| 1. |
- Robinson, Paul, et al.
(author)
-
Consensus statement for inert gas washout measurement using multiple and single breath tests.
- 2013
-
In: The European respiratory journal : official journal of the European Society for Clinical Respiratory Physiology. - : European Respiratory Society (ERS). - 1399-3003. ; 41:3, s. 507-522
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Inert gas washout tests, performed using the single or multiple breath washout technique (SBW and MBW, respectively), were first described over 60 years ago. As measures of ventilation distribution inhomogeneity, they offer complementary information to standard lung function tests such as spirometry as well as improved feasibility across wider age ranges and improved sensitivity in the detection of early lung damage. These benefits have led to a resurgence of interest in these techniques from manufacturers, clinicians and researchers, yet detailed guidelines for washout equipment specifications, test performance and analysis are lacking. This manuscript provides recommendations about these aspects, applicable to both the paediatric and adult testing environment, whilst outlining the important principles that are essential for the reader to understand. These recommendations are evidence-based where possible but in many places represent expert opinion from a working group with a large collective experience in the techniques discussed. Finally, the important issues that remain unanswered are highlighted. By addressing these important issues and directing future research, the hope is to facilitate the incorporation of these promising tests into routine clinical practice.
|
|
| 2. |
- Paiva, D., et al.
(author)
-
Chitosan conjugates for DNA delivery
- 2013
-
In: Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1463-9084 .- 1463-9076. ; 15:28, s. 11893-11899
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Graft copolymers of chitosan and maltodextrin were synthesized by reductive amination of a low molecular weight chitosan. The degree of substitution is 70% or above, as quantified by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, at molar ratios of chitosan glucosamine units and maltodextrin of 1 : 1 and 1 : 5. The high substitution degree generates a water-soluble compound at pH 7.4 by reducing the amino groups of chitosan. In addition, the copolymer self-assembles into spherical nanoparticles with diameters of about 300 nm. The mass polymer/DNA ratios at the isoelectric point are within the range of 3-3.5 for chitosan-maltodextrin nanoparticles as determined by electrophoretic mobility measurements. These results confirm that DNA interacts efficiently with the copolymer nanoparticles indicating a potential application of the system for DNA delivery.
|
|
| 3. |
|
|
| 4. |
- Serholt, Sofia, 1986, et al.
(author)
-
Teachers’ Views on the Use of Empathic Robotic Tutors in the Classroom
- 2014
-
In: 23rd IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication, Edinburgh, Scotland. - : IEEE.
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this paper, we describe the results of an interview study conducted across several European countries on teachers' views on the use of empathic robotic tutors in the classroom. The main goals of the study were to elicit teachers' thoughts on the integration of the robotic tutors in the daily school practice, understanding the main roles that these robots could play and gather teachers' main concerns about this type of technology. Teachers' concerns were much related to the fairness of access to the technology, robustness of the robot in students' hands and disruption of other classroom activities. They saw a role for the tutor in acting as an engaging tool for all, preferably in groups, and gathering information about students' learning progress without taking over the teachers' responsibility for the actual assessment. The implications of these results are discussed in relation to teacher acceptance of ubiquitous technologies in general and robots in particular.
|
|
