| 1. |
- Baldacci, Filippo, et al.
(author)
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Age and sex impact plasma NFL and t-Tau trajectories in individuals with subjective memory complaints: a 3-year follow-up study.
- 2020
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In: Alzheimer's research & therapy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1758-9193. ; 12:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Plasma neurofilament light (NFL) and total Tau (t-Tau) proteins are candidate biomarkers for early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The impact of biological factors on their plasma concentrations in individuals with subjective memory complaints (SMC) has been poorly explored. We longitudinally investigate the effect of sex, age, APOE ε4 allele, comorbidities, brain amyloid-β (Aβ) burden, and cognitive scores on plasma NFL and t-Tau concentrations in cognitively healthy individuals with SMC, a condition associated with AD development.Three hundred sixteen and 79 individuals, respectively, have baseline and three-time point assessments (at baseline, 1-year, and 3-year follow-up) of the two biomarkers. Plasma biomarkers were measured with an ultrasensitive assay in a mono-center cohort (INSIGHT-preAD study).We show an effect of age on plasma NFL, with women having a higher increase of plasma t-Tau concentrations compared to men, over time. The APOE ε4 allele does not affect the biomarker concentrations while plasma vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with higher plasma t-Tau concentrations. Both biomarkers are correlated and increase over time. Baseline NFL is related to the rate of Aβ deposition at 2-year follow-up in the left-posterior cingulate and the inferior parietal gyri. Baseline plasma NFL and the rate of change of plasma t-Tau are inversely associated with cognitive score.We find that plasma NFL and t-Tau longitudinal trajectories are affected by age and female sex, respectively, in SMC individuals. Exploring the influence of biological variables on AD biomarkers is crucial for their clinical validation in blood.
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| 2. |
- Mewton, Nathan, et al.
(author)
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Rationale and design of the Cyclosporine to ImpRove Clinical oUtcome in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients (the CIRCUS trial)
- 2015
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In: American Heart Journal. - : Elsevier BV. - 1097-6744 .- 0002-8703. ; 169:6, s. 6-766
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Both acute myocardial ischemia and reperfusion contribute to cardiomyocyte death in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The final infarct size is the principal determinant of subsequent clinical outcome in STEMI patients. In a proof-of-concept phase II trial, the administration of cyclosporine prior to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) has been associated with a reduction of infarct size in STEMI patients. Methods CIRCUS is an international, prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. The study is designed to compare the efficacy and safety of cyclosporine versus placebo, in addition to revascularization by PPCI, in patients presenting with acute anterior myocardial infarction within 12 hours of symptoms onset and initial TIMI flow <= 1 in the culprit left anterior descending coronary artery. Patients are randomized in a 1: 1 fashion to 2.5 mg/kg intravenous infusion of cyclosporine or matching placebo performed in theminutes preceding PCI. The primary efficacy end point of CIRCUS is a composite of 1-year all-cause mortality, rehospitalization for heart failure or heart failure worsening during initial hospitalization, and left ventricular adverse remodeling as determined by sequential transthoracic echochardiography. Secondary outcomes will be tested using a hierarchical sequence of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and absolute measurements of LV volumes. The composite of death and rehospitalization for heart failure or heart failure worsening during initial hospitalization will be further assessed at three years after the initial infarction. Results Recruitment lasted from April 2011 to February 2014. The CIRCUS trial has recruited 975 patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction. The 12-months results are expected to be available in 2015. Conclusions The CIRCUS trial is testing the hypothesis that cyclosporine in addition to early revascularization with PPCI compared to placebo in patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction reduces the incidence of death, heart failure and adverse LV remodeling at one-year follow-up.
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| 3. |
- Stendal, Marie-France, et al.
(author)
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BEM to BIM in the early design phase: A comparison between static and dynamic heating energy predictions
- 2023
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In: Low-exergy heating & cooling. - 1742-6596. ; 2600
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Due to climate change and increasing pressures on resources, the demand for more energy-efficient buildings is increasing globally. Building information modeling (BIM) and building energy modeling (BEM) are two essential tools to make the necessary transition to net-zero energy buildings (NZEB). This article presents two case studies aiming to automate information from the BIM model to predict annual heating energy use at the early design phase (EDP) using static energy calculations. This article presents a comparison between results obtained with the static and dynamic energy calculations with the building energy simulation (BES) package IDA-ICE. The goal of the static calculations is to allow working directly in the BIM model in real time to obtain annual energy use based on building surfaces, heated floor area, heated volume, and other inputs related to the heating degree-day (HDD) method. This article shows that the static method provides results that differ by ±25% from results of the dynamic method, which is sufficiently precise at an early design phase to provide guidance to the architects, who make key decisions affecting building energy performance.
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| 4. |
- Stendal, Marie-France
(author)
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Building Information Modeling for Environmental Impact Assessment in Early Design Phases : A Literature Review
- 2022
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In: Open Journal of Applied Sciences. - : Scientific Research Publishing, Inc.. - 2165-3925 .- 2165-3917. ; 12:1
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Research review (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The building sector is the largest consumer of energy in industrial countries. Saving energy in new buildings or building renovations can thus lead to significant global environmental impacts. In this endeavor, building information modeling (BIM) and building energy modeling (BEM) are two important tools to make the transition to net-zero energy buildings (NZEB). So far, little attention has been devoted, in the literature, to discuss the connection between BIM, BEM, and Life-cycle assessment (LCA), which is the main topic of this article. A literature review of 157 journal articles and conference proceedings published between 1990 and 2020 is presented. This review outlines knowledge gaps concerning BIM, BEM, and environmental impact assessment. It suggests that defining the process with the right technology (at the right time) would result in a more integrated design process (IDP) and bridge current gaps. The most efficient way to improve process and technology is related to the competences of the architects, engineers and constructors (AEC). The review also indicates that the IDP in the early design phases (EDP) is in need of improvement for architects and engineers, where a better connection between design phases, specific levels of development (LOD) and BIM tools is needed. Competences, process and technology are the three main themes addressed in the review. Their relation to design phases and LOD is discussed. The aim is to propose possible solutions to the current hinders in BIM-to-BEM (BIM2BEM) and BIM-for-LCA (BIM4LCA) integration.
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| 5. |
- Stendal, Marie-France, et al.
(author)
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Predicting annual heating energy use using BIM : A simplified method for early design phase
- 2023
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In: eWork and eBusiness in Architecture, Engineering and Construction - Proceedings of the 14th European Conference on Product and Process Modelling, ECPPM 2022. - London : CRC Press. - 9781032406732 ; , s. 311-318
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Building information modeling (BIM) and building energy modeling (BEM) are two key tools to make the transition to net-zero energy buildings (NZEB). However, a recent literature review indicated that the conversion from BIM to BEM is currently dysfunctional, due to limitations regarding competencies, processes, and technology. In this article, a case study is presented to show how the information in the BIM model can be used to calculate the annual heating energy use (kWh/m2, year) using the simple degree-day method and extracting building envelope surfaces, heated floor area, and heated volume in the BIM model. The proposed method is for very early design phase (EDP) when architects are starting to determine the general building shape, window sizes, etc. This case study is a residential building called Eskilshem, located in Södermanland, Sweden (latitude 59.4◦ N, longitude 16.5◦ E) designed by White arkitekter in 2020. This article presents the workflow and equations embedded in BIM to obtain annual heat energy demand at EDP.
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| 6. |
- Vergallo, Andrea, et al.
(author)
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Plasma β-secretase1 concentrations correlate with basal forebrain atrophy and neurodegeneration in cognitively healthy individuals at risk for AD.
- 2021
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In: Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association. - : Wiley. - 1552-5279. ; 17:4, s. 629-640
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Increased β-secretase 1 (BACE1) protein concentration, in body fluids, is a candidate biomarker of Alzheimer's disease (AD).We reported that plasma BACE1 protein concentrations are associated with the levels of brain amyloidβ(Αβ) accumulation in cognitively healthy individuals with subjective memory complaint (SMC).In 302 individuals from the same cohort, we investigated the cross-sectional and longitudinal association between plasma BACE1 protein concentrations and AD biomarkers of neurodegeneration (plasma t-tau and Neurofilament light chain (NfL), fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), brain volumes in the basal forebrain [BF], hippocampus, and entorhinal cortex).We report a positive longitudinal correlation of BACE1 with both NfL and t-tau, as well as a correlation between annual BACE1 changes and bi-annual reduction of BF volume. We show a positive association between BACE1 and FDG-PET signal at baseline.The association between plasma BACE1 protein concentrations and BF atrophy we found in cognitively healthy individuals with SMC corroborates translational studies, suggesting a role of BACE1 in neurodegeneration.
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| 7. |
- Ahmmad, Sheikh Rishad, et al.
(author)
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Impact of Building Geometry, Window Types, and Materials on Daylighting Performance of Livestock Buildings
- 2024
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In: 15th International Congress on Agricultural Mechanization and Energy in Agriculture - ANKAgEng 2023. - 2366-2565 .- 2366-2557. - 9783031515781 ; 458 LNCE, s. 262-274
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The availability and quality of natural light in livestock buildings affect the welfare and productivity of animals and their caretakers, while affecting the energy performance of the buildings. This study investigated the impact of different building properties on daylight conditions of livestock buildings. The study was conducted via parametric daylight simulations in Climatestudio. Firstly, building geometries with different facade orientations, width-to-length ratios, and roof pitches were simulated. Secondly, different glazing types, sizes, and locations were considered for their respective daylight performance. Finally, the use of different materials for the facade, floor and roof of the buildings were simulated and comparatively analysed. The study analysed the simulation results to assess daylight availability in relation to different building properties. The results provided insight that can help determine building geometry, window properties, and material selection during the design process. Overall, the study highlighted the importance of further research and development of design guidelines and standards that incorporate these factors to improve the daylighting performance of these buildings, while ensuring animal welfare and productivity.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Arsenault, Helene, et al.
(author)
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Effects of glazing colour type on perception of daylight quality, arousal, and switch-on patterns of electric light in office rooms
- 2012
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In: Building and Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-684X .- 0360-1323. ; 56, s. 223-231
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A study is presented about the effects of three glazing colour types (blue, neutral, bronze) on daylight quality, arousal and switch-on patterns for electric lights. This study was carried out using a scale model (1:4) of an office room, where subjective evaluations of the luminous conditions were performed by 36 participants (mean age 23.8 years) with their upper bodies immersed in the model. The evaluations were achieved using questionnaires designed to assess five light quality factors: 1) visual comfort; 2) naturality; 3) pleasantness; 4) precision (of details and textures) and 5) light level. Mixed model analyses of the questions revealed significant higher scores for pleasantness (p = 0.003) comfort (p = 0.015) and light level (p = 0.044) for the bronze glazing type compared to the blue and neutral glazing, confirming results of earlier studies. Results from a paired t-test on the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) scores indicated that the level of self-reported arousal decreased in presence of the blue glazing. However, the analysis did not reveal significant results regarding switch-on patterns of electric lights. Overall, the study shows that there is a preference for daylight filtered through bronze window glazing and that the glazing colour type may have a significant effect on arousal level of office workers. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 10. |
- Bournas, Iason, et al.
(author)
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Daylight regulation compliance of existing multi-family apartment blocks in Sweden
- 2019
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In: Building and Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0360-1323. ; 150, s. 254-265
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This research investigates the daylight regulation compliance of existing multi-family housing developments located primarily in Stockholm (Lat.: 59,33 °N), Sweden. A representative sample of 54 buildings consisting of 10.888 individual rooms was modelled according to archived documentation drawings and evaluated by use of Radiance simulations, to test their compliance with the current Swedish daylight regulation. The studied buildings were selected according to their relevance to major architectural typologies of Swedish urban planning history (1926–1991). The assessment was based on a point Daylight Factor scheme (DFP), which stipulates that a specific point in a room should achieve a Daylight Factor DFP ≥ 1%, for the room to be sufficiently daylit. Results indicate that specific architectural typologies consistently yield poor DFP levels compared to other ones. A moderate correlation was found between the density of surroundings and the percentage of compliant rooms per housing development. Finally, the results indicate the existence of distinct periods during Swedish urban planning history, when daylight performance of multi-family houses was affected by different planning practices. Future investigations are under development to evaluate the occupants’ perception of daylight in their apartments, to help define new daylight performance indicators and benchmarks for Swedish households, taking into consideration the limitations of the daylight indicator embedded in the current regulation.
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