Isotopic Grand Unification with the Inclusion of Gravity (revised version)

We introduce a dual lifting of unified gauge theories, the first characterized by the isotopies, which are axiom- preserving maps into broader structures with positive-definite generalized units used for the representation of matter under the isotopies of the Poincare' symmetry, and the second characterized by the isodualities, which are anti-isomorphic maps with negative-definite generalized units used for the representation of antimatter under the isodualities of the Poincare' symmetry. We then submit, apparently for the first time, a novel grand unification with the inclusion of gravity for matter embedded in the generalized positive-definite units of unified gauge theories while gravity for antimatter is embedded in the isodual isounit. We then show that the proposed grand unification provides realistic possibilities for a resolution of the axiomatic incompatibilities between gravitation and electroweak interactions due to curvature, antimatter and the fundamental space-time symmetries.Comment: 20 pages, Latex, revised in various details and with added reference

Gait analysis advancements: rehabilitation value and new perspectives from forensic application

The clinical and rehabilitation value of gait analysis is remarkable and indisputable and poised to grow as technological advancements unfold. This article aims to shed light on the advances in how gait is assessed, enabling those who have suffered an injury impairing their motor skills to be diagnosed more accurately and efficiently as well as to compare the hallmarks of rehabilitative and forensic gait analysis. The authors have conducted an analysis of relevant papers (published between 1967 and 2020) from a medicolegal perspective, cited in PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and available recommendations for the legal application of such techniques. Moreover, considering the use of gait analysis as a forensic tool, this study broadens the scope of research by including search engines, legal databases, and court filings (DeJure, Lexis Nexis, Justia) between 2000 and 2022. The instrumental assessment of movement (Gait Analysis) has come to constitute an essential analytical tool for the biomedical sector to objectively and accurately assess human movement and posture. The article is also aimed at elaborating differences and similarities between clinical and forensic gait analysis. When it comes to the forensic applicability of gait analysis and its evidentiary value, however, there is a pressing need for a review of its scientific basis. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a thorough evaluation of its use in legal practice, as stressed in scientific literature and surveys. It is of utmost importance to highlight the procedural and assessment standards currently applied to forensic gait analysis, to evaluate its strengths and weaknesses, and to achieve standardized guidelines based on broad scientific consensus

Hegel y Gadamer : distancia y proximidad entre dialéctica y hermenéutica

La relación filosófica entre Hegel y Gadamer expande el horizonte del pensamiento hacia confines que solo son imaginables desde el trabajo reflexivo que los vincula y la práctica vital que tales resultados exigen de quienes los alcanzan. Dialéctica y hermenéutica no son términos que refieran a conceptos operantes en el discurso teórico sino modalizaciones de la existencia que deben presentarse con carácter de factum en el ejercicio de la realidad práxico-teórica. Para mantener esta tensión necesaria de la vida propiamente vivida hay que cuidar este vínculo entre dialéctica y hermenéutica en el elemento esencial en que se desenvuelve la filosofía: el diálogo. El presente texto pretende desarrollarse en la discusión que genera esta relación fundamental observando los aportes que Hegel ha efectuado, la crítica de Gadamer a la autonomía de la conciencia y lo que la filosofía tiene que reconocer hoy en la denominada Era hermenéutica; para ello se abordarán los siguientes tópicos: 1) La praxis hermenéutica como original y reveladora; 2) Hegel en la cuestión de Gadamer; 3) Hegel, Heidegger, Gadamer

Invariant variational principle for Hamiltonian mechanics

It is shown that the action for Hamiltonian equations of motion can be brought into invariant symplectic form. In other words, it can be formulated directly in terms of the symplectic structure $\omega$ without any need to choose some 1-form $\gamma$, such that $\omega= d \gamma$, which is not unique and does not even generally exist in a global sense.Comment: final version; to appear in J.Phys.A; 17 pages, 2 figure

Differential Transgene Silencing of Myeloid-Specific Promoters in the AAVS1 Safe Harbor Locus of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Myeloid Cells

Targeted integration into a genomic safe harbor, such as the AAVS1 locus on chromosome 19, promises predictable transgene expression and reduces the risk of insertional mutagenesis in the host genome. The application of gamma-retroviral LTR-driven vectors, which semi-randomly integrate into the genome, has previously caused severe adverse events in some clinical studies due to transactivation of neighboring proto-oncogenes. Consequently, the site-specific integration of a therapeutic transgene into a genomic safe harbor locus would allow stable genetic correction with a reduced risk of insertional mutagenesis. However, recent studies revealed that transgene silencing, especially in case of weaker cell type-specific promoters, can occur in the AAVS1 locus of human pluripotent stem cells (PSC) and can impede transgene expression during differentiation. In this study, we aimed to correct p47phox-deficiency, which is the second most common cause of chronic granulomatous disease, by insertion of a therapeutic p47phox transgene into the AAVS1 locus of human induced PSC (iPSC) using CRISPR-Cas9. We analyzed transgene expression and functional correction from three different myeloid-specific promoters (miR223, CatG/cFes and MRP8). Upon myeloid differentiation of corrected iPSC clones, we observed that the miR223 and CatG/cFes promoter achieved therapeutic-relevant levels of p47phox expression and NADPH oxidase activity, whereas the MRP8 promoter was less efficient. Analysis of the different promoters revealed high CpG methylation of the MRP8 promoter in differentiated cells, which correlated with the transgene expression data. In summary, we identified the miR223 and CatG/cFes promoters as cell type-specific promoters that allow stable transgene expression in the AAVS1 locus of iPSC-derived myeloid cells. Our findings further indicate that promoter silencing can occur in the AAVS1 safe harbor locus in differentiated hematopoietic cells and that a comparison of different promoters is necessary to achieve optimal transgene expression for therapeutic application of iPSC-derived cells

Characterization of TiAlSiN/TiAlSiON/SiO2 optical stack designed by modelling calculations for solar selective applications

Preparation and characterization of TiAlSiN/TiAlSiON/SiO2 solar selective absorber is reported in this contribution. All layers were deposited in a continuous mode using a industrial equipment, the nitride and oxynitride were prepared by reactive magnetron sputtering and the SiO2 layer by Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition. The optical constants of individual layers were calculated by modelling of spectral transmittance and reflectance of the individual layers. The three layer stack absorber was then designed using those optical properties. The thickness of the individual layers was optimized until a solar absorptance of 96% was obtained resulting in a total thickness of about 200 nm, deposited in copper and extruded aluminium absorbers. An emissivity of 5 % for an absorber temperature of 100 ºC was obtained by analyzing the measuring data from a FTIR spectrometer with integrating sphere. After test duration of 600 h, the samples subjected to a thermal annealing at 278 ºC in air showed a performance criterion (PC) below 4% for, while the samples in the humidity tests showed a PC below 2 %.Savo Sola

CD40 ligand and MCP-1 as predictors of cardiovascular events in diabetic patients with stroke

Aim: Up-regulation of soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) and of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) has been found in diabetes and in patients with acute cerebral ischemia. We asked whether (i) the two molecules are similarly upregulated among non-lacunar and lacunar diabetic strokes and (ii) sCD40L and/or MCP-1 predict the risk of cardiovascular events in this setting.Methods: Ninety patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus presenting with an acute ischemic stroke (compared with 45 control subjects) were evaluated on admission and up to 36 months (median 24 months) after the event.Results: Diabetic patients with acute stroke had higher plasma CD40L and MCP-1 than controls (p<0.0001), with no significant differences among lacunar and non-lacunar strokes. On multiple regres-sion analysis, only higher sCD40L quartiles and older age were associated with higher MCP-1 quar-tiles. Forty-eight percent of patients experienced vascular events. Cox regression analysis showed that only the presence of higher sCD40L values independently predicted the recurrence of vascular events.Conclusion: Up-regulation of inflammatory molecules, such as CD40L and MCP-1, is involved in the advanced stage of atherosclerotic cerebro-vascular disease and is associated with increased risk of recurrence of cardiovascular events.AIM: Up-regulation of soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) and of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) has been found in diabetes and in patients with acute cerebral ischemia. We asked whether (i) the two molecules are similarly upregulated among non-lacunar and lacunar diabetic strokes and (ii) sCD40L and/or MCP-1 predict the risk of cardiovascular events in this setting. METHODS: Ninety patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus presenting with an acute ischemic stroke (compared with 45 control subjects) were evaluated on admission and up to 36 months (median 24 months) after the event. RESULTS: Diabetic patients with acute stroke had higher plasma CD40L and MCP-1 than controls (p<0.0001), with no significant differences among lacunar and non-lacunar strokes. On multiple regression analysis, only higher sCD40L quartiles and older age were associated with higher MCP-1 quartiles. Forty-eight percent of patients experienced vascular events. Cox regression analysis showed that only the presence of higher sCD40L values independently predicted the recurrence of vascular events. CONCLUSION: Up-regulation of inflammatory molecules, such as CD40L and MCP-1, is involved in the advanced stage of atherosclerotic cerebro-vascular disease and is associated with increased risk of recurrence of cardiovascular events