bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Fault Tolerant Capability of Three-phase Induction Motor Drives for Automotive Applications
Authors: Tousizadeh Mahdi , Hang Seng Che , Abd Rahim Nasrudin
Published: April 2021

With the increase proliferation of electric vehicles in the world, the demand for more reliable power electronics drive train is also on the rise. While theoretically the use of multiphase (more than three-phase) motors can increase the reliability of electrical drive train for EV, they are generally not commercially ready and available in the market. Hence, three-phase drive train are still the main stream in current EV technology and the fault-tolerant control of these motor drives remain an interesting and important topic. In this presentation, the existing fault tolerant three-phase motor drive topologies and control methods are reviewed. In particular, the post-fault controls of three-phase motor using 4 legs inverters are discussed and the opportunity for voltage utilization improvement with this configuration is demonstrated.
Control Strategies for Bidirectional DC-DC Converters: An Overview
Authors: Ashfaq Muhammad Husnain , Selvaraj Jeyraj A/L , Rahim Nasrudin Abd
Published: April 2021

The energy produced by renewable energy sources has variations as these sources are sensitive to weather conditions. To overcome this problem, storage devices like batteries are used for stabilization. Bidirectional DC-DC converter is the main component to interface renewable energy sources with energy storage devices. With the help of proper switching techniques, these converters have the ability to increase or decrease the level of the voltages and can handle the power flow in both directions, from source to storage device (forward direction/charging mode), as well as from storage device to source (backward direction/discharging mode). Hence for an efficient system, the control of power flow must be very effective. This paper presents an overview of various bidirectional DC-DC converter’s classical and supervisory control methods that have been proposed in recent years.
NEPLAN-Based Analysis of Impacts of Electric Vehicle Charging Strategies on Power Distribution System
Authors: Ahmed Aslam A , Abdullah Majid A , Mansor Muhamad , Marsadek Marayati Bte , Ying Yong Jia , Abd Rahman Muhamad Safwan , Salim Nur Ashida
Published: April 2021

This paper aims to analyze the impacts associated with the incorporation of EV charging stations into the distribution network. Using NEPLAN software, a typical distribution network was simulated and analyzed under normal conditions and with integrated coordinated and uncoordinated EV charging stations. A comparative study was then conducted on the main parameters of the distribution system: voltage profiles, transformer loading, as well as power demand and losses. Based on the simulation results, it can be argued that the worst adverse effects are associated with an uncoordinated charging strategy, while the use of a coordinated charging strategy demonstrates significant improvements. Although the distribution network components or requirements of either strategy have not been changed, it is evident, however, that shifting and splitting EV loads has resulted in a coordinated approach that eliminates all adverse effects. Implementing these strategies helps to overcome the challenges of incorporating charging stations into the distribution network, such as equipment overheating, rapid aging issues, as well as the need for additional investment in distribution infrastructure and capacity expansion.
A review of optimization methods for economic and emission dispatch considering PV and wind energy
Authors: Nassar M Y , Abdullah M N , Ahmwed A
Published: April 2021

The power generation system has fossil fuels as their major electricity generation source. This source is not reliable and environmentally friendly so, the alternative source such as renewable energy (RE) is getting much attention in the development of a power generation system. To achieve optimal power output for the power system there is a necessity to solve the economic and emission dispatch (EED) problem considering the operational system constraints. Numerous types of research on optimization of fossil fuel cost and emission roles have been focused to solve the concerned power dispatch issue. This paper represents a comprehensive study on combined economic and emission dispatch (CEED) problem with respect to conventional and unconventional energy sources. To optimize the power dispatch problem, the existing algorithm consisting of optimization methods and objective functions in integrated renewable energy sources (RES) system is tested and reviewed. This paper presented various optimization methods applied to different test systems to minimize emission and cost for power dispatch with PV and wind. Future trends and necessary steps next in the field of power dispatch are also been deliberated.
Peccei-Quinn-like symmetries for nonabelian axions
Authors: Chatterjee Debashis , Mitra P
Published: April 2021

Axions were first introduced in connection with chiral symmetry but are now being looked for mainly as dark matter. In this paper we introduce a nonabelian analogue of axions which can also be potential candidates for dark matter. Their nonabelian symmetries, which are generalizations of the Peccei-Quinn symmetry, are interesting in their own right. Detailed analysis, using fermion measure and zeta function approaches, shows that these symmetries are not anomalous.
Biocompatible magnetic gelatin nanoparticles with enhanced MRI contrast performance prepared by single-step desolvation method
Authors: Teijeiro-Valiño C , González Gómez M A , Yáñez S , García Acevedo P , Arnosa Prieto A , Belderbos S , Gsell W , Himmelreich U , Piñeiro Y , Rivas J
Published: April 2021

Magnetic nanoparticles are versatile materials that have boosted the development of different biomedical applications, being superparamagnetic magnetite nanoparticles a milestone in the field, after achieving clinical approval as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (Feridex®), magnetic hyperthermia agents for oncological treatments (NanoTherm®), or iron deficiency supplement (Feraheme®). However, its potential as theragnostic agent could be further expanded by its encapsulation within a biodegradable hydrogel, capable of enhancing the biocompatibility and loading abilities, to simultaneously carry drugs, radiotracers, or biomolecules. Gelatin, is a natural biopolymer with optimal in vivo feature and gelling capacity that has been extensively used for decades in pharmaceuticals. In this work, we have addressed the preparation of gelatin nanoparticles, bare and loaded with magnetite nanoparticles, with controlled size to be used as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging. The main formulation parameters influencing the preparation of gelatin nanoparticles with controlled size by single-step desolvation method, were studied and optimized, to produce small gelatin nanoparticles (97nm) and highly loaded (38% w/w) Fe3O4@citrate gelatin nanoparticles (150 nm) with high magnetic response (65emus/g). The viability assays of the magnetic gelatin nanoparticles, tested with mesenchymal stem cells, showed negligible toxicity and in vitro magnetic resonance imaging tests, performed in agar phantoms, revealed a good contrast for T2 weighting MRI, r2 = 265.5(mM−1 s−1), superior to commercial products, such as Resovist or Endorem.
Effective randomness for continuous measures
Authors: Reimann Jan , Slaman Theodore
Published: April 2021

We investigate which infinite binary sequences (reals) are effectively random with respect to some continuous (i.e., non-atomic) probability measure. We prove that for every

n
n

, all but countably many reals are

n
n

-random for such a measure, where

n
n

indicates the arithmetical complexity of the Martin-Löf tests allowed. The proof rests upon an application of Borel determinacy. Therefore, the proof presupposes the existence of infinitely many iterates of the power set of the natural numbers. In the second part of the paper we present a metamathematical analysis showing that this assumption is indeed necessary. More precisely, there exists a computable function

G
G

such that, for any

n
n

, the statement “All but countably many reals are

G
(
n
)

G(n)

-random with respect to a continuous probability measure” cannot be proved in

Z
F
C

n
−

\mathsf {ZFC}^-_n

. Here

Z
F
C

n
−

\mathsf {ZFC}^-_n

stands for Zermelo-Fraenkel set theory with the Axiom of Choice, where the Power Set Axiom is replaced by the existence of

n
n

-many iterates of the power set of the natural numbers. The proof of the latter fact rests on a very general obstruction to randomness, namely the presence of an internal definability structure.
interacCircos: an R package based on JavaScript libraries for the generation of interactive circos plots
Authors: Cui Zhe , Cui Ya , Zang Tianyi , Wang Yadong
Published: April 2021

JavaScript-based Circos libraries have been widely implemented to generate interactive Circos plots in web applications. However, these libraries require either local installation, which requires the compilation of extra libraries, or extra data processing procedures to prepare input and configuration for each track of plot, which limits the utility and capability of integration with powerful R packages. In this report, we present interacCircos, an R package for creating interactive Circos plots through the integration of JavaScript-based libraries. interacCircos can simply and flexibly implement 14 track-plot functions and 7 auxiliary functions for presenting large-scale genomic data in interactive Circos plots.

Availability and implementation

InteracCircos and its manual are freely available at https://github.com/mrcuizhe/interacCircos under the GPL license. The online documentation is available at https://mrcuizhe.github.io/interacCircos_documentation/index.html.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A decoupled, modular and scriptable architecture for tools to curate data platforms
Authors: Langenstein Momo , Hermjakob Henning , Bernal Llinares Manuel
Published: April 2021

Motivation

Curation is essential for any data platform to maintain the quality of the data it provides. Today, more effective curation tools are often vital to keep up with the rapid growth of existing, maintenance-requiring databases and the amount of newly published information that needs to be surveyed. However, curation interfaces are often complex and challenging to be further developed. Therefore, opportunities for experimentation with curation workflows may be lost due to a lack of development resources or a reluctance to change sensitive production systems.

Results

We propose a decoupled, modular and scriptable architecture to build new curation tools on top of existing platforms. Our architecture treats the existing platform as a black box. It, therefore, only relies on its public application programming interfaces and web application instead of requiring any changes to the existing infrastructure. As a case study, we have implemented this architecture in cmd-iaso, a curation tool for the identifiers.org registry. With cmd-iaso, we also show that the proposed design’s flexibility can be utilized to streamline and enhance the curator’s workflow with the platform’s existing web interface.

Availabilityand implementation

The cmd-iaso curation tool is implemented in Python 3.7+ and supports Linux, macOS and Windows. Its source code and documentation are freely available from https://github.com/identifiers-org/cmd-iaso. It is also published as a Docker container at https://hub.docker.com/r/identifiersorg/cmd-iaso.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
FPM app: an open-source MATLAB application for simple and intuitive Fourier ptychographic reconstruction
Authors: Rogalski Mikołaj , Zdańkowski Piotr , Trusiak Maciej
Published: April 2021

Fourier ptychographic microscopy (FPM) is a computational microscopy technique that enables large field of view and high-resolution microscopic imaging of biological samples. However, the FPM does not yet have an adequately capable open-source software. In order to fill this gap we are presenting novel, simple, universal, semi-automatic and highly intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) open-source application called the FPM app enabling wide-scale robust FPM reconstruction. Apart from implementing the FPM in accessible GUI app, we also made several improvements in the FPM image reconstruction process itself, making the FPM more automatic, noise-robust and faster.

Availability and implementation

FPM app was implemented in MATLAB and all MATLAB codes along with standalone executable version of the FPM app and the online documentation are freely accessible at https://github.com/MRogalski96/FPM-app. Our exemplary FPM datasets may be downloaded at https://bit.ly/2MxNpGb.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Abnormal early folliculogenesis due to impeded pyruvate metabolism in mouse oocytes
Authors: Tanaka Keiko , Hayashi Yohei , Takehara Asuka , Ito-Matsuoka Yumi , Tachibana Masahito , Yaegashi Nobuo , Matsui Yasuhisa
Published: April 2021

Fetal ovarian germ cells show characteristic energy metabolism status, such as enhanced mitochondrial metabolism as well as glycolysis, but their roles in early folliculogenesis are unclear. We show here that inhibition of pyruvate uptake to mitochondria by UK5099 in organ cultures of fetal mouse ovaries resulted in repressed early folliculogenesis without affecting energy production, survival of oocytes, or meiosis. In addition, the abnormal folliculogenesis by UK5099 was partially rescued by α-ketoglutarate and succinate, intermediate metabolites in the TCA cycle, suggesting the importance of those metabolites. The expression of TGFβ-related genes Gdf9 and Bmp15 in ovarian germ cells, which are crucial for folliculogenesis, was downregulated by UK5099, and the addition of recombinant GDF9 partially rescued the abnormal folliculogenesis induced by UK5099. We also found that early folliculogenesis was similarly repressed, as in the culture, in the ovaries of a germ cell-specific knockout of Mpc2, which encodes a mitochondria pyruvate carrier that is targeted by UK5099. These results suggest that insufficient Gdf9 expression induced by abnormal pyruvate metabolism in oocytes results in early follicular dysgenesis, which is a possible cause of defective folliculogenesis in humans.
The use of simultaneous stereo-electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography in localizing the epileptogenic focus in refractory focal epilepsy
Authors: Vivekananda Umesh , Cao Chunyan , Liu Wei , Zhang Jing , Rugg-Gunn Fergus , Walker Matthew C , Litvak Vladimir , Sun Bomin , Zhan Shikun
Published: April 2021

Both magnetoencephalography and stereo-electroencephalography are used in presurgical epilepsy assessment, with contrasting advantages and limitations. It is not known whether simultaneous stereo-electroencephalography–magnetoencephalography recording confers an advantage over both individual modalities, in particular whether magnetoencephalography can provide spatial context to epileptiform activity seen on stereo-electroencephalography. Twenty-four adult and paediatric patients who underwent stereo-electroencephalography study for pre-surgical evaluation of drug-resistant focal epilepsy, were recorded using simultaneous stereo-electroencephalography–magnetoencephalography, of which 14 had abnormal interictal activity during recording. The 14 patients were divided into two groups; those with detected superficial (n = 7) and deep (n = 7) brain interictal activity. Interictal spikes were independently identified in stereo-electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography. Magnetoencephalography dipoles were derived using a distributed inverse method. There was no significant difference between stereo-electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography in detecting superficial spikes (P = 0.135) and stereo-electroencephalography was significantly better at detecting deep spikes (P = 0.002). Mean distance across patients between stereo-electroencephalography channel with highest average spike amplitude and magnetoencephalography dipole was 20.7 ± 4.4 mm. for superficial sources, and 17.8 ± 3.7 mm. for deep sources, even though for some of the latter (n = 4) no magnetoencephalography spikes were detected and magnetoencephalography dipole was fitted to a stereo-electroencephalography interictal activity triggered average. Removal of magnetoencephalography dipole was associated with 1 year seizure freedom in 6/7 patients with superficial source, and 5/6 patients with deep source. Although stereo-electroencephalography has greater sensitivity in identifying interictal activity from deeper sources, a magnetoencephalography source can be localized using stereo-electroencephalography information, thereby providing useful whole brain context to stereo-electroencephalography and potential role in epilepsy surgery planning.
Biomethane use for automobiles towards a CO2-neutral energy system
Authors: Orecchini Fabio , Santiangeli Adriano , Zuccari Fabrizio
Published: April 2021

To pursue the goal of sustainable mobility, two main paths can be considered: the electrification of vehicles and the use of biofuels, replacing fossil fuels, in internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. This paper proposes an analysis of different possible scenarios for automobiles towards a CO2-neutral energy system, in the path of the use of biofuels and the production, distribution and use of biomethane. The study, an update of work presented previously, focuses on different scenarios that take into account numerous parameters that affect the overall efficiency of the production-and-use process. A Well-to-Wheel analysis is used to estimate the primary energy savings and reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions compared both to the use of fossil-based methane and to other fuels and automotive technologies. In particular, the study shows that the Non-Renewable Primary Energy Consumption (NRPEC) for biomethane is slightly higher (+9%) than that of biodiesel, but significantly lower than those of all the other power trains analysed: –69% compared to the battery electric vehicle (BEV) and –55% compared to bioethanol. Compared to the use of fossil natural gas, the NRPEC is reduced to just over a third (2.81). With regard to CO2 emissions, biomethane has the lowest values: –69% compared to BEV, –176% compared to bioethanol and –124% with respect to biodiesel. Compared to the use of fossil natural gas, the CO2 emissions are reduced over a third (3.55). Moreover, the paper shows that biomethane can completely cover the consumption of fossil methane for vehicles in Italy, proposing two different hypotheses: maximum production and minimum production. It is evident, therefore, that biomethane production can completely cover the consumption of fossil methane for vehicles: this means that the use of biomethane in the car can lead to a reduction in NRPEC equal to 28.9 × 106 GJ/year and a reduction of CO2 emissions equal to 1.9 × 106 t/year.
Performance Evaluation of Machine Learning Techniques for Fault Diagnosis in Vehicle Fleet Tracking Modules
Authors: Sepulvene Luis , Drummond Isabela , Kuehne Bruno , Frinhani Rafael , Leite Filho Dionisio , Peixoto Maycon , Reiff-Marganiec Stephan , Batista Bruno
Published: April 2021

With industry 4.0, data-based approaches are in vogue. However, extracting the essential features is not a trivial task and greatly influences the final result. There is also a need for specialized system knowledge to monitor the environment and diagnose faults. In this context, the diagnosis of faults is significant, for example, in a vehicle fleet monitoring system, since it is possible to diagnose faults even before the customer is aware of the fault, minimizing the maintenance costs of the modules. In this paper, several models using machine learning (ML) techniques were applied and analyzed during the fault diagnosis process in vehicle fleet tracking modules. Two approaches were proposed: ‘With Knowledge’ and ‘Without Knowledge’, to explore the dataset using ML techniques to generate classifiers that can assist in the fault diagnosis process. The approach ‘With Knowledge’ performs the feature extraction manually, using the ML techniques: random forest, naive Bayes, support vector machine and Multi Layer Perceptron; on the other hand, the approach ‘Without Knowledge’ performs an automatic feature extraction, through a convolutional neural network. The results showed that the proposed approaches are promising. The best models with manual feature extraction obtained a precision of 99.76% and 99.68% for detection and detection and isolation of faults, respectively, in the provided dataset. The best models performing an automatic feature extraction obtained, respectively, 88.43% and 54.98% for detection and detection and isolation of failures.
Researcher perspectives on challenges and opportunities in conservation physiology revealed from an online survey
Authors: Madliger Christine L , Love Oliver P , Nguyen Vivian M , Haddaway Neal R , Cooke Steven J
Published: April 2021

Conservation physiology represents a recently emerging arm of conservation science that applies physiological tools and techniques to understand and solve conservation issues. While a multi-disciplinary toolbox can only help to address the global biodiversity crisis, any field can face challenges while becoming established, particularly highly applied disciplines that require multi-stakeholder involvement. Gaining first-hand knowledge of the challenges that conservation physiologists are facing can help characterize the current state of the field and build a better foundation for determining how it can grow. Through an online survey of 468 scientists working at the intersection of physiology and conservation, we aimed to identify characteristics of those engaging in conservation physiology research (e.g. demographics, primary taxa of study), gauge conservation physiology’s role in contributing to on-the-ground conservation action, identify the perceived barriers to achieving success and determine how difficult any identified barriers are to overcome. Despite all participants having experience combining physiology and conservation, only one-third considered themselves to be ‘conservation physiologists’. Moreover, there was a general perception that conservation physiology does not yet regularly lead to tangible conservation success. Respondents identified the recent conceptualization of the field and the broader issue of adequately translating science into management action as the primary reasons for these deficits. Other significant barriers that respondents have faced when integrating physiology and conservation science included a lack of funding, logistical constraints (e.g. sample sizes, obtaining permits) and a lack of physiological baseline data (i.e. reference ranges of a physiological metric’s ‘normal’ or pre-environmental change levels). We identified 12 actions based on suggestions of survey participants that we anticipate will help deconstruct the barriers and continue to develop a narrative of physiology that is relevant to conservation science, policy and practice.
Effects of Agronomic Practices on Lygus spp. (Hemiptera: Miridae) Population Dynamics in Quinoa
Authors: Oeller Elisabeth C , Clark Robert E , Hinojosa Leonardo , Murphy Kevin M , Crowder David W
Published: April 2021

Crop diversification often promotes farm sustainability. However, proper management of newly introduced crops is difficult when pests are unknown. Characterizing herbivore dynamics on new crops, and how they respond to agronomic factors, is crucial for integrated pest management. Here we explored factors affecting Lygus spp. (Hemiptera: Miridae) herbivores in quinoa crops of Washington State. Quinoa is a newly introduced crop for North America that has multiple varieties and a range of agronomic practices used for cultivation. Through arthropod surveys and discussions with growers, we determined that Lygus spp. was the most abundant insect herbivore and likely contributed to low quinoa yields in previous seasons. We assessed how different varieties (Pison and QQ74), irrigation regimes (present and not), and planting methods (direct-seeded and transplanted) affected Lygus population dynamics. Lygus phenology was correlated with timing of quinoa seed-set in July and August, corresponding to a period when quinoa is most susceptible to Lygus. Both irrigation and planting manipulations had significant effects on Lygus abundance. Irrigation reduced Lygus abundance compared with nonirrigated plots in 2018. Planting method had a significant effect on Lygus populations in both 2017 and 2018, but effects differed among years. Variety had a significant effect on Lygus abundance, but only in nonirrigated plots. Overall, our study shows that Lygus is a common insect herbivore in quinoa, and careful selection of variety, planting method, and irrigation regime may be key components of effective control in seasons where Lygus abundance is high.
Distributional and economy-wide effects of post-conflict agricultural policy in Colombia
Authors: Jiménez Dora Elena , Saldarriaga-Isaza Adrián , Cicowiez Martín
Published: April 2021

We assessed the economic effects of the agricultural policy that is proposed as part of the 2016 peace accord in Colombia. We used a newly built social accounting matrix for Colombia to calibrate a computable general equilibrium model. We found that the value added, demand for labour and factor incomes increased in the areas most affected by the conflict, while the opposite occurred in the other areas. In general, distributional effects between urban and rural areas are strongly conditional on the financing mechanism adopted by the government.
Multicomponent intervention provided by GPs to reduce cardiovascular risk factors: evaluation in an Italian large sample
Authors: Colombo Alessandra , Voglino Gianluca , Lo Moro Giuseppina , Taborelli Stefano , Bianchi Maria Antonietta , Gutierrez Lucas Maria , Bert Fabrizio , Della Rosa Maria Cristina , Siliquini Roberta
Published: April 2021

Background

The cardiovascular risk increases in a multiplicative way when patients present more risk factors simultaneously. Moreover, the General Practitioners (GPs) play a crucial role in risk factors prevention and reduction. This work aimed to evaluate a multicomponent intervention in the Primary Care Department in an Italian Local Health Unit.

Methods

A pre-post study was conducted in Northern Italy (2018). Patients were eligible if: aged between 30 and 60 years, not chronic patients, not affected by hypertension or hypercholesterolaemia. The GPs assessed body mass index, hypertension, abdominal obesity, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) values, glycaemic values, smoking and exercise habit (T0). A counselling by GPs to at-risk patients and a multicomponent health education intervention were performed. Reassessment occurred after at least 3 months (T1). Main analyses were chi-squared tests for gender differences, McNemar or marginal homogeneity tests for changes in paired data (P < 0.05 as significant).

Results

Participants were 5828 at T0 (54.0% females) and 4953 at T1 (53.4% females). At T0, 99.1% presented at least one risk factor. Significant changes in paired data were reported for each risk factor. The greatest improvement frequencies occurred in glycaemia values (51.0%) and hypertension (45.6%), the lowest in abdominal obesity (3.7%). Some differences were recorded between genders, e.g. females reported higher improvement frequencies in hypertension (P = 0.001) and abdominal obesity (P < 0.001), whereas males in physical activity (P = 0.011) and LDL values (P = 0.032).

Conclusion

The results showed significant changes for each risk factor, both for men and women. GPs and multicomponent educational interventions could play a key role in reducing cardiovascular risk factors.
Young scientist perspective—microbiology trainees and social media: making science go viral during a pandemic
Authors: Al Kait F , Puebla-Barragan Scarlett , Reid Gregor , Burton Jeremy P
Published: April 2021

This perspective looks at how social media has become even more critical since the pandemic and provides tips on how to market research outputs from a trainee viewpoint better.
Structure of recombinants from conjugational crosses between Escherichia coli donor and mismatch-repair deficient Salmonella typhimurium recipients.
Authors: Matic I , Radman M , Rayssiguier C
Published: April 2021

To get more insight into the control of homologous recombination between diverged DNA by the Mut proteins of the long-patch mismatch repair system, we have studied interspecies Escherichia coli/Salmonella typhimurium recombination. Knowing that the same recombination pathway (RecABCD) is responsible for intraspecies and interspecies recombination, we have now studied the structure (replacement vs. addition-type or other rearrangement-type recombinants) of 81 interspecies recombinants obtained in conjugational crosses between E. coli donor and mutL, mutS, mutH, mutU or mut+ S. typhimurium recipients. Taking advantage of high interspecies sequence divergence, a physical analysis was performed on one third of the E. coli Hfr genome, which was expected to be transferred to S. typhimurium F- recipients during 40 min before interruption of the mating. Probes specific for each species were hybridized on dot blots of genomic DNA, or on colonies, and the composition of the rrn operons was determined from purified genomic DNA. With very few exceptions, the structure of these interspecies recombinants corresponds to replacements of one continuous block of the recipient genome by the corresponding region of the donor genome.
Characterization of two Segregation distorter revertants: evidence that the tandem duplication is necessary for Sd activity in Drosophila melanogaster.
Authors: Palopoli M F , Doshi P , Wu C I
Published: April 2021

Segregation Distorter (SD) is a naturally occurring system of meiotic drive in Drosophila melanogaster. Males heterozygous for an SD second chromosome and a normal homolog (SD+) transmit predominantly SD-bearing sperm. To accomplish this, the Segregation distorter (Sd) locus induces the dysfunction of those spermatids that receive the SD+ chromosome. Recently, P. A. Powers and B. Ganetzky isolated overlapping DNA clones spanning the region of DNA known to contain the Sd gene and identified a 5-kb tandem duplication that is present on all SD chromosomes examined, but is apparently absent from wild-type chromosomes. Here we report a molecular analysis of two spontaneous revertants from an Australian SD chromosome (SD-Arm28). Both of these revertants have lost the 5-kb tandem duplication along with the ability to distort transmission; the critical observation, however, is that they retain the DNA haplotype in the flanking regions (both proximally and distally) that is characteristic of the original SD-Arm28. We propose unequal sister chromatid exchange between the tandem repeats as the only plausible explanation for loss of a repeat while retaining flanking markers. This provides direct evidence that the tandem duplication is indeed necessary for the Sd phenotype. Further, we examined testes-specific levels of both RNA and protein for the nearby Topoisomerase 2 gene. Neither revealed a consistent difference between SD and SD+ strains. We also measured testes-specific levels of RNA using the tandem duplication itself as probe. Our results suggest that there is strong up-regulation of one or several 2.0-2.3-kb transcripts from the duplicated region in the testes of an SD strain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Genetic analysis of Rough sheath1 developmental mutants of maize.
Authors: Becraft P W , Freeling M
Published: April 2021

Maize Rough sheath1 (Rs1) mutants are dominant and cause a proliferation of sheath-like tissue at the base of the blade and throughout the ligular region. They also cause ligule displacement, a chaotic pattern of vasculature and abnormal cellular structure of vascular bundles. The affected region of Rs1-O leaves displays genetic and morphological attributes of both sheath and auricle, suggesting an overlap of these genetic programs. The rs1 locus maps approximately 26 map units distal to opaque2 (o2) on chromosome 7S, defining a new distal-most locus on the genetic map. Three mutant alleles, Rs1-O, Rs1-1025 and Rs1-Z, all display similar phenotypes. The mutations are completely dominant and the Rs1-O phenotype is not affected by dosage of the chromosome arm carrying the rs1+ allele, indicating that these alleles are neomorphic. Analysis of genetic mosaics showed that the Rs1-O phenotype is non-cell-autonomous, suggesting that intercellular signals convey the phenotype. Rs1 mutant phenotypes are affected by modifiers present in particular genetic backgrounds. An enhancer of Rs1-O was identified; segregation data imply a single recessive gene, ers1. Rs1 mutants were also found to enhance the expression of unlinked rs2 and Rs4 mutants, suggesting that these mutations affect similar developmental processes. We discuss the phenotypic and genetic similarities between Rs1 and Knotted 1 (Kn1) mutants that led to the identification of rs1 as a kn1-like homeobox gene (unpublished data).
Geographical variation in a quantitative character.
Authors: Nagylaki T
Published: April 2021

A model for the evolution of the local averages of a quantitative character under migration, selection, and random genetic drift in a subdivided population is formulated and investigated. Generations are discrete and nonoverlapping; the monoecious, diploid population mates at random in each deme. All three evolutionary forces are weak, but the migration pattern and the local population numbers are otherwise arbitrary. The character is determined by purely additive gene action and a stochastically independent environment; its distribution is Gaussian with a constant variance; and it is under Gaussian stabilizing selection with the same parameters in every deme. Linkage disequilibrium is neglected. Most of the results concern the covariances of the local averages. For a finite number of demes, explicit formulas are derived for (i) the asymptotic rate and pattern of convergence to equilibrium, (ii) the variance of a suitably weighted average of the local averages, and (iii) the equilibrium covariances when selection and random drift are much weaker than migration. Essentially complete analyses of equilibrium and convergence are presented for random outbreeding and site homing, the Levene and island models, the circular habitat and the unbounded linear stepping-stone model in the diffusion approximation, and the exact unbounded stepping-stone model in one and two dimensions.
Symbolic Kinship Program
Authors: Brenner C H
Published: April 2021

This paper discusses a computerized algorithm to derive the formula for the likelihood ratio for a kinship problem with any arbitrarily defined relationships based on genetic evidence. The ordinary paternity case with the familiar likelihood formula 1/2q is the commonest example. More generally, any miscellaneous collection of people can be genetically tested to help settle some argument about how they are related, what one might call a “kinship” case. Examples that geneticists and DNA identification laboratories run into include sibship, incest, twin, inheritance, motherless, and corpse identification cases. The strength of the genetic evidence is always described by a likelihood ratio. The general method is described by which the computer program finds the formulas appropriate to these various situations. The benefits and the interest of the program are discussed using many examples, including analyses that have previously been published, some practical problems, and simple and useful rules for dealing with scenarios in which ancestral or fraternal types substitute for those of the alleged father.
Exome sequencing revealed PDE11A as a novel candidate gene for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Qin Wei , Zhou Aihong , Zuo Xiumei , Jia Longfei , Li Fangyu , Wang Qi , Li Ying , Wei Yiping , Jin Hongmei , Cruchaga Carlos , Benitez Bruno A , Jia Jianping
Published: April 2021

To identify novel risk genes and better understand the molecular pathway underlying Alzheimer’s disease (AD), whole-exome sequencing was performed in 215 early-onset AD (EOAD) patients and 255 unrelated healthy controls of Han Chinese ethnicity. Subsequent validation, computational annotation and in vitro functional studies were performed to evaluate the role of candidate variants in EOAD. We identified two rare missense variants in the phosphodiesterase 11A (PDE11A) gene in individuals with EOAD. Both variants are located in evolutionarily highly conserved amino acids, are predicted to alter the protein conformation and are classified as pathogenic. Furthermore, we found significantly decreased protein levels of PDE11A in brain samples of AD patients. Expression of PDE11A variants and knockdown experiments with specific short hairpin RNA (shRNA) for PDE11A both resulted in an increase of AD-associated Tau hyperphosphorylation at multiple epitopes in vitro. PDE11A variants or PDE11A shRNA also caused increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels, protein kinase A (PKA) activation and cAMP response element-binding protein phosphorylation. In addition, pretreatment with a PKA inhibitor (H89) suppressed PDE11A variant-induced Tau phosphorylation formation. This study offers insight into the involvement of Tau phosphorylation via the cAMP/PKA pathway in EOAD pathogenesis and provides a potential new target for intervention.
Pollution status and trophic transfer of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in coral reef ecosystems of the South China Sea
Authors: Li Yali , Zou Xinqing , Zou Shichun , Li Pu , Yang Ying , Wang Junjie
Published: April 2021

Coral reef ecosystems are important fishing grounds in tropical and subtropical areas and have been widely contaminated by chemicals. However, the current understanding of the pollution status and trophic transfer of exogenous chemicals in coral reef ecosystems is still limited. This study aims to characterize the occurrence of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments, corals, and other biotas in the trophic-complex coral reef ecosystems in the Xisha and Nansha Islands of the South China Sea. PAH transfer characteristics in the highly diverse coral reef food webs were analyzed through stable isotope ratios and trophic magnification factors (TMFs). PAHs were observed in sediment and biota samples of both Xisha and Nansha coral reef ecosystems. The TMFs ranging from 0.46 to 2.18 for the Xisha food web indicate limited trophic transfer of PAHs, while those ranging from 1.07 to 5.25 for the Nansha food web indicate trophic magnification of PAHs. The octanol-water partition coefficient (Kow) of PAHs may positively influence the PAH biomagnification via accumulation along the trophic levels. This study provides new insights into PAH contamination patterns and their trophodynamic behaviour in highly diverse coral reef ecosystems, which can serve as a scientific basis for ecological risk assessment, biodiversity conservation, and coastal function management in global coral reef systems.
Research Relevant Conditions and Pathology in Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Saravanan Chandra , Flandre Thierry , Hodo Carolyn L , Lewis Anne D , Mecklenburg Lars , Romeike Annette , Turner Oliver C , Yen Hsi-Yu
Published: April 2021

Biomedical research involving animal models continues to provide important insights into disease pathogenesis and treatment of diseases that impact human health. In particular, nonhuman primates (NHPs) have been used extensively in translational research due to their phylogenetic proximity to humans and similarities to disease pathogenesis and treatment responses as assessed in clinical trials. Microscopic changes in tissues remain a significant endpoint in studies involving these models. Spontaneous, expected (ie, incidental or background) histopathologic changes are commonly encountered and influenced by species, genetic variations, age, and geographical origin of animals, including exposure to infectious or parasitic agents. Often, the background findings confound study-related changes, because numbers of NHPs used in research are limited by animal welfare and other considerations. Moreover, background findings in NHPs can be exacerbated by experimental conditions such as treatment with xenobiotics (eg, infectious morphological changes related to immunosuppressive therapy). This review and summary of research-relevant conditions and pathology in rhesus and cynomolgus macaques, baboons, African green monkeys, common marmosets, tamarins, and squirrel and owl monkeys aims to improve the interpretation and validity of NHP studies.
Development and Demonstration of Low-Impact IPM Strategy to Control Argentine Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Urban Residential Settings
Authors: Choe Dong-Hwan , Tay Jia-Wei , Campbell Kathleen , Park Hoeun , Greenberg Les , Rust Michael K
Published: April 2021

Argentine ants are one of the most common nuisance pest ants treated by pest management professionals (PMPs) in southern and western urban residential areas of the United States. Two new technologies (spraying with a pheromone adjuvant and using a biodegradable hydrogel bait delivery method) were used to develop a unique low-impact integrated pest management (IPM) protocol for Argentine ants in urban residential settings. The IPM protocol included a one-time perimeter spray treatment with 0.03% fipronil (mixed with a pheromone adjuvant) at the beginning of the ant season to achieve a quick knockdown. The initial spray application was followed by a biodegradable hydrogel baiting with 1% boric acid as a maintenance treatment. This low-impact IPM protocol was compared with two other conventional methods: (1) one initial fipronil application and one pyrethroid spray application for maintenance, or (2) one initial fipronil application and one essential oil insecticide spray application for maintenance. Based on Argentine ant foraging activity, the protocols were compared for their control efficacy. Insecticide use information and treatment time were also recorded and compared among different treatment protocols. Our results provided empirical data to support the effectiveness and economic feasibility of the low-impact IPM protocol for managing Argentine ants in urban residential settings.
Seismic radiation analyses in anisotropic media based on general dislocation source model
Authors: Yao Yi , Wang Yibo
Published: April 2021

Anisotropy affects the focal mechanism and makes it complicated. A shear motion generates a pure double-couple (DC) source in isotropic media. While in anisotropic media, it will produce non-DC components, which contain isotropic (ISO) and compensated linear vector dipole (CLVD) components. Besides, coupled with the diversity of fault motion, the source may become extremely complicated. In this paper, the seismic moment tensor is obtained based on the dislocation model, and then a variety of analyses are performed with the moment tensor, including moment tensor decomposition, radiation pattern, radiated energy ratio and seismic propagation characteristics. Since the anisotropy of the medium also influences seismic wave propagation, a hypothesis is made that the source region is minimal and anisotropic, but the propagation path is isotropic. The research gives some interesting conclusions. It is found that the anisotropy mainly affects the focal mechanism under low slope angle while high slope angle has little effect on the polarity. In terms of the moment tensor decomposition, if only one of ISO or CLVD exists, it can be asserted that the source region is anisotropic because ISO components are accompanied by CLVD components in isotropy media. As for the DC component, the results indicate it is one of the most important factors for determining the ratio of radiant energy. This paper presents some valuable findings of the focal mechanism of the general dislocation source under anisotropy, which helps to recognise the source characteristics of the earthquake and build solid foundations for the subsequent inversion of the focal mechanism.
Source modification for efficiency enhancement of marine controlled-source electromagnetic method
Authors: Rostami Amir , Yahaya Noorhana , Soleimani Hassan , Rauf Muhammad , Nyamasvisva Tadiwa E , Shafie Afza , Khosravi Vahid , Ganeson Menaka
Published: April 2021

Controlled-source electromagnetics is a strongly efficient technique to explore deep-water marine hydrocarbon reservoirs. However, the shallow-water unsolved limitations of electromagnetic shooting methods still exist. In this regard, this work aims to alter the existing conventional electromagnetic source such that it can converge the down-going electromagnetic wave while simultaneously dispersing the up-going electromagnetic energy to minimise the airwave in shallow water. This work presents computed electric current distribution inside a modified transmitter, using a method of moments. Simulation and an experiment-based methodology are applied to this work. Finite element simulation of the response of the modified transmitter displayed the capability of the new transmitter in dispersing the airwave, by 15%. The experimental setup confirmed a better performance of the new transmitter, showing hydrocarbon delineation of up to 48%, compared to the existing conventional transmitter, with 25% oil delineation at the same depths in the same environment. Modification of the electromagnetic source to unbalance the up-down signals may have the potential to enhance the delineation magnitude of the target signal and, as a result, significantly improve oil detection capability.
Comparison of Treatments for Nonmetastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Matching-Adjusted Indirect Comparison and Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Lin , Paller Channing , Hong Hwanhee , Rosman Lori , De Felice Anthony , Brawley Otis , Alexander G Caleb
Published: April 2021

Background

For nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC), 3 drugs under patent protection—apalutamide, enzalutamide, and darolutamide—were approved based on randomized, placebo-controlled trials; 1 drug with generic availability, abiraterone acetate, showed efficacy in a single-arm trial and is commonly prescribed. Lacking head-to-head trials, the optimal treatment for nmCRPC is unknown, despite widely varied treatment costs. We compared the efficacy and safety of nmCRPC treatments.

Methods

We searched bibliographic databases, regulatory documents, and trial registries for nmCRPC trials. We included published results and, when available, original data. We performed matching-adjusted indirect comparison and network meta-analysis and compared treatments regarding metastasis-free survival, overall survival, and serious adverse events.

Results

We analyzed 5 trials with 4360 participants. Compared with placebo, abiraterone acetate engendered the lowest hazard of metastasis and death (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.22, 95% credible interval [CrI] = 0.12–0.41), followed by apalutamide (HR = 0.28, 95% CrI = 0.23–0.34), enzalutamide (HR = 0.30, 95% CrI = 0.25–0.36), and darolutamide (HR = 0.41, 95% CrI = 0.34–0.49); darolutamide led to the lowest hazard of death (HR = 0.69, 95% CrI = 0.53–0.90), followed by enzalutamide (HR = 0.73, 95% CrI = 0.61–0.87) and apalutamide (HR = 0.75, 95% CrI = 0.59–0.95); darolutamide resulted in the lowest odds of serious adverse events (odds ratio [OR] = 1.32, 95% CrI = 1.02–1.70), followed by enzalutamide (OR =1.43, 95% CrI = 1.08–1.89), apalutamide (OR = 1.58, 95% CrI = 1.23–2.03), and abiraterone acetate (OR = 1.94, 95% CrI = 1.17–3.22).

Conclusions

For nmCRPC, darolutamide offered optimal efficacy and safety among approved drugs, and abiraterone acetate may offer comparable metastasis-free survival benefit with cost savings from generic availability. Future research is needed to more fully examine the benefit of abiraterone acetate.