Combined Visibility and Surrounding Triangles Method for Simulation of Crack Discontinuities in Meshless Methods

In this paper a combined node searching algorithm for simulation of crack discontinuities in meshless methods called combined visibility and surrounding triangles (CVT) is proposed. The element free Galerkin (EFG) method is employed for stress analysis of cracked bodies. The proposed node searching algorithm is based on the combination of surrounding triangles and visibility methods; the surrounding triangles method is used for support domains of nodes and quadrature points generated at the vicinity of crack faces and the visibility method is used for points located on the crack faces. In comparison with the conventional methods, such as the visibility, the transparency, and the diffraction method, this method is simpler with reasonable efficiency. To show the performance of this method, linear elastic fracture mechanics analyses are performed on number of standard test specimens and stress intensity factors are calculated. It is shown that the results are in good agreement with the exact solution and with those generated by the finite element method (FEM)

Broadband terahertz heterodyne spectrometer exploiting synchrotron radiation at megahertz resolution

International audienceA new spectrometer allowing both high resolution and broadband coverage in the terahertz (THz) domain is proposed. This instrument exploits the heterodyne technique between broadband synchrotron radiation and a quantum cascade laser (QCL) based molecular THz laser that acts as the local oscillator (LO). Proof of principle for exploitation for spectroscopy is provided by the recording of molecular absorptions of hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) and methanol (CH 3 OH) around 1.073 THz. Ultimately, the spectrometer will enable to cover the 1-4 THz region in 5 GHz windows at Doppler resolution

The effect of pregnancy on subsequent relapse from Graves' disease after a successful course of antithyroid drug therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Pregnancy and the postpartum (PP) period are associated with profound changes of the immune system, which largely influence the clinical activity of autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pregnancy and/or the PP period in driving a clinical relapse of hyperthyroidism in patients with Graves' disease (GD) who are in remission after antithyroid drug (ATD) treatment. Data were retrospectively collected from 150 female patients with GD, who were assigned to two groups according to the occurrence of a successful pregnancy after ATD withdrawal. RESULTS: Relapsing Graves' hyperthyroidism was observed in 70 of 125 patients in group I (no pregnancy after ATD withdrawal) (56.0%) and 21 of 25 patients in group II (pregnancy after ATD withdrawal) (84.0%) (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis (dependent variable: relapse/nonrelapse; covariates: age, positive family history for autoimmune thyroid disease, duration of treatment with ATD, number pregnancies at diagnosis, number of pregnancies after ATD withdrawal) showed a significant effect only for the number of pregnancies after ATD withdrawal [4.257 (1.315-13.782)]. The effect was ascribed to the PP period rather than to pregnancy itself because in 20 of 21 patients of group II (95.2%), the relapse of Graves' hyperthyroidism occurred between 4 and 8 months after delivery. CONCLUSIONS: The PP period is significantly associated with a relapse of hyperthyroidism in GD patients being in remission after ATD. We therefore recommend that patients with GD in remission after a course of ATD should have their thyroid function tested at 3 and 6 months after delivery

First detection of NHD and ND2_2 in the interstellar medium

Deuterium fractionation processes in the interstellar medium (ISM) have been shown to be highly efficient in the family of nitrogen hydrides. To date, observations were limited to ammonia (NH$_2$D, NHD$_2$, ND$_3$) and imidogen radical (ND) isotopologues. We want to explore the high frequency windows offered by the \emph{Herschel Space Observatory} to search for deuterated forms of amidogen radical NH$_2$ and to compare the observations against the predictions of our comprehensive gas-grain chemical model. Making use of the new molecular spectroscopy data recently obtained at high frequencies for NHD and ND$_2$, both isotopologues have been searched for in the spectral survey towards the class 0 IRAS 16293-2422, a source in which NH$_3$, NH and their deuterated variants have been previously detected. We used the observations carried out with HIFI (Heterodyne Instrument for the Far Infrared) in the framework of the key program "Chemical Herschel surveys of star forming regions" (CHESS). We report the first detection of interstellar NHD and ND$_2$. Both species are observed in absorption against the continuum of the protostar. From the analysis of their hyperfine structure, accurate excitation temperature and column density values have been determined. The latter were combined with the column density of the parent species NH$_2$ to derive the deuterium fractionation in amidogen. The amidogen D/H ratio measured in the low-mass protostar IRAS 16293-2422 is comparable to the one derived for the related species imidogen and much higher than that observed for ammonia. Additional observations of these species will give more insights into the mechanism of ammonia formation and deuteration in the ISM. We finally indicate the current possibilities to further explore these species at submillimeter wavelengths.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, 7 tables. Accepted for publication in A&

TERAHERTZ ROTATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY OF THE SO RADICAL

Author Institution: Laboratoire de Physico-Chimie de l'Atmosphere, EA 4493, Universite du Littoral Cote d'Opale, 59140 Dunkerque, France; Institut des Sciences Moleculaires d'Orsay, CNRS, UMR 8214, Universite Paris XI, bat. 210, 91405 Orsay Cedex, France; SOLEIL Synchrotron, AILES beamline, L'orme des Merisiers, Saint-Aubin, 91192 Gif-Sur-Yvette, FranceSulfur monoxide SO (X$^3\Sigma^-$) is a well-known interstellar radical identified in a wide variety of astrophysical environments 184, L59 (1973)} which is particularly abundant in star forming regions, \textit{Astrophys. J.} 315, 621 (1987)}. Due to its high reactivity and its role in chemical reactions involving O and S atoms, SO is also a reaction intermediate in combustion processes and chemistry of the Earth atmosphere, \textit{J. Mol. Spectrosc.} 124, 379 (1987)}. %The pure rotational spectrum of SO has been extensively studied in the laboratory from sub-millimeter to THz wavelength, \textit{J. Mol. Speectrosc.} 182, 85 (1997)}. However no far infrared (FIR) broadband investigation on this radical has been reported up to date, and several rotational transitions belonging to the spectral windows of the HIFI instrument (on board of the Herschel satellite) require accurate laboratory measurements. %\vspace{1em} We have recorded pure rotational transitions of SO in the THz spectral range using synchrotron-based Fourier-Transform (FT) FIR and continous wave (CW) THz techniques. A FT-FIR spectrum of SO has been recorded at the AILES beamline of SOLEIL synchrotron in the spectral range 44--93 \wn~using a resolution of 0.001~\wn~allowing an accuracy on line position of 0.00007~\wn~($\sim$ 2 MHz). A multipass absorption discharge cell aligned to an absorption path length of 24 m has been used, \textit{Rev. Sci. Instrum.} 82, 113106 (2011)}. A continuous electrical discharge (1~A / 980~V) in a flowing mixture of H$_2$S, He, H$_2$ and air (respectively at pressure of 0.01, 1.15, 0.14 and 0.06~mbar) was used to produce SO. On this spectrum, 102 transitions of SO have been identified with $N=31$ to $65$. Among the observed lines, 99 are detected for the first time (22 new transitions belong to the HIFI spectral windows). Due to our limited instrumental resolution, transitions involving $N$ ranging from $31$ to $43$ show unresolved fine structure triplets. Recently, in order to observe all fine structure components in the HIFI spectral windows, we have recorded a high resolution CW-THz spectrum of SO, \textit{J. Mol. Struct.} 1006, 13 (2011)}. At the time of the writing, this spectrum was under analysis

HIGH RESOLUTION THZ AND FIR SPECTROSCOPY OF SOCl2_2

Author Institution: Laboratoire de Physico-Chimie de l'Atmosphere, EA 4493, Universite du Littoral Cote d'Opale, 59140 Dunkerque, France; Institut des Sciences Moleculaires d'Orsay, CNRS, UMR 8214, Universite Paris XI, bat. 210, 91405 Orsay Cedex, France; SOLEIL Synchrotron, AILES beamline, L'orme des Merisiers, Saint-Aubin, 91192 Gif-Sur-Yvette, FranceThionyl chloride (SOCl$_2$) is an extremely powerful oxidant widely used in industrial processes and playing a role in the chemistry of the atmosphere, \textit{J. Phys. Chem. A} 107, 6183 (2003)}. In addition, it has a molecular configuration similar to that of phosgene (COCl$_2$), and is therefore of particular interest for security and defense applications. Low resolution vibrational spectra of gas phase SOCl$_2$ 22,1193 (1954)} as well as high resolution pure rotational transitions up to 25 GHz 90, 3473 (1994)} have previously been investigated. To date no high resolution data are reported at frequencies higher than 25 GHz. \vspace{1em} We have investigated the THz absorption spectrum of SOCl$_2$ in the spectral region 70--650 GHz using a frequency multiplier chain coupled to a 1 m long single path cell containing a pressure of about 15 $\mu$bar. At the time of the writing, about 8000 pure rotational transitions of SO$^{35}$Cl$_2$ with highest $J$ and $K_a$ values of 110 and 50 respectively have been assigned on the spectrum. We have also recorded the high resolution FIR spectra of SOCl$_2$ in the spectral range 50--700 \wn~using synchrotron radiation at the AILES beamline of SOLEIL facility. A White-type cell aligned with an absorption path length of 150 m has been used to record, at a resolution of 0.001 \wn,~two spectra at pressures of 5 and 56 $\mu$bar of SOCl$_2$. On these spectra all FIR modes of SOCl$_2$ are observed ($\nu_2$ to $\nu_6$) and present a resolved rotational structure. Their analysis is in progress

Feed quality control of aquatic in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province

Nutrient and chemical composition, TVN, bacteria, yeast, mold and carcass performance, of aquatic feeds which make in this province were determined. In order to above investigation three commercial aquatic steam pelleted feeds samples for stage of growth and fattening were taken randomly from farm and aquatic factory product. In first trail feed sampled were analyzed for dry matter, crud protein, ether extract, ash, phosphorous, TVN, bacteria, yeast and mold computation. In second trial the experiment was carried out in complete random in design with four treatments and three replicate in each for effect of samples diets on feed consumption (FC), average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR), which were examined in Juveniles rainbow trout. This experiment were conducted on 3600 Juveniles rainbow trout with initial average weight of 80 gr, for 130 days after antiseptic processes in a pool of one fish producer in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. The feed were given 3 times a day on biomass basis of pounds. During the experiment, once every two weeks, after anaesthetize, weights of 30 fishes in each pound were measuring. The results showed, diet crud protein were significantly differ (P<0.05) between many of feeds. In addition nutrient of diets were differ a little when compare with rainbow trout requirement. Crud protein, phosphorous and EE in starter, grower and finisher of diets were lower than rainbow trout requirement and differ was significant (P<0.05). The index of TVN that shows free nitrogen, were higher than standard in all samples. Bacteria, yeast and mold computation in different of feeds showed that main of total count, yeast and mold in diets of various stage for growth of rainbow trout were different with standards and the differ were higher significantly (P<0.05). The number of coliforms of diets was lower than that suggestion for rainbow trout diets

Inhalation of the prodrug PI3K inhibitor CL27c improves lung function in asthma and fibrosis

PI3K activation plays a central role in the development of pulmonary inflammation and tissue remodeling. PI3K inhibitors may thus offer an improved therapeutic opportunity to treat non-resolving lung inflammation but their action is limited by unwanted on-target systemic toxicity. Here we present CL27c, a prodrug pan-PI3K inhibitor designed for local therapy, and investigate whether inhaled CL27c is effective in asthma and pulmonary fibrosis. Mice inhaling CL27c show reduced insulin-evoked Akt phosphorylation in lungs, but no change in other tissues and no increase in blood glycaemia, in line with a local action. In murine models of acute or glucocorticoid-resistant neutrophilic asthma, inhaled CL27c reduces inflammation and improves lung function. Finally, inhaled CL27c administered in a therapeutic setting protects from bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis, ultimately leading to significantly improved survival. Therefore, local delivery of a pan-PI3K inhibitor prodrug reduces systemic on-target side effects but effectively treats asthma and irreversible pulmonary fibrosis

Personalized at-home neurofeedback compared with long-acting methylphenidate in an european non-inferiority randomized trial in children with ADHD

Neurofeedback (NF) has gained increasing interest among non-pharmacological treatments for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). NF training aims to enhance self-regulation of brain activities. The goal of the NEWROFEED study is to assess the efficacy of a new personalized NF training device, using two different protocols according to each child's electroencephalographic pattern, and designed for use at home. This study is a non-inferiority trial comparing NF to methylphenidate. The study is a prospective, multicentre, randomized, reference drug-controlled trial. One hundred seventy-nine children with ADHD, aged 7 to 13 years will be recruited in 13 clinical centres from 5 European countries. Subjects will be randomized to two groups: NF group (Neurofeedback Training Group) and MPH group (Methylphenidate group). Outcome measures include clinicians, parents and teachers' assessments, attention measures and quantitative EEG (qEEG). Patients undergo eight visits over a three-month period: pre-inclusion visit, inclusion visit, 4 "discovery" (NF group) or titration visits (MPH group), an intermediate and a final visit. Patients will be randomized to either the MPH or NF group. Children in the NF group will undergo either an SMR or a Theta/Beta training protocol according to their baselineTheta/Beta Ratio obtained from the qEEG. This is the first non-inferiority study between a personalized NF device and pharmacological treatment. Innovative aspects of Mensia Koala™ include the personalization of the training protocol according to initial qEEG characteristics (SMR or Theta/Beta training protocols) and an improved accessibility of NF due to the opportunity to train at home with monitoring by the clinician through a dedicated web portal. NCT02778360 . Date registration (retrospectively registered): 5-12-2016. Registered May 19, 2016