A synthesis of linguistic and semiotic structures that create problems for adult-CALD bilingual learners when decoding and learning M2 (Mathematics in English as an Additional Language)

This study employs linguistics and semiotic science, and interpretive and synthetic logics to synthesise the problem of teaching and researching adult-CALD bilingual learners when decoding and learning M2 (Mathematics in English as an Additional Language). The findings identify the philosophical and structural conventions, and bilingual decoding and learning behaviours that emerge and create problems when decoding and learning M2 in a cross-cultural, linguistic, and semiotic context. The thesis advocates (1) structural and language-based teaching strategies and (2) poststructuralists’ interpretive and synthetic logics to address the complex languagelearning problem

Unified machine learning tasks and datasets for enhancing renewable energy

Multi-tasking machine learning (ML) models exhibit prediction abilities in domains with little to no training data available (few-shot and zero-shot learning). Over-parameterized ML models are further capable of zero-loss training and near-optimal generalization performance. An open research question is, how these novel paradigms contribute to solving tasks related to enhancing the renewable energy transition and mitigating climate change. A collection of unified ML tasks and datasets from this domain can largely facilitate the development and empirical testing of such models, but is currently missing. Here, we introduce the ETT-17 (Energy Transition Tasks-17), a collection of 17 datasets from six different application domains related to enhancing renewable energy, including out-of-distribution validation and testing data. We unify all tasks and datasets, such that they can be solved using a single multi-tasking ML model. We further analyse the dimensions of each dataset; investigate what they require for designing over-parameterized models; introduce a set of dataset scores that describe important properties of each task and dataset; and provide performance benchmarks

Mass spectrometry analysis of the phospholipase A activity of snake pre-synaptic neurotoxins in cultured neurons

Snake pre-synaptic phospholipase A(2) neurotoxins paralyse the neuromuscular junction by releasing phospholipid hydrolysis products that alter curvature and permeability of the pre-synaptic membrane. Here, we report results deriving from the first chemical analysis of the action of these neurotoxic phospholipases in neurons, made possible by the use of high sensitivity mass spectrometry. The time-course of the phospholipase A(2) activity (PLA(2)) hydrolysis of notexin, beta-bungarotoxin, taipoxin and textilotoxin acting in cultured neurons was determined. At variance from their enzymatic activities in vitro, these neurotoxins display comparable kinetics of lysophospholipid release in neurons, reconciling the large discrepancy between their in vivo toxicities and their in vitro enzymatic activities. The ratios of the lyso derivatives of phosphatidyl choline, ethanolamine and serine obtained here together with the known distribution of these phospholipids among cell membranes, suggest that most PLA(2) hydrolysis takes place on the cell surface. Although these toxins were recently shown to enter neurons, their intracellular hydrolytic action and the activation of intracellular PLA(2)s appear to contribute little, if any, to the phospholipid hydrolysis measured her

Equivalent effects of snake PLA2 neurotoxins and lysophospholipid-fatty acid mixtures

Snake presynaptic phospholipase A2 neurotoxins (SPANs) paralyze the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Upon intoxication, the NMJ enlarges and has a reduced content of synaptic vesicles, and primary neuronal cultures show synaptic swelling with surface exposure of the lumenal domain of the synaptic vesicle protein synaptotagmin I. Concomitantly, these neurotoxins induce exocytosis of neurotransmitters. We found that an equimolar mixture of lysophospholipids and fatty acids closely mimics all of the biological effects of SPANs. These results draw attention to the possible role of local lipid changes in synaptic vesicle release and provide new tools for the study of exocytosis

Mast cells as protectors of health

Mast cells (MCs), which are well known for their effector functions in T(H)2-skewed allergic and also autoimmune inflammation, have become increasingly acknowledged for their role in protection of health. It is now clear that they are also key modulators of immune responses at interface organs, such as the skin or gut. MCs can prime tissues for adequate inflammatory responses and cooperate with dendritic cells in T-cell activation. They also regulate harmful immune responses in trauma and help to successfully orchestrate pregnancy. This review focuses on the beneficial effects of MCs on tissue homeostasis and elimination of toxins or venoms. MCs can enhance pathogen clearance in many bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections, such as through Toll-like receptor 2-triggered degranulation, secretion of antimicrobial cathelicidins, neutrophil recruitment, or provision of extracellular DNA traps. The role of MCs in tumors is more ambiguous; however, encouraging new findings show they can change the tumor microenvironment toward antitumor immunity when adequately triggered. Uterine tissue remodeling by alpha-chymase (mast cell protease [MCP] 5) is crucial for successful embryo implantation. MCP-4 and the tryptase MCP-6 emerge to be protective in central nervous system trauma by reducing inflammatory damage and excessive scar formation, thereby protecting axon growth. Last but not least, proteases, such as carboxypeptidase A, released by Fc epsilon RI-activated MCs detoxify an increasing number of venoms and endogenous toxins. A better understanding of the plasticity of MCs will help improve these advantageous effects and hint at ways to cut down detrimental MC actions