A hydrodynamical homotopy co-momentum map and a multisymplectic interpretation of higher order linking numbers

In this article a homotopy co-momentum map (\`a la Callies-Fr\'egier-Rogers-Zambon) trangressing to the standard hydrodynamical co-momentum map of Arnol'd, Marsden and Weinstein and others is constructed and then generalized to a special class of Riemannian manifolds. Also, a covariant phase space interpretation of the coadjoint orbits associated to the Euler evolution for perfect fluids and in particular of Brylinski's manifold of smooth oriented knots is discussed. As an application of the above homotopy co-momentum map, a reinterpretation of the (Massey) higher order linking numbers in terms of conserved quantities within the multisymplectic framework is provided and knot theoretic analogues of first integrals in involution are determined.Comment: 21 pages, 3 figures. The present version focuses on the connections between multisymplectic geometry, hydrodynamics and vortices. The derivation of the HOMFLYPT polynomial via geometric quantization has been proposed as a separate preprint, see "Derivation of the HOMFLYPT knot polynomial via helicity and geometric quantization ", arXiv:1910.xxx

Structural variants of chromosome 9: a possibile association with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism

We report two cases of structural variations of chromosome 9 associated with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and azoospermia in adolescent boys. One patient also had a partially imperforated urethral meatus. Histological examination revealed that both had hypotrophic and underdeveloped testes. There was no LH and FSH response to LH-RH stimulation nor was there any response to naloxone tests. Basal and HCG stimulated plasma testosterone values were below normal prepubertal levels. As the administration of gonadotrophins did not improve the clinical and hormonal findings, alternative androgen therapy was necessary to achieve secondary sexual characteristics. Although they reached a good level of androgenization, their testes were still very small and azoospermia remained, as confirmed by repeated semen analyses. A possible association between chromosome 9 polymorphisms and hypothalamo-pituitary axis abnormalities is suggested. It is hypothesized that structural variants of chromosome 9 are not unrelated occurrences. Furthermore, and in view of the fact that they can lead to a high risk of azoospermia and infertility, such variants call for clinical investigatio

Effects of physical exercise on adiponectin, leptin, and inflammatory markers in childhood obesity: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: New findings on adipose tissue physiology and obesity-Associated inflammation status suggest that modification of the adipokine level can be relevant for the long-Term prevention of obesity-Associated chronic disease. Objectives: The scope of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of physical exercise in reducing the systemic inflammation related to obesity in children. Methods: We conducted a systematic review with meta-Analysis of controlled randomized trials, identified through electronic database search, which investigated the effect of physical exercise, without concomitant dietary intervention, on adiponectin, leptin, and/or other inflammatory markers in children up to age 18 years with a body mass index greater than the 95th percentile for age and sex. Results: Seven trials were included in the meta-Analysis, with a total of 250 participants. Compared with the control group without any lifestyle modification, the physical exercise resulted in a reduction in leptin [standardized mean difference (SMD)-1.13; 95% confidence interval (95%CI):-1.89 to-0.37; I2 = 79.9%] and interleukin-6 (SMD-0.84; 95%CI:-1.45 to-0.23, I2 = 0.9%) and an increase in adiponectin plasma concentration (SMD 0.69; 95%CI: 0.02-1.35; I2 = 74.3%). Conclusions: These results indicate that physical exercise improved the inflammatory state in children with obesity. It is unclear whether this effect can reduce the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease in adulthood. Clinical trials with a uniform intervention protocol and outcome measurements are required to put our knowledge on adipose tissue biology into a clinical perspective

The application of digital pulse amplitude tonometry to the diagnostic investigation of endothelial dysfunction in men with erectile dysfunction

The application of digital pulse amplitude by fingertip peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) device in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) has never been performed. We investigated the diagnostic value of reactive hyperaemia (RH) and augmentation index (AI) as evaluated using PAT in men with ED of any origin. A total of 40 patients underwent diagnostic investigation for ED, including dynamic penile duplex ultrasound (PDU) and PAT device. Moreover, 30 patients without ED served as controls. According to PDU cutoff at 35 cm/sec, patients were divided into vascular (n = 30) and nonvascular (n = 10) ED aetiology. Moreover, controls with (n = 10) or without (n = 20) vascular risk factors (VRFs) were studied in a separate analysis. Average RH-PAT was not different in men with or without ED (P = 0.56) independently of VRFs. The AI was higher in men with ED compared with the controls (P < 0.0001) as well as when controlled for the presence or absence of VRFs (P < 0.0001). An inverse relationship between AI and PSV was also found (r2 = -0.72, P < 0.0001). In conclusion, an increased AI but not an impaired RH-PAT is present in men with vascular ED independently of VRFs and may represent an early detection of vascular impairment that may precede endothelial dysfunction in populations at low risk for developing vascular ED

Is chronic exposure to raw water a possible risk factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis? A pilot case-control study

Background: The etiopathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is still largely unknown. Methods: We performed a case-control study (33 cases and 35 controls) in Umbria, Italy. We investigated associations between common lifestyle, clinical factors, as well as environmental exposures potentially implicated with ALS onset. Face-to-face interviews were carried out. All cases were recruited and diagnosed according to El Escorial criteria. Case-control comparisons were made for educational and residential status, occupational exposures, and clinical and lifestyle factors prior to cases’ dates of diagnosis. Results: Our results showed an increased risk of ALS for subjects chronically exposed to raw water use (odds ratio (OR) = 6.55, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.24–19.12). Garden activities showed a tight association with ALS as well, very likely as a consequence of chronic raw water exposure. Indeed, we could exclude an impact for pesticides, as no significant differences were observed in pesticide exposure in the two groups interviewed. However, cases were more often exposed to fertilizers. After adjustment for age, sex, and heavy physical activities, exposure to raw water was still associated with increased ALS risk (OR = 4.74, 95% CI: 1.33–16.85). Discussion: These findings suggest an association between ALS and exposure to raw water, which should be further investigated for the presence of chemicals interfering with nervous system functionality

Adubação da castanheira-do-brasil Estado da arte.

A castanheira-do-brasil (Bertholletia excelsa) é uma espécie arbórea, que ocorre na região Amazônica e tem acentuada preferência por terras altas e de características argilosas e argilo-cascalhentas. Os solos para a cultura devem ser profundos, bem drenados, de textura média a argilosa, topografia plana a suave-ondulada e não sujeito a inundações (Locatelli et al., 2002). A espécie mostra desenvolvimento adequado, em altura e em diâmetro, quando plantada em solos com pH ácido, baixos valores de saturação por bases, baixa capacidade de troca de cátions e até em elevados valores de saturação por alumínio (Locatelli; Souza, 1990; Locatelli et. al., 2002). É encontrada, em estado nativo, em áreas onde ocorrem os tipos climáticos Aw, Am e Af de acordo com a classificação de Köppen, mas concentra-se especialmente em locais com Aw ou Am. Requer precipitações pluviais mé¬dias anuais entre 1.400 e 2.800 mm. A temperatura média anual ideal para o crescimento e desenvolvimento oscila entre 24,3°C e 27,2°C, a média anual da umidade relativa do ar entre 79% e 86%, variando durante os meses entre 66% e 91%, e não suporta ventos frios (Diniz; Bastos, 1974). O interesse no plantio comercial da castanheira-do-brasil vem aumentando, considerando sua importância socioeconômica e alto valor comercial de suas castanhas. Em contrapartida, são encontradas muitas barreiras técnicas, re¬lacionadas à falta de estudos com a espécie, seja na produção de mudas, manejo e tratos culturais. O modo de plantio das mudas de castanheira-do-brasil é semelhante ao de qualquer outra espécie florestal. Apesar de ser espécie com característica de rusticidade, não se faz necessário efetuar um preparo de área de maneira distinta, o que facilita as operações de plantio e tratos culturais.bitstream/item/188234/1/2018-cpamt-silvio-spera-adubacao-castanheira-do-brasil-estado-arte.pd

Parenting Style and Parenting Practices in Disabled Children and its Relationship with Academic Competence and Behaviour Problems

This paper aims to carry out a review of the most important advances achieved in recent decades, and mainly in recent years, in the study of parenting styles and parenting practices in relation to academic competence and behavior problems of children with and without disabilities, in order to shed some light on major differences in patterns of family interaction that may explain the worst levels of adaptation manifested by children with disabilities. For this, we have carried out an analysis of main works that reflect this relationship in the general population, and then did the same including disability as a differentiating factor. In this sense, the authoritative style and specific parenting practices such as setting limits, communication, autonomy or monitoring are described as good predictors of adaptive behavior in children. However, we miss studies to confirm this relationship in children with disabilities. In this population, the major papers refer, on one side, to expectations and, on other side, to stress in parenting and its effect of the parents’ mental health. In conclusion, the need for studies to provide additional information about family relationships and disability is discussed

Human neural stem cell transplantation in ALS: initial results from a phase I trial

We report the initial results from a phase I clinical trial for ALS. We transplanted GMP-grade, fetal human neural stem cells from natural in utero death (hNSCs) into the anterior horns of the spinal cord to test for the safety of both cells and neurosurgical procedures in these patients. The trial was approved by the Istituto Superiore di Sanit\ue0 and the competent Ethics Committees and was monitored by an external Safety Board

The vaccinaTion & Hpv Knowledge (THinK) questionnaire: a reliability and validity study on a sample of women living in Sicily (southern-Italy)

Objective The aim of this study was to introduce the VaccinaTion & Hpv Knowledge (THinK) questionnaire to assess knowledge about human papillomavirus (HPV) and attitude to HPV-vaccination. Its reliability and validity was demonstrated in a sample of women living in Sicily (southern Italy). Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a sample of 220 women at the “Paolo Giaccone” University Hospital in Palermo (Sicily), aged 18–61. Data were analyzed through Cronbach’s alpha and exploratory factor analysis, followed by a structural equation model with measurement component. The two-level data structure was explicitly considered. Results Three dimensions were found: “knowledge of HPV infection (kHPV), “Attitude to be vaccinated against HPV (aHPV)” and “Knowledge about vaccines (KV)” (97% overall explained variance). Internal consistency was good for the whole questionnaire (0.82) and the first dimension (0.88) and acceptable for the second (0.78) and the third dimension (0.73). 23% of women showed no or little knowledge of HPV and 44.3% of women had no or little knowledge about HPV induced lesions. Discussion The use of a validated questionnaire may serve as a useful measure to assess general knowledge about HPV and attitude towards vaccination against HPV in the primary prevention setting