Prime Application Research Articles

Unums 2.0: An Interview with John L. Gustafson

In an earlier interview (April 2016), Ubiquity spoke with John Gustafson about the unum, a new format for floating point numbers. The unique property of unums is that they always know how many digits of accuracy they have. Now Gustafson has come up with yet another format that, like the unum 1.0, always knows how accurate it is. But it also allows an almost arbitrary mapping of bit patterns to the reals. In doing so, it paves the way for custom number systems that squeeze the maximum accuracy out of a given number of bits. This new format could have prime applications in deep learning, big data, and exascale computing.

Next-generation RNA-based fluorescent biosensors enable anaerobic detection of cyclic di-GMP.

Bacteria occupy a diverse set of environmental niches with differing oxygen availability. Anaerobic environments such as mammalian digestive tracts and industrial reactors harbor an abundance of both obligate and facultative anaerobes, many of which play significant roles in human health and biomanufacturing. Studying bacterial function under partial or fully anaerobic conditions, however, is challenging given the paucity of suitable live-cell imaging tools. Here, we introduce a series of RNA-based fluorescent biosensors that respond selectively to cyclic di-GMP, an intracellular bacterial second messenger that controls cellular motility and biofilm formation. We demonstrate the utility of these biosensors in vivo under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, and we show that biosensor expression does not interfere with the native motility phenotype. Together, our results attest to the effectiveness and versatility of RNA-based fluorescent biosensors, priming further development and application of these and other analogous sensors to study host–microbial and microbial–microbial interactions through small molecule signals.

Reliability analysis of spin transfer torque based look up tables under process variations and NBTI aging

Spin transfer torque (STT) switching realized using a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device has shown great potential for low power and non-volatile storage. A prime application of MTJs is in building non-volatile look up tables (LUT) used in reconfigurable logic. Such LUTs use a hybrid integration of CMOS transistors and MTJ devices. This paper discusses the reliability of STT based LUTs under transistor and MTJ variations in nano-scale. The sources of process variations include both the CMOS device related variations and the MTJ variations. A key part of the STT based LUTs is the sense amplifier needed for reading out the MTJ state. We compare the voltage and current based sensing schemes in terms of the power, performance, and reliability metrics. Based on our simulation results in a 16nm bulk CMOS, for the same total device area, the voltage sensing scheme offers 17% to 28% lower failure rates under combined intra-die transistor and MTJ variations, comparable delay, and 56% lower active power compared to the current sensing scheme. Moreover, we compare the reliability of the two sensing schemes under negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) of PMOS transistors. Our results indicate that the failures rates increase over time by transistor aging for both designs, and the voltage sensing scheme maintains its improved failure rate over to the current sensing scheme.

Procedural priming of a numerical cognitive illusion

AbstractA strategy activated in one task may be transferred to subsequent tasks and prevent activation of other strategies that would otherwise come to mind, a mechanism referred to as procedural priming. In a novel application of procedural priming we show that it can make or break cognitive illusions. Our test case is the 1/killusion, which is based on the same unwarranted mathematical shortcut as the MPG illusion and the time-saving bias. The task is to estimate distances between values of fractions on the form 1/k. Most people given this task intuitively base their estimates on the distances between the denominators (i.e., the reciprocals of the fractions), which may yield very poor estimations of the true distances between the fractions. As expected, the tendency to fall for this illusion is related to cognitive style (Study 1). In order to apply procedural priming we constructed versions of the task in which the illusion is weak, in the sense that most people do not fall for it anymore. We then gave participants both “strong illusion” and “weak illusion” versions of the task (Studies 2 and 3). Participants who first did the task in the weak illusion version would often persist with the correct strategy even in the strong illusion version, thus breaking the otherwise strong illusion in the latter task. Conversely, participants who took the strong illusion version first would then often fall for the illusion even in the weak illusion version, thus strengthening the otherwise weak illusion in the latter task.

Evaluation of structural benefits of prime coat application for flexible pavements using Accelerated Pavement Testing (APT)

This study was mainly focused on evaluating the structural benefits of a prime coat application that may positively affect pavement performance based on the pavement response measurements using Accelerated Pavement Testing (APT). Two full-scale field test sections were built using different interlayer conditions between Asphalt Concrete (AC) and base layer including prime coat and no treatment for evaluation. Strain gauges and pressure cells were instrumented for each test section to conduct pavement response measurements. Results indicate that the application of prime coat was able to significantly reduce stress and strain responses at critical locations of pavement structure by providing a structural bond between layers that result in enhanced pavement performance compared to pavement with no treatment. In addition, based on the results of relative performance estimated, it was found that pavement structures with prime coat application potentially lead to improved performance including fatigue cracking, top-down cracking and subgrade rutting compared to pavements with no treatment and pavement damage seems to be accelerated for pavement system without prime coat application. Also, the full-scale field tests conducted using APT were determined to be capable of effectively capturing the structural effect of prime coat application on change in pavement critical responses for enhanced performance of asphalt pavements with more realistic and reliable results.

Commentary: Cumulative effects of anodal and priming cathodal tDCS on pegboard test performance and motor cortical excitability.

Commentary: Cumulative effects of anodal and priming cathodal tDCS on pegboard test performance and motor cortical excitability.

Tolerance of Durum Wheat Cultivars to Postanthesis Drought Conditions as Affected by Seed Priming, Bio-Fertilizer and Potassium Application

The present study aimed to investigate the tolerance of different durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum Desf.em. Musn) genotypes to drought stress at heading to maturity stage under the influence of drought alleviation treatments.The field work was carried out at Fuka Research Station, Faculty of Desert and Environmental Agriculture, AlexandriaUniversity, Matrouh Branch Egypt, in 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 winter seasons. The experimental design was split-plot,with four replicates where the main plots included six treatments as follows: 1) Spraying with potassium, 2) Priming withcalcium chloride, 3) Bio-fertilization with HALEX® 4) Seed hydro-priming, 5) Sowing of dry seed (these five treatmentswere subjected to drought by holding irrigation at postanthesis) and 6) Control (irrigation all season). The sub-plotsincluded the three durum wheat genotypes. The results revealed insignificant variation for applied treatments on allstudied characters, except for 100-grain weight, in the two seasons. Cultivars showed significant variations in LAI (at 80DAS), dry weight of spikes (at 50 % heading and 30 days later) and number of grains spike-1 in the two seasons.Interaction between drought alleviation treatments and cultivars was insignificant, for all studied characters in the twoseasons. Also, wheat plants, irrigated all season, gave the highest 100-grain weight (5.31 and 6.48 g) in the two seasons,respectively. On the other hand, Sohag 3 was superior (0.23 and 0.25) to Marjawi (0.19 and 0.21) in LAI, in the twoseasons, respectively. In addition, Beni Suef 5 gave the highest significant dry weight of spikes and number of grainsspike -1 in the two seasons. Drought susceptibility index (DIS) values revealed that seed priming with CaCl2 and watertolerated drought at postanthesis stage and gave comparable grain yield to that of control. Beni Suef 5 and Marjawishowed higher tolerance to drought than Sohag 3.

Effect of Minocycline on the Durability of Dentin Bonding Produced with Etch-and-Rinse Adhesives.

To evaluate the effect of minocycline and chlorhexidine pretreatment of acid-etched dentin on the longevity of resin-dentin bond strength (μTBS) and nanoleakage of two-step etch-and-rinse adhesives. Before application of Prime & Bond NT and Adper Single Bond 2 in occlusal dentin, the dentin surfaces were treated with 37% phosphoric acid, rinsed, air-dried, and rewetted with water (control group), 2% minocycline, or 2% chlorexidine digluconate. Composite buildups were constructed incrementally, and specimens were longitudinally sectioned to obtain bonded sticks (0.8 mm2) to be tested in tension (0.5 mm/min) immediately or after 24 months of water storage. For nanoleakage, two specimens of each tooth/period were immersed in the silver nitrate solution, photo-developed, and polished with SiC paper for analysis under energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy/scanning electron microscopy. Reductions of the μTBS and increases in the nanoleakage were observed for both adhesives when the rewetting procedure was performed with water. Stable bonds were observed for the 2% minocycline and 2% chlorexidine digluconate groups after 24 months. The use of 2% minocycline as pretreatment of acid-etched dentin is one alternative to retard the degradation of resin-dentin interfaces over a 24-month period as well as 2% chlorexidine digluconate.

Straightforward and sensitive RT-qPCR based gene expression analysis of FFPE samples.

Fragmented RNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue is a known obstacle to gene expression analysis. In this study, the impact of RNA integrity, gene-specific reverse transcription and targeted cDNA preamplification was quantified in terms of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) sensitivity by measuring 48 protein coding genes on eight duplicate cultured cancer cell pellet FFPE samples and twenty cancer tissue FFPE samples. More intact RNA modestly increased gene detection sensitivity by 1.6 fold (earlier detection by 0.7 PCR cycles, 95% CI = 0.593–0.850). Application of gene-specific priming instead of whole transcriptome priming during reverse transcription further improved RT-qPCR sensitivity by a considerable 4.0 fold increase (earlier detection by 2.0 PCR cycles, 95% CI = 1.73–2.32). Targeted cDNA preamplification resulted in the strongest increase of RT-qPCR sensitivity and enabled earlier detection by an average of 172.4 fold (7.43 PCR cycles, 95% CI = 6.83–7.05). We conclude that gene-specific reverse transcription and targeted cDNA preamplification are adequate methods for accurate and sensitive RT-qPCR based gene expression analysis of FFPE material. The presented methods do not involve expensive or complex procedures and can be easily implemented in any routine RT-qPCR practice.

Localization at countably infinitely many prime ideals and applications

In this paper we present a technical lemma about localization at countably infinitely many prime ideals. We apply this lemma to get many results about the finiteness of associated prime ideals of local cohomology modules.

Effect of seed priming and foliar application with micronutrients on quality of forage corn (Zea mays)

Effect of seed priming and foliar application with micronutrients on quality of forage corn (Zea mays)

Increasing resistance of wheat to unfavorable environmental factors by pre-sown priming of its grains

Presowing priming involves soaking seeds under controlled conditions until complete saturation with water or essential components for thefurther development of plants, seeds followed by drying. AO (aldehydeoxidase) is involved in ABA biosynthesis, converting abscisic aldehyde toABA. Seeds of resistent cultivar – NAZ, soaked in a solution of 50 mMmolybdate, showed high activity of AО1, indicating that the maximum saturation molybdenum enzyme. Saratovskaya- 29 was shown that soaked of theseeds in 50 mMmolybdate solution for 24 hours, as these optimal conditions hydrating seed will increase in ABA content of the caryopsis. Excessive ROS formed in the conditions of application of priming, in embryonictissues during hypoxia induces increasing synthesis of ABA. In seeds during soaked in 50 mMmolybdate solution increased ABA content in 10.5times of Lutecsens 70 and 5.2 times by soaking the seeds in water. As aresult of the priming procedure, which is accompanied by the formationof excess free radicals induced defensive responses in plant cells. Incubation of seeds within 24 hours and 32 hours during this period increasedGR activity and almost no imbalance reduced and oxidized glutathione,wheat varieties. Views will data showed that pre-sowing seed priming bothvarieties NAZ and Saratovskaya 29 led to an increase in the content ofendogenous ABA in 2 times and 1.5 times the antioxidants and as a resulthas led to an increase in resistance to stress (adverse environmental factors)both varieties.This paper presents the results of the impact of pre-sowing grain priming maintenance plant hormone ABA, the activity of AO and antioxidantenzymes in two different varieties of wheat.Key words: priming, wheat, ABA, AO, abiotic stress, antioxidants

Exogenous 5-Aminolevulenic Acid Promotes Antioxidative Defence System, Photosynthesis and Growth in Soybean against Cold Stress

In the present study, the possibility of enhancing cold stress tolerance of young soybean plants (Glycine max [L.] Merr) by exogenous application of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) was investigated. ALA was applied at various concentrations (0, 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 mM) by seed priming and foliar application method. After ALA treatment, the plants were subjected to cold stress at 10 ± 0.5 °C for 72 h. Cold stress significantly decreased plant growth, relative water content, chlorophyll, photosynthesis and stomatal conductivity, while it increased electrolyte leakage and proline accumulation. ALA at low concentrations (0.3 mM) protected plants against cold stress, enhancing plant height, shoot fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, stomatal conductivity as well as relative water content. Increase of electrolyte leakage was also prevented by 0.6 mM ALA. ALA also enhanced superoxide dismutase and catalase activities at 0.6 mM concentration especially under cold stress conditions. Proline increased with increasing in ALA concentration under both temperature conditions. In most cases, application of ALA by spraying method was better than seed priming method. Results showed that ALA, which is considered as an endogenous plant growth regulator, can be used effectively to protect soybean plants from the damaging effects of cold stress, by enhancing the activity of antioxidative enzymes, protecting cell membrane against reactive oxygen species and finally by promoting chlorophyll synthesis, leading to more intense photosynthesis and more carbon fixation, without any adverse effect on the plant growth.

Effects of in vitro endochondral priming and pre-vascularisation of human MSC cellular aggregates in vivo.

IntroductionDuring endochondral ossification, both the production of a cartilage template and the subsequent vascularisation of that template are essential precursors to bone tissue formation. Recent studies have found the application of both chondrogenic and vascular priming of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) enhanced the mineralisation potential of MSCs in vitro whilst also allowing for immature vessel formation. However, the in vivo viability, vascularisation and mineralisation potential of MSC aggregates that have been pre-conditioned in vitro by a combination of chondrogenic and vascular priming, has yet to be established. In this study, we test the hypothesis that a tissue regeneration approach that incorporates both chondrogenic priming of MSCs, to first form a cartilage template, and subsequent pre-vascularisation of the cartilage constructs, by co-culture with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro, will improve vessel infiltration and thus mineral formation once implanted in vivo.MethodsHuman MSCs were chondrogenically primed for 21 days, after which they were co-cultured with MSCs and HUVECs and cultured in endothelial growth medium for another 21 days. These aggregates were then implanted subcutaneously in nude rats for 4 weeks. We used a combination of bioluminescent imaging, microcomputed tomography, histology (Masson’s trichrome and Alizarin Red) and immunohistochemistry (CD31, CD146, and α-smooth actin) to assess the vascularisation and mineralisation potential of these MSC aggregates in vivo.ResultsPre-vascularised cartilaginous aggregates were found to have mature endogenous vessels (indicated by α-smooth muscle actin walls and erythrocytes) after 4 weeks subcutaneous implantation, and also viable human MSCs (detected by bioluminescent imaging) 21 days after subcutaneous implantation. In contrast, aggregates that were not pre-vascularised had no vessels within the aggregate interior and human MSCs did not remain viable beyond 14 days. Interestingly, the pre-vascularised cartilaginous aggregates were also the only group to have mineralised nodules within the cellular aggregates, whereas mineralisation occurred in the alginate surrounding the aggregates for all other groups.ConclusionsTaken together these results indicate that a combined chondrogenic priming and pre-vascularisation approach for in vitro culture of MSC aggregates shows enhanced vessel formation and increased mineralisation within the cellular aggregate when implanted subcutaneously in vivo.

Alleviate Seed Ageing Effects in <i>Silybum marianum</i> by Application of Hormone Seed Priming

Alleviate Seed Ageing Effects in <i>Silybum marianum</i> by Application of Hormone Seed Priming

A Deployed People‐to‐People Recommender System in Online Dating

Online dating is a prime application area for recommender systems, as users face an abundance of choice, must act on limited information, and are participating in a competitive matching market. This article reports on the successful deployment of a people-to-people recommender system on a large commercial online dating site. The deployment was the result of thorough evaluation and an online trial of a number of methods, including profile-based, collaborative filtering and hybrid algorithms. Results taken a few months after deployment show that the recommender system delivered its projected benefits.

Improving the performance of short-duration basmati rice in water-saving production systems by boron nutrition

Over exploitation of groundwater and decreasing canal water resources are threating the productivity of conventional rice production systems in Asia which is the main rice bowl. Therefore, strategies are needed to produce more rice with less water in the shortest possible duration without compromising the yield to feed the increasing world population. Panicle sterility is one of the major obstacles in wide‐scale adoption of water‐saving rice production systems. Boron (B) deficiency, in water‐saving rice production systems, has been identified as a possible reason for panicle sterility. This 2‐year field study was aimed to investigate the potential of pre‐optimised boron application through various methods in improving the productivity of short‐duration basmati rice (Shaheen Basmati) in water‐saving production systems, as delivered through seed priming (0.1 mM boron), foliar spray (200 mM boron) or soil application (1 kg boron ha⁻¹), while hydropriming and no boron application were taken as control. Boron nutrition, by either way, improved the growth, water relations, morphology, yield‐related traits, panicle fertility, grain yield, grain quality and grain boron contents of short‐duration basmati rice; nonetheless, boron application as seed priming was superior and cost effective with maximum marginal rate of return. In conclusion, boron nutrition through seed priming is cost effective and may help improving the productivity, quality, and boron grain contents in short‐duration basmati rice under water‐saving production systems.

Seed priming: state of the art and new perspectives.

Priming applied to commercial seed lots is widely used by seed technologists to enhance seed vigour in terms of germination potential and increased stress tolerance. Priming can be also valuable to seed bank operators who need improved protocols of ex situ conservation of germplasm collections (crop and native species). Depending on plant species, seed morphology and physiology, different priming treatments can be applied, all of them triggering the so-called 'pre-germinative metabolism'. This physiological process takes place during early seed imbibition and includes the seed repair response (activation of DNA repair pathways and antioxidant mechanisms), essential to preserve genome integrity, ensuring proper germination and seedling development. The review provides an overview of priming technology, describing the range of physical-chemical and biological treatments currently available. Optimised priming protocols can be designed using the 'hydrotime concept' analysis which provides the theoretical bases for assessing the relationship between water potential and germination rate. Despite the efforts so far reported to further improve seed priming, novel ideas and cutting-edge investigations need to be brought into this technological sector of agri-seed industry. Multidisciplinary translational research combining digital, bioinformatic and molecular tools will significantly contribute to expand the range of priming applications to other relevant commercial sectors, e.g. the native seed market.

An in vitro bone tissue regeneration strategy combining chondrogenic and vascular priming enhances the mineralization potential of mesenchymal stem cells in vitro while also allowing for vessel formation.

Chondrogenic priming (CP) of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and coculture of MSCs with human umbilical vein endothelial stem cells (HUVECs) both have been shown to significantly increase the potential for MSCs to undergo osteogenic differentiation and mineralization in vitro and in vivo. Such strategies mimic cartilage template formation or vascularization that occur during endochondral ossification during early fetal development. However, although both chondrogenesis and vascularization are crucial precursors for bone formation by endochondral ossification, no in vitro bone tissue regeneration strategy has sought to incorporate both events simultaneously. The objective of this study is to develop an in vitro bone regeneration strategy that mimics critical aspects of the endochondral ossification process, specifically (1) the formation of a cartilage template and (2) subsequent vascularization of this template. We initially prime the MSCs with chondrogenic growth factors, to ensure the production of a cartilage template, and subsequently implement a coculture strategy involving MSC and HUVECs. Three experimental groups were compared; (1) CP for 21 days with no addition of cells; (2) CP for 21 days followed by coculture of HUVECs (250,000 cells); (3) CP for 21 days followed by coculture of HUVECs and MSCs (250,000 cells) at a ratio of 1:1. Each group was cultured for a further 21 days in osteogenic media after the initial CP period. Biochemical (DNA, Alkaline Phosphatase Activity, Calcium, and Vessel Endothelial Growth Factor) and histological analyses (Alcian blue, alizarin red, CD31(+), and collagen type X) were performed 1, 2, and 3 weeks after the media switch. The results of this study show that CP provides a cartilage-like template that provides a suitable platform for HUVEC and MSC cells to attach, proliferate, and infiltrate for up to 3 weeks. More importantly we show that the use of the coculture methodology, rudimentary vessels are formed within this cartilage template and enhanced the mineralization potential of MSCs. Taken together these results indicate for the first time that the application of both chondrogenic and vascular priming of MSCs enhances the mineralization potential of MSCs in vitro while also allowing the formation of immature vessels.

Seed Priming and Trichoderma Application: A Method for Improving Seedling Establishment and Yield of Dry Direct Seeded Boro (Winter) Rice in Bangladesh

Seedling mortality is the major barrier to optimum stand establishment in dry direct seeded boro (winter) rice. Two experiments were carried out at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, Bangladesh during January to June 2012 and 2013 to study the effect of seed priming, Trichoderma and fungicide application on seedling establishment and yield performance of dry direct seeded Boro rice. First experiment comprised three seed priming treatments, osmopriming with 3% ZnSO4 solution, hydropriming and no priming. There were five treatment combinations of Trichoderma and fungicides. These were seed treatment with Trichoderma (T1), spraying of rice seedling with sulphur fungicide (Thiovit) (T2); propiconazole fungicide (Potent) (T3), and combination of Thiovit and Potent (T4) and a control treatment (T5) where no fungicide or Trichoderma was applied. The treatment was applied at 20 days after sowing (DAS). In year 2013, the experiment comprised ten treatment combinations of Trichoderma and fungicides viz.seed treatment with Trichoderma (T1), seed treatment with Trichoderma + spraying of Thiovit (T2), seed treatment with Trichoderma + spraying of Potent (T3), seed treatment with Trichoderma + spraying of Thiovit and Potent (T4), spraying of Thiovit (T5), spraying of P otent (T6), seed treatment with Thiovit + spraying of Potent (T7), seed treatment with Potent + spraying of Thiovit (T8), spraying of mixture of Thiovit and Potent (T9), and control (no fungicide or Trichoderma) (T10). Both the experiments used Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Results showed that osmopriming gave higher number of seedling, length and dry matter of shoot and root and yield than hydropriming. All these attributes were highest with seed treatment by Trichoderma. Experiment 2 revealed that seed treatment with Trichoderma harzianum followed by spraying of Thiovit gave the highest yield of rice. The study concludes that sowing of seed after osmopriming with 3% ZnSO4 and biopriming with Trichoderma and then application of sulphur fungicide at 20 days after sowing could be practiced for ensuring high seedling establishment and yield of rice under dry direct seeded system in boro season.