In this study, we presented an AISID method extending AlphaFold-Multimer’s success in structure prediction towards identifying specific protein interactions with an optimized AISIDscore. The method ...was tested to identify the binding proteins in 18 human TNFSF (Tumor Necrosis Factor superfamily) members for each of 27 human TNFRSF (TNF receptor superfamily) members. For each TNFRSF member, we ranked the AISIDscore among the 18 TNFSF members. The correct pairing resulted in the highest AISIDscore for 13 out of 24 TNFRSF members which have known interactions with TNFSF members. Out of the 33 correct pairing between TNFSF and TNFRSF members, 28 pairs could be found in the top five (including 25 pairs in the top three) seats in the AISIDscore ranking. Surprisingly, the specific interactions between TNFSF10 (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, TRAIL) and its decoy receptors DcR1 and DcR2 gave the highest AISIDscore in the list, while the structures of DcR1 and DcR2 are unknown. The data strongly suggests that AlphaFold-Multimer might be a useful computational screening tool to find novel specific protein bindings. This AISID method may have broad applications in protein biochemistry, extending the application of AlphaFold far beyond structure predictions.
In this study, we present a Holocene rainfall index based on three high‐resolution speleothem records from the Western Mediterranean, a region under the influence of the westerly winds belt modulated ...by the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). On centennial to millennial timescales, we show that the North Atlantic ice‐rafting events were likely associated with negative NAO‐like conditions during the Early Holocene and the Late Holocene. However, our data reveal that this is not clearly the case for the mid‐Holocene ice‐rafting events, during which we also show evidence of positive NAO‐like patterns from other paleo‐oceanographic and paleo‐atmospheric data. Hence, contradictory mechanisms involving prolonged periods of both north and south shifts of the westerly winds belt (resembling positive and negative NAO‐like patterns) might at least partially trigger or amplify the ice‐rafting events and the slowdown of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation.
Plain Language Summary
During the Holocene, periods of enhanced ice‐rafting, associated with cooling and sea ice expansion in the North Atlantic high latitudes, have been recognized over distant regions. While the causes of these events are still a matter of debate, changes in the atmospheric circulation have been proposed as a potential trigger or amplifier. Here, we use speleothems to establish a precisely dated record of rainfall variability in the Western Mediterranean, a highly sensitive region to the westerly winds belt modulated by the North Atlantic Oscillation. Our results reveal new insights about the dynamics of NAO‐like patterns during the Holocene. On centennial to millennial timescales, prolonged periods of both north and south shifts of the westerly winds belt might trigger or amplify the slowdown of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation and the North Atlantic ice‐rafting. However, not all ice‐rafting events are associated with either positive or negative NAO‐like conditions.
Key Points
A high‐resolution multi‐speleothem rainfall index describes the Holocene rainfall variability in the Western Mediterranean
On centennial to millennial scales, negative NAO‐like conditions were likely associated with the Early and Late Holocene ice‐rafting events
Different mechanisms involving north and south shifts of the westerly winds belt might contribute to ice‐rafting and the AMOC slowdown
In this paper, we present a minimum spanning tree (MST)-based algorithm, called local minimum spanning tree (LMST), for topology control in wireless multihop networks. In this algorithm, each node ...builds its LMST independently and only keeps on-tree nodes that are one-hop away as its neighbors in the final topology. We analytically prove several important properties of LMST: 1) the topology derived under LMST preserves the network connectivity; 2) the node degree of any node in the resulting topology is bounded by 6; and 3) the topology can be transformed into one with bidirectional links (without impairing the network connectivity) after removal of all unidirectional links. Simulation results show that LMST can increase the network capacity as well as reduce the energy consumption.
Objective: 10-50% of college students meet the diagnostic criteria for one or more mental illnesses; unfortunately, less than half seek treatment. This study assessed the predictive power of specific ...variables on students' use of on-campus mental health resources using the American College Health Association's National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA) II. Participants: Respondents included undergraduate and graduate students ages 18-35 years (n = 96,121). Methods: We analyzed data from the ACHA-NCHA II Fall 2014 and Spring 2015. Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use enabled selection of predisposing, enabling, and need predictor variables; these were analyzed individually and collectively. Results: Predisposing, enabling, and need variables accounted for 9%, 2.3%, and 17% of the overall variance. Significant variables associated with a student's decision to access on-campus mental health services accounted for 23% of variance total. Conclusions: This insight could allow universities to better recognize students at-risk for needing but not accessing mental health services.
Labile carbon is the fraction of soil organic carbon with most rapid turnover times and its oxidation drives the flux of CO
2 between soils and atmosphere. Available chemical and physical ...fractionation methods for estimating soil labile organic carbon are indirect and lack a clear biological definition. We have modified the well-established Jenkinson and Powlson's fumigation–incubation technique to estimate soil labile organic carbon using a sequential fumigation–incubation procedure. We define soil labile organic carbon as the fraction of soil organic carbon degradable during microbial growth, assuming that labile organic carbon oxidizes according to a simple negative exponential model. We used five mineral soils and a forest Oa horizon to represent a wide range of organic carbon levels. Soil labile organic carbon varied from 0.8
mg/g in an Entisol to 17.3
mg/g in the Oa materials. Potential turnover time ranged from 24 days in an Alfisol to 102 days in an Ultisol. Soil labile organic carbon contributed from 4.8% in the Alfisol to 11.1% in the Ultisol to the total organic carbon. This new procedure is a relatively easy and simple method for obtaining indices for both the pool sizes and potential turnover rates of soil labile organic carbon and provides a new approach to studying soil organic carbon.
Cognizant of the research gap in the theorization of mobile learning, this paper conceptually explores how the theories and methodology of self‐regulated learning (SRL), an active area in ...contemporary educational psychology, are inherently suited to address the issues originating from the defining characteristics of mobile learning: enabling student‐centred, personal, and ubiquitous learning. These characteristics provide some of the conditions for learners to learn anywhere and anytime, and thus, entail learners to be motivated and to be able to self‐regulate their own learning. We propose an analytic SRL model of mobile learning as a conceptual framework for understanding mobile learning, in which the notion of self‐regulation as agency is at the core. The rationale behind this model is built on our recognition of the challenges in the current conceptualization of the mechanisms and processes of mobile learning, and the inherent relationship between mobile learning and SRL. We draw on work in a 3‐year research project in developing and implementing a mobile learning environment in elementary science classes in Singapore to illustrate the application of SRL theories and methodology to understand and analyse mobile learning.
ABC transporters, which comprise one of the largest protein families, are involved in maintaining osmotic homeostasis, nutrient uptake, pathogen resistance, and metal tolerance. In this study, 30
ABC
...genes in dwarf polish wheat were characterized and classified into seven subfamilies (ABCA - ABCG). Among them, 24 ABC transporters were newly found in wheat. The expressions of 13
ABC
genes in roots and leaves under six metal stresses were also analyzed. All these genes were differentially regulated by Cd (except
ABCE2
,
ABCF4
, and
ABCF6
in roots), suggesting that these genes participate in Cd transport, sequestration, or uptake. These genes were also differentially regulated by other metals including Cu, Mg, Zn, Fe, and Ni. Results suggest that the expressions of ABC transporters in dwarf polish wheat played important roles in metal transport and detoxification.
•The carbonation resistance of fly ash (FA) & blast furnace slag (BFS)-based geopolymer (GP) concrete were investigated in detail by theoretical analysis and the accelerated carbonation ...test.•Carbonation rates of the ambient cured GP concrete and GP mortar were modeled by power functions.•The influencing factors of carbonation rate of GP concrete were clarified, including retarder addition, BFS’s ratio and fineness, NaOH content, and curing temperature, etc.•The relationship between carbonation resistance and compressive strength of GP concrete was discussed.
For putting geopolymer (GP) to practical use in reinforced concrete, the carbonation resistance of GP concrete should be clarified. In this study, the carbonation depths of various GP concrete and GP mortar, of which the aluminosilicate materials were fly ash (FA) and ground blast furnace slag (BFS), were measured by the accelerated carbonation test at different elapsed times. The relationship between the carbonation depth and the elapsed time were further examined based on the experimental results and by theoretical analysis. A root function was proposed to describe the carbonation rate of FA&BFS-based GP concrete. Finally, the influencing factors of carbonation resistance of FA&BFS-based GP concrete were discussed through a comparison of carbonation rate coefficients. It is mainly concluded that the carbonation resistance of FA&BFS-based GP concrete cured at room temperature is lower than usual concrete using Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). The carbonation resistance increases with the increase of BFS ratio in active fillers (AF), NaOH content in active activator solution (AS), and BFS fineness, or with the decrease of AS/AF ratio, and water/AF ratio. Moreover, heat curing and the use of the retarder are benefit to the carbonation resistance of FA&BFS-based GP concrete.
Highlights • MEM treatment increased endogenous NGF level in APP/PS1 mice. • NGF/TrkA signaling is activated after MEM treatment, accompanied with the inhibition of p75NTR signaling. • Our research ...revealed a new NGF-related mechanism of MEM for improving cognitive deficits and amyloidosis. • The new mechanism suggests that NGF signaling is a potential target of MEM treatment for AD therapy.
ObjectiveThis study examined factors associated with mental health service utilization among African-American emerging adults, specifically, when services were used (recency) and the types of ...providers visited (mental health versus non–mental health).MethodsGuided by the behavioral model for vulnerable populations, secondary analysis of responses to the National Survey of American Life (2001–2003) was conducted. A nationally representative sample of African-American emerging adults, ages 18–29 (N=806), were assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. “Evaluated need” was determined by endorsement of mood, anxiety, substance use, or impulse control diagnoses. Respondents who reported a need for services for emotional or substance use problems were considered to have a “perceived need.” Those who reported voluntary use of mental health or general medical services to address these problems were considered to have utilized services.ResultsTwenty-five percent of the sample utilized services in their lifetime, whereas 9% utilized services in the past 12 months. Females were more likely than males to utilize services in three of the four service use categories (lifetime, mental health sector, and non–mental health sector). Respondents with an evaluated need for services were two to 12 times more likely to have used services compared with those without a need for them.ConclusionsLittle is known about why African-American emerging adults underutilize mental health services. Being female and having an evaluated need for services were associated with greater odds of service use, which would suggest the need for additional examination of gender differences in service utilization and greater mental health outreach and education among African-American males.
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