943 research outputs found
Feasibility of a chemical poison loop system
Chemical poison loop system for reactivity control of tungsten water moderated rocket reacto
Estate Planning Opportunities in 2012 and Beyond
The U.S. is in an unprecedented estate planningconundrum that can bifurcate towards either elimination ofestate taxes or reinstating exclusion amounts that are nearly 80%lower than the current exclusion amount and estate tax rates thatare 20% to 25% higher. This paper discusses the current estatetax climate along with potential outcomes for 2013. We concludewith estate planning strategies given these potential outcomes
Enhancing transparency of the research process to increase accuracy of findings: A guide for relationship researchers
The purpose of this paper is to extend to the field of relationship science, recent discussions and suggested changes in open research practises. We demonstrate different ways that greater transparency of the research process in our field will accelerate scientific progress by increasing accuracy of reported research findings. Importantly, we make concrete recommendations for how relationship researchers can transition to greater disclosure of research practices in a manner that is sensitive to the unique design features of methodologies employed by relationship scientists. We discuss how to implement these recommendations for four different research designs regularly used in relationship research and practical limitations regarding implementing our recommendations and provide potential solutions to these problems
RTKN2 induces NF-KappaB dependent resistance to intrinsic apoptosis in HEK cells and REgulates BCL-2 genes in human CD4+ lymphocytes
The gene for Rhotekin 2 (RTKN2) was originally identified in a promyelocytic cell line resistant to oxysterol-induced apoptosis. It is differentially expressed in freshly isolated CD4+ T-cells compared with other hematopoietic cells and is down-regulated following activation of the T-cell receptor. However, very little is known about the function of RTKN2 other than its homology to Rho-GTPase effector, rhotekin, and the possibility that they may have similar roles. Here we show that stable expression of RTKN2 in HEK cells enhanced survival in response to intrinsic apoptotic agents; 25-hydroxy cholesterol and camptothecin, but not the extrinsic agent, TNFα. Inhibitors of NF-KappaB, but not MAPK, reversed the resistance and mitochondrial pro-apoptotic genes, Bax and Bim, were down regulated. In these cells, there was no evidence of RTKN2 binding to the GTPases, RhoA or Rac2. Consistent with the role of RTKN2 in HEK over-expressing cells, suppression of RTKN2 in primary human CD4+ T-cells reduced viability and increased sensitivity to 25-OHC. The expression of the pro-apoptotic genes, Bax and Bim were increased while BCL-2 was decreased. In both cell models RTKN2 played a role in the process of intrinsic apoptosis and this was dependent on either NF-KappaB signaling or expression of downstream BCL-2 genes. As RTKN2 is a highly expressed in CD4+ T-cells it may play a role as a key signaling switch for regulation of genes involved in T-cell survival.<br /
Pre-conceptual Design Assessment of DEMO Remote Maintenance
EDFA, as part of the Power Plant Physics and Technology programme, has been
working on the pre-conceptual design of a Demonstration Power Plant (DEMO). As
part of this programme, a review of the remote maintenance strategy considered
maintenance solutions compatible with expected environmental conditions, whilst
showing potential for meeting the plant availability targets. A key finding was
that, for practical purposes, the expected radiation levels prohibit the use of
complex remote handling operations to replace the first wall. In 2012/13, these
remote maintenance activities were further extended, providing an insight into
the requirements, constraints and challenges. In particular, the assessment of
blanket and divertor maintenance, in light of the expected radiation conditions
and availability, has elaborated the need for a very different approach from
that of ITER. This activity has produced some very informative virtual reality
simulations of the blanket segments and pipe removal that are exceptionally
valuable in communicating the complexity and scale of the required operations.
Through these simulations, estimates of the maintenance task durations have
been possible demonstrating that a full replacement of the blankets within 6
months could be achieved. The design of the first wall, including the need to
use sacrificial limiters must still be investigated. In support of the
maintenance operations, a first indication of the requirements of an Active
Maintenance Facility (AMF) has been elaborated.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure
Automorphisms of the k-Curve Graph
Given a natural number k and an orientable surface S of finite type, define
the k-curve graph to be the graph with vertices corresponding to isotopy
classes of essential simple closed curves on S and with edges corresponding to
pairs of such curves admitting representatives that intersect at most k times.
We prove that the automorphism group of the k-curve graph of a surface S is
isomorphic to the extended mapping class group for all k sufficiently small
with respect to the Euler characteristic of S. We prove the same result for the
so-called systolic complex, a variant of the curve graph whose complete
subgraphs encode the intersection patterns for any collection of systoles with
respect to a hyperbolic metric. This resolves a conjecture of Schmutz Schaller.Comment: 22 pages, 11 figures, 1 tabl
Fiber-degrading enzyme cocktail improved pig’s gut health as well as growth performance in the nursery
Corn and wheat are two of the most common basal energy sources used in swine diets in North America. However, due to the high cost of energy in pig diets, the use of high-fiber ingredients, such as distillers dried grains with solubles and wheat middlings, has increased. Those fiber-rich ingredients are usually co-products from grain milling or processing industries; thus they are often more cost-effective than their parent cereal grains
Use of Proteins Identified through a Functional Genomic Screen To Develop a Protein Subunit Vaccine That Provides Significant Protection against Virulent Streptococcus suis in Pigs.
Streptococcus suis is a bacterium that is commonly carried in the respiratory tract and that is also one of the most important invasive pathogens of swine, commonly causing meningitis, arthritis, and septicemia. Due to the existence of many serotypes and a wide range of immune evasion capabilities, efficacious vaccines are not readily available. The selection of S. suis protein candidates for inclusion in a vaccine was accomplished by identifying fitness genes through a functional genomics screen and selecting conserved predicted surface-associated proteins. Five candidate proteins were selected for evaluation in a vaccine trial and administered both intranasally and intramuscularly with one of two different adjuvant formulations. Clinical protection was evaluated by subsequent intranasal challenge with virulent S. suis While subunit vaccination with the S. suis proteins induced IgG antibodies to each individual protein and a cellular immune response to the pool of proteins and provided substantial protection from challenge with virulent S. suis, the immune response elicited and the degree of protection were dependent on the parenteral adjuvant given. Subunit vaccination induced IgG reactive against different S. suis serotypes, indicating a potential for cross protection
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