113 research outputs found
On global and local mesh refinements by a generalized conforming bisection algorithm
We examine a generalized conforming bisection (GCB-)algorithm which allows both global and local nested refinements of the triangulations without generating hanging nodes. It is based on the notion of a mesh density function which prescribes where and how much to refine the mesh. Some regularity properties of generated sequences of refined triangulations are proved. Several numerical tests demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed bisection algorithm. It is also shown how to modify the GCB-algorithm in order to generate anisotropic meshes with high aspect ratios
Generalization of the Zlámal condition for simplicial finite elements in ℝ d
The famous Zlámal's minimum angle condition has been widely used for construction of a regular family of triangulations (containing nondegenerating triangles) as well as in convergence proofs for the finite element method in 2d. In this paper we present and discuss its generalization to simplicial partitions in any space dimension
Validation of [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose and positron emission tomography (PET) for the measurement of intestinal metabolism in pigs, and evidence of intestinal insulin resistance in patients with morbid obesity
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Pancreatic metabolism, blood flow, and β-cell function in obese humans.
Context:
Glucolipotoxicity is believed to induce pancreatic β-cell dysfunction in obesity. Previously, it has not been possible to study pancreatic metabolism and blood flow in humans.
Objective:
The objective of the study was to investigate whether pancreatic metabolism and blood flow are altered in obesity using positron emission tomography (PET). In the preclinical part, the method was validated in animals.
Design:
This was a cross-sectional study.
Setting:
The study was conducted in a clinical research center.
Participants:
Human studies consisted of 52 morbidly obese and 25 healthy age-matched control subjects. Validation experiments were done with rodents and pigs.
Interventions:
PET and magnetic resonance imaging studies using a glucose analog ([18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose), a palmitate analog [14(R,S)-[18F]fluoro-6-thia-heptadecanoic acid], and radiowater ([15O]H2O) were performed. In animals, a comparison between ex vivo and in vivo data was performed.
Main Outcome Measures:
Pancreatic glucose/fatty acid (FA) uptake, fat accumulation, and blood flow parameters of β-cell function were measured.
Results:
PET proved to be a feasible method to measure pancreatic metabolism. Compared with healthy participants, obese participants had elevated pancreatic FA uptake (P < .0001), more fat accumulation (P = .0001), lowered glucose uptake both during fasting and euglycemic hyperinsulinemia, and blunted blood flow (P < .01) in the pancreas. Blood flow, FA uptake, and fat accumulation were negatively associated with multiple markers of β-cell function.
Conclusions:
Obesity leads to changes in pancreatic energy metabolism with a substrate shift from glucose to FAs. In morbidly obese humans, impaired pancreatic blood flow may contribute to β-cell dysfunction and in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.
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Numerical Computations with H(div)-Finite Elements for the Brinkman Problem
The H(div)-conforming approach for the Brinkman equation is studied
numerically, verifying the theoretical a priori and a posteriori analysis in
previous work of the authors. Furthermore, the results are extended to cover a
non-constant permeability. A hybridization technique for the problem is
presented, complete with a convergence analysis and numerical verification.
Finally, the numerical convergence studies are complemented with numerical
examples of applications to domain decomposition and adaptive mesh refinement.Comment: Minor clarifications, added references. Reordering of some figures.
To appear in Computational Geosciences, final article available at
http://www.springerlink.co
Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue and liver: A positron emission tomography study
Objective: Insulin resistance is reflected by the rates of reduced glucose uptake (GU) into the key insulin-sensitive tissues, skeletal muscle, liver and adipose tissue. It is unclear whether insulin resistance occurs simultaneously in all these tissues or whether insulin resistance is tissue specific. Design and methods: We measured GU in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue and liver and endogenous glucose production (EGP), in a single session using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose with positron emission tomography (PET) and euglycemic–hyperinsulinemic clamp. The study population consisted of 326 subjects without diabetes from the CMgene study cohort. Results: Skeletal muscle GU less than 33 µmol/kg tissue/min and subcutaneous adipose tissue GU less than 11.5 µmol/kg tissue/min characterized insulin-resistant individuals. Men had considerably worse insulin suppression of EGP compared to women. By using principal component analysis (PCA), BMI inversely and skeletal muscle, adipose tissue and liver GU positively loaded on same principal component explaining one-third of the variation in these measures. The results were largely similar when liver GU was replaced by EGP in PCA. Liver GU and EGP were positively associated with aging. Conclusions: We have provided threshold values, which can be used to identify tissue-specific insulin resistance. In addition, we found that insulin resistance measured by GU was only partially similar across all insulin-sensitive tissues studied, skeletal muscle, adipose tissue and liver and was affected by obesity, aging and gender.</p
Exercise training improves adipose tissue metabolism and vasculature regardless of baseline glucose tolerance and sex
Introduction We investigated the effects of a supervised progressive sprint interval training (SIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on adipocyte morphology and adipose tissue metabolism and function; we also tested whether the responses were similar regardless of baseline glucose tolerance and sex. Research design and methods 26 insulin-resistant (IR) and 28 healthy participants were randomized into 2-week-long SIT (4-6x30 s at maximum effort) and MICT (40-60 min at 60% of maximal aerobic capacity (VO2peak)). Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and fasting-free fatty acid uptake in visceral adipose tissue (VAT), abdominal and femoral subcutaneous adipose tissues (SATs) were quantified with positron emission tomography. Abdominal SAT biopsies were collected to determine adipocyte morphology, gene expression markers of lipolysis, glucose and lipid metabolism and inflammation. Results Training increased glucose uptake in VAT (pPeer reviewe
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