108 research outputs found
Fiberglass Mat-Roll Carryover
The asphalt shingle is a type of roof shingle that uses asphalt for waterproofing. Its low cost and easy installation make it one of the most common roof covers in North America. General Aniline and Film (GAF) is one of the nationâs largest manufacturers of roofing materials and produces asphalt shingles at their Shafter, California manufacturing facility. To manufacture asphalt shingles, a base material of fiberglass passes through a series of processes that sequentially add asphalt, ceramic-coated mineral granules, and thermoplastic adhesive. The fiberglass base-material arrives at the manufacturing facility in large rolls that workers must periodically splice together in series at the intake of the manufacturing line to maintain continuous production. The splicing process begins when workers hoist a new fiberglass roll with an integrated shaft onto open-mouth bushings behind the current production roll. Next, a worker manually rotates the roll in small increments while another worker carries the leading end into the splicing station. Then, two workers splice the lead end of the new fiberglass mat-roll to the trailing end of the current production-roll. Rotating the mat-roll requires the worker to apply a large force to overcome the inertia of the roll and the friction between the shaft and bushings, which presents an ergonomic hazard. The scope of this project is to design a system that rotates the fiberglass mat-roll mechanically
Rings and Halos in the Mid-Infrared: The Planetary Nebulae NGC 7354 and NGC 3242
We present images of the planetary nebulae (PNe) NGC 7354 and NGC 3242 in
four mid-infrared (MIR) photometric bands centred at 3.6, 4.5, 5.8 and 8.0
microns; the results of observations undertaken using the Spitzer Space
Telescope (SST). The resulting images show the presence of a halo and rings in
NGC 3242, as previously observed through narrow band imaging at visual
wavelengths, as well as evidence for a comparable halo and ring system in NGC
7354. This is the first time that a halo and rings have been observed in the
latter source.
We have analysed the formation of halos as a result of radiatively
accelerated mass loss in the AGB progenitors. Although the models assume that
dust formation occurs in C-rich environments, we note that qualitatively
similar results would be expected for O-rich progenitors as well. The model
fall-offs in halo density are found to result in gradients in halo surface
brightness which are similar to those observed in the visible and MIR.Comment: 19 pages, 12 figures, Accepted for publication in MNRAS. 56 pages in
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Tuberculin skin testing boosts interferon gamma responses to DIVA reagents in Mycobacterium bovis-Infected cattle
ABSTRACT
Mycobacterium bovis
BCG vaccination sensitizes cattle to bovine tuberculin, which compromises the use of the current bovine tuberculosis (TB) surveillance tests. Although the performance of a blood test (that utilizes antigens expressed by
Mycobacterium bovis
but not by BCG) capable of discriminating infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA interferon gamma test [DIT]) has been evaluated in naturally infected TB field reactors, there is a need to perform similar analysis in a BCG-vaccinated
M. bovis
-infected population. Furthermore, we explored different scenarios under which a DIT may be implemented alongside BCG vaccination: (i) serial testing to resolve potential false-positive skin test results or (ii) a standalone test to replace the single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin (SICCT) skin test. Our results demonstrated significantly better relative test sensitivity when the DIT was evaluated in a serial test scenario. Direct comparison of pre- and post-skin test blood samples revealed that the SICCT test induced significant boosting of the gamma interferon response in
M. bovis
-infected animals to both the ESAT-6âCFP-10 and Rv3615c peptide cocktails that comprise the DIT, which persisted for the ESAT-6âCFP-10 reagent for at least 14 days. Importantly, no similar boosting effects were observed in noninfected BCG vaccinates, suggesting that DIVA blood testing after a recent skin test would have minimal impact on test specificity.
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Abell 41: shaping of a planetary nebula by a binary central star?
We present the first detailed spatio-kinematical analysis and modelling of
the planetary nebula Abell 41, which is known to contain the well-studied
close-binary system MT Ser. This object represents an important test case in
the study of the evolution of planetary nebulae with binary central stars as
current evolutionary theories predict that the binary plane should be aligned
perpendicular to the symmetry axis of the nebula.
Deep narrowband imaging in the light of [NII], [OIII] and [SII], obtained
using ACAM on the William Herschel Telescope, has been used to investigate the
ionisation structure of Abell 41. Longslit observations of the H-alpha and
[NII] emission were obtained using the Manchester Echelle Spectrometer on the
2.1-m San Pedro M\'artir Telescope. These spectra, combined with the narrowband
imagery, were used to develop a spatio-kinematical model of [NII] emission from
Abell 41. The best fitting model reveals Abell 41 to have a waisted, bipolar
structure with an expansion velocity of ~40km\s at the waist. The symmetry axis
of the model nebula is within 5\degr of perpendicular to the orbital plane of
the central binary system. This provides strong evidence that the close-binary
system, MT Ser, has directly affected the shaping of its nebula, Abell 41.
Although the theoretical link between bipolar planetary nebulae and binary
central stars is long established, this nebula is only the second to have this
link, between nebular symmetry axis and binary plane, proved observationally.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, Accepted for publication in MNRA
Spitzer Mid-Infrared Observations of Seven Bipolar Planetary Nebulae
We have investigated the mid-infrared (MIR) and visual structures of seven
bipolar planetary nebulae (BPNe), using imaging and spectroscopy acquired using
the Spitzer Space Telescope (SST), and the Observatorio Astronomico Nacional in
Mexico. The results show that the sources are more extended towards longer MIR
wavelengths, as well as having higher levels of surface brightness in the 5.8
and 8.0 microns bands. It is also noted that the 5.8/4.5 and 8.0/4.5 microns
flux ratios increase with increasing distance from the nuclei of the sources.
All of these latter trends may be attributable to emission by polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and/or warm dust continua within circum-nebular
photo-dissociation regions (PDRs). A corresponding decrease in the flux ratios
8.0/5.8 microns may, by contrast, arise due to changes in the properties of the
PAH emitting grains. We note evidence for possible 8.0 microns ring-like
structures in the envelope of NGC 2346, located in a region beyond the minor
axis limits of the ionized envelope. An analysis of the inner two rings shows
that whilst they have higher surface brightnesses at longer MIR wavelengths,
they are relatively stronger (compared to underlying emission) at 3.6 and 4.5
microns. There is also evidence for point reflection symmetry along the major
axis of the outflow.Comment: 27 pages, 22 figures, Accepted for publication in MNRAS. 69 pages in
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Implications of MMP9 for Blood Brain Barrier Disruption and Hemorrhagic Transformation Following Ischemic Stroke.
Numerous studies have documented increases in matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), specifically MMP-9 levels following stroke, with such perturbations associated with disruption of the blood brain barrier (BBB), increased risk of hemorrhagic complications, and worsened outcome. Despite this, controversy remains as to which cells release MMP-9 at the normal and pathological BBB, with even less clarity in the context of stroke. This may be further complicated by the influence of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) treatment. The aim of the present review is to examine the relationship between neutrophils, MMP-9 and tPA following ischemic stroke to elucidate which cells are responsible for the increases in MMP-9 and resultant barrier changes and hemorrhage observed following stroke
Evaluating the Clinical Validity of Gene-Disease Associations: An Evidence-Based Framework Developed by the Clinical Genome Resource
Supplemental Data Supplemental Data include 65 figures and can be found with this article online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajhg.2017.04.015. Supplemental Data Document S1. Figures S1âS65 Download Document S2. Article plus Supplemental Data Download Web Resources ClinGen, https://www.clinicalgenome.org/ ClinGen Gene Curation, https://www.clinicalgenome.org/working-groups/gene-curation/ ClinGen Gene Curation SOP, https://www.clinicalgenome.org/working-groups/gene-curation/projects-initiatives/gene-disease-clinical-validity-sop/ ClinGen Knowledge Base, https://search.clinicalgenome.org/kb/agents/sign_up OMIM, http://www.omim.org/ Orphanet, http://www.orpha.net/consor/cgi-bin/index.php With advances in genomic sequencing technology, the number of reported gene-disease relationships has rapidly expanded. However, the evidence supporting these claims varies widely, confounding accurate evaluation of genomic variation in a clinical setting. Despite the critical need to differentiate clinically valid relationships from less well-substantiated relationships, standard guidelines for such evaluation do not currently exist. The NIH-funded Clinical Genome Resource (ClinGen) has developed a framework to define and evaluate the clinical validity of gene-disease pairs across a variety of Mendelian disorders. In this manuscript we describe a proposed framework to evaluate relevant genetic and experimental evidence supporting or contradicting a gene-disease relationship and the subsequent validation of this framework using a set of representative gene-disease pairs. The framework provides a semiquantitative measurement for the strength of evidence of a gene-disease relationship that correlates to a qualitative classification: âDefinitive,â âStrong,â âModerate,â âLimited,â âNo Reported Evidence,â or âConflicting Evidence.â Within the ClinGen structure, classifications derived with this framework are reviewed and confirmed or adjusted based on clinical expertise of appropriate disease experts. Detailed guidance for utilizing this framework and access to the curation interface is available on our website. This evidence-based, systematic method to assess the strength of gene-disease relationships will facilitate more knowledgeable utilization of genomic variants in clinical and research settings
LipoproteinâAssociated Phospholipase A2 Activity Is a Marker of Risk But Not a Useful Target for Treatment in Patients With Stable Coronary Heart Disease
Background: We evaluated lipoproteinâassociated phospholipase A2 (LpâPLA2) activity in patients with stable coronary heart disease before and during treatment with darapladib, a selective LpâPLA2 inhibitor, in relation to outcomes and the effects of darapladib in the STABILITY trial. Methods and Results: Plasma LpâPLA2 activity was determined at baseline (n=14 500); at 1 month (n=13 709); serially (n=100) at 3, 6, and 18 months; and at the end of treatment. Adjusted Cox regression models evaluated associations between LpâPLA2 activity levels and outcomes. At baseline, the median LpâPLA2 level was 172.4 ÎŒmol/min per liter (interquartile range 143.1â204.2 ÎŒmol/min per liter). Comparing the highest and lowest LpâPLA2 quartile groups, the hazard ratios were 1.50 (95% CI 1.23â1.82) for the primary composite end point (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke), 1.95 (95% CI 1.29â2.93) for hospitalization for heart failure, 1.42 (1.07â1.89) for cardiovascular death, and 1.37 (1.03â1.81) for myocardial infarction after adjustment for baseline characteristics, standard laboratory variables, and other prognostic biomarkers. Treatment with darapladib led to a â65% persistent reduction in median LpâPLA2 activity. There were no associations between onâtreatment LpâPLA2 activity or changes of LpâPLA2 activity and outcomes, and there were no significant interactions between baseline and onâtreatment LpâPLA2 activity or changes in LpâPLA2 activity levels and the effects of darapladib on outcomes. Conclusions: Although high LpâPLA2 activity was associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events, pharmacological lowering of LpâPLA2 activity by â65% did not significantly reduce cardiovascular events in patients with stable coronary heart disease, regardless of the baseline level or the magnitude of change of LpâPLA2 activity
Defining Natural History: Assessment of the Ability of College Students to Aid in Characterizing Clinical Progression of Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C
Niemann-Pick Disease, type C (NPC) is a fatal, neurodegenerative, lysosomal storage disorder. It is a rare disease with broad phenotypic spectrum and variable age of onset. These issues make it difficult to develop a universally accepted clinical outcome measure to assess urgently needed therapies. To this end, clinical investigators have defined emerging, disease severity scales. The average time from initial symptom to diagnosis is approximately 4 years. Further, some patients may not travel to specialized clinical centers even after diagnosis. We were therefore interested in investigating whether appropriately trained, community-based assessment of patient records could assist in defining disease progression using clinical severity scores. In this study we evolved a secure, step wise process to show that pre-existing medical records may be correctly assessed by non-clinical practitioners trained to quantify disease progression. Sixty-four undergraduate students at the University of Notre Dame were expertly trained in clinical disease assessment and recognition of major and minor symptoms of NPC. Seven clinical records, randomly selected from a total of thirty seven used to establish a leading clinical severity scale, were correctly assessed to show expected characteristics of linear disease progression. Student assessment of two new records donated by NPC families to our study also revealed linear progression of disease, but both showed accelerated disease progression, relative to the current severity scale, especially at the later stages. Together, these data suggest that college students may be trained in assessment of patient records, and thus provide insight into the natural history of a disease
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