Metastable anisotropy orientation of nematic quantum Hall fluids

We analyze the experimental observation of metastable anisotropy resistance orientation at half filled quantum Hall fluids by means of a model of a quantum nematic liquid in an explicit symmetry breaking potential. We interpret the observed ``rotation'' of the anisotropy axis as a process of nucleation of nematic domains and compute the nucleation rate within this model. By comparing with experiment, we are able to predict the critical radius of nematic bubbles, $R_c\sim 2.6 \mu m$. Each domain contains about $10^4$ electrons.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, final version as will appear in PR

Water requirement and yield of fig trees under different drip irrigation management.

This work aimed to study the effect of drip irrigation management on growth and yield of the 'Roxo de Valinhos' fig tree (Ficus carica L.), at three years old, and to determine crop coefficients (Kc) and its water requirement (ETc) under Baixada Fluminense climate and soil conditions, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The study was carried out in the experimental area of SIPA (Sistema Integrado de Produção Agroecológica) in Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro State, from July 2011 to May 2012. The experimental area was divided in two blocks, named B1 (sandy clay loam texture) and B2 (loamy sand texture). In each block, irrigation frequencies (IF) of two (T1) and four days (T2) were evaluated, as well as the irrigation absence (T3). Irrigation management and water consumption determination were performed through the soil water balance, using the TDR technique. Plant growth was not affected by IF, differing only in the number of produced internodes. For both soil textures, the mean Kc was 0.60, with a significant difference (p<0.05) only for IF. The estimated mean yield showed no significant differences between both textural classes, ranging from 6,612 kg ha-1 (T3) to 8,554 kg ha-1 (T1). This study indicates the importance of irrigation frequency in the irrigation management of fig trees cultivated in soils with different physical characteristics

Orange pickeringite from the algares 30-level adit, aljustrel mine, iberian pyrite belt, portugal

Funding Information: Funding: Funding from FEDER (Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional)/INTERREG POCTEP GEO-FPI - (Ref. 0052-GEO-FPI-5-E) and EXPLORA, Op ALT20-03-0145-FEDER-000025. Funding by Alentejo 2020, Portugal 2020 and the European Union (ERDF) is acknowledged. J.P. Veiga acknowledges FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 Programme and National Funds through the FCT-Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology under the project UID/CTM/50025/2019, and SFRH/BD/145308/2019 (F.Carvalho) plus UIDP/50025/2020 (U.D. Menda), and funding from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, under Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, through the MineHeritage Project (PA 18111).The sheltered environment of the Algares +30 level adit (underground mine gallery) contributes to the preservation of secondary water-soluble minerals formed on the tunnel walls. The massive sulphide and related stockwork zone are hosted by the Mine Tuff volcanic unit and are exposed in the walls of the gallery, showing intense oxidation and hydrothermal alteration. Minerals from the halotrichite group were identified on the efflorescent salts, typically white fine-acicular crystals but also on aggregates with dark orange/brownish colour. Mineral characterization was performed using several methods and analytical techniques (XRD, XRF-WDS, SEM-EDS, DTA-TG), and the chemical formulas were calculated maintaining the ratio A:B∼= 1:2 in accordance with the general formula of the halotrichite group, AB2 (SO4 )4·22H2 O. This methodology allowed the assignment of the orange colour to the presence of trivalent iron on iron-rich pickeringite in partial substitution of aluminium.publishersversionpublishe

Epigenetic regulation of nitric oxide synthase 2, inducible (Nos2) by NLRC4 inflammasomes involves PARP1 cleavage

Nitric oxide synthase 2, inducible (Nos2) expression is necessary for the microbicidal activity of macrophages. However, NOS2 over-activation causes multiple inflammatory disorders, suggesting a tight gene regulation is necessary. Using cytosolic flagellin as a model for inflammasome-dependent NOS2 activation, we discovered a surprising new role for NLRC4/caspase-1 axis in regulating chromatin accessibility of the Nos2 promoter. We found that activation of two independent mechanisms is necessary for NOS2 expression by cytosolic flagellin: caspase-1 and NF-kappa B activation. NF-kappa B activation was necessary, but not sufficient, for NOS2 expression. Conversely, caspase-1 was necessary for NOS2 expression, but dispensable for NF-kappa B activation, indicating that this protease acts downstream NF-kappa B activation. We demonstrated that epigenetic regulation of Nos2 by caspase-1 involves cleavage of the chromatin regulator PARP1 (also known as ARTD1) and chromatin accessibility of the NF-kappa B binding sites located at the Nos2 promoter. Remarkably, caspase-1-mediated Nos2 transcription and NO production contribute to the resistance of macrophages to Salmonella typhimurium infection. Our results uncover the molecular mechanism behind the constricted regulation of Nos2 expression and open new therapeutic opportunities based on epigenetic activities of caspase-1 against infectious and inflammatory diseases.Kanton of ZurichUniversity Research Priority Program (URPP) in Translational Cancer Biology at the University of ZurichSwiss National Science FoundationCancer Research SocietyCanadian Cancer SocietyNSERCOntario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR)province of OntarioPrincess Margaret Cancer FoundationUniversity of Toronto McLaughlin CentreFundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP - Brazil)Brazilian Research Council (CNPq-Brazil)CAPESINCTVUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Ctr Terapia Celular & Mol CTC Mol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Biol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Inst Ciencias Biomed, Dept Microbiol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Hlth Network, Princess Margaret Canc Ctr, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, CanadaUniv Sao Paulo, Inst Ciencias Biomed, Sao Paulo & Inst Invest Imunol, Inst Nacl Ciencia Tecnol INCT 3, Sao Paulo, BrazilInst Nacl Ciencia Tecnol INCT III, Inst Invest Imunol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Zurich, Dept Mol Mech Dis, Zurich, SwitzerlandUniv Toronto, Dept Med Biophys, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, CanadaUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Ctr Terapia Celular & Mol CTC Mol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Biol, Sao Paulo, BrazilSwiss National Science Foundation: 310030B_138667Cancer Research Society: CRS19092Cancer Research Society: CRS19091Canadian Cancer Society: CCSRI 703279Canadian Cancer Society CCSRI 703716NSERC: 489073University of Toronto McLaughlin Centre: MC-2015-02FAPESP: 2013/16010-5FAPESP: 2015/18003-1Web of Scienc

Epidemiological profile of fatally injured victims in motor vehicles accidents and the relation with alcohol use

In Brazil, there still is a social tolerance about drinking and driving. This behavior can be confirmed by the numbers obtained in this study, which shows the strict relation between death caused by traffic accidents and the abusive use of alcohol. Blood samples were obtained for 2.360 killed in motor traffic accidents (collision and run over) in the State of São Paulo - Brazil and the blood alcohol concentrations were determined. The results showed that, almost half of the accident victims, had ethanol in their blood. The study showed that most of the victims where man, from 25 to 40 years; that male victims are more related to alcohol use than female; and that young women death is also more related to alcohol use than older ones.No Brasil, ainda se observa, com freqüência, uma grande tolerância social em relação ao ato de beber e dirigir. Esse comportamento está, de certa forma, expresso nos números deste estudo, que mostram a estreita relação entre a mortalidade dos acidentes de trânsito com o uso abusivo do álcool. Foram analisados dados de 2360 vítimas fatais de acidentes de trânsito (colisões e atropelamentos) ocorridos no Estado de São Paulo no ano de 1999. Os dados levantados foram sexo, idade e verificação da alcoolemia. Os resultados obtidos revelaram que o álcool etílico estava presente no sangue de quase metade das vítimas por acidentes de trânsito na amostra estudada; que o segmento da população mais atingido pelos acidentes de trânsito foi do sexo masculino com idade entre 25 e 40 anos; que as mortes por acidentes de trânsito no sexo masculino estão mais relacionadas com o uso do álcool que no sexo feminino; e que a morte de mulheres jovens está mais relacionada com o uso de álcool que a das mais idosas

Latent cluster analysis of ALS phenotypes identifies prognostically differing groups

BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative disease predominantly affecting motor neurons and manifesting as several different phenotypes. Whether these phenotypes correspond to different underlying disease processes is unknown. We used latent cluster analysis to identify groupings of clinical variables in an objective and unbiased way to improve phenotyping for clinical and research purposes. METHODS Latent class cluster analysis was applied to a large database consisting of 1467 records of people with ALS, using discrete variables which can be readily determined at the first clinic appointment. The model was tested for clinical relevance by survival analysis of the phenotypic groupings using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS The best model generated five distinct phenotypic classes that strongly predicted survival (p<0.0001). Eight variables were used for the latent class analysis, but a good estimate of the classification could be obtained using just two variables: site of first symptoms (bulbar or limb) and time from symptom onset to diagnosis (p<0.00001). CONCLUSION The five phenotypic classes identified using latent cluster analysis can predict prognosis. They could be used to stratify patients recruited into clinical trials and generating more homogeneous disease groups for genetic, proteomic and risk factor research

Polycomb group (PcG) proteins prevent the assembly of abnormal synaptonemal complex structures during meiosis

Copyright © 2022 the Author(s). Published by PNAS. This article is distributed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License 4.0 (CC BY-NC-ND).The synaptonemal complex (SC) is a proteinaceous scaffold that is assembled between paired homologous chromosomes during the onset of meiosis. Timely expression of SC coding genes is essential for SC assembly and successful meiosis. However, SC components have an intrinsic tendency to self-organize into abnormal repetitive structures, which are not assembled between the paired homologs and whose formation is potentially deleterious for meiosis and gametogenesis. This creates an interesting conundrum, where SC genes need to be robustly expressed during meiosis, but their expression must be carefully regulated to prevent the formation of anomalous SC structures. In this manuscript, we show that the Polycomb group protein Sfmbt, the Drosophila ortholog of human MBTD1 and L3MBTL2, is required to avoid excessive expression of SC genes during prophase I. Although SC assembly is normal after Sfmbt depletion, SC disassembly is abnormal with the formation of multiple synaptonemal complexes (polycomplexes) within the oocyte. Overexpression of the SC gene corona and depletion of other Polycomb group proteins are similarly associated with polycomplex formation during SC disassembly. These polycomplexes are highly dynamic and have a well-defined periodic structure. Further confirming the importance of Sfmbt, germ line depletion of this protein is associated with significant metaphase I defects and a reduction in female fertility. Since transcription of SC genes mostly occurs during early prophase I, our results suggest a role of Sfmbt and other Polycomb group proteins in downregulating the expression of these and other early prophase I genes during later stages of meiosis.R.G.M. is supported by Portuguese national funding through Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT grant refs. PTDC/BIA-BID/28441/2017 and PTDC/BIA-BID/1606/2020). B.M. and R.D.S. are both supported by Portuguese national funding through Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, respectively, PD/BD/128342/2017 (within the scope of the ProRegeM PhD program; PD/00117/2012, CRM:0027030) and DL 57/2016/CP1361/CT0019. The Light Microscopy Unit of ABC-RI was partially supported by Portuguese national funding (FCT: PPBI-POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022122). This work was developed with the support of the research infrastructure Congento (project LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-022170). The Transgenic RNAi Project (TRiP) collection at Harvard Medical School was supported by NIH/NIGMS R01-GM084947.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Retroelement decay by the exonuclease XRN1 is a viral mimicry dependency in cancer

Viral mimicry describes the immune response induced by endogenous stimuli such as double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) from endogenous retroelements. Activation of viral mimicry has the potential to kill cancer cells or augment anti-tumor immune responses. Here, we systematically identify mechanisms of viral mimicry adaptation associated with cancer cell dependencies. Among the top hits is the RNA decay protein XRN1 as an essential gene for the survival of a subset of cancer cell lines. XRN1 dependency is mediated by mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein and protein kinase R activation and is associated with higher levels of cytosolic dsRNA, higher levels of a subset of Alus capable of forming dsRNA, and higher interferon-stimulated gene expression, indicating that cells die due to induction of viral mimicry. Furthermore, dsRNA-inducing drugs such as 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine and palbociclib can generate a synthetic dependency on XRN1 in cells initially resistant to XRN1 knockout. These results indicate that XRN1 is a promising target for future cancer therapeutics