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RNA-binding proteins orchestrating immunity in plants
No full textRNA-binding proteins (RBPs) direct the function and fate of RNA throughout the RNA lifecycle and play important roles in plant immunity, orchestrating the post-transcriptional reprogramming of the transcriptome following induction of plant immune responses, a process that we term ‘RBP-mediated immunity’. Although the importance of specific RBPs in plant immunity has been known for many years, this field of research is rapidly expanding as new techniques for global profiling of protein–RNA interactions, together with techniques such as ribosomal profiling and metabolic profiling to monitor mRNA translation and turnover and advanced imaging techniques to study RNA and protein structure and localisation, are uncovering new RBPs and providing new insight into the role of RBPs in plant–microbe interactions. Here we discuss the regulatory roles of RBPs during the RNA lifecycle, with a particular focus on post-transcriptional processes and how RBP functions alter plants' immunological profile in response to cellular pathogens, drawing both on studies of specific RBPs and insights from global profiling approaches. Unsurprisingly, given their central role in plant immune responses, RBPs can also be targeted by pathogens and therefore represent one of the plant's Achilles' heels. We therefore also review emerging evidence for RBP-mediated susceptibility in plants. Together, knowledge regarding the regulation, specificity and function of immune-related RBPs can inform plant-breeding programmes to generate crops with increased disease resistance
Antebrachial conformation in Cocker Spaniels with and without humeral intracondylar fissure
Get PDFObjective:
To objectively quantify antebrachial morphology from computed tomography (CT) scans of Cocker Spaniels with and without humeral intracondylar fissure (HIF).
Study design:
Retrospective imaging.
Methods:
Three-dimensional (3D) rendered CT scans of the antebrachii of Cocker Spaniels with HIF (Group 1), or without HIF but with medial coronoid process disease (Group 2) or without HIF and with no evidence of elbow pathology (Group 3) were retrospectively reviewed. Parameters assessed were medial proximal radial angle (MPRA), lateral distal radial angle (LDRA), proximal cranial radial angle (PCRA), distal caudal radial angle (DCRA), radial torsion, proximal radio-ulnar divergence angle (PRUDA) and ulnar center of rotation of angulation (UCORA).
Results:
Group 1 comprised 13 elbows from nine dogs, Group 2 comprised 22 elbows from 13 dogs and Group 3 comprised eight elbows from six dogs. There was no significant difference between groups for MPRA, LDRA, PCRA, DCRA or radial torsion. PRUDA (p < .001) and UCORA (p = .036) were significantly increased in Group 1 compared to Group 2 and 3.
Conclusion:
From the population of Cocker Spaniels sampled, an increase in both PRUDA and UCORA was significantly associated with the presence of HIF.
Clinical significance:
An increase in the divergent angle of the proximal radius and ulna and increased distal ulnar varus angulation in dogs with HIF could contribute to altered load through the humeral condyle, providing a mechanism for HIF formation
Toward decentralized nitrogen fixation using pulsed ultrasound
Get PDFCurrent anthropogenic nitrogen fixation routes leave very little scope for the production of fertilizers in small, decentralized facilities close to the point of use. Such decentralized production would require nitrogen fixation without the need for high-temperature or high-pressure reactors, using only air and water, and without any additional reagents. Here, we report a nitrogen fixation approach that meets all of these criteria: fixation using ultrasound. Through the optimization of various acoustic parameters, we demonstrate that nitrate solutions of approximately 15 μM can be produced by applying just 60 s of pulsed ultrasound at 200 kHz to an air/water mixture at room temperature. These results constitute a record rate of production of nitrogen oxides by sonication in aqueous solution and are a step change in terms of energy requirements per mole of products relative to previous reports. This simple approach could have potential for low-capital-cost, decentralized nitrogen fixation in areas where infrastructure is lacking
George Pattison, Conversations with Dostoevsky: On God, Russia, Literature, and Life
Get PDFNo abstract available
Topology-engineered piezoresistive lattices with programmable strain sensing, auxeticity, and failure modes
Get PDFThis study investigates the programmable strain sensing capability, auxetic behaviour, and failure modes of 3D-printed, self-monitoring lattices made from in-house-engineered polyetheretherketone (PEEK) reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). A skeletally parametrized geometric modelling framework, combining Voronoi tessellation with 2D wallpaper symmetries, is used to systematically explore a vast range of non-traditional, non-predetermined topologies. A representative set of these architectures is realized via fused filament fabrication, and multiscale characterization—including macroscale tensile testing and microstructural analysis—demonstrates tuneable multifunctional performance as a function of MWCNT content and unit cell topology. Real-time electrical resistance measurements track deformation, damage initiation, and progression, with the sensitivity factor increasing from below 1 in the elastic regime (strain sensitivity) to as high as 80 for PEEK/MWCNT at 6 wt% under inelastic deformation (damage sensitivity). Architecture–topology tailoring further allows fine-tuning of mechanical properties, achieving stiffness values ranging from 9 MPa to 63 MPa and negative Poisson's ratios between −0.63 and −0.17 at ∼3 wt% MWCNT and 25% relative density. Furthermore, a novel piezoresistive finite element model, implemented in Abaqus via a user-defined subroutine, accurately captures stress-induced intrinsic piezoresistivity, geometry-driven deformation, and damage evolution up to the onset of ligament failure. Together, the experimental results and predictive modelling enable “design for strain-sensitivity” and “design for failure”, demonstrating how architecture–topology tuning can be leveraged to tailor strain sensitivity, auxeticity, and failure modes—ultimately guiding the development of multifunctional piezoresistive architected composites for applications such as smart orthopaedic implants, aerospace skins, and impact-tolerant systems
A novel approach to deriving energy citizens profiles for effective energy policies: clustering and statistical analyses applied to UK data
Get PDFIn the transformation of the energy system of the UK, the role of its citizens is becoming increasingly important through their involvement and shaping of the future energy landscape. According to the latest UK Government report, citizens consumed almost 30 % of the total 92.3 TWh in the household sector in 2023 and produced almost 20 % of the total 384.2 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e). Identification of energy consumption habits and CO2 footprint patterns can help to create a more comprehensive roadmap for the UK energy transition. Previous studies have classified citizens based on limited attributes, such as energy consumption, sociodemographics, or psychological characteristics to reveal meaningful patterns. This study aims to provide a more comprehensive view by clustering UK citizens based on attributes considered in previous studies, their energy consumption, and CO2 footprint.
To this end, a machine learning model is applied to the ECHOES (“Energy CHOices supporting the Energy Union and the SET-Plan”) data set where it estimates people's energy consumption by applying a Life Cycle Assessment method; the corresponding CO2 footprint is then calculated using published factors from the UK government for both the housing and mobility sectors. Then, the k-means clustering method is applied to identify distinct UK citizen groups. Finally, within-cluster analysis has been carried out on the clusters to compare them based on different sociodemographic attributes.
The results reveal distinguishable clusters where almost 64 % of people are associated with low energy consumption and smaller CO2 footprint, with the remainder represented by high energy consumption and larger CO2 footprint. Further analysis identifies three citizen profiles, where attributes such as age, energy consumption, and CO2 footprint in the mobility sector are key differentiators. These profiles could be used to draw comprehensive narratives for energy models and carbon-neutral scenarios. Based on this information, energy models could then be built to assess more realistic decarbonization scenarios, for end-users (including policymakers) to enable them to identify optimal options within their specific context
A review on the effectiveness of FRP and hybrid wrappings for strengthening concrete columns
Get PDFThis review investigates the effectiveness of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) and hybrid wrappings in enhancing the axial compressive performance of concrete columns. It focuses on various FRP types, such as CFRP, GFRP, BFRP, and AFRP, as well as their configurations (full, partial, and hybrid). A systematic analysis covers mechanical performance, confinement efficiency, and recent advancements in analytical and finite element models. The review critically compares some selected design-oriented and analysis-oriented stress–strain models, categorizing them based on their applicability to fully and partially confined concrete. Emphasis is placed on low-strength concrete applications and novel hybrid systems. Unlike previous reviews, this study integrates recent experimental data, advanced modelling developments, and hybrid confinement systems into a unified framework, offering a comprehensive and practical resource for selecting and optimizing FRP confinement strategies, particularly for low-strength and partially confined concrete, thus addressing critical gaps in both research and design applications
Catalytic Activation of Small Molecules
No full textSmall molecule activation encompasses various catalytic processes which are currently conducted on the industrial scale, such as steam reforming of methane and ammonia synthesis, and which are of tremendous global importance. In addition to this, there are a number of interesting, and potentially societally transformative, target reactions such as the valorisation of carbon dioxide.
Providing a state-of-the-art account of the area of small molecule activation this book brings together some of the challenges and approaches to catalytic activation of methane, nitrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Discussing a mixture of currently operated industrial processes and highly desirable target reactions using heterogeneous catalysis, electrocatalysis, photocatalysis and chemical looping approaches it is a valuable resource for academics and industrial researchers alike
Narratives in East Asia and Beyond. Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Using Narratives as a Research Method
No full textElizaveta Priupolina & Tanja Daniela Eckstein (eds), Narratives in East Asia and Beyond.Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Using Narratives as a Research Method. Lanham, MD & London: Lexington Books, 2023, vii + 215pp., £77.00/$100.00h/b
Urban waste piles are reservoirs for human pathogenic bacteria with high levels of multidrug resistance against last resort antibiotics: A comprehensive temporal and geographic field analysis
Get PDFInadequate waste management and poor sanitation practices in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) leads to waste accumulation in urban and peri-urban residential areas. This increases human exposure to hazardous waste, including plastics, which can harbour pathogenic bacteria. Although lab-based studies demonstrate how plastic pollution can increase the persistence and dissemination of dangerous pathogens, empirical data on pathogen association with plastic in real-world settings are limited. We conducted a year-long spatiotemporal sampling survey in a densely populated informal settlement in Malawi, quantifying enteric bacterial pathogens including ESBL-producing E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., and Vibrio cholerae.
Culture-based screening and molecular approaches were used to quantify the presence of each pathogen, together with the distribution and frequency of resistance to antibiotics. Our data indicate that these pathogens commonly associate with urban waste materials. Elevated levels of these pathogens precede typical infection outbreaks, suggesting that urban waste piles may be an important source of community transmission. Notably, many pathogens displayed increased levels of AMR, including against several ‘last resort’ antibiotics. These findings highlight urban waste piles as potential hotspots for the dissemination of infectious diseases and AMR and underscores the need for urgent waste management interventions to mitigate public health risks
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