Showing papers by "University of Udine published in 2011"
Marcos Daniel Actis1, G. Agnetta2, Felix Aharonian3, A. G. Akhperjanian +682 more•Institutions (109)
TL;DR: The ground-based gamma-ray astronomy has had a major breakthrough with the impressive results obtained using systems of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes as mentioned in this paper, which is an international initiative to build the next generation instrument, with a factor of 5-10 improvement in sensitivity in the 100 GeV-10 TeV range and the extension to energies well below 100GeV and above 100 TeV.
Abstract: Ground-based gamma-ray astronomy has had a major breakthrough with the impressive results obtained using systems of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. Ground-based gamma-ray astronomy has a huge potential in astrophysics, particle physics and cosmology. CTA is an international initiative to build the next generation instrument, with a factor of 5-10 improvement in sensitivity in the 100 GeV-10 TeV range and the extension to energies well below 100 GeV and above 100 TeV. CTA will consist of two arrays (one in the north, one in the south) for full sky coverage and will be operated as open observatory. The design of CTA is based on currently available technology. This document reports on the status and presents the major design concepts of CTA.
1,006 citations
TL;DR: Task-specific training with epidural stimulation might reactivate previously silent spared neural circuits or promote plasticity and could be a viable clinical approach for functional recovery after severe paralysis.
945 citations
TL;DR: This work presents a search for dark matter consisting of weakly interacting massive particles, applying a joint likelihood analysis to 10 satellite galaxies with 24 months of data of the Fermi Large Area Telescope, and is able to rule out models with the most generic cross section, using gamma rays.
Abstract: Satellite galaxies of the Milky Way are among the most promising targets for dark matter searches in gamma rays. We present a search for dark matter consisting of weakly interacting massive particl ...
602 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a search for squarks and gluinos in final states containing jets, missing transverse momentum and no electrons or muons is presented, and the data were recorded by the ATLAS experiment in sqrt(s) = 7 TeV proton-proton collisions at the Large Hadron Collider.
452 citations
TL;DR: The changes promoted by the biochar seem to be in favor of its use on mine wastes to help the establishment of a green cover in a phytostabilization process.
438 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the particle multiplicity, its dependence on transverse momentum and pseudorapidity and the relationship between the mean transversal momentum and the charged-particle multiplicity are measured.
Abstract: Measurements are presented from proton-proton collisions at centre-of-mass energies of root s = 0.9, 2.36 and 7 TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. Events were collected using a single-arm minimum-bias trigger. The charged-particle multiplicity, its dependence on transverse momentum and pseudorapidity and the relationship between the mean transverse momentum and charged-particle multiplicity are measured. Measurements in different regions of phase space are shown, providing diffraction-reduced measurements as well as more inclusive ones. The observed distributions are corrected to well-defined phase-space regions, using model-independent corrections. The results are compared to each other and to various Monte Carlo (MC) models, including a new AMBT1 pythia6 tune. In all the kinematic regions considered, the particle multiplicities are higher than predicted by the MC models. The central charged-particle multiplicity per event and unit of pseudorapidity, for tracks with p(T) > 100 MeV, is measured to be 3.483 +/- 0.009 (stat) +/- 0.106 (syst) at root s = 0.9 TeV and 5.630 +/- 0.003 (stat) +/- 0.169 (syst) at root s = 7 TeV.
435 citations
TL;DR: The molecular aspects of the pericyte activating factors secreted by endothelial cells, such as platelet derived growth factor B (PDGF-B), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and angiopoietins (Angs), as well as signaling pathways involving Notch and ephrins are examined.
Abstract: Pericytes are branched cells embedded within the basement membrane of capillaries and post-capillary venules. They provide an incomplete investment to endothelial cells, thus reinforcing vascular structure and regulating microvascular blood flow. Pericytes exert an important role on endothelial cell proliferation, migration and stabilization. Endothelial cells, in turn, stimulate expansion and activation of the pericyte precursor cell population. The balance between the number of endothelial cells and pericytes is highly controlled by a series of signaling pathway mechanisms operating in an autocrine and/or paracrine manner. In this review, we will first examine the molecular aspects of the pericyte activating factors secreted by endothelial cells, such as platelet derived growth factor B (PDGF-B), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) and angiopoietins (Angs), as well as signaling pathways involving Notch and ephrins. We will then consider the complex and multivarious contribution of pericytes to the different aspects of angiogenesis with particular emphasis on the potential role of these cells as targets in tumor therapy.
394 citations
French Institute of Health and Medical Research1, University of Paris-Sud2, Humboldt University of Berlin3, University of Pisa4, University of Bergen5, Utrecht University6, University of Ljubljana7, University of Strasbourg8, University of Udine9, University of Buenos Aires10, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens11, Winthrop University12, Queen Mary University of London13, University of Birmingham14
TL;DR: The EULAR SS Patient Reported Index is a very simple index designed to measure patients' symptoms in primary SS and has good construct validity and is well correlated with SSI and PROFAD.
Abstract: Objectives To develop a score for assessment of patients9 symptoms in primary Sjogren9s syndrome (SS): the EULAR SS Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI). Methods Dryness, pain, somatic and mental fatigue were identified as the main symptoms of patients with primary SS, in studies developing the Profile of Fatigue and Discomfort (PROFAD) and Sicca Symptoms Inventory (SSI). It was suspected that a single 0–10 numerical scale for each domain was sufficient to assess these symptoms. These four scales were gathered to form the ESSPRI. 230 patients, from 12 countries completed the ESSPRI, SSI and PROFAD questionnaires and a 0–10 patient global assessment (PGA). Correlations between each symptom and PGA were obtained. Multiple regression modelling, using PGA as ‘gold standard’ was used to select domains and estimate their weights. Results PGA had good correlation with dryness, limb pain, fatigue and mental fatigue (r=0.49–0.59, all p Conclusion ESSPRI is a very simple index designed to measure patients9 symptoms in primary SS. It has good construct validity and is well correlated with SSI and PROFAD. ESSPRI should now be validated for use as an outcome measure in clinical trials.
380 citations
TL;DR: Very high energy (VHE) gamma-ray emission from the flat spectrum radio quasar (FSRQ) PKS 1222+21 (4C 21.432) was detected with the MAGIC Cherenkov telescopes during a short observation (similar to 0.5 hr) performed on 2010 June 17 as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Very high energy (VHE) gamma-ray emission from the flat spectrum radio quasar (FSRQ) PKS 1222+ 21 (4C 21.35, z = 0.432) was detected with the MAGIC Cherenkov telescopes during a short observation (similar to 0.5 hr) performed on 2010 June 17. The MAGIC detection coincides with high-energy MeV/ GeV gamma-ray activity measured by the Large Area Telescope (LAT) on board the Fermi satellite. The VHE spectrum measured by MAGIC extends from about 70 GeV up to at least 400 GeV and can be well described by a power-law dN/dE proportional to E-Gamma with a photon index Gamma = 3.75 +/- 0.27(stat) +/- 0.2(syst). The averaged integral flux above 100 GeV is (4.6 +/- 0.5) x 10(-10) cm(-2) s(-1) (similar to 1 Crab Nebula flux). The VHE flux measured by MAGIC varies significantly within the 30 minute exposure implying a flux doubling time of about 10 minutes. The VHE and MeV/GeV spectra, corrected for the absorption by the extragalactic background light (EBL), can be described by a single power law with photon index 2.72 +/- 0.34 between 3 GeV and 400 GeV, and is consistent with emission belonging to a single component in the jet. The absence of a spectral cutoff constrains the gamma-ray emission region to lie outside the broad-line region, which would otherwise absorb the VHE gamma-rays. Together with the detected fast variability, this challenges present emission models from jets in FSRQs. Moreover, the combined Fermi/LAT and MAGIC spectral data yield constraints on the density of the EBL in the UV-optical to near-infrared range that are compatible with recent models.
371 citations
TL;DR: Treatment with BEACOPP, as compared with ABVD, resulted in better initial tumor control, but the long-term clinical outcome did not differ significantly between the two regimens.
Abstract: The 7-year rate of freedom from first progression was 85% among patients who had received initial treatment with BEACOPP and 73% among those who had received initial treatment with ABVD (P = 0.004), and the 7-year rate of event-free survival was 78% and 71%, respectively (P = 0.15). A total of 65 patients (20 in the BEACOPP group, and 45 in the ABVD group) went on to receive the intended high-dose salvage regimen. As of the cutoff date, 3 of the 20 patients in the BEACOPP group and 15 of the 45 in the ABVD group who had had progressive disease or relapse after the initial therapy were alive and free of disease. After completion of the overall planned treatment, including salvage therapy, the 7-year rate of freedom from a second progression was 88% in the BEACOPP group and 82% in the ABVD group (P = 0.12), and the 7-year rate of overall survival was 89% and 84%, respectively (P = 0.39). Severe adverse events occurred more frequently in the BEACOPP group than in the ABVD group. Conclusions Treatment with BEACOPP, as compared with ABVD, resulted in better initial tumor control, but the long-term clinical outcome did not differ significantly between the two regimens. (Funded by Fondazione Michelangelo; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01251107.)
352 citations
TL;DR: Using linear co-positive Lyapunov functions, results for the synthesis of stabilizing, guaranteed performance and optimal control laws for switched linear systems are presented and applied to a simplified human immunodeficiency viral mutation model.
Abstract: This paper has been motivated by the problem of viral mutation in HIV infection. Under simplifying assumptions, viral mutation treatment dynamics can be viewed as a positive switched linear system. Using linear co-positive Lyapunov functions, results for the synthesis of stabilizing, guaranteed performance and optimal control laws for switched linear systems are presented. These results are then applied to a simplified human immunodeficiency viral mutation model. The optimal switching control law is compared with the law obtained through an easily computable guaranteed cost function. Simulation results show the effectiveness of these methods. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: An objective review of the available monitoring systems, including their specific advantages and limitations, and highlighting some key principles underlying hemodynamic monitoring in critically ill patients are offered.
Abstract: Hemodynamic monitoring plays a fundamental role in the management of acutely ill patients. With increased concerns about the use of invasive techniques, notably the pulmonary artery catheter, to measure cardiac output, recent years have seen an influx of new, less-invasive means of measuring hemodynamic variables, leaving the clinician somewhat bewildered as to which technique, if any, is best and which he/she should use. In this consensus paper, we try to provide some clarification, offering an objective review of the available monitoring systems, including their specific advantages and limitations, and highlighting some key principles underlying hemodynamic monitoring in critically ill patients.
TL;DR: SVP transplantation produces long-term improvement of cardiac function through a novel paracrine mechanism involving the secretion of miR-132 and inhibition of its target genes.
Abstract: Rationale:Pericytes are key regulators of vascular maturation, but their value for cardiac repair remains unknown. Objective:We investigated the therapeutic activity and mechanistic targets of saphenous vein-derived pericyte progenitor cells (SVPs) in a mouse myocardial infarction (MI) model. Methods and Results:SVPs have a low immunogenic profile and are resistant to hypoxia/starvation (H/S). Transplantation of SVPs into the peri-infarct zone of immunodeficient CD1/Foxn-1nu/nu or immunocompetent CD1 mice attenuated left ventricular dilatation and improved ejection fraction compared to vehicle. Moreover, SVPs reduced myocardial scar, cardiomyocyte apoptosis and interstitial fibrosis, improved myocardial blood flow and neovascularization, and attenuated vascular permeability. SVPs secrete vascular endothelial growth factor A, angiopoietin-1, and chemokines and induce an endogenous angiocrine response by the host, through recruitment of vascular endothelial growth factor B expressing monocytes. The associat...
National University of Ireland, Galway1, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio2, University of Udine3, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill4, University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center5, Helsinki University Central Hospital6, University of California, Los Angeles7, University of Cambridge8, University of Sydney9, Royal Edinburgh Hospital10, University of Utah11, Duke University12, University of Western Ontario13, University of Calgary14
TL;DR: An international collaborative mega-analysis of regional volumetric measurements of individual patient and healthy subject data identified lithium use and illness duration as substantial and consistent sources of heterogeneity, with lithium use associated with regionally specific increased brain volume.
TL;DR: A Pin1/mutant p53 axis that conveys oncogenic signals to promote aggressiveness in human cancers is defined and a transcriptional signature associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer and Pin1 overexpression influenced the prognostic value of p53 mutation is identified.
TL;DR: A short-term incubation study was carried out to investigate the effect of biochar addition to soil on CO 2 emissions, microbial biomass, soil soluble carbon (C) nitrogen (N) and nitrate-nitrogen (NO 3 -N) as discussed by the authors.
TL;DR: In this paper, the gamma-ray activity of the blazar Mrk 501 during the first 480 days of Fermi operation was reported, and it was shown that the energy distribution of the freshly accelerated radiating electrons required to fit the time-averaged data has a broken power-law form in the energy range 0.3GeV-10TeV, with spectral indices 2.2 and 2.20.
Abstract: We report on the gamma-ray activity of the blazar Mrk 501 during the first 480 days of Fermi operation. We find that the average LAT gamma-ray spectrum of Mrk 501 can be well described by a single power-law function with a photon index of 1.78 +/- 0.03. While we observe relatively mild flux variations with the Fermi-LAT (within less than a factor of 2), we detect remarkable spectral variability where the hardest observed spectral index within the LAT energy range is 1.52 +/- 0.14, and the softest one is 2.51 +/- 0.20. These unexpected spectral changes do not correlate with the measured flux variations above 0.3GeV. In this paper, we also present the first results from the 4.5-month-long multifrequency campaign (2009 March 15 - August 1) on Mrk 501, which included the VLBA, Swift, RXTE, MAGIC and VERITAS, the F-GAMMA, GASP-WEBT, and other collaborations and instruments which provided excellent temporal and energy coverage of the source throughout the entire campaign. The average spectral energy distribution of Mrk 501 is well described by the standard one-zone synchrotron self-Compton model. In the framework of this model, we find that the dominant emission region is characterized by a size <~ 0.1 pc (comparable within a factor of few to the size of the partially-resolved VLBA core at 15-43 GHz), and that the total jet power (~10^{44} erg s^{-1}) constitutes only a small fraction (~10^{-3}) of the Eddington luminosity. The energy distribution of the freshly-accelerated radiating electrons required to fit the time-averaged data has a broken power-law form in the energy range 0.3GeV-10TeV, with spectral indices 2.2 and 2.7 below and above the break energy of 20GeV. We argue that such a form is consistent with a scenario in which the bulk of the energy dissipation within the dominant emission zone of Mrk 501 is due to relativistic, proton-mediated shocks.
TL;DR: In this article, measurements of luminosity obtained using the ATLAS detector during early running of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at root s = 7 TeV are presented, independently determined using several detectors and multiple algorithms, each having different acceptances, systematic uncertainties and sensitivity to background.
Abstract: Measurements of luminosity obtained using the ATLAS detector during early running of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at root s = 7 TeV are presented. The luminosity is independently determined using several detectors and multiple algorithms, each having different acceptances, systematic uncertainties and sensitivity to background. The ratios of the luminosities obtained from these methods are monitored as a function of time and of mu, the average number of inelastic interactions per bunch crossing. Residual time- and mu-dependence between the methods is less than 2% for 0 < mu < 2.5. Absolute luminosity calibrations, performed using beam separation scans, have a common systematic uncertainty of +/- 11%, dominated by the measurement of the LHC beam currents. After calibration, the luminosities obtained from the different methods differ by at most +/- 2%. The visible cross sections measured using the beam scans are compared to predictions obtained with the PYTHIA and PHOJET event generators and the ATLAS detector simulation.
TL;DR: The roots of Google's PageRank can be traced back to several early, and equally remarkable, ranking techniques.
Abstract: The roots of Google's PageRank can be traced back to several early, and equally remarkable, ranking techniques.
TL;DR: In this paper, the impact of customer integration on efficiency and the moderating role of supplier integration was analyzed in a sample of 200 manufacturing plants and two hypotheses were tested through a hierarchical regression analysis.
Abstract: Purpose – This research intends to investigate whether there are synergies that a firm could or should exploit by simultaneously implementing customer and supplier integration. In particular, the aim is to analyze the impact of customer integration on efficiency, and the moderating role of supplier integration.Design/methodology/approach – This study analyzes data from a sample of 200 manufacturing plants. Two hypotheses are tested through a hierarchical regression analysis. Customer and supplier integration constructs consider items related to different aspects of the integration (e.g. sharing of production plans and customers' forecasts, feedback on performance, communication on quality considerations and design changes, joint quality improvement efforts, close contact, partnerships). The focus of the integration clearly extends beyond the dyad, as it includes the integration of focal operations upstream and downstream, with both suppliers and customers.Findings – Supplier integration positively moderat...
TL;DR: In this paper, the cross-section and fraction of J/psi mesons produced in B-hadron decays are measured in proton proton collisions at root s = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector at the LHC, using 2.3 pb(-1) of integrated luminosity.
TL;DR: It is shown how the gene content in these segments can be predicted through conservation of synteny with model cereal genomes, providing a route to rapid gene identification.
Abstract: Since the early 20th century, barley (Hordeum vulgare) has been a model for investigating the effects of physical and chemical mutagens and for exploring the potential of mutation breeding in crop improvement. As a consequence, extensive and well-characterized collections of morphological and developmental mutants have been assembled that represent a valuable resource for exploring a wide range of complex and fundamental biological processes. We constructed a collection of 881 backcrossed lines containing mutant alleles that induce a majority of the morphological and developmental variation described in this species. After genotyping these lines with up to 3,072 single nucleotide polymorphisms, comparison to their recurrent parent defined the genetic location of 426 mutant alleles to chromosomal segments, each representing on average <3% of the barley genetic map. We show how the gene content in these segments can be predicted through conservation of synteny with model cereal genomes, providing a route to rapid gene identification.
TL;DR: A measurement of the production cross-section for top quark pairs (t (t) over bar) in pp collisions at root s = 7 TeV is presented in this article using data recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Co.
Abstract: A measurement of the production cross-section for top quark pairs (t (t) over bar) in pp collisions at root s = 7 TeV is presented using data recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Co ...
TL;DR: 18 studies showing potential predictors of co-occurring disorders (COD) were found, and more negative outcomes were related to COD patients with temporally prior onset of mood disorders, including major depressive disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Abstract: This article reviews the literature on co-occurring mental disorders and substance use disorders. The co-occurrence of mental disorders with substance use disorders presents a major challenge to those who provide psychiatric services. Despite the clinical and social burdens caused by this complex problem, research in this area is still insufficient. We found 18 studies showing potential predictors of co-occurring disorders (COD). Poor outcomes have been associated with: (i) COD compared to single disorders and (ii) COD with prior mental disorder compared to COD with prior substance use disorders. Poorer outcomes were reported for substance use disorder patients with comorbid major depressive disorder, and patients with substance use disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Furthermore, more negative outcomes were related to COD patients with temporally prior onset of mood disorders. Comorbidity between major depressive disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorder is suggested in the literature as a potential predictor of COD problems.
TL;DR: In this article, tract-based spatial statistics of diffusion tensor imaging measures were applied to compare fractional anisotropy (FA), mean, and radial diffusivity of the white matter skeleton in a group of 40 consecutively admitted inpatients affected by a major depressive episode without psychotic features with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder type I and 21 unrelated healthy volunteers from the general population.
TL;DR: The proposed approach is based on the injection of proper tests signals and allows the MTPA trajectory to be learned and updated in the drive during steady-state conditions and the analytical development of the estimation algorithm, supported by a complete validation by simulation, is given.
Abstract: This paper deals with a novel approach for the real-time tracking of the maximum-torque-per-ampere (MTPA) trajectory of an interior permanent-magnet (IPM) motor drive. The proposed approach is based on the injection of proper test signals and allows the MTPA trajectory to be learned and updated in the drive during steady-state conditions. The analytical development of the estimation algorithm, which is supported by a complete validation by simulation, is given in this paper. Finally, experimental results are presented based on a prototype IPM drive system.
TL;DR: This mini review examines studies that have investigated the use of VR in autism and finds virtual reality can be useful as it allows instructors and therapists to offer a safe, repeatable and diversifiable environment during learning.
Abstract: Autism spectrum disorders are characterized by core deficits with regard to three domains, i.e. social interaction, communication and repetitive or stereotypic behaviour. It is crucial to develop intervention strategies helping individuals with autism, their caregivers and educators in daily life. For this purpose, virtual reality (VR), i.e. a simulation of the real world based on computer graphics, can be useful as it allows instructors and therapists to offer a safe, repeatable and diversifiable environment during learning. This mini review examines studies that have investigated the use of VR in autism.
University of Milan1, University of Udine2, University of Florence3, University of Bari4, University of Pavia5, University of Padua6, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico7, University of Brescia8, Sapienza University of Rome9, University of Pisa10, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia11
TL;DR: A core set of recommendations for the treatment of HCV-associated mixed cryoglobulinemia syndrome is defined by combining current evidence from clinical trials and expert opinion, and may be useful as provisional guidelines for the management of MCS.
TL;DR: IL-28B rs12979860 C/T polymorphism T allele is more prevalent in patients with viral cirrhosis due to HCV in comparison to other aetiologies and to patients with mild chronic hepatitis C.
TL;DR: In this article, the anti-kt algorithm is used to identify jets, with two jet resolution parameters, R = 0.4 and 0.6, and the dominant uncertainty comes from the jet energy scale, which is determined to within 7% for central jets above 60 GeV transverse momentum.
Abstract: Jet cross sections have been measured for the first time in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV using the ATLAS detector. The measurement uses an integrated luminosity of 17 nb-1 recorded at the Large Hadron Collider. The anti-kt algorithm is used to identify jets, with two jet resolution parameters, R = 0.4 and 0.6. The dominant uncertainty comes from the jet energy scale, which is determined to within 7% for central jets above 60 GeV transverse momentum. Inclusive single-jet differential cross sections are presented as functions of jet transverse momentum and rapidity. Dijet cross sections are presented as functions of dijet mass and the angular variable $\chi$. The results are compared to expectations based on next-to-leading-order QCD, which agree with the data, providing a validation of the theory in a new kinematic regime.