Critical Role of Klf5 in Regulating Gene Expression during Post-Eyelid Opening Maturation of Mouse Corneas

Background: Klf5 plays an important role in maturation and maintenance of the mouse ocular surface. Here, we quantify WT and Klf5-conditional null (Klf5CN) corneal gene expression, identify Klf5-target genes and compare them with the previously identified Klf4-target genes to understand the molecular basis for non-redundant functions of Klf4 and Klf5 in the cornea. Methodology/Principal Findings: Postnatal day-11 (PN11) and PN56 WT and Klf5CN corneal transcriptomes were quantified by microarrays to compare gene expression in maturing WT corneas, identify Klf5-target genes, and compare corneal Klf4- and Klf5-target genes. Whole-mount corneal immunofluorescent staining was employed to examine CD45+ cell influx and neovascularization. Effect of Klf5 on expression of desmosomal components was studied by immunofluorescent staining and transient co-transfection assays. Expression of 714 and 753 genes was increased, and 299 and 210 genes decreased in PN11 and PN56 Klf5CN corneas, respectively, with 366 concordant increases and 72 concordant decreases. PN56 Klf5CN corneas shared 241 increases and 98 decreases with those previously described in Klf4CN corneas. Xenobiotic metabolism related pathways were enriched among genes decreased in Klf5CN corneas. Expression of angiogenesis and immune response-related genes was elevated, consistent with neovascularization and CD45+ cell influx in Klf5CN corneas. Expression of 1574 genes was increased and 1915 genes decreased in WT PN56 compared with PN11 corneas. Expression of ECM-associated genes decreased, while that of solute carrier family members increased in WT PN56 compared with PN11 corneas. Dsg1a, Dsg1b and Dsp were down-regulated in Klf5CN corneas and their corresponding promoter activities were stimulated by Klf5 in transient co-transfection assays. Conclusions/Significance: Differences between PN11 and PN56 corneal Klf5-target genes reveal dynamic changes in functions of Klf5 during corneal maturation. Klf5 contributes to corneal epithelial homeostasis by regulating the expression of desmosomal components. Klf4- and Klf5-target genes are largely distinct, consistent with their non-redundant roles in the mouse cornea. © 2012 Kenchegowda et al

Standardization of references using Hidden Markov Model

In general, technical papers are augmented with a list of bibliographic citations to support the arguments and the merits of the approach presented. Each and every citation is made up of parts like author, journal, volume, book etc. Extracting the parts of the citation from a written document and properly separating into its parts is the problem that is being addressed in this thesis; We use an Information Extraction (IE) technique based on Hidden Markov Model (HMM) to solve this problem. This solution consists of the design of an HMM, the training of the HMM with tagged data, and an implementation of Forward Chaining algorithm for extraction of citation parts. Our test on a collection of 150 citations has recall and precision of 0.8 and 0.81 respectively

Feasibility Analysis of Solar Power for the Safety of Fast Reactors during beyond Design Basis Events

This chapter presents a new design that unites the favorable technical and ecological characteristics of the solar and nuclear power plants. The current designs of nuclear reactors promise integral configuration of the primary coolant loop, secondary coolant loop, and a number of passive safety functions and overall simplification of the reactor. The present nuclear reactor design emphasizes on the safety of the reactor core at all times, i.e., controlling the reactor, cooling the reactor core, and maintaining containment. In case of non-availability of standby emergency DGs during beyond design basis event like Fukushima incident, etc., leading to extended station blackout conditions, the passive decay heat removal system will be affected. Hence, additional DGs have been made as a mandatory requirement in nuclear power plants. In case the ADG could not be mobilized during BDBE, an additional backup power source not affected by BDBE is appreciated. Hence in addition to the diesel power sources (EDG and ADG), a new design was developed for integration of diesel power with solar power. The hybrid system was designed to improve the reliability and availability of passive heat removal system, to ensure a reliable supply without interruption, and to improve the overall system reliability (by the integration with the battery bank). This hybrid power also gives the redundant power supply to the safety critical systems. This chapter also features a detailed reliability analysis carried out for power supplies to the safety critical loads. In addition a comparison was made between PV/diesel/battery with diesel/battery. These new hybrid systems conserves diesel fuel and reduce CO2 as well as particulate emissions that are harmful to environment health. Integration of solar power to the existing battery power will increase the reliability and extended availability of the system and thereby ensures safety of the plant during crisis/calamities

Caught in action: visualizing dynamic nanostructures within supramolecular systems chemistry

Supramolecular systems chemistry has been an area of active research to develop nanomaterials with life-like functions. Progress in systems chemistry relies on our ability to probe the nanostructure formation in solution. Often visualizing the dynamics of nanostructures which transform over time is a formidable challenge. This necessitates a paradigm shift from dry sample imaging towards solution-based techniques. We review the application of state-of-the-art techniques for real-time, in situ visualization of dynamic self-assembly processes. We present how solution-based techniques namely optical super-resolution microscopy, solution-state atomic force microscopy, liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy, molecular dynamics simulations and other emerging techniques are revolutionizing our understanding of active and adaptive nanomaterials with life-like functions. This Review provides the visualization toolbox and futuristic vision to tap the potential of dynamic nanomaterials

Design of High Power Regenerative Battery Discharger System for Nuclear Power Plant

In a Nuclear Power reactor, safety loads are backed by standby battery system. The healthiness of the battery is very essential requirement and prominent attention is given to availability and reliability of battery supply in nuclear plants. Hence regular monitoring and testing the performance of the battery is a prime requirement. The capacity and load cycle discharge testing of the battery is done annually and the current system employed is to discharge the battery current through resistor banks, which results in unusable power consumption and is uneconomical. The growing trend in power electronics field has given the new technology of regenerating the dissipated power to grid. This paper proposes a high power electronic regenerative technology with high efficiency, low harmonics to pump the dc power to the grid. Though, it is available at lower rating in industry, the paper proposes a high power regenerative discharge system. The topology selected is interleaved boost converter interfaced to a three phase grid connected inverter. The challenges involved are high power operation, steep current discharges with a minimal interference to the normal plant operation power supplies during the regeneration. This paper also presents the system design and simulation results

Correlating anthropometric parameters with lower limb muscle strength: on the example of female volleyball players

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between anthropometric parameters, strength of the muscles of the lower limbs, and jump height among women volleyball players, with a focus on anthropometric parameters. Material and methods: Thirty-two university-level women volleyball players aged 18 to 25 years participated in the study. Height, weight, arm span, body mass index (BMI), and lower limb muscle strength were measured using standard anthropometric techniques and specialized equipment. Regression modeling and Pearson correlation analysis were employed to examine the associations between anthropometric parameters and lower limb muscle strength. Results: The regression analysis revealed significant associations between weight and BMI with lower limb muscle strength, indicating a positive relationship with weight and a negative relationship with BMI. However, height and arm span did not show significant correlations with lower limb muscle strength. Pearson correlation analysis confirmed strong positive correlations between height, weight, arm span, and lower limb muscle strength. Conclusions: This study challenges the conventional emphasis on height alone in assessing athletic performance in women's volleyball. It highlights the significant roles played by weight and BMI in predicting lower limb muscle strength and jump height, suggesting that players with greater body mass tend to achieve greater vertical displacement during jumps. These findings underscore the importance of considering a holistic array of anthropometric parameters, lower limb muscle strength, in talent identification and training program design in women's volleybal

Protein supplementation on muscle recovery and soreness after intense badminton training sessions

Purpose. This study aimed to investigate the impact of protein supplementation on muscle recovery and delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in male badminton players following intense training sessions. Materials and Methods. Thirty-six male badminton players, aged 18 to 25, were randomly divided into three groups: a high-protein group (1.6 g/kg body weight), a moderate-protein group (0.8 g/kg body weight), and a placebo group. Participants consumed their respective supplements within 30 minutes after each training session over a six-week period. Muscle soreness was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 24, 48 and 72 hours post-exercise, and recovery was measured through the Perceived Recovery Status (PRS) scale. Statistical analyses, including two-way ANOVA, were performed to assess the effects of protein supplementation and the recovery time on muscle soreness and recovery. Results. The high-protein group showed significantly faster recovery and reduced muscle soreness than the moderate-protein and placebo groups (p < 0.001). Furthermore, regression analysis indicated a strong negative correlation between protein intake and muscle soreness, highlighting the benefit of higher protein levels in improving recovery. Conclusions. Protein supplementation, especially at a higher dose of 1.6 g/kg body weight, significantly aided in muscle recovery and reduced muscle soreness in male badminton players. This suggests that adequate protein intake is key to enhancing recovery and performance in sports that require quick bursts of intense activity

Blockchain-Based Distributed Marketplace

Developments in Blockchain technology have enabled the creation of smart contracts; i.e., self-executing code that is stored and executed on the Blockchain. This has led to the creation of distributed, decentralised applications, along with frameworks for developing and deploying them easily. This paper describes a proof-of-concept system that implements a distributed online marketplace using the Ethereum framework, where buyers and sellers can engage in e-commerce transactions without the need of a large central entity coordinating the process. The performance of the system was measured in terms of cost of use through the concept of ‘gas usage’. It was determined that such costs are significantly less than that of Amazon and eBay for high volume users. The findings generally support the ability to use Ethereum to create a distributed on-chain market, however, there are still areas that require further research and development

Efficacy of Resistance Band Training on Shoulder Muscle Strength and Injury Prevention in Volleyball Athletes

Purpose: Shoulder injuries are common in women volleyball players, often resulting from repetitive overhead movements. Effective strength training methods can help prevent these injuries. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of an eight-week resistance band training program on shoulder muscle strength enhancement and injury prevention in women volleyball athletes. Material and Methods. Forty collegiate women volleyball players, aged 18-25, were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n=20) or a control group (n=20). The intervention group underwent a structured resistance band training program targeting shoulder strength, which included exercises like shoulder presses, lateral raises, internal and external rotations, and scapular retractions. Isokinetic dynamometry was used to assess shoulder muscle strength before and after the intervention, measuring peak torque of the shoulder flexors, extensors, internal rotators, and external rotators. Injury rates were monitored throughout the volleyball season, documenting the number and severity of shoulder injuries. Results. Significant improvements in shoulder muscle strength were observed in the intervention group across all measured parameters (p 0.05). Moreover, the intervention group exhibited a significant reduction in shoulder injury rates post-intervention (p = 0.041), whereas the control group's injury rates remained stable (p = 0.768). Conclusions. The findings suggest that resistance band training effectively enhances shoulder muscle strength and reduces injury rates in women volleyball athletes. Integrating targeted strength training, such as resistance band exercises, into regular training routines may help enhance athlete performance and mitigate injury risk in sports characterized by repetitive overhead movements. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects and optimal implementation strategies of resistance band training in athletic contexts