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\"This new book by Malcolm Parkes makes a fundamental contribution to the history of handwriting. Handwriting is a versatile medium that has always allowed individual scribes the opportunity for self-expression, despite the limitations of the pen and the finite number of possible movements. The purpose of this study is to focus on the handwriting of scribes from late antiquity to the beginning of the sixteenth century, and to identify those features which are a scribe's personal contribution to the techniques and art of handwriting.\"--Jacket.

Drawing on statistical techniques and samples this book offers an estimate of medieval production rates of manuscripts in the Latin West. Such information is a helpful production indicator for a period of which we have so little other quantitative data.

Background The Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus has caused recurrent outbreaks in the Arabian Peninsula since 2012. Although MERS has low overall human-to-human transmission potential, there is occasional amplification in the healthcare setting, a pattern reminiscent of the dynamics of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreaks in 2003. Here we provide a head-to-head comparison of exposure patterns and transmission dynamics of large hospital clusters of MERS and SARS, including the most recent South Korean outbreak of MERS in 2015. Methods To assess the unexpected nature of the recent South Korean nosocomial outbreak of MERS and estimate the probability of future large hospital clusters, we compared exposure and transmission patterns for previously reported hospital clusters of MERS and SARS, based on individual-level data and transmission tree information. We carried out simulations of nosocomial outbreaks of MERS and SARS using branching process models rooted in transmission tree data, and inferred the probability and characteristics of large outbreaks. Results A significant fraction of MERS cases were linked to the healthcare setting, ranging from 43.5 % for the nosocomial outbreak in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2014 to 100 % for both the outbreak in Al-Hasa, Saudi Arabia, in 2013 and the outbreak in South Korea in 2015. Both MERS and SARS nosocomial outbreaks are characterized by early nosocomial super-spreading events, with the reproduction number dropping below 1 within three to five disease generations. There was a systematic difference in the exposure patterns of MERS and SARS: a majority of MERS cases occurred among patients who sought care in the same facilities as the index case, whereas there was a greater concentration of SARS cases among healthcare workers throughout the outbreak. Exposure patterns differed slightly by disease generation, however, especially for SARS. Moreover, the distributions of secondary cases per single primary case varied highly across individual hospital outbreaks (Kruskal–Wallis test; P < 0.0001), with significantly higher transmission heterogeneity in the distribution of secondary cases for MERS than SARS. Simulations indicate a 2-fold higher probability of occurrence of large outbreaks (>100 cases) for SARS than MERS (2 % versus 1 %); however, owing to higher transmission heterogeneity, the largest outbreaks of MERS are characterized by sharper incidence peaks. The probability of occurrence of MERS outbreaks larger than the South Korean cluster (n = 186) is of the order of 1 %. Conclusions Our study suggests that the South Korean outbreak followed a similar progression to previously described hospital clusters involving coronaviruses, with early super-spreading events generating a disproportionately large number of secondary infections, and the transmission potential diminishing greatly in subsequent generations. Differences in relative exposure patterns and transmission heterogeneity of MERS and SARS could point to changes in hospital practices since 2003 or differences in transmission mechanisms of these coronaviruses.

Yao-Guang Liu and colleagues identify the molecular basis of male sterility in the Wild Abortive CMS (CMS-WA) system that has been widely used for hybrid rice breeding. They report that a new mitochondrial gene, WA532 , confers male sterility because its protein product interacts with the mitochondrial protein COX11 and leads to cytoplasmic-nuclear incompatibility. Plant cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) results from incompatibilities between the organellar and nuclear genomes and prevents self pollination, enabling hybrid crop breeding to increase yields 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 . The Wild Abortive CMS (CMS-WA) has been exploited in the majority of 'three-line' hybrid rice production since the 1970s, but the molecular basis of this trait remains unknown. Here we report that a new mitochondrial gene, WA352 , which originated recently in wild rice, confers CMS-WA because the protein it encodes interacts with the nuclear-encoded mitochondrial protein COX11. In CMS-WA lines, WA352 accumulates preferentially in the anther tapetum, thereby inhibiting COX11 function in peroxide metabolism and triggering premature tapetal programmed cell death and consequent pollen abortion. WA352-induced sterility can be suppressed by two restorer-of-fertility ( Rf ) genes, suggesting the existence of different mechanisms to counteract deleterious cytoplasmic factors. Thus, CMS-related cytoplasmic-nuclear incompatibility is driven by a detrimental interaction between a newly evolved mitochondrial gene and a conserved, essential nuclear gene.

Background Genome-wide association analysis is a powerful tool for annotating phenotypic effects on the genome and knowledge of genes and chromosomal regions associated with dairy phenotypes is useful for genome and gene-based selection. Here, we report results of a genome-wide analysis of predicted transmitting ability (PTA) of 31 production, health, reproduction and body conformation traits in contemporary Holstein cows. Results Genome-wide association analysis identified a number of candidate genes and chromosome regions associated with 31 dairy traits in contemporary U.S. Holstein cows. Highly significant genes and chromosome regions include: BTA13's GNAS region for milk, fat and protein yields; BTA7's INSR region and BTAX's LOC520057 and GRIA3 for daughter pregnancy rate, somatic cell score and productive life; BTA2's LRP1B for somatic cell score; BTA14's DGAT1-NIBP region for fat percentage; BTA1 's FKBP2 for protein yields and percentage, BTA26's MGMT and BTA6's PDGFRA for protein percentage; BTA18's 53.9-58.7 Mb region for service-sire and daughter calving ease and service-sire stillbirth; BTA18's PGLYRP1 - IGFL1 region for a large number of traits; BTA18's LOC787057 for service-sire stillbirth and daughter calving ease; BTA15's CD82 , BTA23's DST and the MOCS1 - LRFN2 region for daughter stillbirth; and BTAX's LOC520057 and GRIA3 for daughter pregnancy rate. For body conformation traits, BTA11, BTAX, BTA10, BTA5, and BTA26 had the largest concentrations of SNP effects, and PHKA2 of BTAX and REN of BTA16 had the most significant effects for body size traits. For body shape traits, BTAX, BTA19 and BTA3 were most significant. Udder traits were affected by BTA16, BTA22, BTAX, BTA2, BTA10, BTA11, BTA20, BTA22 and BTA25, teat traits were affected by BTA6, BTA7, BTA9, BTA16, BTA11, BTA26 and BTA17, and feet/legs traits were affected by BTA11, BTA13, BTA18, BTA20, and BTA26. Conclusions Genome-wide association analysis identified a number of genes and chromosome regions associated with 31 production, health, reproduction and body conformation traits in contemporary Holstein cows. The results provide useful information for annotating phenotypic effects on the dairy genome and for building consensus of dairy QTL effects.

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) have been shown to host diverse bacterial communities that vary depending on the sex of the mosquito, the developmental stage, and ecological factors. Some studies have suggested a potential role of microbiota in the nutritional, developmental and reproductive biology of mosquitoes. Here, we present a review of the diversity and functions of mosquito-associated bacteria across multiple variation factors, emphasizing recent findings. Mosquito microbiota is considered in the context of possible extended phenotypes conferred on the insect hosts that allow niche diversification and rapid adaptive evolution in other insects. These kinds of observations have prompted the recent development of new mosquito control methods based on the use of symbiotically-modified mosquitoes to interfere with pathogen transmission or reduce the host life span and reproduction. New opportunities for exploiting bacterial function for vector control are highlighted.

Background Penicillium digitatum is a fungal necrotroph causing a common citrus postharvest disease known as green mold. In order to gain insight into the genetic bases of its virulence mechanisms and its high degree of host-specificity, the genomes of two P. digitatum strains that differ in their antifungal resistance traits have been sequenced and compared with those of 28 other Pezizomycotina. Results The two sequenced genomes are highly similar, but important differences between them include the presence of a unique gene cluster in the resistant strain, and mutations previously shown to confer fungicide resistance. The two strains, which were isolated in Spain, and another isolated in China have identical mitochondrial genome sequences suggesting a recent worldwide expansion of the species. Comparison with the closely-related but non-phytopathogenic P. chrysogenum reveals a much smaller gene content in P. digitatum , consistent with a more specialized lifestyle. We show that large regions of the P. chrysogenum genome, including entire supercontigs, are absent from P. digitatum , and that this is the result of large gene family expansions rather than acquisition through horizontal gene transfer . Our analysis of the P. digitatum genome is indicative of heterothallic sexual reproduction and reveals the molecular basis for the inability of this species to assimilate nitrate or produce the metabolites patulin and penicillin. Finally, we identify the predicted secretome, which provides a first approximation to the protein repertoire used during invasive growth. Conclusions The complete genome of P. digitatum , the first of a phytopathogenic Penicillium species, is a valuable tool for understanding the virulence mechanisms and host-specificity of this economically important pest.

During asexual reproduction, according to Chia (1976), sea anemones can regenerate by cloning themselves through binary fission where an individual separates longitudinally or transversely to form two equal halves, pedal laceration during which small pieces of tissues of sea anemone separate from the base and form new individuals. According to Shick (1991), sea anemones rely upon asexual reproduction rather than sexual reproduction in harsh environmental conditions. The photographs are observations and we, therefore, hypothesize the possibility of longitudinal fission in B. goanense and the likelihood of pedal laceration in the genus Bunodosoma.

In this article, a model is developed to depict the dynamics of gonorrhea and human immunodeficiency virus coinfection with disability and mortality risks. Estimating the parameter values and validating the model are done using real-world data on cases of gonorrhea. The properties of solutions, such as boundedness and positivity, uniqueness and existence are investigated. The basic reproduction number is calculated using the next-generation matrix. The stability of Gonorrhea-Free and Present Equilibrium states is also analyzed. The Lyapunov function is used to verify global stability at the Gonorrhea-Free Equilibrium, while the graph-theoretic approach is employed to analyze global stability at the Gonorrhea-Present Equilibrium. Sensitivity indices are calculated to identify the significant parameters transmitting the disease. The Adams Bashforth predictor-corrector scheme is used to simulate the behavior of all classes individually and in combination with the different classes, considering the effect of fractional order . The relation between various parameters and the basic reproduction number is analyzed and portrayed. The limitations on the values of the parameters to ensure the basic reproduction number is below one are also discussed. This model incorporates aspects that cause disabilities and mortality from both gonorrhea and HIV and estimates the contribution of both to the long-term neurological and reproductive disabilities. The simulation results demonstrate how the course of disabilities is altered when these aspects are modified. This work highlights the importance of early diagnosis and disability prevention efforts.

All papers published in this volume of IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering have been peer reviewed through processes administered by the Editors. Reviews were conducted by expert referees to the professional and scientific standards expected of a proceedings journal published by IOP Publishing. - Type of peer review: Single-blind, where reviewer’s identities are kept hidden from authors. - Conference submission management system: Open Conference Systems (OCS). Open Conference Systems (OCS) is a free Web publishing tool that will create a complete Web presence. Our OCS is managed by Universitas Sumatera Utara. - Number of submissions received: 152 papers - Number of submissions sent for review: 152 papers - Number of submissions accepted: 143 papers - Acceptance Rate (Number of Papers Accepted / Number of Papers Received x 100%): 143/152 x 100% = 94.1% - Average number of reviews per paper: 1 review per paper - Total number of reviewers involved: 14 reviewers - Any additional info on review process: Before being reviewed, all papers were checked their similarities by a ‘text-matching’ software in order to avoid plagiarism and duplicate submission. Then, each papers were peer reviewed by the appropriate experts. It took 2-3 weeks for the reviewed papers. If the paper needs revising, it should be resubmitted for peer review again. The passed papers should meet the following criteria: 1. Manuscripts must be written in English; 2. The manuscript should be written in accordance with the standard of template; 3. The topics of paper should be relevant to conference topics; 4. Plagiarism and duplicate submission are prohibited; 5. Innovation and scientific value is a must. Contact person for queries: Irvan (irvan@usu.ac.id) & TALENTA CEST Committee (talentacest@usu.ac.id)