Quadratic nonconforming finite element method for 3D Stokes equations on cuboid meshes

In this paper, the quadratic nonconforming brick element （MSLK element） intro- duced in [10] is used for the 3D Stokes equations. The instability for the mixed element pair MSLK-P1 is analyzed, where the vector-valued MSLK element approximates the velocity and the piecewise P1 element approximates the pressure. As a cure, we adopt the piecewise P1 macroelement to discretize the pressure instead of the standard piecewise P1 element on cuboid meshes. This new pair is stable and the optimal error estimate is achieved. Numerical examples verify our theoretical analysis.

Level of Macronutrients and Microelements of Blood Plasma in Different Forms of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

By the method of atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma, the content of macro and microelements in the blood plasma of 35 practically healthy people living in the Northern region of Azerbaijan and in the Nizhny Novgorod region of the Russian Federation was studied as well as of 23 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis with different phases of the disease. The elemental homeostasis of the blood plasma did not significantly differ depending on the region of residence, except for the potassium level (by 1.3 times greater for Russians) and strontium (by 10 times higher among the inhabitants of the Northern region of Azerbaijan). In patients with focal pulmonary tuberculosis, there were no significant differences in the content of elements in the blood plasma. With pulmonary tuberculosis, accompanied by decomposition processes, the content of calcium, copper, zinc and iron in blood plasma significantly increases in comparison with healthy people. Analysis of the level of these macro- and microelements can be used to determine the transition of the early form of pulmonary tuberculosis to infiltrative and/or cavernous forms, in which the patient becomes epidemiologically dangerous to others.

Changes of Essential Mineral Elements Contents in Response to Cu²⁺Treatment in <i>Sagittaria sagittifolia</i>

Changes of various mineral elements (P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Na) contents in roots and leaves of S. sagittifolia were studied with treatment of different Cu2+ concentrations (5 μM, 10 μM, 20 μM and 40 μM) after 15 days. The results showed that: 1) Cu accumulated in roots of S. sagittifolia in large quantities, while Cu content in leaves showed no significant change;2) It can be seen from the changes of macroelements that Cu2+ treatments had inhibited the absorption of P, K, Ca, Mg in roots of S. sagittifolia, but the contents of P, K and Mg in leaves were higher than those in the roots in all Cu2+ treatment groups;3) It can be seen from the changes of microelements that Cu2+ treatment promoted the absorption of Fe, inhibited absorption of Mn, Zn and Na in roots of S. sagittifolia, and hindered the transport of various micro-elements from roots to leaves. In all the Cu2+ treatment groups, contents of Fe, Mn, Zn and Na in leaves were lower than those in the roots;4) The critical concentration of Cu2+ to S. sagittifolia was 5 μM. It could be seen from the above results that exogenous added Cu2+ of different concentrations broke the balance of various mineral elements in S. sagittifolia, which would exert a significant impact on numerous metabolic pathways and physiological processes.

Bredemeyera floribunda Wild Elemental Content and Comparison with Nutritional Recommendation for Adults:Medicinal Plant Used by the Brazilian Rural Population to Treat Fatigue and Exhaustion

Bredemeyera floribunda Wild (Polygalaceae), also known as pau-de-ovo is a medicinal plant used to treat snakebites, as tonic and fortifiers to treat fatigue and exhaustion. The aim of the present study was to document the knowledge of herbal sellers in the preparation of the so-called “B. floribunda fortifier” and to compare the plant root content with the recommended nutritional values and the permitted limit for medicinal plants. The study revealed that, unlike other regions of Brazil, in the Midwest region, the root of the plant is used as food to treat fatigue and exhaustion. The contents in B. floribunda root decreased in the following order: Ca > K > P > Na > Fe > Mg > Si > Mn > Zn > Cu. Daily intake of 30 grams of B. floribunda roots are considered as an excellent source of Cr, Cu, Mn and Se for people 19 to 50 years of age according to the RDA. In addition, Cu and Fe showed content above the established limit for medicinal plants stipulated by other countries. The root of the plant has low K, Mg, P, Na and Zn content. When the contents in roots of the plant are below the oral dose of reference, consumption of this plant can be considered safe and without risk to human health. On the other hand, concentration of elements such as Cu, Fe, Ni, Al, Cr and Se exceeding the allowable limit may cause serious health problems due to prolonged ingestion and large amounts consumed daily. The Brazilian legislation does not establish a permissible limit of macro- and micro-elements in medicinal plants;thus, the results presented in this study will contribute to the Brazilian public health policy on medicinal plants.