Application of a dynamic event tree methodolgy to steam generator tube rupture sequences

The Integrated Safety Assessment (ISA) methodology, developed by the Spanish Nuclear Safety Council (CSN), has been applied to a thermo-hydraulical analysis of a Westinghouse 3-loop PWR plant by means of the dynamic event trees (DET) for Steam Generator Tube Rupture (SGTR) sequences. The ISA methodology allows obtaining the SGTR Dynamic Event Tree taking into account the operator actuation times. Simulations are performed with SCAIS (Simulation Code system for Integrated Safety Assessment), which includes a dynamic coupling with MAAP thermal hydraulic code. The results show the capability of the ISA methodology and SCAIS platform to obtain the DET of complex sequences

Statistics of the gravitational force in various dimensions of space: from Gaussian to Levy laws

We discuss the distribution of the gravitational force created by a Poissonian distribution of field sources (stars, galaxies,...) in different dimensions of space d. In d=3, it is given by a Levy law called the Holtsmark distribution. It presents an algebraic tail for large fluctuations due to the contribution of the nearest neighbor. In d=2, it is given by a marginal Gaussian distribution intermediate between Gaussian and Levy laws. In d=1, it is exactly given by the Bernouilli distribution (for any particle number N) which becomes Gaussian for N>>1. Therefore, the dimension d=2 is critical regarding the statistics of the gravitational force. We generalize these results for inhomogeneous systems with arbitrary power-law density profile and arbitrary power-law force in a d-dimensional universe

Lepton Flavour Violating Leptonic/Semileptonic Decays of Charged Leptons in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model

We consider the leptonic and semileptonic (SL) lepton flavour violating (LFV) decays of the charged leptons in the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM). The formalism for evaluation of branching fractions for the SL LFV charged-lepton decays with one or two pseudoscalar mesons, or one vector meson in the final state, is given. Previous amplitudes for the SL LFV charged-lepton decays in MSSM are improved, for instance the $\gamma$-penguin amplitude is corrected to assure the gauge invariance. The decays are studied not only in the model-independent formulation of the theory in the frame of MSSM, but also within the frame of the minimal supersymmetric SO(10) model within which the parameters of the MSSM are determined. The latter model gives predictions for the neutrino-Dirac Yukawa coupling matrix, once free parameters in the model are appropriately fixed to accommodate the recent neutrino oscillation data. Using this unambiguous neutrino-Dirac Yukawa couplings, we calculate the LFV leptonic and SL decay processes assuming the minimal supergravity scenario. A very detailed numerical analysis is done to constrain the MSSM parameters. Numerical results for SL LFV processes are given, for instance for tau -> e (mu) pi0, tau -> e (mu) eta, tau -> e (mu) eta', tau -> e (mu) rho0, tau -> e (mu) phi, tau -> e (mu) omega, etc.Comment: 36 pages, 3 tables, 5 .eps figure

Relationship between olive oil consumption and ankle-brachial pressure index in a population at high cardiovascular risk

The aim of this study was to ascertain the association between the consumption of different categories of edible olive oils (virgin olive oils and olive oil) and olive pomace oil and ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI) in participants in the PREDIMED-Plus study, a trial of lifestyle modification for weight and cardiovascular event reduction in individuals with overweight/obesity harboring the metabolic syndrome. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the PREDIMED-Plus trial. Consumption of any category of olive oil and olive pomace oil was assessed through a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Multivariable linear regression models were fitted to assess associations between olive oil consumption and ABI. Additionally, ABI ≤1 was considered as the outcome in logistic models with different categories of olive oil and olive pomace oil as exposure. Results: Among 4330 participants, the highest quintile of total olive oil consumption (sum of all categories of olive oil and olive pomace oil) was associated with higher mean values of ABI (beta coefficient: 0.014, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.002, 0.027) (p for trend = 0.010). Logistic models comparing the consumption of different categories of olive oils, olive pomace oil and ABI ≤1 values revealed an inverse association between virgin olive oils consumption and the likelihood of a low ABI (odds ratio [OR] 0.73, 95% CI [0.56, 0.97]), while consumption of olive pomace oil was positively associated with a low ABI (OR 1.22 95% CI [1.00, 1.48]). Conclusions: In a Mediterranean population at high cardiovascular risk, total olive oil consumption was associated with a higher mean ABI. These results suggest that olive oil consumption may be beneficial for peripheral artery disease prevention, but longitudinal studies are needed

The chemical compound 'Heatin' stimulates hypocotyl elongation and interferes with the Arabidopsis NIT1-subfamily of nitrilases

Temperature passively affects biological processes involved in plant growth. Therefore, it is challenging to study the dedicated temperature signalling pathways that orchestrate thermomorphogenesis, a suite of elongation growth-based adaptations that enhance leaf-cooling capacity. We screened a chemical library for compounds that restored hypocotyl elongation in the pif4-2-deficient mutant background at warm temperature conditions in Arabidopsis thaliana to identify modulators of thermomorphogenesis. The small aromatic compound 'Heatin', containing 1-iminomethyl-2-naphthol as a pharmacophore, was selected as an enhancer of elongation growth. We show that ARABIDOPSIS ALDEHYDE OXIDASES redundantly contribute to Heatin-mediated hypocotyl elongation. Following a chemical proteomics approach, the members of the NITRILASE1-subfamily of auxin biosynthesis enzymes were identified among the molecular targets of Heatin. Our data reveal that nitrilases are involved in promotion of hypocotyl elongation in response to high temperature and Heatin-mediated hypocotyl elongation requires the NITRILASE1-subfamily members, NIT1 and NIT2. Heatin inhibits NIT1-subfamily enzymatic activity in vitro and the application of Heatin accordingly results in the accumulation of NIT1-subfamily substrate indole-3-acetonitrile in vivo. However, levels of the NIT1-subfamily product, bioactive auxin (indole-3-acetic acid), were also significantly increased. It is likely that the stimulation of hypocotyl elongation by Heatin might be independent of its observed interaction with NITRILASE1-subfamily members. However, nitrilases may contribute to the Heatin response by stimulating indole-3-acetic acid biosynthesis in an indirect way. Heatin and its functional analogues present novel chemical entities for studying auxin biology

Propuesta de ordenamiento de los agrosistemas de dehesa en la Península Ibérica

Se ha realizado una rápida revisión de las características geográficas, económicas, demográficas, agronómicas, ecológicas y energéticas de las dehesas de la Península Ibérica, llegando a la conclusión de que éstas, en su actual emplazamiento, constituyen los agrosistemas más adecuados. Su escasa rentabilidad se ha sometido a crítica, considerando que las principales causas que predisponen a la escasa productividad se deben a una falta de conocimiento sobre los factores ambientales condicionantes. Se marcan pautas de mejora en base a la creación de una agronomía autóctona, en la que incluso tendría cabida la agroenergética

Patients with advanced Parkinson's disease with and without freezing of gait: A comparative analysis of vascular lesions using brain MRI

Introduction: Freezing of gait (FOG) is one of the most disabling and enigmatic symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Vascular lesions, observed in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, may produce or exacerbate this symptom. Patients and methods: The study includes 22 patients with Parkinson's disease subjects, 12 with freezing of gait and 10 without. All patients underwent an MRI scan and any vascular lesions were analysed using the modified Fazekas scale. Results: Patients with FOG scored higher on the modified Fazekas scale than the rest of the group. Although the two groups contained the same percentage of patients with vascular lesions (50% in both groups), lesion load was higher in the group of patients with FOG. Vascular lesions in the periventricular area and deep white matter seem to be the most involved in the development of FOG. Discussion: Vascular lesions may contribute to the onset or worsening of FOG in patients with PD. This study suggests that cerebral vascular disease should be considered in patients with FOG. Resumen: Introducción: La congelación de la marcha (CDM) es uno de los fenómenos más incapacitantes y menos comprendido de la enfermedad de Parkinson idiopática (EPI). Las lesiones vasculares, objetivadas mediante resonancia magnética nuclear (RMN), podrían contribuir a la aparición o empeoramiento de este síntoma. Pacientes y método: Se estudió un grupo de 22 pacientes con EPI avanzada, 12 con episodios de CDM y 10 sin dichos episodios. Se realizó RMN en todos los pacientes y se analizaron, mediante la escala de Fazekas modificada, las lesiones vasculares existentes. Resultados: Los pacientes con CDM obtuvieron puntuaciones superiores en la escala de Fazekas modificada. Aunque el porcentaje de pacientes que presentaban lesiones vasculares fue el mismo en ambos grupos (50% en los 2 grupos), la carga lesional fue superior en el grupo de pacientes con CDM. Las lesiones vasculares en la región periventricular y en la sustancia blanca profunda son las que parecen estar más implicadas en la aparición de la CDM. Conclusiones: Las lesiones vasculares podrían contribuir a la aparición o al empeoramiento de la CDM en los pacientes con EPI, con este estudio se sugiere que la afección vascular cerebral debe ser considerada en los pacientes con CDM. Keywords: Parkinson's disease, Freezing of gait, Fazekas scale, Vascular lesions, Palabras clave: Enfermedad de Parkinson, Congelación de la marcha, Escala de Fazekas, Lesiones vasculares cerebrale

Pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson avanzada con y sin congelación de la marcha. Análisis comparativo de lesiones vasculares en resonancia magnética cerebral

Resumen: Introducción: La congelación de la marcha (CDM) es uno de los fenómenos más incapacitantes y menos comprendido de la enfermedad de Parkinson idiopática (EPI). Las lesiones vasculares, objetivadas mediante resonancia magnética nuclear (RMN), podrían contribuir a la aparición o empeoramiento de este síntoma. Pacientes y método: Se estudió un grupo de 22 pacientes con EPI avanzada, 12 con episodios de CDM y 10 sin dichos episodios. Se realizó RMN en todos los pacientes y se analizaron, mediante la escala de Fazekas modificada, las lesiones vasculares existentes. Resultados: Los pacientes con CDM obtuvieron puntuaciones superiores en la escala de Fazekas modificada. Aunque el porcentaje de pacientes que presentaban lesiones vasculares fue el mismo en ambos grupos (50% en los 2 grupos), la carga lesional fue superior en el grupo de pacientes con CDM. Las lesiones vasculares en la región periventricular y en la sustancia blanca profunda son las que parecen estar más implicadas en la aparición de la CDM. Conclusiones: Las lesiones vasculares podrían contribuir a la aparición o al empeoramiento de la CDM en los pacientes con EPI, con este estudio se sugiere que la afección vascular cerebral debe ser considerada en los pacientes con CDM. Abstract: Introduction: Freezing of gait (FOG) is one of the most disabling and enigmatic symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Vascular lesions, observed in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, may produce or exacerbate this symptom. Patients and methods: The study includes 22 patients with Parkinson's disease subjects, 12 with freezing of gait and 10 without. All patients underwent an MRI scan and any vascular lesions were analysed using the modified Fazekas scale. Results: Patients with FOG scored higher on the modified Fazekas scale than the rest of the group. Although the two groups contained the same percentage of patients with vascular lesions (50% in both groups), lesion load was higher in the group of patients with FOG. Vascular lesions in the periventricular area and deep white matter seem to be the most involved in the development of FOG. Discussion: Vascular lesions may contribute to the onset or worsening of FOG in patients with PD. This study suggests that cerebral vascular disease should be considered in patients with FOG. Palabras clave: Enfermedad de Parkinson, Congelación de la marcha, Escala de Fazekas, Lesiones vasculares cerebrales, Keywords: Parkinson's disease, Freezing of gait, Fazekas scale, Vascular lesion