Bose-Einstein condensation in the presence of a uniform field and a point-like impurity

The behavior of an ideal $D$-dimensional boson gas in the presence of a uniform gravitational field is analyzed. It is explicitly shown that, contrarily to an old standing folklore, the three-dimensional gas does not undergo Bose-Einstein condensation at finite temperature. On the other hand, Bose-Einstein condensation occurs at $T\neq 0$ for $D=1,2,3$ if there is a point-like impurity at the bottom of the vessel containing the gas.Comment: 14 pages, REVTEX. Revised version, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy after coronary sinus lead extraction: feasibility and mid-term outcome of transvenous reimplantation in a tertiary referral centre

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The influence of diet on anti‑cancer immune responsiveness

Immunotherapy has matured into standard treatment for several cancers, but much remains to be done to extend the reach of its effectiveness particularly to cancers that are resistant within each indication. This review proposes that nutrition can affect and potentially enhance the immune response against cancer. The general mechanisms that link nutritional principles to immune function and may influence the effectiveness of anticancer immunotherapy are examined. This represents also the premise for a research project aimed at identifying the best diet for immunotherapy enhancement against tumours (D.I.E.T project). Particular attention is turned to the gut microbiota and the impact of its composition on the immune system. Also, the dietary patterns effecting immune function are discussed including the value of adhering to a healthy diets such as the Mediterranean, Veg, Japanese, or a Microbiota-regulating diet, the very low ketogenic diet, which have been demonstrated to lower the risk of developing several cancers and reduce the mortality associated with them. Finally, supplements, as omega-3 and polyphenols, are discussed as potential approaches that could benefit healthy dietary and lifestyle habits in the context of immunotherapy

Eating habits and lifestyle changes during COVID-19 lockdown : An Italian survey

Background: On December 12th 2019, a new coronavirus (SARS-Cov2) emerged in Wuhan, China, sparking a pandemic of acute respiratory syndrome in humans (COVID-19). On the 24th of April 2020, the number of COVID-19 deaths in the world, according to the COVID-Case Tracker by Johns Hopkins University, was 195,313, and the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases was 2,783,512. The COVID-19 pandemic represents a massive impact on human health, causing sudden lifestyle changes, through social distancing and isolation at home, with social and economic consequences. Optimizing public health during this pandemic requires not only knowledge from the medical and biological sciences, but also of all human sciences related to lifestyle, social and behavioural studies, including dietary habits and lifestyle. Methods: Our study aimed to investigate the immediate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on eating habits and lifestyle changes among the Italian population aged 65 12 years. The study comprised a structured questionnaire packet that inquired demographic information (age, gender, place of residence, current employment); anthropometric data (reported weight and height); dietary habits information (adherence to the Mediterranean diet, daily intake of certain foods, food frequency, and number of meals/day); lifestyle habits information (grocery shopping, habit of smoking, sleep quality and physical activity). The survey was conducted from the 5th to the 24th of April 2020. Results: A total of 3533 respondents have been included in the study, aged between 12 and 86 years (76.1% females). The perception of weight gain was observed in 48.6% of the population; 3.3% of smokers decided to quit smoking; a slight increased physical activity has been reported, especially for bodyweight training, in 38.3% of respondents; the population group aged 18-30 years resulted in having a higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet when compared to the younger and the elderly population (p < 0.001; p < 0.001, respectively); 15% of respondents turned to farmers or organic, purchasing fruits and vegetables, especially in the North and Center of Italy, where BMI values were lower. Conclusions: In this study, we have provided for the first time data on the Italian population lifestyle, eating habits and adherence to the Mediterranean Diet pattern during the COVID-19 lockdown. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, our data need to be confirmed and investigated in future more extensive population studies

C677T gene polymorphism of MTHFR and metabolic syndrome: response to dietary intervention

Background: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphisms were found associated with body mass index (BMI)-defined obesity and lean mass. The aim of our study was to examine the role of the C677T MTHFR gene polymorphism in the response to diet in the management of metabolic syndrome. We investigated the body composition and metabolic factor changes after an hysocaloric balanced diet (HBD), in Italian obese women affected by metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods: Forty four obese women affected by MS were eligible for the study. A HBD for 12 weeks was assigned. Study participation included a complete screening for dietary habits, anthropometry, body composition, blood biochemical markers and C677T MTHFR polymorphism genotyping. The study has been registrated by ClinicalTrials. gov Id: NCT01890070. Results: The highest number of responders to HBD nutritional intervention were T(-) carriers (p 64 0.05). In the 81% of the total population a loss of Total Body Lean was observed. A significative loss (p 64 0.05) of Total Body Lean was observed in the 47% of T(-) carriers and in the 53% of T(+) carriers. Diastolic and systolic blood pressure, and waist circumference were reduced (p 64 0.05). The prevalence of MS parameters decreased by 84% for systolic and diastolic blood pressure; 79,5% for HDL cholesterol, 82% for fasting glucose and 77% for triglycerides. Conclusions: MTHFR genetic variations analysis would be an innovative tool for the nutritional assessment. Our data provide the basis for personalized dietary recommendations based on the individual's genetic makeup and nutritional status

Relevamiento de edificios en altura en San Miguel de Tucumán: su envolvente y condiciones ambientales

El objetivo del presente trabajo es el relevamiento de la situación de edificios en altura en la ciudad de San Miguel de Tucumán. En el mismo se presentan los datos obtenidos del relevamiento realizado en los sectores mas densamente construidos de la capital tucumana. Mediante un relevamiento lote a lote del radio céntrico de la ciudad se registraron las características de los edificios en altura, sus características constructivas y sus envolventes generándose una base de datos hasta ahora inexistente; se realizaron mediciones piloto de condiciones higrotérmicas y acústicas. El análisis térmico permitió describir comportamientos típicos del parque edilicio en altura. Por otro lado ha puesto de manifiesto las situaciones de disconfort térmico y acústico. Se comprobó correlación entre situaciones de disconfort y el uso de materiales o técnicas constructivas inadecuadas desde el punto de vista de las recomendaciones efectuadas por la normativa vigente.The aim of this paper is to present a survey of environmental conditions in multistory buildings in the city of San Miguel de Tucuman, northwest Argentina. A characterization of the high density urban area is presented with data of acoustic and thermal urban conditions and within buildings. The analysis showed different situations where the environmental parameters are above the standards. These situations have been compared against the suggested building regulations and direct correlations were found.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Relevamiento de edificios en altura en San Miguel de Tucumán: su envolvente y condiciones ambientales

El objetivo del presente trabajo es el relevamiento de la situación de edificios en altura en la ciudad de San Miguel de Tucumán. En el mismo se presentan los datos obtenidos del relevamiento realizado en los sectores mas densamente construidos de la capital tucumana. Mediante un relevamiento lote a lote del radio céntrico de la ciudad se registraron las características de los edificios en altura, sus características constructivas y sus envolventes generándose una base de datos hasta ahora inexistente; se realizaron mediciones piloto de condiciones higrotérmicas y acústicas. El análisis térmico permitió describir comportamientos típicos del parque edilicio en altura. Por otro lado ha puesto de manifiesto las situaciones de disconfort térmico y acústico. Se comprobó correlación entre situaciones de disconfort y el uso de materiales o técnicas constructivas inadecuadas desde el punto de vista de las recomendaciones efectuadas por la normativa vigente.The aim of this paper is to present a survey of environmental conditions in multistory buildings in the city of San Miguel de Tucuman, northwest Argentina. A characterization of the high density urban area is presented with data of acoustic and thermal urban conditions and within buildings. The analysis showed different situations where the environmental parameters are above the standards. These situations have been compared against the suggested building regulations and direct correlations were found.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

New obesity classification criteria as a tool for bariatric surgery indication

Obesity plays relevant pathophysiological role in the development of health problems, arising as result of complex interaction of genetic, nutritional, and metabolic factors. Due to the role of adipose tissue in lipid and glucose metabolism, and low grade inflammation, it is necessary to classify obesity on the basis of body fat composition and distribution, rather than the simply increase of body weight, and the Body Mass Index. The new term of adiposopathy ("sick fat") clearly defines the pathogenic role of adipose tissue. Four phenotypes of obese individuals have been described: (1) normal weight obese (NWO); (2) metabolically obese normal weight; (3) metabolically healthy obese; and (4) metabolically unhealthy obese or "at risk" obese. Moreover, sarcopenic obesity has been related to all the phenotypes. The category of normal weight lean, represented by metabolically healthy normal weight has been classified to distinguish from NWO. It is crucial to recommend a bariatric surgery taking into account adiposopathy and sick fat that occurs with the expansion of fat mass, changing the inflammatory and metabolic profile of the patient. Body fat percentage and genetic polymorphism have to be evaluated to personalize the best bariatric surgery intervention. \ua9 The Author(s) 2016. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved

X-ray absorption spectroscopy study on La0.6Sr0.4CoO3 and La0.6Sr0.4Co1¡yFeyO3 nanotubes and nanorods for IT-SOFC cathodes.

In the last years, extensive research has been devoted to develop novel materials\ud and structures with high electrochemical performance for intermediate-temperatures\ud solid-oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs) electrodes. In recent works, we have investigated the structural and electrochemical properties of La0:6Sr0:4CoO3 (LSCO) and\ud La0:6Sr0:4Co1¡yFeyO3 (LSCFO) nanostructured cathodes, finding that they exhibit\ud excellent electrocatalytic properties for the oxygen reduction reaction [1,2]. These materials were prepared by a pore-wetting technique using polycarbonate porous membranes as templates. Two average pore sizes were used: 200 nm and 800 nm. Our scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) study showed that the lower pore size yielded nanorods, while nanotubes were obtained with the bigger pore size. All the samples\ud were calcined at 1000oC in order to produce materials with the desired perovskite-type\ud crystal structure.\ud In this work, we analyze the oxidation states of Co and Fe and the local atomic order\ud of LSCO and LSCFO nanotubes and nanowires for various compositions. For this pur-\ud pose we performed XANES and EXAFS studies on both Co and Fe K edges. These\ud measurements were carried out at the D08B-XAFS2 beamline of the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS). XANES spectroscopy showed that Co and Fe only\ud change slightly their oxidation state upon Fe addition. Surprisingly, XANES results\ud indicated that the content of oxygen vacancies is low, even though it is well-known that\ud these materials are mixed ionic-electronic conductors. EXAFS results were consistent\ud with those expected according to the rhombohedral crystal structure determined in\ud previous X-ray powder dffraction investigations.\ud [1] M.G. Bellino et al, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 129 (2007) 3066\ud [2] J.G. Sacanell et al., J. Power Sources 195 (2010) 1786CNPqCAPE