Semi‐Structural Forecasting of UK Inflation Based on the Hybrid New Keynesian Phillips Curve

We develop a semi‐structural model for forecasting inflation in the UK in which the New Keynesian Phillips curve (NKPC) is augmented with a time series model for marginal cost. By combining structural and time series elements we hope to reap the benefits of both approaches, namely the relatively better forecasting performance of time series models in the short run and a theory‐consistent economic interpretation of the forecast coming from the structural model. In our model we consider the hybrid version of the NKPC and use an open‐economy measure of marginal cost. The results suggest that our semi‐structural model performs better than a random‐walk forecast and most of the competing models (conventional time series models and strictly structural models) only in the short run (one quarter ahead) but it is outperformed by some of the competing models at medium and long forecast horizons (four and eight quarters ahead). In addition, the open‐economy specification of our semi‐structural model delivers more accurate forecasts than its closed‐economy alternative at all horizons. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Yersinia pseudotuberculosis</Emphasis> supports Th17 differentiation and limits de novo regulatory T cell induction by directly interfering with T cell receptor signaling

Adaptive immunity critically contributes to control acute infection with enteropathogenic Yersinia pseudotuberculosis; however, the role of CD4⁺ T cell subsets in establishing infection and allowing pathogen persistence remains elusive. Here, we assessed the modulatory capacity of Y. pseudotuberculosis on CD4⁺ T cell differentiation. Using in vivo assays, we report that infection with Y. pseudotuberculosis resulted in enhanced priming of IL-17-producing T cells (Th17 cells), whereas induction of Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells (Tregs) was severely disrupted in gut-draining mesenteric lymph nodes (mLNs), in line with altered frequencies of tolerogenic and proinflammatory dendritic cell (DC) subsets within mLNs. Additionally, by using a DC-free in vitro system, we could demonstrate that Y. pseudotuberculosis can directly modulate T cell receptor (TCR) downstream signaling within naïve CD4⁺ T cells and Tregs via injection of effector molecules through the type III secretion system, thereby affecting their functional properties. Importantly, modulation of naïve CD4⁺ T cells by Y. pseudotuberculosis resulted in an enhanced Th17 differentiation and decreased induction of Foxp3⁺ Tregs in vitro. These findings shed light to the adjustment of the Th17-Treg axis in response to acute Y. pseudotuberculosis infection and highlight the direct modulation of CD4⁺ T cell subsets by altering their TCR downstream signaling.     

建筑室外风环境数值模拟的湍流模型比较

对日本建筑学会提供的室外无污染物扩散和有污染物扩散的建筑风洞实验模型,采用15种湍流模型分别求解其室外流场,通过模拟结果与风洞实验结果的对比分析,确定建筑室外风环境数值模拟所用的最优湍流模型.结果表明,Suga三次式高Re k-ε模型对风场和浓度场的求解具有很高的精度,是最优的模拟室外风环境的湍流模型,不足之处是该模型...     

Polymerization within a molecular-scale stereoregular template

Enzymes efficiently synthesize biopolymers by organizing monomer units within regularly structured molecular-scale spaces and exploiting weak non-covalent interactions, such as hydrogen bonds, to control the polymerization process. This 'template' approach is both attractive and challenging for synthetic polymer synthesis, where structurally regulated molecular-scale spaces could in principle provide solid-phase reaction sites for precision polymerization. Previously, free-radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate in solutions containing stereoregular isotactic (it) or syndiotactic (st) poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) has been shown to result in template synthesis of the opposite PMMA based on stereocomplex formation with van der Waals interactions. However, using the structure of a solid to determine the stereochemical structure of a polymer has not been satisfactorily achieved. Here we show that macromolecularly porous ultrathin films, fabricated by a single assembly step, can be used for the highly efficient stereoregular template polymerization of methacrylates through stereocomplex formation. This reaction mould accurately transfers its structural properties of stereoregularity, molecular weight and organization within the template to the new polymer.     

A clonogenic common myeloid progenitor that gives rise to all myeloid lineages

Haematopoietic stem cells give rise to progeny that progressively lose self-renewal capacity and become restricted to one lineage. The points at which haematopoietic stem cell-derived progenitors commit to each of the various lineages remain mostly unknown. We have identified a clonogenic common lymphoid progenitor that can differentiate into T, B and natural killer cells but not myeloid cells. Here we report the prospective identification, purification and characterization, using cell-surface markers and flow cytometry, of a complementary clonogenic common myeloid progenitor that gives rise to all myeloid lineages. Common myeloid progenitors give rise to either megakaryocyte/erythrocyte or granulocyte/macrophage progenitors. Purified progenitors were used to provide a first-pass expression profile of various haematopoiesis-related genes. We propose that the common lymphoid progenitor and common myeloid progenitor populations reflect the earliest branch points between the lymphoid and myeloid lineages, and that the commitment of common myeloid progenitors to either the megakaryocyte/erythrocyte or the granulocyte/macrophage lineages are mutually exclusive events.     

Functional interaction between TRPC1 channel and connexin-43 protein: a novel pathway underlying S1P action on skeletal myogenesis

We recently demonstrated that skeletal muscle differentiation induced by sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) requires gap junctions and transient receptor potential canonical 1 (TRPC1) channels. Here, we searched for the signaling pathway linking the channel activity with Cx43 expression/function, investigating the involvement of the Ca²⁺-sensitive protease, m-calpain, and its targets in S1P-induced C2C12 myoblast differentiation. Gene silencing and pharmacological inhibition of TRPC1 significantly reduced Cx43 up-regulation and Cx43/cytoskeletal interaction elicited by S1P. TRPC1-dependent functions were also required for the transient increase of m-calpain activity/expression and the subsequent decrease of PKCα levels. Remarkably, Cx43 expression in S1P-treated myoblasts was reduced by m-calpain-siRNA and enhanced by pharmacological inhibition of classical PKCs, stressing the relevance for calpain/PKCα axis in Cx43 protein remodeling. The contribution of this pathway in myogenesis was also investigated. In conclusion, these findings provide novel mechanisms by which S1P regulates myoblast differentiation and offer interesting therapeutic options to improve skeletal muscle regeneration.     

Pedogenesis affecting the Matuyama-Brunhes polarity transition recorded in Chinese loess?

A detailed record of the Matuyama-Brunhes (M-B) transition has been obtained from the loess unit 8 (L8) at Duanjiapo (34.2°N, 109.2°E),Shannxi Province of China. An investigation of the rock magnetic properties using hysteresis loops, thermomagnetic analyses identifies pseudo- single domain magnetite as the main carrier of the remanence, with a small contribution from maghemite and hematite. The paleo-direction records obtained reveal: (ⅰ) The M-B transition was recorded in the middle and lower part of L8, and comprises of five fast reversals. (ⅱ) The duration of the M-B polarity transition related to the directional change is about 4800 a. (ⅲ) The virtual geomagnetic pole (VGP) path during the transition is confined over Africa, peaked 90° away from the sampling site, in contrast with the results obtained from the Weinan loess section. The different VGPs are probably attributed to the pedogenesis.     

Differentiating effects of the glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue exendin-4 in a human neuronal cell model

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an insulinotropic peptide with neurotrophic properties, as assessed in animal cell models. Exendin-4, a GLP-1 analogue, has been recently approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to morphologically, structurally, and functionally characterize the differentiating actions of exendin-4 using a human neuronal cell model (i.e., SH-SY5Y cells). We found that exendin-4 increased the number of neurites paralleled by dramatic changes in intracellular actin and tubulin distribution. Electrophysiological analyses showed an increase in cell membrane surface and in stretch-activated-channels sensitivity, an increased conductance of Na⁺ channels and amplitude of Ca⁺⁺ currents (T- and L-type), typical of a more mature neuronal phenotype. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that exendin-4 promotes neuronal differentiation in human cells. Noteworthy, our data support the claimed favorable role of exendin-4 against diabetic neuropathy as well as against different neurodegenerative diseases.