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The traditional E-learning system is limited with monitoring attention level of students. The online instructor cannot monitor whether the students remain focus during online autonomous learning. Along with the attention, emotions are also intrinsically related to the way that individuals interact with each other as well as machines. The behavior and emotions can be better understood by a human being to improve the communication but a machine cannot. This gives rise to lack of interest and knowledge gain. To overcome this limitation of the traditional E-learning system EEG sensors are been introduced. Using, EEG we can detect the emotion of the user, by actually looking inside the users brain to check user's mental state and signal waves are generated accordingly as the output which can be used to improve users learning experience. The proposed system is a smart E-learning system which predicts the video based on emotion. The system uses Neurosky Brainwave detector and Random forest Classification method to classify the waves to predict appropriate emotions.

Rising global temperatures may increase the rates of soil organic matter decomposition by heterotrophic microorganisms, potentially accelerating climate change further by releasing additional carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere. However, the possibility that microbial community responses to prolonged warming may modify the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration creates large uncertainty in the strength of this positive feedback. Both compensatory responses (decreasing temperature sensitivity of soil respiration in the long-term) and enhancing responses (increasing temperature sensitivity) have been reported, but the mechanisms underlying these responses are poorly understood. In this study, microbial biomass, community structure and the activities of dehydrogenase and β-glucosidase enzymes were determined for 18 soils that had previously demonstrated either no response or varying magnitude of enhancing or compensatory responses of temperature sensitivity of heterotrophic microbial respiration to prolonged cooling. The soil cooling approach, in contrast to warming experiments, discriminates between microbial community responses and the consequences of substrate depletion, by minimising changes in substrate availability. The initial microbial community composition, determined by molecular analysis of soils showing contrasting respiration responses to cooling, provided evidence that the magnitude of enhancing responses was partly related to microbial community composition. There was also evidence that higher relative abundance of saprophytic Basidiomycota may explain the compensatory response observed in one soil, but neither microbial biomass nor enzymatic capacity were significantly affected by cooling. Our findings emphasise the key importance of soil microbial community responses for feedbacks to global change, but also highlight important areas where our understanding remains limited.

This paper demonstrates the framework for multi-object tracking using TLD background. We examine long-term tracking of object in a video stream. The object is characterized by its location and extent in the video frame. In every next frame, the aim is to calculate the location and extent of object or indicate that object is not present. There are different algorithms which perceive the object in real-time. This system proposes a model which uses modified template matching algorithm based on SURF algorithm and squared difference error method. The template matching is done based on comparison of image features. SURF algorithm of template matching is based on feature point detection from images whereas as the template matching is based on pixel feature comparison. We develop a novel method of tracking based upon template tracking algorithm which crops the region of interest(ROI) from the selected live object from a video stream from trained object database. Matching feature is found by applying principle component analysis.

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the potential of Eudragit EPO nanoparticles (EPO NP) in improving therapeutic efficacy of meloxicam (MLX). MLX loaded EPO NP were prepared by nanoprecipitation method and were characterized for particle size, encapsulation efficiency and for morphology. The in vitro dissolution profile of MLX loaded EPO NP and MLX suspension was evaluated. MLX loaded EPO NP had particle size of approximately 100 nm and the encapsulation efficiency of MLX was approximately 90%. The EPO NP significantly improved anti-inflammatory activity of MLX (P < 0.01) as compared to that of MLX suspension. The enhanced anti-inflammatory effect was maintained for a longer duration (6 h) in case of MLX loaded EPO NP Oral administration of MLX loaded EPO NP also resulted in lesser ulcerogenicity as compared to that of MLX suspension indicating that nanoparticles can also decrease the adverse effects associated with MLX treatment.

Introduction La retinophotographie en couleur est un outil de depistage permettant de palier a certains facteurs limitant le nombre de patients depistes et retardant la prise en charge de la retinopathie diabetique (RD), notamment la difficulte d’acces a l’ophtalmologue. Objectif Evaluer le degre de concordance entre les resultats de la retinographie et du fond d’œil dans le depistage de la RD. Patients et methodes Etude prospective analytique incluant des patients diabetiques hospitalises au service d’endocrinologie-diabetologie du CHU de Casablanca (mars 2017–decembre 2017). Cinq cliches par œil etaient pris sur un retinographe Topcon TRC NW 300 par un medecin. Nos resultats ont ete compares a celui de l’examen du fond d’œil, realise par un ophtalmologue. La concordance a ete evaluee par le test de Cohen. Resultats Au total 133 patients ont ete depistes, majoritairement des patients diabetiques type 2 (65 %). L’âge moyen etait de 43 ans. L’HbA1c moyenne etait a 10,6 % et l’anciennete moyenne du diabete de 8 ans. La prevalence de la RD dans notre echantillon etait de 35 %. Apres analyse des resultats obtenus par les deux methodes, le coefficient kappa de Cohen etait de 0,7324, ce qui signifie un accord satisfaisant. Discussion Notre etude montre que cette technique validee et prouvee reproductible par de nombreuses etudes, constitue un moyen de depistage fiable et accessible. Elle permet d’ameliorer efficacement le depistage de la RD et l’optimisation de la prise en charge ophtalmologique.

Films of a catalytic compound (RuO 2 ) were deposited by spin-coating process on ferroelectric films mainly constituted of SrBi 2 Ta 2 O 9 (SBT) and Ba 2 NaNb 5 O 15 (BNN) phases. SBT films were deposited by MOCVD method, and BNN films were deposited by sputtering. After thermal treatment under air, these ferroelectric-catalytic systems were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM images showed that RuO 2 film morphology depended on substrate nature. A study of CH 4 conversion into CO 2 and H 2 O was carried out using these catalytic-ferroelectric multilayers: the conversion was analyzed from Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, at various temperatures. Improved catalytic properties were observed for RuO 2 films deposited on BNN oxide layer.

This paper presents a SIC MOSFET based high power solid state 2 MHz RF source for RF driven H− ion source. This is based on a class-D, half-bridge with series resonance LC topology, operating slightly above resonance frequency (near to 2 MHz), unlike other high power RF source, it doesn't need impedance matching network in between the source and the load, in order to transfer maximum power to the load. The proposed RF source is based on the 3rd generation SIC power MOSFET's, the deposited power in the antenna is varied by changing the voltage of the DC source. The electrical parameters of H− ion source RF antenna parameters were measured with VNA using Smith chart. These measured RF antenna parameters were used to calculate the series resonance capacitor. These calculated values were verified initially using simulation software LT-spice IV and Elsie, and reported in this paper. The reactive power generated by the source is negligible, as the voltage and current supplied by the source are nearly in phase. The simulation results have been verified using a laboratory experimental prototype developed for a power of 4 kW, 2 msec pulse width at 2 Hz repetition rate.

Central nervous system aspergillosis has increased dramatically in recent years. Most patients are immunocompromised and infected from a primary site, usually the lungs or paranasal sinuses, from where the organism spreads to the central nervous system. We report the case of a 7-year-old immunocompetent girl who presented with high-grade fever with chills and developed hemiplegia with facial palsy. Imaging showed multiple, confluent, infiltrative ring enhancing lesions in the right cerebral hemisphere associated with perilesional edema and mass effect. On craniotomy, the lesion was an abscess, which was drained. Histological examination of the abscess wall showed aspergillus hyphae. The patient died 12 days after surgical drainage.

A metagenome expression library of bulk DNA extracted from the rumen content of a dairy cow was established in a phage lambda vector and activity-based screening employed to explore the functional diversity of the microbial flora. Twenty-two clones specifying distinct hydrolytic activities (12 esterases, nine endo-beta-1,4-glucanases and one cyclodextrinase) were identified in the library and characterized. Sequence analysis of the retrieved enzymes revealed that eight (36%) were entirely new and formed deep-branched phylogenetic lineages with no close relatives among known ester- and glycosyl-hydrolases. Bioinformatic analyses of the hydrolase gene sequences, and the sequences and contexts of neighbouring genes, suggested tentative phylogenetic assignments of the rumen organisms producing the retrieved enzymes. The phylogenetic novelty of the hydrolases suggests that some of them may have potential for new applications in biocatalysis.

Several difficulties arise when studying the mineral component of calcified tissues: This material is complex due to the large number of atomic components, its heterogeneous composition, and varying factors. It is linked strongly to the organic component, and today no available technique allows a complete separation of these two components without alteration of one of them. In the present work the interaction of apatitic calcium phosphate with calcium oxalate has been studied. By heating stoechiometric amounts of these two solids, it was found that the presence of CO 3 2 m and CaO produced by calcium oxalate induces a decrease in P 2 O 7 4 m arising from HPO 4 2 m content of apatitic calcium phosphate. L'etude physico-chimique de la partie minerale des tissus calcifies est extremement etendue et complexe. Fortement liee a des composes organiques, des difficultes de separation, d'identification et d'etude du comportement de ces materiaux ont ete signalees par de nombreux auteurs. En vue d'identifier l'effe...

Several organic impurities formed in the p-xylene oxidation process for manufacture of terephthalic acid are carried into the aqueous effluent from the crystallization section of PTA plant of crystallizers for purified terephthalic acid (PTA). These compounds impose a burden on the effluent treatment plant. Due to the presence of these impurities the recycle of aqueous effluent from crystallization section of PTA plant to the PTA crystallizer is not possible. The aim of this study is to check the feasibility of removal of these organic impurities from the aqueous effluent from crystallization section of PTA plant by adsorption on polymeric resins so that the aqueous effluent from crystallization section of PTA plant can be recycled resulting in significant saving of process water. Aqueous effluent from crystallization section of PTA plant was characterized and single solute and multisolute adsorption equilibria of the compounds present were determined for a variety of polymeric adsorbents. Column breakthrough study has shown that the components can be removed and recovered from the aqueous effluent from the crystallization section of PTA plant by adsorption.

Infertility is one of the major problems in human being. Sperm morphology is one of the evaluation techniques for male infertility. The aim of this paper is to perform sperm segmentation using image processing techniques and classification of sperm heads. The proposed system works on the digital images of sperm. The single Spermatozoa segmented into three parts Sperm Head, Sperm Mid Piece, and Sperm Tail. These images are processed and the sperm are segmented. The Features are extracted from segmented Images. The proposed method accurately segment sperm cells. The Fuzzy System used to classify the Sperm Head into normal and abnormal class using shape and area of sperm head.

Using the newly available genome for Eucalyptus grandis, we sought to determine the genome-wide traits that enable this host to form mutualistic interactions with ectomycorrhizal (ECM) Pisolithus sp. and to determine how future predicted concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2 ) will affect this relationship. We analyzed the physiological and transcriptomic responses of E. grandis during colonization by different Pisolithus sp. isolates under conditions of ambient (400 ppm) and elevated (650 ppm) CO2 to tease out the gene expression profiles associated with colonization status. We demonstrate that E. grandis varies in its susceptibility to colonization by different Pisolithus isolates in a manner that is not predictable by geographic origin or the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-based phylogeny of the fungal partner. Elevated concentrations of CO2 alter the receptivity of E. grandis to Pisolithus, a change that is correlated to a dramatic shift in the transcriptomic profile of the root. These data provide a starting point for understanding how future environmental change may alter the signaling between plants and their ECM partners and is a step towards determining the mechanism behind previously observed shifts in Eucalypt-associated fungal communities exposed to elevated concentrations of atmospheric CO2 .

In today's world, with the rapid increase in population there has been tremendous growth of motor vehicles that is the primary factor responsible for increasing road accidents in many developing countries like India. Road traffic injuries are the eighth leading cause of death globally and the leading cause of death for young people aged 15-29 that cost countries 1-3% of the gross domestic product (GDP). Human error or negligence to obey road signs and regulations is one of the major causes for road accidents. The following paper documents design of road sign delivery system that would alert vehicle drivers about the road oddities inside the vehicle itself. The wireless system provides visual and aural notification about forthcoming road aberrations at an ideal distance before dealing with them using GPS and RFID technology. The main objective is to enhance the present road safety standards by providing an electronic alternative to stationary road signs forming it more systematic and comfortable.

Importance Epigenetic studies present unique opportunities to advance schizophrenia research because they can potentially account for many of its clinical features and suggest novel strategies to improve disease management. Objective To identify schizophrenia DNA methylation biomarkers in blood. Design, Setting, and Participants The sample consisted of 759 schizophrenia cases and 738 controls (N = 1497) collected in Sweden. We used methyl-CpG–binding domain protein-enriched genome sequencing of the methylated genomic fraction, followed by next-generation DNA sequencing. We obtained a mean (SD) number of 68 (26.8) million reads per sample. This massive data set was processed using a specifically designed data analysis pipeline. Critical top findings from our methylome-wide association study (MWAS) were replicated in independent case-control participants using targeted pyrosequencing of bisulfite-converted DNA. Main Outcomes and Measures Status of schizophrenia cases and controls. Results Our MWAS suggested a considerable number of effects, with 25 sites passing the highly conservative Bonferroni correction and 139 sites significant at a false discovery rate of 0.01. Our top MWAS finding, which was located in FAM63B , replicated with P = 2.3 × 10 −10 . It was part of the networks regulated by microRNA that can be linked to neuronal differentiation and dopaminergic gene expression. Many other top MWAS results could be linked to hypoxia and, to a lesser extent, infection, suggesting that a record of pathogenic events may be preserved in the methylome. Our findings also implicated a site in RELN , one of the most frequently studied candidates in methylation studies of schizophrenia. Conclusions and Relevance To our knowledge, the present study is one of the first MWASs of disease with a large sample size using a technology that provides good coverage of methylation sites across the genome. Our results demonstrated one of the unique features of methylation studies that can capture signatures of environmental insults in peripheral tissues. Our MWAS suggested testable hypotheses about disease mechanisms and yielded biomarkers that can potentially be used to improve disease management.

The plant hormones ethylene, jasmonic acid and salicylic acid have interconnecting roles during the response of plant tissues to mutualistic and pathogenic symbionts. [br/]We used morphological studies of transgenic- or hormone-treated Populus roots as well as whole-genome oligoarrays to examine how these hormones affect root colonization by the mutualistic ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor S238N. [br/][br/]We found that genes regulated by ethylene, jasmonic acid and salicylic acid were regulated in the late stages of the interaction between L. bicolor and poplar. Both ethylene and jasmonic acid treatments were found to impede fungal colonization of roots, and this effect was correlated to an increase in the expression of certain transcription factors (e.g. ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR1) and a decrease in the expression of genes associated with microbial perception and cell wall modification. Further, we found that ethylene and jasmonic acid showed extensive transcriptional cross-talk, cross-talk that was opposed by salicylic acid signaling.[br/][br/]We conclude that ethylene and jasmonic acid pathways are induced late in the colonization of root tissues in order to limit fungal growth within roots. This induction is probably an adaptive response by the plant such that its growth and vigor are not compromised by the fungus.

Loss of microbial diversity is considered a major threat because of its importance for ecosystem functions, but there is a lack of conclusive evidence that diversity itself is reduced under anthropogenic stress, and about the consequences of diversity loss. Heavy metals are one of the largest, widespread pollutant types globally, and these represent a significant environmental stressor for terrestrial microbial communities. Using combined metagenomics and functional assays, we show that the compositional and functional response of microbial communities to long-term heavy metal stress results in a significant loss of diversity. Our results indicate that even at a moderate loss of diversity, some key specialized functions (carried out by specific groups) may be compromised. Together with previous work, our data suggest disproportionate impact of contamination on microbes that carry out specialized, but essential, ecosystem functions. Based on these findings, we propose a conceptual framework to explicitly consider diversity of functions and microbial functional groups to test the relationship between biodiversity and soil functions.

Terminalia bellirica is a multipurpose medicinal tree species. The fruits of the species are used in many local, ayurvedic medicines and as important constituent of “Triphala”. Physico-chemical traits of Terminalia bellirica fruits like fresh weight, diameter, length, weight of fruit pulp, moisture content, dry weight, seed weight, TSS, acidity, total sugar, reducing and non reducing sugar in fruits of Terminalia bellirica were quantitatively measured for correlation studies. The correlation studies revealed that there was highly significant and positive correlation between weight of fresh fruit with weight of fruit pulp, weight of dry fruit, diameter of fruit and with seed weight while T.S.S. exhibited significant and negative correlation with non reducing sugar.

Charcoal is a common form of fuel derived from wood. Potential multipurpose tree species are available in the study area and their plant parts can be used for the charcoal making. Present study was under taken to see the suitability of different tree species for charcoal making and study the quality of charcoal prepared from different tree species. Charcoal was prepared using the improved paraboloid mobile charcoal making kiln developed by ARTI, Pune. The experiment was laid with five treatments; (T1-Prosopis, T2-Babul, T3-Subabul, T4-Bamboo and T5-Teak) with five replications. The highest percent of ash after complete burning of charcoal was found in Teak (31.31%) and the lowest was found in Prosopis (25.17%). The time required for the complete combustion was found highest in Prosopis (19 min.) and the lowest was found in Teak (15 min.). The litter of Prosopis juliflora is suitable for preparation of charcoal as it has less ash content; time required for complete combustion is more and has high calorific value as compared to Acacia, Subabul, Bamboo and Teak species.

DNA from Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphocyte cell lines (LCLs) has proven useful for studies of genetic sequence polymorphisms. Whether LCL DNA is suitable for methylation studies is less clear. We conduct a genome-wide methylation investigation using an array set with 45 million probes to investigate the methylome of LCL DNA and technical duplicates of WB DNA from the same 10 individuals. We focus specifically on methylation sites that show variation between individuals and, therefore, are potentially useful as biomarkers. The sample correlations for the methylation variable probes ranged from 0.69 to 0.78 for the WB duplicates and from 0.27 to 0.72 for WB vs LCL. To compare the pattern of the methylation signals, we grouped adjacent probes based on their inter-correlations. These analyses showed ∼29 000 and ∼14 000 blocks in WB and LCL, respectively. Merely 31% of the methylated regions detected in WB were detectable in LCLs. Furthermore, we observed significant differences in mean difference between WB and LCL as compared with duplicates of WB (P-value =2.2 × 10(-16)). Our study shows that there are substantial differences in the DNA methylation patterns between LCL and WB. Thus, LCL DNA should not be used as a proxy for WB DNA in methylome-wide studies.

The potential of positively charged polymeric nanoparticles in improving therapeutic efficacy of meloxicam (MLX), a poorly water-soluble anti-inflammatory agent was evaluated. MLX loaded positively charged nanoparticles were prepared by using poly-epsilon-caprolactone (PCL) as a biodegradable polymer and didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) as a cationic surfactant. The MLX nanoparticles were characterized for particle size and encapsulation efficiency. MLX loaded PCL nanoparticles and MLX suspension were evaluated for their in vivo anti-inflammatory activity and ulcerogenic potential. MLX loaded PCL nanoparticles had particle sizes of approximately 300 nm and the encapsulation efficiency of MLX was approximately 90%. The polymeric nanoparticles significantly improved the anti-inflammatory activity of MLX (P0.01) as compared to that of MLX suspension. The higher anti-inflammatory effect was maintained for a longer duration (6 h). The polymeric nanoparticles also resulted in less ulcerogenicity as compared to that of MLX suspension.

Neurocognitive deficits are a core feature of schizophrenia and, therefore, represent potentially critical outcome variables for assessing antipsychotic treatment response. We performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) with 492K single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a sample of 738 patients with schizophrenia from the Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness study. Outcome variables consisted of a neurocognitive battery administered at multiple time points over an 18-month period, measuring processing speed, verbal memory, vigilance, reasoning, and working memory domains. Genetic mediation of improvements in each of these five domains plus a composite neurocognitive measure was assessed for each of five antipsychotics (olanzapine, perphenazine, quetiapine, risperidone, and ziprasidone). Six SNPs achieved genome-wide significance using a pre-specified threshold that ensures, on average, only 1 in 10 findings is a false discovery. These six SNPs were located within, or in close proximity to, genes EHF, SLC26A9, DRD2, GPR137B, CHST8, and IL1A. The more robust findings, that is those significant across multiple neurocognitive domains and having adjacent SNPs showing evidence for association, were rs286913 at the EHF gene (p-value 6.99 × 10(-8), q-value 0.034, mediating the effects of ziprasidone on vigilance), rs11240594 at SLC26A9 (p-value 1.4 × 10(-7), q-value 0.068, mediating the effects of olanzapine on processing speed), and rs11677416 at IL1A (p-value 6.67 × 10(-7), q-value 0.081, mediating the effects of olanzapine on working memory). This study has generated several novel candidate genes for antipsychotic response. However, our findings will require replication and functional validation. To facilitate replication efforts, we provide all GWAS p-values for download.

The present investigation describes organic volatile solvent-free approach for the single step fabrication of Eudragit nanoparticles. The solubility of various grades of Eudragit viz. Eudragit L100-55, Eudragit L100, Eudragit S100, Eudragit EPO, Eudragit RSPO and Eudragit RLPO in Labrasol (Caprylocaproyl macrogol-8 glycerides) was determined. We observed that Labrasol has the ability to solubilize various cationic Eudragits such as Eudragit RSPO, Eudragit RLPO and Eudragit EPO at a concentration as high as 200 mg/ml. We also evaluated the ability of Labrasol to act as a nanoparticle stabilizer due to its amphiphilic nature and high HLB of 14. It was observed that Eudragit EPO, Eudragit RSPO and Eudragit RLPO nanoparticles of size 110-150 nm could be easily fabricated using Labrasol as a solubilizer and nanoparticle stabilizer. Transmission electron microscopy was carried out to confirm the size and morphology of the nanoparticles. We could encapsulate hydrophobic drugs such as repaglinide and triclosan in the Eudragit RLPO nanoparticles as Labrasol also had the ability to solubilize these hydrophobic drugs. The ability of Eudragit RSPO and RLPO nanoparticles to condense plasmid DNA was also established. This is the first report that demonstrates the polymer solubilizing potential of Labrasol.

Powders and thin films of ferroelectric Bi3.25La0.75Ti3O12 (BLT) have been prepared from a sol-gel precursor heated at various temperatures, up to 600°C. The BLT precursor and the BLT powders have been characterized by thermal analyses, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). Then, the precursor has been used to deposit thin films of ferroelectric BLT on specific silicon substrates, using a specific spin coating process. The thin films have been characterized by XRD, SEM and ellipsometry. Electrical polarization analyses have been finally performed on these films, and performing remnant polarization has been obtained.

Dyspnea and heart murmur are common reasons for referrals in cardiology and both are associated with a broad differential diagnosis. Sinus of Valsalva aneurysms are rare abnormalities of the aortic root that should be considered in the differential diagnosis in young and middle aged patients. Sinus of Valsalva aneurysms are often associated with supracristal ventricular septal defects and can be identified on transthoracic echocardiography. Diagnosis of a SVA should trigger a careful search for ventricular septal defect, which may necessitate transesophageal echocardiography.

Background The role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in controlling gene expression has garnered increased interest in recent years. Sequencing projects, such as Fantom3 for mouse and H-InvDB for human, have generated abundant data on transcribed components of mammalian cells, the majority of which appear not to be protein-coding. However, much of the non-protein-coding transcriptome could merely be a consequence of ‘transcription noise’. It is therefore essential to use bioinformatic approaches to identify the likely functional candidates in a high throughput manner. Principal Findings We derived a scheme for classifying and annotating likely functional lncRNAs in mammals. Using the available experimental full-length cDNA data sets for human and mouse, we identified 78 lncRNAs that are either syntenically conserved between human and mouse, or that originate from the same protein-coding genes. Of these, 11 have significant sequence homology. We found that these lncRNAs exhibit: (i) patterns of codon substitution typical of non-coding transcripts; (ii) preservation of sequences in distant mammals such as dog and cow, (iii) significant sequence conservation relative to their corresponding flanking regions (in 50% cases, flanking regions do not have homology at all; and in the remaining, the degree of conservation is significantly less); (iv) existence mostly as single-exon forms (8/11); and, (v) presence of conserved and stable secondary structure motifs within them. We further identified orthologous protein-coding genes that are contributing to the pool of lncRNAs; of which, genes implicated in carcinogenesis are significantly over-represented. Conclusion Our comparative mammalian genomics approach coupled with evolutionary analysis identified a small population of conserved long non-protein-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that are potentially functional across Mammalia. Additionally, our analysis indicates that amongst the orthologous protein-coding genes that produce lncRNAs, those implicated in cancer pathogenesis are significantly over-represented, suggesting that these lncRNAs could play an important role in cancer pathomechanisms.

Pseudogenes arise from the decay of gene copies following either RNA-mediated duplication (processed pseudogenes) or DNA-mediated duplication (nonprocessed pseudogenes). Here, we show that long protein-coding genes tend to produce more nonprocessed pseudogenes than short genes, whereas the opposite is true for processed pseudogenes. Protein-coding genes longer than 3000 bp are 6 times more likely to produce nonprocessed pseudogenes than processed ones. Reviewers This article was reviewed by Dr. Dan Graur and Dr. Craig Nelson (nominated by Dr. J Peter Gogarten).

Background Transcribed pseudogenes are copies of protein-coding genes that have accumulated indicators of coding-sequence decay (such as frameshifts and premature stop codons), but nonetheless remain transcribed. Recent experimental evidence indicates that transcribed pseudogenes may regulate the expression of homologous genes, through antisense interference, or generation of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Here, we assessed the genomic evidence for such transcribed pseudogenes of potential functional importance, in the human genome. The most obvious indicators of such functional importance are significant evidence of conservation and selection pressure. Results A variety of pseudogene annotations from multiple sources were pooled and filtered to obtain a subset of sequences that have significant mid-sequence disablements (frameshifts and premature stop codons), and that have clear evidence of full-length mRNA transcription. We found 1750 such transcribed pseudogene annotations (TPAs) in the human genome (corresponding to ~11.5% of human pseudogene annotations). We checked for syntenic conservation of TPAs in other mammals (rhesus monkey, mouse, rat, dog and cow). About half of the human TPAs are conserved in rhesus monkey, but strikingly, very few in mouse (~3%). The TPAs conserved in rhesus monkey show evidence of selection pressure (relative to surrounding intergenic DNA) on: (i) their GC content, and (ii) their rate of nucleotide substitution. This is in spite of distributions of Ka/Ks (ratios of non-synonymous to synonymous substitution rates), congruent with a lack of protein-coding ability. Furthermore, we have identified 68 human TPAs that are syntenically conserved in at least two other mammals. Interestingly, we observe three TPA sequences conserved in dog that have intermediate character (i.e., evidence of both protein-coding ability and pseudogenicity), and discuss the implications of this. Conclusion Through evolutionary analysis, we have identified candidate sequences for functional human transcribed pseudogenes, and have pinpointed 68 strong candidates for further investigation as potentially functional transcribed pseudogenes across multiple mammal species.

This work deals with elaboration of ferroelectric and catalytic materials in form of powders, ceramics or thin films, for electronic and gas sensor applications. In a first step, a solid solution Sr, ^Ca-^KN^O^ (0 < X < 0.5) was synthesized by classical solid state reaction, and by a specific coprecipitation technique. In a second step, other TTB ferroelectrics phases belonging to the series BajANb50|S with (A = Na, K and Li) and Ba Na LixNb5O|; (0 < x < 1.2) were synthesized using first a classical solid state route (at 1100QC) and, secondly, a mechanosynthesis approach. The TTB phases, first prepared at room temperature via mechanosynthesis, were then heated at 800°C: X-ray diffraction showed that these phases were highly crystallized and that such synthesis required heating temperature lower than that required by solid state reaction (1100°C). Modifications of ferroelectric behavior close to Curie temperature were observed for samples prepared via sol ge! route. In a third step, thin films of Ba3NaNb5Oi; (BNN) phase and of BiJ2;Lao 75^1^0^ (BLT) phase were deposited on various types of substrates. Finally, a preliminary study of ferroelectric / catalytic multilayers was carried out. Ruthenium dioxide Ru02 was used as a catalyst for methane conversion into CO;. Thin films of ruthenium dioxide were deposited by spin coating process, on various substrates initially covered with Pt, SrBi2Ta209 (SET), Ba2NaNb;O|; (BNN) layers. Using FT1R spectroscopy and specific catalytic cell converting CH4 into CO2, RuC>2 layers exhibited variable conversion capacity. RuO2 films deposited on BNN layers seemed to present improved calalytic efficiency.; Ce travail concerne la synthèse et la caractérisation de composés ferroélectriques élaborés sous formes de poudres, de céramiques et de couches minces. Dans une première partie, une solution solide limite S^-nCa^KNosO^ (0 < x < 0,5) a été mise en évidence et élaborée par deux voies de synthèse : la voie de réaction à l'état solide et la méthode de coprccipilation. D'autres composés de la même famiJle ont été obtenus par réaction à l'état solide et par mécanosyn thèse : il y a en particulier l'oxyde Ba2 ANbsOi 5 (A = Na, K et Li) ainsi que la nouvelle solution solide limite Baiî.^jNa^n-iiLi^NljsO]; (0 < x < 1,2). Tous ces composés ont été obtenus par méeanosynthèse à température ambiante. Des couches minces des oxydes Ba2NaNbsO|5 (BNN) de structure TTB et de BisjsLao^sTîjOn (BLT) appartenant aux phases d'Aurîvillius ont également été déposés sur différents types de substrats. Enfin, une étude préliminaire d'empilements multîcouches ferroéleclriques/catalytiques a été initiée et permet d'envisager de nouvelles applications dans le domaine des capteurs de gaz. Des couches minces de dioxyde de ruthénium ont été déposées sur des substrats de silicium et sur les couches ferroéleclriques de BNN. L'activité catalytique de l'oxyde RuO2 et son couplage avec la couche ferroélectrique vis-à-vis du méthane CfU ont été suivis par spectroscopie infrarouge à température variable.

A novel mechanochemical activation route was applied in order to obtain the Ba 2 ANb 5 O 15 (A = K, Na, Li) ferroelectric materials. The evolution of the 4BaO 2 :A 2 CO 3 :5Nb 2 O 5 powder mixtures during mechanical treatment and subsequent annealings, was followed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The sought bronze-type phases were mechanosynthesized after 48 h of treatment in a planetary mill. Very crystalline phases can be obtained with very important decreases in the temperatures and reaction times as compared with the traditional ceramic method. Dense ceramics were processed from mechanosynthesized precursors at relative low temperature, by a conventional-sintering route, and their dielectric properties characterized.

Reductive evolution in mitochondria and obligate intracellular microbes has led to a significant reduction in their genome size and guanine plus cytosine content (GC). We show that genome shrinkage during reductive evolution in prokaryotes follows an exponential decay pattern and provide a method to predict the extent of this decay on an evolutionary timescale. We validated predictions by comparison with estimated extents of genome reduction known to have occurred in mitochondria and Buchnera aphidicola, through comparative genomics and by drawing on available fossil evidences. The model shows how the mitochondrial ancestor would have quickly shed most of its genome, shortly after its incorporation into the protoeukaryotic cell and prior to codivergence subsequent to the split of eukaryotic lineages. It also predicts that the primary rickettsial parasitic event would have occurred between 180 and 425 million years ago (MYA), an event of relatively recent evolutionary origin considering the fact that Rickettsia and mitochondria evolved from a common alphaproteobacterial ancestor. This suggests that the symbiotic events of Rickettsia and mitochondria originated at different time points. Moreover, our model results predict that the ancestor of Wigglesworthia glossinidia brevipalpis, dated around the time of origin of its symbiotic association with the tsetse fly (50-100 MYA), was likely to have been an endosymbiont itself, thus supporting an earlier proposition that Wigglesworthia, which is currently a maternally inherited primary endosymbiont, evolved from a secondary endosymbiont.