Investigating on the occurrence of <i>Paracentrotus lividus</i> in rocky and <i>Posidonia oceanica</i> habitat

The sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck) is the most common grazer in the Mediterranean infralittoral that at high densities overgrazes complex algal assemblages turning them into barren areas. This study has the aim to investigate whether abundance and population structure of P. lividus is consistent between rocky boulders and Posidonia oceanica habitat. At this aim, we have sampled P. lividus at six sites in the Gulf of Alghero (North West Sardinia), 3 fished (sea urchin are harvested) and 3 controls (no harvest is allowed) and at each site the two habitats, 6-10 m deep, were considered. For each combination site x habitat 10 replicates were taken. Density of P. lividus was assessed using quadrats of 1 x 1 m. The size of 20 individual (test diameter without spines) per site was measured by means of a calliper (1#1 0.1mm). Sea urchins, finally were grouped into size classes to examine frequency distributions. Sampling was performed at the end of a harvesting period (April-May 2006). Analyses of data have highlighted a significant variability for both response variables among sites while in Posidonia oceanica habitat a lower density and a higher size were found rather than in rocky habitat. Further data collected at three types of Posidonia oceanica (patches close to rocky habitat, far from rocky habitat and patches bordered by sediment) suggest that the abundance of adults in the seagrass is probably sustained by immigration from the rocky habitat

Adenosine A2A receptor antagonist treatment of Parkinson’s disease

Adenosine A2A receptors have a unique cellular and regional distribution in the basal ganglia (BG), being particularly concentrated in areas richly innervated by dopamine (DA) such as the caudateputamen, otherwise called striatum, and the globus pallidus. Adenosine A2A and DA D2 receptors are capable of forming functional heteromeric complexes and are colocalised in striatopallidal neurons. Based on the peculiar cellular and regional distribution of this receptor and in line with data showing that A2A receptor antagonists improve motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) in animal models and in clinical trials, A2A receptor antagonists have emerged as an attractive nondopaminergic target to improve the motor deficits that characterise PD. Experimental data have also shown that A2A receptor antagonists are capable of exerting a neuroprotective effect and do not induce neuroplasticity phenomena that complicate long-term dopaminergic treatments. The present review will provide an updated summary of results reported in the literature concerning the biochemical characteristics and BG distribution of A2A receptors. We subsequently aim to examine the effects of adenosine A2A antagonists in rodent and primate models of PD and L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia. Finally, conclusive remarks will be made on the neuroprotective effects of A2A antagonists and on the translation of adenosine A2A receptor antagonists in the treatment of PD.peer-reviewe

Adenosine A2A receptor antagonist treatment of Parkinson’s disease

Adenosine A2A receptors have a unique cellular and regional distribution in the basal ganglia (BG), being particularly concentrated in areas richly innervated by dopamine (DA) such as the caudateputamen, otherwise called striatum, and the globus pallidus. Adenosine A2A and DA D2 receptors are capable of forming functional heteromeric complexes and are colocalised in striatopallidal neurons. Based on the peculiar cellular and regional distribution of this receptor and in line with data showing that A2A receptor antagonists improve motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) in animal models and in clinical trials, A2A receptor antagonists have emerged as an attractive nondopaminergic target to improve the motor deficits that characterise PD. Experimental data have also shown that A2A receptor antagonists are capable of exerting a neuroprotective effect and do not induce neuroplasticity phenomena that complicate long-term dopaminergic treatments. The present review will provide an updated summary of results reported in the literature concerning the biochemical characteristics and BG distribution of A2A receptors. We subsequently aim to examine the effects of adenosine A2A antagonists in rodent and primate models of PD and L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia. Finally, conclusive remarks will be made on the neuroprotective effects of A2A antagonists and on the translation of adenosine A2A receptor antagonists in the treatment of PD.peer-reviewe

A Universal Synthesis Strategy for Tunable Metal‐Organic Framework Nanohybrids

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with encapsulated nanoparticles (NPs) enjoy a vastly expanded application potential in catalysis, filtration, and sensing. The selection of particular modified core-NPs has yielded partial successes in overcoming lattice mismatch. However, restrictions on the choice of NPs not only limit the diversity, but also affect the properties of the hybrid materials. Here, we show a versatile synthesis strategy using a representative set of seven MOF-shells and six NP-cores that are fine-tuned to incorporate from single to hundreds of cores in mono-, bi-, tri- and quaternary composites. This method does not require the presence of any specific surface structures or functionalities on the pre-formed cores. Our key point is to regulate the diffusion rate of alkaline vapors that deprotonate organic linkers and trigger the controlled MOF-growth and encapsulation of NPs. This strategy is expected to pave the way for the exploration of more sophisticated MOF-nanohybrids.Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100005156Peer Reviewe

From Knockouts to Networks: Establishing Direct Cause-Effect Relationships through Graph Analysis

Background: Reverse-engineering gene networks from expression profiles is a difficult problem for which a multitude of techniques have been developed over the last decade. The yearly organized DREAM challenges allow for a fair evaluation and unbiased comparison of these methods. Results: We propose an inference algorithm that combines confidence matrices, computed as the standard scores from single-gene knockout data, with the down-ranking of feed-forward edges. Substantial improvements on the predictions can be obtained after the execution of this second step. Conclusions: Our algorithm was awarded the best overall performance at the DREAM4 In Silico 100-gene network subchallenge, proving to be effective in inferring medium-size gene regulatory networks. This success demonstrates once again the decisive importance of gene expression data obtained after systematic gene perturbations and highlights the usefulness of graph analysis to increase the reliability of inference

Atomic Layer Deposition of Metal Oxides and Chalcogenides for High Performance Transistors

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a deposition technique well-suited to produce high-quality thin film materials at the nanoscale for applications in transistors. This review comprehensively describes the latest developments in ALD of metal oxides (MOs) and chalcogenides with tunable bandgaps, compositions, and nanostructures for the fabrication of high-performance field-effect transistors. By ALD various n-type and p-type MOs, including binary and multinary semiconductors, can be deposited and applied as channel materials, transparent electrodes, or electrode interlayers for improving charge-transport and switching properties of transistors. On the other hand, MO insulators by ALD are applied as dielectrics or protecting/encapsulating layers for enhancing device performance and stability. Metal chalcogenide semiconductors and their heterostructures made by ALD have shown great promise as novel building blocks to fabricate single channel or heterojunction materials in transistors. By correlating the device performance to the structural and chemical properties of the ALD materials, clear structure–property relations can be proposed, which can help to design better-performing transistors. Finally, a brief concluding remark on these ALD materials and devices is presented, with insights into upcoming opportunities and challenges for future electronics and integrated applications

SnO2-SiO2 1D Core-Shell Nanowires Heterostructures for Selective Hydrogen Sensing

SnO2 is one of the most employed n-type semiconducting metal oxide in chemo-resistive gas-sensing although it presents serious limitations due to a low selectivity. Herein, the authors introduce 1D SnO2-SiO2 core-shell nanowires (CSNWs). The amorphous SiO2-shell layer with varying thicknesses (1.8–10.5 nm) is grown onto the SnO2 nanowires (NWs) by atomic layer deposition (ALD). SiO2-coated SnO2 CSNWs show a dramatic improvement of the selectivity towards hydrogen. Moreover, the sensing-response is strongly correlated to the thickness of the SiO2-shell and the working temperature. The SnO2-SiO2 CSNWs sensor with a 4.8-nm SiO2 shell thickness exhibits the best selectivity and sensitivity, having ca. 7-fold higher response toward hydrogen compared to bare-SnO2 NWs. The selectivity and enhanced sensing-response are related to the masking effect of the SiO2 shell and an increase in the width of the electron-depletion-layer due to a strong electronic coupling between the SnO2 core and SiO2 coating, respectively.Peer Reviewe

StatSeq Systems Genetics Benchmark

Description of published synthetic Systems Genetics datasets.The StatSeq benchmark dataset is meant to be used for training and evaluating algorithms and techniques for the inference of networks from systems genetics data. The goal is to comprehend which methodology has the best overall inferring performance, and which eventually performs better under particular conditions (i.e. population size, large or small marker distances, high or low heritability, network size). This short document describes how the data have been generated through SysGenSIM. Detailed information is provided about the construction of the gene networks, the simulation of the genotype and of the gene expression, and the submission and evaluation of the predictions

Atomically precise AuxAg25−x nanoclusters with a modulated interstitial Au–Ag microenvironment for enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Herein, we report the study of atomically precise AuxAg25−x nanoclusters (NCs) toward photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. The incorporation of Au atoms into Ag25 NCs not only narrowed the HOMO–LUMO gaps but also created an interstitial Au–Ag microenvironment, which promoted the photogenerated charge carrier utilization and optimized the reaction dynamics.Peer Reviewe