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1. Evolution of increased Medicaco polymorpha size during invasion does not result in increased competitive ability

   https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-018-4168-5  

   Getman-Pickering, Zoe L. ; terHorst, Casey P. ; Magnoli, Susan M. ; Lau, Jennifer A. ( September 2018 , Oecologia)
2. Increased spatial randomness and disorder of nucleates in dark-phase electrodeposition lead to increased spatial order and pattern fidelity in phototropically grown Se–Te electrodeposits

   https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR07617A  

   Simonoff, Ethan ; Van Muñoz, Lorenzo X. ; Lewis, Nathan S. ( November 2020 , Nanoscale)

   null (Ed.)

   The role of nucleation was investigated during phototropic growth of Se–Te. Under low levels of mass deposition (mass equivalent of −3.75 mC cm −2 of charge passed) that produced small nucleate spacings, patterns in photoelectrochemically deposited Se–Te films converged at relatively earlier levels of mass deposition and ultimately exhibited higher pattern fidelity throughout pattern development as compared to pattern formation from larger initial nucleate spacings. Consistently, use of an applied striking potential during very early levels of mass deposition produced more spatially random dark-phase electrodeposited nucleates and led to phototropic Se–Te photoelectrodeposited films that exhibited improved pattern fidelity relative to depositions performed with no striking step. Collectively, the data indicate that increases in randomness and spatial disorder of the dispersion of the initial nucleates produces increases in the fidelity and spatial order in the resulting phototropically grown electrodeposits. 

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3. The Increased Accumulation of Staphylococcus aureus Virulence Factors Is Maximized in a purR Mutant by the Increased Production of SarA and Decreased Production of Extracellular Proteases

   https://doi.org/10.1128/iai.00718-20  

   Alkam, Duah ; Jenjaroenpun, Piroon ; Ramirez, Aura M. ; Beenken, Karen E. ; Spencer, Horace J. ; Smeltzer, Mark S. ( March 2021 , Infection and Immunity)

   Freitag, Nancy E. (Ed.)

   ABSTRACT Mutation of purR was previously shown to enhance the virulence of Staphylococcus aureus in a murine sepsis model, and this cannot be fully explained by increased expression of genes within the purine biosynthesis pathway. Rather, the increased production of specific S. aureus virulence factors, including alpha toxin and the fibronectin-binding proteins, was shown to play an important role. Mutation of purR was also shown previously to result in increased abundance of SarA. Here, we demonstrate by transposon sequencing that mutation of purR in the USA300 strain LAC increases fitness in a biofilm while mutation of sarA has the opposite effect. Therefore, we assessed the impact of sarA on reported purR -associated phenotypes by characterizing isogenic purR , sarA , and sarA/purR mutants. The results confirmed that mutation of purR results in increased abundance of alpha toxin, protein A, the fibronectin-binding proteins, and SarA, decreased production of extracellular proteases, an increased capacity to form a biofilm, and increased virulence in an osteomyelitis model. Mutation of sarA had the opposite effects on all of these phenotypes and, other than bacterial burdens in the bone, all of the phenotypes of sarA / purR mutants were comparable to those of sarA mutants. Limiting the production of extracellular proteases reversed all of the phenotypes of sarA mutants and most of those of sarA/purR mutants. We conclude that a critical component defining the virulence of a purR mutant is the enhanced production of SarA, which limits protease production to an extent that promotes the accumulation of critical S. aureus virulence factors. 

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4. Increased myoendothelial feedback is associated with increased connexin37 and IK 1 channel expression in mesenteric arteries of diet‐induced hyperhomocysteinemic mice

   https://doi.org/10.1111/micc.12398  

   Looft‐Wilson, Robin C. ; Goodell, Cara R. ; Mutch, Christina A. ; Mutchler, Stephanie M. ; Miller, Kayla L. ; Guraya, Monique ( November 2017 , Microcirculation)

   Previously, we found that diet‐inducedHHcy in mice caused decreasedeNOSexpression and signaling in mesenteric arteries, but greatly enhanced non‐NOS, non‐prostacyclin‐dependent vasodilation, which involvesMEJcommunication. To further assess whetherHHcy enhancesMEJcommunication, this study examined endothelium‐dependent attenuation of phenylephrine‐induced vasoconstriction (myoendothelial feedback) and key molecules involved.

   Myoendothelial feedback was examined in isolated mouse mesenteric arteries, after 6‐weeks diet‐inducedHHcy, using pressure myography. Gap junction (Cx37, Cx40, Cx43),NOS(eNOS,nNOS,iNOS), and potassium channel (IK1) protein expression were measured with immunoblots, and connexinmRNAs with real‐timePCR. Contribution ofnNOS + iNOSto vasomotor responses was assessed using the drug TRIM.

   Myoendothelial feedback was significantly (P < .05) enhanced inHHcy arteries compared to control, coincident with significantly greater Cx37 andIK1 protein and Cx37mRNA. Cx43 protein, but notmRNA, was significantly less inHHcy, and Cx40 was not different.eNOSprotein was significantly less inHHcy.nNOSandiNOSwere not different.TRIMhad little effect on vasomotor function.

   Diet‐inducedHHcy enhanced myoendothelial feedback, and increased Cx37 andIK1 expression may contribute.nNOSoriNOSdid not upregulate to compensate for decreasedeNOS, and they had little involvement in vasomotor function.

    

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5. Increased System Consistency through Incorporation of Coupling in Value-Based Systems Engineering: INCREASED CONSISTENCY IN VALUE-BASED SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

   https://doi.org/10.1002/sys.21377  

   Kannan, Hanumanthrao ; Mesmer, Bryan L. ; Bloebaum, Christina L. ( January 2017 , Systems Engineering)