GEOFLOW: simulation of convection in a spherical shell under central force field

Time-dependent dynamical simulations related to convective motion in a spherical gap under a central force field due to the dielectrophoretic effect are discussed. This work is part of the preparation of the GEOFLOW-experiment which is planned to run in a microgravity environment. The goal of this experiment is the simulation of large-scale convective motion in a geophysical or astrophysical framework. This problem is new because of, on the one hand, the nature of the force field (dielectrophoretic effect) and, on another hand, the high degree of symmetries of the system, e.g. the top-bottom reflection. Thus, the validation of this simulation with well-known results is not possible. The questions concerning the influence of the dielectrophoretic force and the possibility to reproduce the theoretically expected motions in the astrophysical framework, are open. In the first part, we study the system in terrestrial conditions: the unidirectional Earth's force is superimposed on the central dielectrophoretic force field to compare with the laboratory experiments during the development of the equipment. In the second part, the GEOFLOW-experiment simulations in weightless conditions are compared with theoretical studies in the astrophysical framework's, in the first instance a fluid under a self-gravitating force field. We present complex time-dependent dynamics, where the dielectrophoretic force field causes significant differences in the flow compared to the case that does not involve this force field

Development and Evaluation of qPCR Detection Method and Zn-MgO/Alginate Active Packaging for Controlling Listeria monocytogenes Contamination in Cold-Smoked Salmon

To answer to food industry requests to monitor the presence of L. monocytogenes in cold-smoked salmon samples and to extend their shelf-life, a qPCR protocol for the detection of L. monocytogenes, and an antibacterial active packaging reinforced with zinc magnesium oxide nanoparticles (Zn-MgO NPs) were developed. The qPCR allowed the sensitive and easy detection of L. monocytogenes in naturally contaminated samples, with specificity in full agreement with the standard methods. The halo diusion study indicated a high antibacterial eciency of 1 mg/mL Zn-MgO NPs against L. monocytogenes, while the flow cytometry showed only moderate cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles towards mammalian cells at a concentration above 1 mg/mL. Thus, the novel active packaging was developed by using 1 mg/mL of Zn-MgO NPs to reinforce the alginate film. Cold-smoked salmon samples inoculated with L. monocytogenes and air-packed with the Zn-MgO NPs-alginate nanobiocomposite film showed no bacterial proliferation at 4 C during 4 days. In the same condition, L. monocytogenes growth in control contaminated samples packed with alginate film alone. Our results suggest that Zn-MgO nanoparticles can extend the shelf-life of cold-smoked salmon samples

Vasospastic angina: a review on diagnostic approach and management

\ua9 The Author(s), 2024.Vasospastic angina (VSA) refers to chest pain experienced as a consequence of myocardial ischaemia caused by epicardial coronary spasm, a sudden narrowing of the vessels responsible for an inadequate supply of blood and oxygen. Coronary artery spasm is a heterogeneous phenomenon that can occur in patients with non-obstructive coronary arteries and obstructive coronary artery disease, with transient spasm causing chest pain and persistent spasm potentially leading to acute myocardial infarction (MI). VSA was originally described as Prinzmetal angina or variant angina, classically presenting at rest, unlike most cases of angina (though in some patients, vasospasm may be triggered by exertion, emotional, mental or physical stress), and associated with transient electrocardiographic changes (transient ST-segment elevation, depression and/or T-wave changes). Ischaemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA) is not a benign condition, as patients are at elevated risk of cardiovascular events including acute coronary syndrome, hospitalization due to heart failure, stroke and repeat cardiovascular procedures. INOCA patients also experience impaired quality of life and associated increased healthcare costs. VSA, an endotype of INOCA, is associated with major adverse events, including sudden cardiac death, acute MI and syncope, necessitating the study of the most effective treatment options currently available. The present literature review aims to summarize current data relating to the diagnosis and management of VSA and provide details on the sequence that treatment should follow

Evaluation of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and chitosan hydrophilic matrices containing captopril

Neste estudo, comprimidos matriciais de captopril foram desenvolvidos utilizando-se hidroxipropilmetilcelulose (HPMC) e quitosana (QTS) em diferentes proporções (50:50, 60:40, 40:60, 20:80), por compressão direta. Os comprimidos apresentaram características físicas em conformidade com os padrões Farmacopeicos. Nos estudos de intumescimento realizados em pH 1,2 e pH 6,8, os comprimidos mostraram diferentes perfis de hidratação. Os testes de dissolução indicaram que os polímeros utilizados foram adequados para melhorar a liberação prolongada do captopril, especialmente a formulação contendo HPMC-QTS, na proporção de 40:60. O mecanismo envolvido na liberação do fármaco foi uma cinética não-Fickiana (0.43 1).In this study, captopril matrices tablets were developed with hidroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and chitosan (CTS) with different proportions (50:50, 60:40, 40:60, 20:80) by direct compression. The tablets showed physical characteristics appropriate to the Pharmacopoeia standards. In swelling studies carried out in pH 1.2 and pH 6.8, the tablets showed different profiles of hydration. The dissolution test indicated that the polymers selected were adequate to improve the delayed release of captopril, especially for the formulation containing HPMC-CTS in proportion of 40:60. The mechanism involved in drug release was non-Fickian kinetics (0.43 1).Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Dynamic modeling of inter-instruction effects for execution time estimation

The market for embedded applications is facing a growing interest in power consumption issues. The work presented is intended to provide a new model to estimate software-level power consumption of 32-bit microprocessors. This model extends previous ones by considering dynamic inter-instruction effects that take place during code execution, providing a static means to characterize their energy consumption. The model is formally sound; it is conceived for a generic architecture and it has been preliminarily validated on the Intel486/sup TM/ architecture

Endothelial denudation of isolated human internal mammary artery segments

Background: Endothelial denudation is an important approach to evaluate the role of the endothelium in vascular reactivity studies. Although approaches to remove the endothelium are well established in animal models, these methods have proved difficult to effectively translate to remnants of human Internal Mammary Artery (IMA) obtained during coronary bypass. This study sought to identify the optimal technique for endothelial denudation of IMA while preserving vascular contractile responses. Methods: IMA segments were subject to endothelial denudation using one of the following techniques: (1) surface abrasion, rubbing with a stainless steel wire, (2) vasoconstriction abrasion or (3) shear abrasion via infusion of an effervescent solution. Following intervention, IMA segments were evaluated by: (1) histochemistry to quantify structural damage and endothelial cell abundance and (2) functional endothelium-dependent vasodilator response using vascular myography in an organ bath preparation. Results: Vasoconstriction abrasion removed endothelial cells and caused disruption of the internal elastic lamina, these vessels failed to respond to the vasoconstrictor Phenylephrine (PE) or the endothelium-dependent vasodilator A23187. Surface abrasion alone was incomplete in removing endothelial cells, vessel vasodilated partially when challenged with A23187 in the presence of PE. Shear abrasion removed endothelial cells most effectively, as these pre-constricted vessels did not relax to A23187 but demonstrated increased sensitivity to PE. Conclusions: In this controlled comparative study assessing both structural and functional endpoints of endothelial denudation techniques, we have demonstrated that shear abrasion by infusion of an effervescent solution is the optimal technique to remove the endothelium and preserve vascular function in human IMA.Victor Lamin, Michael Worthington, James Edwards, Fabiano Viana, Robert Stuklis, David Wilson and John Beltram

Mainstreaming biodiversity for food and nutrition into policies and practice: methodologies and lessons learned from four countries

This paper outlines the methodology for mainstreaming biodiversity developed by the Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition Project (BFN), a multi-country initiative led by Brazil, Kenya, Sri Lanka and Turkey. BFN explored the nutritional properties of traditional and/or neglected native edible species, both wild and cultivated (including varieties and landraces), and used this knowledge to incorporate local agricultural biodiversity into national and global policy instruments that address food and nutrition security through the promotion of healthy, diversified and sustainable diets. Across the four countries, the project adopted a three-pillar approach for mainstreaming biodiversity for food and nutrition into policies and practices by: 1) Providing Evidence, 2) Influencing Policy, and 3) Raising Awareness. Case study examples from Brazil, Kenya, Turkey, and Sri Lanka demonstrate how the approach can be adapted to suit specific country contexts and how a multi-level, cross-sectoral partnership-based approach can create an enabling environment for mainstreaming biodiversity to improve nutrition