A modiolar-pillar gradient in auditory-nerve dendritic length: A novel post-synaptic contribution to dynamic range?

Auditory-nerve fibers (ANFs) from a given cochlear region can vary in threshold sensitivity by up to 60 dB, corresponding to a 1000-fold difference in stimulus level, although each fiber innervates a single inner hair cell (IHC) via a single synapse. ANFs with high-thresholds also have low spontaneous rates (SRs) and synapse on the side of the IHC closer to the modiolus, whereas the low-threshold, high-SR fibers synapse on the side closer to the pillar cells. Prior biophysical work has identified modiolar-pillar differences in both pre- and post-synaptic properties, but a comprehensive explanation for the wide range of sensitivities remains elusive.

Assessing the interaction between the N-terminal region of the membrane protein magnesium transporter A and a lipid bilayer.

Unlabelled: This study investigates the interaction of KEIF, the intrinsically disordered N-terminal region of the magnesium transporter MgtA, with lipid bilayers mimicking cell membranes. Combining experimental techniques such as neutron reflectometry (NR), quartz-crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), synchrotron radiation circular dichroism (SRCD), and oriented circular dichroism (OCD), with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we characterized KEIF's adsorption behavior.

Hypothesis: KEIF undergoes conformational changes upon interacting with lipid bilayers, potentially influencing MgtA's function within the plasma membrane.

Accurate phenotype-to-genotype mapping of high-diversity yeast libraries by heat-shock-electroporation (HEEL).

High-throughput DNA transformation techniques are invaluable when generating high-diversity mutant libraries, a cornerstone of successful protein engineering. However, transformation efficiencies have a direct correlation with the probability of introducing multiple DNA molecules into each cell, although reliable library screenings require cells that contain a single unique genotype. Thus, transformation methods that yield a high multiplicity of transformations are unsuitable for high-diversity library screenings.

Comparative assessment of airborne infection risk tools in enclosed spaces: Implications for disease control.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, highlighted the importance of understanding transmission modes and implementing effective mitigation strategies. Recognizing airborne transmission as a primary route has reshaped public health measures, emphasizing the need to optimize indoor environments to reduce risks. Numerous tools have emerged to assess airborne infection risks in enclosed spaces, providing valuable resources for public health authorities, researchers, and the general public.

Switchable modes of azulene-based single molecule-electrode coupling controlled by interfacial charge distribution.

Molecule-electrode interactions are critical for determining transport mechanisms and device functionalities in both single-molecule electrochemistry and electronics. Crucial factors such as anchoring groups and local fields have been studied, but the role of electrolytes and interfacial charge distribution remains largely underexplored. The present research focuses on how the interfacial charge distribution in the electric double layer (EDL) controls single-molecule junctions anchored by azulene.

Restructuring a Complex Genetic Function on Episomal Vectors in .

Genetic functions have evolved over long timescales and can be encoded by multiple genes dispersed in different locations in genomes, and although contemporary molecular biology enables control over single genes, more complex genetic functions remain challenging. Here, we study the restructuring and mobilization of a complex genetic function encoded by 10 genes, originally expressed from four operons and two loci on the genome. We observe subtle phenotypic differences and reduced fitness when expressed from episomal DNA and demonstrate that mutations in the transcriptional machinery are necessary for successful implementation in different bacteria.

Duration of transients in outbreaks: when can infectiousness be estimated?

We investigate sub-leading orders of the classic SEIR-model using contact matrices from modeling of the Omicron and Delta variants of COVID-19 in Denmark. The goal of this is to illustrate when the growth rate, and by extension the infection transmission potential (basic or initial reproduction number), can be estimated in a new outbreak, e.g.

Aeromonas isolation reveals this genus' contribution to antimicrobial resistance fluxes across the wastewater - treated water - river interface.

Aim: Aeromonas spp. are common members of water and wastewater microbiomes but some are listed as opportunistic pathogens and are often reported to carry antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. We aimed to assess the performance of isolation media for capturing their distribution and their role in AMR dissemination into aquatic environments.

Adaptive laboratory evolution and genetic engineering improved terephthalate utilization in Pseudomonas putida KT2440.

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is one of the most ubiquitous plastics and can be depolymerized through biological and chemo-catalytic routes to its constituent monomers, terephthalic acid (TPA) and ethylene glycol (EG). TPA and EG can be re-synthesized into PET for closed-loop recycling or microbially converted into higher-value products for open-loop recycling. Here, we expand on our previous efforts engineering and applying Pseudomonas putida KT2440 for PET conversion by employing adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) to improve TPA catabolism.

Expediting pathogen genomics adoption for enhanced foodborne disease surveillance in Africa.

The role of genomics in public health surveillance has been accentuated by its crucial contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating its potential in addressing global disease outbreaks. While Africa has made strides in expanding multi-pathogen genomic surveillance, the integration into foodborne disease (FBD) surveillance remains nascent. Here we highlight the critical components to strengthen and scale-up the integration of whole genome sequencing (WGS) in foodborne disease surveillance across the continent.

Climate change impacts of biological treatment of liquid digestate from the anaerobic digestion of food waste.

The liquid fraction of digestate (LFD) from anaerobic digestion of food waste contains high nitrogen concentrations, and in some countries, the LFD is treated as wastewater. We modelled alternative LFD treatments, including pretreatment with the partial nitritation Anammox (PNA) process. The PNA effluent is discharged to the sewers to undergo further treatment by conventional nitrification and (post- or pre-) denitrification.

Stable asynchrony? Association between borderline personality traits and interpersonal asynchrony.

Interpersonal coordination processes facilitate interpersonal synchrony through a continuous mutual adaption and corepresentation of self and others' actions. Such a process has been found to enhance prosocial behaviors, affiliation, and trust. While research has investigated the general underlying cognitive and social mechanisms that facilitate interpersonal synchrony, much less is known about how interpersonal impairments influence it in various psychopathological conditions-such as borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Novel radionuclides: demand, production and distribution for translational research in Europe.

Background: In the field of medical and scientific research, radionuclides are used to investigate various physiological and pathological processes. PRISMAP - the European medical radionuclide programme was created to bring together production facilities including intense neutron sources, an isotope mass separation facility, high-power accelerators, biomedical research institutes, and hospitals to support medical research. The aim of this article is to introduce readers with the current status of innovative radionuclides in Europe.

Enhancing Buccal Drug Delivery: The Impact of Glycerol in Slot-Die-Coated Pectin Films.

Buccal delivery offers a promising alternative to e.g., oral or parenteral drug administrations by leveraging the mucosal membranes of the mouth to enhance drug absorption and enhance patient compliance.

Single-Path Supercontinuum Near- to Mid-Infrared Correlation Spectroscopy of Aqueous Samples.

Combining near-infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy to cover both the fundamental and overtone combination molecular vibrational resonances allows more robust analytical methods to be used, such as two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy. However, due to the strong differences in molar absorption coefficients and transparency of the optical material, it is inherently difficult to perform NIR and MIR spectroscopy on aqueous samples using a single instrument. Combining spectra from different instruments and sample presentations can result in unwanted spectral variations, which can influence the prediction models and mitigate the advantages of the combination approaches.

Design and Validation of an Obstacle Contact Sensor for Aerial Robots.

Obstacle contact detection is not commonly employed in autonomous robots, which mainly depend on avoidance algorithms, limiting their effectiveness in cluttered environments. Current contact-detection techniques suffer from blind spots or discretized detection points, and rigid platforms further limit performance by merely detecting the presence of a collision without providing detailed feedback. To address these challenges, we propose an innovative contact sensor design that improves autonomous navigation through physical contact detection.

Influence of Hydrogen and Ethanol Addition in Methanogen-Free Mixed Culture Syngas Fermentations in Trickle Bed Reactors.

The use of mixed cultures in gas fermentations could reduce operating costs in the production of liquid chemicals such as alcohols or carboxylic acids. However, directing reducing equivalents towards the desired products presents the challenge of co-existing competing pathways. In this study, two trickle bed reactors were operated at acetogenic and chain elongating conditions to explore the fate of electron equivalents (ethanol, H, and CO) and test pH oscillations as a strategy to target chain-elongated products.

Spectroscopic and Quantum Chemical Evidence of Amine-CO and Alcohol-CO Interactions: Confirming an Intriguing Affinity of CO to Monoethanolamine (MEA).

A recent broadband rotational spectroscopic investigation of the cross-association mechanisms of CO with monoethanolamine (MEA) in molecular beams [F. Xie et al., , , , e202218539] revealed an intriguing affinity of CO to the hydroxy group.

Zwitterionic, Stimuli-Responsive Liposomes for Curcumin Drug Delivery: Enhancing M2 Macrophage Polarization and Reducing Oxidative Stress through Enzyme-Specific and Hyperthermia-Triggered Release.

A zwitterionic, stimuli-responsive liposomal system was meticulously designed for the precise and controlled delivery of curcumin, leveraging enzyme-specific and hyperthermic stimuli to enhance therapeutic outcomes. This platform is specifically engineered to release curcumin in response to , an enzyme that degrades phospholipids, enabling highly targeted and site-specific drug release. Mild hyperthermia (40 °C) further enhances membrane permeability and activates thermosensitive carriers, optimizing drug delivery.

Discovery and Characterization of Mannan-Specialized GH5 Endo-1,4-β-mannanases: a Strategy for Açaí ( Mart.) Seeds Upgrading.

The pulp of açaí palm fruits ( Mart.) is a valuable export commodity in Brazil. Its production generates 1.

Ancient genomics support deep divergence between Eastern and Western Mediterranean Indo-European languages.

The Indo-European languages are among the most widely spoken in the world, yet their early diversification remains contentious. It is widely accepted that the spread of this language family across Europe from the 5th millennium BP correlates with the expansion and diversification of steppe-related genetic ancestry from the onset of the Bronze Age. However, multiple steppe-derived populations co-existed in Europe during this period, and it remains unclear how these populations diverged and which provided the demographic channels for the ancestral forms of the Italic, Celtic, Greek, and Armenian languages.

Online monitoring of Haematococcus lacustris cell cycle using machine and deep learning techniques.

Optimal control and process optimization of astaxanthin production from Haematococcuslacustris is directly linked to its complex cell cycle ranging from vegetative green cells to astaxanthin-rich cysts. This study developed an automated online monitoring system classifying four different cell cycle stages using a scanning microscope. Decision-tree based machine learning and deep learning convolutional neural network algorithms were developed, validated, and evaluated.

Adaptive expert fusion model for online wind power prediction.

Wind power prediction is a challenging task due to the high variability and uncertainty of wind generation and weather conditions. Accurate and timely wind power prediction is essential for optimal power system operation and planning. In this paper, we propose a novel Adaptive Expert Fusion Model (EFM+) for online wind power prediction.