A numerical model for temporal variations during explosive central vent eruptions

An axisymmetrical numerical model has been developed in order to find the temporal evolution of pressure, the position of the exsolution level, the velocity field, the eruption rate, and the amount of erupted material of a shallow, volatile‐rich, felsic magma chamber during a Plinian central vent eruption. The overpressure necessary to trigger the eruption is assumed to result from crystallization‐driven volatile oversaturation. We solve the resulting set of equations using a finite element method. The results obtained show that the pressure at the conduit entrance decreases exponentially as the eruption proceeds. This produces a shifting of the exsolution level, so that deeper parts of the chamber become progressively volatile oversaturated during the eruption. We assess the influence of chamber geometry and the physical properties of the magma on the computed parameters using several numerical examples. The results are also compared with those predicted by previous models from the literature and are found to be in good agreement with documented eruptions. The model constitutes a first attempt to numerically model the dynamics and the temporal evolution of the most relevant physical parameters during withdrawal from a closed magma chamber

FIC/FEM formulation with matrix stabilizing terms for incompressible flows at low and high Reynolds numbers

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00466-006-0060-yWe present a general formulation for incompressible fluid flow analysis using the finite element method. The necessary stabilization for dealing with convective effects and the incompressibility condition are introduced via the Finite Calculus method using a matrix form of the stabilization parameters. This allows to model a wide range of fluid flow problems for low and high Reynolds numbers flows without introducing a turbulence model. Examples of application to the analysis of incompressible flows with moderate and large Reynolds numbers are presented.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

One year follow-up of a randomized trial with a dilemma-focused intervention for depression: Exploring an alternative to problem-oriented strategies

© 2018 Feixas et al.Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is aimed to counteract cognitions and behaviours that are considered as dysfunctional. The aim of the study is to test whether the inclusion of a non-counteractive approach (dilemma-focused intervention, DFI) in combination with CBT group therapy will yield better short- and long-term outcomes than an intervention conducted entirely using CBT.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

Dysregulation of translation factors EIF2S1, EIF5A and EIF6 in intestinal-type adenocarcinoma (ITAC)

Intestinal-type adenocarcinoma (ITAC) is a rare cancer of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses that occurs sporadically or secondary to exposure to occupational hazards, such as wood dust and leather. Eukaryotic translation initiation factors have been described as promising targets for novel cancer treatments in many cancers, but hardly anything is known about these factors in ITAC. Here we performed in silico analyses, evaluated the protein levels of EIF2S1, EIF5A and EIF6 in tumour samples and non-neoplastic tissue controls obtained from 145 patients, and correlated these results with clinical outcome data, including tumour site, stage, adjuvant radiotherapy and survival. In silico analyses revealed significant upregulation of the translation factors EIF6 (ITGB4BP), EIF5, EIF2S1 and EIF2S2 (p < 0.05) with a higher arithmetic mean expression in ITAC compared to non-neoplastic tissue (NNT). Immunohistochemical analyses using antibodies against EIF2S1 and EIF6 confirmed a significantly different expression at the protein level (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this work identifies the eukaryotic translation initiation factors EIF2S1 and EIF6 to be significantly upregulated in ITAC. As these factors have been described as promising therapeutic targets in other cancers, this work identifies candidate therapeutic targets in this rare but often deadly cancer

Vía de abordaje posterior en cuatro transaquílea en el síndrome doloroso del retropié: Haglund, pump bump y tendinitis calcificante del tendón de Aquiles

Actualmente existe la tendencia a utilizar técnicas mínimamente invasivas en el tratamiento del síndrome doloroso del retropié. En nuestro servicio, preferimos utilizar la vía de abordaje posterior abierta en cuatro transaquílea, dado que permite una mejor visualización de las lesiones presentes a este nivel. Este tipo de abordaje concede al cirujano poder realizar con mayor facilidad y precisión la técnica quirúrgica con una tasa muy baja de complicaciones.Currently, there is a trend towards the use of minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of posterior heel pain. In our hospital, we prefer to use the tendon splitting approach through a four-shaped cutaneous incision. It provides a better visualization of retrocalcaneal space. This type of surgical approach allows an easier and complete surgery with a very low complication rate

The Remarkable Be Star HD110432

HD110432 has gained considerable attention because it is a hard, variable X-ray source similar to gamma Cas. From time-serial echelle data obtained over two weeks during 2005 January and February, we find several remarkable characteristics in the star's optical spectrum. The line profiles show rapid variations on some nights which can be most likely be attributed to irregularly occurring and short-lived migrating subfeatures. Such features have only been observed to date in gamma Cas and AB Dor, two stars for which it is believed magnetic fields force circumstellar clouds to corotate over the stellar surface. The star's optical spectrum also exhibits a number of mainly FeII and HeI emission features with profiles typical of an optically thin disk viewed edge-on. Using spectral synthesis techniques, we find that its temperature is 9800K +/-300K, that its projected area is a remarkably large 100 stellar areas, and its emitting volume resides at a distance of 1 AU from the star. We also find that the star's absorption profiles extend to +/-1000 km/s, a fact which we cannot explain. Otherwise, HD110432 and gamma Cas share similarly peculiar X-ray and optical characteristics such as high X-ray temperature, erratic X-ray variability on timescales of a few hours, optical emission lines, and submigrating features in optical line profiles. Because of these similarities, we suggest that this star is a new member of a select class of "gamma Cas analogs."Comment: 31 pages, 9 figures, accepted by ApJ (3/20/06

Observational Constraints on Interstellar Grain Alignment

We present new multicolor photo-polarimetry of stars behind the Southern Coalsack. Analyzed together with multiband polarization data from the literature, probing the Chamaeleon I, Musca, rho Opiuchus, R CrA and Taurus clouds, we show that the wavelength of maximum polarization (lambda_max) is linearly correlated with the radiation environment of the grains. Using Far-Infrared emission data, we show that the large scatter seen in previous studies of lambda_max as a function of A_V is primarily due to line of sight effects causing some A_V measurements to not be a good tracer of the extinction (radiation field strength) seen by the grains being probed. The derived slopes in lambda_max vs. A_V, for the individual clouds, are consistent with a common value, while the zero intercepts scale with the average values of the ratios of total-to-selective extinction (R_V) for the individual clouds. Within each cloud we do not find direct correlations between lambda_max and R_V. The positive slope in consistent with recent developments in theory and indicating alignment driven by the radiation field. The present data cannot conclusively differentiate between direct radiative torques and alignment driven by H_2 formation. However, the small values of lambda_max(A_V=0), seen in several clouds, suggest a role for the latter, at least at the cloud surfaces. The scatter in the lambda_max vs. A_V relation is found to be associated with the characteristics of the embedded Young Stellar Objects (YSO) in the clouds. We propose that this is partially due to locally increased plasma damping of the grain rotation caused by X-rays from the YSOs.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa

Clinical and functional characteristics of patients two years after being affected by the soybean asthma epidemic in Barcelona

Background: Patients affected during the asthma outbreaks caused by soybean dust inhalation in Barcelona presented with sudden onset of severe asthma followed by the rapid relief of symptoms after treatment. Two years after the epidemics ended, a case-control study was conducted in which the clinical, functional, and immunological characteristics of these asthma patients (a randomised sample of asthmatic patients admitted as emergency cases on epidemic days, n = 213) were compared with those of a control group (a random sample of asthmatic patients admitted as emergency cases for attacks of asthma on non-epidemic days, n = 170). METHODS--The study included the administration of the ATS-DLD78 standardised respiratory questionnaire, the measurement of atopy, and performance of spirometric tests and a methacholine inhalation test. Results: Patients with epidemic asthma reported fewer symptoms of asthma, had attended emergency departments less frequently during the previous year for acute attacks of asthma, were taking fewer inhaled corticosteroids at the time of the study, and attended medical follow up less frequently than did the patients with non-epidemic asthma. However, the cases and controls showed no differences in ventilatory capacity or reactivity to the methacholine bronchoprovocation test. Conclusions: Two years after the end of the soybean epidemics, people affected by epidemic asthma had a favourable prognosis. This finding contrasts with a higher risk of life threatening asthma and death during the epidemics. This paradox could be the result of a complex interaction between host and conditions of exposure