A random fatigue of mechanize titanium abutment studied with Markoff chain and stochastic finite element formulation

To measure fatigue in dental implants and in its components, it is necessary to use a probabilistic analysis since the randomness in the output depends on a number of parameters (such as fatigue properties of titanium and applied loads, unknown beforehand as they depend on mastication habits). The purpose is to apply a probabilistic approximation in order to predict fatigue life, taking into account the randomness of variables. More accuracy on the results has been obtained by taking into account different load blocks with different amplitudes, as happens with bite forces during the day and allowing us to know how effects have different type of bruxism on the piece analysed.     

Patterns of energy metabolism and growth kinetics of Kluyveromyces marxianus in whey chemostat culture

The influence of physiological parameters such as carbon substrate flux and O₂ uptake rates on energy metabolism are reported with reference to biomass productivity in whey chemostat culture. The combined results show that oxidoreductive energy metabolism may be attained independently of the yeast reaching its maximum respiratory capacity. A novel metabolic interpretation is presented proposing that a relative imbalance between glycolysis and subsequent oxidative steps alone is sufficient to account for the observed results. By means of a mathematical model the results could be reproduced under all experimental conditions. The new interpretation provides an insight into the manner in which energy mettbolism is regulated and influences growth-related process Kluyveromyces marxianus, as well as other yeasts with similar physiological characteristics. Correspondence to: J. I. Castrillo     

TBCD Links Centriologenesis,Spindle Microtubule Dynamics,and Midbody Abscission in Human Cells

Microtubule-organizing centers recruit α- and β-tubulin polypeptides for microtubule nucleation. Tubulin synthesis is complex, requiring five specific cofactors, designated tubulin cofactors (TBCs) A–E, which contribute to various aspects of microtubule dynamics in vivo. Here, we show that tubulin cofactor D (TBCD) is concentrated at the centrosome and midbody, where it participates in centriologenesis, spindle organization, and cell abscission. TBCD exhibits a cell-cycle-specific pattern, localizing on the daughter centriole at G1 and on procentrioles by S, and disappearing from older centrioles at telophase as the protein is recruited to the midbody. Our data show that TBCD overexpression results in microtubule release from the centrosome and G1 arrest, whereas its depletion produces mitotic aberrations and incomplete microtubule retraction at the midbody during cytokinesis. TBCD is recruited to the centriole replication site at the onset of the centrosome duplication cycle. A role in centriologenesis is further supported in differentiating ciliated cells, where TBCD is organized into “centriolar rosettes”. These data suggest that TBCD participates in both canonical and de novo centriolar assembly pathways.     

Relative Dominance Affects Use of Scent-Marked Areas in Male Snow Voles Chionomys nivalis

We conducted a laboratory experiment to examine whether dominance status affects the use of locations occupied (i.e. scent-marked) by same-sex conspecifics among wild-caught snow vole males ( Chionomys nivalis ). Given that the costs of invading scent-marked areas should partially depend on the intruder's competitive ability, we hypothesised that, once a dominance relationship has been established with the owner of marks, the use of these areas by males would vary differently between dominant and subordinate individuals. Before any previous experience with the owner, scented substrates and nests were highly attractive to all males, indicating a general preference for recently occupied areas. However, after relative social status was established through direct interaction the subsequent response of males was altered differently, subordinate individuals reducing the use of marked areas to a much greater extent than dominants. Competitive relationships between male C. nivalis were found to be influenced by differences in body weight, larger males tending to display a more dominant pattern of behaviour. Our results reveal that male C. nivalis may require some direct experience with potential opponents to modulate their response towards occupied locations. Additionally, we suggest that the ability of males to conditionally respond to social signals from particular competing conspecifics might be used to lower the costs of prospective agonistic interactions.     

Regulation of root hair density by phosphorus availability in Arabidopsis thaliana

We characterized the response of root hair density to phosphorus (P) availability in Arabidopsis thaliana. Arabidopsis plants were grown aseptically in growth media with varied phosphorus concentrations, ranging from 1 mmol m⁻³ to 2000 mmol m⁻³ phosphorus. Root hair density (number of root hairs per mm of root length) was analysed starting at 7 d of growth. Root hair density was highly regulated by phosphorus availability, increasing significantly in roots exposed to low-phosphorus availability. The initial root hairs produced by the radicle were not sensitive to phosphorus availability, but began to respond after 9 d of growth. Root hair density was about five times greater in low phosphorus (1 mmol m⁻³) than in high phosphorus (1000 mmol m⁻³) media. Root hair density decreased logarithmically in response to increasing phosphorus concentrations within that range. Root hair density also increased in response to deficiencies of several other nutrients, but not as strongly as to low phosphorus. Indoleacetic acid (IAA), the auxin transport inhibitor 2-(p-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropionic acid (CMPA), the ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), and the ethylene synthesis inhibitor amino-oxyacetic acid (AOA) all increased root hair density under high phosphorus but had very little effect under low phosphorus. Low phosphorus significantly changed root anatomy, causing a 9% increase in root diameter, a 31% decrease in the cross-sectional area of individual trichoblasts, a 40% decrease in the cross-sectional area of individual atrichoblasts, and 45% more cortical cells in cross-section. The larger number of cortical cells and smaller epidermal cell size in low phosphorus roots increased the number of trichoblast files from eight to 12. Two-thirds of increased root hair density in low phosphorus roots was caused by increased likelihood of trichoblasts to form hairs, and 33% of the increase was accounted for by changes in low phosphorus root anatomy resulting in an increased number of trichoblast files. These results show that phosphorus availability can fundamentally alter root anatomy, leading to changes in root hair density, which are presumably important for phosphorus acquisition.     

Ecology and biogeography of plant communities associated with the post Plio-Pleistocene relict Rhododendron ponticum subsp. baeticum in southern Spain

Aims Rhododendron ponticum L. is reputed to be a post Plio‐Pleistocene relict plant species with a disjunct distribution that comprises the Iberian Peninsula to the west and the Euxinian region plus some restricted Mediterranean areas to the east. We analysed the ecological range (of subsp. baeticum) in the western area (Aljibe Mountains, north of the Strait of Gibraltar) to understand the factors determining the present area limitation. Location Sierra del Aljibe, north of the Strait of Gibraltar (Iberian Peninsula). Methods We selected 20 riparian sites where R. ponticum is common, and compiled data on the ecological diversity of associated woody species and ferns. We established a 500‐m main transect in each site, along the stream or river course, in which we placed five 20‐m‐long plots at regular intervals. We recorded physiographic habitat features, woody plants and fern abundance, and the number of R. ponticum individuals. Results Rhododendron ponticum in southern Spain is restricted to riparian forests in acidic soils (pH 4.0–6.4), and is mainly found on the banks of inclined and enclosed streams. In our inventory we recorded 59 woody taxa and 12 ferns, with R. ponticum being the dominant species of the understorey (mean abundance 78.6%). The communities are characterized by a high incidence of the humid warm temperate element, both in number of species (18.8 ± 3.7 per site) and abundance; meanwhile, the presence of the modern Mediterranean element (mean number of species 3.4 ± 3.8 per site) appears to be favoured by disturbance. These ecological–historical groups of taxa also show distinct patterns of typological habit, frequency of endemism, infrageneric diversity and geographical range. Populations of R. ponticum are characterized by a very variable density of seedlings in many sites, and the virtual lack of juveniles. Main conclusions Riparian forests of the Aljibe Mountains constitute a refuge for R. ponticum where the species persists, but populations appear to be in decline. The narrow ecological range of R. ponticum in the area strongly contrasts with its wide amplitude in the eastern natural area, mainly the Euxinian region, where R. ponticum probably finds better conditions due to the environmental heterogeneity of the region, and the lack of a hot dry season.