iRhom2 and TNF: Partners or enemies?

iRhom2 is an essential cofactor for ADAM17, the metalloprotease that sheds both the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and TNF receptors (TNFRs) from the cell surface. In this issue of Science Signaling, Sundaram et al. demonstrate a protective role for iRhom2 in promoting ADAM17-mediated shedding of TNFRs in hepatic stellate cells, which reduces TNFR signaling and liver fibrosis in response to injury.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Human Capital Versus Market Signaling Theory: The Case with Adult Literacy

Human capital and market signaling theory are compared using data from the Statistics Canada Survey of Literacy Skills Used in Daily Activities (1990). The results indicate that both theories explain variations in annual income and number of weeks worked. Employers use education credentials (market signaling theory) to select employees who are then rewarded with earnings based on their literacy levels (human capital theory). Implications of these findings for policy and practice are presented

The performance of fine bubble diffusers.

Fine bubble diffusers are utilised within the activated sludge process to fulfil two requirements; they supply dissolved oxygen to satisfy the respiratory demands of the microbial population and maintain the mixed liquor suspended solids in suspension. The rate at which oxygen is transferred into solution by an aeration device, and the amount of energy used during the process will effect the efficiency and hence the cost of treatment. There often exists a difference in wastewater oxygenation capacity compared to that of potable water under the same conditions. This reduction is due to the presence of mechanisms that inhibit the oxygen transfer process. This inhibition of oxygen transfer within wastewater is characterised by the alpha factor. There are a number of variables, be they physical, chemical or biological, that are believed to contribute towards the alpha factor. A comprehensive literature review of these factors is provided. Three distinct areas that influence the performance of fine bubble diffusers in a wastewater environment are examined. A photographic approach was used to investigate the influence of surfactants upon the bubble formation process with respect to fine bubble diffusers. Anionic surfactants were found to have a significant impact upon at the point of bubble formation, reducing the major and minor mean bubble diameters and producing a more uniform bubble size. In the presence of anionic surfactants, the generic type of diffuser material was found to determine the level of impact of the surfactant upon the bubble formation process with ceramic diffusers being the most adversely affected. The influence of the physical variables of depth of immersion, airflow rate, and generic type of diffuser material upon the oxygen transfer performance of fine bubble diffusers were investigated in a 6m deep aeration test rig. Comparisons of results in clean water and clean water with anionic surfactants were undertaken in order to simulate the effects of the alpha factor. In the presence of anionic surfactants, ceramic diffusers were found to be the most adversely affected in terms of oxygen transfer performance when compared to that of plastic and membrane diffusers. The alpha factor was found to be insensitive to increases in airflow rate per diffuser for the range 0.5 - 4m3/hr per diffuser. With respect to the influence of the depth of diffuser submergence upon the alpha factor, it was found that once the rising bubble plume had become fully developed at a depth of 1.75m, the alpha factor was found to be constant up to the maximum depth investigated of 5.75m. The causes and consequences of diffuser fouling are discussed. Investigations into the rate of fouling and the impact upon fine bubble diffuser performance are presented. Dynamic Wet Pressure (DWP) and Standard Oxygen Transfer Efficiency (SOTE) data are presented from several full-scale operational plants and two experimental rigs. The fouling of fine bubble diffusers was found to increase the DWP whilst decrease the SOTE. The degree of fouling was found to be related to the position of the diffuser within the treatment process where the greater the treatment received, the less the degree of fouling. The major inorganic foulant was identified as Calcium. The generic type of diffuser material was found to significantly affect the changes in the DWP during diffuser operation, with plastic diffusers being most adversely affected. The implication for practice of the research findings are discussed and it is recommended that the operational cost implications of the choice of specific diffusers be considered along with the capital costs when making future procurement decisions

Middle School Teacher Perspectives of LDC in a Rural Southeastern North Carolina School District

The mixed-method phenomenological study surveyed middle school teacher perceptions of the Literacy Design Collaborative (LDC). The study population consisted of 16 sixth through eighth grade English language arts, science, or social studies teachers. The data for this study were analyzed from the 2011-2012 school year until the 2015-2016 year. The researcher utilized Stufflebeam’s (2003) context, input, process, product (CIPP) model to create the research questions. The following research questions guided the study: (1) To what extent does the LDC model influence middle school teacher decisions in the type of the instructional strategies they choose to use in their classrooms; (2) What specific types of instructional strategies do middle school teachers report to use when implementing the LDC model; (3) To what extent do teachers feel adequately prepared to make decisions regarding the types of instructional strategies they choose to implement in the LDC classrooms; and (4) What instructional challenges or successes do teachers experience when they implement the LDC model? The findings of this study indicated the need for providing professional development regarding the implementation of LDC for middle school teachers. Additionally, it was suggested that research of program implementation and implementing programs with fidelity take place for district leadership as well as principals. It was also recommended that a thorough needs assessment be conducted within the school district

Effects of Gamma Irradiation on in Vitro Cultures of Selected Orchid Hybrids

Mutation breeding is an alternative strategy to conventional breeding. The physical mutagen, gamma (y) radiation, has long been used in various mutation breeding programmes. In this connection it is necessary to determine the optimum dose before starting any mutation breeding programme. In vitro cultured protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) of 2 orchid hybrids, Mokara Chark Kuan and Dendrobium Jacky were used to study the effects of yirradiation and to determine the optimum dose. The PLBs were irradiated with y-rays at different doses of 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 Grays (Gy) in Set I and 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 Gy in Set II of the experiment. A senes of observations on the effects of y-irradiation were recorded. Effects on genomic DNA were also observed. The present study showed that irradiation resulted in various degrees of lethality to in vitro cultures of both Mokara Chark Kuan and Dendrobium Jacky. Decrease in survival with increasing doses of y-irradiation was significantly observed. Optimum dose of y-irradiation for in vitro cultures of Mokara Chark Kuan and Dendrobium Jacky were estimated to be in the range of 20-40 Gy and 60-70 Gy respectively. Regeneration of plantlets was found to decline when higher irradiation doses were applied. Irradiation also has inhibited regeneration of in vitro cultures of both hybrids

Kentucky Quilts: Roots & Wings

1998 Kentucky Folk Art Center exhibition catalog depicting Kentucky quilts.https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/kfac_exhibition_catalogs/1016/thumbnail.jp

Depth perception not found in human observers for static or dynamic anti-correlated random dot stereograms

One of the greatest challenges in visual neuroscience is that of linking neural activity with perceptual experience. In the case of binocular depth perception, important insights have been achieved through comparing neural responses and the perception of depth, for carefully selected stimuli. One of the most important types of stimulus that has been used here is the anti-correlated random dot stereogram (ACRDS). In these stimuli, the contrast polarity of one half of a stereoscopic image is reversed. While neurons in cortical area V1 respond reliably to the binocular disparities in ACRDS, they do not create a sensation of depth. This discrepancy has been used to argue that depth perception must rely on neural activity elsewhere in the brain. Currently, the psychophysical results on which this argument rests are not clear-cut. While it is generally assumed that ACRDS do not support the perception of depth, some studies have reported that some people, some of the time, perceive depth in some types of these stimuli. Given the importance of these results for understanding the neural correlates of stereopsis, we studied depth perception in ACRDS using a large number of observers, in order to provide an unambiguous conclusion about the extent to which these stimuli support the perception of depth. We presented observers with random dot stereograms in which correlated dots were presented in a surrounding annulus and correlated or anti-correlated dots were presented in a central circular region. While observers could reliably report the depth of the central region for correlated stimuli, we found no evidence for depth perception in static or dynamic anti-correlated stimuli. Confidence ratings for stereoscopic perception were uniformly low for anti-correlated stimuli, but showed normal variation with disparity for correlated stimuli. These results establish that the inability of observers to perceive depth in ACRDS is a robust phenomenon

Inactive rhomboid proteins: New mechanisms with implications in health and disease

This deposit is composed by the main article, and hasn't not associated any supplementary materials of the publication. This publication hasn't any creative commons license associated.Rhomboids, proteases containing an unusual membrane-integral serine protease active site, were first identified in Drosophila, where they fulfill an essential role in epidermal growth factor receptor signaling, by cleaving membrane-tethered growth factor precursors. It has recently become apparent that eukaryotic genomes harbor conserved catalytically inactive rhomboid protease homologs, including derlins and iRhoms. Here we highlight how loss of proteolytic activity was followed in evolution by impressive functional diversification, enabling these pseudoproteases to fulfill crucial roles within the secretory pathway, including protein degradation, trafficking regulation, and inflammatory signaling. We distil the current understanding of the roles of rhomboid pseudoproteases in development and disease. Finally, we address mechanistically how versatile features of proteolytically active rhomboids have been elaborated to serve the sophisticated functions of their pseudoprotease cousins. By comparing functional and structural clues, we highlight common principles shared by the rhomboid superfamily, and make mechanistic predictions.Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft grant: (SFB 1036, TP 12); Marie Curie Career Integration Grant: (PCIG13-GA-2013-618769); Worldwide Cancer Research grant: (14-1289); Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Hemostasis – compendium for students

Hemostasis is one of many well-known systems that ensure a constant conditions of the organism's internal environment. This process is usually divided into two main stages: coagulation and fibrinolysis. Both of them occur simultaneously and under physiological conditions they are in dynamic equilibrium. There are primary and secondary hemostasis. The primary hemostasis leads to the formation a platelet clot that forms almost directly after a blood vessel has been ruptured. In the other hand, the secondary hemostasis is the activation of coagulation, which leads to the strengthening of the platelet plug through the fibrin network formation as a result of the polymerization of the soluble plasma protein fibrinogen. The key role in hemostasis plays the interaction of platelets – which are the smallest non nucleated blood cells that are formed from the cytoplasm of megakaryocytes, and plasma coagulation factors with vascular endothelial cells and subendothelial tissues. In this report it is decribed the process of physiological hemostasis, especially the newer concept of blood coagulation