Controlled multiple reversals of a ratchet effect

A single particle confined in an asymmetric potential demonstrates an anticipated ratchet effect by drifting along the 'easy' ratchet direction when subjected to non-equilibrium fluctuations. This well-known effect can, however, be dramatically changed if the potential captures several interacting particles. Here we demonstrate that the inter-particle interactions in a chain of repelling particles captured by a ratchet potential can, in a controllable way, lead to multiple drift reversals, with the drift sign alternating from positive to negative as the number of particles per ratchet period changes from odd to even. To demonstrate experimentally the validity of this very general prediction, we performed transport measurements on a.c.-driven vortices trapped in a superconductor by an array of nanometre-scale asymmetric traps. We found that the direction of the vortex drift does undergo multiple reversals as the vortex density is increased, in excellent agreement with the model predictions. This drastic change in the drift behaviour between single- and multi-particle systems can shed some light on the different behaviour of ratchets and biomembranes in two drift regimes: diluted (single particles) and concentrated (interacting particles).     

The banana (Musa acuminata) genome and the evolution of monocotyledonous plants

Bananas (Musa spp.), including dessert and cooking types, are giant perennial monocotyledonous herbs of the order Zingiberales, a sister group to the well-studied Poales, which include cereals. Bananas are vital for food security in many tropical and subtropical countries and the most popular fruit in industrialized countries. The Musa domestication process started some 7,000 years ago in Southeast Asia. It involved hybridizations between diverse species and subspecies, fostered by human migrations, and selection of diploid and triploid seedless, parthenocarpic hybrids thereafter widely dispersed by vegetative propagation. Half of the current production relies on somaclones derived from a single triploid genotype (Cavendish). Pests and diseases have gradually become adapted, representing an imminent danger for global banana production. Here we describe the draft sequence of the 523-megabase genome of a Musa acuminata doubled-haploid genotype, providing a crucial stepping-stone for genetic improvement of banana. We detected three rounds of whole-genome duplications in the Musa lineage, independently of those previously described in the Poales lineage and the one we detected in the Arecales lineage. This first monocotyledon high-continuity whole-genome sequence reported outside Poales represents an essential bridge for comparative genome analysis in plants. As such, it clarifies commelinid-monocotyledon phylogenetic relationships, reveals Poaceae-specific features and has led to the discovery of conserved non-coding sequences predating monocotyledon-eudicotyledon divergence.     

Using Action Research to Implement Selective Waste Collection Program in a Brazilian City

The objective of this paper is to study and report upon the elaboration of a selective waste collection program in a Brazilian city through action research; the overarching goal is that all knowledge generated may serve as a basis of information and reference to aid in decision making for similar programs globally. The municipality chosen was São Lourenço in the state of Minas Gerais. The implementation of the selective waste collection program happened over the course of multiple improvement and learning cycles, and enabled many environmental, economic and social benefits for all of the project’s stakeholders. Eighty-nine tons of potentially recycled material were sent to recycling processes rather than being disposed of in a landfill. No great difficulties were observed for the use of action research as a method, but some challenges were encountered and overcome during the whole process, due to the lack of structure and confidence on part of the population, in relation to the selective collection program. The choice for action research as the methodology and the use of improvement and learning cycles proved to increase the project’s overall efficiency, making it possible to make decisions more quickly, generating better results, and enabling replications of good decisions and correction of errors from one cycle to the next.     

Adrenergic activation of triiodothyronine production in brown adipose tissue

There are several mechanisms by which homeothermic animals increase heat production, including shivering, sympathetic nervous system activation and stimulation of thyroid hormone secretion. Studies in rats have shown that increased sympathetic activity causes increased heat production in brown adipose tissue (BAT) after cold exposure or food ingestion. Acute cold exposure also increases circulating thyroid hormones which in turn stimulate cellular metabolism through induction of various enzymes. Most metabolic effects of thyroxine (T4) are thought to be due to the triiodothyronine (T3) which is produced from T4 by a process of 5' monodeiodination. There are two enzymes responsible for this reaction: type I, or propylthiouracil (PTU)-sensitive iodothyronine deiodinase (5'D-I), which is reduced in hypothyroidism, stimulated in hyperthyroidism and probably provides most of the circulating T3 in the adult rat. Type II 5'-deiodinase (5'D-II) is characteristic of brain and pituitary, is increased by thyroidectomy, is not inhibited by PTU and provides 50-80% of the intracellular T3 in these two tissues. Recently, 5'D-II activity was identified in interscapular BAT. As the sympathetic nervous system influences the metabolic activation of BAT, we have studied the effects of noradrenaline and acute cold exposure on BAT 5'D-II. We report here that both noradrenaline and cold exposure increase BAT 5'D-II through alpha 1-adrenergic receptors, whereas depletion of catecholamines with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (MPT) prevents the effect of cold but not that of noradrenaline. These results suggest that the sympathetic nervous system may increase T3 production in rats by stimulating BAT 5'D-II. By increasing metabolic rate, this rise in T3 would enhance the thermogenic response to sympathetic stimulation.     

Induction of the proteolytic activity of a membrane protein in Plasmodium falciparum by phosphatidyl inositol-specific phospholipase C

Membrane anchoring of proteins by a covalently attached glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol moiety has been reported in many different eukaryotic cells including parasite protozoa. The diversity of proteins in which this phospholipid attachment is found suggests that it is functionally important and perhaps also functionally pleiotropic. Studies on the Thy-1 antigen of murine lymphocytes indicate that it can facilitate the lateral mobility of membrane proteins. It can also permit the rapid and specific release of the anchored proteins from the membrane following cleavage by a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC). Here we show that this type of anchoring may be involved in the regulation of an enzymatic activity. PI-PLC releases a Plasmodium falciparum membrane protein of relative molecular mass (Mr) 76K (p76) from intact merozoites or isolated schizont membranes and induces a proteolytic activity associated with its soluble form. Endogenous activation of the proteolytic activity of p76 appears to occur at the end of the schizogony and could initiate a cascade of biochemical events associated with merozoite maturation.     

Hypercalcitonemia in pernicious anemia

Summary Gastrin has been suggested as a natural secretogogue of the hormone calcitonin. We have found hypercalcitonemia in 55% of patients with pernicious anemia, and the gastrin levels, although usually increased, did not correlate.     

Anti-muscarinic activity of a family of C11N5 compounds isolated from Agelas sponges.

In a search for potential target sites for C11N5 compounds obtained from marine sponges of the genus Agelas we evaluated their interaction with muscarinic acetylcholine receptors from rat brain membranes. In competition experiments with 3H-QNB these compounds displayed the following rank order of potency: sceptrin greater than oroidin greater than or equal to dibromosceptrin greater than or equal to clathrodin. Sceptrin (50 microM) was shown to be a competitive inhibitor of 3H-QNB binding as revealed by Scatchard analysis. The results demonstrate the ability of these compounds to interact with multiple target molecules in the micromolar range.