1,949 research outputs found
Long-Read Assembly and Annotation of the Parasitoid Wasp <i>Muscidifurax raptorellus</i>, a Biological Control Agent for Filth Flies
The parasitoid wasp Muscidifurax raptorellus (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is a gregarious species that has received extensive attention for its potential in biological pest control against house fly, stable fly, and other filth flies. It has a high reproductive capacity and can be reared easily. However, genome assembly is not available for M. raptorellus or any other species in this genus. Previously, we assembled a complete circular mitochondrial genome with a length of 24,717 bp. Here, we assembled and annotated a high-quality nuclear genome of M. raptorellus, using a combination of long-read (104Ă genome coverage) and short-read (326Ă genome coverage) sequencing technologies. The assembled genome size is 314 Mbp in 226 contigs, with a 97.9% BUSCO completeness score and a contig N50 of 4.67 Mb, suggesting excellent continuity of this assembly. Our assembly builds the foundation for comparative and evolutionary genomic analysis in the genus of Muscidifurax and possible future biocontrol applications
A new method for the estimation of variance matrix with prescribed zeros in nonlinear mixed effects models
We propose a new method for the Maximum Likelihood Estimator (MLE) of
nonlinear mixed effects models when the variance matrix of Gaussian random
effects has a prescribed pattern of zeros (PPZ). The method consists in
coupling the recently developed Iterative Conditional Fitting (ICF) algorithm
with the Expectation Maximization (EM) algorithm. It provides positive definite
estimates for any sample size, and does not rely on any structural assumption
on the PPZ. It can be easily adapted to many versions of EM.Comment: Accepted for publication in Statistics and Computin
Doping dependent Irreversible Magnetic Properties of Ba(Fe1-xCox)2As2 Single Crystals
We discuss the irreversible magnetic properties of self-flux grown
Ba(Fe1-xCox)2As2 single crystals for a wide range of concentrations covering
the whole phase diagram from the underdoped to the overdoped regime, x=0.038,
0.047, 0.058, 0.071, 0.074, 0.10, 0.106 and 0.118. Samples were characterized
by a magneto-optical method and show excellent spatial uniformity of the
superconducting state. The overall behavior closely follows classical Bean
model of the critical state. The field-dependent magnetization exhibits second
peak at a temperature and doping - dependent magnetic field, Hp. The evolution
of this fishtail feature with doping is discussed. Magnetic relaxation is
time-logarithmic and unusually fast. Similar to cuprates, there is an apparent
crossover from collective elastic to plastic flux creep above Hp. At high
fields, the field dependence of the relaxation rate becomes doping independent.
We discuss our results in the framework of the weak collective pinning and show
that vortex physics in iron-based pnictide crystals is much closer to high-Tc
cuprates than to conventional s-wave (including MgB2) superconductors.Comment: for the special issue of Physica C on iron-based pnictide
superconductor
Time Scales and Dynamics of 3-He-Induced Multifragmentation
This research was sponsored by the National Science Foundation Grant NSF PHY-931478
Coronal Diagnostics from Narrowband Images around 30.4 nm
Images taken in the band centered at 30.4 nm are routinely used to map the
radiance of the He II Ly alpha line on the solar disk. That line is one of the
strongest, if not the strongest, line in the EUV observed in the solar
spectrum, and one of the few lines in that wavelength range providing
information on the upper chromosphere or lower transition region. However, when
observing the off-limb corona the contribution from the nearby Si XI 30.3 nm
line can become significant. In this work we aim at estimating the relative
contribution of those two lines in the solar corona around the minimum of solar
activity. We combine measurements from CDS taken in August 2008 with
temperature and density profiles from semiempirical models of the corona to
compute the radiances of the two lines, and of other representative coronal
lines (e.g., Mg X 62.5 nm, Si XII 52.1 nm). Considering both diagnosed
quantities from line ratios (temperatures and densities) and line radiances in
absolute units, we obtain a good overall match between observations and models.
We find that the Si XI line dominates the He II line from just above the limb
up to ~2 R_Sun in streamers, while its contribution to narrowband imaging in
the 30.4 nm band is expected to become smaller, even negligible in the corona
beyond ~2 - 3 R_Sun, the precise value being strongly dependent on the coronal
temperature profile.Comment: 26 pages, 11 figures; to be published in: Solar Physic
Borrelia burgdorferi membranes are the primary targets of reactive oxygen species
Spirochetes living in an oxygen-rich environment or when challenged by host immune cells are exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS). These species can harm/destroy cysteinyl residues, iron-sulphur clusters, DNA and polyunsaturated lipids, leading to inhibition of growth or cell death. Because Borrelia burgdorferi contains no intracellular iron, DNA is most likely not a major target for ROS via Fenton reaction. In support of this, growth of B. burgdorferi in the presence of 5 mM H2O2 had no effect on the DNA mutation rate (spontaneous coumermycin A1 resistance), and cells treated with 10 mM t-butyl hydroperoxide or 10 mM H2O2 show no increase in DNA damage. Unlike most bacteria, B. burgdorferi incorporates ROS-susceptible polyunsaturated fatty acids from the environment into their membranes. Analysis of lipoxidase-treated B. burgdorferi cells by Electron Microscopy showed significant irregularities indicative of membrane damage. Fatty acid analysis of cells treated with lipoxidase indicated that host-derived linoleic acid had been dramatically reduced (50-fold) in these cells, with a corresponding increase in the levels of malondialdehyde by-product (fourfold). These data suggest that B. burgdorferi membrane lipids are targets for attack by ROS encountered in the various stages of the infective cycle
Blood profile of proteins and steroid hormones predicts weight change after weight loss with interactions of dietary protein level and glycemic index
Weight regain after weight loss is common. In the Diogenes dietary intervention study, high protein and low glycemic index (GI) diet improved weight maintenance.
OBJECTIVE:
To identify blood predictors for weight change after weight loss following the dietary intervention within the Diogenes study.
DESIGN:
Blood samples were collected at baseline and after 8-week low caloric diet-induced weight loss from 48 women who continued to lose weight and 48 women who regained weight during subsequent 6-month dietary intervention period with 4 diets varying in protein and GI levels. Thirty-one proteins and 3 steroid hormones were measured.
RESULTS:
Angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) was the most important predictor. Its greater reduction during the 8-week weight loss was related to continued weight loss during the subsequent 6 months, identified by both Logistic Regression and Random Forests analyses. The prediction power of ACE was influenced by immunoproteins, particularly fibrinogen. Leptin, luteinizing hormone and some immunoproteins showed interactions with dietary protein level, while interleukin 8 showed interaction with GI level on the prediction of weight maintenance. A predictor panel of 15 variables enabled an optimal classification by Random Forests with an error rate of 24±1%. A logistic regression model with independent variables from 9 blood analytes had a prediction accuracy of 92%.
CONCLUSIONS:
A selected panel of blood proteins/steroids can predict the weight change after weight loss. ACE may play an important role in weight maintenance. The interactions of blood factors with dietary components are important for personalized dietary advice after weight loss
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