448 research outputs found

    Consequences of self-censoring unpopular opinions

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    A novel 3D NoC scheme for high throughput unicast and multicast routing protocols

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    Nova 3D-NoC arhitektura dizajnirana je s većom mogućnošću prihvaćanja komprimiranih podataka. Predložena shema daje značajne rezultate u odnosu na učinkovitost i propusnu moć mreže. U toj shemi, predloženoj za 3D-NoC, podaci koje je potrebno prenijeti, komprimirani su već prije prijenosa tako da je veličina paketa s podacima smanjena već prije prenošenja. Pri prijemu, originalni podaci se obnavljaju dekompresijom kodiranih podataka. Golomb-Rice algoritam se primjenjuje za razvoj i primjenu kodera i dekodera hardvera (kodek dekoder). Dobiven je rezultat i za unicast i multicast usmjeravanje. Povećanje učinkovitosti i propusne moći za predloženi 3D-NoC (unicast) je 9,25 % odnosno 17,61 %. Slično tome, poboljšanje učinkovitosti i propusne moći za predloženi 3D-NoC (multicast) je 8,65 % odnosno 14,66 %. Nadalje, rezultati pokazuju da je poboljšanje veće kod manjih širina pojasa, a to znači da predloženi 3D-NoC dobro funkcionira u slučaju uskih širina pojasa.Novel 3D-NoC architecture has been designed by expanding the impression of lossless compression of data. The proposed design shows remarkable results in terms of power efficiency and network throughput. In this scheme, proposed for 3D-NoC, the data to be transmitted is compressed on the transmitting side, so that the data packet is reduced before transmitting. And at the receiver, the original data is restored by decompressing the encoded data. Golomb-Rice algorithm is utilized to develop and implement the hardware encoder and decoder (Codec). The result is evaluated for both unicast and multicast routing. The improvement in power efficiency and throughput for proposed 3D-NoC (unicast) is 9,25 % and 17,61 % respectively. In similar, the improvement in power efficiency and throughput for proposed 3D-NoC (multicast) is 8,65 % and 14,66 % respectively. Further, from the result we observed that the improvement variation is higher for smaller bandwidth, which means the proposed 3D-NoC works well in case of narrow bandwidth

    Cobalt(III), nickel(II) and ruthenium(II) complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline family of ligands: DNA binding and photocleavage studies

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    DNA binding and photocleavage characteristics of a series of mixed-ligand complexes of the type [M(phen)2LL]n+ (where M = Co(III), Ni(II) or Ru(II), LL = 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), phenanthroline-dione (phen-dione) or dipyridophenazine (dppz) andn = 3 or 2) have been investigated in detail. Various physico-chemical and biochemical techniques including UV/Visible, fluorescence and viscometric titration, thermal denaturation, and differential pulse voltammetry have been employed to probe the details of DNA binding by these complexes; intrinsic binding constants (Kb) have been estimated under a similar set of experimental conditions. Analysis of the results suggests that intercalative ability of the coordinated ligands varies as dppz>phen>phen-dione in this series of complexes. While the Co(II) and Ru(II) complexes investigated in this study effect photocleavage of the supercoiled pBR 322 DNA, the corresponding Ni(II) complexes are found to be inactive under similar experimental conditions. Results of detailed investigations carried out inquiring into the mechanistic aspects of DNA photocleavage by [Co(phen)2(dppz)]3+ have also been reported

    Adaptive regulation of riboflavin transport in heart: effect of dietary riboflavin deficiency in cardiovascular pathogenesis

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    Deficiency or defective transport of riboflavin (RF) is known to cause neurological disorders, cataract, cardiovascular anomalies, and various cancers by altering the biochemical pathways. Mechanisms and regulation of RF uptake process is well characterized in the cells of intestine, liver, kidney, and brain origin, while very little is known in the heart. Hence, we aimed to understand the expression and regulation of RF transporters (rRFVT-1 and rRFVT-2) in cardiomyocytes during RF deficiency and also investigated the role of RF in ischemic cardiomyopathy and mitochondrial dysfunction in vivo. Riboflavin uptake assay revealed that RF transport in H9C2 is (1) significantly higher at pH 7.5, (2) independent of Na+ and (3) saturable with a Km of 3.746 µM. For in vivo studies, male Wistar rats (110–130 g) were provided riboflavin deficient food containing 0.3 ± 0.05 mg/kg riboflavin for 7 weeks, which resulted in over expression of both RFVTs in mRNA and protein level. RF deprivation resulted in the accumulation of cardiac biomarkers, histopathological abnormalities, and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential which evidenced the key role of RF in the development of cardiovascular pathogenesis. Besides, adaptive regulation of RF transporters upon RF deficiency signifies that RFVTs can be considered as an effective delivery system for drugs against cardiac diseases

    3′-UTR SNP rs2229611 in G6PC1 affects mRNA stability, expression and Glycogen Storage Disease type-Ia risk

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    The frequency of rs2229611, previously reported in Chinese, Caucasians, Japanese and Hispanics, was investigated for the first time in Indian ethnicity. We analyzed its role in the progression of Glycogen Storage Disease type-Ia (GSD-Ia) and breast cancer. Genotype data on rs2229611 revealed that the risk of GSD-Ia was higher (P = 0.0195) with CC compared to TT/TC genotypes, whereas no such correlation was observed with breast cancer cases. We observed a strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) among rs2229611 and other disease causing G6PC1 variants (| D′| = 1, r2 = 1). Functional validation performed in HepG2 cells using luciferase constructs showed significant (P < 0.05) decrease in expression than wild-type 3′-UTR due to curtailed mRNA stability. Furthermore, AU-rich elements (AREs) mediated regulation of G6PC1 expression characterized using 3′-UTR deletion constructs showed a prominent decrease in mRNA stability. We then examined whether miRNAs are involved in controlling G6PC1 expression using pmirGLO-UTR constructs, with evidence of more distinct inhibition in the reporter function with rs2229611. These data suggests that rs2229611 is a crucial regulatory SNP which in homozygous state leads to a more aggressive disease phenotype in GSD-Ia patients. The implication of this result is significant in predicting disease onset, progression and response to disease modifying treatments in patients with GSD-Ia

    Biodiesel sustainability: The global impact of potential biodiesel production on the energy–water–food (EWF) nexus

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    A data-driven model is used to analyse the global effects of biodiesel on the energy–water–food (EWF) nexus, and to understand the complex environmental correlation. Several criteria to measure the sustainability of biodiesel and four main limiting factors for biodiesel production are discussed in this paper. The limiting factors includes water stress, food stress, feedstock quantity and crude oil price. The 155-country model covers crude oil prices ranging from USD10/bbl to USD160/bbl, biodiesel refinery costs ranging from -USD0.30/L to USD0.30/L and 45 multi-generation biodiesel feedstocks. The model is capable of ascertaining changes arising from biodiesel adoption in terms of light-duty diesel engine emissions (NO, CO, UHC and smoke opacity), water stress index (WSI), dietary energy supply (DES), Herfindahl–Hirschman index (HHI) and short-term energy security. With the addition of potential biodiesel production, the renewable energy sector of global primary energy profile can increase by 0.43%, with maximum increment up to 10.97% for Malaysia. At current crude oil price of USD75/bbl and refinery cost of USD0.1/L, only Benin, Ireland and Togo can produce biodiesel profitably. The model also shows that water requirement varies non-linearly with multi-feedstock biodiesel production as blending ratio increases. Out of the 155 countries, biodiesel production is limited by feedstock quantity for 82 countries, 47 are limited by crude oil price, 20 by water stress and 6 by food stress. The results provide insights for governments to set up environmental policy guidelines, in implementing biodiesel technology as a cleaner alternative to diesel

    Glucose-induced down regulation of thiamine transporters in the kidney proximal tubular epithelium produces thiamine insufficiency in diabetes

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    Increased renal clearance of thiamine (vitamin B1) occurs in experimental and clinical diabetes producing thiamine insufficiency mediated by impaired tubular re-uptake and linked to the development of diabetic nephropathy. We studied the mechanism of impaired renal re-uptake of thiamine in diabetes. Expression of thiamine transporter proteins THTR-1 and THTR-2 in normal human kidney sections examined by immunohistochemistry showed intense polarised staining of the apical, luminal membranes in proximal tubules for THTR-1 and THTR-2 of the cortex and uniform, diffuse staining throughout cells of the collecting duct for THTR-1 and THTR-2 of the medulla. Human primary proximal tubule epithelial cells were incubated with low and high glucose concentration, 5 and 26 mmol/l, respectively. In high glucose concentration there was decreased expression of THTR-1 and THTR-2 (transporter mRNA: −76% and −53% respectively, p<0.001; transporter protein −77% and −83% respectively, p<0.05), concomitant with decreased expression of transcription factor specificity protein-1. High glucose concentration also produced a 37% decrease in apical to basolateral transport of thiamine transport across cell monolayers. Intensification of glycemic control corrected increased fractional excretion of thiamine in experimental diabetes. We conclude that glucose-induced decreased expression of thiamine transporters in the tubular epithelium may mediate renal mishandling of thiamine in diabetes. This is a novel mechanism of thiamine insufficiency linked to diabetic nephropathy

    Chemoenzymatic surface decoration of Nisin-shelled nanoemulsions: novel targeted drug-nanocarriers for cancer applications

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    Nisin, a peptide used as a natural food preservative, is employed in this work for the development of a novel nanocarrier system. Stable and uniform nisin-shelled nanoemulsions (NSNE) with a diameter of 100&nbsp;±&nbsp;20&nbsp;nm were successfully prepared using 20&nbsp;kHz flow-through ultrasonication technique. The NSNE showed limited toxicity, high bactericidal activity and high drug loading capacity (EE 65&nbsp;% w/w). In addition, the nisin shell was exploited for the site-specific attachment of a recombinantly produced cancer targeting ligand (αHER2LPETG IgG). Employing a unique two phases (bio-click) approach which involved both Sortase A mediated Azide Bioconjugation (SMAB) and Strain Promoted Azide Alkyne Cycloaddition (SPAAC) reactions, targeted NSNE (NSNEDOX-αHER2 IgG) were successfully assembled and loaded with the chemotherapeutic drug Doxorubicin (DOX). Finally, NSNEDOX-αHER2 IgG showed cancer-specific binding and augmented cytotoxicity to HER2 expressing tumour cells

    Effect of covid-19 virus on reducing GHG emission and increasing energy generated by renewable energy sources: a brief study in Malaysian context

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    Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has globally affected the human mortality rate and economic history of the modern world. According to the World Health Organization, COVID-19 has caused a severe threat to the health of the vulnerable groups, notably the elderly. There is still some disagreements regarding the source of the virus and its intermediate host. However, the spread of this disease has caused most countries to enforce strict curfew laws and close most industrial and recreational centres. This study aims to show the potential positive effects of COVID-19 on the environment and the increase of renewable energy generation in Malaysia. To prevent the spread of this disease, Malaysia enacted the Movement Control Order (MCO) law in March 2020. Implementation of this law led to a reduction in environmental pollution, especially air pollution, in this country. The greenhouse gases (GHG) emission , which was 8 Mt CO2 eq. from January 2020 to March 2020, reduced to <1 Mt CO2 eq. for April and May. The reduction of GHG emission and pollutant gases allowed more sunlight to reach photovoltaic panels, hence increasing the renewable energy generation

    A loss-of-function homozygous mutation in DDX59 implicates a conserved DEAD-box RNA helicase in nervous system development and function.

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    We report on a homozygous frameshift deletion in DDX59 (c.185del: p.Phe62fs*13) in a family presenting with orofaciodigital syndrome phenotype associated with a broad neurological involvement characterized by microcephaly, intellectual disability, epilepsy, and white matter signal abnormalities associated with cortical and subcortical ischemic events. DDX59 encodes a DEAD-box RNA helicase and its role in brain function and neurological diseases is unclear. We showed a reduction of mutant cDNA and perturbation of SHH signaling from patient-derived cell lines; furthermore, analysis of human brain gene expression provides evidence that DDX59 is enriched in oligodendrocytes and might act within pathways of leukoencephalopathies-associated genes. We also characterized the neuronal phenotype of the Drosophila model using mutant mahe, the homolog of human DDX59, and showed that mahe loss-of-function mutant embryos exhibit impaired development of peripheral and central nervous system. Taken together, our results support a conserved role of this DEAD-box RNA helicase in neurological function
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