Representations of the cyclically symmetric q-deformed algebra soq(3)so_q(3)

An algebra homomorphism $\psi$ from the nonstandard q-deformed (cyclically symmetric) algebra $U_q(so_3)$ to the extension ${\hat U}_q(sl_2)$ of the Hopf algebra $U_q(sl_2)$ is constructed. Not all irreducible representations of $U_q(sl_2)$ can be extended to representations of ${\hat U}_q(sl_2)$. Composing the homomorphism $\psi$ with irreducible representations of ${\hat U}_q(sl_2)$ we obtain representations of $U_q(so_3)$. Not all of these representations of $U_q(so_3)$ are irreducible. Reducible representations of $U_q(so_3)$ are decomposed into irreducible components. In this way we obtain all irreducible representations of $U_q(so_3)$ when $q$ is not a root of unity. A part of these representations turns into irreducible representations of the Lie algebra so$_3$ when $q\to 1$. Representations of the other part have no classical analogue. Using the homomorphism $\psi$ it is shown how to construct tensor products of finite dimensional representations of $U_q(so_3)$. Irreducible representations of $U_q(so_3)$ when $q$ is a root of unity are constructed. Part of them are obtained from irreducible representations of ${\hat U}_q(sl_2)$ by means of the homomorphism $\psi$.Comment: 28 pages, LaTe

Career Adaptability, Resilience,and Life Satisfaction in Italian and Belgian middle school student

Young people need to help to prepare to plan their future, to consider multiple career options, to be supported to develop positive life trajectories and to cope with social-economic conditions related to uneasiness, discomfort, and confusion. Considering the recent studies and the Life Design approach, the present study aimed at analyzing the relationship between career adaptability, resilience and life satisfaction on Belgian and Italian middle school students' life satisfaction. Specifically was hypothesized that career adaptability, directly and indirectly (i.e., through resilience) would predict life satisfaction in Italian and Belgian middle school students. Furthermore, it was predicted that the conceptual model would be comparable across countries. The data suggest that career adaptability is directly and indirectly, through resilience, related to life satisfaction in both the Italian and Belgium middle school students. These results have important implications for practice notably to support middle school students in their life design process

Further insights on predictors of environmental tobacco smoke exposure during the pediatric age

Background: The smoking ban in public places has reduced Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) exposure for non-smokers, but despite this, domestic environments still remain places at high risk of exposure, and, today, about 40% of children worldwide are exposed to ETS at home. The aims of the study are to investigate the contribution of several factors on ETS exposure among a group of Italian children and to evaluate the changes in smoking precautions adopted at home when the smoker is the mother, the father, or both parents, respectively. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on a sample of 519 Italian schoolchildren. Information was collected via a questionnaire. Results: 41.4% of the participants lived with at least one smoker. Almost half of the children exposed to ETS lived with one or more smokers who do not observe any home smoking ban. Lower maternal or paternal educational levels significantly increase the risk of ETS exposure at home and the “worst case” is represented by both parents who smoke. Conclusions: More effective preventive interventions are needed to protect children from ETS exposure. Some interventions should be specifically dedicated to smokers with a low educational level and to mothers that smoke

Isotopic Grand Unification with the Inclusion of Gravity (revised version)

We introduce a dual lifting of unified gauge theories, the first characterized by the isotopies, which are axiom- preserving maps into broader structures with positive-definite generalized units used for the representation of matter under the isotopies of the Poincare' symmetry, and the second characterized by the isodualities, which are anti-isomorphic maps with negative-definite generalized units used for the representation of antimatter under the isodualities of the Poincare' symmetry. We then submit, apparently for the first time, a novel grand unification with the inclusion of gravity for matter embedded in the generalized positive-definite units of unified gauge theories while gravity for antimatter is embedded in the isodual isounit. We then show that the proposed grand unification provides realistic possibilities for a resolution of the axiomatic incompatibilities between gravitation and electroweak interactions due to curvature, antimatter and the fundamental space-time symmetries.Comment: 20 pages, Latex, revised in various details and with added reference

Stories of courage in a group of adults with Substance Use Disorder

The treatment for drug addiction is considered a difficult path for the most of patients. As matter of fact, individuals with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) experience numerous challenges before, during and after the treatment (e.g. tackling an unpredictable, uncertain and paradoxically negative future, tackling the anxiety and anticipatory fear of physical pain associated with abstinence; decide to go beyond self-justification and self-deception). Courage could be considered a positive and functional resource to help people with SUD to face challenges and difficulties related to treatment. In connection therewith, the aim of this study was to examine, using an embedded mix method analysis, the personal stories of courage of 80 individuals with SUD in order to identify the themes and types of courage used in their life. The analysis carried out showed that individuals with SUD reported more frequently stories of courage related to their SUD condition respect to other life situation. Moreover, the quantitative analysis showed that participants used more frequently psychological courage respect to moral and physical courage when these stories were referred to their SUD condition then other life situations

Gait analysis advancements: rehabilitation value and new perspectives from forensic application

The clinical and rehabilitation value of gait analysis is remarkable and indisputable and poised to grow as technological advancements unfold. This article aims to shed light on the advances in how gait is assessed, enabling those who have suffered an injury impairing their motor skills to be diagnosed more accurately and efficiently as well as to compare the hallmarks of rehabilitative and forensic gait analysis. The authors have conducted an analysis of relevant papers (published between 1967 and 2020) from a medicolegal perspective, cited in PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and available recommendations for the legal application of such techniques. Moreover, considering the use of gait analysis as a forensic tool, this study broadens the scope of research by including search engines, legal databases, and court filings (DeJure, Lexis Nexis, Justia) between 2000 and 2022. The instrumental assessment of movement (Gait Analysis) has come to constitute an essential analytical tool for the biomedical sector to objectively and accurately assess human movement and posture. The article is also aimed at elaborating differences and similarities between clinical and forensic gait analysis. When it comes to the forensic applicability of gait analysis and its evidentiary value, however, there is a pressing need for a review of its scientific basis. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a thorough evaluation of its use in legal practice, as stressed in scientific literature and surveys. It is of utmost importance to highlight the procedural and assessment standards currently applied to forensic gait analysis, to evaluate its strengths and weaknesses, and to achieve standardized guidelines based on broad scientific consensus

Lagrangian versus Quantization

We discuss examples of systems which can be quantized consistently, although they do not admit a Lagrangian description.Comment: 8 pages, no figures; small corrections, references adde

Regenerative potential of DPSCs and revascularization. direct, paracrine or autocrine effect?

A new source of mesenchymal stem cells has recently been discovered, the so-called dental pulp derived stem cells (DPSCs) which therefore could represent potentially tools for regenerative medicine. DPSC originate from the neural crest and are physiologically involved in dentin homeostasis; moreover, they contribute to bone remodeling and differentiation into several tissues including cartilage, bone, adipose and nervous tissues. DPSCs have also been shown to influence the angiogenesis process, for example through the release of secretory factors or by differentiating into vascular and/or perivascular cells. Angiogenesis, that has a pivotal role in tissue regeneration and repair, is defined as the formation of new vessels from preexisting vessels and is mediated by mutual and reciprocal interactions between endothelial cells and perivascular cells. It is also known that co-cultures of perivascular and endothelial cells (ECs) can form a vascular network in vitro and also in vivo. Since DPSCs seem to have characteristics similar to pericytes, understanding the possible mechanism of interaction between DPSCs and ECs during neo-angiogenesis is dramatically important for the development of advanced clinical application in the field of regeneration. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Invariant variational principle for Hamiltonian mechanics

It is shown that the action for Hamiltonian equations of motion can be brought into invariant symplectic form. In other words, it can be formulated directly in terms of the symplectic structure $\omega$ without any need to choose some 1-form $\gamma$, such that $\omega= d \gamma$, which is not unique and does not even generally exist in a global sense.Comment: final version; to appear in J.Phys.A; 17 pages, 2 figure

Mechanical pull-out test of a new hybrid fixture-abutment connection: an in vitro study

Implant abutment connection was described among the main causes of peri-implant bone resorption. The aim of this in vitro study was to test the coupling capacity, the surface modification of a new hybrid connection and the influence of repeated connection activations caused during the main clinical and laboratory phases. A total of 40 implant-abutment screw retained systems with 10 degrees-conical and internal hexagon connection were tested. The connection was screwed, fixed to the universal test machine, removed the screw and a pull-out test was performed. Test was repeated five times in succession. Also Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to detect microscopically surface modification. Analysis of variance and Tukey tests were used for the statistical analysis. Pull-out test reveals a mean value of 131.35 +/- 16.52 Newton Centimeter (N center dot cm). For each single activation, results from first to fifth were: 113.9 +/- 13.02, 126.1 +/- 12.81, 138.11 +/- 15.15, 138.8 +/- 11.90 and 140 +/- 12.99 N center dot cm. A statistically significant difference between the measurements and an increase in the removal force was shown. The collected data supports the use of this new type of connection, resulting in a very strong interface between implant and abutment. Also, repeated activation of connection can promote a better coupling of the implant-abutment interface