| 1. |
- Filippou, Georgios, et al.
(author)
-
The predictive role of ultrasound-detected tenosynovitis and joint synovitis for flare in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in stable remission. Results of an Italian multicentre study of the Italian Society for Rheumatology Group for Ultrasound : The STARTER study
- 2018
-
In: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 77:9, s. 1283-1289
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To define the role of ultrasound (US) for the assessment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in clinical remission, including joint and tendon evaluation. Methods: A multicentre longitudinal study has been promoted by the US Study Group of the Italian Society for Rheumatology. 25 Italian centres participated, enrolling consecutive patients with RA in clinical remission. All patients underwent complete clinical assessment (demographic data, disease characteristics, laboratory exams, clinical assessment of 28 joints and patient/physician-reported outcomes) and Power Doppler (PD) US evaluation of wrist, metacarpalphalangeal joints, proximal interphalangeal joints and synovial tendons of the hands and wrists at enrolment, 6 and 12 months. The association between clinical and US variables with flare, disability and radiographic progression was evaluated by univariable and adjusted logistic regression models. Results: 361 patients were enrolled, the mean age was 56.20 (±13.31) years and 261 were women, with a mean disease duration of 9.75 (±8.07) years. In the 12 months follow-up, 98/326 (30.1%) patients presented a disease flare. The concurrent presence of PD positive tenosynovitis and joint synovitis predicted disease flare, with an OR (95% CI) of 2.75 (1.45 to 5.20) in crude analyses and 2.09 (1.06 to 4.13) in adjusted analyses. US variables did not predict the worsening of function or radiographic progression. US was able to predict flare at 12 months but not at 6 months. Conclusions: PD positivity in tendons and joints is an independent risk factor of flare in patients with RA in clinical remission. Musculoskeletal ultrasound evaluation is a valuable tool to monitor and help decision making in patients with RA in clinical remission.
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| 2. |
- Jung, Christian, et al.
(author)
-
A comparison of very old patients admitted to intensive care unit after acute versus elective surgery or intervention
- 2019
-
In: Journal of critical care. - : W B SAUNDERS CO-ELSEVIER INC. - 0883-9441 .- 1557-8615. ; 52, s. 141-148
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: We aimed to evaluate differences in outcome between patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) after elective versus acute surgery in a multinational cohort of very old patients (80 years; VIP). Predictors of mortality, with special emphasis on frailty, were assessed.Methods: In total, 5063 VIPs were induded in this analysis, 922 were admitted after elective surgery or intervention, 4141 acutely, with 402 after acute surgery. Differences were calculated using Mann-Whitney-U test and Wilcoxon test. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression were used to assess associations with mortality.Results: Compared patients admitted after acute surgery, patients admitted after elective surgery suffered less often from frailty as defined as CFS (28% vs 46%; p < 0.001), evidenced lower SOFA scores (4 +/- 5 vs 7 +/- 7; p < 0.001). Presence of frailty (CFS >4) was associated with significantly increased mortality both in elective surgery patients (7% vs 12%; p = 0.01), in acute surgery (7% vs 12%; p = 0.02).Conclusions: VIPs admitted to ICU after elective surgery evidenced favorable outcome over patients after acute surgery even after correction for relevant confounders. Frailty might be used to guide clinicians in risk stratification in both patients admitted after elective and acute surgery.
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| 3. |
- Abelev, Betty, et al.
(author)
-
Long-range angular correlations on the near and away side in p-Pb collisions at root S-NN=5.02 TeV
- 2013
-
In: Physics Letters. Section B: Nuclear, Elementary Particle and High-Energy Physics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0370-2693. ; 719:1-3, s. 29-41
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Angular correlations between charged trigger and associated particles are measured by the ALICE detector in p-Pb collisions at a nucleon-nucleon centre-of-mass energy of 5.02 TeV for transverse momentum ranges within 0.5 < P-T,P-assoc < P-T,P-trig < 4 GeV/c. The correlations are measured over two units of pseudorapidity and full azimuthal angle in different intervals of event multiplicity, and expressed as associated yield per trigger particle. Two long-range ridge-like structures, one on the near side and one on the away side, are observed when the per-trigger yield obtained in low-multiplicity events is subtracted from the one in high-multiplicity events. The excess on the near-side is qualitatively similar to that recently reported by the CMS Collaboration, while the excess on the away-side is reported for the first time. The two-ridge structure projected onto azimuthal angle is quantified with the second and third Fourier coefficients as well as by near-side and away-side yields and widths. The yields on the near side and on the away side are equal within the uncertainties for all studied event multiplicity and p(T) bins, and the widths show no significant evolution with event multiplicity or p(T). These findings suggest that the near-side ridge is accompanied by an essentially identical away-side ridge. (c) 2013 CERN. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 4. |
- Abelev, Betty, et al.
(author)
-
Measurement of prompt J/psi and beauty hadron production cross sections at mid-rapidity in pp collisions at root s=7 TeV
- 2012
-
In: Journal of High Energy Physics. - 1029-8479. ; :11
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The ALICE experiment at the LHC has studied J/psi production at mid-rapidity in pp collisions at root s = 7 TeV through its electron pair decay on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity L-int = 5.6 nb(-1). The fraction of J/psi from the decay of long-lived beauty hadrons was determined for J/psi candidates with transverse momentum p(t) > 1,3 GeV/c and rapidity vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.9. The cross section for prompt J/psi mesons, i.e. directly produced J/psi and prompt decays of heavier charmonium states such as the psi(2S) and chi(c) resonances, is sigma(prompt J/psi) (p(t) > 1.3 GeV/c, vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.9) = 8.3 +/- 0.8(stat.) +/- 1.1 (syst.)(-1.4)(+1.5) (syst. pol.) mu b. The cross section for the production of b-hadrons decaying to J/psi with p(t) > 1.3 GeV/c and vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.9 is a sigma(J/psi <- hB) (p(t) > 1.3 GeV/c, vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.9) = 1.46 +/- 0.38 (stat.)(-0.32)(+0.26) (syst.) mu b. The results are compared to QCD model predictions. The shape of the p(t) and y distributions of b-quarks predicted by perturbative QCD model calculations are used to extrapolate the measured cross section to derive the b (b) over bar pair total cross section and d sigma/dy at mid-rapidity.
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| 5. |
- Abelev, Betty, et al.
(author)
-
Underlying Event measurements in pp collisions at root s=0.9 and 7 TeV with the ALICE experiment at the LHC
- 2012
-
In: Journal of High Energy Physics. - 1029-8479. ; :7
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present measurements of Underlying Event observables in pp collisions at root s = 0 : 9 and 7 TeV. The analysis is performed as a function of the highest charged-particle transverse momentum p(T),L-T in the event. Different regions are defined with respect to the azimuthal direction of the leading (highest transverse momentum) track: Toward, Transverse and Away. The Toward and Away regions collect the fragmentation products of the hardest partonic interaction. The Transverse region is expected to be most sensitive to the Underlying Event activity. The study is performed with charged particles above three different p(T) thresholds: 0.15, 0.5 and 1.0 GeV/c. In the Transverse region we observe an increase in the multiplicity of a factor 2-3 between the lower and higher collision energies, depending on the track p(T) threshold considered. Data are compared to PYTHIA 6.4, PYTHIA 8.1 and PHOJET. On average, all models considered underestimate the multiplicity and summed p(T) in the Transverse region by about 10-30%.
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| 6. |
- Adriani, O., et al.
(author)
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Design of an Antimatter Large Acceptance Detector In Orbit (ALADInO)
- 2022
-
In: Instruments. - : MDPI AG. - 2410-390X. ; 6:2
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A new generation magnetic spectrometer in space will open the opportunity to inves-tigate the frontiers in direct high-energy cosmic ray measurements and to precisely measure the amount of the rare antimatter component in cosmic rays beyond the reach of current missions. We propose the concept for an Antimatter Large Acceptance Detector In Orbit (ALADInO), designed to take over the legacy of direct measurements of cosmic rays in space performed by PAMELA and AMS-02. ALADInO features technological solutions conceived to overcome the current limi-tations of magnetic spectrometers in space with a layout that provides an acceptance larger than 10 m2 sr. A superconducting magnet coupled to precision tracking and time-of-flight systems can provide the required matter–antimatter separation capabilities and rigidity measurement resolution with a Maximum Detectable Rigidity better than 20 TV. The inner 3D-imaging deep calorimeter, designed to maximize the isotropic acceptance of particles, allows for the measurement of cosmic rays up to PeV energies with accurate energy resolution to precisely measure features in the cosmic ray spectra. The operations of ALADInO in the Sun–Earth L2 Lagrangian point for at least 5 years would enable unique revolutionary observations with groundbreaking discovery poten-tials in the field of astroparticle physics by precision measurements of electrons, positrons, and antiprotons up to 10 TeV and of nuclear cosmic rays up to PeV energies, and by the possible unam-biguous detection and measurement of low-energy antideuteron and antihelium components in cosmic rays.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- An, Kevin R, et al.
(author)
-
Association between overweight and obesity with coronary artery bypass graft failure: an individual patient data analysis of clinical trials.
- 2024
-
In: European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery. - 1873-734X.
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The association between obesity and graft failure after coronary artery bypass grafting has not been previously investigated.We pooled individual patient data from randomized clinical trials with systematic post-operative coronary imaging to evaluate the association between obesity and graft failure at the individual graft and patient levels. Penalized cubic regression splines and mixed-effects multivariable logistic regression models were performed.Six trials comprising 3,928 patients and 12,048 grafts were included. The median time to imaging was 1.03 (IQR, 1.00-1.09) years. By body mass index (BMI) category, 800 (20.4%) patients were normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9), 1,668 (42.5%) were overweight (BMI 25-29.9), 983 (25.0%) were obesity class 1 (BMI 30-34.9), 344 (8.8%) were obesity class 2 (BMI 35-39.9), and 116 (2.9%) were obesity class 3 (BMI 40+). As a continuous variable, BMI was associated with reduced graft failure (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.98 [95% CI, 0.97-0.99]) at the individual graft level. Compared to normal weight patients, graft failure at the individual graft level was reduced in overweight (aOR 0.79 [95% CI, 0.64-0.96]), obesity class 1 (aOR 0.81 [95% CI, 0.64-1.01]), and obesity class 2 (aOR 0.61 [95% CI, 0.45-0.83]) patients, but not different compared to obesity class 3 (aOR 0.94 [95% CI, 0.62-1.42]) patients. Findings were similar, but did not reach significance, at the patient level.In a pooled individual patient data analysis of randomized clinical trials, BMI and obesity appear to be associated with reduced graft failure at one year after coronary artery bypass grafting.
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| 9. |
- Backes, Claudia, et al.
(author)
-
Production and processing of graphene and related materials
- 2020
-
In: 2D Materials. - : IOP Publishing. - 2053-1583. ; 7:2
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present an overview of the main techniques for production and processing of graphene and related materials (GRMs), as well as the key characterization procedures. We adopt a 'hands-on' approach, providing practical details and procedures as derived from literature as well as from the authors' experience, in order to enable the reader to reproduce the results. Section I is devoted to 'bottom up' approaches, whereby individual constituents are pieced together into more complex structures. We consider graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) produced either by solution processing or by on-surface synthesis in ultra high vacuum (UHV), as well carbon nanomembranes (CNM). Production of a variety of GNRs with tailored band gaps and edge shapes is now possible. CNMs can be tuned in terms of porosity, crystallinity and electronic behaviour. Section II covers 'top down' techniques. These rely on breaking down of a layered precursor, in the graphene case usually natural crystals like graphite or artificially synthesized materials, such as highly oriented pyrolythic graphite, monolayers or few layers (FL) flakes. The main focus of this section is on various exfoliation techniques in a liquid media, either intercalation or liquid phase exfoliation (LPE). The choice of precursor, exfoliation method, medium as well as the control of parameters such as time or temperature are crucial. A definite choice of parameters and conditions yields a particular material with specific properties that makes it more suitable for a targeted application. We cover protocols for the graphitic precursors to graphene oxide (GO). This is an important material for a range of applications in biomedicine, energy storage, nanocomposites, etc. Hummers' and modified Hummers' methods are used to make GO that subsequently can be reduced to obtain reduced graphene oxide (RGO) with a variety of strategies. GO flakes are also employed to prepare three-dimensional (3d) low density structures, such as sponges, foams, hydro- or aerogels. The assembly of flakes into 3d structures can provide improved mechanical properties. Aerogels with a highly open structure, with interconnected hierarchical pores, can enhance the accessibility to the whole surface area, as relevant for a number of applications, such as energy storage. The main recipes to yield graphite intercalation compounds (GICs) are also discussed. GICs are suitable precursors for covalent functionalization of graphene, but can also be used for the synthesis of uncharged graphene in solution. Degradation of the molecules intercalated in GICs can be triggered by high temperature treatment or microwave irradiation, creating a gas pressure surge in graphite and exfoliation. Electrochemical exfoliation by applying a voltage in an electrolyte to a graphite electrode can be tuned by varying precursors, electrolytes and potential. Graphite electrodes can be either negatively or positively intercalated to obtain GICs that are subsequently exfoliated. We also discuss the materials that can be amenable to exfoliation, by employing a theoretical data-mining approach. The exfoliation of LMs usually results in a heterogeneous dispersion of flakes with different lateral size and thickness. This is a critical bottleneck for applications, and hinders the full exploitation of GRMs produced by solution processing. The establishment of procedures to control the morphological properties of exfoliated GRMs, which also need to be industrially scalable, is one of the key needs. Section III deals with the processing of flakes. (Ultra)centrifugation techniques have thus far been the most investigated to sort GRMs following ultrasonication, shear mixing, ball milling, microfluidization, and wet-jet milling. It allows sorting by size and thickness. Inks formulated from GRM dispersions can be printed using a number of processes, from inkjet to screen printing. Each technique has specific rheological requirements, as well as geometrical constraints. The solvent choice is critical, not only for the GRM stability, but also in terms of optimizing printing on different substrates, such as glass, Si, plastic, paper, etc, all with different surface energies. Chemical modifications of such substrates is also a key step. Sections IV-VII are devoted to the growth of GRMs on various substrates and their processing after growth to place them on the surface of choice for specific applications. The substrate for graphene growth is a key determinant of the nature and quality of the resultant film. The lattice mismatch between graphene and substrate influences the resulting crystallinity. Growth on insulators, such as SiO2, typically results in films with small crystallites, whereas growth on the close-packed surfaces of metals yields highly crystalline films. Section IV outlines the growth of graphene on SiC substrates. This satisfies the requirements for electronic applications, with well-defined graphene-substrate interface, low trapped impurities and no need for transfer. It also allows graphene structures and devices to be measured directly on the growth substrate. The flatness of the substrate results in graphene with minimal strain and ripples on large areas, allowing spectroscopies and surface science to be performed. We also discuss the surface engineering by intercalation of the resulting graphene, its integration with Si-wafers and the production of nanostructures with the desired shape, with no need for patterning. Section V deals with chemical vapour deposition (CVD) onto various transition metals and on insulators. Growth on Ni results in graphitized polycrystalline films. While the thickness of these films can be optimized by controlling the deposition parameters, such as the type of hydrocarbon precursor and temperature, it is difficult to attain single layer graphene (SLG) across large areas, owing to the simultaneous nucleation/growth and solution/precipitation mechanisms. The differing characteristics of polycrystalline Ni films facilitate the growth of graphitic layers at different rates, resulting in regions with differing numbers of graphitic layers. High-quality films can be grown on Cu. Cu is available in a variety of shapes and forms, such as foils, bulks, foams, thin films on other materials and powders, making it attractive for industrial production of large area graphene films. The push to use CVD graphene in applications has also triggered a research line for the direct growth on insulators. The quality of the resulting films is lower than possible to date on metals, but enough, in terms of transmittance and resistivity, for many applications as described in section V. Transfer technologies are the focus of section VI. CVD synthesis of graphene on metals and bottom up molecular approaches require SLG to be transferred to the final target substrates. To have technological impact, the advances in production of high-quality large-area CVD graphene must be commensurate with those on transfer and placement on the final substrates. This is a prerequisite for most applications, such as touch panels, anticorrosion coatings, transparent electrodes and gas sensors etc. New strategies have improved the transferred graphene quality, making CVD graphene a feasible option for CMOS foundries. Methods based on complete etching of the metal substrate in suitable etchants, typically iron chloride, ammonium persulfate, or hydrogen chloride although reliable, are time- and resource-consuming, with damage to graphene and production of metal and etchant residues. Electrochemical delamination in a low-concentration aqueous solution is an alternative. In this case metallic substrates can be reused. Dry transfer is less detrimental for the SLG quality, enabling a deterministic transfer. There is a large range of layered materials (LMs) beyond graphite. Only few of them have been already exfoliated and fully characterized. Section VII deals with the growth of some of these materials. Amongst them, h-BN, transition metal tri- and di-chalcogenides are of paramount importance. The growth of h-BN is at present considered essential for the development of graphene in (opto) electronic applications, as h-BN is ideal as capping layer or substrate. The interesting optical and electronic properties of TMDs also require the development of scalable methods for their production. Large scale growth using chemical/physical vapour deposition or thermal assisted conversion has been thus far limited to a small set, such as h-BN or some TMDs. Heterostructures could also be directly grown. Section VIII discusses advances in GRM functionalization. A broad range of organic molecules can be anchored to the sp(2) basal plane by reductive functionalization. Negatively charged graphene can be prepared in liquid phase (e.g. via intercalation chemistry or electrochemically) and can react with electrophiles. This can be achieved both in dispersion or on substrate. The functional groups of GO can be further derivatized. Graphene can also be noncovalently functionalized, in particular with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that assemble on the sp(2) carbon network by pi-pi stacking. In the liquid phase, this can enhance the colloidal stability of SLG/FLG. Approaches to achieve noncovalent on-substrate functionalization are also discussed, which can chemically dope graphene. Research efforts to derivatize CNMs are also summarized, as well as novel routes to selectively address defect sites. In dispersion, edges are the most dominant defects and can be covalently modified. This enhances colloidal stability without modifying the graphene basal plane. Basal plane point defects can also be modified, passivated and healed in ultra-high vacuum. The decoration of graphene with metal nanoparticles (NPs) has also received considerable attention, as it allows to exploit synergistic effects between NPs and graphene. Decoration can be either achieved chemically or in the gas phase. All LMs,
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
- Berglund, Birgitta, et al.
(author)
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Measurement across physical and behavioural sciences
- 2011. - 1
-
In: Measurement with persons. - New York and London : Psychology Press/Taylor & Francis Group. - 9781848729391 ; , s. 1-25
-
Book chapter (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Measurement in physical and behavioral sciences has had an interactive development. Helmholz pointed out the analogy between measuring and counting (the amount of “something”), a prerequisite for measurability. Campbell established measurability by providing a characteristic” for the empirical order relation, either by a physical addition operation (reference measurement scale) or by finding a physical law (measure as a function of other quantities); i.e. fundamental or derived quantities, respectively. Stevens contributed methods for the direct measurement of sensory events and the classification of measurement scales (nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio). Krantz, Roberts, Suppes, and Luce provided the representational theory of measurement, which feasibility has gained support for all kinds of measurement among physicists and engineers. Numbers obtained through measurement represent empirical relations. This holds true for fundamental physical measurements, but also for Stevens “weaker” scales. Through cooperation among members of BIPN, the international system of metrology is continuously revised and contributes significantly to the overall progress of science and technology, i.a. by agreeing on a common language in metrology by publishing an International Vocabulary. The International System of Unites (SI, formerly MKSA system) presents quantities with units and their interrelations as well as accepted physical laws.
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| 12. |
- Bott, Lukas Thomas, et al.
(author)
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Coulomb dissociation of O-16 into He-4 and C-12
- 2023
-
In: NUCLEAR PHYSICS IN ASTROPHYSICS - X, NPA-X 2022. - : EDP Sciences. - 2100-014X. ; 279
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We measured the Coulomb dissociation of O-16 into He-4 and C-12 within the FAIR Phase-0 program at GSI Helmholtzzentrum fur Schwerionenforschung Darmstadt, Germany. From this we will extract the photon dissociation cross section O-16(alpha,gamma)C-12, which is the time reversed reaction to C-12(alpha,gamma)O-16. With this indirect method, we aim to improve on the accuracy of the experimental data at lower energies than measured so far. The expected low cross section for the Coulomb dissociation reaction and close magnetic rigidity of beam and fragments demand a high precision measurement. Hence, new detector systems were built and radical changes to the (RB)-B-3 setup were necessary to cope with the high-intensity O-16 beam. All tracking detectors were designed to let the unreacted O-16 ions pass, while detecting the C-12 and He-4.
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| 13. |
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| 14. |
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| 15. |
- Henein, Michael Y., et al.
(author)
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Biomarkers predict in-hospital major adverse cardiac events in covid-19 patients : A multicenter international study
- 2021
-
In: Journal of Clinical Medicine. - : MDPI. - 2077-0383. ; 10:24
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The COVID-19 pandemic carries a high burden of morbidity and mortality worldwide. We aimed to identify possible predictors of in-hospital major cardiovascular (CV) events in COVID-19.Methods: We retrospectively included patients hospitalized for COVID-19 from 10 centers. Clinical, biochemical, electrocardiographic, and imaging data at admission and medications were collected. Primary endpoint was a composite of in-hospital CV death, acute heart failure (AHF), acute myocarditis, arrhythmias, acute coronary syndromes (ACS), cardiocirculatory arrest, and pulmonary embolism (PE).Results: Of the 748 patients included, 141(19%) reached the set endpoint: 49 (7%) CV death, 15 (2%) acute myocarditis, 32 (4%) sustained-supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmias, 14 (2%) cardiocirculatory arrest, 8 (1%) ACS, 41 (5%) AHF, and 39 (5%) PE. Patients with CV events had higher age, body temperature, creatinine, high-sensitivity troponin, white blood cells, and platelet counts at admission and were more likely to have systemic hypertension, renal failure (creatinine ≥ 1.25 mg/dL), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, atrial fibrillation, and cardiomyopathy. On univariate and multivariate analysis, troponin and renal failure were associated with the composite endpoint. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a clear divergence of in-hospital composite event-free survival stratified according to median troponin value and the presence of renal failure (Log rank p < 0.001).Conclusions: Our findings, derived from a multicenter data collection study, suggest the routine use of biomarkers, such as cardiac troponin and serum creatinine, for in-hospital prediction of CV events in patients with COVID-19.
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| 16. |
- Hillberg, Emil, et al.
(author)
-
Flexibility needs in the future power system
- 2019
-
Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Power system flexibility relates to the ability of the power system to manage changes. Solutions providing advances in flexibility are of utmost importance for the future power system. Development and deployment of innovative technologies, communication and monitoring possibilities, as well as increased interaction and information exchange, are enablers to provide holistic flexibility solutions. Furthermore, development of new methods for market design and analysis, as well as methods and procedures related to system planning and operation, will be required to utilise available flexibility to provide most value to society. However, flexibility is not a unified term and is lacking a commonly accepted definition. Several definitions of flexibility have been suggested, some of which restrict the definition of flexibility to relate to changes in supply and demand while others do not put this limitation. The flexibility term is used as an umbrella covering various needs and aspects in the power system. This situation makes it highly complex to discuss flexibility in the power system and craves for differentiation to enhance clarity. In this report, the solution has been to differentiate the flexibility term on needs, and to categorise flexibility needs in four categories: Flexibility for Power: - Need Description: Short term equilibrium between power supply and power demand, a system wide requirement for maintaining the frequency stability. - Main Rationale: Increased amount of intermittent, weather dependent, power supply in the generation mix. - Activation Timescale: Fractions of a second up to an hour. Flexibility for Energy: - Need Description: Medium to long term equilibrium between energy supply and energy demand, a system wide requirement for demand scenarios over time. - Main Rationale: Decreased amount of fuel storage-based energy supply in the generation mix. - Activation Timescale: Hours to several years. Flexibility for Transfer Capacity: - Need Description: Short to medium term ability to transfer power between supply and demand, where local or regional limitations may cause bottlenecks resulting in congestion costs. - Main Rationale: Increased utilisation levels, with increased peak demands and increased peak supply. - Activation Timescale: Minutes to several hours. Flexibility for Voltage: - Need Description: Short term ability to keep the bus voltages within predefined limits, a local and regional requirement. - Main Rationale: Increased amount of distributed power generation in the distribution systems, resulting in bi-directional power flows and increased variance of operating scenarios. - Activation Timescale: Seconds to tens of minutes.Here, flexibility needs are considered from over-all system perspectives (stability, frequency and energy supply) and from more local perspectives (transfer capacities, voltage and power quality). With flexibility support considered for both operation and planning of the power system, it is required in a timescale from fractions of a second (e.g. stability and frequency support) to minutes and hours (e.g. thermal loadings and generation dispatch) to months and years (e.g. planning for seasonal adequacy and planning of new investments).
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| 17. |
-
Measurement with persons : Theory, methods and implementation areas
- 2011. - 1
-
Editorial collection (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Measurements with persons are those in which human perception and interpretation are used for measuring complex, holistic quantities and qualities, which are perceived by the human brain and mind. Providing means for reproducible measurement of parameters such as pleasure and pain has important implications in evaluating all kinds of products, services and conditions. This book inaugurates a new era for this subject: a multi- and inter-disciplinary volume in which world-renowned scientists from the psychological, physical, biological, and social sciences reach a common understanding of measurement theory and methods. In the first section, generic theoretical and methodological issues are treated, including the perceptual basis of measurement in the various fields involved; the development of formal, representational, and probabilistic theories; the approach to experimentation; and the theories, models and methods for multidimensional problems. In the second section, several implementation areas are presented, including sound, visual, skin , and odor perception, functional brain imaging, body language and emotions , and, finally the use of measurements in decision making. The book covers topics relevant to a range of sciences, including general psychology and psychophysics, measurement theory, metrology and instrumentation, neurophysiology, engineering, biology and chemistry.
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| 18. |
- Morley, John E., et al.
(author)
-
Sarcopenia With Limited Mobility : An International Consensus
- 2011
-
In: Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. - : Elsevier BV. - 1525-8610 .- 1538-9375. ; 12:6, s. 403-409
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A consensus conference convened by the Society of Sarcopenia, Cachexia and Wasting Disorders has concluded that "Sarcopenia, le, reduced muscle mass, with limited mobility" should be considered an important clinical entity and that most older persons should be screened for this condition. "Sarcopenia with limited mobility" is defined as a person with muscle loss whose walking speed is equal to or less than 1 m/s or who walks less than 400 m during a 6-minute walk, and who has a lean appendicular mass corrected for height squared of 2 standard deviations or more below the mean of healthy persons between 20 and 30 years of age of the same ethnic group. The limitation in mobility should not clearly be a result of otherwise defined specific diseases of muscle, peripheral vascular disease with intermittent claudication, central and peripheral nervous system disorders, or cachexia. Clinically significant interventions are defined as an increase in the 6-minute walk of at least 50 meters or an increase of walking speed of at least 0.1 m/s.
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| 19. |
- Patel, Jayna J., et al.
(author)
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Early outcomes associated with use of the Zenith TX2 Dissection Endovascular Graft for the treatment of Stanford type B aortic dissection
- 2021
-
In: Journal of Vascular Surgery. - : Elsevier. - 0741-5214 .- 1097-6809. ; 74:2, s. 547-555
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To evaluate short term outcomes related to the use of the Zenith TX2 Dissection Endovascular Graft (ZDEG) and the Zenith Dissection Bare stent (ZDES) for the treatment of Stanford type B aortic dissections. Methods: This retrospective multicenter case cohort study collated data from 10 European institutions for patients with both complicated and uncomplicated type B aortic dissection treated with ZDEG and ZDES between 2011 and 2018. The primary end point was mortality at 30 and 90 days. Secondary end points included complications related to TEVAR, such as, type Ia endoleak, stroke, paraparesis, paraplegia, and retrograde type A dissection (RTAD). Statistical analysis was carried out using the t test, or one-way analysis of variance and the chi(2) or Fisher exact tests. Results: We treated 120 patients (87 male; mean age, 62.7 +/- 12.2years) either in the acute 76 (63.3%), subacute 16 (13.3%), or chronic 28 (23.3%) phase. Seven patients (5.8%) died within 30 days after the index procedure and two (1.7%) between 30 and 90 days. There was one instance of postoperative RTAD in a patient treated for rupture. Stroke and paraplegia occurred in three (2.5%) and five (4.2%), patients, respectively. Eight patients (6.7%) had a type Ia endoleak in the perioperative period. There were no instances of paraplegia, no permanent dialysis, and no requirement for adjunctive superior mesenteric or celiac artery stenting in the 33 patients (27.5%) who were treated by concurrent placement of ZDES distal to the ZDEG. The length and distal oversizing of ZDEG components used was less in this group. Conclusions: The present series demonstrates a low (<1%) RTAD rate and favorable morbidity and mortality. The lower rate of paraplegia, dialysis, and visceral artery stenting in the cohort that had adjunctive use of ZDES is compelling and merits further assessment.
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| 20. |
- Policastro, Francesca, et al.
(author)
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Motor Development of Children in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq : Parent Survey
- 2024
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In: Children. - : MDPI. - 2227-9067. ; 11:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The actual literature highlights the importance of the socio-cultural context in the development of children. However, there is a lack of specific evidence about the middle East, especially regarding the development of Kurdish children who are living in a post-war scenario, in a country which is experiencing continuous instability due to the different crises. The main aim of this study is to identify the features of the motor development of Kurdish children according to parents' opinion. A comparison with Italian children is provided as a Western example, which reflects data from the literature. In the study, 331 parents of Kurdish and Italian children aged between 3 and 7 years were involved. Parents filled the questionnaire at kindergartens, after providing consent. The questionnaire was conceptualized, designed, tested and provided ad hoc for this study; it focused on the timing of development, concerning major milestones like head control, sitting and standing-up. The questionnaire consists of 15 questions and has not been standardized yet. A logistic regression showed several differences between Kurdish and Italian children, like head control (p = 0.007) or the manipulation of big objects (p < 0.0001). These results identify the effect of the socio-cultural context and the impact of the growing environment of the child. Moreover, the results of this survey show the need for introducing different adapted, translated and validated assessment tools for motor development, considering differences related to the socio-cultural context.
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| 21. |
- Ricci, Fabrizio, et al.
(author)
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Exercise-induced myocardial edema in master triathletes : Insights from cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging
- 2022
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In: Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2297-055X. ; 9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Strenuous exercise has been associated with functional and structural cardiac changes due to local and systemic inflammatory responses, reflecting oxidative, metabolic, hormonal, and thermal stress, even in healthy individuals. We aimed to assess changes in myocardial structure and function using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in master triathletes early after a full-distance Ironman Triathlon race. Materials and methods: Ten master triathletes (age 45 ± 8 years) underwent CMR within 3 h after a full-distance Ironman Triathlon race (3.8 km swimming, 180 km cycling, and 42.2 km running) completed with a mean time of 12 ± 1 h. All the triathletes had a 30-day follow-up CMR. Cine balanced steady-state free precession, T2-short tau inversion recovery (STIR), tagging, and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging sequences were performed on a 1.5-T MR scanner. Myocardial edema was defined as a region with increased T2 signal intensity (SI) of at least two SDs above the mean of the normal myocardium. The extent of myocardial edema was expressed as the percentage of left ventricular (LV) mass. Analysis of LV strain and torsion by tissue tagging included the assessment of radial, longitudinal, and circumferential peak systolic strain, rotation, and twist. Results: Compared with postrace, biventricular volumes, ejection fraction, and LV mass index remained unchanged at 30-day follow-up. Global T2 SI was significantly higher in the postrace CMR (postrace 10.5 ± 6% vs. follow-up 3.9 ± 3.8%, P = 0.004) and presented with a relative apical sparing distribution (P < 0.001) matched by reduction of radial peak systolic strain of basal segments (P = 0.003). Apical rotation and twist were significantly higher immediately after the competition compared with follow-up (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Strenuous exercise in master triathletes is associated with a reversible regional increase in myocardial edema and reduction of radial peak systolic strain, both presenting with a relative apical sparing pattern.
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| 22. |
- Rossi, Giovanni B., et al.
(author)
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Measurement involving human perception and interpretation
- 2011
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In: Measurement. - : Elsevier BV. - 0263-2241 .- 1873-412X. ; 44:5, s. 815-822
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The measurement of features related to human perception and interpretation is discussed. After a brief review of the historical framework, the state of the art is presented on the basis of the authors' experience in the field and their participation in related European projects, with development of experiments, and co-ordination activities. Future research needs and challenges are then addressed.
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| 23. |
- Rossi, Michele, et al.
(author)
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SYNAPSE plus plus : Code Dissemination in Wireless Sensor Networks Using Fountain Codes
- 2010
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In: IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing. - 1536-1233 .- 1558-0660. ; 9:12, s. 1749-1765
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper presents SYNAPSE++, a system for over the air reprogramming of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). In contrast to previous solutions, which implement plain negative acknowledgment-based ARQ strategies, SYNAPSE++ adopts a more sophisticated error recovery approach exploiting rateless fountain codes (FCs). This allows it to scale considerably better in dense networks and to better cope with noisy environments. In order to speed up the decoding process and decrease its computational complexity, we engineered the FC encoding distribution through an original genetic optimization approach. Furthermore, novel channel access and pipelining techniques have been jointly designed so as to fully exploit the benefits of fountain codes, mitigate the hidden terminal problem and reduce the number of collisions. All of this makes it possible for SYNAPSE++ to recover data over multiple hops through overhearing by limiting, as much as possible, the number of explicit retransmissions. We finally created new bootloader and memory management modules so that SYNAPSE++ could disseminate and load program images written using any language. At the end of this paper, the effectiveness of SYNAPSE++ is demonstrated through experimental results over actual multihop deployments, and its performance is compared with that of Deluge, the de facto standard protocol for code dissemination in WSNs. The TinyOS 2 code of SYNAPSE++ is available at http://dgt.dei.unipd.it/download.
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| 24. |
- Setti, Martina, et al.
(author)
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Discrepancies in Assessing Diastolic Function in Pre-Clinical Heart Failure Using Different Algorithms-A Primary Care Study
- 2020
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In: Diagnostics (Basel). - : MDPI. - 2075-4418. ; 10:10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Current guidelines on diastolic function (DF) by the American Society of Echocardiography and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (ASE/EACVI) have been disputed and two alternative algorithms have been proposed by Johansen et al. and Oh et al. We sought (a) to assess the concordance of ASE/EACVI guidelines on DF using these proposed alternative approaches and (b) to evaluate the prevalence of indeterminate diastolic dysfunction (DD) by each method, exploring means for reducing their number. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the echocardiographic reports of 1158 outpatients including subjects at risk of heart failure without (n = 644) or with (n = 241) structural heart disease, and 273 healthy individuals. Concordance was calculated using the k coefficient and overall proportion of DD reclassification rate. The effectiveness of pulmonary vein flow (PVF), Valsalva maneuver, and left atrial volume index/late diastolic a'-ratio (LAVi/a') over indeterminate grading was assessed. Results: The DD reclassification rate was 30.1% (k = 0.35) for ASE/EACVI and OH, 36.5% (k = 0.27) for ASE/EACVI and JOHANSEN and 31.1% (k = 0.37) for OH and JOHANSEN (p < 0.0001 for all comparisons). DF could not be graded only by ASE/EACVI and OH in 9% and 11% patients, respectively. The majority of patients could be reclassified using PVF or Valsalva maneuver or LAVi/a', with the latter being the single most effective parameter. Conclusion: Inconsistencies between updated guidelines and independent approaches to assess and grade DF impede their interchangeable clinical use. The inconclusive diagnoses can be reconciled by conventional echocardiography in most patients, and LAVi/a' emerges as a simple and effective approach to this aim.
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| 25. |
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| 26. |
- Sunnqvist, Martin, et al.
(author)
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The Eye of the Law and the Scales of Justice: Law and Art in the Scania and Blekinge Court of Appeal 1821-1917
- 2024
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In: Law and Art in the 19th Century: Power in Images. - 9788833796857 ; 1, s. 379-395
-
Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Scania and Blekinge Court of Appeal in southern Sweden was established by King Charles XIV John in 1821. The iconography used during its period in Kristianstad, until it moved to Malmö in 1917, provides an excellent example of ‘power in images’, highlighting the transition from neoclassicism to national romanticism and finally modernity.In the text, I discuss the choices of symbols that were made when the court was established, and how these choices developed and changed. I concentrate on poems, seals, uniforms, furniture and architecture that were associated with the court and that tell a story about the way the judges understood their roles. Not only metaphors as the ‘eye of the law’ and the symbol of Justitia with sword and scales are discussed, but also symbols of learning and prosperity.
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| 27. |
- Swift, Imogen J, et al.
(author)
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A systematic review of progranulin concentrations in biofluids in over 7,000 people-assessing the pathogenicity of GRN mutations and other influencing factors.
- 2024
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In: Alzheimer's Research & Therapy. - 1758-9193. ; 16:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Pathogenic heterozygous mutations in the progranulin gene (GRN) are a key cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), leading to significantly reduced biofluid concentrations of the progranulin protein (PGRN). This has led to a number of ongoing therapeutic trials aiming to treat this form of FTD by increasing PGRN levels in mutation carriers. However, we currently lack a complete understanding of factors that affect PGRN levels and potential variation in measurement methods. Here, we aimed to address this gap in knowledge by systematically reviewing published literature on biofluid PGRN concentrations.Published data including biofluid PGRN concentration, age, sex, diagnosis and GRN mutation were collected for 7071 individuals from 75 publications. The majority of analyses (72%) had focused on plasma PGRN concentrations, with many of these (56%) measured with a single assay type (Adipogen) and so the influence of mutation type, age at onset, sex, and diagnosis were investigated in this subset of the data.We established a plasma PGRN concentration cut-off between pathogenic mutation carriers and non-carriers of 74.8ng/mL using the Adipogen assay based on 3301 individuals, with a CSF concentration cut-off of 3.43ng/mL. Plasma PGRN concentration varied by GRN mutation type as well as by clinical diagnosis in those without a GRN mutation. Plasma PGRN concentration was significantly higher in women than men in GRN mutation carriers (p=0.007) with a trend in non-carriers (p=0.062), and there was a significant but weak positive correlation with age in both GRN mutation carriers and non-carriers. No significant association was seen with weight or with TMEM106B rs1990622 genotype. However, higher plasma PGRN levels were seen in those with the GRN rs5848 CC genotype in both GRN mutation carriers and non-carriers.These results further support the usefulness of PGRN concentration for the identification of the large majority of pathogenic mutations in the GRN gene. Furthermore, these results highlight the importance of considering additional factors, such as mutation type, sex and age when interpreting PGRN concentrations. This will be particularly important as we enter the era of trials for progranulin-associated FTD.
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| 28. |
- Vigliar, Elena, et al.
(author)
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COVID-19 pandemic impact on cytopathology practice in the post-lockdown period: An international, multicenter study
- 2022
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In: Cancer Cytopathology. - : WILEY. - 1934-662X .- 1934-6638. ; 130:5, s. 344-351
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background In a previous worldwide survey, the authors showed a drastic reduction in the number of cytological specimens processed during the coronavirus disease 2019 "lockdown" period along with an increase in malignancy rates. To assess the continued impact of the pandemic on cytological practices around the world, they undertook a second follow-up worldwide survey collecting data from the post-lockdown period (2020). Methods Participants were asked to provide data regarding their cytopathology activity during the first 12 weeks of their respective national post-lockdown period (2020), which ranged from April 4 to October 31. Differences between the post-lockdown period and the corresponding 2019 period were evaluated, and the authors specifically focused on rates of malignant diagnoses. Results A total of 29 respondents from 17 countries worldwide joined the survey. Overall, a lower number of cytological specimens (n = 236,352) were processed in comparison with the same period in 2019 (n = 321,466) for a relative reduction of 26.5%. The overall malignancy rate showed a statistically significant increase (12,442 [5.26%] vs 12,882 [4.01%]; P < .001) during the same time period. Similar results were obtained if both malignancy and suspicious for malignancy rates were considered together (15,759 [6.58%] vs 16,011 [4.98%]; P < .001). Conclusions The data showed a persistent reduction in the cytological specimen volume during the post-lockdown period (2020). However, the relative increase in the cytological workload in the late part of the post-lockdown is a promising finding of a slow return to normality.
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| 29. |
- Vigliar, Elena, et al.
(author)
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Global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cytopathology practice: Results from an international survey of laboratories in 23 countries
- 2020
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In: Cancer Cytopathology. - : WILEY. - 1934-662X .- 1934-6638. ; 128:12, s. 885-894
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background To the authors knowledge, the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on cytopathology practices worldwide has not been investigated formally. In the current study, data from 41 respondents from 23 countries were reported. Methods Data regarding the activity of each cytopathology laboratory during 4 weeks of COVID-19 lockdown were collected and compared with those obtained during the corresponding period in 2019. The overall number and percentage of exfoliative and fine-needle aspiration cytology samples from each anatomic site were recorded. Differences in the malignancy and suspicious rates between the 2 periods were analyzed using a meta-analytical approach. Results Overall, the sample volume was lower compared with 2019 (104,319 samples vs 190,225 samples), with an average volume reduction of 45.3% (range, 0.1%-98.0%). The percentage of samples from the cervicovaginal tract, thyroid, and anorectal region was significantly reduced (P < .05). Conversely, the percentage of samples from the urinary tract, serous cavities, breast, lymph nodes, respiratory tract, salivary glands, central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, liver, and biliary tract increased (P < .05). An overall increase of 5.56% (95% CI, 3.77%-7.35%) in the malignancy rate in nongynecological samples during the COVID-19 pandemic was observed. When the suspicious category was included, the overall increase was 6.95% (95% CI, 4.63%-9.27%). Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a drastic reduction in the total number of cytology specimens regardless of anatomic site or specimen type. The rate of malignancy increased, reflecting the prioritization of patients with cancer who were considered to be at high risk. Prospective monitoring of the effect of delays in access to health services during the lockdown period is warranted.
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| 30. |
- Yi, Chuixiang, et al.
(author)
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Climate control of terrestrial carbon exchange across biomes and continents
- 2010
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In: Environmental Research Letters. - : IOP Publishing. - 1748-9326. ; 5:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Understanding the relationships between climate and carbon exchange by terrestrial ecosystems is critical to predict future levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide because of the potential accelerating effects of positive climate-carbon cycle feedbacks. However, directly observed relationships between climate and terrestrial CO2 exchange with the atmosphere across biomes and continents are lacking. Here we present data describing the relationships between net ecosystem exchange of carbon (NEE) and climate factors as measured using the eddy covariance method at 125 unique sites in various ecosystems over six continents with a total of 559 site-years. We find that NEE observed at eddy covariance sites is (1) a strong function of mean annual temperature at mid-and high-latitudes, (2) a strong function of dryness at mid-and low-latitudes, and (3) a function of both temperature and dryness around the mid-latitudinal belt (45 degrees N). The sensitivity of NEE to mean annual temperature breaks down at similar to 16 degrees C (a threshold value of mean annual temperature), above which no further increase of CO2 uptake with temperature was observed and dryness influence overrules temperature influence.
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