Factors related to RNA polymerase II transcription are localized in interchromatin granule clusters of Panorpa communis oocytes.

Diplotene oocyte nucleus of the scorpionfly Panorpa communis is transcriptionally silent and contains numerous nuclear bodies including interchromatin granule clusters (IGCs). The latter consist of the granules of 30-50 nm in diameter and contain IGC marker protein SC35 as well as RNA polymerase II. In this study, we also localized in P. communis oocyte IGCs the transcription coactivators CBP/p300, TATA-binding protein (TBP) which is a component of the basal transcription factor TFIID and the basal transcription factor TFIIH. We belive that IGCs in transcriptionally inert P. communis oocytes are storage sites for the components of RNA polymerase II holoenzyme and other factors of RNA pol II transcription

Experimental Study of the Game Exact Nim(5, 2)

We compare to different extensions of the ancient game of nim: Moore's nim$(n, \leq k)$ and exact nim$(n, = k)$. Given integers $n$ and $k$ such that $0 < k \leq n$, we consider $n$ piles of stones. Two players alternate turns. By one move it is allowed to choose and reduce any (i) at most $k$ or (ii) exactly $k$ piles of stones in games nim$(n, \leq k)$ and nim$(n, = k)$, respectively. The player who has to move but cannot is the loser. Both games coincide with nim when $k=1$. Game nim$(n, \leq k)$ was introduced by Moore (1910) who characterized its Sprague-Grundy (SG) values 0 (that is, P-positions) and 1. The first open case is SG values 2 for nim$(4, \leq 2)$. Game nim$(n, = k)$, was introduced in 2018. An explicit formula for its SG function was computed for $2k \geq n$. In contrast, case $2k < n$ seems difficult: even the P-positions are not known already for nim$(5,=2)$. Yet, it seems that the P-position of games nim$(n+1,=2)$ and nim$(n+1,\leq 2)$ are closely related. (Note that P-positions of the latter are known.) Here we provide some theoretical and computational evidence of such a relation for $n=5$

Various Degrees of Steadiness in NSGA-II and Their Influence on the Quality of Results

ABSTRACT Steady-state evolutionary algorithms are often favoured over generational ones due to better scalability in parallel and distributed environments. However, in certain conditions they are able to produce results of better quality as well. We consider several ways to introduce various &quot;degrees of steadiness&quot; in the NSGA-II algorithm, some of which have not been known in literature, and show experimentally (on a corpus of 21 test problems) the presence of a general trend: algorithms with more steadiness yield better results

Management of a post-stroke patient

The management of a post-stroke patient represents is a challenge to modern neurology. Complete recovery of all functions requires only recurrent stroke prevention. If the patient continues to have motor, speech, and/or other disorders that are promising to recover function, there is a need for rehabilitation. Patient care and prevention of recurrent stroke and akinesia-associated complications are required if there are no promises for functional recovery. The paper describes the current methods for the prevention of recurrent stroke, which include lifestyle modification, blood pressure normalization, and the use of surgical procedures (in some patients), antithrombotic agents, and statins (after ischemic stroke). It analyzes the possibilities and methods of treatment in lost motor and speech functions, neuropsychic (cognitive and depressive) disorders, and urination disorders. It is noted that the application of current treatment options makes it possible to substantially reduce the risk of recurrent stroke and to improve recovery of lost functions and quality of life in the patient

Simulation of the Thermal Hydraulic Processes in the Horizontal Steam Generator with the Use of the Different Interfacial Friction Correlations

The horizontal steam generator (SG) is one of specific features of Russian-type pressurized water reactors (VVERs). The main advantages of horizontal steam generator are connected with low steam loads on evaporation surface, simple separation scheme and high circulation ratio. The complex three-dimensional steam-water flows in the steam generator vessel influence significantly the processes of the steam separation, distribution, and deposition of the soluble and nonsoluble impurities and determine the efficiency and reliability of the steam generator operation. The 3D code for simulation of the three-dimensional steam-water flows in the steam generator could be effective tool for design and optimization of the horizontal steam generator. The results of the code calculations are determined mainly by the set of the correlations describing interaction of the steam-water mixture with the inner constructions of the SG and interfacial friction. The results obtained by 3D code STEG with the usage of the different interfacial friction correlations are presented and discussed in the paper. These results are compared with the experimental ones obtained at the experimental test facility PGV-1500 constructed for investigation of the processes in the horizontal steam generator

Context-based driver support system development: Methodology and case study

In modem world count of vehicle in the roads grown every year that causes increasing traffic accidents. In this case a system that can recognize a dangerous situation caused by a driver drowsiness and / or distraction and can help avoid part of these accidents. ADAS systems that use different sensors and integrated to vehicles are popular for luxury segment and, therefore, less accessible for end mass consumer. This paper aims at methodology development for vehicle incidents alerting based on mobile measurements of a driver behavior in the cabin using the personal smartphone mounted in the vehicle windshield. Methodology includes the reference model for the driver support system, dangerous situation recognition method, and context- based models aimed at recommendation generation for the driver based on recognized dangerous situation and current situation around the vehicle

The study of spontaneous domain nucleation in the interelectrode gap of phase modulator based on titanium indiffused waveguides in lithium niobate crystals

The paper presents the analysis of nucleating kinetics and growing of switched domains in the surface layer of monodomain lithium niobate X-cut crystal in the interelectrode gap of integrated optical phase modulators. The work proposes the morphology model of domains growing along the boundary of surface electrodes in X-cut phase modulators. The mechanism of spontaneous needle-like domain growing as a result of the electric field induced by the pyroelectric effect at temperature changing of the crystal was theoretically substantiated. The Comsol Multiphysics cross-platform was used for the numerical estimation of the pyroelectric field in the interelectrode gap. The needle-like domain structures were studied experimentally at industrial samples of integrated optical phase modulators based on Ti:LiNbO3 waveguides. The experimental research of the form and size of domains was performed with the anisotropic etching method by HF solution and followed by visual analysis. For non-destructive testing, the authors used scanning electron microscopy and piezo-response force microscopy. For the first time, the morphology of needle-like domains occurring in the interelectrode gap of phase modulators based on lithium niobate was experimentally studied. The results showed the theoretical and numerical model of domain growing that involves the pyroelectric nature of the electric field. It was demonstrated that along the electrode boundary, the needle-like domains grow up to 20 μm long at normal conditions and achieve 30 μm after the thermal shock by cooling at ΔT = – 125 °С. The discovered switched domains in the interelectrode gap can affect electro-optical characteristics of integrated optical phase modulators with the lithium niobate base and should be taken into account in the future design of electrode topology and modulator usage

Tensiometric estimation of material properties of tissue spheroids

Tissue spheroids have been proposed to use as building blocks in biofabrication and as bioinks in 3D bioprinting technologies. Tissue fusion is an ubiqious phenomenon during embryonic development. Biomimetic tissue spheroid fusion is a fundamental constructional principle of emerging organ printing technology because closely placed tissue spheroids could fuse into tissue and organ-like constructs in fusion permissive bioprintable hydrogel. From physical point of view tissue spheroids could be considered as a visco-elastic-plastic soft matter or complex fluid. We hypothesize that quantitative estimation of material properties of tissue spheroids using tensiometry could predict their tissue spreading and tissue fusion behavior as well as provide a powerful insight about possible speed of post-printed tissue and organ-like constructs compaction and maturation. Tissue spheroids from human fibroblasts, ovine and human chondrocytes and immortalised human keratinocytes have been biofabricated using non-adhesive cell culture plates (Corning, USA). For estimation of material properties of tissue spheroids commercial tensiometer Microsquisher have been emploied (CellScale, Toronto, Canada). Modulus of elasticity of tissue spheroids have been calculated based on peformed tissue compression tests. In order to identify structural determinants of material properties of tissue spheroids standard perturbants of cytoskeleton such as Cytochalasin D (Sigma, USA) for disruption of microfilaments and Nocodazole (Sigma, USA) for disruption of microtubules have been used. Viability of tissue spheroids have been also estimated and their morphology have been analysed using light microscopy, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, semithin sections stained wih toluidine blue and transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Kinetics of tissue spheroids spreading on electrospun polyurethane matrices have been analysed. Kinetics of two closely placed tissue spheroids fusion have been analysed in hanging drop. Additionally toxic effect of water solution of paramagnetic gadolinium salt (Omniscan®, GE Health Care, USA) on material properties of tissue spheroids have been investigated. It have been demonstrated that material properties of tissue spheroids biofabricated from different cell types have different modulus of elasticity. Even tissue spheroids biofabricated the same cell types but from different species have different material properties. Incubation with Cytochlasin D dramatically reduces estimated material properties of tissue spheroids. Incubation with Nocodazole does not significantly change material properties of tissue spheroids. Material properties of tissue spheroids from chondrocytes (chondrospheres) correlates very well with increasing deposition and accumulation of extracellular matrix (confirmed by expression of collagen type II and glycosoaminoglycans). The incubation with toxic concentration of gadolinium solution dramatically reduces material properties of chondrospheres. There is no any significant correlation between material properties of tissue spheriods and their spreading kinetics. However, there is a certain correction between material properties of tissue spheroids and their tissue fusion kinetics. Our data demonstrate that beside already well established role of cell adhesion receptors such as cadherin and integrins in the realisation of cell cohesion inside tissue spheroids the structural determinants of material properties of tissue spheroids also include components of cytoskeleton such as actin micofilaments and accumulated extracellular matrix. It is possible to predict post-printing tissue fusion behaviour of tissue spheroids based on preliminary estimation of their material properties. Finally, it have been also shown that material properties of tissue spheroids correlate with their viability. Thus, tensiometry is a valuable method for systematic characterization of material properties of tissue spheroids and for prediction of tissue spheroids post-printed tissue fusion behaviour

Commercial articulated collaborative in situ 3D bioprinter for skin wound healing

In situ bioprinting is one of the most clinically relevant techniques in the emerging bioprinting technology because it could be performed directly on the human body in the operating room and it does not require bioreactors for post-printing tissue maturation. However, commercial in situ bioprinters are still not available on the market. In this study, we demonstrated the benefit of the originally developed first commercial articulated collaborative in situ bioprinter for the treatment of full-thickness wounds in rat and porcine models. We used an articulated and collaborative robotic arm from company KUKA and developed original printhead and correspondence software enabling in situ bioprinting on curve and moving surfaces. The results of in vitro and in vivo experiments show that in situ bioprinting of bioink induces a strong hydrogel adhesion and enables printing on curved surfaces of wet tissues with a high level of fidelity. The in situ bioprinter was convenient to use in the operating room. Additional in vitro experiments (in vitro collagen contraction assay and in vitro 3D angiogenesis assay) and histological analyses demonstrated that in situ bioprinting improves the quality of wound healing in rat and porcine skin wounds. The absence of interference with the normal process of wound healing and even certain improvement in the dynamics of this process strongly suggests that in situ bioprinting could be used as a novel therapeutic modality in wound healing.publishersversionPeer reviewe