The Sensitivity of Large-Eddy Simulation to Local and Nonlocal Drag Coefficients at the Lower Boundary

It was found that the homogeneity of the surface drag coefficient plays an important role in the large scale structure of turbulence in large-eddy simulation of the convective atmospheric boundary layer. Particularly when a ground surface temperature was specified, large horizontal anisotropies occurred when the drag coefficient depended upon local velocities and heat fluxes. This was due to the formation of streamwise roll structures in the boundary layer. In reality, these structures have been found to form when shear is approximately balanced by buoyancy. The present cases, however, were highly convective. The formation was caused by particularly low values of the drag coefficient at the entrance to thermal plume structures

The acute effects of cocoa flavanols on temporal and spatial attention

In this study, we investigated how the acute physiological effects of cocoa flavanols might result in specific cognitive changes, in particular in temporal and spatial attention. To this end, we pre-registered and implemented a randomized, double-blind, placebo- and baseline-controlled crossover design. A sample of 48 university students participated in the study and each of them completed the experimental tasks in four conditions (baseline, placebo, low dose, and high-dose flavanol), administered in separate sessions with a 1-week washout interval. A rapid serial visual presentation task was used to test flavanol effects on temporal attention and integration, and a visual search task was similarly employed to investigate spatial attention. Results indicated that cocoa flavanols improved visual search efficiency, reflected by reduced reaction time. However, cocoa flavanols did not facilitate temporal attention nor integration, suggesting Potential underlying mechanisms are discussed

CT-guided iodine-125 seed permanent implantation for recurrent head and neck cancers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To investigate the feasibility, and safety of ¹²⁵I seed permanent implantation for recurrent head and neck carcinoma under CT-guidance.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A retrospective study on 14 patients with recurrent head and neck cancers undergone ¹²⁵I seed implantation with different seed activities. The post-plan showed that the actuarial D90 of ¹²⁵I seeds ranged from 90 to 218 Gy (median, 157.5 Gy). The follow-up was 3 to 60 months (median, 13 months). The median local control was 18 months (95% CI, 6.1-29.9 months), and the 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5- year local controls were 52%, 39%, 39%, and 39%, respectively. The 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5- survival rates were 65%, 39%, 39% and 39%, respectively, with a median survival time of 20 months (95% CI, 8.7-31.3 months). Of all patients, 28.6% (4/14) died of local recurrence, 7.1% (1/14) died of metastases, one patient died of hepatocirrhosis, and 8 patients are still alive to the date of data analysis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>CT-guided ¹²⁵I seed implantation is feasible and safe as a salvage or palliative treatment for patients with recurrent head and neck cancers.</p

The influence of different concentrations of flavanol chocolate bars under acute supplement conditions on exercise and performance

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects and acute dosage of different flavanol concentrations in a dark chocolate bar on physiological parameters during steady state (SS) and incremental exercise. In a double-blind, randomised, crossover study, 15 healthy participants with a mean ± SD age of 30 ± 7 years; stature 176.8 ± 8.6 cm and body mass 80.3 ± 8.4 kg supplemented with high flavanol (HF) (1060 mg), moderate flavanol (MF) (746 mg), low flavanol (LF) (406 mg), or a control (CON) (88 mg) chocolate bar (~ 34 g), 2 h prior to 40 min of SS cycling (80% gas-exchange threshold) followed by an incremental test to volitional fatigue. During the SS cycle oxygen consumption ([Formula: see text]), respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and heart rate (HR) were continuously monitored. Plasma samples were collected prior to commencing exercise to determine nitrate (NO ) and nitrite (NO ) levels under each condition. There was no observed effect between flavanol concentrations on [Formula: see text], RER, and HR during SS cycling (P > 0.05). [Formula: see text], peak power, HR peak, and RER peak also did not significantly differ between conditions (P > 0.05). There was a small trend for higher plasma NO levels following higher flavanol concentration; however, this did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.05). Acute supplementation with cocoa of differing flavanol concentrations does not appear to have any effect on exercise and performance. It is plausible that longer flavanol supplementation periods might have greater accumulative effects and thus may potentially elicit a larger effect

German evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of Psoriasis vulgaris (short version)

Psoriasis vulgaris is a common and chronic inflammatory skin disease which has the potential to significantly reduce the quality of life in severely affected patients. The incidence of psoriasis in Western industrialized countries ranges from 1.5 to 2%. Despite the large variety of treatment options available, patient surveys have revealed insufficient satisfaction with the efficacy of available treatments and a high rate of medication non-compliance. To optimize the treatment of psoriasis in Germany, the Deutsche Dermatologische Gesellschaft and the Berufsverband Deutscher Dermatologen (BVDD) have initiated a project to develop evidence-based guidelines for the management of psoriasis. The guidelines focus on induction therapy in cases of mild, moderate, and severe plaque-type psoriasis in adults. The short version of the guidelines reported here consist of a series of therapeutic recommendations that are based on a systematic literature search and subsequent discussion with experts in the field; they have been approved by a team of dermatology experts. In addition to the therapeutic recommendations provided in this short version, the full version of the guidelines includes information on contraindications, adverse events, drug interactions, practicality, and costs as well as detailed information on how best to apply the treatments described (for full version, please see Nast et al., JDDG, Suppl 2:S1–S126, 2006; or http://www.psoriasis-leitlinie.de)

Studies on pyrrolidinones. On the decarboxylation of pyroglutamic acids and N-acyl prolines in acidic media.

During attempted Friedel–Crafts cyclization of some arylmethyl pyroglutamic acids or of N-phenacyl prolines, decomposition of the activated form of the acid have been observed, giving new heterocyclic systems. This general decarboxylation occurred when there are difficulties to realize a Friedel–Crafts cyclization and is explained by geometrical or electronic considerations

Supplementary Material for: Diagnostic Yield of Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism by Combined CT Venography and Pulmonary Angiography in Patients with Cryptogenic Stroke and Patent Foramen Ovale

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Paradoxical embolism via a patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been suggested as a potential stroke mechanism. Combined CT venography and pulmonary angiography (CVPA) is a simple, validated and accurate technique to diagnose deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE). We sought to assess the prevalence of DVT or PE among patients with PFO and cryptogenic stroke (CS) by CVPA. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Patients were identified retrospectively from a clinical registry of consecutive patients with stroke admitted to our Stroke Unit. The following criteria were required for inclusion in this study: CS, PFO identified by transthoracic echography using contrast medium and CVPA performed during the hospitalization following stroke. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 114 patients with PFO underwent a CVPA within 7 days (interquartile range 4-9) from stroke symptom onset. On cerebral imaging, 11% had multiple infarcts. CVPA documented deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in 10 patients (8.8%) and PE in 5 patients (4.4%), that is, a total of 12 patients with prevalence of 10.5% (95% CI 5.5-17.7). Patients with PE-DVT had higher D-dimers and C reactive protein level than patients without PE-DVT (p < 0.05). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> CVPA may be used by the stroke team in the work-up of suspected paradoxical embolism among cryptogenic ischemic stroke patients with PFO

Impact of thrombolysis in acute ischaemic stroke without occlusion: an observational comparative study.

The impact of intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV-rtPA) in patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) but no arterial occlusion is currently a matter of debate. This study aimed to assess functional outcome of such patients with respect to IV-rtPA use. A retrospective case-control analysis was performed comparing the outcome of AIS patients without arterial occlusion with or without IV-rtPA use. Patients were selected from prospective consecutive observational registries of five European university hospitals. The primary study outcome was excellent outcome at 3 months after stroke, as defined by a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-1. A total of 488 patients without arterial occlusion documented by angiography were included in the present study; 300 received IV-rtPA and 188 did not. No between-group difference was found for excellent outcome before and after adjustment for baseline characteristics (adjusted odds ratio for no IV-rtPA use 0.79, 95% confidence interval 0.51-1.24, P = 0.31). Similar results were found for favourable outcome (defined as a 90-day mRS of 0-2) whereas a higher rate of early neurological improvement was found in IV-rtPA-treated patients (adjusted odds ratio 1.99; 95% confidence interval 1.29-3.07, P = 0.002). Sensitivity analyses yielded similar results. Our study suggests that AIS patients without visible arterial occlusion treated with IV-rtPA may have no better outcome at 3 months than those untreated. However, only a randomized controlled trial would provide a definitive answer about the impact of rtPA in acute stroke patients without occlusion. Until then, these patients should be treated by rtPA as recommended