Microscopic dynamics in liquid metals: the experimental point of view

The experimental results relevant for the understanding of the microscopic dynamics in liquid metals are reviewed, with special regards to the ones achieved in the last two decades. Inelastic Neutron Scattering played a major role since the development of neutron facilities in the sixties. The last ten years, however, saw the development of third generation radiation sources, which opened the possibility of performing Inelastic Scattering with X rays, thus disclosing previously unaccessible energy-momentum regions. The purely coherent response of X rays, moreover, combined with the mixed coherent/incoherent response typical of neutron scattering, provides enormous potentialities to disentangle aspects related to the collectivity of motion from the single particle dynamics. If the last twenty years saw major experimental developments, on the theoretical side fresh ideas came up to the side of the most traditional and established theories. Beside the raw experimental results, therefore, we review models and theoretical approaches for the description of microscopic dynamics over different length-scales, from the hydrodynamic region down to the single particle regime, walking the perilous and sometimes uncharted path of the generalized hydrodynamics extension. Approaches peculiar of conductive systems, based on the ionic plasma theory, are also considered, as well as kinetic and mode coupling theory applied to hard sphere systems, which turn out to mimic with remarkable detail the atomic dynamics of liquid metals. Finally, cutting edges issues and open problems, such as the ultimate origin of the anomalous acoustic dispersion or the relevance of transport properties of a conductive systems in ruling the ionic dynamic structure factor are discussed.Comment: 53 pages, 41 figures, to appear in "The Review of Modern Physics". Tentatively scheduled for July issu

'I found myself a despicable being!':Medical students face disturbing moral dilemmas

CONTEXT: The psychological realm of medical students` moral experiences is explored tangentially in medical education literature, often in the context of ethics or professionalism education. This study deepens our understanding by (1) investigating the nature of moral dilemmas experienced at the onset of clinical practice, (2) exploring students` emotional response to these dilemmas, and (3) examining how students perceive the influence of these dilemmas on their professional development. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional qualitative study carried out in 2017 that applied Thematic Template Analysis to individual interviews performed with last-year medical students. The interviews followed the drawing of a Rich Picture representing moral dilemmas experienced by medical students at the onset of clinical practice. RESULTS: Moral dilemmas have four intertwined dimensions. The first relates to students` struggle to prioritize, balance and apply conflicting moral values; the second comprises the clash between students` inner motivation and the external constraints that limit the moral action; the third refers to the conflict between students' current attitudes with the desired/idealized attitudes of the doctor they intend to become; the forth corresponds to weighting conflicting ethical principles during the moral decision. Students` emotional responses are intense, long-lasting, and with a remarkable residue effect, particularly when the moral decision does not align with their moral beliefs. Moral dilemmas are impactful experiences that affect the professional development of medical students and can culminate in both detachment or growth in moral courage. CONCLUSION: Moral dilemmas are memorable, complex, and emotionally intense experiences that impact the professional development of medical students. Understanding students` moral dilemmas can help educators to devise pedagogical activities to anticipate and reflect on these experiences. These activities should happen under the guidance of a non-judgmental facilitator, capable of listening and legitimating students' thoughts and feelings while providing insights to nurture their professional development

How do nitrogen and phosphorus deficiencies affect strigolactone production and exudation?

Plants exude strigolactones (SLs) to attract symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the rhizosphere. Previous studies have demonstrated that phosphorus (P) deficiency, but not nitrogen (N) deficiency, significantly promotes SL exudation in red clover, while in sorghum not only P deficiency but also N deficiency enhances SL exudation. There are differences between plant species in SL exudation under P- and N-deficient conditions, which may possibly be related to differences between legumes and non-legumes. To investigate this possibility in detail, the effects of N and P deficiencies on SL exudation were examined in Fabaceae (alfalfa and Chinese milk vetch), Asteraceae (marigold and lettuce), Solanaceae (tomato), and Poaceae (wheat) plants. In alfalfa as expected, and unexpectedly in tomato, only P deficiency promoted SL exudation. In contrast, in Chinese milk vetch, a leguminous plant, and in the other non-leguminous plants examined, N deficiency as well as P deficiency enhanced SL exudation. Distinct reductions in shoot P levels were observed in plants grown under N deficiency, except for tomato, in which shoot P level was increased by N starvation, suggesting that the P status of the shoot regulates SL exudation. There seems to be a correlation between shoot P levels and SL exudation across the species/families investigated

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation versus placebo on vascular health, glycaemic control, and metabolic parameters in people with type 1 diabetes: a randomised controlled preliminary trial

Background: The role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFA), and the potential impact of n-3PUFA supplementation, in the treatment and management of type 1 diabetes (T1D) remains unclear and controversial. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the efficacy of daily high-dose-bolus n-3PUFA supplementation on vascular health, glycaemic control, and metabolic parameters in subjects with T1D. Methods: Twenty-seven adults with T1D were recruited to a 6-month randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Subjects received either 3.3 g/day of encapsulated n-3PUFA or encapsulated 3.0 g/day corn oil placebo (PLA) for 6-months, with follow-up at 9-months after 3-month washout. Erythrocyte fatty acid composition was determined via gas chromatography. Endpoints included inflammation-associated endothelial biomarkers (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 [VCAM-1], intercellular adhesion molecule-1 [ICAM-1], E-selectin, P-selectin, pentraxin-3, vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]), and their mediator tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNFα] analysed via immunoassay, vascular structure (carotid intima-media thickness [CIMT]) and function (brachial artery flow mediated dilation [FMD]) determined via ultrasound technique, blood pressure, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and postprandial metabolism. Results: Twenty subjects completed the trial in full. In the n-3PUFA group, the mean ± SD baseline n-3PUFA index of 4.93 ± 0.94% increased to 7.67 ± 1.86% (P  0.05). Conclusions: This study indicates that daily high-dose-bolus of n-3PUFA supplementation for 6-months does not improve vascular health, glucose homeostasis, or metabolic parameters in subjects with T1D. The findings from this preliminary RCT do not support the use of therapeutic n-3PUFA supplementation in the treatment and management of T1D and its associated complications. Trial Registration ISRCTN, ISRCTN40811115. Registered 27 June 2017, http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN40811115

Dao, harmony and personhood: towards a Confucian ethics of technology

A closer look at the theories and questions in philosophy of technology and ethics of technology shows the absence and marginality of non-Western philosophical traditions in the discussions. Although, increasingly, some philosophers have sought to introduce non-Western philosophical traditions into the debates, there are few systematic attempts to construct and articulate general accounts of ethics and technology based on other philosophical traditions. This situation is understandable, for the questions of modern sciences and technologies appear to be originated from the West; at the same time, the situation is undesirable. The overall aim of this paper, therefore, is to introduce an alternative account of ethics of technology based on the Confucian tradition. In doing so, it is hoped that the current paper can initiate a relatively uncharted field in philosophy of technology and ethics of technology

Urocortin-1 within the Centrally-Projecting Edinger-Westphal Nucleus Is Critical for Ethanol Preference

Converging lines of evidence point to the involvement of neurons of the centrally projecting Edinger-Westphal nucleus (EWcp) containing the neuropeptide Urocortin-1 (Ucn1) in excessive ethanol (EtOH) intake and EtOH sensitivity. Here, we expanded these previous findings by using a continuous-access, two-bottle choice drinking paradigm (3%, 6%, and 10% EtOH vs. tap water) to compare EtOH intake and EtOH preference in Ucn1 genetic knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice. Based on previous studies demonstrating that electrolytic lesion of the EWcp attenuated EtOH intake and preference in high-drinking C57BL/6J mice, we also set out to determine whether EWcp lesion would differentially alter EtOH consumption in Ucn1 KO and WT mice. Finally, we implemented well-established place conditioning procedures in KO and WT mice to determine whether Ucn1 and the corticotropin-releasing factor type-2 receptor (CRF-R2) were involved in the rewarding and aversive effects of EtOH (2 g/kg, i.p.). Results from these studies revealed that (1) genetic deletion of Ucn1 dampened EtOH preference only in mice with an intact EWcp, but not in mice that received lesion of the EWcp, (2) lesion of the EWcp dampened EtOH intake in Ucn1 KO and WT mice, but dampened EtOH preference only in WT mice expressing Ucn1, and (3) genetic deletion of Ucn1 or CRF-R2 abolished the conditioned rewarding effects of EtOH, but deletion of Ucn1 had no effect on the conditioned aversive effects of EtOH. The current findings provide strong support for the hypothesis that EWcp-Ucn1 neurons play an important role in EtOH intake, preference, and reward