1,526 research outputs found
Laboratory-confirmed respiratory infections as triggers for acute myocardial infarction and stroke: a self-controlled case series analysis of national linked datasets from Scotland
While acute respiratory tract infections can trigger cardiovascular events, the differential effect of specific organisms is unknown. This is important to guide vaccine policy.Using national infection surveillance data linked to the Scottish Morbidity Record, we identified adults with a first myocardial infarction or stroke from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2014 and a record of laboratory-confirmed respiratory infection during this period. Using self-controlled case series analysis, we generated age- and season-adjusted incidence ratios (IRs) for myocardial infarction (n=1227) or stroke (n=762) after infections compared with baseline time.We found substantially increased myocardial infarction rates in the week after Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza virus infection: adjusted IRs for days 1-3 were 5.98 (95% CI 2.47-14.4) and 9.80 (95% CI 2.37-40.5), respectively. Rates of stroke after infection were similarly high and remained elevated to 28 days: day 1-3 adjusted IRs 12.3 (95% CI 5.48-27.7) and 7.82 (95% CI 1.07-56.9) for S. pneumoniae and influenza virus, respectively. Although other respiratory viruses were associated with raised point estimates for both outcomes, only the day 4-7 estimate for stroke reached statistical significance.We showed a marked cardiovascular triggering effect of S. pneumoniae and influenza virus, which highlights the need for adequate pneumococcal and influenza vaccine uptake. Further research is needed into vascular effects of noninfluenza respiratory viruses
Unseeded One-Third Harmonic Generation in Optical Fibers
We propose a new concept to generate efficient one-third harmonic light from
an unseeded third harmonic process in optical fibers. Our concept is based on
the dynamic constant (Hamiltonian) of the nonlinear third harmonic generation
in optical fibers and includes a periodic array of nonlinear fibers and phase
compensation elements. We test our concept with a simulation of the nonlinear
interaction between the fundamental and third harmonic modes of a realistic
optical fiber, demonstrating high-efficiency one-third harmonic generation. Our
work opens a new approach to achieving the so far elusive one-third harmonic
generation in optical fibers
The Potential of Three Computer-Based Communication Activities for Supporting Older Adult Independent Living
Technology has become an increasingly integral part of life. For example, technology allows individuals to stay in touch with loved ones, obtain medical services through telehealthcare, and enjoy an overall higher quality of life. Particularly for older adults, using technology increases the likelihood that they will maintain their independence and autonomy. Long-distance caregiving has recently become a feasible option where caregivers for older adults can access reports and information about their loved one’s patterns that day (e.g., food and medication intake). Technology may be able to offset age-related challenges (e.g., caregiving, accessing healthcare, decreased social networks) by applying technology to the needs of older adults. Solutions for meeting such challenges, however, have been less targeted. In addition, the healthcare system is evolving to focus on providing options and services in the home. This has direct implications for older adults, as the majority of healthcare services are utilized by older adults. Research is still at the beginning stages of developing successful technology tools that are compatible with older adult users. Therefore, the design, implementation, and outcome of such computer-based communication activities will be discussed in this paper in order to guide future endeavors in technology marketed for older adults
EUV and HXR Signatures of Electron Acceleration During the Failed Eruption of a Filament
We search for EUV brightenings in TRACE 171 {\AA} images and HXR bursts
observed during failed eruptions. We expect that if an eruption is confined due
to interaction with overlying magnetic structures then we should observe
effects connected with reconnection between magnetic structures and
acceleration of particles. We utilized TRACE observations of three well
observed failed eruptions. EUV images were compared to HXR spatial distribution
reconstructed from Yohkoh/HXT and RHESSI data. The EUV light curves of a
selected area were compared to height profiles of eruption, HXR emission and
HXR photon spectral index of power-law fit to HXR data. We have found that EUV
brightenings are closely related to the eruption velocity decrease, to HXR
bursts and to episodes of hardening of HXR spectra. The EUV brightened areas
are observed far from the flaring structure, in footpoints of large systems of
loops observed 30-60 minutes after the maximum of a flare. These are not
`post-flare' loops that are also observed but at significantly lower heights.
The high lying systems of loops are observed at heights equal to height, at
which eruption was observed to stop. We observed HXR source spatially
correlated with EUV brightening only once. For other EUV brightened areas we
estimated the expected brightness of HXR sources. We find that EUV brightenings
are produced due to interaction between the erupting structure with overlying
loops. The interaction is strong enough to heat the system of high loops. These
loops cool down and are visible in EUV range about 30-60 minutes later. The
estimated brightness of HXR sources associated with EUV brightenings shows that
they are too weak to be detected with present instruments. However, next
generation instruments will have enough dynamic range and sensitivity to enable
such observations.Comment: A&A accepte
Detection of lensing substructure using ALMA observations of the dusty galaxy SDP.81
We study the abundance of substructure in the matter density near galaxies
using ALMA Science Verification observations of the strong lensing system
SDP.81. We present a method to measure the abundance of subhalos around
galaxies using interferometric observations of gravitational lenses. Using
simulated ALMA observations, we explore the effects of various systematics,
including antenna phase errors and source priors, and show how such errors may
be measured or marginalized. We apply our formalism to ALMA observations of
SDP.81. We find evidence for the presence of a
subhalo near one of the images, with a significance of in a joint
fit to data from bands 6 and 7; the effect of the subhalo is also detected in
both bands individually. We also derive constraints on the abundance of dark
matter subhalos down to , pushing down to the
mass regime of the smallest detected satellites in the Local Group, where there
are significant discrepancies between the observed population of luminous
galaxies and predicted dark matter subhalos. We find hints of additional
substructure, warranting further study using the full SDP.81 dataset
(including, for example, the spectroscopic imaging of the lensed carbon
monoxide emission). We compare the results of this search to the predictions of
CDM halos, and find that given current uncertainties in the host halo
properties of SDP.81, our measurements of substructure are consistent with
theoretical expectations. Observations of larger samples of gravitational
lenses with ALMA should be able to improve the constraints on the abundance of
galactic substructure.Comment: 18 pages, 13 figures, Comments are welcom
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Downregulating Notch counteracts KrasG12D-induced ERK activation and oxidative phosphorylation in myeloproliferative neoplasm.
The Notch signaling pathway contributes to the pathogenesis of a wide spectrum of human cancers, including hematopoietic malignancies. Its functions are highly dependent on the specific cellular context. Gain-of-function NOTCH1 mutations are prevalent in human T-cell leukemia, while loss of Notch signaling is reported in myeloid leukemias. Here, we report a novel oncogenic function of Notch signaling in oncogenic Kras-induced myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN). We find that downregulation of Notch signaling in hematopoietic cells via DNMAML expression or Pofut1 deletion significantly blocks MPN development in KrasG12D mice in a cell-autonomous manner. Further mechanistic studies indicate that inhibition of Notch signaling upregulates Dusp1, a dual phosphatase that inactivates p-ERK, and downregulates cytokine-evoked ERK activation in KrasG12D cells. Moreover, mitochondrial metabolism is greatly enhanced in KrasG12D cells but significantly reprogrammed by DNMAML close to that in control cells. Consequently, cell proliferation and expanded myeloid compartment in KrasG12D mice are significantly reduced. Consistent with these findings, combined inhibition of the MEK/ERK pathway and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation effectively inhibited the growth of human and mouse leukemia cells in vitro. Our study provides a strong rational to target both ERK signaling and aberrant metabolism in oncogenic Ras-driven myeloid leukemia
Thermal breakage of window glass in room fires conditions - Analysis of some important parameters
In a compartment fire, the breakage and possible fallout of a window glass has a significant impact on the fire dynamics. The thermal breakage of glass depends on various parameters such as glass type, edge shading, edges conditions and constraints on the glass. The purpose of the present study is to investigate some of the key parameters affecting the thermal breakage of window glass in fire conditions using a recently developed and validated computer tool. Fallout is not within the scope of this study. Different boundary conditions of the glass pane (unconstrained and constrained) subjected to fire radiant heat are investigated. The analysis shows that to prevent glass thermal breakage, it is important to provide enough spacing between the frame and glass pane to accommodate the thermal expansion, and constraints on the glass structure should be avoided. The zones where the glass is likely to crack first are shown. The study also quantifies the effects of glass edge conditions on its thermal breakage in fire conditions; such analysis has not been reported in the literature due to its complexity and the statistical nature of edge flaws. The results show that an ordinary float glass mostly used in windows, with the “as-cut” edge condition would break later and is stronger than a ground edge or polished edge glass for the scenarios investigated. The study demonstrates how a predictive tool could be employed for a better understanding of thermal breakage of window glass in fires and for design guidance
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