SHM with DOFS of the TMB L-9 tunnel affected by nearby building construction

Degut a la construcció d´un edifici proper, el túnel de la línia 9 es pot veure afectat en el seu estat de deformació i tensional. Per tal de fer un seguiment continuu durant tot el periode de treballs, es planteja una monitorització de la volta i llossa del túnel amb un sensor de fibra òptica distribuïda, que permetrà obtenir les deformacions al formigó amb una resolució de l´ordre de 1 centímetr

Strain-monitoring of a concrete tunnel lining with distributed optical fiber sensors

Despite their advantageous performance and reliability, distributed optical fiber sensors (DOFS) still constitute a recent technology and their reliability and accuracy when applied to real world structures is still under probation since there is still room for improvement and for widening their applicability. In general, standardized guidelines need to be developed to ensure success in every DOFSs deployment regarding fiber bonding to the structure, temperature affections on readings, postprocessing of reading anomalies, among other factors. However, real applications, as in the one presented in this paper, show that DOFS are anticipated to have a very important role in Structural Health Management of tunnels in the near future if correctly understood and developed. This paper addresses the implementation of a Distributed Optical Fiber Sensor system (DOFS) to the existing TMB L-9 metro tunnel in Barcelona for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) purposes as the former could potentially be affected by the construction of a nearby residential building. The results show a good performance of this novel technique in the monitoring of strain along the whole affected sections during the construction of a nearby building. In fact, the DOFS readings reproduce very accurately the tunnel deformation process. The tendencies observed by the sensors were forecasted by a simple theoretical model. The monitoring of the strain at many points in the critical section allowed to conclude that the nearby construction only slightly affected the lining stresses and that safety was guaranteed during the whole monitored period.The authors thank COTCA and TMB respectively for providing access to the necessary data regarding the case study and supporting this research. We would also like to thank Ph D student Mattia F. Bado who provided insight that greatly assisted this research during the data post-processing phase. The authors are indebted to the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for the funding provided through the research project BIA2017-86811-C2-1-R. All these projects are funded with FEDER funds. Authors are also indebted to the Secretaria d’ Universitats i Recerca de la Generalitat de Catalunya for the funding provided through Agaur (2017 SGR 1481).Postprint (author's final draft

Latency reversal agents affect differently the latent reservoir present in distinct CD4+ T subpopulations

CD4+ T cell; HIV-1; Latent reservoirCélula T CD4 +; VIH-1; Reservorio latenteCèl·lula T CD4 +; VIH-1; Reservori latentLatency reversal agents (LRAs) have proven to induce HIV-1 transcription in vivo but are ineffective at decreasing the size of the latent reservoir in antiretroviral treated patients. The capacity of the LRAs to perturb the viral reservoir present in distinct subpopulations of cells is currently unknown. Here, using a new RNA FISH/flow ex vivo viral reactivation assay, we performed a comprehensive assessment of the viral reactivation capacity of different families of LRAs, and their combinations, in different CD4+ T cell subsets. We observed that a median of 16.28% of the whole HIV-reservoir induced HIV-1 transcripts after viral reactivation, but only 10.10% of these HIV-1 RNA+ cells produced the viral protein p24. Moreover, none of the LRAs were powerful enough to reactivate HIV-1 transcription in all CD4+ T cell subpopulations. For instance, the combination of Romidepsin and Ingenol was identified as the best combination of drugs at increasing the proportion of HIV-1 RNA+ cells, in most, but not all, CD4+ T cell subsets. Importantly, memory stem cells were identified as highly resistant to HIV-1 reactivation, and only the combination of Panobinostat and Bryostatin-1 significantly increased the number of cells transcribing HIV within this subset. Overall, our results validate the use of the RNA FISH/flow technique to assess the potency of LRAs among different CD4+ T cell subsets, manifest the intrinsic differences between cells that encompass the latent HIV reservoir, and highlight the difficulty to significantly impact the latent infection with the currently available drugs. Thus, our results have important implications for the rational design of therapies aimed at reversing HIV latency from diverse cellular reservoirs.This study was supported by the American National Institutes of Health (grant R21AI118411 to MJB), the Spanish Secretariat of Science and Innovation and FEDER funds (grant SAF2015-67334-R [MINECO/FEDER]), a unrestricted research grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb S.A.U (PfC-2015 AI424-564) to MJB, the Spanish "Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad, Instituto de Salud Carlos III"(ISCIII, PI17/01470) to M.G, a research grant from Gilead Sciences (GLD17-00204) to M. B, GeSIDA and the Spanish AIDS network "Red Tematica Cooperativa de Investigacion en SIDA" (RD16/0025/0007) to ER. The Miguel Servet program funded by the Spanish Health Institute Carlos III (CP17/00179) to MJB. The "Pla estrategic de recerca i innovacioen salut" (PERIS), from the Catalan Government to MG

Expression of CD20 after viral reactivation renders HIV-reservoir cells susceptible to Rituximab

Rituximab; Viral reactivation; CD20Rituximab; Reactivació viral; CD20Rituximab; Reactivación viral; CD20The identification of exclusive markers to target HIV-reservoir cells will represent a significant advance in the search for therapies to cure HIV. Here, we identify the B lymphocyte antigen CD20 as a marker for HIV-infected cells in vitro and in vivo. The CD20 molecule is dimly expressed in a subpopulation of CD4-positive (CD4+) T lymphocytes from blood, with high levels of cell activation and heterogeneous memory phenotypes. In lymph node samples from infected patients, CD20 is present in productively HIV-infected cells, and ex vivo viral infection selectively upregulates the expression of CD20 during early infection. In samples from patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) this subpopulation is significantly enriched in HIV transcripts, and the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody Rituximab induces cell killing, which reduces the pool of HIV-expressing cells when combined with latency reversal agents. We provide a tool for targeting this active HIV-reservoir after viral reactivation in patients while on ART.This study was supported by the American National Institutes of Health (grant R21AI118411 to M.B.), the Spanish Secretariat of Science and Innovation and FEDER funds (grant SAF2015-67334-R [MINECO/FEDER]), the Spanish "Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad, Instituto de Salud Carlos III" (ISCIII, PI17/01470), GeSIDA and the Spanish AIDS network Red Tematica Cooperativa de Investigacion en SIDA (RD16/0025/0007). M.B. is supported by the Miguel Servet program funded by the Spanish Health Institute Carlos III (CP17/00179). M.G. is supported by the "Pla estrategic de recerca i innovacio en salut" (PERIS), from the Catalan Government

SHM with DOFS of the TMB L-9 tunnel affected by nearby building construction

Degut a la construcció d´un edifici proper, el túnel de la línia 9 es pot veure afectat en el seu estat de deformació i tensional. Per tal de fer un seguiment continuu durant tot el periode de treballs, es planteja una monitorització de la volta i llossa del túnel amb un sensor de fibra òptica distribuïda, que permetrà obtenir les deformacions al formigó amb una resolució de l´ordre de 1 centímetr

SHM with DOFS of the TMB L-9 tunnel affected by nearby building construction

Degut a la construcció d´un edifici proper, el túnel de la línia 9 es pot veure afectat en el seu estat de deformació i tensional. Per tal de fer un seguiment continuu durant tot el periode de treballs, es planteja una monitorització de la volta i llossa del túnel amb un sensor de fibra òptica distribuïda, que permetrà obtenir les deformacions al formigó amb una resolució de l´ordre de 1 centímetr

Post-processing algorithms for distributed optical fiber sensing in structural health monitoring applications

Distributed optical fiber sensors are measuring tools whose potential related to the civil engineering field has been discovered in the latest years only (reduced dimensions, easy installation process, lower installation costs, elevated reading accuracy, and distributed monitoring). Yet, what appears clear from numerous in situ distributed optical fiber sensors monitoring campaigns (bridges and historical structures among others) and laboratory confined experiments is that optical fiber sensors monitorings have a tendency of including in their outputs a certain amount of anomalistic readings (out of scale and unreliable measurements). These can be both punctual in nature and spread over all the monitoring duration. Their presence strongly affects the results both altering the data in its affected sections and distorting the overall trend of the strain evolution profiles, thus the importance of detecting, eliminating, and substituting them with correct values. Being this issue intrinsic in the raw output data of the monitoring tool itself, its only solution is computer-aided post-processing of the strain data. This article discusses different simple algorithms for getting rid of such disruptive anomalies using two methods previously used in the literature and a novel polynomial-based one with different levels of sophistication and accuracy. The viability and performance of each are tested on two study case scenarios: an experimental laboratory test on two reinforced concrete tensile elements and an in situ tunnel monitoring campaign. The outcome of such analysis will provide the reader with both clear indications on how to purge a distributed optical fiber sensors-extracted data set of all anomalies and on which is the best-suited method according to their needs. This marriage of computer technology and cutting edge structural health monitoring tool not only elevates the distributed optical fiber sensors viability but also provides civil and infrastructures engineers a reliable tool to perform previously unreachable levels of accuracy and extension monitoring coverage.The study was performed within project No 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-01-0145 that has received funding from European Social Fund under grant agreement with the Research Council of Lithuania (LMTLT). Furthermore, the authors acknowledge the help of COTCA Asistencia Técnica, Patología y Control de Calidad for the contribution provided in lending the OBR ODiSI-A machine and to TMB (Barcelona Transport Authority) for giving access to the monitored data of the metro tunnel.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Structural health monitoring with distributed optical fiber sensors of tunnel lining affected by nearby construction activity

This paper addresses the implementation of a Distributed Optical Fiber Sensor system (DOFS) to the TMB L-9 metro tunnel in Barcelona for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) purposes as the former could potentially be affected by the construction of a nearby residential building. With the aim of assessing the performance of this newly developed monitoring technology, an in-depth analysis on the collected strain readings is performed from which innovative data post-processing techniques are developed. Finally, the reliability of the installed DOFSs system is studied by means of a comparison with a theoretical model of the site’s structural conditions.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

GEODIVULGAR: Geología y Sociedad

Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasFALSEsubmitte

Subcutaneous anti-COVID-19 hyperimmune immunoglobulin for prevention of disease in asymptomatic individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trialResearch in context

Summary: Background: Anti-COVID-19 hyperimmune immunoglobulin (hIG) can provide standardized and controlled antibody content. Data from controlled clinical trials using hIG for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 outpatients have not been reported. We assessed the safety and efficacy of subcutaneous anti-COVID-19 hyperimmune immunoglobulin 20% (C19-IG20%) compared to placebo in preventing development of symptomatic COVID-19 in asymptomatic individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: We did a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, in asymptomatic unvaccinated adults (≥18 years of age) with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection within 5 days between April 28 and December 27, 2021. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to receive a blinded subcutaneous infusion of 10 mL with 1 g or 2 g of C19-IG20%, or an equivalent volume of saline as placebo. The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants who remained asymptomatic through day 14 after infusion. Secondary endpoints included the proportion of individuals who required oxygen supplementation, any medically attended visit, hospitalisation, or ICU, and viral load reduction and viral clearance in nasopharyngeal swabs. Safety was assessed as the proportion of patients with adverse events. The trial was terminated early due to a lack of potential benefit in the target population in a planned interim analysis conducted in December 2021. ClinicalTrials.gov registry: NCT04847141. Findings: 461 individuals (mean age 39.6 years [SD 12.8]) were randomized and received the intervention within a mean of 3.1 (SD 1.27) days from a positive SARS-CoV-2 test. In the prespecified modified intention-to-treat analysis that included only participants who received a subcutaneous infusion, the primary outcome occurred in 59.9% (91/152) of participants receiving 1 g C19-IG20%, 64.7% (99/153) receiving 2 g, and 63.5% (99/156) receiving placebo (difference in proportions 1 g C19-IG20% vs. placebo, −3.6%; 95% CI -14.6% to 7.3%, p = 0.53; 2 g C19-IG20% vs placebo, 1.1%; −9.6% to 11.9%, p = 0.85). None of the secondary clinical efficacy endpoints or virological endpoints were significantly different between study groups. Adverse event rate was similar between groups, and no severe or life-threatening adverse events related to investigational product infusion were reported. Interpretation: Our findings suggested that administration of subcutaneous human hyperimmune immunoglobulin C19-IG20% to asymptomatic individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection was safe but did not prevent development of symptomatic COVID-19. Funding: Grifols