QTL analysis of high thermotolerance with superior and downgraded parental yeast strains reveals new minor QTLs and converges on novel causative alleles involved in RNA processing

Revealing QTLs with a minor effect in complex traits remains difficult. Initial strategies had limited success because of interference by major QTLs and epistasis. New strategies focused on eliminating major QTLs in subsequent mapping experiments. Since genetic analysis of superior segregants from natural diploid strains usually also reveals QTLs linked to the inferior parent, we have extended this strategy for minor QTL identification by eliminating QTLs in both parent strains and repeating the QTL mapping with pooled-segregant whole-genome sequence analysis. We first mapped multiple QTLs responsible for high thermotolerance in a natural yeast strain, MUCL28177, compared to the laboratory strain, BY4742. Using single and bulk reciprocal hemizygosity analysis we identified MKT1 and PRP42 as causative genes in QTLs linked to the superior and inferior parent, respectively. We subsequently downgraded both parents by replacing their superior allele with the inferior allele of the other parent. QTL mapping using pooled-segregant whole-genome sequence analysis with the segregants from the cross of the downgraded parents, revealed several new QTLs. We validated the two most-strongly linked new QTLs by identifying NCS2 and SMD2 as causative genes linked to the superior downgraded parent and we found an allele-specific epistatic interaction between PRP42 and SMD2. Interestingly, the related function of PRP42 and SMD2 suggests an important role for RNA processing in high thermotolerance and underscores the relevance of analyzing minor QTLs. Our results show that identification of minor QTLs involved in complex traits can be successfully accomplished by crossing parent strains that have both been downgraded for a single QTL. This novel approach has the advantage of maintaining all relevant genetic diversity as well as enough phenotypic difference between the parent strains for the trait-of-interest and thus maximizes the chances of successfully identifying additional minor QTLs that are relevant for the phenotypic difference between the original parents

Optimum ground states for spin-32\frac{3}{2} chains

We present a set of {\em optimum ground states} for a large class of spin-$\frac{3}{2}$ chains. Such global ground states are simultaneously ground states of the local Hamiltonian, i.e. the nearest neighbour interaction in the present case. They are constructed in the form of a matrix product. We find three types of phases, namely a {\em weak antiferromagnet}, a {\em weak ferromagnet}, and a {\em dimerized antiferromagnet}. The main physical properties of these phases are calculated exactly by using a transfer matrix technique, in particular magnetization and two spin correlations. Depending on the model parameters, they show a surprisingly rich structure.Comment: LaTeX, 22 pages, 6 embedded Postscript figure

Optimizing vibration parameters of thick single-layer concrete pavements: results of the Belgian Monocrete project

peer reviewedThick single-layer concrete pavements are increasingly popular in Europe because they help tackle the increasing traffic loads on highways, airport taxiways, or industrial logistic platforms. They require less maintenance than other pavement materials, have a very long service life even under heavy loads, and can withstand static loads without permanent deformation. However, the environmental impact of such pavements is significant, due to the vast quantities of cement and inert materials required for each project. The MONOCRETE research project (March 2021-March 2024), funded by the Walloon GreenWin innovation cluster, brings together industrial partners (Eloy and Holcim) as well as research institutions (BRRC, CRIC-OCCN, and ULiège) with the aim of reducing this environmental impact by incorporating recycled concrete aggregates and an alternative, low-carbon cement. In addition to issues relating to concrete sustainability, the project studies the formulation and execution of thick concrete pavements. Indeed, a greater thickness will accentuate any compaction or vibration problem associated with a poor particle size distribution. The risk of bleeding or segregation is therefore increased. These issues are being studied through a combination of literature review, laboratory testing, and the execution of two test sections, implemented in fall 2022 and spring 2023. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the initial conclusions of this recent project on the vibration of thick concrete pavements.MonoCrete - Revêtement monocouche épais à base de liants alternatifs et de granulats recyclés11. Sustainable cities and communitie

Depth of reading vocabulary in hearing and hearing-impaired children

The main point of our study was to examine the vocabulary knowledge of pupils in grades 3–6, and in particular the relative reading vocabulary disadvantage of hearing-impaired pupils. The achievements of 394 pupils with normal hearing and 106 pupils with a hearing impairment were examined on two vocabulary assessment tasks: a lexical decision task and a use decision task. The target words in both tasks represent the vocabulary children should have at the end of primary school. The results showed that most hearing pupils reached this norm, whereas most hearing-impaired pupils did not. In addition, results showed that hearing-impaired pupils not only knew fewer words, but that they also knew them less well. This lack of deeper knowledge remained even when matching hearing and hearing-impaired children on minimal word knowledge. Additionally, comparison of the two tasks demonstrated the efficacy of the lexical decision task as a measure of lexical semantic knowledge

Identification of novel anti-cancer agents by the synthesis and cellular screening of a noscapine-based library

53 p.-7 fig.-1 tab.-1 schem.-1 graph. abst.Noscapine is a natural product first isolated from the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) with anticancer properties. In this work, we report the synthesis and cellular screening of a noscapine-based library. A library of novel noscapine derivatives was synthesized with modifications in the isoquinoline and phthalide scaffolds. The so generated library, consisting of fifty-seven derivatives of the natural product noscapine, was tested against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in a cellular proliferation assay (with a Z' > 0.7). The screening resulted in the identification of two novel noscapine derivatives as inhibitors of MDA cell growth with IC50 values of 5 µM and 1.5 µM, respectively. Both hit molecules have a five-fold and seventeen-fold higher potency, compared with that of lead compound noscapine (IC50 26 µM). The identified active derivatives retain the tubulin-binding ability of noscapine. Further testing of both hit molecules, alongside the natural product against additional cancer cell lines (HepG2, HeLa and PC3 cells) confirmed our initial findings. Both molecules have improved anti-proliferative properties when compared to the initial natural product, noscapine.We are also grateful to the Iran National Science Foundation (INSF, grant number 98026465) for financial support of this project and Shahid Beheshti University Research Council for providing facilities of to conduct this study. This work was supported by CSIC PIE 201920E111 (MAO).Peer reviewe

Using distributional statistics to acquire morphophonological alternations: evidence from production and perception

Morphophonological alternations, such as the voicing alternation that arises in a morphological paradigm due to final-devoicing in Dutch, are notoriously difficult for children to acquire. This has previously been attributed to their unpredictability. In fact, the presence or absence of a voicing alternation is partly predictable if the phonological context of the word is taken into account, and adults have been shown to use this information (Ernestus and Baayen, 2003). This study investigates whether voicing alternations are predictable from the child’s input, and whether children can make use of this information. A corpus study of child-directed speech establishes that the likelihood of a stem-final obstruent alternating is somewhat predictable on the basis of the phonological properties of the stem. In Experiment 1 Dutch 3-year-olds’ production accuracy in a plural-elicitation task is shown to be sensitive to the distributional statistics. However, distributional properties do not play a role in children’s sensitivity to mispronunciations of voicing in a Preferential Looking Task in Experiment 2

Surfactants-based remediation as an effective approach for removal of environmental pollutants—A review

Deterioration of environmental quality and equilibrium by rampant industrial expansion, accelerated urbanization and unchecked population growth has become a high-priority concern. The release of an alarming number of toxic polluting agents such as volatile organic compounds, dyes, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, industrial wastes, and personal care products due to natural or anthropogenic activities pose direct adverse effects on human health and living entities. This issue is inescapably increased because of the lack of efficient technologies for the proper disposal, management, and recycling of waste. It is of paramount importance to track alternative solutions to address these pollution problems for an eco-sustainable environment. Conventional remediation techniques are either inefficient, cumbersome or restricted due to certain techno-economic limitations. Environmental compatibility and high pollutant-removal efficacy make surfactants valuable for removal of organic pollutants and toxic heavy metal ions from different mediums. In this review, we present recent and up-to-date information on micelles/surfactants-assisted abatement of a vast number of toxic agents of emerging concern from water/wastewater including volatile organic compounds, personal care products, pharmaceutically active residues, toxic metals, dye pollutants, pesticides, and petroleum hydrocarbons. Based on the literature survey, it can be concluded that micelles-assisted water and soil treatment technology can have a better future on large-scale decontamination of wastewater. Though bio-surfactants are environmentally friendlier matrices and have successfully been employed for environmental decontamination; their large-scale applicability is challenging owing to high costs. Additional research efforts on the development and employment of novel bio-surfactants might render wastewater treatment technology greener, smarter and economical