An Alternative Multi-Model Ensemble Forecast for Tropical Cyclone Tracks in the Western North Pacific

This study introduces an unequally weighted technique for Multi-model Ensemble (MME) forecasting for western North Pacific Tropical Cyclone (TC) tracks. Weights are calculated by partial least square regression, and members are selected by paired t-test. The performances for shorter forecast time ranges, such as 24, 48 and 72 h, are examined in order to improve the MME model, in which the weights for members are equally assigned. For longer forecast time ranges, such as 96 and 120 h, weights for MME members are thought to be less reliable, since the modeling is more likely to be influenced by the climate variability in the data period. A combination of both techniques for the shorter and the longer forecast time ranges is suggested as an alternative MME forecast procedure in operational meteorological agencies

The complete chloroplast genome of Sinomenium acutum (Menispermaceae)

We generated the complete chloroplast genome sequence of Sinomenium acutum, a species of the Menispermaceae family, and characterized from the de novo assembly of Illumina HiSeq paired-end sequencing data. The total length of the chloroplast genome of S. acutum was 162,787 bp with a large single-copy (LSC) region of 91,430 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 21,245 bp, and a pair of identical inverted repeat regions (IRs) of 25,056 bp. The total of 131 genes were annotated in the chloroplast genome of Sinomenium acutum, including 85 protein-coding genes, 38 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and 8 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. The phylogenetic analysis of S. acutum with 18 related species revealed the closest taxonomical relationship with Menispermum dauricum in the Menispermaceae family

The complete chloroplast genome of Typhonium giganteum (Araceae)

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Typhonium giganteum, a species of the Araceae family, was characterized from the de novo assembly of HiSeq (Illumina Co.) paired-end sequencing data. The chloroplast genome of T. giganteum was 165,289 bp in length, with a large single-copy (LSC) region of 91,747 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 22,550 bp, and a pair of identical inverted repeat regions (IRs) of 25,496 bp. The genome contained a total of 132 genes, including 86 protein-coding genes, 38 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and 8 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. The phylogenetic analysis of T. giganteum with 12 related species revealed the closest taxonomical relationship with Pinellia pedatisecta in the Araceae

Proliferation of activated CD1d-restricted NKT cells is down-modulated by lymphocyte activation gene-3 signaling via cell cycle arrest in S phase

Upon antigenic stimulation, CD1d-restricted NKT cells quickly secrete large amounts of cytokines. This prompt response demonstrates that CD1d-restricted NKT cells may potentially prove to be useful therapeutic agents for the treatment of many diseases. Despite the clinical importance of CD1d-restricted NKT cells, the regulating mechanisms of this unique T cell population remain to be defined. We found murine LAG-3 is inducible on CD1d-restricted NKT cells as the result of a variety of stimulants such as concanavalin A (con A) and anti-CD3. Also, antigen-specific CD1d stimulation can elicit LAG-3 in CD1d-restricted NKT cells. Moreover, ectopic LAG-3 expression on CD1d-restricted NKT cells results in cell cycle arrest in the S phase. These results show that LAG-3 signaling on activated CD1d-restricted NKT cells may down-modulate NKT cell proliferation

Retrieving XCO2 from GOSAT FTS over East Asia Using Simultaneous Aerosol Information from CAI

In East Asia, where aerosol concentrations are persistently high throughout the year, most satellite CO2 retrieval algorithms screen out many measurements during quality control in order to reduce retrieval errors. To reduce the retrieval errors associated with aerosols, we have modified YCAR (Yonsei Carbon Retrieval) algorithm to YCAR-CAI to retrieve XCO2 from GOSAT FTS measurements using aerosol retrievals from simultaneous Cloud and Aerosol Imager (CAI) measurements. The CAI aerosol algorithm provides aerosol type and optical depth information simultaneously for the same geometry and optical path as FTS. The YCAR-CAI XCO2 retrieval algorithm has been developed based on the optimal estimation method. The algorithm uses the VLIDORT V2.6 radiative transfer model to calculate radiances and Jacobian functions. The XCO2 results retrieved using the YCAR-CAI algorithm were evaluated by comparing them with ground-based TCCON measurements and current operational GOSAT XCO2 retrievals. The retrievals show a clear annual cycle, with an increasing trend of 2.02 to 2.39 ppm per year, which is higher than that measured at Mauna Loa, Hawaii. The YCAR-CAI results were validated against the Tsukuba and Saga TCCON sites and show an root mean square error of 2.25, a bias of −0.81 ppm, and a regression line closer to the linear identity function compared with other current algorithms. Even after post-screening, the YCAR-CAI algorithm provides a larger dataset of XCO2 compared with other retrieval algorithms by 21% to 67%, which could be substantially advantageous in validation and data analysis for the area of East Asia. Retrieval uncertainty indicates a 1.39 to 1.48 ppm at the TCCON sites. Using Carbon Tracker-Asia (CT-A) data, the sampling error was analyzed and was found to be between 0.32 and 0.36 ppm for each individual sounding

AZGP1 deficiency promotes angiogenesis in prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Loss of AZGP1 expression is a biomarker associated with progression to castration resistance, development of metastasis, and poor disease-specific survival in prostate cancer. However, high expression of AZGP1 cells in prostate cancer has been reported to increase proliferation and invasion. The exact role of AZGP1 in prostate cancer progression remains elusive. METHOD: AZGP1 knockout and overexpressing prostate cancer cells were generated using a lentiviral system. The effects of AZGP1 under- or over-expression in prostate cancer cells were evaluated by in vitro cell proliferation, migration, and invasion assays. Heterozygous AZGP1± mice were obtained from European Mouse Mutant Archive (EMMA), and prostate tissues from homozygous knockout male mice were collected at 2, 6 and 10 months for histological analysis. In vivo xenografts generated from AZGP1 under- or over-expressing prostate cancer cells were used to determine the role of AZGP1 in prostate cancer tumor growth, and subsequent proteomics analysis was conducted to elucidate the mechanisms of AZGP1 action in prostate cancer progression. AZGP1 expression and microvessel density were measured in human prostate cancer samples on a tissue microarray of 215 independent patient samples. RESULT: Neither the knockout nor overexpression of AZGP1 exhibited significant effects on prostate cancer cell proliferation, clonal growth, migration, or invasion in vitro. The prostates of AZGP1-/- mice initially appeared to have grossly normal morphology; however, we observed fibrosis in the periglandular stroma and higher blood vessel density in the mouse prostate by 6 months. In PC3 and DU145 mouse xenografts, over-expression of AZGP1 did not affect tumor growth. Instead, these tumors displayed decreased microvessel density compared to xenografts derived from PC3 and DU145 control cells, suggesting that AZGP1 functions to inhibit angiogenesis in prostate cancer. Proteomics profiling further indicated that, compared to control xenografts, AZGP1 overexpressing PC3 xenografts are enriched with angiogenesis pathway proteins, including YWHAZ, EPHA2, SERPINE1, and PDCD6, MMP9, GPX1, HSPB1, COL18A1, RNH1, and ANXA1. In vitro functional studies show that AZGP1 inhibits human umbilical vein endothelial cell proliferation, migration, tubular formation and branching. Additionally, tumor microarray analysis shows that AZGP1 expression is negatively correlated with blood vessel density in human prostate cancer tissues. CONCLUSION: AZGP1 is a negative regulator of angiogenesis, such that loss of AZGP1 promotes angiogenesis in prostate cancer. AZGP1 likely exerts heterotypical effects on cells in the tumor microenvironment, such as stromal and endothelial cells. This study sheds light on the anti-angiogenic characteristics of AZGP1 in the prostate and provides a rationale to target AZGP1 to inhibit prostate cancer progression