Domination by second countable spaces and Lindelöf Σ-property

AbstractGiven a space M, a family of sets A of a space X is ordered by M if A={AK:K is a compact subset of M} and K⊂L implies AK⊂AL. We study the class M of spaces which have compact covers ordered by a second countable space. We prove that a space Cp(X) belongs to M if and only if it is a Lindelöf Σ-space. Under MA(ω1), if X is compact and (X×X)\Δ has a compact cover ordered by a Polish space then X is metrizable; here Δ={(x,x):x∈X} is the diagonal of the space X. Besides, if X is a compact space of countable tightness and X2\Δ belongs to M then X is metrizable in ZFC.We also consider the class M⁎ of spaces X which have a compact cover F ordered by a second countable space with the additional property that, for every compact set P⊂X there exists F∈F with P⊂F. It is a ZFC result that if X is a compact space and (X×X)\Δ belongs to M⁎ then X is metrizable. We also establish that, under CH, if X is compact and Cp(X) belongs to M⁎ then X is countable

Mocarts: a lightweight radiation transport simulator for easy handling of complex sensing geometries

In functional neuroimaging (fNIRS), elaborated sensing geometries pairing multiple light sources and detectors arranged over the tissue surface are needed. A variety of software tools for probing forward models of radiation transport in tissue exist, but their handling of sensing geometries and specification of complex tissue architectures is, most times, cumbersome. In this work, we introduce a lightweight simulator, Monte Carlo Radiation Transport Simulator (MOCARTS) that attends these demands for simplifying specification of tissue architectures and complex sensing geometries. An object-oriented architecture facilitates such goal. The simulator core is evolved from the Monte Carlo Multi-Layer (mcml) tool but extended to support multi-channel simulations. Verification against mcml yields negligible error (RMSE~4-10e-9) over a photon trajectory. Full simulations show concurrent validity of the proposed tool. Finally, the ability of the new software to simulate multi-channel sensing geometries and to define biological tissue models in an intuitive nested-hierarchy way are exemplified

Predicting approximate seismic responses in multistory buildings from real-time earthquake source information, for earthquake early warning applications

Regional earthquake early warning (EEW) alerts and related risk-mitigation actions are often triggered when the expected value of a ground-motion intensity measure (IM), computed from real-time magnitude and source location estimates, exceeds a predefined critical IM threshold. However, the shaking experienced in mid- to high-rise buildings may be significantly different from that on the ground, which could lead to sub-optimal decision-making (i.e., increased occurrences of false and missed EEW alarms) with the aforementioned strategy. This study facilitates an important advancement in EEW decision-support, by developing empirical models that directly relate earthquake source parameters to resulting approximate responses in multistory buildings. The proposed models can leverage real-time earthquake information provided by a regional EEW system, to provide rapid predictions of structure-specific engineering demand parameters that can be used to more accurately determine whether or not an alert is triggered. We use a simplified continuum building model consisting of a flexural/shear beam combination and vary its parameters to capture a wide range of deformation modes in different building types. We analyse the approximate responses for the building model variations, using Italian accelerometric data and corresponding source parameter information from 54 earthquakes. The resulting empirical prediction equations are incorporated in a real-time Bayesian framework that can be used for building-specific EEW applications, such as (1) early warning of floor-shaking sensed by occupants; and (2) elevator control. Finally, we demonstrate the improvement in EEW alert accuracy that can be achieved using the proposed models

Participation of the oviductal s100 calcium binding protein G in the genomic effect of estradiol that accelerates oviductal embryo transport in mated rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mating changes the mechanism by which E2 regulates oviductal egg transport, from a non-genomic to a genomic mode. Previously, we found that E2 increased the expression of several genes in the oviduct of mated rats, but not in unmated rats. Among the transcripts that increased its level by E2 only in mated rats was the one coding for an s100 calcium binding protein G (s100 g) whose functional role in the oviduct is unknown.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Herein, we investigated the participation of s100 g on the E2 genomic effect that accelerates oviductal transport in mated rats. Thus, we determined the effect of E₂on the mRNA and protein level of s100 g in the oviduct of mated and unmated rats. Then, we explored the effect of E₂on egg transport in unmated and mated rats under conditions in which s100 g protein was knockdown in the oviduct by a morpholino oligonucleotide against s100 g (s100 g-MO). In addition, the localization of s100 g in the oviduct of mated and unmated rats following treatment with E₂was also examined.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Expression of <it>s100 g </it>mRNA progressively increased at 3-24 h after E2 treatment in the oviduct of mated rats while in unmated rats <it>s100 g </it>increased only at 12 and 24 hours. Oviductal s100 g protein increased 6 h following E₂and continued elevated at 12 and 24 h in mated rats, whereas in unmated rats s100 g protein increased at the same time points as its transcript. Administration of a morpholino oligonucleotide against <it>s100 g </it>transcript blocked the effect of E₂on egg transport in mated, but not in unmated rats. Finally, immunoreactivity of s100 g was observed only in epithelial cells of the oviducts of mated and unmated rats and it was unchanged after E2 treatment.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Mating affects the kinetic of E2-induced expression of s100 g although it not changed the cellular localization of s100 g in the oviduct after E₂. On the other hand, s100 g is a functional component of E2 genomic effect that accelerates egg transport. These findings show a physiological involvement of s100 g in the rat oviduct.</p

Markedly Divergent Tree Assemblage Responses to Tropical Forest Loss and Fragmentation across a Strong Seasonality Gradient

We examine the effects of forest fragmentation on the structure and composition of tree assemblages within three seasonal and aseasonal forest types of southern Brazil, including evergreen, Araucaria, and deciduous forests. We sampled three southernmost Atlantic Forest landscapes, including the largest continuous forest protected areas within each forest type. Tree assemblages in each forest type were sampled within 10 plots of 0.1 ha in both continuous forests and 10 adjacent forest fragments. All trees within each plot were assigned to trait categories describing their regeneration strategy, vertical stratification, seed-dispersal mode, seed size, and wood density. We detected differences among both forest types and landscape contexts in terms of overall tree species richness, and the density and species richness of different functional groups in terms of regeneration strategy, seed dispersal mode and woody density. Overall, evergreen forest fragments exhibited the largest deviations from continuous forest plots in assemblage structure. Evergreen, Araucaria and deciduous forests diverge in the functional composition of tree floras, particularly in relation to regeneration strategy and stress tolerance. By supporting a more diversified light-demanding and stress-tolerant flora with reduced richness and abundance of shade-tolerant, old-growth species, both deciduous and Araucaria forest tree assemblages are more intrinsically resilient to contemporary human-disturbances, including fragmentation-induced edge effects, in terms of species erosion and functional shifts. We suggest that these intrinsic differences in the direction and magnitude of responses to changes in landscape structure between forest types should guide a wide range of conservation strategies in restoring fragmented tropical forest landscapes worldwide

The Pneumococcal Serine-Rich Repeat Protein Is an Intra-Species Bacterial Adhesin That Promotes Bacterial Aggregation In Vivo and in Biofilms

The Pneumococcal serine-rich repeat protein (PsrP) is a pathogenicity island encoded adhesin that has been positively correlated with the ability of Streptococcus pneumoniae to cause invasive disease. Previous studies have shown that PsrP mediates bacterial attachment to Keratin 10 (K10) on the surface of lung cells through amino acids 273–341 located in the Basic Region (BR) domain. In this study we determined that the BR domain of PsrP also mediates an intra-species interaction that promotes the formation of large bacterial aggregates in the nasopharynx and lungs of infected mice as well as in continuous flow-through models of mature biofilms. Using numerous methods, including complementation of mutants with BR domain deficient constructs, fluorescent microscopy with Cy3-labeled recombinant (r)BR, Far Western blotting of bacterial lysates, co-immunoprecipitation with rBR, and growth of biofilms in the presence of antibodies and competitive peptides, we determined that the BR domain, in particular amino acids 122–166 of PsrP, promoted bacterial aggregation and that antibodies against the BR domain were neutralizing. Using similar methodologies, we also determined that SraP and GspB, the Serine-rich repeat proteins (SRRPs) of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus gordonii, respectively, also promoted bacterial aggregation and that their Non-repeat domains bound to their respective SRRPs. This is the first report to show the presence of biofilm-like structures in the lungs of animals infected with S. pneumoniae and show that SRRPs have dual roles as host and bacterial adhesins. These studies suggest that recombinant Non-repeat domains of SRRPs (i.e. BR for S. pneumoniae) may be useful as vaccine antigens to protect against Gram-positive bacteria that cause infection

Taxonomic variations in the gut microbiome of gout patients with and without tophi might have a functional impact on urate metabolism

Objective: To evaluate the taxonomic composition of the gut microbiome in gout patients with and without tophi formation, and predict bacterial functions that might have an impact on urate metabolism. Methods: Hypervariable V3–V4 regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene from fecal samples of gout patients with and without tophi (n=33 and n=25, respectively) were sequenced and compared to fecal samples from 53 healthy controls. We explored predictive functional profles using bioinformatics in order to identify diferences in taxonomy and metabolic pathways. Results: We identifed a microbiome characterized by the lowest richness and a higher abundance of Phascolarctobacterium, Bacteroides, Akkermansia, and Ruminococcus_gnavus_group genera in patients with gout without tophi when compared to controls. The Proteobacteria phylum and the Escherichia-Shigella genus were more abundant in patients with tophaceous gout than in controls. Fold change analysis detected nine genera enriched in healthy controls compared to gout groups (Bifdobacterium, Butyricicoccus, Oscillobacter, Ruminococcaceae_UCG_010, Lachnospiraceae_ND2007_group, Haemophilus, Ruminococcus_1, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, and Ruminococcaceae_ UGC_013). We found that the core microbiota of both gout groups shared Bacteroides caccae, Bacteroides stercoris ATCC 43183, and Bacteroides coprocola DSM 17136. These bacteria might perform functions linked to one-carbon metabo‑ lism, nucleotide binding, amino acid biosynthesis, and purine biosynthesis. Finally, we observed diferences in key bacterial enzymes involved in urate synthesis, degradation, and elimination. Conclusion: Our fndings revealed that taxonomic variations in the gut microbiome of gout patients with and with‑ out tophi might have a functional impact on urate metabolism. Keywords: Gout, Gut microbiota, Uric acid metabolis

Capacidad antioxidante de poblaciones silvestres de “tara” (Caesalpinia spinosa) de las localidades de Picoy y Santa Fe (Provincia de Tarma, departamento de Junín)

Peru is the main supplier of "tara ", because our country has a variety of climates and soil types, by allowing the crop during most of the year. Junín department has natural populations of "tara" who have not yet been characterized biochemical or genetically, which could be harnessed for the benefit of local communities. In this work we report the antioxidant capacity of "tara" from the localities of Picoy and Santa Fe, both located in Tarma, Junin. We used the technique of DPPH and ABTS to evaluate the antioxidant capacity for the determination of phenols and flavonoids were used Folin-Ciocalteau reagent according to the technique of Singleton. Picoy sample reported a higher amount of phenols being of 563.70 mg/g dry extract, while the amount of flavonoids was 0.664 mg/g. The antioxidant capacity showed a better response in the sample of Picoy, reporting through a DPPH IC50 1.244 mg/ml and 35.3% ABTS inhibition. These data could be used to increase the added value and improve the supply of this resource in this area due to better antioxidantl characteristics.El Perú es el principal abastecedor de “tara”, gracias a que nuestro país posee una gran variedad de climas y tipos de suelos, haciendo posible la obtención de este cultivo durante la mayor parte del año. El departamento de Junín cuenta con poblaciones naturales de “tara” que aun no han sido caracterizadas bioquímica ni genéticamente, que podrían aprovecharse en beneficio de las comunidades locales. En este trabajo se reporta la capacidad antioxidante de “tara” provenientes de las localidades de Picoy y Santa Fe, ambas ubicadas en Tarma, Junín. Se utilizó la técnica del DPPH y del ABTS para valorar la capacidad antioxidante; para la determinación de fenoles y flavonoides se utilizó el reactivo de Folin-Ciocalteau según la técnica de Singleton. La muestra de Picoy reportó mayor cantidad de fenoles siendo de 563.70 mg/g de extracto seco, mientras que la cantidad de flavonoides fue de 0.664 mg/g. La capacidad antioxidante mostro una mejor respuesta en la muestra de Picoy, reportándose mediante el DPPH un IC50 1.244 mg/ml y con el ABTS un 35.3% de inhibición. Estos datos podrían aprovecharse para incrementar el valor agregado y mejorar la oferta de este recurso en dicha localidad debido a sus mejores características antioxidantes

Streptococcus pneumoniae in Biofilms Are Unable to Cause Invasive Disease Due to Altered Virulence Determinant Production

It is unclear whether Streptococcus pneumoniae in biofilms are virulent and contribute to development of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Using electron microscopy we confirmed the development of mature pneumococcal biofilms in a continuous-flow-through line model and determined that biofilm formation occurred in discrete stages with mature biofilms composed primarily of dead pneumococci. Challenge of mice with equal colony forming units of biofilm and planktonic pneumococci determined that biofilm bacteria were highly attenuated for invasive disease but not nasopharyngeal colonization. Biofilm pneumococci of numerous serotypes were hyper-adhesive and bound to A549 type II pneumocytes and Detroit 562 pharyngeal epithelial cells at levels 2 to 11-fold greater than planktonic counterparts. Using genomic microarrays we examined the pneumococcal transcriptome and determined that during biofilm formation S. pneumoniae down-regulated genes involved in protein synthesis, energy production, metabolism, capsular polysaccharide (CPS) production, and virulence. We confirmed these changes by measuring CPS by ELISA and immunoblotting for the toxin pneumolysin and the bacterial adhesins phosphorylcholine (ChoP), choline-binding protein A (CbpA), and Pneumococcal serine-rich repeat protein (PsrP). We conclude that biofilm pneumococci were avirulent due to reduced CPS and pneumolysin production along with increased ChoP, which is known to bind C-reactive protein and is opsonizing. Likewise, biofilm pneumococci were hyper-adhesive due to selection for the transparent phase variant, reduced CPS, and enhanced production of PsrP, CbpA, and ChoP. These studies suggest that biofilms do not directly contribute to development of IPD and may instead confer a quiescent mode of growth during colonization