Efficient RDF Interchange (ERI) format for RDF data streams

RDF streams are sequences of timestamped RDF statements or graphs, which can be generated by several types of data sources (sensors, social networks, etc.). They may provide data at high volumes and rates, and be consumed by applications that require real-time responses. Hence it is important to publish and interchange them efficiently. In this paper, we exploit a key feature of RDF data streams, which is the regularity of their structure and data values, proposing a compressed, efficient RDF interchange (ERI) format, which can reduce the amount of data transmitted when processing RDF streams. Our experimental evaluation shows that our format produces state-of-the-art streaming compression, remaining efficient in performance

Active focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is associated with massive oxidation of plasma albumin

The basic mechanism for idiopathic FSGS still is obscure. Indirect evidence in humans and generation of FSGS by oxidants in experimental models suggest a role of free radicals. In vitro studies demonstrate a main role of plasma albumin as antioxidant, its modification representing a chemical marker of oxidative stress. With the use of complementary liquid chromatography electron spray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) and biochemical methods, plasma albumin was characterized in 34 patients with FSGS; 18 had received a renal transplant, and 17 had IgM mesangial deposition. Patients with FSGS that was in remission or without recurrence after transplantation had normal plasma albumin, and the same occurred in patients with primary and secondary nephrites and with chronic renal failure. In contrast, patients with active FSGS or with posttransplantation recurrence had oxidized plasma albumin. This finding was based on the characterization of albumin Cys 34 with an mass-to-charge ratio of 511.71 in triple charge that was consistent with the formation of a cysteic acid carrying a sulfonic group (alb-SO3-). The exact mass of albumin was increased accordingly (+48 Da) for incorporation of three oxygen radicals. Direct titration of the free sulfhydryl group 34 of plasma albumin and electrophoretic titration curves confirmed loss of free sulfhydryl group and formation of a fast-moving isoform in all cases with disease activity. This is the first demonstration of in vivo plasma albumin oxidation that was obtained with an adequate structural approach. Albumin oxidation seems to be specific for FSGS, suggesting some pathogenetic implications. Free radical involvement in FSGS may lead to specific therapeutic interventions

Improvement of diaphragmatic performance through orthotopic application of decellularized extracellular matrix patch.

AbstractMuscle tissue engineering can provide support to large congenital skeletal muscle defects using scaffolds able to allow cell migration, proliferation and differentiation. Acellular extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffold can generate a positive inflammatory response through the activation of anti-inflammatory T-cell populations and M2 polarized macrophages that together lead to a local pro-regenerative environment. This immunoregulatory effect is maintained when acellular matrices are transplanted in a xenogeneic setting, but it remains unclear whether it can be therapeutic in a model of muscle diseases. We demonstrated here for the first time that orthotopic transplantation of a decellularized diaphragmatic muscle from wild animals promoted tissue functional recovery in an established atrophic mouse model. In particular, ECM supported a local immunoresponse activating a pro-regenerative environment and stimulating host muscle progenitor cell activation and migration. These results indicate that acellular scaffolds may represent a suitable regenerative medicine option for improving performance of diseased muscles

Room temperature phase transition of W‐doped VO₂ by atomic layer deposition on 200 mm Si wafers and flexible substrates

The unique structural transition of VO₂ between dielectric and metallic phases has significant potential in optical and electrical applications ranging from volatile switches and neuromorphic computing to smart devices for thermochromic control and radiative cooling. Critical condition for their widespread implementation is scalable deposition method and reduction of the phase transition to near room temperature. Here, a W:VO₂ process based on atomic layer deposition (ALD) is presented that enables precise control of W-doping at the few percent level, resulting in a viable controllable process with sufficient W incorporation into VO₂ to reduce the phase transition to room temperature. It is demonstrated that the incorporation of 1.63 at.% W through ALD growth leads to a state-of-the-art phase transition at 32 °C with emissivity contrast between the low-temperature and high-temperature phase exceeding 40% in a metasurface-based radiative cooling device configuration. The process is shown to be viable on 200 mm silicon substrates as well as flexible polyimide films. The full and self-consistent temperature-dependent characterization of the W-doped VO2 using spectroscopic ellipsometry, electrical conductivity, mid-wave infrared camera, and Fourier transform infrared emissivity, allows for a fully validated material model for the theoretical design of various smart and switchable device applications

Analysis of the RLMS Adaptive Beamforming Algorithm Implemented with Finite Precision

This paper studies the influence of the use of finite wordlength on the operation of the RLMS adaptive beamformingalgorithm. The convergence behavior of RLMS, based on the minimum mean square error (MSE), is analyzed for operation with finite precision. Computer simulation results verify that a wordlength of nine bits is sufficient for the RLMS algorithm to achieve performance close to that provided by full precision. The performance measures used include residual MSE, rate of convergence, error vector magnitude (EVM), and beam pattern. Based on all these measures, it is shown that the RLMS algorithm outperforms other earlier algorithms, such as least mean square (LMS), recursive least square (RLS), modified robust variable step size (MRVSS) and constrained stability LMS (CSLMS)

Genetic transfer from several apomictic tetraploid Paspalum species to an elite group of sexual plants

Basic findings from classical genetic studies are available for exploiting apomixis in the breeding of several forage grass genera. Most Paspalum species are multiploid with a sexual diploid cytotype and conspecific apomictic polyploid (mainly tetraploid) cytotypes. Experimental tetraploidized diploids reproduce sexually and, when crossed with natural apomictic tetraploids, yield hybrid populations that segregate for reproductive mode. Genetic studies indicated that apomixis is inherited as a monogenic dominant factor. We recombined 50 selected sexual hybrids obtained from crosses between a tetraploidized sexual genotype of P. plicatulum and 9 natural apomictic tetraploid accessions of 6 species of the Plicatula group. A synthetic sexual tetraploid population (SSTP) of 600 individuals from mixed seed of the 50 intercrossed hybrids was space-planted in the field. Based on evaluations of plant vigor, seed set, ergot tolerance, regrowth after flowering, and cold tolerance, 31 plants were selected. Crosses between most selected plants and two testers, which belonged to P. guenoarum, were performed, and the generated progeny was planted into the field following a randomized block design with 3 replications. The progeny test was evaluated for seed fertility, biomass yield, and cold tolerance. This procedure allowed selection of 10 elite plants from the SSTP. These plants should contain genes recombined from six apomictic species, without the genetic determinants for apomixis. They may be polycrossed to generate an improved sexual population, or crossed with other apomictic genotypes to obtain improved apomictic hybrids.Fil: Novo, Patricia Elda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Acuña, Carlos Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Urbani, Mario Hugo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Galdeano, Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Espinoza, Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Quarin, Camilo Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste; Argentin

Preservation over time of dried acellular esophageal matrix

Preservation of acellular matrices represents a big challenge for the improvement of tissue engineering. In this work, a new method to preserve over time a decellularized esophageal scaffolds was explored. Dried and sterile acellular esophagi were obtained with a combined treatment of ethanol and a subsequent supercritical CO2 drying. Preservation of the extracellular matrix architecture, collagen content, and mechanical properties up to 6 months demonstrated the efficiency of the methodology with implications in natural scaffold storage. In vitro support of mesenchymal stem cells showed a promising indication to the further use of the technology in pre-clinical and clinical application

In Utero Gene Therapy (IUGT) Using GLOBE Lentiviral Vector Phenotypically Corrects the Heterozygous Humanised Mouse Model and Its Progress Can Be Monitored Using MRI Techniques

Funder: UK Thalassaemia SocietyAbstract: In utero gene therapy (IUGT) to the fetal hematopoietic compartment could be used to treat congenital blood disorders such as β-thalassemia. A humanised mouse model of β-thalassemia was used, in which heterozygous animals are anaemic with splenomegaly and extramedullary hematopoiesis. Intrahepatic in utero injections of a β globin-expressing lentiviral vector (GLOBE), were performed in fetuses at E13.5 of gestation. We analysed animals at 12 and 32 weeks of age, for vector copy number in bone marrow, peripheral blood liver and spleen and we performed integration site analysis. Compared to noninjected heterozygous animals IUGT normalised blood haemoglobin levels and spleen weight. Integration site analysis showed polyclonality. The left ventricular ejection fraction measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in treated heterozygous animals was similar to that of normal non-β-thalassemic mice but significantly higher than untreated heterozygous thalassemia mice suggesting that IUGT ameliorated poor cardiac function. GLOBE LV-mediated IUGT normalised the haematological and anatomical phenotype in a heterozygous humanised model of β-thalassemia