The Endothelium and COVID-19: An Increasingly Clear Link Brief Title: Endotheliopathy in COVID-19

The endothelium has a fundamental role in the cardiovascular complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) particularly affects endothelial cells. The virus binds to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptor (present on type 2 alveolar cells, bronchial epithelial cells, and endothelial cells), and induces a cytokine storm. The cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-6 have particular effects on endothelial cells—leading to endothelial dysfunction, endothelial cell death, changes in tight junctions, and vascular hyperpermeability. Under normal conditions, apoptotic endothelial cells are removed into the bloodstream. During COVID-19, however, endothelial cells are detached more rapidly, and do not regenerate as effectively as usual. The loss of the endothelium on the luminal surface abolishes all of the vascular responses mediated by the endothelium and nitric oxide production in particular, which results in greater contractility. Moreover, circulating endothelial cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 act as vectors for viral dissemination by forming clusters that migrate into the circulation and reach distant organs. The cell clusters and the endothelial dysfunction might contribute to the various thromboembolic pathologies observed in COVID-19 by inducing the formation of intravascular microthrombi, as well as by triggering disseminated intravascular coagulation. Here, we review the contributions of endotheliopathy and endothelial-cell-derived extracellular vesicles to the pathogenesis of COVID-19, and discuss therapeutic strategies that target the endothelium in patients with COVID-19.     

Optimal and self‐tuning weighted measurement fusion Kalman filters and their asymptotic global optimality

For the multisensor linear discrete time‐invariant stochastic systems with unknown noise variances, using the correlation method, the information fusion noise variance estimators with consistency are given by taking the average of the local noise variance estimators. Substituting them into two optimal weighted measurement fusion steady‐state Kalman filters, two new self‐tuning weighted measurement fusion Kalman filters with a self‐tuning Riccati equation are presented. By the dynamic variance error system analysis (DVESA) method, it is rigorously proved that the self‐tuning Riccati equation converges to the steady‐state optimal Riccati equation. Further, by the dynamic error system analysis (DESA) method, it is proved that the steady‐state optimal and self‐tuning Kalman fusers converge to the global optimal centralized Kalman fuser, so that they have the asymptotic global optimality. Compared with the centralized Kalman fuser, they can significantly reduce the computational burden. A simulation example for the target tracking systems shows their effectiveness. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nanotechnology: Advantages and drawbacks in the field of construction and building materials

Nanotechnology seems to hold the key that allows construction and building materials to replicate the features of natural systems improved until perfection during millions of years. This paper reviews current knowledge about nanotechnology and nanomaterials used by the construction industry. It covers the nanoscale analysis of Portland cement hydration products, the use of nanoparticles to increase the strength and durability of cimentitious composites, the photocatalytic capacity of nanomaterials and also nanotoxicity risks.