ALBERT

Description: Publication date: 2016 Source: Procedia Environmental Sciences, Volume 35 Author(s): Sartaj Ahmad Bhat, Jaswinder Singh, Adarsh Pal Vig The aim of present work was to assess the growth of earthworm Eisenia fetida during vermicomposting of pressmud (PM) sludge. It was mixed with cattle dung (CD) at different ratios (PM: CD) of 0:100 (PM 0 ) 25:75 (PM 25 ), 50:50 (PM 50 ), 75:25 (PM 75 ) and 100:0 (PM 100 ) under different varying weight 8.76 (PM 0 ), 7.63 (PM 25 ), 9.93 (PM 50 ), 9.90 (PM 75 ) and 10.23 g (PM 100 ). Co-composting with cattle dung helped to improve their acceptability for E. fetida and also improved physico-chemical characteristics. Best suitable mixture for highest survival, maximum weight and highest population buildup of E. fetida was determined by observing growth rate, weight, mortality, rate of cocoon production and population buildup. Minimum mortality and highest weight (77 g) of worms were observed in 25:75 (PM 25 ) mixture of PM. However, increasing percentages of wastes significantly affected the number and weight of worms. Nitrogen, phosphorus, sodium, increased from initial feed mixture to final products, while organic carbon, C:N ratio and Potassium showed an opposite trend. Heavy metals (Copper, Chromium, Iron) decreased significantly from initial except Zinc and manganese which accumulate significantly.

Description: Publication date: 2016 Source: Procedia Environmental Sciences, Volume 35 Author(s): Grace P. Sapuay Solid waste management has always been about collection and disposal of garbage. We have currently moved on to a more efficient collection and disposal by using Engineered Sanitary Landfills in the Philippines. However, with the increase in population and the consequent increase in solid waste generation, we are now running out of spaces to establish solid waste disposal facilities. A global trend in solid waste management is towards resource recovery rather than disposal of waste. Resource recovery is no longer limited to recyclable materials such as tins, glass, paper, plastic and rubber. Resource recovery now involves the recovery of all solid waste materials, including residual waste. This is the value of RDF or refuse-derived fuel. RDF uses highly combustible residual waste, such as plastics and some biodegradable materials as fuel for cement kilns. It is currently being used by giant cement manufacturers Holcim and La Farge, consisting about 10% of the fuel they use in their cement kilns, which still uses an estimated 90% coal. The use of RDF, however, as a waste-to-energy technology must still be closely monitored under RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act 2000 as well as the Clean Air Act. It remains to be an incinerating technology that requires equipment for flue gascleaning system to prevent air pollution. If RDF can be maintained as a clean technology and recovery of RDF-qualified waste materials can be increased, resource recovery from solid waste will become more efficient, then someday, we will finally be able to achieve zero waste.

Description: Publication date: 2016 Source: Procedia Environmental Sciences, Volume 35 Author(s): Vasanthy Muthunarayanan, Karthika Arumugam, Tamilselvi Duraisam Organic and postconsumer wastes are the major waste of today's concern in our living environment. Though they are one of the very rich sources of nitrogen and carbon, improper disposal results in different types of pollution including aesthetic pollution too. Hence, our aim is to manage the dried paper cup waste, temple waste and bay leaf waste in an eco friendly manner. Vermicomposting is a method involving biooxidation and stabilization of organic matter with the help of earthworms and microorganisms thereby turning waste into valuable soil amendments. The intensive objective of this study is to investigate the physico chemical characteristics, biomass, microbial population and also the histopathalogical analysis of the three different types of waste. Three different sets were prepared for this study, which includes paper cup waste and cowdung along with E. eugenia (A), Temple waste, cow dung along with E. eugenia (B), Bay waste, cow dung along with E. eugenia (C) in 1:1 ratio to carry out the degradation process in an eminent way. These materials were left for pre-composting followed by the introduction of the selected earth worms. Physico-chemical parameters (pH, Electrical conductivity (EC), Total organic matter (TOM), Total Nitrogen (TKN), C:N and Total Phosphorus) were analyzed. We have found that the aging of vermicompost reduce the microbial biomass of both bacteria and fungi. The histopathology analysis showed differences in the tissue damage of earthworm employed in different types of waste. Coherently, we have found noticeable earthworm behaviour during the addition of bay leaf waste and temple waste when compared to the paper cup waste. By this way the earthworms were active till the end of the process of degradation. Thus the addition of organic waste along with the post-consumer waste is justified.

Description: Publication date: 2016 Source: Procedia Environmental Sciences, Volume 35 Author(s): Smita Agarwal, Papiya Mandal, Anjali Srivastava Size-segregated aerosol samplings were carried out during 2013-14 at Okhla landfills, Delhi, which is a municipal solid waste dumping station. Aerosol samples were collected on quartz filters using an Andersen impactor sampler having 9-stages with cut-off diameter >9.0, 9.0-5.8, 5.8-4.7, 4.7-3.3, 3.3-2.1, 2.1-1.1, 1.1-0.65, 0.65-0.43, 〈0.43 μm at flow rate 28.3 lpm. Additionally, a low-volume handy sampler was also used to measure total culturable microbial concentrations operates at flow rate of 2 lpm. The culturable total bacterial and fungal concentrations across the seasons ranged from 8.3×10 5 -1.8×10 7 cfu/m 3 and 1.2×10 3 -2.5×10 5 cfu/m 3 , respectively and also varied across the impactor stages. Major concentration peaks found during winter could be associated with high particulate matter concentration and favourable meteorological conditions in Delhi. On the other hand, comparatively lower concentrations were observed in summer. This is possibly because of microbial lethal effects of adverse meteorological conditions (high temperature and solar radiation) which are more prominent than that of release of microbial flux due to solar ground heating effect in summer. Size distribution analysis shows that bacteria were mostly abundant in fine particle sizes, i.e. 〈0.43-2.1 μm, but few peaks were also observed in size ranges between 5.8->9.0 μm. Fungal spores mostly peaked in coarse sizes (2.1-5.8 μm) and showed unimodal size distribution. Predominant identified bacterial strains were mostly belonged to Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Klebseilla and Escherichia genera. Most of the identified fungal spores are known for adverse health effects causing numerous allergic and pathogenic inflammations. These results suggest that the open-solid waste dumping sites are a major source of bioaerosols, and residents living in the nearby areas of landfills are at high health risks.

Description: Publication date: 2016 Source: Procedia Environmental Sciences, Volume 35 Author(s): S. Vigneswaran, J. Kandasamy, M.A.H. Johir In this paper the optimum design of windrow composting is discussed. There are many reasons to consider implementing centralized open-windrow compost technology in developing countries, especially in municipalities which are not subject to the severe space restrictions. Compared to mechanized or in-vessel operations, windrow composting has many advantages as discussed in the paper. Design aspects of windrow composting facility such as process design, composting area sizing, runoff collection pond sizing, land treatment design for runoff, and capital and operating cost estimation are discussed in detail. In particular, the process design components such as feedstock (solid wastes) recovery, feedstock preparation, composting, stabilization, curing, refining and storing are analysed. A detail cost analysis (Capital and O&M Cost) is made based on processing 3000 tons/yr of yard waste, food waste, etc. to produced 1,500 tons/yr. of finished compost is made.

Description: Publication date: 2016 Source: Procedia Environmental Sciences, Volume 35 Author(s): M.K. Manu, R. Kumar, A. Garg Drum composting is a potential mean to recycle the food waste (FW) at the source of generation in developing countries. The present study reports the kinetics of the composting process conducted in three plastic drums each of 125 L capacity. To facilitate natural aeration, 10 mm diameter holes were provided on the periphery of two drums while one drum was used as control (i.e., without any hole). Moreover, yard waste (YW) was also added to the feed as bulking agent (FW: YW = 2.5: 1 by wt.). The effect of turning and natural aeration was studied during 60 days of composting of food waste. Various physical, chemical and biological parameters were monitored routinely. The time-based organic matter degradation data was used to determine the kinetic parameters according to the first order rate equation. The reaction rate was found to be 0.0105 day -1 (R 2 = 0.9605) in the modified drum with regular sample turning. The principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchial cluster analysis (HCA) were used as statistical tools to evaluate the variation between the measured parameters.

Description: Publication date: Available online 5 August 2016 Source: Climate Risk Management Author(s): Jonathan Star, Erika L. Rowland, Mary E. Black, Carolyn A.F. Enquist, Gregg Garfin, Catherine Hawkins Hoffman, Holly Hartmann, Katharine L. Jacobs, Richard H. Moss, Anne M. Waple Scenario planning is a technique used to inform decision-making under uncertainty, and is increasingly applied in the field of climate change adaptation and policy. This paper describes applications that combine previously distinct scenario methods in new and innovative ways. It draws on numerous recent independent case studies to illustrate emerging practices, such as far stronger connections between researcherdriven and participatory approaches and cycling between exploratory and normative perspectives. The paper concludes with a call for greater support for, and collaboration among, practitioners with the argument that mixed methods are most effective for decision-making in the context of climate change challenges.

Description: Publication date: Available online 11 July 2016 Source: Journal of Asian Ceramic Societies Author(s): Chaouki Sadik, Omar Moudden, Abdselam El Bouari, Iz-Eddine El Amrani One of the most important elements of furnaces, boilers and other heating units is the structure (lining), usually made of silica–alumina, basic or special refractories. The basic refractories are materials that are increasingly in demand and whose manufacturing involves necessarily the use of MgO and CaO. In this article, the description and characterization of magnesite (MgCO 3 ) and dolomite (Mg,Ca(CO 3 ) 2 ) and their contribution in industrial ceramics-refractories have been reviewed.

Description: Publication date: Available online 14 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Niloufar Monhasery, Jens Moll, Carly Cuman, Manuel Franke, Larissa Lamertz, Rebecca Nitz, Boris Görg, Dieter Häussinger, Juliane Lokau, Doreen M. Floss, Roland Piekorz, Eva Dimitriadis, Christoph Garbers, Jürgen Scheller Interleukin (IL)-11 signaling is involved in various processes, including epithelial intestinal cell regeneration and embryo implantation. IL-11 signaling is initiated upon binding of IL-11 to IL-11R1 or IL-11R2, two IL-11α-receptor splice variants, and gp130. Here, we show that IL-11 signaling via IL-11R1/2:gp130 complexes occurs on both the apical and basolateral sides of polarized cells, whereas IL-6 signaling via IL-6R:gp130 complexes is restricted to the basolateral side. We show that basolaterally supplied IL-11 is transported and released to the apical extracellular space via transcytosis in an IL-11R1-dependent manner. By contrast, IL-6R and IL-11R2 do not promote transcytosis. In addition, we show that transcytosis of IL-11 is dependent on the intracellular domain of IL-11R1 and that synthetic transfer of the intracellular domain of IL-11R1 to IL-6R promotes transcytosis of IL-6. Our data define IL-11R as a cytokine receptor with transcytotic activity by which IL-11 and IL-6:soluble IL-6R complexes are transported across cellular barriers. Graphical abstract Teaser Monhasery et al. show that interleukin 11 (IL-11) signaling via IL-11 receptor:gp130 complexes occurs on both the apical and basolateral sides of polarized cells. The transcytotic activity of the IL-11 receptor allows IL-11 and interleukin-6:soluble interleukin-6 receptor complexes to be transported across cellular barriers.

Description: Publication date: Available online 14 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Christian Laut Ebbesen, Eric Torsten Reifenstein, Qiusong Tang, Andrea Burgalossi, Saikat Ray, Susanne Schreiber, Richard Kempter, Michael Brecht The medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) and the adjacent parasubiculum are known for their elaborate spatial discharges (grid cells, border cells, etc.) and the precessing of spikes relative to the local field potential. We know little, however, about how spatio-temporal firing patterns map onto cell types. We find that cell type is a major determinant of spatio-temporal discharge properties. Parasubicular neurons and MEC layer 2 (L2) pyramids have shorter spikes, discharge spikes in bursts, and are theta-modulated (rhythmic, locking, skipping), but spikes phase-precess only weakly. MEC L2 stellates and layer 3 (L3) neurons have longer spikes, do not discharge in bursts, and are weakly theta-modulated (non-rhythmic, weakly locking, rarely skipping), but spikes steeply phase-precess. The similarities between MEC L3 neurons and MEC L2 stellates on one hand and parasubicular neurons and MEC L2 pyramids on the other hand suggest two distinct streams of temporal coding in the parahippocampal cortex. Graphical abstract Teaser Neurons in the parahippocampal cortex discharge in elaborate spatiotemporal firing patterns. Ebbesen et al. use juxtacellular recordings to show that the neuronal cell type is a major determinant of temporal discharge patterns such as bursting and phase precession.

Description: Publication date: Available online 14 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Jeannine Gerhardt, Angela D. Bhalla, Jill Sergesketter Butler, James W. Puckett, Peter B. Dervan, Zev Rosenwaks, Marek Napierala Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) is caused by the expansion of GAA repeats located in the Frataxin (FXN) gene. The GAA repeats continue to expand in FRDA patients, aggravating symptoms and contributing to disease progression. The mechanism leading to repeat expansion and decreased FXN transcription remains unclear. Using single-molecule analysis of replicated DNA, we detected that expanded GAA repeats present a substantial obstacle for the replication machinery at the FXN locus in FRDA cells. Furthermore, aberrant origin activation and lack of a proper stress response to rescue the stalled forks in FRDA cells cause an increase in 3′-5′ progressing forks, which could enhance repeat expansion and hinder FXN transcription by head-on collision with RNA polymerases. Treatment of FRDA cells with GAA-specific polyamides rescues DNA replication fork stalling and alleviates expansion of the GAA repeats, implicating DNA triplexes as a replication impediment and suggesting that fork stalling might be a therapeutic target for FRDA. Graphical abstract Teaser Gerhardt et al. demonstrate that stable secondary structures, formed at the expanded GAA repeats in Friedreich’s ataxia patient cells, stall DNA replication. In addition, using a single DNA molecule approach to visualize the Frataxin locus, they show that aberrant activation of origins downstream of the GAA repeats alters replication fork direction.

Description: Publication date: Available online 14 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Jacint G. Sanchez, Jessica J. Chiang, Konstantin M.J. Sparrer, Steven L. Alam, Michael Chi, Marcin D. Roganowicz, Banumathi Sankaran, Michaela U. Gack, Owen Pornillos Antiviral response pathways induce interferon by higher-order assembly of signaling complexes called signalosomes. Assembly of the RIG-I signalosome is regulated by K63-linked polyubiquitin chains, which are synthesized by the E3 ubiquitin ligase, TRIM25. We have previously shown that the TRIM25 coiled-coil domain is a stable, antiparallel dimer that positions two catalytic RING domains on opposite ends of an elongated rod. We now show that the RING domain is a separate self-association motif that engages ubiquitin-conjugated E2 enzymes as a dimer. RING dimerization is required for catalysis, TRIM25-mediated RIG-I ubiquitination, interferon induction, and antiviral activity. We also provide evidence that RING dimerization and E3 ligase activity are promoted by binding of the TRIM25 SPRY domain to the RIG-I effector domain. These results indicate that TRIM25 actively participates in higher-order assembly of the RIG-I signalosome and helps to fine-tune the efficiency of the RIG-I-mediated antiviral response. Graphical abstract Teaser Sanchez et al. elucidate the structural requirements for TRIM25 catalytic activation and its effector functions in the antiviral RIG-I pathway. Higher-order oligomerization of TRIM25 is promoted by RIG-I and likely constitutes a regulatory mechanism of cellular antiviral response.

Description: Publication date: Available online 14 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Thomas Liebmann, Nicolas Renier, Karima Bettayeb, Paul Greengard, Marc Tessier-Lavigne, Marc Flajolet Amyloidosis is a major problem in over one hundred diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Using the iDISCO visualization method involving targeted molecular labeling, tissue clearing, and light-sheet microscopy, we studied plaque formation in the intact AD mouse brain at up to 27 months of age. We visualized amyloid plaques in 3D together with tau, microglia, and vasculature. Volume imaging coupled to automated detection and mapping enables precise and fast quantification of plaques within the entire intact mouse brain. The present methodology is also applicable to analysis of frozen human brain samples without specialized preservation. Remarkably, amyloid plaques in human brain tissues showed greater 3D complexity and surprisingly large three-dimensional amyloid patterns, or TAPs. The ability to visualize amyloid in 3D, especially in the context of their micro-environment, and the discovery of large TAPs may have important scientific and medical implications. Graphical abstract Teaser Liebmann et al. present 3D renderings of Alzheimer’s disease in an entire mouse brain hemisphere using iDISCO. Volume imaging coupled to automated detection and mapping to the Allen Brain Atlas enables precise and fast quantification of plaques. Plaques in archival human brain samples showed a greater 3D complexity.

Description: Publication date: Available online 14 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Laura Jacox, Justin Chen, Alyssa Rothman, Hillary Lathrop-Marshall, Hazel Sive The mouth arises from the extreme anterior domain (EAD), a region where the ectoderm and endoderm are directly juxtaposed. Here, we identify a “pre-mouth array” in Xenopus that forms soon after the cranial neural crest has migrated to lie on either side of the EAD. Initially, EAD ectoderm comprises a wide and short epithelial mass that becomes narrow and tall with cells and nuclei changing shape, a characteristic of convergent extension. The resulting two rows of cells—the pre-mouth array—later split down the midline to surround the mouth opening. Neural crest is essential for convergent extension and likely signals to the EAD through the Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway. Fzl7 receptor is locally required in EAD ectoderm, while Wnt11 ligand is required more globally. Indeed, heterologous cells expressing Wnt11 can elicit EAD convergent extension. The study reveals a precise cellular mechanism that positions and contributes to the future mouth. Graphical abstract Teaser Jacox et al. identify a precise cellular organization of extreme anterior domain (EAD) ectoderm—the “pre-mouth array”—that contributes to the future mouth opening in Xenopus . Their data indicate that the pre-mouth array forms by convergent extension, under control of adjacent neural crest and Wnt/PCP signaling.

Description: Publication date: Available online 14 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Jing-kuan Wei, Wen-chao Wang, Rong-wei Zhai, Yu-hua Zhang, Shang-chuan Yang, Joshua Rizak, Ling Li, Li-qi Xu, Li Liu, Ming-ke Pan, Ying-zhou Hu, Abdelaziz Ghanemi, Jing Wu, Li-chuan Yang, Hao Li, Long-bao Lv, Jia-li Li, Yong-gang Yao, Lin Xu, Xiao-li Feng, Yong Yin, Dong-dong Qin, Xin-tian Hu, Zheng-bo Wang Here, we examine whether neurons differentiated from transplanted stem cells can integrate into the host neural network and function in awake animals, a goal of transplanted stem cell therapy in the brain. We have developed a technique in which a small “hole” is created in the inferior colliculus (IC) of rhesus monkeys, then stem cells are transplanted in situ to allow for investigation of their integration into the auditory neural network. We found that some transplanted cells differentiated into mature neurons and formed synaptic input/output connections with the host neurons. In addition, c-Fos expression increased significantly in the cells after acoustic stimulation, and multichannel recordings indicated IC specific tuning activities in response to auditory stimulation. These results suggest that the transplanted cells have the potential to functionally integrate into the host neural network. Graphical abstract Teaser Integration of differentiated neurons into a functioning neural network is important for the development of stem cell therapies. Wang et al. found that neurons differentiated from transplanted stem cells respond to auditory stimuli in awake monkeys after transplantation.

Description: Publication date: Available online 14 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Nicolas Huguenin-Dezot, Virginia De Cesare, Julien Peltier, Axel Knebel, Yosua Adi Kristaryianto, Daniel T. Rogerson, Yogesh Kulathu, Matthias Trost, Jason W. Chin Ubiquitin is post-translationally modified by phosphorylation at several sites, but the consequences of these modifications are largely unknown. Here, we synthesize multi-milligram quantities of ubiquitin phosphorylated at serine 20, serine 57, and serine 65 via genetic code expansion. We use these phosphoubiquitins for the enzymatic assembly of 20 isomeric phosphoubiquitin dimers, with different sites of isopeptide linkage and/or phosphorylation. We discover that phosphorylation of serine 20 on ubiquitin converts UBE3C from a dual-specificity E3 ligase into a ligase that primarily synthesizes K48 chains. We profile the activity of 31 deubiquitinases on the isomeric phosphoubiquitin dimers in 837 reactions, and we discover that phosphorylation at distinct sites in ubiquitin can activate or repress cleavage of a particular linkage by deubiquitinases and that phosphorylation at a single site in ubiquitin can control the specificity of deubiquitinases for distinct ubiquitin linkages. Graphical abstract Teaser Huguenin-Dezot et al. combine genetic code expansion and enzymatic assembly to synthesize 20 isomeric phosphoubiquitin chains with distinct Ser phosphorylation and/or isopeptide linkage sites. They discover that ubiquitin phosphorylation can control E3 ligase specificity and deubiquitinase specificity.

Description: Publication date: Available online 14 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Minhee Kim, Brian P. O’Rourke, Rajesh Kumar Soni, Prasad V. Jallepalli, Ronald C. Hendrickson, Meng-Fu Bryan Tsou PLK4 is the major kinase driving centriole duplication. Duplication occurs only once per cell cycle, forming one new (or daughter) centriole that is tightly engaged to the preexisting (or mother) centriole. Centriole engagement is known to block the reduplication of mother centrioles, but the molecular identity responsible for the block remains unclear. Here, we show that the centriolar cartwheel, the geometric scaffold for centriole assembly, forms the identity of daughter centrioles essential for the block, ceasing further duplication of the mother centriole to which it is engaged. To ensure a steady block, we found that the cartwheel requires constant maintenance by PLK4 through phosphorylation of the same substrate that drives centriole assembly, revealing a parsimonious control in which “assembly” and “block for new assembly” are linked through the same catalytic reaction to achieve homeostasis. Our results support a recently deduced model that the cartwheel-bound PLK4 directly suppresses centriole reduplication. Graphical abstract Teaser Cellular structures are maintained at constant numbers by balancing the “promotion” and “suppression” of their biogenesis, two processes opposing each other. Through studies on the cell-division organelle, centrioles, Kim et al. found that the two opposing processes are intimately coupled to the same catalytic reaction involving the kinase PLK4, thereby safeguarding centriole homeostasis.

Description: Publication date: Available online 14 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Shengjie Xue, Chang Liu, Xiujie Sun, Weiyun Li, Chi Zhang, Xin Zhou, Yao Lu, Jun Xiao, Chunyang Li, Xiaoyan Xu, Bing Sun, Guoliang Xu, Hongyan Wang Type I interferons (IFNs) play both beneficial and harmful roles in antiviral responses. Precise regulation of host type I IFNs is thus needed to prevent immune dysregulation. Here, we find that the DNA demethylase TET3 is a negative regulator of IFN-β in response to poly(I:C) stimulation or viral infection. Deletion of TET3 enhances antiviral responses, with elevated expression of IFN-β and IFN-stimulated genes. The catalytic domain of TET3 was critical for the suppression of IFN-β production, but TET3 enzymatic activity was dispensable. Instead, the catalytic domain of TET3 interacts with HDAC1 and SIN3A, thus enhancing their binding to the Ifnb1 promoter. Our study demonstrates that TET3 negatively regulates type I IFN production independent of DNA demethylation. This not only sheds light on TET3 as a signaling protein in immune cells for gene regulation but also will help to develop strategies to prevent type I IFN-related disease. Graphical abstract Teaser Xue et al. find that TET3 expression is decreased after viral infection and that TET3 reduction enhances type I IFN production and virus clearance. Mechanistically, TET3 recruits HDAC1 to the Ifnb1 promoter, thus suppressing type I IFN transcription.

Description: Publication date: Available online 14 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Chieh Hsu, Vincent Jaquet, Mumun Gencoglu, Attila Becskei Bistability plays an important role in cellular memory and cell-fate determination. A positive feedback loop can generate bistability if it contains ultrasensitive molecular reactions. It is often difficult to detect bistability based on such molecular mechanisms due to its intricate interaction with cellular growth. We constructed transcriptional feedback loops in yeast. To eliminate growth alterations, we reduced the protein levels of the transcription factors by tuning the translation rates over two orders of magnitude with designed RNA stem loops. We modulated two ultrasensitive reactions, homodimerization and the cooperative binding of the transcription factor to the promoter. Either of them is sufficient to generate bistability on its own, and when acting together, a particularly robust bistability emerges. This bistability persists even in the presence of a negative feedback loop. Given that protein homodimerization is ubiquitous, it is likely to play a major role in the behavior of regulatory networks. Graphical abstract Teaser Using RNA stem loops to attenuate translation rates, Hsu et al. designed synthetic feedback loops in yeast to study the sources of bistability. They show that cooperative binding of a transcription factor to its promoter or its dimerization generates bistability. Bistability is particularly robust when the dimerizing transcription factor binds to the promoter cooperatively.

Description: Publication date: July 2016 Source: Global Ecology and Conservation, Volume 7 Author(s): Susan M. Cheyne, Wiwit Juwita Sastramidjaja, Muhalir, Yaya Rayadin, David W. Macdonald Using camera traps at eight grids across Indonesian Borneo we show how mammalian species assemblages can provide reliable information about how disturbance affects a forest. This enables us to use the large mammal community structure at each site to assess the impacts of human disturbance and habitat variables. Occupancy ranged from 0.01–0.77 with pig-tailed macaques, muntjac, orang-utans, sun bears, bearded pigs and common porcupines consistently having an occupancy of > 0.5. These large mammals were generally making use of the whole forest surveyed and avoided the forest edge in only a few grids. A General Linear Model with general contrasts and survey effort as a covariate was performed to assess the impact of different variables. Logging and hunting were positively associated with low species number ( F = 6.3 , p = 0.012 and F = 5.4 , p = 0.003 respectively). Logging and hunting contributed to a low % of carnivorous species ( F = 1.5 , p = 0.021 and F = 4.8 , p = 0.041 respectively) and a higher % of IUCN Endangered and Vulnerable species ( F = 5.9 , p = 0.044 and F = 5.0 , p = 0.044 respectively). The presence of burnt areas within the study grids was positively associated with reduced species numbers ( F = 5.3 , p = 0.018 ) and reducted % of carnivorous species ( F = 6.8 , p = 0.023 ) but not the % of IUCN Endangered and Vulnerable species. This is likely a result of burnt areas reducing the area of suitable habitat for many mammals. The proximity of the grids to roads, villages, rivers and presence of logging camps have been proposed as suitable parameters to indicate disturbance. In our study none of these parameters significantly affected the total species numbers, % of carnivores, and % of IUCN concern (Endangered and Vulnerable), nor did the protected status of the forest. We have identified 4 species as specific indicators whose presence or absence can help determine the type and/or extent of forest disturbance and/or be a proxy indicator for the presence of other species. Leopard cat ( Prionailurus bengalensis ) and pig-tailed macaques ( Macaca nemestrina, generalists); sambar deer ( Rusa unicolour, large, wide-ranging herbivores) and clouded leopards ( Neofelis diardi ) as a proxy for at least 2 of the smaller felid species.

Description: Publication date: Available online 16 July 2016 Source: Water Science Author(s): Sumita Rani, Meenal Aggarwal, Mukesh Kumar, Sumit Sharma, Dinesh Kumar Methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B dyes (RB) were degraded from water using zirconium oxide (ZrO 2 ) and zirconium oxide/graphene composites (ZrO 2 /GR) as photocatalyst. The photocatalytic efficiency was calculated from absorption spectra obtained using UV–visible spectroscopy. It has been observed that photodegradation time as well as photocatalytic efficiency increase with the concentration of catalyst up to a certain limit after which effect was reversed. The degradation was studied as a function of pH also. It was found that photocatalytic efficiency was more in alkaline medium than acidic medium. Degradation of RB takes place at higher value of pH as compared to MB. The degradation time for MB was 1 h using ZrO 2 which get reduced to 32 min using ZrO 2 /GR composite and for RB it reduced to 40 min (using ZrO 2 /GR) from 80 min (ZrO 2 ).

Description: Publication date: Available online 16 July 2016 Source: Water Science Author(s): Sahar Salim Kamrakji, Abdel-Wahab Mohamed Amer, Sherif M.A. El-Didy, Ahmed Mohamed Tawfik In arid and semi-arid regions, soil salinity is a common problem threatening fertility of irrigated lands. The Lower Euphrates valley in Syria suffers from salt accumulation in soil because of the inappropriate climatic conditions, using the traditional methods in irrigation; flood irrigation. HYDRUS 1-D model was used to simulate water flow, salt transport and root water uptake processes in this area. Data from seventy soil profiles were acquired from the pedological reports obtained from the Ministry of Irrigation in Syria. Representative monthly evapotranspiration (ET 0 ) values in Deir Ez-Zor were taken from the FAO CLIMWAT database. The seventy soil profiles were grouped in fourteen zones distributed over the study area. For each zone, the monthly recharge and its salt concentration was estimated. The model was run for 24-month duration. The results showed increasing in soil salinity and, consequently, increasing in salts load transmitted into groundwater. Accordingly, mitigation measures have been suggested.

Description: Publication date: November 2016 Source: Energy Reports, Volume 2 Author(s): Fengbo Guo, Wanli Jia, Bin Hou, Yongfa Zhang Dry re-forming of methane has been carried out in a high temperature–pressure reactor at different pressures, using Hongce lignite semicokes catalyst. The results show that CH 4 and CO 2 conversions are decreased as the reaction pressure increased, but both of them kept basically stable when the reaction pressure is between 0.3 and 1 MPa. The comparison shows that the effects of the temperature and the flow of reactant gas on dry re-forming of methane are consistent with between high pressure and atmospheric pressure. The ratio of CO/H 2 decreased as the ratio of CH 4 /CO 2 increased, yet the value of CO/H 2 is always more than 1 at different pressures. Hongce lignite semicokes catalyst is characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM and BET, and the analysis results reveled that the physical specific adsorption peak of CO 2 at 2350 cm −1 is strengthened significantly at different pressures, the micropore area and volume of Hongce lignite semicokes reduced form 40.2 m 2  g −1 and 0.019 cm 3  g −1 to 34.9 m 2  g −1 and 0.017 cm 3  g −1 , respectively. Hongce lignite semicokes catalyst exhibited better activity and stability within 0.3–1 MPa range.

Description: Publication date: Available online 21 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Brian J. McMillan, Christine Tibbe, Hyesung Jeon, Andrew A. Drabek, Thomas Klein, Stephen C. Blacklow The endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) is a conserved protein complex that facilitates budding and fission of membranes. It executes a key step in many cellular events, including cytokinesis and multi-vesicular body formation. The ESCRT-III protein Shrub in flies, or its homologs in yeast (Snf7) or humans (CHMP4B), is a critical polymerizing component of ESCRT-III needed to effect membrane fission. We report the structural basis for polymerization of Shrub and define a minimal region required for filament formation. The X-ray structure of the Shrub core shows that individual monomers in the lattice interact in a staggered arrangement using complementary electrostatic surfaces. Mutations that disrupt interface salt bridges interfere with Shrub polymerization and function. Despite substantial sequence divergence and differences in packing interactions, the arrangement of Shrub subunits in the polymer resembles that of Snf7 and other family homologs, suggesting that this intermolecular packing mechanism is shared among ESCRT-III proteins. Graphical abstract Teaser The ESCRT complex facilitates budding and fission of cellular membranes. McMillan et al. report the X-ray structure of the fly ESCRT-III component Shrub. The packing of subunits in the structure, mirrored in the distant yeast homolog Snf7, suggests a general model for the subunit polymerization step required for membrane fission.

Description: Publication date: Available online 21 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Emilie-Fleur Gautier, Sarah Ducamp, Marjorie Leduc, Virginie Salnot, François Guillonneau, Michael Dussiot, John Hale, Marie-Catherine Giarratana, Anna Raimbault, Luc Douay, Catherine Lacombe, Narla Mohandas, Frédérique Verdier, Yael Zermati, Patrick Mayeux Mass spectrometry-based proteomics now enables the absolute quantification of thousands of proteins in individual cell types. We used this technology to analyze the dynamic proteome changes occurring during human erythropoiesis. We quantified the absolute expression of 6,130 proteins during erythroid differentiation from late burst-forming units-erythroid (BFU-Es) to orthochromatic erythroblasts. A modest correlation between mRNA and protein expression was observed. We identified several proteins with unexpected expression patterns in erythroid cells, highlighting a breakpoint in the erythroid differentiation process at the basophilic stage. We also quantified the distribution of proteins between reticulocytes and pyrenocytes after enucleation. These analyses identified proteins that are actively sorted either with the reticulocyte or the pyrenocyte. Our study provides the absolute quantification of protein expression during a complex cellular differentiation process in humans, and it establishes a framework for future studies of disordered erythropoiesis. Graphical abstract Teaser Gautier et al. use quantitative mass spectrometry to determine the absolute proteome composition of human erythroid progenitors throughout the differentiation process and the quantitative distribution of proteins between reticulocytes and pyrenocytes after enucleation.

Description: Publication date: Available online 21 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Laura Grasso, Olga Suska, Lindsay Davidson, Thomas Gonatopoulos-Pournatzis, Ritchie Williamson, Lize Wasmus, Simone Wiedlich, Mark Peggie, Marios P. Stavridis, Victoria H. Cowling The mRNA cap recruits factors essential for transcript processing and translation initiation. We report that regulated mRNA cap methylation is a feature of embryonic stem cell (ESC) differentiation. Expression of the mRNA cap methyltransferase activating subunit RAM is elevated in ESCs, resulting in high levels of mRNA cap methylation and expression of a cohort of pluripotency-associated genes. During neural differentiation, RAM is suppressed, resulting in repression of pluripotency-associated factors and expression of a cohort of neural-associated genes. An established requirement of differentiation is increased ERK1/2 activity, which suppresses pluripotency-associated genes. During differentiation, ERK1/2 phosphorylates RAM serine-36, targeting it for ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation, ultimately resulting in changes in gene expression associated with loss of pluripotency. Elevated RAM expression also increases the efficiency of fibroblast reprogramming. Thus, the mRNA cap emerges as a dynamic mark that instructs change in gene expression profiles during differentiation and reprogramming. Graphical abstract Teaser The mRNA cap stabilizes transcripts and recruits processing and translation factors. Grasso et al. report that the mRNA cap methyltransferase RNMT-RAM is highly expressed in embryonic stem cells and is important for pluripotency-associated gene expression. Repression of RAM occurs during neural differentiation and is important for expression of neural-associated genes.

Description: Publication date: Available online 21 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): David W. Hawman, Julie M. Fox, Alison W. Ashbrook, Nicholas A. May, Kristin M.S. Schroeder, Raul M. Torres, James E. Crowe, Terence S. Dermody, Michael S. Diamond, Thomas E. Morrison Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and related alphaviruses cause epidemics of acute and chronic musculoskeletal disease. To investigate the mechanisms underlying the failure of immune clearance of CHIKV, we studied mice infected with an attenuated CHIKV strain (181/25) and the pathogenic parental strain (AF15561), which differ by five amino acids. Whereas AF15561 infection of wild-type mice results in viral persistence in joint tissues, 181/25 is cleared. In contrast, 181/25 infection of μMT mice lacking mature B cells results in viral persistence in joint tissues, suggesting that virus-specific antibody is required for clearance of infection. Mapping studies demonstrated that a highly conserved glycine at position 82 in the A domain of the E2 glycoprotein impedes clearance and neutralization of multiple CHIKV strains. Remarkably, murine and human antibodies targeting E2 domain B failed to neutralize pathogenic CHIKV strains efficiently. Our data suggest that pathogenic CHIKV strains evade E2 domain-B-neutralizing antibodies to establish persistence. Graphical abstract Teaser Hawman et al. have found that a highly conserved glycine at E2-82 promotes CHIKV persistence in joints and impairs neutralization by antibodies targeting E2 domain B. Mutation of E2-82 to arginine allows viral clearance and enhances neutralization, providing a structural basis for how chronic CHIKV joint infection evades B-cell-mediated clearance.

Description: Publication date: Available online 21 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Clémentine Bosch-Bouju, Thomas Larrieu, Louisa Linders, Olivier J. Manzoni, Sophie Layé Chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) is a clinically relevant model of mood disorders. The relationship between the CSDS model and a physiologically pertinent paradigm of synaptic plasticity is not known. Here, we found that cluster analysis of the emotional behavior states of mice exposed to CSDS allowed their segregation into anxious and non-anxious groups. Endocannabinoid-mediated spike-timing dependent plasticity (STDP) in the nucleus accumbens was attenuated in non-anxious mice and abolished in anxious mice. Anxiety-like behavior in stressed animals was specifically correlated with their ability to produce STDP. Pharmacological enhancement of 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) signaling in the nucleus accumbens normalized the anxious phenotype and STDP in anxious mice. These data reveal that endocannabinoid modulation of synaptic efficacy in response to a naturalistic activity pattern is both a molecular correlate of behavioral adaptability and a crucial factor in the adaptive response to chronic stress. Graphical abstract Teaser Bosch-Bouju et al. used cluster analysis to segregate mice into anxious and non-anxious populations following social defeat. Endocannabinoid spike-timing-dependent plasticity is abolished in anxious mice only. Enhancement of endocannabinoid signaling in the nucleus accumbens restores anxiety-like behaviors and synaptic plasticity. Endocannabinoid plasticity is thus a synaptic marker of anxiety following social defeat.

Description: Publication date: Available online 21 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Devon M. Chenette, Adam B. Cadwallader, Tiffany L. Antwine, Lauren C. Larkin, Jinhua Wang, Bradley B. Olwin, Robert J. Schneider Following skeletal muscle injury, muscle stem cells (satellite cells) are activated, proliferate, and differentiate to form myofibers. We show that mRNA-decay protein AUF1 regulates satellite cell function through targeted degradation of specific mRNAs containing 3′ AU-rich elements (AREs). auf1 −/− mice undergo accelerated skeletal muscle wasting with age and impaired skeletal muscle repair following injury. Satellite cell mRNA analysis and regeneration studies demonstrate that auf1 −/− satellite cell self-renewal is impaired due to increased stability and overexpression of ARE-mRNAs, including cell-autonomous overexpression of matrix metalloprotease MMP9. Secreted MMP9 degrades the skeletal muscle matrix, preventing satellite-cell-mediated regeneration and return to quiescence. Blocking MMP9 activity in auf1 −/− mice restores skeletal muscle repair and maintenance of the satellite cell population. Control of ARE-mRNA decay by AUF1 represents a mechanism for adult stem cell regulation and is implicated in human skeletal muscle wasting diseases. Graphical abstract Teaser Chenette et al. demonstrate that the mRNA binding protein AUF1 regulates muscle stem (satellite) cell function and fate through targeted degradation of mRNAs that determine satellite cell fate. auf1 −/− mice undergo accelerated skeletal muscle wasting with aging and impaired muscle repair following injury, and AUF1 mutations are implicated in some forms of muscular dystrophy.

Description: Publication date: Available online 21 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Yuki Sugaya, Maya Yamazaki, Motokazu Uchigashima, Kenta Kobayashi, Masahiko Watanabe, Kenji Sakimura, Masanobu Kano Endocannabinoid signaling is considered to suppress excessive excitability of neural circuits and to protect the brain from seizures. However, the precise mechanisms of this effect are poorly understood. Here, we report that 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), one of the two major endocannabinoids, is crucial for suppressing seizures. We found that kainate-induced seizures in mice lacking the 2-AG synthesizing enzyme, diacylglycerol lipase α, were much more severe compared with those in cannabinoid CB 1 receptor knockout mice and were comparable to those in mice lacking both CB 1 - and CB 2 -receptor-mediated signaling. In the dentate gyrus, 2-AG suppressed excitatory input around the inner and middle molecular layers through CB 1 and presumably CB 2 receptors, respectively. This 2-AG-mediated suppression contributed to decreased granule cell excitability and the dampening of seizures. Furthermore, lack of 2-AG signaling enhanced kindling epileptogenesis and spontaneous seizures after kainate-induced status epilepticus. These results highlight critical roles of 2-AG signaling in the suppression of epileptic seizures. Graphical abstract Teaser Endocannabinoid signaling suppresses epileptic seizures, but the precise mechanism of this action is undetermined. Sugaya et al. demonstrate that the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol can suppress seizures and epileptogenesis by reducing excitatory synaptic inputs in the dentate gyrus through CB 1 and presumably CB 2 cannabinoid receptors.

Description: Publication date: Available online 21 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Christian M. Simon, Anna M. Janas, Francesco Lotti, Juan Carlos Tapia, Livio Pellizzoni, George Z. Mentis In spinal muscular atrophy, a neurodegenerative disease caused by ubiquitous deficiency in the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein, sensory-motor synaptic dysfunction and increased excitability precede motor neuron (MN) loss. Whether central synaptic dysfunction and MN hyperexcitability are cell-autonomous events or they contribute to MN death is unknown. We addressed these issues using a stem-cell-based model of the motor circuit consisting of MNs and both excitatory and inhibitory interneurons (INs) in which SMN protein levels are selectively depleted. We show that SMN deficiency induces selective MN death through cell-autonomous mechanisms, while hyperexcitability is a non-cell-autonomous response of MNs to defects in pre-motor INs, leading to loss of glutamatergic synapses and reduced excitation. Findings from our in vitro model suggest that dysfunction and loss of MNs result from differential effects of SMN deficiency in distinct neurons of the motor circuit and that hyperexcitability does not trigger MN death. Graphical abstract Teaser Ubiquitous SMN deficiency causes motor circuit dysfunction and increased excitability and death of MNs in spinal muscular atrophy. Simon et al. used a stem cell model of the motor circuit to show that MN degeneration is cell autonomous, while MN hyperexcitability is a non-autonomous homeostatic response to pre-synaptic dysfunction of excitatory interneurons.

Description: Publication date: Available online 21 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Alison M. Kurimchak, Claude Shelton, Kelly E. Duncan, Katherine J. Johnson, Jennifer Brown, Shane O’Brien, Rashid Gabbasov, Lauren S. Fink, Yuesheng Li, Nicole Lounsbury, Magid Abou-Gharbia, Wayne E. Childers, Denise C. Connolly, Jonathan Chernoff, Jeffrey R. Peterson, James S. Duncan Small-molecule BET bromodomain inhibitors (BETis) are actively being pursued in clinical trials for the treatment of a variety of cancers, but the mechanisms of resistance to BETis remain poorly understood. Using a mass spectrometry approach that globally measures kinase signaling at the proteomic level, we evaluated the response of the kinome to targeted BETi treatment in a panel of BRD4-dependent ovarian carcinoma (OC) cell lines. Despite initial inhibitory effects of BETi, OC cells acquired resistance following sustained treatment with the BETi JQ1. Through application of multiplexed inhibitor beads (MIBs) and mass spectrometry, we demonstrate that BETi resistance is mediated by adaptive kinome reprogramming, where activation of compensatory pro-survival kinase networks overcomes BET protein inhibition. Furthermore, drug combinations blocking these kinases may prevent or delay the development of drug resistance and enhance the efficacy of BETi therapy. Graphical abstract Teaser BET inhibitors are currently being evaluated in clinical trials for a number of cancers, including ovarian cancer. Kurimchak et al. demonstrate that BET inhibitors may have limited success as single agents in ovarian cancer due to adaptive kinome reprogramming and will require combination therapies targeting kinases and BET bromodomain proteins

Description: Publication date: Available online 21 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Anna Schurich, Laura J. Pallett, Danyal Jajbhay, Jessica Wijngaarden, Itziar Otano, Upkar S. Gill, Navjyot Hansi, Patrick T. Kennedy, Eleni Nastouli, Richard Gilson, Christian Frezza, Sian M. Henson, Mala K. Maini T cells undergo profound metabolic changes to meet the increased energy demands of maintaining an antiviral response. We postulated that differences in metabolic reprogramming would shape the efficacy of CD8 T cells mounted against persistent viral infections. We found that the poorly functional PD-1 hi T cell response against hepatitis B virus (HBV) had upregulated the glucose transporter, Glut1, an effect recapitulated by oxygen deprivation to mimic the intrahepatic environment. Glut1 hi HBV-specific T cells were dependent on glucose supplies, unlike the more functional cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific T cells that could utilize oxidative phosphorylation in the absence of glucose. The inability of HBV-specific T cells to switch to oxidative phosphorylation was accompanied by increased mitochondrial size and lower mitochondrial potential, indicative of mitochondrial dysfunction. Interleukin (IL)-12, which recovers HBV-specific T cell effector function, increased their mitochondrial potential and reduced their dependence on glycolysis. Our findings suggest that mitochondrial defects limit the metabolic plasticity of exhausted HBV-specific T cells. Graphical abstract Teaser T cells undergo extensive metabolic changes upon activation. Schurich et al. find that functional and exhausted human-virus-specific CD8 T cells have distinct metabolic phenotypes, shaping their effector capacity.

Description: Publication date: Available online 21 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Yalin Liao, Alfredo Castello, Bernd Fischer, Stefan Leicht, Sophia Föehr, Christian K. Frese, Chikako Ragan, Sebastian Kurscheid, Eloisa Pagler, Hao Yang, Jeroen Krijgsveld, Matthias W. Hentze, Thomas Preiss RNA functions through the dynamic formation of complexes with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in all clades of life. We determined the RBP repertoire of beating cardiomyocytic HL-1 cells by jointly employing two in vivo proteomic methods, mRNA interactome capture and RBDmap. Together, these yielded 1,148 RBPs, 391 of which are shared with all other available mammalian RBP repertoires, while 393 are thus far unique to cardiomyocytes. RBDmap further identified 568 regions of RNA contact within 368 RBPs. The cardiomyocyte mRNA interactome composition reflects their unique biology. Proteins with roles in cardiovascular physiology or disease, mitochondrial function, and intermediary metabolism are all highly represented. Notably, we identified 73 metabolic enzymes as RBPs. RNA-enzyme contacts frequently involve Rossmann fold domains with examples in evidence of both, mutual exclusivity of, or compatibility between RNA binding and enzymatic function. Our findings raise the prospect of previously hidden RNA-mediated regulatory interactions among cardiomyocyte gene expression, physiology, and metabolism. Graphical abstract Teaser RNA functions through dynamic interactions with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in all clades of life. In this article, Liao et al. present the RBP repertoire of murine cardiomyocytes. Their findings reflect the unique cardiomyocyte biology and raise the prospect of previously hidden RNA-mediated regulatory interactions between gene expression, physiology, and metabolism.

Description: Publication date: Available online 21 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Chih-Wei Chen, Ning Tsao, Lin-Yi Huang, Yun Yen, Xiyong Liu, Christine Lehman, Yuh-Hwa Wang, Mei-Chun Tseng, Yu-Ju Chen, Yi-Chi Ho, Chian-Feng Chen, Zee-Fen Chang The appropriate supply of dNTPs is critical for cell growth and genome integrity. Here, we investigated the interrelationship between dUTP pyrophosphatase (dUTPase) and ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) in the regulation of genome stability. Our results demonstrate that reducing the expression of dUTPase increases genome stress in cancer. Analysis of clinical samples reveals a significant correlation between the combination of low dUTPase and high R2, a subunit of RNR, and a poor prognosis in colorectal and breast cancer patients. Furthermore, overexpression of R2 in non-tumorigenic cells progressively increases genome stress, promoting transformation. These cells display alterations in replication fork progression, elevated genomic uracil, and breaks at AT-rich common fragile sites. Consistently, overexpression of dUTPase abolishes R2-induced genome instability. Thus, the expression level of dUTPase determines the role of high R2 in driving genome instability in cancer cells. Graphical abstract Teaser Chen et al. show that the expression of dUTPase determines whether elevation of the ribonucleotide reductase subunit R2 can lead to genome stress and chromosomal instability. Furthermore, the combination of low dUTPase and high R2 in clinical tumor samples predicts poor survival in patients with colorectal cancer or breast cancers.

Description: Publication date: Available online 21 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Hermann Broder Schmidt, Rajat Rohatgi Eukaryotic cells contain membrane-less organelles, including nucleoli and stress granules, that behave like liquid droplets. Such endogenous condensates often have internal substructure, but how this is established in the absence of membrane encapsulation remains unclear. We find that the N- and C-terminal domains of TDP43, a heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, are capable of driving the formation of sub-structured liquid droplets in vivo. These droplets contain dynamic internal “bubbles” of nucleoplasm, reminiscent of membrane-based multi-vesicular endosomes. A conserved sequence embedded within the intrinsically disordered region (IDR) of TDP43 promotes the formation of these multi-phase assemblies. Disease-causing point mutations in the IDR can change the propensity to form bubbles, protein dynamics within the phase, or phase-environment exchange rates. Our results show that a single IDR-containing protein can nucleate the assembly of compartmentalized liquid droplets approximating the morphological complexity of membrane-bound organelles. Graphical abstract Teaser Membrane-less organelles generated through liquid-liquid phase separation play important roles in sub-cellular organization. Schmidt and Rohatgi find that an intrinsically disordered protein domain can nucleate the assembly of multi-phase liquid droplets with dynamic, vesicle-like internal vacuoles that approach the morphological complexity of membrane-bound structures like multi-vesicular bodies.

Description: Publication date: Available online 21 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Vidhya R. Nair, Luis H. Franco, Vineetha M. Zacharia, Haaris S. Khan, Chelsea E. Stamm, Wu You, Denise K. Marciano, Hideo Yagita, Beth Levine, Michael U. Shiloh The prevailing paradigm is that tuberculosis infection is initiated when patrolling alveolar macrophages and dendritic cells within the terminal alveolus ingest inhaled Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). However, definitive data for this model are lacking. Among the epithelial cells of the upper airway, a specialized epithelial cell known as a microfold cell (M cell) overlies various components of mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue. Here, using multiple mouse models, we show that Mtb invades via M cells to initiate infection. Intranasal Mtb infection in mice lacking M cells either genetically or by antibody depletion resulted in reduced invasion and dissemination to draining lymph nodes. M cell-depleted mice infected via aerosol also had delayed dissemination to lymph nodes and reduced mortality. Translocation of Mtb across two M cell transwell models was rapid and transcellular. Thus, M cell translocation is a vital entry mechanism that contributes to the pathogenesis of Mtb. Graphical abstract Teaser Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an aerosol pathogen that can disseminate from the airways. Nair et al. report that airway M cells actively translocate M. tuberculosis to initiate infection. Depletion of M cells prevents M. tuberculosis dissemination from the mucosa and delays mortality in mice.

Description: Publication date: Available online 21 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Mark D. Borromeo, Trisha K. Savage, Rahul K. Kollipara, Min He, Alexander Augustyn, Jihan K. Osborne, Luc Girard, John D. Minna, Adi F. Gazdar, Melanie H. Cobb, Jane E. Johnson Small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) is a high-grade pulmonary neuroendocrine tumor. The transcription factors ASCL1 and NEUROD1 play crucial roles in promoting malignant behavior and survival of human SCLC cell lines. Here, we find that ASCL1 and NEUROD1 identify heterogeneity in SCLC, bind distinct genomic loci, and regulate mostly distinct genes. ASCL1, but not NEUROD1, is present in mouse pulmonary neuroendocrine cells, and only ASCL1 is required in vivo for tumor formation in mouse models of SCLC. ASCL1 targets oncogenic genes including MYCL1 , RET , SOX2 , and NFIB while NEUROD1 targets MYC . ASCL1 and NEUROD1 regulate different genes that commonly contribute to neuronal function. ASCL1 also regulates multiple genes in the NOTCH pathway including DLL3 . Together, ASCL1 and NEUROD1 distinguish heterogeneity in SCLC with distinct genomic landscapes and distinct gene expression programs. Graphical abstract Teaser Borromeo et al. reveal heterogeneity in neuroendocrine lung cancers (SCLC) through the lineage-specific transcription factors ASCL1 and NEUROD1. These related factors regulate largely distinct gene programs and differentially regulate key oncogenes in SCLC. ASCL1, but not NEUROD1, is required for tumor formation in current mouse models of SCLC.

Description: Publication date: Available online 21 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Fang Du, Abhishek V. Garg, Karis Kosar, Saikat Majumder, David G. Kugler, Gerard Hernandez Mir, Maria Maggio, Matthew Henkel, Adam Lacy-Hulbert, Mandy J. McGeachy Interleukin-23 (IL-23) is required for inflammatory Th17 cell function in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), and IL-23 blockade reduces the number of effector Th17 cells in the CNS. We report that pro-inflammatory Th17 cells express high integrin β 3 that is IL-23 dependent. Integrin β 3 was not upregulated on all activated T cells; rather, integrin β 3 was upregulated along with its functional partner integrin α v on effector Th17 cells and “ex-Th17” cells, and α v β 3 hi RORγt + cells expanded during EAE. Integrin α v β 3 inhibitors ameliorated clinical signs of EAE, and integrin β 3 deficiency on CD4 + T cells alone was sufficient to block EAE induction. Furthermore, integrin-β 3 -deficient Th17 cells, but not Th1 cells, were impaired in their ability to induce EAE. Integrin β 3 −/− T cells induced smaller demyelinated lesions and showed reduced spread and accumulation within the CNS, corresponding with impaired extracellular-matrix-mediated migration. Hence, integrin β 3 is required for Th17 cell-mediated autoimmune CNS inflammation. Graphical abstract Teaser Du et al. demonstrate that pro-inflammatory Th17 cells express the receptor integrin αvβ3 on their surface. Using inhibitors and genetically deficient mice, they show that αvβ3 is required for Th17 cells to induce inflammation in the mouse model of multiple sclerosis by promoting migration in the CNS.

Description: Publication date: Available online 21 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Qiangqiang Zhang, Yue Zhang, Chunyang Wang, Zhejun Xu, Qifei Liang, Lei An, Jiwen Li, Zhidong Liu, Yan You, Miao He, Ying Mao, Bin Chen, Zhi-Qi Xiong, John L. Rubenstein, Zhengang Yang Striatal medium-sized spiny neurons (MSNs), composed of striatonigral and striatopallidal neurons, are derived from the lateral ganglionic eminence (LGE). We find that the transcription factor Sp9 is expressed in LGE progenitors that generate nearly all striatal MSNs and that Sp9 expression is maintained in postmitotic striatopallidal MSNs. Sp9 -null mice lose most striatopallidal MSNs because of decreased proliferation of striatopallidal MSN progenitors and increased Bax -dependent apoptosis, whereas the development of striatonigral neurons is largely unaffected. ChIP qPCR provides evidence that Ascl1 directly binds the Sp9 promoter. RNA-seq and in situ hybridization reveal that Sp9 promotes expression of Adora2a , P2ry1 , Gpr6 , and Grik3 in the LGE and striatum. Thus, Sp9 is crucial for the generation, differentiation, and survival of striatopallidal MSNs. Graphical abstract Teaser Zhang et al. analyze Sp9 constitutive and conditional knockout mice and find that this zinc finger transcription factor is critical for the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of striatopallidal projection neurons. The development of striatonigral projection neurons is, in contrast, largely unaffected by the absence of Sp9.

Description: Publication date: Available online 19 July 2016 Source: Geodesy and Geodynamics Author(s): Yanbao Li, Weijun Gan, Yuebing Wang, Weitao Chen, Shiming Liang, Keliang Zhang, Yongqi Zhang On January 21, 2016, a strong earthquake with a magnitude of M s6.4 occurred at Menyuan, Qinghai Province of China. In almost the same region, there was another strong earthquake happened in 1986, with similar magnitude and focal mechanism. Based on comprehensive analysis of regional active faults, focal mechanism solutions, precise locations of aftershocks, as well as GPS crustal deformation, we inferred that the Lenglongling active fault dips NE rather than SW as suggested by previous studies. Considering the facts that the 2016 and 1986 M s6.4 Menyuan earthquakes are closely located with similar focal mechanisms, both of the quakes are on the north side of the Lenglongling Fault and adjacent to the fault, and the fault is dipping NE direction, we suggest that the fault should be the seismogenic structure of the two events. The Lenglongling Fault, as the western segment of the well-known Tianzhu seismic gap in the Qilian-Haiyuan active fault system, is in a relatively active state with frequent earthquakes in recent years, implying a high level of strain accumulation and a high potential of major event. It is also possible that the Lenglongling Fault and its adjacent fault, the Jinqianghe Fault in the Tianzhu seismic gap, are rupturing simultaneously in the future.

Description: Publication date: Available online 25 July 2016 Source: Advances in Climate Change Research Author(s): Dong-Feng Zhang, Xue-Jie Gao, Ashraf Zakey, Filippo Giorgi In order to understand impacts of global warming on dust aerosol over East Asia, a regional climate model (RegCM3) coupled with a dust model is employed to simulate the present (1991－2000, following the observed concentration of the greenhouse gases) and future (2091－2100, following the A1B scenario) dust aerosol. Three experiments are performed over East Asia at a horizontal resolution of 50 km, driven by the outputs from a global model of the Model for Interdisciplinary Research on Climate (MIROC3.2_hires), two without (Exp.1 for the present and Exp.2 for the future) and one with (Exp.3 for the future) the radiative effects of dust aerosols. Effects of climate changes on dust aerosols and the feedback of radiative effects in the future are investigated by comparing differences of Exp.2 and Exp.1, Exp.3 and Exp.2, respectively. Results show that global warming will lead to the increases of dust emissions and column burden by 2% and 14% over East Asia, characterized by the increase in December－January－February－March (DJFM) and the decrease in April-May (AM). Similar variations are also seen in the projected frequencies of high dust emission events, showing an advanced active season of dust in the future. The net top-of-the-atmosphere (TOA) radiative forcing is positive over the desert source regions and negative over downwind regions, while the surface radiative forcing is negative over the domain, which will lead to a reduction of dust emissions and column burden.

Description: Publication date: July 2016 Source: Global Ecology and Conservation, Volume 7 Author(s): Annabelle Langlois, Stéphanie Pellerin With a growing number of species at risk of extinction, reintroductions have become an important component of several recovery schemes. In 2005, a recovery program including reintroduction and reinforcement efforts as well as monitoring activities was implemented in Québec for the endangered false hop sedge ( Carex lupuliformis ). Between 2005 and 2010, a total of 600 plants were reintroduced in different habitats (dry and wet) on five distinct sites (swamps). Our objective was to determine which environmental variables (soil moisture, light availability, competition, aphid infestation) influenced the survival and vigour (height, number of shoots, number of fruiting shoots) of the transplanted individuals. We also compared the survival, growth and fecundity of transplanted and wild individuals. Discriminant analyses and ANOVAs indicated that exotic aphid infestation, excessive soil moisture and low light availability were the main causes of premature transplant death. Soil moisture (when not excessive, as shown by the survival analyses), light availability and competition volume positively influenced transplant vigour. Although only 4% of original transplants remain alive after a decade, at least one new population has established and total population has increased six-fold, when wild individuals and transplants still alive in 2015 are included in the calculations. Furthermore, at least 33% of transplants produced seeds at least once. Overall, transplants were less vigorous than wild individuals, but were found to live on average just as long, suggesting that the biological success of our reintroduction program is promising. Further studies of false hop sedge should include an examination of seed viability, to evaluate whether the small, newly-created populations experienced reduced germination.

Description: Publication date: July 2016 Source: Global Ecology and Conservation, Volume 7 Author(s): Katherine R. Amato, Jessica L. Metcalf, Se Jin Song, Vanessa L. Hale, Jonathan Clayton, Gail Ackermann, Greg Humphrey, Kefeng Niu, Duoying Cui, Hongxia Zhao, Mark D. Schrenzel, Chia L. Tan, Rob Knight, Josephine Braun Primates of the Colobinae subfamily are highly folivorous. They possess a sacculated foregut and are believed to rely on a specialized gut microbiota to extract sufficient energy from their hard-to-digest diet. Although many colobines are endangered and would benefit from captive breeding programs, maintaining healthy captive populations of colobines can be difficult since they commonly suffer from morbidity and mortality due to gastrointestinal (GI) distress of unknown cause. While there is speculation that this GI distress may be associated with a dysbiosis of the gut microbiota, no study has directly examined the role of the gut microbiota in colobine GI health. In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing to examine the gut microbiota of three genera of colobines housed at the San Diego Zoo: doucs ( Pygathrix) ( N = 7 ), colobus monkeys ( Colobus) ( N = 4 ), and langurs ( Trachypithecus) ( N = 5 ). Our data indicated that GI-healthy doucs, langurs, and colobus monkeys possess a distinct gut microbiota. In addition, GI-unhealthy doucs exhibited a different gut microbiota compared to GI-healthy individuals, including reduced relative abundances of anti-inflammatory Akkermansia. Finally, by comparing samples from wild and captive Asian colobines, we found that captive colobines generally exhibited higher relative abundances of potential pathogens such as Desulfovibrio and Methanobrevibacter compared to wild colobines, implying an increased risk of gut microbial dysbiosis. Together, these results suggest an association between the gut microbiota and GI illness of unknown cause in doucs. Further studies are necessary to corroborate these findings and determine cause-and-effect relationships. Additionally, we found minimal variation in the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota along the colobine GI tract, suggesting that fecal samples may be sufficient for describing the colobine gut microbiota. If these findings can be validated in wild individuals, it will facilitate the rapid expansion of colobine gut microbiome research.

Description: Publication date: Available online 28 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Christian Hauer, Jana Sieber, Thomas Schwarzl, Ina Hollerer, Tomaz Curk, Anne-Marie Alleaume, Matthias W. Hentze, Andreas E. Kulozik The exon junction complex (EJC) connects spliced mRNAs to posttranscriptional processes including RNA localization, transport, and regulated degradation. Here, we provide a comprehensive analysis of bona fide EJC binding sites across the transcriptome including all four RNA binding EJC components eIF4A3, BTZ, UPF3B, and RNPS1. Integration of these data sets permits definition of high-confidence EJC deposition sites as well as assessment of whether EJC heterogeneity drives alternative nonsense-mediated mRNA decay pathways. Notably, BTZ (MLN51 or CASC3) emerges as the EJC subunit that is almost exclusively bound to sites 20–24 nucleotides upstream of exon-exon junctions, hence defining EJC positions. By contrast, eIF4A3, UPF3B, and RNPS1 display additional RNA binding sites suggesting accompanying non-EJC functions. Finally, our data show that EJCs are largely distributed across spliced RNAs in an orthodox fashion, with two notable exceptions: an EJC deposition bias in favor of alternatively spliced transcripts and against the mRNAs that encode ribosomal proteins. Graphical abstract Teaser Exon junction complexes govern multiple critical decisions in posttranscriptional gene regulation. Using all four RNA binding subunits of the complex, Hauer et al. provide a comprehensive map of bona fide EJCs across a mammalian transcriptome and show enrichment on alternatively spliced mRNAs and underrepresentation on RNAs encoding ribosomal proteins.

Description: Publication date: Available online 28 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Julia C. Liu, Jie Liu, Kira M. Holmström, Sara Menazza, Randi J. Parks, Maria M. Fergusson, Zu-Xi Yu, Danielle A. Springer, Charles Halsey, Chengyu Liu, Elizabeth Murphy, Toren Finkel MICU1 is a component of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter, a multiprotein complex that also includes MICU2, MCU, and EMRE. Here, we describe a mouse model of MICU1 deficiency. MICU1 −/− mitochondria demonstrate altered calcium uptake, and deletion of MICU1 results in significant, but not complete, perinatal mortality. Similar to afflicted patients, viable MICU1 −/− mice manifest marked ataxia and muscle weakness. Early in life, these animals display a range of biochemical abnormalities, including increased resting mitochondrial calcium levels, altered mitochondrial morphology, and reduced ATP. Older MICU1 −/− mice show marked, spontaneous improvement coincident with improved mitochondrial calcium handling and an age-dependent reduction in EMRE expression. Remarkably, deleting one allele of EMRE helps normalize calcium uptake while simultaneously rescuing the high perinatal mortality observed in young MICU1 −/− mice. Together, these results demonstrate that MICU1 serves as a molecular gatekeeper preventing calcium overload and suggests that modulating the calcium uniporter could have widespread therapeutic benefits. Graphical abstract Teaser Liu et al. describe the physiological effects of deleting MICU1, a key component of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter. MICU1 −/− mice demonstrate in vivo calcium overload, mirroring what has been described recently for MICU1-deficient human patients. These animals can be rescued by reducing the expression of EMRE, another uniporter component.

Description: Publication date: Available online 28 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Meera Shah, Dan Su, Judith S. Scheliga, Tomáš Pluskal, Susanna Boronat, Khatereh Motamedchaboki, Alexandre Rosa Campos, Feng Qi, Elena Hidalgo, Mitsuhiro Yanagida, Dieter A. Wolf The multi-subunit eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF3 is thought to assist in the recruitment of ribosomes to mRNA. The expression of eIF3 subunits is frequently disrupted in human cancers, but the specific roles of individual subunits in mRNA translation and cancer remain elusive. Using global transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic profiling, we found a striking failure of Schizosaccharomyces pombe cells lacking eIF3e and eIF3d to synthesize components of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, leading to a defect in respiration, endogenous oxidative stress, and premature aging. Energy balance was maintained, however, by a switch to glycolysis with increased glucose uptake, upregulation of glycolytic enzymes, and strict dependence on a fermentable carbon source. This metabolic regulatory function appears to be conserved in human cells where eIF3e binds metabolic mRNAs and promotes their translation. Thus, via its eIF3d-eIF3e module, eIF3 orchestrates an mRNA-specific translational mechanism controlling energy metabolism that may be disrupted in cancer. Graphical abstract Teaser eIF3 is frequently dysregulated in cancer. Shah et al. show that lack of eIF3d and eIF3e results in impaired synthesis of mitochondrial OXPHOS proteins, respiratory deficiency, glycolytic switch, oxidative stress, and reduced lifespan. Thus, the eIF3d-eIF3e module mediates mRNA-specific translational control of energy metabolism that may be disrupted in cancer.

Description: Publication date: Available online 28 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Pravesh Gupta, Si Min Lai, Jianpeng Sheng, Piotr Tetlak, Akhila Balachander, Carla Claser, Laurent Renia, Klaus Karjalainen, Christiane Ruedl Tissue macrophages exhibit diverse functions, ranging from the maintenance of tissue homeostasis, including clearance of senescent erythrocytes and cell debris, to modulation of inflammation and immunity. Their contribution to the control of blood-stage malaria remains unclear. Here, we show that in the absence of tissue-resident CD169 + macrophages, Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) infection results in significantly increased parasite sequestration, leading to vascular occlusion and leakage and augmented tissue deposition of the malarial pigment hemozoin. This leads to widespread tissue damage culminating in multiple organ inflammation. Thus, the capacity of CD169 + macrophages to contain the parasite burden and its sequestration into different tissues and to limit infection-induced inflammation is crucial to mitigating Plasmodium infection and pathogenesis. Graphical abstract Teaser Using an animal model of blood-stage malaria, Ruedl et al. demonstrate that a distinct innate immune cell type, the tissue-resident CD169 + macrophage, controls parasite propagation and sequestration and restrains inflammation. In the absence of these macrophages, Plasmodium infection is lethal in the model as a result of multiple organ damage.

Description: Publication date: Available online 28 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Shwu-Yuan Wu, Dawn Sijin Nin, A-Young Lee, Scott Simanski, Thomas Kodadek, Cheng-Ming Chiang Post-translational modification can modulate protein conformation and alter binding partner recruitment within gene regulatory regions. Here, we report that bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4), a transcription co-factor and chromatin regulator, uses a phosphorylation-induced switch mechanism to recruit E2 protein encoded by cancer-associated human papillomavirus (HPV) to viral early gene and cellular matrix metalloproteinase-9 ( MMP-9 ) promoters. Enhanced MMP-9 expression, induced upon keratinocyte differentiation, occurs via BRD4-dependent recruitment of active AP-1 and NF-κB to their target sequences. This is triggered by replacement of AP-1 family members JunB and JunD by c-Jun and by re-localization of NF-κB from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. In addition, BRD4 phosphorylation is critical for E2- and origin-dependent HPV DNA replication. A class of phospho-BRD4-targeting compounds, distinct from the BET bromodomain inhibitors, effectively blocks BRD4 phosphorylation-specific functions in transcription and factor recruitment. Graphical abstract Teaser BET bromodomain inhibitors effectively reverse cancer phenotypes but also alter normal cellular activity. Wu et al. describe a phosphorylated region of BRD4 that is critical for HPV origin replication and interacts with the HPV E2 protein. Compounds targeting phospho-BRD4 block E2-regulated viral and cellular gene transcription.

Description: Publication date: Available online 28 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Richard S. Marshall, Fionn McLoughlin, Richard D. Vierstra The autophagic clearance of 26S proteasomes (proteaphagy) is an important homeostatic mechanism within the ubiquitin system that modulates proteolytic capacity and eliminates damaged particles. Here, we define two proteaphagy routes in yeast that respond to either nitrogen starvation or particle inactivation. Whereas the core autophagic machineries required for Atg8 lipidation and vesiculation are essential for both routes, the upstream Atg1 kinase participates only in starvation-induced proteaphagy. Following inactivation, 26S proteasomes become extensively modified with ubiquitin. Although prior studies with Arabidopsis implicated RPN10 in tethering ubiquitylated proteasomes to ATG8 lining the autophagic membranes, yeast proteaphagy employs the evolutionarily distinct receptor Cue5, which simultaneously binds ubiquitin and Atg8. Proteaphagy of inactivated proteasomes also requires the oligomeric Hsp42 chaperone, suggesting that ubiquitylated proteasomes are directed by Hsp42 to insoluble protein deposit (IPOD)-type structures before encapsulation. Together, Cue5 and Hsp42 provide a quality control checkpoint in yeast directed at recycling dysfunctional 26S proteasomes. Graphical abstract Teaser Marshall et al. find that 26S proteasomes are degraded by autophagy in yeast, a process stimulated by inactivation or nitrogen starvation. Proteasome inhibition is accompanied by both Hsp42-mediated aggregation and ubiquitylation of the complex, which is then targeted to autophagic membranes by the ubiquitin binding autophagy receptor Cue5.

Description: Publication date: Available online 28 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Michael Ngo, Arum Han, Anita Lakatos, Debashis Sahoo, Stephanie J. Hachey, Kipp Weiskopf, Andrew H. Beck, Irving L. Weissman, Alexander D. Boiko The high rate of metastasis and recurrence among melanoma patients indicates the existence of cells within melanoma that have the ability to both initiate metastatic programs and bypass immune recognition. Here, we identify CD47 as a regulator of melanoma tumor metastasis and immune evasion. Protein and gene expression analysis of clinical melanoma samples reveals that CD47, an anti-phagocytic signal, correlates with melanoma metastasis. Antibody-mediated blockade of CD47 coupled with targeting of CD271 + melanoma cells strongly inhibits tumor metastasis in patient-derived xenografts. This therapeutic effect is mediated by drastic changes in the tumor and metastatic site immune microenvironments, both of whichwhich exhibit greatly increased density of differentiated macrophages and significantly fewer inflammatory monocytes, pro-metastatic macrophages (CCR2 + /VEGFR1 + ), and neutrophils, all of which are associated with disease progression. Thus, antibody therapy that activates the innate immune response in combination with selective targeting of CD271 + melanoma cells represents a powerful therapeutic approach against metastatic melanoma. Graphical abstract Teaser Ngo et al. find that metastatic progression in melanoma is associated with overexpression of an anti-phagocytic signal, CD47. Blockade of CD47 and activation of innate immunity via macrophage-induced phagocytosis effectively suppress melanoma metastasis in patient-derived xenografts. Coupled with targeting of CD271 + melanoma cells, this regimen produces the most potent therapeutic response.

Description: Publication date: Available online 28 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Hui Zhang, Mehmet G. Badur, Ajit S. Divakaruni, Seth J. Parker, Christian Jäger, Karsten Hiller, Anne N. Murphy, Christian M. Metallo Recent studies have suggested that human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) depend primarily on glycolysis and only increase oxidative metabolism during differentiation. Here, we demonstrate that both glycolytic and oxidative metabolism can support hPSC growth and that the metabolic phenotype of hPSCs is largely driven by nutrient availability. We comprehensively characterized hPSC metabolism by using 13 C/ 2 H stable isotope tracing and flux analysis to define the metabolic pathways supporting hPSC bioenergetics and biosynthesis. Although glycolytic flux consistently supported hPSC growth, chemically defined media strongly influenced the state of mitochondrial respiration and fatty acid metabolism. Lipid deficiency dramatically reprogramed pathways associated with fatty acid biosynthesis and NADPH regeneration, altering the mitochondrial function of cells and driving flux through the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway. Lipid supplementation mitigates this metabolic reprogramming and increases oxidative metabolism. These results demonstrate that self-renewing hPSCs can present distinct metabolic states and highlight the importance of medium nutrients on mitochondrial function and development. Graphical abstract Teaser Zhang et al. apply metabolic flux analysis to comprehensively characterize the metabolism of human pluripotent stem cells cultured in different media. Cells maintained in chemically defined media significantly upregulate lipid biosynthesis and redox pathways to compensate for medium lipid deficiency while downregulating oxidative mitochondrial metabolism.

Description: Publication date: Available online 29 July 2016 Source: Geodesy and Geodynamics Author(s): Giuseppe Casula, Maria Giovanna Bianchi We present a dense crustal velocity field and corresponding strain-rate pattern computed using Global Positioning System (GPS)- Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data from several hundred permanent stations in the Italian Peninsula. GPS data analysis is based on the GAMIT/GLOBK 10.6 software, which was developed and maintained mainly by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), using tools based on the distributed-sessions approach implemented in this package. The GPS data span the period from January 2008 to December 2012 and come from several different permanent GPS networks in Italy. The GLOBK package implemented in the last version of the GAMIT package is used to compute the position time-series and velocities registered in the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) 2008. The resulting high-density intra-plate velocity field provides indications of the tectonics of the Mediterranean region. A computation of the strain-rate pattern from GPS data is performed and compared with the map of the epicentral locations of historical earthquakes that occurred in the last 1000 years in the Italian territory, showing that, in general, higher crustal deformation rates are active in regions affected by seismicity of greater magnitude.

Description: Publication date: Available online 29 July 2016 Source: Geodesy and Geodynamics Author(s): Weitao Chen, Weijun Gan, Genru Xiao, Yuebing Wang, Weiping Lian, Shiming Liang, Keliang Zhang On January 21, 2016, a strong earthquake with a magnitude of Ms 6.4 happened at Menyuan, Qinghai Province of China. In almost the same place, there was another strong earthquake happened in 1986, with similar magnitude and focal mechanism. In this paper, we analyze the characteristics of regional crustal deformation before the 2016 Menyuan Ms 6.4 earthquake by using the data from 10 continuous Global Positioning System (GPS) stations and 74 campaign-mode GPS stations within 200 km of this event: (a) Based on the velocity field from over ten years GPS observations, a regional strain rate field is calculated. The results indicate that the crustal strain rate and seismic moment accumulation rate of the Qilian-Haiyuan active fault, which is the seismogenic tectonics of the event, are significantly higher than the surrounding regions. In a 20 km × 20 km area around the seismogenic region, the maximum and minimum principal strain rates are 21.5 nanostrain/a (NW–SE extension) and −46.6 nanostrain/a (NE–SW compression), respectively, and the seismic moment accumulation rates is 17.4 N m/a. The direction of principal compression is consistent with the focal mechanism of this event. (b) Based on the position time series of the continuous GPS stations for a time-span of about 6 years before the event, we calculate the strain time series. The results show that the dilatation of the seismogenic region is continuously reduced with a “non-linear” trend since 2010, which means the seismogenic region has been in a state of compression. However, about 2–3 months before the event, both the dilatation and maximum shear strain show significant inverse trends. These abnormal changes of crustal deformation may reflect the non-linear adjustment of the stress–strain accumulation of the seismogenic region, when the accumulation is approaching the critical value of rupture.

Description: Publication date: Available online 30 July 2016 Source: Geodesy and Geodynamics Author(s): Ping He, Qi Wang, Kaihua Ding, Jie Li, Rong Zou On 3 July 2015, a Mw 6.4 earthquake occurred on a blind fault struck Pishan, Xinjiang, China. By combining Crustal Movement Observation Network of China (CMONOC) and other Static Global Positioning System (GPS) sites surrounding Pishan region, it provides a chance to constrain the slip rupture for this moderate event by GPS solutions. The maximum displacement is up to 12 cm, 2 cm for coseismic and postseismic deformation, respectively, and both the deformation patterns show a same direction moving northeastward. With rectangular dislocation model, a magnitude of Mw 6.48, Mw 6.3 is calculated based on coseismic, postseismic deformation respectively. Our result indicates the western Kunlun range is still moving toward Tarim basin followed by an obvious postseismic slip associated with this earthquake. To determine a more reasonable model for postseismic deformation, it will need a longer data set.

Description: Publication date: Available online 30 July 2016 Source: Geodesy and Geodynamics Author(s): Guiju Wu, Guangliang Yang, Hongbo Tan The research about subsurface characteristics by using transient electromagnetic method (TEM) and high density resistivity method (HDRM) were already conducted in Ordos. The objective of this research is to detect coalmine goaf areas based on rock resistivity. The data processing using wavelet transform, three point smoothing, RES2DINV and Maxwell processing software to obtain 2D resistivity structure. The results showed that the layers with maximum resistivity values (30–33 Ω m on Line 1, 30–31 Ω m on Line 2, 32–40 Ω m on Line 3) are founded at station 1–7, and 14–20 on Line 1,13–18 on Line 2, and 8–13 and 16–20 on Line 3 which is predicted as goaf layer, and the minimum resistivity values (20–26 Ω m of TEM, 45–75 Ω m of HDRM) at the other layers. This resistivity difference was caused by the geology and characteristics of the study area which is located close by the cleugh with rich coal, so the goaf area distinguishable with aquifer layer and coal seam. The results were also significant accidents and serious destruction of ecological environment.

Description: Publication date: July 2016 Source: Global Ecology and Conservation, Volume 7 Author(s): A. Dellinger, J. Plotkin, B. Duncan, L. Robertson, T. Brady, C. Kepley Crustaceans, such as crab and lobster, comprise an important global food commodity. They are captured in traps using primarily forage fish (e.g. anchovies, herring, and menhaden), as bait. Approximately 18 million tons of these fish are used annually to bait traps, worldwide (U. Nations, 2014). In addition to natural predators dependent on forage fish (Pikitch et al., 2012), myriad other factors are further intensifying demand and collectively threatening stocks ( e.g. Omega-3 supplements, pet food, livestock feed,–in addition to direct human consumption). Forage fish capture methods pose collateral environmental risks from by-catch ( e.g. seals, dolphins, turtles) indiscriminately killed in nets. Sustainable alternatives to stem further depletion are desperately needed, and toward this end, a synthetic crustacean bait has been developed. The technology mimics molecules released from forage fish by employing a formulation that is dispersed at a controlled rate from a soluble matrix. The synthetic bait reliably caught stone crab, blue crab, and American lobster in field trials. This technology addresses major ecological threats, while providing economic and operational benefits to the crustacean fishing industry. One Sentence Summary: A synthetic crustacean bait has been developed to obviate the need for forage fish capture and depletion.

Description: Publication date: Available online 30 July 2016 Source: Geoscience Frontiers Author(s): Tsuyoshi Komiya, Shinji Yamamoto, Shogo Aoki, Keiko Koshida, Masanori Shimojo, Yusuke Sawaki, Kazumasa Aoki, Shuhei Sakata, Takaomi D. Yokoyama, Kenshi Maki, Akira Ishikawa, Takafumi Hirata, Kenneth D. Collerson The Archean continental crusts account for ca. 20 % of the present volume, but the thermal history of the Earths’ mantle suggests much more continental crusts were formed in the Early Archean. Because the Archean continental crust underwent severe metamorphism, it is important to avoid influence by the later thermal events. We carried out a comprehensive geochronological work of Cathodoluminescence (CL) observation and U-Pb dating of zircons from orthogneisses and supracrustal rocks over the Saglek Block to obtain their protolith ages. The zircons were classified into three domains of core, mantle and rims, and the cores were further classified into three groups of inherited, altered and zoned cores based on the zonation on the CL images. We estimated the protolith ages from Pb-Pb ages of the zoned-cores of zircons with low U contents. We made a detailed sketch of a small outcrop in St. John’s Harbour South (SJHS) area, and classified the orthogneisses and mafic enclaves into seven generations based on the geologic occurrence. The first and second generations comprise mafic rocks and lack magmatic zircons. We conducted CL imaging and U-Pb dating of zircons from the third, sixth and seventh generation of the orthogneisses to estimate the protolith ages at 3902±25, 3892±33 and 3897±33 Ma for each, supporting the presence of the over 3.9 Ga Iqaluk Gneiss. The geological occurrence that the mafic rocks occur as enclaves within the 3.9 Ga Iqaluk Gneiss indicates that they are the oldest supracrustal rocks in the world. Our geochronological and geological studies show the Uivak Gneiss is quite varied in lithology and age from 3.6 to >3.9 Ga, and tentatively classified into six groups based on their ages. The oldest Uivak Gneiss components including the Iqaluk Gneiss are present around the SJHS area, and the orthogneisses become young as it is away. The lines of evidence of overprinting of younger granitoid on older granitoid in small outcrops and geological-map scale as well as presence of inherited zircons even in the oldest suite suggests that crustal reworking played an important role on erasing the ancient crusts. Graphical abstract

Description: Publication date: Available online 27 July 2016 Source: Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering Author(s): Fethi Kitchah, Sadok Benmebarek The stability of shallow tunnels excavated in full face has been a major challenge to the scientific community for a long time. In recent years, new techniques based on the installation of a pre-reinforcement system ahead of the tunnel face were developed to control the deformations and surface settlements induced by the excavation and to ensure the sustainability of the tunnel in the long term. In this paper, a finite difference numerical simulation was conducted to study the behaviors and effects of two pre-reinforcement systems, i.e. the face bolting and the umbrella arch system installed in a section of southern Toulon tunnel in France. For this purpose, two approaches were taken and compared: a two-dimensional (2D) approach based on the convergence-confinement method, and a three-dimensional (3D) approach taking into account the complete modeling of the tunnel. A 2D numerical back-analysis was performed to identify the geomechanical parameters that offer satisfactory agreement with the measurement results. The limit of this method lies in the exact choice of the stress relaxation ratio λ . To overcome this uncertainty, a 3D model was developed, which permitted to study the influence of different pre-support systems on the reaction of ground mass. Both 2D and 3D numerical approaches have been fitted to measurements recorded in a section of the Toulon tunnel and the very satisfactory correspondence has allowed validating the simulations. The results show that the 3D numerical analysis with a full discretization of the inclusions seems unquestionably the most reliable approach.

Description: Publication date: Available online 28 June 2016 Source: Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering Author(s): Shucai Li, Rentai Liu, Qingsong Zhang, Xiao Zhang Grouting is a major method used to prevent water and mud inrush in tunnels and underground engineering. In this paper, the current situation of control and prevention of water and mud inrush is summarized and recent advances in relevant theories, grout/equipment, and critical techniques are introduced. The time-variant equations of grout viscosity at different volumetric ratios were obtained based on the constitutive relation of typical fast curing grouts. A large-scale dynamic grouting model testing system (4000 mm × 2000 mm × 5 mm) was developed, and the diffusions of cement and fast curing grouts in dynamic water grouting were investigated. The results reveal that the diffusions of cement grouts and fast curing grouts are U-shaped and asymmetric elliptical, respectively. A multi-parameter real-time monitoring system ( ϕ = 1.5 m, h = 1.2 m) was developed for the grouting process to study the diffusion and reinforcement mechanism of grouting in water-rich faulted zone. A high early strength cream-type reinforcing/plugging grout, a high permeability nano-scale silica gel grout, and a high-expansion filling grout were proposed for the control of water hazard in weak water-rich faulted zone rocks, water inrush in karst passages, and micro-crack water inrush, respectively. Complement technologies and equipment for industrial applications were also proposed. Additionally, a novel full-life periodic dynamic water grouting with the critical grouting borehole as the core was proposed. The key techniques for the control of water inrush in water-rich faulted zone, jointed fissures and karst passages, and micro-crack water inrush were developed.

Description: Publication date: Available online 4 August 2016 Source: Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering Author(s): Afshin Khoshand, Mamadou Fall Natural methane (CH 4 ) oxidation that is carried out through the use of landfill covers (biocovers) is a promising method for reducing CH 4 emissions from landfills. Previous studies on peat-based landfill covers have mainly focused on their biochemical properties (e.g. CH 4 oxidation capacity). However, the utilization of peat as a cover material also requires a solid understanding of its geotechnical properties (thermal, hydraulic, and mechanical), which are critical to the performance of any biocover. Therefore, the objective of this context is to investigate and assess the geotechnical properties of peat-based cover materials (peat, peat-sand mixture), including compaction, consolidation, and hydraulic and thermal conductivities. The studied materials show high compressibility to the increase of vertical stress, with compression index ( C c ) values ranging from 0.16 to 0.358. The compressibility is a function of sand content such that the peat-sand mixture (1:3) has the lowest C c value. Both the thermal and hydraulic conductivities are functions of moisture content, dry density, and sand content. The hydraulic conductivity varies from 1.74 ×10 −9 m/s to 7.35×10 −9 m/s, and increases with the increase in sand content. The thermal conductivity of the studied samples varies between 0.54 W/(m K) and 1.41 W/(m K) and it increases with the increases in moisture and sand contents. Increases in sand content generally increase the mechanical behavior of peat-based covers; however, they also cause relatively high hydraulic and thermal conductivities which are not favored properties for biocovers.

Description: Publication date: 2016 Source: Procedia Environmental Sciences, Volume 35 Author(s): S.B. Wath A flush urinal-toilet disposes human waste by using water through a drainpipe to another location. A series of urinal-toilets are fitted in offices, malls, multiplexes, educational institutions, bus railway stations, airports, commercial complexes, stadia and other public places. Most have manual flushing systems like push button, trigger, pull chain, etc. however, use of such manually operated flush can spread germs and bacteria when contacted and thus users avoids to flush or lead to wastage of water if used. Now a day's laser or infrared sensor operated flushes is also used in the places of high commercial value and importance but are expensive and required continuous O&M. Therefore, the sanitary facility may remain un-flushed leading to unhygienic conditions and foul smell. Thus need for a low cost automatic flushing apparatus which can flush the right-controlled amount of water and avoid direct contact thus conserving water as well as maintaining personal hygiene and sanitation The present invention relates to a specially designed mechanical automatic urinal-toilet flusher and a mechanism thereof, which utilizes the weight load/pressure of the person using the urinal-toilet for automatic flushing the urinal- toilet with the specified or measured quantity of water to prevent odors, soil drain and scale buildup. It ensures the compulsory, regular and un-intentional flushing of the urinal-toilet without any direct hand contact of the user to the flush and also conserve water at the same time is simple and cheap, which can be fitted-retrofitted to new as well as existing water pipe line of the urinal-toilets.

Description: Publication date: 2016 Source: Procedia Environmental Sciences, Volume 35 Author(s): Vidyadhar Durgekar This paper explores the performance of sustainable waste management through effective policy, legislations, supply chain integration and participation in technology. It compares a standalone impact analysis of the aspects and the hazards of the municipal solid waste. Considering the practical difficulties and issues on site of the waste disposal in the Cities, this paper does an matrix based analysis to arrive at the solution.

Description: Publication date: 2016 Source: Procedia Environmental Sciences, Volume 35 Author(s): A. Aich, Sadhan K. Ghosh Municipal solid waste management system cannot be made sustainable only with the technical end-of-pipe solutions but an integrated approach is necessary. The use of SWOT (strength & weakness and opportunity & threats) analysis technique for the selection of technology for processing and disposal of municipal solid waste will help to mitigate the uncertainties and minimise the business/project risk and will also help to identify the raw material feed mix, establish a raw material supply chain, identify the product mix and product market, business model & business risk. In this paper a systematic approach has been developed for the selection of right technology for the sustainable processing and disposal of municipal solid waste.

Description: Publication date: 2016 Source: Procedia Environmental Sciences, Volume 35 Author(s): Aditee Potdar, Anju Singh, Seema Unnikrishnan, Neelima Naik, Mayuri Naik, Indrayani Nimkar, Vikrant Patil Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) has emerged as a core issue, which needs to be tackled effectively in developing countries. The burgeoning population indicates increased MSW generation rates indirectly posing challenge to the final disposal. The final disposal is of critical importance as it largely impacts the environment and public health. A number of technologies are available for management and treatment of MSW but choosing the appropriate one depends on the nature of MSW and local conditions. Selecting the appropriate technology also helps to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, thereby mitigating climate change. The opportunity to reduce GHG emissions is offered by the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). This paper reports how MSW can be managed effectively through CDM. 350 MSW projects have been registered under CDM across 56 developing countries. 51,292,568 metric tons of CO2e are estimated to be reduced through these 350 projects. China registered the maximum number of projects (102), followed by Brazil and Mexico registering 45 and 28 projects, respectively. Overall, 175 projects from China, Brazil, and Mexico account for about 51.63% of the total estimated emissions reductions. Asian region reported the highest number of projects (191) followed by South American region (123). 16 methodologies have been used as stand-alone as well as in combination for management of MSW through CDM and cover several areas through which the potential of MSW can be trapped. China and India used the maximum methodologies (9) followed by Brazil (7). Registering for CDM offers financial benefits as well as technology transfer and ultimately sustainable development. Source reduction and technology development to suit local needs are the areas where developing countries can focus. An integrated system for solid waste management is perfectly suitable for developing countries.

Description: Publication date: 2016 Source: Procedia Environmental Sciences, Volume 35 Author(s): P.P. Anilkumar, K. Chithra Municipal solid waste management has become a serious concern in India, and for efficient management, it is important that accurate methods are developed for estimating solid waste types, quantities and its distribution. Objective of this research paper, which is based on a HUDCO funded project, is to understand how residential land use and associated activities’ based specific key generators of solid waste in a small/medium scale urban area are related to the quantity of waste generated and thereby to model the same. The study is aimed at deriving a more rational method to estimate quantity of solid waste generated type-wise, in place of the per capita based en-bloc estimation system practiced at present. Criticality of residential land-use and related generators are identified through a Delphi/AHP based expert survey process. Their relationship to waste generation is established based on the field survey conducted in 2 select wards of three cities namely Thiruvananthapuram, Coimbatore and Kozhikode in South India. The sample size was 150 households/ward. The results show that when solid waste estimation based on land use parameters is attempted for residential land-use, not only factors like household size, and income matter but also factors like housing typology, floor area of the residence and lifestyle of the family etc. have a decisive role to play. In its results part, the paper presents models for estimating solid waste for residential land-use based on the critical generator parameters with established correlation. Then the paper discusses the survey based validation results of the models. In conclusion, the paper briefly outlines a system that can be developed to estimate solid waste generation at an appropriate level with superior quantitative and qualitative precision of waste estimation. It can have immense application in waste management related capacity building and in formulating suitable policy guidelines.

Description: Publication date: 2016 Source: Procedia Environmental Sciences, Volume 35 Author(s): Shaoli De, Biswajit Debnath Multiple factors like population density with high degree of commercialization and rapid urbanization has resulted in problems of solid waste disposal which produce 120,000 tones of solid waste per day in India (2014) and its detrimental consequences. But separate studies on the health hazards associated with waste disposal in the localities of Kolkata are scanty. The aim of this study is to explore the adverse health effects prevalent in the community associated with the solid waste disposal system in a specific locality (i.e. Garia) of Kolkata. A garbage disposable area of Kolkata was selected in Garia and the nearby households (within 500 m from the waste disposable land) were randomly selected and case study was done by interview on the effect of garbage disposal on the health of the adjacent residents with two self structured questionnaires, taking note of perception and awareness about garbage disposal practices. Their recommendation was also sought for eradication of menace. The study clearly indicates failure of the existing facilities, high volume of waste generation, inadequate collection space, and the presence of open-dump sites which generates serious health risks. Information of various types of waste materials like polythene bags, construction wastes, regular solid wastes from households were obtained. It was observed that the people living in this area have poor health like allergy, asthma, skin irritation and other gastro intestinal diseases. The public perception indicated that most people lack knowledge of the harmful effects of waste heaps including that they are breeding grounds for flies, cockroaches, and mosquitoes, rodents etc which are responsible for transmission of germs and zoonotic infections to the people living nearby. The findings of the study will help the stakeholders to take necessary steps to eradicate the problem and to grow a healthier environment.

Description: Publication date: 2016 Source: Procedia Environmental Sciences, Volume 35 Author(s): Shyamala Mani, Satpal Singh Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) has emerged as a big challenge not only because of the health and environmental concerns but also due to huge quantities of waste generated. It is observed from many research documents that most urban local bodies (ULBs) in India are unable to handle such huge quantities of solid waste due to financial and institutional debilities. Furthermore, ULBs rarely have sufficient funds, resources, infrastructure and appropriate strategies for improved solid waste management. Segregation of waste, door to door waste collection, technologies for the treatment of waste, land resources and scientific disposal methods are some of the major challenges. Recognizing these challenges, the two ministries of Government of India namely Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) have initiated several policies and programmes to improve the current scenario of MSWM in India. Environment Ministry had promulgated the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules in2000 which is now being revamped as Solid Waste Management Rules 2015 while the MoUD has prepared a draft manual on MSWM to support cities and towns on planning and implementing a proper MSWM system in line with the SWM Rules being promulgated in 2015. It is observed that many policies and programmes fail to achieve their objectives due to lack of clarity and awareness among the stakeholders and poor enforcement by the regulators. The present paper provides a comprehensive view of SWM and most importantly highlights some major points of the policies/programmes initiated by the Government of India to overcome the challenges of solid waste management in our country.

Description: Publication date: 2016 Source: Procedia Environmental Sciences, Volume 35 Author(s): Animesh Biswas, Arnab Kumar De In this study a fuzzy chance constrained programming approach is developed for municipal solid waste management to minimize the net system cost and maximize the revenue generated from different treatment facilities. Most of the parameters involved with this model are imprecisely defined and probabilistically uncertain. A fuzzy chance programming model is developed to minimize the net system cost of sorting and transporting the wastes and to maximize the revenue generated from different treatment facilities. To resolve the cases arising due to the multiple occurrences of fuzzy goals, a fuzzy goal programming has been adopted. To expound the potential use of the approach, modified version of a case example, studied previously, has been considered and solved. The achieved model solution is compared with the existing technique for waste management, studied earlier.

Description: Publication date: 2016 Source: Procedia Environmental Sciences, Volume 35 Author(s): P. Albores, K. Petridis, P.K. Dey In our day-to-day living, a simple underlying principle is to consume resources in one form or another. This consumption generates waste, which needs to be dealt with in a responsible, efficient and effective manner. Waste is mostly collected and disposed by municipalities. This presents a challenge for these municipalities in dealing with ever increasing amounts of waste to be managed. This is particularly critical in cities, where the demand for these services is increasing. Management of municipal solid waste (MSW) continues to be one of the top priorities for human communities in the 21st century. The model of integrated solid waste management, reduction of waste right at the source points before it enters the chain of waste stream, reuse of generated wastes for recovery by recycling, and disposal through environmentally sound combustion facilities and landfills that meet policy standards are being used by communities as they evolve. Solid waste management is known to be an important contributor to various environmental problems, for example climate change (e.g. greenhouse gas emissions from landfills), disturbing multiple ecosystems (e.g. heavy metal emissions into air, soil and surface water), and improper use of resources leading to depletion (e.g. inexistent or inefficient recycling processing methods for a few particular key minerals or metals) among others. The formidable rise in solid waste generation require suitable management systems, which methodically handle these environmental issues and eventually contribute to move towards a more environmentally sustainable society. This paper presents a method based on Data Envelopment Analysis to analyse the efficiency of Waste to Energy systems, looking not only at maximising the positive outputs (e.g. Energy), but also minimising the negative ones (e.g. emissions). The results provide a benchmark for municipalities to aim in the operation of their Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM).

Description: Publication date: 2016 Source: Procedia Environmental Sciences, Volume 35 Author(s): A. Schüch, G. Morscheck, A. Lemke, M. Nelles German biodegradable waste is collected separately, recycled and ecologically and economically used. Compost and digestate are used as organic fertilizer or replace peat in potting soil and plant substrates. The bio-waste recycling may also directly contribute to climate protection if the methane produced during the fermentation is used for energy production. Around the world biodegradable waste in landfills is the main factor for the generation of the greenhouse gas methane. This environmental impact can be significantly reduced by the separate collection and recycling/use of organic waste. The separate collection of bio-waste is also a precondition for reutilizing of organic matter and nutrients. Only from separately collected bio-wasteit is possible to produce high-quality compost and digestate, which are suitable for agricultural or horticultural use. The separate collection of bio-waste from households affects the amount and composition of the residual waste. By separating bio-waste the remaining amount of waste is reduced up to a third. At the same time the residual waste contains less wet ingredients, which facilitate the waste sorting and makes the treatment in waste incineration plants more effective or even possible. Both, the recycling of compost and digestate on soils, as well as the energy recovery of bio-waste, contribute to climate protection and resource conservation. The operation of the treatment plants determines how much of the greenhouse gases methane, nitrous oxide and ammonia is released during the process. Some plant operators need to be awakened and their awareness of climate-relevant emissions from their bio-waste treatment plants has to be raised. Also the amount of collected organic waste should be further reinforced. In 2015 the separate collection of bio-waste has to improve!

Description: Publication date: 2016 Source: Procedia Environmental Sciences, Volume 35 Author(s): K.A. Kolekar, T. Hazra, S.N. Chakrabarty Development of a Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) plan is a complex process. As a foundation and prerequisite for efficient MSWM plan, quantification and prediction of Solid Waste (SW) generation is very much essentials. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) prediction cannot be done directly and depends on so many factors. In actual practices, due to uncertainties and unavailability of sufficient data, modelling methods are needed for prediction of MSW generation. A number of researchers have predicted SW generation using various modeling methods. The main objective of this paper is to review such models related to MSW generation using economic, socio-demographic or management-orientated data and identify possible factors that will help in selecting the crucial design options within the framework of mathematical modeling. Five characteristic classification criteria, namely, modeling method, area covered, time series, independent variables and waste streams are focused in this review. The entire published models are diverse in nature for application from whole country to households. Successful modeling depends significantly on selection of waste stream. From the review and discussion of models the research aims to identify the limitations of previous models which will help in identifying the crucial design options within the framework of modeling. The study is concluded with a few fruitful suggestions.

Description: Publication date: 2016 Source: Procedia Environmental Sciences, Volume 35 Author(s): Konstantinos Petridis, Prasanta Kumar Dey Incineration plants in UK carry out two important tasks: reduction of waste disposed to landfills, and power/heat production from waste incineration distributed to the grid. However, incinerating waste produces, except for desirable outputs like exported power, harmful emissions, too. In this work, a DEA/Goal Programming model is presented to assess the performance of each incineration plant. Data from 22 incineration plants have been collected regarding capacity (waste and power), power exported, annual availability and levels of harmful emissions. The proposed model provides an allocation of the examined incineration plants, by shutting down a plant if it doesn’t meet environmental targets. Additional constraints are considered regarding levels of power exported and annual availability. The model is solved for multiple scenarios regarding the number of incineration plants that will be eventually installed. Results are provided regarding the optimal allocation of each incineration plant and the optimal values of under and over achievement of each environmental target. Additionally, a comparative analysis is conducted on the scores derived from the proposed method and DEA models that handle both desirable and undesirable outputs. No differences between the two rankings are derived by applying statistical analysis.

Description: Publication date: July 2016 Source: Global Ecology and Conservation, Volume 7 Author(s): Wilfrid Rodriguez, Ika C. Feller, Kyle C. Cavanaugh General circulation models predict warming trends and changes in temperature and precipitation patterns that have the potential to alter the structure and function of coastal habitats. The purpose of this study was to quantify the expansion and contraction of mangroves and saltmarsh habitats and assess the impact of climate on these landscape changes. The study was conducted in a mangrove/saltmarsh ecotone in Flagler County, FL, near the northern range limit of mangroves along the Atlantic coast of North America. We used time series of historical aerial photography and high-resolution multispectral satellite imagery from 1942 to 2013 to quantify changes in the extent of mangrove and saltmarsh vegetation and compared these changes to climate variables of temperature and precipitation, temperature–seasonality, as well as historical sea-level data. Results showed increases in mangrove extent of 89% between 1942 and 1952, and a continuous increase from 1995 to 2013. Largest decrease in saltmarsh extent occurred between 1942 and 1952 (-136%) and between 2008 and 2013 (-81%). We found significant effects of precipitation, temperature, seasonality, and time on mangrove and saltmarsh areal extent. The statistical effect of sea-level was rather small, but we speculate that it might have ecological impacts on these two coastal ecosystems. Results also showed a cyclical dynamism as well as a reversal in habitat dominance, which may be the result of complex interactions between plant habitats and several environmental drivers of change such as species interactions, and hydrological changes induced by sea-level rise, in addition to temperature and precipitation effects. Our results on mangrove/saltmarsh expansion and contraction may contribute to the improvement of management and conservation strategies for coastal ecosystems being impacted by climate change.

Description: Publication date: Available online 7 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Thomas Laeger, Diana C. Albarado, Susan J. Burke, Lexus Trosclair, John W. Hedgepeth, Hans-Rudolf Berthoud, Thomas W. Gettys, J. Jason Collier, Heike Münzberg, Christopher D. Morrison FGF21 contributes to the metabolic response to dietary protein restriction, and prior data implicate GCN2 as the amino acid sensor linking protein restriction to FGF21 induction. Here, we demonstrate the persistent and essential role of FGF21 in the metabolic response to protein restriction. We show that Fgf21 KO mice are fully resistant to low protein (LP)-induced changes in food intake, energy expenditure (EE), body weight gain, and metabolic gene expression for 6 months. Gcn2 KO mice recapitulate this phenotype, but LP-induced effects on food intake, EE, and body weight subsequently begin to appear after 14 days on diet. We show that this delayed emergence of LP-induced metabolic effects in Gcn2 KO mice coincides with a delayed but progressive increase of hepatic Fgf21 expression and blood FGF21 concentrations over time. These data indicate that FGF21 is essential for the metabolic response to protein restriction but that GCN2 is only transiently required for LP-induced FGF21. Graphical abstract Teaser Laeger et al. demonstrate that FGF21 is required for adaptive metabolic responses to protein restriction. The amino acid sensor GCN2 initially contributes to the induction of FGF21, but additional mechanisms compensate for its absence over longer periods.

Description: Publication date: Available online 7 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Caleb C. Lord, Daniel Ferguson, Gwynneth Thomas, Amanda L. Brown, Rebecca C. Schugar, Amy Burrows, Anthony D. Gromovsky, Jenna Betters, Chase Neumann, Jessica Sacks, Stephanie Marshall, Russell Watts, Martina Schweiger, Richard G. Lee, Rosanne M. Crooke, Mark J. Graham, Justin D. Lathia, Takuya F. Sakaguchi, Richard Lehner, Guenter Haemmerle, Rudolf Zechner, J. Mark Brown Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and comparative gene identification 58 (CGI-58) are critical regulators of triacylglycerol (TAG) turnover. CGI-58 is thought to regulate TAG mobilization by stimulating the enzymatic activity of ATGL. However, it is not known whether this coactivation function of CGI-58 occurs in vivo. Moreover, the phenotype of human CGI-58 mutations suggests ATGL-independent functions. Through direct comparison of mice with single or double deficiency of CGI-58 and ATGL, we show here that CGI-58 knockdown causes hepatic steatosis in both the presence and absence of ATGL. CGI-58 also regulates hepatic diacylglycerol (DAG) and inflammation in an ATGL-independent manner. Interestingly, ATGL deficiency, but not CGI-58 deficiency, results in suppression of the hepatic and adipose de novo lipogenic program. Collectively, these findings show that CGI-58 regulates hepatic neutral lipid storage and inflammation in the genetic absence of ATGL, demonstrating that mechanisms driving TAG lipolysis in hepatocytes differ significantly from those in adipocytes. Graphical abstract Teaser Comparative gene identification 58 (CGI-58) is thought to regulate triacylglycerol mobilization by stimulating the enzymatic activity of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL). Lord et al. now show that CGI-58 regulates hepatic triacylglycerol turnover and inflammation in the genetic absence of ATGL, demonstrating an ATGL-independent role for CGI-58 in mouse liver.

Description: Publication date: Available online 7 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Jordan P. Hamm, Rafael Yuste Patients with schizophrenia have deficient sensory processing, undermining how they perceive and relate to a changing environment. This impairment can be captured by the reduced mismatch negativity (MMN) index, an electroencephalographic biomarker of psychosis. The biological factors contributing to MMN are unclear, though mouse research, in which genetic and optical methods could be applied, has given some insight. Using fast two-photon calcium imaging and multielectrode recordings in awake mice, we find that visual cortical circuits display adapted (decreased) responses to repeated stimuli and amplified responses to a deviant stimulus, the key component of human MMN. Moreover, pharmacogenetic silencing of somatostatin-containing interneurons specifically eliminated this amplification, along with its associated theta/alpha-band response, leaving stimulus-specific adaption and related gamma-band modulations intact. Our results validate a mouse model of MMN and suggest that abnormalities in somatostatin-containing interneurons cause sensory deficits underlying MMN and schizophrenia. Graphical abstract Teaser Hamm and Yuste develop a mouse model of mismatch negativity, a classic EEG biomarker of schizophrenia. They pinpoint two components of this marker within visual cortex (adaptation and deviance detection); revealing that pharmacogenetic suppression of somatostatin inhibitory neurons specifically eliminates deviance detection, the higher-order component critically deficient in patients.

Description: Publication date: Available online 7 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Margherita Puppo, Gabriele Bucci, Martina Rossi, Matteo Giovarelli, Domenico Bordo, Arfa Moshiri, Franco Gorlero, Roberto Gherzi, Paola Briata Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) confers several traits to cancer cells that are required for malignant progression. Here, we report that miR-27b-3p-mediated silencing of the single-strand RNA binding protein KHSRP is required for transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)-induced EMT in mammary gland cells. Sustained KHSRP expression limits TGF-β-dependent induction of EMT factors and cell migration, whereas its knockdown in untreated cells mimics TGF-β-induced EMT. Genome-wide sequencing analyses revealed that KHSRP controls (1) levels of mature miR-192-5p, a microRNA that targets a group of EMT factors, and (2) alternative splicing of a cohort of pre-mRNAs related to cell adhesion and motility including Cd44 and Fgfr2 . KHSRP belongs to a ribonucleoprotein complex that includes hnRNPA1, and the two proteins cooperate in promoting epithelial-type exon usage of select pre-mRNAs. Thus, TGF-β-induced KHSRP silencing is central in a pathway leading to gene-expression changes that contribute to the cellular changes linked to EMT. Graphical abstract Teaser Puppo et al. show that KHSRP, through influencing miR-192-5p maturation as well as alternative splicing of a cohort of pre-mRNAs, is crucial to maintaining the epithelial identity of mammary gland cells. TGF-β-induced KHSRP silencing causes gene expression changes that contribute to EMT.

Description: Publication date: Available online 7 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Diogo Ribeiro, Marcus D.R. Klarqvist, Ulrica K. Westermark, Ganna Oliynyk, Johanna Dzieran, Anna Kock, Carolina Savatier Banares, Falk Hertwig, John Inge Johnsen, Matthias Fischer, Per Kogner, Jakob Lovén, Marie Arsenian Henriksson MYCN amplification and MYC signaling are associated with high-risk neuroblastoma with poor prognosis. Treating these tumors remains challenging, although therapeutic approaches stimulating differentiation have generated considerable interest. We have previously shown that the MYCN-regulated miR-17∼92 cluster inhibits neuroblastoma differentiation by repressing estrogen receptor alpha. Here, we demonstrate that this microRNA (miRNA) cluster selectively targets several members of the nuclear hormone receptor (NHR) superfamily, and we present a unique NHR signature associated with the survival of neuroblastoma patients. We found that suppressing glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression in MYCN-driven patient and mouse tumors was associated with an undifferentiated phenotype and decreased survival. Importantly, MYCN inhibition and subsequent reactivation of GR signaling promotes neural differentiation and reduces tumor burden. Our findings reveal a key role for the miR-17∼92-regulated NHRs in neuroblastoma biology, thereby providing a potential differentiation approach for treating neuroblastoma patients. Graphical abstract Teaser Ribeiro et al. show that expression of several nuclear hormone receptors is inhibited by the MYCN-regulated miR-17∼92 cluster in MYCN -amplified neuroblastoma. Furthermore, they demonstrate that activation of glucocorticoid signaling results in neural differentiation and reduced tumor burden. Together, these results suggest restoration of nuclear hormone signaling as a putative future therapy for neuroblastoma.

Description: Publication date: Available online 7 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Neil A. Barrett, Camille Malouf, Chrysa Kapeni, Wendi A. Bacon, George Giotopoulos, Sten Eirik W. Jacobsen, Brian J. Huntly, Katrin Ottersbach MLL-AF4+ infant B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia is characterized by an early onset and dismal survival. It initiates before birth, and very little is known about the early stages of the disease’s development. Using a conditional Mll-AF4-expressing mouse model in which fusion expression is targeted to the earliest definitive hematopoietic cells generated in the mouse embryo, we demonstrate that Mll-AF4 imparts enhanced B lymphoid potential and increases repopulation and self-renewal capacity during a putative pre-leukemic state. This occurs between embryonic days 12 and 14 and manifests itself most strongly in the lymphoid-primed multipotent progenitor population, thus pointing to a window of opportunity and a potential cell of origin. However, this state alone is insufficient to generate disease, with the mice succumbing to B cell lymphomas only after a long latency. Future analysis of the molecular details of this pre-leukemic state will shed light on additional events required for progression to acute leukemia. Graphical abstract Teaser Barrett et al. describe the changes in pre-natal hematopoiesis induced by the Mll-AF4 oncogene in vivo. These include enhanced B lymphoid potential, an expansion of pro-B cells, and increased self-renewal. The authors identify the midgestation lymphoid-primed multipotent progenitor as a potential cell of origin.

Description: Publication date: Available online 7 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Hidekazu Ishida, Rie Saba, Ioannis Kokkinopoulos, Masakazu Hashimoto, Osamu Yamaguchi, Sonja Nowotschin, Manabu Shiraishi, Prashant Ruchaya, Duncan Miller, Stephen Harmer, Ariel Poliandri, Shigetoyo Kogaki, Yasushi Sakata, Leo Dunkel, Andrew Tinker, Anna-Katerina Hadjantonakis, Yoshiki Sawa, Hiroshi Sasaki, Keiichi Ozono, Ken Suzuki, Kenta Yashiro A surface marker that distinctly identifies cardiac progenitors (CPs) is essential for the robust isolation of these cells, circumventing the necessity of genetic modification. Here, we demonstrate that a Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchor containing neurotrophic factor receptor, Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor receptor alpha 2 ( Gfra2 ), specifically marks CPs. GFRA2 expression facilitates the isolation of CPs by fluorescence activated cell sorting from differentiating mouse and human pluripotent stem cells. Gfra2 mutants reveal an important role for GFRA2 in cardiomyocyte differentiation and development both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, the cardiac GFRA2 signaling pathway is distinct from the canonical pathway dependent on the RET tyrosine kinase and its established ligands. Collectively, our findings establish a platform for investigating the biology of CPs as a foundation for future development of CP transplantation for treating heart failure. Graphical abstract Teaser Ishida et al. show that GPI-anchored neurotrophic factor receptor Gfra2 specifically marks cardiac progenitor cells (CPs) in mouse and human, providing a method for isolating CPs. Unexpectedly, Gfra2 plays a significant role in heart development via a non-canonical signaling pathway that is independent of known ligands and the co-receptor RET tyrosine kinase.

Description: Publication date: Available online 7 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Xuchen Zhang, Qian Li, Lianzhang Wang, Zhong-Jian Liu, Yi Zhong Repeated learning is used daily and is a powerful way to improve memory. A fundamental question is how multiple learning trials add up to improve memory. While the major studies so far of such a repetition effect have emphasized the strengthening of memory formation, the current study reveals a molecular mechanism through suppression of forgetting. We find that single-session training leads to formation of anesthesia-resistant memory (ARM) and then activation of the small G protein Cdc42 to cause decay or forgetting of ARM within 24 hr. Repetition suppresses the activation of Cdc42-dependent forgetting, instead of enhancing ARM formation, leading to prolonged ARM. Consistently, inhibition of Cdc42 activity through genetic manipulation mimicked the repetition effect, while repetition-induced ARM improvement was abolished by elevated Cdc42 activity. Thus, only the first session in repetitive training contributes to ARM formation, while the subsequent sessions are devoted not to acquiring information but to inhibiting forgetting. Graphical abstract Teaser Forgetting is mediated through multiple biological mechanisms. Zhang et al. find that Cdc42 specifically regulates forgetting of anesthesia-resistant memory (ARM) without affecting other known memory components in Drosophila . Repeated learning prolongs ARM retention through suppression of Cdc42-dependent forgetting.

Description: Publication date: Available online 7 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Aeri Cho, Masato Kato, Tess Whitwam, Ji Hoon Kim, Denise J. Montell A longstanding mystery has been the absence of cytoplasmic intermediate filaments (IFs) from Drosophila despite their importance in other organisms. In the course of characterizing the in vivo expression and functions of Drosophila Tropomyosin (Tm) isoforms, we discovered an essential but unusual product of the Tm1 locus, Tm1-I/C, which resembles an IF protein in some respects. Like IFs, Tm1-I/C spontaneously forms filaments in vitro that are intermediate in diameter between F-actin and microtubules. Like IFs but unlike canonical Tms, Tm1-I/C contains N- and C-terminal low-complexity domains flanking a central coiled coil. In vivo, Tm1-I/C forms cytoplasmic filaments that do not associate with F-actin or canonical Tms. Tm1-I/C is essential for collective border cell migration, in epithelial cells for proper cytoarchitecture, and in the germline for the formation of germ plasm. These results suggest that flies have evolved a distinctive type of cytoskeletal filament from Tm. Graphical abstract Teaser Most arthropods lack cytoplasmic intermediate filaments (IFs). While characterizing Drosophila Tropomyosins, Cho et al. find an essential but unusual isoform that resembles IFs. It contains a central coiled coil flanked by low-complexity domains, forms filaments in vitro and in vivo, and does not co-localize with F-actin or canonical Tropomyosins.

Description: Publication date: Available online 7 July 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Tim N. Beck, Vladislav A. Korobeynikov, Alexander E. Kudinov, Rachel Georgopoulos, Nehal R. Solanki, Magda Andrews-Hoke, Timothy M. Kistner, David Pépin, Patricia K. Donahoe, Emmanuelle Nicolas, Margret B. Einarson, Yan Zhou, Yanis Boumber, David A. Proia, Ilya G. Serebriiskii, Erica A. Golemis Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and its type II receptor AMHR2, both previously thought to primarily function in gonadal tissue, were unexpectedly identified as potent regulators of transforming growth factor (TGF-β)/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in lung cancer. AMH is a TGF-β/BMP superfamily member, and AMHR2 heterodimerizes with type I receptors (ALK2, ALK3) also used by the type II receptor for BMP (BMPR2). AMH signaling regulates expression of BMPR2, ALK2, and ALK3, supports protein kinase B-nuclear factor κB (AKT-NF-κB) and SMAD survival signaling, and influences BMP-dependent signaling in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). AMH and AMHR2 are selectively expressed in epithelial versus mesenchymal cells, and loss of AMH/AMHR2 induces EMT. Independent induction of EMT reduces expression of AMH and AMHR2. Importantly, EMT associated with depletion of AMH or AMHR2 results in chemoresistance but sensitizes cells to the heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitor ganetespib. Recognition of this AMH/AMHR2 axis helps to further elucidate TGF-β/BMP resistance-associated signaling and suggests new strategies for therapeutic targeting of EMT. Graphical abstract Teaser Beck et al. identify active signaling by the TGF-β/BMP superfamily member anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and its receptor AMHR2 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), demonstrating a role for AMH/AMHR2 in influencing the basal and BMP-dependent SMAD signaling that constrains epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and in regulating drug resistance.

Description: Publication date: Available online 6 July 2016 Source: Geoscience Frontiers Author(s): Yusuke Imaeda, Toshikazu Ebisuzaki We present a new united theory of planet formation, which includes magneto- rotational instability (MRI) and porous aggregation of solid particles in a consistent way. We show that the "tandem planet formation" regime is likely to result in solar system-like planetary systems. In the tandem planet formation regime, planetesimals form at two distinct sites: the outer and inner edges of the MRI suppressed region. The former is likely to be the source of the outer gas giants, and the latter is the source for the inner volatile-free rocky planets. Our study spans disks with a various range of accretion rates, and we _nd that tandem planet formation can occur for M ˙ = 10 − 7.3 − 10 − 6.9 M ⊙ yr − 1 . The rocky planets form between 0.4-2 AU, while the icy planets form between 6-30 AU; no planets form in 2-6 AU region for any accretion rate. This is consistent with the gap in the solid component distribution in the solar system, which has only a relatively small Mars and a very small amount of material in the main asteroid belt from 2-6 AU. The tandem regime is consistent with the idea that the Earth was initially formed as a completely volatile-free planet. Water and other volatile elements came later through the accretion of icy material by occasional inward scat-tering from the outer regions. Reactions between reductive minerals, such as schreibersite (Fe 3 P), and water are essential to supply energy and nutrients for primitive life on Earth. Graphical abstract

Description: Publication date: Available online 7 July 2016 Source: Geodesy and Geodynamics Author(s): Duxin Cui, Shanlan Qin, Wenping Wang An M s6.4 earthquake occurred in the Menyuan county of Qinghai Province on Jan 21, 2016. In order to recognize the development of horizontal deformation and distinguish precursory deformation anomalies, we obtained coordinates time series, velocity and strain model around the seismic zones from processing of continuous observations from 2010 to 6 times of surveying Global Positioning System (GPS) data since 2009. The results show that, before the earthquake, the eastern segmentation of the Qilian tectonic zone where the Lenglongling Fault located is in strong crustal shortening and compressional strain state with dilatational rates of −15 to −25 ppb. The Lenglongling Fault has a strike-slip rate of 3.1 mm/a and a far-field differential orthogonal rate of 7 mm/a, while differential rate is only 1.2 mm/a near the fault, which reflects its locking feature with strain energy accumulation and high seismic risks. Dynamic evolution of deformation model shows that pre-event dilatational rates around the seismic zones increases from −15 ppb/a to −20 ppb/a with its center moving to the source areas. Time series of N components of G337 station, which is 13.7 km away from the Lenglongling Fault, exhibit a 5 mm/a acceleration anomaly. Time series of base-station QHME (in Menyuan) displays a reverse acceleration from the end of Sep. to Dec., 2016 when it comes to a largest deviation, and the accumulative displacement is more than 4 mm and the value reverse till the earthquake. In our results, coseismic displacement of N, E, U components in QHME site are 3.0 mm, 3.0 mm, −5.4 mm, respectively. If we profile these values onto the Lenglongling Fault, we can achieve a 1.1 mm of strike slip and 4.1 mm updip slip relative to the hanging wall.

Description: Publication date: Available online 7 July 2016 Source: Geodesy and Geodynamics Author(s): Weifeng Liang, Guoqing Zhang, Yiqing Zhu, Yunma Xu, Shusong Guo, Yunfeng Zhao, Fang Liu, Lingqiang Zhao In order to study the relationship between gravity variation and Menyuan M s6.4 earthquake, gravity variation characteristics in mid-eastern of Qilian Mountain were analyzed based on the 2012–2015 relative gravity datasets. The results indicated that the gravity changes in mid-eastern of Qilian Mountain increased gradually, while gravity changes around Menyuan remarkably. Besides, great positive-negative gravity changing gradients appeared along the Lenglongling Fault which was located at the north of Menyuan, and the 2016 Menyuan Ms 6.4 earthquake occurred near the junction of positive and negative gravity changes.

Description: Publication date: Available online 20 June 2016 Source: Climate Risk Management Author(s): Noémie Rachel Kugler, Pilar MoragaSariego The damages related to climate change are a concerning issue for the international community, as no country will escape the impacts of climate change. Indeed, it is a preoccupation for the countries (mostly vulnerable) that will suffer those damages, but also for the States that emitted greenhouse gases which fear to have to repair them. That’s why the international negotiation related to the climate regime use the ambiguous term “loss and damage” to design the impacts related to climate change. The purpose of this article is to know if the term “loss and damage” is a useful one in view of reparation under international law or if it iss necessary to conceptualize the “climate change damage” notion employed by the doctrine. More precisely, the central question is the following: why is it necessary to conceptualize the “climate change damage” notion? Even though “loss and damage” could formally be a legal concept, it is substantially useless with regard to reparation under international law because it is too ambiguous. Therefore, we judged necessary to clarify the concept of “climate change damage” used by the doctrine but that unfortunately defines it insufficiently. Indeed, it could be useful for the doctrine but also for the lawyers of vulnerable countries and the judges to dispose of a legal notion in order to consider the reparation of the damages related to climate change under international law. Consequently, we propose in this article a definition of climate change damage that could be useful with regard to reparation under international law.

Description: Publication date: Available online 21 June 2016 Source: Climate Risk Management Author(s): Erin Towler, Heather Lazrus Tools are needed that can add value to existing drought information and customize it for specific drought management contexts. This study develops a generalized framework that can be used to link local impacts with readily available drought information, thus increasing the usability of existing drought products in decision making. We offer a three-step risk-based framework that can be applied to specific decision-making contexts: (i) identify hydrologic impact thresholds, (ii) develop threshold exceedance model, and (iii) evaluate exceedance likelihood. The framework is demonstrated using a study site in south-central Oklahoma, which is highly susceptible to drought and faces management challenges. Stakeholder input from interviews are used to identify “moderate” and “extreme” thresholds below which water needs are not met for important uses. A logistic regression model translates existing drought information to the likelihood of exceeding the identified thresholds. The logistic model offers an improvement over climatology, and the 12-month Standardized Precipitation Index is shown to be the best drought index predictor. The logistic model is used in conjunction with historical drought information to give a retrospective look at the risk of drought impacts from the beginning of the century. Results show the 1980s to early 2000s to be an anomalously wet period, and that recent drying trends and impacts do not appear to be unusual for the 20 th century. This drought risk analysis can be used as a baseline by local managers to guide future decision making under climate uncertainty.

Description: Publication date: Available online 19 June 2016 Source: Geodesy and Geodynamics Author(s): Xin Zhao, Shuanggen Jin, Andres Calabia, Jialiang Feng The current global or regional ionospheric models have been established for monitoring the ionospheric variation. However, the spatial and temporal resolutions are not enough to describe total electron content (TEC) variations in small scale for China. In this paper, a regional ionospheric grid model (RIGM) with high spatial-temporal resolution (0.5° × 0.5° and 10-min interval) in China and surrounding areas is established based on spherical harmonics expansion from dense GPS measurements provided by Crustal Movement Observation Network of China (CMONOC) and the International GNSS Service (IGS). The correlation coefficient between the estimated TEC from GPS and the ionosonde measurements is 0.97, and the root mean square (RMS) with respect to Center for Orbit Determination in Europe (CODE) Global Ionosphere Maps (GIMs) is 4.87 TECU. In addition, the impact of different spherical harmonics orders and degrees on TEC estimations are evaluated and the degree/order 6 is better. Moreover, effective ionospheric shell heights from 300 km to 700 km are taken into account and the result indicates that 550 km is the most suitable for regional ionospheric modeling in China at solar maximum.

Description: Publication date: Available online 24 June 2016 Source: SoftwareX Author(s): Jeffrey Bolan, Elise Hall, Chris Clifford, Brian Thurow The Light-Field Imaging Toolkit (LFIT) is a collection of MATLAB functions designed to facilitate the rapid processing of raw light field images captured by a plenoptic camera. An included graphical user interface streamlines the necessary post-processing steps associated with plenoptic images. The generation of perspective shifted views and computationally refocused images is supported, in both single image and animated formats. LFIT performs necessary calibration, interpolation, and structuring steps to enable future applications of this technology.

Description: Publication date: Available online 23 June 2016 Source: Advances in Climate Change Research Author(s): Du Xiang-Wan This study discusses high-carbon characteristics, the unsustainability of China’s development, and the fact that China needs to transform its development mode. China’s low-carbon transition must include industry structure adjustment, energy saving and efficiency increases, energy structure improvement, carbon sink development, adaptation capability, and low-carbon pilot schemes. Low-carbon urbanization is a key measure in China’s low-carbon transition. China’s urbanization faces high-carbon risks. Thus, this study presents a roadmap for transforming urbanization into a low-carbon one. The transition to low-carbon urbanization is a common trend in the developing world. There is a lot of room for international cooperation.

Description: Publication date: 28 June 2016 Source: Cell Reports, Volume 16, Issue 1 Author(s): Sai Li, Ilona Rissanen, Antra Zeltina, Jussi Hepojoki, Jayna Raghwani, Karl Harlos, Oliver G. Pybus, Juha T. Huiskonen, Thomas A. Bowden

Description: Publication date: Available online 23 June 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Jason L.J. Lin, Akihisa Nakagawa, Riley Skeen-Gaar, Wei-Zen Yang, Pei Zhao, Zhe Zhang, Xiao Ge, Shohei Mitani, Ding Xue, Hanna S. Yuan Endonuclease G (EndoG) is a mitochondrial protein that is released from mitochondria and relocated into the nucleus to promote chromosomal DNA fragmentation during apoptosis. Here, we show that oxidative stress causes cell-death defects in C. elegans through an EndoG-mediated cell-death pathway. In response to high reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, homodimeric CPS-6—the C. elegans homolog of EndoG—is dissociated into monomers with diminished nuclease activity. Conversely, the nuclease activity of CPS-6 is enhanced, and its dimeric structure is stabilized by its interaction with the worm AIF homolog, WAH-1, which shifts to disulfide cross-linked dimers under high ROS levels. CPS-6 thus acts as a ROS sensor to regulate the life and death of cells. Modulation of the EndoG dimer conformation could present an avenue for prevention and treatment of diseases resulting from oxidative stress. Graphical abstract Teaser Lin et al. find that, under oxidative conditions, proapoptotic mitochondrial EndoG dimers shift to monomers with diminished nuclease activity, leading to delayed cell death in C. elegans .

Description: Publication date: Available online 29 June 2016 Source: Advances in Climate Change Research Author(s): David Rayner, Christine Achberger, Deliang Chen This paper describes a new weather generator – the 10-state empirical model – that combines a ten-state, first-order Markov chain with a non-parametric precipitation amounts model. Using a doubly-stochastic transition-matrix results in a weather generator for which the overall precipitation distribution (including both wet and dry days) and the temporal-correlation can be modified independently for climate change studies. This paper assesses the ability of the 10-state empirical model to simulate daily area-average precipitation in the Torne River catchment in northern Sweden/western Finland in the context of 3 other models: a ten-state model with a parametric (Gamma) amounts model; a wet/dry chain with the empirical amounts model; and a wet/dry chain with the parametric amounts model. The ability to accurately simulate the distribution of multi-day precipitation in the catchment is the primary consideration. Results show that the 10-state empirical model represented accumulated 2 to 14-day precipitation most realistically. Further, the distribution of precipitation on wet days in the catchment is related to the placement of a wet day within a wet-spell, and the 10-state models represented this realistically, while the wet/dry models did not. Although all four models accurately reproduced the annual and monthly averages in the training data, all models underestimated inter-annual and inter-seasonal variance. Even so, the 10-state empirical model performed best. We conclude that the multi-state model is a promising candidate for hydrological applications, as it simulates multi-day precipitation well, but that further development is required to improve the simulation of interannual variation.

Description: Publication date: Available online 23 June 2016 Source: Cell Reports Author(s): Blanka Kucejova, Joao Duarte, Santhosh Satapati, Xiaorong Fu, Olga Ilkayeva, Christopher B. Newgard, James Brugarolas, Shawn C. Burgess Dysregulated mitochondrial metabolism during hepatic insulin resistance may contribute to pathophysiologies ranging from elevated glucose production to hepatocellular oxidative stress and inflammation. Given that obesity impairs insulin action but paradoxically activates mTORC1, we tested whether insulin action and mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) contribute to altered in vivo hepatic mitochondrial metabolism. Loss of hepatic insulin action for 2 weeks caused increased gluconeogenesis, mitochondrial anaplerosis, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle oxidation, and ketogenesis. However, activation of mTORC1, induced by the loss of hepatic Tsc1 , suppressed these fluxes. Only glycogen synthesis was impaired by both loss of insulin receptor and mTORC1 activation. Mice with a double knockout of the insulin receptor and Tsc1 had larger livers, hyperglycemia, severely impaired glycogen storage, and suppressed ketogenesis, as compared to those with loss of the liver insulin receptor alone. Thus, activation of hepatic mTORC1 opposes the catabolic effects of impaired insulin action under some nutritional states. Graphical abstract Teaser Using in vivo stable isotope tracers, Kucejova et al. find that loss of hepatic insulin action stimulates mitochondrial metabolism and that activation of mTORC1 suppresses mitochondrial metabolism and decreases nutritional flexibility. Together, loss of insulin action and activation of mTORC1 recapitulate certain effects of diet-induced insulin resistance on mitochondrial metabolism.

Description: Publication date: Available online 3 May 2016 Source: International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment Author(s): Kareem Mohamed Aldali, Wael Seddik Moustafa Taking into consideration the recent years in the economic status in Egypt, especially the investment sector will demonstrate the enormous increase in the residential buildings sector, which created massive energy consumption that never was in proportionality with the growth in the generated power in Egypt. As the residential sector consumes around 42.3% of the total energy used in Egypt, one of the main factors that waste that energy is artificial lighting and electric ventilation. Meanwhile, the architects who design those building never pay the enough attention to the energy in the design process. This paper tackles many strategies for the environmental control of building designs besides showing that now, it is essential to take into consideration energy performance efficiency and the compatibility of the building with the environment by optimizing the design of the building envelope elements such as a window to wall ratio (WWR), the glazing type. This paper will not cover the details of construction and structure, but it sheds light on many guidelines to help to raise the thermal and environmental quality of the envelope of the building. Using a computer-based simulation tool (Autodesk Ecotect) to measure a current building energy and lighting performance in one of the modern cities like Madenaty city. By the end of this study, some of the characteristics of the building envelope will be concluded like the window wall ratio in the aim to reduce the energy waste in the case study, as well as the different criteria of designing process for residential buildings in Egypt in the near future.

Description: Publication date: July 2016 Source: Global Ecology and Conservation, Volume 7 Author(s): Michael Abedi-Lartey, Dina K.N. Dechmann, Martin Wikelski, Anne K. Scharf, Jakob Fahr On-going fragmentation of tropical forest ecosystems and associated depletion of seed dispersers threatens the long-term survival of animal-dispersed plants. These threats do not only affect biodiversity and species abundance, but ultimately ecosystem functions and services. Thus, seed dispersers such as the straw-coloured fruit bat, E. helvum , which traverse long distances across fragmented landscapes, are particularly important for maintaining genetic connectivity and colonizing new sites for plant species. Using high-resolution GPS-tracking of movements, field observations and gut retention experiments, we quantify dispersal distances for small- and large-seeded fruits foraged by E. helvum during periods of colony population low (wet season) and high (dry season) in an urban and a rural landscape in the forest zone of Ghana. Gut passage time averaged 116 min (range 4–1143 min), comparable to other fruit bats. Movements were generally longer in the urban than in the rural landscape and also longer in the dry than in the wet season. As the majority of seeds are dispersed only to feeding roosts, median dispersal distances were similar for both large (42–67 m) and small (42–65 m) seeds. However, small seeds were potentially dispersed up to 75.4 km, four times further than the previous maximum distance estimated for a similar-sized frugivore. Maximum seed dispersal distances for small seeds were almost twice as long in the rural (49.7 km) compare to the urban (31.2 km) landscape. Within the urban landscape, estimated maximum dispersal distances for small seeds were three times longer during the dry season (75.4 km) compared to the wet season (22.8 km); in contrast, distances in the rural landscape were three times longer in the wet season (67 km) compared to the dry season (24.4). Dispersal distances for large seeds during the dry season (551 m) in the rural landscape were almost twice that in the wet season (319 m). We found no influence of food phenology on dispersal distances. The maximum likelihood for seed dispersal beyond feeding roosts (mean distance from food tree 263 m) was 4.7%. Small seeds were dispersed over even longer distances, >500 and >1000 m, with a likelihood of 3.0 % and 2.3 % respectively. Our data show that E. helvum retains ingested seeds for very long periods and may traverse large distances, probably making it an important long distance seed disperser in tropical Africa. We suggest E. helvum is important for ecosystem functioning and urge its conservation.

Description: Publication date: 2016 Source: Procedia Environmental Sciences, Volume 34 Author(s): Merzougui Wafia, Belakehal Azeddine, Bennadji Amar The essence of architectural design rests upon in kind of manipulation between dualism central core and external envelope of any architectural composition; there are some compositions that are concerned with the external envelope,while other compositions the outer shell is result of the interned division. Besides there are other compositions that blend the central core and the external envelope in a harmonious dialogue. This combination between central core and the external envelope touch this diversity in houses of Biskra city through different periods of time to create a comfortable thermal environment. The dry areas, which are distributed on a large scale over the space of Algeria, characterized by climate is hot and dry. We found Morphological diversity in houses of this region that reflects primarily adaptation to climatic conditions, social and economic through different periods. In our research, we depend on the experimental method through digital simulation technology program ECOTECT to calculate data, for various thermal models. in addition in the selection of network studied models we adopted to the variables morphology of both core and the external envelope of the dwelling which are: 1) the oceanic layer, 2) type of the core 3) type of the external envelope. Then we calculated the temperature of various houses layers to make comparisons between various layers and various models. The results of this study came to show the laws that control heat in the atmosphere and that is affected by alphabet elements of local architecture of Biskra region. These laws allow the architect to manipulate to these elements to search for improved thermal yield of the building and control of energy consumption in the range of what is available to him.

Description: Publication date: 2016 Source: Procedia Environmental Sciences, Volume 34 Author(s): Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamed Ibrahim, Nanis Abd El Monem Mohamed The impact of waste accumulation can be highly drastic for many communities in developing countries. In Egypt, the issue gets more challenging as there are no clearly-defined strategies for an efficient management of solid waste, which inflicts serious environmental risks on Egyptian communities and drains a considerable portion of the local economy. This study aims to improve solid waste management in Egypt by exploring the options by which solid waste can be sustainably managed, and reviewing international models of sustainable management systems. Eventually, a strategy is formulated for the sustainable management of solid waste on the local scale of Egypt.