Showing papers by "Matthew Jones published in 2023"
1 citations
TL;DR: In this article , an alternative zirconium-based system that combines an inexpensive Group IV metal with the robustness, high activity, control, and designed compatibility with existing facilities and processes, that are required for industrial use is presented.
Abstract: The biodegradable, aliphatic polyester poly(lactic acid), PLA, is a leading bio-based alternative to petrochemical-derived plastic materials across a range of applications. Widely reported in the available literature as a benchmark for PLA production via the bulk ring-opening polymerization of lactides is the use of divalent tin catalysts, and particularly tin(II) bis(2-ethylhexanoate). We present an alternative zirconium-based system that combines an inexpensive Group IV metal with the robustness, high activity, control, and designed compatibility with existing facilities and processes, that are required for industrial use. We have carried out a comprehensive kinetic study and applied a combined experimental and theoretical approach to understanding the mechanism by which the polymerization of lactide proceeds in the presence of this system. In the laboratory-scale (20 g) polymerization of recrystallized racemic d,l-lactide (rac-lactide), we have measured catalyst turnover frequencies up to at least 56,000 h–1, and confirmed the reported protocols’ resistance toward undesirable epimerization, transesterification, and chain scission processes, deleterious to the properties of the polymer product. Further optimization and scale-up under industrial conditions have confirmed the relevance of the catalytic protocol to the commercial production of melt-polymerized PLA. We were able to undertake the efficient preparation of high-molecular-weight PLA on the 500–2000 g scale, via the selective and well-controlled polymerization of commercial polymer-grade l-lactide under challenging, industrially relevant conditions, and at metal concentrations as low as 8–12 ppm Zr by weight ([Zr] = 1.3 × 10–3 to 1.9 × 10–3 mol %). Under those conditions, a catalyst turnover number of at least 60,000 was attained, and the activity of the catalyst was comparable to that of tin(II) bis(2-ethylhexanoate).
1 citations
TL;DR: Stempels et al. as mentioned in this paper discovered extremely large spiral-and ring-shaped ESCRT structures wrapping around clusters of integrins that lack actin and evidence suggests that they are involved in membrane repair by shedding of damaged membrane.
Abstract: Stempels et al. discovered extremely large spiral- and ring-shaped ESCRT structures wrapping around clusters of integrins that lack actin. The micrometer-sized ESCRT structures are formed in migratory cell types and evidence suggests that they are involved in membrane repair by shedding of damaged membrane.
1 citations
10 Jul 2023
TL;DR: In this article , the authors present a set of recommendations for the incorporation of olfactory devices into everyday life, focusing on the use of scent within three contexts; public, private and digital.
Abstract: Scent based interactions have been evaluated within a number of research settings, from Virtual Reality (VR) to art galleries to city centres. Olfactory technology is reaching new advances with the ability to incorporate it more readily into a variety of environments, e.g. classrooms. However, there is little knowledge on the code of practice for using these olfactory devices. Within this workshop we aim to gather a multidisciplinary group of researchers to co-create a set of recommendations for the incorporation of olfactory devices into everyday life. In particular, we will focus on the use of scent within three contexts; Public, Private and Digital.
TL;DR: In this article , the authors evaluated the association between MAPT H2 and risk of Picks disease (PiD) and established the Picks disease International Consortium (PIC) and collected 338 (60.7% male) pathologically confirmed PiD brains from 39 sites worldwide.
Abstract: Background: Picks disease (PiD) is a rare and predominantly sporadic form of frontotemporal dementia that is classified as a primary tauopathy. PiD is pathologically defined by argyrophilic inclusion Pick bodies and ballooned neurons in the frontal and temporal brain lobes. PiD is characterised by the presence of Pick bodies which are formed from aggregated, hyperphosphorylated, 3-repeat tau proteins, encoded by the MAPT gene. The MAPT H2 haplotype has consistently been associated with a decreased disease risk of the 4-repeat tauopathies of progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration, however its role in susceptibility to PiD is unclear. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the association between MAPT H2 and risk of PiD. Methods: We established the Picks disease International Consortium (PIC) and collected 338 (60.7% male) pathologically confirmed PiD brains from 39 sites worldwide. 1,312 neurologically healthy clinical controls were recruited from Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, FL (N=881) or Rochester, MN (N=431). For the primary analysis, subjects were directly genotyped for MAPT H1-H2 haplotype-defining variant rs8070723. In secondary analysis, we genotyped and constructed the six-variant MAPT H1 subhaplotypes (rs1467967, rs242557, rs3785883, rs2471738, rs8070723, and rs7521). Findings: Our primary analysis found that the MAPT H2 haplotype was associated with increased risk of PiD (OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.12-1.64 P=0.002). In secondary analysis involving H1 subhaplotypes, a protective association with PiD was observed for the H1f haplotype (0.0% vs. 1.2%, P=0.049), with a similar trend noted for H1b (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.58-1.00, P=0.051). The 4-repeat tauopathy risk haplotype MAPT H1c was not associated with PiD susceptibility (OR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.70-1.25, P=0.65). Interpretation: The PIC represents the first opportunity to perform relatively large-scale studies to enhance our understanding of the pathobiology of PiD. This study demonstrates that in contrast to its protective role in 4R tauopathies, the MAPT H2 haplotype is associated with an increased risk of PiD. This finding is critical in directing isoform-related therapeutics for tauopathies.
TL;DR: In this article , a cold-induced alternative splicing switch from a non-translatable isoform at ambient temperature to a translatable isoform upon cold exposure was shown to restrict plants responses to nocturnal reductions in temperature, thereby enabling appropriate responses to daily environmental changes.
Abstract: Cold stress is one of the major environmental factors that limit growth and yield of plants. However, it is still not fully understood how plants account for daily temperature fluctuations, nor how these temperature changes are integrated with other regulatory systems such as the circadian clock. We demonstrate that REVEILLE2, a MYB-like transcription factor, exhibits a cold-induced alternative splicing switch from a non-translatable isoform at ambient temperature to a translatable isoform upon cold exposure. We explore the biological function of REVEILLE2 using a combination of molecular genetics, transcriptomics, and physiology. Disruption of the REVEILLE2 cooling switch alters regulatory gene expression, impairs circadian timing, and improves photosynthetic capacity. Changes in nuclear gene expression are particularly apparent in the initial hours following chilling, with chloroplast gene expression subsequently up-regulated. The REVEILLE2 cold switch extends our understanding of plants immediate response to cooling. We propose that the circadian component REVEILLE2 restricts plants responses to nocturnal reductions in temperature, thereby enabling appropriate responses to daily environmental changes. Plain language summary Plants need to respond appropriately to temperature, accounting for the expected daily patterns of reduced temperatures that occur every night relative to the day. Here, we show that a gene expressed at night fulfils this function.
TL;DR: Theologia Cambrensis: Protestant religion and theology in Wales, volume 2: the long nineteenth century 1760-1900 as mentioned in this paper , was published in the early nineteenth century.
Abstract: "Theologia Cambrensis: Protestant religion and theology in Wales, volume 2: the long nineteenth century 1760–1900." Nineteenth-Century Contexts, ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print), pp. 1–2
TL;DR: In this paper , the applicability of a mechano-electrochemical coupled modeling method considering the multi-species, multi-reaction model as popularized by Verbrugge and Baker was illustrated.
Abstract: Automotive manufacturers are working to improve individual cell and overall pack design by increasing their performance, durability, and range, while reducing cost; and active material volume change is one of the more complex aspects that needs to be considered during this process. As the time from initial design to manufacture of electric vehicles is decreased, design work that used to rely solely on testing needs to be supplemented or replaced by virtual methods. As electrochemical engineers drive battery and system design using model-based methods, the need for coupled electrochemical/mechanical models that take into account the active material change utilizing physics based or semi-empirical approaches is necessary. In this study, we illustrated the applicability of a mechano-electrochemical coupled modeling method considering the multi-species, multi-reaction model as popularized by Verbrugge and Baker. To do this, validation tests were conducted using a computer-controlled press apparatus that can control the press displacement and press force with precision. The coupled MSMR volume change model was developed and its applicability to graphite and NMC cells was illustrated. The increased accuracy of the model considering the coupled MSMR volume change approach shows in the importance of accounting for individual gallery volume change behavior on cell level predictions.
TL;DR: This article showed that post-transcriptional processing is crucial for the circadian response to osmotic stress, suggesting that RNA metabolism plays a vital role in circadian clock coordination during drought.
Abstract: The circadian clock system acts as an endogenous timing reference that coordinates many metabolic and physiological processes in plants. Previous studies have shown that the application of osmotic stress delays circadian rhythms via 3'-Phospho-Adenosine 5'-Phosphate (PAP), a retrograde signalling metabolite that is produced in response to redox stress within organelles. PAP accumulation leads to the inhibition of EXORIBONUCLEASEs (XRNs), which are responsible for RNA degradation. Interestingly, we are now able to demonstrate that post-transcriptional processing is crucial for the circadian response to osmotic stress. Our data show that osmotic stress increases the stability of specific circadian RNAs, suggesting that RNA metabolism plays a vital role in circadian clock coordination during drought. Inactivation of XRN4 is sufficient to extend circadian rhythms as part of this response, with PRR7 and LWD1 identified as transcripts that are post-transcriptionally regulated to delay circadian progression.
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors proposed mutagenesis of genes controlling key signaling components downstream of abscisic acid accumulation in local landraces to modulate responses, and discussed the advantages of tackling this challenge with a holistic approach involving different knowledge and perspectives.
Abstract: The rapid increase in average temperatures and the progressive reduction in rainfalls caused by climate change is reducing crop yields worldwide, particularly in regions with hot and semi-arid climates such as the Mediterranean area. In natural conditions, plants respond to environmental drought stress with diverse morphological, physiological, and biochemical adaptations in an attempt to escape, avoid, or tolerate drought stress. Among these adaptations to stress, the accumulation of abscisic acid (ABA) is of pivotal importance. Many biotechnological approaches to improve stress tolerance by increasing the exogenous or endogenous content of ABA have proved to be effective. In most cases the resultant drought tolerance is associated with low productivity incompatible with the requirements of modern agriculture. The on-going climate crisis has provoked the search for strategies to increase crop yield under warmer conditions. Several biotechnological strategies, such as the genetic improvement of crops or the generation of transgenic plants for genes involved in drought tolerance, have been attempted with unsatisfactory results suggesting the need for new approaches. Among these, the genetic modification of transcription factors or regulators of signaling cascades provide a promising alternative. To reconcile drought tolerance with crop yield, we propose mutagenesis of genes controlling key signaling components downstream of ABA accumulation in local landraces to modulate responses. We also discuss the advantages of tackling this challenge with a holistic approach involving different knowledge and perspectives, and the problem of distributing the selected lines at subsidized prices to guarantee their use by small family farms.
19 Apr 2023
TL;DR: In this article , the authors conducted an ethnography, adopting an ethnomethodological lens, to study cyclists as they use their bicycles for routine purposes through the use of a handlebar-mounted 360-degree action video camera.
Abstract: Cycling continues to grow in popularity, both as a means to commute and for exercise. While there is a plethora of research studying technology use in vehicular travel, cycling remains a relatively understudied area—especially within HCI. We conducted an ethnography, adopting an ethnomethodological lens, to study cyclists as they use their bicycles for routine purposes. Through the use of a handlebar-mounted 360-degree action video camera, we conducted our study longitudinally with participants over a number of weeks. Our analysis explicates our participants accountable use of different electronic technologies while on the go and in this paper we present four fragments of their use of different technologies as exemplars from our corpus. Our paper offers insights into the use of technology on bicycles, including how cyclists select moments of opportunity to use technology for different purposes. We conclude by offering design implications for the design of interactive technologies for cyclists.