Gene Discovery in Gelsemium Highlights Conserved Gene Clusters in Monoterpene Indole Alkaloid Biosynthesis

Genome mining is a routine technique in microbes for discovering biosynthetic pathways. In plants, however, genomic information is not commonly used to identify novel biosynthesis genes. Here, we present the genome of the medicinal plant and oxindole monoterpene indole alkaloid (MIA) producer Gelsemium sempervirens (Gelsemiaceae). A gene cluster from Catharanthus roseus, which is utilized at least six enzymatic steps downstream from the last common intermediate shared between the two plant alkaloid types, is found in G. sempervirens, although the corresponding enzymes act on entirely different substrates. This study provides insights into the common genomic context of MIA pathways and is an important milestone in the further elucidation of the Gelsemium oxindole alkaloid pathway.     

2D Ginzburg-Landau System of Complex Modulation for Coupled Nonlinear Transmission Lines

In this paper a coupled mono-inductance transmission line is considered and the envelope modulation is reduced to the generalized 2D-Ginzburg-Landau system (2D-GL system). The case of scalar equation is also considered and we deduce from the obtained 2D-GL system a 2D-cubic Ginzburg-Landau equation (2D-GL equation) containing the derivatives with respect to one spatial variable in the cubic terms. The obtained 2D-GL system and 2D-GL equation admit spatial wave solutions. The modulational instability of these spatial wave solutions is investigated. In the case of the 2D-GL system we have restricted ourselves in the zero wavenumber of the perturbations, and the obtained modulational instability conditions depends only on the system’s coefficients and the wavenumber of the carriers. The modulational instability criterion is established for non zero wavenumber of the perturbation, and depends on both the wavenumber of the perturbation and the carrier. For the 2D-GL system we also study the coherent structures and present some numerical studies.      

PD pattern analysis during induced test of large power transformers

The partial discharge (PD) measurements on power transformers are studied with a view toward discrimination and classification of different discharge sources. For this purpose digital analysis is applied to power transformers and reactors going through acceptance testing. Furthermore, based on these measurements, PD databases have been developed to support the discharge evaluation during induced voltage tests of transformers. Using this technique, a clear distinction is possible between transformers showing different discharge behavior     

WAIS-R Information subtest item bias for Canadian high school students.

The WAIS-R Information subtest was combined with 21 potential substitute Canadian content items and group-administered to 119 high school students ranging in age from 16 to 19 years. Seven acceptable substitute items were identified. Mean scores on the American items for the 16-17 and 18-19 age groups suggested that Canadians of these ages are not penalized by American content with respect to either Verbal or Full Scale IQ. Nevertheless, the research identified eight Information items, four easier and four more difficult than the standard WAIS-R implies. Similar results were noted in two previous studies of the WAIS-R, and indicate the extreme caution required for the clinical interpretation of intra test scatter. There is also evidence that item difficulty within the Information subtest may vary with the age of the subject. These results were considered indicative of the necessity for Canadian content Information items and the development of Canadian norms for an adapted WAIS-R Information subtest. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Différences individuelles au niveau des croyances erronées à l'égard des inquiétudes.

Erroneous beliefs have been identified as key variables related to the development and maintenance of excessive worry. For example, people presenting a high level of worry often believe that worrying helps them to prevent the occurrence of future negative events or translates a positive characteristic of their personality. They thus develop excessive and uncontrollable worries in order to maintain the perceived advantages. The factors related to the development and the maintenance of erroneous beliefs about worry are however unknown. The aim of this study was to verify the relationship between erroneous beliefs and personal variables (i.e., gender, worry themes, and predominant types of worries) in a sample of 544 participants. Analyses showed that beliefs differed significantly according to the gender, but not according to the predominant types of worries. School concerns were significantly associated with the belief that worry helps to motivate. This study brings preliminary useful information to better understand the presence of erroneous beliefs about worries and suggests conducting further researches using other personal variables and clinical samples. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Complex random matrices and Rician channel capacity

Eigenvalue densities of complex noncentral Wishart matrices are investigated to study an open problem in information theory. Specifically, the largest, smallest, and joint eigenvalue densities of complex noncentral Wishart matrices are derived. These densities are expressed in terms of complex zonal polynomials and invariant polynomials. A connection between the complex Wishart matrix theory and information theory is given. This facilitates evaluation of the most important information-theoretic measure, the so-called ergodic channel capacity. In particular, the capacity of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) Rician distributed channels is investigated. We consider both spatially correlated and uncorrelated MIMO Rician channels and derive exact and easily computable tight upper bound formulas for ergodic capacities. Numerical results are also given, which show how the channel correlation degrades the capacity of the communication system.Translated from Problemy Peredachi Informatsii, No. 1, 2005, pp. 3–27.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Ratnarajah, Vaillancourt, Alvo.This work was partially supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.     

Effects of STN DBS on memory guided force control in Parkinson's disease (June 2007).

This study examined the control of elbow force in nine patients with Parkinson's disease when visual feedback was available and when visual feedback was removed to determine how medication (Meds) and unilateral deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) affect memory guided force control. Patients were examined in each of four treatment conditions: 1) off treatment; 2) Meds; 3) STN DBS; and 4) Meds plus STN DBS. With visual feedback available, there was no difference in force output across treatment conditions. When visual feedback was removed force output drifted under the target in both the off-treatment and the Meds conditions. However, when on STN DBS or Meds plus STN DBS force output drifted above the target. As such, only STN DBS had a significant effect on force output in the vision removed condition. Increased force output when on STN DBS may have occurred due to disruptions in the basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical circuitry. We suggest that modulation of output of the internal segment of the globus pallidus by STN DBS may drive the effect of STN DBS on memory guided force control.     

Autombile bumper standoff and collision repair cost

Measurements were made on thirty-six 1977–1980 cars concerning the relative placement of certain components known to exhibit high collision repair cost. The intention was to help identify car features that increase collision repair cost. The measurements were developed from a concept termed BUMPER STANDOFF, defined as the shortest head-on distance from the bumper (either the inner edge, or the reference barrier placed at the outer edge, perpendicular to the car's longitudinal axis, depending on the component distance being measured) to specific components exhibiting high repair cost or frequency. High correlations in the range of r = 0.47–0.82 (p < 0.05-< 0.01) were found between the front fender standoff distance and headlamp standoff distance vs. claim cost and claim frequency. The first structure likely to be impacted for our overall sample in a simple head-on collision, after the bumper, was the headlamp(s), front fender, hood, or grille, with correlations between 0.48 and 1.00 (p < 0.05-0.00). The front fender was singled out among the subcompacts, while the grille predominated for the compacts and intermediates (r = 1.000, p = 0). Results from these laboratory measurements are essentially in agreement with those results obtained from actual crashes in other studies. That is, they all share very high damage frequency and claim or repair cost rankings for the front fender and headlamp(s). Likewise, measurements relating to the first structure impacted, after the bumper, hold promise as predictors of component damage frequency and claim frequency, in relation to headlamp, front fender, and possibily hood and grille measurements. Bumper standoff measurements are proposed as useful indications of a passenger car's damageability in low speed collisions.     

Enhancement of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer to human bone marrow cells

Adenovirus infection of CD34+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells is dependent on the multiplicity of infection (MOI), time of incubation, the volume in which the co-incubation occurs and the presence or absence of growth factors. Studies revealed that a brief co-incubation (1-8 hours), resulted in low levels of transgene expression, suggesting that adenovirus infection of CD34+ cells occurs slowly, and optimal transduction requires a 24 hour exposure to adenovirus. Infection by Ad/beta-gal or Ad/p53 at a MOI of 500:1 provided a high transduction efficiency but inhibited hematopoietic function. However, treatment at a MOI of 50-100 resulted in efficient transduction (10.7-15.7% positive) without detectable toxicity. Secondary proof of adenovirus transgene expression was demonstrated by detection of mRNA for p53 in Ad/p53 infected stem cells. We conclude that a 24 hour exposure to recombinant adenovirus encoding p53 or beta-gal, at a MOI of 50-100 is optimal for in vitro gene transfer to BM cells and has no significant effect on hematopoietic function. Adenovirus-mediated transduction of BM cells can also be modulated by growth factors (IL-3, GM-CSF and G-CSF) with improved gene delivery and maintenance of hematopoietic function. In summary, adenovirus vectors can be used to transiently transduce stem cells, and conditions have been defined to maximize expression and limit inhibitory effects on CD34+ cells. These data support continued investigation of this vector for local cytokine delivery and purging of stem cell products.