5,982 research outputs found
Increased levels of RNA oxidation enhance the reversion frequency in aging pro-apoptotic yeast mutants
Despite recent advances in understanding the complexity of RNA processes, regulation of the metabolism of oxidized cellular RNAs and the mechanisms through which oxidized ribonucleotides affect mRNA translation, and consequently cell viability, are not well characterized. We show here that the level of oxidized RNAs is markedly increased in a yeast decapping Kllsm4Δ1 mutant, which accumulates mRNAs, ages much faster that the wild type strain and undergoes regulated-cell-death. We also found that in Kllsm4Δ1 cells the mutation rate increases during chronological life span indicating that the capacity to han- dle oxidized RNAs in yeast declines with aging. Lowering intracellular ROS levels by antioxidants recovers the wild- type phenotype of mutant cells, including reduced amount of oxidized RNAs and lower mutation rate. Since mRNA oxidation was reported to occur in different neurodegen- erative diseases, decapping-deficient cells may represent a useful tool for deciphering molecular mechanisms of cell response to such conditions, providing new insights into RNA modification-based pathogenesis
Test of Einstein Equivalence Principle for 0-spin and half-integer-spin atoms: Search for spin-gravity coupling effects
We report on a conceptually new test of the equivalence principle performed
by measuring the acceleration in Earth's gravity field of two isotopes of
strontium atoms, namely, the bosonic Sr isotope which has no spin vs the
fermionic Sr isotope which has a half-integer spin. The effect of
gravity upon the two atomic species has been probed by means of a precision
differential measurement of the Bloch frequency for the two atomic matter waves
in a vertical optical lattice. We obtain the values for the E\"otv\"os parameter and
for the coupling between nuclear spin and gravity.
This is the first reported experimental test of the equivalence principle for
bosonic and fermionic particles and opens a new way to the search for the
predicted spin-gravity coupling effects.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures. New spin-gravtity coupling analysis on the data
added to the manuscrip
Exploiting vibrational communication for more efficient trapping of Halyomorpha halys (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae).
Indirect Self-Modulation Instability Measurement Concept for the AWAKE Proton Beam
AWAKE, the Advanced Proton-Driven Plasma Wakefield Acceleration Experiment,
is a proof-of-principle R&D experiment at CERN using a 400 GeV/c proton beam
from the CERN SPS (longitudinal beam size sigma_z = 12 cm) which will be sent
into a 10 m long plasma section with a nominal density of approx. 7x10^14
atoms/cm3 (plasma wavelength lambda_p = 1.2mm). In this paper we show that by
measuring the time integrated transverse profile of the proton bunch at two
locations downstream of the AWAKE plasma, information about the occurrence of
the self-modulation instability (SMI) can be inferred. In particular we show
that measuring defocused protons with an angle of 1 mrad corresponds to having
electric fields in the order of GV/m and fully developed self-modulation of the
proton bunch. Additionally, by measuring the defocused beam edge of the
self-modulated bunch, information about the growth rate of the instability can
be extracted. If hosing instability occurs, it could be detected by measuring a
non-uniform defocused beam shape with changing radius. Using a 1 mm thick
Chromox scintillation screen for imaging of the self-modulated proton bunch, an
edge resolution of 0.6 mm and hence a SMI saturation point resolution of 1.2 m
can be achieved.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, EAAC conference proceeding
A device to characterize optical fibres
ATLAS is a general purpose experiment approved for the LHC collider at CERN.
An important component of the detector is the central hadronic calorimeter; for
its construction more than 600,000 Wave Length Shifting (WLS) fibres
(corresponding to a total length of 1,120 Km) have been used.
We have built and put into operation a dedicated instrument for the
measurement of light yield and attenuation length over groups of 20 fibres at a
time.
The overall accuracy achieved in the measurement of light yield
(attenuation length) is 1.5% (3%).
We also report the results obtained using this method in the quality control
of a large sample of fibres.Comment: 17 pages 20 figeres submitted to NIM journa
Semiochemicals, semiophysicals and their integration for the development of innovative multi-modal systems for agricultural pests’ monitoring and control
4openInternationalSemiochemicals are informative molecules emitted by living organisms that affect the behavior of receivers. As herbivorous insects are primarily thought to depend on olfaction and taste for their intra- and interspecific communication, semiochemicals have been widely studied for pest management applications. However, given that pest behavior does not rely on just one communication modality, stimuli of physical nature, such as light, sounds and vibrations, can also be used to manipulate insect-insect or insect-plant interactions. Moreover, stimuli of different natures can be combined in a multi-modal pest management program to increase the overall efficacy. Besides the widespread use of both chemical and physical signals in multimodal insect communication, the integration of stimuli has hardly been implemented for hardly any crop. This review introduces the term semiophysicals as opposed to semiochemicals and focuses on pest behavioral manipulation by discussing three main approaches; i) manipulation of pest orientation through attractive/repellent stimuli, ii) inhibition or promotion of specific pest behaviors and iii) interference with intraspecific communication through disruptive stimuli. For each approach, we provide examples of use of both semiochemicals and semiophysicals. Lastly, we describe the case study of the vineyard agroecosystem in the Trento province, where a multi-pest management program has been successfully developed, and we discuss future perspectives.openNieri, R.; Anfora, G.; Mazzoni, V.; Rossi Stacconi, M.V.Nieri, R.; Anfora, G.; Mazzoni, V.; Rossi Stacconi, M.V
Vibrational calling signals improve the efficacy of pheromone traps to capture the brown marmorated stink bug
Intrasexual vibrational behavior of Philaenus spumarius in semi-field conditions
Insects that communicate by vibrational signals live in a complex interactive network of communication. Most studies on insect intrasexual behavior, based on plant-borne vibrational signals, have targeted few individuals. Despite their importance, behaviors that occur within groups were often overlooked. The study of multiple individuals, when insects occur in high density could simulate the environment in which they live and provide more reliable information on their behavior. In semi-field conditions, we investigated the intrasexual behavior of the meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius. Vibrational signals exchanged among individuals of the same sex were recorded throughout their adult stage, from late spring to early autumn, and during the day, from the morning to the evening using a laser vibrometer. Males were less active than females throughout the season and their interactions were less frequent compared to females. Intrasexual interactions were characterized by signal overlapping in both unisex groups, in addition to signal alternating only in the case of males. In conclusion, the study of signaling behavior in intrasexual groups contributed to a better understanding of P. spumarius social behavior. We discuss the hypothesis of a possible competitive behavior between males and cooperative behavior between female
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