Background: Several gastroenterology societies have created recommendations in order to reduce nonessential exposure to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. Our aim ...is to evaluate the national gastroenterologists’ perspective on the impact of COVID-19 and the impact of reorganization of a gastroenterology department during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: For the first purpose, an online survey was distributed to gastroenterologists nationwide. For the second purpose, the authors conducted an analysis of some endoscopic procedures performed at the Gastroenterology Department of the Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho (CHVNG/E) between March 16 and May 8 during the years 2019 and 2020. Results: Sixty-seven gastroenterologists answered our survey. Only 14.9% were residents and 86.6% worked in a hospital with COVID-19 patients, with 16.4% assigned to assist those patients. All of the departments suffered modifications. Ninety percent of the residents affirmed that their activity had changed. Ninety-four percent declared having nonessential endoscopic procedures postponed, and 85.1% maintained in-person medical visits, 88.1% were already having remote consultations, and 11.9% did not have any clinical visit. In our gastroenterology unit, the number of endoscopic procedures decreased by 73.1% from 2019 to 2020. In 2020, the proportion of urgent procedures was higher compared to 2019. Conclusion: The advent of COVID-19 has led to important changes in gastroenterology activities in Portugal, and national gastroenterology units are complying with the recommendations. Furthermore, Portuguese gastroenterologists believed that the decrease in endoscopic activity can compromise residents’ education and training. The gastroenterology department at CHVNG/E has shown a significant reduction in the number of endoscopic procedures.
This paper presents an experimental study of the wet freeze-thaw (FT) durability of a fibre-polymer composite produced by vacuum infusion using an innovative bio-based unsaturated polyester resin ...(UPR) and basalt fibres. As the benchmark, an equivalent composite produced with a conventional (oil-based) UPR was also tested. The composites were preconditioned in water immersion for 30 days at 20 °C followed by exposure to wet FT for up to 300 cycles; each FT cycle consisted of 3 h in dry freezing condition (-20 °C) and 8 h in thawing condition (23 °C) submerged in water. The composites' properties were assessed after preconditioning and after 100, 200, and 300 FT cycles, through mechanical (tensile, compressive, in-plane shear, interlaminar shear) and thermomechanical (dynamic mechanical analysis) tests. Gravimetric and scanning electron microscope analyses were also carried out. The results obtained show that the preconditioning stage, involving water immersion, caused most of the damage, with property reductions of 5% to 39% in the bio-composite, while in the oil-composite they ranged between 4% and 22%, being higher for matrix-dominated properties. On the other hand, FT alone had an insignificant effect on the degradation of material properties; after exposure to FT, property recovery was observed, specifically in matrix-dominated properties, such as interlaminar shear strength, which recovered by 12% in the bio-composite during exposure to FT. The overall performance of the bio-composite was inferior to the conventional one, especially during the preconditioning stage, and this was attributed to the hydrophilicity of some of the components of its bio-based resin.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
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Three simulations of the circulation in the Gulf of Mexico (the “Gulf”) using different numerical general circulation models are compared with results of recent large-scale observational ...campaigns conducted throughout the deep (>1500 m) Gulf. Analyses of these observations have provided new understanding of large-scale mean circulation features and variability throughout the deep Gulf. Important features include cyclonic flow along the continental slope, deep cyclonic circulation in the western Gulf, a counterrotating pair of cells under the Loop Current region, and a cyclonic cell to the south of this pair. These dominant circulation features are represented in each of the ocean model simulations, although with some obvious differences. A striking difference between all the models and the observations is that the simulated deep eddy kinetic energy under the Loop Current region is generally less than one-half of that computed from observations. A multidecadal integration of one of these numerical simulations is used to evaluate the uncertainty of estimates of velocity statistics in the deep Gulf computed from limited-length (4 years) observational or model records. This analysis shows that the main deep circulation features identified from the observational studies appear to be robust and are not substantially impacted by variability on time scales longer than the observational records. Differences in strengths and structures of the circulation features are identified, however, and quantified through standard error analysis of the statistical estimates using the model solutions.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
In the past few years, de novo molecular design has increasingly been using generative models from the emergent field of Deep Learning, proposing novel compounds that are likely to possess desired ...properties or activities. De novo molecular design finds applications in different fields ranging from drug discovery and materials sciences to biotechnology. A panoply of deep generative models, including architectures as Recurrent Neural Networks, Autoencoders, and Generative Adversarial Networks, can be trained on existing data sets and provide for the generation of novel compounds. Typically, the new compounds follow the same underlying statistical distributions of properties exhibited on the training data set Additionally, different optimization strategies, including transfer learning, Bayesian optimization, reinforcement learning, and conditional generation, can direct the generation process toward desired aims, regarding their biological activities, synthesis processes or chemical features. Given the recent emergence of these technologies and their relevance, this work presents a systematic and critical review on deep generative models and related optimization methods for targeted compound design, and their applications.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
This paper presents a novel progressive failure model for the 3D simulations of pultruded FRP structures which allows the modelling of the laminates as a homogeneous material. The failure initiation ...model proposed requires only the strength in each direction as input, combining them to retrieve in-plane and out-of-plane failure indexes. The damage propagation model can be divided in two main stages: (i) damage progression and (ii) constant stress beyond a limit strain. The former stage uses the in-plane and out-of-plane failure indexes to determine the damage progression, using different parameters in each direction to account for the different damage responses, while the latter is characterized by a constant stress after a limit strain is reached, also different for each direction. FE models were developed with the proposed damage propagation model, requiring as input the strengths obtained from standardize experimental material coupon testing, the results of which, namely the load/stress vs. displacement/strain curves, are used to calibrate all the parameters needed to established the model. The results show that the proposed damage propagation model, using a homogenized material, is well able to predict the experimental behaviour even for very complex cases such as interlaminar shear tests. Furthermore, in a companion paper the accuracy and limitations of the model are further assessed in the simulation of transverse compact tension and web-crippling tests.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Triatoma guazu Lent and Wygodzinsky and Triatoma williami Galvão, Souza, and Lima (Hemiptera: Triatominae) are found in human dwellings and are potential vectors of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, ...the etiological agent of Chagas disease. Triatoma guazu was described based solely on a single female specimen, from the municipality of Villarica, Guairá Department, Paraguay, and posteriorly, a male from Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso, Brazil was described and designated as the allotype of this species. Triatoma williami is found in the central-west of Brazil between Goiás, Mato Grosso, and Mato Grosso do Sul. However, the taxonomic “status” of these species is questioned. Previous studies indicate the lack of isoenzymatic diagnostic loci, morphometric similarity, low genetic divergence, and close evolutionary relationship of these species. In this study, we compared the morphology, morphometry, and mitochondrial DNA fragments of the populations of the two species. The morphological diagnostic characteristic among these species is the difference in the connexivum spots pattern, which has been recognized as a phenotypic variation that exists among populations resulting from ecological diversity. Furthermore, our analysis also revealed the morphometric similarity and low genetic divergence between these species. Therefore, in the present paper, we formally propose T. guazu as a junior synonym of T. williami.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Background: Bowel preparation is a major quality criterion for colonoscopies. Models developed to identify patients with inadequate preparation have not been validated in external cohorts. We aim to ...validate these models and determine their applicability. Methods: Colonoscopies between April and November 2019 were retrospectively included. Boston Bowel Preparation Scale ≥2 per segment was considered adequate. Insufficient data, incomplete colonoscopies, and total colectomies were excluded. Two models were tested: model 1 (tricyclic antidepressants, opioids, diabetes, constipation, abdominal surgery, previous inadequate preparation, inpatient status, and American Society of Anesthesiology ASA score ≥3); model 2 (co-morbidities, tricyclic antidepressants, constipation, and abdominal surgery). Results: We included 514 patients (63% males; age 61.7 ± 15.6 years), 441 with adequate preparation. The main indications were inflammatory bowel disease (26.1%) and endoscopic treatment (24.9%). Previous surgery (36.2%) and ASA score ≥3 (23.7%) were the most common comorbidities. An ASA score ≥3 was the only identified predictor for inadequate preparation in this study (p < 0.001, OR 3.28). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of model 1 were 60.3, 64.2, 21.8, and 90.7%, respectively. Model 2 had a sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of 57.5, 67.4, 22.6, and 90.5%, respectively. The AUC for the ROC curves was 0.62 for model 1, 0.62 for model 2, and 0.65 for the ASA score. Conclusions: Although both models accurately predict adequate bowel preparation, they are still unreliable in predicting inadequate preparation and, as such, new models, or further optimization of current ones, are needed. Utilizing the ASA score might be an appropriate approximation of the risk for inadequate bowel preparation in tertiary hospital populations.
Continental shelves are the most productive areas in the seas with the strongest implications for global nitrogen cycling. The Yucatán shelf (YS) is the largest shelf in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM); ...however, its nitrogen budget has not been quantified. This is largely due to the lack of significant spatio-temporal in situ measurements and the complexity of the shelf dynamics, including coastal upwelling, coastal-trapped waves (CTWs), and influence of the Yucatán Current (YC) via bottom Ekman transport and dynamic uplift. In this paper, we investigate and quantify the nitrogen budget of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and particulate organic nitrogen (PON) in the YS using a 9-year output from a coupled physical–biogeochemical model of the GoM. The sum of DIN and PON is here referred to as total nitrogen (TN). Results indicate that the main entrance of DIN is through its southern (continental) and eastern margins. The TN is then advected to the deep oligotrophic Bay of Campeche and central GoM. It is also shown that the inner shelf (bounded by the 50 m isobath) is “efficient” in terms of TN, since all DIN imported into this shelf is consumed by the phytoplankton. Submarine groundwater discharges (SGDs) contribute 20 % of the TN, while denitrification removes up to 53 % of TN that enters into the inner shelf. The high-frequency variability of the TN fluxes in the southern margin is modulated by fluxes from the YC due to enhanced bottom Ekman transport when the YC leans against the shelf break (250 m isobath) on the eastern margin. This current–topography interaction can help to maintain the upwelling of Cape Catoche, uplifting nutrient-rich water into the euphotic layer. The export of TN at both western and northwestern margins is modulated by CTWs with a mean period of about 10 d in agreement with recent observational and modelling studies.
Attention should always be given to which reanalysis dataset to use when preparing analysis for a project. The accuracies of three reanalysis datasets, two global (ERA5 and MERRA-2) and one ...high-resolution regional reanalysis (MÉRA), are assessed by comparison with observations at seven weather observing stations around Ireland. Skill scores are calculated for the weather variables at these stations that are most relevant to the renewable energy sector: 10 m wind for wind power; surface shortwave radiation (SW) and 2 m temperature for photovoltaic power generation. The choice of which reanalysis dataset to use is important when future planning depends on this data. The newer ERA5 generally outperforms the other two reanalyses. However, this is not always true, and the best performing reanalysis dataset often depends on the variable of interest and location. As errors are significant for these reanalysis datasets, consideration should also be given to datasets specifically tailored to renewable energy resource modelling.
Climate change impacts on wind energy generation in Ireland Doddy Clarke, Eadaoin; Sweeney, Conor; McDermott, Frank ...
Wind energy (Chichester, England),
February 2022, 2022-02-00, 20220201, 2022-02-01, Volume:
25, Issue:
2
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
An ensemble of high‐resolution regional climate model simulation data is used to examine the impacts of climate change on offshore and onshore wind energy generation in Ireland. Two Representative ...Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios (RCP 4.5 and 8.5) are analysed for the mid‐term (2041–2060) and the long‐term (2081–2100) future. Wind energy is projected to decrease (≤2%) overall in future climate scenarios. Changes are evident by mid‐century and are more pronounced by late 21st century, particularly for RCP 8.5 offshore. Seasonally, wind energy is projected to decrease by less than 6% in summer and to increase slightly in winter (up to 1.1%). The distinct changes in different parts of the power curve, presented here for the first time, show a reversed pattern of duration at certain levels of the power curve. In summer, there is an increase of low‐power and a decrease of high‐power generation, whereas during winter, there is a projected increase in the time spent at high power. This could lead to diverse consequences for system operators depending on the season. The impacts of climate change on the duration and frequency of long periods (longer than 24 h) of low‐/high‐power wind energy events in Ireland are also presented. The frequency of low‐power events is projected to increase slightly, especially during summer. Onshore and offshore events are considered separately, demonstrating the complementarity of developing both onshore and offshore wind farms for future energy systems. Regional analysis highlights the benefit of developing a geographically dispersed wind farm network incorporating different local wind conditions.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
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