Histocompatibility and Reproduction: Lessons from the Anglerfish

Reproduction in certain deep-sea anglerfishes involves the permanent attachment of dwarf males to much larger females and fusion of their tissues leading to the establishment of a shared circulatory system. This unusual phenomenon of sexual parasitism enables anglerfishes to maximize reproductive success in the vast and deep oceans, where females and males otherwise rarely meet. An even more surprising phenomenon relates to the observation that joining of genetically disparate male and female anglerfishes does not evoke a strong anti-graft immune rejection response, which occurs in vertebrates following allogeneic parabiosis. Recent studies demonstrated that the evolutionary processes that led to the unique mating strategy of anglerfishes coevolved with genetic changes that resulted in loss of functional genes encoding critical components of the adaptive immune system. These genetic alterations enabled anglerfishes to tolerate the histoincompatible tissue antigens of their mate and prevent the occurrence of reciprocal graft rejection responses. While the exact mechanisms by which anglerfishes defend themselves against pathogens have not yet been deciphered, it is speculated that during evolution, anglerfishes adopted new immune strategies that compensate for the loss of B and T lymphocyte functions and enable them to resist infection by pathogens.

Simulation and Flow Analysis of the Hole Diaphragm Labyrinth Seal at Several Whirl Frequencies

The seal is designed to reduce leakage and improve the efficiency of gas turbine machines, and is an important technology that needs to be studied in gas turbine design. A series of seals were proposed to try to achieve this goal. However, due to the complex fluid dynamic performance of the seal-rotor system, the seal structure can obtain both the best leakage performance and best rotordynamic performance. This paper presents a detailed flow analysis of the hole diaphragm labyrinth seal (HDLS) at several whirl frequencies and several rotation speeds. The pressure drop, velocity, turbulence kinetic energy and leakage performance of the HDLS were discussed by simulations. An interesting exponential–type relationship between rotation speeds and leakage flow at different whirl frequencies was observed by curve fitting technology. A reverse flow rate was proposed to describe such an unusual phenomenon. Such a relationship can be used to further establish the leakage model of the HDLS and other similar seals.

Clinical Manifestation of Subacute Thyroiditis Triggered by SARS-CoV-2 Infection Can Be HLA-Dependent

In the last two years, we have been struggling with the pandemic of SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19. Several cases of subacute thyroiditis (SAT) have already been described as directly related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The clinical course of SAT induced by SARS-CoV-2 can be entirely different from the classic SAT course, and one of the most important differences is a very rapid SAT onset observed in some patients, especially a phenomenon of the simultaneous presence of both diseases. The aim of this report is to compare HLA profile and clinical course of SAT in four patients, in whom SAT was considered as triggered by COVID-19, with special attention paid to the differences between a patient with rare simultaneous presence of SAT and COVID-19, and patients with longer time lag between the diseases. The unusual phenomenon of simultaneous occurrence of COVID-19 and SAT induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection can be HLA-dependent and related to the presence of homozygosity at HLA-B*35. Additionally, the clinical course of SAT triggered by COVID-19 can be HLA-related in regard to the risk of recurrence, and to a variety of other aspects, including severity of thyrotoxicosis.

DECODING THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM : An analytical scientific approach to the unprecedented astronomical phenomenon that was finally the “Bethlehem Star”

We all wonder what happened that marked the era of the coming of Christ, what unusual phenomenon urged the Magi and drew their route west bound. Was it all fiction, concocted by the Apostles to bestow sanctity to the birth of Jesus, or was it in fact a celestial event, a rare planetary occurrence that led the Magi on their journey, as described in the Gospels.

An analytical scientific approach to the unprecedented astronomical phenomenon that was finally the “Bethlehem Star”

We all wonder what happened that marked the era of the coming of Christ, what unusual phenomenon urged the Magi and drew their route west bound. Was it all fiction, concocted by the Apostles to bestow sanctity to the birth of Jesus, or was it in fact a celestial event, a rare planetary occurrence that led the Magi on their journey, as described in the Gospels.

Evaluation de L’entomophagie dans Quatre Grandes Villes de Côte d’Ivoire

L'entomophagie qui consiste à la consommation des insectes par l‘Homme n'est pas un phénomène inaccoutumé. Elle est impulsée aujourd’hui par la FAO comme étant une source alternative durable de protéine animale pour la consommation humaine à cause de la forte croissance de la population mondiale d’ici à 2050 qui atteindra les 9 milliards d‘habitants. Cependant, elle fait face à de nombreuses contraintes dues au manque d’information du secteur. Ainsi, dans l’intérêt de lever tout équivoque sur l’entomophagie, cette étude fut menée et dont l’objectif était d’identifier les différents types d’insectes et les stéereootypes liés à la consommation pour une meilleure valorisation afin de lutter contre l'insécurité alimentaire en Côte d’Ivoire. A cet effet, une enquête de terrain pilotée dans 4 villes différentes (Daloa, Man, Bouaké, Korhogo) auprès de la population a permis de mettre en lumière les freins et les motivations de sa consommation en Côte d’ivoire. En effet, 1806 personnes ont été interrogées et il en ressort que 60,46% sont entomophages et sont constitués de personnes de tout âge, de toutes les professions. La consommation de ces insectes était fortement motivée par l’arôme (38%). Par ailleurs, l’indisponibilité (42,51%), l’aspect (37%) et ajoutés à la méconnaissance (12%) sont autant de facteurs limitant la pratique de l’entomophagie en Côte d’Ivoire. A l’état actuel, 11 espèces sont identifiées comme comestibles dont la plus prisée est la larve du Rhynchophorus phoenicis et la plus consommée le termite ailé Macrotermes subhyalinus du fait de sa plus grande disponibilité. Entomophagy which consists in the consumption of insects by humans is not an unusual phenomenon. It is promoted today by the FAO as a sustainable alternative source of animal protein for human consumption because of the strong growth of the world population by 2050 which will reach 9 billion inhabitants. However, it faces many constraints due to the lack of information in the sector. Thus, in the interest of clearing up any ambiguity on entomophagy, this study was carried out, the objective of which was to identify the different types of insects and the stereootypes linked to consumption for a better valuation in order to fight against the food insecurity in Côte d'Ivoire. To this end, a field survey piloted in 4 different towns (Daloa, Man, Bouaké, Korhogo) among the population shed light on the obstacles and motivations for their consumption in Côte d'Ivoire. Indeed, 1806 people were interviewed and it emerged that 60.46% are entomophagous made up of people of all ages, from all professions. Consumption of these insects was strongly motivated by aroma (38%). In addition, unavailability (42.51%), appearance (37%) and added to ignorance (12%) are all factors limiting the practice of entomophagy in Côte d'Ivoire. At present, 11 species are identified as edible, the most popular of which is the larva of Rhynchophorus phoenicis and the most consumed is the winged termite Macrotermes subhyalinus due to its greater availability.

Indigenous maize seed storage using buffalo dung ash practiced by smallholder farmers in Kisar Island

Kisar island is a small island located on the tip of Timor island. Corn is the main agricultural crop, and livestock husbandry also plays an important role in the livelihood of the farmers as a source of income, provide mainly manure for maintaining soil fertility. and in the local culture as a 'bride price' and for the exchange of goods. Considering periodical seasonal hazards, during eight months dry season people suffer from a serious shortage of water. Failure of the harvest is not an unusual phenomenon on the small, dry, eroded coral island. Seasonal pest invasion on maize cultivation threaten their seed security and food security. The objective of this review is to describe the validity of farmers’ indigenous knowledge (IK) of using buffalo dung as a preservative agent in maize storage and its relevancy in the contemporary living of farmers in the island. A phenomenological study was held in June to August 2018. The results showed that applying buffalo dung ash makes the maize dry faster, cleans and kills maize weevil and preserves the grain, It was concluded that the knowledge and practice is scientifically valid and benefited community in the past but has less relevancy to the contemporary living of the farmers in the island.

ПРОБЛЕМИ ПРИ ГРАМАТИЧЕСКАТА АДАПТАЦИЯ НА НОВИ ЗАЕМКИ ОТ АНГЛИЙСКИ ЕЗИК / PROBLEMS OF THE MORPHOSYNTACTIC ADAPTATION OF RECENT ENGLISH LOANWORDS IN BULGARIAN

This paper examines the morphosyntactic adaptation of recent English loanwords to the grammatical system of Bulgarian. It builds on the conclusions in Hristov (2015) and outlines the latest trends in the accommodation of some problematic Anglicisms. Special attention is paid to the gender and number adaptation of nouns, the (in)declinability of adjectives, as well as the adoption of new verbs. The results demonstrate that the accommodation strategies discussed in the specialist literature are for the most part followed consistently although there are some exceptions too. In spite of the sizable number of imported adjectives which receive Slavonic derivational suffixes, a large number of newly borrowed adjectives remain indeclinable; there is also evidence for the blurring of the boundaries between adjective and noun modifiers – an expected new development in the ever growing tendency for foreign adjectives to remain uninflected in Bulgarian. The few borrowed verbs likewise take derivational suffixes and are thus successfully incorporated into the Bulgarian verbal system. At the same time, there are some surprising findings which suggest that processes rather untypical of Bulgarian might be underway. Nouns exclusively denoting females can be assigned a formal masculine gender, even without belonging to the so-called dual gender of epicene nouns – a highly unusual phenomenon. The material also turns up zero plural inflections, as well as plurals with English -s. The analysis highlights the competition between Bulgari-an and foreign forms and structures, as well as the question whether those innovations have the potential to become more established in Bulgarian grammar. Keywords: Anglicisms/English loanwords, morphosyntactic adaptation, nouns, adjectives, verbs, Bulgarian language

Pathways of initial consonant loss

This paper investigates the historical loss of root-initial consonants, using a case study of Middle Paman languages of Cape York Peninsula, in northeastern Australia. Systematic loss of initial consonants is a typologically unusual phenomenon, mainly found in Australia, that has often been regarded as a starting point for far-reaching changes in root structure, phonotactics and even phoneme inventory. So far, the literature has focused mainly on identifying phonetic causes of initial loss. This study focuses on the actual processes and pathways of initial loss, which is an equally important part of the historical puzzle. Specifically, it shows that there are multiple pathways for initial loss: it can be the result of a gradual phonetic process involving intermediate steps like lenition, as is assumed in part of the literature, but it can also be due to more abrupt processes involving borrowing and even morphosyntactic alternations. This adds to a more diversified model of how initial loss actually proceeds, which together with earlier work on the diversity of phonetic causes of initial loss produces a more comprehensive understanding of this typologically and diachronically unusual phenomenon.

Unexpected Enhancement of Antimicrobial Polymer Activity against Staphylococcus aureus in the Presence of Fetal Bovine Serum

Cationic and amphiphilic polymers are known to exert broad-spectrum antibacterial activity by a putative mechanism of membrane disruption. Typically, nonspecific binding to hydrophobic components of the complex biological milieu, such as globular proteins, is considered a deterrent to the successful application of such polymers. To evaluate the extent to which serum deactivates antibacterial polymethacrylates, we compared their minimum inhibitory concentrations in the presence and absence of fetal bovine serum. Surprisingly, we discovered that the addition of fetal bovine serum (FBS) to the assay media in fact enhances the antimicrobial activity of polymers against Gram-positive bacteria S. aureus, whereas the opposite is the case for Gram-negative E. coli. Here, we present these unexpected trends and develop a hypothesis to potentially explain this unusual phenomenon.