Enhancement of electro-optical response of photonic crystal fibers infiltrated with ferroelectric liquid crystal doped with titanium dioxide nanoparticles.

Light propagation has been studied in photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) doped with W212 ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) composites with titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) of low concentrations between 0.2 and 1 wt. % in the FLC matrix. Optical microscopy observations indicated a slight increase of transition temperature to the isotropic phase by ∼1-2°C compared to the undoped FLC sample, and the TiO2 admixture was found to decrease free ionic charge impurities in the FLC, thus improving its electro-optical parameters. The switching time measurements in the PLCFs clearly indicate that TiO2 NPs reduce switching times for low electric field intensity, even by 32% compared to the undoped PLCF.

Rete middle cerebral artery presenting with a ruptured aneurysm.

The developmental anomaly of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) is a rare occurrence. Rete MCA, also known as "unfused," "twig-like," and aplastic MCA, is an even rarer anomaly. These immature rete vessels are prone to flow-related aneurysms which rupture themselves presenting with intraparenchymal hematoma. We here with present a case of rete MCA with a ruptured aneurysm and discuss its pathophysiology and management.

Advanced machine learning-based kharif maize evapotranspiration estimation in semi-arid climate.

Accurate Crop Evapotranspiration (ETc) estimation is crucial for understanding hydrological and agrometeorological processes, yet it's challenged by multiple parameters, data variations, and lack of continuity. These limitations restrict numerical methods application. To address this, the study aims to develop and assess ML models for daily maize ETc in semi-arid areas, utilizing varied weather inputs. Five ML models viz., Category Boosting (CB), Linear Regression (LR), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), and Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD) were developed and validated for the ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, Research Station. Penman-Monteith (PM) model estimated ETc values are used as the standard for comparing the performance of the ML model values. Results revealed that the SVM model achieved the highest coefficient of determination (R2) among all models, with a value of 0.987. Furthermore, the SVM model exhibited the lowest model errors (MAE = 0.121 mm day-1, RMSE = 0.172 mm day-1, and MAPE = 4.37%) compared to other models. The ANN model also demonstrated promising results, comparable to the SVM model. Notably, the wind speed parameter was found most influential input parameter. In conclusion, SVM or ANN could be considered reliable alternative methods for the accurate estimation of kharif maize crop ETc in the semi-arid climate.

Identification of suitable zones and sites for rainwater harvesting using GIS and multicriteria decision analysis.

Identifying suitable zones for surface water storage and groundwater recharge is needed to enhance irrigation water availability. This study was undertaken to map rainwater harvesting (RWH) potential zones using geospatial tools and analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The suitable locations for RWH were also mapped using the Boolean logic concept. The surface runoff is a vital factor to demarcate the appropriate zones for RWH. The curve number approach was used to estimate the surface runoff potential. The runoff coefficient (RC) map was generated based on rainfall and surface runoff depth. Weights have been allocated to selected themes of RC, drainage density, and slope. The themes were integrated using geographic information system (GIS) and AHP to demarcate the suitable zones for RWH. The derived RWH potential map was categorized into zones like "very good," "good," "moderate," "poor," and "very poor" with an aerial extent of 14.3%, 24.7%, 28.3%, 20.2%, and 12.6%, respectively. The area suitable for farm ponds was found to be about 9% (408 km2), 13% (329 km2), and 4% (244 km2) in Mirzapur, Chandauli, and Sonbhadra districts, respectively. Furthermore, 22, 15, and 21 locations were found suitable for check dams in Mirzapur, Chandauli, and Sonbhadra districts, respectively. At a large scale, effective planning of water management strategies based on multicriteria decision analysis and GIS offers increased availability of surface and groundwater resources and may help for enhancing the agricultural land use options. The higher resolution maps may be further utilized to plan RWH strategies at village level.

Breeding oat for resistance to the crown rust pathogen Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae: achievements and prospects.

Crown rust, caused by Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae (Pca), is a significant impediment to global oat production. Some 98 alleles at 92 loci conferring resistance to Pca in Avena have been designated; however, allelic relationships and chromosomal locations of many of these are unknown. Long-term monitoring of Pca in Australia, North America and elsewhere has shown that it is highly variable even in the absence of sexual recombination, likely due to large pathogen populations that cycle between wild oat communities and oat crops. Efforts to develop cultivars with genetic resistance to Pca began in the 1950s. Based almost solely on all all-stage resistance, this has had temporary benefits but very limited success. The inability to eradicate wild oats, and their common occurrence in many oat growing regions, means that future strategies to control Pca must be based on the assumption of a large and variable prevailing pathogen population with high evolutionary potential, even if cultivars with durable resistance are deployed and grown widely. The presence of minor gene, additive APR to Pca in hexaploid oat germplasm opens the possibility of pyramiding several such genes to give high levels of resistance. The recent availability of reference genomes for diploid and hexaploid oat will undoubtedly accelerate efforts to discover, characterise and develop high throughput diagnostic markers to introgress and pyramid resistance to Pca in high yielding adapted oat germplasm.

Microalgal competence in urban wastewater management: phycoremediation and lipid production.

The present study was conducted to assess the strain aptness, phycoremediation potential and lipid yield in microalgae Chloroccocum humicola and Oscillatoria sp. Results revealed that microalgae treated with different concentration of wastewater (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) recovered nutrients (Nitrogen: 50.55-85.90%, Phosphorus: 69.98-93.72%) and removed heavy metals (24.17-88.10%) from wastewater. Microalgae C. humicola showed significant reduction in physico-chemical parameters of wastewater at 25% and 50% respectively with considerable increase in lipid production (1.61 folds) at 50% wastewater concentration. In order to counterbalance the wastewater induced toxicity, both microalgae exhibited stimulated antioxidants viz., proline (1.26-4.04 folds), ascorbic acid (1.01-9.21 folds), cysteine (1.44-4.92 folds), catalase (0.99-3.63 folds), superoxide dismutase (1.15-1.43 folds) and glutathione reductase (1.43-6.67 folds) at different wastewater concentrations. Further, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy spectral elucidation of Chloroccocum humicola at 50% reflected high lipid peak in the regions 3000-2800 cm-1 as compared to Oscillatoria sp. Thus, growth characteristics, biochemical responses and lipid yield presented the suitability of the Chloroccocum humicola to be used in phycoremedation, resource recovery as well as lipid production, which may be further utilized as potent feedstock for third generation energy demand.

Distribution of soil carbon fractions under different bamboo species in northwest Himalayan foothills, India.

Soil carbon and its fractions are important in understanding the mechanism of soil carbon sequestration. The present study evaluated the impact of seven commercial bamboo species, viz., Bambusa balcooa, B. bambos, B. vulgaris, B. nutans, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, D. stocksii, and D. strictus, on labile and non-labile carbon fractions. In the 0-15-cm layer, B. nutans had the highest very labile C (7.65 g kg-1) followed by B. vulgaris > B. balcooa > D. stocksii > D. hamiltonii > B. bambos > D. strictus > open. The active carbon pool was significantly low under the control plot (i.e. the open) indicating the positive influence of bamboo in soil C build-up in the top 0-15 cm soil layer. Amongst the different species of bamboo evaluated in this study, D. strictus accumulated the highest active C pool in 0-30-cm soil layer followed by B. vulgaris. Of the total organic C in the 0-30 cm soil depth, majority (55-60%) was contributed by the passive C pool comprising the less labile and the non-labile fraction of SOC. A high value of carbon stratification ratio (> 2) was observed for D. strictus, B. bambos, and D. hamiltonii which proves their potential for restoration of the degraded lands. The majority of bamboo species except for B. balcooa and D. stocksii showed a higher carbon management index than open systems, thereby indicating higher rates of soil C rehabilitation. Of the seven bamboo species, B. vulgaris, D. strictus, and B. nutans can be adopted for cultivation in the northwest Himalayas given their ability to positively impact the SOC and its fractions in both surface and sub-surface soil.

Ameliorating Effect of Bicarbonate on Salinity Induced Changes in the Growth, Nutrient Status, Cell Constituents and Photosynthetic Attributes of Microalga Chlorella vulgaris.

The cells of Chlorella vulgaris exhibited NaCl (0-400 mM) induced decrease in the growth, protein, chlorophyll, carbohydrate and total organic carbon, whereas total lipid and proline content increased with rising level of NaCl. Addition of NaHCO3 (20 mM) exhibited antagonistic effect against the adverse effect of salinity on the growth, level of macromolecules except proline. The SEM-EDS analysis of NaCl treated cells exhibited morphological variations as well as reduced accumulation of Na and Cl due to the presence of NaHCO3. The results on chlorophyll fluorescence induction kinetics revealed NaCl induced decline in the photosynthetic performance and quantum yield, while non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll was enhanced, particularly at lower concentrations of NaCl. Addition of NaHCO3 to NaCl treated cells exhibited further increase in the non-photochemical quenching values. Thus, these results demonstrated that adverse impact of NaCl on the C. vulgaris cells was significantly mitigated in the presence of bicarbonate.

Understanding the Role of Litter Decomposition in Restoration of Fly Ash Ecosystem.

Plant species possess a huge potential in restoration of fly ash ecosystem. Litter deposition and its decomposition in the ash deposited sites are two important processes of the fly ash ecosystem. In order to identify the biological potential of a plant species to aid restoration of fly ash deposited sites, it is needed to assess leaf litter decomposition as well as nutrient release pattern. In the present investigation, we studied the leaf litter decomposition of the plant species (Leucaena leucocephala, Pithecellobium dolce and Prosopis juliflora) and mix plantation in the fly ash ecosystem. The litter bag experiment was conducted in the area of plantation on the fly ash deposited site during a period of 365 days. Percentage of C and N was higher in L. leucocephala > P. dolce >Mix Plantation > P. juliflora while C/N ratio was higher in P. juliflora >Mix Plantation > L. leucocephala > P. dolce. L. leucocephala and P. dolce showed relatively fast decomposition rates (k = 1.27, 1.17), respectively while mix plantation (k = 0.82) and P. juliflora (k = 0.73) exhibited relatively slower decomposition rates. Thus, we noted that the decomposition rate of L. leucocephala was greater than the other selected species. This shows that the species having faster decomposition rate and nutrient release could be a factual choice for rehabilitation of fly ash deposited sites.

Bioaccumulation and Toxicity of As in the Alga Chlorococcum sp.: Prospects for As Bioremediation.

Ubiquitous distribution, fast growth rate and manifold relevance has credited algae a potential bioresource in current state of affairs of environmental degradation. In the present study, green alga Chlorococcum sp. has been collected from waste water, isolated and cultured to assess their accumulation and toxicity responses at different As(III) concentration. Results revealed that Chlorococcum sp. treated with 10 µM As(III) showed a minimal reduction (21%) in chlorophyll concentration with high proline and carotenoids content indicating its adaptive tolerance potential against As(III). The EC50 of As(III) for inhibiting growth of the microalgae after 10 days of experiment was 9.4 µM. Further, Chlorococcum sp. accumulated 239.09 µg g- 1 dw As at the concentration of 10 µM of As(III) after 10 days of treatment. Concentration dependent accumulation pattern and antioxidant responses in Chlorococcum sp. could be a used as a potential bioindicator and bioremediator of As from waste water.

Evaluation of seven commercial RT-PCR kits for COVID-19 testing in pooled clinical specimens.

There are more than 350 real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) testing kits commercially available but these kits have not been evaluated for pooled sample testing. Thus, this study was planned to compare and evaluate seven commercially available kits for pooled samples testing. Diagnostic accuracy of (1) TRUPCR SARS-CoV-2 Kit (Black Bio), (2) TaqPath RT-PCR COVID-19 Kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific), (3) Allplex 2019-nCOV Assay (Seegene), (4) Patho detect COVID-19 PCR kit (My Lab), (5) LabGun COVID-19 RT-PCR Kit (Lab Genomics, Korea), (6) Fosun COVID-19 RT-PCR detection kit (Fosun Ltd.), (7) Real-time Fluorescent RT-PCR kit for SARS CoV-2 (BGI) was evaluated on precharacterised 40 positive and 10 negative COVID-19 sample pools. All seven kits detected all sample pools with low Ct values (<30); while testing weak positive pooled samples with high Ct value (>30); the TRUPCR Kit, TaqPath Kit, Allplex Assay, and BGI RT-PCR kit showed 100% sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. However, the Fosun kit, LabGun Kit, and Patho detect kit could detect only 90%, 85%, and 75% of weakly positive samples, respectively. We conclude that all seven commercially available RT-PCR kits included in this study can be used for routine molecular diagnosis of COVID-19. However, regarding performing pooled sample testing, it might be advisable to use those kits that performed best regarding positive identification in samples' pool, that is TRUPCR SARS-CoV-2 Kit, TaqPath RT-PCR COVID-19 Kit, Allplex 2019-nCOV Assay, and BGI Real-time RT-PCR kit for detecting SARS CoV-2.

Discovery and fine mapping of Rph28: a new gene conferring resistance to Puccinia hordei from wild barley.

KEY MESSAGE: A new gene Rph28 conferring resistance to barley leaf rust was discovered and fine-mapped on chromosome 5H from wild barley. Leaf rust is a highly destructive disease of barley caused by the fungal pathogen Puccinia hordei. Genetic resistance is considered to be the most effective, economical and eco-friendly approach to minimize losses caused by this disease. A study was undertaken to characterize and fine map a seedling resistance gene identified in a Hordeum vulgare ssp. spontaneum-derived barley line, HEB-04-101, that is broadly effective against a diverse set of Australian P. hordei pathotypes. Genetic analysis of an F3 population derived from a cross between HEB-04-101 and the H. vulgare cultivar Flagship (seedling susceptible) confirmed the presence of a single dominant gene for resistance in HEB-04-101. Selective genotyping was performed on representative plants from non-segregating homozygous resistant and homozygous susceptible F3 families using the targeted genotyping-by-sequencing (tGBS) assay. Putatively linked SNP markers with complete fixation were identified on the long arm of chromosome 5H spanning a physical interval between 622 and 669 Mb based on the 2017 Morex barley reference genome assembly. Several CAPS (cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences) markers were designed from the pseudomolecule sequence of the Morex assembly (v1.0 and v2.0), and 16 polymorphic markers were able to delineate the RphHEB locus to a 0.05 cM genetic interval spanning 98.6 kb. Based on its effectiveness and wild origin, RphHEB is distinct from all other designated Rph genes located on chromosome 5H and therefore the new locus symbol Rph28 is recommended for RphHEB in accordance with the rules and cataloguing system of barley gene nomenclature.

Breeding at higher latitude is associated with higher photoperiodic threshold and delayed reproductive development in a songbird.

Many seasonally breeding animals exhibit a threshold day length (critical photoperiod; CPP) for gonadal growth, and populations breeding at higher latitudes typically have a higher CPP. Much less is known about latitudinal variation in CPP in migratory population that winter away from their breeding range and must time their reproduction to match favorable conditions at their destination. To address the relationship between migration, breeding latitude, and CPP, we held two closely related songbird populations in a common environment. One population is resident (Junco hyemalis carolinensis), the other winters in sympatry with the residents but migrates north to breed (Junco hyemalis hyemalis). We gradually increased photoperiod and measured indices of readiness to migrate (fat score, body mass) and breed (cloacal protuberance volume, baseline testosterone, and gonadotropin releasing hormone challenged testosterone). To estimate breeding latitude, we measured hydrogen isotopes in feathers grown the preceding year. As we predicted, we found a higher CPP in migrants than residents, and a higher CPP among migrants deriving from higher as opposed to lower latitudes. Migrants also terminated breeding earlier than residents, indicating a shorter breeding season. To our knowledge, this is a first demonstration of latitudinal variation in CPP-dependent reproductive timing in bird populations that co-exist in the non-breeding season but breed at different latitudes. We conclude that bird populations appear to exhibit local adaptation in reproductive timing by relying on differential CPP response that is predictive of future conditions on the breeding ground.

Kinetic and thermodynamic characterization of novel alkaline lipase from halotolerant Bacillus gibsonii.

A halotolerant bacterial strain isolated and identified as Bacillus gibsonii was used for extracellular lipase production. The bacterial strain was able to grow up to 1200 mM salt concentration and showed maximum growth at 600 mM NaCl concentration. The present study includes production of extracellular lipase enzyme and characterization of partially purified lipase with respect to its kinetic and thermodynamic behaviour. Maximum lipase activity was observed at 60 °C under alkaline pH (9.0) condition. The kinetic parameters such as Vmax, Km and Kcat were calculated as 158.73 U/mL, 0.539 mM and 483.93 min-1 at 60 °C, respectively, suggested thermostable nature of the enzyme. The thermal inactivation energy [Ea(d)] was calculated as 66.98 kJ/mol. The values of Gibb's free energy (86.31 kJ/mol), enthalpy (64.26 kJ/mol) and entropy (- 66.21 × 10-3 kJ/mol/K) for the enzyme inactivation obtained at 60 °C corroborated the assumption that 60 °C was the optimum temperature. Further, the deactivation rate constant (kd) values calculated at 60 °C and 80 °C were found to be 0.0907 and 0.182 min-1, respectively, which suggested that enzyme was more stable at 60 °C and it was partly inactivated at 80 °C.

Biodegradation of endocrine disrupting chemicals benzyl butyl phthalate and dimethyl phthalate by Bacillus marisflavi RR014.

AIM: The objectives of the present study were to explore the benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) and dimethyl phthalate (DMP) degradation potential of Bacillus marisflavi RR014 isolated from the tap water of public toilet and also to optimize the phthalates degradation process using response surface methodology. METHODS AND RESULTS: The minimal salt medium was used for the biodegradation analysis of phthalates. The quantification of phthalates and their intermediate metabolites identification were done by using UHPLC and LC-MS/MS respectively. The results revealed that B. marisflavi RR014 is capable of degrading both the phthalates under varying pH, temperature and salinity conditions. The formation of phthalic acid from the breakdown of BBP and DMP (500 mg l-1 ) in the medium was observed after 24 h. After 72 h, 61% of BBP and 98·9% of DMP in the medium was degraded as monitored by UHPLC. The identification of intermediate metabolites by LC-MS/MS revealed that hydrolysis of BBP and DMP produces phthalic acid. CONCLUSIONS: The degradation rate of both the phthalates was increased as the parameters increased up to an optimum level. The three environmental factors (pH, temperature and salt concentration) strongly affect the rate of degradation of both the phthalates. The maximum degradation rate for both the phthalates was achieved at pH 7, temperature 35°C and salt concentration of 1% as observed from the central composite experimental design. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: It is the first report on the phthalates biodegradation potential of B. marisflavi RR014 isolated from the tap water of public toilet. The bacterium is capable of degrading BBP and DMP under varying pH, temperature and salinity, therefore, ideal to treat the phthalate contaminated environments.

Characterizing the Genetic Architecture of Nonhost Resistance in Barley Using Pathogenically Diverse Puccinia Isolates.

Barley is an intermediate or near nonhost to many cereal rust pathogens that infect grasses, making it a highly suitable model to understand the evolution and genetic basis of nonhost resistance (NHR) in plants. To characterize the genetic architecture of NHR in barley, we used the Oregon Wolfe Barley doubled haploid and Morex × SusPtrit recombinant inbred line mapping populations. To elicit a wide array of NHR responses, we tested 492 barley accessions and both mapping populations with pathogenically diverse cereal rust isolates representing distinct formae speciales adapted to Avena, Hordeum, Triticum, and Lolium spp.: P. coronata f. sp. avenae (oat crown rust pathogen) and P. coronata f. sp. lolii (ryegrass crown rust pathogen), P. graminis f. sp. avenae (oat stem rust pathogen) and P. graminis f. sp. lolii (the ryegrass stem rust pathogen), and P. striiformis f. sp. tritici (wheat stripe rust pathogen) and P. striiformis f. sp. pseudo-hordei (barley grass stripe rust pathogen). With the exception of P. coronata f. sp. lolii and P. coronata f. sp. avenae, susceptibility and segregation for NHR was observed in the barley accessions and both mapping populations. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for NHR were mapped on all seven chromosomes. NHR in barley to the heterologous rusts tested was attributable to a combination of QTLs with either or both overlapping and distinct specificities. Across both mapping populations, broadly effective NHR loci were also identified that likely play a role in host specialization.

Malathion biodegradation by a psychrotolerant bacteria Ochrobactrum sp. M1D and metabolic pathway analysis.

An organophosphorus pesticide malathion biodegradation was investigated by using the bacteria Ochrobactrum sp. M1D isolated from a soil sample of peach orchards in Palampur, District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh (India). The bacterium was able to utilize malathion as the sole source of carbon and energy. The isolated bacterium was found psychrotolerant and could degrade 100% of 100 mg l-1 malathion in minimal salt medium at 20°C, pH 7·0 within 12 days with no major significant metabolites left at the end of the study. Through GCMS analysis, methyl phosphate, diethyl maleate, and diethyl 2-mercaptosuccinate were detected and identified as the major pathway metabolites. Based on the GCMS profile, three probable degradation pathways were interpreted. The present study is the first report of malathion biodegradation at both the psychrophilic and mesophilic conditions by any psychrotolerant strain and also through multiple degradation pathways. In the future, the strain can be explored to bio-remediate the malathion contaminated soil in the cold climatic region and to utilize the enzymatic systems for advanced biotechnology applications.

Assessment of Thorax Finite Element Model Response for Behind Armor Blunt Trauma Impact Loading Using an Epidemiological Database.

Nonperforating ballistic impacts on thoracic armor can cause blunt injuries, known as behind-armor blunt trauma (BABT). To evaluate the potential for this injury, the back face deformation (BFD) imprinted into a clay backing is measured; however, the link between BFD and potential for injury is uncertain. Computational human body models (HBMs) have the potential to provide an improved understanding of BABT injury risk to inform armor design but require assessment with relevant loading scenarios. In this study, a methodology was developed to apply BABT loading to a computational thorax model, enhanced with refined finite element mesh and high-deformation rate mechanical properties. The model was assessed using an epidemiological BABT survivor database. BABT impact boundary conditions for 10 cases from the database were recreated using experimentally measured deformation for specific armor/projectile combinations, and applied to the thorax model using a novel prescribed displacement methodology. The computational thorax model demonstrated numerical stability under BABT impact conditions. The predicted number of rib fractures, the magnitude of pulmonary contusion, and injury rank, increased with armor BFD, back face velocity, and input energy to the thorax. In three of the 10 cases, the model overpredicted the number of rib fractures, attributed to impact location positional sensitivity and limited details from the database. The integration of an HBM with the BABT loading method predicted rib fractures and injury ranks that were in good agreement with available medical records, providing a potential tool for future armor evaluation and injury assessment.

Expression map of entry receptors and infectivity factors for pan-coronaviruses in preimplantation and implantation stage human embryos.

PURPOSE: To predict if developing human embryos are permissive to multiple coronaviruses. METHOD: We analyzed publicly available single-cell RNA-seq datasets of human embryos for the known canonical and non-canonical receptors and spike protein cleavage enzymes for multiple coronaviruses like SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, hCoV-229E, and hCoV-NL63. We also analyzed the expression of host genes involved in viral replication, host proteins involved in viral endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT), genes of host proteins that physically interact with proteins of SARS-CoV-2, and the host genes essential for coronavirus infectivity. RESULTS: Of the known receptors of SARS viruses, ACE2, BSG, GOLGA7, and ZDHHC5 were expressed in different proportions in the zygote, 4-cell, 8-cell, morula, and blastocysts including the trophectoderm. The MERS-CoV receptor, DPP4, and hCoV-229E receptor, ANPEP, were expressed mainly from the compact morula to the blastocyst stages. Transcripts of the MERS-CoV alternate receptor LGALS1 were detected in most cells at all stages of development. TMPRSS2 transcripts were detected in the epiblast, primitive endoderm, and trophectoderm, while transcripts of the endosomal proteases CTSL, CTSB, and FURIN were expressed in most cells at all stages of development. ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were co-expressed in a proportion of epiblast and trophectoderm cells. The embryonic cells expressed genes involved in ESCRT, viral replication, SARS-CoV-2 interactions, and coronavirus infectivity. The ACE2 and TMPRSS2 co-expressing cells were enriched in genes associated with lipid metabolism, lysosome, peroxisome, and oxidative phosphorylation pathways. CONCLUSION: Preimplantation and implantation stage human embryos could be permissive to multiple hCoVs.

Validating Molecular Markers for Barley Leaf Rust Resistance Genes Rph20 and Rph24.

Improving resistance to barley leaf rust (caused by Puccinia hordei) is an important breeding objective in most barley growing regions worldwide. The development and subsequent utilization of high-throughput PCR-based codominant molecular markers remains an effective approach to select genotypes with multiple effective resistance genes, permitting efficient gene deployment and stewardship. The genes Rph20 and Rph24 confer widely effective adult plant resistance (APR) to leaf rust, are common in European and Australian barley germplasm (often in combination), and act interactively to confer high levels of resistance. Here we report on the development and validation of codominant insertion-deletion (indel) based PCR markers that are highly predictive for the resistance alleles Rph20.ai and Rph24.an (both referred to as Rph20 and Rph24).