A decidable weakening of Compass Logic based on cone-shaped cardinal directions

We introduce a modal logic, called Cone Logic, whose formulas describe properties of points in the plane and spatial relationships between them. Points are labelled by proposition letters and spatial relations are induced by the four cone-shaped cardinal directions. Cone Logic can be seen as a weakening of Venema's Compass Logic. We prove that, unlike Compass Logic and other projection-based spatial logics, its satisfiability problem is decidable (precisely, PSPACE-complete). We also show that it is expressive enough to capture meaningful interval temporal logics - in particular, the interval temporal logic of Allen's relations "Begins", "During", and "Later", and their transposes

A decidable weakening of Compass Logic based on cone-shaped cardinal directions

We introduce a modal logic, called Cone Logic, whose formulas describeproperties of points in the plane and spatial relationships between them.Points are labelled by proposition letters and spatial relations are induced bythe four cone-shaped cardinal directions. Cone Logic can be seen as a weakeningof Venema's Compass Logic. We prove that, unlike Compass Logic and otherprojection-based spatial logics, its satisfiability problem is decidable(precisely, PSPACE-complete). We also show that it is expressive enough tocapture meaningful interval temporal logics - in particular, the intervaltemporal logic of Allen's relations "Begins", "During", and "Later", and theirtransposes

Metabolic Aspects of Anthracycline Cardiotoxicity

Heart failure (HF) is increasingly recognized as the major complication of chemotherapy regimens. Despite the development of modern targeted therapies such as monoclonal antibodies, doxorubicin (DOXO), one of the most cardiotoxic anticancer agents, still remains the treatment of choice for several solid and hematological tumors. The insurgence of cardiotoxicity represents the major limitation to the clinical use of this potent anticancer drug. At the molecular level, cardiac side effects of DOXO have been associated to mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA damage, impairment of iron metabolism, apoptosis, and autophagy dysregulation. On these bases, the antioxidant and iron chelator molecule, dexrazoxane, currently represents the unique FDA-approved cardioprotectant for patients treated with anthracyclines.A less explored area of research concerns the impact of DOXO on cardiac metabolism. Recent metabolomic studies highlight the possibility that cardiac metabolic alterations may critically contribute to the development of DOXO cardiotoxicity. Among these, the impairment of oxidative phosphorylation and the persistent activation of glycolysis, which are commonly observed in response to DOXO treatment, may undermine the ability of cardiomyocytes to meet the energy demand, eventually leading to energetic failure. Moreover, increasing evidence links DOXO cardiotoxicity to imbalanced insulin signaling and to cardiac insulin resistance. Although anti-diabetic drugs, such as empagliflozin and metformin, have shown interesting cardioprotective effects in vitro and in vivo in different models of heart failure, their mechanism of action is unclear, and their use for the treatment of DOXO cardiotoxicity is still unexplored.This review article aims at summarizing current evidence of the metabolic derangements induced by DOXO and at providing speculations on how key players of cardiac metabolism could be pharmacologically targeted to prevent or cure DOXO cardiomyopathy

Left atrial tachycardia after circumferential pulmonary vein ablation for atrial fibrillation Electroanatomic characterization and treatment

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the electroanatomic characteristics of left atrial tachycardia (AT) in a series of patients who underwent circumferential pulmonary vein ablation (CPVA) and to describe the ablation strategy and clinical outcome.BackgroundCircumferential pulmonary vein ablation is an effective treatment for atrial fibrillation. A potential midterm complication is the development of left AT. There are only isolated reports describing mapping and ablation of such arrhythmias.MethodsThirteen patients (age 57.4 ± 8.9 years, five female) underwent mapping and ablation of 14 left ATs via an electroanatomic mapping system a mean of 2.6 ± 1.6 months after CPVA.ResultsThree patients were characterized as having focal AT (cycle length: 266 ± 35.9 ms). Of 11 macro–re-entrant tachycardias studied in the remaining 10 patients (cycle length: 275 ± 75 ms), 5 showed single-loop and 6 dual-loop circuits. Re-entrant circuits used the mitral isthmus, the posterior wall, or gaps on previous encircling lines. Such gaps and all three foci occurred anterior to the left superior pulmonary vein or at the septal aspect of the right pulmonary veins. Thirteen of 14 tachycardias (93%) were successfully ablated.ConclusionsLeft AT after CPVA can be due to a macro–re-entrant or focal mechanism. Re-entry occurs most commonly across the mitral isthmus, the posterior wall, or gaps on previous ablation lines. Such gaps and foci occur most commonly at the anterior aspect of the left superior pulmonary vein and at the septal aspect of the right pulmonary veins. These arrhythmias can be successfully mapped and ablated with an electroanatomic mapping system

The Natural History of Asymptomatic Ventricular Pre-Excitation A Long-Term Prospective Follow-Up Study of 184 Asymptomatic Children

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to describe the natural history of asymptomatic ventricular pre-excitation in children and to determine predictors of potentially life-threatening arrhythmic events.BackgroundSudden death can be the first clinical manifestation in asymptomatic children with ventricular pre-excitation, but reduction of its incidence by prophylactic ablation requires the identification of subjects at high risk.MethodsBetween 1995 and 2005 we prospectively collected clinical and electrophysiologic data from 184 children (66% male; median age 10 years; range 8 to 12 years) with asymptomatic ventricular pre-excitation on the electrocardiogram. After electrophysiologic testing, subjects were followed as outpatients taking no medications. The primary end point of the study was the occurrence of arrhythmic events. Predictors of potentially life-threatening arrhythmias were analyzed.ResultsOver a median follow-up of 57 months (min/max 32/90 months) after electrophysiologic testing, 133 children (mean age 10 years; range 8 to 12 years) did not experience arrhythmic events, remaining totally asymptomatic, while 51 children had within 20 months (min/max 8/60 months) a first arrhythmic event, which was potentially life-threatening in 19 of them (mean age 10 years; range 10 to 14 years). Life-threatening tachyarrhythmias resulted in cardiac arrest (3 patients), syncope (3 patients), atypical symptoms (8 patients), or minimal symptoms (5 patients). Univariate analysis identified tachyarrhythmia inducibility (p < 0.001), anterograde refractory period of accessory pathways (APERP) ≤240 ms (p < 0.001), and multiple accessory pathways (p < 0.001) as risk factors for potentially life-threatening arrhythmic events. Independent predictors by multivariate analysis were APERP (p = 0.001) and multiple accessory pathway (p = 0.001).ConclusionsThese findings are potentially relevant in terms of early identification of high-risk asymptomatic children with ventricular pre-excitation. Subjects with short APERPs and multiple pathways are at higher risk of developing life-threatening arrhythmic events and are the best candidates for prophylactic ablation

Contribution to Electrical System Inertia of Dual Fuel two-stroke Engines in Isolated Grid: A Case Study

The paper analyzed the dynamic performance of dual two-stroke engines with respect to classical Diesel gensets and the contribution to increase the rotating inertia of an isolated electrical grid with significant penetration of Renewable Energy Sources (RESs). The role of genset capable to provide better inertia and primary frequency regulation is essential for the integration of renewable generation in order to provide frequency stability and better power quality

Studi limnologici sul bacino del Lago di Candia. Attivit? 2009

No abstract availabl

Investigación PAHrticipativa. Los desafíos éticos de la investigación militante en la Plataforma de Afectados por la Hipoteca (PAH)

This article is a comparative analysis of four activist research projects carried out in the Plataforma de Afectadas por la Hipoteca (PAH – Platform for People Affected by Mortgages), a network of more than 220 housing mutual aid groups set up across the Spanish state in the wake of the 2008 crash. Six researchers’ experiences together trace the academic dilemma of researching and simultaneously participating in the very subject of study. The authors explain the ways they addressed ethical dilemmas arising from the synergy between two worlds –academia and activism– and the way in which they balanced their loyalties in their research. This piece uses our shared reflections to explore the challenges and opportunities of carrying out research about the PAH and with the PAH, offering insight transferable to research in other social movements and other contexts

Impact of Star Connection Layouts on the Control of Multiphase Induction Motor Drives Under Open-Phase Fault

This paper presents a post-fault control algorithm that minimizes the stator Joule losses in multiphase induction machines under an open-phase fault and for different star connection layouts. The key novelty is that the algorithm can be applied to any configuration of a multi n-phase machine, independently of the connection of the neutral points. The latter is analytically derived and is based on the space vector representation of the machine model. Also, it is shown that a low number of neutral points helps to reduce the winding losses in case of an open-phase fault but requires additional control regulators and computational efforts. The theory is applied to an asymmetrical quadruple three-phase induction machine, which is configured to represent five different motor layouts. Finally, experimental results are presented to validate the control algorithm. The optimal solution that is given in the paper can be employed for the control of symmetrical or asymmetrical multiphase machines with different star connection layouts and in any open-phase post-fault operation