Sound emission and annihilations in a programmable quantum vortex collider.

In quantum fluids, the quantization of circulation forbids the diffusion of a vortex swirling flow seen in classical viscous fluids. Yet, accelerating quantum vortices may lose their energy into acoustic radiations1,2, similar to the way electric charges decelerate on emitting photons. The dissipation of vortex energy underlies central problems in quantum hydrodynamics3, such as the decay of quantum turbulence, highly relevant to systems as varied as neutron stars, superfluid helium and atomic condensates4,5. A deep understanding of the elementary mechanisms behind irreversible vortex dynamics has been a goal for decades3,6, but it is complicated by the shortage of conclusive experimental signatures7. Here we address this challenge by realizing a programmable vortex collider in a planar, homogeneous atomic Fermi superfluid with tunable inter-particle interactions. We create on-demand vortex configurations and monitor their evolution, taking advantage of the accessible time and length scales of ultracold Fermi gases8,9. Engineering collisions within and between vortex-antivortex pairs allows us to decouple relaxation of the vortex energy due to sound emission and that due to interactions with normal fluid (that is, mutual friction). We directly visualize how the annihilation of vortex dipoles radiates a sound pulse. Further, our few-vortex experiments extending across different superfluid regimes reveal non-universal dissipative dynamics, suggesting that fermionic quasiparticles localized inside the vortex core contribute significantly to dissipation, thereby opening the route to exploring new pathways for quantum turbulence decay, vortex by vortex.

Induction chemotherapy followed by supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (CHEP) in T3NO arytenoid fixation-related glottic cancer.

Induction chemotherapy followed by supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (CHEF) in T3NO arytenoid fixation-related glottic cancer. OBJECTIVE: Arytenoid fixation in the larynx has been considered a contraindication for performing organ preservation surgery (OPS). We present a retrospective series of cases of arytenoid fixation-related T3N0 glottic cancer treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by OPS. MATERIAL: Retrospective review of 19 patients (from 2008 to 2012) with T3NO glottic cancer who received two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with a combination of paclitaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluoruracil (PPF), with a 21-day interval between each cycle, followed by supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (CHEP). RESULTS: Sixteen patients with a mean age of 56.4 years received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with a clinical response (7 partial response/9 complete response) and radiologic response by computed tomography (CT) (7 partial response/7 complete response/2 cases without CT) were treated with SCPL-CHEP and removal of the arytenoid cartilage in the tumour site (10 left/6 right), bilateral neck dissection of levels II to V and searching of the Delphian node. There was one patient who died after a recurrence in the larynx and who also had an additional concomitant second primary tumour, and a second patient with a second primary tumour in the lung, who is still alive after treatment. Disease-free survival (DFS) was 82.5% at 5 years and overall survival (OS) was 80% at 5 years. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy proved beneficial in patients waiting for surgery, helped maximize the oncologic benefit of the surgery provided (good local control using SCPL with CHEP), improved regional and distant control, minimized side effects by avoiding treatment with radiotherapy whenever possible, and proved feasible even in the presence of ipsilateral arytenoid fixation. Our results are encouraging, although a multi-centre randomized clinical trial should be performed in order to identify the true impact of this approach.

Western blot expression of 5-lipoxygenase in the brain from striped dolphins (stenella coeruleoalba) and bottlenose dolphins (tursiops truncatus) with or without encephalitis/meningo-encephalitis of infectious nature.

Dolphin Morbillivirus (DMV), Toxoplasma gondii and Brucella ceti are pathogens of major concern for wild cetaceans. Although a more or less severe encephalitis/meningo-encephalitis may occur in striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) infected by the aforementioned agents, almost no information is available on the neuropathogenesis of brain lesions, including the neuronal and non-neuronal cells targeted during infection, along with the mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration. We analyzed 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) expression in the brain of 11 striped dolphins and 5 bottlenose dolphins, affected or not by encephalitic lesions of various degrees associated with DMV, T. gondii and B. ceti. All the 8 striped dolphins with encephalitis showed a more consistent 5-LOX expression than that observed in the 3 striped dolphins showing no morphologic evidence of brain lesions, with the most prominent band intensity being detected in a B. ceti-infected animal. Similar results were not obtained in T. gondii-infected vs T. gondii-uninfected bottlenose dolphins. Overall, the higher 5-LOX expression found in the brain of the 8 striped dolphins with infectious neuroinflammation is of interest, given that 5-LOX is a putative marker for neurodegeneration in human patients and in experimental animal models. Therefore, further investigation on this challenging issue is also needed in stranded cetaceans affected by central neuropathies.

Adolescent experience predicts longevity: evidence from historical epidemiology.

Human development reportedly includes critical and sensitive periods during which environmental stressors can affect traits that persist throughout life. Controversy remains over which of these periods provides an opportunity for such stressors to affect health and longevity. The elaboration of reproductive biology and its behavioral sequelae during adolescence suggests such a sensitive period, particularly among males. We test the hypothesis that life expectancy at age 20 among males exposed to life-threatening stressors during early adolescence will fall below that among other males. We apply time-series methods to cohort mortality data in France between 1816 and 1919, England and Wales between 1841 and 1919, and Sweden between 1861 and 1919. Our results indicate an inverse association between cohort death rates at ages 10-14 and cohort life expectancy at age 20. Our findings imply that better-informed and more strategic management of the stressors encountered by early adolescents may improve population health.

No evidence of programmed late-life mortality in the Finnish famine cohort.

The developmental origins hypothesis suggests that morbidity and premature mortality arise, in part, from adverse exposures in utero and early in development. Evidence suggests a connection between early nutritional deficits and adult morbidity; however, the effects on mortality have been less well studied and previous studies provide conflicting results. We extracted Finnish birth cohort death rates from the Human Mortality Database. Our test asks whether men or women born during the 1867-1868 Great Finnish Famine exhibited death rates in old age different from expected, based on death rates among Finnish cohorts born 1818-1866. We found no support for the argument that exposure to the Finnish famine in utero induced excess mortality from age 60 to 89 in either men or women. Our results suggest that the Finnish famine did not induce, via epigenetic changes or any other mechanism, premature mortality in older age among exposed individuals.

Mauthner cell-initiated electromotor behavior is mediated via NMDA and metabotropic glutamatergic receptors on medullary pacemaker neurons in a gymnotid fish.

Weakly electric fish generate meaningful electromotor behaviors by specific modulations of the discharge of their medullary pacemaker nucleus from which the rhythmic command for each electric organ discharge (EOD) arises. Certain electromotor behaviors seem to involve the activation of specific neurotransmitter receptors on particular target cells within the nucleus, i.e., on pacemaker or on relay cells. This paper deals with the neural basis of the electromotor behavior elicited by activation of Mauthner cells in Gymnotus carapo. This behavior consists of an abrupt and prolonged increase in the rate of the EOD. The effects of specific glutamate agonists and antagonists on basal EOD frequency and on EOD accelerations induced by Mauthner cell activation were assessed. Injections of both ionotropic (AMPA, kainate, and NMDA) and metabotropic (trans-(+/-)-1-amino-1,3-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acid) glutamate agonists induced increases in EOD rate that were maximal when performed close to the soma of pacemaker cells. In contrast, injections in the proximity of relay cells were ineffective. Therefore, pacemaker neurons are probably endowed with diverse glutamate receptor subtypes, whereas relay cells are probably not. The Mauthner cell-evoked electromotor behavior was suppressed by injections of AP-5 and (+/-)-amino-4-carboxy-methyl-phenylacetic acid, NMDA receptor and metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonists, respectively. Thus, this electromotor behavior relies on the activation of the NMDA and metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes of pacemaker cells. Our study gives evidence for the synergistic effects of NMDA and metabotropic receptor activation and shows how a simple circuit can produce specific electromotor outputs.

[Clinical protocol for orthodontic treatment of patients with different stages of periodontal disease]. / Protocollo clinico per il trattamento ortodontico nei pazienti affetti da malattia parodontale di diverso grado.

The Authors after a review of literature suggest a clinical approach to orthodontic treatment of patient with different degree of periodontal disease. They use this kind of clinical approach to guarantee the integrity and the stability of periodontal tissues.

[Dental trauma: coronal fractures of permanent incisors. A new technique of bonding fragments]. / Traumi dentali: fratture coronali degli incisivi permanenti. Nuova tecnica di incollaggio dei frammenti.

The coronal fractures of the upper incisors for traumatic injuries represent the 8% of the total dental trauma. The use of new dentinal adhesive have permitted to obtain new interesting development in dental traumatology and dental esthetic, like the possibility of the utilisation of the dental fragment, of the incisor broken for a trauma. The new dentinal adhesive is the Gluma (Bayer). The Authors describe the technique, the times, some particulars and step by step all the method to obtain good final results. Finally are presented all the advantages compared to the traditional methods with the composites materials.

[Pedodontic sedation as an alternative to general anesthesia in "intractable" children]. / La sedazione pedodontica quale alternativa all'anestesia generale nel bambino "intrattabile".

Some particular strategies to face the treatment of fearful children are discussed. The Authors show both psychological and pharmacological techniques (especially conscious sedation with N2O/O2), very useful to know the patient better and to start a good relation with the dentist, avoiding any possible negative reaction as well.

[Documentation file of orthodontic clinical records. Plaster study models. 3]. / Dossier sulla documentazione dei casi clinici ortodontici. I modelli di studio in gesso. Parte III.

Cast models are to be considered a basic element of analysis in orthodontics. This work aims at describing the various operating phases which are necessary for obtaining successful results when preparing these diagnostic records. In fact the various steps are concurrently shown developing from the initial impressions to the polishing and final labelling especially emphasizing Tweeds' trimming method.