On the shape of tachyons

We study some aspects of the experimental behaviour of tachyons, in particular by finding out their « apparent » shape. A Superluminal particle, which in its own rest frame is spherical or ellipsoidal (and with an infinite lifetime), would « appear » to a laboratory frame as occupying the whole region of space bound by a double cone and a twosheeted hyperboloid. Such a structure (the tachyon « shape ») rigidly travels with the speed of the tachyon. However, if the Superluminal particle has a finite lifetimein its rest frame, then in the laboratory frame it gets afinite space extension. As a by-product, we are able to interpret physically the imaginary units entering—as is well known—the transverse co-ordinates in the Superluminal Lorentz transformations. The various particular or limiting cases of the tachyon shape are thoroughly considered. Finally, some brief considerations concerning possible experiments to look for tachyons are added

The (endo)cannabinoid signaling in female reproduction: What are the latest advances?

Cannabis extracts like marijuana have the highest consumption rate worldwide. Yet, their societal acceptance as recreational and therapeutic drugs could represent a serious hazard to female human reproduction, because cannabis ingredients [termed (phyto)cannabinoids] can perturb an endogenous system of lipid signals known as endocannabinoids. Accumulated evidence on animal models and humans has demonstrated a crucial role of these endogenous signals on different aspects of female reproduction, where they act through an ensamble of proteins that synthesize, transport, degrade and traffic them. Several reports have recently evidenced the potential role of endocannabinoids as biomarkers of female infertility for disease treatment and prevention, as well as their possible epigenetic effects on pregnancy. The purpose of this review is to provide an update of data collected in the last decade on the effects of cannabinoids and endocannabinoids on female reproductive events, from development and maturation of follicles and oocytes, to fertilization, oviductal transport, implantation and labor. In this context, a particular attention has ben devoted to the ovary and the production of fertilizable oocytes, because recent studies have addressed this hot topic with conflicting results among species

Performance of Optically Readout GEM-based TPC with a 55Fe source

Optical readout of large Time Projection Chambers (TPCs) with multiple Gas Electron Multipliers (GEMs) amplification stages has shown to provide very interesting performances for high energy particle tracking. Proposed applications for low-energy and rare event studies, such as Dark Matter search, ask for demanding performance in the keV energy range. The performance of such a readout was studied in details as a function of the electric field configuration and GEM gain by using a $^{55}$Fe source within a 7 litre sensitive volume detector developed as a part of the R\&D for the CYGNUS project. Results reported in this paper show that the low noise level of the sensor allows to operate with a 2~keV threshold while keeping a rate of fake-events lesser than 10 per year. In this configuration, a detection efficiency well above 95\% along with an energy resolution ($\sigma$) of 18\% is obtained for the 5.9 keV photons, demonstrating the very promising capabilities of this technique

Use of Foley catheter in control of internal carotid hemorrhage during endoscopic endonasal surgery

Internal carotid artery (ICA) injuries during endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) are rare life-threatening events. We describe a technique to manage ICA injuries based on the use of Foley catheters.A 26-year-old female underwent endoscopic transnasal trans-sphenoidal removal of pituitary adenoma. Cerebrospinal fluid leak occurred 4 days postoperatively. During repair procedure, accidental injury of ICA occurred. Emergency nasal packing through positioning of four Foley urologic catheters was successfully performed to stop bleeding. The patient did not report neurologic deficits.In author's opinion, Foley catheters are suitable to obtain immediate bleeding control since they are rapidly available and easily usable

Stage-variations of anandamide hydrolase activity in the mouse uterus during the natural oestrus cycle

Recent studies have demonstrated that the endogenous cannabinoids are important modulators of fertility in mammals. In particular, a role of the endocannabinoid system in early stages of embryo development, oviductal transport of embryos, pregnancy maintenance and labour has been demonstrated in rodents and/or in humans. In the present paper, we report the analysis of FAAH activity and protein content in the mouse uterus as a function of the natural oestrus cycle stages. Variations of FAAH activity are discussed in relationship to changes in sex steroid levels and to the possible action of AEA on remodelling of uterine tissues

Behavioural and biochemical stress responses of Palinurus elephas after exposure to boat noise pollution in tank

This study examined the effects of boat noise on the behavioural and biochemical parameters of the Mediterranean spiny lobster (Palinurus elephas).The experiment was conducted in a tank equipped with a video and audio recording system. 18 experimental trials, assigned to boat noise and control conditions, were performed using lobsters in single and group of 4 specimens. After a 1. h habituation period, we audio- and video-recorded the lobsters for 1. h. During the experimental phase, the animals assigned to the boat groups were exposed to boat noise pollution (a random sequence of boat noises). Exposure to the noise produced significant variations in locomotor behaviours and haemolymphatic parameters. Our results indicate that the lobsters exposed to boat noises increased significantly their locomotor activities and haemolymphatic bioindicator of stressful conditions such as glucose, total proteins, Hsp70 expression and THC when tested both singly and in groups. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd

Validation of the Modena bleeding score in endoscopic sinus surgery

Introduction: The Modena bleeding score is a categorical rating scale that allows the assessment of the surgical field in relation to bleeding during endoscopic surgery. It has recently been presented and validated in the field of endoscopic ear surgery by the present authors. The Modena bleeding score provides five grades for rating the surgical field during endoscopic procedures (from grade 1 − no bleeding to grade 5 − bleeding that prevents every surgical procedure except those dedicated to bleeding control). Objective: The aim of this study was to validate the Modena bleeding score in the setting of endoscopic sinus surgery. Methods: Fifteen three-minute videos of endoscopic sinus surgery procedures (each containing three bleeding situations) were evaluated by 15 specialists, using the Modena bleeding score. Intra and inter-rater reliability were assessed, and the clinical validity of the Modena bleeding score was calculated using a referent standard. Results: The data analysis showed an intra-rater reliability ranging from 0.6336 to 0.861. The inter-rater reliability ranged from 0.676 to 0.844. The clinical validity was α = 0.70; confidence limits: 0.64 − 0.75, corresponding to substantial agreement. Conclusion: The Modena bleeding score is an effective method to score bleeding during endoscopic sinus surgery. Its application in future research could facilitate the performance and efficacy assessment of surgical techniques, materials or devices aimed to bleeding control during endoscopic sinus surgery

Acoustic signals and behaviour of Ovalipes trimaculatus in the context of reproduction

This study focused on the acoustic behaviour of the paddle crab Ovalipes trimaculatus (De Haan, 1833) in relation to its reproductive status and behaviour. Paired males and females (demonstrating pre-copulatory behaviour) as well as solitary animals were collected a few hundred metres from the coast of Puerto Madryn (Patagonia, Argentina) and kept in indoor tanks.Synchronized acoustic and video monitoring systems were used to record the acoustic signals and other behaviours of single and grouped specimens in an experimental tank. Acoustic data were analysed to characterize crab sounds (duration, pulse number and pulse rate, 1st and 2nd peaks in frequency, amplitude of the frequency peaks and bandwidth) and were counted as behavioural events. Video data were analysed to count behavioural events (i.e. agonistic fight, chela spread)and determine status (locomotor indices, inter-crab distance). O. trimaculatus produced wide frequency band multi-pulse signals with significant differences between males and females: males showed a lower 1st peak in frequency, with a higher amplitude and a higher bandwidth. The sound emission rate was significantly higher in grouped animals than in single individuals. The sound emissions were not accidental events correlated with locomotor activities. In the trials involving pre-copulatory females, the total number of sounds was significantly higher comparedto the trials with non-copulatory (control) females, and the sounds were not correlated with the agonistic events between males. Our data indicate that in O. trimaculatus sound emissions play a role in intraspecific communication related to sexual attraction.Fil: Buscaino, G.. Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche. L; ItaliaFil: Gavio, Maria Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Galvan, David Edgardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Nacional Patagónico; ArgentinaFil: Filiciotto, F.. Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche. L; ItaliaFil: Maccarrone, V.. Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche. L; ItaliaFil: de Vincenz, G.. Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche. L; ItaliaFil: Mazzola, S.. Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche. L; ItaliaFil: Orensanz, Jose Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Nacional Patagónico; Argentin

Plasma fibrinogen: now also an antidepressant response marker?

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the leading causes of global disability. It is a risk factor for noncompliance with medical treatment, with about 40% of patients not responding to currently used antidepressant drugs. The identification and clinical implementation of biomarkers that can indicate the likelihood of treatment response are needed in order to predict which patients will benefit from an antidepressant drug. While analyzing the blood plasma proteome collected from MDD patients before the initiation of antidepressant medication, we observed different fibrinogen alpha (FGA) levels between drug responders and nonresponders. These results were replicated in a second set of patients. Our findings lend further support to a recently identified association between MDD and fibrinogen levels from a large-scale study