Emergence of Order in Textured Patterns

A characterization of textured patterns, referred to as the disorder function \bar\delta(\beta), is used to study properties of patterns generated in the Swift-Hohenberg equation (SHE). It is shown to be an intensive, configuration-independent measure. The evolution of random initial states under the SHE exhibits two stages of relaxation. The initial phase, where local striped domains emerge from a noisy background, is quantified by a power law decay \bar\delta(\beta) \sim t^{-{1/2} \beta}. Beyond a sharp transition a slower power law decay of \bar\delta(\beta), which corresponds to the coarsening of striped domains, is observed. The transition between the phases advances as the system is driven further from the onset of patterns, and suitable scaling of time and \bar\delta(\beta) leads to the collapse of distinct curves. The decay of $\bar\delta(\beta)$ during the initial phase remains unchanged when nonvariational terms are added to the underlying equations, suggesting the possibility of observing it in experimental systems. In contrast, the rate of relaxation during domain coarsening increases with the coefficient of the nonvariational term.Comment: 9 Pages, 8 Postscript Figures, 3 gif Figure

A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION ON TRADITIONAL TAPPING METHODS OF 'KITUL' OR THE FISH·TAIL PALM (Caryota urens L.)

Rural survival depends largely on the wealth or the natural environment. "Kitul" or theFish-tail palm is one or the important species which has been exploited from the wild hythe villagers from the ancient past. Tapping the inllorescence 01" the Kitul tree forcollecting the phloem sap for producing jaggnry, treacle and toddy has he en generatingpractices, among the rural folk in some villages particularly those abutting the naturalforests. The tapping process makes direct use of the transport mechanism of the tree inwhich the assimilates arc moved to the developing organs. The method of tapping differsfro II I "Lice to place. Usually tappers use plant extracts for seasoning the inflorescenceherol,' r.ipping. The purpose of using these various plant extracts is the arresting of thcmaturation of the inflorescence and the increasing of thc sap Ilow. The knowledge 01" theseindigenous tapping practices arc not being handed down the generations and thereforebeing gradually lost. This paper presents the results of a preliminary investigation thetraditional tapping methods of Kitul by the people in villages abutting the Sinharaja forestand the Knuckcls ranges

SCREENING OF WOODY AND SHRUB LEGUMES FOR AGRO-FORESTRY SYSTEMS BASED ON BIOMASS PRODUCTION, N YIELD AND BIOLOGICAL N2 FIXING CAPACITY

A field study was carried out to identify the suitable tree species for agrolorcstry systemsbased on their biomass production. N yield and Nrfixing capacity at the ExportAgriculture Research Station. Matalc for a period of 9 months. I'N isotope dilutionmethod was used for the assessment or the proportion of N2 derived through fixation (Pfix).Gl iricidi« spiurn (g+iric idia). Calliandra calothvrsus (calliandru). Lcucacna leucoccpha!a(lcucacna). Ervthrina suhumhrancc (Erythrina). Albizia [alraturi« (Albicia) and AI'(/Iiamangium (acacia) were used as N2-fixing species and SCIII/a siamea (siamca), SCI/I/aspettabilis (Spcctnhilis). both are non-nodulating legumes. and Michaella chantpaca(michalia) were used as non Ny-fixing reference species.Total dry matter yield of non Ns-Iixing reference crop spcctabilis was significantly (pO.05)higher than all the species. Among the fixing species. Calliandra produced the highestbiomass though the value is not significantly (p~O.O.'i) different from gliricidia, lcucacnaand siamca. Acacia and michaclia recorded the lowest yields.Highest leaf. twigs and root NIl,) was found in crythrina and the highest trunk N% wasassociated with gliricidia. Leaf NIYr,of spcctahilis was less than that of gliricidin andcrythrinu but total N yield of spcctabilis was the highest due to high biomass production.Among the six fixing species highest N yield was found with calliandra and the value isover two fold higher than that for gliricidia. Acacia and michaclia recorded the lowest nyields.Highest Pfix values for whole plant was found with alhizia followed by g liricidia,cnlliandra. crythrina, lcuccana and acacia. The trend is common for the values based onall the three reference crops. Total Ns-fix iug capacity 01" calliandra recorded the highestvalue followed by lcucacnn, gliricidia, albizia. crythrina, and acacia. Ny-Iixing valuescalculated based on siamea and spcctabilis revealed N-fixing species calliandra, lcucacnaand gliricidia have thc capacity to fix 19.51-23.11. 15.77-19.79 and 13.IO-l4.42g Nplant I. The values equivalent to 1<)5-231. 15X-19X and 13l-l44kg of N ha').S. spcctabilis. C calothyrsus, L. leucocephala and G. sepium produced higher biomassand higher N yields over the others. Total N fixing capacity of C calothvrsus. L.leucoccphal« and G. septum were superior to the other species. However, wheremaintenance of soil N status is considered further studies arc recommended to evaluate thelitter quality and N transferring ability before a firm recommendation is made.

Pattern formation in 2-frequency forced parametric waves

We present an experimental investigation of superlattice patterns generated on the surface of a fluid via parametric forcing with 2 commensurate frequencies. The spatio-temporal behavior of 4 qualitatively different types of superlattice patterns is described in detail. These states are generated via a number of different 3--wave resonant interactions. They occur either as symmetry--breaking bifurcations of hexagonal patterns composed of a single unstable mode or via nonlinear interactions between the two primary unstable modes generated by the two forcing frequencies. A coherent picture of these states together with the phase space in which they appear is presented. In addition, we describe a number of new superlattice states generated by 4--wave interactions that arise when symmetry constraints rule out 3--wave resonances.Comment: The paper contains 34 pages and 53 figures and provides an extensive review of both the theoretical and experimental work peformed in this syste

The completion of the Mammalian Gene Collection (MGC)

Since its start, the Mammalian Gene Collection (MGC) has sought to provide at least one full-protein-coding sequence cDNA clone for every human and mouse gene with a RefSeq transcript, and at least 6200 rat genes. The MGC cloning effort initially relied on random expressed sequence tag screening of cDNA libraries. Here, we summarize our recent progress using directed RT-PCR cloning and DNA synthesis. The MGC now contains clones with the entire protein-coding sequence for 92% of human and 89% of mouse genes with curated RefSeq (NM-accession) transcripts, and for 97% of human and 96% of mouse genes with curated RefSeq transcripts that have one or more PubMed publications, in addition to clones for more than 6300 rat genes. These high-quality MGC clones and their sequences are accessible without restriction to researchers worldwide

WW domain-mediated interaction with Wbp2 is important for the oncogenic property of TAZ

The transcriptional co-activators YAP and TAZ are downstream targets inhibited by the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway. YAP and TAZ both possess WW domains, which are important protein–protein interaction modules that mediate interaction with proline-rich motifs, most commonly PPXY. The WW domains of YAP have complex regulatory roles as exemplified by recent reports showing that they can positively or negatively influence YAP activity in a cell and context-specific manner. In this study, we show that the WW domain of TAZ is important for it to transform both MCF10A and NIH3T3 cells and to activate transcription of ITGB2 but not CTGF, as introducing point mutations into the WW domain of TAZ (WWm) abolished its transforming and transcription-promoting ability. Using a proteomic approach, we discovered potential regulatory proteins that interact with TAZ WW domain and identified Wbp2. The interaction of Wbp2 with TAZ is dependent on the WW domain of TAZ and the PPXY-containing C-terminal region of Wbp2. Knockdown of endogenous Wbp2 suppresses, whereas overexpression of Wbp2 enhances, TAZ-driven transformation. Forced interaction of WWm with Wbp2 by direct C-terminal fusion of full-length Wbp2 or its TAZ-interacting C-terminal domain restored the transforming and transcription-promoting ability of TAZ. These results suggest that the WW domain-mediated interaction with Wbp2 promotes the transforming ability of TAZ

Integrated genomic analyses of ovarian carcinoma

A catalogue of molecular aberrations that cause ovarian cancer is critical for developing and deploying therapies that will improve patients’ lives. The Cancer Genome Atlas project has analysed messenger RNA expression, microRNA expression, promoter methylation and DNA copy number in 489 high-grade serous ovarian adenocarcinomas and the DNA sequences of exons from coding genes in 316 of these tumours. Here we report that high-grade serous ovarian cancer is characterized by TP53 mutations in almost all tumours (96%); low prevalence but statistically recurrent somatic mutations in nine further genes including NF1, BRCA1, BRCA2, RB1 and CDK12; 113 significant focal DNA copy number aberrations; and promoter methylation events involving 168 genes. Analyses delineated four ovarian cancer transcriptional subtypes, three microRNA subtypes, four promoter methylation subtypes and a transcriptional signature associated with survival duration, and shed new light on the impact that tumours with BRCA1/2 (BRCA1 or BRCA2) and CCNE1 aberrations have on survival. Pathway analyses suggested that homologous recombination is defective in about half of the tumours analysed, and that NOTCH and FOXM1 signalling are involved in serous ovarian cancer pathophysiology.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant U54HG003067)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant U54HG003273)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant U54HG003079)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant U24CA126543)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant U24CA126544)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant U24CA126546)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant U24CA126551)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant U24CA126554)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant U24CA126561)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant U24CA126563)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant U24CA143882)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant U24CA143731)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant U24CA143835)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant U24CA143845)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant U24CA143858)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant U24CA144025)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant U24CA143866)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant U24CA143867)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant U24CA143848)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant U24CA143843)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant R21CA135877

Analysis of MicroRNA Expression in the Prepubertal Testis

Only thirteen microRNAs are conserved between D. melanogaster and the mouse; however, conditional loss of miRNA function through mutation of Dicer causes defects in proliferation of premeiotic germ cells in both species. This highlights the potentially important, but uncharacterized, role of miRNAs during early spermatogenesis. The goal of this study was to characterize on postnatal day 7, 10, and 14 the content and editing of murine testicular miRNAs, which predominantly arise from spermatogonia and spermatocytes, in contrast to prior descriptions of miRNAs in the adult mouse testis which largely reflects the content of spermatids. Previous studies have shown miRNAs to be abundant in the mouse testis by postnatal day 14; however, through Next Generation Sequencing of testes from a B6;129 background we found abundant earlier expression of miRNAs and describe shifts in the miRNA signature during this period. We detected robust expression of miRNAs encoded on the X chromosome in postnatal day 14 testes, consistent with prior studies showing their resistance to meiotic sex chromosome inactivation. Unexpectedly, we also found a similar positional enrichment for most miRNAs on chromosome 2 at postnatal day 14 and for those on chromosome 12 at postnatal day 7. We quantified in vivo developmental changes in three types of miRNA variation including 5′ heterogeneity, editing, and 3′ nucleotide addition. We identified eleven putative novel pubertal testis miRNAs whose developmental expression suggests a possible role in early male germ cell development. These studies provide a foundation for interpretation of miRNA changes associated with testicular pathology and identification of novel components of the miRNA editing machinery in the testis