Portuguese firefighters’ boots: obtaining user input for an ergonomic redesign

Firefighters are the first responders to a wide variety of situations which require them to perform an array of movements. Firefighters’ personal protective equipment is designed to protect against hazardous conditions and must allow the accomplishment of firefighting job tasks with maximum safety and minimal limitations. Fire boots are made to protect firefighters’ feet, ankles, and lower legs from high heat, slippery surfaces, standing water, punctures, cuts, abrasions, and so on. However, literature shows the impacts of fire boots on firefighters’ performance. This paper presents preliminary results of an ongoing study which main goal is to propose solutions for an Ergonomic redesign of personal protective equipment used by Portuguese firefighters. In order to obtain first insights, identifying firefighters’ perceptions and specific needs, a pilot study was conducted in a fire brigade located in the North of Portugal. For qualitative data collection, both an online survey and an in-person semi-structured interview were administered. The responses and specific considerations about the structural fire boots obtained from 49 firefighters who participated in the pilot study are described and discussed. Findings from this study allowed a better understanding of the main issues encountered by Portuguese firefighters in wearing their fire boots and provided valuable inputs for developing the next phases of the study.FEDER funds through the Competitive Factors Operational Program (COMPETE) POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007136 and by national funds through FCT-Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, under the project UID/CTM/000264

Sub-Meter Tree Height Mapping of California using Aerial Images and LiDAR-Informed U-Net Model

Tree canopy height is one of the most important indicators of forest biomass, productivity, and species diversity, but it is challenging to measure accurately from the ground and from space. Here, we used a U-Net model adapted for regression to map the canopy height of all trees in the state of California with very high-resolution aerial imagery (60 cm) from the USDA-NAIP program. The U-Net model was trained using canopy height models computed from aerial LiDAR data as a reference, along with corresponding RGB-NIR NAIP images collected in 2020. We evaluated the performance of the deep-learning model using 42 independent 1 km$^2$ sites across various forest types and landscape variations in California. Our predictions of tree heights exhibited a mean error of 2.9 m and showed relatively low systematic bias across the entire range of tree heights present in California. In 2020, trees taller than 5 m covered ~ 19.3% of California. Our model successfully estimated canopy heights up to 50 m without saturation, outperforming existing canopy height products from global models. The approach we used allowed for the reconstruction of the three-dimensional structure of individual trees as observed from nadir-looking optical airborne imagery, suggesting a relatively robust estimation and mapping capability, even in the presence of image distortion. These findings demonstrate the potential of large-scale mapping and monitoring of tree height, as well as potential biomass estimation, using NAIP imagery.Comment: 29 pages, 9 figures, submitted to Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation (RSEC

Submillimetre surveys: The prospects for Herschel

Using the observed submillimetre source counts, from 250-1200 microns (including the most recent 250, 350 and 500 micron counts from BLAST), we present a model capable of reproducing these results, which is used as a basis to make predictions for upcoming surveys with the SPIRE instrument aboard the Herschel Space Observatory. The model successfully fits both the integral and differential source counts of submillimetre galaxies in all wavebands, predicting that while ultra-luminous infrared galaxies dominate at the brightest flux densities, the bulk of the infrared background is due to the less luminous infrared galaxy population. The model also predicts confusion limits and contributions to the cosmic infrared background that are consistent with the BLAST results. Applying this to SPIRE gives predicted source confusion limits of 19.4, 20.5 and 16.1mJy in the 250, 350 and 500 micron bands respectively. This means the SPIRE surveys should achieve sensitivities 1.5 times deeper than BLAST, revealing a fainter population of infrared-luminous galaxies, and detecting approximately 2600, 1300, and 700 sources per square degree in the SPIRE bands (with one in three sources expected to be a high redshift ultra-luminous source at 500 microns). The model number redshift distributions predict a bimodal distribution of local quiescent galaxies and a high redshift peak corresponding to strongly evolving star-forming galaxies. It suggests the very deepest surveys with Herschel-SPIRE ought to sample the source population responsible for the bulk of the infrared background.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS Letter

Reversible Resistance Induced by FLT3 Inhibition: A Novel Resistance Mechanism in Mutant FLT3-Expressing Cells

Clinical responses achieved with FLT3 kinase inhibitors in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are typically transient and partial. Thus, there is a need for identification of molecular mechanisms of clinical resistance to these drugs. In response, we characterized MOLM13 AML cell lines made resistant to two structurally-independent FLT3 inhibitors.MOLM13 cells were made drug resistant via prolonged exposure to midostaurin and HG-7-85-01, respectively. Cell proliferation was determined by Trypan blue exclusion. Protein expression was assessed by immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation, and flow cytometry. Cycloheximide was used to determine protein half-life. RT-PCR was performed to determine FLT3 mRNA levels, and FISH analysis was performed to determine FLT3 gene expression.We found that MOLM13 cells readily developed cross-resistance when exposed to either midostaurin or HG-7-85-01. Resistance in both lines was associated with dramatically elevated levels of cell surface FLT3 and elevated levels of phosphor-MAPK, but not phospho-STAT5. The increase in FLT3-ITD expression was at least in part due to reduced turnover of the receptor, with prolonged half-life. Importantly, the drug-resistant phenotype could be rapidly reversed upon withdrawal of either inhibitor. Consistent with this phenotype, no significant evidence of FLT3 gene amplification, kinase domain mutations, or elevated levels of mRNA was observed, suggesting that protein turnover may be part of an auto-regulatory pathway initiated by FLT3 kinase activity. Interestingly, FLT3 inhibitor resistance also correlated with resistance to cytosine arabinoside. Over-expression of FLT3 protein in response to kinase inhibitors may be part of a novel mechanism that could contribute to clinical resistance

The role of TG2 in regulating S100A4-mediated mammary tumour cell migration

The importance of S100A4, a Ca2+-binding protein, in mediating tumour cell migration, both intracellularly and extracellularly, is well documented. Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) a Ca2+-dependent protein crosslinking enzyme, has also been shown to enhance cell migration. Here by using the well characterised non-metastatic rat mammary R37 cells (transfected with empty vector) and highly metastatic KP1 cells (R37 cells transfected with S100A4), we demonstrate that inhibition of TG2 either by TG2 inhibitors or transfection of cells with TG2 shRNA block S100A4-accelerated cell migration in the KP1cells and in R37 cells treated with exogenous S100A4. Cell migration was also blocked by the treatment with the non-cell permeabilizing TG2 inhibitor R294, in the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 (Clone 16, which has a high level of TG2 expression). Inhibition was paralleled by a decrease in S100A4 polymer formation. co-immunoprecipitation and Far Western blotting assays and cross-linking assays showed not only the direct interaction between TG2 and S100A4, but also confirmed S100A4 as a substrate for TG2. Using specific functional blocking antibodies, a targeting peptide and a recombinant protein as a competitive treatment, we revealed the involvement of syndecan-4 and a5ß1 integrin co-signalling pathways linked by activation of PKCa in this TG2 and S100A4-mediated cell migration. We propose a mechanism for TG2-regulated S100A4-related mediated cell migration, which is dependent on TG2 crosslinking

Gene and metabolite expression dependence on body mass index in human myocardium

Funding Van Geest Foundation, Leicester NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, British Heart Foundation CH/12/1/29419, AA18/3/34220. Competing interests Mrs. Kumar, Prof. Murphy and Dr Woźniak received a grant from Zimmer Biomet. Dr Murphy also received grants from Terumo and Baxter. The remaining authors have disclosed that they do not have any potential conflicts of interest.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The Lantern, 2018-2019

The Treasure Buried in Ponce de Leon\u27s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park • High Cards on the Low River • Sestina of a Vagina left in the microwave too long • Keeps on Tripping • The Auction • Nuclear Meltdown on Seedship C5B.6 • Cock Fight • An Interview with God • Minimum Wage • Star-Crossed Lovers • Romeo Echo Alpha • PM Entertainment, or Action Beats • The Gospel of Aggregates • Hel Hath no Fury • Crossing the Line • Mango de la hora • Stress Judgment • Perception (Part 2) • Rain Falling Up • Church: the Italian Market • Landscape with the Fall of Hillary • Forced to Ponder • Morally Upright • Adulthood • Migration in Tandem • Hospital Bed • To Autumn (After Keats) • Selected Tweets • Hidden Moments • Mysteries are Wrong • Jukebox Memory • Flames • A Simple Moment • The Farmhouse • Lord, Let Me Catch a Fish • Sun-Kissed • Five • The Thing • The Moons of Mars • You are Weak • You Kept Me Quiet • Offer Her a Seat • Sacraments • Cigar • The Lake George Mafia • Houses • Spun Out • To Romanticize the Restless • 12/25/17 • skylight • lanternflies • Goo Girls • Toi Le • Lovers, Thinkers, Rebels • home in paradise • Irreverence • The Fisherman • St Mary Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh • Mirror 2https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/lantern/1187/thumbnail.jp

Investigation of type 1 diabetes and coeliac disease susceptibility loci for association with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

BACKGROUND: There is strong evidence suggesting that juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) shares many susceptibility loci with other autoimmune diseases. OBJECTIVE: To investigate variants robustly associated with type 1 diabetes (T1D) or coeliac disease (CD) for association with JIA. METHODS: Sixteen single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) already identified as susceptibility loci for T1D/CD were selected for genotyping in patients with JIA (n=1054) and healthy controls (n=3129). Genotype and allele frequencies were compared using the Cochrane-Armitage trend test implemented in PLINK. RESULTS: One SNP in the LPP gene, rs1464510, showed significant association with JIA (p(trend)=0.002, OR=1.18, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.30). A second SNP, rs653178 in ATXN2, also showed nominal evidence for association with JIA (p(trend)=0.02, OR=1.13, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.25). The SNP, rs17810546, in IL12A showed subtype-specific association with enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) subtype (p(trend)=0.005, OR=1.88, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.94). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence for a novel JIA susceptibility locus, LPP, is presented. Association at the SH2B3/ATXN2 locus, previously reported to be associated with JIA in a US series, also supports this region as contributing to JIA susceptibility. In addition, a subtype-specific association of IL12A with ERA is identified. All findings will require validation in independent JIA cohorts

Investigation of rheumatoid arthritis susceptibility loci in juvenile idiopathic arthritis confirms high degree of overlap

<p>Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) shares some similar clinical and pathological features with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA); indeed, the strategy of investigating whether RA susceptibility loci also confer susceptibility to JIA has already proved highly successful in identifying novel JIA loci. A plethora of newly validated RA loci has been reported in the past year. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate these single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) to determine if they were also associated with JIA.</p> <p>Methods: Thirty-four SNP that showed validated association with RA and had not been investigated previously in the UK JIA cohort were genotyped in JIA cases (n=1242), healthy controls (n=4281), and data were extracted for approximately 5380 UK Caucasian controls from the Wellcome Trust Case–Control Consortium 2. Genotype and allele frequencies were compared between cases with JIA and controls using PLINK. A replication cohort of 813 JIA cases and 3058 controls from the USA was available for validation of any significant findings.</p> <p>Results: Thirteen SNP showed significant association (p<0.05) with JIA and for all but one the direction of association was the same as in RA. Of the eight loci that were tested, three showed significant association in the US cohort.</p> <p>Conclusions: A novel JIA susceptibility locus was identified, CD247, which represents another JIA susceptibility gene whose protein product is important in T-cell activation and signalling. The authors have also confirmed association of the PTPN2 and IL2RA genes with JIA, both reaching genome-wide significance in the combined analysis.</p&gt

Ice-Age Climate Adaptations Trap the Alpine Marmot in a State of Low Genetic Diversity.

Some species responded successfully to prehistoric changes in climate [1, 2], while others failed to adapt and became extinct [3]. The factors that determine successful climate adaptation remain poorly understood. We constructed a reference genome and studied physiological adaptations in the Alpine marmot (Marmota marmota), a large ground-dwelling squirrel exquisitely adapted to the "ice-age" climate of the Pleistocene steppe [4, 5]. Since the disappearance of this habitat, the rodent persists in large numbers in the high-altitude Alpine meadow [6, 7]. Genome and metabolome showed evidence of adaptation consistent with cold climate, affecting white adipose tissue. Conversely, however, we found that the Alpine marmot has levels of genetic variation that are among the lowest for mammals, such that deleterious mutations are less effectively purged. Our data rule out typical explanations for low diversity, such as high levels of consanguineous mating, or a very recent bottleneck. Instead, ancient demographic reconstruction revealed that genetic diversity was lost during the climate shifts of the Pleistocene and has not recovered, despite the current high population size. We attribute this slow recovery to the marmot's adaptive life history. The case of the Alpine marmot reveals a complicated relationship between climatic changes, genetic diversity, and conservation status. It shows that species of extremely low genetic diversity can be very successful and persist over thousands of years, but also that climate-adapted life history can trap a species in a persistent state of low genetic diversity.This work was supported by the Francis Crick Institute which receives its core funding from Cancer Research UK (FC001134), the UK Medical Research Council (FC001134), and the Wellcome Trust (FC001134). CB and AC are supported by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (project ANR-13-JSV7-0005) and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), CB is supported by the Rhône-Alpes region (Grant 15.005146.01). LD is supported by Agence Nationale de la Recherche (project ANR-12-ADAP-0009). TIG is supported by a Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship (Grant ECF-2015-453) and a NERC grant (NE/N013832/1). JMG is supported by a Hertha Finberg Fellowship (FWF T703). LDR is supported by the Diabetes UK RD Lawrence Fellowship (16/0005382)