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| 4. |
- Axfors, Cathrine, et al.
(author)
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Association between convalescent plasma treatment and mortality in COVID-19 : a collaborative systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
- 2021
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In: BMC Infectious Diseases. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1471-2334. ; 21:1
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Convalescent plasma has been widely used to treat COVID-19 and is under investigation in numerous randomized clinical trials, but results are publicly available only for a small number of trials. The objective of this study was to assess the benefits of convalescent plasma treatment compared to placebo or no treatment and all-cause mortality in patients with COVID-19, using data from all available randomized clinical trials, including unpublished and ongoing trials (Open Science Framework, ). Methods: In this collaborative systematic review and meta-analysis, clinical trial registries (ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform), the Cochrane COVID-19 register, the LOVE database, and PubMed were searched until April 8, 2021. Investigators of trials registered by March 1, 2021, without published results were contacted via email. Eligible were ongoing, discontinued and completed randomized clinical trials that compared convalescent plasma with placebo or no treatment in COVID-19 patients, regardless of setting or treatment schedule. Aggregated mortality data were extracted from publications or provided by investigators of unpublished trials and combined using the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman random effects model. We investigated the contribution of unpublished trials to the overall evidence. Results: A total of 16,477 patients were included in 33 trials (20 unpublished with 3190 patients, 13 published with 13,287 patients). 32 trials enrolled only hospitalized patients (including 3 with only intensive care unit patients). Risk of bias was low for 29/33 trials. Of 8495 patients who received convalescent plasma, 1997 died (23%), and of 7982 control patients, 1952 died (24%). The combined risk ratio for all-cause mortality was 0.97 (95% confidence interval: 0.92; 1.02) with between-study heterogeneity not beyond chance (I-2 = 0%). The RECOVERY trial had 69.8% and the unpublished evidence 25.3% of the weight in the meta-analysis. Conclusions: Convalescent plasma treatment of patients with COVID-19 did not reduce all-cause mortality. These results provide strong evidence that convalescent plasma treatment for patients with COVID-19 should not be used outside of randomized trials. Evidence synthesis from collaborations among trial investigators can inform both evidence generation and evidence application in patient care.
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| 5. |
- Roig-Puiggros, S., et al.
(author)
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Construction and reconstruction of brain circuits: normal and pathological axon guidance
- 2020
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In: Journal of Neurochemistry. - : Wiley. - 0022-3042 .- 1471-4159.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Perception of our environment entirely depends on the close interaction between the central and peripheral nervous system. In order to communicate each other, both systems must develop in parallel and in coordination. During development, axonal projections from the CNS as well as the PNS must extend over large distances to reach their appropriate target cells. To do so, they read and follow a series of axon guidance molecules. Interestingly, while these molecules play critical roles in guiding developing axons, they have also been shown to be critical in other major neurodevelopmental processes, such as the migration of cortical progenitors. Currently, a major hurdle for brain repair after injury or neurodegeneration is the absence of axonal regeneration in the mammalian CNS. By contrasts, PNS axons can regenerate. Many hypotheses have been put forward to explain this paradox but recent studies suggest that hacking neurodevelopmental mechanisms may be the key to promote CNS regeneration. Here we provide a seminar report written by trainees attending the second Flagship school held in Alpbach, Austria in September 2018 organized by the International Society for Neurochemistry (ISN) together with the Journal of Neurochemistry (JCN). This advanced school has brought together leaders in the fields of neurodevelopment and regeneration in order to discuss major keystones and future challenges in these respective fields.
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| 6. |
- Ahmed, Anisuddin, et al.
(author)
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Measuring the effectiveness of an integrated intervention package to improve the level of infection prevention and control : a multi-centre study in Bangladesh
- 2024
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In: Journal of Hospital Infection. - : Elsevier. - 0195-6701 .- 1532-2939. ; 145, s. 22-33
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) is a critical component of delivering safe, effective and high -quality healthcare services, and eliminating avoidable healthcare -associated infections (HAIs) in health facilities, predominantly in populationdense settings such as Bangladesh.Aim: Our study aimed to assess the effect of an integrated intervention package in improving the IPC level of the health facilities in Bangladesh.Methods: We conducted a pre -post intervention study in six district hospitals (DHs) and 13 Upazila Health Complexes (UHCs) in the six districts of Bangladesh. Baseline and endline assessments were conducted between March and December 2021 using the adapted World Health Organization Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework (WHO-IPCAF) tool. The IPCAF score, ranging from 0-800, was calculated by adding the scores of eight components, and the IPC promotion and practice level was categorized as Inadequate (0 -200), Basic (201-400), Intermediate (401-600) and Advanced (601-800). The integrated intervention package including IPC committee formation, healthcare provider training, logistics provision, necessary guidelines distribution, triage/flu corners establishment, and infrastructure development was implemented in all facilities.Results: The average IPCAF score across all the facilities showed a significant increase from 16% (95% CI: 11.5-20.65%) to 54% (95% CI: 51.4-57.1%). Overall, the IPCAF score increased by 34 percentage points (P<0.001) in DHs and 40 percentage points (P<0.001) in UHCs. Following the intervention, 12 (three DHs, nine UHCs) of 19 facilities progressed from inadequate to intermediate, and another three DHs upgraded from basic to intermediate in terms of IPC level.Conclusion: The integrated intervention package improved IPCAF score in all facilities.
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| 7. |
- Biswas, M. K., et al.
(author)
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In exploitation of genetic diversity in potato breeding
- 2010
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In: Agronomski Glasnik (Agronomy Journal). - Zagreb : Hrvatsko agronomsko društvo. - 1848-8900. ; 72:4-5, s. 261-276
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- With a view to select divergent parents genetic diversity was estimated among twenty genotypes. Thirty F1 progenies developed by line-tester mating were studied from seedling generation to first clonal generation for five important agronomic traits. Cluster analysis reveals that the parents could be grouped into seven different clusters. Cluster means showed wide range of variation for several traits among singles as well as multi genotypic clusters. Considering diversity pattern, parents should select from cluster I, III, IV, and V for the improvement of potato. Analysis of variance revealed that all most all the sources of variation were highly significant for all the studied traits in both generations. Parents Challisha, Lalpakri, Patnai, Chamak, Sadagoti, TPS-67 and TPS-364 were found to be good general combiners for tuber yield and yield contribution traits due to their gca effects. The sca effects showed that out of 30 hybrids 12 were found to have specific combining ability for tuber yield and those hybrids also exhibited considerable heterosis for tuber yield and yield contributing traits.
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| 8. |
- Ahmed, K. M., et al.
(author)
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Groundwater quality contrasts between Upper and Lower Dupi Tila Aquifers in Megacity Dhaka, Bangladesh
- 2011
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In: Groundwater quality contrasts between Upper and Lower Dupi Tila Aquifers in Megacity Dhaka, Bangladesh. - 9781907161162 ; , s. 71-74
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Dhaka is one of the fastest growing megacities of the world and is set to become the third largest by 2025. Currently about 86% of the municipal water supply comes from over 500 wells drilled in the Dupi Tila aquifers underlying the city. The Upper Dupi Tila aquifer (UDTA) is overexploited and a large part has been dewatered; abstractions from the lower Dupi Tila started only recently. Results of water analysis and EC surveys have been used to decipher the variations in groundwater quality in the UDTA and LDTA. EC surveys reveal a systematic deterioration of water quality in the vicinity of the Buriganga River in southeast Dhaka. The UDTA is more widely affected by anthropogenic processes than the LDTA, which still largely exhibits its intrinsic water quality characteristics. Regular monitoring and proper management practices are essential to protect the quality of this precarious resource.
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| 10. |
- Rahman, M., et al.
(author)
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The Ameliorating Effects Of Zingiber Zerumbet Linn On Sodium Arsenite-Induced Changes Of Blood Indices In Experimental Mice
- 2012
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In: Life Sciences and Medicine Research. - : Aston Journals. - 1948-7886. ; , s. LSMR-41-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of Zingiber zerumbet Linn powder on sodium arsenite-induced changes of blood indices in experimental mice. Swiss albino male mice were divided into four groups. The first group was used as control, while the second, third and fourth groups were treated with Z. zerumbet (L.) powder, sodium arsenite and Z. zerumbet (L.) powder plus sodium arsenite, respectively. Animals (third and fourth groups) were exposed to sodium arsenite at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight/day for 12 weeks. Exposure to sodium arsenite revealed a significant (p < 0.05) increase of serum urea, uric acid, triglyceride (TG), glucose levels and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Serum butyryl cholinesterase (BChE) activity significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in sodium arsenite-treated group as compared with control group. Interestingly, food supplemented with Z. zerumbet (L.) (50 mg/kg body weight/day) showed protective effect against sodium arsenite-induced increase of serum urea, uric acid and TG levels except serum glucose levels. Moreover, Z. zerumbet (L.) also abrogated the sodium arsenite-induced changes of BChE and ALP activities. Therefore, the ameliorating effects of Z. zerumbet (L.) on sodium arsenite-treated mice suggested the future application of Z. zerumbet (L.) to reduce or prevent arsenic toxicity in human.
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| 13. |
- Hassan, Mohammad M., et al.
(author)
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Serological Evidence of Avian Influenza in Captive Wild Birds in a Zoo and Two Safari Parks in Bangladesh
- 2020
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In: Veterinary Sciences. - : MDPI AG. - 2306-7381. ; 7:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Avian influenza (AI) is endemic and frequently causes seasonal outbreaks in winter in Bangladesh due to high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 and low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) H9N2. Among avian influenza A viruses (AIV), H5, H7, and H9 subtypes have the most zoonotic potential. Captive birds in zoos and safari parks are used for educational, recreational, breeding, and conservational purposes in Bangladesh. To screen for AIV in captive birds to assess potential public health threats, we conducted a cross-sectional study in two safari parks and one zoo in Bangladesh for four months, from November to December 2013 and from January to February 2014. We collected blood samples, oropharyngeal, and cloacal swabs from 228 birds. We tested serum samples for AIV antibodies using competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA) and AIV sero-subtype H5, H7, and H9 using hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. Swab samples were tested for the presence of avian influenza viral RNA using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). Across all the samples, AIV antibody prevalence was 9.7% (95% CI: 6.1-14.2, n = 228) and AIV HA subtype H5, H7 and H9 sero-prevalence was 0% (95% CI: 0-1.6, n = 228), 0% (95% CI: 0-1.6, n = 228) and 6.6% (95% CI: 3.72-10.6, n = 228), respectively. No AI viral RNA (M-gene) was detected in any swab sample (0%, 95% CI: 0-1.6, n = 228). Birds in the Safari park at Cox's Bazar had a higher prevalence in both AIV antibody prevalence (13.5%) and AIV H9 sero-prevalence (9.6%) than any of the other sites, although the difference was not statistically significant. Among eight species of birds, Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) had the highest sero-positivity for both AIV antibody prevalence (26.1%) and AIV H9 prevalence (17.4%) followed by Golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) with AIV antibody prevalence of 18.2% and AIV H9 prevalence of 11.4%. Our results highlight the presence of AI antibodies indicating low pathogenic AIV mingling in captive birds in zoos and safari parks in Bangladesh. Continuous programmed surveillance is therefore recommended to help better understand the diversity of AIVs and provide a clear picture of AI in captive wild birds, enabling interventions to reduce the risk of AIV transmission to humans.
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| 16. |
- Akhter, Shahida, et al.
(author)
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Glassy behavior of diluted Cu-Zn ferrites
- 2018
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In: Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials. - : ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV. - 0304-8853 .- 1873-4766. ; 452, s. 261-265
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The magnetic behavior of Zn substituted Cu-Zn spinel ferrites having chemical formula Cu1-xZnxFe2O4 (x = 0.7, 0.8, 0.9 and 1.0) has been studied by SQUID magnetometry, by means of magnetic hysteresis, field-cooled (FC) and zero-field-cooled (ZFC) magnetization, memory effect and low field ac susceptibility measurements. These measurements suggest that the ferrimagnetic phase of the x <= 0.8 samples is gradually turned into a spin glass (x >= 0.9). The compound with x = 0.9 exhibits the typical dynamical behavior of spin glasses, with indication of aging, rejuvenation and memory effects. The evolution of the magnetic properties of Cu-Zn spinel ferrites with substitution of Zn for Cu is discussed.
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| 17. |
- Akhter, Shahida, et al.
(author)
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Magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of Cu1-xZnxFe2O4 (x=0.6, 0.7, 0.8) ferrites
- 2014
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In: Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials. - : Elsevier BV. - 0304-8853 .- 1873-4766. ; 367, s. 75-80
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The effect of Zn substitution on the magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of Cu1-xZnxFe2O4 (x=0.6, 0.7, 0.8) ferrites over a wide temperature range has been investigated. The polycrystalline samples were synthesized using the solid-state reaction at sintering temperature 1050 degrees C (1323 K) for 2 h and has been characterized by SQUID magnetometry. Magnetization versus temperature showed that all samples exhibit a paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition with decreasing temperature. The Curie temperature T-c is found to decrease from 373 K for x=0.6 to 140 K for x=0.8 as well as the saturation magnetization Ms which shifts from 100 to 44 emu/gm. The magnetocaloric effect was obtained by measuring a family of M-I1 curves at set temperature intervals and calculating the entropy change, LIS for this system using the Maxwell relation. The AS of all samples increased with increasing applied field and showed a maximum around their respective 'Fe. The entropy change (Delta S) decreased with increasing Zn content, whereas the relative cooling power (RCP) slightly increased. The large RCP and Delta S found in Zn substitution Cu-Zn ferrites will be interesting for magnetic refrigeration near room temperature.
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| 19. |
- Gardner, Renee M., et al.
(author)
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Arsenic methylation efficiency increases during the first trimester of pregnancy independent of folate status
- 2011
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In: Reproductive Toxicology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0890-6238 .- 1873-1708. ; 31:2, s. 210-218
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Exposure to inorganic arsenic during pregnancy may negatively influence the offspring, though efficient metabolism of arsenic to dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) likely reduces the health risks. This study aimed to evaluate methylation of arsenic over the entire pregnancy and the influence of nutritional status. We studied longitudinally the arsenic metabolite pattern in the urine of 324 pregnant women exposed to arsenic via drinking water and food in rural Bangladesh. Metabolism of arsenic to DMA increased markedly over the course of pregnancy, with the greatest improvement occurring in the first trimester, along with a marked decrease in the most risk-associated monomethylated metabolite. This improvement in methylation was not associated with nutritional status, including vitamin B(12) and folate. Efficient methylation to DMA was associated with improved urinary excretion of arsenic, relative to blood arsenic concentrations, indicating that micronutrient-independent up-regulation of arsenic metabolism already in early pregnancy may provide protection for the fetus.
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| 20. |
- Gardner, Renee M, et al.
(author)
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Pregnancy and the methyltransferase genotype independently influence the arsenic methylation phenotype.
- 2012
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In: Pharmacogenetics & Genomics. - 1744-6872 .- 1744-6880. ; 22:7, s. 508-516
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: The methyltransferase genotype and pregnancy both influence the arsenic metabolism phenotype, but it is unknown whether these factors interact, explaining the drastic changes in the efficiency of arsenic metabolism observed among pregnant women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relative contribution of the methyltransferase genotype and pregnancy to the arsenic metabolism phenotype. METHODS: We studied longitudinally the arsenic metabolite pattern in urine (at approximately gestational weeks 8, 14, and 30) of 303 women exposed to arsenic through drinking water and food in rural Bangladesh. Urinary arsenic metabolites were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Data were available on genotypes for 16 polymorphisms, combined as haplotypes, in three methyltransferases: arsenic(+III)methyltransferase (AS3MT) and DNA-methyltransferases 1a and 3b (DNMT1a and DNMT3b). Changes in the arsenic metabolite pattern over time were evaluated by haplotype using logistic quantile regression. RESULTS: All four AS3MT haplotypes and all three DNMT1a haplotypes significantly influenced the metabolite pattern in the pregnant women, with consistent effects of genotype over the entire course of pregnancy. No interaction was found between the haplotypes and pregnancy-related changes in the arsenic metabolism phenotype. DNMT3b haplotypes did not significantly influence the metabolite pattern. We observed a pregnancy-attributable decrease of 5.7% in the most risk-associated monomethylated metabolite, methylarsonic acid, whereas changes between 1.6 and 5.3% of methylarsonic acid could be attributed to haplotypes of AS3MT and DNMT1a. CONCLUSION: Independent of the genotype, the efficiency of arsenic methylation increased markedly over the course of pregnancy. The effect of pregnancy on the metabolite pattern during the observational period was greater than the effect of genotype.
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| 21. |
- van Halem, D., et al.
(author)
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Small-scale piped water supply : End-user inclusive water research in arsenic affected areas in India and Bangladesh (DELTAP)
- 2018
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In: Environmental Arsenic in a ChangingWorld - 7th International Congress and Exhibition Arsenic in the Environment, 2018. - London : CRC Press/Balkema. - 9781138486096 ; , s. 636-637
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- DELTAP is a multi-disciplinary research project, where geologists, water treatment scientists and industrial design engineers join forces to develop an integrated approach towards small-scale piped water supply (SPWS) systems in the arsenic-affected Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna Delta. The project has started in 2016 with a field study in Bihar (India) with a focus on water quality mapping with mobile crowd participation. The coming years the research will continue with 3 PhD candidates, both in India and Bangladesh, with the ultimate aim to develop blueprints for end-user inclusive SPWS systems.
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| 23. |
- Dankert, André, 1986, et al.
(author)
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Spin-Polarized Tunneling through Chemical Vapor Deposited Multilayer Molybdenum Disulfide
- 2017
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In: ACS Nano. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1936-086X .- 1936-0851. ; 11:6, s. 6389-6395
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has attracted widespread attention for its extraordinary electrical-, optical-, spin-, and valley-related properties. Here, we report on spin-polarized tunneling through chemical vapor deposited multilayer MoS2 (∼7 nm) at room temperature in a vertically fabricated spin-valve device. A tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) of 0.5–2% has been observed, corresponding to spin polarization of 5–10% in the measured temperature range of 300–75 K. First-principles calculations for ideal junctions result in a TMR up to 8% and a spin polarization of 26%. The detailed measurements at different temperature, bias voltages, and density functional theory calculations provide information about spin transport mechanisms in vertical multilayer MoS2 spin-valve devices. These findings form a platform for exploring spin functionalities in 2D semiconductors and understanding the basic phenomena that control their performance.
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| 24. |
- Dorsey, E. Ray, et al.
(author)
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Deep Phenotyping of Parkinson's Disease
- 2020
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In: Journal of Parkinson's Disease. - : IOS Press. - 1877-7171 .- 1877-718X. ; 10:3, s. 855-873
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Phenotype is the set of observable traits of an organism or condition. While advances in genetics, imaging, and molecular biology have improved our understanding of the underlying biology of Parkinson's disease (PD), clinical pheno-typing of PD still relies primarily on history and physical examination. These subjective, episodic, categorical assessments are valuable for diagnosis and care but have left gaps in our understanding of the PD phenotype. Sensors can provide objective, continuous, real-world data about the PD clinical phenotype, increase our knowledge of its pathology, enhance evaluation of therapies, and ultimately, improve patient care. In this paper, we explore the concept of deep phenotyping-the comprehensive assessment of a condition using multiple clinical, biological, genetic, imaging, and sensor-based tools-for PD. We discuss the rationale for, outline current approaches to, identify benefits and limitations of, and consider future directions for deep clinical phenotyping.
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| 25. |
- Hakim, M. A., et al.
(author)
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Dilution of the magnetic moment of Fe by Cr for Fe73.5-xCrxCu1Nb3Si13.5B9 and the field-cooled and zero-field-cooled behavior for higher Cr content
- 2008
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In: Journal of the Korean Physical Society. - 0374-4884 .- 1976-8524. ; 53:2, s. 766-771
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The temperature and the field dependences of the magnetization have been measured for Fe73.5-xCrxCu1Nb3Si13.5B9 (0 < ;= x < ;= 17.5) prepared by using a melt spin technique. The temperature dependence of the magnetization in the range of 5 to 300 K with an applied field of I Tesla for all the compositions follows the relaxation M(T) = M-0(1 - BT3/2 - CT5/2), which is indicative of the presence of a spin wave excitation. The saturation magnetizations at 5 and 300 K decrease linearly with Cr concentration for the entire composition range, which indicates that a simple dilution of the Fe moment takes place due to Cr substitution. The field-cooled (FC) and the zero-field-cooled (ZFC) magnetizations measured with an applied field of 1 Oe show divergences for x = 10, 12.5, 15 and 17.5, which may be attributed to the magnetic hardening at low temperatures.
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