In this paper, we named the composition by a real-valued measurable function and an uncertain variable as a composite uncertain variable. We focused on the uncertainty distribution for two kinds of composite uncertain variables. The conclusions show: (1) it exists a lower bound when the composed function is continuous and strictly monotonically decreasing at first and then strictly monotonically increasing (e.g. convex downward functions); (2) it exists an upper bound when the composed function is continuous and strictly monotonically increasing at first and then strictly monotonically decreasing (e.g. convex upward functions).
Sexual isolation is a key component of reproductive isolation, involving mate choice among mature adults. While there are various statistics for estimating sexual isolation from mating frequencies, their ability to produce unbiased estimates varies considerably, depending on the particular situation. We investigated, under different biological scenarios, the estimation properties (statistical bias, efficiency, root mean square, statistical test) of 12 statistics commonly used in the literature for measuring sexual isolation. Yule's Q, V, YA (and related indices) and IPSI are revealed to be the most efficient, with the smallest biases and root mean square deviations. Yule's Q, YA and IPSI show better estimation properties when using infinite sample sizes, while IPSI is preferable using smaller sample sizes. Other statistics investigated should be avoided, at least within the range of conditions considered. Regarding the parametric test of hypothesis, the best alternative is YA. We discuss the advantages and drawbacks of the various estimators, and propose IPSI as the safest for biological sample sizes.
▪ Abstract Recombination can be a dominant force in shaping genomes and associated phenotypes. To better understand the impact of recombination on genomic evolution, we need to be able to identify recombination in aligned sequences. We review bioinformatic approaches for detecting recombination and measuring recombination rates. We also examine the impact of recombination on the reconstruction of evolutionary histories and the estimation of population genetic parameters. Finally, we review the role of recombination in the evolutionary history of bacteria, viruses, and human mitochondria. We conclude by highlighting a number of areas for future development of tools to help quantify the role of recombination in genomic evolution.
Summary: We have implemented a High Performance Computing (HPC) version of ProtTest (Abascal et al., 2007) that can be executed in parallel in multi-core desktops and clusters. This version, called ProtTest 3, includes new features and extended capabilities. Availability: ProtTest 3 source code and binaries are freely available under GNU license for download from
The International Symposium on Phytochemicals in Medicine and Food (ISPMF2015) was held from June 26 to 29, 2015, in Shanghai, China. It is for the first time that a Phytochemical Society of Europe conference took place in China, which provided an opportunity for 270 scientists from 48 countries to communicate their up-to-date knowledge on phytochemicals. ISPMF2015 comprised exciting and various programs with 16 sessions, including 12 plenary lectures, 20 invited talks, 55 short oral presentations, and more than 130 posters. With the help of Prof. Fergus M. Clydesdale, a special issue of Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition containing 11 reviews from scientists was presented in this conference. In this special issue, bioactive flavonoids and polysaccharides for human health received significant attention.
PartitionTest test suite
BG intersubtype recombinants represented 11.6% of HIV-1 isolates in a recent survey in Cuba based on pol sequences, most of them forming a single clade further subdivided into 3 subclades. Here, we analyze 8 near full-length genomes and 1 gag-pol sequence from epidemiologically unlinked Cuban BG recombinants from these 3 subclades (3 from each). Near full-length sequences were also obtained from 3 subtype G and 2 subtype B Cuban viruses. Phylogenetic relationships were estimated via maximum likelihood, and mosaic structures of the recombinants were inferred with the bootscanning, MaxChi, Genconv, and GARD methods. For the near full-length genomes, all recombinants formed a strongly supported clade further subdivided into the same subclades previously defined in pol. Mosaic structures were identical within each subclade and different among subclades, although 5 breakpoints were coincident among all recombinants. Individual phylogenetic trees for nonrecombinant fragments (concatenated B and G subtype segments) indicated a common ancestry for the parental viruses and their relationships to local subtype B and G strains. These results allow us to identify 3 new BG intersubtype circulating recombinant forms in Cuba derived from a common recombinant ancestor, which originated from B and G subtype parental strains circulating in Cuba.
ABSTRACT In recent decades, potential challenges associated with food adulteration, food safety, and the lack of safe distribution networks have emerged globally. Advances in science and technology have attracted the attention of consumers toward food safety assessment and related technologies. The development of future smart detection techniques, such as smart packaging and distribution networks, require enhanced intelligence and sensitivity. Smart packaging and distribution networks address all aspects from farm to fork, including production, packaging, distribution (delivery/supply to consumers), storage, and processing for consumption. Their development could significantly contribute to food quality, safety, and sustainability. Food packaging has evolved to become smarter and more intelligent through the integration of wireless electronic communication systems, including artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, 5G communication, machine learning, and cloud computing. The integration of such future technologies has facilitated advancements in food monitoring and distribution applications. This article introduces the concept of integrated food supply chain management, which can enhance product distribution networks within the entire chain. The incorporation of smart sensors in various sectors has reduced human involvement, supporting sustainable development and societal benefits. Furthermore, recent challenges in developing sustainable smart biosensors for future applications are highlighted.
The cross-sectional 24h ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring (ABPM) study by de la Sierra et al. reported 37.5% incidence of isolated-office (“white-coat“) resistant hypertension (RH), defined as clinic BP ≥140/90 mmHg plus 24h BP mean <130/80 mmHg; it was even higher (44.1%) when defined by daytime BP mean <135/85 mmHg. This is markedly higher than the 17.4% estimate based on more reproducible 48h ABPM and defined as clinic BP ≥140/90 mmHg plus daytime and nighttime BP means of <135/85 mmHg and <120/70 mmHg, respectively. The findings of de la Sierra et al. might well be an overestimation, because: (i) among patients defined as “white-coat RH”, 34.4% ingested ≥4 hypertension medications/daily; by definition, treatment with >3 medications/daily is true RH, regardless of BP values; accordingly, inclusion of RH patients treated with ≥4 medications would decrease the prevalence of white-coat RH to 24.6%; (ii) RH is characterized by high prevalence of nocturnal hypertension and abnormal non-dipper BP pattern; current guidelines designate separate diagnostic thresholds for daytime and nighttime ABPM means; mean nighttime BP ≥120/70 mmHg should be considered hypertensive, regardless of mean daytime or clinic BP. The investigator-promoted, government-funded Hygia Project, designed to prospectively evaluate cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in primary care centers of Northwest Spain using highly reproducible 48h ABPM, substantiates elevated sleep-time BP is highly prevalent in diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and RH, and significantly more frequent than elevated daytime BP. Furthermore, prevalence of isolated-office hypertension was up to three times higher when defined only by the daytime BP mean, than jointly by the daytime and nighttime BP means. Despite current recommendations, use of the 24h BP mean to diagnose isolated-office hypertension, as done by de la Sierra et al., is inadequate; a “normal” 24h BP mean is not a guarantee of a normal nighttime BP mean. Subjects with the same 24h BP mean might have a BP pattern ranging from extreme-dipping to rising (asleep BP mean > awake BP mean), with potentially markedly different CVD risk. Elevated sleep-time BP is a better predictor of CVD risk than awake or 24h BP means, and treatment-induced reduction of sleep-time BP in hypertension has been prospectively shown to be the most significant independent predictor of event-free survival. In conclusion, de la Sierra et al. cannot challenge findings from randomized, prospective clinical trials consistently reporting that bedtime ingestion of hypertension medications improves BP control and increases CVD event-free survival of RH patients.
The reduction of Ag+ ions in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) is shown to take place spontaneously at room temperature. When no other additives are present in the system, the slow reduction leads to silver deposition on the glass walls of the container, while in the presence of 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APS) stable dispersions of silver nanoparticles are obtained. Even though the reduction can be performed at room temperature, higher temperatures markedly increase the reaction rate and improve the monodispersity of the colloid. The reduction rate and morphology of the colloidal particles also depend on the ratio [Ag]/[APS]. The reduction takes place both with nitrate and perchlorate as counterions, which confirms that DMF plays the role of a reducing agent. Additionally, when excess APS is used, a thin, homogeneous silica shell is formed on the silver particle surface.
