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BACKGROUND: The forced oscillation technique (FOT) provides detailed information about the mechanics of the respiratory system, while requiring minimal co-operation by the patient. FOT may be abnormal in subjects with normal spirometry and appears to be more closely related to airway symptoms. It is, therefore, attractive in epidemiological studies, where a large number of different examinations a
Manual dismantling, shredding, and mechanical grinding of waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) at recycling facilities inevitably lead to the accidental formation and release of both coarse and fine particle aerosols, primarily into the ambient air. Since diffuse emissions to air of such WEEE particles are not regulated, their dispersion from the recycling plants into the adjacent
Optogenetics is highly useful to stimulate or inhibit defined neuronal populations and is often used together with electrophysiological recordings. Due to poor penetration of light in tissue, there is a need for biocompatible wave guides. Glass wave guides are relatively stiff and known to cause glia reaction that likely influence the activity in the remaining neurons. We developed highly flexible
In the last decades, the metal-assisted growth approach of semiconductor nanowires (NWs) has shown its potential in controlling crystal properties, such as crystal structure, composition, and morphology. Recently, literature reports have shown successful semiconductor NW growth with multiphase seed particles under growth conditions. Exploring alternative metal seeds and the mechanisms for growing
Environmental change is disrupting mutualisms between organisms worldwide. Reported declines in insect populations and changes in pollinator community compositions in response to land use and other environmental drivers have put the spotlight on the need to conserve pollinators. While this is often motivated by their role in supporting crop yields, the role of pollinators for reproduction and resu
We demonstrate, using analytic models, simulations and experiments, that efficient generation of high-order harmonics is possible across a large range of parameters, if the density and medium length follow a hyperbolic equation.
The fate of soil organic matter (OM) is determined by its microbial use for growth or respiration. Many environmental factors influence microbial OM use, including the presence of contaminants and toxins in the environment, such as heavy metals. We evaluated short- and long-term responses of microbial processes to metal contamination by estimating biomass concentrations and growth rates of bacteri
BACKGROUND: Finding ways to prolong independence in daily life among older people would be beneficial for both individuals and society. Urban green spaces have been found to improve health, but only a few studies have evaluated the association between urban green spaces and independence in daily life. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term effect of urban green spaces on independence in
Little is known about the fate and uptake of nanoplastics (NPs) in natural ecosystems, mainly due to analytical limitations in measuring NPs in complex environmental matrices. Our aim was to quantitatively assess the transport, fate and biological uptake of NPs in freshwater ecosystems by using replicated wetland mesocosms and gold-doped polystyrene nanoparticles. We showed that 97% of the NPs wer
BACKGROUND: By causing inflammation and tissue damage, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) constitute an underlying mechanism of aspiration-induced lung injury, a major factor of the low utilization of donor lungs in lung transplantation (LTx).METHOD: To determine whether NET removal during ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) can restore lung function and morphology in aspiration-damaged lungs, gastri
Bioenergy plays a major role in the renewable energy supply and is projected to be an important part of the path towards a decarbonised society. Over the past decade, increasing attention has been given to agricultural bioenergy to act as a multifunctional climate mitigation strategy. Energy crops may mitigate climate change while simultaneously contributing to reducing the negative environmental
BACKGROUND: Creatinine-based equations are the most used to estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI), the re-expressed Lund-Malmö Revised (r-LMR) and the European Kidney Function Consortium (EKFC) equations are the most validated. The EKFC and r-LMR equations have been suggested to have better performances in young adults, but this
BACKGROUND: We explored the association of N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) with metabolic traits in a bi-ethnic African-Caucasian cohort.METHODS: Baseline examinations of the Sympathetic activity and Ambulatory Blood Pressure in African (SABPA) prospective cohort study were performed between 2008 and 2009, and re-examination after a three-year follow up in South African teacher
Root exudates are a labile source of carbon (C) for microorganisms that can lead to increased CO2 emission. Root exudates can vary in C:N stoichiometric ratio and their impact on microbially driven soil organic matter (SOM) turnover in paddy soils still remains unclear. The objective was to explore the underlying mechanisms involved in SOM decomposition due to root exudate (artificial) addition wi
Background: Plasma biomarkers may be useful to detect healthy individuals at increased risk for atherosclerotic manifestations, such as carotid artery stenosis. The aim of this longitudinal cohort study was to evaluate new biomarkers in relation to C-reactive protein and conventional risk factors for carotid artery stenosis during long term follow-up Methods: The following markers were measured in
Rice paddy agro-ecosystems play an important role in global carbon (C) sequestration. Because of flooding management, paddy soil experience periodical changes in oxygen availability, which may make soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralisation unique as compared to upland or other wetland ecosystems. However, at present, information about the relevant mechanisms involved in paddy SOC mineralisation is
Microglia, the immune sentinel of the central nervous system (CNS), are generated from yolk sac erythromyeloid progenitors that populate the developing CNS. Interestingly, a specific type of bone marrow-derived monocyte is able to express a yolk sac microglial signature and populate CNS in disease. Here we have examined human bone marrow (hBM) in an attempt to identify novel cell sources for gener
