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271 results on '"Rocco Agostino"'

1. Geometric and topological corrections to Schwarzschild black hole

Author: Rocco D’Agostino, Orlando Luongo, and Stefano Mancini
Subjects: Astrophysics, QB460-466, Nuclear and particle physics. Atomic energy. Radioactivity, QC770-798
Abstract: Abstract In this paper, we compute departures in the black hole thermodynamics induced by either geometric or topological corrections to general relativity. Specifically, we analyze the spherically symmetric spacetime solutions of two modified gravity scenarios with Lagrangians $$\mathcal {L}\sim R^{1+\epsilon }$$ L ∼ R 1 + ϵ and $$\mathcal {L}\sim R+\epsilon \, \mathcal {G}^2$$ L ∼ R + ϵ G 2 , where $$\mathcal {G}$$ G is the Euler density in four dimensions, while $$ 0
Published: 2024
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2. Lagrangian formulation of the Tsallis entropy

Author: Rocco D'Agostino and Giuseppe Gaetano Luciano
Subjects: Physics, QC1-999
Abstract: We investigate the gravitational origin of the Tsallis entropy, characterized by the nonadditive index δ. Utilizing Wald's formalism within the framework of f(R) modified theories of gravity, we evaluate the entropy on the black hole horizon for constant curvature solutions to the spherically symmetric vacuum field equations. In so doing, we demonstrate that the Tsallis entropy can be effectively derived from a generalization of the Lagrangian L∝R1+ϵ, where ϵ=δ−1 quantifies small deviations from general relativity. In conclusion, we examine the physical implications of our findings in light of cosmological observations and elaborate on the possibility of solving the thermodynamic instability of Schwarzschild black holes.
Published: 2024
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3. Testing Yukawa cosmology at the Milky Way and M31 galactic scales

Author: Rocco D’Agostino, Kimet Jusufi, and Salvatore Capozziello
Subjects: Astrophysics, QB460-466, Nuclear and particle physics. Atomic energy. Radioactivity, QC770-798
Abstract: Abstract We address the galaxy rotation curves through the Yukawa gravitational potential emerging as a correction of the Newtonian potential in extended theories of gravity. On the one hand, we consider the contribution of the galactic bulge, galactic disk, and the dark matter halo of the Navarro–Frenk–White profile, in the framework of the standard $$\Lambda $$ Λ CDM model. On the other hand, we use modified Yukawa gravity to show that the rotational velocity of galaxies can be addressed successfully without the need for dark matter. In Yukawa gravity, we recover MOND and show that dark matter might be seen as an apparent effect due to the modification of the law of gravitation in terms of two parameters: the coupling constant $$\alpha $$ α and the characteristic length $$\lambda $$ λ . We thus test our theoretical scenario using the Milky Way and M31 rotation velocity curves. In particular, we place observational constraints on the free parameters of Yukawa cosmology through the Monte Carlo method and then compare our results with the predictions of the $$\Lambda $$ Λ CDM paradigm by making use of Bayesian information criteria. Specifically, we find that $$\lambda $$ λ is constrained to be of the order of kpc, while cosmological data suggest $$\lambda $$ λ of the order of Gpc. To explain this discrepancy, we argue that there is a fundamental limitation in measuring $$\lambda $$ λ due to the role of quantum mechanics on cosmological scales.
Published: 2024
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4. Exploring departures from Schwarzschild black hole in f(R) gravity

Author: Vittorio De Falco, Francesco Bajardi, Rocco D’Agostino, Micol Benetti, and Salvatore Capozziello
Subjects: Astrophysics, QB460-466, Nuclear and particle physics. Atomic energy. Radioactivity, QC770-798
Abstract: Abstract Different astrophysical methods can be combined to detect possible deviations from General Relativity. In this work, we consider a class of f(R) gravity models selected by the existence of Noether symmetries. In this framework, it is possible to determine a set of static and spherically symmetric black hole solutions, encompassing small departures from the Schwarzschild geometry. In particular, when gravity is the only dominating interaction, we exploit the ray-tracing technique to reconstruct the image of a black hole, the epicyclic frequencies, and the black hole shadow profile. Moreover, when matter dynamics is also affected by an electromagnetic radiation force, we take into account the general relativistic Poynting–Robertson effect. In light of the obtained results, the proposed strategy results to be robust and efficient: on the one hand, it allows to investigate gravity from strong to weak field regimes; on the other hand, it is capable of detecting small departures from General Relativity, depending on the current observational sensitivity.
Published: 2023
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5. Black hole thermodynamics from logotropic fluids

Author: Salvatore Capozziello, Rocco D’Agostino, Alessio Lapponi, and Orlando Luongo
Subjects: Astrophysics, QB460-466, Nuclear and particle physics. Atomic energy. Radioactivity, QC770-798
Abstract: Abstract We show that the Einstein field equations with a negative cosmological constant can admit black hole solutions whose thermodynamics coincides with that of logotropic fluids, recently investigated to heal some cosmological and astrophysical issues. For this purpose, we adopt the Anton–Schmidt equation of state, which represents a generalized version of logotropic fluids. We thus propose a general treatment to obtain an asymptotic anti-de Sitter metric, reproducing the thermodynamic properties of both Anton–Schmidt and logotropic fluids. Hence, we explore how to construct suitable spacetime functions, invoking an event horizon and fulfilling the null, weak, strong and dominant energy conditions. We further relax the strong energy condition to search for possible additional solutions. Finally, we discuss the optical properties related to a specific class of metrics and show how to construct an effective refractive index depending on the spacetime functions and the thermodynamic quantities of the fluid under study. We also explore possible departures with respect to the case without the fluid.
Published: 2023
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6. The phase-space view of non-local gravity cosmology

Author: Salvatore Capozziello, Rocco D'Agostino, and Orlando Luongo
Subjects: Physics, QC1-999
Abstract: We consider non-local Integral Kernel Theories of Gravity in a homogeneous and isotropic universe background as a possible scenario to drive the cosmic history. In particular, we investigate the cosmological properties of a gravitational action containing the inverse d'Alembert operator of the Ricci scalar proposed to improve Einstein's gravity at both high and low-energy regimes. In particular, the dynamics of a physically motivated non-local exponential coupling is analyzed in detail by recasting the cosmological equations as an autonomous system of first-order differential equations with dimensionless variables. Consequently, we study the phase-space domain and its critical points, investigating their stability and main properties. In particular, saddle points and late-time cosmological attractors are discussed in terms of the free parameters of the model. Finally, we discuss the main physical consequences of our approach in view of dark energy behavior and the ΛCDM model.
Published: 2022
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7. Model-independent reconstruction of f(Q) non-metric gravity

Author: Salvatore Capozziello and Rocco D'Agostino
Subjects: Physics, QC1-999
Abstract: We consider gravity mediated by non-metricity, with vanishing curvature and torsion. The gravitational action, including an arbitrary function of the non-metric scalar, is investigated in view of characterizing the dark energy effects. In particular, we present a method to reconstruct the f(Q) action without resorting to a priori assumptions on the cosmological model. To this purpose, we adopt a method based on rational Padé approximations, which provides a stable behaviour of the cosmographic series at high redshifts, alleviating the convergence issues proper of the standard approach. We thus describe how to reconstruct f(Q) through a numerical inversion procedure based on the current observational bounds on cosmographic parameters. Our analysis suggests that the best approximation for describing the accelerated expansion of the universe is represented by a scenario with f(Q)=α+βQn. Finally, possible deviations from the standard ΛCDM model are discussed.
Published: 2022
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8. Use of intravenous sodium bicarbonate in neonatal intensive care units in Italy: a nationwide survey

Author: Luca Massenzi, Roberto Aufieri, Silvia Donno, Rocco Agostino, Andrea Dotta, and on behalf of the Neonatal Pharmacotherapy Study Group of the Italian Society of Neonatology (SIN)
Subjects: Infant, newborn, Sodium bicarbonate, Acid-Base imbalance, Surveys and questionnaires, Drug therapy, Pediatrics, RJ1-570
Abstract: Abstract Background Metabolic Acidosis (MA) is a disturbance of the acid-base balance that can occur in preterm and critically ill term neonates due to different etiologies. Intravenous sodium bicarbonate (SB) has been traditionally used to correct such unbalance, despite the lack of evidence about its safety and efficacy. In literature, reported undesirable effects of treatment with SB in neonates include worsening of intracellular acidosis, impairment of myocardial function, cerebral blood flow fluctuations and intracranial hemorrhage. A national survey was conducted by the Neonatal Pharmacotherapy Study Group of the Italian Society of Neonatology with the aim to assess and describe attitudes and practices concerning the use of SB, particularly for the treatment of MA in Italian NICUs. Methods A questionnaire regarding treatment of MA and SB prescription habits was sent to the directors of 120 Italian NICUs from June 2017 to March 2018. Results The survey response rate was 97.5% (117/120 centers). Findings showed that in 55% of the surveyed NICUs (64/117 units) it is common practice to correct MA with intravenous SB. On the other hand, the remaining 45% of the units try to solve the metabolic disturbances adopting different approaches (improving perfusion, adjusting ventilation parameters or increasing blood volume). Moreover, to prevent the occurrence of MA, 37.6% of the NICUs (44/117) include buffer salts (lactate, acetate or both) in parenteral nutrition prescriptions. SB is also used as a treatment for other conditions, mainly pathologies with bicarbonate loss and tubular acidosis (respectively in 53.8 and 32.5% of the NICUs). Conclusion This survey showed how SB is a commonly used treatment for MA in more than half of Italian NICUs, with indications and prescription criteria that significantly vary across centers. Based on current knowledge, it is reasonable to suggest that the management of neonatal MA should be firstly directed to identify the underlying disorders. Thus, the use of SB should be reserved only for selected cases, also considering the severity of SB adverse effects and the lack of evidence about its efficacy. Guidance for the management of MA is required to harmonize practices and reduce the use of potentially inappropriate and unsafe treatments.
Published: 2021
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9. Cosmological viability of a double field unified model from warm inflation

Author: Rocco D'Agostino and Orlando Luongo
Subjects: Physics, QC1-999
Abstract: In this paper, we investigate the cosmological viability of a double scalar field model motivated by warm inflation. To this end, we first set up the theoretical framework in which dark energy, dark matter and inflation are accounted for in a triple unification scheme. We then compute the overall dynamics of the model, analyzing the physical role of coupling parameters. Focussing on the late-time evolution, we test the model against current data. Specifically, using the low-redshift Pantheon Supernovae Ia and Hubble cosmic chronometers measurements, we perform a Bayesian analysis through the Monte Carlo Markov Chains method of integration on the free parameters of the model. We find that the mean values of the free parameters constrained by observations lie within suitable theoretical ranges, and the evolution of the scalar fields provides a good resemblance to the features of the dark sector of the universe. Such behaviour is confirmed by the outcomes of widely adopted selection criteria, suggesting a statistical evidence comparable to that of the standard ΛCDM cosmology. We finally discuss the presence of large uncertainties over the free parameters of the model and we debate about fine-tuning issues related to the coupling constants.
Published: 2022
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10. Nationwide survey of neonatal transportation practices in Italy

Author: Maurizio Gente, Roberto Aufieri, Rocco Agostino, Tiziana Fedeli, Maria Grazia Calevo, Paolo Massirio, Carlo Bellini, and on behalf of the Neonatal Transport Study Group of the Italian Society of Neonatology (SIN)
Subjects: Infant, newborn, Intensive care, neonatal transport, Perinatal care, Regional medical programs, Health services accessibility, Pediatrics, RJ1-570
Abstract: Abstract Background Despite regionalization of perinatal care provides for the “in utero” transfer of high-risk pregnancies, there will always be a number of neonates who undergo acute inter-facility transport. The presence of a well-organized Neonatal Emergency Transport Service (NETS) can prevent and reduce risks of transportation, especially for very preterm infants, and is therefore mandatory for any program of regionalization of perinatal care. Italian National Health System is highly decentralized and Regions are autonomous to structure, plan and delivery their regional health services. Consequently, organization models and resources available vary widely and significant regional differences in access and quality of health services have been reported in the past years. A national survey was conducted in 2015 by the neonatal transport study group of the Italian Society of Neonatology with the aim to describe neonatal transfer practices and to assess the Neonatal Emergency Transport Services (NETS) status in the 20 Italian regions. Methods A questionnaire regarding neonatal transfer practices and NETS activity for the previous year (2014) was sent to the 44 NETS operating in the 20 Italian regions. Demographic data were obtained from the Italian National Statistical Institute (ISTAT). Results The overall survey response rate was 100%. In 2014, only 12 (60%) of the 20 Italian regions were fully covered by NETS, 3 (15%) regions were partially covered, while neonatal transport was not available in 5 (25%) regions. Overall, in 2014, the 44 NETS operating in Italy transported a total of 6387 infants, including 522 (8.17%) having a gestational age
Published: 2019
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11. Extended logotropic fluids as unified dark energy models

Author: Kuantay Boshkayev, Rocco D’Agostino, and Orlando Luongo
Subjects: Astrophysics, QB460-466, Nuclear and particle physics. Atomic energy. Radioactivity, QC770-798
Abstract: Abstract We study extended classes of logotropic fluids as unified dark energy models. Under the hypothesis of the Anton–Schmidt scenario, we consider a universe obeying a single fluid model with a logarithmic equation of state. We investigate the thermodynamic and dynamical consequences of an extended version of the Anton–Schmidt cosmic fluids. Specifically, we expand the Anton–Schmidt pressure in the infrared regime. The low-energy case becomes relevant for the universe as regards acceleration without any cosmological constant. We therefore derive the effective representation of our fluid in terms of a Lagrangian depending on the kinetic term only. We analyze both the relativistic and the non-relativistic limits. In the non-relativistic limit we construct both the Hamiltonian and the Lagrangian in terms of density $$\rho $$ ρ and scalar field $$\vartheta $$ ϑ , whereas in the relativistic case no analytical expression for the Lagrangian can be found. Thus, we obtain the potential as a function of $$\rho $$ ρ , under the hypothesis of an irrotational perfect fluid. We demonstrate that the model represents a natural generalization of logotropic dark energy models. Finally, we analyze an extended class of generalized Chaplygin gas models with one extra parameter $$\beta $$ β . Interestingly, we find that the Lagrangians of this scenario and the pure logotropic one coincide in the non-relativistic regime.
Published: 2019
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12. Einstein, Planck and Vera Rubin: Relevant Encounters Between the Cosmological and the Quantum Worlds

Author: Paolo Salucci, Giampiero Esposito, Gaetano Lambiase, Emmanuele Battista, Micol Benetti, Donato Bini, Lumen Boco, Gauri Sharma, Valerio Bozza, Luca Buoninfante, Antonio Capolupo, Salvatore Capozziello, Giovanni Covone, Rocco D’Agostino, Mariafelicia De Laurentis, Ivan De Martino, Giulia De Somma, Elisabetta Di Grezia, Chiara Di Paolo, Lorenzo Fatibene, Viviana Gammaldi, Andrea Geralico, Lorenzo Ingoglia, Andrea Lapi, Giuseppe G. Luciano, Leonardo Mastrototaro, Adele Naddeo, Lara Pantoni, Luciano Petruzziello, Ester Piedipalumbo, Silvia Pietroni, Aniello Quaranta, Paolo Rota, Giuseppe Sarracino, Francesco Sorge, Antonio Stabile, Cosimo Stornaiolo, Antonio Tedesco, Riccardo Valdarnini, Stefano Viaggiu, and Andy A. V. Yunge
Subjects: dark matter, galaxies, nature of dark matter, beyond standard model, modification of general relativity, quantum gravity and cosmology, Physics, QC1-999
Abstract: In Cosmology and in Fundamental Physics there is a crucial question like: where the elusive substance that we call Dark Matter is hidden in the Universe and what is it made of? that, even after 40 years from the Vera Rubin seminal discovery [1] does not have a proper answer. Actually, the more we have investigated, the more this issue has become strongly entangled with aspects that go beyond the established Quantum Physics, the Standard Model of Elementary particles and the General Relativity and related to processes like the Inflation, the accelerated expansion of the Universe and High Energy Phenomena around compact objects. Even Quantum Gravity and very exotic Dark Matter particle candidates may play a role in framing the Dark Matter mystery that seems to be accomplice of new unknown Physics. Observations and experiments have clearly indicated that the above phenomenon cannot be considered as already theoretically framed, as hoped for decades. The Special Topic to which this review belongs wants to penetrate this newly realized mystery from different angles, including that of a contamination of different fields of Physics apparently unrelated. We show with the works of this ST that this contamination is able to guide us into the required new Physics. This review wants to provide a good number of these “paths or contamination” beyond/among the three worlds above; in most of the cases, the results presented here open a direct link with the multi-scale dark matter phenomenon, enlightening some of its important aspects. Also in the remaining cases, possible interesting contacts emerges. Finally, a very complete and accurate bibliography is provided to help the reader in navigating all these issues.
Published: 2021
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13. A Comparison of Mother’s Milk and the Neonatal Urine Metabolome: A Unique Fingerprinting for Different Nutritional Phenotypes

Author: Angelica Dessì, Alessandra Marzullo, Sara Corbu, Alice Bosco, Flaminia Cesare Marincola, Maria Grazia Pattumelli, Michele Mussap, Roberta Pintus, Vassilios Fanos, and Rocco Agostino
Subjects: maternal milk, metabolomics, human milk oligosaccharides, urine metabolome, milk metabolome, Microbiology, QR1-502
Abstract: The ability of metabolomics to provide a snapshot of an individual’s metabolic state makes it a very useful technique in neonatology for investigating the complex relationship between nutrition and the state of health of the newborn. Through an 1H-NMR metabolomics analysis, we aimed to investigate the metabolic profile of newborns by analyzing both urine and milk samples in relation to the birth weight of neonates classified as AGA (adequate for the gestational age, n = 51), IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction, n = 14), and LGA (large for gestational age, n = 15). Samples were collected at 7 ± 2 days after delivery. Of these infants, 42 were exclusively breastfed, while 38 received mixed feeding with a variable amount of commercial infant formula (less than 40%) in addition to breast milk. We observed a urinary spectral pattern for oligosaccharides very close to that of the corresponding mother’s milk in the case of exclusively breastfed infants, thus mirroring the maternal phenotype. The absence of this good match between the infant urine and human milk spectra in the case of mixed-fed infants could be reasonably ascribed to the use of a variable amount of commercial infant formulas (under 40%) added to breast milk. Furthermore, our findings did not evidence any significant differences in the spectral profiles in terms of the neonatal customize centile, i.e., AGA (adequate for gestational age), LGA (large for gestational age), or IGUR (intrauterine growth restriction). It is reasonable to assume that maternal human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) production is not or is only minimally influenced by the fetal growth conditions for unknown reasons. This hypothesis may be supported by our metabolomics-based results, confirming once again the importance of this approach in the neonatal field.
Published: 2022
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14. Urinary metabolomics in term newborns delivered spontaneously or with cesarean section: preliminary data

Author: François-Pierre Martin, Serge Rezzi, Milena Lussu, Roberta Pintus, Maria Grazia Pattumelli, Antonio Noto, Angelica Dessì, Laeticia Da Silva, Sebastiano Collino, Simona Ciccarelli, Rocco Agostino, Luigi Orfeo, Luigi Atzori, and Vassilios Fanos
Subjects: cesarean section, metabolomics, newborns, neonatal physiology, spontaneous delivery, Medicine, Pediatrics, RJ1-570
Abstract: Introduction: In the last years the uncritical attitude towards cesarean section (CS) has been associated with the fast emergence of ‘modern’ diseases such as early pediatric obesity, asthma, type 2 diabetes mellitus and dermatitis. Increasing evidence shows that babies born at term by vaginal delivery (VD) have a different physiology at birth, with subsequent influence on adult health. In relation to these short-term physiological changes, in the present study we aimed at assessing the influence of the mode of delivery in term newborns on the first 24 hours metabolism of neonates. Material and methods: This study was carried out on urine samples from 42 patients admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Unit and Neonatal Pathology of “S. Giovanni Calibita” Hospital Fatebenefratelli (Rome, Italy). According to the type of delivery, term neonates with similar gestational age and birthweight were divided in two groups: (1) born by spontaneous VD, (2) born by elective CS. Urine samples, collected at birth by a non-invasive method, were subjected to proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy. Results: CS newborns showed lower fatty acid omega oxidation, as evidenced by lower urinary excretion of dicarboxylic acids. This metabolic signature supports current evidence that babies delivered by CS have lower body temperature and perturbed thermogenesis. CS associates also with hypoglycaemia and altered endocrine profile, which linked to changes in central energy metabolic pathways (Krebs and Cori Cycles). Lung function may be reduced in infants born by CS, primarily due to delayed clearance of lung liquid, and surfactant insufficiency, which might be reflected in different urinary excretion of myo-inositol and choline – two intermediates in lung surfactant metabolism. Conclusion: Non-invasive urine metabolic phenotyping of children born by different mode of delivery provides relevant readouts to assess metabolic requirements associated with major physiological functions during this critical period of metabolic adaptation.
Published: 2018
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15. QUBIC: Exploring the Primordial Universe with the Q&U Bolometric Interferometer

Author: Aniello Mennella, Peter Ade, Giorgio Amico, Didier Auguste, Jonathan Aumont, Stefano Banfi, Gustavo Barbaràn, Paola Battaglia, Elia Battistelli, Alessandro Baù, Benoit Bélier, David G. Bennett, Laurent Bergé, Jean Philippe Bernard, Marco Bersanelli, Marie Anne Bigot Sazy, Nathan Bleurvacq, Juan Bonaparte, Julien Bonis, Emory Bunn, David Burke, Daniele Buzi, Alessandro Buzzelli, Francesco Cavaliere, Pierre Chanial, Claude Chapron, Romain Charlassier, Fabio Columbro, Gabriele Coppi, Alessandro Coppolecchia, Rocco D’Agostino, Giuseppe D’Alessandro, Paolo De Bernardis, Giancarlo De Gasperis, Michele De Leo, Marco De Petris, Andres Di Donato, Louis Dumoulin, Alberto Etchegoyen, Adrián Fasciszewski, Cristian Franceschet, Martin Miguel Gamboa Lerena, Beatriz Garcia, Xavier Garrido, Michel Gaspard, Amanda Gault, Donnacha Gayer, Massimo Gervasi, Martin Giard, Yannick Giraud Héraud, Mariano Gómez Berisso, Manuel González, Marcin Gradziel, Laurent Grandsire, Eric Guerard, Jean Christophe Hamilton, Diego Harari, Vic Haynes, Sophie Henrot Versillé, Duc Thuong Hoang, Nicolas Holtzer, Federico Incardona, Eric Jules, Jean Kaplan, Andrei Korotkov, Christian Kristukat, Luca Lamagna, Sotiris Loucatos, Thibaut Louis, Amy Lowitz, Vladimir Lukovic, Raùl Horacio Luterstein, Bruno Maffei, Stefanos Marnieros, Silvia Masi, Angelo Mattei, Andrew May, Mark McCulloch, Maria Clementina Medina, Lorenzo Mele, Simon J. Melhuish, Ludovic Montier, Louise Mousset, Luis Mariano Mundo, John Anthony Murphy, James David Murphy, Creidhe O’Sullivan, Emiliano Olivieri, Alessandro Paiella, Francois Pajot, Andrea Passerini, Hernan Pastoriza, Alessandro Pelosi, Camille Perbost, Maurizio Perciballi, Federico Pezzotta, Francesco Piacentini, Michel Piat, Lucio Piccirillo, Giampaolo Pisano, Gianluca Polenta, Damien Prêle, Roberto Puddu, Damien Rambaud, Pablo Ringegni, Gustavo E. Romero, Maria Salatino, Alessandro Schillaci, Claudia G. Scóccola, Stephen P. Scully, Sebastiano Spinelli, Guillaume Stankowiak, Michail Stolpovskiy, Federico Suarez, Andrea Tartari, Jean Pierre Thermeau, Peter Timbie, Maurizio Tomasi, Steve A. Torchinsky, Matthieu Tristram, Carole E. Tucker, Gregory S. Tucker, Sylvain Vanneste, Daniele Viganò, Nicola Vittorio, Fabrice Voisin, Robert Watson, Francois Wicek, Mario Zannoni, and Antonio Zullo
Subjects: B-modes, bolometers, Cosmic Microwave Background, inflation, polarimetry, Elementary particle physics, QC793-793.5
Abstract: In this paper, we describe QUBIC, an experiment that will observe the polarized microwave sky with a novel approach, which combines the sensitivity of state-of-the-art bolometric detectors with the systematic effects control typical of interferometers. QUBIC’s unique features are the so-called “self-calibration”, a technique that allows us to clean the measured data from instrumental effects, and its spectral imaging power, i.e., the ability to separate the signal into various sub-bands within each frequency band. QUBIC will observe the sky in two main frequency bands: 150 GHz and 220 GHz. A technological demonstrator is currently under testing and will be deployed in Argentina during 2019, while the final instrument is expected to be installed during 2020.
Published: 2019
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16. Expressive Laboratory for parents in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Author: Rocco Agostino, Anna Mancini, and Annamaria Trovato
Subjects: expressive laboratory, counseling, parents, neonatal intensive care unit, Medicine, Pediatrics, RJ1-570
Abstract: Introduction: The admittance of a baby in NICU is a chocking and stressful experience for parents that need support to comprehend and accept circumstances and help to start the relation with their baby. Expressive Laboratory (EL) is a counseling activity that offers parents the possibility to explore their emotional experience by participating with other parents in meetings with a counselor and a psychologist. Materials and method: The EL includes a set of nine meetings, planned in three moments: pre-contact, contact and post-contact, each meeting is focusing on a particular theme and at the end parents fill out an anonymous feedback form where they can show their appreciation of the activities performed, the benefit obtained and the emotions experienced. Results: From May 2009 to September 2010 seven sets of meetings were organized in which 142 parents participated and they filled out 286 feedback forms. The main results from this descriptive study concerned feelings as: sharing the experience, ability to express oneself, finding resources. Some comments go beyond the activities of EL. Conclusions: The major benefits of EL reported by the parents are the sharing of the experience; not to feel lonely during the hospital stay. The experience to share allows a full understanding of the stories, promoting the creation of a support net that lasts even after the discharge of the baby with self-aid groups.
Published: 2013
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17. Flow-synchronized nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation in the preterm infant: development of a project

Author: Corrado Moretti, Paola Papoff, Camilla Gizzi, Francesco Montecchia, Luigi Giannini, Carla Fassi, Fabio Midulla, Rocco Agostino, and Manuel Sanchez-Luna
Subjects: respiratory distress syndrome, synchronized nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation, noninvasive ventilation, nasal continuous positive pressure ventilation, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, mechanical ventilation, Medicine, Pediatrics, RJ1-570
Abstract: This manuscript describes the experience of our team in developing a flow-triggered nasal respiratory support for the neonate and its related clinical applications. Although mechanical ventilation (MV) via an endotracheal tube has undoubtedly led to improvement in neonatal survival in the last 40 years, the prolonged use of this technique may predispose the infant to the development of many possible complications, first of all, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Avoiding mechanical ventilation is thought to be a critical goal, and different modes of non invasive respiratory support may reduce the intubation rate: nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP), nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) and its more advantageous form, synchronized nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (SNIPPV). SNIPPV was initially performed by a capsule placed on the baby’s abdomen. To overcome the disadvantages of the abdominal capsule, our team decided to create a flow-sensor that could be interposed between the nasal prongs and the Y piece. Firstly we developed a hot-wire flow-sensor to trigger the ventilator and we showed that flow-SNIPPV can support the inspiratory effort in the post-extubation period more effectively than NCPAP. But, although accurate, the proper functioning of the hot-wire flow-sensor was easily compromised by secretions or moisture, and therefore we started to use as flow-sensor a simpler differential pressure transducer. In a following trial using the new device, we were able to demonstrate that flow-SNIPPV was more effective than conventional NCPAP in decreasing extubation failure in preterm infants who had been ventilated for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). More recently we used flow-SNIPPV as the primary mode of ventilation, after surfactant replacement, reducing MV need and favorably affecting short-term morbidities of treated premature infants. We also successfully applied SNIPPV to treat apnea of prematurity (AOP). Finally, we developed a new shaped flow-sensor, which is smaller and lighter of the previous one and its reliability was tested using a simulated neonatal model. Proceedings of the 9th International Workshop on Neonatology · Cagliari (Italy) · October 23rd-26th, 2013 · Learned lessons, changing practice and cutting-edge research
Published: 2013
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18. Measurements of $H_0$ in modified gravity theories: The role of lensed quasars in the late-time Universe

Author: Rocco D'Agostino and Rafael C. Nunes
Subjects: Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics (astro-ph.CO), General relativity, media_common.quotation_subject, FOS: Physical sciences, Context (language use), Cosmological constant, General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc), Astrophysics::Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics, 01 natural sciences, Cosmology, General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology, symbols.namesake, High Energy Physics - Phenomenology (hep-ph), 0103 physical sciences, 010306 general physics, media_common, Mathematical physics, Physics, 010308 nuclear & particles physics, Equation of state (cosmology), Universe, High Energy Physics - Phenomenology, symbols, Dark energy, Hubble's law, Astrophysics - Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics
Abstract: In this work, we obtain measurements of the Hubble constant in the context of modified gravity theories. We set up our theoretical framework by considering viable cosmological $f(R)$ and $f(T)$ models, and we analyzed them through the use of geometrical data sets obtained in a model-independent way, namely, gravitationally lensed quasars with measured time delays, standard clocks from cosmic chronometers, and standard candles from the Pantheon Supernovae Ia sample. We find $H_0=(72.4\pm 1.4)$ km s$^{-1}$ Mpc$^{-1}$ and $H_0=(71.5\pm 1.3)$ km s$^{-1}$ Mpc$^{-1}$ for the $f(R)$ and $f(T)$ models, respectively. Our results represent 1.9\% and 1.8\% measurements of the Hubble constant, which are fully consistent with the local estimate of $H_0$ by the Hubble Space Telescope. We do not find significant departures from general relativity, as our study shows that the characteristic parameters of the extensions of gravity beyond general relativity are compatible with the $\Lambda$CDM cosmology. Moreover, within the standard cosmological framework, our full joint analysis suggests that it is possible to measure the dark energy equation of state parameter at 1.2\% accuracy, although we find no statistical evidence for deviations from the cosmological constant case., Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures, 3 tables. Matches the version published in PRD
Published: 2020

19. Effective field description of the Anton-Schmidt cosmic fluid

Author: Salvatore Capozziello, Roberto Giambò, Rocco D'Agostino, Orlando Luongo, Capozziello, Salvatore, D'Agostino, Rocco, Giambo', Roberto, and Luongo, Orlando
Subjects: High Energy Physics - Theory, Physics, Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics (astro-ph.CO), Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous), 010308 nuclear & particles physics, Equation of state (cosmology), FOS: Physical sciences, Cosmological constant, General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc), Astrophysics::Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics, 01 natural sciences, General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology, Cosmology, Metric expansion of space, Physical cosmology, symbols.namesake, Theoretical physics, High Energy Physics - Theory (hep-th), 0103 physical sciences, symbols, Dark energy, Baryon acoustic oscillations, 010306 general physics, Astrophysics - Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics, Hubble's law
Abstract: The effective theory of the Anton-Schmidt cosmic fluid within the Debye approximation is investigated. In this picture, the universe is modeled out by means of a medium without cosmological constant. In particular, the Anton-Schmidt representation of matter describes the pressure of crystalline solids under deformations imposed by isotropic stresses. The approach scheme is related to the fact that the universe deforms under the action of the cosmic expansion itself. Thus, we frame the dark energy term as a function of scalar fields and obtain the corresponding dark energy potential $V(\varphi)$. Different epochs of the universe evolution are investigated in terms of the evolution of $\varphi$. We show how the Anton-Schmidt equation of state is capable of describing both late and early epochs of cosmic evolution. Finally, numerical bounds on the Anton-Schmidt model with $n=-1$ are derived through a Markov Chain Monte Carlo analysis on the combination of data coming from type Ia Supernovae, observations of Hubble parameter and baryon acoustic oscillations. Statistical comparison with the $\Lambda$CDM model is performed by the AIC and BIC selection criteria. Results are in excellent agreement with the low-redshift data. A further generalization of the model is presented to satisfy the theoretical predictions at early-stage cosmology., Comment: 13 pages, Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. D
Published: 2019

20. Simulations and performance of the QUBIC optical beam combiner

Author: Emory F. Bunn, M.-A. Bigot-Sazy, Y. Giraud-Héraud, A. Zullo, Alessandro Buzzelli, M. Gómez Berisso, M. Giard, F. Voisin, J. Aumont, L. Mele, N. Bleurvacq, L. Dumoulin, L. Grandsire, Nicola Vittorio, Giuseppe D'Alessandro, P. Ringegni, F. Piacentini, Peter T. Timbie, P. Chanial, D. Viganò, M. C. Medina, Alessandro Schillaci, Créidhe O'Sullivan, Laurent Bergé, G. Polenta, Gabriele Coppi, Steve Torchinsky, P. Battaglia, L. Montier, X. Garrido, J.-P. Thermeau, Massimo Gervasi, V. Truongcanh, Rocco D'Agostino, M. Gaspard, R. Puddu, J. Bonaparte, Luca Lamagna, S. Spinelli, C. Chapron, G. de Gasperis, Victor Haynes, A. Etchegoyen, S. Loucatos, Gregory S. Tucker, L. M. Mundo, Marco Bersanelli, A. Lowitz, G. Bordier, E. Guerrard, Mario Zannoni, A. Pelosi, G. Amico, Vladimir V. Luković, D. Buzi, E. Olivieri, R. Luterstein, S. Scully, D. Prêle, H. Pastoriza, A. Mattei, J. Kaplan, F. Columbro, A. Gault, A. Passerini, F. Pajot, D. Harari, Silvia Masi, A. Di Donato, B. Watson, M. Stolpovskiy, Gustavo E. Romero, E. Bréelle, R. Charlassier, J. Bonis, Elia S. Battistelli, D. Gayer, M. De Leo, A. Tartari, Peter A. R. Ade, J. D. Murphy, B. Bélier, S. Banfi, Alessandro Paiella, P. de Bernardis, S. Vanneste, Andrew May, M. De Petris, G. Barbarán, Giampaolo Pisano, Francesco Cavaliere, Cristian Franceschet, D. T. Hoang, Matthieu Tristram, D. Burke, F. Incardona, F. Suarez, J. A. Murphy, C. Kristukat, Marcin Gradziel, F. Couchot, Bruce Rafael Mellado Garcia, A. Mennella, Alessandro Coppolecchia, M. M. Gamboa Lerena, Andrei Korotkov, A. Fasciszewski, D. Bennett, Damien Rambaud, M. González, Bruno Maffei, F. Wicek, Mark McCulloch, S. Marnieros, O. Perdereau, Maria Salatino, D. Auguste, J.-Ch. Hamilton, C. Perbost, C. Scóccola, Carole Tucker, Federico Pezzotta, M. Piat, E. Jules, Lucio Piccirillo, Thibaut Louis, Sophie Henrot-Versille, Simon J. Melhuish, A. Baù, J.-Ph. Bernard, AstroParticule et Cosmologie (APC (UMR_7164)), Observatoire de Paris, PSL Research University (PSL)-PSL Research University (PSL)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire de l'Accélérateur Linéaire (LAL), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut d'astrophysique spatiale (IAS), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre de Nanosciences et de Nanotechnologies [Orsay] (C2N), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre de Sciences Nucléaires et de Sciences de la Matière (CSNSM), Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologie (IRAP), Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Zmuidzinas, Jonas, Gao, Jian-Rong, Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Paris (UP), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Paris Cité (UPCité), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Centre National d’Études Spatiales [Paris] (CNES), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Observatoire de Paris, PSL Research University (PSL)-PSL Research University (PSL)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7), Zmuidzinas, J, Gao, JR, Zullo, A, Wicek, F, Watson, B, Voisin, F, Vittorio, N, Viganò, D, Vanneste, S, Tucker, G, Tucker, C, Truongcanh, V, Tristram, M, Torchinsky, S, Timbie, P, Thermeau, J, Tartari, A, Suarez, F, Stolpovskiy, M, Spinelli, S, Scóccola, C, Schillaci, A, Salatino, M, Romero, G, Ringegni, P, Rambaud, D, Puddu, R, Prêle, D, Polenta, G, Pisano, G, Piccirillo, L, Piat, M, Piacentini, F, Pezzotta, F, Perdereau, O, Perbost, C, Pelosi, A, Pastoriza, H, Passerini, A, Pajot, F, Paiella, A, Olivieri, E, Murphy, J, Mundo, L, Montier, L, Melhuish, S, Medina, M, Mele, L, Mcculloch, M, May, A, Mattei, A, Masi, S, Marnieros, S, Maffei, B, Luterstein, R, Lukovic, V, Lowitz, A, Louis, T, Loucatos, S, Lamagna, L, Kristukat, C, Korotkov, A, Kaplan, J, Jules, E, Incardona, F, Hoang, D, Henrot-Versillé, S, Haynes, V, Harari, D, Grandsire, L, Gradziel, M, González, M, Gómez Berisso, M, Giraud-Héraud, Y, Giard, M, Gervasi, M, Gault, A, Gaspard, M, Garrido, X, García, B, Gamboa Lerena, M, Franceschet, C, Fasciszewski, A, Etchegoyen, A, Dumoulin, L, Di Donato, A, de Gasperis, G, de Bernardis, P, D’Alessandro, G, D'Agostino, R, Couchot, F, Coppolecchia, A, Coppi, G, Columbro, F, Charlassier, R, Chapron, C, Chanial, P, Cavaliere, F, Buzzelli, A, Buzi, D, Bunn, E, Bréelle, E, Bordier, G, Bonis, J, Bonaparte, J, Bleurvacq, N, Bigot-Sazy, M, Bersanelli, M, Bernard, J, Bergé, L, Bennett, D, Bélier, B, Baù, A, Battistelli, E, Battaglia, P, Barbarán, G, Banfi, S, Aumont, J, Auguste, D, Amico, G, Ade, P, Hamilton, J, Zannoni, M, Mennella, A, De Leo, M, De Petris, M, Scully, S, Guerrard, E, Gayer, D, Burke, D, and O'Sullivan, C
Subjects: cosmological model, higher-order, QUBIC, Cosmic microwave background, CMB, Interference (wave propagation), 01 natural sciences, 7. Clean energy, Cosmology, B-mode: primordial, law.invention, law, B-modes, Anisotropy, 010303 astronomy & astrophysics, ComputingMilieux_MISCELLANEOUS, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Astrophysics::Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics, Computer Science Applications1707 Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, bolometric interferometry, Condensed Matter Physics, Physical optics, physical optics, Interferometry, Horn antenna, detector: performance, polarization: anisotropy, Astrophysics::High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena, interferometer, interference, Astrophysics::Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics, model: optical, programming, 010309 optics, FIS/05 - ASTRONOMIA E ASTROFISICA, Optics, 0103 physical sciences, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, [PHYS.PHYS.PHYS-INS-DET]Physics [physics]/Physics [physics]/Instrumentation and Detectors [physics.ins-det], Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Astrophysics::Galaxy Astrophysics, Millimeter, Submillimeter, Far-Infrared, Detectors, Instrumentation, Cosmic Microwave Background, Polarization, business.industry, Bolometer, gravitational radiation: primordial, optics, detector: sensitivity, business, [PHYS.ASTR]Physics [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph], Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, cosmic background radiation: anisotropy
Abstract: QUBIC, the Q & U Bolometric Interferometer for Cosmology, is a novel ground-based instrument that aims to measure the extremely faint B-mode polarisation anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background at intermediate angular scales (multipoles of = 30 − 200). Primordial B-modes are a key prediction of Inflation as they can only be produced by gravitational waves in the very early universe. To achieve this goal, QUBIC will use bolometric interferometry, a technique that combines the sensitivity of an imager with the immunity to systematic effects of an interferometer. It will directly observe the sky through an array of back-to-back entry horns whose beams will be superimposed using a cooled quasioptical beam combiner. Images of the resulting interference fringes will be formed on two focal planes, each tiled with transition-edge sensors, cooled down to 320 mK. A dichroic filter placed between the optical combiner and the focal planes will select two frequency bands (centred at 150 GHz and 220 GHz), one frequency per focal plane. Polarization modulation will be achieved using a cold stepped half-wave plate (HWP) and polariser in front of the sky-facing horns. The full QUBIC instrument is described elsewhere1,2,3,4; in this paper we will concentrate in particular on simulations of the optical combiner (an off-axis Gregorian imager) and the feedhorn array. We model the optical performance of both the QUBIC full module and a scaled-down technological demonstrator which will be used to validate the full instrument design. Optical modelling is carried out using full vector physical optics with a combination of commercial and in-house software. In the high-frequency channel we must be careful to consider the higher-order modes that can be transmitted by the horn array. The instrument window function is used as a measure of performance and we investigate the effect of, for example, alignment and manufacturing tolerances, truncation by optical components and off-axis aberrations. We also report on laboratory tests carried on the QUBIC technological demonstrator in advance of deployment to the observing site in Argentina.
Published: 2018
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21. Performance of NbSi transition-edge sensors readout with a 128 MUX factor for the QUBIC experiment

Author: L. M. Mundo, M. Gómez Berisso, M. Giard, A. Tartari, Nicola Vittorio, A. Mattei, F. Columbro, R. Charlassier, L. Grandsire, A. Mennella, A. Pelosi, M. M. Gamboa Lerena, D. Bennett, Andrei Korotkov, M. González, F. Piacentini, D. Burke, C. Perbost, J. A. Murphy, P. Chanial, E. Olivieri, Damien Rambaud, B. Watson, Giampaolo Pisano, N. Bleurvacq, Maria Salatino, D. Auguste, H. Pastoriza, D. Harari, G. Barbarán, Bruno Maffei, F. Wicek, F. Couchot, L. Dumoulin, Peter A. R. Ade, J. Bonaparte, Giuseppe D'Alessandro, S. Loucatos, A. Gault, A. Lowitz, P. Battaglia, Mark McCulloch, S. Marnieros, P. Ringegni, A. Zullo, G. Amico, D. Viganò, S. Banfi, C. Scóccola, Carole Tucker, Créidhe O'Sullivan, Laurent Bergé, Andrew May, D. Buzi, M. C. Medina, L. Mele, J.-Ph. Bernard, M. Stolpovskiy, M. Piat, Emory F. Bunn, M.-A. Bigot-Sazy, F. Voisin, Bruce Rafael Mellado Garcia, C. Kristukat, O. Perdereau, S. Maestre, Y. Giraud-Héraud, J. D. Murphy, F. Incardona, Alessandro Coppolecchia, F. Suarez, Peter T. Timbie, C. Chapron, Alessandro Schillaci, Alessandro Paiella, W. Marty, G. Polenta, E. Bréelle, A. Fasciszewski, J. Aumont, R. Puddu, S. Spinelli, L. Montier, D. T. Hoang, Massimo Gervasi, Federico Pezzotta, F. Pajot, Elia S. Battistelli, D. Gayer, Simon J. Melhuish, V. Truongcanh, A. Baù, M. Gaspard, J.-P. Thermeau, Luca Lamagna, A. Etchegoyen, Marcin Gradziel, A. Buzzelli, Francesco Cavaliere, Lucio Piccirillo, Marco Bersanelli, J. Kaplan, Mario Zannoni, D. Prêle, Thibaut Louis, Sophie Henrot-Versille, A. Passerini, G. De Gasperis, B. Bélier, S. Scully, S. Vanneste, Victor Haynes, Gregory S. Tucker, M. De Leo, R. Luterstein, M. De Petris, Gustavo E. Romero, P. de Bernardis, J.-Ch. Hamilton, Rocco D'Agostino, E. Jules, Gabriele Coppi, Steve Torchinsky, Silvia Masi, A. Di Donato, X. Garrido, E. Guerrard, Vladimir V. Luković, G. Bordier, Cristian Franceschet, Matthieu Tristram, J. Bonis, AstroParticule et Cosmologie (APC (UMR_7164)), Observatoire de Paris, PSL Research University (PSL)-PSL Research University (PSL)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre de Nanosciences et de Nanotechnologies [Orsay] (C2N), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologie (IRAP), Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre de Sciences Nucléaires et de Sciences de la Matière (CSNSM), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire de l'Accélérateur Linéaire (LAL), Institut d'astrophysique spatiale (IAS), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Zmuidzinas, J, Gao, JR, Salatino, M, Suarez, F, Bennett, D, Murphy, J, Ade, P, Thermeau, J, Zullo, A, Zannoni, M, Wicek, F, Watson, B, Vittorio, N, Viganò, D, Vanneste, S, Tucker, G, Tucker, C, Truongcanh, V, Tristam, M, Timbie, P, Tartari, A, Stolpovskiy, M, Spinelli, S, Scully, S, Scóccola, C, Schillaci, A, Romero, G, Ringegni, P, Puddu, R, Polenta, G, Pisano, G, Piccirillo, L, Piacentini, F, Pezzotta, F, Perdereau, O, Perbost, C, Pelosi, A, Pastoriza, H, Passerini, A, Pajot, F, Paiella, A, Olivieri, E, O'Sullivan, C, Mundo, L, Mennella, A, Melhuish, S, Mele, L, Medina, M, Mcculloch, M, May, A, Mattei, A, Masi, S, Maffei, B, Luterstein, R, Lukovic, V, Lowitz, A, Louis, T, Loucatos, S, Lamagna, L, Kristukat, C, Korotkov, A, Kaplan, J, Jules, E, Incardona, F, Haynes, V, Harari, D, Hamilton, J, Guerrard, E, Grandsire, L, Gradziel, M, González, M, Gómez Berisso, M, Giraud-Héraud, Y, Giard, M, Gervasi, M, Gayer, D, Gault, A, Gaspard, M, Garrido, X, García, B, Gamboa, M, Franceschet, C, Fasciszewski, A, Etchegoyen, A, Dumoulin, L, Di Donato, A, De Petris, M, De Leo, M, de Gasperis, G, de Bernardis, P, D’Alessandro, G, D'Agostino, R, Couchot, F, Coppolecchia, A, Coppi, G, Columbro, F, Charlassier, R, Chanial, P, Cavaliere, F, Buzzelli, A, Buzi, D, Burke, D, Bunn, E, Bréelle, E, Bordier, G, Bonis, J, Bonaparte, J, Bleurvacq, N, Bigot-Sazy, M, Bersanelli, M, Bernard, J, Bergé, L, Baù, A, Battistelli, E, Battaglia, P, Barbarán, G, Banfi, S, Aumont, J, Auguste, D, Amico, G, Voisin, F, Henrot-Versillé, S, Torchinsky, S, Rambaud, D, Prêle, D, Piat, M, Montier, L, Marty, W, Marnieros, S, Maestre, S, Hoang, D, Chapron, C, Bélier, B, Zmuidzinas, Jonas, Gao, Jian-Rong, Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Paris Cité (UPCité), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Centre National d’Études Spatiales [Paris] (CNES), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Paris (UP), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11), Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Observatoire de Paris, and PSL Research University (PSL)-PSL Research University (PSL)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)
Subjects: the QUBIC experiment, Time-Domain Multiplexing, Integrated circuit, SiGe Application-Specific Integrated Circuit, 01 natural sciences, 7. Clean energy, Multiplexing, Multiplexer, law.invention, FIS/05 - ASTRONOMIA E ASTROFISICA, Optics, law, Transition-Edge Sensor, 0103 physical sciences, Cosmic Microwave Background, Astronomical interferometer, [PHYS.PHYS.PHYS-INS-DET]Physics [physics]/Physics [physics]/Instrumentation and Detectors [physics.ins-det], 010306 general physics, 010303 astronomy & astrophysics, Physics, business.industry, Bolometric Interferometry, Detector, Bolometer, Millimeter, Submillimeter, Far-Infrared, Detectors, Instrumentation, Cosmic Microwave Background, CMB instrumentation, SiGe ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuit, Superconducting QUantum Interference Device, TimeDomain Multiplexing, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Condensed Matter Physics, Computer Science Applications1707 Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, Applied Mathematics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Interferometry, Superconducting QUantum Interference Devices, Transition edge sensor, business, [PHYS.ASTR]Physics [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph]
Abstract: International audience; QUBIC (the Q and U Bolometric Interferometer for Cosmology) is a ground-based experiment which seeks to improve the current constraints on the amplitude of primordial gravitational waves. It exploits the unique technique, among Cosmic Microwave Background experiments, of bolometric interferometry, combining together the sensitivity of bolometric detectors with the control of systematic effects typical of interferometers. QUBIC will perform sky observations in polarization, in two frequency bands centered at 150 and 220 GHz, with two kilo-pixel focal plane arrays of NbSi Transition-Edge Sensors (TES) cooled down to 350 mK. A subset of the QUBIC instrument, the so called QUBIC Technological Demonstrator (TD), with a reduced number of detectors with respect to the full instrument, will be deployed and commissioned before the end of 2018. The voltage-biased TES are read out with Time Domain Multiplexing and an unprecedented multiplexing (MUX) factor equal to 128. This MUX factor is reached with two-stage multiplexing: a traditional one exploiting Superconducting QUantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) at 1K and a novel SiGe Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) at 60 K. The former provides a MUX factor of 32, while the latter provides a further 4. Each TES array is composed of 256 detectors and read out with four modules of 32 SQUIDs and two ASICs. A custom software synchronizes and manages the readout and detector operation, while the TES are sampled at 780 Hz (100kHz/128 MUX rate). In this work we present the experimental characterization of the QUBIC TES arrays and their multiplexing readout chain, including time constant, critical temperature, and noise properties.
Published: 2018
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22. QUBIC: the Q and U bolometric interferometer for cosmology

Author: Y. Giraud-Héraud, E. Bréelle, P. A. R. Ade, A. Zullo, P. Ringegni, A. Mennella, M. M. Gamboa Lerena, D. Bennett, M. González, Emory F. Bunn, Francesco Cavaliere, R. Puddu, M. De Leo, L. Montier, M. Stolpovskiy, M. Gómez Berisso, M. Giard, C. Perbost, L. Grandsire, Peter T. Timbie, Cristian Franceschet, Matthieu Tristram, Gustavo E. Romero, E. Jules, Simon J. Melhuish, S. Spinelli, A. Baù, G. de Gasperis, J.-Ph. Bernard, G. Bordier, G. Polenta, M. De Petris, P. de Bernardis, A. Lowitz, Nicola Vittorio, E. Guerrard, P. Battaglia, M. Piat, Rocco D'Agostino, O. Perdereau, Lucio Piccirillo, Vladimir V. Luković, Bruce Rafael Mellado Garcia, F. Piacentini, J. Aumont, Massimo Gervasi, D. Prêle, Thibaut Louis, Alessandro Coppolecchia, Sophie Henrot-Versille, S. Loucatos, R. Charlassier, L. M. Mundo, L. Dumoulin, J. Kaplan, P. Chanial, J. D. Murphy, A. Fasciszewski, J. Bonaparte, C. Kristukat, S. Vanneste, Alessandro Paiella, Gabriele Coppi, Silvia Masi, A. Di Donato, Federico Pezzotta, L. Mele, B. Bélier, Steve Torchinsky, D. Viganò, Maria Salatino, D. Auguste, E. Olivieri, A. Mattei, J.-Ch. Hamilton, H. Pastoriza, D. Harari, F. Columbro, G. Amico, M.-A. Bigot-Sazy, A. Passerini, D. Buzi, C. Scóccola, Carole Tucker, G. Barbarán, C. Chapron, N. Bleurvacq, J. Bonis, F. Couchot, Andrei Korotkov, R. Luterstein, A. Tartari, V. Truongcanh, M. Gaspard, F. Voisin, F. Incardona, Damien Rambaud, A. Etchegoyen, B. Watson, Giampaolo Pisano, Marco Bersanelli, Bruno Maffei, Alessandro Schillaci, F. Wicek, Mario Zannoni, A. Pelosi, F. Suarez, A. Gault, Mark McCulloch, S. Marnieros, S. Scully, Créidhe O'Sullivan, Laurent Bergé, S. Banfi, D. Burke, J. A. Murphy, D. T. Hoang, Marcin Gradziel, Alessandro Buzzelli, J.-P. Thermeau, Victor Haynes, X. Garrido, Gregory S. Tucker, Giuseppe D'Alessandro, M. C. Medina, F. Pajot, Elia S. Battistelli, Luca Lamagna, D. Gayer, Andrew May, Laboratoire de l'Accélérateur Linéaire (LAL), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut d'astrophysique spatiale (IAS), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre de Nanosciences et de Nanotechnologies [Orsay] (C2N), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre de Sciences Nucléaires et de Sciences de la Matière (CSNSM), Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologie (IRAP), Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), AstroParticule et Cosmologie (APC (UMR_7164)), Observatoire de Paris, PSL Research University (PSL)-PSL Research University (PSL)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Paris (UP), Zmuidzinas J.,Gao J.-R., Ade, P, Zullo, A, Zannoni, M, Wicek, F, Watson, B, Voisin, F, Vittorio, N, Viganò, D, Vanneste, S, Tucker, G, Tucker, C, Truongcanh, V, Tristram, M, Torchinsky, S, Timbie, P, Thermeau, J, Tartari, A, Suarez, F, Stolpovskiy, M, Spinelli, S, Scully, S, Scóccola, C, Schillaci, A, Salatino, M, Romero, G, Ringegni, P, Rambaud, D, Puddu, R, Prêle, D, Polenta, G, Pisano, G, Piccirillo, L, Piat, M, Piacentini, F, Pezzotta, F, Perdereau, O, Perbost, C, Pelosi, A, Pastoriza, H, Passerini, A, Pajot, F, Paiella, A, Olivieri, E, Murphy, J, Mundo, L, Montier, L, Mennella, A, Melhuish, S, Mele, L, Medina, M, Mcculloch, M, May, A, Mattei, A, Masi, S, Marnieros, S, Maffei, B, Luterstein, R, Lukovic, V, Lowitz, A, Louis, T, Loucatos, S, Lamagna, L, Bennett, D, Kristukat, C, Korotkov, A, Kaplan, J, Jules, E, Incardona, F, Hoang, D, Harari, D, Hamilton, J, Guerrard, E, Grandsire, L, Gradziel, M, González, M, Gómez Berisso, M, Giraud-Héraud, Y, Giard, M, Gervasi, M, Gayer, D, Gault, A, Gaspard, M, Garrido, X, García, B, Gamboa Lerena, M, Franceschet, C, Fasciszewski, A, Etchegoyen, A, Henrot-Versillé, S, Haynes, V, Dumoulin, L, Di Donato, A, De Petris, M, De Leo, M, de Gasperis, G, de Bernardis, P, D’Alessandro, G, D'Agostino, R, Couchot, F, Coppolecchia, A, Coppi, G, Columbro, F, Charlassier, R, Chapron, C, Chanial, P, Cavaliere, F, Buzzelli, A, Buzi, D, Burke, D, Bunn, E, Bréelle, E, Bordier, G, Bonis, J, Bonaparte, J, Bleurvacq, N, Bigot-Sazy, M, Bersanelli, M, Bernard, J, Bergé, L, Bélier, B, Baù, A, Battistelli, E, Battaglia, P, Barbarán, G, Banfi, S, Aumont, J, Auguste, D, Amico, G, O'Sullivan, C, Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Observatoire de Paris, PSL Research University (PSL)-PSL Research University (PSL)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7), Zmuidzinas, Jonas, Gao, Jian-Rong, Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Centre National d’Études Spatiales [Paris] (CNES), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), and Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Paris Cité (UPCité)
Subjects: B-modes, bolometric interferometry, CMB, QUBIC, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Condensed Matter Physics, Computer Science Applications1707 Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, Applied Mathematics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, cosmic microwave background, Cosmic microwave background, Interference (wave propagation), 01 natural sciences, 7. Clean energy, law.invention, 010309 optics, FIS/05 - ASTRONOMIA E ASTROFISICA, Optics, law, 0103 physical sciences, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, [PHYS.PHYS.PHYS-INS-DET]Physics [physics]/Physics [physics]/Instrumentation and Detectors [physics.ins-det], 010303 astronomy & astrophysics, ComputingMilieux_MISCELLANEOUS, Millimeter, Submillimeter, Far-Infrared, Detectors, Instrumentation, Cosmic Microwave Background, Polarization, Physics, millimetre-wave, Gravitational wave, business.industry, Detector, Bolometer, Polarizer, interferometry, Interferometry, Dichroic filter, business, [PHYS.ASTR]Physics [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph]
Abstract: QUBIC, the Q & U Bolometric Interferometer for Cosmology, is a novel ground-based instrument that has been designed to measure the extremely faint B-mode polarisation anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background at intermediate angular scales (multipoles of 𝑙 = 30 − 200). Primordial B-modes are a key prediction of Inflation as they can only be produced by gravitational waves in the very early universe. To achieve this goal, QUBIC will use bolometric interferometry, a technique that combines the sensitivity of an imager with the systematic error control of an interferometer. It will directly observe the sky through an array of 400 back-to-back entry horns whose signals will be superimposed using a quasi-optical beam combiner. The resulting interference fringes will be imaged at 150 and 220 GHz on two focal planes, each tiled with NbSi Transition Edge Sensors, cooled to 320 mK and read out with time-domain multiplexing. A dichroic filter placed between the optical combiner and the focal planes will select the two frequency bands. A very large receiver cryostat will cool the optical and detector stages to 40 K, 4 K, 1 K and 320 mK using two pulse tube coolers, a novel 4He sorption cooler and a double-stage 3He/4He sorption cooler. Polarisation modulation and selection will be achieved using a cold stepped half-wave plate (HWP) and polariser, respectively, in front of the sky-facing horns. A key feature of QUBIC’s ability to control systematic effects is its ‘self-calibration’ mode where fringe patterns from individual equivalent baselines can be compared. When observing, however, all the horns will be open simultaneously and we will recover a synthetic image of the sky in the I, Q and U Stokes’ parameters. The synthesised beam pattern has a central peak of approximately 0.5 degrees in width, with secondary peaks further out that are damped by the 13-degree primary beam of the horns. This is Module 1 of QUBIC which will be installed in Argentina, near the city of San Antonio de los Cobres, at the Alto Chorrillos site (4869 m a.s.l.), Salta Province. Simulations have shown that this first module could constrain the tensor-to-scalar ratio down to σ(r) = 0.01 after a two-year survey. We aim to add further modules in the future to increase the angular sensitivity and resolution of the instrument. The QUBIC project is proceeding through a sequence of steps. After an initial successful characterisation of the detection chain, a technological demonstrator is being assembled to validate the full instrument design and to test it electrically, thermally and optically. The technical demonstrator is a scaled-down version of Module 1 in terms of the number of detectors, input horns and pulse tubes and a reduction in the diameter of the combiner mirrors and filters, but is otherwise similar. The demonstrator will be upgraded to the full module in 2019. In this paper we give an overview of the QUBIC project and instrument.
Published: 2018
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23. Antibiotic Use in a Cohort of Extremely Low Birth Weight Neonates: Focus on Off-Label Uses and Prescription Behaviour

Author: Laura Cuzzolin and Rocco Agostino
Subjects: Pediatrics, medicine.medical_specialty, Off-Label uses, business.industry, variability, Meropenem, Tazobactam, antibiotics, ELBW neonates, 03 medical and health sciences, Low birth weight, 0302 clinical medicine, 030225 pediatrics, Intensive care, medicine, Vancomycin, Formulary, Medical prescription, medicine.symptom, business, 030217 neurology & neurosurgery, medicine.drug, Piperacillin
Abstract: Aim: To analyse antibiotic prescriptions in a cohort of extremely low birth weight neonates admitted to Italian level III Neonatal intensive Care Units. Methods: An online questionnaire was used to collect detailed information for each newborn. Antibiotic prescriptions were classified about their license status and compared with British National Formulary for Children (BNFC) and with a practical guide prepared by the Italian Society of Neonatology (ISN). Results: During the study period (May-July 2014) among 93 neonates admitted to 30 Italian Neonatal intensive Care Units, 56 (60%) received at least an antibiotic (92 prescriptions in total). Ampicillin, gentamicin and vancomycin were the antibiotics most commonly used for the prevention/treatment of bacterial infections. 56/92 antibiotic prescriptions (61%) resulted off-label mainly as regards dosing frequency, while 13 prescriptions (14%) regarded antibiotics used in absence of specific indication for newborns (meropenem, imipenem, piperacillin/tazobactam, clindamycin, clarithromycin). 50/56 neonates (89.3%) received at least one off-label antibiotic prescription. Differences have been observed in dosing regimens between current study and recommendations contained in BNFC, while prescriptions adhered more frequently to ISN indications. Conclusions: Our results confirm the high prevalence of off-label antibiotic use in ELBW neonates and underline a better adherence to indications based on clinical practice.
Published: 2018

24. Optical modelling and analysis of the Q and U bolometric interferometer for cosmology

Author: Mikhail Stolpovskiy, Emory F. Bunn, Federico Pezzotta, O. Rigaut, M.-A. Bigot-Sazy, A.-A. Drilien, J.D. Murphy, Simon J. Melhuish, Martin Gamboa, Laurence P. Sadwick, Alessandro Schillaci, A. Baù, N. Holtzer, Nathanaël Bleurvac, A. Mennella, F. Voisin, Beatriz García, X. Garrido, E. Guerrard, Giuseppe D' Alessandro, Vladimir V. Luković, R. Luterstein, D. Burke, D. Prêle, D. Bennett, Alberto Etchegoyen, C. Kristukat, Delphine Néel, Paolo de Bernardis, J. Bonaparte, Massimo Gervasi, Alessandro Paiella, L. Montier, M. González, P. Battaglia, Y. Giraud-Héraud, A. Zullo, Giampaolo Pisano, Maria Salatino, D. Auguste, E. Jules, M. Gaspard, Olivier Perdereau, D. Viganò, P. Ringegni, A. Gault, M. Gómez Berisso, F. Piacentini, Jean-Philippe Bernard, J. Kaplan, F. Incardona, Cristian Franceschet, Matthieu Tristram, D. T. Hoang, Lucio Piccirillo, Jonathan Aumont, François Couchot, B. Bélier, F. Suarez, E. Olivieri, P. Chanial, C. Scóccola, S. Banfi, Carole Tucker, Sophie Henrot-Versille, G. Amico, H. Pastoriza, Robert A. Watson, G. de Gasperis, Marcin Gradziel, Nicola Vittorio, D. Harari, D. Buzi, G. Bordier, G. Barbarán, J.-P. Thermeau, Victor Haynes, Créidhe O'Sullivan, Laurent Bergé, T. Louis, J. Bonis, V. Truongcanh, L. Grandsire, Marco De Petris, Peter T. Timbie, Andrei Korotkov, Marco Bersanelli, G. Polenta, Mario Zannoni, Damien Rambaud, Gustavo E. Romero, A. Pelosi, F. Wicek, Mark McCulloch, S. Scully, M. De Leo, L. Dumoulin, Francesco Cavaliere, Alessandro Buzzelli, A. Lowitz, C. Perbost, Alessandro Coppolecchia, François Pajot, A. Fasciszewski, Bruno Maffei, Martin Giard, Elia S. Battistelli, D. Gayer, Tianxin Yang, Gregory S. Tucker, M. C. Medina, A. Passerini, Jean Christophe Hamilton, A. Tartari, L. M. Mundo, Michel Piat, S. Marnieros, Eimante Kalinauskaite, A. Mattei, J. Lande, F. Columbro, R. Puddu, S. Spinelli, Andrew May, Luca Lamagna, E. Bréelle, J. Anthony Murphy, Rocco D'Agostino, S. Loucatos, Gabriele Coppi, Steve Torchinsky, Silvia Masi, A. Di Donato, C. Chapron, R. Charlassier, L. Mele, Sadwick L.P.,Yang T., Burke, D, Gayer, D, Kalinauskaite, E, O'Sullivan, C, Murphy, J, Scully, S, De Petris, M, De Leo, M, Mennella, A, Torchinsky, S, Zannoni, M, Amico, G, Auguste, D, Aumont, J, Banfi, S, Barbaran, G, Battaglia, P, Battistelli, E, Bau, A, Belier, B, Bennett, D, Berge, L, Bernard, J, Bersanelli, M, Bigot-Sazy, M, Bleurvac, N, Bonaparte, J, Bonis, J, Bordier, G, Breelle, E, Bunn, E, Buzi, D, Buzzelli, A, Cavaliere, F, Chanial, P, Chapron, C, Charlassier, R, Columbro, F, Coppi, G, Coppolecchia, A, Couchot, F, D'Alessandro, G, D'Agostino, R, De Bernardis, P, De Gasperis, G, Di Donato, A, Drilien, A, Dumoulin, L, Etchegoyen, A, Fasciszewski, A, Franceschet, C, Gamboa-Lerena, M, Garcia, B, Garrido, X, Gaspard, M, Gault, A, Gervasi, M, Giard, M, Giraud-Heraud, Y, Gomez Berisso, M, Gonzalez, M, Gradziel, M, Grandsire, L, Guerrard, E, Hamilton, J, Harari, D, Haynes, V, Henrot-Versille, S, Hoang, D, Holtzer, N, Incardona, F, Jules, E, Kaplan, J, Korotkov, A, Kristukat, C, Lamagna, L, Lande, J, Loucatos, S, Louis, T, Lowitz, A, Lukovic, V, Luterstein, R, Maffei, B, Marnieros, S, Masi, S, Mattei, A, May, A, Mcculloch, M, Medina, M, Mele, L, Melhuish, S, Mundo, L, Montier, L, Neel, D, Olivieri, E, Paiella, A, Pajot, F, Passerini, A, Pastoriza, H, Pelosi, A, Perbost, C, Perdereau, O, Pezzotta, F, Piacentini, F, Piat, M, Piccirillo, L, Pisano, G, Polenta, G, Prele, D, Puddu, R, Rambaud, D, Rigaut, O, Ringegni, P, Romero, G, Salatino, M, Schillaci, A, Scoccola, C, Spinelli, S, Stolpovskiy, M, Suarez, F, Tartari, A, Thermeau, J, Timbie, P, Tristram, M, Truongcanh, V, Tucker, G, Tucker, C, Vigano, D, Vittorio, N, Voisin, F, Watson, B, Wicek, F, Zullo, A, AstroParticule et Cosmologie (APC (UMR_7164)), Observatoire de Paris, PSL Research University (PSL)-PSL Research University (PSL)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire de l'Accélérateur Linéaire (LAL), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut d'astrophysique spatiale (IAS), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre de Nanosciences et de Nanotechnologies [Orsay] (C2N), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre de Sciences Nucléaires et de Sciences de la Matière (CSNSM), Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologie (IRAP), Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11), Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Paris (UP), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Paris Cité (UPCité), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Centre National d’Études Spatiales [Paris] (CNES), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Observatoire de Paris, and PSL Research University (PSL)-PSL Research University (PSL)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)
Subjects: Cosmic microwave background, Astrophysics::Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics, CMB, 01 natural sciences, 7. Clean energy, Radio spectrum, law.invention, Optics, law, 0103 physical sciences, B-modes, Electronic, Optical Modelling, Black-body radiation, [PHYS.PHYS.PHYS-INS-DET]Physics [physics]/Physics [physics]/Instrumentation and Detectors [physics.ins-det], Optical and Magnetic Materials, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, 010306 general physics, 010303 astronomy & astrophysics, Polarisation, Physics, business.industry, Applied Mathematics, Bolometer, Astrophysics::Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics, bolometric interferometry, Cosmology, Simulation, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Condensed Matter Physics, Computer Science Applications1707 Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, Image plane, Redshift, Interferometry, B-mode, Millimeter, business
Abstract: International audience; Remnant radiation from the early universe, known as the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB), has been redshifted and cooled, and today has a blackbody spectrum peaking at millimetre wavelengths. The QUBIC (Q&U Bolometric Interferometer for Cosmology) instrument is designed to map the very faint polaristion structure in the CMB. QUBIC is based on the novel concept of bolometric interferometry in conjunction with synthetic imaging. It will have a large array of input feedhorns, which creates a large number of interferometric baselines. The beam from each feedhorn is passed through an optical combiner, with an off-axis compensated Gregorian design, to allow the generation of the synthetic image. The optical-combiner will operate in two frequency bands (150 and 220 GHz with 25% and 18.2 % bandwidth respectively) while cryogenically cooled TES bolometers provide the sensitivity required at the image plane. The QUBIC Technical Demonstrator (TD), a proof of technology instrument that contains 64 input feed-horns, is currently being built and will be installed in the Alto Chorrillos region of Argentina. The plan is then for the full QUBIC instrument (400 feed-horns) to be deployed in Argentina and obtain cosmologically significant results. In this paper we will examine the output of the manufactered feed-horns in comparison to the nominal design. We will show the results of optical modelling that has been performed in anticipation of alignment and calibration of the TD in Paris, in particular testing the validity of real laboratory environments. We show the output of large calibrator sources (50 ° full width haf max Gaussian beams) and the importance of accurate mirror definitions when modelling large beams. Finally we describe the tolerance on errors of the position and orientation of mirrors in the optical combiner.
Published: 2018
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25. Thermal architecture for the QUBIC cryogenic receiver

Author: R. Charlassier, G. de Gasperis, J. Kaplan, M. Piat, X. Garrido, J. Bonaparte, M.-A. Bigot-Sazy, B. Bélier, P. Battaglia, F. Piacentini, Alessandro Buzzelli, D. Burke, N. Bleurvacq, Andrei Korotkov, R. Puddu, F. Voisin, C. Perbost, E. Guerrard, J. A. Murphy, S. Loucatos, S. Spinelli, S. Vanneste, Damien Rambaud, Peter A. R. Ade, Gustavo E. Romero, P. Chanial, Peter T. Timbie, G. Polenta, A. Lowitz, Vladimir V. Luković, Andrew May, J.-Ch. Hamilton, B. Watson, Bruno Maffei, F. Wicek, Bruce Rafael Mellado Garcia, P. de Bernardis, F. Couchot, A. Gault, E. Olivieri, H. Pastoriza, D. Harari, L. Dumoulin, J.-Ph. Bernard, M. Stolpovskiy, Alessandro Coppolecchia, Mark McCulloch, S. Marnieros, A. Mennella, F. Incardona, G. Barbarán, Francesco Cavaliere, M. M. Gamboa Lerena, D. Viganò, F. Suarez, S. Banfi, E. Bréelle, A. Fasciszewski, G. Bordier, L. M. Mundo, D. Bennett, Y. Giraud-Héraud, Federico Pezzotta, A. Passerini, M. González, J. Bonis, J. Aumont, J.-P. Thermeau, Alessandro Schillaci, A. Tartari, A. Mattei, M. Gómez Berisso, E. Jules, L. Mele, M. Giard, L. Grandsire, Gabriele Coppi, Steve Torchinsky, F. Columbro, O. Perdereau, P. Ringegni, Simon J. Melhuish, Massimo Gervasi, A. Baù, Nicola Vittorio, Rocco D'Agostino, M. De Leo, Lucio Piccirillo, Thibaut Louis, D. Prêle, Sophie Henrot-Versille, Maria Salatino, D. Auguste, M. De Petris, R. Luterstein, C. Scóccola, Carole Tucker, Silvia Masi, A. Di Donato, Giampaolo Pisano, G. Amico, Cristian Franceschet, Matthieu Tristram, D. Buzi, Emory F. Bunn, Créidhe O'Sullivan, Laurent Bergé, V. Truongcanh, M. Gaspard, A. Etchegoyen, Marco Bersanelli, Mario Zannoni, A. Pelosi, S. Scully, J. D. Murphy, Alessandro Paiella, C. Kristukat, A. Zullo, Gregory S. Tucker, F. Pajot, Elia S. Battistelli, D. Gayer, Giuseppe D'Alessandro, M. C. Medina, C. Chapron, D. T. Hoang, Marcin Gradziel, Luca Lamagna, Victor Haynes, L. Montier, Zmuidzinas, Jonas, Gao, Jian-Rong, AstroParticule et Cosmologie (APC (UMR_7164)), Observatoire de Paris, PSL Research University (PSL)-PSL Research University (PSL)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire de l'Accélérateur Linéaire (LAL), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut d'astrophysique spatiale (IAS), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre de Nanosciences et de Nanotechnologies [Orsay] (C2N), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre de Sciences Nucléaires et de Sciences de la Matière (CSNSM), Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologie (IRAP), Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Paris (UP), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Zmuidzinas, J, Gao, JR, Tristram, M, Passerini, A, Franceschet, C, Scully, S, Ade, P, Zullo, A, Zannoni, M, Wicek, F, Watson, B, Voisin, F, Vittorio, N, Viganò, D, Vanneste, S, Tucker, G, Tucker, C, Truongcanh, V, Torchinsky, S, Timbie, P, Tartari, A, Suarez, F, Stolpovskiy, M, Spinelli, S, Scóccola, C, Salatino, M, Romero, G, Ringegni, P, Rambaud, D, Puddu, R, Prêle, D, Polenta, G, Pisano, G, Piacentini, F, Pezzotta, F, Perdereau, O, Perbost, C, Pelosi, A, Pastoriza, H, Pajot, F, Paiella, A, Olivieri, E, O'Sullivan, C, Murphy, J, Mundo, L, Montier, L, Mennella, A, Mele, L, Medina, M, Mcculloch, M, Mattei, A, Marnieros, S, Maffei, B, Luterstein, R, Lukovic, V, Lowitz, A, Louis, T, Loucatos, S, Lamagna, L, Kristukat, C, Korotkov, A, Kaplan, J, Jules, E, Incardona, F, Hoang, D, Henrot-Versillé, S, Haynes, V, Harari, D, Hamilton, J, Guerrard, E, Grandsire, L, Gradziel, M, González, M, Gómez Berisso, M, Giraud-Héraud, Y, Giard, M, Gervasi, M, Gayer, D, Gault, A, Gaspard, M, Garrido, X, García, B, Gamboa Lerena, M, Fasciszewski, A, Etchegoyen, A, Dumoulin, L, Di Donato, A, De Petris, M, De Leo, M, de Gasperis, G, D'Agostino, R, Couchot, F, Coppolecchia, A, Bennett, D, Burke, D, Columbro, F, Charlassier, R, Chanial, P, Cavaliere, F, Buzzelli, A, Buzi, D, Bunn, E, Bréelle, E, Bordier, G, Bonis, J, Bonaparte, J, Bleurvacq, N, Bigot-Sazy, M, Bersanelli, M, Bernard, J, Bergé, L, Bélier, B, Baù, A, Battistelli, E, Battaglia, P, Barbarán, G, Banfi, S, Aumont, J, Auguste, D, Amico, G, Thermeau, J, Schillaci, A, Piccirillo, L, Piat, M, Melhuish, S, Masi, S, de Bernardis, P, D'Alessandro, G, Coppi, G, Chapron, C, May, A, Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Observatoire de Paris, PSL Research University (PSL)-PSL Research University (PSL)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Paris Cité (UPCité), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Centre National d’Études Spatiales [Paris] (CNES), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), and Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
Subjects: Cryostat, Physics - Instrumentation and Detectors, Cryogenics, Bolometric interferometry, QUBIC, interferometer, Cosmic microwave background, bolometric interferometry, cryogenics, experimental cosmology, heat switch, sorption cooler, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Condensed Matter Physics, Computer Science Applications1707 Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, Applied Mathematics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, FOS: Physical sciences, cosmic background radiation: polarization, 7. Clean energy, 01 natural sciences, law.invention, FIS/05 - ASTRONOMIA E ASTROFISICA, Optics, bolometer, law, 0103 physical sciences, Thermal, [PHYS.PHYS.PHYS-INS-DET]Physics [physics]/Physics [physics]/Instrumentation and Detectors [physics.ins-det], Sorption cooler, 010306 general physics, 010303 astronomy & astrophysics, Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics (astro-ph.IM), Physics, Heat switch, business.industry, Bolometer, Detector, Instrumentation and Detectors (physics.ins-det), Polarization (waves), Experimental cosmology, Interferometry, cryogenics: design, B-mode, Millimeter, Submillimeter, Far-Infrared, Detectors, Instrumentation, Cryogenics, Cosmic Microwave Background, business, Astrophysics - Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics
Abstract: International audience; QUBIC, the QU Bolometric Interferometer for Cosmology, is a novel forthcoming instrument to measure the B-mode polarization anisotropy of the Cosmic Microwave Background. The detection of the B-mode signal will be extremely challenging; QUBIC has been designed to address this with a novel approach, namely bolometric interferometry. The receiver cryostat is exceptionally large and cools complex optical and detector stages to 40 K, 4 K, 1 K and 350 mK using two pulse tube coolers, a novel 4He sorption cooler and a double-stage 3He/4He sorption cooler. We discuss the thermal and mechanical design of the cryostat, modelling and thermal analysis, and laboratory cryogenic testing.
Published: 2018
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26. Cosmographic analysis with Chebyshev polynomials

Author: Orlando Luongo, Salvatore Capozziello, Rocco D'Agostino, Capozziello, Salvatore, D'Agostino, Rocco, and Luongo, Orlando
Subjects: Physics, Propagation of uncertainty, Chebyshev polynomials, Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics (astro-ph.CO), Series (mathematics), 010308 nuclear & particles physics, FOS: Physical sciences, Astronomy and Astrophysics, General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc), Chebyshev rational functions, 01 natural sciences, Chebyshev filter, General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology, symbols.namesake, Space and Planetary Science, 0103 physical sciences, Taylor series, symbols, astro-ph.CO, Applied mathematics, Padé approximant, Monte Carlo integration, 010303 astronomy & astrophysics, Astrophysics - Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics
Abstract: The limits of standard cosmography are here revised addressing the problem of error propagation during statistical analyses. To do so, we propose the use of Chebyshev polynomials to parameterize cosmic distances. In particular, we demonstrate that building up rational Chebyshev polynomials significantly reduces error propagations with respect to standard Taylor series. This technique provides unbiased estimations of the cosmographic parameters and performs significatively better than previous numerical approximations. To figure this out, we compare rational Chebyshev polynomials with Pad\'e series. In addition, we theoretically evaluate the convergence radius of (1,1) Chebyshev rational polynomial and we compare it with the convergence radii of Taylor and Pad\'e approximations. We thus focus on regions in which convergence of Chebyshev rational functions is better than standard approaches. With this recipe, as high-redshift data are employed, rational Chebyshev polynomials remain highly stable and enable one to derive highly accurate analytical approximations of Hubble's rate in terms of the cosmographic series. Finally, we check our theoretical predictions by setting bounds on cosmographic parameters through Monte Carlo integration techniques, based on the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm. We apply our technique to high-redshift cosmic data, using the JLA supernovae sample and the most recent versions of Hubble parameter and baryon acoustic oscillation measurements. We find that cosmography with Taylor series fails to be predictive with the aforementioned data sets, while turns out to be much more stable using the Chebyshev approach., Comment: 17 pages, 6 figures, 5 tables
Published: 2017

27. Rational approximations of $f(R)$ cosmography through Pad\'e polynomials

Author: Rocco D'Agostino, Salvatore Capozziello, Orlando Luongo, Capozziello, Salvatore, D'Agostino, Rocco, and Luongo, Orlando
Subjects: Physics, High Energy Physics - Theory, Pure mathematics, 010308 nuclear & particles physics, Approximations of π, Astronomy and Astrophysics, cosmological parameters from LSS, Astrophysics::Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics, 01 natural sciences, General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology, 0103 physical sciences, Cosmography, dark energy theory, 010306 general physics, cosmological simulation, modified gravity
Abstract: We consider high-redshift $f(R)$ cosmography adopting the technique of polynomial reconstruction. In lieu of considering Taylor treatments, which turn out to be non-predictive as soon as $z>1$, we take into account the Pad\'e rational approximations which consist in performing expansions converging at high redshift domains. Particularly, our strategy is to reconstruct $f(z)$ functions first, assuming the Ricci scalar to be invertible with respect to the redshift $z$. Having the thus-obtained $f(z)$ functions, we invert them and we easily obtain the corresponding $f(R)$ terms. We minimize error propagation, assuming no errors upon redshift data. The treatment we follow naturally leads to evaluating curvature pressure, density and equation of state, characterizing the universe evolution at redshift much higher than standard cosmographic approaches. We therefore match these outcomes with small redshift constraints got by framing the $f(R)$ cosmology through Taylor series around $z\simeq 0$. This gives rise to a calibration procedure with small redshift that enables the definitions of polynomial approximations up to $z\simeq 10$. Last but not least, we show discrepancies with the standard cosmological model which go towards an extension of the $\Lambda$CDM paradigm, indicating an effective dark energy term evolving in time. We finally describe the evolution of our effective dark energy term by means of basic techniques of data mining., Comment: 11 pages, 14 figures, accepted for publication in JCAP
Published: 2017

28. QUBIC - the Q&U Bolometric Interferometer for Cosmology: A novel way to look at the polarized Cosmic Microwave Background

Author: M. Piat, A. Passerini, M. W. Ng, J. Rodriguez Martino, A. Ghribi, Alessandro Buzzelli, M. Giard, N. Bleurvacq, F. Piacentini, S. Melhuish, L. Mele, P. Chanial, J.-Ch. Hamilton, Maria Salatino, R. Puddu, L. Grandsire, J. Lande, Peter T. Timbie, Jonathan Aumont, Carole Tucker, B. Watson, Bruno Maffei, Andrei Korotkov, Damien Rambaud, A. Zullo, O. Rigaut, C. Perbost, Massimo Gervasi, Mark McCulloch, S. Marnieros, A. Baù, A. Lowitz, Giampaolo Pisano, D. Néel, G. Bordier, M. De Petris, P. Battaglia, N. Krachmalnicoff, L. Montier, A. Mennella, D. Cammilleri, O. Perdereau, Michele De Leo, Créidhe O'Sullivan, Cristian Franceschet, F. Incardona, D. Bennett, Peter A. R. Ade, D. Buzi, Victor Haynes, F. Couchot, F. Suarez, G. S. Tucker, N. Vittori, M. Tristram, D. Harari, Lucio Piccirillo, B. Bélier, Jean Kaplan, Sophie Henrot-Versille, S. Loucatos, Luca Lamagna, L. Dumoulin, Alessandro Paiella, Bruce Rafael Mellado Garcia, Alessandro Coppolecchia, F. Columbro, A. Tartari, D. Viganò, J. Brossard, Rocco D'Agostino, Andrew May, F. Pajot, Elia S. Battistelli, D. Gayer, L. Bergé, Silvia Masi, D. Burke, Marcin Gradziel, N. Holtzer, Gabriele Coppi, Steve Torchinsky, Giuseppe D'Alessandro, M. C. Medina, C. Chapron, A. Etchegoyen, Marco Bersanelli, Mario Zannoni, A. Pelosi, S. Scully, G. de Gasperis, Bigot-Sazy, J.-Ph. Bernard, A. Gault, S. Banfi, Vladimir V. Luković, Francesco Cavaliere, E. Bunn, D. Prêle, A. Murphy, F. Voisin, M. Stolpovskiy, Gustavo E. Romero, F. Del Torto, Y. Giraud-Héraud, P. de Bernardis, A. Schillaci, T. Decourcelle, Institut d'astrophysique spatiale (IAS), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre de Sciences Nucléaires et de Sciences de la Matière (CSNSM), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologie (IRAP), Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), AstroParticule et Cosmologie (APC (UMR_7164)), Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Observatoire de Paris, PSL Research University (PSL)-PSL Research University (PSL)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7), Laboratoire de l'Accélérateur Linéaire (LAL), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Paris (UP), Observatoire de Paris, PSL Research University (PSL)-PSL Research University (PSL)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Centre National d’Études Spatiales [Paris] (CNES), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Paris Cité (UPCité), Mennella, A, Ade, P, Aumont, J, Banfi, S, Incardona, F, Battaglia, P, Battistelli, E, Baù, A, Bélier, B, Bennett, D, Bergé, L, Bernard, J, Bersanelli, M, Bigot-Sazy, M, Bleurvacq, N, Bordier, G, Brossard, J, Bunn, E, Burke, D, Buzi, D, Buzzelli, A, Cammilleri, D, Cavaliere, F, Chanial, P, Chapron, C, Columbro, F, Coppi, G, Coppolecchia, A, Couchot, F, D'Agostino, R, D'Alessandro, G, De Bernardis, P, De Gasperis, G, De Leo, M, De Petris, M, Decourcelle, T, Del Torto, F, Dumoulin, L, Etchegoyen, A, Franceschet, C, Garcia, B, Gault, A, Gayer, D, Gervasi, M, Ghribi, A, Giard, M, Giraud-Héraud, Y, Gradziel, M, Grandsire, L, Hamilton, J, Harari, D, Haynes, V, Henrot-Versillé, S, Holtzer, N, Kaplan, J, Korotkov, A, Krachmalnicoff, N, Lamagna, L, Lande, J, Loucatos, S, Lowitz, A, Lukovic, V, Maffei, B, Marnieros, S, Martino, J, Masi, S, May, A, Mcculloch, M, Medina, M, Mele, L, Melhuish, S, Montier, L, Murphy, A, Néel, D, Ng, M, O'Sullivan, C, Paiella, A, Pajot, F, Passerini, A, Pelosi, A, Perbost, C, Perdereau, O, Piacentini, F, Piat, M, Piccirillo, L, Pisano, G, Prêle, D, Puddu, R, Rambaud, D, Rigaut, O, Romero, G, Salatino, M, Schillaci, A, Scully, S, Stolpovskiy, M, Suarez, F, Tartari, A, Timbie, P, Torchinsky, S, Tristram, M, Tucker, C, Tucker, G, Viganò, D, Vittori, N, Voisin, F, Watson, B, Zannoni, M, and Zullo, A
Subjects: cosmological model, interferometer, Cosmic microwave background, Cosmic background radiation, FOS: Physical sciences, 02 engineering and technology, cosmic background radiation, 01 natural sciences, 7. Clean energy, Cosmology, law.invention, 010309 optics, FIS/05 - ASTRONOMIA E ASTROFISICA, bolometer, law, 0103 physical sciences, Astronomical interferometer, [PHYS.PHYS.PHYS-INS-DET]Physics [physics]/Physics [physics]/Instrumentation and Detectors [physics.ins-det], Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics (astro-ph.IM), Astrophysics::Galaxy Astrophysics, Physics, polarization, Gravitational wave, Bolometer, Astrophysics::Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics, gravitational radiation: primordial, Cosmic Microwave Background, Polarimetry, Interferometry, Bolometers, Astronomy, 021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology, Polarization (waves), sensitivity, calibration, Interferometry, duality, 0210 nano-technology, Astrophysics - Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics
Abstract: In this paper we describe QUBIC, an experiment that takes up the challenge posed by the detection of primordial gravitational waves with a novel approach, that combines the sensitivity of state-of-the art bolometric detectors with the systematic effects control typical of interferometers. The so-called "self-calibration" is a technique deeply rooted in the interferometric nature of the instrument and allows us to clean the measured data from instrumental effects. The first module of QUBIC is a dual band instrument (150 GHz and 220 GHz) that will be deployed in Argentina during the Fall 2018., Presented at the EPS Conference on High Energy Physics, Venice (Italy), 5-12 July 2017 Accepted for publication in conference proceedings
Published: 2017
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29. Strong evidence for an accelerating Universe

Author: Nicola Vittorio, Balakrishna S. Haridasu, Vladimir V. Luković, and Rocco D'Agostino
Subjects: Physics, Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics (astro-ph.CO), COSMIC cancer database, 010308 nuclear & particles physics, FOS: Physical sciences, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Acceleration (differential geometry), Astrophysics::Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics, Astrophysics, astro-ph.CO, Joint analysis, 01 natural sciences, Cosmology, Supernova, Settore FIS/05 - Astronomia e Astrofisica, Space and Planetary Science, 0103 physical sciences, Baryon acoustic oscillations, Gamma-ray burst, 010303 astronomy & astrophysics, Astrophysics - Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics, Accelerating universe
Abstract: A recent analysis of the Supernova Ia data claims a 'marginal' ($\sim3\sigma$) evidence for a cosmic acceleration. This result has been complemented with a non-accelerating $R_{h}=ct$ cosmology, which was presented as a valid alternative to the $\Lambda$CDM model. In this paper, we use the same analysis to show that a non-marginal evidence for acceleration is actually found. We compare the standard Friedmann models to the $R_{h}=ct$ cosmology by complementing SN Ia data with the Baryon Acoustic Oscillations, Gamma Ray Bursts and Observational Hubble datasets. We also study the power-law model which is a functional generalisation of $R_{h}=ct$. We find that the evidence for late-time acceleration is beyond refutable at a 4.56$\sigma$ confidence level from SN Ia data alone, and at an even stronger confidence level ($5.38\sigma$) from our joint analysis. Also, the non-accelerating $R_{h}=ct$ model fails to statistically compare with the $\Lambda$CDM having a $\Delta(\text{AIC})\sim30$.
Published: 2017

30. Prevalence and determinants of preconception folic acid use: an Italian multicenter survey

Author: Valentina Allegri, Federica Ferrazzoli, Pierpaolo Mastroiacovo, Enrico Finale, Roy Miodini Nilsen, Paolo Ghirri, Emanuele Leoncini, Gioacchino Scarano, Francesca Faravelli, Rocco Agostino, and Paolo Gastaldi
Subjects: Adult, Pediatrics, medicine.medical_specialty, Folic acid, Cross-sectional study, Supplementation, Italy, Neural tube defects, Predictors, Pregnancy, Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health, Disease, Preconception Care, 03 medical and health sciences, 0302 clinical medicine, Surveys and Questionnaires, medicine, Prevalence, Humans, 030212 general & internal medicine, Neural Tube Defects, 030219 obstetrics & reproductive medicine, business.industry, Obstetrics, Research, Perinatology and Child Health, medicine.disease, Folic acid supplementation, Preconception health, Cross-Sectional Studies, Multicenter survey, Dietary Supplements, Female, business
Abstract: Background: Women in many countries are advised to use folic acid supplements before and early during pregnancy to reduce the risk of neural tube defects in their infants. This study aimed to update the prevalence and to identify possible determinants of preconception folic acid supplement use in Italian women. Methods: The study was based on cross-sectional data from seven maternity clinics located in six Italian regions from January to June, 2012. Data on maternal characteristics and supplement use were collected for 2,189 women using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Preconception folic acid use was reported by 23.5 % (n = 515) of the participants. Of these, 479 (93 %) women had taken folic acid supplements on a daily basis as recommended by the health authorities. Women who both had intended their pregnancy and had requested a preconception health visit to a doctor/gynecologist were substantially more likely than the reference group to initiate folic acid supplementation before their pregnancy (48.6 versus 4.8 %). Preconception folic acid use was also associated with higher maternal age, higher education, marriage/cohabitation, lower parity, infertility treatments, and chronic disease. Conclusions: Data from seven maternity clinics located in six Italian regions indicate that preconception folic acid supplement use in many Italian women is low. Women who do not plan their pregnancy or do not request a preconception health visit to their doctor have among the lowest prevalence of preconception folic acid use. Improving folate status in these and other supplemental non-users may have important disease preventive effects. publishedVersion
Published: 2016

31. Exploring the Role of Different Neonatal Nutrition Regimens during the First Week of Life by Urinary GC-MS Metabolomics

Author: Vassilios Fanos, Andrea Schirru, Pierluigi Caboni, Maria Grazia Pattumelli, Antonio Murgia, Rocco Agostino, Paola Scano, and Angelica Dessì
Subjects: 0301 basic medicine, myo-inositol, breastfeeding, Metabolite, Intrauterine growth restriction, Urine, lcsh:Chemistry, chemistry.chemical_compound, 0302 clinical medicine, IUGR, formula milk, metabonomics, LGA, AGA, glycine, pseudouridine, Medicine, 030212 general & internal medicine, lcsh:QH301-705.5, Spectroscopy, Fetal Growth Retardation, Gestational age, General Medicine, Computer Science Applications, Breast Feeding, Population study, medicine.medical_specialty, Breast milk, Catalysis, Article, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Inorganic Chemistry, Excretion, 03 medical and health sciences, Internal medicine, Humans, Metabolomics, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Molecular Biology, business.industry, Organic Chemistry, Infant, Newborn, Overweight, medicine.disease, Bottle Feeding, 030104 developmental biology, Endocrinology, chemistry, lcsh:Biology (General), lcsh:QD1-999, business, Breast feeding
Abstract: In this study, a gas-chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) metabolomics study was applied to examine urine metabolite profiles of different classes of neonates under different nutrition regimens. The study population included 35 neonates, exclusively either breastfed or formula milk fed, in a seven-day timeframe. Urine samples were collected from intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), large for gestational age (LGA), and appropriate gestational age (AGA) neonates. At birth, IUGR and LGA neonates showed similarities in their urine metabolite profiles that differed from AGA. When neonates started milk feeding, their metabolite excretion profile was strongly characterized by the different diet regimens. After three days of formula milk nutrition, urine had higher levels of glucose, galactose, glycine and myo-inositol, while up-regulated aconitic acid, aminomalonic acid and adipic acid were found in breast milk fed neonates. At seven days, neonates fed with formula milk shared higher levels of pseudouridine with IUGR and LGA at birth. Breastfed neonates shared up-regulated pyroglutamic acid, citric acid, and homoserine, with AGA at birth. The role of most important metabolites is herein discussed.
Published: 2016

32. Is synchronised NIPPV more effective than NIPPV and NCPAP in treating apnoea of prematurity (AOP)? A randomised cross-over trial

Author: Maristella Campelli, Valentina Panetta, F. Montecchia, Corrado Moretti, Chiara Castellano, Paola Papoff, Chiara Mariani, Camilla Gizzi, and Rocco Agostino
Subjects: Male, Respiratory rate, Apnea, medicine.medical_treatment, Infant, Premature, Diseases, NCPAP, apnoea, desaturation, preterm infants, synchronized NIPPV, Intermittent Positive-Pressure Ventilation, law.invention, Positive-Pressure Respiration, Randomized controlled trial, law, Heart rate, Bradycardia, Humans, Medicine, Continuous positive airway pressure, Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn, Cross-Over Studies, Noninvasive Ventilation, business.industry, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gestational age, Cardiorespiratory fitness, General Medicine, Crossover study, Anesthesia, Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health, Breathing, Female, business, Infant, Premature
Abstract: Apnoea, desaturations and bradycardias are common problems in preterm infants which can be treated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) and nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV). It is unclear whether synchronised NIPPV (SNIPPV) would be even more effective.To assess the effects of flow-SNIPPV, NIPPV and NCPAP on the rate of desaturations and bradycardias in preterm infants and, secondarily, to evaluate their influence on pattern of breathing and gas exchange.Nineteen infants (mean gestational age at study 30 weeks, 9 boys) with apnoeic spells were enrolled in a randomised controlled trial with a cross-over design. They received flow-SNIPPV, NIPPV and NCPAP for 4 h each. All modes were provided by a nasal conventional ventilator able to provide synchronisation by a pneumotachograph. The primary outcome was the event rate of desaturations (≤80% arterial oxygen saturation) and bradycardias (≤80 bpm) per hour, obtained from cardiorespiratory recordings. The incidence of central apnoeas (≥10 s) as well as baseline heart rate, FiO2, SpO2, transcutaneous blood gases and respiratory rate were also evaluated.The median event rate per hour during flow-SNIPPV, NIPPV and NCPAP was 2.9, 6.1 and 5.9, respectively (p0.001 and 0.009, compared with flow-SNIPPV). Central apnoeas per hour were 2.4, 6.3 and 5.4, respectively (p=0.001, for both compared with flow-SNIPPV), while no differences in any other parameter studied were recorded.Flow-SNIPPV seems more effective than NIPPV and NCPAP in reducing the incidence of desaturations, bradycardias and central apnoea episodes in preterm infants.
Published: 2015

33. Preterm infants with severe extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) are at high risk of growth impairment during childhood

Author: Claudio Giacomozzi, Stefano Cianfarani, C De Marchis, Valentina Pampanini, R. Navas, Rocco Agostino, Paolo Ghirri, F. Dini, and A. Boiani
Subjects: Male, Pediatrics, medicine.medical_specialty, Risk Factors, medicine, Humans, Child, Growth Disorders, Retrospective Studies, Settore MED/38 - Pediatria Generale e Specialistica, Fetal Growth Retardation, business.industry, Body Weight, Postmenstrual Age, Retrospective cohort study, Infant, Low Birth Weight, Anthropometry, medicine.disease, Body Height, Low birth weight, Child, Preschool, Infant, Small for Gestational Age, Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health, Cohort, Gestation, Small for gestational age, Population study, Female, medicine.symptom, business, Infant, Premature
Abstract: Extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) seriously affects premature newborns and is related to the impairment of growth during childhood. There are very limited data available concerning the growth outcome of EUGR children. Our aim was to assess the growth outcome in a cohort of children born before 34 weeks of gestation with severe EUGR. This was a retrospective multicenter study, performed in outpatient endocrinology clinic. A total of 103 premature children with weight and/or length below −2 standard deviation score (SDS) of “intrauterine” growth expectation at the time of discharge from hospital (within 42 weeks of postmenstrual age) were included in the study. The study participants underwent a thorough anthropometric assessment at a mean age of 3.9 years ± 1.7 SD. Of the EUGR children, 12.6 % showed a height below −2 SDS and 7.7 % even below −2.5 SDS. Growth impairment was more common in males than in females (17 vs. 8 %). The prevalence of subnormal weight (below −2 SDS) was 13.6 %, being higher in males than in females (17 vs. 10 %). BMI values below −2 SDS were found in 18.4 % of our study population (22.7 % in males and 12 % in females). The 19.6 % of EUGR children did not catch up in head circumference during early childhood. Length at term was the major predictor of height in childhood (P
Published: 2014

34. Flow-Synchronized Nasal Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation for Infants <32 Weeks' Gestation with Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Author: Valentina Panetta, I. Giordano, C. Moretti, C. Gizzi, C. S. Barbara, Rocco Agostino, L. Massenzi, P. Papoff, and M. Campelli
Subjects: Mechanical ventilation, Pediatrics, medicine.medical_specialty, Respiratory distress, Article Subject, Maintenance dose, business.industry, Incidence (epidemiology), medicine.medical_treatment, Postmenstrual Age, lcsh:Medical emergencies. Critical care. Intensive care. First aid, lcsh:RC86-88.9, Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine, medicine.disease, Intermittent positive pressure ventilation, Respiratory acidosis, medicine, Clinical Study, Gestation, business
Abstract: Aim. To evaluate whether synchronized-NIPPV (SNIPPV) used after the INSURE procedure can reduce mechanical ventilation (MV) need in preterm infants with RDS more effectively than NCPAP and to compare the clinical course and the incidence of short-term outcomes of infants managed with SNIPPV or NCPAP.Methods. Chart data of inborn infants 2need >0.4, respiratory acidosis, or intractable apnoea that occurred within 72 hours of surfactant administration.Results. Eleven out of 31 (35.5%) infants in the NCPAP group and 2 out of 33 (6.1%) infants in the SNIPPV group failed the INSURE approach and underwent MV (). Fewer infants in the INSURE/SNIPPV group needed a second dose of surfactant, a high caffeine maintenance dose, and pharmacological treatment for PDA. Differences in O2dependency at 28 days and 36 weeks of postmenstrual age were at the limit of significance in favor of SNIPPV treated infants.Conclusions. SNIPPV use after INSURE technique in our NICU reduced MV need and favorably affected short-term morbidities of our premature infants.
Published: 2012

35. Fast bedside measurement of blood count and C-reactive protein in newborns compared with conventional methods

Author: M. Cortesi, Fabrizio Papa, M.B. Majolini, Maria Letizia Notarmuzi, M. Cicchese, Cinzia Vaccarella, Giancarlo M. Liumbruno, Mauro Rongioletti, Rocco Agostino, Patrizio Pasqualetti, and V. Collegiani
Subjects: education.field_of_study, medicine.medical_specialty, Pathology, Neonatal sepsis, medicine.diagnostic_test, Anemia, business.industry, Population, Complete blood count, Venous blood, Hematocrit, medicine.disease, Gastroenterology, General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology, C-reactive protein, Hematology analyser, Neonatal infection, Point of care, medicine.anatomical_structure, White blood cell, Internal medicine, medicine, education, business, Mean corpuscular volume
Abstract: BACKGROUND Abnormal complete blood count (CBC) and high plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with neonatal infections and could be helpful in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis and to monitor the antibiotic treatment. OBJECTIVES The aim of this work is to evaluate and compare the performance of a bedside analyzer for blood count and C-reactive protein (CRP) with a conventional analyzer in a neonatal population. METHODS 150 capillary or venous blood samples of term and preterm newborns were processed on an ABX-MicrosCRP200 analyzer and on a SysmexXE2100 (conventional hematology analyzer) for CBC, leukocyte differential, reticulocytes, and nucleated red blood cells (NRBC); high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) was performed on a ModularPE. The differences between complete blood count and CRP were regressed against their means and assessed by means of intra-class-correlation. RESULTS The intra-class-correlation for white blood cell (WBC) was 0.98, for hemoglobin 0.97, for hematocrit 0.96, for mean corpuscular volume 0.95, and for platelet 0.98. ABX-MicrosCRP200 overestimated the WBC (+1.27 x 10(3)/microL; p < 0.001), hematocrit (+1.80%; p < 0.001), and platelet (+13.55 x 10(3)/microL; p < 0.001). The intra-class-correlation for CRP was high (0.97), without systematic difference between the two values (p = 0.64). CONCLUSIONS The agreement between the two methods was high for both tests. However, the SD of the difference for WBC and platelet could be clinically important in leukopenic or thrombocytopenic newborns.
Published: 2012

36. PIVKA-II plasma levels as markers of subclinical vitamin K deficiency in term infants

Author: Andrea Pietravalle, F Dituri, Rocco Agostino, M. Cortesi, M.L. Tataranno, Patrizio Pasqualetti, F Naddeo, and Giuseppe Buonocore
Subjects: Vitamin, medicine.medical_specialty, Time Factors, Vitamin K, Term Birth, Vitamin k, Placebo, chemistry.chemical_compound, Internal medicine, Vitamin K deficiency, Humans, Medicine, Protein Precursors, PIVKA, Subclinical infection, Prothrombin time, Clotting factor, medicine.diagnostic_test, business.industry, Prophylaxis, Infant, Newborn, Infant, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Plasma levels, Fetal Blood, medicine.disease, Early Diagnosis, Endocrinology, chemistry, Asymptomatic Diseases, Dietary Supplements, Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health, Prothrombin Time, Prothrombin, business, Biomarkers
Abstract: As the vitamin K content of human milk is low and the newborn infant's stores of vitamin K are small, vitamin K deficiency with hemorrhage in the newborn is a worldwide problem. Proteins Induced by Vitamin K Absence (PIVKA-II) are the inactive under-γ-carboxylated forms of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors and they could be useful in predicting subclinical vitamin K deficiency (VKD).To demonstrate that PIVKA-II are earlier markers of subclinical VKD than Prothrombin time (PT) in exclusively breast-fed newborns.A prospective, controlled, randomized study, including 53 term newborns receiving vitamin K prophylaxis (0.5 mg i.m.) at birth, was performed. At 30 days newborns were divided into three groups (G) receiving respectively: 25 μg/die of vitamin K (G I), 12 μg/die (G II) or placebo (G III). PIVKA-II and PT were measured on 30th and 90th days of life.G III and GII showed a significant increase in PIVKA-II from 30 to 90 days of life respectively from 2.6 to 4.7 (p = 0.001) and from 2.3 to 3.5 (p0.001). No significant changes were found in GI. PT showed no significant changes among groups.PT is a less sensitive marker than PIVKA II. Oral supplementation with 25 μg/die avoids an increase of PIVKA-II. Despite increased PIVKA-II do not mean an impending occurrence of bleeding, they highlight a subclinical VKD and its relative risk.
Published: 2012

37. Voluntary, spontaneous, and reflex blinking in Parkinson's disease

Author: Alfredo Berardelli, Loredana Dinapoli, Neri Accornero, Matteo Bologna, Rocco Agostino, Giovanni Fabbrini, and Bruno Gregori
Subjects: Male, Volition, medicine.medical_specialty, Parkinson's disease, genetic structures, Audiology, Antiparkinson Agents, Levodopa, Central nervous system disease, Reference Values, Reaction Time, medicine, Humans, In patient, Corneal reflex, Aged, Blinking, Dopaminergic, Parkinson Disease, Middle Aged, Supraorbital nerve, medicine.disease, Electric Stimulation, Biomechanical Phenomena, medicine.anatomical_structure, Neurology, blink, movement control, parkinson's disease, Reflex, Female, Neurology (clinical), Eyelid, Psychology, Neuroscience
Abstract: Blinking, a motor act consisting of a closing and an opening eyelid movement, can be performed voluntarily, spontaneously, and reflexly. In this study we investigated the kinematic features of voluntary, spontaneous, and reflex blinking in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), OFF and ON dopaminergic treatment. Patients were asked to blink voluntarily as fast as possible. Spontaneous blinking was recorded for a minute during which the subjects just relaxed. Reflex blinking was evoked by electrical stimulation on the supraorbital nerve. Eyelid movements were recorded with the SMART analyzer motion system. Patients OFF therapy paused longer than controls during voluntary blinking but not during spontaneous and reflex blinking. The blink rate tended to be lower in patients OFF therapy than in controls and the spontaneous blinking had abnormally low amplitude and peak velocity. Finally, in patients OFF therapy the excitability of the neural circuit mediating the closing phase of the reflex blinking was enhanced. Dopaminergic treatment shortened the pause during voluntary blinking and increased the blink rate. In PD patients the longer pauses between the closing and opening phase in comparison to normal subjects, suggest bradykinesia of voluntary blinking. PD patients also display kinematic abnormalities of spontaneous blinking and changes in the excitability of the closing phase of reflex blinking.
Published: 2008

38. Ipsilateral sequential arm movements after unilateral subthalamic deep-brain stimulation in patients with Parkinson's disease

Author: Ennio Iezzi, Pantaleo Romanelli, Alfredo Berardelli, Vincenzo Esposito, Loredana Dinapoli, Rocco Agostino, Bruno Gregori, and Nicola Modugno
Subjects: Male, medicine.medical_specialty, Deep brain stimulation, Parkinson's disease, medicine.medical_treatment, Deep Brain Stimulation, Movement, Central nervous system, Thalamus, Statistics as Topic, Severity of Illness Index, Functional Laterality, Central nervous system disease, Degenerative disease, Physical medicine and rehabilitation, Subthalamic Nucleus, Basal ganglia, medicine, Reaction Time, Humans, Aged, Analysis of Variance, Parkinson Disease, Middle Aged, medicine.disease, nervous system diseases, Surgery, Biomechanical Phenomena, Subthalamic nucleus, surgical procedures, operative, medicine.anatomical_structure, nervous system, Neurology, Arm, Female, Neurology (clinical), deep brain stimulation, parkinson's disease, sequential arm movements, subthalamic nucleus, Psychology, therapeutics
Abstract: Unilateral STN-DBS significantly improves the performance of contralateral sequential arm movements. Whether unilateral STN-DBS also improves ipsilateral sequential movement is unclear. In this study in unmedicated parkinsonian patients, we tested the effect of unilateral STN-DBS on the performance of ipsilateral sequential movements and compared it with the performance of contralateral sequential movements. Three-dimensional movements were recorded with the ELITE system and three kinematic variables were considered: total movement time (TMT), total inter-onset latency (IOL), and spatial accuracy. Unilateral STN-DBS significantly decreased TMT in the contralateral arm and only tended to do so also in the ipsilateral arm, whereas it significantly decreased IOL and worsened spatial accuracy only on the contralateral side. Before unilateral STN-DBS a positive correlation was present between the clinical impairment and the TMTs in the contralateral and ipsilateral sides. After unilateral STN-DBS the UPDRS scores improved in the contralateral and to a lesser extent also in the ipsilateral side. Correlation analysis between clinical and kinematic data showed no differences between the contralateral and ipsilateral sides. Our kinematic findings show that after STN-DBS parkinsonian patients' performance of a sequential motor task improves significantly on the contralateral but only tended to do so on the ipsilateral side. Ipsilateral changes can be explained by the observation that the output structures of the basal ganglia send large ipsilateral and less dense contralateral projections to the thalamus.
Published: 2008

39. Neither simple nor sequential arm movements are bradykinetic in parkinsonian patients with peak-dose dyskinesias

Author: Rocco Agostino, Nicola Modugno, Sergio Bagnato, Alfredo Berardelli, and Loredana Dinapoli
Subjects: Male, Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced, medicine.medical_specialty, Levodopa, Parkinson's disease, Movement, Hypokinesia, Neurological disorder, Antiparkinson Agents, Central nervous system disease, Physical medicine and rehabilitation, Physiology (medical), Motor system, medicine, Humans, Aged, voluntary movement, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Parkinson Disease, Body movement, Middle Aged, medicine.disease, Sensory Systems, Biomechanical Phenomena, nervous system diseases, bradykinesia, dyskinesias, motor system, parkinson's disease, Neurology, Dyskinesia, Arm, Female, Neurology (clinical), medicine.symptom, Off Treatment, Psychology, Neuroscience, Psychomotor Performance, medicine.drug
Abstract: Objective To find out whether parkinsonian patients with levodopa-induced peak-dose dyskinesias are bradykinetic. Methods The performance of a sequential internally determined arm movement and a simple externally triggered arm movement was studied in a group of dyskinetic parkinsonian patients during their best clinical condition and when they were OFF treatment. Patients' performance was compared with that of an age-matched control group. Movements in the three-dimensional space were recorded by the ELITE motion analysis system. Kinematic variables analysed for the sequential motor task were total movement duration and total pause duration; for the simple motor task, movement duration and reaction time; and for both tasks, movement inaccuracy. Results When patients were OFF therapy they performed sequential and simple movement tasks slower than healthy subjects whereas when they were dyskinetic they did not. During the sequential task, when the patients were dyskinetic total pause duration shortened and movement inaccuracy increased. Conclusions Our kinematic finding indicates that parkinsonian patients' with peak-dose dyskinesias are not bradykinetic. Significance Parkinsonian patients with peak-dose dyskinesias are not bradykinetic, probably because dopamine at peak doses functionally normalizes the mechanisms controlling movement speed.
Published: 2005

40. Prolonged practice is of scarce benefit in improving motor performance in Parkinson's disease

Author: Rocco, Agostino, Antonio, Currà, Giampiero, Soldati, Loredana, Dinapoli, Luigi, Chiacchiari, Nicola, Modugno, Francesco, Pierelli, and Alfredo, Berardelli
Subjects: Male, Retention, Psychology, Parkinson Disease, bradykinesia, kinematics, motor learning, parkinson's disease, practice, Hypokinesia, Middle Aged, Basal Ganglia, Biomechanical Phenomena, Treatment Outcome, Practice, Psychological, Cerebellum, Reaction Time, Humans, Female, Psychomotor Performance, Aged
Abstract: Many studies have addressed practice effects in motor sequences in Parkinson's disease (PD). Most studied short-term practice and showed that treated patients with mild-to-moderate disease achieve normal or slightly abnormal improvement. Less attention has focused on practice effects after prolonged training (days), and the results are inconclusive. Here, we studied the kinematic changes induced by prolonged practice in a group of medicated patients with mild-to-moderate PD and a healthy control group. We did so by analyzing an internally determined sequential arm movement performed as fast and accurately as possible before and after a 2-week training period. After 1-day's practice, movement duration, pause duration, and movement accuracy improved similarly in patients and controls, indicating that patients benefitted normally from short-term practice. After 1-week's practice, movement and pause duration improved further in both groups, whereas movement accuracy remained unchanged. After 2-weeks' practice, healthy controls continued to improve but patients did not, indicating reduced prolonged practice benefit in PD. Because short-term practice benefit on motor performance is thought to be mediated predominantly by cerebellar activation, whereas long-term practice benefit relies predominantly on the basal ganglia, we attribute our findings to the underlying basal ganglia dysfunction in PD. Our study may be relevant for planning and executing rehabilitation programs in these patients.
Published: 2004

41. Conduction velocity of the human spinothalamic tract as assessed by laser evoked potentials

Author: Antonietta Romaniello, Rocco Agostino, Gian Domenico Iannetti, M. Manfredi, Andrea Truini, and Giorgio Cruccu
Subjects: Adult, Male, Pain Threshold, Spinothalamic tract, Hot Temperature, Spinothalamic Tracts, Laser-Evoked Potentials, mechano-thermal nociceptors, Central nervous system, evoked potentials, Neural Conduction, Pain, Sensory system, Nerve conduction velocity, methods, somatosensory, conduction velocity, spinothalamic tract, adult, adverse effects/diagnostic use, co2 laser, cytology/physiology, female, hot temperature, humans, lasers, male, middle aged, neural conduction, nociceptors, pain, pain threshold, pathology/physiopathology, physical stimulation, physiology, posterior horn cells, spinothalamic tracts, thermosensing, Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory, Physical Stimulation, medicine, Humans, Thermosensing, Evoked potential, Chemistry, Lasers, General Neuroscience, Nociceptors, Anatomy, Middle Aged, Spinal cord, Posterior Horn Cells, Electrophysiology, medicine.anatomical_structure, Female
Abstract: To study the conduction velocity of the spinothalamic tract (STT) we delivered CO2 laser pulses, evoking pinprick sensations, to the skin overlying the vertebral spinous processes at different spinal levels from C5 to T10 and recorded evoked potentials (LEPs) in 15 healthy human subjects. These stimuli yielded large-amplitude vertex potentials consisting of a negative wave at a peak latency of about 200 ms followed by a positive wave at a peak latency of about 300 ms. The mean conduction velocity of the STT was 21 m/s, i.e. higher than the reported velocity of the corresponding primary sensory neurons (type II AMH). Because dorsal stimulation readily yields reproducible brain LEPs, we expect this technique to be useful as a diagnostic tool for assessing the level of spinal cord lesions. NeuroReport 11:3029-3032 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Published: 2000

42. Topographical distribution of pinprick and warmth thresholds to CO2 laser stimulation on the human skin

Author: Antonietta Romaniello, Andrea Truini, Rocco Agostino, Giorgio Cruccu, M. Manfredi, and Gian Domenico Iannetti
Subjects: skin, sensory thresholds, physical stimulation, hot temperature, laser threshold, Stimulation, Human skin, Stimulus (physiology), male, Sensory threshold, Sensation, a delta nociceptors, humans, adult, aδ nociceptors, carbon dioxide, female, free nerve endings, innervation, lasers, physiology, pinprick sensation, sensory receptor cells, warm sensation, warmth receptors, Chemistry, General Neuroscience, Anatomy, Nociception, Nociceptor, Free nerve ending, psychological phenomena and processes
Abstract: We studied the topographical distribution of laser sensory thresholds on the human hairy skin, using a small laser beam for pinprick and a large beam for warmth sensations. The threshold for pinprick sensation correlated positively with the distance from the brain, suggesting that A delta nociceptors, the fibers which convey pinprick sensation, are more dense at proximal than at distal body sites. This finding adds information to skin biopsy studies of epidermal free nerve endings which showed a similar gradient, but could not differentiate small myelinated from unmyelinated fiber afferents. Possibly because of a diffuse low density of warmth receptors, laser warmth thresholds showed no trend. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Published: 2000
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43. Corrections to general relativity with higher-order invariants and cosmological applications.

Author: Bajardi, Francesco and D'Agostino, Rocco
Subjects: MONTE Carlo method, GENERAL relativity (Physics), COSMOLOGICAL constant, ACCELERATION (Mechanics), PHYSICAL cosmology
Abstract: In this paper, we review the main features of modified theories of gravity containing higher-order curvature invariants in the action. After summarizing the main features of these theories, we consider their applications to cosmology, pointing out the differences with respect to general relativity that can eventually solve issues exhibited by the latter at low and high energy scales. Specifically, we explore a gravitational action that incorporates both the Ricci scalar R and the topological Gauss–Bonnet term, denoted as . Our investigation revolves around the cosmological properties of a specific category of modified gravity theories, chosen upon symmetry considerations. Within the framework of a spatially flat, homogeneous and isotropic cosmic background, we demonstrate that it is possible to account for the presently observed acceleration of the Universe by means of the extra geometric terms carried by the selected f (R ,) model. This approach offers a way to address the issues associated with the cosmological constant. To achieve this, we first examine the energy conditions and find that, under certain choices for the values of the cosmographic parameters, these conditions are all violated. In the second part of the work, to assess the feasibility of the selected f (R ,) model, we place observational constraints on its free parameters through a Bayesian Monte Carlo technique applied to late-time cosmic data. Our findings reveal that the f (R ,) model can effectively reproduce observations at low redshifts, providing an alternative to the standard Λ CDM scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Published: 2024
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44. Recovery cycle of the masseter inhibitory reflex in man

Author: Rocco Agostino, M. Fornarelli, Giorgio Cruccu, Maurizio Inghilleri, and M. Manfredi
Subjects: Adult, electromyogram, inhibitory reflexes, masseter, paired shock technique, recovery curves, silent period, trigeminal nerve, Chin, Mandibular Nerve, Facial Muscles, Stimulation, Inhibitory postsynaptic potential, Conditioning, Psychological, Reflex, Reaction Time, Humans, Corneal reflex, Trigeminal nerve, Blinking, Electromyography, Masseter Muscle, General Neuroscience, Neural Inhibition, Mental nerve, Anesthesia, Masticatory Muscles, Silent period, Psychology, Jaw jerk reflex
Abstract: The masseter inhibitory reflex from stimulation of the mental nerve has been recorded electromyographically in 10 healthy subjects. The recovery cycle of the two silent periods interrupting the tonic contraction of the masseter muscles have been studied with the paired shock technique. There was a clear dissociation between the recovery of early and late inhibition, the latter being far more affected by a preceding impulse. It is concluded that the two silent periods are mediated by separate neural nets. The differences with the recovery curves of the two components of the blink reflex are discussed.
Published: 1984

45. Phase-space analysis in non-minimal symmetric-teleparallel dark energy.

Author: Carloni, Youri and Luongo, Orlando
Subjects: PHASE space, DARK energy, COUPLING constants, SCALAR field theory, EQUATIONS of state, POWER law (Mathematics)
Abstract: We modify the symmetric-teleparallel dark energy through the addition of a further Yukawa-like term, in which the non-metricity scalar, Q, is non-minimally coupled to a scalar field Lagrangian where the phion acts as quintessence, describing dark energy. We investigate regions of stability and find late-time attractors. To do so, we conduct a stability analysis for different types of physical potentials describing dark energy, namely the power-law, inverse power-law, and exponential potentials. Within these choices, we furthermore single out particular limiting cases, such as the constant, linear and inverse potentials. For all the considered scenarios, regions of stability are calculated in terms of the signs of the coupling constant and the exponent, revealing a clear degeneracy among coefficients necessary to ensure stability. We find that a generic power-law potential with α > 0 is not suitable as a non-minimal quintessence potential and we put severe limits on the use of inverse potential, as well. In addition, the equations of state of each potential have been also computed. We find the constant potential seems to be favored than other treatments, since the critical point appears independent of the non-minimal coupling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Published: 2024
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46. Testing Yukawa cosmology at the Milky Way and M31 galactic scales.

Author: D'Agostino, Rocco, Jusufi, Kimet, and Capozziello, Salvatore
Subjects: MILKY Way, ROTATION of galaxies, PHYSICAL cosmology, MONTE Carlo method, QUANTUM mechanics, GALACTIC halos
Abstract: We address the galaxy rotation curves through the Yukawa gravitational potential emerging as a correction of the Newtonian potential in extended theories of gravity. On the one hand, we consider the contribution of the galactic bulge, galactic disk, and the dark matter halo of the Navarro–Frenk–White profile, in the framework of the standard Λ CDM model. On the other hand, we use modified Yukawa gravity to show that the rotational velocity of galaxies can be addressed successfully without the need for dark matter. In Yukawa gravity, we recover MOND and show that dark matter might be seen as an apparent effect due to the modification of the law of gravitation in terms of two parameters: the coupling constant α and the characteristic length λ . We thus test our theoretical scenario using the Milky Way and M31 rotation velocity curves. In particular, we place observational constraints on the free parameters of Yukawa cosmology through the Monte Carlo method and then compare our results with the predictions of the Λ CDM paradigm by making use of Bayesian information criteria. Specifically, we find that λ is constrained to be of the order of kpc, while cosmological data suggest λ of the order of Gpc. To explain this discrepancy, we argue that there is a fundamental limitation in measuring λ due to the role of quantum mechanics on cosmological scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Published: 2024
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47. Addressing the circularity problem in the E p − E iso correlation of gamma-ray bursts.

Author: Amati, Lorenzo, D'Agostino, Rocco, Luongo, Orlando, Muccino, Marco, and Tantalo, Maria
Subjects: GAMMA ray bursts, MARKOV chain Monte Carlo, DARK energy, BERNSTEIN polynomials, PARAMETRIC equations
Abstract: We here propose a new model-independent technique to overcome the circularity problem affecting the use of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) as distance indicators through the use of E p−Eiso correlation. We calibrate the E p −E iso correlation and find the GRB distance moduli that can be used to constrain dark energy models. We use observational Hubble data to approximate the cosmic evolution through Bézier parametric curve obtained through the linear combination of Bernstein basis polynomials. In doing so, we build up a new data set consisting of 193 GRB distance moduli. We combine this sample with the supernova JLA data set to test the standard ΛCDM model and its w CDM extension. We place observational constraints on the cosmological parameters through Markov Chain Monte Carlo numerical technique. Moreover, we compare the theoretical scenarios by performing the Akaike and Deviance Information statistical criteria.the 2σ level, while for the w CDM model we obtain |$\Omega _m=0.34^{+0.13}_{-0.15}$| and |$w=-0.86^{+0.36}_{-0.38}$| at the 2σ level. Our analysis suggests that ΛCDM model is statistically favoured over the w CDM scenario. No evidence for extension of the ΛCDM model is found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Published: 2019
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48. The role of the boundary term in f(Q, B) symmetric teleparallel gravity.

Author: Capozziello, Salvatore, De Falco, Vittorio, and Ferrara, Carmen
Abstract: In the framework of metric-affine gravity, we consider the role of the boundary term in Symmetric Teleparallel Gravity assuming f(Q, B) models where f is a smooth function of the non-metricity scalar Q and the related boundary term B. Starting from a variational approach, we derive the field equations and compare them with respect to those of f(Q) gravity in the limit of B → 0 . It is possible to show that f (Q , B) = f (Q - B) models are dynamically equivalent to f(R) gravity as in the case of teleparallel f (B ~ - T) gravity (where B ≠ B ~ ). Furthermore, conservation laws are derived. In this perspective, considering boundary terms in f(Q) gravity represents the last ingredient towards the Extended Geometric Trinity of Gravity, where f(R), f (T , B ~) , and f(Q, B) can be dealt under the same standard. In this perspective, we discuss also the Gibbons–Hawking–York boundary term of General Relativity comparing it with B in f(Q, B) gravity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Published: 2023
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49. Exploring departures from Schwarzschild black hole in f(R) gravity.

Author: De Falco, Vittorio, Bajardi, Francesco, D'Agostino, Rocco, Benetti, Micol, and Capozziello, Salvatore
Subjects: SCHWARZSCHILD black holes, GRAVITY, GENERAL relativity (Physics), ELECTROMAGNETIC forces, BLACK holes
Abstract: Different astrophysical methods can be combined to detect possible deviations from General Relativity. In this work, we consider a class of f(R) gravity models selected by the existence of Noether symmetries. In this framework, it is possible to determine a set of static and spherically symmetric black hole solutions, encompassing small departures from the Schwarzschild geometry. In particular, when gravity is the only dominating interaction, we exploit the ray-tracing technique to reconstruct the image of a black hole, the epicyclic frequencies, and the black hole shadow profile. Moreover, when matter dynamics is also affected by an electromagnetic radiation force, we take into account the general relativistic Poynting–Robertson effect. In light of the obtained results, the proposed strategy results to be robust and efficient: on the one hand, it allows to investigate gravity from strong to weak field regimes; on the other hand, it is capable of detecting small departures from General Relativity, depending on the current observational sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Published: 2023
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50. Voluntary, spontaneous and reflex blinking in patients with clinically probable progressive supranuclear palsy.

Author: Matteo Bologna, Rocco Agostino, Bruno Gregori, Daniele Belvisi, Donatella Ottaviani, Carlo Colosimo, Giovanni Fabbrini, and Alfredo Berardelli
Subjects: *EYE movement disorders, *PROGRESSIVE supranuclear palsy, *ABNORMAL reflexes, *EVOKED potentials (Electrophysiology), *BRAIN stem, *BRAIN degeneration, *PATIENTS
Abstract: Patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) often have blinking abnormalities. In this study we examined the kinematic features of voluntary, spontaneous and reflex blinking in 11 patients with PSP and healthy control subjects. Patients were asked to blink voluntarily as fast as possible; spontaneous blinking was recorded during two 60 s rest periods; reflex blinking was evoked by electrical stimulation of the supraorbital nerve. Eyelid movements were recorded with the SMART analyzer motion system. During voluntary blinking the closing and opening phases lasted longer in patients than in healthy subjects. Furthermore, the peak velocity of the closing phase of voluntary blinking was lower in patients than healthy subjects. During spontaneous blinking the blink rate was markedly lower in patients than in control subjects. Patients recordings also showed kinematic abnormalities of spontaneous (reduced peak velocity of both closing and opening phases) and reflex (reduced peak velocity and increased duration of the opening phase) blinking. Recordings during reflex blinking disclosed an enhanced excitability of the interneuronal pool mediating the closing and opening blink phases. Finally, the pause, a neurophysiological marker of the switching processes between the closing and opening phases, was prolonged in all the three types of blinking. The abnormal kinematic variables correlated with patientsâ clinical and kinematic features. Abnormal voluntary, spontaneous and reflex blinking in patients with PSP reflects the widespread cortical, subcortical and brainstem degeneration related to this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Published: 2009

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