Counting points on hyperelliptic curves over finite fields

International audienceWe describe some algorithms for computing the cardinality of hyperelliptic curves and their Jacobians over finite fields. They include several methods for obtaining the result modulo small primes and prime powers, in particular an algorithm à la Schoof for genus 2 using Cantor's division polynomials. These are combined with a birthday paradox algorithm to calculate the cardinality. Our methods are practical and we give actual results computed using our current implementation. The Jacobian groups we handle are larger than those previously reported in the literature

Genome-wide association and Mendelian randomisation analysis provide insights into the pathogenesis of heart failure

Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A small proportion of HF cases are attributable to monogenic cardiomyopathies and existing genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have yielded only limited insights, leaving the observed heritability of HF largely unexplained. We report results from a GWAS meta-analysis of HF comprising 47,309 cases and 930,014 controls. Twelve independent variants at 11 genomic loci are associated with HF, all of which demonstrate one or more associations with coronary artery disease (CAD), atrial fibrillation, or reduced left ventricular function, suggesting shared genetic aetiology. Functional analysis of non-CAD-associated loci implicate genes involved in cardiac development (MYOZ1, SYNPO2L), protein homoeostasis (BAG3), and cellular senescence (CDKN1A). Mendelian randomisation analysis supports causal roles for several HF risk factors, and demonstrates CAD-independent effects for atrial fibrillation, body mass index, and hypertension. These findings extend our knowledge of the pathways underlying HF and may inform new therapeutic strategies

Whole-genome sequencing reveals host factors underlying critical COVID-19

Critical COVID-19 is caused by immune-mediated inflammatory lung injury. Host genetic variation influences the development of illness requiring critical care1 or hospitalization2,3,4 after infection with SARS-CoV-2. The GenOMICC (Genetics of Mortality in Critical Care) study enables the comparison of genomes from individuals who are critically ill with those of population controls to find underlying disease mechanisms. Here we use whole-genome sequencing in 7,491 critically ill individuals compared with 48,400 controls to discover and replicate 23 independent variants that significantly predispose to critical COVID-19. We identify 16 new independent associations, including variants within genes that are involved in interferon signalling (IL10RB and PLSCR1), leucocyte differentiation (BCL11A) and blood-type antigen secretor status (FUT2). Using transcriptome-wide association and colocalization to infer the effect of gene expression on disease severity, we find evidence that implicates multiple genes—including reduced expression of a membrane flippase (ATP11A), and increased expression of a mucin (MUC1)—in critical disease. Mendelian randomization provides evidence in support of causal roles for myeloid cell adhesion molecules (SELE, ICAM5 and CD209) and the coagulation factor F8, all of which are potentially druggable targets. Our results are broadly consistent with a multi-component model of COVID-19 pathophysiology, in which at least two distinct mechanisms can predispose to life-threatening disease: failure to control viral replication; or an enhanced tendency towards pulmonary inflammation and intravascular coagulation. We show that comparison between cases of critical illness and population controls is highly efficient for the detection of therapeutically relevant mechanisms of disease

Further education outside the jurisdiction of local authorities in post-war England

This paper revisits the three decades following the end of World War Two – a time when, following the 1944 Education Act, local education authorities (LEAs) were the key agencies responsible for running the education system across England. For the first time there was a statutory requirement for LEAs to secure adequate facilities for further education (FE), and the post-war era is generally remembered as a period when they dominated FE. Yet this is not the full story of further education in post-war England: it is often forgotten that a significant amount of FE existed outside the municipal framework. This paper returns to the post-war decades and begins to uncover the largely forgotten history of FE outside local authority control at that time. It highlights how voluntary and private organisations offered various forms of post-compulsory education outside the municipal framework, and how they contributed to the eclectic and diverse nature of FE across England. This, I argue, reflected not only the expedience, compromise and inertia that characterised further education in post-war England but was rooted in a capture of educational policy more generally by a privileged elite intent on maintaining a social order characterised by social, economic and cultural divisions

Effects of dietary supplementation of organic minerals on the performance of broiler chicks fed oxidised soybean oil

SummaryThe oxidation (rancidity) of fat is a very common feed quality issue, which can negatively affect growth performance and meat quality of broilers. Besides other factors, metal ions such as Zn, Cu and Fe can facilitate lipid peroxidation in feed. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effect of feeding corn soy diets containing fresh or oxidised soybean oil with different forms of microminerals on production performance of broiler chicks. Dietary treatments consisted of a 2 × 2 factorial structure with two kinds of soybean oil (oxidised or fresh) and two forms of microminerals (inorganic or organic). Mineral proteinate (Bioplex®, Alltech Inc.) including Zn, Mn, Cu and Fe was used as the organic source and was supplemented at the level equivalent to 25% of an inorganic source in the control diets. Organic selenium (Sel-Plex®, Alltech Inc.) at 0.3 mg/kg of diet was used to replace sodium selenite used at 0.3 mg/kg of diet in control diet. Oxidised soybean oil was prepared by convection heat (90°C for a period of seven days in a convection oven). A total of 1152 one-day old chicks were allotted randomly to the four dietary treatments using 12 replicates of 24 chicks per pen. Chicks were raised in floor pens for 42 days in an environmentally controlled room with free access to feed and water. There was no statistical interaction between oil source and mineral form on performance or mineral content of breast meat. Feeding oxidised oil increased (P &lt; 0.05) feed intake and decreased gain to feed ratio (FCE) of chicks. Supplementation with organic minerals improved (P &lt; 0.05) weight gain and FCE of chicks. The breast meat of chicks fed organic mineral had higher (P &lt; 0.01) Se content than those from the control group. The results indicated that the addition of organic minerals to broiler diets can minimise the negative impact of oxidised oil on the performance of broiler chicks.</jats:p