1,981,481 research outputs found
Orexin-A exerts equivocal role in atherosclerosis process depending on the duration of exposure : in vitro study
Orexin-A is a peptide hormone that plays a crucial role in feeding regulation and energy homeostasis. Diurnal intermittent fasting (DIF) has been found to increase orexin-A plasma levels during fasting hours, while Ramadan fasting which resembles DIF, has led to beneficial effects on endothelial function. Herein, we aimed to investigate the effects of orexin-A on the expression of molecules involved in the atherogenesis process: Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and 2 (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2), in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). HAECs were incubated with orexin-A at concentrations of 40 ng/mL, 200 ng/mL and 400 ng/mL for 6, 12 and 24 h. The mRNA levels of MCP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 and orexin-1 receptor were measured by real-time qPCR. We also evaluated the MMP-2, p38, phospho-p38, NF-κΒ/p65 as well as TIMP-1 protein levels by Western blot and ELISA, respectively. MMP-2 activity was measured by gelatin zymography. Short-term 6-h incubation of HAECs with orexin-A at a high concentration (400 ng/mL) decreased MCP-1, MMP-2 expression, MMP-2/TIMP-1 ratio (p < 0.05), and MMP-2 activity, while incubation for 24 h increased MCP-1, MMP-2 expression (p < 0.05), MMP-2/TIMP-1 and MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively) as well as MMP-2 activity. The dual effects of orexin-A are mediated, at least in part, via regulation of p38 and NF-κΒ pathway. Orexin-A may have an equivocal role in atherosclerosis process with its effects depending on the duration of exposure
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Use of Parameter Estimation for Stereolithography Surface Finish Improvement
In order to improve Stereolithography (SLA) surface finish, a systematic approach based on
estimation of process parameters is needed. In this paper, the exposure on a desired SLA build
surface is formulated as a function of process parameters. The deviation of exposure on this
surface from the critical exposure, which is the threshold that determines curing in the SLA
process, is formulated using least squares minimization. By applying inverse design techniques,
SLA process parameters that satisfy this least squares minimization are determined. Application
of parameter estimation formulation to important SLA geometries is presented and the results,
including surface finish improvement, are discussed.Mechanical Engineerin
Investigation of the single neutron exposure model for the s-process: the primary nature of the neutron source
The primary nature of the C neutron source is very significant for the
studies of the s-process nucleosynthesis. In this paper we present an attempt
to fit the element abundances observed in 16 s-rich stars using parametric
model of the single neutron exposure. The calculated results indicate that
almost all s-elements were made in a single neutron exposure for 9 sample
stars. Although a large spread of neutron exposure is obtained, the maximum
value of the neutron exposure will reach about 7.0 mbarn, which is close
to the theoretical predictions by the AGB model. The calculated result is a
significant evidence for the primary nature of the neutron source. Combining
the result obtained in this work and the neutron exposure-initial mass
relations, a large spread of neutron exposure can be explained by the different
initial stellar mass and their time evolution. The possibility that the
rotationally induced mixing process can lead to a spread of the neutron
exposure in AGB stars is also existent.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figure
Technique for experimental determination of radiation interchange factors in solar wavelengths
Process obtains solar heating data which support analytical design. Process yields quantitative information on local solar exposure of models which are geometrically and reflectively similar to prototypes under study. Models are tested in a shirtsleeve environment
Atmospheric conditions and their effect on ball-milled magnesium diboride
Magnesium diboride bulk pellets were fabricated from pre-reacted MgB2 powder
ball milled with different amounts of exposure to air. Evidence of increased
electron scattering including increased resistivity, depressed Tc, and enhanced
Hc2 of the milled and heat treated samples were observed as a result of
increased contact with air. These and other data were consistent with alloying
with carbon as a result of exposure to air. A less clear trend of decreased
connectivity associated with air exposure was also observed. In making the case
that exposure to air should be considered a doping process, these results may
explain the wide varibability of "undoped" MgB2 properties extant in the
literature.Comment: Work presented at ASC 2006 in Seattl
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Process Planning to Build Mask Projection Stereolithography Parts with Accurate Vertical Dimensions
Mask Projection Stereolithography (MPSLA) is a high resolution manufacturing process
that builds parts layer by layer in a photopolymer. In this paper, we formulate a process planning
method to cure MPSLA parts with accurate vertical dimensions. To this effect, we have
formulated and validated the “Layer cure” model that models the thickness of a cured layer as a
transient phenomenon, in which, the thickness of the layer being cured increases continuously
throughout the duration of exposure. We have shown that for longer durations of exposures, such
as those common with MPSLA systems, cure depth varies linearly with exposure. We have also
quantified the effect of diffusion of radicals on the cure depth when discrete exposure doses, as
opposed to a single continuous exposure dose, are used to cure layers.
Using this work, we have formulated and validated the “Print through” model that
computes the extra curing that would occur when multiple layers are cured over each other.
We have implemented the Print through model to simulate the profile of a down facing surface
of a test part and validated the simulation result by building the test part on our MPSLA system.Mechanical Engineerin
Ischemic Heart Disease Incidence in Relation to Fine versus Total Particulate Matter Exposure in a U.S. Aluminum Industry Cohort.
Ischemic heart disease (IHD) has been linked to exposures to airborne particles with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm (PM2.5) in the ambient environment and in occupational settings. Routine industrial exposure monitoring, however, has traditionally focused on total particulate matter (TPM). To assess potential benefits of PM2.5 monitoring, we compared the exposure-response relationships between both PM2.5 and TPM and incidence of IHD in a cohort of active aluminum industry workers. To account for the presence of time varying confounding by health status we applied marginal structural Cox models in a cohort followed with medical claims data for IHD incidence from 1998 to 2012. Analyses were stratified by work process into smelters (n = 6,579) and fabrication (n = 7,432). Binary exposure was defined by the 10th-percentile cut-off from the respective TPM and PM2.5 exposure distributions for each work process. Hazard Ratios (HR) comparing always exposed above the exposure cut-off to always exposed below the cut-off were higher for PM2.5, with HRs of 1.70 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11-2.60) and 1.48 (95% CI: 1.02-2.13) in smelters and fabrication, respectively. For TPM, the HRs were 1.25 (95% CI: 0.89-1.77) and 1.25 (95% CI: 0.88-1.77) for smelters and fabrication respectively. Although TPM and PM2.5 were highly correlated in this work environment, results indicate that, consistent with biologic plausibility, PM2.5 is a stronger predictor of IHD risk than TPM. Cardiovascular risk management in the aluminum industry, and other similar work environments, could be better guided by exposure surveillance programs monitoring PM2.5
Comparative study of selected indoor concentration from selective laser sintering process using virgin and recycled polyamide nylon (pa12)
Additive manufacturing (AM) stands out as one of the promising technologies that
have huge potential towards manufacturing industry. The study on additive manufacturing
impact on the environment and occupational exposure are attracting growing attention recently.
However, most of the researcher focus on desktop and fused deposition modelling type and less
attention given to the industrial type of AM. Usually, during the selective laser sintering process,
recycle powder will be used again to reduce cost and waste. This article compares the PM 2.5,
carbon dioxide (CO2) and total volatile organic compound (TVOC) concentration between virgin
and recycles powder using polyamide-nylon (PA12) towards indoor concentration. Four phases
of sampling involve during air sampling accordingly to the Industry Code of Practice on Indoor
Air Quality 2010 by DOSH Malaysia. It was found that PM 2.5 and CO2
concentration are mainly
generated during the pre-printing process. The recycle powder tended to appear higher compared
to virgin powder in terms of PM 2.5, and CO2. The peak value of PM 2.5 is 1452 μg/m3 and CO2
is 1218 ppm are obtained during the pre-printing process during 8 hours of sampling. TVOC
concentration from recycling powder is slightly higher during the post- printing phase where
confirm the influence of the powder cake and PA12 temperature from the printing process. In
summary, this work proves that elective laser sintering (SLS) machine operators are exposed to
a significant amount of exposure during the SLS printing process. Mitigation strategies and
personal protective equipment are suggested to reduce occupational exposure
Analysis of 26 Barium Stars II. Contributions of s-, r- and p-processes in the production of heavy elements
Barium stars show enhanced abundances of the slow neutron capture (s-process)
heavy elements, and for this reason they are suitable objects for the study of
s-process elements. The aim of this work is to quantify the contributions of
the s-, r- and p-processes for the total abundance of heavy elements from
abundances derived for a sample of 26 barium stars. The abundance ratios
between these processes and neutron exposures were studied. The abundances of
the sample stars were compared to those of normal stars thus identifying the
fraction relative to the s-process main component. The fittings of the sigmaN
curves (neutron capture cross section times abundance, plotted against atomic
mass number) for the sample stars suggest that the material from the companion
asymptotic giant branch star had approximately the solar isotopic composition
as concerns fractions of abundances relative to the s-process main component.
The abundance ratios of heavy elements, hs, ls and s and the computed neutron
exposure are similar to those of post-AGB stars. For some sample stars, an
exponential neutron exposure fits well the observed data, whereas for others, a
single neutron exposure provides a better fit. The comparison between barium
and AGB stars supports the hypothesis of binarity for the barium star
formation. Abundances of r-elements that are part of the s-process path in
barium stars are usually higher than those in normal stars,and for this reason,
barium stars seemed to be also enriched in r-elements, although in a lower
degree than s-elements. No dependence on luminosity classes was found in the
abundance ratios behaviour among the dwarfs and giants of the sample barium
stars.Comment: 30 pages including 24 figures, accepted to A&
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