Skeletal Muscle Ultrasonography in Nutrition and Functional Outcome Assessment of Critically Ill Children: Experience and Insights From Pediatric Disease and Adult Critical Care Studies

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: [FULL CITE], which has been published in final form atOng, C. , Lee, J. H., Leow, M. K. and Puthucheary, Z. A. (2017), Skeletal Muscle Ultrasonography in Nutrition and Functional Outcome Assessment of Critically Ill Children: Experience and Insights From Pediatric Disease and Adult Critical Care Studies. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 41: 1091-1099. doi:10.1177/0148607116683143. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Version

A review of simulation and modeling approaches in microbiology

Bacterial communities are tightly interconnected systems consisting of numerous species making it challenging to analyze their structure and relations. There are several experimental techniques providing heterogeneous data concerning various aspects of this object. A recent avalanche of metagenomic data challenges not only biostatisticians but also biomodelers, since these data are essential to improve the modeling quality while simulation methods are useful to understand the evolution of microbial communities and their function in the ecosystem. An outlook on the existing modeling and simulation approaches based on different types of experimental data in the field of microbial ecology and environmental microbiology is presented. A number of approaches focusing on a description of such microbial community aspects as its trophic structure, metabolic and population dynamics, genetic diversity as well as spatial heterogeneity and expansion dynamics is considered. We also propose a classification of the existing software designed for simulation of microbial communities. It is shown that although the trend for using multiscale/hybrid models prevails, the integration between models concerning different levels of biological organization of communities still remains a problem to be solved. The multiaspect nature of integration approaches used to model microbial communities is based on the need to take into account heterogeneous data obtained from various sources by applying high-throughput genome investigation methods

Inferring possible magnetic field strength of accreting inflows in EXor-type objects from scaled laboratory experiments

Aims. EXor-type objects are protostars that display powerful UV-optical outbursts caused by intermittent and powerful events of magnetospheric accretion. These objects are not yet well investigated and are quite difficult to characterize. Several parameters, such as plasma stream velocities, characteristic densities, and temperatures, can be retrieved from present observations. As of yet, however, there is no information about the magnetic field values and the exact underlying accretion scenario is also under discussion. Methods. We use laboratory plasmas, created by a high power laser impacting a solid target or by a plasma gun injector, and make these plasmas propagate perpendicularly to a strong external magnetic field. The propagating plasmas are found to be well scaled to the presently inferred parameters of EXor-type accretion event, thus allowing us to study the behaviour of such episodic accretion processes in scaled conditions. Results. We propose a scenario of additional matter accretion in the equatorial plane, which claims to explain the increased accretion rates of the EXor objects, supported by the experimental demonstration of effective plasma propagation across the magnetic field. In particular, our laboratory investigation allows us to determine that the field strength in the accretion stream of EXor objects, in a position intermediate between the truncation radius and the stellar surface, should be of the order of 100 G. This, in turn, suggests a field strength of a few kilogausses on the stellar surface, which is similar to values inferred from observations of classical T Tauri stars

Factors influencing physical activity and rehabilitation in survivors of critical illness: a systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies

PURPOSE: To identify, evaluate and synthesise studies examining the barriers and enablers for survivors of critical illness to participate in physical activity in the ICU and post-ICU settings from the perspective of patients, caregivers and healthcare providers. METHODS: Systematic review of articles using five electronic databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Scopus. Quantitative and qualitative studies that were published in English in a peer-reviewed journal and assessed barriers or enablers for survivors of critical illness to perform physical activity were included. Prospero ID: CRD42016035454. RESULTS: Eighty-nine papers were included. Five major themes and 28 sub-themes were identified, encompassing: (1) patient physical and psychological capability to perform physical activity, including delirium, sedation, illness severity, comorbidities, weakness, anxiety, confidence and motivation; (2) safety influences, including physiological stability and concern for lines, e.g. risk of dislodgement; (3) culture and team influences, including leadership, interprofessional communication, administrative buy-in, clinician expertise and knowledge; (4) motivation and beliefs regarding the benefits/risks; and (5) environmental influences, including funding, access to rehabilitation programs, staffing and equipment. CONCLUSIONS: The main barriers identified were patient physical and psychological capability to perform physical activity, safety concerns, lack of leadership and ICU culture of mobility, lack of interprofessional communication, expertise and knowledge, and lack of staffing/equipment and funding to provide rehabilitation programs. Barriers and enablers are multidimensional and span diverse factors. The majority of these barriers are modifiable and can be targeted in future clinical practice

A spatial data base on sustainable biomass cost-supply of lignocellulosic biomass in Europe - methods & data sources

S2Biom project agreement n 608622201

Inferring possible magnetic field strength of accreting inflows in EXor-type objects from scaled laboratory experiments

Aims. EXor-type objects are protostars that display powerful UV-optical outbursts caused by intermittent and powerful events of magnetospheric accretion. These objects are not yet well investigated and are quite difficult to characterize. Several parameters, such as plasma stream velocities, characteristic densities, and temperatures, can be retrieved from present observations. As of yet, however, there is no information about the magnetic field values and the exact underlying accretion scenario is also under discussion. Methods. We use laboratory plasmas, created by a high power laser impacting a solid target or by a plasma gun injector, and make these plasmas propagate perpendicularly to a strong external magnetic field. The propagating plasmas are found to be well scaled to the presently inferred parameters of EXor-type accretion event, thus allowing us to study the behaviour of such episodic accretion processes in scaled conditions. Results. We propose a scenario of additional matter accretion in the equatorial plane, which claims to explain the increased accretion rates of the EXor objects, supported by the experimental demonstration of effective plasma propagation across the magnetic field. In particular, our laboratory investigation allows us to determine that the field strength in the accretion stream of EXor objects, in a position intermediate between the truncation radius and the stellar surface, should be of the order of 100 gauss. This, in turn, suggests a field strength of a few kilogausses on the stellar surface, which is similar to values inferred from observations of classical T Tauri stars