Key message
Rice male fertility gene
Baymax1
, isolated through map-based cloning, encodes a MYB transcription factor and is essential for rice tapetum and microspore development.
The mining and ...characterization of male fertility gene will provide theoretical and material basis for future rice production. In
Arabidopsis
, the development of male organ (namely anther), usually involves the coordination between MYB (v-myb avian myeloblastosis viral oncogene homolog) and bHLH (basic helix-loop-helix) members. However, the role of MYB proteins in rice anther development remains poorly understood. In this study, we isolated and characterized a male sterile mutant (with normal vegetative growth) of
Baymax1
(
BM1
), which encodes a MYB protein. The
bm1
mutant exhibited slightly lagging meiosis, aborted transition of the tapetum to a secretory type, premature tapetal degeneration, and abnormal pollen exine formation, leading to ultimately lacks of visible pollens in the mature white anthers. Map-based cloning, complementation and targeted mutagenesis using CRISPR/Cas9 technology demonstrated that the mutated
LOC_Os04g39470
is the causal gene in
bm1
.
BM1
is preferentially expressed in rice anthers from stage 5 to stage 10. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that rice BM1 and its homologs in millet, maize, rape, cabbage, and pigeonpea are evolutionarily conserved. BM1 can physically interacts with bHLH protein TIP2, EAT1, and PHD (plant homeodomain)-finger member TIP3, respectively. Moreover,
BM1
affects the expression of several known genes related to tapetum and microspore development. Collectively, our results suggest that
BM1
is one of key regulators for rice male fertility and may serve as a potential target for rice male-sterile line breeding and hybrid seed production.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
The present communication aims to investigate the influence of heat generation/absorption on axisymmetric Casson liquid flow over a stretched cylinder. Flow is caused due to torsional motion of ...cylinder. The governing physical problem is modelled and transferred into set of coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations. These equations are solved numerically using built-in-Shooting method. Influence of sundry variables on the swirling velocity, temperature, coefficient of skin friction and heat transfer rate are computed and analyzed in a physical manner. Magnitude of axial skin friction is enhances for larger Reynold number and magnetic parameter while local Nusselt number decays with the enhancement of Casson parameter, heat generation/absorption and magnetic parameter. Comparison with already existing results is also given in the limiting case.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
•Flue gas residues (FGR) was utilized as alkaline activator.•Reaction products were examined by selective dissolution approach.•FGR could successfully replace the commercial activator in the AAFS ...pastes.•N-A-S-H and C-A-S-H gels were main reaction products of AAFS pastes.
This study explored the feasibility of using flue gas residues (FGR) and commercial sodium silicate (CSS) as hybrid activators (HA) to prepare alkali-activated materials (AAMs). The CSS was replaced by 8, 16, and 24% FGR for a fixed amount of Na2O. Results from selective dissolution techniques showed that control paste (CP-0F, 0% FGR) contained a slightly higher amount of N-A-S-H gel as compared to pastes prepared by hybrid activators (HAPs), whereas the amount of C-A-S-H gel was higher in HAPs containing 16% and 24% FGR. These findings were further corroborated by SEM-EDS analysis results. TGA, XRF and SEM-EDS analysis on paste residues confirmed the efficacy of HCl and SAM dissolution approaches to selectively dissolve the reaction products (N-A-S-H and C-A-S-H gels). SEM-EDS analysis showed that calcium-rich cross-linked gel (C-(N)-A-S-H) was present in all pastes. The gradual increase in reaction products of alkali-actived fly ash/slag (AAFS) pastes with the increase in curing age was observed by XRD analysis. The 29Si MAS NMR analysis revealed the formation of a higher amount of Q4(0Al) and Q4(1Al) species in HAPs as compared to control paste however a decline in the amount of Q4(3Al) and Q4(4Al) species was observed.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Tuberculosis (TB) is an important public health issue around the globe which is a chronic infectious disease and is still one of the major challenges for developing countries. The emergence of ...drug-resistant TB makes the condition worse and there is an urgent need of fast, highly sensitive diagnostic methods. This study was undertaken to evaluate the performance of GeneXpert® MTB/RIF assay and MTB culture for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in sputum smear-negative pulmonary TB/drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) suspects. A total of 168 sputum smear-negative TB suspects were recruited for the study. Among the suspected TB cases, 52.98% were male and 47.02% were females with the mean age of 42 ± 17.6 years. All the sputum specimens collected from the study population were subjected to Ziehl–Neelsen (ZN) smear microscopy, GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay, and MTB culture. The results revealed that, out of 168 acid-fast bacilli (AFB)/ZN smear microscopy–negative sputum specimens, 48 (28.57%) and 58 (34.52%) were detected MTB positive by GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay and MTB culture, respectively, while 120 (71.43%) and 110 (65.48%) suspected TB cases were confirmed negative by GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay and MTB culture, respectively. The study concluded that GeneXpert assay was found to be a rapid and accurate tool for MTB detection in smear-negative sputum specimens. GeneXpert has advantage over ZN smear microscopy and MTB culture as it detects MTB and rifampicin resistance simultaneously within 2 h with minimal biohazards.
Genetic variants of bovine Beta-casein protein (CSN2) gene especially A1 and A2 are the most important variants in dairy cattle. A1 milk protein is considered as risk factor for different disease and ...milk intolerance which release Beta-Casomorphin-7 during digestion which is a bioactive opioid but not released from A2 milk protein. This opioid is responsible for several human health problems like Coronary Heart disease, type 1 diabetics, milk intolerance and other neurological disorders. In present study, 360 blood sample were collected from Lohani, Achai, jersey, Holstein Friesian, Achai x jersey, Friesian x Sahiwal and Sahiwal x Friesian from different region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons were sequenced for the identification of polymorphism in exon 7 of Beta-casein protein (CSN2) gene. Sequencing analysis explored CSN2 genotype in exon 7 using the Genomic sequence from GenBank (X.71104) g.8101 C > A at codon 67. The allelic and genotypic frequencies of CSN2 gene were analyzed and observed that Holstein Friesian cattle exhibited A1A2 33%, A1A1 50% and A2A2 17%, Jersey cattle show 68% A1A1, 18% A1A2 and 14% A2A2, Sahiwal x Friesian 56% A1A1, 26% A1A2 and 18% A2A2, Jersey × Achai 78% A2A2, 15% A1A2 and 7% A1A1, Achai 100% A2A2 Lohani 100% A2A2. This is a preliminary study, conducted with meager resources, therefore, it is very difficult to make conclusion that which particular breed possess harmful alleles and which breed possess useful alleles of beta-casein gene. Therefore, a comprehensive molecular work is needed to be performed with greater number of samples sequencing.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The economic impact of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) goes beyond individual levels and it has a significant influence on communities and nations worldwide. Studying the transmission patterns in ...HIV dynamics is crucial for understanding the tracking behavior and informing policymakers about the possible control of this viral infection. Various approaches have been adopted to explore how the virus interacts with the immune system. Models involving differential equations with delays have become prevalent across various scientific and technical domains over the past few decades. In this study, we present a novel mathematical model comprising a system of delay differential equations to describe the dynamics of intramural HIV infection. The model characterizes three distinct cell sub-populations and the HIV virus. By incorporating time delay between the viral entry into target cells and the subsequent production of new virions, our model provides a comprehensive understanding of the infection process. Our study focuses on investigating the stability of two crucial equilibrium states the infection-free and endemic equilibriums. To analyze the infection-free equilibrium, we utilize the LaSalle invariance principle. Further, we prove that if reproduction is less than unity, the disease free equilibrium is locally and globally asymptotically stable. To ensure numerical accuracy and preservation of essential properties from the continuous mathematical model, we use a spectral scheme having a higher-order accuracy. This scheme effectively captures the underlying dynamics and enables efficient numerical simulations.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Dengue Viral Infection (DVI) has become endemic in Pakistan since the first major outbreak in Karachi in 1996. Despite aggressive measures taken by relevant authorities, Pakistan has been dealing ...with a worsening dengue crisis for the past two decades. DHF is severe form of dengue infection which is linked with significant morbidity and mortality. Early identification of severe dengue infections can reduce the morbidity and mortality. In this context we planned current study in which we find out the different factors related with DHF as well as clinical laboratory features of DHF and compare them to DF so that patients can be best evaluated for DHF and managed accordingly at admission.
Retrospective study conducted over a period of 6 years (2013-2018) in two tertiary care hospitals in Pakistan. Data were collected by using a pre-structured data collection form. Data were statistically analyzed to determine the clinical and laboratory characteristics of DVI and risk factors of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF).
A total 512 dengue cases (34.05 ± 15.08 years; Male 69.53%) were reviewed. Most common clinical manifestations of DVI were fever (99.60%), headache (89.1%), chills (86.5%), rigors (86.5%), myalgia (72.3%). Less common clinical manifestations were vomiting (52.5%), arthralgia (50.2%) and skin rashes (47.5%). Furthermore, nasal bleeding (44.1%), gum bleeding (32.6%), pleural effusion (13.9%) and hematuria (13.1%) were more profound clinical presentations among DHF patients. Mortality rate was 1.5% in this study. Logistic regression analysis indicated that delayed hospitalization (OR: 2.30) and diabetes mellitus (OR:2.71), shortness of breath (OR:2.21), association with risk groups i.e., living near stagnant water, travelling to endemic areas, living in endemic regions (OR:1.95), and presence of warning signs (OR:2.18) were identified as risk factors of DHF. Statistically we found that there is strong association of diabetes mellitus (DM) with DHF while the patient suffering from DM individually had higher odds (2.71) of developing DHF than patients without disease.
The current study demonstrated that the clinical and laboratory profiles of DF and DHF are significantly distinct. Significant predictors of DHF were advanced age, diabetes mellitus, ascites, pleural effusion, thick gallbladder and delayed hospitalization. The identification of these factors at early stage provides opportunities for the clinicians to identify high risk patients and to reduce dengue-related morbidity and mortality.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers and their improper management in agriculture causes nitrate contamination of surface and groundwater resources. This study was conducted along the seasonally ...flooded alluvial agricultural area of Indus River Basin to determine the spatial and temporal dynamics of nitrate concentrations in the groundwater along the river. Total of 112 samples were collected from shallow (30–40 ft) and deep groundwater (120–150 ft) wells at seven sites, 25 km apart from each other and covered an area of 170 km along the river, during four sampling campaigns between October 2016 to May 2017 i.e. in start, mid and end of dry season. The study period covered the whole agricultural cycle including the wet summer season with no agricultural activities under flooding and the sampling sites were always less than 2 km from the river bank. Nitrate concentrations of shallow wells were 15–54 and 20–45 mg L−1 during the start and middle of dry season, respectively. However, at the end of the dry season, the highest nitrate concentrations of 35–75 mg L−1 were recorded and 70% of these samples contained nitrate concentrations above the permissible limit 50 mg L−1. Similar seasonal patterns of nitrate concentrations were observed in deep wells, however, δ18O data suggested lower recharge in deep well than shallow wells. The results illustrated that high nitrate concentrations in shallow wells were associated with high δ18O values indicating that the quantity of evaporated water infiltrated from the floodplain, possibly from distribution channels, along with the nitrate polluting shallow wells more than the deep wells. At the end of the dry season, nitrate concentrations exceeded the permissible limits in both shallow and deep wells, which possibly happened due to the horizontal movement of groundwater along with the nitrate mixing during vertical seepage of river water to the aquifers.
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•Patterns of nitrate in groundwater along the Indus River Basin (IRB) were studied.•Shallow wells had higher nitrate concentrations than deep wells.•Nitrate concentrations of 70% samples were 35–75 mg L−1 after flooding.•δ18O values showed strong flooding effects on groundwater nitrate concentrations.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
ZnO
−
SAE
50
nanolubricant is one of the most important nanolubricants having widespread uses in heat exchange systems and automobiles. It minimizes friction between moving parts and prevents them ...from corrosion and scrape, improves durability and performance of the system and also minimizes the consumption of fuel. This work investigates the rheological behavior of magnetized
ZnO
−
SAE
50
nanolubricant over moving/stationary Riga plate with viscous dissipation and nonlinear heat generation. The novel features of the current work are the use of
ZnO
−
SAE
50
nanolubricant as a flow fluid across a Riga plate and the application of the Patel model to boost the thermal conductivity of the nanolubricant. The governing system of equations is transformed to nonlinear ODEs and then treated analytically by using HAM. The augmentation in the velocity of nanolubricant
ZnO
−
SAE
50
is observed due to increasing values of Grashof number. The higher values of nonlinear thermal radiation and nonlinear heat generation parameters upsurge the temperature profile. The value of skin friction increases by increasing modified Hartman number and velocity slip parameter while reverse trend is observed by enhancing magnetic parameter. The radiation parameter, temperature dependent heat source parameter and solid volume fraction tend to augment Nusselt number at the Riga surface.
Two technology opportunities, integration of renewable energy sources and the electrification of vehicles are being encouraged to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and pollution problems. ...Nevertheless, the huge increase of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) on roads will cause an additional load in demand, especially at rush hours, and therefore, threatens the stability of existing power grids. Considering PHEV stay for several hours in the workplace, (i.e., university), this may provide an inimitable framework to charge PHEV from wind in the workplace. This paper introduces the possibility of introducing intelligent control of wind power and battery storage units as supplementary power sources for future PHEV charging demands during rush hours. The operation of the proposed algorithm is based on the priority levels of PHEVs charging, and fluctuations in DC link voltage levels due to the variation in wind speed. The priorities of PHEVs charging are developed according to their power requirements, maximum rating of distribution transformer and park duration of PHEVs in the workplace during wind speed. Various non-isolated proportional–integral controllers and improved intelligent fuzzy control are used to keep a minimum critical DC link voltage to permit the power conditioning system to operate a charging station uninterruptedly, even at low wind speed. The improved intelligent fuzzy controller also contributes to minimizing the stress on the DC bus and ensures quality output power. The performance of the proposed charging station is verified for the real PHEV under real-world record of wind speed. All the energy sources, electric charging station and their controllers are designed in MATLAB/Simulink. Finally, the feasibility of proposed charging station is checked experimentally in the laboratory.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
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