bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Directions in Duality Theory for Modal Logic
Authors: Carai Luca
Published: February 2022

In this work we present some new contributions towards two different directions in the study of modal logic. First we employ tense logics to provide a temporal interpretation of intuitionistic quantifiers as “always in the future” and “sometime in the past.” This is achieved by modifying the Gödel translation and resolves an asymmetry between the standard interpretation of intuitionistic quantifiers.

Then we generalize the classic Gelfand–Naimark–Stone duality between compact Hausdorff spaces and uniformly complete bounded archimedean
$\ell $
-algebras to a duality encompassing compact Hausdorff spaces with continuous relations. This leads to the notion of modal operators on bounded archimedean
$\ell $
-algebras and in particular on rings of continuous real-valued functions on compact Hausdorff spaces. This new duality is also a generalization of the classic Jónsson-Tarski duality in modal logic.

Abstract taken directly from the thesis.

E-mail: lcarai@unisa.it

URL: https://www.proquest.com/openview/5d284dbfb954383da9364149fa312b6f/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
On the Axiomatisability of the Dual of Compact Ordered Spaces
Authors: Abbadini Marco
Published: February 2022

We prove that the category of Nachbin’s compact ordered spaces and order-preserving continuous maps between them is dually equivalent to a variety of algebras, with operations of at most countable arity. Furthermore, we observe that the countable bound on the arity is the best possible: the category of compact ordered spaces is not dually equivalent to any variety of finitary algebras. Indeed, the following stronger results hold: the category of compact ordered spaces is not dually equivalent to (i) any finitely accessible category, (ii) any first-order definable class of structures, and (iii) any class of finitary algebras closed under products and subalgebras. An explicit equational axiomatisation of the dual of the category of compact ordered spaces is obtained; in fact, we provide a finite one, meaning that our description uses only finitely many function symbols and finitely many equational axioms. In preparation for the latter result, we establish a generalisation of a celebrated theorem by Mundici: our result—whose proof is independent of Mundici’s theorem—asserts that the category of unital commutative distributive lattice-ordered monoids is equivalent to the category of what we call MV-monoidal algebras.

Abstract taken directly from the thesis.

E-mail: marco.abbadini.uni@gmail.com

URL: https://air.unimi.it/retrieve/handle/2434/812809/1698986/phd_unimi_R11882.pdf
Foresight of the Consequences of the Hazmat Release From an Oil Refinery on the Surrounding Urban Community Following an Earthquake: A Natech Scenario Analysis
Authors: Shafiei Moghaddam Parvin , Jahangiri Katayoun , Sohrabizadeh Sanaz , Hassani Nemat , Hoseini Moghaddam Mohammad , Tehrani Ghazaleh Monazami
Published: February 2022

Objective:

To analyze the consequences of the Natech scenario of H2S toxic gas release from an oil refinery near Tehran and its effects on surrounding residential areas following an earthquake.

Methods:

This research was an applied study. The Natech risk map and the end-point distance of gas release were determined using the Rapid-n software and the Worst-Case Scenario of RMP, respectively.

Results:

Regarding the high seismic vulnerability of the structures affected by the Natech risk, all residents of this area were simultaneously affected by earthquake and the toxic gas inhalation. In comparison to earthquake, response capacities were poor for Natech events, due to insufficient resources, limited accessibility, lack of planning, and unsafe evacuation places in exposed regions. Unlike earthquake, few studies have been conducted on Natech risk assessment and related consequences in Iran. Our study not only covered this gap but also revealed some dimensions of consequences of human, structural, and response capacities.

Conclusions:

It is recommended to have plans for implementing short-term such as identifying vulnerable industries and areas, public awareness and long-term such as land use planning measures to reduce Natech risk and resilience improvement.
In vitroassays for investigating the FLASH effect
Authors: Adrian Gabriel , Ruan Jia-Ling , Paillas Salomé , Cooper Christian R. , Petersson Kristoffer
Published: February 2022

FLASH radiotherapy is a novel technique that has been shown in numerous preclinicalin vivostudies to have the potential to be the next important improvement in cancer treatment. However, the biological mechanisms responsible for the selective FLASH sparing effect of normal tissues are not yet known. An optimal translation of FLASH radiotherapy into the clinic would require a good understanding of the specific beam parameters that induces a FLASH effect, environmental conditions affecting the response, and the radiobiological mechanisms involved. Even though the FLASH effect has generally been considered as anin vivoeffect, studies finding these answers would be difficult and ethically challenging to carry out solely in animals. Hence, suitablein vitrostudies aimed towards finding these answers are needed. In this review, we describe and summarise severalin vitroassays that have been used or could be used to finally elucidate the mechanisms behind the FLASH effect.
Nonamenable simple -algebras with tracial approximation
Authors: Fu Xuanlong , Lin Huaxin
Published: February 2022

We construct two types of unital separable simple

$C^*$

-algebras:

$A_z^{C_1}$

and

$A_z^{C_2}$

, one exact but not amenable, the other nonexact. Both have the same Elliott invariant as the Jiang–Su algebra – namely,

$A_z^{C_i}$

has a unique tracial state,

$$ \begin{align*} \left(K_0\left(A_z^{C_i}\right), K_0\left(A_z^{C_i}\right)_+, \left[1_{A_z^{C_i}} \right]\right)=(\mathbb{Z}, \mathbb{Z}_+,1), \end{align*} $$

and

$K_{1}\left (A_z^{C_i}\right )=\{0\}$

(

$i=1,2$

). We show that

$A_z^{C_i}$

(

$i=1,2$

) is essentially tracially in the class of separable

${\mathscr Z}$

-stable

$C^*$

-algebras of nuclear dimension

$1$

.

$A_z^{C_i}$

has stable rank one, strict comparison for positive elements and no

$2$

-quasitrace other than the unique tracial state. We also produce models of unital separable simple nonexact (exact but not nuclear)

$C^*$

-algebras which are essentially tracially in the class of simple separable nuclear

${\mathscr Z}$

-stable

$C^*$

-algebras, and the models exhaust all possible weakly unperforated Elliott invariants. We also discuss some basic properties of essential tracial approximation.
Roman Courage and Constitution in Hegel's Philosophy of Right
Authors: Hristov George
Published: February 2022

This article argues that the citizens of Hegel's state cannot maintain themselves as politically free because they are susceptible to mutual enslavement. I demonstrate this by focusing on the Roman republican background of Hegel's constitution, the potential trajectory of its dissolution and the accompanying means of its cyclical fortification through courage. Hegel, by integrating aspects of the Roman mixed constitution also adopts the idea of decadence within his conception of civil society. After locating the source of decadence in the contractual relations of peace and the bourgeois inability to overcome the fear of death, I go on to argue that war for Hegel provides a theatre where freedom may be regenerated through courage. However, I also show that modern wars do not provide sufficient means of perpetuating Hegel's constitution. To demonstrate this, I distinguish three forms of war: colonial, limited and total war, arguing that only the latter offers a solution to decay of political disposition and loss of freedom, but that—by being itself susceptible to decadence—it cannot salvage Hegel's state from dissolution and reduction to contractual relations.
Use of serial testing to interrupt a severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak on a hospital medical floor—Minnesota, October–December 2020
Authors: Prabhu Rajesh M. , Firestone Melanie J. , Bergman Kari L. , Beaudoin Amanda L. , Hale Tammy , Lorentz Alexandra J. , Garfin Jacob , Wang Xiong , Holzbauer Stacy M.
Published: February 2022

Objective:

Describe a severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) hospital outbreak and the role of serial testing of patients and healthcare personnel (HCP) in interrupting SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

Design:

Outbreak investigation.

Setting:

Medical floor of a tertiary-care center in Minnesota.

Methods:

Serial testing for SARS-CoV-2 and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of positive specimens from HCP and patients were used. An outbreak-associated case was defined as a positive SARS-CoV-2 molecular test in an HCP who worked on the floor prior to testing positive or in a patient who was hospitalized on the medical floor bewteen October 27 and December 1, 2020. WGS was used to determine potential routes of transmission.

Results:

The outbreak was detected after a patient hospitalized for 12 days tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Serial testing of patients and HCP was conducted in response. Overall, 247 HCP and 41 patients participated in serial SARS-CoV-2 testing; 52 HCP (21%) and 19 hospitalized patients (46%) tested positive. One additional HCP tested positive outside serial testing. The WGS of specimens from 27 (51%) HCP and 15 (79%) patients identified 3 distinct transmission clusters. WGS and epidemiologic evidence suggested intrafacility transmission. The proportions of asymptomatic and presymptomatic patients who tested positive (63%) and HCP who worked during their infectious period (75%) highlight the need for serial testing of asymptomatic patients and HCP during outbreaks.

Conclusions:

Coupled with preventive measures such as personal protective equipment use and physical distancing, serial testing of HCP and patients could help detect and prevent transmission within healthcare facilities during outbreaks and when nosocomial transmission is suspected.
Godzilla vs Pulgasari: Anti-Japanism and Anti-Communism as Dueling Antagonisms in South Korean Politics
Authors: Shaw Meredith
Published: February 2022

South Korea's persistent enmity towards its erstwhile colonizer Japan has been a compelling topic of East Asian international relations scholarship for decades. This article argues that the historical evolution of South Korea's democracy offers a vital and overlooked piece of this puzzle. Given that it emerged from one of the most virulently anti-communist dictatorships of the Cold War period, in a society facing an ongoing threat from communist North Korea, any left-of-center opposition movement faced an uphill battle against severe anti-communism. In such circumstances, the only way for a leftist opposition party to survive was by pitting its stronger anti-Japan reputation against conservatives’ anti-communism. After South Korea's democracy stabilized, liberals tried and failed to overturn the anti-leftist institutions left over from the Cold War and then sought equilibrium through parallel rhetoric targeting pro-Japanese elements. Today, neither left nor right can afford to allow a final amicable settlement with its respective target of antagonism. Through analyses of domestic political rhetoric targeting alleged pro-Japanese or pro-communist elements, this paper demonstrates how these competing antagonisms achieved an uneasy equilibrium that undergirds South Korean political dynamics to this day.
Effect of curvature on transient natural convection in a vertical circular pipe
Authors: Nie Bingchuan , Xu Feng
Published: February 2022

Natural convection adjacent to a curved vertical wall is widely present. Unfortunately, the effect of curvature on the transient thermal boundary layer (TBL) adjacent to the concave vertical wall has been neglected. In this study, dynamical evolution and thermal process of transient natural convection in a vertical circular pipe are discussed using scaling analysis, a boundary flow regime for the thin TBL without merging and a duct flow regime for the TBL with merging at the axis of the pipe are distinguished. The scaling laws quantifying the dependence of thickness, velocity and flow rate of the TBL of the fluid with the fixed Prandtl number in the vertical pipe on the Rayleigh number (RaT and Raq) and the ratio of height to radius of the pipe (A) are first reported for the isothermal and isoflux conditions. The curvature effect becomes stronger with the increase of the thickness of the TBL. Under the duct flow regime, the non-dimensional flow rate is scaled with

$Ra_T^{1/2}{A^{ - 1}}$

for the isothermal condition and with

$Ra_q^{1/2}{A^{ - 3/2}}$

for the isoflux condition. The scaling laws of the thickness, velocity and the flow rate of the TBL in the vertical pipe are validated based on the numerical results from direct numerical simulation (DNS) with good precision. The scaling coefficient is also presented under different regimes and conditions, which can serve as a design guide to determine natural convection in the vertical circular pipe.
Cambrian Age 3 small shelly fossils from the Terrades inlier, southern Pyrenees, Spain: Biostratigraphic and paleobiogeographic implications
Authors: Wallet Elise , Padel Maxime , Devaere Léa , Clausen Sébastien , Álvaro J. Javier , Laumonier Bernard
Published: February 2022

The Cambrian stratigraphic succession of the Pyrenees (SW Europe) has undergone a complex Variscan and Alpine tectonothermal history leading to marked metamorphism and development of cleavage networks, which might partly explain the lack of Cambrian fossiliferous beds. This gap has traditionally precluded its paleobiogeographic and biostratigraphic relationships with other neighboring peri-Gondwanan units. Correlations are only based on lithostratigraphic comparisons and radiometric constraints. In this general scheme, the Terrades inlier (Gerona Province, Spain) provides the only significant and indisputable ‘early Cambrian’ fossil record of the Pyrenees. This predominantly siliciclastic outcrop consists of multiple patch reefs and bioherms having yielded archeocyaths dated at Cambrian Epoch 2, Age 3. This paper describes, for the first time, the microfossil assemblage included in the archeocyathan-microbial reefal complex that crops out in the Terrades inlier to clarify its age and affinities with surrounding tectonostratigraphic units. Reefal flanks of patch reefs have yielded bradoriids, brachiopods, molluscs, tommotiids, chancelloriids, hyoliths, and the problematic fossil (and chronostratigraphically significant)Rhombocorniculum cancellatumCobbold, 1921. In addition to confirming the previously assigned age of the succession, the recovered fauna emphasizes strong affinities with the surrounding Occitan Domain (Montagne Noire, southern Massif Central, France) and Sardinia (Italy). Along with lithostratigraphic comparison and tectonic considerations, this further supports the recent reconstructions positioning the Pyrenean domain between the Montagne Noire (to the southwest) and Sardinia (further to the northeast) on the Gondwana margin during Cambrian times.
Colloidal stability of milk: reinterpretation of alcohol test results by digital microscopy
Authors: da Costa Cláudio Humberto Ferreira , de Paula Igor Lima , da Silva Paulo Henrique Fonseca , Perrone Ítalo Tuler , Stephani Rodrigo , Cappa de Oliveira Luiz Fernando
Published: February 2022

In this research communication we propose a new approach by portable digital microscopy with a 200× objective to improve the visualization of microparticles of pasteurized milk submitted to the alcohol test. Not only did the method reduce the subjectivity of the readings, but also generated high resolution images of the microparticles, which allows the creation of a specific image pattern for each type of final product. In comparison to a control pasteurized milk treatment, the results confirmed the effect and the specificity of added salts (sodium citrate, disodium phosphate or their combination) on the stability of the milk to the alcohol test. Finally, the mixture of stabilizing salts of citrate/phosphate provided the highest degree of stability to pasteurized milk among the treatments studied.
Addressing historical trauma and healing in Indigenous language cultivation and revitalization
Authors: McKenzie James
Published: February 2022

This paper demonstrates that historical trauma, healing, and wellbeing require attention in Indigenous language cultivation and revitalization. While historical trauma affects Indigenous peoples across the spectrum of language knowledge and use, little is written about the ways it can be addressed in the teaching, learning, and development—the cultivation—of Indigenous languages. For Indigenous language educators, how we address historical trauma in our language cultivation may be one of the most critical factors affecting our potential to cultivate the wellness we seek, and new generations of speakers of our languages. Drawing on a Diné (Navajo) lens and voices from other Indigenous communities, this article focuses on historical trauma, healing, and wellbeing as important considerations in Indigenous language cultivation and revitalization, to which applied linguists, Indigenous peoples, and others interested in Indigenous language revitalization and Indigenous wellbeing should pay attention. It argues that many of the most appropriate approaches can and will come from within our own Indigenous ways of knowing and healing, and that sharing more work of this kind can strengthen cultivation and revitalization efforts. It provides recommendations for applied linguistics and allied fields, educational, governmental and other resource holders, and Indigenous communities, programs, language cultivators and revitalizers.
Faecal carriage of Clostridioides difficile is low among veterinary healthcare workers in the Netherlands
Authors: Meijs Anouk P. , Gijsbers Esther F. , Hengeveld Paul D. , Kuijper Ed J. , Dierikx Cindy M. , de Greeff Sabine C. , van Duijkeren Engeline
Published: February 2022

Veterinary healthcare workers are in close contact with many different animals and might be at an increased risk of acquiring Clostridioides difficile. In this cross-sectional study, we assessed the prevalence and risk factors of C. difficile carriage in Dutch veterinary healthcare workers. Participants provided a faecal sample and filled out a questionnaire covering potential risk factors for C. difficile carriage. C. difficile culture positive isolates were polymerase chain reaction (PCR) ribotyped and the presence of toxin genes tcdA, tcdB and cdtA/cdtB was determined. Eleven of 482 [2.3%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3–4.0] veterinary healthcare workers were carriers of C. difficile. Three persons carried C. difficile ribotype 078 (0.6%; 95% CI 0.2–1.8). Risk factors for carriage were health/medication and hygiene related, including poor hand hygiene after patient (animal) contact, and did not include occupational contact with certain animal species. In conclusion, the prevalence of C. difficile carriage in veterinary healthcare workers was low and no indications were found that working in veterinary care is a risk for C. difficile carriage.
Impact of right anterolateral thoracotomy with a new approach on breast development: survey analysis of female cardiac surgery patients
Authors: Turkcan Başak Soran , Atalay Atakan , Kulahcioglu Emre , Tasoglu Irfan
Published: February 2022

Introduction:

Our aim was to present the effects of submammarian thoracotomy by our new approach to breast development in young female patients between 8 and 14 years old.

Methods:

Atrial septal defect closure was performed in 55 female patients between 8 and 14 years old at the time of operation between January 2010 and January 2018 by median sternotomy or right anterolateral thoracotomy. These patients were called for a follow-up visits, breast examination were performed, and a questionnaire of 10 questions was applied.

Results:

According to the answer given by the patients to the question of “how would you describe your scar” showed that the surgical method satisfies all patients cosmetically in study group. The overall satisfaction rate for the cosmetic results of operation was 100% versus 41.1%, respectively. The percentage of patients said no to the question “Do you experience lack of self-confidence related your scar” was significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.001). The percentage of those who said yes to the question “Would you like to be operated with the same approach if you will have surgery again?” in the study group was significantly higher than the control group (p = 0.002).

Conclusions:

We consider that our procedure is safe and effective with improved cosmetic results compared to median sternotomy which also confers many advantages such as less trauma, less pain, faster recovery, and shorter hospital stay. This study presents one of the largest series of paediatric patients operated by submammarian thoracotomy.
Explainable lexical entailment with semantic graphs
Authors: Kovacs Adam , Gemes Kinga , Kornai Andras , Recski Gabor
Published: February 2022

We present novel methods for detecting lexical entailment in a fully rule-based and explainable fashion, by automatic construction of semantic graphs, in any language for which a crowd-sourced dictionary with sufficient coverage and a dependency parser of sufficient accuracy are available. We experiment and evaluate on both the Semeval-2020 lexical entailment task (Glavaš et al. (2020). Proceedings of the Fourteenth Workshop on Semantic Evaluation, pp. 24–35) and the SherLIiC lexical inference dataset of typed predicates (Schmitt and Schütze (2019). Proceedings of the 57th Annual Meeting of the Association for Computational Linguistics, pp. 902–914). Combined with top-performing systems, our method achieves improvements over the previous state-of-the-art on both benchmarks. As a standalone system, it offers a fully interpretable model of lexical entailment that makes detailed error analysis possible, uncovering future directions for improving both the semantic parsing method and the inference process on semantic graphs. We release all components of our system as open source software.
Additive and synergistic interactions of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) and photosystem II (PSII) inhibitors for the control of glyphosate-resistant horseweed (Conyza canadensis) in corn
Authors: Fluttert John C. , Soltani Nader , Galla Mariano , Hooker David C. , Robinson Darren E. , Sikkema Peter H.
Published: February 2022

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) horseweed [Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist; syn.: Erigeron canadensis L.] interference can substantially reduce corn (Zea mays L.) yield. The complementary activity of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) and photosystem II (PSII) inhibitors has been investigated for the control of several weed species, and in many cases has been synergistic; however, there is little information on the interaction of HPPD- and PSII-inhibiting herbicides for postemergence control of GR C. canadensis in corn. Four field trials were studied over 2 yr (2019, 2020) in Ontario, Canada, in commercial corn fields with natural infestations of GR C. canadensis to evaluate the level of GR C. canadensis control with three HPPD-inhibiting herbicides (mesotrione, tolpyralate, and topramezone) and three PSII-inhibiting herbicides (atrazine, bromoxynil, and bentazon) applied individually and in tank-mix combinations, and to document the interaction of the three HPPD inhibitors tank mixed with the three PSII inhibitors. Mesotrione, tolpyralate, and topramezone controlled GR C. canadensis 83%, 84%, and 72%, respectively, at 8 wk after application (WAA). Bromoxynil and bentazon controlled GR C. canadensis 71% and 79%, respectively, while atrazine provided only 31% control at 8 WAA. The joint application of atrazine, bromoxynil, or bentazon with mesotrione increased GR C. canadensis control from 83% to 100% at 8 WAA. Tolpyralate tank mixed with atrazine, bromoxynil, or bentazon controlled GR C. canadensis 96%, 98%, and 98%, respectively, which was comparable to the mesotrione tank mixes at 8 WAA. Topramezone plus atrazine, bromoxynil, or bentazon controlled GR C. canadensis 91%, 93%, and 95%, respectively, at 8 WAA. Interactions between HPPD and PSII inhibitors were synergistic for all combinations of mesotrione or tolpyralate with atrazine, bromoxynil, or bentazon. The interaction between topramezone and PSII inhibitors was additive. All nine tank mixes controlled GR C. canadensis >90%. This study concludes that bromoxynil or bentazon, instead of atrazine, can be co-applied with mesotrione, tolpyralate, or topramezone without compromising GR C. canadensis control in corn.
Guilt and Shame Proneness Scale Adaptation and Psychometric Properties in Spanish Population
Authors: Alabèrnia-Segura Miquel , Feixas Guillem , Gallardo-Pujol David
Published: February 2022

Abstract. Aims: We aim to develop a Spanish version of the Guilt and Shame Proneness Scale (GASP) and evaluate its psychometric properties with a Spanish sample. Method: A Spanish version of the GASP was developed by Spanish and English speakers using translation and back-translation. The translated GASP was administered to a sample of 277 Spanish college students (239 females). The validity and reliability of the scale were tested using standard statistical methods. Results: The translated version of the GASP scale was found to have outstanding domain coherence and language clarity. The tested scales showed adequate reliability (>.55), which can be considered evidence supporting its reliability, given that the GASP is a scenario-based measure with only four items in each subscale. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the four-factor solution. In addition, a nomological network is provided using the Spanish version of the HEXACO questionnaire. Conclusions: This study presents the first validation of the GASP questionnaire among the general Spanish population. Furthermore, the GASP instrument was found to have satisfactory psychometric properties, resulting in a new tool for researching the moral and social aspects of human experience.
Spatial Analysis and Lead‐Risk Assessment of Philadelphia, USA
Authors: Caballero‐Gómez H. , White H. K. , O’Shea M. J. , Pepino R. , Howarth M. , Gieré R.
Published: February 2022

Childhood lead poisoning is an issue that continues to plague major U.S. cities. Despite efforts by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health to curtail systemic childhood lead poisoning, children continue to be identified with elevated blood lead levels. The persistence of elevated blood lead levels in children is concerning because lead poisoning has been linked to decreases in academic achievement and IQ, with associated repercussions for entire communities. This paper reports the results of an analysis of the spatial distribution of houses with lead paint (i.e., pre‐1978), demolitions, and occurrence of historic smelters, in West and North Philadelphia, relative to elevated blood lead level data, to determine which lead sources act as primary lead‐risk factors. The presence of lead paint in homes and the number of demolitions of older properties were found to have the highest correlations to elevated blood lead levels for children in Philadelphia. Using lead‐risk factors including lead paint, housing code violations, demolitions, and owner‐occupied housing units, a lead‐risk assessment was performed at the census tract level to identify future soil sampling sites and high‐risk neighborhoods in Philadelphia. These sites of high risk for lead exposure, and in particular the census tracts 175 and 172, should be prioritized for lead poisoning prevention initiatives.
Persistent Ross Sea Freshening From Imbalance West Antarctic Ice Shelf Melting
Authors: Jacobs S. S. , Giulivi C. F. , Dutrieux P.
Published: February 2022

A 63‐year observational record in the southwest Ross Sea shows a continuing, near‐linear salinity decrease of 0.170 and slight warming of 0.013°C through 2020. That freshening exceeded any increase in sea ice production and brine release from stronger southerly winds, while melting and freezing at the Ross Ice Shelf base contributed little to the salinity change. The parallel seawater density decline appears not to have enhanced warm deep water intrusions onto the continental shelf (CS). Confirming prior inferences, the salinity change has been mainly caused by a growing imbalance in the meltwater available from thinning ice shelves and increased iceberg calving in the upstream Amundsen and Bellingshausen Seas. Shorter‐term salinity variability has tracked winds near the Amundsen Sea CS break, in turn coherent with a broader Pacific climate variability index, and with salinity reversals on and seaward of the Ross CS. The melt driven freshening is positively correlated with global atmospheric CO2 and temperature increases, and adds to the rise in sea level from increased glacier flow into weakened ice shelves. Continued erosion of those ice shelves could end the production of high salinity shelf and bottom waters, as defined in the Ross Sea, by the 2050s.
Nivolumab plus ipilimumab with or without live bacterial supplementation in metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a randomized phase 1 trial
Authors: Dizman Nazli , Meza Luis , Bergerot Paulo , Alcantara Marice , Dorff Tanya , Lyou Yung , Frankel Paul , Cui Yujie , Mira Valerie , Llamas Marian , Hsu Joann , Zengin Zeynep , Salgia Nicholas , Salgia Sabrina , Malhotra Jasnoor , Chawla Neal , Chehrazi-Raffle Alex , Muddasani Ramya , Gillece John , Reining Lauren , Trent Jeff , Takahashi Motomichi , Oka Kentaro , Higashi Seiya , Kortylewski Marcin , Highlander Sarah K. , Pal Sumanta K.
Published: February 2022

Previous studies have suggested that the gut microbiome influences the response to checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) in patients with cancer. CBM588 is a bifidogenic live bacterial product that we postulated could augment CPI response through modulation of the gut microbiome. In this open-label, single-center study (NCT03829111), 30 treatment-naive patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma with clear cell and/or sarcomatoid histology and intermediate- or poor-risk disease were randomized 2:1 to receive nivolumab and ipilimumab with or without daily oral CBM588, respectively. Stool metagenomic sequencing was performed at multiple timepoints. The primary endpoint to compare the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium spp. at baseline and at 12 weeks was not met, and no significant differences in Bifidobacterium spp. or Shannon index associated with the addition of CBM588 to nivolumab–ipilimumab were detected. Secondary endpoints included response rate, progression-free survival (PFS) and toxicity. PFS was significantly longer in patients receiving nivolumab–ipilimumab with CBM588 than without (12.7 months versus 2.5 months, hazard ratio 0.15, 95% confidence interval 0.05–0.47, P = 0.001). Although not statistically significant, the response rate was also higher in patients receiving CBM588 (58% versus 20%, P = 0.06). No significant difference in toxicity was observed between the study arms. The data suggest that CBM588 appears to enhance the clinical outcome in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with nivolumab–ipilimumab. Larger studies are warranted to confirm this clinical observation and elucidate the mechanism of action and the effects on microbiome and immune compartments.
Functional analysis of the airways after pulmonary lobectomy through computational fluid dynamics
Authors: Aliboni Lorenzo , Tullio Marta , Pennati Francesca , Lomauro Antonella , Carrinola Rosaria , Carrafiello Gianpaolo , Nosotti Mario , Palleschi Alessandro , Aliverti Andrea
Published: February 2022

Pulmonary lobectomy, which consists of the partial or complete resection of a lung lobe, is the gold standard intervention for lung cancer removal. The removal of functional tissue during the surgery and the re-adaptation of the remaining thoracic structures decrease the patient's post-operative pulmonary function. Residual functionality is evaluated through pulmonary function tests, which account for the number of resected segments without considering local structural alterations and provide an average at-the-mouth estimation. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has been demonstrated to provide patient-specific, quantitative, and local information about airways airflow dynamics. A CFD investigation was performed on image-based airway trees reconstructed before and after the surgery for twelve patients who underwent lobectomy at different lobes. The geometrical alterations and the variations in fluid dynamics parameters and in lobar ventilation between the pre and post-operative conditions were evaluated. The post-operative function was estimated and compared with current clinical algorithms and with actual clinical data. The post-operative configuration revealed a high intersubject variability: regardless of the lobectomy site, an increment of global velocity, wall pressure, and wall shear stress was observed. Local flow disturbances also emerged at, and downstream of, the resection site. The analysis of lobar ventilation showed severe variations in the volume flow rate distribution, highlighting the compensatory effects in the contralateral lung with an increment of inflow. The estimation of post-operative function through CFD was comparable with the current clinical algorithm and the actual spirometric measurements. The results confirmed that CFD could provide additional information to support the current clinical approaches both in the operability assessment and in the prescription of personalized respiratory rehabilitation.
Simultaneous radiomethylation of [11C]harmine and [11C]DASB and kinetic modeling approach for serotonergic brain imaging in the same individual
Authors: Vraka Chrysoula , Murgaš Matej , Rischka Lucas , Geist Barbara Katharina , Lanzenberger Rupert , Gryglewski Gregor , Zenz Thomas , Wadsak Wolfgang , Mitterhauser Markus , Hacker Marcus , Philippe Cécile , Pichler Verena
Published: February 2022

Simultaneous characterization of pathologies by multi-tracer positron emission tomography (PET) is among the most promising applications in nuclear medicine. Aim of this work was the simultaneous production of two PET-tracers in one module and test the relevance for human application. [11C]harmine and [11C]DASB were concurrently synthesized in a ‘two-in-one-pot’ reaction in quality for application. Dual-tracer protocol was simulated using 16 single PET scans in different orders of tracer application separated by different time intervals. Volume of distribution was calculated for single- and dual-tracer measurements using Logan’s plot and arterial input function in 13 brain regions. The ‘two-in-one-pot’ reaction yielded equivalent amounts of both radiotracers with comparable molar activities. The simulations of the dual-tracer application were comparable to the single bolus injections in 13 brain regions, when [11C]harmine was applied first and [11C]DASB second, with an injection time interval of 45 min (rxy = 0.90). Our study shows the successful simultaneous dual-tracer production leading to decreased radiation burden and costs. The simulation of dual subject injection to quantify the monoamine oxidase-A and serotonin transporter distribution proved its high potential. Multi-tracer imaging may drive more sophisticated study designs and diminish the day-to-day differences in the same individual as well as increase PET scanner efficiency.
A COVID-19 mortality prediction model for Korean patients using nationwide Korean disease control and prevention agency database
Authors: Jee Yongho , Kim Yi-Jun , Oh Jongmin , Kim Young-Ju , Ha Eun-Hee , Jo Inho
Published: February 2022

The experience of the early nationwide COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea led to an early shortage of medical resources. For efficient resource allocation, accurate prediction of the prognosis or mortality of confirmed patients is essential. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop an accurate model for predicting COVID-19 mortality using epidemiolocal and clinical variables and for identifying a high-risk group of confirmed patients. Clinical and epidemiolocal variables of 4049 patients with confirmed COVID-19 between January 20, 2020 and April 30, 2020 collected by the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency were used. Among the 4049 total confirmed patients, 223 patients died, while 3826 patients were released from isolation. Patients who had the following risk factors showed significantly higher risk scores: age over 60 years, male sex, difficulty breathing, diabetes, cancer, dementia, change of consciousness, and hospitalization in the intensive care unit. High accuracy was shown for both the development set (n = 2467) and the validation set (n = 1582), with AUCs of 0.96 and 0.97, respectively. The prediction model developed in this study based on clinical features and epidemiological factors could be used for screening high-risk groups of patients and for evidence-based allocation of medical resources.
Nosocomial infections in female compared with male patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis
Authors: Griemsmann Marie , Tergast Tammo L. , Simon Nicolas , Kabbani Abdul-Rahman , Manns Michael P. , Wedemeyer Heiner , Cornberg Markus , Maasoumy Benjamin
Published: February 2022

There are considerable differences between males and females regarding the etiology, progression and outcome of liver diseases. Infections are a frequent and severe complication in these patients. This study aimed to examine sex specific differences in the incidence and clinical course of nosocomial infections in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. A number of 556 consecutive hospitalized patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and ascites were analyzed. The patients were followed up for the incidence of nosocomial infections, acute kidney injury (AKI), acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) as well as liver transplantation and death (LTx-free survival). A number of 285 patients (111 women and 174 men) developed a nosocomial infection. Incidence was numerically lower in men (P = 0.076). While the frequency of a nosocomial spontaneous bacterial peritonitis was similar between males and females, the incidence of a nosocomial urinary tract infection was significantly higher in women (P < 0.001). No sex specific differences were documented regarding the outcome of an infection as indicated by a similar incidence of, AKI, ACLF as well as LTx-free survival. There seem to be no major differences in the incidence and outcome of nosocomial infections between male and female patients.
Early preterm infant microbiome impacts adult learning
Authors: Lu Jing , Lu Lei , Yu Yueyue , Oliphant Kaitlyn , Drobyshevsky Alexander , Claud Erika C.
Published: February 2022

Interventions to mitigate long-term neurodevelopmental deficits such as memory and learning impairment in preterm infants are warranted. Manipulation of the gut microbiome affects host behaviors. In this study we determined whether early maturation of the infant microbiome is associated with neurodevelopment outcomes. Germ free mice colonized at birth with human preterm infant microbiomes from infants of advancing post menstrual age (PMA) demonstrated an increase in bacterial diversity and a shift in dominance of taxa mimicking the human preterm microbiome development pattern. These characteristics along with changes in a number of metabolites as the microbiome matured influenced associative learning and memory but not locomotor ability, anxiety-like behaviors, or social interaction in adult mice. As a regulator of learning and memory, brain glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor increased with advancing PMA and was also associated with better performance in associative learning and memory in adult mice. We conclude that maturation of the microbiome in early life of preterm infants primes adult associative memory and learning ability. Our findings suggest a critical window of early intervention to affect maturation of the preterm infant microbiome and ultimately improve neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Surgical treatment of diffuse and multi-lobes involved glioma with the assistance of a multimodal technique
Authors: Liu Jiayu , Chen Hewen , Gao Xin , Cui Meng , Ma Lin , Zheng Xiaoque , Guan Bing , Ma Xiaodong
Published: February 2022

Diffuse and multi-lobes involved glioma (DMG) is a rare disease, and the aim of this study was to assess the role of multimodal-assisted surgical resection of tumours combined with chemoradiotherapy and identify prognosis. Clinical data were collected from 38 patients with a diagnosis of DMG. Nineteen patients received multimodal-assisted surgical resection of tumours combined with chemoradiotherapy, and another 19 patients underwent chemoradiotherapy alone after stereotactic puncture biopsy. The clinical characteristics, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, histopathological diagnosis, progression-free survival, and overall survival of DMG patients were retrospectively analysed. Twenty-six males and 12 females were included, and the age of the participants ranged from 10 to 80 years (46.34 ± 15.61). The median overall survival in our study was 25 months, and the progression-free survival was 17 months. The extent of resection was 50.10–73.60% (62.54% ± 7.92%). The preoperative and the postoperative KPS score of the patients in the operation group showed no statistically significant difference. The results of logistic regression demonstrated that overall survival was positively associated with operative treatment + chemoradiotherapy (p = 0.003) but negatively associated with age and corpus callosal involvement (p = 0.028 and 0.022, respectively). Kaplan–Meier analyses showed that those who underwent surgical treatment had a significant progression-free and overall survival benefit compared to those who did not undergo surgical treatment (log-rank test; p = 0.011 and 0.008, respectively). Older age and involvement of the corpus callosum represent a poor prognosis in DMG patients. Multimodal-assisted surgical resection of tumours combined with chemoradiotherapy might be a treatment option for DMG. Further research is needed to obtain the clear evidence of the effect of surgical treatment.
Estimation of dental age based on the developmental stages of permanent teeth in Japanese children and adolescents
Authors: Kuremoto Katsuaki , Okawa Rena , Matayoshi Saaya , Kokomoto Kazuma , Nakano Kazuhiko
Published: February 2022

Assessment of children’s growth and development based on general and oral developmental status and dental age is important in pediatric dentistry for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Teeth are a useful maturation index because they are unlikely to be affected by exogenous factors such as disease. We examined the correlation between chronological and dental age of permanent teeth in Japanese children and adolescents using orthopantomography. The sample comprised 1024 orthopantomographs from individuals aged 3–18 years, which were stored in an electronic media database for 10 years (2009–2019). We classified the developmental stages of each permanent tooth were classified into 11 stages, clarified the dental age for each developmental stage, and prepared a conversion table. Using the results, we compared the sequence and rate of development of each permanent tooth. We clarified the dental age of each permanent tooth from childhood to mid-adolescence and established a method for calculating the dental age of the whole jaw that is appropriate for modern Japanese individuals. We found that girls tended to form teeth at a faster rate than boys until puberty, but boys caught up with girls after puberty, suggesting that secondary sexual characteristics are involved in the rate of tooth formation.
Magnetic metasurfaces properties in the near field regions
Authors: Brizi Danilo , Monorchio Agostino
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we present a general equivalent-circuit interpretation of finite magnetic metasurfaces interacting with an arbitrary arrangement of RF coils operating in near-field regime. The developed model allows to derive a physical interpretation of the interactions between the metasurface and the surrounding RF coils, both transmitting and receiving. Indeed, especially for near-field applications, the metasurface presence modifies the behavior of each RF coil differently, due to the specific reciprocal interactions. Hence, the proposed approach introduces a source-related complex magnetic permeability matrix, overcoming the traditional bulk definition. To prove the model validity against full-wave simulations, we present two significant test cases, commonly used in practical applications. The former is represented by the simple metasurface-coil arrangement from which important and fundamental considerations can be drawn. The latter system is composed by a transmitting and a receiving coil with a metasurface in between; detailed explanations on the metasurface interactions with both the RF coils are developed. Finally, we also achieved an excellent agreement between the numerical results and the measurements obtained through fabricated prototypes. In summary, the circuit interpretation herein presented, in addition to the rigorous electromagnetic theoretical approaches already appeared in the open literature, reveals useful in providing quantitative, practical, and easy-to-handle guidelines for the design and physical understanding of finite magnetic metasurfaces interacting with arbitrary RF coils arrangements in the near-field regime.
Interactions of Co, Cu, and non-metal phthalocyanines with external structures of SARS-CoV-2 using docking and molecular dynamics
Authors: Alencar Wilson Luna Machado , da Silva Arouche Tiago , Neto Abel Ferreira Gomes , de Castro Ramalho Teodorico , de Carvalho Júnior Raul Nunes , de Jesus Chaves Neto Antonio Maia
Published: February 2022

The new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, caused the COVID-19 pandemic, characterized by its high rate of contamination, propagation capacity, and lethality rate. In this work, we approach the use of phthalocyanines as an inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2, as they present several interactive properties of the phthalocyanines (Pc) of Cobalt (CoPc), Copper (CuPc) and without a metal group (NoPc) can interact with SARS-CoV-2, showing potential be used as filtering by adsorption on paints on walls, masks, clothes, and air conditioning filters. Molecular modeling techniques through Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics were used, where the target was the external structures of the virus, but specifically the envelope protein, main protease, and Spike glycoprotein proteases. Using the g_MM-GBSA module and with it, the molecular docking studies show that the ligands have interaction characteristics capable of adsorbing the structures. Molecular dynamics provided information on the root-mean-square deviation of the atomic positions provided values between 1 and 2.5. The generalized Born implicit solvation model, Gibbs free energy, and solvent accessible surface area approach were used. Among the results obtained through molecular dynamics, it was noticed that interactions occur since Pc could bind to residues of the active site of macromolecules, demonstrating good interactions; in particular with CoPc. Molecular couplings and free energy showed that S-gly active site residues interacted strongly with phthalocyanines with values ​​of − 182.443 kJ/mol (CoPc), 158.954 kJ/mol (CuPc), and − 129.963 kJ/mol (NoPc). The interactions of Pc's with SARS-CoV-2 may predict some promising candidates for antagonists to the virus, which if confirmed through experimental approaches, may contribute to resolving the global crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic.