Systemic inflammation and residual viraemia in HIV-positive adults on protease inhibitor monotherapy: a cross-sectional study.

Increased levels of markers of systemic inflammation have been associated with serious non-AIDS events even in patients on fully suppressive antiretroviral therapy. We explored residual viremia and systemic inflammation markers in patients effectively treated with ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor monotherapy (PImono)

Open type ferry safety systems design for using LNG fuel

This feasibility study investigates the viability of employing Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) fuel to an open type Ro-Ro passenger ferry and the potential challenges imposed with regard to the vessel safety systems. The study proposes appropriate methodology for converting the existing ship to run on LNG fuel and discusses all the necessary modifications to the ship’s safety systems; furthermore, the ship’s evacuation analysis is investigated accordingly. The basic requirements that the ship already complies with are initially reported for each safety system while the additional restrictions that need to be taken into consideration for employing LNG fuel are analysed; appropriate actions are proposed. Furthermore, a Hazard Identification Study (HAZID) is also carried out. Overall, the technical feasibility of the investigated scenario is clearly demonstrated; minimal modifications to the ship's safety systems in order to comply with the imposed safety rules are required for the specific type of ship

Combination of GPS and RTS measurements for the monitoring of semi-static and dynamic motion of pedestrian bridge

GPS and accelerometers have been broadly used the last decade for the monitoring of flexible structures and bridges, while Robotic Total Station (RTS) has been successfully assessed for the monitoring of slow and dynamic motions. Further experimental studies have revealed specific drawbacks of the GPS (multipath, etc.) and RTS (clipping, etc.) monitoring techniques and how these can be surpassed by their combined use. In the current study, we assess the performance of the complementary use of GPS and RTS for the monitoring of the semi-static and dynamic displacement of a relatively rigid pedestrian bridge, with main modal frequency more than 1Hz. Two RTS and GPS receivers were synchronised monitoring the deflection of the two sides of the mid-span of the bridge, while pedestrians excited the bridge. Several excitations (walking, marching, jumping, etc.) were examined, causing semi-static and/or dynamic displacement of the bridge, and rotation of the deck, of different amplitude and frequencies. The analysis of the RTS and GPS time-series, which was based on spectral analysis and band-pass filtering of the time-series, resulted to low- and high-frequency component expressing the semi-static and dynamic displacement. Finally, the combination of the GPS and RTS time-series made possible the estimation of 1-4mm semi-static displacement, the 5-10mm dynamic displacement and the estimation of the main modal frequencies

Combination of GPS and RTS measurements for the monitoring of semi-static and dynamic motion of pedestrian bridge

GPS and accelerometers have been broadly used the last decade for the monitoring of flexible structures and bridges, while Robotic Total Station (RTS) has been successfully assessed for the monitoring of slow and dynamic motions. Further experimental studies have revealed specific drawbacks of the GPS (multipath, etc.) and RTS (clipping, etc.) monitoring techniques and how these can be surpassed by their combined use. In the current study, we assess the performance of the complementary use of GPS and RTS for the monitoring of the semi-static and dynamic displacement of a relatively rigid pedestrian bridge, with main modal frequency more than 1Hz. Two RTS and GPS receivers were synchronised monitoring the deflection of the two sides of the mid-span of the bridge, while pedestrians excited the bridge. Several excitations (walking, marching, jumping, etc.) were examined, causing semi-static and/or dynamic displacement of the bridge, and rotation of the deck, of different amplitude and frequencies. The analysis of the RTS and GPS time-series, which was based on spectral analysis and band-pass filtering of the time-series, resulted to low- and high-frequency component expressing the semi-static and dynamic displacement. Finally, the combination of the GPS and RTS time-series made possible the estimation of 1-4mm semi-static displacement, the 5-10mm dynamic displacement and the estimation of the main modal frequencies

ACCURACY ASSESSMENT OF A UAV-BASED LANDSLIDE MONITORING SYSTEM

Landslides are hazardous events with often disastrous consequences. Monitoring landslides with observations of high spatio-temporal resolution can help mitigate such hazards. Mini unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) complemented by structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry and modern per-pixel image matching algorithms can deliver a time-series of landslide elevation models in an automated and inexpensive way. This research investigates the potential of a mini UAV, equipped with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 compact camera, to provide surface deformations at acceptable levels of accuracy for landslide assessment. The study adopts a self-calibrating bundle adjustment-SfM pipeline using ground control points (GCPs). It evaluates misalignment biases and unresolved systematic errors that are transferred through the SfM process into the derived elevation models. To cross-validate the research outputs, results are compared to benchmark observations obtained by standard surveying techniques. The data is collected with 6 cm ground sample distance (GSD) and is shown to achieve planimetric and vertical accuracy of a few centimetres at independent check points (ICPs). The co-registration error of the generated elevation models is also examined in areas of stable terrain. Through this error assessment, the study estimates that the vertical sensitivity to real terrain change of the tested landslide is equal to 9 cm

Brachytherapy structural shielding calculations using Monte Carlo generated, monoenergetic data

To provide a method for calculating the transmission of any broad photon beam with a known energy spectrum in the range of 20 keV-1090 keV, through concrete and lead, based on the superposition of corresponding monoenergetic data obtained from Monte Carlo simulation

Brief communication: landslide motion from cross correlation of UAV-derived morphological attributes

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can provide observations of high spatio-temporal resolution to enable operational landslide monitoring. In this research, the construction of digital elevation models (DEMs) and orthomosaics from UAV imagery is achieved using structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetric procedures. The study examines the additional value that the morphological attribute of "openness", amongst others, can provide to surface deformation analysis. Image-cross-correlation functions and DEM subtraction techniques are applied to the SfM outputs. Through the proposed integrated analysis, the automated quantification of a landslide's motion over time is demonstrated, with implications for the wider interpretation of landslide kinematics via UAV surveys

Combination of GPS and RTS measurements for the monitoring of semi-static and dynamic motion of pedestrian bridge

GPS and accelerometers have been broadly used the last decade for the monitoring of flexible structures and bridges, while Robotic Total Station (RTS) has been successfully assessed for the monitoring of slow and dynamic motions. Further experimental studies have revealed specific drawbacks of the GPS (multipath, etc.) and RTS (clipping, etc.) monitoring techniques and how these can be surpassed by their combined use. In the current study, we assess the performance of the complementary use of GPS and RTS for the monitoring of the semi-static and dynamic displacement of a relatively rigid pedestrian bridge, with main modal frequency more than 1Hz. Two RTS and GPS receivers were synchronised monitoring the deflection of the two sides of the mid-span of the bridge, while pedestrians excited the bridge. Several excitations (walking, marching, jumping, etc.) were examined, causing semi-static and/or dynamic displacement of the bridge, and rotation of the deck, of different amplitude and frequencies. The analysis of the RTS and GPS time-series, which was based on spectral analysis and band-pass filtering of the time-series, resulted to low- and high-frequency component expressing the semi-static and dynamic displacement. Finally, the combination of the GPS and RTS time-series made possible the estimation of 1-4mm semi-static displacement, the 5-10mm dynamic displacement and the estimation of the main modal frequencies

Evaluation of food photographs assessing the dietary intake of children up to 10 years old

OBJECTIVE: Young children lack basic skills related to recognizing the types of foods they consume and dietary surveys often rely on parents' response. The present study aimed to evaluate how well parents of children aged from 3 months to 10 years perceive images of portions of foods commonly consumed by young children. DESIGN: Pre-weighed, actual food portions (n 2314) were shown to the study participants who were asked to indicate the picture that corresponded to the food in view. Mean differences between picture numbers selected and shown were estimated and compared using unpaired t tests or Tukey-Cramer pairwise comparisons. SETTING: Real-time testing of parents' perception of food images presenting portion sizes consumed by children up to 10 years old. SUBJECTS: A convenience sample of 138 parents/caregivers of young children (69 % females). RESULTS: Individuals selected the correct or adjacent image in about 97 % of the assessments. Images presenting amorphous solids (i.e. pies and pastries with a filling), liquid or semi-liquid dishes (i.e. soups, porridges, fruit and vegetable purées) were more prone to bias. There was no indication that personal characteristics (gender, age, educational background, age, number of offspring) were associated with differences in the way parents/caregivers perceived the food pictures. CONCLUSIONS: Food pictures may not be appropriate to quantify the intake of liquid, semi-liquid or amorphous solid foods in surveys addressing young children and studies evaluating their performance as food portion anchors should ensure the inclusion of several and various amorphous foods in the assessment

Thermodynamic mapping of effector protein interfaces with RalA and RalB.

RalA and RalB are members of the Ras family of small G proteins and are activated downstream of Ras via RalGEFs. The RalGEF-Ral axis represents one of the major effector pathways controlled by Ras and as such is an important pharmacological target. RalA and RalB are approximately 80% identical at the amino acid level; despite this, they have distinct roles both in normal cells and in the disease state. We have used our structure of RalB-RLIP76 to guide an analysis of Ral-effector interaction interfaces, creating panels of mutant proteins to probe the energetics of these interactions. The data provide a physical mechanism that underpins the effector selective mutations commonly employed to dissect Ral G protein function. Comparing the energetic landscape of the RalB-RLIP76 and RalB-Sec5 complexes reveals mutations in RalB that lead to differential binding of the two effector proteins. A panel of RLIP76 mutants was used to probe the interaction between RLIP76 and RalA and -B. Despite 100% sequence identity in the RalA and -B contact residues with RLIP76, differences still exist in the energetic profiles of the two complexes. Therefore, we have revealed properties that may account for some of the functional separation observed with RalA and RalB at the cellular level. Our mutations, in both the Ral isoforms and RLIP76, provide new tools that can be employed to parse the complex biology of Ral G protein signaling networks. The combination of these thermodynamic and structural data can also guide efforts to ablate RalA and -B activity with small molecules and peptides.Captain Stephanos FoundationThis is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the American Chemical Society via http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/bi501530