546 research outputs found
The proton in 3D
No full textProtons and neutrons constitute the building blocks of normal matter, accounting for almost all the mass of our world. We are still far from understanding the intricacies and mysteries of their inner structure. In the course of several decades of successful studies, we dedicated our efforts to delving deeper and deeper into them. A few years ago, thanks to a fruitful synergy of theoretical and experimental progress, we started to collect unprecedented multi-dimensional images of the distribution of quarks and gluons inside protons and neutrons. These pictures of the universe within the nucleon challenge our comprehension of the underlying theory of quark and gluon dynamics (quantum chromo-dynamics—QCD) and at the same time put us face to face with fundamental questions, such as: What is the shape of the nucleon? What is the spin of the nucleon coming from
Experimental results on TMDs
No full textQCD factorisation for semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (DIS) at low transverse momentum in the current-fragmentation region has been established recently, providing a rigorous basis to study the transverse-momentum–dependent (TMD) distribution and fragmentation functions of partons from semi-inclusive DIS data using different spin-dependent and spin-independent observables. The main focus of the experiments were the measurements of various single- and double-spin asymmetries in hadron electro-production (ep↑ → ehX) with unpolarised, longitudinally and transversely polarised targets. The joint use of a longitudinally polarised beam and longitudinally and transversely polarised targets allowed to measure double-spin asymmetries related to leading-twist distribution functions describing the transverse momentum distribution of longitudinally and transversely polarised quarks in a longitudinally and transversely polarised nucleons (helicity and worm-gear TMDs). The single-spin asymmetries measured with transversely polarised targets, provided access to specific leading-twist parton distribution functions: the transversity, the Sivers function and the so-called “pretzelosity” function. In this review we present the current status and some future measurements of TMDs worldwide
Effects of different electromagnetic fields on circadian rhythms of some hematochemical parameters in rats
No full textOBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effects of different electromagnetic fields on some haematochemical parameters of circadian rhythms in Sprague-Dawley rats.
METHODS:
The study was carried out in 18 male and 18 female rats in good health conditions exposed to 50 Hz magnetic sinusoid fields at the intensity of 1000 microT, 100 microT, and 0 microT (control group) respectively, and in 18 male and 18 female rats in good health conditions exposed to 1.8 GHz electromagnetic fields at the intensity of 50 V/m, 25 V/m and 0 V/m (control group), respectively. Following haematochemical parameters for glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol were measured.
RESULTS:
Different effects of electromagnetic fields on circadian rhythms of both male and female rats were observed. Different changes occurred in some haematochemical parameters for glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION:
Exposure to different electromagnetic fields is responsible for the variations of some haematochemical parameters in rats
The successful therapy dog: An insight through a Delphi consultation survey among Italian experts
No full textAnimal assisted interventions (AAI) refer to planned and structured interactions between humans and animals managed by a multidisciplinary team. The domestic dog (Canis familiaris) is the most involved species in this kind of programs. Even though, it is agreed worldwide that these animals should fulfil some requirements, their selection is still based on general principles and each organization gives its own interpretation. Some selection protocols were set up in the past, but they found little application in practice among professionals. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the phenomenon is needed. Our study aims to build consensus about features that make a therapy dog successful in AAI settings among Italian professionals that work in the AAI field. A three-round Delphi process was set up to get closer to this goal. All Delphi exercises were conducted using online questionnaires distributed to professionals. As a first step, respondents were asked to answer an open-ended question, asking what defining features a therapy dog should have to be eligible in most dog-assisted intervention programs, while in subsequent rounds participants rated to what extent characteristics resulting from round 1 are desirable/undesirable for a therapy dog. Thirty-three professionals responded to all rounds. The Delphi study allowed us to identify 55 defining features of a therapy dog. Among them, 16 features resulted “very desirable” with expert consensus and they all relate to dog resilience, dog emotional balance, dog willingness to collaborate with both handler and users/patients and dog communication skills. Moreover, we noticed that respondents often assign human qualities onto the animal showing anthropomorphism attitude. We concluded that a selection of therapy dog should not consider only exclusion criteria and role-playing, but their communication skills, willingness to engage, resilience and emotional balance should also be assessed. Further studies are needed to investigate the link between our results and the successful and reliable involvement of dogs in most settings of animal assisted interventions. However, our findings provided a baseline for future research that started from the professionals’ point of view with a participatory approach
POLARIZED SEA MEASUREMENTS AT JPARC
No full textLarge double spin-asymmetries can be foreseen for Drell-Yan production in pp scattering at JPARC energies. The sign of the asymmetries can be used to discriminate between different model calculation of sea quark distributions
Donkey assisted interventions: A pilot survey on service providers in North-Eastern Italy
No full textContext: Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI), which are generally defined as ‘pet therapy’, focus on the improvement of human health and wellbeing through a multidisciplinary approach and the involvement of domestic animals. An Italian survey conducted in 2017 revealed that donkeys were the third most involved species in AAI. Nevertheless, data on the main features of the providers of Donkey Assisted Interventions (DAI), especially in Italy, and their organisational models are scarce. Objective: This questionnaire-based pilot study aimed to collect information about the features of DAI providers in the Veneto Region to have a general framework about the field. Study method: In this descriptive mixed-method pilot study, we interviewed DAI providers through a computer assisted telephone interview. Respondents were selected by integrating data from the Veneto Region Livestock Database and from the Italian official register of AAI professionals. The questionnaire was designed following the advice from Equator Network. Main outcome measures: Our outcome measures included the prevalent organisational system adopted by our respondents, main type of AAI programs, and users. Furthermore, we collected qualitative data about economic and income and respondents’ personal opinions about DAI (strengths and weaknesses). Main results: Data analysis revealed a heterogeneous picture of the DAI field with a prevalence of non-profit organisations providing mainly Donkey Assisted Activities to a large range of user categories. Despite the poor economic framework and low income from DAI, DAI providers were strongly motivated and spent more time and efforts in delivering this service
TRANSVERSITY 2008 Proceedings of the Second Workshop on Transverse Polarization Phenomena in Hard Processes
No full textTransversity 2008, the second workshop on Transverse polarization phenomena in hard processes, follows the first one held in Como after three years. As in that case, the event comes at the end of a two-years project financed by the Italian Ministry of Education. In the time between the two Workshops, decisive steps towards the revealing of the transverse spin structure of the proton were taken on both the theoretical and experimental sides. The milestone of the first extraction of Transversity and the Sivers function for the u- and d-quarks deserves a special mention. In the same period, historic experiments that in the last decade contributed to the first pioneering measurements in the SIDIS sector, have concluded their data taking, and their place is being taken by upgrades of existing or new facilities. These are the result of the new interesting phenomena which are appearing and call for additional experimental information and novel experimental techniques. Over 80 physicists took part in the Workshop. Equally involved were experimentalists and theoreticians engaged in investigating the nature of transverse spin. The heterogeneous public favoured vivid discussions and fruitful exchange of up-to-date theoretical and experimental ideas on this constantly evolving subject
Animal assisted interventions in the green care framework: A literature review
No full textGreen Care (GC) and Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI) are recognised practices useful to enhance the wellbeing of people through interaction with nature and animals. This study aims at understanding the interconnections between GC and AAI by analysing deeply which interaction with animals is conducted. Therefore, we carried out a literature search through Web of Science and Google Scholar that allowed retrieval of 993 records; after the PRISMA selection process, 42 were included. Relevant information was extracted: year of publication, geographical location, objectives, settings in agricultural environment, animal species, characteristics of users involved, type of human–animal interaction, coexistence of other activities without animals, animal health and welfare issues. From the review emerged that research on GC with animals is common in high-income countries and that the line between AAI and occupational therapy is often vague. Moreover, the most common setting for these interventions appears to be the farm, and frequently animals involved are not selected according to their ethological characteristics. Users in this context are extremely various and not only involved in activities with animals. Within the included studies, we noted a lack in the consideration of animal welfare that indicates the need for increased awareness among practitioners and a more ethical approach when animals are involved
Occurrence of Clostridium difficile in dogs involved in animal assisted interventions (AAIs) In Italy
No full textDonkey behaviour and cognition: a literature review
No full textDespite their diffusion worldwide, many aspects of donkeys’ behaviour and cognitive abilities are still poorly
understood and overshadowed by a corpus of commonplaces. The possibility of better knowing this species is of
key relevance for its wellbeing and to establish a good human-donkey relationship. This review aims to investigate
scientific literature on donkey behaviour and cognition, along with the behavioural tests that have been
used so far to explore these topics. Searches of Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection, Scielo and Medline
(through the WoS platform) and Google Scholar performed prior to March 2020 resulted in 75 records dealing
with the question outlined in the present review. This research allowed us to delineate a qualitative synthesis of
the studies’ characteristics, as well as a narrative summary of the topics covered by the investigated scientific
literature, and to identify the behavioural tests used for donkeys. The hope is that a deeper knowledge of this
species in regard to of the abovementioned aspects would allow donkeys to benefit from an improvement of
human respect for their welfare
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