Single-particle vs. pair superfluidity in a bilayer system of dipolar bosons

We consider the ground state of a bilayer system of dipolar bosons, where dipoles are oriented by an external field in the direction perpendicular to the parallel planes. Quantum Monte Carlo methods are used to calculate the ground-state energy, the one-body and two-body density matrix, and the superfluid response as a function of the separation between layers. We find that by decreasing the interlayer distance for fixed value of the strength of the dipolar interaction, the system undergoes a quantum phase transition from a single-particle to a pair superfluid. The single-particle superfluid is characterized by a finite value of both the atomic condensate and the super-counterfluid density. The pair superfluid phase is found to be stable against formation of many-body cluster states and features a gap in the spectrum of elementary excitations.Comment: 4 figure

The SUCCESSO-TERRA project: A lesson of sustainability from the terramare culture, middle bronze age of the po plain (Northern Italy)

This backstory article deals with the SUCCESSO-TERRA Project (2017–2020), an interdisciplinary research program aiming at reconstructing the land-use transformations that occurred during the development of the Terramare culture in the southern-central Po Plain of Northern Italy. Topics include climate-environment changes, human impact and exploitation of natural resources that are interconnected topics in human ecology and environmental sciences. These topics can only be understood in a long-term perspective integrating archaeology, geology, botany and other sciences. The text includes the theoretical basis, the research strategy and the main methodological approaches given by geoarchaeology and palynology, the two research sides constituting the partnership of the project

Oxidative stress and erythrocyte membrane alterations in children with autism: correlation with clinical features

It has been suggested that oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), but the literature reports somewhat contradictory results. To further investigate the issue, we evaluated a high number of peripheral oxidative stress parameters, and some related issues such as erythrocyte membrane functional features and lipid composition. Twenty-one autistic children (Au) aged 5 to 12 years, were gender and age-matched with 20 typically developing children (TD). Erythrocyte thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, urinary isoprostane and hexanoyl-lysine adduct levels were elevated in Au, thus confirming the occurrence of an imbalance of the redox status of Au, whilst other oxidative stress markers or associated parameters (urinary 8-oxo-dG, plasma radical absorbance capacity and carbonyl groups, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and catalase activities) were unchanged. A very significant reduction of Na+/K+-ATPase activity (-66%, p<0.0001), a reduction of erythrocyte membrane fluidity and alteration in erythrocyte fatty acid membrane profile (increase in monounsaturated fatty acids, decrease in EPA and DHA-\u3c93 with a consequent increase in \u3c96/\u3c93 ratio) were found in Au compared to TD, without change in membrane sialic acid content. Some Au clinical features appear to be correlated with these findings; in particular, hyperactivity score appears to be related with some parameters of the lipidomic profile and membrane fluidity. Oxidative stress and erythrocyte membrane alterations may play a role in the pathogenesis of ASD and prompt the development of palliative therapeutic protocols. Moreover, the marked decrease in NKA could be potentially utilized as a peripheral biomarker of ASD

A human MMTV-like betaretrovirus linked to breast cancer has been present in humans at least since the Copper Age

The betaretrovirus Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus (MMTV) is the well characterized etiological agent of mammary tumors in mice. In contrast, the etiology of sporadic human breast cancer (BC) is unknown, but accumulating data indicate a possible viral origin also for these malignancies. The presence of MMTVenv-like sequences (MMTVels) in the human salivary glands and saliva supports the latter as possible route of interhuman dissemination. In the absence of the demonstration of a mouse-man transmission of MMTV, we considered the possibility that a cross-species transmission could have occurred in ancient times. Therefore, we investigated MMTVels in the ancient dental calculus, which originates from saliva and is an excellent material for paleovirology. The calculus was collected from 36 ancient human skulls, excluding any possible mouse contamination. MMTV-like sequences were identified in the calculus of 6 individuals dated from the Copper Age to the 17th century. The MMTV-like sequences were compared with known human endogenous betaretroviruses and with animal exogenous betaretroviruses, confirming their exogenous origin and relation to MMTV. These data reveal that a human exogenous betaretrovirus similar to MMTV has existed at least since 4,500 years ago and indirectly support the hypothesis that it could play a role in human breast cancer

The Effect of the Short-Range Correlations on the Generalized Momentum Distribution in Finite Nuclei

The effect of dynamical short-range correlations on the generalized momentum distribution $n(\vec{p},\vec{Q})$ in the case of $Z=N$, $\ell$-closed shell nuclei is investigated by introducing Jastrow-type correlations in the harmonic-oscillator model. First, a low order approximation is considered and applied to the nucleus $^4$He. Compact analytical expressions are derived and numerical results are presented and the effect of center-of-mass corrections is estimated. Next, an approximation is proposed for $n(\vec{p}, \vec{Q})$ of heavier nuclei, that uses the above correlated $n(\vec{p},\vec{Q})$ of $^4$He. Results are presented for the nucleus $^{16}$O. It is found that the effect of short-range correlations is significant for rather large values of the momenta $p$ and/or $Q$ and should be included, along with center of mass corrections for light nuclei, in a reliable evaluation of $n(\vec{p},\vec{Q})$ in the whole domain of $p$ and $Q$.Comment: 29 pages, 8 figures. Further results, figures and discussion for the CM corrections are added. Accepted by Journal of Physics

Acupuncture as an alternative or in addition to conventional treatment for chronic non-specific low back pain: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Conventional therapies (CTs), pharmacological (PH) and non–pharmacological (NPH), do not always achieve benefits in the treatment of chronic low back pain (CLBP). We assessed efficacy and safety of acupuncture for CLBP as alternative or addition to CT. Methods: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing acupuncture alone or in combination with CT to CT. We searched Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase up to May 2022. We assessed risk of bias with the original Cochrane tool and GRADE certainty of evidence. Results were pooled through meta-analysis. Results: Ten RCTs (2122 participants) were included comparing acupuncture versus CT and 6 (374 participants) comparing acupuncture plus CT to CT alone. Comparing acupuncture with NPH or PH, no differences were found for pain and disability. Comparing with combined PH and NPH, pain and disability were reduced (SMD=-0.50, 95%CI-0.62 to -0.37; SMD=-0.71, 95%CI-1.17 to -0.24). Comparing acupuncture plus NPH with NPH alone, pain and disability were reduced (SMD=-0.70, 95%CI-0.94 to -0.46; SMD=-0.95, 95%CI-1.36 to -0.54). Comparing acupuncture plus PH with PH alone, pain and disability were reduced (MD=-0.21,8 95%CI-433.28 to -10.42; MD=-3.1, 95%CI-4.87 to -1.83). Comparing acupuncture plus combined treatment versus combined treatment alone, no differences were found in pain, while disability was reduced (MD=-3.40 95%CI-5.17 to -1.63). No studies assessed adverse event. Certainty of evidence ranged from moderate to very low. Conclusion: We are uncertain whether acupuncture is more effective and safer than CT. In the comparisons without estimates’ imprecision, acupuncture showed promising results. Acupuncture could be an option based on patients’ preferences

Description of recent large-qq neutron inclusive scattering data from liquid 4^4He

We report dynamical calculations for large-$q$ structure functions of liquid $^4$He at $T$=1.6 and 2.3 K and compare those with recent MARI data. We extend those calculations far beyond the experimental range q\le 29\Ain in order to study the approach of the response to its asymptotic limit for a system with interactions having a strong short-range repulsion. We find only small deviations from theoretical $1/q$ behavior, valid for smooth $V$. We repeat an extraction by Glyde et al of cumulant coefficients from data. We argue that fits determine the single atom momentum distribution, but express doubt as to the extraction of meaningful Final State Interaction parameters.Comment: 37 pages, 13 postscript fig

New insights into the comorbid conditions of Turner syndrome: results from a long-term monocentric cohort study

Purpose Many questions concerning Turner syndrome (TS) remain unresolved, such as the long-term complications and, therefore, the optimal care setting for adults. The primary aim of this long-term cohort study was to estimate the incidence of comorbid conditions along the life course. Methods A total of 160 Italian patients with TS diagnosed from 1967 to 2010 were regularly and structurally monitored from the diagnosis to December 2019 at the University Hospital of Bologna using a structured multidisciplinary monitoring protocol. Results The study cohort was followed up for a median of 27 years (IQR 12-42). Autoimmune diseases were the comorbid condition with the highest incidence (61.2%), followed by osteoporosis and hypertension (23.8%), type 2 diabetes (16.2%) and tumours (15.1%). Median age of onset ranged from 22 years for autoimmune diseases to 39 years for type 2 diabetes. Malignant tumours were the most prominent type of neoplasm, with a cumulative incidence of 11.9%. Papillary thyroid carcinoma was the most common form of cancer, followed by skin cancer and cancer of the central nervous system. Only one major cardiovascular event (acute aortic dissection) was observed during follow-up. No cases of ischaemic heart disease, heart failure, stroke or death were recorded. Conclusions This cohort study confirms the need for continuous, structured and multidisciplinary lifelong monitoring of TS, thus ensuring the early diagnosis of important comorbid conditions, including cancer, and their appropriate and timely treatment. In addition, these data highlight the need for the increased surveillance of specific types of cancer in TS, including thyroid carcinoma

Enhancing the top signal at Tevatron using Neural Nets

We show that Neural Nets can be useful for top analysis at Tevatron. The main features of $t\bar t$ and background events on a mixed sample are projected in a single output, which controls the efficiency and purity of the $t\bar t$ signal.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures (not included and available from the authors), Latex, UB-ECM-PF 94/1