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Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and Total Chromium (Cr) in surface waters are polluting factors that can directly or indirectly affect human and animal health. These are conjunctly used in several manufacturing activities such as electroplating, stainless steel welding, leather tanning and the production of electronic components. In this paper we present a study based on the use of the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) statistical technique to explore emission sources of PFAS and Cr in surface water samples taken from a polluted area in Northern Italy. It has been found that the discriminant factor is the link between PFBS and Cr. It is due to electroplating, and stainless steel welding activities. No other links were found between Cr and other PFAS. This information is important both for risk assessment and forensic activities. more...

A crescente integração da tecnologia em nossas vidas criou volumes sem precedentes de dados sobre o comportamento cotidiano da sociedade. Esses dados abrem novas oportunidades para se trabalhar em direção a um entendimento quantitativo dos sistemas sociais complexos, no âmbito de uma nova disciplina conhecida como Ciência Social Computacional. Num contexto de crises financeiras, revoltas e epidemias internacionais, fica clara a urgente necessidade de maior compreensão da complexidade da sociedade global interconectada, bem como da capacidade de se aplicar tais conhecimentos às formulações de políticas. Este manifesto descreve os objetivos dessa nova direção científica, considerando os desafios envolvidos, e os amplos impactos que o sucesso deste empreendimento pode trazer para a ciência, a tecnologia e a sociedade. more...

We propose a six-dimensional framework to calculate the supersymmetric index of M-theory 5-branes wrapped on a six-manifold with product topology $M_4\times T^2$, where $M_4$ is a holomorphic 4-cycle in a Calabi-Yau three-fold. This is obtained by zero-modes counting of the self-dual tensor contribution plus ``little'' string states and correctly reproduces the known results which can be obtained by shrinking or blowing the $T^2$ volume parameter. We also extract the geometric moduli space of the multi M5-brane system and infer the generic structure of the supersymmetric index for more general geometries., 1+13 pages; v2: introduction expanded, to appear in PLB more...

The design features and the performances of a prototype photon counting imaging detector, being developed for the international ultraviolet (UV) space mission Spectrum UV, are presented. The photon counter is an intensified charge coupled device (ICCD) in which photon events, generating an electron cascade through a high gain microchannel plate (MCP) stack, are transduced, via a phosphor screen and a fiber optics reducer, into a 3 x 3 pixel(2), quasi-Gaussian charge distributions on a 15 x 15 mu m(2),512 x 512 pixel(2) format CCD matrix. The CCD is read out in the frame-transfer mode at a pixel rate of 19.75 MHz, and its output data flow is acquired serially as to generate a 3 x 3 pixel(2) event sash that sweeps dynamically the CCD matrix at the 50.6 ns rate of the readout clock. Each and every event sash is searched for the presence of events whose charge content lie within proper limits and satisfy a given set of morphological rules, i.e., a single peak charge profile. The centroid coordinates of identified events are determined with subpixel accuracy (up to a 2(10) bin/pixel) and subsequently stored as photon list coordinate pairs. The data acquisition and processing system is based on field programmable gate array technology and is capable of satisfying the requirements of real-time operation. The modular construction of the data acquisition and processing electronics provides a great deal of flexibility for supporting advancements in CCD readout techniques (multiple output and higher clocking speed) and of MCPs (larger formats, smaller pore, and higher dynamic range). The results of the performance verification of the data acquisition and processing system integrated with a laboratory ICCD prototype are presented and discussed. more...

The scientific performance evaluation of a photon countingimaging system is presented. The detector is constituted by an ICCD camera with RbTe photocathode(optimized for UV radiation), and dedicated electronics for the acquisition and analysis ofthe events. For each photon event on the CCD, a real-time centroid calculation is performed, inorder to reach spatial resolution down to 25 μm FWHM. The system has been tested usingthe 182 cm telescope of the Asiago Observatory.A standard stars field through U Johnson filter,and the Crab pulsar (PSR 0531+21) were observed. From the photometric data, relative magnitudes of the standard stars have been derived, showing a goodlinearity of the detector in the range of flux under consideration, as expected fromprevious laboratory measurements.The pulsar's data have been processed by FFT and epoch foldingtechniques to testthe detector's timing performances in the highest resolutionmode (4.512 ms).These observations show that a space resolved time analysis ofperiodic sources can be performed with 10-7 s accuracy. more...

The aim of this study is to show the results obtained from measuring energy expenditure (EE) during work, through portable devices, in a group of male construction workers. After defining cardio-respiratory parameters in laboratory, authors applied to all subjects an heart rate monitor for measuring the heart rate (HR) and, at the same time, a calorimeter for measuring energy expenditure (EE). To analyse data obtained, authors calculate the Relative Aerobic Strain (RAS), both for the measurements of EE and for HR detected. Results confirm that in many of the typical activities of construction industry, in particular in those characterised by an higher component of manual engagement compared to foreman, workloads are exceeding limits of the probable threshold fatigue (33% of RAS), both for energy expenditure than for HR measured. more...

The Living Earth Simulator (LES) is one of the core components of the FuturICT architecture. It will work as a federation of methods, tools, techniques and facilities supporting all of the FuturICT simulation-related activities to allow and encourage interactive exploration and understanding of societal issues. Society-relevant problems will be targeted by leaning on approaches based on complex systems theories and data science in tight interaction with the other components of FuturICT. The LES will evaluate and provide answers to realworld questions by taking into account multiple scenarios. It will build on present approaches such as agent-based simulation and modeling, multiscale modelling, statistical inference, and data mining, moving beyond disciplinary borders to achieve a new perspective on complex social systems. © The Author(s) 2012. more...

In spite of the very accurate results obtained by the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE), the existence of deviations from a Planckian distribution in the spectrum of the relic or cosmic background radiation (CBR) at frequencies near and below 1 GHz is still an open question. The detection of distortions would be very important for the cosmological implications they can have. We present results from a program of measurements of the absolute temperature of the CBR at low frequencies carried out by a Milano-Berkeley collaboration. Future programs are also discussed. more...

High-throughput X-ray optics are required for future X-ray astronomy missions. These optics are composed of a large number of nested confocal mirrors with very thin thickness in order to reduce the losses due to the obstruction of the mirrors wall and to keep the weight within acceptable values. The replica technique by electroforming the mirrors from mandrels provides a cost-effective solution for the manufacture of these X-ray optical systems. In the paper is reported the application of the electroforming process for the fabrication of the X-ray imaging concentrators for the SAX project and for the JET-X X-ray telescope. Moreover some considerations are given concerning a possible use of more elaborated electroforming processes for manufacturing light-weight large-aperture X-ray optics. more...

The authors report their experience in patients with adjuvant systemic 2-interferon with the aim of defining the effectiveness, side-effects, indications and limitations of this treatment.From January 1989 to December 1996, 123 patients with genital, anorectal and perineal HPV lesions were treated with cryosurgery; adjuvant systemic a2-interferon was administered to 38 of them. There were 76 female and 47 male patients (median age of 29 years, range; 15-56 years). Clinical examinations included: digital rectal examination, head and neck examination, urethral meatus inspection and, in female patients, gynaecological examination; they underwent colposcopylurethroscopy, proctosigmoidoscopy, cystoscopy (in advanced disease); scraping for cytology and PCR analysis, and biopsy for histology. Twenty-three percent of patients had more than one site involved; upper digestive tract involvement was observed in 6.6% and 47% had lesions larger than 6 sqcm. Twenty-five females with genital lesions had esocervical lesions only; ten of them had SIL1, while seven a SIL3.Ninety-eight out of 123 patients (79.7%) were recurrence-free after a median follow-up of 32 months. A recurrence was observed in 25 patients: in univariate analysis, recurrence of disease occurred more frequently in females (p = 0.04), in patients with longer duration of symptoms (p = 0.0002),with wider lesions (p = 0.00015), with head and neck involvement (p0.01), and in HIV-positive patients (p = 0.03). In multivariate analysis, duration of symptoms (p = 0.005), head and neck involvement (p = 0.01), and width of lesion3 sq cm (p = 0.025) were associated with increased riskOur findings confirm the value of cryosurgery in the treatment HPV lesions; it is less traumatic, and gives good aesthetic and functional results; moreover, large lesions may be treated and the depth of cryonecrosis is more suitably adapted. Patients amenable to adjuvant treatment with a2-interferon should have multiorgan involvement, HPV type 16 or 18, lesions3 sqcm, long lasting symptoms (6 months) and presence of SIL. more...

We formulate matrix string models on a class of exact string backgrounds with non constant RR-flux parameterized by a holomorphic prepotential function and with manifest (2,2) supersymmetry. This lifts these string theories to M-theory exposing the non perturbative string interaction which is studied by generalizing the instanton asymptotic expansion, well established in the flat background case, to this more general case. We obtain also a companion matrix model with four manifest supersymmetries in eleven dimensions., Comment: 1+16 pages. To appear in Nucl. Phys. B more...

This is a review of some recent developments in the study of classical solutions of Yang-Mills theories in various dimensions and their significance in the path integral of the corresponding theories. These particular solutions are called instantons because of their kinship with ordinary instantons. Just as ordinary instantons interpolate between different vacua, the new instantons interpolate between different asymptotic states. Therefore they represent scattering phenomena. Here we review the two dimensional and four dimensional Yang-Mills case. more...

The search of distortions (deviations from a Planck distribution) in the spectrum of the Cosmic Microwave Background allows to probe the conditions existing in our Universe up to Z similar or equal to 10(6). We analyze the status of the observations (so far no distortion has been detected) and discuss the possibility and the astrophysical interest of searching distortions at long wavelengths, in the Rayleigh Jeans portion of the Cosmic Microwave Background spectrum more...

The uncertainty on the temperature of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) measured below 1 GHz is larger than 30\%. To improve our knowledge it is necessary to perform measurements at different wavelengths and directions, to disentangle the various components of the antenna temperature (CMB, Galaxy, unresolved sources, atmosphere, ground). In this contribution we briefly describe the apparatus of TRIS EXPERIMENT, the observation strategy, calibration techniques and results of extensive tests. more...

Attempts carried out in the past to detect linear or circular polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation have produced only upper limits to the degree of polarization. These limits are at least two orders of magnitude above the expected value of few times 10(-6) or less, as suggested by models combined with the measured values of the CMB anisotropy. Because detection of polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background will improve our knowledge of the phenomena which accompanied the evolution of the Universe, we built a polarimeter whose sensitivity, 2.1/root t(s) mK, is sufficient to detect linear or circular polarization at level of few mu K. Details of the system are presented. A testing campaign carried out with a partial prototype of our polarimeter, in a noisy environment, gave an upper limit to the degree of linear polarization of the CMB on angular scales of 14 degrees of similar to 8 . 10(-5), comparable to the limits at similar angular scales so far published. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. more...

We describe a liquid helium-cooled absolute reference load for the calibration of a. 2.5 GHz radiometer. This calibration system provides an absolute reference near the liquid helium boiling point. The accuracy of the reference source is better than 100 mK. We use this cold load to perform absolute temperature measurements of the cosmic microwave background radiation. (C) 1995 American Institute of Physics. more...

Rubidium is an alkali metal present in small quantities inside the organism in physiological conditions. Its clinical use was reserved for organic pathologies — cardiac insufficiency, epilepsy, syphilis (Belmaker et al. 1984) from the middle of the nineteenth century to the beginning of the twentieth century. In 1969 Meltzer and colleagues (1969) localized the effectiveness of the drug on mood disorders (Fieve and Meltzer 1974; Fieve et al. 1973, 1980; Paschalis et al. 1978; Stolk et al. 1971). The pharmacokinetics (by oral administration) show a plasma peak within 45-90 min, and Rb is largely retained in the intracellular compartment after repeated administration (Relman et al. 1957). The half-life is variable between 50 and 70 days and is related to the quantity of potassium passed in the urine (Fieve 1976; Mendel and Closson 1906). Elimination is basically urinary and is improved by the administration of lithium salt. The toxicity of the drug is related to the Rb/K ratio (toxic effects if >0.1) (Calandra and Nicolosi 1980) and is outside the therapeutic range (0.1-0.3 mEq/1). more...

As part of an extended program to characterize the spectrum of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) at low frequencies, we have performed multiple measurements from a high‐altitude site in Calfornia. On average, these measurements suggests a CMB temperature slightly lower than measurements at higher frequencies. Atmospheric conditions and the encroachment of civilization are now significant limitations from our present observing site. In November 1989, we will make new measurements from the South Pole Amundsen‐Scott Station at frequencies 0.82, 1.5, 2.5, 3.8, 7.5, and 90 GHz. We discuss recent measurements and indicate improvements possible from a polar observing site. more...

We are carrying on measurements of the absolute temperature of the CBR at various frequencies near and below 1 GHz, looking for so far undetected deviations from a planckian spectrum. The amplitude and frequency of those distortions can give precious information about the history of the Universe. more...

The absolute temperature of the sky around the south celestial pole has been measured at ν=0.82 GHz (λ=36.6 cm) and ν=2.5 GHz (λ=12 cm) during an observing campaign from the Amundsen Scott Base at the South Pole in 1989 December. The antennas had an angular resolution of 18°× 23°. The measured temperatures of the sky have been used to determine the temperature of the cosmic background radiation in a frequency region where large deviations from a pure Planckian spectrum are expected. more...

The absolute temperature of the sky at delta = 46.5 deg has been measured at 600 MHz (50 cm wavelength) using a differential radiometer and a cold calibrator at liquid helium temperature. To separate the cosmic background radiation (CBR) from the remaining components of the sky temperature, observations at other frequencies, now under way, are necessary. A preliminary estimate of the CBR temperature at 600 MHz made using data of T(sky) at 600 MHz and maps of the sky at 408 MHz already in the literature gives T(cbr) = (3.0 + or - 1.2) K, in good agreement with previous measurements at nearby frequencies. 45 refs. more...

The influence of age and other risk factors (history of hypertension and diabetes, cigarette smoking, dyslipidemia) on cerebral atherosclerosis was studied in 462 patients with RIA who had cerebral angiography. The degree of atherosclerosis was quantified using extracranial and intracranial cerebrovascular scores (ECS, ICS) based on the number and severity of the lesion in 11 extracranial and 21 intracranial arterial segments. Thirty-six percent of the patients under age 45 had a normal angiogram compared with 17% of the patients over 45. In the subgroup of patients with abnormal angiogram the mean ECS and ICS vascular scores were not significantly different in the two age groups. Cigarette smoking was the only risk factor to show a strong association with the extracranial score, and it was independent of the effect of age and other risk factors. more...

A rocket immunoelectrophoretic procedure has been developed for the assay of cathepsin D (EC 3.4.23.5) immunoreactive protein, in a 10-100 ng range, directly on crude soluble liver homogenate extracts. By this method, the drop in activity of rat liver cathepsin D effected by repeated doses of cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, reflects a parallel change in total enzyme protein content, the specific activity being stable in the course of the treatment. These observations are compatible with the hypothesis that ongoing enzyme degradation, coupled with impaired synthesis, accounts for such a decline of cathepsin D. more...

CHARACTERIZATION OF THE MANDRELS USED TO PRODUCE REPLICATED PROTOTYPE MIRRORS FOR THEITALIAN X -RAY SATELLITE SAXG. Bonelli, G.Conti, E.MattainiCNR - Istituto Fisica Cosmica - Via Bassini 15 Milano - ItalyO. CitterioOsservatorio Astronomico Brera- Merate - Via E. Bianchi 46 - 22055 Merate - ItalyABSTRACTWe present the results obtained during the characterization of the mandrels used more...

The authors confirmed the presence of monoamines and 5-hydroxy-indolacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the cephalic region of Diloboderus abderus larvae employing a high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detector. An anticholinesterase insecticide produced an increase in the serotonin and 5-HIAA endogenous levels, and did not modify the catecholamines. Monoamine-oxidase activity was undetectable with a radioactive method using 3H-tyramine as substrate. more...

CCl4 and ADP-Fe3+ determine an increased microsomal lipid peroxidation in liver tissue which is related to an impairment of the tubulin molecule in the case of CCl4 while no alteration is evident with ADP-Fe3+. Such difference could be explained in terms of different intermediate or end products towards which the tubulin molecule shows a different susceptibility. more...

The replica technique by electroforming the mirrors from mandrels, has been chosen for the manufacture of the X-ray optics of the SAX imaging concentrators. This technique ia also emerging as a promising cost-effective process for the construction of the mirror shells for high throughput X-ray optics telescopes with angular resolution of tens of arcsac. A key point in this process is the manufacture of the mandrels (or masters) with the required specifications for the geometrical profile and surface finishing. Possible cost-effective solutions for the production of the mandrels are: 1) to achieve the required profile by diamond turning and to improve the surface finishing by means of a lacquer coating process or 2) to reach the correct geometrical shape with a conventional lathe or grinding machine and, after a moderate surface polishing, to coat it with a lacquer layer. This paper presents the results obtained during the verification of these approaches. more...

The effect of trypsin on morphological integrity and certain functional activities of mitochondria from normal liver and AH-130 Yoshida ascites hepatoma, has been studied. Liver mitochondria are barely attacked by trypsin which induces swelling only id added in large amounts. The swelling is preceeded by a lag phase during which liberation of little amounts of ninhydrin reacting compounds occurs. Tumour mitochondria are highly sensitive to trypsin, which induces immediate swelling even if added in amounts as little as 0.9 μg/mg protein. Evidence is provided that in tumour mitochondria trypsin induces damage of inner membrane permselectivity towards sucrose, and respiratory inhibition, also when it fails to inactivate the external membrane enzyme, NADH:cytochrome c reductase. The results are interpreted as indicative of the existence of a different structural state in membranes of normal and tumour mitochondria. more...

Omogenati e frazioni L di epatoma ascite di Yoshida AH-130 sono piu resistenti di quelli di fegato all'attivazione termica a pH 5, al trattamento ipotonico ed alla digestione con tripsina.