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The accurate physical parameters of distribution lines are important for power grid analysis, and are essential to the stable and economic operation of the distribution network. In view of the subjectivity and hysteresis of traditional distribution network topology parameter recognition methods, this paper proposes a Dynamic Bayesian Network (DBN)-based distribution line parameter estimation model. The influence of the external environment and distribution operating mode is considered in the model. According to the relations between the parameters and the influencing factors, a DBN model is established to simulate the dynamic characteristics of the line parameters. Then the BP algorithm is applied to infer distribution line parameters with the DBN model. Finally, a case study based on a 10kV single-connected distribution network is used to prove that the proposed model has high accuracy and robustness in parameter identification.

The stochastic characteristics of distributed generators (DG) and loads may cause unwanted voltage fluctuation in microgrid. Traditional voltage analysis methods lack the ability to deal with this new situation. Based on the analysis of the stochastic characteristics, the random models of DGs and loads were established. By modifying the Newton-Raphson method, a stochastic power flow algorithm based on Monte-Carlo simulation was purposed to evaluate voltage risks. To accelerate the computation, a distributed parallel Monte-Carlo simulation method based on Spark MapReduce was purposed. A test platform was set up to tested the algorithm with a calculation example, which proves the effectiveness and superiority of the purposed method.

Land conservation decisions often overlook the ecological benefits associated with them. Multiple measures of ecosystem services need to be considered as a framework to evaluate potential areas of interest for conservation. In this research, we developed a conservation prioritization framework that incorporated data measures derived from openly available Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing data and used multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). The proposed framework is implemented as an online geospatial conservation prioritization tool (CPT) for the Gulf Coast region of the United States. The CPT is built on a database of 19 measures developed in association with the interests of various stakeholders. Experimental results and feedback from stakeholders on the use of CPT indicate that the approach developed in this project is beneficial for strategizing conservation efforts. This online geospatial tool can be accessed at the following URL: https://scagulf.shinyapps.io/CPTp1/

It have been significantly demonstrated that Hexokinase (HXK), Granule-bound starch synthase (GBSS) and ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) are three critical enzymes in the starch biosynthetic pathway and are related to starch (amylose, amylopectin and total starch) content in lotus. It is important to develop functional markers in marker-assisted selection of lotus breeding. So far there have been few reports about lotus functional markers. In this study, based on insertion-deletions (INDELs) and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we developed three functional markers, FMHXK-E1, FMGBSS-I8 and FMAGPL-I1. FMHXK-E1 was developed based on polymorphisms of two haplotypes of NnHXK. 26 lotus cultivars that the 320-bp fragment presented in NnHXK had a lower content of amylose and a higher content of amylopectin. FMGBSS-I8 was developed based on polymorphisms of two haplotypes of NnGBSS. The group containing 32 lotus cultivars with the 210-bp fragment had less amylose content and more amylopectin content. FMAGPL-I1 was developed based on polymorphisms of two haplotypes of NnAGPL (ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase large subunit gene). The group containing 40 lotus cultivars with the 362-bp fragment had less amylopectin, total starch content and more amylose content. According to the study, FMHXK-E1, FMGBSS-I8 and FMAGPL-I1 are closely related to lotus starch content. It could be provided research basis for molecular assisted selection of lotus starch content improve breeding efficiency.

Amorphophallus (Araceae) contains more than 170 species that are mainly distributed in Asia and Africa. Because the bulbs of Amorphophallus are rich in glucomannan, they have been widely used in food, medicine, the chemical industry and so on. To better understand the evolutionary relationships and mutation patterns in the chloroplast genome of Amorphophallus, the complete chloroplast genomes of four species were sequenced. The chloroplast genome sequences of A. albus, A. bulbifer, A. konjac and A. muelleri ranged from 162,853 bp to 167,424 bp. The A. albus chloroplast (cp) genome contains 113 genes, including 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes and 4 rRNA genes. The A. bulbifer cp genome contains 111 genes, including 78 protein-coding genes, 29 tRNA genes and 4 rRNA genes. A. muelleri contains 111 and 113 genes, comprising 78 and 80 protein-coding genes, respectively, 29 tRNA genes and 4 rRNA genes. The IR (inverted repeat) region/LSC (long single copy) region and IR/SSC (short single copy) region borders of the four Amorphophallus cp genomes were compared. In addition to some genes being deleted, variations in the copy numbers and intron numbers existed in some genes in the four cp genomes. One hundred thirty-four to 164 SSRs (simple sequence repeats) were detected in the four cp genomes. In addition, the highest mononucleotide SSRs were composed of A and T repeat units, and the majority of dinucleotides were composed of AT and TA. SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) and indels (insertion-deletions) were calculated from coding genes and noncoding genes, respectively. These divergences comprising SSRs, SNPs and indel markers will be useful in testing the maternal inheritance of the chloroplast genome, identifying species differentiation and even in breeding programs. Furthermore, the regression of ndhK was detected from four Amorphophallus cp genomes in our study. Complete cp genome sequences of four Amorphophallus species and other plants were used to perform phylogenetic analyses. The results showed that Amorphophallus was clustered in Araceae, and Amorphophallus was divided into two clades; A. albus and A. konjac were clustered in one clade, and A. bulbifer and A. muelleri were clustered in another clade. Phylogenetic analysis among the Amorphophallus genus was conducted based on matK and rbcL. The phylogenetic trees showed that the relationships among the Amorphophallus species were consistent with their geographical locations. The complete chloroplast genome sequence information for the four Amorphophallus species will be helpful for elucidating Amorphophallus phylogenetic relationships.

Strategic, data driven conservation approaches are increasing in popularity as conservation communities gain access to better science, more computing power, and more data. High resolution geospatial data, indicating ecosystem functions and economic activity, can be very useful for any conservation expert or funding agency. A framework was developed for a data driven conservation prioritization tool and a data visualization tool. The developed tools were then implemented and tested for the U.S. Gulf of Mexico coastal region defined by the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council. As a part of this tool development, priority attributes and data measures were developed for the region through 13 stakeholder charrettes with local, state, federal, and other non-profit organizations involved in land conservation. This paper presents the measures that were developed to reflect stakeholder priorities. These measures were derived from openly available geospatial and non-geospatial data sources. This database contained 19 measures, aggregated into a one km2 hexagonal grid and grouped by the overarching goals of habitat, water quality and quantity, living coastal and marine resources, community resilience, and economy. The developed measures provided useful data for a conservation planning framework in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico coastal region.

An unprecedented land conservation effort is presently underway in the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Region (GCR) due to an influx of funds from settlements related to the 2012 RESTORE Act. A complete understanding of the priorities of the states in the GCR is critical to ensure that land conservation planning efforts are implemented effectively and efficiently. The paper reviews past, current, and future land conservation priorities in the GCR to inform strategic planning efforts. This review catalogs an extensive list of projects and plans proposed and implemented at federal, state, county, and city levels with direct ties to land conservation during the past 20 years. Comprehensive restoration goals proposed by the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration (Restore) Council were used as a framework for grouping priorities within conservation plans and projects. Plans were first compiled via internet searches and expert sources, then a series of eight stakeholder charrettes were held across the GCR states to validate the catalog and add missing projects and plans. A geospatial web tool was developed using the Restore Council goal framework to allow for the identification and exploration of plans in the GCR.

R-spondin1 (RSPO1) is a potential female-determining gene in human (Homo sapiens) and mouse (Mus musculus). Its differential expression in these mammals is correlated with signaling for sex determination. As a way of studying sex determination in fish we cloned and analyzed a RSPO1 gene in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Using real-time PCR, we observed that RSPO1 is expressed more strongly in ovaries than in testes, suggesting that RSPO1 may have a role in gonad differentiation. High RSPO1 expression was detected in some non-gonadal organs like muscle and kidneys. In situ hybridization results demonstrate that RSPO1 is expressed in premature germ cells, in oogonia and primary oocytes in ovaries and in spermatogonia and spermatocytes in testes. It is also expressed in gonad somatic cells during gonadal development: in granulosa cells and theca cells of early and late cortical-alveolar stage follicles in ovaries, and in Leydig cells in testes. This differential expression may indicate that RSPO1 has a role(s) in zebrafish gonad development and differentiation. By fusing zebrafish RSPO1 with a green fluorescent protein gene, we found that RSPO1 is located in the cytosol and Golgi apparatus but not the nucleus of fish epithelioma papulosum cyprinid (EPC) cells. These preliminary findings suggest some aspects of RSPO1 like differential expression linked to sex determination may be conserved in fish while other aspects like subcellular localization differ from the mammalian RSPO1.