An Event-based Simulation Model for Analysing the Utilization Levels of a Railway Line in Urban Area

This paper offers a simulation model for analyzing the utilization levels of a railway line between Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Queen Street. Specifically, a segment of this line has been simulated using Simul8 to study the impacts of freight trains on passenger trains. The utilisation levels of this segment have been observed in three scenarios: utilisation existing state where all scheduled passenger trains and a few freight trains are observed; utilisation in future state where more freight trains are input in available time gaps running at their actual speed; and utilisation future state where freight trains are input in available time gaps running at speed equivalent to a passenger train. A decomposition approach is implemented. The results suggest that extra freight trains can be input into the current timetables without impeding the current scenario, allowing a reasonable increase in utilisation of the rail line

Comparison of full sib, half sib and S,progenies in fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.)

A field experiment was conducted at Jobner (Rajasthan), to compare different population improvement methods in a fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) population namely, UF-143. Estimates of genotypic coefficient of variation and phenotypic coefficient of variation were higher in full sib than S1 and half sib progenies for most of the traits. Heritability estimate was higher in full sib progenies for days to 50% flowering, seeds umbel-1 and test weight, while half sib showed maximum heritability for branches plan-1, umbels plan-1 and umbelletes umbel-1. S1 progenies recorded maximum heritability and genetic gain for seed yield plant-1. For most of the traits, full sib progenies recorded maximum genetic gain except plant height, umbellets umbel-1 and seed yield plant-1. &nbsp

Assessment of S1 progenies in two diverse populations of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.)

An investigation was conducted at Jobner (Rajasthan) to estimate variability, heritability and expected selection gain among S, progenies generated from RF-125 and UF-143 populations of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare). The inter-family variance was higher in comparison to intra-family variance in both the populations for most of the characters studied. The estimates of heritability (narrow sense) were high only for plant height in RF-125. For rest of the characters, the heritability was medium to low. The expected genetic gain was medium to low in both the populations and was highest in umbels plant-1 in RF-125. The study suggests that significant inter family variance is still present in these populations which can be exploited. &nbsp

Aberrant DNA Methylation Reprogramming During Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Generation is Dependent on the Choice of Reprogramming Factors

The conversion of somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells via overexpression of reprogramming factors involves epigenetic remodeling. DNA methylation at a significant proportion of CpG sites in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) differs from that of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Whether different sets of reprogramming factors influence the type and extent of aberrant DNA methylation in iPSCs differently remains unknown. In order to help resolve this critical question, we generated human iPSCs from a common fibroblast cell source using either the Yamanaka factors (OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and cMYC) or the Thomson factors (OCT4, SOX2, NANOG and LIN28), and determined their genome-wide DNA methylation profiles. In addition to shared DNA methylation aberrations present in all our iPSCs, we identified Yamanaka-iPSC (Y-iPSC)-specific and Thomson-iPSC (T-iPSC)-specific recurrent aberrations. Strikingly, not only were the genomic locations of the aberrations different but also their types: reprogramming with Yamanaka factors mainly resulted in failure to demethylate CpGs, whereas reprogramming with Thomson factors mainly resulted in failure to methylate CpGs. Differences in the level of transcripts encoding DNMT3b and TET3 between Y-iPSCs and T-iPSCs may contribute partially to the distinct types of aberrations. Finally, de novo aberrantly methylated genes in Y-iPSCs were enriched for NANOG targets that are also aberrantly methylated in some cancers. Our study thus reveals that the choice of reprogramming factors influences the amount, location, and class of DNA methylation aberrations in iPSCs. These findings may provide clues into how to produce human iPSCs with fewer DNA methylation abnormalities

A Study of the Feasibility and Potential Implementation of Metro-Based Freight Transportation in Newcastle upon Tyne

The concept of using a metropolitan railway network to transport freight directly to a city centre from the surrounding businesses has been the subject of much research. This paper looks in depth at the Tyne and Wear Metro system, situated in Newcastle upon Tyne, to determine if such a scheme would be feasible. Through research into the modes of transport available, along with a review of literature and case studies, it was found that the current method of transporting the majority of freight by road is unsustainable and damaging to both the environment and local communities. Other options for the transportation of freight have been reviewed, and results showed that a modal shift will be necessary in the near future. The system was then modelled using software provided by the Department for Transport, which demonstrated that the implementation of such a scheme would provide vast accident savings, a reduction in the number of casualties on the road, and a monetary saving as a result of the lower casualty rate. The conclusion was reached that the scheme is viable, however further research and study is necessary before implementation

Effect of yield potential, drought escape and drought tolerance on yield of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) in different stress environments

An experiment was conducted during the rainy season of 1988 and 1989 and the dry season of 1989 and 1990 to study the effectof yield potential, drought escape and tolerance on the grain yield of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. emend.Stuntz] under stress. Different types of drought and heat stress occurred, viz moderate and severe post-flowering drought andsevcrepre-flowecing drought, combined with either high or low temperature during grain filling. Yield potential was onlyrelated to yield under stress when pre-flowering drought was combined with low temperatures. Escape was the predominantfactor if temperature was high, except if combined with pre-flowering drought, in which case tolerance became more important.These results show that for stressed environments, selection for yield potential is of limited use. The importance of escapeand tolerance, however, depends on the timing and intensity of stress occurrence. If pearl millet-growing regions can becharaoterized based on occurrence of abiotic stress, breeders can select more efficiently for plant traits that enhancestress adaptation in specific target environment

Optimization of lipase production by solid-state fermentation of olive pomace: from flask to laboratory-scale packed-bed bioreactor

Lipases are versatile catalysts with many applications and can be produced by solid-state fermentation (SSF) using agro-industrial wastes. The aim of this work was to maximize the production of Aspergillus ibericus lipase under SSF of olive pomace (OP) and wheat bran (WB), evaluating the effect on lipase production of C/N ratio, lipids, phenols, content of sugars of substrates and nitrogen source addition. Moreover, the implementation of the SSF process in a packed-bed bioreactor and the improvement of lipase extraction conditions were assessed. Low C/N ratios and high content of lipids led to maximum lipase production. Optimum SSF conditions were achieved with a C/N mass ratio of 25.2 and 10.2% (w/w) lipids in substrate, by the mixture of OP:WB (1:1) and supplemented with 1.33% (w/w) (NH4)2SO4. Studies in a packed-bed bioreactor showed that the lower aeration rates tested prevented substrate dehydration, improving lipase production. In this work, the important role of Triton X-100 on lipase extraction from the fermented solid substrate has been shown. A final lipase activity of 223 ± 5 U g1 (dry basis) was obtained after 7 days of fermentation.Felisbela Oliveira acknowledges the financial support from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) of Portugal through grant SFRH/BD/87953/2012. José Manuel Salgado was supported by grant CEB/N2020–INV/01/2016 from Project ‘‘BIOTECNORTE-Underpinning Biotechnology to foster the north of Portugal bioeconomy’’ (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004). Luı ´s Abrunhosa was supported by grant UMINHO/BPD/51/2015 from project UID/BIO/04469/2013 financed by FCT/MEC (OE). This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit and COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER006684) and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020–Programa Operacional Regional do Norte. Noelia Pérez-Rodríguez acknowledges the financial support of FPU fellowship from the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports. The authors thank the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for the financial support of this work (Project CTQ2015-71436-C2-1-R), which has partial financial support from the FEDER funds of the European Union.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Solid-state fermentation of oil palm frond petiole for lignin peroxidase and xylanase-rich cocktail production

In current practice, oil palm frond leaflets and stems are re-used for soil nutrient recycling, while the petioles are typically burned. Frond petioles have high commercialization value, attributed to high lignocellulose fiber content and abundant of juice containing free reducing sugars. Pressed petiole fiber is the subject of interest in this study for the production of lignocellulolytic enzyme. The initial characterization showed the combination of 0.125 mm frond particle size and 60% moisture content provided a surface area of 42.3 m2/g, porosity of 12.8%, and density of 1.2 g/cm3, which facilitated fungal solid-state fermentation. Among the several species of Aspergillus and Trichoderma tested, Aspergillus awamori MMS4 yielded the highest xylanase (109 IU/g) and cellulase (12 IU/g), while Trichoderma virens UKM1 yielded the highest lignin peroxidase (222 IU/g). Crude enzyme cocktail also contained various sugar residues, mainly glucose and xylose (0.1–0.4 g/L), from the hydrolysis of cellulose and hemicellulose. FT-IR analysis of the fermented petioles observed reduction in cellulose crystallinity (I900/1098), cellulose–lignin (I900/1511), and lignin–hemicellulose (I1511/1738) linkages. The study demonstrated successful bioconversion of chemically untreated frond petioles into lignin peroxidase and xylanase-rich enzyme cocktail under SSF condition