A methodology for transient state estimation based on numerical derivatives, optimal monitoring and filtered measurements

This paper proposes a methodology for transient state estimation in power systems. The proposed methodology is formulated using approximation methods for derivatives to relate the state variables to measurements. It does not require knowledge of the steady state to establish the pre-disturbance operation conditions. The method uses an optimal monitoring system based on topological analysis to obtain full observability. A saving index is introduced to analyze the effectiveness of the instrumentation used. The adverse effect of noisy measurements in the estimation process is mitigated using an Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filter. A transient index is introduced to estimate the fault location. The transient state estimation is assessed using two test systems. The results are validated through direct comparison against those obtained by simulation using SimPowerSystems toolbox of Simulink®. With the proposed methodology, the transient state estimation can be obtained with an important saving in the implementation of the measuring system and with considerably less computational effort

Finitely fibered Rosenthal compacta and trees

We study some topological properties of trees with the interval topology. In particular, we characterize trees which admit a 2-fibered compactification and we present two examples of trees whose one-point compactifications are Rosenthal compact with certain renorming properties of their spaces of continuous functions.Comment: Small changes, mainly in the introduction and in final remark

Degradabilidade in situ da matéria seca e da proteína bruta das silagens de seis genótipos de sorgo (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), com e sem tanino no grão, ensilados no estádio de grão farináceo.

Este experimento foi conduzido para avaliar o valor nutricional (materia seca e proteina bruta) de seis genotipos de sorgo para silagem, com e sem tanino no grao, colhidos no estadio de grao farinaceo, utilizando a tecnica da degradabilidade in situ. Seis genotipos de sorgo para ensilagens foram utilizadas: BR 303, BR 304, BR 601 e AG 2006 (sem tanino no grao) e BR 700 e BR 701 (com tanino no grao). quatro bovinos machos, canulados no rumen foram utilizados. os tempos de incubacao foram: 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 e 96 horas. Utilizou-se o tempo zero (t0) para calculo da solubilidade das silagens. A silagem do sorgo BR 304 apresentou os melhores resultados para a media de desaparecimento da MS e da PB as 96 horas de incubacao, seguida pela do AG 2006. O tanino presente nos graos dos genotipos BR 700 e BR 701 ensilados no estadio de grao farinaceo, nao respondeu por nenhum efeito sobre os parametros estudados de degradacao da materia seca e da proteina bruta

Degradabilidade in situ da matéria seca e da proteína bruta das silagens de seis genótipos de sorgo (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), com e sem tanino no grão, ensilados no estádio de grão farináceo.

Este experimento foi conduzido para avaliar o valor nutricional (matéria seca e proteína bruta) de seis genótipos de sorgo para silagem, com e sem tanino no grão, colhidos no estádio de grão farináceo, utilizando a técnica da degradabilidade in situ. Seis silagens de genótipos de sorgo foram utilizadas: BR 303, BR 304, BR 601 e AG 2006 (sem tanino no grão) e BR 700 e BR 701 (com tanino no grão). Quatro bovinos machos, canulados no rúmen foram utilizados. Os tempos de incubação foram: 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 e 96 horas. Utilizou-se o tempo zero (t0) para cálculo da solubilidade das silagens. A silagem do sorgo BR 304 apresentou os melhores resultados para a média de desaparecimento da MS e da PB às 96 horas de incubação, seguida pela do AG 2006. O tanino presente nos grãos dos genótipos BR 700 e BR 701 ensilados no estádio de grão farináceo, não respondeu por nenhum efeito depressivo sobre os parâmetros estudados de degradação da matéria seca e da proteína bruta

Wunderlich syndrome (spontaneous renal hematoma) as a cause of acute abdomen: a case report

Spontaneous renal hemorrhage, also known as Wünderlich syndrome, is a rare condition that can be life-threatening and consists of the onset of sudden hemorrhage into the subcapsular and perirenal spaces. It can be lethal as it goes unnoticed and requires aggressive treatment. The entity lies mainly in neoplasms, the malignant ones being the most common. We present the case of a 63-year-old female patient with acute abdomen clinic, a diagnostic laparoscopy was performed and renal hematoma was evidenced as the cause of the symptoms. It was managed conservatively without any complications. We emphasize the importance of keeping in mind Wünderlich syndrome as a differential diagnosis to instigate early treatment for a better outcome.

Hypoxia compromises the mitochondrial metabolism of Alzheimer’s disease microglia via HIF1

Genetic Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk factors associate with reduced defensive amyloid β plaque-associated microglia (AβAM), but the contribution of modifiable AD risk factors to microglial dysfunction is unknown. In AD mouse models, we observe concomitant activation of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF1) pathway and transcription of mitochondrial-related genes in AβAM, and elongation of mitochondria, a cellular response to maintain aerobic respiration under low nutrient and oxygen conditions. Overactivation of HIF1 induces microglial quiescence in cellulo, with lower mitochondrial respiration and proliferation. In vivo, overstabilization of HIF1, either genetically or by exposure to systemic hypoxia, reduces AβAM clustering and proliferation and increases Aβ neuropathology. In the human AD hippocampus, upregulation of HIF1α and HIF1 target genes correlates with reduced Aβ plaque microglial coverage and an increase of Aβ plaque-associated neuropathology. Thus, hypoxia (a modifiable AD risk factor) hijacks microglial mitochondrial metabolism and converges with genetic susceptibility to cause AD microglial dysfunction.Instituto de Salud Carlos III CD09/0007, PI18/01556, PI18/01557Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte FPU14/02115, AP2010‐1598, FPU16/02050, FPU15/02898, BES-2010-033886Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad SAF2012‐33816, SAF2015‐64111‐R, SAF2017-90794-REDT, PIE13/0004, BFU2016-76872-R, BES-2011-047721Junta de Andalucía P12‐CTS‐2138, P12‐CTS‐2232, UMA18-FEDERJA-211, US‐126273

Antiviral mode of action of bovine dialyzable leukocyte extract against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bovine dialyzable leukocyte extract (bDLE) is derived from immune leukocytes obtained from bovine spleen. DLE has demonstrated to reduce transcription of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) and inactivate the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Therefore, we decided to clarify the mode of antiviral action of bDLE on the inhibition of HIV-1 infection through a panel of antiviral assays.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The cytotoxicity, HIV-1 inhibition activity, residual infectivity of bDLE in HIV-1, time of addition experiments, fusion inhibition of bDLE for fusogenic cells and the duration of cell protection even after the removal of bDLE were all assessed in order to discover more about the mode of the antiviral action.</p> <p>HIV-1 infectivity was inhibited by bDLE at doses that were not cytotoxic for HeLa-CD4-LTR-β-gal cells. Pretreatment of HIV-1 with bDLE did not decrease the infectivity of these viral particles. Cell-based fusion assays helped to determine if bDLE could inhibit fusion of Env cells against CD4 cells by membrane fusion and this cell-based fusion was inhibited only when CD4 cells were treated with bDLE. Infection was inhibited in 80% compared with the positive (without EDL) at all viral life cycle stages in the time of addition experiments when bDLE was added at different time points. Finally, a cell-protection assay against HIV-1 infection by bDLE was performed after treating host cells with bDLE for 30 minutes and then removing them from treatment. From 0 to 7 hours after the bDLE was completely removed from the extracellular compartment, HIV-1 was then added to the host cells. The bDLE was found to protect the cells from HIV-1 infection, an effect that was retained for several hours.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>bDLE acted as an antiviral compound and prevented host cell infection by HIV-1 at all viral life cycle stages. These cell protection effects lingered for hours after the bDLE was removed. Interestingly, bDLE inhibited fusion of fusogenic cells by acting only on CD4 cells. bDLE had no virucidal effect, but could retain its antiviral effect on target cells after it was removed from the extracellular compartment, protecting the cells from infection for hours.</p> <p>bDLE, which has no reported side effects or toxicity in clinical trials, should therefore be further studied to determine its potential use as a therapeutic agent in HIV-1 infection therapy, in combination with known antiretrovirals.</p

Demographic and clinical profile of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients in Spain: the SEPAR National Registry

BackgroundLittle is known on the characteristics of patients diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in Spain. We aimed to characterize the demographic and clinical profile of IPF patients included in the IPF National Registry of the Spanish Respiratory Society (SEPAR).MethodsThis is a prospective, observational, multicentre and nationwide study that involved 608 IPF patients included in the SEPAR IPF Registry up to June 27th, 2017, and who received any treatment for their disease. IPF patients were predominantly males, ex-smokers, and aged in their 70s, similar to other registries.ResultsUpon inclusion, meanSD predicted forced vital capacity was 77.6%+/- 19.4, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide was 48.5%+/- 17.7, and the 6-min walk distance was 423.5m +/- 110.4. The diagnosis was mainly established on results from the high-resolution computed tomography in the proper clinical context (55.0% of patients), while 21.2% of patients required invasive procedures (surgical lung biopsy) for definitive diagnosis. Anti-fibrotic treatment was prescribed in 69.4% of cases, 51.5% pirfenidone and 17.9% nintedanib, overall with a good safety profile.Conclusions The SEPAR IPF Registry should help to further characterize current characteristics and future trends of IPF patients in Spain and compare/pool them with other registries and cohorts