281 research outputs found
Circulating extracellular vesicles from diabetic and healthy subjects show different miRNA patterns
Functional analysis of miRNAs shuttled by extracellular vesicles from diabetic subjects reveals their role in diabetic retinopathy
Tissue and species identification in minced meat and meat products from italian commercial markets by dna microarray and histological approach
Performance characterization and near-realtime monitoring of MUSE adaptive optics modes at Paranal
The Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) is an integral field
spectrograph on the Very Large Telescope Unit Telescope 4, capable of laser
guide star assisted and tomographic adaptive optics using the GALACSI module.
Its observing capabilities include a wide field (1 square arcmin), ground layer
AO mode (WFM-AO) and a narrow field (7.5"x7.5"), laser tomography AO mode
(NFM-AO). The latter has had several upgrades in the 4 years since
commissioning, including an optimisation of the control matrices for the AO
system and a new sub-electron noise detector for its infra-red low order
wavefront sensor. We set out to quantify the NFM-AO system performance by
analysing 230 spectrophotometric standard star observations taken over
the last 3 years. To this end we expand upon previous work, designed to
facilitate analysis of the WFM-AO system performance. We briefly describe the
framework that will provide a user friendly, semi-automated way for system
performance monitoring during science operations. We provide the results of our
performance analysis, chiefly through the measured Strehl ratio and full width
at half maximum (FWHM) of the core of the point spread function (PSF) using two
PSF models, and correlations with atmospheric conditions. These results will
feed into a range of applications, including providing a more accurate
prediction of the system performance as implemented in the exposure time
calculator, and the associated optimization of the scientific output for a
given set of limiting atmospheric conditions.Comment: SPIE proceedings (2022), Observatory Operations: Strategies,
Processes, and Systems I
Pharmacokinetics of high-dose oral thiamine hydrochloride in healthy subjects
Background: High dose oral thiamine may have a role in treating diabetes, heart failure, and hypermetabolic states. The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of oral thiamine hydrochloride at 100 mg, 500 mg and 1500 mg doses in healthy subjects. Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, single-dose, 4-way crossover study. Pharmacokinetic measures were calculated. Results: The and values increased nonlinearly between 100 mg and 1500 mg. The slope of the vs dose, as well as the vs dose, plots are steepest at the lowest thiamine doses. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that high blood levels of thiamine can be achieved rapidly with oral thiamine hydrochloride. Thiamine is absorbed by both an active and nonsaturable passive process
Multi-institutional application of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to CyberKnife Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)
Background A multidisciplinary and multi-institutional working group applied the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) approach to assess the risks for patients undergoing Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) treatments for lesions located in spine and liver in two CyberKnife\uae Centres. Methods The various sub-processes characterizing the SBRT treatment were identified to generate the process trees of both the treatment planning and delivery phases. This analysis drove to the identification and subsequent scoring of the potential failure modes, together with their causes and effects, using the risk probability number (RPN) scoring system. Novel solutions aimed to increase patient safety were accordingly considered. Results The process-tree characterising the SBRT treatment planning stage was composed with a total of 48 sub-processes. Similarly, 42 sub-processes were identified in the stage of delivery to liver tumours and 30 in the stage of delivery to spine lesions. All the sub-processes were judged to be potentially prone to one or more failure modes. Nineteen failures (i.e. 5 in treatment planning stage, 5 in the delivery to liver lesions and 9 in the delivery to spine lesions) were considered of high concern in view of the high RPN and/or severity index value. Conclusions The analysis of the potential failures, their causes and effects allowed to improve the safety strategies already adopted in the clinical practice with additional measures for optimizing quality management workflow and increasing patient safety
From the development of an open-source energy modelling tool to its application and the creation of communities of practice: The example of OSeMOSYS
In the last decades, energy modelling has supported energy planning by offering insights into the dynamics between energy access, resource use, and sustainable development. Especially in recent years, there has been an attempt to strengthen the science-policy interface and increase the involvement of society in energy planning processes. This has, both in the EU and worldwide, led to the development of open-source and transparent energy modelling practices.
This paper describes the role of an open-source energy modelling tool in the energy planning process and highlights its importance for society. Specifically, it describes the existence and characteristics of the relationship between developing an open-source, freely available tool and its application, dissemination and use for policy making. Using the example of the Open Source energy Modelling System (OSeMOSYS), this work focuses on practices that were established within the community and that made the framework's development and application both relevant and scientifically grounded
Which Firms Want PhDs? The Effect of the University-Industry Relationship on the PhD Labour Market
Modulation of the endocannabinoids N-Arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) on Executive Functions in Humans
Animal studies point to an implication of the endocannabinoid system on executive functions. In humans, several studies have suggested an association between acute or chronic use of exogenous cannabinoids (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and executive impairments. However, to date, no published reports establish the relationship between endocannabinoids, as biomarkers of the cannabinoid neurotransmission system, and executive functioning in humans. The aim of the present study was to explore the association between circulating levels of plasma endocannabinoids N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and executive functions (decision making, response inhibition and cognitive flexibility) in healthy subjects. One hundred and fifty seven subjects were included and assessed with the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test; Stroop Color and Word Test; and Iowa Gambling Task. All participants were female, aged between 18 and 60 years and spoke Spanish as their first language. Results showed a negative correlation between 2-AG and cognitive flexibility performance (r = −.37; p<.05). A positive correlation was found between AEA concentrations and both cognitive flexibility (r = .59; p<.05) and decision making performance (r = .23; P<.05). There was no significant correlation between either 2-AG (r = −.17) or AEA (r = −.08) concentrations and inhibition response. These results show, in humans, a relevant modulation of the endocannabinoid system on prefrontal-dependent cognitive functioning. The present study might have significant implications for the underlying executive alterations described in some psychiatric disorders currently associated with endocannabinoids deregulation (namely drug abuse/dependence, depression, obesity and eating disorders). Understanding the neurobiology of their dysexecutive profile might certainly contribute to the development of new treatments and pharmacological approaches
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