1. |
- Pantazis, N, et al.
(author)
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Determining the likely place of HIV acquisition for migrants in Europe combining subject-specific information and biomarkers data
- 2019
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In: Statistical methods in medical research. - : SAGE Publications. - 1477-0334 .- 0962-2802. ; 28:7, s. 1979-1997
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In most HIV-positive individuals, infection time is only known to lie between the time an individual started being at risk for HIV and diagnosis time. However, a more accurate estimate of infection time is very important in certain cases. For example, one of the objectives of the Advancing Migrant Access to Health Services in Europe (aMASE) study was to determine if HIV-positive migrants, diagnosed in Europe, were infected pre- or post-migration. We propose a method to derive subject-specific estimates of unknown infection times using information from HIV biomarkers’ measurements, demographic, clinical, and behavioral data. We assume that CD4 cell count (CD4) and HIV-RNA viral load trends after HIV infection follow a bivariate linear mixed model. Using post-diagnosis CD4 and viral load measurements and applying the Bayes’ rule, we derived the posterior distribution of the HIV infection time, whereas the prior distribution was informed by AIDS status at diagnosis and behavioral data. Parameters of the CD4–viral load and time-to-AIDS models were estimated using data from a large study of individuals with known HIV infection times (CASCADE). Simulations showed substantial predictive ability (e.g. 84% of the infections were correctly classified as pre- or post-migration). Application to the aMASE study ( n = 2009) showed that 47% of African migrants and 67% to 72% of migrants from other regions were most likely infected post-migration. Applying a Bayesian method based on bivariate modeling of CD4 and viral load, and subject-specific information, we found that the majority of HIV-positive migrants in aMASE were most likely infected after their migration to Europe.
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2. |
- Harcourt, R., et al.
(author)
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Animal-borne telemetry: An integral component of the ocean observing toolkit
- 2019
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In: Frontiers in Marine Science. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2296-7745. ; 6:JUN
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Animal telemetry is a powerful tool for observing marine animals and the physical environments that they inhabit, from coastal and continental shelf ecosystems to polar seas and open oceans. Satellite-linked biologgers and networks of acoustic receivers allow animals to be reliably monitored over scales of tens of meters to thousands of kilometers, giving insight into their habitat use, home range size, the phenology of migratory patterns and the biotic and abiotic factors that drive their distributions. Furthermore, physical environmental variables can be collected using animals as autonomous sampling platforms, increasing spatial and temporal coverage of global oceanographic observation systems. The use of animal telemetry, therefore, has the capacity to provide measures from a suite of essential ocean variables (EOVs) for improved monitoring of Earth's oceans. Here we outline the design features of animal telemetry systems, describe current applications and their benefits and challenges, and discuss future directions. We describe new analytical techniques that improve our ability to not only quantify animal movements but to also provide a powerful framework for comparative studies across taxa. We discuss the application of animal telemetry and its capacity to collect biotic and abiotic data, how the data collected can be incorporated into ocean observing systems, and the role these data can play in improved ocean management. © 2019 Harcourt, Sequeira, Zhang, Roquet, Komatsu, Heupel, McMahon, Whoriskey, Meekan, Carroll, Brodie, Simpfendorfer, Hindell, Jonsen, Costa, Block, Muelbert, Woodward, Weise, Aarestrup, Biuw, Boehme, Bograd, Cazau, Charrassin, Cooke, Cowley, de Bruyn, Jeanniard du Dot, Duarte, Eguíluz, Ferreira, Fernández-Gracia, Goetz, Goto, Guinet, Hammill, Hays, Hazen, Hückstädt, Huveneers, Iverson, Jaaman, Kittiwattanawong, Kovacs, Lydersen, Moltmann, Naruoka, Phillips, Picard, Queiroz, Reverdin, Sato, Sims, Thorstad, Thums, Treasure, Trites, Williams, Yonehara and Fedak.
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3. |
- Khuyagbaatar, J., et al.
(author)
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Fusion reaction 48Ca + 249Bk leading to formation of the element Ts (Z=117)
- 2019
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In: Physical Review C. - 2469-9985. ; 99:5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The heaviest currently known nuclei, which have up to 118 protons, have been produced in 48Ca induced reactions with actinide targets. Among them, the element tennessine (Ts), which has 117 protons, has been synthesized by fusing 48Ca with the radioactive target 249Bk, which has a half-life of 327 d. The experiment was performed at the gas-filled recoil separator TASCA. Two long and two short α decay chains were observed. The long chains were attributed to the decay of 294Ts. The possible origin of the short-decay chains is discussed in comparison with the known experimental data. They are found to fit with the decay chain patterns attributed to 293Ts. The present experimental results confirm the previous findings at the Dubna Gas-Filled Recoil Separator on the decay chains originating from the nuclei assigned to Ts.
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4. |
- Block, Keith I., et al.
(author)
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Designing a broad-spectrum integrative approach for cancer prevention and treatment
- 2015
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In: Seminars in Cancer Biology. - : Academic Press. - 1044-579X .- 1096-3650. ; 35, s. S276-S304
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Targeted therapies and the consequent adoption of "personalized" oncology have achieved notable successes in some cancers; however, significant problems remain with this approach. Many targeted therapies are highly toxic, costs are extremely high, and most patients experience relapse after a few disease-free months. Relapses arise from genetic heterogeneity in tumors, which harbor therapy-resistant immortalized cells that have adopted alternate and compensatory pathways (i.e., pathways that are not reliant upon the same mechanisms as those which have been targeted). To address these limitations, an international task force of 180 scientists was assembled to explore the concept of a low-toxicity "broadspectrum" therapeutic approach that could simultaneously target many key pathways and mechanisms. Using cancer hallmark phenotypes and the tumor microenvironment to account for the various aspects of relevant cancer biology, interdisciplinary teams reviewed each hallmark area and nominated a wide range of high-priority targets (74 in total) that could be modified to improve patient outcomes. For these targets, corresponding low-toxicity therapeutic approaches were then suggested, many of which were phytochemicals. Proposed actions on each target and all of the approaches were further reviewed for known effects on other hallmark areas and the tumor microenvironment Potential contrary or procarcinogenic effects were found for 3.9% of the relationships between targets and hallmarks, and mixed evidence of complementary and contrary relationships was found for 7.1%. Approximately 67% of the relationships revealed potentially complementary effects, and the remainder had no known relationship. Among the approaches, 1.1% had contrary, 2.8% had mixed and 62.1% had complementary relationships. These results suggest that a broad-spectrum approach should be feasible from a safety standpoint. This novel approach has potential to be relatively inexpensive, it should help us address stages and types of cancer that lack conventional treatment, and it may reduce relapse risks. A proposed agenda for future research is offered. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
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5. |
- Chalmers, J. R., et al.
(author)
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Report from the fourth international consensus meeting to harmonize core outcome measures for atopic eczema/dermatitis clinical trials (HOME initiative)
- 2016
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In: British Journal of Dermatology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0007-0963 .- 1365-2133. ; 175:1, s. 69-79
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This article is a report of the fourth meeting of the Harmonising Outcome Measures for Eczema (HOME) initiative held in Malmo, Sweden on 23-24 April 2015 (HOME IV). The aim of the meeting was to achieve consensus over the preferred outcome instruments for measuring patient-reported symptoms and quality of life for the HOME core outcome set for atopic eczema (AE). Following presentations, which included data from systematic reviews, consensus discussions were held in a mixture of whole group and small group discussions. Small groups were allocated a priori to ensure representation of different stakeholders and countries. Decisions were voted on using electronic keypads. For the patient-reported symptoms, the group agreed by vote that itch, sleep loss, dryness, redness/inflamed skin and irritated skin were all considered essential aspects of AE symptoms. Many instruments for capturing patient-reported symptoms were discussed [ including the Patient-Oriented SCOring Atopic Dermatitis index, Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM), Self-Administered Eczema Area and Severity Index, Itch Severity Scale, Atopic Dermatitis Quickscore and the Nottingham Eczema Severity Score] and, by consensus, POEM was selected as the preferred instrument to measure patient-reported symptoms. Further work is needed to determine the reliability and measurement error of POEM. Further work is also required to establish the importance of pain/soreness and the importance of collecting information regarding the intensity of symptoms in addition to their frequency. Much of the discussion on quality of life concerned the Dermatology Life Quality Index and Quality of Life Index for Atopic Dermatitis; however, consensus on a preferred instrument for measuring this domain could not be reached. In summary, POEM is recommended as the HOME core outcome instrument for measuring AE symptoms.
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6. |
- Gates, J. M., et al.
(author)
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Decay Spectroscopy of Element 115 Daughters: 280Rg -> 276Mt and 276Mt -> 272Bh
- 2015
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In: Physical Review C (Nuclear Physics). - 0556-2813. ; 92:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Forty-six decay chains, assigned to the decay of 288-115, were produced using the 243Am(48Ca,3n)288-115 reaction at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 88-in. cyclotron. The resulting series of α decays were studied using α-photon and α-x-ray spectroscopies. Multiple α-photon coincidences were observed in the element 115 decay chain members, particularly in the third- and fourth-generation decays (presumed to be 280Rg and 276Mt, respectively). Upon combining these data with those from 22 288-115 decay chains observed in a similar experiment, updated level schemes in 276Mt and 272Bh (populated by the α decay of 280Rg and 276Mt, respectively) are proposed. Photons were observed in the energy range expected for K x rays coincident with the α decay of both 280Rg and 276Mt. However, Compton scattering of higher-energy γ rays and discrete transitions are present in the K x-ray region preventing a definitive Z identification to be made based on observation of characteristic K x-ray energies.
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7. |
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8. |
- Di Nitto, A., et al.
(author)
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Study of Non-fusion Products in the 50Ti+249Cf Reaction
- 2018
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In: Physics Letters, Section B: Nuclear, Elementary Particle and High-Energy Physics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0370-2693. ; 784, s. 199-205
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The isotopic distribution of nuclei produced in the 50Ti + 249Cf reaction has been studied at the gas-filled recoil separator TASCA at GSI Darmstadt, which separates ions according to differences in magnetic rigidity. The bombardment was performed at an energy around the Bass barrier and with the TASCA magnetic fields set for collecting fusion-evaporation reaction products. Fifty-three isotopes located “north-east” of 208Pb were identified as recoiling products formed in non-fusion channels of the reaction. These recoils were implanted with energies in two distinct ranges; besides one with higher energy, a significant low-energy contribution was identified. The latter observation was not expected to occur according to kinematics of the known types of reactions, namely quasi-elastic, multi-nucleon transfer, deep-inelastic collisions or quasifission. The present observations are discussed within the framework of two-body kinematics passing through the formation of a composite system.
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9. |
- Khuyagbaatar, J., et al.
(author)
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New Short-Lived Isotope 221U and the Mass Surface Near N=126
- 2015
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In: Physical Review Letters. - 1079-7114. ; 115:24
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Two short-lived isotopes 221U and 222U were produced as evaporation residues in the fusion reaction 50Ti+176Yb at the gas-filled recoil separator TASCA. An α decay with an energy of Eα=9.31(5) MeV and half-life T1/2=4.7(7) μs was attributed to 222U. The new isotope 221U was identified in α-decay chains starting with Eα=9.71(5) MeV and T1/2=0.66(14) μs leading to known daughters. Synthesis and detection of these unstable heavy nuclei and their descendants were achieved thanks to a fast data readout system. The evolution of the N=126 shell closure and its influence on the stability of uranium isotopes are discussed within the framework of α-decay reduced width.
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10. |
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11. |
- Såmark-Roth, A., et al.
(author)
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Low-lying states in 219Ra and 215Rn : Sampling microsecond α-decaying nuclei
- 2018
-
In: Physical Review C. - 2469-9985. ; 98:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Short-lived α-decaying nuclei "northeast" of 208Pb in the chart of nuclides were studied using the reaction 48Ca+243Am with the decay station TASISpec at TASCA, GSI Darmstadt. Decay energies and times from pile-up events were extracted with a tailor-made pulse-shape analysis routine and specific α-decay chains were identified in a correlation analysis. Decay chains starting with the even-even 220Ra and its odd-A neighbors, 219Fr, and 219,221Ra, with a focus on the 219Ra→215Rn decay, were studied by means of α-γ spectroscopy. A revised α-decay scheme of 219Ra is proposed, including a new decay branch from a previously not considered isomeric state at 17 keV excitation energy. Conclusions on nuclear structure are drawn from the experimental data, aided by Geant4 simulations and a discussion on theoretical calculations.
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12. |
- Forsberg, U., et al.
(author)
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Recoil-α-fission and recoil-α-α-fission events observed in the reaction 48Ca + 243Am
- 2016
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In: Nuclear Physics, Section A. - : Elsevier BV. - 0375-9474. ; 953, s. 117-138
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Products of the fusion-evaporation reaction 48Ca + 243Am were studied with the TASISpec set-up at the gas-filled separator TASCA at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany. Amongst the detected thirty correlated α-decay chains associated with the production of element Z=115, two recoil-α-fission and five recoil-α-α-fission events were observed. The latter five chains are similar to four such events reported from experiments performed at the Dubna gas-filled separator, and three such events reported from an experiment at the Berkeley gas-filled separator. The four chains observed at the Dubna gas-filled separator were assigned to start from the 2n-evaporation channel 289115 due to the fact that these recoil-α-α-fission events were observed only at low excitation energies. Contrary to this interpretation, we suggest that some of these recoil-α-α-fission decay chains, as well as some of the recoil-α-α-fission and recoil-α-fission decay chains reported from Berkeley and in this article, start from the 3n-evaporation channel 288115.
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13. |
- Khuyagbaatar, J., et al.
(author)
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Fission in the landscape of heaviest elements: Some recent examples
- 2016
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In: Nobel Symposium NS 160 – Chemistry and Physics of Heavy and Superheavy Elements. - : EDP Sciences. - 9782759890118 ; 131
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The fission process still remains a main factor that determines the stability of the atomic nucleus of heaviest elements. Fission half-lives vary over a wide range, 10^−19 to 10^24 s. Present experimental techniques for the synthesis of the superheavy elements that usually measure α-decay chains are sensitive only in a limited range of half-lives, often 10^5 to 10^3 s. In the past years, measurement techniques for very short-lived and very long-lived nuclei were significantly improved at the gas-filled recoil separator TASCA at GSI Darmstadt. Recently, several experimental studies of fission-related phenomena have successfully been performed. In this paper, results on 254−256Rf and 266Lr are presented and corresponding factors for retarding the fission process are discussed.
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14. |
- Lorenz, Ch, et al.
(author)
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Quantum-state-selective decay spectroscopy of 213Ra
- 2017
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In: Physical Review C. - 2469-9985. ; 96:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- An experimental scheme combining the mass resolving power of a Penning trap with contemporary decay spectroscopy has been established at GSI Darmstadt. The Universal Linear Accelerator (UNILAC) at GSI Darmstadt provided a 48Ca beam impinging on a thin 170Er target foil. Subsequent to velocity filtering of reaction products in the Separator for Heavy Ion reaction Products (SHIP), the nuclear ground state of the 5n evaporation channel 213Ra was mass-selected in SHIPTRAP, and the 213Ra ions were finally transferred into an array of silicon strip detectors surrounded by large composite germanium detectors. Based on comprehensive Geant4 simulations and supported by theoretical calculations, the spectroscopic results call for a revision of the decay path of 213Ra, thereby exemplifying the potential of a combination of a mass-selective Penning trap device with a dedicated nuclear decay station and contemporary Geant4 simulations.
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15. |
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16. |
- Rudolph, Dirk, et al.
(author)
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Selected Spectroscopic Results on Element 115 Decay Chains
- 2015
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In: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0236-5731 .- 1588-2780. ; 303:2, s. 1185-1190
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Thirty correlated alpha-decay chains were observed in an experiment studying the fusion-evaporation reaction 48Ca + 243Am at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum f¨ur Schwerionenforschung. The decay characteristics of the majority of these 30 chains are consistent with previous observations and interpretations of such chains to originate from isotopes of element Z = 115. High-resolution alpha-photon coincidence spectroscopy in conjunction with comprehensive Monte-Carlo simulations allow to propose excitation schemes of atomic nuclei of the heaviest elements, thereby probing nuclear structure models near the ‘Island of Stability’ with unprecedented experimental precision.
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17. |
- Giacoppo, F., et al.
(author)
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Recent upgrades of the SHIPTRAP setup : On the finish line towards direct mass spectroscopy of superheavy elements
- 2017
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In: Acta Physica Polonica B. - 0587-4254. ; 48:3, s. 423-429
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- With the Penning-trap mass spectrometer SHIPTRAP at GSI, Darmstadt, it is possible to investigate exotic nuclei in the region of the heaviest elements. Few years ago, challenging experiments led to the direct measurements of the masses of neutron-deficient isotopes with Z = 102; 103 around N = 152. Thanks to recent advances in cooling and ion-manipulation techniques, a major technical upgrade of the setup has been recently accomplished to boost its efficiency. At present, the gap to reach more rare and shorter-lived species at the limits of the nuclear landscape has been narrowed.
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18. |
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19. |
- Nesterenko, D. A., et al.
(author)
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High-precision mass measurements for the isobaric multiplet mass equation at A = 52
- 2017
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In: Journal of Physics G: Nuclear and Particle Physics. - : IOP Publishing. - 0954-3899 .- 1361-6471. ; 44:6
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Masses of 52Co, 52Com, 52Fe, 52Fem, and 52Mn have been measured with the JYFLTRAP double Penning trap mass spectrometer. The isobaric multiplet mass equation for the T = 2 quintet at A = 52 has been studied employing the new mass values. No significant breakdown (beyond the level) of the quadratic form of the IMME was observed (). The cubic coefficient was 6.0(32) keV (). The excitation energies for the isomer and the T = 2 isobaric analog state in 52Co have been determined to be 374(13) keV and 2922(13) keV, respectively. The measured mass values for 52Co and 52Com are 29(10) keV and 16(15) keV higher, respectively, than obtained in a recent storage-ring experiment, and significantly lower than predicted by extrapolations. Consequently, this has an impact on the proton separation energies for 52Co and 53Ni relevant for the astrophysical rapid proton capture process. The Q value for the proton decay from the isomer in 53Co has been determined with an unprecedented precision, keV.
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20. |
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21. |
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22. |
- Cohen, Joachim, et al.
(author)
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Differences in place of death between lung cancer and COPD patients : a 14-country study using death certificate data
- 2017
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In: npj Primary Care Respiratory Medicine. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2055-1010. ; 27
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer are leading causes of death with comparable symptoms at the end of life. Cross-national comparisons of place of death, as an important outcome of terminal care, between people dying from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer have not been studied before. We collected population death certificate data from 14 countries (year: 2008), covering place of death, underlying cause of death, and demographic information. We included patients dying from lung cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and used descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regressions to describe patterns in place of death. Of 5,568,827 deaths, 5.8% were from lung cancer and 4.4% from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Among lung cancer decedents, home deaths ranged from 12.5% in South Korea to 57.1% in Mexico, while hospital deaths ranged from 27.5% in New Zealand to 77.4% in France. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, the proportion dying at home ranged from 10.4% in Canada to 55.4% in Mexico, while hospital deaths ranged from 41.8% in Mexico to 78.9% in South Korea. Controlling for age, sex, and marital status, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were significantly less likely die at home rather than in hospital in nine countries. Our study found in almost all countries that those dying from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as compared with those from lung cancer are less likely to die at home and at a palliative care institution and more likely to die in a hospital or a nursing home. This might be due to less predictable disease trajectories and prognosis of death in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
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23. |
- Evans, M., et al.
(author)
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Use of fast-acting insulin aspart in insulin pump therapy in clinical practice
- 2019
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In: Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. - : Wiley. - 1462-8902 .- 1463-1326. ; 21:9, s. 2039-2047
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Fast-acting insulin aspart (faster aspart) is a novel formulation of insulin aspart (IAsp) containing the additional excipients niacinamide and L-arginine. The improved pharmacological profile and greater early glucose-lowering action of faster aspart compared with IAsp suggests that faster aspart may be advantageous for people with diabetes using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). The recent onset 5 trial was the first to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an ultra-fast-acting insulin in CSII therapy in a large number of participants with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Non-inferiority of faster aspart to IAsp in terms of change from baseline in HbA1c was confirmed, with an estimated treatment difference (ETD) of 0.09% (95% CI, 0.01; 0.17; P < 0.001 for non-inferiority [0.4% margin]). Faster aspart was superior to IAsp in terms of change from baseline in 1-hour post-prandial glucose (PPG) increment after a meal test (ETD [95% CI], −0.91 mmol/L [−1.43; −0.39]; P = 0.001), with statistically significant improvements also at 30 minutes and 2 hours. The overall rate of severe or blood glucose-confirmed hypoglycaemia was not statistically significantly different between treatments, with an estimated rate ratio of 1.00 (95% CI, 0.85; 1.16). A numerical imbalance in severe hypoglycaemic episodes between faster aspart and IAsp was seen in the treatment (21 vs 7) and the 4-week run-in periods (4 vs 0). Experience from clinical practice indicates that all pump settings should be reviewed when initiating faster aspart with CSII, and that the use of continuous glucose monitoring or flash glucose monitoring, along with a good understanding of meal content and bolus type, may also facilitate optimal use. This review summarizes the available clinical evidence for faster aspart administered via CSII and highlights practical considerations based on clinical experience that may help healthcare providers and individuals with T1D successfully initiate and adjust faster aspart with CSII. © 2019 The Authors. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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24. |
- Forsberg, U., et al.
(author)
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A new assessment of the alleged link between element 115 and element 117 decay chains
- 2016
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In: Physics Letters. Section B: Nuclear, Elementary Particle and High-Energy Physics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0370-2693. ; 760, s. 293-296
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A novel rigorous statistical treatment is applied to available data (May 9, 2016) from search and spectroscopy experiments on the elements with atomic numbers Z = 115 and Z = 117 . The present analysis implies that the hitherto proposed cross-reaction link between α-decay chains associated with the isotopes 293-117 and 289-115 is highly improbable.
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25. |
- Hayden, Jane M., et al.
(author)
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Does intraperitoneal ropivacaine reduce postoperative inflammation? A prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study
- 2019
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In: Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 0001-5172 .- 1399-6576. ; 63:8, s. 1048-1054
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Postoperative inflammation is a common consequence of surgery and the ensuing stress response. Local anesthetics have anti-inflammatory properties. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate if LA administrated intraperitoneally perioperatively might inhibit expression of inflammatory cytokines. Methods: This was a, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study (ClinicalTrial.gov reg no: NCT02256228) in patients undergoing surgery for ovarian cancer. Patients were randomized to receive: intraperitoneal ropivacaine (Group IPLA) or saline (Group P) perioperatively. Except for study drug, patients were treated similarly. At the end of surgery, a multi-port catheter was inserted intraperitoneally, and ropivacaine 2mg/mL or 0.9% saline, 10mL was injected intermittently every other hour during 72hours postoperatively. Systemic expression of cytokines and plasma ropivacaine were determined before and 6, 24, and 48hours after surgery. Stress response was measured by serum glucose, cortisol, and insulin. Results: Forty patients were recruited, 20 in each group. There was no statistical significant difference in systemic cytokine between the groups at any time point. Serum cortisol was significantly lower in the IPLA group at 6hours, median 103nmol/L (IQR 53-250) compared to placebo, median 440nmol/L (IQR 115-885), P=0.023. Serum glucose and insulin were similar between the groups. Total and free serum concentrations of ropivacaine were well below toxic concentrations. Conclusion: In this small study, perioperative intraperitoneal ropivacaine did not reduce the systemic inflammatory response associated with major abdominal surgery. Total and free ropivacaine concentrations were below known toxic concentrations in humans. © 2019 The Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
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26. |
- Jumeaux, Coline, et al.
(author)
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MicroRNA Detection by DNA-Mediated Liposome Fusion
- 2018
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In: ChemBioChem. - : Wiley. - 1439-7633 .- 1439-4227. ; 19:5, s. 434-438
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Membrane fusion is a process of fundamental importance in biological systems that involves highly selective recognition mechanisms for the trafficking of molecular and ionic cargos. Mimicking natural membrane fusion mechanisms for the purpose of biosensor development holds great potential for amplified detection because relatively few highly discriminating targets lead to fusion and an accompanied engagement of a large payload of signal-generating molecules. In this work, sequence-specific DNA-mediated liposome fusion is used for the highly selective detection of microRNA. The detection of miR-29a, a known flu biomarker, is demonstrated down to 18 nm within 30 min with high specificity by using a standard laboratory microplate reader. Furthermore, one order of magnitude improvement in the limit of detection is demonstrated by using a novel imaging technique combined with an intensity fluctuation analysis, which is coined two-color fluorescence correlation microscopy.
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27. |
- Lorenz, Ch., et al.
(author)
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Geant4-aided Quantum State Selective Decay Spectroscopy of 213Ra
- 2017
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In: The 26th International Nuclear Physics Conference. - 1824-8039. ; (INPC2016)
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Utilizing the excellent mass resolving power of SHIPTRAP and the charged-particle-g multicoincidence setup TASISpec, the decay path of the 213Ra ground state can be exclusively studied. Based on virtual experiments with Geant4 it is possible to refine the a-branching ratios of the 213Ra ground state as well as g-ray branching ratios in the 209Rn daughter. The present study provides a proof of concept where clean quantum-state selective particle-g decay spectroscopy is used in conjunction with detailed Geant4 Monte-Carlo simulations to gain insight into nuclear structure properties.
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28. |
- Peerboom, Nadia, 1990, et al.
(author)
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Binding Kinetics and Lateral Mobility of HSV-1 on End-Grafted Sulfated Glycosaminoglycans
- 2017
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In: Biophysical Journal. - : Elsevier BV. - 0006-3495 .- 1542-0086. ; 113:6, s. 1223-1234
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Many viruses, including herpes simplex (HSV), are recruited to their host cells via interaction between their envelope glycoproteins and cell-surface glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). This initial attachment is of a multivalent nature, i.e., it requires the establishment of multiple bonds between amino acids of viral glycoproteins and sulfated saccharides on the GAG chain. To gain understanding of how this binding process is modulated, we performed binding kinetics and mobility studies using end-grafted GAG chains that mimic the end attachment of these chains to proteoglycans. Total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy was used to probe binding and release, as well as the diffusion of single HSV-1 particles. To verify the hypothesis that the degree of sulfation, but also the arrangement of sulfate groups along the GAG chain, plays a key role in HSV binding, we tested two native GAGs (chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate) and compared our results to chemically sulfated hyaluronan. HSV-1 recognized all sulfated GAGs, but not the nonsulfated hyaluronan, indicating that binding is specific to the presence of sulfate groups. Furthermore we observed that a notable fraction of GAG-bound virions exhibit lateral mobility, although the multivalent binding to the immobilized GAG brushes ensures firm virus attachment to the interface. Diffusion was faster on the two native GAGs, one of which, chondroitin sulfate, was also characterized by the highest association rate per GAG chain. This highlights the complexity of multivalent virus-GAG interactions and suggests that the spatial arrangement of sulfates along native GAG chains may play a role in modulating the characteristics of the HSV-GAG interaction. Altogether, these results, obtained with a minimal and well-controlled model of the cell membrane, provide, to our knowledge, new insights into the dynamics of the HSV-GAG interaction.
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29. |
- Pivodic, Lara, et al.
(author)
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Place of death in the population dying from diseases indicative of palliative care need : a cross-national population-level study in 14 countries
- 2016
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In: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. - : BMJ. - 0143-005X .- 1470-2738. ; 70:1, s. 17-24
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Studying where people die across countries can serve as an evidence base for health policy on end-of-life care. This study describes the place of death of people who died from diseases indicative of palliative care need in 14 countries, the association of place of death with cause of death, sociodemographic and healthcare availability characteristics in each country and the extent to which these characteristics explain country differences in the place of death. Methods Death certificate data for all deaths in 2008 (age >= 1 year) in Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, England, France, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Spain (Andalusia), the USA and Wales caused by cancer, heart/renal/liver failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diseases of the nervous system or HIV/AIDS were linked with national or regional healthcare statistics (N=2 220 997). Results 13% (Canada) to 53% (Mexico) of people died at home and 25% (the Netherlands) to 85% (South Korea) died in hospital. The strength and direction of associations between home death and cause of death, sociodemographic and healthcare availability factors differed between countries. Differences between countries in home versus hospital death were only partly explained by differences in these factors. Conclusions The large differences between countries in and beyond Europe in the place of death of people in potential need of palliative care are not entirely attributable to sociodemographic characteristics, cause of death or availability of healthcare resources, which suggests that countries' palliative and end-of-life care policies may influence where people die.
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30. |
- Preisner, N. C., et al.
(author)
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Stabilizing Particles of Manganese-Iron Oxide with Additives for Thermochemical Energy Storage
- 2018
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In: Energy Technology. - : Wiley. - 2194-4296 .- 2194-4288. ; 6:11, s. 2154-2165
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Manganese-iron oxide particles are a promising candidate for both chemical-looping combustion (CLC) and thermochemical energy storage. In CLC, the ability of metal oxides to oxidize fuels in an oxygen-free atmosphere and re-oxidize in air is addressed. Whereas, reaction enthalpy is the main focus of thermochemical energy storage for, e. g. concentrated solar power or an industrial process that requires high temperature levels. Sufficient mechanical strength of the particles while they endure chemical, thermal, or mechanical stress is a crucial factor for both concepts. Particle stability is investigated here by adding 20 wt.% of TiO2, ZrO2, or CeO2 as a supportive material to (Mn0.7Fe0.3)2O3. Thermal cyclization and temperature shock tests are conducted in a packed bed reactor to identify chemical stability as well as the effect of chemical and thermal stress. A subsequent particle size distribution analysis is performed to determine the relevant breakage mechanism. Attrition resistance is tested with a customized attrition jet cup to estimate the mechanical strength of particles. It is found that the high tendency of unsupported manganese-iron oxide particles towards agglomeration can be improved with any of the chosen additives. The particles with CeO2, and especially with ZrO2, as an additive indicate an increase in resistance towards attrition. However, adding TiO2 has a severe negative impact on the chemical reactivity of the manganese-iron oxide.
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