Landscape of standing variation for tandem duplications in Drosophila yakuba and Drosophila simulans.

We have used whole genome paired-end Illumina sequence data to identify tandem duplications in 20 isofemale lines of Drosophila yakuba and 20 isofemale lines of D. simulans and performed genome wide validation with PacBio long molecule sequencing. We identify 1,415 tandem duplications that are segregating in D.

From heuristic optimization to dictionary learning: a review and comprehensive comparison of image denoising algorithms.

Image denoising is a well explored topic in the field of image processing. In the past several decades, the progress made in image denoising has benefited from the improved modeling of natural images. In this paper, we introduce a new taxonomy based on image representations for a better understanding of state-of-the-art image denoising techniques.

Computer vision for RGB-D sensors: Kinect and its applications.

Kinect sensor, high-resolution depth and visual (RGB) sensing has become available for widespread use as an off-the-shelf technology. This special issue is specifically dedicated to new algorithms and/or new applications based on the Kinect (or similar RGB-D) sensors. In total, we received over ninety submissions from more than twenty countries all around the world.

Nonlocal hierarchical dictionary learning using wavelets for image denoising.

Exploiting the sparsity within representation models for images is critical for image denoising. The best currently available denoising methods take advantage of the sparsity from image self-similarity, pre-learned, and fixed representations. Most of these methods, however, still have difficulties in tackling high noise levels or noise models other than Gaussian.

Spatio-temporal Laplacian pyramid coding for action recognition.

We present a novel descriptor, called spatio-temporal Laplacian pyramid coding (STLPC), for holistic representation of human actions. In contrast to sparse representations based on detected local interest points, STLPC regards a video sequence as a whole with spatio-temporal features directly extracted from it, which prevents the loss of information in sparse representations. Through decomposing each sequence into a set of band-pass-filtered components, the proposed pyramid model localizes features residing at different scales, and therefore is able to effectively encode the motion information of actions.

Enhanced computer vision with Microsoft Kinect sensor: a review.

With the invention of the low-cost Microsoft Kinect sensor, high-resolution depth and visual (RGB) sensing has become available for widespread use. The complementary nature of the depth and visual information provided by the Kinect sensor opens up new opportunities to solve fundamental problems in computer vision. This paper presents a comprehensive review of recent Kinect-based computer vision algorithms and applications.

Water footprint assessment for wastewater treatment: method, indicator, and application.

The water footprint in terms of the sum of both direct and indirect water cost of wastewater treatment is for the first time accounted in this work. On the basis of the hybrid method as a combination of process analysis and input-output analysis, a detailed water footprint accounting procedure is provided to cover the supply chain of a wastewater treatment plant. A set of indices intending to reveal the efficiency as well as renewability of wastewater treatment systems are devised as parallels of corresponding indicators in net energy analysis for energy supply systems.

Learning discriminative key poses for action recognition.

In this paper, we present a new approach for human action recognition based on key-pose selection and representation. Poses in video frames are described by the proposed extensive pyramidal features (EPFs), which include the Gabor, Gaussian, and wavelet pyramids. These features are able to encode the orientation, intensity, and contour information and therefore provide an informative representation of human poses.

A20 restricts wnt signaling in intestinal epithelial cells and suppresses colon carcinogenesis.

Colon carcinogenesis consists of a multistep process during which a series of genetic and epigenetic adaptations occur that lead to malignant transformation. Here, we have studied the role of A20 (also known as TNFAIP3), a ubiquitin-editing enzyme that restricts NFκB and cell death signaling, in intestinal homeostasis and tumorigenesis. We have found that A20 expression is consistently reduced in human colonic adenomas than in normal colonic tissues.

Aquareovirus protein VP6 colocalizes with NS80 protein in infected and transfected cells.

Background: Aquareovirus particle is comprised of central core and outer capsid, which is built by seven structural proteins (VP1-VP7). The protein VP6 has been identified to be a clamp protein of stabilizing inner core frame VP3, and bridging outer shell protein VP5. However, the biological properties of VP6 in viral life cycle remain unknown.

[Effect of activated charcoal on rooting in tissue culture seedling of Begonia fimbristipula on Dinghushan Mountain].

Objective: To study the effect of different plant growth substance and activated charcoal on rooting in culture seedling of Begonia fimbristpula on Dinghushan mountain.

Methods: Tissue culture single factor experiment method was used.

Results: NAA 0.

Aquareovirus NS80 recruits viral proteins to its inclusions, and its C-terminal domain is the primary driving force for viral inclusion formation.

Cytoplasmic inclusion bodies formed in reovirus-infected cells are the sites of viral replication and assembly. Previous studies have suggested that the NS80 protein of aquareovirus may be involved in the formation of viral inclusion bodies. However, it remains unknown whether other viral proteins are involved in the process, and what regions of NS80 may act coordinately in mediating inclusion formation.

The NS16 protein of aquareovirus-C is a fusion-associated small transmembrane (FAST) protein, and its activity can be enhanced by the nonstructural protein NS26.

Orthoreoviruses and aquareoviruses represent two different genera in the family Reoviridae, but they share many common characteristics in structural organization and pathogenesis. Similar to fusogenic orthoreoviruses, aquareoviruses can induce cell-cell fusion and multinucleated syncytium formation. Sequence analysis indicated that the nonstructural protein NS16 might be a fusion protein responsible for aquareovirus-C (AqRV-C) syncytiogenesis.

Energy-dominated local carbon emissions in Beijing 2007: inventory and input-output analysis.

For greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by Beijing economy 2007, a concrete emission inventory covering carbon dioxide (CO(2)), methane (CH(4)), and nitrous oxide (N(2)O) is presented and associated with an input-output analysis to reveal the local GHG embodiment in final demand and trade without regard to imported emissions. The total direct GHG emissions amount to 1.06E + 08 t CO(2)-eq, of which energy-related CO(2) emissions comprise 90.

Characterization of grass carp reovirus minor core protein VP4.

Background: Grass Carp Reovirus (GCRV), a tentative member in the genus Aquareovirus of family Reoviridae, contains eleven segmented (double-stranded RNA) dsRNA genome which encodes 12 proteins. A low-copy core component protein VP4, encoded by the viral genome segment 5(S5), has been suggested to play a key role in viral genome transcription and replication.

Results: To understand the role of minor core protein VP4 played in molecular pathogenesis during GCRV infection, the recombinant GCRV VP4 gene was constructed and expressed in both prokaryotic and mammalian cells in this investigation.

Antibodies against outer-capsid proteins of grass carp reovirus expressed in E. coli are capable of neutralizing viral infectivity.

Background: Grass carp reovirus (GCRV), which causes severe infectious outbreaks of hemorrhagic disease in aquatic animals, is a highly pathogenic agent in the Aquareovirus genus of family Reoviridae. The outer capsid shell of GCRV, composed of the VP5-VP7 protein complex, is believed to be involved in cell entry. The objective of this study was to produce a major neutralization antibody for mitigating GCRV infection.

Functional investigation of grass carp reovirus nonstructural protein NS80.

Background: Grass Carp Reovirus (GCRV), a highly virulent agent of aquatic animals, has an eleven segmented dsRNA genome encased in a multilayered capsid shell, which encodes twelve proteins including seven structural proteins (VP1-VP7), and five nonstructural proteins (NS80, NS38, NS31, NS26, and NS16). It has been suggested that the protein NS80 plays an important role in the viral replication cycle that is similar to that of its homologous protein μNS in the genus of Orthoreovirus.

Results: As a step to understanding the basis of the part played by NS80 in GCRV replication and particle assembly, we used the yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) system to identify NS80 interactions with proteins NS38, VP4, and VP6 as well as NS80 and NS38 self-interactions, while no interactions appeared in the four protein pairs NS38-VP4, NS38-VP6, VP4-VP4, and VP4-VP6.

Molecular characterization of nonstructural protein NS38 of grass carp reovirus.

Viral nonstructural proteins in both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses play important roles in viral replication. Protein NS38 of Grass carp reovirus (GCRV), has been deduced to be a non-structural protein, and, consistent with other reoviruses, is considered to cooperate with the NS80 protein in viral particle assembly. To investigate the molecular basis of the role of NS38, a complete protein was expressed in E.

Clinical study on detecting false non-reactive of non-stress test by improved acoustic stimulation.

Purpose: To approach the clinical significance on detecting false non-reactive of non-stress test (NST) by improved acoustic stimulation.

Method: One-hundred and sixteen pregnant women who were at 34-41 weeks' gestation were monitored for the fetal movement and the fetal heart rate. Then, the improved acoustic stimulation which was caused by clapping hands about 1 cm above maternal abdomen over the fetal vertex was given to the pregnant women whose NST were non-reactive.

Characterization of the nonstructural protein NS80 of grass carp reovirus.

Nonstructural proteins of members of the family Reoviridae are believed to play significant roles in the virus replication cycle. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the nonstructural protein NS80 of grass carp reovirus, encoded by a gene of Segment 4 (S4), is a primary determinant that is related to the formation of viroplasmic inclusion bodies (VIB), where viral replication and assembly are thought to occur. To understand the role of the NS80 protein in viral replication, an initial investigation of NS80 gene expression in both infected and transfected cells was conducted.

Prepregnancy body mass index, gestational weight gain, and pregnancy outcomes in China.

Objective: To look for associations between pregnancy outcomes and prepregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain among Han women from Shenyang province, China.

Method: A total of 2586 women were distributed across 4 prepregnancy categories according to the Chinese classification of body mass index, and to 4 end-of-pregnancy categories according to median weekly gestational weight gain.

Results: The risks for gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm premature rupture of membranes were higher for those who were overweight or obese before becoming pregnant (P<0.

An overview and performance evaluation of classification-based least squares trained filters.

An overview of the classification-based least squares trained filters on picture quality improvement algorithms is presented. For each algorithm, the training process is unique and individually selected classification methods are proposed. Objective evaluation is carried out to single out the optimal classification method for each application.

Mitochondrial involvement in psychiatric disorders.

Recent findings of mitochondrial abnormalities in brains from subjects with neurological disorders have led to a renewed search for mitochondrial abnormalities in psychiatric disorders. A growing body of evidence suggests that there is mitochondrial dysfunction in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder, including evidence from electron microscopy, imaging, gene expression, genotyping, and sequencing studies. Specific evidence of dysfunction such as increased common deletion and decreased gene expression in mitochondria in psychiatric illnesses suggests that direct examination of mitochondrial DNA from postmortem brain cells may provide further details of mitochondrial alterations in psychiatric disorders.