CRISPR-based genetic control strategies for insect pests

Genetic control strategies such as the sterile insect technique have successfully fought insect pests worldwide. The CRISPR(clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) technology, together with high-quality genomic resources obtained in more and more species, greatly facilitates the development of novel genetic control insect strains that can be used in area-wide and species-specific pest control programs. Here, we review the research progress towards state-of-art CRISPR-based genetic control strategies, including gene drive, sex ratio distortion, CRISPRengineered genetic sexing strains, and precision-guided sterile insect technique. These strategies’ working mechanisms,potential resistance development mechanisms, and regulations are illustrated and discussed. In addition, recent developments such as stacked and conditional systems are introduced. We envision that the advances in genetic technology will continue to be one of the driving forces for developing the next generation of pest control strategies.

Genetic, hormonal, and environmental control of tillering in wheat

Tillering contributes greatly to grain yield in wheat.Investigating the mechanisms of tillering provides a theoretical foundation and genetic resources for the molecular breeding of wheat.The regulation of tillering is a complex molecular process that involves a multitude of factors.Little is known about the molecular mechanisms in the wheat genome,although progress has been made in rice.Here we review the developmental characteristics of tillers and summarize current knowledge of the roles of endogenous and environmental factors in wheat tillering.We propose directions for future studies and advanced technologies to be used for gene identification and functional studies.

Nonlinear model predictive control based on support vector machine and genetic algorithm

This paper presents a nonlinear model predictive control(NMPC) approach based on support vector machine(SVM) and genetic algorithm(GA) for multiple-input multiple-output(MIMO) nonlinear systems.Individual SVM is used to approximate each output of the controlled plant Then the model is used in MPC control scheme to predict the outputs of the controlled plant.The optimal control sequence is calculated using GA with elite preserve strategy.Simulation results of a typical MIMO nonlinear system show that this method has a good ability of set points tracking and disturbance rejection.

The Genetic Structure and Diversity of Repomucenus curvicornis Inhabiting Liaoning Coast Based on Mitochondrial COⅠ Gene and Control Region

[Object] This study was conducted to explore the genetic diversity and structure of the wild Repomucenus curvicornis inhabiting Liaoning Coast, China. [Method] The mitochondrial COⅠ gene and control region（CR） were PCR amplified from the wild R. curvicornis populations from the Liaodong Bay（n=22） and the northern Yellow Sea（n=18）, sequenced and analyzed for genetic diversity. [Result] The contents of A, T, C and G of 624 bp COⅠ gene were 24.09%, 31.04%, 25.28%, and 19.59%, and those of 460 bp CR fragment were 32.96%, 32.80%, 14.86% and 19.38%, respectively. The total number of variable sites, average number of nucleotide differences（ k）, haplotype diversity（H） and nucleotide diversity（π） based on COⅠ gene were 38, 4.67,（0.96±0.02） and（0.007 5±0.004 2）, and those based on CR fragment were 26, 3.35,（0.97 ±0.02） and（0.007 3±0.004 3）, respectively. Based on mitochondrial COⅠ gene and CR, the genetic diversity of Liaodong Bay population was lower than that of the northern Yellow Sea population. The AMOVA analysis based on CR fragments revealed almost significant genetic divergence between the Liaodong Bay and the northern Yellow Sea populations, while there was no significant genetic divergence based on COⅠ gene. The results showed that CR and COⅠ gene are effective molecular markers for detecting the genetic diversity of R. curvicornis population, while CR is more reliable than COⅠ gene in detecting the genetic structure. [Conclusion] CR is an appropriate marker for genetic analysis of marine fish population.

Research Advances in Gene Regulation and Genetic Improvement of Fish Feeding

Feeding habit which is regulated by many factors including the intrinsic and external factors, such as appetite, structure of the digestive tract and feed palatability, is an important content in the study of genetic improvement. The genetic regulation is one of the major parts among the researches. This research reported the progress of the polymorphism of genes associated with appetite and its correla- tion with feeding habits, and summarized the studies on improvements of fish feed- ing and protein sources of the artificial feeding in order to provide theoretic basis for cultivating the improved varieties in feeding habit.

PID Controller Optimization by GA and Its Performances on the Electro-hydraulic Servo Control System

A proportional integral derivative （PID） controller is designed and attached to electro-hydraulic servo actuator system （EHSAS） to control the angular position of the rotary actuator which control the movable surface of space vehicles. The PID gain parameters are optimized by the genetic algorithm （GA）. The controller is verified on the new state-space model of servo-valves attached to the physical rotary actuator by SIMULINK program. The controller and the state-space model are verified experimentally. Simulation and experimental results verify the effectiveness of the PID controller adaptive by GA to control the angular position of the rotary actuator as compared with the classical PID controller and the compensator controller.

MODELING, VALIDATION AND OPTIMAL DESIGN OF THE CLAMPING FORCE CONTROL VALVE USED IN CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION

Associated dynamic performance of the clamping force control valve used in continuously variable transmission （CVT） is optimized. Firstly, the structure and working principle of the valve are analyzed, and then a dynamic model is set up by means of mechanism analysis. For the purpose of checking the validity of the modeling method, a prototype workpiece of the valve is manufactured for comparison test, and its simulation result follows the experimental result quite well. An associated performance index is founded considering the response time, overshoot and saving energy, and five structural parameters are selected to adjust for deriving the optimal associated performance index. The optimization problem is solved by the genetic algorithm （GA） with necessary constraints. Finally, the properties of the optimized valve are compared with those of the prototype workpiece, and the results prove that the dynamic performance indexes of the optimized valve are much better than those of the prototype workpiece.

Study on 6-DOF active vibration-isolation system of the ultra-precision turning lathe based on GA-BP-PID control for dynamic loads

The vibration disturbance from an external environment affects the machining accuracy of ultra-precision machining equipment.Most active vibration-isolation systems(AVIS)have been developed based on static loads.When a vibration-isolation load changes dynamically during ultra-precision turning lathe machining,the system parameters change,and the efficiency of the active vibration-isolation system based on the traditional control strategy deteriorates.To solve this problem,this paper proposes a vibration-isolation control strategy based on a genetic algorithm-back propagation neural network-PID control(GA-BP-PID),which can automatically adjust the control parameters according to the machining conditions.Vibration-isolation simulations and experiments based on passive vibration isolation,a PID algorithm,and the GA-BP-PID algorithm under dynamic load machining conditions were conducted.The experimental results demonstrated that the active vibration-isolation control strategy designed in this study could effectively attenuate vibration disturbances in the external environment under dynamic load conditions.This design is reasonable and feasible.

Insect Diapause： A Review

Diapause is defined as a period of suspended development in insects and other invertebrates during unfavorable environmental conditions. Diapause is commonly confused with term ＂quiescence＂ as both are dormant development stages. Here this paper aimed to review the research work done on different aspects of diapause. Attempt was made to explain definitions of diapause, incidence, stages and termination of diapause, genetic control, factors affecting diapauses, including temperature, photoperiod, moisture and food, etc..

Severity of Leaf Rust and Brown Eyespot in Genotypes of Coffea arabica L.Cultivated with High Plant Density

This study investigated the severity of leaf rust and brown eyespot in genotypes of Coffea arabica L. cultivated with high plant density in the region of Caparaó-ES. The experiment was conducted in a competition field, cultivated with high plant density (8333 plants per hectare), following a randomized block design, with 16 genotypes and four replications. The plants were evaluated during consecutive harvests to study two complete reproductive cycles (from 2010 to 2012). Data were obtained for the phenologicalstages of flowering, graining, maturation and vegetative rest of each cycle. The severity of leaf rust (Hemileia vastratrix) and brown eyespot (Cercospora coffeicola) was evaluated using descriptive scales. It was observed that the genotypes are able to keep a considerable level of resistance to the leaf rust and brown eyespot when cultivated with increased density. The genotypes presented variability regarding the severity of the leaf rust and brown eyespot, indicating the existence of differential levels of resistance between them. For cultivation with high plant density, the genotypes Katipó, Paraíso MG H419-1, H419-3-3-7-16-4-1-1, Araponga MG1, Catucaí Amarelo 24/137, Catiguá MG2, Sacramento MG1, Pau-Brasil MG1, Catiguá MG3, Oeiras MG 6851 and Tupi present higher level of resistance for leaf rust. In addition, the genotypes Paraíso MG H419-1, Catiguá MG2, Pau-Brasil MG1, Catiguá MG3, Oeiras MG 6851, Tupi, Catuaí IAC 44, Catuaí IAC 81 and Catuaí IAC 144 present higher level of resistance for brown eyespot.

An optimal energy management development for various configuration of plug-in and hybrid electric vehicle

Due to soaring fuel prices and environmental concerns, hybrid electric vehicle(HEV) technology attracts more attentions in last decade. Energy management system, configuration of HEV and traffic conditions are the main factors which affect HEV's fuel consumption, emission and performance. Therefore, optimal management of the energy components is a key element for the success of a HEV. An optimal energy management system is developed for HEV based on genetic algorithm. Then, different powertrain system component combinations effects are investigated in various driving cycles. HEV simulation results are compared for default rule-based, fuzzy and GA-fuzzy controllers by using ADVISOR. The results indicate the effectiveness of proposed optimal controller over real world driving cycles. Also, an optimal powertrain configuration to improve fuel consumption and emission efficiency is proposed for each driving condition. Finally, the effects of batteries in initial state of charge and hybridization factor are investigated on HEV performance to evaluate fuel consumption and emissions. Fuel consumption average reduction of about 14% is obtained for optimal configuration data in contrast to default configuration. Also results indicate that proposed controller has reduced emission of about 10% in various traffic conditions.

Therapeutic cell engineering:designing programmable synthetic genetic circuits in mammalian cells

Cell therapy approaches that employ engineered mam-malian cells for on-demand production of therapeutic agents in the patient's body are moving beyond proof-of-concept in translational medicine.The therapeutic cells can be customized to sense user-defined signals,pro-cess them,and respond in a programmable and pre-dictable way.In this paper,we introduce the available tools and strategies employed to design therapeutic cells.Then,various approaches to control cell behav-iors,including open-loop and closed-loop systems,are discussed.We also highlight therapeutic applications of engineered cells for early diagnosis and treatment of various diseases in the clinic and in experimental dis-ease models.Finally,we consider emerging technolo-gies such as digital devices and their potential for incorporation into future cell-based therapies.

Molecular bases of rice grain size and quality for optimized productivity

The accomplishment of further optimization of crop productivity in grain yield and quality is a great challenge.Grain size is one of the crucial determinants of rice yield and quality;all of these traits are typical quantitative traits controlled by multiple genes.Research advances have revealed several molecular and developmental pathways that govern these traits of agronomical importance.This review provides a comprehensive summary of these pathways,including those mediated by G-protein,the ubiquitin–proteasome system,mitogen-activated protein kinase,phytohormone,transcriptional regulators,and storage product biosynthesis and accumulation.We also generalize the excellent precedents for rice variety improvement of grain size and quality,which utilize newly developed gene editing and conventional gene pyramiding capabilities.In addition,we discuss the rational and accurate breeding strategies,with the aim of better applying molecular design to breed high-yield and superior-quality varieties.

A novel coordinated control for NZEB clusters to minimize their connected grid overvoltage risks

The increasing applications of net-zero energy buildings (NZEBs) will lead to more frequent and larger energy interactions with the connected power grid, thereby being able to result in severe grid overvoltage risks. Control optimization has been proven effective to reduce such risks. Existing controls have oversimplified the overvoltage quantification by simply using the aggregated power exchanges to represent the connected grid overvoltages. Ignoring the complex voltage influences among the grid nodes, such oversimplification can easily result in low-accuracy impact evaluations of the NZEB-grid energy interactions, thereby causing non-optimal/unsatisfying overvoltage mitigations. Therefore, this study proposes a novel coordinated control method in which a power-distribution-network model has been adopted for more accurate overvoltage quantification. Meanwhile, the battery operations of individual NZEBs are iteratively coordinated using a sequential optimization approach for achieving the global optimum with substantially reduced computation complexity. For verifications, the proposed coordinated control has been systematically compared with an uncoordinated control and a conventional coordinated control in grid overvoltage minimization. The study results show that the overvoltage improvements can reach 23.5% and 12.3% compared with the uncoordinated control and the conventional coordinated control, respectively. The reasons behind the improvements have also been analyzed in detail. The proposed coordinated control can be used in practice to improve NZEB-clusters’ grid friendliness.

CRISPR/Cas9-based functional analysis of yellow gene in the diamondback moth,Plutella xylostella

The diamondback moth,Plutella xylostella(L.),is an economically important pest of cruciferous crops worldwide.This pest is notorious for rapid evolution of the resistance to diferent classes of insecticides,making it increasingly dificult to control.Genetics-based control approaches,through manipulation of target genes,have been reported as promising supplements or alternatives to traditional methods of pest management.Here we identified a gene of pigmentation(yellow)in P.xylostella,Pxyellow,which encodes 1674 bp complementary DNA sequence with four exons and three introns.Using the clustered regularly interspersed palindromic repeats(CRISPR)CRISPR-associated protein 9 system,we knocked out Pxyellow,targeting two sites in Exon III,to generate 272 chimeric mutants(57%of the CRISPR-treated individuals)with color-changed phenotypes of the Ist to 3rd instar larvae,pupae,and adults,indicating that Pxyellow plays an essential role in the body pigmentation of P xlostella.Fitness analysis revealed no significant difference in the oviposition of adults,the hatchability of eggs,and the weight of pupac between homozygous mutants and wildtypes,suggesting that Pxyellow is not directly involved in regulation of growth,development,or reproduction.This work advances our understanding of the genetic and insect science molecular basis for body pigmentation of P xylostella,and opens a wide avenue for development of the genctcally based pest control techniques using Pxyellow as a screening marker.