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Summary MitoFlex is a linux-based mitochondrial genome analysis toolkit, which provides a complete workflow of raw data filtering, de novo assembly, mitochondrial genome identification and annotation for animal High Throughput Sequencing data. The overall performance was compared between MitoFlex and its analogue MitoZ, in terms of protein-coding gene recovery, memory consumption and processing speed. Availabilityand implementation MitoFlex is available at https://github.com/Prunoideae/MitoFlex under GPLv3 license. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we describe a new species for the genus Oregoniplana from the coast of China, representing the third species for the genus and the first record of this genus for Asia. The other species are known from Oregon, USA, and from South Africa. Specimens of the South African species, Oregoniplana pantherina , were recently rediscovered, forming the second record for the species, which provided the basis for a necessary re-description. Molecular data (18S rDNA and 28S rDNA) obtained for the new Chinese species facilitated determination of the position of the genus Oregoniplana in the phylogenetic tree of the marine triclads. We report molecular data also for species previously discovered in China, viz. Miroplana shenzhensis and Pentacoelum sinensis , thus enabling us to determine for the first time the phylogenetic position of the genus Miroplana. These new molecular data revealed that Pentacoleum sinensis occupies an unexpected position in the phylogenetic tree. Laboratory cultures of the new Chinese species provided information on food preferences and reproduction. Oregoniplana pantherina exhibits a peculiar kind of locomotion and an unusual resting position in which the animal has three points of contact on either side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For drag and heat flux reduction, many strategies equipped with jets have got lots of attentions recently. However, the establishment process of jet flow still remains unclear. In this investigation, an in-house code was developed to simulate the establishment process of spiked lateral jet flow and to uncover flow mechanisms. Firstly, code verification and validation were performed. Then the establishment process of spiked lateral jet in hypersonic flows is thoroughly investigated. Besides, some factors influencing the establishment process of spiked lateral jet are also explored. The results showed that the establishment process of spiked lateral jet in hypersonic flows is a strong transient process and contains complex flow phenomena. During the whole process, the aerodynamic drag firstly drops and then rises accompanying by fluctuation to a stable value. Increasing the lateral jet pressure would lead to severer interaction between the lateral jet and blunt body resulting in more dramatic fluctuation of aerodynamic drag. Besides, for fixed lateral jet pressure, longer spike is recommended. The transient flow structure is highly dominated by the lateral jet location and proper lateral jet location can decrease the fluctuation of aerodynamic drag during the establishment process of spiked lateral jet in hypersonic flows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper examines the hypotheses that liquidity improves corporate governance, and better governance enhances valuation of Russian firms. We find a positive causal relationship between measures of liquidity and corporate governance. Additionally, we document the strong positive impact of corporate governance on valuation. Our results are economically significant. For example, we document that a 10% decrease in the proportion of zero return days implies a 0.34% increase in transparency and disclosure, which in turn leads to a 9.6% increase in firm valuation. Our research findings shed light on the important role of liquidity in improving corporate governance and valuation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A pressure control method that incorporates parameter adaptation has been devised for the pressure control system of pintle solid rocket motors, which exhibit notable nonlinearities and uncertainties in parameters. Firstly, the mathematical relationship between pressure and pintle displacement is derived using the zero-dimensional interior ballistic model., and the state space equation is deduced by incorporating the dynamics of motor inertia load. Secondly, by capitalizing on the robustness of robust control, the parameter identification capabilities of adaptive control, and the rigor of Lyapunov stability theory, the proposed approach enables precise control of the pintle position while effectively addressing uncertainties, thereby enhancing the overall performance and stability of the system. Finally, the aforementioned theoretical framework has been validated through rigorous numerical simulations. The findings demonstrate a notable enhancement in the pressure response speed of the adaptive robust controller, with improvements of 10.01 % and 13.16 %, 0.03 % and 1.54 %, 0.06 % and 22.39 % in different orders of magnitude of free volume as compared to the robust controller and PID controller, respectively. Moreover, it is evident that the adaptive robust controller relies on the accuracy of the model. The applied controller demonstrates notable advantages in terms of stability, robustness, and accuracy, thereby substantially enhancing the overall performance of the pressure control system. • The state space equation for the pressure of the pintle solid rocket motors is derived. • The pressure dynamics equation and the motor inertial load equation are combined. • An adaptive robust controller with respect to pressure is designed. • The controller response laws for various free volumes, pressure index and characteristic velocity are obtained. • The adaptive robust controller exhibits a higher dependence on model accuracy is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper describes two new Chinese species of maricolan planarians through an integrated approach, including morphological, histological and molecular phylogenetic analyses. One new species forms the third species of the genus Pacifides and represents the first record of this genus from the Western Pacific. Further we document a third, new species of the genus Paucumara that is fully restricted to freshwater habitats, as it occurs on the shores of the Jialing River in Chongqing municipality far into the interior of China. Molecular phylogenetic analyses enabled us to determine, for the first time, the position of the genus Pacifides in the phylogenetic tree of the marine triclads. We also provide information on the feeding and reproduction of the new species of Pacifides. The paper concludes with two speculative scenarios on the evolutionary history that may have led to the present-day far inland occurrence and freshwater ecology of the new species of Paucumara; one scenario involves tectonic uplift-driven speciation and niche evolution, while the other invokes passive upstream dispersal via the Yangtze River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the channel relationship between cultural dimensions, public expenditure on education, and country level PISA test scores. We test the hypotheses that cultural dimensions impact aggregate public expenditure on education and higher expenditure improves PISA results. We find a causal relationship between measures of culture and expenditure on education. In particular, we document the negative impact of power distance and masculinity on education expenditure. In contrast, individualism and long-term orientation positively impact public expenditure. In addition, we find a strong positive association between public expenditure on education and PISA scores at the country level. These findings are robust and consistent for all PISA test types. Our research findings shed light on the important role of cultural dimensions on education expenditure and inter-country differences in PISA performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to gain insight into aluminum agglomeration behaviors and agglomeration processes, the aluminized fuel-rich propellants in solid fuel ramjet are investigated by using sampling method followed by scanning electron microscopy and laser scattering experimental technique on the small-scale combustion experimental system and connected-pipe experimental system. It is observed that the aluminum particles would break away from the burning surface after agglomeration, and interpocket agglomeration occurred. Under different ambient pressures, the microstructure of the combustion products and the aggregation behavior of aluminum particles are further analyzed. Based on the classical pocket theory and particle size analysis experiments, a new agglomeration size prediction model is established. It can be used to predict the agglomeration size on the burning surface. Compared with the empirical model and the typical pocket model, this model is in good agreement with the experimental results. A connected-pipe experimental system for solid fuel ramjet is established. The effects of inlet air temperatures on the combustion performance of ramjet, the microstructure and agglomeration size are studied. With the increase of inlet air temperature, the agglomeration size decreases, the pressure, temperature and thrust in the combustion chamber increase, which makes the propellant burn more fully. The characteristic velocity, specific impulse and combustion efficiency of the solid fuel ramjet increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flatworms generally are simultaneous hermaphrodites that exhibit various kinds of mating behavior. Here we report on the mating behavior and reproductive biology of the planarian Paucumara falcata. We recognized three phases in its mating behavior: a courtship, copulation, and postcopulatory phase. During the last‐mentioned phase, the partners showed a unique and very characteristic behavior in which their bodies intertwined, forming a spiral. Histological study of partners in copula revealed that the sclerotic tip of the musculo‐parenchymatic organ pierces the body wall of the partner and then becomes lodged in its parenchyma, suggesting that this organ may act as an anchor, thus stabilizing the worms during copulation. Similar organs in other species of marine triclad may also perform a stabilizing role during copulation. During copulation in individuals of P. falcata, sperm transfer was reciprocal or only unilateral. Copulation duration ranged 13–35 min (average 20 ± 5 min), irrespective of whether the mating was successful (i.e., resulted in the production of fertile cocoons). The spiraling phase lasted on average 10 min; some worms did not show the postcopulatory spiraling phase during their mating behavior. After successful copulation, an individual worm produced 1–12 fertile cocoons over a period of 1–17 days; from a cocoon hatched either one young (in 70% of the cases), or two young worms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A novel Es-GC×GC-TOFMS approach to separate chiral volatiles in tea was established. • Volatile enantiomers in Wuyi rock teas from four cultivars were firstly quantitated. • Limits of quantitation of linalool oxides A−B in teas were as low as 0.2 pg/mL. • R -α-Ionone, S -(E)-nerolidol etc. were the potential markers to distinguish cultivar. • 7 Volatile enantiomers were identified as aroma-active compounds in Wuyi rock teas. Chiral volatiles play important roles in the formation of aroma quality of foods. To date, enantiomeric characteristics of chiral volatiles in Wuyi rock tea (WRT) and their aroma contributions are still unclear. In this study, an efficient enantioselective comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Es-GC × GC-TOFMS) approach to separate and precisely quantitate 24 pairs of chiral volatiles in WRTs was established, and the enantiomeric distribution and aroma contribution of chiral volatiles among WRTs from four representative cultivars were investigated. Enantiomeric ratio (ER) of R -α-ionone (80%) in Dahongpao (DHP), ER of S -α-terpineol (57%) in Jinfo (JF), ERs of R -γ-heptanolactone (69%), S -γ-nonanolactone (55%), (2 R , 5 S)-theaspirane B (91%), concentration of S -(E)-nerolidol (313.37 ng/mL) in Rougui (RG) and concentration of R -α-ionone (33.01 ng/mL) in Shuixian (SX) were unique from other types of WRTs, which were considered as the potential chemical markers to distinguish WRT cultivars. The OAV assessment determined 7 volatile enantiomers as the aroma-active compounds, especially R -α-ionone and R -δ-octanolactone in SX, as well as S -(E)-nerolidol and (1 R , 2 R)-methyl jasmonate in RG contribute much to aroma formation of the corresponding WRTs. The above results provide scientific references for discrimination of tea cultivars and directed improvement of the aroma quality of WRT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]