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Achieving accurate FTIR measurements on high performance bandpass filters
The sources of ordinate error in FTIR spectrometers are reviewed with reference to measuring small out-of-band features in the spectra of bandpass filters. Procedures for identifying instrumental artefacts are described. It is shown that features well below 0.01%T can be measured reliably
Determining the Moisture Content of Pre-Wetted Lightweight Aggregate: Assessing the Variability of the Paper Towel and Centrifuge Methods
Internally cured (IC) concrete is frequently produced in North America using pre-wetted lightweight aggregate (LWA). One important aspect associated with the production of quality IC concrete is the accurate determination of the moisture content, including absorbed moisture and surface moisture of the LWA. Knowledge of the moisture content enables aggregate moisture corrections to be made for the concrete mixture, thereby enabling an accurate water-to-cement ratio to be maintained. Two methods for determining the moisture content of LWA include the specified ASTM C1761-13b “paper towel method” and a method that uses a centrifuge (Miller, Barrett, Zander, & Weiss, 2014). There are limited data available on the variability associated with either of these approaches when the test is performed by multiple users. In this study, the absorption of four commercially available LWAs was tested by a single operator in a single laboratory using the centrifuge method. In addition, the absorption of three commercially available LWAs was tested by 25 users performing both experimental methods. This article provides an estimation of precision associated with both a single operator and multiple operators performing both the paper towel method and the centrifuge method to find the absorption of pre-wetted lightweight fine aggregate
Phosphorylation and regulation of a G protein–coupled receptor by protein kinase CK2
We demonstrate a role for protein kinase casein kinase 2 (CK2) in the phosphorylation and regulation of the M3-muscarinic receptor in transfected cells and cerebellar granule neurons. On agonist occupation, specific subsets of receptor phosphoacceptor sites (which include the SASSDEED motif in the third intracellular loop) are phosphorylated by CK2. Receptor phosphorylation mediated by CK2 specifically regulates receptor coupling to the Jun-kinase pathway. Importantly, other phosphorylation-dependent receptor processes are regulated by kinases distinct from CK2. We conclude that G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) can be phosphorylated in an agonist-dependent fashion by protein kinases from a diverse range of kinase families, not just the GPCR kinases, and that receptor phosphorylation by a defined kinase determines a specific signalling outcome. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the M3-muscarinic receptor can be differentially phosphorylated in different cell types, indicating that phosphorylation is a flexible regulatory process where the sites that are phosphorylated, and hence the signalling outcome, are dependent on the cell type in which the receptor is expressed
Advanced polymeric membranes as biomaterials based on marine sources envisaging the regeneration of human tissues
The self-repair capacity of human tissue is limited, motivating the arising of tissue engineering (TE) in building temporary scaffolds that envisage the regeneration of human tissues, including articular cartilage. However, despite the large number of preclinical data available, current therapies are not yet capable of fully restoring the entire healthy structure and function on this tissue when significantly damaged. For this reason, new biomaterial approaches are needed, and the present work proposes the development and characterization of innovative polymeric membranes formed by blending marine origin polymers, in a chemical free cross-linking approach, as biomaterials for tissue regeneration. The results confirmed the production of polyelectrolyte complexes molded as membranes, with structural stability resulting from natural intermolecular interactions between the marine biopolymers collagen, chitosan and fucoidan. Furthermore, the polymeric membranes presented adequate swelling ability without compromising cohesiveness (between 300 and 600%), appropriate surface properties, revealing mechanical properties similar to native articular cartilage. From the different formulations studied, the ones performing better were the ones produced with 3 % shark collagen, 3% chitosan and 10% fucoidan, as well as with 5% jellyfish collagen, 3% shark collagen, 3% chitosan and 10% fucoidan. Overall, the novel marine polymeric membranes demonstrated to have promising chemical, and physical properties for tissue engineering approaches, namely as thin biomaterial that can be applied over the damaged articular cartilage aiming its regeneration.The authors would like to acknowledge the Portuguese Foundation of Science and Technology (FCT) for Ph.D. fellowship (D. N. Carvalho, under the scope of doctoral program TERM&SC, ref. PD/BD/143044/2018), post-doctoral fellowship (L.C. Rodrigues, ref. SFRH/BPD/93697/2013) and research project with ref. PTDC/CTM-CTM/29813/2017-(POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029813). The authors also thank Jellagen Ltd. (UK) for the provision of purified jellyfish collagen and Julio Maroto (FundaciĂłn CETMAR, Vigo, Spain) for the kind offer of the squid pens for chitosan production.This work has been partially funded by ERDF under the scope of the Atlantic Area Program through project EAPA_151/2016 (BLUEHUMAN)
The European Photon Imaging Camera on XMM-Newton: The MOS Cameras
The EPIC focal plane imaging spectrometers on XMM-Newton use CCDs to record
the images and spectra of celestial X-ray sources focused by the three X-ray
mirrors. There is one camera at the focus of each mirror; two of the cameras
contain seven MOS CCDs, while the third uses twelve PN CCDs, defining a
circular field of view of 30 arcmin diameter in each case. The CCDs were
specially developed for EPIC, and combine high quality imaging with spectral
resolution close to the Fano limit. A filter wheel carrying three kinds of
X-ray transparent light blocking filter, a fully closed, and a fully open
position, is fitted to each EPIC instrument. The CCDs are cooled passively and
are under full closed loop thermal control. A radio-active source is fitted for
internal calibration. Data are processed on-board to save telemetry by removing
cosmic ray tracks, and generating X-ray event files; a variety of different
instrument modes are available to increase the dynamic range of the instrument
and to enable fast timing. The instruments were calibrated using laboratory
X-ray beams, and synchrotron generated monochromatic X-ray beams before launch;
in-orbit calibration makes use of a variety of celestial X-ray targets. The
current calibration is better than 10% over the entire energy range of 0.2 to
10 keV. All three instruments survived launch and are performing nominally in
orbit. In particular full field-of-view coverage is available, all electronic
modes work, and the energy resolution is close to pre-launch values. Radiation
damage is well within pre-launch predictions and does not yet impact on the
energy resolution. The scientific results from EPIC amply fulfil pre-launch
expectations.Comment: 9 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in the A&A Special
Issue on XMM-Newto
Simvastatin for patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: long term outcomes and cost-effectiveness from a randomised controlled trial
Background: Simvastatin therapy for patients with ARDS has been shown to be safe and associated with minimal adverse effects, but it does not improve clinical outcomes. The aim of this research was to report on mortality and cost-effectiveness of simvastatin in patients with ARDS at 12 months. Methods: A cost-utility analysis alongside a multicentre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial carried out in the UK and Ireland. Five hundred and forty intubated and mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive once-daily simvastatin (at a dose of 80 mg) or identical placebo tablets enterally for up to 28 days. Results: Mortality was lower in the simvastatin group (31.8%; 95% CI 26.1, 37.5) compared to the placebo group (37.3%; 95% CI 31.6, 43.0) at 12 months although this was not significant. Simvastatin was associated with statistically significant QALY gain (incremental QALYs 0.064, 95% CI 0.002, 0.127) compared to placebo. Simvastatin was also less costly (incremental total costs –£3601, 95% CI –8061, 859). At a willingness-to-pay threshold of £20,000 per QALY the probability of simvastatin being cost-effective was 99%. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the results were robust to changes in methodological assumptions with the probability of cost-effectiveness never dropping below 90%. Conclusion: Simvastatin was found to be cost-effective for the treatment of ARDS, being associated with both a significant QALY gain and a cost saving. There was no significant reduction in mortality at 12 months
High-Resolution Spectroscopy of G191-B2B in the Extreme Ultraviolet
We report a high-resolution (R=3000-4000) spectroscopic observation of the DA
white dwarf G191-B2B in the extreme ultraviolet band 220-245 A. A low- density
ionised He component is clearly present along the line-of-sight, which if
completely interstellar implies a He ionisation fraction considerably higher
than is typical of the local interstellar medium. However, some of this
material may be associated with circumstellar gas, which has been detected by
analysis of the C IV absorption line doublet in an HST STIS spectrum. A stellar
atmosphere model assuming a uniform element distribution yields a best fit to
the data which includes a significant abundance of photospheric He. The
99-percent confidence contour for the fit parameters excludes solutions in
which photospheric He is absent, but this result needs to be tested using
models allowing abundance gradients.Comment: LATEX format: 10 pages and 3 figures: accepted for publication in the
Astrophysical Journal Letter
Stroke risk associated with balloon based catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: Rationale and design of the MACPAF Study
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Catheter ablation of the pulmonary veins has become accepted as a standard therapeutic approach for symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there is some evidence for an ablation associated (silent) stroke risk, lowering the hope to limit the stroke risk by restoration of rhythm over rate control in AF. The purpose of the prospective randomized single-center study "Mesh Ablator versus Cryoballoon Pulmonary Vein Ablation of Symptomatic Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation" (MACPAF) is to compare the efficacy and safety of two balloon based pulmonary vein ablation systems in patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>Patients are randomized 1:1 for the Arctic Front<sup>® </sup>or the HD Mesh Ablator<sup>® </sup>catheter for left atrial catheter ablation (LACA). The predefined endpoints will be assessed by brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), neuro(psycho)logical tests and a subcutaneously implanted reveal recorder for AF detection. According to statistics 108 patients will be enrolled.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Findings from the MACPAF trial will help to balance the benefits and risks of LACA for symptomatic paroxysmal AF. Using serial brain MRIs might help to identify patients at risk for LACA-associated cerebral thromboembolism. Potential limitations of the study are the single-center design, the existence of a variety of LACA-catheters, the missing placebo-group and the impossibility to assess the primary endpoint in a blinded fashion.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>clinicaltrials.gov NCT01061931</p
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