Towards the re-verification of process tank calibrations

Re-verification is needed to ensure that the calibration (the relationship between measured level and measured volume) that is obtained during commissioning hasn’t changed over time. This can be achieved, in part, by metering in solution and correlating with marks identified a priori. Mark identification and correlation are discussed and possible error sources are outlined

Developing cybersecurity education and awareness programmes for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to focus on organisation’s cybersecurity strategy and propose a high-level programme for cybersecurity education and awareness to be used when targeting small- and medium-sized enterprises/businesses (SMEs/SMBs) at a city-level. An essential component of an organisation’s cybersecurity strategy is building awareness and education of online threats and how to protect corporate data and services. This programme is based on existing research and provides a unique insight into an ongoing city-based project with similar aims.Design/methodology/approachTo structure this work, a scoping review was conducted of the literature in cybersecurity education and awareness, particularly for SMEs/SMBs. This theoretical analysis was complemented using a case study and reflecting on an ongoing, innovative programme that seeks to work with these businesses to significantly enhance their security posture. From these analyses, best practices and important lessons/recommendations to produce a high-level programme for cybersecurity education and awareness were recommended.FindingsWhile the literature can be informative at guiding education and awareness programmes, it may not always reach real-world programmes. However, existing programmes, such as the one explored in this study, have great potential, but there can be room for improvement. Knowledge from each of these areas can, and should, be combined to the benefit of the academic and practitioner communities.Originality/valueThe study contributes to current research through the outline of a high-level programme for cybersecurity education and awareness targeting SMEs/SMBs. Through this research, literature in this space was examined and insights into the advances and challenges faced by an on-going programme were presented. These analyses allow us to craft a proposal for a core programme that can assist in improving the security education, awareness and training that targets SMEs/SMBs.</jats:sec

Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries. Impact assessment of multi-annual plans for Baltic cod (STECF-11-05)

A joint ICES / STECF meeting was held in Hamburg 20-24 June 2011, to prepare Impact Assessments for Southern hake, Nerphrops and Angler fish and Baltic cod and an Evaluations of existing plans for Kattegat, North Sea, West of Scotland and Irish Sea cod. The meeting involved STECF, ICES scientists dealing with Economy and Biology and included Observers (Commission staff, Managers, Stakeholders). Three separate reports to the STECF were prepared by the EWG-11-07, one on the Impact Assessment of Southern hake, Nerphrops and Angler fish (STECF 11-06) and another on the Impact Assessments for Baltic cod (STECF 11-05) and the third on the Evaluation of Cod in Kattegat, North Sea, West of Scotland and Irish Sea (STECF 11-07). All reports were reviewed by the STECF during its 37th plenary meeting held from 11 to 15 July 2011 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The observations, conclusions and recommendations, in this report represent the outcomes of the Impact Assessment of Multi-Annual plans for cod in the Baltic

Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries. Evaluation of fishing effort regimes regarding annexes IIA, IIB and IIC of TAC & Quota regulations, Celtic Sea and Bay of Biscay (STECF-11-13)

EWG-11-11 meeting was held on 26 – 30 September 2011 in Cadiz (Spain). This report covers the Annexes IIA, IIB and IIC of TAC & Quota Regulations, Celtic Sea and Bay of Biscay and provides fleet specific trends in catch (including discards), nominal effort and catch (landings) per unit of effort in order to advise on fleet specific impacts on stocks under multiannual management plans. STECFreviewed the report during its November 2011 plenary meeting

Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries. Evaluation of fishing effort regimes in Baltic Sea (STECF-11-11)

EWG-11-11 meeting was held on 26 – 30 September 2011 in Cadiz (Spain). This Section of the report covers the Baltic Sea and provides fleet specific trends in catch (including discards), nominal effort and catch (landings) per unit of effort in order to advise on fleet specific impacts on stocks under multiannual management plans. STECF reviewed the report during its November 2011 plenary meeting

Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries. Review of economic data collected in relation to the DCF and harmonisation of sampling strategies (STECF-11-19)

The STECF Expert Working Group (EWG) on reflections on the review of economic data collected in relation to the DCF and harmonisation of sampling strategies (EWG 11-18) met in Salerno, from 17th to 21st October 2011. The EWG dealt with a broad range of issues that are important in the improvement of the collection of economic data and in the evolution of the DCF. STECF reviewed the report during its Plenary meeting on 7-11 November 2011

Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries. Review of scientific advice for 2012 - Part 2 (STECF-11-09) - Corrigendum

This corrigendum should replace the corresponding sections in the Part 2 of the STECF Review of advice for 2012 (STECF 2011. Review of scientific advice for 2012 – Part 2. Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, EUR 24897 EN, JRC66020)

Immune and huntingtin biology in Huntington's disease

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a fatal, autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin (HTT) gene. Expression of the mutant (m)HTT protein is the primary cause of disease pathology, so lowering intracellular levels of mHTT is a promising therapeutic strategy. The aim of this thesis was to achieve allele-selective suppression of mHTT using siRNA targeted to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the HTT gene. HD patients were genotyped for three SNPs before the mRNA and protein knockdown efficacy of a panel of siRNAs was tested in primary human myeloid cells. Functional validation was carried out by characterising the effects of selective siRNAs on the cells’ hyper-reactive cytokine profile. In parallel, RNA sequencing was used to carry out the first whole transcriptome analysis of primary human HD myeloid cells. HD myeloid cells are functionally abnormal, and there is mounting interest in the peripheral immune system as a modifier of HD progression. In contrast with previous studies that have required stimulation to elicit phenotypic abnormalities, this thesis demonstrates significant transcriptional changes in unstimulated HD monocytes, including increased resting expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Pathway analysis revealed enrichment of gene sets relating to innate immunity and inflammation, while upstream regulator analysis suggests this transcriptional dysregulation is mediated by abnormal basal activation of the NFĸB intracellular signalling pathway; this was later confirmed by western blotting. These data are consistent with a priming effect of mHTT, whereby resting dysfunction leads to an exaggerated response once a stimulus is encountered. Finally, the contribution of adaptive immunity to HD peripheral immune dysfunction is yet to be satisfactorily investigated. This thesis demonstrates that mHTT expression does not affect the intrinsic phenotype of human HD T lymphocytes, suggesting that HD peripheral immune disturbance is not universal but is primarily the result of altered innate immunity

Clinical and post-surgical features and outcomes in post-surgical patients with aortic arch interruption at a specialty hospital in Bogotá between 2006 and 2019. Retrospective multivariable analysis

Pacientes operados por interrupción del arco aórtico1.1. Introduction: Interruption of the aortic arch due to absence of tissue between the ascending and descending portions of the aorta is a pathology of low incidence, yet it has a mortality rate of nearly 90% within the first year of life. Surgical intervention is aimed at re-establishing continuity of the vessel, as well as correcting associated lesions through closure of IVC or performing a pulmonary artery cerclage correction. The mortality is 18% to 42%. The survival rate is close to 73% at one month, 65% at one year and 63% at 3 years after surgery. 1.2. Materials and Methods: Review of Cardiovascular Surgery database between 2006 and 2019, identifying patients who underwent surgery due to aortic arch interruption. 1.3. Results: In the last 4 years, an institutional technique was introduced, using pericardium tissue for reconstruction and partial junction of the descending aorta with the arch through advancement of the arterial cannulae towards the brachiocephalic trunk and has been positively associated to brain protection. Since, results have improved: lower tissue traction, greater amplitude of the neoarch and better neurological outcomes have been achieved. The objective of this paper is to identify the most important factors that ultimately determine prognosis and survival of patients with these pathologies, as well as to describe results of the implemented technique. 1.4. Discussion: Aortic arch surgery is considered to be highly complex. Results yielded in this research showed a high mortality within the first years, which decreased into a similar rate to that of medical literature. The main factors associated with complications identified were a late diagnosis and malnutrition. In addition, morbidity and mortality rates were similar to those reported worldwide.https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2568-4667Revista Internacional - No indexadaS