Phase separation of signaling molecules promotes T cell receptor signal transduction

Author Posting. © The Author(s), 2016. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of American Association for the Advancement of Science for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Science 352 (2016): 595-599, doi:10.1126/science.aad9964.Activation of various cell surface receptors triggers the reorganization of downstream signaling molecules into micron- or submicron-sized clusters. However, the functional consequences of such clustering has been unclear. We biochemically reconstituted a 12-component signaling pathway on model membranes, beginning with T cell receptor (TCR) activation and ending with actin assembly. When TCR phoshophorylation was triggered, downstream signaling proteins spontaneously separated into liquid-like clusters that promoted signaling outputs both in vitro and in human Jurkat T cells. Reconstituted clusters were enriched in kinases but excluded phosphatases, and enhanced actin filament assembly by recruiting and organizing actin regulators. These results demonstrate that protein phase separation can create a distinct physical and biochemical compartment that facilitates signaling.This work was supported by the HCIA program of HHMI, the NIH (R01-GM56322 to M.K.R.) and Welch Foundation (I–1544 to M.K.R.). X.S. was supported by CRI Irvington postdoctoral fellowship. J.A.D. was supported by NRSA F32 award 5-F32-DK101188. E.H. was supported as a fellow of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. J.O. was supported by funds from Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program of the University of California (19FT-0090).2016-10-0

Performance Analysis of Energy Detection with Multiple Correlated Antenna Cognitive Radio in Nakagami-m Fading

Abstract-This letter analyzes the performance of energydetection-based spectrum sensing in a cognitive radio (CR) possessing multiple correlated antennas when the channel from the primary user (PU) to the CR is Nakagami-m faded. The probability of detection of the CR by employing square law combining (SLC) is derived by using the MGF-based approach. Special cases of equally correlated, exponentially correlated and a linear array of 2, 3 and 4 arbitrarily correlated antennas are treated. Numerical and simulation results are used to quantify the detector performance as a function of antenna correlation across the branches, number of antennas, fading severity and the time-bandwidth product

Forests of learning: Experiences from research on an Adaptive Collaborative Approach to community forestry in Nepal

In recent years, awareness has grown in Nepal and globally regarding two of community forestry’s most critical challenges: equity and livelihoods. Yet even as understanding of these challenges has improved, actors from the local to the national levels in Nepal continue to be confronted with the dilemma of how to address these challenges in such a diverse, complex and dynamic context. This synthesis explores an adaptive collaborative approach to governance and management as one avenue to meet these challenges. This approach integrates inclusive decision making, networking, social learning, and pro active adjustments of practice and policies based on learning. The synthesis’ lessons are drawn from a six-year partnership-based research initiative in Nepal—spearheaded by the Center for International Forestry Research—which spanned the local, district and national levels. Key points of learning discussed in this book include factors, processes and arrangements that support—or limit—adaptive and collaborative capacities, such as active facilitation, ‘nested’ decision making, and learning-based monitoring. The book also explores both the conceptual underpinnings of the approach as well as its effects in research sites, including in terms of benefits for the poor, women and other traditionally marginalised people. This book is intended as a resource for policy makers and civil society practitioners alike, as well as researchers and others interested in pro-equity and livelihood innovations in community forestry. Through its clear conceptual and research lesson focus, this synthesis complements and is a sister publication to the hands-on guidebook entitled Facilitating Forests of Learning

Facilitating forests of learning: Enabling an adaptive collaborative approach in community forest user groups: a guidebook

In this guidebook, we share suggestions for how a team of facilitators and a community forest user group (CFUG) can catalyse and maintain an approach to governance and management that draws on and strengthens the CFUG’s own adaptive and collaborative capacities. This approach fits within the Community Forestry framework and supports CFUGs in addressing two fundamental challenges: equity and the generation of livelihood benefits. In our experience, active and thoughtful facilitation of this approach can help CFUGs make their governance more inclusive, address tensions within the group, create more active groups with greater shared ownership of the community forest, and spark more livelihood generation activities, including for the poor. The transition to such an approach is not an easy or straight path: it involves changing relations and perspectives. Groups and their facilitators may use the suggestions in this book to help guide them as they travel on their journey, but the choices and steps are ultimately their own. Similarly, the specific outcomes of the change will be unique in each context. But this is also a strength: just as every CFUG is unique and everchanging, so its aspirations and its optimal strategies of governance and management will also be unique and ever-changing. We sincerely hope that this guidebook will prove useful to you in your own community forestry journey