Showing papers by "University of Rijeka published in 2011"
••
01 Jan 2011
TL;DR: It is expected that WAMPAC systems will in the future reduce the number of catastrophic blackouts and generally improve the reliability and security of energy production, transmission, and distribution, particularly in power networks with a high level of operational uncertainties.
Abstract: Wide-area monitoring, protection, and control (WAMPAC) involves the use of system-wide information and the communication of selected local information to a remote location to counteract the propagation of large disturbances. Synchronized measurement technology (SMT) is an important element and enabler of WAMPAC. It is expected that WAMPAC systems will in the future reduce the number of catastrophic blackouts and generally improve the reliability and security of energy production, transmission, and distribution, particularly in power networks with a high level of operational uncertainties. In this paper, the technological and application issues are addressed. Several key monitoring, protection, and control applications are described and discussed. A strategy for developing a WAMPAC system in the United Kingdom is given as well.
682 citations
••
TL;DR: Known aspects of NKG2D functions are revisited and new insights in the proposed influence of this molecule on hematopoietic differentiation are presented.
Abstract: NKG2D is one of the most intensively studied immune receptors of the past decade. Its unique binding and signaling properties, expression pattern, and functions have been attracting much interest within the field due to its potent antiviral and anti-tumor properties. As an activating receptor, NKG2D is expressed on cells of the innate and adaptive immune system. It recognizes stress-induced MHC class I-like ligands and acts as a molecular sensor for cells jeopardized by viral infections or DNA damage. Although the activating functions of NKG2D have been well documented, recent analysis of NKG2D-deficient mice suggests that this receptor may have a regulatory role during NK cell development. In this review, we will revisit known aspects of NKG2D functions and present new insights in the proposed influence of this molecule on hematopoietic differentiation.
584 citations
••
TL;DR: In this article, a new project developed by a cross-country team of researchers, with the aim of studying the hedonic and eudaimonic components of happiness through a mixed method approach combining both qualitative and quantitative analyses, was presented.
Abstract: This paper illustrates a new project developed by a cross-country team of researchers, with the aim of studying the hedonic and eudaimonic components of happiness through a mixed method approach combining both qualitative and quantitative analyses. Data were collected from 666 participants in Australia, Croatia, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and South Africa. A major aim of the study was to examine definitions and experiences of happiness using open-ended questions. Among the components of well-being traditionally associated with the eudaimonic approach, meaning in particular was explored in terms of constituents, relevance, and subjective experience. The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) was also administered to quantitatively assess the hedonic dimension of happiness. Results showed that happiness was primarily defined as a condition of psychological balance and harmony. Among the different life domains, family and social relations were prominently associated with happiness and meaningfulness. The quantitative analyses highlighted the relationship between happiness, meaningfulness, and satisfaction with life, as well as the different and complementary contributions of each component to well-being. At the theoretical and methodological levels, findings suggest the importance of jointly investigating happiness and its relationship with other dimensions of well-being, in order to detect differences and synergies among them.
553 citations
••
TL;DR: Blocking CCL2 nitration in tumors promoted CD8+ influx and reduced tumor growth and prolonged survival in mice when combined with adoptive cell therapy.
Abstract: Tumor-promoted constraints negatively affect cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) trafficking to the tumor core and, as a result, inhibit tumor killing. The production of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) within the tumor microenvironment has been reported in mouse and human cancers. We describe a novel RNS-dependent posttranslational modification of chemokines that has a profound impact on leukocyte recruitment to mouse and human tumors. Intratumoral RNS production induces CCL2 chemokine nitration and hinders T cell infiltration, resulting in the trapping of tumor-specific T cells in the stroma that surrounds cancer cells. Preconditioning of the tumor microenvironment with novel drugs that inhibit CCL2 modification facilitates CTL invasion of the tumor, suggesting that these drugs may be effective in cancer immunotherapy. Our results unveil an unexpected mechanism of tumor evasion and introduce new avenues for cancer immunotherapy.
549 citations
••
TL;DR: The majority of the structural features of the IgG glycome were consistent with previous studies, but sialylation was somewhat higher than reported previously, indicating that the final glycan structures are not a simple result of competing enzymatic activities, but a carefully regulated outcome designed to meet the prevailing physiological needs.
422 citations
••
TL;DR: Using ρ(DCCA)(T,n), it is shown that the Chinese financial market's tendency to follow the U.S. market is extremely weak and an additional statistical test is proposed that can be used to quantify the existence of cross-correlations between two power-law correlated time series.
Abstract: For stationary time series, the cross-covariance and the cross-correlation as functions of time lag $n$ serve to quantify the similarity of two time series. The latter measure is also used to assess whether the cross-correlations are statistically significant. For nonstationary time series, the analogous measures are detrended cross-correlations analysis (DCCA) and the recently proposed detrended cross-correlation coefficient, ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\mathrm{DCCA}}(T,n)$, where $T$ is the total length of the time series and $n$ the window size. For ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\mathrm{DCCA}}(T,n)$, we numerically calculated the Cauchy inequality $\ensuremath{-}1\ensuremath{\le}{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\mathrm{DCCA}}(T,n)\ensuremath{\le}1$. Here we derive $\ensuremath{-}1\ensuremath{\le}{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\mathrm{DCCA}}(T,n)\ensuremath{\le}1$ for a standard variance-covariance approach and for a detrending approach. For overlapping windows, we find the range of ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\mathrm{DCCA}}$ within which the cross-correlations become statistically significant. For overlapping windows we numerically determine---and for nonoverlapping windows we derive---that the standard deviation of ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\mathrm{DCCA}}(T,n)$ tends with increasing $T$ to $1/T$. Using ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\mathrm{DCCA}}(T,n)$ we show that the Chinese financial market's tendency to follow the U.S. market is extremely weak. We also propose an additional statistical test that can be used to quantify the existence of cross-correlations between two power-law correlated time series.
393 citations
••
TL;DR: In this article, a tailored ball milling condition was proposed to produce a high quality boron nitride (BN) nanosheets in high yield and efficiency. But the in-plane structure of the BN has not been damaged as shown by near edge X-ray absorption fine structure measurements.
Abstract: Mechanical cleavage by Scotch tape was the first method to produce graphene and is still widely used in laboratories. However, a critical problem of this method is the extremely low yield. We have tailored ball milling conditions to produce gentle shear forces that produce high quality boron nitride (BN) nanosheets in high yield and efficiency. The in-plane structure of the BN nanosheets has not been damaged as shown by near edge X-ray absorption fine structure measurements. The benzyl benzoate acts as the milling agent to reduce the ball impacts and milling contamination. This method is applicable to any layered materials for producing nanosheets.
383 citations
••
TL;DR: Very high energy (VHE) gamma-ray emission from the flat spectrum radio quasar (FSRQ) PKS 1222+21 (4C 21.432) was detected with the MAGIC Cherenkov telescopes during a short observation (similar to 0.5 hr) performed on 2010 June 17 as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Very high energy (VHE) gamma-ray emission from the flat spectrum radio quasar (FSRQ) PKS 1222+ 21 (4C 21.35, z = 0.432) was detected with the MAGIC Cherenkov telescopes during a short observation (similar to 0.5 hr) performed on 2010 June 17. The MAGIC detection coincides with high-energy MeV/ GeV gamma-ray activity measured by the Large Area Telescope (LAT) on board the Fermi satellite. The VHE spectrum measured by MAGIC extends from about 70 GeV up to at least 400 GeV and can be well described by a power-law dN/dE proportional to E-Gamma with a photon index Gamma = 3.75 +/- 0.27(stat) +/- 0.2(syst). The averaged integral flux above 100 GeV is (4.6 +/- 0.5) x 10(-10) cm(-2) s(-1) (similar to 1 Crab Nebula flux). The VHE flux measured by MAGIC varies significantly within the 30 minute exposure implying a flux doubling time of about 10 minutes. The VHE and MeV/GeV spectra, corrected for the absorption by the extragalactic background light (EBL), can be described by a single power law with photon index 2.72 +/- 0.34 between 3 GeV and 400 GeV, and is consistent with emission belonging to a single component in the jet. The absence of a spectral cutoff constrains the gamma-ray emission region to lie outside the broad-line region, which would otherwise absorb the VHE gamma-rays. Together with the detected fast variability, this challenges present emission models from jets in FSRQs. Moreover, the combined Fermi/LAT and MAGIC spectral data yield constraints on the density of the EBL in the UV-optical to near-infrared range that are compatible with recent models.
371 citations
••
TL;DR: In this paper, the gamma-ray activity of the high-synchrotron-peaked BL Lacertae object Markarian 421 (Mrk 421) during the first 1.5 years of Fermi operation was reported.
Abstract: We report on the gamma-ray activity of the high-synchrotron-peaked BL Lacertae object Markarian 421 (Mrk 421) during the first 1.5 years of Fermi operation, from 2008 August 5 to 2010 March 12. We find that the Large Area Telescope (LAT) gamma-ray spectrum above 0.3 GeV can be well described by a power-law function with photon index Gamma = 1.78 +/- 0.02 and average photon flux F(>0.3 GeV) = (7.23 +/- 0.16) x 10(-8) ph cm(-2) s(-1). Over this time period, the Fermi-LAT spectrum above 0.3 GeV was evaluated on seven-day-long time intervals, showing significant variations in the photon flux (up to a factor similar to 3 from the minimum to the maximum flux) but mild spectral variations. The variability amplitude at X-ray frequencies measured by RXTE/ASM and Swift/BAT is substantially larger than that in gamma-rays measured by Fermi-LAT, and these two energy ranges are not significantly correlated. We also present the first results from the 4.5 month long multifrequency campaign on Mrk 421, which included the VLBA, Swift, RXTE, MAGIC, the F-GAMMA, GASP-WEBT, and other collaborations and instruments that provided excellent temporal and energy coverage of the source throughout the entire campaign (2009 January 19 to 2009 June 1). During this campaign, Mrk 421 showed a low activity at all wavebands. The extensive multi-instrument (radio to TeV) data set provides an unprecedented, complete look at the quiescent spectral energy distribution (SED) for this source. The broadband SED was reproduced with a leptonic (one-zone synchrotron self-Compton) and a hadronic model (synchrotron proton blazar). Both frameworks are able to describe the average SED reasonably well, implying comparable jet powers but very different characteristics for the blazar emission site.
357 citations
••
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that one can accurately quantify power-law cross-correlations between different simultaneously recorded time series in the presence of highly non-stationary sinusoidal and polynomial overlying trends by using the new technique of detrendedCross-correlation analysis with varying order l of the polynometric.
Abstract: Noisy signals in many real-world systems display long-range autocorrelations and long-range cross-correlations. Due to periodic trends, these correlations are difficult to quantify. We demonstrate that one can accurately quantify power-law cross-correlations between different simultaneously recorded time series in the presence of highly non-stationary sinusoidal and polynomial overlying trends by using the new technique of detrended cross-correlation analysis with varying order l of the polynomial. To demonstrate the utility of this new method —which we call DCCA-l(n), where n denotes the scale— we apply it to meteorological data.
320 citations
••
TL;DR: In this paper, the gamma-ray activity of the blazar Mrk 501 during the first 480 days of Fermi operation was reported, and it was shown that the energy distribution of the freshly accelerated radiating electrons required to fit the time-averaged data has a broken power-law form in the energy range 0.3GeV-10TeV, with spectral indices 2.2 and 2.20.
Abstract: We report on the gamma-ray activity of the blazar Mrk 501 during the first 480 days of Fermi operation. We find that the average LAT gamma-ray spectrum of Mrk 501 can be well described by a single power-law function with a photon index of 1.78 +/- 0.03. While we observe relatively mild flux variations with the Fermi-LAT (within less than a factor of 2), we detect remarkable spectral variability where the hardest observed spectral index within the LAT energy range is 1.52 +/- 0.14, and the softest one is 2.51 +/- 0.20. These unexpected spectral changes do not correlate with the measured flux variations above 0.3GeV. In this paper, we also present the first results from the 4.5-month-long multifrequency campaign (2009 March 15 - August 1) on Mrk 501, which included the VLBA, Swift, RXTE, MAGIC and VERITAS, the F-GAMMA, GASP-WEBT, and other collaborations and instruments which provided excellent temporal and energy coverage of the source throughout the entire campaign. The average spectral energy distribution of Mrk 501 is well described by the standard one-zone synchrotron self-Compton model. In the framework of this model, we find that the dominant emission region is characterized by a size <~ 0.1 pc (comparable within a factor of few to the size of the partially-resolved VLBA core at 15-43 GHz), and that the total jet power (~10^{44} erg s^{-1}) constitutes only a small fraction (~10^{-3}) of the Eddington luminosity. The energy distribution of the freshly-accelerated radiating electrons required to fit the time-averaged data has a broken power-law form in the energy range 0.3GeV-10TeV, with spectral indices 2.2 and 2.7 below and above the break energy of 20GeV. We argue that such a form is consistent with a scenario in which the bulk of the energy dissipation within the dominant emission zone of Mrk 501 is due to relativistic, proton-mediated shocks.
••
TL;DR: Whether stabilization of maximum voluntary bite force occurs between 15 and 18 years of age in subjects with a normal occlusion, and to assess the influence of gender, body mass index (BMI), morphological occlusions, and jaw function measured by the number of occlusal contacts, overjet, overbite, maximal mouth opening, mandibular deflection during opening.
Abstract: The aims of this investigation were to determine whether stabilization of maximum voluntary bite force (MVBF) occurs between 15 and 18 years of age in subjects with a normal occlusion, and to assess the influence of gender, body mass index (BMI), morphological occlusion, and jaw function measured by the number of occlusal contacts, overjet, overbite, maximal mouth opening, mandibular deflection during opening, sagittal slide between the retruded contact position and the intercuspal position, and number of dental restorations.
The sample comprised 60 Caucasian subjects aged 15 (15 males and 15 females) and 18 (14 males and 16 females) years with a neutral occlusion, balanced facial profile, and absence of a previous orthodontic history. Bite force measurements were undertaken using a portable occlusal force gauge on both the left and the right sides of the jaw in the first molar region during maximal clenching. Two independent samples t -tests and multiple regression were used for statistical analysis.
MVBFs were age and gender related ( P < 0.05). Males showed a significant increase in bite force between 15 and 18 years of age ( P = 0.002), but gender differences were significant only in the 18-year-olds ( P = 0.003). In subjects with a neutral occlusion, MVBF could best be predicted using multiple regression from age and gender. The regression model accounted for 31.3 per cent of the variance in MVBF ( P = 0.031), with gender contributing 17.9 per cent and age 7.9 per cent. Morphological occlusion, jaw function, and BMI explained the remaining 5.5 per cent of variance. While controlling for all other parameters, the independent contribution of gender to the prediction of MVBF was 16.2 per cent, age 6 per cent, number of occlusal contacts 3.2 per cent, and BMI 1.3 per cent.
••
TL;DR: It is reported that host proteasomal degradation of Lys48-linked polyubiquitinated proteins, assembled on the LCV by AnkB, generates amino acids required for intracellular bacterial proliferation.
Abstract: Legionella pneumophila proliferates in environmental amoeba and human cells within the Legionella-containing vacuole (LCV). The exported AnkB F-box effector of L. pneumophila is anchored into the LCV membrane by host-mediated farnesylation. Here, we report that host proteasomal degradation of Lys48-linked polyubiquitinated proteins, assembled on the LCV by AnkB, generates amino acids required for intracellular bacterial proliferation. The severe defect of the ankB null mutant in proliferation within amoeba and human cells is rescued by supplementation of a mixture of amino acids or cysteine, serine, pyruvate, or citrate, similar to rescue by genetic complementation. Defect of the ankB mutant in intrapulmonary proliferation in mice is rescued upon injection of a mixture of amino acids or cysteine. Therefore, Legionella promotes eukaryotic proteasomal degradation to generate amino acids needed as carbon and energy sources for bacterial proliferation within evolutionarily distant hosts.
••
Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris1, Ohio State University2, Princeton University3, Massey University4, Tel Aviv University5, University of Canterbury6, University of St Andrews7, University of Stuttgart8, Ames Research Center9, Niels Bohr Institute10, European Southern Observatory11, Chungbuk National University12, University of Notre Dame13, Chinese Academy of Sciences14, Nagoya University15, University of Auckland16, Victoria University of Wellington17, Konan University18, College of Industrial Technology19, University of the Free State20, University of Tasmania21, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory22, University of Rijeka23, Vienna University of Technology24, National Institute for Space Research25, NASA Exoplanet Science Institute26, Space Telescope Science Institute27, Heidelberg University28, University of Western Australia29, University of Zielona Góra30, Texas A&M University31, Weizmann Institute of Science32, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology33, Space Science Institute34, Auckland University of Technology35, University of Salerno36, Royal Society37, University of Göttingen38, Aarhus University39, Armagh Observatory40, University of Copenhagen41, University of Sannio42, Sharif University of Technology43, Keele University44, University of Exeter45, Max Planck Society46, Liverpool John Moores University47, Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network48, University of California, Santa Barbara49
TL;DR: In this article, the authors reported the discovery of a planet with a high planet-to-star mass ratio in the microlensing event MOA-2009-BLG-387, which exhibited pronounced deviations over a 12-day interval.
Abstract: Aims. We report the discovery of a planet with a high planet-to-star mass ratio in the microlensing event MOA-2009-BLG-387, which exhibited pronounced deviations over a 12-day interval, one of the longest for any planetary event. The host is an M dwarf, with a mass in the range 0.07 M_⊙ < M_(host) < 0.49 M_⊙ at 90% confidence. The planet-star mass ratio q = 0.0132 ± 0.003 has been measured extremely well, so at the best-estimated host mass, the planet mass is m_p = 2.6 Jupiter masses for the median host mass, M = 0.19 M_⊙. Methods. The host mass is determined from two “higher order” microlensing parameters. One of these, the angular Einstein radius θ_E = 0.31 ± 0.03 mas has been accurately measured, but the other (the microlens parallax πE, which is due to the Earth’s orbital motion) is highly degenerate with the orbital motion of the planet. We statistically resolve the degeneracy between Earth and planet orbital effects by imposing priors from a Galactic model that specifies the positions and velocities of lenses and sources and a Kepler model of orbits. Results. The 90% confidence intervals for the distance, semi-major axis, and period of the planet are 3.5 kpc < D_L < 7.9 kpc, 1.1 AU < a < 2.7 AU, and 3.8 yr < P < 7.6 yr, respectively.
••
Ohio State University1, University of Warsaw2, Princeton University3, Chungbuk National University4, European Southern Observatory5, University of Tasmania6, Massey University7, Texas A&M University8, Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute9, University of Exeter10, University of St Andrews11, Liverpool John Moores University12, Royal Society13, Max Planck Society14, Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network15, University of California, Santa Barbara16, Queen Mary University of London17, Nagoya University18, University of Notre Dame19, University of Auckland20, University of Canterbury21, Victoria University of Wellington22, Konan University23, Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology24, Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris25, University of Toulouse26, University of Texas at Austin27, Heidelberg University28, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory29, University of Rijeka30, University of Vienna31, NASA Exoplanet Science Institute32, Space Telescope Science Institute33
TL;DR: In this article, the first example of binary microlensing for which the parameter measurements can be verified (or contradicted) by future Doppler observations is presented, made possible by a confluence of two relatively unusual circumstances.
Abstract: We present the first example of binary microlensing for which the parameter measurements can be verified (or contradicted) by future Doppler observations. This test is made possible by a confluence of two relatively unusual circumstances. First, the binary lens is bright enough (I = 15.6) to permit Doppler measurements. Second, we measure not only the usual seven binary-lens parameters, but also the "microlens parallax" (which yields the binary mass) and two components of the instantaneous orbital velocity. Thus, we measure, effectively, six "Kepler+1" parameters (two instantaneous positions, two instantaneous velocities, the binary total mass, and the mass ratio). Since Doppler observations of the brighter binary component determine five Kepler parameters (period, velocity amplitude, eccentricity, phase, and position of periapsis), while the same spectroscopy yields the mass of the primary, the combined Doppler + microlensing observations would be overconstrained by 6 + (5 + 1) – (7 + 1) = 4 degrees of freedom. This makes possible an extremely strong test of the microlensing solution. We also introduce a uniform microlensing notation for single and binary lenses, define conventions, summarize all known microlensing degeneracies, and extend a set of parameters to describe full Keplerian motion of the binary lenses.
••
TL;DR: It is indicated that berberine could be effective in protecting the liver from acute CCl(4)-induced injury and may be related to the free radical scavenging and attenuation of oxidative/nitrosative stress, as well as to the inhibition of inflammatory response in the liver.
••
TL;DR: The 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydracyl hydrate (DPPH) radical scavenging method, Folin-Ciocalteu method, and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used for phenolics identification and determination of antioxidants level as mentioned in this paper.
••
TL;DR: A current overview of molecular mechanisms underpinning metastasis is provided, and recent findings in this field obtained by global molecular profiling strategies such as proteomics are discussed.
Abstract: Many hypotheses have been postulated to explain the intricate nature of the metastatic process, but none of them completely accounted for the actual biological and clinical observations. Consequently, metastasis still remains an open issue with only few metastasis-inducing proteins experimentally validated so far. Recently proposed novel metastatic model, where serial and parallel metastatic processes are adequately integrated, might help to bridge the current gap between experimental results and clinical observations. In addition, the identification, isolation and molecular characterization of cancer stem cells, a population of the cells within the tumour mass able to proliferate, self-renew and induce tumorigenesis, will shed new light on the complex molecular events mediating metastasis, invasion and resistance to therapy. Understanding the molecular basis of these tumour characteristics will usher in a new age of individualized cancer therapy. In this review article, we will provide a current overview of molecular mechanisms underpinning metastasis, and discuss recent findings in this field obtained by global molecular profiling strategies such as proteomics.
••
Konan University1, Chungbuk National University2, University of Notre Dame3, Nagoya University4, Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network5, Niels Bohr Institute6, University of Washington7, Ohio State University8, University of Canterbury9, University of Toulouse10, Charles University in Prague11, Goddard Space Flight Center12, Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris13, University of Maryland, College Park14, Massey University15, Princeton University16, European Southern Observatory17, University of St Andrews18, University of Auckland19, Victoria University of Wellington20, University of Manchester21, Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology22, Texas A&M University23, Tel Aviv University24, Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute25, Weizmann Institute of Science26, University of Exeter27, Liverpool John Moores University28, Massachusetts Institute of Technology29, University of Tasmania30, University of Rijeka31, Vienna University of Technology32, Space Telescope Science Institute33, University College London34, Heidelberg University35, University of Cape Town36, Graduate University for Advanced Studies37, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare38, Ames Research Center39, University of Salerno40, University of Göttingen41, Aarhus University42, Sharif University of Technology43, Keele University44, University of Warsaw45, University of Cambridge46, University of Concepción47
TL;DR: In this article, the discovery and mass measurement of the cold, low-mass planet MOA-2009-BLG-266Lb, made with the gravitational microlensing method, is presented.
Abstract: We present the discovery and mass measurement of the cold, low-mass planet MOA-2009-BLG-266Lb, made with the gravitational microlensing method. This planet has a mass of mp = 10.4 +/- M(Earth) and orbits a star of Mstar = 0.56 +/- 0.09 M(Sun) at a semi-major axis of a = 3.2 + 1.9/-0.5 AU, and an orbital period of 7.6 +7.7/-1.5 yrs. The planet and host star mass measurements are due to the measurement of the microlensing parallax effect. This measurement was primarily due to the orbital motion of the Earth, but the analysis also demonstrates the capability measure micro lensing parallax with the Deep Impact (or EPOXI) spacecraft in a Heliocentric orbit. The planet mass and orbital distance are similar to predictions for the critical core mass needed to accrete a substantial gaseous envelope, and thus may indicate that this planet is a failed gas giant. This and future microlensing detections will test planet formation theory predictions regarding the prevalence and masses of such planets
••
TL;DR: A literature review focused especially on the field of TEL provides definitions of this orchestration, and gathers the most commonly cited aspects of orchestration into a unified conceptual framework that is used as an analytical lens to structure data from an existing case study.
Abstract: The notion of 'orchestrating learning' has gained acceptance within the TEL research community in recent years. However, there is little consensus about what 'orchestration' means, and what orchestrating learning in a concrete educational context entails. This paper aims to address these two concerns. Through a literature review focused especially on the field of TEL, we provide definitions of this orchestration, and gather the most commonly cited aspects of orchestration into a unified conceptual framework. This emergent framework is then used as an analytical lens to structure data from an existing case study in order to illustrate its usefulness as a tool to understand and propose new solutions to aid orchestration in complex, real-world TEL situations. Although further theorisation and modelling of orchestration is still needed, the presented framework provides a first step, backed up by a serious review of the field.
••
TL;DR: A significant fraction of the world index cross correlations can be explained by the global factor, which supports the utility of the GFM and is demonstrated in applications in forecasting risks at the world level, and in finding uncorrelated individual indices.
Abstract: We propose a modified time lag random matrix theory in order to study time-lag cross correlations in multiple time series. We apply the method to 48 world indices, one for each of 48 different countries. We find long-range power-law cross correlations in the absolute values of returns that quantify risk, and find that they decay much more slowly than cross correlations between the returns. The magnitude of the cross correlations constitutes “bad news” for international investment managers who may believe that risk is reduced by diversifying across countries. We find that when a market shock is transmitted around the world, the risk decays very slowly. We explain these time-lag cross correlations by introducing a global factor model (GFM) in which all index returns fluctuate in response to a single global factor. For each pair of individual time series of returns, the cross correlations between returns (or magnitudes) can be modeled with the autocorrelations of the global factor returns (or magnitudes). We estimate the global factor using principal component analysis, which minimizes the variance of the residuals after removing the global trend. Using random matrix theory, a significant fraction of the world index cross correlations can be explained by the global factor, which supports the utility of the GFM. We demonstrate applications of the GFM in forecasting risks at the world level, and infinding uncorrelated individual indices. We find ten indices that are practically uncorrelated with the global factor and with the remainder of the world indices, which is relevant information for world managers in reducing their portfolio risk. Finally, we argue that this general method can be applied to a wide range of phenomena in which time series are measured, ranging from seismology and physiology to atmospheric geophysics.
••
TL;DR: It is concluded that the MCK-2 mutation in the pSM3fr BAC is the result of clonal selection during the BAC cloning procedure and consistently found that virus stocks of cell culture-passaged MCMV Smith strain are mixtures of viruses with or without the MC k2 mutation.
Abstract: Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) Smith strain has been cloned as a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) named pSM3fr and used for analysis of virus gene functions in vitro and in vivo. When sequencing the complete BAC genome, we identified a frameshift mutation within the open reading frame (ORF) encoding MCMV chemokine homologue MCK-2. This mutation would result in a truncated MCK-2 protein. When mice were infected with pSM3fr-derived virus, we observed reduced virus production in salivary glands, which could be reverted by repair of the frameshift mutation. When looking for the source of the mutation, we consistently found that virus stocks of cell culture-passaged MCMV Smith strain are mixtures of viruses with or without the MCK-2 mutation. We conclude that the MCK-2 mutation in the pSM3fr BAC is the result of clonal selection during the BAC cloning procedure.
••
TL;DR: It is shown that NK cells shape CD8+ T cell fate by killing recently activated CD8 + T cells in an NKG2D- and perforin-dependent manner, leading to more effective control of tumors carrying model Ags.
Abstract: It is uncertain whether NK cells modulate T cell memory differentiation. By using a genetic model that allows the selective depletion of NK cells, we show in this study that NK cells shape CD8 + T cell fate by killing recently activated CD8 + T cells in an NKG2D- and perforin-dependent manner. In the absence of NK cells, the differentiation of CD8 + T cells is strongly biased toward a central memory T cell phenotype. Although, on a per-cell basis, memory CD8 + T cells generated in the presence or the absence of NK cells have similar functional features and recall capabilities, NK cell deletion resulted in a significantly higher number of memory Ag-specific CD8 + T cells, leading to more effective control of tumors carrying model Ags. The enhanced memory responses induced by the transient deletion of NK cells may provide a rational basis for the design of new vaccination strategies.
••
TL;DR: It is found that antigens encountered at the same time as cutaneous epithelial stress induced strong primary and secondary systemic, T helper 2 (TH2)–associated atopic responses in mice and required NKG2D-dependent communication between dysregulated epithelial cells and tissue-associated lymphoid cells.
Abstract: Epithelial cells respond to physicochemical damage with up-regulation of major histocompatibility complex-like ligands that can activate the cytolytic potential of neighboring intraepithelial T cells by binding the activating receptor, NKG2D. The systemic implications of this lymphoid stress-surveillance response, however, are unknown. We found that antigens encountered at the same time as cutaneous epithelial stress induced strong primary and secondary systemic, T helper 2 (T(H)2)-associated atopic responses in mice. These responses required NKG2D-dependent communication between dysregulated epithelial cells and tissue-associated lymphoid cells. These data are germane to uncertainty over the afferent induction of T(H)2 responses and provide a molecular framework for considering atopy as an important component of the response to tissue damage and carcinogenesis.
••
TL;DR: It is concluded that 94% of patients who underwent ACL reconstruction had stable knees after 15–20 years and there was a significantly lower percentage of osteoarthritis in comparison to conservatively treated patients.
Abstract: Purpose
The aim of our study was to review the clinical and radiological outcome of patients who had undergone anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in comparison to a group of non-operatively treated patients.
••
TL;DR: In this article, the MAGIC-I ground-based gamma-ray telescope was used to observe the nearly satellite galaxy Segue 1 for a total of 43.2 hours and differential upper limits on the grimma-ray flux were derived assuming various power-law slopes for the possible emission spectrum.
Abstract: We report the results of the observation of the nearly satellite galaxy Segue 1 performed by the MAGIC-I ground-based gamma-ray telescope between November 2008 and March 2009 for a total of 43.2 hours. No significant gamma-ray emission was found above the bmkground. Differential upper limits on the grimma-ray flux are derived assuming various power-law slopes for the possible emission spectrum. Integral upper limits are also calculated for several power-law spectra and for different energy thresholds. The values are of the order of 10(-11) ph cm(-2) s(-1) above 100 GeV and 10(-12) ph cm(-2) s(-1) above 200 GeV. Segue 1 is currently considered one of the most interesting targets for indirect dark matter searches. In these terms, the upper limits have been also interpreted in the context of annihilating dark matter particles. For such purpose, we performed a grid scan over a reasonable portion of the parameter space for the minimal SuperGravity model and computed the flux upper limit for each point separately, taking fully into account the peculiar spectral features of each model. We found that in order to match the experimental upper limits with the model predictions, a minimum flux boost of 10(3) is required, and that the upper limits are quite dependent on the shape of the gamma-ray energy spectrum predicted by each specific model. Finally we compared the upper limits with the predictions of some dark matter models able to explain the PAMELA rise in the positron ratio, finding that Segue 1 data are in tension with the dark matter explanation of the PAMELA spectrum in the case of a dark matter candidate annihilating into tau(+)tau(-). A complete exclusion however is not possible due to the uncertainties in the Segue 1 astrophysical factor.
••
TL;DR: In this paper, a 3D numerical model for transient analysis of processes after depassivation of reinforcement in concrete, which are relevant for calculation of corrosion rate, was used to investigate the influence of the concrete quality, cracking and water saturation in concrete on the current density.
••
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used 73 h of stereoscopic data taken with the MAGIC telescopes to investigate the very high energy (VHE) gamma-ray emission of the Crab pulsar, and they provided the widest spectra to date of the VHE components of both peaks, and these spectra extend to the energy range of satellite-borne observatories.
Abstract: We use 73 h of stereoscopic data taken with the MAGIC telescopes to investigate the very high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray emission of the Crab pulsar. Our data show a highly significant pulsed signal in the energy range from 50 to 400 GeV in both the main pulse (P1) and the interpulse (P2) phase regions. We provide the widest spectra to date of the VHE components of both peaks, and these spectra extend to the energy range of satellite-borne observatories. The good resolution and background rejection of the stereoscopic MAGIC system allows us to cross-check the correctness of each spectral point of the pulsar by comparison with the corresponding (strong and well-known) Crab nebula flux. The spectra of both P1 and P2 are compatible with power laws with photon indices of 4.0 \pm 0.8 (P1) and 3.42 \pm 0.26 (P2), respectively, and the ratio P1/P2 between the photon counts of the two pulses is 0.54 \pm 0.12. The VHE emission can be understood as an additional component produced by the inverse Compton scattering of secondary and tertiary e\pm pairs on IR-UV photons.
••
TL;DR: It is reported for the first time that suppressed breast cancer progression and metastasis in mice lacking ST2 corresponds mainly with enhanced cytotoxic activity of NK cells, and increased systemic Th1/Th17 cytokines.
Abstract: ST2 is a member of the IL-1 receptor family and IL-33 was recently identified as its natural ligand. The IL-33/ST2 pathway regulates Th1/Th2 immune responses in autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, but the role of ST2 signaling in tumor growth and metastasis has not been investigated. We aimed to investigate whether ST2 gene deletion affects tumor appearance, growth, and metastasis, and antitumor immunity in an experimental metastatic breast cancer model. Deletion of ST2 in BALB/c mice bearing mammary carcinoma attenuated tumor growth and metastasis, which was accompanied by increased serum levels of IL-17, IFN-γ, and TNF-α and decreased IL-4. Tumor-bearing ST2−/− mice had significantly higher percentages of activated CD27highCD11bhigh NK cells, CD69+ and KLRG− NK cells and higher cytotoxic activity of splenocytes, NK cells, and CD8+ T cells in vitro. A significantly higher number of NK cells expressing IFN-γ were found in ST2−/− mice compared with WT recipients. In vivo depletion of CD8+ or NK cells revealed a key role for NK cells in enhanced antitumor immunity in ST2−/− mice. We report for the first time that suppressed breast cancer progression and metastasis in mice lacking ST2 corresponds mainly with enhanced cytotoxic activity of NK cells, and increased systemic Th1/Th17 cytokines.
••
TL;DR: Compounds 18 and 19 exerted the strongest non-specific antiproliferative effect on all cell lines and a concentration-dependent effect on HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines at micromolar concentrations but simultaneously being highly cytotoxic on human fibroblasts as well.