4,190 research outputs found
Psychological experiences of Korean missionary ākidsā (MKs): A qualitative inquiry
The present study is a qualitative investigation of the psychological experiences of children of Korean missionaries, through the eyes of Korean missionary kids (MKs) and missionary workers. A semi-structured interview was conducted with 11 MKs and MK workers, and data were analysed using the Consensual Qualitative Research method. Several domains emerged: challenges associated with the MK experience, resiliency of MKs, intrapersonal and interpersonal coping skills, mental health concerns, religion and spirituality, a complex cultural identity, preparation for college transition, and hopes for MKs and their missionary parents. Categories corresponding to the domains are highlighted. The present study addresses a need for more attention paid to the non-American MK experience, and it presents some implications for the church and higher educational institutions
Removal of Particulate Matter in a Tubular Wet Electrostatic Precipitator Using a Water Collection Electrode
As one of the effective control devices of air pollutants, the wet electrostatic precipitator (ESP) is an effective technique to eliminate acid mist and fine particles that are re-entrained in a collection electrode. However, its collection efficiency can deteriorate, as its operation is subject to water-induced corrosion of the collection electrode. To overcome this drawback, we modified the wet ESP system with the installation of a PVC dust precipitator wherein water is supplied as a replacement of the collection electrode. With this modification, we were able to construct a compact wet ESP with a small specific collection area (SCA, 0.83ām2/(m3/min)) that can acquire a high collection efficiency of fine particles (99.7%)
Biochemical characterization of a recombinant Japanese encephalitis virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) NS5 is a viral nonstructural protein that carries both methyltransferase and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) domains. It is a key component of the viral RNA replicase complex that presumably includes other viral nonstructural and cellular proteins. The biochemical properties of JEV NS5 have not been characterized due to the lack of a robust <it>in vitro </it>RdRp assay system, and the molecular mechanisms for the initiation of RNA synthesis by JEV NS5 remain to be elucidated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>To characterize the biochemical properties of JEV RdRp, we expressed in <it>Escherichia coli </it>and purified an enzymatically active full-length recombinant JEV NS5 protein with a hexahistidine tag at the N-terminus. The purified NS5 protein, but not the mutant NS5 protein with an Ala substitution at the first Asp of the RdRp-conserved GDD motif, exhibited template- and primer-dependent RNA synthesis activity using a poly(A) RNA template. The NS5 protein was able to use both plus- and minus-strand 3'-untranslated regions of the JEV genome as templates in the absence of a primer, with the latter RNA being a better template. Analysis of the RNA synthesis initiation site using the 3'-end 83 nucleotides of the JEV genome as a minimal RNA template revealed that the NS5 protein specifically initiates RNA synthesis from an internal site, U<sub>81</sub>, at the two nucleotides upstream of the 3'-end of the template.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>As a first step toward the understanding of the molecular mechanisms for JEV RNA replication and ultimately for the <it>in vitro </it>reconstitution of viral RNA replicase complex, we for the first time established an <it>in vitro </it>JEV RdRp assay system with a functional full-length recombinant JEV NS5 protein and characterized the mechanisms of RNA synthesis from nonviral and viral RNA templates. The full-length recombinant JEV NS5 will be useful for the elucidation of the structure-function relationship of this enzyme and for the development of anti-JEV agents.</p
Kaempferol inhibits ILā1Ī²āinduced proliferation of rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts and the production of COXā2, PGE2 and MMPs
Inflammatory cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and cyclooxygenase (COX)ā2 released from rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts (RASFs) are involved in the destruction of both articular bone and cartilage. Kaempferol has been reported to act as an antioxidant and antiāinflammatory agent by inhibiting nitric oxide synthase and COX enzymes. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of kaempferol on the interleukinā1Ī² (ILā1Ī²)āinduced proliferation of RASFs and the production of MMPs, COX and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by RASFs. The proliferation of the RASFs stimulated with ILā1Ī² and treated with/without kaempferol was evaluated by CCKā8 assay. The expression of MMPs, TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitorā1 (TIMPā1), COXs, PGE2 and that of intracellular MAPK signaling molecules, including pāERK, pāp38, pāJNK and nuclear factorāĪŗB (NFāĪŗB) was examined by immunoblotting or semiāquantitative reverse transcriptionāpolymerase chain reaction (RTāPCR) and ELISA under the conditions described above. Kaempferol inhibited the proliferation of both unstimulated and ILā1Ī²āstimulated RASFs, as well as the mRNA and protein expression of MMPā1, MMP-3, COXā2 and PGE2 induced by ILā1Ī². Kaempferol also inhibited the phosphorylation of ERKā1/2, p38 and JNK, as well as the activation of NFāĪŗB induced by ILā1Ī². These results indicate that kaempferol inhibits synovial fibroblast proliferation, as well as the production of and MMPs, COXā2 and PGE2, which is involved in articular inflammation and destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our data suggest that kaempferol may be a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of RA
TCTAP A-165 Comparison in Cardiac Remodeling Between Surgical Treatment and Device Closure of Atrial Septal Defect
BROADCAST ENCRYPTION
We propose a new broadcast encryption scheme based on the
idea of `one key per each punctured interval\u27. Let and be
the numbers of total users and revoked users, respectively. In our
scheme with -punctured -intervals, the transmission overhead
is asymptotically {\normalsize} as grows. We
also introduce two variants of our scheme to improve the
efficiency for small . Our scheme is very flexible with two
parameters and . We may take as large as possible if a
user device allows a large key storage, and set as small as
possible if the storage size and the computing power is limited.
Our scheme also possesses another remarkable feature that any
number of new users can join at any time without key refreshment,
which is not possible in other known practical schemes
A simple scoring model for advanced colorectal neoplasm in asymptomatic subjects aged 40ā49 years
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