Cam based Infinitely Variable Transmission Theoretic Modelling

Infinitely variable transmission (IVT) is a system which delivers the ratio between two turning elements to a continuous (non-discrete) variation (including zero). This article uses Solidworks software to build and simulate a cam-based IVT system. There are two identical units in the system under examination. Each unit comprises a cam with an oscillating slot connection that swings on a hinge and can be vertically shifted by changing the transmission rate. This modifier can be a power screw or a hydraulic ram. In addition, a grooved wheel and followers or an actuator are included in the system units. The raised wheels swing rotating movement, such that they are coupled by a single-way clutch to the output shaft (ratchet) to move the output shaft one way. During the performance research, cam shapes are considered and examined inside the mechanism. a mixture of the unchanging speed and 1-5 polynomial shapes, used for the current investigation and tailored for The results produced from the simulation generally reveal the theoretical results expected in accordance with the layout of the current IVT system. For all parts in these units, the findings imply a uniform velocity while each unit is powered. In this investigation, nevertheless, the ratchets used cause remarkable fluctuations in the angular speed of the output axis. Further research is therefore urgently needed in the choice and investigation of more efficient ratchets.

Large ants are not easy – the taxonomy of Dinoponera Roger (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae)

The taxonomy of the giant ants of the genus Dinoponera is revised based on female and male morphology. Eight species are recognized. Dinoponera nicinha sp. nov., from Amazonas and Rondônia, Brazil, is described and D. grandis (Guérin-Méneville, 1838) is revived. The species D. australis Emery, 1901 and D. snellingi Lenhart, Dash & Mackay, 2013, plus the subspecies D. australis bucki Borgmeier, 1937 and D. australis nigricolor Borgmeier, 1937 are synonymized under D. grandis sp. rev. An unnamed and unidentified male is reported. In general, male morphology has greater and more discrete variation than in females, but they are scarce in museum collections. Species distributions are updated and illustrated, the genus ranging from southern Colombia to northern Argentina, with no reliable records from the Guiana Shield and all nominal species occurring in Brazil. Intraspecific variation and natural history are discussed. New illustrated identification keys are provided for both sexes. Future studies should address the collection of fresh specimens for molecular work and to assess the conservation status of several species and populations.

Species in lichen-forming fungi: balancing between conceptual and practical considerations, and between phenotype and phylogenomics

Lichens are symbiotic associations resulting from interactions among fungi (primary and secondary mycobionts), algae and/or cyanobacteria (primary and secondary photobionts), and specific elements of the bacterial microbiome associated with the lichen thallus. The question of what is a species, both concerning the lichen as a whole and its main fungal component, the primary mycobiont, has faced many challenges throughout history and has reached new dimensions with the advent of molecular phylogenetics and phylogenomics. In this paper, we briefly revise the definition of lichens and the scientific and vernacular naming conventions, concluding that the scientific, Latinized name usually associated with lichens invariably refers to the primary mycobiont, whereas the vernacular name encompasses the entire lichen. Although the same lichen mycobiont may produce different phenotypes when associating with different photobionts or growing in axenic culture, this discrete variation does not warrant the application of different scientific names, but must follow the principle "one fungus = one name". Instead, broadly agreed informal designations should be used for such discrete morphologies, such as chloromorph and cyanomorph for lichens formed by the same mycobiont but with either green algae or cyanobacteria. The taxonomic recognition of species in lichen-forming fungi is not different from other fungi and conceptual and nomenclatural approaches follow the same principles. We identify a number of current challenges and provide recommendations to address these. Species delimitation in lichen-forming fungi should not be tailored to particular species concepts but instead be derived from empirical evidence, applying one or several of the following principles in what we call the LPR approach: lineage (L) coherence vs. divergence (phylogenetic component), phenotype (P) coherence vs. divergence (morphological component), and/or reproductive (R) compatibility vs. isolation (biological component). Species hypotheses can be established based on either L or P, then using either P or L (plus R) to corroborate them. The reliability of species hypotheses depends not only on the nature and number of characters but also on the context: the closer the relationship and/or similarity between species, the higher the number of characters and/or specimens that should be analyzed to provide reliable delimitations. Alpha taxonomy should follow scientific evidence and an evolutionary framework but should also offer alternative practical solutions, as long as these are scientifically defendable. Taxa that are delimited phylogenetically but not readily identifiable in the field, or are genuinely cryptic, should not be rejected due to the inaccessibility of proper tools. Instead, they can be provisionally treated as undifferentiated complexes for purposes that do not require precise determinations. The application of infraspecific (gamma) taxonomy should be restricted to cases where there is a biological rationale, i.e., lineages of a species complex that show limited phylogenetic divergence but no evidence of reproductive isolation. Gamma taxonomy should not be used to denote discrete phenotypical variation or ecotypes not warranting the distinction at species level. We revise the species pair concept in lichen-forming fungi, which recognizes sexually and asexually reproducing morphs with the same underlying phenotype as different species. We conclude that in most cases this concept does not hold, but the actual situation is complex and not necessarily correlated with reproductive strategy. In cases where no molecular data are available or where single or multi-marker approaches do not provide resolution, we recommend maintaining species pairs until molecular or phylogenomic data are available. This recommendation is based on the example of the species pair Usnea aurantiacoatra vs. U. antarctica, which can only be resolved with phylogenomic approaches, such as microsatellites or RADseq. Overall, we consider that species delimitation in lichen-forming fungi has advanced dramatically over the past three decades, resulting in a solid framework, but that empirical evidence is still missing for many taxa. Therefore, while phylogenomic approaches focusing on particular examples will be increasingly employed to resolve difficult species complexes, broad screening using single barcoding markers will aid in placing as many taxa as possible into a molecular matrix. We provide a practical protocol how to assess and formally treat taxonomic novelties. While this paper focuses on lichen fungi, many of the aspects discussed herein apply generally to fungal taxonomy. The new combination Arthonia minor (Lücking) Lücking comb. et stat. nov. (Bas.: Arthonia cyanea f. minor Lücking) is proposed.

Battery State of Health Estimation with Improved Generalization Using Parallel Layer Extreme Learning Machine

The online estimation of battery state of health (SOH) is crucial to ensure the reliability of the energy supply in electric and hybrid vehicles. An approach for enhancing the generalization of SOH estimation using a parallel layer extreme learning machine (PL-ELM) algorithm is analyzed in this paper. The deterministic and stable PL-ELM model is designed to overcome the drift problem that is associated with some conventional machine learning algorithms; hence, extending the application of a single SOH estimation model over a large set of batteries of the same type. The PL-ELM model was trained with selected features that characterize the SOH. These features are acquired as the discrete variation of indicator variables including voltage, state of charge (SOC), and energy releasable by the battery. The model training was performed with an experimental battery dataset collected at room temperature under a constant current load condition at discharge phases. Model validation was performed with a dataset of other batteries of the same type that were aged under a constant load condition. An optimum performance with low error variance was obtained from the model result. The root mean square error (RMSE) of the validated model varies from 0.064% to 0.473%, and the mean absolute error (MAE) error from 0.034% to 0.355% for the battery sets tested. On the basis of performance, the model was compared with a deterministic extreme learning machine (ELM) and an incremental capacity analysis (ICA)-based scheme from the literature. The algorithm was tested on a Texas F28379D microcontroller unit (MCU) board with an average execution speed of 93 μs in real time, and 0.9305% CPU occupation. These results suggest that the model is suitable for online applications.

Male-like female morphs in hummingbirds: the evolution of a widespread sex-limited plumage polymorphism

Differences in the way males and females look or behave are common in animals. However, discrete variation within sexes (sex-limited polymorphism) also occurs in several vertebrate and invertebrate lineages. In birds, female-limited polymorphism (FLP) in which some females resemble males in coloration is most prominent in hummingbirds, a group known for its morphological and behavioural sexual dimorphism. Yet, it remains unclear whether this intrasexual colour variation in hummingbirds arises through direct selection on females, or indirectly as a non-adaptive byproduct resulting from selection on males. Here, we analysed specimens from more than 300 hummingbird species to determine the extent, evolutionary history and function of FLP. We found that FLP evolved independently in every major clade and occurs in nearly 25% of hummingbird species. Using phylogenetically informed analyses, we rejected non-adaptive hypotheses that FLP is the result of indirect selection or pleiotropy across species. Instead, FLP is associated with ecology, migratory status, and marginally with social dominance, suggesting a socioecological benefit to females. Ultimately, we show that FLP is not only widespread in hummingbirds and likely adaptive, but may also be useful for understanding the evolution of female ornamentation in systems under strong sexual selection.

Variability of Seed Germination and Seedling Growth Potential of Ricinodendron heudelotii (Euphorbiaceae) at Fine Scale in Southern of Benin

Ricinodendron heudelotii (Euphorbiaceae) is an oilseed plant with high socio-economic value. Unfortunately, the seed’s tegumentary dormancy causes low germination and severely limits its large-scale spread. Germination and juvenile growth of eleven provenances from Benin and Central African Republics were tested under four different pre-treatments (control, lime scarification, soaking in water for seven days and scarification followed by soaking in water for three days) in order to provide information for use in the reforestation and improvement of R. heudelotii. In a Fischer block with three replicates of ten seeds, the daily and final germination (nine months) was recorded and the cumulative germination rate, average germination time and survival rate were calculated. In addition, total height, diameters at the collar and above the cotyledons, internode length, total number of leaves and seedling internodes were measured quarterly. Germination and growth of juveniles were significantly different between provenances and pre-treatments. The highest germination rate (%) in short duration (d) was recorded with seeds both scarified and soaked for three days in water from Akouho (20%, 42.08 d), CRAPP (36.67%, 18.82 d), Agrimey (33.33%, 18.30 d), Ilikimou (26.67%, 19.94 d) and Woroko (26.67%, 19.25 d) and then lime scarified seeds from Massi (80%, 14.46 d), Itchede (80%, 21.29 d) and Lobaye (60%, 19.11 d). Seedlings from seeds that were scarified and soaked for three days in water showed optimal growth for all traits; Lobaye and CRAPP provenances showed the best height growth (33.22±1.45 and 31.96±1.15 cm) while Massi and Illikimou provenances showed the best growth in collar diameter (1.08±0.06 and 1.11±0.09 cm). Provenances and pre-treatments revealed a discrete variation in germination and growth of R. heudelotii. Scarification on the one hand and scarification coupled with soaking into the water for three days on the other hand, are the best pre-treatments to increase seedling production while the best provenances are Lobaye, Massi and Itchede. These provenances are potential seed sources for Forestation Program in Benin.

New Strategies to Overcome Present CRISPR/Cas9 Limitations in Apple and Pear: Efficient Dechimerization and Base Editing

Despite recent progress, the application of CRISPR/Cas9 in perennial plants still has many obstacles to overcome. Our previous results with CRISPR/Cas9 in apple and pear indicated the frequent production of phenotypic and genotypic chimeras, after editing of the phytoene desaturase (PDS) gene conferring albino phenotype. Therefore, our first objective was to determine if adding an adventitious regeneration step from leaves of the primary transgenic plants (T0) would allow a reduction in chimerism. Among hundreds of adventitious buds regenerated from a variegated T0 line, 89% were homogeneous albino. Furthermore, the analysis of the target zone sequences of twelve of these regenerated lines (RT0 for “regenerated T0” lines) indicated that 99% of the RT0 alleles were predicted to produce a truncated target protein and that 67% of RT0 plants had less heterogeneous editing profiles than the T0. Base editors are CRISPR/Cas9-derived new genome-editing tools that allow precise nucleotide substitutions without double-stranded breaks. Hence, our second goal was to demonstrate the feasibility of CRISPR/Cas9 base editing in apple and pear using two easily scorable genes: acetolactate synthase—ALS (conferring resistance to chlorsulfuron) and PDS. The two guide RNAs under MdU3 and MdU6 promoters were coupled into a cytidine base editor harboring a cytidine deaminase fused to a nickase Cas9. Using this vector; we induced C-to-T DNA substitutions in the target genes; leading to discrete variation in the amino-acid sequence and generating new alleles. By co-editing ALS and PDS genes; we successfully obtained chlorsulfuron resistant and albino lines in pear. Overall; our work indicates that a regeneration step can efficiently reduce the initial chimerism and could be coupled with the application of base editing to create accurate genome edits in perennial plants.

INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO PHARMACOTHERAPY OF SYSTEMIC AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Introduction. In the current context of the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the role of pharmacotherapy in the maintenance of immunopathological syndromes among patients with systemic diseases and patients with dual health disorders is growing. The need to adjust the pharmacotherapy regimens of systemic autoimmune diseases arises when addressing issues of quality, economic and physical availability of drugs in accordance with wholesale and retail prices. In continuation of the research, the aim of the work was to study and implement innovative approaches in the pharmacotherapy of systemic autoimmune diseases by content analysis on the example of antiviral drugs for international nonproprietary name (INN) Acyclovir. Materials and methods. The information base of the study consisted of scientific works of foreign and domestic scientists on the topic of the article. The review of scientific sources of literature was carried out taking into account the recommendations of the Cochrane Society for PICO. The names of drugs were systematized by INN, trade names, the number of drugs, dosage forms. For the content analysis, the method of drug selection developed by the Department of Medical and Pharmaceutical Law, General and Clinical Pharmacy of the Kharkiv Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education was used, which included seven criteria. Discussion. At the first stage of the study, a marketing analysis of the range of drugs for INN Acyclovir was performed. Medicines were selected, which according to the State Register of Medicines of Ukraine as of November 2020 were registered and allowed for circulation in health care facilities. After summarizing the processed data, a marketing list of drugs was compiled under the ATC code J05AB01 in accordance with the INN Acyclovir, which has 36 names of drugs. During the study, a discrete variation series of drug distribution was compiled, which indicates that the studied quantitative indicator of drug manufacturers fluctuates within the first group with the highest frequency (fi = 8). A graphic discrete variation in the form of a distribution polygon was created. Conclusions. Innovative approaches to the pharmacotherapy of systemic autoimmune diseases are the use of content analysis as an additional method in the study of pharmacotherapy of drugs. The study is based on the formalized method of qualitative and quantitative analysis of documents, which allows you to get a detailed picture of the selected clinical and pharmacological group of drugs – drugs by INN Aciclovir PBX code J05AB01. The analysis allows obtaining a complete description of the range and manufacturers of drugs approved for use.

Complex eco-evolutionary dynamics induced by the coevolution of predator-prey movement strategies

The coevolution of predators and prey has been the subject of much empirical and theoretical research, which has produced intriguing insights into the intricacies of eco-evolutionary dynamics. Mechanistically detailed models are rare, however, because the simultaneous consideration of individual-level behaviour (on which natural selection is acting) and the resulting ecological patterns is challenging and typically prevents mathematical analysis. Here we present an individual-based simulation model for the coevolution of predators and prey on a fine-grained resource landscape. Throughout their lifetime, predators and prey make repeated movement decisions on the basis of heritable and evolvable movement strategies. We show that these strategies evolve rapidly, inducing diverse ecological patterns like spiral waves and static spots. Transitions between these patterns occur frequently, induced by coevolution rather than by external events. Regularly, evolution leads to the emergence and stable coexistence of qualitatively different movement strategies. Although the strategy space considered is continuous, we often observe discrete variation. Accordingly, our model includes features of both population genetic and quantitative genetic approaches to coevolution. The model demonstrates that the inclusion of a richer ecological structure and higher number of evolutionary degrees of freedom results in even richer eco-evolutionary dynamics than anticipated previously.

Phenotypic plasticity of an invasive weed Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. in agrobiocenoses of the South of Russia

Invasive weeds are characterized by high phenotypic plasticity, which allows them to adapt to new climatic conditions due to variable phenotypes that have arisen in the historical time scale under the control of natural selection. Colonization of such plants takes place locally in accessible anthropogenic cenoses. In the South of Russia the most typical invasive plant is Ambrosia artemosiifolia L. We We examined the discrete variation by vegetative feature — shoot length according to 12 genotypes of ragweed in agrocenoses of Krasnodar Krai.