74 research outputs found
Predictive, miniature co-extrusion of multilayered glass fiber-optic preforms
A miniature co-extrusion technique, to produce a concentric multilayered glass fiber-optic preform of ~3 mm diameter, is modeled and experimentally demonstrated. A three-dimensional, incompressible, noncavitating, and nonisothermal Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model, similar to one developed in our previous work, is used to predict the dimensions of an alternating four-layer glass stack feed required to produce the desired layer dimensions in a multilayered-glass preform extrudate, using a miniaturized and thus more economical co-extrusion. Strong agreement in the cross-sectional geometrical proportions of the simulated and experimentally obtained preform supports the prowess of the predictive modeling. Nevertheless, some small deviations between the simulated and experimentally obtained dimensions indicate topics for future rheological study. Performing the co-extrusion process under vacuum helps to minimize the inter-layer defects in the multi-layered fiber-optic preform. The miniature co-extrusion potentially removes the need for a postextrusion draw-down prior to fiber drawing, avoiding devitrification issues possible in non-oxide novel glass compositions
A Pain Research Agenda for the 21st Century
Chronic pain represents an immense clinical problem. With tens of millions of people in the United States alone suffering from the burden of debilitating chronic pain, there is a moral obligation to reduce this burden by improving the understanding of pain and treatment mechanisms, developing new therapies, optimizing and testing existing therapies, and improving access to evidence-based pain care. Here, we present a goal-oriented research agenda describing the American Pain Society’s vision for pain research aimed at tackling the most pressing issues in the field
PLZF induces an intravascular surveillance program mediated by long-lived LFA-1–ICAM-1 interactions
PLZF-expressing NKT cells establish residence at intravascular locations, failing to enter the circulation because of constitutive interactions with LFA-1 and ICAM-1
Airborne lipid antigens mobilize resident intravascular NKT cells to induce allergic airway inflammation
Resident intravascular NKT cells exacerbate airway hyperreactivity in mice dependent on dendritic cell co-presentation of glycolipid and peptide antigens
Structure and Stability of the Spinach Aquaporin SoPIP2;1 in Detergent Micelles and Lipid Membranes
Background: SoPIP2;1 constitutes one of the major integral proteins in spinach leaf plasma membranes and belongs to the aquaporin family. SoPIP2;1 is a highly permeable and selective water channel that has been successfully overexpressed and purified with high yields. In order to optimize reconstitution of the purified protein into biomimetic systems, we have here for the first time characterized the structural stability of SoPIP2;1. Methodology/Principal Finding: We have characterized the protein structural stability after purification and after reconstitution into detergent micelles and proteoliposomes using circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy techniques. The structure of SoPIP2;1 was analyzed either with the protein solubilized with octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (OG) or reconstituted into lipid membranes formed by E. coli lipids, diphytanoylphosphatidylcholine (DPhPC), or reconstituted into lipid membranes formed from mixtures of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (POPE), 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (POPE), 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylserine (POPS), and ergosterol. Generally, SoPIP2;1 secondary structure was found to be predominantly a-helical in accordance with crystallographic data. The protein has a high thermal structural stability in detergent solutions, with an irreversible thermal unfolding occurring at a melting temperature of 58 degrees C. Incorporation of the protein into lipid membranes increases the structural stability as evidenced by an increased melting temperature of up to 70 degrees C. Conclusion/Significance: The results of this study provide insights into SoPIP2;1 stability in various host membranes and suggest suitable choices of detergent and lipid composition for reconstitution of SoPIP2;1 into biomimetic membranes for biotechnological applications
Mid-infrared supercontinuum generation to 125μm in large NA chalcogenide step-index fibres pumped at 45μm
Methadone Safety: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American Pain Society and College on Problems of Drug Dependence, in Collaboration With the Heart Rhythm Society
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