University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

About: University of Modena and Reggio Emilia is a education organization based out in Modena, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 8179 authors who have published 22418 publications receiving 671337 citations. The organization is also known as: Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia & Universita degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia.

Serum anti-Mullerian hormone throughout the human menstrual cycle

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF) superfamily. In women, AMH serum levels can be almost undetectable at birth, with a subtle increase noted after puberty. Data are lacking with regard to menstrual cycle day-to-day fluctuations. This longitudinal study was designed to investigate the pattern of secretion of AMH throughout the menstrual cycle in regularly cycling women. METHODS: Twelve healthy female subjects aged 18–24 years participated in this study. Blood samples were taken every other day throughout one menstrual cycle. Serum FSH, LH, estradiol (E 2 ), progesterone, inhibin B and AMH levels were assayed by double-antibody radioimmunoassay using commercial kits. RESULTS: Serum AMH in the first days of the menstrual cycle (days -14 to -12) was 3.8 ± 1.2 ng/ml (mean ± SD). No significant changes were observed in serum AMH levels throughout the menstrual cycle. The highest value was 3.9 ± 1.3 ng/ml at day -12 and the lowest value was 3.4 ± 1.1 ng/ml at day 14, and the difference was not significant. CONCLUSION: In this study, we demonstrated that serum AMH levels do not change significantly throughout the menstrual cycle. Hence, AMH exhibits a relatively stable expression during the menstrual cycle, making it an attractive determinant of ovarian activity.

Observation of the rare B-s(0)->mu(+)mu(-) decay from the combined analysis of CMS and LHCb data

Abstract: The standard model of particle physics describes the fundamental particles and their interactions via the strong, electromagnetic and weak forces. It provides precise predictions for measurable quantities that can be tested experimentally. The probabilities, or branching fractions, of the strange B meson (B-s(0)) and the B-0 meson decaying into two oppositely charged muons (mu(+) and mu(-)) are especially interesting because of their sensitivity to theories that extend the standard model. The standard model predicts that the B-s(0)->mu(+)mu(-) and B-0 ->mu(+)mu(-) decays are very rare, with about four of the former occurring for every billion B-s(0) mesons produced, and one of the latter occurring for every ten billion B-0 mesons(1). A difference in the observed branching fractions with respect to the predictions of the standard model would provide a direction in which the standard model should be extended. Before the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN2 started operating, no evidence for either decay mode had been found. Upper limits on the branching fractions were an order of magnitude above the standard model predictions. The CMS (Compact Muon Solenoid) and LHCb(Large Hadron Collider beauty) collaborations have performed a joint analysis of the data from proton-proton collisions that they collected in 2011 at a centre-of-mass energy of seven teraelectronvolts and in 2012 at eight teraelectronvolts. Here we report the first observation of the B-s(0)->mu(+)mu(-) decay, with a statistical significance exceeding six standard deviations, and the best measurement so far of its branching fraction. Furthermore, we obtained evidence for the B-0 ->mu(+)mu(-) decay with a statistical significance of three standard deviations. Both measurements are statistically compatible with standard model predictions and allow stringent constraints to be placed on theories beyond the standard model. The LHC experiments will resume taking data in 2015, recording proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 teraelectronvolts, which will approximately double the production rates of B-s(0) and B-0 mesons and lead to further improvements in the precision of these crucial tests of the standard model.

Single-carrier frequency domain equalization

Abstract: This paper present an alternative promising approach to ISI mitigation by the use of single-carrier (SC) modulation combined with frequency-domain equalization (FDE).

Trajectory Planning for Automatic Machines and Robots

Abstract: This book deals with the problems related to planning motion laws and trajectories for the actuation system of automatic machines, in particular for those based on electric drives, and robots. The problem of planning suitable trajectories is relevant not only for the proper use of these machines, in order to avoid undesired effects such as vibrations or even damages on the mechanical structure, but also in some phases of their design and in the choice and sizing of the actuators. This is particularly true now that the concept of electronic cams has replaced, in the design of automatic machines, the classical approach based on mechanical cams. The choice of a particular trajectory has direct and relevant implications on several aspects of the design and use of an automatic machine, like the dimensioning of the actuators and of the reduction gears, the vibrations and efforts generated on the machine and on the load, the tracking errors during the motion execution. For these reasons, in order to understand and appreciate the peculiarities of the different techniques available for trajectory planning, besides the mathematical aspects of their implementation also a detailed analysis in the time and frequency domains, a comparison of their main properties under different points of view, and general considerations related to their practical use are reported.

A new self-consistent empirical interatomic potential model for oxides, silicates, and silica-based glasses.

Abstract: A new empirical pairwise potential model for ionic and semi-ionic oxides has been developed. Its transferability and reliability have been demonstrated by testing the potentials toward the prediction of structural and mechanical properties of a wide range of silicates of technological and geological importance. The partial ionic charge model with a Morse function is used, and it allows the modeling of the quenching of melts, silicate glasses, and inorganic crystals at high-pressure and high-temperature conditions. The results obtained by molecular dynamics and free energy calculations are discussed in relation to the prediction of structural and mechanical properties of a series of soda lime silicate glasses.