| 1. |
- Petroff, E., et al.
(author)
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A polarized fast radio burst at low Galactic latitude
- 2017
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In: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : Oxford Academic. - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 469:4, s. 4465-4482
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report on the discovery of a new fast radio burst (FRB), FRB 150215, with the Parkes radio telescope on 2015 February 15. The burst was detected in real time with a dispersion measure (DM) of 1105.6 +/- 0.8 pc cm(-3), a pulse duration of 2.8(-0.5)(+1.2) ms, and a measured peak flux density assuming that the burst was at beam centre of 0.7(-0.1)(+0.2) Jy. The FRB originated at a Galactic longitude and latitude of 24.66 degrees, 5.28 degrees and 25 degrees away from the Galactic Center. The burst was found to be 43 +/- 5 per cent linearly polarized with a rotation measure (RM) in the range -9 < RM < 12 rad m(-2) (95 per cent confidence level), consistent with zero. The burst was followed up with 11 telescopes to search for radio, optical, X-ray, gamma-ray and neutrino emission. Neither transient nor variable emission was found to be associated with the burst and no repeat pulses have been observed in 17.25 h of observing. The sightline to the burst is close to the Galactic plane and the observed physical properties of FRB 150215 demonstrate the existence of sight lines of anomalously low RM for a given electron column density. The Galactic RM foreground may approach a null value due to magnetic field reversals along the line of sight, a decreased total electron column density from the Milky Way, or some combination of these effects. A lower Galactic DM contribution might explain why this burst was detectable whereas previous searches at low latitude have had lower detection rates than those out of the plane.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Carvalho, E. de, et al.
(author)
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EU FP7 INFSO-ICT-317669 METIS, D3.1 Positioning of multi-node/multi-antenna technologies
- 2013
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This document describes the research activity in multi-node/multi-antenna technologies within METIS and positions it with respect to the state-of-the-art in the academic literature and in the standardization bodies. Based on the state-of-the-art and as well as on the METIS objectives,we set the research objectives and we group the different activities (or technology components) into research clusters with similar research objectives. The technologycomponents and the research objectives have been set to achieve an ambidextrous purpose. On one side we aim at providing the METIS system with those technological components that are a natural but non-trivial evolution of 4G. On the other side, we aim at seeking for disruptivetechnologies that could radically change 5G with respect to 4G. Moreover, we mapped the different technology components to METIS’ other activities and to the overall goals of theproject.
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| 4. |
- Daemen, A., et al.
(author)
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Improving the preoperative classification of adnexal masses as benign or malignant by second-stage tests
- 2011
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In: Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology. - : Wiley. - 1469-0705 .- 0960-7692. ; 37:1, s. 100-106
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective The aim of this study was to establish when a second-stage diagnostic test may be of value in cases where a primary diagnostic test has given an uncertain diagnosis of the benign or malignant nature of an adnexal mass. Methods The diagnostic performance with regard to discrimination between benign and malignant adnexal masses for mathematical models including ultrasound variables and for subjective evaluation of ultrasound findings by an experienced ultrasound examiner was expressed as area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity. These were calculated for the total study population of 1938 patients with an adnexal mass as well as for sub-populations defined by the certainty with which the diagnosis of benignity or malignancy was made. The effect of applying a second-stage test to the tumors where risk estimation was uncertain was determined. Results The best mathematical model (LR1) had an AUC of 0.95, sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 84% when applied to all tumors. When model LR1 was applied to the 10% of tumors in which the calculated risk fell closest to the risk cut-off of the model, the AUC was 0.59, sensitivity 90% and specificity 21%. A strategy where subjective evaluation was used to classify these 10% of tumors for which LR1 performed poorly and where LR1 was used in the other 90% of tumors resulted in a sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 90%. Applying subjective evaluation to all tumors yielded an AUC of 0.95, sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 93%. Sensitivity was 81% and specificity 47% for those patients where the ultrasound examiner was uncertain about the diagnosis (n = 115; 5.9%). No mathematical model performed better than did subjective evaluation among the 115 tumors where the ultrasound examiner was uncertain. Conclusion When model LR1 is used as a primary test for discriminating between benign and malignant adnexal masses, the use of subjective evaluation of ultrasound findings by an experienced examiner as a second-stage test in the 10% of cases for which the model yields a risk of malignancy closest to its risk cut-off will improve specificity without substantially decreasing sensitivity. However, none of the models tested proved suitable as a second-stage test in tumors where subjective evaluation yielded an uncertain result. Copyright (C) 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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| 5. |
- Fantini, R, et al.
(author)
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EU FP7 INFSO-ICT-317669 METIS, D3.2 First performance results for multi-node/multi-antenna transmission technologies
- 2014
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This deliverable describes the current results of the multi-node/multi-antenna technologies investigated within METIS and analyses the interactions within and outside Work Package 3. Furthermore, it identifies the most promising technologies based on the current state of obtained results. This document provides a brief overview of the results in its first part. The second part, namely the Appendix, further details the results, describes the simulation alignment efforts conducted in the Work Package and the interaction of the Test Cases. The results described here show that the investigations conducted in Work Package 3 are maturing resulting in valuable innovative solutions for future 5G systems.
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| 6. |
- Di Paolo, Carolina, et al.
(author)
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The value of zebrafish as an integrative model in effect-directed analysis : a review
- 2015
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In: Environmental Sciences Europe. - : Springer. - 2190-4707 .- 2190-4715. ; 27:8, s. 1-11
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Bioassays play a central role in effect-directed analysis (EDA), and their selection and application have to consider rather specific aspects of this approach. Meanwhile, bioassays with zebrafish, an established model organism in different research areas, are increasingly being utilized in EDA. Aiming to contribute for the optimal application of zebrafish bioassays in EDA, this review provides a critical overview of previous EDA investigations that applied zebrafish bioassays, discusses the potential contribution of such methods for EDA and proposes strategies to improve future studies. Over the last 10 years, zebrafish bioassays have guided EDA of natural products and environmental samples. The great majority of studies performed bioassays with embryos and early larvae, which allowed small-scale and low-volume experimental setups, minimized sample use and reduced workload. Biotesting strategies applied zebrafish bioassays as either the only method guiding EDA or instead integrated into multiple bioassay approaches. Furthermore, tiered biotesting applied zebrafish methods in both screening phase as well as for further investigations. For dosing, most of the studies performed solvent exchange of extracts and fractions to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as carrier. However, high DMSO concentrations were required for the testing of complex matrix extracts, indicating that future studies might benefit from the evaluation of alternative carrier solvents or passive dosing. Surprisingly, only a few studies reported the evaluation of process blanks, indicating a need to improve and standardize methods for blank preparation and biotesting. Regarding evaluated endpoints, while acute toxicity brought limited information, the assessment of specific endpoints was of strong value for bioactivity identification. Therefore, the bioassay specificity and sensitivity to identify the investigated bioactivity are important criteria in EDA. Additionally, it might be necessary to characterize the most adequate exposure windows and assessment setups for bioactivity identification. Finally, a great advantage of zebrafish bioassays in EDA of environmental samples is the availability of mechanism- and endpoint-specific methods for the identification of important classes of contaminants. The evaluation of mechanism-specific endpoints in EDA is considered to be a promising strategy to facilitate the integration of EDA into weight-of-evidence approaches, ultimately contributing for the identification of environmental contaminants causing bioassay and ecological effects.
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| 7. |
- Fabritz, Larissa, et al.
(author)
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Dynamic risk assessment to improve quality of care in patients with atrial fibrillation : the 7th AFNET/EHRA Consensus Conference
- 2021
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In: Europace. - : Oxford University Press. - 1099-5129 .- 1532-2092. ; 23:3, s. 329-344
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AimsThe risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF) and its complications continues to increase, despite good progress in preventing AF-related strokes.Methods and resultsThis article summarizes the outcomes of the 7th Consensus Conference of the Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET) and the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) held in Lisbon in March 2019. Sixty-five international AF specialists met to present new data and find consensus on pressing issues in AF prevention, management and future research to improve care for patients with AF and prevent AF-related complications. This article is the main outcome of an interactive, iterative discussion between breakout specialist groups and the meeting plenary. AF patients have dynamic risk profiles requiring repeated assessment and risk-based therapy stratification to optimize quality of care. Interrogation of deeply phenotyped datasets with outcomes will lead to a better understanding of the cardiac and systemic effects of AF, interacting with comorbidities and predisposing factors, enabling stratified therapy. New proposals include an algorithm for the acute management of patients with AF and heart failure, a call for a refined, data-driven assessment of stroke risk, suggestions for anticoagulation use in special populations, and a call for rhythm control therapy selection based on risk of AF recurrence.ConclusionThe remaining morbidity and mortality in patients with AF needs better characterization. Likely drivers of the remaining AF-related problems are AF burden, potentially treatable by rhythm control therapy, and concomitant conditions, potentially treatable by treating these conditions. Identifying the drivers of AF-related complications holds promise for stratified therapy.
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| 8. |
- Haaksma, Miriam L., et al.
(author)
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The Impact of Frailty and Comorbidity on Institutionalization and Mortality in Persons With Dementia : A Prospective Cohort Study
- 2019
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In: Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. - : Elsevier BV. - 1525-8610 .- 1538-9375. ; 20:2, s. 165-170
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: The predictive value of frailty and comorbidity, in addition to more readily available information, is not widely studied. We determined the incremental predictive value of frailty and comorbidity for mortality and institutionalization across both short and long prediction periods in persons with dementia.Design: Longitudinal clinical cohort study with a follow-up of institutionalization and mortality occurrence across 7 years after baseline.Setting and Participants: 331 newly diagnosed dementia patients, originating from 3 Alzheimer centers (Amsterdam, Maastricht, and Nijmegen) in the Netherlands, contributed to the Clinical Course of Cognition and Comorbidity (4C) Study.Measures: We measured comorbidity burden using the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics (CIRS-G) and constructed a Frailty Index (FI) based on 35 items. Time-to-death and time-to-institutionalization from dementia diagnosis onward were verified through linkage to the Dutch population registry.Results: After 7 years, 131 patients were institutionalized and 160 patients had died. Compared with a previously developed prediction model for survival in dementia, our Cox regression model showed a significant improvement in model concordance (U) after the addition of baseline CIRS-G or FI when examining mortality across 3 years (FI: U = 0.178, P = .005, CIRS-G: U = 0.180, P = .012), but not for mortality across 6 years (FI: U = 0.068, P = .176, CIRS-G: U = 0.084, P = .119). In a competing risk regression model for time-to-institutionalization, baseline CIRS-G and FI did not improve the prediction across any of the periods.Conclusions: Characteristics such as frailty and comorbidity change over time and therefore their predictive value is likely maximized in the short term. These results call for a shift in our approach to prognostic modeling for chronic diseases, focusing on yearly predictions rather than a single prediction across multiple years. Our findings underline the importance of considering possible fluctuations in predictors over time by performing regular longitudinal assessments in future studies as well as in clinical practice.
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| 9. |
- Keasar, Chen, et al.
(author)
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An analysis and evaluation of the WeFold collaborative for protein structure prediction and its pipelines in CASP11 and CASP12
- 2018
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In: Scientific Reports. - : NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP. - 2045-2322. ; 8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Every two years groups worldwide participate in the Critical Assessment of Protein Structure Prediction (CASP) experiment to blindly test the strengths and weaknesses of their computational methods. CASP has significantly advanced the field but many hurdles still remain, which may require new ideas and collaborations. In 2012 a web-based effort called WeFold, was initiated to promote collaboration within the CASP community and attract researchers from other fields to contribute new ideas to CASP. Members of the WeFold coopetition (cooperation and competition) participated in CASP as individual teams, but also shared components of their methods to create hybrid pipelines and actively contributed to this effort. We assert that the scale and diversity of integrative prediction pipelines could not have been achieved by any individual lab or even by any collaboration among a few partners. The models contributed by the participating groups and generated by the pipelines are publicly available at the WeFold website providing a wealth of data that remains to be tapped. Here, we analyze the results of the 2014 and 2016 pipelines showing improvements according to the CASP assessment as well as areas that require further adjustments and research.
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| 10. |
- Ligthart-Melis, Gerdien C., et al.
(author)
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Frailty, Sarcopenia, and Malnutrition Frequently (Co-)occur in Hospitalized Older Adults : A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
- 2020
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In: Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. - : ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. - 1525-8610 .- 1538-9375. ; 21:9, s. 1216-1228
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to summarize the prevalence of, and association between, physical frailty or sarcopenia and malnutrition in older hospitalized adults.Design: A systematic literature search was performed in 10 databases.Setting and Participants: Articles were selected that evaluated physical frailty or sarcopenia and malnutrition according to predefined criteria and cutoffs in older hospitalized patients.Measures: Data were pooled in a meta-analysis to evaluate the prevalence of prefrailty and frailty [together (pre-)frailty], sarcopenia, and risk of malnutrition and malnutrition [together (risk of) malnutrition], and the association between either (pre-)frailty or sarcopenia and (risk of) malnutrition.Results: Forty-seven articles with 18,039 patients (55% female) were included in the systematic review, and 39 articles (8868 patients, 62% female) were eligible for the meta-analysis. Pooling 11 studies (2725 patients) revealed that 84% [95% confidence interval (CI): 77%, 91%, I-2 = 98.4%] of patients were physically (pre-)frail. Pooling 15 studies (4014 patients) revealed that 37% (95% CI: 26%, 48%, I-2 = 98.6%) of patients had sarcopenia. Pooling 28 studies (7256 patients) revealed a prevalence of 66% (95% CI: 58%, 73%, I-2 = 98.6%) (risk of) malnutrition. Pooling 10 studies (2427 patients) revealed a high association [odds ratio (OR): 5.77 (95% CI: 3.88, 8.58), P < .0001, I-2 = 42.3%] and considerable overlap (49.7%) between physical (pre-)frailty and (risk of) malnutrition. Pooling 7 studies (2506 patients) revealed a high association [OR: 4.06 (95% CI: 2.43, 6.80), P < .0001, I-2 = 71.4%] and considerable overlap (41.6%) between sarcopenia and (risk of) malnutrition.Conclusions and Implications: The association between and prevalence of (pre-)frailty or sarcopenia and (risk of) malnutrition in older hospitalized adults is substantial. About half of the hospitalized older adults suffer from 2 and perhaps 3 of these debilitating conditions. Therefore, standardized screening for these conditions at hospital admission is highly warranted to guide targeted nutritional and physical interventions.
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