bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blockchain, metaverses and NFT in civil procedure and arbitration in Russia, China and USA
Authors: Ermakova Elena P.
Published: March 2023

The research is devoted to the study of new technologies - blockchain, metaverse and NFT - in civil procedure and arbitration in Russia, China and USA. The author analyzes the basic concepts and characteristics of the above technologies and gives examples of their use in judicial practice. Recent US judicial precedents (2021 and 2022), which consolidate the possibility of using blockchain and NFT technologies in court proceedings are looked at. The research aims at shaping the idea of possible application of blockchain, metaverse and NFT technologies in civil proceedings; it is based on the analysis of regulations, judicial practice of Russia, foreign countries, and scientific sources. The employed methodology is empirical methods of comparison, description, and interpretation, theoretical methods of formal and dialectical logic. Private scientific methods include legal-dogmatic method and interpretation of legal norms. The outcome of the research shows that blockchain and NFT technologies have become an effective tool used by the courts of USA and China in the analysis of electronic evidence and some other procedural actions including notification of an unknown defendant through a non-interchangeable token (NFT). The research came to the following conclusions. Blockchain transactions are often called anonymous or at least pseudonymous, but this is not the case. The issue of blockchain anonymity has been raised in several cases heard by US courts. The blockchain analysis of tools industry has allowed the court and the parties to the dispute to analyze transactions on the blockchain and in many cases trace them to an identifiable user, even if such users have taken steps to conceal their identity. It is essential to refer to the US courts experience allowing private companies to conduct Technology Assisted Review (TAR).
Forms of implementation of corporate rights of the members of commercial corporations: history, current contradictions and development prospects
Authors: Samoilov Ilya A.
Published: March 2023

The purpose of the study is to identify problems arising from the discrepancy between the norms of the current corporate legislation, whose basic principles were laid down during the development of the industrial type of economic development, and the current stage, characterized by the active development of the post-industrial type of economy. The subject of the study is the forms of realization of the corporate rights of members in commercial corporations, and, above all, business entities. The research employs the following scientific methods of analysis: historical analysis of the influence of economic development factors (types of activity, scale of activity, significant resources) on the forms of exercising corporate rights of corporation members and analysis of correspondence of modern forms of realization of corporate rights to the system of interests of the members of post-industrial types of corporations at the modern stage of economic development. The research results. In the traditional economy of the industrial type, the main significant resource is non-current tangible and current assets. Today their cost estimate determines the volume of corporate rights. In the post-industrial economy, non-current intangible assets become the main significant resource; their evaluation seems to be problematic in a significant number of cases. The research reveals the problems of inconsistency of modern forms of realization of corporate rights of members in the post-industrial corporations with the system of interests of members - carriers of a creative resource (ideas, professional knowledge, etc.) - in such corporations. Practical implementation of the research outcome is realized in suggestions and recommendations that can be applied both in the field of improving corporate legislation and legal support of commercial corporations’ activities. Among other things, a forecast of trends in the development of corporate legislation in terms of implementation of corporate rights has been worked out.
Transformation of corporate law: quasi-corporate and quasi-public structures
Authors: Novikova Olga V.
Published: March 2023

The purpose of the research is to study certain aspects of transformation of corporate relations and corporate law, in the light of blurring of company boundaries and development of digital communications and startup culture. The results and conclusions are obtained based on general scientific and private scientific methods of research. Research studies examples of quasi-corporate and quasi-public structures created through (1) deferred share transfer agreements (SAFE), (2) crowdfunding agreements, (3) public market intermediary companies (SPAC), (4) exchanges for private companies. With the emergence of cross-border hybrid corporate structures at intersection of debt and equity, public and private financing, the current debates on the objectives of corporate law and the purpose of the corporation acquire a new perspective, as the very boundaries of the corporation become fluid. At the same time, decision-making procedures are mediated by third parties and digital technologies, with the prospect of conflict of interest, and are regulated, among other things, by standards emerging so to say from below. In the digital era, flexibility in the choice of elements of the structure allows to detach from the current state corporate regulation and attach to it in the right place and at the right time. It is concluded that the explosive growth of hybrid structures forms new areas of development of legal regulation by rejecting the dichotomy of soft and hard law. Among the vectors of transformation, the growing importance of private law unifications, the development of theoretical apparatus based on the concept of transnational law, the emergence of its subsystems, including lex corporatoria are noted. Among the tasks of lex corporatoria the formation of standards and customs in the field of corporate finance is also postulated as a regulatory framework for functioning of the hybrid structures under study.
Punishment as an object of scientific research: challenges and prospects
Authors: Kuzmin Igor A.
Published: March 2023

Is devoted to the study of the legal phenomenon of punishment from the perspective of the general theory of law. It argues the need for an integrated approach to identifying the most important characteristics of punishment, considering its historical roots, etymology of the term and development trends. Relying on dialectical methodology, the author examines the prerequisites for the formation of the social institution of punishment, starting with the emergence of the first taboo and/or prohibitions. The conclusion determines the universal nature of the phenomenon of punishment, which applies to any negative sanctions implemented as measures of legal responsibility in both public and private law. The work substantiates an increased relevance of the issue of adequate understanding of legal punishment in national and international law. Three groups of interaction of punishment with other legal phenomena (means) are differentiated; they are interaction with similar phenomena that include punishment (group 1), interaction with phenomena that functionally contribute to the consolidation and implementation of punishment (group 2) and interaction with phenomena that have an auxiliary effect on consolidation and implementation of punishment (group 3). The lack of consistency (unified strategy) in law-making and law enforcement decisions in relation to the system of punishments and its dynamics have been demonstrated. The institutional features of the system of punishments in the Russian Federation, subject to a general theoretical analysis, have been determined. Approaches to the definition of the legal meaning of impunity as an independent category of jurisprudence are considered. The author gives his point of view on the issue of the forms and content of impunity and substantiates the need for its further study. In addition to domestic and foreign doctrinal and reference publications, the provisions of international legal acts, national legislation and materials of judicial practice are used as a source base. The author formulates proposals regarding the directions for further research of the category punishment in the general theory of law.
Legal regulation of additive technologies in modern biomedicine
Authors: Romanovskaya Olga V. , Romanovskiy Georgy B.
Published: March 2023

Research reveals the legal problems that arise due to the rapid pace of development of additive technologies (3D printing) in biomedicine (bioprinting). The purpose of the research is to analyze the legislation that defines the legal regime of additive technologies, identify the main gaps in regulation, carry out a comparative legal study, which allows to formulate recommendations to improve Russian legislation. Special strategies are used as an object of comparative research; they contribute to fix the priority development of 3D printing. The employed methods are as follows: the method of analysis of legal regulation, comparative legal and formal legal. Results. Attention is paid to the main trends and risks of progress in this direction, which are reflected in decentralization of production; improving its efficiency and reducing waste; reduction of development time and their introduction into mass production with a simultaneous rise in quality of the finished product; expanding the population's access to material goods; minimizing the state control. Particular attention is paid to the legal assessment of the applicability of bioprinting in transplantology, the manufacture of implants, surgical planning, and the use of printed organs for experiments. Conclusions: when adjusting the legal framework, institutional readiness should be taken into account - the ability of the entire Russian healthcare system to use additive technologies properly (which will require significant changes in healthcare legislation). An independent direction is the use of bioprinting in the testing of drugs. 3D printing creates small organ-like structures (they are called organoids) on which experiments can be carried out for the screening of pharmaceuticals. This will require changes in the legal regime for the circulation of medicines, as well as the main functions of the state regulator (the Russian Ministry of Health and Roszdravnadzor). It is noted that additive technologies make it possible to manufacture medicines, but world experience indicates a cautious attitude towards this type of production. Research argues for the need to follow a risk-based approach in the legal regulation of bioprinting, as well as to introduce the general approach of Hospital Exemption (pharmaceutical exclusion) used in the countries of the European Union, as well as some other countries aimed at the development of regenerative medicine.
Features of the experience of Kazakhstan and Belarus in the implementation of the concept of a unified body of preliminary investigation
Authors: Babich Nikita V.
Published: March 2023

Formulation and consideration of various issues related to the improvement of the investigative apparatus of Russia are in the constant attention of representatives of legal science. The current state concept and the practical model of the country's investigative apparatus built on its basis require significant improvement in order to resolve existing organizational and procedural challenges. The purpose of the research is to identify and analyze the stages of construction, the positive and negative aspects of organization and activities of single and independent agencies of preliminary investigation in foreign countries, as well as the genesis and trends of their development. Based on the results obtained, the study formulates proposals for improving the investigative apparatus of the country regarding the Investigative Committee of Russia. To achieve this goal, the research explores the experience of organizing unified and independent preliminary investigation agencies in the countries of the former USSR and the West. All the results and conclusions were obtained using general scientific methods of scientific research: dialectical, logical, systemic, as well as private scientific and special such as comparative legal, formal legal, statistical, interpretation and a number of others. The author comes to the conclusion that organization and activities of the Investigative Committees of Russia and Belarus are basically similar, but there are some positions that differ significantly. Negative experience of building a unified and independent investigative committee was demonstrated in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The reason was insufficient attention paid to preparations on the part of the leadership to creation of such an agency. Thus, combination of functions of inquiry, operational-search, investigative, statistics and expert, as well as transfer of some of the important and inalienable powers of the prosecutor's office when creating such a law enforcement agency is unacceptable.
Topical issues of regulation of land and property relations in the implementation of production and economic activities of companies in the fuel and energy complex: review of panel discussion
Authors: Zinkovsky Sergey B.
Published: March 2023

The article suggests an overview of the round table organized on June 22, 2022 by Gazprom Energo LLC jointly by the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia with the support of the State University of Land with active participation of Rosreestr and the Federal Tax Service of Russia on topical issues of regulation of land and property relations in implementing production and economic activities of companies in the fuel and energy complex. In this regard, the organizers proposed to discuss the prospects for legislative support of land management and cadastral activities, topical issues of establishing restrictions and encumbrances of land within the framework of production and economic activities of enterprises of the fuel and energy complex, practical aspects of involving ownerless objects in the economic turnover power grid complex and heat supply facilities, the possibilities of optimizing land payments and real estate taxation.
Personal inviolability as an intersectoral category of law
Authors: Nikitina Valentina S.
Published: March 2023

The concept of inviolability of the person is considered as a complex intersectoral category in modern legal regulation. The research studies the provisions of normative legal acts and scientific works devoted to the concept of inviolability and its relationship with other concepts of similar meaning and suggests a comprehensive definition to the inviolability of the individual concept, which, in addition to the personal life of an individual, includes intangible objects directly related to the development of this individual. Also, a detailed distinction is made between inviolability and the concept of immunity. The purpose of the author is to substantiate the need to study the concept of inviolability from the point of view of all branches of law and pay attention to the peculiarities of regulating the inviolability of the person in each of the areas of law, as well as to analyze the guarantees and mechanisms for its ensuring, its non-absolute nature and the limits of its implementation. The study was carried out with the help of the general scientific and private scientific methods, including analysis and generalization of legislation and scientific works of domestic and foreign authors, comparative law and formal legal methods. Based on the studied material, a comprehensive definition of personal inviolability is suggested and its regulation in constitutional, international, civil, administrative, criminal and procedural law, as well as in the recently formed information and digital law, is analyzed.
Russian Constitutional Court jurisprudence of tax fairness
Authors: Ryabova Elena V.
Published: March 2023

Public finance is subject to the principle of fairness, which has a vague character and rarely finds an appropriate reflection in law. Supreme Courts and Constitutional Courts of different countries may refer to this principle and disclose the content of fairness in public finance processes. The scope of the article includes legal establishment and realization of the principle of fairness in contemporary Russian tax law. The author investigates this issue mainly considering the Constitutional Court’s legal positions. The Russian Constitutional Court actively refers to the principle of fairness to resolve disputes in taxation. The analysis of Constitutional Court judgements shows that the content of the principle of fairness for tax purposes depends upon a type of public fee. In some cases, the Court uses the principle of fairness in a broader legal meaning and does not interpret fairness for tax purposes using the vaguest terms and words for arguments. In other cases, the Court may use a more specific and narrow meaning of the principle of fairness in cases on imposition of tax and/or tax liability (tax fairness).
Constitutional foundations of cross-border digital healthcare
Authors: Akimtseva Yanina V.
Published: March 2023

The purpose of the research is to look at the issues of legal regulation of information healthcare, consider the positive experience of international legal regulation to overcome legal gaps in digital healthcare, improve the quality of life of the population and the systemic functioning of information biomedicine based on the principles of mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and foreign countries. It examines the historical aspects and modern trends of cross-border digital healthcare in accordance with international standards, positive and negative consequences of the information biomedicine impact on basic constitutional human rights and freedoms. The research analyzes national and international legislation, the main directions of constitutional regulation of digital biomedicine and proposes to create an effective mechanism for implementing national legislation on digital healthcare, based on the positive experience of international legal regulation and protection of basic constitutional human rights in order to prevent the use of ethically unacceptable methods. The following scientific methods have been applied in the research: theoretical, historical, empirical, classification and comparative legal analysis. The study identified the urgent need for holistic approach to transnational digital healthcare, characterized by integration of law and biomedicine, and constitutional regulation of the biomedical research approbation. It is worth mentioning that the practical research activities of medical professionals and lawyers are interrelated and require constant interaction and analysis of biomedical results and their legal justification. Therefore, the function of law is to regulate the limits of human intervention in information biotechnologies, identify and exclude all possible risks of approbation of scientific research and their results in the sphere of digital healthcare. The author believes that development of information biomedicine involves interplay of various spheres of knowledge based on scientific synergy of medical, legal, and ethical aspects, integration of interrelated legal and non-legal sciences. Given the importance of integrating the constitutional foundations of cross-border digital healthcare, the author proposes to create a single extraterritorial Concept of Transnational eHealth. It is essential to consider international experience in order to ensure proper protection of human rights in the sphere of information healthcare.
The Constitutionalization of information security in Russian Law: improving the theoretical model
Authors: Gavrilova Yulia A.
Published: March 2023

Research discusses one of the constitutional amendments of 2020. In accordance with the new version of paragraph “m” of Part 1 of Article 71 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the exclusive powers of the Russian Federation include issues of ensuring the security of the individual, society and the state when applying information technologies, and digital data turnover. The consolidation of the problem of information security at the constitutional level determines the need for a partial modernization of its theoretical model. Modification and revision of some of its components will lead to higher effectiveness of constitutional regulation and improve the quality of application of industry legislation in the field of information technology and information protection. The purpose of the research is to investigate the main directions of enhancing the theoretical model of information security in terms of constitutional changes. The employed research methods are formal-legal, logical, system, statistical, structural-functional, modeling, and forecasting. The outcome of the study can be outlined as follows. The research clarifies the concept of information security, proposes to generalize the range of basic subjects of public relations related to information security, expand their rights and obligations, highlight the constitutional and sectoral legal regimes of information protection, and strengthen responsibility for offenses in the information sphere. In conclusion the study argues that updating the theoretical model of information security of the Russian Federation should be carried out in the following key areas: firstly, developing information security targets expressed in strategic and program documents of the state; secondly, clarifying classification of information security threats; thirdly, expanding legal regulation density; fourth, strengthening the law-enforcement mechanisms of information security; fifth, establising and maintening optimal balance between legal, technical and ethical regulation of information technologies, primarily digital technologies; and finally, definiing acceptable and unacceptable boundaries of application of information technology and digital data in people's lives.
Estado de conservación, sexo y tamaño corporal de reptiles en Santiago Nonualco, El Salvador
Authors: Pérez-García José Nicolás
Published: March 2023

RESUMEN. Introducción: En años recientes ha habido un incremento en el número de especies de reptiles consideradas amenazadas por presiones emergentes en El Salvador. Las características corporales son rasgos observables que ayudan en la evaluación de su estado de conservación, pero poco se ha hecho en El Salvador sobre este tema. Objetivo: Evaluar el estado de conservación, sexo y tamaño corporal de los reptiles de Santiago Nonualco, El Salvador. Métodos: Comparamos el estado de conservación en listados oficiales con el Índice de Vulnerabilidad Ambiental. Resultados: Identificamos 36 especies, 14 en alguna categoría de conservación, seis amenazadas y una en riesgo de extinción en El Salvador. Los individuos de tamaño corporal medio y los adultos fueron los más abundantes. Los machos fueron más grandes y abundantes, excepto en las tortugas. Conclusión: Santiago Nonualco brinda refugio a varios reptiles, incluidas especies amenazadas. Las tortugas se diferencian de otros reptiles en las diferencias sexuales; y los individuos pequeños se vieron con menos frecuencia en este censo.
EVEROLIMUS THERAPEUTIC DRUG MONITORING IN A CANCER RENAL CANCER PATIENT WHEN DOUBLE DRUG-DRUG INTERACTION IS DETECTED AND A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
Authors: Casamartina Eduard Fort , Sanchez Carme Muñoz , Rigo-Bonnin Raül , Diego Núria Gonzalo , Torres Sara Otero , Perez Carmen Bleda , Jimenez Judith Prats , Martínez Sandra Fontanals
Published: March 2023

Everolimus is an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)
widely used as an immunosuppressant in transplant patients. In
transplantation setting, several recommendations for therapeutic drug
monitoring are available, due to potential drug-drug interactions with
chronic medication, which can affect everolimus pharmacokinetic profile.
Everolimus is also used in breast, neuroendocrine and renal cancer, at
higher doses than in transplantation and without systematic drug
monitoring requirement. We present a case-report of a 72years-old woman
with epilepsy history to whom everolimus 10mg/daily was prescribed as
third line of treatment for renal cell carcinoma. The patient´s chronic
medication was checked by the outpatient hospital pharmacist before
initiating treatment. As a result, two major interactions with inducers
of CYP3A4 metabolism as carbamazepine and phenytoin were detected. Since
trough plasma concentration of everolimus could be affected, by these
pharmacokinetic interactions,a therapeutic drug monitoring of everolimus
was proposed. Based on the literature, Cmin plasma concentration
(Cminss) of everolimus over 10ng/ml is associated with better response
to treatment and progression free survival. During the oncologist
follow-up visit and according to pharmaceutical recommendations,
everolimus dosage was increased to 10mg every 12 hours. In the following
determinations of trough plasma everolimus concentration, Cmin grow up
from 3.7ng/ml to 10.8ng/mL. Depending on the CYP3A4 induction capacity
and potency of the drug/s administered concomitant to everolimus and how
many of them can potentially interact with it, therapeutic everolimus
monitoring would be advisable in order to adjust dosage if required to
prevent underexposure.
Usage of a Novel Inhaler Device for the Management of Asthma in Children with Special Needs
Authors: Reddy Bharath
Published: March 2023

Dear Editor, I am writing to submit a letter titled “Usage of a Novel
Inhaler Device for the Management of Asthma in Children with Special
Needs” for your consideration. This letter highlights the importance of
the inhaler device technique in children with asthma when they have
comorbid conditions such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD) and/or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These comorbidities often
make it challenging for physicians to plan a treatment regimen, as it
impacts the patient’s adherence to medication. We evaluated the
effectiveness of a breath-actuated inhaler (BAI) in managing poorly
controlled asthma in three pediatric patients with special needs. All
patients showed significant improvement in their asthma symptoms, were
well-controlled after one month of using the BAI and they found that
device was easy to use. This letter contributes to the growing body of
evidence supporting the effectiveness of BAI in the management of
asthma, particularly in children with special needs. We hope this work
to be submitted under the letter to editor section and it will be of
interest to your readership and contribute to improving asthma
management in children with comorbidities. Thank you for your
consideration.
Tools and guidelines to assess the appropriateness of medication and aid the deprescribing: an umbrella review
Authors: Anlay Degefaye , Paque Kristel , Leeuwen Ellen Van , Cohen Joachim , Dilles Tinne
Published: March 2023

AIMS The aim of this umbrella review was to identify tools and
guidelines available to aid the deprescribing process of potentially
inappropriate medications (PIM), evaluate their methods of development
and validation, and describe at what level of evidence medications are
included in the tools and guidelines. METHODS Searches were conducted on
MEDLINE(Ovid), Embase.com, Cochrane CDSR, CINAHL (EBSCO), Web of Science
Core Collection, and guideline databases from the date of inception to
July 7, 2022. We described and compared the different characteristics
and contents of tools and guidelines. RESULTS From 10,606 records
screened, 23 systematic reviews and guidelines met the inclusion
criteria. We then identified 90 tools (67 explicit, 12 mixed, 11
implicit), and 9 guidelines. The majority were developed for use in
older adults (n = 74). Nineteen tools targeted older adults with limited
life expectancy (LLE), and 7 targeted children <18 years. The
majority (97%) of explicit/mixed tools were validated through Delphi
techniques (n = 61). Two tools and eight guidelines provided information
on the level of evidence for the included medications, of which less
than a quarter were included based on high-quality evidence. CONCLUSION
Existing tools are available for a diversity of populations.
Discrepancies identified in categorizing medications as appropriate or
not can be a result of low quality evidence. Particularly, tools for
patients with LLE were developed based on very limited evidence, and
research to generate this evidence is highly needed. Our medication
lists, along with the level of evidence, could facilitate efforts to
strengthen the evidence.
The U.S. National Registry for Childhood Interstitial and Diffuse Lung Disease: Report of Study Design and Initial Enrollment Cohort
Authors: Nevel Rebekah , Deutsch Gail , Craven Daniel , Deterding Robin , Fishman Martha , Editor) Jennifer Wambach (Guest , Casey Alicia , Krone Katie , Liptzin Deborah R. , O'Connor Michael , Kurland Geoffrey , Taylor Jane , Gower William , Hagood James , Conrad Carol , Tam-Williams Jade , Fiorino Elizabeth , Goldfarb Samuel , Sadreameli Sara , Nogee Lawrence , Montgomery Gregory , Hamvas Aaron , Laguna Terri , Bansal Manvi , Lew Cheryl , Santiago Maria , Popova Antonia , De Aliva , Chan Marilynn , Powers Michael , Josephson Maureen B , Camburn Devaney , Voss Laura , Li Yun , Young Lisa
Published: March 2023

Childhood interstitial and diffuse lung disease (chILD) encompasses a
broad spectrum of rare disorders. The Children’s Interstitial and
Diffuse Lung Disease Research Network (chILDRN) established a
prospective registry to advance knowledge regarding etiology, phenotype,
natural history, and management of these disorders. This longitudinal,
observational, multicenter registry utilizes single-IRB reliance
agreements, with participation from 25 chILDRN centers across the U.S.
Clinical data are collected and managed using the Research Electronic
Data Capture (REDCap) electronic data platform. We report the study
design and some elements of the initial Registry enrollment cohort,
which includes 683 subjects with a broad range of chILD diagnoses. The
most common diagnosis reported was neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia of
infancy (NEHI), with 155 (23%) subjects. Components of underlying
disease biology were identified by enrolling sites, with cohorts of
interstitial fibrosis, immune dysregulation, and airway disease being
most commonly reported. Prominent morbidities affecting enrolled
children included home supplemental oxygen use (63%) and failure to
thrive (46%). This Registry is the largest longitudinal chILD cohort in
the U.S. to date, providing a powerful framework for collaborating
centers committed to improving the understanding and treatment of these
rare disorders.
Clinical Scope and Healthcare Utilization in Childhood Interstitial Lung Disease at a Tertiary Center
Authors: Young Lisa , Feld Lance , Voss Laura , Li Zeyu Nancy , Rice Jessica , Josephson Maureen B , Li Yun , McGrath-Morrow Sharon
Published: March 2023

Childhood interstitial lung disease (chILD) is a heterogeneous group of
diffuse lung diseases (DLD) that can be challenging to diagnose. With
relative rarity of individual entities, data are limited on disease
prevalence, care patterns, and healthcare utilization. The objective of
this study was to evaluate chILD prevalence and review diagnostic and
clinical care patterns at our center. A single-center, retrospective
cohort study was conducted of patients receiving care at the Children’s
Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) between January 1, 2019, and December
31, 2021. Through query of selected ICD-10 billing codes relevant for
chILD/DLD, a total of 306 patients were identified receiving care during
this period. Respiratory symptom onset was documented to have developed
before two years of age for 40% of cases. The most common diagnostic
categories included those with oncologic disease (21.2%), bronchiolitis
obliterans (10.1%), and connective tissue disease (9.5%). Genetic
testing was performed in 49% of cases, while 36% underwent lung
biopsy. Hospitalization at CHOP had occurred for 80.4% of patients,
with 45.1% ever hospitalized in an intensive care unit. One-third of
children had required chronic supplemental oxygen. Seven (2.3%)
patients died during this three-year period. Collectively, these data
demonstrate the scope of chILD and extent of health care utilization at
a large volume tertiary care center. This approach to cohort
identification and EMR-driven data collection in chILD provides new
opportunities for cohort analysis and will inform the feasibility of
future studies.
Lung clearance index short-term variability in cystic fibrosis. A pre-post pulmonary exacerbation study.
Authors: Marchis M. De , Montemitro Enza , Boni A. , Federici A. , Giovanni Daniele Di , Cristiani L. , Cutrera Renato , Fiocchi A.G.
Published: March 2023

Background: Multiple Breath washout (MBW) represents an
important tool to detect early a possible pulmonary exacerbation
especially in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) disease. Lung clearance index (LCI)
is the most commonly reported multiple breath washout (MBW) index and in
the last years was used as management measure for evaluation. Our aim
was to analyze clinical utility of LCI index variability in pulmonary
exacerbation in CF. Methods: A single-center study was
conducted at CF Unit of Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital among
hospitalized > 3 years patients for pulmonary exacerbations
and treated with antibiotic intravenous treatment for 14 days. MBW and
spirometry were evaluated within 72 hours of admission to hospital and
at the end of hospitalization. Descriptive analysis was conducted and
correlations between quantitative variables were investigated.
Results: Fifty-seven patients (M22/F35) with an average age
18.56 (± 8.54) years were enrolled. LCI 2.5 was significantly reduced at
the end of antibiotic treatment in both pediatric and adult populations
with an average improvement of -6% in 37/57 patients. 26/57 are stable
in LCI values. A significant elevation of +7.30% was found for FEV1%.
4/57 (7.02 %) had a significant deterioration in LCI values at the end
of IV antibiotic treatment. A positive good correlation among LCI 2.5
and Scond (rho= +0.615, p=0.000) and LCI 2.5 and Sacin (rho=+0.649,
p=0.000) and a negative strong correlation between FEV1% and LCI 2.5
were found in post treatment period. A better increase of LCI 2.5 in
< 18 years (-10.27% vs -4.57%) than adult was noticed.
Conclusions: LCI may have a role in the routine clinical care
of CF patients as a good tool to assess response to intravenous
antibiotic therapy.
Experimental investigation of heat generation during the mixing of granular materials in an overhead stirrer
Authors: Kisuka Francisco , Rangel Rafael , Hare Colin , Vivacqua Vincenzino , Wu Charley
Published: March 2023

Bladed mixers are widely used for processing granular materials where
significant mechanical energy is required to produce the desired blend.
Some mechanical energy is dissipated within the granular medium,
generating heat during this process. However, our knowledge of the heat
generation mechanisms without external thermal loads is still lacking.
This study uses an overhead stirrer to mix granular materials and
investigate heat generation by monitoring the temperature changes in the
granular bed. Additionally, first-order kinetic equations are used to
extrapolate the experimental data to a thermal equilibrium where the
heat generation and heat loss rates are equal. Lead, steel, and glass
particles are used under various operating conditions. It is observed
that metallic particles heat up faster owing to their lower heat
capacity. Also, increasing the rotation speed, fill ratio and particle
size result in a greater temperature increase. Moreover, flat blades
induce more heat generation compared to tilted blades.
Full cycle on-line autonomous reconfiguration control for heat exchanger networks
Authors: Ren Chao , Sun Lin , Xu Feng , Luo Xiong-Lin
Published: March 2023

This study presents a novel autonomous reconfiguration strategy to
achieve full cycle optimal control of the heat exchanger networks. The
proposed method aims to select the optimal control structure online to
solve the problem of slow time-varying process transition caused by the
inevitable fouling accumulation. Specifically, an auxiliary variable is
introduced to increase the degree of control freedom, and a flexible
control structure is studied to provide appropriate pairings dynamically
between variables. Subsequently, the nonparametric Relative Energy Gain
Array is considered as the switching mechanism to determine switching
instants of control loops. Furthermore, the online optimization of
switching regions ensures the optimal control performance. Finally, one
typical experiment for the heat exchanger network in crude distillation
unit was conducted and the results illustrated the effectiveness of the
proposed control method. Compared with the conventional control system,
the available service time was extended by nearly 18 months.
Giving some tooth to Precambrian carbonates and the tales they tell about ancient oceans
Authors: Lyons Timothy W. , Tu Chenyi , Hancock Leanne
Published: March 2023

Enigmatic is a word that often comes up in discussions about Proterozoic
molar tooth carbonate structures (MTS). But when unusual features such
as these are common in rocks of a particular age, there is almost always
an important message waiting to be discovered. In this case, the
observed temporal patterns for MTS likely track first-order trends in
evolving compositions in the oceans during Earth’s middle history when
CO in the atmosphere and carbonate saturation in the
ocean were high but declining and oxygen (O) in the
ocean-atmosphere system was on the rise. A new paper by Tang et al.
(this volume) gives us a new way to think about MTS origins, and nested
within their model are wide ranging implicit and explicit linkages to
Earth surface evolution as life was becoming more complex in a slow
march toward the world we know today.
What is the Radiation Impact of Extreme Solar Energetic Particle Events on Mars?
Authors: Zhang Jian , Guo Jingnan , Dobynde Mikhail
Published: March 2023

Solar Energetic Particles (SEP) are one of the major sources of the
martian radiation environment. It is important to understand the
SEP-induced martian radiation environment for future human habitats on
Mars. Due to the lack of global intrinsic magnetic field, SEPs can
directly propagate through and interact with its atmosphere before
reaching the surface and subsurface of Mars. Since Mars has many high
mountains and low-altitude craters where the atmospheric thickness can
be more than 10 times different from one another, the SEP-resulted
surface radiation level may be very different from one location to
another. We thus consider the influence of the atmospheric depths on the
martian radiation levels including the absorbed dose, dose equivalent,
and (human-)body effective dose induced by SEPs at varying heights above
and below the martian surface. The state-of-the-art Atmospheric
Radiation Interaction Simulator based on GEometry And Tracking
Monte-Carlo method (AtRIS/GEANT4) has been employed for simulating
particle interactions with the martian atmosphere and terrain. We find
that even the thinnest martian atmosphere reduces radiation dose from
that in deep space by at least 65\%, and the shielding
effect increases for denser atmosphere. Furthermore, we present a method
to quickly forecast the SEP-induced radiation in different regions of
Mars with different surface pressures.
Mg-Fe isotopes trace the mechanism of crustal recycling and arc magmatic processes in the Neo-Tethys subduction zone
Authors: Chen Long , Li Dongyong , Deng Jianghong , Li Sanzhong , Somerville Ian , Chen Yi-Xiang , Zhao Zi-Fu , An Wei , Li Xiao-Hui
Published: March 2023

The mechanism of crustal recycling in subduction zones has been a heated
debate, and Mg–Fe isotopes may provide new constraints for this debate.
This study reported the Fe–Mg isotope data for mafic plutonic rocks
from the eastern and central Gangdese arc and their associated trench
sediments in southern Tibet. The δ26Mg (–0.32 to –0.20‰) and δ56Fe
(0.04 to 0.12‰) values of the eastern Gangdese arc rocks show negative
and positive correlations with (87Sr/86Sr)i and (206Pb/204Pb)i values,
but positive and negative correlations with εNd(t) and εHf(t) values,
respectively. The Mg and Fe isotopic compositions (δ26Mg = –0.28 to
–0.15‰; δ56Fe = 0.02 to 0.12‰) of the central Gangdese arc rocks are
comparable with the eastern ones, but they are not covariant with
Sr–Pb–Nd–Hf isotopes. More importantly, the Fe–Mg isotopes for most
of the arc rocks fall in between local trench sediments (δ26Mg = –0.61
to –0.30‰; δ56Fe = 0.00 to 0.17‰) and the normal mantle. Integrated
qualitative analyses and quantitative simulations suggest that while the
Mg–Fe isotope variations in the eastern Gangdese arc rocks revealed the
important role of source mixing between sediment-derived melts and
peridotite, their variations in the central Gangdese arc rocks reflected
the controlling effects of source mixing between carbonated
serpentinite-derived Mg-rich fluid and peridotite and source melting.
The good covariant relationships between Mg–Fe isotope and traditional
geochemical tracers provide further evidence for the recycling of
crustal materials in subduction zones via various types of slab-derived
fluids and melts.
Evidence of abrupt transitions between sea ice dynamical regimes in the East Greenland marginal ice zone
Authors: Watkins Daniel Mark , Bliss Angela C. , Hutchings Jennifer Katy , Wilhelmus Monica Martinez
Published: March 2023

Sea ice modulates the energy exchange between the atmosphere and the
ocean through its kinematics.Marginal ice zone (MIZ) dynamics are complex and are not well resolved
in routine observations.Here, we investigate sea ice dynamics in the Greenland Sea MIZ using two
Lagrangian drift datasets.We find evidence of tidal currents strongly affecting sub-daily sea ice
motion. Velocity anomalies show abrupt transitions aligned with
gradients in seafloor topography, indicating changes in ocean currents.
Remote-sensed ice floe trajectories derived from moderate resolution
satellite imagery provide a view of small-scale variability across the
Greenland continental shelf. Ice floe trajectories reveal an west-east
increasing velocity gradient imposed by the East Greenland Current, with
maximum velocities aligned along the continental shelf edge. These
results highlight the importance of small scale ocean variability for
ice dynamics in the MIZ.
The Saharan dust plume: Current knowledge on the impact on health, human activities, and the ecosystem, with comments on research gaps
Authors: Olarewaju Olaoluwa Omoniyi , Fajinmi Olufunke Omowumi , Davies Theophilus Clavell , Arthur Georgina Dede , Naidoo Kubendran Kista , Coopoosamy Roger Murugas
Published: March 2023

A massive amount of dust estimated at a million tons is released from
the Sahara Desert each year into the atmosphere and travels over the
North Atlantic Ocean, commonly referred to as the Saharan dust plume
(SDP). With its ability to travel over very long distances across the
sea, the SDP is of enormous global importance, affecting climatic
processes, and playing a significant role in nutrient cycles,
sedimentary cycles, and soil development. On the other hand, from an
environmental health perspective, the SDP degrades air quality, posing
serious health threats to humans, especially to people with lung
conditions. Recent literature documents health issues, including
respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and even death in extreme cases.
Despite this knowledge, large uncertainties exist in our ability to
predict future trends in Saharan dust emissions and model-projected
atmospheric circulation patterns. Employing a comprehensive search of
the recent literature, this study reviews present knowledge of the
sources, composition and propagation dynamics of the SDP and the impact
of its contained atmospheric particulates on health, ecosystems, and
human activities to be able to formulate credible mitigation measures
and unveil areas where further research is needed for improving on these
formulations. A comprehensive list of the more recent references (mainly
post-dating 2010) is assembled to aid the search process of those
wanting to contribute to filling these important knowledge gaps.
Nyiragongo crater collapses measured by multi-sensor SAR amplitude time series
Authors: Smittarello Delphine , Grandin Raphael , Jaspard Maxime , Derauw Dominique , d'Oreye Nicolas F. , Shreve Tara , Debret Marina , Theys Nicolas , Brenot Hugues Henri
Published: March 2023

Crater morphology at active volcanoes can change rapidly. Quantifying
changes during the course of a volcanic unrest episode may help assess
the level of volcanic activity. However, limitations such as crater
accessibility, cloud cover or intra-crater eruptive activity may hamper
regular optical or on-site crater monitoring. Here we use multi-sensor
satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery to produce dense time
series of quantitative indicators of crater morphological changes. High
temporal resolution is achieved by combining images from a variety of
sensors and acquisition modes, though the diversity of acquisition
geometries (incidence angle, viewing direction, resolution…)
prevents direct comparison between the different images. Using basic
trigonometry assumptions, we develop PickCraterSAR, an open-access tool
written in Python to measure crater radius and depth from SAR amplitude
images in radar geometry. We apply our methodology to study the crater
collapse associated with the May 2021 and January 2002 eruptions of
Nyiragongo volcano. After the 2021 collapse, we estimate the maximum
depth of the crater to be 850 m below the rim and the total volume to be
84$\pm$10 Mm$^3$ (270 m deeper but only 15-20
\% more voluminous than the post-2002 eruption crater).
We also show that the 2021 crater collapse occurred progressively while
a dike intrusion was migrating toward the south.
High-resolution simulations of the plume dynamics in an idealized 79°N Glacier cavity using adaptive vertical coordinates
Authors: Reinert Markus , Lorenz Marvin , Klingbeil Knut , Büchmann Bjarne , Buchard Hans
Published: March 2023

For better projections of sea level rise, two things are needed: an
improved understanding of the contributing processes and their accurate
representation in climate models. A major process is basal melting of
ice shelves and glacier tongues by the ocean, which reduces ice sheet
stability and increases ice discharge into the ocean. We study marine
melting of Greenland’s largest floating ice tongue, the 79° North
Glacier, using a high-resolution, 2D-vertical ocean model. While our
fjord model is idealized, the results agree with observations of the
meltrate and the overturning strength. Our setup is the first
application of adaptive vertical coordinates to an ice cavity. Their
stratification-zooming allows a vertical resolution finer than 1 m in
the entrainment layer of the meltwater plume, which is important for the
plume development. In a sensitivity study, we show that the buoyant
plume at the ice–ocean interface is responsible for the bulk of basal
melting. The melting almost stops when the plume has reached neutral
buoyancy. There, the plume detaches from the ice tongue and transports
meltwater out of the fjord. The detachment depth depends primarily on
the ambient ocean stratification. Our results contribute to the
understanding of ice–ocean interactions in glacier cavities.
Furthermore, we suggest that our modeling approach with
stratification-zooming coordinates will improve the representation of
these interactions in global ocean models. Finally, our idealized model
topography and forcing are close to a real fjord and completely defined
analytically, making the setup an interesting reference case for future
model developments.