Clusters Research Articles

Molecular precision medicine: Multi-omics-based stratification model for acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), as the most common malignancy of the hematopoietic system, poses challenges in treatment efficacy, relapse, and drug resistance. In this study, we have utilized 151 RNA sequencing datasets, 194 DNA methylation datasets, and 200 somatic mutation datasets from the AML cohort in the TCGA database to develop a multi-omics stratification model. This model enables comparison of prognosis, clinical features, gene mutations, immune microenvironment and drug sensitivity across subgroups. External validation datasets have been sourced from the GEO database, which includes 562 mRNA datasets and 136 miRNA datasets from 984 adult AML patients. Through multi-omics-based stratification model, we classified 126 AML patients into 4 clusters (CS). CS4 had the best prognosis, with the youngest age, highest M3 subtype proportion, fewest copy number alterations, and common mutations in WT1, FLT3, and KIT genes. It showed sensitivity to HDAC inhibitors and BCL-2 inhibitors. Both the M3 subtype and CS4 were identified as independent protective factors for survival. Conversely, CS3 had the worst prognosis due to older age, high copy number alterations, and frequent mutations in RUNX1, DNMT3A, and TP53 genes. Additionally, it showed higher proportions of cytotoxic cells and Tregs, suggesting potential sensitivity to mTOR inhibitors. CS1 had a better prognosis than CS2, with more copy number alterations, while CS2 had higher monocyte proportions. CS1 showed good sensitivity to cytarabine, while CS2 was sensitive to RXR agonists. Both CS1 and CS2, which predominantly featured mutations in FLT3, NPM1, and DNMT3A genes, benefited from FLT3 inhibitors. Using the Kappa test, our stratification model underwent robust validation in the miRNA and mRNA external validation datasets. With advancements in sequencing technology and machine learning algorithms, AML is poised to transition towards multi-omics precision medicine in the future. We aspire for our study to offer new perspectives on multi-drug combination clinical trials and multi-targeted precision medicine for AML.

Impacts of Unhealthy Behaviors on Mental Health among Public Health Residents: The PHRASI Study.

Unhealthy behaviors (UBs) can affect mental health. The most impactful of these are alcohol abuse, sedentary behavior, and sleep disturbances. Since these UBs are not well explored in medical residents, this study aims to overcome this gap, focusing on outcomes such as depression and anxiety. The Public Health Residents' Anonymous Survey in Italy (PHRASI) is a nationwide cross-sectional study based on an 88-item questionnaire. UBs were explored through validated questionnaires: the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-c (AUDIT-C), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Depressive symptoms and anxiety were detected by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), respectively. Hierarchical cluster analysis described clusters using responses from the AUDIT-C, IPAQ, and ISI. A total of 375 participants were included in this study. Three distinct clusters (CL) were identified: CL1 was characterized by a moderate risk for alcohol abuse and high insomnia dissatisfaction, with a significantly higher frequency of depressive symptoms (46%, p < 0.001) and anxiety (53%, p < 0.001); CL2 had no risk for alcohol abuse, high sleep satisfaction, and better mental health profile, with the lowest prevalence of depressive symptoms (15%, p < 0.001); CL3 had the highest risk of alcohol abuse, the highest rate of physical activity (40%, p = 0.013), and the lowest prevalence of anxiety (27%, p < 0.001). Subjects belonging to CL1 required much more attention to prevent the worsening of mental outcomes. Interventions for promoting mental health should be addressed in all Public Health schools to create more sustainable working conditions.

Molecular analysis of the HCRN GU16-260-Cohort A phase II study of first-line (1L) nivolumab (nivo) and salvage nivo + ipilimumab (ipi) in patients (pts) with advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (accRCC).

4546 Background: Seven molecular subsets of ccRCC have been proposed: 1: Angiogenic/Stromal; 2: Angiogenic; 3: Complement/Ω-oxidation; 4: T-effector/Proliferative; 5: Proliferative; 6: Stromal/Proliferative; and 7: snoRNA (Motzer et al. Can Cell 2020). In an analysis of IMmotion 151, which compared 1L atezolizumab/bevacizumab to sunitinib, combination immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and anti-VEGF therapy was associated with improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in clusters (CLs) 4 and 5, increased PFS in CL 7, and decreased OS in CL 2 (Motzer Can Cell 2020, Motzer JAMA Onc 2022). CL 4 was also associated with higher PFS and objective response rate (ORR) in &gt;1L nivo compared to everolimus in an analysis of CheckMate-025 (Denize CCR 2022). To date, outcomes have not been compared among accRCC subtypes in pts who received 1L pure ICB. Methods: In HCRN GU16-260-Cohort A, pts with accRCC received 1L nivo monotherapy until progressive disease (PD), unacceptable toxicity, or completion of 96 weeks of therapy. Pre-treatment FFPE tumor samples were obtained. A machine learning model (random forest) was trained on annotated transcriptomic data from bulk RNA-seq and used to classify tumors that passed quality control into one of the 7 molecular subtypes. Results: 70 tumor samples contained adequate RNA quality and were classified as outlined in the table. IMDC rates and ORR (40%) for the RNAseq population closely matched those of the whole study (Atkins JCO 2022). No tumors were classified in CL 7 and only 3 in CL 5. Tumors in each IMDC group contained a mix of subtypes. The highest ORR occurred in CL 4 (6/10, 60.0%); CL 4 median PFS was 15.2 months and 1-year PFS was 60%. ORR was also high in CLs 1 and 3 at 52.4% and 40.0%, respectively and lowest in CL 2 (12.5%). PD as best response (5/10, 50.0%) and short PFS (5.1 months) were seen in CL 6. Conclusions: Consistent with prior analyses with combination ICB + anti-VEGF and &gt;1L ICB, CL 4 was associated with robust 1L ICB monotherapy antitumor efficacy. Surprisingly, ORR was also high in CLs 1 and 3. In this small dataset, transcriptomic signatures enriched for but did not fully predict ORR. Future prospective trials are needed to identify more discriminative biomarkers of efficacy for pure ICB therapy.[Table: see text]

Autoantibody status according to multiparametric assay accurately estimates connective tissue disease classification and identifies clinically relevant disease clusters

ObjectiveAssessment of circulating autoantibodies represents one of the earliest diagnostic procedures in patients with suspected connective tissue disease (CTD), providing important information for disease diagnosis, identification and prediction of potential...

Transcriptome analysis of primary sporadic neuroendocrine tumours of the intestine identified three different molecular subgroups

BackgroundIntestinal neuroendocrine tumours (I-NETs) represent a non-negligible entity among intestinal neoplasms, with metastatic spreading usually present at the time of diagnosis. In this context, effective molecular actionable targets are still lacking. Through transcriptome analysis, we aim at refining the molecular taxonomy of I-NETs, also providing insights towards the identification of new therapeutic vulnerabilities. Materials and MethodsA retrospective series of 38 primary sporadic, surgically-resected I-NETs were assessed for transcriptome profiling of 20,815 genes. ResultsTranscriptome analysis detected 643 highly expressed genes. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering, differential expression analysis and gene set enriched analysis identified three different tumour clusters (CL): CL-A, CL-B, CL-C. CL-A showed the overexpression of ARGFX, BIRC8, NANOS2, and SSTR4 genes. Its most characterizing signatures were those related to cell-junctions, and activation of mTOR and WNT pathway. CL-A was also enriched in T CD8 + lymphocytes. CL-B showed the overexpression of PCSK1, QPCT, ST18, and TPH1 genes. Its most characterizing signatures were those related to adipogenesis, neuroendocrine metabolism, and splice site machinery-related processes. CL-B was also enriched in T CD4 + lymphocytes. CL-C showed the overexpression of ALB, ANG, ARG1, and HP genes. Its most characterizing signatures were complement/coagulation and xenobiotic metabolism. CL-C was also enriched in M1/2 macrophages. These CL-based differences may have therapeutic implications in refining the management of I-NET patients. At last, we described a specific gene-set for differentiating I-NET from pancreatic NET. DiscussionOur data represent an additional step for refining the molecular taxonomy of I-NET, identifying novel transcriptome subgroups with different biology and therapeutic opportunities.

Supramolecular Host–Guest Assemblies of [M6Cl14]2–, M = Mo, W, Clusters with γ-Cyclodextrin for the Development of CLUSPOMs

Host–guest assemblies open up opportunities for developing novel functional CLUSPOM multicomponent systems based on transition metal clusters (CLUS), polyoxometalates (POMs) and macrocyclic organic ligands. In water–ethanol solution γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) interacts with halide metal clusters [M6Cl14]2– (M = Mo, W) to form sandwich-type structures. The supramolecular association between the clusters and CDs, however, remains weak in solution, and the interactions are not strong enough to prevent the hydrolysis of the inorganic guest. Although analysis of the resulting crystal structures reveals inclusion complexation, 1H NMR experiments in solution show no specific affinity between the two components. The luminescent properties of the host–guest compounds in comparison with the initial cluster complexes are also studied to evaluate the influence of CD.

Exploration of cultural norms and behavioural beliefs about zoo animal behaviour, welfare, ethics and husbandry practices in a sample of the international zoo community.

Beliefs influence the intentions of people to behave in certain ways towards animals. This study presents survey responses from 237 people working in zoos in China and Europe and describes their demographic characteristics. It explores their beliefs about zoo animal behaviour, welfare and ethical issues, and zoo practices, using a survey methodology. These beliefs may be influenced by individual demographic or cultural factors such as age, genderand region of employment, as well as experiential or situative 'norms' within the work environment. Beliefs were significantly influenced by the region of employment with Chinese respondents beliefs being significantly different to beliefs from respondents in the United Kingdom or the rest of Europe. Hierarchical cluster analysis of the survey generated clusters of people from both regions who indicated positive beliefs about zoo animal welfare as well as clu sters indicating a lack of understanding of some zoo animal welfare issues. In addition, a cluster suggesting cognitive dissonance between beliefs about animals welfare and zoo practices was generated from Chinese responses. Factor analysis identified that prioritisation of in-situ conservation within good animal welfare was a key feature in Chinese respondents, whereas European beliefs prioritising in-situ conservation were distinct from those on supporting good animal welfare. This paper identifies similarities and differences in beliefs about zoo animal welfare and zoo husbandry practices between Europe and China, and discusses the underlying norms and values that these beliefs may reflect.

Molecular and clinical diversity in primary central nervous system lymphoma

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare and distinct entity within diffuse large B-cell lymphoma presenting with variable response rates probably to underlying molecular heterogeneity. To identify and characterize PCNSL heterogeneity and facilitate clinical translation, we carried out a comprehensive multi-omic analysis [whole-exome sequencing, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), methylation sequencing, and clinical features] in a discovery cohort of 147 fresh-frozen (FF) immunocompetent PCNSLs and a validation cohort of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) 93 PCNSLs with RNA-seq and clinico-radiological data. Consensus clustering of multi-omic data uncovered concordant classification of four robust, non-overlapping, prognostically significant clusters (CS). The CS1 and CS2 groups presented an immune-cold hypermethylated profile but a distinct clinical behavior. The 'immune-hot' CS4 group, enriched with mutations increasing the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) and nuclear factor-κB activity, had the most favorable clinical outcome, while the heterogeneous-immune CS3 group had the worse prognosis probably due to its association with meningeal infiltration and enriched HIST1H1E mutations. CS1 was characterized by high Polycomb repressive complex 2 activity and CDKN2A/B loss leading to higher proliferation activity. Integrated analysis on proposed targets suggests potential use of immune checkpoint inhibitors/JAK1 inhibitors for CS4, cyclin D-Cdk4,6 plus phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors for CS1, lenalidomide/demethylating drugs for CS2, and enhancer of zeste 2 polycomb repressive complex 2 subunit (EZH2) inhibitors for CS3. We developed an algorithm to identify the PCNSL subtypes using RNA-seq data from either FFPE or FF tissue. The integration of genome-wide data from multi-omic data revealed four molecular patterns in PCNSL with a distinctive prognostic impact that provides a basis for future clinical stratification and subtype-based targeted interventions.

Identification of 45S rDNA in Passiflora using low coverage sequencing: analysis of GC content and chromosomal localization.

The 45S rDNA is considered the most useful chromosomal marker for cytogenetic analysis of Passiflora. Amplification of 45S rDNA sequence via PCR are more advantageous than sequence maintenance in vectors for chromosomal hybridization via FISH. We aimed both to identify 45S rDNA by sequencing data for chromosomal localization and to verify the relationship between GC content and CMA3/DAPI banding. Low-coverage sequencing of Passiflora alata, P. cincinnata, and P. edulis was performed, and 45S rDNA units were identified using RepeatExplorer. The 45S rDNA units were used to construct a neighbor-joining tree to verify the similarities between the three species' 18S and 26S rDNA sequences. Clusters (CL)116 (P. alata), CL71 (P. cincinnata), and CL116 (P. edulis) were remarkably similar among the three species, and the 26S rDNA sequences of the clusters were similar to those of Populus tremuloides, Salix interior, and Averrhoa carambola (98% identity). The 26S rDNA was cytologically localized in the chromosomes of P. edulis, P. bahiensis, and the backcrossed hybrid (P. sublanceolata vs. HD13). The hybridization transfer capacity was evaluated in Citrus sunki and Cucumis melo. Finally, a chromosomal pair with a heteromorphic 26S rDNA site was observed in P. edulis, which was the same to that observed for CMA3. The amplification of the 26S rDNA in Passiflora via PCR and the chromosomal localization in Passiflora and other plant species was successfully achieved. The CMA3 bands were found to be related not only to the amount of GC but also to its structure and the number of repetitions.

Psychosocial Work Stress and Health Risks - A Cross-Sectional Study of Shift Workers From the Hotel and Catering Industry and the Food Industry.

PurposePsychosocial work stress, and shift and night work are considered risk indicators for impaired health. Using the effort-reward (ER) model, it was possible to examine which relationships exist for shift workers between clusters (CL) of different levels of psychosocial work stress and overcommitment (OC) and cardiovascular or psychological health indicators, and which predictive value is evident in individual health indicators to explain the clusters.MethodsThe data were collected as part of an occupational health prevention program. The analysis sample consisted of 199 shift workers from alternating shift systems with and without night work (43%) (average age: 40 ± 12 years, men: 47%). Psychosocial work stress was recorded using the ER imbalance (ERI) questionnaire. To determine the clusters, ERI and OC were entered into a cluster analysis. Blood pressure, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, PROCAM score (risk of a heart attack within the next 10 years), sporting activity, and smoking were included as cardiovascular indicators, psychological wellbeing (GHQ-12) and inability to recovery (IR) (FABA) as psychological health indicators. Shift system, sex, and age were entered into the statistical analyses as control variables. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to identify health-related predictors to explain the ER-OC clusters.ResultsThree different ER-OC clusters emerged: low-stress: 36%, normal: 44%, risk: 20%. While normal psychosocial work stress is present in the low-stress and the normal CL, in the risk CL 28% of the shift workers show a health-endangering ERI and 48% show an excessive OC. No significant cluster-specific differences were determined for the cardiovascular health indicators. Rather, the known sex and age effects were confirmed and the shift system had no significant effect. Significantly more shift workers in the risk CL had impaired psychological health (18 vs. 1/6%) and an IR (52 vs. 0/12%) than in the low-stress and normal CL. IR turned out to be the strongest predictor of the explanation for the ER-OC clusters (49%).ConclusionIR could be assigned an independent diagnostic value for the assessment of psychosocial work stresses and discussed as a new component of occupational health screening concepts for shift workers. Independently of this, the health indicators signal an urgent need for occupational health prevention and care.

An observational study to verify the influence of different nutritional corn silage-based strategies on efficient use of dietary nutrients, faecal fermentation profile, and profitability in a cohort of intensive dairy farms

Sixty-six dairy farms (as average, 167.0 ± 106.5 milking cows and milk yield of 31.4 ± 5.1) were visited to identify different nutritional approaches adopted in dairy cows diet formulation. Forage, TMR, faecal, and milk samples from lactating herds were collected and diet composition, in vitro methane production, in vivo nutrient digestibility, faecal fermentation profile and milk yield and milk quality were characterised. A hierarchical cluster analysis was applied and six nutritional approaches in diet formulation corresponding with six different clusters (CL) were identified. The CL discriminated the farm feeding choices in the following nutritional strategies, based on high use of: (i) high moisture corn (HMC) and legume silage, (ii) compound feed, (iii) corn and soy meals, (iv) HMC and soy meal, (v) corn meal and protein compound feeds, or (vi) HMC and protein compound feed strategies, respectively for CL1 to CL6. The milk yield tended (p = .061) to differ among CL. The greatest (>1.60) feed efficiency was calculated for CL1 and 5, whereas the lowest (<1.45) for CL 2. The CL2 and 5 had the highest feed costs (i.e. 0.24 or 0.22 €/kg of milk, respectively). Interestingly, the high use of HMC or steam flaked corn resulted associated to higher farm performances. Particularly, HMC and legume silage (CL1), HCM and soy meal (CL4) and HCM and protein compound feed (CL6) nutritional strategies resulted more efficient and profitable, having the greatest feed efficiency, protein and starch degradability as well as income over feed costs. Differentiate carbohydrates in dairy cow diets seems highly convenient. HIGHLIGHTS Six different nutritional strategies were identified based on use of single ingredients and a great variability in both economic and feed efficiency was observed for dairy farms clustering into different groups The use of high moisture ear corn in substitution of corn meal increased dry matter intake, feed efficiency, milk yield and lactose content of milk, whereas the use of steam flaked corn reduced the faecal fermentations The in vitro methane emission potential of diets did not differ among clustered nutritional strategies

Partitioning around medoids (PAM) in clustering genre music

Music consists of many genres, so it is difficult to make a standard protocol system to standardize or grouping a music genre if the assessment is only subjective. PAM (Partitioning Around Medoids) is a clustering technique used in troubleshooting Genre of music's clustering process in this research. The parameters used are Average Energy (AE), Tempo, and Music Bar which it is produce a "Muster" (Music Clustering). “Muster” is a application that makes up 5 clusters with PAM. 5 clusters are Genre Music with medium Tempo, music with Slow and quiet tempo, music with a less calm feel, music that tends to be loud, strong and fast. Sample data used in this research were 50 data testing, namely from the types of music categories of classical music, jazz, blues, rock, and pop which produced an accuracy rate of 72.66%.

An example of fast old field succession in a traditionally managed rural landscape on the Slovenian Karst

We report an exceptionally fast grassland recovery process from a karst plateau in SW Slovenia. Vegetation of old fields with different ages was sampled using a chronosequence of fields abandoned 1, 3, 6, 9, 13, 15 and 100 years ago. We prepared dendrogram dividing the data set into 9 clusters that were further analyzed: diagnostic species, ecological conditions and life forms were evaluated. The initial stage of succession was characterized by segetal weeds and indicated high levels of soil nutrients. The second stage was dominated by dense patches of perennial forbs (most of them ruderal species) preferring also high levels of soil nutrients. The third stage was dominated by caespitose hemicryptophyte grasses, many of them of sub-Mediterranean origin. The first two stages took 13 years and both could be considered as early successional stages developing on nutrient rich soils. These stages were switched to late successional stage characterized by seminatural grassland species. The quick succession can probably be attributed to the rich species pool of natural grassland flora, the small size and annual mowing of abandoned agricultural fields and the close proximity of seed sources.

Impact of family planning on maternal and infant mortality in Cameroon: Protocol for a clustered non-randomized controlled trial

The study aimed to assess the impact of family planning on maternal and infant mortality in Tiko CDC plantation camp. This is a clustered non-randomized controlled trial with a predetermined intervention site (Tiko CDC plantation camp) and a control site (Pena Mboko camp). Four clusters were randomly selected in each group using simple ballot and the intervention administered in all clusters in the intervention site. Households/participants were then systematically sampled (250 in each site) for data collection and analysis. The intervention comprises a triad of health education, facilities strengthening and distribution of contraceptives in the intervention cohort. After baseline study, re-evaluation visits are scheduled for 3rd, 6th and 9th month of intervention and a post-intervention data collection at 12th months of intervention. The pre-intervention phase was conducted from December 2019 to February 2020; data was partially analysed and intervention was designed. Primary outcomes to be measured are contraceptive knowledge, perception and practice while secondary outcomes are maternal and infant morbi-mortality. Ethical clearance was obtained from the institutional ethics committee for research on human health at University of Douala. While the study adds to existing literature, its strengths and limits could be useful in informing similar interventions in the study area and beyond. Key words: Non-randomized clustered, Family planning, Health education, Maternal, Infant, mortality, Cameroon.

Modifiable Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Diseases among Undergraduate Students in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are among the global health problems accounting for more than 70% of deaths. Yet, healthcare, workers, university and college students who are key educators to the public about health matters are ironically at high risk for NCDs. We aimed to assess modifiable risk factors for NCDs among undergraduates in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods This was a cross-sectional study among respondents from six universities. The sample was split equally between universities with medical and those without medical courses. Respondents were randomly selected from each of the two clusters of universities. We administered a modified World Health Organization (WHO) STEP-1 questionnaire to collect data on modifiable risk factors for NCDs. Results Of the 574 undergraduates studied, 275 (47.9%) were in medical programmes. Among medical students, 262 (95.3%), as compared to 291 (97.3%) of the non-medical undergraduates had at least one NCD modifiable risk factor. While 15 (4.8%) of undergraduates in medical cluster reported consuming heavy alcohol, non-medical undergraduates reporting similar behaviour were 6 (2.3%). The proportion of non-medical undergraduates reporting to lead a sedentary lifestyle was significantly higher, 97 (37.5%), as compared to 82 (31.2%) of their counterparts (p<0.01). Independent of age, marital status and year of study, male undergraduates in non-medical programmes had 16% increased prevalence ratio of modifiable risk factors compared to females, (aPR=1.16, 95%CI: 1.03–1.30). Conclusions On one hand, use of tobacco, heavy alcohol consumption and excessive salt intake among undergraduates are low. On the other, the proportions of undergraduates having inadequate fruits and vegetables and physical inactivity are extremely high. Keywords: Non-Communicable Diseases, Modifiable Risk Factors, STEPS Survey, Undergraduates, Tanzania.

“But what’s so bad about inequality?” Ideological positioning and argumentation in the representation of economic inequality in the British press

The aim of this chapter is to explore the discursive construction and representation of economic inequality in the British press in the period 2016-2019. For this purpose, the corpus consists of selected newspaper articles from three online newspapers The Guardian (liberal and left-leaning), The Telegraph and Daily Mail (traditionally conservative). A comparative analysis shows not only how the newspapers differ on the lexico-semantic and grammatical level in the discursive construction of key clusters around economic inequality, but also on the ideological argumentative level, in the way journalists position their ideas and engage their readers in order to defend and legitimize arguments. In their representation of economic inequality, the newspapers show through linguistic and argumentation analysis, whether they are aligned with the government, and as such broadly welcome greater wealth inequality, or whether, they actually resist current government policies. Hence, the main objective is to show how UK national newspapers have a double function in both reporting information, and also in construing an argument and aligning the reader to accept that argument. The methodological approach combines Corpus Linguistics (CL) with Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), informed by theories on epistemological and ideological positionings as forms of pragma-dialectical argumentation (van Eermeen 2017; White 2006).

Multiple Stellar Encounters on Protoplanetary Disks in Birth Clusters of Stars

Multiple Stellar Encounters on Protoplanetary Disks in Birth Clusters of Stars

Ecosystem service pattern of Fuzhou City based on ecosystem service bundles.

Based on InVEST model, recreational opportunity spectrum, factor analysis, cold and hot spot analysis, SOFM neural network, relief degree of land surface (RDLS) methods, we evalua-ted six kinds of ecosystem service in Fuzhou City and analyzed the trade-offs and synergies among them, with the aim to clarify the dominant services and the spatial pattern of service bundles in different topographical regions. The results showed substantial spatial heterogeneity in different ecosystem services of Fuzhou City. Water yield, carbon sequestration, habitat quality, and recreational opportunities were totally high, whereas the supply of agricultural products and soil and water conservation were low and substantial differences. The interaction between water yield and cultural servi-ces were synergies, but trade-offs occurred among regulating service, supporting service and agricultural products service. There were spatial aggregations for both trade-offs and synergies. Ecosystem service bundles could be divided into suburban recreation bundle, water conservation bundle, agricultural products bundle, urban life bundle, and forest ecological conservation bundle. The composition of service bundles clusters was different under different RDLS, with obvious spatial heterogeneity.

Molecular characterization of garlic (Allium sativum L.) using SSR markers in Ethiopia

Garlic is one of the most cultivated and medicinal horticultural crops in the world. Its production and productivity is decreased due to different constraints. Knowing the genetic distance will give information to tackle the constraints. This study characterized genetic diversity of garlic germplasm by analysis of eleven Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) loci in 115 garlic accession. Genomic DNA was extracted from fresh leaf tip using modified Diversity Array Technology (DArT) protocol. Touch down polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was also used to get optimal annealing temperature for each Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) primers. A number of monomorphic and few polymorphic bands were obtained from eleven SSR markers. The gel pictures show monomorphic bands between genotypes. However, some markers: ASM 080, ASA 20, ASA23, and GB-ASM 053 generated polymorphic bands. Dendrogram of genetic distances amongst all tested genotypes showed three distinct major clusters, and six sub-clusters. This study will guide decision making on introduction of germplasm for enhancing genetic diversity or creation of new variations to improve and widen the genetic base of garlic. Key words: Garlic, genetic variation, polymorphism.

An Algorithm-based Approach to Map the Players’ Network for Photovoltaic Energy Businesses

Due to economic, social, and environmental factors that influence businesses related to renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic energy (PV), several players are acting on these business models, forming a complex network of interrelations. In this sense, this paper aims to identify the players involved in PV businesses, mapping the main relations between the players, and discussing these interactions in the context of PV businesses. A systematic review (SR) based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and a Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement was used to identify who the players were and to group them into clusters. The Apriori algorithm was used to build a players’ network and a clusters’ network, enabling a detailed discussion of these relationships. 35 players were identified, being grouped into 7 clusters, which can be related to the PV’s businesses. 20 players achieved relevance through Apriori rules, appearing in the players' network. With the players' network related to the PV businesses, business models can be defined or improved, exploring the conditioning, and limiting factors to improve business processes.