28 research outputs found
A Design Research Study for an affordable, low carbon housing development in Oxford
No full textThe aim of my design research is to propose an affordable, low carbon housing development in Oxford Northern Gateway Area. Researches have shown that Oxford is lacking affordable housing and that the existing stock is neither energy efficient nor designed to cope with a changing climate. Besides, the occupancy pattern is going to change in the future, with the consequent necessity of rethinking housing size and creating flexible spaces. In order to achieve a sustainable development the project aims to combine environmental improvements with socio-economic aspects. Strategies to make each housing unit more flexible have been investigated, trying to contain the costs and, at the same time, providing quality spaces. To make houses affordable and easy to construct, a timber frame prototype has been developed, it will be built by the local community through an on-site workshop, so as to provide practical skills and the possibility to freely define spaces and functions
What is the switch for coupling transcription and splicing? RNA Polymerase II C‐terminal domain phosphorylation, phase separation and beyond
No full textPhosphorylation of the RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain (Pol II CTD) has important roles in the kinetic coupling of splicing with transcription, which is essential for many genes to maintain correct splicing patterns. However, because of the extensively repeated low complexity sequences of Pol II CTD, it was unclear how phosphorylation-dependent molecular interactions were able to provide sufficient specificity to spatiotemporally partition various cotranscriptional events. Here we try to view the molecular mechanisms governing cotranscriptional splicing from the role of phase separation based on recent studies showing the ability of Pol II CTD to form droplets
A Splicing Reporter Tuned to Non-AG Acceptor Sites Reveals that Luteolin Enhances the Recognition of Non-canonical Acceptor Sites
No full textRemoval of an intron requires precise recognition of the splice donor and acceptor sites located at the 50 and 30 termini of introns. Although the roles of these sequences differ, mutations in both sites easily block normal splicing and produce an aberrant mRNA. For example, many splice-site mutations occur in patients with inherited diseases. Several approaches have been evaluated to restore expression of a functional protein; however, because of the strict requirement for an AG dinucleotide at the 30 terminus of a U2-type intron, no method is available to correct splicing at a mutated sequence. To identify compounds that allow splicing at the non-AG acceptor site, in the present study we constructed a reporter gene with a modified polypyrimidine tract. However, the modified polypyrimidine tract mediated splicing at adjacent non-canonical acceptor sites, including the original mutated site. Further, we show that certain flavones such as luteolin and apigenin enhanced aberrant splicing at the non-canonical acceptor site of the reporter gene. These results suggest that the reporter gene and luteolin may be useful for further screening to identify molecules that correct aberrant splicing caused by a disease-associated splice acceptor site mutation
A split luciferase-based reporter for detection of a cellular macromolecular complex
No full textThe spliceosome is a highly dynamic macromolecular ribonucleoprotein (RNP) machine that catalyzes pre-mRNA splicing by assembling Ul, U2, U4, U5, and U6 small nuclear RNPs (snRNPs). To process large numbers of introns with a limited number of snRNPs, synthesis and recycling of snRNPs must be maintained within an appropriate range to avoid their shortage. However, the mechanism that maintains cellular snRNP levels is unknown. Molecules that modulate cellular snRNP levels may help to define this mechanism but are not available. Therefore, the goal of the current study was to develop a reporter for snRNP levels using split luciferase based on proteomic analysis of snRNPs. We constructed an expression library of a luciferase fragment fused to core components of U5 snRNP and used it to isolate pre-mRNA processing factor 6 (PRPF6) and small nuclear ribonucleoprotein 40 kDa (U5-40K) that specifically reconstitute luciferase activity in the U5 snRNP complex. Here we show that this reporter detects the effects of small molecules on the levels of the U5 snRNP reporter protein complex. Our approach provides an alternative assay to discover small molecules targeting a macromolecular complex when the structure of the complex is not precisely identified. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
Riesgos de accidentes en el adulto mayor que realiza actividades de rutina, usuarios de los servicios del Centro de Salud Conde de la Vega Baja, Lima 2008
No full textAnte el envejecimiento poblacional inminente y siendo los accidentes la sexta causa de morbimortalidad en los adultos mayores, se ha visto conveniente realizar el presente estudio titulado: “Riesgos de Accidentes en el Adulto Mayor que Realiza Actividades de Rutina, Usuarios de los Servicios de C.S. Conde de la Vega Baja.Lima -2008,el cual tiene como objetivo determinar los riesgos de accidentes, en el adulto mayor que realiza actividades de rutina, usuarios de los servicios del Centro de Salud Conde de la Vega Baja. El estudio es de tipo cuantitativo, nivel aplicativo, método descriptivo de corte transversal; la muestra estuvo conformada por 63 adultos mayores. El instrumento para la recolección de datos fue el formulario y como técnica la entrevista, aplicado en noviembre y diciembre del 2008.
Previamente se aplicó 2 instrumentos validados internacionalmente para seleccionar la muestra, tales como el Índice de Katz y la Escala de Lawton y Brody, para evaluar la capacidad funcional para realizar actividades básicas (ABVD) e instrumentales (AIVD) de la vida diaria respectivamente. Los resultados mostraron que el riesgo de experimentar accidentes, y más aún domésticos se encuentra “Presente” en 54(85.80%) adultos mayores.
Respecto al riesgo según tipo de accidente de 63(100.0%), 42(66.50%) presentaron riesgo a caídas, 25(39.70%) quemaduras y 23(35.80%) intoxicaciones. En la evaluación de la capacidad funcional para realizar actividades básicas de la vida diaria (ABVD), según el Índice de Katz, 38(63.31%) son independientes en el índice A, 25 (39.68%) son independientes en el índice B. Asimismo según la Escala de Lawton y Brody, se tiene que 40(63.45%) son independientes con puntaje 8 y 23(36.50%) son independientes con puntaje 7, ya que la mayoría de éste grupo eran varones y no realizaban en la práctica una de las actividades de la escala, como el preparar los alimentos .The impending population ageing and the definition of the accidents as the 6th leading cause of morbimortality have been the main motivation for this research entitled: “Accident risk factors for older adults with everyday activities who are patients at C.S. Conde de la Vega Baja. Lima - 2008”. The objective is to identify all the risk factors that could affect this older adults group. Regarding the type, level and method, this is a quantitative, applied and cross-sectional descriptive study. The author used an intentional non-probability sampling to calculate the sample size which was 63 older people. The data collection tool and technique consisted of surveys and interviews conducted at the same time, from November to December 2008.
Firstly, the author used the Katz Index and the Lawton-Brody Scale, two internationally validated instruments, to assess functional status of the total number of older adults (63) to perform both basic activities (BADL) and Instrumental activities (IADL) of daily living. According to the Katz Index, 38 (63.31%) are independent in rank A and 25 (39.68%) are independent in rank B. On the other hand, the Lawton-Brody Scale indicated 40 (63.45%) older adults as 8-point independent and 23 (36.50%) as 7-point independent because most of them are male older adults which do not perform one of the eight areas of function: cooking.
Based on the previous assessment, the research results showed the risk of having accidents is present in 54 (85.80%) out of 63 (100%) older adults. In addition, the 63 (100%) older adults run different types of risk especially at home: falls, burns and food poisoning risks were identified in 42 (66.50%), 25 (39.70%) and 23 (35.80%) cases respectively. This shows that some older adult people are susceptible to have more than one accident.Tesi
Aikuiskasvatuksen erityisongelmia yhdentyvässä Euroopassa
No full textThe author lays down his reasons for why adult education and adult training should be invested in and why we need well-organised national adult education systems. Considering the continent as a whole, European adult education has many special problems common to several countries: primarily the less-priviliged and literacy-impaired adults, as well as the mothers of children of school age, single parents and the elderly. !n addition, the author looks at the role of universities in European adult education; i.e. that universities should evolve into cultural institutions where campus limits correspond to national boundaries.Artikkeli perustelee sitä, miksi aikuiskasvatukseen ja -koulutukseen tulee investoida ja miksi tarvitaan hyvin järjestettyjä kansallisia aikuiskoulutusjärjestelmiä. Koko mannerta ajatellen eurooppalaisella aikuiskoulutuksella on monia, useita maita yhdistäviä erityisongelmia: ensisijaisesti huono-osaiset ja lukutaidossaan puutteelliset aikuiset, mutta myös kouluikäisten lasten äidit, yksinhuoltajat ja ikääntyneet ihmiset. Kirjoittaja käsittelee lisäksi yliopistojen roolia eurooppalaisessa aikuiskasvatuksessa. Yliopiston halutaan kehittyvän kulttuuri-instituutioksi, missä kampuksen rajat ovat valtion rajat
Primary productivity and nitrogen assimilation with identifying the contribution of urea in Funka Bay, Japan
No full textPrimary production is supported by utilization of several forms of nitrogen (N), such as nitrate, ammonium, and urea. Nevertheless, only few studies have measured the concentration and uptake of urea despite its importance as a nitrogenous nutrient for phytoplankton. We measured primary productivity monthly at four depths within the euphotic zone using a clean technique and the 13C method by a 24 h in situ mooring incubation over a year in Funka Bay, a subarctic coastal area in Japan, to make better updated estimates (re-evaluation) of annual primary production. Nitrogenous (N) nutrient assimilation rates (nitrate, ammonium and urea) were also measured to elucidate the relative contributions of these nutrients to autotrophic production and to distinguish between new and regenerated production. The estimated annual primary production was 164 g C m−2, which was 40–60% higher than the previously reported values in the bay. Use of a clean technique and more frequent measurement during the spring bloom may have contributed to the higher rates. The production during the spring bloom was 56.5 g C m−2, accounting for 35% of the annual production. The maximum daily productivity occurred in the bloom at 1.4 g C m−2 d−1, which is one of the highest values among the world embayments. The annual primary production in the bay was classified as mesotrophic state based on the classification by Cloern et al. (2014). The assimilation rate of nitrate was maximal at 54 nmol N L−1 h−1 during the bloom. During the post-bloom periods with nitrate depleted conditions, assimilation rates of ammonium and urea increased and accounted for up to 85% of the total N assimilation. The assimilation rate of urea was almost comparable to that of ammonium throughout the year. Taking urea into account, the f-ratio ranged from 0.15 under the nitrate-depleted conditions to 0.8 under the spring bloom conditions. These ratios were overestimated by 50% and 10%, respectively, if urea uptake was eliminated. We provide a valuable data for the primary production dataset in the world's ecosystems, and show that urea plays an important role in supporting regenerated production during late spring and summer
El aprendizaje de funciones reales con el uso de un software educativo: una experiencia didáctica con estudiantes de educación de la ULA-Táchira.
No full textTHE LEARNING OF REAL FUNCTIONS THROUGH AN EDUCATIVE SOFTWARE: A DIDACTIC EXPERIENCE WITH EDUCATION STUDENTS
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOS ANDES TÁCHIRA
In this article, the author discusses an investigation about the learning of Real Functions using software. The
experience was conducted with students of Education majoring in Mathematics at the University of The Andes
Táchira. A Pre-Test and Post-Test were applied. Two groups were used: one, the experimental, received a
treatment (classes using the educative software) and the other, the control group used as a comparison
pattern, received classes applying a traditional educational strategy. The educative software called FunReal
1.0, based on a constructivist approach under the tutorial modality was designed and elaborated. Its
implementation allowed the students to be more active, creative, participative, and independent in the acquisition
of knowledge. The increase in the grades, obtained by the experimental group, it is probably significant, which
suggests a positive outcome in the process of learning of the mentioned group.En este artículo, se presenta una investigación sobre el aprendizaje de Funciones Reales utilizando un software
educativo. La experiencia se realizó con estudiantes de Educación mención Matemática de la Universidad
de Los Andes Táchira. Con la finalidad de determinar el rendimiento académico se aplicó un Pre-Test y
Post-Test. Se seleccionó un grupo experimental que recibió un tratamiento (clases utilizando un software
educativo) y un grupo control como patrón de comparación, el cual sólo recibió clases aplicando una estrategia
docente tradicional. Se diseñó y elaboró un software educativo con un enfoque constructivista bajo la
modalidad tutorial, denominado FunReal 1.0, cuya implementación en la práctica permitió a los estudiantes
ser más activos, creativos, participativos y autónomos en la adquisición de conocimientos. El incremento en
las calificaciones, obtenidas por el grupo experimental, es significativo, lo cual evidencia la producción de un
impacto positivo sobre el proceso de aprendizaje del mencionado grupo.L�APPRENTISSAGE DES FONCTIONS RÉELLES AVEC L�USAGE D�UN SOFTWARE ÉDUCATIF : UNE EXPÉRIENCE DIDACTIQUE AVEC
DES ÉTUDIANTS EN EDUCATION DE LA ULA-TÁCHIRA
Dans cet article, on présente une investigation sur l�apprentissage des Fonctions Réelles en utilisant un
sofware éducatif. L� expérience a été réalisée avec des étudiants en Education-mention Mathématiques de
l�Université des Andes-Táchira. Afin de déterminer le rendement académique, on a appliqué un Pre-Test et un
Post-Test. Deux groupes ont été séléctionnés, un expérimental qui a reçu un traitement spécial (un software
éducatif dans le cours) et un autre de contrôle,
comme patron de comparaison, qui a reçu des cours avec une
méthodologie traditionnelle d�enseignement.
Le software éducatif nommé FunReal 1.0 a été conçu et élaboré sous l�approche constructiviste avec la
modalité de tutoriat. Dans sa mise en pratique il a permis aux étudiants d�être plus actifs, créatifs, participatifs
et autonomes dans l�acdquisition des connaissances. L�accroissement des califications obtenues par le groupe
expérimental est probablement significatif, ce qui montre un impact positif dans le processus d�apprentissage
du groupe contrôle
The cell type‐specific ER membrane protein UGS148 is not essential in mice
No full textGenomes of higher eukaryotes encode many uncharacterized proteins, and the functions of these proteins cannot be predicted from the primary sequences due to a lack of conserved functional domains. In this study, we focused on a poorly characterized protein UGS148 that is highly expressed in a specialized cell type called tanycytes that line the ventral wall of the third ventricle in the hypothalamus. Immunostaining of UGS148 revealed the fine morphology of tanycytes with highly branched apical ER membranes. Immunoprecipitation revealed that UGS148 associated with mitochondrial ATPase at least in vitro, and ER and mitochondrial signals occasionally overlapped in tanycytes. Mutant mice lacking UGS148 did not exhibit overt phenotypes, suggesting that UGS148 was not essential in mice reared under normal laboratory conditions. We also found that RNA probes that were predicted to uniquely detect UGS148 mRNA cross-reacted with uncharacterized RNAs, highlighting the importance of experimental validation of the specificity of probes during the hybridization-based study of RNA localization
DJ-1 binds to mitochondrial complex I and maintains its activity
No full textParkinson's disease (PD) is caused by neuronal cell death, and oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are thought to be responsible for onset of PD. DJ-1, a causative gene product of a familial form of Parkinson's disease, PARK7, plays roles in transcriptional regulation and anti-oxidative stress. The possible mitochondrial function of DJ-1 has been proposed, but its exact function remains unclear. In this study, we found that DJ-1 directly bound to NDUFA4 and ND1, nuclear and mitochondrial DNA-encoding subunits of mitochondrial complex I, respectively, and was co-localized with complex I and that complex I activity was reduced in DJ-1-knockdown NIH3T3 and HEK293 cells. These findings suggest that DJ-1 is an integral mitochondrial protein and that DJ-1 plays a role in maintenance of mitochondrial complex I activity
