Integrative molecular profiling indicates a central role of transitory starch breakdown in establishing a stable C/N homeostasis during cold acclimation in two natural accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana

Figure S1. Comparison of metabolite levels between non-acclimated and acclimated plants. Ratios were built by dividing the absolute mean values of metabolite levels of Rsch by levels of Cvi, or by dividing absolute mean values of metabolites of acc by na plants. Asterisks indicate significant differences as described in the figure. Grey-coloured metabolites were not experimentally analysed. (TIF 1649 kb

Polymers from Sugars and Cyclic Anhydrides: Ring-Opening Copolymerization of a D-Xylose Anhydrosugar Oxetane

A d-xylose 3,5-anhydrosugar derivative has been used as an oxetane co-monomer in the ring-opening copolymerization (ROCOP) with cyclic anhydrides, to form a family of seven novel sugar-derived polyesters, with up to 100% renewable content. ROCOP proceeds with high alternating selectivity to form AB-type copolymers that are thermally robust (Td,onset > 212 °C) and exhibit a broad range of glass-transition temperatures (Tg 60–145 °C). These polyesters are amenable to further postpolymerization functionalization. The hydroxy group of the sugar moiety can be unveiled, then functionalized further, e.g., phosphorylated. The internal alkene of some of the anhydride moieties can also be subject to thiol-ene reactions. Combining those orthogonal strategies affords AB copolyesters with alternating functional substituents. By exploiting the living character of the ROCOP process, block copolymers have also been synthesized through sequential co-monomer addition experiments

Polymers from Sugars and Cyclic Anhydrides: Ring-Opening Copolymerization of a D-Xylose Anhydrosugar Oxetane

A d-xylose 3,5-anhydrosugar derivative has been used as an oxetane co-monomer in the ring-opening copolymerization (ROCOP) with cyclic anhydrides, to form a family of seven novel sugar-derived polyesters, with up to 100% renewable content. ROCOP proceeds with high alternating selectivity to form AB-type copolymers that are thermally robust (Td,onset > 212 °C) and exhibit a broad range of glass-transition temperatures (Tg 60–145 °C). These polyesters are amenable to further postpolymerization functionalization. The hydroxy group of the sugar moiety can be unveiled, then functionalized further, e.g., phosphorylated. The internal alkene of some of the anhydride moieties can also be subject to thiol-ene reactions. Combining those orthogonal strategies affords AB copolyesters with alternating functional substituents. By exploiting the living character of the ROCOP process, block copolymers have also been synthesized through sequential co-monomer addition experiments

Applying a typology of health worker migration to non-EU migrant doctors in Ireland

Abstract Background: Research on health worker migration in the Irish context has categorized migrant health workers by country or region of training (for example, non-EU nurses or doctors) or recruitment mechanism (for example, actively recruited nurses). This paper applies a new typology of health worker migrants – livelihood, career-oriented, backpacker, commuter, undocumented and returner migrants (European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and WHO, vol. 2:129-152, 2014) – to the experiences of non-EU migrant doctors in Ireland and tests its utility for understanding health worker migration internationally. Methods: The paper draws on quantitative survey (N = 366) and qualitative interview (N = 37) data collected from non-EU migrant doctors in Ireland between 2011 and 2013. Results: Categorizing non-EU migrant doctors in Ireland according to the typology (European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and WHO, vol. 2:129-152, 2014) offers insight into their differing motivations, particularly on arrival. Findings suggest that the career-oriented migrant is the most common type of doctor among non-EU migrant doctor respondents, accounting for 60 % (N = 220) of quantitative and 54 % (N = 20) of qualitative respondents. The authors propose a modification to the typology via the addition of two additional categories – the family migrant and the safety and security migrant. Conclusions: Employing a typology of health worker migration can facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of the migrant medical workforce, a necessary prerequisite for the development of useful policy tools (European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and WHO, vol. 2:129-152, 2014). The findings indicate that there is some fluidity between categories, as health worker motivations change over time. This indicates the potential for policy levers to influence migrant health worker decision-making, if they are sufficiently “tuned in” to migrant health worker motivation. Keywords: Doctor migration, Migration typology, Medical workforce planning, Health workforce planning, Health human resources for healt

Mutant p53 proteins bind DNA in a DNA structure-selective mode

Despite the loss of sequence-specific DNA binding, mutant p53 (mutp53) proteins can induce or repress transcription of mutp53-specific target genes. To date, the molecular basis for transcriptional modulation by mutp53 is not understood, but increasing evidence points to the possibility that specific interactions of mutp53 with DNA play an important role. So far, the lack of a common denominator for mutp53 DNA binding, i.e. the existence of common sequence elements, has hampered further characterization of mutp53 DNA binding. Emanating from our previous discovery that DNA structure is an important determinant of wild-type p53 (wtp53) DNA binding, we analyzed the binding of various mutp53 proteins to oligonucleotides mimicking non-B DNA structures. Using various DNA-binding assays we show that mutp53 proteins bind selectively and with high affinity to non-B DNA. In contrast to sequence-specific and DNA structure-dependent binding of wtp53, mutp53 DNA binding to non-B DNA is solely dependent on the stereo-specific configuration of the DNA, and not on DNA sequence. We propose that DNA structure-selective binding of mutp53 proteins is the basis for the well-documented interaction of mutp53 with MAR elements and for transcriptional activities mediates by mutp53

Can Playing the Computer Game “Tetris” Reduce the Build-Up of Flashbacks for Trauma? A Proposal from Cognitive Science

Background: Flashbacks are the hallmark symptom of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Although we have successful treatments for full-blown PTSD, early interventions are lacking. We propose the utility of developing a ‘cognitive vaccine ’ to prevent PTSD flashback development following exposure to trauma. Our theory is based on two key findings: 1) Cognitive science suggests that the brain has selective resources with limited capacity; 2) The neurobiology of memory suggests a 6-hr window to disrupt memory consolidation. The rationale for a ‘cognitive vaccine ’ approach is as follows: Trauma flashbacks are sensory-perceptual, visuospatial mental images. Visuospatial cognitive tasks selectively compete for resources required to generate mental images. Thus, a visuospatial computer game (e.g. ‘‘Tetris’’) will interfere with flashbacks. Visuospatial tasks post-trauma, performed within the time window for memory consolidation, will reduce subsequent flashbacks. We predicted that playing ‘‘Tetris’ ’ half an hour after viewing trauma would reduce flashback frequency over 1-week. Methodology/Principal Findings: The Trauma Film paradigm was used as a well-established experimental analog for Posttraumatic Stress. All participants viewed a traumatic film consisting of scenes of real injury and death followed by a 30-min structured break. Participants were then randomly allocated to either a no-task or visuospatial (‘‘Tetris’’) condition which they undertook for 10-min. Flashbacks were monitored for 1-week. Results indicated that compared to the no-tas

A full free spectral range tuning of p-i-n doped Gallium Nitride microdisk cavity

Effective, permanent tuning of the whispering gallery modes (WGMs) of p-i-n doped GaN microdisk cavity with embedded InGaN quantum dots over one free spectral range is successfully demonstrated by irradiating the microdisks with a ultraviolet laser (380nm) in DI water. For incident laser powers between 150 and 960 nW, the tuning rate varies linearly. Etching of the top surface of the cavity is proposed as the driving force for the observed shift in WGMs, and is supported by experiments. The tuning for GaN/InGaN microdisk cavities is an important step for deterministically realizing novel nanophotonic devices for studying cavity quantum electrodynamics

Blowout Evolution Between 1999 and 2015 in Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve, England.

Mobile coastal sand dunes are an important habitat for a range of species that require warm substrates and a diversity of habitat structures. The extent of bare sand on coastal dunes in the UK has, however, dramatically declined since 1945. As a result, the removal of vegetation has become a management tool to re-create mobile and dynamic habitats that are typically associated with the earlier stages of dune succession. Blowouts, erosional hollows in dunes, act as important natural mechanisms for landscape disturbance by interrupting succession and providing a source of nutrient deficient sediment, via aeolian (wind) sediment erosion and subsequent deposition. This study investigates the evolution of three blowouts within Ainsdale Sand Dunes Natural Nature Reserve, North West England, in a dunescape that had been cleared of Corsican Pine approximately 25 years prior. Our results demonstrate that, contrary to previous studies of blowout evolution in highly vegetated dune systems, continued blowout expansion and growth has continued for at least 15 years (2005 to present). We anticipate these findings to be a starting point for deeper analysis of coastal dune mobility in the UK and northwest Europe, in order to better understand the environmental drivers maintaining dynamism in these environments