Search results for "Cause"
showing 10 items of 6525 documents
Band gap of corundumlike α−Ga2O3 determined by absorption and ellipsometry
2017
The electronic structure near the band gap of the corundumlike $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ phase of ${\mathrm{Ga}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ has been investigated by means of optical absorption and spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements in the ultraviolet (UV) range (400--190 nm). The absorption coefficient in the UV region and the imaginary part of the dielectric function exhibit two prominent absorption thresholds with wide but well-defined structures at 5.6 and 6.3 eV which have been ascribed to allowed direct transitions from crystal-field split valence bands to the conduction band. Excitonic effects with large Gaussian broadening are taken into account through the Elliott-Toyozawa model, which y…
Thorough evaluation of OECD principles in modelling of 1-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]-6-(phenylthio)thymine derivatives using QSARINS.
2020
The human immunodeficiency virus is a lethal pathology considered as a worldwide problem. The search for new strategies for the treatment of this disease continues to be a great challenge in the scientific community. In this study, a series of 107 derivatives of 1-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]-6-(phenylthio)thymine, previously evaluated experimentally against HIV-I reverse transcriptase, was used to model antiretroviral activity. A model of linear regression, implemented in the QSARINS software, was developed with a genetic algorithm for variable selection. The fit of its parameters was good and exhaustive validation, according to the OECD regulatory principles, was performed. Also, the applica…
Fluorine-Containing Drugs Approved by the FDA in 2018
2019
Over the last two decades, fluorine substitution has become one of the essential structural traits in modern pharmaceuticals. Thus, about half of the most successful drugs (blockbuster drugs) contain fluorine atoms. In this review, we profile 17 fluorine-containing drugs approved by the food and drug administration (FDA) in 2018. The newly approved pharmaceuticals feature several types of aromatic F and CF3 , as well as aliphatic (CF2 ) substitution, offering advances in the treatment of various diseases, including cancer, HIV, malarial and smallpox infections.
Diabetes and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system: Implications for covid-19 patients with diabetes treatment management
2020
In the context of the COVID-19 continuous spreading, this paper focuses on the increased risk of diabetic patients regarding the metabolic control and the uncertainties related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Chronic hyperglycaemia negatively affects the immune system, which triggers an increase of morbidity and mortality for viral infections. A key aspect of COVID-19 resides in the involvement of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAAS) system that causes a cascade of reactions mediated by vasoactive peptides with implications in vasoconstriction, vascular permeability, oxidative stress remodelling and tissue injuries. Activation of RAAS at pulmonary level, is responsible for the local damage. Many q…
Associations between air pollution and pediatric eczema, rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma: A meta-analysis of European birth cohorts
2020
Background: Uncertainly continues to exist regarding the role of air pollution on pediatric asthma and allergic conditions, especially as air pollution levels have started to decrease in recent decades. Objective: We examined associations of long-term air pollution levels at the home address with pediatric eczema, rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma prevalences in five birth cohorts (BIB, EDEN, GASPII, RHEA and INMA) from seven areas in five European countries. Methods: Current eczema, rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma were assessed in children aged four (N = 6527) and eight years (N = 2489). A multi-morbidity outcome (≥2 conditions versus none) was also defined. Individual outdoor levels of nitrog…
A Regional Geography Approach to Understanding the Environmental Changes as a Consequence of the COVID-19 Lockdown in Highly Populated Spanish Cities
2021
Spain has been highly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is reflected at different scales. From an economic point of view, lockdowns and the reduction of activities have damaged the country (e.g., complete lockdown from March 13 to June 21, 2020). However, it is not clear if the associated environmental impacts could be observed in 2020. Currently, studies on the effects of the lockdown (e.g., decrease in economic activities, transport and social communication) on specific parameters related to climate change, such as air temperature or air pollution, due to a drastic decrease in human activities are rare. They are focused on specific cities and short periods of time. Therefore, the m…
Relations between Air Quality and Covid-19 Lockdown Measures in Valencia, Spain
2021
The set of measures to contain the diffusion of COVID-19 instituted by the European governments gave an unparalleled opportunity to improve our understanding of the transport and industrial sectors’ contribution to urban air pollution. The purpose of this study was to assess the impacts of the lockdown measures on air quality and pollutant emissions in Valencia, Spain. For this reason, we determined if there was a significant difference in the concentration levels of different particulate matter (PM) sizes, PM10, PM2.5, and NOx, NO2, NO, and O3, between the period of restrictions in 2020 and the same period in 2019. Our findings indicated that PM pollutant levels during the lockdown period…
Changes in SO2 Flux Regime at Mt. Etna Captured by Automatically Processed Ultraviolet Camera Data
2019
We used a one-year long SO2 flux record, which was obtained using a novel algorithm for real-time automatic processing of ultraviolet (UV) camera data, to characterize changes in degassing dynamics at the Mt. Etna volcano in 2016. These SO2 flux records, when combined with independent thermal and seismic evidence, allowed for capturing switches in activity from paroxysmal explosive eruptions to quiescent degassing. We found SO2 fluxes 1.5−2 times higher than the 2016 average (1588 tons/day) during the Etna’s May 16−25 eruptive paroxysmal activity, and mild but detectable SO2 flux increases more than one month before its onset. The SO2 flux typically peaked during a lava fo…
Pneumothorax and the environment: A systematic review of the impact of air pollution and meteorology, and a meta-analysis on meteorology factors.
2021
Abstract A relationship between the occurrence of spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) and meteorological factors has been observed but with contradictory results. The objectives of this systematic review was to synthesis the current body of evidence to the relationships between the occurrence of SP and environmental determinants such as meteorological factors and air pollutants. We conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane Library and gray literature from inception up to 31st December 2020, to find published scientific research articles based on the following eligibility criteria: original studies and population-based articles describing the relationship between meteorological fa…
Coping with the impacts of Urban Heat Islands A literature based study on understanding urban heat vulnerability and the need for resilience in citie…
2018
The urban heat island (UHI) is a phenomenon whereby temperature levels in urban areas are higher than in surrounding rural settings. Urban heat islands are a matter of increasing concern, since they can affect communities by exacerbating air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions (due to the greater use of air conditioning) and the occurrence of heat-related illness, and may lead to higher levels of mortality. This paper provides a description of the phenomena of (UHI) and an analysis of how cities are vulnerable to it. It highlights the need for resilience and the variety of means by which the UHI can be tackled. It describes a set of trends in two regions in Germany and Australia, which i…