New levels of sophistication in the transcriptional landscape of bacteria

Previously unanticipated roles of noncoding and antisense RNAs give the regulation of gene expression in bacteria an extra layer of complexity

Irrigation water strategies for the Buriti Vermelho watershed: towards a higher water productivity.

RESUMO: Com a necessidade de se utilizar a água de forma cada vez mais eficientemente, faz necessário melhorar a produtividade de uso da água em escala de bacia hidrográfica. Este estudo objetivou avaliar a produtividade de uso da água e a possibilidade de aumentar a área irrigada na bacia hidrográfica do Buriti Vermelho, Brasil. o modelo de Solo-Água-Atmosfera-Planta (SWAP) foi utilizado nas simulações. A bacia do Buriti Vermelho possui agricultura de sequeiro (soja e milho), e irrigada (milho, feijão e trigo). A produtividade de uso da água (CWP) foi calculada em função da lâmina total de água aplicada, que inclui a soma da irrigação e da precipitação. Avaliou-se também o período ideal para o plantio da soja, buscando-se o rendimento ótimo e a maior CWP. A CWP variou de 0,32 kg m-3, para a cultura da soja, a 1,90 kg m-3 para o trigo. Para o período estudado houve uma redução da CWP com o aumento da lâmina de irrigação. A irrigação mostrou ter grande influência no rendimento das culturas do feijão, do trigo e do milho. O rendimento ótimo e a máxima produtividade de uso da água para a soja foram observados no mês de novembro. O cenário futuro mostrou que haverá decréscimo na CWP e que será necessário aplicar mais água para se conseguir as mesmas produtividades. ABSTRACT: As water is required to be used more efficiently, the crop water productivity should be improved. The main objective of this paper was to assess both the crop water productivity and the possibility to expand irrigated land in the Buriti Vermelho experimental watershed, Brazil. Soil-Water-Atmosphere-Plant (SWAP) model was used to perform the analysis. Buriti Vermelho contains both rain fed (soybean and corn) and irrigated (corn, common beans and wheat) crops. The crop water productivity was calculated as a function of total applied water, which includes the sum of irrigation and precipitation. An additional study was performed to verify the most ideal rainfed soybean growth period. The crop water productivity varied from 0.32 kg m-3 for soybeans to 1.90 kg m-3 for wheat. The crop water productivity decreased when the irrigation amount increased. Irrigation showed to have a big influence on the crop yield of common beans, wheat and rainfed corn, caused by a combination of low rainfall and low actual evapotranspiration values with higher irrigation requirements. The results showed November as being the most optimal growth period for soybeans. This month showed both the optimal yield as maximum crop water productivity. The future forecasts a decrease in crop water productivity, what means more water will be needed to reach the same amount of crop yield

Observations of the J = 2→1 transitions of ¹²C¹⁶O and ¹²C¹⁸O towards galactic H II regions

Observations are reported of the J = 2→1 transitions of CO and 12C18O at 230 and 219 GHz respectively from a number of galactic sources. A map of the central 1/2° × 1/2° of the Orion A molecular cloud is presented. The spectra are interpreted to derive molecular densities and abundance ratios in the molecular clouds observed

Reticular fibroblasts in peripheral lymphoid organs identified by a monoclonal antibody.

peer reviewedWe have produced a panel of monoclonal antibodies directed against nonlymphoid cells in central and peripheral lymphoid organs. In this paper we present the reactivity of one of these antibodies, ER-TR7. This antibody detects reticular fibroblasts, which constitute the cellular framework of lymphoid and nonlymphoid organs and their products. In frozen sections of the spleen incubated with this antibody, the red pulp and white pulp are clearly delineated. Furthermore, the major white pulp compartments--the follicles and periarteriolar lymphoid sheath as well as the marginal zone--are recognized by their characteristic labeling patterns. In lymph nodes, the capsule, sinuses, follicles, paracortex, and medullary cords are clearly delineated. In the thymus and bone marrow no such specialized compartments were demonstrated. ER-TR7 reacts with an intracellular component of fibroblasts. Since ER-TR7 does not react with purified laminin, collagen types I-V, fibronectin, heparan sulfate proteoglycan, entactin, or nidogen, it detects a hitherto uncharacterized antigen. The possible role of the ER-TR7 positive reticular fibroblasts in the cellular organization of peripheral lymphoid organs will be discussed

The Reality of Functionally Graded Material Products

Rapid Manufacturing utilizes the application of different materials in parts by stacking a sequence of layers. Based on the requirements of the part, mixtures of materials, so-called Functionally Graded Materials, can be used to compose the product functionality. This process depends completely on the availability of CAD information of the part geometry. Unfortunately, commercially available CAD-systems do not allow the design of graded material structures. TNO developed a computer tool which enables the user to specify Functionally Graded Materials. The system is based on a new approach to define the material composition at any point in the solid.Mechanical Engineerin

Obesity alters the muscle protein synthetic response to nutrition and exercise

Improving the health of skeletal muscle is an important component of obesity treatment. Apart from allowing for physical activity, skeletal muscle tissue is fundamental for the regulation of postprandial macronutrient metabolism, a time period that represents when metabolic derangements are most often observed in adults with obesity. In order for skeletal muscle to retain its capacity for physical activity and macronutrient metabolism, its protein quantity and composition must be maintained through the efficient degradation and resynthesis for proper tissue homeostasis. Life-style behaviors such as increasing physical activity and higher protein diets are front-line treatment strategies to enhance muscle protein remodeling by primarily stimulating protein synthesis rates. However, the muscle of individuals with obesity appears to be resistant to the anabolic action of targeted exercise regimes and protein ingestion when compared to normal-weight adults. This indicates impaired muscle protein remodeling in response to the main anabolic stimuli to human skeletal muscle tissue is contributing to poor muscle health with obesity. Deranged anabolic signaling related to insulin resistance, lipid accumulation, and/or systemic/muscle inflammation are likely at the root of the anabolic resistance of muscle protein synthesis rates with obesity. The purpose of this review is to discuss the impact of protein ingestion and exercise on muscle protein remodeling in people with obesity, and the potential mechanisms underlining anabolic resistance of their muscle