2D chiral structures in quinoline mixed Langmuir monolayers.

Chirality at interfaces is a relevant topic in nanoscience, as well as a key point for prebiotic chemistry. Mixed Langmuir monolayers, composed of the anionic phospholipid dimyristoyl phosphatidic acid (DMPA) and the cationic amphiphilic quinoline derivative 2-methyl-1-octadecylquinoline (MQ) have been built at the air-water interface. Both DMPA and MQ molecules are miscible, thus the equimolar mixture yields homogeneous monolayers completely. Chiral domains have been formed by this monolayer and observed in situ by Brewster angle microscopy (BAM). These chiral domains display a large array of shapes and sizes. The chirality of the monolayers has been confirmed by circular dichroism spectroscopy. The ordered aggregation of the quinoline group into large chiral supramolecular structures is proposed as the molecular origin of the observed chirality. Theoretical simulations using molecular mechanics confirm the strong trend of the quinoline group to form chiral aggregates. The great diversity in the size and shape of the chiral domains has been found to be strongly influenced by the competition between two nuclei growth mechanisms. An experimental procedure allowing a minimized growth through one of these mechanism is proposed, achieving a homogeneous distribution of ring-shaped domains. An overshoot in the pi-A isotherms of this mixed monolayer appears at an intermediate surface pressure. This overshoot is interpreted as being due to the large difference between the surface pressure which starts the nuclei formation, pi(crit) and the superficial pressure in which the nuclei can grow, pi(e). The rather small pi(e) value compared to pi(crit) observed for this system must be attributed to the molecular interactions involved in the mixed monolayer, which facilitate the incorporation of molecules in preformed nuclei

No Far-Infrared-Spectroscopic Gap in Clean and Dirty High-TC_C Superconductors

We report far infrared transmission measurements on single crystal samples derived from Bi$_{2}$Sr$_{2}$CaCu$_{2}$O$_{8}$. The impurity scattering rate of the samples was varied by electron-beam irradiation, 50MeV $^{16}$O$^{+6}$ ion irradiation, heat treatment in vacuum, and Y doping. Although substantial changes in the infrared spectra were produced, in no case was a feature observed that could be associated with the superconducting energy gap. These results all but rule out ``clean limit'' explanations for the absence of the spectroscopic gap in this material, and provide evidence that the superconductivity in Bi$_{2}$Sr$_{2}$CaCu$_{2}$O$_{8}$ is gapless.Comment: 4 pages and 3 postscript figures attached. REVTEX v3.0. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Lett. IRDIRT

Dietary level of fibre and age at weaning affect the proliferation of Clostridium perfrigens in the caecum, the incidence of Epizootic Rabbit Enteropathy and the performance of fattening rabbits

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary fibre content and weaning age on Clostridium perfringens proliferation in the caecum and fattening mortality in growing rabbits farmed in a facility having Epizootic Rabbit Enteropathy. The experiment consisted in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with two weaning ages (28 days vs. 42 days) and two levels of dietary neutral detergent fibre assayed with a heat stable amylase and expressed exclusive of residual ash (aNDFom; 330 g/kg vs. 425 g/kg). Controls were made during two consecutive experimental periods that differed in hygienic environmental conditions by modifying the intensity of cleaning and disinfection in the farm previous to the trial. An interaction (P<0.001) was detected among the independent variables studied on Cl. perfringens enumeration in the caecal contents, as minimal values for this trait were obtained in non-medicated animals reared in a clean environment, and especially when they were weaned at a later age and fed the diet with the lower fibre content. The treatments studied also led to a variation in fattening mortality (from 4.7% to 34.0%), which was highly and positively correlated (P<0.001) to the average Cl. perfringens caecal counts in each combination of treatments. The results of the current study indicate that high counts of Cl. perfringens in the caecum can be used as an indicator of Epizootic Rabbit Enteropathy, and suggest that strategies designed to control its proliferation in the caecum might help to limit fattening mortality in rabbit fed diets not-medicated with antibiotics

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation by synthetic catalysts in cancer cells

Catalytic anticancer metallodrugs active at low doses could minimise side-effects, introduce novel mechanisms of action which combat resistance, and widen the spectrum of anticancer drug activity. We have used new highly-stable chiral half-sandwich organometallic Os(II) arene sulfonyl diamine complexes, [Os(arene)(TsDPEN)] to achieve highly enantioselective reduction of pyruvate, a key intermediate in metabolic pathways, both in aqueous model systems and in human cancer cells, using non-toxic concentrations of sodium formate as a hydride source. Importantly the catalytic mechanism generates selectivity towards ovarian cancer cells versus non-cancerous fibroblasts (both ovarian and lung), which are commonly used as models of healthy proliferating cells. The formate precursor N-formylmethionine was explored as an alternative to formate in PC3 prostate cancer cells, which are known to over-express a deformylase enzyme. Transfer hydrogenation catalysts generating reductive stress in cancer cells offer a ground-breaking new approach to cancer therapy

Influence of cerebral vasodilation on blood reelin levels in growth restricted fetuses

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is one of the most important obstetric pathologies. It is frequently caused by placental insufficiency. Previous studies have shown a relationship between FGR and impaired new-born neurodevelopment, although the molecular mechanisms involved in this association have not yet been completely clarified. Reelin is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein involved in development of neocortex, hippocampus, cerebellum and spinal cord. Reelin has been demonstrated to play a key role in regulating perinatal neurodevelopment and to contribute to the emergence and development of various psychiatric pathologies, and its levels are highly influenced by pathological conditions of hypoxia. The purpose of this article is to study whether reelin levels in new-borns vary as a function of severity of fetal growth restriction by gestational age and sex. We sub-grouped fetuses in: normal weight group (Group 1, n = 17), FGR group with normal umbilical artery Doppler and cerebral redistribution at middle cerebral artery Doppler (Group 2, n = 9), and FGR with abnormal umbilical artery Doppler (Group 3, n = 8). Our results show a significant association of elevated Reelin levels in FGR fetuses with cerebral blood redistribution compared to the normal weight group and the FGR with abnormal umbilical artery group. Future research should focus on further expanding the knowledge of the relationship of reelin and its regulated products with neurodevelopment impairment in new-borns with FGR and should include larger and more homogeneous samples and the combined use of different in vivo techniques in neonates with impaired growth during their different adaptive phases. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Electronic, vibrational, and thermodynamic properties of ZnS (zincblende and rocksalt structure)

We have measured the specific heat of zincblende ZnS for several isotopic compositions and over a broad temperature range (3 to 1100 K). We have compared these results with calculations based on ab initio electronic band structures, performed using both LDA and GGA exchange- correlation functionals. We have compared the lattice dynamics obtained in this manner with experimental data and have calculated the one-phonon and two-phonon densities of states. We have also calculated mode Grueneisen parameters at a number of high symmetry points of the Brillouin zone. The electronic part of our calculations has been used to investigate the effect of the 3d core electrons of zinc on the spin-orbit splitting of the top valence bands. The effect of these core electrons on the band structure of the rock salt modification of ZnS is also discussed.Comment: 33pages, 16 Figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

c-axis electrodynamics of ybco

New measurements of surface impedance in ybco show that the c-axis penetration depth and conductivity below Tc exhibit behaviour different from that observed in the planes. The c-axis penetration depth never has the linear temperature dependence seen in the ab-plane. Instead of the conductivity peak seen in the planes, the c-axis microwave conductivity falls to low values in the superconducting state, then rises slightly below 20K. These results show that c-axis transport remains incoherent below Tc, even though this is one of the least anisotropic cuprate superconductors.Comment: 4-page

Tbx3 fosters pancreatic cancer growth by increased angiogenesis and activin/nodal-dependent induction of stemness

AbstractCell fate decisions and pluripotency, but also malignancy depend on networks of key transcriptional regulators. The T-box transcription factor TBX3 has been implicated in the regulation of embryonic stem cell self-renewal and cardiogenesis. We have recently discovered that forced TBX3 expression in embryonic stem cells promotes mesendoderm specification directly by activating key lineage specification factors and indirectly by enhancing paracrine NODAL signalling. Interestingly, aberrant TBX3 expression is associated with breast cancer and melanoma formation. In other cancers, loss of TBX3 expression is associated with a more aggressive phenotype e.g. in gastric and cervical cancer. The precise function of TBX3 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma remains to be determined. In the current study we provide conclusive evidence for TBX3 overexpression in pancreatic cancer samples as compared to healthy tissue. While proliferation remains unaltered, forced TBX3 expression strongly increases migration and invasion, but also angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we describe the TBX3-dependency of cancer stem cells that perpetuate themselves through an autocrine TBX3–ACTIVIN/NODAL signalling loop to sustain stemness. Thus, TBX3 is a new key player among pluripotency-related genes driving cancer formation

Community participatory action to build a canopy bridge for wild black and gold howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) in northern Argentina

The combination of urbanization and destruction of native forests commonly has forced wild animals to search for food and shelter in urban areas. Groups of black and gold howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) are moving into urban areas in Northern Argentina as a consequence of rapid alteration and degradation of their habitats. In general, local people in the area are unaware of and disconnected from conservation actions, such as the protection of local biodiversity. We aimed to address this issue by organizing a group of high school students from both the city of Corrientes and outlying rural areas with the objective of transforming their perceptions on local non-human primates and to build the inaugural canopy bridge to instill biodiversity appreciation. With the students, we identified a location to install a bridge to facilitate the movement of Alouatta caraya across areas of discontinuous canopy. The students worked to build awareness within their community, obtained the necessary permission, and designed the bridge. From the beginning of the awareness campaign to the bridge installation, the process took four years. Afterwards, we installed two more bridges in the same region. From this single case study, we learned that participatory actions are a very important tool for residents of local communities to act collectively to promote biodiversity conservation.Fil: Raño, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Palazzo, Mariana. Instituto Pio Xi - Club de Ciencias Arquímedes; ArgentinaFil: Soliz, Alicia. Colegio Secundario San Cayetano; ArgentinaFil: Holzer, Juan C.. Dirección de Parques y Reservas de la Provincia de Corrientes; ArgentinaFil: Perez, Dario A.. Colegio Secundario San Cayetano; ArgentinaFil: Sánchez, Emilio M.. Dirección de Parques y Reservas de la Provincia de Corrientes; ArgentinaFil: Romero, Verónica Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Sanchez Gavier, Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Kowalewski, Miguel Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral; Argentin

Physical Characterization of Long-Lasting Hybrid Eruptions: The 2021 Tajogaite Eruption of Cumbre Vieja (La Palma, Canary Islands)

Long-lasting, hybrid eruptions can be of complex description and classification, especially when associated with multiple eruptive styles and multiple products. The 2021 Tajogaite eruption of La Palma, Canary Islands, was associated with a magma-gas decoupled system that resulted in the simultaneous emission of lava flows and tephra plumes from various vents. Even though the tephra blanket (∼2&nbsp;×&nbsp;107&nbsp;m3) represents only 7%–16% of the total erupted volume, it provides fundamental insights into the overall eruptive dynamics. Tephra was mostly dispersed NE-SW due to a complex regional and local wind patterns and was subdivided into 3 units and 11 layers that well correlate at different distances from the vent and with both tremor data and lava emission rate. While plume height varied at the temporal scale of a few hours, the average mass eruption rate associated with the tephra blanket of the different units remained relatively constant (∼3–4&nbsp;×&nbsp;103&nbsp;kg&nbsp;s−1). In contrast, the emission rate of lava largely increased after the first week and remained higher than the overall emission of tephra throughout the whole eruption (average value of ∼6&nbsp;×&nbsp;104&nbsp;kg&nbsp;s−1). Based on a detailed characterization of the tephra blanket in combination with atmospheric wind, tremor, and lava emission trend, we demonstrate the need of (a) multidisciplinary strategies for the description of hybrid eruptions that account for both the duration of individual phases and the quantification of the mass of multiple products, and of (b) dedicated ash dispersal forecasting strategies that account for the frequent variations of eruptive and atmospheric conditions