Shape Correspondence with Isometric and Non-Isometric Deformations

The registration of surfaces with non-rigid deformation, especially non-isometric deformations, is a challenging problem. When applying such techniques to real scans, the problem is compounded by topological and geometric inconsistencies between shapes. In this paper, we capture a benchmark dataset of scanned 3D shapes undergoing various controlled deformations (articulating, bending, stretching and topologically changing), along with ground truth correspondences. With the aid of this tiered benchmark of increasingly challenging real scans, we explore this problem and investigate how robust current state-of- the-art methods perform in different challenging registration and correspondence scenarios. We discover that changes in topology is a challenging problem for some methods and that machine learning-based approaches prove to be more capable of handling non-isometric deformations on shapes that are moderately similar to the training set

Distinct Properties of Human HMGN5 Reveal a Rapidly Evolving but Functionally Conserved Nucleosome Binding Protein ▿

The HMGN family is a family of nucleosome-binding architectural proteins that affect the structure and function of chromatin in vertebrates. We report that the HMGN5 variant, encoded by a gene located on chromosome X, is a rapidly evolving protein with an acidic C-terminal domain that differs among vertebrate species. We found that the intranuclear organization and nucleosome interactions of human HMGN5 are distinct from those of mouse HMGN5 and that the C-terminal region of the protein is the main determinant of the chromatin interaction properties. Despite their apparent differences, both mouse and human HMGN5 proteins interact with histone H1, reduce its chromatin residence time, and can induce large-scale chromatin decompaction in living cells. Analysis of HMGN5 mutants suggests that distinct domains in HMGN5 affect specific steps in the interaction of H1 with chromatin. Elevated levels of either human or mouse HMGN5 affect the transcription of numerous genes, most in a variant-specific manner. Our study identifies HMGN5 as a rapidly evolving vertebrate nuclear protein with species-specific properties. HMGN5 has a highly disordered structure, binds dynamically to nucleosome core particles, modulates the binding of H1 to chromatin, reduces the compaction of the chromatin fiber, and affects transcription

Dynamic relocation of chromosomal protein HMG-17 in the nucleus is dependent on transcriptional activity.

Chromosomal proteins HMG-14/-17 are nucleosomal binding proteins, which alter the structure of the chromatin fiber and enhance transcription, but only from chromatin templates. Here we show that in tissue culture cells, HMG-17 protein colocalizes with sites of active transcription. Incubation of permeabilized cells with a peptide corresponding to the nucleosomal binding domains of HMG-14/-17 specifically arrested polymerase II-dependent transcription. In these cells the peptide displaces HMG-17 from chromatin and reduces the cellular content of the protein. These results suggest that the presence of HMG-14/-17 in chromatin is required for efficient polymerase II transcription. In non-permeabilized, actively transcribing cells, the protein is dispersed in a punctate pattern, throughout the nucleus. Upon transcriptional inhibition by alpha-amanitin or actinomycin D, the protein gradually redistributes until it localizes fully to interchromatin granule clusters, together with the splicing factor SC35. The results suggest that the association of HMG-17 with chromatin is dynamic rather than static, and that in the absence of transcription, HMG-17 is released from chromatin and accumulates in interchromatin granule clusters. Thus, the intranuclear distribution of chromosomal proteins which act as architectural elements of chromatin structure may be dynamic and functionally related to the transcriptional activity of the cell

Impact of Yeast Strain on Ester Levels and Fruity Aroma Persistence during Aging of Bordeaux Red Wines

The impact of yeast and lactic acid bacteria strains on the fruity aroma of red wines was investigated by sensory and analytical strategies. The ester composition of four different Bordeaux red wines was quantified by HS-SPME-GC/MS. These wines, made with selected yeast and bacteria strains, were investigated at the end of alcoholic fermentation and regularly until 12 months of aging, during 2011 and 2012 vintages. Sensory analyses of wines after 3 and 12 months of aging revealed significant differences with regard to yeast strains. Bacteria seemed to have only a slight impact on changes in aromatic profile. Ester levels were strongly influenced by yeast strain and very little affected by malolactic fermentation and aging. Differences and similarities between sensory data and ester profile are discussed. This study highlights the importance of yeast strains in red winemaking. Their sensory impact remains despite the other vinification steps after alcoholic fermentation