Institutional changes required to support CS in RPOs

To better support the adoption of Citizen Science (CS) as research methodology, institutional transformations in the majority of Research Performing Organizations (RPOs) are still required. The EU funded project TIME4CS aims at supporting such institutional transformations through the implementation of concrete actions triggering institutional changes and embedding, in turn, CS within research institutions. Here we present the concept of institutional roadmaps and the reflection tool designed to support RPOs in designing those concrete actions to stimulate institutional changes described in the personalized roadmaps

NCBP3 positively impacts mRNA biogenesis

The nuclear Cap-Binding Complex (CBC), consisting of Nuclear Cap-Binding Protein 1 (NCBP1) and 2 (NCBP2), associates with the nascent 5' cap of RNA polymerase II transcripts and impacts RNA fate decisions. Recently, the C17orf85 protein, also called NCBP3, was suggested to form an alternative CBC by replacing NCBP2. However, applying protein-protein interaction screening of NCBP1, 2 and 3, we find that the interaction profile of NCBP3 is distinct. Whereas NCBP1 and 2 identify known CBC interactors, NCBP3 primarily interacts with components of the Exon Junction Complex (EJC) and the TRanscription and EXport (TREX) complex. NCBP3-EJC association in vitro and in vivo requires EJC core integrity and the in vivo RNA binding profiles of EJC and NCBP3 overlap. We further show that NCBP3 competes with the RNA degradation factor ZC3H18 for binding CBC-bound transcripts, and that NCBP3 positively impacts the nuclear export of polyadenylated RNAs and the expression of large multi-exonic transcripts. Collectively, our results place NCBP3 with the EJC and TREX complexes in supporting mRNA expression

Supporting quality in science communication: insights from the QUEST project

How to promote quality is a critical aspect to consider when re-examining science communication, analysed in the research carried out in QUEST project presented in this paper. Engaging key stakeholders in a co-design process - through interviews, focus groups, workshops and surveys - the research identified barriers to quality science communication and on the basis of these, proposes a series of tools and supporting documents that can serve as incentives toward quality science communication for different stakeholders across the fields of journalism, social media, and museum communication. Among these particularly important is training to also promote professionalism of communicators

Rapid Depletion of DIS3, EXOSC10, or XRN2 Reveals the Immediate Impact of Exoribonucleolysis on Nuclear RNA Metabolism and Transcriptional Control

This is the final version. Available on open access from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordData and Software Availability: The accession number for the RNA-seq (EXOSC10-AID and DIS3-AID cells) and iCLIP (EXOSC10CAT) data reported in this paper is Gene Expression Omnibus: GSE120574.Cell-based studies of human ribonucleases traditionally rely on methods that deplete proteins slowly. We engineered cells in which the 3′→5′ exoribonucleases of the exosome complex, DIS3 and EXOSC10, can be rapidly eliminated to assess their immediate roles in nuclear RNA biology. The loss of DIS3 has the greatest impact, causing the substantial accumulation of thousands of transcripts within 60 min. These transcripts include enhancer RNAs, promoter upstream transcripts (PROMPTs), and products of premature cleavage and polyadenylation (PCPA). These transcripts are unaffected by the rapid loss of EXOSC10, suggesting that they are rarely targeted to it. More direct detection of EXOSC10-bound transcripts revealed its substrates to prominently include short 3′ extended ribosomal and small nucleolar RNAs. Finally, the 5′→3′ exoribonuclease, XRN2, has little activity on exosome substrates, but its elimination uncovers different mechanisms for the early termination of transcription from protein-coding gene promoters.Lister Institute of Preventative MedicineWellcome TrustMedical Research Council (MRC

Discrimination in the aggregation kinetic of polyelectrolyte stabilized gold nanoparticles induced by cysteine and homocysteine

Cysteine and homocysteine are naturally occurring amino acids structurally similar (only one methylene difference) and metabolically linked. The development of simple and specific methods for their determination is attractive. Gold nanoparticles (GNP) have emerged as important colorimetric materials for their strongly distance-dependent optical properties. The analyte-induced aggregation of GNP shifts the surface plasmon resonance absorption peak towards longer wavelengths. Based on this feature, methods have been investigated for the detection of thiol-containing amino acids which always lack in specificity1. The present study shows that the aggregation kinetics of poly(styrenesulfonate) stabilized GNP can be differentiated significantly by increasing particle size from 10 to 20 nm, allowing the recognition of one methylene difference between Cys and Hcys. Such a differentiation have been optimized by tuning the chain length of the polyelectrolyte which affects its flexibility and therefore its attitude to wrapping around GNP2. The aim was to create a crowded layer able to maximize colloid stability and to discriminate the permeation of species with minimal difference in sterical hindrance. 1. Zhang, F.X.; Han, L.; Israel, L.B.; Daras, J.C.; Maye, M.M.; Ly, N.K.; Zhong, C.J. Analyst 2002, 127, 462-465. 2. Chodanowski, P.; Stoll, S. Macromolecules 2001, 34, 2320-2328

Telerilevamento e modelli meteo-climatologici per le Isole Urbane di Calore

Remote sensing and microclimatology models for the Urban Heat Islands An Urban Heat Island (UHI) is a metropolitan area which is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas. The main cause of the UHI is the modification of the land surface by urban development. The most disastrous consequences are the Heat Waves that periodically strike the city during summer. With the rise of thermal remote sensing technology it has become possible to study the UHI by means of satellite and airborne platforms, giving new elements for understanding the effect and its causes, using a combination of remote sensing observations and models of urban micro meteorology. UHI is an ESA funded project lead by Planetek Italia and carried out by a Consortium of private companies and research institutes in 10 European cities

Coupled Electron and Molecular Vibrational Kinetics in a 1D Particle-in- Cell Model of a Low Pressure, High Frequency Electric Discharge in Nitrogen

The interaction between state-to-state vibrational and charged particle kinetics in a low-pressure, high frequency electric discharge in N$_2$ is investigated by using a PIC-MCC (Particle-in-Cell with Monte-Carlo collisions) model assuming a one-dimensional bounded system, while the vibrational kinetics is introduced by solving a set of reaction and diffusion equations. The catalytic activity of the electrode surfaces is considered in the boundary conditions. The coupling of the two kinetics has an effect on the Electron Energy Distribution Function (EEDF) and consequently on the rate of vibrational and electronic excitation of $N_2$ molecules, the charged particle distribution and the electric field