An iterative algorithm for parametrization of shortest length shift registers over finite rings

The construction of shortest feedback shift registers for a finite sequence S_1,...,S_N is considered over the finite ring Z_{p^r}. A novel algorithm is presented that yields a parametrization of all shortest feedback shift registers for the sequence of numbers S_1,...,S_N, thus solving an open problem in the literature. The algorithm iteratively processes each number, starting with S_1, and constructs at each step a particular type of minimal Gr\"obner basis. The construction involves a simple update rule at each step which leads to computational efficiency. It is shown that the algorithm simultaneously computes a similar parametrization for the reciprocal sequence S_N,...,S_1.Comment: Submitte

Mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK-M) and serine biosynthetic pathway genes are co-ordinately increased during anabolic agent-induced skeletal muscle growth

We aimed to identify novel molecular mechanisms for muscle growth during administration of anabolic agents. Growing pigs (Duroc/(Landrace/Large-White)) were administered Ractopamine (a beta-adrenergic agonist; BA; 20ppm in feed) or Reporcin (recombinant growth hormone; GH; 10mg/48hours injected) and compared to a control cohort (feed only; no injections) over a 27-day time course (1, 3, 7, 13 or 27-days). Longissimus Dorsi muscle gene expression was analyzed using Agilent porcine transcriptome microarrays and clusters of genes displaying similar expression profiles were identified using a modified maSigPro clustering algorithm. Anabolic agents increased carcass (p=0.002) and muscle weights (Vastus Lateralis: p<0.001; Semitendinosus: p=0.075). Skeletal muscle mRNA expression of serine/one-carbon/glycine biosynthesis pathway genes (Phgdh, Psat1 and Psph) and the gluconeogenic enzyme, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase-M (Pck2/PEPCK-M), increased during treatment with BA, and to a lesser extent GH (p<0.001, treatment x time interaction). Treatment with BA, but not GH, caused a 2-fold increase in phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH) protein expression at days 3 (p<0.05) and 7 (p<0.01), and a 2-fold increase in PEPCK-M protein expression at day 7 (p<0.01). BA treated pigs exhibit a profound increase in expression of PHGDH and PEPCK-M in skeletal muscle, implicating a role for biosynthetic metabolic pathways in muscle growth

Early Exposure of Infants to GI Nematodes Induces Th2 Dominant Immune Responses Which Are Unaffected by Periodic Anthelminthic Treatment

We have previously shown a reduction in anaemia and wasting malnutrition in infants <3 years old in Pemba Island, Zanzibar, following repeated anthelminthic treatment for the endemic gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm and Trichuris trichiura. In view of the low intensity of worm infections in this age group, this was unexpected, and it was proposed that immune responses to the worms rather than their direct effects may play a significant role in morbidity in infants and that anthelminthic treatment may alleviate such effects. Therefore, the primary aims of this study were to characterise the immune response to initial/early GI nematode infections in infants and the effects of anthelminthic treatment on such immune responses. The frequency and levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines (IL-5, IL-13, IFN-γ and IL-10) induced by the worms were evaluated in 666 infants aged 6–24 months using the Whole Blood Assay. Ascaris and hookworm antigens induced predominantly Th2 cytokine responses, and levels of IL-5 and IL-13 were significantly correlated. The frequencies and levels of responses were higher for both Ascaris positive and hookworm positive infants compared with worm negative individuals, but very few infants made Trichuris-specific cytokine responses. Infants treated every 3 months with mebendazole showed a significantly lower prevalence of infection compared with placebo-treated controls at one year following baseline. At follow-up, cytokine responses to Ascaris and hookworm antigens, which remained Th2 biased, were increased compared with baseline but were not significantly affected by treatment. However, blood eosinophil levels, which were elevated in worm-infected children, were significantly lower in treated children. Thus the effect of deworming in this age group on anaemia and wasting malnutrition, which were replicated in this study, could not be explained by modification of cytokine responses but may be related to eosinophil function

The Beta-adrenergic agonist, Ractopamine, increases skeletal muscle expression of Asparagine Synthetase as part of an integrated stress response gene program

Abstract Synthetic beta-adrenergic agonists (BA) have broad biomedical and agricultural application for increasing lean body mass, yet a poor understanding of the biology underpinning these agents is limiting further drug discovery potential. Growing female pigs (77 ± 7 kg) were administered the BA, Ractopamine (20 ppm in feed), or the recombinant growth hormone (GH), Reporcin (10 mg/48 hrs injected) for 1, 3, 7, 13 (n = 10 per treatment, per time point) or 27 days (n = 15 per treatment). Using RNA-sequencing and inferred pathway analysis, we examined temporal changes to the Longissimus Dorsi skeletal muscle transcriptome (n = 3 per treatment, per time point) relative to a feed-only control cohort. Gene expression changes were affirmed by quantitative-PCR on all samples (n = 164). RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that BA treatment had greater effects than GH, and that asparagine synthetase (Asns) was the 5th most significantly increased gene by BA at day 3. ASNS protein expression was dramatically increased by BA treatment at day 7 (p < 0.05). The most significantly increased gene at day 3 was activating transcription factor 5 (Atf5), a transcription factor known to regulate ASNS gene expression. Gene and protein expression of Atf4, another known regulator of Asns expression, was not changed by BA treatment. Expression of more than 20 known Atf4 target genes were increased by BA treatment, suggesting that BA treatment induces an integrated stress response (ISR) in skeletal muscle of pigs. In support of this, mRNA expression of sestrin-2 (Sesn2) and cyclin-dependant kinase 1 alpha (Cdkn1a), two key stress-responsive genes and negative regulators of cellular growth, were also strongly increased from day 3 of BA treatment. Finally, tRNA charging was the most significantly enriched pathway induced by BA treatment, suggesting alterations to the translational capacity/efficiency of the muscle. BA-mediated changes to the skeletal muscle transcriptome are highly indicative of an integrated stress response (ISR), particularly genes relating to amino acid biosynthesis and protein translational capacity

An ecological halo surrounding a large offshore artificial reef: Sediments, infauna, and fish foraging

Artificial reefs are deployed in coastal systems to meet a range of social objectives and infrastructure requirements, such as recreational diving and fisheries enhancement. Such reefs are typically deployed on soft sediments and yet we know little of their effect on the biophysical characteristics of the surrounding benthos. This study investigated the composition of benthic infauna, sediment characteristics, and demersal fish foraging activity surrounding a large, steel, designed offshore artificial reef (OAR), measuring 12 m × 16 m x 12 m (height x length x width) and weighing approximately 42 tonnes. Using a gradient approach we established four transects with sediment sampling sites located 15, 30, 60, 120 and 240 m from the OAR. Taxon richness of infauna was lower close to the OAR (15, 30 m), and abundances of total infauna elevated at 15 m, driven largely by two families of polychaete (Onuphidae and Spionidae). Sediment characteristics (grain size, total organic carbon, metals) did not vary with distance from the OAR. Using unbaited videos we established that fish foraging activity on the soft sediments was enhanced close to the OAR (15 m), with a 5–10 fold increase in total foraging time that was largely accounted for by the activity of four benthivorous fish species (blue morwong Nemadactylus douglasii, the silver trevally Pseudocaranx georgianus, and goatfishes Upeneichthys vlamingii and U. lineatus). Fish foraging may cause changes in the composition of benthic infauna due to disturbance and selective predation. The effective benthic ‘ecological halo’ or ‘footprint’ of the OAR was 15 times the area of the actual reef. We demonstrate that a single large OAR can influence the surrounding benthic invertebrate and vertebrate communities, but that the effects are highly localised

Deep Learning for Driverless Vehicles

Automation is becoming a large component of many industries in the 21st century, in areas ranging from manufacturing, communications and transportation. Automation has offered promised returns of improvements in safety, productivity and reduced costs. Many industry leaders are specifically working on the application of autonomous technology in transportation to produce “driverless” or fully autonomous vehicles. A key technology that has the potential to drive the future development of these vehicles is deep learning. Deep learning has been an area of interest in machine learning for decades now but has only come into widespread application in recent years. While traditional analytical control systems and computer vision techniques have in the past been adequate for the fundamental proof of concept of autonomous vehicles, this review of current and emerging technologies demonstrates these short comings and the road map for overcoming them with deep learning