Phase diagram of a solution undergoing inverse melting

The phase diagram of $\alpha$-cyclodextrin/water/4-methylpyridine solutions, a system undergoing inverse melting, has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry, rheological methods, and X-rays diffraction. Two different fluid phases separated by a solid region have been observed in the high $\alpha$-cyclodextrin concentration range ($c$$\geq$150 mg/ml). Decreasing $c$, the temperature interval where the solid phase exists decreases and eventually disappears, and a first order phase transition is observed between the two different fluid phases.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, accepted on Physical Review E (R

chronic urticaria is usually associated with fibromyalgia syndrome

Although the pathophysiology of chronic urticaria is not fully understood, it is possible that dysfunctioning of peripheral cutaneous nerve fibres may be involved. It has also been suggested that fibromyalgia syndrome, a multi-symptomatic chronic pain condition, may be associated with alterations and dysfunctioning of peripheral cutaneous nerve fibres. The aim of this study was to determine whether patients with chronic urticaria are also affected by fibromyalgia syndrome. A total of 126 patients with chronic urticaria were investigated for fibromyalgia syndrome. An unexpectedly high proportion (over 70%) had fibromyalgia syndrome. The corresponding proportion for 50 control dermatological patients was 16%, which is higher than previously published data for the Italian general population (2.2%). It is possible that dysfunctional cutaneous nerve fibres of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome may release neuropeptides, which, in turn, may induce dermal microvessel dilatation and plasma extravasation. Furthermore, some neuropeptides may favour mast cell degranulation, which stimulates nerve endings, thus providing positive feedback. Chronic urticaria may thus be viewed in many patients, as a consequence of fibromyalgia syndrome. Speculatively, skin neuropathy (fibromyalgia syndrome) may trigger neurogenic skin inflammation (chronic urticaria)

Familial Uncombable Hair Syndrome: Ultrastructural Hair Study and Response toBiotin

Abstract: We report a family affected to the fourth generation by uncombable hair syndrome. This syndrome is characterized by unruly, dry, blond hair with a tangled appearance. The family pedigree strongly supports the hypothesis of autosomal dominant inheritance; some members of the family had, apart from uncombable hair, minor signs of atopy and ectodermal dysplasia, such as abnormalities of the nails. The diagnosis was confirmed by means of extensive scanning electron microscopy. A trial with oral biotin 5 mg/daywas started on two young patients with excellent results as regards the hair appearance, although scanning electron microscopy did not show structural changes in the hair. After a 2-year-period of follow-up, hair normality was maintained without biotin, while nail fragility still required biotin supplementation for control

Breaking the Contrast Limit in Single-Pass Fabry-Pérot Spectrometers

The development of high-resolution Fabry-Pérot interferometers has enabled a wide range of scientific and technological advances—ranging from the characterization of material properties to the more fundamental studies of quasi particles in condensed matter. Spectral contrast is key to measuring weak signals and can reach a 103 peak-to-background ratio in a single-pass assembly.At its heart, this limit is a consequence of an unbalanced field amplitude across multiple interfering paths, with an ensuing reduced fringe visibility. Using a high-resolution, high-throughput virtually imaged phased array spectrometer, we demonstrate an intensity-equalization method to achieve an unprecedented 1000-fold increase in spectral contrast in a single-stage, single-pass configuration. To validate the system, we obtain the Brillouin spectrum of water at high scattering concentrations where, unlike with the standard scheme, the inelastic peaks are highly resolved. Our method brings the interferometer close to its ultimate limits and allows rapid high-resolution spectral analysis in a wide range of fields, including Brillouin spectroscopy, mechanical imaging, and molecular fingerprinting

Beyond lockdown: The potential side effects of the sars-cov-2 pandemic on public health

Lockdowns to contain the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 have disrupted routines and behaviors, which could lead to a worsening of lifestyle and an increase in the burden of non-communicable diseases. This study aimed to describe the changes in physical activity, diet, alcohol drinking, and cigarette smoking during lockdown. A self-administered online survey addressing adults living in a province in northern Italy was advertised through websites and social media. Citizens could access the survey in anonymity from 4 May until 15 June 2020. A total of 1826 adults completed the survey, with a worsening of physical activity (35.1%), diet (17.6%), alcohol drinking (12.5%), and cigarette smoking (7.7%) reported. In contrast, 33.5% reported an improvement in diet, 12.6% in alcohol drinking, 5.3% in physical activity and 4.1% in cigarette smoking. Female sex, young adult age, suspension of work activity, and symptoms of psychological distress were the factors associated with a greater likelihood of change, which was frequently for the worse. Lockdown had an impact on lifestyle, with some net beneficial effects on diet and mostly negative effects on physical activity. Public health measures should be implemented to avoid long-term negative effects of the lockdown, supporting individuals more prone to change for the worse

QCD axion and quintessential axion

The axion solution of the strong CP problem is reviewed together with the other strong CP solutions. We also point out the quintessential axion(quintaxion) whose potential can be extremely flat due to the tiny ratio of the hidden sector quark mass and the intermediate hidden sector scale. The quintaxion candidates are supposed to be the string theory axions, the model independent or the model dependent axions.Comment: 15 pages. Talk presented at Castle Ringberg, June 9-14, 200

The “healthcare workers’ wellbeing (Benessere operatori)” project: A picture of the mental health conditions of italian healthcare workers during the first wave of the covid-19 pandemic

During the last year, the COVID-19 outbreak put all the healthcare workers around the world at risk of physical and psychological sequelae. The general purpose of the present study was to assess the mental health of Italian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak and to identify high-risk groups. Here, we present results from the baseline assessment of the “Healthcare workers’ wellbeing (Benessere Operatori)” project on a sample of 1055 healthcare workers. Participants completed the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21, the Insomnia Severity Index, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Healthcare workers who worked in COVID wards reported higher levels of anxiety, insomnia, posttraumatic stress, anger, and burnout, compared to those reported by the healthcare workers who worked in non-COVID wards. Moreover, nurses, both in COVID and non-COVID wards, were at higher risk of experiencing psychological distress compared to other groups of healthcare workers. These findings highlight the importance of implementing targeted psychological interventions for healthcare workers operating in COVID wards and nurses, who seem to be the most vulnerable categories

Parental bonding and eating disorders: a systematic review

This article systematically reviewed studies of parental bonding in people with eating disorders. MEDLINE, PsychINFO, EMBASE and CINAHL were searched to identify studies that compared parental bonding in people diagnosed with an eating disorder relative to non-clinical controls. Twenty-four studies were identified. Women with eating disorders typically reported lower parental care and higher parental protection compared to non-clinical, but not psychiatric, controls. Interestingly, a modest number of studies found that these relationships were mediated by avoidant problem solving style and several schemas from the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ; Schmidt, Joiner, Young, & Telch, 1995). While there are methodological limitations associated with the reviewed studies, they do offer some support for the proposal that difficulties in parent-child relationships predispose women to eating disorders and other psychiatric diagnoses