Sympatric speciation was once thought most improbable, but careful study of some systems, particularly the apple maggot (Rhagoletis pomonella) and related Rhagoletis species has led to a re-evaluation of its likelihood. Different species and host races in this clade of flies often have highly specialized host preference, and along with frequent evolutionary shifts to different fruit species between sister taxa, there is a likely effect of the timing of adult emergence that follows host fruiting phenology. This is known as “allochronic” isolation (from the Greek, meaning “different timing”). This overview covers recent discoveries by Inskeep et al. (2021) showing how allochrony is a major factor in preventing gene flow between a pair of sister species of Rhagoletis on different host fruits. Although the authors do not claim to prove sympatric speciation, it does seem very likely, and the work clearly underscores how readily host shifts via allochrony can aid sympatric speciation.

Herbaceous vegetation species’ responses to different frequencies of cutting regimes have not been evaluated in the Borana rangelands of southern Ethiopia. The present study was aimed to determine the grass and non-grass species’ yield responses to four cutting frequencies over two years (2019 and 2020). The four cutting frequencies were cutting once after the end of the main growing season (T1), cutting every week (T2), cutting every two weeks (T3), and cutting every three weeks (T4). Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. In total, 37 different herbaceous species comprising 15 grass and 22 non-grass species were sampled. Cutting frequencies had a significant effect (P<0.01) on herbaceous biomass with yield decreasing as cutting frequencies increased. Herbaceous species richness and both non-grass species richness and diversity were significantly (P<0.05) high for T4 while T3 significantly (P<0.05) promoted non-grass density. Grass dried biomass was significantly (P<0.001) high for T1. Subsequent cutting over years significantly (P<0.05) affected grass species composition and biomass. Continuous application of T3 over years significantly (P<0.05) favored non-grass species composition and density. Only herbaceous biomass was significantly (P<0.05) affected by subsequent application of cutting frequencies over years being high for T1. T1 enhanced the percentages dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin of both grass and non-grass species. T2 favored the percentages of crude protein and true in-vitro organic matter digestibility for grass and non-grass species. For short-term rangeland management in terms of plant yield and better quality, T4 (intermediate cutting frequency) will be suggested when applied subsequently over years.

Climate change is increasingly impacting temperate forest ecosystems and many forest herbs might be unable to track the changing climate due to dispersal limitations. Forest herbs with a low adaptive capacity are prone to climate change effects and may benefit from conservation strategies mitigating dispersal limitations and evolutionary constraints, such as assisted migration. To assess the vulnerability of forest herbs to climate change it is key to evaluate their adaptive potential and to quantify the genetic offset. To this end, we quantified climate change vulnerability metrics using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) along a latitudinal gradient of the self-incompatible deciduous forest herb Primula elatior. Southern populations displayed a sharp genetic turnover and a considerable amount of local adaptation under diversifying selection was discovered. However, most of the outlier loci could not be linked to climate variables (71%) and were likely related to other local adaptation drivers, such as photoperiodism. Furthermore, specific adaptations to climate extremes, such as drought stress, could not be detected. Populations in the south of the distribution area had high sensitivity to climate change due to a low adaptive capacity and a moderate genetic offset, while central European populations were sensitive due to a high genetic offset. We conclude that assisted migration with southern source populations could bear significant risk due to local maladaptation and a low adaptive capacity. Local admixture and restoration of ecological connectivity to increase the adaptive capacity and assisted range expansion to suitable habitat in the north could be advised as potential mitigation strategies.

Lithium-decorated (Li-decorated) C3N has been investigated as a potential material for high capacity reversible hydrogen storage. The energetic stability, dynamical stability and thermal stability were studied, indicating that C3N is energetically stable, imaginary frequencies are not found from the result of phonon spectrum calculation, and the free energy vibrates slightly around -64.63 eV during the 5000 fs period and no structure reconstruction. Electronic properties showed the band gaps are 0.39 eV and 1.12 eV, via PBE and HSE calculations, respectively. The four probable Li-adsorbed sites were calculated, indicating that the hollow site above the center of a hexagon ring HC site is the most likely site to absorb Li atom. Hydrogen molecules were added one by one to research the maximum hydrogen gravimetric density. Each Li atom can attach 10 hydrogen molecules within the range of physical adsorption processes (-0.1 ~ -0.4 eV/H2) and the hydrogen storage capacity can reach 8.81 wt%. Li-decorated C3N shows the greatest potential for on-board reversible solid-state hydrogen molecule storage application.

Video S1. Magnetic actuation of the metamaterial on a flat surface. 

A document by Cristian Varela. Click on the document to view its contents.

A document by Siddhartha Paul Tiwari. Click on the document to view its contents.

A document by Jordan Llerena-Velastegui. Click on the document to view its contents.

Carbon monoxide is one of the unrequired and environmentally harmful by-products of various industries. A detailed design of process equipment for utilizing carbon monoxide as a fuel in industrial premises via Novel Zero Carbon Emission Process (NERS) is provided. A preliminary economic analysis of the designed system is also provided to enhance its practical viability. Based on economic evaluation, it is calculated that one can quickly achieve a temperature of around 523.15 K (250 °C) for water flowing at about 6 kg/s through the heat recuperation system installed in the process equipment. Hence a significant amount of energy that is otherwise wasted in the form of carbon emissions can be economically recovered (having an approximate payback period of around 1.5 years, based on economic analysis and reactor design as per bench-scale data available in the literature).

Microbial interactions play a critical role in ecosystem stability. However, the degree of competition and cooperation that are reflected in the observed composition of microbial communities and their response to alterations in nutrient availability has not been systematically investigated. Thus, we utilized monocultures and pairwise co-cultures in order to measure changes in the growth, niche and interactions among sixteen cultured rhizosphere soil bacteria across different carbon types and nutrient availabilities. Our analysis showed that interactions differed among strain pairs and across carbon sources. We further found that resource limitation resulted in ∼3% greater increases in microbial inhibition and more negative interactions. In contrast, high nutrient concentrations allowed for bacterial metabolic niche expansion, a decrease in inhibition (79.69% of cases) and stronger facilitation. Overall, our results show that the prevalence of cooperation is higher in nutrient-rich conditions, thus revealing the critical role that resource availability plays in shaping microbial interactions.

Objectives High incidence of laryngo-tracheobronchial symptoms was reported in Chinese patients with relapsing polychondritis (RP)，but it is either misdiagnosed or delayed in diagnosis during the early stage. Characteristics of RP patients with laryngo-tracheobronchial involvement were summarized in this study to increase awareness of this disease. Design, Setting and Participants Sixty RP patients with laryngo-tracheobronchial involvement hospitalized in Beijing Tongren Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Results A total of 31 males and 29 females were included in the study with an average age of 37.3+16.7 years. The median delay between onset and diagnosis was 12.5 months (range, 1 to 156 months). The rate of misdiagnosis was as high as 60%. The most common initial respiratory symptom was hoarseness (23/60, 38.3%), followed by dyspnea (11/60, 18.3%) and cough (9/60, 15.0%). The most common accumulated respiratory symptom was dyspnea (53/60, 88.3%), followed by hoarseness (52/60, 86.7%) and cough (35/60, 58.3%). Subglottic stenosis was observed in 51 cases (85.0%). Congested, swollen vocal cords and arypiglottic folds, which looked like acute laryngitis, were observed in 41 cases (68.3%) and 30 cases (50.0%) respectively. Cricoid cartilage was the most easily involved laryngeal cartilage on CT (39/60, 65.0%). Conclusions In RP patients with laryngotracheobronchial involvement, cricoid cartilage is the most easily involved airway cartilage. In cases of recurrent laryngitis and subglottic stenosis without clear cause, RP should be a candidate diagnosis. Key words Polychondritis, Relapsing; Larynx; Trachea; Bronchi; Cartilage

Safety and Feasibility of Hypnosis-induced Sleep Endoscopy in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients: Our Experience.

Objectives: To determine the impact of the diagnostic test method (clinical, diagnostic imaging, or diagnostic laparoscopy) of endometriosis on the individual’s sense of control over their disease and their perceived access to social supports. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: International. Population: 1,634 people aged 18-55 who had received a diagnosis of endometriosis. Methods: This study reports on data collected by the validated Endometriosis Health Profile-30 (EHP-30) section of a larger survey conducted between May and July 2020. Participants were recruited by social media platforms. Scores on the dimensions of interest were analysed with diagnostic method as the variable of interest. Diagnostic method proportionality was also assessed as a secondary outcome by geographical region. Main Outcome Measures: Scores on the dimensions of control and powerlessness and social support on the EHP-30. Results: There was a difference between control and powerlessness scores for patients that received a diagnosis via imaging (ultrasound/magnetic resonance imaging) versus clinical diagnosis (P=0.049). However, this did not reach significance when co-variates were controlled for (P=0.054). No other comparisons between diagnostic method and EHP-30 scores demonstrated a difference. There was a statistically significant (P<0.0001) difference in the rate of utilization of the various diagnostic imaging techniques between geographical regions with diagnostic imaging being relatively uncommon and surgery being the most common method of diagnosis. Conclusions: The diagnostic method of endometriosis does not appear to have a clinically significant impact on an individual’s sense of control over their disease nor their access to social supports.

Objective: This study evaluates the benefits and limitations of selected modalities of digital image enhancement in detection of cholesteatoma remnants during endoscopic ear surgery (EES) and compares their usefulness in recognizing residual disease. Study Design: Cross-sectional study Setting: Tertiary referral hospital Methods: A total of 10 questionnaires of 18 intraoperative pictures with equal numbers of cholesteatoma and non-cholesteatoma images, each presented in three different image enhancing modalities (clara, spectra A, spectra B), were generated. Fifty-one experienced ear surgeons participated in the survey and were randomly assigned to a questionnaire and completed it at two time points. The experts were asked to rate for each picture whether cholesteatoma was present or not. Results Clara showed the highest accuracy in cholesteatoma detection, followed by spectra A and lastly spectra B. In contrast, spectra B showed the highest sensitivity and clara the highest specificity, while spectra A was placed in the middle for both values. Using the spectra B modality, most responses agreed across the two time points,. Ear surgeons assessed the usefulness, as well as preference among image modalities in the following order: clara, spectra B, spectra A. Conclusion The suitability of image enhancement techniques for application in EES could be shown. Clara can be considered the state-of-art technique throughout the procedure and has subjectively been evaluated best by surgeons. Due to its high sensitivity, spectra B is recommended regarding the final check after resection to prevent cholesteatoma residuals.

Introduction: Novel ablation catheters equipped with mini-electrodes (ME) offer high resolution mapping for target tissue. This study aimed to evaluate the mapping performance and efficacy of ME catheters in radiofrequency ablation of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias (PSVTs). Methods: We prospectively enrolled 136 patients who were undergoing catheter ablation of PSVT including 76 patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) and 60 patients with atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) or Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. Patients were randomized to the ME group (ablation using a 4.5mm tip ME catheter) or the control group (ablation using a conventional 4mm tip catheter). The number of ablation attempt and cumulative ablation time to ablation endpoints, which was defined as an emergence of junctional rhythm in AVNRT or accessory pathway (AP) block in AVRT/WPW syndrome were compared. Results: During ablation procedures, discrete SP or AP electrograms were found in 27 (39.7%) patients in the ME group and 13 (19.1%) patients in the control group. The primary study outcomes were significantly lower in the ME group (ablation attempt number: 2.0 [1–4] vs. 3.0 [2–7] in the ME and control group, p=0.032; ablation time: 23.5 [5.0–111.5] vs. 64.5 [16.0–185.0] seconds, p=0.013). According to the PSVT diagnosis, ablation time to junctional rhythm was significantly shorter in the ME group in AVNRT. In AVRT/WPW syndrome, both ablation attempt number and ablation time to AP block showed trends favoring the ME group. Conclusion: The novel ME catheter was advantageous for identifying pathway potentials and reducing initial ablation attempt number and time in PSVT ablation. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04215640)

This article presents the performance evaluation of distribution static compensators (DSTATCOM) for the 180 km 33 kV line from Shinyanga to Bariadi in Tanzania. First, the voltage drop existing on the line is explained, and its negative consequences are mentioned. Secondly, the 180 km line is presented in the nominal í µí¼‹ model. Then, DSTATCOM capacitive and inductive dynamic ranges of ±1900 kVAr are calculated based on the system fault level. Using the energy storage of five cycles, a DC capacitor with a value of 0.19 mF is calculated. The DSTATCOM is designed using the voltage source converters (VSC) employing the neutral point clamped (NPC) topology. A proportional integral (PI) control algorithm was implemented to the DSTATCOM. Simulation of the modeled system of the feeder with DSTATCOM is carried out in MATLAB/Simulink environment for different loading conditions (light and heavy loading) to evaluate the steady-state performance. Simulation results reveal that for the light load of 0.45 MW, the receiving end voltage is 37.2 kV RMS and 31.5 kV RMS, before and after application of DSTATCOM, respectively. For the heavy load of 4.5 MW, the results are 28.45 kV RMS and 33.1 kV RMS, before and after application of DSTATCOM, respectively. The frequency-domain analysis reveals a gain margin of infinity implying stable system operation. The Nyquist plot shows no encirclement of the negative one point, further verifying the stability. It is concluded that the proposed DSTATCOM is capable of keeping both the voltage drop and rise of the line at acceptable levels for system stability of the Shinyanga-Bariadi feeder.

Novel Duck [reovirus](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/reoviridae) (NDRV) is an ongoing non-enveloped virus with ten double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) genome segments that belong to the genus Orthoreovirus, in the family Reoviridae. NDRV-associated spleen swelling and necrosis disease have caused considerable economic losses to the waterfowl industry worldwide. Since 2017, a significant number of NDRV outbreaks have emerged in China. Herein, we describe two cases of duck spleen necrosis disease among ducklings on duck farms in Henan province, central China. Other potential causative agent, including Muscovy duck reovirus (MDRV), Duck hepatitis A virus type 1 (DHAV-1), Duck hepatitis A virus type 3 (DHAV-3), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), and Duck tembusu virus (DTMUV), were excluded by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and two NDRV strains, HeNXX-1/2021 and HNJZ-2/2021, were isolated. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the σC genes revealed that both newly identified NDRV isolates were closely related to DRV/SDHZ17/Shandong/2017. The results further showed that Chinese NDRVs had formed two distinct clades, with late 2017 as the turning point, suggesting that Chinese NDRVs have been evolving in different directions. In conclusion, this study provides an insight into the ongoing emerged duck spleen necrosis disease, and a foundation for developing of effective vaccine and control programs.

Background:  Heterozygote carriers of potentially pathogenic variants in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator ( CFTR) gene have increased asthma risk. However, the frequency and impact of CFTR variation among individuals with asthma is unknown. Objective: To determine whether potentially pathogenic  CFTR variants associate with disease severity and whether individuals with two potentially pathogenic variants exist in a severe asthma-enriched cohort . Methods: We analyzed sequencing data spanning a 190.5Kb region of  CFTR in participants from the Severe Asthma Research Program (SARP1-3). Potentially pathogenic, rare  CFTR variants (frequency<0.05) were classified as CF-causing or of varying clinical consequences (VVCC) (CFTR2.org). Regression-based models tested for association between  CFTR genotypes (0-2 potentially pathogenic variants) and severity outcomes. Results: Of 1401 participants, 9.5% (134) had one potentially pathogenic variant, occurring more frequently in non-Hispanic white (NHW, 10.1% [84 of 831]) compared to African American individuals (AA, 5.2% [22 of 426]). We found ≥2 potentially pathogenic  CFTR variants in 1.4% (19); 0.5% (4) of NHW and 2.8% (12) of AA. Potentially pathogenic  CFTR variant genotypes (≥1 or ≥2 variants) were not cumulatively associated with lung function or exacerbations. In NHW, we found three F508del compound heterozygotes with F508del and a VVCC (two 5T;TG12[c.1210-11T>G] and one Arg1070Trp) and a homozygote for the VVCC, 5T;TG12. Conclusions: We found potentially pathogenic  CFTR variants within a severe asthma-enriched cohort , including three compound heterozygote genotypes variably associated with CF in NHW individuals. These findings provide the rationale for  CFTR sequencing and phenotyping of CF-related traits in individuals with severe asthma.

Since December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been spreading worldwide, triggering one of the most challenging pandemics in human population. In the light of reporting of this virus in domestic and wild animals from several parts of world, a systematic surveillance study was conceptualized to detect the SARS-CoV-2 among species of Veterinary importance. Nasal and/or rectal samples of 413 animals (Dog=195, cattle=64, horse=42, goat=41, buffalo=39, sheep=19, cat=6, camel=6 and monkey=1) were collected from different places of Gujarat state of India. RNA was extracted from samples and subjected to RT-qPCR based amplification of target sequences in viral nucleoprotein (N), spike (S) and ORF1ab genes. A total of 95 (23.79 %) animals were found positive, comprised of 67 (34.35 %) dogs, 15(23.43 %) cattle and 13(33.33 %) buffaloes. Overall, nasal samples (N=80/412, 19.41 %) gave more positive results than rectal samples (N=70/407, 17.19 %) in RT-qPCR. The whole SRAS-CoV-2 genome sequencing was done on one sample (ID-A4N; from dog) where 32 mutations, including 29 single nucleotide variation (SNV) and two deletions, were detected. Among them, 9 mutations were located in the receptor binding domain of the spike (S) protein. The consequent changes in amino acid sequence revealed that T19R, G142D, E156-, F157-, A222V, L452R, T478K, D614G, P681R mutation in S protein and D63G, R203M and D377Y in N protein. The lineage assigned to this SARS-CoV-1 sequence is B.1.617.2. Thus, the present study highlights the importance of SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in non-human host.

This paper presents the design and optimization of CPW (coplanar waveguide) based tunable band pass filter by using RF MEMS capacitive switches and distributed MEMS transmission line (DMTL). To achieve tunability we have used Twelve MEMS capacitive type switches (six fixed-fixed types and six cantilever type). The center frequency and bandwidth tunability can be achieved by actuating shunt (fixed-fixed) and series (cantilever type) switches respectively. Tunable filter performance is mainly depending on the switches individual performance. Actuation voltage, return loss, insertion loss are the basic performance parameters of any RF MEMS switch. Electromechanical and RF performance analysis of the switches are initially carried out to analyze the performance without integrating with the DMTL structure. The designed shunt and series switches require 15 and 22V respectively to reach the beam 2/3 of the initial gap. Electro-mechanical analysis of the switches is carried out for different conductor materials, dielectric materials, different beam widths, different dielectric thickness values, and different air gap vales. After integration of the switches with DMTL structure to get the optimized filter a detailed electromagnetic analysis of various parameters and materials are done. Simulation results shows that return loss and insertion loss is improved by using this structure. The center frequency of the filter has the variation from 0.2-1 GHz with band pass return loss of -22.5dB. The band width tuning of nearly 0.7 GHz with band pass insertion loss of -3dB is achieved.

This work presents a review, covering the years 2007 to 2020, on the main composite and hybrid materials on which it is investigated for developing medical applications, such as personalized bone implants. Attention is directed to the general qualities that these composite materials must have, from the physical-mechanical and clinical point of view, although occasionally other properties are also considered. Most of the results that are presented have been obtained in experiments carried out with animal models, the main limitations that are faced when evaluating one or another material type for implant are also considered. The fundamental result is that it is not feasible to establish a predominance of a material over others. Nevertheless, the synthesis of nano-hydroxyapatite, due to its similarity to natural bone apatite, should be present in any variant of composite material for bone implants.

For achieve welding torch trajectory continuous smooth and welding time the shortest, which of the underwater visual welding robot end, a method of interpolation the location-time discrete points of each joint based on the five b-spline curve was proposed. The start-stop continuous are been smooth for welding by this method, then the sequential quadratic programming filter trust region method was used to optimize the time by the constraint condition of kinematics of robot, so the efficiency of welding work was improved. at last, the simulation experiment showed that trajectory continuous smooth of the each joint for the vision robot, meanwhile welding was used less time to accomplished, and the property of motive controlling and trajectory tracking were improved for the welding robot.

This paper presents the identification ‎of a Weiner Hammerstein model for photovoltaic (PV) systems under normal and shading ‎operating conditions using a genetic algorithm. System identification is based on measured ‎signals of a physical process, and the aim is to arrive at a model description of this process in the ‎form of a dynamical system. In recent years, block-oriented models have been widely used to ‎model non-linear systems. The Wiener-Hammerstein model consists of two linear dynamic ‎blocks, with a nonlinear static block between them. In the simulations, different types ‎of systems were identified by the proposed Weiner-Hammerstein ‎model, which was optimized using a genetic algorithm. This approach is concerned with the ‎estimation of a photovoltaic (PV) system based on observed data. The nonlinear input and output ‎are taken from the irradiance and DC output current data of the real system, respectively. The ‎simulation results revealed the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed ‎model using a genetic algorithm. The simulation results show an MSE value of ‎0.000774‎ for ‎normal operation of the PV system‎ and ‎0.009863‎ for the shading effect‎ between the estimated ‎and reference information rates.‎

T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) is frequently revealed by a mediastinal mass or peripheral lymphadenopathy. Skin lesions in T-LBL usually present as multiple nodules associated with multiple peripheral lymphadenopathy and bone marrow invasion. Our patient is particular by the revealing presentation of the lesions as Cutis verticis gyrate.