The
genome encodes more than 50 proteins predicted to be involved in c-di-GMP signaling. Here, we demonstrated that, tested across 188 nutrients, these enzymes and effectors appeared capable of ...impacting biofilm formation. Transcriptional analysis of network members across ∼50 nutrient conditions indicates that altered gene expression can explain a subset of but not all biofilm formation responses to the nutrients. Additional organization of the network is likely achieved through physical interaction, as determined via probing ∼2,000 interactions by bacterial two-hybrid assays. Our analysis revealed a multimodal regulatory strategy using combinations of ligand-mediated signals, protein-protein interaction, and/or transcriptional regulation to fine-tune c-di-GMP-mediated responses. These results create a profile of a large c-di-GMP network that is used to make important cellular decisions, opening the door to future model building and the ability to engineer this complex circuitry in other bacteria.
Cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) is a key signaling molecule regulating bacterial biofilm formation, and many microbes have up to dozens of proteins that make, break, or bind this dinucleotide. A major open issue in the field is how signaling specificity is conferred in the unpartitioned space of a bacterial cell. Here, we took a systems approach, using mutational analysis, transcriptional studies, and bacterial two-hybrid analysis to interrogate this network. We found that a majority of enzymes are capable of impacting biofilm formation in a context-dependent manner, and we revealed examples of two or more modes of regulation (i.e., transcriptional control with protein-protein interaction) being utilized to generate an observable impact on biofilm formation.
The effect of two travel speeds on thin Ti-6Al-4V buildups produced by Laser Wire Deposition (LWD) has been investigated. A travel speed set at 1.4 mm/s promoted recrystallization of columnar prior β ...grains into horizontal prior β grains. It was associated with lower strength hardly meeting minimum wrought requirements as set by the AMS4911. On the other hand, it was shown that by increasing the travel speed to 7.2 mm/s, sufficiently high cooling rates are occurring creating a fine α + β basket weave structure, while no recrystallization of the prior β grains has been observed. Tensile properties were improved with strength consistently exceeding minimum wrought requirements. An additional stress relief cycle preserved the effect of deposition parameters on material properties. A strong anisotropy in elongation was associated with the slower travel speed where higher values were derived along the Z direction. While the faster travel speed exhibited isotropic properties. Strengthening of the deposits has been observed following a stress relief cycle.
The movement ecology of fishes Cooke, Steven J.; Bergman, Jordanna N.; Twardek, William M. ...
Journal of fish biology,
October 2022, 2022-10-00, 20221001, Letnik:
101, Številka:
4
Journal Article
Recenzirano
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Movement of fishes in the aquatic realm is fundamental to their ecology and survival. Movement can be driven by a variety of biological, physiological and environmental factors occurring across all ...spatial and temporal scales. The intrinsic capacity of movement to impact fish individually (e.g., foraging) with potential knock‐on effects throughout the ecosystem (e.g., food web dynamics) has garnered considerable interest in the field of movement ecology. The advancement of technology in recent decades, in combination with ever‐growing threats to freshwater and marine systems, has further spurred empirical research and theoretical considerations. Given the rapid expansion within the field of movement ecology and its significant role in informing management and conservation efforts, a contemporary and multidisciplinary review about the various components influencing movement is outstanding. Using an established conceptual framework for movement ecology as a guide (i.e., Nathan et al., 2008: 19052), we synthesized the environmental and individual factors that affect the movement of fishes. Specifically, internal (e.g., energy acquisition, endocrinology, and homeostasis) and external (biotic and abiotic) environmental elements are discussed, as well as the different processes that influence individual‐level (or population) decisions, such as navigation cues, motion capacity, propagation characteristics and group behaviours. In addition to environmental drivers and individual movement factors, we also explored how associated strategies help survival by optimizing physiological and other biological states. Next, we identified how movement ecology is increasingly being incorporated into management and conservation by highlighting the inherent benefits that spatio‐temporal fish behaviour imbues into policy, regulatory, and remediation planning. Finally, we considered the future of movement ecology by evaluating ongoing technological innovations and both the challenges and opportunities that these advancements create for scientists and managers. As aquatic ecosystems continue to face alarming climate (and other human‐driven) issues that impact animal movements, the comprehensive and multidisciplinary assessment of movement ecology will be instrumental in developing plans to guide research and promote sustainability measures for aquatic resources.
Swimming Biomechanics and Injury Prevention James N. Johnson, MD Jason Gauvin, PT, ATC Michael Fredericson, MD
The Physician and sportsmedicine,
01/2003, Letnik:
31, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Shoulder injuries are common in swimmers of all ages and abilities. Advances in the understanding of biomechanics help identify and correct stroke flaws to prevent shoulder injury. Physicians can ...demonstrate correct pull patterns and body alignment in an office setting, and proper coaching can help correct mistakes made in the water. If injury occurs, swimmers can employ rehabilitation techniques, including preventive scapular stabilization exercises, to prevent recurrence. The treating physician and physical therapist who understand stroke technique and prevention concepts may help decrease the incidence of swimming-related shoulder injuries.
Hydroxyapatite (HA, Ca5(PO4)3OH) is the main inorganic component of hard tissues, such as bone and dentine. HA nucleation involves a set of negatively charged phosphorylated proteins known as ...non-collagenous proteins (NCPs). These proteins attract Ca2+ and PO43− ions and increase the local supersaturation to a level required for HA precipitation. Polar and charged amino acids (AAs) are highly expressed in NCPs, and seem to be responsible for the mineralizing effect of NCPs; however, the individual effect of these AAs on HA mineralization is still unclear. In this work, we investigate the effect of a negatively charged (Glu) and positively charged (Arg) AA bound to carboxylated graphene oxide (CGO) on HA mineralization in simulated body fluids (SBF). Our results show that Arg induces HA precipitation faster and in larger amounts than Glu. We attribute this to the higher stability of the complexes formed between Arg and Ca2+ and PO43− ions, and also to the fact that Arg exposes both carboxyl and amino groups on the surface. These can electrostatically attract both Ca2+ and PO43− ions, thus increasing local supersaturation more than Glu, which exposes carboxyl groups only.
Single crystalline austenitic stainless steel struts with a diameter of 250 μm were successfully fabricated using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). The struts exhibited a strong 〈110〉 texture parallel ...to the building direction (BD). Excellent strength-ductility combination was achieved for the struts, which is attributed to the strengthening of the fine cellular sub-grains and the twinning-induce plasticity (TWIP) effect. After deformation, dynamic recrystallization (DRX) was observed and its presence is closely related to the unique microstructure of the single crystalline struts.
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Deliberative dialogues have recently captured attention in the public health policy arena because they have the potential to address several key factors that influence the use of research evidence in ...policymaking. We conducted an evaluation of three deliberative dialogues convened in Canada by the National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy in order to learn more about deliberative dialogues focussed on healthy public policy.
The evaluation included a formative assessment of participants' views about and experiences with ten key design features of the dialogues, and a summative assessment of participants' intention to use research evidence of the type that was discussed at the dialogue. We surveyed participants immediately after each dialogue was completed and again six months later. We analyzed the ratings using descriptive statistics and the written comments by conducting a thematic analysis.
A total of 31 individuals participated in the three deliberative dialogues that we evaluated. The response rate was 94% (N = 29; policymakers (n = 9), stakeholders (n = 18), researchers (n = 2)) for the initial survey and 56% (n = 14) for the follow-up. All 10 of the design features that we examined as part of the formative evaluation were rated favourably by all participant groups. The findings of the summative evaluation demonstrated a mean behavioural intention score of 5.8 on a scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree).
Our findings reinforce the promise of deliberative dialogues as a strategy for supporting evidence-informed public health policies. Additional work is needed to understand more about which design elements work in which situations and for different issues, and whether intention to use research evidence is a suitable substitute for measuring actual behaviour change.
Objective
Public deliberations are an increasingly popular tool to engage citizens in the development of health policies and programmes. However, limited research has been conducted on how to best ...synthesize and summarize information on health policy issues for citizens. To begin to address this gap, our aim was to map the literature on the preparation of information to support informed citizen deliberations related to health policy issues.
Methods
We conducted a scoping review where two reviewers screened the results of electronic database searches, grey literature searches and hand searches of organizational websites to identify empirical studies, scholarly commentaries, and publicly available organizational documents focused on synthesizing and summarizing information to inform citizen deliberation about health policy issues. Two reviewers categorized each included document according to themes/topics of deliberation, purpose of deliberation and the form of deliberation, and developed a summary of the key findings related to synthesizing and summarizing information to support informed citizen deliberations.
Results
There was limited reporting about whether and how information was synthesized. Evidence was typically organized based on the source used (e.g. by comparing the views of stakeholders or experts) or according to the areas that policymakers need to consider when making decisions (e.g. benefits, harms, costs and stakeholder perspectives related to policy options). Information was presented primarily through written materials (e.g. briefs and brochures), audiovisual resources (e.g. videos or presentations from stakeholders), but some interactive presentation approaches were also identified (e.g. through interactive arts-based approaches).
Conclusions
The choice and framing of information to inform citizen deliberations about health policy can strongly influence their understanding of a policy issue, and has the potential to impact the discussions and recommendations that emerge from deliberations. Our review confirmed that there remains a dearth of literature describing methods of the preparation of information to inform citizen deliberations about health policy issues. This highlights the need for further exploration of optimal strategies for citizen-friendly approaches to synthesizing and summarizing information for deliberations.
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