Fast simulation of the pantograph-catenary dynamic interaction

Simulation of the pantograph-catenary dynamic interaction has now become a useful tool for designing and optimizing the system. In order to perform accurate simulations, including system non-linearities, the Finite Element Method is commonly employed combined with a time integration scheme, even though the computational time required may be longer than with the use of other simpler approaches. In this paper we propose a two-stage methodology (Offline/Online) which notably reduces the computational cost without any loss in accuracy and makes it possible to successfully carry out very efficient optimizations or even Hardware in the Loop simulations with real-time requirements.The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support received from the FPU program offered by the Ministerio de Educacion, Cultura y Deporte under grant number (FPU13/04191), and also funding from the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia and the Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEO/2016/007).Gregori Verdú, S.; Tur Valiente, M.; Nadal Soriano, E.; Aguado, J.; Fuenmayor Fernández, FJ.; Chinesta, F. (2017). Fast simulation of the pantograph-catenary dynamic interaction. Finite Elements in Analysis and Design. 129:1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.finel.2017.01.007S11312

Neuroprotective Effects of FGF2 and Minocycline in Two Animal Models of Inherited Retinal Degeneration

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to study the effect of minocycline and several neurotrophic factors, alone or in combination, on photoreceptor survival and macro/microglial reactivity in two rat models of retinal degeneration. METHODS. P23H-1 (rhodopsin mutation), Royal College of Surgeon (RCS, pigment epithelium malfunction), and age-matched control rats (Sprague-Dawley and Pievald Viro Glaxo, respectively) were divided into three groups that received at P10 for P23H-1 rats or P33 for RCS rats: (1) one intravitreal injection (IVI) of one of the following neurotrophic factors: clliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), or basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2); (2) daily intraperitoneal administration of minocycline; or (3) a combination of IVI of FGF2 and intraperitoneal minocycline. All animals were processed 12 days after treatment initiation. Retinal microglial cells and cone photoreceptors were immunodetected and analyzed qualitatively in cross sections. The numbers of microglial cells in the different retinal layers and number of nuclei rows in the outer nuclear layer (ONE) were quantified. RESULTS. IVI of CNTF, PEDF, or FGF2 Unproved the morphology of the photoreceptors outer segment, but only FGF2 rescued a significant number of photoreceptors. None of the trophic factors had qualitative or quantitative effects on microglial cells. Minocycline treatment reduced activation and migration of microglia and produced a significant rescue of photoreceptors. Combined treatment with minocycline and FGF2 had higher neuroprotective effects than each of the treatments alone. CONCLUSIONS. In two animal models of photoreceptor degeneration with different etiologies, minocycline reduces microglial activation and migration, and FGF2 and minocycline increase photoreceptor survival. The combination of FGF2 and minocycline show greater neuroprotective effects than their isolated effects