bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular interaction between PHO2 and GIGANTEA reveals a new crosstalk between flowering time and phosphate homeostasis in Oryza sativa
Authors: Li Shuai , Ying Yinghui , Secco David , Wang Chuang , Narsai Reena , Whelan James , Shou Huixia
Published: March 2017

Plants are often confronted to nutrient limiting conditions, such as inorganic phosphate (Pi) deficiency, resulting in a reduction in growth and yield. PHO2, encoding a ubiquitin‐conjugating E2 enzyme, is a central component of the Pi‐starvation response signalling pathway. A yeast‐two‐hybrid screen using Oryza sativa (rice) PHO2 as bait, revealed an interaction between OsPHO2 and OsGIGANTEA, a key regulator of flowering time, which was confirmed using bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC). Characterization of rice Osgi and Ospho2 mutants revealed that they displayed several similar phenotypic features supporting a physiological role for this interaction. Reduced growth, leaf tip necrosis, delayed flowering and over‐accumulation of Pi in leaves compared to wild type were shared features of Osgi and Ospho2 plants. Pi analysis of individual leaves demonstrated that Osgi, similar to Ospho2 mutants, were impaired in Pi remobilization from old to young leaves, albeit to a lesser extent. Transcriptome analyses revealed more than 55% of the genes differentially expressed in Osgi plants overlapped with the set of differentially expressed genes in Ospho2 plants. The interaction between OsPHO2 and OsGI links high‐level regulators of Pi homeostasis and development in rice.
Haploidentical peripheral blood stem cell transplantation without irradiation or busulfan after reduced‐intensity conditioning for KMT2A(MLL)‐rearranged infant B‐cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Report of two cases
Authors: Yoshimi Ai , Kato Keisuke , Hosaka Sho , Suzuki Ryoko , Fukushima Hiroko , Nakao Tomohei , Kobayashi Chie , Fukushima Takashi , Koike Kazutoshi , Sumazaki Ryo , Tsuchida Masahiro
Published: March 2017

We present two infants with KMT2A(MLL)‐gene‐R‐associated BCP‐ALL, who received HLA haploidentical PBSCT after RIC. The patients developed ALL at age 6 months and 3 months, respectively. Case 1 underwent PBSCT at the second CR with detectable KMT2A‐AFF1(MLL‐AF4) fusion gene transcript at 11 months of age, and Case 2 at the first CR without KMT2A‐MLLT1(MLL‐ENL) fusion gene transcript at 8 months of age. Both patients received G‐CSF‐mobilized unmanipulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from their HLA haploidentical mothers after administration of FLU, MEL, and ATG. Tacrolimus, methotrexate, and mPSL were administered as prophylaxis against GVHD. Engraftment was rapidly obtained with complete chimerism in both patients. Acute adverse events included acute GVHD in Case 1 and bacterial sepsis in Case 2. At last clinical check at age 5 years and 4 years, respectively, both patients were recurrence‐free and attained normal growth and development. We conclude that PBSCT from an HLA haploidentical mother with non‐TBI and non‐BU regimen seems feasible and efficacious, offering favorable life quality for infants.
Reward processing in gain versus loss context: An ERP study
Authors: Zheng Ya , Li Qi , Zhang Yuanyuan , Li Qi , Shen Huijuan , Gao Qianhui , Zhou Shiyu
Published: March 2017

Previous research has shown that consummatory ERP components are sensitive to contextual valence. The present study investigated the contextual valence effect across anticipatory and consummatory phases by requiring participants to play a simple gambling task during a gain context and a loss context. During the anticipatory phase, the cue‐P3 was more positive in the gain context compared to the loss context, whereas the stimulus‐preceding negativity (SPN) was comparable across the two contexts. With respect to the consummatory phase, the feedback‐related negativity (FRN) in response to the zero‐value outcome was more negative in the gain versus loss context, whereas the feedback P3 (fb‐P3) in response to the zero‐value outcome was insensitive to contextual valence. These findings suggest that contextual valence effect occurs at a relative early stage of both the reward anticipation and consumption. Moreover, across the gain and loss contexts, the SPN was selectively correlated with the FRN, whereas the cue‐P3 was selectively associated with the fb‐P3, pointing to a close association between the anticipatory and consummatory phases in reward dynamics.
Toll‐like receptor and related cytokine mRNA expression in bovine corpora lutea during the oestrous cycle and pregnancy
Authors: Gadsby JE , Tyson Nipper AM , Faircloth HA , D'Annibale‐Tolhurst M , Chang J , Farin PW , Sheldon IM , Poole DH
Published: March 2017

Contents

Improving our understanding of the mechanisms controlling the corpus luteum (CL) and its role in regulating the reproductive cycle should lead to improvements in the sustainability of today's global animal industry. The corpus luteum (CL) is a transient endocrine organ composed of a heterogeneous mixture steroidogenic, endothelial and immune cells, and it is becoming clear that immune mechanisms play a key role in CL regulation especially in luteolysis. Toll‐like receptors (TLR) mediate innate immune mechanisms via the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, especially within various tissues, although the role of TLR within CL remains unknown. Thus, the objectives of this study were to characterize TLR mRNA expression in the CL during the oestrous cycle and in pregnancy (day 30–50), and to examine the role of TLR signalling in luteal cells. Corpora lutea were collected at various stages of the cycle and pregnancy and analysed for TLR and cytokine mRNA expression. In addition, luteal cells were cultured with the TLR4 ligand (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) for 24 h to evaluate the role of TLR4 in regulating luteal function. Toll‐like receptors 1, 2, 4, 6, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF), interferon gamma (IFN‐G), and interleukin (IL)‐12, mRNA expressions were greatest in regressing CL compared with earlier stages (p < .05), whereas no change was observed for IL‐6 mRNA expression. Cytokine mRNA expression in cultured luteal cells was not altered by LPS. Based on these data, one or more of the TLRs found within the CL may play a role in luteolysis, perhaps via pro‐inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression.
River tributaries as sediment sinks: Processes operating where the Tapajós and Xingu rivers meet the Amazon tidal river
Authors: Fricke Aaron T. , Nittrouer Charles A. , Ogston Andrea S. , Nowacki Daniel J. , Asp Nils E. , Souza Filho Pedro W. M. , da Silva Marcio S. , Jalowska Anna M.
Published: March 2017

The Amazon River is the largest fluvial source of fresh water and sediment to the global ocean and has the longest tidally influenced reach in the world. Two major rivers, the Tapajós and Xingu, enter the Amazon along its tidal reach. However, unlike most fluvial confluences, these are not one‐way conduits through which water and sediment flow downstream towards the sea. The drowned‐river valleys (rias) at the confluences of the Tapajós and Xingu with the Amazon River experience water‐level fluctuations associated not only with the seasonal rise and fall of the river network, but also with semidiurnal tides that propagate as far as 800 km up the Amazon River. Superimposed seasonal and tidal forcing, distinct sediment and temperature signatures of Amazon and tributary waters, and antecedent geomorphology combine to create mainstem–tributary confluences that act as sediment traps rather than sources of sediment. Hydrodynamic measurements are combined with data from sediment cores to determine the distribution of tributary‐derived and Amazon‐derived sediment within the ria basins, characterize the sediment‐transport mechanisms within the confluence areas and estimate rates of sediment accumulation within both rias. The Tapajós and Xingu ria basins trap the majority of the sediment carried by the tributaries themselves in addition to ca 20 Mt year−1 of sediment sourced from the Amazon River. These findings have implications for the interpretation of stratigraphy associated with incised‐valley systems, such as those that dominated the transfer of sediment to the oceans during lowstands in sea level.
microRNA/microRNA* complementarity is important for the regulation pattern of NFYA5 by miR169 under dehydration shock in Arabidopsis
Authors: Du Qingguo , Zhao Meng , Gao Wei , Sun Suzhen , Li Wen‐Xue
Published: March 2017

MicroRNAs regulate gene expression at the mRNA and translational levels. Although our previous research showed that expression of miR169 and one of its targets, NFYA5, is down‐ and up‐regulated by drought stress, respectively, the current study shows that expression of both miR169 and NFYA5 are induced by dehydration shock. Unlike overexpression of MIR169a/b, overexpression of MIR169i/l did not decrease NFYA5 transcripts but increased NFYA5 protein levels. NFYA5 protein abundance also increased in mir169a knock‐out mutants and 35S::MIR169l mir169a double mutants. When bulge #11 and bulge #16 in the miR169/miR169* duplex were mutated, both NFYA5 transcripts and the corresponding protein levels were lower in 35S::MIR169l*‐mut transgenic plants than in wild‐type (WT) plants, and the 35S::MIR169l*‐mut transgenic plants were as sensitive to drought stress as the 35S::MIR169a plants. The mRNA and protein levels of NFYA5 did not differ substantially between WT and 35S::MIR169a*‐mut transgenic plants when the two bulges were introduced in the miR169a/miR169a* duplex. Both bulge #11 and bulge #16 in the miR169/miR169* duplex were essential for different regulation patterns of NFYA5 by miR169a and miR169l. These results increase the understanding of regulatory specialization in one MIR family, and also increase our understanding of the importance of microRNA/microRNA* secondary structure.
Small molecules below‐ground: the role of specialized metabolites in the rhizosphere
Authors: Massalha Hassan , Korenblum Elisa , Tholl Dorothea , Aharoni Asaph
Published: March 2017

Soil communities are diverse taxonomically and functionally. This ecosystem experiences highly complex networks of interactions, but may also present functionally independent entities. Plant roots, a metabolically active hotspot in the soil, take an essential part in below‐ground interactions. While plants are known to release an extremely high portion of the fixated carbon to the soil, less information is known about the composition and role of C‐containing compounds in the rhizosphere, in particular those involved in chemical communication. Specialized metabolites (or secondary metabolites) produced by plants and their associated microbes have a critical role in various biological activities that modulate the behavior of neighboring organisms. Thus, elucidating the chemical composition and function of specialized metabolites in the rhizosphere is a key element in understanding interactions in this below‐ground environment. Here, we review key classes of specialized metabolites that occur as mostly non‐volatile compounds in root exudates or are emitted as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The role of these metabolites in below‐ground interactions and response to nutrient deficiency, as well as their tissue and cell type‐specific biosynthesis and release are discussed in detail.
Comparisons among MRI signs, apparent diffusion coefficient, and fractional anisotropy in dogs with a solitary intracranial meningioma or histiocytic sarcoma
Authors: Wada Masae , Hasegawa Daisuke , Hamamoto Yuji , Yu Yoshihiko , Fujiwara‐Igarashi Aki , Fujita Michio
Published: March 2017

Although MRI has become widely used in small animal practice, little is known about the validity of advanced MRI techniques such as diffusion‐weighted imaging and diffusion tensor imaging. The aim of this retrospective analytical observational study was to investigate the characteristics of diffusion parameters, that is the apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy, in dogs with a solitary intracranial meningioma or histiocytic sarcoma. Dogs were included based on the performance of diffusion MRI and histological confirmation. Statistical analyses were performed to compare apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy for the two types of tumor in the intra‐ and peritumoral regions. Eleven cases with meningioma and six with histiocytic sarcoma satisfied the inclusion criteria. Significant differences in apparent diffusion coefficient value (× 10−3mm2/s) between meningioma vs. histiocytic sarcoma were recognized in intratumoral small (1.07 vs. 0.76) and large (1.04 vs. 0.77) regions of interest, in the peritumoral margin (0.93 vs. 1.08), and in the T2 high region (1.21 vs. 1.41). Significant differences in fractional anisotropy values were found in the peritumoral margin (0.29 vs. 0.24) and the T2 high region (0.24 vs. 0.17). The current study identified differences in measurements of apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy for meningioma and histiocytic sarcoma in a small sample of dogs. In addition, we observed that all cases of intracranial histiocytic sarcoma showed leptomeningeal enhancement and/or mass formation invading into the sulci in the contrast study. Future studies are needed to determine the sensitivity of these imaging characteristics for differentiating between these tumor types.
A Predictive Model for Preliminary Gas Turbine Blade Cooling Analysis
Authors: Chowdhury Nafiz H. K. , Zirakzadeh Hootan , Han Je-Chin
Published: March 2017

The growing trend to achieve a higher turbine inlet temperature (TIT) in the modern gas turbine industry requires a more efficient and advanced cooling system design. Therefore, a complete study of heat transfer is necessary to predict the thermal loadings on the gas turbine vanes and blades. In the current work, a predictive model for the gas turbine blade cooling analysis has been developed. The model is capable of calculating the distribution of coolant mass flow rate (MFR) and metal temperatures of a turbine blade using the mass and energy balance equations at given external and internal boundary conditions. Initially, the performance of the model is validated by demonstrating its capability to predict the temperature distributions for a NASA E3 blade. The model is capable of predicting the temperature distributions with reasonable accuracy, especially on the suction side (SS). Later, this paper documents the overall analysis for the same blade profile but at different boundary conditions to demonstrate the flexibility of the model for other cases. Additionally, guidelines are provided to obtain external heat transfer coefficient (HTC) distributions for the highly turbulent mainstream.
Development of an Active Curved Beam Model—Part I: Kinematics and Integrability Conditions
Authors: Murakami Hidenori
Published: March 2017

In order to develop an active nonlinear beam model, the beam's kinematics is examined in this paper, by employing the kinematic assumption of a rigid cross section during deformation. As a mathematical tool, the moving frame method, developed by Cartan (1869–1951) on differentiable manifolds, is utilized by treating a beam as a frame bundle on a deforming centroidal curve. As a result, three new integrability conditions are obtained, which play critical roles in the derivation of beam equations of motion. These integrability conditions enable the derivation of beam models in Part II, starting from the three-dimensional Hamilton's principle and the d'Alembert's principle of virtual work. To illustrate the critical role played by the integrability conditions, the variation of kinetic energy is computed. Finally, the reconstruction scheme for rotation matrices for given angular velocity at each time is presented.
Simulations, Imaging, and Modeling: A Unique Theme for an Undergraduate Research Program in Biomechanics
Authors: George Stephanie M. , Domire Zachary J.
Published: March 2017

As the reliance on computational models to inform experiments and evaluate medical devices grows, the demand for students with modeling experience will grow. In this paper, we report on the 3-yr experience of a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) based on the theme simulations, imaging, and modeling in biomechanics. While directly applicable to REU sites, our findings also apply to those creating other types of summer undergraduate research programs. The objective of the paper is to examine if a theme of simulations, imaging, and modeling will improve students' understanding of the important topic of modeling, provide an overall positive research experience, and provide an interdisciplinary experience. The structure of the program and the evaluation plan are described. We report on the results from 25 students over three summers from 2014 to 2016. Overall, students reported significant gains in the knowledge of modeling, research process, and graduate school based on self-reported mastery levels and open-ended qualitative responses. This theme provides students with a skill set that is adaptable to other applications illustrating the interdisciplinary nature of modeling in biomechanics. Another advantage is that students may also be able to continue working on their project following the summer experience through network connections. In conclusion, we have described the successful implementation of the theme simulation, imaging, and modeling for an REU site and the overall positive response of the student participants.
DHA-rich Fish Oil Increases the Omega-3 Index and Lowers the Oxygen Cost of Physiologically Stressful Cycling in Trained Individuals
Authors: Hingley Lachlan , Macartney Michael J. , Brown Marc A. , McLennan Peter L. , Peoples Gregory E.
Published: March 2017

Dietary fish oil, providing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) modulates oxygen consumption and fatigue in animal models. However, in humans predominately supplemented with high eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), there is no evidence of endurance performance enhancement. Therefore, this study examined if DHA-rich fish oil could improve repeated bouts of physiologically stressful cycling and a subsequent time trial in a state of fatigue. Twenty-six trained males took part in a double-blind study and were supplemented with either 2 × 1g/day soy oil, Control) or DHA-rich tuna fish oil (Nu-Mega) (FO) (560mg DHA / 140mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), for 8 weeks. Maximal cycling power (3 × 6s), isometric quadriceps strength (MVC), Wingate cycling protocol (6 × 30s) and a 5min cycling time-trial were assessed at baseline and eight weeks. The Omega-3 Index was not different at baseline (Control: 4.2 ± 0.2; FO: 4.7 ± 0.2%) and increased in the FO group after eight weeks (Control: 3.9 ± 0.2; FO: 6.3 ± 0.3%, p < .01). There was no effect of DHA-rich fish oil on power output of maximal 6s cycle sprinting (Control: Pre 1100 ± 49 Post 1067 ± 51; FO: Pre 1070 ± 46 Post 1042 ± 46W), during 5min time trail (Control: Pre 267 ± 19 Post 278 ± 20; FO: Pre 253 ± 16 Post 265 ± 16 W) or maximal voluntary contraction force (Control: Pre 273 ± 19 Post 251 ± 19; FO: Pre 287 ± 17 Post 283 ± 16 Nm). Nevertheless, relative oxygen consumption was reduced the FO group during the cycling time trial (Control: -23 ± 26; FO: -154 ± 59ml O2/min/100W p < .05) suggesting improved economy of cycling. We conclude that DHA-rich fish oil, successful at elevating the Omega-3 Index, and reflective of skeletal muscle membrane incorporation, can modulate oxygen consumption during intense exercise.
A Mismatch Between Athlete Practice and Current Sports Nutrition Guidelines Among Elite Female and Male Middle- and Long-Distance Athletes
Authors: Heikura Ida A. , Stellingwerff Trent , Mero Antti A. , Uusitalo Arja Leena Tuulia , Burke Louise M.
Published: March 2017

Contemporary nutrition guidelines promote a variety of periodized and time-sensitive recommendations, but current information regarding the knowledge and practice of these strategies among world-class athletes is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate this theme by implementing a questionnaire on dietary periodization practices in national/international level female (n = 27) and male (n = 21) middle- and long-distance runners/race-walkers. The questionnaire aimed to gain information on between and within-day dietary choices, as well as timing of pre- and posttraining meals and practices of training with low or high carbohydrate (CHO) availability. Data are shown as percentage (%) of all athletes, with differences in responses between subgroups (sex or event) shown as Chi-square x2 when p < .05. Nearly two-thirds of all athletes reported that they aim to eat more food on, or after, hard training days. Most athletes said they focus on adequate fueling (96%) and adequate CHO and protein (PRO) recovery (87%) around key sessions. Twenty-six percent of athletes (11% of middle vs 42% of long-distance athletes [x2 (1, n = 46) = 4.308, p = .038, phi = 0.3])) reported to undertake training in the fasted state, while 11% said they periodically restrict CHO intake, with 30% ingesting CHO during training sessions. Our findings show that elite endurance athletes appear to execute pre- and post-key session nutrition recovery recommendations. However, very few athletes deliberately undertake some contemporary dietary periodization approaches, such as training in the fasted state or periodically restricting CHO intake. This study suggests mismatches between athlete practice and current and developing sports nutrition guidelines.
De novo assembly of the
Aedes aegypti
genome using Hi-C yields chromosome-length scaffolds
Authors: Dudchenko Olga , Batra Sanjit S. , Omer Arina D. , Nyquist Sarah K. , Hoeger Marie , Durand Neva C. , Shamim Muhammad S. , Machol Ido , Lander Eric S. , Aiden Aviva Presser , Aiden Erez Lieberman
Published: March 2017

Hi-C for mosquito genomes

Most genomes sequenced today are determined through the generation of short sequenced bits of DNA that are computationally pieced together like a jigsaw puzzle. This has resulted in the need for funds and additional data to fill in gaps in order to fully assemble the many chromosomes that make up a eukaryotic genome. Dudchenko
et al.
used the Hi-C method, which measures the distance between contact points within and between chromosomes for scaffold validation, together with correction and ordering to more completely determine the arrangement of short sequencing reads for genome mapping. They validated their approach through the de novo generation of a complete human genome. A comparative analysis of mosquito genomes was made possible by improving the
Culex quinquefasciatus
genome assembly and generating the genome of
Aedes aegypti
, the vector of Zika virus.

Science
, this issue p.
92
Genome Sequence of Deinococcus marmoris PAMC 26562 Isolated from Antarctic Lichen
Authors: Kim Junghee , Kwon Kae Kyoung , Kim Byung Kwon , Hong Soon Gyu , Oh Hyun-Myung
Published: March 2017

Deinococcus marmoris
strain PAMC 26562 was isolated from
Usnea
sp., a lichen collected from King George Island, Antarctica. We report here the draft genome sequence of strain PAMC 26562, which has xanthorhodopsin and carbon monoxide dehydrogenase genes in addition to major metabolic pathways presented in deinococcal genomes.
Draft Genome Sequence of Propionibacterium avidum Strain UCD-PD2 Isolated from a Feline Anal Sac
Authors: Dahms Petra A. , Martin Alexandra L. , Ganz Holly H. , Eisen Jonathan A. , Coil David A.
Published: March 2017

Here, we present the draft genome sequence of
Propionibacterium
(
Cutibacterium
)
avidum
strain UCD-PD2. The assembly contains 2,667,287 bp in 51 contigs. The strain was isolated from anal sac secretion samples collected from a feral domestic cat (
Felis catus
) as part of a larger project to study the microbiology of cats.
High-Quality Draft Genome Sequence of Francisella tularensis subsp.
holarctica
Strain 08T0073 Isolated from a Wild European Hare
Authors: Busch Anne , Thomas Prasad , Myrtennäs Kerstin , Forsman Mats , Braune Silke , Runge Martin , Tomaso Herbert
Published: March 2017

Here, we report a high-quality draft genome sequence of
Francisella tularensis
subsp.
holarctica
strain 08T0073, isolated from the cadaver of a wild European hare (
Lepus europaeus
) found near Helmstedt, Lower Saxony, Germany, in 2007. In Germany, infected hares are a major source of tularemia in humans.
Draft Genome Sequence of Chromobacterium pseudoviolaceum LMG 3953
T
, an Enigmatic Member of the Genus
Chromobacterium
Authors: Soby Scott D.
Published: March 2017

Chromobacterium pseudoviolaceum
LMG 3953
T
was separated from
Chromobacterium violaceum
in 2009, but little is known of its origin or environmental role. Here, the genome of LMG 3953
T
was sequenced to understand the evolution of the genus
Chromobacterium
. It is not clear from this sequence that
C. pseudoviolaceum
is taxonomically distinct from
C. violaceum
.
BET 2: LASER THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE HAMSTRING MUSCLE INJURIES
Authors: Hughes Tom , Callaghan Michael
Published: March 2017

Local laser therapy has been suggested as a promising treatment for acute hamstring muscle tears. We carried out a shortcut systematic review to establish whether therapeutic lasers are beneficial for patients with acute hamstring tears. Despite a comprehensive literature search, no studies that were directly relevant to the question could be identified. The clinical bottom line is therefore that there is currently no evidence for the use of any form of laser therapy in the treatment of acute hamstring muscle tears.
Precision tests of the Standard Model: RareB-meson decays
Authors: Ali Ahmed
Published: March 2017

The charge given to me by the organisers of the memorial meeting for Prof. Abdus Salam’s 90th birthday is to recall my personal impressions of him and review an aspect of the standard model (SM) physics related to my work. Salam was, first and foremost, a brilliant theoretical physicist whose work is still very much en vogue, currently being tested precisely by the experiments at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Salam was, however, equally effective as a scientific advisor to many institutions, such as IAEA and CERN, but also to the government of Pakistan as the chief scientific strategist. He was also an untiring advocate of scientific research and higher education in developing countries, which took a concrete form in the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste. I discuss these aspects of his scientific life seen from my perspective in the first part. In the second part of my talk, which may appear as a disjoint piece to the first, I summarise some selected topics in rare B-decays — the current flavour physics frontier. Experiments carried out over several decades are largely in agreement with the SM, thanks also to dedicated theoretical effort in their interpretation. However, this field is undergoing an anomalous phase in a number of key measurements, in particular reported by LHCb, triggering a very lively debate and model building. These anomalies, which I review here, are too numerous to be ignored, but none is individually significant enough to announce a breakdown of the SM.
A 99.7-dB DR fourth-order sigma–delta modulator for digital gyroscope sensor
Authors: Di Xin-Peng , Chen Wei-Ping , Yin Liang , Liu Xiao-Wei
Published: March 2017

A fourth-order single-loop 1-bit sigma–delta [Formula: see text] modulator for digital gyroscope sensor interface circuit is presented in this paper. The effects caused by mismatch between parasite capacitors at the input of the operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) and the nonlinear on-resistance of the CMOS switch are analyzed. The chopping technique is adopted to eliminate the flick noise in low frequency. The modulator is fabricated in a standard CMOS 0.5-[Formula: see text] process and the effective area is 2 mm2. The power dissipation is 9.66 mW when the voltage is 5 V. The tested results show that a 93.7-dB peak signal-to-noise-and-distortion ratio (SNDR) and a 99.7-dB dynamic range (DR) are achievable at the sample frequency of 500 kHz for 2 kHz bandwidth. The optimization of the switches used in the first integrator and the parasite capacity is proved to be effective in the design of modulator.
Rigidity of complex convex divisible sets
Authors: Zimmer Andrew M.
Published: March 2017

An open convex set in real projective space is called divisible if there exists a discrete group of projective automorphisms which acts cocompactly. There are many examples of such sets and a theorem of Benoist implies that many of these examples are strictly convex, have [Formula: see text] boundary, and have word hyperbolic dividing group. In this paper we study a notion of convexity in complex projective space and show that the only divisible complex convex sets with [Formula: see text] boundary are the projective balls.
Semantic software engineering
Authors: Wang Taehyung , Kitazawa Astushi , Sheu Phillip
Published: March 2017

One of the most challenging task in software development is developing software requirements. There are two types of software requirements — user requirement (mostly described by natural language) and system requirements (also called as system specifications and described by formal or semi-formal methods). Therefore, there is a gap between these two types of requirements because of inherently unique features between natural language and formal or semi-formal methods. We describe a semantic software engineering methodology using the design principles of SemanticObjects for object-relational software development with an example. We also survey other semantic approaches and methods for software and Web application development.
Use of semantics in bio-informatics
Authors: Wang Charles C. N. , Tsai Jeffrey J. P.
Published: March 2017

Bioinformatics conceptualizes biological processes in terms of genomics and applies computer science (derived from disciplines such as applied modeling, data mining, machine learning and statistics) to extract knowledge from biological data. This paper introduces the working definitions of bioinformatics and its applications and challenges. We also identify the bioinformatics resources that are popular among bioinformatics analysis, review some primary methods used to analyze bioinformatics problems, and review the data mining, semantic computing and deep learning technologies that may be applied in bioinformatics analysis.
OLAP and machine learning
Authors: Jin Jennifer
Published: March 2017

The objective of this tutorial is to present an overview of machine learning (ML) methods. This paper outlines different types of ML as well as techniques for each kind. It covers popular applications for different types of ML. On-Line Analytic Processing (OLAP) enables users of multidimensional databases to create online comparative summaries of data. This paper goes over commercial OLAP software available as well as OLAP techniques such as “slice and dice” and “drill down and roll up.” It discusses various techniques and metrics used to evaluate how accurate a ML algorithm is.
A service computing manifesto
Authors: Bouguettaya Athman , Singh Munindar , Huhns Michael , Sheng Quan Z. , Dong Hai , Yu Qi , Neiat Azadeh Ghari , Mistry Sajib , Benatallah Boualem , Medjahed Brahim , Ouzzani Mourad , Casati Fabio , Liu Xumin , Wang Hongbing , Georgakopoulos Dimitrios , Chen Liang , Nepal Surya , Malik Zaki , Erradi Abdelkarim , Wang Yan , Blake Brian , Dustdar Schahram , Leymann Frank , Papazoglou Michael
Published: March 2017

Mapping out the challenges and strategies for the widespread adoption of service computing.
Pervasive, dynamic authentication of physical items
Authors: Yu Meng-Day (Mandel) , Devadas Srinivas
Published: March 2017

The use of silicon PUF circuits.
Crafting a national cyberdefense, and preparing to support computational literacy
Authors: Arquilla John , Guzdial Mark
Published: March 2017

The
Communications
Web site, http://cacm.acm.org, features more than a dozen bloggers in the BLOG@CACM community. In each issue of
Communications
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John Arquilla considers how we should interpret the alleged Russian cyberattack on the U.S. Presidential election; Mark Guzdial describes the potential benefits of a 'computing lab.'
The chess player who couldn't pass the salt
Authors: Neville-Neil George V.
Published: March 2017

AI: Soft and hard, weak and strong, narrow and general.
Dear KV,
Glycans in the intestinal peptide transporter PEPT1 contribute to function and protect from proteolysis
Authors: Stelzl Tamara , Geillinger-Kästle Kerstin E. , Stolz Jürgen , Daniel Hannelore
Published: March 2017

Despite the fact that many membrane proteins carry extracellular glycans, little is known about whether the glycan chains also affect protein function. We recently demonstrated that the proton-coupled oligopeptide transporter 1 (PEPT1) in the intestine is glycosylated at six asparagine residues (N50, N406, N439, N510, N515, and N532). Mutagenesis-induced disruption of the individual N-glycosylation site N50, which is highly conserved among mammals, was detected to significantly enhance the PEPT1-mediated inward transport of peptides. Here, we show that for the murine protein the inhibition of glycosylation at sequon N50 by substituting N50 with glutamine, lysine, or cysteine or by replacing S52 with alanine equally altered PEPT1 transport kinetics in oocytes. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the uptake of [14C]glycyl-sarcosine in immortalized murine small intestinal (MODE-K) or colonic epithelial (PTK-6) cells stably expressing the PEPT1 transporter N50Q is also significantly increased relative to the wild-type protein. By using electrophysiological recordings and tracer flux studies, we further demonstrate that the rise in transport velocity observed for PEPT1 N50Q is bidirectional. In line with these findings, we show that attachment of biotin derivatives, comparable in weight with two to four monosaccharides, to the PEPT1 N50C transporter slows down the transport velocity. In addition, our experiments provide strong evidence that glycosylation of PEPT1 confers resistance against proteolytic cleavage by proteinase K, whereas a remarkable intrinsic stability against trypsin, even in the absence of N-linked glycans, was detected.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study highlights the role of N50-linked glycans in modulating the bidirectional transport activity of the murine peptide transporter PEPT1. Electrophysiological and tracer flux measurements in Xenopus oocytes have shown that removal of the N50 glycans increases the maximal peptide transport rate in the inward and outward directions. This effect could be largely reversed by replacement of N50 glycans with structurally dissimilar biotin derivatives. In addition, N-glycans were detected to stabilize PEPT1 against proteolytic cleavage.
The effect of intravenous corticotropin-releasing hormone administration on esophageal sensitivity and motility in health
Authors: Broers Charlotte , Melchior Chloé , Van Oudenhove Lukas , Vanuytsel Tim , Van Houtte Brecht , Scheerens Charlotte , Rommel Nathalie , Tack Jan , Pauwels Ans
Published: March 2017

Esophageal hypersensitivity is important in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients who are refractory to acid-suppressive therapy. Stress affects visceral sensitivity and exacerbates heartburn in GERD. Peripheral CRH is a key mediator of the gut stress response. We hypothesize that CRH increases esophageal sensitivity and alters esophageal motility in health. Esophageal sensitivity to thermal, mechanical, electrical, and chemical stimuli was assessed in 14 healthy subjects after administration of placebo or CRH (100 μg iv). Perception scores were assessed for first perception, pain perception threshold (PPT), and pain tolerance threshold (PTT). Esophageal motility was investigated by high-resolution impedance manometry, before and after CRH and evaluated by distal contractile integral (DCI) and intrabolus pressure (IBP). Pressure flow analysis assessed bolus clearance (impedance ratio), degree of pressurization needed to propel bolus onward (IBP slope), and pressure flow (pressure flow index, PFI). Stress and mood were assessed during the study. Sensitivity to mechanical distention was increased after CRH compared with placebo (PPT: P = 0.0023; PTT: P = 0.0253). CRH had no influence on the other stimulations. DCI was increased for all boluses (liquid, P = 0.0012; semisolid, P = 0.0017; solid, P = 0.0107). Impedance ratio for liquid ( P < 0.0001) and semisolid swallows ( P = 0.0327) decreased after CRH. IBP slope increased after CRH for semisolid ( P = 0.0041) and solid ( P = 0.0003) swallows. PFI increased for semisolid ( P = 0.0017) and solid swallows ( P = 0.0031). CRH increased esophageal sensitivity to mechanical distention, not to the other stimulation modalities. CRH increased esophageal contractility and tone, decreased LES relaxation, increased esophageal bolus pressurization, improved esophageal bolus clearance, and increased pressure flow.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study to address the effect of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) on esophageal sensitivity and alterations in motility in health. CRH administration increased esophageal sensitivity to mechanical distention. This effect is accompanied by an increase in esophageal contractility and tone and a decrease in lower esophageal sphincter relaxation. CRH increased esophageal bolus pressurization, improved esophageal bolus clearance, and increased pressure flow. The changes in esophageal contractile properties may underlie the increased sensitivity to mechanical distention after CRH.
Focal Brain Injury Associated with a Model of Severe Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy in Nonhuman Primates
Authors: McAdams Ryan M. , McPherson Ronald J. , Kapur Raj P. , Juul Sandra E.
Published: March 2017

Worldwide, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. To better understand the mechanisms contributing to brain injury and improve outcomes in neonates with HIE, better preclinical animal models that mimic the clinical situation following birth asphyxia in term newborns are needed. In an effort to achieve this goal, we modified our nonhuman primate model of HIE induced by in utero umbilical cord occlusion (UCO) to include postnatal hypoxic episodes, in order to simulate apneic events in human neonates with HIE. We describe a cohort of 4 near-term fetal Macaca nemestrina that underwent 18 min of in utero UCO, followed by cesarean section delivery, resuscitation, and subsequent postnatal mechanical ventilation, with exposure to intermittent daily hypoxia (3 min, 8% O2 3-8 times daily for 3 days). After delivery, all animals demonstrated severe metabolic acidosis (pH 7 ± 0.12; mean ± SD) and low APGAR scores (<5 at 10 min of age). Three of 4 animals had both electrographic and clinical seizures. Serial blood samples were collected and plasma metabolites were determined by 2-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOFMS). The 4 UCO animals and a single nonasphyxiated animal (delivered by cesarean section but without exposure to UCO or prolonged sedation) underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on day 8 of life. Thalamic injury was present on MRI in 3 UCO animals, but not in the control animal. Following necropsy on day 8, brain histopathology revealed neuronal injury/loss and gliosis in portions of the ventrolateral thalamus in all 4 UCO, with 2 animals also demonstrating putamen/globus pallidus involvement. In addition, all 4 UCO animals demonstrated brain stem gliosis, with neuronal loss present in the midbrain, pons, and lateral medulla in 3 of 4 animals. Transmission electron microscopy imaging of the brain tissues was performed, which demonstrated ultrastructural white matter abnormalities, characterized by perinuclear vacuolation and axonal dilation, in 3 of 4 animals. Immunolabeling of Nogo-A, a negative regulator of neuronal growth, was not increased in the injured brains compared to 2 control animals. Using GC × GC-TOFMS, we identified metabolites previously recognized as potential biomarkers of perinatal asphyxia. The basal ganglia-thalamus-brain stem injury produced by UCO is consistent with the deep nuclear/brainstem injury pattern seen in human neonates after severe, abrupt hypoxic-ischemic insults. The UCO model permits timely detection of biomarkers associated with specific patterns of neonatal brain injury, and it may ultimately be useful for validating therapeutic strategies to treat neonatal HIE.
Contribution of Hyoid and Tonsillar Procedures to Outcome in Multilevel Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Authors: Tetter Nora , Tschopp Kurt
Published: March 2017

Background/Objective: In multilevel surgery for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the contribution of distinct operative steps is still unclear. The aim of the present study is to retrospectively compare different combinations of multilevel surgeries in order to estimate the contribution of hyoid and tonsillar procedures to the outcome. Methods: A total of 45 patients were selected in a retrospectively matched case-control study from a database of patients who underwent surgery for OSA at our institution: group A (n = 15) had hyoid suspension, tonsillectomy, and radiofrequency-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (RAUP); group B (n = 15) had hyoid pharyngoplasty with resection of the hyoid body and preepiglottic fat tissue, tonsillectomy, and RAUP; and group C (n = 15) had hyoid suspension and RAUP but no tonsillectomy, because the tonsils had already been removed. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was defined as the primary outcome measure. Results: The postoperative AHI significantly improved in groups A and B, in which all patients had a tonsillectomy. However, the improvement in the patients of group C, who had no tonsillectomy, was not significant (p = 0.08). Conclusion: The patients having undergone multilevel surgery without tonsillectomy showed significantly poorer postoperative results, suggesting that the effectiveness of hyoid procedures at the level of the hypopharynx may be limited. However, removal of the tonsils is a major predictive factor for postoperative success.
Acute Angle Closure Precipitated by Hemorrhage and Necrosis of a Large Uveal Melanoma in the Setting of Systemic Immunomodulatory Therapy
Authors: Pham Chau M. , Kalyam Krishna , Smith Bradley T. , Floyd Justin , Holds John B.
Published: March 2017

Management of nonmetastatic uveal melanoma has been well studied and a large body of work has been published by the Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study (amongst many others). Management of uveal melanoma that is found to be metastatic upon initial diagnosis, however, is less well defined. We report an interesting case of acute angle closure caused by necrosis and hemorrhage into a large uveal melanoma occurring shortly after initiation of immunomodulatory therapy with ipilimumab and nivolumab for metastatic disease. The use of these immunomodulatory agents in the setting of metastatic uveal melanoma is not well studied, and our case illustrates the importance of interdisciplinary communication in order to best decide the timing of surgical and systemic medical management to optimize outcomes and minimize morbidity.
Microvascular Endothelial Dysfunction in Obesity Is Driven by Macrophage-Dependent Hydrogen Sulfide Depletion
Authors: Candela Joseph , Wang Rui , White Carl
Published: March 2017

Objective—

The function of perivascular adipose tissue as an anticontractile mediator in the microvasculature is lost during obesity. Obesity results in inflammation and recruitment of proinflammatory macrophages to the perivascular adipose tissue that is paralleled by depletion of the vasorelaxant signaling molecule hydrogen sulfide (H
2
S) in the vessel. The current objective was to assess the role of macrophages in determining vascular [H
2
S] and defining how this impinged on vasodilation.

Approach and Results—

Contractility and [H
2
S] were measured in mesenteric resistance arterioles from lean and obese mice by using pressure myography and confocal microscopy, respectively. Vasodilation was impaired and smooth muscle and endothelial [H
2
S] decreased in vessels from obese mice compared with those from lean controls. Coculturing vessels from lean mice with macrophages from obese mice, or macrophage-conditioned media, recapitulated obese phenotypes in vessels. These effects were mediated by low molecular weight species and dependent on macrophage inducible nitric oxide synthase activity.

Conclusions—

The inducible nitric oxide synthase activity of perivascular adipose tissue–resident proinflammatory macrophages promotes microvascular endothelial dysfunction by reducing the bioavailability of H
2
S in the vessel. These findings support a model in which vascular H
2
S depletion underpins the loss of perivascular adipose tissue anticontractile function in obesity.
Sympathetic Nerve Activity in Monozygotic Twins
Authors: Lundblad Linda C. , Eskelin John J. , Karlsson Tomas , Wallin B. Gunnar , Elam Mikael
Published: March 2017

Microneurographic recordings of human muscle sympathetic nerve activity responses to sudden sensory stimuli (ie, arousal) have revealed 2 intraindividually reproducible response profiles in healthy young males that predict different neural and blood pressure responses to more sustained stress. Approximately 50% of subjects inhibit muscle sympathetic nerve activity during arousal, whereas the remaining 50% do not, and the latter group displays a markedly greater blood pressure increase in response to arousal, as well as during and after 3 minutes of mental arithmetic. Studying a group of monozygotic twins (10 pairs, 2 excluded from analysis), the aim of the present study was to evaluate the degree of genetic determination of these sympathetic response profiles. Muscle sympathetic burst incidence at rest was similar in twins, with a within-pair burst incidence ratio of 0.87±0.02 (SEM) compared with 0.73±0.07 found in unrelated pairs (
P
=0.002), confirming a previous study from our laboratory. In contrast, the sympathetic responses to arousal showed large twin within-pair variance (arousal inhibition ratio 0.56±0.11), which did not significantly differ (
P
=0.939) from the variance in pairs of unrelated subjects (0.46±0.11). The finding that human muscle sympathetic nerve responses to arousal are less determined by genotype than the resting level of corresponding sympathetic nerve activity suggests that the arousal response pattern is more prone to be altered by environmental factors. This raises the possibility that these intraindividually reproducible sympathetic neural response profiles can be modified in a positive direction from a cardiovascular risk perspective.