Formation Of Folds Research Articles

Quantifying Amide-Aromatic Interactions at Molecular and Atomic Levels: Experimentally Determined Enthalpic and Entropic Contributions to Interactions of Amide sp2O, N, C and sp3C Unified Atoms with Naphthalene sp2C Atoms in Water.

In addition to amide hydrogen bonds and the hydrophobic effect, interactions involving π-bonded sp2 atoms of amides, aromatics, and other groups occur in protein self-assembly processes including folding, oligomerization, and condensate formation. These interactions also occur in aqueous solutions of amide and aromatic compounds, where they can be quantified. Previous analysis of thermodynamic coefficients quantifying net-favorable interactions of amide compounds with other amides and aromatics revealed that interactions of amide sp2O with amide sp2N unified atoms (presumably C═O···H-N hydrogen bonds) and amide/aromatic sp2C (lone pair π, n-π*) are particularly favorable. Sp3C-sp3C (hydrophobic), sp3C-sp2C (hydrophobic, CH-π), sp2C-sp2C (hydrophobic, π-π), and sp3C-sp2N interactions are favorable, sp2C-sp2N interactions are neutral, while sp2O-sp2O and sp2N-sp2N self-interactions and sp2O-sp3C interactions are unfavorable. Here, from determinations of favorable effects of 14 amides on naphthalene solubility at 10, 25, and 45 °C, we dissect amide-aromatic interaction free energies into enthalpic and entropic contributions and find these vary systematically with amide composition. Analysis of these results yields enthalpic and entropic contributions to intrinsic strengths of interactions of amide sp2O, sp2N, sp2C, and sp3C unified atoms with aromatic sp2C atoms. For each interaction, enthalpic and entropic contributions have the same sign and are much larger in magnitude than the interaction free energy itself. The amide sp2O-aromatic sp2C interaction is enthalpy-driven and entropically unfavorable, consistent with direct chemical interaction (e.g., lone pair-π), while amide sp3C- and sp2C-aromatic sp2C interactions are entropy-driven and enthalpically unfavorable, consistent with hydrophobic effects. These findings are relevant for interactions involving π-bonded sp2 atoms in protein processes.

SUBSTANTIATION OF INDUCTION HEATING DURING FLANGING OF TUBULAR WORKPIECES BY ROLLING FORMING

Rolling forming (RF) processes are among the most efficient methods of metal forming. The required profile of the workpiece in rolling processes is formed by local deformation with conical or cylindrical rolls using sound technological schemes. When roll forming pipe billets with a ratio of the height of the initial deformed part to the wall thickness of more than 2.5, the flange seating process is made impossible by the loss of billet stability with subsequent fold formation. This phenomenon makes it impossible to produce wide flanges by drawing. To form workpieces with particularly wide flanges, we have developed a flanging method by rolling stamping. The essence of the flanging method is that at the initial stages of rolling, the top of the conical roll is shifted in the direction of the contact patch. At intermediate stages, to prevent the workpiece wall from turning inside out, the top of the roll is shifted in the opposite direction (along the workpiece axis). The main technological constraints are imposed by the insufficient ductility of the billet material, which can cause fracture. To develop the flanging processes in a reasonable manner, we studied the mechanics of outer flange deformation and methods of controlling material flow. The stress-strain state (SSS) of the material was analyzed using the hardness measurement method and the mesh method. The nature of the change in the stress-strain state in the most dangerous zones of the workpiece was determined, depending on the ratio of the flange diameter to the initial workpiece. Based on the experimental results, a mathematical model of the deformation trajectory of material particles of the outer surface of the flange in the coordinates of deformation intensity - an indicator of the stress state - was constructed. To assess the deformability of the material, a damage summation model with a power law approximation of the damage function was used. The model allows us to determine the ultimate fracture dimensions of the flange, as well as the plasticity resource used at intermediate stages. The condition for the suitability of metals for flanging by rolling stamping for engineering calculations is obtained. The necessity of applying induction heating in the processes of culling by rolling stamping is substantiated. This makes it possible to expand the technological capabilities of flanging processes by developing and using induction heating of workpieces, due to an increase in the plasticity characteristics and a decrease in the strength characteristics of metals in the process of deformation.

Genetic Influence on Gyral Peaks

Genetic mechanisms have been hypothesized to be a major determinant in the formation of cortical folding. Although there is an increasing number of studies examining the heritability of cortical folding, most of them focus on sulcal pits rather than gyral peaks. Gyral peaks, which reflect the highest local foci on gyri and are consistent across individuals, remain unstudied in terms of heritability. To address this knowledge gap, we used high-resolution data from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) to perform classical twin analysis and estimate the heritability of gyral peaks across various brain regions. Our results showed that the heritability of gyral peaks was heterogeneous across different cortical regions, but relatively symmetric between hemispheres. We also found that pits and peaks are different in a variety of anatomic and functional measures. Further, we explored the relationship between the levels of heritability and the formation of cortical folding by utilizing the evolutionary timeline of gyrification. Our findings indicate that the heritability estimates of both gyral peaks and sulcal pits decrease linearly with the evolution timeline of gyrification. This suggests that the cortical folds which formed earlier during gyrification are subject to stronger genetic influences than the later ones. Moreover, the pits and peaks coupled by their time of appearance are also positively correlated in respect of their heritability estimates. These results fill the knowledge gap regarding genetic influences on gyral peaks and significantly advance our understanding of how genetic factors shape the formation of cortical folding. The comparison between peaks and pits suggests that peaks are not a simple morphological mirror of pits but could help complete the understanding of folding patterns.

Dissecting morphogenetic apoptosis through a genetic screen in Drosophila.

Apoptosis is an essential cellular process both in normal development and pathological contexts. Screens performed to date have focused on the cell autonomous aspect of the process, deciphering the apoptotic cascade leading to cell destruction through the activation of caspases. However, the nonautonomous aspect of the apoptotic pathway, including signals regulating the apoptotic pattern or those sent by the apoptotic cell to its surroundings, is still poorly understood. Here, we describe an unbiased RNAi-based genetic screen whose goal is to identify elements of the "morphogenetic apoptosis pathway" in an integrated model system, the Drosophila leg. We screened about 1,400 candidates, using adult joint morphology, morphogenetic fold formation, and apoptotic pattern as readouts for the identification of potential apoptosis-related genes. We identified 41 genes potentially involved in specific aspects of morphogenetic apoptosis: (1) regulation of the apoptotic process; (2) formation, extrusion, and elimination of apoptotic bodies; and (3) contribution to morphogenesis downstream of apoptosis.

Механическая модель образования складок на плазматической мембране

A model of plasma membrane folding formation under the action of longitudinal and transverse mechanical forces applied to it is presented. These forces arise due to changes in protein-lipid and lipid-lipid interactions in the membrane and the submembrane spectrin-actin-ankyrin network under changing external conditions (temperature, pH), and interaction with ligands. A model of a linear elastic continuum is used. It is established that the amplitude of the height of folds is directly proportional to the amplitude of the applied distributed transverse forces and inversely proportional to the longitudinal stress. It is shown that if the value of the longitudinal stress exceeds a certain critical value, then the membrane folds are modulated by subfolds. The distributed transverse force has the same wavelength as the membrane folds. The results of mo-deling at a qualitative level explain the results of atomic force microscopy of the surface of erythrocyte membranes during their interaction with stress hormones and androgens.

The influence of compressive stresses on folding in the Middle Kura depression and the Turkmen shelf


 
 
 On the basis of the morphology of the folds, their three-dimensional position, the types of faults and the development of mud volcanism, the features of the spread of compres- sive stresses and their influence on the oil and gas bearing of the Kura and Gabirri interfluve, the Yevlakh-Agjabedi depression and the Godin massif were studied. For this purpose, maps of isomorphs and morphological schemes, positions of local folds on the plan of each of these structural elements were compiled. It has been established that within the depressions, the process of folding took place due to the mechanisms of longitudinal and latitudinal bending, which led to the formation of mostly linear and brachiform folds within them. The high intensity of compressive stresses with- in the Kura and Gabirri interfluve contributed to the development of mud volcanism here, and the increase in their intensity at the end of the Miocene led to the emergence of disharmony here in the structural plans between the Cretaceous-Eocene and Oligocene-Quater- nary complexes of sediments. For this purpose, the development of the Barda and Shirvanli structures located in the Yevlakh-Agjabedi depression along the section was investigated and it was determined that they had an uneven development. The Shirvanli fold, which is located in the southwestern zone of the region, had a height of 50-70 m according to the top of the Late Cretaceous. According to the top of the Paleocene, it reached a height of 150 m, and according to the top of the carbonate layer, which forms the lower part of the section of the Eocene, a fold developed and reached a height of 300 m. The Shirvanli fold, which began to form in the Eocene, developed more intensively in the Maikop age sediments. The reason for this was the high mobility of clay sediments along the section and the activation of compressive stress. The development of the Shirvanli structure in the Cretaceous proves its hereditary origin. The Barda fold, located in the northeast part of the Shirvanli fold, according to the top of the Eocene express itself as a structural terrace. It does not express itself as a structure by the bottom of Paleocene and the washed surface of the Cretaceous sediments complexes, but according to the top of the Maikop sedimentary complex, it is a local fold with a height greater than 300 m. It was determined that the thickness of Maikop sediments in the core of the Barda fold confirms that Maikop clays play a key role in the development of the fold. At the same time, the significant decrease in the thickness of the Sarmatian and Chokrak sediments in the crest part of the mentioned fold is indicative of its syn-depositional development in the same time interval. As it is clear from the morphological and developmental features of both mentioned folds , they are of diapiric origin, but due to the relatively weak development of compressive stresses, the low thickness of the sedimentary layer lying on the Maikop sediments, these folds did not have the necessary energy potential to fully realize diaprism. The latitudinal bending mechanism in the formation of these folds was relatively weak. The effusive massif in the Yevlakh-Agjabedi depression significantly limits the activity of compressional stress in this area. Compressive stresses have had their effect on the structures formed in the Oligocene-Miocene sediments on the northwestern slope of the Yevlakh-Agjabedi depression, but they were weakly expressed in the Neogene sediments due to the regional erosion that began in the second half of the Sarmatian age. It should be noted that the Barda and Shirvanli structures began their development period in the Cretaceous, and were faced with the compressive stresses in Maikop. Within the Godin massif, the morphology of the folds, their disordered three-dimensional position, testify to the absence of the influence of compressive stresses on the fold formation process.
 
 

Dermatological Problems of Brachycephalic Dogs

Brachycephalic dogs are not only affected by brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), but are also frequently referred to veterinary dermatologists for skin conditions, with English bulldogs and pugs particularly over-represented. Some skin diseases, such as skin fold dermatitis, are directly associated with the abnormal anatomic conformation of brachycephalic dogs, while for others, such as atopic dermatitis and viral pigmented plaques, there is an underlying genetic basis or a general predisposition. Anatomic alterations associated with brachycephaly, leading to fold formation of the skin and stenosis of the ear canal, together with primary immunodeficiencies described in some breeds, favor the development of pyoderma, Malassezia dermatitis, and otitis externa/media. In addition, the frequently neglected but often lifelong dermatological problems of brachycephalic dogs are an important consideration when discussing genetic and medical conditions affecting the welfare of those dogs. Here we review the current state of knowledge concerning dermatological problems in brachycephalic dogs and combine it with clinical experience in the management of these challenging disorders.

Исследование предоперационной симметрии дистанции «экватор хрусталика – цилиарные отростки» у пациентов с сочетанием возрастной катаракты с клиническими проявлениями инволюционной соединительнотканной дисплазии

Purpose. Study of state of the Zonule of Zinn in patients with combination senile cataract with systemic involutional connective tissue dysplasia. Material and methods. 97 patients (97 eyes) – combination senile cataract with involutional pathology in connective tissue (the main group). 1st subgroup: 31 patients with kyphoscoliotic deformity of the 3d and 4th degree (classification by V.D. Chaklin (1973)); 2nd subgroup – 66 patients with chronic venous insufficiency 2nd and 3d degree (the CEAP classification) against the background of varicose veins of the lower extremity. Patients of both subgroups were comparable in terms of cataract stages and nuclear cataract lens density in Buratto classification. The control group – 55 patients (55 eyes) similar sex and age with senile cataracts without involutional connective tissue pathology. We estimated the symmetry of distance «lens equator – ciliary processes» in 2 meridians: at 6 and 12 hours. The presence of asymmetry of 0.3 mm or more was sign of weak zonular support (according to ultrasonic biomicroscopy). Results. In the control group, the distance was 0.3 mm in 3 eyes (5%), with intraoperative formation of folds in the anterior capsule. In 10 eyes of the 1st subgroup of the main group (32%), the presence of distance asymmetry was revealed: intraoperative, signs of subluxation of the lens of the 1st degree were detected in 7 eyes. In the 2nd subgroup of the main group, distance asymmetry was detected in 24 eyes (37%). Folded anterior lens capsule was determined intraoperative in 14 eyes (21%) during anterior capsulorhexis and lens mobility during nucleus emulsification. Conclusion. A statistically significant difference in frequency of asymmetries of distances «lens equator – ciliary processes» in 2 opposite meridians was revealed between groups of patients with senile cataract against the background of systemic somatic involutional pathology of connective tissue and without it (35% vs. 5%; p < 0.01). Keywords: senile cataract, Zonule of Zinn, involutional changes in connective tissue, ultrasound biomicroscopy

Parkinson Disease: review

Parkinson’s sickness (PD) is a neurodegenerative ailment precipitated by the death of a kind of neuron that plays an integral function in the production of dopamine in the brain. The pathophysiology of this sickness is based totally on the formation of alpha syncline folds that generate Lewy bodies, which are cytotoxic and minimize dopamine levels. Most pharmacological redress for PD goal alphasynuclein to limit the symptoms. However, the therapeutic method to this pathology includes combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies to maximize results and improve symptomatological manipulate in these patients. It is therefore essential to delve deeper into the pathophysiology of the ailment in order to enhance these remedies and consequently the exceptional of life of the patients. Therefore, we urgently want to analyze every cutting-edge clinical trial’s status and therapeutic approach to find out new therapeutic tactics for PD treatment. We hope this evaluate can supply new ideas and insights for PD remedy development.

Discerning Modulation of α-Synuclein Amyloid Assembly by α-Crystallin

Altered protein folding leading to the formation of structured aggregates such as amyloid fibrils has gained significant attention due to its association with neurodegenerative diseases. α-Synuclein, a small intrinsically disordered protein, gets transformed into amyloid fibrils under unfavorable conditions and contributes to the progression and pathology of Parkinson's disease (PD). Under normal physiological conditions, amyloid formation is controlled by many chaperones and chaperone-like proteins. However, with aging, the protein homeostasis machinery becomes less efficient, causing the loss of proper functioning of chaperones and leading to aberrant protein folding and amyloid formation. Here, we provide in-depth information on the modulation of α-synuclein amyloid assembly by a heterogeneous complex of bovine eye lens protein, α-crystallin, which is known to possess chaperone-like activity. We have used a multiparametric approach to discern the critical events through which α-crystallin abolishes α-synuclein amyloid formation. Our biochemical and biophysical data analysis revealed that α-crystallin, at substoichiometric ratios, alleviates α-synuclein amyloid assembly and drives it into soluble dead-end intermediates. We also demonstrated that α-crystallin was equally efficient in arresting amyloid assembly by some of the PD-related mutants suggesting the significance of chaperone-like activity of α-crystallin under pathological conditions. Finally, we validated our results using human crystallin derived from cataract patients. Based on our findings, we propose that the interaction of α-crystallin directs α-synuclein into a soluble amyloid-incompetent form. Our results suggest that the generic antiamyloid property of chaperone-like proteins, such as α-crystallin, can be harnessed to design protein and peptide-based novel therapeutics for prevention and treatment of deadly neurodegenerative diseases.

Exploring the role of the outer subventricular zone during cortical folding through a physics-based model.

The human brain has a highly complex structure both on the microscopic and on the macroscopic scales. Increasing evidence has suggested the role of mechanical forces for cortical folding - a classical hallmark of the human brain. However, the link between cellular processes at the microscale and mechanical forces at the macroscale remains insufficiently understood. Recent findings suggest that an additional proliferating zone, the outer subventricular zone (OSVZ), is decisive for the particular size and complexity of the human cortex. To better understand how the OSVZ affects cortical folding, we establish a multifield computational model that couples cell proliferation in different zones and migration at the cell scale with growth and cortical folding at the organ scale by combining an advection-diffusion model with the theory of finite growth. We validate our model based on data from histologically stained sections of the human fetal brain and predict 3D pattern formation. Finally, we address open questions regarding the role of the OSVZ for the formation of cortical folds. The presented framework not only improves our understanding of human brain development, but could eventually help diagnose and treat neuronal disorders arising from disruptions in cellular development and associated malformations of cortical development.

CLINICAL CASE OF CUTIS VERTICIS GYRATA

Cutis verticis gyrata (CVG) is a descriptive term for a rare benign skin condition characterized by the formation of tortuous folds and deep furrows that mimic the gyri of the brain because of excessive skin growth. It is observed mainly in men. The first clinical case of the disease was described in 1837 by Alibert J.
 There are primary and secondary forms of CVG. Among the cases of primary CVG in 1984, Garden JM and Robinson JK further distinguished the essential and combined subtypes. The reason for the appearance of the essential form is not known. Primary combined CVG can accompany neuropsychiatric disorders, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, seizures, and ophthalmological abnormalities, most commonly cataracts. Secondary CVG occurs as a result of chronic inflammation, such as hysteria, lymphostasis, elephantiasis, eczema, psoriasis, folliculitis, atopic dermatitis, etc. In case of secondary CVG, the lower extremities are more often affected, the skin is congested-red, cyanotic, dense, swollen. Papillomatous growths, layering of crusts and scales are often visible against the background of changed skin.
 Given the rarity of this disease (it was diagnosed for the first time in our more than 50 years of dermatological practice), we report a clinical case of CVG.
 Case Presentation. Patient P., 27 years old, complained of wrinkles and increased mobility of the skin of the scalp. He noticed the first manifestations of the disease at the age of 17, but did not pay attention, believing that these were individual features of the skin structure. For the last 3-4 years in a row, he noticed a thickening and increase in the size of the folds of the skin on the scalp, growing mobility. The skin, according to the patient, had the appearance of ribs.
 During the dermatological examination, the skin is of normal color, turgor and elasticity are preserved, sweat and sebum secretion is moderate. Skin appendages are without pathological changes. The skin of the scalp is uniformly covered with thick hair, hyperelastic, pronounced transverse deep linear furrows resembling brain convolutions are visible.
 When using dermoscopy without a light-conducting liquid, the vascular pattern is hardly visible, on the surface there is small lamellar peeling. However, after its application, areas of clearly visible vessels of the superficial vascular plexus of the skin, which coincide with the location of the furrows, are determined.
 The patient was examined; no pathology was detected on the part of internal organs and heart. The results of ultrasound of the thyroid gland and organs of the abdominal cavity were without pathological changes. General analysis of blood, urine, blood sugar within the normal range. Biochemical indicators of liver and kidney function without deviations. The patient is recommended to have a periodic examination by a dermatologist. With increasing clinical manifestations - surgical removal of skin folds.
 Conclusions. The described clinical case of CVG is of considerable interest to dermatologists, pediatricians, and geneticists as a rare new developmental disease. In our report, the clinical picture of changes on the skin is illustrated, and differential diagnosis with dermatoses that are closest in clinical manifestations is briefly carried out.

Point mutations in the catalytic domain disrupt cellulose synthase (CESA6) vesicle trafficking and protein dynamics.

Cellulose, the main component of the plant cell wall, is synthesized by the multimeric cellulose synthase (CESA) complex (CSC). In plant cells, CSCs are assembled in the endoplasmic reticulum or Golgi and transported through the endomembrane system to the plasma membrane (PM). However, how CESA catalytic activity or conserved motifs around the catalytic core influence vesicle trafficking or protein dynamics is not well understood. Here, we used yellow fluorescent protein (YFP)-tagged AtCESA6 and created 18 mutants in key motifs of the catalytic domain to analyze how they affected seedling growth, cellulose biosynthesis, complex formation, and CSC dynamics and trafficking in Arabidopsis thaliana. Seedling growth and cellulose content were reduced by nearly all mutations. Moreover, mutations in most conserved motifs slowed CSC movement in the PM as well as delivery of CSCs to the PM. Interestingly, mutations in the DDG and QXXRW motifs affected YFP-CESA6 abundance in the Golgi. These mutations also perturbed post-Golgi trafficking of CSCs. The 18 mutations were divided into two groups based on their phenotypes; we propose that Group I mutations cause CSC trafficking defects whereas Group II mutations, especially in the QXXRW motif, affect protein folding and/or CSC rosette formation. Collectively, our results demonstrate that the CESA6 catalytic domain is essential for cellulose biosynthesis as well as CSC formation, protein folding and dynamics, and vesicle trafficking.

Fold interference pattern and crustal decoupling in northern Tanzania

High-temperature granulite facies metamorphism and deformation evolved through Neoproterozoic tectonic processes in large parts of southeastern Africa. The Eastern Granulites of Tanzania, one example for these extreme conditions, show progressive decoupling between lower and middle crust together with progressive cooling and rheology stratification. Coupled deformation during earliest stages of deformation arises from extremely small viscosity contrast of all minerals and rocks at granulite facies metamorphic conditions around 850 °C. With cooling of the orogen rheology stratification increases and deformation decouples into horizontal stretching through gravity driven channel flow in the lower crust and thickening and horizontal west-east shortening in the middle/upper crust. As soon as a stiff and cold indenter, represented by external parts of the Archean Tanzania Craton (Western Granulites) enters the system, the indenter acts as lower crustal ramp along which deep crustal units are exhumed and displaced towards the foreland. During this orogenic period the crust was fully stratified and a second phase of decoupling, detachment over crustal scale ramp, occurs. Superposition with late orogenic north-south shortening structures resulted in type 1 fold interference pattern and formation a of dome-and-basin geometry in northeastern Tanzania. Structural modelling of fold superposition helps to explain the complex structural pattern and to predict sites of decollement horizons. By comparison with fold interference pattern exposed in southern Madagascar we define different types of dome-and-basin formation. Those with neglectable rheology contrast are viscosity determined where mixing of upper and lower crustal material is enabled by vertical flow folding. Those with strong viscosity contrast are mechanically determined where domes and basins are formed by changes in regional principal stress directions.

Deleterious Effects of Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Essential Oil on Life Cycle and Midgut of the Natural Predator Ceraeochrysa claveri (Navás, 1911) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae).

Cymbopogon nardus (citronella) essential oil (EO) has been widely used in the cosmetic and food industry due to its repellent and fumigant properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate its effects on the life cycle and midgut morphology of the natural predator Ceraeochrysa claveri. Larvae were fed on sugarcane borer eggs (Diatraea saccharalis) pretreated with citronella EO solutions (1-100 µg/mL in methanol, 5 s) or solvent and air-dried at room temperature for 30 min. Larval and pupal stage duration, the percentage of emergence of the insect, and malformed insects were recorded. One day after adults emerged from their cocoons, adult insects were used to obtain their midgut and analyzed using light microscopy. The chemical composition of C. nardus EO revealed that citronellal (25.3%), citronellol (17.9%), geraniol (11.6%), elemol (6.5%), δ-cadinone (3.6%), and germacrene D (3.4%) were the predominant compounds. Exposure to the EO produced a significant change in development duration for third instar and prepupa of the insect. The observed alterations in the lifecycle included prepupae with no cocoon formation, dead pupa inside the cocoon, and malformed adults. Several injuries in the midgut epithelium of exposed adults were registered, such as detachment of columnar cells leaving only swollen regenerative cells fixed on the basement membrane, and the formation of epithelial folds. In summary, these data suggest that C. nardus oil has adverse effects on the life cycle and midgut morphology of a beneficial predator.

Maize tubulin folding cofactor B is required for cell division and cell growth through modulating microtubule homeostasis.

Tubulin folding cofactors (TFCs) are required for tubulin folding, α/β tubulin heterodimer formation, and microtubule (MT) dynamics in yeast and mammals. However, the functions of their plant counterparts remain to be characterized. We identified a natural maize crumpled kernel mutant, crk2, which exhibits reductions in endosperm cell number and size, as well as embryo/seedling lethality. Map-based cloning and functional complementation confirmed that ZmTFCB is causal for the mutation. ZmTFCB is targeted mainly to the cytosol. It facilitates α-tubulin folding and heterodimer formation through sequential interactions with the cytosolic chaperonin-containing TCP-1 ε subunit ZmCCT5 and ZmTFCE, thus affecting the organization of both the spindle and phragmoplast MT array and the cortical MT polymerization and array formation, which consequently mediated cell division and cell growth. We detected a physical association between ZmTFCB and the maize MT plus-end binding protein END-BINDING1 (ZmEB1), indicating that ZmTFCB1 may modulate MT dynamics by sequestering ZmEB1. Our data demonstrate that ZmTFCB is required for cell division and cell growth through modulating MT homeostasis, an evolutionarily conserved machinery with some species-specific divergence.

The Dugald River-type, shear zone hosted, Zn-Pb-Ag mineralisation, Mount Isa Inlier, Australia

The Dugald River Zn-Pb-Ag mine is situated in the Mount Isa Inlier, a globally significant base metal province. Zn-Pb deposits in the Mount Isa Inlier are stratabound with four main genetic models, including SEDEX-style, remobilised SEDEX, epigenetic and Broken Hill-type mineralisation applied to interpret their formation. We propose that the Zn-Pb-Ag mineralisation at Dugald River represents a unique, shear zone hosted deposit type that formed through a series of successive deformation events during the Paleoproterozoic Isan Orogeny that concentrated the mineralisation within the Dugald River Shear Zone during two main mineralising phases. The first phase of mineralisation occurred during regional D2 shortening, which is associated with the formation of large-scale F2 folds and a regionally penetrative S2 fabric. During this phase, progressive tightening of upright F2 folds resulted in several sets of secondary space accommodating quartz-carbonate veins that were progressively rotated into parallelism with the pervasive, steep, W-dipping S2 cleavage. The quartz-carbonate veins were coevally replaced by sulphides, which migrated to extensional sites (boudin necks and fold hinges) in tight folds. Thereby creating a sulphide-rich horizon within a developing high strain zone, which during D4 developed into the Dugald River Shear Zone. The second phase of mineralisation occurred during the regional D4 transpressional deformation event and resulted in significant metal enrichment and the current geometry of the ore bodies. The significant enrichment of the mineralisation during D4 resulted from further fold tightening within the high strain zone, which resulted in the attenuation and dismembering of folds and produced a transposed fabric (S4). The sulphide veins were transposed into parallelism with S4 forming sulphide-rich planar ore textures. Strain partitioning at the contact between the ductile deforming sulphide horizon and the brittle deforming slates resulted in the development of an anastomosing shear zone, known as the Dugald River Shear Zone. A right-handed releasing bend in the shear zone produced a dilational jog and a thick, high-grade ore body. The mobilisation of sulphides within the dilational jog involved fragmentation of sulphides and wall rock, brecciation, rotation and rolling of fragments, and the formation of durchbewegung texture.

Energy Absorption Capacity of Empty and Foam- Filled Concentric Cylindrical Tubes

Axial folding of metal tubes has been renowned over ages as a superb energy-absorbing method. High-volume industrial items like automobiles, trains, and other sectors where energy must be absorbed in a controlled manner during a crush situation are using components based on this concept. From the perspective of passenger automobile safety design, it is crucial and anticipated to investigate crushing energy absorption.
 These are thoroughly investigated experimentally and computationally how aluminium foam-filled sections behave when compressed axially. To represent quasi-static test circumstances, nonlinear dynamic finite element studies are conducted. It is discovered that the predicted crushing force and fold formation are rather similar to the experimental facts. The mean crushing force of the foam-filled sections is calculated using straightforward closed-form methods based on the computational models. It is shown that the increase in the mean crushing force of a full column increases linearly with the cross-sectional area and foam compressive resistance. The proposal, for a variety of column designs, materials, and foam strengths, has been within 8% of the experimental data.
 Ultimately, the results highlight the advantages of using concentric cylindrical tubes to absorb impact energy in circumstances with axial loads. It only understands well how control the absorbed energy by using the geometrical features of such structures. The purpose of this study is to suggest design solutions on how to use concentric cylindrical tubes in energy absorption applications like crash-worthiness.

Recognition-Encoded Synthetic Information Molecules.

ConspectusNucleic acids represent a unique class of highly programmable molecules, where the sequence of monomer units incorporated into the polymer chain can be read through duplex formation with a complementary oligomer. It should be possible to encode information in synthetic oligomers as a sequence of different monomer units in the same way that the four different bases program information into DNA and RNA. In this Account, we describe our efforts to develop synthetic duplex-forming oligomers composed of sequences of two complementary recognition units that can base-pair in organic solvents through formation of a single H-bond, and we outline some general guidelines for the design of new sequence-selective recognition systems.The design strategy has focused on three interchangeable modules that control recognition, synthesis, and backbone geometry. For a single H-bond to be effective as a base-pairing interaction, very polar recognition units, such as phosphine oxide and phenol, are required. Reliable base-pairing in organic solvents requires a nonpolar backbone, so that the only polar functional groups present are the donor and acceptor sites on the two recognition units. This criterion limits the range of functional groups that can be produced in the synthesis of oligomers. In addition, the chemistry used for polymerization should be orthogonal to the recognition units. Several compatible high yielding coupling chemistries that are suitable for the synthesis of recognition-encoded polymers are explored. Finally, the conformational properties of the backbone module play an important role in determining the supramolecular assembly pathways that are accessible to mixed sequence oligomers.Almost all complementary homo-oligomers will form duplexes provided the product of the association constant for formation of a base-pair and the effective molarity for the intramolecular base-pairing interactions that zip up the duplex is significantly greater than one. For these systems, the structure of the backbone does not play a major role, and the effective molarities for duplex formation tend to fall in the range 10-100 mM for both rigid and flexible backbones. For mixed sequences, intramolecular H-bonding interactions lead to folding. The competition between folding and duplex formation depends critically on the conformational properties of the backbone, and high-fidelity sequence-selective duplex formation is only observed for backbones that are sufficiently rigid to prevent short-range folding between bases that are close in sequence. The final section of the Account highlights the prospects for functional properties, other than duplex formation, that might be encoded with sequence.

Integrated Analysis of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression in Porcine Placental Development.

Proper placental development is crucial for the conceptus to grow and survive, because the placenta is responsible for transporting nutrients and oxygen from the pregnant female to the developing fetus. However, the processes of placental morphogenesis and fold formation remain to be fully elucidated. In this study, we used whole-genome bisulfite sequencing and RNA sequencing to produce a global map of DNA methylation and gene expression changes in placentas from Tibetan pig fetuses 21, 28, and 35 days post-coitus. Substantial changes in morphology and histological structures at the uterine-placental interface were revealed via hematoxylin-eosin staining. Transcriptome analysis identified 3959 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and revealed the key transcriptional properties in three stages. The DNA methylation level in the gene promoter was negatively correlated with gene expression. We identified a set of differentially methylated regions associated with placental developmental genes and transcription factors. The decrease in DNA methylation level in the promoter was associated with the transcriptional activation of 699 DEGs that were functionally enriched in cell adhesion and migration, extracellular matrix remodeling, and angiogenesis. Our analysis provides a valuable resource for understanding the mechanisms of DNA methylation in placental development. The methylation status of different genomic regions plays a key role in establishing transcriptional patterns from placental morphogenesis to fold formation.