Direct numerical simulation of dispersed particles in a compressible fluid

We present a direct numerical simulation method for investigating the dynamics of dispersed particles in a compressible solvent fluid. The validity of the simulation is examined by calculating the velocity relaxation of an impulsively forced spherical particle with a known analytical solution. The simulation also gives information about the fluid motion, which provides some insight into the particle motion. Fluctuations are also introduced by random stress, and the validity of this case is examined by comparing the calculation results with the fluctuation-dissipation theorem.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure

Volumetric analysis on MRI and PET images for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease

In this paper we present the development of a software for the extraction of the hippocampus and surrounding medial-temporal-lobe (MTL) regions from T1-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) and from Positron Emission Tomography (PET) images with no interactive input from the user. With this software we introduce a novel statistical index computed on the intensities in the automatically extracted MTL regions. This index is a measure of gray-matter (GM) atrophy and allows to: distinguish between (a) patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), (b) patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment who will later develop AD in a time frame of 2 years (aMCIconv), and (c) a set of age-matched elderly controls. Once refined, this method could be used to infer about the clinical outcome of aMCI patients

Multilingual simultaneous sentence end and punctuation prediction

This paper describes the model and its corresponding setup, proposed by the Unbabel & INESC-ID team for the 1st Shared Task on Sentence End and Punctuation Prediction in NLG Text (SEPP-NLG 2021). The shared task covers 4 languages (English, German, French and Italian) and includes two subtasks: Subtask 1 - detecting the end of a sentence, and subtask 2 - predicting a range of punctuation marks. Our team proposes a single multilingual and multitask model that is able to produce suitable results for all the languages and subtasks involved. The results show that it is possible to achieve state-of-the-art results using one single multilingual model for both tasks and multiple languages. Using a single multilingual model to solve the task for multiple languages is of particular importance, since training a different model for each language is a cumbersome and time-consuming process.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Word reading and translation in bilinguals: the impact of formal and informal translation expertise

Studies on bilingual word reading and translation have examined the effects of lexical variables (e.g., concreteness, cognate status) by comparing groups of non-translators with varying levels of L2 proficiency. However, little attention has been paid to another relevant factor: translation expertise (TI). To explore this issue, we administered word reading and translation tasks to two groups of non-translators possessing different levels of informal TI (Experiment 1), and to three groups of bilinguals possessing different levels of translation training (Experiment 2). Reaction-time recordings showed that in all groups reading was faster than translation and unaffected by concreteness and cognate effects. Conversely, in both experiments, all groups translated concrete and cognate words faster than abstract and non-cognate words, respectively. Notably, an advantage of backward over forward translation was observed only for low-proficiency non-translators (in Experiment 1). Also, in Experiment 2, the modifications induced by translation expertise were more marked in the early than in the late stages of training and practice. The results suggest that TI contributes to modulating inter-equivalent connections in bilingual memory.Fil: García, Adolfo Martín. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Argentina. Universidad Diego Portales; Chile. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva; ArgentinaFil: Ibáñez Barassi, Agustín Mariano. Universidad Diego Portales; Chile. Universidad Autónoma del Caribe; Colombia. Australian Research Council; Australia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva; ArgentinaFil: Huepe, David. Universidad Diego Portales; ChileFil: Houck, Alexander L.. University of Tennessee; Estados UnidosFil: Michon, Maeva. Universidad Diego Portales; ChileFil: Gelormini Lezama, Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva; ArgentinaFil: Chadha, Sumeer. Universidad Diego Portales; ChileFil: Rivera Rei, Álvaro. Universidad Diego Portales; Chil

Coccinelídeos associados ao olival português e sua importância na protecção contra a cochonilha-negra, Saissetia oleae (Olivier)

Os coccinelídeos são um dos grupos de insectos predadores mais importantes nos ecossistemas agrícolas e, no olival são dos principais inimigos da cochonilha-negra, Saissetia oleae. Neste trabalho indicam-se as espécies de coccinelídeos identificadas em olivais localizados nas principais regiões olivícolas portuguesas (Alto Alentejo. Trás-os-Montes e Beira interior Norte) e analisa-se o papel das espécies consideradas de maior importância na limitação natural da cochonilha-negra. Os dados apresentados obtiveram-se em 1999 e 2000 e entre 2002 e 2004. por amostragem, através da técnica das pancadas, realizada semanal ou quinzenalmente. As populações de cochonilha-negra amostraram-se quinzenalmente, em 2002 e 2003, através da observação de cinco amostras de 160 folhas provenientes de dez árvores, em dois olivais de Trás-os-Montes. A importância dos coccinelídeos como potenciais predadores de cochonilha-negra foi avaliada quer através do estabelecimento de correlações entre a abundância de coccinelídeos e a abundância dos diferentes estados de desenvolvimento da praga, quer através da detecção de vestígios de cochonilha-negra no intestino dos coccinelídeos por métodos serológicos (ELISA-indirecto). No total, identificaram-se 28 espécies de coccínelídeos, das quais Chilocorus bipuswlatus, Scymnus (Pullus) med1terraneus. Scymnus (Pullus) subvillosus, Scymnus (Scymnus) interruptus e Rhyzobius chrysomeloides foram as espécies mais representativas no total dos olivais estudados. Relativamente à predação de cochontlha-negra, o segundo estado ninfal foi o que apresentou maior número de correlações estatisticamente significativas com quatro das cinco espécies de coccinelídeos estudadas, sendo potencialmente o estado de desenvolvimento mais predado. Por outro lado, os resultados obtidos através dos testes ELISA permitiram indicar oito espécies de coccínelídeos (C. bipustulotus, E. quodrípustulotus. S. med/Lerroneus, N. bístgnotus, s. subvíllosus, S. opetzi, S. interruptus e R. chrysomeloides) como potenciais predadores de cochonilha-negra. Os resultados obtidos apontam para o grande interesse destes insectos na limitação natural da cochonilha-negra no olival

Interactions between CKD and MetS and the Development of CVD

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) consists of a combination of metabolic disorders, including increased abdominal circumference, hyperglycemia, elevated blood pressure, and lipid disorders. MetS is now widely accepted as a crucial risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. In addition, persistent proteinuria indicating chronic kidney disease (CKD) is well known as a powerful risk factor for the progression of end-stage renal disease and CVD. In recent years, patients with CKD and MetS appear to be increasing along with increasing incidence of CVD in industrial countries

Tissue Determinants of Human NK Cell Development, Function, and Residence.

Immune responses in diverse tissue sites are critical for protective immunity and homeostasis. Here, we investigate how tissue localization regulates the development and function of human natural killer (NK) cells, innate lymphocytes important for anti-viral and tumor immunity. Integrating high-dimensional analysis of NK cells from blood, lymphoid organs, and mucosal tissue sites from 60 individuals, we identify tissue-specific patterns of NK cell subset distribution, maturation, and function maintained across age and between individuals. Mature and terminally differentiated NK cells with enhanced effector function predominate in blood, bone marrow, spleen, and lungs and exhibit shared transcriptional programs across sites. By contrast, precursor and immature NK cells with reduced effector capacity populate lymph nodes and intestines and exhibit tissue-resident signatures and site-specific adaptations. Together, our results reveal anatomic control of NK cell development and maintenance as tissue-resident populations, whereas mature, terminally differentiated subsets mediate immunosurveillance through diverse peripheral sites. VIDEO ABSTRACT

Clinical Experience and Sexual Function Outcome of Patients With Priapism Treated With Penile Cavernosal-Dorsal Vein Shunt Using Saphenous Vein Graft

OBJECTIVES To assess the outcome of new penile cavernosal-dorsal vein shunt using a saphenous vein graft. Traditional surgeries for priapism have high failure rate and subsequent impotence. METHODS We reviewed the medical records of, and administered a questionnaire and the International Index of Erectile Function to, 16 consecutive patients with priapism who had treated with the penile cavernosal-dorsal vein shunt from 1997 to 2007. Their age was 15-65 years. The duration of ischemic priapism was 32 hours to 8 days. Ten patients had previously undergone shunt surgery by other urologists. Of the 16 patients, 5 returned the questionnaires. RESULTS Priapism resolved or was improved after surgery in all 16 patients. One patient was lost to follow-up. One pediatric patient was excluded from the analysis. One patient with nonischemic priapism continued to have sexual intercourse. Of the 13 adult patients with ischemic priapism and follow-up for ≤ 6.5 years, 3 patients had no erection, 1 had very little erection, and 9 (69%) had erection. Of the 9 patients with erections possible, six had had sexual intercourse (International Index of Erectile Function score 32-70) and 3 had not; 1 had a mental disorder, 1 was in prison, and for 1, the reason was unknown. After surgery, color Doppler ultrasound studies showed a patent shunt in all patients and restoration of cavernosal arterial flow in 12 of 13 patients studied. CONCLUSIONS A penile cavernosal-dorsal shunt appears effective for priapism. It resulted in priapism resolution even in patients who had experienced a previous failed cavernosal-glandular shunt or cavernosalspongiosal shunt, with a high rate of sexual function preservation