In-silico genome-wide identification and characterisation of NBS-LRR gene family in banana Musa acuminata

Various common diseases caused by bacteria and viruses are increasing threats to the production of bananas worldwide. Besides the practical application of cultivation techniques, intensive exploitation of resistant genes, most of which belong to the NBS-LRR(Nucleotide-binding site - Leucine-rich repeat) gene family, in fortifying banana’s disease resistance, has been considered as a sustainable approach. The recently published genome assembly of Musa acuminata, a species of the Musa genus native to Southern Asia, has facilitated the genome-wide identification and characterisation of NBS-LRR genes. In the present study, an in-silicoapproach was employed to identify and characterise 97 NBS-LRR genes and their evolution in M. acuminatagenome. Except Ma_NBS_083 belonging to the RNLsub-family, other identified genes are members of the sub-family CNL and most of them contain only one exon. Sixty-six (66) NBS-LRR genes (68%) were mapped on 11 banana chromosomes, among them 38 genes (39%) located in clusters. Phylogenetic analysis in combination with conserved motif identification classified the banana NBS-LRR genes into seven groups. This study provides novel insight into the NBS-LRR gene family in bananas as a potential resource for further research in functional evaluation and utilisation of resistant genes.

Numerical Study on Aerodynamic Performance of S809 Wind Turbine

Wind energy has emerged as one of the cleanest and sustainable sources of energy and is a potential resource for meeting the future’s electricity demand. Evaluating the aerodynamic performance of the turbine blade in complex environmental conditions is vital for designing and developing energy-efficient wind turbines. This work aims to undertake aerodynamic analysis of a Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine i.e. NREL Phase IV. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models are presented using ANSYS-CFX software. Blade geometries were tested at different wind speeds ranging from 5 m/s to 30 m/s. The power output and pressure coefficients obtained from numerical simulations are compared with experimental data published on wind turbine.

How counter-fate relational practices mitigate resource acquisition challenges during project nascence

Research shows that embedded relations can facilitate the resource acquisition process in entrepreneurship. Yet, as relations are dynamic and subject to change, it remains unclear how entrepreneurs can acquire necessary resources when pre-existing ties may not yet or no longer be relevant, sufficient or accessible. Under these circumstances, acquiring necessary resources is a challenge and one that novice entrepreneurs in project-based enterprises face repeatedly as they seek to sustain their businesses. Evidence from 123 projects developed by six newly formed independent television production companies in the UK shows that new entrepreneurs can manoeuvre around constraints by engaging in one of four counter-fate relational practices: posturing (i.e. exaggerating interest from key ties), status sequencing (i.e. developing key relations in sequence based on status), geographic sequencing (i.e. attaining key ties in sequence based on location), and opportunistic manoeuvring (i.e. manipulating the opportunism of potential resource-holders). We contribute to entrepreneurship research by showing how resources can be acquired despite a lack of key embedded ties, and highlight enabling conditions; and to project studies by illustrating how projects progress past nascence to launch and acquire new clients or repeat commissions.

Early Documentation of Life-Sustaining Treatment Orders Prior to Diagnosis of COVID-19 in Nursing Home Residents

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had a devastating impact on older adult nursing home residents (NHR). NHRs comprise greater than one-third of COVID-19 U.S. deaths, emphasizing the importance of engaging in end-of-life discussions. At South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS), we implemented early documentation of patient’s Life-Sustaining Treatment (LST) or end-of-life goals-of-care preferences prior COVID-19 infection. We now aim to examine the association between early LST documentation (prior to COVID-19 diagnosis) and hospital admissions for COVID-19 by conducting a retrospective cohort study of Veteran NHRs at STVHCS from March 2020-January 2021. Inclusion criteria were NHRs with COVID-19 diagnosis, LST documentation, and clear timing of whether the LST documentation occurred before or after COVID-19 diagnosis. Logistic regression was used to determine the likelihood of hospitalization by whether LST was documented before or after COVID-19 diagnosis. 208 NHRs were diagnosed with COVID-19 and 160 (76.9%) had LST documentation. Of these, 148 were included in the analysis: 84 (56.8%) had a completed LST note prior to diagnosis and 64 (43.2%) after diagnosis. The hospitalization rate was 46% for those with LST prior to diagnosis compared to 78% in those with LST after diagnosis (OR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.12-0.50, P<0.001), showing that early LST documentation was associated with 76% lower likelihood of hospitalization. Early interventions for LST documentation can reduce hospitalization in high-risk populations. These findings may have implications for reducing unnecessary hospitalizations, diminishing healthcare costs, and resolving ethical dilemmas related to potential resource allocation during a pandemic.

Oilseeds as a resource base for biofuel production

The indicators of oilseeds and oils obtained from them characterizing the possibility of their use in the production of biofuel are analyzed. The results of the study of oilseed radish as a crop, which is a potential resource base for biofuel production, are presented. Chromatographic studies of the oil obtained from oilseed radish are performed, and its viscosity, density and calorific v alue aredetermined.

Identification and field verification of an aggregation pheromone from the white-spotted flower chafer, Protaetia brevitarsis Lewis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

The white-spotted flower chafer (WSFC), Protaetia brevitarsis Lewis, is native to East Asia. Although their larvae are considered a potential resource insect for degrading plant residues, producing protein fodder, and processing to traditional medicine, adult WSFCs inflict damage to dozens of fruit and economic crops. The control of the WSFC still relies heavily on pesticides and the inefficient manual extraction of adults. Here, we report the identification and evaluation of the aggregation pheromone of WSFCs. From the headspace volatiles emitted from WSFC adults, anisole, 4-methylanisole, 2-heptanone and 2-nonanone were identified as WSFC-specific components. However, only anisole and 4-methylanisole elicited positive dose–response relationship in electroantennography tests, and only 4-methylanisole significantly attracted WSFCs of both sexes in olfactometer bioassays and field experiments. These results concluded that 4-methylanisole is the aggregation pheromone of WSFCs. Furthermore, we developed polyethylene vials as long-term dispensers of 4-methylanisole to attract and kill WSFCs. The polyethylene vial lures could effectively attracted WSFCs for more than four weeks. Pheromone-based lures can be developed as an environmentally friendly protocol for monitoring and controlling WSFC adults.