648 research outputs found
Improved AHN3 Gridded DTM/DSM
No full textThe outcome of the project has been successful from the interpolation perspective, where the final results have shown major improvements over the original rasters, and a multitude of possible other interpolation methods have shown potential. In the end, the algorithm used to create the gridded DTM wasbased on Startin’s Laplace interpolation and for DSM a Python implementation of quadrant-based IDW was used. The Startin Laplace method gives statistically good results while running quickly on it’s Rust base, though using quite some memory. The quadrant-based IDW has proven to be the best way to interpolate results which include the buildings, creating crisp edges without too many artefacts. Fur-thermore, the introduction of a polygon water flattening step was essential to prevent no-data values where water bodies prevented for accurate interpolation. The long-shot goal of being able to process all the tiles for the Netherlands was missed by a lot, eventually choosing to interpolate a series of tiles neighboring Delft to create a contiguous result set. Zuid-Holland has therefore only been partially completed, whereas the expectation was to be able to complete this area with ease in three days. An initial overview of the comparison for a single tile in Rotterdam (37HN1), can be seen in Figure 1.3 for the DTM results and Figure 1.4 for the DSM results.GitHub repository of the algorithms used for DTM/DSM generation (with documentation): https://github.com/tudelft3d/geo1101.2020.ahn3Synthesis Project 2020Geomatic
The role of angiotensin II and angiotensin receptors in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy
No full textpublished_or_final_versionabstractMedicineDoctoralDoctor of Philosoph
Integrated Systematic Nephrology (3rd ed.)
No full textThis concise medium-size textbook provides updated knowledge that is essential to the understanding and practice of nephrology
Therapeutic potential of rapamycin in renal parenchymal diseases: insights from murine models of lupusnephritis, adriamycin nephropathy and renal ischemia reperfusioninjury
No full textpublished_or_final_versionMedicineDoctoralDoctor of Philosoph
Framework for Determining Impacts of Malfunctioning of DTM Systems on Traffic Flow: Development and A Case Study for the Amsterdam Region
No full textDynamic traffic management (DTM) plays an important role from Dutch policy perspective to prevent road congestion and has been developed from control strategies to services. Five traffic control centers, 22 different DTM systems with 35 functions and over 50,000 DTM components make up the national traffic management network in the Netherlands. The malfunctioning of the DTM systems is expected to create negative impacts to the traffic, proper maintenance planning is necessary to ensure their availabilities. However, there is less knowledge about the DTM malfunctions, which makes it difficult to monetize the malfunction effects and therefore to optimally deploy the maintenance budget. In this research, a macroscopic dynamic traffic assignment model “MARPLE” is used to evaluate the social costs of the DTM malfunctions according to the failure function, failure duration, and failure location.The motorway network around Amsterdam is chosen as the study area in this research, and four DTM systems and measures were evaluated, including the rush hour lane (RHL), the motorway traffic management (MTM) system, the dynamic route information panels (DRIPs) and the ramp metering (RM) system. By conversing the DTM malfunctions into the motorway network, the introduced impacts to the traffic both in local and network levels are identified. This research made the first attempt to modify DTM malfunctions in a macroscopic dynamic traffic assignment model, and a methodology was developed to calculate the malfunction costs both in traffic flow and safety aspects. The outcome of this research answered what-if questions with regarding to DTM malfunctions, it also proved the feasibility of the ambition to translate the DTM malfunction impacts at a network level into its social costs, according to which the maintenance strategy for the DTM systems can be better deployed. Overall, the initial goal of calculating the malfunction costs of the DTM systems with a newly developed methodology is met. Through the identified limitations and improvement strategies, the framework developed in this study could offer the possibility to refine the analysis, and/or easily be applied to other DTM systems and road parts.Civil Engineering | Transport and Plannin
The Validity Of "TDS-DTM": A Strategic Methodology Of Merchandise Development Of New JIT-Key To The Excellence Design LEXUS
No full textRecently, the author has touched on the development of the principle of New JIT and its validity. In this paper, the author presents TDS-DTM (Toyota Development System-Design Technical Methods) as a methodology of New JIT, which contributes to strategic product development. The excellence profile design of LEXUS has achieved by TDS-DTM
The role of acetate in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis
No full textLupus nephritis is a common cause of acute kidney injury that can lead to chronic kidney failure. Pathogenesis of lupus nephritis is complex and involves both genetic and environmental factors. Emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiota and their metabolites play important roles in autoimmune diseases. Short chain fatty acids (SCFA) are metabolites generated in the colon by bacterial fermentation of dietary fibre and resistant starch. Acetate is the predominant SCFA produced and it is absorbed into the bloodstream then distributed to biological fluids and tissues distant to the gastrointestinal tract at varying concentrations. Acetate can exert variable effects on immune and non-immune cells pertinent to inflammation and fibrogenesis depending on its concentration and the cell type, through binding to its receptors, namely G protein-coupled receptor-41 (GPR41) and GPR43. The role of acetate in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis has not been explored.
In this project, we investigated the effect of acetate on clinical, serological and histological parameters of disease in NZB/W F1 mice, an established murine model of lupus nephritis, focusing on inflammatory and fibrotic processes. Eight week old female NZB/W F1 mice were randomised to receive drinking water alone or with sodium acetate (200 mM) for 30 weeks, after which time blood was collected and kidney and colon specimens harvested. Age- and sex-matched BALB/c mice served as controls. The results showed that serum acetate level was significantly reduced in NZB/W F1 mice which manifested active nephritis compared with controls. Kidney histology in untreated NZB/W F1 mice showed mesangial expansion, immune cell infiltration, progressive glomerulosclerosis, tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis. Also, active nephritis was accompanied by increased gut permeability measured with dextran-FITC. GPR43, but not GPR41, was expressed in the colon of NZB/W F1 mice with active nephritis. Acetate treatment delayed proteinuria by approximately 3 weeks compared to untreated NZB/W F1 mice, and significantly improved kidney function and histology; but did not affect serum anti-dsDNA antibody level.
Kidney specimens from NZB/W F1 mice with active nephritis showed increased GPR41 and GPR43 expression compared with BALB/c mice, both predominantly localised to proximal renal tubular epithelial cells. In vitro studies with cultured HK-2 cells showed that over-expression of GPR41 or GPR43 had no effect on cell proliferation, but decreased IL-10 secretion, and increased TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 and fibronectin expression under basal conditions. Upon incubation with acetate, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 and fibronectin expression was further augmented. Increased fibronectin expression was mediated in part through p38-MAPK and PI3K phosphorylation.
In summary, our data demonstrated that, while acetate showed a possible beneficial effect on kidney histology and function in lupus nephritis of NZB/W F1 mice, over-expression of GPR41 and GPR43 in proximal tubular epithelial cells may enhance inflammatory and fibrotic responses. The differential concentrations of acetate in different organs may be important in determining its impact on disease progression.published_or_final_versionMedicineMasterMaster of Philosoph
Lymphocyte subsets and B cell signatures in lupus nephritis : impact on disease relapse and effect of immunosuppressive medications
No full textRepeated renal relapses portend adverse clinical outcomes and increased risk of kidney failure in patients with lupus nephritis (LN). The mechanisms leading to LN relapses are poorly understood, and prediction remains difficult. Prevention of relapses is by empirical long-term immunosuppressive treatment. In this regard, mycophenolate is associated with a lower relapse rate than azathioprine. Aberrations in lymphocyte subsets, especially the B cell repertoire, have been implicated in LN relapse. miRNA-148a, BACH1, BACH2 and PAX5 are B cell signatures which play important regulatory roles in B cell homeostasis, but their pathogenic relevance in LN relapses, and also the effect of mycophenolate and azathioprine, have not been investigated. This project investigated B lymphocyte subsets and cellular signatures in LN patients, and compared patients with multiple relapses (MR, ≥3 relapses within 36 months, n=19) against those with no relapse (NR, n=14). The percentage of circulating naïve B cells was lower in MR patients, who also showed a higher memory-to-naïve B cell ratio, than the NR group. MR patients showed higher blood levels and increased intracellular expression of miRNA-148a, and lower BACH1, BACH2 and PAX5 expression in naïve and memory B cells compared with NR. Circulating T cell subsets and related serum cytokine profiles were not different between the two groups. Circulating B lymphocytes were isolated from five treatment-naïve active LN patients, and in vitro antagomir-148a treatment resulted in upregulation of BACH1, BACH2 and PAX5 expression, and reduced B cell proliferation upon stimulation. Treatment of B lymphocytes with mycophenolate in vitro resulted in reduced miRNA-148a and increased BACH1, BACH2 and PAX5 expression, and reduced proliferation upon stimulation, compared with azathioprine. B lymphocytes isolated from ten clinically stable LN patients receiving mycophenolate treatment also showed lower miRNA-148a and higher BACH1, BACH2 and PAX5 expression, and decreased proliferation upon ex vivo stimulation, when compared to B cells from nine patients receiving azathioprine. Overall these findings provide evidence that LN relapse is associated with altered B cell subsets and cellular signature. Also, data from in vitro and ex vivo studies show that mycophenolate treatment is associated with a distinct cellular signature which is in turn associated with a lower relapse rate.published_or_final_versionMedicineDoctoralDoctor of Philosoph
30-m HRSC DTM Mosaic of Gale Crater, Mars
No full textDigital terrain model (DTM) mosaic of Gale crater, Mars, processed from High-Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) stereo images using the modification of DLR-VICAR described by Kim and Muller (2009).
Format: GeoTiff
Projection: Equidistant cylindrical
Datum: Spheroid (r = 3396.190 km)
Bit depth: Float32
Grid-spacing: 30 m/pixel
Terrain reference: 200-m MOLA and HRSC blended global DTM (Fergason et al. 2018)
HRSC source images: H1938_0000, H1927_0000, and H1916_0000The first author is now at Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California. Contact: [email protected]
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