40 research outputs found
The effect of altruistic tendency on fairness in third-party punishment
No full textThird-party punishment, as an altruistic behavior, was found to relate to inequity aversion in previous research. However, not all people show altruistic third party punishment, previous research found that altruistic tendency, as an individual difference, affects resource division. Here, using the ERP technique and a third party punishment of dictator game paradigm, we explored third-party punishments in high and low altruists and recorded their EEG data. Behavioral results showed high altruists (vs. low altruists) were more likely to punish the dictators in unfair offers. ERP results revealed that patterns of MFN were modulated by unfairness. For high altruists, high unfair offers (90:10) elicited a larger MFN than medium unfair offers (70:30) and fair offers (50:50). By contrast, for low altruists, fair offers elicited larger MFN while high unfair offers caused the minimal MFN. It is suggested that the altruistic tendency effect influences fairness consideration in the early stage of evaluation. Moreover, the results provide further neuroscience evidence for inequity aversion
Propiedades funcionales del almidon de sagu (maranta arundinacea)
No full textEl sagú (Maranta arundinacea) cuyo rizoma es utilizado en algunas zonas de Colombiapara la elaboración de productos destinados a la alimentación humana. Seextrajo el almidón y se determinaron las propiedades funcionales, los almidonespresentaron alta capacidad de retención de agua % CRA (162,8% para el sagú, respectoal 226% de la yuca), un alto índice de absorción de lípidos, % I.A.L (51% parasagú, respecto al 82,25% del almidón de yuca. La temperatura de gelatinización esrelativamente baja (65-75ºC a 10 minutos para sagú respecto al almidón de yucacon 70-75ºC en 20 minutos), posee un alto porcentaje de amilopectina (77% para elalmidón de sagú, en comparación con 83,3% para el almidón de yuca) por tanto esun gel que no retrograda y forma una pasta estable. Por lo que se concluye que sepuede usar como alternativa promisoria en la industria alimentaria
Three-dimensional porous architectures of carbon nanotubes and graphene sheets for energy applications
No full textOwing to their extraordinary physicochemical, electrical, and mechanical properties, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene materials have been widely used to improve energy storage and conversion. In this article, we briefly review the latest development on fabrication of 3D porous structures of CNTs or graphene sheets or their hybrids, and their applications in various energy devices including supercapacitors, (bio-) fuel cells, and lithium ion batteries
De novo sequencing of the leaf transcriptome reveals complex light-responsive regulatory networks in Camellia sinensis cv. Baijiguan
No full textTea plants (Camellia sinensis L.) possess high genetic diversity that is important for breeding. One cultivar, Baijiguan, exhibits a yellow leaf phenotype, reduced chlorophyll (Chl) content and aberrant chloroplast structures under high light intensity. In contrast, under low light intensity, the flush shoot from Baijiguan becomes green, the Chl content increases significantly, and the chloroplasts exhibit normal structures. To understand the underlying molecular mechanisms for these observations, we performed de novo transcriptome sequencing and digital gene expression (DGE) profiling using Illumina sequencing technology. De novo transcriptome assembly identified 88,788 unigenes, including 1652 transcription factors from 25 families. In total, 1993 and 2576 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in Baijiguan plants treated with three and six days of shade, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analyses indicated that the DEGs are predominantly involved in the ROS scavenging system, chloroplast development, photosynthetic pigment synthesis, secondary metabolism and circadian systems. The light-responsive gene POR (protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase) and transcription factor HY5 were identified. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis of 20 selected DEGs confirmed the RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) results. Overall, these findings suggest that high light intensity inhibits the expression of photosystem II 10-kDa protein (PsbR) in Baijiguan, thus affecting PSII stability, chloroplast development and chlorophyll biosynthesis
La fisiología filosófica de Descartes: entre el mecanicismo y el dualismo
No full text“Descartes’ Philosophical Physiology”. There is something strange about the waywe see Descartes’ doctrine. We know, on the one hand, that it is a dualism and,on the other, that it is a mechanicism. However, we seldom consider the factthat this combination is at odds with our current philosophical mores. Thecontemporary dualist is usually an anti-mechanicist and the contemporarymechanicist is usually an anti-dualist. This paper offers a revision of Descartes’main works in an attempt to render intelligible to contemporary readers a doctrinal combination the shocking nature of which we do not perceive for the solefact that we tend to maintain its diverse parts in separate compartments. Theproposed revision by the way shows us that Descartes is a much more interestingand rich author than what ordinary clichés let us perceive. Thus for example, aserious consideration of Descartes’ attempt to build a physics and a physiologywould lead us to recognize that his metaphysical concerns, against ordinaryopinion, are far from being the center of his work.Ocurre algo curioso con la manera cómo vemos la doctrina de Descartes. Sabemos, por un lado, que es un dualismo y, por el otro, que es un mecanicismo. Sinembargo, rara vez paramos mientes en el hecho de que esa combinación esinsólita desde el punto de vista de nuestras actuales mores filosóficas. El dualistacontemporáneo suele ser antimecanicista y el mecanicista contemporáneo suele ser antidualista. Este artículo ofrece una revisión de las obras principales deDescartes en un intento por hacer comprensible a los lectores contemporáneosuna combinación doctrinal cuya naturaleza chocante no percibimos por el merohecho de que tendemos a mantener sus diversas partes en compartimentosestancos. La revisión que se propone nos muestra, de paso, que Descartes esun autor mucho más interesante y rico de lo que esconden los clichés ordinarios. Así por ejemplo, tomar en serio el intento de Descartes de construir unafísica y una fisiología nos llevaría a reconocer que sus preocupaciones metafísicas, contra la opinión común, están bastante lejos de ser el centro de su obra
β-Amyloid: The Key Peptide in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease
No full textThe amyloid β peptide (Aβ) is a critical initiator that triggers the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) via accumulation and aggregation, of which the process may be caused by Aβ overproduction or perturbation clearance. Aβ is generated from amyloid precursor protein (APP) through sequential cleavage of β- and γ-secretases while Aβ removal is dependent on the proteolysis and lysosome degradation system. Here, we overviewed the biogenesis and toxicity of Aβ as well as the regulation of Aβ production and clearance. Moreover, we also summarized the animal models correlated with Aβ that are essential in AD research. In addition, we discussed current immunotherapeutic approaches targeting Aβ to give some clues for exploring the more potentially efficient drugs for treatment of AD
The neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) alters hippocampal excitatory synaptic transmission by modulation of the GABAergic system
No full textThe neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) induces Parkinson’s disease (PD)-like symptoms following administration to mice, monkeys and humans. A common view is that MPTP is metabolized to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) to induce its neurodegenerative effects on dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Moreover, the hippocampus contains dopaminergic fibers, which are projecting from the ventral tegmental area, substantia nigra and pars compacta and contain the whole machinery required for dopamine synthesis making them sensitive to MPTP and MPP+. Here we present data showing that acute bath-application of MPP+ elicited a dose-dependent facilitation followed by a depression of synaptic transmission of hippocampal Schaffer collaterals-CA1 synapses in mice. The effects of MPP+ were not mediated by D1/D5- and D2-like receptor activation. Inhibition of the dopamine transporters (DAT) did not prevent but increased the depression of excitatory postsynaptic field potentials. In the search for a possible mechanism, we observed that MPP+ reduced the appearance of polyspikes in population spikes recorded in str. pyramidale and increased the frequency of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents. The acute effect of MPP+ on synaptic transmission was attenuated by co-application of a GABAA receptor antagonist. Taking these data together, we suggest that MPP+ affects hippocampal synaptic transmission by enhancing some aspects o
The control processes and subjective well-being of Chinese teachers: Evidence of convergence with and divergence from the key propositions of the motivational theory of life-span development
No full textAn analytical review of the motivational theory of life-span development reveals that this theory has undergone a series of elegant theoretical integrations. Its claim to universality nonetheless brings forth unresolved controversies. With the purpose of scrutinizing the key propositions of this theory, an empirical study was designed to examine the control processes and subjective well-being of Chinese teachers (N = 637). The OPS-Scales (Optimization in Primary and Secondary Control Scales) for the Domain of Teaching were constructed to assess patterns of control processes. Three facets of subjective well-being were investigated with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, the Life Satisfaction Scale, and the Subjective Vitality Scale. The results revealed certain aspects of alignment with and certain divergences from the key propositions of the motivational theory of life-span development. Neither primacy of primary control nor primacy of secondary control was clearly supported. Notably, using different criteria for subjective well-being yielded different subtypes of primary and secondary control as predictors. The hypothesized life-span trajectories of primary and secondary control received limited support. To advance the theory in this area, we recommend incorporating Lakatos’ ideas about sophisticated falsification by specifying the hard core of the motivational theory of life-span development and articulating new auxiliary hypotheses
Myrosinase-dependent and –independent formation and control of isothiocyanate products of glucosinolate hydrolysis.
No full textBrassicales contain a myrosinase enzyme that hydrolyzes glucosinolates to form toxic isothiocyanates, as a defense against bacteria, fungi, insects and herbivores including man. Low levels of isothiocyanates trigger a host defense system in mammals that protects them against chronic diseases. Because humans typically cook their brassica vegetables, destroying myrosinase, there is a great interest in determining how human microbiota can hydrolyze glucosinolates and release them, to provide the health benefits of isothiocyanates. Isothiocyanates are highly reactive electrophiles, binding reversibly to thiols, but accumulating and causing damage when free thiols are not available. We found that addition of excess thiols released protein-thiol-bound isothiocyanates, but that the microbiome supports only poor hydrolysis unless exposed to dietary glucosinolates for a period of days. These findings explain why 3 – 5 servings a week of brassica vegetables may provide health effects, even if they are cooked
Proteomic analyses provide novel insights into plant growth and ginsenoside biosynthesis in forest cultivated Panax ginseng (F. Ginseng)
No full textF. Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is planted in the forest to enhance the natural ginseng resources, which have an immense medicinal and economic value. The morphology of the cultivated plants becomes similar to that of wild growing ginseng (W. Ginseng) over the years. So far, there have been no studies highlighting the physiological or functional changes in F. Ginseng and its wild counterparts. In the present study, we used proteomic technologies (2DE and iTRAQ) coupled to mass spectrometry to compare W. Ginseng and F. Ginseng at various growth stages. Hierarchical cluster analysis based on protein abundance revealed that the protein expression profile of 25-year-old F. Ginseng was more like W. Ginseng than less 20-year-old F. Ginseng. We identified 192 differentially expressed protein spots in F. Ginseng. These protein spots increased with increase in growth years of F. Ginseng and were associated with proteins involved in energy metabolism, ginsenosides biosynthesis, and stress response. The mRNA, physiological, and metabolic analysis showed that the external morphology, protein expression profile, and ginsenoside synthesis ability of the F. Ginseng increased just like that of W. Ginseng with the increase in age. Our study represents the first characterization of the proteome of F. Ginseng during development and provides new insights into the metabolism and accumulation of ginsenosides
