Physical state of water controls friction of gabbro-built faults

: Earthquakes often occur along faults in the presence of hot, pressurized water. Here we exploit a new experimental device to study friction in gabbro faults with water in vapor, liquid and supercritical states (water temperature and pressure up to 400 °C and 30 MPa, respectively). The experimental faults are sheared over slip velocities from 1 μm/s to 100 mm/s and slip distances up to 3 m (seismic deformation conditions). Here, we show with water in the vapor state, fault friction decreases with increasing slip distance and velocity. However, when water is in the liquid or supercritical state, friction decreases with slip distance, regardless of slip velocity. We propose that the formation of weak minerals, the chemical bonding properties of water and (elasto)hydrodynamic lubrication may explain the weakening behavior of the experimental faults. In nature, the transition of water from liquid or supercritical to vapor state can cause an abrupt increase in fault friction that can stop or delay the nucleation phase of an earthquake

Hypothermic oxygenated perfusion in extended criteria donor liver transplantation-A randomized clinical trial

Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion (HOPE) of the liver can reduce the incidence of early allograft dysfunction (EAD) and failure in extended criteria donors (ECD) grafts, although data from prospective studies are very limited. In this monocentric, open-label study, from December 2018 to January 2021, 110 patients undergoing transplantation of an ECD liver graft were randomized to receive a liver after HOPE or after static cold storage (SCS) alone. The primary endpoint was the incidence of EAD. The secondary endpoints included graft and patient survival, the EASE risk score, and the rate of graft or other graft-related complications. Patients in the HOPE group had a significantly lower rate of EAD (13% vs. 35%, p = .007) and were more frequently allocated to the intermediate or higher risk group according to the EASE score (2% vs. 11%, p = .05). The survival analysis confirmed that patients in the HOPE group were associated with higher graft survival one year after LT (p = .03, log-rank test). In addition, patients in the SCS group had a higher re-admission and overall complication rate at six months, in particular cardio-vascular adverse events (p = .04 and p = .03, respectively). HOPE of ECD grafts compared to the traditional SCS preservation method is associated with lower dysfunction rates and better graft survival

High Risk of Secondary Infections Following Thrombotic Complications in Patients With COVID-19

Background. This study’s primary aim was to evaluate the impact of thrombotic complications on the development of secondary infections. The secondary aim was to compare the etiology of secondary infections in patients with and without thrombotic complications. Methods. This was a cohort study (NCT04318366) of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients hospitalized at IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital between February 25 and June 30, 2020. Incidence rates (IRs) were calculated by univariable Poisson regression as the number of cases per 1000 person-days of follow-up (PDFU) with 95% confidence intervals. The cumulative incidence functions of secondary infections according to thrombotic complications were compared with Gray’s method accounting for competing risk of death. A multivariable Fine-Gray model was applied to assess factors associated with risk of secondary infections. Results. Overall, 109/904 patients had 176 secondary infections (IR, 10.0; 95% CI, 8.8–11.5; per 1000-PDFU). The IRs of secondary infections among patients with or without thrombotic complications were 15.0 (95% CI, 10.7–21.0) and 9.3 (95% CI, 7.9–11.0) per 1000-PDFU, respectively (P = .017). At multivariable analysis, thrombotic complications were associated with the development of secondary infections (subdistribution hazard ratio, 1.788; 95% CI, 1.018–3.140; P = .043). The etiology of secondary infections was similar in patients with and without thrombotic complications. Conclusions. In patients with COVID-19, thrombotic complications were associated with a high risk of secondary infections

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives : data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population.Peer reviewe

Un banchetto per l’eternità. Nuove scoperte dalla necropoli di Cuma

International audienc

Tomba del Banchetto per l’Eternità in the Roman necropolis of Cuma: new insights on the polychromy and production technology of decorated walls

International audienceThe city of Cuma represents the most ancient Greek colony of the western Mediterranean Sea, studied since 1994 from the archaeological équipe of Centre Jean Bérard, in collaboration with other Italian Institutions. The excavations carried out in the northeast side of the city unearthed a monumental Roman necropolis with funerary mausoleums, tombs and isolated enclosures. Recent surveys performed in 2018 revealed the presence of the tomb MSL73101 (Tomba del Banchetto per l’Eternità; end of 2nd - first half of the 1st century b.C.), a hypogeum chamber tomb with vaulted ceiling built with tuff blocks. The tomb was decorated with a banquet scene; the lunette of the southern wall reported a scene with a banquet preparation whereas landscape depictions with a floral frieze in the upper part decorate the side walls. The vault, also decorated, is painted in yellow and pink colours while the walls below the cornice are characterised by an intense red. In the tomb three funerary beds were preserved along with a table, reproducing a sort of triclinium. The exceptional nature of the discovery is due to the peculiar decorative scheme, representing one of the rare coeval examples of figurative representations both in domestic and funerary contexts. Despite the evidences of a past plundering, the architectural scheme and the refined representations suggest the high social level of the dead, offering important cues for the reconstruction and the artistic evolution of the Cuman paintings. In-situ non-destructive analyses and samplings of mortar fragments were performed in order to define: a) the type of pigments used for decorating the tomb; b) the production technology of wall paintings and mortarbased support. Multispectral images, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy performed on frescoes samples allowed defining the composition of pigments used for painting the tomb. Red ochre, hematite, yellow ochre, kaolinite, carbon black and calcite were recognised by using a no-destructive approach as principal types of pigments. Moreover, vibrational spectroscopy disclosed the composition of the underlying support, made of lime-based plasters. In order to better understand their production technology, minero-petrographic analysis (Polarised Light Microscopy -PLM-, Scanning Electron Microscopy -SEM- and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy EDS-) were also performed on plasters fragments, highlighting a multi-layer technology. In the lower part of the walls, lime mortars with cocciopesto adhere on the tuff blocks (rinzaffo/arriccio layers) or constitute the intonachino layer, likely due to the good hydraulic properties of such a type of mortars in humid and wet environments. On the other hand, the upper part of walls arriccio is absent or was not sampled whereas a thick and white intonachino layer constituted by lime binder containing sporadic grains constitutes the support of preparatory and painting layer. On the vault, multi-layered plasters consisted of a thinner grey arriccio layer (ca. 0.5 cm), made with lime binder and fine volcanic sand as aggregate, covered by a white intonachino layer with rare calcareous grains, overlaid by the preparatory and pictorial layer

IS SUSPENSION OF ANTI-SARS-COV2 VACCINE PATENTS THE MOST APPROPRIATE AND FEASIBLE STRATEGY TO DEAL WITH THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY?

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the exhaustingly heated debate on the advisability of suspending vac-cine patents became a familiar topic not only among patent specialists but also to the general public. There were staunch defenders of patent protection and those for whom patents merely safeguard the economic interests of pharmaceutical companies and deny citizens' right to healthcare. Every generalized health emergency - whether the appearance of HIV or the current Covid-19 pandemic - triggers acrimonious debate on the need to suspend patents covering medical devices and agent necessary to fight the disease. The consensus view is that patent monopolies bar general access to therapeutic treatments. The frequently abstract, ideological and emotional tones adopted during the debate do not help objective assessment of the pros and cons of patent suspension and its feasibility. This work aims to provide a clear, objective overview of what suspension of anti-SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19) vaccine patents would entail. Three essential questions are considered: First, what is the intended purpose underpinning any suspension of anti-Covid vaccine patents; Second, what patents should be "suspended"; Third, what, if any, legal instruments exist that would enable rapid, effective patent suspension. EMA/707383/2020 Corr.1; 19 February 2021, https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/comirnaty; EMA/15689/2021 Corr.1; 11 March 2021, https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/spikevax; https://worldwide.espacenet.com/ WO2021/188969-A2; WO2021/213924-Al; WO2021/213945-A1; WO2021/214204-A1; WO 2021154763 A1; WO 2021159040 A2; WO 2021159130 A2; WO 2021222304 A2: WO 2021231963 A1; US Patent 10,960,070; US16/344,774; US2021/0275664; WO2021/163365; WO2007/024708; EP2578685 B1; US8278036 B2; US8691966 B2; US8748089 B2; US8835108 B2; US9750824 B2; WO2011/071931; WO2014/160243;US11060107B2; US 9,404,127 US9,364,435; US8,058,069; US10166298-B1; US11040112-B2; EP3532103-A; US9737619-B2 (claim 1); EP3532103 (claim 6); WO2021030701; US9,404,127; US9,364,435; US8,058,069

Un banchetto per l’eternità. Nuove scoperte dalla necropoli di Cuma

International audienc

Tomba del Banchetto per l’Eternità in the Roman necropolis of Cuma: new insights on the polychromy and production technology of decorated walls

International audienceThe city of Cuma represents the most ancient Greek colony of the western Mediterranean Sea, studied since 1994 from the archaeological équipe of Centre Jean Bérard, in collaboration with other Italian Institutions. The excavations carried out in the northeast side of the city unearthed a monumental Roman necropolis with funerary mausoleums, tombs and isolated enclosures. Recent surveys performed in 2018 revealed the presence of the tomb MSL73101 (Tomba del Banchetto per l’Eternità; end of 2nd - first half of the 1st century b.C.), a hypogeum chamber tomb with vaulted ceiling built with tuff blocks. The tomb was decorated with a banquet scene; the lunette of the southern wall reported a scene with a banquet preparation whereas landscape depictions with a floral frieze in the upper part decorate the side walls. The vault, also decorated, is painted in yellow and pink colours while the walls below the cornice are characterised by an intense red. In the tomb three funerary beds were preserved along with a table, reproducing a sort of triclinium. The exceptional nature of the discovery is due to the peculiar decorative scheme, representing one of the rare coeval examples of figurative representations both in domestic and funerary contexts. Despite the evidences of a past plundering, the architectural scheme and the refined representations suggest the high social level of the dead, offering important cues for the reconstruction and the artistic evolution of the Cuman paintings. In-situ non-destructive analyses and samplings of mortar fragments were performed in order to define: a) the type of pigments used for decorating the tomb; b) the production technology of wall paintings and mortarbased support. Multispectral images, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy performed on frescoes samples allowed defining the composition of pigments used for painting the tomb. Red ochre, hematite, yellow ochre, kaolinite, carbon black and calcite were recognised by using a no-destructive approach as principal types of pigments. Moreover, vibrational spectroscopy disclosed the composition of the underlying support, made of lime-based plasters. In order to better understand their production technology, minero-petrographic analysis (Polarised Light Microscopy -PLM-, Scanning Electron Microscopy -SEM- and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy EDS-) were also performed on plasters fragments, highlighting a multi-layer technology. In the lower part of the walls, lime mortars with cocciopesto adhere on the tuff blocks (rinzaffo/arriccio layers) or constitute the intonachino layer, likely due to the good hydraulic properties of such a type of mortars in humid and wet environments. On the other hand, the upper part of walls arriccio is absent or was not sampled whereas a thick and white intonachino layer constituted by lime binder containing sporadic grains constitutes the support of preparatory and painting layer. On the vault, multi-layered plasters consisted of a thinner grey arriccio layer (ca. 0.5 cm), made with lime binder and fine volcanic sand as aggregate, covered by a white intonachino layer with rare calcareous grains, overlaid by the preparatory and pictorial layer