FlexWing-ROM: A matlab framework for data-driven reduced-order modeling of flexible wings

Flexible wings pose a considerable modeling challenge, as they involve highly coupled and nonlinear interactions between the aerodynamic and structural dynamics. In this work, we provide an open source code framework, unifying recent data-driven modeling methods that extend the dynamic mode decomposition with control (DMDc) to model the nonlinear aeroelasticity of flexible wings. Our framework consists of (1) a fully parametrized flexible wing model; (2) a fluid-structure interaction (FSI) solver that couples a detailed finite element model of the wing structure with a 3D unsteady aerodynamic panel method; and (3) three different data-driven reduced-order aeroelastic modeling methods. We demonstrate our framework on two flexible wings and provide tutorials to compare the different data-driven methods. The code is widely applicable and useful for generating accurate and efficient data-driven reduced-order models, and it provides a benchmark for future developments of aeroelastic reduced-order modeling methods

Delusional themes across affective and non-affective psychoses

The current debate about the diagnostic significance of delusion revolves around two positions. The neurocognitive position conceives delusion as a non-specific, though polymorphic, symptom. The psychopathological position views features of delusion such as content and structure as having meaningful connections with diagnostic entities. This study aims at contributing to this debate by examining the association between delusional themes and diagnosis in a sample of 830 adult psychotic patients. All diagnoses were made by experienced psychiatrists according to DSM-IV or ICD-10 criteria, and in 348 patients were established with the SCID-I. All patients were administered the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). In each patient, the presence of somatic delusions and delusions of guilt, grandiosity, and persecution was determined by examining the scores on relevant BPRS items. Delusions of guilt were almost pathognomonic for a psychotic depressive condition (psychotic major depression 40%; psychotic bipolar depression 30%; depressed schizoaffective disorder 8%; bipolar and schizoaffective mixed states 6 and 7%, respectively). Only 1% of patients with schizophrenia and no patient with delusional disorder or bipolar or schizoaffective manic state showed such delusions. The difference between unipolar and bipolar depression and the other diagnostic groups was highly significant. Delusions of grandiosity characterized mostly patients with manic symptoms (bipolar mania 20%; bipolar mixed states 19%; manic schizoaffective disorder 10%). They were observed significantly more often in bipolar mania than in schizophrenia (7%). Persecutory delusions were broadly distributed across diagnostic categories. However, they were significantly more frequent among patients with schizophrenia and delusional disorder compared with depressed and manic patients. Somatic delusions were also observed in all diagnostic groups, with no group standing out as distinct from the others in terms of an increased prevalence of somatic delusions. Our findings suggest a middle position in the debate between the neurocognitive and the psychopathological approaches. On the one hand, the widespread observation of persecutory delusions suggests the usefulness of searching for non-specific pathogenic mechanisms. On the other hand, the association between some delusional contents and psychiatric diagnosis suggests that a phenomenological analysis of the delusional experience may be a helpful tool for the clinician in the diagnostic process

Ultrastructural aspects of two different mast cell populations in human healthy gingival tissue

The results of our recent microscopy studies clearly have demonstrated the constant presence of numerous metachromatic cells in healthy human gingival connective tissue. Despite the great number of studies on mast cell population in many human organs (lung, skin, uterus, and bowel), at the present time few are the studies regarding the morphostructural aspects of mast cells in the human gingiva. The aim of this study was to assess by transmission electron microscopy the presence of mast cells in the healthy human gingiva and to characterize the ultrastructural aspects of mast cells populations. 30 specimens of human gingival tissue were collected from 30 patients with informed consent. The samples were prepared for T.E.M. examination. In all the ultrathin sections observed we detected numerous and ubiquitarious mast cells. These exhibited several morphological types of cytoplasmic granules with characteristic subgranular architectural variety in shape and density. This allowed us to divide mast cells into two groups: cells with granules consisted of compact coiled scrolls, fine granular material and lattice - grating configuration, and cells containing granules with discrete scrolls formed by more concentric lamellae and particulate structure. The two ultrastructural aspects observed correspond to McTC and McT of the international literature. Therefore in the human gingival connective tissue, like in other organs, two types of mast cells are clearly present. Surprisingly, the human gingival tissue shows, like the lung, McT as the prevailing subpopulation, in contrast to the skin, uterus and gastrointestinal submucosa where McTC prevail. Dans le cadre d’une étude sur la population cellulaire du tissu conjonctif gingival humain nous avons constaté, en microscopie optique, la présence constante de nombreuses cellules metachromatiques. Pour définir la nature de telles cellules et pour en déterminer les aspects ultra-structuraux, nous avons étudié au microscope électronique à transmission 30 biopsies du tissu gingival humain, cliniquement sain. Dans tous les échantillons examinés nous avons observé de nombreux mastocytes dont le contenu granulaire nous est apparu caractérisé par un aspect « à particules » et « en rouleaux » ou bien, dans d’autres éléments cellulaires, par un aspect «en grillage». Les deux aspects ultrastructuraux décrits nous permettent de distinguer les mastocytes gingivaux en deux sous-populations, différentes comme l’ont confirmé plusieurs auteurs, selon la localisation anatomique, selon la structure intérieure et le contenu enzymatique des granules, et, enfin, selon la réaction à des substances sécrétagogues

The PHR family : the role of extracellular transglycosylases in shaping Candida albicans cells

Candida albicans is an opportunistic microorganism that can become a pathogen causing mild superficial mycosis or more severe invasive infections that can be life-threatening for debilitated patients. In the etiology of invasive infections, key factors are the adaptability of C. albicans to the different niches of the human body and the transition from a yeast form to hypha. Hyphal morphology confers high adhesiveness to the host cells, as well as the ability to penetrate into organs. The cell wall plays a crucial role in the morphological changes C. albicans undergoes in response to specific environmental cues. Among the different categories of enzymes involved in the formation of the fungal cell wall, the GH72 family of transglycosylases plays an important assembly role. These enzymes cut and religate \u3b2-(1,3)-glucan, the major determinant of cell shape. In C. albicans, the PHR family encodes GH72 enzymes, some of which work in specific environmental conditions. In this review, we will summarize the work from the initial discovery of PHR genes to the study of the pH-dependent expression of PHR1 and PHR2, from the characterization of the gene products to the recent findings concerning the stress response generated by the lack of GH72 activity in C. albicans hyphae

Les perles d’émail: aspects ultrastructuraux et hypothèses de morphogenèse

Five enamel pearls were examined by Scanning Electron Microscope. Some external pearls presented a bare enamel surface, others were covered by a thin layer of cementum.The enamel pearls showed irregular dystrofic enamel surface or a thin layer without structure, rows of irregular Tome’s processes pits, enamel caps and focal holes. Some enamel pearls revealed little areas of enamel surface resorption like-resorbing lacunae with, in some cases, areas of tissue repair.La perle d’émail est une masse circulaire de matériel calcifié qui apparait le plus souvent dans la bifurcation des molaires et est attachée à la surface externe de la dent. Elle peut aussi être interne mais nous en savons très peu à ce sujet à cause du manque de publications. Cinq perles externes ont été observées au microscope électronique à balayage.Tandis que certaines perles externes présentent une surface à nu, d’autres sont recouvertes d’une fine couche de cément qui les protège. La surface de la perle d’émail présente des zones irrégulières d’hypominéralisation ou une fine couche sans structure, des rangées de petits trous irréguliers des processus de Tome et des trous focaux et des cratères

Considérations sur des tests de biocompatibilité «in vivo» et «in vitro» de quelques ciments endodontiques

The major goal endodontic therapy has been achieved by condensing filling materials into the root canal. It’s not uncommon to find excess material into the periapical tissue. It therefore becomes obligatory to use fillings materials that have acceptable biocompatibility.The purpose of this investigation was to obtain a «toxicity profile» of some endodontics materials and to compare our observations to results present in literature.The gutta-percha and five endodontic filling cements were tested «in vivo» and «in vitro».The in vivo biocompatibility involved the placement of the test material in 10 mm. Teflon tubes with an outer diameter of 1.3 mm which were implanted subcutaneously into rats. The implants were left in situ for periods of 30 and 90 days. The «hemolysis test» is designed for «in vitro» evaluations.The istological examination showed different intensity and extent cellular responses. In some cases severe infiltration of inflammatory cell and areas with necrotis were seen.At conclusion, the endodontics material evaluated showed slight, moderate and severe reactions; therefore a different pattern in tissue response.Dans le domaine odontologique, ainsi que dans les autres branches de la médecine, l’exigence d’améliorer constamment la biocompatibilité des matériaux utilisés comme thérapeutique, surtout quand ces matériaux sont destinés à «cohabiter» longtemps avec l’organisme, est de plus en plus ressentie.Dans le cadre d’un vaste programme de recherche, les auteurs se sont proposé d’évaluer la biocompatibilité réelle de quelques matériaux endodontiques choisis parmi les plus courants en Italie: c’est dans ce but qu’ont été effectués des tests «in vitro» (test de l’émolyse d’hématies de lapin) et «in vivo» (selon la technique de Safavi et al. qui prévoit l’implantation du matériel à tester dans le tissu sous-cutané du rat).Les résultats des tests ont démontré la variabilité du grade de biocompatibilité des matériaux soumis à l’expérimentation. Certains matériaux n’ont provoqué en effet qu’une légère réaction des tissus, d’autres ont déterminé la formation d’importants infiltrats de cellules inflammatoires, de macrophages, de cellules géantes de corps étranger et de colliquation nécrotique tissulaire

The β-1,3-glucanosyltransferases (Gels) affect the structure of the rice blast fungal cell wall during appressorium-mediated plant infection

The fungal wall is pivotal for cell shape and function, and in interfacial protection during host infection and environmental challenge. Here, we provide the first description of the carbohydrate composition and structure of the cell wall of the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. We focus on the family of glucan elongation proteins (Gels) and characterize five putative β‐1,3‐glucan glucanosyltransferases that each carry the Glycoside Hydrolase 72 signature. We generated targeted deletion mutants of all Gel isoforms, that is, the GH72+, which carry a putative carbohydrate‐binding module, and the GH72− Gels, without this motif. We reveal that M. oryzae GH72+ GELs are expressed in spores and during both infective and vegetative growth, but each individual Gel enzymes are dispensable for pathogenicity. Further, we demonstrated that a Δgel1Δgel3Δgel4 null mutant has a modified cell wall in which 1,3‐glucans have a higher degree of polymerization and are less branched than the wild‐type strain. The mutant showed significant differences in global patterns of gene expression, a hyper‐branching phenotype and no sporulation, and thus was unable to cause rice blast lesions (except via wounded tissues). We conclude that Gel proteins play significant roles in structural modification of the fungal cell wall during appressorium‐mediated plant infection

Genomic and functional analyses unveil the response to hyphal wall stress in Candida albicans cells lacking β(1,3)-glucan remodeling

Class 2: Transcripts that are less abundant in the phr1Δ mutant than in the wild type. (XLSX 39 kb

Loss of PALB2 predicts poor prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia and suggests novel therapeutic strategies targeting the DNA repair pathway

Dear Editor, Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients carrying complex karyotype or aneuploidies have a very poor prognosis, with a 5-year overall survival (OS) <20%1. We and others have shown that these patients are characterized by high genomic instability, along with defects of DNA damage response (DDR) genes2,3