Approaching Free Fall on Two Degrees of Freedom: Simultaneous Measurement of Residual Force and Torque on a Double Torsion Pendulum.

A torsion pendulum with 2 soft degrees of freedom (DOFs), realized by off-axis cascading two torsion fibers, has been built and operated. This instrument helps characterize the geodesic motion of a test mass for LISA Pathfinder or any other free-fall space mission, providing information on cross talk and other effects that cannot be detected when monitoring a single DOF. We show that it is possible to simultaneously measure both the residual force and the residual torque acting on a quasifree test mass. As an example of the investigations that a double pendulum allows, we report the measurement of the force-to-torque cross talk, i.e., the amount of actuation signal, produced by applying a force on the suspended test mass, that leaks into the rotational DOF, detected by measuring the corresponding (unwanted) torque.

Life-extending dietary restriction, but not dietary supplementation of branched-chain amino acids, can increase organismal oxidation rates of individual branched-chain amino acids by grasshoppers.

BACKGROUND: Life-extending dietary restriction increases energy demands. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), at high levels, may be detrimental to healthspan by activating the mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTOR). Whether organismal oxidation of BCAAs increases upon dietary restriction is unknown. OBJECTIVE: Test whether dietary restriction (DR, which creates an energy deficit) or supplemental dietary BCAAs (superfluous BCAAs) increases oxidation of BCAAs, potentially reducing their levels to improve healthspan. METHODS: Grasshoppers were reared to middle-age on one of four diets, each a level of lettuce feeding and a force-fed solution: 1) ad libitum lettuce & buffer, 2) ad libitum lettuce & supplemental BCAAs, 3) DR lettuce & buffer, and 4) DR lettuce & supplemental BCAAs. On trial days, grasshoppers were force-fed one 13C-1-BCAA (isoleucine, leucine, or valine). Breath was collected and tested for 13CO2, which represents organismal oxidation of the amino acid. Additional trials re-tested oxidation of leucine (the most potent activator of mTOR) in both females and males on dietary restriction. RESULTS: Dietary restriction generally increased cumulative oxidation of each BCAA in females and hungry males over ∼8 hr. Results were consistent for isoleucine and valine, but less so for leucine. Supplementation of BCAAs, in combination with dietary restriction, increased isoleucine in hemolymph, with similar trends for leucine and valine. Despite this, supplementation of BCAAs did not alter oxidation of any BCAAs. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary restriction can increase oxidation of BCAAs, likely due to an energy deficit. The increased oxidation may decrease available BCAAs for activation of mTOR and improve healthspan.

Finite driving rate and anisotropy effects in landslide modeling.

In order to characterize landslide frequency-size distributions and individuate hazard scenarios and their possible precursors, we investigate a cellular automaton where the effects of a finite driving rate and the anisotropy are taken into account. The model is able to reproduce observed features of landslide events, such as power-law distributions, as experimentally reported. We analyze the key role of the driving rate and show that, as it is increased, a crossover from power-law to non-power-law behaviors occurs. Finally, a systematic investigation of the model on varying its anisotropy factors is performed and the full diagram of its dynamical behaviors is presented.

A novel information geometric approach to variable selection in MLP networks.

In this paper, a novel information geometric-based variable selection criterion for multi-layer perceptron networks is described. It is based on projections of the Riemannian manifold defined by a multi-layer perceptron network on submanifolds defined by multi-layer perceptron networks with reduced input dimension. We show how the divergence between models can be used as a criterion for an efficient search in the space of networks with different inputs. Then, we show how the posterior probabilities of the models can be evaluated to rank the projected models. Finally, we test our algorithm on synthetic and real data, and compare its performances with other methods reported in literature.

Use of sibutramine, an inhibitor of the reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline, in the treatment of binge eating disorder: a placebo-controlled study.

Binge-eating disorder, which is characterized by repeated episodes of uncontrolled eating, is common in obese patients and is often accompanied by comorbid psychiatric disorders, especially depression. In previous studies, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have demonstrated efficacy in reducing the frequency of binge eating and addressing comorbid psychiatric disorders, but they have not shown the ability to promote weight loss. Sibutramine, a new serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, has been shown in short- and long-term studies to be effective in promoting and maintaining weight loss in obese patients who have binge-eating disorder. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of sibutramine were evaluated in the treatment of binge-eating disorder in obese patients. Twenty patients were randomly assigned in equal numbers to receive either sibutramine 10 mg/day or placebo for 12 weeks. Assessments were made at baseline and every 2 weeks throughout the study. Binge frequency, defined as the number of days during the previous week that included binge-eating episodes, was the primary outcome measure. By the end of the study, the binge frequency among patients given sibutramine was significantly lower than that among those given placebo. The main adverse events in the sibutramine group were dry mouth and constipation. The findings suggest sibutramine is an effective medication in the treatment of binge-eating disorders and is well tolerated. In addition, it addresses the 3 main goals in the treatment of binge-eating disorder: reducing the frequency of binge eating, promoting and maintaining weight loss, and treating the comorbid psychiatric conditions.

In vitro biosynthesis of rabbit blastokinin.

The authors have incubated, in vitro, estrous rabbit endometrium with 3H-leucine and pseudopregnant rabbit endometrium with 14C-leucine. By the double-labeling technique and the use of the 14C:3H ratio, it was shown that blastokinin (BKN) is neosynthesized in vitro and that this neosynthesis probably also affects other protein components. By ion exchange chromatography of the supernatant of the pseudopregnant endometrium and previously purified BKN, it was possible to confirm the in vitro biosynthesis and to exclude interfering phenomena. Time dynamics showed that biosynthesis was more marked between the 18th and 24th hours of incubation.

One-point statistics of the induced electric field in quasinormal magnetofluid turbulence.

We study one-point statistical properties of the induced turbulent electric field for a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) plasma under the quasinormal approximation. Assuming exact Gaussianity for both the velocity field and the magnetic field, and different degrees of correlations between their Cartesian components, we derive the probability distribution function (PDF) for the Cartesian components of the electric field e(i). We show that the PDF reduces in some canonical cases to an exponential function of the form exp(-/e(i)/). To study deviations from these results in the more realistic case in which the velocity and magnetic fields are not exactly normal but quasinormal instead, we perform three-dimensional numerical simulations of the MHD equations at moderate Reynolds numbers. For turbulent relaxation from an initial condition, we find that the analytical results give a very good first-order approximation to the computed PDF.

[Arthropathies and nutrition: gout]. / Artropatie ed alimentazione: la gotta.

Gout is a disease linked to altered uric acid metabolism with increased uric acid concentration in the blood, the deposition of sodium urate crystals in certain tissues and abscesses. Uric acid derives from ex novo purinogenesis and the catabolism of cellular and alimentary nucleic acids. It is eliminated by uricolysis mainly in the intestines and renal excretion. The restriction of dietary protein purines, fats and calories reduces uricemia and explains the relationship between gout and diet. In Europe 5-18% of adult males suffer from uricemia with gout occurring in 0.5-1%. The incidence among females is much lower. The clinical picture presents an acute phase with a gouty abscess linked to the swollen joints caused by sodium urate crystals and a chronic phase characterised by gouty tophi and chronic gouty arthropathy. Treatment of the acute phase in which ample use is made of colchicine must be followed by medical and dietary treatment of the chronic condition.

The pharmacological options in the treatment of eating disorders.

The eating disorders (DCA) are complex systemic diseases with high social impact, which tend to become chronic with significant medical and psychiatric comorbidities. The literature data showed that there is good evidence to suggest the use of SSRIs, particularly at high doses of fluoxetine, in the treatment of BN reducing both the crisis of binge that the phenomena compensates and reducing the episodes of binge in patients with BED in the short term. Also, the topiramate (an AED) showed a good effectiveness in reducing the frequency and magnitude of episodes of binge with body weight reduction, both in the BN that is in the therapy of BED. To date, modest data support the use of low doses of second-generation antipsychotics in an attempt to reduce the creation of polarized weight and body shapes, the obsessive component, and anxiety in patients with AN. Data in the literature on long-term drug treatment of eating disorders are still very modest. It is essential to remember that the pharmacotherapy has, however, a remarkable efficacy in treating psychiatric disorders that occur in comorbidity with eating disorders, such as mood disorders, anxiety, insomnia, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders and behavior.

Successful Treatment with Agomelatine in NES: A Series of Five Cases.

The NES is an emerging disease in eating behavior that combines eating disorders, sleep, mood and stress. In recent years, the NES is becoming more interested in close association with obesity and depression. In the present study we have followed for 12 weeks 5 patients (2 males and 3 females) with NES and comorbid depression treated with agomelatine (25 mg / day for the first two weeks, then 50 mg / day), an antidepressant similar of melatonin. At the end of the three months of treatment, it was found an improvement in symptoms characteristic of the NES, as assessed by a reduction an average of the NEQ (from 31 to 22.8), improved mood, mean values ​​reduced by 23, 2 to 13.2 on the HAM-D, weight reduction, an average of 3.6 kg reduction in average weekly awakenings from 12 to 6.4 and the time of snoring and motion detected polysomnography. The serum chemistry values ​​remained stable and there were no reported adverse events. The present study showed that the treatment with agomelatine has improved the symptoms of NES and mood, decrease of body weight, reduce, albeit not in an optimal manner, the number of awakenings per night with a reduction of movement time and snoring . Of course, these preliminary data need to be confirmed by controlled trials on a larger sample.

A model for investigating the control of muscle blood flow: the masseteric artery in conscious rabbits.

The complex interplay of neural, metabolic, myogenic and mechanical mechanisms that regulate blood flow in skeletal muscle (MBF) is still incompletely understood. For the first time, a method is presented for high time-resolution recording of MBF from a purely muscular artery in physiological conditions. Ultrasound perivascular flow probes were implanted (n = 15) mono- or bilaterally around the masseteric branch of the facial artery in nine rabbits and tested up to 16 days after implant. Reliable and stable recordings were achieved in 50% of implants. Blood flow was observed to increase from a resting level of 0.2-0.3 ml min(-1) up to 4.0-6.0 ml min(-1) during spontaneous masticatory activity. In addition, within single masticatory cycles marked back flow transients could be observed (peak flow = -10 ml min(-1)) during powerful masticatory strokes but not during mild mastication. The possibility of (1) surgically removing the sympathetic supply to the relevant vascular bed and of (2) bilaterally monitoring the perfusion of masseter muscles thus allowing to use one side as control side for different types of interventions makes this model a useful tool for disentangling the different mechanisms involved in the control of MBF.

Evaluación de la efectividad del renikan: extracto del pelargonium sidoides estandarizado EPs7630 en el tratmiento de las infecciones de las vías respiratorias superiores de etiología viral / Evaluation of the effectiveness of renikan: standardized extract of Pelargonium sidoides tratmiento EPs7630 in infections of the upper respiratory tract viral etiology

Las infecciones respiratorias, uno de los síndromes más frecuentes a nivel comunitario pueden ser de dos tipos: infecciones del tracto respiratorio superior o inferior. En su gran mayoría son inicadas por una infección viral transformando el terreno vulnerable a la sobre infección bacteriana. Hasta 2/3 de los pacientes son tratados desde el inicio de los síntomas con antibióticos, aunque este tratamiento no influye positivamente sobre el curso de la enfermedad. Renikan, fitofármaco extraído de la raíz del Pelargonium Sidoides, posee un triple mecanismo de acción: antiviral, antibacteriano y mucolítico, antiviral, porque activa los mecanismos de defensa antivirales orgánicos, antibacetriano, por su actividad bacteriostática directa e indirecta, y mucolítico, por sus propiedades secretomotoras y expectorantes. El objetivo fue comprobar la efectividad y tolerabilidad de Renikan en el tratamiento de las infecciones respiratorias. Diseño abierto y multicéntrico. Se seleccionaron niños de 6 a12 años y adultos de cualquier sexo o raza, con infecciones del tracto respiratorio superior. A los cuales se le suministró Renikan durante 7 días continuos, se evaluó: evolución de los síntomas, necesidad de uso de antibióticos y la escala de resultados integraticos IMOs. Ingreason un total 305 pacientes, 156 adultos y 149 niños distribuidos en tres grupos de estudio: Rinosinusitis, 97 pacientes, los cuales presentaron mejoría de sus síntomas en un 86% en los adultos y no utilizaron antibióticos en un 86%; los niños mejoraron en un 80%, y no usaron antibióticos en 91%. En el caso de las Amigdalitis hubo 108 pacientes con una mejoría sintomatológica en adultos del 92% y en los niños el 89%, no antibióticoterapia en el 86% de los adultos y 93% de los niños. El uso de Renikan en pacientes con infecciones del tracto respiratorio superior, demuestra ser seguro y efecivo tanto en adultos como en niños mayores de 6 años

Respiratory tract infections are the most common syndromes at community, there are two types: upper and lower respiratory tract infections. The vast majoritary are stared by a viral infection transforming the land vulnerable into a bacterial infection. The 2/3 o patients is treated from the onset of symptoms with antibiotics, although it is known that this treatment not positively influences the course of the disease. Renikan, herbal extrated fron the root of pelargonium sidoides has a threefold mechanism of action: antibiotic and mucolytic, antiviral, because it activates the natural antiviral mechanism of defense; antibacterial, due to its direct and indirect bacterostatic action and mucolytic, owing to its secretomotory and expectorant properties. To test the effectiveness and tolerability of renikan in the treatment of respiratory infections. Open desing, multicenter study. We selected children 6-12 years'age and adults of any sex orrance with upper respiratory tract infecctions. Theyreceived renikan for 7 consecutive days, changes in symptoms; necessity of antibiotic use and the integrative medicine outcome scale (IMOS) were evaluated. Of total of 305 patients, 156 adults and 149 children were divided into three groups: 97 rhinosinusitis patients, who showed symptoms improvement in 86% of adults and 91% of children, in 108 tonsillitis patients, an improvement of symptoms was found in 92% of adults and 89% of children, no antibiotic use were in 86% of adults and 93% of children, and, in a third group consistng of 100 patients with bronchitis, improvement was report in 98% od adults and in 73% of children, no antibiotics were used in 88% of adults and 96% of children. The use of concomitant therapy decreasedin 50% of cases and only 0.02% of patients had adverse events. The use of renikan use in patients with upper respiratory tract infections was shown to be safe and effective in both adults and children over 6 years of age

Spatial correlation of solar-wind turbulence from two-point measurements.

Interplanetary turbulence, the best studied case of low frequency plasma turbulence, is the only directly quantified instance of astrophysical turbulence. Here, magnetic field correlation analysis, using for the first time only proper two-point, single time measurements, provides a key step in unraveling the space-time structure of interplanetary turbulence. Simultaneous magnetic field data from the Wind, ACE, and Cluster spacecraft are analyzed to determine the correlation (outer) scale, and the Taylor microscale near Earth's orbit.

[Audiometry in the cellulose industry]. / Audiometrie nell'industria della cellulosa.

A noise level dosimetry and audiometric testing were conducted in a cellulose factory to determine the hazardous noise level and the prevalence of noise induced hearing loss among the exposed workers. The noise level was recorded up to 90 db (A) in several working areas. 18 workers, potentially exposed to noise injury, evidenced a significant hearing loss. While no evidence of noise injury was recorded in a control group of 100 subjects. This finding suggest a strict relationship between audiometric tests, the noise level recorded in the working place and the working seniority of exposed employers.

Spectral distribution of the cross helicity in the solar wind.

There are a variety of theoretical and observational indications that fluctuation energy in astrophysical and space plasma turbulence is distributed anisotropically in space relative to the magnetic field direction. The cross helicity, represented by correlations between velocity and magnetic field fluctuations, enters a magnetohydrodynamic description on equal footing with the energy, but its anisotropy has not been examined in the same degree of detail. Here we employ Advanced Coronal Explorer data to examine the rotational symmetry of the cross helicity. We find that the normalized cross helicity is associated more or less equally with all angular components of the fluctuations. This favors turbulence models that allow for cross communication between parallel and perpendicular wave numbers, suggesting that "wavelike" and "turbulencelike" fluctuations are strongly coupled.

Digital error-signal extraction technique for real-time automatic control of optical interferometers.

We describe an efficient and robust method for the extraction of the longitudinal error signal for the automatic control of optical interferometers, which can also be applied when the uncontrolled optical system spans hundreds of fringes. The method is based on classic modulation techniques (phase modulation, mechanical modulation, etc.), but extends their performances by the use of the information available only at the output photodiode. We digitally implemented such a method by following modular hardware and software architectures. We then tested the whole procedure in the automatic control of a suspended Michelson interferometer, showing its feasibility and the good performances.

Binding of steroids to blastokinin.

The authors studied the binding of steroids with Blastokinin (BKN). They confirm that progesterone is the steroid that has a greater affinity for BKN than estradiol or testosterone; the latter is hardly bound to the protein at all. They also show that the presence of estradiol interferes with the formation phase of the BKN-progesterone complex, while testosterone does not. When the BKN-progesterone complex is already formed, a release of the progesterone occurs only when there is a double concentration of estradiol. The biological importance of this phenomenon is briefly discussed.

PIP: The binding capacity of blastokinin (BKN) to progesterone, estradiol, and testosterone was studied in vitro in uterine secretions collected from rabbit uteri. Progesterone was found to bind to BKN in greater quantities than estradiol, while testosterone exhibited virtually no affinity to BKN. Study with radioactive steroids indicated that estradiol, in equimolar concentrations, caused a considerable reduction in progesterone binding to BKN, while testosterone had no effect on progesterone-binding. However, when the progesterone-BKN complex was performed, twice the concentration of labeled-estradiol was required to cause a decrease in progesterone radioactivity linked to BKN. The effect was not progressive, and appeared to function on a threshold principle.

Fringe-counting technique used to lock a suspended interferometer.

We implement a digital fringe-counting technique to measure in real time the relative mirror displacement of a suspended Michelson interferometer with modulated optical path length for oscillations much larger than the laser wavelength (λ). This provides the proper error signal for a servo mechanism that reduces the relative displacement within λ/2. The implemented technique does not require extra optics or polarizers and thus can be used for interferometric gravitational wave detectors as a starting procedure to get the system locked.