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This study presents a comparative analysis of three predictive models with an increasing degree of flexibility: hidden dynamic geostatistical models (HDGM), generalised additive mixed models (GAMM), and the random forest spatiotemporal kriging models (RFSTK). These models are evaluated for their effectiveness in predicting PM 2.5 concentrations in Lombardy (North Italy) from 2016 to 2020. Despite differing methodologies, all models demonstrate proficient capture of spatiotemporal patterns within air pollution data with similar out-of-sample performance. Furthermore, the study delves into station-specific analyses, revealing variable model performance contingent on localised conditions. Model interpretation, facilitated by parametric coefficient analysis and partial dependence plots, unveils consistent associations between predictor variables and PM 2.5 concentrations. Despite nuanced variations in modelling spatiotemporal correlations, all models effectively accounted for the underlying dependence. In summary, this study underscores the efficacy of conventional techniques in modelling correlated spatiotemporal data, concurrently highlighting the complementary potential of Machine Learning and classical statistical approaches.

This study presents a comparative analysis of three predictive models with an increasing degree of flexibility: hidden dynamic geostatistical models (HDGM), generalised additive mixed models (GAMM), and the random forest spatiotemporal kriging models (RFSTK). These models are evaluated for their effectiveness in predicting PM 2.5 concentrations in Lombardy (North Italy) from 2016 to 2020. Despite differing methodologies, all models demonstrate proficient capture of spatiotemporal patterns within air pollution data with similar out-of-sample performance. Furthermore, the study delves into station-specific analyses, revealing variable model performance contingent on localised conditions. Model interpretation, facilitated by parametric coefficient analysis and partial dependence plots, unveils consistent associations between predictor variables and PM 2.5 concentrations. Despite nuanced variations in modelling spatiotemporal correlations, all models effectively accounted for the underlying dependence. In summary, this study underscores the efficacy of conventional techniques in modelling correlated spatiotemporal data, concurrently highlighting the complementary potential of Machine Learning and classical statistical approaches.

We propose a novel model selection algorithm based on a penalized maximum likelihood estimator (PMLE) for functional hidden dynamic geostatistical models (f-HDGM). These models employ a classic mixed-effect regression structure with embedded spatiotemporal dynamics to model georeferenced data observed in a functional domain. Thus, the regression coefficients are functions. The algorithm simultaneously selects the relevant spline basis functions and regressors that are used to model the fixed effects. In this way, it automatically shrinks to zero irrelevant parts of the functional coefficients or the entire function for an irrelevant regressor. The algorithm is based on an adaptive LASSO penalty function, with weights obtained by the unpenalised f-HDGM maximum likelihood estimators. The computational burden of maximisation is drastically reduced by a local quadratic approximation of the log-likelihood. A Monte Carlo simulation study provides insight in prediction ability and parameter estimate precision, considering increasing spatiotemporal dependence and cross-correlations among predictors. Further, the algorithm behaviour is investigated when modelling air quality functional data with several weather and land cover covariates. Within this application, we also explore some scalability properties of our algorithm. Both simulations and empirical results show that the prediction ability of the penalised estimates are equivalent to those provided by the maximum likelihood estimates. However, adopting the so-called one-standard-error rule, we obtain estimates closer to the real ones, as well as simpler and more interpretable models.

The air in the Lombardy region, Italy, is one of the most polluted in Europe because of limited air circulation and high emission levels. There is a large scientific consensus that the agricultural sector has a significant impact on air quality. To support studies quantifying the role of the agricultural and livestock sectors on the Lombardy air quality, this paper presents a harmonised dataset containing daily values of air quality, weather, emissions, livestock, and land and soil use in the years 2016–2021, for the Lombardy region. The daily scale is obtained by averaging hourly data and interpolating other variables. In fact, the pollutant data come from the European Environmental Agency and the Lombardy Regional Environment Protection Agency, weather and emissions data from the European Copernicus programme, livestock data from the Italian zootechnical registry, and land and soil use data from the CORINE Land Cover project. The resulting dataset is designed to be used as is by those using air quality data for research.

Seppur confermativa di un orientamento giurisprudenziale di legittimità indubbiamente consolidato, la sentenza della Corte di cassazione n. 2585/2023 offre anche l’opportunità di soffermarsi su di un tema che, alla luce della recente riforma della giustizia tributaria, assume oggi un rilievo ancor più pregnante rispetto al passato. Il riferimento è, evidentemente, alle modalità e all’ambito di applicazione della normativa in materia di ripartizione dell’onere della prova tra Amministrazione finanziaria e contribuente, (normativa) originariamente riconducibile alla disposizione di cui all’art. 2697 c.c., ma che, a seguito della novella legislativa, trova attualmente una sua collocazione specifica anche nel contesto del processo tributario.

Con la sentenza resa il 22 settembre 2022, nella causa C-538/20, la Corte di giustizia dell’Unione europea si è pronunciata, nuovamente, sul tema della deducibilità, da parte di una società madre residente, delle perdite definitive subite da una sua stabile organizzazione situata in un diverso Stato membro. Se, da un lato, la decisione adottata dalla Corte appare coerente rispetto al più recente orientamento formatosi sul punto in seno alla giurisprudenza europea, l’iter motivazionale che a tale decisione ha condotto suscita, tuttavia, talune perplessità.

Il contributo si sofferma sulle conseguenze che, potenzialmente, possono derivare dall'impiego illecito delle criptovalute e, in particolare, sul rischio l'indebito sfruttamento di tali strumenti possa creare terreno fertile per l’aumento di fenomeni di evasione fiscale, nonché favorire il rischio di riciclaggio e finanziamento del terrorismo.

Con la sentenza resa il 15 aprile 2021 nella causa C-786/19, la Terza Sezione della Corte di giustizia ha avuto occasione di pronunciarsi in merito ad una controversia avente ad oggetto una fattispecie peculiare e scaturita dal dubbio significato della trasposizione in lingua tedesca di una disposizione contenuta all’interno della seconda direttiva 88/357/CEE. Attraverso una riflessione attenta e puntuale, rispettosa sia dei principi espressi dalla normativa nazionale di riferimento, sia delle disposizioni vigenti nel contesto europeo ed internazionale, la Corte è giunta ad una conclusione ragionevole e condivisibile, risultato di un’attività ermeneutica condotta con particolare accuratezza.

Con la sentenza n. 226/2022, la Commissione tributaria provinciale di Bologna conferma l’ormai unanime orientamento di legittimità in tema di imposizione indiretta dei trust, pronunciandosi tuttavia su di una fattispecie peculiare, avente ad oggetto un trust istituito ai sensi della c.d. Legge sul dopo di noi. Proprio con riguardo a tale figura giuridica, la decisione in commento presenta profili di particolare rilievo e interesse che meritano una più approfondita riflessione e che si pongono, anche in tal caso, in contrasto con la posizione espressa dall’Amministrazione finanziaria.

Unfortunately, original online version of this article's, one of the references was wrongly fixed and it has been fixed with this corrections as follows: ‘Fassò, A., Rodeschini, J., Fusta Moro, A., Shaboviq, Q., Maranzano, P., Cameletti, M., Finazzi, F., Golini, N., Otto, P. (2023) Agrimonia: a dataset on livestock, meteorology and air quality in the Lombardy region, Italy. Sci Data 10, 143 (2023). The original article has been corrected.

We propose a novel model selection algorithm based on a penalized maximum likelihood estimator (PMLE) for functional hidden dynamic geostatistical models (f-HDGM). These models employ a classic mixed-effect regression structure with embedded spatiotemporal dynamics to model georeferenced data observed in a functional domain. Thus, the regression coefficients are functions. The algorithm simultaneously selects the relevant spline basis functions and regressors that are used to model the fixed effects. In this way, it automatically shrinks to zero irrelevant parts of the functional coefficients or the entire function for an irrelevant regressor. The algorithm is based on an adaptive LASSO penalty function, with weights obtained by the unpenalised f-HDGM maximum likelihood estimators. The computational burden of maximisation is drastically reduced by a local quadratic approximation of the log-likelihood. A Monte Carlo simulation study provides insight in prediction ability and parameter estimate precision, considering increasing spatiotemporal dependence and cross-correlations among predictors. Further, the algorithm behaviour is investigated when modelling air quality functional data with several weather and land cover covariates. Within this application, we also explore some scalability properties of our algorithm. Both simulations and empirical results show that the prediction ability of the penalised estimates are equivalent to those provided by the maximum likelihood estimates. However, adopting the so-called one-standard-error rule, we obtain estimates closer to the real ones, as well as simpler and more interpretable models.

The air in the Lombardy region, Italy, is one of the most polluted in Europe because of limited air circulation and high emission levels. There is a large scientific consensus that the agricultural sector has a significant impact on air quality. To support studies quantifying the role of the agricultural and livestock sectors on the Lombardy air quality, this paper presents a harmonised dataset containing daily values of air quality, weather, emissions, livestock, and land and soil use in the years 2016–2021, for the Lombardy region. The daily scale is obtained by averaging hourly data and interpolating other variables. In fact, the pollutant data come from the European Environmental Agency and the Lombardy Regional Environment Protection Agency, weather and emissions data from the European Copernicus programme, livestock data from the Italian zootechnical registry, and land and soil use data from the CORINE Land Cover project. The resulting dataset is designed to be used as is by those using air quality data for research.

Facendo seguito alle novità introdotte dal d.lgs. n. 156 del 2015, nel contributo ci si sofferma sulla particolare eventualità in cui si configuri una "sovrapposizione" tra il giudizio di ottemperanza instaurato dal contribuente per ottenere concreta attuazione degli obblighi derivanti da una sentenza – non definitiva – favorevole, e il procedimento, avviato su istanza del Fisco, volto ad ottenere la sospensione cautelare della medesima pronuncia.

Con la sentenza resa il 30 gennaio 2020 nella causa C-725/18, la Settima Sezione della Corte di giustizia dell’Unione europea si e` pronunciata in merito alla compatibilità, rispetto al principio di libera prestazione dei servizi, della normativa belga in tema di imposta sulle operazioni di borsa, oggetto di una recente modifica che ha suscitato talune perplessità e, soprattutto, taluni dubbi in merito alla sua presunta natura discriminatoria. L’iter argomentativo seguito dai Giudici europei fornisce dunque l’occasione di svolgere talune considerazioni in merito alle principali disposizioni che il TFUE contempla a presidio della suddetta libertà fondamentale, nonché di soffermarsi – anche in prospettiva fiscale – su quelle specifiche ipotesi in cui eventuali restrizioni al principio possono considerarsi legittime e giustificate. Una breve riflessione sarà inoltre dedicata, nella parte conclusiva del presente contributo, alle conseguenze derivanti dalla perdurante assenza – nel contesto europeo – di un’imposta sulle transazioni finanziarie unica ed armonizzata, soffermandosi altresì su di una recentissima pronuncia resa della Corte UE con riguardo alla c.d. Tobin Tax italiana e avente ad oggetto una fattispecie del tutto similare a quella oggetto del giudizio di cui alla sentenza in commento.

Observational records are more often than not influenced by residual non-climatic factors which must be detected and adjusted for prior to their usage. In this work, we present a novel approach, named Radiosounding HARMonization (RHARM), providing a homogenized data set of temperature, humidity and wind profiles along with an estimation of the measurement uncertainties for 697 radiosounding stations globally. The RHARM method has been used to adjust twice daily (0000 and 1200 UTC) radiosonde data holdings at 16 pressure levels in the range 1,000–10 hPa, from 1978 to present, provided by the Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive. Relative humidity (RH) data are limited to 250 hPa. The applied adjustments are interpolated to all reported levels. RHARM is the first data set to provide homogenized time series with an estimation of the observational uncertainty at each sounding pressure level. By construction, RHARM adjusted fields are not affected by cross-contamination of biases across stations and are fully independent of reanalysis data. Analysis of trends for temperature, RH and winds highlights increased geographical coherency of trends over 1978–2000 globally, but especially in the Northern Hemisphere and South America. RHARM shows warming trends of 0.39 K/decade at 300 hPa in the Northern Hemisphere and of 0.25 K/ decade in the tropics. The RHARM adjustments also reduce differences with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecast ERA5 reanalysis, with the strongest effect in the Northern Hemisphere for temperature and relative humidity. For wind speed, the comparison indicates a good agreement with ERA5 in the troposphere.

Observational records are more often than not influenced by residual non-climatic factors which must be detected and adjusted for prior to their usage. In this work, we present a novel approach, named Radiosounding HARMonization (RHARM), providing a homogenized data set of temperature, humidity and wind profiles along with an estimation of the measurement uncertainties for 697 radiosounding stations globally. The RHARM method has been used to adjust twice daily (0000 and 1200 UTC) radiosonde data holdings at 16 pressure levels in the range 1,000–10 hPa, from 1978 to present, provided by the Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive. Relative humidity (RH) data are limited to 250 hPa. The applied adjustments are interpolated to all reported levels. RHARM is the first data set to provide homogenized time series with an estimation of the observational uncertainty at each sounding pressure level. By construction, RHARM adjusted fields are not affected by cross-contamination of biases across stations and are fully independent of reanalysis data. Analysis of trends for temperature, RH and winds highlights increased geographical coherency of trends over 1978–2000 globally, but especially in the Northern Hemisphere and South America. RHARM shows warming trends of 0.39 K/decade at 300 hPa in the Northern Hemisphere and of 0.25 K/ decade in the tropics. The RHARM adjustments also reduce differences with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecast ERA5 reanalysis, with the strongest effect in the Northern Hemisphere for temperature and relative humidity. For wind speed, the comparison indicates a good agreement with ERA5 in the troposphere.

The interactions of cosmic rays with the solar atmosphere produce secondary particle which can reach the Earth. In this work we present a comprehensive calculation of the yields of secondary particles as gamma-rays, electrons, positrons, neutrons and neutrinos performed with the FLUKA code. We also estimate the intensity at the Sun and the fluxes at the Earth of these secondary particles by folding their yields with the intensities of cosmic rays impinging on the solar surface. The results are sensitive on the assumptions on the magnetic field nearby the Sun and to the cosmic-ray transport in the magnetic field in the inner solar system., Comment: Update version of the top left plot on Fig. 12 due to a wrong scale factor used in the script which produced the plot

The interactions of cosmic rays with the solar atmosphere produce secondary particle which can reach the Earth. In this work we present a comprehensive calculation of the yields of secondary particles as gamma-rays, electrons, positrons, neutrons and neutrinos performed with the FLUKA code. We also estimate the intensity at the Sun and the fluxes at the Earth of these secondary particles by folding their yields with the intensities of cosmic rays impinging on the solar surface. The results are sensitive on the assumptions on the magnetic field nearby the Sun and to the cosmic-ray transport in the magnetic field in the inner solar system., Comment: Update version of the top left plot on Fig. 12 due to a wrong scale factor used in the script which produced the plot

Il contributo, in cui si condividono le conclusioni raggiunte dalla Commissione Tributaria Regionale di Ancona, ha ad oggetto la determinazione della corretta qualificazione fiscale delle somme percepite da una persona fisica, a titolo di risarcimento del danno, a fronte della stipulazione di un accordo transattivo.

Visualizing both conditional and marginal associations in contingency tables by using simple diagrams is discussed

La sentenza, conforme ai recenti arresti delle Sezioni Unite della Corte di cassazione, è espressione e punto di arrivo di quel graduale percorso che ha condotto la giurisprudenza di legittimità a valorizzare, in materia tributaria, la partecipazione del contribuente, in ottica difensiva, all’attività di accertamento svolta dall’Amministrazione Finanziaria. Nel caso di specie, tuttavia, la Corte compie un decisivo passo in avanti, operando un generale riconoscimento del principio del contraddittorio in tema di "abuso del diritto" anche con riferimento a contestazioni riguardanti fattispecie elusive non ricomprese nell’ambito di applicazione dell’art. 37-bis, d.P.R. n. 600/1973.

In 1974, Nelson, Kase, and Svensson published an experimental investigation on muon shielding around SLAC high energy electron accelerators (NIM 120 (1974) 413). They measured muon fluence and absorbed dose induced by 14 and 18 GeV electron beams hitting a copper/water beamdump and attenuated in a thick steel shielding. In their paper, they compared the results with the theoretical models available at that time. In order to compare their experimental results with present model calculations, we use the modern transport Monte Carlo codes MARS15, FLUKA2011 and GEANT4 to model the experimental setup and run simulations. The results are then compared between the codes, and with the SLAC data. Updated results from this campaign are reported in the presentation.

In 1974, Nelson, Kase, and Svensson published an experimental investigation on muon shielding around SLAC high energy electron accelerators (NIM 120 (1974) 413). They measured muon fluence and absorbed dose induced by 14 and 18 GeV electron beams hitting a copper/water beamdump and attenuated in a thick steel shielding. In their paper, they compared the results with the theoretical models available at that time. In order to compare their experimental results with present model calculations, we use the modern transport Monte Carlo codes MARS15, FLUKA2011 and GEANT4 to model the experimental setup and run simulations. The results are then compared between the codes, and with the SLAC data. Updated results from this campaign are reported in the presentation.

Monte Carlo (MC) codes are increasingly spreading in the hadrontherapy community due to their detailed description of radiation transport and interaction with matter. The suitability of a MC code for application to hadrontherapy demands accurate and reliable physical models for the description of the transport and the interaction of all components of the expected radiation field (ions, hadrons, electrons, positrons and photons). This contribution will address the specific case of the general-purpose particle and interaction code FLUKA. In this work, an application of FLUKA will be presented, i.e. establishing CT (computed tomography)-based calculations of physical and RBE (relative biological effectiveness)-weighted dose distributions in scanned carbon ion beam therapy.

In 1974, Nelson, Kase, and Svensson published an experimental investigation on muon shielding around SLAC high energy electron accelerators (NIM 120 (1974) 413). They measured muon fluence and absorbed dose induced by 14 and 18 GeV electron beams hitting a copper/water beamdump and attenuated in a thick steel shielding. In their paper, they compared the results with the theoretical models available at that time. In order to compare their experimental results with present model calculations, we use the modern transport Monte Carlo codes MARS15, FLUKA2011 and GEANT4 to model the experimental setup and run simulations. The results are then compared between the codes, and with the SLAC data. Updated results from this campaign are reported in the presentation.

In 1974, Nelson, Kase, and Svensson published an experimental investigation on muon shielding around SLAC high energy electron accelerators (NIM 120 (1974) 413). They measured muon fluence and absorbed dose induced by 14 and 18 GeV electron beams hitting a copper/water beamdump and attenuated in a thick steel shielding. In their paper, they compared the results with the theoretical models available at that time. In order to compare their experimental results with present model calculations, we use the modern transport Monte Carlo codes MARS15, FLUKA2011 and GEANT4 to model the experimental setup and run simulations. The results are then compared between the codes, and with the SLAC data. Updated results from this campaign are reported in the presentation.

In dynamically control field, the effectiveness of closed loop control is based on good knowledge of system parameters; it is then important to detect parameters changes, chiefly in off-line estimation field. According to the physical structure of plants represented by closed loop autoregressive models the system parameters may be divided into four classes: level and dynamic of transform system, level and dynamic of control system. This gives rise to four kinds of parameter ruptures, where rupture means step-change from one state to another. In the present paper the on-line rupture detection and classification problem is solved by means of a multiple decision procedure which enables the user to localize the rupture area.

Two robust one-sided tests are proposed for detecting ARCH and GARCH components. The first one is distribution free being a rank test based on the van der Waerden scores. The related test statistic has mean and variance known in closed form; moreover, it is shown to be asymptotically normal and its finite sample critical values have been estimated via the Monte Carlo method. The second test is the one sided modification of the Gregory test which is of course more powerful than the corresponding original two sided version. An extensive Monte Carlo analysis has been performed and - as long as it is generalizable - the following conclusions can be drawn. The new rank test performs well both for ARCH observations and ARCH residuals. From robustness point of view, under the null hypothesis, some bias appears for ARCH residuals from heavily asymmetric distributions. In this case the modified Gregory test is recommended. In the other situations i.e. ARCH observations from symmetric or asymmetric distributions and ARCH residuals from symmetric distributions the rank test is shown to be robust under the null hypothesis and more powerful with respect to the modified Gregory test. The rank test can be recommended as a useful alternative to the standard Lee and King test, which is the reference test for normal observations. As a matter of fact, it seems more robust under the null hypothesis and more powerful for non normal distributions. For normal distributions neither of these two dominates the other.

In the present paper a family of bivariate distributions characterized by standardized symmetric conditional distributions and by a simple scedastic curve (i.e. conditional Variance) is considered. A particular case arises from the first order autoregressive Conditionally Heteroscedastic (ARCH) model of time series analysis; therefore, for this family, inference based on data from simple random sampling and from ARCH models is compared and unified to some extent. Despite the fact that the marginal density is not known is closed form even for typical cases (as conditional Normality), its moments (computed for the general case) show that the marginal distribution has higher kurtosis than the conditional distributions; hence heavy tails of rest data distribution may be disturbing factors in testing heteroscedasticity, especially if one uses a gaussian-score based test. The score based test for independence vs. scedastic regression is shown to be of square correlation type under conditional normal distribution. Moreover, the score based test under Student's t conditional normal distribution is also introduced and proposed as an alternative to the above Normal case test. Although the Student's t test converges to the Normal case for increasing degrees of freedom, it is shown that, using the Normal case test when in fact the conditional is leptokurtic Student's t (e.g. with degrees of freedom between 9 and 12) entails a relevant loss in asymptotic efficiency.

The work considers the problem of detecting a change (soft-failure) in the dynamic structure or in the input structure of a real input/output system. The system diagnostic is based on the ARMA representation of the real system, where only output data are available. Under the no-rupture hypothesis the statistical properties of the residuals or the so called innovation process are well known. In the present paper, through the definition of a general rupture model, the asymptotic properties of the residuals under rupture hypothesis are studied. Certain residual-based rupture tests are introduced, one of them is exact sized while the others are shown to be asymptotically normal. Their asymptotic behaviour under both hypotheses is studied by means of the introduced rupture model.

In making inference on Spatial Point Processes often there it is the problem of knowing (or estimating) the distribution of relevant statistics. In the present paper it is proposed a method for estimating the distribution function of any strongly convergent statistic in a large class of Spatial Point Processes. The method is based on conditional simulation and doesn't depend on process' distribution. Asymptotically the statistics generated by this method of "autosimulation" have the same distribution as those generated by Montecarlo methods when the probability structure of the Process is completely known.

The assessment of radiation damage to electronics is a complex process and requires a detailed description of the full particle energy spectra, as well as a clear characterization of the quantities used to predict radiation damage. FLUKA, a multi-purpose particle interaction and transport code, is capable of calculating proton-proton and heavy ion collisions at LHC energies and beyond. It correctly describes the entire hadronic and electromagnetic particle cascade initiated by secondary particles from TeV energies down to thermal neutrons, and provides direct scoring capabilities essential to estimate in detail the possible risk of radiation damage to electronics. This paper presents the FLUKA capabilities for applications related to radiation damage to electronics, providing benchmarking examples and showing the practical applications of FLUKA at CERN facilities such as CNGS and LHC. Related applications range from the study of device effects, the detailed characterization of the radiation field and radiation monitor calibration, to the input requirements for important mitigation studies including shielding, relocation or other options.

The multi-purpose particle interaction and transport code FLUKA is integral part of all radiation protection studies for the design and operation of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. It is one of the very few codes available for this type of calculations which is capable to calculate in one and the same simulation proton-proton and heavy ion collisions at LHC energies as well as the entire hadronic and electromagnetic particle cascade initiated by secondary particles in detectors and beam-line components from TeV energies down to energies of thermal neutrons. The present paper reviews these capabilities of FLUKA in giving details of relevant physics models along with examples of radiation protection studies for the LHC such as shielding studies for underground areas occupied by personnel during LHC operation and the simulation of induced radioactivity around beam loss points. Integral part of the FLUKA development is a careful benchmarking of specific models as well as the code performance in complex, real life applications which is demonstrated with examples of studies relevant to radiation protection at the LHC.

The assessment of radiation damage to electronics is a complex process and requires a detailed description of the full particle energy spectra, as well as a clear characterization of the quantities used to predict radiation damage. FLUKA, a multi-purpose particle interaction and transport code, is capable of calculating proton-proton and heavy ion collisions at LHC energies and beyond. It correctly describes the entire hadronic and electromagnetic particle cascade initiated by secondary particles from TeV energies down to thermal neutrons, and provides direct scoring capabilities essential to estimate in detail the possible risk of radiation damage to electronics. This paper presents the FLUKA capabilities for applications related to radiation damage to electronics, providing benchmarking examples and showing the practical applications of FLUKA at CERN facilities such as CNGS and LHC. Related applications range from the study of device effects, the detailed characterization of the radiation field and radiation monitor calibration, to the input requirements for important mitigation studies including shielding, relocation or other options.

The multi-purpose particle interaction and transport code FLUKA is integral part of all radiation protection studies for the design and operation of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. It is one of the very few codes available for this type of calculations which is capable to calculate in one and the same simulation proton-proton and heavy ion collisions at LHC energies as well as the entire hadronic and electromagnetic particle cascade initiated by secondary particles in detectors and beam-line components from TeV energies down to energies of thermal neutrons. The present paper reviews these capabilities of FLUKA in giving details of relevant physics models along with examples of radiation protection studies for the LHC such as shielding studies for underground areas occupied by personnel during LHC operation and the simulation of induced radioactivity around beam loss points. Integral part of the FLUKA development is a careful benchmarking of specific models as well as the code performance in complex, real life applications which is demonstrated with examples of studies relevant to radiation protection at the LHC.

Primary GCR interact with the Earth's atmosphere originating atmospheric showers, thus giving rise to fluxes of secondary particles in the atmosphere. Electromagnetic and hadronic interactions interplay in the production of these particles, whose detection is performed by means of complementary techniques in different energy ranges and at different depths in the atmosphere, down to the Earth's surface. Monte Carlo codes are essential calculation tools which can describe the complexity of the physics of these phenomena, thus allowing the analysis of experimental data. However, these codes are affected by important uncertainties, concerning, in particular, hadronic physics at high energy. In this paper we shall report some results concerning inclusive particle fluxes and atmospheric shower properties as obtained using the FLUKA transport and interaction code. Some emphasis will also be given to the validation of the physics models of FLUKA involved in these calculations.

FLUKA is a multipurpose Monte Carto code describing transport and interaction with matter of a, large variety of particles over a wide energy range ill complex geometries. FLUKA is successfully applied ill several fields, including, but not only particle physics, cosmic-ray physics, dosimetry, radioprotection, hadron therapy. space radiation, accelerator design and neutronics. Here we briefly review recent model developments and provide examples of applications to hadron therapy, including calculation of physical and biological dose for comparison with analytical treatment planning engines as well as beta(+)-activation for therapy monitoring by means of positron emission tomography.

For a long time, the work of a Franciscan Friar who had lived in Bologna and in Florence during the 13th and 14th centuries, Bartolomeo Della Pugliola, was thought to have been lost. Recent paleographic research, however, has affirmed that most of Della Pugliola’s work, although mixed into other authors, is contained in two manuscripts (1994 and 3843), currently kept at University Library in Bologna. Pugliola’s chronicle is central to Bolognese medieval literature, not only because it was the privileged source for the important work of Ramponis’ chronicle, but also because Bartolomeo della Pugliola’s sources are several significant works such as Jacopo Bianchetti’s lost writings and Pietro and Floriano Villolas’ chronicle (1163-1372). Ongoing historical studies and recent discoveries enabled me to reconstruct the historical chronology of Pugliola’s work as well as the Bolognese language between the 13th and 14th century The original purpose of my research was to add a linguistic commentary to the edition of the text in order to fill the gaps in medieval Bolognese language studies. In addition to being a reliable source, Pugliola’s chronicle was widely disseminated and became a sort of vulgate. The tradition of chronicle, through collation, allows the study of the language from a diachronic point of view. I therefore described all the linguistics phenomena related to phonetics, morphology and syntax in Pugliola’s text and I compared these results with variants in Villola’s and Ramponis’ chronicles. I also did likewise with another chronicle by a 16th century merchant, Friano Ubaldini, that I edited. This supplement helped to complete the Bolognese language outline from the 13th to the 16th century. In order to analize the data that I collected, I tried to approach them from a sociolinguistic point of view because each author represents a different variant of the language: closer to a scripta and the Florentine the language used by Pugliola, closer to the dialect spok

For a long time, the work of a Franciscan Friar who had lived in Bologna and in Florence during the 13th and 14th centuries, Bartolomeo Della Pugliola, was thought to have been lost. Recent paleographic research, however, has affirmed that most of Della Pugliola’s work, although mixed into other authors, is contained in two manuscripts (1994 and 3843), currently kept at University Library in Bologna. Pugliola’s chronicle is central to Bolognese medieval literature, not only because it was the privileged source for the important work of Ramponis’ chronicle, but also because Bartolomeo della Pugliola’s sources are several significant works such as Jacopo Bianchetti’s lost writings and Pietro and Floriano Villolas’ chronicle (1163-1372). Ongoing historical studies and recent discoveries enabled me to reconstruct the historical chronology of Pugliola’s work as well as the Bolognese language between the 13th and 14th century The original purpose of my research was to add a linguistic commentary to the edition of the text in order to fill the gaps in medieval Bolognese language studies. In addition to being a reliable source, Pugliola’s chronicle was widely disseminated and became a sort of vulgate. The tradition of chronicle, through collation, allows the study of the language from a diachronic point of view. I therefore described all the linguistics phenomena related to phonetics, morphology and syntax in Pugliola’s text and I compared these results with variants in Villola’s and Ramponis’ chronicles. I also did likewise with another chronicle by a 16th century merchant, Friano Ubaldini, that I edited. This supplement helped to complete the Bolognese language outline from the 13th to the 16th century. In order to analize the data that I collected, I tried to approach them from a sociolinguistic point of view because each author represents a different variant of the language: closer to a scripta and the Florentine the language used by Pugliola, closer to the dialect spok

FLUKA is a Monte-Carlo code able to simulate interaction and transport of hadrons, heavy ions and electromagnetic particles from few keV (or thermal neutron) to cosmic ray energies in whichever material. The highest priority in the design and development of the code has always been the implementation and improvement of sound and modern physical models. A summary of the FLUKA physical models is given, while recent developments are described in detail: among the others, extensions of the intermediate energy hadronic interaction generator, refinements in photon cross sections and interaction models, analytical on-line evolution of radio-activation and remnant dose. In particular, new developments in the nucleus-nucleus interaction models are discussed. Comparisons with experimental data and examples of applications of relevance for space radiation are also provided.

Primary GCR interact with the Earth's atmosphere originating atmospheric showers, thus giving rise to fluxes of secondary particles in the atmosphere. Electromagnetic and hadronic interactions interplay in the production of these particles, whose detection is performed by means of complementary techniques in different energy ranges and at different depths in the atmosphere, down to the Earth's surface. Monte Carlo codes are essential calculation tools which can describe the complexity of the physics of these phenomena, thus allowing the analysis of experimental data. However, these codes are affected by important uncertainties, concerning, in particular, hadronic physics at high energy. In this paper we shall report some results concerning inclusive particle fluxes and atmospheric shower properties as obtained using the FLUKA transport and interaction code. Some emphasis will also be given to the validation of the physics models of FLUKA involved in these calculations., Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures. Proceedings of an invited talk presented by M.V. Garzelli at CSSP07, Carpathian Summer School of Physics - Exotic Nuclei & Nuclear/Particle Astrophysics, Sinaia, Romania, August 20 - 31 2007

Primary GCR interact with the Earth's atmosphere originating atmospheric showers, thus giving rise to fluxes of secondary particles in the atmosphere. Electromagnetic and hadronic interactions interplay in the production of these particles, whose detection is performed by means of complementary techniques in different energy ranges and at different depths in the atmosphere, down to the Earth's surface. Monte Carlo codes are essential calculation tools which can describe the complexity of the physics of these phenomena, thus allowing the analysis of experimental data. However, these codes are affected by important uncertainties, concerning, in particular, hadronic physics at high energy. In this paper we shall report some results concerning inclusive particle fluxes and atmospheric shower properties as obtained using the FLUKA transport and interaction code. Some emphasis will also be given to the validation of the physics models of FLUKA involved in these calculations., Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures. Proceedings of an invited talk presented by M.V. Garzelli at CSSP07, Carpathian Summer School of Physics - Exotic Nuclei & Nuclear/Particle Astrophysics, Sinaia, Romania, August 20 - 31 2007

Primary GCR interact with the Earth's atmosphere originating atmospheric showers, thus giving rise to fluxes of secondary particles in the atmosphere. Electromagnetic and hadronic interactions interplay in the production of these particles, whose detection is performed by means of complementary techniques in different energy ranges and at different depths in the atmosphere, down to the Earth's surface. Monte Carlo codes are essential calculation tools which can describe the complexity of the physics of these phenomena, thus allowing the analysis of experimental data. However, these codes are affected by important uncertainties, concerning, in particular, hadronic physics at high energy. In this paper we shall report some results concerning inclusive particle fluxes and atmospheric shower properties as obtained using the FLUKA transport and interaction code. Some emphasis will also be given to the validation of the physics models of FLUKA involved in these calculations., Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures. Proceedings of an invited talk presented by M.V. Garzelli at CSSP07, Carpathian Summer School of Physics - Exotic Nuclei & Nuclear/Particle Astrophysics, Sinaia, Romania, August 20 - 31 2007

FLUKA is a general purpose Monte Carlo transport and interaction code used for fundamental physics and for a wide range of applications. These include Cosmic Ray Physics (muons, neutrinos, EAS, underground physics), both for basic research and applied studies in space and atmospheric flight dosimetry and radiation damage. A review of the hadronic models available in FLUKA and relevant for the description of cosmic ray air showers is presented in this paper. Recent updates concerning these models are discussed. The FLUKA capabilities in the simulation of the formation and propagation of EM and hadronic showers in the Earth's atmosphere are shown., Comment: 8 pages, 9 figures. Invited talk presented by M.V. Garzelli at ISVHECRI2006, International Symposium on Very High Energy Cosmic Rays, Weihai, China, August 15 - 22 2006

FLUKA is a general purpose Monte Carlo transport and interaction code used for fundamental physics and for a wide range of applications. These include Cosmic Ray Physics (muons, neutrinos, EAS, underground physics), both for basic research and applied studies in space and atmospheric flight dosimetry and radiation damage. A review of the hadronic models available in FLUKA and relevant for the description of cosmic ray air showers is presented in this paper. Recent updates concerning these models are discussed. The FLUKA capabilities in the simulation of the formation and propagation of EM and hadronic showers in the Earth's atmosphere are shown., Comment: 8 pages, 9 figures. Invited talk presented by M.V. Garzelli at ISVHECRI2006, International Symposium on Very High Energy Cosmic Rays, Weihai, China, August 15 - 22 2006

The modelling of ion transport and interactions in matter is a subject of growing interest, driven by the multiplication of applicaton fields. These include hadron therapy, dosimetry, and space missions, but there are also several fundamental research, accelerator physics, and cosmic ray physics issues where a reliable description of heavy ion induced cascades is important. In the present work, the capabilities of the FLUKA code for ion beams will be briefly recalled and some recent developments presented. Applications of the code to the simulation of therapeutic carbon, nitrogen and oxygen ion beams, and of iron beams, which are of direct interest for space mission related experiments, will be also presented, together with interesting consideration about the evaluation of dosimetric quantities. Both applications involve ion beams in the AGeV range.