Gauge-Theoretic Origin of Rydberg Quantum Spin Liquids.

Recent atomic physics experiments and numerical works have reported complementary signatures of the emergence of a topological quantum spin liquid in models with blockade interactions. However, the specific mechanism stabilizing such a phase remains unclear. Here, we introduce an exact relation between an Ising-Higgs lattice gauge theory on the kagome lattice and blockaded models on Ruby lattices. This relation elucidates the origin of previously observed topological spin liquids by directly linking the latter to a deconfined phase of a solvable gauge theory. By means of exact diagonalization and unbiased quantum Monte Carlo simulations, we show that the deconfined phases extend in a broad region of the parameter space; these states are characterized by a large ground state overlap with resonating valence bond wave functions. These blockaded models include both creation or annihilation and hopping dynamics, and can be experimentally realized with Rydberg-dressed atoms, offering novel and controllable platforms for the engineering and characterization of spin liquid states.

Alcohol consumption and awareness of the risks related in alcohol-abuse in high school students: evidence from a Health Education program.

BACKGROUND: The unceasing and widespread increase of alcohol consumption represents an important problem for the European Union. For this reason, we wanted to investigate the patterns of alcohol consumption among high-school students of Rieti, a city in central Italy, and of surrounding rural areas. Furthermore, the study intends to investigate students' awareness on alcohol-related health risks and on the consequences of driving in a state of intoxication. METHODS: In the investigation 7 schools including senior high schools and technical schools were involved, for a total of 669 students aged between 15 and 19 years. As part of a program of health education, a self-administered anonymous questionnaire was proposed to each student. A descriptive and multivariate analysis was carried out. RESULTS: The prevalence of usual drinkers was equal to 12.7 per cent. The logistic regression analysis showed a statistically significant association between usual consumption of alcohol and the attendance of Technical Institutes (OR=3.43; 95% IC: 2.07 - 5.69), and the residence in rural areas (OR=2.19; 95% IC: 1.38 - 3.47). The area of residence in the multivariate analysis loses significance. Only 54.6 % of the students answered the questions regarding the state of driving under the effect of alcohol; of these, 11.0 % declared of having driven at least once under the effect of alcohol, whereas 18.0 % declared that they had been passengers of a driver who was drunk. The answer to the question whether the consumption of alcohol is harmful to health was "no" for 15.7 % of usual drinkers against 2.2 % of the non drinkers or occasional (episodic) drinkers. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that the drinking habits of high school students of Rieti are worse for those attending technical schools. Usual drinkers show lower consciousness of alcohol-related harm. Our study may provide clues useful for the identification of the target population at high risk for alcohol abuse in order to create targeted prevention programs.

[Survey on the prevalence, duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding in the province of Rieti, Italy]. / Indagine su prevalenza, esclusività e durata dell'allattamento al seno nel territorio reatino.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the survey was to estimate the prevalence, duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding (AS) in the province of Rieti, using standardized indicators, for further assessment. METHODS: this is an observational prospective study, through questionnaires self-administered to parents of children receiving the first two vaccinations mandatores. The survey was conducted in the outpatient paediatric vaccine clinics and attended by parents of 198 children born in 2010, who carried out the vaccinations required by law in the first six months of life. The main outcome measures were the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (AE), predominant breastfeeding (AP), partial breastfeeding (AC) and with formula feeding only (not AS) after three and six months in postpartum. Have been also studied a number of factors that may affect the ability of the mothers to breastfeed and its continuation. RESULTS: At 3 months of age, the proportion of infants who were being breastfed was 65.5%, (AE 39.7%, AP 11.7%, 14.1% AC), while, after 5 months in postpartum the proportion of any AS was 51.7% ( AE 18.5%, AP 15.6% and 17.9% AC). Based on the regression model, significant associations were observed between AS complete at the 3rd and 5th month, and natural delivery (OR 2.6, respectively, and OR 1.9); having breastfed her son during the first 48 hours of birth was associated with increased prevalence of AS at 3rd month (OR 3.5), but it was not significant associated at the 5th month. Pre-term birth reduces significantly the probability of BF (OR 0.3) at the first vaccination. The use of pacifiers has been associated with reduced prevalence and early discontinuation of BF (respectively, OR 0.2 at 3rd month and OR 0.3 at 5th month). CONCLUSION: The survey confirms the need to assist the new mothers in the postpartum to promote the practice of exclusive breastfeeding and its continuation. The identification of specific risk groups, such as women who have caesarean delivery or who started late lactation, allows health professionals to act with greater awareness and achieve greater efficiency in interventions.

Prevalence and correlates for self-reported sleep problems among nursing students.

INTRODUCTION: University students report significantly worse sleep quality than the general population. Sleep problems are related to increased health concerns, irritability, depression, fatigue, attention and concentration difficulties, along with poor academic performance. The aim of this paper is to conduct a survey based on a questionnaire that would characterize night time and daytime habits in nursing students to estimate the prevalence of chronic insomnia, sleep disturbance and their correlates. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 364 nursing students of the University of L'Aquila, in Italy. Self-reported sleep data were derived from Sleep and Daytime Habits Questionnaire" (S&DHQ) that covered sleep and daytime habits and academic progress. Anxiety and depression symptoms were assessed by the Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5) questionnaire. A supplement includes information about lifestyle, health status and physical activity. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of insomnia was 26.7%. It increased significantly from 10.3% for students aged < 20 years to 45.5% for those aged > 40 years. The prevalence of sleep problems were 9.4% for disorders of initiating sleep, 8.3% for disrupted sleep, 7.7% for early morning awakening and subjectively poor quality of sleep 22.3%. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that greater age was significantly associated with an increased risk of insomnia. Other risk predictors of insomnia were headache, severe depression and self perception of poor quality of life. Daytime sleepiness and morning tiredness were significantly associated with current smoking habit and painful physical condition. The risk of unsatisfactory academic progress increased significantly in students reported poor sleep quality. DISCUSSION: Our study demonstrates that sleep problems are very common among students, and supports the need to assess sleep problems and identify students at risk regarding school achievement.

[Epidemiological impact of RV gastroenteritis in the Abruzzo Region: SDO analysis]. / Impatto epidemiologico delle gastroenteriti da Rotavirus nella Regione Abruzzo: analisi delle SDO.

RV represent the principle cause of acute gastroenteritis in infants in the world. In developing countries they are responsible for a high mortality rate in children under the age of five, whereas, in industrialized countries the RV infection is mainly related to hospitalisation. In order to study the epidemiological impact of enteritis caused by RV, we used the SDO files (hospital discharge code) in the Abruzzo Region relative to the years 2003-2006. Of a total number of 3146 children under the age of 5 who were diagnosed with gastroenteritis at the moment of hospitalisation, 1025 presented gastroenteritis of viral origin and 48.4% (496) due to RV. Furthermore, 253 hospital admissions were observed for RV in a second diagnosis. Infants of 12-23 months are those subject to the highest rate of hospitalisation ranging from 295/100.000 and 517/100.000. The use of the SDO files can determine an underestimation of the hospitalisation incidence for RV because to confirm a correct diagnosis the analysis of faeces should be systematically carried out but this is not always undertaken. The implementation of a secure and efficient vaccine strategy seems to be justified in poor countries, whereas in the industrialized countries, such a strategy can reduce the health expenditure for gastroenteritis by RV.

Association between burnout and anger in oncology versus ophthalmology health care professionals.

The prevalence of burnout in oncology staff was compared with that of the ophthalmology staff, who normally present a low prevalence of burnout as described in this literature. The correlation of burnout with the emotion of anger was also investigated. Thirty-six subjects working in an oncology department and 32 working in an ophthalmology department were examined using the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory. The oncology group showed higher mean scores on the MBI Emotive Exhaustion and Depersonalization scales with respect to ophthalmology staff. Correlation analysis showed that increasing burnout was associated with higher anger expressed towards the environment and loss of anger control. Anger, as a response to frustration, appears to be a feature constantly associated with the clinical expression of burnout and it should not be underestimated in theoretical and preventive contexts.

Congenital giant megaureter: first neonatal case.

The authors report the first neonatal presentation of a congenital giant megaureter (CGM), a very rare unilateral urinary anomaly, which is defined as "a ureter whose lumen is congenitally, focally and segmentally dilated to more than 10 times the normal diameter, in presence of normal bladder volume and function." The definition of CGM is purely descriptive; it can be secondary to several different diseases, and in the series of 21 CGM (12 in duplex system) reported by Chen-Ju Huang, the morphology of the distal ureter varied from a near normal caliber to a ureteral stenosis, a ureterocele or a complete ureteral atresia. J Pediatr Surg 36:944-945.

[Anastomotic recurrence of colo-rectal cancer. Anatomo-surgical study]. / A proposito delle recidive anastomotiche del cancro colo-rettale. Studio anatomo-chirurgico.

A study was made of 20 patients operated for colorectal cancer with the aid of the University of Chieti Department of Pathological Anatomy. The histological preparations were carefully assessed for intramural diffusion of the tumour, and for the presence of hyperplastic and dysplastic processes in apparently healthy mucosa. The results were in full agreement with those reported in the literature.

[A case of diffuse hemangioma of the placenta]. / Su un caso di emangioma diffuso della placenta.

The paper reports a case of diffuse placental hemangioma leading to intrauterine fetal death. Contrary to other cases reported in the literature, polyhydramnios, oligohydramnios and fetal malformations were not observed. The sole finding was a dilatation of the cardiac auricle, in particular on the right-hand side. It is hypothesised that fetal death was due to two concomitant factors: the severe hypoxemic state and the difficulty of venous drainage from the fetus to the mother owing to increased materno-fetal placental shunts.

[Neurinosarcoma of Vater's papilla. Apropos of a case]. / Il neurinosarcoma della papilla di Vater. A proposito di un caso.

Neurinosarcoma of Vater's ampulla is rarely observed. A case is presented in which the tumour did not occlude the ampulla and was thus detected intraoperatively. The head of the duodenum and the pancreas were ablated. Histological examination showed a fasciculated neoformation, in which the individual fasciculi ran parallel to or crossed each other. The nuclei displayed distinct atypical pictures. The little cytoplasm there was could only be clearly made out in areas involved in oedematous dissociation.

[Carcinoid of the appendix. Clinical report of 3 cases and diagnostic and therapeutic considerations]. / Il carcinoide dell'appendice. Osservazione clinica di 3 casi e considerazioni diagnostiche e terapeutiche.

The Authors report three cases of carcinoid of the appendix and discuss the difficult preoperative diagnosis and the different therapeutic options available. Over the period from January 1994 to December 1999, in the Surgery Unit of Penne Hospital, 424 appendicectomies were performed in 182 males and 242 females (age: 12-86 years; mean age: 39.9 years). In three cases the histological response was positive for carcinoid of the appendix. No postoperative mortality or morbility were reported. The authors analyze the biological peculiarities and the prognostic factors associated with appendiceal carcinoid tumours, such as tumour size and the lymphatic or vascular infiltration of the mesoappendix (and the corresponding more aggressive surgical treatments) and recommend an appropriate postoperative follow-up since synchronous or metachronous bowel carcinomas are likely to occur. Pharmacological therapy has also made important progress, with the possibility of administering compounds capable of interfering with tumour development and neoplastic growth.

[The no. 210/92 law: an analysis of the applications for damages caused by vaccine's administrations and transfusions]. / Legge 210/92: analisi delle rischieste di indennizzo presentate da soggetti danneggiati dalle attività vaccinali e trasfusionali.

Practices related to vaccines and transfusions aren't free of risk as regards complications and undesired effects. The no. 210/92 law lays down payments to people who are damaged in consequence of the administration of obligatory vaccines, transfusions and haemoderivatives. Our study valued law's sticking, analysing applications for payment sent in by damaged people to some ASL of Lazio and Abruzzo, in the period 1992-2000.

Paediatric adenoidectomy: endoscopic coblation technique compared to cold curettage.

The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy and safety of endoscopic coblator adenoidectomy compared to cold curettage in paediatric patients. Forty homogeneous children (4-16 years of age) with adenoid hypertrophy were divided in 2 groups to receive adenoidectomy using cold curettage (A) or coblator (B). After surgery the following outcomes were evaluated: pain score on first day, days reporting pain, analgesic days, liquid diet days, absent from school days, pain score, days with nausea, days with fever, endoscopic adenoid grade and intraoperative bleeding. Forty days after surgery, basal rhinomanometry and nasal decongestion test were measured. The coblation group reported significantly less pain on the first post-operative day, days reporting pain, analgesic days, liquid diet days and absent school days. Patients in group A showed a higher grade of adenoid persistence by rhinoendoscopy, with high values of nasal resistances at the rhinomanometry even after nasal decongestion, consistent with greater adenoid persistence after cold curettage causing air flow obstruction even after turbinate decongestion. Intra-operative bleeding during coblation was significantly less compared the group undergoing cold curettage. Coblator treatment significantly improved patient recovery compared to curettage. Endoscopic coblation adenoidectomy ensures complete removal of adenoids and reduces postoperative adenoid grade. It can also be considered safer because it is under endoscopic control and can reach the cranial portion of the adenoid and its intranasal extension.

Correlation between female sex and allergy was significant in patients presenting with dysphonia.

Aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of allergy in patients affected by both organic and/or functional vocal fold disorders. The secondary aim was to assess the correlation between sex and allergy in dysphonic patients. A retrospective chart review was performed on dysphonic patients. A total of 76 patients underwent fiberoptic endoscopy to assess the objective picture. Logistic regression analyses have been conducted to assess the association between sex and the outcome variables. The laryngoscopic examination revealed the presence of poor glottic closure in 32.9%, hyperkinesias in 11.8%, redness in 11.84%, polyps in 5.3%, oedema in 3.95%, vocal fold hypertrophy in 5.3%, nodules in 42.1%, cordectomy in 2.6%. Allergic rhinitis was present in 56.6%, milk intolerance in 13.2%, asthma in 9.2%, atopic dermatitis in 3.9%, drugs intolerance in 11.8%. A total of 76.32% patients presenting with dysphonia were allergic. A statistically significant association was found between female sex and presence of allergy. In conclusion, allergy testing should be performed routinely on female professional voice users. Mild respiratory disorders must be taken into serious consideration in female professional voice users, who may primarily complain of vocal dysfunction rather than upper and lower respiratory diseases.

[Use of hydrogen peroxide to neutralize formalin vapors during tissue sampling]. / Uso di perossido di idrogeno per la neutralizzazione dei vapori di formalina in corso di campionamento dei tessuti.

The problem of formaldehyde exhalation during tissue sampling for histological examinations is deeply felt in each histological laboratory. Most of adoptable methods which are used for the safeguard of operators' health can't frequently avoid situations where formaldehyde rate in the air exceeds safety limits. This has led us to the search of an easy and quick method to neutralize this vapour during the tissue sampling. We have pursued our aim using hydrogen peroxide which, in force of its oxidizing action, transforms formaldehyde into carbonic anhydride and water, which are two innocuous products.