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An image hiding scheme in a 2-dimensional coupled map lattice of matrices is presented in this paper. Scalar variables at each node of the lattice are replaced by nilpotent matrices. The spatiotemporal divergence process is employed to hide the secret digital image in the state map of the nodal variables. The presented image hiding scheme does not require the computation of the difference image between two patterns produced by the perturbed and the unperturbed initial conditions. Computational experiments are used to demonstrate the efficacy of the presented technique.

To gain mechanistic insights into the functions and developmental dynamics of tumor-infiltrated immune cells, especially B-lymphocytes, here we combine single-cell RNA-sequencing and antigen receptor lineage analysis to characterize a large number of triple-negative breast cancer infiltrated immune cells and report a comprehensive atlas of tumor-infiltrated B-lymphocytes. The single-cell transcriptional profiles reveal significant heterogeneity in tumor-infiltrated B-cell subgroups. The single-cell antigen receptor analyses demonstrate that compared with those in peripheral blood, tumor-infiltrated B-cells have more mature and memory B-cell characteristics, higher clonality, more class switching recombination and somatic hypermutations. Combined analyses suggest local differentiation of infiltrated memory B-cells within breast tumors. The B-cell signatures based on the single-cell RNA-sequencing results are significantly associated with improved survival in breast tumor patients. Functional analyses of tumor-infiltrated B-cell populations suggest that mechanistically, B-cell subgroups may contribute to immunosurveillance through various pathways. Further dissection of tumor-infiltrated B-cell populations will provide valuable clues for tumor immunotherapy., Immune cells infiltrating the tumour microenvironment play critical roles in disease pathogenesis and the immune response. Here the authors present the characterisation of infiltrating B cells in breast tumours by the formation of an atlas created from paired RNA sequence and antigen receptor profiling.

The extension of the Coupled map lattice (CML) model by replacing scalar nodal variables by matrix variables is investigated in this paper. The dynamics of the extended CML is investigated using formal analytical and computational techniques. Necessary conditions for the occurrence of the effect of explosive divergence in the extended CML are derived. It is demonstrated that the extended CML can generate complex fractal patterns representing spatiotemporal divergence which can be controlled by the coupling parameter between the nodes.

The formation of super-directivity of an acoustic array is firstly analyzed to construct a general mathematical model of the array with super-directivity and maximum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Then the numerical simulation on the super-directivity of the array is carried out for the arrays with different shapes, element number and apertures. It shows that, circular array with regular shape and Archimedean spiral array with irregular shape have optimum directivity.

Image hiding technique based on chaotic vibration of deformable moire grating is presented in this paper. The embedded secret digital image is leaked in a form of a pattern of time-averaged moire fringes when the deformable cover grating vibrates according to a chaotic law of motion with a predefined set of parameters. Computational experiments are used to demonstrate the features and the applicability of the proposed scheme.

This paper presents the development of an experimental stand for the registration of time-averaged geometric circular moiré images. Optical interpretation of patterns of time-averaged moiré fringes allows to identify the parameters of circularly vibrating structures. The developed scheme has a strong potential for designing experimental schemes capable to measure angular vibrations of rotating shafts in different mechanisms, and do not require any mountable sensors.

While it has been well-recognized that T-cell mediated adaptive cellular immunity plays important roles in cancer immune response and tumor control, the roles of B lymphocytes in tumor development and therapy have only been proposed until recently, and are still mostly controversial. To gain mechanistic insights into the origin and dynamics of tumor infiltrated immune cells, especially B lymphocytes, we combine single-cell RNA-sequencing and antigen receptor lineage analysis to characterize a large number of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) infiltrated immune cells and present a comprehensive atlas of infiltrated B-lymphocytes in TNBC, the most aggressive breast cancer subtype. We demonstrate that TNBC infiltrated B cells showed more mature and memory B cell characteristics, as well as high clonality and extensive IgH class switching recombination and somatic hypermutations. The B cell signatures based on single-cell RNA-seq results are significantly associated with improved survival for TNBC patients and provide better prognostication than classic single B cell markers (CD19 or CD20). Further dissection of the mechanisms regulating the functions and dynamic distribution of tumor infiltrated B cell populations will provide new clues for tumor immunotherapy.

Major urinary proteins (MUPs) are the most abundant protein species in mouse urine, accounting for more than 90% of total protein content. Twenty-one Mup genes and 21 pseudogenes are clustered in a region of around 2 megabase pairs (Mbp) on chromosome 4. A Mup-knockout mouse model would greatly facilitate researches in the field of proteomic analysis of mouse urine. Here, we report the successful knockout of the Mup gene cluster of 2.2 Mbp using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Homozygous Mup-knockout mice survived to adulthood and exhibited no obvious defects. The patterns of the proteomes of non-MUP urinary proteins in homozygous Mup-knockout mice were similar to those of wild-type mice judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The sensitivity of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect non-MUP urinary protein was significantly enhanced in Mup-knockout mice. In short, we have developed a Mup-knockout mouse model. This mouse model will be useful for the research of urinary biomarker testing that may have relevance for humans.

CRISPR/dCas9 is a versatile tool that can be used to recruit various effectors and fluorescent molecules to defined genome regions where it can modulate genetic and epigenetic markers, or track the chromatin dynamics in live cells. In vivo applications of CRISPR/dCas9 in animals have been challenged by delivery issues. We generate and characterize a mouse strain with dCas9-EGFP ubiquitously expressed in various tissues. Studying telomere dynamics in these animals reveals surprising results different from those observed in cultured cell lines. The CRISPR/dCas9 knock-in mice provide an important and versatile tool to mechanistically study genome functions in live animals. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13059-018-1530-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

To broaden the engineering application of inverse substructuring analysis, the mechanical assembly via planar surface is experimentally studied. Specifically, the first and the second schemes of indirect inverse substructuring analysis are applied to identify the coupling dynamic stiffness of the assembly. The experimental model of the assembly is designed, and the surface is then discretized equivalently into point-to-point connections for testing the frequency response functions (FRFs) involved in the schemes. Experimental results show that, applying both of the schemes are feasible for the identification, and the identified stiffnesses approach to be stable as the number of discretized points increases.

Major urinary proteins (MUPs) are the most abundant protein species in mouse urine, accounting for more than 90% of total protein content. Twenty-one Mup genes and 21 pseudogenes are clustered in a region of around 2 megabase pairs (Mbp) on chromosome 4. A Mup-knockout mouse model would greatly facilitate researches in the field of proteomic analysis of mouse urine. Here, we report the successful knockout of the Mup gene cluster of 2.2 Mbp using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Homozygous Mup-knockout mice survived to adulthood and exhibited no obvious defects. The patterns of the proteomes of non-MUP urinary proteins in homozygous Mup-knockout mice were similar to those of wild-type mice judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The sensitivity of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect non-MUP urinary protein was significantly enhanced in Mup-knockout mice. In short, we have developed a Mup-knockout mouse model. This mouse model will be useful for the research of urinary biomarker testing that may have relevance for humans.

CRISPR/dCas9 binds precisely to defined genomic sequences through targeting of guide RNA (gRNA) sequences. In vivo imaging of genomic loci can be achieved by recruiting fluorescent proteins using either dCas9 or gRNA. We thoroughly validate and compare the effectiveness and specificity of several dCas9/gRNA genome labeling systems. Surprisingly, we discover that in the gRNA-labeling strategies, accumulation of tagged gRNA transcripts leads to non-specific labeling foci. Furthermore, we develop novel bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BIFC) methods that combine the advantages of both dCas9-labeling and gRNA-labeling strategies. The BIFC-dCas9/gRNA methods demonstrate high signal-to-noise ratios and have no non-specific foci.

Figure S1. Characterization of dCas9-EGFP knock-in mice. Figure S2. Visualizing telomere dynamics in dCas9-EGFP knock-in mouse liver. Figure S3. CRISPR in vivo imaging of major satellite and single genomic locus in X chromosome in dCas9-EGFP knock-in mice. Figure S4. Compare the telomere dynamics in vivo and in vitro. Table S1. Primer sequences. Table S2. Sequences of plasmids. (PDF 1413Â kb)

Comparison and optimization of CRISPR/dCas9/gRNA genome labeling systems for live cell imaging Additional file 1

The ability of the human visual system to integrate a rapidly oscillating image in time is investigated in this paper. A secret image is encoded into a stochastic geometric moire grating. The secret is leaked in the form of a pattern of time-averaged moire fringes when the cover image is oscillated according to a predetermined law of motion. Special encoding algorithms are designed for an effective real-time implementation of the scheme on a digital computer screen. A series of experiments is performed to determine the minimum frequency of oscillations required for the interpretation of the embedded secret image.

The extended invertible Logistic map and its properties are investigated in this paper. It is demonstrated that initial conditions of the extended invertible Logistic map can yield trajectories of three different types. Dedicated algorithms are used to prove the existence of transient Wada-type boundaries in the phase plane of initial conditions. An adaptive control technique for the temporary control of the divergence of the extended invertible Logistic map is proposed. This control technique is based on short impulses and exploits the properties of the Wada-type boundaries. Computational experiments are used to illustrate the efficacy of the proposed technique.

C. albicans is a common opportunistic pathogen, causing both superficial and life-threatening systemic infections. Calcium signaling is an intriguing aspect in its physiology, attributing to the roles in stress response and morphogenesis. Until recently, little was known about the mechanisms by which the calcium signaling-associated elements affect its pathogenicity. In this study, we found that Yvc1, a member of the transient receptor potential (TRP) family, localized on the vacuolar membrane. The yvc1Δ/Δ mutant displayed decreased ability of stress response, morphogenesis and attenuated virulence. The Spitzenkorper required for polarized growth were not detected in the hyphal tip of this mutant, suggesting a key role of Yvc1 in hyphal polarized growth and re-orientation to host signals. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that the putative vacuolar calcium channel Yvc1 plays an important role in C. albicans infection and survival in host tissues, which is associated with its pleiotropic effects in several fungal physiological processes, including stress response, morphogenesis, and polarized growth.

The calcium gate encoded by CCH1 and MID1 genes is the main channel for external calcium absorption. As one of the important secondary messengers, the elevation of calcium concentration could activate some pathways to take part in various cell processes. In this study, we used CCH1 and MID1 mutant strains and also constructed their complementary strains to study the effect of drug tolerance and virulence of Candida albicans after CCH1 or MID1 deletion. By drug plate sensitivity assay and the broth microdilution method, we compared the changes between different strains. Moreover, we added calcium channel blocker and inhibitors to analyze the effect of calcium concentration on drug action. After the deletion of CCH1 or MID1 gene, the strain exhibited an obvious sensitivity to FLUC and ITRA, and the drug action was regulated by the calcium concentration. In a mouse model of intravenous infection, we found that attenuated virulence of cch1delta/delta or mid1delta/delta strain is specifically due to a loss of CCH1 or MID1 gene.

The frequency response functions of discretely connected structures, such as a vehicle system, are determined by inverting the spectral-based sub-structuring equation in dynamic compliance form, which is classically used to compute coupled system response in terms of the characteristics of the free sub-structures. The resulting formulation backs out the response spectra of the free sub-structures including the dynamic stiffness terms of the coupling elements. When analysing the vibration response of one sub-structure due to an externally applied harmonic excitation on an adjacent sub-structure, the proposed theory can express the force transmissibility and structural path contribution functions directly in terms of the coupled system response. This provides a convenient way to identify the critical elements of a physical structure containing multiple coupling points without having to disconnect the individual sub-structures. The salient features of this approach are demonstrated using an idealised lumped parameter dynamic system.

The spectral-based inverse sub-structuring theory formulated in Part 1 is applied here to investigate the vibration transmissibility and frequency response characteristics of motor vehicle structures. Analysis assumes a vehicle model that comprised of two sub-structures representing the body and chassis/suspension. Measured structural-acoustic and vibration spectra acquired from a relatively direct experimental setup are utilised to compute the relevant force transmissibility and path contribution functions at the discrete coupling points. Furthermore, the free sub-structure response characteristics and mount dynamic stiffnesses are expressed directly in terms of coupled system responses. These studies are performed using four real-life vehicles. For each case, the constructed system response functions are shown to match well with experimental data. Comparisons of the results derived from these vehicle examples reveal useful relationships between coupled system responses, free sub-structure characteristics and coupling compliances.