The ciliary machinery is repurposed for T cell immune synapse trafficking of LCK

Upon engagement of the T cell receptor with an antigen-presenting cell, LCK initiates TCR signaling by phosphorylating its activation motifs. However, the mechanism of LCK activation specifically at the immune synapse is a major question. We show that phosphorylation of the LCK activating Y394, despite modestly increasing its catalytic rate, dramatically focuses LCK localization to the immune synapse. We describe a trafficking mechanism whereby UNC119A extracts membrane-bound LCK by sequestering the hydrophobic myristoyl group, followed by release at the target membrane under the control of the ciliary ARL3/ARL13B. The UNC119A N terminus acts as a “regulatory arm” by binding the LCK kinase domain, an interaction inhibited by LCK Y394 phosphorylation, thus together with the ARL3/ARL13B machinery ensuring immune synapse focusing of active LCK. We propose that the ciliary machinery has been repurposed by T cells to generate and maintain polarized segregation of signals such as activated LCK at the immune synapse

Constructions of the soluble potentials for the non-relativistic quantum system by means of the Heun functions

The Schr\"{o}dinger equation $\psi"(x)+\kappa^2 \psi(x)=0$ where $\kappa^2=k^2-V(x)$ is rewritten as a more popular form of a second order differential equation through taking a similarity transformation $\psi(z)=\phi(z)u(z)$ with $z=z(x)$. The Schr\"{o}dinger invariant $I_{S}(x)$ can be calculated directly by the Schwarzian derivative $\{z, x\}$ and the invariant $I(z)$ of the differential equation $u_{zz}+f(z)u_{z}+g(z)u=0$. We find an important relation for moving particle as $\nabla^2=-I_{S}(x)$ and thus explain the reason why the Schr\"{o}dinger invariant $I_{S}(x)$ keeps constant. As an illustration, we take the typical Heun differential equation as an object to construct a class of soluble potentials and generalize the previous results through choosing different $\rho=z'(x)$ as before. We get a more general solution $z(x)$ through integrating $(z')^2=\alpha_{1}z^2+\beta_{1}z+\gamma_{1}$ directly and it includes all possibilities for those parameters. Some particular cases are discussed in detail.Comment: 11 page

Current profiles and AC losses of a superconducting strip with elliptic cross-section in perpendicular magnetic field

The case of a hard type II superconductor in the form of strip with elliptic cross-section when placed in transverse magnetic field is studied. We approach the problem in two steps, both based on the critical-state model. First we calculate numerically the penetrated current profiles that ensure complete shielding in the interior, without assuming an a priori form for the profiles. In the second step we introduce an analytical approximation that asumes that the current profiles are ellipses. Expressions linking the sample magnetization to the applied field are derived covering the whole range of applied fields. The theoretical predictions are tested by the comparison with experimental data for the imaginary part of AC susceptibility.Comment: 12 pages; 3 figure

Bayesian Inversion of Stokes Profiles

[abridged] Inversion techniques are the most powerful methods to obtain information about the thermodynamical and magnetic properties of solar and stellar atmospheres. In the last years, we have witnessed the development of highly sophisticated inversion codes that are now widely applied to spectro-polarimetric observations. The majority of these inversion codes are based on the optimization of a complicated non-linear merit function. However, no reliable and statistically well-defined confidence intervals can be obtained for the parameters inferred from the inversions. A correct estimation of the confidence intervals for all the parameters that describe the model is mandatory. Additionally, it is fundamental to apply efficient techniques to assess the ability of models to reproduce the observations and to what extent the models have to be refined or can be simplified. Bayesian techniques are applied to analyze the performance of the model to fit a given observed Stokes vector. The posterior distribution, is efficiently sampled using a Markov Chain Monte Carlo method. For simplicity, we focus on the Milne-Eddington approximate solution of the radiative transfer equation and we only take into account the generation of polarization through the Zeeman effect. However, the method is extremely general and other more complex forward models can be applied. We illustrate the ability of the method with the aid of academic and realistic examples. We show that the information provided by the posterior distribution turns out to be fundamental to understand and determine the amount of information available in the Stokes profiles in these particular cases.Comment: 15 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Biochar Improves the Properties of Poultry Manure Compost as Growing Media for Rosemary Production

[EN] Compost represents a sustainable alternative for peat (P) replacement in soilless plant cultivation, but its use can be limited by several inadequate physical and physicochemical properties. Biochar can alleviate some of the limitations of compost for its use as growth media by improving the physical properties, decreasing salinity and making the phytotoxic compounds unavailable for plants. We studied the physical and physicochemical properties of holm oak biochar (B), poultry manure compost (PMC), poultry manure composted with biochar (PMBC), a commercial peat (P) and multiple combinations of these materials as growth media, and their effect on the rooting and growth of rosemary. PMBC and PMC showed similar physical and physicochemical properties as growing media, and they both were phytotoxic when used in a rate above 50% (by volume) in the growing medium. However, when used at proportion of 25%, PMBC was less phytotoxic than PMC and enhanced the percentage of rosemary cutting rooting. The incorporation of B in the growing medium instead of P (either at 50% or 75% in volume) increased the stability of the growing media and the percentage of rooted cuttings, but it did not affect plant growth significantly. Our results demonstrate the potential of substituting peat by a combination of poultry manure compost and biochar for the formulation of growth media.This research was funded by SPANISH MINISTRY OF ECONOMY AND COMPETITIVENESS, grant numbers AGL2012-40143-C02-01 and RTI2018-099417-B-I00, co-funded with EU FEDER fundsFornes Sebastiá, F.; Liu-Xu, L.; Lidón, A.; Sanchez-Garcia, M.; Luz Cayuela, M.; Sanchez-Monedero, MA.; Belda Navarro, RM. (2020). Biochar Improves the Properties of Poultry Manure Compost as Growing Media for Rosemary Production. Agronomy. 10(2):1-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10020261S116102KERN, J., TAMMEORG, P., SHANSKIY, M., SAKRABANI, R., KNICKER, H., KAMMANN, C., … GLASER, B. (2017). SYNERGISTIC USE OF PEAT AND CHARRED MATERIAL IN GROWING MEDIA – AN OPTION TO REDUCE THE PRESSURE ON PEATLANDS? Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management, 25(2), 160-174. doi:10.3846/16486897.2017.1284665Tiemeyer, B., Albiac Borraz, E., Augustin, J., Bechtold, M., Beetz, S., Beyer, C., … Zeitz, J. (2016). High emissions of greenhouse gases from grasslands on peat and other organic soils. Global Change Biology, 22(12), 4134-4149. doi:10.1111/gcb.13303Raviv, M. (2005). Production of High-quality Composts for Horticultural Purposes: A Mini-review. HortTechnology, 15(1), 52-57. doi:10.21273/horttech.15.1.0052GARCIADELAFUENTE, R., CARRION, C., BOTELLA, S., FORNES, F., NOGUERA, V., & ABAD, M. (2007). Biological oxidation of elemental sulphur added to three composts from different feedstocks to reduce their pH for horticultural purposes. Bioresource Technology, 98(18), 3561-3569. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2006.11.008Alburquerque, J. A., Gonzálvez, J., García, D., & Cegarra, J. (2006). Measuring detoxification and maturity in compost made from «alperujo», the solid by-product of extracting olive oil by the two-phase centrifugation system. Chemosphere, 64(3), 470-477. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.10.055Wang, P., Changa, C. M., Watson, M. E., Dick, W. A., Chen, Y., & Hoitink, H. A. J. (2004). Maturity indices for composted dairy and pig manures. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 36(5), 767-776. doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2003.12.012Sáez, J. A., Belda, R. M., Bernal, M. P., & Fornes, F. (2016). Biochar improves agro-environmental aspects of pig slurry compost as a substrate for crops with energy and remediation uses. Industrial Crops and Products, 94, 97-106. doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2016.08.035Kelleher, B. ., Leahy, J. ., Henihan, A. ., O’Dwyer, T. ., Sutton, D., & Leahy, M. . (2002). Advances in poultry litter disposal technology – a review. Bioresource Technology, 83(1), 27-36. doi:10.1016/s0960-8524(01)00133-xAtiyeh, R. M., Subler, S., Edwards, C. A., Bachman, G., Metzger, J. D., & Shuster, W. (2000). Effects of vermicomposts and composts on plant growth in horticultural container media and soil. Pedobiologia, 44(5), 579-590. doi:10.1078/s0031-4056(04)70073-6Steiner, C., & Harttung, T. (2014). Biochar as a growing media additive and peat substitute. Solid Earth, 5(2), 995-999. doi:10.5194/se-5-995-2014Woolf, D., Amonette, J. E., Street-Perrott, F. A., Lehmann, J., & Joseph, S. (2010). Sustainable biochar to mitigate global climate change. Nature Communications, 1(1). doi:10.1038/ncomms1053Fornes, F., & Belda, R. M. (2018). Biochar versus hydrochar as growth media constituents for ornamental plant cultivation. Scientia Agricola, 75(4), 304-312. doi:10.1590/1678-992x-2017-0062Tian, Y., Sun, X., Li, S., Wang, H., Wang, L., Cao, J., & Zhang, L. (2012). Biochar made from green waste as peat substitute in growth media for Calathea rotundifola cv. Fasciata. Scientia Horticulturae, 143, 15-18. doi:10.1016/j.scienta.2012.05.018Fornes, F., Belda, R. M., Fernández de Córdova, P., & Cebolla-Cornejo, J. (2017). Assessment of biochar and hydrochar as minor to major constituents of growing media for containerized tomato production. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 97(11), 3675-3684. doi:10.1002/jsfa.8227Petruccelli, R., Bonetti, A., Traversi, M. L., Faraloni, C., Valagussa, M., & Pozzi, A. (2015). Influence of biochar application on nutritional quality of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). Crop and Pasture Science, 66(7), 747. doi:10.1071/cp14247Belda, R. M., Lidón, A., & Fornes, F. (2016). Biochars and hydrochars as substrate constituents for soilless growth of myrtle and mastic. Industrial Crops and Products, 94, 132-142. doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2016.08.024Fornes, F., & Belda, R. M. (2019). Use of raw and acidified biochars as constituents of growth media for forest seedling production. New Forests, 50(6), 1063-1086. doi:10.1007/s11056-019-09715-yHuang, L., Niu, G., Feagley, S. E., & Gu, M. (2019). Evaluation of a hardwood biochar and two composts mixes as replacements for a peat-based commercial substrate. Industrial Crops and Products, 129, 549-560. doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2018.12.044Alvarez, J. M., Pasian, C., Lal, R., Lapez, R., & Ferna¡ndez, M. (2017). Vermicompost and biochar as substitutes of growing media in ornamental-plant production. Journal of Applied Horticulture, 19(03), 205-214. doi:10.37855/jah.2017.v19i03.37Steiner, C., Das, K. C., Melear, N., & Lakly, D. (2010). Reducing Nitrogen Loss during Poultry Litter Composting Using Biochar. Journal of Environmental Quality, 39(4), 1236-1242. doi:10.2134/jeq2009.0337Wang, C., Lu, H., Dong, D., Deng, H., Strong, P. J., Wang, H., & Wu, W. (2013). Insight into the Effects of Biochar on Manure Composting: Evidence Supporting the Relationship between N2O Emission and Denitrifying Community. Environmental Science & Technology, 47(13), 7341-7349. doi:10.1021/es305293hWang, Y., Villamil, M. B., Davidson, P. C., & Akdeniz, N. (2019). A quantitative understanding of the role of co-composted biochar in plant growth using meta-analysis. Science of The Total Environment, 685, 741-752. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.244Sánchez-García, M., Alburquerque, J. A., Sánchez-Monedero, M. A., Roig, A., & Cayuela, M. L. (2015). Biochar accelerates organic matter degradation and enhances N mineralisation during composting of poultry manure without a relevant impact on gas emissions. Bioresource Technology, 192, 272-279. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2015.05.003Maroušek, J., Hašková, S., Zeman, R., Žák, J., Vaníčková, R., Maroušková, A., … Myšková, K. (2015). Polemics on Ethical Aspects in the Compost Business. Science and Engineering Ethics, 22(2), 581-590. doi:10.1007/s11948-015-9664-yAbad, M., Fornes, F., Carrión, C., Noguera, V., Noguera, P., Maquieira, A., & Puchades, R. (2005). Physical Properties of Various Coconut Coir Dusts Compared to Peat. HortScience, 40(7), 2138-2144. doi:10.21273/hortsci.40.7.2138Laird, D., Fleming, P., Wang, B., Horton, R., & Karlen, D. (2010). Biochar impact on nutrient leaching from a Midwestern agricultural soil. Geoderma, 158(3-4), 436-442. doi:10.1016/j.geoderma.2010.05.012Jaiswal, A. K., Elad, Y., Paudel, I., Graber, E. R., Cytryn, E., & Frenkel, O. (2017). Linking the Belowground Microbial Composition, Diversity and Activity to Soilborne Disease Suppression and Growth Promotion of Tomato Amended with Biochar. Scientific Reports, 7(1). doi:10.1038/srep44382Elad, Y., David, D. R., Harel, Y. M., Borenshtein, M., Kalifa, H. B., Silber, A., & Graber, E. R. (2010). Induction of Systemic Resistance in Plants by Biochar, a Soil-Applied Carbon Sequestering Agent. Phytopathology®, 100(9), 913-921. doi:10.1094/phyto-100-9-0913Graber, E. R., Meller Harel, Y., Kolton, M., Cytryn, E., Silber, A., Rav David, D., … Elad, Y. (2010). Biochar impact on development and productivity of pepper and tomato grown in fertigated soilless media. Plant and Soil, 337(1-2), 481-496. doi:10.1007/s11104-010-0544-6Fornes, F., Belda, R. M., & Lidón, A. (2015). Analysis of two biochars and one hydrochar from different feedstock: focus set on environmental, nutritional and horticultural considerations. Journal of Cleaner Production, 86, 40-48. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.08.057Fornes, F., Belda, R. M., Carrión, C., Noguera, V., García-Agustín, P., & Abad, M. (2007). Pre-conditioning ornamental plants to drought by means of saline water irrigation as related to salinity tolerance. Scientia Horticulturae, 113(1), 52-59. doi:10.1016/j.scienta.2007.01.008Moran, R. (1982). Formulae for Determination of Chlorophyllous Pigments Extracted with N,N-Dimethylformamide. Plant Physiology, 69(6), 1376-1381. doi:10.1104/pp.69.6.1376Mendoza-Hernández, D., Fornes, F., & Belda, R. M. (2014). Compost and vermicompost of horticultural waste as substrates for cutting rooting and growth of rosemary. Scientia Horticulturae, 178, 192-202. doi:10.1016/j.scienta.2014.08.024Fornes, F., Mendoza-Hernandez, D., & Belda, R. M. (2013). Compost versus vermicompost as substrate constituents for rooting shrub cuttings. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, 11(2), 518. doi:10.5424/sjar/2013112-3304Esteban, R., Ariz, I., Cruz, C., & Moran, J. F. (2016). Review: Mechanisms of ammonium toxicity and the quest for tolerance. 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Constraints on dark matter particles from theory, galaxy observations and N-body simulations

Mass bounds on dark matter (DM) candidates are obtained for particles decoupling in or out of equilibrium with {\bf arbitrary} isotropic and homogeneous distribution functions. A coarse grained Liouville invariant primordial phase space density $\mathcal D$ is introduced. Combining its value with recent photometric and kinematic data on dwarf spheroidal satellite galaxies in the Milky Way (dShps), the DM density today and $N$-body simulations, yields upper and lower bounds on the mass, primordial phase space densities and velocity dispersion of the DM candidates. The mass of the DM particles is bound in the few keV range. If chemical freeze out occurs before thermal decoupling, light bosonic particles can Bose-condense. Such Bose-Einstein {\it condensate} is studied as a dark matter candidate. Depending on the relation between the critical($T_c$)and decoupling($T_d$)temperatures, a BEC light relic could act as CDM but the decoupling scale must be {\it higher} than the electroweak scale. The condensate tightens the upper bound on the particle's mass. Non-equilibrium scenarios that describe particle production and partial thermalization, sterile neutrinos produced out of equilibrium and other DM models are analyzed in detail obtaining bounds on their mass, primordial phase space density and velocity dispersion. Light thermal relics with $m \sim \mathrm{few} \mathrm{keV}$ and sterile neutrinos lead to a primordial phase space density compatible with {\bf cored} dShps and disfavor cusped satellites. Light Bose condensed DM candidates yield phase space densities consistent with {\bf cores} and if $T_c\gg T_d$ also with cusps. Phase space density bounds from N-body simulations suggest a potential tension for WIMPS with $m \sim 100 \mathrm{GeV},T_d \sim 10 \mathrm{MeV}$.Comment: 27 pages 8 figures. Version to appear in Phys. Rev.