Phenotypic analysis with trans-recombination-based genetic mosaic models.

Mosaicism refers to the presence of genetically distinct cell populations in an individual derived from a single zygote, which occurs during the process of development, aging, and genetic diseases. To date, a variety of genetically engineered mosaic analysis models have been established and widely used in studying gene function at exceptional cellular and spatiotemporal resolution, leading to many ground-breaking discoveries. Mosaic analysis with a repressible cellular marker and mosaic analysis with double markers are genetic mosaic analysis models based on trans-recombination. These models can generate sibling cells of distinct genotypes in the same animal and simultaneously label them with different colors. As a result, they offer a powerful approach for lineage tracing and studying the behavior of individual mutant cells in a wildtype environment, which is particularly useful for determining whether gene function is cell autonomous or nonautonomous. Here, we present a comprehensive review on the establishment and applications of mosaic analysis with a repressible cellular marker and mosaic analysis with double marker systems. Leveraging the capabilities of these mosaic models for phenotypic analysis will facilitate new discoveries on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of development and disease.

Sp2 regulates late neurogenic but not early expansive divisions of neural stem cells underlying population growth in the mouse cortex.

Cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the switch from self-amplification of cortical stem cells to neuronal and glial generation are incompletely understood, despite their importance for neural development. Here, we have investigated the role of the transcription factor specificity protein 2 (Sp2) in expansive and neurogenic divisions of the developing cerebral cortex by combining conditional genetic deletion with the mosaic analysis with double markers (MADM) system in mice. We find that loss of Sp2 in progenitors undergoing neurogenic divisions results in prolonged mitosis due to extension of early mitotic stages. This disruption is correlated with depletion of the populations of upper layer neurons in the cortex. In contrast, early cortical neural stem cells proliferate and expand normally in the absence of Sp2. These results indicate a stage-specific requirement for Sp2 in neural stem and progenitor cells, and reveal mechanistic differences between the early expansive and later neurogenic periods of cortical development.This article has an associated 'The people behind the papers' interview.

Evaluation of Design Method for Highway Adjacent Tunnel and Exit Connection Section Length Based on Entropy Method.

With the continuous construction of transportation infrastructure, intersection nodes have been increasing rapidly, bringing growing numbers of tunnel- and exit-adjacent sections (TEAS) in mountain expressways in China. With the complex variation in the surrounding environment, drivers always face congestion and confusion on tunnel and the exit connecting sections (TECS) without adequate length, meanwhile excessively long TECS create detours. To better provide a sustainable design strategy for TEAS, based on a certain section of expressway in Shaanxi, China, this paper establishes a theoretical calculation model through analysis. The characteristics of traffic flow and drivers' light adaptation at tunnel exit are obtained through data collection and driving tests, and the length requirements of the tunnel and exit connecting sections (TECS) are discussed. A VISSIM microscopic simulation model is also built under various design schemes and entropy-based multi-attribute decision making (EBMADM) is used to objectively calculate the weights of the four selected evaluation indexes. Then, the design schemes of the TECS with different lengths have been comprehensively evaluated. The results show the match between the evaluation results of EBMADM with theoretical calculations under existing traffic conditions, which proves the rationality of EBMADM in such problems. For more cases, the results of the EBMADM evaluation show a positive correlation between the length of TECS for the best performing design scheme with traffic volume and diverging ratio.

Spatial-Temporal Sensitivity Analysis of Flood Control Capability in China Based on MADM-GIS Model.

To facilitate better implementation of flood control and risk mitigation strategies, a model for evaluating the flood defense capability of China is proposed in this study. First, nine indicators such as slope and precipitation intensity are extracted from four aspects: objective inclusiveness, subjective prevention, etc. Secondly, the entropy weight method in the multi-attribute decision making (MADM) model and the improved three-dimensional technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (3D-TOPSIS) method were combined to construct a flood defense capacity index evaluation system. Finally, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the Taylor plot method were innovatively used to test the model and indicators. The results show that nationwide, there is fine flood defense performance in Shandong, Jiangsu and room for improvement in Guangxi, Chongqing, Tibet and Qinghai. The good representativity of nine indicators selected by the model was verified by the Taylor plot. Simultaneously, the ROC calculated area under the curve (AUC) was 70%, which proved the good problem-solving ability of the MADM-GIS model. An accurate assessment of the sensitivity of flood control capacity in China was achieved, and it is suitable for situations where data is scarce or discontinuous. It provided scientific reference value for the planning and implementation of China's flood defense and disaster reduction projects and emergency safety strategies.

Mosaic Analysis with Double Markers reveals IGF1R function in granule cell progenitors during cerebellar development.

During cerebellar development, granule cell progenitors (GCPs) proliferate exponentially for a fixed period, promoted by paracrine mitogenic factor Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) secreted from Purkinje cells (PCs). Dysregulation of Shh signaling leads to uncontrolled GCP proliferation and medulloblastoma. Serendipitously our previous work discovered insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) as another key driver for medulloblastoma, which led to the current investigation into the role of IGF1 in GCPs during normal development. While the IGF1R conditional knockout model revealed GCP defects in anterior cerebellum, the posterior cerebellum was mostly intact, likely owing to incomplete excision of floxed alleles. To circumvent this hurdle, we enlisted a mouse genetic system called Mosaic Analysis of Double Markers (MADM), which sporadically generates homozygous null cells unequivocally labeled with GFP and their wildtype sibling cells labeled with RFP, enabling phenotypic analysis at single-cell resolution. Using MADM, we found that loss of IGF1R resulted in a 10-fold reduction of GCs in both anterior and posterior cerebellum; and that hindered S phase entry and increased cell cycle exit collectively led to this phenotype. Genetic interaction studies showed that IGF1 signaling prevents GCP cell cycle exit at least partially through suppressing the level of p27kip1, a negative regulator of cell cycle. Finally, we found that IGF1 is produced by PCs in a temporally regulated fashion: it is highly expressed early in development when GCPs proliferate exponentially, then gradually decline as GCPs commit to cell cycle exit. Taken together, our studies reveal IGF1 as a paracrine factor that positively regulates GCP cell cycle in cooperation with Shh, through dampening the level of p27 to prevent precocious cell cycle exit. Our work not only showcases the power of phenotypic analysis by the MADM system but also provides an excellent example of multi-factorial regulation of robust developmental programs.

Clonal analysis reveals laminar fate multipotency and daughter cell apoptosis of mouse cortical intermediate progenitors.

In developing cerebral cortex, most pyramidal-projection neurons are produced by intermediate progenitors (IPs), derived in turn from radial glial progenitors. Although IPs produce neurons for all cortical layers, it is unknown whether individual IPs produce multiple or single laminar fates, and the potential of IPs for extended proliferation remains uncertain. Previously, we found that, at the population level, early IPs (present during lower-layer neurogenesis) produce lower- and upper-layer neurons, whereas late IPs produce upper-layer neurons only. Here, we employed mosaic analysis with double markers (MADM) in mice to sparsely label early IP clones. Most early IPs produced 1-2 neurons for deep layers only. Less frequently, early IPs produced larger clones (up to 12 neurons) spanning lower and upper layers, or upper layers only. The majority of IP-derived clones (∼66%) were associated with asymmetric cell death after the first division. These data demonstrate that laminar fate is not predetermined, at least in some IPs. Rather, the heterogeneous sizes and laminar fates of early IP clones are correlated with cell division/death/differentiation choices and neuron birthdays, respectively.

Selection of suitable adsorbent for the removal of Cr(VI) by using objective based multiple attribute decision making method.

The objective of the current manuscript is to develop a systematic and simplified expert system for the selection of suitable adsorbent to treat Cr(VI). Selection of adsorbent among the large options available by considering all possible factors and their interaction is required in an easy, organized and rational way. In this study, fuzzy logic is used for the choosing an appropriate adsorbent for the Cr(VI) removal. Multiple attribute decision making (MADM) is utilized to work out the relative weighting values for the chosen sorbent. The preference index is calculated by using the subjective and objective weights. The normalized value associated with each parameter has given on the basis of effect of each parameter on the removal of Cr(VI) and uptake capacity of each material. The associated MADM method results and the barriers of the approach is mentioned to lay the basis for in addition enhancement.

A comprehensive analysis of weighting and multicriteria methods in the context of sustainable energy.

This study presents a comprehensive and comparative analysis of weighting and multiple attribute decision-making (MADM) methods in the context of sustainable energy. As the selection problems of energy involve various conflicting attributes, MADM methods have been widely applied in addressing these issues. In this study, six weighting and seven MADM methods that constitute a total of 42 models are implemented to evaluate different weighting and multicriteria decision-making methods and determine the most efficient and sustainable energy option. To determine the weights of economic, environmental, socioeconomic, and technical attributes, two subjective methods-the analytic hierarchy process and best-worst method-and four objective methods-the criteria importance through intercriteria correlation, Shannon's entropy, standard deviation, and mean weight-are used. Thus, both expert evaluations and data-based assessments are considered. Using each attribute weight provided by the six methods, the ranking of electricity generation options for Turkey is obtained through seven MADM methods: the elimination and choice expressing the reality method, the weighted sum method, the weighted product method, the organization, rangement et synthese de donnes relationnelles (ORESTE) method, the technique for order performance by similarity to the ideal solution, the preference ranking organization method for the enrichment of evaluations, and the multiple criteria optimization compromise solution. Rankings obtained from all models are integrated through the Borda, Copeland, and grade average methods. The results indicate that hydro is the optimal electricity generation option, followed by onshore wind, solar PV, geothermal, natural gas, and coal.

Importance rankings of nodes in the China Railway Express network under the Belt and Road Initiative.

China Railway Express (CR express) refers to the regular container trains transporting between China and European countries under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This paper aims to conduct the systematic and in-depth research on the importance ranking of logistics nodes across the complex CR express network from China's national plan of the BRI perspective, with consideration of the connectivity between the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (MSR) and the Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB). In doing so, first, it sets up the complex network in the CR express transport. Second, based on the restraint coefficients in the theory of structural hole such as network scale, efficiency, grading and clustering co-efficiency, this paper applies the Multiple Attribute Decision Making (MADM) model in association with algorithm development in calculating the importance of the CR express nodes including both inland nodes and seaport nodes. The paper has three-fold contributions. In theory, it confirms the accuracy and practicability of the structural hole theory in the importance ranking of nodes in the complex network. In practice, it identifies important logistics nodes of CR express network across the BRI. Further, the findings in the paper contribute to optimising the structure of CR express transport and improving its network stability.

Assessment and improvement of wetlands environmental protection plans for achieving sustainable development.

Although wetland environmental protection plans are synonymous with wetland management and erosion control plans, the public perceptions of such plans often focus on their impact on the human enjoyment of wetland areas. These plans are affected by many interrelated influence factors, such as human welfare, property, safety, management, operations, maintenance, ecology, environment, artificial structures, climate control, and sustainable development. The purpose of this paper is to probe how to use qualitative and quantitative measurements of wetland environments to create plan indexes using criteria/attributes as well as how to help these indexes for achieving the aspiration levels in each criterion/attribute. Previous studies that attempted to measure environmental evaluations and plans have assumed that these criteria are independent, but this assumption does not hold in real-world applications of real problems. Therefore, in this proof-of-concept study, using an empirical exam among various attributes and to measure and evaluate the real conditions for improving the wetland environmental problems. A DEMATEL technique can be used to construct the INRM, the basic concept of an ANP was modified to determine the influential weights of criteria/dimensions in our research alternative, called DANP (DEMATEL-based ANP). Then we can construct a decision-making model via a hybrid modified VIKOR method to improve wetlands environmental management manager strategy formulation in performance evaluation toward for achieving the aspiration level. Using these techniques, a proposed model appeared, which can be used to explain interdependence and feedback problems. Based on the final results, we can also propose a gap improvement in the development of a sustainable development plan for the environment while taking comfort and safety into account to improve standards and achieve human welfare expectations.

An Optimized Load Balance Solution for Multi-homed Host in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks.

The imminent wireless technologies are demanding fusion of several networks with diverse technologies. A convenient user device for such an environment is the multihomed host, which is capable of making use of simultaneous multiple connections of heterogeneous networks and smartly distributing/receiving data among them. The aim of this work is to develop a mechanism for assessing the multihoming concept and to propose a system model for increasing its applicability. The proposed model provided a novel user-centric scheme for multihoming for multi-radio access technologies (multi-RAT). It is considered an evolution of traffic offloading for gaining more capacity, higher data rates, and real-time services. This work assumes data classifications, evaluates and ranks the available connections, and utilizes the application data in an unequal load balance scheme. This is achieved by analyzing the performance of three of the most widely used alternative-choice for multiple attributes decision making (MADM) methods. The analytical hierarchy process (AHP), along with a utility equation, is applied to the system model for unequal load balance solution. The proposed model is targeting an energy efficient mechanism which satisfies application needs. Moreover, it reveals an efficient transmission mechanism for a better quality of service, traffic management, and availability solutions. The simulation results show that the proposed system surpassed its former counterparts.

Data-Prefetching Scheme Based on Playback Delay and Positioning Satisfaction in Peer-To-Peer Video-On-Demand System.

As one of the most important applications in peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, the video-on-demand (VoD) system freely supports video cassette recorder (VCR) operation for users. However, the users may experience significant playback delay after frequent VCR operations in the VoD system, which will affect the quality of experience (QoE) of the users. Hence, selecting an appropriate data-prefetching strategy to support better VCR operation is an important approach to improve the QoE. This paper proposes a data-prefetching strategy (DSA) to determine the most suitable anchor interval by considering the playback delay and positioning satisfaction. According to the DSA, we use the multiple-attribute decision-making (MADM) theory to model the selection of intervals of prefetching data blocks (i.e., anchor interval) and the technique for ordering preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) algorithm to solve the MADM. The simulation results show that the DSA strategy obtains higher positioning satisfaction than the existing schemes, which is approximately 60% higher than the anchor points, popular parts of video, and user interests (API)-based method. Moreover, with the increase in network bandwidth, the DSA strategy can minimize the playback delay after VCR operation using relative few extra bandwidths.

Evaluation of plum fruit maturity by image processing techniques.

Maturity is the key factor which determines the storage life and ripening quality of fruits. In order to provide marketing flexibility and to guarantee the acceptable eating quality to the buyer it is very critical to determine the right maturity stage. Maturity indices are also important for trade regulation, marketing strategy and for the efficient use of labor and resources. The proposed system is based on implementation of image processing techniques on the JPEG images of different maturity stages of the plum variety 'Satluj Purple' grown under sub-tropical conditions. The external quality features like color, texture and size were analyzed. Color feature was extracted by using mean RGB values. Entropy, Local Binary Pattern and Discrete Cosine transformation were used for extracting textural features. Correlation coefficients between images of various categories were recorded to determine the most dominant factor for classification. Multi-Attribute Decision Making theory was used for taking final decision. The developed system accurately determined the maturity level. Color was found to be the most dominant factor for classifying the plums according to maturity level. The error percentage was less than 2.4%, when the length and width computed from application were compared with the manual readings. When RGB indices of fruit images were correlated with chemical properties of fruits, strong association was found between fruit acidity and mean intensity of green color (R2 = 0.9966). Significant variability in total soluble solids was also explained by variation in R/G ratio (R2 = 0.8464).

Neural Stem Cells to Cerebral Cortex: Emerging Mechanisms Regulating Progenitor Behavior and Productivity.

This review accompanies a 2016 SFN mini-symposium presenting examples of current studies that address a central question: How do neural stem cells (NSCs) divide in different ways to produce heterogeneous daughter types at the right time and in proper numbers to build a cerebral cortex with the appropriate size and structure? We will focus on four aspects of corticogenesis: cytokinesis events that follow apical mitoses of NSCs; coordinating abscission with delamination from the apical membrane; timing of neurogenesis and its indirect regulation through emergence of intermediate progenitors; and capacity of single NSCs to generate the correct number and laminar fate of cortical neurons. Defects in these mechanisms can cause microcephaly and other brain malformations, and understanding them is critical to designing diagnostic tools and preventive and corrective therapies.

Ranking the strategies for Indian medical tourism sector through the integration of SWOT analysis and TOPSIS method.

Purpose Organizations have to evaluate their internal and external environments in this highly competitive world. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis is a very useful technique which analyzes the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of an organization for taking strategic decisions and it also provides a foundation for the formulation of strategies. But the drawback of SWOT analysis is that it does not quantify the importance of individual factors affecting the organization and the individual factors are described in brief without weighing them. Because of this reason, SWOT analysis can be integrated with any multiple attribute decision-making (MADM) technique like the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), analytical hierarchy process, etc., to evaluate the best alternative among the available strategic alternatives. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach In this study, SWOT analysis is integrated with a multicriteria decision-making technique called TOPSIS to rank different strategies for Indian medical tourism in order of priority. Findings SO strategy (providing best facilitation and care to the medical tourists at par to developed countries) is the best strategy which matches with the four elements of S, W, O and T of SWOT matrix and 35 strategic indicators. Practical implications This paper proposes a solution based on a combined SWOT analysis and TOPSIS approach to help the organizations to evaluate and select strategies. Originality/value Creating a new technology or administering a new strategy always has some degree of resistance by employees. To minimize resistance, the author has used TOPSIS as it involves group thinking, requiring every manager of the organization to analyze and evaluate different alternatives and average measure of each parameter in final decision matrix.

Validation of the Greek version of Mother's Autonomy in Decision Making (MADM) scale.

INTRODUCTION: Ensuring expectant mothers have the capacity to make well-informed decisions regarding their prenatal care, encompassing medical interventions, and birthing preferences are crucial for fostering favorable health outcomes for both mother and newborn. The Mother's Autonomy in Decision Making (MADM) scale serves as a commonly utilized tool for evaluating the autonomy of pregnant women in the decision-making processes related to prenatal care and childbirth. The aim of this study is to validate the MADM scale in women who had at least one home childbirth experience in Greece. METHODS: A retrospective online survey collected data from Greek women with home childbirth experience (January 2010 - December 2023). We utilized a self-administered questionnaire and the Greek version of the MADM scale. RESULTS: The study included 162 women, predominantly of Greek nationality (94.4%) and residing in Attica (54%). The MADM scale showed a median score of 38. The confirmatory factor analysis indicated acceptable fit and reliability (comparative fit index, CFI=0.92; Tucker-Lewis index, TLI=0.91; root mean square error of approximation, RMSEA=0.07; Cronbach's α=0.92). Age correlated weakly negatively with the MADM scale score (Spearman's rho= -0.166, p=0.035). Additionally, women attending antenatal preparation courses with a midwife before their first home birth had higher MADM scores (median 39 vs 35, p=0.037). CONCLUSIONS: The study underscores the importance of the MADM scale, demonstrating its reliability and validity for women living in Greece. Younger age and attending antenatal preparation courses with a midwife were associated with higher MADM scores, highlighting education's role in maternal autonomy.

Multipotent progenitors instruct ontogeny of the superior colliculus.

The superior colliculus (SC) in the mammalian midbrain is essential for multisensory integration and is composed of a rich diversity of excitatory and inhibitory neurons and glia. However, the developmental principles directing the generation of SC cell-type diversity are not understood. Here, we pursued systematic cell lineage tracing in silico and in vivo, preserving full spatial information, using genetic mosaic analysis with double markers (MADM)-based clonal analysis with single-cell sequencing (MADM-CloneSeq). The analysis of clonally related cell lineages revealed that radial glial progenitors (RGPs) in SC are exceptionally multipotent. Individual resident RGPs have the capacity to produce all excitatory and inhibitory SC neuron types, even at the stage of terminal division. While individual clonal units show no pre-defined cellular composition, the establishment of appropriate relative proportions of distinct neuronal types occurs in a PTEN-dependent manner. Collectively, our findings provide an inaugural framework at the single-RGP/-cell level of the mammalian SC ontogeny.

Supermultipotency and unpredictability in the developing superior colliculus.

A recent study by Cheung, Pauler, Koppensteiner et al. combining lineage tracing with single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has revealed unexpected features of the developing superior colliculus (SC). Extremely multipotent individual progenitors generate all types of SC neurons and glial cells that were found to localize in a non-predetermined pattern, demonstrating a remarkable degree of unpredictability in SC development.

WHOOPH: whale optimization-based optimal placement of hub node within a WBAN.

Biosensor nodes of a wireless body area network (WBAN) transmit physiological parameter data to a central hub node, spending a substantial portion of their energy. Therefore, it is crucial to determine an optimal location for hub placement to minimize node energy consumption in data transmission. Existing methods determine the optimal hub location by sequentially placing the hub at multiple random locations within the WBAN. Performance measures like link reliability or overall node energy consumption in data transmission are estimated for each hub location. The best-performing location is finally selected for hub placement. Such methods are time-consuming. Moreover, the involvement of other nodes in the process of hub placement results in an undesirable loss of network energy. This paper shows the whale optimization algorithm (WOA)-based hub placement scheme. This scheme directly gives the best location for the hub in the least amount of time and with the least amount of help from other nodes. The presented scheme incorporates a population of candidate solutions called "whale search agents". These agents carry out the iterative steps of encircling the prey (identifying the best candidate solution), bubble-net feeding (exploitation phase), and random prey search (exploration phase). The WOA-based model eventually converges into an optimized solution that determines the optimal location for hub placement. The resultant hub location minimizes the overall amount of energy consumed by the WBAN nodes for data transmission, which ultimately results in an elongated lifespan of WBAN operation. The results show that the proposed WOA-based hub placement scheme outperforms various state-of-the-art related WBAN protocols by achieving a network lifetime of 8937 data transmission rounds with 93.8% network throughput and 9.74 ms network latency.

A fair bed allocation during COVID-19 pandemic using TOPSIS technique based on correlation coefficient for interval-valued pythagorean fuzzy hypersoft set.

The relationship between two variables is an essential factor in statistics, and the accuracy of the results depends on the data collected. However, the data collected for statistical analysis can be unclear and difficult to interpret. One way to predict how one variable will change about another is by using the correlation coefficient (CC), but this method is not commonly used in interval-valued Pythagorean fuzzy hypersoft set (IVPFHSS). The IVPFHSS is a more advanced and generalized form of the Pythagorean fuzzy hypersoft set (PFHSS), which allows for more precise and accurate analysis. In this research, we introduce the correlation coefficient (CC) and weighted correlation coefficient (WCC) for IVPFHSS and their essential properties. To demonstrate the applicability of these measures, we use the COVID-19 pandemic as an example and establish a prioritization technique for order preference by similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS) model. The technique is used to study the problem of optimizing the allocation of hospital beds during the pandemic. This study provides insights into the importance of utilizing correlation measures for decision-making in uncertain and complex situations like the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a robust multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) methodology with significant importance. Subsequently, it is planned to increase a dynamic bed allocation algorithm based on biogeography to accomplish the superlative decision-making system. Moreover, numerical investigations deliberate the best decision structures and deliver sensitivity analyses. The efficiency of our encouraged algorithm is more consistent than prevalent models, and it can effectively control and determine the optimal configurations for the study.