In this introduction to the special issue, Adaptive Tools for Resilient Bones: Biostatistical Approaches to Past Physical Activity in Osteoarchaeology, we discuss the outcome of the workshop held... Show moreIn this introduction to the special issue, Adaptive Tools for Resilient Bones: Biostatistical Approaches to Past Physical Activity in Osteoarchaeology, we discuss the outcome of the workshop held in Leiden (the Netherlands; November 18–19, 2021). We review statistical approaches to entheseal changes and present a series of new contributions to this field. These research, commentary, and review articles present different statistical approaches to entheseal changes and reflect the current state of research in the field. Show less
The Egyptian Empire conquered and colonized Nubia, what is today northern Sudan, on multiple occasions. The colonization strategy employed was highly variable through time, ranging from the... Show moreThe Egyptian Empire conquered and colonized Nubia, what is today northern Sudan, on multiple occasions. The colonization strategy employed was highly variable through time, ranging from the construction of militarized fortresses (Middle Kingdom 2050–1650 BCE) to an amicable co-existence approach (New Kingdom 1550–1050 BCE). Egyptian tactics also varied spatially, depending on several factors including a colonized community's utility to the empire and the potential for revolt. Using a large dataset (n = 341), this paper compares osteoarthritis between seven Nubian communities to (1) evaluate whether imperial strategy impacted osteoarthritis severity and (2) assess whether rates of osteoarthritis differed between colonized communities.Age-controlled analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) suggests there was significant variation in the frequency and severity of osteoarthritis throughout the empire. The Middle Kingdom C-Group, an indigenous Nubian population that lived outside the Egyptian-built and -occupied fortresses, displayed the highest rates of osteoarthritis for nearly all joint systems. Osteoarthritis then decreased during the postcolonial Second Intermediate Period (1650–1550 BCE) and again increased during the recolonization of the New Kingdom. However, there is significant variation of osteoarthritis at three New Kingdom sites, each of which experienced a differing colonization approach. This study suggests that the varying imperial strategies utilized by the Egyptian Empire may have impacted the physical activities and daily lives of Nubians and that these tactics were not equal throughout Nubia but were tailored to communities. It is therefore difficult to discuss a singular outcome of colonization; rather, these interpretations need to be nuanced with community-level archaeological context. Show less
The recently introduced nature-originated deep eutectic solvents, so-called natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) are considered as truly green solvents, which composed of natural ingredients... Show moreThe recently introduced nature-originated deep eutectic solvents, so-called natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) are considered as truly green solvents, which composed of natural ingredients found abundantly in organisms. NADES has been used in diverse applications, including extraction of bioactive molecules, enzymatic processes, agricultural and pharmaceutical fields, and protein stabilization. Despite the various applications, their physiological roles in organisms still remain unclear. In the thesis, the possible roles of NADES were investigated using a model plant (Drosera species) and for macromolecules. The chemical analysis of Drosera exudates indicated that the exudates contained sugars, amino acids, and organic acids which might be NADES components, and they could be involved in the biological roles of exudates. Several NADES are also proven to be optimum media to improve the stability and activity of enzymes. Additionally, NADES protected the enzymes from microorganism contamination. Besides enzymes, DNA and RNA were well protected from degradation by NADES. Based on the results of the thesis, a new biological role of NADES associated to macromolecules were deduced. Show less
The methylation of arginine residues in numerous protein targets is a post-translational modification that has gained increased interest in the scientific community over the past two decades.... Show moreThe methylation of arginine residues in numerous protein targets is a post-translational modification that has gained increased interest in the scientific community over the past two decades. Arginine methylation is performed by the dedicated family of protein arginine methyltransferases and is known to be involved in a plethora of cellular pathways and biochemical mechanisms in both healthy and disease states. The development of inhibitors for these enzymes for use as biological tools can lead to a more detailed understanding of the functions of the different members of the PRMT family. In addition, a number of recent studies point towards PRMTs as therapeutic targets for a number of diseases and the first clinical trials with compounds inhibiting PRMTs are now underway. We here provide a broad overview of the current status of the inhibitors that have been developed against PRMTs using both high-throughput screening and rational design approaches. Show less
With the energy transition toward a renewable energy supply and a CO2-neutral economy, electrification of the energy system is rising in importance, which leads to the challenge of long-term... Show moreWith the energy transition toward a renewable energy supply and a CO2-neutral economy, electrification of the energy system is rising in importance, which leads to the challenge of long-term storage of renewable electricity. A promising option is the electrochemical conversion of biomass or carbon dioxide in chemicals as energy carrier. In this research, catalysis of the electrochemical CO2 reduction was studied to obtain liquid fuels. In this fundamental study we discovered that so-called disproportionation reactions may occur simultaneously with the CO2 reduction reaction influencing the product spectrum. Moreover, we focused on metalloprotoporphyrins immobilized on a graphite surface. We found that the selectivity can be steered toward formic acid with rhodium, tin or indium metal centers. Apart from intrinsic catalyst parameters, we studied the influence of parameters related to the immobilization and the composition of the electrolyte. We showed that the substrate and its pretreatment as well as encapsulation of the catalyst in polymers can have a signifcant influence on the electrocatalysis of CO2 reduction. The results obtained in this thesis provide insight in the energy efficiency, reaction rate and selectivity of the CO2 reduction reaction, and play an important role for the development of an industrially viable process. Show less
Red Dwarfs are at the heart of Astronomy because they are the most abundant type of star that we know of in our Galaxy. Yet, surprisingly little is known about their formation, evolution and the... Show moreRed Dwarfs are at the heart of Astronomy because they are the most abundant type of star that we know of in our Galaxy. Yet, surprisingly little is known about their formation, evolution and the nature of their companions. In this thesis I present the first results of the WFCAM Transit Survey, a unique long-time monitoring program of many thousands of red dwarfs in the infrared, where they are the brightest. By studying their properties in eclipsing binary systems it is shown that red dwarfs are of great value to simulations of low-mass star formation, binary dynamics, stellar structure and ultimately the fundamental properties of Earth-like planets. Show less
This thesis describes new, non-ribose ligands for the human Adenosine A1 Receptor (hA1R). An introduction to the four adenosine receptors subtypes, their history and cloning, occurrence,... Show moreThis thesis describes new, non-ribose ligands for the human Adenosine A1 Receptor (hA1R). An introduction to the four adenosine receptors subtypes, their history and cloning, occurrence, functioning, trafficking and therapeutic potential is given in Chapter 1. The process of desensitization and internalization of adenosine receptors in cell systems, tissues and in vivo studies is described in Chapter 2. An overview of the current literature concerning desensitization and internalization of the adenosine receptors is given and the regulation of the different subtypes upon agonist binding is discussed. In Chapter 3, human adenosine A1 receptors fused to 351Cys mutated Gi_-subunits are used as tools to study inverse agonism. In addition, the enhancing effect of the allosteric modulator PD81,723 on agonist affinity is shown. The influence of allosteric modulators on the internalization of the A1R is detailed in Chapter 4. The synthesis, affinity and activity of twelve non-ribose ligands, all ___2-amino-4-(3 and/or 4-disubstituted phenyl)-6-(substituted)sulfanyl-pyridine-3,5-dicarbonitriles, are described in Chapter 5. Chapter 6 evaluates the characteristics of LUF6037 a representative of these 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl substituted compounds. One of the other non-ribose agonists with high affinity for the A1R, LUF5834, was chosen to be radioactively labelled. Chapter 7 describes the evaluation of [3H]LUF5834 as a new agonist radioligand. Show less
