960 research outputs found
Flash forward genetics: new twists in transcription across evolutionary boundaries
âFlash forward geneticsâ refers to a genetic approach based on the functional interaction of a given factor with unknown partner(s) converging on shared targets across evolutionary boundaries. A study by Li et al (2021), published in this issue of EMBO Reports, illustrates the innovative potential of the approach. The authors applied it to identify interacting factors for FOXN1, a mammalian transcription factor with a highly specialized function in hair follicle morphogenesis and thymus. The authors express FOXN1 in the Drosophila eye to perform an unbiased genetic screen in a totally heterologous system. In a remarkable tour de force, the authors identify and characterize a factor so far known for its ubiquitous function in transcription elongation, AFF4. Li et al show that AFF4 plays also a specific role in hair follicle and thymus development in the mouse overlapping with that of FOXN1
Absence of class 1 and class 2 integrons among Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolated from poultry in Italy
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Thermal infrared observations of near-Earth asteroid 2002 NY40
We obtained N-band observations of the Apollo asteroid 2002 NY40 during its
close Earth fly-by in August 2002 with TIMMI2 at the ESO 3.6 m telescope. The
photometric measurement allowed us to derive a radiometric diameter of
0.28+/-0.03 km and an albedo of 0.34+/-0.06 through the near-Earth asteroid
thermal model (NEATM) and a thermophysical model (TPM). The values are in
agreement with results from radar data, visual and near-IR observations. In
this first comparison between these two model approaches we found that the
empirical NEATM beaming parameter =1.0 corresponds to a thermal inertia
values of about 100 for a typical range of
surface roughness, assuming an equator-on viewing angle. Our TPM analysis
indicated that the surface of 2002 NY40 consists of rocky material with a thin
or no dust regolith. The asteroid very likely has a prograde sense of rotation
with a cold terminator at the time of our observations. Although both model
approaches can fit the thermal spectra taken at phase angles of 22
and 59, we did not find a consistent model solution that describes
all pieces of photometric and spectroscopic data. In addition to the 2002 NY40
analysis, we discuss the possibilities to distinguish between different models
with only very few photometric and/or spectroscopic measurements spread over a
range of phase angles.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, A&A accepte
Transversity studies with a polarized 3He target
A realistic study of the SiDIS process 3He(e , e
Ï)X in the Bjorken
limit is briefly reviewed, showing that the nuclear effects, present in the extraction
of the neutron information, are largely under theoretical control, within an ImpulseApproximation approach. In view of the forthcoming experimental data, we shortly
present a novel PoincarÂŽe covariant description of the nuclear target, implementing a
Light-Front analysis at finite Q2, within the Bakamijan-Thomas construction of the
PoincarÂŽe generators. Furthermore, as a by-product of the introduction of a LightFront spin-dependent spectral function for a J = 1/2 system, we straightforwardly
extend our analysis to the quark-quark correlator, obtaining three new exact relations between the six leading-twist Transverse-MomentumâDependent distributions
65 Cybele in the thermal infrared: Multiple observations and thermophysical analysis
We investigated the physical and thermal properties of 65 Cybele}, one of the
largest main-belt asteroids. Based on published and recently obtained thermal
infrared observations, including ISO measurements, we derived through
thermophysical modelling (TPM) a size of 302x290x232 km (+/- 4 %) and an
geometric visible albedo of 0.050+/-0.005. Our model of a regolith covered
surface with low thermal inertia and "default" roughness describes the
wavelengths and phase angle dependent thermal aspects very well. Before/after
opposition effect and beaming behaviour can be explained in that way. We found
a constant emissivity of 0.9 at wavelengths up to about 100 micron and lower
values towards the submillimetre range, indicating a grain size distribution
dominated by 200 micron particle sizes. The spectroscopic analysis revealed an
emissivity increase between 8.0 and 9.5 micron. We compared this emissivity
behaviour with the Christiansen features of carbonaceous chondrite meteorites,
but a conclusive identification was not possible. A comparison between the
Standard Thermal Model (STM) and the applied TPM clearly demonstrates the
limitations and problems of the STM for the analysis of multi-epoch and
-wavelengths observations. While the TPM produced a unique diameter/albedo
solution, the calculated STM values varied by +/-30 % and showed clear trends
with wavelength and phase angle. Cybele can be considered as a nice textbook
case for the thermophysical analysis of combined optical and thermal infrared
observations.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication by A&
Tick-borne zoonotic bacteria in fallow deer (Dama dama) in Euganean Hills Regional Park of Italy
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Differential Control of Notch1 Gene Transcription by Klf4 and Sp3 Transcription Factors in Normal versus Cancer-Derived Keratinocytes
In specific cell types like keratinocytes, Notch signaling plays an important pro-differentiation and tumor suppressing function, with down-modulation of the Notch1 gene being associated with cancer development. Besides being controlled by p53, little else is known on regulation of Notch1 gene expression in this context. We report here that transcription of this gene is driven by a TATA-less âsharp peakâ promoter and that the minimal functional region of this promoter, which extends from the â342 bp position to the initiation codon, is differentially active in normal versus cancer cells. This GC rich region lacks p53 binding sites, but binds Klf4 and Sp3. This finding is likely to be of biological significance, as Klf4 and, to a lesser extent, Sp3 are up-regulated in a number of cancer cells where Notch1 expression is down-modulated, and Klf4 over-expression in normal cells is sufficient to down-modulate Notch1 gene transcription. The combined knock-down of Klf4 and Sp3 was necessary for the reverse effect of increasing Notch1 transcription, consistent with the two factors exerting an overlapping repressor function through their binding to the Notch1 promoter
Adsorption and recovery of phosphate from aqueous solution by the construction and demolition wastes sludge and its potential use as phosphate-based fertiliser
This study aimed to investigate phosphate removal from aqueous effluents by an inorganic sludge from the inert part of construction and demolition wastes (CSW) as adsorbent. It is also discussed the application of the loaded P adsorbent as potential fertiliser. The CSW was also thermally treated at 800¿°C for 2Âżh (CSW-T), and its influence in the P removal was also investigated. The characterisation techniques highlighted low porosity on CSW and CSW-T adsorbents and that they are mainly formed by oxides which could enhance the P uptake and recovery. In pH experiments, P adsorption increased as initial pH increased, at pH higher than 7.8 the P removal sharply increased due to the formation of calcium phosphate precipitate. The mechanism of the P adsorption onto CSW indicated that the process was mainly controlled by chemical bonding or chemisorption. The results showed that CSW-T was more effective for P removal in comparison to CSW based on the Liu isotherm, the maximum sorption capacity attained was 24.04 (CSW) and 57.64ÂżmgÂżg-1 (CSW-T). Based on the Avramiâs kinetic models, the time for attaining 95% of saturation was 212.6 (CSW), and 136.6Âżmin (CSW-T). CSW and CSW-T showed the highest phosphate-removal performance among many adsorbents found in the literature; therefore, this kind of waste can be used widely as an inexpensive phosphate-recovery adsorbent. Besides, the P loaded adsorbents could be used as potential fertilisers which could be an interesting and efficient way of reuse for this waste.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version
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