Generalized Wasserstein distance and its application to transport equations with source

In this article, we generalize the Wasserstein distance to measures with different masses. We study the properties of such distance. In particular, we show that it metrizes weak convergence for tight sequences. We use this generalized Wasserstein distance to study a transport equation with source, in which both the vector field and the source depend on the measure itself. We prove existence and uniqueness of the solution to the Cauchy problem when the vector field and the source are Lipschitzian with respect to the generalized Wasserstein distance

Seasonal Phenology of Reptiles in a Mediterranean Environment (“Castel di Guido” Natural Park, Northern Latium, Italy)

The present work reports the seasonal phenology of the reptiles of the "Castel di Guido" Natural Park near Rome (Northern Latium, Italy). During field observations, between September 2014 and July 2016, transects were carried out along the ecotones of the park, in order to describe the period of seasonal activity of the reptiles present. The area is characterized by Mediterranean mesothermal climate. In the Mediterranean area, reptiles have a broader annual activity range than other European regions, greatly reducing winter latency. Reptile activities start very early, in some case it is possible to observe the snake Hierophis viridiflavus and lizards, such as Podarcis muralis and Podarcis siculus, in thermoregulation activity in the middle of winter. The mild climate that is recorded on average in autumn favors the activity in the period between September and December; Zamenis longissimus is observed regularly in October. Testudo hermanni mates regularly in autumn and it is active until the first decade of December. The research shows that during the winter period reptiles can be observed in activity; for some species, Chalcides chalcides, Podarcis sp., Hierophis viridiflavus, this seems to be a remarkable datum that broad considerably the annual phenology reported in the literature

Estudo numérico de ondas monocromáticas em duas praias e sobre um recife artificial multifuncional na Baía do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES.

Ondas propagando-se em direção à costa sofrem importantes transformações, que são de fundamental importância para o entendimento das mudanças da linha de costa e dos processos que ocorrem nas proximidades da linha de costa. Os modelos numéricos são instrumentos utilizados por engenheiros e oceanógrafos como um método de estudos desses processos dentro de uma pequena margem de erro. Neste trabalho de pesquisa são realizadas simulações numéricas para avaliar dois tipos de interação onda-corpo. No primeiro caso foram consideradas ondas monocromáticas incidentes interagindo com uma região costeira complexa e no segundo caso ondas interagindo com um recife artificial multifuncional. A região costeira escolhida é a Curva da Jurema e o recife artificial multifuncional é colocado em um trecho da praia de Camburi, ambas as regiões estão localizadas na Baia do Espírito Santo e vêm sofrendo processos de erosão. As simulações foram realizadas usando o modelo numérico FUNWAVE 2.0, fundamentado nas equações do tipo Boussinesq de Wei et al. (1995). A grade computacional não-uniforme utilizada tem comprimento típico de 5m para a região da Curva da Jurema e de 1m para a região do Recife Artificial. Na região da Curva da Jurema os resultados de simulações de ondas incidentes do quadrante de Nordeste e de Sudeste mostraram que as amplitudes das ondas são quase que totalmente dissipadas dentro do embaiamento e se aproxima de zero junto à praia. Os processos de refração, de difração e de reflexão da onda incidente com a profundidade e os contornos da costa são evidenciados, no campo de onda, e estes podem ser responsáveis pelo aparecimento de um super-harmônico no espectro de onda proveniente de Sudeste. Em um trecho de praia de Camburi, onde foi colocado o recife artificial, as ondas de Nordeste e de Sudeste incidem perpendicularmente a praia. Sem o recife, o comportamento das ondas neste domínio se mostrou influenciado pelos gradientes batimétricos, gerando fluxos de retorno e grande concentração de energia próxima à linha de costa. Com instalação do recife artificial multifuncional verifico-se uma diminuição da intensidade de energia de onda na linha de costa. O recife foi projetado com uma declividade e ângulos internos propícios para geração de ondas surfáveis. Os resultados das simulações realizadas com a inclusão do recife mostraram que as ondas que se propagam sobre recife são intensificadas em altura até quebrarem, a uma distância de aproximadamente 200m da linha de costa. Ao quebrarem, as ondas se propagam em direção a linha de costa com uma energia menor que aquela sem o recife. Assim, os resultados das simulações numéricas realizadas com o modelo de ondas FUNWAVE mostraram que o modelo é capaz de reproduzir os principais processos que ocorrem em regiões costeiras podendo ser usando como ferramenta para o gerenciamento costeiro

First Record of Emys orbicularis (Boulenger, 1882), (Reptilia, Testudinati) in the “Castel di Guido” Natural Park (Northern Latium, Italy): a Case of Interest for Species Conservation

The finding of five specimens of Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758), (Reptilia, Testudinati) in the “Castel di Guido” Natural Park (Northern Latium, Italy), is reported. This is the first record for the species in the area, regularly monitored since 2006. It is assumed that the species has recently colonized the site through highly populated and degraded territory; the data is of conservation interest, proving the capacity of the species to cross polluted environments

Isolation and Expansion of Muscle Precursor Cells from Human Skeletal Muscle Biopsies

One of the major issues concerning human skeletal muscle progenitor cells is represented by the efficient isolation and in vitro expansion of cells retaining the ability to proliferate, migrate and differentiate once transplanted. Here we describe a method (1) effective in obtaining human muscle precursor cells both from fresh and frozen biopsies coming from different muscles, (2) selective to yield cells uniformly positive for CD56 and negative for CD34 without FACS sorting, (3) reliable in maintaining proliferative and in vitro differentiative capacity up to passage 10

Isolation and Expansion of Muscle Precursor Cells from Human Skeletal Muscle Biopsies

One of the major issues concerning human skeletal muscle progenitor cells is represented by the efficient isolation and in vitro expansion of cells retaining the ability to proliferate, migrate and differentiate once transplanted. Here we describe a method (1) effective in obtaining human muscle precursor cells both from fresh and frozen biopsies coming from different muscles, (2) selective to yield cells uniformly positive for CD56 and negative for CD34 without FACS sorting, (3) reliable in maintaining proliferative and in vitro differentiative capacity up to passage 10

The Parkinson-related E193K LRRK2 variant impacts neuronal vesicles dynamics through perturbed protein interactions

The Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) is a complex protein, expressed in neurons and implicated in Parkinson disease (PD). LRRK2 contains a dual enzymatic activity and several structural domains that constitute a versatile platform for multiple protein interactions at the synapses. In this study, we characterize the functional role of the N-terminal Armadillo repeats domain of LRRK2 and the impact on synaptic vesicle (SV) dynamics of a novel variant, E193K, harboured within this domain and identified in an Italian family affected by PD. Using a genetically encoded sensor of recycling, synaptopHluorine, and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, we visualized SV trafficking in the N2A neuroblastoma cells expressing the wild type LRRK2 protein, a mutant lacking the Armadillo domain (\u394N LRRK2) or the E193K variant. We found that expression of the \u394N construct increased the frequency and the amplitude of spontaneous synaptic events. A similar phenotype was detected in the presence of the E193K variant, suggesting that this mutation behaves as a loss-of-function mutation. A domain-based pulldown approach demonstrated that the LRRK2 N-terminus binds to cytoskeletal (\u3b2-actin and \u3b1-tubulin) and SV (synapsin I) proteins and the E193K substitution alters strength and quality of LRRK2 interactions. The results support a role of the Armadillo domain in interaction with synaptic proteins and suggest that the E193K mutation affects LRRK2 function via perturbation of its physiological network of interactors, resulting in impaired vesicular trafficking. These findings may have important implications for understanding the role of LRRK2 at the synapses and the pathophysiological mechanism for LRRK2-linked disease

Low-protein diets in CKD: how can we achieve them? A narrative, pragmatic review

Low-protein diets (LPDs) have encountered various fortunes, and several questions remain open. No single study, including the famous Modification of Diet in Renal Disease, was conclusive and even if systematic reviews are in favour of protein restriction, at least in non-diabetic adults, implementation is lagging. LPDs are considered difficult, malnutrition is a threat and compliance is poor. LPDs have been reappraised in this era of reconsideration of dialysis indications and timing. The definition of a normal-adequate protein diet has shifted in the overall population from 1 to 1.2 to 0.8 g/kg/day. Vegan-vegetarian diets are increasingly widespread, thus setting the groundwork for easier integration of moderate protein restriction in Chronic Kidney Disease. There are four main moderately restricted LPDs (0.6 g/kg/day). Two of them require careful planning of quantity and quality of food: a â € traditionalâ €™ one, with mixed proteins that works on the quantity and quality of food and a vegan one, which integrates grains and legumes. Two further options may be seen as a way to simplify LPDs while being on the safe side for malnutrition: adding supplements of essential amino and keto acids (various doses) allows an easier shift from omnivorous to vegan diets, while protein-free food intake allows for an increase in calories. Very-low-protein diets (vLPDs: 0.3 g/kg/day) combine both approaches and usually require higher doses of supplements. Moderately restricted LPDs may be adapted to virtually any cuisine and should be tailored to the patients' preferences, while vLPDs usually require trained, compliant patients; a broader offer of diet options may lead to more widespread use of LPDs, without competition among the various schemas