Gluon condensation and deconfinement critical density in nuclear matter

An upper limit to the critical density for the transition to the deconfined phase, at zero temperature, has been evaluated by analyzing the behavior of the gluon condensate in nuclear matter. Due to the non linear baryon density effects, the upper limit to the critical density, \rho_c turns out about nine times the saturation density, rho_0 for the value of the gluon condensate in vacuum =0.012 GeV^4. For neutron matter \rho_c \simeq 8.5 \rho_0. The dependence of the critical density on the value of the gluon condensate in vacuum is studied.Comment: Published version, 11 pages, 2 eps figure

The XMM-LSS survey. Survey design and first results

We have designed a medium deep large area X-ray survey with XMM - the XMM Large Scale Structure survey, XMM-LSS - with the scope of extending the cosmological tests attempted using ROSAT cluster samples to two redshift bins between 0<z<1 while maintaining the precision of earlier studies. Two main goals have constrained the survey design: the evolutionary study of the cluster-cluster correlation function and of the cluster number density. The results are promising and, so far, in accordance with our predictions as to the survey sensitivity and cluster number density. The feasibility of the programme is demonstrated and further X-ray coverage is awaited in order to proceed with a truly significant statistical analysis. (Abridged)Comment: Published in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physic

Nationwide consensus on the clinical management of treatment-resistant depression in Italy: a Delphi panel

Background: Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is defined by the European Medicines Agency as a lack of clinically meaningful improvement after treatment, with at least two different antidepressants. Individual, familiar, and socio-economic burden of TRD is huge. Given the lack of clear guidelines, the large variability of TRD approaches across different countries and the availability of new medications to meet the need of effective and rapid acting therapeutic strategies, it is important to understand the consensus regarding the clinical characteristics and treatment pathways of patients with TRD in Italian routine clinical practice, particularly in view of the recent availability of esketamine nasal spray. Methods: A Delphi questionnaire with 17 statements (with a 7 points Likert scale for agreement) was administered via a customized web-based platform to Italian psychiatrists with at least 5 years of experience and specific expertise in the field of depression. In the second-round physicians were asked to answer the same statements considering the interquartile range of each question as an index of their colleagues' responses. Stata 16.1 software was used for the analyses. Results: Sixty panellists, representative of the Italian territory, answered the questionnaire at the first round. For 8/17 statements more than 75% of panellists reached agreement and a high consensus as they assigned similar scores; for 4 statements the panellists assigned similar scores but in the middle of the Likert scale showing a moderate agreement with the statement, while for 5 statements there was indecision in the agreement and low consensus with the statement. Conclusions: This Delphi Panel showed that there is a wide heterogeneity in Italy in the management of TRD patients, and a compelling need of standardised strategies and treatments specifically approved for TRD. A high level of consensus and agreement was obtained about the importance of adding lithium and/or antipsychotics as augmentation therapies and in the meantime about the need for long-term maintenance therapy. A high level of consensus and agreement was equally reached for the identification of esketamine nasal spray as the best option for TRD patients and for the possibility to administrate without difficulties esketamine in a community outpatient setting, highlighting the benefit of an appropriate educational support for patients

Influence of the geological structure on a rockslide in northeastern Italy

In the Astico Valley (Venetian Pre Alps, north east Italy) a rockslide of approximately 10x106 m3 occurred in conjunction with the Verona earthquake (03.01.1117, I0 IX MCS, M 7.0). The rockslide seems to have been favoured by the downhill dip of the carbonate beds and the deposit dammed the narrow valley originating a lake, later emptied by the river incision of the landslide deposit. Upwards of the crown more than 10x106 m3 of rocks are still hanging on the valley. Here we present the results of a preliminary geological analysis of the slope, showing that the failure surface corresponds to a thrust surface with a stair case trajectory only partially coinciding with the beds, which has been reactivated by the rockslide. Moreover, the kinematic analysis shows that the scarp of the landslide could be involved in a quite huge new landslide. Along the Astico valley a motorway has been designed, with a viaduct and service areas just at the foot of this potential landslide. The field investigations suggest this potential landslide could have a high impact on such infrastructures and that a careful stability analysis is needed for an appropriate risk assessment

Alfaxalone versus alfaxalone-dexmedetomidine anaesthesia by immersion in oriental fire-bellied toads (Bombina orientalis)

OBJECTIVE To determine a dexmedetomidine concentration, to be added to an alfaxalone-based bath solution, that will enhance the anaesthetic and analgesic effects of alfaxalone; and to compare the quality of anaesthesia and analgesia provided by immersion with either alfaxalone alone or alfaxalone with dexmedetomidine in oriental fire-bellied toads (Bombina orientalis). STUDY DESIGN Pilot study followed by a prospective, randomized, experimental trial. ANIMALS Fourteen oriental fire-bellied toads. METHODS The pilot study aimed to identify a useful dexmedetomidine concentration to be added to an anaesthetic bath containing 20 mg 100 mL(-1) alfaxalone. Thereafter, the toads were assigned to one of two groups, each comprising eight animals, to be administered either alfaxalone (group A) or alfaxalone-dexmedetomidine (group AD). After immersion for 20 minutes, the toads were removed from the anaesthetic bath and the righting, myotactic and nociceptive reflexes, cardiopulmonary variables and von Frey filaments threshold were measured at 5 minute intervals and compared statistically between groups. Side effects and complications were noted and recorded. RESULTS In the pilot study, a dexmedetomidine concentration of 0.3 mg 100 mL(-1) added to the alfaxalone-based solution resulted in surgical anaesthesia. The toads in group AD showed higher von Frey thresholds and lower nociceptive withdrawal reflex scores than those in group A. However, in group AD, surgical anaesthesia was observed in two out of eight toads only, and induction of anaesthesia was achieved in only 50% of the animals, as compared with 100% of the toads in group A. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The addition of dexmedetomidine to an alfaxalone-based solution for immersion anaesthesia provided some analgesia in oriental fire-bellied toads, but failed to potentiate the level of unconsciousness and appeared to lighten the depth of anaesthesia. This limitation renders the combination unsuitable for anaesthetizing oriental fire-bellied toads for invasive procedures

A Multi-Fidelity Aero-Thermal Design Approach for Secondary Air Systems

The paper presents a multi-disciplinary approach for aero-thermal and heat transfer analysis for internal flows. The versatility and potential benefit offered by the approach is described through the application to a realistic low pressure turbine assembly. The computational method is based on a run time code-coupling architecture that allows mixed models and simulations to be integrated together for the prediction of the sub-system aero-thermal performance. In this specific application the model is consisting of two rotorblades, the embedded vanes, the inter-stage cavity and the solid parts. The geometry represents a real engine situation.The key element of the approach is the use of a fully modular coupling strategy that aims to combine (1) flexibility for design needs, (2) variable level of modelling for better accuracy and (3) in memory code coupling for preserving computational efficiency in large system and sub-system simulations.For this particular example Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations are solved for the fluid regions and thermal coupling is enforced with the metal (conjugate heat transfer). Fluid-fluid interfaces use mixing planes between the rotating parts while overlapping regions are exploited to link the cavity flow to the main annulus flow as well as in the cavity itself for mapping of the metal parts and leakages. Metal temperatures predicted by the simulation are compared to those retrieved from a thermal model of the engine, and the results are discussed with reference to the underlying flow physics

Current practice for the chemical immobilisation of non‐domestic feline species: An online survey study

Publication status: PublishedBackground: Safe chemical immobilisation of wild felids is essential for both conservational management and clinical purposes. However, little is known about drug protocols and current practice. Methods: This study was designed as an online survey based on a questionnaire. Descriptive/correlation statistics and analysis of proportions were used for data analysis. Results: The preferred immobilisation technique was the use of darts (37% of the respondents), while the most popular drug combination was a mixture of benzodiazepines, alpha‐2 adrenoreceptor agonists and dissociative anaesthetics (27%). The inclusion of ketamine in the drug mixture was associated with a quicker anaesthetic onset, as estimated by the participants (p < 0.001). Common complications were prolonged recovery (46%), bradycardia (35%), hypoventilation (32%), hypothermia (26%) and arousal (26%). Commonly encountered problems were inappropriate equipment (39%), lack of suitable drugs (27%) and inadequate knowledge of species‐specific pharmacology (29%) and physiology (24%). Limitations: Incomplete adherence to the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E‐Surveys is acknowledged. Conclusions: Drug protocols including both alpha‐2 adrenoreceptor agonists and dissociative anaesthetics are preferred in wild felids, and the inclusion of ketamine may be useful to achieve a quick onset. Equipment/drug availability and species‐specific knowledge are potential areas of improvement to improve wild felid anaesthesia

A Coupling Framework for Multi-Domain Modelling and Multi-Physics Simulations

This paper describes a coupling framework for parallel execution of different solvers for multi-physics and multi-domain simulations with an arbitrary number of adjacent zones connected by different physical or overlapping interfaces. The coupling architecture is based on the execution of several instances of the same coupling code and relies on the use of smart edges (i.e., separate processes) dedicated to managing the exchange of information between two adjacent regions. The collection of solvers and coupling sessions forms a flexible and modular system, where the data exchange is handled by independent servers that are dedicated to a single interface connecting two solvers’ sessions. Accuracy and performance of the strategy is considered for turbomachinery applications involving Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT) analysis and Sliding Plane (SP) interfaces

An Observational Survey Study on the Use of Locoregional Anaesthesia in Non-Conventional Species: Current Practice and Potential Future Developments.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the current attitudes of veterinarians towards the use of locoregional anaesthesia in non-conventional animal species and to identify areas for future useful research on this topic. A questionnaire was circulated online. A total of 417 veterinarians, including American and European specialists/specialists-in-training in both zoological medicine and anaesthesia/analgesia (ACZM/ECZM and ACVAA/ECVAA), participated in the study. Fifty-nine percent of respondents performed locoregional anaesthesia in rabbits, with intratesticular injections and local infiltration being the most commonly-reported techniques. ACZM/ECZM specialists reportedly performed dental blocks in rabbits more frequently than ACVAA/ECVAA specialists (p = 0.030). Forty percent of respondents performed locoregional anaesthesia in rodents, with intratesticular injections, topical/splash blocks and local infiltration being the most commonly reported techniques. The proportions of respondents who reportedly used locoregional anaesthesia in ferrets, birds and reptiles were 37.9%, 34.5% and 31.2%, respectively. The use of Tuohy (p < 0.001) and spinal needles (p < 0.001), as well as of ultrasonography (p = 0.009) and nerve-stimulators (p < 0.001), was more common among ACVAA/ECVAA compared to ACZM/ECZM specialists. Major topic areas for future research were identified as dental block techniques for rabbits and rodents and blocks for the wings of birds