Detailed near-wake flowfield surveys with comparison to an Euler method of an aspect ratio 4 rectangular wing

An experimental investigation of the flowfield in the near-wake of an aspect ratio 4 rectangular wing was conducted, providing a complete detailed set of data for use in the validation of computational methods. An angle of attack of 8 degrees and two Reynolds numbers 530,000 and 391,000 were investigated using pitot and six-hole probes. In addition, two types of flow visualization were employed. The data presented includes contours of total pressure, mean velocity, flow angularity, and vorticity distribution data at five chordwise stations of the near-wake ranging from 0.167 to 5.00 chord lengths aft of the trailing edge. The experimental results were compared to the predicted results of a 2-D Euler numerical method. The results predicted by an Euler method failed to accurately define the flowfield. Tangential velocities remained relatively constant over the range of X/C considered though increased in angle of attack and Reynolds number did bring about corresponding increases. Axial velocities also increased with angle of attack and Reynolds number but showed greater sensitivity to increases in X/C. Graphic displays and contours of the total pressure data indicate that roll-up of the wing tip vortex is essentially complete one and one half chords downstream of the trailing edge

Evaluation of the collaborative network of highly correlating skin proteins and its change following treatment with glucocorticoids

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Glucocorticoids (GC) represent the core treatment modality for many inflammatory diseases. Its mode of action is difficult to grasp, not least because it includes direct modulation of many components of the extracellular matrix as well as complex anti-inflammatory effects. Protein expression profile of skin proteins is being changed with topical application of GC, however, the knowledge about singular markers in this regard is only patchy and collaboration is ill defined.</p> <p>Material/Methods</p> <p>Scar formation was observed under different doses of GC, which were locally applied on the back skin of mice (1 to 3 weeks). After euthanasia we analyzed protein expression of collagen I and III (picrosirius) in scar tissue together with 16 additional protein markers, which are involved in wound healing, with immunhistochemistry. For assessing GC's effect on co-expression we compared our results with a model of random figures to estimate how many significant correlations should be expected by chance.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>GC altered collagen and protein expression with distinct results in different areas of investigation. Most often we observed a reduced expression after application of low dose GC. In the scar infiltrate a multivariate analysis confirmed the significant impact of both GC concentrations. Calculation of Spearman's correlation coefficient similarly resulted in a significant impact of GC, and furthermore, offered the possibility to grasp the entire interactive profile in between all variables studied. The biological markers, which were connected by significant correlations could be arranged in a highly cross-linked network that involved most of the markers measured. A marker highly cross-linked with more than 3 significant correlations was indicated by a higher variation of all its correlations to the other variables, resulting in a standard deviation of > 0.2.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In addition to immunohistochemical analysis of single protein markers multivariate analysis of co-expressions by use of correlation coefficients reveals the complexity of biological relationships and identifies complex biological effects of GC on skin scarring. Depiction of collaborative clusters will help to understand functional pathways. The functional importance of highly cross-linked proteins will have to be proven in subsequent studies.</p

Cellulose hydrolysis-hydrogenolysis to ethyleneglycol and propyleneglycol over Ru and heteropolyacid catalysts

Еthylene and propylene glycols (EG and PG) are widely used in industry to produce cooling systems and other valuable chemical products. But PG is non-toxic, therefore it is used in industries where EG can not be used: pharmaceutical, food, etc. This polyols produced by "one-pot" method, which is one of the promising and effective methods for producing alcohols from cellulose under harsh conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal composition of the solid bifunctional catalyst and the conditions of its preparation for the hydrolysis-hydrogenolysis of cellulose. Catalists are Ru-HPA/ZrO[2], RuHPA/Nb[2]O[5] and Ru/CsHPK. As a result of the study, the most promising catalyst system is 1%Ru/Cs[3.5]H[0.5]SiW[12]O[40]. In the presence of 1%Ru/CsHPA, the yield of 25% EG and 11% PG was detected (EG and PG selectivity is 60 and 27%). The activity of the catalysts was studied in the presence of Ca(OH)[2]

Metarregulated Learning Scale (MRL) in university students

El estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar la validez de constructo de la escala de aprendizaje metarregulado (AMR) en estudiantes universitarios. Se desarrolló con 430 estudiantes universitarios en educación virtual de Lima, utilizando los paquetes estadísticos SPSS v26, AMOS v24 y el R-Project v.1.2, y aportando evidencia psicométrica del proceso de validación. Se realizó análisis factorial exploratorio y confirmatorio; el análisis de fiabilidad y validez de constructo final se realizó a partir del cálculo de las medidas del alfa de Cronbach, coeficiente Omega y coeficiente Theta. Los resultados constatan la estructura original de cinco factores, aunque con menos elementos que la versión primaria; finalmente se obtiene un instrumento de 20 ítems que comprende 5 dimensiones calificadas; el mismo se ofrece a la comunidad científica y educativa con el ánimo de contribuir a entender mejor el aprendizaje de los estudiantes universitarios, dinamizado desde procesos de colaboración, metarreflexión, metacognición, autorregulación y cognición.The study aimed to determine the construct validity of the metaregulated learning scale (AMR) in university students. It was developed with 430 university students in virtual education in Lima, using the statistical packages SPSS v26, AMOS v24 and R-Project v.1.2, and providing psychometric evidence of the validation process. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was performed; the reliability and validity analysis of the final construct was performed from the calculation of the Cronbach's alpha, Omega coefficient and Theta coefficient measures. The results confirm the original structure of five factors, although with fewer elements than the primary version; Finally, a 20-item instrument is obtained that includes 5 qualified dimensions; It is offered to the scientific and educational community with the aim of contributing to a better understanding of the learning of university students, dynamized from processes of collaboration, meta-reflection, metacognition, self-regulation and cognition

A role for the collagen I/III and MMP-1/-13 genes in primary inguinal hernia?

BACKGROUND: Abnormal collagen metabolism is thought to play an important role in the development of primary inguinal hernia. This is underlined by detection of altered collagen metabolism and structural changes of the tissue in patients with primary inguinal hernia. However, it is still unknown whether these alterations reflect a basic dysfunction of the collagen synthesis, or of collagen degradation. METHODS: In the present study, we analysed type I and type III procollagen messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and MMP-1 and MMP-13 mRNA in cultured fibroblasts from the skin of patients with primary inguinal hernia, and from patients without hernia (controls) by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Northern Blot. RESULTS: The results indicated that the ratio of type I to type III procollagen mRNA was decreased in patients with primary hernia, showing significant differences as compared to controls (p = 0.01). This decrease was mainly due to the increase of type III procollagen mRNA. Furthermore, RT-PCR analysis revealed that the expression of MMP-1 mRNA in patients with primary hernia is equivalent to that of controls (p > 0.05). In addition, MMP-13 mRNA is expressed neither in patients with primary hernia nor in controls. CONCLUSION: We concluded that abnormal change of type I and type III collagen mRNAs contribute to the development of primary inguinal hernia, whereas the expressions of MMP-1 and MMP-13 mRNA appears not to be involved in the development of primary inguinal hernia. Thus, the knowledge on the transcriptional regulation of collagen in patients with primary inguinal hernia may help to understand the pathogenesis of primary inguinal hernia, and implies new therapeutic strategies for this disease

Classroom flipped in a virtual platform for the development of competences. Case study: applied research course

The new framework for the quality of higher education proposes to transform the paradigm of didactic intervention, orienting it towards more active mixed methodologies, centered on the student's learning process, incorporating technological tools that allow a better development of the teaching-learning processes. The objective of this study is to apply the Inverted Classroom model through a Moodle virtual platform for the development of research competencies. The study is applied to 46 participants graduated from the professional career of Communication Sciences at the national University of Piura (Peru), where they participated in a professional updating and degree program. The methodology applied is mixed, with quantitative and qualitative data, following a pre-experimental design. To evaluate the competencies, quantitative data were collected at the beginning and end of the Applied Research course. The research hypothesis is to validate whether in the context of the subject of Applied Research in Communication Sciences the pedagogical model Inverted Classroom through the use of the virtual platform Moodle has an effect on the development of research skills in students. The data collection process is carried out at the beginning with a knowledge test applied to the students and at the end with the qualification obtained through an evaluation matrix. The results obtained show significant differences in the average grades of the students, obtained before and after using the Inverted Classroom model, where better results are obtained in the competences referred to the elaboration of the theoretical framework and approach of the studyEl nuevo marco de la calidad de la educación superior propone transformar el paradigma de intervención didáctica orientándolo hacia metodologías mixtas más activas, centradas en el proceso de aprendizaje del estudiante, en el que se incorporan herramientas tecnológicas que permiten un mejor desarrollo de los procesos de enseñanzaaprendizaje. Se realiza un estudio cuyo objetivo es aplicar el modelo Aula Invertida a través de una plataforma virtual Moodle para el desarrollo de competencias investigativas. El estudio es aplicado a 46 participantes egresados de la carrera profesional de Ciencias de la Comunicación de la Universidad nacional de Piura (Perú), donde participaron en un programa de actualización y titulación profesional. La metodología aplicada es mixta, con datos cuantitativos y cualitativos, donde ha seguido un diseño pre experimental. Para evaluar las competencias se recolectan datos cuantitativos al inicio y final del curso de Investigación Aplicada. La hipótesis de investigación consiste en validar si en el contexto de la asignatura de Investigación Aplicada a las Ciencias de la Comunicación si el modelo pedagógico Aula Invertida a través del uso de la plataforma virtual Moodle tiene efecto en el desarrollo de competencias investigativas en los estudiantes. El proceso de recolección de información se realiza al inicio con una prueba de conocimientos aplicada a los estudiantes del y al final con la calificación obtenida a través de una matriz de evaluación. Los resultados obtenidos muestran diferencias significativas en el promedio de calificaciones de los estudiantes, obtenidos antes y después usando el modelo de Aula Invertida, donde se obtienen mejores resultados en las competencias referidas a la elaboración del marco teórico y planteamiento del estudi

Estrogen Receptor Alpha as a Key Target of Red Wine Polyphenols Action on the Endothelium

BACKGROUND: A greater reduction in cardiovascular risk and vascular protection associated with diet rich in polyphenols are generally accepted; however, the molecular targets for polyphenols effects remain unknown. Meanwhile evidences in the literature have enlightened, not only structural similarities between estrogens and polyphenols known as phytoestrogens, but also in their vascular effects. We hypothesized that alpha isoform of estrogen receptor (ERalpha) could be involved in the transduction of the vascular benefits of polyphenols. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here, we used ERalpha deficient mice to show that endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation induced either by red wine polyphenol extract, Provinols, or delphinidin, an anthocyanin that possesses similar pharmacological profile, is mediated by ERalpha. Indeed, Provinols, delphinidin and ERalpha agonists, 17-beta-estradiol and PPT, are able to induce endothelial vasodilatation in aorta from ERalpha Wild-Type but not from Knock-Out mice, by activation of nitric oxide (NO) pathway in endothelial cells. Besides, silencing the effects of ERalpha completely prevented the effects of Provinols and delphinidin to activate NO pathway (Src, ERK 1/2, eNOS, caveolin-1) leading to NO production. Furthermore, direct interaction between delphinidin and ERalpha activator site is demonstrated using both binding assay and docking. Most interestingly, the ability of short term oral administration of Provinols to decrease response to serotonin and to enhance sensitivity of the endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine, associated with concomitant increased NO production and decreased superoxide anions, was completely blunted in ERalpha deficient mice. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides evidence that red wine polyphenols, especially delphinidin, exert their endothelial benefits via ERalpha activation. It is a major breakthrough bringing new insights of the potential therapeutic of polyphenols against cardiovascular pathologies

Digital skills, methodology and evaluation in teacher trainers

La competencia digital forma parte de las competencias que caracterizan el actual perfil profesional del docente de educación superior. Así, este artículo aborda el desarrollo de las habilidades digitales de los docentes de una escuela profesional de Educación de una Universidad privada. Para ello, se utiliza el Cuestionario de Competencia digital docente de Tourón, que consta de 54 ítems distribuidos en cinco dimensiones: Alfabetización Informática, Comunicación y Colaboración, Creación de Contenidos digitales, Seguridad y Resolución de Problemas; y el Cuestionario de Evaluación de la Metodología docente y Evaluativa (CEMEdEPU) validado por gargallo, que evalúa los modelos de metodología docente: el modelo centrado en la enseñanza y el modelo centrado en los fundamentos de aprendizaje y habilidades de los profesores universitarios. Los resultados muestran que los profesores conocen y utilizan sus habilidades digitales por encima de la media. En cuanto a la Metodología docente, encontramos un mayor avance del modelo centrado en el aprendizaje que del modelo centrado en la enseñanza; y en cuanto a las habilidades de enseñanza, las habilidades de planificación y gestión de la instrucción están mejor desarrolladas que las habilidades de interacción y evaluacióndigital competence is part of the competencies that characterize the current professional profile of higher education teachers. Thus, this article addresses the development of digital skills of teachers of a professional school of Education of a private university. for this, the Tourón Teaching digital Competence Questionnaire is used, which consists of 54 items distributed in five dimensions: Computer Literacy, Communication and Collaboration, Creation of digital Content, Security and Problem Solving; and the Evaluation and Teaching Methodology Evaluation Questionnaire (CEMEdEPU) validated by gargallo, which evaluates the teaching methodology models: the model focused on teaching and the model focused on the fundamentals of learning and skills of university professors. The results show that teachers know and use their digital skills above average. Regarding the Teaching Methodology, we found a greater advance of the model centered on learning than the model centered on teaching; and in terms of teaching skills, instructional planning and management skills are better developed than interaction and assessment skill

Effect of Harmonicity on the Detection of a Signal in a Complex Masker and on Spatial Release from Masking

The amount of masking of sounds from one source (signals) by sounds from a competing source (maskers) heavily depends on the sound characteristics of the masker and the signal and on their relative spatial location. Numerous studies investigated the ability to detect a signal in a speech or a noise masker or the effect of spatial separation of signal and masker on the amount of masking, but there is a lack of studies investigating the combined effects of many cues on the masking as is typical for natural listening situations. The current study using free-field listening systematically evaluates the combined effects of harmonicity and inharmonicity cues in multi-tone maskers and cues resulting from spatial separation of target signal and masker on the detection of a pure tone in a multi-tone or a noise masker. A linear binaural processing model was implemented to predict the masked thresholds in order to estimate whether the observed thresholds can be accounted for by energetic masking in the auditory periphery or whether other effects are involved. Thresholds were determined for combinations of two target frequencies (1 and 8 kHz), two spatial configurations (masker and target either co-located or spatially separated by 90 degrees azimuth), and five different masker types (four complex multi-tone stimuli, one noise masker). A spatial separation of target and masker resulted in a release from masking for all masker types. The amount of masking significantly depended on the masker type and frequency range. The various harmonic and inharmonic relations between target and masker or between components of the masker resulted in a complex pattern of increased or decreased masked thresholds in comparison to the predicted energetic masking. The results indicate that harmonicity cues affect the detectability of a tonal target in a complex masker

Identification and Characterization of Nucleolin as a COUP-TFII Coactivator of Retinoic Acid Receptor β Transcription in Breast Cancer Cells

The orphan nuclear receptor COUP-TFII plays an undefined role in breast cancer. Previously we reported lower COUP-TFII expression in tamoxifen/endocrine-resistant versus sensitive breast cancer cell lines. The identification of COUP-TFII-interacting proteins will help to elucidate its mechanism of action as a transcriptional regulator in breast cancer.FLAG-affinity purification and multidimensional protein identification technology (MudPIT) identified nucleolin among the proteins interacting with COUP-TFII in MCF-7 tamoxifen-sensitive breast cancer cells. Interaction of COUP-TFII and nucleolin was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation of endogenous proteins in MCF-7 and T47D breast cancer cells. In vitro studies revealed that COUP-TFII interacts with the C-terminal arginine-glycine repeat (RGG) domain of nucleolin. Functional interaction between COUP-TFII and nucleolin was indicated by studies showing that siRNA knockdown of nucleolin and an oligonucleotide aptamer that targets nucleolin, AS1411, inhibited endogenous COUP-TFII-stimulated RARB2 expression in MCF-7 and T47D cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed COUP-TFII occupancy of the RARB2 promoter was increased by all-trans retinoic acid (atRA). RARβ2 regulated gene RRIG1 was increased by atRA and COUP-TFII transfection and inhibited by siCOUP-TFII. Immunohistochemical staining of breast tumor microarrays showed nuclear COUP-TFII and nucleolin staining was correlated in invasive ductal carcinomas. COUP-TFII staining correlated with ERα, SRC-1, AIB1, Pea3, MMP2, and phospho-Src and was reduced with increased tumor grade.Our data indicate that nucleolin plays a coregulatory role in transcriptional regulation of the tumor suppressor RARB2 by COUP-TFII