F1 Type Research Articles

Altai Mountains – cradle of hybrids and introgressants: A case study in Veronica subg. Pseudolysimachium (Plantaginaceae)

AbstractMountains form a diverse mosaic of microhabitats over small distances created by changes in climate, soil, and water availability. A key to adaptation of plants to such microhabitats is genetic variation; however, natural accumulation of genetic variation through mutation is slow and often not sufficient alone. Adaptive introgression via hybridization is an alternative to generate genetic variation. Here, we investigate hybridization and discuss its adaptive role in Veronica subg. Pseudolysimachium at their Altai Mountains distribution. To support our hypotheses of frequent hybridization, we genotyped thousands of SNPs for 233 individuals from 10 species and 7 putative hybrids previously described based on morphology. We employed Bayesian and likelihood statistical models and supported our results by morphometric analysis and genomic in situ hybridization (GISH). The results suggest that almost all the individuals of the putative hybrids are of F1 type. The GISH investigation in one case strongly supports homoploid hybridization (origin of V. ×schmakovii from V. longifolia and V. porphyriana. Divergence times of Altai Veronica species are estimated to be within 1–2 million years ago with high probability of gene flow over that time. Our results also demonstrate that the direction of gene flow is mainly from the locally endemic V. porphyriana. We hypothesize that the large Siberian plains and topographically diverse foreland of the Altai Mountains provide an ideal setting for hybridization with the potential for adaptive introgression of alleles conferring tolerance to cooler climates, to the lowland species migrating into the Altai Mountains.

Cytoarchitectureal changes in hippocampal subregions of the NZB/W F1 mouse model of lupus

Over 50% of clinical patients affected by the systemic lupus erythematosus disease display impaired neurological cognitive functions and psychiatric disorders, a form called neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus. Hippocampus is one of the brain structures most sensitive to the cognitive deficits and psychiatric disorders related to neuropsychiatric lupus. The purpose of this study was to compare, layer by layer, neuron morphology in lupus mice model NZB/W F1 versus Wild Type mice.By a morphometric of cells identified on Nissl-stained sections, we evaluated structural alterations between NZB/W F1 and Wild Type mice in seven hippocampal subregions: Molecular dentate gyrus, Granular dentate gyrus, Polymorph dentate gyrus, Oriens layer, Pyramidal layer, Radiatum layer and Lacunosum molecular layer. By principal component analysis we distinguished healthy Wild Type from NZB/W F1 mice. In NZB/W F1 mice hippocampal cytoarchitecture, the neuronal cells resulted larger in size and more regular than those of Wild Type. In NZB/W F1, neurons were usually denser than in WT. The Pyramidal layer neurons were much denser in Wild Type than in NZB/W F1. Application of principal component analysis, allowed to distinguish NZB/W F1 lupus mice from healthy, showing as NZBW subjects presented a scattered distribution and intrasubject variability.Our results show a hypertrophy of the NZB/W F1 hippocampal neurons associated with an increase in perikaryal size within the CA1, CA2, CA3 region and the DG. These results help advance our understanding on hippocampal organization and structure in the NZB/W F1 lupus model, suggesting the hypothesis that the different subregions could be differentially affected in neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus disease. Leveraging an in-depth analysis of the morphology of neural cells in the hippocampal subregions and applying dimensionality reduction using PCA, we propose an efficient methodology to distinguish pathological NZBW mice from WT mice.”

The heritability of tolerance to pathogenic fungi <i>Alternaria dauci</i> and <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i> by carrot hybrids

Relevance. Alternaria dauci, Alternaria radicina and Fusarium oxysporumare wide spread and harmful fungal diseases of carrot (Daucus carota L.) in the Russian Federation and in the world. Total losses of roots from these diseases are 35-70%. Obtaining of new varieties and hybrids resistant to these pathogens is complicated by the fact of polygenic control resistance traits to fungal diseases of Alternaria and Fusarium genus. Interaction of polygenic resistance traits with environmental factors causes the soft character of changing these traits: effects of interactions between alleles and genes are changed, the dominant effect become weaker, additive effect become stronger. So, we can say about of the tolerance to complex pathogens for that case.The goal of our study is to determine the heritability of tolerance to fungal pathogens Alternaria dauci and Fusarium oxysporum by hybrids F1 of carrot.Materials and methods. Materials of studies were 7 basic lines with different types of roots; 7 prospective hybrids F1 and mycelium of Alternaria dauci and Fusarium oxysporum with spores (for inoculation). Methods of studies were: evaluation resistance of lines and hybrids F1 (seedlings, adult plants and roots) at different types of infection backgrounds; dispersion and correlation analysis. Resistance the basic lines of carrot to fungi of Alternaria and Fusarium genus was evaluated step-by-step, using several types of artificial and natural infection backhybrids F1. Tolerant samples were selected and they were used in crossings. F1 – hybrids have been obtained and they have been evaluated at artificial and natural backgrounds.Results: 1. One tolerant male form № 1268 and 6 female forms with weak sensitivity to fungi of Alternaria and Fusarium genus were selected from basic material. They were used in crossings. hybrids F1 have been obtained. 2. Analysis the heritability of carrot resistance to fungal pathogens Alternaria dauci and Fusarium oxysporum identified, that such type of resistance inherited by father’s type. 3. Using tolerant carrot line № 1268 in crossings as the male form and 6 female forms with weak sensitivity to fungal pathogens Alternaria dauci and Fusarium oxysporum increased significantly the percent of tolerant plant in 3 F1 – hybrid population under artificial infection on provocative infection background.

Dynamics of gas-driven eruption on Ceres as a probe to its interior

The mineralogy of localized bright deposits on Ceres observed by the DAWN mission suggests their brine-enriched cryovolcanic origin. Based on the morphological observations of these deposits, explosive and effusive styles have been proposed for their eruption. Because volcanic eruption style and velocity are controlled by the extent of gas expansion inside the conduit, constraints on the internal aqueous environment, such as gas concentration and temperature, could be placed based on the observations of localized deposits on Ceres. However, the way these properties control the eruption style and velocity is complex. Cryomagma ascending from a subsurface reservoir gains buoyancy due to both boiling of water and exsolution of dissolved gas, owing to decompression to the extremely low pressure near the Ceres surface. Gas–melt segregation should also affect the dynamics. Thus, it is not yet fully understood how the internal environment of Ceres affects the ascent dynamics of cryovolcanism and subsequently controls the styles (explosive versus effusive) and velocities of eruptions. To address this problem, we developed a one-dimensional steady-state two-phase flow model for the ascent dynamics of gas-driven cryomagma under the conditions of Ceres taking both water boiling and gas exsolution into account. We found that the velocity and explosivity of an eruption are strongly controlled by the following three parameters, which characterize the cryomagmatic environment of Ceres's interior: (a) conduit conductivity (CC; rc2/μ, where rc is the conduit radius and μ is the magma viscosity), (b) dissolved gas concentration c0, and (c) magma reservoir temperature T0. Our model results reveal that low CC always leads to effusive or low-explosivity eruptions. Higher CC allows explosive eruption when either c0 or T0 is sufficiently high. These dependences can be summarized as four modes of eruption under the following CC-c0-T0 conditions. (1) Exsolution-driven explosive eruptions (X1 type) occur with volatile-rich magma (CC ≳ 10−3 m2/(Pa·s) and c0 ≳ 0.1 wt% of CO2). (2) Boiling-driven explosive eruptions (X2 type) occur with warm magma (CC ≳ 10−3 m2/(Pa·s), c0 ≪ 0.1 wt% of CO2, and high T0). (3) Viscosity-induced effusive eruptions (F1 type) occur with a narrow conduit and/or high-viscosity magma (CC ≲ 10−3 m2/(Pa·s)). (4) Low-gas-production-induced effusive eruptions (F2 type) occur with low-temperature and low-volatile magma (CC ≳ 10−3 m2/(Pa·s), c0 ≪ 0.1 wt% of CO2, and low T0). Our model predicts that either c0 ≳ 0.5 wt% of CO2 or T0 ≳−5°C is required for explosive eruptions to achieve eruption velocities ≳30 m/s, which has been proposed based on the size of some large faculae on Ceres. Such gas-rich or warm magma condition is unlikely to be achieved by equilibrium within the shallow crust. Thus, our results suggest that magma needs to be supplied from a deeper subsurface. In contrast, low-velocity effusion of brines has also been proposed based on morphometric analyses of evaporites on Ceres. Our results show that magma of such brine effusions is viscous and transported to the surface through a narrow conduit or they are sourced from reservoirs equilibrated to the ambient material within the shallow crust. Because the effusive eruption origin of faculae in the Occator crater is consistent with small conduits, the effusive nature may not necessarily rule out relatively high-volatile or warm magma inside Ceres in the recent past. These results show that the morphometric properties of facula deposits can place important constraints on the internal conditions of Ceres when the relevant eruption style/velocity is known. Our modeling results indicate that detailed observations (e.g., vesicularity, cooling history, and inclusion of eroded conduit material) of deposits and the possible vent structure in faculae by landing missions allow us to further probe the interior conditions of Ceres (e.g., magma temperature, gas concentration, viscosity, and conduit size).

Comparison of the growth performance between pure Moghani sheep and crosses with Texel or Booroola sheep carrying major genes contributing to muscularity and prolificacy

This study aimed to compare growth performance between Moghani sheep and crossbred lambs resulting from crossbreeding between Moghani pure breed ewes and the lines of rams e.g., Texel Tamlet, Texel Dalzell, Booroola Merino, and Booroola Romney. The first visible phenotypic characteristic was the presence of lean tail in all F1 crossbred lambs, whereas Moghani pure sheep is a well-known large fat-tailed breed. Moreover, the first generation of backcross (BC1) lambs from mating four types of F1 crossbred rams with Moghani pure ewes revealed lean-tailed to short fat-tailed. Comparative results showed that the F1 crossbred lambs had significantly (p < 0.0001) greater birth weight (BW) than the Moghani pure breed lambs. Despite no significant differences observed between Moghani pure breed sheep and its F1 crossbred lambs for body weight at pre-weaning, but F1 crossbred lambs achieved significantly (p < 0.0001) greater body weight after weaning compared to Moghani sheep. The growth performance of BC1 lambs was outperformed than F1 crossbred and Moghani sheep. These results encourage the continuation of the Moghani sheep crossbreeding programs to improve overall lamb growth, particularly post-weaning and to benefit from a better reproductive efficiency by elimination or reduction of the fat tail.

Investigation of Reciprocal Cross Effects in F2 Nellore–Angus Calves

The objectives of this study were to analyze calf performance traits and sex ratio frequencies in reciprocal Bos indicus–Bos taurus F2 Nellore–Angus calves (n = 539). The F2 calves were produced using reciprocal Angus-sired (AN) and Nellore-sired (NA) F1 sires and F1 dams, resulting in four F2 cross types. Calf weight traits were analyzed using mixed models. Deviations from 50% calf sex ratios were tested against expected binomial thresholds. Dam type influenced Julian birth date (p &lt; 0.05) with calves from AN cows born 5 to 6 days earlier than calves from NA cows. Sire type and dam type affected birth weight (p &lt; 0.05) with calves from NA parents approximately 2.5 kg heavier than those from AN parents; weaning weight did not differ for parent F1 type. However, an interaction between sire and dam types affected weaning weight (p = 0.038) where AN x AN calves were 5 to 8 kg lighter than other crosses. Sire type influenced calf sex distribution at birth (p = 0.036) and at weaning (p = 0.026) with NA sires producing over 66% male calves. These results suggest birth weight reciprocal differences due to parental line of descent typically observed among F1 Bos indicus–Bos taurus crosses can persist in subsequent generations.

Multi-Mode Shape Control of Active Compliant Aerospace Structures Using Anisotropic Piezocomposite Materials in Antisymmetric Bimorph Configuration

The mission performance of future advanced aerospace structures can be synthetically improved via active shape control utilizing piezoelectric materials. Multiple work modes are required. Bending/twisting mode control receives special attention for many classic aerospace structures, such as active reflector systems, active blades, and compliant morphing wings. Piezoelectric fiber composite (Piezocomposite) material features in-plane anisotropic actuation, which is very suitable for multiple work modes. In this study, two identical macro-fiber composite (MFC) actuators of the F1 type were bonded to the base plate structure in an “antisymmetric angle-ply bimorph configuration” in order to achieve independent bending/twisting shape control. In terms of the finite element model and homogenization strategy, the locations of bimorph MFCs were determined by considering the effect of trade-off control capabilities on the bending and twisting shapes. The modal characteristics were investigated via both experimental and theoretical approaches. The experimental tests implied that the shape control accuracy was heavily reduced due to various uncertainties and nonlinearities, including hysteresis and the creep effect of the actuators, model errors, and external disturbances. A multi-mode feedback control law was designed and the experimental tests indicated that synthetic (independent and coupled) bending/twisting deformations were achieved with improved shape accuracy. This study provides a feasible multi-mode shape control approach with high surface accuracy, especially by employing piezocomposite materials.

Comparison of performance of F1 Romanov crossbred ewes with wool and hair breeds during fall lambing and body weight and longevity through six production years.

The objective of this study was to evaluate wool (Dorset and Rambouillet) and hair (Dorper, Katahdin, and White Dorper) breeds for their ability to complement Romanov germplasm in an annual fall lambing system by estimating direct maternal grandsire and sire breed effects on economically important lamb and ewe traits. After 3 yr of evaluation under spring lambing, ewes of the five F1 types were transitioned to spring mating, exposed to composite terminal sires, and evaluated under a barn lambing system at 4, 5, and 6 yr of age. A total of 527 first generation crossbred (F1) ewes produced 1,151 litters and 2,248 lambs from 1,378 May exposures. After accounting for differences in dam age, birth type, and sex, lamb survival to weaning was unaffected by maternal grandsire breed (P = 0.30). However, lambs born to 50% Dorset (16.8 ± 0.21 kg) or 50% White Dorper ewes (16.8 ± 0.28 kg) were heavier at weaning than those born to 50% Katahdin dams (13.8 ± 0.32 kg; P < 0.001). Additionally, lambs born to 50% Dorset ewes were heavier than those born to 50% Rambouillet (16.0 ± 0.22 kg) and 50% Dorper ewes (15.7 ± 0.33; P ≤ 0.03), but no other pairwise maternal grandsire breed differences were observed (P ≥ 0.06). Ewe body weight (n = 3,629) was recorded prior to each of six possible mating seasons and, across ages, was greatest for Dorset- and Rambouillet-sired ewes (56.7 ± 0.44 and 56.5 ± 0.45 kg, respectively), intermediate for Dorper- and White Dorper-sired ewes (54.7 ± 0.78 and 54.1 ± 0.64 kg, respectively), and least for Katahdin-sired ewes (51.5 ± 0.45 kg). Fertility after spring mating (0.80 ± 0.03 to 0.87 ± 0.02), litter size at birth (1.46 ± 0.09 to 1.71 ± 0.07), and litter size at weaning (1.25 ± 0.06 to 1.46 ± 0.06) were not impacted by sire breed (P ≥ 0.16). Ewe longevity, assessed as the probability of being present after 6 production years, was also not affected by sire breed (0.39 ± 0.03 to 0.47 ± 0.03; P = 0.44). Rambouillet-sired ewes weaned more total weight of lamb (21.5 ± 0.94 kg) than Katahdin-sired ewes (17.8 ± 0.94 kg; P = 0.05), but no other sire breed differences were detected (P ≥ 0.07). Results demonstrated that incorporating the Romanov into a crossbreeding system is a practical means of improving out-of-season ewe productivity.

Identifying genomic regions controlling ratoon stunting disease resistance in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) clonal F1 population

The ratoon stunting disease (RSD) of sugarcane, caused by the bacterium Leifsonia xyli subsp. xyli, is one of the major concerns to sugarcane production and breeding programs worldwide. Due to no obvious external symptoms, RSD cannot be easily detected by the growers, hence has reduced the world’s sugarcane production significantly. This study aimed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with RSD resistance and to assist in the development of linked molecular markers for marker-assisted breeding to minimize the reduction in sugarcane yield by the RSD infection. A set of 146 individuals derived from a self-crossing of CP80-1827 were evaluated for RSD resistance in a mechanically duplicated inoculated field trial from 2014 to 2017 using tissue blot immunoassay. Leveraging the genetic data and the four years phenotyping data of CP80-1827 selfing population, linkage map construction and QTL analysis were conducted based on clonal F1 and F2 mapping population types with GACD V.1.2 and IciMapping V.3.3, respectively. A total of 23 QTL associated with RSD resistance were identified, which explained 6% to 13% of the phenotypic variation with the two types of software. A total of 82 disease resistance genes were identified by searching these 23 QTL regions on their corresponding regions on the Sorghum bicolor genome (44 genes), sugarcane R570 genome (20 genes), and S. spontaneum genome (18 genes), respectively. Compared with IciMapping V.3.3, GACD V.1.2 identified more major (6 vs. 3) and stable QTL (2 vs. 0), and more disease resistance genes (51 vs. 31), indicating GACD V.1.2 (clonal F1 mapping type) is most likely to be more efficient than IciMapping (F2 mapping type) for QTL analysis of a sefling population or clonal F1 population in clonal species. The identified QTL controlling RSD resistance along with the associated SNP markers will assist sugarcane molecular breeding programs in combating this disease.

Agroecological study of garden carrot cultivars from collection of Vavilov institute

Carrots are one of the most important root crops in the world. Due to such qualities as plasticity and relative non-wholesome cultivation, carrots are cultivated in most countries of the world. Carrot roots are a valuable source of vitamins A, B, B2, B6, B12, C, RR, E, R. Agroecological conditions of the region allow to cultivate carrots in the open ground. Astrakhan region is not yet characterized by high production rates, as its cultivation can be done only under irrigation. The article considers the influence of agroecological conditions on crop yield and adaptability of garden carrots cultivars in the arid zone of the Caspian region. Experiments on studying the carrots cultivars was carried out on the fields of Precaspian Agrarian Federal Scientific Center of the RAS in 2017-2019. The purpose of the research was to study garden carrots cultivars from collection of plant genetic resources of Vavilov Institute for the selection of high-productive and more adapted samples. The object of research was 17 types of carrots from the world Vavilov collection. Based on three-year studies on yield, we can distinguish the following cultivars: Berlanda F1 (Netherlands), Nantese (Italy) and Imperator Type 9-11 (USA) with yield of 68.4 to 75.2 t/ha. The coefficient adaptability was higher than 1, in the varieties Berlanda F1 (Netherlands), Nantese (Italy), F1 Eagle (Canada), Imperator Type 9-11 (USA), Wav-88 (Germany), Surazhevskaya-1 (Russia). They have ability to adapt to difficult growing conditions and produce consistently high yields. The samples selected can be used in the future to create new cultivars and hybrids for conditions of the Caspian region.

Antifungal evaluation of fengycin isoforms isolated from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens PPL against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens PPL is known to have a broad spectrum antifungal activity against plant pathogenic fungi. We focused on the cyclic lipopeptides (CLPs) extracted from the culture broth that are known to promote the ability and the efficiency of B. amyloliquefaciens PPL to control fungal diseases in pepper and tomato. In this study, the PPL strain exhibited enhanced culture yield and increased production of fengycin lipopeptides upon lecithin supplementation. The purified iturin A fraction from strain PPL exhibited higher antifungal activity (73 – 80%) against pepper anthracnose than fengycin fraction in vitro and in vivo. However, the control of tomato Fusarium wilt by the PPL strain was mainly attributed to fengycin lipopeptides. A comparison of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and LC-tandem MS analysis of the filtrate, we found that the antifungal compounds against Fusarium wilt present in the strain PPL culture filtrate were a series of isoforms of fengycin (type F1, F2, and F3). The purified fengycin F1 type showed better antifungal activity against Fusarium wilt compared the other isoforms. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the antifungal activity of fengycin isoform types in the context of Fusarium wilt. The CLPs produced by the PPL strain are potential candidates for controlling fungal disease in tomato and pepper plants.

Analysis on risk factors of the degree of radical resection and prognosis of patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer

Objective: To evaluate the factors affecting the degree of radical resection and the prognosis of patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC). Methods: A retrospective case-control study was performed. Clinical data of 111 patients with LRRC undergoing operation at the General Surgery Department of Peking University First Hospital from January 2009 to August 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. The "Peking University First Hospital F typing" was performed according to the preoperative images of the pelvic involvement. The pelvis was assigned into four directions: the front wall, lateral sides of the pelvic wall and the sacrum. According to the degree of pelvic wall involvement, F typing included F0 type (no involvement of the pelvic wall, the cancer only involved the adjacent organs or invaded conteriorly the urinary tract, genital organs or small intestine), F1 type (cancer involved the pelvic wall in one direction, such as the sacrum, or one side of the pelvic wall), F2 type (cancer involved the pelvic wall in two directions) and F3 type (cancer involved the pelvic wall in three directions). Case inclusion criteria: (1) LRRC was confirmed by imaging and pathological examination of samples (puncture or endoscopic biopsy); (2) complete clinical and follow-up data; (3) informed consent of patient. Those with dysfunction of heart, lung, etc., intolerance of operation, F3 type indicated by image, and distant metastasis were excluded. The degree of radical resection was evaluated according to the postoperative pathological results. Patients were followed up every 12 months and related examinations were arranged. The univariate analysis of radical resection was performed by χ(2) test, and the multivariate analysis was performed by logistic methods. The survival rate was calculated by Kaplan-Meier method and the survival curve was drawn. The survival rate was compared by log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the factors affecting the prognosis of patients with LRRC. Results: A total of 111 patients were included in this study. Of 111 patients, 59 were male and 52 were female; recurrent age of 36 cases was ≥ 65 years old; CEA level of 48 cases was ≥15 μg/L. According to the "Peking University First Hospital F typing", 70 cases were F0 type, 38 F1 type and 3 F2 type. Surgical procedures were abdominoperineal resection (n=28), posterior pelvic exenteration (n=32), and total pelvic exenteration (n=51, including 1 case of TPE combined with sacrectomy). According to the postoperative pathological results, R0, R1 and R2 resections were 83, 20 and 8 cases, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that the degree of radical resection was associated with the secondary surgical procedure, F typing and lymph node metastasis (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that F typing (F1-F2) was an independent risk factor for non- R0 resection (OR=37.256, 95%CI:8.572 to 161.912, P<0.001). The morbidity of operative complications was 22.5% (25/111); the perioperative mortality was 1.8% (2/111); the local recurrence rate after the second operation was 37.8% (42/111). The 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 41.2% and 21.9% respectively. The 3-year survival rates of patients with and without postoperative chemotherapy were 52.7% and 32.4% respectively (P=0.005). The 3-year survival rates of patients with lower (<15 μg/L) and higher CEA level (≥15 μg/L) were 52.9% and 24.3% respectively (P<0.001). The 3-year survival rates of patients with R0, R1 and R2 resection were 49.8%, 21.3% and 8.5% respectively (P=0.002). The 3-year survival rates of patients with F0, F1 and F2 type were 52.7%, 22.0% and 0 respectively (P<0.001). Cox analysis confirmed that the degree of radical resection (HR=2.088, 95%CI:1.095 to 3.979, P=0.025), the CEA level before the secondary operation (HR=1.857, 95%CI:1.157 to 2.980, P=0.010) and postoperative chemotherapy (HR=1.826, 95%CI:1.137 to 2.934, P=0.013) were independent factors affecting the prognosis. Conclusions: The indication of LRRC surgical treatments must be strictly limited. Evaluation of the fixation site to the pelvic wall is helpful for improving the rate of R0 resection. Lower preoperative CEA level, radical resection and postoperative chemotherapy are protective factors of prolonged overall survival time of patients with LRRC.

Proteomic Analyses of Thioredoxins f and m Arabidopsis thaliana Mutants Indicate Specific Functions for These Proteins in Plants.

A large number of plastidial thioredoxins (TRX) are present in chloroplast and the specificity versus the redundancy of their functions is currently under discussion. Several results have highlighted the fact that each TRX has a specific target protein and thus a specific function. In this study we have found that in vitro activation of the fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) enzyme is more efficient when f1 and f2 type thioredoxins (TRXs) are used, whilst the m3 type TRX did not have any effect. In addition, we have carried out a two-dimensional electrophoresis-gel to obtain the protein profiling analyses of the trxf1, f2, m1, m2, m3 and m4 Arabidopsis mutants. The results revealed quantitative alteration of 86 proteins and demonstrated that the lack of both the f and m type thioredoxins have diverse effects on the proteome. Interestingly, 68% of the differentially expressed proteins in trxf1 and trxf2 mutants were downregulated, whilst 75% were upregulated in trxm1, trxm2, trxm3 and trxm4 lines. The lack of TRX f1 provoked a higher number of down regulated proteins. The contrary occurred when TRX m4 was absent. Most of the differentially expressed proteins fell into the categories of metabolic processes, the Calvin–Benson cycle, photosynthesis, response to stress, hormone signalling and protein turnover. Photosynthesis, the Calvin–Benson cycle and carbon metabolism are the most affected processes. Notably, a significant set of proteins related to the answer to stress situations and hormone signalling were affected. Despite some studies being necessary to find specific target proteins, these results show signs that are suggest that the f and m type plastidial TRXs most likely have some additional specific functions.

Methodology to identify dwarfing gene d60 that complements gamete lethal gene gal by Next-generation DNA sequencing analysis

The author previously discovered dwarfing gene, d60, and itcomplements the gametic lethal gene, g al, to cause gameticlethality in rice. Namely, in the F1 hybrid (genotypeD60d60Galgal) of Koshihikari (D60D60galgal) × Hokuriku100 (d60d60GalGal), male and female gametes having bothgal and d60 become gametic lethal and the pollen and seedfertility de crease to 75%. Therefore , F2 progeny shows aunique mode of inheritance that is segregated into a ratio of6 fertile long culm (4D60D60: 2D60d60GalGal) : 2partially fertile long culm (D60d60Galgal = F1 type) : 1dwarf (d60d60GalGal).Prior to Next Generatio nSequencing analysis targeting d60, it is required to developisogenic genome of reference e xcept for target d60 gene.When the F1 (D60d60Galgal) progenies of ‘Koshihikari’ בHokuriku 100’ were backcrossed to ‘Koshihikari’(D60D60galgal), BC1 F1 individ uals segregated in a ratioof 1 tall and 25% sterile (D60d60galGal) 2 tall (1D60D60Galgal 1 D60D60galgal). Here,D60d60Galgal heterozygous plants can be recognized bypollen sterility prior to anthesis. Then Tall and 25% sterileBC1F1 plants (D60d60galGa l) were selected by 25% pollensterility and backcrossed with ‘Koshihikari’ as femaleparent to produce BC2F1 seeds. Hereafter,D60d60Galgal heterozygous plants were selected in thefirst generation of each backcross (BCnF1) and immediatelybackcrossed rep eatedly with Koshihikari to obtain isogenicgenome useful for next generation sequencing. That is tosay, the target d60 DNA region narrowed down with eachback cross generation, enabling identification of the targetDNA mutation point by whole genomic seq uencing.

Design and evaluation of traffic delays in toll plaza using combination of queueing and simulation

In this paper, the Simulation approach is used to evaluate the toll plaza performance measures for four different types of vehicle categories F1, F2, F3 and F4 Simultaneously. Here we propose an alternate approach for studying toll plaza queueing system by employing Monte Carlo Simulation. It is a quite effective way for analyzing the performance measures for the queueing system and also we compare these simulation results with analytic method.

Experimental Evolution in Coral Photosymbionts as a Tool to Increase Thermal Tolerance

Coral reefs are under major threat from ocean warming. When temperatures become too high corals bleach, expelling their symbiotic, photosynthetic microalgae (Symbiodinium), which they depend on for much of their nutritional requirements. Prolonged bleaching has led to widespread coral mortality and the severity and frequency of bleaching events are predicted to increase in the future. Coral bleaching tolerance is influenced by the thermal tolerance of the Symbiodinium harboured, and these microbial members of the coral holobiont may be able to evolve more rapidly than the coral host itself. Here, we examined the response of replicate cultures of five genetically distinct Symbiodinium strains (A3c, two types of D1, G3, and F1) to increasing temperatures over the course of approximately one year. For three Symbiodinium types (types A3c, G3, and F1), we observed a stable adaptive change at the end of this exposure period, which equated to only 41-69 asexual generations. The long-term selected Symbiodinium culture replicates (SS) showed faster growth rates under short-term, acute heat stress, and in some cases higher photosynthetic efficiencies, compared to wild-type populations (WT). Our results considerably extend the field of experimental evolution in Symbiodinium and with further work into the Symbiodinium-coral association and bleaching response, this approach may become a valuable tool in coral reef conservation and restoration initiatives.

Optimisation of sourdough bread incorporation into wheat bread by response surface methodology: Bioactive and nutritional properties

SummaryThe optimisation of the quantity of sourdough (A) prepared with two different fermentation methods, [spontaneous fermentation (F1) vs. starter of lactic acid bacteria‐added fermentation (F2)], instant active dry yeast (B) and wheat bran (C) for a nutritionally improved bread formulation has been studied by evaluating the bioavailability and bioactive properties. The bread produced according to the optimised formula and fermentation types of F1 (OBF1) and F2 (OBF2) was compared with control bread (CB). The optimised levels for F1 were 11.45% for sourdough, 1.10% for dry yeast and 1.58% for wheat bran and for F2 6.99% for sourdough, 1.02% for dry yeast and 38.84% for wheat bran. The addition of sourdough significantly (P &lt; 0.05) affected antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, in vitro ash and protein digestibility, and enzyme resistance starch contents of bread. The F1 fermentation method was found to be more effective in terms of bread properties examined.

Effect of plastic fines on initial shear modulus of sand-clay mixtures

This paper presents the dynamic properties of sand-fines mixtures based on the results of undrained cyclic triaxial tests. The sand was obtained from Sabarmati River, and three types of fines F1, F2, and F3 were obtained from locally available fine grained soils i.e. Black cotton soil, Suddha soil, and Bentonite soil. Sand-fines mixtures of wide range of plasticity from non-plastic to highly plastic mixture with PI = 86 were prepared using the fines passing 75 μ size. The initial shear moduli of all sand-fines mixtures are evaluated in terms of fines content, Plasticity Index (IP) and equivalent plasticity index (IP*) determined for soil passing 2 mm size IS Sieve. There is good correlation between the initial shear modulus of sand-fines mixtures and equivalent plasticity index (IP*) compared to Plasticity Index (IP). An empirical equation for obtaining initial shear modulus is formulated based on equivalent plasticity index and mean-effective stress.

Toward the identification of dwarfing gene d60 that complements gametic lethal gene gal by Next-Generation Sequencer oriented genome analysis

The author previously discovered dwarfing gene, d60, and it complements the gametic lethal gene, gal, to cause gametic lethality in rice. Namely, in the F1 hybrid (genotype D60d60Galgal) of Koshihikari (D60D60galgal) × Hokuriku 100 (d60d60GalGal), male and female gametes having both gal and d60 become gametic lethal and the pollen and seed fertility decrease to 75%. Therfore, F2 progeny shows a unique mode of inheritance that is segregated into a ratio of 6 fertile long-culm (4D60D60: 2D60d60GalGal) : 2 partially fertile long-culm (D60d60Galgal = F1 type) : 1 dwarf (d60d60GalGal).Prior to Next-Generation Sequencing analysis targeting d60, it is required to develop isogenic genome of reference except for target d60 gene. When, the F1 (D60d60Galgal) progenies of ‘Koshihikari’ × ‘Hokuriku 100’ were backcrossed to ‘Koshihikari’ (D60D60galgal), BC1 F1 individuals segregated in a ratio of 1 tall and 25% sterile (D60d60galGal):2 tall (1 D60D60Galgal:1 D60D60galgal). Here, D60d60Galgal-heterozygous plants, can be recognized by pollen sterility prior to anthesis. Then Tall and 25% sterile BC1F1 plants (D60d60galGal) were selected by 25% pollen sterility and backcrossed with ‘Koshihikari’ as female parent to produce BC2F1 seeds. Hereafter, D60d60Galgal-heterozygous plants were selected in the first generation of each backcross (BCnF1) and immediately backcrossed repeatedly with Koshihikari to obtain isogenic genome useful for next-generation sequencing. That is to say, the target d60 DNA region narrowed down with each back cross generation, enabling identification of the target DNA mutation point by whole genomic sequencing.

Effect of granulometric correction of dune sand and pneumatic waste metal fibers on shrinkage of concrete in arid climates

This paper reports result of a study conducted to investigate the effect of granulometric correction of dune sand and addition of pneumatic waste metal fibers on the drying shrinkage of dune sand concrete. Valorization of these materials provides both economic and environmental advantages.A correction of the granulometry of dune sand (DS) by river sand (RS) was undertaken with the proportions of 50% DS + 50% RS and 40% DS + 60% RS. Two types of fibers f1 (lf = 20, d = 0.28 mm) and f2 (lf = 30, d = 0.28 mm) with l/d ratios of respectively 71.43 and 107.14 were incorporated with volume fractions of 0.5% and 1%.For the sands obtained from mixing DS and RS, an improvement of fineness modulus of dune sand, and the sand equivalent of river sand were observed, compared respectively to 100% DS and 100% RS. The granulometric correction of dune sand and the addition of fibers reduced the drying shrinkage. The maximum of shrinkage reduction was obtained for the mixtures prepared with 40% DS and 60% RS. The fibers having the highest aspect ratio and a volume fraction of 1% presented a more significant effect on drying shrinkage. The more significant reduction of shrinkage was 40.53% compared to concrete without fibers. Weight loss was higher for the fiber reinforced sand concretes compared to plain sand concretes.