On some differential-geometric aspects of the Torelli map

In this note we survey recent results on the extrinsic geometry of the Jacobian locus inside $\mathsf{A}_g$. We describe the second fundamental form of the Torelli map as a multiplication map, recall the relation between totally geodesic subvarieties and Hodge loci and survey various results related to totally geodesic subvarieties and the Jacobian locus.Comment: To appear on Boll. UMI, special volume in memory of Paolo de Bartolomei

Advanced 3D “Modeling” and “Printing” for the Surgical Planning of a Successful Case of Thoraco-Omphalopagus Conjoined Twins Separation

The surgical separation of two Conjoined Twins is a particularly complex operation. Surgical times are particularly long and post-operative complications are very frequent in this type of procedure. We report a clinical case of surgical separation of two thoraco-omphalopagus conjoined twins in which, thanks to the use of (3D) three dimensional technologies, we were able to significantly reduce operative times and improve clinical outcomes

Well-being and citizenship in urban Nigeria

Well-being is increasingly used as a criterion to measure development outcomes, in the light of the now established critique of income as a satisfactory measure (UNDP, 1990). The aim of the key development policy document in Nigeria, Nigerian Vision 20:2020, is to improve the well-being of Nigerians. However, as well-being is an emerging and contested concept, this report explores how the well-being of urban citizens is understood specifically in Nigeria, and identifies the key issues for urban well-being as expressed by a selection of key stakeholders in Nigerian society. This is an important task in the Nigerian context, which is characterised by impressive and sustained growth rates juxtaposed alongside increasing rates of both income poverty and subjective poverty. This study analyses the discourses and views of 45 urban stakeholders strategically positioned at different levels of Nigerian society, as well as existing literature and documents. Based on White’s (2010) framework for the analysis of well-being and contemporary conceptualisations of citizenship, the analysis reveals three main trends affecting urban well-being: (i) rapid demographic changes that make it difficult for government to respond with adequate planning and interventions; (ii) a number of governance issues, particularly regarding power distribution, lack of city-level governance and the role of the state; (iii) the existence of stratified citizenship characterised by unequal access to services and rights based on socio-spatial discrimination and notions of indigeneity. Electricity, congestion, housing, youth unemployment, security and health are a number of key areas which were raised during interviews in which the inadequate and unequal provision of goods and services, underpinned by these three trends, affect urban well-being. An analysis of stakeholders’ conceptualisations of well-being showed how it is viewed in terms of basic needs to be achieved through economic growth, and how well-being is itself considered fundamental for productivity. Well-being was also understood through the broad notion of security, emphasising different dimensions beyond the material aspect. Finally, another understanding of well-being was as ‘social order’, a problematic idea at the root of existing and proposed policies. Policies for urban well-being present three characteristics: (i) policies are underpinned by the notion of restoring social order, with chaos and disorder (often associated with informality) seen as a cause of ill-being; (ii) the prominence of middle-class concerns and the exclusion of non- indigenes and those living in poverty; (iii) government being seen as a provider of the enabling environment and infrastructure needed for private sector actors to deliver economic growth which purportedly lead to improved well-being. These characteristics were present in a number of policy concerns raised by stakeholders, including: decongestion policies; transport and road infrastructure; social security for unemployed; education and food security. A generally negative view of urbanisation emerges with a strong emphasis on stopping rural-urban migration as a way to halt urban growth. The research has highlighted a range of very important citizenship practices to deliver goods and services essential to citizens’ well-being. These practices reveal the importance of autonomous collective action in the achievement of well-being. They also show the role that income levels and other social identities such as indigeneity play in such processes. While these processes mostly focus on the delivery of goods and services, in the context of a democratic government still in transition, they also become a platform for voice and the claiming of rights. A key problem that emerges and requires further research is the issue of the inappropriate planning taking place, which serves particular interests and further entrenches inequalities. The report encourages an open discussion on the current urban governance arrangements in Nigeria, particularly the division of roles between different tiers of government, and also on how city-level governance may enable citizenship practices that complement public interventions. The report also questions the effectiveness of strategies for urban well- being solely focused on creating an enabling environment for investment and economic growth to address the concerns of the large majority of low- income residents. In particular, the report indicates that policies often exclude the urban poor and non-indigenes and the removal of these discriminations is necessary for the achievement of well-being for all in Nigerian cities and towns. Finally the report acknowledges the importance of the state in providing or regulating the provision of a number of goods, services and infrastructure, whose provision in urban areas is still inadequate

The elephant in the room of density functional theory calculations

Using multiwavelets, we have obtained total energies and corresponding atomization energies for the GGA-PBE and hybrid-PBE0 density functionals for a test set of 211 molecules with an unprecedented and guaranteed μHartree accuracy. These quasi-exact references allow us to quantify the accuracy of standard all-electron basis sets that are believed to be highly accurate for molecules, such as Gaussian-type orbitals (GTOs), all-electron numeric atom-centered orbitals (NAOs), and full-potential augmented plane wave (APW) methods. We show that NAOs are able to achieve the so-called chemical accuracy (1 kcal/mol) for the typical basis set sizes used in applications, for both total and atomization energies. For GTOs, a triple-ζquality basis has mean errors of ∼10 kcal/mol in total energies, while chemical accuracy is almost reached for a quintuple-ζbasis. Due to systematic error cancellations, atomization energy errors are reduced by almost an order of magnitude, placing chemical accuracy within reach also for medium to large GTO bases, albeit with significant outliers. In order to check the accuracy of the computed densities, we have also investigated the dipole moments, where in general only the largest NAO and GTO bases are able to yield errors below 0.01 D. The observed errors are similar across the different functionals considered here

Neridronate for transient osteoporosis of the hip in a child

Transient osteoporosis of the hip (TOH) is usually reported in middle-aged men or during pregnancy as a benign self-limiting condition. Nevertheless, its impact on quality of life in terms of pain and disability is considerable. Also, it can lead to insufficiency fractures or, more rarely, evolve into osteonecrosis. This condition is anecdotally described in the pediatric age and very little is known about how it may affect the growing bone. We herein describe a case of TOH in a 10-year-old child treated at our pediatric rheumatology service and summarize the pediatric cases of TOH previously reported in literature. There are two points of interest in our case report, the first one being the unusual complication of TOH with a femoral physis fracture and the second the complete recovery after the off-label therapy with bisphosphonates. We suggest that interventional medical treatment could be considered in selected cases of juvenile TOH, to prevent any possible irreversible damage on the femoral physis. As far as we know, this is the first report of neridronate employment in children affected by TOH

Cavity-free continuum solvation: implementation and parametrization in a multiwavelet framework

We present a multiwavelet-based implementation of a quantum/classical polarizable continuum model. The solvent model uses a diffuse solute-solvent boundary and a position-dependent permittivity, lifting the sharp-boundary assumption underlying many existing continuum solvation models. We are able to include both surface and volume polarization effects in the quantum/classical coupling, with guaranteed precision, due to the adaptive refinement strategies of our multiwavelet implementation. The model can account for complex solvent environments and does not need a posteriori corrections for volume polarization effects. We validate our results against a sharp-boundary continuum model and find very good correlation of the polarization energies computed for the Minnesota solvation database

Role of adalimumab biosimilar in the treatment of non-anterior uveitis associated with Behçet’s syndrome

Introduction: To evaluate the efficacy of SB5, an adalimumab biosimilar, in the management of Behçet’s syndrome (BS)-related uveitis. Methods: Data from eight BS patients (16 eyes) with active non-anterior uveitis and/or systemic uncontrolled disease or performing non-medical switch to SB5 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Results: Complete control of uveitis was observed in all 16 eyes without relapses during follow-up. The number of relapses 12 months prior to SB5 initiation and at last follow-up was 100 and 0 per 100 patients/year, respectively (p = 0.010). At baseline, four eyes had active retinal vasculitis, whereas at 3 months and at last follow-up, retinal vasculitis had resolved in all of them (p = 0.018). Median visual acuity did not vary significantly between baseline and last follow-up visit (p = 0.109). No ocular complications emerged during treatment. Conclusions: SB5 is effective in the treatment of BS-related non-anterior uveitis. It reduces uveitis relapses and controls retinal vasculitis while allowing preservation of visual acuity

Benefits of using digital thoracic drainage systems for post-operative treatment in pediatric populations: personal experience and review of literature

introduction: the digital chest drainage monitoring system (Medela Thopaz+), unlike analogical systems, reliably regulates the pressure applied to the patient's chest and digitally and silently monitors critical therapeutic indicators (volume of fluid and/or drained air). Its use in adulthood has been widely described, but there is still little experience in the pediatric field. the aim of this study is to test this new device in the pediatric population. materials and methods: we conducted a retrospective study of 160 patients undergoing chest surgery at our hospital. these patients were divided into 82 treated with the Thopaz system in the period from January 2021 to April 2023 and 78 in whom pleurevac, had been used in the time period from January 2020 to april 2023. results: the average age of patients was 10.45 years (range: 3.1–17.2) for the thopaz Group and 10.71 years for Pleurevac Group. The groups were homogeneus also by weight and type of intervention. the device was held in place for 10.64 days (mean) for thopaz group, compared to 16.87 days (mean) for pleurevac group (p < 0.05). The median number of postoperative x-rays before the closure of the chest tube was 4.29 in the digital drainage group compared to 8.41 in the traditional draining group (p < 0.05). conclusions: the digital chest monitoring device provides objective measurement, allows for rapid patient mobilization (with good pain control and increased compliance). in addition, the use of Thopaz in the paediatric population seems to be safe (there is no statistically significant difference in terms of complications such as prolonged air leaks and pneumothorax after the chest tube closure) and potentially beneficial