Modeling the dynamic rupture propagation on heterogeneous faults with rate- and state-dependent friction

We investigate the effects of non-uniform distribution of constitutive parameters on the dynamic propagation of an earthquake rupture. We use a 2D finite difference numerical method and we assume that the dynamic rupture propagation is governed by a rate- and state-dependent constitutive law. We first discuss the results of several numerical experiments performed with different values of the constitutive parameters a (to account for the direct effect of friction), b (controlling the friction evolution) and L (the characteristic length-scale parameter) to simulate the dynamic rupture propagation on homogeneous faults. Spontaneous dynamic ruptures can be simulated on velocity weakening (a < b) fault patches: our results point out the dependence of the traction and slip velocity evolution on the adopted constitutive parameters. We therefore model the dynamic rupture propagation on heterogeneous faults. We use in this study the characterization of different frictional regimes proposed by Boatwright and Cocco (1996) based on different values of the constitutive parameters a, b and L. Our numerical simulations show that the heterogeneities of the L parameter affect the dynamic rupture propagation, control the peak slip velocity and weakly modify the dynamic stress drop and the rupture velocity. Moreover, a barrier can be simulated through a large contrast of L parameter. The heterogeneity of a and b parameters affects the dynamic rupture propagation in a more complex way. A velocity strengthening area (a > b) can arrest a dynamic rupture, but can be driven to an instability if suddenly loaded by the dynamic rupture front. Our simulations provide a picture of the complex interactions between fault patches having different frictional properties and illustrate how the traction and slip velocity evolutions are modified during the propagation on heterogeneous faults. These results involve interesting implications for slip duration and fracture energy

Greenlight laser™ photovaporization versus transurethral resection of the prostate: A systematic review and meta-analysis

none9GreenLight laser™ photovaporization of the prostate (GLL-PVP) has become a valid alternative to traditional transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in men requiring surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia. We aimed to review systematically the safety and efficacy of studies comparing GLL PVP and TURP in the medium-term. A comprehensive literature search was performed. Twelve studies were identified for meta-analysis. Meta-analyses showed a longer postoperative catheterization time (risk ratio (RR): 1.12, 95% CI:1.09–1.14, p<0.00001) and length of stay (RR: 1.16, 95% CI:1.12–1.19, p<0.00001) in the TURP group; higher risk of transfusion in the TURP group (RR: 6.51, 95% CI: 2,90–14,64 p<0.00001); no difference in the risk of urinary tract infections (RR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.58–1.18, p=0.30) and transient re-catheterization (RR: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.76–1.60, p=0.60). Regarding reoperation rate, no difference was found in term of postoperative urethral stricture (RR: 1.13, 95% CI: 0.73–1.75, p=0.59) and bladder neck contracture (RR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.31–1.40, p=0.28). A significantly higher incidence in reoperation for persistent/regrowth adenoma was present in the GLLL-PVP (RR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.41–0.99, p=0.05). Data at 2-year follow-up showed significant better post-voiding residual (PVR) (MD:-1.42, 95% CI:-2.01,-0.82, p<0.00001) and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) (MD:-0.35, 95% CI:-0.50,-0.20, p<0.00001) after TURP. No difference was found in the mean PVR at 2 years after TURP, in the mean maximum flow rate (Qmax) (MD: 0.30, 95% CI:-0.02–0.61, p=0.06) and quality of life QoL score (MD: 0.05, 95% CI:-0.02–0.42, p=0.13). At 5-year follow-up, data showed better IPSS (MD:-1.70, 95% CI:-2.45,-0.95, p<0.00001), QoL scores (MD:-0.35, 95% CI:-0.69,-0.02, p=0.04) and Qmax (MD: 3.29, 95% CI: 0.19–6.38, p=0.04) after TURP. Data of PVR showed no significant difference (MD:-11.54, 95% CI:-29.55–6.46, p=0.21). In conclusion, our analysis shows that GLL-PVP is a safer and more efficacious procedure than standard TURP in the early and medium-term. However, in the long term period GLL-PVP showed a higher incidence of reoperation rate due to incomplete vaporization/regrowth of prostatic adenoma.openCastellani D.; Pirola G.M.; Rubilotta E.; Gubbiotti M.; Scarcella S.; Maggi M.; Gauhar V.; Teoh J.Y.-C.; Galosi A.B.Castellani, D.; Pirola, G. M.; Rubilotta, E.; Gubbiotti, M.; Scarcella, S.; Maggi, M.; Gauhar, V.; Teoh, J. Y. -C.; Galosi, A. B

Current status of acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) of farmed shrimp in Malaysia

A report about a disease problem in cultured whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) was first received by the National Fish Health Research Center (NaFisH) in 2011 from Perak State showing signs of white feces and slow death leading to serious mortality rate. Later, in September of the same year, the Malaysian Shrimp Farmers Association (MSFA) reported to Department of Fisheries (DOF) severe mortalities in almost all of the whiteleg shrimp farms throughout Peninsular Malaysia. Sampling of shrimps for disease diagnosis was then conducted by NaFisH. The bacteriological and histopathological examinations revealed respectively the isolation of V. parahemolyticus and massive sloughing of hepatopancreatic epithelial cells. The disease was subsequently identified as acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND). From our 3-year study, the annual prevalence rates of AHPND were 50%, 26% and 73% in 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively. At present, AHPND still persists in Malaysia but at a lower prevalence. The risk factors associated with the disease were studied, however, varied environmental and management data analyzed were inconclusive to relate any one parameter directly to the disease. To help ensure the early detection of AHPND, an experimental observation study on `gut scorecard was carried out and this was confirmed by PCR and histopathology. Validation of this technique has yet to be carried out to ensure its reliability. We also examined the potential use of some commercial products such as probiotics and disinfectants available in the market but unfortunately results showed that they were not effective in controlling AHPND. Control measures applied by the farmers such as the use of probiotics were also verified but data generated likewise appeared to be inconclusive. On the contrary, our preliminary study on the antibacterial property of the plant extracts, i.e. betel and lemongrass, incorporated in the feed showed some prophylactic and chemotherapeutic potential against AHPND. However, comprehensive in vitro and in vivo trials are still currently being undertaken to elucidate its efficacy and practical applications. To ensure the shrimp industry s sustainability in Malaysia, results of our ongoing and future studies aimed at preventing and controlling unwarranted outbreaks of AHPND and other emerging transboundary diseases of penaeid shrimps will be continually disseminated to shrimp farmers and pertinent stakeholders

Development of combi-pills using the coupling of semi-solid syringe extrusion 3D printing with fused deposition modelling

Data availability: Data will be made available on request.Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Three-dimensional (3D) printing allows for the design and printing of more complex designs than traditional manufacturing processes. For the manufacture of personalised medicines, such an advantage could enable the production of personalised drug products on demand. In this study, two types of extrusion-based 3D printing techniques, semi-solid syringe extrusion 3D printing and fused deposition modelling, were used to fabricate a combi-layer construct (combi-pill). Two model drugs, tranexamic acid (water soluble, rapid release) and indomethacin (poorly water-soluble, extended release), were printed with different geometries and materials compositions. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results showed that there were no interactions detected between drug-drug and drug-polymers. The printed combi-pills demonstrated excellent abrasion resisting properties in friability tests. The use of different functional excipients demonstrated significant impact on in vitro drug release of the model drugs incorporated in two 3D printed layers. Tranexamic acid and indomethacin were successfully 3D printed as a combi-pill with immediate-release and sustained-release profiles, respectively, to target quick anti-bleeding and prolonged anti-inflammation functions. For the first time, this paper systematically demonstrates the feasibility of coupling syringe-based extrusion 3D printing and fused deposition modelling as an innovative platform for various drug therapy productions, facilitating a new era of personalised combi-pills development.Redistributed Manufacturing in Healthcare Network (RiHN). The RiHN was awarded a grant from the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) (Ref. EP/T014970/1)

Forehead reflectance photoplethysmography to monitor heart rate: preliminary results from neonatal patients

Around 5%–10% of newborn babies require some form of resuscitation at birth and heart rate (HR) is the best guide of efficacy. We report the development and first trial of a device that continuously monitors neonatal HR, with a view to deployment in the delivery room to guide newborn resuscitation. The device uses forehead reflectance photoplethysmography (PPG) with modulated light and lock-in detection. Forehead fixation has numerous advantages including ease of sensor placement, whilst perfusion at the forehead is better maintained in comparison to the extremities. Green light (525 nm) was used, in preference to the more usual red or infrared wavelengths, to optimize the amplitude of the pulsatile signal. Experimental results are presented showing simultaneous PPG and electrocardiogram (ECG) HRs from babies (n = 77), gestational age 26–42 weeks, on a neonatal intensive care unit. In babies ≥32 weeks gestation, the median reliability was 97.7% at ±10 bpm and the limits of agreement (LOA) between PPG and ECG were +8.39 bpm and −8.39 bpm. In babies <32 weeks gestation, the median reliability was 94.8% at ±10 bpm and the LOA were +11.53 bpm and −12.01 bpm. Clinical evaluation during newborn deliveries is now underway

Measurement of the cross-section and charge asymmetry of WW bosons produced in proton-proton collisions at s=8\sqrt{s}=8 TeV with the ATLAS detector

This paper presents measurements of the $W^+ \rightarrow \mu^+\nu$ and $W^- \rightarrow \mu^-\nu$ cross-sections and the associated charge asymmetry as a function of the absolute pseudorapidity of the decay muon. The data were collected in proton--proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV with the ATLAS experiment at the LHC and correspond to a total integrated luminosity of 20.2~\mbox{fb^{-1}}. The precision of the cross-section measurements varies between 0.8% to 1.5% as a function of the pseudorapidity, excluding the 1.9% uncertainty on the integrated luminosity. The charge asymmetry is measured with an uncertainty between 0.002 and 0.003. The results are compared with predictions based on next-to-next-to-leading-order calculations with various parton distribution functions and have the sensitivity to discriminate between them.Comment: 38 pages in total, author list starting page 22, 5 figures, 4 tables, submitted to EPJC. All figures including auxiliary figures are available at https://atlas.web.cern.ch/Atlas/GROUPS/PHYSICS/PAPERS/STDM-2017-13

Search for chargino-neutralino production with mass splittings near the electroweak scale in three-lepton final states in √s=13 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for supersymmetry through the pair production of electroweakinos with mass splittings near the electroweak scale and decaying via on-shell W and Z bosons is presented for a three-lepton final state. The analyzed proton-proton collision data taken at a center-of-mass energy of √s=13  TeV were collected between 2015 and 2018 by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139  fb−1. A search, emulating the recursive jigsaw reconstruction technique with easily reproducible laboratory-frame variables, is performed. The two excesses observed in the 2015–2016 data recursive jigsaw analysis in the low-mass three-lepton phase space are reproduced. Results with the full data set are in agreement with the Standard Model expectations. They are interpreted to set exclusion limits at the 95% confidence level on simplified models of chargino-neutralino pair production for masses up to 345 GeV

Search for squarks and gluinos in events with isolated leptons, jets and missing transverse momentum at s√=8 TeV with the ATLAS detector

The results of a search for supersymmetry in final states containing at least one isolated lepton (electron or muon), jets and large missing transverse momentum with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider are reported. The search is based on proton-proton collision data at a centre-of-mass energy s√=8 TeV collected in 2012, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 20 fb−1. No significant excess above the Standard Model expectation is observed. Limits are set on supersymmetric particle masses for various supersymmetric models. Depending on the model, the search excludes gluino masses up to 1.32 TeV and squark masses up to 840 GeV. Limits are also set on the parameters of a minimal universal extra dimension model, excluding a compactification radius of 1/R c = 950 GeV for a cut-off scale times radius (ΛR c) of approximately 30

Extracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD3) regulates oxidative stress at the vitreoretinal interface

Oxidative stress is a pathogenic feature in vitreoretinal disease. However, the ability of the inner retina to manage metabolic waste and oxidative stress is unknown. Proteomic analysis of antioxidants in the human vitreous, the extracellular matrix opposing the inner retina, identified superoxide dismutase-3 (SOD3) that localized to a unique matrix structure in the vitreous base and cortex. To determine the role of SOD3, Sod3-/- mice underwent histological and clinical phenotyping. Although the eyes were structurally normal, at the vitreoretinal interface Sod3-/- mice demonstrated higher levels of 3-nitrotyrosine, a key marker of oxidative stress. Pattern electroretinography also showed physiological signaling abnormalities within the inner retina. Vitreous biopsies and epiretinal membranes collected from patients with diabetic vitreoretinopathy (DVR) and a mouse model of DVR showed significantly higher levels of nitrates and/or 3-nitrotyrosine oxidative stress biomarkers suggestive of SOD3 dysfunction. This study analyzes the molecular pathways that regulate oxidative stress in human vitreous substructures. The absence or dysregulation of the SOD3 antioxidant at the vitreous base and cortex results in increased oxidative stress and tissue damage to the inner retina, which may underlie DVR pathogenesis and other vitreoretinal diseases