Genetic variability evaluation in a Moroccan collection of barley, Hordeum vulgare L., by means of storage proteins and RAPDS

The genetic variation existing in a set of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) landrace samples recently collected in Morocco was estimated. Two kinds of genetic markers, seed storage proteins (hordeins) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), were used. Only six out of 31 landraces were subjected to RAPD analysis. Both kinds of markers, RAPD and storage proteins, yielded similar results, showing that the level of variation observed in Moroccan barley was high: all landraces showed variability; 808 different storage protein patterns (multilocus associations) were observed among 1897 individuals (2.32 seeds per association, on average) with an average of 43 multilocus associations per accession. In general, genetic variation within accessions was higher than between accessions. The 100 polymorphic RAPD bands generated by 21 effective primers were able to generate enough patterns to differentiate between uniform cultivars and even between individuals in variable accessions. One of the aims of this work was to compare the effectiveness of RAPD versus storage protein techniques in assessing the variability of genetic resource collections. On average hordeins were more polymorphic than RAPDs: they showed more alternatives per band on gels and a higher percentage of polymorphic bands, although RAPDs supply a higher number of bands. Although RAPD is an easy and standard technique, storage protein analysis is technically easier, cheaper and needs less sophisticated equipment. Thus, when resources are a limiting factor and considering the cost of consumables and work time, seed storage proteins must be the technique of choice for a first estimation of genetic variation in plant genetic resource collections.

Fasciola hepatica:studies on vaccination of rats and mice with a surface antigen prepared from fluke homogenate by means of a monoclonal antibody

T1 tegumental antigen was isolated from a homogenate of eight- to 10-week-old Fasciola hepatica using a T1-specific monoclonal antibody bound to sepharose in an antibody-affinity column. Rats and mice were vaccinated with T1 antigen in Freund's complete adjuvant, and control groups received equivalent amounts of non-T1 antigen (eluted from the antibody-affinity column) or ovalbumin. On completion of the immunisation programme, serum samples were collected for ELISA and IFA testing. The animals were challenged by oral infection with F hepatica metacercariae or, for several vaccinated rats, by intraperitoneal transplantation of live adult flukes. At autopsy, worm-burden and liver damage was assessed for each animal and the condition of transplanted flukes was examined. Comparison of test and control groups of animals showed that neither T1 nor non-T1 antigens provided significant protection against challenge, although specific antibody responses against the appropriate sensitising antigen were engendered. Flukes transplanted to the peritoneal cavity of immunised rats survived without damage, although they became encased in hollow fibrous capsules of host origin. The results lend support to the pre-existing concept that glycocalyx turnover by discharge of T1 secretory bodies at the apical surface of migrating flukes provides an efficient means of protection for the parasite against host immunity.

Nonlinear optics from an ab initio approach by means of the dynamical Berry phase: Application to second- and third-harmonic generation in semiconductors

We present an ab initio real-time-based computational approach to study nonlinear optical properties in condensed matter systems that is especially suitable for crystalline solids and periodic nanostructures. The equations of motion and the coupling of the electrons with the external electric field are derived from the Berry-phase formulation of the dynamical polarization [Souza et al., Phys. Rev. B 69, 085106 (2004)]. Many-body effects are introduced by adding single-particle operators to the independent-particle Hamiltonian. We add a Hartree operator to account for crystal local effects and a scissor operator to correct the independent particle band structure for quasiparticle effects. We also discuss the possibility of accurately treating excitonic effects by adding a screened Hartree-Fock self-energy operator. The approach is validated by calculating the second-harmonic generation of SiC and AlAs bulk semiconductors: an excellent agreement is obtained with existing ab initio calculations from response theory in frequency domain [Luppi et al., Phys. Rev. B 82, 235201 (2010)]. We finally show applications to the second-harmonic generation of CdTe and the third-harmonic generation of Si. 

Power Scaling of Uplink Massive MIMO Systems with Arbitrary-Rank Channel Means

This paper investigates the uplink achievable rates of massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna systems in Ricean fading channels, using maximal-ratio combining (MRC) and zero-forcing (ZF) receivers, assuming perfect and imperfect channel state information (CSI). In contrast to previous relevant works, the fast fading MIMO channel matrix is assumed to have an arbitrary-rank deterministic component as well as a Rayleigh-distributed random component. We derive tractable expressions for the achievable uplink rate in the large-antenna limit, along with approximating results that hold for any finite number of antennas. Based on these analytical results, we obtain the scaling law that the users' transmit power should satisfy, while maintaining a desirable quality of service. In particular, it is found that regardless of the Ricean K-factor, in the case of perfect CSI, the approximations converge to the same constant value as the exact results, as the number of base station antennas, M, grows large, while the transmit power of each user can be scaled down proportionally to 1/M. If CSI is estimated with uncertainty, the same result holds true but only when the Ricean K-factor is non-zero. Otherwise, if the channel experiences Rayleigh fading, we can only cut the transmit power of each user proportionally to 1/√M. In addition, we show that with an increasing Ricean K-factor, the uplink rates will converge to fixed values for both MRC and ZF receivers.

Water efficiency as a means of reducing carbon emissions in Northern Ireland (NI) Water

The water and sewerage sectors' combined emissions account for just over 1% of total UK emissions, while household water heating accounts for a further 5%. Energy use, particularly electricity, is the largest source of emissions in the sector. Water efficiency measures should therefore result in reduced emissions from a lower demand for water and wastewater treatment and pumping, as well as from decreased domestic water heating. Northern Ireland Water (NI Water) is actively pursuing measures to reduce its carbon footprint. This paper investigated the carbon impacts of implementing a household water efficiency programme in Northern Ireland. Assuming water savings of 59.6 L/prop/day and 15% uptake among households, carbon savings of 0.6% of NI Water's current net operational emissions are achievable from reduced treatment and pumping. Adding the carbon savings from reduced household water heating gives savings equivalent to 6.2% of current net operational emissions. Cost savings to NI Water are estimated as 300,000 per year. The cost of the water efficiency devices is approximately 1.6 million, but may be higher depending on the number of devices distributed relative to the number installed. This paper has shown clear carbon benefits to water efficiency, but further research is needed to examine social and cost impacts. © IWA Publishing 2013.

Magnetic mirror cavities as terahertz radiation sources and a means of quantifying radiation friction

We propose a radiation source based on a magnetic mirror cavity. Relativistic electrons are simulated entering the cavity and their trajectories and resulting emission spectra are calculated. The uniformity of the particle orbits is found to result in a frequency comb in terahertz range, the precise energies of which are tunable by varying the electron's gamma-factor. For very high energy particles, radiation friction causes the spectral harmonics to broaden and we suggest this as a possible way to verify competing classical equations of motion.

Polarization Distortion as a Means for Securing Wireless Communication

This paper presents a simple polarization encoding strategy that operates using only single element dual port transmit and receive antennas in such a way that selective spatial scrambling of QPSK data can be effected. The key transmitter and receiver relationships needed for this operation to occur are derived. The system is validated using a cross dipole antenna arrangement. Unlike all previously reported physical layer wireless solutions the approach developed in this paper transfers the security property to the receive side resulting in very simple transmit and receive side architectures thus avoiding the need for near field modulated array technology. In addition the scheme permits, for the first time, multiple spatially separated secured receive sites to operate in parallel.

The use of power ultrasound treatment in dry red kidney beans as a means to reduce the rehydration step during canning production while maintaining high nutritional value.

The use of power ultrasound treatment in dry red kidney beans as a means to reduce the rehydration step during canning production while maintaining high nutritional value. IFT Annual Meeting. Chicago, 13-16/7/2013. (Poster