Phytophthora melonis is the causal agent of damping-off or crown rot, one of the most destructive cucumber disease that causes severe economic losses in in Iran and some other parts of the world. Despite intense research efforts made in the past years, no permanent cure currently exists for this disease. With the aim to understand the molecular mechanisms of defense against P. melonis, root collars and leaves of four cucumber genotypes consisting of resistant Ramezz; moderately resistant Baby and very susceptible Mini 6-23 and Extrem, were monitored for quantitative gene expression analysis of five antifungal and/or anti-oomycete genes (CsWRKY20, CsLecRK6.1, PR3, PR1-1a and LOX1) at three points after inoculation with P. melonis. The gene expression analysis indicated that P. melonis strongly enhanced the expression of these genes after inoculation in both leaves and root collars. Further, not only the transcript levels of these genes were significantly higher in the resistant and moderately resistance genotypes, but also the time point of the highest relative expression ratio for the five genes was different in the four cucumber genotypes. CsWRKY20 and PR3 showed the maximum expression in Ramezz at 48 hpi while CsLecRK6.1, and LOX1 showed the highest expression at 72 hpi. In addition, PR1-1a showed the maximum expression in the Baby at 72 hpi. Root collars responded faster than leaves and some responses were more strongly upregulated in root collars than in leaves. The genes found to be involved in disease resistance in two different organs of cucumber after pathogen infection. The results suggest that increased expression of these genes led to activation of defence pathways and could be responsible for a reduced P. melonis colonization capacity in Ramezz and Baby. Overally, this work represents a valuable resource for future functional genomics studies to unravel the molecular mechanisms of C. sativus- P. melonis interaction.

The field of landscape genetics has been rapidly evolving, adopting and adapting analytical frameworks to address research questions. As landscape genetic analyses have shifted away from Mantel-based analytical frameworks, studies are increasingly using regression-based frameworks to understand the individual contributions of landscape and habitat variables on genetic differentiation. This paper outlines appropriate and inappropriate uses of multiple regression for these purposes. Of concern is the prevalence of studies seeking to explain genetic differences by fitting regression models with effective distance variables calculated independently on separate landscape resistance surfaces. When moving across the landscape, organisms cannot respond independently and uniquely to habitat and landscape features. Therefore, independent resistance surfaces and their effective distance measures have no mechanistic meaning or relevant statistical interpretation. There are also tremendous challenges to fitting and interpreting regression models that include ‘independent’ effective distance measures as predictors, including statistical suppression. As such, regression analyses seeking to understand how landscape resistance affects gene flow should be univariate models, with the creation of a single resistance surface being a necessary precursor to the regression analysis. There are, however, important statistical advances underway that explicitly model the covariance of allele frequencies or genetic distances as functions of spatial landscape variables. The growth and evolution of landscape genetics as a field has been rapid and exciting. It is the goal of this opinion paper to highlight past missteps and to ensure that future use of regression models will appropriately consider the process being modeled, which will provide clarity to model interpretation.

Precipitation is an important phenomenon which contributes in the constant supply of water over entire earth. Atmospheric water accounts for less than 0.001% of total water yet it is responsible for the constant supply throughout the globe. It is important to know the distribution of precipitation along with space to know the pattern of precipitation spatially. In order to know this spatial pattern five different geospatial interpolation techniques totaling to 20 different models are applied for 30 years (1988 - 2018) of monthly average precipitation. These models are compared to know which one of these gives the best resemblance of the phenomena. Six performance measures, MAE, MBE, MSE, RMSE, ME and R2 are used to compare the different models. The model for which error is minimum (close to zero) and efficiency is maximum (close to unity) are preferable. After application of various models, it was found that IDW technique with weight parameter of 3 gives the best result with MBE of -0.1397, MAE of 2.9372, MSE of 13.0708, RMSE of 3.6154, ME of 0.7842 and R2 of 0.7744. Other models that performed well were Universal kriging and RBF. After evaluating the best model, error in the estimation of data by that model was also carried out to know the locations where error is intense. It is seen that where the precipitation is intense the errors associated increases. Temporal variation of rainfall is equally important to know have a clearer picture about the pattern of precipitation spatially as well as with seasonally. Therefore, after figuring out the best model, temporal variation of precipitation was also determined showing monthly variation of rainfall. So, after plotting spatial and temporal variation of precipitation it becomes easier for us to determine the precipitation at places which are not gauged.

Applications of transfer function to derivation of a high precision model of tracer flow in a commercial measurement system is presented. A transfer function concept makes easier development of models of complex systems and consequently allows for obtaining a model that matches in the best way a physical system. The method has an additional profit viz. the same numerical algorithm i.e. inverse Laplace transform can be employed to solve the model both on the stage of precise model development (boundary value problem) and to find real model parameters (inverse boundary value problem). As a result of concept application, a very precise model of commercial measurement instrument was developed and, next, it was employed to determination of axial dispersion coefficients for empty tube and packed bed. Presented method is precise in wide range of operating conditions and faster comparing to other methods previously described in literature. The paper shows that mathematical modelling can be exploited to enhance measurements for a commercial measurement instrument i.e unlock the full potential of the commercial measurement system with no equipment design changes. The method is also a fast alternative to computational fluid dynamics for high precision calculations.

A document by Preeti Tamrakar. Click on the document to view its contents.

This paper discuss about signal processing methods for harmonic analysis. Nowadays, emission in the range of high frequencies is increasing because of the fast improvement of energy saving equipment’s. The bulk usage of electronic apparatus, the progress of electric power utilization and rising non-linear loads on electrical system network loads etc… leads to many power quality issues. The high frequency emission becomes one of the major challenging power quality issues. During normal operation, some of present-day appliances can emit high frequency such as compact fluorescent lamp, light emitting diodes, PV inverters, chargers of battery, etc. In order to detect these emissions so many researches are undergoing at different areas. To investigate the harmonic analysis of inverter, several experiments were performed. Similar experiments were performed using FFT analysis, for the comparison. These comparisons proved the priority of the new signal processing methods.

Human anti-α-galactoside (anti-Gal) and anti-β-glucoside (ABG) antibodies were reported to recognize as surrogate antigens the serine- and threonine-rich peptide sequences (STPS) in newly detected albumin-associated O-glycoproteins AOP1 and AOP2 to form circulating antibody-AOP1/AOP2-albumin triplets. Since triplet antibodies still possessed unoccupied binding sites, their binding to the O-glycoprotein-rich platelet surface was examined. Upon treatment with sugars specific to the above antibodies, freshly harvested normal human platelets released triplets identical with plasma triplets. The resulting denuded platelets, unless pre-treated with fibrinogen or the O-glycan-binding lectin jacalin, recaptured the sugar-extracted triplets, plasma triplets and isolated triplet antibodies. Antibody-specific sugars inhibited recapture, confirming that recognition of STPS on O-glycosylated fibrinogen receptors by antibodies facilitated triplet attachment to platelets. More triplets were platelet-bound than in plasma. The dominant jacalin-binding subunit in triplet-free platelet membrane had size (116 kDa), close to around 120 kDa reported for the O-glycosylated GPIIb subunit of GPIIb/IIIa, the most expressed and fibrinogen-binding platelet protein. Denuded but not native platelets were prone to slow spontaneous aggregation and to quick ADP-mediated GPIIb/IIIa-dependent aggregation unless pre-treated with jacalin. Amyloid β (Aβ-42 monomer), reported to recognize STPS in plasma AOP1 and AOP2, but not albumin, bound to triplets in normal platelets and to membrane O-glycoproteins in denuded ones. ABG-specific sugar glucose at diabetic concentrations denuded the platelets since sugar specific to either antibody released triplets of both. Data suggest a molecular mechanism for diabetes-driven platelet aggregation and how platelet-leukocyte adhesion and cerebral amyloid angiogenesis, both requiring exposed GPIIb/IIIa on platelets, may accompany diabetes.

Rationale, aims and objectives: QCancer is a cancer risk assessment tool that has been advocated for use in primary care to improve early detection and diagnosis of cancer, but little is known about the views of service users and practitioners on barriers and facilitators to implementing the tool in practice. We aimed to explore the perspectives of service users (adults without a current cancer) and primary care practitioners (GPs and practice nurses) about barriers and facilitators to using QCancer in primary care consultations. Methods: We used a qualitative design, conducting individual interviews and focus groups with a purposive sample of service users and practitioners. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using the Framework approach facilitated by NVivo version 10. Results: We interviewed 36 participants (19 service users, 17 practitioners). Barriers to using the tool included: the need for additional consultation time; unnecessary worry generated for some patients; potential for over-referral; practitioner scepticism; potential conflict with existing guidelines; certain symptoms requiring referral at any risk; requirement for training on use of the tool; evidence of effectiveness; and the need to integrate the tool in general practice systems. Participants identified facilitators to use of the tool: supporting decision making; modifying health behaviours; improving speed of referral; and personalising care. Conclusion: The barriers and facilitators identified should be considered when seeking to implement QCancer in primary care. In particular, evidence is needed that the use of this tool improves diagnosis rates without an unacceptable increase in harm from unnecessary investigation.

Metabolism sets the pace-of-life, co-varying with survival, growth and reproduction. Metabolic rates should therefore be under strong selection and, if heritable, become less variable over time. Yet intraspecific variation in metabolic rates is ubiquitous, even after accounting for body mass and temperature. Theory predicts variable selection maintains trait variation but field estimates of how selection on metabolism varies are rare. We use a model marine invertebrate to estimate selection on metabolic rates in the wild under different competitive environments. Fitness landscapes varied among environments separated by a few centimetres: interspecific competition selected for higher metabolism, and a faster pace-of-life, relative to competition-free environments. Populations experience a mosaic of competitive regimes; we find metabolism mediates a competition-colonisation trade-off across these regimes. Spatial heterogeneity and the variable selection on metabolic rates that it generates is likely to maintain variation in metabolic rate, despite strong selection in any single environment.

Correct modelling of relationships between predators and prey is crucial to ecological and population dynamics models. However, and despite a long-standing competition between ratio and prey-dependent models (and a few alternative intermediate forms) in the literature, most equations currently used to represent such relationships do not meet theoretical criteria for biological consistency. This research proposes a set of universally applicable criteria for all predation equations and shows that the most commonly used predation equations in the literature fail to meet these same criteria. We follow with a proposal for a new predation equation that does meet these criteria, which combines both prey and ratio-dependent concepts while giving reasonable predictions in the cases of both high predator or high prey densities. We show its empirical performance by applying the new equation, along with existing alternatives, to various experimental predation datasets from the literature. Results show that the new equation is not only more mathematically consistent than existing equations, but also performs more consistently empirically across different datasets from various ecological situations. This research is the first to propose a systematic set of criteria to evaluate predation equations and then to offer an equation that meets these criteria and also performs well both theoretically and empirically across datasets from a wide range of predation systems.

The molten liquid in the mold of continuous casting is churned using electromagnetic field to produce homogeneous and defect-free billets. In this investigation a two-dimensional computational model to simulate the effect of electromagnetic stirring on continuous casting of steel billets is developed using magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) module present in ANSYS-FLUENT 18.1 software. A solidified shell of the billet is formed in the vertical water-cooled copper mold in the primary stage of cooling. The primary stage cooling is investigated in this work with and without employing electromagnetic stirring. A moving electromagnetic field of intensity 0.1 T and frequency 10 Hz is applied in horizontal and vertical directions separately for electromagnetic stirring. The electromagnetic stirrer is of length 100 mm and it is placed at various locations of the vertical mold of 1 m height. The stirrer is placed at locations 100, 300, 500 and 700 mm from the meniscus. The velocity field and porosity of the solidifying liquid within the mold are computed and compared with and without electromagnetic stirrer. A dense mushy zone is formed at the center of the mold and recirculation loops are formed near the electromagnetic stirrer.

This paper presents a simplified design method (SDM) to analyze and design the flat plates with irregular column layouts. Theses flat plates having the irregular panels are subdivided into triangular panels. Flexural design formulas for largest triangular slab panel are derived based on the theoretical principles of plate and yield line theories and using the ultimate-strength design method USD under the provisions of ACI building code of design (ACI 318-14). Six different flat slabs with irregular column layouts (FS-1 to FS-6) are selected in this study to be analyzed and designed using the simplified design method approach. Numerical examples for two of the slabs (FS-3 and FS-6) are also presented to illustrate the method capability of designing the flat slabs having irregular column layouts. The selected slab sections (FS-1 to FS-6) are also analyzed and designed using the computer software (SAFE) and the results obtained are compared with the numerical solutions. The percentage difference of simplified design method with the finite element software (SAFE) ranges within 4% to 20% indicates that the SDM is a good and quick approach to design a flat slab having arbitrary/irregular column layout.

Additive manufacturing (AM), the process of joining materials to make objects from 3D CAD model data, such as 3D printing, is showing a high potential to radically disrupt the global consumer market and trigger a manufacturing revolution in a broad spectrum of applications in many industry sectors. 3D printing is mostly well-known for custom-fabrication of industrial prototypes and parts using standard fabrication materials such as plastics and metals has recently infiltrated into many industries such as aviation, automobile, dental, electronic and fashion. The successful implementation of AM in the healthcare industry has resulted in the development of surgical equipment, prosthetics, medical devices, and implants. More recently, 3D printing has been adopted to utilize life cells and gels as printing materials (bioinks) to create ex vivo and in vitro tissue models. Such technology heralds new frontiers in medicine. In vitro, cells cannot arrange themselves in three-dimensional (3D) structure similar to that in real tissue in vivo. Various tissue engineering techniques were developed, aiming to develop tools that are able to mimic the living tissue structure and function. Biofabrication is an innovative technique that evolved from various fabrication technologies, particularly 3D printing and bioreactor opening the door for new technology (AM-based tissue engineering). 3D printing is the process of integration of living cells with biomaterials forming living and functional three-dimensional structures. Bioprinting allows controlled deposition of biomaterials/bioink with maintained cellular viability in 3-dimensional space to create complex multifaceted tissues with rapid and repeated process.

Experimental studies on the speciation of berkelium in carbonate media have shown that complexation of berkelium(III) by carbonate results in spontaneous oxidation to berkelium(IV) and that multiple species can be present in solution. We studied two proposed structures present in solution based on theoretical comparisons with spectroscopic data previously reported for Bk(IV) carbonate solutions. The multiconfigurational character of the ground and low-lying excited states in both complexes is demonstrated to result from the strong spin-orbit coupling. Although bonding in berkelium(IV) carbonate and carbonate-hydroxide complexes is dominated by strong Coulombic forces, the presence of the non-negligible covalent character is supported by ligand-field theory, natural localized orbitals and topological studies of the electron density. Bond orders based in natural localized molecular orbitals (NLMOs) show that Bk–OH bonds possess enhanced orbital overlap that is reflected in the bond strength.

Phosphorus (P) is one of the essential mineral nutrients for plants. Nevertheless, large amounts of accumulated P easily wither whole plants, and this phenomenon is termed as P toxicity. For improving P-use efficiency, to overcome P toxicity is necessary for plant growth. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying P toxicity in plants have not yet been elucidated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism of P toxicity in rice. We found that, under excessive inorganic-P (Pi) application conditions, Rubisco activation decreased and photosynthesis was inhibited, leading to lipid-peroxidation. Although the defense systems against reactive oxygen species accumulation were activated under excessive Pi application conditions, the Cu/Zn-type superoxide dismutase activity was inhibited. A metabolic analysis revealed that excess Pi application led to an increase in the cytosolic sugar-phosphate content, and activation of phytic acid synthesis. These conditions induced mRNA expressions of the genes that are activated under metal-deficiency conditions, although metals were rather accumulated. These results suggested that P toxicity is triggered by the attenuation of both photosynthesis, and metal availability within cells mediated by phytic acid accumulation. Here, we discuss the whole phenomenon of P toxicity, beginning from the accumulation of Pi within cells to death in plants.

Correlative evidence suggests that high problem-solving and foraging abilities in a mate are associated with direct fitness advantages, so it would benefit females to prefer problem-solving males. Recent work has also shown that females of several bird species who directly observe males prefer those that can solve a novel foraging task over those that cannot. In addition to or instead of direct observation of cognitive skills, many species utilize assessment signals when choosing a mate. Here we test whether females can select a problem-solving male over a non-solving male when presented only with a signal known to be used in mate assessment: song. Using an operant conditioning assay, we compared female zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) preference for the songs of males that could quickly solve a novel foraging task to the songs of males that could not solve the task. Females were never housed with the test subject males whose song they heard, and the only information provided about the males was their song. We found that females elicited more songs of problem-solving males than of non-solvers, indicating that song can contain information about a male’s ability to solve a novel foraging task and that naïve females prefer the songs of problem-solving males.

Phenotypic plasticity can allow animals to adapt their behaviour, such as their mating effort, to their social and sexual environment. However, this relies on the individual receiving accurate and reliable cues of the environmental conditions. This can be achieved via the receipt of multi-component cues, which may provide redundancy and robustness. Male Drosophila melanogaster detect presence of rivals via combinations of any two or more redundant cue components (sound, smell and touch) and respond by extending their subsequent mating duration, which is associated with higher reproductive success. Although alternative combinations of cues of rival presence have previously been found to elicit equivalent increases in mating duration and offspring production, their redundancy in securing success under sperm competition has not previously been tested. Here, we explicitly test this by exposing male D. melanogaster to alternative combinations of rival cues and examining reproductive success in both the presence and absence of sperm competition. The results supported previous findings of redundancy of cues in terms of behavioural responses. However, there was no evidence of reproductive benefits accrued by extending mating duration in response to rivals. The lack of identifiable fitness benefits of longer mating under these conditions, both in the presence and absence of sperm competition, contrasted with some previous results, but could be explained by: 1) damage sustained from aggressive interactions with rivals leading to reduced ability to increase ejaculate investment, 2) presence of features of the social environment, such as male and female mating status, that obscured the fitness benefits of longer mating, 3) decoupling of behavioural investment with fitness benefits.

Recently diverged population in the early stages of speciation offer an opportunity to understand mechanisms of isolation and their relative contribution. Drosophila willistoni is a tropical species with broad distribution from Argentina to the southern United States, including the Caribbean islands. We have recently documented a postzygotic barrier between Central America, North America, and the northern Caribbean islands (D. w. willistoni) from South American and the southern Caribbean islands (D. w. winge). Here we identify premating isolation between strains regardless of their subspecies status, with the effect being dependent on environment. We find no evidence of postmating prezygotic isolation and proceed to characterize hybrid male sterility among the subspecies. Sterile male hybrids transfer an ejaculate that is devoid of sperm but causes elongation and expansion of the female uterus. In sterile male hybrids, bulging of the seminal vesicle appears to impede the movement of the sperm towards the sperm pump, where sperm normally mixes with accessory glands products. Our results highlight a unique form of hybrid male sterility in Drosophila that is driven by a mechanical impediment to transfer sperm rather than by an abnormality of the sperm itself. Interestingly, this form of sterility is reminiscent of a form of infertility (azoospermia) that is caused by lack of sperm in the semen due to blockages that impede the sperm from reaching the ejaculate.

Plant adaptation to high altitudes has long been a substantial focus of ecological and evolutionary research. However, the genetic mechanisms underlying such adaptation remain poorly understood. Here, we address this issue by sampling, genotyping, and comparing populations of Tibetan poplar, Populus szechuanica var. tibetica, distributed from low (~2000 m) to high altitudes (~3000 m) of Sejila Mountain on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Population structure analyses allow clear classification of two groups according to their altitudinal distributions. However, in contrast to the genetic variation within each population, differences between the two populations only explain a small portion of the total genetic variation (3.64%). We identified asymmetrical gene flow from high- to low-altitude populations. Integrating with population genomic and landscape genomic manner, we detected a hot spot region containing ten genes under natural selection and associated with five environmental factors. These genes participate in abiotic stress resistance and regulating the reproductive process. Our results provide insight into the genetic mechanisms underlying high-altitude adaptation in Tibetan poplar.

Anthocyanins have long been suggested as having great potential in offering photoprotection to plants facing high light irradiance. Nonetheless, their effective ability in protecting the photosynthetic apparatus from supernumerary photons has been questioned in many instances, based upon the inexact belief that anthocyanins almost exclusively absorb green photons, which are instead poorly absorbed by chlorophylls. This suggestion also contrasts with the well-recognized ‘shade syndrome’ displayed by cyanic leaves: shade avoidance responses are activated indeed by excessive green light. Here we focus on the blue light absorbing features of anthocyanins, a neglected issue in anthocyanin research. We offer a comprehensive picture of the suite of molecular events activated in response to low blue-light availability, which we suggest to be responsible for the shade nature of cyanic leaves/individuals. As a corollary, this adds further support to the view of an effective photoprotective role of anthocyanins. We discuss about the morpho-anatomical adjustments imposed by the epidermal anthocyanin shield, mostly devoted at maximizing light harvesting, which make complex the analysis of the photosynthetic performance of cyanic vs acyanic leaves. Finally, we evidence major methodological issues for future research, which may help to draw conclusions on how and how much anthocyanins sustain photoprotection.

The demand for electricity is increasing all over the world. In Bangladesh, there are many rural areas where the grid connection has not reached yet. In this paper, a performance evaluation was done with a solar-wind hybrid renewable energy system with diesel backup for a school located in a remote area, Baje Fulchari village in Gaibandha district, Bangladesh. For the proposed site, the load demand was considered 10.468 kWh/day for a normal working day (taken from a field survey) having peak demand of 3.3 kW. HOMER software was used for the simulation. The solar radiation and wind speed data were collected from NASA Surface meteorology and Solar Energy database. The NPC for the most economical system configuration is found USD 6,191 with a COE of 0.125 $/ kWh. Compared to the conventional power plants the proposed system can reduce the COE and GHG emission of about 29.85% and 69% respectively. The system evaluated in this work might be implemented in a school or any other location of similar load profile anywhere in the world having the same geographical and meteorological conditions.

Cohesive soils present difficulties in construction projects because of usually contain expansive clay minerals. However, the engineering properties of soils can be stabilized by different techniques. The aim of the research is to discover the influences of using hydrated lime on the consistency, compaction, and shear strength properties of clayey soil samples from Sulaimnai city, northern Iraq. The proportions of added hydrated lime are 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% to the untreated soil sample. The results showed significant effects on the engineering properties of the selected soil sample and developed its strength. The soil’s liquid limit, plasticity index, and optimum moisture content were decreased with the increase of hydrated lime percent. While the soil’s plastic limit and maximum dry density were increased. Also, the soil’s unconfined compressive strength was significantly increased with the hydrated lime content increase. Hence, hydrated lime is successful and can be considered as an effective material to improve the strength and consistency properties of the cohesive soils in Sulaimani city.

Organs-on-chip are increasingly catching on as a promising and valuable alternative to animal models, in line with the 3Rs initiative, to create 3D tissue microenvironments in which cells behave physiologically and pathologically at unparalleled precision and complexity. Indeed, these platforms offer new opportunities to model human diseases and test the potential therapeutic effect of different drugs as well as their limitations, overtaking the limited predictive accuracy of conventional 2D culture systems. Here, we present a liver-on-a-chip model to investigate the effects of two naturally occurring polyphenols, namely Quercetin and Hydroxytyrosol, on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) using a method of high-content analysis. NAFLD is currently the most common form of chronic liver disease, whose complex pathogenesis is far from being clear. Besides, no definitive treatment has been established for NAFLD so far. In our experiments, we observed that both polyphenols seem to restrain the progression of the free fatty acid-induced hepatocellular steatosis, showing a cytoprotective effect due to their antioxidant properties. In conclusion, the resulting insights of the present work could guide novel strategies to contrast the onset and progression of NAFLD.

Two filters using Defected Ground Structures have been proposed. First, a multiple frequency band stop filter utilizing a semi-H defect in the ground plane is presented. This structure is then prototyped on a Rogers 4350B substrate of overall size 45 mm $\times$ 15 mm, and external SMD capacitors have been employed to control the resonance of the circuit, for the stopband frequencies of 433 MHz, 700 MHz and 915 MHz. An equivalent circuit is also proposed for this multi-band design. The second filter is a combination of a band-stop and band-pass filter in one structure. The filter, operating with a controllable passband and stopband frequency is fabricated, on Rogers 4350B lossy substrate, to validate the EM and circuit simulation results. Two SMD capacitors have been loaded in the filter to control the pass band and stop band frequencies of the filter with a structure size of 20 mm x 20 mm. Furthermore, a novel equivalent circuit model encompassing the band-pass and band-stop frequency response of the DGS based filter is proposed.