In this paper, we give a characterization of the RF effect of memory switching on Nb-Al/AlO x -(Nb)-Pd 0.99 Fe 0.01 -Nb Josephson junctions as a function of magnetic field pulse amplitude and ...duration, alongside with an electrodynamical characterization of such junctions, in comparison with standard Nb-Al/AlO x -Nb tunnel junctions. The use of microwaves to tune the switching parameters of magnetic Josephson junctions is a step in the development of novel addressing schemes aimed at improving the performances of superconducting memories.
The strong requirement for high-performing quantum computing led to intensive research on novel quantum platforms in the last decades. The circuital nature of Josephson-based quantum superconducting ...systems powerfully supports massive circuital freedom, which allowed for the implementation of a wide range of qubit designs, and an easy interface with the quantum processing unit. However, this unavoidably introduces a coupling with the environment, and thus to extra decoherence sources. Moreover, at the time of writing, control and readout protocols mainly use analogue microwave electronics, which limit the otherwise reasonable scalability in superconducting quantum circuits. Within the future perspective to improve scalability by integrating novel control energy-efficient superconducting electronics at the quantum stage in a multi-chip module, we report on an all-microwave characterization of a planar two-transmon qubits device, which involves state-of-the-art control pulses optimization. We demonstrate that the single-qubit average gate fidelity is mainly limited by the gate pulse duration and the quality of the optimization, and thus does not preclude the integration in novel hybrid quantum-classical superconducting devices.
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) needs to be validated and standardized to ensure that cancer patients are reliably selected for target treatments. In Italy, NGS is performed in several institutions ...and harmonization of wet and dry procedures is needed. To this end, a consortium of five different laboratories, covering the most part of the Italian peninsula, was constituted. A narrow gene panel (SiRe®) covering 568 clinically relevant mutations in six different genes (
, and
α) with a predictive role for therapy selection in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), gastrointestinal stromal tumor, colorectal carcinoma (CRC), and melanoma was evaluated in each participating laboratory.
To assess the NGS inter-laboratory concordance, the SiRe® panel, with a related kit and protocol for library preparation, was used in each center to analyze a common set of 20 NSCLC and CRC routine samples. Concordance rate, in terms of mutation detected and relative allelic frequencies, was assessed. Then, each institution prospectively analyzed an additional set of 40 routine samples (for a total of 160 specimens) to assess the reproducibility of the NGS run parameters in each institution.
An inter-laboratory agreement of 100% was reached in analyzing the data obtained from the 20 common sample sets; the concordance rate of allelic frequencies distribution was 0.989. The prospective analysis of the run metric parameters obtained by each center locally showed that the analytical performance of the SiRe® panel in the different institutions was highly reproducible.
The SiRe® panel represents a robust diagnostic tool to harmonize the NGS procedure in different Italian laboratories.
Desiccant cooling systems have been used since the early '30s, mainly for industrial applications in which significant economic benefits could be achieved from an accurate humidity control. The core ...unit of a desiccant cooling system is the desiccant wheel device, the performances of which determine size and cost of the whole system. As a result, having a good desiccant wheel mathematical model can be an useful tool to optimize the operation of the device, as well as a valuable aid in the design phase.
In this paper a one-dimensional coupled heat and mass transfer desiccant wheel model was developed, taking into account the dependence of thermodynamic and transport properties of humid air with temperature (Variable Properties Model, VPM). The model has been validated using both literature and experimental data in terms of temperature and humidity profiles at the exit of the wheel, dehumidification effectiveness, dehumidification coefficient of performance and sensible energy ratio.
Compared to the traditional models, significant improvements in the agreement between numerical predictions and experimental data have been observed. It was found that mean relative error between measured and VPM calculated data were always significantly lower than those between the same experimental data and values calculated according to widespread literature models which consider moist air properties constant with temperature; as a consequence, it can be inferred that neglecting variations of moist air properties with temperature leads to unacceptably low accuracy variables estimation.
•A 1-dimensional coupled heat and mass transfer desiccant wheel model was developed.•Temperature dependence of thermodynamic and transport properties was considered.•Model simulation was carried out under a wide range of operating conditions.•Numerical results was compared with both experimental and literature data.•Major improvements in data matching were observed over widespread literature models.
Results from exoplanet surveys indicate that small planets (super-Earth size and below) are abundant in our Galaxy. However, little is known about their interiors and atmospheres. There is therefore ...a need to find small planets transiting bright stars, which would enable a detailed characterization of this population of objects. We present the results of a search for the transit of the Earth-mass exoplanet α Centauri B b with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). We observed α Centauri B twice in 2013 and 2014 for a total of 40 h. We achieve a precision of 115 ppm per 6-s exposure time in a highly saturated regime, which is found to be consistent across HST orbits. We rule out the transiting nature of α Centauri B b with the orbital parameters published in the literature at 96.6 per cent confidence. We find in our data a single transit-like event that could be associated with another Earth-sized planet in the system, on a longer period orbit. Our programme demonstrates the ability of HST to obtain consistent, high-precision photometry of saturated stars over 26 h of continuous observations.
In this study, the protein and peptide fractions of two commercial Italian barley malt beers, made with different processes by the same producer, have been analysed with a combined immunochemical and ...mass spectrometry approach. The “gluten” content of beer samples, measured with the R5 monoclonal antibody, was below the caution limit proposed by the Codex Alimentarius for gluten-free foods. The proteomic approach allowed to identify a 17
kDa avenin-like protein partially homologous to hordeins, that was particularly abundant in foam, in addition to the already reported barley albumins (Z
4-barley and ns-LTPs) and to minor amounts of yeast glycolytic enzymes. No intact hordeins were detected, although fragments derived from γ
3- and B-hordein were present. In consideration of the many implications of the protein/peptide pattern, these data provide useful information to improve quality and safety of beer.
Purpose
The difference between rest and peak stress end-systolic pressure-volume relation (ΔESPVR) is an afterload-independent index of left ventricular (LV) contractility. We assessed the ...independent prognostic value of ΔESPVR index by dipyridamole stress-cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in patients with known/suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).
Methods
We considered 196 consecutive patients (62.74 ± 10.66 years, 49 females). Wall motion and perfusion abnormalities at rest and peak stress were analysed. Replacement myocardial fibrosis was detected by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) technique. The ESPVR was evaluated at rest and peak stress from raw measurement of systolic arterial pressure and end-systolic volume by biplane Simpson’s method.
Results
A reduced ΔESPVR index (≤ 0.02 mmHg/mL/m2) was found in 88 (44.9%) patients and it was associated with a lower LV ejection fraction (EF) and with a higher frequency of abnormal stress CMR and myocardial fibrosis. During a mean follow-up of 53.17 ± 28.21 months, 50 (25.5%) cardiac events were recorded: 5 cardiac deaths, 17 revascularizations, one myocardial infarction, 23 hospitalisations for heart failure or unstable angina, and 4 ventricular arrhythmias. According to Cox regression analysis, diabetes, family history, LVEF, abnormal stress CMR, myocardial fibrosis, and reduced ΔESPVR were significant univariate prognosticators. In the multivariate analysis the independent predictors were ΔESPVR index ≤ 0.02 mmHg/mL/m2 (hazard ratio-HR = 2.58,
P
= 0.007), myocardial fibrosis (HR = 2.13,
P
= 0.036), and diabetes (HR = 2.33,
P
= 0.012).
Conclusion
ΔESPVR index by stress-CMR was independently associated with cardiac outcomes in patients with known/suspected CAD, in addition to replacement myocardial fibrosis and diabetes. Thus, the assessment of ΔESPVR index may be included into the standard stress-CMR exam to further stratify the patients.
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