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Introduction: Child maltreatment (CM) is a complex global public health issue with potentially devastating effects on individuals’ physical and mental health and well-being throughout the life course. A lack of uniform definitions hinders attempts to identify, measure, respond to, and prevent CM. The aim of this electronic Delphi (e-Delphi) study is to build consensus on definitions and types of CM for use in surveillance and multi-sectoral research in the 34 countries in the Euro-CAN (Multi-Sectoral Responses to Child Abuse and Neglect in Europe) project (COST Action CA19106). Methods and analysis: The e-Delphi study will consist of a maximum of three rounds conducted using an online data collection platform. A multi-disciplinary expert panel consisting of researchers, child protection professionals (health and social care), police, legal professionals and adult survivors of CM will be purposefully recruited. We will approach approximately 100 experts, with between 50 and 60 of these anticipated to take part. Participants will rate their agreement with a range of statements relating to operational definitions and types of CM, and free-text comments on each of the statements to give further detail about their responses and areas of uncertainty. Consensus has been defined a priori as ≥70% of the panel agreeing or disagreeing with the statement after the final round. The responses to the open-ended questions will be analysed using a ‘codebook’ approach to thematic analysis, and used to refine the statements between rounds where no consensus is reached. Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval has been granted from the Cardiff University School of Medicine ethics committee (reference number SMREC22/96). Results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at workshops (including for the participants) and international academic conferences. The Euro-CAN network will also be used to disseminate the results, with results briefings and prese

Introduction Child maltreatment (CM) is a complex global public health issue with potentially devastating effects on individuals’ physical and mental health and well-being throughout the life course. A lack of uniform definitions hinders attempts to identify, measure, respond to, and prevent CM. The aim of this electronic Delphi (e-Delphi) study is to build consensus on definitions and types of CM for use in surveillance and multi-sectoral research in the 34 countries in the Euro-CAN (Multi-Sectoral Responses to Child Abuse and Neglect in Europe) project (COST Action CA19106). Methods and analysis The e-Delphi study will consist of a maximum of three rounds conducted using an online data collection platform. A multi-disciplinary expert panel consisting of researchers, child protection professionals (health and social care), police, legal professionals and adult survivors of CM will be purposefully recruited. We will approach approximately 100 experts, with between 50 and 60 of these anticipated to take part. Participants will rate their agreement with a range of statements relating to operational definitions and types of CM, and free-text comments on each of the statements to give further detail about their responses and areas of uncertainty. Consensus has been defined a priori as ≥70% of the panel agreeing or disagreeing with the statement after the final round. The responses to the open-ended questions will be analysed using a ‘codebook’ approach to thematic analysis, and used to refine the statements between rounds where no consensus is reached. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval has been granted from the Cardiff University School of Medicine ethics committee (reference number SMREC22/96). Results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at workshops (including for the participants) and international academic conferences. The Euro-CAN network will also be used to disseminate the results, with results briefings and presenta

Introduction Child maltreatment (CM) is a complex global public health issue with potentially devastating effects on individuals’ physical and mental health and well-being throughout the life course. A lack of uniform definitions hinders attempts to identify, measure, respond to, and prevent CM. The aim of this electronic Delphi (e-Delphi) study is to build consensus on definitions and types of CM for use in surveillance and multi-sectoral research in the 34 countries in the Euro-CAN (Multi-Sectoral Responses to Child Abuse and Neglect in Europe) project (COST Action CA19106). Methods and analysis The e-Delphi study will consist of a maximum of three rounds conducted using an online data collection platform. A multi-disciplinary expert panel consisting of researchers, child protection professionals (health and social care), police, legal professionals and adult survivors of CM will be purposefully recruited. We will approach approximately 100 experts, with between 50 and 60 of these anticipated to take part. Participants will rate their agreement with a range of statements relating to operational definitions and types of CM, and free-text comments on each of the statements to give further detail about their responses and areas of uncertainty. Consensus has been defined a priori as ≥70% of the panel agreeing or disagreeing with the statement after the final round. The responses to the open-ended questions will be analysed using a ‘codebook’ approach to thematic analysis, and used to refine the statements between rounds where no consensus is reached. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval has been granted from the Cardiff University School of Medicine ethics committee (reference number SMREC22/96). Results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at workshops (including for the participants) and international academic conferences. The Euro-CAN network will also be used to disseminate the results, with results briefings and presenta

Introduction Child maltreatment (CM) is a complex global public health issue with potentially devastating effects on individuals’ physical and mental health and well-being throughout the life course. A lack of uniform definitions hinders attempts to identify, measure, respond to, and prevent CM. The aim of this electronic Delphi (e-Delphi) study is to build consensus on definitions and types of CM for use in surveillance and multi-sectoral research in the 34 countries in the Euro-CAN (Multi-Sectoral Responses to Child Abuse and Neglect in Europe) project (COST Action CA19106). Methods and analysis The e-Delphi study will consist of a maximum of three rounds conducted using an online data collection platform. A multi-disciplinary expert panel consisting of researchers, child protection professionals (health and social care), police, legal professionals and adult survivors of CM will be purposefully recruited. We will approach approximately 100 experts, with between 50 and 60 of these anticipated to take part. Participants will rate their agreement with a range of statements relating to operational definitions and types of CM, and free-text comments on each of the statements to give further detail about their responses and areas of uncertainty. Consensus has been defined a priori as ≥70% of the panel agreeing or disagreeing with the statement after the final round. The responses to the open-ended questions will be analysed using a ‘codebook’ approach to thematic analysis, and used to refine the statements between rounds where no consensus is reached. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval has been granted from the Cardiff University School of Medicine ethics committee (reference number SMREC22/96). Results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at workshops (including for the participants) and international academic conferences. The Euro-CAN network will also be used to disseminate the results, with results briefings and presenta

Introduction Child maltreatment (CM) is a complex global public health issue with potentially devastating effects on individuals’ physical and mental health and well-being throughout the life course. A lack of uniform definitions hinders attempts to identify, measure, respond to, and prevent CM. The aim of this electronic Delphi (e-Delphi) study is to build consensus on definitions and types of CM for use in surveillance and multi-sectoral research in the 34 countries in the Euro-CAN (Multi-Sectoral Responses to Child Abuse and Neglect in Europe) project (COST Action CA19106). Methods and analysis The e-Delphi study will consist of a maximum of three rounds conducted using an online data collection platform. A multi-disciplinary expert panel consisting of researchers, child protection professionals (health and social care), police, legal professionals and adult survivors of CM will be purposefully recruited. We will approach approximately 100 experts, with between 50 and 60 of these anticipated to take part. Participants will rate their agreement with a range of statements relating to operational definitions and types of CM, and free-text comments on each of the statements to give further detail about their responses and areas of uncertainty. Consensus has been defined a priori as ≥70% of the panel agreeing or disagreeing with the statement after the final round. The responses to the open-ended questions will be analysed using a ‘codebook’ approach to thematic analysis, and used to refine the statements between rounds where no consensus is reached. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval has been granted from the Cardiff University School of Medicine ethics committee (reference number SMREC22/96). Results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at workshops (including for the participants) and international academic conferences. The Euro-CAN network will also be used to disseminate the results, with results briefings and presenta

IntroductionChild maltreatment (CM) is a complex global public health issue with potentially devastating effects on individuals' physical and mental health and well-being throughout the life course. A lack of uniform definitions hinders attempts to identify, measure, respond to, and prevent CM. The aim of this electronic Delphi (e-Delphi) study is to build consensus on definitions and types of CM for use in surveillance and multi-sectoral research in the 34 countries in the Euro-CAN (Multi-Sectoral Responses to Child Abuse and Neglect in Europe) project (COST Action CA19106).Methods and analysisThe e-Delphi study will consist of a maximum of three rounds conducted using an online data collection platform. A multi-disciplinary expert panel consisting of researchers, child protection professionals (health and social care), police, legal professionals and adult survivors of CM will be purposefully recruited. We will approach approximately 100 experts, with between 50 and 60 of these anticipated to take part. Participants will rate their agreement with a range of statements relating to operational definitions and types of CM, and free-text comments on each of the statements to give further detail about their responses and areas of uncertainty. Consensus has been defined a priori as >= 70% of the panel agreeing or disagreeing with the statement after the final round. The responses to the open-ended questions will be analysed using a 'codebook' approach to thematic analysis, and used to refine the statements between rounds where no consensus is reached.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been granted from the Cardiff University School of Medicine ethics committee (reference number SMREC22/96). Results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at workshops (including for the participants) and international academic conferences. The Euro-CAN network will also be used to disseminate the results, with results briefings and pres, Funding Agencies|Public Health Wales; FCT - Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia, I.P.; Regional Operational Programme of the North 2020, thematic area of Competitiveness and Employment, through the European Social Fund (ESF) [NORTE-06-3559-FSE-000044, NORTE-59-2018-41]

Introduction Child maltreatment (CM) is a complex global public health issue with potentially devastating effects on individuals’ physical and mental health and well-being throughout the life course. A lack of uniform definitions hinders attempts to identify, measure, respond to, and prevent CM. The aim of this electronic Delphi (e-Delphi) study is to build consensus on definitions and types of CM for use in surveillance and multi-sectoral research in the 34 countries in the Euro-CAN (Multi-Sectoral Responses to Child Abuse and Neglect in Europe) project (COST Action CA19106). Methods and analysis The e-Delphi study will consist of a maximum of three rounds conducted using an online data collection platform. A multi-disciplinary expert panel consisting of researchers, child protection professionals (health and social care), police, legal professionals and adult survivors of CM will be purposefully recruited. We will approach approximately 100 experts, with between 50 and 60 of these anticipated to take part. Participants will rate their agreement with a range of statements relating to operational definitions and types of CM, and free-text comments on each of the statements to give further detail about their responses and areas of uncertainty. Consensus has been defined a priori as ≥70% of the panel agreeing or disagreeing with the statement after the final round. The responses to the open-ended questions will be analysed using a ‘codebook’ approach to thematic analysis, and used to refine the statements between rounds where no consensus is reached. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval has been granted from the Cardiff University School of Medicine ethics committee (reference number SMREC22/96). Results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at workshops (including for the participants) and international academic conferences. The Euro-CAN network will also be used to disseminate the results, with results briefings and presenta

Background: Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) has been studied for decades as a promising treatment for obesity. Stimulation pulses with fixed amplitude and pulse width are usually applied, but these have limitations with regard to overcoming habituation to GES and inter-subject variation. This study aims to analyze the efficacy of an adaptive GES protocol for reducing food intake and maintaining lean weight in dogs. Methods: Six beagle dogs were implanted with a remotely programmable gastric stimulator. An adaptive protocol was designed to increase the stimulation energy proportionally to the excess of food consumption, with respect to the dogs’ maintenance energy requirements. After surgery and habituation to experimental conditions, the dogs went through both a control and a stimulation period of 4 weeks each, in a randomized order. The stimulation parameters were adapted daily. Body weight, food intake, food intake rate, and postprandial cutaneous electrogastrograms (EGG) were recorded to assess the effect of adaptive GES. Results: Adaptive GES decreased food intake and food intake rate (p < 0.05) resulting in weight maintenance. In the absence of GES, the dogs gained weight (p < 0.05). Postprandial EGG dominant frequency was accelerated by GES (p < 0.05). The strategy of adapting the stimulation energy was effective in causing significant mid-term changes. Conclusion: Adaptive GES is effective for reducing food intake and maintaining lean weight. The proposed adaptive strategy may offer benefits to counter habituation and adapt to inter-subject variation in clinical use of GES for obesity., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Ce livre représente à ce jour la somme la plus colossale jamais réunie sur un tel sujet. L’auteure, Katherine Debelle, à laquelle on doit déjà un remarquable ouvrage sur le Tarot de Marseille, met son humour et son érudition au service d’une tâche que d’aucuns jugeraient insurmontable: nous offrir le lexique le plus complet qui soit sur le domaine des rêves, afin de donner, clés en main, à chacun d’entre nous la possibilité d’analyser le fruit de ses excursions nocturnes dans l’ailleurs. Les ouvrages publiés jusqu’à ce jour souffrent en effet de nombreuses lacunes, en dépit d’un intérêt certain. Entre mystique et psychanalyse, l’auteur refuse de choisir, pensant que l’un et l’autre, loin de s’annuler, éclairent des aspects différents de l’activité onirique. Dans un remarquable esprit de synthèse, elle nous livre près de 10000 définitions, classées par ordre alphabétique. Dans cette magistrale encyclopédie, dont il n’existe pas d’équivalent en Europe, qui va d’«abandon» à «zoo», nous allons de découverte en découverte et de surprise en surprise, explorant pas à pas la richesse insoupçonnée de notre monde intérieur, en étroite corrélation avec la mémoire du monde, ce que le psychanaliste Jung nommait «inconscient collectif». «La nuit porte conseil»: cette expression populaire prend tout son sens à travers les pages de ce livre; les rêves nous envoient, sous forme de messages codés, les réponses à nos interrogations, nous mettent en garde et parfois, soulèvent le voile de notre avenir. Pour ce long voyage, Katherine Debelle nous a préparé les plus succulentes provisions: dans le prologue de cet ouvrage majeur, elle nous renseigne sur la nature des rêves, nous livre les arcanes des «thérapies oniriques» et nous apprend de quelle manière nous pouvons diriger nos rêves, pour un meilleur épanouissement de notre potentiel humain. Elle nous montre comment nous pouvons, par le biais de notre vie onirique, mieux gérer les problèmes qui se présentent à nous. Le monde magique de

Ce livre représente à ce jour la somme la plus colossale jamais réunie sur un tel sujet. L’auteure, Katherine Debelle, à laquelle on doit déjà un remarquable ouvrage sur le Tarot de Marseille, met son humour et son érudition au service d’une tâche que d’aucuns jugeraient insurmontable: nous offrir le lexique le plus complet qui soit sur le domaine des rêves, afin de donner, clés en main, à chacun d’entre nous la possibilité d’analyser le fruit de ses excursions nocturnes dans l’ailleurs. Les ouvrages publiés jusqu’à ce jour souffrent en effet de nombreuses lacunes, en dépit d’un intérêt certain. Entre mystique et psychanalyse, l’auteur refuse de choisir, pensant que l’un et l’autre, loin de s’annuler, éclairent des aspects différents de l’activité onirique. Dans un remarquable esprit de synthèse, elle nous livre près de 10000 définitions, classées par ordre alphabétique. Dans cette magistrale encyclopédie, dont il n’existe pas d’équivalent en Europe, qui va d’«abandon» à «zoo», nous allons de découverte en découverte et de surprise en surprise, explorant pas à pas la richesse insoupçonnée de notre monde intérieur, en étroite corrélation avec la mémoire du monde, ce que le psychanaliste Jung nommait «inconscient collectif». «La nuit porte conseil»: cette expression populaire prend tout son sens à travers les pages de ce livre; les rêves nous envoient, sous forme de messages codés, les réponses à nos interrogations, nous mettent en garde et parfois, soulèvent le voile de notre avenir. Pour ce long voyage, Katherine Debelle nous a préparé les plus succulentes provisions: dans le prologue de cet ouvrage majeur, elle nous renseigne sur la nature des rêves, nous livre les arcanes des «thérapies oniriques» et nous apprend de quelle manière nous pouvons diriger nos rêves, pour un meilleur épanouissement de notre potentiel humain. Elle nous montre comment nous pouvons, par le biais de notre vie onirique, mieux gérer les problèmes qui se présentent à nous. Le monde magique de

Finite element modelling has been widely used to understand the effect of stimulation on the nerve fibres. Yet the literature on analysis of spontaneous nerve activity is much scarcer. In this study, we introduce a method based on a finite element model, to analyse spontaneous nerve activity with a typical bipolar electrode recording setup, enabling the identification of spontaneously active fibres. We applied our method to the vagus nerve, which plays a key role in refractory epilepsy. We developed a 3D model including dynamic action potential propagation, based on the vagus nerve geometry. The impact of key recording parameters - inter-electrode distance and temperature - and uncontrolled parameters - fibre size and position in the nerve - on the ability to discriminate active fibres were quantified. A specific algorithm was implemented to detect and classify action potentials from recordings and tested on six rats in vivo vagus nerve recordings. Fibre diameters can be discriminated if they are below 3 µm and 7 µm, respectively for inter-electrode distances of 2 mm and 4 mm. The impact of the position of the fibre inside the nerve on fibre diameter discrimination, is limited. The range of active fibres identified by modelling in the vagus nerve of rats is in agreement with ranges found at histology. The nerve fibre diameter, directly proportional to the action potential propagation velocity, is related to a specific physiological function. Estimating the source fibre diameter is thus essential to interpret neural recordings. Among many possible applications, the present method was developed in the context of a project to improve vagus nerve stimulation therapy for epilepsy.

No abstract available

info:eu-repo/semantics/published

This thesis aims at optimising gastric electrical stimulation (GES) as a therapy against obesity.Obesity has reached pandemic proportions in the 21st century. It is associated with major health issues and has considerable economic and societal costs worldwide. Bariatric surgery is an efficient yet invasive solution, and there are still concerns regarding its procedure-related complication and mortality rates. As an alternative, GES has been investigated in the last few decades with promising pre-clinical results, but further research is needed to overcome current gastrostimulator limits and to offer optimised weight-loss therapy to patients. Therefore, this work presents an implantable device designed to provide a broad range of stimulation patterns, remotely rechargeable and programmable, and implantable by a minimally invasive surgical procedure.To provide minimally invasive surgery, a specific electrode system was characterised and validated in vivo. The device materials and shape were optimised to provide the best anchoring stability while being compatible with the implantation procedure ergonomics. A single port percutaneous procedure was validated on a dog cadaver and in vivo, aiming to secure the electrodes in a single-step release, with dedicated anchoring system and tools. The tools have been designed and manufactured in stainless steel. Compared to widely used multi-port laparoscopy, our single dilated access technique (12 mm of diameter) was proven feasible, safe (no complication in vivo), quick (estimated to 15 minutes for electrode placement), and resulting in a small visible scar (< 5 mm).An implantable gastric stimulator (IGS) has been designed and validated. Its parameter range was selected to optimally impact the gastric motility and promote satiety feeling. The electronic system embeds a bidirectional controllable current source, an inductive power and communication link, and the external systems with graphical interfaces to fully control the stimu, Doctorat en Sciences de l'ingénieur et technologie, info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

A novel electrode anchoring design and its implantation procedure, aiming for a minimally invasive solution for gastric electrical stimulation, are presented. The system comprises an anchor made of a flexible body embedding two needle-shaped electrodes. The electrodes can easily switch from a parallel position – to pierce the stomach – to a diverging position – enabling them to remain firmly anchored into the muscular layer of the stomach. Key device parameters governing anchoring stability were assessed on a traction test bench, and optimal values were derived. The device was then implanted in six dogs by open surgery to assess its anchoring durability in vivo. Computed tomography images showed that the electrodes remained well placed within the dogs’ gastric wall over the entire assessment period (more than one year). Finally, a prototype of a surgical tool for the minimally invasive device placement was manufactured, and the anchoring procedure was tested on a dog cadaver, providing the proof of concept of the minimally invasive implantation procedure. The use of our electrode anchoring system in long-term gastric electrical stimulation is promising in terms of implantation stability (the anchor withstands a force up to 0.81 N), durability (the anchor remains onto the stomach over one year) and minimal invasiveness of the procedure (the diameter of the percutaneous access is smaller than 12 mm). Moreover, the proposed design could have clinical applications in other hollow organs, such as the urinary bladder., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Experiments in cadavers have demonstrated significant mechanical interactions between constituents of myofascial chains. However, evidence for such force transmission effects is scarce under in vivo conditions. The purpose of this trial was to examine the impact of ankle motion on soft tissue displacement of the dorsal thigh. Eleven healthy active individuals (26.8 ± 4.3 years, six males), in prone position and with the knee extended, underwent passive calf stretches (ankle dorsal extension) imposed by an isokinetic dynamometer. High-resolution ultrasound was used to simultaneously capture the displacement of the semimembranosus muscle, which was quantified by means of cross-correlation analysis. Inactivity of the leg muscles was controlled using surface electromyography (EMG). One participant had to be excluded due to major EMG activity during the experiment. According to a one-sample t test testing the difference to the neutral zero position, ankle dorsal extension induced substantial caudal muscle displacements (5.76 ± 2.67 mm, p < 0.0001). Correlation analysis (Spearman), furthermore, revealed a strong association between maximal dorsal extension and semimembranosus motion (rho = 0.76, p = 0.02). In conclusion, the present trial provides initial in vivo evidence for a mechanical force transmission between serially connected skeletal muscles. This means that local alterations of the mechanical tissue properties may modify flexibility in neighboring (superior or inferior) joints.

info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Damage formation is investigated in GaAs implanted with 1 MeV Si ions to ion fluences from 3 × 10¹² to 5 × 10¹⁵ cm⁻² at room temperature. Under the conditions applied, amorphization of the implanted layers does not occur. The weakly damaged layers are studied by applying different experimental techniques including Rutherford backscattering spectrometry in channeling configuration, x-ray diffraction, in situ curvature measurement, optical subgap spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results are evaluated and quantitatively connected with each other. Damage formation is described as a function of the ion fluence using a common defect evolution model. Point defects and defect clusters have to be taken into account in the ion fluence range of main interest up to 2 × 10¹⁵ cm⁻². Point defects contribute by a factor of about 8 more to both perpendicular strain and in-plane stress than defect clusters. When the concentration of point defects or the induced strain reaches a critical value, defect clusters form, which ensures that no further increase of perpendicular strain occurs. This reveals a clear driving force for cluster formation. The microstructure of the defect clusters cannot be determined from the results. As₃Ga₂ interstitial clusters are supposed. A remarkable decrease of the shear modulus of the implanted layers below the value of pristine GaAs by ≈ −35% is observed. Surprisingly, the change of shear modulus already sets in at a very low damage level of a few percent

info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Partiendo de una perspectiva sistémica sobre la cuestión de la enemistad y sobre los mecanismos de concentración de poder económico, la presente investigación ofrece herramientas teóricas para comprender la lógica discursiva del estado de crisis contemporáneo. Se argumenta que la normalización de la excepción limita la capacidad heurística de algunos aspectos del concepto de segurización de la escuela de Copenhaguen, que sin embargo se emplea de forma instrumental de modo a relacionar las cuatro muestras bajo estudio. Mediante el análisis comparativo de cincuenta textos sobre rescates y usurpación, se observa la relación sincrónica entre el discurso de distintos periódicos y políticos (comparación intra-muestra), la relación entre el discurso pre-crisis y el discurso de crisis de los actores políticos bajo estudio (comparación inter-muestras), y la relación que los discursos mantienen con varias escalas geográficas (comparación trans-muestras). En el caso de los rescates, se selecciona la Ley de Estabilización Económica de Emergencia (LEEE) el 2008 y la crisis Europea de las deudas soberanas el 2012. Para estudiar la aprobación de rescates antes y después de la crisis, se analizan discursos de George W. Bush, Mario Draghi y Mariano Rajoy, y editoriales del Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Le Monde y El País. En el caso de la usurpación, se estudia el contexto de aprobación de la Ordenanza de Civismo el 2006 y el periodo previo a la implementación de la Ley Mordaza el 2014. Para estudiar la representación mediática de la usurpación de propiedades privadas en el contexto de la aprobación de leyes represivas, se analizan editoriales de El País, La Vanguardia, El Periódico, El Punt/Avui, Avui y El Punt. La confluencia geográfica entre temas de las muestras del periodo de crisis hacia la escala española permite discutir la relación entre las estructuras de poder a nivel supra-nacional, estatal, e infra-estatal. La selección de los materiales ilustra la normalización, Departing from a systemic perspective on the issue of enmity and on economic mechanisms of concentration of power, this research provides theoretical tools to grasp the discursive logic of the contemporary state of crisis. Although using the concept of securitization to relate the four samples under study, it is argued that the normalization of the exception hinders on the heuristic capacity of some aspects of the Copenhaguen school's approach to security. The analysis of fifty texts about bail-outs and squatting allows for a syncronic comparison between the discourse of several newspapers and politicians (intra-sample); a comparison between the pre-crisis and crisis discourse of the political actors under study (inter-sample); and a comparison of the relationship between discourses across geographical scales (trans-sample). To analyse bail-outs, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (EESA) of 2008 and the European sovereign debt crisis of 2012 were selected. The analysis of these bail-outs is conducted through discourses of George W. Bush, Mario Draghi and Mariano Rajoy, and editorials from the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Le Monde and El País. On the other hand, squatting samples correspond with the approval and implementation of the Civic Ordinance of 2006 and the Gag Law of 2014. The media representation of squatting in the context of public debates about repressive laws is conducted through editorials from El País, La Vanguardia, El Periódico, El Punt/Avui, Avui and El Punt. The geographical confluence of the samples of both themes in the crisis period allows for a discussion of the relationships between supra-national, statal, and infra-statal power structures. The construction of the study object illustrates the normalization of governmental practices of exception, while the results of the empirical analysis indicate that the tension between morality and legality in the discourse of the political actores under study has increased in the crisis per

Partiendo de una perspectiva sistémica sobre la cuestión de la enemistad y sobre los mecanismos de concentración de poder económico, la presente investigación ofrece herramientas teóricas para comprender la lógica discursiva del estado de crisis contemporáneo. Se argumenta que la normalización de la excepción limita la capacidad heurística de algunos aspectos del concepto de segurización de la escuela de Copenhaguen, que sin embargo se emplea de forma instrumental de modo a relacionar las cuatro muestras bajo estudio. Mediante el análisis comparativo de cincuenta textos sobre rescates y usurpación, se observa la relación sincrónica entre el discurso de distintos periódicos y políticos (comparación intra-muestra), la relación entre el discurso pre-crisis y el discurso de crisis de los actores políticos bajo estudio (comparación inter-muestras), y la relación que los discursos mantienen con varias escalas geográficas (comparación trans-muestras). En el caso de los rescates, se selecciona la Ley de Estabilización Económica de Emergencia (LEEE) el 2008 y la crisis Europea de las deudas soberanas el 2012. Para estudiar la aprobación de rescates antes y después de la crisis, se analizan discursos de George W. Bush, Mario Draghi y Mariano Rajoy, y editoriales del Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Le Monde y El País. En el caso de la usurpación, se estudia el contexto de aprobación de la Ordenanza de Civismo el 2006 y el periodo previo a la implementación de la Ley Mordaza el 2014. Para estudiar la representación mediática de la usurpación de propiedades privadas en el contexto de la aprobación de leyes represivas, se analizan editoriales de El País, La Vanguardia, El Periódico, El Punt/Avui, Avui y El Punt. La confluencia geográfica entre temas de las muestras del periodo de crisis hacia la escala española permite discutir la relación entre las estructuras de poder a nivel supra-nacional, estatal, e infra-estatal. La selección de los materiales ilustra la normalización, Departing from a systemic perspective on the issue of enmity and on economic mechanisms of concentration of power, this research provides theoretical tools to grasp the discursive logic of the contemporary state of crisis. Although using the concept of securitization to relate the four samples under study, it is argued that the normalization of the exception hinders on the heuristic capacity of some aspects of the Copenhaguen school's approach to security. The analysis of fifty texts about bail-outs and squatting allows for a syncronic comparison between the discourse of several newspapers and politicians (intra-sample); a comparison between the pre-crisis and crisis discourse of the political actors under study (inter-sample); and a comparison of the relationship between discourses across geographical scales (trans-sample). To analyse bail-outs, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (EESA) of 2008 and the European sovereign debt crisis of 2012 were selected. The analysis of these bail-outs is conducted through discourses of George W. Bush, Mario Draghi and Mariano Rajoy, and editorials from the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Le Monde and El País. On the other hand, squatting samples correspond with the approval and implementation of the Civic Ordinance of 2006 and the Gag Law of 2014. The media representation of squatting in the context of public debates about repressive laws is conducted through editorials from El País, La Vanguardia, El Periódico, El Punt/Avui, Avui and El Punt. The geographical confluence of the samples of both themes in the crisis period allows for a discussion of the relationships between supra-national, statal, and infra-statal power structures. The construction of the study object illustrates the normalization of governmental practices of exception, while the results of the empirical analysis indicate that the tension between morality and legality in the discourse of the political actores under study has increased in the crisis per

Aims: To evaluate erythropoietic response rates to oral iron over time in iron-deficient anemic patients with nondialysis- dependent chronic kidney disease (NDCKD). Materials and methods: FIND-CKD was a 1-year, randomized, multicenter trial of iron therapy in patients with ND-CKD, anemia, and iron deficiency, without erythropoiesis- stimulating agent (ESA) therapy. Patients with active infection or C-reactive protein > 20 mg/L were excluded. In this post-hoc analysis, response was defined as ≥ 1 g/dL increase in hemoglobin (Hb) from baseline, before initiation of alternative anemia therapy (i.e., ESA, transfusion, or intravenous iron). Results: 308 patients received oral iron (200 mg elemental iron/day). Mean (SD) Hb at baseline was 10.4 (0.7) g/dL. At week 4, Hb data were available from 292 patients without alternative anemia therapy: 63/292 (21.6%) showed a response. Among the 229 nonresponders at week 4, 48.8% showed a cumulative response on ≥1 occasion by week 52 (11.1%, 19.9%, 25.9%, and 28.7% had a response at weeks 8, 12, 24, and 52, respectively), and 27.9% had received alternative iron therapy by week 52. Baseline levels of Hb, ferritin, and transferrin saturation were lower in responders than in nonresponders. Neither concomitant medication nor adherence (as assessed by medication count) was substantially different between early responders and nonresponders. Conclusion: Four weeks after starting oral iron therapy, only 21.6% of anemic patients with ND-CKD and iron deficiency showed an Hb increase of at least 1 g/dL. Among early nonresponders, < 30% responded at any subsequent time point. Earlier consideration of alternative therapy could improve anemia management in this population.

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Gastrointestinal stimulator implants have recently shown promising results in helping obese patients lose weight. However, to place the implant, the patient currently needs to undergo an invasive surgical procedure. We report a less invasive procedure to stimulate the stomach with a gastrostimulator. After attempting fully endoscopic implantation, we more recently focused on a single incision percutaneous procedure. In both cases, the challenges in electronic design of the implant are largely similar. This article covers the work achieved to meet these and details the in vivo validation of a gastrostimulator aimed to be endoscopically placed and anchored to the stomach., FLWIN, SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published, Special Issue: Functional Electrical Stimulation

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Power efficiency is critical for electrical stimulators. Battery life of wearable stimulators and wireless power transmission in implanted systems are common limiting factors. Boost DC/DC converters are typically needed to increase the supply voltage of the output stage. Traditionally, boost DC/DC converters are used with fast control to regulate the supply voltage of the output. However, since stimulators are acting as current sources, such voltage regulation is not needed. Banking on this, this paper presents a DC/DC conversion strategy aiming to increase power efficiency. It compares, in terms of efficiency, the traditional use of boost converters to two alternatives that could be implemented in future hardware designs., info:eu-repo/semantics/published

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Aristolochic acids (AA) are nephrotoxic and profibrotic agents, leading to chronic kidney disease. As some controversial studies have reported a nephroprotective effect of exogenous recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP)-7 in several models of renal fibrosis, we investigated the putative effect of rhBMP-7 to prevent progressive tubulointerstitial damage after AA intoxication in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, the toxicity of AA on renal tubular cells was demonstrated by an increase in vimentin as well as a decrease in β-catenin expressions, reflecting a dedifferentiation process. Increased fibronectin and interleukin-6 levels were measured in the supernatants. Enhanced α-SMA mRNA levels associated to decreased E-cadherin mRNA levels were also measured. Incubation with rhBMP-7 only prevented the increase in vimentin and the decrease in β-catenin expressions. In vivo, in a rat model of AA nephropathy, severe tubulointerstitial lesions induced by AA after 10 and 35days (collagen IV deposition and tubular atrophy), were not prevented by the rhBMP-7 treatment. Similarly, rhBMP-7 did not ameliorate the significant increase in urinary concentrations of transforming growth factor-β. In summary, our in vitro data demonstrated a poor beneficial effect of rhBMP-7 to reverse cell toxicity while, in vivo, there was no beneficial effect of rhBMP-7. Therefore, further investigations are needed to confirm the exact role of BMP-7 in progressive chronic kidney disease., SCOPUS: ar.j, FLWIN, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Objectives - In line with a national policy to move care ‘closer to home’, a specialist children's hospital in the National Health Service in England introduced consultant-led ‘satellite’ clinics to two community settings for general paediatric outpatient services. Objectives were to reduce non-attendance at appointments by providing care in more accessible locations and to create new physical clinic capacity. This study evaluated these satellite clinics to inform further development and identify lessons for stakeholders. Methods - Impact of the satellite clinics was assessed by comparing community versus hospital-based clinics across the following measures: (1) non-attendance rates and associated factors (including patient characteristics and travel distance) using a logistic regression model; (2) percentage of appointments booked within local catchment area; (3) contribution to total clinic capacity; (4) time allocated to clinics and appointments; and (5) clinic efficiency, defined as the ratio of income to staff-related costs. Results - Satellite clinics did not increase attendance beyond their contribution to shorter travel distance, which was associated with higher attendance. Children living in the most-deprived areas were 1.8 times more likely to miss appointments compared with those from least-deprived areas. The satellite clinics’ contribution to activity in catchment areas and to total capacity was small. However, one of the two satellite clinics was efficient compared with most hospital-based clinics. Conclusions - Outpatient clinics were relocated in pragmatically chosen community settings using a ‘drag and drop’ service model. Such clinics have potential to improve access to specialist paediatric healthcare, but do not provide a panacea. Work is required to improve attendance as part of wider efforts to support vulnerable families. Satellite clinics highlight how improved management could contribute to better use of existing capacity.

Objectives - In line with a national policy to move care ‘closer to home’, a specialist children's hospital in the National Health Service in England introduced consultant-led ‘satellite’ clinics to two community settings for general paediatric outpatient services. Objectives were to reduce non-attendance at appointments by providing care in more accessible locations and to create new physical clinic capacity. This study evaluated these satellite clinics to inform further development and identify lessons for stakeholders. Methods - Impact of the satellite clinics was assessed by comparing community versus hospital-based clinics across the following measures: (1) non-attendance rates and associated factors (including patient characteristics and travel distance) using a logistic regression model; (2) percentage of appointments booked within local catchment area; (3) contribution to total clinic capacity; (4) time allocated to clinics and appointments; and (5) clinic efficiency, defined as the ratio of income to staff-related costs. Results - Satellite clinics did not increase attendance beyond their contribution to shorter travel distance, which was associated with higher attendance. Children living in the most-deprived areas were 1.8 times more likely to miss appointments compared with those from least-deprived areas. The satellite clinics’ contribution to activity in catchment areas and to total capacity was small. However, one of the two satellite clinics was efficient compared with most hospital-based clinics. Conclusions - Outpatient clinics were relocated in pragmatically chosen community settings using a ‘drag and drop’ service model. Such clinics have potential to improve access to specialist paediatric healthcare, but do not provide a panacea. Work is required to improve attendance as part of wider efforts to support vulnerable families. Satellite clinics highlight how improved management could contribute to better use of existing capacity.

Objectives - In line with a national policy to move care ‘closer to home’, a specialist children's hospital in the National Health Service in England introduced consultant-led ‘satellite’ clinics to two community settings for general paediatric outpatient services. Objectives were to reduce non-attendance at appointments by providing care in more accessible locations and to create new physical clinic capacity. This study evaluated these satellite clinics to inform further development and identify lessons for stakeholders. Methods - Impact of the satellite clinics was assessed by comparing community versus hospital-based clinics across the following measures: (1) non-attendance rates and associated factors (including patient characteristics and travel distance) using a logistic regression model; (2) percentage of appointments booked within local catchment area; (3) contribution to total clinic capacity; (4) time allocated to clinics and appointments; and (5) clinic efficiency, defined as the ratio of income to staff-related costs. Results - Satellite clinics did not increase attendance beyond their contribution to shorter travel distance, which was associated with higher attendance. Children living in the most-deprived areas were 1.8 times more likely to miss appointments compared with those from least-deprived areas. The satellite clinics’ contribution to activity in catchment areas and to total capacity was small. However, one of the two satellite clinics was efficient compared with most hospital-based clinics. Conclusions - Outpatient clinics were relocated in pragmatically chosen community settings using a ‘drag and drop’ service model. Such clinics have potential to improve access to specialist paediatric healthcare, but do not provide a panacea. Work is required to improve attendance as part of wider efforts to support vulnerable families. Satellite clinics highlight how improved management could contribute to better use of existing capacity.

Objectives - In line with a national policy to move care ‘closer to home’, a specialist children's hospital in the National Health Service in England introduced consultant-led ‘satellite’ clinics to two community settings for general paediatric outpatient services. Objectives were to reduce non-attendance at appointments by providing care in more accessible locations and to create new physical clinic capacity. This study evaluated these satellite clinics to inform further development and identify lessons for stakeholders. Methods - Impact of the satellite clinics was assessed by comparing community versus hospital-based clinics across the following measures: (1) non-attendance rates and associated factors (including patient characteristics and travel distance) using a logistic regression model; (2) percentage of appointments booked within local catchment area; (3) contribution to total clinic capacity; (4) time allocated to clinics and appointments; and (5) clinic efficiency, defined as the ratio of income to staff-related costs. Results - Satellite clinics did not increase attendance beyond their contribution to shorter travel distance, which was associated with higher attendance. Children living in the most-deprived areas were 1.8 times more likely to miss appointments compared with those from least-deprived areas. The satellite clinics’ contribution to activity in catchment areas and to total capacity was small. However, one of the two satellite clinics was efficient compared with most hospital-based clinics. Conclusions - Outpatient clinics were relocated in pragmatically chosen community settings using a ‘drag and drop’ service model. Such clinics have potential to improve access to specialist paediatric healthcare, but do not provide a panacea. Work is required to improve attendance as part of wider efforts to support vulnerable families. Satellite clinics highlight how improved management could contribute to better use of existing capacity.

Making Room: Cultural Production in Occupied Spaces is an anthology of texts on art, media and aesthetic practice in the context of squatting, occupation and urban space activism. It includes pieces by activist researchers working between the academy and the movements they write about, as well as journalistic first-person narratives by squatters, original photography, and interviews with artists, theorists and activists involved in struggles over urban space and creative production in the city. Focused primarily on the European context, its international relations and connection, this diverse collection of material is organized into sections by country so as to highlight the contrast between different voices and frames of reference. While many of these voices assert accounts of a cohesive, international squatter movement, or are committed to specific political projects, the anthology, when taken as a whole, tells a more complex story about constellations of movements and practices, intensely engaged with local conditions, that have developed — sometimes independently, sometimes in dialog with one another — as people have struggled to survive, express themselves, carve out zones of autonomy and resistance, and push back against the dominance of capitalism in the city. In this, “cultural production” appears in a variety of forms ranging from conventional art practices, to the organizing of communities and networks, to the production of media and setting up of information systems. Likewise, squats, occupations and social centers are figured as art projects themselves, providing housing and workspaces for artists or, most significantly, constituent parts of an alternative infrastructure for the autonomous production of knowledge, discourse, and aesthetics., https://www.librarystack.org/making-room-cultural-production-in-occupied-spaces/?ref=unknown

Making Room: Cultural Production in Occupied Spaces is an anthology of texts on art, media and aesthetic practice in the context of squatting, occupation and urban space activism. It includes pieces by activist researchers working between the academy and the movements they write about, as well as journalistic first-person narratives by squatters, original photography, and interviews with artists, theorists and activists involved in struggles over urban space and creative production in the city. Focused primarily on the European context, its international relations and connection, this diverse collection of material is organized into sections by country so as to highlight the contrast between different voices and frames of reference. While many of these voices assert accounts of a cohesive, international squatter movement, or are committed to specific political projects, the anthology, when taken as a whole, tells a more complex story about constellations of movements and practices, intensely engaged with local conditions, that have developed — sometimes independently, sometimes in dialog with one another — as people have struggled to survive, express themselves, carve out zones of autonomy and resistance, and push back against the dominance of capitalism in the city. In this, “cultural production” appears in a variety of forms ranging from conventional art practices, to the organizing of communities and networks, to the production of media and setting up of information systems. Likewise, squats, occupations and social centers are figured as art projects themselves, providing housing and workspaces for artists or, most significantly, constituent parts of an alternative infrastructure for the autonomous production of knowledge, discourse, and aesthetics., https://www.librarystack.org/making-room-cultural-production-in-occupied-spaces/?ref=unknown

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The 2009 KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder clinical practice guideline suggests correcting 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25[OH]D) levels<30ng/mL in patients treated with maintenance hemodialysis, but does not provide a specific treatment protocol., JOURNAL ARTICLE, SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

The 2009 KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder clinical practice guideline suggests correcting 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25[OH]D) levels<30ng/mL in patients treated with maintenance hemodialysis, but does not provide a specific treatment protocol., JOURNAL ARTICLE, SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

In Belgium, the calcimimetic cinacalcet is initially reimbursed for < or = 4 months in dialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) > or = 800 pg/mL, or iPTH 300-800 pg/ mL and Ca x P > 55 mg 2/dL2 despite > or = 6 months' optimal treatment with vitamin D sterols and/or phosphate binders. The Belgian, multicentre, observational study ECHO-B evaluated cinacalcet in such patients. Patients who began cinacalcet treatment after March 1, 2007 were eligible. Data were collected retro/prospectively from 6 months before until 16 months after starting cinacalcet (whether or not cinacalcet was continued). Median iPTH was markedly elevated (816 [IQR 551-991] pg/mL) at baseline (the time of starting cinacalcet), but decreased continuously over the course of the study, reaching a value of 414 pg/mL (IQR 240-641; median change -41%) at 4 months, 335 pg/mL (IQR 159-616; -60%) at 12 months and 250 pg/mL (IQR 172-436; -64%) at 16 months. Reductions in serum calcium (-7%) and phosphorus (-13%) were already (near) maximal at 4 months. The primary outcome (iPTH 150-300 pg/mL and/or a > or = 30% reduction within 4 months of starting cinacalcet; criterion for continued reimbursement in Belgium) was achieved in 65/81 patients (80%; 95% CI 72-89%). Results show that in dialysis patients with SHPT in real-life clinical practice, mineral metabolism improves after starting cinacalcet: our study findings suggest that PTH levels may continue decreasing after 12 months' treatment in this setting.

In Belgium, the calcimimetic cinacalcet is initially reimbursed for ≤ 4 months in dialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) ≥ 800 pg/mL, or iPTH 300-800 pg/mL and Ca × P > 55 mg2/dL2 despite ≥ 6 months'f optimal treatment with vitamin D sterols and/or phosphate binders. The Belgian, multicentre, observational study ECHO-B evaluated cinacalcet in such patients. Patients who began cinacalcet treatment after March 1, 2007 were eligible. Data were collected retro/prospectively from 6 months before until 16 months after starting cinacalcet (whether or not cinacalcet was continued). Median iPTH was markedly elevated (816 [IQR 551-991] pg/mL) at baseline (the time of starting cinacalcet), but decreased continuously over the course of the study, reaching a value of 414 pg/mL (IQR 240-641; median change .41%) at 4 months, 335 pg/mL (IQR 159-616; 60%) at 12 months and 250 pg/mL (IQR 172-436; 64%) at 16 months. Reductions in serum calcium (.7%) and phosphorus (.13%) were already (near) maximal at 4 months. The primary outcome (iPTH 150-300 pg/mL and/or a .30% reduction within 4 months of starting cinacalcet; criterion for continued reimbursement in Belgium) was achieved in 65/81 patients (80%; 95% CI 72-89%). Results show that in dialysis patients with SHPT in real-life clinical practice, mineral metabolism improves after starting cinacalcet: our study findings suggest that PTH levels may continue decreasing after 12 months'f treatment in this setting., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

In Belgium, the calcimimetic cinacalcet is initially reimbursed for ≤ 4 months in dialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) ≥ 800 pg/mL, or iPTH 300-800 pg/mL and Ca × P > 55 mg2/dL2 despite ≥ 6 months'f optimal treatment with vitamin D sterols and/or phosphate binders. The Belgian, multicentre, observational study ECHO-B evaluated cinacalcet in such patients. Patients who began cinacalcet treatment after March 1, 2007 were eligible. Data were collected retro/prospectively from 6 months before until 16 months after starting cinacalcet (whether or not cinacalcet was continued). Median iPTH was markedly elevated (816 [IQR 551-991] pg/mL) at baseline (the time of starting cinacalcet), but decreased continuously over the course of the study, reaching a value of 414 pg/mL (IQR 240-641; median change .41%) at 4 months, 335 pg/mL (IQR 159-616; 60%) at 12 months and 250 pg/mL (IQR 172-436; 64%) at 16 months. Reductions in serum calcium (.7%) and phosphorus (.13%) were already (near) maximal at 4 months. The primary outcome (iPTH 150-300 pg/mL and/or a .30% reduction within 4 months of starting cinacalcet; criterion for continued reimbursement in Belgium) was achieved in 65/81 patients (80%; 95% CI 72-89%). Results show that in dialysis patients with SHPT in real-life clinical practice, mineral metabolism improves after starting cinacalcet: our study findings suggest that PTH levels may continue decreasing after 12 months'f treatment in this setting., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

This study aimed to investigate the degradation of the natural substrates tropoelastin and elastin by the neutrophil-derived serine proteases human leukocyte elastase (HLE), proteinase 3 (PR3) and cathepsin G (CG). Focus was placed on determining their cleavage site specificities using mass spectrometric techniques. Moreover, the release of bioactive peptides from elastin by the three proteases was studied. Tropoelastin was comprehensively degraded by all three proteases, whereas less cleavage occurred in mature cross-linked elastin. An analysis of the cleavage site specificities of the three proteases in tropoelastin and elastin revealed that HLE and PR3 similarly tolerate hydrophobic and/or aliphatic amino acids such as Ala, Gly and Val at P(1), which are also preferred by CG. In addition, CG prefers the bulky hydrophobic amino acid Leu and accepts the bulky aromatic amino acids Phe and Tyr. CG shows a strong preference for the charged amino acid Lys at P(1) in tropoelastin, whereas Lys was not identified at P(1) in CG digests of elastin due to extensive cross-linking at Lys residues in mature elastin. All three serine proteases showed a clear preference for Pro at P(2) and P(4)'. With respect to the liberation of potentially bioactive peptides from elastin, the study revealed that all three serine proteases have a similar ability to release bioactive sequences, with CG producing the highest number of these peptides. In bioactivity studies, potentially bioactive peptides that have not been investigated on their bioactivity to date, were tested. Three new bioactive GxxPG motifs were identified; GVYPG, GFGPG and GVLPG.

This study aimed to investigate the degradation of the natural substrates tropoelastin and elastin by the neutrophil-derived serine proteases human leukocyte elastase (HLE), proteinase 3 (PR3) and cathepsin G (CG). Focus was placed on determining their cleavage site specificities using mass spectrometric techniques. Moreover, the release of bioactive peptides from elastin by the three proteases was studied. Tropoelastin was comprehensively degraded by all three proteases, whereas less cleavage occurred in mature cross-linked elastin. An analysis of the cleavage site specificities of the three proteases in tropoelastin and elastin revealed that HLE and PR3 similarly tolerate hydrophobic and/or aliphatic amino acids such as Ala, Gly and Val at P(1), which are also preferred by CG. In addition, CG prefers the bulky hydrophobic amino acid Leu and accepts the bulky aromatic amino acids Phe and Tyr. CG shows a strong preference for the charged amino acid Lys at P(1) in tropoelastin, whereas Lys was not identified at P(1) in CG digests of elastin due to extensive cross-linking at Lys residues in mature elastin. All three serine proteases showed a clear preference for Pro at P(2) and P(4)'. With respect to the liberation of potentially bioactive peptides from elastin, the study revealed that all three serine proteases have a similar ability to release bioactive sequences, with CG producing the highest number of these peptides. In bioactivity studies, potentially bioactive peptides that have not been investigated on their bioactivity to date, were tested. Three new bioactive GxxPG motifs were identified; GVYPG, GFGPG and GVLPG.