A posteriori error estimators for the fully discrete time dependent Stokes problem with some different boundary conditions

In this paper we study the time dependent Stokes problem with some different boundary conditions. We establish a decoupled variational formulation into a system of velocity and a Poisson equation for the pressure. Hence, the velocity is approximated with curl conforming finite elements in space and Euler scheme in time and the pressure with standard continuous elements in space and Euler scheme in time. Finally, we establish optimal a priori and a posteriori estimates.     

Serum Amyloid A Receptor Blockade and Incorporation into High-Density Lipoprotein Modulates Its Pro-Inflammatory and Pro-Thrombotic Activities on Vascular Endothelial Cells

The acute phase protein serum amyloid A (SAA), a marker of inflammation, induces expression of pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic mediators including ICAM-1, VCAM-1, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1 and tissue factor (TF) in both monocytes/macrophages and endothelial cells, and induces endothelial dysfunction—a precursor to atherosclerosis. In this study, we determined the effect of pharmacological inhibition of known SAA receptors on pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic activities of SAA in human carotid artery endothelial cells (HCtAEC). HCtAEC were pre-treated with inhibitors of formyl peptide receptor-like-1 (FPRL-1), WRW4; receptor for advanced glycation-endproducts (RAGE), (endogenous secretory RAGE; esRAGE) and toll-like receptors-2/4 (TLR2/4) (OxPapC), before stimulation by added SAA. Inhibitor activity was also compared to high-density lipoprotein (HDL), a known inhibitor of SAA-induced effects on endothelial cells. SAA significantly increased gene expression of TF, NFκB and TNF and protein levels of TF and VEGF in HCtAEC. These effects were inhibited to variable extents by WRW4, esRAGE and OxPapC either alone or in combination, suggesting involvement of endothelial cell SAA receptors in pro-atherogenic gene expression. In contrast, HDL consistently showed the greatest inhibitory action, and often abrogated SAA-mediated responses. Increasing HDL levels relative to circulating free SAA may prevent SAA-mediated endothelial dysfunction and ameliorate atherogenesis.     

Microstructures and Properties of Nanocrystalline NiFe Alloy With and Without Particulate TiC Reinforcement by Mechanical Alloying

In the current study, Ni₅₀Fe₅₀ alloy powders were prepared using a high-energy planetary ball mill. The effects of TiC addition (0, 5, 10, 20, and 30 wt pct) and milling time on the sequence of alloy formation, the microstructure, and microhardness of the product were studied. The structure of solid solution phase, the lattice parameter, lattice strain, and grain size were identified by X-ray diffraction analysis. The correlation between the apparent densities and the milling time is explained by the morphologic evolution of the powder particles occurring during the high-energy milling process. The powder morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy. It was found that FCC γ (Fe–Ni) solid solution was formed after 10 hours of milling, and this time was reduced to 7 hours when TiC was added. Therefore, brittle particles (TiC) accelerate the milling process by increasing crystal defects leading to a shorter diffusion path. Observations of polished cross section showed uniform distribution of the reinforcement particles. The apparent density increases with the increasing TiC content. It was also found that the higher TiC amount leads to larger lattice parameter, higher internal strain, and lower grain size of the alloy.     

Competitiveness of Lebanese wine: new shoots from ancient roots

Since the Phoenicians inhabited the land of Canaan (the modern Lebanon), wine earned historical, cultural, social and economic dimensions in the life of its population. Through their trade network, evidence shows that the Phoenicians distributed wine, wine grapes and the winemaking technology that they had acquired from the east, throughout the Mediterranean region. However, the Lebanese wine sector did not take the required attention of the scientific community. Thus, this study gathers agri-food trade data, from national and international sources to analyse the Lebanese wine sector and evaluate its competitiveness in the international market using the revealed trade advantage and the revealed competitiveness indicators. Both indicators show that Lebanese wine has average competitiveness in the world market. This level of competitiveness can fluctuate depending on the political situation and the trade region and is highest for America and Asia. Finally, the study urges a long-term, general political framework that involves all stakeholders and policy-makers to work towards a sustainable Lebanese wine.     

Regional Water Balance and Economic Assessment as Tools for Water Management in Coastal Lebanon

The Lebanese coast is highly subject to seawater intrusion and groundwater deterioration. The study is carried out in Byblos district (Jbeil Caza) 35 km north of Beirut. It aims to investigate the seawater intrusion, to determine the regional water balance of the region and finally to estimate the economic value of that water for agricultural use. The monitoring of the aquifer was achieved through samples from different wells chosen randomly. As for the regional water balance, it was determined with use of a GIS model. The economic evaluation was carried out, using the contingent valuation method to estimate the willingness to pay of farmers to contribute to the improvement of groundwater quality; two alternative scenarios were proposed and compared with the current situation. The annual regional water balance is positive, which means that the region is rich in water. The monitoring results show that the coastal part of the region is slightly contaminated by seawater intrusion due to the excess of pumping from the aquifer. The economic evaluation estimated that farmers would contribute by 102 US$ yr^− 1 for the first proposal and 166.67 US$ yr^− 1 for the second.     

Spectral variation of the volume scattering function measured over the full range of scattering angles in a coastal environment

The spectral volume scattering function (VSF) was measured in a coastal environment from 0.6 degrees to 177.3 degrees by use of a recently developed device. The spectral variations of the particulate VSF and phase function (i.e., ratio of the VSF to the scattering coefficient) were examined as a function of the scattering angle. The angular dependency of both VSF and phase- function spectra was highly sensitive to the absorption and to the size distribution of the particles. As a result, the use of spectrally neutral phase functions in radiative-transfer modeling is questioned.     

Ultrasound contribution in the analysis of the newborn and infant normal and clubfoot: a preliminary study

This study examined the effects of coder gender on Potential for Hostility ratings. Six trained coders (3 men and 3 women) who were unaware of the coder gender effect hypothesis coded 30 male and 30 female undergraduates for Potential for Hostility. Although reliability estimates as calculated by Cronbach's alpha suggested that all coders were consistent, an analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect for coder gender, wherein female coders rated participants as displaying significantly less Potential for Hostility than did male coders. This significant difference was also meaningful, as coder gender accounted for 32% of the variance in Potential for Hostility scores. Thus, future Potential for Hostility investigations need to consider the gender of those coding, as this factor both significantly and substantially influences reported Potential for Hostility ratings.     

Impacts of Combined Technical and Economic Measures on Water Saving in Agriculture under Water Availability Uncertainty

In Emilia Romagna region (northern Italy), the Water Protection Plan (WPP) — a tool designed to reach the objectives of the Water Framework Directive — established different measures to achieve a good quantitative status of water bodies. The objective of this study is to evaluate the combined economic, agronomic and environmental impacts of four measures of the WPP on the “Renana” reclamation and irrigation scheme, and to quantify the water conservation in agriculture under the uncertainty of water availability. To this purpose, a mathematical stochastic model able to represent uncertainty in water availability was designed and implemented. Some data were collected from farms, and local sources were used as well to test the model. Each analyzed measure was simulated in a single scenario, and subsequently combined with other measures. The performed simulations are the following: application of volumetric water pricing (Scenario WFD1), awarding incentives for farmers to improve on-farm irrigation efficiency (Scenario WFD2a), combination of WFD1 and WFD2a (Scenario WFD2b), reduction of water abstraction in case of water shortage (Scenario WFD3a), combination of WFD1 and WFD3a (Scenario WFD3b), increasing distribution efficiency in the channel system (Scenario WFD4a) and combination of WFD1 and WFD4a (Scenario WFD4b). Results have shown that scenarios WFD2a and WFD4a generate a higher income for farmers and produce a positive ecological impact (water use and soil cover) but tend to increase total water use. Scenarios WFD1 and WFD3a have the opposite effects since they reduce farmers’ income but decrease water use as well. Only WFD1 could be favorable for the Board governing the scheme (RIB) in terms of economic returns. Finally, results have shown that combined scenarios WFD2b and WFD4b, respectively, could modify the trade-off between economic and environmental objectives and could be more effective since they significantly reduce water consumption and minimize losses in farmers’ income.