Fusion Channels of Non-Abelian Anyons from Angular-Momentum and Density-Profile Measurements.

We present a method to characterize non-Abelian anyons that is based only on static measurements and that does not rely on any form of interference. For geometries where the anyonic statistics can be revealed by rigid rotations of the anyons, we link this property to the angular momentum of the initial state. We test our method on the paradigmatic example of the Moore-Read state that is known to support excitations with non-Abelian statistics of Ising type. As an example, we reveal the presence of different fusion channels for two such excitations, a defining feature of non-Abelian anyons. This is obtained by measuring density-profile properties, like the mean square radius of the system or the depletion generated by the anyons. Our study paves the way to novel methods for characterizing non-Abelian anyons, both in the experimental and theoretical domains.

Majorana Quasiparticles Protected by Z_{2} Angular Momentum Conservation.

We show how angular momentum conservation can stabilize a symmetry-protected quasitopological phase of matter supporting Majorana quasiparticles as edge modes in one-dimensional cold atom gases. We investigate a number-conserving four-species Hubbard model in the presence of spin-orbit coupling. The latter reduces the global spin symmetry to an angular momentum parity symmetry, which provides an extremely robust protection mechanism that does not rely on any coupling to additional reservoirs. The emergence of Majorana edge modes is elucidated using field theory techniques, and corroborated by density-matrix-renormalization-group simulations. Our results pave the way toward the observation of Majorana edge modes with alkaline-earth-like fermions in optical lattices, where all basic ingredients for our recipe-spin-orbit coupling and strong interorbital interactions-have been experimentally realized over the last two years.

Wilson fermions and axion electrodynamics in optical lattices.

We show that ultracold Fermi gases in optical superlattices can be used as quantum simulators of relativistic lattice fermions in 3+1 dimensions. By exploiting laser-assisted tunneling, we find an analogue of the so-called naive Dirac fermions, and thus provide a realization of the fermion doubling problem. Moreover, we show how to implement Wilson fermions, and discuss how their mass can be inverted by tuning the laser intensities. In this regime, our atomic gas corresponds to a phase of matter where Maxwell electrodynamics is replaced by axion electrodynamics: a 3D topological insulator.

Validation of a commercially available SARS-CoV-2 serological immunoassay.

OBJECTIVES: To validate the diagnostic accuracy of a Euroimmun SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgA immunoassay for COVID-19. METHODS: In this unmatched (1:2) case-control validation study, we used sera of 181 laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases and 326 controls collected before SARS-CoV-2 emergence. Diagnostic accuracy of the immunoassay was assessed against a whole spike protein-based recombinant immunofluorescence assay (rIFA) by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses. Discrepant cases between ELISA and rIFA were further tested by pseudo-neutralization assay. RESULTS: COVID-19 patients were more likely to be male and older than controls, and 50.3% were hospitalized. ROC curve analyses indicated that IgG and IgA had high diagnostic accuracies with AUCs of 0.990 (95% Confidence Interval [95%CI]: 0.983-0.996) and 0.978 (95%CI: 0.967-0.989), respectively. IgG assays outperformed IgA assays (p=0.01). Taking an assessed 15% inter-assay imprecision into account, an optimized IgG ratio cut-off > 2.5 displayed a 100% specificity (95%CI: 99-100) and a 100% positive predictive value (95%CI: 96-100). A 0.8 cut-off displayed a 94% sensitivity (95%CI: 88-97) and a 97% negative predictive value (95%CI: 95-99). Substituting the upper threshold for the manufacturer's, improved assay performance, leaving 8.9% of IgG ratios indeterminate between 0.8-2.5. CONCLUSIONS: The Euroimmun assay displays a nearly optimal diagnostic accuracy using IgG against SARS-CoV-2 in patient samples, with no obvious gains from IgA serology. The optimized cut-offs are fit for rule-in and rule-out purposes, allowing determination of whether individuals in our study population have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 or not. IgG serology should however not be considered as a surrogate of protection at this stage.

Morphometry of the renal corpuscle during normal postnatal growth and compensatory hypertrophy. A light microscope study.

Renal corpuscles from the juxtamedullary and subcapsular regions of the renal cortex were morphometrically analyzed in young rats and in adult rats that had been unilaterally nephrectomized or sham-operated at an early age. Mean corpuscular volumes increased 4.5-fold during normal development, and 7.7-fold as a result of compensatory hypertrophy in both cortical regions. Relative and absolute volumes were determined for Bowman's space, the glomerular tuft, and five glomerular components: epithelial, endothelial, and mesangial cells, capillaries, and the filtration membrane. Normal and hypertrophic enlargement of Bowman's space was slightly greater than glomerular growth, and the growth response of subcapsular glomeruli was greater than that of juxtamedullary glomeruli. The ratio of mean glomerular volumes between outer and inner glomeruli was 1:2 in both adult groups. Both adult groups also developed nearly identical proportions of all glomerular component structures, representing a relative decrease of epithelial cells and increase of capillaries compared to the young animals. Normal and hypertrophic maturation involved absolute increases in all glomerular cell populations, the length of capillary loops and the surface area of the filtration membrane, all nearly in proportion to the respective four- and seven-fold increases in glomerular volume. Changes in the filtration surface area are consistent with published data for glomerular filtration rates in normal and hypertrophied kidneys. The mean cell size in epithelial and mesangial populations doubled during growth, but was not greater than normal in mononephrectomized rats. Hyperplasia among all populations of glomerular cells is indicated in normal growth, and to a greater extent in compensatory renal hypertrophy.

Giant adrenal myelolipoma: report of a case and review of the literature.

Myelolipoma of the adrenal gland is a benign, endocrinologically inactive neoplasm composed of mature adipose tissue and a variable amount of hematopoietic elements. Rarely giant adrenal myelolipomas have been reported in literature and they are very unusual clinical entities. We describe a case in a 72 year-old woman observed at our Department of Urology for nausea, flank and abdominal pain. The surgical resected mass measured 16.5x11.5x10 cm and weighted 1 250 g. A survey of the literature on this topic is made.

Laparoscopic repair of Morgagni hernia and cholecystectomy in a 40-year-old male with Down's sindrome. Report of a case.

Morgagni-Larrey hernia (MH) is an unusual diaphragmatic hernia of the retrosternal region. Few cases of MH, treated laparoscopically, associated with Down's syndrome (DS) have been reported in literature. On October 2004, a DS 40-year-old male was admitted to our Department with mild abdominal pain and nausea. Hematochemical tests were within the normal range. Ultrasonography showed biliary sludge and multiple gallstones. Chest X-ray revealed a right-sided paracardiac mass that appeared as MH after a thoraco-abdominal computed tomography (CT). Four trocars were placed as a routinary cholecystectomy. Abdominal exploration confirmed the presence of a voluminous hernia through a wide diaphragmatic defect (12 cm) on the left side of the falciform ligament, containing the last 20 cm ileal loops and right colon with the third lateral of transverse. After retrograde cholecystectomy and reduction of the herniated ileo-colonic tract from multiple adherences, the defect was repaired with an interrupted 2/0 silk suture and then a running 2/0 polypropylene suture. Postoperative course was complicated by pulmonary edema but subsequently the patient was discharged without further complications and has no recurrence after 2 years. In conclusion, surgery is necessary for symptomatic MH and to prevent possible severe complications. We preferred laparoscopy for the reduced morbidity compared to laparotomy, even if in our case the postoperative course was not uneventful. There are still few comparative data about the modality of closure of the defect between primary repair with nonabsorbable suture material, in case of small defects, or continuous monofilament suture or prosthesis in case of large defects.

Analysis of Italian regulations on pathways of care for patients in a vegetative or minimally conscious state.

Different rehabilitation models for persons diagnosed with disorders of consciousness have been proposed in Europe during the last decade. In Italy, the Ministry of Health has defined a national healthcare model, although, to date, there is a lack of information on how this has been implemented at regional level. The INCARICO project collected information on different regional regulations, analysing ethical aspects and mapping care facilities (numbers of beds and medical units) in eleven regional territories. The researchers found a total of 106 laws; differences emerged both between regions and versus the national model, showing that patients with the same diagnosis may follow different pathways of care. An ongoing cultural shift from a treatment-oriented medical approach towards a care-oriented integrated biopsychosocial approach was found in all the welfare and healthcare systems analysed. Future studies are needed to explore the relationship between healthcare systems and the quality of services provided.

A double Meckel's diverticulum as obscure gastrointestinal bleeding cause. Report of a case.

Meckel's diverticulum is the most common developmental anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract, affecting 1-4% of the general population. It is usually an incidental finding during laparotomy for other causes; occasional complications are bleeding, obstruction, diverticulitis and perforation. Up to 60% of Meckel's diverticula harbor heterotopic mucosa (mostly gastric or pancreatic), neoplastic degeneration occurs in 1-5% of cases. We report herein a case of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding in a 25-years-old man, due to a double Meckel's diverticulum, both located into jejunum and ileum, harboring ectopic gastric mucosa, diagnosed by a small bowel double contrast enema and managed laparoscopically with a tangential resection. To the best of our knowledge this is an unfrequent case of such a variant of Meckel's diverticulum with ectopic gastric mucosa diagnosed by double contrast enema.

One-dimensional experimental mechanical characterisation of porcine aortic root wall.

The human aortic valve, in cases of disease, can be substituted with a stentless biological prosthesis that is made of both porcine aortic root and leaflets. In particular, the aortic root plays a very important part in the opening mechanics of the valve. Therefore, to understand the behaviour of the prosthesis, a knowledge of the mechanical characteristics of each element constituting the system is useful. For a structural and mechanical characterisation of the porcine aortic root wall tissue, specific measuring devices are made. A uni-axial tensile apparatus, operating in a temperature-controlled saline bath, is equipped with special pneumatic clamps. A test rig for the measurement of the specimen cross-sectional area is developed. To determine the porcine aortic root wall mechanical properties, 189 tensile tests are carried out. Specimens of both natural and chemically fixed tissue are used to consider the conditions of both natural valves and prostheses. Tensile tests are carried out on both axial and circumferential specimens taken from 12 areas of one-sixth of the entire aortic root, with the aim of identifying the anisotropic and non-homogeneous behaviour of the tissue. The behavior changes considerably depending on the direction in which the specimen is strained, the chemical treatment and the zone from which it has been taken. The paper presents the stress-strain characteristics of fresh and fixed tissue in all zones of the aortic wall, both in circumferential and axial directions.

[Clinical studies of the effect of a phosphorylated glycoderivative in acute viral hepatitis]. / Ricerca clinica sull'effetto di un glicoderivato fosforilato nell'epatite acuta da virus

Experimentation of two i.v. doses of a uridine-5-diphosphoglucose (UDPG) in 30 cases of acute viral hepatitis is reported. The therapeutic efficacy of the drug was assessed on qualitative and quantitative parameters indicative of liver distress. Statistically significant evidence was obtained of the efficacy of UDPG in acute and serious liver disease, and of the greater effectiveness of one of the two doses used. Excellent local and general tolerance was noted.

[Microbiological study performed on intravenous catheters for parenteral nutrition]. / Indagine microbiologica effettuata su cateteri intravenosi per nutrizione parenterale.

The study reports the results of microbiological analyses performed on 43 venous catheters for parenteral nutrition submitted to the Laboratory for Chemico-Clinical and Microbiological Analysis at the Ospedale Civile in Alessandria during the period July 1987 to July 1988.

[Management of obese patients: surgical therapy]. / Management del paziente obeso. Terapia chirurgica.

At present, the management of obesity includes integration of therapeutic strategies such as diet, physical training, behaviour therapy and pharmacologic therapy. An increased number of selected patients with morbid obesity, where medical therapy was ineffective, have been surgically treated in the last years due to less invasive surgical techniques, such as laparoscopic surgery. Main operations include gastroplasty, adjustable gastric banding, gastric bypass, bilio-pancreatic diversion. A less invasive procedure is intragastric balloon, i.e. a temporary device which is removed after few months. Surgery shows efficacy to induce weight loss and duration in time. All obese patients can't be treated by the same operation. Available surgical techniques are different and have to be chosen in each case according to the patient's clinical conditions.

[Instrumental chemolysis of cystine calculi]. / La chemiolisi strumentale dei calcoli di cistina.

ESWL and PCN have modified the urinary stones therapy. Nevertheless these therapeutic procedures are not much effective in cystine stone because of its protein structure and frequent recurrences; these procedures need to be combined to achieve the best results. In cystine stones the lithochemolysis, performed following recent technique has shown excellent results, without complications and easy to apply.

[Treatment of symptomatic bone metastases of prostatic carcinoma using strontium chloride (Sr-89)]. / Trattamento delle metastasi ossee sintomatiche da carcinoma prostatico con Cloruro di Stronzio (Sr-89).

Until now, patients with a progressive prostatic cancer, in whom all therapies failed and the disease spread locally and distally, was considered "a lost patient"; because it did not exist an effective therapy easily to be used. The skeletal pain control is a serious problem and it is a great responsibility also for the Urologists especially if the patient has not a short survival time and the quality of life is very poor. Physicians feel the need for a systemic, well tolerated and effective therapy also for a long time, uniform and repeatable, able to be efficient for these patients. Strontium 89 chloride seems to offer all these possibilities and to be the best procedure for Urologist, Radiotherapists and Nuclear Specialists in order to satisfy the patients requirements. International research has shown Sr-849 Chloride is a powerful new therapy. Sr-89 Chloride is a radiopharmaceutical product for the treatment of painful metastases from prostatic cancer. It is a new treatment but its effectiveness is well documented and results are reported in the most important international literature. In our Department a clinical research has started and our purpose is to produce more data for a clinical and biological evaluation of the results, hoping that a similar research will extend as a multicenter study.

[Radical versus conservative therapy in prostatic adenoma. Open adenomectomy]. / Terapia demolitiva versus terapia conservativa nell' adenoma prostatico. Adenomectomia a cielo aperto.

Our technical procedure for surgical adenomectomy of prostate is the Hey-Delinotte one. Indications for this type of procedure are large adenomas with a volume, estimated by ultrasonography, more than 50 cc. and with significant obstruction and urinary retention. In our experience during the past 3 years, in patients without severe operating risk, it was utilized a little more frequently than transurethral resection. We hope that in the future the new procedures will be as useful and resolutive as traditional ones.

[T1G3 bladder tumors]. / I tumori vescicali T1G3.

Bladder tumors T1G3 are aggressive and difficult for their staging. Out of 176 p. with tumor pT1, 16 (9%) presented pT1G3. Among the latter 4 were submitted to TUR and chemioimmunotherapy; 5 to surgical partial resection and radiotherapy; 7 to radical cystectomy. After a mean interval of 21.6 months free of relapse, 5 p. had recurrent T1 tumor below G3: 1 out of 4 after TUR; 1 out of 5 after surgical resection; 1 out of 7 after cystectomy. Clinical T1G3 8 revealed a greater pathological staging: 7 (50%) had a relapse in spite of an aggressive therapy (2 TUR; 4 surgical resection; 8 cystectomy); 5 out of the 7 relapsed revealed a greater pathological staging than T1; 2 died by metastasis. The therapeutical choice should be demolitive from the beginning. Should conservative therapy be decided, the convenience of surgical bladder resection has to be considered because, besides being effective, has some advantages over TUR: easier and unfailing staging possibility of contemporary lymphadenectomy healing of bladder by first intention.

[The basquet in day hospital]. / I1 basket in Day Hospital.

We use the basket as the first choice method to treat the pelvic ureteral stones, according to the standard technique. In the last two years ('96, '97) the basket has been used in 49 cases (27 and 22 respectively) with pelvic ureteral stone; 4 of them were treated also by ESWL. So, 45 Pz have been treated only by basket and the success was obtained in 43 cases (95.5%). The 74% (32/43) of the cases were completed in a single step procedure and the 72% (23/32) of them have been discharged on the subsequent morning. Considering these results it is possible to perform the technique during a day hospital on condition that some parameters are respected: little size of the stone, seat near the bladder, easy insertion of the basket and female patient preferably. In any case we have to inform the patient about the possibility to proceed with a delayed extraction.

[Production of soy bean inoculants. Behavior of supports based on peat from Tierra del Fuego sterilized by vapor and ethylene oxide]. / Obtención de inoculantes para soja. Comportamiento de soportes a base de turbas de Tierra del Fuego esterilizadas por vapor y óxido de etileno.

The survival of Rhizobium japonicum was studied in neutralized and sterilized peats from Ushuaia and Rio Grande. The carriers were sterilized by ethylene oxide and by autoclaving. Similar counts for Rhizobium (5 x 10(8) cel/g) were obtained in peat-cultures sterilized by both methods, after eight months. A good nodulation and nitrogen fixation capacity was observed with inoculated soybean plants. Using the strain Rhizobium japonicum E-45, no appreciable difference in symbiotic effectiveness was found between the inoculants prepared with the two peats.

[Production on alkaline protease by Bacillus subtilis NRRL 3411]. / Obtención de proteasa alcalina utilizando Bacillus subtilis NRRL 3411.

The aim of this work was to study the influence of medium composition and the effect of the operative conditions on alkaline protease production. Several nitrogen sources (in amount of 10 g/l) were tested and compared with bacto peptone Difco: Casein was the best. The addition of "Tween 80" 0,5% resulted in a marked increase in yields of the alkaline protease. The maximum alkaline protease production (3.342.290 UAPAM/g) was achieved using the following medium: Lactose 20 g/l; casein 10 g/l; NaCl 1,5 g/l; MgSO4.7H2O 0,15 g/l; CaCl2.2H2O 0,06 g/l; MnCl2.4H2O 0,01 g/l; "Tween 80" 5,0 g/l; EDTA 1,5 X 10(-4)M; KH2PO4 1,5 g/l; K2H PO4 1,5 g/l; Na2SO4 1,5 g/l. It was found that a volumetric relation of 0,1 ml, vol. of medium/vol. of flask at 25 degrees C of temperature was the best process condition.