| 1. |
- Jacome, Cristina, et al.
(författare)
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Feasibility and Acceptability of an Asthma App to Monitor Medication Adherence : Mixed Methods Study
- 2021
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Ingår i: JMIR mhealth and uhealth. - : JMIR Publications. - 2291-5222. ; 9:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Poor medication adherence is a major challenge in asthma, and objective assessment of inhaler adherence is needed. The InspirerMundi app aims to monitor adherence while providing a positive experience through gamification and social support. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the InspirerMundi app to monitor medication adherence in adolescents and adults with persistent asthma (treated with daily inhaled medication). Methods: A 1-month mixed method multicenter observational study was conducted in 26 secondary care centers from Portugal and Spain. During an initial face-to-face visit, physicians reported patients' asthma therapeutic plan in a structured questionnaire. During the visits, patients were invited to use the app daily to register their asthma medication intakes. A scheduled intake was considered taken when patients registered the intake (inhaler, blister, or other drug formulation) by using the image-based medication detection tool. At 1 month, patients were interviewed by phone, and app satisfaction was assessed on a 1 (low) to 5 (high) scale. Patients were also asked to point out the most and least preferred app features and make suggestions for future app improvements. Results: A total of 107 patients (median 27 [P25-P75 14-40] years) were invited, 92.5% (99/107) installed the app, and 73.8% (79/107) completed the 1-month interview. Patients interacted with the app a median of 9 (P25-P75 1-24) days. At least one medication was registered in the app by 78% (77/99) of patients. A total of 53% (52/99) of participants registered all prescribed inhalers, and 34% (34/99) registered the complete asthma therapeutic plan. Median medication adherence was 75% (P25-P75 25%-90%) for inhalers and 82% (P25-P75 50%-94%) for other drug formulations. Patients were globally satisfied with the app, with 75% (59/79) scoring >= 4,; adherence monitoring, symptom monitoring, and gamification features being the most highly scored components; and the medication detection tool among the lowest scored. A total of 53% (42/79) of the patients stated that the app had motivated them to improve adherence to inhaled medication and 77% (61/79) would recommend the app to other patients. Patient feedback was reflected in 4 major themes: medication-related features (67/79, 85%), gamification and social network (33/79, 42%), symptom monitoring and physician communication (21/79, 27%), and other aspects (16/79, 20%). Conclusions: The InspirerMundi app was feasible and acceptable to monitor medication adherence in patients with asthma. Based on patient feedback and to increase the registering of medications, the therapeutic plan registration and medication detection tool were redesigned. Our results highlight the importance of patient participation to produce a patient-centered and engaging mHealth asthma app.
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| 2. |
- Jacome, Cristina, et al.
(författare)
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Monitoring Adherence to Asthma Inhalers Using the InspirerMundi App : Analysis of Real-World, Medium-Term Feasibility Studies
- 2021
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Medical Technology. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 2673-3129. ; 3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Poor medication adherence is a major challenge in asthma and objective assessment of inhaler adherence is needed. InspirerMundi app aims to monitor inhaler adherence while turning it into a positive experience through gamification and social support.Objective: We assessed the medium-term feasibility of the InspirerMundi app to monitor inhaler adherence in real-world patients with persistent asthma (treated with daily inhaled medication). In addition, we attempted to identify the characteristics of the patients related to higher app use.Methods: Two real-world multicenter observational studies, with one initial face-to-face visit and a 4-month telephone interview, were conducted in 29 secondary care centers from Portugal. During an initial face-to-face visit, patients were invited to use the app daily to register their asthma medication intakes. A scheduled intake was considered taken when patients took a photo of the medication (inhaler, blister, or others) using the image-based medication detection tool. Medication adherence was calculated as the number of doses taken as a percentage of the number scheduled. Interacting with the app =30 days was used as the cut-off for higher app use.Results: A total of 114 patients {median 20 [percentile 25 to percentile 75 (P25-P75) 16-36] years, 62% adults} were invited, 107 (94%) installed the app and 83 (73%) completed the 4-month interview. Patients interacted with the app for a median of 18 [3-45] days, translated on a median use rate of 15 [3-38]%. Median inhaler adherence assessed through the app was 34 [4-73]% when considering all scheduled inhalations for the study period. Inhaler adherence assessed was not significantly correlated with self-reported estimates. Median adherence for oral and other medication was 41 [6-83]% and 43 [3-73]%, respectively. Patients with higher app use were slightly older (p = 0.012), more frequently taking medication for other health conditions (p = 0.040), and more frequently prescribed long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA, p = 0.024). After 4 months, Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test (CARAT) scores improved (p < 0.001), but no differences between patients interacting with the app for 30 days or less were seen.Conclusions: The InspirerMundi app was feasible to monitor inhaler adherence in patients with persistent asthma. The persistent use of this mHealth technology varies widely. A better understanding of characteristics related to higher app use is still needed before effectiveness studies are undertaken.
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| 3. |
- Carvalho, Joao, et al.
(författare)
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A drill-hole, geological and geophysical data-based 3D model for target generation in Neves-Corvo mine region, Portugal
- 2022
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Ingår i: International journal of earth sciences. - : Springer Nature. - 1437-3254 .- 1437-3262. ; 111, s. 403-424
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Neves-Corvo world class Iberian Pyrite Belt volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposit located in southern Portugal, constitutes an important Cu-Zn-Pb active mine. Seven deposits are currently known, among which the Lombador deposit alone has estimated 150 Mt of massive sulphides. The life-time of the mine is dependent on the discovery of new exploration targets and it is vital to have accurate 3D geological models, not only to guide drilling campaigns but also to drive a winning/new strategy, which in the past has led to Semblana and Monte Branco discoveries: geophysical inversion and modelling. Furthermore, 3D geological models can contribute to the understanding of the tectonic and stratigraphic evolution of the region. Therefore, the goal of this study is to produce a realistic 3D geological model of the Neves-Corvo region, as only one model is presently publicly available: the PROMINE model, which includes the study area of this work and extends from Aljustrel to the border with Spain. Lundin Mining has also produced two unpublished, confidential models in 2007 and 2017. The latest Lundin model incorporates the same geophysical data used in this work (2D and 3D seismic reflection and time-domain electromagnetic (TEM) ground loop data) and approximately 7500 surface and underground drill-holes. The model presented in this research has much more detail than the 2012 PROMINE model in the Neves-Corvo region and uses an updated and revised drill-hole database with approximately 8000 drill-holes, revised geological cross-sections built from surface geology and drill-hole logs, new geological outcrop data, petrophysical and reprocessed geophysical data, and is therefore more detailed and accurate than any of the previous models, in particular the 2007 and PROMINE models. Land gravimetric and aeromagnetic data are also available in the study area but were not directly used to build the geological model but rather to investigate and check the model produced. Modelling was performed with industry standard software and the 3D curves resulting from the geological/geophysical interpretation were interpolated using different approaches to respect the hard data (interpretation lines and drill-holes). The resulting 3D stratigraphic surfaces required strong manual editing to respect the interpretation, due to the presence of folds, thrusts and tectonic nappes in the study area. The surfaces were afterwards tied to the drill-holes, resulting in a 3D model with great accuracy and detail in the near mining area and covering a larger area than previously available 3D geological models. The model has three major stratigraphic layers: the Mertola Flysch Formation and the Volcano-Sedimentary Complex (VSC), overlying the Phyllite-Quartzite Formation basement, and also the known VMS deposits (underlying the top of the Lower VSC) geometries according to drill-hole data. In the central part of the study area, where more drill-holes are available, the top of the Lower VSC sequence surface was also built. This approach will contribute to a better exploration drill-hole planning and the generation of new targets for exploration.
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| 4. |
- Lavall, Rodrigo L., et al.
(författare)
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An unprecedented hybrid polyoxometalate based on niobium oligomers: A notable application as redox supercapacitor electrode
- 2023
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Ingår i: Chemical Engineering Journal. - : ELSEVIER SCIENCE SA. - 1385-8947 .- 1873-3212. ; 455
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- An unprecedented polyoxoniobate (PONb) oligomer was obtained by addition of a methylene blue (MB) dye solution over the PONb solution formed a blue nanogel that was converted into a stable blue solid through a lyophilization process. The new solid composite, so-called "blue polyoxoniobate" (blue-PONb), presents a two-dimensional (2D) morphology with electrochemical performance that stand out among the materials used in redox supercapacitor technology. This new material was evaluated as supercapacitor electrode showing a high areal specific capacitance and power density that reaches 110.50 mF cm(-2) and 8.49 mW cm(-2). In addition, in this composite the redox additive (MB) and the PONb presented a peculiar electrochemical behavior, the reduction of the niobium species and the transfer of electrons necessary for the accumulation of charge occurring simultaneously. As a result, blue-PONb electrode maintains the cycling performance with high coulombic effi-ciency (similar to 99 %) over the 50,000 cycles evaluated. Here, the origins of the electrochemical stability and the mechanism of operation of the blue-PONb electrode are analyzed and discussed. Finally, this work presents a PONb as a new and promising class of redox-capacitive materials with matrix/redox shuttle synergism.
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| 5. |
- Neves, Ana Luisa, et al.
(författare)
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Determinants of the Use of Health and Fitness Mobile Apps by Patients With Asthma : Secondary Analysis of Observational Studies
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Medical Internet Research. - : JMIR Publications. - 1438-8871. ; 23:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Health and fitness apps have potential benefits to improve self-management and disease control among patients with asthma. However, inconsistent use rates have been reported across studies, regions, and health systems. A better understanding of the characteristics of users and nonusers is critical to design solutions that are effectively integrated in patients' daily lives, and to ensure that these equitably reach out to different groups of patients, thus improving rather than entrenching health inequities. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the use of general health and fitness apps by patients with asthma and to identify determinants of usage. Methods: A secondary analysis of the INSPIRERS observational studies was conducted using data from face-to-face visits. Patients with a diagnosis of asthma were included between November 2017 and August 2020. Individual-level data were collected, including age, gender, marital status, educational level, health status, presence of anxiety and depression, postcode, socioeconomic level, digital literacy, use of health services, and use of health and fitness apps. Multivariate logistic regression was used to model the probability of being a health and fitness app user. Statistical analysis was performed in R. Results: A total of 526 patients attended a face-to-face visit in the 49 recruiting centers and 514 had complete data. Most participants were <= 40 years old (66.4%), had at least 10 years of education (57.4%), and were in the 3 higher quintiles of the socioeconomic deprivation index (70.1%). The majority reported an overall good health status (visual analogue scale [VAS] score>70 in 93.1%) and the prevalence of anxiety and depression was 34.3% and 11.9%, respectively. The proportion of participants who reported using health and fitness mobile apps was 41.1% (n=211). Multivariate models revealed that single individuals and those with more than 10 years of education are more likely to use health and fitness mobile apps (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.22, 95%CI 1.05-4.75 and aOR 1.95, 95%CI 1.12-3.45, respectively). Higher digital literacy scores were also associated with higher odds of being a user of health and fitness apps, with participants in the second, third, and fourth quartiles reporting aORs of 6.74 (95%CI 2.90-17.40), 10.30 (95%CI 4.28-27.56), and 11.52 (95%CI 4.78-30.87), respectively. Participants with depression symptoms had lower odds of using health and fitness apps (aOR 0.32, 95%CI 0.12-0.83). Conclusions: A better understanding of the barriers and enhancers of app use among patients with lower education, lower digital literacy, or depressive symptoms is key to design tailored interventions to ensure a sustained and equitable use of these technologies. Future studies should also assess users' general health-seeking behavior and their interest and concerns specifically about digital tools. These factors may impact both initial engagement and sustained use.
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| 6. |
- Oliveira, Helena Rodrigues, et al.
(författare)
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Biogas potential of biowaste: A case study in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- 2024
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Ingår i: Renewable energy. - : PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD. - 0960-1481 .- 1879-0682. ; 221
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Anaerobic digestion has been widely applied for waste treatment, renewable energy generation , biofertilizer production. The biogas potential in Brazil is sizable, but the state of Rio de Janeiro is largely dependent on fossil fuels , there is a lack of biogas potential assessments in the state. Thus, this study evaluated biomethane, electricity and biofertilizer potentials in the region. Three different scenarios of biomass supply were considered for four major biowaste streams: sewage sludge; cattle manure; sugarcane processing waste; and food waste. Biomethane generation from the assessed sources could reach 0.6-1.3 billion Nm(3) year(-1), corresponding to 1,768-3,961 GWh year(-1) of electricity , 1.6-3.3 million Mg year- 1 of biofertilizer. Cattle manure was responsible for 73-84% of the projected biomethane production, presenting an opportunity to reduce the sig-nificant emissions from livestock farming. The estimated biofertilizer production could meet the demands of the state , the produced electricity could offset up to 10% of the demand. The gas grid could facilitate the dis-tribution of upgraded biomethane, and 10-22% of the natural gas demand could be met. The findings of this work highlight the high potential for biogas generation in Rio de Janeiro, which is up to seven times larger than the current production.
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| 7. |
- Archetti, Joao A. G., et al.
(författare)
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Hardware-in-the-Loop Volt-Watt and Volt-VAr Control for Distribution Systems with High Penetration of Renewables
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Control Automation and Electrical Systems. - : Springer Nature. - 2195-3880 .- 2195-3899. ; 34:1, s. 177-188
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This work aims to validate in control hardware in the loop (CHIL) simulations new voltage profile control strategies in distribution systems with different levels of photovoltaic penetration. The proposed control is implemented through intelligent inverters with control functions that act through voltage sensitivity. The Volt-VAr (V-V) and Volt-Watt (V-W) functions act in the local voltage control being implemented in a complementary way. The simulations are performed in real time, using the real-time digital simulator. Residential load profiles, solar irradiance and temperature curves are discretized hourly over a daily period, with the intention of making the emulation more realistic. Voltage source converters were implemented in RSCAD software. The contribution of this article points to the performance of the Volt-Watt (V-W) control function in single-stage inverters, which allows the maximum generation of instantaneous active power, acting directly on the maximum power point tracking algorithm, this strategy being validated by the CHIL simulation. The results show that the Volt-VAr and Volt-Watt control functions, acting at different levels of photovoltaic penetration, were effective in preventing the voltage profiles from violating the critical level imposed by the regulatory standard. Leading to the conclusion that its implementation directly in photovoltaic inverters entails a low cost and a complementary solution for the new challenges of electrical systems.
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| 8. |
- Archetti, Joao Antonio Guedes, et al.
(författare)
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Real time validation of a control system for microgrids with distributed generation and storage resources
- 2023
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Ingår i: Electric power systems research. - : Elsevier. - 0378-7796 .- 1873-2046. ; 223
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Faced with a scenario in which the increase in renewable energy generated near consumer centers can cause problems for the operation of the electrical network, the present work proposes a real-time simulation model for automation and control systems of electrical distribution networks with microgrids, distributed generation, and storage resources. The proposed model consists of a hardware-in-the-loop control with the aid of a simulation tool in conjunction with a Real-Time Digital Simulator (RTDS) and considers the dynamic behavior of switched elements and inverters. A communication platform using TCP/IP protocol between RTDS (power system) and MatLab/Simulink (optimization algorithms) allows the operation of the network in grid-connected and islanded mode, guaranteeing the computational time for experimental implementation. For the first mode, an algorithm is proposed to solve an optimal dispatch energy storage system problem. Second mode, an algorithm is proposed to solve a load shedding problem. The objective is to operate the microgrids optimally and evaluate the performance of a storage system based on real data from the state of Parana, in Brazil. Results show that the optimization algorithms are experimentally applicable, obtaining reasonable computational time to find optimal solutions and an assertive decision-making to meet the objectives. Thus, the proposed framework is a potential tool to validate algorithms for active management of microgrids in real-time simulation.
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| 9. |
- Bruneau, Anne, et al.
(författare)
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Advances in Legume Systematics 14. Classification of Caesalpinioideae. Part 2: Higher-level classification
- 2024
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Ingår i: PhytoKeys. - Sofia : Pensoft Publishers. - 1314-2011 .- 1314-2003. ; 240, s. 1-552
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Caesalpinioideae is the second largest subfamily of legumes (Leguminosae) with ca. 4680 species and 163 genera. It is an ecologically and economically important group formed of mostly woody perennials that range from large canopy emergent trees to functionally herbaceous geoxyles, lianas and shrubs, and which has a global distribution, occurring on every continent except Antarctica. Following the recent re-circumscription of 15 Caesalpinioideae genera as presented in Advances in Legume Systematics 14, Part 1, and using as a basis a phylogenomic analysis of 997 nuclear gene sequences for 420 species and all but five of the genera currently recognised in the subfamily, we present a new higher-level classification for the subfamily. The new classification of Caesalpinioideae comprises eleven tribes, all of which are either new, reinstated or re-circumscribed at this rank: Caesalpinieae Rchb. (27 genera / ca. 223 species), Campsiandreae LPWG (2 / 5-22), Cassieae Bronn (7 / 695), Cera-tonieae Rchb. (4 / 6), Dimorphandreae Benth. (4 / 35), Erythrophleeae LPWG (2 /13), Gleditsieae Nakai (3 / 20), Mimoseae Bronn (100 / ca. 3510), Pterogyneae LPWG (1 / 1), Schizolobieae Nakai (8 / 42-43), Sclerolobieae Benth. & Hook. f. (5 / ca. 113). Although many of these lineages have been recognised and named in the past, either as tribes or informal generic groups, their circumscriptions have varied widely and changed over the past decades, such that all the tribes described here differ in generic membership from those previously recognised. Importantly, the approximately 3500 species and 100 genera of the former subfamily Mimosoideae are now placed in the reinstated, but newly circumscribed, tribe Mimoseae. Because of the large size and ecological importance of the tribe, we also provide a clade-based classification system for Mimoseae that includes 17 named lower-level clades. Fourteen of the 100 Mimoseae genera remain unplaced in these lower-level clades: eight are resolved in two grades and six are phylogenetically isolated monogeneric lineages. In addition to the new classification, we provide a key to genera, morphological descriptions and notes for all 163 genera, all tribes, and all named clades. The diversity of growth forms, foliage, flowers and fruits are illustrated for all genera, and for each genus we also provide a distribution map, based on quality-controlled herbarium specimen localities. A glossary for specialised terms used in legume morphology is provided. This new phylogenetically based classification of Caesalpinioideae provides a solid system for communication and a framework for downstream analyses of biogeography, trait evolution and diversification, as well as for taxonomic revision of still understudied genera.
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| 10. |
- Cunha, Jose M. V., et al.
(författare)
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High-Performance and Industrially Viable Nanostructured SiOx Layers for Interface Passivation in Thin Film Solar Cells
- 2021
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Ingår i: Solar RRL. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2367-198X. ; 5:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Herein, it is demonstrated, by using industrial techniques, that a passivation layer with nanocontacts based on silicon oxide (SiOx) leads to significant improvements in the optoelectronical performance of ultrathin Cu(In,Ga)Se-2 (CIGS) solar cells. Two approaches are applied for contact patterning of the passivation layer: point contacts and line contacts. For two CIGS growth conditions, 550 and 500 degrees C, the SiOx passivation layer demonstrates positive passivation properties, which are supported by electrical simulations. Such positive effects lead to an increase in the light to power conversion efficiency value of 2.6% (absolute value) for passivated devices compared with a nonpassivated reference device. Strikingly, both passivation architectures present similar efficiency values. However, there is a trade-off between passivation effect and charge extraction, as demonstrated by the trade-off between open-circuit voltage (V-oc) and short-circuit current density (J(sc)) compared with fill factor (FF). For the first time, a fully industrial upscalable process combining SiOx as rear passivation layer deposited by chemical vapor deposition, with photolithography for line contacts, yields promising results toward high-performance and low-cost ultrathin CIGS solar cells with champion devices reaching efficiency values of 12%, demonstrating the potential of SiOx as a passivation material for energy conversion devices.
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| 11. |
- de Barros, Thiago Ribeiro, et al.
(författare)
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Optimization algorithm associated with local and coordinated controls of distributed energy resources to meet technical and economic criteria
- 2024
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Ingår i: Electric power systems research. - : Elsevier. - 0378-7796 .- 1873-2046. ; 226
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The present work proposes the development of a simulation platform that integrates the PSCAD software with python language, capable of portraying realistic and dynamic characteristics of the operation of an electrical system with high insertion of DERs. This work considers a scenario with high insertion of alternative sources, which are characterized by intermittent conditions of generation and consumption, therefore causing technical-economic challenges in the operation of the network. In this way, an electrical network will be created with photovoltaic systems, electric vehicles and batterys, in addition to local, coordinated and optimization controls. Local and coordinated controls act on network undervoltage and overvoltage problems. The optimized control, created in Python and based on a Predictive Control Model, determines the optimal operating curve for the batterys, reducing the energy cost of the system, being activated when the network does not present technical problems. Results showed a reduction of more than 16% in the energy cost of the network when enabling the optimized control, keeping the voltage profiles within regulatory limits. Thus, the proposed platform manages to carry out the technical-economic monitoring of the network, becoming a promising tool for the creation of active network management algorithms in dynamic simulations.
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| 12. |
- Erjefält, Jonas S., et al.
(författare)
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Diffuse alveolar damage patterns reflect the immunological and molecular heterogeneity in fatal COVID-19
- 2022
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Ingår i: EBioMedicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 2352-3964. ; 83
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Severe COVID-19 lung disease exhibits a high degree of spatial and temporal heterogeneity, with different histological features coexisting within a single individual. It is important to capture the disease complexity to support patient management and treatment strategies. We provide spatially decoded analyses on the immunopathology of diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) patterns and factors that modulate immune and structural changes in fatal COVID-19. Methods: We spatially quantified the immune and structural cells in exudative, intermediate, and advanced DAD through multiplex immunohistochemistry in autopsy lung tissue of 18 COVID-19 patients. Cytokine profiling, viral, bacteria, and fungi detection, and transcriptome analyses were performed. Findings: Spatial DAD progression was associated with expansion of immune cells, macrophages, CD8+ T cells, fibroblasts, and (lymph)angiogenesis. Viral load correlated positively with exudative DAD and negatively with disease/hospital length. In all cases, enteric bacteria were isolated, and Candida parapsilosis in eight cases. Cytokines correlated mainly with macrophages and CD8+T cells. Pro-coagulation and acute repair were enriched pathways in exudative DAD whereas intermediate/advanced DAD had a molecular profile of elevated humoral and innate immune responses and extracellular matrix production. Interpretation: Unraveling the spatial and molecular immunopathology of COVID-19 cases exposes the responses to SARS-CoV-2-induced exudative DAD and subsequent immune-modulatory and remodeling changes in proliferative/advanced DAD that occur side-by-side together with secondary infections in the lungs. These complex features have important implications for disease management and the development of novel treatments. Funding: CNPq, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, HC-Convida, FAPESP, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, and the Swedish Heart & Lung Foundation.
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| 13. |
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| 14. |
- Proenca, Audrey Menegaz, et al.
(författare)
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Genomic, biochemical, and phylogenetic evaluation of bacteria isolated from deep-sea sediment harboring methane hydrates
- 2022
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Ingår i: Archives of Microbiology. - : Springer. - 0302-8933 .- 1432-072X. ; 204:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Over half of the organic carbon on Earth's surface is trapped in marine sediment as methane hydrates. Ocean warming causes hydrate dissociation and methane leakage to the water column, rendering the characterization of microbes from hydrate depositions a pressing matter. Through genomic, phylogenetic, and biochemical assays, we characterize the first microorganisms isolated from the Rio Grande Cone (Brazil), reservoir responsible for massive methane releases to the water column. From sediment harboring rich benthic communities, we obtained 43 strains of Brevibacillus sp., Paenibacillus sp. and groups of Bacillus sp. Methane-enriched samples yielded strains of the Pseudomonas fluorescens complex, exhibiting fluorescent siderophore production and broad multi-carbon catabolism. Genomic characterization of a novel Pseudomonas sp. strain indicated 32 genes not identified in the closest related type-species, including proteins involved with mercury resistance. Our results provide phylogenetic and genomic insights on the first bacterial isolates retrieved from a poorly explored region of the South Atlantic Ocean.
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| 15. |
- Proletov, Ian, et al.
(författare)
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Primary and secondary glomerulonephritides 1.
- 2014
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Ingår i: Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1460-2385. ; 29 Suppl 3:May, s. 186-200
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)
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| 16. |
- Teixeira de Oliveira, Renata, et al.
(författare)
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Hydraulic traits of Jacaranda copaia (Aubl.) D. Don. (Bignoniaceae) in the Southwest Amazon
- 2023
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Ingår i: Revista Árvore. - : Sociedade de Investigações Florestais. - 0100-6762 .- 1806-9088. ; 47
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Trees transport water from underground to the atmosphere through the evapotranspiration process. Climate change can significantly compromise this process due to changes in land use, such as deforestation. This study aimed to characterize the hydraulic and anatomical attributes of Jacaranda copaia (Aubl.) D. Don (Bignoniaceae), in the Southwestern Brazilian Amazon. For this purpose, the xylem vulnerability curve of this species was described. The frequency and diameter of the xylem vessels and the stomata density were also measured. Finally, a hydraulic attribute of Jacaranda copaia was compared to other species at global, tropical, and Amazonian levels. The findings show that, in the region studied, the species Jacaranda copaia has diffuse-porous woods and numerous vessels (average vessel ranging from 8 to 14 nº/mm2) with small (<50µm) to medium (between 100 and 200 µm) diameters. The average stomatal density ranged from 289 to 309 stomata/mm2. The xylem hydraulic resistance to embolism (Ψ50) ranged from -0.814 to -2.400 MPa, with relatively narrow hydraulic safety margins (HSM50 ranging from -0.312 to 1.122; HSM88 ranging from 0.204 to 1.709). The average values of Ψ50 detected were similar to a large percentage of arboreal species at global, tropical, and Amazonian levels. Possibly, the studied species presents a more “risky” hydraulic strategy, with relatively narrow hydraulic safety margins, due to its dynamic character of fast growth, typical of pioneer species.
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| 17. |
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| 18. |
- Aijaz, Asim, et al.
(författare)
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Mechanical Properties of Hydrogen Free Diamond-Like Carbon Thin Films Deposited by High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering with Ne
- 2018
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Ingår i: Coatings. - : MDPI AG. - 2079-6412. ; 8:11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Hydrogen-free diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin films are attractive for a wide range of industrial applications. One of the challenges related to the use of hard DLC lies in the high intrinsic compressive stresses that limit the film adhesion. Here, we report on the mechanical and tribological properties of DLC films deposited by High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HiPIMS) with Ne as the process gas. In contrast to standard magnetron sputtering as well as standard Ar-based HiPIMS process, the Ne-HiPIMS lead to dense DLC films with increased mass density (up to 2.65 g/cm(3)) and a hardness of 23 GPa when deposited on steel with a Cr + CrN adhesion interlayer. Tribological testing by the pin-on-disk method revealed a friction coefficient of 0.22 against steel and a wear rate of 2 x 10(-17) m(3)/Nm. The wear rate is about an order of magnitude lower than that of the films deposited using Ar. The differences in the film properties are attributed to an enhanced C ionization in the Ne-HiPIMS discharge.
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| 19. |
- Alves, Gustavo R., et al.
(författare)
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International Cooperation for Remote Laboratory Use
- 2018
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Ingår i: Contributions to Higher Engineering Education. - Singapore : Springer. - 9789811089176 ; , s. 1-31
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Experimenting is fundamental to the training process of all scientists and engineers. While experiments have been traditionally done inside laboratories, the emergence of Information and Communication Technologies added two alternatives accessible anytime, anywhere. These two alternatives are known as virtual and remote laboratories and are sometimes indistinguishably referred as online laboratories. Similarly to other instructional technologies, virtual and remote laboratories require some effort from teachers in integrating them into curricula, taking into consideration several factors that affect their adoption (i.e., cost) and their educational effectiveness (i.e., benefit). This chapter analyzes these two dimensions and sustains the case where only through international cooperation it is possible to serve the large number of teachers and students involved in engineering education. It presents an example in the area of electrical and electronics engineering, based on a remote laboratory named Virtual Instruments System in Reality, and it then describes how a number of European and Latin American institutions have been cooperating under the scope of an Erasmus+ project, for spreading its use in Brazil and Argentina.
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| 20. |
- Antoniazzi, Igor, et al.
(författare)
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Oxygen intercalated graphene on SiC(0001) : Multiphase SiOx layer formation and its influence on graphene electronic properties
- 2020
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Ingår i: Carbon. - : Elsevier BV. - 0008-6223. ; 167, s. 746-759
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Low-dimensionality materials are highly susceptible to interfaces. Indeed, intercalation of different chemical species in between epitaxial graphene and silicon carbide (SiC), for instance, may decouple the graphene with respect to the substrate due to the conversion of the buffer layer into a graphene layer. O-intercalation is known to release the strain of such 2D material and to lead to the formation of high structural quality AB-stacked bilayer graphene. Nonetheless, this interface transformation concomitantly degrades graphene electronic transport properties. In this work we employed different techniques in order to better understand the structure of the graphene/SiC interface generated by O-intercalation and to elucidate the origin of the poor electronic properties of graphene. Experimental results revealed the formation of a SiO2 rich layer with a defective transition layer in between it and the SiC, which is characterized by the existence of silicon oxycarbide structures. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy measurements revealed an extensive presence of electronic states just around the Fermi level all over the sample surface, which may suppress the charge carriers mobility around this region. According to theoretical calculations, such states are mainly due to the formation of silicon oxicarbides within the interfacial layer.
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| 21. |
- Araujo, Jefferson, et al.
(författare)
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Characterizing complex mineral structures in thin sections of geological samples with a scanning hall effect microscope
- 2019
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Ingår i: Sensors. - : MDPI AG. - 1424-8220. ; 19:7
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We improved a magnetic scanning microscope for measuring the magnetic properties of minerals in thin sections of geological samples at submillimeter scales. The microscope is comprised of a 200 µm diameter Hall sensor that is located at a distance of 142 µm from the sample; an electromagnet capable of applying up to 500 mT DC magnetic fields to the sample over a 40 mm diameter region; a second Hall sensor arranged in a gradiometric configuration to cancel the background signal applied by the electromagnet and reduce the overall noise in the system; a custom-designed electronics system to bias the sensors and allow adjustments to the background signal cancelation; and a scanning XY stage with micrometer resolution. Our system achieves a spatial resolution of 200 µm with a noise at 6.0 Hz of 300 nT rms /(Hz) 1/2 in an unshielded environment. The magnetic moment sensitivity is 1.3 × 10 −11 Am 2 . We successfully measured the representative magnetization of a geological sample using an alternative model that takes the sample geometry into account and identified different micrometric characteristics in the sample slice.
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| 22. |
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| 23. |
- Bock, Wolfgang, et al.
(författare)
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Polymer measure : Varadhan’s renormalization revisited
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Reviews in Mathematical Physics. - : World Scientific. - 0129-055X. ; 27:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Through chaos decomposition, we improve the Varadhan estimate for the rate of convergence of the centered approximate self-intersection local time of planar Brownian motion.
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| 24. |
- Cardoso, Carlos, et al.
(författare)
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eNeuron project - facilitating the energy transition in a military campus by optimizing a local energy community
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Proceedings 27th International Conference on Electricity Distribution (CIRED 2023). - : IET. - 9781839538551
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The eNeuron project is an ongoing Horizon 2020 EU-funded project with the main objective of setting out a practical framework for optimising the design and operation of local energy communities (LECs), acting as multi-carrier energy hubs (EH) and micro-energy hubs (mEH). LECs are key in the transition towards green, decarbonised power from local and renewable sources. The consortium is developing and applying pioneering software and hardware solutions, putting them to the test in real energy communities and introducing new governance models. There are four demonstration Pilots in the eNeuron Project: The Polish City of Bydgoszcz, the Skagerak Energilab in Norway, the Lisbon Naval Base (LNB) in Portugal, and the UNIVPM University Campus in Italy. This paper focuses on presenting the Portuguese demo pilot: the Lisbon Naval Base, namely the development of the demonstration activities so far, roughly half of the duration of the project, as well as a balance of all supporting activities, such as Use Case definition, technical activities (asset definition and installation) and social activities (stakeholder engagement). This paper presents a description and conclusion of these activities so far, at the time that the eNeuron preliminary toolbox concept is ready to be shared and implemented in the Pilots.
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| 25. |
- Castro Alves, Victor Costas, 1986-, et al.
(författare)
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Speeding up the extraction of mushroom polysaccharides
- 2016
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Ingår i: Food Analytical Methods. - New York : Springer. - 1936-9751 .- 1936-976X. ; 9:9, s. 2429-2433
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Non-digestible polysaccharides from edible mush-rooms may have immunomodulatory properties. Therefore,the availability of mushroom polysaccharides is relevant for research or industrial purposes, as polysaccharides may be used as functional food ingredients. Recently, a method using successive extractions to obtain mushroom polysaccharides was developed, but it is time-consuming. As a way to enablea fast and efficient extraction, a set of improvements was proposed, allowing for obtaining water-soluble polysaccha-rides in half the time of the original method. Similar yield, composition, molecular weight, homogeneity and conforma-tion of polysaccharides obtained demonstrated that the optimised method could be explored as a fast and efficient way to obtain water-soluble non-digestible polysaccharides from mushrooms.
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| 26. |
- Castro Alves, Victor, 1986-, et al.
(författare)
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Characterization and immunomodulatory effects of glucans from Pleurotus albidus, a promising species of mushroom for farming and biomass production
- 2017
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Ingår i: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. - : Elsevier. - 0141-8130 .- 1879-0003. ; 95, s. 215-223
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Polysaccharides from a number of mushroom species are recognized as functional food ingredients with potential health benefits, including immunomodulatory effects. In this study, polysaccharides extracted from the basidiome with cold water (BaCW), hot water (BaHW), and hot alkali (BaHA) solution, and exo-(MyEX) and endopolysaccharides (MyEN) from the submerged culture of Pleurotus albidus, a promising species for farming and biomass production, were analyzed for their chemical composition and structure and immunomodulatory effects on macrophages. Compositional (HPAEC-PAD and HPSEC-RID/MWD) and structural (FT-IR, 1D- and 2D-NMR) analyses identified BaCW and MyEX as beta-(1,6)-branched beta-(1,3)-glucans, BaHW and MyEN as alpha-(1,3)-(1,2)-branched alpha-(1,6)-glucans, and BaHA as a mixture of alpha-(1,6) and beta-(1,3)-glucans. BaCW and MyEX stimulated the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and nitric oxide (NO), but not interleukin-6 (IL-6), and decreased phagocytosis of zymosan particles. In contrast, BaHW and MyEN induced TNF-alpha, NO and IL-6 production, and increased zymosan phagocytosis, while BaHA displayed intermediary effects in comparison the other polysaccharides. In conclusion, the basidiome and the submerged culture of P. albidus are sources of easily extractable alpha- and beta-glucans with potential immunomodulatory effects.
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| 27. |
- Castro Alves, Victor, 1986-, et al.
(författare)
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Polysaccharides from chayote enhance lipid efflux and regulate NLRP3 inflammasome priming in macrophage-like THP-1 cells exposed to cholesterol crystals
- 2019
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. - : Elsevier. - 0141-8130 .- 1879-0003. ; 127, s. 502-510
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The contribution of dietary fiber to decrease the risk of atherosclerosis may occur through other mechanisms besides the increased excretion of cholesterol. Although macrophages are crucial for lipid clearance, the excessive uptake of cholesterol crystals (CC) by these cells induce NLRP3 inflammasome and foam cell formation. Thus, we investigated whether the water-soluble DF from chayote (WSP) regulate CC-pretreated macrophage-like THP-1 cells. Linkage analysis indicated that WSP is composed mainly of pectic homogalacturonan and highly branched type I rhamnogalacturonan as well as hemicellulosic material including glucomannan, xyloglucan, and glucurono(arabino)xylan. WSP reduced interleukin (IL)-1β and chemokine release in CC-pretreated macrophages. Notably, WSP also reduced lipid accumulation in cells previously exposed to CC. Furthermore, WSP upregulated liver X receptor alpha expression, which may account for increased lipid efflux, and reduced matrix metallopeptidase 9 expression. WSP also reduced active caspase-1 protein levels, and downregulated NLRP3 and IL-1β gene expression in CC-pretreated cells, suggesting that this polysaccharide fraction regulates the priming signals required for NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Thus, WSP regulate lipid efflux and suppress inflammasome priming in macrophages, suggesting that the health benefits of this dietary fiber could go beyond its physical properties on the gastrointestinal tract.
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| 28. |
- Castro Alves, Victor, 1986-, et al.
(författare)
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Polysaccharides from raw and cooked chayote modulate macrophage function
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Food Research International. - : Elsevier. - 0963-9969 .- 1873-7145. ; 81, s. 171-179
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Chayote (Sechium edule) pulp is consumed raw or cooked and is source of polysaccharides with potential immunomodulatory properties in macrophages, which are cells that play important roles in homeostasis and innate immune responses to pathogens; however, these immunomodulatory effects of chayote polysaccharides remain unknown. Therefore, polysaccharides from raw (SeR) and cooked (SeC) chayote and from the hot water extract obtained after heating (SeH) were analyzed for their composition and effects on macrophages. Chayote has a high- (340 kDa) and a low- (46 kDa) molecular weight (MW) polysaccharide fraction containing high amounts of galactose, arabinose and galacturonic acid. After cooking, SeC was enriched in high-MW galactose-rich fractions, whereas SeH was enriched in low-MW arabinans and homogalaturonans-rich fractions. The polysaccharides induced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and nitric oxide (NO) secretion in macrophages; however,only SeR and SeH reduced TNF-α, NO and interleukin-6 secretion in activated macrophages. Furthermore, SeRand SeCW, but not SeC, affected phagocytic activity. In conclusion, bioactive polysaccharides in chayote modulate macrophage functions, and minor changes in composition resulting from the solubilization of a small proportion of low-MW arabinans and homogalacturonans during cooking accounted for the different effects of raw and cooked chayote.
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| 29. |
- Castro Alves, Victor, 1986-, et al.
(författare)
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Size matters : TLR4-mediated effects of α-(1,5)-linear arabino-oligosaccharides in macrophage-like cells depend on their degree of polymerization
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Food Research International. - : Elsevier. - 0963-9969 .- 1873-7145. ; 141
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Linear arabino-oligosaccharides (LAOS) produced from controlled enzymatic hydrolysis of arabinans from sugar beet are well-known because of their chain-length dependent prebiotic effects. However, it is not clear if these α-(1,5)-linked arabinose oligosaccharides can interact directly with immune system cells, as well as if its degree of polymerization (DP) influences possible biological effects. Four high purity LAOS with distinct DP were tested in macrophage-like cells exposed or not to LPS. Results shown that LAOS interact with Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 in a chain length-dependent manner. LAOS with higher DP induce stimulatory effects mainly through the TLR4/MyD88 pathway, thereby enhancing the release of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL-) 1β, 6, 12, and chemokines including MCP-1, RANTES, IL-8, and IP-10. Notably, LAOS with lower DP appears to have an opposite effect to those counterparts with higher DP, as they does not induce the secretion of cytokines and chemokines in macrophages-like cells, while also inhibit TLR4-mediated effects induced by both lipopolysaccharide and LAOS with higher DP. These findings provide not only insights into potential biological effects of LAOS, but also reveal that controlled enzymatic hydrolysis of sugar beet arabinans may lead to dietary oligosaccharides with desired biological properties.
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| 30. |
- Castro Alves, Victor, 1986-, et al.
(författare)
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α-and β-D-Glucans from the edible mushroom Pleurotus albidus differentially regulate lipid-induced inflammation and foam cell formation in human macrophage-like THP-1 cells
- 2018
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. - : Elsevier. - 0141-8130 .- 1879-0003. ; 111, s. 1222-1228
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Macrophages play an essential role in lipid metabolism; however, the excessive uptake of modified lipids andcholesterol crystals (CC) leads to the formation of pro-inflammatory lipid-laden macrophages called foam cells.Since theα-1,6- andβ-1,3-D-glucans from the basidiome and the mycelium of the edible mushroomPleurotusalbidushave previously been shown to regulate macrophage function, these glucans were tested in macro-phage-like THP-1 cells previously exposed to acetylated low-density lipoproteins (acLDL) or CC. The glucansinhibited lipid-induced inflammation, but only theβ-1,3-D-glucan regulated both the NLRP3 inflammasome ac-tivation and the expression of genes involved on lipid efflux in acLDL- or CC-pretreated cells, thereby reducingfoam cell formation. In contrast, the twoα-1,6-glucans tested inhibited foam cell formation only in acLDL-pretreated cells and had no effect on the expression of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gammaand liver X receptor alpha genes, suggesting that these glucans regulate lipid influx rather than lipid efflux.Thus,α-andβ-D-glucans differentially regulate lipid-induced inflammation and foam cell formation in macro-phage-like cells. Furthermore, results emphasize thatP. albidushas potential to be used as a functional food oras a source for the extraction of biologically-active glucans.
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| 31. |
- Charlton, Jennifer R., et al.
(författare)
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Beyond the tubule : pathological variants of LRP2, encoding the megalin receptor, result in glomerular loss and early progressive chronic kidney disease
- 2020
-
Ingår i: American Journal of Physiology - Renal Physiology. - : AMER PHYSIOLOGICAL SOC. - 1931-857X .- 1522-1466. ; 319:6, s. F988-F999
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Pathogenic variants in the LRP2 gene, encoding the multiligand receptor megalin, cause a rare autosomal recessive syndrome: Donnai-Barrow/Facio-Oculo-Acoustico-Renal (DB/FOAR) syndrome. Because of the rarity of the syndrome, the long-term consequences of the tubulopathy on human renal health have been difficult to ascertain, and the human clinical condition has hitherto been characterized as a benign tubular condition with asymptomatic low-molecularweight proteinuria. We investigated renal function and morphology in a murine model of DB/FOAR syndrome and in patients with DB/FOAR. We analyzed glomerular filtration rate in mice by FETC-inulin clearance and clinically characterized six families, including nine patients with DB/FOAR and nine family members. Urine samples from patients were analyzed by Western blot analysis and biopsy materials were analyzed by histology. In the mouse model, we used histological methods to assess nephrogenesis and postnatal renal structure and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging to assess glomerular number. In megalin-deficient mice, we found a lower glomerular filtration rate and an increase in the abundance of injury markers, such as kidney injury molecule-1 and N-acetyl-11-n-glucosaminidase. Renal injury was validated in patients, who presented with increased urinary kidney injury molecule-1, classical markers of chronic kidney disease, and glomerular proteinuria early in life. Megalin-deficient mice had normal nephrogenesis, but they had 19% fewer nephrons in early adulthood and an increased fraction of nephrons with disconnected glomerulotubular junction. In conclusion, megalin dysfunction, as present in DB/FOAR syndrome, confers an increased risk of progression into chronic kidney disease.
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| 32. |
- Collen, Pi Nyvall, et al.
(författare)
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Analysis of expressed sequence tags from the agarophyte Gracilaria tenuistipitata (Rhodophyta)
- 2012
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Ingår i: Journal of Applied Phycology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0921-8971 .- 1573-5176. ; 24:4, s. 641-647
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A total of 3,631 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were established from two size-selected cDNA libraries made from the tetrasporophytic phase of the agarophytic red alga Gracilaria tenuistipitata. The average sizes of the inserts in the two libraries were 1,600 bp and 600 bp, with an average length of the edited sequences of 850 bp. Clustering gave 2,387 assembled sequences with a redundancy of 53%. Of the ESTs, 65% had significant matches to sequences deposited in public databases, 11% to proteins without known function, and 35% were novel. The most represented ESTs were a Na/K-transporting ATPase, a hedgehog-like protein, a glycine dehydrogenase and an actin. Most of the identified genes were involved in primary metabolism and housekeeping. The largest functional group was thus genes involved in metabolism with 14% of the ESTs; other large functional categories included energy, transcription, and protein synthesis and destination. The codon usage was examined using a subset of the data, and the codon bias was found to be limited with all codon combinations used.
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| 33. |
- Crona, Joakim, et al.
(författare)
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ENSAT registry-based randomized clinical trials for adrenocortical carcinoma
- 2021
-
Ingår i: European Journal of Endocrinology. - : Bioscientifica. - 0804-4643 .- 1479-683X. ; 184:2, s. R51-R59
-
Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an orphan disease lacking effective systemic treatment options. The low incidence of the disease and high cost of clinical trials are major obstacles in the search for improved treatment strategies. As a novel approach, registry-based clinical trials have been introduced in clinical research, so allowing for significant cost reduction, but without compromising scientific benefit. Herein, we describe how the European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumours (ENSAT) could transform its current registry into one fit for a clinical trial infrastructure. The rationale to perform randomized registry-based trials in ACC is outlined including an analysis of relevant limitations and challenges. We summarize a survey on this concept among ENSAT members who expressed a strong interest in the concept and rated its scientific potential as high. Legal aspects, including ethical approval of registry-based randomization were identified as potential obstacles. Finally, we describe three potential randomized registry-based clinical trials in an adjuvant setting and for advanced disease with a high potential to be executed within the framework of an advanced ENSAT registry. Thus we, therefore, provide the basis for future registry-based trials for ACC patients. This could ultimately provide proof-of-principle of how to perform more effective randomized trials for an orphan disease.
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| 34. |
- Cruz, Raquel, et al.
(författare)
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Novel genes and sex differences in COVID-19 severity
- 2022
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Ingår i: Human Molecular Genetics. - : Oxford University Press. - 0964-6906 .- 1460-2083. ; 31:22, s. 3789-3806
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Here, we describe the results of a genome-wide study conducted in 11 939 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) positive cases with an extensive clinical information that were recruited from 34 hospitals across Spain (SCOURGE consortium). In sex-disaggregated genome-wide association studies for COVID-19 hospitalization, genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10−8) was crossed for variants in 3p21.31 and 21q22.11 loci only among males (P = 1.3 × 10−22 and P = 8.1 × 10−12, respectively), and for variants in 9q21.32 near TLE1 only among females (P = 4.4 × 10−8). In a second phase, results were combined with an independent Spanish cohort (1598 COVID-19 cases and 1068 population controls), revealing in the overall analysis two novel risk loci in 9p13.3 and 19q13.12, with fine-mapping prioritized variants functionally associated with AQP3 (P = 2.7 × 10−8) and ARHGAP33 (P = 1.3 × 10−8), respectively. The meta-analysis of both phases with four European studies stratified by sex from the Host Genetics Initiative (HGI) confirmed the association of the 3p21.31 and 21q22.11 loci predominantly in males and replicated a recently reported variant in 11p13 (ELF5, P = 4.1 × 10−8). Six of the COVID-19 HGI discovered loci were replicated and an HGI-based genetic risk score predicted the severity strata in SCOURGE. We also found more SNP-heritability and larger heritability differences by age (<60 or ≥60 years) among males than among females. Parallel genome-wide screening of inbreeding depression in SCOURGE also showed an effect of homozygosity in COVID-19 hospitalization and severity and this effect was stronger among older males. In summary, new candidate genes for COVID-19 severity and evidence supporting genetic disparities among sexes are provided.
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| 35. |
- de Bem, Andreza Fabro, et al.
(författare)
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Animal Models of Metabolic Disorders in the Study of Neurodegenerative Diseases : An Overview
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Frontiers in Neuroscience. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1662-4548 .- 1662-453X. ; 14
-
Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The incidence of metabolic disorders, as well as of neurodegenerative diseases—mainly the sporadic forms of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease—are increasing worldwide. Notably, obesity, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia have been indicated as early risk factors for sporadic forms of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. These conditions share a range of molecular and cellular features, including protein aggregation, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and blood-brain barrier dysfunction, all of which contribute to neuronal death and cognitive impairment. Rodent models of obesity, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia exhibit all the hallmarks of these degenerative diseases, and represent an interesting approach to the study of the phenotypic features and pathogenic mechanisms of neurodegenerative disorders. We review the main pathological aspects of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease as summarized in rodent models of obesity, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia.
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| 36. |
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| 37. |
- Donis, Daphne, et al.
(författare)
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Stratification strength and light climate explain variation in chlorophyll a at the continental scale in a European multilake survey in a heatwave summer
- 2021
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Ingår i: Limnology and Oceanography. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0024-3590 .- 1939-5590. ; 66:12, s. 4314-4333
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- To determine the drivers of phytoplankton biomass, we collected standardized morphometric, physical, and biological data in 230 lakes across the Mediterranean, Continental, and Boreal climatic zones of the European continent. Multilinear regression models tested on this snapshot of mostly eutrophic lakes (median total phosphorus [TP] = 0.06 and total nitrogen [TN] = 0.7 mg L-1), and its subsets (2 depth types and 3 climatic zones), show that light climate and stratification strength were the most significant explanatory variables for chlorophyll a (Chl a) variance. TN was a significant predictor for phytoplankton biomass for shallow and continental lakes, while TP never appeared as an explanatory variable, suggesting that under high TP, light, which partially controls stratification strength, becomes limiting for phytoplankton development. Mediterranean lakes were the warmest yet most weakly stratified and had significantly less Chl a than Boreal lakes, where the temperature anomaly from the long-term average, during a summer heatwave was the highest (+4 degrees C) and showed a significant, exponential relationship with stratification strength. This European survey represents a summer snapshot of phytoplankton biomass and its drivers, and lends support that light and stratification metrics, which are both affected by climate change, are better predictors for phytoplankton biomass in nutrient-rich lakes than nutrient concentrations and surface temperature.
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| 38. |
- Döhler, Jéssica S., et al.
(författare)
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An application of four-wire grid-forming power inverter in unbalanced distribution network
- 2023
-
Ingår i: IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution. - : Institution of Engineering and Technology. - 1751-8687 .- 1751-8695. ; 17:2, s. 324-336
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The modelling of a three-phase four-leg four-wire grid-forming inverter in a low voltage distribution system 18-bus European Cigre under unbalanced conditions in an autonomous distribution network is presented. The case study has two types of inverters control strategy: (i) grid-forming to supply all the system demand in the interval of the intentional supply interruption and (ii) grid-following to integrate photovoltaic renewable energy resources into power systems. The model suggests a control scheme with two loops: An inner current loop with a proportional-integral controller and an outer voltage loop with a proportional controller, both in the synchronous reference frame (dq0), in which dq-axis are decomposed in positive and negative sequences. Simulation results, carried out using the PSCAD software, showed the effectiveness of the suggested control strategy with smooth synchronization where the grid-forming inverter was able to form a network with an unbalanced degree lower than 2%, sinusoidal voltage and frequency within standard limits 49.5-50.5 Hz.
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| 39. |
- Ferreira, Fabio, et al.
(författare)
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Hard and dense diamond like carbon coatings deposited by deep oscillations magnetron sputtering
- 2018
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Ingår i: Surface & Coatings Technology. - : ELSEVIER SCIENCE SA. - 0257-8972 .- 1879-3347. ; 336, s. 92-98
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Recent developments in the automotive industry to improve engine efficiency and minimize pollutant emissions are driving the need for higher operating temperatures and loading densities in internal combustion engines. Future engines for internal combustion engines will require coatings with increased temperature stability (up to 500 degrees C) and wear resistance as compared to present day solutions. Hard tetrahedral DLC coatings (ta-C coatings) very low coefficient of friction and performed very well under mixed and boundary lubrication, and, thus, they are very attractive for automotive industry. In this work, DLC coatings were deposited by deep oscillations magnetron sputtering (DOMS), a variant of high power magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS). The main objective is to increase the sp(3) content in the films, as compared to d.c. magnetron sputtering (DCMS), and thus extend their operating range to higher temperatures. Increasing the bias voltage results in denser and smoother films with increasing hardness, as measured by nano-indentation, and increasing mass density, as measured by x-ray reflectivity. Accordingly, the UV Raman spectroscopy analysis of the films shows that the sp(3)/sp(2) ratio in the films increases with increasing substrate biasing. However, the sp(3) bonds convert back to sp(2) upon annealing. Never the less, a significantly higher amount of sp(3) bonds is formed in the DLC films deposited by DOMS, as compared to the DCMS ones, showing that DOMS is a promising path for the development of hard DLC films.
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| 40. |
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| 41. |
- Giongo, Adriana, et al.
(författare)
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Distinct deep subsurface microbial communities in two sandstone units separated by a mudstone layer
- 2020
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Ingår i: Geosciences Journal. - : Springer. - 1226-4806 .- 1598-7477. ; 24, s. 267-274
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Deep subsurface microbial communities are more abundant in coarse-grained sedimentary rocks such as sandstones than in fine-grained mudstones. The low porosity and low permeability of mudstones are believed to restrict microbial life. Then, it is expected that distinct, isolated microbial communities may form in sandstones separated by mudstones. In this context, the connectivity between microbial communities in different sandstone units can be investigated to infer evolutionary patterns of diversification in space-time, which may potentially contribute with relevant data for analyses of hydraulic connectivity and stratigraphic correlation. In this work, we used high throughput DNA sequencing of a ribosomal 16S gene fragment to characterize the prokaryotic communities found in Permian sandstone samples of the same core that are separated by one mudstone interval, in the Charqueadas coal field, Parana Basin (Southern Brazil). Our samples were collected at ∌300 m deep, in porous sandstones separated by a thick mudstone package. Differences in the bacterial community structure between samples were observed for the classified OTUs, from phylum to genus. Molecular biology might be further applied as a possible tool to help to understand the spatial and temporal distribution of depositional facies, and the efficiency of low permeability rocks to compartmentalize reservoirs. Ongoing studies aim to extend the present investigation into further analyses regarding lateral changes in microbial communities present in the same sandstone units.
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| 42. |
- Glas, Gerie J., et al.
(författare)
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Ventilation practices in burn patients-an international prospective observational cohort study
- 2021
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Ingår i: BURNS & TRAUMA. - : Oxford University Press. - 2321-3868 .- 2321-3876. ; 9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: It is unknown whether lung-protective ventilation is applied in burn patients and whether they benefit from it. This study aimed to determine ventilation practices in burn intensive care units (ICUs) and investigate the association between lung-protective ventilation and the number of ventilator-free days and alive at day 28 (VFD-28). Methods: This is an international prospective observational cohort study including adult burn patients requiring mechanical ventilation. Low tidal volume (V-T) was defined as V-T <= 8 mL/kg predicted body weight (PBW). Levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and maximum airway pressures were collected. The association between V-T and VFD-28 was analyzed using a competing risk model. Ventilation settings were presented for all patients, focusing on the first day of ventilation. We also compared ventilation settings between patients with and without inhalation trauma. Results: A total of 160 patients from 28 ICUs in 16 countries were included. Low V-T was used in 74% of patients, median V-T size was 7.3 [interquartile range (IQR) 6.2-8.3] mL/kg PBW and did not differ between patients with and without inhalation trauma (p= 0.58). Median VFD-28 was 17 (IQR 0-26), without a difference between ventilation with low or high V-T (p= 0.98). All patients were ventilated with PEEP levels >= 5 cmH(2)O; 80% of patients had maximum airway pressures <30 cmH(2)O. Conclusion: In this international cohort study we found that lung-protective ventilation is used in the majority of burn patients, irrespective of the presence of inhalation trauma. Use of low V-T was not associated with a reduction in VFD-28.
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| 43. |
- Guyon, Nicolas, et al.
(författare)
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Network asynchrony underlying increased broadband gamma power
- 2021
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Ingår i: The Journal of Neuroscience. - Stockholm : Karolinska Institutet, Dept of Neuroscience. - 0270-6474. ; 41:13, s. 2944-2963
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Synchronous activity of cortical inhibitory interneurons expressing parvalbumin (PV) underlies expression of cortical γ rhythms. Paradoxically, deficient PV inhibition is associated with increased broadband γ power in the local field potential. Increased baseline broadband γ is also a prominent characteristic in schizophrenia and a hallmark of network alterations induced by NMDAR antagonists, such as ketamine. Whether enhanced broadband γ is a true rhythm, and if so, whether rhythmic PV inhibition is involved or not, is debated. Asynchronous and increased firing activities are thought to contribute to broadband power increases spanning the γ band. Using male and female mice lacking NMDAR activity specifically in PV neurons to model deficient PV inhibition, we here show that neuronal activity with decreased synchronicity is associated with increased prefrontal broadband γ power. Specifically, reduced spike time precision and spectral leakage of spiking activity because of higher firing rates (spike “contamination”) affect the broadband γ band. Desynchronization was evident at multiple time scales, with reduced spike entrainment to the local field potential, reduced cross-frequency coupling, and fragmentation of brain states. Local application of S(1)-ketamine in (control) mice with intact NMDAR activity in PV neurons triggered network desynchronization and enhanced broadband γ power. However, our investigations suggest that disparate mechanisms underlie increased broadband γ power caused by genetic alteration of PV interneurons and ketamine-induced power increases in broadband c. Our study confirms that enhanced broadband γ power can arise from asynchronous activities and demonstrates that long-term deficiency of PV inhibition can be a contributor.
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| 44. |
- Holzapfel, André, 1976-, et al.
(författare)
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On the automatic identification of difficult examples for beat tracking : towards building new evaluation datasets
- 2012
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing (ICASSP). - : IEEE conference proceedings. ; , s. 89-92
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this paper, an approach is presented that identifies music samples which are difficult for current state-of-the-art beat trackers. In order to estimate this difficulty even for examples without ground truth, a method motivated by selective sampling is applied. This method assigns a degree of difficulty to a sample based on the mutual disagreement between the output of various beat tracking systems. On a large beat annotated dataset we show that this mutual agreement is correlated with the mean performance of the beat trackers evaluated against the ground truth, and hence can be used to identify difficult examples by predicting poor beat tracking performance. Towards the aim of advancing future beat tracking systems, we demonstrate how our method can be used to form new datasets containing a high proportion of challenging music examples.
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| 45. |
- Holzapfel, André, 1976-, et al.
(författare)
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Selective sampling for beat tracking evaluation
- 2012
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Ingår i: IEEE Transactions on Audio, Speech, and Language Processing. - : IEEE Press. - 1558-7916 .- 1558-7924. ; 20:9, s. 2539-2548
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this paper, we propose a method that can identify challenging music samples for beat tracking without ground truth. Our method, motivated by the machine learning method "selective sampling," is based on the measurement of mutual agreement between beat sequences. In calculating this mutual agreement we show the critical influence of different evaluation measures. Using our approach we demonstrate how to compile a new evaluation dataset comprised of difficult excerpts for beat tracking and examine this difficulty in the context of perceptual and musical properties. Based on tag analysis we indicate the musical properties where future advances in beat tracking research would be most profitable and where beat tracking is too difficult to be attempted. Finally, we demonstrate how our mutual agreement method can be used to improve beat tracking accuracy on large music collections.
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| 46. |
- Keller, Annika, et al.
(författare)
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Mutations in the gene encoding PDGF-B cause brain calcifications in humans and mice
- 2013
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Ingår i: Nature Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1061-4036 .- 1546-1718. ; 45:9, s. 1077-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Calcifications in the basal ganglia are a common incidental finding and are sometimes inherited as an autosomal dominant trait ( idiopathic basal ganglia calcification (IBGC)). Recently, mutations in the PDGFRB gene coding for the platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGF-R beta) were linked to IBGC. Here we identify six families of different ancestry with nonsense and missense mutations in the gene encoding PDGF-B, the main ligand for PDGF-R beta. We also show that mice carrying hypomorphic Pdgfb alleles develop brain calcifications that show age-related expansion. The occurrence of these calcium depositions depends on the loss of endothelial PDGF-B and correlates with the degree of pericyte and blood-brain barrier deficiency. Thus, our data present a clear link between Pdgfb mutations and brain calcifications in mice, as well as between PDGFB mutations and IBGC in humans.
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| 47. |
- Ketzer, João Marcelo, et al.
(författare)
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Gas seeps and gas hydrates in the Amazon deep-sea fan
- 2018
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Ingår i: Geo-Marine Letters. - : Springer. - 0276-0460 .- 1432-1157. ; 38:5, s. 429-438
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Deep-sea fans have been proposed to act as carbon sinks, rapid deposition driving shallow methanogenesis to favor net storage within the gas hydrate stability zone (GHSZ). Here, we present new evidence of widespread gas venting from the GHSZ on the upper Amazon deep-sea fan, together with analyses of the first samples of gas hydrates recovered offshore NE Brazil. Multibeam water column and seafloor imagery over an 18,000-km2 area of the upper Amazon fan reveal 53 water column gas plumes, rising from venting features in water depths of 650–2600 m. Most gas vents (60%) are located along seafloor faults that record the ongoing gravitational collapse of the fan above deep décollements, while others (40%) are located in water depths of 650–715 m within the upper edge of the GHSZ. Gas compositions from hydrates recovered in vents at three locations on and north of the fan indicate biogenic sources (dominantly methane with 2–15% of CO2; δ13C from − 81.1 to − 77.3‰), whereas samples from vents adjacent to the fan proper include possible thermogenic contributions (methane 95%, CO2 4%, and ethane 1%; δ13C – 59.2‰). These results concur with previous findings that the upper edge of the GHSZ may be sensitive to temporal changes in water temperatures, but further point to the importance of gas escape from within areas of gas hydrate stability. Our results suggest the role of fluid migration along pathways created by faulting within rapidly deposited passive margin depocenters, which are increasingly recognized to undergo gravitational collapse above décollements. Our findings add to evidence that gas can escape from sediments to the sea in areas where gas hydrates are stable on passive margins, and suggest the need of further studies of the dynamics of deep-sea depocenters in relation to carbon cycling.
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| 48. |
- Khan, Sharjeel Ahmed, et al.
(författare)
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A comparative study in the tribological behaviour of different DLC coatings sliding against titanium alloys
- 2024
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Ingår i: Wear. - : Elsevier. - 0043-1648 .- 1873-2577. ; 554-555
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this study, the tribological behaviour of different Diamond-like-Carbon (DLC) coatings sliding against titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) was analysed in a pin-on-disc tribometer at different applied loads to study effectiveness of tool coatings in titanium alloys machining. Three different DLC coatings were deposited on cemented carbide substrate using HiPIMS (DLC-Ar, DLC-Ne) and arc (DLC-Bn) deposition techniques. A detailed analysis of the wear track and titanium countersurfaces were performed following the tribotest to develop understanding about the wear mechanism and associated variation in the friction response. The results indicated that DLC-Ar presents low friction and reduced wear of coating and respective titanium countersurface at lowest load, seemingly due to its inherent tendency to spontaneously form graphitic transfer-layer at the interface. With an increase in the applied load, the tendency to retain tribofilm decreases as shearing ensue quickly exposing the underneath substrate material. The wear performance of DLC-Ne coatings is better than DLC-Ar under highest load and friction behaviour relatively close to DLC-Ar coatings. In comparison, under increased applied loads, DLC-Bn coatings offered better wear resistance and low friction compared with DLC-Ne and DLC-Ar coatings, which would offer improved performance in machining of titanium alloys.
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| 49. |
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| 50. |
- Khan, Sharjeel Ahmed, et al.
(författare)
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Surface Roughness Influence on Tribological Behavior of HiPIMS DLC Coatings
- 2023
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Ingår i: Tribology Transactions. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1040-2004 .- 1547-397X. ; 66:3, s. 565-575
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The application of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings in dry machining of difficult-to-machine materials has been gaining popularity due to high inertness, low coefficient of friction (COF), and high hardness of these coatings. Although the effect of surface roughness on the tribological properties of DLC coatings is of paramount importance, usually it is overlooked and coatings performance analysis was accomplished generally on highly polished substrates. The generation of polished surfaces is a time-consuming, labor-intensive process and, in most cases, not feasible for the industry due to its high cost. This article focuses on determining the effect of substrate (cemented carbide, WC-Co) surface roughness on the load-bearing capacity and tribological properties of DLC coatings deposited by High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HiPIMS) in Ne–Ar gas plasma. The DLC films were deposited onto WC-Co substrates with three different surface roughness profiles and their tribological performance were evaluated using a reciprocating tribotest. The high surface roughness resulted in increased wear rate due to high levels of asperities and increased potential for premature delamination of the coatings, while also causing severe damage to the counterbody due to inhibition of transfer film formation.
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