Measurement of the π− -Ar total hadronic cross section at the LArIAT experiment

We present the first measurement of the negative pion total hadronic cross section on argon in a restricted phase space, which we performed at the Liquid Argon In ATestbeam (LArIAT) experiment. All hadronic reaction channels, as well as hadronic elastic interactions with scattering angle greater than 5° are included. The pions have kinetic energies in the range 100–700 MeVand are produced by a beam of charged particles impinging on a solid target at the Fermilab test beam facility. LArIAT employs a 0.24 ton active mass liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) to measure the pion hadronic interactions. For this measurement, LArIAT has developed the “thin slice method,” a new technique to measure cross sections with LArTPCs. While moderately higher, our measurement of the π−-Ar total hadronic cross section is generally in agreement with the GEANT4 prediction.Fermi Research Alliance, LLC (FRA) DE-AC02-07CH11359National Science Foundation (NSF)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPQ) 233511/2014-8Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES) 001Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP) 16/22738-0Polish National Science Centre 2013/09/N/ST2/02793UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC)Royal Society of LondonMinistry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (MEXT) Japan Society for the Promotion of Science 2510500

Absent ductus venosus: different perinatal outcome related to anatomy

Congenital absence of the ductus venosus (ADV) is a rare condition which can present with several anatomic settings and associated to congenital anomalies of other systems. Different clinical patterns in the fetus and the newborn can emerge therefore. We report two cases of ADV with opposite perinatal outcomes. Case #1. A 28 y.o. black woman came at 22 weeks’ gestation (GA) for mid-pregnancy evaluation. She showed polyhydramnion (amniotic fluid index (AFI)= 261mm) associated to normal cardiac anatomy and normal karyotype (46,XX). The enlarged umbilical vein (UV) showed a pulsatile pattern at echoDoppler with direct connection to the RA. A fistula between the UV and the iliac artery was evidenced by colorDoppler as well. Despite normal ventricular contractility (EF) and diastolic function (E/A ratio) at echocardiographic monitoring, fetal cardiac enlargement progressively occurred with mild pericardial effusion. At 28 GA placental detachment occurred and a female infant (BW 915g, <10°p) was born with severe perinatal asphyxia. The infant died at 5 hours of life from severe acidosis refractory to intensive care and resuscitation efforts. Postmortem evaluation confirmed the anatomic pattern and absence of the portal vein (PV) was demonstrated as well. Case #2. A 35 y.o. white woman was admitted to our tertiary care at 33 GA because of monolateral renal agenesis and unique umbilical artery. Despite ADV, mesocardia and mild cardiac enlargement the fetus was stable (normal diastole and contractility). The UV echoDoppler showed a normal flat pattern at the beginning of its abdominal course but it progressively became pulsatile as the UV run cephalad to the heart. The infant was born at 38 GA from a planned cesarean delivery (BW 3080g). The perinatal adaptation, karyotype and phenotype were normal. Echocardiography in the newborn showed normal diastole and contractility (E/A ratio, LVEF, LVDd). The associated congenital anomalies were confirmed. DISCUSSION. ADV is a rare anomaly in which perinatal prognosis is difficult to predict and clinical presentation can vary greatly due to the different patterns, i.e. fetal cardiac failure, associated congenital anomalies, polyhydramnion. We reported 2 cases of ADV with opposite clinical course. As it often occurs, case #2 was detected occasionally, late in pregnancy, with a good hemodynamic status despite some malformative features. The normal perinatal transition shifted the cardiovascular system to a setting which did not need any DV activity in regulating venous return and the neonatal course was asymptomatic. Conversely case #1 showed fetal hemodynamics impaired since the beginning of the 3rd trimester. Maybe this could be the consequence of a huge hemodynamic overload due to the presence of both ADV and veno-arterial fistulas emphasizing the diastolic overload of a direct connection of the UV to the RA. The PV was also absent and this has been decribed as being related to a negative prognosis. It is still difficult to completely understand why some fetuses can tolerate the missing function of the DV in regulating the systemic venous return while others do not. To monitorate fetal cardiac function by echoDoppler can be helpful but it is not a standard yet. So case-by-case detailed evaluation of complete anatomy and analysis of both diastole and contractility remains the better choice. Finally the Obstetrician will be mandatory as any modification in the course of pregnancy can be life-threatening due to the thin hemodynamic balance of these fetuses

Autolesionismo in carcere: la percezione del personale penitenziario

ItLe evidenze empiriche mostrano quanto gli atti di autolesionismo e tentato suicidio siano comuni in carcere. La prevenzione di questi atti è funzione in parte delle conoscenze e competenze degli operatori di polizia penitenziaria. Lo scopo del presente studio è stato quello di investigare gli atteggiamenti degli operatori di polizia penitenziaria nei confronti dei detenuti che commetto atti di autolesionismo, tentato suicidio o suicidio. Abbiamo ipotizzato che questi atteggiamenti siano associati a variabili quali genere, età, anzianità di servizio e atteggiamenti generali verso i detenuti. Inoltre ci siamo proposti di investigare casi specifici di autolesionismo riportati dagli operatori e le buone pratiche da questi proposte per prevenire questi comportamenti. Centodiciotto operatori di polizia penitenziaria hanno compilato un questionario comprendente misure di atteggiamento nei confronti dei detenuti e degli atti di autolesionismo da questi commessi assieme a due domande aperte volte a stimolare il racconto di casi accaduti e la proposta di strategie preventive. I risultati hanno mostrato che atteggiamenti negativi nei confronti dei detenuti e degli atti di autolesionismo da questi attuati sono correlati positivamente. Le donne hanno riportato maggiori atteggiamenti negativi nei confronti degli atti di autolesionismo, in particolare esprimendo la necessità di un trattamento rigido. L’età è risultata correlata alla concezione di autolesionismo come comportamento manipolativo, mentre l’anzianità di servizio alla concezione di autolesionismo come espressione di disagio. I casi riportati dagli operatori rivelarono l’esistenza di differenti modalità attuate dai detenuti per farsi del male. Le raccomandazioni offerte dagli operatori hanno riguardato soprattutto l’esigenza di promuovere il dialogo con i detenuti. Vengono discusse le implicazioni applicative dei risultati.EnEmpirical evidence suggests that self-harm and suicide are a common and very significant problem in prison. The prevention of self-harm and suicide in prisoners depends in part on the prison staff ’s knowledge and skills. The aim of the current research was to explore attitudes towards prisoners who self-harm, commit or attempt suicide in a sample of correctional officers. We hypothesized that these attitudes are related with gender, age, length of service and negative attitudes towards prisoners in general. Moreover we aimed at investigating specific cases of self-harm and the recommended practices geared to prevent those acts. One hundred and eighteen correctional officers completed a measure of their attitudes towards prisoners, one designed to assess Attitudes towards Prisoners who Self- Harm (APSH) and responded to two open ended questions regarding specific cases of self-harm and the recommended practices. Results showed that negative attitudes towards prisoners in general was associated with negative attitudes towards self-harm. Women were more likely than men to report negative attitudes towards self-harm and in particular were more likely than men to endorse harsh treatment. Age were related with the idea that self-harm is an evidence of manipulative behavior. Length of service was associated with the idea that self-harm is a way to express pain. Cases reported by prison officers revealed the existence of different methods to self-harm. Prison officers recommended strategies aimed at fostering communication with prisoners. The implications of these findings to practice are discussed.FrLes données empiriques montrent que les actes de automutilation et les tentatives de suicide sont fréquentes en prison. La prévention de ces actes est une fonction dans le cadre de la connaissance et les compétences des opérateurs de la prison. Le but de cette récherche était d’étudier l'attitude des fonctionnaires de police contre les détenus qui committent des actes de l’automutilation, le suicide ou tentative de suicide. Nous émettons l’hypothèse que ces attitudes soient associées à des variables comme le sexe, l’âge, l’ancienneté en service et l’attitude générale envers les prisonniers. En outre, nous nous sommes proposé de mener une enquête sur des cas précis de automutilation déclarées par les policiers et les meilleures pratiques par ils proposées pour prévenir ces comportements. Cent dix-huit policiers ont rempli un questionnaire qui comprenait des mesures d'attitude à l’égard des prisonniers et des actes de automutilation commis, par ces deux questions ouvertes pour stimuler le récit des cas qui sont survenus et la proposition de stratégies de prévention. Les résultats ont montré que les attitudes négatives envers les prisonniers et les actes de l'automutilation portés par ceux-ci sont positivement corrélées. Les femmes ont signalé des attitudes plus négatives envers l’automutilation, en particulier l'expression de la nécessité d'un traitement dur. L’âge était corrélé à la notion de comportement d’automutilation comme manipulateur, tandis que la durée en service à la notion de l'automutilation comme une expression de malaise. Les cas signalés par les opérateurs révèlent l’existence de différentes procédures utilisées par les détenus pour se nuire. Les recommendations proposées par les policiers ont mis l'accent sur la nécessité de promouvoir le dialogue avec les détenus. On discute les implications de l’application des résultats

Development of a novel, windowless, amorphous selenium based photodetector for use in liquid noble detectors

Detection of the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) scintillation light produced by liquid noble elements is a central challenge in order to fully exploit the available timing, topological, and calorimetric information in detectors leveraging these media. In this paper, we characterize a novel, windowless amorphous selenium based photodetector with direct sensitivity to VUV light. We present here the manufacturing and experimental setup used to operate this detector at low transport electric fields (2.7-5.2 V/$\mu$m) and across a wide range of temperatures (77K-290K). This work shows that the first proof-of-principle device windowless amorphous selenium is robust under cryogenic conditions, responsive to VUV light at cryogenic temperatures, and preserves argon purity. These findings motivate a continued exploration of amorphous selenium devices for simultaneous detection of scintillation light and ionization charge in noble element detectors

Curva di apprendimento nella scialoendoscopia diagnostica e interventistica per le patologie salivari ostruttive

La scialoendoscopia è un nuovo strumento diagnostico e chirurgico che offre l’opportunità di trattare alcune patologie delle ghiandole salivari con procedure non invasive e con risultati potenzialmente superiori alle precedenti tecniche. Come per tutte le nuove tecniche, per raggiungere rapidamente risultati paragonabili a quelli riportati in letteratura, è indispensabile un corretto programma di formazione che segua una graduale curva di apprendimento. Questo include un appropriato programma diagnostico, una corretta selezione dei pazienti e la conoscenza delle possibili insidie operatorie. Abbiamo eseguito uno studio retrospettivo confrontando le prime 141 procedure (74 parotidee e 67 sottomandibolari) eseguite con questa tecnica nel nostro Dipartimento dal 2009 al 2013 con analoghe esperienze riportate in letteratura. I pazienti sono stati divisi in 3 gruppi: Gruppo A (le prime 49 procedure effettuate), gruppo B (le successive 50), Gruppo C (le ultime 42 procedure effettuate). Fra i tre gruppi non sono state evidenziate differenze statisticamente significative nei tempi medi di durata delle procedure, nella percentuale di ricorrenza della sintomatologia dopo il trattamento, nel numero di pazienti che hanno necessitato di più trattamenti e nell’incidenza di complicanze minori. Non sono state riportate complicanze maggiori. Con l’acquisizione di una maggiore esperienza da parte dei chirurghi si è evidenziato un progressivo calo del numero di interventi eseguiti in anestesia generale rispetto a quelli in anestesia locale (51% vs 18% vs 14%). Solo in tre casi su 130 ghiandole trattate (2.3%) è stato necessario eseguire un’asportazione ghiandolare. Per i calcoli salivari è stato valutato il tipo di tecnica utilizzato per l’estrazione e la percentuale d’insuccesso che era analoga nei tre gruppi (13.6% vs 15% vs 15%). I nostri risultati non differiscono sostanzialmente da quelli riportati in letteratura. Abbiamo risolto la difficoltà iniziale nella cateterizzazione del dotto con esercizi chirurgici su cadavere o su teste di maiale. La mancanza di precisione degli strumenti diagnostici radiologici può essere migliorata autonomizzando il chirurgo nell’esecuzione delle ecografie pre e post-operatorie. Viene infine sottolineata l’opportunità di creare dei centri di scialoendoscopia con un bacino di utenza di circa 1 o 2 milioni di abitanti in modo da concentrare le patologie, far fronte agli elevati costi della strumentazione necessaria e poter guadagnare la necessaria esperienza nelle gestione delle varie tecniche chirurgiche

Reduced fetal movements and cerebroplacental ratio: evidence for worsening fetal hypoxemia

Objective To investigate the fetal cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) in women presenting with reduced fetal movements (RFM). Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of data collected over an 8‐year period at a fetal medicine unit at a tertiary referral center. The cohort comprised 4500 singleton pregnancies presenting with RFM at or after 36 weeks' gestation and 1527 control pregnancies at a similar gestational age without RFM. Fetal biometry and Doppler parameters were recorded and converted into centiles and multiples of the median (MoM). CPR was defined as the ratio between the fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) pulsatility index (PI) and the umbilical artery (UA) PI. Subgroup analysis for fetal size and for single vs multiple episodes of RFM was performed. Results Compared with controls, pregnancies with RFM had lower MCA‐PI MoM (median, 0.95 vs 0.97; P < 0.001) and CPR MoM (median, 0.97 vs 0.99; P = 0.018). Compared with women presenting with single episodes of RFM, pregnancies with multiple episodes (≥ 2 episodes) had lower CPR MoM (median, 0.94 vs 0.98; P = 0.003). On subgroup analysis for fetal size, compared with controls, appropriate‐for‐gestational‐age fetuses in the RFM group had lower MCA‐PI MoM (median, 0.96 vs 0.97; P = 0.003) and higher rate of CPR below the 5th centile (5.3% vs 3.6%; P = 0.015). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated an association of risk of recurrent RFM with maternal age (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93–0.99), non‐Caucasian ethnicity (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.53–0.97), estimated fetal weight centile (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00–1.02) and CPR MoM (OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.12–0.47). Conclusion Pregnancies complicated by multiple episodes of RFM show significantly lower CPR MoM and MCA‐PI MoM compared with those with single episodes and controls. This is likely to be due to worsening fetal hypoxemia in women presenting with recurrent RFM

Biophysical and biochemical markers at 30-34 weeks' gestation in the prediction of adverse perinatal outcome

Objective: To investigate the potential value of biophysical and biochemical markers at 30 34 weeks’ gestation in the prediction of adverse perinatal outcome. Methods: Screening study in 8,268 singleton pregnancies at 30 34 weeks. Estimated fetal weight (EFW), uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) PI), umbilical artery PI, fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) PI, mean arterial pressure (MAP), serum placental growth factor (PLGF and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt 1) were measured. The detection rate (DR) and false positive rate (FPR) of screening by each biomarker were estimated for stillbirth, preeclampsia, delivery of small for gestational age (SGA) neonate, cesarean section for fetal distress b efore or during labor, umbilical arterial cord blood pH <7.0 or umbilical venous blood pH <7.1, Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes and admission to the neonatal unit (NNU). Results: Multivariable regression analysis demonstrated that significant predict ion of P E was provided by PLGF, sFlt 1, MAP and MCA PI with DR of 98% of PE delivering at <37 weeks’ gestation and 56% of those delivering at 37 weeks , at 10% FPR. Prediction of SGA was provided by EFW, PLGF, sFlt 1, uterine artery PI, umbilical artery PI, and MC A PI with DR of 88% of SGA at <37 and 51% at 37 weeks’ gestation, at 10% FPR. Prediction of stillbirth was provided by EFW, uterine artery PI and MCA PI with DR of 30 % at 10% Prediction of cesarean section for fetal distress before labor was provided by EFW, sFlt 1, uterine artery PI and umbilical artery PI with DR of 90 %, at 10% FPR. Prediction of fetal distress in labor was provided by EFW and sFlt 1 with DR of 16 %, at 10% FPR. There were no significant differences from the normal outcome group in a ny of the biomarkers for low cord blood pH, low Apgar score or NNU admission for cases other than those with PE and / or SGA. Conclusion: At 30 34 weeks’ gestation, biomarkers of impaired placentation and fetal hypoxemia provide good prediction of PE , SGA and fetal distress before labor, but poor or no prediction of stillbirth and adverse events in labor or after birt

Comparison of Local Sclerotherapy With Lauromacrogol Versus Nasal Packing in the Treatment of Anterior Epistaxis

Objectives Epistaxis is one of the most common otorhinolaryngologic emergencies representing more than 12% of conditions managed at the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Emergency Consulting Room of our Otorhinolaryngologic Unit each year. The elevated frequency of this pathology makes it necessary to adopt the most effective and least expensive therapeutic strategy available. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy, costs and morbidity of nasal packing (NP), which is the mainstay of treatment for anterior epistaxis in our ENT Emergency Consulting Room versus submucosal infiltrations of lauromacrogol (LA). Methods A retrospective study was designed from August 2012 to April 2013 involving 53 patients suffering from anterior epistaxis. Anterior NP was used in 27 patients versus 26 patients undergoing 27 procedures performed with submucosal infiltrations of LA (or polidocanol). Outcomes for each treatment were evaluated. Patients in group 1 were treated with LA 400 injection next to the bleeding point: 0.5- to 1-mL single or multiple infiltrations with a 27-gauge needle. The whitening of the nasal mucosa around the bleeding point during infiltration was considered a marker of correct procedure in order to achieve the best results. Bilateral treatment was also performed at the same time. Patients in group 2 were treated with standard NP. Results Bleeding recurrence was higher in the NP group even if it was not statistically significant (P=0.2935). However, the LA infiltrations were better tolerated with lower morbidity and costs as compared to NP. No complications were observed in either group. Conclusion LA infiltrations were shown to be a viable alternative in anterior epistaxis treatment. They are safe, easy to use with good efficacy and have a low cost

Molecular and microbiological insights on the enrichment procedures for the isolation of petroleum degrading bacteria and fungi

Autochthonous bioaugmentation, by exploiting the indigenous microorganisms of the contaminated environment to be treated, can represent a successful bioremediation strategy. In this perspective, we have assessed by molecular methods the evolution of bacterial and fungal communities during the selective enrichment on different pollutants of a soil strongly polluted by mixtures of aliphatic and polycyclic hydrocarbons. Three consecutive enrichments were carried out on soil samples from different soil depths (0\u20131, 1\u20132, 2\u20133 m), and analyzed at each step by means of high-throughput sequencing of bacterial and fungal amplicons biomarkers. At the end of the enrichments, bacterial and fungal contaminants degrading strains were isolated and identified in order to (i) compare the composition of enriched communities by culture-dependent and culture-independent molecular methods and to (ii) obtain a collection of hydrocarbon degrading microorganisms potentially exploitable for soil bioremediation. Molecular results highlighted that for both bacteria and fungi the pollutant had a partial shaping effect on the enriched communities, with paraffin creating distinct enriched bacterial community from oil, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons generally overlapping; interestingly neither the soil depth or the enrichment step had significant effects on the composition of the final enriched communities. Molecular analyses well-agreed with culture-dependent analyses in terms of most abundant microbial genera. A total of 95 bacterial and 94 fungal strains were isolated after selective enrichment procedure on different pollutants. On the whole, isolated bacteria where manly ascribed to Pseudomonas genus followed by Sphingobacterium, Bacillus, Stenothrophomonas, Achromobacter, and Serratia. As for fungi, Fusarium was the most abundant genus followed by Trichoderma and Aspergillus. The species comprising more isolates, such as Pseudomonas putida, Achromobacter xylosoxidans and Ochromobactrum anthropi for bacteria, Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium solani for fungi, were also the dominant OTUs assessed in Illumina

Reproducibility of measuring amniotic fluid index and single deepest vertical pool throughout gestation

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of measurement of amniotic fluid index (AFI) and single deepest vertical pool (SDVP), also known as the maximal vertical pocket. Methods: A total of 175 fetuses were evaluated. For each fetus, two observers acquired duplicate sets of AFI and SDVP. Measurement differences were expressed as actual and percentage values. For all comparisons, Bland-Altman plots were used to compare differences, and limits of agreement were calculated. Results: Intraobserver and interobserver agreement remained fairly constant with gestation, both for AFI and SDVP. The intraobserver limits of agreement for AFI were -5.2 to 5 cm or -39% to 37%; whereas for SDVP, these were -2.6 to 2.4 cm or -52% to 48%. The interobserver limits of agreement for AFI measurement were -7.3 to 7.1 cm or -54% to 53% and for SDVP measurement were -2.5 to 2.5 cm or -51% to 52%. Intraobserver coefficient of variation for SDVP was 14% and for AFI was 19%; the interobserver coefficient was 19% for both AFI and SDVP. Conclusion: Limits of agreement for both methods are wide. The choice of method should be dictated by clinical considerations other than method reproducibilit