Evolution of new regulatory functions on biophysically realistic fitness landscapes

Regulatory networks consist of interacting molecules with a high degree of mutual chemical specificity. How can these molecules evolve when their function depends on maintenance of interactions with cognate partners and simultaneous avoidance of deleterious "crosstalk" with non-cognate molecules? Although physical models of molecular interactions provide a framework in which co-evolution of network components can be analyzed, most theoretical studies have focused on the evolution of individual alleles, neglecting the network. In contrast, we study the elementary step in the evolution of gene regulatory networks: duplication of a transcription factor followed by selection for TFs to specialize their inputs as well as the regulation of their downstream genes. We show how to coarse grain the complete, biophysically realistic genotype-phenotype map for this process into macroscopic functional outcomes and quantify the probability of attaining each. We determine which evolutionary and biophysical parameters bias evolutionary trajectories towards fast emergence of new functions and show that this can be greatly facilitated by the availability of "promiscuity-promoting" mutations that affect TF specificity

Off-line Deduplication Method for Solid-State Disk Based on Hot and Cold Data

Solid-state disk (SSD) deduplication refers to the identification and deletion of duplicate data stored in an SSD. The reliability of SSDs is improved by deduplication. At present, the common data deduplication of SSDs is based on online data deduplication with Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) acceleration. The disadvantage is that FPGA, which has a complex structure. An off-line deduplication method for the SSD based on hot and cold data was proposed in this study to simplify the structure of an SSD deduplication, reduce the cost, and improve the efficiency of deduplication and access performance of SSDs. First, the wear-leveling algorithm was employed in the SSD to divide the data into cold and hot. Then, the corresponding fingerprint was generated for the cold data. Second, the fingerprint was compared, and the cold data with the same fingerprint were deleted. Finally, the cold and hot data were exchanged after deduplication. Results demonstrate that the duplicate recognition rate of the proposed method is 5% - 38%, which is close to that of the online deduplication method. In terms of access performance, the performance of SSDs using the proposed method is improved by 20% compared with that of traditional SSDs and is near the access performance of SSDs using online deduplication. This study provides certain reference for improving the reliability of existing SSDs

Rethinking Digital Forensics

© IAER 2019In the modern socially-driven, knowledge-based virtual computing environment in which organisations are operating, the current digital forensics tools and practices can no longer meet the need for scientific rigour. There has been an exponential increase in the complexity of the networks with the rise of the Internet of Things, cloud technologies and fog computing altering business operations and models. Adding to the problem are the increased capacity of storage devices and the increased diversity of devices that are attached to networks, operating autonomously. We argue that the laws and standards that have been written, the processes, procedures and tools that are in common use are increasingly not capable of ensuring the requirement for scientific integrity. This paper looks at a number of issues with current practice and discusses measures that can be taken to improve the potential of achieving scientific rigour for digital forensics in the current and developing landscapePeer reviewe

\u3cem\u3eAnolis\u3c/em\u3e Sex Chromosomes Are Derived from A Single Ancestral Pair

To explain the frequency and distribution of heteromorphic sex chromosomes in the lizard genus Anolis, we compared the relative roles of sex chromosome conservation versus turnover of sex‐determining mechanisms. We used model‐based comparative methods to reconstruct karyotype evolution and the presence of heteromorphic sex chromosomes onto a newly generated Anolis phylogeny. We found that heteromorphic sex chromosomes evolved multiple times in the genus. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) of repetitive DNA showed variable rates of Y chromosome degeneration among Anolis species and identified previously undetected, homomorphic sex chromosomes in two species. We confirmed homology of sex chromosomes in the genus by performing FISH of an X‐linked bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) and quantitative PCR of X‐linked genes in multiple Anolis species sampled across the phylogeny. Taken together, these results are consistent with long‐term conservation of sex chromosomes in the group. Our results pave the way to address additional questions related to Anolis sex chromosome evolution and describe a conceptual framework that can be used to evaluate the origins and evolution of heteromorphic sex chromosomes in other clades