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There is currently no satisfactory etymology for the hapax legomenon רַפְסֹדוֹת rapsōdôt in 2Chr 2:15 (Eng. 16), although its meaning is agreed to be »rafts, floats«. It is proposed here that the word comes from the phonetically identical Greek word ῥαψῳδία (the ancestor of English rhapsody), which literally means »linked song«. Logs linked together into rafts recalled verses linked together into songs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that M1 microglial polarization and neuroinflammation worsen the development of neuropathic pain. However, the mechanisms underlying microglial activation during neuropathic pain remain incompletely understood. Myeloid-epithelial-reproductive tyrosine kinase (Mer), which is a member of the Tyro-Axl-Mer (TAM) family of receptor tyrosine kinases, plays a crucial role in the regulation of microglial polarization. However, the effect of Mer on microglial polarization during neuropathic pain has not been determined. In this study, western blotting, immunofluorescence analysis, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to examine the role of Mer in pain hypersensitivity and microglial polarization in rats with chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. The results indicated that Mer expression in microglia was prominently increased in the spinal cords of rats subjected to CCI. Furthermore, treatment with recombinant protein S (PS, an activator of Mer) alleviated mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, promoted the switch in microglia from the M1 phenotype to the M2 phenotype, and ameliorated neuroinflammation in rats subjected to CCI. However, the use of suppressor of cytokine signalling 3 (SOCS3) siRNA abolished these changes. These results indicated that Mer regulated M1/M2 microglial polarization and neuroinflammation and may be a potential target for treating neuropathic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The TAMs are a subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) comprised of three members, Tyro3, Axl and Mer. Evidence in support of the existence of this subfamily emerged from a screen for novel RTKs performed in the laboratory of Dr. Greg Lemke in 1991. A PCR-based approach to selectively amplify tyrosine kinase-specific genes yielded 27 different tyrosine kinase genes, of which 13 were novel (the "Tyros"). Of these, Tyro3, 7 and 12 were more closely related to each other than to any other kinases and it was proposed that they constituted a novel subfamily of RTKs. Additional support for this hypothesis required determining the complete sequences for these receptor tyrosine kinases. By the end of 1991, full-length sequences for Tyro7 (Axl) revealed a unique extracellular domain organization that included two immunoglobulin-like domains and two fibronectin type III repeats. In 1994, the complete sequences for Tyro12 (Mer) and Tyro3 were shown to have an extracellular region domain structure similar to that of Axl. In 1995, Gas6 and Pros1 were reported as ligands for Tyro3 and Axl, setting the stage for functional studies. The Lemke lab and its many trainees have since played leading roles in elucidating the physiological relevance of the TAMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yandan Zhou,1 Zhili Feng,2,3 Jie Wen,2,3 Chi Yang,2,3 Qiancheng Jing2,3 1Changsha Aier Eye Hospital, Aier Eye Hospital Group, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Affiliated Changsha Central Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China; 3Institute of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Qiancheng Jing, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the Affiliated Changsha Central Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China, Email 2022050001@usc.edu.cnBackground: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common allergic disease, and SLIT has shown effectiveness as a treatment method. This study focuses on the evaluation of serum TAM receptor tyrosine kinases (TYRO3, AXL, and MER) levels as potential indicators of disease severity and predictive markers for sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) responsiveness in AR patients.Methods: A total of 160 AR subjects, including 40 mild AR (MAR) and 120 moderate-severe AR (MSAR) patients, and 40 healthy controls (HC) were recruited. Serum concentrations of TYRO3, AXL, and MER were measured and their relationships with disease severity were examined. In the MSAR group, 102 patients underwent SLIT, and the early efficacy was evaluated. The correlations between the baseline serum concentrations of TYRO3, AXL, and MER and the early responsiveness of SLIT were analyzed.Results: Serum concentrations of TYRO3, AXL, and MER were significantly reduced in AR patients, particularly in those MSAR subjects. Correlation analysis results indicated that serum TYRO3 and MER levels were negatively correlated with the visual analog scale (VAS) and the total nasal symptom score (TNSS). After one year of follow-up, 80 AR patients completed the treatment and were divided into effective and ineffective groups. Serum baseline levels of TYRO3 and MER were found to be lower in the effective group compared to the ineffective group. Additionally, there was a significant increase in serum TYRO3 and MER levels compared to baseline levels. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that circulating TYRO3 and MER had potential values for reflecting AR severity and predicting early SLIT responsiveness.Conclusion: Serum TYRO3 and MER concentrations were decreased in AR patients and negatively associated with disease severity. Circulating TYRO3 and MER seem to be promising indicators for monitoring the efficacy of SLIT in AR patients.Keywords: allergic rhinitis, sublingual immunotherapy, TAM receptor tyrosine kinases, TYRO3, AXL, MER

Ack1 is a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase that is associated with cellular proliferation and survival. The receptor tyrosine kinase Mer, a member of the TAM family of receptors, has previously been reported to be an upstream activator of Ack1 kinase. The mechanism linking the two kinases, however, has not been investigated. We confirmed that Ack1 and Mer interact by co-immunoprecipitation experiments and found that Mer expression led to increased Ack1 activity. The effect on Ack1 was dependent on the kinase activity of Mer, whereas mutation of the Mer C-terminal tyrosines Y867 and Y924 did not significantly decrease the ability of Mer to activate Ack1. Ack1 possesses a Mig6 Homology Region (MHR) that contains adjacent regulatory tyrosines (Y859 and Y860). Using synthetic peptides, we showed that Mer preferentially binds and phosphorylates the MHR sequence containing phosphorylated pY860, as compared to the pY859 sequence. This suggested the possibility of sequential phosphorylation within the MHR of Ack1, as has been observed previously for other kinases. In cells co-expressing Mer and Ack1 MHR mutants, the Y859F mutant had higher activity than the Y860F mutant, consistent with this model. The interaction between Mer and Ack1 could play a role in immune cell signaling in normal physiology and could also contribute to the hyperactivation of Ack1 in prostate cancer and other tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hervorming van het appelprocesrecht: een kwestie van experimenteren? De herkansingsfunctie en de positieve zijde van de devolutieve werking staan in de literatuur al lange tijd ter discussie. Met de aanhoudend 'slechte' cijfers over doorlooptijden, een afnemende populariteit van civiele rechtspraak, de opdracht om rechtspraak 'maatschappelijk effectief' te laten zijn én de Tijdelijke Experimentenwet rechtspleging in de startblokken, houdt de auteur de gevoerde discussies nog eens tegen het licht. Zij bespreekt of de experimentenwet wellicht uitkomst biedt bij (vastgelopen) discussies over hervormingen in hoger beroep, en zo ja, welke experimenten dan zinvol zouden kunnen zijn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L’article discute la notion de « subjectivités environnementales » d’Arun Agrawal. Elle permet d’analyser la construction d’identités environnementales dans l’évolution des relations entre l’État et ses marges. Nous proposons d’appliquer la notion à l’appropriation conflictuelle de la conservation par les pêcheurs de la réserve de biosphère Seaflower (Colombie). L’article propose d’illustrer la pluralité des « subjectivités environnementales » qui naissent de dispositifs de conservation peu participatifs, au cœur des contradictions de la conservation bioculturelle. Il remet en question la subjectivation environnementale comme adoption d’un environnementalisme consensuel. Il décrira plutôt un processus social contraint et conflictuel – finalement, politique – de redéfinition des bons usages de la nature.

This research work is designed for the management of the electric power of an autonomous hybrid system which generally integrates several subsystems, whose main source of production is solar energy (photovoltaic panels) coupled with a hydrogen fuel cell using a storage device (lithium battery). This energy coupling behavior is used in a wide range of operating conditions ensuring the originality of the exploitation of the energy produced to supply electricity to remote regions and isolated urban regions of southern Algeria, which will be modeled by a recent graphic formalism methodology macroscopic energy representation and controlled by a simple method the maximum control structure that takes into account all the inputs and outputs of the system. This hybrid system is controlled by an energy management strategy by acting on a common continuous bus with variable residential load via a DC/DC converter, allowing control of the amount of energy between the different energy resources to minimize the use of the fuel cell from which to minimize hydrogen consumption. Another is used to maintain the voltage of this bus at its reference via the battery by regulating the bidirectional DC/DC converter. • The HES is intended to supply electricity to remote urban areas of southern Algeria. • This energy coupling behavior is used in a wide range of operating conditions. • The HES modeled by the recent graphic formalism MER and controlled by the MSC. • MER uses MCS, designed to control inputs/outputs influencing the behavior of HES. • The effectiveness of this device in minimizing the consumption of hydrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Androloji Bülteni (Andrology Bullettin) is the property of BAYT Ltd. Co and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Naturally occurring plasmids constitute a major category of mobile genetic elements responsible for harboring and transferring genes important in survival and fitness. A targeted evaluation of plasmidomes can reveal unique adaptations required by microbial communities. We developed a model system to optimize plasmid DNA isolation procedures targeted to groundwater samples which are typically characterized by low cell density (and likely variations in the plasmid size and copy numbers). The optimized method resulted in successful identification of several hundred circular plasmids, including some large plasmids (11 plasmids more than 50 kb in size, with the largest being 1.7 Mb in size). Several interesting observations were made from the analysis of plasmid DNA isolated in this study. The plasmid pool (plasmidome) was more conserved than the corresponding microbiome distribution (16S rRNA based). The circular plasmids were diverse as represented by the presence of seven plasmid incompatibility groups. The genes carried on these groundwater plasmids were highly enriched in metal resistance. Results from this study confirmed that traits such as metal, antibiotic, and phage resistance along with toxin-antitoxin systems are encoded on abundant circular plasmids, all of which could confer novel and advantageous traits to their hosts. This study confirms the ecological role of the plasmidome in maintaining the latent capacity of a microbiome, enabling rapid adaptation to environmental stresses.IMPORTANCE Plasmidomes have been typically studied in environments abundant in bacteria, and this is the first study to explore plasmids from an environment characterized by low cell density. We specifically target groundwater, a significant source of water for human/agriculture use. We used samples from a well-studied site and identified hundreds of circular plasmids, including one of the largest sizes reported in plasmidome studies. The striking similarity of the plasmid-borne ORFs in terms of taxonomical and functional classifications across several samples suggests a conserved plasmid pool, in contrast to the observed variability in the 16S rRNA-based microbiome distribution. Additionally, the stress response to environmental factors has stronger conservation via plasmid-borne genes as marked by abundance of metal resistance genes. Last, identification of novel and diverse plasmids enriches the existing plasmid database(s) and serves as a paradigm to increase the repertoire of biological parts that are available for modifying novel environmental strains.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a pneumonic response characterized by neutrophil infiltration. Macrophage efferocytosis is the process whereby macrophages remove apoptotic cells, and is required for ALI inflammation to subside. The glycoprotein ulinastatin (UTI) has an anti‐inflammatory effect during the acute stages of ALI, but its effect on efferocytosis and the subinflammatory stage of ALI is unclear. Extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) is a key protein in efferocytosis, and we thus hypothesized that it may be activated by UTI to regulate efferocytosis and the resolution of pneumonia. To test this hypothesis, here we monitored phagocytosis of macrophages through in vivo and in vitro experiments. Pulmonary edema, neutrophil infiltration, protein exudation, and inflammatory factor regression were observed on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 in vivo. RAW264.7 cells were pretreated with different concentrations of UTI and ERK5 inhibitors, and the expression of tyrosine‐protein kinase Mer (Mer) protein on macrophage membrane was detected. UTI increased the phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils by macrophages in vitro and in vivo, and promoted the resolution of pneumonia. The protein expression of ERK5 and Mer increased with UTI concentration, while the expression of Mer was down‐regulated by ERK5 inhibitors. Therefore, our results suggest that UTI enhances efferocytosis and reduces lung inflammation and injury through the ERK5/Mer signaling pathway, which may be one of the targets of UTI in the treatment of lung injury.

Copyright of Inorganic Chemicals Industry is the property of Editorial Office of Inorganic Chemicals Industry and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Nuclear- and membrane-initiated estrogen signaling cooperate to orchestrate the pleiotropic effects of estrogens. Classical estrogen receptors (ERs) act transcriptionally and govern the vast majority of hormonal effects, whereas membrane ERs (mERs) enable acute modulation of estrogenic signaling and have recently been shown to exert strong neuroprotective capacity without the negative side effects associated with nuclear ER activity. In recent years, GPER1 was the most extensively characterized mER. Despite triggering neuroprotective effects, cognitive improvements, and vascular protective effects and maintaining metabolic homeostasis, GPER1 has become the subject of controversy, particularly due to its participation in tumorigenesis. This is why interest has recently turned toward non-GPER-dependent mERs, namely, mERα and mERβ. According to available data, non-GPER-dependent mERs elicit protective effects against brain damage, synaptic plasticity impairment, memory and cognitive dysfunctions, metabolic imbalance, and vascular insufficiency. We postulate that these properties are emerging platforms for designing new therapeutics that may be used in the treatment of stroke and neurodegenerative diseases. Since mERs have the ability to interfere with noncoding RNAs and to regulate the translational status of brain tissue by affecting histones, non-GPER-dependent mERs appear to be attractive targets for modern pharmacotherapy for nervous system diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efferocytosis, the phagocytic clearance of apoptotic cells, can provide host protection against certain types of viruses by mediating phagocytic clearance of infected cells undergoing apoptosis. It is known that HIV-1 induces apoptosis and HIV-1-infected cells are efferocytosed by macrophages, although its molecular mechanisms are unknown. To elucidate the roles that efferocytosis of HIV-1-infected cells play in clearance of infected cells, we sought to identify molecules that mediate these processes. We found that protein S, present in human serum, and its homologue, Gas6, can mediate phagocytosis of HIV-1-infected cells by bridging receptor tyrosine kinase Mer, expressed on macrophages, to phosphatidylserine exposed on infected cells. Efferocytosis of live infected cells was less efficient than dead infected cells; however, a significant fraction of live infected cells were phagocytosed over 12h. Our results suggest that efferocytosis not only removes dead cells, but may also contribute to macrophage removal of live virus producing cells.

We use a real options model to examine the effects of three important sources of oil price uncertainty on the optimal timing of oil field decommissioning. These are (1) the degree of oil price volatility, (2) the level of the long-run equilibrium oil price, and (3) the speed of reversion of oil prices to their long-run equilibrium. We find that lower levels of equilibrium oil prices and speed of reversion to equilibrium prices have the effect of fostering early decommissioning. Oil price volatility however has the opposite effect. Our findings provide valuable insights into how policymakers may identify windows of opportunity for policy interventions leading to (1) an acceleration of the drive towards sustainable energy transition; and/ or (2) the maximisation of economic recovery (MER) from oil and gas resources. With regards the former, we show that the imposition of carbon taxes fosters early decommissioning to a significant extent. In the most unfavourable oil price environment and under an aggressive tax regime for example, decommissioning may occur at a very early period in oil field operations, owing to over 45% of oil reserves being uneconomic to produce. The results highlight the effectiveness of carbon taxes as policy lever in jurisdictions that seek accelerated decarbonisation, climate change mitigation and energy transition goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L'intérêt porté par le cardinal de Richelieu aux questions maritimes est bien connu des historiens. Ceux-ci, toutefois, l'ont généralement analysé sous un angle réaliste et rationnel, notamment en fonction de la nécessité de rattraper le retard pris face aux autres puissances européennes en ce domaine et du besoin de se protéger contre les ambitions espagnoles. Or, l'essor de la marine française s'explique également par l'importance de protéger l'honneur et la réputation du roi et du royaume, particulièrement contre la volonté du roi d'Angleterre de voir reconnue sa souveraineté sur les mers. The interest shown by Cardinal Richelieu in maritime questions is well known to historians. Scholars have generally analyzed it from a realistic and rational angle, especially in terms of the need to catch up with the other European powers in this area and the need to protect the kingdom against Spanish ambitions. However, the rise of the French navy may also be explained by the need to protect the king's and the kingdom's honor and reputation, particularly against the desire of the king of England to see his sovereignty over the seas recognized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Immune checkpoint blockade has had great success over the past decade, but many patients with cancer do not benefit because most immune checkpoint inhibitors only target T cells. Targeting non-T cell populations in the tumor microenvironment (TME) has been shown to affect responses to them. Simultaneous inhibition of Axl, Mer and CSF1R by a novel receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor Q702 induces antitumor immunity by reducing the number of M2 macrophages and MDSCs and inducing M1 macrophages and cytotoxic CD8 T cells in the TME, and increasing the expression of MHC-I and E-cadherin in tumor cells. Our data indicate that therapy targeting both immune cells and cancer cells in the TME by Q702 can induce more effective clinical responses in patients with cancer. Although immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) represents a major breakthrough in cancer immunotherapy, only a limited number of patients with cancer benefit from ICB-based immunotherapy because most immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) target only T cell activation. Therefore, targeting non-T cell components in the tumor microenvironment (TME) can help subvert resistance and increase the applications of ICB-based therapy. Axl and Mer are involved in the carcinogenesis of multiple types of cancer by modulating immune and biological behaviors within tumors. Colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) mediates tumorigenesis in the TME by enhancing tumor associated macrophage (TAM) and myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) infiltration, facilitating immune escape. Therefore, the simultaneous inhibition of Axl, Mer, and CSF1R kinases may improve therapeutic efficacy by targeting non-T cell components in the TME. Here, we present Q702, a selective, potent small molecule inhibitor targeting Axl, Mer, and CSF1R, for oral administration. Q702 induced antitumor activity in syngeneic tumor mouse models by: remodeling the TME toward immune stimulation; expanding M1 macrophage and CD8 T cell populations and decreasing M2 macrophage and MDSC populations in the TME; and increasing MHC class I and E-cadherin expression in tumor cells. Thus, Q702 may have great potential to broaden the coverage of populations benefiting from ICB-based immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Lublin Studies in Modern Languages & Literature / Lubelskie Materialy Neofilologiczne is the property of Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Department of German & Applied Linguistics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A common problem of the virtualized cloud radio access network architecture (C-RAN) is the compression of the time-domain IQ samples before transmission over the fronthaul link. Considering a multicarrier waveform such as OFDM, whose IQ samples follow a quasi-Gaussian distribution, the conventional Gaussian quantizer may be used as the optimal solution to the compression problem. However, since the high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of OFDM signals remains a serious problem, various techniques may be employed to reduce the time-domain fluctuations of the IQ samples in the OFDM, resulting in a change in its distribution. The latter fact makes the Gaussian quantizer suboptimal. The literature lacks a performance analysis of the conventional OFDM-based compression techniques when the PAPR of the OFDM signal is reduced. Therefore, in this paper, we study for the first time the impact of reducing the PAPR of the OFDM signal before compression in the C-RAN architecture through rate-distortion analysis. We consider clipping and tone reservation PAPR reduction algorithms. The former is the simplest PAPR reduction approach, while the latter is one of the most effective algorithms used in broadcasting standards such as DVB-T2 and ATSC 3.0. We first derive the distribution of the PAPR-reduced OFDM IQ samples. This is used to optimize the thresholds and codebook levels of a non-uniform scalar quantizer and the number of quantization bits allocated for each quantized level in the entropy coding stage, along with the MER performance analysis. The simulation results show that the conventional Gaussian-based compression techniques applied to a PAPR-reduced signal is not very robust to the statistical changes in the signal unless the signal distribution at the input of the Gaussian quantizer is not significantly affected. However, a significant gain is obtained when the quantizer is optimized with respect to the true distribution of the PAPR-reduced IQ samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is commonly and safely performed for selective Parkinson's disease patients. Many centers perform DBS lead positioning exclusively under local anesthesia, to optimize brain microelectrode recordings (MER) and testing of stimulation-related therapeutic and side effects. These measures enable physiological identification of the DBS borders and subdomains based on electrophysiological properties like firing rates and patterns, intra-operative evaluation of therapeutic window, and improvement of lead placement accuracy. Nevertheless, due to the challenges of awake surgery, some centers use sedation or general anesthesia, despite the distortion of discharge properties and interference with clinical testing, resulting in potential impact on surgical outcomes. Thus, there is a need for a novel anesthesia regimen that enables sedation without compromising intra-operative monitoring. Objective: This open-label study investigates the use of low-dose ketamine for conscious sedation during microelectrode recordings and lead positioning in subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS for Parkinson's disease patients. Methods: Three anesthetic regimens were retrospectively compared in 38 surgeries (74 MER trajectories, 5962 recording sites) across three DBS centers: 1) Interleaved propofol-ketamine (PK), 2) Interleaved propofol-awake (PA), and 3) Fully awake (AA). Results: All anesthesia regimens achieved satisfactory MER. Detection of STN borders and subdomains by expert electrophysiologist was similar between the groups. Electrophysiological signature of the STN under ketamine was not inferior to either control group. All patients completed stimulation testing. Conclusions: This study supports a low-dose ketamine anesthesia regimen for DBS which allows microelectrode recordings and stimulation testing that are not inferior to those conducted under awake and propofol-awake regimens and may optimize patient experience. A prospective double-blind study that would also compare patients' satisfaction level and clinical outcome should be performed to confirm these findings.

The reader attentive to the novels of Malika Mokeddem cannot fail to spot the impressive link between humans and nature. The author's fiction creates its own laws and invents a universe where language is no longer used as a means of description but as a tool to symbolically say a fusion between its different elements. The space of the dune amply brushed in the novels has captured our attention since it metamorphoses and changes status: sometimes affective/maternal, sometimes seductive. As for the symbolically painted sea, has an emotional dimension since it has often been synonymous with substitute for the absent mother. We will try, in this article, to highlight a writing in metamorphosis and to understand its different manifestations through the analysis of the explicit and implicit words of the author in her stories. The use of Bachelard's work will therefore be of great support to explore the proposed avenues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article demonstrates the importance of the Sea in the life and the works of Henri Michaux. The representation of the Sea is subject to the "dictatorship of the Imagination". According to his will, Michaux changes seascapes, personifies fishes and oisters, allows the soul to swim. The sea also inspires a lot of metaphors, particularly developed in the mescalinian texts. Drug becomes Ocean; the poet becomes a castaway, a drowned, then resurrected man sailing on a purified water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Microglial/macrophage activation and neuroinflammation are key cellular events following TBI, but the regulatory and functional mechanisms are still not well understood. Myeloid-epithelial-reproductive tyrosine kinase (Mer), a member of the Tyro-Axl-Mer (TAM) family of receptor tyrosine kinases, regulates multiple features of microglial/macrophage physiology. However, its function in regulating the innate immune response and microglial/macrophage M1/M2 polarization in TBI has not been addressed. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of Mer in regulating microglial/macrophage M1/M2 polarization and neuroinflammation following TBI. Methods The controlled cortical impact (CCI) mouse model was employed. Mer siRNA was intracerebroventricularly administered, and recombinant protein S (PS) was intravenously applied for intervention. The neurobehavioral assessments, RT-PCR, Western blot, magnetic-activated cell sorting, immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy analysis, Nissl and Fluoro-Jade B staining, brain water content measurement, and contusion volume assessment were performed. Results Mer is upregulated and regulates microglial/macrophage M1/M2 polarization and neuroinflammation in the acute stage of TBI. Mechanistically, Mer activates the signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1)/suppressor of cytokine signaling 1/3 (SOCS1/3) pathway. Inhibition of Mer markedly decreases microglial/macrophage M2-like polarization while increases M1-like polarization, which exacerbates the secondary brain damage and sensorimotor deficits after TBI. Recombinant PS exerts beneficial effects in TBI mice through Mer activation. Conclusions Mer is an important regulator of microglial/macrophage M1/M2 polarization and neuroinflammation, and may be considered as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in TBI.

Partant de l'exemple de l'exostose du conduit auditif externe, modification due au façonnage de la mer sur le corps, ce présent article envisage comment les pratiquants éprouvent et interprètent cette pathologie. Après avoir décrit ce qu'est la « maladie de l'oreille du surfeur » du point de vue anthropo-médical, on abordera le sens que les individus donnent à celle-ci, comme la croyance de devenir poisson. Par un travail d'observation de terrain durant plusieurs années et de recueil d'entretiens, sur les plages des Pyrénées Atlantiques principalement, l'on a pu comparer les discours des individus sur les façons dont le corps surfique, immergé dans la nature, est perçu et vécu. Cela permet de comprendre quelles sont les pensées qui peuvent lier les hommes à l'océan, et plus largement à la nature, dans notre société occidentale actuelle. Ainsi, pénétrer et être pénétré par cette eau vivante implique un rapport sensuel à l'environnement, dans une recherche tout à la fois de plaisir érotique et d'une sécurité maternelle enveloppante, perdue dès la naissance. Cette relation au milieu met en œuvre une écologie sensorielle où l'homme devient nature, et la nature prend forme humaine. Ce sont alors d'autres liens qui se réinventent, non pas dans une opposition entre humain et non-humain, mais en rappelant à l'homme qu'il peut trouver l'équilibre dans son abandon à la nature. La maladie de l'oreille définit une clinique imaginaire du corps. Le corps est rendu ainsi impropre par les sensations physiques de la pathologie marine, mais surtout par la croyance dans un enveloppement psychique dans l'eau. Starting from the example of the exostosis of the external auditory canal, a modification due to the impact of the sea on the body, this article considers how this pathology is experienced and interpreted by those who contract it. After defining "surfer's ear" from an anthropo-medical point of view, we will address the meaning that individuals give to it, such as the belief of becoming fish. Over the course of several years of field observation and interviews, mainly on the beaches of the Atlantic Pyrenees, we were able to compare different individuals' discourses about how the surfing body, immersed in nature, is perceived and experienced. This helps to understand thoughts that can link people to the ocean, and more widely to nature, in our contemporary Western society. Thus, penetrating and being penetrated by this living water implies a sensual relationship with the environment, in a search both for erotic pleasure and an enveloping maternal security, lost from birth. This relationship to the environment implements a sensory ecology where the human becomes nature, and nature takes human form. This is an occasion for the reinvention of links, not in an opposition between human and non-human, but by reminding humans that they can find balance in abandoning themselves to nature. Pathologies of the ear define an imaginary clinic of the body. The body is thus rendered unfit by the physical sensations of marine pathology but, above all, by the belief in a psychic envelopment in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Conservation efforts require a rational basis for taxa prioritization; it is essential to recognize the evolutionary independence of units, typically recognized as species. Because different criteria on species limits lead to different conservation assessment priorities, conceptual problems limit the possibility to accurately assess the conservation status that species are undergoing to protect them effectively. Methods: We analyze the implications of using the phylogenetic species concept (PSC) in the risk categories determination, based on the analysis of the Mexican endemic avifauna. We modeled the potential distribution areas with the MaxEnt algorithm for those species that have had or could be susceptible to taxonomic updates based on the PSC. Results: Of the 93 studied species, 68 were highly restricted, and 23 have high scores according to the evaluation of the Partners In Flight conservation status, so they can be considered species with high vulnerability or risk of extinction. Additionally, based on the recognition of several allopatric populations as independent phylogenetic species, 45% are susceptible to reconsideration of their risk categories due to a decrease in the extent of areas where they are potentially distributed. Implications for Conservation: The use of a taxonomic perspective focused on the phylogenetic relationship of the different populations would directly impact the definition of risk categories, particularly for those endemic or restricted distribution evolutionary units for which there is usually very little information available and which, undoubtedly, are the ones that most need to be studied and, particularly, protected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the results of a research project aimed at designing heuristically oriented exploitation plans based on simple parameters of static modeling rather than complex ones of dynamic modeling for conventional gas reservoirs. The combined use of heuristic rules relying on the Maximum Efficient Rate (MER) criteria and the Maximum Depletion Rate Model (MDRM, Global Energy Research, Uppsala University) was investigated to model a systemic approach for these reservoirs. Integration of these principles and their comparative evaluation led to findings about their mutual relationships, notably the MER to be regarded as a particular case of the MDRM. The rules rely on a combined use of the exponential version of the Fundamental Equation of Mineral Production (EFE) with the exponential decline (ED) curve analysis. A bridge between the physics of flow in porous media and the Law of Conservation of Matter was found by demonstrating the conditions of equivalence between the ED and the EFE. Production data built upon reservoir characterization of the gas reservoirs supported the comparative analysis. A systematic approach enabled the replication of the material balance-based production profiles by applying a MER-based P/R of 0.08 and a MDRM based of 6 for the plateaus of the wet and dry gas reservoirs, respectively. Production models rested on broadly accurate rules relying on mutual relationships between contemporary volumes of reserves and output yields. The production models reviewed appear useful for a discrete application of the Ockham razor criterion to make relatively effortless modeling of conventional gas reservoir production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce the crest factor in the DRM+ system due to the limitations imposed by the standard the peak limiting method (clipping) and the window weighting method, which are based on signal distortion, are widely used. As a result of the application of these methods out-of-band emissions in the signal spectrum significantly increase. After filtering out-of-band emissions the effect of a repeated increase in the crest factor appears. In this regard, there is an urgent scientific and technical problem of finding the optimal method for filtering out-of-band emissions of the DRM+ signal. The purpose of this article is to analyze the existing methods for filtering out-of-band emissions in the process of reducing the crest factor in a DRM system, as well as choosing the optimal filtering algorithm after reducing the crest factor for DRM+ transmitters. A method for suppressing out-of-band emissions using a digital filter based on FFT / IFFT is considered. The modeling of the proposed algorithm for filtering the signal by the mask of out-of-band emissions is carried out. Comparative studies of the method of the standard filtering algorithm and the proposed algorithm are carried out; the high efficiency of the latter is shown. The results obtained will improve the efficiency of reducing the crest factor in broadcasting transmitters of the DRM + standard, thereby increasing their power efficiency.

This paper deals with the quality parameters of a television terrestrial signal received in the service area of a single-frequency DVB-T2 network, operating in the SISO mode (Single Input Single Output). The aim of the study is a practical assessment of selective fading frequency effect of the total signal and inter-symbol distortion of the signal at the input of the DVB-T2 receiver on the received signal quality. To achieve this goal, measurements of the qualitative indicators of the received signal were made in laboratory conditions. To receive television signals in the SFN DVB-T2 SISO cluster, it is preferable a directional antenna oriented to the incoming wave with the highest field strength. In this case, the interference waves effect of other cluster transmitters will be minimized. DVB-T2 noise-tolerance coding algorithms reliably compensate for the deterioration in the quality parameters of the received signal.

El servicio de televisión terrestre que se utiliza en Ecuador es en formato analógico NTSC (National Television System Comittee), pero las cadenas televisivas y de radiodifusión están realizando los cambios necesarios para la generación y envió de la señal digital a los usuarios debido al apagón analógico que esta por realizarse en los siguientes años y así poder dar paso a la televisión digital y optimizar los servicios como la calidad del audio y video, tener una guía de programación, poder receptar la señal de televisión en dispositivos móviles. En el canal de televisión Televicentro se necesita analizar la generación de la señal digital para realizar el monitoreo de la tasa de error de la modulación y poder saber en qué lugares se debe medir la tasa de error de modulación para comparar los valores y verificar la calidad de la señal. En la ciudad de Quito no se ha realizado el análisis de la generación de la señal digital del canal Televicentro, porque el canal es relativamente nuevo lleva al aire más de dos años y también por políticas de seguridad de la empresa. Se realiza el análisis de la generación de la señal digital radiada en la estación terrena, para realizar mediciones que permitan monitorear la tasa de error de modulación y con esos datos verificar la calidad de dicha señal del canal Televicentro de Quito. La tasa de error de modulación es el parámetro que cuantifica los errores de una constelación digital, este factor facilita valorar si una señal digital es buena; el cálculo de este factor en transmisión lleva implícita la demodulación de la señal para la evaluación. En la recepción, este parámetro se determina tras la demodulación propia de la recepción de los datos. En ambos casos, es necesario el uso de la constelación de transmisión normalizada como referencia; la calidad de la señal que se transmite en la estación terrena del canal Televicentro tuvo un valor promedio de 36.554dB y de 34.38dB en la recepción de la señal digital, respecto al valor mínimo que se debe superar en este caso de 23dB y llegando a un valor óptimo de 40dB.

The TAM (Axl, Mer, and Tyro3) family is implicated in the survival and chemoresistance of tumours and has emerged as a potential therapeutic target. A novel series of 7-aryl-2-anilino-pyrrolopyrimidines were identified as potent Axl/Mer tyrosine kinase inhibitors without significant inhibition of Tyro3. A representative compound 27 exhibited IC50 values of 2 nM and 16 nM for Mer and Axl, respectively, and considerable inhibition for Mer phosphorylation in cells. Docking studies suggested that the formation of a salt bridge between the nitrogen of the aniline moiety with ASP678 of the Mer kinase domain as well as an interaction with the hinge region that most kinase inhibitors have in common would be essential to retain activity. These results could provide useful information for finding promising inhibitors of Axl/Mer for the treatment of cancer.

Modulation Error Rate (MER) is one of the metrics for evaluating Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) transmitter signal quality. Due to high number of sub-carriers of any OFDM transmitter and the high amplitude differences of symbol -- to -- symbol modulating each sub-carrier, high Peak to Average Power Ratio (PAPR) is common. This paper deals with a real system setup of measuring MER of a DVB-T2 transmitter (Digital Video Broadcasting -- Second Generation Terrestrial) operating in Albania territory. The focus is in analyzing transmitter behavior on different power amplifier gain, measuring in-band and out-band signal quality and spurious emission. The importance of pre-distortion is drowned for DVB-T2 transmitters and extended as a conclusion to a more generic OFDM transmitters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most significant handicaps and disadvantages for the proper operation of the polymer membrane in a PEMFC fuel cell energy system is the distribution of water. In this paper, we propose a mathematical model for defining the static and dynamic characteristics of energy behaviour (voltage, electricity, and relative humidity) for various input operating parameters (hydrogen, oxygen, water flow rates, temperature and current). This energy phenomenon is used in a wide range of operating conditions to ensure the exploitation of the energy produced, which will be modeled by a recent practicable and achievable graphical formalism, the Macroscopic Energy Representation (MER), which is used because of its simplicity which feasibility, and is based on the action/reaction principle and controlled by a simple inversion method. This behavior is designed to deduce and recommend an energy management plan for the PEMFC system that takes into account the various states of flooding and drought and contributes to an optimal humidity level for the system's implementation. The simulation results show that to operate correctly for this model, the Relative Humidity must be in the neighborhood of 100% for the device to be effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Making the link between human emotion and music is challenging. Our aim was to produce an efficient system that emotionally rates songs from multiple genres. To achieve this, we employed a series of online self-report studies, utilising Russell's circumplex model. The first study (n = 44) identified audio features that map to arousal and valence for 20 songs. From this, we constructed a set of linear regressors. The second study (n = 158) measured the efficacy of our system, utilising 40 new songs to create a ground truth. Results show our approach may be effective at emotionally rating music, particularly in the prediction of valence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Analyzing immunomodulatory elements operating during antitumor vaccination in prostate cancer patients and murine models we identified IL-10-producing DC as a subset with poorer immunogenicity and clinical efficacy. Inhibitory TAM receptors MER and AXL were upregulated on murine IL-10+ DC. Thus, we analyzed conditions inducing these molecules and the potential benefit of their blockade during vaccination. MER and AXL upregulation was more efficiently induced by a vaccine containing Imiquimod than by a poly(I:C)-containing vaccine. Interestingly, MER expression was found on monocyte-derived DC, and was dependent on IL-10. TAM blockade improved Imiquimod-induced DC activation in vitro and in vivo, resulting in increased vaccine-induced T-cell responses, which were further reinforced by concomitant IL-10 inhibition. In different tumor models, a triple therapy (including vaccination, TAM inhibition and IL-10 blockade) provided the strongest therapeutic effect, associated with enhanced T-cell immunity and enhanced CD8+ T cell tumor infiltration. Finally, MER levels in DC used for vaccination in cancer patients correlated with IL-10 expression, showing an inverse association with vaccine-induced clinical response. These results suggest that TAM receptors upregulated during vaccination may constitute an additional target in combinatorial therapeutic vaccination strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Microglial/macrophage activation and neuroinflammation are key cellular events following TBI, but the regulatory and functional mechanisms are still not well understood. Myeloid-epithelial-reproductive tyrosine kinase (Mer), a member of the Tyro-Axl-Mer (TAM) family of receptor tyrosine kinases, regulates multiple features of microglial/macrophage physiology. However, its function in regulating the innate immune response and microglial/macrophage M1/M2 polarization in TBI has not been addressed. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of Mer in regulating microglial/macrophage M1/M2 polarization and neuroinflammation following TBI.Methods: The controlled cortical impact (CCI) mouse model was employed. Mer siRNA was intracerebroventricularly administered, and recombinant protein S (PS) was intravenously applied for intervention. The neurobehavioral assessments, RT-PCR, Western blot, magnetic-activated cell sorting, immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy analysis, Nissl and Fluoro-Jade B staining, brain water content measurement, and contusion volume assessment were performed.Results: Mer is upregulated and regulates microglial/macrophage M1/M2 polarization and neuroinflammation in the acute stage of TBI. Mechanistically, Mer activates the signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1)/suppressor of cytokine signaling 1/3 (SOCS1/3) pathway. Inhibition of Mer markedly decreases microglial/macrophage M2-like polarization while increases M1-like polarization, which exacerbates the secondary brain damage and sensorimotor deficits after TBI. Recombinant PS exerts beneficial effects in TBI mice through Mer activation.Conclusions: Mer is an important regulator of microglial/macrophage M1/M2 polarization and neuroinflammation, and may be considered as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in TBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mumps virus (MuV) causes epidemic parotitis. MuV also frequently infects the testis and induces orchitis, an important etiological factor contributing to male infertility. However, mechanisms underlying MuV infection of the testis remain unknown. Here, we describe that sialic acid, AXL, and MER receptor tyrosine kinases regulate MuV entry and replication in mouse major testicular cells, including Sertoli and Leydig cells. Sialic acid, AXL, and MER were present in Sertoli and Leydig cells. Sialic acid specifically mediated MuV entry into Sertoli and Leydig cells, whereas both AXL and MER facilitated MuV replication within cells through the inhibition of cellular innate antiviral responses. Mechanistically, the inhibition of type 1 interferon signaling by AXL and MER is essential for MuV replication in Sertoli and Leydig cells. Our findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms behind MuV infection and replication in the testis.

Background: Malignant melanoma (MM) is potentially the most dangerous form of skin tumor. In the last few years, the so-called TAM receptors, a unique family of tyrosine kinase (TK) receptors, have become increasingly important. Objectives: To evaluate Mer and Axl TAM receptor expression to find clinicopathological features that could explain the biological behavior of MM. Patients and Methods: Clinicopathological data were obtained from an MM electronic database at our Institute. We reviewed 24 cutaneous MM specimens. TAM receptor expression was assayed using immunohistochemistry. Combinative semiquantitative scoring was used for the evaluation of TAM receptor expression (MerTK and AxlTK). Appropriate statistical methods were used to evaluate a possible correlation between TAM receptor expression and the clinicopathological variables of the MM samples (univariate analysis and multivariate analysis). Results: MerTK and AxlTK were expressed differently in the MM samples, with a major expression of the first receptor. The cells of the tumor microenvironment contributed to the majority of the total score. A significant association was found between AxlScore and the site of the tumor and between AxlScore and the variable ulceration; another correlation was found between MerScore and the following characteristics: pathological stage of the tumor (pT), sex, ulceration, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Conclusions: All correlations between the expression of MerTK and AxlTK with the clinical and histological variables of MM should be validated in a large group of people in order to increase the validity and the impact of our observations, with subsequently therapeutic implications in the era of the “targeted therapy.”

Abstract Background Although membrane-associated estrogen receptors (mERs) have been known to play important role in steroid-induced signal transmission, we still know little about their function in the estrogen-induced proliferation of breast cancer cells. Methods In our current work we tried to separate membrane-initiated estrogen receptor signaling from the overall estrogenic effect in MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells. Re-analyzing expression data from multiple microarray experiments, we selected a set of key regulatory genes involved in proliferation regulation and estrogen signaling to monitor estrogen-induced transcription changes. We then compared these expression changes after 17β-estradiol and a membrane receptor selective estrogen–BSA treatment using quantitative real-time PCR. In order to follow receptor trafficking we used light and electron microscopy. Results Our quantitative real-time PCR results confirmed that the selective membrane receptor agonist, estrogen–BSA induces similarly pronounced expression changes regarding these genes as 17β-estradiol. Morphological study revealed that the membrane-bound form of classical estrogen receptor alpha is internalized after ligand binding via dynamin-dependent, caveola-mediated endocytosis. Inhibition of this internalization with dynamin inhibitor, dynasore practically abolished the regulatory effect of E2-BSA, suggesting that interaction and internalization with the scaffold protein is necessary for effective signaling. Conclusions The physiological role of plasma membrane estrogen receptor alpha is intensively studied, yet there are still several aspects of it to be resolved. The dynamin-dependent, ligand-mediated internalization of mERs seems to play an important role in estrogen signaling. Our results may serve as another example of how membrane initiated estrogen signaling and nuclear receptor initiated signaling overlap and form an intertwined system.

This contribution is a journey through the narrative and poetic works of the French language Belgian author, Corinne Hoex (1946), focusing on the sea, a central theme ever-present in her writing. In the selected novel, Ma robe n’est pas froissée (2008) as well as her poetic writings La Nuit, la mer (2009) and Les Mots arrachés (2015), we analyze the underlying role that the sea plays in the identity of the narrator and in his perception of painful family relationships. On the other hand, we bring to light how the storyteller uses a real and imaginary sea to express his suffering and to overcome it. Cette contribution est un parcours à travers l’œuvre narrative et poétique de l’écrivain belge de langue française Corinne Hoex (1946), à partir du fil conducteur de la mer ; thème d’approche que justifie son omniprésence dans son écriture. Dans les textes retenus, le roman Ma robe n’est pas froissée (2008) et les livres de poésie La Nuit, la mer (2009) et Les Mots arrachés (2015), nous analysons le rôle fondateur que joue la mer dans l’identité du personnage qui raconte et dans sa perception de relations familiales douloureuses. Il s’agira, d’autre part, de mettre en lumière comment il utilise une mer réelle et rêvée pour exprimer sa souffrance et s’en libérer.

This article aims to discuss the institutional resistance of Mercosur to the ad- vance of conservatism in South America, especially in relation to the post-coup foreign policy of 2016 in Brazil that culminates in the suspension of Venezuela from the bloc in 2017. Taking as a parameter the policy the objective of the Lula Government’s foreign policy is to contribute to the understanding of the limitations and institutional needs of Mercosur, capable of achieving greater resistance to changes in government or democratic ruptures. Based on two premises, dependence on trajectory and institutional effectiveness, the work is the result of documentary research, interviews and a literature review. It is concluded that, despite the advances in the Lula era, Mercosur did not change its trajectory to the point of giving effectiveness to its objectives and creating institutional resistance.