Dissolving the Missing Heritability Problem

Heritability estimates obtained from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are much lower than those of traditional quantitative methods. This phenomenon has been called the “missing heritability problem.” By analyzing and comparing GWAS and traditional quantitative methods, we fi rst show that the estimates obtained from the latter involve some terms other than additive genetic variance, while the estimates from the former do not. Second, GWAS, when used to estimate heritability, do not take into account additive epigenetic factors transmitted across generations, while traditional quantitative methods do. Given these two points we show that the missing heritability problem can largely be dissolved

Integrated Optimization of Production Planning and Scheduling in Mixed Model Assembly Line

AbstractIn order to solve the separation in the traditional serial production planning and scheduling in mixed model assembly line, the integrated optimization complete model of production planning and scheduling based on multiple objectives and constraints was constructed. Since the integrated optimization complete model is difficult to solve, the heuristic approach was adopt, and the modified discrete particle swarm optimization(MDPSO) was presented to solve the model. The experiments verifies the presented model and algorithm can realize the simultaneously optimization of production planning and scheduling in mixed model assembly line and contribute to performance improvement and the application scope expand of the new intelligent optimization

Virtual power plant in Singapore's electricity market

The implementation of Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) in Singapore’s electricity market has the potential to enhance energy efficiency, sustainability, and grid resilience. However, various challenges must be addressed to realize these benefits. These challenges include predicting renewable power and electricity prices in Singapore’s unpredictable climate, modeling VPPs that are suitable for typical HDB and commercial buildings with widely used air-conditioner systems in Singapore, and establishing the VPP participation model in Singapore’s unique electricity market. To address these challenges, this paper proposes several innovative solutions. Firstly, the paper provides an overview of the Singapore electricity market and virtual power plants, comparing different algorithms to improve reliability in forecasting grid operating parameters. The paper then establishes the typical Singapore VPP model that incorporates energy storage, photovoltaic systems, and electric vehicle systems. The optimization is based on the optimization of significant EV and PV resources in Singapore, under several typical scenarios. Finally, the paper studies various cases of VPPs’ participation in the electricity market based on this model. The paper validates the availability of VPPs and concludes by highlighting their potential to reduce costs, improve energy efficiency, and deliver social and environmental benefits.Master of Science (Power Engineering

The Evolutionary Gene and the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis

Advocates of an ‘extended evolutionary synthesis’ have claimed that standard evolutionary theory fails to accommodate epigenetic inheritance. The opponents of the extended synthesis argue that the evidence for epigenetic inheritance causing adaptive evolution in nature is insufficient. We suggest that the ambiguity surrounding the conception of the gene represents a background semantic issue in the debate. Starting from Haig’s gene-selectionist framework and Griffiths and Neumann-Held’s notion of the evolutionary gene, we define senses of ‘gene’, ‘environment’ and ‘phenotype’ in a way that makes them consistent with gene-centric evolutionary theory. We argue that the evolutionary gene, when being materialized, need not be restricted to nucleic acids but can encompass other heritable units such as epialleles. If the evolutionary gene is understood more broadly, and the notions of environment and phenotype are defined accordingly, current evolutionary theory does not require a major conceptual change in order to incorporate the mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance

The Evolutionary Gene and the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis

Advocates of an ‘extended evolutionary synthesis’ have claimed that standard evolutionary theory fails to accommodate epigenetic inheritance. The opponents of the extended synthesis argue that the evidence for epigenetic inheritance causing adaptive evolution in nature is insufficient. We suggest that the ambiguity surrounding the conception of the gene represents a background semantic issue in the debate. Starting from Haig’s gene-selectionist framework and Griffiths and Neumann-Held’s notion of the evolutionary gene, we define senses of ‘gene’, ‘environment’ and ‘phenotype’ in a way that makes them consistent with gene-centric evolutionary theory. We argue that the evolutionary gene, when being materialized, need not be restricted to nucleic acids but can encompass other heritable units such as epialleles. If the evolutionary gene is understood more broadly, and the notions of environment and phenotype are defined accordingly, current evolutionary theory does not require a major conceptual change in order to incorporate the mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance

The complete mitogenome sequence of the hawk moth, Theretra latreillii subsp. lucasii (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) from Zhejiang Province, China

The sphingid, Theretra latreillii subsp. lucasii is a common hawk moth distributed in southeast Asia and Australian regions. Although barcode analyses have been published, its complete mitogenome sequence has not been deciphered. In this study, the complete mitogenome of T. latreillii lucasii (GeneBank accession no. MW539688) was sequenced using Illumina HiSeq X Ten system for mitogenome-based phylogenetic analysis. The mitogenome was 15,354 bp in length and comprises 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs) with the typical gene order and orientation of Sphingidae mitogenomes. The nucleotide composition of majority strand is 41.2% for A, 7.4% for G, 12.0% for C, and 39.4% for T, with an A + T content of 80.6%. Phylogenetic analysis using the 13 PCGs fully resolved T. latreillii lucasii in a clade with T. japonica, Macroglossum stellatarum, and Ampelophaga rubiginosa, with high nodal support both by Bayesian inference and maximum-likelihood methods, forming the Macroglossini monophyletic group