3,163 research outputs found
Investigating the impact of land-use land-cover change on Indian summer monsoon daily rainfall and temperature during 1951–2005 using a regional climate model
Daily moderate rainfall events, which constitute a major portion of seasonal summer monsoon rainfall over central India, have decreased significantly during the period 1951 through 2005. On the other hand, mean and extreme near-surface daily temperature during the monsoon season have increased by a maximum of 1–1.5 °C. Using simulations made with a high-resolution regional climate model (RegCM4) and prescribed land cover of years 1950 and 2005, it is demonstrated that part of the changes in moderate rainfall events and temperature have been caused by land-use/land-cover change (LULCC), which is mostly anthropogenic. Model simulations show that the increase in seasonal mean and extreme temperature over central India coincides with the region of decrease in forest and increase in crop cover. Our results also show that LULCC alone causes warming in the extremes of daily mean and maximum temperatures by a maximum of 1–1.2 °C, which is comparable with the observed increasing trend in the extremes. Decrease in forest cover and simultaneous increase in crops not only reduces the evapotranspiration over land and large-scale convective instability, but also contributes toward decrease in moisture convergence through reduced surface roughness. These factors act together in reducing significantly the moderate rainfall events and the amount of rainfall in that category over central India. Additionally, the model simulations are repeated by removing the warming trend in sea surface temperatures over the Indian Ocean. As a result, enhanced warming at the surface and greater decrease in moderate rainfall events over central India compared to the earlier set of simulations are noticed. Results from these additional experiments corroborate our initial findings and confirm the contribution of LULCC in the decrease in moderate rainfall events and increase in daily mean and extreme temperature over India. Therefore, this study demonstrates the important implications of LULCC over India during the monsoon season. Although, the regional climate model helps in better resolving land–atmosphere feedbacks over the Indian region, the inferences do depend on the fidelity of the model in capturing the features of Indian monsoon realistically. It is proposed that similar studies using a suite of climate models will further enrich our understanding about the role of LULCC in the Indian monsoon climate
The theoretical molecular weight of NaYF â‚„ :RE upconversion nanoparticles
Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are utilized extensively for biomedical imaging, sensing, and therapeutic applications, yet the molecular weight of UCNPs has not previously been reported. Herein, we present a theory based upon the crystal structure of UCNPs to estimate the molecular weight of UCNPs: enabling insight into UCNP molecular weight for the first time. We estimate the theoretical molecular weight of various UCNPs reported in the literature, predicting that spherical NaYF4 UCNPs ~ 10 nm in diameter will be ~1 MDa (i.e. 106 g/mol), whereas UCNPs ~ 45 nm in diameter will be ~100 MDa (i.e. 108 g/mol). We also predict that hexagonal crystal phase UCNPs will be of greater molecular weight than cubic crystal phase UCNPs. Additionally we find that a Gaussian UCNP diameter distribution will correspond to a lognormal UCNP molecular weight distribution. Our approach could potentially be generalised to predict the molecular weight of other arbitrary crystalline nanoparticles: as such, we provide stand-alone graphic user interfaces to calculate the molecular weight both UCNPs and arbitrary crystalline nanoparticles. We expect knowledge of UCNP molecular weight to be of wide utility in biomedical applications where reporting UCNP quantity in absolute numbers or molarity will be beneficial for inter-study comparison and repeatability
Barium yttrium fluoride based upconversion nanoparticles as dual mode image contrast agents
Dual labeled contrast agents could provide better complementary information for bioimaging than available solely from a single modality. In this paper we investigate the suitability of Yb3+ and Er3+-doped BaYF5 upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) as both optical and X-ray micro computed tomography (μCT) contrast agents. Stable, aqueous UCNP dispersions were synthesised using a hydrothermal method with the addition of polyethyleneimine (PEI). UCNPs were single crystal and had a truncated cuboidal morphology, with average particle size of 47 ± 9 nm from transmission electron microscopy which was further used to characterize the structure and composition in detail. A zeta potential value of +51 mV was measured for the aqueous nanoparticle dispersions which is beneficial for cell permeability. The outer hydrated PEI layer is also advantageous for the attachment of proteins for targeted delivery in biological systems. The prepared UCNPs were proven to be non-toxic to endothelial cells up to a concentration of 3.5 mg/mL, when assessed using an MTT assay. The particles showed intense green upconversion photoluminescence when excited at a wavelength of 976 nm using a diode laser. Quantitative X-ray μCT contrast imaging confirmed the potential of these UCNPs as X-ray contrast agents and confirming their dual modality for bioimaging
Parity-Violating Electron Scattering from 4He and the Strange Electric Form Factor of the Nucleon
We have measured the parity-violating electroweak asymmetry in the elastic
scattering of polarized electrons from ^4He at an average scattering angle
= 5.7 degrees and a four-momentum transfer Q^2 = 0.091 GeV^2. From
these data, for the first time, the strange electric form factor of the nucleon
G^s_E can be isolated. The measured asymmetry of A_PV = (6.72 +/- 0.84 (stat)
+/- 0.21 (syst) parts per million yields a value of G^s_E = -0.038 +/- 0.042
(stat) +/- 0.010 (syst), consistent with zero
Small molecule anionophores promote transmembrane anion permeation matching CFTR activity
Anion selective ionophores, anionophores, are small molecules capable of facilitating the
transmembrane transport of anions. Inspired in the structure of natural product prodigiosin, four
novel anionophores 1a-d, including a 1,2,3-triazole group, were prepared. These compounds proved
highly efficient anion exchangers in model phospholipid liposomes. The changes in the hydrogen bond
cleft modified the anion transport selectivity exhibited by these compounds compared to prodigiosin
and suppressed the characteristic high toxicity of the natural product. Their activity as anionophores
in living cells was studied and chloride efflux and iodine influx from living cells mediated by these
derivatives was demonstrated. These compounds were shown to permeabilize cellular membranes
to halides with efficiencies close to the natural anion channel CFTR at doses that do not compromise
cellular viability. Remarkably, optimal transport efficiency was measured in the presence of pH
gradients mimicking those found in the airway epithelia of Cystic Fibrosis patients. These results
support the viability of developing small molecule anionophores as anion channel protein surrogates
with potential applications in the treatment of conditions such as Cystic Fibrosis derived from the
malfunction of natural anion transport mechanisms.European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 667079, La Marató de TV3 Foundation (20132730), ConsejerÃa de Educación de la Junta de Castilla y León (Projects BU340U13 and BU092U16
Consumption of both low and high (-)-epicatechin apple puree attenuates platelet reactivity and increases plasma concentrations of nitric oxide metabolites: A randomized controlled trial
We hypothesised that consumption of flavanol-containing apple puree would modulate platelet activity and increase nitric oxide metabolite status, and that high flavanol apple puree would exert a greater effect than low flavanol apple puree. 25 subjects consumed 230 g of apple puree containing 25 and 100 mg epicatechin (low and high flavanol apple puree, respectively) and aspirin (75 mg) in random order. Measurements were made at baseline, acutely after treatment (2, 6 and 24 h), and after 14 d of treatment. Low flavanol apple puree significantly attenuated ADP and epinephrine-induced integrin-β3 expression 2 h and 6 h after consumption and ADP and epinephrine-induced P-selectin expression within 2 h of consumption. High flavanol apple puree attenuated epinephrine and ADP-induced integrin-β3 expression after 2 and 6 h. ADP and epinephrine-induced integrin-β3 expression was significantly attenuated 2, 6 and 24 h after consumption of aspirin, whilst 14 d aspirin consumption attenuated collagen-induced P-selectin expression only. The plasma total nitric oxide metabolite conc. was significantly increased 6 h after consumption of both low and high flavanol apple purees. In conclusion, consumption of apple purees containing ≥25 or 100 mg flavanols transiently attenuated ex vivo integrin-β3 and P-selectin expression and increased plasma nitric oxide metabolite conc. in healthy subjects, but the effect was not enhanced for the high flavanol apple puree
Impact Factor: outdated artefact or stepping-stone to journal certification?
A review of Garfield's journal impact factor and its specific implementation
as the Thomson Reuters Impact Factor reveals several weaknesses in this
commonly-used indicator of journal standing. Key limitations include the
mismatch between citing and cited documents, the deceptive display of three
decimals that belies the real precision, and the absence of confidence
intervals. These are minor issues that are easily amended and should be
corrected, but more substantive improvements are needed. There are indications
that the scientific community seeks and needs better certification of journal
procedures to improve the quality of published science. Comprehensive
certification of editorial and review procedures could help ensure adequate
procedures to detect duplicate and fraudulent submissions.Comment: 25 pages, 12 figures, 6 table
E2F1 Mediated Apoptosis Induced by the DNA Damage Response Is Blocked by EBV Nuclear Antigen 3C in Lymphoblastoid Cells
EBV latent antigen EBNA3C is indispensible for in vitro B-cell immortalization resulting in continuously proliferating lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). EBNA3C was previously shown to target pRb for ubiquitin-proteasome mediated degradation, which facilitates G1 to S transition controlled by the major transcriptional activator E2F1. E2F1 also plays a pivotal role in regulating DNA damage induced apoptosis through both p53-dependent and -independent pathways. In this study, we demonstrate that in response to DNA damage LCLs knocked down for EBNA3C undergo a drastic induction of apoptosis, as a possible consequence of both p53- and E2F1-mediated activities. Importantly, EBNA3C was previously shown to suppress p53-induced apoptosis. Now, we also show that EBNA3C efficiently blocks E2F1-mediated apoptosis, as well as its anti-proliferative effects in a p53-independent manner, in response to DNA damage. The N- and C-terminal domains of EBNA3C form a stable pRb independent complex with the N-terminal DNA-binding region of E2F1 responsible for inducing apoptosis. Mechanistically, we show that EBNA3C represses E2F1 transcriptional activity via blocking its DNA-binding activity at the responsive promoters of p73 and Apaf-1 apoptosis induced genes, and also facilitates E2F1 degradation in an ubiquitin-proteasome dependent fashion. Moreover, in response to DNA damage, E2F1 knockdown LCLs exhibited a significant reduction in apoptosis with higher cell-viability. In the presence of normal mitogenic stimuli the growth rate of LCLs knockdown for E2F1 was markedly impaired; indicating that E2F1 plays a dual role in EBV positive cells and that active engagement of the EBNA3C-E2F1 complex is crucial for inhibition of DNA damage induced E2F1-mediated apoptosis. This study offers novel insights into our current understanding of EBV biology and enhances the potential for development of effective therapies against EBV associated B-cell lymphomas
New Measurement of Parity Violation in Elastic Electron-Proton Scattering and Implications for Strange Form Factors
We have measured the parity-violating electroweak asymmetry in the elastic
scattering of polarized electrons from the proton. The result is A = -15.05 +-
0.98(stat) +- 0.56(syst) ppm at the kinematic point theta_lab = 12.3 degrees
and Q^2 = 0.477 (GeV/c)^2. The measurement implies that the value for the
strange form factor (G_E^s + 0.392 G_M^s) = 0.025 +- 0.020 +- 0.014, where the
first error is experimental and the second arises from the uncertainties in
electromagnetic form factors. This measurement is the first fixed-target parity
violation experiment that used either a `strained' GaAs photocathode to produce
highly polarized electrons or a Compton polarimeter to continuously monitor the
electron beam polarization.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, Tex, elsart.cls; revised version as accepted for
Phys. Lett.
Modulation of enhancer looping and differential gene targeting by Epstein-Barr virus transcription factors directs cellular reprogramming
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) epigenetically reprogrammes B-lymphocytes to drive immortalization and facilitate viral persistence. Host-cell transcription is perturbed principally through the actions of EBV EBNA 2, 3A, 3B and 3C, with cellular genes deregulated by specific combinations of these EBNAs through unknown mechanisms. Comparing human genome binding by these viral transcription factors, we discovered that 25% of binding sites were shared by EBNA 2 and the EBNA 3s and were located predominantly in enhancers. Moreover, 80% of potential EBNA 3A, 3B or 3C target genes were also targeted by EBNA 2, implicating extensive interplay between EBNA 2 and 3 proteins in cellular reprogramming. Investigating shared enhancer sites neighbouring two new targets (WEE1 and CTBP2) we discovered that EBNA 3 proteins repress transcription by modulating enhancer-promoter loop formation to establish repressive chromatin hubs or prevent assembly of active hubs. Re-ChIP analysis revealed that EBNA 2 and 3 proteins do not bind simultaneously at shared sites but compete for binding thereby modulating enhancer-promoter interactions. At an EBNA 3-only intergenic enhancer site between ADAM28 and ADAMDEC1 EBNA 3C was also able to independently direct epigenetic repression of both genes through enhancer-promoter looping. Significantly, studying shared or unique EBNA 3 binding sites at WEE1, CTBP2, ITGAL (LFA-1 alpha chain), BCL2L11 (Bim) and the ADAMs, we also discovered that different sets of EBNA 3 proteins bind regulatory elements in a gene and cell-type specific manner. Binding profiles correlated with the effects of individual EBNA 3 proteins on the expression of these genes, providing a molecular basis for the targeting of different sets of cellular genes by the EBNA 3s. Our results therefore highlight the influence of the genomic and cellular context in determining the specificity of gene deregulation by EBV and provide a paradigm for host-cell reprogramming through modulation of enhancer-promoter interactions by viral transcription factors
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