| 1. |
- Fallows, Richard A., et al.
(författare)
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A LOFAR observation of ionospheric scintillation from two simultaneous travelling ionospheric disturbances
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Space Weather and Space Climate. - : EDP Sciences. - 2115-7251. ; 10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper presents the results from one of the first observations of ionospheric scintillation taken using the Low-Frequency Array (LOFAR). The observation was of the strong natural radio source Cassiopeia A, taken overnight on 18-19 August 2013, and exhibited moderately strong scattering effects in dynamic spectra of intensity received across an observing bandwidth of 10-80 MHz. Delay-Doppler spectra (the 2-D FFT of the dynamic spectrum) from the first hour of observation showed two discrete parabolic arcs, one with a steep curvature and the other shallow, which can be used to provide estimates of the distance to, and velocity of, the scattering plasma. A cross-correlation analysis of data received by the dense array of stations in the LOFAR "core" reveals two different velocities in the scintillation pattern: a primary velocity of similar to 20-40 ms(-1) with a north-west to south-east direction, associated with the steep parabolic arc and a scattering altitude in the F-region or higher, and a secondary velocity of similar to 110 ms(-1) with a north-east to south-west direction, associated with the shallow arc and a scattering altitude in the D-region. Geomagnetic activity was low in the mid-latitudes at the time, but a weak sub-storm at high latitudes reached its peak at the start of the observation. An analysis of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and ionosonde data from the time reveals a larger-scale travelling ionospheric disturbance (TID), possibly the result of the high-latitude activity, travelling in the north-west to south-east direction, and, simultaneously, a smaller-scale TID travelling in a north-east to south-west direction, which could be associated with atmospheric gravity wave activity. The LOFAR observation shows scattering from both TIDs, at different altitudes and propagating in different directions. To the best of our knowledge this is the first time that such a phenomenon has been reported.
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| 2. |
- Jung, Christian, et al.
(författare)
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A comparison of very old patients admitted to intensive care unit after acute versus elective surgery or intervention
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of critical care. - : W B SAUNDERS CO-ELSEVIER INC. - 0883-9441 .- 1557-8615. ; 52, s. 141-148
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: We aimed to evaluate differences in outcome between patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) after elective versus acute surgery in a multinational cohort of very old patients (80 years; VIP). Predictors of mortality, with special emphasis on frailty, were assessed.Methods: In total, 5063 VIPs were induded in this analysis, 922 were admitted after elective surgery or intervention, 4141 acutely, with 402 after acute surgery. Differences were calculated using Mann-Whitney-U test and Wilcoxon test. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression were used to assess associations with mortality.Results: Compared patients admitted after acute surgery, patients admitted after elective surgery suffered less often from frailty as defined as CFS (28% vs 46%; p < 0.001), evidenced lower SOFA scores (4 +/- 5 vs 7 +/- 7; p < 0.001). Presence of frailty (CFS >4) was associated with significantly increased mortality both in elective surgery patients (7% vs 12%; p = 0.01), in acute surgery (7% vs 12%; p = 0.02).Conclusions: VIPs admitted to ICU after elective surgery evidenced favorable outcome over patients after acute surgery even after correction for relevant confounders. Frailty might be used to guide clinicians in risk stratification in both patients admitted after elective and acute surgery.
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| 3. |
- Marian, Max, et al.
(författare)
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Numerical micro-texture optimization for lubricated contacts—A critical discussion
- 2022
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Ingår i: Friction. - : Springer. - 2223-7690 .- 2223-7704. ; 10:11, s. 1772-1809
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Despite numerous experimental and theoretical studies reported in the literature, surface micro-texturing to control friction and wear in lubricated tribo-contacts is still in the trial-and-error phase. The tribological behaviour and advantageous micro-texture geometries and arrangements largely depend on the contact type and the operating conditions. Industrial scale implementation is hampered by the complexity of numerical approaches. This substantiates the urgent need to numerically design and optimize micro-textures for specific conditions. Since these aspects have not been covered by other review articles yet, we aim at summarizing the existing state-of-the art regarding optimization strategies for micro-textures applied in hydrodynamically and elastohydrodynamically lubricated contacts. Our analysis demonstrates the great potential of optimization strategies to further tailor micro-textures with the overall aim to reduce friction and wear, thus contributing toward an improved energy efficiency and sustainability.
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| 4. |
- Marian, Max, et al.
(författare)
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Roadmap for 2D materials in biotribological/biomedical applications:€“ A review
- 2022
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Ingår i: Advances in Colloid and Interface Science. - : Elsevier. - 0001-8686 .- 1873-3727. ; 307
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The human body involves a large number of systems subjected to contact stresses and thus experiencing wear and degradation. The limited efficacy of existing solutions constantly puts a significant financial burden on the healthcare system, more importantly, patients are suffering due to the complications following a partial or total system failure. More effective strategies are highly dependent on the availability of advanced functional materials demonstrating excellent tribological response and good biocompatibility. In this article, we review the recent progress in implementing two-dimensional (2D) materials into bio-applications involving tribological contacts. We further summarize the current challenges for future progress in the field.
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| 5. |
- Naghavi, Mohsen, et al.
(författare)
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Global, regional, and national age-sex specific all-cause and cause-specific mortality for 240 causes of death, 1990-2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013
- 2015
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Ingår i: The Lancet. - 1474-547X .- 0140-6736. ; 385:9963, s. 117-171
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Up-to-date evidence on levels and trends for age-sex-specifi c all-cause and cause-specifi c mortality is essential for the formation of global, regional, and national health policies. In the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013 (GBD 2013) we estimated yearly deaths for 188 countries between 1990, and 2013. We used the results to assess whether there is epidemiological convergence across countries. Methods We estimated age-sex-specifi c all-cause mortality using the GBD 2010 methods with some refinements to improve accuracy applied to an updated database of vital registration, survey, and census data. We generally estimated cause of death as in the GBD 2010. Key improvements included the addition of more recent vital registration data for 72 countries, an updated verbal autopsy literature review, two new and detailed data systems for China, and more detail for Mexico, UK, Turkey, and Russia. We improved statistical models for garbage code redistribution. We used six different modelling strategies across the 240 causes; cause of death ensemble modelling (CODEm) was the dominant strategy for causes with sufficient information. Trends for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias were informed by meta-regression of prevalence studies. For pathogen-specifi c causes of diarrhoea and lower respiratory infections we used a counterfactual approach. We computed two measures of convergence (inequality) across countries: the average relative difference across all pairs of countries (Gini coefficient) and the average absolute difference across countries. To summarise broad findings, we used multiple decrement life-tables to decompose probabilities of death from birth to exact age 15 years, from exact age 15 years to exact age 50 years, and from exact age 50 years to exact age 75 years, and life expectancy at birth into major causes. For all quantities reported, we computed 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). We constrained cause-specific fractions within each age-sex-country-year group to sum to all-cause mortality based on draws from the uncertainty distributions. Findings Global life expectancy for both sexes increased from 65.3 years (UI 65.0-65.6) in 1990, to 71.5 years (UI 71.0-71.9) in 2013, while the number of deaths increased from 47.5 million (UI 46.8-48.2) to 54.9 million (UI 53.6-56.3) over the same interval. Global progress masked variation by age and sex: for children, average absolute diff erences between countries decreased but relative diff erences increased. For women aged 25-39 years and older than 75 years and for men aged 20-49 years and 65 years and older, both absolute and relative diff erences increased. Decomposition of global and regional life expectancy showed the prominent role of reductions in age-standardised death rates for cardiovascular diseases and cancers in high-income regions, and reductions in child deaths from diarrhoea, lower respiratory infections, and neonatal causes in low-income regions. HIV/AIDS reduced life expectancy in southern sub-Saharan Africa. For most communicable causes of death both numbers of deaths and age-standardised death rates fell whereas for most non-communicable causes, demographic shifts have increased numbers of deaths but decreased age-standardised death rates. Global deaths from injury increased by 10.7%, from 4.3 million deaths in 1990 to 4.8 million in 2013; but age-standardised rates declined over the same period by 21%. For some causes of more than 100 000 deaths per year in 2013, age-standardised death rates increased between 1990 and 2013, including HIV/AIDS, pancreatic cancer, atrial fibrillation and flutter, drug use disorders, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and sickle-cell anaemias. Diarrhoeal diseases, lower respiratory infections, neonatal causes, and malaria are still in the top five causes of death in children younger than 5 years. The most important pathogens are rotavirus for diarrhoea and pneumococcus for lower respiratory infections. Country-specific probabilities of death over three phases of life were substantially varied between and within regions. Interpretation For most countries, the general pattern of reductions in age-sex specifi c mortality has been associated with a progressive shift towards a larger share of the remaining deaths caused by non-communicable disease and injuries. Assessing epidemiological convergence across countries depends on whether an absolute or relative measure of inequality is used. Nevertheless, age-standardised death rates for seven substantial causes are increasing, suggesting the potential for reversals in some countries. Important gaps exist in the empirical data for cause of death estimates for some countries; for example, no national data for India are available for the past decade.
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| 6. |
- Robinson, Steve, et al.
(författare)
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INNOWEST Innovation services through peer learning to efficientlyincrease innovation management capacity among SMEs : Design Option Paper
- 2016
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The INNOWEST project has used peer learning under “Twinning Advanced” to exchange common challenges and experiences from new and existing innovation services. This has resulted in this Design Option Paper (DOP) which presents options, guidelines and implementation alternatives that three EEN - Enterprise Europe Network partners in three regions would recommend to other innovation support service agencies. In particular, the DOP address EEN partners in Europe, primarily in Sweden, Germany and the UK (Scotland)The first part of the DOP contains a background on and description of the challenge addressed by the DOP. This part outlines the need for a governmental intervention, state the rational for addressing the challenge and give contextual information for the solution or approach presented.The second part is followed by a description, evaluation and analysis of related measures that have been studied and an overall guide to the applicability of the document including e.g. target audience, contextual requirements (experiences or current schemes that helps, commitments politically, legally and economically to make the effort feasible etc).
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| 7. |
- Rydell, Jens, et al.
(författare)
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Phenology of migratory bat activity across the Baltic Sea and the south-eastern North Sea
- 2014
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Ingår i: Acta Chiropterologica. - 1508-1109. ; 16:1, s. 139-147
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We compiled the available information on the occurrence and timing of migratory bat activity across the Baltic Sea and south-eastern North Sea coasts and islands, based on ultrasonic monitoring projects at 19 localities in 2007-2009. The data refer to three species; Nathusius' pipistrelle Pipistrellus nathusii, soprano pipistrelle P. pygmaeus and common noctule Nyctalus noctula. Pipistrellus nathusii occurred at all sites (north to 61 degrees N in Finland), while the other species were scarcer, particularly at the northernmost sites. The status of the recorded individuals is unknown. However, the activity most likely was of migrating individuals or individuals on migration stopover, because very few observations were made during the maternity period. Spring activity occurred predominantly in May, with the median observation date of P. nathusii 20 days earlier in the south (Germany) than in the north (Finland). Autumn migration was observed throughout August and September and activity that may or may not indicate migration was also observed in October and November. The median date of such activity in autumn usually occurred in September and without any significant difference in timing in relation to latitude. Migratory bats in the Baltic area apparently move on a broad front in most cases. The estimated speed of migration for P. nathusii in spring was 55 km/day. The entire coastline and islands around the Baltic Sea are of potential importance for migrating bats in spring (April-May) and autumn (August-September) and should achieve relevant protection according to EU legislation and its implementations.
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| 8. |
- Spaepen, Lutgart, et al.
(författare)
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Design Options Paper SME Value Chains : Peer learning of innovationagencies about innovation support in SMEs in transnational business valuechains
- 2017
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- As a result of globalization the production of goods and services is getting increasingly spread over companies and countries. Goods are nowadays processed in many sequential stages at the most suited location for the activity. Multinationals lead the process. Small and medium ‐sized enterprises (SMEs) try to participate as partners, but they face serious challenges to get access to the markets and to add value in these global value chains (GVCs).On the other hand governments and nongovernmental institutions and organisations, inspired by research on the importance of the participation of SMEs in GVCs, are seeking to implement policies and programs intended to support entrepreneurs in this field.In INNOSUP project H2020 ‐ CSA‐LS 671524, we learn together with innovation agencies from three European regions about SMEs in transnational business value chains, or even GVCs, and the support they receive or need. In this project we wanted to challenge some of the ‘myths’ surrounding the nature of GVCs and the added value our SMEs can create in them.At the beginning of the project, the perception prevailed that the multiple types of support offered to the companies of our target group were often misdirected and failed to provide relevant support to the type of businesses we aimed in our project. At the same time, the existing public support measures were seen to largely neglect the real needs of this category of SMEs. Some of the interviews revealed that indeed part of this critique is true. But, surprisingly or not, in many other cases, SMEs much welcome the efforts public support makes. Consequently, in addition to providing critical comments on certain public support measures for the innovation and internationalisation of SMEs and how they relate to the participation of these businesses in GVCs, we present a few suggestions for how regional and EU small business policy can potentially be reconfigured to cover the needs of these firms.
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| 9. |
- Vivek, Joseph, et al.
(författare)
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Wear particle image analysis: feature extraction, selection and classification by deep and machine learning
- 2024
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Ingår i: Industrial Lubrication and Tribology. - : Emerald Group Publishing Limited. - 0036-8792 .- 1758-5775. ; 76:5, s. 599-607
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PurposeThis study aims to explore the integration of machine learning (ML) in tribology to optimize lubrication interval decisions, aiming to enhance equipment lifespan and operational efficiency through wear image analysis.Design/methodology/approachUsing a data set of scanning electron microscopy images from an internal combustion engine, the authors used AlexNet as the feature extraction algorithm and the J48 decision tree algorithm for feature selection and compared 15 ML classifiers from the lazy-, Bayes and tree-based families.FindingsFrom the analyzed ML classifiers, instance-based k-nearest neighbor emerged as the optimal algorithm with a 95% classification accuracy against testing data. This surpassed individually trained convolutional neural networks’ (CNNs) and closely approached ensemble deep learning (DL) techniques’ accuracy.Originality/valueThe proposed approach simplifies the process, enhances efficiency and improves interpretability compared to more complex CNNs and ensemble DL techniques.
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| 10. |
- Warsame, Marian, et al.
(författare)
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Pre-referral Rectal Artesunate Treatment by Community-Based Treatment Providers in Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Tanzania, and Uganda (Study 18): A Cluster-Randomized Trial.
- 2016
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Ingår i: Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1537-6591. ; 63:suppl 5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- If malaria patients who cannot be treated orally are several hours from facilities for injections, rectal artesunate prior to hospital referral can prevent death and disability. The goal is to reduce death from malaria by having rectal artesunate treatment available and used. How best to do this remains unknown.Villages remote from a health facility were randomized to different community-based treatment providers trained to provide rectal artesunate in Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Tanzania, and Uganda. Prereferral rectal artesunate treatment was provided in 272 villages: 109 through community-based health workers (CHWs), 112 via trained mothers (MUMs), 25 via trained traditional healers (THs), and 26 through trained community-chosen personnel (COMs); episodes eligible for rectal artesunate were established through regular household surveys of febrile illnesses recording symptoms eligible for prereferral treatment. Differences in treatment coverage with rectal artesunate in children aged <5 years in MUM vs CHW (standard-of-care) villages were assessed using the odds ratio (OR); the predictive probability of treatment was derived from a logistic regression analysis, adjusting for heterogeneity between clusters (villages) using random effects.Over 19 months, 54 013 children had 102 504 febrile episodes, of which 32% (31 817 episodes) had symptoms eligible for prereferral therapy; 14% (4460) children received treatment. Episodes with altered consciousness, coma, or convulsions constituted 36.6% of all episodes in treated children. The overall OR of treatment between MUM vs CHW villages, adjusting for country, was 1.84 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-2.83; P = .005). Adjusting for heterogeneity, this translated into a 1.67 higher average probability of a child being treated in MUM vs CHW villages. Referral compliance was 81% and significantly higher with CHWs vs MUMs: 87% vs 82% (risk ratio [RR], 1.1 [95% CI, 1.0-1.1]; P < .0001). There were more deaths in the TH cluster than elsewhere (RR, 2.7 [95% CI, 1.4-5.6]; P = .0040).Prereferral episodes were almost one-third of all febrile episodes. More than one-third of patients treated had convulsions, altered consciousness, or coma. Mothers were effective in treating patients, and achieved higher coverage than other providers. Treatment access was low.ISRCTN58046240.
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