Mechanisms Underlying the Protective Effect of the Peroxire-Doxin-6 Are Mediated via the Protection of Astrocytes during Ischemia/Reoxygenation

Ischemia-like conditions reflect almost the entire spectrum of events that occur during cerebral ischemia, including the induction of oxidative stress, Ca2+ overload, glutamate excitotoxicity, and activation of necrosis and apoptosis in brain cells. Mechanisms for the protective effects of the antioxidant enzyme peroxiredoxin-6 (Prx-6) on hippocampal cells during oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) were investigated. Using the methods of fluorescence microscopy, inhibitory analysis, vitality tests and PCR, it was shown that 24-h incubation of mixed hippocampal cell cultures with Prx-6 does not affect the generation of a reversible phase of a OGD-induced rise in Ca2+ ions in cytosol ([Ca2+]i), but inhibits a global increase in [Ca2+]i in astrocytes completely and in neurons by 70%. In addition, after 40 min of OGD, cell necrosis is suppressed, especially in the astrocyte population. This effect is associated with the complex action of Prx-6 on neuroglial networks. As an antioxidant, Prx-6 has a more pronounced and astrocyte-directed effect, compared to the exogenous antioxidant vitamin E (Vit E). Prx-6 inhibits ROS production in mitochondria by increasing the antioxidant capacity of cells and altering the expression of genes encoding redox status proteins. Due to the close bond between [Ca2+]i and intracellular ROS, this effect of Prx-6 is one of its protective mechanisms. Moreover, Prx-6 effectively suppresses not only necrosis, but also apoptosis during OGD and reoxygenation. Incubation with Prx-6 leads to activation of the basic expression of genes encoding protective kinases—PI3K, CaMKII, PKC, anti-apoptotic proteins—Stat3 and Bcl-2, while inhibiting the expression of signaling kinases and factors involved in apoptosis activation—Ikk, Src, NF-κb, Caspase-3, p53, Fas, etc. This effect on the basic expression of the genome leads to the cell preconditions, which is expressed in the inhibition of caspase-3 during OGD/reoxygenation. A significant effect of Prx-6 is directed on suppression of the level of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β and factor TNFα, as well as genes encoding NMDA- and kainate receptor subunits, which was established for the first time for this antioxidant enzyme. The protective effect of Prx-6 is due to its antioxidant properties, since mutant Prx-6 (mutPrx-6, Prx6-C47S) leads to polar opposite effects, contributing to oxidative stress, activation of apoptosis and cell death through receptor action on TLR4.

SOLAR ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR WITH A FOLDABLE PANEL

For physically challenged individuals the most basic expression of freedom would be the ability to be mobile. Modern medical science being highly advanced designed a device of help for physically challenged individuals, called the wheelchair. The market provides a vast assortment of options in a wheelchair to fulfill the desired need and requirements of the consumer. To make the system energy efficient we have designed a solar wheelchair in which solar power is used. This keen wheelchair is additionally fitted with a leg guard for the safety of the legs. In addition, we have added a mechanism that allows our solar panel to fold and settle at a safe place, or in other terms, Solar Wheelchair with a foldable panel. All our effort has been in the direction, to make this solar-induced wheelchair at an affordable cost along with having an optimal utilization in the external as well as the internal environment. KEYWORDS: Assistive device, Electric mode, Foldable solar panel, Solar Powered Wheelchair.

Research and modeling of tire cornering characteristics considering temperature based on UniTire model

Based on the results of tire handling test, the cornering properties of the tire at small side slip under different temperature are obtained, and the variation law of the parameters of tire cornering characteristic with the temperature is obtained. By establishing a tread temperature model and finite element tire model considering the influence of temperature, the mechanism of tire mechanical properties with temperature is clarified, and the expression of tread stiffness and aligning stiffness considering temperature is obtained. Then, based on the above expression and the tire mechanical characteristics with temperature, a complex brush model is established and the relationship between the temperature and the tire cornering properties is obtained. The relationship is used as the basic expression formula to establish the UniTire cornering model considering tire temperature. In order to verify the correctness of the model, four kinds of temperature state cornering data are used for parameter identification, and the tire cornering properties in the other two temperature states is predicted. The error between the simulation results of the prediction model and the experimental results is very small, which effectively proves the predictive ability of the UniTire cornering model considering tire temperature. This research is helpful to improve the application of UniTire model under different temperature condition.

The Impact of a Stranger’s Emotional Facial Expression on the Perception of His Personality

This study the role of emotional expressions of the sitter’s face in the perception of his personality traits. The scores given by observers on the scales of the “Personality Differential” for images of a calm face and the face of the same sitter, demonstrating six basic emotions, were compared. Forty-nine photographic images of the emotional states of seven sitters included in the RaFD database were used as stimulus material. A total of 193 Moscow university students (66 men and 127 women, mean age 23.3 years) participated in the experiment. A 17% statistically significant change in personality scores was recorded, two-thirds of which tended toward the positive poles of the scales. Changing perceptions of a person’s personality suggests a coherent relationship between emotion modality and personality traits. Each basic expression influences a specific group of 10-15 traits, and in different ways. Each trait relies on an affective configuration with its own specificity. Disgust has the maximum integrative influence on the view of the sitter’s personality. Joy causes extremely high positive changes, while sadness and astonishment cause moderate, symmetrical changes in the ratio of positive and negative shifts. Fear and anger lead to an equilibrium of positive and negative evaluations. The highest volume of trait changes is obtained for the “Activity” factor (A), which is associated mainly with positive shifts, the lowest volume is for the “Evaluation” factor (E), which is, together with the “Strength” factor (S), the main source of negative changes in the sitters’ perception. The volume of affective feature shifts is determined by the morphotype of the face and the individual stylistics of emotion expression. In everyday life, the possibility of affective changes in traits does not violate the general invariance of interpersonal perception.

Study on the Influence of Temperature on Tire Cornering Stiffness and Aligning Stiffness

Based on the results of tire handling test, the cornering properties of the tire at a small range of steer angles under different temperature are obtained, and the variation law of the tire cornering characteristic parameters with the tire temperature is obtained. By establishing a tread temperature model and finite element tire model considering temperature, the mechanism of tire mechanical properties with temperature is clarified, and the expression of tread stiffness and aligning stiffness considering temperature is obtained. Then, based on the above expression and the tire brush model considering the tire temperature state, a complex brush model is established. Through the model derivation, the relationship between the temperature and the tire cornering stiffness is obtained. The relationship is used as the basic expression formula to establish the UniTire cornering model considering tire temperature. In order to verify the correctness of the model, four kinds of temperature state cornering data are used for parameter identification, and the tire cornering properties in the other two temperature states is predicted. The error between the simulation results of the prediction model and the experimental results is very small, which effectively proves the predictive ability of the UniTire cornering model considering tire temperature. This research is helpful to improve the application of UniTire model, and provide theoretical and technical support for UniTire model indoor and outdoor expansion applications

Protein Dielectrophoresis: I. Status of Experiments and an Empirical Theory

The dielectrophoresis (DEP) data reported in the literature since 1994 for 22 different globular proteins is examined in detail. Apart from three cases, all of the reported protein DEP experiments employed a gradient field factor ∇ E m 2 that is much smaller (in some instances by many orders of magnitude) than the ~4 × 1021 V2/m3 required, according to current DEP theory, to overcome the dispersive forces associated with Brownian motion. This failing results from the macroscopic Clausius–Mossotti (CM) factor being restricted to the range 1.0 > CM > −0.5. Current DEP theory precludes the protein’s permanent dipole moment (rather than the induced moment) from contributing to the DEP force. Based on the magnitude of the β-dispersion exhibited by globular proteins in the frequency range 1 kHz–50 MHz, an empirically derived molecular version of CM is obtained. This factor varies greatly in magnitude from protein to protein (e.g., ~37,000 for carboxypeptidase; ~190 for phospholipase) and when incorporated into the basic expression for the DEP force brings most of the reported protein DEP above the minimum required to overcome dispersive Brownian thermal effects. We believe this empirically-derived finding validates the theories currently being advanced by Matyushov and co-workers.

Basic architectural expression of a cultural center, study object: Volkstheater Sobokartti in Semarang, Indonesia

The absence of specific guidelines is the main reason that cultural centers in Indonesia were often using an existing building that is not designated as cultural center and/or are designed with modern styles that are completely different from the existing architectural styles. This research is specifically focused on the issue of basic architectural expression in the Volkstheater Sobokartti Cultural Center. The main purpose of this research is to reveal architectural meaning based on the basic-expression of the Volkstheater Sobokartti Cultural Center. This research utilized theories such as: cultural center, architectural expression, and interpretation of architectural meaning. These theories together with the study object are then analyzed and elaborated in-depth using architectural anatomy and ordering principles theories. This research succeeded in compiling a reference of basic architectural expression as a basis for designing and/or interpreting the meaning of a cultural center. The result of this research can be used as: a design input/consideration for architects and stakeholders in designing and/or interpreting the meaning of a cultural center for students, academicians, architects, and concerned community; a starting point for other similar research.

Development of enhancer-trapping and -detection vectors mediated by the Tol2 transposon in zebrafish

Enhancers are key transcriptional drivers of gene expression. The identification of enhancers in the genome is central for understanding gene-expression programs. Although transposon-mediated enhancer trapping (ET) is a powerful approach to the identification of enhancers in zebrafish, its efficiency varies considerably. To improve the ET efficiency, we constructed Tol2-mediated ET vectors with a reporter gene (mCherry) expression box driven by four minimal promoters (Gata, Myc, Krt4 and Oct4), respectively. The ET efficiency and expression background were compared among the four promoters by zebrafish embryo injection at the one-cell stage. The results showed that the Gata minimal promoter yielded the lowest basic expression and the second-highest trapping efficiency (44.6% at 12 hpf (hour post-fertilization) and 23.1% at 72 hpf, n = 305 and n = 307). The Krt4 promoter had the highest trapping efficiency (64% at 12 hpf and 67.1% at 72 hpf, n = 302 and n = 301) and the strongest basic expression. To detect enhancer activity, chicken 5′HS4 double insulators were cloned into the two ET vectors with the Gata or Krt4 minimal promoter, flanking the mCherry expression box. The resulting detection vectors were injected into zebrafish embryos. mCherry expression driven by the Gata promoter (about 5%, n = 301) was decreased significantly compared with that observed for embryos injected with the ET vectors (23% at 72 hpf, n = 308). These results suggest that the insulators block the genome-position effects and that this vector is fit for enhancer-activity evaluation. To assess the compatibility between the enhancers and the minimal promoters, four enhancers (CNS1, Z48, Hand2 and Hs769) were cloned upstream of the Gata or Beta-globin minimal promoter in the enhancer-activity-detection vectors. The resulting recombinant vectors were assayed by zebrafish embryo injection. We found that Z48 and CNS1 responded to the Gata minimal promoter, and that Hand2 only responded to the Beta-globin minimal promoter. In contrast, Hs769 did not respond to either the Gata or Beta-globin minimal promoters. These results suggest the existence of compatibility between enhancers and minimal promoters. This study represents a systematic approach to the discovery of optional ET and enhancer-detection vectors. We are eager to provide a superior tool for understanding functional genomics.

Fixed-Bed and Mobile-Bed Resistance of Channels with Steep Gradients in Mountainous Areas

Flood discharge and sediment transport are closely linked to channel resistance in steep mountain streams. Previous research has mainly focused on the resistance of fixed-bed channels with steep gradients and mobile-bed channels in alluvial rivers. The present study performs an experiment and establishes a calculation method for the fixed-bed resistance of mountain channels. The basic expression of the mobile-bed resistance of steep mountain channels is derived by determining the controlling factors of the bed load movement on the riverbed resistance. The proposed formula can accurately predict the variation of the bed load resistance. The results of the present research improve the understanding of fluid dynamics and sediment transport in steep mountain channels.

Prayer, Meditation, and Retreat

A penchant for retreat permeates baroque devotion. Prayer is key, and withdrawal from the world corroborates sincere prayer. Some believers retreat to the cloister for an existence of permanent absorption, but believers are generally enjoined to retreat for a few days annually to follow a devotional program, or for moments of prayer across the day. While verbal prayer is seen as a basic expression of devotion, mental prayer is generally deemed more efficacious, demanding as it does the believer’s full attention. Chapels, chambers, and gardens are privileged sites of devout absorption; prayer books, rosaries, and devotional images sustain the inward turn; manuals teach the practice; and written and drawn portraits show those who master it. This chapter presents the ideal of devotional retreat in prayer as well as some of its spatial, spiritual, corporeal, and material corollaries.