Hasil untuk "Standardization. Simplification. Waste"

Dongbin Yang, Weihong Zhang, Huanyun Zhang et al.

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles with diameters of 30-150 nm. In both physiological and pathological conditions, nearly all types of cells can release exosomes, which play important roles in cell communication and epigenetic regulation by transporting crucial protein and genetic materials such as miRNA, mRNA, and DNA. Consequently, exosome-based disease diagnosis and therapeutic methods have been intensively investigated. However, as in any natural science field, the in-depth investigation of exosomes relies heavily on technological advances. Historically, the two main technical hindrances that have restricted the basic and applied researches of exosomes include, first, how to simplify the extraction and improve the yield of exosomes and, second, how to effectively distinguish exosomes from other extracellular vesicles, especially functional microvesicles. Over the past few decades, although a standardized exosome isolation method has still not become available, a number of techniques have been established through exploration of the biochemical and physicochemical features of exosomes. In this work, by comprehensively analyzing the progresses in exosome separation strategies, we provide a panoramic view of current exosome isolation techniques, providing perspectives toward the development of novel approaches for high-efficient exosome isolation from various types of biological matrices. In addition, from the perspective of exosome-based diagnosis and therapeutics, we emphasize the issue of quantitative exosome and microvesicle separation.

D. Alsop, J. Detre, X. Golay et al.

P. Ryan, C. Moore, J. V. van Franeker et al.

A. Levey, J. Coresh, T. Greene et al.

Zhiqiang Gao

N. Kolesnikov, Emma Hastings, M. Keays et al.

The ArrayExpress Archive of Functional Genomics Data (http://www.ebi.ac.uk/arrayexpress) is an international functional genomics database at the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) recommended by most journals as a repository for data supporting peer-reviewed publications. It contains data from over 7000 public sequencing and 42 000 array-based studies comprising over 1.5 million assays in total. The proportion of sequencing-based submissions has grown significantly over the last few years and has doubled in the last 18 months, whilst the rate of microarray submissions is growing slightly. All data in ArrayExpress are available in the MAGE-TAB format, which allows robust linking to data analysis and visualization tools and standardized analysis. The main development over the last two years has been the release of a new data submission tool Annotare, which has reduced the average submission time almost 3-fold. In the near future, Annotare will become the only submission route into ArrayExpress, alongside MAGE-TAB format-based pipelines. ArrayExpress is a stable and highly accessed resource. Our future tasks include automation of data flows and further integration with other EMBL-EBI resources for the representation of multi-omics data.

C. Kramer, J. Barkhausen, S. Flamm et al.

This document is an update to the 2008 publication of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR) Board of Trustees Task Force on Standardized Protocols. Since the time of the original publication, 3 additional task forces (Reporting, Post-Processing, and Congenital Heart Disease) have published documents that should be referred to in conjunction with the present document. The section on general principles and techniques has been expanded as more of the techniques common to CMR have been standardized. There is still a great deal of development in the area of tissue characterization/mapping, so these protocols have been in general left as optional. The authors hope that this document continues to standardize and simplify the patient-based approach to clinical CMR. It will be updated at regular intervals as the field of CMR advances.

Adrián Lara, Anisha Kolasani, B. Ramamurthy

F. Orsini, R. Kahane, R. Nono-Womdim et al.

Richa Bharti, D. Grimm

Abstract Analyzing the microbiome of diverse species and environments using next-generation sequencing techniques has significantly enhanced our understanding on metabolic, physiological and ecological roles of environmental microorganisms. However, the analysis of the microbiome is affected by experimental conditions (e.g. sequencing errors and genomic repeats) and computationally intensive and cumbersome downstream analysis (e.g. quality control, assembly, binning and statistical analyses). Moreover, the introduction of new sequencing technologies and protocols led to a flood of new methodologies, which also have an immediate effect on the results of the analyses. The aim of this work is to review the most important workflows for 16S rRNA sequencing and shotgun and long-read metagenomics, as well as to provide best-practice protocols on experimental design, sample processing, sequencing, assembly, binning, annotation and visualization. To simplify and standardize the computational analysis, we provide a set of best-practice workflows for 16S rRNA and metagenomic sequencing data (available at https://github.com/grimmlab/MicrobiomeBestPracticeReview).

T. Ekvall, B. Weidema

C. D. Wolf, Francesco Pomponi, A. Moncaster

Lowering the embodied carbon dioxide equivalent (embodied CO2e) of buildings is an essential response to national and global targets for carbon reduction. Globally, construction industry is developing tools, databases and practices for measuring embodied CO2e in buildings and recommending routes to reduction. While the TC350 developed standardized methods for the assessment of sustainability aspects in construction works and Environmental Product Declarations, there is no consensus on how this should be carried out in practice. This paper evaluates the current construction industry practice through a review of both academic and professional literature, and through focus groups and interviews with industry experts in the field. Incentives in the available building codes, standards, and benchmarks are also analysed, as are the existing methodologies, tools and datasets. The multiple data sources are used to identify the barriers to the effective measurement and reduction of embodied CO2e in practice. This paper recommends that Governments mandate for improved data quality and support the development of a transparent and simplified methodology.

Runsheng Xu, Hao Xiang, Xu Han et al.

Advances in Single-vehicle intelligence of automated driving has encountered great challenges because of limited capabilities in perception and interaction with complex traffic environments. Cooperative Driving Automation (CDA) has been considered a pivotal solution to next-generation automated driving and smart transportation. Though CDA has attracted much attention from both academia and industry, exploration of its potential is still in its infancy. In industry, companies tend to build their in-house data collection pipeline and research tools to tailor their needs and protect intellectual properties. Reinventing the wheels, however, wastes resources and limits the generalizability of the developed approaches since no standardized benchmarks exist. On the other hand, in academia, due to the absence of real-world traffic data and computation resources, researchers often investigate CDA topics in simplified and mostly simulated environments, restricting the possibility of scaling the research outputs to real-world scenarios. Therefore, there is an urgent need to establish an open-source ecosystem (OSE) to address the demands of different communities for CDA research, particularly in the early exploratory research stages, and provide the bridge to ensure an integrated development and testing pipeline that diverse communities can share. In this paper, we introduce the OpenCDA research ecosystem, a unified OSE integrated with a model zoo, a suite of driving simulators at various resolutions, large-scale real-world and simulated datasets, complete development toolkits for benchmark training/testing, and a scenario database/generator. We also demonstrate the effectiveness of OpenCDA OSE through example use cases, including cooperative 3D LiDAR detection, cooperative merge, cooperative camera-based map prediction, and adversarial scenario generation.

Amir M Hasani, Shiva Singh, Aryan Zahergivar et al.

ANDRE IZACAR GAEL BITA

M. Mandea, C. Beladan, B. Cergan et al.

The interaction between left ventricular (LV) function and arterial afterload, defined as ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC), is a key determinant of cardiovascular (CV) performance. The echocardiographic assessment of VAC by the ratio of effective arterial elastance (Ea) to LV end-systolic elastance (Ees) is the most used non-invasive method. Recently, the myocardial work index (MWI) is proposed as a novel VAC non-invasive method. This method, integrating LV pressure (using a brachial cuff), and LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) to derive pressure-strain loops (PSL), provides a loading-independent evaluation of myocardial systolic performance. To assess the relationships between VAC, assessed by the Ea/Ees ratio, MW indices, and echocardiographic parameters of LV function in healthy adult subjects. Healthy adult volunteers, without CV risk factors or any medical history, were prospectively enrolled (2019-2024). Age, height, weight, blood pressure (BP) and an ECG tracing to confirm the sinus rhythm were recorded at the time of the comprehensive echocardiogram in all subjects. Global MW indices - index (GWI), constructive (GCW), efficiency (GWE), and wasted (GWW) - were estimated using a commercially available software, from a non-invasive LVPSL, based on STE-derived GLS and estimated LV pressure. The Ea and Ees were expressed as end-systolic pressure (ESP) divided by stroke volume (SV)(ESP/SV) and ESP divided by end-systolic volume (ESP/ESV). VAC was calculated with the simplified formula Ea/Ees =ESV/SV (SV derived from the Biplane method). Off-line data analysis was performed with a dedicated software by a single experienced investigator. The study group included 65 subjects (55% males, mean age 33±12 years). The univariate analysis showed significant inverse correlations between Ea/Ees and age, GWI, GCW, GWE, GLS. Ea/Ees correlated with LVSVi and LVEF, as expected. Among MW indices, GWI was the only correlated with age (p<0.001, r= 0.44). Significant correlations were found between MW indices and conventional parameters of LV size and function: GWI with E/e’average (p=0.04, r=0.26), LV mass index (LVMi) (p=0.01, 3=0.35), LVEF (p<0.001, r=0.48); GCW with LVMi (p=0.04, r=0.28) and LVEF (p<0.001, r=0.44). The only correlate of GWW and GWE was LV peak strain dispersion by STE. All MW indices correlated with BP and GLS as expected. On multivariable analysis, GWI was the only independent correlate of Ea/Ees(p<0.001, standardized coefficient β=-0.42). Conclusions In a population of healthy individuals GWI emerged as the only independent correlate of the VAC ratio derived from conventional echocardiography. Both GWI and VAC ratio were age related. Our results suggest that VAC ratio and GWI are complementary in their ability to characterize the complex interplay between myocardial function and arterial system. The added value of GWI in this role deserves further evaluation. Correlation between GWI and VAC ratio Univariate correlates of the VAC ratio

Eric S McCoy, Sang Kyoon Park, Rahul Patel et al.

ABSTRACT Facial grimacing is used to quantify spontaneous pain in mice and other mammals, but scoring relies on humans with different levels of proficiency. Here, we developed a cloud-based software platform called PainFace (http://painface.net) that uses machine learning to detect 4 facial action units of the mouse grimace scale (orbitals, nose, ears, whiskers) and score facial grimaces of black-coated C57BL/6 male and female mice on a 0 to 8 scale. Platform accuracy was validated in 2 different laboratories, with 3 conditions that evoke grimacing-laparotomy surgery, bilateral hindpaw injection of carrageenan, and intraplantar injection of formalin. PainFace can generate up to 1 grimace score per second from a standard 30 frames/s video, making it possible to quantify facial grimacing over time, and operates at a speed that scales with computing power. By analyzing the frequency distribution of grimace scores, we found that mice spent 7x more time in a "high grimace" state following laparotomy surgery relative to sham surgery controls. Our study shows that PainFace reproducibly quantifies facial grimaces indicative of nonevoked spontaneous pain and enables laboratories to standardize and scale-up facial grimace analyses.

Safowaa Osei-Tutu, J. Ayarkwa, G. Nani et al.

Purpose This study aims to identify in literature the role of construction stakeholders in the implementation of circular economy (CE) in the construction industry (CI). This study also sought to identify the status quo and research trend, “hot themes”, areas requiring more research and future research direction of stakeholders’ role in CE implementation in the CI. Design/methodology/approach A literature search was conducted using the Scopus search engine, augmented by Google Scholar to produce 50 relevant articles for the identification of stakeholders’ roles using content analysis. The scientometric study was undertaken using VOSviewer on 42 articles obtained from Scopus search to identify the status quo, “hot themes”, knowledge gaps and future research direction of the role of stakeholders in CE implementation. Findings Through content analysis, the identified roles of government as a stakeholder are to develop efficient policy instruments, legislation support and financial investment in research and development activities that will promote the smooth implementation of CE. The role of academia/research is to engage in research aimed at investigating both the short-term behaviour and the durability of recycled materials and products. In addition, the roles of professionals in the consultant/design/procurement team are to design with life cycle assessment and reused materials, design for deconstruction and disassembly, etc. The role of the user/consumer is to ensure knowledge diffusion and awareness exchange that recognize the available opportunities for long-term material usage (including repair, reuse, refurbishment and recycling). The research status quo identified from the scientometric analysis include how stakeholders can come up with innovative ways in demolition that will ensure that more of the materials can be reused. Stakeholders should focus on enacting policies and laws that can promote the use of recycled materials in buildings, etc. Research that focuses on how to engage the various construction stakeholders to come up with specific public policy that will promote CE implementation, identifying the specific roles to be played by stakeholders during policy enactment as well as managing the environment, laws and legislations towards CE implementation. The role of stakeholders in the extension of the life span of projects, the use of strategies to minimize waste generation and standardization of building materials, components and connectors with the purpose of simplifying disassembly are the research gaps and areas for future research studies. Some of the research “hot themes” include “circular business models in the CI”, “environmental sustainability policy implementation”, “environmental, economic and social sustainability”, “policy, laws and legislations on waste management” and “environmental and industrial economics” towards CE implementation. Practical implications The findings from this study serve as a valuable reference for construction stakeholders to assess their specific roles as stakeholders and to identify the status quo and research trend, “hot themes”, areas requiring more research and future research directions on stakeholders’ roles in CE implementation in the CI. Originality/value Identifying the role of stakeholders for CE implementation is one bold step towards the achievement of CE implementation in the CI.

Lissanu Senbete, Girmay Adhena

Background Trachoma is a serious public health concern and cause of blindness globally. Despite its vulnerability to all ages, children are more vulnerable to its adverse outcomes and devastating complications. This study assessed the magnitude of trachoma among children in host and refugee communities in Gambella, Ethiopia. Methods A community-based comparative survey was done among 743 participants. Multistage sampling technique was used to select participants. Selected children were examined for trachoma using a 2.5x binocular loupe and graded using the World Health Organization (WHO) simplified grading system. A standardized, structured, and pretested tool was used to collect the data. Data were collected through interviews and observation. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done to identify the associated factors. Variable with a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The magnitude of active trachoma was 119 (16.5%; 95% CI: 13.5, 21.4) with 36 (14.5%; 95% CI: 11.9, 18.8) and 83 (17.5%; 95% CI: 14.3, 22.7) from refugees and host communities, respectively. Poor knowledge of caregiver about trachoma [AOR = 3.55, 95% CI: (1.48, 8.85)], presence of human feces near the house [AOR = 4.57, 95% CI: (1.84, 11.34)], presence of garbage near the house [AOR = 4.07, 95% CI: (1.34, 12.36)], and the presence of flies on the face of the child [AOR = 3.42, 95% CI: (1.32, 8.84)] were significantly associated factors with active trachoma. Conclusion Overall, one-sixth of children had experienced active trachoma. The magnitude of trachoma was higher in the host community compared to the refugees. Proper waste disposal and personal hygiene measures are important measures that should be addressed to tackle the problem.

A. Halloran, N. Roos, J. Eilenberg et al.