Regulatory RNAs: A Universal Language for Inter-Domain Communication

In eukaryotes, microRNAs (miRNAs) have roles in development, homeostasis, disease and the immune response. Recent work has shown that plant and mammalian miRNAs also mediate cross-kingdom and cross-domain communications. However, these studies remain controversial and are lacking critical mechanistic explanations. Bacteria do not produce miRNAs themselves, and therefore it is unclear how these eukaryotic RNA molecules could function in the bacterial recipient. In this review, we compare and contrast the biogenesis and functions of regulatory RNAs in eukaryotes and bacteria. As a result, we discovered several conserved features and homologous components in these distinct pathways. These findings enabled us to propose novel mechanisms to explain how eukaryotic miRNAs could function in bacteria. Further understanding in this area is necessary to validate the findings of existing studies and could facilitate the use of miRNAs as novel tools for the directed remodelling of the human microbiota.     

Mixed-Metal MOF-74 Templated Catalysts for Efficient Carbon Dioxide Capture and Methanation

The vast chemical and structural tunability of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are beginning to be harnessed as functional supports for catalytic nanoparticles spanning a range of applications. However, a lack of straightforward methods for producing nanoparticle-encapsulated MOFs as efficient heterogeneous catalysts limits their usage. Herein, a mixed-metal MOF, NiMg-MOF-74, is utilized as a template to disperse small Ni nanoclusters throughout the parent MOF. By exploiting the difference in Ni O and Mg O coordination bond strength, Ni²⁺ is selectively reduced to form highly dispersed Ni nanoclusters constrained by the parent MOF pore diameter, while Mg²⁺ remains coordinated in the framework. By varying the ratio of Ni to Mg in the parent MOF, accessible surface area and crystallinity can be tuned upon thermal treatment, influencing CO₂ adsorption capacity and hydrogenation selectivity. The resulting Ni nanoclusters prove to be an active catalyst for CO₂ methanation and are examined using extended X-ray absorption fine structure and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. By preserving a segment of the Mg²⁺-containing MOF framework, the composite system retains a portion of its CO₂ adsorption capacity while continuing to deliver catalytic activity. The approach is thus critical for designing materials that can bridge the gap between carbon capture and CO₂ utilization.     

Mapping nonnative plants using hyperspectral imagery

Nonnative plant species are causing enormous ecological and environmental impacts from local to global scale. Remote sensing images have had mixed success in providing spatial information on land cover characteristics to land managers that increase effective management of invasions into native habitats. However, there has been limited evaluation of the use of hyperspectral data and processing techniques for mapping specific invasive species based on their spectral characteristics. This research evaluated three different methods of processing hyperspectral imagery: minimum noise fraction (MNF), continuum removal, and band ratio indices for mapping iceplant (Carpobrotus edulis) and jubata grass (Cortaderia jubata) in California's coastal habitat. Validation with field sampling data showed high mapping accuracies for all methods for identifying presence or absence of iceplant (97%), with the MNF procedure producing the highest accuracy (55%) when the classes were divided into four different densities of iceplant.     

Normality and impairment following profound early institutional deprivation: A longitudinal follow-up into early adolescence.

Longitudinal analyses on normal versus impaired functioning across 7 domains were conducted in children who had experienced profound institutional deprivation up to the age of 42 months and were adopted from Romania into U.K. families. Comparisons were made with noninstitutionalized children adopted from Romania and with nondeprived within-U.K. adoptees placed before the age of 6 months. Specifically, the validity of the assessment, the degree of continuity and change in levels of functioning from 6 to 11 years, and the factors in the pre- and postadoption environment accounting for heterogeneity in outcome were examined. Pervasive impairment was significantly raised in children experiencing institutional deprivation for ≥6 months of life, with a minority within this group showing no impairment. There was no additional significant effect of duration of deprivation beyond the 6-month cutoff, and few other predictors explained outcome. The pattern of normality/impairment was mainly established by 6 years of age, with considerable continuity at the individual level between 6 and 11 years. The findings are discussed in terms of the possibility of a sensitive period for development. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Influence and adjustment goals: Sources of cultural differences in ideal affect.

Previous studies have found that in American culture high-arousal positive states (HAP) such as excitement are valued more and low-arousal positive states (LAP) such as calm are valued less than they are in Chinese culture. What specific factors account for these differences? The authors predicted that when people and cultures aimed to influence others (i.e., assert personal needs and change others' behaviors to meet those needs), they would value HAP more and LAP less than when they aimed to adjust to others (i.e., suppress personal needs and change their own behaviors to meet others' needs). They test these predictions in 1 survey and 3 experimental studies. The findings suggest that within and across American and Chinese contexts, differences in ideal affect are due to specific interpersonal goals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Anti-oxidant activity and mechanism of action of trans-resveratrol in different lipid systems

The anti-oxidative properties of trans -resveratrol were studied in the concentration range 0.02–0.20% (8.8 × 10⁻⁴–8.8 × 10⁻³  M ) during autoxidation of pure triacylglycerols of lard (TGL) and of pure triacylglycerols of sunflower oil (TGSO), as well as of commercial sunflower oil at 100 °C. In sunflower oil trans -resveratrol showed no anti-oxidative activity. In pure lipid systems trans -resveratrol considerably retarded the oxidation process, the effect being stronger in the less oxidizable substrate (TGL). The effectiveness (stabilization factor F ), strength (oxidation rate ratio, ORR) and activity ( A = F /ORR) of the different anti-oxidant concentrations were determined. The activity A was found to increase dose dependency as follows: A =3750–15425 for TGL, A =79–207 for TGSO. The participation of trans -resveratrol in the side reactions of inhibited oxidation was discussed.     

A new amperometric biosensor for fructose determination based on epoxy-graphite-TTF-TCNQ-FDH-biocomposite

In this work a novel amperometric biosensor for fructose determination in solutions was developed. The device was constructed by the incorporation of a tetrathiofulvalene-tetracyanoquinodimethane organic conducting salt and fructose dehydrogenase enzyme, include in a polymeric matrix of epoxy resin and graphite powder. Because of the electrocatalytic function of the salt, the direct transfer of the electron between the reduced prosthetic group (PQQH₂) of the enzyme and the transducing material, was verified at a low working potential (150 mV vs. Ag/AgCl), where the interfering reactions were minimized. The response time at 90% of the steady state value was less than 20 s. The current response was directly proportional to the D-fructose concentration from 0.01 to 0.3 mmol/l with a detection limit of 0.005 mmol/l (signal/noise of 3) and a sensitivity of 1.9985 μA/mmol. The biosensor sensitivity diminishes when its surface is not polished between successive determinations, and remains constant (rsd=1.85, n=10) when the surface is polished between determinations. The effects of temperature and pH on the biosensor response were studied and analyzed; also the properties of the enzyme (Km _ap, I _max, Q₁₀) were determinate in this work. The biosensor was used to determine fructose in high fructose syrups and there were not significant differences between these results and those obtained by HPLC (p≤0.05). During 4 months, in intermittent determinations the biosensor kept 100% of its original sensitivity and after 18 months stored at 4°C, it only lost 32% of its sensitivity. The simplicity, low working potential, high stability and good performance of this biosensor shows a great potential for its use in the fructose determination.     

Connecting the dots: Understanding the interrelated impacts of type,quality and children's awareness of design features and the mathematics content learning goals in digital math games and related learning outcomes

This study focused on an examination of how type, quality and children's awareness of design features in digital math games, along with an awareness of the mathematics goals of the game, were related to learning outcomes. We conducted a parallel conversion mixed methods study with 45 students in Grades 3 and 4 (ages 9–10). Students participated in clinical interviews using three digital math games. The results suggest a moderated mediation relationship in which the quality of the design features moderated the mediating impact of children's awareness of the game's design features, specifically when the child was aware of the mathematics content learning goal (MCLG) of the game. These findings show how important it is that design features are of high quality in a digital math game, and how this is intertwined with children's awareness of the features and the MCLG. When these variables intertwined in just the right way, the interactions between the children and the digital math game afforded mathematical learning growth.