104,600 research outputs found
On the migration of tidal free bars
No full textWe derive and employ a depth-averaged model for the formation of free bars in infinitely long tidal channels in order to investigate the mechanism whereby tidal bars may experience a net migration over a tidal cycle. The flux of the suspended sediment is modeled by means of an analytical relationship derived by Bolla Pittaluga and Seminara [ M. Bolla Pittaluga and G. Seminara, Water Resour. Res. 39, 5 (2003) ] for slowly varying flows. The model is validated by performing a linear stability analysis of flow and bed topography in a rectangular channel with an erodible bed, subject to the propagation of a symmetric tidal wave of small amplitude. The results of the present depth averaged model show a fairly satisfactory agreement with previous results based on a three-dimensional model [ G. Seminara and M. Tubino, J. Fluid Mech. 440, 49 (2001) ]. We then investigate the role of overtides, showing that a flood or ebb asymmetry of the basic flow gives rise to a net migration of bars. The mechanism is due to the nonlinearity of the dependence of sediment flux on bottom stress. This phenomenon is somewhat similar to processes occurring in various fields of fluid mechanics, such as steady streaming in an oscillatory boundary layer [ N. Riley, Annu. Rev. Fluid Mech. 33, 43 (2001) ] or acoustic streaming. The present investigation also bears some relevance to the problem of nonlinear development of tidal bars, as it suggests that a depth averaged approach may be adequate to its treatment, while definitely requiring a computational effort much smaller than treatments based on 3D formulations
Non-Linear bend instability theory and finite amplitude evolution of bed deformations in meandering rivers
No full text
Vecchi e nuovi fungicidi per la difesa del pesco dalla bolla
No full textNel corso degli ultimi 15 anni è stata valutata, in Emilia-Romagna,
l’efficacia nei riguardi della bolla di vecchi e nuovi
fungicidi impiegabili sia in aziende convenzionali che biologiche.
Il grado di azione accertato varia sensibilmente in
relazione al momento di intervento e alla dose di impieg
Seismic Analysis of a Limestone Rock Slope through Numerical Modelling: Pseudo-Static vs. Non-Linear Dynamic Approach
No full textIn the present work, a seismic analysis was performed in advance on a limestone rock slope (height = 150 m) outcropping along the Tagliamento River valley, in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, north-eastern Italy. The analysed slope is characterised by strong rock mass damage, thus resulting in a critical stability condition (unstable volume = 110,000-200,000 m3). The seismic analysis was performed adopting the 2D finite difference method (FDM) and employing both a pseudo-static approach and a non-linear dynamic approach. Model outcomes demonstrate that the seismic motion induces internal, localised ruptures within the rock mass. Some important differences in the mechanical behaviour of the rock slope were highlighted, depending on the specific modelling approach assumed. When adopting a pseudo-static approach, the slope failure occurs for PGA values ranging between 0.056 g and 0.124 g, depending on the different initial static stability condition assumed for the slope (Strength Reduction Factor SRF = 1.00-1.15). According to the non-linear dynamic approach, the slope failure is achieved for PGA values varying between 0.056 g and 0.213 g. Pre-collapse slope displacements calculated with the pseudo-static approach (12-15 cm) are much more greater than those obtained through the non-linear dynamic approach (0.5-3 mm). The modelling results obtained through the non-linear dynamic analysis also testify that the seismic topographic amplification is 1.5 times the target acceleration at the slope face and 2.5 times the target acceleration at the slope toe
La città-bordo, la città-bolla, la città-schiuma
No full textUn'analisi di differenti paradigmi nel rapporto di una città con la sua periferia, che si traduce nell'individuazione di un paradigma incentrato sul bordo, uno sulla figura della bolla, uno sulla figura dellalla schiuma
Short versus long-term effects of different dihydropyridines on sympathetic and baroreflex function in hypertension
No full textAntihypertensive treatment with dihydropyridines may be accompanied by sympathetic activation. Data on whether this is common to all compounds and similar in the various phases of treatment are not univocal, however. In 28 untreated essential hypertensives (age, 56.4±1.8 years; mean ±SEM) finger blood pressure (BP, Finapres), heart rate (HR, ECG), plasma norepinephrine (NE, high-performance liquid chromatography), and muscle sympathetic nerve traffic (MSNA, microneurography) were measured at rest and during baroreceptor manipulation (vasoactive drugs) in the placebo run-in period and after randomization to double-blind acute and chronic (8 weeks) felodipine (10 mg/d, n = 14) or lercanidipine (10 mg/d, n = 14). Acute administration of both drugs induced pronounced BP reductions and marked increases in HR, NE, and MSNA. After 8 weeks of treatment, BP reductions were similar to those observed after acute administration, whereas HR, NE, and MSNA responses were markedly attenuated (-7%, -32%, and -14%, respectively; P<0.05). There was a small residual increase in sympathetic activity in the felodipine group, whereas in the lercanidipine group, all adrenergic markers returned to baseline values. Baroreflex control of HR and MSNA was markedly impaired (-42% and -48%, respectively) after acute drug administration, with a recovery and complete resetting during chronic treatment. Thus, the sympathoexcitation induced by 2 different dihydropyridines is largely limited to the acute administration. The 2 drugs have, nevertheless, a different chronic sympathetic effect, indicating that dihydropyridines do not homogeneously affect this function. The acute sympathoexcitation, but not the small between-drugs differential chronic adrenergic effect, is accounted for by baroreflex impairment
Effect of central and peripheral body fat distribution on sympathetic and baroreflex function in obese normotensive
No full textBackground: Previous studies have shown that obesity is characterized by a sympathetic overactivity coupled with an insulin resistance state and a baroreflex impairment. The present study was set out to compare the effects of peripheral versus central obesity on sympathetic, metabolic and reflex function. Methods: In 36 lean subjects (age 35.8 ± 1.4 years, mean ± SEM), 20 subjects with peripheral obesity (PO) and 26 subjects with central obesity (CO), all age-matched and with normal blood pressure values, we measured beat-to-beat arterial blood pressure (Finapres), heart rate (HR, ECG), homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index, plasma norepinephrine (NE, high-performance liquid chromatography) and postganglionic muscle sympathetic nerve traffic (MSNA, microneurography) at rest and during baroreceptor stimulation and deactivation induced by stepwise intravenous infusions of phenylephrine and nitroprusside, respectively. Results: Both HOMA index, NE and MSNA values were significantly increased (P < 0.01) in obese as compared with lean individuals. Subjects with CO displayed MSNA and HOMA values significantly greater than those found in individuals with PO (65.4 ± 2.0 versus 47.9 ± 1.9 bs/100hb and 2.85 ± 0.10 versus 2.43 ± 0.11 a.u., respectively, P < 0.05 for both). Both in male and female subjects with CO or PO, MSNA, HOMA index and waist-to-hip ratio were significantly related to each other. Baroreceptor-HR and -MSNA control was significantly (P < 0.01) impaired in obese as compared with lean subjects, the degree of impairment being similar in CO and PO. Conclusions: These data suggest that CO is characterized by a sympathetic activation greater for magnitude than that detectable in PO. This appears not to be related to gender or to baroreflex mechanisms but rather to metabolic factors, i.e. to the greater insulin resistance characterizing CO
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