THEOLOGICAL AND SCIENTIFIC METAPHORS. A PHILOSOPHICAL CRITIQUE: THE DIFFICULTIES OF A DIALOGUE BASED ON METAPHORS

The specific languages referred to in this presentation are: philosophical language, scientific language, theological language and mathematical language. The specific metaphors referred to in this presentation are: metaphors of physics, metaphors of theology and metaphors of mathematics. Both theological and scientific languages have metaphorical components but, the activity of interpretation of metaphors in science and in theology does not have an interdisciplinary character. Of course, we cannot speak about dialogue without communication between various fields, without passing from one specialized language to another specialized language. In the extremely delicate but possible dialogue between science and theology, first must be seen the “strong differences” between which can hardly be built bridges for dialogue. Not least, and perhaps equally important, must also be seen the “quicksand” of the languages, as metaphors are, over which building bridges for dialogue can lead to communication but it can lead as well to misunderstanding and confusion. The question raised in this paper is: Is it possible to be initiated a dialogue between science and theology starting from metaphors of these languages? The present paper proposes to suggest this aspect

THE EPISTEMOLOGICAL CRITERIA OF “EXISTENCE” IN THEOLOGY EXAMPLES FROM THE SCRIPTURES

This article is primarily an approach to the theological argument from a philosophical and analytical perspective of language. Traditionally and historically, the ontological argument is a logical argument in demonstrating the existence of God. This article emphasizes, on the level of language, a version of theological argument based on mathematical rationality. The nucleus of this paper is given by the relationship between the ontological argument, mathematics and the problem of existence, with new discussions in analytical philosophy and analytical theology. Beyond strictly the “existence” of God, the paper also takes into account the existence of certain theological contents, certain theological attributes, starting not so much from logic, but mathematics. Also, a specific objective of this paper is a comparative presentation of two epistemological problems from the points of view of science and theology: “the epistemological criteria of existence”. REZUMAT: Criteriile epistemologice ale „existenţei” în teologie. Exemple din Scriptură. Acest articol este în primul rând o analiză a argumentului teologic din perspectiva filosofică şi analitică a limbajului. În mod tradiţional şi istoric argumentul ontologic este un argument logic în demonstraţia existenţei lui Dumnezeu. Acest articol subliniază, la nivelul limbajului, o versiune a argumentaţiei teologice, bazată pe raţionamentul matematic. Nucleul articolului este dat de relaţia dintre argumentaţia ontologică, matematică şi problema existenţei, cu noi discuţii în filosofia analitică şi în teologia analitică. Dincolo de „existenţa” strictă a lui Dumnezeu, articolul ia în considerare şi existenţa anumitor conţinuturi teologice, a anumitor atribute teologice, începând nu atât de la logică, cât de la matematică. De asemenea, un obiectiv specific al acestui articol este prezentarea comparativă a două probleme epistemologice din punctul de vedere al ştiinţei şi teologiei: „criteriile epistemologice ale existenţei”. Cuvinte cheie: teologie analitică; argument ontologic; existența ca atribut; criterii de existență; evidență empirică; rațiune; credință; adevăr; sens științific; sens teologi

A 130-year history of avalanche risk in the Fagaras Mountains, Romanian Carpathians deduced from interference with human activities

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Snow avalanches are a denudational process and natural hazard that can severely damage tourist infrastructure, roads and forests and lead to injury and loss of life. Political and socio-economic changes in mountain landscapes also affect avalanche activity. This study was carried out in the F&amp;amp;#259;g&amp;amp;#259;ra&amp;amp;#351; Mountains, a representative mountain unit in the Southern-Romanian Carpathians, which is dominated by glacial and periglacial relief, high altitudes, high snow cover thickness, snow persistence of about 8-9 months per year and high occurrence of avalanche hazards.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Our analysis of the location, spatial extent and number of avalanche events was based on extensive documentation using old photographs, maps, papers and statistics from Mountain Rescuer Public Services databases. We also used dendrogeomorphological data with a 130-year chronology, from which we extracted the frequency, magnitude and spatial extent, satellite images and event simulations using the RAMMS avalanche module in the most affected area of the Fagaras Mountains, the Balea-Capra glacier sector. The study data were collected between 1880 and 2020, in three different periods, each with political and socio-economic peculiarities: the Romanian Kingdom Period (1880-1945), the Communist Period (1946-1989) and the Post-Communist Period (1990-present). In the first period, the tourist infrastructure was modest with no tourist traffic and the avalanche danger was not recognized. Only three avalanche events with human casualties were recorded. In the communist period 23 avalanche events were recorded. In the post-communist period, 75 avalanche events were recorded. Avalanche activity has strongly interfered with the emergence of new elements of tourist infrastructure such as huts, alpine refuges and the Transf&amp;amp;#259;g&amp;amp;#259;r&amp;amp;#259;&amp;amp;#537;an highway but also with the increasing exposure of tourists especially in the last 20 years. This is why the F&amp;amp;#259;g&amp;amp;#259;ra&amp;amp;#351; Mountains are a real avalanche hot spot in the Romanian Carpathians, accounting for 51.2% of fatalities and 57.4% of injuries/burials.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Studies carried out in the Romanian Carpathians have shown that climate warming is more evident between 1,000 and 1,500 m than at higher altitudes where most avalanches have been recorded. In this context, it is difficult to determine that the frequency and spatial extent of avalanches is determined by global change.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;#160;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;</jats:p

Mathematical Language / Scientific Interpretation / Theological Interpretation

The specific languages referred to in this presentation are: scientific language, mathematical language, theological language and philosophical language. Cosmological, scientific or theological models understood as distinct interpretations of a common symbolic language do not ensure, by such a common basis, a possible or legitimate correspondence of certain units of meaning. Mathematics understood as a symbolic language used in scientific and theological interpretation does not bridge between science and theology. Instead, it only allows the assertion of a rational-mathematical unity in expression. In this perspective, theology is nothing less rational than science. The activity of interpretation has an interdisciplinary character, it is a necessary condition of dialogue. We cannot speak about dialogue without communication between various fields, without passing from one specialized language to another specialized language. The present paper proposes to suggest this aspect.</jats:p

Vitamin K Status of Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study

(1) Background: Vitamin K deficiency is a common feature of chronic kidney disease (CKD), leading to impaired bone quality and an increased risk of vascular calcifications. A method to indirectly assess the vitamin K status is measuring the blood level of vitamin K-dependent proteins (VKDP): osteocalcin (OC) and matrix GLA protein (MGP). The aim of this study is to correlate the level of total OC and inactive MGP (dp-uc MGP) with markers of CKD mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD). (2) Methods: We conducted a single-center cross-sectional study that included 45 CKD G5D patients and measured their blood biochemistry, complete blood count and total osteocalcin and dp-uc MGP contents. (3) Results: We found a strong, statistically significant correlation of the total OC with the markers of CKD-MBD, such as: iPTH, serum calcium and serum phosphorus, and a strong, indirect statistically significant correlation with abdominal circumference. There was also a statistically significant correlation of dp-uc MGP with the markers of inflammation (CRP). Higher levels of dp-uc MGP were found in the patients treated with vitamin K antagonists, non-calcium-based phosphate binders and the vitamin D receptor activator, paricalcitol. (4) Conclusions: In our study, we found that when it is measured indirectly using VKDP levels, vitamin K deficiency is associated with CKD-MBD. Certain widely used medications such as phosphate binders reduce vitamin K absorption, supplementary vitamin D increases vitamin K requirements, and also vitamin K antagonists influence the blood level of VKDPs

Elevated Parathyroid Hormone Levels Are Associated with Increased Risk of Arteriovenous Fistula Thrombosis in Hemodialysis Patients: Findings from a 5-Year Cohort Study

(1) Background: Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) thrombosis represents a major cause of vascular access failure in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Identifying early biochemical markers associated with thrombosis may facilitate timely intervention and improve vascular outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the association between baseline biochemical markers and the risk of AVF thrombosis and mortality during long-term follow-up. (2) Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study involving 249 chronic hemodialysis patients with functional AVFs. Baseline data included intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), hemoglobin, phosphate, potassium, albumin, dialysis adequacy (Kt/V), age, diabetes status, and antivitamin K (AVK) therapy. Patients were followed for five years for the occurrence of AVF thrombosis and mortality. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA with Levene&rsquo;s test and Scheff&eacute; post hoc comparisons. (3) Results: iPTH levels were significantly higher in patients who developed AVF thrombosis (mean 494.6 pg/mL) than in those without thrombosis (mean 381.5 pg/mL; p = 0.047). Other variables, including hemoglobin, phosphate, Kt/V, age, diabetes, and AVK therapy, were not significantly associated with thrombosis. Mortality was more frequent among patients with diabetes mellitus and those receiving antivitamin K therapy; however, only the association with diabetes reached statistical significance. (4) Conclusions: Elevated iPTH was associated with AVF thrombosis. Routine monitoring may help identify high-risk patients and guide timely interventions

Vitamin K-Dependent Proteins as Predictors of Valvular Calcifications and Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients

Background/Objectives: Vitamin K deficiency in chronic kidney disease (CKD) could potentially occur due to multiple factors, leading to an increased risk of vascular and valvular calcifications. Vitamin K status can be indirectly assessed by measuring the blood levels of vitamin K-dependent proteins (VKDPs), such as matrix GLA protein (MGP). This study aims to examine the relationship between the levels of inactive MGP (dp-uc MGP) and the presence of valvular calcifications, as well as its association with mortality in hemodialysis patients. Methods: We conducted a single-center study that included 45 CKD G5D patients (hemodialysis for 6 months to 10 years) followed up for 24 months. All patients have been assessed at baseline regarding cardiovascular disease (medical history, echocardiography). Moreover, using standard methods, we determined blood biochemistry, complete blood count, and matrix GLA protein. At 24 months of follow-up, we assessed all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. Results: In the studied hemodialysis patients, mean dp-uc MGP was 3285.93 +/&minus; 2092.85 pmol/L. Patients with valvular calcifications had higher levels of dp-uc MGP compared to those without (4521.08 +/&minus; 2263.82 vs. 2487.53 +/&minus; 1446.94 pmol/L, however not statistically significant). The presence and severity of valvular calcifications were significantly associated with the history of treatment with vitamin K antagonists (p &lt; 0.05). After 24 months of follow-up, we found an all-cause mortality rate of 24.4%. The level of dp-uc MGP was higher in the group of patients that died (3884.81 +/&minus; 2439.20 vs. 3133.09 +/&minus; 1925.26 pmol/L, p &gt; 0.05). Patients with more than one valvular calcification on echocardiography had a significantly higher all-cause mortality risk (p = 0.04). In terms of traditional risk factors, we observed an increased risk of all-cause mortality in patients with a history of diabetes mellitus (p = 0.02) and aortic stenosis (p = 0.01). However, other cardiovascular markers, such as coronary heart disease and ejection fraction &lt; 50%, did not have a statistically significant impact on mortality in our patients. Conclusions: In our study, we found that vitamin K deficiency, measured indirectly using the level of VKDP, especially dp-uc MGP, is a predictor of valvular calcifications. Severe valvular calcifications, aortic stenosis, and the presence of diabetes mellitus are risk factors for all-cause mortality in hemodialysis patients

Pancreatic surgery outcomes: multicentre prospective snapshot study in 67 countries

Background: Pancreatic surgery remains associated with high morbidity rates. Although postoperative mortality appears to have improved with specialization, the outcomes reported in the literature reflect the activity of highly specialized centres. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes following pancreatic surgery worldwide. Methods: This was an international, prospective, multicentre, cross-sectional snapshot study of consecutive patients undergoing pancreatic operations worldwide in a 3-month interval in 2021. The primary outcome was postoperative mortality within 90 days of surgery. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore relationships with Human Development Index (HDI) and other parameters. Results: A total of 4223 patients from 67 countries were analysed. A complication of any severity was detected in 68.7 per cent of patients (2901 of 4223). Major complication rates (Clavien–Dindo grade at least IIIa) were 24, 18, and 27 per cent, and mortality rates were 10, 5, and 5 per cent in low-to-middle-, high-, and very high-HDI countries respectively. The 90-day postoperative mortality rate was 5.4 per cent (229 of 4223) overall, but was significantly higher in the low-to-middle-HDI group (adjusted OR 2.88, 95 per cent c.i. 1.80 to 4.48). The overall failure-to-rescue rate was 21 per cent; however, it was 41 per cent in low-to-middle- compared with 19 per cent in very high-HDI countries. Conclusion: Excess mortality in low-to-middle-HDI countries could be attributable to failure to rescue of patients from severe complications. The authors call for a collaborative response from international and regional associations of pancreatic surgeons to address management related to death from postoperative complications to tackle the global disparities in the outcomes of pancreatic surgery (NCT04652271; ISRCTN95140761)