Some general arguments in the light of the application of the inorganic crystal scintillators in the search for rare processes are addressed. The continuous innovation provided by physics, chemistry ...and technology in their development allows the improvement of their performances. Also the possibility of detectors exploiting new materials is open and the further application to this field of research is promising.
Anisotropic scintillators can offer a unique possibility to exploit the so-called directionality approach in order to investigate the presence of those Dark Matter (DM) candidates inducing nuclear ...recoils. In fact, their use can overcome the difficulty of detecting extremely short nuclear recoil traces. In this paper we present recent measurements performed on the anisotropic response of a
ZnWO
4
crystal scintillator to nuclear recoils, in the framework of the ADAMO project. The anisotropic features of the
ZnWO
4
crystal scintillators were initially measured with
α
particles; those results have been also confirmed by the additional measurements presented here. The experimental nuclear recoil data were obtained by using a neutron generator at ENEA-CASACCIA and neutron detectors to tag the scattered neutrons; in particular, the quenching factor values for nuclear recoils along different crystallographic axes have been determined for three different neutron scattering angles (i.e. nuclear recoils energies). From these measurements, the anisotropy of the light response for nuclear recoils in the
ZnWO
4
crystal scintillator has been determined at 5.4 standard deviations.
Abstract
The existence of Dark Matter particles as a significant portion of the Universe’s total mass is suggested by theoretical reasoning at the galactic and larger scales as well as experimental ...data. This motivates the DAMA experiment’s efforts to investigate the presence of the Dark Matter particles in the galactic halo by utilizing a model-independent signature with an extremely radio-pure set-up underground. The long-standing, model-independent annual modulation effect at Gran Sasso seen by DAMA with several experimental set-ups is summarized in this paper, along with its perspectives. DAMA/LIBRA-phase2 set-up, ≃ 250 kg highly radio-pure NaI(Tl) further confirms the evidence of a signal that meets all the requirements of the model independent Dark Matter annual modulation signature at high C.L.; the combined exposure of DAMA/NaI and DAMA/LIBRA is 2.86 ton × yr over 22 independent annual cycles. The experiment is currently collecting data in the DAMA/LIBRA–phase2 empowered configuration with an even lower software energy threshold.
Brain lipids contain a high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which are a main component of cell membranes. Omega-3 (omega-3) PUFA eicosapentaeoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid ...(DHA) are the most common PUFA in the brain. The physiological roles of omega-3 PUFA in the brain include regulation of cell membrane fluidity, dopaminergic and serotoninergic transmission, membrane-bound enzymes and cellular signal transduction. They are also thought to play a role in brain glucose metabolism, eicosanoid synthesis, gene expression, cell growth and protection from apoptosis. Increasing evidence from animal and human research shows omega-3 PUFA depletion may play an etiological role in several inflammatory, autoimmune and neuropsychiatric disorders. In particular, an association between omega-3 PUFA and depression was repeatedly suggested in observational and experimental studies on populations affected by major depression, depressed mood or post-partum depression. Consistently, the potential therapeutic role of omega-3 PUFA dietary supplementation was tested in clinical trials on depression. The current review identifies and evaluates available epidemiological evidence of a negative relationship between omega-3 PUFA and depression and examines its biological plausibility. Although current evidence increasingly supports an inverse association between omega-3 PUFA and depression, the validity of findings from observational and experimental research is limited by several methodological issues. Further studies with larger sample sizes and more sophisticated design are required to provide convincing evidence of a causal relationship between omega-3 PUFA and depression.
In the present paper the results obtained in the investigation of possible diurnal effects for low-energy
single-hit
scintillation events of DAMA/LIBRA-phase1 (1.04 ton
×
year exposure) have been ...analysed in terms of an effect expected in case of dark matter (DM) candidates inducing nuclear recoils and having high cross-section with ordinary matter, which implies low DM local density in order to fulfill the DAMA/LIBRA DM annual modulation results. This effect is due to the different Earth depths crossed by those DM candidates during the sidereal day.
Frailty is a common condition in older adults, characterized by multimorbidity, physical weakness and nutritional deficit. Frailty can be detected early and a prehabilitation treatment could reduce ...the incidence of disability.
Two-hundred-fifteen elderly patients were admitted to the Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine Unit of Policlinico Gemelli for one year. Patients were clinically assessed by Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and blood sample values. Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NRS) and Hand Grip Test were assessed before (T0) and after (T1) hospitalization. Number of drugs and number of infections were recorded.
Patients were originally hospitalized in orthopaedic, neurology and medical ward. Most patients (68%) after discharge return home. Negative correlations between albumin and CCI and between total protein and CCI were recorded. Positive correlation between CCI cognitive subscore and number of drugs and a negative correlation between that subscore and Vitamin D were detected. An improvement in NRS and in the handgrip strength was recorded. At discharge an increase in the number of drugs and the number of infections was noted.
The handgrip strength improvement increases quality of life. Pain management and NRS indicate a better recovery of activities of daily living. Malnutrition is a real problem; albumin is the principal negative acute-phase reactant and is related to a worse clinical condition and low vitamin D levels are associated with worse cognitive function. The goal of a Rehabilitation Unit is to create an effective multidisciplinary transitional care plan, involving the patient and caregivers, creating a continuity of care after discharge and a sustainable project.
This paper gathers arguments and reasons why muons surviving the Gran Sasso mountain cannot mimic the Dark Matter annual modulation signature exploited by the DAMA/NaI and DAMA/LIBRA experiments. A ...number of these items have already been presented in individual papers. Further arguments have been addressed here in order to present a comprehensive collection and to enable a wider community to correctly approach this point.
Increasing evidence from experimental studies and human observations suggests that drugs with anticholinergic properties can cause physical and mental impairment. The aim of this study was to ...evaluate the relationship between the use of drugs with anticholinergic activity and measures of physical performance, muscle strength, and functional status in persons aged 80 years or older. Data are from baseline evaluation of 364 subjects enrolled in the ilSIRENTE study. The ilSIRENTE study is a prospective cohort study performed in the mountain community living in the Sirente geographic area (L'Aquila, Abruzzo) in Central Italy. Physical performance was assessed using the physical performance battery score (Short Physical Performance Battery), which is based on three timed tests: 4‐meter walking speed, balance, and chair stand tests. Muscle strength was measured by hand grip strength. We defined as anticholinergic drugs all medications for which serum anticholinergic activity was previously demonstrated. Analyses of covariance were performed to evaluate the relationship of anticholinergic drugs with physical function. In the unadjusted model, all the physical performance, muscle strength, and functional measures showed significant associations with the anticholinergic drug use. After adjustment for potential confounders (age, gender, smoking, physical activity level, cognitive performance score, living alone, body mass index, congestive heart failure, lung diseases, diabetes), these associations were weaker but still statistically significant (physical performance battery score: non‐users anticholinergic drugs 6.9, SE 0.1, users anticholinergic drugs 6.1, SE 0.2, P=0.05; hand grip strength: non‐users anticholinergic drugs 31.3 kg, SE 0.8, users anticholinergic drugs 28.8 kg, SE 1.0, P=0.05; Activities of Daily Living scale score: non‐users anticholinergic drugs 1.2, SE 0.1, users anticholinergic drugs 1.6, SE 0.1, P=0.03; Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale score: non‐users anticholinergic drugs 2.7, SE 0.1, users anticholinergic drugs 3.4, SE 0.1, P<0.001). The use of medication with anticholinergic properties is common among community older subjects in Italy. Our results suggest that among old‐old subjects the use of anticholinergic drugs is associated with impaired physical performance and functional status.
Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2007) 81, 235–241. doi:10.1038/sj.clpt.6100035; published online 27 December 2006
Abstract Pressure ulcer is one of the most common, disruptive and often disabling conditions affecting frail older people. Purposes of the present study are to ascertain the prevalence of pressure ...ulcer and to explore the relationship between pressure ulcer and the risk of 1-year all-cause mortality in a large population of frail and very old people living in community. This was an observational cohort study. We analyzed data from the Italian Silver Network Home Care project that collected data on patients admitted to home care programs. A total of twelve home health agencies participated in such project evaluating the implementation of the minimum data set for home care (MDS-HC) instrument. A total of 3,103 patients were enrolled in the present study. The prevalence of patients with pressure ulcer was about 18%. During a follow-up of 12 months from the initial MDS-HC assessment, 160 subjects (29%) died in the pressure ulcer group compared to 368 subjects (14%) in the group of patient without pressure ulcer ( p < 0.001). After adjusting for age, gender and for all the significantly different variables between subjects with and without pressure ulcer at baseline, subjects with pressure ulcer were more likely to die compared to those without pressure ulcer (RR = 1.92; 95% Cl 1.52–2.43).
PDF
