4′-Formyl­benzo-15-crown-5

In the title compound (systematic name: 17-formyl-2,5,8,11,14-penta­oxabicyclo­[13.4.0]nona­deca-15,17,19-triene), C15H20O6, the 15-crown-5 ring adopts a twisted conformation. The formyl group is coplanar with the benzene ring. The crystal packing is stabilized by C—H⋯O inter­actions involving the C=O group and ether O atoms as acceptors and methyl­ene CH groups as donors

Confirmation of a non-synonymous SNP in PNPLA8 as a candidate causal mutation for Weaver syndrome in Brown Swiss cattle

Background: Bovine progressive degenerative myeloencephalopathy (Weaver syndrome) is a neurodegenerative disorder in Brown Swiss cattle that is characterized by progressive hind leg weakness and ataxia, while sensorium and spinal reflexes remain unaffected. Although the causal mutation has not been identified yet, an indirect genetic test based on six microsatellite markers and consequent exclusion of Weaver carriers from breeding have led to the complete absence of new cases for over two decades. Evaluation of disease status by imputation of 41 diagnostic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and a common haplotype published in 2013 identified several suspected carriers in the current breeding population, which suggests a higher frequency of the Weaver allele than anticipated. In order to prevent the reemergence of the disease, this study aimed at mapping the gene that underlies Weaver syndrome and thus at providing the basis for direct genetic testing and monitoring of today's Braunvieh/Brown Swiss herds. Results: Combined linkage/linkage disequilibrium mapping on Bos taurus chromosome (BTA) 4 based on Illumina Bovine SNP50 genotypes of 43 Weaver-affected, 31 Weaver carrier and 86 Weaver-free animals resulted in a maximum likelihood ratio test statistic value at position 49,812,384 bp. The confidence interval (0.853 Mb) determined by the 2-LOD drop-off method was contained within a 1.72-Mb segment of extended homozygosity. Exploitation of whole-genome sequence data from two official Weaver carriers and 1145 other bulls that were sequenced in Run4 of the 1000 bull genomes project showed that only a non-synonymous SNP (rs800397662) within the PNPLA8 gene at position 49,878,773 bp was concordant with the Weaver carrier status. Targeted SNP genotyping confirmed this SNP as a candidate causal mutation for Weaver syndrome. Genotyping for the candidate causal mutation in a random sample of 2334 current Braunvieh animals suggested a frequency of the Weaver allele of 0.26 %. Conclusions: Through combined use of exhaustive sequencing data and SNP genotyping results, we were able to provide evidence that supports the non-synonymous mutation at position 49,878,773 bp as the most likely causal mutation for Weaver syndrome. Further studies are needed to uncover the exact mechanisms that underlie this syndrome

Whole-genome analysis of introgressive hybridization and characterization of the bovine legacy of Mongolian yaks

The yak is remarkable for its adaptation to high altitude and occupies a central place in the economies of the mountainous regions of Asia. At lower elevations, it is common to hybridize yaks with cattle to combine the yak’s hardiness with the productivity of cattle. Hybrid males are sterile, however, preventing the establishment of stable hybrid populations, but not a limited introgression after backcrossing several generations of female hybrids to male yaks. Here we inferred bovine haplotypes in the genomes of 76 Mongolian yaks using high-density SNP genotyping and whole-genome sequencing. These yaks inherited ~1.3% of their genome from bovine ancestors after nearly continuous admixture over at least the last 1,500 years. The introgressed regions are enriched in genes involved in nervous system development and function, and particularly in glutamate metabolism and neurotransmission. We also identified a novel mutation associated with a polled (hornless) phenotype originating from Mongolian Turano cattle. Our results suggest that introgressive hybridization contributed to the improvement of yak management and breeding

Design and prototyping of an interactive virtual environment to foster citizen participation and creativity in urban design

Public Participation encounters great challenges in the domain of urban design concerning decision making and citizens’ appropriation of a future place. Many tools and methods have been proposed to ease the participation process. In this paper we are targeting artefacts used in face-to-face workshops, in which citizens are asked to make design proposals for a public space. We claim that current state of the art can be improved (i) by better articulating digital artefacts with participatory processes and (ii) by providing interfaces that enhance citizen’s spatial awareness and comprehension as well as collective creativity in urban design projects. We present the design and prototyping of an interactive virtual environment that follow the design-science research guidelines.U_CODE project (H2020 No 688873

TAP - the Architectural Playground: a C++ Framework for Scalable Distributed Collaborative Architectural Virtual Environments

Architecture is built information [1]. Architects have the task of restructuring and translating information into buildable designs.The beginning of the design process, where the briefing is transformed into an idea, is a crucial phase in the design process. It is where the architect makes decisions that influence the rest of the design development process [2]. It is at this stage where most information is unstructured but has to be integrated into a broad context. This is where TAP is positioned - to support the architect in finding solutions through the creation of spatially structured information sets without impairing creative development.We want to enrich the inspiration of an architect with a new kind of information design. A further aspect is workflow in a distributed process where the architect's work becomes one aspect of a decentralised working pattern. The software supports collaborative work with models, sketches and text messages within a uniform environment. The representations of the various media are connected and combined with each other and the user is free to combine them according to his or her needs

TAP - the Architectural Playground - C++ framework for scalable distributed collaborative architectural virtual environments

Architecture is built information (Schmitt, 1999). Architects have the task of restructuring and translating information into buildable designs. The beginning of the design process where the briefing is transformed into an idea is a crucial phase in the design process. It is where the architect makes decisions which influence the rest of the design development process (Vries et al., 1998). It is at this stage where most information is unstructured but has to be integrated into a broad context. This is where TAP is positioned - to support the architect in finding solutions through the creation of spatially structured information sets without impairing thereby the creative development. We want to enrich the inspiration of an architect with a new kind of information design. A further aspect is workflow in a distributed process where the architectis work becomes one aspect of a decentralised working patterns. The software supports collaborative work with models, sketches and text messages within an uniform surface. The representations of the various media are connected and combined with each other and the user is free to combine them according to his or her needs

Impeller selection for a bioreactor

Porównano pracę dwóch mieszadeł o działaniu osiowym, tzn. sześciołopatkowego mieszadła turbinowego o łopatkach pochylonych oraz mieszadła TX535 podczas mieszania układu dwufazowego ciało stałe-ciecz. Po uwzględnieniu zapotrzebowania mocy do napędu obu mieszadeł stwierdzono, że mieszadło TX535 jest bardziej efektywne od mieszadła turbinowego. Jest to wynik bardziej opływowych kształtów mieszadła TX535. Przedstawiono również zastosowanie przemysłowe mieszadła TX535.Comparison of two axial agitators, i.e. six-blade turbine agitator with inclined blades and TX535 impeller during the mixing of two-phase solidliquid system is presented in the paper. After considering the power requirements to drive two impellers, it was found that TX535 impeller is more efficient than a turbine one. This effect results from a more streamline shapes of TX535 stirrer. The industrial application of TX535 impeller is also shown