifex texture containing long feathery phenocrysts of cpx and mica suspended in a groundmass of nepheline, aegirine, apatite, Ti–rich magnetite, plus abundant calcite and some K-feldspar and zeolites. (3) A coarse-grained rock is composed of calcite plus intergranular glauconite, a mixture of spinel mineral group and Ti–rich magnetite, accessory barite, pyrite, and chabazite-K. The igneous rocks at Mt. La Queglia show extreme SiO2-undersaturation (33.5–37.3 wt% SiO2), high MgO contents and TiO2/Al2O3 ratios. Rock-type 1 has a lower Mg number Mg# = 100 × [Mg/(Mg + Fe2+)], higher Ca number Ca# = 100 × [Ca/(Ca + Mg)], high Cr (up to 720 ppm) Ni (up to 379 ppm), higher rare earth elements (REE) contents as well as La/Lu ratio, compared to rock-type 2. Perovskite and chromite accumulation seems an important agent during rock differentiation. Rock-type 3 shows REE cross-over with rock-type 2 suggesting light (L)REE concentration in a carbothermal residuum. Mt. La Queglia rocks are an end-member compared to other Upper Cretaceous and Paleogene Italian lamprophyres, suggesting a low degree of melting of a HIMU (a colloquialism for “high-μ”; referring to mantle domains with high 238U/ 204Pb) garnet-bearing mantle source.

All over the world, archaeological sites, which have alternated destruction and reconstruction following strong earthquakes can disclose important historical / seismological data. Particularly instructive is the case of St. Angel cave in Palombaro (Abruzzo Region, Italy). Combining the geological, archaeological, archaeometrical and chronachistic study, we constrained the seismic history of the last 1000 years of a large area of central Apennines of Italy, and therefore results are of wide interest. This place reveals various phases of worship, confirming itself as a place of religious importance bridging the gap between paganism and Christianity. The lithostratigraphy of the area made possible to practice water-worship, as deduced by a system of tubs present in the cave. The interpretation of the cult refers to chthonian divinities in charge of thaumaturgic properties symbolically linked to endogenous geologic phenomena. A rupestrian church from the 10th-11th -century was built and reported in a 1064 CE chronicle as dedicated to St. Michael Archangel. Two vast collapses of the church, have been documented by the archaeological stratigraphy, dating of the archaeological finds, layering of the church walls, and changes in style and building materials. Geoarchaeological data, combined with the chronicles, suggests that the first collapse should be attributed to the 1209 CE earthquake (Mw >>6, I HD). Therefore, the failure of the Church of St. Angel would represent the first evaluated point of the seismic damage extension, assessable to the IX MCS intensity. A more recent collapse is attributed to the 1706 CE earthquake (Mw 6.8, I XI MCS). Finally, the remains of the church were seriously damaged and spoiled after the 1933 earthquake (Mw 5.9, I IX MCS) and then poorly restored.

The CYGNO experiment aims at the development of a large gaseous TPC with GEM-based amplification and an optical readout by means of PMTs and scientific CMOS cameras for 3D tracking down to O(keV) energies, for the directional detection of rare events such as low mass Dark Matter and solar neutrino interactions. The largest prototype built so far towards the realisation of the CYGNO experiment demonstrator is the 50 L active volume LIME, with 4 PMTs and a single sCMOS imaging a 33$\times$33 cm\textsuperscript{2} area for 50 cm drift, that has been installed in underground Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso in February 2022. We will illustrate LIME performances as evaluated overground in Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati by means of radioactive X-ray sources, and in particular the detector stability, energy response and energy resolution. We will discuss the MC simulation developed to reproduce the detector response and show the comparison with actual data. We will furthermore examine the background simulation worked out for LIME underground data taking and illustrate the foreseen expected measurement and results in terms of natural and materials intrinsic radioactivity characterisation and measurement of the LNGS underground natural neutron flux. The results that will be obtained by underground LIME installation will be paramount in the optimisation of the CYGNO demonstrator, since this is foreseen to be composed by multiple modules with the same LIME dimensions and characteristics.

This study investigated the effects of resistance training (RT) on the sleep quality of patients with fibromyalgia (FM), through a systematic review. The search was carried out in the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Initially, 148 studies were found, of which six were included for qualitative analysis. Four studies showed significant improvement in sleep after RT. Compared to other exercise modalities, RT proved to be superior to flexibility training and equivalent to aerobic exercise. Interventions lasted from 4 to 21 weeks, the weekly frequency ranged from two to three times, and the intensity ranged from 40% to 80% 1RM, with exercises for the major muscle groups. RT is an intervention that can be used to treat FM, however, more studies are needed to verify its effectiveness in improving sleep.

Human α-amino-β-carboxymuconate-ε-semialdehyde decarboxylase (ACMSD) stands at a branch point of the de novo NAD+ synthesis pathway and plays an important role in maintaining NAD+ homeostasis. It has been recently identified as a novel therapeutic target for a wide range of diseases, including inflammatory, metabolic disorders, and aging. So far, in absence of potent and selective enzyme inhibitors, only a crystal structure of the complex of human dimeric ACMSD with pseudo-substrate dipicolinic acid has been resolved. In this study, we report the crystal structure of the complex of human dimeric ACMSD with TES-1025, the first nanomolar inhibitor of this target, which shows a binding conformation different from the previously published predicted binding mode obtained by docking experiments. The inhibitor has a Ki value of 0.85 ± 0.22 nM and binds in the catalytic site, interacting with the Zn2+ metal ion and with residues belonging to both chains of the dimer. The results provide new structural information about the mechanism of inhibition exerted by a novel class of compounds on the ACMSD enzyme, a novel therapeutic target for liver and kidney diseases.

The triple A syndrome (AAAS) is an inherited condition associated with mutations in the AAAS gene, which encodes a protein of 546 amino acids known as ALADIN (alacrima achalasia adrenal insufficiency neurologic disorder) whose function is not well understood. This protein belongs to the WD-repeat family of regulatory proteins and is located in the nuclear pore complexes. Only a few cohorts of AAAS patients have been reported and fully characterized. Thus, the objective of the present study was to report on a mini cohort of Italian AAAS patients and to get insights on their predisposing genetic defects. Genetic analysis of AAAS gene in triple A syndrome patient and molecular and functional characterization of the novel identified allelic variants. Here we describe three newly diagnosed cases of AAAS, in whom genetic analysis allowed us to identify two novel allelic variants in the AAAS gene: the frameshift substitution c.765 dupT (p.Gly256Trp fsX67) in exon 8 and the splice site mutation in intron 11(c.997–2 A > G, IVS11-2A > G). Both variants result in a truncated non-functional protein, as we demonstrate by transcript analysis and expression studies. Our findings establish a pathogenic role for both new variants. Moreover, our data highlight the essential role of the C-terminal domain of the protein for its correct targeting and function and underline the importance of sequencing splice sites surrounding the intron–exon junctions to ensure accurate molecular diagnosis and correct genetic counseling in AAAS patients.

The Time Projection Chamber (TPC) is an ideal candidate to finely study the charged particle ionization in a gaseous medium. Large volume TPCs can be readout with a suitable number of channels offering a complete 3D reconstruction of a charged particle track, that is the sequence of its energy releases in the TPC gas volume. Moreover, He-based TPCs are very promising to study keV energy particles as nuclear recoils, opening the possibility for directional searches of Dark Matter (DM) and the study of Solar Neutrinos (SN). In this paper we report the analysis of the data acquired with a small TPC prototype (named LEMOn) built by the CYGNO collaboration that was exposed to a beam of 450 MeV electrons at the Beam Test Facility of National Laboratories of Frascati. LEMOn is operated with a He-C F 4 mixture at atmospheric pressure and is based on a Gas Electron Multipliers amplification stage that produces visible light collected by the high granularity and very good sensitivity of scientific CMOS camera. This type of readout – in conjunction with a fast light detection – allows a 3D reconstruction of the electrons tracks. The electrons are leaving a trail of clusters of ionizations corresponding to a few keV energy release each. Their study leads to predict a keV energy threshold and 1–10 mm longitudinal and 0.1–0.3 mm transverse position resolution (sigma) for nuclear recoils, very promising for the application of optically read out TPC to DM searches and SN measurements.

The CYGNO project has the goal to use a gaseous TPC with optical readout to detect dark matter and solar neutrinos with low energy threshold and directionality. The CYGNO demonstrator will consist of 1 m 3 volume filled with He:CF 4 gas mixture at atmospheric pressure. Optical readout with high granularity CMOS sensors, combined with fast light detectors, will provide a detailed reconstruction of the event topology. This will allow to discriminate the nuclear recoil signal from the background, mainly represented by low energy electron recoils induced by radioactivity. Thanks to the high reconstruction efficiency, CYGNO will be sensitive to low mass dark matter, and will have the potential to overcome the neutrino floor, that ultimately limits non-directional dark matter searches.

The performance and long term stability of an optically readout Time Projection Chamber with an electron amplification structure based on three Gas Electron Multipliers was studied. He/CF$_4$ based gas mixtures were used in two different proportions (60/40 and 70/30) in a CYGNO prototype with 7 litres sensitive volume. With electrical configurations providing very similar electron gains, an almost full detection efficiency in the whole detector volume was found with both mixtures, while a light yield about 20\% larger for the 60/40 was found. The electrostatic stability was tested by monitoring voltages and currents during 25 days. The detector worked in very stable and safe condition for the whole period. In the presence of less CF$_4$, a larger probability of unstable events was clearly detected.

The search for a novel technology, which is able to detect and reconstruct nuclear recoil events in the keV energy range, has become increasingly important now that vast regions of high mass weakly-interacting-massive-particle–like dark matter candidates have been excluded. Gaseous time projection chambers (TPC) with optical readout are very promising candidates combining the complete event information provided by the TPC technique with the high sensitivity and granularity of the latest generation light sensors. A TPC with an amplification at the anode, obtained with gas electron multipliers (GEMs), was tested at the Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati. Photons and neutrons from radioactive sources were employed to induce recoiling nuclei and electrons with kinetic energy in the range 1–100 keV. A He-CF4 (60/40) gas mixture was used at atmospheric pressure and the light produced during the multiplication in the GEM channels was acquired by a high-position resolution and low-noise complementary metal-oxide semiconductor camera and a photomultiplier. A multi-stage pattern recognition algorithm based on an advanced clustering technique is presented here. A number of cluster-shaped observables are used to identify nuclear recoils induced by neutrons, which originated from a AmBe source against x-ray 55Fe photoelectrons. An efficiency of 18% to detect nuclear recoils with an energy of about 6 keV is reached, while suppressing 96% of the 55Fe photoelectrons, making this optical read-out gas TPC a very promising candidate for future investigations of ultra-rare events such as directional direct dark matter searches.

This paper represents an interdisciplinary research focused on the microscopic and mineralogical investigations of the original fragments of a precious medieval painting, a rare byzantine Dormition of the Virgin in Italy. The painting has discovered in the rural monastery of Santa Maria del Rogato (Sicily), thanks to a recent restoration work. In order to obtain an exhaustive description of both the original mortars and pigments, several investigation methods are employed, from optical, polarization-fluorescence and electron microscopies, elemental analyses and X-ray diffraction as well. The experimental analyses, useful as a guideline in the restoration, allowed to the knowledge of the original materials as well as of the techniques used to realize the artwork. The paintings are realized by a fresco technique, by using lime and a simple color palette, based on natural earth, as typical of the Byzantine pictorial tradition.

We investigated hellandite-group mineral phases from the Roman Region, alkali syenite ejecta, by multimethod analyses. They show a complex crystallisation history including co-precipitation of hellandite-(Ce) with brockite, resorption, sub-solidus substitution with mottanaite-(Ce), exsolution of perthite-like ferri-mottanaite-(Ce), overgrowth of an oscillatory-zoned euhedral shell of ferri-mottanaite-(Ce) and late, secondary precipitation of pyrochlore in the cribrose hellandite-(Ce) core. LREE/HREE crossover and a negative Eu anomaly in hellandite-group minerals follows fO2 increase during magma cooling. The distinction among the hellandite-group minerals is based on the element distribution in the M1, M2, M3, M4 and T sites. Additional information on miscibility relationship among the hellandite sensu strictu, tadzhikite, mottanaite, ferri-mottanaite and ciprianiite endmembers derives from molar fraction calculation. We observed that change in composition of hellandite-group minerals mimic the ligands activity in carbothermal-hydrothermal fluids related to carbonatitic magmatism.

The CYGNO project aims at developing a high resolution Time Projection Chamber with optical readout for directional dark matter searches and solar neutrino spectroscopy. Peculiar CYGNO’s features are the 3D tracking capability provided by the combination of photomultipliers and scientific CMOS camera signals, combined with a helium-fluorine-based gas mixture at atmospheric pressure amplified by gas electron multipliers structures. In this paper, the performances achieved with CYGNO prototypes and the prospects for the upcoming underground installation at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso of a 50-L detector in fall 2021 will be discussed, together with the plans for a 1-m3 experiment. The synergy with the ERC consolidator, grant project INITIUM, aimed at realising negative ion drift operation within the CYGNO 3D optical approach, will be further illustrated.

The Time Projection Chamber (TPC) is an ideal candidate to finely study the charged particle ionization in a gaseous medium. Large volumes TPCs can be readout with a suitable number of channels offering a complete 3D reconstruction of an ultra-relativistic charged particle track, that is the sequence of its energy releases in the TPC gas volume. Moreover, He-based TPCs are very promising to study keV energy particles as nuclear recoils, opening the possibility for directional searches of Dark Matter (DM) and the study of Solar Neutrinos (SN). In this paper we report the analysis of the data acquired with a small TPC prototype (named LEMOn) built by the CYGNO collaboration that was exposed to a beam of 450 MeV electrons at the Beam Test Facility of National Laboratories of Frascati. LEMOn is operated with a He-CF4 mixture at atmospheric pressure and is based on a Gas Electron Multipliers amplification stage that produces visible light collected by a sub-millimeter position resolution scientific CMOS camera. This type of readout - in conjunction with a fast light detection - allows a 3D reconstruction of the electrons tracks. The electrons are leaving a trail of segments of ionizations corresponding to a few keV energy release each. Their study leads to predict a keV energy threshold and 1-10 mm longitudinal and 0.1-0.3 mm transverse position resolution for nuclear recoils, very promising for the application of optically readout TPC to DM searches and SN measurements.

The search for a novel technology able to detect and reconstruct nuclear recoil events in the keV energy range has become more and more important as long as vast regions of high mass WIMP-like Dark Matter candidate have been excluded. Gaseous Time Projection Chambers (TPC) with optical readout are very promising candidate combining the complete event information provided by the TPC technique to the high sensitivity and granularity of last generation scientific light sensors. A TPC with an amplification at the anode obtained with Gas Electron Multipliers (GEM) was tested at the Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati. Photons and neutrons from radioactive sources were employed to induce recoiling nuclei and electrons with kinetic energy in the range [1-100] keV. A He-CF4 (60/40) gas mixture was used at atmospheric pressure and the light produced during the multiplication in the GEM channels was acquired by a high position resolution and low noise scientific CMOS camera and a photomultiplier. A multi-stage pattern recognition algorithm based on an advanced clustering technique is presented here. A number of cluster shape observables are used to identify nuclear recoils induced by neutrons originated from a AmBe source against X-ray 55Fe photo-electrons. An efficiency of 18% to detect nuclear recoils with an energy of about 6 keV is reached obtaining at the same time a 96% 55Fe photo-electrons suppression. This makes this optically readout gas TPC a very promising candidate for future investigations of ultra-rare events as directional direct Dark Matter searches.

This work aims to develope a computational framework to predict the dynamic response of a morphing wing. Unlike conventional aerodynamic surfaces, the investigated wing has the capability of continuously morphing its trailing edge shape in order to improve the wing aerodynamic performance. The computational tool here developed incorporates a structural wing linear model whose dynamics are coupled with the unsteady aerodynamics generated by the wing interaction with an incompressible airflow. The wing equations of motion are derived from the theory of thin plates, while the airflow dynamics are described through an unsteady formulation and solved by the vortex lattice method (VLM). The fluid–structure interaction is then obtained by performing iterative simulation loops in which, starting from a reference wing and airflow configuration, the mechanical unknowns (i.e., the wing deflections and velocities) are used as input to modify the reference geometry of the aerodynamic surface and thus to modify accordingly the airflow dynamics around it. This allows the determination of the equivalent aerodynamic loads acting on the wing and the calculation of its dynamic response. The critical airflow speed leading to the flutter instability is evaluated for several trailing edge shapes of the morphing wing and compared with the critical speed attained in the unmorphed case.

The Time Projection method is ideal to track low kinetic energy charged particles, in particular for the study for Dark Matter interactions. With this technique we aim to readout large volumes with a moderate number of channels providing a complete 3D reconstruction of the tracks within the sensitive region. The total released energy and the energy density along the tracks can be both measured allowing for particle identification and to solve the head–tail ambiguity of the track. Moreover, in gas, nuclear recoils induced by a Dark Matter particle scattering can yield tracks long enough for its direction to be inferred. We describe here a prototype TPC with a GEM amplification stage. The readout is based on the detection of the light produced in the GEM with a high granularity sCMOS sensor in conjunction with a photomultiplier. The prototype was exposed to γ and neutron source and to minimum ionizing particles, obtaining very promising results in terms of detection efficiency, energy resolution and particle identification.

Discrete zircons, up to 9 mm in length, occur in alluvial deposits from the Veneto area. They are likely derived from the disaggregation of lamprophyric rocks belonging to a regional, pervasive dyke-swarm. Zircon and REE phases occur in both alkaline lamprophyres and connate calcite-bearing felsic lithics and their debris in lamprophyre breccia. We present 36 new complete U–Pb and trace element analyses of zircons and associated inclusions. We used a statistical approach on a larger dataset using new and literature data to evaluate the confidence figure to give an estimation of age of zircons. Inclusions suggest a genetic link with an S–CO2–ZrO–BaO–SrO–CaO-rich fluid/melt possibly associated with carbonate-rich alkaline parental magma and a metasomatised mantle source. This paper confirms the importance of calcite–syenite and lamprophyre genetic link and zircon magmatic origin, in contrast with hydrothermal and metamorphic zircons. U–Pb dating by LA-ICP-MS provides time constrains (40.5–48.4 Ma, Lutetian), consistent with the age of the alkaline magmatic event. Trace element data indicate a link to anorogenic magmatism associated with mantle upwelling. Complex zoning is highlighted by cathodoluminescence images. The Veneto zircons are helpful for regional geological information and may have commercial potential as a critical resource for green technologies.

Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) is one of the pollutant that may have a significant impact on human health. Data collected during three years in an urban area of the Adriatic coast are analysed using three models: a multiple linear regression model, a neural network model with and without recursive architecture. Measured meteorological parameters and PM10 concentration are used as input to forecast the daily averaged concentration of PM10 from one to three days ahead. All simulations show that the neural network with recursive architecture has better performances compared to both the multiple linear regression model and the neural network model without the recursive architecture. Results of PM forecasts are compared with the air quality limits for health protection to test the performance as operational tool. The inclusion of carbon monoxide (CO) concentration as further input parameter in the model, has been evaluated in terms of forecast improvements. Finally, all models are used to forecast the PM2.5 concentration, using as input the meteorological data, the PM10 and CO concentration, to simulate the situation when PM2.5 is not observed. The comparison between observed and forecasted PM2.5 shows that the neural network is able to forecast the PM2.5 concentrations even if PM2.5 is not included among the input parameters.

Private Equity (PE) funds are active investors. Besides providing capital, they improve the governance, operational performance and innovation of the investee companies. However, potential misalignment between the fund manager and the company owner regarding exit timing is a limitation of the model. PE funds have a finite-life, and thus they have to liquidate investments after holding them for a certain period. They tend to time the market to exploit favorable market conditions and obtain higher selling prices, and consequently, PE funds may divest before accomplishing the value creation plan. In this article, we use the hazard model to investigate the magnitude of the impact of market conditions on the exit rate of PE deals in Brazil, a volatile emerging economy, and if it increases the chances of exiting investments with holding periods shorter than two years. We analyze a sample of 470 PE deals invested between 1994 and 2014, and we investigate four variables related to market conditions: the stock market price-earnings ratio, the number of IPOs, the Brazilian real (the Brazilian currency) appreciation against the US dollar and the Brazilian interest rate. Our results show that favorable market conditions more than double the exit rate and increase the probability of quick flips.

The main goal of this study was to identify Gram-negative bacteria resistant to antibiotics, in particular β-lactams, in stream waters and effluents from urban wastewater treatment plants draining into Fino, Tavo, and Saline rivers of the Abruzzo region, Italy. Eight sampling sites were selected because they were the most contaminated by coliforms during previous sampling campaign. One sample for each site was collected for the detection of total and fecal coliforms

SUMMARY The most important aspects of carrier detection procedures, genetic counselling, population screening and fetal diagnosis of the thalassaemias and sickle cell anaemia are reviewed. Carrier detection can be made retrospectively, i.e. following the birth of an affected child, or prospectively. Most carrier detection and genetic counselling in population at risk for alpha-thalassaemia an sickle cell anaemia is retrospective. However, some prospective carrier screening programmes for sickle cel anaemia are ongoing in Cuba and Guadeloupe and very limited screening for alpha-thalassaemia is in progress in some South East Asian populations. As regards beta-thalassaemia, several programmes, based on carrier screening and counselling of couples at marriage, preconception, or early pregnancy, have been operating with several populations at risk in the Mediterranean. These programmes have been very effective, as is proved by the fact that the target population has improved its knowledge of thalassaemia and its prevention, and by the marked decline that has been observed in the incidence of thalassaemia major. Carrier detection is carried out by haematological methods, followed by mutation detection by DNA analysis. Prenatal diagnosis is accomplished by mutation analysis on PCR-amplified DNA from chorionic villi. Future prospects include automation of the process of mutation detection, simplification of preconception and preimplantation diagnosis, and fetal diagnosis by analysis of fetal cells in the maternal circulation. In this article The most important aspect of carrier detection procedures, genetic counselling, population screening and fetal diagnosis of the thalassaemias and sickle cell anaemia are reviewed

This work proposes to evaluate the effect of digital filters when applied to images acquired by the ORANGE prototype of the Cygno experiment. A preliminary analysis is presented in order to understand if filtering techniques can produce results that justify investing efforts in the pre-processing stage of those images. Such images come from a camera sensor based on CMOS technology installed in an appropriate gas detector. To perform the proposed work, a simulation environment was created and used to evaluate some of the classical filtering techniques known in the literature. The results showed that the signal-to-noise ratio of the images can be considerably improved, which may help in subsequent processing steps such as clustering and particles identification.

The Quaternary Fucino basin in the central Apennines of Italy was struck by one of the strongest Italian earthquakes of the last millennium (1915, Mw 7.0). The Avezzano town, ~ 9.0 km away from the epicentre, was completely destroyed. In the surrounding area sizable coseismic surface deformation were catalogued, attesting the severity of earthquake, the proximity to the causative fault and the geological and geomorphological complexity of a basin filled by thick lacustrine sediments. The Avezzano area provides a case study to understand how shallow subsurface geology influences site effects in a deep Quaternary continental basin environment, thus being of potential interest for similar geologic contexts worldwide. Within the investigated area, different possible earthquake-induced effects can occur, such as a) stratigraphic amplifications in a wide range of resonance frequencies (from 0.4 to 15–20 Hz); b) liquefaction; c) coseismic surface faulting; d) basin-edge effects; and e) slope instability. We present and discuss results of basic seismic microzonation study (SM) of the Avezzano area, focusing on geologic constraints aimed at the reconstruction of the shallow subsurface geology, and associated potential for local seismic hazard. We adopted an interdisciplinary approach based on detailed geological-structural, geophysical and seismic analyses to investigate the seismic response of high-seismic risk area, such as the Avezzano town, given the urban and industrial expansion since the last century. We discuss methodological approaches and their uncertainties.