An integrated expression atlas of miRNAs and their promoters in human and mouse

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs with key roles in cellular regulation. As part of the fifth edition of the Functional Annotation of Mammalian Genome (FANTOM5) project, we created an integrated expression atlas of miRNAs and their promoters by deep-sequencing 492 short RNA (sRNA) libraries, with matching Cap Analysis Gene Expression (CAGE) data, from 396 human and 47 mouse RNA samples. Promoters were identified for 1,357 human and 804 mouse miRNAs and showed strong sequence conservation between species. We also found that primary and mature miRNA expression levels were correlated, allowing us to use the primary miRNA measurements as a proxy for mature miRNA levels in a total of 1,829 human and 1,029 mouse CAGE libraries. We thus provide a broad atlas of miRNA expression and promoters in primary mammalian cells, establishing a foundation for detailed analysis of miRNA expression patterns and transcriptional control regions

Rotational Sublevels of an Ortho-Hydrogen Molecule Encapsulated in an Isotropic C-60 Cage

From specific heat measurements in high quality H2@C60 samples performed over a broad temperature range, we obtain the smallest yet observed splitting of rotational energy sublevels of encapsulated single H2 molecules, 0.1–0.2 meV, in the nearly spherical potential well provided by highly isotropic C60 cages. Additionally, we find evidence of the quantized oscillation state of isolated H2 in the C60 cage. The minuscule splitting indicates that H2@C60 provides unprecedented opportunities to study free-molecule quantum dynamic properties

The role of affect and sociality in the agent-based collaborative learning system

Abstract. As computer systems are evolving and coming to be regarded as social actors, the importance of social intelligence that enables natural and socially appropriate interactions is gaining a growing interest among the human-computer interaction researchers. This article discusses the definition, importance, and benefits of social intelligence as agent technology. It then describes a collaborative learning system that incorporates agents that are equipped with a social intelligence model. We argue that socially appropriate affective behaviors provide a new dimension for collaborative learning systems. The system provides an environment in which learning takes place through interactions with a coaching computer agent and a co-learner, an autonomous agent that makes affective responses. The social intelligence model that handles affective responses is based on psychological theories of personality, emotion, and human-media interaction, such as appraisal theory and the Media Equation. Experiments conducted with this collaborative learning system to examine the effect of the social intelligence model suggested that users had more positive impressions about the usefulness, the application, and their learning experience when the co-learner agent displayed social responses with personality and emotions than when it did not express them. It should be noted here that the colearner agent did not provide any explicit assistance for the learner, such as giving clues and showing answers, yet it influenced the user’s evaluation on the usefulness of the learning system. Experimental data also suggest that the colearner agent contributed to the effectiveness of the learning system

Relapsing Peritoneal Dialysis-Associated Peritonitis due to Kocuria rhizophila: A Case Report

Introduction: The Kocuria genus, encompassing gram-positive coccoid actinobacteria belonging to the Micrococcaceae family, has recently been discovered residing on the human skin and oral flora. Reports of Kocuria-associated infections in humans have been scarce. Herein, we present the first case of relapsing peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritonitis caused by Kocuria rhizophila. Case Presentation: The patient, a 78-year-old male, presented with turbid effluent PD fluid, accompanied by an elevated white blood cell count of 253 cells/μL, of which 59% were neutrophils. A diagnosis of PD-associated peritonitis was established, leading to the initiation of intraperitoneal administration of ceftazidime and vancomycin. Subsequently, Kocuria rhizophila was identified through the bacterial culture of the dialysate. On the seventh day of initial treatment, the antibiotic regimen was changed to penicillin G, and the patient underwent a 3-week course of antibiotics. However, 1 week after discharge, the patient’s dialysis fluid became cloudy once again, with subsequent detection of Kocuria rhizophila in the fluid culture. Ultimately, the decision was made to remove the patient’s PD catheter and transition to hemodialysis. Conclusion: PD-associated peritonitis attributed to Kocuria species may be considered a potential risk for recurrence