LociScan,a tool for screening genetic marker combinations for plant variety discrimination

To reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of plant genetic marker fingerprinting for variety discrimination,it is desirable to identify the optimal marker combinations.We describe a marker combination screening model based on the genetic algorithm(GA)and implemented in a software tool,Loci Scan.Ratio-based variety discrimination power provided the largest optimization space among multiple fitness functions.Among GA parameters,an increase in population size and generation number enlarged optimization depth but also calculation workload.Exhaustive algorithm afforded the same optimization depth as GA but vastly increased calculation time.In comparison with two other software tools,Loci Scan accommodated missing data,reduced calculation time,and offered more fitness functions.In large datasets,the sample size of training data exerted the strongest influence on calculation time,whereas the marker size of training data showed no effect,and target marker number had limited effect on analysis speed.

Discrimination of polysorbate 20 by high-performance liquid chromatography-charged aerosol detection and characterization for components by expanding compound database and library

Analyzing polysorbate 20(PS20)composition and the impact of each component on stability and safety is crucial due to formulation variations and individual tolerance.The similar structures and polarities of PS20 components make accurate separation,identification,and quantification challenging.In this work,a high-resolution quantitative method was developed using single-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)with charged aerosol detection(CAD)to separate 18 key components with multiple esters.The separated components were characterized by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS)with an identical gradient as the HPLC-CAD analysis.The polysorbate compound database and library were expanded over 7-time compared to the commercial database.The method investigated differences in PS20 samples from various origins and grades for different dosage forms to evaluate the composition-process relationship.UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS identified 1329 to 1511 compounds in 4 batches of PS20 from different sources.The method observed the impact of 4 degradation conditions on peak components,identifying stable components and their tendencies to change.HPLC-CAD and UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS results provided insights into fingerprint differences,distinguishing quasi products.

The Analysis of the Correlation between SPT and CPT Based on CNN-GA and Liquefaction Discrimination Research

The objective of this study is to investigate themethods for soil liquefaction discrimination. Typically, predicting soilliquefaction potential involves conducting the standard penetration test (SPT), which requires field testing and canbe time-consuming and labor-intensive. In contrast, the cone penetration test (CPT) provides a more convenientmethod and offers detailed and continuous information about soil layers. In this study, the feature matrix based onCPT data is proposed to predict the standard penetration test blow count N. The featurematrix comprises the CPTcharacteristic parameters at specific depths, such as tip resistance qc, sleeve resistance f s, and depth H. To fuse thefeatures on the matrix, the convolutional neural network (CNN) is employed for feature extraction. Additionally,Genetic Algorithm (GA) is utilized to obtain the best combination of convolutional kernels and the number ofneurons. The study evaluated the robustness of the proposed model using multiple engineering field data sets.Results demonstrated that the proposed model outperformed conventional methods in predicting N values forvarious soil categories, including sandy silt, silty sand, and clayey silt. Finally, the proposed model was employedfor liquefaction discrimination. The liquefaction discrimination based on the predicted N values was comparedwith the measured N values, and the results showed that the discrimination results were in 75% agreement. Thestudy has important practical application value for foundation liquefaction engineering. Also, the novel methodadopted in this research provides new ideas and methods for research in related fields, which is of great academicsignificance.

Balancing the minimum error rate and minimum copy consumption in quantum state discrimination

Extracting more information and saving quantum resources are two main aims for quantum measurements.However,the optimization of strategies for these two objectives varies when discriminating between quantum states |ψ_(0)> and |ψ_(1)> through multiple measurements.In this study,we introduce a novel state discrimination model that reveals the intricate relationship between the average error rate and average copy consumption.By integrating these two crucial metrics and minimizing their weighted sum for any given weight value,our research underscores the infeasibility of simultaneously minimizing these metrics through local measurements with one-way communication.Our findings present a compelling trade-off curve,highlighting the advantages of achieving a balance between error rate and copy consumption in quantum discrimination tasks,offering valuable insights into the optimization of quantum resources while ensuring the accuracy of quantum state discrimination.

FPGA implementation of 500-MHz high-count-rate high-time-resolution real-time digital neutron-gamma discrimination for fast liquid detectors

Fast neutron flux measurements with high count rates and high time resolution have important applications in equipment such as tokamaks.In this study,real-time neutron and gamma discrimination was implemented on a self-developed 500-Msps,12-bit digitizer,and the neutron and gamma spectra were calculated directly on an FPGA.A fast neutron flux measurement system with BC-501A and EJ-309 liquid scintillator detectors was developed and a fast neutron measurement experiment was successfully performed on the HL-2 M tokamak at the Southwestern Institute of Physics,China.The experimental results demonstrated that the system obtained the neutron and gamma spectra with a time accuracy of 1 ms.At count rates of up to 1 Mcps,the figure of merit was greater than 1.05 for energies between 50 keV and 2.8 MeV.

The Influence of Price Discrimination from Airports on the Route Development Behavior of Airlines

Given the prominence and magnitude of airport incentive schemes,it is surprising that literature hitherto remains silent as to their effectiveness.In this paper,the relationship between airport incentive schemes and the route development behavior of airlines is analyzed.Because of rare and often controversial findings in the extant literature regarding relevant influencing variables for attracting airlines at an airport,expert interviews are used as a complement to formulate testable hypotheses in this regard.A fixed effects regression model is used to test the hypotheses with a dataset that covers all seat capacity offered at the 22 largest German commercial airports in the week 46 from 2004 to 2011.It is found that incentives from primary choice,as well as secondary choice airports,have a significant influence on Low Cost Carriers.Furthermore,Low Cost Carriers,in general,do not leave any of both types of airports when the incentives cease.In the case of Network Carriers,no case is found where one joins a primary choice airport and receives an incentive.Insufficient data between Network Carriers and secondary choice airports in the time when incentives have ceased means that no statement can be given.

Perceptual Learning of Grate Orientation Discrimination in Cats

Perceptual learning of orientation discrimination was investigated using cats. Two adult cats （Cat 1 and 2） were trained to monocularly discriminate between two static striped sinusoidal grates with 30° orientation difference. After greater than 80% correct performance was reached, cats were then required to monocularly perform a discrimination between two grates with consecutively shifting orientation difference（2°, 4°, 6°, 8°, 10°, 12°, 16°, 20°, 24°, 30°） . The staircase method （two correct-down and one error-up） was applied throughout the training to track the threshold of orientation difference that cats could detect. The performance of detecting grates with varied orientation difference was measured respectively for beth trained and untrained eyes before and after training. Our results showed that the learning effect of discrimination for grates with a fixed orientation difference transferred completely from the trained eye to the untrained eye, whereas the inter-eye transfer for detecting °ates with gradually reducing orientation difference was almost nonegrates. The two opposite learning effects in the same subject strongly suggest that different information processing mechanisms might mediate the learning processes.

Response of Photosynthesis, Growth, Carbon Isotope Discrimination and Osmotic Tolerance of Rice to Elevated CO_2

Four rice ( Oryza sativa L.) cultivars 'IR72', 'Tesanai 2', 'Guichao 2' and 'IIyou 4480' were grown in two plastic house (15 m×3 m) with 35 μmol/mol and 60 μmol/mol CO 2 concentration which was controlled by computer. As compared with rice at ambient 35 μmol/mol CO 2, the changes in photosynthetic rate at elevated CO 2 showed up_regulation ('IR72' and 'Tesanai 2'), stable (unchanged) in 'Guichao 2' and down_regulation type ('IIyou 4480'). Growth rate, panicle weight, integrated water use efficiency (WUE) calculated from Δ 13 C and the capacity of scavenging DPPH · (1,1_diphenyl_2_picrylhydrazyl) free radical were increased at elevated CO 2. An increment in total biomass was observed in three cultivars by elevated CO 2, with the exception of 'IIyou 4480'. Ratios of panicle weight/total biomass were altered to different extents in tested cultivars by elevated CO 2. When leaf segments were subjected to PEG osmotic stress, the electrolyte leakage rate from leaves grown at elevated CO 2 was less than that at 35 μmol/mol CO 2. Those intraspecific variations of rice imply a possibility for selecting cultivars with maximal productivity and high tolerance to stresses adapted to elevated CO 2 in the future.

Gender Discrimination in English

Gender discrimination in language is usually defined as discrimination based on sex,especially discrimination against women.With the rise of women’s liberation movement in the 1960s and 1970s,and the improvement of women’s social status in recent years,gender discrimination in English attracts more and more attention.Based on previous studies,this thesis first discusses the manifestations of gender discrimination in English vocabulary and address terms,then analyzes the factors of gender discrimination in English from social and cultural perspectives,finally puts forward some methods that are good for avoiding or eliminating gender discrimination in English.

A Brief Analysis of Discrimination in Language Classroom——from the Perspective of Sociolinguistics

It is widely acknowledged that sociolinguistics is the study of language in certain context concerned with our society.Sociolinguistics and linguistics are intrinsically related to each other,but there has been difference as well.Linguistics research deals with language system itself,which belongs to the micro level on the one hand;many phenomena reflect discrimination in language classroom,these discrimination are caused by social factors to a certain degree.This paper makes a brief analysis of discrimination in language classroom from the perspective of sociolinguistics,which deals with many issues such as depiction of language discrimination、analysis of phenomenon and accordinglysolved measures.

Sex Discrimination Reflected in English Language

This paper demonstrates the sex discrimination in the English language and analyzes the causes of the phenomena.The author also puts forward the therapy to the phenomena.

HIV/AIDS Related Discrimination in Health Care Service:a Cross-sectional Study in Gejiu City, Yunnan Province

Objectives To investigate discrimination against people living with HIV （PLWH） and its impacts. Methods Forty people who were either HIV positive （7/40） or had high risk behavior （33/40） were interviewed. Focus group discussion was held in the interview with people who were suspected to be infected with HIV, and in-depth interview was conducted in the survey of HIV positive persons whose privacy was strictly protected to ensure the confidentiality of the collected information. Results It was identified that six forms of discrimination against people living with HIV occurred in health care service in Gejiu, including speaking to patients in an insulting manner, refusing to provide health care service, delaying treatment, treating differently, uncovering patients＇ privacy, and over-protecting themselves against patients. Discrimination against people living with HIV greatly affected their health conditions. Conclusions Discrimination against people living with HIV in health service has negative impact on their physical and mental health.

Experimental validation of material discrimination ability of muon scattering tomography at the TUMUTY facility

Muon scattering tomography is believed to be a promising technique for cargo container inspection, owing to the ability of natural muons to penetrate into dense materials and the absence of artificial radiation. In this work, the material discrimination ability of muon scattering tomography is evaluated based on experiments at the Tsinghua University cosmic ray muon tomography facility,with four materials: flour(as drugs substitute), aluminum,steel, and lead. The features of the different materials could be discriminated with cluster analysis and classifiers based on support vector machine. The overall discrimination precisions for these four materials could reach 70, 95, and 99% with 1-, 5-, and 10-min-long measurement,respectively.

Novel discrimination method of digital deceptive jamming in mono-pulse radar

A new polarization measurement algorithm by using the sum and difference beam differential property of mono-pulse radar is given.Based on the generation mechanism differences between the target scattering and multi-false-target jamming,the signal models of real targets and digital deceptive false target jamming for sum and delta channel are presented.The polarization discrimination parameters are designed,and the discrimination method and its performance are discussed.This novel method does not need the accurate estimation of the absolute value of full target polarization scattering matrix,but only requires the relative estimation of the orthogonal polarized component of the targets.Without the need to add additional polarization channels,the proposed method is more suitable for engineering realization.The simulation experiment verifies that the correctly identifying probability can be better than 90%.

Fast pulse sampling module for real-time neutron–gamma discrimination

An adaptable and compact fast pulse sampling module was developed for the neutron–gamma discrimination. The developed module is well suited for low-cost and low-power consumption applications. It is based on the Domino Ring Sampler 4(DRS4) chip, which offers fast sampling speeds up to 5.12 giga samples per second(GSPS) to digitize pulses from front-end detectors. The high-resolution GSPS data is useful for obtaining precise real-time neutron–gamma discrimination results directly in this module. In this study, we have implemented real-time data analysis in a field programmable gate array. Real-time data analysis involves two aspects: digital waveform integral and digital pulse shape discrimination(PSD). It can significantly reduce the system dead time and data rate processed offline. Plastic scintillators(EJ-299-33), which have proven capable of PSD, were adopted as neutron detectors in the experiments. A photomultiplier tube(PMT)(model #XP2020) was coupled to one end of a detector to collect the output light from it. The pulse output from the anode of the PMT was directly passed onto the fast sampling module. The fast pulse sampling module was operated at 1 GSPS and 2 GSPS in these experiments, and the AmBe-241 source was used to examine the neutron–gamma discrimination quality. The PSD results with different sampling rates and energy thresholds were evaluated. The figure of merit(FOM) was used to describe the neutron–gamma discrimination quality. The best FOM value of 0.91 was obtained at 2 GSPS and 1 GSPS sampling rates with an energy threshold of 1.5 MeV_(ee)(electron equivalent).

Morphometric discrimination of wild from farmed Dybowski’s frog (Rana dybowskii) based on hindlimb length

Commercial farming of anuran species that are declining in the wild raises a need to discriminate wild from farmed frogs.We hypothesized wild frogs might have extended hindlimbs due to greater frequency or intensity of jumping relative to farmed frogs,highlighting a morphometric approach to discrimination of wild from farmed frogs using hindlimb length.In the present study,Dybowski＇s frog（Rana dybowskii） was used to test this hypothesis.We measured body mass（Mb） and hindlimb length（Lh） of 2-year old farmed frogs and wild frogs aged 2 to 5 years.Dybowski＇s frog demonstrated significant dimorphism in Mb and Lh.Mb was significantly greater among farmed 2-year old frogs in both sexes（p=0.000）,while only among females was Lh significantly greater for wild frogs（p=0.000）.Lh/Mb was used as an index for origin discrimination to eliminate the influence of Mb due to variation of husbandry conditions among farms.Mean Lh/Mb for farmed frogs was significantly lower than for wild frogs（p=0.000） in the 2-year old age class.Discrimination correctly classified 84.4% of farmed and 96.3% of wild male frogs.Among females,92.9% of farmed frogs and 90.1% wild frogs were correctly classified.The overall correctness of classification was 92.1% and 90.8% for males and females,respectively.However,Lh/Mb revealed variation with age,resulting in reduced discriminative power for frogs ≥3 years old.We introduced a coefficient Ce to adjust the Lh/Mb of frogs ≥3 years to the level equivalent to 2-year frogs.The adjustment achieved 89.5% for overall correctness of origin for wild males and 92.4% for wild females ≥3 years old.These results show that Lh/Mb is an effective index to discriminate wild from farmed Dybowski＇s frog.Since the physical demands of jumping are common among anurans,this index is also potentially applicable to other anuran species.

HIV/AIDS-related Discrimination in Shanxi Rural Areas of China1

Objective In order to explore the features of discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS in rural areas, a community-based intervention was carried out in two pilot communities of X County of Shanxi Province from September 2002 to October 2003. Methods Data were collected using qualitative methods (in-depth interview and focus group discussion) and anonymously structured questionnaires. Results (1) Severe discrimination against people infected with HIV/AIDS was revealed in the target communities. However, the response to HIV/AIDS was different in each community. (2) People were reluctant to disclose their HIV status or get tested for HIV, which endangered their sexual partners to contract HIV through unprotected sexual intercourses. (3) Attitudes towards people infected with HIV/AIDS varied. (4) Public education promoted a better understanding of HIV/AIDS which in turn improved community attitudes and behaviors towards people with HIV/AIDS. Conclusion HIV/AIDS-related discrimination undermines both individuals and communities responses to HIV/AIDS and may be a serious obstacle towards effective HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

Application of Two-Dimensional Correlation UV-Vis Spectroscopy in Chinese Liquor Moutai Discrimination

Chinese liquor Moutai is the “National alcoholic drink” in China and plays a very important role of social activities in Chinese people’s life. In pursuit of high profits, some illegal counterfeit Moutai liquors have begun to appear in the market. Therefore, it is an urgent need for new techniques to discriminate the genuine and counterfeit Moutai liquor. In this work, the conventional Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and two-dimensional correlation UV-Vis spectroscopy are applied to obtain the UV-Vis characteristic of Moutai liquor and counterfeit one, respectively. The experimental results reveal that the conventional UV-Vis spectra of the genuine and counterfeit Moutai liquor are similar. However, the two-dimensional correlation UV-Vis spectra of them are different and this method would be applied to differentiate the counterfeit Moutai liquor from the genuine Moutai liquor. Compared with conventional methods, this novel method has the advantages of easy operation, simple instrumentation and direct recognition, which make it a potential tool in the fields of food safety.

Discrimination of foodborne pathogenic bacteria using synchrotron FTIR microspectroscopy

Traditional Fourier transform infrared(FTIR)spectroscopy has been recognized as a valuable method to characterize and classify kinds of microorganisms.In this study,combined with multivariate statistical analysis,synchrotron radiation-based FTIR(SR-FTIR) microspectroscopy was applied to identify and discriminate ten foodborne bacterial strains.Our results show that the whole spectra(3000-900 cm^(-1)) and three subdivided spectral regions(3000-2800,1800-1500 and 1200-900 cm^(-1),representing lipids,proteins and polysaccharides,respectively) can be used to type bacteria.Either the whole spectra or the three subdivided spectra are good for discriminating the bacteria at levels of species and subspecies,but the whole spectra should be given preference at the genus level.The findings demonstrate that SR-FTIR microspectroscopy is a powerful tool to identify and classify foodborne pathogenic bacteria at the genus,species and subspecies level.

FPGA-based α/γ pulse shape discrimination for BaF_2 detector using 2-GSPS fast waveform sampling

Four FPGA-based α/γ pulse shape discrimination algorithms for Ba F2 detector are investigated and compared in this paper. A 2-GSPS fast waveform sampling board based on DRS4 chip is employed to sample the pulses. The test results with a22 Na γ-source and the natural radioactivity of Ba F2 show good discrimination performance of the algorithms, with false rates around 1%. Small logical resource occupancy and short dead time are achieved. About 4400 slices are used in FPGA for pulse sampling and real-time discrimination altogether.