On a Class of Fractional Obstacle Type Problems Related to the Distributional Riesz Derivative

In this work, we consider the fractional obstacle problem with a given obstacle $\psi$ in a bounded Lipschitz domain $\Omega$ in $\mathbb{R}^{d}$, such that $\mathbb{K}_\psi^s=\{v\in H^s_0(\Omega):v\geq\psi \text{ a.e. in }\Omega\}\neq\emptyset$, given by $$u\in\mathbb{K}_\psi^s:\quad\langle\mathcal{L}_Au,v-u\rangle\geq\langle F,v-u\rangle\quad\forall v\in\mathbb{K}^s_\psi,$$ for $F$ in $H^{-s}(\Omega)$, the dual space of the fractional Sobolev space $H^s_0(\Omega)$, $0<s<1$. The nonlocal operator $\mathcal{L}_A:H^s_0(\Omega)\to H^{-s}(\Omega)$ is defined with the distributional Riesz fractional derivatives and with a measurable, bounded, positive definite matrix $A(x):\mathbb{R}^d\to\mathbb{R}^{d\times d}$, by $\mathcal{L}_Au=-D^s\cdot(AD^su)$. We show that the corresponding bilinear form $\mathcal{E}_A(u,v)$ is a (not necessarily symmetric) Dirichlet form that corresponds to a nonlocal integral operator with a well defined integral kernel $k_A(x,y)$. We then consider obstacle-type problems involving $\mathcal{L}_A$ with one or two obstacles, as well as the $N$-membranes problem, thereby deriving several results, such as the weak maximum principle, comparison properties, approximation by bounded penalization and also the Lewy-Stampacchia inequalities, similarly to the classical obstacle problem which is obtained at the limit $s\to1$. This provides regularity of the solutions, including a global estimate in $L^\infty(\Omega)$, local H\"older regularity of the solutions when $A$ is symmetric, and local regularity in fractional Sobolev spaces when $A$ is the identity and $\mathcal{L}_A=(-\Delta)^s$ corresponds to fractional $s$-Laplacian obstacle-type problems. These novel results are complemented with the extension of the Lewy-Stampacchia inequalities to the order dual of $H^s_0(\Omega)$ and some remarks on the associated $s$-capacity and the $s$-fractional obstacle problem

On an anisotropic fractional Stefan-type problem with Dirichlet boundary conditions

In this work, we consider the fractional Stefan-type problem in a Lipschitz bounded domain $\Omega\subset\mathbb{R}^d$ with time-dependent Dirichlet boundary condition for the temperature $\vartheta = \vartheta(x, t)$, $\vartheta = g$ on $\Omega^c\times]0, T[$, and initial condition $\eta_0$ for the enthalpy $\eta = \eta(x, t)$, given in $\Omega\times]0, T[$ by $\frac{\partial \eta}{\partial t} +\mathcal{L}_A^s \vartheta = f\quad\text{ with }\eta\in \beta(\vartheta),$ where $\mathcal{L}_A^s$ is an anisotropic fractional operator defined in the distributional sense by $\langle\mathcal{L}_A^su, v\rangle = \int_{\mathbb{R}^d}AD^su\cdot D^sv\, dx,$ $\beta$ is a maximal monotone graph, $A(x)$ is a symmetric, strictly elliptic and uniformly bounded matrix, and $D^s$ is the distributional Riesz fractional gradient for 0 < s < 1 . We show the existence of a unique weak solution with its corresponding weak regularity. We also consider the convergence as $s\nearrow 1$ towards the classical local problem, the asymptotic behaviour as $t\to\infty$, and the convergence of the two-phase Stefan-type problem to the one-phase Stefan-type problem by varying the maximal monotone graph $\beta$.</p

Anticipated regret to increase uptake of colorectal cancer screening (ARTICS):a randomised controlled trial

Objective. Screening is key to early detection of colorectal cancer. Our aim was to determine whether a simple anticipated regret (AR) intervention could increase colorectal cancer screening uptake. Methods. We conducted a randomised controlled trial of a simple, questionnaire-based AR intervention, delivered alongside existing pre-notification letters. 60,000 adults aged 50-74 from the Scottish National Screening programme were randomised to: 1) no questionnaire (control), 2) Health Locus of Control questionnaire (HLOC) or 3) HLOC plus anticipated regret questionnaire (AR). Primary outcome was guaiac Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) return. Secondary outcomes included intention to return test kit and perceived disgust (ICK). Results. 59,366 people were analysed as allocated (Intentionto- treat (ITT)); there were no overall differences between treatment groups on FOBT uptake (control: 57.3%, HLOC: 56.9%, AR: 57.4%). 13,645 (34.2%) people returned questionnaires. Analysis of the secondary questionnaire measures showed that AR had an indirect effect on FOBT uptake via intention, whilst ICK had a direct effect on FOBT uptake over and above intention. The effect of AR on FOBT uptake was also moderated by intention strength: for less than strong intenders only, uptake was 4.2% higher in the AR (84.6%) versus the HLOC group (80.4%) (95% CI for difference (2.0, 6.5)). Conclusion. The findings show that psychological concepts including anticipated regret and perceived disgust (ICK) are important factors in determining FOBT uptake. However, there was no simple effect of the AR intervention in the ITT. We conclude that exposure to AR in those with low intentions may be required to increase FOBT uptake. Current controlled trials: www.controlledtrials. com number: ISRCTN74986452

GERENCIAMENTO DE PROJETO NA INDÚSTRIA 4.0

O gerenciamento de projetos relacionado a Indústria 4.0 é considerado uma inovação que visa aumentar a probabilidade de sucesso de um determinado produto ou serviço. A nova revolução industrial afetou o meio de produção, em todo o meio organizacional. Tais mudanças forçam as empresas a buscar por ferramentas que auxiliam na gestão de projetos com o intuito de melhorar seu processo que possa lhe trazer mais agilidade sem que perca a qualidade, seja ele serviço ou produto. A pesquisa em questão apresenta, a importância do gerenciamento de projetos na indústria 4.0, destacando os pontos negativos e positivos o que leva ao insucesso e ao sucesso no projeto. Como resultados este artigo apresenta como o gerenciamento de projeto não planejado corretamente pode acarretar sérios problemas futuros, uma vez que ele é responsável pelo controle dentro da organização. É importante se atentar a forma em que é desenvolvido o trabalho da empresa que presta esse tipo de serviço, sempre analisando todos os detalhes para ver se são de ótimas qualidades e se são eficazes para a gestão no momento.  

Peritoneal function in clinical practice: the importance of follow-up and its measurement in patients. Recommendations for patient information and measurement of peritoneal function

A review is given on peritoneal function, especially ultrafiltration and ultrafiltration failure followed by recommendations on how to translate pathophysiology into clinical practice. The subsequent consequences for management of peritoneal membrane function and for patient information are also included

Incidence and diversity of the fungal genera Aspergillus and Penicillium in Portuguese almonds and chestnuts

Almonds (Prunus dulcis (Miller) D.A. Webb) and European (sweet) chestnuts (Castanea sativa Miller) are of great economic and social impact in Mediterranean countries, and in some areas they constitute the main income of rural populations. Despite all efforts to control fungal contamination, toxigenic fungi are ubiquitous in nature and occur regularly in worldwide food supplies, and these nuts are no exception. This work aimed to provide knowledge on the general mycobiota of Portuguese almonds and chestnuts, and its evolution from field to the end of storage. For this matter, 45 field chestnut samples and 36 almond samples (30 field samples and six storage samples) were collected in Trás-os-Montes, Portugal. All fungi belonging to genus Aspergillus were isolated and identified to the section level. Fungi representative of other genera were identified to the genus level. In the field, chestnuts were mainly contaminated with the genera Fusarium, Cladosporium, Alternaria and Penicillium, and the genus Aspergillus was only rarely found, whereas almonds were more contaminated with Aspergillus. In almonds, Aspergillus incidence increased significantly from field to the end of storage, but diversity decreased, with potentially toxigenic isolates belonging to sections Flavi and Nigri becoming more significant and widespread throughout storage. These fungi were determined to be moderately associated, which can be indicative of mycotoxin co-contamination problems if adequate storage conditions are not secured.P. Rodrigues was supported by grants SFRH/BD/28332/2006 from Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT), and SFRH/PROTEC/49555/2009 from FCT and Polytechnic Institute of Braganca, Portugal

Recognizing recurrent neural networks (rRNN): Bayesian inference for recurrent neural networks

Recurrent neural networks (RNNs) are widely used in computational neuroscience and machine learning applications. In an RNN, each neuron computes its output as a nonlinear function of its integrated input. While the importance of RNNs, especially as models of brain processing, is undisputed, it is also widely acknowledged that the computations in standard RNN models may be an over-simplification of what real neuronal networks compute. Here, we suggest that the RNN approach may be made both neurobiologically more plausible and computationally more powerful by its fusion with Bayesian inference techniques for nonlinear dynamical systems. In this scheme, we use an RNN as a generative model of dynamic input caused by the environment, e.g. of speech or kinematics. Given this generative RNN model, we derive Bayesian update equations that can decode its output. Critically, these updates define a 'recognizing RNN' (rRNN), in which neurons compute and exchange prediction and prediction error messages. The rRNN has several desirable features that a conventional RNN does not have, for example, fast decoding of dynamic stimuli and robustness to initial conditions and noise. Furthermore, it implements a predictive coding scheme for dynamic inputs. We suggest that the Bayesian inversion of recurrent neural networks may be useful both as a model of brain function and as a machine learning tool. We illustrate the use of the rRNN by an application to the online decoding (i.e. recognition) of human kinematics

Lutein Protects RGC-5 Cells Against Hypoxia and Oxidative Stress

Retinal ischemia and oxidative stress lead to neuronal death in many ocular pathologies. Recently, we found that lutein, an oxy-carotenoid, protected the inner retina from ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, it is uncertain whether lutein directly protects retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Here, an in vitro model of hypoxia and oxidative stress was used to further investigate the neuroprotective role of lutein in RGCs. Cobalt chloride (CoCl2) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were added to a transformed RGC cell line, RGC-5, to induce chemical hypoxia and oxidative stress, respectively. Either lutein or vehicle was added to cultured cells. A higher cell count was observed in the lutein-treated cells compared with the vehicle-treated cells. Our data from this in vitro model revealed that lutein might protect RGC-5 cells from damage when exposed to either CoCl2-induced chemical hypoxia or H2O2-induced oxidative stress. These results suggest that lutein may play a role as a neuroprotectant

Timing of eplerenone initiation and outcomes in patients with heart failure after acute myocardial infarction complicated by left ventricular systolic dysfunction: insights from the EPHESUS trial †

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/102721/1/ejhfhfp136.pd