Intelligent Modeling and Verification

System modeling tends to have many complex features, and uncertainties often lead to numerous complications and influence many important aspects related to its applications. Intelligent modeling merges mathematical and computer based approaches, and it utilizes pioneering new scientific methods and cutting-edge technologies

Ultrasonic Bone Assessment in Tursiops Truncatus: A Proposed Means for Monitoring Marine Ecosystem Health

In order to circumvent limitations in traditional radiographic bone density assessment, a custom quantitative ultrasound device and protocols were developed for assessment of live bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. In laboratory measurements on disarticulated pectoral flippers collected post-mortem, a strong correlation was established between bone mineral density (BMD) as measured with quantitative ultrasound and X-ray (r=0.93). A primary target skeletal site in the radius of the dolphin pectoral fin was comprehensively defined. BMD distribution patterns throughout the radius were characterized and a single region of interest (ROI) with a high correlation to the density of the overall bone (r=0.98) was selected. Statistical tests demonstrated no statistically significant differences in any subset based on sex, age, total body length, handedness, nutritional status, or geographical affinity, supporting inclusion of all specimens as a normative reference dataset for bone density in bottlenose dolphins. Initial trials to develop clinical protocols and establish ultrasound of bone as truly non-invasive were conducted on captive dolphins. Successful assessments were subsequently conducted to ultrasonically assess BMD in wild dolphins during capture-release health assessments

Bone Mineral Density of the Common Bottlenose Dolphin Radius: A Primary Skeletal Site for Clinical Bone Densitometry and Preliminary Descriptive Data Set Using Archival Specimens

We examined bone mineral density (BMD) in the pectoral flipper of the common bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus. These data addressed the need to define a comprehensive target site for osteodensitometric assessment and to provide a descriptive bone density data set for this species. We analyzed 388 radii from 279 bottlenose dolphins using dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA), the accepted standard in human medical studies. Radii were examined for differences based on sex, age, total body length, handedness, geographical affinity, and nutritional status at death. BMD increased with age and body length (R2 = 0.58, p \u3c .05). No statistically significant differences were observed in BMD measurements for male and female dolphins (t = −1.60, p \u3e .05) or right and left flippers (t = −1.76, p \u3e .05). Additionally, no statistically significant differences were observed based on geographical region (t = −0.190, p \u3e .05) or nutritional status (F = 0.83, p \u3e .05). These results support the use of these findings as a preliminary descriptive data set for BMD in bottlenose dolphins and detail a primary skeletal site for clinical assessment of bone density for the species. As this study relies on archived museum specimens collected from dolphins at time of death, further studies regarding bone density may be better addressed using live dolphins with known health status

Relationships among six <i>Puccinia striiformis</i> f. sp. <i>tritici</i> (<i>Pst</i>) isolates.

<p>(A) Heat map and race relationship of six <i>Pst</i> isolates according to the INDEL variation in the 105 polymorphic SSRs using Pheatmap software. The presence and absence of bands were recorded as 1 and 0, respectively. (B) Heat map and relationship of the six <i>Pst</i> isolates according to their virulence on 17 differential cultivars downloaded from published paper using same method. The susceptible and resistant were recorded as 1 and 0, respectively. (C) Relative position of the six <i>Pst</i> isolates and their reported geographical origins.</p

Genome-Wide Analysis of Simple Sequence Repeats and Efficient Development of Polymorphic SSR Markers Based on Whole Genome Re-Sequencing of Multiple Isolates of the Wheat Stripe Rust Fungus

<div><p>The biotrophic parasitic fungus <i>Puccinia striiformis</i> f. sp. <i>tritici</i> (<i>Pst</i>) causes stripe rust, a devastating disease of wheat, endangering global food security. Because the <i>Pst</i> population is highly dynamic, it is difficult to develop wheat cultivars with durable and highly effective resistance. Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are widely used as molecular markers in genetic studies to determine population structure in many organisms. However, only a small number of SSR markers have been developed for <i>Pst</i>. In this study, a total of 4,792 SSR loci were identified using the whole genome sequences of six isolates from different regions of the world, with a marker density of one SSR per 22.95 kb. The majority of the SSRs were di- and tri-nucleotide repeats. A database containing 1,113 SSR markers were established. Through <i>in silico</i> comparison, the previously reported SSR markers were found mainly in exons, whereas the SSR markers in the database were mostly in intergenic regions. Furthermore, 105 polymorphic SSR markers were confirmed <i>in silico</i> by their identical positions and nucleotide variations with INDELs identified among the six isolates. When 104 <i>in silico</i> polymorphic SSR markers were used to genotype 21 <i>Pst</i> isolates, 84 produced the target bands, and 82 of them were polymorphic and revealed the genetic relationships among the isolates. The results show that whole genome re-sequencing of multiple isolates provides an ideal resource for developing SSR markers, and the newly developed SSR markers are useful for genetic and population studies of the wheat stripe rust fungus.</p></div

Percentage of different repeat types of di- and tri-nucleotide SSRs in isolate CYR32 of <i>Puccinia striiformis</i> f. sp. <i>tritici</i>

<p>Percentage of different repeat types of di- and tri-nucleotide SSRs in isolate CYR32 of <i>Puccinia striiformis</i> f. sp. <i>tritici</i></p

Numbers and percentages of the identified SSR loci and developed SSR markers

<p>* DNR, TNR, TTR, PNR, and HNR indicate di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, and hexa-nucleotide SSRs, respectively.</p><p>Numbers and percentages of the identified SSR loci and developed SSR markers</p

Frequency and percent of amino acids encoded by tri-nucleotide motifs in their corresponding genes.

<p>* FREQ: frequency; PCT: percentage (%).</p><p>Frequency and percent of amino acids encoded by tri-nucleotide motifs in their corresponding genes.</p