Context. The precise determination of the present-day expansion rate of the Universe, expressed through the Hubble constant H0, is one of the most pressing challenges in modern cosmology. Assuming ...flat ΛCDM, H0 inference at high redshift using cosmic microwave background data from Planck disagrees at the 4.4σ level with measurements based on the local distance ladder made up of parallaxes, Cepheids, and Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), often referred to as Hubble tension. Independent cosmological-model-insensitive ways to infer H0 are of critical importance. Aims. We apply an inverse distance ladder approach, combining strong-lensing time-delay distance measurements with SN Ia data. By themselves, SNe Ia are merely good indicators of relative distance, but by anchoring them to strong gravitational lenses we can obtain an H0 measurement that is relatively insensitive to other cosmological parameters. Methods. A cosmological parameter estimate was performed for different cosmological background models, both for strong-lensing data alone and for the combined lensing + SNe Ia data sets. Results. The cosmological-model dependence of strong-lensing H0 measurements is significantly mitigated through the inverse distance ladder. In combination with SN Ia data, the inferred H0 consistently lies around 73–74 km s−1 Mpc−1, regardless of the assumed cosmological background model. Our results agree closely with those from the local distance ladder, but there is a > 2σ tension with Planck results, and a ∼1.5σ discrepancy with results from an inverse distance ladder including Planck, baryon acoustic oscillations, and SNe Ia. Future strong-lensing distance measurements will reduce the uncertainties in H0 from our inverse distance ladder.
This paper presents a new position-determination estimator for trilateration location. The proposed estimator takes the measurement bias into consideration and improves the location accuracy of a ...mobile location system. In case that a mobile station (MS) utilizes signals from a set of base stations for its location, the computed location is largely affected by nonline-of-sight (NLOS) error in signal propagation. A constrained optimization method in a three-stage estimation structure is proposed to estimate and eliminate the measurement bias contained in each pseudorange and mainly caused by the NLOS error. A linear observation model of the bias is formulated, and the interior-point optimization technique optimally estimates the bias by introducing a feasible range of the measurement bias. It is demonstrated that the new three-stage estimator successfully computes an accurate location of an MS in a realistic environment setting. The location accuracy of the proposed estimator is analyzed and compared with the existing methods through mathematical formulations and simulations. The proposed estimator efficiently mitigates the effect of a measurement bias and shows that the iterated least square (ILS) accuracy of 118 m 67% distance root-mean-square (DRMS) can be improved to about 17 m in a typical urban environment
The Joint External Evaluation (JEE), a consolidation of the World Health Organization (WHO) International Health Regulations 2005 (IHR 2005) Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and the Global Health ...Security Agenda country assessment tool, is an objective, voluntary, independent peer-to-peer multisectoral assessment of a country's health security preparedness and response capacity across 19 IHR technical areas. WHO approved the standardized JEE tool in February 2016. The JEE process is wholly transparent; countries request a JEE and are encouraged to make its findings public. Donors (e.g., member states, public and private partners, and other public health institutions) can support countries in addressing identified JEE gaps, and implementing country-led national action plans for health security. Through July 2017, 52 JEEs were completed, and 25 more countries were scheduled across WHO's 6 regions. JEEs facilitate progress toward IHR 2005 implementation, thereby building trust and mutual accountability among countries to detect and respond to public health threats.
Tumor hypoxia is an inherent impediment to cancer treatment that is both clinically significant and problematic. In this study, we conducted a cell-based screen to identify small molecules that could ...reverse the apoptotic resistance of hypoxic cancer cells. Among the compounds, we identified were a structurally related group that sensitized hypoxic cancer cells to apoptosis by inhibiting the kinases GSK-3β and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 1. Combinatorial inhibition of these proteins in hypoxic cancer cells and tumors increased levels of c-Myc and decreased expression of c-IAP2 and the central hypoxia response regulator hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) 1α. In mice, these compounds augmented the hypoxic tumor cell death induced by cytotoxic chemotherapy, blocking angiogenesis and tumor growth. Taken together, our findings suggest that combinatorial inhibition of GSK-3β and CDK1 augment the apoptotic sensitivity of hypoxic tumors, and they offer preclinical validation of a novel and readily translatable strategy to improve cancer therapy.
Based on a sequence of successive-time double-differences of pseudorange and carrier phase measurements provided by the Global Positioning System (GPS), a channelwise test statistic is proposed. The ...proposed test statistic is particularly efficient in multipath detection and operationally advantageous: it requires only basic observables, it requires no precomputation of receiver position, it has standard /spl chi//sup 2/-distributions, and it can reduce the detection resolution by increasing the number of successive measurements. To analyze the proposed test statistic, both minimum detectable jump and minimum detectable ramp are derived. An experiment under an intentional multipath environment exhibits the effectiveness of the proposed test statistic.
This study delved into the well-being of 300 college athletes in the Davao Region, focusing on the interplay of Athletic Mental Energy (AME), Athlete Satisfaction (AS), and Sports Engagement (SE). ...The study adopted a stratified sampling approach, selecting participants from key state institutions, providing context-specific insights into the college athlete experience. Carried out in state colleges, including Davao Occidental and Davao del Sur, the research employed a population sample of 43 student-athletes for pilot testing, utilizing meticulously validated questionnaires with expert input. Findings showed a moderate AME level coupled with high athlete satisfaction and robust sports engagement. Correlation analyses unveiled positive connections among AME, AS, and SE, while regression analysis underscored AS as a partial mediator in the AME-SE relationship. Aligned with Engagement Theory and Locke's Range of Affect Theory, the study accentuated the intertwined nature of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral facets in athlete engagement. Practical implications encompassed the integration of mental resilience programs and the enhancement of leadership and coaching training. The study's outcomes contributed to a nuanced understanding of and avenues for optimizing the holistic development and satisfaction of college athletes. Furthermore, the research aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), emphasizing the imperative of holistic well-being in educational settings. Article visualizations:
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) compose a relatively new discipline in biomedical research, and many physiological processes in disease have been associated with changes in miRNA expression. Several studies ...report that miRNAs participate in biological processes such as the control of secondary injury in several disease models. Recently, we identified novel miRNAs that were abnormally up-regulated in a traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). In the current study, we focused on miR20a, which causes continuing motor neuron degeneration when overexpressed in SCI lesions. Blocking miR20a in SCI animals led to neural cell survival and eventual neurogenesis with rescued expression of the key target gene, neurogenin 1 (Ngn1). Infusion of siNgn1 resulted in functional deficit in the hindlimbs caused by aggressive secondary injury and actively enhanced the inflammation involved in secondary injury progression. The events involving miR20a underlie motor neuron and myelin destruction and pathophysiology and ultimately block regeneration in injured spinal cords. Inhibition of miR20a expression effectively induced definitive motor neuron survival and neurogenesis, and SCI animals showed improved functional deficit. In this study, we showed that abnormal expression of miR20a induces secondary injury, which suggests that miR20a could be a potential target for therapeutic intervention following SCI.
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