Pottery-manufacturing sequences can act as proxies for human migration and interaction. A good example is provided by the ‘spiralled patchwork technology’ (SPT) identified at two key early farming sites in the Ligurian-Provencal Arc in the north-west of the Italian peninsula. SPT is distinct from the ceramic technology used by early farmer communities in south-east Italy that shows technical continuity with the southern Balkans. Macroscopic analysis and micro-computed tomography suggests the presence of two communities of practice, and thus two distinct social groups in the northern Mediterranean: one of southern Balkan tradition, the other (associated with SPT) of as yet unknown origin. The identification of SPT opens up the exciting possibility of tracing the origins and migrations of a second distinct group of early farmers into Southern Europe.

It has been shown for solar flares (Donati-Falchi et al. 1985) that the continuum emission at the Balmer discontinuity (the blue “pseudo-continuum”) is a very sensitive tool to determine the electron density. In order to use the same interpretative scheme for stellar flares (Falchi et al. 1988), spectroscopic observations of various flare stars have been performed in June 1987 at ESO observatory (Chile). In this paper we report the analysis of spectra of the star n. 729 (V 1216 Sgr) of the Gliese catalog.

Synthetic spectra computed svith semiempirical and theoretical models of the flare atmosphere are discussed. Stark profile of the Dahner lines ( n ≥ 6) and the Balmer continuum have been computed according to Donati-Falchi et al., (1985). A semiempirical model in between the F2 and F3 models proposed by Avrett et al., (1986) might represent a good approximation of the atmosphere of a flare during the impusive phase. Among the theoretical models proposed by Ricchiazzi (1982), the model, indicated as 1073, with very high coronal pressure (Po = 1000 dyne cm–2 ) probably represents the best approximation of the emission observed during the impulsive phase of a chromospheric flare. Continuum and Balmer lines ought to be measured and interpreted on the same time for a self-consistent diagnostic of the chromospheric modification.

The points where the horizontal component of the geomagnetic field vanishes are located in polar areas, far away from the geomagnetic (analytic) poles and the poles of rotation of the Earth and, differently from the geomagnetic poles, can be found experimentally with a magnetic survey to determine where the field is vertical. The experimental determination of the area where the total field is perfectly vertical, commonly known as dip pole, is not simple, due to the remoteness and harsh climatic conditions; another difficulty is related to the short term geomagnetic field variations, due to the interaction with the external solar wind, which causes the magnetospheric dynamics, particularly evident at high latitude, and as a consequence a displacement of the dip pole. Actually, the study of the dip pole displacements over short time scales can be an important tool for monitoring the magnetospheric dynamics at high latitude. In this study we present the updated location of the the dip poles, using data from the Swarm ESA’s constellation of satellites along their almost polar orbits. We also analyse the spatial shift of these areas during different seasons and interplanetary magnetic field orientations.

Previous research has demonstrated that late and sequential applications of glyphosate and glufosinate can have adverse effects on glyphosate- and glufosinate-resistant canola. Similarly, imidazolinone (IMI)-resistant canola may be affected negatively by late applications of imidazolinone herbicides. Field trials were established across the Northern Great Plains region from 2010 to 2012 to examine the response of IMI-resistant canola yield, yield components, and seed quality to late and sequential applications of imazamox. Plots received either a single imazamox application at the two-leaf, six-leaf, bolt, or early bloom stages or sequential applications at the two-leaf followed by six-leaf, two-leaf followed by bolting, and two-leaf followed by early bloom stages; an unsprayed control was included for comparisons. Results indicated that in most site-years there was no effect of imazamox application timing on IMI-resistant canola yield, yield components, or seed quality. These results suggest that late and sequential applications of imazamox to IMI-resistant canola should have little effect on canola production, even if they are made beyond the recommended six-leaf stage. In situations where growers are forced to make late applications (beyond six leaves) to IMI-resistant canola, using solely imazamox appears to minimize adverse effects on seed yield and quality.

The development of glyphosate-resistant canola has provided improved weed-management options for growers, but crop tolerance to glyphosate may be inadequate at later growth stages. In this study, glyphosate-resistant canola 45H28 (RR) was used to determine the effects of glyphosate application timing on yield and yield components at several sites in western Canada. Canola received a single glyphosate applications at the two-leaf, six-leaf, bolting, and early bloom stages and sequential applications at the two-leaf + six-leaf, two-leaf + bolting, and two-leaf + early bloom stages. Contrasts were made between early vs. late, single vs. sequential, and on-label (two to six-leaf stage) vs. off-label (above six-leaf stage). In general, differences between application timings were observed for yield and yield components in 3 of 8 site-yr. Off-label applications of glyphosate (later than six-leaf) significantly decreased yield, seeds per pod, and increased thousand-seed weight and aborted pods in canola at the Lethbridge and St. Albert locations. Increased glyphosate translocation because of adequate, but not excessive, moisture to new growth may have suppressed new seed formation and encouraged pod abortion at the time of application in the 2010 and 2011 seasons. Results from this experiment demonstrate the importance of proper application timing of glyphosate on canola and can help better predict the effects of late applications.

P/1996 N2 Elst-Pizarro was discovered with a tail of dust in July 1996 and was thus classified as periodic comet. From the orbit point of view it belongs to the outer asteroid belt and is very likely a member of the Themis family, a group of bodies originating from an asteroid collision.

The absence of a coma and the presence of the needle-like anti-tail in August 1996 did not exclude the possibility of a sudden emission event which could have been caused by the impact of another minor body on the object. However, with the development of a normal tail between September and November 1996 it became obvious that the dust emission episode continued at least for 2 months after perihelion, a scenario that is typical for gas-driven cometary activity. However, it is still possible that a collision triggered the event.

The paper summarizes the observational pro and cons for impact-induced activity in this object, possibly the first ever detected comet-asteroid of the solar system.

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are progressively used for decentralized electricity generation. To obtain the maximum yield from such systems, optimisation of all components is essential. In this contribution, we provide a comprehensive modelling and sizing of PV systems for any location. Three applications are here presented providing real time monitoring of PV potential, accurate prediction of yield taking into account thermodynamic temperature effects, optimization of modules orientation addressing the effects of shading and efficient sizing of inverter for a higher yield output. When combined, these models can accurately predict the real time performance of any PV system.

Horseweed is a surface-germinating ruderal facultative winter annual. The ruderal nature is a key adaptive characteristic that implicates emergence timing as an important recruitment factor. Experiments were established at three sites in southern Ontario, Canada, from 2009 to 2012 to determine the possible effect of emergence timing of horseweed on plant number, fecundity, and flowering timing. Emerged seedlings were tagged in 0.25-m2 plots in five 2-wk cohorts in the fall and spring of each experimental season. Each plot was followed though until the plants contained within each plot completed their life cycle. Generally, spring-emerging plants were found to flower earlier than fall-emerging plants, but with fall emergence there were higher plant densities in August each season compared with spring emergence. Overall, there was no difference in fecundity between spring- or fall-emerging cohorts, but when cohorts were parsed beyond just spring or fall emergence, we found that plants emerging in early fall and early spring were more fecund and flowered earlier than plants emerging in late fall and late spring. Disturbance (tilled versus not-tilled) significantly affected emergence levels but not emergence timing. The differences in performance among emergence cohorts are likely due to spatial or temporal density-dependent growth advantages. These results show that spring-emerging cohorts of horseweed, especially early spring–emerging cohorts, should not be discounted when considering the weediness of this species, and this may hold true for other facultative winter annual weeds as well.

With the goal of investigating the link between black hole (BH) and star formation (SF) activity, we study a deep sample of radio selected star forming galaxies (SFGs) and active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Using a multi-wavelength approach we characterize their host galaxies properties (stellar masses, optical colors, and morphology). Moreover, comparing the star formation rate derived from the radio and far-infrared luminosity, we found evidences that the main contribution to the radio emission in the radio-quiet AGNs is star-formation activity in their host galaxy.

We present our very recent results on the sub-mJy radio source populations at 1.4 GHz based on the Extended Chandra Deep Field South VLA survey, which reaches ~ 30 μJy, with details on their number counts, evolution, and luminosity functions. The sub-mJy radio sky turns out to be a complex mix of star-forming galaxies and radio-quiet AGN evolving at a similar, strong rate and declining radio-loud AGN. While the well-known flattening of the radio number counts below 1 mJy is mostly due to star-forming galaxies, these sources and AGN make up an approximately equal fraction of the sub-mJy sky. Our results shed also light on a fifty-year-old issue, namely radio emission from radio-quiet AGN, and suggest that it is closely related to star formation, at least at z ~ 1.5 − 2. The implications of our findings for future, deeper radio surveys, including those with the Square Kilometre Array, are also discussed. One of the main messages, especially to non-radio astronomers, is that radio surveys are reaching such faint limits that, while previously they were mainly useful for radio quasars and radio galaxies, they are now detecting mostly star-forming galaxies and radio-quiet AGN, i.e., the bulk of the extragalactic sources studied in the infrared, optical, and X-ray bands.

Since the decade of 1980, the model of stress and coping proposed for the assessment of vulnerability of adoptive families emphasizes that the emotional adjustment of those adopted is moderated by variables such as institutionalization, the manner and age at which the adoption was revealed, the change of first name, and the contact with the biological family. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship of these variables to the perceived parenting style, mood, and self-esteem of the adopted adolescents. Participants in the study were 68 adolescents, between the ages of 14 and 15, adopted during infancy through judicial channels. The adolescents responded to a questionnaire about the history of adoption and to scales of Parenting Styles, Depression and Self-esteem. The main results indicated that the late revelation of adoption and the change of the first name are connected to higher levels of depression and low self-esteem and to more frequent perceptions of negligent or authoritarian parenting style. The contact with the biological family was frequently mentioned among those who perceived their parents as authoritative and presented the best indicator of mood and self-esteem. These findings were discussed in light of the necessity for multidisciplinary actions which can improve the psychological adaptation of the adopting families.

We report on some preliminary results on the evolution and luminosity functions of submillijansky (sub-mJy) radio sources, based on the VLA Chandra Deep Field South (CDFS) sample.

From March to October 1993. 15 cases of haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (HUS) in children were detected in a large area of northern Italy, where only 8 cases had occurred in the previous 5 years. Analysis of stool and serum specimens obtained from 14 cases showed evidence of Verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) infection in 13. Serum antibodies to the E. coli O157 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were found in 8 patients and to the O111 LPS in 2. An O86 VTEC was isolated from another patient. Fourteen children needed dialysis, and 1 died. No obvious epidemiologic link was observed among cases, most of whom lived in small townships. A case-control study did not show an association between HUS and food or exposure to cattle, but suggested an association with contact with chicken coops (OR = 6·5. 95% C.I. 1·2–34·9). However, VTEC were not isolated from stool samples obtained from the chicken coops involved. The risk factors for VTEC infection related to living in rural settlements, including the exposure to live poultry, should be considered in outbreak investigations.

It is known since long ago that in comets a large quantity of organic matter exists in form of grains or is embedded in silicate grains. This was detected in situ by cometary space missions as well as inferred as a distributed source of some molecules observed in comets. Since organic matter is rather volatile, finding slow sublimating grains in comets can be good evidence of organics as a constituent of such grains. Here we describe a method to detect sublimating grains in comets. It consists of specific observations, specific data analysis, and some light-scattering modeling. We detect sublimating grains by measuring the quantity of grains as a function of the nucleocentric distance. Once detected, it is possible to get their photometric characteristics and compare them with the results of light-scattering modeling. The method has been applied to several comets. Sublimating grains were reliably identified for two of them.