EU Research Research Articles

Foreign-researcher figures stress need for immigration reform before Brexit.

EU researchers would overwhelm existing visa system and should retain special access to the United Kingdom, say science organizations. EU researchers would overwhelm existing visa system and should retain special access to the United Kingdom, say science organizations.

Modeling and Simulation of an Oxygen-Blown Bubbling Fluidized Bed Gasifier using the Computational Particle-Fluid Dynamics (CPFD) Approach

Fluidized beds are conventional components of many industrial processes, such as coal gasification for energy generation and syngas production. Numerical simulations help to properly design and understand the complex multiphase flows occurring in these reactors. Two modeling approaches are usually adopted to simulate multiphase flows: the two fluids Eulerian-Eulerian model and the continuous/discrete Eulerian-Lagrangian model. Since fluidized beds account for an extremely large number of particles, tracking each of them could not assure to get results within a reasonable computational time. The Computational Particle-Fluid Dynamics (CPFD) approach, which belongs to the Eulerian-Lagrangian models class, groups together particles with similar key parameters (e.g. composition, size) into computational units (parcels). Parcel collisions are modeled by an isotropic solid stress function, depending on solid volume fraction. In this paper, the bubbling fluidized bed (BFB) upstream gasifier of the EU research infrastructure ZECOMIX (Zero Emissions of Carbon with Mixed technologies) has been simulated using a CPFD approach via Barracuda® software. The effect of different fluidizing agent injection strategies on bed bubbling and mixing, for non-reacting cases, has been studied. The numerical results for a reacting case have been compared to the available experimental data, gathered during the coal gasification campaign. The model has proved to be very useful in the choice of the more efficient injection configuration that assures a more effective contact of the gas with the solid bed and a good bubbling fluidization regime, together with a satisfactory prediction of the outlet gas composition. The numerical approach has turned out to be robust and time-saving and allowed to dramatically reduce the computational cost with respect the classical two fluids Eulerian-Eulerian models.

Modeling and simulation of an oxygen-blown bubbling fluidized bed gasifier using the Computational Particle- Fluid Dynamics (CPFD) approach

Fluidized beds are conventional components of many industrial processes, such as coal gasification for energy generation and syngas production. Numerical simulations help to properly design and understand the complex multiphase flows occurring in these reactors. Two modeling approaches are usually adopted to simulate multiphase flows: the two fluids Eulerian-Eulerian model and the continuous/discrete Eulerian-Lagrangian model. Since fluidized beds account for an extremely large number of particles, tracking each of them could not assure to get results within a reasonable computational time. The Computational Particle-Fluid Dynamics (CPFD) approach, which belongs to the Eulerian-Lagrangian models class, groups together particles with similar key parameters (e.g. composition, size) into computational units (parcels). Parcel collisions are modeled by an isotropic solid stress function, depending on solid volume fraction. In this paper, the bubbling fluidized bed (BFB) upstream gasifier of the EU research infrastructure ZECOMIX (Zero Emissions of Carbon with Mixed technologies) has been simulated using a CPFD approach via Barracuda® software. The effect of different fluidizing agent injection strategies on bed bubbling and mixing, for non-reacting cases, has been studied. The numerical results for a reacting case have been compared to the available experimental data, gathered during the coal gasification campaign. The model has proved to be very useful in the choice of the more efficient injection configuration that assures a more effective contact of the gas with the solid bed and a good bubbling fluidization regime, together with a satisfactory prediction of the outlet gas composition. The numerical approach has turned out to be robust and time-saving and allowed to dramatically reduce the computational cost with respect the classical two fluids Eulerian-Eulerian models.

Glycemic Target Attainment in Insulin-Naïve Patients with T2D Receiving iGlarLixi

This study assessed the relationship between FPG, PPG and glycated hemoglobin (A1C) target attainment using ADA glycemic targets in patients (pts) with T2D. A post-hoc analysis of the phase 3 LixiLan-O (NCT02058147) trial assessed the efficacy and safety of iGlarLixi (n=468) vs. insulin glargine U100 (iGlar) (n=466) and lixisenatide (Lixi) (n=233) in pts uncontrolled on metformin ± a second OAD, continuing only on metformin, over a 30-week period. The proportion of pts reaching both FPG and PPG target was highest for iGlarLixi, while the proportions of those reaching FPG or PPG targets only were highest for iGlar (targeting FPG) and Lixi (targeting PPG), respectively (Figure 1A). There was a stepwise trend in A1C change, end-of-study A1C, and proportion of pts reaching A1C goals in favor of iGlarLixi, followed by iGlar and Lixi (Figure 1B-D). Pts reaching both FPG and PPG targets had the greatest A1C drop and lowest A1C values, and represented the largest proportion of pts acheiving A1C target. No differences were observed in hypoglycemia rates in all treatment arms, and a greater proportion of pts experienced weight loss with iGlarLixi vs. iGlar (55.3% vs. 39.9%). By simultaneously targeting fasting and postprandial hyperglycemia, iGlarLixi treatment results in greater A1C reduction and better A1C target attainment than iGlar or Lixi alone. Disclosure C. Desouza: Consultant; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S, Sanofi. Research Support; Self; Merck & Co., Inc.. Advisory Panel; Self; Medscape. V. Fonseca: Consultant; Self; Abbott. Board Member; Self; American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Consultant; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Amgen Inc.. Consultant; Self; Asahi Kasei Corporation, AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk Inc., ADOCIA, Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc., Sanofi-Aventis. J.P. Frias: Research Support; Self; AbbVie Inc., Allergan, Amgen Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Consultant; Self; CeQur Corporation. Research Support; Self; Cirius Therapeutics, AstraZeneca, Calibra Medical, Elcelyx Therapeutics, Inc.. Consultant; Self; Elcelyx Therapeutics, Inc.. Research Support; Self; Eli Lilly and Company, Genentech, Inc., Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., ICON plc., Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Consultant; Self; Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute, LLC.. Research Support; Self; Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Consultant; Self; Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Research Support; Self; Merck & Co., Inc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Novo Nordisk Inc., Pfizer Inc., Sanofi. Consultant; Self; Sanofi. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Sanofi. Research Support; Self; Theracos, Inc. L. Van Gaal: Advisory Panel; Self; Astra Zeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Janssen J & J, Merck MSD, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi and Servier/Intarcia. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Astra Zeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Janssen J & J, Merck MSD, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi and Servier/Intarcia. Research Support; Self; EU (Hepadip & Resolve consortium) and National Research Funds. F. Giorgino: Consultant; Self; Abbott, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH. Research Support; Self; Eli Lilly and Company, Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.. Consultant; Self; MedImmune, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Roche Diabetes Care Health and Digital Solutions, Sanofi. Research Support; Self; Takeda Development Centre Europe Ltd.. J. Chao: None. T.A. Dex: Employee; Self; Sanofi US. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Pfizer Inc., Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.. M. Roberts: None. A. Saremi: Employee; Self; Sanofi US. L.A. Leiter: Advisory Panel; Self; AstraZeneca. Research Support; Self; AstraZeneca. Speaker's Bureau; Self; AstraZeneca. Advisory Panel; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Research Support; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Advisory Panel; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. Research Support; Self; GlaxoSmithKline plc.. Advisory Panel; Self; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Research Support; Self; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Advisory Panel; Self; Merck & Co., Inc.. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Merck & Co., Inc.. Research Support; Self; Merck & Co., Inc.. Advisory Panel; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc.. Research Support; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc.. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc.. Advisory Panel; Self; Sanofi. Research Support; Self; Sanofi. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Sanofi. Advisory Panel; Self; Servier. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Servier. Research Support; Self; Servier. Advisory Panel; Self; Amgen Inc.. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Amgen Inc.. Research Support; Self; Amgen Inc., Esperion Therapeutics, Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., The Medicines Company. Advisory Panel; Self; Akcea Therapeutics, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

Clinical Importance of One-Hour Plasma Glucose in Relation to Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome in an Obese Population

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasingly prevalent and associated with increased morbi/mortality. In Caucasian obese subjects we investigated a possible link between 1-hour plasma glucose (1HrPG), diabetes and the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods: Overweight and obese patients were consecutively included from the obesity clinic. ROC-curves were used to compare the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 1HrPG vs. fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2HrPG, and HbA1c to diagnose diabetes, using American Diabetes Association criteria. Results: We included 2439 patients (72% female) [mean age 43±13 years, median BMI 37.3 (33.7-41.3) kg/m²]. Diabetes was diagnosed in 9.8% and prediabetes in 33.8% of subjects. Exactly 1262 (51,7%) had a 1HrPG ≥155 mg/dL. These subjects were more insulin-resistant (p<0.001), had a higher waist (p<0.001), visceral adipose tissue (VAT) (p<0.001), systolic blood pressure (p<0.001), worse lipid profile (p<0.001), and higher plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) [p<0.001] than subjects with 1HrPG <155mg/dL. MetS was present in 64.1% of the subjects with 1HrPG ≥155 mg/dL vs. 42.5% of subjects with a 1HrPG <155 mg/dL (p<0.001). In the group with 1HrPG ≥155 mg/dL only 32.6% had a normal glucose tolerance (NGT) while 18.5% was diagnosed with T2DM and 48.9% had prediabetes, compared to 81.7% NGT, 0.6% T2DM and 17.7% prediabetes in subjects with a 1HrPG < 155 mg/dL (p<0.001). In the group with NGT 412 subjects (30,0%) had a 1HrPG ≥155 mg/dL. These subjects showed higher HOMA-IR (p=0.008), VAT (p<0.001), blood pressure (p<0.001), worse lipid profile (p=0.001) than those with a 1HrPG<155 mg/dl, indicating its clinical relevance. For diabetes, the ROC area under the curve for 2HrPG was 0.928, compared to 1HrPG (0.764), Hba1c (0.752) and, FPG (0.600). Conclusion: This study supports the need for detection of subjects with higher 1HrPG values. being at risk for development of T2DM, MetS and cardiovascular disease. Disclosure L. Haverals: None. K.P.S. Van Dessel: None. A. Verrijken: None. E.L. Dirinck: None. F.W. Peiffer: None. L. Van Gaal: Advisory Panel; Self; Astra Zeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Janssen J & J, Merck MSD, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi and Servier/Intarcia. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Astra Zeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Janssen J & J, Merck MSD, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi and Servier/Intarcia. Research Support; Self; EU (Hepadip & Resolve consortium) and National Research Funds. C. De Block: None.

Improved Cardiovascular and Renal Outcomes in the CANagliflozin CardioVascular Assessment Study (CANVAS) Program Irrespective of Baseline (BL) Body Mass Index (BMI)

Overweight and obesity increases the risk of heart and kidney disease. The effects of canagliflozin (CANA) in patients with BL BMI <30 or ≥30 kg/m2 was a prespecified analysis in the CANVAS Program. CANA reduced CV and renal outcomes in patients with T2D and high CV risk (N = 10,142). At BL compared to patients with BMI <30 kg/m2, more patients with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 had SBP ≥140 or DBP ≥90 mmHg (47.9% vs. 40.3%) and were taking RAAS inhibitors (83.8% vs. 74.6%). Effects of CANA on the primary outcome (CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke) and other CV outcomes were consistent between BMI subgroups (Fig). CANA decreased progression of albuminuria in both BMI subgroups with the effect appearing greater in patients with BMI ≥30 kg/m2. Further statistical testing did not show a qualitative interaction (Gail-Simons P = 0.875). The comparative benefits of CANA on albuminuria in patients with higher BMI may be due to greater reductions in body weight (placebo-subtracted difference at 1 y: -2.1 and -2.8 kg for BMI <30 and ≥30 kg/m2) and BP (SBP: -4.2 and -4.6 mmHg; DBP: -1.0 and -1.7 mmHg for BMI <30 and ≥30 kg/m2); HbA1c reductions were similar with BMI <30 and ≥30 kg/m2 (-0.60% and -0.63%). While small statistical heterogeneity may exist, BMI <30 vs. ≥30 kg/m2 does not appear to be a major determinant of the observed improvements in CV outcomes with CANA. Disclosure H. Bays: Research Support; Self; Amgen Inc. L. Van Gaal: Advisory Panel; Self; Astra Zeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Janssen J & J, Merck MSD, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi and Servier/Intarcia. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Astra Zeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Janssen J & J, Merck MSD, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi and Servier/Intarcia. Research Support; Self; EU (Hepadip & Resolve consortium) and National Research Funds. S. Aravind: None. N. Aggarwal: None. R. Violante: Advisory Panel; Self; Eli Lilly and Company, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Novo Nordisk A/S, AstraZeneca, Sanofi-Aventis. Research Support; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc., Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Eli Lilly and Company, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. A. Slee: Other Relationship; Self; Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC. W. Shaw: Employee; Self; Janssen Research & Development. K.W. Mahaffey: Research Support; Self; Afferent, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Daiichi, Ferring, Google (Verily), Janssen, Medtronic, Merck, Novartis, Sanofi, and St. Jude. Consultant; Self; Ablynx, AstraZeneca, BAROnova, Bio2 Medical, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Cardiometabolic Health Congress, Cubist, Eli Lilly, Elsevier, Epson, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Merck, Mt. Sinai, Radiometer, Springer Publishing, The Medicines Company, Theravance, Vindico, and WebMD. Stock/Shareholder; Self; BioPrint Fitness. D. de Zeeuw: Other Relationship; Self; AbbVie Inc., Astellas Pharma US, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA, Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC., Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Bayer AG, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation. D.R. Matthews: Other Relationship; Self; Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC., Novo Nordisk Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Eli Lilly and Company, Sanofi-Aventis, Servier, Aché Laboratories.

Engineering, Science and The Politics of EU Research Programmes

Encouraging signals in prime minister's keynote speech

Determining the Priorities of the Development of EU Research Universities Based on the Analysis of Rating Indicators of World-Class Universities

Abstract The object of this research is the activity of 25 leading research universities in the world. One of the most problematic issues is the in-depth analysis of the ranking indicators of world-class research universities in order to identify the priorities for the development of research universities in the European Union. The following scientific methods were used in the research: generalizations, analysis, synthesis, graphical method, and also comparison method. The study is based on data on the global university rankings in QS World University Rankings 2018 and empirical data from publicly available sources provided by the research universities. The article also systematizes the scientific views of the leading scientists of Europe and the world on the course of development of research universities and analyses the experience of implementing joint scientific projects in the EU countries. The importance of international cooperation between research universities in the fields of academic mobility and scientific research is underlined due to the fact that the global challenges and prospects that the research universities in the European Union and the world are facing are transient and create a tough competitive environment. Strengthening their leadership potential and developing entrepreneurial thinking has been revealed as a modern trend in the development of research universities. The article characterizes the 25 best world-class research universities, and the factors which have enabled them to uncover their strengths and systematize the key areas of in-depth specialization. The contrasting differences between the analysed research universities are shown, as there are significant disparities in the total number of students, foreign students and staff of research universities, showing fundamentally different approaches to the organization of educational and research processes, even within a single country. This is due to the fact that the ratio of student per staff representative significantly affects the quality of education. The author proposes the key development priorities for research universities in the European Union, which consist in intensified work on: academic reputation; the number of foreign students; reputation of employers; improvement of the ratio of the number of students to the number of staff; improvement of quality and increase in the number of citations of scientific publications by university researchers; increasing the share of the university’s participation in international educational and scientific networks of other countries and continents.

U.K. will pay to play in EU science research

Prime Minister Theresa May has pledged to keep the U.K. within EU-funded science programs, known as Horizon Europe, when it leaves the EU next March. The proposal would mean the U.K. continues to participate in EU research projects and benefit from EU funding. In a speech on May 21, May said the U.K. is willing to pay to maintain access to Horizon Europe. But she also insisted on a “suitable level of influence” in return, which could become a sticking point. May said she also wants to make it easy for EU scientists to stay in the U.K. after Brexit. The announcement has been long awaited by research groups. “We welcome the statement from the prime minister that the U.K. wishes to fully associate to Horizon Europe,” said Royal Society of Chemistry director of science and communities Jo Reynolds. The proposal “recognizes the many additional benefits that participation in EU

Member States in the EU Research and Innovation Framework Programmes

Sustainable growth is the key driver of development and it depends on research and innovation which creates investment opportunities for new and better products and services and thereby increases the competitiveness and employment. Research has a long history on our old continent: the European Union is a research think-tank, still the world’s leading producer of scientific knowledge but is lagging in implementation of the results. Therefore, constitution of the Framework Programmes enabled better coordination of research among all the participating countries. The EU Framework Programmes celebrated 30 years of operation recently – they have become a key element of the research policy in Europe today. Since the First Framework Programme launched in 1984, the current Horizon 2020 has expanded in scope and scale by attracting more resources and participating countries performing research on diverse topics. This paper provides an overview of the EU Member States’ engagement with emphasis on the two last Framework Programmes. It outlines the current disproportion with respect to different country group performance and provides links to various data sources for further studies.

Evaluation of surface Lagrangian transport barriers in the Gulf of Trieste

The present work aims to detect Lagrangian transport barriers in the Gulf of Trieste by means of Lyapunov-exponent approach and tensorlines of the Cauchy-Green tensor. Lagrangian Coherent Structures (LCSs) are calculated employing 2D surface velocity fields measured by the coastal radars of the TOSCA EU research project (Tracking Oil Spills & Coastal Awareness Network). Moreover, surface drifters were deployed during the project. Comparisons between Eulerian velocity of HF-radar fields and Lagrangian velocity of drifters are carried out alongside single-particle tracking reliability. In particular, the possible influence of the data gaps in the HF-radar fields have been carefully considered. LCSs have proven to be robust against the quality of the starting HF-radar fields, leading to helpful insights in drifter positions. Indeed, after 24-hour integration the observed position of the drifter is approximately 1.5 km far from the nearest LCS, while a standard approach based on single-particle computations leads to larger errors (up to 5–7 km). However, such result must be properly interpreted taking into account the elongated nature of LCSs. A comparison between two common diagnostic tools of Lagrangian barriers is performed: Finite-Time and Finite-Size Lyapunov Exponent fields are compared in order to assess whether the patterns detected by the two measures are comparable. Finally, a joint analysis between LCSs and single-particle tracking is carried out and the results suggest that it would be desirable to couple these two approaches in real applications.

Serious Road Traffic Injuries in Europe, Lessons from the EU Research Project SafetyCube

The EU research project SafetyCube pays specific attention to serious road injuries, defined as nonfatal road traffic casualties with an injury severity level of MAIS3+. By means of surveys, information was collected on current practices concerning the estimation of the number of MAIS3+ casualties and on costs related to serious road injuries in different European countries. Moreover, the effect of differences in practices on the estimated number of MAIS3+ casualties was investigated by applying different methods to the same data. Finally, by means of a literature review, analysis of additional case studies, and burden of injury calculations, health impacts of serious road injuries were investigated. This paper presents six main lessons learned from these activities. Practices concerning the estimation of the number of MAIS3+ casualties differ between countries; some countries apply correction factors to police data, other countries use hospital data, and a third group of countries uses linked police and hospital data. Practices also differ concerning the selection of MAIS3+ road traffic injuries within hospital data. Differences in methodology appear to affect the MAIS3+ estimate. Therefore, one should be careful when comparing figures from different countries. The SafetyCube guidelines can support further harmonization. It is important to reduce the number of serious road injuries because injuries can have major impacts on a casualty’s life and pose a burden to society. About 75% of the MAIS3+ road traffic casualties are not fully recovered 3 years postcrash. Moreover, serious road injuries cost countries up to 2.7% of their gross domestic product.

Resource-saving technologies of railway transportation of grain freights for export

The research objective is to increase the efficiency of export railway transportation of grain freights in Ukraine by the introduction of consignor routing, a concentration of loading of grain on junction elevators and the organization of the movement of grain routes according to the schedule. According to the researchers in USA and EU, one of the effective directions for decreasing the expenses in a logistic chain of grain delivery to ports is consignor routing of railway transportation. Consignor routing of transportations of grain freights provides a concentration of their loading at junctions. The choice of junctions is proposed to be carried out on the basis of methods of the cluster analysis. For formation of regions for a concentration of grain loading the theory of sets and multicriteria optimization are used. As a result, on the basis of the modified simplex method are chosen 24 regions of possible concentration of grain loading that cover 70 stations on Ukrainian railways providing 7,5 million t consignor routing for grain in a year with minimal additional expenses. The assessment of the efficiency of railway transportation routing of grain freights is calculated with use of the developed simulation model. Researches showed that application of consignor routing allows to reduce a turn-round cycle for grain wagon in a logistic chain of deliveries up to 27%, and application of the schedule for consignor routes allows to reduce a turn-round cycle up to 62%, in comparison with transportation by car loading. Thus, as showed the calculations executed for one of the directions of grain transportation for export, the necessary operation park of grain-carrier wagons is reduced twice, thereby allowing to cut logistic expenses on a delivery of the Ukrainian grain through seaports to the world markets.

The role of Nature-Based Solutions in architectural and urban design

In 2015 the European Commission published the report Towards an EU Research and Innovation policy agenda for Nature-Based Solutions and Re-Naturing Cities . The document standardised the many research and innovation opportunities linked to the new designing, realisation and management procedures which utilise the natural component as an important tool to support urban regeneration processes capable of building resilience and developing a green economy. This essay analyses critically the new technical elements of architectural and urban design that make use of nature-based solutions. The aim is to examine their actual capability to generate/regenerate ecosystem services and circular economy processes at various levels.

Triterpene Messages from the EU-FP7 Project TriForC.

TriForC is an innovative EU-funded collaborative project that has established an integrative pipeline for the exploitation of plant triterpenes for commercialization in agriculture and pharmacology. We discuss the main outcomes of TriForC and reflect on its potential long-term impact and on the importance of EU projects for science, industry, and society.

Changes in keratin 8/18 expression in human granulosa cell lineage are associated to cell death/survival events: potential implications for the maintenance of the ovarian reserve.

Is keratin 8/18 (K8/K18) expression linked to cell death/survival events in the human granulosa cell lineage? A close association exists between changes in K8/K18 expression and cell death/survival events along the human granulosa cell lineage lifespan. In addition to their structural and mechanical functions, K8/K18 play essential roles regulating cell death, survival and differentiation in several non-gonadal epithelial tissues. Transfection of the granulosa-like tumor KGN cells with siRNA to interfere KRT8 and KRT18 expression increases FAS-mediated apoptosis, while an inverse association between K8/K18 expression and cell death has been found in the bovine antral follicles and corpus luteum. Yet, only fragmentary and inconclusive information exists regarding K8/K18 expression in the human ovary. Expression of K8/K18 was assessed by immunohistochemistry at different stages of the granulosa cell lineage, from flattened granulosa cells in primordial follicles to fully luteinized granulosa-lutein cells in the corpus luteum (including corpus luteum of pregnancy). Immunohistochemical detection of K8/K18 was conducted in 40 archival ovarian samples from women aged 17-39 years. K8/K18 expression was analyzed at the different stages of follicle development and corpus luteum lifespan. The proportions of primordial follicles showing all K8/K18-positive, all K8/K18 negative, or a mixture of K8/K18 negative and positive granulosa cells were quantified in 18 ovaries, divided into three age groups: ≤ 25 years (N = 6), 26-30 (N = 6) and 31-36 (N = 6) years. A total number of 1793 primordial, 750 transitional and 140 primary follicles were scored. A close association was found between changes in K8/K18 expression and cell death/cell survival events in the human granulosa cell lineage. Large secondary and early antral follicles (most of them undergoing atresia) and regressing corpora lutea displayed low/absent K8/K18 expression. Conversely, early growing and some large antral follicles, functional menstrual corpora lutea, as well as life-extended corpus luteum of pregnancy, in which cell death was scarce, showed high K8/K18 expression. Three sub-populations of primordial follicles were observed with respect to the presence of K8/K18 in their flattened granulosa cells, ranging from primordial follicles showing only positive granulosa cells [P0(+)], to others with a mixture of positive and negative cells [P0(+/-)] or follicles with only negative cells [P0(-)]. Significant age-related changes were found in the proportions of the different primordial follicle types. In relation to age, a positive correlation was found for P0(+) primordial follicles (R2= 0.7883, N = 18; P < 0.001), while negative correlations were found for P0(+/-) (R2 = 0.6853, N = 18; P < 0.001) and P0(-) (R2 = 0.6725, N = 18; P < 0.001) follicles. Furthermore, an age-related shift towards greater keratin expression was found in P0(+/-) follicles (χ2 = 19.07, P < 0.05). N/A. This is a descriptive study. Hence, a cause-and-effect relationship between K8/K18 expression and cell death/survival cannot be directly established. This study describes, for the first time, the existence of sub-populations of primordial follicles on the basis of K8/K18 expression in granulosa cells, and that their proportions change with age. While a progressive increase in K8/K18 expression cannot be ruled out, our data are consistent with the hypothesis that primordial follicles expressing low levels of K8/K18 are preferentially ablated by follicle attrition, while primordial follicles showing high K8/K18 levels are those predominantly recruited into the growing pool. This suggests that K8/K18 expression could constitute a novel factor regulating primordial follicle death/survival, and raises the possibility that alterations of K8/K18 expression could be involved in the accelerated depletion of the ovarian reserve leading to premature ovarian insufficiency. This work was supported by Grants BFU2011-025021 and BFU2014-57581-P (Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Spain; co-funded with EU funds from FEDER Program); project PIE14-00005 (Flexi-Met, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Sanidad, Spain); Projects P08-CVI-03788 and P12-FQM-01943 (Junta de Andalucía, Spain); and EU research contract DEER FP7-ENV-2007-1. CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición is an initiative of Instituto de Salud Carlos III. The authors have nothing to disclose in relation to the contents of this study.

Digital Revolutions Affecting Distribution Within the Games Sector

The paper addresses the two main revolutions the games industry underwent within the last decade in its distribution structures: The internet shift and the mobile revolution. The author observes and describes economic phenomena which he has witnessed in many workshops and interviews within several EU research projects. By modeling different scenarios of actors in the ecosystem he now shows that the structures have seen dramatic changes and shifting opportunities for all market participants. As a result, he shows that both revolutions have opened opportunities for fast movers, but over time those opportunities have been shrinking with more and more actors coming on board.

COMET strongly supported the development and implementation of medium-term topical research roadmaps consistent with the ALLIANCE Strategic Research Agenda

The ALLIANCE Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) initiated by the STAR Network of Excellence and integrated in the research strategy implemented by the COMET consortium, defines a long-term vision of the needs for, and implementation of, research in radioecology. This reference document, reflecting views from many stakeholders groups and researchers, serves as an input to those responsible for defining EU research call topics through the ALLIANCE SRA statement delivered each year to the EJP-CONCERT (2015–2020). This statement highlights a focused number of priorities for funding. Research in radioecology and related sciences is justified by various drivers, such as policy changes, scientific advances and knowledge gaps, radiological risk perception by the public, and a growing awareness of interconnections between human and ecosystem health. The SRA is being complemented by topical roadmaps that have been initiated by the COMET EC-funded project, with the help and endorsement of the ALLIANCE. The strategy underlying roadmap development is driven by the need for improved mechanistic understanding across radioecology. By meeting this need, we can provide fit-for-purpose human and environmental impact/risk assessments in support of the protection of man and the environment in interaction with society and for the three exposure situations defined by the ICRP (i.e., planned, existing and emergency). Within the framework of the EJP-CONCERT the development of a joint roadmap is under discussion among all the European research platforms and will highlight the major research needs for the whole radiation protection field and how these are likely to be addressed by 2030.

Using docker for factory system software management: Experience report

As factories become increasingly computerised, and with the increasing interest in Cyber-Physical-Systems and the Internet-of-Things, the issues of software management, deployment, configuration and integration are expected to become increasingly important. This paper reports on the ongoing experiences of using the Docker container technology in a major EU research project targeting smart factories. Docker is used to distribute, deploy and manage the configuration of multiple software modules between multiple teams and demonstrator sites in multiple locations, where each module can use its own mixture of protocols, programming languages and platforms.

(Dis) integrated valuation – Assessing the information gaps in ecosystem service appraisals for governance support

The operational challenges of integrated ecosystem service (ES) appraisals are determined by study purpose, system complexity and uncertainty, decision-makers’ requirements for reliability and accuracy of methods, and approaches to stakeholder–science interaction in different decision contexts. To explore these factors we defined an information gap hypothesis, based on a theory of cumulative uncertainty in ES appraisals. When decision context requirements for accuracy and reliability increase, and the expected uncertainty of the ES appraisal methods also increases, the likelihood of methods being used is expected to drop, creating a potential information gap in governance. In order to test this information gap hypothesis, we evaluate 26 case studies and 80 ecosystem services appraisals in a large integrated EU research project. We find some support for a decreasing likelihood of ES appraisal methods coinciding with increasing accuracy and reliability requirements of the decision-support context, and with increasing uncertainty. We do not find that information costs are the explanation for this information gap, but rather that the research project interacted mostly with stakeholders outside the most decision-relevant contexts. The paper discusses how alternative definitions of integrated valuation can lead to different interpretations of decision-support information, and different governance approaches to dealing with uncertainty.