Determination of stresses from their stress trajectories in plane elastic systems: the five constant theorem

Let K be a cylindrical region of finite height, having a generator parallel to the z-axis and a bounded, simply connected cross section S whose boundary is a sufficiently smooth Jordan curve. Moreover, let the material in K be elastic and isotropic, and in a state of plane stress or plane strain of elastic equilibrium, under the action of a conservative, z-independent body-force field and appropriate boundary tractions. We prove that at each z the principal stress-trajectory net corresponding to the stresses τ _xx , τ _xy , τ _yy is a 2–5 real-parameter family, as conjectured by Neményi.     

Improvement of the regularized phase tracking technique for the processing of nonnormalized fringe patterns

One of the powerful approaches to demodulate a single fringe pattern is the regularized phase tracking (RPT) technique. Here, a new improvement in the RPT technique is presented. This new improvement consists in the addition of one term that models the fringe-pattern modulation. With this new term, the RPT technique can be used for the demodulation of nonnormalized fringe patterns. The performance of the improved RPT technique is shown on examples of various fringe patterns.     

Hyperalphalipoproteinemias and medical advise in primary care. Changes of the lipid pattern

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the modifications in the lipid pattern experienced in the observance of patients with Hyperalpha-lipoproteinaemia (HAL). DESIGN: A prospective follow-up study. SETTING: La Orden Primary Care Centre, Huelva. PATIENTS: 120 diagnosed with HAL (cHDL higher than the 90 percentile of their same age and sex group from a reference population with cLDL and Triglycerides less than 150 and 200 mg/dl, respectively) and observed for 2.5 +/- 1.5 years. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Blood pressure, weight, size, cholesterol, cHDL, cLDL, Triglycerides, Glucaemia and Uric acid were determined. The modifications in the diagnosis of HAL, and changes in averages and percentages of several variables, were calculated. Out of 95 people (79.1%) (Age: 42.6 +/- 16), HAL was confirmed in 42.1% (CI, 24.8-59.4) and Hypercholesterolaemia 11a in 20%. There was no lipid disorder in 37.9%. CONCLUSIONS: HAL at a high rate was not confirmed. After HAL is diagnosed, we must be cautious in our advice on cardiovascular protection, as it could be secondary or be modified over time.     

Advanced auriculoventricular block of atypical presentation after acute myocardial infarct in sleep apnea syndrome

In recent years, several types of centrifugal pumps have been widely used as the main pumps for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and postcardiotomy cardiac support. From April 1990 to March 1997, a percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) system was used in 20 patients with an average age of 58 years (13 males and 7 females). They comprised 11 ischemic, 6 valvular, 2 aortic, and 1 congenital heart disease patients. Our PCPS system consists of a centrifugal pump (BioMedicus BP-80), an oxygenator, and a reservoir. The entire blood contacting surface, including that of the thin wall cannulas, is coated by heparin bonded materials. As a result of this new technology, this system can be used for the long term without systemic heparinization. No major critical thrombi were revealed inside the pumps or circuits. Of the 20 patients, 7 (35%) (Group 1) could be weaned from PCPS, and the remaining 13 (Group 2) could not. In Group 1 although 2 patients suffered from renal failure and pneumonia, respectively, both were discharged from our hospital. The long-term survival rate was 35%. In Group 2 cerebral vascular damage was recognized in 3 patients, renal failure in 4, multiple system organ failure in 4, bleeding in 2, arrhythmia in 1, and leg ischemia in 2. Pulse pressure was significantly elevated due to the recovery of the native heart in Group 1, 2 days after support. However, in Group 2, it did not elevate, and the left ventricular ejection fraction was less than 30%, associated with high left atrial pressure. In conclusion, this heparin coated PCPS system was very simple and easy to control. It demonstrated long-term biocompatibility and was very effective in recovering deteriorated cardiac function. Quicker application of this system can play an important role in preventing severe complications and obtaining better clinical results. If long-term support is necessary, a ventricular assist device (VAD), which is more powerful, durable, and biocompatible, has to be applied instead of PCPS.     

Channeling radiation from quasicrystals: methods

Recently a class of quasicrystals has been discovered experimentally which exhibit quasiperiodicity along one direction and periodicity along all others. We have numerically calculated the transverse wavefunctions and energy eigenvalue spectrum of relativistic electrons channeled by the planes perpendicular to the quasicrystal (QC) axis for a simplified model of such a one-dimensional quasicrystal. The calculations were performed by using both conventional crystal approximant techniques and, for the first time, by a direct technique which makes use of the quasicrystalline model itself. The results given by the two methods agree well with each other. These wavefunctions and eigenvalue calculational procedures are the main ingredients in the computation of the channeling radiation intensities and spectra from such channeled electrons in the considered QCs, as will be reported in a future paper.     

Allosteric Modulation of GSK-3β as a New Therapeutic Approach in Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy R1 Calpain 3-Related

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy R1 calpain 3-related (LGMDR1) is an autosomal recessive muscular dystrophy produced by mutations in the CAPN3 gene. It is a rare disease and there is no cure or treatment for the disease while the pathophysiological mechanism by which the absence of calpain 3 provokes the dystrophy in muscles is not clear. However, key proteins implicated in Wnt and mTOR signaling pathways, which regulate muscle homeostasis, showed a considerable reduction in their expression and in their phosphorylation in LGMDR1 patients’ muscles. Finally, the administration of tideglusib and VP0.7, ATP non-competitive inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β), restore the expression and phosphorylation of these proteins in LGMDR1 cells, opening the possibility of their use as therapeutic options.     

Coculture-inducible bacteriocin activity of Lactobacillus plantarum strain J23 isolated from grape must

Detection and characterization of bacteriocin production by Lactobacillus plantarum strain J23, recovered from a grape must sample in Spain, have been carried out. Bacteriocin activity was degraded by proteolytic enzymes (trypsin, alfa-chymotrypsin, papaine, protease, proteinase K and acid proteases), and it was stable at high temperatures (121 degrees C, 20min), in a wide range of pH (1-12), and after treatment with organic solvents. L. plantarum J23 showed antimicrobial activity against Oenococcus oeni, and a range of Lactobacillus and Pediococcus species. Bacteriocin production was detected in liquid media only when J23 was cocultivated with some inducing bacteria, and induction took place when intact cells or 55 degrees C heated cells of the inducer were cocultivated with J23, but not with their autoclaved cells. Bacteriocin activity of J23 was not induced by high initial J23 inocula, and it was detected in cocultures during the exponential phase. The presence of ethanol or acidic pH in the media reduced bacteriocin production in the cocultures of J23 with the inducing bacteria. The presence of plantaricin-related plnEF and plnJ genes was detected by PCR and sequencing. Nevertheless, negative results were obtained for plnA, plnK, plNC8, plS and plW genes.