Pollen-pistil compatibility relationships in some Iranian almond (Prunus dulcis, Batch) genotypes as revealed by PCR analysis

The identification of pollen-pistil compatibility relationships among almond cultivars and genotypes is very important for breeders and growers. In the present study, PCR based technique was used to identify S-alleles in 10 late blooming almond genotypes. In total, 19 alleles were amplified by five primer pairs in the studied genotypes. The size of bands ranged between 480 - 2000 bp. Seven S-alleles were amplified using AS1II/AMYC5R primer pair, whereas each of the Alsc11/AMYC5R, Pru-C2/Pru-C4R, Pru-C2/Pru-C5R and Pru-C2/Pru-C6R primer pairs amplified nine different S-alleles. Based on S-allele patterns, all of the studied genotypes were identified as self-incompatible. However, some of the genotypes had only one similar S-allele, all of the genotypes could be used in establishment of commercial orchards based on their blooming times

Challenges, advances and future trends in AC microgrid protection: With a focus on intelligent learning methods

Increasing power demand, aging distribution systems and concerns towards greenhouse gas emissions have resulted in the increased occurrence of distributed generation (DG) within distribution networks. The conventional protection methods designed for passive radial distribution networks may become redundant with large bidirectional power flow and dynamic network topology. Additionally, the anti-islanding protection currently employed limits the benefits of wide-scale DG installation and autonomous operation. The microgrid concept can solve these problems, but several challenges must be overcome before practical implementation. Besides bi-directional power flow, the vast variance between the fault current in grid-connected and autonomous mode and the arbitrary output impedance of the inverter-interfaced DG units in fault conditions and current limiting mode pose a challenge to the protection schemes that use traditional overcurrent protection devices. Many researchers have proposed various techniques, but a robust protection scheme capable of protecting microgrids against different faults for both modes of operation under dynamic network topologies and being financially viable is still to be developed. Hence, the main objective of this paper is to critically review various AC microgrid protection methods proposed in the literature, focusing on analysing the recent protection approaches using modern intelligent techniques. Open research problems and future research trends in AC microgrid protection are also presented in this research

Study of spawning season and spawning ground of soboor (Tenualosa ilisha, Ham. Bunch., 1822) during its migration in Khuzestan rivers

During 12 months of sampling, from 17 stations, 327 specimens of Soboor fish Tenualosa ilisha, including 120 females, 113 males and 86 immature were caught. Total length (TL) of the fishes was 120-500mm. Maximum diameters of soboor ova 0.795mm and the ova with diameter more than 0.7 mm released at one spawning round. Temporal and spatial distribution of ova diameter corresponding to GSI changes showed that ova with diameters between 0.64 to 0.795 mm released spontaneously in many rounds along fish migration route during its spawning season. The results indicate that the spawning of soboor begins upon its entering to Bahmanshir and Arvand Rivers on April and continued up to Shushtar and Dezful cities on September where their migration route and season are ended

Effects of fostriecin on β2-adrenoceptor-driven responses in human mast cells

As part of the intracellular processes leading to mast cell and basophil activation, phosphorylation of key substrates is likely to be important. These processes, mediated by phosphatases, are responsible for regulating phosphorylation. The aim of the present study was to determine effects fostriecin – a selective inhibitor of PP2A (protein phosphatase-2) – on β2-adrenoceptor-driven responses in human mast cells. Here, the effects of fostriecin (PP inhibitors) on the inhibition of histamine release from HLMC, on β-adrenoceptor-driven responses in mast cells and on desensitization were investigated. Long-term incubation (24 h) of mast cells with fostriecin (10−6 M) resulted in a significant (p < 0.001) reduction in the maximal response (from 41.2 [± 3.0] to 29.9 [± 4.2] %) to salbutamol following fostriecin treatment. The results showed that fostriecin pretreatment significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of salbutamol. Overall, the present study suggested that PP2A has an important role in regulating mast cell β2-adrenoceptors

The combination of retinoic acid and estrogen can increase germ cells genes expression in mouse embryonic stem cells derived primordial germ cells

A B S T R A C T Generation of germ cells from embryonic stem cells in vitro could have great application for treating infertility. The temporal expression profile of several genes was expressed at different stages of germ cell development and examined in differentiation the mouse embryonic stem cells. Cells were treated in three groups of control, with 10−8M of all-trans retinoic acid and the combination of 10−9M of 17β-Estradiol and retinoic acid for 7, 12, 17 or 22 days. Quantitative RT-PCR and Immunofluorescent were used to investigate the possible inductive effects of estrogen on mouse embryonic stem cell-derived primordial germ cells. mRNA expression of Oct4 and Dazl were downregulated in embryonic stem cells by the retinoic acid group, whereas Mvh transcription was reduced by retinoic acid and estrogen group in these cells compared to the control group. But, retinoic acid with estrogen group-treated cells exhibited increased mRNA expression of Stra8, Fragilis, Sycp3, GDF9, and Stella compared to untreated controls. The expression of Stella and Mvh proteins were remarkably increased in cell colonies. This study shows that estrogen affects the expression of specific markers of primordial germ cells. Also, estrogen and retinoic acid speed up and increase the level of expression of specific markers. Keywords: Gene expression profiling Immunofluorescent Mouse embryonic stem cells Primordial germ cells RT PC

A pattern recognition methodology for analyzing residential customers load data and targeting demand response applications

© 2019 Elsevier B.V. The availability of smart meter data allows defining innovative applications such as demand response (DR) programs for households. However, the dimensionality of data imposes challenges for the data mining of load patterns. In addition, the inherent variability of residential consumption patterns is a major problem for deciding on the characteristic consumption patterns and implementing proper DR settlements. In this regard, this paper utilizes a data size reduction and clustering methodology to analyze residential consumption behavior. Firstly, the distinctive time periods of household activity during the day are identified. Then, using these time periods, a modified symbolic aggregate approximation (SAX) technique is utilized to transform the load patterns into symbolic representations. In the next step, by applying a clustering method, the major consumption patterns are extracted and analyzed. Finally, the customers are ranked based on their stability over time. The proposed approach is applied on a large dataset of residential customers’ smart meter data and can achieve three main goals: 1) it reduces the dimensionality of data by utilizing the data size reduction, 2) it alleviates the problems associated with the clustering of residential customers, 3) its results are in accordance with the needs of systems operators or demand response aggregators and can be used for demand response targeting. The paper also provides a thorough analysis of different aspects of residential electricity consumption and various approaches to the clustering of households which can inform industry and research activity to optimize smart meter operational use

One-year outcomes from an international study of the Ovation Abdominal Stent Graft System for endovascular aneurysm repair

ObjectiveThis study evaluated 1-year safety and effectiveness outcomes of the United States regulatory trial for the Ovation Abdominal Stent Graft System (TriVascular Inc, Santa Rosa, Calif) for endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs).MethodsThis prospective, multicenter, single-arm trial was conducted at 36 sites in the United States, Germany, and Chile to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Ovation stent graft. From November 2009 to May 2011, 161 patients (88% males; mean age, 73 ± 8 years) with AAAs (mean diameter, 54 ± 9 mm) were treated with the Ovation stent graft. The main body is a modular two-docking limb device with a 14F outer diameter delivery system, active suprarenal fixation, and polymer-filled proximal rings that accommodate the aortic neck for seal. Main inclusion criteria included proximal aortic neck length ≥7 mm, inner neck diameter between 16 and 30 mm, distal iliac landing zones length ≥10 mm, and diameter between 8 and 20 mm. Patients were treated under a common protocol, including clinical and imaging follow-up at discharge, 30 days, 6 months, and annually through 5 years. A Clinical Events Committee adjudicated adverse events, an independent imaging core laboratory analyzed imaging, and a Data Safety and Monitoring Board provided study oversight. Complete 1-year follow-up data were available for this report.ResultsThe Ovation stent graft was implanted successfully in 161 patients (100%), including 69 (42.9%) by percutaneous access. General anesthesia was used in 106 patients (65.8%). Technical success was 100%, and mean procedure time was 110 minutes. Median procedural blood loss was 150 mL, and median hospital stay was 1 day. The 30-day major adverse event rate was 2.5%. At 1 year, AAA-related and all-cause mortality were 0.6% and 2.5%, respectively. Major adverse event and serious adverse event rates through 1 year were 6.2% and 38.5%, respectively. The 1-year treatment success rate was 99.3%. The imaging core laboratory reported no stent graft migration or type I, III, or IV endoleaks. At 1 year, type II endoleaks were identified in 34% of patients, and AAA enlargement was identified in one patient (0.7%). No AAA rupture or conversion to open surgery was reported. AAA-related secondary procedures were performed in 10 patients (6.2%) for 12 findings, including endoleak (six), aortic main body stenosis (three), and iliac limb stenosis or occlusion (three).ConclusionsThe 1-year results of the Ovation Abdominal Stent Graft System demonstrate excellent safety and effectiveness in treatment of patients with AAAs, particularly in patients with challenging anatomic characteristics, including short aortic necks and narrow iliac arteries. Longer-term follow-up is needed