We present a comprehensive study for common second order PDE’s in two dimensional disc-like systems and show how their solution can be approximated by finding the Green function of an effective one ...dimensional system. After elaborating on the formalism, we propose to secure an exact solution via a Fourier expansion of the Green function, which entails solving an infinitely countable system of differential equations for the Green–Fourier modes that in the simplest case yields the source-free Green distribution. We present results on non separable systems—or such whose solution cannot be obtained by the usual variable separation technique—on both annulus and disc geometries, and show how the resulting one dimensional Fourier modes potentially generate a near-exact solution. Numerical solutions will be obtained via finite differentiation using Finite Difference Method (FDM) or Finite Element Method (FEM) with the three-point stencil approximation to derivatives. Comparing to known exact solutions, our results achieve an estimated numerical relative error below 10−6. Solutions show the well-known presence of peaks when r=r′ and a smooth behavior otherwise, for differential equations involving well-behaved functions. We also verified how the Green functions are symmetric under the presence of a “weight function”, which is guaranteed to exist in the presence of a curl-free vector field. Solutions of non-homogeneous differential equations are also shown using the Green formalism and showing consistent results.
Ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) is the spontaneous emission from living systems mainly attributed to oxidation reactions, in which reactive oxygen species (ROS) may play a major role. Given the ...capability of the next-generation electron-multiplying CCD (EMCCD) sensors and the easy use of liquid crystal tunable filters (LCTF), the aim of this work was to explore the potential of a simple UPE spectrometer to measure the UPE from a human hand. Thus, an easy setup was configured based on a dark box for inserting the subject's hand prior to LCTF as a monochromator and an EMCCD sensor working in the full vertical binning mode (FVB) as a spectra detector. Under controlled conditions, both dark signals and left hand UPE were acquired by registering the UPE intensity at different selected wavelengths (400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, and 700 nm) during a period of 10 min each. Then, spurious signals were filtered out by ignoring the pixels whose values were clearly outside of the Gaussian distribution, and the dark signal was subtracted from the subject hand signal. The stepped spectrum with a peak of approximately 880 photons at 500 nm had a shape that agreed somewhat with previous reports, and agrees with previous UPE research that reported UPE from 420 to 570 nm, or 260 to 800 nm, with a range from 1 to 1000 photons s
cm
. Obtaining the spectral distribution instead of the total intensity of the UPE represents a step forward in this field, as it may provide extra information about a subject's personal states and relationship with ROS. A new generation of CCD sensors with lower dark signals, and spectrographs with a more uniform spectral transmittance, will open up new possibilities for configuring measuring systems in portable formats.
Different studies have assessed the influence of chewing gum to aid control of appetite and reduce food intake.
The aims of the present study were to evaluate the effects of chewing gum on satiety, ...food hedonics and snack intake and to explore the potential effects of the combination of Garcinia c ambogia, green coffee extract and L-carnitine on satiety, when administered in a gum format.
This was a prospective study in which 57 subjects randomly received three kinds of treatments, in a crossover design: (1) active gum; (2) placebo gum; and (3) no gum. Food preferences and appetite sensations were evaluated by means of the Leeds Food Preference Questionnaire and visual analog scales.
There was a significant reduction in low-fat sweet snack intake with placebo gum and the active gum compared to no gum and a reduction in high-fat sweet snack intake with the active gum compared to placebo gum and no gum. Total caloric intake was only reduced in the active gum condition. Both the active and placebo gum conditions significantly reduced hunger and prospective food consumption and increased fullness compared to no gum and were associated with a reduced wanting for sweet food in the LFPQ, consistent in a reduction in the relative preference for sweet snacks versus savoury snacks.
This study supports the notion that chewing gum containing nutraceutical products might aid in the control over snack intake and reduce hunger sensations.
Desde la aparición de los primeros cinematógrafos, hasta la inauguración de las grandes salas en los modernos centros comerciales, la frecuentación al cine en la ciudad de Madrid ha corrido en ...paralelo a los cambios que han afectado a su demanda en el marco de diferentes contextos sociales y culturales. En este trabajo se analizan los cambios que ha provocado este hecho en la conformación del espacio de exhibición cinematográfico madrileño a lo largo del tiempo y en las últimas décadas, fase en la que su desarrollo ha estado condicionado por los cierres de locales, el desarrollo de nuevas fórmulas de negocio que han alterado las características del cine convencional y la distribución territorial del aforo, y la emergencia de nuevas demandas para garantizar la conservación de los locales históricos del cine por sus valores patrimoniales.
Comúnmente encontramos ecuaciones diferenciales en espacios de alta dimensionalidad. Una representación útil de la solución generalizada puede ser expresada en ciertos casos usando funciones de ...Green. Se muestra como esta representación se puede lograr por medio de una descomposición en modos de Fourier para el caso particular de un disco dando origen a un conjunto altamente correlacionado de funciones que transformando a una representación discreta – a través de una típica aproximación de segundo grado por métodos finitos – puede ser representado como una ecuación lineal para matrices que contienen las condiciones iniciales de tales objetos. El problema resultante se puede resolver por medio del método de Gradient Descent estocástico cuyos componentes se calculan sobre la marcha para optimizar el uso de recursos computacionales.
Polypeptide
N
-acetylgalactosamine transferase 3 (ppGalNAc-T3) is an enzyme involved in the initiation of O-GalNAc glycan biosynthesis. Acting as a writer of frequent post-translational modification ...(PTM) on human proteins, ppGalNAc-T3 has key functions in the homeostasis of human cells and tissues. We review the relevant roles of this molecule in the biosynthesis of O-GalNAc glycans, as well as in biological functions related to human physiological and pathological conditions. With main emphasis in ppGalNAc-T3, we draw attention to the different ways involved in the modulation of ppGalNAc-Ts enzymatic activity. In addition, we take notice on recent reports of ppGalNAc-T3 having different subcellular localizations, highlight critical intrinsic and extrinsic functions in cellular physiology that are exerted by ppGalNAc-T3-synthesized PTMs, and provide an update on several human pathologies associated with dysfunctional ppGalNAc-T3. Finally, we propose biotechnological tools as new therapeutic options for the treatment of pathologies related to altered ppGalNAc-T3.
Key messages
ppGalNAc-T3 is a key enzyme in the human O-GalNAc glycans biosynthesis.
enzyme activity is regulated by PTMs, lectin domain and protein–protein interactions.
ppGalNAc-T3 is located in human Golgi apparatus and cell nucleus.
ppGalNAc-T3 has a central role in cell physiology as well as in several pathologies.
Biotechnological tools for pathological management are proposed.
Rodríguez García, José Luis, Dinámicas sociales del paisaje en el Campo de Albacete, Departamento de Geografía, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, Director: Manuel Antonio Zárate Martín. ...Fecha: 2 de noviembre de 2015.
The bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) is a well-defined quantity that allows the bidirectional reflectance of surfaces to be described. However, the light propagation in a ...specific direction cannot be perfectly realized in practice, because the physical apertures are not infinitesimal but finite. Consequently, a BRDF measurement cannot be considered fully bidirectional, although the measure coincides with the BRDF within a certain confidence level. To properly understand the impact of the finite apertures on the BRDF measures, the deviation between the real BRDF and the BRDF to be obtained using real experimental conditions with finite apertures was theoretically studied for surfaces with realistic BRDFs. The biconical reflectance factor was used to estimate these “measured BRDFs” in different geometrical conditions, and a family of negative exponential functions was defined to assess the impact on surfaces with different angular scattering distributions. An expression for estimating the relative error from finite apertures is given, which considers the angular variation of the BRDF and the different solid angles involved in the measurement.
In the absence of antiviral alternatives, interventions under research for COVID-19 might be offered following guidelines from WHO for monitored emergency use of unregistered and experimental ...interventions (MEURI). Ivermectin is among several drugs explored for its role against SARS-CoV-2, with a well-known safety profile but conflicting data regarding clinical utility for COVID-19. The aim of this report is to inform on the results of a MEURI Program of high-dose ivermectin in COVID-19 carried out by the Ministry of Health of the Province of La Pampa, Argentina.
COVID-19 subjects, within 5 days of symptoms onset were invited to participate in the program, which consisted in the administration of ivermectin 0.6 mg/kg/day for 5 days plus standard of care. Active pharmacosurveillance was performed for 21 days, and hepatic laboratory assessments were performed in a subset of patients. Frequency of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission and COVID-19-related mortality of subjects in the ivermectin intention to treat group were compared with that observed in inhabitants of the same province during the same period not participating in the program.
From 21,232 subjects with COVID-19, 3,266 were offered and agreed to participate in the ivermectin program and 17,966 did not and were considered as controls. A total of 567 participants reported 819 adverse events (AEs); 3.13% discontinued ivermectin due to adverse events. ICU admission was significantly lower in the ivermectin group compared to controls among participants ≥40 year-old (1.2 vs. 2.0%, odds ratio 0.608;
= 0.024). Similarly, mortality was lower in the ivermectin group in the full group analysis (1.5 vs. 2.1%, odds ratio 0.720;
= 0.029), as well as in subjects ≥ 40 year- old (2.7 vs. 4.1%, odds ratio 0.655;
= 0.005).
This report highlights the safety and possible efficacy of high dose ivermectin as a potentially useful intervention deserving public health-based consideration for COVID-19 patients.
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