CCM – IAG Strategy for Metrology in Absolute Gravimetry: Role of CCM and IAG

The President of the Consultative Committee for Mass and related quantities (CCM) and the President of the International Association of Geodesy (IAG) Commission 2 «Gravity Field» met on March 21, 2013 with the objective to better coordinate the work at the level of both organizations. It was decided to prepare a common strategic document to be used by their respective Working Groups (WG), Sub-commission (SC) and Joint Working Groups (JWG) to clarify future activities and to develop an action plan.The main objective is to define and to harmonize the activities in order to ensure traceability to the SI for gravity measurements at the highest level for metrology and geodesy with-in the framework of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA

Characterization of common wheat flours (Triticum aestivum L.) through multivariate analysis of conventional rheological parameters and gluten peak test indices

The GlutoPeak consists in high speed mixing of a small amount of wheat flour (<10 g) added with water, and in registering a torque vs. time curve in a very short time (<10 min). Peak torque, peak maximum time, and energy values are calculated from the curve, and used to estimate the aggregation behavior of gluten. The information brought by the GlutoPeak indices is still difficult to interpret correctly, also in relation to the conventional approaches in the field of cereal science. A multivariate approach was used to investigate the correlations existing between the GlutoPeak indices and the conventional rheological parameters. 120 wheat flours- different for protein, dough stability, extensibility, tenacity, and strength, and end-uses - were analyzed using the GlutoPeak and conventional instrumentation. The parameters were subjected to a data exploration step through Principal Component Analysis. Then, multivariate Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) models were developed using the GlutoPeak indices to predict the conventional parameters. The values of the squared correlation coefficients in prediction of an external test set showed that acceptable to good results (0.61 64 R2PRED 64 0.96) were obtained for the prediction of 18 out of the 26 conventional parameters here considered

Collateral consequences of criminal records from the other side of the pond: How exceptional is American penal exceptionalism?

In this article, we highlight the existence and expansion of so-called “collateral consequences”(CCs) of criminal records in Europe to challenge the prevalent view that these are features of the claimed “American exceptionalism” within the penal field. Firstly, we consider how CCs have been widely presented as a quintessential example of American penal exceptionalism within extant scholarship before problematising the adoption of such a framework from a European perspective. Secondly, we demystify the issue of CCs within Europe by highlighting the deleterious effects which CCs have on the lives of European people with a criminal record. Thirdly, we consider precisely what can be regarded as “exceptional” about CCs in the US as compared to Europe by analysing key areas of possible differentiation. We conclude by cautioning against the view that European penality is necessarily‒and always homogeneously and consistently‒“progressive” in relation to its treatment of criminal records and criminal record subjects. We also suggest that far greater attention and vigilance is required from criminologists and criminal justice scholars regarding the expansion and operation of CCs in Europe

3D printed customized facemask for maxillary protraction in the early treatment of a Class III malocclusion: proof-of-concept clinical case

In order to improve fit and comfort, a maxillary protraction facemask customized to the patient’s anatomy was produced by means of 3D face scanning, digital design and additive manufacturing. An 8-year-old patient in need of early treatment for the Class III malocclusion received a rapid palatal expander and a Petit-type facemask, whose components were digitally designed on a 3D scan of the patient’s face. For face scanning, the iPad Pro 2018 tablet (Apple, Cupertino, CA, USA) with the Bellus3D DentalPro application (Bellus3D, Campbell, CA, USA) was used. Facemask components were modelled with 3D Blender software. The rests were 3D printed in BioMed Clear biocompatible resin (Formlabs, Somerville, MA, USA), and the bar in stainless steel. For greater comfort, the internal surface of the rests was lined with a polymer gel pad (Silipos, Niagara Falls, NY, USA). The manufacturing procedure of the customized facemask is patented. The patient wore the facemask at night for a period of 9 months. The patient’s experience was evaluated with a questionnaire at 1 week, 3, 6, and 10 months of treatment. The customized facemask was well accepted by the patient and obtained the expected treatment outcome. Furthermore, 3D face scanning, 3D modelling and 3D printing allow for the manufacturing of customized facemasks with improved fit and comfort, favoring patient compliance and treatment success. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Congenital Transmission of Chagas Disease in Latin American Immigrants in Switzerland

International migration has changed the epidemiologic patterns of Chagas disease. Recently, 2 cases of Chagas disease transmitted from Latin American women to their newborns were diagnosed in Geneva, Switzerland. A retrospective study to detect Chagas disease showed a prevalence of 9.7% among 72 Latin American women tested during pregnancy in Switzerland

MAM-2201 acute administration impairs motor, sensorimotor, prepulse inhibition, and memory functions in mice: a comparison with its analogue AM-2201

Rationale1-[(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indol-3-yl](4-methyl-1-naphthalenyl) methanone (MAM-2201) is a potent synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist illegally marketed in "spice" products and as "synthacaine" for its psychoactive effects. It is a naphthoyl-indole derivative which differs from its analogue 1-[(5-Fluoropentyl)-1H-indol-3-yl](1-naphthylenyl) methanone (AM-2201) by the presence of a methyl substituent on carbon 4 (C-4) of the naphthoyl moiety. Multiple cases of intoxication and impaired driving have been linked to AM-2201 and MAM-2201 consumption.ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate the in vitro (murine and human cannabinoid receptors) and in vivo (CD-1 male mice) pharmacodynamic activity of MAM-2201 and compare its effects with those induced by its desmethylated analogue, AM-2201.ResultsIn vitro competition binding studies confirmed that MAM-2201 and AM-2201 possess nanomolar affinity for both CD-1 murine and human CB1 and CB2 receptors, with preference for the CB1 receptor. In agreement with the in vitro binding data, in vivo studies showed that MAM-2201 induces visual, acoustic, and tactile impairments that were fully prevented by pretreatment with CB1 receptor antagonist/partial agonist AM-251, indicating a CB1 receptor mediated mechanism of action. Administration of MAM-2201 also altered locomotor activity and PPI responses of mice, pointing out its detrimental effect on motor and sensory gating functions and confirming its potential use liability. MAM-2201 and AM-2201 also caused deficits in short- and long-term working memory.ConclusionThese findings point to the potential public health burden that these synthetic cannabinoids may pose, with particular emphasis on impaired driving and workplace performance

energy retrofit and environmental sustainability improvement of a historical farmhouse in southern italy

Abstract This paper proposes an integrated rehabilitation project of an abandoned farmhouse in a rural area in Southern Italy. The building underwent a functional recovery to become a tourist accommodation. The use of natural materials can reduce energy consumption and carbon footprints considering environmental sustainability aspects. A proper selection of interventions targeted for the specific warm climate has led to benefits for heating, cooling and lighting in the interior spaces. The project also includes the integration of hydraulic facilities and landscaping, such as planting hedges, green barriers and native trees

Picosecond solvation dynamics of alkali cations in superfluid 4He nanodroplets

The dynamics following the photoionization of neutral Rb and Cs atoms residing in a dimple at the surface of a superfluid 4He1000 nanodroplet has been investigated within time-dependent density functional theory, complementing a previous study on Ba. The calculations reveal that structured high density helium solvation layers form around both the Rb+ and Cs+ cation on a picosecond time scale, forming so-called snowballs. In contrast to the Rb+ ion, Cs+ is not solvated by the 4He1000 droplet but rather desorbs from it as a Cs+Hen snowball. This outcome is partially related to the large size of Cs+ cation in relation to the helium droplet as is revealed by calculations performed using a planar helium surface. The large droplet deformations induced by the solvation of the Rb+ cation is found to lead to efficient nucleation of quantized vortex loops or rings

Cytokine storm and histopathological findings in 60 cases of COVID-19-related death: from viral load research to immunohistochemical quantification of major players IL-1\u3b2, IL-6, IL-15 and TNF-\u3b1

This study involves the histological analysis of samples taken during autopsies in cases of COVID-19 related death to evaluate the inflammatory cytokine response and the tissue localization of the virus in various organs. In all the selected cases, SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR on swabs collected from the upper (nasopharynx and oropharynx) and/or the lower respiratory (trachea and primary bronchi) tracts were positive. Tissue localization of SARS-CoV-2 was detected using antibodies against the nucleoprotein and the spike protein. Overall, we tested the hypothesis that the overexpression of proinflammatory cytokines plays an important role in the development of COVID-19-associated pneumonia by estimating the expression of multiple cytokines (IL-1\u3b2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-15, TNF-\u3b1, and MCP-1), inflammatory cells (CD4, CD8, CD20, and CD45), and fibrinogen. Immunohistochemical staining showed that endothelial cells expressed IL-1\u3b2 in lung samples obtained from the COVID-19 group (p\u2009<\u20090.001). Similarly, alveolar capillary endothelial cells showed strong and diffuse immunoreactivity for IL-6 and IL-15 in the COVID-19 group (p\u2009<\u20090.001). TNF-\u3b1 showed a higher immunoreactivity in the COVID-19 group than in the control group (p\u2009<\u20090.001). CD8\u2009+\u2009T cells where more numerous in the lung samples obtained from the COVID-19 group (p\u2009<\u20090.001). Current evidence suggests that a cytokine storm is the major cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multiple organ failure and is consistently linked with fatal outcomes

Long-term Oncological Outcome of Segmental Versus Extended Colectomy for Colorectal Cancer in Crohn's Disease: Results from an International Multicentre Study

Background and Aims Crohn's disease increases colorectal cancer risk, with high prevalence of synchronous and metachronous cancers. Current guidelines for colorectal cancer in Crohn's disease recommend pan-proctocolectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate oncological outcomes of a less invasive surgical approach. Methods This was a retrospective database analysis of Crohn's disease patients with colorectal cancer undergoing surgery at selected European and US tertiary centres. Outcomes of segmental colectomy were compared with those of extended colectomy, total colectomy, and pan-proctocolectomy. Primary outcome was progression-free survival. Secondary outcomes included overall survival, synchronous and metachronous colorectal cancer, and major postoperative complications. Results Ninety-nine patients were included: 66 patients underwent segmental colectomy and 33 extended colectomy. Segmental colectomy patients were older [p = 0.0429], had less extensive colitis [p = 0.0002] and no preoperatively identified synchronous lesions [p = 0.0109]. Median follow-up was 43 [31-62] months. There was no difference in unadjusted progression-free survival [p = 0.2570] or in overall survival [p = 0.4191] between segmental and extended colectomy. Multivariate analysis adjusting for age, sex, ASA score, and AJCC staging, confirmed no difference for progression-free survival (hazard ratio [HR] 1.00, p = 0.9993) or overall survival [HR 0.77, p = 0.6654]. Synchronous and metachronous cancers incidence was 9% and 1.5%, respectively. Perioperative mortality was nil and major complications were comparable [7.58% vs 6.06%, p = 0.9998]. Conclusions Segmental colectomy seems to offer similar long-term outcomes to more extensive surgery. Incidence of synchronous and metachronous cancers appears much lower than previously described. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm these results