Effects of the Vertices on the Topological Bound States in a Quasicrystalline Topological Insulator

The experimental realization of twisted bilayer graphene strongly pushed the inspection of bilayer systems. In this context, it was recently shown that a two layer Haldane model with a thirty degree rotation angle between the layers represents a higher order topological insulator, with zero-dimensional states isolated in energy and localized at the physical vertices of the nanostructure. We show, within a numerical tight binding approach, that the energy of the zero dimensional states strongly depends on the geometrical structure of the vertices. In the most extreme cases, once a specific band gap is considered, these bound states can even disappear just by changing the vertex structure.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, published on Symmetr

An exact local mapping from clock-spins to fermions

Clock-spin models are attracting great interest, due to both their rich phase diagram and their connection to parafermions. In this context, we derive an exact local mapping from clock-spin to fermionic partition functions. Such mapping, akin to techniques introduced by Fedotov and Popov for spin $\frac{1}{2}$ chains, grants access to well established numerical tools for the perturbative treatment of fermionic systems in the clock-spin framework. Moreover, in one dimension, it allows to use bosonization to access the low energy properties of clock-spin models. Finally, aside from the direct application in clock-spin models, this new mapping enables the conception of interesting fermionic models, based on the clock-spin counterparts.Comment: 26 pages, 0 figures, Submission to SciPos

Dynamics and control implementation of a supercritical CO2 simple recuperated cycle

Interest in supercritical CO2 power cycles is constantly increasing, showing good efficiency, and promising competitive costs and enhanced flexibility with respect to competing systems. Some project within the EU Horizon 2020 program have studied these systems and aim to demonstrate them in large scale, following the example of the STEP project in US. This work is part of the effort of the SOLARSCO2OL project to build a sCO2-CSP power demo plant at MW scale. A dynamic model of a simple recuperated sCO2 cycle is developed in TRANSEO, using miniREFPROP to compute fluid properties, and table of properties are implemented, when possible, to enhance the performance of the code. Control logics is described and simple controllers implemented. Finally, controllers are tested showing the response of the main parameters of the plant to a ramp variation of the load. Stable compressor inlet pressure is achieved with an inventory control, while a stable turbine inlet temperature allows a high efficiency in part-load operation

Comissão de HUmanização Hospitalar

A Comissão de Humanização do Hospital Universitário Santa Terezinha – HUST, foi criada em 2006. É composta por profissionais de diferentes áreas,  representantes do HUST e da Unoesc, acadêmicos, docentes, voluntários. Tem por objetivo difundir e consolidar a criação de uma cultura de humanização democrática, solidária e crítica, criando alternativas e soluções que ajudem a melhorar o atendimento e o trabalho em termos de humanização dos serviços. Tem por finalidade, empreender uma política institucional de resgate da humanização na assistência à saúde, em benefício dos usuários e dos profissionais de saúde. Utiliza como Metodologia de trabalho, reuniões semanais, com a presença de todos os membros, que são designados por Portaria Institucional. São escolhidas algumas datas especiais e as ações são desenvolvidas para acolher os colaboradores, pacientes e acompanhantes. Os resultados são vivenciados nas atividades de Capacitações para a Equipe do HUST sobre Humanização; sobre Acolhimento; Dia da Mulher; Dia do Trabalhador; Dia das Mães; Dia dos Pais; Outubro Rosa, Novembro Azul; Integração de Final de Ano; Projeto Naninhas do Bem; Espaço Colaborador; Polvos para o Berçário; Aniversário dos Colaboradores e dos Pacientes; Brinquedoteca Hospitalar; Trote Solidário e Projeto Alegria no Ar. Considerando a sensibilidade e o comprometimento com a dignidade do ser humano a Comissão de Humanização do HUST traz como benefícios o  acolhimento e  o desenvolvimento de ações e atividades, lembrando sempre que humanizar é enxergar o próximo com os olhos do coração

The SPTLC1 p.S331 mutation bridges sensory neuropathy and motor neuron disease and has implications for treatment

Aims SPTLC1-related disorder is a late onset sensory-autonomic neuropathy associated with perturbed sphingolipid homeostasis which can be improved by supplementation with the serine palmitoyl-CoA transferase (SPT) substrate, l-serine. Recently, a juvenile form of motor neuron disease has been linked to SPTLC1 variants. Variants affecting the p.S331 residue of SPTLC1 cause a distinct phenotype, whose pathogenic basis has not been established. This study aims to define the neuropathological and biochemical consequences of the SPTLC1 p.S331 variant, and test response to l-serine in this specific genotype. Methods We report clinical and neurophysiological characterisation of two unrelated children carrying distinct p.S331 SPTLC1 variants. The neuropathology was investigated by analysis of sural nerve and skin innervation. To clarify the biochemical consequences of the p.S331 variant, we performed sphingolipidomic profiling of serum and skin fibroblasts. We also tested the effect of l-serine supplementation in skin fibroblasts of patients with p.S331 mutations. Results In both patients, we recognised an early onset phenotype with prevalent progressive motor neuron disease. Neuropathology showed severe damage to the sensory and autonomic systems. Sphingolipidomic analysis showed the coexistence of neurotoxic deoxy-sphingolipids with an excess of canonical products of the SPT enzyme. l-serine supplementation in patient fibroblasts reduced production of toxic 1-deoxysphingolipids but further increased the overproduction of sphingolipids. Conclusions Our findings suggest that p.S331 SPTLC1 variants lead to an overlap phenotype combining features of sensory and motor neuropathies, thus proposing a continuum in the spectrum of SPTLC1-related disorders. l-serine supplementation in these patients may be detrimental

Impact of different chemotherapy regimens on intestinal mucosal injury assessed with bedside ultrasound: a study in 213 AML patients

IntroductionNeutropenic enterocolitis (NEC) is a life-threatening complication reported in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) following chemotherapy (CHT). Intensive induction and consolidation CHT may damage intestinal mucosa leading to a NEC episode (NECe). NEC reported mortality may be up to 30-60%. Early US-guided bed-side diagnosis and prompt treatment may substantially improve the survival. An emerging worldwide concern is the intestinal colonization by multi-drug-resistant bacteria especially when patients are exposed to chemotherapy regimens potentially correlated to mucosal damage. MethodsIn our study we prospectively enrolled all AML patients admitted in our leukemia unit to receive intensive induction and consolidation chemotherapy and experiencing chemotherapy-induced-neutropenia (CHTN). Results and discussionOverall, we enrolled N=213 patients from 2007 to March 2023. We recorded N=465 CHTN, and N=42 NECe (9.0% incidence). The aim of our study was to assess which chemotherapy regimens are more associated with NEC. We found that ALM1310, followed by 7 + 3 (daunorubicin), 7 + 3 (idarubicin), 5 + 3 + 3 (cytarabine, etoposide, idarubicin), and AML1310 (consolidation) were associated with a statistically higher incidence of NEC. We did not detect NEC episodes in patients treated with CPX-351, 5 + 2 (cytarabine, idarubicine), and high-dose cytarabine. Thus, we found that cytarabine could determine mucosal damage when associated with an anthracycline but not if delivered either alone or as dual-drug liposomal encapsulation of daunorubicin/cytarabine. We also describe NEC mortality, symptoms at diagnosis, intestinal sites involvement, and prognostic significance of bowel wall thickening

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection