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Abstract We experimentally demonstrate resonance of first-order vector vortex beams (VVB) with a triangular optical cavity. We also show that, due to their symmetry properties, the VVBs commonly known as radial and azimuthal beams do not resonate at the same cavity length, which could be explored to use the triangular resonator as a mode sorter. In addition, an intracavity Pancharatnam phase shifter (PPS) is implemented in order to compensate for any birefringent phase that the cavity mirrors may introduce.

The treatment of wastewater worldwide generates substantial quantities of sewage sludge (SS), prompting concerns about its environmental impact. Various approaches have been explored for SS reuse, with energy production emerging as a viable solution. This study focuses on harnessing energy from domestic wastewater treatment (WWT) sewage sludge through plasma gasification. Effective syngas production hinges on precise equipment design which, in turn, depends on the detailed feedstock used for characterization. Key components of plasma gasification include the plasma torch, reactor, heat exchanger, scrubber, and cyclone, enabling the generation of inert slag for landfill disposal and to ensure clean syngas. Designing these components entails considerations of sludge composition, calorific power, thermal conductivity, ash diameter, and fusibility properties, among other parameters. Accordingly, this work entails the development of an experimental setup for the plasma gasification of sewage sludge, taking into account a comprehensive sludge characterization. The experimental findings reveal that domestic WWT sewage sludge with 40% humidity exhibits a low thermal conductivity of approximately 0.392 W/mK and a calorific value of LHV = 20.78 MJ/kg. Also, the relatively low ash content (17%) renders this raw material advantageous for plasma gasification processes. The integration of a detailed sludge characterization into the equipment design lays the foundation for efficient syngas production. This study aims to contribute to advancing sustainable waste-to-energy technologies, namely plasma gasification, by leveraging sewage sludge as a valuable resource for syngas production.

Summary: Background: Integrase inhibitor (INSTI) with boosted darunavir (DRV/r), a regimen with a high-resistance barrier, avoiding NRTI toxicities, might be a switching option in children living with HIV (CLWHIV). Methods: SMILE is a randomised non-inferiority trial evaluating safety and antiviral efficacy of once-daily INSTI + DRV/r vs. continuing on current standard-of-care (SOC) triple ART (2NRTI + boosted PI/NNRTI) in virologically-suppressed CLWHIV aged 6–18 years. The primary outcome is the proportion with confirmed HIV-RNA ≥50 copies/mL by week 48, estimated by Kaplan–Meier method. Non-inferiority margin was 10%. Registration number for SMILE are: ISRCTN11193709, NCT #: NCT02383108. Findings: Between 10th June 2016 and 30th August 2019, 318 participants were enrolled from Africa 53%, Europe 24%, Thailand 15% and Latin America 8%, 158 INSTI + DRV/r [153 Dolutegravir (DTG); 5 Elvitegravir (EVG)], 160 SOC. Median (range) age was 14.7 years (7.6–18.0); CD4 count 782 cells/mm3 (227–1647); 61% female. Median follow-up was 64.3 weeks with no loss to follow-up. By 48 weeks, 8 INSTI + DRV/r vs. 12 SOC had confirmed HIV-RNA ≥50 copies/mL; difference (INSTI + DRV/r-SOC) −2.5% (95% CI: −7.6, 2.5%), showing non-inferiority. No major PI or INSTI resistance mutations were observed. There were no differences in safety between arms. By week 48, difference (INSTI + DRV/r-SOC) in mean CD4 count change from baseline was −48.3 cells/mm3 (95% CI: −93.4, −3.2; p = 0.036). Difference (INSTI + DRV/r-SOC) in mean HDL change from baseline was −4.1 mg/dL (95% CI: −6.7, −1.4; p = 0.003). Weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) increased more in INSTI + DRV/r than SOC [difference: 1.97 kg (95% CI: 1.1, 2.9; p

Introduction Maternal stress during pregnancy influences fetal neurodevelopment, especially by the dysregulation of the HPA axis. However, less is known about whether maltreatment or stressful life experiences previous to pregnancy influence on developmental outcomes in the offspring. Objectives To analyze newborns’ neurobehavioral profiles in a cohort of healthy pregnant women, according to 1) childhood and recent maternal adverse experiences and 2) mother-infant attachment. Methods 150 women were followed during the three trimesters of pregnancy. CTQ and AAT tests were employed to evaluate childhood and recent experiences of maltreatment, while infant and recent adverse experiences were evaluated using ETI-SR and SRSS, respectively. Newborns neurobehavioral profiles were defined at 8 weeks using the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) and their temperament was assessed with IBQ. PBQ and PAI scales were employed to assess mother-infant attachment. A linear regression model was performed, adjusting for possible confounders. Results Maternal childhood sexual abuse seems to be associated with greater difficulties in the newborns control of reactivity to external stimuli (β=0,517; p-value=0.001), while recent maternal stressful experiences are related to difficulties for states regulation (β=0,29; p-value=0,038). Regarding attachment, maltreated mothers tend to show ambivalent and avoidant styles. Interestingly, postnatal mother-infant attachment seems to modulate autonomous, motor and social-interactive abilities in the offspring (β=-0,227; p-value=0,033 // β=-0,329; p-value=0,006). Conclusions Newborns from mothers exposed to maltreatment and negative life events previous to pregnancy show difficulties to organize and regulate the reactions to psychosocial stimuli. Future studies must disentangle whether maternal attachment style is a modulator of this association. Disclosure No significant relationships.

Introduction Childhood maltreatment (CM) is one of the best described environmental risk factors for developing any psychiatric disorder, while it also confers increased odds for obesity, cardiometabolic disorders and all-cause mortality. Inflammation has been suggested to mediate the widespread clinical effects of CM. Previously, Ligthart et al. (2016) identified a polyepigenetic signature of circulating CRP levels, a measure of chronic low-grade inflammation, that has been reliably associated with a wide array of complex disorders. The study of this biomarker could dilucidate the mechanistic relationship between CM and psychiatric outcomes. Objectives Thus, CRP-associated epigenetic modifications were explored regarding proximal exposure to CM. Methods Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 157 children and adolescents (7 to 17 years old). Exposure to CM was assessed following the TASSCV criteria. Genome-wide DNA methylation was assessed by means of the EPIC array. Fifty-two out of the 58 original CRP-associated CpG sites surpassed quality control and were included in the analysis. Age, sex, psychopathological status and cell type proportions were included as covariates. Results DNA methylation at 12 out of 52 CpG sites (23%) was significantly associated with exposure to CM (p < .05); 8 of these associations survived correction for multiple testing (q < .05). Conclusions This is the first study to date to explore the relationship between childhood maltreatment and an epigenetic signature of chronic low-grade inflammation. Our findings underscore the presence of immune dysregulation early after exposure to CM; further studies are needed to assess the long-term clinical implications of this signature in psychiatric patients. Disclosure No significant relationships.

Introduction Youth exposed to complex trauma (CT) show an increased risk of psychiatric morbidity, including a wide range of psychiatric disorders. However, to date, there is no specific diagnosis in the DSM-5 that capture the clinical complexity of these patients. Properly, the last version of the ICD-11 includes a diagnosis termed Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD), which considers the pattern of post-traumatic stress symptoms, plus life-impairing disturbances in self-organization (emotion dysregulation, negative self-concept and interpersonal problems). Clinical research about CPTSD, especially in younger population, is still limited. Objectives To explore the symptomatology of CPTSD in a sample of youth exposed to CT and its association with worse clinical outcomes. Methods 187 youth aged 7 to 17 years participated in the EPI_young_stress_project (116 with current psychiatric disorder and 71 healthy controls). CT was evaluated following the TASSCV criteria. To identify CPTSD symptomatology, we performed an exploratory factor analysis including CBCL and TEIQue items. The global level of functioning was measured by CGAS. Results Preliminary results pointed that youth exposed to CT showed greater internalizing (p

Introduction Cortisol, the hormonal endpoint of Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) axis, coordinates the body response in front of daily stressful situations. Disturbances in cortisol circadian rhythm have been implicated in the pathophysiology of depression and neurodevelopment lasting consequences. Although pregnancy entails a progressively increase in cortisol levels, the consequences of subclinical depression traits during pregnancy in cortisol circadian rhythm remains unclear. Objectives To analyze the impact of prenatal subclinical depressive symptomatology in cortisol circadian rhythm through pregnancy and its relevance for postpartum depression risk. Methods A cohort of 112 healthy pregnant women (Mean age±SD=32.32±4.37) of the general population was followed throughout their first pregnancy and first two months of postpartum period. Diurnal salivary cortisol curve (four measures) was obtained for every trimester; the Area Under the Curve with respect to the ground (AUCg) and with respect to the increase (AUCi) were used as measures of basal HPA axis functioning. Depressive symptomatology was assessed every pregnancy trimester and postpartum period following EPDS criteria. All the analyses were adjusted for maternal age, weight, ethnicity and socioeconomic status and sample collection’s time. Results Prenatal subclinical depressive symptomatology (EPDS>10) was associated with a blunted cortisol rhythm during first trimester (F= 3.913,p=.011) but not during second (F=2.629, p=056) or third trimesters (F=.411,p=.724). Furthermore, a logistic regression model showed a positive association between Prenatal subclinical depressive symptomatology and the risk of postpartum depression (χ2=13.8, p

A face-centered cubic (fcc) polymerized C60 phase has been synthesized at 9.5 GPa and 550 °C. The observed short lattice constant, 13.19 Å, indicates that a three-dimensional (3D) polymer with adjacent C60 molecules covalently bonded was obtained. Possible polymerized structures, with each molecule adopting one of the two standard orientations, have been investigated through density functional theory (DFT). It was found that intermolecular bonds, 56/56 2 + 2 cycloaddition, are formed between molecules with different orientations but no bonds are formed between molecules with the same orientation. The computed bulk moduli for these structures gave values ranging from 88 to 132 GPa. Although the distances between neighboring molecules and the volume per molecule from the models are close to the experimental values, the relaxed structures displayed symmetries lower than cubic, suggesting that the experimental fcc structure is likely disordered or frustrated. Keywords: Fullerene polymers, X-ray diffraction, DFT calculations, Ordered binary-alloy structures

Resumo: O género Acinetobacter tem sido implicado numa grande variedade de doenças infecciosas, em particular, nas infecções associadas aos cuidados de saúde. Actualmente há evidência a enfatizar o papel deste microrganismo nas infecções adquiridas na comunidade.à relatado o caso de uma criança previamente saudável, de 28 meses de idade, internada por febre associada a tosse e dor localizada no hemitórax esquerdo e cuja radiografia torácica revelou pneumonia necrotisante do lobo inferior. A investigação diagnóstica efetuada permitiu o diagnóstico de Pneumonia adquirida na comunidade a Acinetobacter lwoffii.A criança partilhava frequentemente o seu equipamento respiratório com familiares idosos com doença pulmonar crónica obstrutiva. Dado não terem sido apurados outros factores de risco, considera-se que a partilha do equipamento poderá ter sido o foco infeccioso.Os autores pretendem alertar para a possibilidade de Pneumonia adquirida na comunidade por Acinetobacter lwoffii, numa criança previamente saudável, relacionada com o mau uso e limpeza dos nebulizadores. Este caso realça o papel emergente desta bactéria, mesmo no contexto comunitário. Abstract: Acinetobacter is involved in a variety of infectious diseases primarily associated with healthcare. Recently there has been increasing evidence of the important role these pathogens play in community acquired infections.We report on the case of a previously healthy child, aged 28 months, admitted for fever, cough and pain on the left side of the chest, which on radiographic examination corresponded to a lower lobe necrotizing pneumonia. After detailed diagnostic workâup, community acquired Acinetobacter lwoffii pneumonia was diagnosed.The child had frequently shared respiratory equipment with elderly relatives with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. As there were no other apparent risk factors, it could be assumed that the sharing of the equipment was the source of infection.The authors wish to draw attention to this possibility, that a necrotising community-acquired pneumonia due to Acinetobacter lwoffii can occur in a previously healthy child and to the dangers of inappropriate use and poor sterilisation of nebulisers. This case is a warning of the dangers that these bacteria may pose in the future in a community setting. Palavras-chave: Pneumonia acinetobacter, Nebulisador, Definido pela comunidade, Criança, Keywords: Acinetobacter pneumoniae, Nebuliser, Community-setting, Child

Acinetobacter is involved in a variety of infectious diseases primarily associated with healthcare. Recently there has been increasing evidence of the important role these pathogens play in community-acquired infections.We report on the case of a previously healthy child, aged 28 months, admitted for fever, cough and pain on the left side of the chest, which on radiographic examination corresponded to a lower lobe necrotising pneumonia. After detailed diagnostic work-up, community acquired Acinetobacter lwoffii pneumonia was diagnosed.The child had frequently shared respiratory equipment with elderly relatives with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. As there were no other apparent risk factors, it could be assumed that the sharing of the equipment was the source of infection.The authors wish to draw attention to this possibility that a necrotising community-acquired pneumonia due to Acinetobacter lwoffii can occur in a previously healthy child and to the dangers of inappropriate use and poor sterilisation of nebulisers. This case is a warning of the dangers that these bacteria may pose in the future in a community setting. Resumo: O género Acinetobacter tem sido implicado numa grande variedade de doenças infeciosas, em particular, nas infeções associadas aos cuidados de saúde. Atualmente há evidência a enfatizar o papel deste microrganismo nas infeções adquiridas na comunidade.É relatado o caso de uma criança previamente saudável, de 28 meses de idade, internada por febre associada a tosse e dor localizada no hemitórax esquerdo e cuja radiografia torácica revelou pneumonia necrotisante do lobo inferior. A investigação diagnóstica efetuada permitiu o diagnóstico de Pneumonia adquirida na comunidade a Acinetobacter lwoffii.A criança partilhava frequentemente o seu equipamento respiratório com familiares idosos com doença pulmonar crónica obstrutiva. Dado não terem sido apurados outros fatores de risco, considera-se que a partilha do equipamento poderá ter sido o foco infecioso.Os autores pretendem alertar para a possibilidade de Pneumonia adquirida na comunidade por Acinetobacter lwoffii, numa criança previamente saudável, relacionada com o mau uso e limpeza dos nebulizadores. Este caso realça o papel emergente desta bactéria, mesmo no contexto comunitário. Keywords: Acinetobacter pneumoniae, Nebuliser, Community-setting, Child, Palavras-chave: Pneumonia acinetobacter, Nebulisador, Definido pela comunidade, Criança

The adsorption of phenol and 4-nitrophenol from aqueous solutions by carbon blacks was studied. Particular attention was paid to the characterisation of the surface chemistry and ionisation of the carbon blacks by use of a simple carbon surface ionisation model, as well as the use of a normalised form of the Freundlich equation for the analysis of the adsorption isotherms. The results indicated that the solutes interact directly with the graphene layers and that the adsorption is sensitive to the π-electron density. Phenol has a weaker interaction and is more sensitive to the system conditions. In particular, it is more sensitive to oligomerisation under certain conditions. Comparison of the results with those previously reported for activated carbons with similar points of zero charge prepared from cork confirms the existence of a significant micropore-narrowing effect in the adsorption of organic solutes by activated carbons and which can lead to up to a doubling of the value of the Freundlich exponent, n F .

A epilepsia primária da leitura é forma rara de epilepsia reflexa, na qual a leitura age como estímulo específico para o desencadeamento de crises. Os autores relatam o caso de um paciente do sexo masculino, com 18 anos de idade, apresentando há um ano abalos mioclônicos da mandíbula provocados exclusivamente pela leitura. Ein um episódio no qual o paciente prosseguiu a leitura, os abalos se seguiram de crise tônico-clônica generalizada. O EEG, efetuado com métodos de ativação rotineira, foi normal, enquanto o EEG registrado durante leitura mostrou descargas de espículas geralmente de baixa voltagem, bilaterais e síncronas, predominando nas regiões frontocentrais, concomitantes à manifestação clínica de mioclonias da mandíbula. O uso de clonazepam, na dose de 2mg diários, levou ao controle completo das crises e normalização do EEG num período de seguimento de 24 meses.

Lafora's disease is included among the progressive myoclonic epilepsies. Despite the fact that dementia is a constant finding in this disease only a few papers have studied the timing of riental deterioration. We have performed wide neuropsychological testing in two cases early diagnosed as Lafora disease. The initial neuropsychological testing was carried out by the time there were no complaints of mental deterioration in both cases. In the first case consecutive neuropsychological testing demonstrated the rapidly progressive dementia. All neuropsychological testings in these cases showed severe impairment of right parietal lobe functions. Higher cortical functions related to language and intelectual processes were beet preserved in both cases. The functions related to constructional praxis, memory and abstract concepts and processes were severily impaired. Our data suggest that mental deterioration is an early manifestation in Lafora disease, even by the time normal social life is not yet disturbed. Dominant hemisphere cognitivo functions have been less impaired than the non-dominant ones. How a diffuse illness such as Lafora disease can cause such an asymmetrical higher cortical function deficit is not yet clear.

Two brothers presented to us with a progressive myoclonic syndrome with slight cerebellar symptoms. Neurological examination disclosed moderate cerebellar signs and pale optic discs; asymmetric, asynchronous and arhythmic myoclonus, an arthresthesic deficit and no muscular weakness. EEG background activity was moderately slow with no irritative discharges. CT was normal in both cases, Intermitent photic stimulation increased the frequency of the myoclonic jerks, which became bilateral and synchronous, progressing to a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. EPs and MRI in one case were normal. Anticonvulsant drugs were ineffective. The diagnosis of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy was based on the finding, in muscle specimens, of thickened basement membranes with myofibrillary degeneration and increased number of mitochondria peripherally distributed and with a dense granular matrix and some vacuoles. The clinical and EEG data suggest a. subcortical origin for this type of myoclonic syndrome.

Foram estudados 76 pacientes epilépticos (crianças e adultos) submetidos a tratamento com o RO-5-4023. Houve predomínio dos casos com menos de 19 anos, sendo 44 do sexo masculino e 32 do sexo feminino. A droga foi utilizada isoladamente (34 casos) ou em associação com outros anti-comiciais (42 casos). A dose foi variável, com média de 5 mg/dia. A duração do tratamento variou de 3 a 11 meses, com média de 7 meses. Em todos os casos foi feito estudo eletrencefalográficos e liquórico. Em 32 casos foi feito estudo comparativo de EEG antes e depois do tratamento. Levando em conta os resultados obtidos os autores chegaram às seguintes conclusões: 1) foram obtidos resultados satisfatórios em 61 casos (81%); 2) levando em conta as formas clínicas da epilepsia, os melhores resultados foram obtidos nas formas generalizadas (GM e PM) e focais não convulsivas; 3) os pacientes que utilizaram outros medicamentos anti-comiciais associados ao RO-5-4023, se beneficiaram mais que os que receberam a droga isoladamente; 4) nos pacientes em que foi feito o EEG de controle, foi observada normalização do traçado em 46,5% dos casos; 5) efeitos colaterais ocorreram em 32,8% dos casos, sendo mais freqüentemente observadas sonolência, ataxia, agitação, fadiga e agressividade; essas manifestações melhoraram ou desapareceram até o décimo dia do tratamento.Seventy six epileptic patients (children and adults) submitted to treatment with RO-5-4023 were studied. RO-5-4023 was administered alone (34 cases) or in association with other antiepileptic drugs. The average dose was 5 mg/day. The cerebrospinal fluid examination was performed in all cases with normal results. In 32 cases the elertoencephalogram was made before and after the treatment. The study allows the authors to draw the following conclusions: 1) the results of therapy were good in 61 cases (81%); 2) the better results were obtained in cases of generalized epilepsy (GM and PM) and in cases of focal non convulsive epilepsy; 3) the results were better when RO-5-4023 was administered in association with other antiepileptics drugs; 4) the electroencephalogram normalized in 46,8% of the 32 cases controled before and after essay; 5) side effects occurred in 32,8% of the cases, consisting of drowsines, ataxia, excitation, fatigue and agressivity; these manifestations disappeared within 10 days after the begining of the treatment.