Dynamics of plasma blobs in a shear flow

The global dynamic of plasma blobs in a shear flow is investigated in a simple magnetized torus using the spatial Fourier harmonics (k-space) framework. Direct experimental evidence of a linear drift in k space of the density fluctuation energy synchronized with blob events is presented. During this drift, an increase of the fluctuation energy and a production of the kinetic energy associated with blobs are observed. The energy source of the blob is analyzed using an advection-dissipation-type equation that includes blob-flow exchange energy, linear drift in k space, nonlinear processes, and viscous dissipations. We show that blobs tap their energy from the dominant E B vertical background flow during the linear drift stage. The exchange of energy is unidirectional as there is no evidence that blobs return energy to the flow

“You Cannot Get into My Taxi!” Perceptions of a COVID-19-based rejection episode reported in the newspapers

COVID-19-related incidents of xenophobia have hit the headlines. We asked participants to read about a rejection episode targeting a foreigner and we manipulated whether the rejection was motivated by COVID-19 fears or by no specific reasons. In the COVID-19 condition, the perpetrator was perceived as moral but as experiencing shame and guilt, while the target was seen as experiencing social pain. Helping intentions were predicted by either the perceived victim's social pain or morality and blame associated with the perpetrator.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Trial by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and semi-quantitative spectral analysis of restoration interface -dentin previously demineralized and restored with glass ionomer

El propósito del trabajo de investigación, fue desarrollar un ensayo de complejidad aceptable para estudios en el ámbito universitario, a fin de observar el grado de penetrabilidad de la restauración con ionómero vítreo de esmalte desmineralizado y a la vez, constatar la presencia de metales y no metales debidos a la restauración que pueden justificar el poder remineralizante otorgado a los ionómeros vítreos. Se utilizaron especímenes de terceros molares retenidos sanos. Se sometieron a un protocolo de desmineralización y posterior obturación con un ionómero vítreo autocurable. Se los preparó para MEB y posterior análisis semicuantitativo químico por espectroscopía por dispersión de rayos X. Se observa un enriquecimiento en masa de flúor en los canales de dentina que incrementan la probabilidad de una posterior remineralización en un elemento dentario vivo.The purpose of the research was to develop a test of acceptable complexity for studies in universities, in order to observe the penetration degree of the restoration with glass ionomer of demineralized enamel and, simultaneously, verify the presence of metals and non-metals due to restoration that can justify the remineralizing power granted to glass ionomers. Specimens of healthy third molars were used and subjected to a demineralization protocol and subsequent filling with a self-curable glass ionomer. They were prepared for a SEM and subsequent semiquantitative chemical analysis by X-ray scattering spectroscopy. A massive enrichment of fluoride in dentin channels is observed, which increases the likelihood of further living tooth remineralization.Fil: Fasoli, L. C.. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de OdontologíaFil: Conti Viejo, María Noelia. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Odontologí

Raman Spectroscopy of Graphene Edges

Graphene edges are of particular interest since their orientation determines the electronic properties. Here we present a detailed Raman investigation of graphene flakes with edges oriented at different crystallographic directions. We also develop a real space theory for Raman scattering to analyze the general case of disordered edges. The position, width, and intensity of G and D peaks are studied as a function of the incident light polarization. The D-band is strongest for polarization parallel to the edge and minimum for perpendicular. Raman mapping shows that the D peak is localized in proximity of the edge. For ideal edges, the D peak is zero for zigzag orientation and large for armchair, allowing in principle the use of Raman spectroscopy as a sensitive tool for edge orientation. However, for real samples, the D to G ratio does not always show a significant dependence on edge orientation. Thus, even though edges can appear macroscopically smooth and oriented at well-defined angles, they are not necessarily microscopically ordered

First insights into the urinary metabolome of captive giraffes by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The urine from 35 giraffes was studied by untargeted1H-NMR, with the purpose of obtaining, for the first time, a fingerprint of its metabolome. The metabolome, as downstream of the transcriptome and proteome, has been considered as the most representative approach to monitor the relationships between animal physiological features and environment. Thirty-nine molecules were unambiguously quantified, able to give information about diet, proteins digestion, energy generation, and gut-microbial co-metabolism. The samples collected allowed study of the effects of age and sex on the giraffe urinary metabolome. In addition, preliminary information about how sampling procedure and pregnancy could affect a giraffe\u2019s urinary metabolome was obtained. Such work could trigger the setting up of methods to non-invasively study the health status of giraffes, which is utterly needed, considering that anesthetic-related complications make their immobilization a very risky practice

Lycopene Supplementation for Patients Under Cancer Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Introduction: Lycopene supplementation has been considered potentially useful as an adjuvant cancer therapy according to its anticancer properties. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of lycopene supplementation on outcome improvement in patients with cancer therapy. As a secondary aim, we conducted a meta analysis to investigate the efficacy of lycopene supplementation on circulating lycopene concentration in patients with cancer therapy.Methods: A systematic and comprehensive search was performed in electronic databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, SCOPUS, EMBASE, MedNar, and OpenGrey up to March 2023. The inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials conducted on patients under cancer therapy (i.e., radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery, etc.) supplementing with lycopene. Data extraction and analysis: two different evaluators screened and collected literature independently. Information regarding the study design, participants, intervention, and dependent outcomes was extracted, and the bias of the study was assessed. Additionally, separate random-effect meta-analyses were performed to examine the effects of lycopene supplementation on circulating lycopene concentration in patients under cancer therapy.Results: The initial search retrieved 7 565 articles of which eight met the inclusion criteria. Lycopene supplementation did not modify cancer hallmarks in these studies. However, despite the heterogeneity between studies, we show that, compared with control, lycopene supplementation had moderate effects on circulating lycopene concentration in patients under cancer therapy (pooled mean difference, 0.1361; 95% CI [0.0574; 0.2148], P = .0007).Conclusions: Our study shows that lycopene supplementation does not modify the main hallmarks of cancer, but it increases circulating lycopene concentration in patients under cancer therapy, which could have a positive impact on potential clinical and molecular outcomes in cancer patients.Spanish Government FPU19/01609University of Granada Plan Propio de Investigacion 2016-Excellence actions: Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Healt

Risk factors for adenocarcinoma of the cervix: a case-control study.

To assess risk factors for cervical adenocarcinoma data were collected in a case-control study of 39 cases and 409 controls conducted in the greater Milan area. Questions were asked about personal characteristics and habits, gynaecologic and obstetric data, history of lifetime use of oral contraceptives and other female hormones, and general indicators of sexual habits (age at first intercourse and total number of sexual partners). The relative risk of cervical adenocarcinoma increased with number of births and abortions, early age at first birth and early age at first intercourse. These estimates did not materially change after adjustment for the potential reciprocal confounding effect. Further, there was a positive association with overweight, but an apparent association with lower education was not significant. No relationship emerged with oral contraceptive use. Thus, despite the similarities with the epidemiology of squamous cell cancer, reproductive patterns and other factors related to the risk of endometrial cancer (i.e., overweight) seem to play an important role in the risk of adenocarcinoma of cervix uteri

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: two-dimensional echocardiographic score versus clinical and electrocardiographic findings.

The severity and site of hypertrophy is important in determining the clinical picture and the natural history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We evaluated left ventricular hypertrophy by means of two-dimensional echocardiographic score and score index, and correlated these findings with symptoms, electrovector-cardiographic data, and ventricular arrhythmias. A total of 42 patients with HCM were studied by clinical examination, ECG, VCG, M-mode and 2D echocardiography, and 24-h Holter monitoring. The extent and severity of the hypertrophic process were calculated by a score system. The left ventricle was divided into 11 segments and a hypertrophic score (HS) was given to each segment. A hypertrophy score index (HSI) was also calculated by dividing the number of hypertrophied segments by 13. No correlation was found between symptoms and HS and HSI, nor ECG-VCG abnormalities and HS and HSI. A statistically significant relationship between the severity of ventricular arrhythmias and HS and HSI was found (p less than 0.01). The mechanism responsible for ventricular tachyarrhythmias in severe and diffuse hypertrophy might reside in the high intraventricular pressures which produce or worsen areas of myocardial ischemia