| 1. |
- Pecunia, Vincenzo, et al.
(author)
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Roadmap on energy harvesting materials
- 2023
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In: Journal of Physics. - : IOP Publishing. - 2515-7639. ; 6:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ambient energy harvesting has great potential to contribute to sustainable development and address growing environmental challenges. Converting waste energy from energy-intensive processes and systems (e.g. combustion engines and furnaces) is crucial to reducing their environmental impact and achieving net-zero emissions. Compact energy harvesters will also be key to powering the exponentially growing smart devices ecosystem that is part of the Internet of Things, thus enabling futuristic applications that can improve our quality of life (e.g. smart homes, smart cities, smart manufacturing, and smart healthcare). To achieve these goals, innovative materials are needed to efficiently convert ambient energy into electricity through various physical mechanisms, such as the photovoltaic effect, thermoelectricity, piezoelectricity, triboelectricity, and radiofrequency wireless power transfer. By bringing together the perspectives of experts in various types of energy harvesting materials, this Roadmap provides extensive insights into recent advances and present challenges in the field. Additionally, the Roadmap analyses the key performance metrics of these technologies in relation to their ultimate energy conversion limits. Building on these insights, the Roadmap outlines promising directions for future research to fully harness the potential of energy harvesting materials for green energy anytime, anywhere.
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| 2. |
- Schmidt, Amand F., et al.
(author)
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PCSK9 genetic variants and risk of type 2 diabetes : a mendelian randomisation study
- 2017
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In: The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology. - : ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. - 2213-8587 .- 2213-8595. ; 5:2, s. 97-105
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Statin treatment and variants in the gene encoding HMG-CoA reductase are associated with reductions in both the concentration of LDL cholesterol and the risk of coronary heart disease, but also with modest hyperglycaemia, increased bodyweight, and modestly increased risk of type 2 diabetes, which in no way off sets their substantial benefi ts. We sought to investigate the associations of LDL cholesterol-lowering PCSK9 variants with type 2 diabetes and related biomarkers to gauge the likely eff ects of PCSK9 inhibitors on diabetes risk. Methods In this mendelian randomisation study, we used data from cohort studies, randomised controlled trials, case control studies, and genetic consortia to estimate associations of PCSK9 genetic variants with LDL cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, HbA 1c, fasting insulin, bodyweight, waist-to-hip ratio, BMI, and risk of type 2 diabetes, using a standardised analysis plan, meta-analyses, and weighted gene-centric scores. Findings Data were available for more than 550 000 individuals and 51 623 cases of type 2 diabetes. Combined analyses of four independent PCSK9 variants (rs11583680, rs11591147, rs2479409, and rs11206510) scaled to 1 mmol/L lower LDL cholesterol showed associations with increased fasting glucose (0.09 mmol/L, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.15), bodyweight (1.03 kg, 0.24 to 1.82), waist-to-hip ratio (0.006, 0.003 to 0.010), and an odds ratio for type diabetes of 1.29 (1.11 to 1.50). Based on the collected data, we did not identify associations with HbA 1c (0.03%, -0.01 to 0.08), fasting insulin (0.00%, -0.06 to 0.07), and BMI (0.11 kg/m(2), -0.09 to 0.30). Interpretation PCSK9 variants associated with lower LDL cholesterol were also associated with circulating higher fasting glucose concentration, bodyweight, and waist-to-hip ratio, and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. In trials of PCSK9 inhibitor drugs, investigators should carefully assess these safety outcomes and quantify the risks and benefi ts of PCSK9 inhibitor treatment, as was previously done for statins.
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| 3. |
- Schmidt, Amand F., et al.
(author)
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Phenome-wide association analysis of LDL-cholesterol lowering genetic variants in PCSK9
- 2019
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In: BMC Cardiovascular Disorders. - : BMC. - 1471-2261 .- 1471-2261. ; 19:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: We characterised the phenotypic consequence of genetic variation at the PCSK9 locus and compared findings with recent trials of pharmacological inhibitors of PCSK9. Methods: Published and individual participant level data (300,000+ participants) were combined to construct a weighted PCSK9 gene-centric score (GS). Seventeen randomized placebo controlled PCSK9 inhibitor trials were included, providing data on 79,578 participants. Results were scaled to a one mmol/L lower LDL-C concentration. Results: The PCSK9 GS (comprising 4 SNPs) associations with plasma lipid and apolipoprotein levels were consistent in direction with treatment effects. The GS odds ratio (OR) for myocardial infarction (MI) was 0.53 (95% CI 0.42; 0.68), compared to a PCSK9 inhibitor effect of 0.90 (95% CI 0.86; 0.93). For ischemic stroke ORs were 0.84 (95% CI 0.57; 1.22) for the GS, compared to 0.85 (95% CI 0.78; 0.93) in the drug trials. ORs with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were 1.29 (95% CI 1.11; 1.50) for the GS, as compared to 1.00 (95% CI 0.96; 1.04) for incident T2DM in PCSK9 inhibitor trials. No genetic associations were observed for cancer, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or Alzheimer's disease - outcomes for which large-scale trial data were unavailable. Conclusions: Genetic variation at the PCSK9 locus recapitulates the effects of therapeutic inhibition of PCSK9 on major blood lipid fractions and MI. While indicating an increased risk of T2DM, no other possible safety concerns were shown; although precision was moderate.
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| 4. |
- Bednar, Peter, et al.
(author)
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Conquering Complex and Changing Systems through Recognition of Individual Uniqueness
- 2007
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In: Proceedings of the 6th European Conference on Research Methodology for Business and Management Studies. - 9781905305513 ; , s. 51-56
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- From the point of view of each individual’s sense-making, an organization is an emergent property of inter-individual sense-making processes and activities. The organization is a result of emergence from individual sense-making perspectives. A critically informed approach to research involves recognition / understanding of this emergence. Without the recognition of the uniqueness of each particular individual’s experience of organizational life this critical approach may be undermined. Within a logical empiricist tradition (LE), the focus of a researcher’s attention rests on increasing the precision and clarity with which a problem situation may be expressed. This can lead to an artificial separation of theory from praxis, of observation from observer and observed. ‘Knowing’ about organizational context may be deeply embedded and inaccessible to individuals concerned. Knowing is formed by on-going construction of meanings through synthesis of new data with past experience. A hermeneutic-dialectics (HD) perspective emphasises self-awareness of human individuals. It goes towards emancipation and transparency rather than clarity and precision. A researcher adopting an HD perspective will recognize that there are ambiguities inherent in socially-constructed world views. Critical Systemic Thinking assumes a critical position with regard to informed academic practices. However, a problem for critically-informed research is also a pedagogical one. The research audience needs not only to be engaged in a dialogue regarding a transformation of modern research practices, but also needs to be informed about which foundations these practices supposedly draw upon. So there is a two-fold challenge: the subject-matter of research, and unfamiliarity with critical perspectives by the audience for that research. It may be difficult to establish a dialogue with regard to critical of ways of thinking, if those ways are unknown to the audience.
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| 5. |
- Bednar, Peter, et al.
(author)
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Dealing with Complexity in Knowledge Sharing Processes’
- 2007
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In: [Host publication title missing]. - 9781905305537 ; , s. 101-108
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In a context of complex problem spaces, human individuals need support to carry out in-depth inquiry, generating many, diverse possibilities, without suffering from information overload. In earlier work, we have demonstrated the potential of a model of four-valued logic to provide support in a knowledge sharing environment by codifying, not knowledge, but categories of argument/assertion. In this paper, we extend the application of our model to a second order. In the first application, individually-created narratives are categorised according to four-valued logic: assertions of positive belief in alternatives, negative belief in alternatives, possibility of alternatives or ignorance of any alternative. A second order is illustrated through an example in which all assertions of positive or optimistic possible belief are considered by participants. The model is applied in order to identify clusters of narratives which appear to have characteristics in common, by creation of diversity networks. In this way, a more focused agenda for debate can be supported to emerge.
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| 6. |
- Bednar, Peter, et al.
(author)
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Facilitating IS capability – towards a new perspective on governance
- 2007
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In: [Host publication title missing]. - 9781905305421 ; , s. 25-34
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- It has been suggested that those organizations which have greatest competitive success are those in which information systems strategy is seen as integral to overall business strategy. Thus, the CIO is seen as a full member of the management team, and not as someone presiding over a separate functional area which provides a service to the rest. There is a need therefore for businesses to avoid such fragmentation, and to develop information systems ‘capability’, empowering all members of the organization to harness these resources effectively. At the same time, many firms are concerned to become leaner and more efficient by outsourcing some activities seen to be non-core. There is a need for those involved in IS governance to make choices which strike a balance between efficiency and effectiveness, in order to develop IS ‘capability’. In this paper, the authors discuss a need to reconsider perspectives on management of IS, from a leadership approach to one of facilitation. People at all levels must be empowered and supported to make the best use of available technologies, and information, by developing their own IS ‘capability’. The concept of IS governance, therefore, needs to be seen as a concern for the whole organization and not just the province of the CIO. Technical professionals have sometimes been regarded as the experts, who will put suitable systems in place on behalf of users. The authors believe that greater benefits can be gained by going beyond consultation with users, and encouraging collaborative design, in which individuals can be supported to shape their own requirements, and to own and control development of their own IS capability. The paper will discuss methods which we believe may provide appropriate support for individuals to achieve this.
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| 7. |
- Fudamoto, Yoshinobu, et al.
(author)
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The Extended [C II] under Construction? : Observation of the Brightest High-z Lensed Star-forming Galaxy at z=6.2
- 2024
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - : Institute of Physics Publishing (IOPP). - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 961:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present results of [C ii] 158 μm emission line observations, and report the spectroscopic redshift confirmation of a strongly lensed (μ ∼ 20) star-forming galaxy, MACS0308-zD1 at z = 6.2078 ± 0.0002. The [C ii] emission line is detected with a signal-to-noise ratio >6 within the rest-frame UV-bright clump of the lensed galaxy (zD1.1) and exhibits multiple velocity components; the narrow [C ii] has a velocity full width half maximum (FWHM) of 110 ± 20 km s−1, while broader [C ii] is seen with an FWHM of 230 ± 50 km s−1. The broader [C ii] component is blueshifted (−80 ± 20 km s−1) with respect to the narrow [C ii] component, and has a morphology that extends beyond the UV-bright clump. We find that, while the narrow [C ii] emission is most likely associated with zD1.1, the broader component is possibly associated with a physically distinct gas component from zD1.1 (e.g., outflowing or inflowing gas). Based on the nondetection of λ158μm dust continuum, we find that MACS0308-zD1's star formation activity occurs in a dust-free environment indicated by a strong upper limit of infrared luminosity ≲9 × 108L⊙. Targeting this strongly lensed faint galaxy for follow-up Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array and JWST observations will be crucial to characterize the details of typical galaxy growth in the early Universe.
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| 8. |
- Hsiao, Tiger Yu-Yang, et al.
(author)
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JWST Reveals a Possible z similar to 11 Galaxy Merger in Triply Lensed MACS0647-JD
- 2023
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In: Astrophysical Journal Letters. - : American Astronomical Society. - 2041-8205 .- 2041-8213. ; 949:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- MACS0647-JD is a triply lensed z similar to 11 galaxy originally discovered with the Hubble Space Telescope. The three lensed images are magnified by factors of similar to 8, 5, and 2 to AB mag 25.1, 25.6, and 26.6 at 3.5 mu m. The brightest is over a magnitude brighter than other galaxies recently discovered at similar redshifts z > 10 with JWST. Here, we report new JWST imaging that clearly resolves MACS0647-JD as having two components that are either merging galaxies or stellar complexes within a single galaxy. The brighter larger component "A" is intrinsically very blue (ss similar to-2.6 +/- 0.1), likely due to very recent star formation and no dust, and is spatially extended with an effective radius similar to 70 +/- 24 pc. The smaller component "B" (r similar to 20-+ 58 pc) appears redder (ss similar to-2 +/- 0.2), likely because it is older (100-200 Myr) with mild dust extinction (AV similar to 0.1 mag). With an estimated stellar mass ratio of roughly 2:1 and physical projected separation similar to 400 pc, we may be witnessing a galaxy merger 430 million years after the Big Bang. We identify galaxies with similar colors in a high-redshift simulation, finding their star formation histories to be dissimilar, which is also suggested by the spectral energy distribution fitting, suggesting they formed further apart. We also identify a candidate companion galaxy "C" similar to 3 kpc away, likely destined to merge with A and B. Upcoming JWST Near Infrared Spectrograph observations planned for 2023 January will deliver spectroscopic redshifts and more physical properties for these tiny magnified distant galaxies observed in the early universe.
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| 9. |
- Koehler, Jonathan, et al.
(author)
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An agenda for sustainability transitions research: State of the art and future directions
- 2019
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In: Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions. - : Elsevier BV. - 2210-4224 .- 2210-4232. ; 31, s. 1-32
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Research on sustainability transitions has expanded rapidly in the last ten years, diversified in terms of topics and geographical applications, and deepened with respect to theories and methods. This article provides an extensive review and an updated research agenda for the field, classified into nine main themes: understanding transitions; power, agency and politics; governing transitions; civil society, culture and social movements; businesses and industries; transitions in practice and everyday life; geography of transitions; ethical aspects; and methodologies. The review shows that the scope of sustainability transitions research has broadened and connections to established disciplines have grown stronger. At the same time, we see that the grand challenges related to sustainability remain unsolved, calling for continued efforts and an acceleration of ongoing transitions. Transition studies can play a key role in this regard by creating new perspectives, approaches and understanding and helping to move society in the direction of sustainability.
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| 10. |
- Meena, Ashish Kumar, et al.
(author)
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Two Lensed Star Candidates at z similar or equal to 4.8 behind the Galaxy Cluster MACS J0647.7+7015
- 2023
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In: Astrophysical Journal Letters. - : Institute of Physics (IOP). - 2041-8205 .- 2041-8213. ; 944:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report the discovery of two extremely magnified lensed star candidates behind the galaxy cluster MACS J0647.7+015 using recent multiband James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) NIRCam observations. The star candidates are seen in a previously known, z (phot) similar or equal to 4.8 dropout giant arc that straddles the critical curve. The candidates lie near the expected critical curve position, but lack clear counter-images on the other side of it, suggesting these are possibly stars undergoing caustic crossings. We present revised lensing models for the cluster, including multiply imaged galaxies newly identified in the JWST data, and use them to estimate background macro-magnifications of at least greater than or similar to 90 and greater than or similar to 50 at the positions of the two candidates, respectively. With these values, we expect effective, caustic-crossing magnifications of similar to[10(3)-10(5)] for the two star candidates. The spectral energy distributions of the two candidates match well the spectra of B-type stars with best-fit surface temperatures of similar to 10,000 K, and similar to 12,000 K, respectively, and we show that such stars with masses greater than or similar to 20 M (circle dot) and greater than or similar to 50 M (circle dot), respectively, can become sufficiently magnified to be observable. We briefly discuss other alternative explanations and conclude that these objects are likely lensed stars, but also acknowledge that the less-magnified candidate may alternatively reside in a star cluster. These star candidates constitute the second highest-redshift examples to date after Earendel at z (phot) similar or equal to 6.2, establishing further the potential of studying extremely magnified stars at high redshifts with JWST. Planned future observations, including with NIRSpec, will enable a more detailed view of these candidates in the near future.
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