Preliminary Study on a System for Visualization of Big Data in SMEs

The 2012 White Paper on Information and Communications in Japan issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan advocates use of big data under its “Special Theme: ICT-induced and accelerated Disaster Recovery and Japan’s Re-birth.” However, the analysis in the Japan Users Association of Information Systems’ white paper on its 2014 IT trend survey for companies reports that less than 10% of companies utilize big data, and it would appear that progress in its use is centered on large firms. Under such conditions, use of big data is becoming a challenge for the purpose of ensuring the survival and success of SMEs as well. As a result, R&D and technological support for SMEs are becoming pressing issues. However, at present there has been almost no academic research concerning policies and future directions for use of big data at SMEs. Accordingly, this study conducted the modelization of the procedure for visualization of big data for SMEs. Specifically, we organized the procedure as a tutorial, from obtaining data of Japanese hot-spring areas using web scraping, to visualizing them using the visualization software Cytoscape

Chinese Contextual Issues of the Convergence of International Financial Reporting Standards

1. Introduction 2. Theoretical Framework 3. Chinese Accounting Environment 3.1 Social Environment 3.2 Organizational Environment 3.3 Professional Environment 3.4 Individual Environment 3.5 Accounting Environment 4. Analysis and Discussion 4.1 Endorsement 4.2 Cost of IFRSs Implementation 4.3 Interpretation of IFRSs 4.4 Translation of IFRSs 4.5 Necessity of Consistent Training and Education 5. Summary and Concluding Remark

Selection and Validation of Appropriate Reference Genes for qRT-PCR Analysis in Isatis indigotica Fort.

Due to its sensitivity and specificity, real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) is a popular technique for investigating gene expression levels in plants. Based on the Minimum Information for Publication of Real-Time Quantitative PCR Experiments (MIQE) guidelines, it is necessary to select and validate putative appropriate reference genes for qRT-PCR normalization. In the current study, three algorithms, geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper, were applied to assess the expression stability of 10 candidate reference genes across five different tissues and three different abiotic stresses in Isatis indigotica Fort. Additionally, the IiYUC6 gene associated with IAA biosynthesis was applied to validate the candidate reference genes. The analysis results of the geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper algorithms indicated certain differences for the different sample sets and different experiment conditions. Considering all of the algorithms, PP2A-4 and TUB4 were recommended as the most stable reference genes for total and different tissue samples, respectively. Moreover, RPL15 and PP2A-4 were considered to be the most suitable reference genes for abiotic stress treatments. The obtained experimental results might contribute to improved accuracy and credibility for the expression levels of target genes by qRT-PCR normalization in I. indigotica

RNA Sequencing Identifies Upregulated Kyphoscoliosis Peptidase and Phosphatidic Acid Signaling Pathways in Muscle Hypertrophy Generated by Transgenic Expression of Myostatin Propeptide

Myostatin (MSTN), a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, plays a crucial negative role in muscle growth. MSTN mutations or inhibitions can dramatically increase muscle mass in most mammal species. Previously, we generated a transgenic mouse model of muscle hypertrophy via the transgenic expression of the MSTN N-terminal propeptide cDNA under the control of the skeletal muscle-specific MLC1 promoter. Here, we compare the mRNA profiles between transgenic mice and wild-type littermate controls with a high-throughput RNA sequencing method. The results show that 132 genes were significantly differentially expressed between transgenic mice and wild-type control mice; 97 of these genes were up-regulated, and 35 genes were down-regulated in the skeletal muscle. Several genes that had not been reported to be involved in muscle hypertrophy were identified, including up-regulated myosin binding protein H (mybph), and zinc metallopeptidase STE24 (Zmpste24). In addition, kyphoscoliosis peptidase (Ky), which plays a vital role in muscle growth, was also up-regulated in the transgenic mice. Interestingly, a pathway analysis based on grouping the differentially expressed genes uncovered that cardiomyopathy-related pathways and phosphatidic acid (PA) pathways (Dgki, Dgkz, Plcd4) were up-regulated. Increased PA signaling may increase mTOR signaling, resulting in skeletal muscle growth. The findings of the RNA sequencing analysis help to understand the molecular mechanisms of muscle hypertrophy caused by MSTN inhibition

Candidate Gene Identification of Feed Efficiency and Coat Color Traits in a C57BL/6J × Kunming F2 Mice Population Using Genome-Wide Association Study

Feed efficiency (FE) is a very important trait in livestock industry. Identification of the candidate genes could be of benefit for the improvement of FE trait. Mouse is used as the model for many studies in mammals. In this study, the candidate genes related to FE and coat color were identified using C57BL/6J (C57) × Kunming (KM) F2 mouse population. GWAS results showed that 61 and 2 SNPs were genome-wise suggestive significantly associated with feed conversion ratio (FCR) and feed intake (FI) traits, respectively. Moreover, the Erbin, Msrb2, Ptf1a, and Fgf10 were considered as the candidate genes of FE. The Lpl was considered as the candidate gene of FI. Further, the coat color trait was studied. KM mice are white and C57 ones are black. The GWAS results showed that the most significant SNP was located at chromosome 7, and the closely linked gene was Tyr. Therefore, our study offered useful target genes related to FE in mice; these genes may play similar roles in FE of livestock. Also, we identified the major gene of coat color in mice, which would be useful for better understanding of natural mutation of the coat color in mice

Integrated analysis of genome-wide association studies and 3D epigenomic characteristics reveal the BMP2 gene regulating loin muscle depth in Yorkshire pigs.

BackgroundThe lack of integrated analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and 3D epigenomics restricts a deep understanding of the genetic mechanisms of meat-related traits. With the application of techniques as ChIP-seq and Hi-C, the annotations of cis-regulatory elements in the pig genome have been established, which offers a new opportunity to elucidate the genetic mechanisms and identify major genetic variants and candidate genes that are significantly associated with important economic traits. Among these traits, loin muscle depth (LMD) is an important one as it impacts the lean meat content. In this study, we integrated cis-regulatory elements and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify candidate genes and genetic variants regulating LMD.ResultsFive single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located on porcine chromosome 17 were significantly associated with LMD in Yorkshire pigs. A 10 kb quantitative trait locus (QTL) was identified as a candidate functional genomic region through the integration of linkage disequilibrium and linkage analysis (LDLA) and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) analysis. The BMP2 gene was identified as a candidate gene for LMD based on the integrated results of GWAS, Hi-C meta-analysis, and cis-regulatory element data. The identified QTL region was further verified through target region sequencing. Furthermore, through using dual-luciferase assays and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA), two SNPs, including SNP rs321846600, located in the enhancer region, and SNP rs1111440035, located in the promoter region, were identified as candidate SNPs that may be functionally related to the LMD.ConclusionsBased on the results of GWAS, Hi-C, and cis-regulatory elements, the BMP2 gene was identified as an important candidate gene regulating variation in LMD. The SNPs rs321846600 and rs1111440035 were identified as candidate SNPs that are functionally related to the LMD of Yorkshire pigs. Our results shed light on the advantages of integrating GWAS with 3D epigenomics in identifying candidate genes for quantitative traits. This study is a pioneering work for the identification of candidate genes and related genetic variants regulating one key production trait (LMD) in pigs by integrating genome-wide association studies and 3D epigenomics

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals that Vitamin A Metabolism in the Liver Affects Feed Efficiency in Pigs

Feed efficiency (FE) is essential for pig production. In this study, 300 significantly differentially expressed (DE) transcripts, including 232 annotated genes, 28 cis-natural antisense transcripts (cis-NATs), and 40 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), were identified between the liver of Yorkshire pigs with extremely high and low FE. Among these transcripts, 25 DE lncRNAs were significantly correlated with 125 DE annotated genes at a transcriptional level. These DE genes were enriched primarily in vitamin A (VA), fatty acid, and steroid hormone metabolism. VA metabolism is regulated by energy status, and active derivatives of VA metabolism can regulate fatty acid and steroid hormones metabolism. The key genes of VA metabolism (CYP1A1, ALDH1A2, and RDH16), fatty acid biosynthesis (FASN, SCD, CYP2J2, and ANKRD23), and steroid hormone metabolism (CYP1A1, HSD17B2, and UGT2B4) were significantly upregulated in the liver of high-FE pigs. Previous study with the same samples indicated that the mitochondrial function and energy expenditure were reduced in the muscle tissue of high-FE pigs. In conclusion, VA metabolism in liver tissues plays important roles in the regulation of FE in pigs by affecting energy metabolism, which may mediate fatty acid biosynthesis and steroid hormone metabolism. Furthermore, our results identified novel transcripts, such as cis-NATs and lncRNAs, which are also involved in the regulation of FE in pigs

Domestic Market Saturation and Global Expansion Strategies : In pursuit of the “TOTO Way”

1. はじめに：日本病の打開策 2. 修正三品モデルの援用と日本企業の現状 3. 経営戦略 3.1 「リーダー」ポジション強化のためのTOTO「リモデル」戦略 3.2 「パフォーマンス・クオリティ」を意識したTOTOの海外進出 3.3 「真のグローバル企業」を目指すTOTO「Vプラン2017」 4. 財務分析 4.1 「リモデル」戦略による効率性の改善 4.2 「パフォーマンス・クオリティ」の追求による収益性の向上 4.3 成長性と「TOTO WAY」 5. おわりに : 「TOTO WAY」の追

CRISPR screening of porcine sgRNA library identifies host factors associated with Japanese encephalitis virus replication

Here the authors report the construction of a genome-scale porcine CRISPR/Cas9 library, called PigGeCKO, for screening and analyses of host resistance genes and factors associated with Japanese encephalitis virus replication