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- Ambrosio, M, et al.
(author)
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The MACRO detector at Gran Sasso
- 2002
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In: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A. - : Elsevier. - 0168-9002 .- 1872-9576. ; 486:3, s. 663-707
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- MACRO was an experiment that ran in the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso from 1988 to 2000. Its principal goal was to observe magnetic monopoles or set significantly lower experimental flux limits than had been previously available in the velocity range from about beta = 10(-4) to unity. In addition it made a variety of other observations. Examples are: setting flux limits on other so far unobserved particles such as nuclearites and lightly ionizing particles, searching for WIMP annihilations in the Earth and the Sun and for neutrino bursts from stellar collapses in or near our Galaxy, and making measurements relevant to high energy muon and neutrino astronomy and of the flux of up-going muons as a function of nadir angle showing evidence for neutrino oscillations. The apparatus consisted of three principal types of detectors: liquid scintillator counters, limited streamer tubes, and nuclear track etch detectors. In addition, over part of its area it contained a transition radiation detector. The general design philosophy emphasized redundancy and complementarity. This paper describes the technical aspects of the complete MACRO detector, its operational performance, and the techniques used to calibrate it and verify its proper operation. It supplements a previously published paper which described the first portion of the detector that was built and operated. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
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- Aubert, S, et al.
(author)
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Global Matrix 4.0 Physical Activity Report Card Grades for Children and Adolescents: Results and Analyses From 57 Countries
- 2022
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In: Journal of physical activity & health. - : Human Kinetics. - 1543-5474 .- 1543-3080. ; 19:11, s. 700-728
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The Global Matrix 4.0 on physical activity (PA) for children and adolescents was developed to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the global variation in children’s and adolescents’ (5–17 y) PA, related measures, and key sources of influence. The objectives of this article were (1) to summarize the findings from the Global Matrix 4.0 Report Cards, (2) to compare indicators across countries, and (3) to explore trends related to the Human Development Index and geo-cultural regions. Methods: A total of 57 Report Card teams followed a harmonized process to grade the 10 common PA indicators. An online survey was conducted to collect Report Card Leaders’ top 3 priorities for each PA indicator and their opinions on how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted child and adolescent PA indicators in their country. Results: Overall Physical Activity was the indicator with the lowest global average grade (D), while School and Community and Environment were the indicators with the highest global average grade (C+). An overview of the global situation in terms of surveillance and prevalence is provided for all 10 common PA indicators, followed by priorities and examples to support the development of strategies and policies internationally. Conclusions: The Global Matrix 4.0 represents the largest compilation of children’s and adolescents’ PA indicators to date. While variation in data sources informing the grades across countries was observed, this initiative highlighted low PA levels in children and adolescents globally. Measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, local/international conflicts, climate change, and economic change threaten to worsen this situation.
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- Abdu, Y. A., et al.
(author)
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High-temperature cation ordering in olivine : an in situ Mossbauer study of synthetic (Mg0.55Fe0.45)(2) SiO4
- 2008
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In: Hyperfine Interactions. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0304-3843 .- 1572-9540. ; 186:1-3, s. 99-103
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- High- temperature in situ Mossbauer spectroscopy measurements ( 300 950. C) were done on synthetic olivine of composition ( Mg0.55Fe0.45) 2 SiO4 (= Fa45) in order to study the distribution of Fe2+ over the M1 and M2 octahedral sites. The spectra are fit with two doublets, which are assigned to Fe2+ at the M1 ( smaller splitting) and M2 sites. The Fe2+ site- occupancies at M1 and M2, obtained from the Mossbauer relative areas, suggest that Fe2+ has a slight preference for the M1 site at temperatures below similar to 500. C, with a tendency of disordering around this temperature. At higher temperatures, Fe2+ again prefers to occupy the M1 site, where it shows a considerable order at this site up to 750C. At still higher temperatures, the spectra indicated partial reduction of the Fa- component into metallic iron and the resolution of the doublets was severely deteriorated.
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- Arp, Hans Peter H., et al.
(author)
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Predicting Pore Water EPA-34 PAH Concentrations and Toxicity in Pyrogenic-Impacted Sediments Using Pyrene Content
- 2011
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In: Environmental Science and Technology. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0013-936X .- 1520-5851. ; 45:12, s. 5139-5146
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Sediment and freely dissolved pore water concentrations of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's list of 34 alkyl and parent PAHs (EPA-34) were measured in 335 sediment samples from 19 different sites impacted by manufactured gas plants, aluminum smelters and other pyrogenic sources. The total EPA-34 freely dissolved pore water concentration, C(pw,EPA-34), expressed as toxic units (TU) is currently considered one of the most accurate measures to assess risk at such sites; however, it is very seldom measured. With this data set, we address how accurately C(pw,EPA-34) can be estimated using limited 16 parent PAH data (EPA-16) commonly available for such sites. An exhaustive statistical analysis of the obtained data validated earlier observations that PAHs with more than 3 rings are present in similar relative abundances and their partitioning behavior typically follows Raoult's law and models developed for coal tar. As a result, sediment and freely dissolved pore water concentrations of pyrene and other 3- and 4-ring PAT-Is exhibit good log log correlations (r(2) > 0.8) to most individual EPA-34 PAHs and also to C(pw,EPA,34). Correlations improve further by including the ratio of high to low molecular weight PAHs, as 2-ring PAT-Is exhibit the most variability in terms of their relative abundance. The most practical result of the current work is that log Cpw,EPA-34 estimated by the recommended pyrene-based estimation techniques was similarly well correlated to % survival of the benthic amphipods Hyalella azteca and Leptocheirus plumulosus as directly measured log Cpw, (EPA-34) values (n = 211). Incorporation of the presented C(pw,EPA-34) estimation techniques could substantially improve risk assessments and guidelines for sediments impacted by pyrogenic residues, especially when limited data are available, without requiring any extra data or measurement costs.
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- Chew, Michelle, et al.
(author)
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No beneficial effects of levosimendan in acute porcine endotoxaemia.
- 2011
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In: Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 0001-5172. ; 55, s. 851-861
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Levosimendan has been proposed as an attractive alternative to adrenergic agents for the treatment of sepsis-induced heart failure and haemodynamic derangements. Its use in this setting is, however, still not well investigated. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that levosimendan is able to attenuate endotoxin-induced pulmonary hypertension and improve myocardial function in a porcine model. The secondary aims were to investigate its effect on renal and liver function, and the plasma cytokine response. Methods: Endotoxaemia was induced in 18 pigs, randomized to placebo and Levosimendan groups. All pigs were fluid resuscitated and Noradrenalin infusion was given according to a predefined protocol. Systemic haemodynamics and myocardial function were measured using pulmonary artery catheterization and transthoracic echocardiography. Renal and liver function tests and cytokine concentrations were measured in plasma. Results: Levosimendan did not attenuate endotoxin-induced pulmonary hypertension and did not improve myocardial function. There were no differences in renal or liver function. Increases in arterial lactate and decreases in base excess were observed in the Levosimendan group, as well as significant increases in plasma interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8. Conclusions: Contrary to our hypothesis, levosimendan given in conjunction with a protocolized vasopressor and fluid resuscitation did not improve cardiac, renal or liver function in this model of acute porcine endotoxaemia. Hyperlactataemia, acidosis and increases in plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines were observed, the mechanisms and implications of which remain unclear.
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- Cuff, Jordan P., et al.
(author)
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Sources of prey availability data alter interpretation of outputs from prey choice null networks
- 2024
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In: Ecological Entomology. - 0307-6946 .- 1365-2311. ; 49:3, s. 418-432
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Null models provide a valuable baseline against which fundamental ecological hypotheses can be tested and foraging choices that cannot be explained by neutral processes or sampling biases can be highlighted. In this way, null models can advance our understanding beyond simplistic dietary descriptions to identify drivers of interactions. This method, however, requires estimates of resource availability, which are generally imperfect representations of highly dynamic systems. Optimising method selection is crucial for study design, but the precise effects of different resource availability data on the efficacy of null models are poorly understood.Using spider–prey networks as a model, we used prey abundance (suction sample) and activity density (sticky trap) data, and combinations of the two, to simulate null networks. We compared null diet composition, network properties (e.g., connectance and nestedness) and deviations of simulations from metabarcoding-based spider dietary data to ascertain how different prey availability data alter ecological interpretation.Different sampling methods produced different null networks and inferred distinct prey selectivity. Null models based on prey abundance and combined frequency-of-occurrence data generated null diet compositions, which more closely resembled the diet composition determined by metabarcoding. Null models based on prey abundance, activity density and proportionally combined data generated null network properties most like the networks constructed via dietary metabarcoding.We show that survey method choice impacts all aspects of null network analyses, the precise effects varying between methods but ultimately altering ecological interpretation by increasing disparity in network properties or trophic niches between null and directly constructed networks. Merging datasets can generate more complete prey availability data but is not a panacea because it introduces different biases. The choice of method should reflect the research hypotheses and study system being investigated. Ultimately, survey methods should emulate the foraging mode of the focal predator as closely as possible, informed by the known ecology, natural history and behaviour of the predator.
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