Developmental Patterning Research Articles

History-dependent growth and reduction of the ripples formed on a swept granular track.

When a solid object or wheel is repeatedly dragged on a dry sandy surface, ripple patterns are formed. Although the conditions to form ripple patterns have been studied well, methods to eliminate the developed ripple patterns have not been understood thus far. Therefore, history-dependent stability of the ripple patterns formed on a sandy surface is investigated in this study. First, the ripple patterns are formed by sweeping the flat sandy surface with a flexible plow at a constant speed. Then, the sweeping speed is reduced, and the variation of ripple patterns is measured. As a result, we find that the ripple patterns show hysteresis. Specifically, the increase in amplitude of ripples is observed when the reduced velocity is close to the initial velocity forming the ripple pattern. In addition, splitting of ripples is found when the reduced velocity is further decreased. From a simple analysis of the plow's motion, we discuss the physical mechanism of the ripple splitting.

Interaction between mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and retinoic acid alters Sertoli cell development during fetal mouse testis cord morphogenesis

Phthalic acid esters (phthalates) are a class of industrial chemicals that cause developmental and reproductive toxicity, but there are significant gaps in knowledge of phthalate toxicity mechanisms. There is evidence that phthalates disrupt retinoic acid signaling in the fetal testis, potentially disrupting control of spatial and temporal patterns of testis development. Our goal was to determine how a phthalate would interact with retinoic acid signaling during fetal mouse testis development. We hypothesized that mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) would exacerbate the adverse effect of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on seminiferous cord development in the mouse fetal testis. To test this hypothesis, gestational day (GD) 14 C57BL/6 mouse testes were isolated and cultured on media containing MEHP, ATRA, or a combination of both compounds. Cultured testes were collected for global transcriptome analysis after one day in culture and for histology and immunofluorescent analysis of Sertoli cell differentiation after three days in culture. ATRA disrupted seminiferous cord morphogenesis and induced aberrant FOXL2 expression. MEHP alone had no significant effect on cord development, but combined exposure to MEHP and ATRA increased the number of FOXL2-positive cells, reduced seminiferous cord number, and increased testosterone levels, beyond the effect of ATRA alone. In RNA-seq analysis, ATRA treatment and MEHP treatment resulted in differential expression of genes 510 and 134 genes, respectively, including 70 common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two treatments, including genes with known roles in fetal testis development. MEHP DEGs included RAR target genes, genes involved in angiogenesis, and developmental patterning genes, including members of the homeobox superfamily. These results support the hypothesis that MEHP modulates retinoic acid signaling in the mouse fetal testis and provide insight into potential mechanisms by which phthalates disrupt seminiferous cord morphogenesis.

Supplemental Material for Developmental Patterning of Irritability Enhances Prediction of Psychopathology in Preadolescence: Improving RDoC With Developmental Science

Supplemental Material for Developmental Patterning of Irritability Enhances Prediction of Psychopathology in Preadolescence: Improving RDoC With Developmental Science

The Impact of the VUCA Environment on the Digital Competences of Managers in the Power Industry

The article presents the scope of issues related to the impact of the VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) environment on digital competences of management staff in power companies. Each company has to deal with its own individual and personalized VUCA world typical for the power industry. Unfortunately, some organizations are not aware of its existence, and therefore they do not identify the signals coming from the external environment while still working according to the developed patterns. The VUCA approach requires changing the competency model in enterprises and focusing on its strengths. On this basis, the research problem regarding power enterprises was formulated. The problem discussed in the article below concerns the undefined and undefined influence of the VUCA environment on the emerging digital competences of managers. In connection with the identification of the research problem in this area, an attempt was made to define the aim of the study, which is to determine the impact of the connections of the VUCA world with digital competences of managers in the energy sector. To solve the research problem, quantitative research was carried out on a randomly selected sample of managers. It has been shown that leaders are more or less aware of the existence of the VUCA world. As key competences, they mention the ability to develop and adapt digital technologies to the needs of the organization or the ability to flexibly switch thinking between various problems. The novelty of the work is the identification of the connections between the VUCA world and competences and the provision also through the prism of artificial intelligence. The existence of links between the VUCA environment and digital competences was indicated, and the use of VUCA as a determinant of the impact on changing the perception of employees was analyzed.

A Facile and Scalable Hydrogel Patterning Method for Microfluidic 3D Cell Culture and Spheroid-in-Gel Culture Array.

Incorporation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and hydrogel in microfluidic 3D cell culture platforms is important to create a physiological microenvironment for cell morphogenesis and to establish 3D co-culture models by hydrogel compartmentalization. Here, we describe a simple and scalable ECM patterning method for microfluidic cell cultures by achieving hydrogel confinement due to the geometrical expansion of channel heights (stepped height features) and capillary burst valve (CBV) effects. We first demonstrate a sequential “pillar-free” hydrogel patterning to form adjacent hydrogel lanes in enclosed microfluidic devices, which can be further multiplexed with one to two stepped height features. Next, we developed a novel “spheroid-in-gel” culture device that integrates (1) an on-chip hanging drop spheroid culture and (2) a single “press-on” hydrogel confinement step for rapid ECM patterning in an open-channel microarray format. The initial formation of breast cancer (MCF-7) spheroids was achieved by hanging a drop culture on a patterned polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate. Single spheroids were then directly encapsulated on-chip in individual hydrogel islands at the same positions, thus, eliminating any manual spheroid handling and transferring steps. As a proof-of-concept to perform a spheroid co-culture, endothelial cell layer (HUVEC) was formed surrounding the spheroid-containing ECM region for drug testing studies. Overall, this developed stepped height-based hydrogel patterning method is simple to use in either enclosed microchannels or open surfaces and can be readily adapted for in-gel cultures of larger 3D cellular spheroids or microtissues.

Fabrication of micrometre-sized periodic gratings in free-standing metallic foils for laser–plasma experiments

Abstract Engineered targets are expected to play a key role in future high-power laser experiments calling for joined, extensive knowledge in materials properties, engineering techniques and plasma physics. In this work, we propose a novel patterning procedure of self-supported 10 μm thick Au and Cu foils for obtaining micrometre-sized periodic gratings as targets for high-power laser applications. Accessible techniques were considered, by using cold rolling, electron-beam lithography and the Ar-ion milling process. The developed patterning procedure allows efficient control of the grating and foil surface on large area. Targets consisting of patterned regions of 450 μm × 450 μm, with 2 μm periodic gratings, were prepared on 25 mm × 25 mm Au and Cu free-standing foils, and preliminary investigations of the micro-targets interacting with an ultrashort, relativistic laser pulse were performed. These test experiments demonstrated that, in certain conditions, the micro-gratings show enhanced laser energy absorption and higher efficiency in accelerating charge particle beams compared with planar thin foils of similar thickness.

Developmental Patterning and Neurogenetic Gradients of Nurr1 Positive Neurons in the Rat Claustrum and Lateral Cortex.

The claustrum is an enigmatic brain structure thought to be important for conscious sensations. Recent studies have focused on gene expression patterns, connectivity, and function of the claustrum, but relatively little is known about its development. Interestingly, claustrum-enriched genes, including the previously identified marker Nurr1, are not only expressed in the classical claustrum complex, but also embedded within lateral neocortical regions in rodents. Recent studies suggest that Nurr1 positive neurons in the lateral cortex share a highly conserved genetic expression pattern with claustrum neurons. Thus, we focus on the developmental progression and birth dating pattern of the claustrum and Nurr1 positive neurons in the lateral cortex. We comprehensively investigate the expression of Nurr1 at various stages of development in the rat and find that Nurr1 expression first appears as an elongated line along the anterior-posterior axis on embryonic day 13.5 (E13.5) and then gradually differentiates into multiple sub-regions during prenatal development. Previous birth dating studies of the claustrum have led to conflicting results, therefore, we combine 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) labeling with in situ hybridization for Nurr1 to study birth dating patterns. We find that most dorsal endopiriform (DEn) neurons are born on E13.5 to E14.5. Ventral claustrum (vCL) and dorsal claustrum (dCL) are mainly born on E14.5 to E15.5. Nurr1 positive cortical deep layer neurons (dLn) and superficial layer neurons (sLn) are mainly born on E14.5 to E15.5 and E15.5 to E17.5, respectively. Finally, we identify ventral to dorsal and posterior to anterior neurogenetic gradients within vCL and DEn. Thus, our findings suggest that claustrum and Nurr1 positive neurons in the lateral cortex are born sequentially over several days of embryonic development and contribute toward charting the complex developmental pattern of the claustrum in rodents.

The role of ontogeny in wood diversity and evolution.

Evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo) explores the link between developmental patterning and phenotypic change through evolutionary time. In this review, we highlight the scientific advancements in understanding xylem evolution afforded by the evo-devo approach, opportunities for further engagement, and future research directions for the field. We review evidence that (1) heterochrony-the change in rate and timing of developmental events, (2) homeosis-the ontogenetic replacement of features, (3) heterometry-the change in quantity of a feature, (4) exaptation-the co-opting and repurposing of an ancestral feature, (5) the interplay between developmental and capacity constraints, and (6) novelty-the emergence of a novel feature, have all contributed to generating the diversity of woods. We present opportunities for future research engagement, which combine wood ontogeny within the context of robust phylogenetic hypotheses, and molecular biology.

THE ROLE OF USING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ON DEVELOPING THE SKILLS OF PRINCIPALS AND ‎EMPLOYEES AT AL-FERAR SCHOOL FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF TEACHERS AND TEACHERS

This study aimed at the role of knowledge of information technology in organizational ‎development, by identifying the role of using information technology on developing ‎the skills of principals and employees at Al-Ferar School from the point of view of ‎teachers and teachers, and identifying the feasibility of using information technology ‎to reduce the size of the administrative apparatus in the school, in addition to identify ‎the feasibility of using information technology to expand communication networks in ‎the school, and to know the feasibility of using information technology to sort out new ‎and advanced patterns of management in the school, in order to complete the study. ‎The analytical descriptive approach was followed, through the use of the ‎questionnaire as a tool for the study, and a sample of (42) teachers was selected ‎from the research community in a random manner. The central results of the study: ‎There is a high effect of (3.46) for the use of technology on the organizational ‎development of the Ferar School for Girls from the point of view of the teachers. ‎There is also a significant impact of the use of technology at a rate of (3.6) on the ‎development and administrative development in Ferar School for Girls from the point ‎of view of the teachers. There is an average effect of using technology, at an ‎average of (3.06) on reducing the size of the administrative apparatus in the Ferar ‎School from the point of view of teachers. There is also an impact of a high rate of ‎‎ (3.7) for the use of technology on the expansion of the communication network in the ‎Ferar School from the point of view of teachers and teachers. There is a high (3.4) ‎role for the use of technology to sort out new and developed administrative patterns ‎in the Ferar School from the point of view of the teachers. It also found that the use ‎of technology contributes by (69.9%) to the development of administrative skills in the ‎Ferar School from the point of view of teachers and teachers, and that the use of ‎technology contributes by (65.2%) to reducing the size of the administrative ‎apparatus, and the use of technology contributes by (86.1%) in Expanding the ‎communication network in the Freer School from the point of view of the teachers ‎and the teachers. The study also found that there is no significant effect for (the ages ‎of the respondents, educational qualifications, and years of experience) for their ‎answers about the feasibility of using technology on organizational development in ‎the Freer Secondary School from their point of view. In the wake of these results, the ‎study came out with recommendations, the most important of which are: the need to ‎proceed with the use of technology as a developmental tool in schools, and the need ‎to develop benefiting from this use, especially in the areas of developing ‎administrative skills. Similar prospective studies on broader groups of teacher ‎schools‎.‎ Key words:

Tissue-specific mechanisms of bile acid homeostasis and activation of FXR-FGF19 signaling in preterm and term neonatal pigs.

The tissue-specific molecular mechanisms involved in perinatal liver and intestinal farnesoid X receptor (FXR)-fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) signaling are poorly defined. Our aim was to establish how gestational age and feeding status affect bile acid synthesis pathway, bile acid pool size, ileal response to bile acid stimulation, genes involved in bile acid-FXR-FGF19 signaling and plasma FGF19 in neonatal pigs. Term (n = 23) and preterm (n = 33) pigs were born via cesarean section at 100% and 90% gestation, respectively. Plasma FGF19, hepatic bile acid and oxysterol profiles, and FXR target gene expression were assessed in pigs at birth and after a bolus feed on day 3 of life. Pig ileal tissue explants were used to measure signaling response to bile acids. Preterm pigs had smaller, more hydrophobic bile acid pools, lower plasma FGF19, and blunted FXR-mediated ileal response to bile acid stimulation than term pigs. GATA binding protein 4 (GATA-4) expression was higher in jejunum than ileum and was higher in preterm than term pig ileum. Hepatic oxysterol analysis suggested dominance of the alternative pathway of bile acid synthesis in neonates, regardless of gestational age and persists in preterm pigs after feeding on day 3. These results highlight the tissue-specific molecular basis for the immature enterohepatic bile acid signaling via FXR-FGF19 in preterm pigs and may have implications for disturbances of bile acid homeostasis and metabolism in preterm infants.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our results show that the lower hepatic bile acid synthesis and ileum FXR-FGF19 pathway responsiveness to bile acids contribute to low-circulating FGF19 in preterm compared with term neonatal pigs. The molecular mechanism explaining immature or low-ileum FXR-FGF19 signaling may be linked to developmental patterning effects of GATA-4.

Mutation of MEDIATOR16 promotes plant biomass accumulation and root growth by modulating auxin signaling

The MEDIATOR complex influences the transcription of genes acting as a RNA pol II co-activator. The MED16 subunit has been related to low phosphate sensing in roots, but how it influences the overall plant growth and root development remains unknown. In this study, we compared the root growth of Arabidopsis wild-type (WT), and two alleles of MED16 (med16-2 and med16-3) mutants in vitro. The MED16 loss-of-function seedlings showed longer primary roots with higher cell division capacity of meristematic cells, and an increased number of lateral roots than WT plants, which correlated with improved biomass accumulation. The auxin response reported by DR5:GFP fluorescence was comparable in WT and med16-2 root tips, but strongly decreased in pericycle cells and lateral root primordia in the mutants. Dose-response analysis supplementing indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), or the auxin transport inhibitor N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA), indicated normal responses to auxin in the med16-2 and med16-3 mutants regarding primary root growth and lateral root formation, but strong resistance to NPA in primary roots, which could be correlated with cell division and elongation. Expression analysis of pPIN1::PIN1::GFP, pPIN3::PIN3::GFP, pIAA14:GUS, pIAA28:GUS and 35S:MED16-GFP suggests that MED16 could mediate auxin signaling. Our data imply that an altered auxin response in the med16 mutants is not necessarily deleterious for overall growth and developmental patterning and may instead directly regulate basic cellular programmes.

Exposure to 3'Sialyllactose-Poor Milk during Lactation Impairs Cognitive Capabilities in Adulthood.

Breast milk exerts pivotal regulatory functions early in development whereby it contributes to the maturation of brain and associated cognitive functions. However, the specific components of maternal milk mediating this process have remained elusive. Sialylated human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) represent likely candidates since they constitute the principal neonatal dietary source of sialic acid, which is crucial for brain development and neuronal patterning. We hypothesize that the selective neonatal lactational deprivation of a specific sialylated HMOs, sialyl(alpha2,3)lactose (3′SL), may impair cognitive capabilities (attention, cognitive flexibility, and memory) in adulthood in a preclinical model. To operationalize this hypothesis, we cross-fostered wild-type (WT) mouse pups to B6.129-St3gal4tm1.1Jxm/J dams, knock-out (KO) for the gene synthesizing 3′SL, thereby providing milk with approximately 80% 3′SL content reduction. We thus exposed lactating WT pups to a selective reduction of 3′SL and investigated multiple cognitive domains (including memory and attention) in adulthood. Furthermore, to account for the underlying electrophysiological correlates, we investigated hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP). Neonatal access to 3′SL-poor milk resulted in decreased attention, spatial and working memory, and altered LTP compared to the control group. These results support the hypothesis that early-life dietary sialylated HMOs exert a long-lasting role in the development of cognitive functions.

Pornography Use Profiles and the Emergence of Sexual Behaviors in Adolescence

This research longitudinally explored adolescent pornography (porn) consumption and its association with sexual development in early and middle adolescence. A four-wave design with half-year intervals investigated pornography consumption and different (sexual) activities, such as masturbation, French kissing, petting, giving/receiving manual and oral sex, and intercourse, among 630 respondents (47.9% female, mean age 13.7 years; SD = 0.48) years at T1). A latent growth mixture analysis of pornography consumption revealed two groups with relatively low pornography (LP; 51.8% of the boys, 91.4% of the girls) versus high pornography (HP; 48.2% of the boys; 8.6% of the girls) consumption across time. At T1, HP boys on average watched pornography less than once a month, but more than once a year at T1. At T4, their average pornography use had increased to almost one to two times a week. LP boys never watched pornography at T1. At T4, their average pornography use was still less than once a year. At T1, HP girls never watched pornography, but consumption increased to almost one to three times a month at T4. Across waves of the study, LP girls (almost) never watched pornography. A discrete-time survival mixture analysis of sexual developmental patterning indicated that, compared to their LP peers, both girls and boys in the HP groups showed accelerated development of masturbation, petting, and receiving manual sex. Girls in the HP group were also more inclined to receive oral sex, whereas boys in the HP group also showed earlier and more frequent manual sex and intercourse. Thus, whereas the HP group of boys was substantially larger compared to that of girls, pornography consumption was related to accelerated development of sexual activities for both genders across early and middle adolescence. The discussion deliberates on pornography as a driving force in adolescent sexual development versus pornography as a medium of choice for sexually advanced adolescents.

Between 2D and 3D: Studying Structural Complexity of Urban Fabric Using Voxels and LiDAR-Derived DSMs

Cities are complex systems and their physical forms are the manifestation of cultural, social and economic processes shaped by the geometry of natural and man-made elements. Digital Surface Models (DSM) using LiDAR provide an efficient volumetric transformation of urban fabric including all built and natural elements which allows the study of urban complexity through the lens of fractal dimension (D). Founded on the “box-counting” method, we reveal a voxelization technique developed in GIS (Geographic Information System) to estimate D values of ten DSM samples across central Melbourne. Estimated D values of surface models (between 2 and 3) provide a measure to interpret the structural complexity of different urban characters defined by the pattern of developments and densities. The correlations between D values with other DSM properties such as elevation, volume, solar radiation and surface roughness, showed a strong relationship between DSM volume and mean elevation. Lower strength correlations were recorded with solar radiation and surface roughness. The proposed method provides opportunities for fractal research to study pressing issues in complex urban environments such as declining physical fitness, mental health and urban biodiversity.

Variation in vertebrae shape across small-bodied newts reveals functional and developmental constraints acting upon the trunk region.

The salamander vertebral column is largely undifferentiated with a series of more or less uniform rib-bearing presacral vertebrae traditionally designated as the trunk region. We explored regionalization of the salamander trunk in seven species and two subspecies of the salamander genus Lissotriton by the combination of microcomputed tomography scanning and geometric morphometrics. The detailed information on trunk vertebral shape was subjected to a multidimensional cluster analysis and a phenotypic trajectory analysis. With these complementary approaches, we observed a clear morphological regionalization. Clustering analysis showed that the anterior trunk vertebrae (T1 and T2) have distinct morphologies that are shared by all taxa, whereas the subsequent, more posterior vertebrae show significant disparity between species. The phenotypic trajectory analysis revealed that all taxa share a common pattern and amount of shape change along the trunk region. Altogether, our results support the hypothesis of a conserved anterior-posterior developmental patterning which can be associated with different functional demands, reflecting (sub)species' and, possibly, regional ecological divergences within species.

Developing a Model of Incentives for Creating and Implementing Industrial Coexistence Networks in Iranian Pharmaceutical Companies

Developing a Model of Incentives for Creating and Implementing Industrial Coexistence Networks in Iranian Pharmaceutical Companies

Heat Exchange in Staggered Threaded Pipe Banks with Similar Developed Surface Patterns under Natural Draft Conditions

Helical pipes with similar developed surface patterns efficiently operate under forced convection conditions. The available literature describes their essential advantages over the tubes of a round-ribbed profile and the possibility of their application as a heat-exchanging section for the air-cooling unit. However, the peculiarities of the operation of such units require checking an opportunity for the use of helical pipes with similar developed surface patterns under natural draft conditions. The purpose of the research is to get new data on the flow structure in the intertube space of the staggered banks of such pipes under natural draft conditions. These data are required for the in-depth analysis of the appropriateness of the use of such pipes for “dry” air cooling systems. The methods of investigation included the use of the academic licensed software package ANSYS Student for numerical computations. It was established that the heat exchange in ribbed pipes under natural draft conditions is specified first of all by the parameters of the staggered bank (longitudinal and transversal pitches of the arrangement of pipes in the bank) and the geometric parameters of the pipes, in particular the pitch between the humps and the dents on the tube surface that form its helical surface. Design ratios were suggested for the determination of the averaged heat exchange in the staggered banks of the single-thread helical pipes with similar developed surface patterns. It was shown that the pitch characteristics of the banks have the greatest effect on the similarity equation. A preliminary validation was carried out for the methods adopted for the design of helical pipes and the known methods used for the computation of the staggered banks of smooth cylindrical pipes. The obtained research data can be used for the evaluation of the intensification of the heat exchange and for the flow analysis in order to increase the efficiency of the heat-exchange equipment.

Calibrating temper loss severity in the transition to toddlerhood: Implications for developmental science

The integration of neurodevelopmental perspectives into clinical science has identified irritability as an early dimensional marker of lifespan mental health risk. Elucidating the developmental patterning of irritable behavior is key to differentiating normative variation from risk markers. Accounting for dysregulation and contextual features of irritability is useful for differentiation at preschool age, laying the groundwork for even earlier characterization. We provide initial evidence for the validity of the Multidimensional Assessment Profile of Disruptive Behavior Temper Loss Scale, Infant-Toddler version in two independent samples of 12-18-month-olds from the US. We calibrated the measure using item response theory in a large representative sample, then validated within an independent sample. We characterized the developmental patterning of irritable behaviors and their dimensional spectrum, and demonstrated test-retest reliability, and convergent validity. The MAP-DB-IT is a standardized, dimensional survey assessing irritability that serves as a tool for characterizing the developmental expression of early mental health risk.

P5A ATPase controls ER translocation of Wnt in neuronal migration.

The Wnt family contains conserved secretory proteins required for developmental patterning and tissue homeostasis. However, how Wnt is targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) for processing and secretion remains poorly understood. Here, we report that CATP-8/P5A ATPase directs neuronal migration non-cell autonomously in Caenorhabditis elegans by regulating EGL-20/Wnt biogenesis. CATP-8 likely functions as a translocase to translocate nascent EGL-20/Wnt polypeptide into the ER by interacting with the highly hydrophobic core region of EGL-20 signal sequence. Such regulation of Wnt biogenesis by P5A ATPase is common in C.elegans and conserved in human cells. These findings describe the physiological roles of P5A ATPase in neural development and identify Wnt proteins as direct substrates of P5A ATPase for ER translocation.

Root Patterning: Tuning SHORT ROOT Function Creates Diversity in Form.

Roots have a fundamental role in plant growth and adaptation to different environments. Diversity in root morphology and architecture enables plants to acquire water and nutrients in contrasting substrate conditions, resist biotic and abiotic stress, and develop symbiotic associations. At its most fundamental level, morphology is determined by discrete changes in tissue patterning. Differences in the number and arrangement of the cell layers in the root can change tissue structure, as well as root length and girth, affecting important productivity traits. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms controlling variation in developmental patterning is an important goal in biology. The ground tissue (GT) system is an ideal model to study the genetic basis of morphological diversity because it displays great interspecific variability in cell layer number. In addition, the genetic circuit controlling GT patterning in Arabidopsis thaliana has been well described, although little is known about species with more complex root anatomies. In this review, we will describe the Arabidopsis model for root radial patterning and present recent progress in elucidating the genetic circuitry controlling GT patterning in monocots and the legume Medicago truncatula (Mt), species that develop roots with more complex anatomies and multilayered cortex.