RNA-dependent association with myosin IIA promotes F-actin-guided trafficking of the ELAV-like protein HuR to polysomes

The role of the mRNA-binding protein human antigen R (HuR) in stabilization and translation of AU-rich elements (ARE) containing mRNAs is well established. However, the trafficking of HuR and bound mRNA cargo, which comprises a fundamental requirement for the aforementioned HuR functions is only poorly understood. By administering different cytoskeletal inhibitors, we found that the protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ)-triggered accumulation of cytoplasmic HuR by Angiotensin II (AngII) is an actin-myosin driven process functionally relevant for stabilization of ARE-bearing mRNAs. Furthermore, we show that the AngII-induced recruitment of HuR and its bound mRNA from ribonucleoprotein particles to free and cytoskeleton bound polysomes strongly depended on an intact actomyosin cytoskeleton. In addition, HuR allocation to free and cytoskeletal bound polysomes is highly sensitive toward RNase and PPtase and structurally depends on serine 318 (S318) located within the C-terminal RNA recognition motif (RRM3). Conversely, the trafficking of the phosphomimetic HuRS318D, mimicking HuR phosphorylation at S318 by the PKCδ remained PPtase resistant. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments with truncated HuR proteins revealed that the stimulus-induced association of HuR with myosin IIA is strictly RNA dependent and mediated via the RRM3. Our data implicate a microfilament dependent transport of HuR, which is relevant for stimulus-induced targeting of ARE-bearing mRNAs from translational inactive ribonucleoprotein particles to polysomes

Crustal structure from teleseismic P-wave receiver function analysis in the Maule Region, Central Chile

EGU2011-12780 A temporary passive seismic network of 31 broad-band stations was deployed in the region around Talca and Constitución between 35°S to 36°S latitude and 71°W to 72.5°W longitude. The network was operated between March and October 2008. Thus, we recorded data prior the magnitude Mw=8.8 earthquake of 27 February 2010 at a latitude of the major slip and surface uplift. The experiment was conducted to address fundamental questions on deformation processes, crustal and mantle structures, and fluid flow. We present results of a teleseismic P receiver function study that covers the coastal region and reaches to the Andes. The aim is to determine the structure and thickness of the continental crust and constrain the state of hydration of the mantle wedge. The P-wave receiver function technique requires large teleseismic earthquakes from different distances and backazimuths. A few percent of the incident P-wave energy from a teleseismic event will be converted into S-wave (Ps) at significant and relatively sharp discontinuities beneath the station. A small converted S phase is produced that arrives at the station within the P wave coda directly after the direct P-wave. The converted Ps phase and their crustal multiples contain information about crustal properties, such as Moho depth and the crustal vp/vs ratio. We use teleseismic events with magnitudes mb > 5.5 at epicentral distances between 30° and 95° to examine P-to-S converted seismic phases. Our preliminary results provide new information about the thickness of the continental crust beneath the coastal region in Central Chile. At most of the stations we observed significant energy from P to S converted waves between 4 and 5 s after the direct P-wave within a positive phase interpreted as the Moho, occurring at 35 to 40 km. The great Maule earthquake of 27 February 2010 nucleated up-dip of the continental Moho. The rupture of this earthquake seems to have propagated down-dip of the Moho. The Moho reflection show a positive polarity, indicating that the mantle is either dry or only moderately hydrated. We observed converted energy from an intracrustal boundary at around 2 s that disappears near the coast. Further, positive polarity peaks occur that are possibly caused by the down going plate

Two dimensions of the internationalization of firms

The debate about measuring the degree of internationalization of firms has not solved the question about the usefulness of having one index on the internationalization of firms. This article argues in favour of constructing indices, if the components of those are theoretically and empirically coherent. It also proves empirically that there are at least two dimensions of internationalization: one referring to the activities of firms abroad and one relating to the proximity of the firm to international capital markets. Using a sample of the 100 largest German companies, this study shows that both dimensions, the real and the financial one, do not co-vary and therefore cannot be combined into one index. -- Um den Einfluß wirtschaftlicher Internationalisierung auf nationale Institutionengefüge zu überprüfen, werden geeignete Meßverfahren zur Messung von Internationalisierung benötigt. Der Beitrag stellt ein Verfahren zur Messung der Internationalisierung von Unternehmen vor. Dabei wird davon ausgegangen, daß die Internationalisierung von Unternehmen mehrere unterscheidbare Dimensionen hat. Die realwirtschaftliche Dimension beschreibt die güter- und produktionswirtschaftliche grenzüberschreitende Expansion der Unternehmen, während die kapitalmarktbezogene Dimension die Orientierung der Unternehmen an internationalen Kapitalmärkten abbildet. Anhand einer Untersuchung über den Internationalisierungsgrad der 100 größten deutschen Unternehmen werden beide Internationalisierungsdimensionen empirisch überprüft. Die Faktorenanalyse unterstützt die Annahme, daß sich beide Dimensionen empirisch deutlich voneinander unterscheiden lassen. Anhand der vorgestellten Messmethoden lassen sich die Unternehmen eindeutig in stark und schwach internationalisierte Unternehmen einteilen.

Who decides? The governance of rewilding in Scotland ‘between the cracks’:Community participation, public engagement, and partnerships

Rewilding is a conservation approach which seeks to restore natural processes and ecosystem functionality. However, it also has a strong social dimension, characterised by a recently increasing emphasis on the place of people in rewilding. The role of local communities and the need for public engagement have become a specific concern for many contemporary rewilding efforts. Research on the role of participation in rewilding is however lacking, with rewilding governance in general being under-explored. Our examination of understandings and practices of rewilding governance, through semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders in Scotland, illustrated a range of conceptualisations and approaches. It became apparent that governance and participatory practices were very variable and selective, highlighting an interaction between land ownership and degrees of empowerment which underpinned rewilding activity and decision-making. Approaches ranged from relatively ubiquitous advocacy for public engagement with a pre-prescribed rewilding agenda, through the circumscribed participation of defined communities (mainly of interest) in specific activities, to much more involved and empowering but self-selecting partnerships (with other landowners) to achieve impact at scale. Key challenges to more participatory approaches in rewilding identified included: i) a strong conservation imperative; ii) concentrated ownership, and power and control over land; and iii) emerging ideas about the public interest. These influenced perceptions about the value, and the practice of greater representation in rewilding decisions, ultimately bounding and limiting the participation of communities and the public

The prevalence of symptoms attributed to electromagnetic field exposure: a cross-sectional representative survey in Switzerland

Summary.: Objectives: To investigate health risk perception as well as to assess the prevalence of self-reported symptoms attributed to electromagnetic fields (EMF) and other environmental exposures in the general population of Switzerland. Methods: Between May and June 2004, telephone interviews of a representative sample of the Swiss population (n= 2 048, >14years old) about: 1) health symptoms attributed to five environmental factors (one of which was EMF), 2) health risk perception related to 12 environmental risk factors (five of which were different EMF sources). Results: We found a prevalence of 5% (95% CI 4-6%) for electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) in our study sample. The most common health complaints among EHS individuals were sleep disorders (43%) and headaches (34%), which were mostly attributed to power lines and mobile phone handsets. In addition, 53 percent (95% CI 51-55%) were worried about adverse health effects from EMF, without attributing their own health symptoms to them. Conclusions: The large proportion of the population who is concerned or attributes own symptoms to EMF may cause societal conflicts given the ubiquity of EMF in our everyday lif

MUSCULAR ACTIVITY IN THE STRETCH-SHORTENING CYCLE (SSC): NOT ONLY MAXIMIZATION BUT OPTIMIZATION IS NECESSARY

INTRODUCTION: Drop jumping is a very complex skill with a stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) involving several phases – preparation for landing, landing itself, shock absorption and push-off. Only a very short span of time (£ 200ms) is available for the execution of a drop jump. For this reason much is required of the jumper’s neuromuscular system. Especially an EMG reduction of m. gastrocnemius activity just before and at the beginning of landing has been reported several times (Schmidtbleicher/Gollhofer, 1985). This reduction has been interpreted as a mechanism to protect the muscle from excessive stretch loads. Previously, only qualitative results have been reported. METHODS: Reactive capabilities were analyzed in two complex studies of 18 sport students. The following movements were studied: squat jumps, countermovement jumps and drop jumps from drop heights of 16, 24, 32, 40, 48 and 56 cm. EMG-activities of the m. tibialis anterior, m. soleus, m. gastrocnemius and m. rectus femoris were registered to describe muscle activity during vertical jumping. Simultaneously, ground reaction forces and changes in knee angle were registered. A new method was developed for measuring the EMG-reduction of m. gastrocnemius. RESULTS: In these studies it could be observed that EMG reduction of m. gastrocnemius occurs simultaneously with the maximal innervation of m. rectus femoris. Strong action in the knee joint is demonstrated by the activity of the leg extensor m. rectus femoris, which is needed to stop downward movement and to start the push-off. The m. gastrocnemius´ activity with its antagonistic effect on the knee joint was reduced when m. rectus femoris activity started, and reached maximal innervation significantly later than m. rectus femoris during ground contact. This is especially the case for good jumpers. After a training period of four weeks (only reactive movements) this program of innervation could be observed in almost all the participants in these studies. CONCLUSION: The results show that the EMG-reduction of m. gastrocnemius during drop jumping cannot be considered a reliable mechanism to protect the muscle from excessively large stretch loads, but that this EMG activity of the antagonistic muscles makes possible an optimal intermuscular coordination for drop jumping. REFERENCES: Schmidtbleicher, D.; Gollhofer, A. (1985). Einflußgrößen des reaktiven Bewegungsverhaltens und deren Bedeutung für die Sportpraxis. In: Bührle, M. (1985). Grundlagen des Maximal- und Schnellkrafttrainings, 271-281

27 W 2.1 µm OPCPA system for coherent soft X-ray generation operating at 10 kHz

© 2020 Optical Society of America. Users may use, reuse, and build upon the article, or use the article for text or data mining, so long as such uses are for non-commercial purposes and appropriate attribution is maintained. All other rights are reserved.We developed a high power optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification (OPCPA) system at 2.1 µm harnessing a 500 W Yb:YAG thin disk laser as the only pump and signal generation source. The OPCPA system operates at 10 kHz with a single pulse energy of up to 2.7 mJ and pulse duration of 30 fs. The maximum average output power of 27 W sets a new record for an OPCPA system in the 2 µm wavelength region. The soft X-ray continuum generated through high harmonic generation with this driver laser can extend to around 0.55 keV, thus covering the entire water window (284 eV - 543 eV). With a repetition rate still enabling pump-probe experiments on solid samples, the system can be used for many applications.EC/H2020/654148/EU/The Integrated Initiative of European Laser Research Infrastructures/LASERLAB-EUROP