System maintains constant penetration during fusion welding

Servo system senses variations in fusion welding process, and adjusts the control parameters to compensate for them. The system assumes a correlation between uniform weld penetration and temperature gradients near the molten puddle. It senses weld properties and makes adjustments to travel speed and weld current

Complement activation in IgA nephropathy

IgA nephropathy pathogenesis is incompletely understood, and this limits the development of disease-specific biomarkers and effective therapies. Evidence of complement activity in IgA nephropathy is well established. However, a growing body of research indicates complement activity is an important contributor to IgA nephropathy pathology. In particular, multiple associations have been identified between complement alternative, lectin and terminal pathway proteins and IgA nephropathy severity. Recently, we have also gained insight into possible mechanisms that could link glomerular IgA deposition, complement activity, glomerular inflammation and disease severity. Ongoing clinical trials of therapeutic complement inhibitors will provide insight into the importance of complement activity to IgA nephropathy pathogenesis. Further research into mechanisms of complement activity is essential to improving our understanding and management of patients with IgA nephropathy

BOSQUEJO SOBRE EL TRATAMIENTO A LA MÚSICA CLÁSICA-INSTRUMENTAL EN LOS TALLERES DE APRECIACIÓN-CREACIÓN DE MÚSICA EN LA EDUCACIÓN PRIMARIA

En este trabajo se aborda el tema de la música clásica-instrumental, su tratamiento en la Educación Primaria, en el que se realiza un análisis crítico desde la labor de los instructores de arte en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de los Talleres de Apreciación-Creación de Música; se exponen las características y potencialidades de este tipo de música, las razones de su presencia como contenido del programa, su importancia en la formación de valores y especialmente en el  desarrollo de la sensibilidad, como arista esencial de la formación humanista. Se aportan informaciones valiosas al redefinir los conceptos de música clásica, y música clásica instrumental, que son significativas para entender alcance y dimensión de estas clasificaciones. Se utilizaron métodos de investigación como, la observación, entrevista, análisis documental, y el análisis del producto de la actividad de los alumnos de sexto grado. Deja proyectado el camino para futuras investigaciones, que permitirán continuar el avance de su fundamentación teórica, la proposición de acciones, actividades, estrategias que contribuirán a la solución de los problemas revelados

Integración de la reflexión en la docencia para perfeccionar el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo analizar la importancia de la integración de la reflexión en la docencia para perfeccionar el proceso de enseñanza –aprendizaje. Para ello se ha tenido en cuenta el criterio de varios autores que han investigado sobre el tema en cuestión. Asimismo, en esta investigación se trabajaron los conceptos de reflexión y docencia además de abordar otros términos o categorías que intervienen en la integración de estos dos conceptos como son: proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje, reflexividad y conocimiento práctico, para una mejor comprensión de la problemática planteada. Cambiar, transformarse, revisar críticamente un proceso es necesario para alcanzar un estadio superior de desarrollo. En el caso de la educación los cambios serían necesarios para luchar contra métodos educativos estáticos y memorísticos. Se necesitan crear espacios de reflexión donde los docentes se analicen y mejoren con sistematicidad, profesionales que impartan sus clases para jóvenes que pertenecen a una sociedad cada vez más compleja y exigente. Palabras clave: Educación, docencia, enseñanza-aprendizaje, reflexión.   ABSTRACT This paper aims to analyze the importance of integrating reflection in teaching to improve the teaching-learning process. For this, the criteria of several authors who have investigated the subject in question have been taken into account. Likewise, in this research were worked on the concepts of reflection and teaching, in addition to addressing other terms or categories that intervene in the integration of these two concepts, such as: teaching-learning process, reflexivity and practical knowledge, for a better understanding of the problem raised. Changing, transforming, critically reviewing a process is necessary to reach a higher stage of development. In the case of education, the changes would be necessary to fight against static and rote educational methods. It is necessary to create spaces for reflection where teachers systematically analyze and improve themselves, professionals who teach their classes for young people who belong to an increasingly complex and demanding society. Keywords: Eeducation, teaching, teaching- learning, reflection

Calibration of the distance scale from galactic Cepheids: I Calibration based on the GFG sample

New estimates of the distances of 36 nearby galaxies are presented based on accurate distances of galactic Cepheids obtained by Gieren, Fouque and Gomez (1998) from the geometrical Barnes-Evans method. The concept of 'sosie' is applied to extend the distance determination to extragalactic Cepheids without assuming the linearity of the PL relation. Doing so, the distance moduli are obtained in a straightforward way. The correction for extinction is made using two photometric bands (V and I) according to the principles introduced by Freedman and Madore (1990). Finally, the statistical bias due to the incompleteness of the sample is corrected according to the precepts introduced by Teerikorpi (1987) without introducing any free parameters (except the distance modulus itself in an iterative scheme). The final distance moduli depend on the adopted extinction ratio {R_V}/{R_I} and on the limiting apparent magnitude of the sample. A comparison with the distance moduli recently published by the Hubble Space Telescope Key Project (HSTKP) team reveals a fair agreement when the same ratio {R_V}/{R_I} is used but shows a small discrepancy at large distance. In order to bypass the uncertainty due to the metallicity effect it is suggested to consider only galaxies having nearly the same metallicity as the calibrating Cepheids (i.e. Solar metallicity). The internal uncertainty of the distances is about 0.1 magnitude but the total uncertainty may reach 0.3 magnitude.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, access to a database of extragalactic Cepheids. Astronomy & Astrophysics (in press) 200

Triglyceride-Rich Lipoproteins Modulate the Distribution and Extravasation of Ly6C/Gr1low Monocytes

Monocytes are heterogeneous effector cells involved in the maintenance and restoration of tissue integrity. However, their response to hyperlipidemia remains poorly understood. Here, we report that in the presence of elevated levels of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, induced by administration of poloxamer 407, the blood numbers of non-classical Ly6C/Gr1(low) monocytes drop, while the number of bone marrow progenitors remains similar. We observed an increased crawling and retention of the Gr1(low) monocytes at the endothelial interface and a marked accumulation of CD68(+) macrophages in several organs. Hypertriglyceridemia was accompanied by an increased expression of tissue, and plasma CCL4 and blood Gr1(low) monocyte depletion involved a pertussis-toxin-sensitive receptor axis. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that a triglyceride-rich environment can alter blood monocyte distribution, promoting the extravasation of Gr1(low) cells. The behavior of these cells in response to dyslipidemia highlights the significant impact that high levels of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins may have on innate immune cells

Progressive IgA Nephropathy Is Associated With Low Circulating Mannan-Binding Lectin-Associated Serine Protease-3 (MASP-3) and Increased Glomerular Factor H-Related Protein-5 (FHR5) Deposition

Introduction IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is characterized by glomerular deposition of galactose-deficient IgA1 and complement proteins and leads to renal impairment. Complement deposition through the alternative and lectin activation pathways is associated with renal injury. Methods To elucidate the contribution of the lectin pathway to IgAN, we measured the 11 plasma lectin pathway components in a well-characterized cohort of patients with IgAN. Results M-ficolin, L-ficolin, mannan-binding lectin (MBL)–associated serine protease (MASP)-1 and MBL-associated protein (MAp) 19 were increased, whereas plasma MASP-3 levels were decreased in patients with IgAN compared with healthy controls. Progressive disease was associated with low plasma MASP-3 levels and increased glomerular staining for C3b/iC3b/C3c, C3d, C4d, C5b-9, and factor H–related protein 5 (FHR5). Glomerular FHR5 deposition positively correlated with glomerular C3b/iC3b/C3c, C3d, and C5b-9 deposition, but not with glomerular C4d. These observations, together with the finding that glomerular factor H (fH) deposition was reduced in progressive disease, are consistent with a role for fH deregulation by FHR5 in renal injury in IgAN. Conclusion Our data indicate that circulating MASP-3 levels could be used as a biomarker of disease severity in IgAN and that glomerular staining for FHR5 could both indicate alternative complement pathway activation and be a tissue marker of disease severity

O- and N-glycosylation of serum immunoglobulin A is associated with IgA nephropathy and glomerular function.

BACKGROUND: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerular disease worldwide and is a leading cause of renal failure. The disease mechanisms are not completely understood, but a higher abundance of galactose-deficient IgA is recognized to play a crucial role in IgAN pathogenesis. Although both types of human IgA (IgA1 and IgA2) have several N-glycans as post-translational modification, only IgA1 features extensive hinge-region O-glycosylation. IgA1 galactose deficiency on the O-glycans is commonly detected by a lectin-based method. To date, limited detail is known about IgA O- and N-glycosylation in IgAN. METHODS: To gain insights into the complex O- and N-glycosylation of serum IgA1 and IgA2 in IgAN, we used liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) for the analysis of tryptic glycopeptides of serum IgA from 83 patients with IgAN and 244 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. RESULTS: Multiple structural features of N-glycosylation of IgA1 and IgA2 were associated with IgAN and glomerular function in our cross-sectional study. These features included differences in galactosylation, sialylation, bisection, fucosylation, and N-glycan complexity. Moreover, IgA1 O-glycan sialylation was associated with both the disease and glomerular function. Finally, glycopeptides were a better predictor of IgAN and glomerular function than galactose-deficient IgA1 levels measured by lectin-based ELISA. CONCLUSIONS: Our high-resolution data suggest that IgA O- and N-glycopeptides are promising targets for future investigations on the pathophysiology of IgAN and as potential noninvasive biomarkers for disease prediction and deteriorating kidney function

Disruption of Phthorimaea operculella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) oviposition by the application of host plant volatiles

Phthorimaea operculella is a key pest of potato. The authors characterised the P. operculella olfactory system, selected the most bioactive host plant volatiles and evaluated their potential application in pest management. The electrophysiological responses of olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) housed in long sensilla trichodea of P. operculella to plant volatiles and the two main sex pheromone components were evaluated by the single-cell recording (SCR) technique. The four most SCR-active volatiles were tested in a laboratory oviposition bioassay and under storage warehouse conditions. The sensitivity of sensilla trichodea to short-chained aldehydes and alcohols and the existence of ORNs tuned to pheromones in females were characterised. Male recordings revealed at least two types of ORN, each of which typically responded to one of the two pheromone components. Hexanal, octanal, nonanal and 1-octen-3-ol significantly disrupted the egg-laying behaviour in a dose-dependent manner. Octanal reduced the P. operculella infestation rate when used under storage conditions. This work provides new information on the perception of plant volatiles and sex pheromones by P. operculella. Laboratory and warehouse experiments show that the use of hexanal, octanal, nonanal and 1-octen-3-ol as host recognition disruptants and/or oviposition deterrents for P. operculella control appears to be a promising strategy