Spinning guest fields during inflation: leftover signatures

We consider the possibility of extra spinning particles during inflation, focussing on the spin-2 case. Our analysis relies on the well-known fully non-linear formulation of interacting spin-2 theories. We explore the parameter space of the corresponding inflationary Lagrangian and identify regions therein exhibiting signatures within reach of upcoming CMB probes. We provide a thorough study of the early and late-time dynamics ensuring that stability conditions are met throughout the cosmic evolution. We characterise in particular the gravitational wave spectrum and three-point function finding a local-type non-Gaussianity whose amplitude may be within the sensitivity range of both the LiteBIRD and CMB-S4 experiments.

A new framework for utilizing side information in sparse representation

An underdetermined system of linear equation has infinitely number of answers. To find a specific solution, regularization method is used. For this propose, we define a cost function based on desired features of the solution and that answer with the best matches to these function is selected as the desired solution. In case of sparse solution, zero-norm function is selected as the cost function. In many engineering cases, there is side information which are omitted because of the zero-norm function. Finding a way to conquer zero-norm function limitation, will help to improve estimation of the desired parameter. In this regard, we utilize maximum a posterior (MAP) estimation and modify the prior information such that both sparsity and side information are utilized. As a consequence, a framework to utilize side information into sparse representation algorithms is proposed. We also test our proposed framework in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) sparse channel estimation problem which indicates, by utilizing our proposed system, the performance of the system improves and fewer resources are required for estimating the channel.

The Effects of Sidt2 on the Inflammatory Pathway in Mouse Mesangial Cells

In patients with chronic kidney disease, the abnormal activation of inflammatory pathways is usually an important factor leading to renal fibrosis and further deterioration of renal function. Finding effective intervention targets of the inflammatory signaling pathway is an important way to treat chronic kidney disease. As a newly discovered lysosomal membrane protein, the correlation between SID1 transmembrane family member 2 (Sidt2) and the inflammatory signaling pathway has not been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Sidt2 on inflammation by inhibiting the expression of the Sidt2 gene in a mouse mesangial cell line mediated by a lentiviral CRISPR/Cas9 vector. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and microscopy found that the mesangial cells lost their normal morphology after inhibiting the expression of Sidt2, showing that the cell body became smaller, the edge between the cells was unclear, and part of the nucleus was pyknotic and fragmented, appearing blue-black. The expressions of IKK β, p-IKK α/β, NF-κB p65, p-NF-κB p65, p-IκBα, IκBα, and TNF-α in the NF-κB pathway of the Sidt2-/- group were higher than those of the Sidt2+/+ group. p-Jak2 and IL6 increased in the Jak/Stat pathway, and p-ERK and p-P38 increased in the MAPK pathway. The expressions of IKK β, p-IKK α/β, NF-κB p65, p-NF-κB p65, p-IκBα, IκBα, and TNF-α in the NF-κB pathway of the Sidt2+/++LPS group were significantly higher than those in the Sidt2+/+ group. The expressions of IKK β, p-IKK α/β, NF-κB p65, p-NF-κB p65, p-IκBα, IκBα, and TNF-α in the Sidt2-/-+LPS group were higher than those in the Sidt2-/- group. The expressions of p-IKK α/β, NF-κB p65, p-NF-κB p65, p-IκBα, IκBα, and TNF-α in the Sidt2-/-+LPS group were higher than those in the Sidt2+/++LPS group. In the Jak/Stat pathway, the protein expressions of p-Jak2 and IL6 in the Sidt2+/++LPS group were higher than those in the Sidt2+/+ group. The expressions of p-Jak2 and IL6 in the Sidt2-/-+LPS group were higher than those in the Sidt2-/- group. The expressions of p-Jak2 and IL6 in the Sidt2-/-+LPS group were higher than those in the Sidt2+/++LPS group. The expressions of p-JNK, p-ERK, p-P38, and ERK in the MAPK pathway in the Sidt2+/++LPS group were higher than those in the Sidt2+/+ group. The expressions of p-JNK, p-ERK, p-P38, and ERK in the Sidt2-/-+LPS group were higher than those in the Sidt2-/- group. The expressions of p-JNK, p-ERK, p-P38, and ERK in the Sidt2-/-+LPS group were higher than those in the Sidt2+/++LPS group. These data suggested that deletion of the Sidt2 gene changed the three inflammatory signal pathways, eventually leading to the damage of glomerular mesangial cells in mice.

A note on the turning point for the quadratic trend

The quadratic trend is a statistical model described by the quadratic function. Finding its extremum (also called the vertex or the turning point) using differential calculus or completing the square method is very well known in the literature. In this paper, a new method for finding the extremum of the quadratic function, based on a simple mathematical inequality is proposed. In comparison with the other two known methods, our method does not require the differentiability assumption and it takes fewer steps than completing the square method. Also, it is shown how the turning point for the quadratic trend can be applied in forecasting the unemployment rate in Croatia in the first quarter of 2019. The obtained conclusions are equal to the conclusions obtained in the usual way by using forecasting software.

Circadian regulation of kidney function: finding a role for Bmal1

Mounting evidence suggests that there is an internal molecular “clock” within the kidney to help maintain normal renal function. Disturbance of the kidney circadian rhythm may pose a threat to water and electrolyte homeostasis and blood pressure regulation, among many other problems. The identification of circadian genes facilitated a more comprehensive appreciation of the importance of “keeping the body on time”; however, our knowledge is very limited with regard to how circadian genes regulate kidney function. In this brief review, we summarize recent progress in circadian control of renal physiology, with a particular focus on aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like protein (Arntl1; also called Bmal1).

Operation Everest II and the 1978 Habeler/Messner ascent of Everest without bottled O2: what might they have in common?

In 1978, Peter Habeler and Reinhold Messner climbed Everest without supplemental O2. Subsequently, Oelz et al. (Oelz O, Howald H, Di Prampero PE, Hoppeler H, Claassen H, Jenni R, Bühlmann A, Ferretti G, Brückner JC, Veicsteinas A, Gussoni M, Cerretelli P. J Appl Physiol (1985) 60: 1734–1742, 1986) assessed their cardiopulmonary function, finding no advantageous physiological attributes to explain their success, and leading West (West JB. High Life: A History of High-Altitude Physiology and Medicine. New York: Oxford University, 1998) to suggest that grit and determination were more important. In 1985, Charlie Houston, John Sutton, and Al Cymerman hosted a scientific project assessing a simulated ascent of Everest (OE II) at the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine. Included were measurements of O2 transport. In particular, mixed venous Po2 was measured at/near maximal exercise, for calculating pulmonary O2-diffusing capacity. A serendipitous observation was made: while both V̇o2max and mixed venous Po2 fell with altitude (as expected), it was how they fell—in direct proportion—that was remarkable. It later became clear that this reflected diffusion limitation of O2 transport from muscle microvessels to the mitochondria, and that this last step in O2 transport plays a major role in limiting V̇o2max. Thus, how Habeler and Messner made it up Everest without bottled O2 and no special cardiopulmonary attributes might be explained if their muscle O2-diffusing capacity, which depends largely on muscle capillarity, was unusually high. Oelz et al. mention that muscle capillary density was substantially—40%—above normal, but did not suggest that this accounted for the climbersʼ success. Therefore, high muscle capillarity, enhancing diffusive unloading of O2, may have been a major enabling physiological attribute for Habeler and Messner and that OE II, by chance, played a key role in bringing this to light.

Quantitative Analysis of the Relationship between Three Psychological Parameters Based on Swallowtail Catastrophe Model

A sudden jump in the value of the state variable in a certain dynamical system can be studied through a catastrophe model. This paper presents an application of catastrophe model to solve psychological problems. Since we will have three psychological aspects or parameters, intelligence (I), emotion (E), and adversity (A), a Swallowtail catastrophe model is considered to be an appropriate one. Our methodology consists of three steps: solving the Swallowtail potential function, finding the critical points up to and including threefold degenerates, and fitting the model into our measured data. Using a polynomial curve fitting derived from the potential function of Swallowtail catastrophe model, relations among three parameters combinations are analyzed. Results show that there are catastrophe phenomena for each relation, meaning that a small change in one psychological aspect may cause a dramatic change in another aspect.

How do analogizing and mental simulation influence team dynamics in innovative product design?

The aim of this study was to gain further insight into how analogical reasoning and mental simulation, two cognitive strategies, influence team dynamics in innovative product design. A particular emphasis was placed on exploring the association between these two strategies and team cohesion and team collaboration. Analogies were coded for “analogical distance” (i.e., within domain or between domain) and “analogical purpose” (i.e., problem identification, function finding, solution generation, and explanation). The results indicated that the presence of either analogizing or mental simulation was related to team cohesion and team collaboration, with mental simulation having an especially marked association with team collaboration. Within-domain analogizing was found to enhance team collaboration, but it did not influence team cohesion. Furthermore, all types of analogical purpose showed a similar association with team cohesion, whereas solution generation and function finding had a stronger association with team collaboration. We propose that analogizing and mental simulations are strategies that serve valuable functions in engendering enhanced cohesion and collaboration, which might be expected to lead to more effective design outcomes, although this remains an empirical question in need of further corroboration.