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Toward sustainable cities: Where the electric vehicle users reside matters
No full textThis paper investigates how different location patterns of electric vehicle (EV) users affect the outcomes of an urban-space economy. In a linear city where firms and residents compete for land, I show that the location patterns of EV users exert significant impact on traffic pollution externalities and urban land rent revenues. In particular, the urban spatial structure with EV users residing in the suburbs (instead of the center) is associated with a better urban environment and higher land rent revenues. From society’s point of view, the increased land rents may be levied by governments to subsidize suburban residents in buying EVs or to invest in building charging stations, achieving higher efficiency
3,3′-Diindolylmethane disrupts the endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear envelope in Schizosaccharomyces pombe
No full text3,3′-Diindolylmethane is recognized for its anti-cancer activities in various pathways, though its mechanism remains to be fully elucidated. Previous studies have shown that 3,3′-Diindolylmethane disturbed the localization of Cut11, a nuclear pore complex subunit in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. This study further reveals that in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, 3,3′-Diindolylmethane also disrupts other components of nuclear envelope, causing GFP-NLS leakage, making it evident that 3,3′-Diindolylmethane disrupts the nuclear envelope. 3,3′-Diindolylmethane also disturbs the localization of GFP-ADEL and Ost4, which are endoplasmic reticulum lumen proteins and membrane proteins respectively, suggesting the function of 3,3′-Diindolylmethane on endoplasmic reticulum disturbance. The nuclear envelope repairment, normal nuclear envelope physical properties, and lipid metabolism homeostasis are crucial for cell survival in the presence of 3,3′-Diindolylmethane. These findings provide new insights into the understanding and development of 3,3′-Diindolylmethane as an anti-cancer agent
Analysis of Decoupling Between CO2 Emissions and Economic Growth in China's Provincial Capitals: A Tapio Model Approach
No full textLarge amounts of CO2 emissions often accompany economic growth. The decoupling analysis is a common approach to assess how economic growth can be achieved without significant negative environmental impacts and by promoting energy conservation and emission reduction. Cities are essential in mitigating climate change problems and promoting low-carbon living. This study analyzes the relationship between economic development and CO2 emissions in Chinese provincial capitals from 2011 to 2021. The Tapio decoupling model and Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) decomposition model are used to assess this decoupling relationship based on panel CO2 emissions and GDP data. The results show that: (1) CO2 emissions are still growing at a slow pace, but with big fluctuations during 2019–2021 caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) Cities have significant differences, with some cities reaching a stable weak decoupling, and others with unstable decoupling. Also, economically developed cities have significant advantages; (3) Economic output is still the main factor inhibiting decoupling. The inhibiting effect of population growth is gradually stabilizing. Results demonstrate that energy technology and economic structure have a great role in promoting decoupling. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the importance of energy efficiency and sustainable development through advanced technologies, economic restructuring, and low-carbon strategies for transition toward climate-resilient urban development
Structural analysis of nano-water droplets: A molecular dynamics study
No full textMolecular dynamics simulations were performed on water droplets containing fewer than 400 molecules, exploring both, bulk and surface regions. The droplet model was evaluated using two order parameters: tetrahedrality, as defined by Errington et al., and g5, as defined by Cuthbertson et al. Comparisons were made with bulk water. Our findings revealed negative tetrahedrality for surface water molecules. Additionally, the correlation between the distance from the droplet center and g₅ indicated a decrease in the surface density of the droplet.This work was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Innovation Area: Aquatic Functional Materials (grant number JP22H04550) and Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research B (grant number JP23H018601) of JSPS KAKENHI
Ceramide sorting into non-vesicular transport is independent of acyl chain length in budding yeast
No full textThe transport of ceramide from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi is a key step in the synthesis of complex sphingolipids, the main building blocks of the plasma membrane. In yeast, ceramide is transported to the Golgi either through ATP-dependent COPII vesicles of the secretory pathway or by ATP-independent non-vesicular transport that involves tethering proteins at ER-Golgi membrane contact sites. Studies in both mammalian and yeast cells reported that vesicular transport mainly carries ceramide containing very long chain fatty acids, while the main mammalian non-vesicular ceramide transport protein CERT only transports ceramides containing short chain fatty acids. However, if non-vesicular ceramide transport in yeast similarly favors short chain ceramides remained unanswered. Here we employed a yeast GhLag1 strain in which the endogenous ceramide synthase is replaced by the cotton-derived GhLag1 gene, resulting in the production of short chain C18 rather than C26 ceramides. We show that block of vesicular transport through ATP-depletion or the use of temperature-sensitive sec mutants caused a reduction in inositolphosphorylceramide (IPC) synthesis to similar extent in WT and GhLag1 backgrounds. Since the remaining IPC synthesis is a readout for non-vesicular ceramide transport, our results indicate that non-vesicular ceramide transport is neither blocked nor facilitated when only short chain ceramides are present. Therefore, we propose that the sorting of ceramide into non-vesicular transport is independent of acyl chain length in budding yeast.This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number 19H02922, 23H02175 and 23K26868 to K.F, 22K14863 to A.I. and grant PID2020-119505 GB-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 to MM, and grants co-financed by the Junta de Andalucía and the ERDF PY20_01240 and US-1380893 to M.M
Assessment of street space quality and subjective well-being mismatch and its impact, using multi-source big data
No full textThis study makes initial efforts by delineating the distribution map of the mismatch between street space quality and SWB in central Qingdao through machine learning approaches, then creatively combines ordered logistic regression and restrictive cubic spline to examine the nonlinear influence of urban variables on the mismatch based on multi-source big data. The study primarily found that low-quality spaces are concentrated in the old city area; The SWB scores of the internal space in central Qingdao are generally good and evenly distributed, while the SWB scores of the peripheral space have significant differences; Road network accessibility, green space, living convenience, and housing prices are positively correlated with SWB significantly higher than street space quality, however, land mixed use, night lighting index, and population density are negatively correlated with it. When the green space agglomeration value reaches 2.9 or exceeds 7.8, the living convenience value exceeds 12.2, and the housing price value reaches 26.6 thousand yuan/m2, improving the street space quality is most likely to enhance residents' SWB. These findings link urban spatial quality with SWB and provide support for urban further planning and regeneration to improve public SWB through targeted interventions.We are grateful for the financial support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), Basic Science Center Program, Multiphase Evolution in Hypergravity (No. 51988101)
Correction of substitution, deletion, and insertion mutations by 5′-tailed duplexes
No full textGermline and somatic mutations cause various diseases, including cancer. Clinical applications of genome editing are keenly anticipated, since it can cure genetic diseases. Recently, we reported that a 5′-tailed duplex (TD), consisting of an approximately 80-base editor strand oligodeoxyribonucleotide and a 35-base assistant strand oligodeoxyribonucleotide, could edit a target gene on plasmid DNA and correct a single-base substitution mutation without an artificial nuclease in human cells. In this study, we assessed the ability of the TD to correct base substitution mutations located consecutively or separately, and deletion and insertion mutations. A TD with an 80-base editor strand was co-introduced into human U2OS cells with plasmid DNA bearing either a wild-type or mutated copepod green fluorescent protein (copGFP) gene. Among the mutations, three-base consecutive substitutions were efficiently repaired. The correction efficiencies of deletion mutations were similar to those of substitution mutations, and two to three times higher than those of insertion mutations. Up to three-base substitution, deletion, and insertion mutations were excellent targets for correction by TDs. These results suggested that the TDs are useful for editing disease-causing genes with small mutations
ホメロスの世界観 : 『イリアス』におけるアテネとアポロンの対立を巡って
No full textHomer’s world in the Iliad encompasses not only the sky, the earth and the sea which are visible to the human eye, as narrated in the scenes on the shield of Achilles (18.483-608), but also the underworld, as can be gathered from the tale of the division of the world told by Poseidon (15.189-193). This essay attempts to map the structure of this universe by tracking the movements of the gods rather than those of human beings who are earth-bound. Most of the gods, led by Zeus and Hera, have either made Olympus (heaven) their home or at least visit there, and also visit the earth and seaside where humans live. Poseidon and Thetis, the gods of the sea, also move freely between the sea, the land, and Olympus. On the other hand, while most gods never visit the underworld (except Hades who lives there), Thetis went to the underworld to help Zeus in the past, lived on earth with Peleus for a while and now, during the Trojan War, moves between the sea, the seaside and Olympus to help his son Achilles. By doing so Thetis influences the course of events in the poem. Zeus, the ruler among the gods, stays in heaven and influences the events of the whole world from Olympus or Ida. He rules the world not only by his own power, but also through other gods as his agents, especially Athena and Apollo. As Athena is responsible for supporting the Achaeans, especially Achilles, and Apollo for supporting the Trojans, especially Hector, rivalry often arises between the two and there is a distinct difference in their locations and movements. Athena is based at Olympus and descends to the earth to help the Achaeans, while Apollo often uses Pergamos in the city of Troy as his base and goes to help the Trojans from there. However, in Books 1 and 24, we also get a glimpse of Apollo living on Olympus with other gods and entertaining them with his music. Both Athena and Apollo are authorised to use the aegis, a symbol of Zeus’ authority, to honour their protégés, Achilles and Hector respectively. Athena and Apollo do not directly confront each other, but only indirectly through the heroes whom they support. Moreover, Apollo defends Troy only to prevent it from falling ‘beyond fate’, rather than trying to change its fate itself. Apollo can be seen to be working with Athena to achieve the same goal, to ensure that Troy will fall at the right time. Athena and Apollo are like two sides of Zeus’ plan or his right and left arms, to guide events to their predetermined conclusions
Effect of shading on trichome formation and CAPRICE-like gene expression in tea (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis) leaves
No full textTea (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis) is one of the most popular beverages worldwide and is highly regarded for its unique taste and health benefits. The traditional practice of shading tea plants before harvest is employed to ensure the production of high-quality Japanese green tea. However, the precise effects of shading on trichome formation, leaf tissue structure, and the expression of related genes remain largely unknown. In the present study, we conducted a comparative analysis to investigate the effect of shading on the aforementioned aspects of tea leaves. Our findings revealed a significant decrease in the number of trichomes in the youngest 1st stage leaves under shaded conditions compared with that under full-light conditions. Histological analyses revealed that epidermal cells in tea leaves under shaded conditions were thinner, further indicating the influence of light on leaf structures. To delve deeper into the regulatory mechanisms, the expression levels of six Camellia sinensis CAPRICE (CsCPC) genes encoding R3 MYB transcription factors, which have been implicated in trichome formation in tea plants, were examined using real-time reverse transcription PCR. Among the six genes, CsCPC-1, Camellia sinensis ENHANCER OF TRY AND CPC 1–2 (CsETC1–2), and CsETC3 exhibited increased expression under shaded conditions, indicating their potential involvement in the light-mediated regulation of tea leaf characteristics. The expression levels of the phenylpropanoid pathway structural genes Camellia sinensis cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase (CsC4H), Camellia sinensis cinnamoyl CoA reductase (CsCCR), and Camellia sinensis flavanone 3′ hydroxylase (CsF3′H), were significantly reduced under shaded conditions, suggesting the regulation of phenylpropanoid content. Our study demonstrated that shading treatment induces significant changes in the number of trichomes in younger leaves, alters the width of epidermal cells, and affects the expression levels of CsCPCs and genes related to the phenylpropanoid pathway. These findings have the potential to enhance tea leaf quality, and offer pragmatic implications for tea farming
