Search

The creation of molecular tools able to unravel in vivo spatiotemporal activation of specific cell signaling events during cell migration, differentiation and morphogenesis is of great relevance to developmental cell biology. Here, we describe the generation, validation and applications of two transgenic reporter lines for Wnt/?-catenin signaling, named TCFsiam, and show that they are reliable and sensitive Wnt biosensors for in vivo studies. We demonstrate that these lines sensitively detect Wnt/?-catenin pathway activity in several cellular contexts, from sensory organs to cardiac valve patterning. We provide evidence that Wnt/?-catenin activity is involved in the formation and maintenance of the zebrafish CNS blood vessel network, on which sox10 neural crest-derived cells migrate and proliferate. We finally show that these transgenic lines allow for screening of Wnt signaling modifying compounds, tissue regeneration assessment as well as evaluation of potential Wnt/?-catenin genetic modulators. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.

The adoption of an integrated philosophy to mine design and environmental impact assessment provides the most efficient approach to reduction of environmental problems in surface mining operations. It is shown how careful employment of appropriate computer technology can assist in this philosophy. The use of CAD, GIS and knowledge-based expert systems in an integrated and synergistic framework can result in more and better alternative designs being generated. The modular system employed will also facilitate an efficient upgrade path when alternative assessment techniques become available or are required for specific situations., The adoption of an integrated philosophy to mine design and environmental impact assessment provides the most efficient approach to reduction of environmental problems in surface mining operations. It is shown how careful employment of appropriate computer technology can assist in this philosophy. The use of CAD, GIS and knowledge-based expert systems in an integrated and synergistic framework can result in more and better alternative designs being generated. The modular system employed will also facilitate an efficient upgrade path when alternative assessment techniques become available or are required for specific situations.

The Expert Dust Modelling System (EDMS) uses the Xi-Plus expert system shell and Pascal programming language. A modelling interface knowledge base runs an external program to identify areas of high dust deposition and the major source or sources. It requires accurate data on meteorological conditions, derived from on-site measurements or nearby stations, and on the various mining operations as well as emission factor calculation formulae. The results are analysed by the solution knowledge base, which takes account of activity type, dust deposition rate, dust control effectiveness and cost to suggest an effective and economical control mechanism for reducing emissions from the problem source., The Expert Dust Modelling System (EDMS) uses the Xi-Plus expert system shell and Pascal programming language. A modelling interface knowledge base runs an external program to identify areas of high dust deposition and the major source or sources. It requires accurate data on meteorological conditions, derived from on-site measurements or nearby stations, and on the various mining operations as well as emission factor calculation formulae. The results are analysed by the solution knowledge base, which takes account of activity type, dust deposition rate, dust control effectiveness and cost to suggest an effective and economical control mechanism for reducing emissions from the problem source.