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Resistify: a novel NLR classifier that reveals helitron-associated NLR expansion in Solanaceae
Get PDFFunding: This work was supported by the Rural & Environment Science & Analytical Services (RESAS) Division of the Scottish Government through the project JHI-B1-1, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) through awards BB/S015663/1 and BB/X009068/1. MS was supported through the East of Scotland Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership (EASTBIO DTP), funded by the BBSRC award BB/T00875X/1.Nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat (NLR) proteins are a key component of the plant innate immune system. In plant genomes, NLRs exhibit considerable presence/absence variation and sequence diversity. Recent advances in sequencing technologies have made the generation of high-quality novel plant genome assemblies considerably more straightforward. Accurately identifying NLRs from these genomes is a prerequisite for improving our understanding of NLRs and identifying novel sources of disease resistance. While several tools have been developed to predict NLRs, they are hampered by low accuracy, speed, and availability. Here, the NLR annotation tool Resistify is presented. Resistify is an easy-to-use, rapid, and accurate tool to identify and classify NLRs from protein sequences. Applying Resistify to the RefPlantNLR database demonstrates that it can correctly identify NLRs from a diverse range of species. Applying Resistify in combination with tools to identify transposable elements to a panel of Solanaceae genomes reveals a previously undescribed association between NLRs and Helitron transposable elements.Peer reviewe
Optimising episodic encoding within segmented virtual contexts
Get PDFThe encoding of episodic memories depends on segmentation; memory performance improves when segmentation is available and performance is impaired when segmentation is absent. Indeed, for episodic memories to be created, the encoding of information into long-term memory requires the experience of event boundaries (i.e., context-shifts defined by salient moments of change between packets of to-be-learned stimuli). According to this view episodic encoding, and therefore learning, is critically dependent on the nature of working memory. Motived by this theoretical framework, here we explore the effects of segmentation on long-term memory performance, investigating the possibility of optimising learning by aligning the presentation of stimuli to the capacity of working memory. Across two experiments, we examined whether manipulating the boundaries between events influences memory. Participants travelled within a virtual environment, with spatial–temporal gaps between virtual locations providing context-shifts to segment sequentially presented lists of words. Both accurate recall and memory for temporal order improve and the number of falsely recalled words reduces when reducing the quantity of information presented between boundaries. Taken together, the present results suggest that closely matching the quantity of information between boundaries to working memory capacity optimises long-term memory performance.Peer reviewe
Assessing the distribution pattern of African elephant (Loxodonta africana) carcasses in Etosha National Park and its implications for management
Get PDFMortality is an important component of understanding elephant population dynamics and disease ecology. We use carcass location data from Etosha National Park, Namibia, collected under the CITES Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants programme, to assess the spatial distribution of elephant deaths, as identified through automated surface feature selection, and explore implications for park management. We modelled carcass location data using a regression spline framework, with targeted flexibility, a spatial term and additional environmental covariates (annual rainfall, distance to water and roads). The novel modelling approach chosen acknowledges the localised and patchy distribution of carcasses and recognises physical barriers (Etosha pan) to substantially reduce the risk of false conclusions about the location of elephant deaths in the park. Our results showed high carcass intensity close to waterholes (< 2.5 km) and roads (< 5 km) and in areas of the park with average rainfall (~450 mm annually). Some high-risk areas were identified, particularly in the north-east of the park, and the mortality risk did not always coincide with elephant distribution. These findings are useful for understanding population dynamics and drivers for the park’s elephant population and park management, particularly for disease surveillance.Peer reviewe
From the infinite to the finite and various : on motion, Spinoza, and his (meta)physics
Get PDFSpinoza’s monistic ontology famously consists of only one substance (God) and requires that all other things, including me, my desk, Mars, my dog, New York City, the sun, your idea of justice, and everything else, are God’s modes. This framework gives rise to two most basic problems. First, the problem of the finite: given that Spinoza’s God is absolutely infinite, there is a logical gap to be bridged to explain God’s having finite modes. Second, the problem of variety: Spinoza is interested in providing a sufficient explanation for reality’s structure, so he is incapable of admitting facts into his system without explanations. The many finite modes appear to be qualitatively heterogeneous, which may not admit of explanation, given God’s unity.
Many consider these problems insurmountable. In this thesis, I propose reaching into Spinoza’s scant physics as a method for solving them. I explore Spinoza’s understanding of concepts like motion, collision, vacuum, and laws of nature, in order to clarify his metaphysics.
In Chapter 1, I outline the problems and explain that past attempted solutions require denial of basic Spinozistic commitments. In Chapter 2, I explore Cartesian mechanism and influences on Spinoza in order to develop a solution to the problem of variety on the basis of Spinoza’s understanding of oblique collision. In Chapters 3 and 4, I develop Spinoza’s conceptions of motion and the laws of nature to solve the problem of the finite. In Chapter 5, I explore the implications of these solutions for Spinoza’s understanding of the bottom of the material mereological ladder. In Chapter 6, I amend the standard reading of Spinoza’s conception of the universe considered as mereological totality. In Chapter 7, I explain how my reading of Spinoza on the laws of nature and the vacuum can clarify and develop his necessitarianism."This work was supported by a Handsel Tuition Fee Waiver from the University of St Andrews School of Philosophical, Anthropological, and Film Studies. This work was supported by a Royal Institute of Philosophy Jacobsen Bursary. This work was supported by a British Society for the History of Philosophy Doctoral Fellowship."--Fundin
Evaluation and upscaling of impregnated La0.20Sr0.25Ca0.45TiO3 fuel electrodes for solid oxide electrolysis cells
Get PDFFunding: The authors acknowledge HEXIS AG and the EPSRC grants: EP/L017008/1—“Capital for Great Technologies,” EP/T019298/1—Light Elements Analysis Facility (LEAF), EP/J016454/1—Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Supergen Hub and EP/P024807/1—Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Hub Extension (H2FC SUPERGEN) for financial support.Recent research into Rh and Ce0.80Gd0.20O1.90-impregnated La0.20Sr0.25Ca0.45TiO3 fuel electrodes for solid oxide fuel cells has demonstrated the high-stability of these material sets to a variety of harsh operating conditions at small scales (1 cm2 active area button cells), as well as commercial scales (100 cm2 cells) in short stacks (5 cells) and full micro-combined heat and power systems (60 cells). In this work, the authors present a comprehensive evaluation of the ability of these novel titanate-based materials to function as fuel electrodes in solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs). Short-term and durability testing of button cell scale SOECs highlighted the limited stability of lanthanum strontium manganite-based air electrodes, under CO2 and steam electrolysis conditions, with lanthanum strontium cobaltite ferrite-based air electrodes offering improved degradation characteristics. Upscaling of this optimized cell chemistry to a 16 cm2 active area SOEC and testing under CO2, CO2/H2O and H2O electrolysis conditions demonstrated encouraging performance over a period of ∼600 h, with stable co-electrolysis performance at ∼−7.5 A at 1.47 V for the first 100 h.Peer reviewe
How do adults think, feel, and behave towards teenagers? : Measuring and understanding adults’ attitudes towards teenagers
Get PDFDespite the pervasiveness of adult-teenager relations, research has largely neglected adults’ attitudes towards teenagers. Eight studies (N=3,517) examined the content of adults’ attitudes towards teenagers and developed a 14-item measure that assesses three factors: openness intentions, negative beliefs, and positive emotions regarding teenagers. Openness intentions involve empathic orientations and predict more contact with teenagers and more donations to a charity benefitting teenagers. Negative beliefs involve self-oriented and conservative orientations and predict desires to control teenagers (e.g., social dominance orientation, opposing voting rights for 16-17 year olds). Positive emotions involve higher personal well-being and predict more forgiving evaluations and decisions regarding norm-defying teenagers (e.g., teenage suspects). These factors were invariant across the United Kingdom, United States, and South Africa. Together, the findings offer fundamental new insights about adults’ attitudes towards teenagers and enable future research into how these attitudes influence adult-teenager relations and teenager well-being.Peer reviewe
Communicable diseases genomics network: promoting and harmonising pathogen genomics implementation for public health in Australia
Get PDFFunding: Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care supports the coordination and management of the Network.Summary Globally, the utility of pathogen genomics for public health was highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Approaches to enhance coordination and improve implementation of pathogen genomics for public health are needed. The Communicable Diseases Genomics Network (CDGN) was established in 2015 in Australia. The network, embedded at the public health laboratory interface and supported by the Australian Government, has facilitated a coordinated model in Australia for public health pathogen genomics. CDGN activities have facilitated pilot projects to demonstrate use cases, harmonisation of data sharing and governance arrangements, outbreak and pandemic response, translational research, policy development and workforce capacity building. The impact of CDGN has been enabling the significant progress towards public health genomics implementation in Australia, and providing a model that could be applied in other federated settings, aligned with international best practice.Peer reviewe
Identification of intrinsic and extrinsic in-plane twofold symmetry in CsV3Sb5 via transport measurements
Get PDFFunding: S.D.W. and A.C.S. gratefully acknowledge support via the UC Santa Barbara NSF Quantum Foundry funded via the Q-AMASE-i program under Award No. DMR-1906325. P.D.C.K. acknowledges support from the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (Grant No. EP/X015556/1). Y.-C.Y. acknowledges support from the International Max Planck Research School for Chemistry and Physics of Quantum Materials (IMPRS-CPQM). Y.-C.Y., F.S., and H.Z. are grateful to the Max Planck Society for financial support.The identification of in-plane twofold symmetry in layered superconductors has sparked considerable interest. While transport measurements often reveal pronounced anisotropy, interpretation of their origin remains challenging due to the difficulty in disentangling competing contributions. Here, we systematically investigate the challenges of resolving intrinsic twofold symmetry in CsV3Sb5 through angular-dependent in-plane magnetoresistance measurements on exfoliated micron-scale devices. The sub-10−µm devices, with well-defined current directions, minimize contributions from structural domain walls and facilitate current-direction switching. Our experiments reveal a persistent twofold anisotropy in the upper critical field (Hc2), whose principal axis rotates with the applied current, indicating an extrinsic origin. The anisotropy also grows with increasing current, consistent with vortex motion driven by the Lorentz force. Two-axis rotational mapping combined with theoretical calculations further reveals how field misalignment can mimic or amplify apparent in-plane anisotropy. These results suggest that if intrinsic twofold symmetry does exist, its anisotropy is likely weak and highly susceptible to extrinsic influences. Our findings highlight the necessity of multiaxis and current-swapping methodologies for probing rotational symmetry in layered superconductors, and provide a refined framework for such investigations.Peer reviewe
Relationship between height preferences and endorsement of gender norms
Get PDFHeight preferences when choosing a partner might reflect adaptive mating strategies, whereby tall men are deemed attractive to potential partners due to links with health and resource acquisition. However, height preferences are highly variable across populations and could reflect socially constructed gender norms. We examined the relationship between ideal partner height, the importance placed on partner height and endorsement of traditional gender norms. Participants (n = 242; 18-39yrs; UK-based, heterosexual) completed (i) five height-related questions (including own height, ideal partner height, maximum/minimum acceptable height), (ii) three gender norm questionnaires (sexist attitudes, feminist attitudes and alignment with masculine/feminine gender roles), and (iii) two open-ended questions about why height is important. Although ideal height ratio did not correlate with any gender role endorsement measures in either women or men, women who placed greater importance on height scored higher on sexism, lower on feminism and were less likely to find a short partner acceptable than women who placed less importance on partner height. Men who placed greater importance on height, and men who described themselves as more traditionally masculine, were less willing to accept a tall partner than men who scored lower on these measures. Women who rated height as important wanted to feel ‘feminine/protected’, whereas men wanted to feel ‘masculine/dominant’. In this study, the ‘male-taller’ preference was exhibited, with women’s preferences for tall partners being stronger than men’s preferences for short partners. Height preferences were related to gender norm endorsement, suggesting that gene–culture co-evolutionary processes could potentially influence human height dimorphism.Peer reviewe
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