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Hot QCD physics studies the nuclear strong force under extreme temperature and densities. Experimentally these conditions are achieved via high-energy collisions of heavy ions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). In the past decade, a unique and substantial suite of data was collected at RHIC and the LHC, probing hydrodynamics at the nucleon scale, the temperature dependence of the transport properties of quark-gluon plasma, the phase diagram of nuclear matter, the interaction of quarks and gluons at different scales and much more. This document, as part of the 2023 nuclear science long range planning process, was written to review the progress in hot QCD since the 2015 Long Range Plan for Nuclear Science, as well as highlight the realization of previous recommendations, and present opportunities for the next decade, building on the accomplishments and investments made in theoretical developments and the construction of new detectors. Furthermore, this document provides additional context to support the recommendations voted on at the Joint Hot and Cold QCD Town Hall Meeting, which are reported in a separate document., 190 pages, 69 figures

Background and aim of the work: Understanding the fracture morphology and its relation to the expected outcome and risk of complications is fundamental for proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) management. Most Neer 3- and 4-part fractures may deserve surgical treatment. Unfortunately, plain x-rays may not be able to differentiate between a 3- or 4-part fractures unless an axillary or analogue projection is carried out. Aim of the present study is to evaluate whether a high valgus head-shaft angle degree is predictive of a Neer 4-part rather than a 3-part fracture. Methods: The study included 120 3-(75 cases) and 4-(45 cases) part PHFs (valgus displaced in 98 cases), M:F ratio = 1:2.6, mean age 65.7 years, classified on CT scan images. The humeral head shaft angle was calculated on AP x-rays and statistically correlated with 3 and 4-part fractures to identify values predictive of 4-part fracture. Results: Valgus head/shaft angle was significantly higher in 4-part fractures, especially in the valgus displaced group (p < 0.001). A cutoff value of 168.5° was identified as predictive of a 4-part fracture with a sensibility of 74% and specificity of 78%. Increasing by 1 degree the humeral head-shaft angle, the chance to have a 4-part fracture increases of 3% in the whole population and of 11% in the valgus sub-group. Conclusion: The severity of PHF can be predicted analysing valgus head shaft angle on AP x-rays with a sensibility of 74% and specificity of 78% in identifying a 4-part fracture with a cutoff value of 168.5°.

Distal femur fractures account for 4-6% of osteoporosis related fractures of the femur in the elderly population. They represent a relevant cause of morbidity and mortality in the geriatric population with a reported 1-year mortality reaching 30%. Non-displaced fractures or even displaced fractures in patients with high operative risk can be treated conservatively. However, operative treatment is the most widely accepted management option for displaced fractures. The advantage resides in early mobilization and weight-bearing, reducing risks related with a prolonged immobilization when compared with conservative treatment. On the other hand, the intrinsic difficulty of fixing an osteoporotic bone is a major concern. The presence of osteosynthesis devices or prosthetic implants in the femur can make the surgical treatment more challenging, sometimes limiting therapeutic options. Aim of the present paper is to review the most recent literature about osteoporotic distal femur fractures in the elderly, including periprosthetic and other hardware related fractures, to highlight current evidence on management options and related results as a guide for the daily clinical practice. (www.actabiomedica.it).

We present a strangeness-neutral equation of state for QCD that exhibits critical behavior and matches lattice QCD results for the Taylor-expanded thermodynamic variables up to fourth-order in $\mu_B/T$. It is compatible with the SMASH hadronic transport approach and has a range of temperatures and baryonic chemical potentials relevant for phase II of the Beam Energy Scan at RHIC. We provide an updated version of the software BES-EoS, which produces an equation of state for QCD that includes a critical point in the 3D Ising model universality class. This new version also includes isentropic trejectories and the critical contribution to the correlation length. Since heavy-ion collisions have zero global net-strangeness density and a fixed ratio of electric charge to baryon number, the BES-EoS is more suitable to describe this system. Comparison with the previous version of the EoS is thoroughly discussed., Comment: 11 pages, 11 figures

In cereal crops some soil-borne diseases of viral etiology were described a few decades ago and the causal agents were identified as elongated bipartite RNA viruses, transmitted by the endoparasitic plasmodiophorid Polymyxa graminis. As found in all continents, these virus diseases are also present in Europe where two virus species appear predominant, Soil-borne cereal mosaic virus (SBCMV, belonging to the genus Furovirus) and Wheat spindle streak mosaic virus (WSSMV, belonging to the genus Bymovirus). These viruses tend to induce similar symptoms on winter cereals, including a general yellowing and size reduction of the plant, appreciable mainly in early spring, usually accompanied by mosaic on leaves. The extent of yield reduction has been estimated between 30 and 70%. The prevalence of these viruses is difficult to establish only by observing symptomatology, mainly because symptoms can be confused with nutrient deficiencies and/or water stress. Extended surveys have only rarely been performed. In Italy SBCMV and WSSMV were reported on both common (Triticum aestivum L.) and durum [Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn.] wheat in several regions, but a nation-wide investigation has not yet been carried out. This kind of survey would require technologies and protocols capable of collecting representative materials from the cereal growing areas at the right time of the year (March and April) and analysing a high number of plant samples for both viruses. Another type of analysis would be sampling soils for the presence of the P. graminis vector. As a step towards these goals, we have re-examined the analytical protocols currently available in the literature and developed a multiplex assay capable of detecting SBCMV and WSSMV simultaneously in wheat tissues, as well as an assay for detecting the presence of P. graminis in the soil. This work is supported by Regione Lombardia, d.d.s. n. 4403 28/03/2018, grant n° 42 - SURF.

Despite the advantages of modular total hip arthroplasty in terms of neck version, offset and length precise reproduction, titanium necks breakage became a concern. Consequently, titanium has been replaced by cobalt-chrome (Co-Cr). However, four cases of Co-Cr modular neck breakage have been reported in the literature. In the present paper, two cases of Co-Cr modular neck fractures are described together with a literature review. The aim of this work is to discuss the risk factors and characteristics of this rare complication. We described two cases of fracture of long varus Co-Cr modular femoral neck connected with cementless press-fit stem. Some risk factors, such as long varus type of modular neck, overweight and/or high demanding physical activity, might have contributed to implant failure. (www.actabiomedica.it).

The products VitiBioSap 458 Plus® (VBS458) and VitiBioSap ES Plus® (VBSES) based on essential oil mixture, Cu++ (3.5%), Zn++ (1%) and the MicroSap® component (Patent N°EP3071039–28.09.2016), were assayed in vivo against Erwinia amylovora (Ea),the etiological agent of the bacterial fire blight. Detached flowers andimmature fruitlets of pear were pre-treated with VBS458 (1-2%) or VBSES (2-3%), and inoculated with an Ea aqueous suspension (ca. 106 CFU/ml); the disease incidence was evaluated within 6 days after the inoculation. Moreover, the population dynamics of an Ea rifampicin resistant mutant strain (Ea 273R1) was evaluated up to 4 days on detached apple flowers, pre-treated with the above products. In addition, at each detection time, the flowers were fixed in 5% glutaraldehyde solution, dehydrated in ethanol and processed by Critical Point Dryer. The samples, after gold sputter coating, were observed by Philips SEM 515 scanning electron microscope at 20kV. Sterile distilled water (SDW) and streptomycin sulphate (STR) were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. In VBSES- and VBS458-treated pear flowers, the disease incidence was significantly reduced (12-30% and 12-50%, respectively) compared to that detected in SDW-treated flowers (88-100%). In pear fruitlets treated with the products, the disease incidence resulted between 19% and 46%, similar to that on STR-treated pears (30%). Furthermore, the Ea population was significantly lowered in VBSES- and VBS458-treated apple flowers, in comparison to that of SDW-treated control samples.

The horticultural industry is a vital component of the agriculture sector of Afghanistan, the primary engine of the country’s recovering economy which engages approximately 80% of the working population. This sector was thriving in the 1970s, but is today incapable of competing in the international market. To recover and develop the horticulture of the country, the European Community (EC) supports the PHDP (Perennial Horticulture Development Project), to provide true to type/ecotype and healthy planting materials, and the Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, to ensure the health status of local germplasm. This laboratory started screening the health status of the Afghan Germplasm National Collections in order to ensure the multiplication of not only the best-selected varieties or ecotype, but also to avoid production and distribution of virus-infected trees. Inspection for symptoms and sample collection for viral diseases was carried out in all the National Collection fields, including cherry, pear, peach, plum, apricot, almond, apple, grape and citrus plants, located in different areas of the country. Stone fruit plants infected by Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus or Prunus necrotic ringspot virus have been identified in the National Collection experimental farms located in different provinces of Afghanistan. Moreover, many grape plants included in the National Collection located in Herat and Kandahar resulted infected by Grapevine fanleaf virus, but only few imported plants by Grapevine leafroll associated virus 1, Grapevine leafroll associated virus 3 or Grapevine virus A. Finally, in Jalalabad (Nangarhar province) citrus plants showing vein flecking, yellowing and plant decline symptoms were found to be infected by Citrus tristeza virus. Some of the identified viral isolates have been characterized molecularly, amplifying a fragment corresponding to the coat protein gene from a selection of positive samples. The presence of those viruses in different accessions of the national collection is of concern for Afghan horticulture. Implementation of the certification schemes is therefore necessary to quarantine the production and for the employment of virus-free propagating material., Advances in Horticultural Science, Vol 30 No 4 (2016)