85 research outputs found
Predictable Properties of Fitness Landscapes Induced by Adaptational Tradeoffs
Fitness effects of mutations depend on environmental parameters. For example, mutations that increase fitness of bacteria at high antibiotic concentration often decrease fitness in the absence of antibiotic, exemplifying a tradeoff between adaptation to environmental extremes. We develop a mathematical model for fitness landscapes generated by such tradeoffs, based on experiments that determine the antibiotic dose-response curves of Escherichia coli strains, and previous observations on antibiotic resistance mutations. Our model generates a succession of landscapes with predictable properties as antibiotic concentration is varied. The landscape is nearly smooth at low and high concentrations, but the tradeoff induces a high ruggedness at intermediate antibiotic concentrations. Despite this high ruggedness, however, all the fitness maxima in the landscapes are evolutionarily accessible from the wild type. This implies that selection for antibiotic resistance in multiple mutational steps is relatively facile despite the complexity of the underlying landscape
Design and Implementation of a Collaborative Clinical Practice and Research Documentation System Using SNOMED-CT and HL7-CDA in the Context of a Pediatric Neurodevelopmental Unit
This paper introduces a prototype for clinical research documentation using the structured information model HL7 CDA and clinical terminology (SNOMED CT). The proposed solution
was integrated with the current electronic health record system (EHR-S) and aimed to implement
interoperability and structure information, and to create a collaborative platform between clinical
and research teams. The framework also aims to overcome the limitations imposed by classical
documentation strategies in real-time healthcare encounters that may require fast access to complex information. The solution was developed in the pediatric hospital (HP) of the University
Hospital Center of Coimbra (CHUC), a national reference for neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is very demanding in terms of longitudinal and
cross-sectional data throughput. The platform uses a three-layer approach to reduce components’
dependencies and facilitate maintenance, scalability, and security. The system was validated in a
real-life context of the neurodevelopmental and autism unit (UNDA) in the HP and assessed based
on the functionalities model of EHR-S (EHR-S FM) regarding their successful implementation and
comparison with state-of-the-art alternative platforms. A global approach to the clinical history
of neurodevelopmental disorders was worked out, providing transparent healthcare data coding
and structuring while preserving information quality. Thus, the platform enabled the development
of user-defined structured templates and the creation of structured documents with standardized
clinical terminology that can be used in many healthcare contexts. Moreover, storing structured data
associated with healthcare encounters supports a longitudinal view of the patient’s healthcare data
and health status over time, which is critical in routine and pediatric research contexts. Additionally,
it enables queries on population statistics that are key to supporting the definition of local and global
policies, whose importance was recently emphasized by the COVID pandemic.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
A Combine On-Line Acoustic Flowmeter and Fluorocarbon Coolant Mixture Analyzer for The ATLAS Silicon Tracker
An upgrade to the ATLAS silicon tracker cooling control system may require a
change from C3F8 (octafluoro-propane) to a blend containing 10-30% of C2F6
(hexafluoro-ethane) to reduce the evaporation temperature and better protect
the silicon from cumulative radiation damage with increasing LHC luminosity.
Central to this upgrade is a new acoustic instrument for the real-time
measurement of the C3F8/C2F6 mixture ratio and flow. The instrument and its
Supervisory, Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) software are described in
this paper. The instrument has demonstrated a resolution of 3.10-3 for
C3F8/C2F6 mixtures with ~20%C2F6, and flow resolution of 2% of full scale for
mass flows up to 30gs-1. In mixtures of widely-differing molecular weight (mw),
higher mixture precision is possible: a sensitivity of < 5.10-4 to leaks of
C3F8 into the ATLAS pixel detector nitrogen envelope (mw difference 160) has
been seen. The instrument has many potential applications, including the
analysis of mixtures of hydrocarbons, vapours for semi-conductor manufacture
and anaesthesia
Development of a custom on-line ultrasonic vapour analyzer/flowmeter for the ATLAS inner detector, with application to gaseous tracking and Cherenkov detectors
Precision sound velocity measurements can simultaneously determine binary gas
composition and flow. We have developed an analyzer with custom electronics,
currently in use in the ATLAS inner detector, with numerous potential
applications. The instrument has demonstrated ~0.3% mixture precision for
C3F8/C2F6 mixtures and < 10-4 resolution for N2/C3F8 mixtures. Moderate and
high flow versions of the instrument have demonstrated flow resolutions of +/-
2% F.S. for flows up to 250 l.min-1, and +/- 1.9% F.S. for linear flow
velocities up to 15 ms-1; the latter flow approaching that expected in the
vapour return of the thermosiphon fluorocarbon coolant recirculator being built
for the ATLAS silicon tracker.Comment: Paper submitted to TWEPP2012; Topical Workshop on Electronics for
Particle Physics, Oxford, UK, September 17-21, 2012. KEYWORDS: Sonar;
Saturated fluorocarbons; Flowmetry; Sound velocity, Gas mixture analysis. 8
pages, 7 figure
Translational challenges and opportunities in biofilm science:a BRIEF for the future
Biofilms are increasingly recognised as a critical global issue in a multitude of industries impacting health, food and water security, marine sector, and industrial processes resulting in estimated economic cost of $5 trillion USD annually. A major barrier to the translation of biofilm science is the gap between industrial practices and academic research across the biofilms field. Therefore, there is an urgent need for biofilm research to notice and react to industrially relevant issues to achieve transferable outputs. Regulatory frameworks necessarily bridge gaps between different players, but require a clear, science-driven non-biased underpinning to successfully translate research. Here we introduce a 2-dimensional framework, termed the Biofilm Research-Industrial Engagement Framework (BRIEF) for classifying existing biofilm technologies according to their level of scientific insight, including the understanding of the underlying biofilm system, and their industrial utility accounting for current industrial practices. We evidence the BRIEF with three case studies of biofilm science across healthcare, food & agriculture, and wastewater sectors highlighting the multifaceted issues around the effective translation of biofilm research. Based on these studies, we introduce some advisory guidelines to enhance the translational impact of future research
Prototype ATLAS IBL Modules using the FE-I4A Front-End Readout Chip
The ATLAS Collaboration will upgrade its semiconductor pixel tracking
detector with a new Insertable B-layer (IBL) between the existing pixel
detector and the vacuum pipe of the Large Hadron Collider. The extreme
operating conditions at this location have necessitated the development of new
radiation hard pixel sensor technologies and a new front-end readout chip,
called the FE-I4. Planar pixel sensors and 3D pixel sensors have been
investigated to equip this new pixel layer, and prototype modules using the
FE-I4A have been fabricated and characterized using 120 GeV pions at the CERN
SPS and 4 GeV positrons at DESY, before and after module irradiation. Beam test
results are presented, including charge collection efficiency, tracking
efficiency and charge sharing.Comment: 45 pages, 30 figures, submitted to JINS
Geological repositories: scientific priorities and potential high-technology transfer from the space and physics sectors
The use of underground geological repositories, such as in radioactive waste disposal (RWD) and in carbon capture (widely known as Carbon Capture and Storage; CCS), constitutes a key environmental priority for the 21st century. Based on the identification of key scientific questions relating to the geophysics, geochemistry and geobiology of geodisposal of wastes, this paper describes the possibility of technology transfer from high-technology areas of the space exploration sector, including astrobiology, planetary sciences, astronomy, and also particle and nuclear physics, into geodisposal. Synergies exist between high technology used in the space sector and in the characterization of underground environments such as repositories, because of common objectives with respect to instrument miniaturization, low power requirements, durability under extreme conditions (in temperature and mechanical loads) and operation in remote or otherwise difficult to access environments
Regional and experiential differences in surgeon preference for the treatment of cervical facet injuries: a case study survey with the AO Spine Cervical Classification Validation Group
Purpose: The management of cervical facet dislocation injuries remains controversial. The main purpose of this investigation was to identify whether a surgeon’s geographic location or years in practice influences their preferred management of traumatic cervical facet dislocation injuries. Methods: A survey was sent to 272 AO Spine members across all geographic regions and with a variety of practice experience. The survey included clinical case scenarios of cervical facet dislocation injuries and asked responders to select preferences among various diagnostic and management options. Results: A total of 189 complete responses were received. Over 50% of responding surgeons in each region elected to initiate management of cervical facet dislocation injuries with an MRI, with 6 case exceptions. Overall, there was considerable agreement between American and European responders regarding management of these injuries, with only 3 cases exhibiting a significant difference. Additionally, results also exhibited considerable management agreement between those with ≤ 10 and > 10 years of practice experience, with only 2 case exceptions noted. Conclusion: More than half of responders, regardless of geographical location or practice experience, identified MRI as a screening imaging modality when managing cervical facet dislocation injuries, regardless of the status of the spinal cord and prior to any additional intervention. Additionally, a majority of surgeons would elect an anterior approach for the surgical management of these injuries. The study found overall agreement in management preferences of cervical facet dislocation injuries around the globe
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