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Towards mechanistic integration of the causes and consequences of biodiversity.
No full textThe global biodiversity crisis has stimulated decades of research on three themes: species coexistence, biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships (BEF), and biodiversity-ecosystem functional stability relationships (BEFS). However, studies on these themes are largely independent, creating barriers to an integrative understanding of the causes and consequences of biodiversity. Here we review recent progress towards mechanistic integration of coexistence, BEF, and BEFS. Mechanisms underlying the three themes can be linked in various ways, potentially creating either positive or negative relationships between them. That said, we generally expect positive associations between coexistence and BEF, and between BEF and BEFS. Our synthesis represents an initial step towards integrating causes and consequences of biodiversity; future developments should include more mechanistic approaches and broader ecological contexts
The role of age in ocular toxoplasmosis: clinical signs of immunosenescence and inflammaging.
Get PDFPURPOSE
This study aimed to investigate the association between age, immune response, and clinical presentation of ocular toxoplasmosis (OT).
DESIGN
This was a monocentric, retrospective, observational cohort study.
METHODS
A review of the medical records of patients with active OT at the Uveitis Center, Charité Universitätsmedizin, was conducted. Baseline parameters included age at presentation, visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), size and location of active lesions, inflammatory activity, antibody index (AI), and complications of intraocular inflammation. The data were presented as the mean ± standard deviation (SD). The level of significance was set at a p-value of <0.05.
RESULTS
Between 1998 and 2019, 290 patients with active OT were diagnosed at our tertiary reference center. The mean age of the participants was 37.7 ± 17.1 years, 53.8% of them were female individuals, and 195 patients (70.9%) showed recurrent disease. Older age was associated with lower baseline visual acuity (p = 0.043), poor visual outcome (p = 0.019), increased inflammatory activity (p < 0.005), and larger retinal lesions (p < 0.005). Older patients presented a lower AI (<35 years: 45.1 ± 82.7, median: 12.1; ≥35 years: 18.6 ± 50.5, median: 5.8; p = 0.046), confirmed by a decrease in AI with increasing age (R2 = 0.045; p = 0.024). Finally, AI was correlated with lesion size (multiple linear regression analysis: p = 0.043). Macular involvement (24.3% of patients) was positively correlated with complications (macular/peripapillary edema and retinal detachment, p < 0.005) and poor visual outcome (p < 0.005) and was negatively correlated with inflammatory activity (p < 0.005).
CONCLUSION
We found a strong and clinically relevant impact of age on the clinical presentation and course of OT. While an unspecific inflammatory response increased with age, the specific, local humoral immune response declined. These findings are well in line with the concept of immunosenescence and inflammaging in uveitis
Near-real-time Mueller polarimetric image processing for neurosurgical intervention.
Get PDFPURPOSE
Wide-field imaging Mueller polarimetry is a revolutionary, label-free, and non-invasive modality for computer-aided intervention; in neurosurgery, it aims to provide visual feedback of white matter fibre bundle orientation from derived parameters. Conventionally, robust polarimetric parameters are estimated after averaging multiple measurements of intensity for each pair of probing and detected polarised light. Long multi-shot averaging, however, is not compatible with real-time in vivo imaging, and the current performance of polarimetric data processing hinders the translation to clinical practice.
METHODS
A learning-based denoising framework is tailored for fast, single-shot, noisy acquisitions of polarimetric intensities. Also, performance-optimised image processing tools are devised for the derivation of clinically relevant parameters. The combination recovers accurate polarimetric parameters from fast acquisitions with near-real-time performance, under the assumption of pseudo-Gaussian polarimetric acquisition noise.
RESULTS
The denoising framework is trained, validated, and tested on experimental data comprising tumour-free and diseased human brain samples in different conditions. Accuracy and image quality indices showed significant ( ) improvements on testing data for a fast single-pass denoising versus the state-of-the-art and high polarimetric image quality standards. The computational time is reported for the end-to-end processing.
CONCLUSION
The end-to-end image processing achieved real-time performance for a localised field of view ( ). The denoised polarimetric intensities produced visibly clear directional patterns of neuronal fibre tracts in line with reference polarimetric image quality standards; directional disruption was kept in case of neoplastic lesions. The presented advances pave the way towards feasible oncological neurosurgical translations of novel, label-free, interventional feedback
Disenchanted Modernities. Mega-Infrastructure Projects, Socio-Ecological changes and Local Responses
No full textMega-Infrastructure Projects (MIPs) represent a central element of globalized development. MIPs like the Chinese driven `Belt and Road Initiative' (BRI) include large-scale agrarian, road, rail, port and energy networks. They are complex ventures involving international capital and multiple stakeholders. `Disenchanted Modernities' presents 16 case studies showing that the promise of a sustainable modern development by MIPs leave many local users disenchanted: They don't profit from the MIPs but lose access to their resources often held in common. The book describes the strategies of states and companies as well as local responses to MIPs in Asia, Africa, Americas and Europe
How Network Tariffs Impact the Optimal Design of Local Energy Systems: A Swiss Case Study
No full textThe integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) and novel loads like electric vehicles (EVs) or heat pumps (HPs) into local energy systems (LESs), which can function in harmony with the grid, is imperative for achieving a successful transition towards sustainable energy. However, it is vital to consider price signals that encompass system costs as well as Energy Strategy objectives when determining the optimal design and operation of LESs. In this paper, we are aiming to evaluate the potential impact of grid tariffs on LESs’ optimal solutions. We introduce an initial stage of our research endeavor by formulating a linear optimization algorithm that minimizes LESs energy costs. We conducted a case study in a Swiss municipality, wherein 85 LESs were subjected to different grid tariff schemes (including volumetric, power peak-based, and seasonal). Our algorithm was employed in order to identify the optimal LESs designs and evaluate the impact at the municipality level. Based on our findings, it can be inferred that the chosen grid tariff scheme heavily influences factors such as DER & Energy Storage Systems (ESSs) size and type selection, operation procedures of LESs, profitability rates and allocation of costs related to the power grid. We discuss the implications of these findings for network operators, LES owners and policymakers, and provide some recommendations for designing grid tariffs that can promote efficient and fair integration of DERs in LESs to achieve the Swiss Energy Strategy goals and ensure the reliability and cost efficiency of the energy system
Engineering a Dual-Functionalized PolyHIPE Resin for Photobiocatalytic Flow Chemistry.
Get PDFThe use of a dual resin for photobiocatalysis, encompassing both a photocatalyst and an immobilized enzyme, brings several challenges including effective immobilization, maintaining photocatalyst and enzyme activity and ensuring sufficient light penetration. However, the benefits such as integrated processes, reusability, easier product separation, and potential for scalability can outweigh these challenges, making dual resin systems promising for efficient and sustainable photobiocatalytic applications. In this work we employ a photosensitizer-containing porous emulsion-templated polymer as a functional support that is used to covalently anchor a chloroperoxidase from Curvularia inaequalis (CiVCPO). We demonstrate the versatility of this heterogeneous photobiocatalytic material which enables the bromination of four aromatic substrates, including Rutin - a natural occurring flavonol - under blue light (456 nm) irradiation and continuous flow conditions
Representation of Divine and Human Landscapes during the Tibetan Empire: A Royal Banquet with Musicians and Dancers amidst "Trees of Life"
No full textDynamique du discours sur la protection de l’enfant et de l’adulte, et évolution de la réputation d’une autorité publique
No full textMeaning in life of elite athletes: A person-oriented study
No full textThe concept of meaning in life has gained significant attention in psychology research in recent years due to its correlational relationship with physical and mental well-being (i.e., objective and subjective health measures, e.g., Steger, 2012). While recent attention has been directed toward this concept in sport psychology using qualitative research methods (e.g., Ronkainen et al., 2015), quantitative investigations into the specific sources of meaning engaged by athletes are notably scarce. This study (1) compares athletes with the general population and (2) employs a person-oriented approach to identify distinct profiles of athletes’ meaning in life and the sources they predominantly tap into
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