scholarly journals Empowering conservation practice with efficient and economical genotyping from poor quality samples

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghana Natesh ◽  
Ryan W. Taylor ◽  
Nathan Truelove ◽  
Elizabeth A. Hadly ◽  
Stephen Palumbi ◽  
...  

AbstractModerate to high density genotyping (100+ SNPs) is widely used to determine and measure individual identity, relatedness, fitness, population structure and migration in wild populations.However, these important tools are difficult to apply when high-quality genetic material is unavailable. Most genomic tools are developed for high quality DNA sources from labor medical settings. As a result, most genetic data from market or field settings is limited to easily amplified mitochondrial DNA or a few microsatellites.To enable genotyping in conservation contexts, we used next-generation sequencing of multiplex PCR products from very low-quality DNA extracted from feces, hair, and cooked samples. We demonstrated utility and wide-ranging potential application in endangered wild tigers and tracking commercial trade in Caribbean queen conch.We genotyped 100 SNPs from degraded tiger samples to identify individuals, discern close relatives, and detect population differentiation. Co-occurring carnivores do not amplify (e.g. Indian wild dog/Dhole) or are monomorphic (e.g. leopard). 62 SNPs from conch fritters and field-collected samples were used to test relatedness and detect population structure.We provide proof-of-concept for a rapid, simple, cost-effective, and scalable method (for both samples and number of loci), a framework that can be applied to other conservation scenarios previously limited by low quality DNA samples. These approaches provide a critical advance for wildlife monitoring and forensics, open the door to field-ready testing, and will strengthen the use of science in policy decisions and wildlife trade.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (9A) ◽  
pp. 1396-1405
Author(s):  
Arwa F. Tawfeeq ◽  
Matthew R. Barnett

The development in the manufacturing of micro-truss structures has demonstrated the effectiveness of brazing for assembling these sandwiches, which opens new opportunities for cost-effective and high-quality truss manufacturing. An evolving idea in micro-truss manufacturing is the possibility of forming these structures in different shapes with the aid of elevated temperature. This work investigates the formability and elongation of aluminum alloy sheets typically used for micro-truss manufacturing, namely AA5083 and AA3003. Tensile tests were performed at a temperature in the range of 25-500 ○C and strain rate in the range of 2x10-4 -10-2 s-1. The results showed that the clad layer in AA3003 exhibited an insignificant effect on the formability and elongation of AA3003. The formability of the two alloys was improved significantly with values of m as high as 0.4 and 0.13 for AA5083 and AA3003 at 500 °C. While the elongation of both AA5083 and AA3003 was improved at a higher temperature, the elongation of AA5083 was inversely related to strain rate. It was concluded that the higher the temperature is the better the formability and elongation of the two alloys but at the expense of work hardening. This suggests a trade-off situation between formability and strength. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hitesh Agarwal ◽  
Bernat Terrés ◽  
Lorenzo Orsini ◽  
Alberto Montanaro ◽  
Vito Sorianello ◽  
...  

AbstractElectro-absorption (EA) waveguide-coupled modulators are essential building blocks for on-chip optical communications. Compared to state-of-the-art silicon (Si) devices, graphene-based EA modulators promise smaller footprints, larger temperature stability, cost-effective integration and high speeds. However, combining high speed and large modulation efficiencies in a single graphene-based device has remained elusive so far. In this work, we overcome this fundamental trade-off by demonstrating the 2D-3D dielectric integration in a high-quality encapsulated graphene device. We integrated hafnium oxide (HfO2) and two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) within the insulating section of a double-layer (DL) graphene EA modulator. This combination of materials allows for a high-quality modulator device with high performances: a ~39 GHz bandwidth (BW) with a three-fold increase in modulation efficiency compared to previously reported high-speed modulators. This 2D-3D dielectric integration paves the way to a plethora of electronic and opto-electronic devices with enhanced performance and stability, while expanding the freedom for new device designs.


Author(s):  
Marta Margeta ◽  
Peter Gould ◽  
Lili-Naz Hazrati ◽  
Veronica Hirsch-Reinshagen ◽  
Werner Paulus

Scholarly communication faces increasing economical and ethical challenges, including pricing policies and overbearing behavior of commercial publishing houses. Based on the hypothesis that a diamond open access neuropathology journal of a high scientific and technical quality can be run entirely by neuropathologists, we launched Free Neuropathology (FNP; freeneuropathology.org) in January 2020. Classical publisher activities, such as copyediting, layout, website maintenance, and journal promotion, are undertaken by neuropathologists and neuroscientists using free open access software. The journal is free for both readers and authors, and papers are published under a Creative Commons BY SA licence, where copyright remains with the authors. Based on 26 articles published by August 2020, it takes FNP 11.1 days from submission to first, and 19.9 days to final, decision. High-quality copyediting, layout, and online publishing in the final format is accomplished in only 8 days. Absence of a commercial publisher enables prioritization of democratic and scientifically-driven decisions on editorial structure, website design, journal promotion, paper formatting, special article series, and number of accepted papers. This new model of journal publishing, which returns the control of scholarly communication to scientists, will be of interest to neuropathologists and wider scientific community alike.Learning ObjectivesSummarize the current state and driving forces behind commercial and non-commercial scientific publishing in neuropathology.Describe the advantages and challenges of a non-commercial publishing platform for neuropathology.


Materials ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helge Lux ◽  
Matthias Edling ◽  
Peter Siemroth ◽  
Sigurd Schrader

2015 ◽  
Vol 117 (7) ◽  
pp. 1079-1087 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shih-Yuan Chen ◽  
Nattawee Teerananont ◽  
Thanita Sonthisawate ◽  
Piyanan Sreesiri ◽  
Chanakan Puemchalad ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Chittaranjan Sahay ◽  
Suhash Ghosh ◽  
Pradeep Kumar Bheemarthi

This work describes a strategy to reduce the cost associated with poor quality, by reducing the parts per million defects by Defining, Measuring, Analyzing, Implementing and Controlling (DMAIC) the production process. The method uses a combination of principles of Six Sigma applications, Lean Manufacturing and Shanin Strategy. The process has been used in analyzing the manufacturing lines of a brake lever at a Connecticut automotive components manufacturing company for reducing the cost associated with the production of nonconforming parts. The analysis was carried out with the help of the data collected on nonconformance parts and the application of phase change rules from DMAIC (+). Data analysis was carried out on statistical process control softwares, MINITAB and SPC XL 2000. Although, the problem of tight bushing existed on only one line of the brake lever assembly, this problem solving approach has solved the tight bushing problems on all assembly and alternates lines in a time- and cost-effective way.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guang Yao Fan ◽  
Yi Ye ◽  
Yi Ping Hou

Abstract Detecting population structure and estimating individual biogeographical ancestry are very important in population genetics studies, biomedical research and forensics. Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) has long been considered to be a primary ancestry-informative marker (AIM), but it is constrained by complex and time-consuming genotyping protocols. Following up on our previous study, we propose that a multi-insertion-deletion polymorphism (Multi-InDel) with multiple haplotypes can be useful in ancestry inference and hierarchical genetic population structures. A validation study for the X chromosome Multi-InDel marker (X-Multi-InDel) as a novel AIM was conducted. Genetic polymorphisms and genetic distances among three Chinese populations and 14 worldwide populations obtained from the 1000 Genomes database were analyzed. A Bayesian clustering method (STRUCTURE) was used to discern the continental origins of Europe, East Asia, and Africa. A minimal panel of ten X-Multi-InDels was verified to be sufficient to distinguish human ancestries from three major continental regions with nearly the same efficiency of the earlier panel with 21 insertion-deletion AIMs. Along with the development of more X-Multi-InDels, an approach using this novel marker has the potential for broad applicability as a cost-effective tool toward more accurate determinations of individual biogeographical ancestry and population stratification.


Breathe ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phyllis Murphie ◽  
Nick Hex ◽  
Jo Setters ◽  
Stuart Little

“Non-delivery” home oxygen technologies that allow self-filling of ambulatory oxygen cylinders are emerging. They can offer a relatively unlimited supply of ambulatory oxygen in suitably assessed people who require long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT), providing they can use these systems safely and effectively. This allows users to be self-sufficient and facilitates longer periods of time away from home. The evolution and evidence base of this technology is reported with the experience of a national service review in Scotland (UK). Given that domiciliary oxygen services represent a significant cost to healthcare providers globally, these systems offer potential cost savings, are appealing to remote and rural regions due to the avoidance of cylinder delivery and have additional lower environmental impact due to reduced fossil fuel consumption and subsequently reduced carbon emissions. Evidence is emerging that self-fill/non-delivery oxygen systems can meet the ambulatory oxygen needs of many patients using LTOT and can have a positive impact on quality of life, increase time spent away from home and offer significant financial savings to healthcare providers.Educational aimsProvide update for oxygen prescribers on options for home oxygen provision.Provide update on the evidence base for available self-fill oxygen technologies.Provide and update for healthcare commissioners on the potential cost-effective and environmental benefits of increased utilisation of self-fill oxygen systems.


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