Regulator antene odašiljača zasnovan na upotrebi geosinkronog satelita

In order to improve the communication efficiency between beacon antennas of flight recorder and the synchronous satellite, a beacon antenna controller based on synchronous satellite has been designed. The optimal communication antenna selection is realized by calculating the angle between the aircraft and the synchronous satellite using Global Positioning System (GPS) position information and flight attitude. The simulation and experimental results show that reliable automatic switch of the antenna can be realized by the antenna controller which can accurately calculate the angle between the aircraft and the satellite after receiving the position and posture information.U svrhu unaprjeđenja efikasnosti komunikacije između antena odašiljača snimatelja leta i geosinkronog satelita, sintetiziran je odgovarajući regulator antene odašiljača. Optimalni odabir antene za komunikaciju ostvaren je proračunom kuta između letjelice i geosinkronog satelita uz korištenje informacija o položaju i karakteru leta dostupnih iz globalnog sustava za pozicioniranje (GPS). Simulacijski i eksperimentalni rezultati pokazuju da se pouzdana promjena korištene antene može ostvariti putem antenskog regulatora koji točno računa kut između letjelice i satelita nakon primanja informacija o položaju i karakteristikama leta

Predictive value of the SLC22A18 protein expression in glioblastoma patients receiving temozolomide therapy

BACKGROUND: Our previous study showed that SLC22A18 downregulation and promoter methylation were associated with the development and progression of glioma and the elevated expression of SLC22A18 was found to increase the sensitivity of glioma U251 cells to the anticancer drug 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU). In this study, we investigated the predictive value of SLC22A18 promoter methylation and protein expression in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients receiving temozolomide (TMZ) therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: SLC22A18 promoter methylation and protein expression were examined by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) and Western blotting respectively, then we compared SLC22A18 promoter methylation and protein expression in tumor cell explants in regard to prediction of TMZ response and survival time of 86 GBM patients. RESULTS: SLC22A18 promoter methylation was detected in 61 of 86 (71%) samples, whereas 36 of 86 (42%) cases were scored positive for SLC22A18 protein expression. Overall SLC22A18 promoter methylation was significantly related to SLC22A18 protein expression, but a subgroup of cases did not follow this association. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that SLC22A18 protein expression, but not promoter methylation, was significantly correlated with TMZ therapy. SLC22A18 protein expression predicted a significantly shorter overall survival in 51 patients receiving TMZ therapy, whereas no differences in overall survival were observed in 35 patients without TMZ therapy. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that lack of SLC22A18 protein expression is superior to promoter methylation as a predictive tumor biomarker in GBM patients receiving temozolomide therapy

Josephson current in d-wave superconductor junctions with ferromagnetic insulator

We investigate the temperature dependence of the critical current and current-phase relation by taking into account the ferromagnetic scattering effect at interface in a d-wave superconductor (S)/ferromagnetic insulator layer (FI)/d-wave superconductor (S) junction. It is shown that both the barrier scattering and the roughness scattering at the interface always suppress the Andreev reflection. The Josephson critical currents depend to a great extent on the effective exchange field of the interface and the crystal orientation of the d-wave superconductor. The exchange field can lead to the change of the junction from 0 to π states and the alteration of the oscillation periods. It can also enhance the Josephson critical current in the junction under certain conditions

Spatial transmission and meteorological determinants of tuberculosis incidence in Qinghai Province, China: a spatial clustering panel analysis

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is the notifiable infectious disease with the second highest incidence in the Qinghai province, a province with poor primary health care infrastructure. Understanding the spatial distribution of TB and related environmental factors is necessary for developing effective strategies to control and further eliminate TB. METHODS: Our TB incidence data and meteorological data were extracted from the China Information System of Disease Control and Prevention and statistical yearbooks, respectively. We calculated the global and local Moran's I by using spatial autocorrelation analysis to detect the spatial clustering of TB incidence each year. A spatial panel data model was applied to examine the associations of meteorological factors with TB incidence after adjustment of spatial individual effects and spatial autocorrelation. RESULTS: The Local Moran's I method detected 11 counties with a significantly high-high spatial clustering (average annual incidence: 294/100 000) and 17 counties with a significantly low-low spatial clustering (average annual incidence: 68/100 000) of TB annual incidence within the examined five-year period; the global Moran's I values ranged from 0.40 to 0.58 (all P-values < 0.05). The TB incidence was positively associated with the temperature, precipitation, and wind speed (all P-values < 0.05), which were confirmed by the spatial panel data model. Each 10 °C, 2 cm, and 1 m/s increase in temperature, precipitation, and wind speed associated with 9 % and 3 % decrements and a 7 % increment in the TB incidence, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: High TB incidence areas were mainly concentrated in south-western Qinghai, while low TB incidence areas clustered in eastern and north-western Qinghai. Areas with low temperature and precipitation and with strong wind speeds tended to have higher TB incidences

The ADH1B Arg47His polymorphism in East Asian populations and expansion of rice domestication in history

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The emergence of agriculture about 10,000 years ago marks a dramatic change in human evolutionary history. The diet shift in agriculture societies might have a great impact on the genetic makeup of Neolithic human populations. The regionally restricted enrichment of the class I alcohol dehydrogenase sequence polymorphism (ADH1BArg47His) in southern China and the adjacent areas suggests Darwinian positive selection on this genetic locus during Neolithic time though the driving force is yet to be disclosed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We studied a total of 38 populations (2,275 individuals) including Han Chinese, Tibetan and other ethnic populations across China. The geographic distribution of the ADH1B*47His allele in these populations indicates a clear east-to-west cline, and it is dominant in south-eastern populations but rare in Tibetan populations. The molecular dating suggests that the emergence of the ADH1B*47His allele occurred about 10,000~7,000 years ago.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We present genetic evidence of selection on the ADH1BArg47His polymorphism caused by the emergence and expansion of rice domestication in East Asia. The geographic distribution of the ADH1B*47His allele in East Asia is consistent with the unearthed culture relic sites of rice domestication in China. The estimated origin time of ADH1B*47His allele in those populations coincides with the time of origin and expansion of Neolithic agriculture in southern China.</p

Promoter methylation and downregulation of SLC22A18 are associated with the development and progression of human glioma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Downregulation of the putative tumor suppressor gene <it>SLC22A18 </it>has been reported in a number of human cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between <it>SLC22A18 </it>downregulation, promoter methylation and the development and progression of human glioma.</p> <p>Method</p> <p><it>SLC22A18 </it>expression and promoter methylation was examined in human gliomas and the adjacent normal tissues. U251 glioma cells stably overexpressing <it>SLC22A18 </it>were generated to investigate the effect of <it>SLC22A18 </it>on cell growth and adherence <it>in vitro </it>using the methyl thiazole tetrazolium assay. Apoptosis was quantified using flow cytometry and the growth of <it>SLC22A18 </it>overexpressing U251 cells was measured in an <it>in viv</it>o xenograft model.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>SLC22A18 </it>protein expression is significantly decreased in human gliomas compared to the adjacent normal brain tissues. <it>SLC22A18 </it>protein expression is significantly lower in gliomas which recurred within six months after surgery than gliomas which did not recur within six months. <it>SLC22A18 </it>promoter methylation was detected in 50% of the gliomas, but not in the adjacent normal tissues of any patient. SLC22A18 expression was significantly decreased in gliomas with <it>SLC22A18 </it>promoter methylation, compared to gliomas without methylation. The <it>SLC22A18 </it>promoter is methylated in U251 cells and treatment with the demethylating agent 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine increased <it>SLC22A18 </it>expression and reduced cell proliferation. Stable overexpression of <it>SLC22A18 </it>inhibited growth and adherence, induced apoptosis <it>in vitro </it>and reduced <it>in vivo </it>tumor growth of U251 cells.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><it>SLC22A18 </it>downregulation via promoter methylation is associated with the development and progression of glioma, suggesting that <it>SLC22A18 </it>is an important tumor suppressor in glioma.</p

Mdivi-1, a mitochondrial fission inhibitor, modulates T helper cells and suppresses the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

BACKGROUND: Unrestrained activation of Th1 and Th17 cells is associated with the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). While inactivation of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), a GTPase that regulates mitochondrial fission, can reduce EAE severity by protecting myelin from demyelination, its effect on immune responses in EAE has not yet been studied. METHODS: We investigated the effect of Mdivi-1, a small molecule inhibitor of Drp1, on EAE. Clinical scores, inflammation, demyelination and Drp1 activation in the central nervous system (CNS), and T cell responses in both CNS and periphery were determined. RESULTS: Mdivi-1 effectively suppressed EAE severity by reducing demyelination and cellular infiltration in the CNS. Mdivi-1 treatment decreased the phosphorylation of Drp1 (ser616) on CD4+ T cells, reduced the numbers of Th1 and Th17 cells, and increased Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in the CNS. Moreover, Mdivi-1 treatment effectively inhibited IFN-γ+, IL-17+, and GM-CSF+ CD4+ T cells, while it induced CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in splenocytes by flow cytometry. CONCLUSIONS: Together, our results demonstrate that Mdivi-1 has therapeutic potential in EAE by modulating the balance between Th1/Th17 and regulatory T cells