After a short review of the arguments for the existence of Particle Dark Matter in the Universe, I list the most plausible candidates provided by particle physics, i.e. neutrinos, axions, and WIMPs. In each case I briefly describe how to estimate the relic density, and discuss attempts at detecting these particles. At the end I discuss my personal favorite, the lightest supersymmetric particle,...

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the developed world and as a result is the focus of intensive research. Historically, investigators in the field have focused on the effects of energy deprivation on the neuronal population, but, in recent times, as imaging techniques have become more advanced, a greater appreciation of the extent of non-neuronal injury has emerged....

OBJECTIVE This work aimed to analyze the association between maternal position at birth in spontaneous deliveries and the occurrence of anal sphincter tears (AST) given the lack of evidence related to the least traumatic birth position. STUDY DESIGN A total of 7832 vaginal deliveries were included. Vaginal-operative deliveries and deliveries with fundal pressure were excluded. Birth positions...

Sir, The advances in paediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery have led to earlier and earlier surgical repair of congenital cardiac malformations. In consequence, the clinical picture of many congenital cardiac malformations has changed, and some signs and symptoms are no longer observed in their typical appearance. Sometimes, however, it is possible to recognise the transformation of an old s...

Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a frequent complication of diabetes mellitus, which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. It involves both the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems, and may be diagnosed by classical dynamic tests with measurements of heart rate (HR) and/or arterial blood pressure (BP). An original squat test (1-min standing, 1-min squattin...

The stability of upright posture was evaluated in 13 young and 13 elderly subjects by measuring the amplitude of centre of foot pressure (COFP) excursion in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions while performing voluntary motor tasks requiring precise center of gravity control i.e., circular and forward-backward sways, squatting and rising on toes. The elderly subjects exhibited a sig...

Milan is an increasingly safe city. Despite this, the insecurity perceived by citizens growing. Particularly in social housing districts, squatting considered institutions, public opinion, but also most regular residents, as one of principle causes urban insecurity. Based on ethnographic research conducted between 2015 and 2017, this article proposes anthropological analysis policies, norms, pr...