Neurobiology of Monotremes

Neurobiology of Monotremes brings together current information on the development, structure, function and behavioural ecology of the monotremes. The monotremes are an unusual and evolutionarily important group of mammals showing striking behavioural and physiological adaptations to their niches. They are the only mammals exhibiting electroreception (in the trigeminal sensory pathways) and the echidna shows distinctive olfactory specialisations. The authors aim to close the current gap in knowledge between the genes and developmental biology of monotremes on the one hand, and the adult structure, function and ecology of monotremes on the other. They explore how the sequence 'embryonic structure › adult structure › behaviour' is achieved in monotremes and how this differs from other mammals. The work also combines a detailed review of the neurobiology of monotremes with photographic and diagrammatic atlases of the sectioned adult brains and peripheral nervous system of the short-beaked echidna and platypus. Pairing of a detailed review of the field with the first published brain atlases of two of the three living monotremes will allow the reader to immediately relate key points in the text to features in the atlases and will extend a universal system of brain nomenclature developed in eutherian brain atlases by G Paxinos and colleagues to monotremes.

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (26) ◽  
pp. 3096-3104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuai Deng ◽  
Yige Sun ◽  
Tianyi Zhao ◽  
Yang Hu ◽  
Tianyi Zang

Drug side effects have become an important indicator for evaluating the safety of drugs. There are two main factors in the frequent occurrence of drug safety problems; on the one hand, the clinical understanding of drug side effects is insufficient, leading to frequent adverse drug reactions, while on the other hand, due to the long-term period and complexity of clinical trials, side effects of approved drugs on the market cannot be reported in a timely manner. Therefore, many researchers have focused on developing methods to identify drug side effects. In this review, we summarize the methods of identifying drug side effects and common databases in this field. We classified methods of identifying side effects into four categories: biological experimental, machine learning, text mining and network methods. We point out the key points of each kind of method. In addition, we also explain the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Finally, we propose future research directions.


Religions ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 343
Author(s):  
Panagiotis Kantartzis

The issue of “Mariology” is one that divides the Eastern Orthodox and the Evangelical Christians. In this paper we are approaching the issue through the juxtaposition and comparison of the three Mariological sermons of Nicholas Cabasilas, on the one hand, with Martin Luther’s Commentary on the Magnificat, on the other. The study of the two works side by side will bring to surface the theological presuppositions which explain the differences between the Eastern Orthodox and the Evangelical views. It will also help us identify some key points that need further discussion and clarification but also ways to reach a point of mutual agreement and understanding.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (02) ◽  
pp. 107-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narinder Toor

Back in December 2009, I joined Arnold & Porter as an information professional. Working at a law firm that values and celebrates the contributions made by their support staff, has meant that this role has transformed into a very rewarding career. Reflecting on the last 10 years, the one word I would use to sum up law librarianship is expertise. As information professionals, we research and review areas and concepts that are unfamiliar but we are adept at not only pinpointing the key points and issues but conveying them with clarity, certainty and confidence. As well as providing this invaluable support, we guide, inform and advise. Over the past decade, BIALL has remained central to the law librarian community, helping us to navigate the ever changing landscape of the legal sector.


Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Kozieradzka-Kiszkurno ◽  
Daria Majcher ◽  
Emilia Brzezicka ◽  
Joanna Rojek ◽  
Justyna Wróbel-Marek ◽  
...  

The suspensor in the majority of angiosperms is an evolutionally conserved embryonic structure functioning as a conduit that connects ovule tissues with the embryo proper for nutrients and growth factors flux. This is the first study serving the purpose of investigating the correlation between suspensor types and plasmodesmata (PD), by the ultrastructure of this organ in respect of its full development. The special attention is paid to PD in representatives of Crassulaceae genera: Sedum, Aeonium, Monanthes, Aichryson and Echeveria. The contribution of the suspensor in transporting nutrients to the embryo was confirmed by the basal cell structure of the suspensor which produced, on the micropylar side of all genera investigated, a branched haustorium protruding into the surrounding ovular tissue and with wall ingrowths typically associated with cell transfer. The cytoplasm of the basal cell was rich in endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, dictyosomes, specialized plastids, microtubules, microbodies and lipid droplets. The basal cell sustained a symplasmic connection with endosperm and neighboring suspensor cells. Our results indicated the dependence of PD ultrastructure on the type of suspensor development: (i) simple PD are assigned to an uniseriate filamentous suspensor and (ii) PD with an electron-dense material are formed in a multiseriate suspensor. The occurrence of only one or both types of PD seems to be specific for the species but not for the genus. Indeed, in the two tested species of Sedum (with the distinct uniseriate/multiseriate suspensors), a diversity in the structure of PD depends on the developmental pattern of the suspensor. In all other genera (with the multiseriate type of development of the suspensor), the one type of electron-dense PD was observed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 104 (16) ◽  
pp. 7023-7035
Author(s):  
Samuel Sutiono ◽  
Bettina Siebers ◽  
Volker Sieber

Abstract2-keto-3-L-arabinonate dehydratase (L-KdpD) and 2-keto-3-D-xylonate dehydratase (D-KdpD) are the third enzymes in the Weimberg pathway catalyzing the dehydration of respective 2-keto-3-deoxy sugar acids (KDP) to α-ketoglutaric semialdehyde (KGSA). The Weimberg pathway has been explored recently with respect to the synthesis of chemicals from L-arabinose and D-xylose. However, only limited work has been done toward characterizing these two enzymes. In this work, several new L-KdpDs and D-KdpDs were cloned and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. Following kinetic characterizations and kinetic stability studies, the L-KdpD from Cupriavidus necator (CnL-KdpD) and D-KdpD from Pseudomonas putida (PpD-KdpD) appeared to be the most promising variants from each enzyme class. Magnesium had no effect on CnL-KdpD, whereas increased activity and stability were observed for PpD-KdpD in the presence of Mg2+. Furthermore, CnL-KdpD was not inhibited in the presence of L-arabinose and L-arabinonate, whereas PpD-KdpD was inhibited with D-xylonate (I50 of 75 mM), but not with D-xylose. Both enzymes were shown to be highly active in the one-step conversions of L-KDP and D-KDP. CnL-KdpD converted > 95% of 500 mM L-KDP to KGSA in the first 2 h while PpD-KdpD converted > 90% of 500 mM D-KDP after 4 h. Both enzymes in combination were able to convert 83% of a racemic mixture of D,L-KDP (500 mM) after 4 h, with both enzymes being specific toward the respective stereoisomer. Key points• L-KdpDs and D-KdpDs are specific toward L- and D-KDP, respectively.• Mg2+affected activity and stabilities of D-KdpDs, but not of L-KdpDs.• CnL-KdpD and PpD-KdpD converted 0.5 M of each KDP isomer reaching 95 and 90% yield.• Both enzymes in combination converted 0.5 M racemic D,L-KDP reaching 83% yield.


Author(s):  
Oliver Xie ◽  
Parkson Lee-Gau Chong ◽  
Jack Zhou

During the past two decades, bio-physicists have had an increasing interest in finding out what happens when two bio-material solutions are mixed under high pressure. Compared to temperature, pressure makes more contributions to our fundamental understanding of the structure-function relationship of biological systems, because pressure produces only volume changes under isothermal conditions, and pressure results can then be interpreted in a more straightforward manner. Window-type High Pressure Optical Cell (HPOC) such as the one designed by Paladini and Weber have provided biophysicists with a powerful tool to understanding the structure-function relationships of biological molecules. However, the conventional HPOC is only good for single solution testing and does not allow for quick mixing and stirring of additional components while the specimen is under pressure. This research is to thoroughly study the feasibility of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) as an actuator to perform mixing and agitation functions; and five types of SMA actuators were designed, simulated and tested for unplugging and mixing purposes. To conduct this research, SMA helical springs were fabricated in house according to the design requirements. With different combinations of SMA tensile springs, SMA compressive spring and biasing spring, significant ranges of vibration were developed. To further improving mixing process, a unique hybrid design of SMA as an actuator to unplug the stopper and micromotor as a stir device to agitate the solutions was developed. Rapid mixing of 95% of total solution in 10 seconds was achieved under 300 bars. A new HPOC was designed according to the new cuvette with its new unplug and mixing mechanism. Our industrial partner, ISS, further modified our design for easy manufacturing reason and fabricated the HPOC which made SMA actuator mixing test under pressure possible. A complete testing of the new HPOC system to observe bio-reagent mixing and reaction under high pressure was conducted and the results were satisfactory.


Author(s):  
М.М. Корзин ◽  
П.Г. Зобов ◽  
А.В. Дектярев ◽  
В.Н. Морозов ◽  
К.С. Ванюшкина ◽  
...  

Мировое судостроительное сообщество продолжает осваивать цифровые экосистемы в контексте Индустрии 4.0. Функционирующие экосистемы, в свою очередь, являются непременным атрибутом цифровизации. Рост интереса к экосистемам объясняется появлением технологий, дающих возможности взаимодействия участников бизнес-процессов в рамках их деятельности, а также практически мгновенному предоставлению заинтересованным сторонам необходимой информации (цифровой двойник, большие данные и пр.). Для широкого внедрения технологий Индустрии 4.0 все еще необходимо решить множество частных задач, которые отражают узконаправленные вопросы ограничений и применимости технологий относительно судостроения, а также спектр вопросов правового регулирования, стандартизации и сертификации. С одной стороны, такой инструмент как 3D-моделирование, который является одним из ключевых моментов цифровизации производства, давно используется в судостроении, но в виде вспомогательных средств проектирования. Целью данной работы является анализ проблем существующего взаимодействия между конструкторскими бюро и судостроительными заводами в организации цифровой трансформации производства. Выявлены и рассмотрены основные причины возникающих проблем, такие как отсутствие централизованного подхода к взаимодействию, отсутствие на отраслевом уровне решения о главенстве 3D-модели над бумажным документом, разнородность применяемых систем автоматизированного проектирования, неготовность промышленных участков использовать информацию 3D-модели в полном объеме и другие аспекты взаимодействия и методы их решения. Предложены новые решения по составу поставляемой документации и в части взаимодействия участников данного процесса со стороны конструкторских бюро и судостроительных заводов. The global shipbuilding community continues to embrace digital ecosystems in the context of Industry 4.0. Functioning ecosystems, in turn, are an indispensable attribute of digitalization. The growth of interest in ecosystems is explained by the emergence of technologies that enable interaction between participants in business processes within the framework of their activities, as well as the almost instant provision of the necessary information to interested parties (digital twin, big data, etc.). For the widespread adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, it is still necessary to solve many particular problems, which reflect narrowly focused issues of limitations and applicability of technologies in relation to shipbuilding, as well as a range of issues of legal regulation, standardization and certification. On the one hand, a tool such as 3D modeling, which is one of the key points of digitalization of production, has long been used in shipbuilding, but in the form of design aids. The purpose of this work is to analyze the problems of the existing interaction between design bureaus and shipyards in organizing the digital transformation of production. The main reasons for the emerging problems are identified and considered, such as the lack of a centralized approach to interaction, the absence at the industry level of a decision on the dominance of the 3D model over the paper document, the heterogeneity of the CAD systems used, the unavailability of industrial sites to use the information of the 3D model in full, etc. aspects of interaction and methods of their solution. New solutions are proposed for the composition of the supplied documentation and in terms of interaction between the participants in this process from the side of design bureaus and shipyards.


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