Development and validation of the Euler-Lagrange formulation on a parallel and unstructured solver for large-eddy simulation

De nombreuses applications industrielles mettent en jeu des écoulements gaz-particules, comme les turbines aéronautiques et les réacteurs a lit fluidisé de l'industrie chimique. La prédiction des propriétés de la phase dispersée, est essentielle à l'amélioration et la conception des dispositifs conformément aux nouvelles normes européennes des émissions polluantes. L'objectif de cette these est de développer le formalisme Euler- Lagrange dans un solveur parallèle et non-structuré pour la simulation aux grandes échelles pour ce type d'écoulements. Ce travail est motivé par l'augmentation rapide de la puissance de calcul des machines massivement parallèles qui ouvre une nouvelle voie pour des simulations qui étaient prohibitives il y a une décennie. Une attention particulière a été portée aux structures de données afin de conserver une certaine simplicité et la portabilité du code sur des differentes architectures. Les développements sont validés pour deux configurations : un cas académique de turbulence homogène isotrope décroissante et un calcul polydisperse d'un jet turbulent recirculant chargé en particules. L'équilibrage de charges de particules est mis en évidence comme une solution prometteuse pour les simulations diphasiques Lagrangiennes afin d'améliorer les performances des calculs lorsque le déséquilibrage est trop important. ABSTRACT : Particle-laden flows occur in industrial applications ranging from droplets in gas turbines tofluidized bed in chemical industry. Prediction of the dispersed phase properties such as concentration and dynamics are crucial for the design of more efficient devices that meet the new pollutant regulations of the European community. The objective of this thesis is to develop an Euler-Lagrange formulation on a parallel and unstructured solver for large- eddy simulation. This work is motivated by the rapid increase in computing power which opens a new way for simulations that were prohibitive one decade ago. Special attention is taken to keep data structure simplicity and code portability. Developments are validated in two configurations : an academic test of a decaying homogeneous isotropic turbulence and a polydisperse two-phase flow of a confined bluff body. The use of load-balancing capabilities is highlighted as a promising solution in Lagrangian two-phase flow simulations to improve performance when strong imbalance of the dispersed phase is presen

El papel de la movilidad geográfica en la expansión de Aedes albopictus y en la transmisión de enfermedades infecciosas

Ponencia sobre el papel de la movilidad geográfica en la expansión de Aedes albopictus y en la transmisión de enfermedades infecciosas. Se estudia la dispersión de Aedes albopictus basados en el análisis de datos de la invasión en la provincia de Girona durante 2009-2011; y la dispersión epidémica en redes desarrollando un marco teórico para la modelización de la propagación de enfermedades infecciosas.N

Valoración de la circunferencia de la pantorrilla como indicador de riesgo de desnutrición en personas mayores

BACKGROUND: Undernutrition is a very common situation among elderly, that is associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates. On the other hand, calf circumference (CC) is a direct anthropometric measurement, related to fat free mass. An early detection of an elderly undernutrition situation, based on CC assessment, could contribute to prevent its development and consequences. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the relationship between CC and a possible undernutrition situation, based on the application of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) test, among Spanish subjects of 65 or more years old, including the gender and age influences. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the nutritional situation of an ambulatory population, from every area of Spanish geography (n = 22007), using the questionnaire MNA. Every subject surveyed was 65 or more years old when the test was done. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between subjects with a CC or= 31 cm, both men and women, in weight, height, body mass index (BMI), MNA total score and undernutrition classification. On the other hand, it was found that those elders with lower CC showed a higher undernutrition risk, both men and women, in every age range studied. CONCLUSIONS: It does exit an association between CC of Spanish subjects of 65 or more years old and the risk of developing undernutrition. That association is similar among men and women, and in all age ranges

Impact of global and subjective mini nutritional assessment (MNA) questions on the evaluation of the nutritional status: The role of gender and age

Undernutrition is a quite common condition in the elderly, often identified using the mini nutritional assessment (MNA) test. The aim of this research was to study the independent value of the global and the subjective MNA questions to predict the undernutrition according to the full MNA score, and to analyze the influence of gender and age on such items. A total of 22,007 Spanish people 65 years of age or older were evaluated using the MNA test. These data were obtained by trained community pharmacists by using receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. About 4.3% of the studied population were classified as undernourished according to the full MNA test. The subjective subscore (two questions) presented better predictive value than the global one (six questions). Indeed, 99.5% of subjects detected as well nourished using the MNA test were also correctly classified using the two subjective questions. In the present study, it was identified that the two subjective MNA questions can be an efficient tool for a quick screening to rule out non undernourished subjects

Empagliflozin reduces vascular damage and cognitive impairment in a mixed murine model of Alzheimer's disease and type 2 diabetes

Background Both Alzheimer's disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) share common pathological features including inflammation, insulin signaling alterations, or vascular damage. AD has no successful treatment, and the close relationship between both diseases supports the study of antidiabetic drugs to limit or slow down brain pathology in AD. Empagliflozin (EMP) is a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor, the newest class of antidiabetic agents. EMP controls hyperglycemia and reduces cardiovascular comorbidities and deaths associated to T2D. Therefore, we have analyzed the role of EMP at the central level in a complex mouse model of AD-T2D. Methods We have treated AD-T2D mice (APP/PS1xdb/db mice) with EMP 10 mg/kg for 22 weeks. Glucose, insulin, and body weight were monthly assessed. We analyzed learning and memory in the Morris water maze and the new object discrimination test. Postmortem brain assessment was conducted to measure brain atrophy, senile plaques, and amyloid-beta levels. Tau phosphorylation, hemorrhage burden, and microglia were also measured in the brain after EMP treatment. Results EMP treatment helped to maintain insulin levels in diabetic mice. At the central level, EMP limited cortical thinning and reduced neuronal loss in treated mice. Hemorrhage and microglia burdens were also reduced in EMP-treated mice. Senile plaque burden was lower, and these effects were accompanied by an amelioration of cognitive deficits in APP/PS1xdb/db mice. Conclusions Altogether, our data support a feasible role for EMP to reduce brain complications associated to AD and T2D, including classical pathological features and vascular disease, and supporting further assessment of EMP at the central level

Espejo elipsoidal para la caracterización de materiales en técnica de medio libre

The design of an ellipsoidal mirror for experimental characterization of materials at microwave frequencies is proposed. The aim of the mirror is to focus the radiated beam from the emitting antenna in order to avoid scattering problems in the edges of the sample. Both, the emitting antenna and sample are located at the mirror focuses. Due to the emitted and reflected (focused) beams are Gaussian beams, we make use of the Gaussian beam theory to carry out the design. The designed mirror has been optimized by using numerical simulations (COMSOL Multiphysics®). The experimental system presented works at 2-18 GHz band and it can be used for dielectric, magnetic and chiral measurements.Ingeniería, Industria y Construcció

Food consumption analysis in Spanish elderly based upon the Mini Nutritional Assessment Test

Background/Aims: Aged people are an increasing population group worldwide, and nutritional impairments may contribute to additional health problems. The characterization of food consumption of elderly people is a good approach to implementing adequate nutritional policies in order to improve their nutritional status. The aim of this study was to describe and analyze specific aspects of food intake based upon the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) test in a representative country sample. Methods: The survey consisted of a cross-sectional study assessing the nutritional status of 22,007 Spanish people aged 65 years or older using the MNA test. These data, including dietary information, were obtained by health professionals specifically trained to carry out the questionnaire. A multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate the contributing impact of the diet-related MNA questions on the total MNA score. Results: Differences in the food choices between men and women were found, but not in the mode of feeding. Obese and non-obese individuals, categorized by a body mass index (BMI) more or less than 30, showed similar intake patterns of protein-rich foods, but differences in fruits, vegetables and fluids. On the other hand, undernourished and non-undernourished subjects, according to the MNA criteria, revealed different food consumption. Loss of appetite and mode of feeding were the items with the highest influence the MNA total score. Conclusions: While age, gender and BMI considered together are responsible for 11.3% of the total MNA score, dietary-related items can predict the 62.4% of the total MNA classification in the overall elderly Spanish population

P-008 Microgravity exposure significantly decreases sperm motility and vitality. Can we consider human reproduction outside the Earth?

Motility and vitality of fresh human sperm samples are significantly decreased under microgravity conditions obtained by parabolic flightPeer ReviewedObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::3 - Salut i BenestarObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::3 - Salut i Benestar::3.7 - Per a 2030, garantir l’accés universal als serveis de salut sexual i reproductiva, inclosos els de planificació familiar, informació i educació, així com la integració de la salut reproductiva a les estratègies i els programes nacionalsPostprint (published version

Modulation of telomere protection by the PI3K/AKT pathway

Telomeres and the insulin/PI3K pathway are considered hallmarks of aging and cancer. Here, we describe a role for PI3K/AKT in the regulation of TRF1, an essential component of the shelterin complex. PI3K and AKT chemical inhibitors reduce TRF1 telomeric foci and lead to increased telomeric DNA damage and fragility. We identify the PI3Kα isoform as responsible for this TRF1 inhibition. TRF1 is phosphorylated at different residues by AKT and these modifications regulate TRF1 protein stability and TRF1 binding to telomeric DNA in vitro and are important for in vivo TRF1 telomere location and cell viability. Patient-derived breast cancer PDX mouse models that effectively respond to a PI3Kα specific inhibitor, BYL719, show decreased TRF1 levels and increased DNA damage. These findings functionally connect two of the major pathways for cancer and aging, telomeres and the PI3K pathway, and pinpoint PI3K and AKT as novel targets for chemical modulation of telomere protection.We are indebted to D. Megias for microscopy analysis, to D. Calvo for protein purification as well as to J. Muñoz and F. García for LC/MS/MS analysis. The research was funded by project SAF2013-45111-R of Societal Changes Program of the Spanish Ministry of Economics and Competitiveness (MINECO) co-financed through the European Fund of Regional Development (FEDER), Fundación Botín, Banco Santander (Santander Universities Global Division) and Worldwide Cancer Research (WCR 16-1177).S

Do cross-food allergies to propofol exist?

Alergia a la comida; Sensibilización alimentaria; PropofolFood allergy; Food sensitization; PropofolAl·lèrgia alimentària; Sensibilització alimentària; PropofolBackground: Propofol is a short and rapidly acting intravenous anesthetic extensively used for the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia. It is a lipid emulsion that contains soybean oil, purified egg phosphatide, and egg lecithin. Therefore, the package leaflet indicates that its administration is contraindicated in patients allergic to soy, eggs, or peanuts. Our study aimed to determine whether patients with proven food allergies are allergic to propofol. Methods: Patients of all ages allergic to soy, eggs, or peanuts who agreed to undergo skin testing for propofol allergies were included. The subjects first underwent a skin test to confirm food allergies. If candidates were negative, they were excluded. If the result was positive, a propofol skin test was performed. Results: Sixty-four patients with confirmed food allergies underwent a propofol skin test. Only one was positive in the propofol skin test (1.6%). The patient was allergic to peanuts and soybeans. These results reinforce the idea that there is no justification for avoiding propofol use in these subjects. Conclusions: Propofol can be safely administered to patients allergic to soy, eggs, or peanuts. We recommend caution in patients with a history of anaphylaxis after ingestion of the above-mentioned foods