135 research outputs found
Expression of Distal-less, dachshund, and optomotor blind in Neanthes arenaceodentata (Annelida, Nereididae) does not support homology of appendage-forming mechanisms across the Bilateria
The similarity in the genetic regulation of
arthropod and vertebrate appendage formation has been
interpreted as the product of a plesiomorphic gene
network that was primitively involved in bilaterian
appendage development and co-opted to build appendages
(in modern phyla) that are not historically related
as structures. Data from lophotrochozoans are needed to
clarify the pervasiveness of plesiomorphic appendage forming
mechanisms. We assayed the expression of three
arthropod and vertebrate limb gene orthologs, Distal-less
(Dll), dachshund (dac), and optomotor blind (omb), in
direct-developing juveniles of the polychaete Neanthes
arenaceodentata. Parapodial Dll expression marks premorphogenetic
notopodia and neuropodia, becoming restricted
to the bases of notopodial cirri and to ventral
portions of neuropodia. In outgrowing cephalic appendages,
Dll activity is primarily restricted to proximal
domains. Dll expression is also prominent in the brain. dac
expression occurs in the brain, nerve cord ganglia, a pair
of pharyngeal ganglia, presumed interneurons linking a
pair of segmental nerves, and in newly differentiating
mesoderm. Domains of omb expression include the brain,
nerve cord ganglia, one pair of anterior cirri, presumed
precursors of dorsal musculature, and the same pharyngeal
ganglia and presumed interneurons that express dac.
Contrary to their roles in outgrowing arthropod and
vertebrate appendages, Dll, dac, and omb lack comparable
expression in Neanthes appendages, implying independent
evolution of annelid appendage development. We infer
that parapodia and arthropodia are not structurally or
mechanistically homologous (but their primordia might
be), that Dll’s ancestral bilaterian function was in sensory
and central nervous system differentiation, and that
locomotory appendages possibly evolved from sensory
outgrowths
Creatine supplementation spares muscle glycogen during high intensity intermittent exercise in rats
Strategic communication and the entrepreneurial role of the corporate communication officer
Considering the recent evolution of the communication/PR profession in large
organizations both private and public, many scholars agree that a process of
institutionalization is occurring. In other words, communication’s importance
has been growing, reaching in recent years a strategic position as a lever for
companies’ governance.
A first objective of this chapter is to describe, looking at management and
communication/PR literature, how and to what extent communication has
become strategic. The main hypothesis is that communication has become
strategic within companies’ governance in order to help each organization
to develop consistently – mainly in terms of values – within its environment.
A second objective is to describe, looking at the entrepreneurial organization
theory and communication/PR literature, another side of the strategic
evolution of communication, which is to help each organization to develop –
mainly in terms of services, products and reputation – as a different, or preferably
unique, entity as compared to the other organizations.
The evolution of the strategic contribution of communication/PR within
organizations’ decision-making has a strong impact on the role that corporate
communication officers (CCOs) play in organizations both on the isomorphic
and on the entrepreneurial–innovative sides of the communicational activity
they carry out to support the evolution of their organizations
Dynamism in the solar core
Recent results of a mixed shell model heated asymmetrically by transient
increases in nuclear burning indicate the transient generation of small hot
spots inside the Sun somewhere between 0.1 and 0.2 solar radii. These hot
bubbles are followed by a nonlinear differential equation system with finite
amplitude non-homologous perturbations which is solved in a solar model. Our
results show the possibility of a direct connection between the dynamic
phenomena of the solar core and the atmospheric activity. Namely, an initial
heating about DQ_0 ~ 10^{31}-10^{37} ergs can be enough for a bubble to reach
the outer convective zone. Our calculations show that a hot bubble can arrive
into subphotospheric regions with DQ_final ~ 10^{28} - 10^{34} ergs with a high
speed, up to 10 km s-1, approaching the local sound speed. We point out that
the developing sonic boom transforms the shock front into accelerated particle
beam injected upwards into the top of loop carried out by the hot bubble above
its forefront traveling from the solar interior. As a result, a new perspective
arises to explain flare energetics. We show that the particle beams generated
by energetic deep-origin hot bubbles in the subphotospheric layers have masses,
energies, and chemical compositions in the observed range of solar
chromospheric and coronal flares. It is shown how the emergence of a hot bubble
into subphotospheric regions offers a natural mechanism that can generate both
the eruption leading to the flare and the observed coronal magnetic topology
for reconnection. We show a list of long-standing problems of solar physics
that our model explains. We present some predictions for observations, some of
which are planned to be realized in the near future.Comment: 44 pages, 20 figure
The role of the complement system in traumatic brain injury: a review
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an important cause of disability and mortality in the western world. While the initial injury sustained results in damage, it is the subsequent secondary cascade that is thought to be the significant determinant of subsequent outcomes. The changes associated with the secondary injury do not become irreversible until some time after the start of the cascade. This may present a window of opportunity for therapeutic interventions aiming to improve outcomes subsequent to TBI. A prominent contributor to the secondary injury is a multifaceted inflammatory reaction. The complement system plays a notable role in this inflammatory reaction; however, it has often been overlooked in the context of TBI secondary injury. The complement system has homeostatic functions in the uninjured central nervous system (CNS), playing a part in neurodevelopment as well as having protective functions in the fully developed CNS, including protection from infection and inflammation. In the context of CNS injury, it can have a number of deleterious effects, evidence for which primarily comes not only from animal models but also, to a lesser extent, from human post-mortem studies. In stark contrast to this, complement may also promote neurogenesis and plasticity subsequent to CNS injury. This review aims to explore the role of the complement system in TBI secondary injury, by examining evidence from both clinical and animal studies. We examine whether specific complement activation pathways play more prominent roles in TBI than others. We also explore the potential role of complement in post-TBI neuroprotection and CNS repair/regeneration. Finally, we highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting the complement system in the context of TBI and point out certain areas on which future research is needed
Lawson criterion for ignition exceeded in an inertial fusion experiment
For more than half a century, researchers around the world have been engaged in attempts to achieve fusion ignition as a proof of principle of various fusion concepts. Following the Lawson criterion, an ignited plasma is one where the fusion heating power is high enough to overcome all the physical processes that cool the fusion plasma, creating a positive thermodynamic feedback loop with rapidly increasing temperature. In inertially confined fusion, ignition is a state where the fusion plasma can begin "burn propagation" into surrounding cold fuel, enabling the possibility of high energy gain. While "scientific breakeven" (i.e., unity target gain) has not yet been achieved (here target gain is 0.72, 1.37 MJ of fusion for 1.92 MJ of laser energy), this Letter reports the first controlled fusion experiment, using laser indirect drive, on the National Ignition Facility to produce capsule gain (here 5.8) and reach ignition by nine different formulations of the Lawson criterion
Determinants of recovery from post-COVID-19 dyspnoea: analysis of UK prospective cohorts of hospitalised COVID-19 patients and community-based controls
Background The risk factors for recovery from COVID-19 dyspnoea are poorly understood. We investigated determinants of recovery from dyspnoea in adults with COVID-19 and compared these to determinants of recovery from non-COVID-19 dyspnoea. Methods We used data from two prospective cohort studies: PHOSP-COVID (patients hospitalised between March 2020 and April 2021 with COVID-19) and COVIDENCE UK (community cohort studied over the same time period). PHOSP-COVID data were collected during hospitalisation and at 5-month and 1-year follow-up visits. COVIDENCE UK data were obtained through baseline and monthly online questionnaires. Dyspnoea was measured in both cohorts with the Medical Research Council Dyspnoea Scale. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify determinants associated with a reduction in dyspnoea between 5-month and 1-year follow-up. Findings We included 990 PHOSP-COVID and 3309 COVIDENCE UK participants. We observed higher odds of improvement between 5-month and 1-year follow-up among PHOSP-COVID participants who were younger (odds ratio 1.02 per year, 95% CI 1.01–1.03), male (1.54, 1.16–2.04), neither obese nor severely obese (1.82, 1.06–3.13 and 4.19, 2.14–8.19, respectively), had no pre-existing anxiety or depression (1.56, 1.09–2.22) or cardiovascular disease (1.33, 1.00–1.79), and shorter hospital admission (1.01 per day, 1.00–1.02). Similar associations were found in those recovering from non-COVID-19 dyspnoea, excluding age (and length of hospital admission). Interpretation Factors associated with dyspnoea recovery at 1-year post-discharge among patients hospitalised with COVID-19 were similar to those among community controls without COVID-19. Funding PHOSP-COVID is supported by a grant from the MRC-UK Research and Innovation and the Department of Health and Social Care through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) rapid response panel to tackle COVID-19. The views expressed in the publication are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the National Health Service (NHS), the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. COVIDENCE UK is supported by the UK Research and Innovation, the National Institute for Health Research, and Barts Charity. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the funders
Use of anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents in stable outpatients with coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation. International CLARIFY registry
Developing Graduate Employability: The CareerEDGE Model and the Importance of Emotional Intelligence
This chapter discusses a model of graduate employability development, the CareerEDGE model (Dacre Pool and Sewell 2007) which includes Emotional Intelligence (EI) as a key component. Although previous models and theories of employability (e.g. Fugate et al. 2004; Knight and Yorke 2004) have alluded to adaptive emotional functioning as an aspect of employability, CareerEDGE was the first to give EI such prominence. There is scope for EI to have a direct impact on graduate employability but also an indirect impact via other aspects of employability development
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