Efectos de la discretización en la simulación de escorrentía urbana

La urbanización produce un fuerte impacto sobre las respuestas hidrológicas de las cuencas. El incremento de la impermeabilidad aumenta notablemente los escurrimientos superficiales. Para evacuar los excedentes pluviales urbanos, se diseñan y construyen sistemas de drenaje, utilizando modelos matemáticos que permiten realizar los cálculos de diseño, operación y planificación de tales sistemas. El avance de la informática ha generalizado la aplicación de la modelación distribuida, lo que supone una mejora de la descripción de los fenómenos que participan en la transformación lluvia-escorrentía. Sin embargo, incorpora una incertidumbre relacionada con la elección del tamaño de la discretización superficial apropiada para la simulación. Este trabajo examina los efectos de la discretización espacial sobre la simulación del escurrimiento en una red de conductos pluviales, analiza la variación del parámetro de calibración W para diferentes escalas espaciales de una cuenca urbana y propone criterios para elegir la mayor escala espacial que satisfaga una precisión deseada en los resultados. Para ello se realizaron ensayos numéricos con el modelo SWMM sobre una cuenca urbana teórica y sobre una cuenca urbana experimental. A partir de los resultados obtenidos, se observa que la escala espacial influye en los resultados de la simulación con el modelo SWMM. La red de drenaje adiciona almacenamiento al sistema, atenuando y retardando los caudales pico. A medida que aumenta la escala una parte de la red es removida y en consecuencia se empuntan los hidrogramas y se anticipan los picos. Para que el modelo represente, a una escala mayor, una función de respuesta similar a la obtenida con la escala de detalle, es necesario compensar la pérdida de almacenamiento. Para ello, se debe reducir el ancho total de la cuenca, es decir, aumentar la longitud de escurrimiento. Para aplicaciones del modelo SWMM en cuencas similares a la del estudio, una vez discretizada la cuenca y si no se dispone de información pluvio-hidrométrica, se puede estimar el valor medio del parámetro W a partir de la relación ancho medio de escorrentía - área media de subcuencas. Para la cuenca experimental estudiada la escala espacial más grande que conserva la precisión admisible de los hidrogramas a la salida y de niveles de agua en nodos de interés es la meso escala.Peer Reviewe

A symplectic, symmetric algorithm for spatial evolution of particles in a time-dependent field

A symplectic, symmetric, second-order scheme is constructed for particle evolution in a time-dependent field with a fixed spatial step. The scheme is implemented in one space dimension and tested, showing excellent adequacy to experiment analysis.Comment: version 2; 16 p

C7 is expressed on endothelial cells as a trap for the assembling terminal complement complex and may exert anti-inflammatory function

We describe a novel localization of C7 as a membrane-bound molecule on endothelial cells (ECs). Data obtained by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), Western blot analysis, Northern blot analysis, and mass spectrometry revealed that membrane- associated C7 (mC7) was indistinguish-able from soluble C7 and was associated with vimentin on the cell surface. mC7 interacted with the other late complement components to form membrane-bound TCC (mTCC). Unlike the soluble SC5b-9, mTCC failed to stimulate ECs to express adhesion molecules, to secrete IL-8, and to induce albumin leakage through a monolayer of ECs, and more importantly protected ECs from the proinflammatory effect of SC5b-9. Our data disclose the possibility of a novel role of mC7 that acts as a trap for the late complement components to control excessive inflammation induced by SC5b-9. \ua9 2009 by The American Society of Hematology

Invasive meningococcal disease in three siblings with hereditary deficiency of the 8th component of complement: Evidence for the importance of an early diagnosis

Deficiency of the eighth component of complement (C8) is a very rare primary immunodeficiency, associated with invasive, recurrent infections mainly caused by Neisseria species. We report functional and immunochemical C8 deficiency diagnosed in three Albanian siblings who presented with severe meningococcal infections at the age of 15 years, 4 years and 17 months, respectively. The youngest suffered serious complications (necrosis of fingers and toes requiring amputation). METHODS: Functional activity of the classical, alternative and mannose-binding lectin complement pathways was measured in serum from the 3 siblings and their parents (37-year-old woman and 42-year-old man). Forty healthy subjects (20 males and 20 females aged 4-38 years) served as normal controls. Serum complement factors were measured by haemolytic assays and immunoblotting. Sequence DNA analysis of the C8B gene was performed. RESULTS: Analyses of the three complement pathways revealed no haemolytic activity and also absence of C8beta in serum samples from all three siblings. The genetic analysis showed that the three siblings were homozygous for the p.Arg428* mutation in the C8B gene on chromosome 1p32 (MIM 120960). The parents were heterozygous for the mutation and presented normal complement activities. A 2-year follow-up revealed no further infective episodes in the siblings after antibiotic prophylaxis and meningococcal vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Complement deficiencies are rare and their occurrence is often underestimated. In presence of invasive meningococcal infection, we highlight the importance of complement screening in patients and their relatives in order to discover any genetic defects which would render necessary prophylaxis to prevent recurrent infections and severe complications

Impact of phosphorus fertiliser on tropical pasture legume production

The application of phosphorus (P) fertilisers during legume establishment can substantially increase yields, however the P requirements of many tropical legumes has not been defined. A trial was established on low P soils near Wandoan in southern Queensland to investigate the effect of P fertiliser on tropical legume production during establishment and the three years post sowing, with early results reported in this paper. The trial consisted of single cultivars of three tropical legume species (Desmanthus leptophyllus, Desmanthus virgatus and Stylosanthes seabrana) with five rates of P fertiliser applied. No significant difference between the three species was identified, suggesting the three legumes responded to P fertiliser similarly. Across the three species a 20% increase in yield was achieved with P application. The critical soil P level, defined as 95% of maximum yield, ranged between 12 and 14 mg/kg. The addition of P fertiliser on low P soil during tropical legume establishment results in greater legume productivity which is expected to increase livestock production

Efectos de la discretización en la simulación de escorrentía urbana

[ES] La urbanización produce un fuerte impacto sobre las respuestas hidrológicas de las cuencas. El incremento de la impermeabilidad aumenta notablemente los escurrimientos superficiales. Para evacuar los excedentes pluviales urbanos, se diseñan y construyen sistemas de drenaje, utilizando modelos matemáticos que permiten realizar los cálculos de diseño, operación y planificación de tales sistemas. El avance de la informática ha generalizado la aplicación de la modelación distribuida, lo que supone una mejora de la descripción de los fenómenos que participan en la transformación lluvia-escorrentía. Sin embargo, incorpora una incertidumbre relacionada con la elección del tamaño de la discretización superficial apropiada para la simulación. Este trabajo examina los efectos de la discretización espacial sobre la simulación del escurrimiento en una red de conductos pluviales, analiza la variación del parámetro de calibración W para diferentes escalas espaciales de una cuenca urbana y propone criterios para elegir la mayor escala espacial que satisfaga una precisión deseada en los resultados. Para ello se realizaron ensayos numéricos con el modelo SWMM sobre una cuenca urbana teórica y sobre una cuenca urbana experimental. A partir de los resultados obtenidos, se observa que la escala espacial influye en los resultados de la simulación con el modelo SWMM. La red de renaje adiciona almacenamiento al sistema, atenuando y retardando los caudales pico. A medida que aumenta la escala una parte de la red es removida y en consecuencia se empuntan los hidrogramas y se anticipan los picos. Para que el modelo represente, a una escala mayor, una función de respuesta similar a la obtenida con la escala de detalle, es necesario compensar la pérdida de almacenamiento. Para ello, se debe reducir el ancho total de la cuenca, es decir, aumentar la longitud de escurrimiento. Para aplicaciones del modelo SWMM en cuencas similares a la del estudio, una vez discretizada la cuenca y si no se dispone de información pluvio-hidrométrica, se puede estimar el valor medio del parámetro W a partir de la relación ancho medio de escorrentía - área media de subcuencas. Para la cuenca experimental estudiada la escala espacial más grande que conserva la precisión admisible de los hidrogramas a la salida y de niveles de agua en nodos de interés es la meso escala.Macor, JL.; Pedraza, RA. (2006). Efectos de la discretización en la simulación de escorrentía urbana. Ingeniería del agua. 13(1):35-46. https://doi.org/10.4995/ia.2006.2882OJS3546131Alley, W. (1986) Summary of experience with the Distribuited Routing Rainfall-Runoff Model (DR3M). Urban Drainage Modelling. Proccedings, International Symposium on Comparison of Urban Drainage Models with Real Catchment Data, UDM86, Dubrovnik. Edited by Maksinovic and Radojkovic. Pergamon Press, Oxford, United Kingdom, 1986.Bathurst J. C. (1986) Sensivity analysis of the Systeme Hidrologyque Europeen for an upland catchment. Journal of Hydrology, 87 (Mar.), pp103-123.Calomino F. (1993) Hydrological uncertitudes as a limiting factor in the improvement of models. Urban Storm Drainage. Preccedings, US-Italy Bilateral Seminar. Water Resources Publications. Highlands Ranch, Colorado, USA.Coyler P. (1982) Storm data collection and analysis. Urban Storm Water Hydraulics and Hydrology. Proccedings Second International Conference on Urban Storm Drainage, Urbana, Illinois. Water Resources Publications. Highlands Ranch, Colorado, USA.Goodrich D. (1990) Basin scale and runoff model complexity. Technical Reports on Natural Resource Systems. Technical Report Nº HWR 91-010. University of Arizona and USDA Agricultural Research Service, Southwest Watershed Research Center. Tucson, USA.Huber W. y Dickinson R. (1992) Storm Water Management Model, User's Manual, Version 4. U.S. Environment Protection Agency, Athens, USA.Macor, J.L. (2001) Efectos de la discretización espacial en la simulación de flujo de agua en redes de conductos. Informe de Tesis (defensa: junio 2001), Maestría en Ingeniería de los Recursos Hídricos. FICH-UNL, Santa Fe, Argentina.Macor, J.L. (2002) Análisis comparativo del parámetro ancho de cuenca del modelo Runoff-SWMM. Revista Ingeniería Hidráulica en México. Instituto Mexicano de Tecnología del Agua. Vol. XVII, Nº 2, II época, pp. 17-26. Morelos, México. Abril-Junio 2002.Mazion E. y Yen B. C. (1994) Computational discretization effect on rainfall-runoff simulation. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, vol 120, Nº 5, pp 715-734Metcalf y Eddy, Inc., University of Florida y Water Resources Engineers, Inc. (1971) Storm Water Management Model, volume I - Final Report. EPA Report 11024DOC07/71 (NTIS PB-203289), Environmental Protection Agency, Washington,DC., USA.Pedraza, R.; Collins, J.; Macor J.; Pusineri, G.; Ocampo, C. (1996a) Influencia de la discretización espacial de las cuencas urbanas sobre parámetros de calibración de modelos de diseño. II Jornadas Nacionales de Saneamiento Pluvial Urbano, Córdoba, Argentina, 1996.Pedraza, R.; Collins, J.; Macor J.; Pusineri, G.; Ocampo, C. (1996b) Implementación y operación de una cuenca urbana piloto en la ciudad de Santa Fe (Prov. Santa Fe). XVI Congreso Nacional del Agua, San Martín de los Andes, Argentina, 1996.Pedraza, R., Gómez Valentín, M., Reyna, S. (2005) Un procedimiento de agregación de esquemas de modelación basado en relaciones de similitud hidrológica (Parte I y II). XX Congreso Nacional del Agua y III Simposio de Recursos Hídricos del Cono Sur, Mendoza, Argentina, 2005.Roessner L. y Dickinson R. (1992) Storm Water Management Model User's Manual Version4: Extran Addendum. U.S. Environment Protection Agency, Athens, USA.Tao T. y Kouwen N. (1989) Spatial resolution in hydrologic modeling. Chanel flow and catchment runoff. Proccedings International Conference for Centennial of Manning's Formula and Kuichling's Rational Formula, B. C. Yen, editor, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.Villeneuve, JP.; Gaume, E. (1993) Mise au point du modèle de simulation des axes secondaires. Contrôle de l'Operation des ouvrages d'interception de la communauté urbaine de Québec. Rapport Rp-28-A. Paris, Francia.Warwick J. (1989). Interplay between parameter uncertainty and model aggregation error. Water Resources Bulletin, 25 (2) pp 275-28

The Role of Endoscopic Ultrasonography (EUS) in Metastatic Tumors in the Pancreas: 10 Years of Experience from a Single High-Volume Center

Background: Metastatic pancreatic lesions (MPLs) are relatively uncommon, constituting 2 to 5% of all pancreatic tumors. They often manifest as solitary lesions without distinct clinical symptoms, usually identified incidentally during radiologic imaging for the surveillance of prior malignancies. Differentiating these lesions from primary pancreatic tumors presents a significant challenge due to their nonspecific presentation. Methods: We aimed to prospectively assess the effectiveness of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and EUS-guided fine needle aspiration/biopsy (EUS-FNA/B) in diagnosing MPLs in a carefully selected cohort of patients presenting with pancreatic masses. Additionally, we sought to examine the relevance of specific EUS findings in supporting the initial diagnosis of MPLs and their agreement with the definitive cytological diagnosis. This study retrospectively analyzed data from 41 patients diagnosed with MPLs between 2013 and 2023, focusing on their clinical and pathological characteristics, the echogenic features of the pancreatic lesions, and the techniques used for tissue acquisition. Results: The incidence of MPLs in our cohort was 3.53%, with the most frequent primary tumors originating in the kidney (43.90%), colorectum (9.76%), lung (9.76%), lymphoma (9.76%), and breast (4.88%). MPLs typically presented as hypoechoic, oval-shaped lesions with well-defined borders and were predominantly hypervascular. Interestingly, 68.29% of the cases were discovered incidentally during follow-up of the primary tumors, while the involvement of the common bile duct was uncommon (19.51%). Conclusions: EUS and EUS-FNA/B have been validated as valuable diagnostic tools for identifying MPLs. While our findings are promising, further multicenter studies are necessary to corroborate these results and elucidate the predictive value of specific EUS characteristics in determining the metastatic origin of pancreatic lesions

Respuesta temprana mediada por fosfolípidos durante la interacción fusarium graminearum y raíces de cebada

Fusarium es el principal agente causal de la fusariosis de la espiga (FHB) en varios cultivos de cereales. Los macroconidios, forma asexual de Fusarium, pueden infectar las raíces y partes aéreas de las plantas afectando la estructura de las mismas. La respuesta de los cereales al ataque de Fusarium se ha investigado a nivel transcriptómico y metabolómico, sin embargo, no se conoce el efecto de la interacción del patógeno sobre la composición/metabolismo de los fosfolípidos en las raíces de cebada.Fil: Reyna, M.. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto.Fil: Macor, E.. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto.Fil: Peppino Margutti, M.. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto.Fil: Villasuso, A.. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto

Blood ozonization in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 pneumonia: a single centre experience

The emerging outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to spread worldwide. We prescribed some promising medication to our patients with mild to moderate pneumonia due to SARS-CoV-2, however such drugs as chloroquine, hydrossichloroquine, azithromycin, antivirals (lopinavir/ritonavir, darunavir/cobicistat) and immunomodulating agents (steroids, tocilizumab) were not confirmed as effective against SARS-CoV2. We, therefore, started to use auto-hemotherapy treated with an oxygen/ozone (O2/O3) gaseous mixture as adjuvant therapy. In Udine University Hospital (Italy) we performed a case\u2013control study involving hospitalized adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 with mild to moderate pneumonia. Clinical presentations are based upon clinical phenotypes identified by the Italian Society of Emergency and Urgency Medicine (SIMEU\u2014Societ\ue0 Italiana di Medicina di Emergenza-Urgenza) and patients that met criteria of phenotypes 2 to 4 were treated with best available therapy (BAT), with or without O3-autohemotherapy. 60 patients were enrolled in the study: 30 patients treated with BAT and O2/O3 mixture, as adjuvant therapy and 30 controls treated with BAT only. In the group treated with O3-autohemotherapy plus BAT, patients were younger but with more severe clinical phenotypes. A decrease of SIMEU clinical phenotypes was observed (2.70 \ub1 0.67 vs. 2.35 \ub1 0.88, p = 0.002) in all patients during hospitalization but this clinical improvement\ua0was statistically significant only in O3-treated patients (2.87 \ub1 0.78 vs. 2.27 \ub1 0.83, p < 0.001), differently to the control group (2.53 \ub1 0.51 vs. 2.43 \ub1 0.93, p = 0.522). No adverse events were observed associated with the application of O2/O3 gaseous mixture. O2/O3 therapy as adjuvant therapy could be useful in mild to moderate pneumonia due to SARS-CoV-2. Randomized prospective study is ongoing [Clinical Trials.gov ID: Z7C2CA5837]