Transcription factors (TFs) regulate gene expression through binding to cis- regulatory specific sequences in the promoters of their target genes. In contrast to the genetic code, the transcriptional ...regulatory code is far from being deciphered and is determined by sequence specificity of TFs, combinatorial cooperation between TFs and chromatin competence. Here we addressed one of these determinants by characterizing the target sequence specificity of 63 plant TFs representing 25 families, using protein-binding microarrays. Remarkably, almost half of these TFs recognized secondary motifs, which in some cases were completely unrelated to the primary element. Analyses of coregulated genes and transcriptomic data from TFs mutants showed the functional significance of over 80% of all identified sequences and of at least one target sequence per TF. Moreover, combining the target sequence information with coexpression analysis we could predict the function of a TF as activator or repressor through a particular DNA sequence. Our data support the correlation between cis- regulatory elements and the sequence determined in vitro using the protein-binding microarray and provides a framework to explore regulatory networks in plants.
Tropical forest diversity is simultaneously threatened by habitat loss and exploitation for wildlife trade. Quantitative conservation assessments have previously considered these threats separately, ...yet their impacts frequently act together. We integrate forest extent maps in 2000 and 2015 with a method of quantifying exploitation pressure based upon a species' commercial value and forest accessibility. We do so for 308 forest-dependent bird species, of which 77 are commercially traded, in the Southeast Asian biodiversity hotspot of Sundaland. We find 89% (274) of species experienced average habitat losses of 16% and estimate exploitation led to mean population declines of 37%. Assessing the combined impacts of deforestation and exploitation indicates the average losses of exploited species are much higher (54%), nearly doubling the regionally endemic species (from 27 to 51) threatened with extinction that should be IUCN Red Listed. Combined assessment of major threats is vital to accurately quantify biodiversity loss.
Big data have the potential to improve nonmarket valuation, but their application has been scarce. To test this potential, we apply mobile phone data to the zonal travel cost method and measure ...recreational ecosystem services from Bukit Timah (representing an urban protected area) and Jurong Lake Gardens (an urban recreational park) in Singapore. The study results show that the annual recreational benefits of the recreational park (S$54,698,761 to S$66,805,454) outweighed the benefits of the protected area (S$6,947,974 to S$9,068,027). The count data structure reduced the flexibility of the mobile phone data application. Compared to survey data, however, mobile phone data could prevent random errors and visitor memory biases; monitor impacts of site quality changes over time; count visitors from multiple entrances; and be cost-efficient. Overall, these results highlight the potential of mobile phone data application to improve travel cost analysis.
•We apply mobile phone data to the zonal travel cost method in Singapore.•The study results revealed recreational benefits of urban parks and a protected area.•The count data structure limited the flexibility of the mobile phone data application.•Compared to surveys, however, these data still offer advantages for the travel cost method.
Mobile phone big data can offer new opportunities for identifying weather impacts on recreational ecosystem services in protected areas. This could be useful to assess how climate change could affect ...recreational ecosystem services. To explore these opportunities, we utilize mobile phone data and examine impacts of tropical weather (temperature, rainfall, and wind) and holidays on visitor numbers and stay time in an urban protected area in Singapore. These impacts were analyzed by visitors' home regions and ethnic groups as well. The study results showed that rising temperatures below 31.7 °C had positive impacts on visitor numbers, in contrast to the common perception that cooler temperatures would be always preferred for outdoor activities in a tropical region. Meanwhile, these rising temperatures reduced visitor stay time in the protected area. Rain and wind had limited impacts on visitors. Compared to the weather variables, holidays had bigger impacts on visitors, particularly the Chinese group and those visitors living not close to the protected area. The study results highlight several advantages of mobile phone data application to analyzing weather impacts on public use of urban protected areas.
Modeling count and binary data collected in hierarchical designs have increased the use of Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) in medicine. This article presents a systematic review of the ...application and quality of results and information reported from GLMMs in the field of clinical medicine.
A search using the Web of Science database was performed for published original articles in medical journals from 2000 to 2012. The search strategy included the topic "generalized linear mixed models","hierarchical generalized linear models", "multilevel generalized linear model" and as a research domain we refined by science technology. Papers reporting methodological considerations without application, and those that were not involved in clinical medicine or written in English were excluded.
A total of 443 articles were detected, with an increase over time in the number of articles. In total, 108 articles fit the inclusion criteria. Of these, 54.6% were declared to be longitudinal studies, whereas 58.3% and 26.9% were defined as repeated measurements and multilevel design, respectively. Twenty-two articles belonged to environmental and occupational public health, 10 articles to clinical neurology, 8 to oncology, and 7 to infectious diseases and pediatrics. The distribution of the response variable was reported in 88% of the articles, predominantly Binomial (n = 64) or Poisson (n = 22). Most of the useful information about GLMMs was not reported in most cases. Variance estimates of random effects were described in only 8 articles (9.2%). The model validation, the method of covariate selection and the method of goodness of fit were only reported in 8.0%, 36.8% and 14.9% of the articles, respectively.
During recent years, the use of GLMMs in medical literature has increased to take into account the correlation of data when modeling qualitative data or counts. According to the current recommendations, the quality of reporting has room for improvement regarding the characteristics of the analysis, estimation method, validation, and selection of the model.
Display omitted
During recent years, Mg reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) composites have emerged as potential biocompatible and bioabsorbable materials for biomedical applications. It has been shown ...that Mg particles added to a matrix based on a biodegradable polymer can address the lack of bioactivity and the low mechanical properties of the polymers and, furthermore, it can counteract the detrimental effects associated to the high degradation rate of Mg, as alkalinization and elevated H2 release. Additionally, the polymer can protect the Mg particles, by tailoring their degradation rate. Former processing of these composites performed by extrusion, compression and injection molding employed Mg contents up to 10 wt%. Higher amounts of Mg resulted in heterogeneous materials and thermally degraded matrices, with the corresponding higher degradation rate. In the present work, Mg reinforced PLA films with Mg content as high as 50 wt% were obtained without compromising the thermal stability of the polymer. Firstly, a successful dispersion of Mg microparticles was achieved by a breakthrough in processing introducing a colloidal step where organic additives were added to modify the Mg particle surface and promote a chemically stable suspension. The resulting colloidal suspension was then used as feedstock to obtain composite films by tape casting. The films show advantageous in vitro behaviour in terms of degradation, hydrogen release and oxygen permeability. In addition, the viability with fibroblast cells (MEF) opens a window of opportunity for these composite films as bioabsorbable material for tissue engineering and wound dressing applications.
Magnesium materials have extraordinary biodegradable properties and bioactive behavior due to release of Mg2+ ions, which offer a promising opportunity for their applicability as biomaterials for tissue regeneration. However, Mg is one of the most reactive metals with a high degradation rate. In contact with water produces H2, associated with a risk of failure of the implant. One alternative to minimize this drawback is the use of Mg particles surrounded by a biodegradable biocompatible polymer such as polylactic acid (PLA) to obtain PLA/Mg composites. In this work we processed Mg reinforced PLA in the shape of films that would be suitable for tissue regeneration. In vitro behavior of PLA/Mg films demonstrated that Mg2+ ions increase the fibroblast cells growth.
Abstract
Repeatability involves the assessment of the agreement among repeated measurements from the same cluster of subjects, and this concept has been widely used in different scientific fields ...when data is structured in clusters. In the context of spatial trajectories, a degree of repeatability implies that individual trips can be distinguished from those of other individuals.
Repeatability is usually assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), which is defined as the proportion of the total variance accounted for by among‐subject variability. However, where data are spatial trajectories the common approach to estimate the ICC does not apply because data involves sets of ordered spatial locations rather than single values.
In this work, a novel approach based on spatial distances is proposed to estimate the ICC to assess the repeatability of spatial trajectories. The methodology is illustrated with a real case example of the flight trajectories of 36 Audouin's gulls (
Ichthyaetus audouinii
) moving through a heterogeneous landscape over a period of 18 days. Additionally, simulations were used to evaluate the performance of the approach under various scenarios.
I demonstrate that ICC can be estimated on complex, spatially ordered data such as spatial trajectories, when using the appropriate spatial distance.
Converting construction and demolition waste (CDW) into secondary raw materials is one of the priorities of environmental policy and circular economy strategy. This study analysed the variation in ...eco-efficient paste reactivity with OPC replacement ratio (5% to 10%) and hydration time (2 d, 28 d and 90 d). Three types of CDW were explored: two (calcareous and siliceous) consisting of fine (<5 mm) concrete waste and one in laminated glass (<40 mm). Further to the mineralogical phases identified at the aforementioned percentages, the four materials, i.e., the three types of CDW-blended cements and the OPC reference, were similarly reactive. The primary hydration products, C-S-H gels, C4AH13 and C4AcH11, ettringite and portlandite, were the same as observed in OPC hydration. These findings attest to the scientific viability recycling such CDWs as mineral additions in eco-cement manufacture and consequently eliminating the need for stockpiling these materials at recycling/storage plants.
Analysing the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in conservation landscapes can provide crucial information for conservation management. While rates of forest loss can be measured ...through remote sensing, on the ground information is needed to confirm the commodities and actors behind deforestation. We administered a questionnaire to Wildlife Conservation Society’s landscape managers to assess the deforestation drivers in 28 tropical conservation landscapes. Commercial and subsistence agriculture were the main drivers of deforestation, followed by settlement expansion and infrastructure development. Rice, rubber, cassava and maize were the crops most frequently cited as drivers of deforestation in these emblematic conservation landscapes. Landscape managers expected deforestation trends to continue at similar or greater magnitude in the future, calling for urgent measures to mitigate these trends.
Early-age hydration with neutral or alkaline (0 M to 8 M) solutions was studied in calcium sulfoaluminate clinker (CSA) using isothermal conduction calorimetry, X-ray diffraction (both continuous and ...discontinuous, i.e., after detaining hydration with isopropanol) and infrared spectroscopy. Hydration in 0.1 M NaOH was observed to be similar to hydration in water. At the next highest concentration studied (1 M), however, the reaction rate was slower, due primarily to lower AFt stability in that medium. Faster hydration but less total heat was observed in the pastes hydrated with 2 M NaOH, a finding associated with the presence of a metastable compound, U-phase, that subsequently transitioned to AFt, C3AH6 and thenardite. Hydration with highly alkaline (4 M and 8 M) solutions inhibited AFt formation completely, although ye'elimite reacted more vigorously (particularly with 8 M NaOH) to form katoite, AH3 and thenardite.
•Effect of alkalinity in the early hydration of a calcium sulfoaluminate clinker (KCSA).•Isothermal conduction calorimetry correlation with continuous and discontinuous XRD.•The initial reaction of KCSA whit 1 M, 2 M or 4 M NaOH is slower than with water.•The initial reaction of KCSA with 8 M NaOH is faster but AFt is not formed.
PDF
