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A bstract The semiclassical limit of full non-commutative gauge theory is known as Poisson gauge theory. In this work we revise the construction of Poisson gauge theory paying attention to the geometric meaning of the structures involved and advance in the direction of a further development of the proposed formalism, including the derivation of Noether identities and conservation of currents. For any linear non-commutativity, Θ ab ( x ) = f c ab x c , with f c ab being structure constants of a Lie algebra, an explicit form of the gauge Lagrangian is proposed. In particular a universal solution for the matrix ρ defining the field strength and the covariant derivative is found. The previously known examples of κ -Minkowski, λ -Minkowski and rotationally invariant non-commutativity are recovered from the general formula. The arbitrariness in the construction of Poisson gauge models is addressed in terms of Seiberg-Witten maps, i.e., invertible field redefinitions mapping gauge orbits onto gauge orbits.

A bstract We consider gauge theories on Poisson manifolds emerging as semiclassical approximations of noncommutative spacetime with Lie algebra type noncommutativity. We prove an important identity, which allows to obtain simple and manifestly gauge-covariant expressions for the Euler-Lagrange equations of motion, the Bianchi and the Noether identities. We discuss the non-Lagrangian equations of motion, and apply our findings to the κ -Minkowski case. We construct a family of exact solutions of the deformed Maxwell equations in the vacuum. In the classical limit, these solutions recover plane waves with left-handed and right-handed circular polarization, being classical counterparts of photons. The deformed dispersion relation appears to be nontrivial.

A bstract We construct a noncommutative kappa-Minkowski deformation of U(1) gauge theory, following a general approach, recently proposed in JHEP 08 (2020) 041. We obtain an exact (all orders in the non-commutativity parameter) expression for both the deformed gauge transformations and the deformed field strength, which is covariant under these transformations. The corresponding Yang-Mills Lagrangian is gauge covariant and reproduces the Maxwell Lagrangian in the commutative limit. Gauge invariance of the action functional requires a non-trivial integration measure which, in the commutative limit, does not reduce to the trivial one. We discuss the physical meaning of such a nontrivial commutative limit, relating it to a nontrivial space-time curvature of the undeformed theory. Moreover, we propose a rescaled kappa-Minkowski noncommutative structure, which exhibits a standard flat commutative limit.

Technical efficiency (TE) is an important measure of farm performance. This study measured the TE of wheat farms across six states in the U.S. Western Great Plains based on production and farm management-specific variables. Significant factors positively influencing efficiency were insecticide use, farm size, and tillage. Alternatively, government payments, crop insurance, off-farm income, and crop share rates had negative effects on efficiency. Kansas and Oklahoma farms were more efficient than Nebraska and Wyoming farms in the sample. Average TE score of 0.56 indicates a substantial gap between average producers and the most efficient ones located near the TE frontier. Benchmarking the highly efficient farms provides best-management practices enabling less-efficient farms move closer to the efficient frontier. Extension specialists and collaboration among farms could transfer the skills and techniques through workshops, webinars, fact sheets, and social media pages.

A bstract We consider linear star products on ℝ d of Lie algebra type. First we derive the closed formula for the polydifferential representation of the corresponding Lie algebra generators. Using this representation we define the Weyl star product on the dual of the Lie algebra. Then we construct a gauge operator relating the Weyl star product with the one which is closed with respect to some trace functional, Tr ( f ⋆ g ) = Tr ( f · g ). We introduce the derivative operator on the algebra of the closed star product and show that the corresponding Leibniz rule holds true up to a total derivative. As a particular example we study the space R θ 3 with s u 2 type noncommutativity and show that in this case the closed star product is the one obtained from the Duflo quantization map. As a result a Laplacian can be defined such that its commutative limit reproduces the ordinary commutative one. The deformed Leibniz rule is applied to scalar field theory to derive conservation laws and the corresponding noncommutative currents.

Background and importanceThe introduction of biological drugs in clinical practice represents a new goal for the treatment of highly disabling inflammatory immune mediated diseases. Our region adopted the guidelines for the use of biological drugs in the rheumatology, dermatology and gastroenterology departments; specialists need to draw up the therapeutic plan to implement the prescriptive appropriateness. The Italian Drug Agency has issued a position paper recommending the prescription of biosimilars where possible.Aim and objectivesTo evaluate the prescriptive trend and appropriateness of biological drugs for inflammatory immune mediated diseases in our health district also to implement the use of biosimilars.Material and methodsWe analysed the therapeutic plan for biological drugs received by the territorial pharmacy of our health district (about 164 000 inhabitants). We extracted from the company database data relating to biological drugs dispensed in the period January 2018 to August 2019 and subsequently processed using an electronic worksheet, paying attention to therapeutic shifts and biosimilar drugs.Results556 patients underwent therapy with biological drugs, of whom 61.15% had rheumatological diseases, 29.32% had dermatological diseases and 9.53% had gastrointestinal diseases. The number of patients increased by 6.64% in the January–August 2019 period compared with 2018; similarly, the use of these medicines in terms of units in the first eight months of 2019 increased by 22.72% compared with the same period in 2018. For 11.15% of patients, there was a shift to another biological drug; in 88.71% of cases, the change was attributable to therapeutic ineffectiveness while the remaining 11.29% were passed to the relative biosimilar (Δ% 2019–2018 = +33.33%).Conclusion and relevanceAccess to biologics has led to a significant improvement in patients‘ quality of life. Given the complexity of immune mediated inflammatory pathologies, identification of the correct therapy represents a critical issue at the first diagnosis. The use of biosimilar drugs increased during the analysis period; we therefore propose to promote the prescriptive appropriateness and to start a biosimilar drug prescription awareness programme, according to regional and national legislation, with a view to the sustainability of the health system, guaranteeing effectiveness, safety and quality for patients. At the same time, therapeutic efficacy will be evaluated in patients receiving biosimilars.References and/or acknowledgementsConflict of interestNo conflict of interest

Background Background: : Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory musculoskeletal disease associated with psoriasis. PsA patients have a higher prevalence of some comorbidities (obesity, metabolic syndrome, depression and premature cardiovascular disease). Recent data suggest a link between fat-mediated inflammation and joint involvement in PsA. Visceral adiposity index (VAI) has been used as a surrogate of visceral adiposity. Objectives Objective: To examine if VAI is correlated to disability and/or cutaneous involvement in PsA patients. Methods Material and methods: Prospective study on 88 (37 M/51 W) consecutive PsA fulfilled CASPAR criteria. All the patients were evaluated according to a predefined protocol that included:rheumatology and dermatology clinical evaluation and functional disability ( Health Assessment Questionnaire, HAQ, quality of life score- Short Form36, SF36), PASI and VAI based on Waist Circumference (WC), Body Mass Index (BMI), triglycerides (TG) and HDL cholesterol (HDL) levels. BMI was calculeted in 4 standard categories according to WHO criteria and WC was calculeted according to WHO (cut points 94 cm for men and 80 cm for women). Results Results: Our results demonstrated that WC was significantly associated with disability function (HAQ) even after adjustment for BMI; patients in the highest versus the lowest quartiles of WC had approximately 125% and 275% increases in the odds of HAQ among men and women, respectively (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.08 to 4.66, OR 3.64, 95% CI 1.38 to 9.48). In contrast, there was no evidence of a significant association between HAQ and VAI index, with or without adjustment for WC. Conclusions Conclusions: WC was found, independent of VAI, to be a risk factor for disability function in PSA patients among both men and women. Future evaluations are needed since some authors supported that abdominal obesity may also determine an increased risk of not achieving minimal disease activity in PsA patients, highlighting the role of abdominal fat accumulation as a negative predictor of good clinical response to biologic agents References Amato MC, Giordano C, Galia M et al:. Diabetes Care 2010, 33:920-922 Cañete JD, Mease P. Ann Rheum Dis. 2012 Aug;71(8):1265-6. Taylor WJ. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2012 Aug;14(4):369-74 Russolillo A, Iervolino S, Peluso et al. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2013 Jan;52(1):62-7 Disclosure of Interest None Declared

. Aerosols play an important role in radiative transfer processes involved in different fields of study. In particular, their influence is crucial in the attenuation of light at astronomical and astrophysical observatories, and has to be taken into account in light transfer models employed to reconstruct the signals. The Andean Argentinean region is increasingly being considered as a good candidate to host such facilities, as well as the ones for solar-energy resources, and an adequate knowledge of aerosols characteristics there is needed, but it is not always possible due to the vast area involved and the scarce atmospheric data at ground. The aim of this work is to find correlations between aerosol data and particle trajectories that can give an insight into the origin and behaviour of aerosols in this zone and can be employed in situations in which one does not have local aerosol measurements. For this purpose, an aerosol spectrometer and dust monitor (Grimm 1.109) was installed at the Pierre Auger Observatory of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays, to record aerosol concentrations in different size intervals, at surface level. These measurements are analysed and correlated with air mass trajectories obtained from HYSPLIT (NOAA) model calculations. High aerosol concentrations are registered predominantly when air masses have travelled mostly over continental areas, mainly from the NE direction, while low aerosol concentrations are found in correspondence with air masses coming from the Pacific Ocean, from the NW direction. Different size distribution patterns were found for the aerosols depending on their origin: marine or continental. This work shows for the first time the size distribution of aerosols registered at the Pierre Auger Observatory. The correlations found between mass and particle concentrations (total and for different size ranges) and HYSPLIT air mass trajectories, confirm that the latter can be employed as a useful tool to infer the sources, evolution and characteristics of the aerosols.

We present a measurement of the cosmic-ray spectrum above 100 PeV using the part of the surface detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory that has a spacing of 750 m. An inflection of the spectrum is observed, confirming the presence of the so-called second-knee feature. The spectrum is then combined with that of the 1500 m array to produce a single measurement of the flux, linking this spectral feature with the three additional breaks at the highest energies. The combined spectrum, with an energy scale set calorimetrically via fluorescence telescopes and using a single detector type, results in the most statistically and systematically precise measurement of spectral breaks yet obtained. These measurements are critical for furthering our understanding of the highest energy cosmic rays.

Background and Objectives: To compare ropivacaine, levo-bupivacaine, and racemic bupivacaine for caudal blockade in children. Methods: Using a prospective observer blinded design, 60 sevoflurane anesthetized children (1 to 7 years) undergoing minor subumbilical surgery, were randomized to receive a caudal block (1 mL/kg) with either ropivacaine 0.2%, racemic bupivacaine 0.25%, or levo-bupivacaine 0.25%. Postoperative analgesia (number of patients needing supplemental analgesia as defined by an objective pain score [OPS] score of [ge ] 5; time to first analgesic demand) during the first 24 postoperative hours was chosen as the primary end-point. Early postoperative motor block (3-point scale) was assessed as a secondary end-point. Results: All blocks were judged to be clinically successful based on the presence of adequate intraoperative and early postoperative analgesia. An OPS score [ge ] 5 was found in 5/20 patients in each study group. No difference regarding the time to first analgesic demand was found between the study groups. The use of ropivacaine (P = .02), but not levo-bupivacaine (P = .18), was found to be associated with less motor block during the first postoperative hour compared with racemic bupivacaine. Conclusion: All 3 investigated local anesthetics were found to be clinically comparable despite the slight reduction of early postoperative motor block associated with the use of ropivacaine. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2002;27:157-161.