Correlation length and the scaling parameter in the Renormalization Group

The basic procedure of renormalization group theory is used to split the free energy into a Kadanoff block formation part, and a renormalized block-block interaction part. The study of this redistribution as a function of the scaling parameter s shows that there is a stationarity value s* of s, which turns out to have the same critical behavior as the correlation length. It is suggested that s* can be used as an appropriate measure and definition of the correlation length, even for noncritical regions. The calculation of s* is thereby performed explicitly for the Gaussian, and numerically for the S4 model. A sharp separation between noncorrelated and correlated regimes is also found for the Gaussian model, well above the critical temperature. For the S4 model, the results suggest that ξ is characterized by a high-temperature Gaussian branch and by a genuine S4 branch at low temperatures, connected by a "plateau" in the intermediate region

Association of blood pressure with anxiety and depression in a sample of primary care patients

Introduction According to international scientific literature, and as summarized in the guidelines of the International Society of Hypertension, lowering of blood pressure can prevent cardiovascular accidents. Some studies suggest that hypertension, anxiety, and depression might be inversely correlated. Objective To investigate whether blood pressure is associated with anxiety and depression. Methods Cross-sectional design. Male and female primary care patients were enrolled, aged 40–80. Criteria of exclusion adopted: use of antidepressants or antipsychotics; previous major cardiovascular event; psychosis or major depression; Type 1-DM; pregnancy and hereditary disease associated to obesity. Anxiety and depression symptoms were assessed using HADS. Waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure, HDL, triglycerides, blood sugar, hypertension, albumin concentrations and serum iron were also assessed. Results Of the 210 subjects, 84 were men (40%), mean age was 60.88 (SD ± 10.88). Hypertension was found to correlate significantly to anxiety (OR = 0.38; 95% CI = 0.17–0.84), older age (OR = 3.96; 95% CI = 1.88–8.32), cigarette smoking (OR = 0.35; 95%CI = 0.13–0.94), high Body Mass Index (OR = 2.50; 95% CI = 1.24–5.01), Waist-hip ratio (OR = 0.09; 95% CI = 0.02–0.46) and the Index of comorbidity (OR = 16.93; 95% CI = 3.71–77.29). Conclusions An inverse association was found between anxiety and hypertension, suggesting the need to clinically manage these two dimensions in a coordinated way. Other findings are well known and already included in prevention campaigns. Further research is needed, also to better understand and explain the causative pathways of this correlation

Role of the equilibrium size of Kadanoff blocks in the loop-expansion technique

A method developed by the present authors in a previous paper [Phys. Rev. E 57, 2594 (1998)] leads to the introduction of the equilibrium size of the Kadanoff blocks as a useful tool to approach the critical properties of the φ4 model. The present paper aims to elucidate the role of the equilibrium size of the Kadanoff blocks in the loop-expansion technique currently used in the field-theoretic renormalization. While the standard results are readily obtained, aspects emerge that help clarify the true nature of the smallness parameter in the loop-expansion technique

How are personality traits and physical activity involved in colorectal carcinogenesis? A cross-sectional study on patients undergoing colonoscopy

Introduction Inflammatory state of the large bowel is a key factor for the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). It has multifactorial aetiology, including psychological determinants. Physical activity may have a protective function against CRC via anti-inflammatory properties; on the contrary, personality traits correlate with an unhealthy and dangerous lifestyle. Objective To measure the association between personality traits, lifestyle and colonoscopy outcome. Methods Cross sectional study. Patients undergoing colonoscopy aged 40 or more, with a negative history for cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, were enrolled. Data collected: colonoscopy outcome, smoke, alcohol, physical activity, presence/absence of Metabolic Syndrome, personality traits assessed by the Temperament & Character Inventory (TCI). Results In a sample of 53 subjects (females = 24, 45.3%), the mean age was 60.66 ± 9.08. At least one adenoma was found to 23 patients (43.3%). Twenty patients were smokers (37.74%), 36 (67.92%) drank alcohol at least weekly; approximately 60% reported regular physical activity. At the multivariate regression, the outcome was associated to: TCI Self Transcendence domain (ST) (OR = 1.36, P = 0.04) and physical activity (OR = 0.14, P = 0.03). Conclusion People with ST's characteristic personality traits and sedentary life style are more likely to have precancerous colorectal lesions. This confirms the protective role of physical activity, and suggests to further explore the role of personality in cancerogenesis

QUANTUM NONDEMOLITION STROBOSCOPIC SCHEME FOR COUPLED HARMONIC-OSCILLATORS

The current generation of Weber gravitational wave antennae is a multimode system which makes use of a transducer resonant with the antenna and is expected to reach the standard quantum limit of sensitivity and possibly, by using quantum nondemolition measurement strategies, to surpass it. Quantum nondemolition measurement strategies have been studied until now only for a single harmonic oscillator. In this paper we generalize the stroboscopic quantum nondemolition strategy to coupled harmonic oscillators. We calculate the commutator of the relative displacement at different times for two and three coupled harmonic oscillators. It is shown that the commutator is time dependent in such a way as to retain values close to zero for a duration of the order of the uncoupled period of oscillations. The stability of this result with respect to frequency detunings is studied. The implications of this result for adapting the proposed quasistroboscopic quantum nondemolition schemes to coupled oscillators are also discussed

Meal-induced blood pressure variation and cardiovascular mortality in ambulatory hypertensive elderly patients: preliminary results.

OBJECTIVES: : This prospective cohort study was designed to investigate the prevalence and the prognostic value of postprandial hypotension (PPH) in ambulatory hypertensive elderly patients without overt heart diseases, an issue that has never been evaluated so far. METHODS: : All patients consecutively referred to our cardiologic clinic in the period from January 2005 to August 2009, were enrolled in the study and underwent a 24-h ambulatory arterial blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). PPH has been defined as a decrease in SBP of 20mmHg within 2h after a meal. RESULTS: : Four hundred and one patients were enrolled (mean age 77.7±11 years, males 47.7%). Hypertension was not adequately controlled in 290 (72.3%) patients. PPH was found in 292 of 401 (72.8%) patients. A value of 10mmHg or higher of SD SBP was predictive of PPH, with a sensitivity and specificity of 87 and 57%, respectively. At each meal, patients with higher SBP readings before meal had the greatest decrease in SBP (P<0.001). During the follow-up, 34 patients died for cardiovascular causes. Breakfast BP variation was the most predictive variable of cardiovascular mortality (B=0.020, P=0.04, HR 1.020, IC 1.001-1.040). CONCLUSION: : In our population, PPH was common. A diurnal standard deviation of SBP of 10mmHg or higher was suggestive of its presence. ABPM identified breakfast BP decrease as a possible new risk factor for cardiovascular mortality

The choice and the change of the allocated primary mental health professional in community-based mental health services: A focus-group qualitative study

Objectives It is generally agreed that it is important to take into consideration users' preferences in the choice of their allocated primary mental health professional (PMHP). Our aim was to explore experiences of users, care givers and psychiatrists on users' initial choice and request of change the PMHP in Community Mental Health Services (CMHSs). Methods Three focus groups were conducted in March-May 2017 in two CMHSs in Modena, Northern Italy. Transcripts were analyzed using MaxQda 11. Results Six users, 7 psychiatrists and 5 care givers were enrolled. Casual or fixed allocation is commonly performed (so-called “fixed rota”). Lack of empathy and a bad therapeutic relationship seem to be the most important reasons to change the PMHP. Conclusions Neither users nor professionals are generally involved in the initial choice of the PMHP. The availability of evidence-based guidelines for managing users' request to choose/change the PHMP may improve quality of care