Distribution patterns of phosphorylated Thr 3 and Thr 32 of histone H3 in plant mitosis and meiosis

Cell cycle dependent phosphorylation of conserved N-terminal tail residues of histone H3 has been described in both animal and plant cells. Through cytogenetic approaches using different plant species we show a detailed description of distribution patterns of phosphorylated histone H3 at either threonine 3 or threonine 32 in mitosis and meiosis. In meristematic cells of the large genome species Secale cereale, Vicia faba and Hordeum vulgare we have found that phosphorylation of both threonine residues begins in prophase, and dephosphorylation occurs in late anaphase. However, in the small genome species Arabidopsis thaliana dephosphorylation occurs at anaphase. In the first division of meiosis of species with large genomes phosphorylation of histone H3 at either threonine 3 or threonine 32 is seen first in diakinesis and extends to anaphase I, whereas in the second division these post-translational modifications are visible at metaphase II through anaphase II. While in A. thaliana dephosphorylation takes place at anaphase I and II. In all species analysed phosphorylated H3 at either threonine 3 or threonine 32 are distributed along the entire length of chromosomes during mitotic metaphase and metaphase I. In the second meiotic division threonine 3 phosphorylation is restricted to the pericentromeric domain, while phosphorylation of threonine 32 is widespread along chromosome arms of all species analysed.Research in the W.V. laboratory was supported by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Portugal grant SFRH/BPD/26442 to A.D.C. and SFRH/ BPD/27219/2006 to M.D., respectively. D.D., R.K. and A.H. were supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and by the Land Sachsen Anhal

Numerical investigation of the in-plane seismic performance of unstrengthened and TRM-strengthened rammed earth walls

The large availability of raw earth around the World led to its extensive use as a building material through history. Thus, earthen materials integrate several historical monuments, but their main use was to build living and working environments for billions of people. On the other hand, past earthquakes revealed their inadequate seismic behavior, which is a matter of concern as a significant percentage of earthen buildings are located in regions with medium to high seismic hazard. Nevertheless, their seismic behavior and the development of efficient strengthening solutions are topics that are not yet sufficiently investigated in the literature. In this context, this study investigates numerically the in-plane seismic behavior of a rammed earth component by means of advanced nonlinear finite element modeling, which included performing nonlinear static (pushover) and nonlinear dynamic analyses. Moreover, the strengthening effectiveness of a low-cost textile-reinforced mortar on such component was also evaluated. The strengthening was observed to increase the load and displacement capacities, to preserve the integrity for higher lateral load levels and to postpone failure without adding significant mass to the system. Furthermore, the pushover analysis was shown to predict reliably the capacities of the models with respect to the incremental dynamic analysis.This work was financed by FEDER funds through the Competitively Factors Operational Programme (COMPETE) and by national funds through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) within the scope of projects POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016737 (PTDC/ECM-EST/2777/2014) and POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007633. The support from grant SFRH/BPD/97082/2013 is also acknowledged

Holocentric Chromosomes of Luzula elegans Are Characterized by a Longitudinal Centromere Groove, Chromosome Bending, and a Terminal Nucleolus Organizer Region

The structure of holocentric chromosomes was analyzed in mitotic cells of Luzula elegans. Light and scanning electron microscopy observations provided evidence for the existence of a longitudinal groove along each sister chromatid. The centromere-specific histone H3 variant, CENH3, colocalized with this groove and with microtubule attachment sites. The terminal chromosomal regions were CENH3-negative. During metaphase to anaphase transition, L. elegans chromosomes typically curved to a sickle-like shape, a process that is likely to be influenced by the pulling forces of microtubules along the holocentric axis towards the corresponding microtubule organizing regions. A single pair of 45S rDNA sites, situated distal to Arabidopsis-telomere repeats, was observed at the terminal region of one chromosome pair. We suggest that the 45S rDNA position in distal centromere-free regions could be required to ensure chromosome stability. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Base

Line Defects in Molybdenum Disulfide Layers

Layered molecular materials and especially MoS2 are already accepted as promising candidates for nanoelectronics. In contrast to the bulk material, the observed electron mobility in single-layer MoS2 is unexpectedly low. Here we reveal the occurrence of intrinsic defects in MoS2 layers, known as inversion domains, where the layer changes its direction through a line defect. The line defects are observed experimentally by atomic resolution TEM. The structures were modeled and the stability and electronic properties of the defects were calculated using quantum-mechanical calculations based on the Density-Functional Tight-Binding method. The results of these calculations indicate the occurrence of new states within the band gap of the semiconducting MoS2. The most stable non-stoichiometric defect structures are observed experimentally, one of which contains metallic Mo-Mo bonds and another one bridging S atoms

Intuitive control of rolling sound synthesis

International audienceThis paper presents a rolling sound synthesis model which can be intuitively controlled. To propose this model, different aspects of the rolling phenomenon are explored : physical modeling, perceptual attributes and signal morphology. A source-filter model for rolling sounds synthesis is presented with associated intuitive controls

Impact and cost-effectiveness of current and future tuberculosis diagnostics: the contribution of modelling.

The landscape of diagnostic testing for tuberculosis (TB) is changing rapidly, and stakeholders need urgent guidance on how to develop, deploy and optimize TB diagnostics in a way that maximizes impact and makes best use of available resources. When decisions must be made with only incomplete or preliminary data available, modelling is a useful tool for providing such guidance. Following a meeting of modelers and other key stakeholders organized by the TB Modelling and Analysis Consortium, we propose a conceptual framework for positioning models of TB diagnostics. We use that framework to describe modelling priorities in four key areas: Xpert(®) MTB/RIF scale-up, target product profiles for novel assays, drug susceptibility testing to support new drug regimens, and the improvement of future TB diagnostic models. If we are to maximize the impact and cost-effectiveness of TB diagnostics, these modelling priorities should figure prominently as targets for future research

Does implementation matter if comprehension is lacking? A qualitative investigation into perceptions of advance care planning in people with cancer

Purpose: While advance care planning holds promise, uptake is variable and it is unclear how well people engage with or comprehend advance care planning. The objective of this study was to explore how people with cancer comprehended Advance Care Plans and examine how accurately advance care planning documentation represented patient wishes. Methods: This study used a qualitative descriptive design. Data collection comprised interviews and an examination of participants’ existing advance care planning documentation. Participants included those who had any diagnosis of cancer with an advance care plan recorded: Refusal of Treatment Certificate; Statement of Choices; and/or Enduring Power of Attorney (Medical Treatment) at one cancer treatment centre. Results: Fourteen participants were involved in the study. Twelve participants were female (86%). The mean age was 77 (range: 61-91) and participants had completed their advance care planning documentation between 8 and 72 weeks prior to the interview (mean 33 weeks). Three themes were evident from the data: Incomplete advance care planning understanding and confidence; Limited congruence for attitude and documentation; Advance care planning can enable peace of mind. Complete advance care planning understanding was unusual; most participants demonstrated partial comprehension of their own advance care plan, and some indicated very limited understanding. Participants’ attitudes and their written document congruence was limited, but advance care planning was seen as helpful. Conclusions: This study highlighted advance care planning was not a completely accurate representation of patient wishes. There is opportunity to improve how patients comprehend their own advance care planning documentation

The association between antihypertensive drugs and glioma

We pursued an association between hypertension and gliomas by investigating whether antihypertensive drugs (AHD) are associated with an increased glioma risk by a population-based nested case–control study using the PHARMO database; this links dispensing records of prescription drugs to hospital discharge data on an individual basis. Pathological data were derived from the Dutch nationwide registry of histo- and cytopathology. A total of 306 glioma cases incident between 1997 and 2003 were matched to 1108 controls for year of birth, sex, geographical region and duration of follow-up. Exposure was defined as cumulative duration of AHD use and, in an alternative analysis, as cumulative dose. We estimated the magnitude of the association with conditional logistic regression analysis. Cumulative use of any AHD for more than 6 months was associated with an increased risk of glioma (OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.03–2.04). After stratification for different groups of AHD, no significantly increased risk of glioma was found for any class of AHD. After excluding a latency period of 3 years before the date of diagnosis, no association was found. In conclusion, the use of AHD seems to be associated with an increased risk of glioma, but this is probably not causal