Leymus Hochst. is a polyploid genus with a diverse array of morphology, cytology, ecology, and distribution in Triticeae. To investigate the phylogenetic relationships and maternal genome donor of polyploid Leymus, the chloroplast trnH‐psbA region and mitochondrial coxII intron sequences of 33 Leymus taxa were analyzed with those of 36 diploid perennial species representing 19 basic genome…
We present several measures that can be used in de novo computational design of biological systems with information processing capabilities. Their main purpose is to objectively evaluate the behavior and identify the biological information processing structures with the best dynamical properties. They can be used to define constraints that allow one to simplify the design of more complex biolog…
IMa2 and related programs are used to study the divergence of closely related species and of populations within species. These methods are based on the sampling of genealogies using MCMC, and they can proceed quite slowly for larger data sets. We describe a parallel implementation, called IMa2p, that provides a nearly linear increase in genealogy sampling rate with the number of processors in …
This paper proposes a novel scheme of nonuniform discretizetion-based control vector parameterization (ndCVP, for short) for dynamic optimization problems (DOPs) of industrial processes. In our ndCVP scheme, the time span is partitioned into a multitude of uneven intervals, and incremental time parameters are encoded, along with the control parameters, into the individual to be optimized. Our c…
Population genetic studies of widespread Mediterranean shrubs are scarce compared with those of trees and narrow endemics or studies from phylogeographical perspectives, despite the key role these species may play in Mediterranean ecosystems. Knowledge on the effect of ecological factors in shaping their genetic patterns is also limited. In this study we investigate genetic diversity and pop…
To date, publicly available plastid genomes of legumes have for the most part been limited to the subfamily Papilionoideae. Here we report 13 new plastid genomes of legumes spanning all three subfamilies. The genomes representing Caesalpinioideae and Mimosoideae are highly conserved in gene content and gene order, similar to the ancestral angiosperm genome organization. Genomes within the Pa…
Hybridization between closely related species, whether naturally occurring or laboratory generated, is a useful tool for mapping the genetic basis of the phenotypic traits that distinguish species. The development of next-generation sequencing techniques has greatly improved our ability to assign ancestry to hybrid genomes. One such next-generation sequencing technique, multiplexed shotgun g…
This overview summarizes the current situation, history, major controversies, and medical implications of scientific biological aging theories. See Further Reading for a much more comprehensive treatment of this subject.
With a more holistic view of the interrelationships between individuals, markets and the larger economy, leaders can make more informed decisions. Understanding past trends in light of today's particular challenges, a wider knowledge of economics also allows business leaders to create more persuasive arguments when attempting to affect positive change within an organization. Since the turn of t…
Bone is a specialized connective tissue, most prominently characterized by its mineralized organic matrix that imparts the physical properties that allow bone tissue to resist load, to support functional organs, and to protect highly sensitive body parts. Bone loss and bone damage may occur as a result of genetic conditions, infectious diseases, tumours, and trauma. Bone healing and repair, inv…
1. Research addressing the role of epigenetics in a diversity of experimental and natural systems is rapidly accumulating. Diverse methods have been developed to study epigenetic states, including bisulphite sequencing and AFLP-based approaches. However, existing methods are sometimes difficult to apply to non-traditional model organisms that lack genomic resources (bisulphite sequencing), a…
We provide a detailed anatomical description of the skull of the fossil minute boas Messelophis variatus Baszio, 2004 and Messelophis ermannorum Schaal & Baszio, 2004 from the Middle Eocene Messel Formation (Germany), as well as a cladistic analysis to infer their phylogenetic relationships. Reanalysis of new and known specimens of both species demonstrates previously unrecognized anatomical…
Despite the complexity of nature, most comparative studies of phenotypic evolution consider selective pressures in isolation. When competing pressures operate on the same system, it is commonly expected that trade-offs will occur that will limit the evolution of phenotypic diversity, however, it is possible that interactions among selective pressures may promote diversity instead. We explored t…
Adaptive radiations are major contributors to species diversity. Although the underlying mechanisms of adaptive radiations,specialization and trade-offs, are relatively well understood, the tempo and repeatability of adaptive radiations remain elusive. Ecological specialization can occur through the expansion into novel niches or through partitioning of an existing niche. To test how the mode o…
The opisthotonic (‘dead bird’) posture encountered in non-avialan dinosaurs and other fossilized archosaurs is characterized by extreme dorsal neck retraction and tail protraction. Extant birds have been used to study this and attention has focused on the neck (because modern avians lack a long, freely articulated series of caudal vertebrae). The opisthotonic posture has been largely discus…
1. Capture–recapture studies are often conducted on populations that are stratified by space, time or other factors. In this paper, we develop a Bayesian spatial capture–recapture (SCR) modelling framework for stratified populations – when sampling occurs within multiple distinct spatial and temporal strata. 2. We describe a hierarchical model that integrates distinct models for both t…
Objectives: Little is known about cannabis use in hunter-gatherers. Therefore, we investigated cannabis use in the Aka, a population of foragers of the Congo Basin. Because cannabis contains anthelminthic compounds, and the Aka have a high prevalence of helminthiasis, we also tested the hypothesis that cannabis use might be an unconscious form of self-medication against helminths. Methods: W…
This paper presents a configurable CMOS integrated circuit front-end for the recording of a wide range of biopotentials (ExG). The system offers a choice between a single-differential or double-differential recording channel topology, wide continuously adjustable gain range (37–66 dB), selectable CMOS or BJT input stages, offset compensation, differential and buffered single-ended voltage out…
Abstract—Essential proteins are vital for an organism’s viability under a variety of conditions. There are many experimental and computational methods developed to identify essential proteins. Computational prediction of essential proteins based on the global protein-protein interaction (PPI) network is severely restricted because of the insufficiency of the PPI data, but fortunately the ge…
This paper proposes a novel concept for simultaneous cell shape and motion analysis in fast microchannel flows by implementing a multiobject feature extraction algorithm on a framestraddling high-speed vision platform. The system can synchronize two camera inputs with the same view with only a tiny time delay on the sub-microsecond timescale. Real-time video processing is performed in hardware…
Objectives: We conduct a revaluation of the Thornhill and Fincher research project on parasites using finelyresolved geographic data on parasite prevalence, individual-level sociocultural data, and multilevel Bayesian modeling. In contrast to the evolutionary psychological mechanisms linking parasites to human behavior and cultural characteristics proposed by Thornhill and Fincher, we offer a…
The closely related Camponotus renggeri and Camponotus rufipes (subgenus Myrmothrix) often live in sympatry in the Brazilian ‘cerrado’ savannah, and are distinguished by nuances in their blackish body colour and by the colour of the legs. Variation in morphological characters, however, makes species separation difficult and it has been suggested that the two species should be merged into…
The Permian and Triassic were key time intervals in the history of life on Earth. Both periods are marked by a series of biotic crises including the most catastrophic of such events, the end-Permian mass extinction, which eventually led to a major turnover from typical Palaeozoic faunas and floras to those that are emblematic for the Mesozoic and Cenozoic. Here we review patterns in Permian–T…
Neodryinus typhlocybae (Hymenoptera:Dryinidae) is a natural enemy of the planthopper Metcalfa pruinosa, which was introduced from North America into Europe and has become established in various regions as a pest species. Vibrational signals play a crucial role in the communication of M. pruinosa, which appears to be exploited by N. typhlocybae. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy have…
Arable weeds are one of the most endangered species groups in Europe. Modern agriculture and intensive land-use management are the main causes of their dramatic decline. However, besides the changes in land use, climate change may further challenge the adaptability of arable weeds. Therefore, we investigated the response pattern of arable weeds to different water potential and temperature regim…
1. Statistical approaches for testing hypotheses of heterogeneity in fitness functions are needed to accommodate studies of phenotypic selection with repeated sampling across study units, populations or years. In this study, we tested directly for among-population variation in complex fitness functions and demonstrate a new approach for locating the region of the trait distribution where var…
Mediterranean-type streams are characterized by great seasonal and annual variation in flow. We studied the biology of the freshwater mussel Unio tumidiformis in such a stream, the Vasc~ao River in southern Portugal, during a period of great interannual variation in hydrology. We studied growth patterns of the mussels between 2002–2008, and the reproductive cycle between 2005–2006. Life-his…
Rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations (e[CO2]) are presumed to have a significant impact on plant growth and yield and also on mineral nutrient composition, and therefore, on nutritional quality of crops and vegetables. To assess the relevance of these effects in future agroecosystems it is important to understand how e[CO2] interacts with other environmental factors. In the present study, we e…
The evolution of the middle ear from the cynodont craniomandibular bones is one of the key mammalian innovations, and the mechanics underlying this anatomical transformation represents an intriguing paradox. Because the jaw joint of nonmammalian cynodonts was functionally coupled to the inner ear, auditory performance would favor low joint reaction forces. However, this could not be achieved at…
This is the first of two books for teachers about the English language. We believe that all teachers, not just English teachers, share the responsibility for helping students develop their abilities to speak, read, and write. Students must learn to communicate appropriately about math, chemistry, history, and every other school subject. Teaching students these skills necessarily extends across …
In recent years, the Intermountain West (IM West), consisting of the mountains, basins, and plateaus lying between the Cascade Range and the Sierra Nevada on the west and the Rocky Mountains on the east, has changed dramatically. What was once a vast open area with barely enough population to qualify for statehood is still open and vast, but sparse settlements have metastasized into cities …
Yet another cell and molecular biology book? At the very least, you would think that if I was going to write a textbook, I should write one in an area that really needs one instead of a subject that already has multiple excellent and definitive books. So, why write this book, then? First, it’s a course that I have enjoyed teaching for many years, so I am very familiar with what a student …
Dare we question an established canon of practice when it seems so selfevidently good? Yes indeed. The word flexibility and its adjective root, flexible, have gained such popularity in higher-education discourse and marketing strategies over the past few decades that it is time to dig into these words anew, with reflective and critical intent. Being our own discourse archaeologists should help …
Quality control has an emerging importance in every field of life. Quality control is a process that is used to guarantee a certain level of quality in a product or service. It might include whatever actions a business deems necessary to provide for the control and verification of certain characteristics of a product or service. With the improvement of technology everyday we meet new and compli…
Concrete examples help to understand complex systems. In this report, the key point is to illustrate the basic mechanisms and properties of neocybernetic system models. Good visualizations are certainly needed. It is biological systems, or living systems, that are perhaps the most characteristic examples of cybernetic systems. This intuition is extended here to natural systems in general —…
The evolution of the middle ear from the cynodont craniomandibular bones is one of the key mammalian innovations, and the mechanics underlying this anatomical transformation represents an intriguing paradox. Because the jaw joint of nonmammalian cynodonts was functionally coupled to the inner ear, auditory performance would favor low joint reaction forces. However, this could not be achieved at…
The evolution of the middle ear from the cynodont craniomandibular bones is one of the key mammalian innovations, and the mechanics underlying this anatomical transformation represents an intriguing paradox. Because the jaw joint of nonmammalian cynodonts was functionally coupled to the inner ear, auditory performance would favor low joint reaction forces. However, this could not be achieved at…
1. In the face of natural complexities and multicollinearity, model selection and predictions using multiple regression may be ambiguous and risky. Confounding effects of predictors often cloud researchers’ assessment and interpretation of the single best ‘magicmodel’. The shortcomings of stepwise regression have been extensively described in statistical literature, yet it is still widely…
Geared toward advanced undergraduates and graduate students, this substantially revised and updated edition of a popular text offers a concise treatment that provides careful and complete explanations as well as numerous problems and solutions. Topics include elementary theory, general Cauchy theorem and applications, analytic functions, and prime number theorem.
Alternative energy sources have become a hot topic in recent years. The supply of fossil fuel, which provides about 95 percent of total energy demand today, will eventually run out in a few decades. By contrast, biomass and biofuel have the potential to become one of the major global primary energy source along with other alternate energy sources in the years to come. A wide variety of biomass …
Objectives: The association between blood levels of hemoglobin (B-hgb) and blood pressure (BP) has been widely investigated in Caucasians and Asians but there is a paucity of data in rural black Africans. The objective was to investigate the association between B-hgb and BP in a rural black African population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three districts in Kenya (Bondo, K…
Linear drain current degradation of a field-gate p-channel lateral extended drain MOS (FG-pLEDMOS) transistor for different ac hot-carrier stress conditions has been experimentally investigated in this paper. It is noted that hot-carrier degradation strongly depends on the time of the rising and falling edges of the gate signal pulse. Faster rising and falling edges of the gate pulse will indu…
Time-calibrated phylogenies that contain only living species have been widely used to study the dynamics of speciation and extinction. Concerns about the reliability of phylogenetic extinction estimates were raised by Rabosky (2010), where I suggested that unaccommodated heterogeneity in speciation rate could lead to positively biased extinction estimates. In a recent article,Beaulieu and O’M…
Ecologists frequently use a supertree method to generate phylogenies in ecological studies. However, the robustness of research results based on phylogenies generated with a supertree method has not been well evaluated. Here, we use the angiosperm tree flora of North America as a model system to test the robustness of phylogenies generated with a supertree method for studies on the relations…
Fothergilla (Hamamelidaceae) consists of Fothergilla gardenii (4x) from the coastal plains of the southeastern USA, F. major (6x) from the piedmont and mountains of the same region, and a few allopatric diploid populations of unknown taxonomic status. The objective of this study was to explore the relationships of the polyploid species with the diploid plants. Genotyping by sequencing (GBS) …
The topics of succession and post-disturbance ecosystem recovery have a long and convoluted history. There is extensive redundancy within this body of theory, which has resulted in confusion, and the links among theories have not been adequately drawn. This review aims to distil the unique ideas from the array of theory related to ecosystem change in response to disturbance. This will help to r…
The year 2014 marked the 25th International Conference on Arabidopsis Research. In the 50 yr since the first International Conference on Arabidopsis Research, held in 1965 in G€ottingen,Germany, > 54 000 papers that mention Arabidopsis thaliana in the title, abstract or keywords have been published.Wepresent herein a citational network analysis of these papers, and touch on some of the import…
This paper develops a doubly-fed induction machine model for steady-state harmonic studies. The model is based on the well-known steady-state induction machine model, considering nonsinusoidal voltage sources on the stator and rotor sides of the machine. The results obtained with the proposed model match those obtained from real lab measurements and with a complete induction machine model for …
This paper considers a customer order scheduling problem with product type splitting property in the unrelated parallel machine environment. Product type splitting property refers to the case where each customer order consists of several product types and the workload of all associated product types can be arbitrarily split among machines. The objective is to minimize the total completion time…
Human activity is among the critical information for a context-aware energy saving system since knowing what activities are undertaken is important for judging if energy is well spent. Most of the prior works on energy saving do not make the best of context-awareness especially in a multiuser environment to assist the energy saving system. In addition, they often ignore whether appliances are …