Classical and quantum regimes of the superfluid turbulence

We argue that turbulence in superfluids is governed by two dimensionless parameters. One of them is the intrinsic parameter q which characterizes the friction forces acting on a vortex moving with respect to the heat bath, with 1/q playing the same role as the Reynolds number Re=UR/\nu in classical hydrodynamics. It marks the transition between the "laminar" and turbulent regimes of vortex dynamics. The developed turbulence described by Kolmogorov cascade occurs when Re >> 1 in classical hydrodynamics, and q << 1 in the superfluid hydrodynamics. Another parameter of the superfluid turbulence is the superfluid Reynolds number Re_s=UR/\kappa, which contains the circulation quantum \kappa characterizing quantized vorticity in superfluids. This parameter may regulate the crossover or transition between two classes of superfluid turbulence: (i) the classical regime of Kolmogorov cascade where vortices are locally polarized and the quantization of vorticity is not important; and (ii) the quantum Vinen turbulence whose properties are determined by the quantization of vorticity. The phase diagram of the dynamical vortex states is suggested.Comment: 12 pages, 1 figure, version accepted in JETP Letter

Relationship Between Anticholinergic Burden and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Residents in Long-Term Care

Objectives Anticholinergic burden defined by the Anticholinergic Risk Scale (ARS) has been associated with cognitive and functional decline. Associations with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) have been scarcely studied. The aim of this study was to examine the association between anticholinergic burden and HRQoL among older people living in long-term care. Further, we investigated whether there is an interaction between ARS score and HRQoL in certain underlying conditions. Design and participants Cross-sectional study in 2017. Participants were older people residing in long-term care facilities (N=2474) in Helsinki. Measurements Data on anticholinergic burden was assessed by ARS score, nutritional status by Mini Nutritional Assessment, and HRQoL by the 15D instrument. Results Of the participants, 54% regularly used ARS-defined drugs, and 22% had ARS scores >= 2. Higher ARS scores were associated with better cognition, functioning, nutritional status and higher HRQoL. When viewing participants separately according to a diagnosis of dementia, nutritional status or level of dependency, HRQoL was lower among those having dementia, worse nutritional status, or being dependent on another person's help (adjusted for age, sex, comorbidities). Significant differences within the groups according to ARS score were no longer observed. However, interactions between ARS score and dementia and dependency emerged. Conclusion In primary analysis there was an association between ARS score and HRQoL. However, this relationship disappeared after stratification by dementia, nutritional status and dependency. The reasons behind the interaction concerning dementia or dependency remain unclear and warrant further studies.Peer reviewe

HIV testing in Europe: Evaluating the impact, added value, relevance and usability of the European centre for disease prevention and control (ECDC)’s 2010 HIV testing guidance

Background: An evaluation of the 2010 ECDC guidance on HIV testing, conducted in October 2015–January 2016, assessed its impact, added value, relevance and usability and the need for updated guidance. Methods: Data sources were two surveys: one for the primary target audience (health policymakers and decision makers, national programme managers and ECDC official contact points in the European Union/ European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries and one for a broader target audience (clinicians, civil society organisations and international public health agencies); two moderated focus group discussions (17 participants each); webpage access data; a literature citation review; and an expert consultation (18 participants) to discuss the evaluation findings. Results: Twenty-three of 28 primary target audience and 31 of 51 broader target audience respondents indicated the guidance was the most relevant when compared with other international guidance. Primary target audience respondents in 11 of 23 countries reported that they had used the guidance in development, monitoring and/or evaluation of their national HIV testing policy, guidelines, programme and/or strategy, and 29 of 51 of the broader target audience respondents reported having used the guidance in their work. Both the primary and broader target audience considered it important or very important to have an EU/EEA-level HIV testing guidance (23/28 and 46/51, respectively). Conclusion: The guidance has been widely used to develop policies, guidelines, programmes and strategies in the EU/EEA and should be regularly updated due to continuous developments in the field in order to continue to serve as an important reference guidance in the region

Effect of Protein Supplementation on Physical Performance in Older People With Sarcopenia-A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives: To test the long-term effects of whey-enriched protein supplementation on muscle and physical performance. Design: A 12-month randomized controlled double blind trial with a 43-month of post-trial follow-up. Setting: Porvoo, Finland. Participants: A total of 218 older (>74 years of age) community-dwelling people with sarcopenia. Intervention: (1) Control with no supplementation; (2) isocaloric placebo; and (3) 20 g x 2 whey-enriched protein supplementation. All participants were given instructions on home-based exercise, dietary protein, and vitamin D supplementation of 20 mu g/d. Measurements: Physical performance was assessed by short physical performance battery and continuous summary physical performance scores. Hand grip strength and calf intracellular resistance based skeletal muscle index were measured by bioimpedance spectroscopy. The measurements were performed at 0, 6, and 12 months. The post-trial follow-up was performed by a postal questionnaire and national census record data. Results: The participants were older (75-96 years of age) and mostly women (68%). The test supplements had no significant effects on physical performance; the 12-month changes for short physical performance battery were -0.55, -.05, and 0.03 points in control, isocaloric, and protein groups (P = .17), respectively. The changes in continuous summary physical performance scores were similar between the intervention groups (P = .76). The hand grip strength decreased significantly in all intervention groups, and the 12-month changes in calf intracellular resistance-based skeletal muscle index were minor and there were no differences between the intervention groups. One-half of the patients (56%) in both supplement groups reported mild gastrointestinal adverse effects. Differences were found neither in the all-cause mortality nor physical functioning in the post-trial follow-up. Conclusions: The whey-enriched protein supplementation in combination with low intensity home-based physical exercise did not attenuate the deterioration of muscle and physical performance in community-dwelling older people with sarcopenia. (C) 2019 AMDA - The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine.Peer reviewe

Use of tetravalent galabiose for inhibition of Streptococcus suis serotype 2 infection in a mouse model

Peer reviewe

Flow Phase Diagram for the Helium Superfluids

The flow phase diagram for He II and $^3$He-B is established and discussed based on available experimental data and the theory of Volovik [JETP Letters {\bf{78}} (2003) 553]. The effective temperature - dependent but scale - independent Reynolds number $Re_{eff}=1/q=(1+\alpha')/\alpha$, where $\alpha$ and $\alpha'$ are the mutual friction parameters and the superfluid Reynolds number characterizing the circulation of the superfluid component in units of the circulation quantum are used as the dynamic parameters. In particular, the flow diagram allows identification of experimentally observed turbulent states I and II in counterflowing He II with the turbulent regimes suggested by Volovik.Comment: 2 figure

Comparative Long-term Adverse Effects Elicited by Invasive Group B and C Meningococcal Infections

No vaccine is universally active against serogroup B meningococci. A theoretical concern that serogroup B capsular polysaccharide may induce autoimmunity hampers vaccine development. We studied long-term complications in 120 survivors of meningococcal disease. No evidence of increased autoimmune, neurological, or psychiatric disease was noted

The sensitivity of the vortex filament method to different reconnection models

We present a detailed analysis on the effect of using different algorithms to model the reconnection of vortices in quantum turbulence, using the thin-filament approach. We examine differences between four main algorithms for the case of turbulence driven by a counterflow. In calculating the velocity field we use both the local induction approximation (LIA) and the full Biot-Savart integral. We show that results of Biot-Savart simulations are not sensitive to the particular reconnection method used, but LIA results are.Comment: 9 pages, 9 figure

Transrectal drainage of a diverticular abscess using a pigtail catheter without radiological guidance: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Percutaneous or endocavitory drainage of a diverticular abscess under radiological guidance often enables one to perform a one-staged resection and anastomosis (without stoma formation) instead of a two-staged procedure. It reduces the significant postoperative morbidity and mortality associated with the conventional emergency surgical management. However, radiological guidance is not always available due to limited resources during out-of-hours.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 78-year-old Caucasian woman underwent transrectal drainage of a diverticular abscess performed with a pigtail catheter without radiological guidance. Technical details of the procedure are described and alternative options discussed.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In carefully selected patients, per-rectal drainage using a pigtail catheter can be performed without radiological guidance and the procedure offers a simple and effective way of controlling sepsis.</p

Absence of polysialylated NCAM is an unfavorable prognostic phenotype for advanced stage neuroblastoma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The expression of a neural crest stem cell marker, polysialic acid (polySia), and its main carrier, neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), have been detected in some malignant tumors with high metastatic activity and unfavorable prognosis, but the diagnostic and prognostic value of polySia-NCAM in neuroblastoma is unclear.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A tumor tissue microarray (TMA) of 36 paraffin-embedded neuroblastoma samples was utilized to detect polySia-NCAM expression with a polySia-binding fluorescent fusion protein, and polySia-NCAM expression was compared with clinical stage, age, <it>MYCN </it>amplification status, histology (INPC), and proliferation index (PI).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>PolySia-NCAM-positive neuroblastoma patients had more often metastases at diagnosis, and polySia-NCAM expression associated with advanced disease (<it>P </it>= 0.047). Most interestingly, absence of polySia-NCAM-expressing tumor cells in TMA samples, however, was a strong unfavorable prognostic factor for overall survival in advanced disease (<it>P </it>= 0.0004), especially when <it>MYCN </it>was not amplified. PolySia-NCAM-expressing bone marrow metastases were easily detected in smears, aspirates and biopsies.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>PolySia-NCAM appears to be a new clinically significant molecular marker in neuroblastoma, hopefully with additional value in neuroblastoma risk stratification.</p