1,516 research outputs found
Ligation of CD46 to CD40 inhibits CD40 signaling in B cells
No full textCD40 induces B cells to switch to IgE in the presence of IL-4 and up-regulates their expression of the low-affinity receptor for IgE, CD23, which promotes the immune response to allergen complexed with IgE antibody. CD40 binds to CD40L and to the C4b-binding protein (C4BP) using distinct sites. CD46 is a receptor for the product of activated complement C4b. Some microbial antigens bind both C4BP and CD46, potentially bridging CD40 to CD46. In addition, immune complexes containing both C4b and C4BP may cross-link CD40 to CD46. We demonstrate that cross-linking CD46 to CD40 on B cells inhibits CD40-mediated up-regulation of surface CD23 expression and induction of IL-4-dependent IgE isotype switching. This was associated with inhibition of induction of Cε germ line transcripts and of activation-induced cytidine deaminase mRNA expression. Furthermore, co-ligation of CD46 to CD40 blocked CD40-mediated NF-κB activation. These observations suggest that complement components may play an important role in regulating CD40 activation of B cells and the allergic response
R.S. Peters' Comprehensive Theory of Moral Education
No full textThis article presents R.S. Peters’ theory of moral education embedded in his broad conception of morality. The author examines Peters’ views against the background of Kohlberg’s stage theory of moral development; hence, the positions of both thinkers are interwoven throughout the discussion. It addresses some central issues relevant to moral education such as, for example: cognitive and affective aspects of morality, and the acquisition of virtues. In the article the author argues that Peters’ account of moral development and moral education provides supplementation for the somewhat narrow theory developed by Kohlberg, thus establishing a broader framework relevant to moral education.status: Publishe
Combining Fault Analysis Technologies for ISO26262 Functional Safety Verification
No full textThe development of Integrated Circuits for the Automotive sector imposes on complex challenges. ISO26262 Functional Safety requirements entail extensive Fault Injection campaigns and complex analysis for the evaluation of deployed Software Tools. This paper proposes a methodology to improve Fault Analysis Tools Confidence Level (TCL) by detecting errors in the classification of faults. By combining the strengths of Automatic Test Pattern Generators (ATPG), Formal Methods and Fault Injection Simulators we are able to automatically generate a Test Environment that enables the validation of the tools and provides supplementary information about the design behavior. Our results showed fault detection rates above 99% including information to improve ISO26262 metrics calculationAccepted author manuscriptComputer EngineeringQuantum & Computer Engineerin
Acquired C1-inhibitor deficiency asociated with antiidiotypic antibody to monoclonal immunoglobulins
No full textThe syndrome of acquired angioedema and C1-inhibitor deficiency is associated with B-cell lymphoproliferative disease. It is characterized by accelerated consumption of C1q and C1 inhibitor in vivo and by low levels of serum C2 and C4. Four patients with B-cell malignant diseases (IgA myeloma, macroglobulinemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and B-cell lymphoma, respectively) and acquired C1-inhibitor deficiency were found to have circulating antiidiotypic antibodies to the monoclonal immunoglobulin expressed on the surface of their B cells (three patients) or in the cytoplasm of their bone-marrow cells (one patient). Two of the four patients had circulating M components, and their antiidiotypic antibodies reacted with the M components. In three patients studied the percentage of B cells bearing C1q was 18, 24, and 35 per cent, as compared with 2.3 +/- 1.7 per cent (mean +/- S.D.) in six normal controls. These results suggest that an interaction between the idiotype of monoclonal immunoglobulins and antiidiotypic antibodies causes increased consumption of C1q and C1 inhibitor in patients with acquired angioedema and C1-inhibitor deficiency. We propose that the subsequent activation of the early components of complement leads to increased vascular permeability and to angioedema and that these patients have a disease caused by antiidiotypic antibodies
Transition and wavy walls: an experimental study: An experimental study
No full textA wide body of research exists which explores the effects of surface roughness or patterned wall shapes on instability growth and transition. Building on those works as well as recent experiments demonstrating passive laminar flow control using arrays of discrete roughness [3, 8], a set of spanwise-wavy walls is designed with the goal of suppressing instability growth in two-dimensional boundary layers. In a numerical investigation of Tollmien-Schlichting (TS) wave growth in the presence of streamwise boundary-layer streaks, Cossu and Brandt [1] found that stabilization of TS waves results from spanwise shear in the mean flow, which forms a negative contribution to production in the perturbation kinetic energy equation. Whereas previous efforts have employed streamwise vorticity developing in roughness wakes to provide the requisite mean-flow deformation, in this work stabilization is achieved through modulation of the no-slip surface. Miniature vortex generators (MVGs) have proven an effective means of producing streamwise streaks for transition delay [8], though relatively large streak amplitudes are necessary to counter their eventual decay through viscous dissipation. The notion motivating this work is that spanwise-wavy walls extended in the streamwise direction can produce a similar effect while avoiding bypass transition resulting from large-amplitude streamwise streaks. Toward that end, six wavy walls are used in a modular test model. When TS waves are excited upstream of the wavy walls, substantial delays in the onset of transition are observed for certain spanwise wavelengths compared with the flat-plate reference case
Milczące życie liter. O związku języka i przyrody w poezji R.S. Thomasa
No full textJoanna SoćkoSilent Life of Letters. On Interconnections between Language and Nature in the Poetry of R.S. Thomas.The essay sets out to explore R.S. Thomas’ (1913–2000) vision of the problematic relations between the man, the nature and their Creator. In the context of contemporary critique as well as the 20th century, post-husserlian philosophy, the author analyses Thomas’ cosmological poems and represents, on the one hand, the place that both man and God take in the creation and, on the other, the sacramental relationship between the human and the nature. What is important from this perspective is the material existence of both man and nature, which enables mutual infiltration that leads to discovery of imperceptible dimension of materiality, which, in turn, influences both human consciousness and language. This is why the author asks about the role of science in Thomas’ poetry and about the influence that “the machine” has on language and consciousness.Joanna SoćkoSilent Life of Letters. On Interconnections between Language and Nature in the Poetry of R.S. Thomas.The essay sets out to explore R.S. Thomas’ (1913–2000) vision of the problematic relations between the man, the nature and their Creator. In the context of contemporary critique as well as the 20th century, post-husserlian philosophy, the author analyses Thomas’ cosmological poems and represents, on the one hand, the place that both man and God take in the creation and, on the other, the sacramental relationship between the human and the nature. What is important from this perspective is the material existence of both man and nature, which enables mutual infiltration that leads to discovery of imperceptible dimension of materiality, which, in turn, influences both human consciousness and language. This is why the author asks about the role of science in Thomas’ poetry and about the influence that “the machine” has on language and consciousness
Czwarty wymiar. Poezja R.S. Thomasa wobec pytania o (nie)obecność
No full textThe Fourth Dimension. R.S. Thomas’s Poetry and the Question of God’s AbsenceThe text deals with the poetry of R.S. Thomas (1913−2000) – a British author and an Anglican priest in the Church of Wales – whose works are full of controversial (given his priesthood) statements concerning the absence of God. As a lot of Thomas’s poems convey thoughts intersecting with post-secular reflection on the death of God, rooted in Derrida’s questioning of the “metaphysics of presence,” the article aims at tracing the inspirations behind Thomas’s quasi-religious poetry. The point of departure for this reflection is the poet’s recollection of being left by his parents alone for the first time. The impression of an empty house turns out to be an experience which shaped the poet’s attitude towards the disenchanted space he lives in. Although most critics claim that the apparent absence of God in Thomas’s poetry results directly from the tradition of theological via negativa, the author of the article pays attention to those characteristics which differentiate Thomas’s spirituality from the theological tradition and the most important difference between the poet’s attitude and the traditional model of Christian contemplation turns out to be time, or, more precisely, the temporal discrepancy between the possible accessibility of the transcendent being and the man’s ability to “catch it at work.
Czwarty wymiar. Poezja R.S. Thomasa wobec pytania o (nie)obecność
No full textThe Fourth Dimension. R.S. Thomas’s Poetry and the Question of God’s AbsenceThe text deals with the poetry of R.S. Thomas (1913−2000) – a British author and an Anglican priest in the Church of Wales – whose works are full of controversial (given his priesthood) statements concerning the absence of God. As a lot of Thomas’s poems convey thoughts intersecting with post-secular reflection on the death of God, rooted in Derrida’s questioning of the “metaphysics of presence,” the article aims at tracing the inspirations behind Thomas’s quasi-religious poetry. The point of departure for this reflection is the poet’s recollection of being left by his parents alone for the first time. The impression of an empty house turns out to be an experience which shaped the poet’s attitude towards the disenchanted space he lives in. Although most critics claim that the apparent absence of God in Thomas’s poetry results directly from the tradition of theological via negativa, the author of the article pays attention to those characteristics which differentiate Thomas’s spirituality from the theological tradition and the most important difference between the poet’s attitude and the traditional model of Christian contemplation turns out to be time, or, more precisely, the temporal discrepancy between the possible accessibility of the transcendent being and the man’s ability to “catch it at work.
MANOVA modelling of a chiropractic longitudinal study using multiple imputation
No full textThe purpose of this report is to present the detailed statistical analysis of a randomised, placebo-controlled trial comparing two different treatment modalities to an intervention of no known benefit for people with acute or subacute thoracic spine pain.
The therapy arms consist of Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT) and Graston Technique (GT) and the placebo is a non-functional ultrasound. A placebo group was utilised because at present there are no proven treatments for non-specific thoracic pain. This trial is registered with the Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. Ethics approval has been granted by Murdoch University Human Research and Ethics Committee, number 2007/274.
The aim of this three arm trial was to test the efficacy of SMT and GT as independent modalities compared to detuned ultrasound for the outcomes of pain and disability. The latter were measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and a modified Oswestry Back Pain Disability Index. The study was conducted at the Murdoch University Chiropractic student clinic in Perth, Australia, and the protocol published in Crothers et al (2008).
In this report, Section 2 provides an initial exploratory analysis of the data, Section 3 outlines the statistical models used in the final analysis, Section 4 defines these models in mathematical terms, Section 5 discusses the management of missing values via multiple imputation and Section 6 presents the results of the statistical modelling and hypothesis tests. The clinical study will be published in full elsewhere
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