The Influence Of Elasticity, Temperature And Fracture On Large Scale Geological Flow

Realistic simulations of earth processes such as faulting, shearing, magma flow, subduction and convection often require the consideration of non-Newtonian Effects such as elasticity and power law creep. As the deformations involved in geological deformation are often large the constitutive relationships must maintain certain geometric terms to ensure that the tensor properties of the model are conserved. A model with such properties is termed as objective. There are a wide range of objective, visco-elasto-plastic models to choose from. The main structural difference between these models consists in the choice of the objective stress rate, e.g. Jaumann, Oldroyd, Truesdell - rates (see Kolymbas and Herle, 2003, for a recent discussion). In this paper we give an outline of a thermo-visco-elastic-plastic model including a discussion of numerical aspects such as the derivation of a consistent incremental form. The viscous part of the deformation involves a combination of both Newtonian and power law creep. Plastic deformations are described by means of a standard Prandtl-Reuss flow rule combined with a von Mises yield criterion. In planetary scale flow modeling the yield criterion is required as a stress limiter during episodic events e.g. in connection with the initiation of subduction. The temperature sensitivity of the viscous deformation is considered by means of an Arrhenius relation involving a pressure dependent reference (melting) temperature. The salient features of the model are first explored by means of analytical and numerical solutions of a simple shear problem for an infinite strip with fixed and prescribed shear velocities on the bottom and top of the layer respectively

The RESEARCH project. Soil-related hazards and archaeological heritage in the challenge of climate change

Archaeological Heritage, naturally endangered by environmental processes and anthropogenic pressures, is today increasingly at risk, because of intense human activities and climate change, and their impact on atmosphere and soil. European research is increasingly dedicated to the development of good practices for monitoring archaeological sites and their preservation. One of the running projects about these topics is RESEARCH (Remote Sensing techniques for Archaeology; H2020-MSCA-RISE, grant agreement: 823987), started in 2018 and ending in 2022. RESEARCH aims at testing risk assessment methodology using an integrated system of documentation and research in the fields of archaeology and environmental studies. It will introduce a strategy and select the most efficient tools for the harmonization of different data, criteria, and indicators in order to produce an effective risk assessment. These will be used to assess and monitor the impact of soil erosion, land movement, and land-use change on tangible archaeological heritage assets. As a final product, the Project addresses the development of a multi-task thematic platform, combining advanced remote sensing technologies with GIS application. The demonstration and validation of the Platform will be conducted on six case studies located in Italy, Greece, Cyprus, and Poland, and variously affected by the threats considered by the Project. In the frame of RISE (Research and Innovation Staff Exchange), RESEARCH will coordinate the existing expertise and research efforts of seven beneficiaries into a synergetic plan of collaborations and exchanges of personnel (Ph.D. students and research staff), to offer a comprehensive transfer of knowledge and training environment for the researchers in the specific area. This paper aims at illustrating the results of the activities conducted during the first year of the Project, which consisted in developing an effective risk assessment methodology for soil-related threats affecting archaeological heritage, and defining the scientific requirements and the user requirements of the Platform. The activities have been conducted in synergy with all the Partners and were supported by the possibility of staff exchange allowed by the funding frame MSCA-RISE

Circulating EGFL7 distinguishes between IUGR and PE: an observational case–control study

Isolated intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preeclampsia (PE) share common placental pathogenesis. Differently from IUGR, PE is a systemic disorder which may also affect liver and brain. Early diagnosis of these conditions may optimize maternal and fetal management. Aim of this study was to assess whether Epidermal Growth Factor-Like domain 7 (EGFL7) dosage in maternal blood discriminates between isolated IUGR and PE. A total of 116 women were enrolled in this case-control study: 12 non-pregnant women, 34 healthy pregnant women, 34 women presenting with isolated IUGR and 36 presenting with PE. Levels of circulating EGFL7 and other known pro- and anti-angiogenic factors were measured by ELISA at different gestational ages (GA). Between 22-25 weeks of gestation, EGFL7 levels in early-onset PE (e-PE) plasma samples were significantly higher than those measured in controls or isolated IUGR samples (69.86 ± 6.17 vs. 19.8 ± 2.5 or 18.8 ± 2.8 µg/ml, respectively). Between 26-34 weeks, EGFL7 levels remained significantly higher in e-PE compared to IUGR. At term, circulating and placental EGFL7 levels were comparable between IUGR and late-onset PE (l-PE). In contrast, circulating levels of PlGF were decreased in both IUGR- and PE- complicated pregnancies, while levels of both sFLT-1 and sENDOGLIN were increased in both conditions. In conclusion, EGFL7 significantly discriminates between isolated IUGR and PE

Modulation of Caspase Activity in Muscle Stem Cells Regulates Muscle Regeneration and Function

Muscle homeostasis involves de novo myogenesis, as observed in conditions of acute or chronic muscle damage. Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) triggers skeletal muscle wasting and inhibits muscle regeneration. We show that intramuscular treatment with the myogenic factor Arg8-vasopressin (AVP) enhanced skeletal muscle regeneration and rescued the inhibitory effects of TNF on regeneration. The functional analysis of regenerating muscle performance following TNF or AVP treatments revealed that the two factors had opposite effects on muscle force and fatigue, and that AVP rescued TNF negative effects on muscle performance. Muscle regeneration is, at least in part, regulated by caspase activation in PW1 Interstitial Cells (PICs). The participation of these CD34+ Sca-1+ PW1+ cells to muscle regeneration is hampered by TNF and rescued by AVP. The contrasting effects of AVP and TNF in vivo are recapitulated in cultured myogenic cells, which express both PW1, a caspase activator, and Hsp70, a caspase inhibitor. Hsp70 and PW1 co-immunoprecipitated and co-localized in muscle cells. In vivo Hsp70 expression was upregulated by AVP, and Hsp70 overexpression per se counteracted the TNF block of muscle regeneration. In summary, AVP counteracts TNF effects through a cross-talk at the level of Hsp70, a pivotal regulator of caspase activity in myogenic cells. Diminishing caspase activity is important for a prompt morphological and functional recovery following injury

Budidaya Sayuran Organik di Lahan Pekarangan pada Kelompok Masyarakat di Kelurahan Naimata dalam Upaya Menopang Ekonomi Keluarga pada Masa Pandemi Covid 19

Abstract - The PKM Program for Organic Vegetable Cultivation in the Yard Land in an Effort to Support the Family Economy During the Covid 19 Pandemic was carried out in the area of ​​RT 17, RW 07, Naimata Village, Kupang City. The main targets to be achieved from this program are: (1) increasing the independence of partners in meeting household food needs; (2) mastery of hydroponic system installation techniques; (3) mastery of hydroponic system plant cultivation technology; (4) mastery of technology for making liquid organic fertilizer based on household organic waste and organic pesticides. The approach method applied in the implementation of this PKM program is the transfer of information and technology transfer through socialization and training activities. Activities carried out include: training on plant cultivation technology with hydroponic and verticulture systems, training on hydroponic equipment installation, as well as training on technology for making liquid organic fertilizers and organic pesticides. After this PKM activity took place, the level of knowledge and skills of partner group members regarding technology for cultivating organik vegetables with a hydroponic system, installation techniques for hydroponic plant cultivation equipment, techniques for making liquid organic fertilizers and organic pesticides have increased significantly. This increase in knowledge and skills is followed by an increase in the interest of partner group members to apply the technology in an effort to fulfil household food by optimally utilizing the yard.   Abstrak – Program PKM Budidaya Sayuran Organik di Lahan Pekarangan Dalam Upaya  Menopang Ekonomi Keluarga Pada Masa Pandemi Covid 19 dilaksanakan di wilayah RT 17, RW 07, Kelurahan Naimata, Kota Kupang. Target utama yang ingin dicapai dari program ini adalah: (1) peningkatan kemandirian mitra dalam memenuhi kebutuhan pangan rumah tangga; (2) penguasaan teknik pembuatan instalasi sistem hidroponik; (3) penguasaan teknologi budidaya tanaman sistem hidroponik; (4) penguasaan teknologi pembuatan pupuk organik cair berbasis sampah organik rumah tangga dan pestisida organik. Metode pendekatan yang diterapkan dalam pelaksanaan program PKM ini adalah transfer informasi dan alih teknologi melalui kegiatan sosialisasi dan pelatihan. Kegiatan yang dilakukan meliputi: pelatihan teknologi budidaya tanaman dengan sistem hidroponik dan vertikultur, pelatihan instalasi peralatan hidroponik, serta pelatihan teknologi pembuatan pupuk organik cair dan pestisida organik. Setelah kegiatan PKM ini berlangsung, tingkat pengetahuan dan keterampilan anggota kelompok mitra tentang teknologi budidaya tanaman sayuran organik dengan sistem hidroponik, terknik instalasi peralatan budidaya daya tanaman hidroponik, teknik pembuatan pupuk organik cair dan pestisida organik mengalami peningkatan secara signifikan. Peningkatan pengetahuan dan keterampilan ini diikuti dengan peningkatan minat anggota kelompok mitra untuk menerapkan teknologi tersebut dalam upaya pemenuhan pangan rumah tangga dengan memanfaatkan lahan pekarang secara optimal

The mechanical stimulation of myotubes counteracts the effects of tumor-derived factors through IL-4 secretion and the modulation of the activin/follistatin ratio

Exercise counteracts cachexia, but it is unclear to which extent the exercise-dependent mechanical stimulation of muscle per se plays a role in exercise beneficial effects. To study the mechanisms underlying mechanical stimulation, we cultured C2C12 myotubes in the absence or in the presence of a cyclic mechanical stretching stimulus (MS) and in the absence or presence of C26 tumour-derived factors (C26-CM), so as to mimic the mechanical stimulation of exercise and cancer cachexia, respectively. We found that C26-CM contains activin and induces activin release by myotubes, further exacerbating its negative effects, consisting in myotube atrophy and in hampering myoblast recruitment and fusion into myotubes. A high level of circulating activin is an adverse prognostic factor in cancer patients, and our in vitro results demonstrate that activin may be a direct player and not just a marker of cachexia. We also found that MS is sufficient to counteract the adverse tumour-mediated effects on muscle cells, in association with an increased follistatin/activin ratio in the cell culture medium, indicating that myotubes actively release follistatin upon stretching. In addition, MS induces IL- 4 secretion by muscle cells. Recombinant follistatin counteracts C26 tumour effects on myotubes exclusively by rescuing fusion index, while recombinant IL-4 ameliorates fusion index, as well as the myotube size, both in terms of myotube diameter and number of nuclei per myotube. Our results indicate that tumour cells negatively affect muscle cells by releasing soluble factors and that MS is sufficient to counteract these effects, by affecting the muscle secretome with autocrine/paracrine pathways. Activin and Act-R ligands are becoming increasingly important as triggers of muscle wasting and as pharmacological targets to treat cachexia; however, since follistatin alone is incapable to entirely block the C26-CM effects, the development of novel activintargeted approaches should consider the existence of further significant tumour-secreted factors mediating cachexia

The action of obestatin in skeletal muscle repair: stem cell expansion, muscle growth, and microenvironment remodeling

The development of therapeutic strategies for skeletal muscle diseases, such as physical injuries and myopathies, depends on the knowledge of regulatory signals that control the myogenic process. The obestatin/GPR39 system operates as an autocrine signal in the regulation of skeletal myogenesis. Using a mouse model of skeletal muscle regeneration after injury and several cellular strategies, we explored the potential use of obestatin as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of trauma-induced muscle injuries. Our results evidenced that the overexpression of the preproghrelin, and thus obestatin, and GPR39 in skeletal muscle increased regeneration after muscle injury. More importantly, the intramuscular injection of obestatin significantly enhanced muscle regeneration by simulating satellite stem cell expansion as well as myofiber hypertrophy through a kinase hierarchy. Added to the myogenic action, the obestatin administration resulted in an increased expression of VEGF/VEGFR2 and the consequent microvascularization, with no effect on collagen deposition in skeletal muscle. Furthermore, the potential inhibition of myostatin during obestatin treatment might contribute to its myogenic action improving muscle growth and regeneration. Taken together, our data demonstrate successful improvement of muscle regeneration, indicating obestatin is a potential therapeutic agent for skeletal muscle injury and would benefit other myopathies related to muscle regeneration

Inherited crustal deformation along the East Gondwana margin revealed by seismic anisotropy tomography

Acknowledgments We thank Mallory Young for providing phase velocity measurements in mainland Australia and Tasmania. Robert Musgrave is thanked for making available his tilt-filtered magnetic intensity map. In the short term, data may be made available by contacting the authors (S.P. or N.R.). A new database of passive seismic data recorded in Australia is planned as part of a national geophysics data facility for easy access download. Details on the status of this database may be obtained from the authors (S.P., N.R., or A.M.R.). There are no restrictions on access for noncommercial use. Commercial users should seek written permission from the authors (S.P. or N.R.). Ross Cayley publishes with the permission of the Director of the Geological Survey of Victoria.Peer reviewedPublisher PD