Inclusive Constraints on Unified Dark Matter Models from Future Large-Scale Surveys

In the very last years, cosmological models where the properties of the dark components of the Universe - dark matter and dark energy - are accounted for by a single "dark fluid" have drawn increasing attention and interest. Amongst many proposals, Unified Dark Matter (UDM) cosmologies are promising candidates as effective theories. In these models, a scalar field with a non-canonical kinetic term in its Lagrangian mimics both the accelerated expansion of the Universe at late times and the clustering properties of the large-scale structure of the cosmos. However, UDM models also present peculiar behaviours, the most interesting one being the fact that the perturbations in the dark-matter component of the scalar field do have a non-negligible speed of sound. This gives rise to an effective Jeans scale for the Newtonian potential, below which the dark fluid does not cluster any more. This implies a growth of structures fairly different from that of the concordance LCDM model. In this paper, we demonstrate that forthcoming large-scale surveys will be able to discriminate between viable UDM models and LCDM to a good degree of accuracy. To this purpose, the planned Euclid satellite will be a powerful tool, since it will provide very accurate data on galaxy clustering and the weak lensing effect of cosmic shear. Finally, we also exploit the constraining power of the ongoing CMB Planck experiment. Although our approach is the most conservative, with the inclusion of only well-understood, linear dynamics, in the end we also show what could be done if some amount of non-linear information were included.Comment: 22 pages, 4 figures, 2 table

Modified margin convergence: over-under lacing suture technique

The principle of margin convergence can be applied to rotator cuff repair to enhance the security of fixation by decreasing the mechanical strain at the margins of the tear. We describe a suture technique, over-under lacing, that reproduces the same margin convergence, with equal tissue tension across the entire surface area of the cuff. A consecutive series of patients affected by massive U-shaped rotator cuff tears were treated by this repair technique. Preoperative diagnosis, tear assessment, and grading of fatty infiltration of the cuff muscles were based on arthro-computed tomography evaluation. The technique passes 2 sutures from the medial to lateral margin of the tear, with a knotless suture anchor for tendon-to-bone fixation. The proposed technique seems to reduce tensile strain on the repaired tendon, can reconstruct the rotator cuff cable, and can attain the balanced pull of the tendon in a medial-to-lateral fashion. The over-under lacing suture technique is both simple and reproducible. This technique may achieve the goals of margin convergence with satisfactory preliminary clinical results for patients with massive rotator cuff tears

Reverse shoulder prosthesis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review

PURPOSE: To obtain detailed information on the outcomes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) undergoing reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) METHODS: A literature search was conducted for studies reporting on the use of RSA in RA patients from 1990 to 2014. The inclusion criteria were a report of sufficient information on pre-operative status and surgical outcome allowing evaluation of the therapeutic potential of RSA in RA. The literature search resulted in 586 hits, but only five studies that met the inclusion criteria were assessed. RESULTS: There were 100 shoulders that had been operated on, of which 87 were followed for a mean of 55.4 months, the longest follow-up being 11.9 years Most patients had glenohumeral erosive lesions of Larsen Grade III or IV. The Delta III prosthesis was implanted in most cases and in three studies bone graft was used for severe glenoid lesions. The main outcome measures employed were the Constant score (Cs) and ASES questionnaire. The mean increase in Cs and ASES score after surgery was 42.4 and 54 points, respectively. The mean post-operative forward elevation was 120.6°, the average increment being 51° and the mean increase of abduction was 58.5°. The mean prevalence of scapular notching was 35.4 %. The rate of adverse events was 31 %, but the vast majority were of minor severity. Eight prostheses underwent revision, due to infection in four. CONCLUSIONS: RSA implanted in RA patients would appear to give similar results to those obtained in massive cuff tears with or without arthropathy

Radiographic patterns of osteoporotic proximal humerus fractures

The objectives of the study were: a) to identify osteoporotic proximal humerus fractures in a large consecutive series of patients; b) to identify radiographic fracture patterns among osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic proximal humerus fractures; and c) to calculate intra- and inter-observer reliability of assessment of osteoporosis and of radiographic fracture patterns

Early Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Fixation of Displaced Intra-Articular Calcaneal Fractures With a Percutaneous Angle Stable Device.

The Minimally Invasive Reduction and Osteosynthesis System(®) (MIROS) is a percutaneous angle stable device for the treatment of fractures. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic results of an early minimally invasive osteosynthesis with the MIROS device. A total of 40 consecutive patients were treated for an intra-articular fracture of the calcaneus. We evaluated the clinical and radiographic outcomes after treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fractures with the MIROS hardware. Soft tissue damage was noted. The patients completed the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society survey at 12 and 24 months and underwent radiologic evaluations. A statistically significant association between the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score and type of soft tissue lesion. A Sanders type II, III, and IV fracture was found in 15, 20, and 15 of 50 fractures, respectively. Postoperatively, restoration of the posterior facet was reached in 13 of 15, 18 of 20, and 11 of 15 with a type II, III, and IV fracture, respectively. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scale mean score was 85 at the final follow-up visit. No significant association was found between the score and the preoperative variables (p > .09), although patients with bilateral fractures had a significantly lower score. The MIROS device for early treatment of intra-articular calcaneus fractures resulted in excellent clinic and radiologic results. The standardized technique we have reported, with the elastic wires acting as a girder for the fractured and displace subtalar joint and the collapsed lateral calcaneal wall, has permitted early weightbearing with positive stimuli for the bone healing. The drainage effect of the percutaneous wires likely prevented compartment syndrome when applied within the first hours after the trauma.The Minimally Invasive Reduction and Osteosynthesis System® (MIROS) is a percutaneous angle stable device for the treatment of fractures. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic results of an early minimally invasive osteosynthesis with the MIROS device. A total of 40 consecutive patients were treated for an intra-articular fracture of the calcaneus. We evaluated the clinical and radiographic outcomes after treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fractures with the MIROS hardware. Soft tissue damage was noted. The patients completed the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society survey at 12 and 24 months and underwent radiologic evaluations. A statistically significant association between the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score and type of soft tissue lesion. A Sanders type II, III, and IV fracture was found in 15, 20, and 15 of 50 fractures, respectively. Postoperatively, restoration of the posterior facet was reached in 13 of 15, 18

Kinematic analysis of reaching movements of the upper limb after total or reverse shoulder arthroplasty

Studies have analyzed three-dimensional complex motion of the shoulder in healthy subjects or patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) or reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). No study to date has assessed the reaching movements in patients with TSA or RSA. Twelve patients with TSA (Group A) and 12 with RSA (Group B) underwent kinematic analysis of reaching movements directed at four targets. The results were compared to those of 12 healthy subjects (Group C). The assessed parameters were hand-to-target distance, target-approaching velocity, humeral-elevation angular velocity, normalized jerk (indicating motion fluidity), elbow extension and humeral elevation angles. Mean Constant score increased by 38 points in Group A and 47 in Group B after surgery. In three of the tasks, there were no significant differences between healthy subjects and patients in the study groups. Mean target-approaching velocity and humeral-elevation angular velocity were significantly greater in the control group than in study groups and, overall, greater in Group A than Group B. Movement fluidity was significantly greater in the controls, with patients in Group B showing greater fluidity than those in Group A. Reaching movements in the study groups were comparable, in three of the tasks, to those in the control group. However, the latter performed significantly better with regard to target-approaching velocity, humeral-elevation angular velocity and movement fluidity, which are the most representative characteristics of reaching motion. These differences, that may be related to deterioration of shoulder proprioception after prosthetic implant, might possibly be decreased with appropriate rehabilitation

The impact of COVID-19 on shoulder and elbow trauma in a skeletally immature population: an Italian survey

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on the shoulder and elbow trauma in a skeletally immature population in 30 days starting from March 8, 2020, the first day of restrictions in Italy, and to compare it with the same period of2019.Materials and methods: All the skeletally immature (younger than 18 years) patients managed in the emergency unit of our hospital between March 8, 2020, and April 8, 2020 (COVID-19 [C19] period), for a shoulder and elbow trauma were retrospectively included and compared with patients with similar ages admitted in the same period of 2019 (no COVID-19 period). Six categories of diagnosis were distinguished: (1) contusions, (2) no physeal fractures, (3) physeal fractures (Salter-Harris), (4) sprains/subluxations, (5) dislocations, and (6) others (tendinitis, wounds, low back pain, and joint inflammation). According to the mechanism of injury, we arbitrarily distinguished 5 subgroups: (1) accidental fall; (2) sport trauma; (3) accident at school; (4) high-energy trauma occurred by car, public transport, and pedestrian investment; and (5) fall from height.Results: During the C19 period, the number of total accesses in our trauma center steeply decreased: two-thirds less. Regardless of the patient age, we performed 65% less first aid shoulder/elbow services. The number of skeletally immature patients treated at our trauma center for all types of injuries was 350 during the no COVID-19 period and 54 during the C19 period; therefore, the influx of pediatric patients during the C19 period decreased by 84.6%. Furthermore, during the C19 period, (1) there were no cases of fractures, physeal fractures, and dislocations of the shoulder; (2) there were no cases of contusion, physeal fractures, and dislocations of the elbow; and (3) we observed the absence of high-energy, sports, and school injuries; and (4) during the pandemic, shoulder and elbow injuries mainly occurred as a result of accidental fall at home.Conclusions: The pandemic forced us to become aware of the ways and places where skeletally immature subjects report shoulder and elbow traumas; therefore, it would be desirable that more considerable attention be directed toward the prevention of injury in areas at risk

Neglecting Primordial non-Gaussianity Threatens Future Cosmological Experiment Accuracy

Future galaxy redshift surveys aim at probing the clustering of the cosmic large-scale structure with unprecedented accuracy, thus complementing cosmic microwave background experiments in the quest to deliver the most precise and accurate picture ever of our Universe. Analyses of such measurements are usually performed within the context of the so-called vanilla LCDM model - the six-parameter phenomenological model which, for instance, emerges from best fits against the recent data obtained by the Planck satellite. Here, we show that such an approach is prone to subtle systematics when the Gaussianity of primordial fluctuations is concerned. In particular, we demonstrate that, if we neglect even a tiny amount of primordial non-Gaussianity - fully consistent with current limits - we shall introduce spurious biases in the reconstruction of cosmological parameters. This is a serious issue that must be properly accounted for in view of accurate (as well as precise) cosmology.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, 2 table

Upper limits to surface force disturbances on LISA proof masses and the possibility of observing galactic binaries

We report on the measurement of parasitic surface force noise on a hollow replica of a LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna for the observation of gravitational waves) proof mass surrounded by a faithful representation of its in flight surroundings, namely the capacitive sensor used to detect proof-mass motion. Parasitic forces are detected through the corresponding torque exerted on the proof mass and measured with a torsion pendulum in the frequency range 0.1 30 mHz. The sensor electrodes, electrode housing and associated readout electronics have the same nominal design as for the flight hardware, including 4 mm gaps around the proof mass along the sensitive laser interferometry axis. We show that the measured upper limit for surface forces would allow detection of a number of galactic binaries signals with signal to noise ratio up to approximately 40 for 1 year integration. We also discuss how the flight test under development, LISA Pathfinder, will substantially improve this limit, approaching the performance required for LISA.Comment: 3 Figures. Submitted to Physical Review Letter

Evaluating the Carbon Footprint of Cement Plants Integrated With the Calcium Looping CO2 Capture Process

Cement industry is estimated to account for∼6–7% of anthropogenic CO2emissionsglobally. Therefore, the identification of innovative solutions for their mitigation is both a priority and a challenge. The integration of carbon capture and storage technologies into the industrial production process is considered among the most viable solutions for this purpose, and calcium looping (CaL) represents one of the most promising. A key research challenge points to maximize process efficiencies and minimize production cost to decouple cement production from carbon emissions. The carbon capture process proposed in this work is a looping system where CO2 is absorbed by calcium oxide(CaO) in the first reactor (carbonator) and the calcium carbonate (CaCO3) produced is regenerated in an oxy-fired calciner. During calcination, CO2 is released from the sorbents, purified, compressed, and then made available for geological storage. In this study, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to two cement production systems with CaL carbon capture are evaluated: the tail-end CaL carbon capture and the integratedCaL carbon capture. The carbon footprint is complemented with the assessment of the resources depletion mineral and elements and the demand of primary energy. An eco-design approach was pursued by carrying out a life cycle assessment to identify the environmental hotspots and which CaL integration approach presents a higher potential for cement industry decarbonization. The results of the analysis were compared with a conventional cement production process. The results show that the GHG emissions may be reduced by 74% with a tail-end approach and 71% when theCaL is fully integrated into the cement production process. When a future perspective, with higher penetration of renewable energy resources into the electricity sector, was modeled, the results showed that CaL integrated into the clinker production process is more promising in terms of reduction of the carbon footprint, rather than the tail-end solutions. Primary energy consumption from non-renewables is substantially impacted by CaL, with the integrated CaL configuration showing to be a more efficient solution because of less primary energy consumption (coal)