Generating Time-Varying Road Network Data Using Sparse Trajectories

While research on time-varying graphs has attracted recent attention, the research community has limited or no access to real datasets to develop effective algorithms and systems. Using noisy and sparse GPS traces from vehicles, we develop a time-varying road network data set where edge weights differ over time. We present our methodology and share this dataset, along with a graph manipulation tool. We estimate the traffic conditions using the sparse GPS data available by characterizing the sparsity issues and assessing the properties of travel sequence data frequency domain. We develop interpolation methods to complete the sparse data into a complete graph dataset with realistic time-varying edge values. We evaluate the performance of time-varying and static shortest path solutions over the generated dynamic road network. The shortest paths using the dynamic graph produce very different results than the static version. We provide an independent Java API and a graph database to analyze and manipulate the generated time-varying graph data easily, not requiring any knowledge about the inners of the graph database system. We expect our solution to support researchers to pursue problems of time-varying graphs in terms of theoretical, algorithmic, and systems aspects. The data and Java API are available at: http://elif.eser.bilkent.edu.tr/roadnetwork. © 2016 IEEE

Molecular and functional characterization of an evolutionarily conserved CREB-binding protein in the Lymnaea CNS

In eukaryotes, CREB-binding protein (CBP), a coactivator of CREB, functions both as a platform for recruiting other components of the transcriptional machinery and as a histone acetyltransferase (HAT) that alters chromatin structure. We previously showed that the transcriptional activity of cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB) plays a crucial role in neuronal plasticity in the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis. However, there is no information on the molecular structure and HAT activity of CBP in the Lymnaea central nervous system (CNS), hindering an investigation of its postulated role in long-term memory (LTM). Here, we characterize the Lymnaea CBP (LymCBP) gene and identify a conserved domain of LymCBP as a functional HAT. Like CBPs of other species, LymCBP possesses functional domains, such as the KIX domain, which is essential for interaction with CREB and was shown to regulate LTM. In-situ hybridization showed that the staining patterns of LymCBP mRNA in CNS are very similar to those of Lymnaea CREB1. A particularly strong LymCBP mRNA signal was observed in the cerebral giant cell (CGC), an identified extrinsic modulatory interneuron of the feeding circuit, the key to both appetitive and aversive LTM for taste. Biochemical experiments using the recombinant protein of the LymCBP HAT domain showed that its enzymatic activity was blocked by classical HAT inhibitors. Preincubation of the CNS with such inhibitors blocked cAMP-induced synaptic facilitation between the CGC and an identified follower motoneuron of the feeding system. Taken together, our findings suggest a role for the HAT activity of LymCBP in synaptic plasticity in the feeding circuitry

Meibomian adenoma in a Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus): a case report

A two-year old male Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) was brought to the Surgery Clinic at the Istanbul University, Veterinary Faculty, Research and Practice Hospital, with a non-healing wound on the right upper eyelid. An ulcerated, bleeding wound was observed and diagnosed as an eyelid mass. The eyelid mass was excised and submitted for histopathological examination, which resulted in a diagnosis of meibomian adenoma. After excision of the mass, the right upper eyelid became deformed and adopted an abnormal shape. The surgical site was examined two weeks later. No abnormality was observed and the appearance of the right eyelid had returned to normal. Although there are many reports on benign tumours such as polyps, adenomas, haemangiomas and papillomas in hamsters, to the authors' knowledge, this is the first report on a meibomian adenoma in a Syrian hamster which was resolved by surgery

Intramedullary spinal cord meningioma in a Boxer: a case report

Meningiomas are the most common primary tumours of the canine central nervous system. The incidence of these tumours increases with age and they are more frequently encountered in dogs older than seven years. Meningiomas are solitary, well-defined neoplasias that more commonly grow via compression and less commonly by infiltrating the nervous tissue. Meningiomas exhibit 82% intracranial, 15% intraspinal and 3% retrobulbar location. Meningiomas of the spinal cord are mostly benign in character with intradural-extramedullary location in the cervical segments. The case reported here consisted of a 10-year old male Boxer presenting with a complaint of inability to use its left foreleg. In the neurological examination, upper motor neuron findings were recorded and direct radiography, myelography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical region were performed. Interpretation of the transversal, coronal and sagittal cross-section magnetic resonance images taken of T1-weighted, T2-weighted and T1-weighted with contrast sequences, revealed a well-defined intramedullary mass at the level of the C5-C6 vertebra. Histopathological examination of the neoplastic mass revealed it to be a transitional (mixed) meningioma which had infiltrated into the spinal cord