Tools for cryptographic protocols analysis: A technical and experimental comparison

The tools for cryptographic protocols analysis based on state exploration are designed to be completely automatic and should carry out their job with a reasonable amount of computing and storage resources, even when run by users having a limited amount of expertise in the field. This paper compares four tools of this kind to highlight their features and ability to detect bugs under the same experimental conditions. To this purpose, the ability of each tool to detect known flaws in a uniform set of well-known cryptographic protocols has been checked. Results are also given on the relative performance of the tools when analysing several known-good protocols with an increasing number of parallel sessions.     

Alternative Readout Electronics for Superconducting Transition Edge Sensors

A simple idea of using transformers as impedance adapters between TES and conventional JFET amplifiers, allowing to built an electronic readout system that does not degenerate the signal, will be presented. The theoretical modelling and systematic experimental results of such devices, indicate that there is a frequency range were the amplifier noise is negligible with respect to the TES noise.     

Reduction of catechin,rutin, and quercetin levels by interaction with food‐related microorganisms in a resting state

Flavonoids are plant secondary metabolites abundant in foods and beverages of plant origin. These compounds are free radical scavengers and their consumption is linked to reduced incidence of coronary heart disease. In this study, two wine‐related microorganisms and one probiotic bifidobacteria strain were examined for their ability to absorb and/or transform the common flavonoids: quercetin, rutin, and catechin. Flavonoid absorption and/or transformation was determined using a resting cell assay (RCA) combined with high‐performance liquid chromatographic detection of the flavonoid losses. RCAs with Pediococcus pentosaceus ATCC 25745, Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 36026, and Bifidobacterium longum DJO10A resulted in losses of rutin and quercetin. Further analysis of cell pellets indicated that, unlike rutin and catechin, most of the quercetin present in the assay was transported/adsorbed only into metabolically active cells. In 24 h the net quercetin loss from the resting cells of P. pentosaceus, S. cerevisiae, and B. longum was 21.3%, 27.1%, and 63.4%, respectively. These results suggest that these microorganisms, which are frequently present or added to food products, can decrease the overall concentration of quercetin, either through absorption or transport into the cell. The implications for the overall bioavailability of quercetin in humans remain to be determined. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Experimental investigations on the multi-jet electrospinning process

Multi-jet electrospinning systems can be designed to increase both productivity and cover area for large-scale nanofibre production. In this work several multi-jet electrospinning setups were tested. A solution of 7 wt% PEO was electrospun varying the number of nozzles between 2 and 16. Tests showed that the divergence angle between jets can be reduced employing a secondary electrode. The standard configuration consisting of a charged solution and a grounded collector plate was used, as was the opposite case of a charged collector and a grounded solution. These configurations were, respectively, tested with positive and negative polarity. Process operating conditions were varied in order to obtain nanofibres without defects. Samples collected were examined with SEM; it was demonstrated that multi-jet electrospinning works with standard and reverse configurations both applying positive and negative polarity. Good quality nanofibres were obtained in both cases.     

Carbonate coprecipitation synthesis of Sr- and Mg-doped LaGaO3

A carbonate coprecipitation synthesis, simple and easily scalable to industrial level, has been successfully applied to produce Sr- and Mg-doped LaGaO₃. The thermal evolution shows that the main perovskite phase crystallizes already at 1000 °C. Samples sintered at 1400 °C for 10 h have a relative density of 93% and an electrical conductivity of 7.7 ? 10^− 2 S cm^− 1 at 800 °C, similar to the one reported for solid state synthesis. The presence of small amounts of secondary phases (about 17%) such as LaSrGaO₄ and LaSrGa₃O₇ does not seem to deeply affect the electrical properties of the final material.     

One or two things about architecture: Restoration works at Trajan's Market

One of the objectives of the redevelopment project for Trajan's Market, which spanned from 2000 to 2002, was to rearrange the market's accessibility and the visiting paths that connect and cross the entire site. The purpose was to extensively expose its beauty and thus invite more tourists into the area. The project design consisted of a series of catwalks placed at different levels and was conceived with respect to three criteria: (1) the didactic significance of forms and materials; (2) the coherence between architectural forms, techniques, and materials with the identity of the place; and (3) the possibility of removing, if necessary, newly added elements without damaging the relics. The project also involved the rearrangement and reconstruction of the former “Giardino delle Milizie” (2002–2007) to allow public access to the archaeological stratification and to the ancient Roman street located at its bottom. Consequently, the vaults of the convent were suspended upon a system of steel beams, which, together with several wooden pillars, also support the glass roof of the space, offering a close view of the ancient Roman walls. The structure and architectural forms coincide, implying that each of these elements is necessary and genuine.