Classical Liquids in Fractal Dimension

We introduce fractal liquids by generalizing classical liquids of integer dimensions $d = 1, 2, 3$ to a fractal dimension $d_f$. The particles composing the liquid are fractal objects and their configuration space is also fractal, with the same non-integer dimension. Realizations of our generic model system include microphase separated binary liquids in porous media, and highly branched liquid droplets confined to a fractal polymer backbone in a gel. Here we study the thermodynamics and pair correlations of fractal liquids by computer simulation and semi-analytical statistical mechanics. Our results are based on a model where fractal hard spheres move on a near-critical percolating lattice cluster. The predictions of the fractal Percus-Yevick liquid integral equation compare well with our simulation results.Comment: Changed titl

Fractal Liquids

We introduce fractal liquids by generalizing classical liquids of integer dimensions d=1,2,3 to a fractal dimension df. The particles composing the liquid are fractal objects and their configuration space is also fractal, with the same non-integer dimension. Realizations of our generic model system include microphase separated binary liquids in porous media, and highly branched liquid droplets confined to a fractal polymer backbone in a gel. Here we study the thermodynamics and pair correlations of fractal liquids by computer simulation and semi-analytical statistical mechanics. Our results are based on a model where fractal hard spheres move on a near-critical percolating lattice cluster. The predictions of the fractal Percus-Yevick liquid integral equation compare well with our simulation results

Diagnostic challenges for Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infection in cats from endemic areas in Italy

Background: The lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infects wild and domestic feline species worldwide and is considered a primary respiratory parasite of cats. Definitive diagnosis is based on the identification of first-stage larvae (L1s) released in faeces approximately 5 to 6 weeks after infection. More recently, serology has been shown to be a diagnostic alternative for A. abstrusus infection in cats. The present study aimed at evaluating the diagnostic performance of serological antibody detection compared to faecal examination for A. abstrusus infection in a population of cats with known infection status from endemic areas in Italy and to identify factors (larval scores, age, co-infections with other helminths) that may influence test sensitivity and specificity of serology. Methods: All cats resulting positive using the Baermann technique (n = 78) were tested with the A. abstrusus ELISA. An additional 90 serum samples from cats living in three geographical areas with infection prevalence > 10%, but that resulted negative on Baermann, were also tested. Results: Among 78 cats copromicroscopically positive for L1s of A. abstrusus (Group 1), 29 (37.2%) were seropositive in ELISA. Of the 90 cats from Group 2 (cats living in three geographical areas in Italy with A. abstrusus prevalence > than 10%, but negative on Baermann examination), 11 (12.2%) were positive on ELISA. The overall seroprevalence was 23.8%. There was no statistical difference either between average optical density (OD) values of cats excreting > 100 L1s vs. cats excreting < 100 L1s (0.84 vs. 0.66; P value = 0.3247) or comparing the OD values with age of infected cats. Few Baermann-negative cats positive for Toxocara cati or hookworms were seropositive, supporting lack of cross-reactivity to these nematodes. Conclusions: Results from the present study suggest that relying solely on faecal examination may underestimate prevalence of A. abstrusus infection in cats and that field surveys based on antibody detection are useful for establishing true prevalence of infected and/or exposed animals. Graphical Abstrac

The impact of school-based screening on service use in adolescents at risk for mental health problems and risk-behaviour.

Early detection and intervention can counteract mental disorders and risk behaviours among adolescents. However, help-seeking rates are low. School-based screenings are a promising tool to detect adolescents at risk for mental problems and to improve help-seeking behaviour. We assessed associations between the intervention "Screening by Professionals" (ProfScreen) and the use of mental health services and at-risk state at 12 month follow-up compared to a control group. School students (aged 15 ± 0.9 years) from 11 European countries participating in the "Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe" (SEYLE) study completed a self-report questionnaire on mental health problems and risk behaviours. ProfScreen students considered "at-risk" for mental illness or risk behaviour based on the screening were invited for a clinical interview with a mental health professional and, if necessary, referred for subsequent treatment. At follow-up, students completed another self-report, additionally reporting on service use. Of the total sample (N = 4,172), 61.9% were considered at-risk. 40.7% of the ProfScreen at-risk participants invited for the clinical interview attended the interview, and 10.1% of subsequently referred ProfScreen participants engaged in professional treatment. There were no differences between the ProfScreen and control group regarding follow-up service use and at-risk state. Attending the ProfScreen interview was positively associated with follow-up service use (OR = 1.783, 95% CI = 1.038-3.064), but had no effect on follow-up at-risk state. Service use rates of professional care as well as of the ProfScreen intervention itself were low. Future school-based interventions targeting help-seeking need to address barriers to intervention adherence.Clinical Trials Registration: The trial is registered at the US National Institute of Health (NIH) clinical trial registry (NCT00906620, registered on 21 May, 2009), and the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00000214, registered on 27 October, 2009)

Transeunti ou permanenti ? L’enjeu de la mobilité pour les migrants suisses et grisons dans la République de Venise au XVIIIe siècle

Introduction Au début des années 1990, l’historien suisse Raffaello Ceschi mettait en lumière le phénomène intéressant de l’émigration infra-alpine. Il utilisait la formule évocatrice « de la montagne à la montagne » pour décrire l’émigration saisonnière de nombreux travailleurs originaires de la région de Bergame vers les vallées des bailliages italiens, les territoires sujets des cantons suisses situés au sud des Alpes formant l’actuel canton du Tessin. Lesdits migrants se rendaient dans ce..

Famiglie e potere. Il ceto dirigente di Lugano e Mendrisio tra Sei e Settecento

Il libro di Marco Schnyder, nutrito da ricerche nuove e sostenuto da un ampio lavoro di sintesi sulla società suddita dei baliaggi subalpini, colma un vuoto della storiografia e ne fa un'opera estremamente preziosa per chi si interessa di società di montagna e, più in generale, di storia del potere (dalla prefazione di Laurence Fontaine). È di Giovanni Battista Riva (1646-1729) - figlio di Antonio, speziale e borghese di Lugano - il volto severo ritratto in copertina. Giovanni Battista è protagonista di un'ascesa sociale di rilievo che si concretizza e si manifesta nella costituzione di un ingente patrimonio fondiario, in un'intensa pratica creditizia e clientelare, nell'accesso alle più importanti magistrature in patria e nell'acquisizione di prestigiosi titoli all'estero. Nel 1691 è accolto nell'esclusivo patriziato di Lucerna, nel 1698 è creato conte dal duca Farnese di Parma e nel 1721 acquista la signoria di Mauensee, nella campagna lucernese. Il percorso di Giovanni Battista è notevole, eccezionale per il prestigio raggiunto, ma anche rappresentativo, per dinamiche e aspirazioni, degli orizzonti di un notabile di rango dei borghi di Lugano e Mendrisio in epoca moderna. I baliaggi di Lugano e Mendrisio - territori sudditi degli Svizzeri dall'inizio del Cinquecento alla fine del Settecento - situati sull'importante asse di transito nord-sud del San Gottardo, sono una regione periferica, ma non marginale, caratterizzata da una situazione di frontiera e di appartenenze multiple: politica (giurisdizione temporale svizzera), ecclesiastica (diocesi di Como e Milano), linguistico-culturale-religiosa (popolazione italofona cattolica dipendente da un sovrano germanofono, sia cattolico che riformato) e geografica (tra la pianura padana e le Alpi). Un contesto geopolitico che dà forma al potere: la chiave del successo è "essere qualcuno ovunque". In una sorta di vasta biografia collettiva del ceto dirigente di Lugano e Mendrisio, Famiglie e potere guida il lettore nei vicoli dei borghi e nelle campagne, spalancando virtualmente le porte delle dimore signorili e degli edifici pubblici del tempo. Il potere è così affrontato in tutte le sue dimensioni - politica, economica, sociale, religiosa e culturale - per coglierne la natura, la rappresentazione e l'esercizio nella quotidianità. In sintonia con la storiografia della postmodernità l'autore diffida di letture rigidamente dicotomiche ed inserisce i rapporti di potere in configurazioni relazionali fondate sulla negoziazione e la mediazione. Questa indagine di ampio respiro, travalicante i secoli e le frontiere, contribuisce a rinnovare il panorama storiografico svizzero, gettando nuova luce non solo sulla società dei baliaggi e sul funzionamento dell'Antica Confederazione elvetica, ma anche sulla natura del potere nell'Europa moderna.Cet ouvrage constitue la première étude approfondie sur le fonctionnement du pouvoir et le rôle des élites dans une région sujette des cantons sous l'Ancien Régime. Travail exemplaire d'histoire sociale, la recherche de Marco Schnyder mobilise les acquis de l'histoire sociale et culturelle, notamment à travers l'analyse des réseaux familiaux et les rapports entre sujets et seigneurs. L'auteur fait aussi une large place aux aspects symboliques du pouvoir des dynasties familiales dans les villes et bourgs des bailliages qui forment aujourd'hui le Tessin. L'échelle de l'analyse permet de mettre en évidence les interstices dans lesquels les acteurs exploitent au mieux les ressources à leur disposition pour négocier des avantages ou garantir la pérennité de leur position sociale