Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2004-06"
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- Different diversity-dependent declines in speciation rate unbalances species richness in terrestrial slugsPublication . Lopes Da Cunha, Regina; Patrao, Claudia; Castilho, RitaTwo genera of terrestrial slugs (Arion and Geomalacus) display a striking disproportion in species richness in the Iberian Peninsula. While there are 17 Iberian endemic species in Arion, morphological criteria only recognize four species within Geomalacus. Sequence data were used to test whether these differences could result from: (1) cryptic diversity within Geomalacus; (2) an earlier origin for Arion (older clades are expected to accumulate more species); (3) distinct patterns of diversification rates (higher initial speciation rates in Arion), and (4) some combination of the above factors (e.g., an older clade with higher speciation rates). Species delimitation tests based on mitochondrial and nuclear data revealed eight cryptic lineages within Geomalacus that lessened the asymmetry; nevertheless, the disparity required further investigation. No meaningful differences in crown group ages of each recovered clade were found. Regardless the different premises of the two equally plausible diversification models (similar initial speciation rates vs. higher initial speciation rates in Geomalacus), both coincide on diversity-dependent diversification for the two groups but weaker rate declines in Arion best explains the observed asymmetry in species richness. Also, the broader environmental tolerance combined with a faster dispersal and wider distribution may have represented an evolutionary advantage for Arion.
- O reforço de vigas de betão armado com chapas metálicas coladas com resinaPublication . Alfaiate, J.; Graça-e-Costa, R.Neste trabalho efectua-se a simulação do reforço com chapas metálicas coladas com resinas epoxy, em vigas de betão armado. Cada viga é inicialmente carregada à flexão e submetida a um elevado nível de dano. Posteriormente, sob carga constante, as fendas são reparadas com resina epoxy e aplica-se o reforço, colando a chapa metálica na face traccionada da viga. Conclui-se o teste aumentando a carga até se obter a rotura da viga reforçada. O nível de dano pré-reforço é modelado recorrendo a uma abordagem discreta com fendas embebidas e a ligação betão-resina-chapa é modelada em modo II de fractura através de elementos de interface com espessura inicial nula. Os resultados numéricos são comparados com os resultados obtidos em vigas ensaiadas experimentalmente de acordo com os procedimentos referidos.
- Regulatory mechanisms controlling biogenesis of ubiquitin and the proteasomePublication . London, MK; Keck, BI; Ramos, PC; Dohmen, RHAnalysis of several Saccharomyces cerevisiae ump mutants with defects in ubiquitin (Ub)-mediated proteolysis yielded insights into the regulation of the polyubiquitin gene UB14 and of proteasome genes. High-molecular weight Ub-protein conjugates accumulated in ump mutants with impaired proteasome function with a concomitant decrease in the amount of free Ub. In these mutants, transcriptional induction of UB14 was depending in part on the transcription factor Rpn4. Deletion of UB14 partially suppressed the growth defects of ump1 mutants, indicating that accumulation of polyubiquitylated proteins is deleterious to cell growth. Transcription of proteasome subunit genes was induced in ump mutants affecting the proteasome, as well as under conditions that mediate DNA damage or the formation of abnormal proteins. This induction required the transcriptional activator Rpn4. Elevated Rpn4 levels in proteasome-deficient mutants or as a response to abnormal proteins were due to increased metabolic stability. Up-regulation of proteasome genes in response to DNA damage, in contrast, is shown to operate via induction of RPN4 transcription. (C) 2004 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.