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At least 1,189 records · Page 66

Annotated genome sequence of a fast-growing diploid clone of red alder ( Alnus rubra Bong.)

Abstract Red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) is an ecologically significant and important fast-growing commercial tree species native to western coastal and riparian regions of North America, having highly desirable wood, pigment, and medicinal properties. We have sequenced the genome of a rapidly growing clone. The assembly is nearly complete, containing the full complement of expected genes. This supports our objectives of identifying and studying genes and pathways involved in nitrogen-fixing symbiosis and those related to secondary metabolites that underlie red alder's many interesting defense, pigmentation, and wood quality traits. We established that this clone is most likely diploid and identified a set of SNPs that will have utility in future breeding and selection endeavors, as well as in ongoing population studies. We have added a well-characterized genome to others from the order Fagales. In particular, it improves significantly upon the only other published alder genome sequence, that of Alnus glutinosa. Our work initiated a detailed comparative analysis of members of the order Fagales and established some similarities with previous reports in this clade, suggesting a biased retention of certain gene functions in the vestiges of an ancient genome duplication when compared with more recent tandem duplications.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Discovering methylated DNA motifs in bacterial nanopore sequencing data with MIJAMP

Abstract Bacterial DNA methylation is involved in diverse cellular functions, including modulation of gene expression, DNA repair, and restriction–modification systems for defense against viruses and other foreign DNA. Restriction systems hinder efforts to engineer organisms to produce fuels and chemicals from waste and renewable feedstocks by degrading DNA during transformation. Methylome analysis allows identification of motifs within a bacterial chromosome that may be targeted by native restriction enzymes. Further expression of the corresponding methyltransferases in Escherichia coli allows plasmid DNA to be protected from restriction in the target organism, thereby drastically enhancing transformation efficiency. Nanopore sequencing can detect methylated bases, but software is needed to transform modified base coordinates into methylated motifs. Here, we develop MIJAMP (MIJAMP Is Just A MethylBED Parser), a software package that was developed to discover methylated motifs from the output of ONT’s Modkit or other data in the methylBED format. MIJAMP employs a human-driven refinement strategy that empirically validates all motifs against genome-wide methylation data, thus eliminating incorrect motifs. MIJAMP also reports methylation data on specific, user-defined motifs. Using MIJAMP, we determined the methylated motifs both in a control strain (wild-type E. coli) and in Synecococcus sp. strain PCC7002, laying the foundation for improved transformation in this organism. MIJAMP is available at https://code.ornl.gov/alexander-public/mijamp/. One Sentence Summary: Here we describe software written to discover DNA methylation motifs from nanopore sequencing data.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

The ALMaQUEST survey IX: the nature of the resolved star forming main sequence

ABSTRACT We investigate the nature of the scaling relations between the surface density of star formation rate (ΣSFR), stellar mass (Σ*), and molecular gas mass ($\Sigma _{\rm H_2}$), aiming at distinguishing between the relations that are primary, i.e. more fundamental, and those which are instead an indirect by-product of the other relations. We use the ALMA-MaNGA QUEnching and STar formation survey and analyse the data by using both partial correlations and random forest regression techniques. We unambiguously find that the strongest intrinsic correlation is between ΣSFR and $\Sigma _{\rm H_2}$ (i.e. the resolved Schmidt–Kennicutt relation), followed by the correlation between $\Sigma _{\rm H_2}$ and Σ* (resolved molecular gas main sequence, rMGMS). Once these two correlations are taken into account, we find that there is no evidence for any intrinsic correlation between ΣSFR and Σ*, implying that star formation rate (SFR) is entirely driven by the amount of molecular gas, while its dependence on stellar mass (i.e. the resolved star forming main sequence, rSFMS) simply emerges as a consequence of the relationship between molecular gas and stellar mass.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Two-dimensional simulations of internal gravity waves in a $\mathrm{5M_⊙}$ zero-age-main-sequence model

Main-sequence intermediate-mass stars present a radiative envelope that supports internal gravity waves (IGWs). Excited at the boundary with the convective core, IGWs propagate towards the stellar surface and are suspected to impact physical processes such as rotation and chemical mixing. Using the fully compressible time-implicit code MUSIC, we study IGWs in two-dimensional simulations of a zero-age-main-sequence 5 solar mass star model up to 91 percent of the stellar radius with different luminosity and radiative diffusivity enhancements. Our results show that low-frequency waves excited by core convection are strongly impacted by radiative effects as they propagate. This impact depends on the radial profile of radiative diffusivity which increases by almost 5 orders of magnitude between the centre of the star and the top of the simulation domain. In the upper layers of the simulation domain, we observe an increase of the temperature. Our study suggests that this is due to heat added in these layers by IGWs damped by radiative diffusion. We show that non-linear effects linked to large amplitude IGWs may be relevant just above the convective core. Both these effects are intensified by the artificial enhancement of the luminosity and radiative diffusivity, with enhancement factors up to 10 4 times the realistic values. Our results also highlight that direct comparison between numerical simulations with enhanced luminosity and observations must be made with caution. Finally, our work suggests that thermal effects linked to the damping of IGWs could have a non-negligible impact on stellar structure.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Transcript level and sequence determinants of protein abundance and noise in Escherichia coli

The range over which a protein is expressed, and its cell-to-cell variability, is often thought to be linked to the demand for its activity. Steady-state protein level is determined by multiple mechanisms controlling transcription and translation, many of which are limited by DNA- and RNA-encoded signals that affect initiation, elongation and termination of polymerases and ribosomes. We performed a comprehensive analysis of >100 sequence features to derive a predictive model composed of a minimal non-redundant set of factors explaining 66% of the total variation of protein abundance observed in >800 genes in Escherichia coli. The model suggests that protein abundance is primarily determined by the transcript level (53%) and by effectors of translation elongation (12%), whereas only a small fraction of the variation is explained by translational initiation (1%). Our analyses uncover a new sequence determinant, not previously described, affecting translation initiation and suggest that elongation rate is affected by both codon biases and specific amino acid composition. We also show that transcription and translation efficiency may have an effect on expression noise, which is more similar than previously assumed.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Integration of ultra-low coverage whole-genome sequences for reconstructing the evolutionary history of Galapagos giant tortoises

Genomic data from contemporary and historical samples often need to be coupled for evolutionary reconstructions of multitaxon complexes. However, the genetic data recovered from historical samples may result only in ultra-low coverage whole-genome sequences (ulcWGS; <0.15× depth), leading to inaccurate evolutionary inferences given a preponderance of missing data. Using the Galapagos giant tortoise radiation as a study system (Chelonoidis spp., composed of 13 extant and four extinct lineages), we assembled a novel methodological pipeline that removes potential noise introduced by the missing data and enhances the evolutionary signal from ulcWGS samples. We leveraged existing tools for phylogenomic placement (EPA-ng), population genomic structure (smartsnp) and admixture (Admixfrog, NGSadmix) to demonstrate that the evolutionary history of samples can be uncovered with sequencing depths as low as 0.008–0.139×. Importantly, these approaches do not use genotype imputation of the ulcWGS samples, which would require extensive reference datasets. Our application to two cases of extinct lineages of Galapagos giant tortoises, with and without references from the same lineage, demonstrates the general value of the approach. We confirm where the extinct lineages from San Cristóbal and Santa Fe islands fit into the Galapagos giant tortoise radiation, and that these lineages were evolutionarily distinct entities.

ancient DNA↗

Analysis of putative quadruplex-forming sequences in fungal genomes: novel antifungal targets?

Fungal infections cause >1 million deaths annually and the emergence of antifungal resistance has prompted the exploration for novel antifungal targets. Quadruplexes are four-stranded nucleic acid secondary structures, which can regulate processes such as transcription, translation, replication and recombination. They are also found in genes linked to virulence in microbes, and ligands that bind to quadruplexes can eliminate drug-resistant pathogens. Using a computational approach, we quantified putative quadruplex-forming sequences (PQS) in 1359 genomes across the fungal kingdom and explored their presence in genes related to virulence, drug resistance and biological processes associated with pathogenicity in Aspergillus fumigatus. Here we present the largest analysis of PQS in fungi and identify significant heterogeneity of these sequences throughout phyla, genera and species. PQS were genetically conserved in Aspergillus spp. and frequently pathogenic species appeared to contain fewer PQS than their lesser/non-pathogenic counterparts. GO-term analysis identified that PQS-containing genes were involved in processes linked with virulence such as zinc ion binding, the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and regulation of transcription in A. fumigatus. Although the genome frequency of PQS was lower in A. fumigatus, PQS could be found enriched in genes involved in virulence, and genes upregulated during germination and hypoxia. Moreover, PQS were found in genes involved in drug resistance. Quadruplexes could have important roles within fungal biology and virulence, but their roles require further elucidation.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Manipulating the momentum state of a condensate by sequences of standing-wave pulses

We analyze the effects of sequences of standing-wave pulses on a Bose-Einstein condensate. The experimental observations are in good agreement with a numerical simulation based on band structure theory in an optical lattice. We also demonstrate that a coherent control method based on such a sequence of pulses is very efficient for the experimental design of specific momentum states.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Optimized control of multistate quantum systems by composite pulse sequences

We introduce a technique for derivation of high-fidelity composite pulse sequences for two types of multistate quantum systems: systems with the SU(2) and Morris-Shore dynamic symmetries. For the former type, we use the Majorana decomposition to reduce the dynamics to an effective two-state system, which allows us to find the propagator analytically and use the pool of available composite pulses for two-state systems. For the latter type of multistate systems, we use the Morris-Shore decomposition, which reduces the multistate dynamics to a set of two-state systems. We present examples which demonstrate that the multistate composite sequences open a variety of possibilities for coherent control of quantum systems with multiple states.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Arbitrarily accurate narrowband composite pulse sequences

Narrowband composite pulse sequences containing an arbitrary number N of identical pulses are presented. The composite phases are given by a very simple analytic formula and the transition probability is merely sin{sup 2N}(A/2), where A is the pulse area. These narrowband sequences can be made accurate to any order with respect to variations in A for sufficiently many constituent pulses, i.e., excitation can be suppressed below any desired value for any pulse area but {pi}.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Performance Evaluation of a Novel Sequence-Based Directional Detection Strategy for Protection of Active Distribution Networks

Directional elements are relied on to achieve selectivity in fault detection in power systems. Although such elements have been deployed successfully for many years, there is an increased need for novel methods to deal with the unique challenges of directional protection in modern distribution networks. This article analyzes the impact of inverter-based resources (IBRs) on existing directional protection methods in distribution systems. It identifies parts of such elements that pose a risk of misoperation when IBRs are used in distribution networks. The authors have developed a new directional detection method for unbalanced faults in such networks using superimposed symmetrical sequence quantities. The phase angle of the superimposed negative sequence admittance is used to determine fault direction. The paper also presents a real-time co-simulation platform between a simulated distribution system and physical protection relay, using OPAL-RT. An SEL-411L relay is used to program the detection algorithm. This hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) setup is used to verify the performance of the method and the results are compared with existing directional methods

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Positive-Sequence Phasor Modeling of Droop-Controlled, Grid-Forming Inverters with Fault Current Limiting Function

Traditional positive-sequence phasor models of droop-controlled, grid-forming inverters do not have the fault current limiting function. During a short-circuit fault the model generates unrealistic high fault current making the simulation results less practical. This paper develops a fault current limiting function for the positive-sequence phasor model of droop-controlled, grid-forming inverters, which can effectively limit the inverter output current at the predefined maximum during faults. A user-written model has been developed for the commercially-available software Siemens/PTI PSS/E. Fault studies on a modified IEEE 39-bus system with all grid-forming inverters verify the effectiveness of the developed fault current limiting function. The proposed model can be used to evaluate how the limited fault currents of droop-controlled, grid-forming inverters impact the bulk power system transient stability under fault conditions.

Du, Wei↗

A Digital Three Level Space Vector Modulator for High Frequency Vector Sequence Generation

This letter proposes a digital high-speed three-level space vector pulse width modulator (3L-SVPWM). A conventional 3L-SVPWM is typically computation-based, involving a sequential execution of sub-tasks on a digital signal processor (DSP) based controller. The resulting high computation time of 5.4 μs limits the implementation of additional control blocks for switching frequencies greater than 100 kHz. This is overcome by transforming sub-tasks into digital blocks with 1-0 decisions and simpler arithmetic operations. The sub-task blocks are executed concurrently on a programmable logic device (PLD). Hence, a fast 3L-SVPWM execution in 140 ns is achieved. The proposed digital 3L-SVPWM enables high switching frequency operation of wide bandgap (WBG) device-based 3 L inverters to generate high fundamental frequency waveforms. A finite state machine is an integral part of the proposed implementation with the ability to generate any vector sequence, maximizing the usage of redundant vector states in 3L-SVPWM. Here, the proposed digital 3L-SVPWM operation is demonstrated with a GaN-based 3 L active neutral point clamped (3L-ANPC) inverter. Experimental results are presented at 250 kHz switching frequency to generate vector sequences for center-aligned SVPWM (CA-SVPWM) and common mode voltage reduced SVPWM (CMVR-SVPWM). The results also showcase a high fundamental frequency generation capability of 10 kHz.

active neutral point clamped inverter↗

An Approximation Algorithm for a Task Allocation, Sequencing and Scheduling Problem Involving a Human-Robot Team

Here we present an approximation algorithm for a Task Allocation, Sequencing and Scheduling Problem (TASSP) involving a team of human operators and robots. The robots have to travel to a given set of targets and collaboratively work on the tasks at the targets with the human operators. The problem aims to find a sequence of targets for each robot to visit and schedule the tasks at the targets with the human operators such that each target is visited exactly once by some robot, the scheduling constraints are satisfied and the maximum mission time of any robot is minimum. This problem is a generalization of the single Traveling Salesman Problem and is NP-Hard. Given k robots and m human operators, an algorithm is developed for solving the TASSP with an approximation ratio equal to 5/2- 1/k when m ≥ k and equal to 7/2 -1/k otherwise. Computational results are also presented to corroborate the performance of the proposed algorithm.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Positive-Sequence Modeling of Droop-Controlled Grid-Forming Inverters for Transient Stability Simulation of Transmission Systems

Here, this paper describes a positive-sequence model to represent two widely reported droop-controlled grid-forming inverters for bulk power systems simulation study. Methods of how to develop the equivalent voltage source behind impedance to represent inverters with and without inner control loops, modeling of P-f and Q-V droop controls, active and reactive power limiting modeling, and modeling of fault current limiting controls are described in detail. The model is implemented in commercially available positive-sequence simulation tools and compared with detailed electromagnetic transient models in both a single-grid-forming-inverter infinite-bus system and a modified IEEE 39-bus system. Finally, the model is tested on the full US Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) system. Study results show that the model has a good level of accuracy compared to the detailed EMT models, and at the same time also achieves a high computational efficiency, which is suitable for the bulk power system simulation study.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Impacts of degraded DNA on restriction enzyme associated DNA sequencing ( RADS eq)

Abstract Degraded DNA from suboptimal field sampling is common in molecular ecology. However, its impact on techniques that use restriction site associated next‐generation DNA sequencing ( RADS eq, GBS ) is unknown. We experimentally examined the effects of in situ DNA degradation on data generation for a modified double‐digest RADS eq approach (3 RAD ). We generated libraries using genomic DNA serially extracted from the muscle tissue of 8 individual lake whitefish ( Coregonus clupeaformis ) following 0‐, 12‐, 48‐ and 96‐h incubation at room temperature posteuthanasia. This treatment of the tissue resulted in input DNA that ranged in quality from nearly intact to highly sheared. All samples were sequenced as a multiplexed pool on an Illumina MiSeq. Libraries created from low to moderately degraded DNA (12–48 h) performed well. In contrast, the number of RAD tags per individual, number of variable sites, and percentage of identical RAD tags retained were all dramatically reduced when libraries were made using highly degraded DNA (96‐h group). This reduction in performance was largely due to a significant and unexpected loss of raw reads as a result of poor quality scores. Our findings remained consistent after changes in restriction enzymes, modified fold coverage values (2‐ to 16‐fold), and additional read‐length trimming. We conclude that starting DNA quality is an important consideration for RADS eq; however, the approach remains robust until genomic DNA is extensively degraded.

Graham, Carly F.↗

Effect of stacking sequence on crystallization in Al/a-Ge bilayer thin films

Two types of bilayer thin films with different deposition sequences, i.e., amorphous Ge under Al (a-Ge/Al) and the inverse (Al/a-Ge), were prepared by magnetron sputtering at room temperature. In-situ and ex-situ thermal annealing were compared to study the effect of the stacking sequence on crystallization of amorphous Ge. Although metal-induced crystallization occurred in both cases at low temperature, layer exchange was observed only in a-Ge/Al. In fact, compressive stress could usually be produced when Ge atoms diffused into Al grain boundaries and crystallized there. In the a-Ge/Al system, the stress could be released through diffusion of Al atoms onto the surface and formation of hillocks. Thus, grain boundary (GB) mediated crystallization was dominant in the whole process and layer exchange occurred. However, in the Al/a-Ge system, it was difficult for stress to be relaxed because the Ge sublayer and substrate restricted the diffusion of Al atoms. GB-mediated crystallization was, therefore, considerably suppressed and interface-mediated crystallization was preferred without layer exchange. This leads to distinct morphologies of dendrites in the two systems.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Influence of dosing sequence and film thickness on structure and resistivity of Al-ZnO films grown by atomic layer deposition

Aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) films were deposited onto amorphous silica substrates using an atomic layer deposition process with diethyl zinc (DEZ), trimethyl aluminum (TMA), and deionized water at 200 °C. Three different Al doping sequences were used at a ZnO:Al ratio of 11:1 within the films. A minimum film resistivity of 1.6 × 10{sup −3} Ω cm was produced using sequential dosing of DEZ, TMA, DEZ, followed by H{sub 2}O for the Al doping step. This “ZAZW” sequence yielded an AZO film resistivity that is independent of film thickness, crystallographic texture, and grain size, as determined by high resolution x-ray diffraction (XRD). A pseudo-Voigt analysis method yields values for grain sizes that are smaller than those calculated using other XRD methods. Anisotropic grain sizes or variations in crystallographic texture have minimal influence on film resistivity, which suggests that factors other than film texture, such as intragrain scattering, may be important in influencing film resistivity.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗