Inf-sup stability of isogeometric Taylor-Hood and Sub-Grid methods for the Stokes problem with hierarchical splines

In this article, we prove the inf-sup stability of an adaptive isogeometric discretization of the Stokes problem. The discretization is based on the hierarchical generalization of the isogeometric Taylor-Hood and Sub-Grid elements, which were described by Bressan & Sangalli (2013, Isogeometric discretizations of the Stokes problem: stability analysis by the macroelement technique. IMA J. Numer. Anal., 33, 629- 651) for tensor-product splines. In order to extend the existing proof to the hierarchical setting, we need to adapt some of the steps considerably. In particular, the required local approximation estimate is obtained by analysing the properties of the quasi-interpolant of Speleers & Manni (2016, Effortless quasi-interpolation in hierarchical spaces. Numer. Math., 132, 155-184) with respect to certain Sobolev norms. In addition to the theoretical results, we also perform numerical tests in order to analyse the dependency of the inf-sup constant on the mesh regularity assumptions. Finally, the article also presents a numerical convergence test of the resulting adaptive method on a T-shaped domain

A hierarchical construction of LR meshes in 2D

We describe a construction of LR-spaces whose bases are composed of locally linearly independent B-splines which also form a partition of unity. The construction conforms to given refinement requirements associated to subdomains. In contrast to the original LR-paper (Dokken et al., 2013) and similarly to the hierarchical B-spline framework (Forsey and Bartels, 1988) the construction of the mesh is based on a priori choice of a sequence of nested tensor B-spline spaces

Intersecting biquadratic Bézier surface patches

International audienceWe present three symbolic–numeric techniques for computing the in- tersection and self–intersection curve(s) of two Bézier surface patches of bidegree (2,2). In particular, we discuss algorithms, implementation, illustrative examples and provide a comparison of the methods

Intersecting biquadratic Bézier surface patches

International audienceWe present three symbolic–numeric techniques for computing the in- tersection and self–intersection curve(s) of two Bézier surface patches of bidegree (2,2). In particular, we discuss algorithms, implementation, illustrative examples and provide a comparison of the methods

Astroglial Inhibition of NF-κB Does Not Ameliorate Disease Onset and Progression in a Mouse Model for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Motor neuron death in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is considered a “non-cell autonomous” process, with astrocytes playing a critical role in disease progression. Glial cells are activated early in transgenic mice expressing mutant SOD1, suggesting that neuroinflammation has a relevant role in the cascade of events that trigger the death of motor neurons. An inflammatory cascade including COX2 expression, secretion of cytokines and release of NO from astrocytes may descend from activation of a NF-κB-mediated pathway observed in astrocytes from ALS patients and in experimental models. We have attempted rescue of transgenic mutant SOD1 mice through the inhibition of the NF-κB pathway selectively in astrocytes. Here we show that despite efficient inhibition of this major pathway, double transgenic mice expressing the mutant SOD1G93A ubiquitously and the dominant negative form of IκBα (IκBαAA) in astrocytes under control of the GFAP promoter show no benefit in terms of onset and progression of disease. Our data indicate that motor neuron death in ALS cannot be prevented by inhibition of a single inflammatory pathway because alternative pathways are activated in the presence of a persistent toxic stimulus

Intravenous alteplase for stroke with unknown time of onset guided by advanced imaging: systematic review and meta-analysis of individual patient data

Background: Patients who have had a stroke with unknown time of onset have been previously excluded from thrombolysis. We aimed to establish whether intravenous alteplase is safe and effective in such patients when salvageable tissue has been identified with imaging biomarkers. Methods: We did a systematic review and meta-analysis of individual patient data for trials published before Sept 21, 2020. Randomised trials of intravenous alteplase versus standard of care or placebo in adults with stroke with unknown time of onset with perfusion-diffusion MRI, perfusion CT, or MRI with diffusion weighted imaging-fluid attenuated inversion recovery (DWI-FLAIR) mismatch were eligible. The primary outcome was favourable functional outcome (score of 0–1 on the modified Rankin Scale [mRS]) at 90 days indicating no disability using an unconditional mixed-effect logistic-regression model fitted to estimate the treatment effect. Secondary outcomes were mRS shift towards a better functional outcome and independent outcome (mRS 0–2) at 90 days. Safety outcomes included death, severe disability or death (mRS score 4–6), and symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42020166903. Findings: Of 249 identified abstracts, four trials met our eligibility criteria for inclusion: WAKE-UP, EXTEND, THAWS, and ECASS-4. The four trials provided individual patient data for 843 individuals, of whom 429 (51%) were assigned to alteplase and 414 (49%) to placebo or standard care. A favourable outcome occurred in 199 (47%) of 420 patients with alteplase and in 160 (39%) of 409 patients among controls (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1·49 [95% CI 1·10–2·03]; p=0·011), with low heterogeneity across studies (I2=27%). Alteplase was associated with a significant shift towards better functional outcome (adjusted common OR 1·38 [95% CI 1·05–1·80]; p=0·019), and a higher odds of independent outcome (adjusted OR 1·50 [1·06–2·12]; p=0·022). In the alteplase group, 90 (21%) patients were severely disabled or died (mRS score 4–6), compared with 102 (25%) patients in the control group (adjusted OR 0·76 [0·52–1·11]; p=0·15). 27 (6%) patients died in the alteplase group and 14 (3%) patients died among controls (adjusted OR 2·06 [1·03–4·09]; p=0·040). The prevalence of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage was higher in the alteplase group than among controls (11 [3%] vs two [<1%], adjusted OR 5·58 [1·22–25·50]; p=0·024). Interpretation: In patients who have had a stroke with unknown time of onset with a DWI-FLAIR or perfusion mismatch, intravenous alteplase resulted in better functional outcome at 90 days than placebo or standard care. A net benefit was observed for all functional outcomes despite an increased risk of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage. Although there were more deaths with alteplase than placebo, there were fewer cases of severe disability or death. Funding: None

Guidelines for management of ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attack 2008

This article represents the update of the European Stroke Initiative Recommendations for Stroke Management. These guidelines cover both ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attacks, which are now considered to be a single entity. The article covers referral and emergency management, Stroke Unit service, diagnostics, primary and secondary prevention, general stroke treatment, specific treatment including acute management, management of complications, and rehabilitation