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Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a devastating disease, ranking as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have emerged as promising treatments; however, their efficacy is largely restricted to a subgroup of microsatellite instable (MSI) CRCs. In contrast, microsatellite stable (MSS) CRCs, which account for the majority of cases, exhibit variable and generally weaker response to ICIs, with only a subset demonstrating exceptional responsiveness. Identifying novel cancer-specific tissue (CST) markers predictive of immunotherapy response is crucial for refining patient selection and overcoming treatment resistance. In this study, we developed clinically relevant CRC organoids and autologous immune system interaction platforms to model ICI response. We conducted a comprehensive molecular characterization of both responder and non-responder models, identifying CST markers that predict ICI response. Validation of these findings was performed using an independent cohort of patient specimens through multiplex immunofluorescence. Furthermore, we demonstrated that knocking out a key gene from the identified predictive signature in resistant organoids restored immune sensitivity and induced T-cell-mediated apoptosis. Overall, our results provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying immunotherapy resistance and suggest new markers for enhancing patient selection. These findings may pave the way for new therapeutic options in MSS patients, potentially broadening the cohort of individuals eligible for immunotherapy.

Abstract The NA48/2 experiment at CERN reports the first observation of the K ± → π 0 π 0 μ ± ν decay based on a sample of 2437 candidates with 15% background contamination collected in 2003–2004. The decay branching ratio in the kinematic region of the squared dilepton mass above 0.03 GeV2/c 4 is measured to be (0.65 ± 0.03) × 10 −6. The extrapolation to the full kinematic space, using a specific model, is found to be (3.45 ± 0.16) × 10 −6, in agreement with chiral perturbation theory predictions.

Abstract Dual‐energy X‐ray computed tomography consists of imaging objects using two incident X‐ray beams of different energy to distinguish the different compounds within a sample based on their density (electron density, ρe) and elemental composition (effective atomic number, Zeff). The stoichiometric calibration for dual‐energy X‐ray computed tomography was already successfully implemented to identify single and homogeneous minerals easily and non‐destructively. It is here applied for the first time to a more complex and heterogeneous sample, a varved sediment core with three distinct facies. The output of dual‐energy X‐ray computed tomography was compared against elemental geochemistry obtained at the same resolution using a micro‐XRF core scanner. The three individual facies can be successfully differentiated using dual‐energy X‐ray computed tomography because their range of ρe and Zeff values allow their discrimination. Correlations with elemental geochemistry are also discussed but are less conclusive, probably because of variations in grain size and porosity, and because these high resolution analyses were not performed at the exact same location. The paper not only eventually discusses the limitations when using dual‐energy X‐ray computed tomography on sediments but also demonstrates its potential to quantitatively study sediment cores in a non‐destructive way.

ABSTRACT: Milk contains several components that are important for human nutrition and health. To date, studies on organic and conventional milk have focused on their gross composition and fatty acid content, but little attention has been paid to the differences between other minor components, such as sterols and vitamins that may have functional actions. The aim of this study was to investigate the nutritional differences among 3 types of milk from a dairy plant: conventional, high-quality, and organic (in compliance with European regulations) milk, focusing on minor components such as sterols of animal and plant origin (phytosterols), tocopherols, and bioactive fatty acids. Cholesterol ranged from 271.37 mg/100 g of fat in conventional milk to 278.76 mg/100 g of fat in organic milk. Lanosterol was the main minor animal sterol in cow milk (ranging from 3.41 to 4.37 mg/100 g of fat), followed by desmosterol. The amount of total plant sterols in the analyzed milk ranged from 4.43 mg/100 g of fat in organic to 4.71 mg/100 g of fat in high-quality milk. Brassicasterol was the main sterol of plant origin which varied from 2.6 mg/100 g of fat in conventional and organic milk, to 2.93 mg/100 g of fat in high-quality milk. The second most present phytosterol was β-sitosterol, which ranged from 0.86 mg/100 g of fat in conventional to 0.97 mg/100 g of fat in high-quality, and organic milk. The results of the study showed no significant differences in gross and sterol composition between the 3 types of milk. However, the only significant difference found was in the fatty acid profile, with a higher n-3 content found in high-quality milk than in conventional and organic milk. These findings suggest that the investigated product categories and labels have minimal effect on the sterol and fatty acid profile of commercial cow milk.

Abstract The T2K experiment presents new measurements of neutrino oscillation parameters using $$19.7(16.3)\times 10^{20}$$ 19.7 ( 16.3 ) × 10 20 protons on target (POT) in (anti-)neutrino mode at the far detector (FD). Compared to the previous analysis, an additional $$4.7\times 10^{20}$$ 4.7 × 10 20 POT neutrino data was collected at the FD. Significant improvements were made to the analysis methodology, with the near-detector analysis introducing new selections and using more than double the data. Additionally, this is the first T2K oscillation analysis to use NA61/SHINE data on a replica of the T2K target to tune the neutrino flux model, and the neutrino interaction model was improved to include new nuclear effects and calculations. Frequentist and Bayesian analyses are presented, including results on $$\sin ^2\theta _{13}$$ sin 2 θ 13 and the impact of priors on the $$\delta _{\textrm{CP}}$$ δ CP measurement. Both analyses prefer the normal mass ordering and upper octant of $$\sin ^2\theta _{23}$$ sin 2 θ 23 with a nearly maximally CP-violating phase. Assuming the normal ordering and using the constraint on $$\sin ^2\theta _{13}$$ sin 2 θ 13 from reactors, $$\sin ^2\theta _{23}=0.561^{+0.021}_{-0.032}$$ sin 2 θ 23 = 0 . 561 - 0.032 + 0.021 using Feldman–Cousins corrected intervals, and $$\varDelta {}m^2_{32}=2.494_{-0.058}^{+0.041}\times 10^{-3}~\text {eV}^2$$ Δ m 32 2 = 2 . 494 - 0.058 + 0.041 × 10 - 3 eV 2 using constant $$\varDelta \chi ^{2}$$ Δ χ 2 intervals. The CP-violating phase is constrained to $$\delta _{\textrm{CP}}=-1.97_{-0.70}^{+0.97}$$ δ CP = - 1 . 97 - 0.70 + 0.97 using Feldman–Cousins corrected intervals, and $$\delta _{\textrm{CP}}=0,\pi $$ δ CP = 0 , π is excluded at more than 90% confidence level. A Jarlskog invariant of zero is excluded at more than $$2\sigma $$ 2 σ credible level using a flat prior in $$\delta _{\textrm{CP}},$$ δ CP , and just below $$2\sigma $$ 2 σ using a flat prior in $$\sin \delta _{\textrm{CP}}.$$ sin δ CP . When the external constraint on $$\sin ^2\theta _{13}$$ sin 2 θ 13 is removed, $$\sin ^2\theta _{13}=28.0^{+2.8}_{-6.5}\times 10^{-3},$$ sin 2 θ 13 = 28 . 0 - 6.5 + 2.8 × 10 - 3 , in agreement with measurements from reactor experiments. These results are consistent with previous T2K analyses.

Image-based monitoring has emerged as a prevalent technique for sensing mountain environments. Monoscopic time-lapse cameras, which rely on digital image correlation to quantify glacier motion, have limitations due to the need for a Digital Elevation Model for deriving 3D flow velocity fields. Multi-camera systems overcome this limitation, as they allow for a 3D reconstruction of the scene. This paper presents a replicable low-cost stereoscopic system designed for 4D glacier monitoring. The system consists of independent and autonomous units, built from off-the-shelves components, such as a DSLR camera, an Arduino microcontroller, and a Raspberry Pi Zero, reducing costs compared to pre-built time-lapse cameras. The units are energetically self-sufficient and resistant to harsh alpine conditions. The system was successfully tested for more than a year to monitor the northwest terminus of the Belvedere Glacier (Italian Alps). Daily stereo-pairs acquired were processed with Structure-from-Motion to derive 3D point clouds of the glacier terminus and estimate glacier retreat and ice volume loss. By combining the information about ice volume loss with ablation estimates and ice flow velocity information, e.g., derived from monoscopic-camera time series, a multi-camera system enables a comprehensive understanding of sub-seasonal glacier dynamics.

Tests of the T, CP and CPT symmetries in the neutral kaon system are performed by the direct comparison of the probabilities of a kaon transition process to its symmetry-conjugate. The exchange of in and out states required for a genuine test involving an antiunitary transformation implied by time-reversal is implemented exploiting the entanglement of K0K‾0 pairs produced at a ϕ-factory.A data sample collected by the KLOE experiment at DAΦNE corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 1.7 fb−1 is analysed to study the Δt distributions of the ϕ→KSKL→π+π−π±e∓ν and ϕ→KSKL→π±e∓ν3π0 processes, with Δt the difference of the kaon decay times. A comparison of the measured Δt distributions in the asymptotic region Δt≫τS allows to test for the first time T and CPT symmetries in kaon transitions with a precision of few percent, and to observe CP violation with this novel method.

Abstract The ratio R $$ \mathcal{R} $$ = Γ(K S → πeν)/Γ(K S → π + π − ) has been measured with a sample of 300 million K S mesons produced in ϕ → K L K S decays recorded by the KLOE experiment at the DAΦNE e + e − collider. K S → πeν events are selected by a boosted decision tree built with kinematic variables and time-of-flight measurements. Data control samples of K L → πeν decays are used to evaluate signal selection efficiencies. With 49647±316 signal events we measure R $$ \mathcal{R} $$ = (1.0421 ± 0.0066stat ± 0.0075syst) × 10 −3. The combination with our previous measurement gives R $$ \mathcal{R} $$ = (1.0338 ± 0.0054stat ± 0.0064syst) × 10 −3. From this value we derive the branching fraction B $$ \mathcal{B} $$ (K S → πeν) = (7.153 ± 0.037stat ± 0.044syst) × 10 −4 and f +(0)|V us | = 0.2170 ± 0.009.

In the geomatics domain the use of deep learning, a subset of machine learning, is becoming more and more widespread. In this context, the 3D semantic segmentation of heritage point clouds presents an interesting and promising approach for modelling automation, in light of the heterogeneous nature of historical building styles and features. However, this heterogeneity also presents an obstacle in terms of generating the training data for use in deep learning, hitherto performed largely manually. The current generally low availability of labelled data also presents a motivation to aid the process of training data generation. In this paper, we propose the use of approaches based on geometric rules to automate to a certain degree this task. One object class will be discussed in this paper, namely the pillars class. Results show that the approach managed to extract pillars with satisfactory quality (98.5% of correctly detected pillars with the proposed algorithm). Tests were also performed to use the outputs in a deep learning segmentation setting, with a favourable outcome in terms of reducing the overall labelling time (−66.5%). Certain particularities were nevertheless observed, which also influence the result of the deep learning segmentation.

Abstract The quantum interference between the decays of entangled neutral kaons is studied in the process ϕ → KSKL → π + π − π + π − , which exhibits the characteristic Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen correlations that prevent both kaons to decay into π + π − at the same time. This constitutes a very powerful tool for testing at the utmost precision the quantum coherence of the entangled kaon pair state, and to search for tiny decoherence and CPT $$ \mathcal{CPT} $$ violation effects, which may be justified in a quantum gravity framework. The analysed data sample was collected with the KLOE detector at DAΦNE, the Frascati ϕ-factory, and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of about 1.7 fb −1, i.e. to about 1.7 × 109 ϕ → KSKL decays produced. From the fit of the observed ∆t distribution, being ∆t the difference of the kaon decay times, the decoherence and CPT $$ \mathcal{CPT} $$ violation parameters of various phenomenological models are measured with a largely improved accuracy with respect to previous analyses. The results are consistent with no deviation from quantum mechanics and CPT $$ \mathcal{CPT} $$ symmetry, while for some parameters the precision reaches the interesting level at which — in the most optimistic scenarios — quantum gravity effects might show up. They provide the most stringent limits up to date on the considered models.

Background: Numerous studies showed that methylation analysis represents a newly developed urinary marker based on DNA methylation changes in a panel of genomic biomarkers and it could represent a valid tool in terms of the diagnosis and prediction of high-grade urothelial carcinoma recurrences. One of the limits of the use of this new molecular method during a follow-up is represented by the number of invalid tests in routine practice. Method: A total of 782 patients with a diagnosis of non-muscle-invasive high-grade carcinoma (NMIBC) was studied. The Bladder EpiCheck test (BE) was performed together with cytology in all cases within 1 year after the end of treatment. In 402 patients, the urinary samples were voided urine (UV), while, in 380 cases, the samples were collected after bladder washing (IU). For all the patients with invalid BE results, a second BE test was performed following the instructions for use that indicated the test should be repeated with a new urinary sample in the case of an invalid result. Results: Analyzing the two different groups (UV and IU), we found the invalid BE results seemed to be not related to urinary samples (p = 0.13 Fisher’s exact test), suggesting that the collection method was not relevant in order to reduce the number of invalid tests. Conclusions: In the follow-up for NMIBC, for patients for whom a BE test is planned, a combined approach of cytology and a methylation test is recommended in order to repeat the BE test with an invalid result only in those cases with a cytological diagnosis of atypical urothelial cells (AUC) suspicious for high-grade urothelial carcinoma (SHGUC) and high-grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC).

Aedes aegypti is currently emerging as a main vector of Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya transmission. Chemical control was reported to be less effective due to the resistance of this mosquito to some types of insecticides. Therefore, another vector control is needed which is most appropriate to be used, i.e. the sterile insect technique (SIT). Information about optimum range dispersal sterile male Aedes aegypti for optimalization SIT program are needed. This study was designed to determine the dispersal pattern and population estimation of Aedes aegypti sterilized with gamma rays using mark-release-recapture (MRR) method. After the male Aedes aegypti (pupal stage) was irradiated with 70 Gy of gamma rays, the mosquitoes were then marked with Rhodamine-B and released into the study site. MRR experiments were carried out in Batan Indah residential area, and the Aedes aegypti were released in center of the site. Mosquitoes were recaptured at 28 points spread over the Batan Indah Residence for 2, 4, 6, and 8 days after release by using BG-Sentinel Traps. The result showed that the population of Aedes aegypti in the site was estimated to be 5.402 (1.347–14.636; CI 95 %) with the furthest spread distance was 119 meters from the release point. This study also showed that the MRR experiment can be used to estimate the population size and dispersal pattern of Aedes aegypti movement in a given locality. The result of present study provide better understanding for optimalization mosquito-borne disease prevention based on SIT programs.

Abstract Based on an integrated luminosity of 1.61 fb −1 e + e − collision data collected with the KLOE detector at DAΦNE, the Frascati ϕ-factory, a search for the P- and CP-violating decay η → π + π − has been performed. Radiative ϕ → ηγ decay is exploited to access the η mesons. No signal is observed in the π + π − invariant mass spectrum, and the upper limit on the branching fraction at 90% confidence level is determined to be ℬ(η → π + π − ) < 4.9 × 10 −6, which is approximately three times smaller than the previous KLOE result. From the combination of these two measurements we get ℬ(η → π + π − ) < 4.4 × 10 −6 at 90% confidence level.

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to assess the agreement rate between intraoperative evaluation (IOE) and final diagnosis (FD) in a series of surgically resected endometrial carcinoma (EC), with a preoperative ambiguous or inconclusive diagnosis by endometrial biopsies and imaging. Methods A retrospective study was performed selecting patients who underwent surgery with IOE for suspected EC at our institution from 2012 to 2018. A K coefficient was determined with respect to the histotype, tumor grade, myometrial infiltration and cervical involvement. Results Data analysis has been performed on 202 women. The IOE evaluation was distributed as Endometrioid (n = 180) and Non-Endometrioid (n = 22). The comparison between the frozen section (FS) and the definitive histological subtype showed an overall agreement rate of 93,07% (k = 0.612) and an agreement of 97.2% for Endometrioid vs 59% for Non-Endometrioid tumors. The FIGO system grading was the same in 91,1% of patients, none was upgraded and in 8,9% downgraded. Observed agreements were 89,11% and 95,54% for myometrial and cervical involvement, respectively. Conclusions The good agreement between intraoperative grading, myometrial invasion and their histological definition on permanent sections highlights that FS is a good predictor for surgical outcome, in particular in presence of a preoperative ambiguous or inconclusive diagnostic evaluation.

The promotion of Cultural Heritage (CH) goods has become a major challenges over the last years. CH goods promote economic development, notably through cultural and creative industries and tourism. Thus, an effective planning of archaeological, cultural, artistic and architectural sites within the territory make CH goods easily accessible. A way of adding value to these services is making them capable of providing, using new technologies, a more immersive and stimulating fruition of information. In this light, an effective contribution can be provided by sentiment analysis. The sentiment related to a monument can be used for its evaluation considering that if it is positive, it influences its public image by increasing its value. This work introduces an approach to estimate the sentiment of Social Media pictures CH related. The sentiment of a picture is identified by an especially trained Deep Convolutional Neural Network (DCNN); aftewards, we compared the performance of three DCNNs: VGG16, ResNet and InceptionResNet. It is interesting to observe how these three different architectures are able to correctly evaluate the sentiment of an image referred to a ancient monument, historical buildings, archaeological sites, museum objects, and more. Our approach has been applied to a newly collected dataset of pictures from Instagram, which shows CH goods included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage properties.

Cultural Heritage is a testimony of past human activity, and, as such, its objects exhibit great variety in their nature, size and complexity; from small artefacts and museum items to cultural landscapes, from historical building and ancient monuments to city centers and archaeological sites. Cultural Heritage around the globe suffers from wars, natural disasters and human negligence. The importance of digital documentation is well recognized and there is an increasing pressure to document our heritage both nationally and internationally. For this reason, the three-dimensional scanning and modeling of sites and artifacts of cultural heritage have remarkably increased in recent years. The semantic segmentation of point clouds is an essential step of the entire pipeline; in fact, it allows to decompose complex architectures in single elements, which are then enriched with meaningful information within Building Information Modelling software. Notwithstanding, this step is very time consuming and completely entrusted on the manual work of domain experts, far from being automatized. This work describes a method to label and cluster automatically a point cloud based on a supervised Deep Learning approach, using a state-of-the-art Neural Network called PointNet++. Despite other methods are known, we have choose PointNet++ as it reached significant results for classifying and segmenting 3D point clouds. PointNet++ has been tested and improved, by training the network with annotated point clouds coming from a real survey and to evaluate how performance changes according to the input training data. It can result of great interest for the research community dealing with the point cloud semantic segmentation, since it makes public a labelled dataset of CH elements for further tests.

Abstract The determination of low-energy cross sections and branching ratios of the $$\hbox {K}^-$$ K- multi-nucleon absorption processes in $$\Lambda \hbox {p}$$ Λp and $$\Sigma ^0\hbox {p}$$ Σ0p final states performed by the AMADEUS collaboration is presented. Low momentum $$\hbox {K}^-$$ K- ($$p_{\mathrm{K}} \simeq 127\ \hbox {MeV}/\hbox {c}$$ pK≃127MeV/c ) produced at the $$\hbox {DA}\Phi \hbox {NE}$$ DAΦNE collider are impinged on a Carbon target within the KLOE detector and the two and three nucleon absorption processes are disentangled by comparing the experimental data to phenomenological calculations. The $$\Lambda \hbox {p}$$ Λp spectra are interpreted in terms of $$\hbox {K}^{-}$$ K- multi-nucleon absorption processes; the possible contribution of a $$\hbox {K}^{-}\hbox {pp}$$ K-pp bound state is demonstrated to overlap with the two nucleon capture process, its absolute yield thus resulting indistinguishable.

Failed transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) in dairy calves – which is often due to the low amount of colostrum provided within a few hours after birth – remains a crucial issue. Enabling dairy calves to nurse colostrum from their dams could be useful in increasing intake and thus avoiding FTPI, but further potential effects on the health and welfare of both calves and dams should also be considered. In this study, 107 calf-dam pairs from two Italian dairy farms were alternately assigned to one of the following colostrum provision methods (CPMs): ‘hand-fed method’ (HFM) – the calf was separated from the dam immediately after birth and colostrum was provided by nipple-bottle (n = 50); ‘nursing method’ (NM) – the calf nursed colostrum from the dam for the first 12 h of life without farmer assistance (n = 30); and ‘mixed method’ (MM) – the nursing calf received a supplementary colostrum meal by nipple-bottle (n = 27). Serum of calves (1 to 5 days of age) and samples of their first colostrum meal were analysed by electrophoresis to assess immunoglobulin (Ig) concentration. Additionally, behavioural indicators of separation distress (calf and dam vocalisations; calf refusal of the first meal after separation; undesirable dam behaviour at milking) in the following 24 h were recorded as binary variables (Yes/No), and the health status of calves (disease occurrence and mortality) and dams (postpartum disorders and mastitis occurrence) were monitored for the first 3 months of life and 7 days after parturition, respectively. The lowest FTPI occurrence (calf serum Ig concentration 0.05). The results of this study indicated that providing calves with a supplementary colostrum meal in addition to nursing from the dam (MM) is truly effective in maximizing passive immunity transfer. Anyway, specific strategies should be studied to minimise calf-dam separation distress.

The NA48/2 experiment at CERN reports the first observation of the K±→π±π0e+e− decay from an exposure of 1.7×1011 charged kaon decays recorded in 2003–2004. A sample of 4919 candidates with 4.9% background contamination allows the determination of the branching ratio in the full kinematic region, BR(K±→π±π0e+e−)=(4.24±0.14)×10−6. The study of the kinematic space shows evidence for a structure dependent contribution in agreement with predictions based on chiral perturbation theory. Several P- and CP-violating asymmetries are also evaluated.

Based on a sample of 300 million KS mesons produced in ϕ→KLKS decays recorded by the KLOE experiment at the DAΦNE e+e− collider we have measured the branching fraction for the decay KS→πμν. The KS mesons are identified by the interaction of KL mesons in the detector. The KS→πμν decays are selected by a boosted decision tree built with kinematic variables and by a time-of-flight measurement. Signal efficiencies are evaluated with data control samples of KL→πμν decays. A fit to the reconstructed muon mass distribution finds 7223±180 signal events. Normalising to the KS→π+π− decay events the result for the branching fraction is B(KS→πμν)=(4.56±0.11stat±0.17syst)×10−4. It is the first measurement of this decay mode and the result allows an independent determination of |Vus| and a test of the lepton-flavour universality. Keywords: e+e− collisions, K0 meson, Semileptonic decay

Abstract A measurement of the form factors of charged kaon semileptonic decays is presented, based on 4.4 × 106 K ± → π 0 e ± ν e (K e3 ± ) and 2.3 × 106 K ± → π 0 μ±ν μ (K μ3 ± ) decays collected in 2004 by the NA48/2 experiment. The results are obtained with improved precision as compared to earlier measurements. The combination of measurements in the K e3 ± and K μ3 ± modes is also presented.

We searched for the μ+μ− decay of a light vector gauge boson, also known as dark photon, in the e+e−→μ+μ−γISR process by means of the Initial State Radiation (ISR) method. We used 1.93 fb−1 of data collected by the KLOE experiment at the DAΦNE ϕ-factory. No structures have been observed over the irreducible μ+μ− background. A 90% CL limit on the ratio ε2=α′/α between the dark coupling constant and the fine structure constant of 3×10−6–2×10−7 has been set in the dark photon mass region between 519 MeV and 973 MeV. This new limit has been combined with the published result obtained investigating the hypothesis of the dark photon decaying into hadrons in e+e−→π+π−γISR events. The combined 90% CL limit increases the sensitivity especially in the ρ–ω interference region and excludes ε2 greater than (13−2)×10−7. For dark photon masses greater than 600 MeV the combined limit is lower than 8 ×10−7 resulting more stringent than present constraints from other experiments. Keywords: e+e− Collisions, Dark forces, Gauge vector boson, Upper limits

Abstract Using 1.63 fb−1 of integrated luminosity collected by the KLOE experiment about 7 × 104 K S → π ± e ∓ ν decays have been reconstructed. The measured value of the charge asymmetry for this decay is A S = (−4.9 ± 5.7stat ± 2.6syst) × 10−3, which is almost twice more precise than the previous KLOE result. The combination of these two measurements gives A S = (−3.8 ± 5.0stat ± 2.6syst) × 10−3 and, together with the asymmetry of the K L semileptonic decay, provides significant tests of the CPT symmetry. The obtained results are in agreement with CPT invariance.

We present the analysis of K− absorption processes on He4 leading to Λπ− final states, measured with the KLOE spectrometer at the DAΦNE e+e− collider and extract, for the first time, the modulus of the non-resonant K−n →Λπ− direct production amplitude about 33 MeV below the K‾N threshold. This analysis also allows to disentangle the K− nuclear absorption at-rest from the in-flight capture, for K− momenta of about 120 MeV. The data are interpreted with the help of a phenomenological model, and the modulus of the non-resonant K−n →Λπ− amplitude for K− absorption at-rest is found to be |AK−n→Λπ−|=(0.334±0.018stat−0.058+0.034syst)fm. Keywords: Strong interaction, Strangeness nuclear physics, Antikaon interactions in nuclear matter

The purpose of this research was to strengthen characters and ecopreneurship of students who enrolled in science, environment, technology, and society (SETS) course. The focus of the students’ characters in this study included responsibility, discipline, creative and innovative, commitment, and cooperative. This course supports the students to develop ecopreneurship to create products from organic and inorganic waste treatments. To achieve the purpose of this research, a teaching and learning package including syllabus, lesson plan, and assessment criteria were developed using the Research and Development (R&D) method. A total of 42 science education undergraduates and two experts were involved in this research. The data were collected through validation sheets, observation sheets, and assessment of students’ecopreneurship products. The validation results showed that the developed teaching and learning package categorized as very good. In this course, six stages of learning were implemented including identifying a problem, making a plan, conducting an observation, collecting information, exhibiting a product, and writing ideas. The observation results showed that the overall developed teaching and learning package was effective to support the students’ learning in each of the six stages. Moreover, the improvement in students’ scores on the focused characters was observed. At the end of the course, the students’ ecopreneurship products were also accomplished. Nine of the products were made of organic waste, while the two of them were recycled from inorganic waste. Thus, it concluded that the course of science, environment, technology, and society could strengthen the students’ characters and ecopreneurship.

Penelitian kolaborasi ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui dan membandingkan iklim kelas yang dialami (actual climate) dengan iklim kelas yang diinginkan (preferred climate) peserta didik di kelas IV, V dan VI Sekolah Dasar Negeri 10 Ganting, Kecamatan Koto Tangah Kota Padang, Sumatera Barat. Responden penelitian berjumlah 78 orang, masing-masing peserta didik di ketiga kelas tersebut merespon dua macam angket. Alat ukur iklim kelas actual form diadministrasikan terlebih dahulu untuk mengetahui iklim kelas yang dialami peserta didik, kemudian diikuti dengan alat ukur iklim kelas preferred form untuk mengukur iklim kelas yang diinginkan peserta didik. Setelah data yang terkumpul diolah dan dianalisis maka dapat diketahui bahwa beberapa skala iklim kelas yang dialami (actual climate) peserta didik kelas IV, V dan VI SD 10 Ganting tidak jauh berbeda dengan iklim kelas diinginkan (preferred climate). Namun demikian, skala cohesiveness dan satisfaction pada preferred climate di kelas V lebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan yang dialami peserta didik (actual climate). Untuk itu, diperlukan langkah-langkah treatment untuk meningkatkan kedua skala tersebut agar iklim kelas sesuai dengan yang diinginkan peserta didik. Kata kunci: iklim kelas, sekolah dasar, keakraban, kepuasan, demokrasi, kecepatan, kesulitan, formalitas CLASSROOM CLIMATE AT PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 10 GANTING, KOTO TANGAH, KOTA PADANG Abstract This collaborative study aims to determine and compare the climate of the class experienced (actual climate) with the desired class climate (preferred climate) by students in class IV, V and VI at Public Elementary School Number 10, Sub-District Koto Tangah Padang, West Sumatra. Research respondents were 78 people, each student in the three classes responded to two kinds of questionnaires. The actual form of classroom climate instrument was administered first to know class climate experienced by students, then followed by preferred form of classroom climate instrument to measure climate of class desired by students. After the collected data were processed and analyzed it can be seen that some actual classroom climate of class IV, V and VI of Public Elementary School No. 10 Ganting are not much different from the preferred climate. Nevertheless, the scale of cohesiveness and satisfaction in preferred climate in class V is higher than that actual climate. Therefore, treatment steps are needed to improve both scales so that the classroom climate in accordance with the desired students. Keywords: class climate, elementary school, familiarity, satisfaction, democracy, speed, difficulty, formality

Abstract The three precision measurements of the cross section σ(e + e − → π + π −γ(γ)) using initial state radiation by the KLOE collaboration provide an important input for the prediction of the hadronic contribution to the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon. These measurements are correlated for both statistical and systematic uncertainties and, therefore, the simultaneous use of these measurements requires covariance matrices that fully describe the correlations. We present the construction of these covariance matrices and use them to determine a combined KLOE measurement for σ(e + e − → π + π −γ(γ)). We find, from this combination, a two-pion contribution to the muon magnetic anomaly in the energy range 0.10 < s < 0.95 GeV2 of a μ π + π − = 489.8 ± 1.7 stat ± 4.8 s y s × 10 − 10 $$ {a}_{\mu}^{\pi^{+}{\pi}^{-}}=\left(489.8\pm {1.7}_{\mathrm{stat}}\pm {4.8}_{\mathrm{sys}}\right)\times {10}^{-10} $$ . Data vectors and covariance matrices are available at http://www.lnf.infn.it/kloe/ppg/ ppg_2017/ppg_2017.html .

The N=52 Ga83 β decay was studied at ALTO. The radioactive 83Ga beam was produced through the ISOL photofission technique and collected on a movable tape for the measurement of γ-ray emission following β decay. While β-delayed neutron emission has been measured to be 56–85% of the decay path, in this experiment an unexpected high-energy 5–9 MeV γ-ray yield of 16(4)% was observed, coming from states several MeVs above the neutron separation threshold. This result is compared with cutting-edge QRPA calculations, which show that when neutrons deeply bound in the core of the nucleus decay into protons via a Gamow–Teller transition, they give rise to a dipolar oscillation of nuclear matter in the nucleus. This leads to large electromagnetic transition probabilities which can compete with neutron emission, thus affecting the β-decay path. This process is enhanced by an excess of neutrons on the nuclear surface and may thus be a common feature for very neutron-rich isotopes, challenging the present understanding of decay properties of exotic nuclei.

We have measured the running of the effective QED coupling constant α(s) in the time-like region 0.6

We report the measurement of K− absorption processes in the Σ0p final state and the first exclusive measurement of the two nucleon absorption (2NA) with the KLOE detector. The 2NA process without further interactions is found to be 9% of the sum of all other contributing processes, including absorption on three and more nucleons or 2NA followed by final state interactions with the residual nucleons. We also determine the possible contribution of the ppK− bound state to the Σ0p final state. The yield of ppK−/Kstop− is found to be (0.044±0.009stat−0.005+0.004syst)⋅10−2 but its statistical significance based on an F-test is only 1σ.

The existence of a new force beyond the Standard Model is compelling because it could explain several striking astrophysical observations which fail standard interpretations. We searched for the light vector mediator of this dark force, the U boson, with the KLOE detector at the DAΦNE e+e− collider. Using an integrated luminosity of 1.54 fb−1, we studied the process e+e−→Uγ, with U→e+e−, using radiative return to search for a resonant peak in the dielectron invariant-mass distribution. We did not find evidence for a signal, and set a 90% CL upper limit on the mixing strength between the Standard Model photon and the dark photon, ε2, at 10−6–10−4 in the 5–520 MeV/c2 mass range.

We searched for evidence of a Higgsstrahlung process in a secluded sector, leading to a final state with a dark photon U and a dark Higgs boson h′, with the KLOE detector at DAΦNE. We investigated the case of h′ lighter than U, with U decaying into a muon pair and h′ producing a missing energy signature. We found no evidence of the process and set upper limits to its parameters in the range 2mμ

A sample of 1.69×107 fully reconstructed π0→γe+e− decay candidates collected by the NA48/2 experiment at CERN in 2003–2004 is analyzed to search for the dark photon (A′) production in the π0→γA′ decay followed by the prompt A′→e+e− decay. No signal is observed, and an exclusion region in the plane of the dark photon mass mA′ and mixing parameter ε2 is established. The obtained upper limits on ε2 are more stringent than the previous limits in the mass range 9 MeV/c2

Inelastic scattering cross sections to individual bound excited states of 104Sn were measured at 150 MeV/u beam energy and analyzed to evaluate the contribution of neutron and proton collectivity. State-of-the-art Quasi-Particle Random Phase Approximation (QRPA) with the D1M Gogny interaction reproduces the experimental proton collectivity and our inelastic scattering cross sections once used as input for a reaction calculation together with the Jeukenne–Lejeune–Mahaux (JLM) potentials. Experimental inelastic scattering cross section decreases by 40(24)% from 112Sn to 104Sn. The present work shows that (i) proton and neutron collectivities are proportional over a large range of tin isotopes (including 104Sn), as is typical for isoscalar excitations, and (ii) the neutron collectivity dominates. It suggests that the plateau in the mass range A=106–112 displayed by E2 transition probabilities is driven by neutron collectivity. Keywords: Collectivity, Inelastic scattering, Gamma spectroscopy

We have studied the vector to pseudoscalar conversion decay ϕ→ηe+e−, with η→π0π0π0, with the KLOE detector at DAΦNE. The data set of 1.7 fb−1 of e+e− collisions at s∼Mϕ contains a clear conversion decay signal of ∼31,000 events from which we measured a value of BR(ϕ→ηe+e−)=(1.075±0.007±0.038)×10−4. The same sample is used to determine the transition form factor by a fit to the e+e− invariant mass spectrum, obtaining bϕη=(1.28±0.10−0.08+0.09) GeV−2, that improves by a factor of five the precision of the previous measurement and is in good agreement with VMD expectations. Keywords: e+e− collisions, Conversion decay, Transition form factor

The absolute branching ratio of the K+→π+π−π+(γ) decay, inclusive of final-state radiation, has been measured using ∼17 million tagged K+ mesons collected with the KLOE detector at DAΦNE, the Frascati ϕ-factory. The result is:BR(K+→π+π−π+(γ))=0.05565±0.00031stat±0.00025syst a factor ≃ 5 more precise with respect to the previous result. This work completes the program of precision measurements of the dominant kaon branching ratios at KLOE. Keywords: e+e− experiments, Kaon decays

We have searched for a light vector boson U, the possible carrier of a “dark force”, with the KLOE detector at the DAΦNE e+e− collider, motivated by astrophysical evidence for the presence of dark matter in the Universe. Using e+e− collisions collected with an integrated luminosity of 239.3 pb−1, we look for a dimuon mass peak in the reaction e+e−→μ+μ−γ, corresponding to the decay U→μ+μ−. We find no evidence for a U vector boson signal. We set a 90% CL upper limit for the mixing parameter squared between the photon and the U boson of 1.6×10−5 to 8.6×10−7 for the mass region 520

The European Spallation Source (ESS), currently under construction in Lund, Sweden, is a research center that will provide, by 2023, the world’s most powerful neutron source. The average power of the proton linac will be 5 MW. Pulsing this linac at higher frequency will make it possible to raise the average total beam power to 10 MW to produce, in parallel with the spallation neutron production, a very intense neutrino Super Beam of about 0.4 GeV mean neutrino energy. This will allow searching for leptonic CP violation at the second oscillation maximum where the sensitivity is about 3 times higher than at the first. The ESS neutrino Super Beam, ESSnuSB operated with a 2.0 GeV linac proton beam, together with a large underground Water Cherenkov detector located at 540 km from Lund, will make it possible to discover leptonic CP violation at 5σ significance level in 56% (65% for an upgrade to 2.5 GeV beam energy) of the leptonic CP-violating phase range after 10 years of data taking, assuming a 5% systematic error in the neutrino flux and 10% in the neutrino cross section. The paper presents the outstanding physics reach possible for CP violation with ESSnuSB obtainable under these assumptions for the systematic errors. It also describes the upgrade of the ESS accelerator complex required for ESSnuSB.

Toxoplasmosis is one of the five parasitic diseases considered as a priority for public health action. The consumption of raw milk products represents a possible risk, in particular for certain categories of people. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effects of Toxoplasma gondii on milk yield and quality in sero-positive animals with parasitemia. Eighteen healthy lactating Amiata jennies, between 90 and 180 days were included in the study. Four donkeys scored positive for immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT), and each IFAT positive donkey presented parasitic DNA both in the blood and milk. No significant differences were found between milk yield in PCR-positive donkeys compared with the negative cases, however the former tended to have a greater production. Milk quality in the positive donkeys showed a significantly lower percentage of casein (0.72% v. 0.81%) and ash (0.32% v. 0.37%). Positive cases had a highly significant larger average diameter of globules (2.35 µm) and fewer globules/ml (2.39×108). Somatic cell and bacterial counts were normal and in agreement with the literature. Toxoplasma gondii did not seem to present clinical forms in lactating jennies. Further in vivo studies are needed to further assess the risk of T. gondii transmission through donkey milk, together with the impact of different stages of infection on milk quality.

A comparative study of the lactodynamographic parameters was carried out on ovine milk. Besides evaluating the repeatability and reproducibility of the analytical method, the influence of some variables such as the genetic type (three breeds), the kind of milk (whole or skimmed), and its concentration after reconstitution (12g or 20g /100 ml) was evaluated. The working plan involved 6 laboratories for the final statistic analyses, by the use of freeze-dried milk samples (adequately reconstituted on the basis of established methods) from Sardinia, Comisana, and Massese ewes. All the considered variability factors showed a highly significant effect (P

A comparative study of the lactodynamographic parameters was carried out on ovine milk. Besides evaluating the repeatability and reproducibility of the analytical method, the influence of some variables such as the genetic type (three breeds), the kind of milk (whole or skimmed), and its concentration after reconstitution (12g or 20g /100 ml) was evaluated. The working plan involved 6 laboratories for the final statistic analyses, by the use of freeze-dried milk samples (adequately reconstituted on the basis of established methods) from Sardinia, Comisana, and Massese ewes. All the considered variability factors showed a highly significant effect (P

INTRODUCTION – The study of the morphometric parameters of milk fat globules can aid in increasing our knowledge of the relationship between the number and dimensions of globules and the chemical, nutritional and technological characteristics of milk and its by-products. It is well-known that the fat globules secreted from the mammary cell are of heterogeneous dimensions, and at present the process of their synthesis in the cell is not yet entirely clear (Keenan, 2001). The few studies previously carried out on livestock mainly concern dairy cattle....

Several studies have pointed out that even under similar environmental conditions, fatty acid composition in milk from dairy cattle of different breeds may be not homogeneous (Beaulieu and Palmquist, 2000; Palmquist et al., 1993; Bitman et al., 1995). The higher percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids in Friesian milk, compared to that of Jerseys, may be related to the physical characteristics of fat globules (Timmen and Patton, 1988; Jensen et al., 1991; Scolozzi, 2002). Milk fat globules of heterogeneous dimensions have been described for many years (Walstra, 1969), but it is still uncertain whether a link exists between the morphometric characteristics of fat globules and their chemical composition (Polidori et al., 1995). In this study we proposed to investigate the relationship between milk fatty acid composition and the morphometric characteristics of fat globules.

The casein genetic polymorphisms are important for their effects on quantitative traits and technological properties of milk. At the αs1-casein (CSN1S1) level three genetic variants were characterised (A, C, D) in ovine milk (Ferranti et al., 1995).

Studies regarding the range of values for variations in the size of milk fat globules have been conducted over the years by various Authors, based on objective observation and mathematical extrapolation. In 1969,Walstra calculated the existence of a population of globules smaller than 1 μm and identified a population of larger globules, distributed in a “Gaussian” manner and showing a peak at a diameter of around 3-4 micrometers; later Timmen e Patton (1988) separated the cream from the rest of the milk by centrifugation and classified the fat globules into small and large sizes.

Since 1969 Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) to the Apollo Cube Corner Reflector (CCR) arrays has supplied several significant tests of gravity: Geodetic Precession, the Strong and Weak Equivalence Principle (SEP, WEP), the Parametrized Post Newtonian (PPN) parameter , the time change of the Gravitational constant (G), 1/r2 deviations and new gravitational theories beyond General Relativity (GR), like the unified braneworld theory (G. Dvali et al., 2003). Now a new generation of LLR can do better using evolved laser retroreflectors, developed from tight collaboration between my institution, INFN–LNF (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare – Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati), and Douglas Currie (University of Maryland, USA), one of the fathers of LLR. The new lunar CCR is developing and characterizing at the “Satellite/Lunar laser ranging Characterization Facility” (SCF), in Frascati, performing our new industry standard space test procedure, the “SCF-Test”; this work contains the experimental results of the SCF-Test applied to the new lunar CCR, and all the new payload developments, including the future SCF tests. The International Lunar Network (ILN) research project considers our new retroreflector as one of the possible “Core Instruments”

Since the 1970s Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) to the Apollo Cube Corner Retroreflector (CCR) arrays (developed by the University of Maryland, UMD) supplied almost all significant tests of General Relativity (Alley et al., 1970; Chang et al., 1971; Bender et al.,1973): possible changes in the gravitational constant, gravitational self-energy, weak equivalence principle, geodetic precession, inverse-square force-law. The LNF group, in fact, has just completed a new measurement of the lunar geodetic precession with Apollo array, with accuracy of 9 × 10−3, comparable to the best measurement to date. LLR has also provided significant information on the composition and origin of the moon. This is the only Apollo experiment still in operation. In the 1970s Apollo LLR arrays contributed a negligible fraction of the ranging error budget. Since the ranging capabilities of ground stations improved by more than two orders of magnitude, now, because of the lunar librations, Apollo CCR arrays dominate the error budget. With the project MoonLIGHT (Moon Laser Instrumentation for General relativity High-accuracy Tests), in 2006 INFN-LNF joined UMD in the development and test of a new-generation LLR payload made by a single, large CCR (100mm diameter) unaffected by the effect of librations. With MoonLIGHT CCRs the accuracy of the measurement of the lunar geodetic precession can be improved up to a factor 100 compared to Apollo arrays. From a technological point of view, INFN-LNF built and is operating a new experimental apparatus (Satellite/lunar laser ranging Characterization Facility, SCF) and created a new industry-standard test procedure (SCF-Test) to characterize and model the detailed thermal behavior and the optical performance of CCRs in accurately laboratory-simulated space conditions, for industrial and scientific applications. Our key experimental innovation is the concurrent measurement and modeling of the optical Far Field Diffraction Pattern (FFDP) and the temperature distribution of retroreflector payloads under thermal conditions produced with a close-match solar simulator. The apparatus includes infrared cameras for non-invasive thermometry, thermal control and real-time payload movement to simulate satellite orientation on orbit with respect to solar illumination and laser interrogation beams. These capabilities provide: unique pre-launch performance validation of the space segment of LLR/SLR (Satellite Laser Ranging); retroreflector design optimization to maximize ranging efficiency and signal-to-noise conditions in daylight. Results of the SCF-Test of our CCR payload will be presented. Negotiations are underway to propose our payload and SCF-Test services for precision gravity and lunar science measurements with next robotic lunar landing missions. In particular, a scientific collaboration agreement was signed on Jan. 30, 2012, by D. Currie, S. Dell’Agnello and the Japanese PI team of the LLR instrument of the proposed SELENE-2 mission by JAXA (Registered with INFN Protocol n. 0000242-03/Feb/2012). The agreement foresees that, under no exchange of funds, the Japanese single, large, hollow LLR reflector will be SCF-Tested and that MoonLIGHT will be considered as backup instrument.