bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design, manufacture, and validation of a student-made ringsail parachute for sounding rocket recovery
Authors: Britting Thomas , Joosten Isabelle , Koops Bram , Toussaint Wesley Leonardus Jacobus Rudolf , Sujahudeen Mohamed Sahir , Vukosavljević Kristina , Knöll Niklas Emil , Casablanca Adriano , Dighe Nachiket , Scholts Sebastian Oliver , Kumar Soham , Van der Wee Tom
Published: July 2022

In the previous years, the Parachute Research Group (PRG) of Delft Aerospace Rocket Engineering (DARE) has been relying mainly on cruciform, ribbon, or disk-gap-band parachutes for the retrieval of its capsules and smaller sounding rockets. However, heading towards a more sustainable future, with the prospect of full rocket recovery and reusability of larger flagship missions in the future, a new, high-performance main parachute had to be developed. As a result of these, a ringsail-type parachute was selected because of its excellent reefing capabilities, good drag performance, and flight heritage within the professional industry. This paper will focus on three main phases of the development of the new parachute type. Firstly, detailed designs and selection of these different designs created will be presented. Furthermore, considering the fact that this type of parachute is notoriously difficult to produce, new manufacturing methods will be proposed and discussed. Lastly, the results of the wind tunnel tests performed will evaluate and further elaborate on the drag performance, stability characteristics, inflation loads, and reefing capabilities of this parachute type.
Engineering and Management of Space Systems (EMSS) - an international joint Master's double-degree program
Authors: Matevska Jasminka , Szostak Justyna , Łubniewski Zbigniew , Krawczuk Szymon , Chodnicki Marek
Published: July 2022

Dynamic development of the space sector of European, and especially of Polish and German economies results in a necessity for suitable Higher Education Institution graduates. The increasing digitization, distribution and networking of technical systems leads to the necessity of a degree programme teaching “the systems view” and “interdisciplinarity” methods and skills. Furthermore, it is necessary to consider the entire life cycle of the systems starting with the analysis of the requirements, through design, integration, verification, to operation and maintenance, with supplementation of management, social and intercultural skills. Since interdisciplinarity and internationality are essential for engineering and management of space systems, the international project was launched early last year by two universities – Hochschule Bremen (Bremen City University of Applied Sciences, HSB, Germany) and Politechnika Gdańska (Gdańsk University of Technology, Gdańsk Tech, Poland) establishing an international interdisciplinary joint Master's double-degree program - Engineering and Management of Space Systems (EMSS). It consists of three different fixed three- or four- semester study paths of several mobility schemes, though individual educational pathways adjusted to students' preference are also allowed. Each path includesa joint academic year – first semester is conducted in Gdańsk, the second in Bremen. The remaining semesters can be studied at either of the universities. All of the EMSS curricula meet the highest education standards of both countries. Several mandatory modules and many elective courses are included in the EMSS curricula. Upon graduation, students of the program are awarded two Master’s degrees - in Space and Satellite Technologies, issued by Gdańsk Tech, and, depending on the chosen study path, in Aerospace Technologies, Computer Science, or Electronics Engineering issued by HSB. Work on the establishment of a new, international, joint field of study - Engineering and Management of Space Systems, run by both universities is currently in progress. The curriculum of the new study programme will be based on the recommendations of the International Council On Systems Engineering (INCOSE) and its German Chapter, Gesellschaft für Systems Engineering (GfSE), and will offer the possibility of certification as a Systems Engineering Professional, Associate Level. This paper includes the lecturers’ and students’ perspective on the program and its future development.
Analysis of the effectiveness of sensors to fulfil scientific cases in the fly a Rocket! campaign
Authors: Brittan Jasmine , Hjelle Ingrid
Published: July 2022

With space becoming a newly ubiquitous phenomenon, due to the evident popularisation of space travel, the European Space Agency Education has a mission to educate the future generations of engineers and scientists to accelerate new findings in the field. The Fly a Rocket campaign was curated to involve early undergraduates in the full launch of a sounding rocket, notably the Mongoose 98. In collaboration with Andøya Space Centre, the aim of the launch was to successfully meet the 4 predefined scientific cases. These were named Oliver Twist, The Cloud Atlas, 451 Degrees Fahrenheit and Rock & Roll and the cases were assigned to the three teams working on the campaign: sensors, payload, and telemetry. The week consisted of learning through the form of lectures and practical understanding via the instruction of the Andøya Space Team. The rocket launch culminated on the 4th day of the 5-day campaign, with a weather balloon also gathering atmospheric conditions. Among the presenters of this report, both members had notable roles as the Principal Investigator and Range Control Officer, allowing us to provide both an overall analysis of the mission and in-depth insights, associated with the varying sensors. The Range Control Officer led the countdown procedure to launch alongside the Range Safety Officer, while simultaneously building the pressure sensor. Moreover, the Principal Investigator worked on the magnetometer. Our team will present on behalf of the sensors team and evaluate the accuracy of the sensors to provide valid conclusions for the scientific cases. The team will present whether the accuracy of the data was reliable enough to answer our proposed questions. Additionally, thorough analysis was conducted using OpenRocket to determine its viability for future rocket launches. Issues during the campaign launch included the mismanagement of payload integration being slowed and OpenRocket being inaccurate past a Mach number>2. Ultimately, this report verified some of our cases and provided important telemetry data to improve the use of future launches.
ASCenSIon innovative training network: mid-term overview and lessons learned
Authors: Gloder Alessia , Tajmar Martin , Bach Christian
Published: July 2022

The field of access to space is wide and complex, and it involves several disciplines and areas of expertise such as propulsion physics, software development, experimental studies, numerical simulations, thermodynamics, missionisation, etc. A gap in the training of young European researchers at doctoral level has been identified in this field, as no high-level education programme exists with the ability to range across such a large range of research topics. With the aim to fill this gap, 24 European entities from academia, industry and research centers have partnered in the framework of "ASCenSIon", an Innovative Training Network funded by the European Commission within the Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska Curie Action. The objective of the project is to contribute to the establishment of a both ecologically and economically sustainable space access for Europe, therefore advancing its State of the Art. This is achieved by training 15 Early Stage Researchers of different background, nationality, gender and age, to become experts in their fields and to have a deep understanding of the access to space domain as a whole. Within ASCenSIon, the Early Stage Researchers, who are enrolled in a PhD programme, acquire both technical and transferable skills thanks to an inclusive and diverse training programme held at local and project level. Unlike more ordinary PhDs, the training offered by ASCenSIon does not only focus on narrow scopes of research fields, one domain (e.g. industry or academia) and one country. It features instead an interdisciplinary, intersectoral and multicultural approach. The offer includes training events in different forms, such as workshops, lectures, experimental weeks and summer schools, which are complemented by the participation in conferences and similar events. Given that the project started in January 2020 and will end in December 2023, this paper provides a midterm overview of the project and the lessons learned so far, with a particular focus on the remote vs in-person training experience forced by the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak.
Procesos de gestión social para la mejora barrial: la experiencia de la metodología PLAN BARRIO
Authors: Lorenzo Galligo Pedro , López Mena Germán
Published: July 2022

Alojarse, para la mayoría de la población mundial, es conseguir asentarse en un lugar, acondicionarlo o construirlo gestionando todo el proceso, con o sin asistencia técnica y con o sin intervención de la administración. Es a lo que se llama la gestión y construcción social del hábitat. Mejorar este hábitat, debería ser uno de los objetivos básicos de la arquitectura.El PLAN BARRIO es una metodología de análisis de la situación del hábitat de un barrio o lugar concreto y propuesta del proceso posible para su mejora. Es un instrumento de opinión y negociación, utilizable por los agentes que intervienen en la mejora barrial, en especial, los ciudadanos.En este artículo se recorren las experiencias realizadas hasta la fecha del PLAN BARRIO, de forma que el conocimiento de estas pueda animar a replicar la metodología en otros lugares del mundo, si se la considera útil.

Housing, for the majority of the world population, is to settle in a place, condition it or build it, managing the entire process, with or without technical assistance, with or without the intervention of the administration. It is the social management and construction of the housing. Improving housing should be one of the basic objectives of the architecture. The PLAN BARRIO (NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN) is a methodology for analyzing the housing situation of a specific neighborhood or place, proposing the possible process for its improvement. It is an instrument of opinion and negotiation, usable by the various agents involved in neighborhood improvement, especially the citizens. Going through the experiences of the PLAN BARRIO can encourage the methodology to be replicated in other parts of the world, if considered useful.
Ruas emergentes: tendências morfológicas e processos de transformação
Authors: Leite João Silva
Published: July 2022

A consolidação do automóvel como veículo preferencial de deslocação de pessoas e

bens, aliado a processos de crescimento urbano fragmentado provocou intensas transformações

na cidade do século XX e no seu tecido. Como organismo a sua complexidade

aumentou, o corpo compõe-se por um número crescente de elementos, sistemas,

dinâmicas e estratos, que dificultam a sua leitura e decifragem. Os eixos infraestruturais

de grande mobilidade assumem um papel importante na manutenção de algumas

ligações morfológicas, afirmando-se como elementos estruturadores do território. O

seu espaço canal é colonizado por uma urbanização constante que adquire características

específicas, definidoras de uma identidade própria. Emergem, assim, elementos

urbanos lineares capazes de suportar tecido urbano e, simultaneamente, permitir deslocações

entre partes distintas do território. Neste sentido, o estudo do processo de

transformação destes elementos lineares sedimenta, por um lado, o seu entendimento

como tendências emergentes da Rua e, por outro, contribui para a sistematização de

um fenómeno melhorando e criando novos mecanismos de produção urbana mais

equilibrados e conscientes dos paradigmas urbanos contemporâneos.

The consolidation of the automobile as a preferential vehicle for the movement of

people and goods, linked with fragmented urban growth processes, caused intense

transformations on the twentieth century city and its fabric. As an organism, its complexity

has increased, the body is composed of a growing number of elements, systems,

dynamics and layers, which make it difficult to read and decipher. The high mobility

infrastructure axes play an important role in the conservation of some morphological

links, affirming themselves as organizing elements of the territory. Its canal space is

colonized by a constant urbanization that acquires specific characteristics, defining its

own identity. So, from this emerge some linear elements capable of supporting urban

fabric and, simultaneously, allowing mobility between distinct parts of the territory. In

this sense, the study of the transformation process of these linear elements consolidates

their understanding as emerging trends of the Street and contributes to the systematization

of a phenomenon improving and creating new mechanisms of an urban production

more balanced and conscious of its contemporary paradigms.
Marx and the Anticipation of Postwork Futures
Authors: Vitale Sarah E. ,   DePaul University
Published: July 2022

Work defines the lives of most people. Many people work overtime, work second jobs, or bring work home with them. It is often difficult to know when work stops and the rest of life begins. In a culture where work is central to our identities, good work is increasingly difficult to find. This article argues that one of the impediments to imagining a future beyond work is the productivist logic that predominates today, which determines labor and production to be key activities and values. To sketch a path beyond work, the author turns to Marx, arguing that Marx provides an important critique of productivism and gestures toward a postwork future in his own writings. To do so, the author defends Marx against critiques of productivism.
Energia Solar e Economia Comportamental: O Caso da Solar City
Authors: Avila Eduardo Varella , Pinto Junior Helder Queiroz , Avila Marcos Gonçalves
Published: July 2022

A geração distribuída de energia solar ocupa um papel de destaque no atual processo de transição energética. Existem, entretanto, fatores que podem limitar a velocidade de expansão na adoção desta tecnologia. Um primeiro fator é a limitação na capacidade de investimento na aquisição do sistema fotovoltaico. Um segundo fator é relativo à racionalidade na tomada de decisão. Economistas comportamentais têm evidenciado que vieses comportamentais tendem a se manifestar de forma sistemática e previsível em julgamento e tomada de decisão. Este trabalho estuda o caso da empresa SolarCity, líder no mercado de energia solar distribuída nos EUA entre 2007 e 2016. O objetivo é identificar possíveis barreiras comportamentais no processo de adoção da tecnologia fotovoltaica e avaliar a eficácia do modelo de negócios implementado pela empresa em neutralizá-las. O modelo de negócios da SolarCity, com a estratégia de criação de comunidades solares e adoção da estrutura de pagamentos mensais, se mostrou consistente com dois tipos de intervenção no sentido de neutralizar essas barreiras: o uso de influências sociais e a adoção de mecanismos de neutralização do viés do presente e da aversão a perdas.
The Action of Attention Intersections of Contemplative Dance Performance and Sufi Remembrance
Authors: Salyers Candice L
Published: July 2022

This reflection considers how the deep attention cultivated in the Sufi contemplative practice of remembrance, or دكر (dhikr), might support my capacity to serve the world through my actions as a performer. By reflecting on the contemplative dance film in existence or in absence created during the Seminario Artes de Cena e Practicas Contemplativas in 2021, this text explores ways in which attention itself could be a meaningful action in the world.
Musical & pedagogical activity of Danica Krstić in Serbia from 1903 to 1940
Authors: Ilić Petar , Kovač Anđelka
Published: July 2022

The subject of this work is a music-pedagogical activity by Danica Krstić from 1903 to 1940. The academic publications state a year of 1905/06 as a beginning of her pedagogical contributions. In addition, the work provides a multitude of a concrete data on her music and pedagogical activities. By exploring a development of piano musicians education in Serbia, in the first half of the twentieth century, we establish that the work and contributions of Danica Krstić were insufficiently researched. Her contribution to the affirmation of young pianists and future piano pedagogical experts, and the improvement of concert related activity, are proven by this work numerous facts. She received many awards and testimonials for her efforts to advance Belgrade's music life in the first half of the 20th century. This research goal is to emphasize facts which place Danica Krstić a key piano pedagogical and playing artist, who to a large extent lead to systematised piano teaching and a work well organized within music educational institutions. By analysing the period of Danica Krstić music and pedagogical activity we conclude it has been intense and fruitful. We point out previously insufficiently explored professional activities of this influential piano pedagogical contributor, and believe in opportunity for a further research and analysis. We suggest exploring the plan and program for the piano teaching during that period, the contents of exams and concert programs, methods used while working with pianists and piano pedagogical experts departments, and teaching the blind and sight impaired students.
Postgraduate students’ experiences with learning management systems at a selected nursing education institution in KwaZulu-Natal Province
Authors: Mtshali N G , Harerimana A , Mdunge V N , Mthembu Z M
Published: July 2022

Background. Learning management systems (LMS) are indispensable teaching and learning tools in nursing education, and in recent years, LMS have become a cornerstone to support online learning, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The South African (SA) e-education policy requires every teacher and learner in the education and training sector to be information and communication technology (ICT)-capable, and able to use ICTs confidently and creatively to help develop the skills and knowledge they need as lifelong learners to achieve their personal goals and be full participants in their global communities. Objective. To investigate postgraduate students’ experiences with learning management systems at a selected nursing education institution in KwaZulu-Natal Province, SA. Method. An exploratory, descriptive research design was used, and the whole population of 16 postgraduate nursing education students who were exposed to Moodle as a learning management system participated in the study. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews, followed by focus group discussions, with thematic analysis used to analyse data. Results. This was the first time that most participants had been exposed to an online learning course, and the experience made them feel empowered as it provided enabled reflection and deep learning. Participants indicated that the range of interactions and level of engagement determined the eventual level of knowledge constructed. The online facilitator played a central role in guiding and supporting students, and ensuring that they achieved the learning outcomes. The online learning benefits included increased socialisation, convenience and flexibility, asynchronicity and accessibility of learning material. The challenges were the lack of real-time response, financial cost and technical issues. Conclusion. An intense ICT orientation for students is recommended to ensure that they are informed of the requirements before starting the online course. The online facilitators must be more visible in the online space, participate more often in discussions and stimulate constructive dialogue.
Relational experiences of community members participating in a rural health initiative with interprofessional students
Authors: Botha R , Joubert A , Morgan H , Wilmott M
Published: July 2022

Background. A South African faculty of health sciences created a forum for the community to voice their relational experiences with interprofessional students through visual projections. No other studies that explore such experiences using the Mmogo method could be located.

Objective. To gain an understanding of the relational experiences of community members participating in Lifestyle-groups as part of a rural health initiative with interprofessional student groups.

Methods. The Mmogo method is a qualitative, structured, observation technique. Participants constructed visual projections representing specific relationships. Thereafter, during a group discussion, participants explained the meaning of their projections. The visual data were analysed according to their literal presentation and subjective, symbolic meaning. A thematic analysis was used for the transcribed data.

Results. Thirteen of the 24 visual projections were of a quality that allowed visual analysis; all 24 members participated in the discussions. Light was identified as an overarching theme to represent the community-student interaction. Sub-themes and categories associated with light were healthier lifestyles (knowledge sharing, lifestyle transformation, improved health outcomes), solidarity (reciprocity, collaboration, person centredness, multidimensional approach) and affirmation (gratitude and acceptance).

Conclusion. Though some statements by participants related to health education as opposed to health dialogue highlighted areas requiring improvement, the findings correlated with the outcomes prescribed for students by this rural health initiative. Emotional connections in relational experiences could facilitate higher levels of self-efficacy in communities. The question is whether a stronger emphasis on health dialogue can be a catalyst for improved self-efficacy.
¿Aliados naturales? Sindicatos, movimientos sociales y tercer sector durante la crisis económica de 2008 en España
Authors: Ribón Seisdedos María Antonia , Roca Martínez Beltrán
Published: July 2022

El presente artículo pone a prueba la tesis de John Kelly sobre la condición de “aliados naturales” de las organizaciones sindicales y los movimientos sociales. Para ello, se estudia la actuación de sindicatos, el 15M y las organizaciones del tercer sector en España en el contexto de las políticas de austeridad que se impulsaron desde el Gobierno a partir de la crisis económica de 2008. Tras una revisión teórica sobre las relaciones entre sindicatos y movimientos y la contextualización de las protestas tras la crisis de 2008, el artículo analiza la respuesta sindical ante la crisis y las relaciones de convergencia y competencia entre las organizaciones sindicales, el tejido asociativo y el movimiento 15M. Posteriormente, se analizan las estrategias sindicales de la creación de Mareas y la de la Cumbre Social. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto que el campo sindical y el de las organizaciones de la sociedad civil contienen importantes fracturas y contradicciones, que dan lugar a diferentes estrategias sindicales, lo que obliga a presentar algunas objeciones y matizaciones a la tesis de los aliados naturales. Se concluye que factores como las tradiciones sindicales, los contextos de economía política, la competencia entre organizaciones y las propias características de los movimientos sociales, explican la diversidad de modos de relación entre sindicatos y movimientos, obligando a desarrollar aproximaciones más complejas y sensibles a las especificidades de cada contexto histórico y geográfico.
Las organizaciones sindicales como agentes de cambio colaborativo. El modelo inclusivo-participativo de empresa
Authors: Chica Páez Yolanda , Ruiz-Roqueñi Maite
Published: July 2022

Este artículo analiza, desde la perspectiva sindical, la propuesta del modelo inclusivo-participativo de empresa (MIPE), diseñada y consensuada por diferentes personas pertenecientes al mundo político, sindical y empresarial de Euskadi. Pese a la existencia de diversas experiencias en empresas participativas en la mayoría de países de la Unión Europea, en nuestro país, este modelo de empresa ha tenido escaso desarrollo e implementación práctica, estando en proceso de gestación. La fundamentación teórica de la participación y la identificación de los modelos existentes delimita la discusión teórica.A través de entrevistas personales mantenidas con representantes de los sindicatos más representativos de Euskadi (CCOO, CGT, ELA, LAB y UGT) y de la Asociación de Amigos de Arizmendiarrieta (ALE) y la Fundación Arizmendiarrieta, como entidades promotoras del MIPE, el estudio aporta un análisis cualitativo de las potencialidades y limitaciones que presenta el modelo, así como la identificación de los elementos clave a tener en consideración en su diseño institucional y organizacional, de cara a su desarrollo en la praxis empresarial. El trabajo aporta elementos de análisis que pueden servir a un debate más completo e informado sobre la participación de las personas trabajadoras en la empresa y permitir así avanzar, desde el ámbito sindical, en el desarrollo de modelos de empresa participativos.
Pagine al vento. Le identità letterarie della Patagonia in una prospettiva geografica
Authors: Gilardi Thomas
Published: July 2022

The analysis of the Patagonian literature from a geographical perspective allows to show some recurring themes, with which the characters of the various works measure and confront each other, constructing and affirming their identity in relation to the places. Among the recognized themes is that of regional citizenship in a condition of cross-border marginality, in which the internal and international migratory phenomenon overlaps with the reshaping and rediscovery of the identities of pre-existing populations, while tourism commercializes the imaginary.
Zero Waste for geographical education on sustainability
Authors: Guaran Andrea , Venturini Federico
Published: July 2022

Environmental education is vital for raising awareness of sustainable development. Zero Waste is a holistic model that goes beyond waste reduction and recycling, and calls for a reshaping of contemporary modes of production and consumption while also promoting active citizenship awareness. Exploring Zero Waste principles, this article situates and demonstrates its alignment with key international documents, such as the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Already used in some educational contexts, the Zero Waste model has the potential to encourage a new perspective to fundamentally reconsider and redesign our relationship to what it means to be actively more sustainable, through a systemic and circular approach. We outline how educational geography and sustainability practices can both benefit from, and support, a dialogue with Zero Waste principles.
Dal Grand Tour all’educazione globale: gli immaginari europei nelle performance visuali di viaggio
Authors: Rabbiosi Chiara
Published: July 2022

This paper frames international student mobilities throughout Europe as a novel Grand Tour to revise the social and material tourist encounter with the continent and ordinary life therein, and advance cultural and political debates concerning the European space. This is done by analysing how European imaginaries are enacted in three tourist pictures of Rome, collected through photo-elicited focus groups with international students. The methods employed in the latest visual and tourism studies were used herein. This study shows how persistent and often stereotyped representations of Europe come together with critical readings of the European society, and highlights the importance – in the geographical analysis of tourist photography – of including more-than-epresentational accounts of what happens before and after shooting a tourist picture.
Dopamine neuron morphology and output are differentially controlled by mTORC1 and mTORC2
Authors: Kosillo Polina , Ahmed Kamran M , Aisenberg Erin E , Karalis Vasiliki , Roberts Bradley M , Cragg Stephanie J , Bateup Helen S
Published: July 2022

The mTOR pathway is an essential regulator of cell growth and metabolism. Midbrain dopamine neurons are particularly sensitive to mTOR signaling status as activation or inhibition of mTOR alters their morphology and physiology. mTOR exists in two distinct multiprotein complexes termed mTORC1 and mTORC2. How each of these complexes affect dopamine neuron properties, and whether they have similar or distinct functions is unknown. Here, we investigated this in mice with dopamine neuron-specific deletion of Rptor or Rictor, which encode obligatory components of mTORC1 or mTORC2, respectively. We find that inhibition of mTORC1 strongly and broadly impacts dopamine neuron structure and function causing somatodendritic and axonal hypotrophy, increased intrinsic excitability, decreased dopamine production, and impaired dopamine release. In contrast, inhibition of mTORC2 has more subtle effects, with selective alterations to the output of ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons. Disruption of both mTOR complexes leads to pronounced deficits in dopamine release demonstrating the importance of balanced mTORC1 and mTORC2 signaling for dopaminergic function.
Surveying the experience of postdocs in the United States before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Morin Andréanne , Helling Britney A , Krishnan Seetha , Risner Laurie E , Walker Nykia D , Schwartz Nancy B
Published: July 2022

In the interest of advocating for the postdoctoral community in the United States (US), we compared the results of surveys of postdocs carried out in 2019 and in late 2020. We found that respondents’ mental health and wellness were significantly impacted by the pandemic irrespective of their gender, race, citizenship, or other identities. Career trajectories and progression were also affected, as respondents reported being less confident about achieving career goals, and having more negative perceptions of the job market compared to before the pandemic. Postdocs working in the US on temporary visas reported experiencing increased stress levels due to changes in immigration policy. Access to institutional Postdoctoral Offices or Associations positively impacted well-being and helped mitigate some of the personal and professional stresses caused by the pandemic.
XAB2 dynamics during DNA damage-dependent transcription inhibition
Authors: Donnio Lise-Marie , Cerutti Elena , Magnani Charlene , Neuillet Damien , Mari Pierre-Olivier , Giglia-Mari Giuseppina
Published: July 2022

Xeroderma Pigmentosum group A-binding protein 2 (XAB2) is a multifunctional protein playing a critical role in distinct cellular processes including transcription, splicing, DNA repair, and messenger RNA export. In this study, we demonstrate that XAB2 is involved specifically and exclusively in Transcription-Coupled Nucleotide Excision Repair (TC-NER) reactions and solely for RNA polymerase 2 (RNAP2)-transcribed genes. Surprisingly, contrary to all the other NER proteins studied so far, XAB2 does not accumulate on the local UV-C damage; on the contrary, it becomes more mobile after damage induction. XAB2 mobility is restored when DNA repair reactions are completed. By scrutinizing from which cellular complex/partner/structure XAB2 is released, we have identified that XAB2 is detached after DNA damage induction from DNA:RNA hybrids, commonly known as R-loops, and from the CSA and XPG proteins. This release contributes to the DNA damage recognition step during TC-NER, as in the absence of XAB2, RNAP2 is blocked longer on UV lesions. Moreover, we also demonstrate that XAB2 has a role in retaining RNAP2 on its substrate without any DNA damage.
Lung evolution in vertebrates and the water-to-land transition
Authors: Cupello Camila , Hirasawa Tatsuya , Tatsumi Norifumi , Yabumoto Yoshitaka , Gueriau Pierre , Isogai Sumio , Matsumoto Ryoko , Saruwatari Toshiro , King Andrew , Hoshino Masato , Uesugi Kentaro , Okabe Masataka , Brito Paulo M
Published: July 2022

A crucial evolutionary change in vertebrate history was the Palaeozoic (Devonian 419–359 million years ago) water-to-land transition, allowed by key morphological and physiological modifications including the acquisition of lungs. Nonetheless, the origin and early evolution of vertebrate lungs remain highly controversial, particularly whether the ancestral state was paired or unpaired. Due to the rarity of fossil soft tissue preservation, lung evolution can only be traced based on the extant phylogenetic bracket. Here we investigate, for the first time, lung morphology in extensive developmental series of key living lunged osteichthyans using synchrotron x-ray microtomography and histology. Our results shed light on the primitive state of vertebrate lungs as unpaired, evolving to be truly paired in the lineage towards the tetrapods. The water-to-land transition confronted profound physiological challenges and paired lungs were decisive for increasing the surface area and the pulmonary compliance and volume, especially during the air-breathing on land.
Flagellar energy costs across the tree of life
Authors: Schavemaker Paul E , Lynch Michael
Published: July 2022

Flagellar-driven motility grants unicellular organisms the ability to gather more food and avoid predators, but the energetic costs of construction and operation of flagella are considerable. Paths of flagellar evolution depend on the deviations between fitness gains and energy costs. Using structural data available for all three major flagellar types (bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic), flagellar construction costs were determined for Escherichia coli, Pyrococcus furiosus, and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Estimates of cell volumes, flagella numbers, and flagellum lengths from the literature yield flagellar costs for another ~200 species. The benefits of flagellar investment were analysed in terms of swimming speed, nutrient collection, and growth rate; showing, among other things, that the cost-effectiveness of bacterial and eukaryotic flagella follows a common trend. However, a comparison of whole-cell costs and flagellum costs across the Tree of Life reveals that only cells with larger cell volumes than the typical bacterium could evolve the more expensive eukaryotic flagellum. These findings provide insight into the unsolved evolutionary question of why the three domains of life each carry their own type of flagellum.
Prenatal development of neonatal vocalizations
Authors: Narayanan Darshana Z , Takahashi Daniel Y , Kelly Lauren M , Hlavaty Sabina I , Huang Junzhou , Ghazanfar Asif A
Published: July 2022

Human and non-human primates produce rhythmical sounds as soon as they are born. These early vocalizations are important for soliciting the attention of caregivers. How they develop remains a mystery. The orofacial movements necessary for producing these vocalizations have distinct spatiotemporal signatures. Therefore, their development could potentially be tracked over the course of prenatal life. We densely and longitudinally sampled fetal head and orofacial movements in marmoset monkeys using ultrasound imaging. We show that orofacial movements necessary for producing rhythmical vocalizations differentiate from a larger movement pattern that includes the entire head. We also show that signature features of marmoset infant contact calls emerge prenatally as a distinct pattern of orofacial movements. Our results establish that aspects of the sensorimotor development necessary for vocalizing occur prenatally, even before the production of sound.
Type 1 piliated uropathogenic Escherichia coli hijack the host immune response by binding to CD14
Authors: Tomasek Kathrin , Leithner Alexander , Glatzova Ivana , Lukesch Michael S , Guet Calin C , Sixt Michael
Published: July 2022

A key attribute of persistent or recurring bacterial infections is the ability of the pathogen to evade the host’s immune response. Many Enterobacteriaceae express type 1 pili, a pre-adapted virulence trait, to invade host epithelial cells and establish persistent infections. However, the molecular mechanisms and strategies by which bacteria actively circumvent the immune response of the host remain poorly understood. Here, we identified CD14, the major co-receptor for lipopolysaccharide detection, on mouse dendritic cells (DCs) as a binding partner of FimH, the protein located at the tip of the type 1 pilus of Escherichia coli. The FimH amino acids involved in CD14 binding are highly conserved across pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains. Binding of the pathogenic strain CFT073 to CD14 reduced DC migration by overactivation of integrins and blunted expression of co-stimulatory molecules by overactivating the NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T-cells) pathway, both rate-limiting factors of T cell activation. This response was binary at the single-cell level, but averaged in larger populations exposed to both piliated and non-piliated pathogens, presumably via the exchange of immunomodulatory cytokines. While defining an active molecular mechanism of immune evasion by pathogens, the interaction between FimH and CD14 represents a potential target to interfere with persistent and recurrent infections, such as urinary tract infections or Crohn’s disease.
Synthesis and characterization of bismuth(III) complex with an EDTA-based phenylene ligand and its potential as anti-virulence agent
Authors: Beltran-Torres Melissa , Sugich-Miranda Rocio , Santacruz-Ortega Hisila , Lopez-Gastelum Karla A. , Ayala-Zavala J. Fernando , Rocha-Alonzo Fernando , Velazquez-Contreras Enrique F. , Vazquez-Armenta Francisco J.
Published: July 2022

A new acyclic bismuth complex (Bi-edtabz) was synthesized from a mixture of solutions of the ligand (EDTA-based phenylene) and bismuth under acidic conditions. Its anti-virulence properties were evaluated against Escherichia coli O157: H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica sub. enterica serovar Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus. The bismuth complex was characterized by NMR, UV-Vis, FTIR, ESI/MS and TG. Furthermore, Bi-edtabz complex at 0.25–1 mM presented better antibiofilm properties against E. coli O157: H7 and S. aureus with values of biomass reduction of 30.1–57.1% and 37.8–55.5%, respectively, compared with the ligand edtabz. While biofilm formation of L. monocytogenes, P. aeruginosa and Salmonella Typhimurium was most impaired by edtabz (biomass reduction of 66.1–100%, 66.4–88.0% and 50.9–67.1%), respectively. Additionally, Bi-edtabz inhibited the swimming motility of E. coli O157: H7 (12.5%) and colony spread of S. aureus (47.2%) at 1 mM and inhibited violacein production, a quorum-sensing related pigment of the biosensor strain Chromobacterium violaceum. Hence, edtabz and the Bi-edtabz complex can be used as novel anti-virulence agents against pathogenic bacteria.
Distribution and phylogeography of the genus Mattirolomyces with a focus on the Asian M. terfezioides haplotypes
Authors: Wei Jie , Grebenc Tine , Zhang Xuan , Xiang SiMin , Fan Yongjun
Published: July 2022

Mattirolomyces is an edible commercial sequestrate genus that is globally distributed. From the five described taxa of this genus, Mattirolomyces terfezioides is the most common species in Asia. Our recent attempts to locate M. terfezioides outside its current distribution area in China documented its first records in areas of poplar trees with the lowest known temperature and precipitation averages ever recorded for this species. This peculiar ecology was not reflected on the species-morphological features nor on its phylogenetic position in the genus. The first attempt to apply the phylogenetic network approach to Mattirolomyces revealed its geographic origin in the Asian-Pacific areas prior to frequent long-distance migration events. Based on data from recent study areas, we found that the collections from Inner Mongolia and the Shanxi province were similar to European collections. Asian haplotypes were less distant from the outgroup comparing to collections from Europe, supporting the hypothesis that M. terfezioides was originated from this Chinese area and was subsequently transported to Europe. Exploring M. terfezioides ecology and its mycorrhiza potential to grow in association with poplars would be of great importance for planning cultivation projects of this valuable desert truffle species in Central and Eastern China, a currently underexploited economic sector that deserves further ecological and M. terfezioides mycorrhizal synthesis investigations.
Biogas slurry application alters soil properties, reshapes the soil microbial community, and alleviates root rot of Panax notoginseng
Authors: Wang Chengxian , Liu Jianfeng , Wang Changmei , Zhao Xingling , Wu Kai , Yang Bin , Yin Fang , Zhang Wudi
Published: July 2022

Background

Panax notoginseng is an important herbal medicine in China, where this crop is cultivated by replanting of seedlings. Root rot disease threatens the sustainability of P. notoginseng cultivation. Water flooding (WF) is widely used to control numerous soilborne diseases, and biogas slurry shows positive effects on the soil physiochemical properties and microbial community structure and has the potential to suppress soilborne pathogens. Hence, biogas slurry flooding (BSF) may be an effective approach for alleviating root rot disease of P. notoginseng; however, the underlying mechanism needs to be elucidated.

Methods

In this study, we conducted a microcosm experiment to determine if BSF can reduce the abundance of pathogens in soil and, alleviate root rot of P. notoginseng. Microcosms, containing soil collected from a patch of P. notoginseng showing symptoms of root rot disease, were subjected to WF or BSF at two concentrations for two durations (15 and 30 days), after which the changes in their physicochemical properties were investigated. Culturable microorganisms and the root rot ratio were also estimated. We next compared changes in the microbial community structure of soils under BSF with changes in WF and untreated soils through high-throughput sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA (16S) and fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) genes amplicon.

Results

WF treatment did not obviously change the soil microbiota. In contrast, BSF treatment significantly altered the physicochemical properties and reshaped the bacterial and fungal communities, reduced the relative abundance of potential fungal pathogens (Fusarium, Cylindrocarpon, Alternaria, and Phoma), and suppressed culturable fungi and Fusarium. The changes in the microbial community structure corresponded to decreased root rot ratios. The mechanisms of fungal pathogen suppression by BSF involved several factors, including inducing anaerobic/conductive conditions, altering the soil physicochemical properties, enriching the anaerobic and culturable bacteria, and increasing the phylogenetic relatedness of the bacterial community.

Conclusions

BSF application can reshape the soil microbial community, reduce the abundance of potential pathogens, and alleviate root rot in P. notoginseng. Thus, it is a promising practice for controlling root rot disease in P. notoginseng.
RNA-binding protein CELF6 modulates transcription and splicing levels of genes associated with tumorigenesis in lung cancer A549 cells
Authors: Ma HuSai , Liu GuoWei , Yu Bin , Wang Joshua , Qi YaLi , Kou YiYing , Hu Ying , Wang ShunJun , Wang Fei , Chen Dong
Published: July 2022

CELF6 (CUGBP Elav-Like Family Member 6), a canonical RNA binding protein (RBP), plays important roles in post-transcriptional regulation of pre-mRNAs. However, the underlying mechanism of lower expressed CELF6 in lung cancer tissues is still unclear. In this study, we increased CELF6 manually in lung cancer cell line (A549) and utilized transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) technology to screen out differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and alternative splicing events (ASEs) after CELF6 over-expression (CELF6-OE). We found that CELF6-OE induced 417 up-regulated and 1,351 down-regulated DEGs. Functional analysis of down-regulated DEGs showed that they were highly enriched in immune/inflammation response- related pathways and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). We also found that CELF6 inhibited the expression of many immune-related genes, including TNFSF10, CCL5, JUNB, BIRC3, MLKL, PIK3R2, CCL20, STAT1, MYD88, and CFS1, which mainly promote tumorigenesis in lung cancer. The dysregulated DEGs were also validated by reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) experiment. In addition, CELF6 regulates the splicing pattern of large number of genes that are enriched in p53 signaling pathway and apoptosis, including TP53 and CD44. In summary, we made an extensive analysis of the transcriptome profile of gene expression and alternative splicing by CELF6-OE, providing a global understanding of the target genes and underlying regulation mechanisms mediated by CELF6 in the pathogenesis and development of lung cancer.
A new istiodactylid pterosaur, Lingyuanopterus camposi gen. et sp. nov., from the Jiufotang Formation of western Liaoning, China
Authors: Xu Yizhi , Jiang Shunxing , Wang Xiaolin
Published: July 2022

The Istiodactylidae is a group of pterodactyloids characterised by large nasoantorbital fenestrae and labiolingually compressed teeth, with several records reported from the Early Cretaceous of northeastern China and western Europe. Here we report a new istiodactylid, Lingyuanopterus camposi gen. et sp. nov. from the Jiufotang Formation of Lingyuan, Liaoning, northeastern China. The holotype is represented by a near-complete skull, mandible and atlas-axis complex. It is distinguished from other istiodactylids by several characters, including two autapomorphies: short triangular tooth crowns with sharp mesial and distal carinae limited to the distal teeth, mandibular symphysis occupying approximately a quarter the mandible length. We also report the presence of helical jaw joints in istiodactylids, and provide a revised diagnosis of the clade Istiodactylidae, which includes five genera: Istiodactylus, Liaoxipterus, Nurhachius, Luchibang and Lingyuanopterus. Four pellets containing fish fragments were observed and are tentatively interpreted as bromalites of Lingyuanopterus. Although members of this clade possess similar skull morphologies, istiodactylids vary in terms of their dentition, with at least three forms from the Jiufotang Formation alone. This may represent different feeding strategies, and also indicate a similarity between the pterosaur assemblages of northeastern China and Britain during the Early Cretaceous.