Evolutionary origin and diversification of epidermal barrier proteins in amniotes.

The evolution of amniotes has involved major molecular innovations in the epidermis. In particular, distinct structural proteins that undergo covalent cross-linking during cornification of keratinocytes facilitate the formation of mechanically resilient superficial cell layers and help to limit water loss to the environment. Special modes of cornification generate amniote-specific skin appendages such as claws, feathers, and hair. In mammals, many protein substrates of cornification are encoded by a cluster of genes, termed the epidermal differentiation complex (EDC). To provide a basis for hypotheses about the evolution of cornification proteins, we screened for homologs of the EDC in non-mammalian vertebrates. By comparative genomics, de novo gene prediction and gene expression analyses, we show that, in contrast to fish and amphibians, the chicken and the green anole lizard have EDC homologs comprising genes that are specifically expressed in the epidermis and in skin appendages. Our data suggest that an important component of the cornified protein envelope of mammalian keratinocytes, that is, loricrin, has originated in a common ancestor of modern amniotes, perhaps during the acquisition of a fully terrestrial lifestyle. Moreover, we provide evidence that the sauropsid-specific beta-keratins have evolved as a subclass of EDC genes. Based on the comprehensive characterization of the arrangement, exon-intron structures and conserved sequence elements of EDC genes, we propose new scenarios for the evolutionary origin of epidermal barrier proteins via fusion of neighboring S100A and peptidoglycan recognition protein genes, subsequent loss of exons and highly divergent sequence evolution

A Construção do Conhecimento sobre Número Fracionário

Studies, experimentation, and reflections over the course of twenty years have led our investigations in the direction of students’ construction of the concepts of fraction and fractional number. Distinct trends can be identified in our investigations over the years, each resulting from and reviewed following observations of students’ thinking and reactions as well as the depth and reach of the knowledge constructed. In the first of these phases, we used manipulative material; in the second, reflexive abstractions regarding divided geometric figures; in the third, objects that showed themselves divided in the real world, which led us to situations involving these objects and their associated fractional numbers. This revealed to us an interface with the ideas of Vergnaud regarding the formation of concepts, presented in the Theory of Conceptual Fields. We began to investigate and experiment with the development of a proposal for learning fractional numbers according to the elements of this conception, which includes initial situations, schemes of the students in action, and representations of the concept. In this context, we present the trajectory of our work, a re-elaboration of the proposal in the final phase, and our findings. The proposal we developed centers on the learning of fractions in the construction of a number, making explicit its aim and what it quantifies, as well as its relations with natural numbers. Key-words: Fraction as number. Vergnaud – Formation of Concepts. Counting, Division, Measures prioritized in relation to Divided Geometric Figures.Estudos, experimentações e reflexões ao longo de vinte anos conduziram nossas investigações na direção da construção dos conceitos de fração e de número fracionário pelos alunos. Nesses anos, distintas tendências ocorreram em nossas investigações, cada uma decorrente de e revista após observações do pensar e agir do aluno, bem como da profundidade e alcance do conhecimento construído. Na primeira dessas fases, usávamos material manipulativo; na segunda, abstrações reflexivas sobre figuras geométricas divididas; na terceira, objetos que se apresentavam divididos no mundo real, o que nos levou a situações que envolvessem esses objetos e aos números fracionários associados. Isso nos revelava uma interface com idéias de Vergnaud sobre a formação de conceitos, apresentada na Teoria dos Campos Conceituais. Passamos a investigar e experimentar o desenvolvimento de uma proposta para a aprendizagem dos números fracionários seguindo os elementos dessa concepção, que inclui situações iniciais, esquemas dos estudantes na ação e representações do conceito. Nesse texto, apresentamos a trajetória de nosso trabalho, a re-elaboração da proposta na última fase e resultados obtidos. A proposta que desenvolvemos centra a aprendizagem das frações na construção de um número, explicitando a que vem esse número e o que ele quantifica, bem como suas relações com os números naturais. Palavras-chave: Fração como Número. Vergnaud - Formação de Conceitos. Contagem, Divisão, Medida priorizadas em relação a Figuras Geométricas Divididas

Label-free shotgun proteomics and metabolite analysis reveal a significant metabolic shift during citrus fruit development.

Label-free LC-MS/MS-based shot-gun proteomics was used to quantify the differential protein synthesis and metabolite profiling in order to assess metabolic changes during the development of citrus fruits. Our results suggested the occurrence of a metabolic change during citrus fruit maturation, where the organic acid and amino acid accumulation seen during the early stages of development shifted into sugar synthesis during the later stage of citrus fruit development. The expression of invertases remained unchanged, while an invertase inhibitor was up-regulated towards maturation. The increased expression of sucrose-phosphate synthase and sucrose-6-phosphate phosphatase and the rapid sugar accumulation suggest that sucrose is also being synthesized in citrus juice sac cells during the later stage of fruit development

Eine Tradition gelebter Mehrsprachigkeit

Die Schweiz mit ihren vier Sprach- respektive Kulturlandschaften (der Deutschschweiz, der Romandie, der italienischsprachigen sowie der rätoromanischen Schweiz) sieht sich seit ihrer Entstehung mit den Vorteilen, aber auch den Schwierigkeiten und dem Konfliktpotential einer gelebten Vielsprachigkeit und dem Zusammenleben verschiedener Kulturen konfrontiert. Mit den Migrationsbewegungen ab Mitte des 20. Jahrhunderts ist die gesellschaftliche Herausforderung nochmals stark angewachsen. Auch die Schweizer Bibliotheken als Literatur-, Informations- und Kulturvermittler sind hier gefordert. Im Folgenden soll gezeigt werden, wie sich die Schweizer Bibliothekslandschaft unter dem Blickwinkel der Multikulturalität entwickelt hat und wie die öffentlichen Bibliotheken der Schweiz die neuen Aufgaben wahrnehmen

Projeto urbano e inclusão social: Milão Pirelli la Bicocca

Este trabalho objetiva analisar um caso de implementação de projetos urbanos em áreas industriais dentro de uma perspectiva de desenvolvimento local. Entende-se por projetos urbanos as iniciativas de renovação urbana concentradas em determinados setores da cidade que combinam agentes públicos e privados, cujos investimentos e intervenções seguem um plano urbanístico, podendo se apoiar no redesenho do espaço urbano e arquitetônico, em normas legais específicas e em novas articulações institucionais e formas de gestão, porém com ações que os diferenciem de meros empreendimentos imobiliários. O Projeto Pirelli La Bicocca é um caso exemplar de inclusão: coloca o espaço público de maneira central, preserva o patrimônio histórico e apresenta novas formas de trabalho e renda aliadas a uma participação democrática na sua formulação. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Áreas industriais. Inclusão social. Novas centralidades. Projetos urbanos

Anopheles stephensi p38 MAPK signaling regulates innate immunity and bioenergetics during Plasmodium falciparum infection.

BackgroundFruit flies and mammals protect themselves against infection by mounting immune and metabolic responses that must be balanced against the metabolic needs of the pathogens. In this context, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-dependent signaling is critical to regulating both innate immunity and metabolism during infection. Accordingly, we asked to what extent the Asian malaria mosquito Anopheles stephensi utilizes p38 MAPK signaling during infection with the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.MethodsA. stephensi p38 MAPK (AsP38 MAPK) was identified and patterns of signaling in vitro and in vivo (midgut) were analyzed using phospho-specific antibodies and small molecule inhibitors. Functional effects of AsP38 MAPK inhibition were assessed using P. falciparum infection, quantitative real-time PCR, assays for reactive oxygen species and survivorship under oxidative stress, proteomics, and biochemical analyses.ResultsThe genome of A. stephensi encodes a single p38 MAPK that is activated in the midgut in response to parasite infection. Inhibition of AsP38 MAPK signaling significantly reduced P. falciparum sporogonic development. This phenotype was associated with AsP38 MAPK regulation of mitochondrial physiology and stress responses in the midgut epithelium, a tissue critical for parasite development. Specifically, inhibition of AsP38 MAPK resulted in reduction in mosquito protein synthesis machinery, a shift in glucose metabolism, reduced mitochondrial metabolism, enhanced production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, induction of an array of anti-parasite effector genes, and decreased resistance to oxidative stress-mediated damage. Hence, P. falciparum-induced activation of AsP38 MAPK in the midgut facilitates parasite infection through a combination of reduced anti-parasite immune defenses and enhanced host protein synthesis and bioenergetics to minimize the impact of infection on the host and to maximize parasite survival, and ultimately, transmission.ConclusionsThese observations suggest that, as in mammals, innate immunity and mitochondrial responses are integrated in mosquitoes and that AsP38 MAPK-dependent signaling facilitates mosquito survival during parasite infection, a fact that may attest to the relatively longer evolutionary relationship of these parasites with their invertebrate compared to their vertebrate hosts. On a practical level, improved understanding of the balances and trade-offs between resistance and metabolism could be leveraged to generate fit, resistant mosquitoes for malaria control

Die Automatisierung der Kopfarbeit

Maschinen nehmen Menschen nicht nur mühsame Handarbeit ab, sondern zunehmend auch Denkarbeit. Frei zugängliche Technologieplattformen erlauben neugierigen Laien, Möglichkeiten und Grenzen denkender Maschinen selbst auszuloten