Monitoring dispatching system based on Port's Internet of Things

This paper proposes monitoring dispatching system solution based on the internet of things, which is through the analysis for port’s current situation, system components, operation process, communication protocol and safety alarm, etc. The system can fulfill real-time precise positioning monitoring and dispatching for port’s mobile terminals, and also fulfill real-time monitoring and effective management for the whole port. Eventually it can improve the total competitiveness of port by improving production efficiency of port, securing operation safety and decreasing production cost. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/telkomnika.v11i1.188

Quartic Rational Said-Ball-Like Basis with Tension Shape Parameters and Its Application

Four new quartic rational Said-Ball-like basis functions, which include the cubic Said-Ball basis functions as a special case, are constructed in this paper. The new basis is applied to generate a class of C1 continuous quartic rational Hermite interpolation splines with local tension shape parameters. The error estimate expression of the proposed interpolant is given and the sufficient conditions are derived for constructing a C1 positivity- or monotonicity- preserving interpolation spline. In addition, we extend the quartic rational Said-Ball-like basis to a triangular domain which has three tension shape parameters and includes the cubic triangular Said-Ball basis as a special case. In order to compute the corresponding patch stably and efficiently, a new de Casteljau-type algorithm is developed. Moreover, the G1 continuous conditions are deduced for the joining of two patches

FgPrp4 Kinase Is Important for Spliceosome B-Complex Activation and Splicing Efficiency in Fusarium graminearum

PRP4 encodes the only kinase among the spliceosome components. Although it is an essential gene in the fission yeast and other eukaryotic organisms, the Fgprp4 mutant was viable in the wheat scab fungus Fusarium graminearum. Deletion of FgPRP4 did not block intron splicing but affected intron splicing efficiency in over 60% of the F. graminearum genes. The Fgprp4 mutant had severe growth defects and produced spontaneous suppressors that were recovered in growth rate. Suppressor mutations were identified in the PRP6, PRP31, BRR2, and PRP8 orthologs in nine suppressor strains by sequencing analysis with candidate tri-snRNP component genes. The Q86K mutation in FgMSL1 was identified by whole genome sequencing in suppressor mutant S3. Whereas two of the suppressor mutations in FgBrr2 and FgPrp8 were similar to those characterized in their orthologs in yeasts, suppressor mutations in Prp6 and Prp31 orthologs or FgMSL1 have not been reported. Interestingly, four and two suppressor mutations identified in FgPrp6 and FgPrp31, respectively, all are near the conserved Prp4-phosphorylation sites, suggesting that these mutations may have similar effects with phosphorylation by Prp4 kinase. In FgPrp31, the non-sense mutation at R464 resulted in the truncation of the C-terminal 130 aa region that contains all the conserved Prp4-phosphorylation sites. Deletion analysis showed that the N-terminal 310-aa rich in SR residues plays a critical role in the localization and functions of FgPrp4. We also conducted phosphoproteomics analysis with FgPrp4 and identified S289 as the phosphorylation site that is essential for its functions. These results indicated that FgPrp4 is critical for splicing efficiency but not essential for intron splicing, and FgPrp4 may regulate pre-mRNA splicing by phosphorylation of other components of the tri-snRNP although itself may be activated by phosphorylation at S289

Nutritional, functional, and allergenic properties of silkworm pupae

Edible insects are a food source that has high nutritional value. Domestic silkworm pupae are an important by-product of sericulture and have a long history as food and feed ingredients in East Asia. Silkworm pupae are a good source of protein, lipids, minerals, and vitamins and are considered a good source of nutrients for humans. Silkworm pupae are a valuable insect source of substances used in healthcare products, medicines, food additives, and animal feed. Because silkworm pupae are being increasingly used in the human diet, potential allergic reactions to the substances they contain must be elucidated. Here, we present an overview of the benefits of silkworm pupae. First, we describe their nutritional value. Second, we report their functional properties and applications, focusing on their potential use in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Finally, we consider the current state of research regarding silkworm pupae-induced allergies

The number of metabolic syndrome risk factors predicts alterations in gut microbiota in Chinese children from the Huantai study

Background Evidence on the effect of gut microbiota on the number of metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors among children is scarce. We aimed to examine the alterations of gut microbiota with different numbers of MetS risk factors among children. Methods Data were collected from a nested case–control study at the baseline of the Huantai Childhood Cardiovascular Health Cohort Study in Zibo, China. We compared the differences in gut microbiota based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing among 72 children with different numbers of MetS risk factors matched by age and sex (i.e., none, one, and two-or-more MetS risk factors; 24 children for each group). Results The community richness (i.e., the total number of species in the community) and diversity (i.e., the richness and evenness of species in the community) of gut microbiota decreased with an increased number of MetS risk factors in children (P for trend < 0.05). Among genera with a relative abundance greater than 0.01%, the relative abundance of Lachnoclostridium (PFDR = 0.009) increased in the MetS risk groups, whereas Alistipes (PFDR < 0.001) and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group (PFDR = 0.043) decreased in the MetS risk groups compared to the non-risk group. The genus Christensenellaceae_R-7_group excelled at distinguishing one and two-or-more risk groups from the non-risk group (area under the ROC curve [AUC]: 0.84 − 0.92), while the genera Family_XIII_AD3011_group (AUC: 0.73 − 0.91) and Lachnoclostridium (AUC: 0.77 − 0.80) performed moderate abilities in identifying none, one, and two-or-more MetS risk factors in children. Conclusions Based on the nested case–control study and the 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology, we found that dysbiosis of gut microbiota, particularly for the genera Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, Family_XIII_AD3011_group, and Lachnoclostridium may contribute to the early detection and the accumulation of MetS risk factors in childhood

Contamination levels and dietary exposure risk assessment of indicator polychlorinated biphenyls in pork in some regions of China

ObjectiveTo investigate the contamination levels of indicator polychlorinated biphenyls （PCBs） in pork in China and the dietary exposure and risks of Chinese residents.MethodsThe concentration of seven indicator PCBs （PCB 28， PCB 52， PCB 101， PCB 118， PCB 138， PCB 153， and PCB 180） in 203 pork samples from 13 provinces （autonomous regions， centrally administered municipality） in China in 2020 as monitoring sites were analyzed by combined isotope dilution-gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry. The health risk of the population exposure of indicator PCBs through pork was assessed in conjunction with date on pork consumption in each province.ResultsThe mean concentrations of the seven indicator PCBs （∑7PCBs） in pork ranged from 0.053 （Guangxi） to 0.826 ng/g fat （Zhejiang）， and P95 concentrations ranged from 0.091 （Guangxi） to 2.702 ng/g fat （Zhejiang）. PCB 28 and PCB 52 were the main fingerprint features. The mean and P95 levels of ∑7PCBs ingested daily by Chinese residents through pork consumption were 0.062±0.076 （ng/kg·BW） and 0.158±0.207 （ng/kg·BW）， respectively， and the exposure risk index （ERI） was less than 1.ConclusionThe contamination level of ∑7PCBs in pork in China， as well as the health risk of residents exposed to indicator PCBs through a pork diet was low

Prevalence and clinical profile of comorbidity among newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients: a multi-center observational study in eastern China

ObjectiveTo identify the composition of comorbidities among patients with newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis and assess the impact of comorbidities on the clinical characteristics of patients.MethodsThis study was conducted in 13 hospitals across 13 counties in Zhejiang province, China. Patient data collected in this study included demographic characteristics, chest radiography results, etiological results, and comorbidities. Descriptive statistics were conducted to describe the composition of comorbidities of all participants. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyzes were performed to identify the effects of comorbidities on the clinical features of the participants.ResultsOf the 8,421 total participants, 27.6% reported cavities in the chest radiography results, 41.9% were Mycobacterium tuberculosis-positive in the etiology test results, and 38.7% (3,258/8,421) had at least one type of comorbidity. The most predominant comorbidity was pleuritis (1,833, 21.8%), followed by diabetes mellitus (763, 9.1%), other extrapulmonary tuberculosis (421, 5%), tracheobronchial tuberculosis (275, 3.3%), and silicosis (160, 1.9%). Participants with diabetes mellitus had the highest rate of chest cavities on X-ray (54.8%), followed by those with silicosis (33.1%). In addition, a higher percentage of the M. tuberculosis-positive etiology (45%) was observed in participants without comorbidities than in participants with comorbidities (37.1%). Compared to patients without comorbidities, patients with diabetes mellitus (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.88, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.42–3.43) were more likely to show cavities in chest X-ray, while patients with pleuritis (AOR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.23–0.32), other extrapulmonary tuberculosis (AOR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.36–0.64), and tracheobronchial tuberculosis (AOR: 0.40–0.79) were less likely to show chest cavities in X-ray. In addition, patients with diabetes mellitus (AOR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.72–2.45), tracheobronchial tuberculosis (AOR: 3.22, 95% CI: 2.4–4.32) were more likely to show Mycobacterium tuberculosis-positive in the etiology, and patients with pleuritis (AOR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.22–0.29), other extrapulmonary tuberculosis (AOR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.48–0.76) were less likely to show Mycobacterium tuberculosis-positive in the etiology.ConclusionThe prevalence of comorbidities was high in patients newly diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. Thus, integration of screening and personalized management is needed for the control of tuberculosis and its comorbidities

Tree diversity depending on environmental gradients promotes biomass stability via species asynchrony in China's forest ecosystems

There is mounting evidence that biodiversity promotes ecological stability in changing environments. However, understanding diversity–stability relationships and their underlying mechanisms across large-scale tree diversity and natural environmental gradients are still controversial and largely lacking. We used thirty-nine 0.12 ha long-term permanent forest plots spanning China's various forest types to test the effects of multiple abiotic (climate, soil, age and topography) and biotic factors (taxonomic and structural diversity, functional diversity and community-mean traits, and species asynchrony) on biomass stability and its components (mean biomass and biomass variability) over time. We used multiple analytical methods to identify the best explanatory variables and complicated causal relationships for community biomass stability. Our results showed that species richness increased biomass stability by promoting species asynchrony. Structural and functional diversity had a weaker effect on biomass stability. Forest age and structural diversity increased mean biomass and biomass variability significantly and simultaneously. Communities dominated by tree species with high wood density had high biomass stability. Soil nitrogen enhanced biomass stability directly and indirectly through its effects on mean biomass. Soil nitrogen to phosphorus ratio increased biomass stability via increasing species asynchrony. Precipitation indirectly increased biomass stability by affecting tree diversity. Moreover, the direct and indirect effects of soil nutrients on biomass stability were greater than that of climate variables. Our results suggest that species asynchrony is the main mechanism proposed to explain the stabilizing effect of diversity on community biomass, supporting two mechanisms, namely, the biodiversity insurance hypothesis and complementary dynamics. Soil and climate factors also play an important role in shaping diversity–stability relationships. Our results provide a new insight into how tree diversity affects ecosystem stability across diverse community types and large-scale environmental gradients

Functional Analysis of the Kinome of the Wheat Scab Fungus Fusarium graminearum

As in other eukaryotes, protein kinases play major regulatory roles in filamentous fungi. Although the genomes of many plant pathogenic fungi have been sequenced, systematic characterization of their kinomes has not been reported. The wheat scab fungus Fusarium graminearum has 116 protein kinases (PK) genes. Although twenty of them appeared to be essential, we generated deletion mutants for the other 96 PK genes, including 12 orthologs of essential genes in yeast. All of the PK mutants were assayed for changes in 17 phenotypes, including growth, conidiation, pathogenesis, stress responses, and sexual reproduction. Overall, deletion of 64 PK genes resulted in at least one of the phenotypes examined, including three mutants blocked in conidiation and five mutants with increased tolerance to hyperosmotic stress. In total, 42 PK mutants were significantly reduced in virulence or non-pathogenic, including mutants deleted of key components of the cAMP signaling and three MAPK pathways. A number of these PK genes, including Fg03146 and Fg04770 that are unique to filamentous fungi, are dispensable for hyphal growth and likely encode novel fungal virulence factors. Ascospores play a critical role in the initiation of wheat scab. Twenty-six PK mutants were blocked in perithecia formation or aborted in ascosporogenesis. Additional 19 mutants were defective in ascospore release or morphology. Interestingly, F. graminearum contains two aurora kinase genes with distinct functions, which has not been reported in fungi. In addition, we used the interlog approach to predict the PK-PK and PK-protein interaction networks of F. graminearum. Several predicted interactions were verified with yeast two-hybrid or co-immunoprecipitation assays. To our knowledge, this is the first functional characterization of the kinome in plant pathogenic fungi. Protein kinase genes important for various aspects of growth, developmental, and infection processes in F. graminearum were identified in this study