Annual variation in the levels of transcripts of sex-specific genes in the mantle of the common mussel, Mytilus edulis

Mytilus species are used as sentinels for the assessment of environmental health but sex or stage in the reproduction cycle is rarely considered even though both parameters are likely to influence responses to pollution. We have validated the use of a qPCR assay for sex identification and related the levels of transcripts to the reproductive cycle. A temporal study of mantle of Mytilus edulis found transcripts of male-specific vitelline coat lysin (VCL) and female-specific vitelline envelope receptor for lysin (VERL) could identify sex over a complete year. The levels of VCL/VERL were proportional to the numbers of sperm/ova and are indicative of the stage of the reproductive cycle. Maximal levels of VCL and VERL were found in February 2009 declining to minima between July - August before increasing and re-attaining a peak in February 2010. Water temperature may influence these transitions since they coincide with minimal water temperature in February and maximal temperature in August. An identical pattern of variation was found for a cryptic female-specific transcript (H5) but a very different pattern was observed for oestrogen receptor 2 (ER2). ER2 varied in a sex-specific way with male > female for most of the cycle, with a female maxima in July and a male maxima in December. Using artificially spawned animals, the transcripts for VCL, VERL and H5 were shown to be present in gametes and thus their disappearance from mantle is indicative of spawning. VCL and VERL are present at equivalent levels in February and July-August but during gametogenesis (August to January) and spawning (March to June) VCL is present at lower relative amounts than VERL. This may indicate sex-specific control mechanisms for these processes and highlight a potential pressure point leading to reduced reproductive output if environmental factors cause asynchrony to gamete maturation or release

First-principles design of nanostructured electrode materials for Na-ion batteries: challenges and perspectives

: Post-lithium batteries are emerging as viable solutions for sustainable energy transition. Effective deployment in the market calls for great research efforts in the identification of novel component materials and the assessment of related working principles. Computational modelling can be a key player in boosting innovation and development by enabling rational strategies for the design of appropriately tuned materials with optimized activity towards battery operating processes. By gaining access to the structural and electronic features of functional electrodes, state-of-the-art DFT methods can unveil the subtle structure-property relationship that affects the uptake, transport, and storage efficiency. Hereby, we aim at reviewing the research status of theoretical advances in the field of Na-ion batteries (NIBs) and illustrating to what extent atomistic insights into sodiation/desodiation mechanisms of nanostructured materials can assist the development of effective anodes and cathodes for stable and highly performing devices. Thanks to increasing computer power and fruitful cooperation between theory and experiments, the route for effective design methodologies is being paved and will feed the upcoming developments in NIB technology

NGF and proNGF Regulate Functionally Distinct mRNAs in PC12 Cells: An Early Gene Expression Profiling

The biological activities of NGF and of its precursor proNGF are quite distinct, due to different receptor binding profiles, but little is known about how proNGF regulates gene expression. Whether proNGF is a purely pro-apoptotic molecule and/or simply a “less potent NGF” is still a matter of debate. We performed experiments to address this question, by verifying whether a proNGF specific transcriptional signature, distinct from that of NGF, could be identified. To this aim, we studied gene expression regulation by proNGF and NGF in PC12 cells incubated for 1 and 4 hours with recombinant NGF and proNGF, in its wild-type or in a furin-cleavage resistant form. mRNA expression profiles were analyzed by whole genome microarrays at early time points, in order to identify specific profiles of NGF and proNGF. Clear differences between the mRNA profiles modulated by the three neurotrophin forms were identified. NGF and proNGF modulate remarkably distinct mRNA expression patterns, with the gene expression profile regulated by NGF being significantly more complex than that by proNGF, both in terms of the total number of differentially expressed mRNAs and of the gene families involved. Moreover, while the total number of genes modulated by NGF increases dramatically with time, that by proNGFs is unchanged or reduced. We identified a subset of regulated genes that could be ascribed to a “pure proNGF” signalling, distinct from the “pure NGF” one. We also conclude that the composition of mixed NGF and proNGF samples, when the two proteins coexist, influences the profile of gene expression. Based on this comparison of the gene expression profiles regulated by NGF and its proNGF precursor, we conclude that the two proteins activate largely distinct transcriptional programs and that the ratio of NGF to proNGF in vivo can profoundly influence the pattern of regulated mRNAs

Address terms in turn beginnings: Managing disalignment and disaffiliation in telephone counseling

This paper examines use of address terms by counsellors on a telephone counselling service for children and young people. Drawing on conversation analytic findings and methods, we show how personal names are used in the management of structural and interpersonal aspects of counselling interaction. Focusing on address terms in turn-beginnings - where a name is used as, or as part of, a preface - the analysis shows that address terms are used in turns that are not fitted with prior talk in terms of either the activity or affective stance of the client. We discuss two environments in which this practice is observed: in beginning turns that initiate a new action sequence, and in turns that challenge the client’s position. Our focus is on the use of client names in the context of producing disaligning or disaffiliative actions. In disaligned actions, counsellors produced sequentially disjunctive turns that regularly involved a return to a counselling agenda. In disaffiliative actions counsellors presented a stance that did not fit with the affective stance of the client in the prior turn, for instance, in disagreeing with or complimenting the client. The paper discusses how such turns invoke a counselling agenda and how name use is used in the management of rapport and trust in counselling interaction

Citrus Leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Phyllocnistinae)

Revised! EENY-038, a 5-page illustrated fact sheet by J. B. Heppner and Thomas R. Fasulo, is part of the Featured Creatures collection. It describes this potentially serious pest of citrus that was discovered in Florida in 1993 — distribution, description, biology, host plants, damage, survey, and management. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2010. EENY038/IN165: Citrus Leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Phyllocnistinae) (ufl.edu)</jats:p

Citrus Leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Phyllocnistinae)

Revised! EENY-038, a 5-page illustrated fact sheet by J. B. Heppner and Thomas R. Fasulo, is part of the Featured Creatures collection. It describes this potentially serious pest of citrus that was discovered in Florida in 1993 — distribution, description, biology, host plants, damage, survey, and management. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2010. EENY038/IN165: Citrus Leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Phyllocnistinae) (ufl.edu

Citrus Leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Phyllocnistinae)

Revised! EENY-038, a 5-page illustrated fact sheet by J. B. Heppner and Thomas R. Fasulo, is part of the Featured Creatures collection. It describes this potentially serious pest of citrus that was discovered in Florida in 1993 — distribution, description, biology, host plants, damage, survey, and management. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2010. EENY038/IN165: Citrus Leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Phyllocnistinae) (ufl.edu

False Oleander Scale, Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli (Cooley) (Insecta: Homoptera: Coccoidea: Diaspididae)

This document is EENY-149, one of a series of the Department of Entomology, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Date printed: August 2000.&#x0D; EENY-149/IN306: False Oleander Scale, Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli (Cooley) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Diaspididae) (ufl.edu)</jats:p