6,231 research outputs found
A two-layer shallow water model for bedload sediment transport: convergence to Saint-Venant-Exner model
A two-layer shallow water type model is proposed to describe bedload sediment
transport. The upper layer is filled by water and the lower one by sediment.
The key point falls on the definition of the friction laws between the two
layers, which are a generalization of those introduced in Fern\'andez-Nieto et
al. (ESAIM: M2AN, 51:115-145, 2017). This definition allows to apply properly
the two-layer shallow water model for the case of intense and slow bedload
sediment transport. Moreover, we prove that the two-layer model converges to a
Saint-Venant-Exner system (SVE) including gravitational effects when the ratio
between the hydrodynamic and morphodynamic time scales is small. The SVE with
gravitational effects is a degenerated nonlinear parabolic system. This means
that its numerical approximation is very expensive from a computational point
of view, see for example T. Morales de Luna et al. (J. Sci. Comp., 48(1):
258-273, 2011). In this work, gravitational effects are introduced into the
two-layer system without such extra computational cost. Finally, we also
consider a generalization of the model that includes a non-hydrostatic pressure
correction for the fluid layer and the boundary condition at the sediment
surface. Numerical tests show that the model provides promising results and
behave well in low transport rate regimes as well as in many other situations
Reversal of hepatorenal syndrome type 1 with terlipressin plus albumin vs. placebo plus albumin in a pooled analysis of the OT-0401 and REVERSE randomised clinical studies
Background
The goal of hepatorenal syndrome type 1 (HRS-1) treatment is to improve renal function. Terlipressin, a synthetic vasopressin analogue, is a systemic vasoconstrictor used for the treatment of HRS-1, where it is available. Aim
To compare the efficacy of terlipressin plus albumin vs. placebo plus albumin in patients with HRS-1. Methods
Pooled patient-level data from two large phase 3, randomised, placebo-controlled studies were analysed for HRS reversal [serum creatinine (SCr) value ≤133 μmol/L], 90-day survival, need for renal replacement therapy and predictors of HRS reversal. Patients received intravenous terlipressin 1–2 mg every 6 hours plus albumin or placebo plus albumin up to 14 days. Results
The pooled analysis comprised 308 patients (terlipressin: n = 153; placebo: n = 155). HRS reversal was significantly more frequent with terlipressin vs. placebo (27% vs. 14%; P = 0.004). Terlipressin was associated with a more significant improvement in renal function from baseline until end of treatment, with a mean between-group difference in SCr concentration of −53.0 μmol/L (P \u3c 0.0001). Lower SCr, lower mean arterial pressure and lower total bilirubin and absence of known precipitating factors for HRS were independent predictors of HRS reversal and longer survival in terlipressin-treated patients. Conclusions
Terlipressin plus albumin resulted in a significantly higher rate of HRS reversal vs. albumin alone in patients with HRS-1. Terlipressin treatment is associated with improved renal function
Tissue Localization and Extracellular Matrix Degradation by PI, PII and PIII Snake Venom Metalloproteinases: Clues on the Mechanisms of Venom-Induced Hemorrhage
20 páginas, 4 figuras, 3 tablas y 7 tablas en material suplementario.Snake venom hemorrhagic metalloproteinases (SVMPs) of the PI, PII and PIII classes were compared in terms of tissue localization and their ability to hydrolyze basement membrane components in vivo, as well as by a proteomics analysis of exudates collected in tissue injected with these enzymes. Immunohistochemical analyses of co-localization of these SVMPs with type IV collagen revealed that PII and PIII enzymes co-localized with type IV collagen in capillaries, arterioles and post-capillary venules to a higher extent than PI SVMP, which showed a more widespread distribution in the tissue. The patterns of hydrolysis by these three SVMPs of laminin, type VI collagen and nidogen in vivo greatly differ, whereas the three enzymes showed a similar pattern of degradation of type IV collagen, supporting the concept that hydrolysis of this component is critical for the destabilization of microvessel structure leading to hemorrhage. Proteomic analysis of wound exudate revealed similarities and differences between the action of the three SVMPs. Higher extent of proteolysis was observed for the PI enzyme regarding several extracellular matrix components and fibrinogen, whereas exudates from mice injected with PII and PIII SVMPs had higher amounts of some intracellular proteins. Our results provide novel clues for understanding the mechanisms by which SVMPs induce damage to the microvasculature and generate hemorrhage.This work was performed in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the PhD degree for Cristina Herrera at Universidad de Costa Rica.Peer reviewe
Hamiltonian dynamics for Einstein's action in G0 limit
The Hamiltonian analysis for the Einstein's action in limit is
performed. Considering the original configuration space without involve the
usual variables we show that the version for Einstein's action
is devoid of physical degrees of freedom. In addition, we will identify the
relevant symmetries of the theory such as the extended action, the extended
Hamiltonian, the gauge transformations and the algebra of the constraints. As
complement part of this work, we develop the covariant canonical formalism
where will be constructed a closed and gauge invariant symplectic form. In
particular, using the geometric form we will obtain by means of other way the
same symmetries that we found using the Hamiltonian analysis
Cortical Activation Patterns of Cue-Paced Foot Movement in Subacute Stroke Patients
[EN] Limb movement is associated with well defined cortical activation patterns. Structural and functional changes in the brain affect the characteristics of these patterns (strength and topography). Novel strategies for poststroke motor rehabilitation could monitor cortical activity as an additional index of engagement and/or recovery. In this work we analyze differences in cortical activation related to movements of the affected vs. unaffected foot (dorsiflexion). Our results show stronger cortical activation during movements of the affected foot, and stronger responses at the vertex. Online assessment of cortical activation and the experiment described in this work could be added to traditional motor rehabilitation.This work was supported by the FP7 EU Research Project BETTER (247935). The authors are thankful to Silvia Mena del Horno and Javier Bonilla for assistance during the experiments.Belda Lois, JM. (2013). Cortical Activation Patterns of Cue-Paced Foot Movement in Subacute Stroke Patients. Biomedical Engineering / Biomedizinische Technik. 58(1):1-2. https://doi.org/10.1515/bmt-2013-4446S1258
A model of impairment and functional limitation in rheumatoid arthritis
BACKGROUND: We have previously proposed a theoretical model for studying physical disability and other outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The purpose of this paper is to test a model of impairment and functional limitation in (RA), using empirical data from a sample of RA patients. We based the model on the disablement process framework. METHODS: We posited two distinct types of impairment in RA: 1) Joint inflammation, measured by the tender, painful and swollen joint counts; and 2) Joint deformity, measured by the deformed joint count. We hypothesized direct paths from the two impairments to functional limitation, measured by the shirt-button speed, grip strength and walking velocity. We used structural equation modeling to test the hypothetical relationships, using empirical data from a sample of RA patients recruited from six rheumatology clinics. RESULTS: The RA sample was comprised of 779 RA patients. In the structural equation model, the joint inflammation impairment displayed a strong significant path toward the measured variables of joint pain, tenderness and swelling (standardized regression coefficients 0.758, 0.872 and 0.512, P ≤ 0.001 for each). The joint deformity impairment likewise displayed significant paths toward the measured upper limb, lower limb, and other deformed joint counts (standardized regression coefficients 0.849, 0.785, 0.308, P ≤ 0.001 for each). Both the joint inflammation and joint deformity impairments displayed strong direct paths toward functional limitation (standardized regression coefficients of -0.576 and -0.564, respectively, P ≤ 0.001 for each), and explained 65% of its variance. Model fit to data was fair to good, as evidenced by a comparative fit index of 0.975, and the root mean square error of approximation = 0.058. CONCLUSION: This evidence supports the occurrence of two distinct impairments in RA, joint inflammation and joint deformity, that together, contribute strongly to functional limitations in this disease. These findings may have implications for investigators aiming to measure outcome in RA
Methods to Monitor and Quantify Autophagy in the Social Amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum
Autophagy is a eukaryotic catabolic pathway that degrades and recycles cellular components to maintain homeostasis. It can target protein aggregates, superfluous biomolecular complexes, dysfunctional and damaged organelles, as well as pathogenic intracellular microbes. Autophagy is a dynamic process in which the different stages from initiation to final degradation of cargo are finely regulated. Therefore, the study of this process requires the use of a palette of techniques, which are continuously evolving and whose interpretation is not trivial. Here, we present the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum as a relevant model to study autophagy. Several methods have been developed based on the tracking and observation of autophagosomes by microscopy, analysis of changes in expression of autophagy genes and proteins, and examination of the autophagic flux with various techniques. In this review, we discuss the pros and cons of the currently available techniques to assess autophagy in this organism
Black Holes with Varying Flux: A Numerical Approach
We present a numerical study of type IIB supergravity solutions with varying
Ramond-Ramond flux. We construct solutions that have a regular horizon and
contain nontrivial five- and three-form fluxes. These solutions are
holographically dual to the deconfined phase of confining field theories at
finite temperature. As a calibration of the numerical method we first
numerically reproduce various analytically known solutions including singular
and regular nonextremal D3 branes, the Klebanov-Tseytlin solution and its
singular nonextremal generalization. The horizon of the solutions we construct
is of the precise form of nonextremal D3 branes. In the asymptotic region far
away from the horizon we observe a logarithmic behavior similar to that of the
Klebanov-Tseytlin solution.Comment: 40 pages, 15 figure
Holographic Entanglement Entropy at Finite Temperature
Using a holographic proposal for the entanglement entropy we study its
behavior in various supergravity backgrounds. We are particularly interested in
the possibility of using the entanglement entropy as way to detect transitions
induced by the presence horizons. We consider several geometries with horizons:
the black hole in , nonextremal Dp-branes, dyonic black holes
asymptotically to and also Schwarzschild black holes in global
coordinates. Generically, we find that the entanglement entropy does not
exhibit a transition, that is, one of the two possible configurations always
dominates.Comment: v3: 31 pp, ten figures, modified to match version accepted by IJMP
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