Now showing items 41-60 of 322

    • The Charles Sturt University Remote Telescope Project

      Mckinnon, David (Our Solar Siblings, 2018-10-18)
    • Effect of nanofluid on CO2-wettability reversal of sandstone formation; implications for CO2 geo-storage

      Sahito, Muhammad Faraz; Jha, Nilesh Kumar; Arain, Zain-Ul-Abedin; Memon, Shoaib; Keshavarz, Alireza; Iglauer, Stefan; Saeedi, Ali; Sarmadivaleh, Mohammad (2020-02-01)
      HypothesisNanofluid treatment is a promising technique which can be used for wettability reversal of CO2-brine-mineral systems towards a further favourable less CO2-wet state in the existence of organic acids. However, literature requires more information and study with respect to organic acids and nanoparticles’ effect at reservoir (high pressure and high temperature) conditions. ExperimentsTherefore, we have measured in this study that what influence small amounts of organic acids exposed to quartz for aging time of (7 days and 1 year) have on their wettability and how this impact can be reduced by using different concentrations of nanoparticles at reservoir conditions. Precisely, we have tested lignoceric acid (C24), stearic acid (C18), lauric acid (C12) and hexanoic acid (C6) at 10−2 Molarity, as well as, we have also used different concentrations (0.75 wt%, 0.25 wt%, 0.1 wt%, 0.05 wt%) of silica nanoparticles at realistic storage conditions. FindingsThe quartz surface turned significantly hydrophobic when exposed to organic acids for longer aging time of 1 year, and significantly hydrophilic after nanofluid treatment at optimum concentration of 0.1 wt%. It was observed that most nanoparticles were mechanistically irreversibly adsorbed on the surface of quartz sample. This wettability shift thus may increase CO2 storage capacities and containment security.
    • Effect of nanofluid on CO<inf>2</inf>-wettability reversal of sandstone formation; implications for CO<inf>2</inf> geo-storage

      Ali, Muhammad; Sahito, Muhammad Faraz; Jha, Nilesh Kumar; Arain, Zain Ul Abedin; Memon, Shoaib; Keshavarz, Alireza; Iglauer, Stefan; Saeedi, Ali; Sarmadivaleh, Mohammad (2020-02-01)
    • A hybrid multi-criteria decision making method for site selection of subsurface dams in semi-arid region of Iran

      Amal, Dortaj Author, Two (2020-04-30)
      Water shortage is one of the most critical problems all around the world, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. Using groundwater can be an efficient solution in such lands. Although significant care and appropriate water resource management strategies are required to be implemented. Nowadays, subsurface dams (SSD) are widely used worldwide since they are proved to have advantages over surface dams in some cases. Selection of the suitable site for SSD construction is critical. This selection is made based on advantages and disadvantages of each location. Multi-criteria decision-making methods (MCDM) is an efficient method for optimum site selection. In this study, 10 regions were chosen as alternatives for construction of subsurface dams in Isfahan province of Iran. These alternatives were then ranked using ELECTRE I, II and modified ELECTRE III based on geological, hydrological, climatological and socio-economical criteria. Results from different ELECTRE methods are combined by applying the grade average, and Borda and Copeland ranking strategies. Application of an advanced MCDM method reduced uncertainties in subsurface dams (SSD) site selection. Alternative 5 (Hoseinabad) was introduced as the best location for subsurface dam construction. This methodology can be used as a basis for more detailed field investigations.
    • Neurophysiological and Psychological Predictors of Social Functioning in Patients with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder.

      Kim, Yourim; Kwon, Aeran; Min, Dongil; Kim, Sungkean; Jin, Min Jin; Lee, Seung-Hwan (2019-10-07)
    • Identifying labelling and marketing advantages of nutrients in minced beef meat: A case study

      Oostindjer, Marije; Hovland, Ellen Margrethe; Okholm, Bolette; Saarem, Kristin; Bjerke, Frøydis; Ruud, Lene; Grabež, Vladana; Haug, Anna; Brian James (2020-01-01)
    • Development status of Terumo implantable left ventricular assist system.

      Nojiri, C; Kijima, T; Maekawa, J; Horiuchi, K; Kido, T; Sugiyama, T; Mori, T; Sugiura, N; Asada, T; Umemura, W; et al. (2001-05-01)
      We have been developing an implantable left ventricular assist system (T‐ILVAS) featuring a magnetically suspended centrifugal pump (MSCP) since 1995. In vitro and in vivo studies using a prototype MSCP composed of a polycarbonate housing and impeller (196 ml) have demonstrated long‐term durability and excellent blood compatibility for up to 864 days, and excellent stability of the magnetic bearing of the MSCP. These preliminary results strongly suggested that the magnetic bearing of the MSCP is reliable and is a most feasible mechanism for a long‐term circulatory assist device. We have recently devised a clinical version pump made of titanium (180 ml) with a new position sensor mechanism and a wearable controller with batteries. Cadaver fit study confirmed that the Type IV pump could be implanted in a small patient with a body surface area as small as 1.3. The in vitro performance tests of the Type IV pump demonstrated excellent hydrodynamic performances with an acceptable hemolysis rate. New position sensors for the titanium housing showed more uniform sensor outputs of a magnetic bearing than in the prototype polycarbonate pump. The Type IV pump then was evaluated in vivo in 6 sheep at the Oxford Heart Centre. Four sheep were electively sacrificed at 3 months and were allowed to survive for more than 6 months for long‐term evaluation. In this particular series of experiments, no anticoagulant/antiplatelet regimen was utilized except for a bolus dose of heparin during surgery. There was a left ventricular mural thrombi around the inflow cannula in 1 sheep. Otherwise, there was no mechanical failure nor sign of thromboembolism throughout the study.
    • A comparison of automated perfusion- and manual diffusion-based human regulatory T cell expansion using a soluble activator complex

      Nankervis, B.; Vang, B.; Frank, N.; Coeshott, C. (2019-05-31)
      Background & Aim Human regulatory T cells (hTregs) play a central role in the maintenance of self-tolerance and suppression of autoimmune responses. The absence or reduced frequency of hTregs can limit the control of immune inflammatory responses, autoimmunity and the success of transplant engraftment. Clinical studies indicate that the use of hTregs as immunotherapeutics would require billions of cells per dose; e.g., Phase I studies by Mathew et al (2018) suggest that hTreg doses in the range of 0.5 to 5.0 × 109 cells are needed to facilitate kidney transplantation and clinical studies by Bluestone et al (2015) indicate that polyclonal hTreg doses in the range of 5 × 106 to 2.6 × 109 cells are well tolerated in type 1 diabetes patients. The Quantum Cell Expansion System is a hollow-fiber (HFM) bioreactor system that has been used to grow billions of functional T-cells in a short timeframe (8 to 9 days). We have now focused our protocol development on the ex vivo expansion of selected hTregs in the Quantum system using a soluble activator, composed of an anti-CD3/CD28/CD2 tetrameric mAb complex. Methods, Results & Conclusion hTreg CD4+CD25+CD127− cells from 3 unrelated healthy donors, previously isolated by the vendor via column-free Imag positive selection, were thawed and grown under static conditions and subsequently seeded into Quantum system HFM bioreactors and into T225 control flasks in an identical culture volume of 124 mL PRIME-XV® XSFM medium supplemented with 100 IU/mL of rhIL-2 and antibiotics for scale-up expansion over 9 days to compare the effects of automated perfusion with manual diffusion-based culture. Cell growth, viability, and phenotype of the hTregs were compared. The hTreg cell harvest from 3 parallel expansion runs produced an average of 4.0 × 108 (range 1.9 to 5.6 × 108) hTregs in the flask arm with an average viability of 71.3% versus 7.0 × 109 (range 3.6 to 13.0 × 109) hTregs in the Quantum arm with an average viability of 91.8%. This translates into an average 17.7-fold increase in hTreg cell yield for the Quantum system over that obtained in flasks, coupled with a higher cell viability in the Quantum system. In addition, these 2 culture processes gave rise to cells with an hTreg CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ phenotype of 76.5% for the flask arm versus 80.3% for the Quantum system arm. The results suggest that an automated perfusion HFM bioreactor can support the scale-up expansion of hTreg cells more efficiently than diffusion-based flask culture.
    • Randomized Comparison of Terumo® Coated Slender™ versus Terumo® Noncoated Traditional Sheath during Radial Angiography or Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

      Sindberg, Birthe; Aagren Nielsen, Christel Gry; Poulsen, Marianne Hestbjerg; Bøhme Rasmussen, Martin; Carstensen, Steen; Thim, Troels; Jakobsen, Lars; Sørensen, Jacob Thorsted; Haastrup, Benedicte; Søndergaard, Hanne Maare; et al. (2019-01-01)
      Background. The transradial approach is generally associated with few complications. However, periprocedural pain is still a common issue, potentially related to sheath insertion and/or arterial spasm, and may result in conversion to femoral access. Radial artery occlusion (RAO) following the procedure is also a potential risk. We evaluate whether the design of the sheath has any impact on these variables. Methods. A total of 1,000 patients scheduled for radial CAG or PCI were randomized (1:1) to the use of a Slender or a Standard sheath during the procedure. Randomization was stratified according to chosen sheath size (5, 6, 7 French) and gender. A radial band was used to obtain hemostasis after the procedure, employing a rapid deflation technique. A reverse Barbeau test was performed to evaluate radial artery patency after removal of the radial band, and level of pain was assessed using a numeric rating scale (NRS). Results. Use of the Slender sheath was associated with less pain during sheath insertion (median NRS 1 versus 2, p=0.02), whereas no difference was observed in pain during the procedure, radial procedural success rates, use of analgesics and sedatives during the procedure, and radial artery patency following the procedure. Rate of RAO was 1.5% with no difference between groups. Conclusion. The use of the hydrophilic coated Slender sheath during radial CAG or PCI was associated with less pain during sheath insertion, whereas no difference in other endpoints was observed. A rapid deflation technique was associated with RAO of only 1.5%.
    • Integrating phenotypic small-molecule profiling and human genetics: The next phase in drug discovery

      Johannessen, Cory M.; Clemons, Paul A.; Wagner, Bridget K. (2015-01-01)
    • Repositories Fight Fake News

      De Giusti
, Marisa; Tanifuji, Mikiko; Odongo Okite
, Fredrick; Luyten, Bram
      Entry for the ideas challenge, aimed at tackling the fake news problem. Repositories can alert and engage "Fake News Fighters" to verify news coverage against the original intent/point of view of researchers, who's work is being covered.
    • Audiovisual Streaming Module Demonstration content

      Deroost, Ignace
      The content in this item is for Audiovisual Streaming module demonstration purpose.
    • Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for pancreatic duct stones: an observational study.

      Haraldsson, Stefan; Roug, Stine; Nøjgaard, Camilla; Novovic, Srdan; Gluud, Lise Lotte; Feldager, Erik; Schmidt, Palle Nordblad; 中国基督教
      Previous studies suggest that fragmentation of pancreatic duct stones (PDS) using extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is associated with pain relief. However, the treatment may not be effective in certain subgroups. To evaluate predictors of pain relief after ESWL in patients with chronic pancreatitis and PDS. Retrospective study including patients with chronic pancreatitis undergoing ESWL for painful PDS. Analgesic use before and after the ESWL procedure was registered. We defined adequate pain relief after ESWL as 'pain-free without analgesics or with use of weak analgesics as needed'. The study was approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency (approval number: AHH-2017-048). We included 81 patients (median age 58 years; 63% men; 68% alcoholic pancreatitis). Patients underwent one to seven ESWL procedures (mean 1.7). A concurrent ERCP was performed in 17%. All patients used analgesics before the ESWL procedure (68 used opioids). After ESWL, 43 still used opioids. Thirty-two patients achieved adequate pain relief. Univariable regression analysis showed that older age predicted adequate pain relief (OR 1.09;1.03-1.16; p = .002) as did location of the stone in the head or neck (OR 2.59;1.04-6.45; p = .041). In multivariable analysis, we found that the only two predictors of adequate pain relief were age (p = .002) and the location of the stones (p = .039).
    • Inherited determinants of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis phenotypes: a genetic association study.

      Cleynen, Isabelle; Boucher, Gabrielle; Jostins, Luke; Schumm, L Philip; Zeissig, Sebastian; Ahmad, Tariq; Andersen, Vibeke; Andrews, Jane M; Annese, Vito; Brand, Stephan; et al. (2016-01-09)
      Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease; treatment strategies have historically been determined by this binary categorisation. Genetic studies have identified 163 susceptibility loci for inflammatory bowel disease, mostly shared between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. We undertook the largest genotype association study, to date, in widely used clinical subphenotypes of inflammatory bowel disease with the goal of further understanding the biological relations between diseases. This study included patients from 49 centres in 16 countries in Europe, North America, and Australasia. We applied the Montreal classification system of inflammatory bowel disease subphenotypes to 34,819 patients (19,713 with Crohn's disease, 14,683 with ulcerative colitis) genotyped on the Immunochip array. We tested for genotype-phenotype associations across 156,154 genetic variants. We generated genetic risk scores by combining information from all known inflammatory bowel disease associations to summarise the total load of genetic risk for a particular phenotype. We used these risk scores to test the hypothesis that colonic Crohn's disease, ileal Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis are all genetically distinct from each other, and to attempt to identify patients with a mismatch between clinical diagnosis and genetic risk profile. After quality control, the primary analysis included 29,838 patients (16,902 with Crohn's disease, 12,597 with ulcerative colitis). Three loci (NOD2, MHC, and MST1 3p21) were associated with subphenotypes of inflammatory bowel disease, mainly disease location (essentially fixed over time; median follow-up of 10·5 years). Little or no genetic association with disease behaviour (which changed dramatically over time) remained after conditioning on disease location and age at onset. The genetic risk score representing all known risk alleles for inflammatory bowel disease showed strong association with disease subphenotype (p=1·65 × 10(-78)), even after exclusion of NOD2, MHC, and 3p21 (p=9·23 × 10(-18)). Predictive models based on the genetic risk score strongly distinguished colonic from ileal Crohn's disease. Our genetic risk score could also identify a small number of patients with discrepant genetic risk profiles who were significantly more likely to have a revised diagnosis after follow-up (p=6·8 × 10(-4)). Our data support a continuum of disorders within inflammatory bowel disease, much better explained by three groups (ileal Crohn's disease, colonic Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis) than by Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis as currently defined. Disease location is an intrinsic aspect of a patient's disease, in part genetically determined, and the major driver to changes in disease behaviour over time.
    • Inherited determinants of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis phenotypes: a genetic association study.

      Cleynen, Isabelle; Boucher, Gabrielle; Jostins, Luke; Schumm, L Philip; Zeissig, Sebastian; Ahmad, Tariq; Andersen, Vibeke; Andrews, Jane M; Annese, Vito; Brand, Stephan; et al. (2016-01-09)
      Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease; treatment strategies have historically been determined by this binary categorisation. Genetic studies have identified 163 susceptibility loci for inflammatory bowel disease, mostly shared between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. We undertook the largest genotype association study, to date, in widely used clinical subphenotypes of inflammatory bowel disease with the goal of further understanding the biological relations between diseases. This study included patients from 49 centres in 16 countries in Europe, North America, and Australasia. We applied the Montreal classification system of inflammatory bowel disease subphenotypes to 34,819 patients (19,713 with Crohn's disease, 14,683 with ulcerative colitis) genotyped on the Immunochip array. We tested for genotype-phenotype associations across 156,154 genetic variants. We generated genetic risk scores by combining information from all known inflammatory bowel disease associations to summarise the total load of genetic risk for a particular phenotype. We used these risk scores to test the hypothesis that colonic Crohn's disease, ileal Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis are all genetically distinct from each other, and to attempt to identify patients with a mismatch between clinical diagnosis and genetic risk profile. After quality control, the primary analysis included 29,838 patients (16,902 with Crohn's disease, 12,597 with ulcerative colitis). Three loci (NOD2, MHC, and MST1 3p21) were associated with subphenotypes of inflammatory bowel disease, mainly disease location (essentially fixed over time; median follow-up of 10·5 years). Little or no genetic association with disease behaviour (which changed dramatically over time) remained after conditioning on disease location and age at onset. The genetic risk score representing all known risk alleles for inflammatory bowel disease showed strong association with disease subphenotype (p=1·65 × 10(-78)), even after exclusion of NOD2, MHC, and 3p21 (p=9·23 × 10(-18)). Predictive models based on the genetic risk score strongly distinguished colonic from ileal Crohn's disease. Our genetic risk score could also identify a small number of patients with discrepant genetic risk profiles who were significantly more likely to have a revised diagnosis after follow-up (p=6·8 × 10(-4)). Our data support a continuum of disorders within inflammatory bowel disease, much better explained by three groups (ileal Crohn's disease, colonic Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis) than by Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis as currently defined. Disease location is an intrinsic aspect of a patient's disease, in part genetically determined, and the major driver to changes in disease behaviour over time.
    • PLAN-S Compliant Test Item: Publishing peer review materials

      Beck, Jeffrey; Funk, Kathryn; Harrison, Melissa; McEntyre, Jo; Breen, Josie; Collings, Andy; Donohoe, Paul; Evans, Michael; Flintoft, Louisa; Hamelers, Audrey; et al. (2018-01-01)
    • Living in fear: Low-cost avoidance maintains low-level threat

      Xia, Weike; Eyolfson, Eric; Lloyd, Keith; Vervliet, Bram; Dymond, Simon (2019-03-01)
    • The effect of biological age on the metabolic responsiveness of mice fed a high-fat diet

      Korou, Laskarina Maria A.; Doulamis, Ilias P.; Tzanetakou, Irene P.; Mikhailidis, Dimitri P.; Perrea, Despina N. (2013-12-17)