Identification of intersectional Corymbia hybrids based on seedling morphology improves with parental divergence

Differences in morphology have provided a basis for detecting natural interspecific hybridisation in forest trees for decades but have come to prominence again more recently as a means for directly measuring gene flow from planted forests. Here we examined the utility of seedling morphology for hybrid discrimination in three hybrid groups relevant to the monitoring of gene flow from plantings of Corymbia (L.D. Pryor & L.A.S. Johnson ex Brooker) taxa in subtropical Australia. Thirty leaf and stem characters were assessed on 907 8-month old seedlings from four parental and six hybrid taxa grown in a common garden. Outbred F1 hybrids between spotted gums (Corymbia citriodora subspecies variegata, C. citriodora subspecies citriodora and Corymbia henryi) tended to more closely resemble their maternal Corymbia torelliana parent and the most discriminating characters were the ratio of blade length to maximum perpendicular width, the presence or absence of a lignotuber, and specific leaf weight. Assignment of individuals into genealogical classes based on a multivariate model limited to a set of the more discriminating and independent characters was highest in the hybrid group, where parental taxa were genetically most divergent. Overall power to resolve among outbred F1 hybrids from both parental taxa was low to moderate, but this may not be a limitation to its likely major application of identifying hybrids in seedlots from native spotted gum stands. Advanced generation hybrids (outbred F2 and outbred backcrosses) were more difficult to resolve reliably due to the higher variances of hybrid taxa and the tendency of backcrosses to resemble their recurrent parents. Visual assessments of seedling morphology may provide a filter allowing screening of the large numbers needed to monitor gene flow, but will need to be combined with other hybrid detection methods to ensure hybrids are detected.

Analysis-By-Synthesis Based Switched Transform Domain Split Vq Using Gaussian Mixture Model

Using analysis-by-synthesis (AbS) approach, we develop a soft decision based switched vector quantization (VQ) method for high quality and low complexity coding of wideband speech line spectral frequency (LSF) parameters. For each switching region, a low complexity transform domain split VQ (TrSVQ) is designed. The overall rate-distortion (R/D) performance optimality of new switched quantizer is addressed in the Gaussian mixture model (GMM) based parametric framework. In the AbS approach, the reduction of quantization complexity is achieved through the use of nearest neighbor (NN) TrSVQs and splitting the transform domain vector into higher number of subvectors. Compared to the current LSF quantization methods, the new method is shown to provide competitive or better trade-off between R/D performance and complexity.

Differentiation of Indian, East Timorese, Papuan and Floridian Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' isolates on the basis of simple sequence repeat and single nucleotide polymorphism profiles at 25 loci

Japanese isolates of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus have been shown to be clearly differentiated by simple sequence repeat (SSR) profiles at four loci. In this study, 25 SSR loci, including these four loci, were selected from the whole-genome sequence and were used to differentiate non-Japanese samples of Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus (13 Indian, 3 East Timorese, 1 Papuan and 8 Floridian samples). Out of the 25 SSR loci, 13 were polymorphic. Dendrogram analysis using SSR loci showed that the clusters were mostly consistent with the geographical origins of the isolates. When single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were searched around these 25 loci, only the upstream region of locus 091 exhibited polymorphism. Phylogenetic tree analysis of the SNPs in the upstream region of locus 091 showed that Floridian samples were clustered into one group as shown by dendrogram analysis using SSR loci. The differences in nucleotide sequences were not associated with differences in the citrus hosts (lime, mandarin, lemon and sour orange) from which the isolates were originally derived.

Pidyon HaBen 5 Pieces Coin Set

5 Silver coin set in olive-wood box with certificates. Obverse: 25 Silver Lirot coin. In the lower part big emblem of the State of Israel. Reverse: Five pomegranate flowers round a five-pointed star.

David Ben-Gurion Commemorative Coin Set

3 pieces commemorative coin set in a box. 2 silver coins, 1 gold coin. Obverse: 25 Lirot silver coins, 500 Lirot gold coin. In the center the state emblem of the State of Israel. Reverse: Portrait of David Ben-Gurion.

Complete cytogenetic response and major molecular response as surrogate outcomes for overall survival in first-line treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia: A case study for technology appraisal on the basis of surrogate outcomes evidence

Objectives In 2012, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence assessed dasatinib, nilotinib, and standard-dose imatinib as first-line treatment of chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Licensing of these alternative treatments was based on randomized controlled trials assessing complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) and major molecular response (MMR) at 12 months as primary end points. We use this case study to illustrate the validation of CCyR and MMR as surrogate outcomes for overall survival in CML and how this evidence was used to inform National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s recommendation on the public funding of these first-line treatments for CML. Methods We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the association between CCyR and MMR at 12 months and overall survival in patients with chronic phase CML. We estimated life expectancy by extrapolating long-term survival from the weighted overall survival stratified according to the achievement of CCyR and MMR. Results Five studies provided data on the observational association between CCyR or MMR and overall survival. Based on the pooled association between CCyR and MMR and overall survival, our modeling showed comparable predicted mean duration of survival (21–23 years) following first-line treatment with imatinib, dasatinib, or nilotinib. Conclusions This case study illustrates the consideration of surrogate outcome evidence in health technology assessment. Although it is often recommended that the acceptance of surrogate outcomes be based on randomized controlled trial data demonstrating an association between the treatment effect on both the surrogate outcome and the final outcome, this case study shows that policymakers may be willing to accept a lower level of evidence (i.e., observational association).

Hanukkah Circulation Coin Set

5 Coin set. 1 Agora; 5 Agorot; 10 Agorot; 1/2 New Sheqel; 1 New Sheqel. All of the coins have Hanukkiyot on the obverse side.

Uncirculated Coin Set, 40th Anniversary of Israel

5 Coin Set: 1 Agora; 5 Agorot; 10 Agorot; 1/2 New Sheqel; 1 New Sheqel. All coins have on the obverse side written 40 Years of Israel. 1 Commemorative coin: Obverse: Menorah inside of number 40. Reverse: Design of a building.

Souvenir from the Lira Period Coin Set

7 coin set. 1 Agora; 5 Agorot; 10 Agorot; 25 Agorot; 1/2 Lira; 1 Lira; 5 Lirot. The motifs are inspired by ancient Hebrew coins which feature the seven species mentioned in the Bible and by vessels from the Temple of Jerusalem.

First Coin Set with 5 New Sheqalim Coin

6 coin set. 1 Agora; 5 Agorot; 10 Agorot; 1/2 New Sheqel; 1 New Sheqel; 5 New Sheqel. The motifs are inspired by ancient Hebrew coins and seals with biblical emblems, and by ornaments from the Holy Temple.

Israel's 41st Anniversary Coin Set, Piefort

5 coin set. 1 Agora; 5 Agorot; 10 Agorot; 1/2 New Sheqel; 1 New Sheqel. Piefort: coins are thicker.

Israel 39th Anniversary Coin Set, Piefort

5 coin set. 1 Agora; 5 Agorot; 10 Agorot; 1/2 New Sheqel; 1 New Sheqel.

Hanukka Israel Coin Set and Official Uncirculated Coin Set

10 coin set. Official Uncirculated coin set (5 coins): 1 Agora; 5 Agorot; 10 Agorot; 1/2 New Sheqel; 1 New Sheqel. Hanukka coin set (5 coins): 1 Agora; 5; Agorot; 10 Agorot; 1/2 New Sheqel; 1 New Sheqel. All Hanukka coins have on the obverse side Hanukkiyot and word Hanukka.

Hanukka Circulation Coins Set

5 coin set: 5 Agorot; 10 Agorot; 1/2 New Sheqel; 1 New Sheqel; 5 New Sheqalim. All of the coins have on the obverse side Hanukkiyot and word Hanukka.

Israel Official Uncirculated Coins Set

8 coin set. 1 Sheqel; 5 Sheqalim; 10 Sheqalim; 2 times 50 Sheqalim-one with a portrait of David Ben-Gurion on the reverse side, one normal coin; 3 times 100 Sheqalim-one with a portrait of Ze'ev Jabotinsky on the reverse side, one with Hanukkah lamp on the obverse side, one normal plain coin.