Net Rate Research Articles

Trends in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation survival using population-based descriptive epidemiology method: analysis of national transplant registry data.

Prognosis for patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) has been improving. Short-term survival information, such as crude survival rates that consider deaths immediately after the transplantation, may not be sufficiently useful for assessing long-term survival. Using the data of the Japanese HCT registry, the net survival rate of patients who survived for a given period was determined according to age, disease, and type of transplant. We included a total of 41,716 patients who received their first allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation between 1991 and 2015. For each disease, age group, graft source subcategory, net survival was calculated using the Pohar-Perme method, and 5-year conditional net survival (CS) was calculated. Ten-year net survivals of total patient cohort were 41.5% and 47.4% for males and females, respectively. Except for myelodysplastic syndrome, multiple myeloma, and adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, 5-year CS for 5-year transplant survivors exceeded 90%. CS was especially high for aplastic anemia, of which was over 100% for children and younger adults receiving cord blood, suggesting that these patients have similar longevity to an equivalent group from the general population. These findings provide useful information for long-term survival, and can serve as benchmark for comparisons among registries, including other cancers.

Influence of Liquid Nano Urea Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Summer Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under South Gujarat Conditions

A field experiment was conducted during summer season for two consecutive years (2022-2023) at Navsari, Gujarat to study the effect of liquid Nano urea fertilizer on summer rice (Oryza sativa L.) under South Gujarat conditions. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications and twelve treatments comprising T1: 100 % RDN (Recommended dose of nitrogen) through urea (120 kg N ha-1), T2: 75 % RDN + Seedling root dip in Nano urea at transplanting (TP) (4 ml L-1), T3: 50 % RDN + Seedling root dip in Nano urea at TP (4 ml L-1), T4: 25 % RDN + Seedling root dip in Nano urea at TP (4 ml L-1), T5: 75 % RDN + Spray of Nano urea at tillering stage (4 ml L-1), T6: 50 % RDN + Spray of Nano urea at tillering stag (4 ml L-1), T7: 25 % RDN + Spray of Nano urea at tillering stage (4 ml L-1), T8: 75 % RDN + Spray of Nano urea at tillering and panicle initiation stage (4 ml L-1), T9: 50 % RDN + Spray of Nano urea at tillering and panicle initiation stage (4 ml L-1), T10: 25 % RDN + Spray of Nano urea at tillering and panicle initiation stage (4 ml L-1), T11: Spray of Nano urea at tillering and panicle initiation stage (4 ml L-1) and T12: Seedling root dip in Nano urea at TP + Spray of Nano urea at tillering and panicle initiation stage (4 ml L-1). Application of 75 % RDN + Spray of Nano urea at tillering and panicle initiation stage (4 ml L-1) obtain significantly higher growth attributes viz., periodical plant height, number of tillers plant-1, dry matter accumulation plant-1, chlorophyll content and growth indices including leaf area index (LAI) at 60 and 90 DAS, crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR) during 30-60 DAS, 60-90 DAS, and 90 DAS-Harvest. Similarly, significantly higher grain yield was produced under treatment T8 (4435 kg ha-1) which was 3.24% higher than 100% RDN through conventional urea.

Characteristics and Driving Mechanisms of Understory Vegetation Diversity Patterns in Central and Southern China

Large-scale forest restoration projects significantly reduce the net rates of forest loss. However, as a key component of forest restoration, planted forests have failed to restore biodiversity. China has implemented a large-scale afforestation program, which includes pure planted forests in particular, leading to various changes in ecosystem processes. Despite this, a comprehensive analysis of understory vegetation diversity patterns in these pure planted forests is still lacking. This study aimed to analyze the data on understory vegetation diversity from three typical pure and natural forest ecosystems of Hunan ecological forests to reveal their diversity patterns. The results revealed no significant difference in the understory diversity index between natural and pure forest types, although natural forests had a bigger species pool. The Zipf–Mandelbrot model was a better fit for species abundance distribution. The fitted results suggested that both environmental filtering and neutral processes affected the species abundance distribution and pure understory communities during restoration succession. Natural forests had the most stable understory diversity structure, whereas pure Phyllostachys heterocycla (Carr.) Mitford forests had the least stable structure. Multivariate regression tree analysis identified indicator species for each community. The gradient boosting model indicated that isothermality and slope direction were the most important factors affecting diversity. The β-diversity analysis showed that community establishment in the four forest types was affected via different mechanisms. The findings of this study have significant implications for understanding the impact of afforestation on the mechanisms for maintaining diversity.

Comparison and Experimental Study of Cotton Stalk Extraction via Nip Roller Based on Nip Motion Trajectory Equation

In the field of straw recycling, a cotton straw-harvesting mechanism is an important piece of agricultural equipment. The mechanistic analysis method of the harvesting mechanism is a major focus of research and development in this field. Currently, in the mechanistic analysis of the cotton straw recycling mechanism, the kinematic and mechanical analysis of the recycling mechanism is generally the main focus. There is not a lot of research based on the quantitative analysis between different recycling mechanisms. In this study, a clamped cotton straw pulling mechanism is optimized and designed, and two different pulling structures are designed. In addition, a two-dimensional modeling and analysis method is used to establish the two-dimensional equations of motion of the two pulling mechanisms, analyze the leakage and breakage rates of the two clamping structures, predict the final pulling effect, and verify the results of the field tests. According to the analysis, the belt-clamping side has more uniform clamping stress and a larger clamping contact area than the chain-clamping side, and the tangential stress on cotton straw is smaller. Based on the field-test verification, the band-clamping side had a higher pulling net rate by an average of 19.32% and a lower missed pulling rate by an average of 6.01% than the chain-clamping side. Therefore, it was determined that the main reason for the lower pulling net rate of the chain-gripped side than that of the belt-gripped side was the higher pulling breakage rate, and the secondary reason was the high leakage pulling rate. Thus, the feasibility and accuracy of the analytical method of this study are verified.

Mass rearing requirements and ecological zoning of Telenomus remus estimated through life table in different temperatures and relative humidities

Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is an important polyphagous pest of corn (maize) crops, reported as invasive on most continents. It is the main corn pest in South America. Control methods involve the use of agrochemicals and genetically modified cultivars. Among the possible alternatives for controlling this species, the present study evaluated the biological development of an isofemale line of Telenomus remus Nixon collected in Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil, on eggs of S. frugiperda at different temperatures and relative humidity (RH) levels. The development and parasitism of the parental generation of T. remus and its offspring were evaluated at different temperatures (18, 20, 22, 25, 28, 30, 33, and 35 °C) and RH levels (30, 50, 70, and 90 %). Fertility life tables were constructed based on the values obtained at different temperatures and RH. The estimated thermal constant (K) was 210.36 degree-days, the lower temperature threshold (Tt) 10.6 °C, and the upper developmental threshold (Tmax) 35.9 °C. In both generations, T. remus showed the best parasitism performance at temperatures between 25 and 30 °C and RH between 50 and 70 %. We represented the results geographically, producing two types of zoning maps, one based on R0 (net reproductive rate) values and another based on the number of T. remus generations in municipalities according to the calendar for the first and second corn crops. Both zoning approaches indicated that the North, Northeast, Midwest, and Southeast regions of Brazil are the most suitable for the establishment and multiplication of T. remus, especially from September to February. In the colder Southern region, conditions are suitable only from November to March. Under the same climate conditions as S. frugiperda, T. remus can produce 4 to 6 times more generations in both corn crops. For the first corn crop, more regions of Brazil are favorable for the release of T. remus to control S. frugiperda.

Morpho-physiological characterization of second generation colchiploids in sweet orange (<i>Citrus sinensis </i>(L.) Osbeck) cv. Mosambi

Induction of tetraploidy in citrus is commonly meant for the development of triploid seedless cultivars as well as resistance against abiotic and biotic stresses. Three-year-old, 20 second-generation colchicine treated (0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20%) plants (colchiploids), established from the putative tetraploid branches of the first generation colchiploids of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) cv. Mosambi vegetatively propagated on Jatti khatti rootstock, along with their wild (parent) type, were characterized based on morphological and physiological traits. Plant height and canopy volume were reduced, but stem girth, nodes per shoot and bark: wood increased in the majority of the second-generation colchiploids related to the wild type. Colchiploids also possessed improved flower characteristics in terms of length and width. The stomatal dimensions increased, but stomatal concentration reduced in all the colchiploids. Colchicine treatment also caused significant variations in leaf gas exchange parameters, including photosynthetic rate, intercellular CO2 concentration, leaf net transpiration rates, stomatal conductance, and intrinsic water use efficiency in colchiploids affecting their photosynthetic activities. The solid tetraploids identified on the basis of morpho-physiological characterization can be used in future breeding programmes for the development of triploid seedless citrus cultivars or can be used for the mitigation of biotic and abiotic stresses.

Morpho-physiological characterization of second generation colchiploids in sweet orange (<i>Citrus sinensis </i>(L.) Osbeck) cv. Mosambi

Induction of tetraploidy in citrus is commonly meant for the development of triploid seedless cultivars as well as resistance against abiotic and biotic stresses. Three-year-old, 20 second-generation colchicine treated (0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20%) plants (colchiploids), established from the putative tetraploid branches of the first generation colchiploids of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) cv. Mosambi vegetatively propagated on Jatti khatti rootstock, along with their wild (parent) type, were characterized based on morphological and physiological traits. Plant height and canopy volume were reduced, but stem girth, nodes per shoot and bark: wood increased in the majority of the second-generation colchiploids related to the wild type. Colchiploids also possessed improved flower characteristics in terms of length and width. The stomatal dimensions increased, but stomatal concentration reduced in all the colchiploids. Colchicine treatment also caused significant variations in leaf gas exchange parameters, including photosynthetic rate, intercellular CO2 concentration, leaf net transpiration rates, stomatal conductance, and intrinsic water use efficiency in colchiploids affecting their photosynthetic activities. The solid tetraploids identified on the basis of morpho-physiological characterization can be used in future breeding programmes for the development of triploid seedless citrus cultivars or can be used for the mitigation of biotic and abiotic stresses.

Genotypic Variations of Morpho-physiological Parameters of Rapeseed (Brassica rapa var. Toria) under Rainfed Condition of Assam

Background: Among the North-Eastern states, Assam is the highest in terms of area of cultivation of rapeseed and has the potential to increase productivity to a great extent. To fulfil the increasing demand for edible oils, appropriate interventions must be paid for introduction of new oilseed varieties.The suitable genotype for a particular region has to be identified based on physiological efficiency and yield. Methods: The field experiment was carried out at the Instructional-cum-Research (ICR) Farm, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-13, Assam during rabi seasons of 2021-22 and 2022-23. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications comprising of 22 different genotypes of rapeseed (Brassica rapa, var. Toria), viz., TS-38 (Check), TS-46, TS-67, TS-36, TS-29, TS-75-1, TS-75-1TL, TS-75-2ME, TS-75-2-MM, TS-76-1, TS-76-2, JT-90-1, Panchali, Bhawani, CG Toria-4, TKM-20-1, TKM-20-2, JT-14-5, PT-2018-09, CG Toria-3, Tapeshwari and PT-303. The crops were grown following the recommended package of practice. All the parameters were taken following the standard methodologies. The parameters under study were plant height, number of primary branches, number of green leaves, stem diameters, root lengths and root volumes, proline content, nitrate reductase activity, protein content, oil content, specific leave weight, leaf area index, net assimilation rate and seed yield. Result: The results of the study indicated a significant variation of all the morpho-physiological parameters among the genotypes. The genotype TS-75-2ME and TS-38 exhibited morpho-physiological superiority in terms of number of primary branches, green leaves and SLW. The same genotypes also recorded significantly higher seed yield.

Efficient and reliable digital sub-band multiplexed nonlinear frequency division multiplexing system

Nonlinear frequency division multiplexing (NFDM) is a promising optical transmission system that avoids fiber nonlinear effects, but suffering from unsatisfied spectral efficiency due to the guard interval (GI) devoting to combat the cumulative chromatic dispersion (CD), whose contribution to efficiency declination is quadratic to the bandwidth. In this paper, we propose what we believe to be a novel digital sub-band multiplexed (DSBM) NFDM system that can diminish the minimal required guard interval and therefore realize considerable information rate without reliability degradation. Through numerical simulation, we show that root raised cosine (RRC) shaped subcarriers are more suitable than the commonly used orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) shaped ones in our DSBM-NFDM system. By multiplexing 15 sub-bands, we achieve a 129.7% improvement in effective information rate (EIR) compared to the single channel (SC) NFDM system with the same effective bandwidth. Meanwhile, we achieve a net information rate of 531.0 Gbps NFDM transmission over 960 km with SE of 3.86 bit/s/Hz, which is below the hard decision forward error correction (HD-FEC) threshold. This work is the first to introduce the DSBM technique into NFDM system, and it can be considered as a novel subcarrier shaping scheme for NFDM that has potential to advance its practical implementation.

The Hydraulic Evolution of Groundwater-Fed Pit Lakes After Mine Closure.

Open pit mining frequently requires regional water tables to be lowered to access ore deposits. When mines close, dewatering ceases allowing the water table to recover. In arid and semi-arid mining regions, the developing pit lakes are predominantly fed by groundwater during this recovery phase and pit lakes develop first into "terminal sinks" for the surrounding groundwater system. With time, the re-establishment of regional hydraulic gradients can cause pit lakes to develop into throughflow systems, in which pit lake water outflows into adjacent aquifers. In this study, we use numerical groundwater modeling to aid process understanding of how regional hydraulic gradients, aquifer properties, net evaporation rates, and pit geometry determine the hydraulic evolution of groundwater-fed pit lakes. We find that before the recovery of the regional water table to its new equilibrium, pit lakes frequently transition to throughflow systems. Throughflow from pit lakes to downstream aquifers can develop within two decades following cessation of dewatering even under low hydraulic gradients (e.g., 5 × 10-4) or high net evaporation rates (e.g., 2.5 m/year). Pit lakes remain terminal sinks only under suitable combinations of high evaporation rates, low hydraulic gradients, and low hydraulic conductivities. In addition, we develop an approximate analytical solution for a rapid assessment of the hydraulic status of pit lakes under steady-state conditions. Understanding whether pit lakes remain terminal sinks or transition into throughflow systems largely determines the long-term water quality of pit lakes and downstream aquifers. This knowledge is fundamental for mine closure and planning post-mining land use.

A cascaded bit-weighted distribution matching for LDPC-coded PS-64QAM DMT in a high-speed Unamplified IM-DD system

We experimentally demonstrate the generation and transmission of probabilistic shaping (PS) 64-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (64-QAM) discrete multi-tone (DMT) signal with low-density parity-check (LDPC)-coded modulation based on two-stage bit-weighted distribution matching (TS-BWDM) in a high-speed unamplified intensity modulation and direct detection system. The TS-BWDM scheme is based on a two-stage bit-weighted inversion algorithm, which has the advantages of no complex multiplication and division operations and low hardware implementation complexity. As the key content of TS-BWDM, before FEC coding, the bit-weighted intervention operation is used to change the bit probability of a specific sequence in the parallel binary sequence. The two-stage bit-weighted inversion operation and one-stage weight-labeling bit insertion is performed for achieving the target symbol probability distribution. As a result, it does not add a significant amount of extra redundant bits. Additionally, the high-accuracy training symbols-based sampling frequency offset (SFO) estimation method and digital interpolation are used to compensate SFO. In our experiments, the TS-BWDM-based PS-64QAM DMT signals with a net rate of 157.3-Gb/s transmission over 10-km non-zero dispersion- shifted fiber can be achieved. The system performance is investigated under two LDPC code rates (3/4 and 9/10) and three PS parameter values (k = 3, 5 and 9). The experimental results show that the receiver power sensitivity and the system fiber nonlinear effect tolerance can be significantly improved compared with uniformly-distributed signals.

Development and reproduction of Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on six host plant species.

Host plants can strongly influence the population performance of insects. Here, we investigated the development, survival, and oviposition of Scirtothrips dorsalis Hoodon 6 host plants-Camellia sinensis ( L.) Kuntze (Ericales: Theaceae), Rosa chinensis Jacq. (Rosales: Rosaceae), Capsicum annuum L. (Solanales: Solanaceae), Eustoma grandiflorum (Hook.) G.Don (Gentianales: Gentianaceae), Glycine max (L.) Merr. (Fabales: Fabaceae), and Cucumis sativus L. (Cucurbitales: Cucurbitaceae), and constructed life tables for S. dorsalis on each plant. Significant differences in S. dorsalis development on the host species were observed. The mean developmental period from egg to adult was 11.45 ± 0.12 days, 11.24 ± 0.13 days, 12.08 ± 0.15 days, 12.28 ± 0.12 days, 12.67 ± 0.10 days, and 13.03 ± 0.11 days on C. sinensis, R. chinensis, C. annuum, E. grandiflorum, G. max, and C. sativus, respectively. Significant differences in survival of S. dorsalis were observed, namely, C. sinensis ≈ R. chinensis > E. grandiflorum ≈ C. annuum > G. max > C. sativus. The highest and lowest fecundities of S. dorsalis were recorded on R. chinensis (60.44 ± 1.53) and C. sativus (28.64 ± 1.02), respectively. Both of the net reproductive rate (R0) and intrinsic rate of increase (rm) of S. dorsalis were the highest on R. chinensis, with the values of 27.63 ± 0.58 and 0.142 ± 0.002, respectively; while the lowest on C. sativus, with the values of 8.81 ± 0.12 and 0.092 ± 0.003, respectively. Thus, R. chinensis was found to be the most suitable host, but C. sativus was the least suitable, for population development of S. dorsalis. Our results provide important information for the key control of S. dorsalis among different host plants.

Fitness of two mushroom flies Bradysia minpleuroti (Diptera: Sciaridae) and Coboldia fuscipes (Diptera: Scatopsidae) fed on two edible mushrooms

AbstractDictyophora rubrovolvata and Pleurotus ostreatus are economically important mushrooms in China. Bradysia minpleuroti Yang et Zhang and Coboldia fuscipes (Meigen, 1830) are important mushroom flies that damage the two mushrooms. In this study, we used the age‐stage, two‐sex life table method to assess the fitness of B. minpleuroti and C. fuscipes when they were respectively fed on D. rubrovolvata and P. ostreatus. Our results showed that the first (2.39 days) and second (1.41 days) instar larvae, pupa (2.87 days) and total longevity (18.19 days) of B. minpleuroti were shorter when fed on P. ostreatus than fed on D. rubrovolvata (3.46, 1.86, 3.10 and 20.19 days). B. minpleuroti had similar fecundity when fed on the two edible mushrooms. B. minpleuroti had higher values of net reproductive rate (R0, 87.73), intrinsic rate of increase (r, 0.2604 day‐1), and finite rate of increase (λ, 1.2974 day‐1) and shorter mean generation time (T, 17.19 days) when fed on P. ostreatus than fed on D. rubrovalvata (26.96, 0.1659 day‐1, 1.1805 day‐1, 19.85 days). The developmental period of larvae and pupa stages of C. fuscipes were significantly different fed on the two edible mushrooms. Female fecundity, total longevity, R0, r, λ and T of C. fuscipes were not significantly different between the two edible mushrooms. We found that fitness of B. minpleuroti larvae had higher fitness when fed on P. ostreatus than fed on D. rubrovolvata. However, there was no significant difference in the fitness of C. fuscipes larvae when fed on the two edible mushrooms. This study has provided valuable data and insights by delving into the adaptability of two significant pests on two edible mushrooms, thereby facilitating the development of more effective pest management strategies and contributing to the advancement of the mushroom industry. For instance, it provides guidance on the appropriate timing for preventive measures and treatment.

Co-expression analysis reveals distinct alliances around two carbon fixation pathways in hydrothermal vent symbionts

Most autotrophic organisms possess a single carbon fixation pathway. The chemoautotrophic symbionts of the hydrothermal vent tubeworm Riftia pachyptila, however, possess two functional pathways: the Calvin–Benson–Bassham (CBB) and the reductive tricarboxylic acid (rTCA) cycles. How these two pathways are coordinated is unknown. Here we measured net carbon fixation rates, transcriptional/metabolic responses and transcriptional co-expression patterns of Riftia pachyptila endosymbionts by incubating tubeworms collected from the East Pacific Rise at environmental pressures, temperature and geochemistry. Results showed that rTCA and CBB transcriptional patterns varied in response to different geochemical regimes and that each pathway is allied to specific metabolic processes; the rTCA is allied to hydrogenases and dissimilatory nitrate reduction, whereas the CBB is allied to sulfide oxidation and assimilatory nitrate reduction, suggesting distinctive yet complementary roles in metabolic function. Furthermore, our network analysis implicates the rTCA and a group 1e hydrogenase as key players in the physiological response to limitation of sulfide and oxygen. Net carbon fixation rates were also exemplary, and accordingly, we propose that co-activity of CBB and rTCA may be an adaptation for maintaining high carbon fixation rates, conferring a fitness advantage in dynamic vent environments.

Broad-Spectrum Technical and Economic Assessment of a Solar PV Park: A Case Study in Portugal

While technical optimization focuses on maximizing the annual energy yield of utility-scale PV parks, the ultimate goal for power plant owners is to maximize investment profit. This paper aims to bridge the gap between technical and economic approaches by using simulation data from a real-case utility-scale PV park. It analyzes how changes in configuration parameters such as the DC–AC ratio and string length and PV technologies like solar tracking systems and bifacial modules impact the economic metrics of the project, i.e., net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR). PVSyst software was utilized as a simulation tool, while in-house developed software implementing appropriate technical and economic models served as a comparison platform and was used to validate the outputs generated through PVSyst. Results indicate that the commonly used horizontal single-axis tracking configuration may economically underperform compared with fixed-tilt setups. The optimal DC–AC ratio fell within the range of 1.30 to 1.35. Extending the string length from 25 to 28 modules improved economic indexes. Additionally, fixed-tilt bifacial modules can enhance project economics if a 10% cost premium compared with standard monofacial PV modules is considered.

Study on Monitoring Methods for Net CO2 Exchange Rate of Individual Standing Tree

Study on Monitoring Methods for Net CO2 Exchange Rate of Individual Standing Tree

Comparative life tables of Trissolcus japonicus and Trissolcus mitsukurii, egg parasitoids of Halyomorpha halys

Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) and Trissolcus mitsukurii (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) are Asian egg parasitoids that are considered important natural enemies of the brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). These species are expanding their geographic distribution outside their native area, which suggests investigating their adaptability to environmental conditions. In a laboratory experiment, we investigated the life table parameters of these two egg parasitoid species under four constant temperatures, i.e., 16, 21, 26 and 31 °C. Results showed that the longevity of T. japonicus was higher than that of T. mitsukurii at all temperatures considered. The net reproductive rate (Ro) of T. japonicus was higher than that of T. mitsukurii at 26 and 31 °C. However, the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) at 26 and 31 °C was similar between the two species, and at 21 °C, T. mitsukurii exhibited a higher intrinsic and finite rate of increase. The two species complete their development at 16 °C, but with the lowest performances. Results suggest a higher increase of T. mitsukurii population when mean temperatures are equal to 21 °C, while the population increase of T. japonicus is expected to be favoured at higher temperatures.

Effects of imidacloprid combined with validamycin on the population fitness and symbiotic of Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)

Using a high-efficiency insecticide in combination with fungicides that have different mechanisms of action is a conventional method in the current management of brown planthopper (BPH) resistance. In this study, we investigate the separate and combined effects of the low-toxicity fungicide validamycin and the non-cross-resistant insecticide imidacloprid on the fitness and symbiosis of BPH. These research results indicate that when the proportion of active ingredients in validamycin is combined with imidacloprid at a ratio of 1:30, the toxicity ratio and co-toxicity coefficient are 1.34 and 691.73, respectively, suggesting that the combination has a synergistic effect on the control of BPH. The number of yeast-like symbiotic (YLS) and dominant symbiotic (Noda) in the imidacloprid + validamycin groups were significantly lower than the other three treatment groups (validamycin, imidacloprid, and water). The results of the study on population fitness show that the lifespan of the BPH population in validamycin, imidacloprid, and imidacloprid + validamycin was shortened. Notably, the BPH populations in the imidacloprid + validamycin groups were significantly lower than other groups in terms of average generation cycle, intrinsic growth rate, net reproduction rate, finite rate of increase, and fitness. The Real-time quantitative PCR showed that validamycin and imidacloprid + validamycin can significantly inhibit the expression of the farnesyl diphosphate farnesyl transferase gene (EC2.5.1.21) and uricase gene (EC1.7.3.3), with imidacloprid + validamycin demonstrating the most pronounced inhibitory effect. Our research results can provide insights and approaches for delaying resistance and integrated management of BPH.

Persulfide Transfer to SufE Activates the Half-Sites Reactivity of the E. coli Cysteine Desulfurase SufS.

The Escherichia coli cysteine desulfurase SufS (EcSufS) is a dimeric, PLP-dependent enzyme responsible for sulfur mobilization in the SUF Fe-S cluster bioassembly pathway. The enzyme uses cysteine as a sulfur source and generates alanine and a covalent persulfide located on an active site of cysteine. Optimal in vitro activity of EcSufS requires the presence of the transpersulfurase protein, EcSufE, and a strong reductant. Here, presteady-state and single-turnover kinetics are used to investigate the mechanism of EcSufS activation by EcSufE. In the absence of EcSufE, EcSufS exhibits a presteady-state burst of product production with an amplitude of ∼0.4 active site equivalents, consistent with a half-sites reactivity. KinTek Explorer was used to isolate the first turnover of alanine formation and fit the data with a simplified kinetic mechanism with steps for alanine formation (k3) and a net rate constant for the downstream steps (k5). Using this treatment, microscopic rate constants of 2.3 ± 0.5 s-1 and 0.10 ± 0.01 s-1 were determined for k3 and k5, respectively. The inclusion of EcSufE in the reaction results in a similar rate constant for k3 but induces a 10-fold enhancement of k5 to 1.1 ± 0.2 s-1, such that both steps are partially rate-determining. The most likely downstream step where EcSufE could exert influence on EcSufS activity is the removal of the persulfide intermediate. Importantly, this step appears to serve as a limiting feature in the half-sites activity such that activating persulfide transfer allows for rapid shifting between active sites. Single-turnover assays show that the presence of EcSufE slightly slowed the rates of alanine-forming steps, suggesting it does not activate steps in the desulfurase half reaction.

Green Wheels, Greener Wallets: Economic Viability of Last-Mile Delivery Fleet Electrification in Case of Latvia

The analysis of internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV) usage habits in the DPD Latvija company and the study of the specifics of its last-mile delivery transport business will allow to understand whether electromobility solutions can make the company more efficient. The question addressed in the research is whether the electrification of the delivery vehicle fleet can reduce transport expenses for the company and under what conditions. For estimation of direct and indirect costs of transport acquisition and usage Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is used. The company’s daily operation parameters and technical data of the used vehicles VW e-Crafter and VW Crafter 35 Kasten/long base are considered in the study. Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) calculation methods are used for analyzing the investment project. The expense of the creation of electrical vehicle charging infrastructure is not considered, because the company’s daily routine allows to cover all charging processes overnight by using domestic sockets together with Mode 2 chargers. All technical data and calculations were made for deliveries in a city cycle. In financial terms of owning delivery transport, the company is using a 5-year operational lease with 0% first payment. The obtained results in terms of TCO comparison showed a slight advantage by using EV after 5 years of last-mile delivery service per 1 vehicle – 706.98 Euro at 31200km a year or 100km in the working day of 6-day working week (156000km in 5-year is under 160000 warranty condition). The calculation is performed for DPD Latvija 213 ICE vans of a total 240-vehicle fleet. Results of NPV, NPVI, and IRR with a comparison rate of 10.6% for EV case clearly show a sufficiently good return. The Net Present Value of the solution is 89271.92 Euro and the Internal rate of return is 48.05%. The study proves that the electrification of the last-mile delivery company's fleet is economically justified and within 5 years. In the process of electrification, the company will reduce its expenses – by 1.45%, which increases the net annual profit by 0.13%. The main conclusion is that the company will not incur losses by switching to an environmentally friendly vehicle, the capital investment in a realistic scenario pays off already from the 3rd year. Nevertheless, the authors of the study recommend evaluating delivery vehicles with higher driving range parameters, because during peak delivery and seasons with cold weather, the company may experience unplanned downtime and expenses due to the need for additional charging time at public charging networks on the road, that could lead to financial losses and need for TCO calculation corrections.