Correlations between components of the immune system

Background: No evidence of the possibility to alter a constituent of the immune system without directly affecting one of its associated components has been shown yet. Methods: A schematic model was developed in which two triggers, fasting and splenectomy, were studied for their ability to affect the expression of cell membrane epitopes and the cytokine secretion of out-of-body autogeneic and syngeneic lymphocytes. Results: Fasting decreased expression of CD8 and CD25 and increased TNFα levels. The effect of splenectomy as a trigger was investigated in non-fasting mice by comparing splenectomized and non-splenectomized mice. An increase in the CD8 expression and in TNFα, IFNg, and IL10 secretion was noted. The effect of splenectomy as a trigger was investigated in fasting mice by comparing splenectomized and non-splenectomized mice. Splenectomy had a significant effect on expression of CD25 and CD4 CD25 and on secretion of TNFα, IFNg, and IL10. To determine the effect of keeping the cells in an out-of-body location on the expression of lymphocyte epitopes, tubes kept on top of the cages of the fasting mice were compared with tubes kept on top of empty cages. A significant change in the CD8 expression was noted. To determine the effect of keeping cells in an out-of-body location on cytokine secretion, tubes kept on top of cages were tested for cytokine levels. A significant decrease was noted for the secretion of TNFα and IFNg. Conclusions: The data obtained from this study characterized a system for induction of correlations between two components of the immune system without a transfer of mediators. The study showed that a mouse could affect cells at a distance and alter the expression of surface markers and cytokine secretion following two types of triggers: fasting and/or splenectomy. Thus, an out-of-body correlation can be induced between two components of the immune system.

Systemization of Indicators for Assessing the Impact of Power Engineering Facilities on the Environment of the Arctic Zone in Yakutia

The development of mineral resources in the Arctic zone of Yakutia is followed by a progressively increasing impact on the environment. Under these conditions, it is necessary to develop such directions for reducing the negative consequences of industrial development that could support the entire ecosystem of the North in a balanced state in strict accordance with the laws of structure, processes and changes in the landscape structure. This can provide a complex geoecological approach that involves a systematic study of the relationships between both natural and man-made objects. In general, this approach is based on the study of the impact processes of athropogenic activities on the environment, changes in the environment and consequences that affect natural and social conditions. Under conditions of extremely low resistance of natural landscapes to any impacts, it is necessary to assess and search for directions reducing the consequences of industrial development. In this regard, a schematic model of indicators systematization of environmental and socio-economic consequences of the functioning of energy supply facilities is developed on the example of the Yana, Indigirka and Kolyma river basins in accordance with the laws of structure, processes and changes in the landscape structure.

A Schematic Model of Low Temperature and High Salinity Seawaters in Southern Java of the Indian Ocean during ENSO-IOD 2017

The semi-peRmanent jAva coasTal Upwelling that is known as RATU, it was named semi-permanent because upwelling does not occur every month of the year in Southern Java has been investigated by several international researchers. However, this study focused on investigating the horizontal distribution of upwelling areas, using the indicator of low temperature (max. ∼26°C) and high salinity (min. 34 PSU) seawater mass, in different depth layers. The datasets were obtained from HYCOM, with the wind daily as well as the monthly ONI, SOI ENSO, and DMI datasets obtained from ECMWF, NOAA, BoM Australia, and Jamstec, respectively. Furthermore, the horizontal propagation of the low temperature and high salinity in 2017 at depths of 0 m, 50 m, 75 m, 125 m, 150 m, and 300 m have been observed and modeled as schematics. According to the results, the probable upwelling area begins from 150/125 meters to 75/50 meters layer depth. In these layers, the horizontal propagation from the east monsoon (July) to the transition monsoon (October) dominantly begins from the east and moves westward. This shows the highest correlation between temperature/salinity and SOI occurred from August to October during La Nina, from a depth of 0 m to 100m. Similarly, for the ONI, low temperature and high salinity also occurred from the Normal phase to the La Nina phase. The correlation between temperature/salinity and IOD shows the probable upwelling season occurred during IOD (+) phase until a 100 m depth because salinity becomes more irregular with increasing ocean depth.

Prediction Error Growth in a more Realistic Atmospheric Toy Model with Three Spatiotemporal Scales

This article studies the growth of the prediction error over lead time in a schematic model of atmospheric transport. Inspired by the Lorenz (2005) system, we mimic an atmospheric variable in 1 dimension, which can be decomposed into three spatiotemporal scales. We identify parameter values that provide spatiotemporal scaling and chaotic behavior. Instead of exponential growth of the forecast error over time, we observe a more complex behavior. We test a power law and the quadratic hypothesis for the scale dependent error growth. The power law is valid for the first days of the growth, and with an included saturation effect, we extend its validity to the entire period of growth. The theory explaining the parameters of the power law is confirmed. Although the quadratic hypothesis cannot be completely rejected and could serve as a first guess, the hypothesis’s parameters are not theoretically justifiable. In addition, we study the initial error growth for the ECMWF forecast system (500 hPa geopotential height) over the 1986 to 2011 period. For these data, it is impossible to assess which of the error growth descriptions is more appropriate, but the extended power law, which is theoretically substantiated and valid for the Lorenz system, provides an excellent fit to the average initial error growth of the ECMWF forecast system. Fitting the parameters, we conclude that there is an intrinsic limit of predictability after 22 days.

Identification of miRNAs-mediated seed and stone-hardening regulatory networks and their signal pathway of GA-induced seedless berries in grapevine (V. vinifera L.)

Background Stone-hardening stage is crucial to the development of grape seed and berry quality. A significant body of evidence supports the important roles of MicroRNAs in grape-berry development, but their specific molecular functions during grape stone-hardening stage remain unclear. Results Here, a total of 161 conserved and 85 species-specific miRNAs/miRNAs* (precursor) were identified in grape berries at stone-hardening stage using Solexa sequencing. Amongst them, 30 VvmiRNAs were stone-hardening stage-specific, whereas 52 exhibited differential expression profiles during berry development, potentially participating in the modulation of berry development as verified by their expression patterns. GO and KEGG pathway analysis showed that 13 VvmiRNAs might be involved in the regulation of embryo development, another 11 in lignin and cellulose biosynthesis, and also 28 in the modulation of hormone signaling, sugar, and proline metabolism. Furthermore, the target genes for 4 novel VvmiRNAs related to berry development were validated using RNA Ligase-Mediated (RLM)-RACE and Poly(A) Polymerase-Mediated (PPM)-RACE methods, and their cleavage mainly occurred at the 9th–11th sites from the 5′ ends of miRNAs at their binding regions. In view of the regulatory roles of GA in seed embryo development and stone-hardening in grape, we investigated the expression modes of VvmiRNAs and their target genes during GA-induced grape seedless-berry development, and we validated that GA induced the expression of VvmiR31-3p and VvmiR8-5p to negatively regulate the expression levels of CAFFEOYL COENZYME A-3-O-METHYLTRANSFERASE (VvCCoAOMT), and DDB1-CUL4 ASSOCIATED FACTOR1 (VvDCAF1). The series of changes might repress grape stone hardening and embryo development, which might be a potential key molecular mechanism in GA-induced grape seedless-berry development. Finally, a schematic model of miRNA-mediated grape seed and stone-hardening development was proposed. Conclusion This work identified 30 stone-hardening stage-specific VvmiRNAs and 52 significant differential expression ones, and preliminary interpreted the potential molecular mechanism of GA-induced grape parthenocarpy. GA negatively manipulate the expression of VvCCoAOMT and VvDCAF1 by up-regulation the expression of VvmiR31-3p and VvmiR8-5p, thereby repressing seed stone and embryo development to produce grape seedless berries.

Using Smiles, Frowns, and Gaze to Attribute Conscious States to Others: Testing Part of the Attention Schema Theory

In the attention schema theory, people attribute the property of consciousness to themselves and others because it serves as a schematic model of attention. Most of the existing literature on monitoring the attention of others assumes that people primarily use the gaze direction of others. In that assumption, attention is not represented by a deeper model, but instead limited mainly to a single, externally visible parameter. Here we presented subjects with two cues about the attentional state of a face: direction of gaze and emotional expression. We tested whether people relied predominantly on one cue, the other, or both when deciding if the face was conscious of a nearby object. If the traditional view is correct, then the gaze cue should dominate. Instead, some people relied on gaze, some on expression, and some on an integration of cues, suggesting that a variety of surface strategies could inform a deeper model. We also assessed people’s social cognitive ability using two, independent, standard tests. If the traditional view of attention monitoring is correct, then the degree to which people use gaze to judge attention should correlate best with their social cognitive ability. Instead, social cognitive ability correlated best with the degree to which people successfully integrated the cues together. The results strongly suggest that when people attribute a specific state of consciousness to another, rather than simply tracking gaze, they construct a model of attention, or an attention schema, that is informed by a combination of surface cues.

Renovation cycle diagram

Introduction. A relatively new form of transformation of the territory in the current urban development, the renovation of quarters, requires close scientific study and methodological justification. Renovated neighborhoods, as well as projects for the construction of new houses, have individual features and characteristics. The authors hypothesize that, despite the variety of characteristics of renovated neighborhoods and projects for the construction of new houses, traditional in-line construction with the allocation of characteristic stages is possible. Materials and methods. To study the actual duration of the stages of creating objects under the renovation program (which is necessary to identify objects of similar duration), a special database was formed in the Scientific and Project Center “City Development”. As of 15.05.2021, 313 objects involved in the renovation program are included in this special database. A thorough verification of the specified database was performed. As a result, 122 objects with a spread of construction duration values from 11 months to 43.2 months are stored in the verified database. In addition, the materials of the information system for ensuring urban planning activities (ISOGD) of Moscow were used. The initial materials allowed us to identify a number of characteristic stages in the renovation program for each object. Results. To analyze the design duration of construction, the set of objects is divided into 2 parts: commissioning in 2021 and commissioning in subsequent years. For each part, histograms of the distribution of the duration of construction of houses during renovation are constructed and it is proved that the law of normal distribution is observed. A schematic model of renovation processes with multiple process durations is presented. The overall duration of the design (project stage) can take 1 year, construction — 2 years, and the combined stages: preparation of documents, relocation and demolition, will approximately take 1 year. This four-year wave cycle is then repeated the required number of times. The calendar plan of renovation for three wave objects with the allocation of the leading stream is presented. The ratio of flow processes during renovation is most clearly reflected in the constructed cyclogram of a multi-rhythmic object flow modified for renovation conditions. Combined schedules of renovation of in-line construction are constructed. Conclusions. Despite the considerable variety of renovated neighborhoods and projects for the construction of new houses, the authors of the article prove that traditional in-line construction with the allocation of characteristic stages is possible. For large contracting organizations, it is realistic to form a multi-rhythmic object flow with the allocation of the construction stage as the leading flow and calculate the renovation cyclogram.

Surface Mechanism of Fe3+ Ions on the Improvement of Fine Monazite Flotation With Octyl Hydroxamate as the Collector

Froth flotation of fine minerals has always been an important research direction in terms of theory and practice. In this paper, the effect and mechanism of Fe3+ on improving surface hydrophobicity and flotation of fine monazite using sodium octyl hydroxamate (SOH) as a collector were investigated through a series of laboratory tests and detection measurements including microflotation, fluorescence spectrum, zeta potential, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Flotation tests have shown that fine monazite particles (−26 + 15 μm) cannot be floated well with the SOH collector compared to the coarse fraction (−74 + 38 μm). However, adding a small amount of Fe3+ to the pulp before SOH can significantly improve the flotation of fine monazite. This is because the addition of Fe3+ promotes the adsorption of SOH and greatly improves the hydrophobicity of the monazite surface. This can result in the formation of a more uniform and dense hydrophobic adsorption layer, as shown by the fluorescence spectrum and zeta potential results. From the XPS results, Fe3+ reacts with surface O atoms on the surface of monazite to form a monazite–Osurf–Fe group that acts as a new additional active site for SOH adsorption. A schematic model was also proposed to explain the mechanism of Fe3+ for improving surface hydrophobicity and flotation of fine monazite using octyl hydroxamate as a collector. The innovative point of this study is using a simple reagent scheme to float fine mineral particles rather than traditional complex processes.

The ethics of interaction with neurorobotic agents: a case study with BabyX

As AI advances, models of simulated humans are becoming increasingly realistic. A new debate has arisen about the ethics of interacting with these realistic agents—and in particular, whether any harms arise from ‘mistreatment’ of such agents. In this paper, we advance this debate by discussing a model we have developed (‘BabyX’), which simulates a human infant. The model produces realistic behaviours—and it does so using a schematic model of certain human brain mechanisms. We first consider harms that may arise due to effects on the user—in particular effects on the user’s behaviour towards real babies. We then consider whether there’s any need to consider harms from the ‘perspective’ of the simulated baby. The first topic raises practical ethical questions, many of which are empirical in nature. We argue the potential for harm is real enough to warrant restrictions on the use of BabyX. The second topic raises a very different set of questions in the philosophy of mind. Here, we argue that BabyX’s biologically inspired model of emotions raises important moral questions, and places BabyX in a different category from avatars whose emotional behaviours are ‘faked’ by simple rules. This argument counters John Danaher’s recently proposed ‘moral behaviourism’. We conclude that the developers of simulated humans have useful contributions to make to debates about moral patiency—and also have certain new responsibilities in relation to the simulations they build.

Roles of Endogenous Melatonin in Resistance to Botrytis cinerea Infection in an Arabidopsis Model

Melatonin is an important bioactive molecule in plants. Two synthetases, N-acetylserotonin methyltransferase (ASMT) and serotonin N-acetyltransferase (SNAT) are involved in the final two steps of melatonin synthesis. Melatonin participates in responses to a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses in plants, but few studies have addressed the roles of endogenous melatonin in pathogen resistance. We investigated the role of endogenous melatonin in resistance to Botrytis cinerea infection in an Arabidopsis thaliana model system. Plant lines that overexpressed ASMT or SNAT through genetic manipulation showed upregulated expression of resistance genes PR1 and PR5, transcription factor gene WRKY33, and jasmonic acid (JA) defense pathway marker gene PDF1.2, and downregulated transcription factor gene MYC2 in JA signaling pathway. Higher melatonin content also enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD), increased JA content, reduced plant disease symptoms, and reduced lesion size in leaves. These findings indicate that endogenous melatonin enhances plant resistance to B. cinerea infection. In contrast, ASMT and SNAT gene silencing lines showed opposite results and were more susceptible to B. cinerea. Thus, it can be demonstrated that melatonin functions as an effective regulator of plant stress resistance at the genetic level. A schematic model is presented for its role in resistance to B. cinerea infection. Our findings also helped to elucidate the associated signal transduction pathways and interactions between melatonin and other plant hormones.