A High-Density Genetic Map Enables Genome Synteny and QTL Mapping of Vegetative Growth and Leaf Traits in Gardenia

The gardenia is a traditional medicinal horticultural plant in China, but its molecular genetic research has been largely hysteretic. Here, we constructed an F1 population with 200 true hybrid individuals. Using the genotyping-by-sequencing method, a high-density sex-average genetic map was generated that contained 4,249 SNPs with a total length of 1956.28 cM and an average genetic distance of 0.46 cM. We developed 17 SNP-based Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR markers and found that 15 SNPs were successfully genotyped, of which 13 single-nucleotide polymorphism genotypings of 96 F1 individuals showed genotypes consistent with GBS-mined genotypes. A genomic collinearity analysis between gardenia and the Rubiaceae species Coffea arabica, Coffea canephora and Ophiorrhiza pumila showed the relativity strong conservation of LG11 with NC_039,919.1, HG974438.1 and Bliw01000011.1, respectively. Lastly, a quantitative trait loci analysis at three phenotyping time points (2019, 2020, and 2021) yielded 18 QTLs for growth-related traits and 31 QTLs for leaf-related traits, of which qBSBN7-1, qCD8 and qLNP2-1 could be repeatably detected. Five QTL regions (qCD8 and qSBD8, qBSBN7 and qSI7, qCD4-1 and qLLLS4, qLNP10 and qSLWS10-2, qSBD10 and qLLLS10) with potential pleiotropic effects were also observed. This study provides novel insight into molecular genetic research and could be helpful for further gene cloning and marker-assisted selection for early growth and development traits in the gardenia.

Gene transfer across species boundaries in bryophytes: evidence from major life cycle stages in Homalothecium lutescens and H. sericeum

Background and Aims The mosses Homalothecium lutescens and H. sericeum are genetically, morphologically and ecologically differentiated; mixed populations sometimes occur. In sympatric populations, intermediate character states among gametophytes and sporophytes have been observed, suggesting hybridization and introgression in such populations. Methods We determined genotypes using bi-allelic co-dominant single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, specific to either H. lutescens or H. sericeum, to estimate the degree of genetic mixing in 449 moss samples collected from seven sympatric and five allopatric populations on the island of Öland, south Sweden. The samples represented three generations: haploid maternal gametophytes; diploid sporophytes; and haploid sporelings. Key Results Admixture analyses of SNP genotypes identified a majority as pure H. lutescens or H. sericeum, but 76 samples were identified as mildly admixed (17 %) and 17 samples (3.8 %) as strongly admixed. Admixed samples were represented in all three generations in several populations. Hybridization and introgression were bidirectional. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that admixed genomes are transferred between the generations, so that the populations behave as true hybrid zones. Earlier studies of sympatric bryophyte populations with admixed individuals have not been able to show that admixed alleles are transferred beyond the first generation. The presence of true hybrid zones has strong evolutionary implications because genetic material transferred across species boundaries can be directly exposed to selection in the long-lived haploid generation of the bryophyte life cycle, and contribute to local adaptation, long-term survival and speciation.

Calibrated Proportionality

The High Court currently applies two different tests to determine the validity of laws that effectively burden the implied freedom of political communication (‘IFPC’) under the Constitution—a test of ‘structured proportionality’ and one of ‘calibrated scrutiny’. Both tests have potential advantages, and disadvantages, but there is also a case that, over time, the Court should again adopt a single approach to assessing the validity of laws burdening the IFPC. The article therefore explores what it might mean to create a true hybrid between the two current approaches—that is, a test of ‘calibrated proportionality’. Such an approach, it suggests, should be understood as having three key dimensions: first, explaining how and when certain context-specific ‘calibrating’ factors could usefully inform a test of ‘necessity’ and ‘adequacy in the balance’ under a test of structured proportionality; second, showing how attention to constitutional values can help calibrate the intensity of the Court’s application of the tests; and third, suggesting a well-identified continuum for calibrating the intensity of judicial review, based on four broad categories of case.

Microwave properties of natural rubber based composites containing carbon black-magnetite hybrid fillers

The paper presents the synthesis and characterization of a carbon black-magnetite hybrid filler. The complex study on the structure of the filler has shown the magnetite phase to be distributed both over the surface (inter-aggregately) and inside (intra-aggregately) the carbon black particles, thus forming a true hybrid material. The results from the investigations on the mechanical and microwave properties of natural rubber-based composites filled with the new hybrid filler have been also reported. They have been compared to those of a composite comprising the physical mixture of carbon black and magnetite (at the same ratio as in the hybrid filler). The determined microwave characteristics of the composite comprising the hybrid filler obtained reveal the possibility for its use in manufacturing elastomer-based microwave absorbers.

A True Hybrid Solar Wind Turbine Electric Generator System for Smaller Hybrid Renewable Energy Power Plants

Contemporary Hybrid Solar-Wind farms are implemented using separate solar Photovoltaic (PV) cell arrays and wind turbines, where electricity generated from both devices are combined. However, this solution requires a large amount of space to cater for the PV arrays and wind turbines of the system. This paper proposes a new type of renewable energy electric generator with a small power production footprint (PPF) that allows reduction in land usage. The technology introduced in this True Hybrid Wind-Solar (THWS) generator allows for the solar panels to rotate along with a VAWT wind turbine it is attached to through a specially designed electromechanical coupling mechanism. The working principal behind the connections described in this paper. The design of a hybrid circuit module that serves to combine current generated via the solar cells and wind generator and also automatically disconnects inactive wind or solar generators is also described. This is important in order to eliminate unwanted loads generated from the inactive generators from within the THWS itself.

Bringing Kano’s Perspective to AHP: The 2D-AHP Decision Model

AHP and the Kano model are such prevalent TQM tools that it may be surprising that a true hybrid decision-making model has so far eluded researchers. The quest for a hybrid approach is complicated by the differing output perspective of each model, namely discrete ranking (AHP) versus a multi-dimensional picture (Kano). This paper presents a hybrid model of AHP and Kano model, so called two-dimension AHP (2D-AHP).This paper first compares the two approaches and justifies a hybrid model based on a simple conceit drawn from the Kano perspective: given a decision hierarchy, child and parent elements can exhibit multi-dimension relationships under different circumstances. Based on this premise, the authors construct a hybrid two-dimension AHP model whereby a functional-dysfunctional question-pair technique is incorporated into a traditional AHP framework.Using the proposed hybrid model, this paper provides a practical test case of its implementation. The 2D-AHP approach revealed important evaluation variances obscured through AHP, while a survey study confirmed that the 2D-AHP approach is both feasible and preferred in some respects by respondents.Although there have been rich research efforts to combine AHP and Kano model, most of them is simply about a series of individual usage of each methodology. On the other hand, the type of hybridization between AHP and Kano model in this paper is quite unique in terms of the two dimensional perspective. The model provides a general approach with application possibilities far beyond the scope of the test case and its problem structure, and so calls for application and validation in new cases.