Fast Solvers for Cahn-Hilliard Inpainting

We consider the efficient solution of the modified Cahn-Hilliard equation for binary image inpainting using convexity splitting, which allows an unconditionally gradient stable time-discretization scheme. We look at a double-well as well as a double obstacle potential. For the latter we get a nonlinear system for which we apply a semi-smooth Newton method combined with a Moreau-Yosida regularization technique. At the heart of both methods lies the solution of large and sparse linear systems. We introduce and study block-triangular preconditioners using an efficient and easy to apply Schur complement approximation. Numerical results indicate that our preconditioners work very well for both problems and show that qualitatively better results can be obtained using the double obstacle potential

Plasma proteomics of green turtles (\u3cem\u3eChelonia mydas\u3c/em\u3e) reveals pathway shifts and potential biomarker candidates associated with health and disease

Evaluating sea turtle health can be challenging due to an incomplete understanding of pathophysiologic responses in these species. Proteome characterization of clinical plasma samples can provide insights into disease progression and prospective biomarker targets. A TMT-10-plex-LC–MS/MS platform was used to characterize the plasma proteome of five, juvenile, green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and compare qualitative and quantitative protein changes during moribund and recovered states. The 10 plasma samples yielded a total of 670 unique proteins. Using ≥1.2-fold change in protein abundance as a benchmark for physiologic upregulation or downregulation, 233 (34.8%) were differentially regulated in at least one turtle between moribund and recovered states. Forty-six proteins (6.9%) were differentially regulated in all five turtles with two proteins (0.3%) demonstrating a statistically significant change. A principle component analysis showed protein abundance loosely clustered between moribund samples or recovered samples and for turtles that presented with trauma (n = 3) or as intestinal floaters (n = 2). Gene Ontology terms demonstrated that moribund samples were represented by a higher number of proteins associated with blood coagulation, adaptive immune responses and acute phase response, while recovered turtle samples included a relatively higher number of proteins associated with metabolic processes and response to nutrients. Abundance levels of 48 proteins (7.2%) in moribund samples significantly correlated with total protein, albumin and/or globulin levels quantified by biochemical analysis. Differentially regulated proteins identified with immunologic and physiologic functions are discussed for their possible role in the green turtle pathophysiologic response and for their potential use as diagnostic biomarkers. These findings enhance our ability to interpret sea turtle health and further progress conservation, research and rehabilitation programs for these ecologically important species

Experiencias controladas realizadas con distintas cocinas solares

Se presentan los resultados de distintas experiencias controladas, realizadas tanto en el Laboratorio de Secado y Cocción de Alimentos (LSCA), del INENCO, como al aire libre, usándose distintas formas de calentamiento bajo radiación de un litro de agua contenido en una olla de aluminio. Se calentó y comparó su comportamiento térmico en dieciséis sistemas diferentes, desde la simple olla de aluminio hasta diferentes modelos de cocinas solares.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Uso de braseros a leña en comedores infantiles de la ciudad de Salta

Se presenta el estado de situación actual de veintiséis braseros a leña optimizados que fueran transferidos gratuitamente durante los años 1994 y 1995 a dieciocho comedores infantiles de la Ciudad de Salta. Para realizar este estudio se visitaron los comedores a fin de conocer in-situ el estado de uso de las estufas y el empleo que tuvieron desde que fueron entregadas. También se estudió la situación general de los comedores mediante un cuestionario elaborado por el Instituto de Investigación Brace. Se resumen las informaciones obtenidas a partir del mismo.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Experiencias controladas realizadas con distintas cocinas solares

Se presentan los resultados de distintas experiencias controladas, realizadas tanto en el Laboratorio de Secado y Cocción de Alimentos (LSCA), del INENCO, como al aire libre, usándose distintas formas de calentamiento bajo radiación de un litro de agua contenido en una olla de aluminio. Se calentó y comparó su comportamiento térmico en dieciséis sistemas diferentes, desde la simple olla de aluminio hasta diferentes modelos de cocinas solares.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Uso de braseros a leña en comedores infantiles de la ciudad de Salta

Se presenta el estado de situación actual de veintiséis braseros a leña optimizados que fueran transferidos gratuitamente durante los años 1994 y 1995 a dieciocho comedores infantiles de la Ciudad de Salta. Para realizar este estudio se visitaron los comedores a fin de conocer in-situ el estado de uso de las estufas y el empleo que tuvieron desde que fueron entregadas. También se estudió la situación general de los comedores mediante un cuestionario elaborado por el Instituto de Investigación Brace. Se resumen las informaciones obtenidas a partir del mismo.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Identifying Opportunities for Aligning Production and Consumption in the U.S. Fisheries by Considering Seasonality

Seasonality is a natural feature of wild caught fisheries that introduces variation in food supply, and which often is amplified by fisheries management systems. Seasonal timing of landings patterns and linkages to consumption patterns can have a potentially strong impact on income for coastal communities as well as import patterns. This study characterizes the relationship between seasonality in seafood production and consumption in the United States by analyzing monthly domestic fisheries landings and imports and retail sales of farmed and wild seafood from 2017 to 2019. Analyses were conducted for total seafood sales, by product form, by species group, and by region of the United States. The data reveal strong seasonal increases in consumption around December and March. Seasonal increases in consumption in Spring and Summer occurred in parallel with domestic fishing production. Domestic landings vary by region, but most regions have peak fishing seasons between May and October. Alaska has the largest commercial fishery in the United States and seasonal peaks in Alaska (July/August, February/March) strongly influence seasonality in national landings. Misalignment between domestic production and consumption in some seasons and species groups creates opportunities for imports to supplement demand and lost opportunities for domestic producers.publishedVersio

On the possibility of magneto-structural correlations: detailed studies of di-nickel carboxylate complexes

A series of water-bridged dinickel complexes of the general formula [Ni<sub>2</sub>(μ<sub>2</sub>-OH<sub>2</sub>)(μ2- O<sub>2</sub>C<sup>t</sup>Bu)<sub>2</sub>(O<sub>2</sub>C<sup>t</sup>Bu)2(L)(L0)] (L = HO<sub>2</sub>C<sup>t</sup>Bu, L0 = HO<sub>2</sub>C<sup>t</sup>Bu (1), pyridine (2), 3-methylpyridine (4); L = L0 = pyridine (3), 3-methylpyridine (5)) has been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The magnetic properties have been probed by magnetometry and EPR spectroscopy, and detailed measurements show that the axial zero-field splitting, D, of the nickel(ii) ions is on the same order as the isotropic exchange interaction, J, between the nickel sites. The isotropic exchange interaction can be related to the angle between the nickel centers and the bridging water molecule, while the magnitude of D can be related to the coordination sphere at the nickel sites

Genetic ablation or chemical inhibition of phosphatidylcholine transfer protein attenuates diet?induced hepatic glucose production†‡

 Phosphatidylcholine transfer protein (PC?TP, synonym StARD2) is a highly specific intracellular lipid binding protein that is enriched in liver. Coding region polymorphisms in both humans and mice appear to confer protection against measures of insulin resistance. The current study was designed to test the hypotheses that Pctp?/? mice are protected against diet?induced increases in hepatic glucose production and that small molecule inhibition of PC?TP recapitulates this phenotype. Pctp?/? and wildtype mice were subjected to high?fat feeding and rates of hepatic glucose production and glucose clearance were quantified by hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp studies and pyruvate tolerance tests. These studies revealed that high?fat diet?induced increases in hepatic glucose production were markedly attenuated in Pctp?/? mice. Small molecule inhibitors of PC?TP were synthesized and their potencies, as well as mechanism of inhibition, were characterized in vitro. An optimized inhibitor was administered to high?fat?fed mice and used to explore effects on insulin signaling in cell culture systems. Small molecule inhibitors bound PC?TP, displaced phosphatidylcholines from the lipid binding site, and increased the thermal stability of the protein. Administration of the optimized inhibitor to wildtype mice attenuated hepatic glucose production associated with high?fat feeding, but had no activity in Pctp?/? mice. Indicative of a mechanism for reducing glucose intolerance that is distinct from commonly utilized insulin?sensitizing agents, the inhibitor promoted insulin?independent phosphorylation of key insulin signaling molecules. Conclusion: These findings suggest PC?TP inhibition as a novel therapeutic strategy in the management of hepatic insulin resistance