Transcriptional and functional analysis of the gene for factor C, an extracellular signal protein involved in cytodifferentiation of Streptomyces griseus

Metals in Catalysis, Biomimetics & Inorganic Material

Indicators of the cytokine system in practically healthy women of different ages and interrelation with the emotional state

Numerous studies show the role of the cytokine network in the pathogenesis of anxiety and depression. However, at present, studies of the correlation between the levels of pro-inflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines and the level of emotional stress are rather few. The aim of the study was to analyze the serum levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and the emotional state in apparently healthy women depending on age. Serum levels were tested IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, IFNγ, IL-10 and IL-4 in 100 apparently healthy women, who were divided into 3 groups depending on age (WHO): 18-44 (young age) 30 people, 45-59 (middle age) 40 people, 60-74 (old age) 30 people (sandwich variant of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, pg/mL). To assess the emotional component of health, all the subjects passed the questionnaire SF-36 “Assessment of the quality of life”. Statistical processing of the obtained data was carried out using the analytical software IBM SPSS Statistics, 22.0. In practically healthy women, an increase in the values of IL-1β and IL-6 was found in the elderly group (p < 0.05), while no differences were found between the groups of young and middle age. The level of IFNγ in all age groups of women did not differ significantly. At the same time, in the elderly group, the levels of IFNγ in 40% ranged from 1.04 to 8.76 pg/mL, and in 60% of women – from 24.85 to 28.5 pg/mL. IL-17 was also high (p < 0.05-0.01) in the group of women aged 60-74. In the anti-inflammatory link, the opposite picture was observed, for example, in young and middle-aged women, the levels of IL-10 and IL-4 were higher than in the elderly group. Thus, the analysis made it possible to state that the parameters of the cytokine profile and emotional state in women are associated with age

The sixth data release of the Radial Velocity Experiment (RAVE) -- II:stellar atmospheric parameters, chemical abundances and distances

We present part 2 of the 6th and final Data Release (DR6 or FDR) of the Radial Velocity Experiment (RAVE), a magnitude-limited (9<I<12) spectroscopic survey of Galactic stars randomly selected in the southern hemisphere. The RAVE medium-resolution spectra (R~7500) cover the Ca-triplet region (8410-8795A) and span the complete time frame from the start of RAVE observations on 12 April 2003 to their completion on 4 April 2013. In the second of two publications, we present the data products derived from 518387 observations of 451783 unique stars using a suite of advanced reduction pipelines focussing on stellar atmospheric parameters, in particular purely spectroscopically derived stellar atmospheric parameters (Teff, log(g), and the overall metallicity), enhanced stellar atmospheric parameters inferred via a Bayesian pipeline using Gaia DR2 astrometric priors, and asteroseismically calibrated stellar atmospheric parameters for giant stars based on asteroseismic observations for 699 K2 stars. In addition, we provide abundances of the elements Fe, Al, and Ni, as well as an overall [alpha/Fe] ratio obtained using a new pipeline based on the GAUGUIN optimization method that is able to deal with variable signal-to-noise ratios. The RAVE DR6 catalogs are cross matched with relevant astrometric and photometric catalogs, and are complemented by orbital parameters and effective temperatures based on the infrared flux method. The data can be accessed via the RAVE Web site (http://rave-survey.org) or the Vizier database.Comment: 65 pages, 33 figures, accepted for publication to A

The Sixth Data Release of the Radial Velocity Experiment (R ave). II. Stellar Atmospheric Parameters, Chemical Abundances, and Distances

We present part 2 of the sixth and final Data Release (DR6) of the Radial Velocity Experiment (Rave), a magnitude-limited spectroscopic survey of Galactic stars randomly selected in Earth's southern hemisphere. The Rave medium-resolution spectra (R ∼ 7500) cover the Ca triplet region (8410-8795 Å) and span the complete time frame from the start of Rave observations on 2003 April 12 to their completion on 2013 April 4. In the second of two publications, we present the data products derived from 518,387 observations of 451,783 unique stars using a suite of advanced reduction pipelines focusing on stellar atmospheric parameters, in particular purely spectroscopically derived stellar atmospheric parameters, and the overall metallicity), enhanced stellar atmospheric parameters inferred via a Bayesian pipeline using Gaia DR2 astrometric priors, and asteroseismically calibrated stellar atmospheric parameters for giant stars based on asteroseismic observations for 699 K2 stars. In addition, we provide abundances of the elements Fe, Al, and Ni, as well as an overall [α/Fe] ratio obtained using a new pipeline based on the GAUGUIN optimization method that is able to deal with variable signal-to-noise ratios. The Rave DR6 catalogs are cross-matched with relevant astrometric and photometric catalogs, and are complemented by orbital parameters and effective temperatures based on the infrared flux method. The data can be accessed via the Rave website (http://rave-survey.org) or the Vizier database

The sixth data release of the Radial Velocity Experiment (RAVE). I. Survey description, spectra and radial velocities

The Radial Velocity Experiment (RAVE) is a magnitude-limited (9<I<12) spectroscopic survey of Galactic stars randomly selected in the southern hemisphere. The RAVE medium-resolution spectra (R~7500) cover the Ca-triplet region (8410-8795A). The 6th and final data release (DR6 or FDR) is based on 518387 observations of 451783 unique stars. RAVE observations were taken between 12 April 2003 and 4 April 2013. Here we present the genesis, setup and data reduction of RAVE as well as wavelength-calibrated and flux-normalized spectra and error spectra for all observations in RAVE DR6. Furthermore, we present derived spectral classification and radial velocities for the RAVE targets, complemented by cross matches with Gaia DR2 and other relevant catalogs. A comparison between internal error estimates, variances derived from stars with more than one observing epoch and a comparison with radial velocities of Gaia DR2 reveals consistently that 68% of the objects have a velocity accuracy better than 1.4 km/s, while 95% of the objects have radial velocities better than 4.0 km/s. Stellar atmospheric parameters, abundances and distances are presented in subsequent publication. The data can be accessed via the RAVE Web (http://rave-survey.org) or the Vizier database.Comment: 32 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication to A

A Delphi Technology Foresight Study: Mapping Social Construction of Scientific Evidence on Metagenomics Tests for Water Safety

Access to clean water is a grand challenge in the 21st century. Water safety testing for pathogens currently depends on surrogate measures such as fecal indicator bacteria (e.g., E. coli). Metagenomics concerns high-throughput, culture-independent, unbiased shotgun sequencing of DNA from environmental samples that might transform water safety by detecting waterborne pathogens directly instead of their surrogates. Yet emerging innovations such as metagenomics are often fiercely contested. Innovations are subject to shaping/construction not only by technology but also social systems/values in which they are embedded, such as experts’ attitudes towards new scientific evidence. We conducted a classic three-round Delphi survey, comprised of 107 questions. A multidisciplinary expert panel (n = 24) representing the continuum of discovery scientists and policymakers evaluated the emergence of metagenomics tests. To the best of our knowledge, we report here the first Delphi foresight study of experts’ attitudes on (1) the top 10 priority evidentiary criteria for adoption of metagenomics tests for water safety, (2) the specific issues critical to governance of metagenomics innovation trajectory where there is consensus or dissensus among experts, (3) the anticipated time lapse from discovery to practice of metagenomics tests, and (4) the role and timing of public engagement in development of metagenomics tests. The ability of a test to distinguish between harmful and benign waterborne organisms, analytical/clinical sensitivity, and reproducibility were the top three evidentiary criteria for adoption of metagenomics. Experts agree that metagenomic testing will provide novel information but there is dissensus on whether metagenomics will replace the current water safety testing methods or impact the public health end points (e.g., reduction in boil water advisories). Interestingly, experts view the publics relevant in a “downstream capacity” for adoption of metagenomics rather than a co-productionist role at the “upstream” scientific design stage of metagenomics tests. In summary, these findings offer strategic foresight to govern metagenomics innovations symmetrically: by identifying areas where acceleration (e.g., consensus areas) and deceleration/reconsideration (e.g., dissensus areas) of the innovation trajectory might be warranted. Additionally, we show how scientific evidence is subject to potential social construction by experts’ value systems and the need for greater upstream public engagement on metagenomics innovations

Radar chart for Delphi survey round 2 and round 3 responses.

<p>Distribution of the standard deviations for each of the 107 Delphi survey questions (from 1 to 107, in the clockwise direction) in round 2 (<i>blue line</i>) and round 3 (<i>red line</i>). Note that the distribution of the standard deviations across the 107 survey questions is dampened in round 3 (<i>red line</i>) as anticipated in Delphi surveys.</p

Six Thematic Categories Used to Generate and Structure the Delphi Survey.

<p>Six Thematic Categories Used to Generate and Structure the Delphi Survey.</p

RANK ORDER of the <i>Dependency</i> of Consensus Indices’ on the GROUP CONFORMITY INDEX in a Delphi Survey

<p>*The dependency value ranges from 0.000 to 1.000. A value of “0.000” shows complete independence of the Consensus Index from the Delphi survey characteristic examined (e.g., the Group Conformity Index) whereas a value of “1.000” shows complete dependence. The dependency value is the maximum numeric difference observed for each consensus index when the Group Conformity Index in a simulated Delphi survey varied from 0.0 to 1.0.</p><p>All Delphi consensus indices (the <i>left column</i>) typically take a value ranging from 0.000 to 1.000, except the Interquartile Range (IQR). For example, in the case of the Fleiss’ Kappa, a maximum difference of 0.504 can be anticipated when the Group Conformity Index varies from 0.0 to 1.0. For the IQR, the dependency data are normalized by dividing the difference observed in simulations by the maximum possible difference (9.000), i.e., the length of the Likert scale from 1 to 10 used in the simulations.</p><p>RANK ORDER of the <i>Dependency</i> of Consensus Indices’ on the GROUP CONFORMITY INDEX in a Delphi Survey</p