Are relational contracting principles applicable to public construction projects ?

The need for relational contracting in the construction industry is high because of the barriers arising from its highly fragmented nature. While relational contracting principles are less difficult to apply in private sector projects, it is not known if public sector projects can enjoy the full benefits of relational contracting. This paper aims to provide answers to this question. Difficulties of implementing relational contracting principles in public construction projects were firstly discussed. A theoretical framework including a basic model, an integrated stakeholder network, and three categories of measurement items were then identified. Although the theoretical framework and accompanying hypotheses are still required to be tested by a following survey, the proposed findings would guide the application of relational contracting in public projects, thus contributing to better relationships in the construction contracting environment, and thereby boosting project outcomes

Abundant fungi dominate the coexistence of microbiota in soil of contaminated site: High-precision community analysis by full-length sequencing

International audienceIn the past decade, the characterization of microbial community in soil of contaminated sites was primarily done by high-throughput short-read amplicon sequencing. However, the short-read approach often limits the microbial composition analysis at the species level due to the high similarity of 16S rRNA and ITS genes amplicon sequences. Here, we simultaneously performed full-length (PacBio platform) and short-read (Illumina platform) amplicon sequencing to clarify the adaptation mechanisms of different microbial taxa to soil pollution from a high-resolution perspective. We found that (1) full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing from PacBio platform gave better resolution for bacterial identification at all levels (especially at the level of genus and species), while there was no significant difference between the two platforms for fungal identification in some samples. (2) abundant taxa dominated the microbial communities, and abundant fungal species such as Mortierella alpine, Fusarium solani, Mrakia frigida, and Chaetomium homopilatum served as the keystone species. (3) heavy metal and soil texture affected microbial community structure significantly, and abundant taxa preferred deterministic processes, whereas rare taxa randomly formed due to weak selection. Importantly, our study for the first time characterized soil microbiota in contaminated sites with a superior resolution at the species level, emphasizing that abundant taxa, especially abundant fungi, played the keystone role in co-occurrence networks. Overall, these findings expand current understanding of the ecological mechanisms and microbial interactions in contaminated site ecosystems and demonstrate that full-length sequencing has the potential to provide more details of microbial community

Table1_Whole genome sequencing identified genomic diversity and candidated genes associated with economic traits in Northeasern Merino in China.XLSX

Introduction: Northeast Merino (NMS) is a breed developed in Northeast China during the 1960s for wool and meat production. It exhibits excellent traits such as high wool yield, superior meat quality, rapid growth rate, robust disease resistance, and adaptability to cold climates. However, no studies have used whole-genome sequencing data to investigate the superior traits of NMS.Methods: In this study, we investigated the population structure, genetic diversity, and selection signals of NMS using whole-genome sequencing data from 20 individuals. Two methods (integrated haplotype score and composite likelihood ratio) were used for selection signal analysis, and the Fixation Index was used to explore the selection signals of NMS and the other two breeds, Mongolian sheep and South African meat Merino.Results: The results showed that NMS had low inbreeding levels, high genomic diversity, and a pedigree of both Merino breeds and Chinese local breeds. A total length of 14.09 Mb genomic region containing 287 genes was detected using the two methods. Further exploration of the functions of these genes revealed that they are mainly concentrated in wool production performance (IRF2BP2, MAP3K7, and WNT3), meat production performance (NDUFA9, SETBP1, ZBTB38, and FTO), cold resistance (DNAJC13, LPGAT1, and PRDM16), and immune response (PRDM2, GALNT8, and HCAR2). The selection signals of NMS and the other two breeds annotated 87 and 23 genes, respectively. These genes were also mainly focused on wool and meat production performance.Conclusion: These results provide a basis for further breeding improvement, comprehensive use of this breed, and a reference for research on other breeds.</p

Prominin-1 controls stem cell activation by orchestrating ciliary dynamics.

Proper temporal and spatial activation of stem cells relies on highly coordinated cell signaling. The primary cilium is the sensory organelle that is responsible for transmitting extracellular signals into a cell. Primary cilium size, architecture, and assembly-disassembly dynamics are under rigid cell cycle-dependent control. Using mouse incisor tooth epithelia as a model, we show that ciliary dynamics in stem cells require the proper functions of a cholesterol-binding membrane glycoprotein, Prominin-1 (Prom1/CD133), which controls sequential recruitment of ciliary membrane components, histone deacetylase, and transcription factors. Nuclear translocation of Prom1 and these molecules is particularly evident in transit amplifying cells, the immediate derivatives of stem cells. The absence of Prom1 impairs ciliary dynamics and abolishes the growth stimulation effects of sonic hedgehog (SHH) treatment, resulting in the disruption of stem cell quiescence maintenance and activation. We propose that Prom1 is a key regulator ensuring appropriate response of stem cells to extracellular signals, with important implications for development, regeneration, and diseases

Prominin-1 controls stem cell activation by orchestrating ciliary dynamics

Proper temporal and spatial activation of stem cells relies on highly coordinated cell signaling. The primary cilium is the sensory organelle that is responsible for transmitting extracellular signals into a cell. Primary cilium size, architecture, and assembly-disassembly dynamics are under rigid cell cycle-dependent control. Using mouse incisor tooth epithelia as a model, we show that ciliary dynamics in stem cells require the proper functions of a cholesterol-binding membrane glycoprotein, Prominin-1 (Prom1/CD133), which controls sequential recruitment of ciliary membrane components, histone deacetylase, and transcription factors. Nuclear translocation of Prom1 and these molecules is particularly evident in transit amplifying cells, the immediate derivatives of stem cells. The absence of Prom1 impairs ciliary dynamics and abolishes the growth stimulation effects of sonic hedgehog (SHH) treatment, resulting in the disruption of stem cell quiescence maintenance and activation. We propose that Prom1 is a key regulator ensuring appropriate response of stem cells to extracellular signals, with important implications for development, regeneration, and diseases

Prominin-1 controls stem cell activation by orchestrating ciliary dynamics

Proper temporal and spatial activation of stem cells relies on highly coordinated cell signaling. The primary cilium is the sensory organelle that is responsible for transmitting extracellular signals into a cell. Primary cilium size, architecture, and assembly-disassembly dynamics are under rigid cell cycle-dependent control. Using mouse incisor tooth epithelia as a model, we show that ciliary dynamics in stem cells require the proper functions of a cholesterol-binding membrane glycoprotein, Prominin-1 (Prom1/CD133), which controls sequential recruitment of ciliary membrane components, histone deacetylase, and transcription factors. Nuclear translocation of Prom1 and these molecules is particularly evident in transit amplifying cells, the immediate derivatives of stem cells. The absence of Prom1 impairs ciliary dynamics and abolishes the growth stimulation effects of sonic hedgehog (SHH) treatment, resulting in the disruption of stem cell quiescence maintenance and activation. We propose that Prom1 is a key regulator ensuring appropriate response of stem cells to extracellular signals, with important implications for development, regeneration, and diseases

Erratum to: Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition) (Autophagy, 12, 1, 1-222, 10.1080/15548627.2015.1100356

non present