Slow Cycling Research Articles

Testing the Influence of Static and Dynamic Stress Perturbations On the Occurrence of a Shallow, Slow Slip Event in Eastern Taiwan

AbstractWe report the first evidence for the detection of a slow slip event in the Longitudinal Valley, in eastern Taiwan. The slow event, which lasted about 3.5 days, has been detected by borehole strainmeters. It occurred at shallow depths (about 2 to 4 km), either on the Longitudinal Valley Fault or on the Central Range Fault. Here we investigate whether the event occurrence was influenced by transient and periodic stress perturbations, in particular by the June 2013 Mw 6.2 Nantou earthquake, which occurred about 60 km away and 6 days prior to the event. Modeled changes in Coulomb stress in the direction parallel to the geologic slip vector on the fault planes show negative static stress changes (approximately −1.5 to −1 kPa), while maximum dynamic stress changes generated by the surface waves are ranging from 5.5 to 14.5 kPa. We also observe that the slow event initiated during a maximum of Earth and ocean tidal Coulomb stress changes (about 0.8 to 1.5 kPa). Dynamic and static stress perturbations represent a few percents to tens of percents of the stress buildup through the slow rupture cycle. However, the absence of recurrent events during the 12 years of strain monitoring (2006 to 2018) prevents to estimate the recurrence interval of the slow event, which limits our ability to further interpret the link between the rupture and the perturbations. Finally, there is no large and unique load transient at the time of the initiation, therefore this single event may have likely occurred spontaneously.

Automatically Monitoring, Controlling, and Reporting Status/Data for Multiple Product Life Test Stands

This paper describes an industry laboratory implementation of local and remote automation monitoring and control of several product testing stands for status, safety, and an efficient use of resources, as well as the purpose and inter-relationship between the tests, product reliability estimations, customer applications, and possible solutions to test specification issues. Like an airport departure/arrival board, the summary statuses of several life stands are reported on a monitor using a mobile application interface. Detailed data analysis reports and emergency shutdown statuses are emailed to authorized-interested parties. The life stands include submersion tanks and flow rigs at different fluid temperatures (steady-state, slow cycling, thermal shock). To reduce equipment costs and lab space requirements, some life test stands are combined to share heating/cooling transfer fluids and pumping resources that are automatically controlled to direct different fluid temperature ranges through different flow paths. A heater/chilling system cycles between −80 °C and +140 °C with automated diverter valves to route −80 °C to +85 °C fluid through a set of products; when the fluid temperature is increased to > +85 °C, diverter valves route the > +85 °C fluid through a different set of products that are tested only between fluid temperatures of +85 °C to +140 °C.

Histamine-Receptor Antagonists Slow 10-km Cycling Performance in Competitive Cyclists.

Determine the effects of histamine-receptor antagonism on cycling time trial performance in humans, with and without a preceding bout of sustained steady-state exercise. Eleven (3F) competitive cyclists performed six 10-km time trials on separate days. The first two time trials served as familiarization. The next four time trials were performed in randomized-block order, where two were preceded by 120 min of seated rest (rest) and two by 120 min of cycling exercise (Exercise) at 50% V˙O2peak. Within each block, subjects consumed either combined histamine H1 and H2 receptor antagonists (Blockade) or Placebo, before the start of the 120-min Rest/Exercise. Blockade had no discernible effects on hemodynamic or metabolic variables during Rest or Exercise. However, Blockade increased time-to-completion of the 10-km time trial compared with Placebo (+10.5 ± 3.7 s, P < 0.05). Slowing from placebo to blockade was not different between rest (+8.7 ± 5.2 s) and Exercise (+12.3 ± 5.8 s, P = 0.716). Exercise-related histaminergic signaling appears inherent to endurance exercise and may play a role in facilitating optimal function during high-intensity endurance exercise.

Editing the human cytomegalovirus genome with the CRISPR/Cas9 system

Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is an opportunistic pathogen that causes substantial disease in neonates and immunocompromised individuals. Reverse genetic analysis of the HCMV genome is a powerful tool to dissect the roles that various viral genes play during infection. However, genetic engineering of HCMV is hampered by both the large size of the HCMV genome and HCMV's slow replication cycle. Currently, most laboratories that genetically engineer HCMV employ Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) mediated recombineering, which is a relatively lengthy process. We explored an alternative method of producing recombinant HCMV using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. We employed both homologous recombination (HR) and Non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ)-based methods, and find that each approach is capable of efficiently mutating the HCMV genome, with optimal efficiencies of 42% and 81% respectively. Our results suggest that CRISPR-mediated genomic engineering of HCMV is competitive with BAC-mediated recombineering and provide a framework for using CRISPR/Cas9 for mutational analysis of the HCMV genome.

A pilot study of venous flow augmentation using a novel mechanical graded intermittent sequential compression device for venous insufficiency

BackgroundGuidelines as well as multiple RTCs support the use of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) for the treatment of venous leg ulcers when conservative measures fail. Unfortunately, the clinical usefulness of IPC is significantly limited by the physical limitations of pneumatic motors, which leads to bulky devices with slow inflation cycles, uncomfortable sleeves, lack of patient mobility, and ultimately poor patient compliance with therapy. A novel mechanical device for lower leg graded intermittent sequential compression was designed to address these limitations of IPC therapy for venous leg ulcer treatment by providing rapid compression cycles in a truly wearable device that offers the additional benefit of monitoring compression dose and patient compliance. The wearable intermittent compression (WIC) device was hypothesized to provide improved augmentation of venous flow compared with both baseline and standard IPC therapy. MethodsTen patients with Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomic and Pathophysiologic class 3 to 6 venous insufficiency were recruited under institutional review board approval. The primary end point for the study was augmentation of venous blood flow as measured by peak venous velocity. Patients underwent measurement of peak venous velocity in centimeters per second at the popliteal and femoral veins for the following conditions: (1) baseline, (2) WIC device on a low setting, and (3) WIC device on a high setting. In five patients, an additional measurement of peak venous velocity in centimeters per second at the popliteal and femoral veins was completed while wearing a commercially available IPC device. ResultsBoth low and high settings of the WIC device resulted in higher average peak venous velocities when compared with both baseline and the IPC device (P < .05). No patients reported discomfort with either the WIC device or the IPC device during therapy. ConclusionsThe WIC device significantly increases the augmentation of venous flow as measured by peak venous velocity in both the popliteal and femoral veins in patients with Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomic and Pathophysiologic class 3 to 6 venous insufficiency. In addition, the WIC device was found to be easy to use and comfortable during therapy. Future studies are planned to determine if the WIC improvements in venous flow augmentation and patient compliance will lead to higher rates of venous ulcer healing.

Characteristic Tectonic Tremor Activity Observed Over Multiple Slow Slip Cycles in the Mexican Subduction Zone

AbstractWe develop a single‐station tremor spectrum template detection method that we applied to continuous seismic data recorded by the Mexican National Seismological Service broadband stations. This allows for an unprecedented long‐term analysis of tectonic tremor in Mexico over multiple slow slip events (SSEs). We only detect tremor that are within previously discovered tremor regions, thereby extending the catalog in time but not space. The resulting catalog demonstrates the strong correlation of bursts of tremor activity and aseismic slip over multiple slow slip cycles. The M ~ 7 long‐term SSEs in the states of Guerrero and Oaxaca are associated with the longest sequences of tremor bursts. Each of these tremor bursts are made up of a series of smaller bursts. In between the large M7 SSEs, there are shorter‐duration, isolated tremor bursts. In Guerrero, these shorter bursts were found to accompany M ~ 6 short‐term SSEs. The occurrence of these short‐duration tremor bursts in Oaxaca demonstrates that small short‐term SSEs occur in both major slow slip regions in Mexico. The discrete range of tremor burst sizes and rates suggests that slow slip events in the Mexican subduction zone are organized into characteristic moment and moment rates. The catalog also reveals other aseismic transients, such as postseismic slip in Oaxaca after the 16 February 2018 Mw 7.2 Pinotepa Nacional earthquake. We highlight that such long‐term catalogs are a useful tool together with geodetic observations to monitor slow slip activity that potentially plays a role in the subduction megathrust cycle.

Сложные режимы в модели миграционно связанных сообществ «хищник–жертва» с быстрыми и медленными циклами

Сложные режимы в модели миграционно связанных сообществ «хищник–жертва» с быстрыми и медленными циклами

MEAN ANNUAL INCREMENT, WOOD DENSITY AND VESSEL DIAMETER OF 42-YEAR-OLD Balfourodendron riedellianum AND Peltophorum dubium IN A HETEROGENEOUS PLANTING

The knowledge of wood from potentially producing species is desirable to propose the expansion of such product through plantations, thereby avoiding the illegal exploitation of wood in native forests. To this end, we evaluated mean annual increment, wood density and vessel diameter of Balfourodendron riedelianum and Peltophorum dubium in a heterogeneous planting at 42 years of age. We selected these species because they belong to different successional groups; B. riedelianum is late secondary and P. dubium is a pioneer species. We aimed to determine and then compare growth characteristics and to relate them to wood density and vessel diameter. P. dubium presented a higher mean annual increment compared to B. riedelianum, and this difference was directly related to successional group. These differences were also related to structural variations, in which B. riedelianum presented smaller vessel diameter compared to P. dubium, as well as denser wood, either by the slower growth, the consensus line of reasoning, or, alternatively, climax and high longevity species tend to have denser wood, while pioneer species have lower density when compared to other successional groups. For timber producers requiring high productivity with a faster cycle, P. dubium is the indicated species. On the other hand, if a producer prefers denser and more strength wood, albeit with slower cycle, then B. riedelianum is indicated. It was revealed that species can be planted together, allowing a longer cycle with the wood supply in different periods and with different characteristics.

Loss of inhibitory synapses causes locomotor network dysfunction of the rat spinal cord during prolonged maintenance in vitro

The isolated spinal cord of the neonatal rat is widely employed to clarify the basic mechanisms of network development or the early phase of degeneration after injury. Nevertheless, this preparation survives in Krebs solution up to 24 h only, making it desirable to explore approaches to extend its survival for longitudinal studies. The present report shows that culturing the spinal cord in oxygenated enriched Basal Medium Eagle (BME) provided excellent preservation of neurons (including motoneurons), glia and primary afferents (including dorsal root ganglia) for up to 72 h. Using DMEM medium was unsuccessful. Novel characteristics of spinal networks emerged with strong spontaneous activity, and deficit in fictive locomotion patterns with stereotypically slow cycles. Staining with markers for synaptic proteins synapsin 1 and synaptophysin showed thoroughly weaker signal after 3 days in vitro. Immunohistochemical staining of markers for glutamatergic and glycinergic neurons indicated significant reduction of the latter. Likewise, there was lower expression of the GABA-synthesizing enzyme GAD65. Thus, malfunction of locomotor networks appeared related to loss of inhibitory synapses. This phenomenon did not occur in analogous opossum preparations of the spinal cord kept in vitro. In conclusion, despite histological data suggesting that cultured spinal cords were undamaged (except for inhibitory biomarkers), electrophysiological data revealed important functional impairment. Thus, the downregulation of inhibitory synapses may account for the progressive hyperexcitability of rat spinal networks despite apparently normal histological appearance. Our observations may help to understand the basis of certain delayed effects of spinal injury like chronic pain and spasticity.

Continuous chatter of the Cascadia subduction zone revealed by machine learning

Tectonic faults slip in various manners, which range from ordinary earthquakes to slow slip events to aseismic fault creep. Slow slip and associated tremor are common to many subduction zones, and occur down-dip from the neighbouring locked zone where megaquakes take place. In the clearest cases, such as Cascadia, identified tremor occurs in discrete bursts, primarily during the slow slip event. Here we show that the Cascadia subduction zone is apparently continuously broadcasting a low-amplitude, tremor-like signal that precisely informs of the fault displacement rate throughout the slow slip cycle. Using a method based on machine learning previously developed in the laboratory, we analysed large amounts of raw seismic data from Vancouver Island to separate this signal from the background seismic noise. We posit that this provides indirect real-time access to fault physics on the down-dip portion of the megathrust, and thus may prove useful in determining if and how a slow slip may couple to or evolve into a major earthquake. Continuous seismic signal, filtered out by machine-learning methods, could help infer fault displacement in the Cascadia subduction zone.

Opposing Pathogenesis of Germline SAMD9/SAMD9L Variants in Adult Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)

Familial myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), leukemias, and bone marrow failure (BMF) syndromes, typically present in children and young adults. Such cases associate with germ line (GL) mutations in DDX41, RUNX1,ETV6, GATA2 and ANKRD26 and were recently designated by WHO to constitute a separate disease. Gain-of-function (GOF) GL mutations in SAMD9 and SAMD9L associate with familial pediatric myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) cases that often have early onsets and -7/del(7q). It was not known if this was the case in sporadic adult MDS. With this question in mind, we compiled sequencing results on 799 adults with presumably acquired MDS and BMFs, and further enhanced these results through public WES data on 349 myeloid neoplasms. We also performed cell growth assays of exemplary SAMD9 and SAMD9L GL variants identified in adult MDS.We used Broad Institute's Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD) as healthy controls (n = 138,632). After comparing ethnicities between gnomAD and our cohort, we matched healthy controls to patients by ethnicities. Defining rare variants as those present in <0.1% of ethnically-matched healthy controls, we found 26 rare SAMD9/SAMD9L GL variants in 3% (24/799) patients. Most were missense; 3 were truncating (nonsense or frameshift All variants were heterozygous except two patients with two variants. We further validated these data were validated in public WES databases. We identified 2% (7/349) of adult MDS patients in public database with GL SAMD9/SAMD9L variants. SAMD9/SAMD9L GL variants were located in the N-terminal significantly more in adult MDS than reported for pediatric MDS [SAMD9; 62% (8/13) vs. 17% (5/30), p=.044, SAMD9L; 62% (7/13) vs. 0% (0/30), p=.0026]. Compared to reported pediatric MDS patients, adult MDS patients had significantly less deletions of chromosome7/del(7q) [8% (2/24) vs. 69% (22/32), p=.0037] and more 5q deletions [33% (8/24) vs. 4% (1/24), p=.022].Conservative predictions for specific SAMD9 missense variants were made by using SAMD9 GL variants reported in previous papers or public databases of registered healthy donors, and comparing Area Under the Curve of 8 different prediction algorithms. It defined 11 missense variants as “pathogenic”. 57% (4/7) of the variants identified in public WES database were also likely pathogenic by our criteria. We evaluated the growth activity of these 11 unique pathogenic missense variants and 1 frameshift variant identified in a patient with -7. Compared to WT-SAMD9, Thr205Pro-SAMD9, Ile247Thr-SAMD9, and Leu574Pro-SAMD9 showed more proliferative cell growth, whereas, I268T-SAMD9 and D550V-SAMD9L had no significant differences compared to the WT. Compared to WT-SAMD9L, 6 variants (Glu220Gly, Leu1323fs, Cys228Tyr, Trp517Arg, Gly235Ser, and Trp333Cys), fused SAMD9L separately, also had higher proliferation rates than WT-SAMD9L. In total, 9 out of 13 variants (69%) cell growth was not suppressed compared to wild-type cells. Pediatric MDS variants showing less cell growth than the wild type cells suggests that they enhance the normal function of SAMD9/SAMD9L, which is to slow cell cycle progression. In this sense they are gain of function mutations (GOF). In contrast, the majority of variants identified in adult MDS were loss-of-function (LOF) mutations.Thus, given the different distribution of variants, lack of genetic reversion, and opposing functional results, we conclude that GL SAMD9/SAMD9L variants might have different consequences in familial childhood vs. adult disease. Sporadic adult MDS patients lacked early onset and genetic reversions following acquisition of -7/del(7q) or another mutations in cis characterized in pediatric MDS patients. SAMD9/SAMD9L variants could have two conflicting consequences; i) GOF mutations in pediatric patients that result in genetic reversion or MDS associated with aberrations of chromosome 7 with an early onset, or ii) LOF variants resulting in a late development of MDS due to haplo-insufficiency of SAMD9/SAMD9L. Our findings suggest that GL SAMD9/SAMD9L variants may be linked to the pathogenesis of a subset of adult sporadic MDS patients. DisclosuresSekeres:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Opsona: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Opsona: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Maciejewski:Apellis Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Apellis Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Ra Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Consultancy; Ra Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Consultancy.

Hyaluronic Acid-Based Multilayer Films Regulate Hypoxic Multicellular Aggregation of Pancreatic Cancer Cells with Distinct Cancer Stem-Cell-like Properties.

In vitro spherical cancer models have been widely used in cancer stem cell (CSC) research, and the ability of CSCs to form multicellular colonies is recognized as a morphological marker. However, although several spherical/colony models share a common three-dimensional (3D) conformation, each model displays its own intrinsic properties. Thus, the CSC phenotypes with distinct multicellular aggregate morphologies must be defined and clarified. Here, a novel 3D model was designed to regulate the type of pancreatic CSC colonies that form using niche mimetic hyaluronic acid (HA)-based multilayer nanofilms and hypoxia. The multicellular aggregate morphology, CSC phenotypes, CSC-related marker expression, cell cycle, invasion, and drug resistance were determined. On the basis of the results of a cell morphology analysis, colonies formed on multilayer nanofilms in response to both normoxia and hypoxia, but round and island-type colonies, were investigated. Immunostaining results revealed a significantly higher expression of stem cell markers, such as OCT4, CXCR4, and CD44v6, in colonies that formed on multilayer nanofilms. These colonies also expressed higher levels of E-cadherin, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, and vimentin, particularly the round-type colonies that formed on HA-based multilayer nanofilms, [poly(allylamine) (PAH)/HA]3, indicating that these colonies exhibit hybrid and metastable epithelial/mesenchymal phenotypes. Moreover, the cell cycle and invasion tests revealed that most of the cells in colonies growing on multilayer nanofilms showed a quiescent, slow cycling phenotype but displayed higher invasion after induction. Furthermore, a hypoxic environment strongly influences the drug resistance. This study describes a useful tool to investigate the diverse phenotypes of pancreatic CSC colonies and to study their regulatory factors that may benefit CSC research.

Al-Si piston alloy behavior under combined mechanical and thermal cyclic loading with superimposed high-frequency thermal cycling

Abstract On pistons for diesel direct injection engines, the thermally high loaded bowl rim is exposed to high-cycle mechanical and high-cycle thermal loading during each combustion event in addition to the thermal cycling induced by variable engine loading, e. g. between idle and full load. This combined loading at various overall temperatures during engine operation contributes to material damage and finally to a limited service life. In the past, the high-cycle thermal loading has neither been experimentally investigated nor incorporated into a numerical model for lifetime estimation. The work described in this paper deals with the setup of an experimental test procedure on samples taken from components for which the effects of slow temperature cycling, fast temperature cycling and mechanical cyclic fatigue loading can be combined in different ratios. The aim of the investigation is to characterize the sample lifetime with respect to varied test conditions in order to differentiate alloy- or process-related material variations in support of process and material development.

Use of organic waste biomass for the design of an electric station

The Colombian countryside is moving forward, among some obstacles is the little use of self-propelled assets in farm activities, the current ones, due to their technical characteristics, don’t adapt to Colombian’s geography, therefore, it’s important to develop technologies that aim to eco-efficiency, taking advantage of Colombia’s great biomass potential. In this way, it’s proposed as an initial part of a macro-project that is developed by the Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje (SENA) that seeks the incorporation of electric utility vehicles and their charging stations in the sowing and harvesting of cocoa. In this work, a physical-chemical characterization of two types of organic substrates (pigs and chickens manure) is done to obtain the methane energy potential for the design of an electrical station. As a relevant result, the sample obtained from the 1 to 3 proportion of pig manure highlight since it achieves a better production of methane in a retention time of approximately 30 days, achieving a daily load of the batteries in an estimated time of 6 hours, it contributes to the management of slow charge cycles according to its control algorithm and to a complete equalization of the 1.980 cells that make up the 6 modules of batteries.

A New Method of Integrating the Equations of Autonomous Strapdown INS

We propose the new version of separating the process of integrating the differential equations, which describe the functioning of the strapdown inertial navigation system (SINS) in the normal geographic coordinate system (NGCS), into rapid and slow cycles. In this version, the vector of the relative velocity of an object is represented as a sum of a rapidly changing component and a slowly changing component. The equation for the rapidly changing component of the relative velocity includes the vectors of angular velocities of the Earth’s rotation, NGCS rotation, and, at the same time, the vectors of the apparent acceleration and gravity acceleration, because these accelerations partially balance each other, and at rest relative to the Earth are balanced completely. The equation of the slowly changing component of the relative velocity includes only the vector of angular velocity of the Earth’s rotation and the vector of NGCS rotation. The quaternion orientation of an object relative to the NGCS is represented as a product of two quaternions: a rapidly changing one, which is determined by the absolute angular velocity of an object, and slowly changing one, which is determined by the angular velocity of the NGCS. The right parts of the equations for each group of variables depend on the rapidly changing and slowly changing variables. In order to enable the independent integration of the slow and rapid cycle equations, the algorithm have been developed for integrating the equations using the predictor and corrector for the cases of instantaneous and integral information generated by SINS sensors. At each predictor step the Euler method is used to estimate the longitude, latitude and altitude of an object, slowly changing component of the relative velocity, and slowly changing multiplier of the orientation quaternion at the rightmost point of the slow cycle. Then the Euler-Cauchy method is used to integrate the equations for the rapidly changing components on the rapid cycle intervals, which are present in the slow cycle. The necessary values of the slowly changing components in the intermediate points are calculated using the formulas of linear interpolation. After the rapidly changing components are estimated at the rightmost point of the slow cycle, at the corrector step the Euler-Cauchy method is used to refine the values of the slowly changing components at the rightmost point of the slow cycle. Note that at the beginning of each slow cycle step the slowly changing component of velocity is equal to the value of the relative velocity of an object, and the rapidly changing component is zero. Similarly, at the beginning of each slow cycle step the slowly changing multiplier of object’s orientation quaternion equals to the quaternion of orientation of an object relative to the NGCS, and the rapidly changing multiplier of the orientation of an object has its scalar part equal to one, and its vector part equal to zero (this formula is derived from the quaternion formula for adding the finite rotations). SINS on a stationary base had been simulated in the presence of perturbations for a large time interval for a diving object, which drastically changes its height over short time periods.

Salt concentration and charging velocity determine ion charge storage mechanism in nanoporous supercapacitors

A fundamental understanding of ion charge storage in nanoporous electrodes is essential to improve the performance of supercapacitors or devices for capacitive desalination. Here, we employ in situ X-ray transmission measurements on activated carbon supercapacitors to study ion concentration changes during electrochemical operation. Whereas counter-ion adsorption was found to dominate at small electrolyte salt concentrations and slow cycling speed, ion replacement prevails for high molar concentrations and/or fast cycling. Chronoamperometry measurements reveal two distinct time regimes of ion concentration changes. In the first regime the supercapacitor is charged, and counter- and co-ion concentration changes align with ion replacement and partially co-ion expulsion. In the second regime, the electrode charge remains constant, but the total ion concentration increases. We conclude that the initial fast charge neutralization in nanoporous supercapacitor electrodes leads to a non-equilibrium ion configuration. The subsequent, charge-neutral equilibration slowly increases the total ion concentration towards counter-ion adsorption.

CD200 Expression Marks a Population of Quiescent Limbal Epithelial Stem Cells with Holoclone Forming Ability

One of the main challenges in limbal stem cell (LSC) biology and transplantation is the lack of definitive cell surface markers which can be used to identify and enrich viable LSCs. In this study, expression of 361 cell surface proteins was assessed in ex vivo expanded limbal epithelial cells. One marker, CD200 was selected for further characterization based on expression in a small subset of limbal epithelial cells (2.25% ± 0.69%) and reduced expression through consecutive passaging and calcium induced differentiation. CD200 was localized to a small population of cells at the basal layer of the human and mouse limbal epithelium. CD200+ cells were slow cycling and contained the majority of side population (SP) and all the holoclone forming progenitors. CD200+ cells displayed higher expression of LSCs markers including PAX6, WNT7A, CDH3, CK14, CK15, and ABCB5 and lower expression of Ki67 when compared to CD200- . Downregulation of CD200 abrogated the ability of limbal epithelial cells to form holoclones, suggesting an important function for CD200 in the maintenance and/or self-renewal of LSCs. A second marker, CD109, which was expressed in 56.29% ± 13.96% of limbal epithelial cells, was also found to co-localize with ΔNp63 in both human and mouse cornea, albeit more abundantly than CD200. CD109 expression decreased slowly through calcium induced cell differentiation and CD109+ cells were characterized by higher expression of Ki67, when compared to CD109- subpopulation. Together our data suggest that CD200 expression marks a quiescent population of LSCs with holoclone forming potential, while CD109 expression is associated with a proliferative progenitor phenotype. Stem Cells 2018;36:1723-1735.

The Interplay between Human Cytomegalovirus and Pathogen Recognition Receptor Signaling.

The cellular antiviral innate immune response is triggered upon recognition of specific viral components by a set of the host’s cytoplasmic or membrane-bound receptors. This interaction induces specific signaling cascades that culminate with the production of interferons and the expression of interferon-stimulated genes and pro-inflammatory cytokines that act as antiviral factors, suppressing viral replication and restricting infection. Here, we review and discuss the different mechanisms by which each of these receptors is able to recognize and signal infection by the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), an important human pathogen mainly associated with severe brain defects in newborns and disabilities in immunocompromised individuals. We further present and discuss the many sophisticated strategies developed by HCMV to evade these different signaling mechanisms and counteract the cellular antiviral response, in order to support cell viability and sustain its slow replication cycle.

Forecast of the psychological reaction of the user when viewing images by means of machine learning

In the article, a problem of prediction a user's psychological response to the presented image is considered. A complex algorithm that solves proposed problem with respect to fuzzy input data which operates in real time is proposed. A classification problem for each particular user based on previously generated content by the user using a set of algorithms including machine learning algorithm is considered. Due to a huge amount of variety in possible input data and it’s complexity algorithms that reduce fuzziness are considered. In order for a prediction system to understand and learn from data it has been provided, it has to be prepared in such a way that the algorithm could more easily find patterns and inferences. For that purpose, all incoming data passes two additional steps which also allows the system to neglect fuzziness. At the first step, the software has to definitely determine a presence of the desired object (face, in the article) which must be done fast enough to be made in a time of present-ing the picture to a user and it must be stable to data fuzziness. In order to solve that problem histogram of oriented graphs is considered. Because of its nature, the algorithm solves a problem in comparatively fast and robust way. At the second step, the face landmark estimation algorithm is considered. It allows the system to reduce the number of patterns that have to be learned in order to predict the behavior reducing the number of such patterns by narrowing down the two-dimensional transform of the object. The last step, prediction, is implemented with an artificial neural network that embraces incoming object and determines user’s resolution based on its experience. Such algorithm allows the system to keep learning throughout its life cycle which leads to constant im-provements in its results. The proposed algorithms complex was implemented. High speed, fuzziness resistance, independence of external conditions can be considered as its advantages. Slow learning cycle can be considered as its main disadvantage. Tests results provided in the article

Constitutive cardiomyocyte proliferation in the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius).

Although the contractile function of the heart is universally conserved, the organ itself varies in structure across species. This variation includes the number of ventricular chambers (one, two, or an incompletely divided chamber), the structure of the myocardial wall (compact or trabeculated), and the proliferative capacity of the resident cardiomyocytes. Whereas zebrafish are capable of comparatively high rates of constitutive cardiomyocyte proliferation, humans and rodents are not. However, for most species, the capacity to generate new cardiomyocytes under homeostatic conditions remains unclear. Here, we investigate cardiomyocyte proliferation in the lizard Eublepharis macularius, the leopard gecko. As for other lizards, the leopard gecko heart has a partially septated ventricular lumen with a trabeculated myocardial wall. To test our hypothesis that leopard gecko cardiomyocytes routinely proliferate, we performed 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation and immunostained for the mitotic marker phosphorylated histone H3 (pHH3) and the DNA synthesis phase (S phase) marker proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Using double immunofluorescence, we co-localized pHH3 or PCNA with the cardiomyocyte marker myosin heavy chain (MHC). We found that ~0.5% of cardiomyocytes were mitotically active (pHH3+/MHC+), while ~10% were in S phase (PCNA+/MHC+). We also determined that cell cycling by gecko cardiomyocytes is not impacted by caudal autotomy (tail loss), a dramatic form of self-amputation. Finally, we show that populations of cardiac cells are slow cycling. Overall, our findings provide predictive evidence that geckos may be capable of spontaneous cardiac self-repair and regeneration following a direct injury.