| 1. |
- van Leeuwen, F., et al.
(author)
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Gaia Data Release 1 : Open cluster astrometry: Performance, limitations, and future prospects
- 2017
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 601
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context. The first Gaia Data Release contains the Tycho-Gaia Astrometric Solution (TGAS). This is a subset of about 2 million stars for which, besides the position and photometry, the proper motion and parallax are calculated using Hipparcos and Tycho-2 positions in 1991.25 as prior information. Aims. We investigate the scientific potential and limitations of the TGAS component by means of the astrometric data for open clusters. Methods. Mean cluster parallax and proper motion values are derived taking into account the error correlations within the astrometric solutions for individual stars, an estimate of the internal velocity dispersion in the cluster, and, where relevant, the effects of the depth of the cluster along the line of sight. Internal consistency of the TGAS data is assessed. Results. Values given for standard uncertainties are still inaccurate and may lead to unrealistic unit-weight standard deviations of least squares solutions for cluster parameters. Reconstructed mean cluster parallax and proper motion values are generally in very good agreement with earlier Hipparcos-based determination, although the Gaia mean parallax for the Pleiades is a significant exception. We have no current explanation for that discrepancy. Most clusters are observed to extend to nearly 15 pc from the cluster centre, and it will be up to future Gaia releases to establish whether those potential cluster-member stars are still dynamically bound to the clusters. Conclusions. The Gaia DR1 provides the means to examine open clusters far beyond their more easily visible cores, and can provide membership assessments based on proper motions and parallaxes. A combined HR diagram shows the same features as observed before using the Hipparcos data, with clearly increased luminosities for older A and F dwarfs.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Jones, Benedict C, et al.
(author)
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To which world regions does the valence-dominance model of social perception apply?
- 2021
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In: Nature Human Behaviour. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2397-3374. ; 5:1, s. 159-169
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Over the past 10 years, Oosterhof and Todorov's valence-dominance model has emerged as the most prominent account of how people evaluate faces on social dimensions. In this model, two dimensions (valence and dominance) underpin social judgements of faces. Because this model has primarily been developed and tested in Western regions, it is unclear whether these findings apply to other regions. We addressed this question by replicating Oosterhof and Todorov's methodology across 11 world regions, 41 countries and 11,570 participants. When we used Oosterhof and Todorov's original analysis strategy, the valence-dominance model generalized across regions. When we used an alternative methodology to allow for correlated dimensions, we observed much less generalization. Collectively, these results suggest that, while the valence-dominance model generalizes very well across regions when dimensions are forced to be orthogonal, regional differences are revealed when we use different extraction methods and correlate and rotate the dimension reduction solution. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: The stage 1 protocol for this Registered Report was accepted in principle on 5 November 2018. The protocol, as accepted by the journal, can be found at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.7611443.v1 .
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| 6. |
- Tinetti, G., et al.
(author)
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A chemical survey of exoplanets with ARIEL
- 2018
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In: Experimental Astronomy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0922-6435 .- 1572-9508. ; 46:1, s. 135-209
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Thousands of exoplanets have now been discovered with a huge range of masses, sizes and orbits: from rocky Earth-like planets to large gas giants grazing the surface of their host star. However, the essential nature of these exoplanets remains largely mysterious: there is no known, discernible pattern linking the presence, size, or orbital parameters of a planet to the nature of its parent star. We have little idea whether the chemistry of a planet is linked to its formation environment, or whether the type of host star drives the physics and chemistry of the planet’s birth, and evolution. ARIEL was conceived to observe a large number (~1000) of transiting planets for statistical understanding, including gas giants, Neptunes, super-Earths and Earth-size planets around a range of host star types using transit spectroscopy in the 1.25–7.8 μm spectral range and multiple narrow-band photometry in the optical. ARIEL will focus on warm and hot planets to take advantage of their well-mixed atmospheres which should show minimal condensation and sequestration of high-Z materials compared to their colder Solar System siblings. Said warm and hot atmospheres are expected to be more representative of the planetary bulk composition. Observations of these warm/hot exoplanets, and in particular of their elemental composition (especially C, O, N, S, Si), will allow the understanding of the early stages of planetary and atmospheric formation during the nebular phase and the following few million years. ARIEL will thus provide a representative picture of the chemical nature of the exoplanets and relate this directly to the type and chemical environment of the host star. ARIEL is designed as a dedicated survey mission for combined-light spectroscopy, capable of observing a large and well-defined planet sample within its 4-year mission lifetime. Transit, eclipse and phase-curve spectroscopy methods, whereby the signal from the star and planet are differentiated using knowledge of the planetary ephemerides, allow us to measure atmospheric signals from the planet at levels of 10–100 part per million (ppm) relative to the star and, given the bright nature of targets, also allows more sophisticated techniques, such as eclipse mapping, to give a deeper insight into the nature of the atmosphere. These types of observations require a stable payload and satellite platform with broad, instantaneous wavelength coverage to detect many molecular species, probe the thermal structure, identify clouds and monitor the stellar activity. The wavelength range proposed covers all the expected major atmospheric gases from e.g. H2O, CO2, CH4 NH3, HCN, H2S through to the more exotic metallic compounds, such as TiO, VO, and condensed species. Simulations of ARIEL performance in conducting exoplanet surveys have been performed – using conservative estimates of mission performance and a full model of all significant noise sources in the measurement – using a list of potential ARIEL targets that incorporates the latest available exoplanet statistics. The conclusion at the end of the Phase A study, is that ARIEL – in line with the stated mission objectives – will be able to observe about 1000 exoplanets depending on the details of the adopted survey strategy, thus confirming the feasibility of the main science objectives.
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| 7. |
- Cruz, Raquel, et al.
(author)
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Novel genes and sex differences in COVID-19 severity
- 2022
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In: Human Molecular Genetics. - : Oxford University Press. - 0964-6906 .- 1460-2083. ; 31:22, s. 3789-3806
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)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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| 8. |
- Lanzon, Borja, et al.
(author)
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Lipidomic and Metabolomic Signature of Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients with Severe Obesity
- 2021
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In: Metabolites. - : MDPI. - 2218-1989 .- 2218-1989. ; 11:12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Severe obesity is a major risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Early detection and careful monitoring of renal function are critical for the prevention of CKD during obesity, since biopsies are not performed in patients with CKD and diagnosis is dependent on the assessment of clinical parameters. To explore whether distinct lipid and metabolic signatures in obesity may signify early stages of pathogenesis toward CKD, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography-high resolution accurate mass-mass spectrometry (GC-HRAM-MS) analyses were performed in the serum and the urine of severely obese patients with and without CKD. Moreover, the impact of bariatric surgery (BS) in lipid and metabolic signature was also studied, through LC-MS and GC-HRAM-MS analyses in the serum and urine of patients with severe obesity and CKD before and after undergoing BS. Regarding patients with severe obesity and CKD compared to severely obese patients without CKD, serum lipidome analysis revealed significant differences in lipid signature. Furthermore, serum metabolomics profile revealed significant changes in specific amino acids, with isoleucine and tyrosine, increased in CKD patients compared with patients without CKD. LC-MS and GC-HRAM-MS analysis in serum of patients with severe obesity and CKD after BS showed downregulation of levels of triglycerides (TGs) and diglycerides (DGs) as well as a decrease in branched-chain amino acid (BCAA), lysine, threonine, proline, and serine. In addition, BS removed most of the correlations in CKD patients against biochemical parameters related to kidney dysfunction. Concerning urine analysis, hippuric acid, valine and glutamine were significantly decreased in urine from CKD patients after surgery. Interestingly, bariatric surgery did not restore all the lipid species, some of them decreased, hence drawing attention to them as potential targets for early diagnosis or therapeutic intervention. Results obtained in this study would justify the use of comprehensive mass spectrometry-based lipidomics to measure other lipids aside from conventional lipid profiles and to validate possible early markers of risk of CKD in patients with severe obesity.
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| 9. |
- Lona-Durazo, Frida, et al.
(author)
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Meta-analysis of GWA studies provides new insights on the genetic architecture of skin pigmentation in recently admixed populations
- 2019
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In: BMC Genetics. - : BMC. - 1471-2156. ; 20
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Association studies in recently admixed populations are extremely useful to identify the genetic architecture of pigmentation, due to their high genotypic and phenotypic variation. However, to date only four Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have been carried out in these populations.Results: We present a GWAS of skin pigmentation in an admixed sample from Cuba (N=762). Additionally, we conducted a meta-analysis including the Cuban sample, and admixed samples from Cape Verde, Puerto Rico and African-Americans from San Francisco. This meta-analysis is one of the largest efforts so far to characterize the genetic basis of skin pigmentation in admixed populations (N=2,104). We identified five genome-wide significant regions in the meta-analysis, and explored if the markers observed in these regions are associated with the expression of relevant pigmentary genes in human melanocyte cultures. In three of the regions identified in the meta-analysis (SLC24A5, SLC45A2, and GRM5/TYR), the association seems to be driven by non-synonymous variants (rs1426654, rs16891982, and rs1042602, respectively). The rs16891982 polymorphism is strongly associated with the expression of the SLC45A2 gene. In the GRM5/TYR region, in addition to the rs1042602 non-synonymous SNP located on the TYR gene, variants located in the nearby GRM5 gene have an independent effect on pigmentation, possibly through regulation of gene expression of the TYR gene. We also replicated an association recently described near the MFSD12 gene on chromosome 19 (lead variant rs112332856). Additionally, our analyses support the presence of multiple signals in the OCA2/HERC2/APBA2 region on chromosome 15. A clear causal candidate is the HERC2 intronic variant rs12913832, which has a profound influence on OCA2 expression. This variant has pleiotropic effects on eye, hair, and skin pigmentation. However, conditional and haplotype-based analyses indicate the presence of other variants with independent effects on melanin levels in OCA2 and APBA2. Finally, a follow-up of genome-wide signals identified in a recent GWAS for tanning response indicates that there is a substantial overlap in the genetic factors influencing skin pigmentation and tanning response.Conclusions: Our meta-analysis of skin pigmentation GWAS in recently admixed populations provides new insights about the genetic architecture of this complex trait.
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| 10. |
- Mattsson, Viktor, et al.
(author)
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Muscle Analyzer System : Exploring Correlation Between Novel Microwave Resonator and Ultrasound-based Tissue Information in the Thigh
- 2022
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In: 2022 16TH EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON ANTENNAS AND PROPAGATION (EUCAP). - : Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). - 9788831299046
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A microwave sensor to safely measure quality of muscle tissue for diagnosis and screening of diseases and medical conditions characterized by fat infiltration in muscle is presented. Fat infiltration in muscle may be seen by a lower dielectric constant of muscle at microwave frequencies corresponding to the large contrast between fat and muscle tissues. A planar resonator based on a bandstop filter and optimized to noninvasively interrogate muscle in the thigh on tissue quality is proposed. Currently, a study based on clinical trials is carried out, and, here, we present a preliminary correlation between skin and fat thicknesses and rectus femoris cross sectional area (CSA) measured with ultrasound and the proposed sensor's resonance frequency. CST simulations based on the ultrasound information guide the analysis. We see that although there are signs of a potential correlation between CSA and resonance, skin and fat variability is still an issue to overcome.
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| 11. |
- Sternby, Hanna, et al.
(author)
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Determinants of Severity in Acute Pancreatitis : A Nation-wide Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study
- 2019
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In: Annals of Surgery. - 1528-1140. ; 270:2, s. 348-355
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare and validate the different classifications of severity in acute pancreatitis (AP) and to investigate which characteristics of the disease are associated with worse outcomes. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: AP is a heterogeneous disease, ranging from uneventful cases to patients with considerable morbidity and high mortality rates. Severity classifications based on legitimate determinants of severity are important to correctly describe the course of disease. METHODS: A prospective multicenter cohort study involving patients with AP from 23 hospitals in Spain. The Atlanta Classification (AC), Revised Atlanta Classification (RAC), and Determinant-based Classification (DBC) were compared. Binary logistic multivariate analysis was performed to investigate independent determinants of severity. RESULTS: A total of 1655 patients were included; 70 patients (4.2%) died. RAC and DBC were equally superior to AC for describing the clinical course of AP. Although any kind of organ failure was associated with increased morbidity and mortality, persistent organ failure (POF) was the most significant determinant of severity. All local complications were associated with worse outcomes. Infected pancreatic necrosis correlated with high morbidity, but in the presence of POF, it was not associated to higher mortality when compared with sterile necrotizing pancreatitis. Exacerbation of previous comorbidity was associated with increased morbidity and mortality. CONCLUSION: The RAC and DBC both signify an advance in the description and differentiation of AP patients. Herein, we describe the complications of the disease independently associated to morbidity and mortality. Our findings are valuable not only when designing future studies on AP but also for the improvement of current classifications.
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| 12. |
- Almanza-Aguilera, Enrique, et al.
(author)
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Impact in Plasma Metabolome as Effect of Lifestyle Intervention for Weight-Loss Reveals Metabolic Benefits in Metabolically Healthy Obese Women
- 2018
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In: Journal of Proteome Research. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1535-3907 .- 1535-3893. ; 17:8, s. 2600-2610
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Little is known regarding metabolic benefits of weight loss (WL) on the metabolically healthy obese (MHO) patients. We aimed to examine the impact of a lifestyle weight loss (LWL) treatment on the plasma metabolomic profile in MHO individuals. Plasma samples from 57 MHO women allocated to an intensive LWL treatment group (TG, hypocaloric Mediterranean diet and regular physical activity, n = 30) or to a control group (CG, general recommendations of a healthy diet and physical activity, n = 27) were analyzed using an untargeted1H NMR metabolomics approach at baseline, after 3 months (intervention), and 12 months (follow-up). The impact of the LWL intervention on plasma metabolome was statistically significant at 3 months but not at follow-up and included higher levels of formate and phosphocreatine and lower levels of LDL/VLDL (signals) and trimethylamine in the TG. These metabolites were also correlated with WL. Higher myo-inositol, methylguanidine, and 3-hydroxybutyrate, and lower proline, were also found in the TG; higher levels of hippurate and asparagine, and lower levels of 2-hydroxybutyrate and creatine, were associated with WL. The current findings suggest that an intensive LWL treatment, and the consequent WL, leads to an improved plasma metabolic profile in MHO women through its impact on energy, amino acid, lipoprotein, and microbial metabolism.
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| 13. |
- Caggiano, N.J., et al.
(author)
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Local Chain Alignment via Nematic Ordering Reduces Chain Entanglement in Conjugated Polymers
- 2018
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In: Macromolecules. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1520-5835 .- 0024-9297. ; 51:24, s. 10271-10284
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Chain entanglements govern the dynamics of polymers and will therefore affect the processability and kinetics of ordering; it follows that through these parameters chain dynamics can also affect charge transport in conjugated polymers. The effect of nematic coupling on chain entanglements is probed by linear viscoelastic measurements on poly[N-9′-heptadecanyl-2,7-carbazole-alt-5,5-(4′,7′-di-2-thienyl-2′,1′,3′-benzothiadiazole)] (PCDTBT) and poly((9,9-dioctylfluorene-2,7-diyl)-alt-(4,7-di(thiophene-2-yl)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)-5′,5″-diyl) (PFTBT) with varying molecular weights. We first verify the existence of nematic phases in both PFTBT and PCDTBT and identify nematic-isotropic transition temperatures, TIN, between 260 and 300 °C through a combination of differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy, temperature-dependent X-ray scattering, and rheology. In addition, both PCDTBT and PFTBT show a glass transition temperature (Tg) and TIN, whereas only PFTBT has a melting temperature Tm of 260 °C. Comparing the molecular weight dependence of TIN with theoretical predictions of nematic phases in conjugated polymers yields the nematic coupling constant, α = (550 ± 80 K)/T + (2.1 ± 0.1), and the long-chain limit TIN as 350 ± 10 °C for PFTBT. The entanglement molecular weight (Me) in the isotropic phase is extracted to be 11 ± 1 kg/mol for PFTBT and 22 ± 2 kg/mol for PCDTBT by modeling the linear viscoelastic response. Entanglements are significantly reduced through the isotropic-to-nematic transition, leading to a 10-fold increase in Me for PFTBT and a 15-fold increase for PCDTBT in the nematic phase.
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| 14. |
- Erbing, Elis, et al.
(author)
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Base- and Additive-Free Ir-Catalyzed ortho-Iodination of Benzoic Acids : Scope and Mechanistic Investigations
- 2018
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In: ACS Catalysis. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 2155-5435. ; 8:2, s. 920-925
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A protocol for the C-H activation/iodination of benzoic acids catalyzed by a simple iridium complex has been developed. The method described in this paper allows the ortho-selective iodination of a variety of benzoic acids under extraordinarily mild conditions in the absence of any additive or base in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropanol as the solvent. The iridium catalyst used tolerates air and moisture, and selectively gives ortho-iodobenzoic acids with high conversions. Mechanistic investigations revealed that an Ir(III)/Ir(V) catalytic cycle operates, and that the unique properties of HFIP enables the C-H iodination using the carboxylic moiety as a directing group.
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| 15. |
- Gatica-Ortega, María Elena, et al.
(author)
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Contact dermatitis from glucose sensors in Spain : A multicentric approach
- 2021
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In: Contact Dermatitis. - : Wiley. - 0105-1873 .- 1600-0536. ; 85:5, s. 554-562
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Allergic contact dermatitis from glucose sensors may interfere with their ongoing application. Objective: To evaluate a series of Spanish patients with contact dermatitis to glucose sensors regarding former sources of contact allergens, patch test results, and outcomes from the ongoing use of the device. Methods: A series of patients with contact dermatitis from glucose sensors was investigated in eight dermatology departments across Spain (epidemiological features, brands, latency time to develop dermatitis, the ability to continue using the devices as well as the patch test results). Results: Thirty patients were evaluated (mean age 20.9 years). A total of 66.7% were children and 66.7% female. Ninety per cent used Freestyle Libre (FSL). Eight of 26 (30.8%) reacted to isobornyl acrylate (IBOA) and two of 20 (10.0%) to N,N dimethylacrylamide (DMAA). The mean latency time to develop dermatitis was 9 months. Sixteen of 29 (55.2%) patients continued using the same sensor causing the reaction. Thirteen of 29 (44.8%) patients were unable to continue using the sensor because of severe reactions. Of these, five were positive to IBOA, one to IBOA and DMAA, one to DMAA, one to colophony, and one to isopropyl alcohol wipes. In one patient, the outcome was unknown. Conclusion: The frequency of sensitisation to IBOA and DMAA, was lower than in other European series, but similar to a previously published Spanish article. Legislation requiring manufacturers to provide information regarding the composition of medical devices and cooperate with the investigations into contact dermatitis is urgently needed.
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| 16. |
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| 17. |
- Ramo, Cristina, et al.
(author)
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Latitudinal-Related Variation in Wintering Population Trends of Greylag Geese (Anser Anser) along the Atlantic Flyway: A Response to Climate Change?
- 2015
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In: PLoS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 10:10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The unusually high quality of census data for large waterbirds in Europe facilitates the study of how population change varies across a broad geographical range and relates to global change. The wintering population of the greylag goose Anser anser in the Atlantic flyway spanning between Sweden and Spain has increased from 120 000 to 610 000 individuals over the past three decades, and expanded its wintering range northwards. Although population sizes recorded in January have increased in all seven countries in the wintering range, we found a pronounced northwards latitudinal effect in which the rate of increase is higher at greater latitudes, causing a constant shift in the centre of gravity for the spatial distribution of wintering geese. Local winter temperatures have a strong influence on goose numbers but in a manner that is also dependent on latitude, with the partial effect of temperature (while controlling for the increasing population trend between years) being negative at the south end and positive at the north end of the flyway. Contrary to assumptions in the literature, the expansion of crops exploited by greylag geese has made little contribution to the increases in population size. Only in one case (expansion of winter cereals in Denmark) did we find evidence of an effect of changing land use. The expanding and shifting greylag population is likely to have increasing impacts on habitats in northern Europe during the course of this century.
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| 18. |
- Rodríguez-Vila, Borja, et al.
(author)
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3D deformable registration for monitoring radiotherapy treatment in prostate cancer
- 2007
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In: Image Analysis. - Berlin/Heidelberg, Germany : Springer Berlin/Heidelberg. - 9783540730392 - 3540730400 - 9783540730408 ; , s. 750-759
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Two deformable registration methods, the Demons and the Morphon algorithms, have been used for registration of CT datasets to evaluate their usability in radiotherapy planning for prostate cancer. These methods were chosen because they can perform deformable registration in a fully automated way. The experiments show that for intrapatient registration both of the methods give useful results, although some differences exist in the way they deform the template. The Morphon method has, however, some advantageous compared to the Demons method. It is invariant to the image intensity and it does not distort the deformed data. The conclusion is therefore to recommend the Morphon method as a registration tool for this application. A more flexible regularization model is needed, though, in order to be able to catch the full range of deformations required to match the datasets.
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