Search results for "SENSITIVITY"

Development of a Sensitive Detection Method for Alphaviruses and Its Use as a Virus Neutralization Assay

2021

Alphaviruses have a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome that contains two open reading frames encoding either the non-structural or the structural genes. Upon infection, the genomic RNA is translated into the non-structural proteins (nsPs). NsPs are required for viral RNA replication and transcription driven from the subgenomic promoter (sgP). Transfection of an RNA encoding the luciferase gene under the control of the sgP into cells enabled the detection of replication-competent chikungunya virus (CHIKV) or Mayaro virus (MAYV) with high sensitivity as a function of the induced luciferase activity. This assay principle was additionally used to analyze virus-neutralizing antibodies in…

Latex allergy: the sum quantity of four major allergens shows the allergenic potential of medical gloves

2007

Background:  Assessment of allergenic potential of medical devices made of natural rubber latex (NRL) requires the measurement of concentrations of specific allergenic proteins or polypeptides eluting from rubber. Methods:  Four NRL allergens (Hev b 1, 3, 5, and 6.02) were quantified in all medical glove brands marketed in Finland in 1999, 2001, and 2003 (n = 208) by a capture enzyme immunoassay. The results were compared with those obtained from previous nationwide market surveys, using a skin prick test-validated human IgE-based ELISA-inhibition method. Results:  A high overall correlation (r = 0.87, 95% CI 0.83–0.90) emerged between the sum values of the four allergens(μg/g glove) and Ig…

2020

Abstract. The new PAGES2k global compilation of temperature-sensitive proxies offers an unprecedented opportunity to study regional to global trends associated with orbitally driven changes in solar irradiance over the past 2 millennia. Here, we analyze pre-industrial long-term trends from 1 to 1800 CE across the PAGES2k dataset and find that, in contrast to the gradual cooling apparent in ice core, marine, and lake sediment data, tree rings do not exhibit the same decline. To understand why tree-ring proxies lack any evidence of a significant pre-industrial cooling, we divide those data by location (high Northern Hemisphere latitudes vs. midlatitudes), seasonal response (annual vs. summer)…

A Review of the State-of-the-Art of Assistive Technology for People with ASD in the Workplace and in Everyday Life

2019

Part 8: Digital Divide and Social Inclusion; International audience; Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is an incurable brain-based disorder that refers to a wide range of complex neurodevelopment disorders characterised by marked difficulties in communication and social skills, repetitive behaviour, highly focused interests and sensory sensitivity. Autism can present challenges for affected people at the work environment and in everyday life. The barrier for individuals with ASD increases further with changing environmental situations. Individuals with ASD have limited abilities to isolate their Five senses and often experience over- or under-sensitivity to sounds, touch…

Us and them: intercultural sensitivity of Polish and Georgian adolescent multilinguals

2020

The aim of this study is to compare the levels of intercultural sensitivity (IS) in teenage multilinguals coming from two post-communist countries: Poland (N=293) and Georgia (N=240). Aside from quantitative data the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale by Chen & Starosta., the qualitative part of the study focused on exploring quality of contacts with another culture. It was found that Polish students demonstrated significantly lower levels of intercultural sensitivity in spite of their greater foreign language experience. However, Georgian multilinguals demonstrated greater positive affect, both quantitatively (Intercultural Enjoyment as part of the IS assessment) and qualitatively (prevailing…

Spanish Adaptation and Validation of the Outcome Questionnaire OQ-30.2

2017

This study assessed the psychometric properties of a Spanish version of the Shortened Outcome Questionnaire (OQ-30.2, Lambert et al., 2004) validated with a sample of 546 patients in an outpatient mental health clinic and 100 non-clinical adults in Chile. Our results show that this measure has similar normative data to the original measure, with a cutoff score for the Chilean population set at 43.36, and the reliable change index at 14. This Spanish OQ-30.2 has good internal consistency (α = 0.90), has concurrent validity with the Depressive, Anxious, and Somatoform disorders measuring scale (Alvarado and Vera, 1991), and is sensitive to change during psychotherapy. Consistent with previous…

A more efficient cutting planes approach for the green vehicle routing problem with capacitated alternative fuel stations

2021

AbstractThe Green Vehicle Routing Problem with Capacitated Alternative Fuel Stations assumes that, at each station, the number of vehicles simultaneously refueling cannot exceed the number of available pumps. The state-of-the-art solution method, based on the generation of all feasible non-dominated paths, performs well only with up to 2 pumps. In fact, it needs cloning the paths between every pair of pumps. To overcome this issue, in this paper, we propose new path-based MILP models without cloning paths, for both the scenario with private stations (i.e., owned by the fleet manager) and that with public stations. Then, a more efficient cutting plane approach is designed for addressing both…

Using a hazard-independent approach to understand road-network robustness to multiple disruption scenarios

2021

Abstract A range of predictable and unpredictable events can cause road perturbations, disrupting traffic flows and more generally the functioning of society. To manage this threat, stakeholders need to understand the potential impact of a multitude of predictable and unpredictable events. The present paper adopts a hazard-independent approach to assess the robustness (ability to maintain functionality despite disturbances) of the Sioux Falls network to all possible disruptions. This approach allows understanding the impact of a wide range of disruptive events, including random, localised, and targeted link failures. The paper also investigates the predictability of the link combinations wh…

Competition and cooperation for intermodal container transhipment: A network optimization approach

2018

Abstract This study presents an analysis of cross-border competition and cooperation between ports in Bangladesh and India. Nepal and Bhutan are countries without access to seaports — two landlocked countries in South Asia, depending solely on the Indian port of Kolkata for their international seaborne trade. Alternatives do exist in the Bangladeshi ports of Chittagong and Mongla but these are not exploited, in spite of trade agreements that allow access to a third country's port, and/or crossing the land of a third, intermediate, country. We formulate a mixed integer linear programming optimization model to find the optimum economic benefit of port users (serving Bhutan, Nepal and Northeas…

Intrinsic adhesive and cohesive assessment of the moisture sensitivity of bio-rejuvenated recycled asphalt binders

2019

Alternative binders not derived from fossil fuels, known as biobinders, are opening new paths for multiple applications in road infrastructure. Biobinders, usually produced from bio-oils obtained from the processing of biomass and industry by-products, are tuneable materials whose properties can be adjusted to meet specific targets. For this reason, an interesting approach is to couple biobinders with Reclaimed Asphalt (RA) by taking advantage of their rejuvenating properties to design bio-asphalt mixtures with high-content RA and no additional virgin bitumen. Recent research has proven the feasibility of this approach through validation at full-scale (BioRePavation project). However certai…