The yeast ISW1b ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler is critical for nucleosome spacing and dinucleosome resolution

Isw1 and Chd1 are ATP-dependent nucleosome-spacing enzymes required to establish regular arrays of phased nucleosomes near transcription start sites of yeast genes. Cells lacking both Isw1 and Chd1 have extremely disrupted chromatin, with weak phasing, irregular spacing and a propensity to form close-packed dinucleosomes. The Isw1 ATPase subunit occurs in two different remodeling complexes: ISW1a (composed of Isw1 and Ioc3) and ISW1b (composed of Isw1, Ioc2 and Ioc4). The Ioc4 subunit of ISW1b binds preferentially to the H3-K36me3 mark. Here we show that ISW1b is primarily responsible for setting nucleosome spacing and resolving close-packed dinucleosomes, whereas ISW1a plays only a minor role. ISW1b and Chd1 make additive contributions to dinucleosome resolution, such that neither enzyme is capable of resolving all dinucleosomes on its own. Loss of the Set2 H3-K36 methyltransferase partly phenocopies loss of Ioc4, resulting in increased dinucleosome levels with only a weak effect on nucleosome spacing, suggesting that Set2-mediated H3-K36 trimethylation contributes to ISW1b-mediated dinucleosome separation. The H4 tail domain is required for normal nucleosome spacing but not for dinucleosome resolution. We conclude that the nucleosome spacing and dinucleosome resolving activities of ISW1b and Chd1 are critical for normal global chromatin organisation.

Effects of rumble strip parameters on acoustics, vibration, and perception

Rumble strips aim to alert the driver of dangerous situations via acoustic and tactile stimulation. They can, however, also lead to increased noise in the surroundings. Strip parameters and the vehicle type determines the size of these acoustic and vibratory effects. In our work, 16 rumble strip types (including strips with irregular spacing) were evaluated with respect to their effects on acoustics, vibration, and perception. Interior and exterior emissions caused by controlled pass-overs of a car and a truck were recorded. Annoyance, urgency, and reaction time of 16 listeners were tested in a laboratory experiment and models mapping acoustics to perception were developed. Steering wheel and seat vibrations were acquired. Our results show a high correlation of interior and exterior noise. The loudness level was the best predictor of perceived annoyance and urgency. Irregular spacing reduced the tonality at the cost of a difficult production process. While a large variety of strip types produced a sufficient acoustic effect in the passenger car, the acoustic response was lower in the truck. Combined with the low vibration levels found in the truck, an identification of an optimal strip type for both vehicle types turns out to be difficult.

rAAV-related therapy fully rescues myonuclear and myofilament function in X-linked myotubular myopathy

X-linked myotubular myopathy (XLMTM) is a life-threatening skeletal muscle disease caused by mutations in the MTM1 gene. XLMTM fibres display a population of nuclei mispositioned in the centre. In the present study, we aimed to explore whether positioning and overall distribution of nuclei affects cellular organization and contractile function, thereby contributing to muscle weakness in this disease. We also assessed whether gene therapy alters nuclear arrangement and function. We used tissue from human patients and animal models, including XLMTM dogs that had received increasing doses of recombinant AAV8 vector restoring MTM1 expression (rAAV8-cMTM1). We then used single isolated muscle fibres to analyze nuclear organization and contractile function. In addition to the expected mislocalization of nuclei in the centre of muscle fibres, a novel form of nuclear mispositioning was observed: irregular spacing between those located at the fibre periphery, and an overall increased number of nuclei, leading to dramatically smaller and inconsistent myonuclear domains. Nuclear mislocalization was associated with decreases in global nuclear synthetic activity, contractile protein content and intrinsic myofilament force production. A contractile deficit originating at the myofilaments, rather than mechanical interference by centrally positioned nuclei, was supported by experiments in regenerated mouse muscle. Systemic administration of rAAV8-cMTM1 at doses higher than 2.5 × 1013 vg kg−1 allowed a full rescue of all these cellular defects in XLMTM dogs. Altogether, these findings identify previously unrecognized pathological mechanisms in human and animal XLMTM, associated with myonuclear defects and contractile filament function. These defects can be reversed by gene therapy restoring MTM1 expression in dogs with XLMTM.

Visual Tension

Although tension perception is well investigated in the music domain, its determinants in visual displays are still largely unexplored. Furthermore, the distinctive role of tension and arousal in affect theory is still debated. The study aimed to assess how geometrical and graphical transformations of basic visual shapes can affect perceived tension and arousal. The geometrical transformations were angle amplitude, rotation, position within a frame, symmetry, verticality, angularity, size, and regularity in spacing, while the graphical transformation regarded contrast. The sample included 122 participants. Perceived tension was significantly higher in angles with small amplitude, squares that were slightly rotated and not in the upright position, the upper and right areas within a rectangle, angular shapes, high-contrasted graphical transitions, asymmetrical shapes, vertical shapes, and dot patterns with irregular spacing. Overall, there was a moderate correlation between perception of tension and perception of arousal, although in some specific features, tension exhibited a dissociation from arousal, suggesting a distinctive role of tension in affect theory.

Large prolapse-related lesions of the sigmoid colon

Background Large prolapse-related lesions (LPRL) of the sigmoid colon have been documented histologically but may not be readily recognized endoscopically. Methods Colonic lesions referred for endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) were enrolled prospectively. Endoscopic features were carefully documented prior to resection. Final diagnosis was made based on established histologic criteria, including vascular congestion, hemosiderin deposition, fibromuscular hyperplasia, and crypt distortion. Results Of 134 large ( ≥ 20 mm) sigmoid lesions, 12 (9.0 %) had histologic features consistent with mucosal prolapse. Distinct endoscopic features were: broad-based morphology; vascular pattern obscured by dusky hyperemia; blurred crypts of varying size and shape; and irregular spacing of sparse crypts. Focal histologic dysplasia was identified in 6 of 12 lesions (50.0 %). Conclusions LPRL of the sigmoid colon exhibit a distinct endoscopic profile. Although generally non-neoplastic, dysplasia may be present, warranting consideration of EMR.

The yeast ISW1b ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler is critical for nucleosome spacing and dinucleosome resolution

Isw1 and Chd1 are ATP-dependent nucleosome-spacing enzymes required to establish regular arrays of phased nucleosomes near transcription start sites of yeast genes. Cells lacking both Isw1 and Chd1 have extremely disrupted chromatin, with weak phasing, irregular spacing and a propensity to form closed-packed dinucleosomes. The Isw1 ATPase subunit occurs in two different remodeling complexes: ISW1a (composed of Isw1 and Ioc3) and ISW1b (composed of Isw1, Ioc2 and Ioc4). The Ioc4 subunit of ISW1b binds preferentially to the H3-K36me3 mark. Here we show that ISW1b is primarily responsible for setting nucleosome spacing and resolving close-packed dinucleosomes, whereas ISW1a plays only a minor role. ISW1b and Chd1 make additive contributions to dinucleosome resolution, such that neither enzyme is capable of resolving all dinucleosomes on its own. Loss of the Set2 H3-K36 methyltransferase partly phenocopies loss of Ioc4, resulting in increased dinucleosome levels with only a weak effect on nucleosome spacing, suggesting that Set2-mediated H3-K36 trimethylation contributes to ISW1b-mediated dinucleosome separation. The H4 tail domain is required for normal nucleosome spacing but not for dinucleosome resolution. We conclude that the nucleosome spacing and dinucleosome resolving activities of ISW1b and Chd1 are critical for normal global chromatin organisation.

PELATIHAN TEKNIK BUDIDAYA UBIKAYU NUABOSI MENGGUNAKAN TEKNOLOGI POLA TANAM TUMPANGSARI DENGAN TANAMAN LEGUM DI DESA RANDOTONDA KECAMATAN ENDE KABUPATEN ENDE

AbstrakMitra dalam pelaksanaan kegiatan pengabdian ini adalah kelompok tani Kema Tau Pawe, yang dibentuk tahun 2010. Salah satu komoditas tanaman pangan yang dibudidayakan yaitu ubikayu varietas lokal Nuabosi. Ubikayu ini merupakan komoditas unggulan daerah. Permasalahan utama, teknik budidaya masih dilakukan secara konvensional, petani belum membuat guludan, tanpa pemupukan, jarak tanam yang tidak teratur, dan jarang melakukan pembersihan gulma, sehingga produktivitasnya rendah. Tujuan pelaksanaan pengabdian untuk melakukan perbaikan teknis budidaya menggunakan teknologi pola tanam tumpangsari ubikayu dan tanaman legum. Metode yang digunakan, penyuluhan dan pelatihan. Kegiatan pengabdian ini diawali dengan penyuluhan teknik budidaya. Materi pelatihan meliputi, teknik pembuatan guludan, pemanfaatan sereza dan pengaplikasian promi, pelatihan pola tanam tumpangsari serta pelatihan pembersihan gulma dan pembumbunan. Dari pretest dan posttest yang diberikan terjadi peningkat nilai yang signifikan pada posttest. Pada materi teknik pembuatan guludan rata-rata pretest 5,68, posttest meningkat sebesar 12,6, materi pemanfaatan sereza dan pemberian promi, rata-rata pretest 5,52, posttest meningkat sebesar 13,64, materi pola tanam tumpangsari rata-rata pretest 5,6, posttest meningkat sebesar 13,56 dan untuk materi pembumbunan dan pembersihan gulma, rata-rata pretest 5,52, posttest meningkat sebesar 14,2. Perbaikan teknis budidaya meliputi; pembuatan guludan, pemanfaatan sereza dan pengaplikasian promi, polatanam tumpangsari, pembersihan gulma dan pembumbunan. Kata Kunci: Tumpangsari Legum, Ubikayu Nuabosi AbstractPartner in the implementation of community service activity was Kema Tau Pawe farmer group, which was formed in 2010. One of the food crop commodities cultivated by this farmer group was Nuabosi cassava, in which this cassava was their regional superior commodity. The main problem of Nuabosi cassava cultivation was that the cultivation technique was still performed conventionally, in which farmers did not make mounds, did not perform fertilization, planted the plants in irregular spacing, and rarely performed weed control, so that it led to the low productivity. The specific objective of the implementation of this service activity was to carry out technical improvements in Nuabosi cassava cultivation using the Nuabosi cassava intercropping system with legumes. Methods used were counseling and training methods. The community service activity was begun with counseling about cultivation techniques. There were four materials provided in training, such as techniques for making mounds, the use of cereals and application of promi, training in intercropping system and training for weed control and embellishments. Based on pretest and posttest given to famer group for the four materials, it was found that there was significant increase in the posttest score. First, in the material containing techniques for making mounds, the average of pretest score was 5.68, and it increased in the posttest, which was 12.6. Next, in the material about the use of cereals and application of promi, the average of pretest score was 5.52, and it increased in the posttest, which was 13.64. Then, in the material about intercropping system the average of pretest score was 5.6, and it increased in the posttest, which was 13,56. The last, in the material about weed control and embellishments, the average of pretest score was 5.52, and it increased in the posttest, which was 14.2. Technical improvements for cultivation include; making mounds, the use of cereals and application of promi, intercropping, weed control and embellishments. Keywords: Intercropping Legumes, Nuabosi Cassava

Seismic response to paleo-sand dunes in the Nugget Sandstone Formation, southwestern Wyoming

We have analyzed a 3D seismic survey acquired for a carbon sequestration project on top of the Moxa Arch in southwestern Wyoming. We observed a zone of discontinuous reflectors on vertical slices of seismic amplitude volume, whereas, the northwest–southeast lineations were observed on the time slices. We performed a seismic to well tie that suggested that the lineations occur within the Nugget Sandstone. The Nugget Sandstone is an eolian sandstone deposit of Early Jurassic age, deposited as a subtropical dune field, and equivalent to the Navajo Sandstone of southwestern Utah. Petrophysical analysis indicates that the Nugget Sandstone is dominated by clean sandstone (70%–80%), whereas evaporites, including halite and anhydrite, are present in certain zones. Previous outcrop studies on the Navajo Sandstone indicate the wind direction to be predominantly northeast–southwest. Seismic attributes, including coherence and curvature, displayed on stratal slices within the Nugget Sandstone interval indicate the presence of lineations in the northwest–southeast direction with irregular spacing. These lineations are approximately perpendicular to the inferred dominant wind direction. We computed the dominant wind direction from the average azimuth of the lineations as seen on the curvature attribute in the Nugget Sandstone interval. Geological feature: Eolian sand dunes with interdunal evaporites Seismic appearance: Parallel lineations with irregular spacing on seismic attribute horizon slices Alternative interpretations: Canyons at continental slopes; slope failures Features with a similar appearance: Marine bars; contourites Formation: The Nugget Sandstone — equivalent to the Navajo Sandstone Age: Early Jurassic Location: Moxa Arch, Wyoming Seismic data: Obtained by the University of Wyoming with U.S. DOE funding Contributors: Dhruv Agrawal, Brady Lujan, Sumit Verma, Shuvajit Bhattacharya, and Subhashis Mallick Analysis tools: Coherence and curvature attributes; seismic inversion; petrophysical inversion

Types of handwriting and signs of dysgraphia in children and adolescents with learning difficultie

ABSTRACT Purpose: to characterize handwriting aspects of children and adolescents with complaints of learning difficulties, based on the type of handwriting they used. Methods: thirty-two children and adolescents participated in the study. They were first to eighth graders of both sexes, aged 7 to 15 years, with complaints of learning difficulties. The participants were divided according to the type of letter they used: SG1 (block letters), SG2 (cursive letters), and SG3 (mixed letters). A themed composition was analyzed with an adapted Dysgraphia Scale. Afterwards, the score obtained in the items of the Dysgraphia Scale was statistically analyzed, comparing the results between the three groups, between SG1 and SG2, SG1 and SG3, and SG2 and SG3. Appropriate statistical tests were applied, considering as significant the p-value < 0.05. Results: no difference was found regarding the groups’ age and schooling level. As for the items in the Scale, there was a difference between the three groups regarding irregular spacing in between words, collisions and adhesions, and total score. Signs of dysgraphia were observed in the three groups, according to the Scale’s criteria. Conclusion: changes in handwriting are common in children with learning difficulties, especially when they write using cursive and mixed letters.