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The object of the research is the unmanned aerial vehicle monitoring system, the data exchange protocol and the unmanned aerial vehicle control line. A study was conducted, based on the results of which the unmanned aerial vehicle protection protocol and criteria were selected. An algorithm has been developed that ensures the establishment of the fact that the received radio radiation belongs to the class of radio signals of unmanned aerial vehicle remote control systems with pulse-position and pulse-code modulations. The results of practical testing of possible solutions are presented and the results of the functioning of the developed communication components are given. The user interface was developed, and the hybrid data exchange protocol was implemented in software. У роботі досліджено систему моніторингу безпілотного літального апарату, протокол обміну даними та лінію керування безпілотним літальним апаратом. Розроблено підсистеми моніторингу та керування безпілотного літального апарата, модернізовано захист лінії керування безпілотного літального апарата. Проведено дослідження, за результатами якого обрано протокол та критерії захисту безпілотного літального апарата. Розроблено алгоритм, який забезпечує встановлення належності прийнятого радіовипромінювання до класу радіосигналів систем дистанційного керування безпілотними літальними апаратами з імпульсно-позиційною та імпульсно-кодовою модуляціями. Наведено результати практичної перевірки можливих рішень та наведено результати функціонування розроблених комунікаційних компонентів. Розроблено інтерфейс користувача та програмно реалізовано гібридний протокол обміну даними. У роботі досліджено систему моніторингу безпілотного літального апарату, протокол обміну даними та лінію керування безпілотним літальним апаратом. Розроблено підсистеми моніторингу та керування безпілотного літального апарата, модернізовано захист лінії керування безпілотного літального апарата. Проведено дослідження, за результатами якого обрано протокол та критерії захисту безпілотного літального апарата. Розроблено алгоритм, який забезпечує встановлення належності прийнятого радіовипромінювання до класу радіосигналів систем дистанційного керування безпілотними літальними апаратами з імпульсно-позиційною та імпульсно-кодовою модуляціями. Наведено результати практичної перевірки можливих рішень та наведено результати функціонування розроблених комунікаційних компонентів. Розроблено інтерфейс користувача та програмно реалізовано гібридний протокол обміну даними.

We recently described two outbred mouse lines that were selected for large litter size at first delivery. However, lifetime fecundity appears to be economically more important for the husbandry of many polytocous species for which mouse lines might serve as bona fide animal models (e.g. for pigs). In the present study, we compared the lifetime fecundities of two highly fertile mouse lines (FL1 and FL2: >20 offspring/litter at first delivery) with those of an unselected control line (ctrl) and two lines that were selected for high body weight (DU6) and high protein mass (DU6P) without selection pressure on fertility. We tested the hypothesis that selection for large litter size at first parturition would also increase lifetime fecundity in mice, and we observed very large differences between lines. Whereas FL1 and ctrl delivered up to nine and ten litters, none of the DU6 and DU6P females gave birth to more than five litters. In line with this observation, FL1 delivered the most pups per lifetime (85.7/female). FL2 females produced the largest average litter sizes (20.4 pups/litter) in the first four litters; however, they displayed a reduced number of litters. With the exception of ctrl, litter sizes declined from litter to litter. Repeated delivery of litters with high offspring numbers did not affect the general health of FL females. The presented data demonstrate that two biodiverse, highly fertile mouse lines selected for large litter size at first delivery show different lifetime reproductive fitness levels. Thus, these mouse lines might serve as valuable mouse models for investigating lifetime productivity and longevity in farm animals.

Throughout a selection experiment, which extended over five generations: the base and four generations of selection for augmenting early growth rate (GR) during the period from hatch to 21 days of age in Japanese quail, a total number of 8724 birds were used: 1726 in the base population, 5176 for the selected line (HGR1-21) and 1822 for the control line. The most important results obtained as follows: Genetically, heritability (h2) for all body weights (BW) showed moderate h2 ranged from 0.19 to 0.29. The GR1-21 positively correlated with all body weights weekly measured except BW at hatch (BW1) with genetic correlations (rg) ranged from 0.06 to 0.47, and a wide range of phenotypic correlation (rp ) ranged from 0.18 to 0.52. The GR during different periods of growth had medium h2 ranged from 0.17 to 0.28 and showed a wide range of moderate to high rg with the selection criterion (0.15 to 0.70) and had a broader range of rp ranged from 0.03 to 0.67. The HGR1-21 line in the 4th generation had the best growth performance for each of BW7, BW21, BW28, GR during the periods 1-7, 1-14, 1-28 and 1-35 days of age with significant differences. The realized cumulative response after four generations of selection was 0.063 (6.30%) for GR1-21, the cumulative correlated responses for BW s and GR s ranged from 1.19,g to 23.94,g and from 3.10% to 17.00%, respectively. So, the current study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the selection program through estimation of direct and correlated responses to selection for fast GR1-21, and determination of correlations between selection criterion and either body weights at different ages or GRs during different growth periods for Japanese quail.

It is a matter of fact that essentially derived varieties (EDV) exist in rice breeding in China, which impact breeding innovation negatively. This study explores the potential of using identity score (IS) method, which was originally developed by animal breeding and population genetic society, in determining essentially deviated rice male sterile (MS) lines released by “two-way hybrid rice system”. Six MS lines plus a control line, Nongken 58, which is an autonomous mutation donor of Nongken 58S, are analyzed with IS. Our results show that IS can determine similarity between rice lines to a very good level, with superiority on genome-wide coverage and accuracy when compared with NYT 1433-2007, which is the present rice authenticity standard. It is noteworthy that the 2 EDV lines identified by our study show enough polymorphisms when tested by simple sequence repeat (SSR), which suggests that it should call for challenges for SSR based authenticity test as required by the present national standards. Discussions on how to push forward rice breeding with implementation of IS are also covered.

Lateral flow assays (LFA) are an affordable, easy-to-use, qualitative rapid test for clinical diagnosis in nonlaboratory environments and low-resource facilities. The control line of these tests is very important to provide a valid result, confirming that the platform operates correctly. A clear, nondiffused line is desirable. The number of colored nanoparticles that reach the control line in a positive test can be very small, and they should all be trapped efficiently by the molecules adsorbed there. In this work, we proposed the use of robust biotinylated dendrimers of two different generations as signal amplifiers in control lines of LFA, able to react with streptavidin-modified gold nanoparticles. Besides the synthesis and characterization, the analytical performance as control lines will be studied, and their response will be compared with other commercially available biotinylated molecules. Finally, the utility of the dendrimer implemented in a NALF (Nucleic Acid Lateral Flow) strip was also demonstrated for detection of the amplicons obtained by double-tagging PCR (polymerase chain reaction) for the detection of E. coli as a model of foodborne pathogen.

Sandwich lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) are limited at high antigen concentrations by the hook effect, leading to a contradictory decrease in the test line (T) intensity and false-negative results. The hook effect is mainly associated with the loss of T, and research focuses on minimizing this effect. Nevertheless, the control line (C) intensity is also affected at higher analyte concentrations, undesirably influencing the T/C ratio in LFIA readers. The main aim of this work is to identify and understand these high antigen concentration effects in order to develop ubiquitous strategies to interpret and mitigate such effects. Four complementary experiments were performed: performance assessment of three different allergen LFIAs (two for hazelnut, one for peanut) over 0.075-3500 ppm, LFIAs with C only, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) binding experiments on the immobilized control antibody, and smartphone video recording of LFIAs during their development. As antigen concentrations increase, the C signal decreases before the T signal does, suggesting that distinct mechanisms underlie these intensity reductions. Reduced binding at the C occurred even in the absence of T, so the upfront T does not explain the loss of C. SPR confirmed that the C antibody favors binding with free labeled antibody compared with a labeled antibody-analyte complex, indicating that in antigen excess, binding is reduced at C before T. Finally, a smartphone-based video method was developed for dynamically monitoring the LFIA development in real time to distinguish between different concentration-dependent effects. Digitally analyzing the data allows clear differentiation of highly positive samples and false-negative samples and can indicate whether the LFIA is in the dynamic working range or at critically high concentrations. The aim of this work is to identify and understand such high antigen concentration effects in order to develop ubiquitous strategies to interpret and mitigate such effects. Funding Agencies|European UnionEuropean Union (EU) [720325]

Genetic covariance between two traits generates correlated responses to selection, and may either enhance or constrain adaptation. Silene latifolia exhibits potentially constraining genetic covariance between specific leaf area (SLA) and flower number in males. Flower number is likely to increase via fecundity selection but the correlated increase in SLA increases mortality, and SLA is under selection to decrease in dry habitats. We selected on trait combinations in two selection lines for four generations to test whether genetic covariance could be reduced without significantly altering trait means. In one selection line, the genetic covariance changed sign and eigenstructure changed significantly, while in the other selection line eigenstructure remained similar to the control line. Changes in genetic variance–covariance structure are therefore possible without the introduction of new alleles, and the responses we observed suggest that founder effects and changes in frequency of alleles of major effect may be acting to produce the changes.

Size-selective mortality is common in fish populations and can operate either in a positive size-selective fashion or be negatively size-selective. Through various mechanisms (like genetic correlations among behaviour and life-history traits or direct selection on behaviour co-varying with growth rate or size-at-maturation), both positive- and negative size-selection can result in evolutionary changes in behavioural traits. Theory suggests that size-selection alone favours boldness, but little experimental evidence exists about whether and to what extent size-selection can trigger its evolution. Here we investigated the impact of size-selective mortality on boldness across ontogeny using three experimental lines of zebrafish (Danio rerio) generated through positive (large-harvested), negative (small-harvested) and random (control line) size-selective mortality for five generations. We measured risk-taking during feeding (boldness) under simulated aerial predation threat and in presence of a live cichlid. We found that boldness decreased with ontogenetic age under aerial predation threat, and the small-harvested line was consistently bolder than controls. Collective personality emerged post larval stages among the selection lines. In presence of a cichlid, the large-harvested line was bolder at the highest risk of predation. The large-harvested line showed higher variability and plasticity in boldness across life stages and predation risks. Collectively, our results demonstrate that size-selective harvesting may evolutionarily alter risk-taking tendency. Size-selection alone favours boldness when selection acts on small fish. Selection typical of fisheries operating on large fish favours boldness at the highest risk of predation and increases behavioural variability and plasticity. There was no evidence for positive size-selection favouring evolution of shyness.

The COVID-19 pandemic puts significant stress on the viral testing capabilities of many countries. Rapid point-of-care (PoC) antigen tests are valuable tools but implementing frequent large scale testing is costly. We have developed an inexpensive device for pooling swabs, extracting specimens, and detecting viral antigens with a commercial lateral flow test for the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 as antigen. The holder of the device can be produced locally through 3D printing. The extraction and the elution can be performed with the entire set-up encapsulated in a transparent bag, minimizing the risk of infection for the operator. With 0.35 mL extraction buffer and six swabs, including a positive control swab, 43 ± 6% (n = 8) of the signal for an individual extraction of a positive control standard was obtained. Image analysis still showed a signal-to-noise ratio of approximately 2:1 at 32-fold dilution of the extract from a single positive control swab. The relative signal from the test line versus the control line was found to scale linearly upon dilution (R2 = 0.98), indicating that other pooling regimes are conceivable. A pilot project involving 14 participants and 18 pooled tests in a laboratory course at our university did not give any false positives, and an individual case study confirmed the ability to detect a SARS-CoV-2 infection with five-fold or six-fold pooling, including one swab from a PCR-confirmed COVID patient. These findings suggest that pooling can make frequent testing more affordable for schools, universities, and similar institutions, without decreasing sensitivity to an unacceptable level., Volkswagen Foundation

In this research, the Taguchi method was used to optimize the detection accuracy and reproducibility of an immunodetection system used for a quantitative analysis of a rapid test. Furthermore, the standard deviation (SD) and coefficient of variation (CV) between the theoretical value and the measured value of the self-made simulated rapid test became smaller, and the linearity became higher. The results thus indicated that the immunodetection system became more reliable. In the present research, a camera was used to capture an image containing the control line (C line) and the test line (T line) in the self-made simulated rapid test. The captured image was then analyzed, and the grayscales of the C line and T line were calculated. The Taguchi method was used to adjust the light intensity of the light-emitting diode (LED) and the camera parameters in the immunodetection system to determine the optimal parameters by which to optimize the performance of the immunodetection system. The goal of the present research was to obtain a measurement with a minimum SD and CV between the detected grayscales and the grayscales of the self-made simulated rapid test, thus indicating successful development of a practical, stable, and accurate immunodetection system. To mimic the color expression in an actual rapid test, the ratio of the red, green, blue (RGB) components of the self-made simulated rapid test had to be adjusted to closely fit the color expression of the actual rapid test. After the RGB ratio was set, the Taguchi method was used to optimize the parameters for the purpose of detection. When the optimal parameters were found, the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N ratio) had been increased from −12.89 dB to −10.91 dB, which means the accuracy of the color detection had been improved. Compared to the original detection system, the quality loss had been reduced to 33.1%.

Urgency of the research. Measuring small displacements is an important task of engineering geodesy. Measurements with an error in the range 0.001 mm - 0.1 mm are called technical measurements. Special equipment and methods of working on it are developed to perform such measurements. Control lines and sample measures are used for metrological verification of equipment. The temperature has the greatest effect on the change in the size of the equipment. The development of methods for high-precision fixation of small displacements from temperature changes is an urgent task. Target setting. It is difficult to measure small displacement with high accuracy. Interferometers are used for this purpose. A new high-precision method for measuring small displacements is proposed. Investigate the possibility of using the proposed method to determine the linear extension of the control lines. Actual scientific researches and issues analysis. Open access publications on linear expansion of material, devices and methods of fixing small movements are considered. Uninvestigated parts of general matters defining. Use of clock-type indicators instead of interferometers. Research of change of the size of control lines at temperature change. Checking the formulas of thermal linear expansion for a specific test sample. The research objective. Investigate the change in length of control lines from temperature using clock-type indicators. The statement of basic materials. The use of clock-type indicators allows to track the change in the size of the control lines when the temperature changes, and in turn allows to check the formula of thermal linear expansion for a particular sample, and not just to fix the size. We also found that a rapid change in temperature, more than 1.50 to ten minutes, causes a nonlinear change in the length of the studied samples. This fact must be taken into account when measuring with control lines in the field at sharp temperature drops. The correlation coefficients of size change from temperature and size change over time under the influence of temperature are calculated. To control the obtained results, the change in the length of the control lines was determined using a laser interferometer. With a temperature change of 8.50 C, the control meter changed its size by 0.18 mm and 0.16 mm (respectively, laser interferometer and clock-type indicator). Conclusions. A method for determining small displacements using a clock-type indicator is proposed. The correlation coefficients of the change in time under the influence of temperature change are established. The coefficients of linear expansion for brass and steel are specified. The practical value of the research is that the proposed method allows for metrological verification (extraordinary, running) of standards of length without the use of classical standards such as laser interferometers., Актуальність теми дослідження. Вимірювання малих переміщень є важливим завданням інженерної геодезії. Виміри з похибкою діапазону 0,001–0,1 мм називають технічними. Для виконання таких вимірювань розробляють спеціальне обладнання та методики роботи на ньому. Контрольні лінійки та взірцеві міри використовують для метрологічної повірки обладнання. Найбільше на зміну розміру виробу впливає температура. Розробка методів для високоточної фіксації малих переміщень від зміни температури є актуальним завданням. Постановка проблеми. Виміряти мале переміщення з високою точністю дуже складно. Для цього використовують інтерферометри. Запропонувати новий високоточний метод вимірювання малих переміщень. Дослідити можливість використання пропонованого методу для визначення лінійного розширення контрольних лінійок. Аналіз останніх досліджень і публікацій. Розглянуто публікації у відкритому доступі щодо лінійного розширення матеріалу, приладів та методів фіксації малих переміщень. Виділення недосліджених частин загальної проблеми. Використання індикаторів годинникового типу замість інтерферометрів. Дослідження зміни розміру контрольних лінійок у разі зміни температури. Перевірка формул температурного лінійного розширення для конкретного досліджуваного взірця. Мета статті. Дослідити зміну довжини контрольних лінійок від температури з використанням індикаторів годинникового типу. Виклад основного матеріалу. Використання індикаторів годинникового типу дає змогу відслідковувати зміну розміру контрольних лінійок у разі зміни температури і, у свою чергу, дає можливість перевірки формули температурного лінійного розширення для конкретного досліджуваного взірця, а не тільки фіксувати розмір. Також нами встановлено, що швидка зміна температури, більше ніж на 1,50 до десяти хвилин, викликає нелінійну зміну довжини досліджуваних взірців. Цей факт необхідно враховувати під час вимірювань контрольними лінійками в польових умовах при різких перепадах температури. Обчислені коефіцієнти кореляції зміни розміру від температури та зміни розміру в часі під впливом температури. Для контролю одержаних результатів було визначено зміну довжини контрольних лінійок з використанням лазерного інтерферометра. Зі зміною температури у 8.50 С контрольний метр змінив свій розмір на 0,18 та 0,16 мм (відповідно лазерний інтерферометр і індикатор годинникового типу). Висновки відповідно до статті. Запропоновано методику визначення малих переміщень використовуючи індикатор годинникового типу. Встановлено коефіцієнти кореляції зміни величини в часі під впливом зміни температури. Уточнено коефіцієнти лінійного розширення для латуні та сталі. Практична цінність проведених досліджень у тому, що запропонована методика дозволяє проводити метрологічну перевірку (позачергову, біжучу) еталонів довжини без застосування класичних еталонів таких, як лазерні інтерферометри.

Background In all organisms, life-history traits are constrained by trade-offs, which may represent physiological limitations or be related to energy resource management. To detect trade-offs within a population, one promising approach is the use of artificial selection, because intensive selection on one trait can induce unplanned changes in others. In chickens, the breeding industry has achieved remarkable genetic progress in production and feed efficiency over the last 60 years. However, this may have been accomplished at the expense of other important biological functions, such as immunity. In the present study, we used three experimental lines of layer chicken—two that have been divergently selected for feed efficiency and one that has been selected for increased antibody response to inactivated Newcastle disease virus (ND3)—to explore the impact of improved feed efficiency on animals’ immunocompetence and, vice versa, the impact of improved antibody response on animals’ growth and feed efficiency. Results There were detectable differences between the low (R+) and high (R−) feed-efficiency lines with respect to vaccine-specific antibody responses and counts of monocytes, heterophils, and/or T cell population. The ND3 line presented reduced body weight and feed intake compared to the control line. ND3 chickens also demonstrated an improved antibody response against a set of commercial viral vaccines, but lower blood leucocyte counts. Conclusions This study demonstrates the value of using experimental chicken lines that are divergently selected for RFI or for a high antibody production, to investigate the modulation of immune parameters in relation to growth and feed efficiency. Our results provide further evidence that long-term selection for the improvement of one trait may have consequences on other important biological functions. Hence, strategies to ensure optimal trade-offs among competing functions will ultimately be required in multi-trait selection programs in livestock.

SUMMARY Today commercial turkeys have an average body weight of nearly 17 kg within 16 wk of age. Approximately 50 yr prior, commercial turkeys reached 5 to 7 kg in the same period of time. Much of the increased growth can be attributed to genetic advances attained through selection for greater body weight, feed efficiency, and meat yield. Recent meat quality challenges have arisen and are attributed to the rapid growth of commercial turkeys. In the current study, 2 lines of turkeys were compared: the Randombred Control Line 2 (RBC2), which is representative of a late 1960’s commercial turkey and has been maintained without conscious selection for any trait, and the F line which was selected for only increased 16 wk body weight from the RBC2 line. After 50 generations of selection for increased body weight, the F line turkeys are now 2.5-times heavier than the RBC2 turkeys. Even with the increased weight gain, feed conversion rate was not different between the F and RBC2 lines. The pectoralis major (p. major: breast muscle) from the F line turkeys contained significantly more intramuscular fat compared to breasts from the RBC2 turkeys. Fresh breast color and shear force were not significantly different between the 2 lines. The results from the current study demonstrate that 50 generations of selection for increased 16 wk body weight has minimally impacted fresh meat quality. However, increased intramuscular fat content may deter consumers whom select turkey products due to it being a high-quality low fat source of protein.

The role of sexual selection in the context of harvest-induced evolution is poorly understood. However, elevated and trait-selective harvesting of wild populations may change sexually selected traits, which in turn can affect mate choice and reproduction. We experimentally evaluated the potential for fisheries-induced evolution of mating behaviour and reproductive allocation in fish. We used an experimental system of zebrafish (Danio rerio) lines exposed to large, small or random (i.e. control) size-selective mortality. The large-harvested line represented a treatment simulating the typical case in fisheries where the largest individuals are preferentially harvested. We used a full factorial design of spawning trials with size-matched individuals to control for the systematic impact of body size during reproduction, thereby singling out possible changes in mating behaviour and reproductive allocation. Both small size-selective mortality and large size-selective mortality left a legacy on male mating behaviour by elevating intersexual aggression. However, there was no evidence for line-assortative reproductive allocation. Females of all lines preferentially allocated eggs to the generally less aggressive males of the random-harvested control line. Females of the large-harvested line showed enhanced reproductive performance, and males of the large-harvested line had the highest egg fertilization rate among all males. These findings can be explained as an evolutionary adaptation by which individuals of the large-harvested line display an enhanced reproductive performance early in life to offset the increased probability of adult mortality due to harvest. Our results suggest that the large-harvested line evolved behaviourally mediated reproductive adaptations that could increase the rate of recovery when populations adapted to high fishing pressure come into secondary contact with other populations.

The present experiment has been carried out at the Poultry Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt, during the period from 2013 to 2017 on Norfa chickens. Total number of 475 dams were used in the present experiment in the base population, first and second generations. Independent culling levels (ICL) method of selection has been applied on the selected flock (+0.5sd). The criterion of ICL method of selection was to select hens having at least average EN90d + 0.5 sd on condition that egg size and body weight should be around the average flock. Results obtained and conclusions can be summarized as follows: The heritability estimates (h2) showed that AgeSM had low h2 estimates, both of BWSM and BWM showed moderate h2 estimates, EWSM showed moderate to high h2 estimates while EWM had moderate h2 estimates and the heritability estimates for EN90d and EN42wk were moderate to high. The expected genetic changes for AgeSM, BWSM, BWM, EWSM, EWM, EN90d and EN42WK in the base population were -1.12 d. ، 41.82 g، 22.28 g ، 1.19 g ،0.46g ، 3.57egg and 1.70 eggs respectively. While the actual genetic gains were7.79، 17.9، -0.093، -1.60، -1.60، 5.18 egg and 8 eggs respectively. The expected genetic changes for AgeSM, BWSM, BWM, EWSM, EWM, EN90d and EN42WK) in the first generation of Norfa chicken were 1.69 d ، 22.43 g،31.01 g ، .89 g ،.32g ، 1.8 egg and 1.27 eggs respectively. While the actual genetic gains were -13، -29.9،-38، -1، -1.180،5.8 egg and 5.24eggs, in the same order. The expected genetic changes for AgeSM, BWSM, BWM, EWSM, EWM, EN90d and EN42WK in the first generation of Norfa chicken were 1.31 d., 26.14 g, .27 .73 g ,0 .87 g ,0.26 g , 2.95 egg and 2.91 eggs respectively. While the actual genetic gains were -10، -30، -22،-1.4، 1، 14.05 egg and 19.72 eggs respectively. The actual genetic gains for EN90d and EN42WK were high than the expected genetic changes through the base population, first and second generations by applied the Independent culling levels. The selected line was better than the control line for productive traits in Norfa laying hens.

Base population after third generation of selection conclude total number of 788 birds at 6 weeks of age were used in this study and randomly assigned to two mating groups. First groupe was selected for early age at sexual maturity (EASM) and the second was as a control line (RBC) to study the direct and correlated responses for this direct of selection. The results can be summarized as follow: EASM was highly significantly (P≤0.01) decreased from 39.54 days to 35.23 days. The actual and the expected selection differentials were 2.52 and 2.29g / generation. The actual response to selection in the (EASM) line was1.46g /generation. a- Heritability of EASM estimated ranged from 0.29 to 0.35 b- The realized heritability ranged from 0.44 to 0.79. c- Correlated responses for EASM were as follow: d- BW0, BW2, BW4, and BW6 increased significantly (P≤0.05) from 9.95, 40.58, 98.84 and 170.47g to 10.47, 47.01, 101.87 and 181.42g. e- Egg weight (EW) was decreased (P≤0.05) from 10.74g to 10.04g. But Body weight at sexual maturity (BWSM) was increased from 136.32 g to 139.32 g. Total egg weight at first ten week (TEN10) decreased from 55.25eggs to 54.25egg. f- Fertility (FR %) was increased (P≤0.05) from 80.58% to 80.90%. and Hatchability (HA %) were increased (P≤0.05) from 70.42% to 70.92%. g- Meat, dressing and giblets % were increased significantly (P≤0.05) from 42.33, 62.04 and14.27% to 43. 76%, 63.99 and 14.99%.

A monosex female, pedigreed rainbow trout population was selected as diploids to improve growth performance to the standard ~500-gram US market weight and beyond (Select line), and a contemporary, randomly-mated control line was maintained to empirically estimate selection response (Synthetic Control line). After two generations of selection, 10 Select and 7 Synthetic Control families were evaluated for growth performance as diploids and pressure-induced triploids with the aim of evaluating effects of triploidy on genetic gains made by selecting on diploid performance. Approximately 24 fish per ploidy × family subclass (810 fish total) were tagged at 5 months of age, commingled into one of three replicated tanks, and measured monthly for body weight, fork length, and condition factor until 21 months of age. Data were analyzed separately by month using a mixed-effects linear model to evaluate fixed effects of genetic line, ploidy, tank, genetic line × ploidy, and genetic line × ploidy × tank, and random effects of family nested within genetic line and family nested within ploidy. By 7 months of age and throughout the remainder of the study, Select-line fish and diploids were heavier compared to Synthetic Control fish and triploids (P ≤ .03). Select-line fish and diploids had numerically larger condition factors throughout most of the study, but differences were generally not significant (P

Pedigree-derived relationships for individuals from an intercross of several lines cannot easily account for the segregation variance that is mainly caused by loci with alternative alleles fixed in different lines. However, when all founders are genotyped for a large number of markers, such relationships can be derived for descendants as expected genomic relationships conditional on the observed founder allele frequencies. A tabular method was derived in detail for autosomes and the X-chromosome. As a case study, we analyzed litter size and body weights at three different ages in an advanced mouse intercross (29 generations, total pedigree size 19,266) between a line selected for high litter size (FL1) and a highly inbred control line (DUKsi). Approximately 60% of the total genetic variance was due to segregation variance. Estimated heritability values were 0.20 (0.03), 0.34 (0.04), 0.23 (0.03), 0.41 (0.03) and 0.47 (0.02) for litter size, litter weight and body weight at ages of 21, 42 and 63 days, respectively (standard errors in brackets). These values were between 12% and 65% higher than observed in analyses that treated founders as unrelated. Fields of applications include experimental populations (selection experiments or advanced intercross lines) with a limited number of founders, which can be genotyped at a reasonable cost. In principle any number of founder lines can be treated. Additional genotypes from individuals in later generations can be combined into a joint relationship matrix by capitalizing on previously published approaches.

The current study investigated the influence of selection for body weight (BW) on growth curve parameters in two lines of Japanese quail through a mixed model approach. Live BWs of 1400 Japanese quail were recorded at 3-day intervals from hatching to 42 days of age. Birds were distributed equally across lines (selected and control) and sexes (male and female). The asymptotic weight parameter (β0) values were always higher in Gompertz than Richards models in both lines. The values ofβ0were higher in the selected than control lines and in females than males across models. Differences were found in the inflection point for age and weight across lines and sexes. Values of the growth rate parameter (β2) ranged from 0.06 to 0.10 in both models, favouring males over females in both lines. Lower weights at the inflection point of both models were observed in the control line. Determination coefficient (R2) of both models in different genetic groups and sexes was similar. Mean square error (MSE) values of the Gompertz model were lower for females in selectedv.control lines. In contrast, MSE values of the Richards model were lower for selected malesv.control males. According to the criteria of choice (highestR2and lowest MSE, Akaike information criterion and Bayesian information criterion), the Richards model was considered the best fitting model for the growth data of males, while the Gompertz model was the best for growth data of female quails in both lines.

Design aspects of the active electrically small antennas based on superconducting quantum arrays with reference to niobium backbone fabrication technique with the only two-layer wiring are analyzed. Based on the optimal parameter domains obtained earlier for the basic cells of the arrays, we consider design issues of the possible control lines for the arrays. Examples of the cell and control line layout designs are presented and discussed.

18 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables.-- The data used in this study are available as supplementary material https://doi.org/10.3390/biology10020113, Size-selective mortality is common in fish stocks. Positive size-selection happens in fisheries where larger size classes are preferentially targeted while gape-limited natural predation may cause negative size-selection for smaller size classes. As body size and correlated behavioural traits are sexually selected, harvest-induced trait changes may promote prezygotic reproductive barriers among selection lines experiencing differential size-selective mortality. To investigate this, we used three experimental lines of zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed to positive (large-harvested), negative (small-harvested) and random (control line) size-selective mortality for five generations. We tested prezygotic preferences through choice tests and spawning trials. In the preference tests without controlling for body size, we found that females of all lines preferred males of the generally larger small-harvested line. When the body size of stimulus fish was statistically controlled, this preference disappeared and a weak evidence of line-assortative preference emerged, but only among large-harvested line fish. In subsequent spawning trials, we did not find evidence for line-assortative reproductive allocation in any of the lines. Our study suggests that size-selection due to fisheries or natural predation does not result in reproductive isolation. Gene flow between wild-populations and populations adapted to size-selected mortality may happen during secondary contact which can speed up trait recovery, TR was supported by Postdoctoral research fellowship from Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany. VS was supported by Juan de la Cierva Incorporación research fellowship (IJC2018-035389-I) granted by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. With the funding support of the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S), of the Spanish Research Agency (AEI)

The IMPC/KOMP program provides the opportunity to screen mice harboring well defined gene-inactivation mutations in a uniform genetic background. The program performs a global tissue phenotyping survey that includes skeletal x-rays and bone density measurements. Because of the relative insensitivity of the two screening tests for detecting variance in bone architecture, we initiated a secondary screen based on μCT and a cryohistolomorphological workflow that was performed on the femur and vertebral compartments on 220 randomly selected knockouts (KOs) and 36 control bone samples over a 2 1/2 year collection period provided by one of the production/phenotyping centers. The performance of the screening protocol was designed to balance throughput and cost versus sensitivity and informativeness such that the output would be of value to the skeletal biology community. Here we report the reliability of this screening protocol to establish criteria for control skeletal variance at the architectural, dynamic and cellular histomorphometric level. Unexpected properties of the control population include unusually high variance in BV/TV in male femurs and greater bone formation and bone turnover rates in the female femur and vertebral trabeculae bone compartments. However, the manner for maintaining bone formation differed between these two bone sites. The vertebral compartment relies on maintaining a greater number of bone forming surfaces while the femoral compartment utilized more matrix production per cell. The comparison of the architectural properties obtained by μCT and histomorphology revealed significant differences in values for BV/TV, Tb.Th and Tb.N which is attributable to sampling density of the two methods. However, as a screening tool, expressing the ratio of KO to the control line as obtained by either method was remarkably similar. It identified KOs with significant variance which led to a more detailed histological analysis. Our findings are exemplified by the Efna4 KO, in which a high BV/TV was identified by μCT and confirmed by histomorphometry in the femur but not in the vertebral compartment. Dynamic labeling showed a marked increase in BFR which was attributable to increased labeling surfaces. Cellular analysis confirmed partitioning of osteoblast to labeling surfaces and a marked decrease in osteoclastic activity on both labeling and quiescent surfaces. This pattern of increased bone modeling would not be expected based on prior studies of the Ephrin-Ephrin receptor signaling pathways between osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Overall, our findings underscore why unbiased screening is needed because it can reveal unknown or unanticipated genes that impact skeletal variation.

Simple Summary The divergent selection for birth weight variability was previously proven by the difference between the two selected mice lines, but the comparison with a control line made it possible to measure independently the differential response in each of the low and high birth weight variability lines. In conclusion, the genetic response was much higher for the low variability line than for the high variability line. This was extremely satisfactory given that homogeneity provides advantages in terms of animal welfare and robustness. Abstract Birth weight (BW) in animal production is an economically important trait in prolific species. The laboratory mouse (Mus musculus) is used as an experimental animal because it is considered a suitable model for prolific species such as rabbits and pigs. Two mouse lines were divergently selected for birth weight variability with a third line of non-selected control population of the same origin as the animals starting the experiment. The objective of this study was, therefore, to compare and evaluate the differential response of each line. The animals were from the 17th generation of both low and high BW variability lines of the divergent selection experiment, including in addition animals from the control line. The dataset contained 389 records from 48 litters of the high line, 734 records from 73 litters of the low line, and 574 records from 71 litters of the control line. The studied traits were as follows: the BW, the BW variance, the BW standard deviation, the BW coefficient of variation within-litter, the weaning weight (WW), the litter size at birth and at weaning, the weight gain, and the preweaning survival. The model included the line effect jointly with the parturition number and its interaction, the linear and quadratic LS as covariates except for the LS trait itself when analyzing litter traits, as well as the pup sex when analyzing individual traits. The low line had a lower BW and WW, but a higher litter size, and greater robustness owing to a higher survival at weaning. As a model of livestock animals, the findings from this experiment led to a proposal of selection for pig production that would combine an increase in litter size with higher survival and welfare. Compared with the control line, a much higher response was observed in the low variability line than in the high line, making it extremely satisfactory given that homogeneity provides advantages in terms of animal welfare and robustness.

Hussein TH, Al-Shuhaib MBS, Al-Thuwaini TM. 2020. Potential mitochondrial diversity role in the productivity of three lines of Japanese quails. Biodiversitas 21: 2258-2265. This study was conducted to identify the mitochondrial D-loop genetic diversity in three lines of Japanese quails that differ in productive performance. A total of 223 quails consisting of 54, 84, and 85 of black (control line), white (egg-producing line), and brown (meat-producing line) quails respectively were genotyped by PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). The genetic and phylogenetic differences within and among quails’ populations were analyzed. Three different SSCP banding patterns were observed in black and brown quails, while white quails exhibited six different SSCP-banding patterns. Sequencing reactions confirmed the presence of 12 haplotypes with 48 variations distributed among the studied birds. The white line exhibited the most diverse nucleotide variability, followed by the brown, and black lines respectively. The mean diversity for all populations was mainly due to within-population variation (71.6%), while among-population variation accounted for much less value (28.4%). Tajima’s D test showed significant values for both productive white (2.45680) and brown (3.07723) lines. In conclusion, this study suggested a wide nucleic acid variation in the investigated egg productive line than the meat productive line respectively compared with the black line control, implying a positive correlation between mitochondrial variability and productive performance.

Trace amine-associated receptor 1 (Taar1) impacts methamphetamine (MA) intake. A mutant allele (Taar1(m1J)) derived from the DBA/2J mouse strain codes for a non-functional receptor, and Taar1(m1J/m1J) mice consume more MA than mice possessing the reference Taar1(+) allele. To study the impact of this mutation in a genetically diverse population, heterogeneous stock-collaborative cross (HS-CC) mice, the product of an 8-way cross of standard and wild-derived strains, were tested for MA intake. HS-CC had low MA intake, so a HS-CC by DBA/2J strain F2 intercross was created to transfer the mutant allele onto the diverse background, and used for selective breeding. To study residual variation in MA intake existing in Taar1(m1J/m1J) mice, selective breeding for higher (MAH) vs. lower (MAL) MA intake was initiated from Taar1(m1J/m1J) F2 individuals; a control line of Taar1(+/+) individuals (MAC) was retained. The lines were also examined for MA-induced locomotor and thermal responses, and fluid and tastant consumption. Taar1(m1J/m1J) F2 mice consumed significantly more MA than Taar1(+/+) F2 mice. Response to selection was significant by generation 2 and there were corresponding differences in fluid consumed. Fluid consumption was not different in non-MA drinking studies. Taar1(m1J/m1J) genotype (MAL or MAH vs. MAC mice) was associated with heighted MA locomotor and reduced hypothermic responses. MAL mice exhibited greater sensitization than MAH mice, but the selected lines did not consistently differ for thermal or tastant phenotypes. Residual variation among high risk Taar1(m1J/m1J) mice appears to involve mechanisms associated with neuroadaptation to MA, but not sensitivity to hypothermic effects of MA.