1,355 research outputs found
A multicellular systems biology model predicts epidermal morphology, kinetics and Ca2+ flow
No full textSystems biology is currently focused on integrating intracellular networks, although clinically, diseases are largely defined by their histological features. For example, no computational model can simulate today the formation of a horizontally layered epidermis. Since the epidermis is the most complex structured epithelial tissue, systems biology models could yield important insights in epithelial tissue, in which most of all human cancers arise
Streamline-Based Transition Prediction Techniques in an Unstructured Computational Fluid Dynamics Code
No full textAn unstructured flow solver has been equipped with transition prediction techniques based on different streamline-based approaches, applying the eN method for the estimation of the points of transition onset. The integration paths for the N-factor integration can be approximated using lines parallel to the direction of the oncoming flow for some configurations. If arbitrary three-dimensional geometries are to be computed, the local flow direction can be taken into account. The calculation of the laminar boundary-layer data can either be carried out applying a suitable laminar boundary-layer method or by direct determination from the field solution of the unstructured computational fluid dynamics code. The development and characteristics of the two streamline-based transition prediction techniques, their elements, and properties are described. The focus is put on the latest achievements in the development activities of the two approaches and on their application to various configurations, most of them of industrial relevance. In addition, the specific advantages and shortcomings of the different approaches are discussed. Eventually, a number of challenges for the future development and extension of the transition prediction techniques against the background of a multidisciplinary simulation environment and for the application of computational fluid dynamics solvers to cruise and high-lift aircraft configurations are specified
A 3D self-organizing multicellular epidermis model of barrier formation and hydration with realistic cell morphology based on EPISIM
No full textAbstractThe epidermis and the stratum corneum (SC) as its outermost layer have evolved to protect the body from evaporative water loss to the environment. To morphologically represent the extremely flattened cells of the SC - and thereby the epidermal barrier - in a multicellular computational model, we developed a 3D biomechanical model (BM) based on ellipsoid cell shapes. We integrated the BM in the multicellular modelling and simulation platform EPISIM. We created a cell behavioural model (CBM) with EPISIM encompassing regulatory feedback loops between the epidermal barrier, water loss to the environment, and water and calcium flow within the tissue. This CBM allows a small number of stem cells to initiate self-organizing epidermal stratification, yielding the spontaneous emergence of water and calcium gradients comparable to experimental data. We find that the 3D in silico epidermis attains homeostasis most quickly at high ambient humidity, and once in homeostasis the epidermal barrier robustly buffers changes in humidity. Our model yields an in silico epidermis with a previously unattained realistic morphology, whose cell neighbour topology is validated with experimental data obtained from in vivo images. This work paves the way to computationally investigate how an impaired SC barrier precipitates disease.</jats:p
High density of FOXP3-positive T cells infiltrating colorectal cancers with microsatellite instability
No full textHigh-level microsatellite instability (MSI-H) in colorectal cancer accounts for about 12% of colorectal cancers and is typically associated with a dense infiltration with cytotoxic CD8-positive lymphocytes. The role of regulatory T cells that may interfere with the host's antitumoural immune response in MSI-H colorectal cancers has not been analysed yet. Using an antibody directed against the regulatory T-cell marker transcription factor forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), regulatory T cells were examined in 70 colorectal cancers with known MSI status (MSI-H, n=37; microsatellite stable, n=33). In MSI-H colorectal cancers, we found a significantly higher intraepithelial infiltration with FOXP3-positive cells (median: 8.5 cells per 0.25 mm(2) vs 3.1 cells per 0.25 mm(2) in microsatellite stable, P<0.001), and a significantly elevated ratio of intraepithelial to stromal infiltration (0.05 vs 0.01 in microsatellite stable, P<0.001). CD8-positive cell counts were related positively to the number of FOXP3-positive cells (Spearman's rho=0.56 and 0.55, respectively). Our results show that the elevated number of CD8-positive lymphocytes found in MSI-H colorectal cancers is paralleled by an enhanced infiltration with CD8-negative FOXP3-positive cells. These data suggest that FOXP3-positive cells may play a role in the regulation of the immune response directed against MSI-H colorectal cancers at the primary tumour site
106 Three-dimensional agent-based modeling of the human epidermal structure and barrier function with realistic cell morphology
No full textAutomatic Finite Element Modelling and Parameter Determination for Geotechnical Design
No full textThis article describes how efficiency in geotechnical engineering involving finite element (FE) modelling can be improved by automation. An important part of geotechnical FE modelling involves the creation of an underground model and the determination of soil and model parameters. It is explained how Automated Parameter Determination (APD) based on CPT data can be used in conjunction with geological modelling to create the necessary input for a FE model. An example demonstrates the entire workflow. The system is transparent and extendable. It supports the geotechnical engineer in the complex task of parameter determination, while retaining the responsibility at the user. Automation can help reducing the spread in results when different geotechnical engineers analyze the same problem, and hence, it can contribute to the confidence in the use of advanced numerical methods for geotechnical design.Geo-engineerin
Development of understanding of the virtuous values of 3–4 year–olds in the process of exploring literary works
No full textDarba nosaukums: 3–4 gadīgu bērnu tikumisko vērtību izpratnes veidošanās literāro darbu iepazīšanas procesā. Darba autore: Aija Grabe. Darba vadītāja: Gunta Siliņa – Jasjukeviča. Darba saturs: 109 lapaspuses, 3 attēli, 3 tabulas, 18 pielikumi un 57 izmantotie literatūras un informācijas avoti. Pētījuma mērķis ir teorētiski un praktiski pētīt literāro darbu izmantošanas iespējas 3–4 gadīgu bērnu tikumisko vērtību izpratnes veidošanā. Pētījuma objekts: Pedagoģiskais process pirmsskolā. Pētījuma priekšmets: Literāro darbu saturs un metodika tikumisko vērtību izpratnes veidošanai. Pētāmais jautājums: Kā izmantot literāros tekstus, lai sekmētu 3–4 gadīgo bērnu tikumisko vērtību izpratnes veidošanos? Bakalaura darba teorētiskajā pētījuma daļā analizētas latviešu un ārzemju pedagogu un psihologu, filozofu atziņas par pirmsskolas vecuma bērnu attīstību, 3–4 gadīgu bērnu tikumisko vērtību izpratnes veidošanos un literāro darbu iepazīšanas procesu. Bakalaura darba empīriskajā pētījuma daļā ir veikts pedagogu pedagoģiskais novērojums un pedagoģiskā izmēģinājumdarbība ar mērķi noskaidrot, kā izmantot literāros tekstus, lai sekmētu 3–4 gadīgo bērnu tikumisko vērtību izpratnes veidošanos? Secināts, ka literārie teksti ir ļoti vērtīgs līdzeklis, lai tikumiski izglītotu un pozitīvi ietekmētu bērna personības veidošanos. Literārie tekstu izmantošana aktualizē tikumisku rīcību, vērtības, jūtas, palīdz apgūt elementāras pieklājības un kultūras normas. Literāro tekstu izmantošana pirmsskolas izglītībā palīdz bērniem ne tikai iepazīt vērtības, tikumus, normas, bet arī izkopt sociāli pieņemamus uzvedības modeļus. Pētījuma bāze: Cēsu novada X pirmskolas izglītības iestādē, 3–4 gadīgo bērnu grupa 20 bērni. 2 pirmsskolas izglītības iestādes skolotāji. Atslēgas vārdi: tikumi, vērtības, literārie darbi, 3–4 gadīgi bērni, pedagoģiskais process pirmsskolā.Title of work: Development of understanding of the virtuous values of 3–4 year–olds in the process of exploring literary works Author: Aija Grabe. Supervisor: Gunta Siliņa – Jasjukeviča. Content of work: 109 pages, 3 charts, 3 tables, 18 attachments and 57 sources of literature and information used. The study aims to study theoretically and practically the use of literary works in understanding the virtuous values of 3 – to 4–year–olds. Object of the study: pedagogical process in preschool. Subject matter of study: Content of literary works and methodology for understanding moral values. Question under study: How do I use literary texts to help raise awareness of the virtuous values of 3–4–year–olds? The theoretical study part of the Bachelor's work analyses the findings of Latvian and foreign educators and psychologists, philosophers regarding the development of children of pre–school age, the development of understanding of the virtuous values of 3–4 year olds and the process of familiarisation of literary works. In the empirical part of the Bachelor's work, pedagogical observation and pedagogical trial of educators has been performed with the aim of finding out how to use literary texts to promote understanding of the virtuous values of 3–4 year olds? It has been concluded that literary texts are a very valuable tool to educate and positively influence the formation of a child's personality. The zimanting of literary texts actuates moral action, values, feelings, helps to learn basic norms of civility and culture. The use of literary texts in pre–school education helps children not only to get to know values, virtues, norms, but to cultivate socially acceptable patterns of behaviour. Study base: Cesis County X at a primary education facility, a group of 3–4–year–olds 20 children. 2 preschool teachers. Keywords: virtues, values, literary works, 3–4 year olds, pedagogical process in pre–school
Focus Forward: Outcomes of a Brief Occupational Therapy Intervention for Cancer-Related Cognitive Dysfunction
No full textAbstract
Date Presented 3/30/2017
Results of this pilot and feasibility study indicate that women with breast cancer who received a brief occupational therapy intervention for cancer-related cognitive dysfunction experienced pre–post improvements in self-reported cognition and occupational functioning.
Primary Author and Speaker: Shayne Hopkins
Contributing Authors: Mary Vining Radomski, Marsha Finkelstein, Mattie Anheluk, Kristin Berling, Michele Darger, Kim Grabe, M. Tracy Morrison, Joette Zola, Nancy Hutchison</jats:p
Numerical modelling of spatial variability and geotechnical uncertainty
No full textThe spatial variability of soil properties influences material behaviour and the performance of geotechnical structures. It also leads to uncertainty in design, because one can never be certain about what the ground conditions are at every location across a site. This article introduces the concept and implications of spatial variability, and illustrates some of the opportunities afforded by utilising numerical methods within a probabilistic framework.Geo-engineerin
Metadiégesis y pseudodiégesis en la narrativa de Juan Valera
No full textMetadiegesis and pseudodiegesis in the œuvre of Juan Valera
The narrators in Valera generally appear as representations of their author's voice. Valera uses textual doubles to frame the story by reflecting on it and identifying its (ficticious) source, usually either a manuscript or an informant's account. While in either case the identification of the source leads the reader to expect the narrative presentation of the story proper to be delegated from the extradiegetic level to the diegetic level, in most of his texts Valera does not follow this obvious path. Rather, his homo-extradiegetic narrators tend to appropriate the narrating voice of the original source, taking over the narration on their own behalf. From a narratological perspective, on erasing the textual marks that allow readers to distinguish between different levels of narration, Valera infringes the narrative hierarchy, thereby producing instances of what has been termed pseudodiegesis.
Altenberg shows that the narrative frames in Valera's œuvre, with their numerous reflections and refractions, not only raise a number of poetological issues but, more importantly, function as metafictional mises en abyme, whose performative dimension consists in illustrating the attitude that, according to the author, underlies the poetic-narrative appropriation of reality. It becomes clear that verisimilitude and coherence are the key concepts that, in Valera's view, set fiction apart from history. While the explicit confrontation of the 'historical method' and the 'novelistic method', with a clear preference for the latter, appears at a relatively late stage of Valera's writing, the dissociation of the narrator from the source of information as well as the poetological attitude behind it are characteristic of his narrative from the beginning. In conclusion, far from being an end in itself, the pseudodiegetic trangression is a textual representation of a particular way of appropriating reality that is essential to Valera's narrative poetics
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