In the last two decades, neuroscience studies have suggested that various psychological phenomena are produced by predictive processes in the brain. When considered together, these studies form a ...coherent, neurobiologically inspired program for guiding psychological research about the mind and behavior. In this article, we consider the common assumptions and hypotheses that unify an emerging framework and discuss the ramifications of such a framework, both for improving the replicability and robustness of psychological research and for renewing psychological theory by suggesting an alternative ontology of the human mind.
Measuring metabolic rate (MR) poses a formidable challenge in free-flying insects who cannot breathe into masks or be trained to fly in controlled settings. Consequently, flight MR has been ...predominantly measured on hovering or tethered insects flying in closed systems. Stable isotopes such as labelled water allow measurement of MR in free-flying animals but integrates the measurement over long periods exceeding the average flight duration of insects. Here, we applied the ‘bolus injection of isotopic
13
C Na-bicarbonate’ method to insects to measure their flight MR and report a 90% accuracy compared to respirometry. We applied the method on two beetle species, measuring MR during free flight and tethered flight in a wind tunnel. We also demonstrate the ability to repeatedly use the technique on the same individual. Therefore, the method provides a simple, reliable and accurate tool that solves a long-lasting limitation on insect flight research by enabling the measurement of MR during free flight.
Abstract
Aims
Cardiac energetic impairment is a major finding in takotsubo patients. We investigate specific metabolic adaptations to direct future therapies.
Methods and results
An ...isoprenaline-injection female rat model (vs. sham) was studied at Day 3; recovery assessed at Day 7. Substrate uptake, metabolism, inflammation, and remodelling were investigated by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography, metabolomics, quantitative PCR, and western blot (WB). Isolated cardiomyocytes were patch-clamped during stress protocols for redox states of NAD(P)H/FAD or Ca2+c, Ca2+m, and sarcomere length. Mitochondrial respiration was assessed by seahorse/Clark electrode (glycolytic and β-oxidation substrates). Cardiac 18F-FDG metabolic rate was increased in takotsubo (P = 0.006), as was the expression of GLUT4-RNA/GLUT1/HK2-RNA and HK activity (all P < 0.05), with concomitant accumulation of glucose- and fructose-6-phosphates (P > 0.0001). Both lactate and pyruvate were lower (P < 0.05) despite increases in LDH-RNA and PDH (P < 0.05 both). β-Oxidation enzymes CPT1b-RNA and 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase were increased (P < 0.01) but malonyl-CoA (CPT-1 regulator) was upregulated (P = 0.01) with decreased fatty acids and acyl-carnitines levels (P = 0.0001–0.02). Krebs cycle intermediates α-ketoglutarate and succinyl-carnitine were reduced (P < 0.05) as was cellular ATP reporter dihydroorotate (P = 0.003). Mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake during high workload was impaired on Day 3 (P < 0.0001), inducing the oxidation of NAD(P)H and FAD (P = 0.03) but resolved by Day 7. There were no differences in mitochondrial respiratory function, sarcomere shortening, or Ca2+ transients of isolated cardiomyocytes, implying preserved integrity of both mitochondria and cardiomyocyte. Inflammation and remodelling were upregulated—increased CD68-RNA, collagen RNA/protein, and skeletal actin RNA (all P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Dysregulation of glucose and lipid metabolic pathways with decreases in final glycolytic and β-oxidation metabolites and reduced availability of Krebs intermediates characterizes takotsubo myocardium. The energetic deficit accompanies defective Ca2+ handling, inflammation, and upregulation of remodelling pathways, with the preservation of sarcomeric and mitochondrial integrity.
Graphical Abstract
Graphical Abstract
The current life of Europe and the world differs significantly from the past. Strong restrictions are imposed on the release of carbon emissions into the atmosphere. European politicians widely ...proclaim the ideas of a green transition which must lead to a carbon-neutral European economy. In this transition, scientific and research centres will play an important role. Trakia University has specialists with broad and varied expertise. This factor may exercise a significant influence on the green transition. The aim of the present report is to analyze the structure of the regional economy in the region of Stara Zagora and on this basis to present the potential solutions which Trakia University may offer at a local and national level.
Members of the mitochondrial carrier family (SLC25) provide the transport steps for amino acids, carboxylic acids, fatty acids, cofactors, inorganic ions, and nucleotides across the mitochondrial ...inner membrane and are crucial for many cellular processes. Here, we use new insights into the transport mechanism of the mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier to examine the structure and function of other mitochondrial carriers. They all have a single substrate-binding site and two gates, which are present on either side of the membrane and involve salt-bridge networks. Transport is likely to occur by a common mechanism, in which the coordinated movement of six structural elements leads to the alternating opening and closing of the matrix or cytoplasmic side of the carriers.
Mitochondrial carriers, belonging to the SLC25 family of transport proteins, are essential for the functioning of eukaryotes because they transport nutrients across the mitochondrial inner membrane for energy conversion and maintenance of the cell.The recently determined structure of a mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier in the inhibited matrix-state, combined with earlier structures in the inhibited cytoplasmic state, provides the first description of the transport mechanism for an SLC25 protein.Sequence elements, conserved across the mitochondrial carrier family, play important roles in the mechanism, pointing to a common transport mechanism across SLC25 proteins.Mitochondrial carriers are the most dynamic transport proteins yet characterized, undergoing large conformational changes, allowing them to transport some of the largest biochemical compounds without significant proton leak.
Basal or standard metabolic rate reflects the minimum amount of energy required to maintain body processes, while the maximum metabolic rate sets the ceiling for aerobic work. There is typically up ...to three-fold intraspecific variation in both minimal and maximal rates of metabolism, even after controlling for size, sex and age; these differences are consistent over time within a given context, but both minimal and maximal metabolic rates are plastic and can vary in response to changing environments. Here we explore the causes of intraspecific and phenotypic variation at the organ, tissue and mitochondrial levels. We highlight the growing evidence that individuals differ predictably in the flexibility of their metabolic rates and in the extent to which they can suppress minimal metabolism when food is limiting but increase the capacity for aerobic metabolism when a high work rate is beneficial. It is unclear why this intraspecific variation in metabolic flexibility persists-possibly because of trade-offs with the flexibility of other traits-but it has consequences for the ability of populations to respond to a changing world. It is clear that metabolic rates are targets of selection, but more research is needed on the fitness consequences of rates of metabolism and their plasticity at different life stages, especially in natural conditions. This article is part of the theme issue 'The role of plasticity in phenotypic adaptation to rapid environmental change'.
Industrial development with the growth, strengthening, stability, technical advancement, reliability, selection, and dynamic response of the power system is essential. Governments and companies ...invest billions of dollars in technologies to convert, harvest, rising demand, changing demand and supply patterns, efficiency, lack of analytics required for optimal energy planning, and store energy. In this scenario, artificial intelligence (AI) is starting to play a major role in the energy market. Recognizing the importance of AI, this study was conducted on seven different energetics systems and their variety of applications, including: i) electricity production; ii) power delivery; iii) electric distribution networks; iv) energy storage; v) energy saving, new energy materials, and devices; vi) energy efficiency and nanotechnology; and vii) energy policy, and economics. The main drivers are the four key techniques used in current AI technologies, including: i) fuzzy logic systems; ii) artificial neural networks; iii) genetic algorithms; and iv) expert systems. In developed countries, the power industry has started using AI to connect with smart meters, smart grids, and the Internet of Things devices. These AI technologies will lead to the improvement of efficiency, energy management, transparency, and the usage of renewable energies. In recent decades/years, new AI technology has brought significant improvements to how power system devices monitor data, communicate with the system, analyze input–output, and display data in unprecedented ways. New applications in the energy system become feasible when these new AI developments are incorporated into the energy industry. But on the contrary, much more investment is needed in global research into AI and data-driven models. In terms of power supply, AI can help utilities provide customers with renewable and affordable electricity from complex sources in a secure manner, while at the same time providing these customers with the opportunity to use their own energy more efficiently. Moreover, policy recommendations, research opportunities, and how industry 4.0 will improve sustainability have been briefly described.
•Seven different energy systems and their wide range of applications are studied.•Four key techniques, fuzzy logic systems, artificial neural networks, genetic algorithms, and expert systems, are reviewed.•AI technologies improves efficiency of energy management, usage, and transparency.•AI helps utilities provide customers with affordable energy electricity from complex sources in a secure manner.•Sustainability of industry 4.0 is described from policy recommendations and opportunities.
Dynamic environmental thermal conditions are known to affect physiological processes in ectothermic organisms that may influence movement, distribution and energetic costs. A better understanding of ...their metabolic Q10, temperature sensitivity, is needed in order to make realistic predictions about how some nearshore populations may respond to changing oceanographic conditions. Oxygen consumption was used as a proxy to measure acclimated standard metabolic rates (SMR) of the California horn shark (Heterodontus francisci) at four temperatures (14°, 16°, 20° and 22 °C) typically experienced throughout an annual cycle. Sharks were acclimated in a large holding tank at each of the desired temperatures for at least two weeks prior to the trial. All individuals tested were juveniles, ranging in size from 37 to 48 cm TL and weights of 0.41–0.94 kg. Respirometry trials ranged in length from 6 to 14 h. The estimated (±SE) resting ṀO2 (mg O2 kg−1 h−1) of the CA horn shark at each temperature treatment was 30.6 ± 3.4 (14°, n = 4), 33.9 ± 2.3 (16°, n = 10), 44.9 ± 2.4 (20°; n = 9) and 57.9 ± 2.7 (22 °C; n = 3). The metabolic Q10 of the CA horn shark from 14° to 22 °C is 2.01, providing a metric to generate predictive models to estimate minimum metabolic costs associated with changing thermal regimes and global sea temperature rise. Predictions from our model indicate during years 2012 to 2016, rising sea surface temperature associated with a strong El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event resulted in a 23% increase in minimum metabolic costs for the CA horn shark. The results from our model suggest the CA horn shark may need to adapt compensatory behaviors (e.g., behavioral thermoregulation) to cope with ENSO events and climate change.
•California Horn Sharks have an acclimated metabolic Q10 of 2.01.•High intra and inter-annual variability in estimated minimum metabolic costs.•Strong ENSO event (2015–2016) resulted in ~23% increase of minimum metabolic costs.•Energetic modeling can predict costs associated with changing ocean conditions.
The cover picture shows both X‐ray phase contrast images of gas gun impact experiments on single particle HMX as well as simulations of the experiment that have been visualized for clearer viewing. ...Both the experimental and simulational images are from the same experimental setup, materials, impact velocity, and times. Details are discussed in the article by Nicolas E. Kerschen et al. on page 447 ff.
Abstract
Ventricular pressure–volume (PV) analysis is the reference method for the study of cardiac mechanics. Advances in calibration algorithms and measuring techniques brought new perspectives for ...its application in different research and clinical settings. Simultaneous PV measurement in the heart chambers offers unique insights into mechanical cardiac efficiency. Beat to beat invasive PV monitoring can be instrumental in the understanding and management of heart failure, valvular heart disease, and mechanical cardiac support. This review focuses on intra cardiac left ventricular PV analysis principles, interpretation of signals, and potential clinical applications.
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